Naruto stood before the entire opposing armies of the pirates and marines; he smirked when he saw some of the shocked faces and recognized some of the main fighters. He saw Juracule Mihawk, Bartholomew Kuma, Ivankov, and the three new marine admirals Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru. He looked back towards the execution deck and saw Sengoku, Garp, and the condemned man. He looked back towards Crocodile, and was shocked by the level of anger his face held. "Crocodile…what is wrong?" Crocodile gritted his teeth then yelled at him, "You BASTARD! Me and the rest of the crew thought you died! You were thrown overboard, with Seastone shackles! You didn't come back up…there was no sign of your life. Do you know how it feels? Do you know how it feels for your HERO TO DISSAPPEAR FOR TWENTY YEARS, THEN FOR HIM TO APPEAR OUT OF NOWHERE ASKING IF ANYTHING IS WRONG? WHEN YOU LEFT, THE CREW DISBANDED! MY FAMILY LEFT ME…and there was nowhere to go…no one for me to turn to… I thought it was my bonds that made me weak. But then I realized that it was just you! So yes something is wrong. I can't be in your crew anymore-"

"CROCODILE!" Crocodile was shocked speechless at the interruption, "I had to go… the marine's were pressuring us to much, and besides I had Business back in my homeland. Surely you can understand that?" Seeing as Crocodile was still glaring at him, he just sighed and continued, "We can talk about this later…have you continued my last mission?" Still glaring at him Crocodile just grunted an affirmation. He stood up and walked to stand beside Naruto, albeit grudgingly.

Naruto grinned at his little tantrum, then just turned to see a smirking Whitebeard. "What's got you in such a good mood, Whitebeard-ojiisan?" Ignoring the looks of shock from his subordinates, Whitebeard looked out towards a speeding figure and replied, "Just admiring the spunk of the next generation." Naruto followed Whitebeard's line of sight and saw the Rubber man that was just intercepting Crocodile. "Hey Ojiisan, who is the pirate being executed?" Whitebeard's smirk turned into a scowl, and he growled out, "that is the Commander of my Second Division….Portugas D. Ace."

Naruto's eyes widened, and he stood completely still and memories started to circle his mind.

(FLASHBACK)

Gold Roger stood tall as he walked down the path to the execution block in Loguetown. He smiled as he saw all those gathered to watch his death. They'd all be perfect for his plans. He walked up the hastily made staircase, and knelt before his executioners. He glanced towards the two marines and his smile widened as he saw his student's clone technique. As the announcer proclaimed all of his crimes to the public, he whispered to his student.

"So, Naruto-kun…you came to fulfill your promise? Heh, by this time tomorrow you will finally be your own man eh?" Naruto glared at the man who ever came close enough to hold the title of his father, and hastily replied, "Roger, please. My crew is awaiting me right in the harbor! If you come with me to my homeland, we can cure you! Hell, you could fight your way out as you are right now! Why won't you save yourself?"

Roger glanced at Naruto through narrowed eyes, "Naruto, you are like my son. If I left with you, the entire Marine force would be after us! You could never achieve your dream and surpass me!" Naruto looked down at Roger and Roger saw there were tears in his eyes.

"I can survive! They could never kill us! We could escape; live on in fame and fortune! You don't have to worry about my safety, even if you call me your son-"

"Naruto! I have another son!"

As the announcer continued on Roger's list Naruto narrowed his eyes, "It was with Rouge wasn't it? I knew that you two were together! So you had a son-"Naruto's eyes widened as he fully understood the implications of that action. That child would never have a normal life. "Ahh, you finally understand…Naruto I know I have asked a lot of you but please, protect my son. I don't mean to raise him, but if he is ever captured as a pirate, like I know he will, save him please." Seeing Naruto about to object he continued on before he had the chance, "Do this for me and your life debt will be fulfilled." Naruto nodded and raised his spear, and waited until Roger was done addressing those gathered to his funeral. He whispered his last farewell and drove the odachi through his surrogate father's chest. His words were the last thing that made Gold Roger smile in this life.

"Hai…it's a promise of a lifetime…"

(FLASHBACK END)

"AAAACCCCEEEEE-KUUUN!" The savage battle cry woke Naruto from his trip down memory lane, and saw Whitebeard was observing him with an intense gaze. "What now Gaki? What is the Fox Hunt today?" Naruto chuckled and unsealed a Den-Den Mushi and a huge zanbatou. The zanbatou was an eight foot blade and was blood-red, and the metal seemed to be swirled. It went straight for about three feet then curve slightly near the tip, but the last three feet were serrated, and looked like scales. The handle was a vibrant blue, and was around two feet long. The sword was not the only unusual thing that he unsealed, his Den-Den Mushi had no skin, it was just a shell and a snail skeleton. Its eye sockets were empty, but contained an ethereal red light. Whitebeard's eyes widened at the sight of the snail.

'How? Is that the legendary skeleton snail?' His eyes trailed down towards the sword and as he observed it a red demonic eye flashed in the metal. 'Where does the kid get these things?'

All over the battlefield every Den-Den Mushi started to activate. An eerily calm voice echoed over the bay. "Attention to all fighters. This is the Prodigy of the Pirate King, Fox Hunter Uzumaki speaking. I have been gone for over twenty years, and now that I'm back I notice you have someone that means a great deal to me, Sengoku, I know you can hear me. I am coming for Ace, and if he is dead when I get their…"

As the voice trailed off, there was an explosion of Haki and killing intent in the bay. Right in front of the Moby Dick was a giant Nine-Tailed Fox.

"THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY!"