Zoro grimaced as he watched Sanji's sad attempts to flirt with Robin and Nami as he delivered them specially made food filled with the blondes 'ever growing love'. He failed to see Sanji ever actually get married and have kids with how much of a creepier he managed to make himself out to be; not like any of the crew would have a chance to live peaceful lives after their reputation of being pirates. Zoro didn't see a problem with the status. He didn't want to 'settle down' and have kids, he had already seen how some kids managed to be total brats and he wasn't about to screw up the next generation by deciding he wanted to be a father. He knew he would be the one person to end up having the bratty-est kid out of anyone he ever knew; and to save a child's life and his gray hairs, he decided to keep to himself when it came to being romantic with females.
He glanced over at his Captain who was still scarily subdued, especially considering the raven haired boy had a plate stacked full with various meats and vegetables. Luffy had taken to softly poking his food with a fork, something Zoro was certain he had never seen the boy use before, before taking small bite sized bites. The boisterous laughter that normally came from Luffy was nonexistent as he kept his body as small as possible within his seat. Zoro rolled his eyes. He could only assume that the boys weird behavior was due to the strange blond that sat just off to the side of Ace and Luffy. He really didn't know how to feel about the blonde, but he knew it was safest to have a healthy amount of caution. Besides, if the rambunctious straw-hat boy hadn't showed the signs of the light haired man being a danger... Zoro rested his wrist lazily on one of his swords as he raised his bottle of sake to his lips.
White Beard had settled himself off to the left of the mysterious blonde nursing a large mug of sake as he scanned his crew with serene yellowed eyes. Despite having two fist sized holes within his chest just three hours ago, he felt like he had been given a energizer drink of some kind that made him feel giddy... it was either the voo-doo trick Naruto pulled off, the happiness of his crew surviving,... or possibly, the sake that was coursing through his veins; but he found he didn't care, he liked the feeling.
"How did you find my crew?" Luffy didn't look up from his fork in his hand as he stabbed his food, and it seemed that he didn't have to cause blue eyes glided over to the rubber-boys form. "Wait, how did you know that me and Ace was at Marine-Ford?! Where you there at Marine-Ford the whole time?! What-" Typically Luffy's rambling had to be waited out in order to get a word in... or just hand him meat and he would keep quite long enough for the person to get a few words in. The Straw-Hat crew was already acquainted with the ways of their captain after so long of traveling with him and, despite how annoying he got sometimes, they didn't wish to change him in any form. The whole Straw-Hat crew was the ones to grow silent when they heard the abrupt cut off, focusing all their attention on to him to make sure the boy was okay; which he was fine from what they could see... but he didn't have meat stuffed in his cheeks.
Naruto had simply raised his hand as if waiting to catch a ball. Robin's lips twisted downwards; surely that wasn't the only reason Luffy went mute.
Ace shoved a fork-full of mashed-potatoes into his mouth trying to train his focus on his food and not the heavy presence of the man beside him that he looked up to as a father... no, that word didn't fit quite right. He didn't know a word to describe their relationship... father seemed too small of a word. Was there a word that he could use that held a higher mantel than just a dad? Ace furrowed his eyebrows. He needed a word that had father, mentor, friend, and confidant... he didn't think there was such a word that had it all wrapped in one. Despite the struggle of not knowing the exact title to their relationship, Ace always strived to have the icy blues look at him in pride and not disappointment, even when it came to the simplest of things. Screwing up something was unforgivable for himself. And through all the hard work he put in to everything, he had to admit he really didn't have to worry that much about getting a look of disappointment from the blonde; he had never received such a look in all his life from the man... Luffy hadn't gotten it either. It may be silly, but Ace knew there was going to be some point in time he would get the look, and he honestly feared the day it would happen. It was one of the many reasons he pushed himself so hard in everything; one slip up and the blonde could leave without batting an eyelash. He was determined to not ruin anything for himself or his little brother...
But reflecting back, Ace winced as he went over the passed few days within his head. Maybe this would be the 'slip up' that he had been waiting for to come along.
"Shooting off questions doesn't get them answered faster, Gaki." His tone wasn't stern like Robin was expecting it to be, but it also didn't sound like he was necessarily babying Luffy. "Did you boys really think that I was going to just leave without having both of you under supervision?"
Ace felt his mouth go dry as chalk as Luffy scrunched his nose up, mulling over Naruto's words. Supervision? It wasn't a complete forgein concept to either of them, but how..
"You've been watching after us since the day you left..." Ace muttered as he suddenly felt uncomfortable with the thought. Dear Kami, he hoped he was considered decent in the blondes eyes because he suddenly couldn't recall half of his memories from his travels. Oh, and all those dine-n-dashes... he knew for a fact that Naruto didn't support that.
Luffy squinted his eyes to the point that Chopper worried that the dark haired boy may be doing more damage to his head than anything. "..Using your clones..."
White Beard closed his eyes feeling like this was meant for a more private area than the deck. However, it didn't stop him from listening in on the conversation to become a little more informed on the situation at hand. After all, knowledge was a form of power and there is never such a thing as having too much of the stuff. From what he had gathered already, Naruto already had some ability to heal, create clones, and making seals. But he wasn't certain if the seals and being able to heal was cast under the same category; both linked to improving his health... The clones must have been what he did earlier when he heard of Black Beard.
"I have been looking after both of you to make sure you didn't do something to get yourselves killed. I couldn't be in four different places at once, so I had my clones shadow your movements. Whenever something drastic happened, my clones would alert me or, if bad enough, interfere." Naruto took the moment to rest his head against his fist that was propped up with the help of the table. He really didn't want to come across that he didn't trust the boys, he just had a problem with the rest of the worlds decisions that could affect them.
Ace wanted to merge himself with the boards of the ship in that moment. Those words did nothing to improve his anxiety of the situation, only helped build the pressure laying on top of his shoulders.
Marco shifted at seeing the pale complexion Ace had gained within the last few seconds. Had it not been for the fact that Marco had known the fire-user for as long as he did, he would believe the man to have fallen ill with his strange personalty. "Was that you that-.." Marco paused because he didn't know what to call the force that had 'magically' shoved the crew back onto the ship. "..Pushed the crew back to the ship? Is it a part of the devil fruit you ate? What devil fruit did you eat?"
Naruto gave a soft smile that made Robin and Nami glance at each other. There was no way this man was a pirate. Pirates didn't possess a smile that held such alarming warmth, but this man did. The aura that surrounded the man was so comforting that it immediately put them on edge. Who is this creepier?
"Forgive me if some of you didn't have a safe landing, I wanted to clear the battlefield of all the innocent before I did anything else. I've never ate a devil fruit before-"
"Lying to us isn't going to help anyone. You healed Pops and created a clone of yourself earlier, there is no way you did that without eating a devil fruit." Marco narrowed his eyes as White Beard placed his empty mug down. The smile didn't fade nor disappear as Naruto seem to regard the other blonde with cold blue eyes that went against his aura. Just when the tension couldn't get any higher, Naruto gave a small airy chuckle.
"You're right. There is no reason to lie... That's why i'm not." He held up his free hand up as if to wave off a fly. His skin was tanned and the scars that cut in every direction across his flesh that was proof of hard work, but none of that was what Usopp was focused on. Maybe it was the sip of sake getting to his head, but he couldn't stop focusing on the mans finger tips...
"W-wait~ You have cl-laws..?" He squeaked as his eyes widened. Surely to kami... he had to be seeing things. Zoro raised an eyebrow as he leaned over his half of the table for closer look.
"Don't be ridiculous Usopp. I have seen guys with long nails before." Robin commented as Sanji was wiggling around her like a fool.
"Robin-chan is so understanding!"
Usopp shivered as he shook his head, pointing a shaky hand towards the blonde. "It looks like the dude files his nails with the bones of his enemies! Do you see how sharp those things are?!"
Naruto noticed the curly haired man's panic and his smile grew a little as he watched him fidget like a small child. Once Usopp saw the man's smile grow bigger, he thought he was going to have a heart attack. Why the hell is he smiling? Usopp felt a cold sweat break out across his body as his observation skills helped point out the two fangs on his upper jaw and two smaller ones that sat menacingly on the bottom jaw. First claws and now fangs?! Usopp grabbed his mug and quickly dumped it out causing Zoro to scowl at the wasted alcohol.
Naruto chuckled at the boys antics. He decided to help the teen out as the air around himself shimmered taking away the view of his claws and even his fangs. He had never seen anyone have a issue with his fangs and claws, it was one of the reasons he didn't bother hiding them.
"What the hell is your problem, Usopp? I don't see anything." Zoro grumbled as he observed the blondes fingertips where short clipped nails resided. What did it matter anyway if the man had sharp nails?
Usopp scowled over at the green haired man as he jerked his thumb towards the blonde, being carefully not to put his hand too close to the creepy man. "How the fuck do you not?! Look-" He trailed off as he glanced over at Naruto to see the claws and fangs were gone. The fear that was coursing through his veins just seconds ago worked double time as Usopp jumped away from the table. "'is a fucking witch!" He whispered violently as he used his fingers to form a poorly made cross.
"Oi, Tou-san, stop scaring my nakama." Luffy let out a whine as he simultaneously shoved a large piece of meat into his mouth successfully smearing barbecue sauce across his cheeks.
"I'm not trying to, gaki." Naruto rubbed the back of his head with a small sigh. It seemed either way he went, Usopp was going to freak out. "I thought putting up a genjutsu would make him more comfortable, but it seems I was wrong."
Marco raised an eyebrow at Naruto, "Genjutsu?"
Ace sighed as rubbed his eyes. Growing up with his 'Father' around, he already knew of all the shinobi techniques that the blonde had learned. It had taken awhile to convince the man to tell him and his brothers about jutsus and chakra; along with the new information, Naruto told them of his past. And despite how ridiculous it all sounded, Ace couldn't call the man a liar. Something about the way he talked about shinobis and Kohona was what made it real in Ace's eyes. It was from then on that Ace couldn't feel any prouder of his father.
"It's an illusion his people taught him. The village-" Ace didn't get the chance to finish his sentence as Luffy bounced in his seat like a rabbit.
"My Tou-san is a ninja! He has really awesome powers where he can do all kinds of things! He even-"
Ace hit his brother in the back of the head with a scowl. "Oi, I was talking!"
Luffy scrunched up his nose as elbowed his brother in the ribs, "No, I was!"
White Beard watched as the two brothers lunged at each other causing plates to be knocked off the table and food fly in all directions. He had never seen Ace this way before, he quite liked it; he was more lively. He looked over at Naruto with a grin as he watched the young man frown at the two brothers; He didn't watching the two boys bicker like kinder-gardeners. Naruto reached out towards Ace and Luffy's heads, giving them each a hard flick with his ring finger. White Beard expected the boys to hold their heads and stop arguing but it wasn't what happened at all. Ace went flying into the railing that barely managed to stop him from falling overboard while his brother crashed into the mast.
Zoro's sword was out within a millisecond as he placed it against the blondes throat.
"Luffy! Are you okay?" Chopper raced over to the rubber boy who was laying in a heap at the bottom of the mast. His forehead sported a perfectly circular bruise that was slowly gaining more color with each second that passed. Luffy pulled himself up into a sitting position as he rubbed his head. It felt like Nami had shoved him off the Thousand Sunny and he was it by the ship full speed.
"Ow, old man! You didn't have to hit me because of Ace being a idiot!" Luffy whined as he tried to rub away the throbbing in his head, not looking up to see what his first mate was doing.
Ace groaned from where he laid across the railing. He had a matching bruise to his forehead; Surprisingly, it hurt more than the bruise forming across his abdomen. "Shut up, Ototo." Once he was certain that he wasn't going to vomit his stomach contents, he opened his eyes to see the deep dark ocean waves licking up the side of the ship before they would fall back down. If he hadn't ate his devil fruit, he would love the ocean water, it was so calming. Being careful to not push his lower body over the railing, he pulled himself back onto the deck with a relieved sigh.
Ace held his head as he looked over at table. Normally, a flick to the forehead was followed by some reprimand that Luffy never failed to grin at... which usually got him in more trouble. But the reprimand didn't seem to make it through this time like Ace was awaiting for, he wanted the boy to get paid back for blaming the whole thing on him. Luffy seemed to be expecting it as well as they both looked over to where the blonde sat.
"Zoro..." Luffy frowned as he saw the blade too close for comfort at his fathers throat.
Ace felt his skin grow uncomfortably hot as he took in the scene. He realized his father could take good care of himself, but it didn't stop the protective urge to rip the shinobi away from the Marimo as far as possible. Ace felt his throat collapse in on itself as the vision of Akainu's fist heading straight for Luffy replaced Zoro and his father position; he found his feet momentarily frozen to the deck boards. Once more, his body failed to respond to any command Ace tossed towards it.
Luffy didn't seem to have an issue in moving as he launched his arm out towards the swordsman after a small pause. Chopper's eyes widened as he realized just what was about to take place, but he didn't get the chance to move before his captains body was flung towards Zoro with an incredible force... happen just happen to be able to catch a ride due to standing in front of the dark haired boy. "ZORO!" Naruto didn't even have the decency to blink as his son and the small reindeer slammed into the swordsman like a cannon ball causing the three to slam into the cabin with a crash of limbs.
Naruto allowed his lips to upturn slightly as he took in the crew his youngest had acquired through the years. He already knew the extents the members would go through to help Luffy, his clones provided more than enough evidence. But seeing the deviotion first hand to protect his reckless son, from his own 'father' no less, it set off a warm heat into the mans chest. Whether Ace or himself were around, he could trust that Luffy would have the support and protection of the small group; that's one of the reasons he couldn't find it in himself to be angered on any level towards the green haired man. He opened his mouth to explain just that to both the boys since Luffy had Zoro in a choke hold and Ace had a dirty glare across his face like someone had stolen his food, but Naruto didn't get the chance.
"Boss."
Naruto glanced over to see his clone standing at the end of the table accompanied by a big burly man with a scruffy beard and sharp empty black pools for his eyes. He looked like a typical pirate with his gruff appearance and the way he held himself.
Ace grounded his teeth together as he looked over at the new compny and Naruto didn't miss his murderous glare. Well, isn't he just a ball of happiness?
"So you are Marshall D. Teach." It wasn't a question but rather a statement that had the pirate grinning to reveal the gaps of where his teeth once resided.
"Thats Capt'in Black Beard to ya, ya scurvy landlubber!"
Luffy giggled at the strange word as he continued to hold tight to Zoro, not realizing the insult that was attempting to be applied to his father but it didn't fly over Ace's head in the least. Naruto didn't respond with a yell or even try to correct the man, he had other things to do.
"I have heard some stories over my years,Teach." Naruto started as his clone dispelled with a small wisp of smoke , the memories flashing just beneath his eyelids like a old film.
Black Beard scowled at the use of his birth-given name. There was a reason he preferred to go by 'Black Beard' and he didn't appreciate the blond ignoring him.
"I know the type of game you're playing at..." Naruto paused to stand up from his seat at the table as White Beard eyed both men warily. "Ga-"
"If this about that scurvy dog, Thatch, save ye voice for the gallows. I-"
Ace marched forward, ready to shove a fire covered fist down the pirates throat. The bastard didn't have the right to even speak Thatch's name! But the next sentence that slid from Naruto's lips had Ace pausing at the overly sweet tone that sent shivers down Usopp's spine and caused Chopper's fur to stand on end.
"Do you know what people from my village did to men who killed a comrade?"
Marco smirked at the look that crossed Black Beard's face combined with the aura that was emitting from the blonde. The show was only getting started and Marco wasn't about to give up his seat for anyone. Maybe the blonde wasn't so bad after all.
