Here I am again, with a new chapter to share, as long as you share your opinions with me (aka read and review)

I don't own Naruto or One Piece. Really.

Zoro and Luffy were the first to come to their senses after the 72 hour psychological ordeal... or at least that voice told them it was so; the time itself seemed to mock them in that cursed place, with that sadistic creep showing them images of their worst fears and memories. Zoro shook from rage, his self-control long forgotten.

He glanced at his chest, and saw that Mihawk had indeed sliced him, but only once and a long time ago at that. Luffy didn't seem to be faring any better, and his actions were more than a bit sluggish. He looked at his captain's arms.

"Sea stone handcuffs."

"Indeed"

He was on his feet in an instant, only to find himself in a cage similar to the one Crocodile had put them in at his casino, when they barged in like bulls. 'How did he carried that thing with him?'

"So you work for the World Government"

"I work for myself. They have something I need. Mutual benefit."

Zoro clenched his fist around the bars. He had forgotten how most of the bounty hunters were: cold, cruel, calculating pragmatists who were only interested in one thing: money. They didn't care if they had to kill an innocent defenseless person, as long as they got paid. Honor was a luxury that only the most powerful of the bounty hunters could afford, and almost none of them ever bothered with.

"What have you done to me? What have you done to my nakama?" he shouted.

"I am impressed, Pirate Hunter, Roronoa Zoro. You are one of the few to actually come to consciousness after that." the man who identified himself as Uchiha Itachi said. "Don't worry, your friends will come to their senses... eventually."

Itachi felt exhausted. After he ate a soldier pill and took the weapons from his captives, he put the strange handcuffs on the devil fruit users and unsealed the special cage the Navy provided him with. The whole procedure was quite tiring, but he went through it quickly. There was no telling how much his illusion would last, especially when he used it at such low chakra levels and to people without a developed chakra system too. Those World Government officials were really desperate to get the boy and his gang, to make him walk for miles on water, but that meant that his reward would be equally high.

Closing his eyes, he let himself relax and save his strength, for he would need it, if things went wrong with the exchange. He was no idealist; he knew that in the world of bounty hunting, where he was forced to enter, none was trustworthy, and you had to keep your guard up all the time, if you wanted to survive. Rumors of bounty hunters stabbed in the back from the World government officials were plenty. He just wished he would gather enough funds to get on with his true objective and leave all this thing behind him once and for all. Groans and screams behind him alerted him of his captives' recovery. He shook his head; he was getting careless. One wrong move and it would be over for him.

But he had managed to pull it off. Closing his eyes and positioning himself to a comfortable spot, he felt himself drifting off to a semi-unconscious state. The wind was stable, the sea seemed calm so far, and the Eternal Pose provided to him pointed straight ahead. The world became blurry, as his fatigue overcame him.

The sound of a loud growling brought him back to his senses. It seemed to come from the cage where he had imprisoned the Strawhat pirates. Were they trying to escape?

Looking at the group, he saw that was not the case. The loud noises came from the captain of the crew, who looked totally drained from lack of food and the sea-stone handcuffs. Sighing, he searched the whereabouts of the ship's kitchen. A hearty meal would do him good, and maybe quiet the loud bunch. Working quickly, he prepared a big, by his estimate, meal. The kitchen was very well organized, which proved the information about the cooking skills of the blond pirate, Sanji. Taking the plates, and balancing them only as a trained ninja could, he made his way to the cell on top of the lawn deck. Everyone seemed to have come to their senses, even that cyborg. Itachi was relieved that his technique didn't cause permanent damage as it usually did to most people, but then again, most people he had used it on were ninjas themselves, their developed chakra system amplifying the effect thousand-fold.

"Here"

The crew was naturally suspicious. "Why are you doing this? How can we know that this is not poisoned?" asked Nami, her cautious nature and quick wit springing to action.

"Because if I wanted you dead, you would be" came the frustratingly calm answer. "Also, even if you do manage to kill me, it would turn against you" he said, his back to the crew. Turning around, he shot an icy glare at the cyborg, who had positioned himself and aimed at him. "If I die, you will remain locked here until you starve, or the Navy finds you. Either way-"

"And you expect us to believe that you have any better fate for us?" came the sarcastic comment from the orange-haired woman. "No. But starving doesn't seem to be your best course of action, either."

Franky sighed. "He is right, at least if we eat we can stay in top form and escape from the Navy later" he said in a low voice. The crew nodded and took the plates he offered. "Heck, this isn't even remotely related to good" Sanji criticized bitterly. "Sure it isn't. But I am not a cook either. I just made something edible for you to survive, and I am not obliged to do so too."

Sanji turned to his plate grumbling about rude table manners and how he should have prepared something better for the ladies.

"Man, I am still hungry..." Luffy had gotten some energy back, but obviously he was used to eating a lot more. "This is a ration for a normal person, Monkey-san. Your grandfather told me to get you used to this"

"WHAAT? G-grandpa? What do you have to do with him?" The captain got his energy in an instant, his unspoken fear of his relative making him jump to his feet. Mildly amused, Itachi continued:

"He gave me some information about you and your crew. He was pretty sure that I wouldn't prove much of a fuss to you, obviously."

Silence fell after his words. Itachi sat on Luffy's "special seat", much to the rubber man's anger, and closed his eyes. This would be a long journey...

"Captain Nezumi, the ship of the Strawhat pirates is in sight!"

"Does it have the red cloth near the flag?"

"Yes! What shall we do, captain?"

"Set the course to intercept them. Also, prepare the dungeon for our guests."

"Yes, captain!"

The mouse-like captain squeaked in delight. His preparations were tiring and long, but that only made his revenge all the sweeter. That creepy man was the only black spot in his perfect plan, as well as he had been his trump card. It was sheer good fortune that he happened to see this man in action, and recruited him to do the dirty job. His price was a high one, but he didn't intend to pay either way; the man was already at the palm of his hand, and that gave him a feeling of supreme power.

-later-

"Raise the sails! Throw the hook lines!" The orders were flying around, as well as the expert crew, who wasted no time to secure the ship and tie her beside their own.

"Here are your pirates, Captain-san. May I have the bounty now?"

"Whaah... oh, it is you..." the Navy captain took a few breaths to calm himself. That man was freaking dangerous. "Of course, of course, please follow me to the dungeon where we will throw these scum in! The pay is all there!"

Itachi mentally sighed. 'So they never intended to pay, did they? All this trouble for that kind of a childish trap.' "Fine, let us make haste then"

They loaded the whole cage with the Strawhat crew onto their ship with the help of a crane, and down to the lower decks via a large hatch in the main deck. It seemed that they were prepared for them.

Nezumi led his hired bounty hunter to the depths of the ship, grinning along the way. "Here, the money is in that room-"

"HEY! IT IS THAT GUY!"

He winced at the sudden shout. Who was the fool that dared to mess with his schemes? Turning his head, his grin returned full force. "Oh, isn't that you, Strawhat Luffy! How does it feel to be in your rightful place, scumbag? And I see you still have all the rogues you did when you were at Cocoyashi village! Revenge is sweet, isn't it?"

"GET ME OUTTA HERE DAMMIT! I'LL KICK YOUR ASS!"

"Now now, don't go ahead of yourself, pirate. Justice will be delivered to you shortly, along with that group of yours, and I'll be promoted for sure!"

"Captain-san"

"Yes, yes, of course. This way please..."

Opening a door, he pointed at the semi-dark room with no windows, a simple table and a large sack on top of it. Itachi entered and opened the sack.

SLAM! CLANCK! CLANCK!

"Well, I am afraid we will take you too to the Marine prison, bounty hunter. After all, you were associated with these filthy pirates, and I cannot risk my promotion-"

"That was not a wise move"

Nezumi felt his very blood run cold, as cold as the kunai that was pressed against his throat. "My money"

"I-I-I..." he shuttered, unable to come up with a suitable answer.

He felt himself being turned around, and came face to face with the man's glaring red eyes. Then everything went black.

The crew watched in amazement as the mouse of a captain spoke in an empty voice. "I never intended to pay, I just used you to get these pirates." The man sighed and let go of the marine officer, who fell to the ground unconscious. "So much for an honest job" he muttered, and turned to leave.

"Hey! Captain! Are you all right? Who... You! Arrest him!"

'Damn' It seemed that the double-dealing marine had some men come down shortly after to make sure that everything went smoothly. Fighting his way through wasn't going to be an option; they would raise an alarm for sure, and he would have to face an entire battleship. Thinking quickly, he dashed to the unconscious captain and used him as shield. "Make one move and he dies"

"Bastard! That is cowardly and dirty!" The leader of the small squad shouted. Itachi was already searching in the man's pockets, until he felt the cold metal of a keyring. Pulling out the keys, he tossed the human shield to the waiting marines. "Straw hat! Here!" Tossing the keys to the cage, he moved quickly to the dark corners of the large room, seeking shelter from the chaos that was sure to come.

"YOSH! We are free! Let's get the hell out of here!"

"If they put even a scratch on the Thousand Sunny..."

"We must find out way out quickly, before they raise the alarm"

"Don't worry, Nami-saaaan, Robin-chwaaaan, I'll protect youuuu!"

"S-she is right! L-let's get out of here quick!"

"If the marines capture us again, it will be over."

"Whaaat! Let's run!"

"We can just cut our way through, you know"

Itachi shook his head in disbelief. What a noisy bunch they were.

The Strawhat pirates' grand exodus was equally loud, paying no heed to the ruckus they caused and the alarm they raised at the very first of the mad dash for the higher decks, but it suited Itachi just fine. None ever took notice of his silent form, sneaking through the swarms of panicked and disorderly marines trying to capture the infamous group, and getting beaten in the process. Maneuvering through the masses, he made it to the outer decks, where the scene of carnage greeted him. Nearly a third of the battleship's total crew lay unconscious, and the noise coming from the side where the pirate ship was secured was unimaginable. Marines charged time and again, but every time they were beaten back by the ship's main fighters, while the rest made hasty preparations to detach their ship and leave post haste. Sneaking through would prove a slight trouble for a ninja of his caliber, hadn't someone spotted him. "There! The traitorous bounty hunter!"

Zoro hit another marine squarely in the chest, the force from his strike sending him tumbling back and right into his charging comrades, effectively halting them. Hearing the commotion, he turned to see the man who had captured them being attacked by the very marines he served, and got betrayed by. His eyes widened in shock, when the man made something that seemed only like hand gestures, and the sea behind him rose and hit the deck of the Navy ship, seemingly with a mind of its own. 'What the hell is that man?'

"Zoro! Watch out!" the sniper's voice alerted him a minute too late for an incoming attack, and only the sniper's quick reflexes and true aim prevented him from gaining another injury. "Thanks" he tossed to the long-nosed boy before focusing on the battle itself, mentally cursing himself for getting that distracted during a fight. Drawing a deep breath, he moved his swords in a horizontal slicing motion.

"Takanami!"

The resulting shockwave sent the charging marines tumbling to their ship in a heap of limbs, guns and swords. Chopper and Franky ran across the deck, cutting the hook lines and beating back to the battleship any marine that tried to sneak behind the defensive line. Robin helped as best she could, supporting the crew in their jobs, while taking cover from the stray bullets that occasionally flew to her direction.

"Luffy! The ship is ready!" Nami cried out.

"Yosh! Let's get the hell out of here! Gomu gomu no gatling!"

With an offensive burst the crew pushed the remaining marines back, as Franky manipulated the strange steering wheel.

"Grab on something tight, guys! Coup de burst!"

The ship flew forward, leaving a giant water crater and a battleship full of astonished marines.

"Well, it seems we lost them." Nami said in relief.

"Yea, finally! And we left that man behind us too. What the hell was he?" Usopp said nervously. Just thinking about the man and his eyes, and the whole ordeal he had to go through sent cold chills running up and down his spine.

"Whatever. That was some weird-ass Devil fruit he used, but it is no matter now." Zoro said as he laid down on the lawn deck, exhausted.

"Yeah! Oh, I almost forgot! SANJI! FOOD!"

"Fine, fine, I'll whip something up."

"I want meat on the bone!"

"You really like meat, don't you?"

"You bet, he can-"

Feeling the hair on the back of his head stand upright, Zoro and Luffy wasted not even a moment as they turned to the strange man, who was leaning casually on the main mast. How he got there without anyone noticing, that was something none but him could answer.

"You! What the hell are you doing here? Looking to recapture us and send us to the Marines? It won't work twice!" Sanji was barely holding himself from charging to that despicable man and rip him to pieces. The man held his empty hands before him, a sigh of peaceful intentions. "I am not here to fight."

"Then, what are you here for?" Nami said, shaking with fury.

"I want to make a proposal."

"No." Nami shook with raw fury, her eyes betraying a lot of pain.

Itachi sighed. 'It seems that I did more damage than I estimated'

He lowered his hands, and looked at the captain. The boy seemed equally resolute in his decision. "You heard her. We decline whatever you offer. You have made us go through something extremely painful. You saved us from that bastard mouse-marine, and for that I will spare your life-"

The man moved with unnatural speed. Luffy could have sword the man teleported next to him. "Isn't it too rash to turn down an offer before even hearing it?"

Zoro moved by instinct alone, as his sword pierced the man's heart, his sword's tip only inches from his captain. Itachi sighed, and dissolved in crows.

"What the-"

"As I was saying" Nami's eyes went wide, as Itachi talked right behind her, "I have a proposal for you. Will you hear me out?"

The group immediately assumed battle stances, preparing for another attack. "Your grandfather was quite accurate on this too... you don't listen."

"Leave"

"I can't walk to the next island, the distance is roughly five hundred miles"

"Four hundred and seventy two" Nami muttered.

"That's your problem. Now beat it before I beat you" Sanji said, in his most threatening tone.

"So here is what I propose. You take me to the next island, I pay you and I never hunt you again."

"And if we refuse?" Robin butted in.

Itachi just activated his bloodline limit in response.

"And how we know you won't turn on us?" Nami said, her fist clutching her Clima Tact so hard, her knuckles tuned white.

"Because, if I wanted to" the crew stiffened, sensing something unnatural in the air, before sensing the cold steel of a kunai pressed against their throats, "you would be dead already" came the voice multiple times, as an identical Itachi stood behind every member of the crew, a knife in hand. The man waved his hand dismissively, and with a loud pop and a small cloud of smoke, the clones dissipated. "Also, opposing the marines would make me a wanted man. In fact, I do have the impression that after this incident, I will be wanted as a member of the Strawhat crew, thus I cannot turn you to the Navy even if I wanted to."

Zoro was the first one to resheath his swords, to everyone's astonishment. "He is right" he said simply, answering the questioning and shocked stares of the rest of the crew. "There isn't a place for him to run to, or at least a legal place. We all have bounties on our heads, it is a matter of time before he gets one too, and judging from his fighting power, it is going to be a large one."

The rest of the crew reluctantly relaxed, eyeing the man suspiciously. Suddenly something struck Nami .

"You said something about paying us?" she grinned her all-too-charming grin, and the crew sweat-dropped, as everyone had the same thought 'Poor man, he is done for'

"One million beli. Cash."

"EH?"

"It is what I have left from my last bounty. I hope it will be adequate"

"Of cour- I mean, it will have to do" Nami swapped the bag from the man's hands, her eyes a glowing beli sigh. Itachi shook his head, turned his face to the sky, and frowned. "You may want to start preparing, Navigator-san, I can sense a storm coming"

avatoa: Of course I made a somewhat happy ending, sending Itachi to massacre everyone doesn't make such great a story, don't you think?

Next update... I guess when it is ready. Until then...