Chapter two people! I think I'll answer some reviews here in the beginning of the chapters, since I'll be answering questions others might be wondering too so:
gunslayer12: (About Sanji's and Zoro's personality) I do plan on keeping them in character mostly. Obviously the pairing doesn't work without small changes, but at least in the beginning at least Zoro should be in character. Sanji's personality might become a slight combination of Naruto and Sanji, but we'll see.
Also I'm not starting with those two together, but I'll have them get there at some point. I'm also considering a love triangle, so any ideas are welcome.
Thanks for the reviews and favorites! I appreciate positive comments. :D
xxxOPNxxx
Hi, ero-sennin!
I'm leaving. Not like killing myself, but just…leaving. I tried my best to tell myself its fine and I'll be okay, but I really can't do it. I tried to think of myself as Rock Lee, he's doing fine even without chakra. But I can't, I know I'm nowhere good enough in taijutsu to pull that off. There's no way I'd be able to stand the humiliation of returning to Konoha even weaker than when I left.
I know this is the coward's way out, but I can't really help it. If the Kyūbi is still sealed inside me, then that means I'm only a Jinchuuriki. There's no way the villagers will be let me be anymore if that's the case. I'm not that stupid. I know being a shinobi and protecting Konoha was the only thing keeping them calm enough to leave me alone.
Goodbye.
Naruto
PS:
I left my hitai-ate on the table, I won't need it. There's also Tsunade-baa-chan's necklace there. Give them to her, please. Tell her I'm sorry for disappointing her. She trusted me to become Hokage and I failed her.
If you could tell everyone else that I'm sorry too, I'd really appreciate it.
The room was silent. All five people in it had a look of shock and misery. The blonde woman sitting at the table facing the other four was gripping a paper between her two hands. Jiraya stepped suddenly forward and placed a crystal necklace on the table, along with a hitai-ate.
The letter was dropped as the woman's hand shot toward the necklace as if she couldn't believe it was really there. The sage looked away in shame still feeling incredibly stupid for leaving Naruto on his own.
"So Naruto's gone now too…" a pink-haired kunoichi stated shaking a little. Tears started flowing down her face, free for all to see, while she bit her lip in order to stay strong. The rest admired her effort, while they themselves were feeling numb and tired. A man in his late twenties put a hand on her shoulder for once abandoning the orange book he so often carried around.
In the corner of the office, a woman looked at the blonde lady, still staring at the necklace. This certainly wouldn't help the rumors of a curse on the thing. She hugged the pig in her arms a bit tighter. First Sasuke and now Naruto too. Konoha was going to become a quiet place.
xxxOPNxxx
"Get out of here! No money no food!"
Naruto flew out of the restaurant's door and hit the wall opposite of it. He got up rubbing his behind as that was where he got kicked at. He stuck out his tongue at the now closed door. He then sighed when his stomach grumbled. He really had to find some way to get money. And a place to stay for that matter.
Naruto had been traveling for two weeks now and was currently in one of the islands of the Land of Water. He wasn't sure how he got there, he was sure he had been going the other direction, but he didn't mind. He actually found out he liked sailing while he was on a boat to one of the islands. Maybe he should become a fisherman…
The boy groaned as another grumble made itself known. He held his hand on top of his abdomen while glaring the ground. He started to wonder if punching it would distract him from the feeling of starvation when he heard a chuckle.
"My, my. I thought some sort of an animal had found its way to my front door with all the noises and all." Naruto whipped his head up to see a woman with a kind smile on her face. "To think it was a starving child instead." she continued causing Naruto to pout. She tilted her head a bit and looked at him with calculating eyes, making him take a step back.
"Would you like some dinner?" she asked suddenly and made Naruto jump. He voiced a small 'huh' questionably and blinked stupidly. "You are hungry aren't you? I just made dinner for my family. There is enough for more though. You are welcome to join us." she said and moved away from the doorway, inviting him in. Unused to such kindness, Naruto searched his brain for an appropriate answer, but gave up halfway. He stepped through the door with a small polite thank you.
The woman smiled once more and led him further into her house. For a moment Naruto felt like he was being led into his death and he'd be eaten or enslaved or something as equally ridiculous. But after the whole household of four introduced themselves, he forgot it all completely.
After a few hours filled with laughter and smiles, things finally started to look up for Naruto.
xxxOPNxxx
"Sakura?" The mentioned girl looked up from the papers she was organizing and saw her jōnin instructor leaning on the table next to her. She blinked in surprise, was she really so out of it she had not seen him coming?
"What is it, Kakashi-sensei?" she asked shaking herself out of her stupor. Of course she didn't see him, he moved like-well, a ninja. Sakura continued arranging the papers while waiting for a response. Damn the Hokage for making her do all the work for her. Hangover or not she should at least take care of her responsibilities herself. Not like she could blame her for getting drunk off her ass, if she was old enough Sakura would've probably been drinking too…
"Sakura?" Kakashi's hand was shaking her shoulder. He was looking at her concerned, eyebrow raised. Sakura realized she dozed off on him and had completely missed what he had said.
"Sorry, sorry. I'm just a little tired." she said shaking her head a little and forcing her attention back to the older ninja. The copy ninja took back his hand as he repeated what he said originally:
"I asked if you wanted to come with me to empty Naruto's apartment. The hokage thought it best to do so. As much as she wishes he comes back, she knows the chances aren't high..." Sakura looked away from her instructor in thought. For a minute or two she pondered the idea, before deciding the paperwork could be organized another day and nodded her answer.
Together the two left for their friend's apartment.
xxxOPNxxx
A month had gone past since Naruto ran away. The kind woman and her family ended up taking him in and letting him stay there as long as he wanted. They even told him about an old man who was looking for help for his shop. He didn't really need money, but he thought it would be nice to have something to do.
Naruto was currently on his way to meet the old man about the job. He was walking through the streets he was now more or less familiar with, keeping an eye out for the antique shop the old man supposedly owned. After getting lost once, on a street maybe a little less familiar, he found the small store and walked in through the front door.
Naruto was immediately hit with the smell of old paper and dust. As he looked around he saw different kinds of strange artefacts and ancient scrolls. On his left was the display window. Arranged in front of it was various vases and pots, all decorated with beautiful art and calligraphy. On the walls were clocks, paintings, swords and other weapons, pretty much everything you possibly can hang up on a wall.
The few tables were filled with small figurines and stuff that wasn't possible to put anywhere else. On the floor lied an old man and on the shelves-wait an old man?
Naruto whipped his head back towards the floor and rushed to the man. He kneeled next to him and checked his pulse. He was able to find one and the man was breathing as well, so why was he on the floor? Naruto tried to remember what to do with an unconscious person when he heard something. It came from the man on the floor. Naruto leaned forward in order to hear better. He put his ear next to the man's head and then he heard it.
A huge rumbling snore made its way to his ears. Naruto pulled back with a deadpan expression. He sat straight, staring at the man sleeping peacefully a little bubble of snot out of his nose. "Wake up, ossan!" he yelled, making the said man stand up way faster than a man that age should be able to, knocking Naruto down on his way up.
"What?! Where?! I didn't steal the cow!" he shouted. He then turned to Naruto and pointed at him. "Did you just call me an old geezer you little snot?!"
Naruto gaped at the man. Who could possibly be so eccentric at his age? He then got his bearings together and jumped up. "Who're you calling a little snot!" he exclaimed angrily. The old man stared at him creepily and then begun laughing. He laughed and laughed for what felt like an eternity and Naruto was starting to feel like the man was crazy.
"So what brings a brat like you into my store?" he asked after eventually calming down, still amused about something Naruto couldn't understand. He was a short man who was at least on his eighties, yet the look on his face was that of a youngster who was still excited about life. Cautiously, Naruto answered the man:
"I was told you're looking for help around here?" The old man looked at him up and down skeptically. Naruto could understand why, he was only thirteen years old after all. That and he was dressed in orange pants and a T-shirt that was ripped from quite a lot of places.
"That depends. Can you carry heavy objects? I'm not what I used to be, my back can't handle heavy lifting."
Naruto found it hard to believe. "Sure." he said. He knew he should elaborate, but he wasn't ready to explain how he got his physique quite yet. The old man still seemed unsure, but shrugged and thrust forward his hand.
"You got the job, brat. The name's Ryuga."
Naruto took the hand and gripped it in a way he hoped was firm. He was not used to introducing himself with his new name. He realized a few days into his journey that he shouldn't use his real name too often. He was still a target of Akatsuki after all. Not like it would stop them from finding him if they really wanted to, but leaving his old life behind felt a little easier with a different identity.
He smiled weakly at Ryuga. "Thanks, ossan. My name is Sanji."
xxxOPNxxx
Sakura wiped her forehead. Tsunade had been working her hard on her training and the girl felt exhausted. She was walking the streets of Konoha, randomly strolling around, letting her feet carry her feet wherever. After her teammates left the village, Sakura felt a little lonely. She knew they had their reasons and there was most likely nothing she could've done to prevent them from leaving, but she still felt guilty.
The kunoichi sniffled a little, staring at the ground she was walking on. She then bumped into someone. Looking up she saw the timid heir of the Hyūga-clan, who interestingly enough seemed to be crying as well.
"H-hinata?" Sakura called as she helped the girl up. Seeing the tears on her face, Sakura's mother instinct awakened and she immediately went to comfort the short haired girl. "Are you okay?" she asked feeling a little horrified of knocking her over.
"I-I'm fine. I-It's just t-that…Naruto…" the girl stuttered barely telling anything but Sakura understood. The pinkette nodded her head and took Hinata's hand.
"Come on. I'll treat you to Ichiraku's." she said and pulled the girl along with her. Sakura might be feeling guilty and alone, but at least she can try and make a heartbroken girl feel better. And hey, if she makes a good friend while at it, even better.
xxxOPNxxx
Three months had gone past since Naruto started travelling. After a few weeks of dusting shelves and hauling around boxes, he moved in with Ryuga. Turned out the man had narcolepsy and sometimes fell asleep standing. He also lived alone so Naruto ended up hauling him around as well. Or Sanji had to, as he'd taken to calling himself with. He's actually gotten used to the name, but he had a feeling Ryuga knew he had lied when he failed to respond when called. The man never brought it up however so Sanji was never sure.
He'd also gotten used to living like a normal person. No one knew about the Kyūbi so he was free to talk to people and socialize without being glared at like he'd disgraced someone's grave.
There was one incident where he was almost recognized though. Inari and his grandfather were apparently on some sort of a vacation. Luckily Sanji had taken into covering up the whiskers on his face with make-up and they eventually came into the conclusion that he wasn't Naruto.
He'd also changed his wardrobe, avoiding any orange pieces of clothing. He grew his hair out a little too.
"Sanji, can you lift that box?" Ryuga asked pulling Sanji out of his thoughts. With a little sigh he did as he was told. "You alright?" the old man questioned after the boy had placed down his burden.
"Yeah." he answered, staring into space. He wasn't that fine really. He kept thinking about Konoha and what was going to happen when the Akatsuki finally finds him. It would happen eventually, but that didn't stop him from being scared and paranoid every once in a while. At least as a shinobi he had had an actual chance to fight back.
Ryuga looked at him for a long minute. "Well, if there's anything you want to talk about, I'll be here." he said and gave Sanji the privacy he wanted.
xxxOPNxxx
It took six months for Sanji to get back to normal. He wasn't quite as noisy and obnoxious as he used to be, but he wasn't thinking of depressing thoughts anymore. He was still terrified of the Akatsuki, but he had come in terms with it.
He'd also been 'promoted'. Sanji was given the job of the cashier when Ryuga was busy with other things. But today he was dusting the shelves again when the bell above the door ringed. Sanji looked at the customer as Ryuga welcomed them. He felt himself pale. He didn't expect to be found this fast.
The person was Itachi Uchiha. He was alone for a reason Sanji couldn't determine. The Uchiha turned straight to Sanji and walked towards him. Sanji turned to scream at the old geezer he'd become so fond of during the few months:
"Run! This guy means trouble!"
Ryuga didn't listen to him however. As Itachi raised his hand, the old man charged with a curved sword he picked up from the wall. With a yell he jumped into the air and swung the sword. The shinobi simply leaned away from the attack and elbowed Ryuga to the stomach. The old man crashed on to one of the display tables and hit his head on the floor.
Sanji tried to run to him, but was immediately pushed to the wall. Itachi's hand curled against his throat and pressed him further back at the yellow wall of the antique store. Sanji squeezed his eyes shut, knowing better than to stare at the eyes of a Sharingan user.
"Interesting." the man spoke. "You've managed to break your chakra pathway system. No wonder you've gone into hiding." Sanji could feel the man's breath on his face. He wished he could breathe too. "How pathetic, you aren't even fighting back. Have you truly given up on living?" Sanji gritted his teeth. His hand hit something next to him and instinctively grabbed it. The thought of flinging it on Itachi's face came to mind, but Sanji hesitated.
It wouldn't work anyway would it? No matter what he did he would eventually lose. And it's not like fighting back would save the old man either. Sanji felt faint, he was running out of air. Panic settled in his mind and decided what to do for him. He swung his hand and surprisingly managed to smack the man in the face with a wooden sculpture of a cat cutting his own fingers in the process.
Sanji managed to take a few deep breaths as he slid down the wall, before a foot pressed into his chest, crushing his ribs instead of his throat this time. He coughed at the pressure and bit his lip right after. He knew he was shaking, tears were starting to build up in his eyes. He was scared.
"How annoying." the Uchiha muttered and Sanji thought he was going to get killed right there, but then he heard Ryoga get up. Sanji's eyes flipped open to see the old man ram into Itachi with enough power to push him off the boy. Still terrified, Sanji scrambled away from the men and managed to knock into the same table Ryuga had.
As he watched the criminal push Ryuga aside again, Sanji failed to notice a scroll had spread open on the floor in the chaos. Ryuga's body flopped to the ground as Sanji's fingers smeared blood over the parchment. He started to feel a pulling sensation as Itachi rushed at him.
The world around him went black as nausea kicked in and his consciousness slipped away.
xxxOPNxxx
"Where is the nine tails?" a dark voice questioned to the lonely figure standing in the middle of an empty cave. The figure faced a corner of the cave.
"Disappeared. One item of the old geezer's merchandise reacted to his blood and warped him away. I tried to get information from the old man, but he wouldn't cave." the figure spoke and blankly stared at the wall listening to his superior.
"No matter. I'll take care of it."
xxxOPNxxx
When Sanji woke up he was hit with a salty smell and fresh air. Sitting up he saw a beach and a huge body of water he assumed was the sea. Bewildered as to how he was still alive he got on his feet and set out to look for people.
After five minutes of walking he found a town. By the looks of it, it was a small town mainly focused on fishing. The main street was filled with stalls selling fish and other fresh goods. The port had ships of various kind coming in and leaving mostly carrying some sort of cargo.
Despite living so long as a civilian, he did have some basic survival instincts left from his time as a ninja. Ever since arriving to the town he'd had a feeling there was something wrong. So Sanji listened to the conversations of the vendors and the people he passed by. He was rewarded with words he was not at all familiar with. One of the words was 'belly', which apparently worked as currency.
He wandered around the town for hours and eventually came to the conclusion he was nowhere near the Five Great Shinobi Countries. From what he had heard, he was in some place called North Blue.
Sanji sat at the port tiredly, he had no clue as to what he should do. He stared at the water going through his options when a man appeared behind him.
"What's wrong with you, kid? You've been sitting there for a while now." he said, settling down next to Sanji. The blonde turned to see the man better. He was young, in his early twenties. He had a round face and black hair.
"It's nothing big. I'm just kind of...lost. I don't have any money or anything either so I have nowhere to go." Sanji answered, a bit reluctantly.
The man nodded. "Then how about coming with me. We could use some help around the kitchen." he offered and looked at Sanji expectantly. The blonde stared at the man strangely for a minute. He's just as weird as Ryuga. Who in their right mind hires people like this? He nodded positive however and ended up following the odd man.
"Great! Don't worry, it's not a lifelong job. You're free to do whatever you like when you feel like you have enough money to go your own way!" The man dragged him along as he chattered on.
It turned out the man worked in a kitchen of a cruiser. Sanji managed to make friends with the other employees rather easily and even managed to learn a few things about the world he was in. He indeed enjoyed sailing and the ocean more than he ever thought he would and discovered a new passion for himself; cooking. And after two months he had a new goal in life.
He'd heard about the All Blue from the chefs and after digging around the library of the cruiser, he was convinced it was the best place in the world he was in. A small part of Sanji wondered, what was it with him and dreams most considered impossible, but a bigger part of him, the stubborn one, wanted to prove them wrong. The same stubborn side didn't listen to the laughter and teasing of the chefs, but ignored them instead.
When a pirate crew attacked the cruiser in East Blue, the only thing left of Naruto was his stubbornness. The fake name he had used to back in the Great Shinobi countries had become his real identity.
Naruto had gone and instead there was Sanji.
Okay the ending sounds lame, but whatever. I hope I don't need to explain further. I mean most of you reading this probably know how Sanji met Zeff and all that.
Indeed there was a few minor OCs but they won't be showing up again. At least as more than just a small mention.
Next chapter we'll finally get to the actual story instead of backstory.