Demons of Family of Destiny.

Chapter 3: Confrontations and Enlightenment.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or One Piece.

After leaving the training grounds, Naruto had been at a loss. He actually had someone who cared about spending time with him, and wanted to know more about who he was. A quick reminder from Olvia that she was not from Konoha sparked a multitude of questions from the excitable blond: "Where did you come from?" "What kinds of Ramen do other countries make?" "How many shinobi fights have you seen?" "Are there other ninja-villages like this one?"[1] "Is your Dad always that scary?" "What is your dream?"

Olvia decided against telling him about the different islands she had sailed around with her parents, aunts and uncles to save time. After satisfying Naruto's curiosity, she had asked him if he knew any different weapon shops, libraries, training grounds or historic monuments in the village.

Naruto was all too happy to help Olvia, or be of help to anybody. But as they were walked through the village, Olvia noticed how other people reacted the Naruto and her: the glares; the whispers; holding children back; ignoring him any way possible.

A parent had actually come forward and tried to grab Olvia away from Naruto.

"What are you doing, demon! Trying to lure another child away to hurt her like you did to those children earlier!?" The woman had started to move away, before realizing that Olvia had not budged, too strong for the civilian to move.

"What in the hell do you think you're doing?" demanded Olvia in a whisper. She was pissed at how this adult was acting; remembering a similar incident with someone insulting her mother when she was 7.

"You shouldn't be around that thing! He-"

"-Has not done anything wrong at all. Or would you mind tell me why I should leave a new friend behind?" Olvia challenged the woman, showed a calm but threatening glare; which she inherited from her mother, and caused the adult to visibly sweat.

The woman's eyes darted to the boy, then around the street, before leaning in to whisper to Olvia. "He's called a jinchuriiki. A monster tha-"

-Meanwhile at Hokage's Tower:

"Now it's come to my attention that some children have been picking on Uzumaki Naruto again" stated the Sandaime Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"That is likely inaccurate Hokage-sama. From what I've heard it was Uzumaki-san who attacked those children first" the Civilian lead-councilor replied, tactfully. Torane Miraku, a wealthy civilian in the village, was the spokesperson for the non-shinobi population in village politics. He had long silver hair, golden irises, and was dressed in surprisingly unremarkable gray and red robes with the kanji for profit on his back written in gold inside of a silver circle. The civilian councilman was in excellent physical condition rather than fat or wearing flashy outfits like the other prominent civilians. This simple appearance made Miraku more "relatable" to the civilians, thus gaining their favor completely, and a measure of respect from the shinobi who often disparaged the comparative laziness of those outside of the rank-and-file shinobi or clans.

Although a headache for the Hokage, these characteristics and the appeal of Miraku's stance as the "Voice of the Innocent" to the civilian population garnered him enough political influence to be second to the Hokage's position alone.

The Inuzuka clan head, Inuzuka Tsume, laughed at Miraku's comment. "You seriously expect us to believe that the Uzumaki runt actually attacked a group of kids just for the hell of it?"

"That is highly unlikely. Particularly as Uzumaki-san has never demonstrated any aggressive behavior on prior occasions" stated the Aburame clan head, Aburame Shibi, calmly.

"While that may be true Aburame-san, I have several eye witness accounts and complaints from parents about Uzumaki's aggressive behavior. In light of all-"

"I apologize for the interruption shinobi-sans but I'm afraid that those reports are false" stated Robin as she entered the room.

"Who are you and how did you get in here!?" shouted Miraku, angry at the intrusion and being interrupted.

"My name is Roronoa-Nico Robin and your ANBU allowed my husband and I to enter with an approval pass. As for why I'm here council members; I request that you allow my family to adopt Uzumaki Naruto." explained Robin.

Outside in the village-

Olvia's eyes narrowed as she heard the woman's explanation. "-jinchuriiki. A monster tha-"

Four masked figures materialized beside them! One stood near Naruto, another pulled Olvia back, the third ceased the woman's arms and covered her mouth, and a fourth took an observer's position.

"Do not say another word. You are under-arrest for breaking the Hokage's decree." One of the men spoke. Olvia's palm eased from her katana, slightly relaxed when she heard that statement.

"What! But-" the woman had protested before disappearing from the scene in a flicker.

"What did you hear?" the one beside Olvia whispered.

"She called Naruto-san a Jin before you arrived, and cut her off before anything else was said," she calmly answered. As sharp as her mother, Olvia was aware of when, where, how and why certain questions should be answered, and how dangerous information could be.

The figure nodded, and the remaining three disappeared.

The Konoha Council Office-

The individuals in the room were stunned at this sudden request to adopt Naruto; the smart members took a moment to think while the impulsive ones spoke-up.

"Wow! About time someone did something for the pup!" Tsume declared in approval. "And just why would a kusottare[2] like you request from us something like that!?" gritted Miraku, before he broke in a cold-sweat.

Zoro released some of his killer intent[3] to wash over the room.

Even though the swordsman only released a small amount of his KI onto the council-member, the civilians found themselves hardly breathing; while the clan heads, the Elders, and Hokage were sweating.

"Watch how you talk to my wife, bastard."

'Just what kind of power does this man have' thought the room's shinobi.

"Councilman." Hiruzen addressed. "I believe you owe our guests an apology for such disrespectful language!"

A violent shadow crossed Miraku's face, from his own slip-up and the Hokage's chastising. Before a composed apology slithered from his mouth.

Hiruzen nodded, and addressed the new arrivals. "Now please explain to me how you know that the reports are false and why you wish to adopt Uzumaki-san."

"I was outside of the academy grounds when the event in question occurred and witnessed the parents of the "victimized" children reprimanding Uzumaki-san for defending himself from their abuse." Stated Robin. "As for why I wish to adopt him, I have experienced a childhood very similar to his and I can't allow him to grow up alone and hated."

"You had a childhood similar to Uzumaki-san's?" rose to prissy tones of Koharu Utatane.

"Yes, my husband and I are from overseas, outside the Elemental Nations. When I was a child growing up in my home land of Ohara I was constantly bullied by the other children for my ability to do this." Robin then showed the people in the room her Hana Hana fruit by causing arms to bloom all over the room causing many of the room's occupants to jump slightly.

"What kind of jutsu is this?" asked Shikaku Nara, studying the disembodied arm that began to wave at him.

"It's not a jutsu shinobi-san" answered Robin, keeping her actual arms crossed as she elucidated. "In the lands outside of your continent, there are a large variety of strange looking fruits called Akuma no Mi. Which grant whoever eats it with a unique power. Mine happens to be named the Hana Hana no Mi, which allows me the ability to "bloom" copies of whatever limb I chose anywhere I wish."

"Your explanation seems quite far-fetched." Questioned Shikaku Nara.

"She is telling the truth." Hiashi Hyuga voiced to the curious assembly, his byakugan active. "I do not see anything resembling chakra from her, or the arms she has produced."

"I don't think she's lying either Hiashi-domo" stated Inoichi Yamanaka. "I couldn't detect any signs of deceit ever since she has entered the room.

"If Inoichi says that she isn't lying to us then I believe him" said Choza Akimichi.

"I as well" agreed Hiruzen. "Please continue Roronoa-san"

Robin smiled at her last name. "Please Hokage-sama, you may just call me Robin. Now, because of my abilities the other children of Ohara constantly abused me both verbally and physically and whenever I attempted to retaliate the parents of the children would appear and reprimand me for my actions."

"And your parents never did anything about it?" asked Shikaku.

Robin's calm smiled faltered and she dropped her gaze towards the ground. "As I stated before shinobi-san, my childhood was very similar to Uzumaki-san's in many ways. My father passed away due to an illness a year after my birth and my mother left the island on an archeological expedition to fulfill his dream, leaving me with my aunt who treated me like a house slave. My only friends on the entire island were the archaeologists that Ohara was renowned for. They gave me various books to occupy my time and eventually I earned a doctorate in archaeology by age 8, following in the footsteps of my parents."

"Damn, talk about a smart kid" exclaimed Tsume, surprised at the depth of Robin's past.

Robin's smiled reformed at the praise. "Thank you Inu-san. It was at that age I also made my first friend outside of the archaeologists by the name of Saul. He was a friendly giant who taught me how to smile and laugh."

The raven haired woman's smiled fell again and her eyes darkened as she came up to the most tragic event of her life. "It was when my mother finally returned a week later that my life was plagued by death and hypocrisy."

"My mother's goal and father's dream was to research and discover the truth behind the Void Century; a period of time where there was no recorded history which can only be discovered by reading ancient transcripts known as Poneglyphs. Unfortunately, researching this length of time was outlawed by an alliance of multiple nations and political organizations that rule over the world outside of your nation, and punishable by death.

These nations are overseen by a military-dictatorship known as the Marines, who act as global "peace-keepers" through oppressive military force. Many of the dominant political leaders of the Marine and separate rulers owe their inherited positions to their heritage as descendants of ancestors who "heroically" founded the existing monarchies and government bodies. However, the details and facts of how their power-bases were founded is vague and unspecific. Many of them abuse their positions, and if an alternative account of how their alliance was established was uncovered, any contradictions would cause these nobles, dictators and more to lose their privileges and authority. Since my mother's research contradicted this quota, the Marines were sent to destroy Ohara and everyone on it."

"Talk about being overly defensive" whispered Choza, with several others in the room nodding with him. Though one person was internally nodding in approval at such a concept.

"These leaders you have described sound like tyrants who value authority and subjugation over everyone they encounter. I image that their response to a threat against their sovereignty was both thorough and pitiless." Shikuka Nara gravely surmised.

Robin nodded "Ohara was helpless to stop the Marines and because of it everyone, including my mother, Saul, the archaeologists of Ohara, the towns' people, and even the island itself were destroyed by the marines' cannons. Initially, the civilians were evacuated onto a ship to remove them from the scholars. However, one of the leaders of the attack destroyed the ship on his own accorded, claiming that the chance for one of the scholars hiding among the innocents was too great a chance to risk, and that merely being associated with the scholars justified their deaths."

A pair of frozen eyes swept the room, laced with steel conviction behind a very strategic decision: "That same officer was absolved of any insubordination and by all the evidence was promoted for his ruthless discrimination. The sheer fire-power that was unleashed on Ohara was even more destructive than the power of the Biju that can be found here."

All of the council-members and guards were shocked at her account of the terror Robin had witnessed; particularly due to the truthful conviction they heard in her voice. Everyone present was at least moderately adept at detected deceit from a person they concentrated on; whether shinobi on a mission, or merchants haggling over their prices and goods.

"I was the only survivor of the event," Robin continued. "And that was only because Saul was a close friend of a marine named Aokiji who allowed me to escape as a personal favor to Saul. I then spent the next twenty years of my life on the run due to a large bounty that was placed on my head due to my status as an Oharan with the title of "Devil Child" so no one would trust me. An amount equivalent to 80,000,000 ryo in your currency."

That caused many present to recoil in shock. "Placing such a high amount on a child appears quite illogical," stated Shibi Aburame. "And all of this was purely due to a political threat your knowledge of a language represented?"

"Yes, shinobi-san. The public message was that I manage to sink eight of the Marine's floating fortresses; their battleships. These were actually sunk by Saul, who's power would have been comparable to a jonin's. I was aged eight when it happened, and had never killed anyone prior to the event. I was hounded by bounty-hunters and assassins for the following twenty years. And all due to the threat my knowledge of the language had to the authority and power the World Government exercises. Anyone I encountered attempted to turn me over for the money, or used me to bargain for their own benefit."

"That's no way for a child to live" stated Hiruzen as his eyes flickered toward Shimura Danzou, before gazing down in sadness.

Robin had deliberated over sharing this information with the Hokage during the walk to the Hokage Building. However, the potential repercussions of withholding this information from the shinobi had led to her concluding that a modified truth was necessitated.

"It was when I was twenty-eight however and the vice-president of a former criminal syndicate that I met the Straw-Hat Pirates, a crew of rookie pirates that my life changed. They defeated my former colleagues, and with my own goals to access a very rare Poneglyph failed, all I wanted to do was die. Yet their captain saved my life against my protests. I joined their crew and they soon became a new family to me.

Over the years I lived with them as nakama and experienced many adventures. I truly felt safe and accepted for the first time in my life. So much so that I allowed myself to open up and find love with my husband of twelve years, who was also the crew's first mate at the time, and they helped me to discover the Void Century, realizing my parent's dream."

"So what are you doing here then Robin-san? Are your pirate friends also in our village" asked Danzo, who'd been busy working up plans since Robin's story began.

Disappointment clouded his opportunities at the negative gesture of the composed woman. "We disbanded the crew eight years ago so that we could all live our lives as we wished. As for why I'm currently in your nation; the Rio-Poneglyph, which was the transcript containing the Void Century's history, mentioned a man named the Rikudo Sennin who'd once resided in this land. So now I'm here with my family to hopefully learn more about this Sage and his connection to the Void Century."

"And I don't suppose you'd consider sharing this discovered history with us?" asked Danzo.

Robin shook her head again. "Perhaps in time scar-san. As of now I'm afraid that I simply don't trust anyone in this room enough to distribute that information."

The Sandaime added fresh tobacco to his pipe, and inhaled a long, calming drag. "You do make a very convincing argument Robin-san; However I would like to hear your husband's stance on the original matter of you adopting Naruto-san." stated Hiruzen.

"Why? Robin told you everything you needed to know." Zoro stoically replied.

"She found the blonde-haired kid getting picked on by some assholes and wants to adopt him so his life isn't total crap."

"So you don't feel as strongly about adopting Uzumaki-san as your wife does?" the commanding tones of Elder Homura Mikokado stated.

"Not really. I mean, my life was never as shitty as Robin's or Naruto's. So I don't match anything that would make a difference. I didn't have parents growing up but I never really cared about them or having friends. My only goal growing up was to become the World's Greatest Swordsman and surpass my childhood friend."

Danzo's visible eye widened at hearing the title that the swordsman before them sought after. "And did you manage to fulfill your ambitions. Roronoa-san?"

A pair of dark eyes met each other, and left both apprehensive. "I was. I become the World's Greatest Swordsman by defeating the previous title-holder. But my friend died when she was still a kid so I'll never know if I would ever have been able to beat her or not" Zoro replied.

"You never beat your friend?" asked Inoichi?

"No. She and I were both students in a dojo, and we chased after same the dream to become the World's Best Swordsman. After challenging her two-thousand and one times I never won against her"[4] stated Zoro, causing everyone's eyes to widen in shock at the sheer number of times the two had fought.

"She? You lost so many times against a little girl?" asked Hiashi; bringing additional KI to the room.

"And just what's so shocking about losing to a girl Hiashi?" a low, threatening snarl emerged from the Inuzuka leader.

"Now now, I'm sure that he didn't mean it that way Tsume-san" calmed Choza.

"There's no difference between genders when it comes to being a swordsman" stated Zoro, looking absolute in his statement. "In fact, the only swordsman I plan on losing my title to is my daughter."

"Oh, you have a daughter?" asked Inoichi.

"Yeah, she's twelve right now and watching over Naruto. Now are you going to let us adopt Naruto or not?" asked Zoro, getting slightly impatient with all of this talking.

"Absolutely not!" spoke Miraku, making his presence known once more. "There's no way that we'll allow a couple of outsiders, let along former pirates, to adopt one of our citizens. Especially that boy" The civilian councilor whispered the last part.

"Perhaps Torane-san. Although, Naruto-san is still an orphan, and we shouldn't turn away a willing surrogate family so hastily" stated Hiruzen, waving off the civilian's outburst, before turning to the two new comers. "Although, there are some matters that need to be addressed before I could answer your request."

Robin's face remained impassive. "What are your concerns, Hokage-sama?"

The Hokage chose his next words carefully. "First, Naruto is still a member of Konoha, so if you adopt him, the four of you will have to remain in the village. He has his heart set on an unwavering goal here, as you will no doubt discover for yourselves. Second, I want to ask that you enroll your daughter in our shinobi academy alongside Naruto. Now, this of course doesn't mean that she'll need to learn and specialize in jutsu as I'm sure whatever you're currently training her in will be sufficient enough. Lastly, as you will be staying in the village you will be considered citizens of Konohagakure and as such you will be required to purchase or rent property along with paying the normally required taxes."

Hiruzen took a short drag of his pipe. "Of course, as citizens this will also extend the protection and support of the village against anyone who is pursuing you out of a vendetta or alternative political agenda's that you have foiled in the past, should the necessity emerge."

Robin recognized the subtle offer the Hokage was making. As they were primarily political threats to the World Government's authority rather than wanted for murder and widespread destruction like the Kid Pirates or Blackbeard Pirates, the protection of Konoha would lend a great deal of weight towards anyone pursuing them. Konoha could simply ally with such agents and pursue Robin and Zoro, or pass on information about them; but if they could gain Konoha's support or benefit the village in some way, they would have protection and help from the village's overt and covert military power."

"Those all sound reasonable Hokage-sama." Robin answered, before any of the councilors or the Elders could contradict Hiruzen's offer. "Our family was planning on staying in Konoha for an undetermined amount of time regardless while I did my research. I would also appreciate more stability and support for my daughter's life rather than remain nomads indefinitely. Unlike my life where constant travel was a necessity rather than out of preference.

As for purchasing property and taxes, we shouldn't have any difficulty there either. My husband was a bounty-hunter before his time as a pirate and has recently taken up that profession again in order to provide us with an income. As such we have plenty of your nation's currency to pay for any required costs. There's also the convenience of not having to search for a permanent home once my research is complete" stated Robin.

Shikaku's eyes widened at this news. Ever the strategist, he turned towards Zoro with a smirk. "So, you're the one who's been making the bingo book shrink so quickly over the past year."

This time Zoro smirked. "Yeah, for high ranked shinobi fugitives your enemies are a real shame compared to what we've faced over-seas."

This statement caused everyone in the room, including the old war hawk Danzo, to feel a shiver of apprehension. 'Many of the wanted shinobi that have been eliminated in the past year are some that even my ROOT ANBU wouldn't be able to handle.'

'Damn. If he wasn't married I'd try my luck with this guy. If he wasn't scared off by my power!' Tsume Inuzuka smirked.

Hiruzen grinned cunningly at the swordsman and archaeologist. "In that case, there is even more reason to welcome you to stay in our village. The protection and safety of Konoha is the first priority of myself and the council members here."

A frowned marred the face of the aged leader as he continued. "However, nearly one year ago our village took a tragically heavy blow to our military strength and security. Robin-san. Zoro-san. Are you both aware of the Uchiha massacre?[5]

Robin's face voiced her disgusted clearer than pristine glass, while Zoro actually growled. "Yeah, we heard rumors in a few places. Plus, the Bingo-books that you Shinobi carry make it very easy to identify who has a bounty and why. I now about how the Uchiha clan was killed. And who committed the deed."

Hiruzen nodded. "Yes. Since that terrible night our village has been vulnerable from the loss of so many prominent and powerful Shinobi, and the future generations of the clan were reduced to a single survivor. Zoro-san. Your strength and reputation alone have piqued my attention. In exchange for the protection of Konohagakure, would you be opposed to fighting against anyone would might invade or threaten our village?"

Even the normally critical Homura and Koharu felt a meassure of approval for the Hokage's venture. Gaining the loyalty of someone as powerful as Zoro would certainly make-up for some of the loss to their security since the deaths of the Uchiha clan. The other clans heads also shared the Hokage's standpoint.

Zoro gave everyone a measured look. "If my family is staying here, then I will fight to protect them. Plus, it wouldn't be the first time I ended-up fighting to save a nation from someone with more imperialistic goals. Hey Robin, wasn't the count at Fishman-island 100,000 against the 10 of us?"

"Fufufufufufufufufufu. Indeed Zoro-koi."

Some of Civilian councilors shifted uncomfortably in their seats as they could not think of anything to contribute to this debate, and they despised silence. While the Shinobi clans eyed the pair with even more respect and apprehension than they had moments ago.

The Nara and Inuzuka leaders were particularly interested in Zoro and Robin.

'Finally Naruto will have a family that can protect him. From anyone.' thought the Sandaime Hokage.

"Very well then" stated the Hokage standing up to shake his new residents' hands. "Allow me to be the first to congratulate you on your new citizenship in Konohagakure and as your new roles as the surrogate parents of Uzumaki Naruto. Now then, if you'll please follow me then I'll assist you with the needed adoption papers."

"Hoakge-sama! There are several items remaining on the assembly list that need to be addressed."

"They will wait until another time. I must take priorities where the greatest importance lies. And the induction of our new citizens of our village is such a matter."

With that the trio left the room, leaving the rest of the council to sweat drop and think to themselves. 'That's the fourth time he's escaped a council meeting this month.'

Naruto and Olvia:

"This certainly is quite Incredible. You really can see everything from up here, whiskers-san."

Naruto smiled; too happy to respond to the growingly annoying nickname from his companion, Roronoa Olvia.

"Yeah, it's really great to come up here at sunset. It's like the whole village is in a spotlight, and then it starts glowing as the night is here, ya know."

Olvia grinned at her hopefully new otouto[6], curious about him.

After their unfortunate alteration, Naruto explained how the men in masks were ANBU after he recovered from the surprise of their appearance.

Olvia noticed he was down, so she asked him what his favorite place in the village was, and they had ended-up racing each other to the Yondaime Hokage's head and overlooking the village.

Now she was curious about what 'jinchuriiki' was, and apprehensive about why her mother wanted to adopt Naruto. She was quite hopeful that they would be able to take him away from Konoha and give him a much more peaceful life, and introduce him to their friends. 'Jinbe-san, Sabo-san, Sanji-jii-san[7], Lufy-jii-san and Aunt Nami would especially love to meet Naruto-san."

Looking down at the Hokage Tower, Olvia hoped that her parents were meeting success; without threatening or killing too many people…

End

[1]-This is Naruto we're talking about, while still attending the academy. Even after encountering Kusa ninja he is likely ignorant of other Great Ninja villages; from either disinterest or a lack of attention in classes. Plus he would be too enthusiastic in this context to be thinking very hard.

[2]-kusottare=a Japanese insult, equal to "shithead" or "shit-hanger."

[3]-Killer intent is Zoro's dangerous presence that he uses to scare the hell out of any marines, pirates, or bandits that try to fight against him. It's why enemies usually freak out and run away whenever Zoro approaches them, such as at Sabahoady Archipelago. It's not Emperor's haki.

[4]-This includes their live-steel spar on the last night of Kuina's life.

[5]-If anyone is not aware of the timeline in Naruto, Itachi killed the entire Uchiha clan between the age of 13-14. Sasuke was 5 years younger than Itachi, which would leave him aged 8-9 during the massacre. In the beginning of this story, Naruto is age 9, and he was born in October while Sasuke was in July. The current setting of the story is in summer, leaving it around a year since the Uchiha were killed and Konohagakrue would likely still be struggling to make-up for their loss.

[6]-Otouto=Japanese for younger sibling.

[7]-jii-san=Japanese for an older relative one generation away; in this context, it means "uncle."