Chapter 4
Night had taken its course over on the shores of Kyoto. From out of nowhere, think blanket of fog suddenly appeared. The fog was so thick that the people of the town could barely see right through it. What was only visible was the fort that Toneri and his men were guarding.
Below the fort was the prison ground where most of the prisoners (mainly pirates) were all kept and Kakashi was one of the fresh new prisoners in there. Kakashi was put in one single cell by himself that was next to a cell that contain a group of pirates named Dosu Kinuta, Kin Tsuchi and Zaku Abumi.
The trio were in their prison cells holding out a couple of bones towards a dog, who held the prison keys in his mouth. They were doing everything they could to get the dog to come towards them so they can get the keys. From everything they tried, they bribed him with bones, whistled to him, not to mention talking cute to the dog as well. Unfortunately, they dog wouldn't budge.
Knowing they were trying too hard, Kakashi replied, "You three keep doing that forever, the dog is never going to move. And besides, it's not really the bone the dog once. It's the scene of the smell of the bone that really attracts him."
Looking at Kakashi with a serious look, Zaku said, "Well, excuse us for trying too hard. If you're so smart, why don't you give it a try."
Kakashi chuckled. "I would. But, seeing you make fools of yourselves is just too enjoyable to pass up."
Ignoring Kakashi's advice, the trio continued on with trying to get the dog to give up the keys.
Inside of the Governor's mansion in Hinata's bedroom, the handmaiden, a purple-haired girl named Sumire Kakei was putting in some hot coal into a bedwarmer from the fireplace. Once she had enough coal, Sumire slid the bedwarmer between the sheets at the end of Hinata's bed, who was reading a book.
"Thank you, Sumire," Hinata said. "That feels so much better."
"It's my pleasure, Miss Hyuga," Sumire nodded. "After all, it's been a difficult day for you, I can imagine."
"Yes, it was," Hinata agreed. "So many things happened all at once. I wasn't expecting Toneri to propose. And then me falling into the ocean and being threatened by the pirate suddenly happened out of the blue."
"Speaking of which, did you ever give Major Toneri an answer to his proposal?" Sumire asked.
Hinata sighed. "Unfortunately… no. I know we've known each other for quite some time… but I'm not positively sure how I feel about him entirely."
"Well, you'll have plenty of time to decide, Miss Hyuga, I'm sure" said Sumire. "To be honest, I really thought Naruto would be the first one to propose to you. Haven't you always had feeling for Naruto, Miss?"
Hinata blushed as his face turned red. "What do you mean? I have no idea what you're talking about. Naruto and I… are just… friends."
Sumire smiled. "You don't have to say, Miss. I know how you really feel about Naruto. Anyhow, I must be on my way." Sumire then left the room.
Hinata sat in her bed as she continued to read. Part of her couldn't ignore her feelings for Naruto. She really did wanted to confess her feelings to him, but she was afraid of what her father might think. A governor's daughter and a blacksmith being engaged didn't seem like a smart match. To some people, a governor's daughter being engaged to a fine military office seemed like the right way to go. Hinata wasn't sure what to decide at the moment.
Looking at the pirate medallion around her neck that she hid from Sumire, Hinata noticed something strange happening. The candle in her bedroom was going out as if wind was blowing against it. But she was inside and the windows were all closed. Hinata found all of this to be a bit odd.
Working in his shop, Naruto was constructing another sword when he started to get bad vibes for some reason. Opening a window, Naruto realized the weather seemed a bit colder than usual during this summer season. Not only that, he thought it was strange that this thick fog suddenly appeared. Naruto couldn't help shake off the bad feeling he was getting in his stomach.
Up at the fort, Hiashi and Toneri were walking together along the far wall. Toneri, like most others, thought it was strange that this fog appeared from nowhere, as if some force sent it. Looking where the ocean was, Toneri could have sworn he saw a ship. Taking another look, he saw it wasn't there. He put it out of his mind and figured it might have been his imagination.
"Has my daughter given you an answer yet?" Hiashi asked Toneri.
"No," Toneri replied. "She hasn't."
"Well, that's understandable if she hasn't," Hiashi figured. "After all, she's had a very overwhelming day. So much has happened all in one day." Hiashi began to take notice how ugly the fog was getting. "Toneri, don't you find it odd that this fog would appear during the hot season."
"Indeed, I do, sir," Toneri concurred, having a serious look as he turned his attention back on the ocean. "In fact, I find it a bit off." Noticing movement in the water once more, Toneri took another look and then saw it. This ship in the water was not his imagination. In fact, he saw the ship revealing its cannons as it took aim at the fort. "Sir, take cover!"
Toneri grabbed Hiashi, pushing him to the ground as the cannon fire barely missed them by an inch. "Return fire!" Toneri shouted to his men, as they all ran to their stations. They found themselves under attack by pirates.
The pirates that were attacking Kyoto were no ordinary pirates. These were pirates who sailed under the Black Pearl that was captained by the most fearsome pirate that made men and pirates tremble… Sasuke Uchiha.
From his prison cell, Kakashi could heard the sound of cannon fire going on and looked from his cell window to check it out. "No… could it be… it's the Black Pearl. So, you've come looking for it, Sasuke."
Their eyes wide open with fear, Dosu approached Kakashi's cell and asked, "Did you say the Black Pearl… as in the Black Pearl itself."
"None other," Kakashi replied.
"I've heard frightening stories about the Black Pearl," spoke Kin. "She preys on ships and settlements that come her way. Anyone who confronts its crew are never left alive."
"Is that so," said Kakashi, finding this very intriguing, looking back out the window. "Well, I must say, Sasuke, you've indeed created a fearsome reputation for yourself. If I wasn't locked in this cell, I would confront you personally for leaving me to die." Kakashi hoped that day would come when he could exact his revenge on his treacherous first mate.
The Black Pearl could not be seen through the fog. However, only parts of her can be seen by the light of the gunfire as she fired her cannons. Streets, buildings, docks and ships shatter and explode from the onslaught. Villagers begin to panic as they run for cover, dodging the flying debris as best they can. If this was not hell on Earth, then it was about to be.
Long boats emerge from the fog, all of them carrying armed pirates. They swarm from the boats, striking down villagers without mercy and setting buildings on fire.
Naruto gets two small axes and straps it to his belt when he saw the pirates destroying and terrorizing villagers in their path. Knowing he'll be a sword fight with one of the pirates, Naruto takes the best sword from his shop and walks among the crowd to take on as many pirates as he could.
A woman ran past a vicious pirate, who was throwing bombs into a building through a window. As the bombs exploded, the vicious pirate noticed the woman and chased after her. Naruto took notice of this and threw one of his axes at the vicious pirate, striking him down. Getting his axe from the dead pirate, Naruto took on more. Never would he ever thought he defend a town from pirates and for some reason, the feeling was exciting.
Up at the Governor's mansion, Hinata opened the windows and sees all the chaos that was going on in the town as fires were ablaze here and there. She even saw the harbor was on fire, being attacked by pirates. What even scared Hinata was hearing the screams of the villagers that fled for their lives. Not only that, the sound of cannon fire startled her.
Noticing a light from a small distance from her window, Hinata saw a number of figures, who were all actually pirates that carried torches. Hinata quickly headed downstairs and knew she had to use something to keep the pirates locked out.
The pirates, who were being led by two other pirates, Jinpashi and Kushimaru (former pirates of their crew, The Seven Swordsman) broke through the gates as they headed towards the mansion.
From inside the mansion, the pirates knocked on the door as one of the servants of the mansion went to answer the door. Hinata was hoping to get there in time to barricade the door but came too late when the servant opened the door.
"Wait, don't!" Hinata shouted.
Opening the door and finding himself facing a long-haired masked ninja, Kushimaru replied, "Hello, chum." Kushimaru pulls out his gun and shoots the servant, making Hinata scream.
The servant's body crumbles to the ground as the pirates began to invade and raid the mansion for possession they could take that were valuable. Hearing something calling to them, Jinpashi and Kushimaru looked upstairs and noticed Hinata and made a dash towards her.
Hinata quickly retreated to her room and locked the door as she try to figure out what to do next. Turning around, Hinata became startled when she bumped into Sumire, who was also hiding in the room when she saw the pirates attacking the town.
"Miss Hyuga, you must hide, quick!" Sumire urged. "The pirates have come to kidnap you!"
"Kidnap me?" Hinata questioned. "What would they want with me?"
"Don't you see," Sumire replied. "You're the Governor's daughter. Kidnapping you would mean they can ransom you for any amount of money they want."
Thinking it about it thoroughly, Hinata knew it can't be quite that simple. Sure, her father was the Governor, but only a small time Governor. If they wanted to kidnap somebody, it would be someone more official. That's when she realized something. The day Naruto was found, she found the medallion and on that same day she saw that pirate ship sailing away. The fact they were here and that she wore the medallion was no coincidence. The medallion is what the pirates were after, not her.
Hearing the pirates breaking down the door, Hinata knew she had to get Sumire out of harm's way and told her what to do. "Listen to me, Sumire. So far, they haven't seen you. Right now, find a safe place to hide. When the first chance you get, run to the fort and inform Major Toneri and my father."
"Yes, Miss Hyuga," Sumire replied. "And be safe."
Doing as Hinata told her, Sumire hid under the bed as Hinata headed straight for the bathroom, holding the bedwarmer and hid by the side of the door, waiting for her opportunity to attack the pirates.
Breaking the door down and heading straight for the bathroom when they saw the open door, Hinata smacked Kushimaru in the face with the bedwarmer, knocking him out. When Sumire saw her chance, she ran straight for the door.
Attempting to hit Jinpashi with the bedwarmer, he caught Hinata by her arm and stopped her. She try to force her arms out, but Jinpashi held on tight to Hinata's arms and laughed menacingly at her. Trying to find a way out of this situation, Hinata opened up the bedwarmer, pouring hot coal on Jinpashi, who screamed from the pain.
With Jinpash distracted, Hinata ran pass him as Kushimaru got back up and saw Hinata making a run for it. He urged his partner, Jinpashi to hurry as they ran after Hinata downstairs.
Seeing the door wide open as she try to make a break for it, Hinata found herself block as Kushimaru and Jinpashi jumped down the stairs and had her cornered. When they were about to attack Hinata, they became distracted when a fellow pirate came from a room, holding some jewelry he stole. From out of nowhere, the Black Pearl fires one of its cannonballs, hitting the pirate in the room, sending him flying.
Using this distraction to her advantage, Hinata ran right past the duo. She was able to buy herself a little time when the chandelier fell right off, nearly hitting Kushimaru and Jinpashi. Hinata ran into a dining room and locked the doors as she looked around for a weapon.
It wasn't too hard for Kushimaru and Jinpashi to break down the door as they searched for Hinata. They didn't see any sign of her, but did see a window open, assuming she escaped through there. Jinpashi was about to chase after her, but Kushimaru stopped him, knowing this was a trick.
"You can't fool us, girl!" Kushimaru called out. "We know you're here. Why not make it easy on yourself and come out? I promise we won't hurt you. All we want is the medallion that calls to us."
Realizing her hunch was right, Hinata looked at the medallion she possessed. If they were after that medallion all those years ago, that also meant they must be after Naruto.
Noticing the pirates found her hiding in the closet, Kushimaru opened the and pointed a gun at her. "Hello, hello, little beauty."
Before Kushimaru could pull the trigger, Hinata shouted, "Parley!"
Shocked by the word she spoke, Kushimaru asked, "What did you say?"
"Parley!" Hinata repeated. "I invoke the right of parley. According to the code of Brethen, set down by pirates Morgan and Bartholomew, you have to take me to the captain."
"I don't need a history lesson, girl," Kushimaru snarled. "I know what the code means."
Hinata continued on. "If an adversary demands parley, you can do them no harm until the parley is complete."
"Blast that code!" Jinpashi bellowed. "Let's just kill her right now and take the medallion!"
"No, Jinpashi," Kushimaru warned him. "You know better than to cross the captain. He always finds out if we do something behind his back. We have no choice but to take her to the captain. It's pirate law for us to honor the code."
Jinpashi grumbled as he gave in to what Kushimaru demanded. Without a fuss, Hinata went with them, hoping she can negotiate with their infamous captain.
Back out in the town, Naruto was in the middle of a sword fight with a big brute of a pirate. Naruto had already taken out at least 13 pirates and number 14 was proving hard to take down. Already, Naruto was getting exhausted from taking out the pirates.
Fighting as hard as he could, Naruto was about to swing his sword at the pirates right shoulder, but he grabbed Naruto's arm and pointed his own blade at his neck. The pirate chuckled evilly. "Say good-bye, boy!"
Without warning, a sign that was held by a chain fell right down. Naruto kicked the pirate where it hurts as the sign came tumbling down and squashed him.
"Good-bye and so long, buddy," Naruto quipped as he went to fight the next pirate. When he turned around, he saw three figures and one of them he recognized. Among them was Hinata, who was being hauled away by two pirates. "Hinata!"
Before Naruto could get to them, he saw a vicious looking pirate blocking his way, laughing at him. Naruto found this confusing because he could have sworn he seen this pirate already.
"Hold on a second, didn't I kill you?" Naruto asked.
"Did you?" the vicious pirate questioned. "I don't really recall. But right now, I'd be more worried about what's below you."
Wondering what the pirate meant as he looked down, Naruto noticed a bomb that was ready to go off. It would be pointless for Naruto to run, but when the bomb was supposed to explode, it didn't. The bomb was a dud.
Realizing Naruto held a sword in his head and he had no bombs or had a weapon, the pirate said, "Oh, no."
Naruto grinned at the pirate. "Don't know how you're alive, buddy. But it doesn't matter to me. It just means I can kick your ass double time."
When Naruto was about to attack the vicious pirate, another pirate came along and smacked a frying pan on Naruto's head. Naruto was knocked out immediately. The vicious pirate made a run for it, heading for the boats to board back on the Black Pearl.
Another blast of cannon fire went off, hitting the walls of the prison cell. Unfortunately, it only hit the cell Dosu, Kin and Zaku were kept in. Kakashi couldn't believe his luck as the three pirates made a run for it.
"See you around, buddy," Zaku grinned. "We'd help break you out ourselves, but we'd rather not risk it. Enjoy your trip to the gallows." The three of them ran laughing at Kakashi.
Despite his luck of not being free, Kakashi didn't think all hope was lost. Since those three pirates didn't bother to follow his advice, he saw his advantage to attract the dog to him and get those keys and thus gain his freedom to pursue Sasuke.
