Luffy and his pirate crew continue sailing across the high-seas of the oceans having left Shells town a day ago. They were all trying to enjoy the peace from the soft breeze that the wind was providing to them. The soft gust of wind blowing across their faces. It make them feel like that there wasn't a care in the world. Naruto was laying down on the deck of the boat relaxing while looking up at the clear blue skies. He was watching the clouds go by.

Zoro was training with his swords right near to Naruto. He was swinging his swords rapidly working up a sweat from his workout. Small drops of sweat were rolling down his face and neck to the floor below. He always made sure he worked up a sweat.. That's the only way he knows he's making process in getting stronger. He dropped his stances temporary to take a short break. He promptly sat down on the floor next to Naruto.

Naruto heard Zoro's heavy footsteps approach him. He watched him at the corner of his eyes before he made a small comment. "The breezes is nice…" He quietly spoken.

Zoro wipes away the sweat that was rolling down his forehead. "Yeah."

Sakura was looking around the surroundings area. She suddenly realizes that she didn't have a clue where they were heading. Luffy decided to get Zoro first. Maybe there is a another member in mind? "So Captain, where are we heading?" She asked.

"You know, that's a real good question…" Luffy given Sakura one of his trademark goofy grins. "I have no clue. I normally just drifted around."

Sakura's facial expression turned to one of utter dumbfounded. Was he serious? "You're hopeless…"

Luffy looked at her, as he readjusted his Straw hat on his head. "Okay then, smart one. Where do you think we should go?"

Sakura was still staring at him dumbfounded. "Isn't the Captain supposes to be the one to decide?"

"Touché. Um…" Luffy places a hand under his chin. He was beginning to do something he never thought he could. He was thinking. He was trying to narrow down their options of all of the islands they could possibly stop by. Only one problem, even if he were to say a place they could go to. He has no clue how to get there. Then, it hit him!

"Ah!"

"Well?"

"I got nothing!"

Sakura places a hand on her face. She had no idea that she had just in fact faceplams herself. He sighs in disbelief. This is what she gets for expecting too much from Luffy. "Ugh…Why do I even bother?"

Zoro went back to his daily training. He was going to have to work overtime for the time he spent being tied up. He overheard the conversation that Sakura and Luffy was having, and he paused. "So we're lost, aren't we?"

Luffy laughs and scratches the back of his hair. "Pretty much!"

A depressing aura hovers over Sakura's head as she looks at Luffy. Just then, she remembered that she's been meaning to ask Luffy a question. It was a bit of a personal question, but knowing Luffy, he'll be more than willing to answer. "What made you even decide to become a pirate?"

"Hm?" Luffy blinked. That was out of the blue.

"You know, I've been meaning to ask you that same question." Naruto sat up from his position and crosses his legs. "What's your reason for becoming a pirate?"

"Heh." Luffy had huffed slightly. He began to remove his Straw hat from off his head and stares at it thoroughly. Luffy's eyes were fell with genuine emotions as he was eyeing the Straw Hat. "I made a promise that I would become a great pirate someday. One of the World's Greatest Pirates. That's why I'm going to get 'One Piece'."

Zoro paused his training once again and turned to Luffy. He actually was curious about where this conversation was going. He would be lying if he wasn't interested. "That explains why you're so obsessed with becoming King of the Pirates."

"I'll never forget the day he gave me this hat… I was crying my eyes out." He laughs slightly. "He saved me from being alone." He turned his head towards Naruto. "You know, Naruto, if it wasn't for me meeting him, I don't think we would have met."

"What was this guy's name? So, I'll know to thank him, if I ever see him again." Naruto wanted to know how great this man is. He must be famous like Pervy Sage! Famous as a pirate.

"Shanks. Red-Haired Shanks. He became my friend in a nearby village. I think it was before, I've eaten the Gum Gum fruit. The thing that sucks after you've eaten the Devil fruit is that, you can't swim after that."

Sakura's eyes widens slightly. "Hold on, after you've eaten a Devil Fruit, you lose the ability to swim?" She asked.

Luffy let a small grin spread of his face and laughs. "Yep, we sink like a sag of bricks!"

Sakura pulls out a notepad and starts writing that down on the notepad. "Huh. Being gifted with unnatural powers comes with a price, huh?" That sounds about right.

Luffy shrugged his shoulders. "If you're going to say it like that than, yeah."

Naruto looks over at Luffy. "Come on, I want to hear the rest of the story!"

"Oh yeah." Luffy clears his throat. "He saved me, while I drowning after eating the devil fruit. A sea monster came up and tried to eat me, but rescued me from it." Luffy's tone saddens. "Unfortunately, he lost one of his arms saving me. I was crying so much, when I saw that… But all he did was place his Straw Hat on top of my head, telling me to stop crying."

Sakura didn't expect to hear that story from him. She looked at Luffy a little depressed by the story. She didn't think Luffy was capable of producing a sad story. "That's actually a sad story coming from you."

"Luffy…" Naruto quietly called out his name. "I didn't think you were alone, as a kid. We're more alike than I thought."

"I wasn't always alone, but being alone isn't as fun as being with others." Luffy replied with a sad smile. His eyes found themselves glue to the Straw Hat. "I'm so glad to have met him. He inspired me to become what I am today."

"That's pretty cool. What's he like?" Naruto asked getting draw in by the man that was Luffy's idol. Naruto was really starting to show more interests in hearing more about Shanks.

"Hm…He's a nice guy. He watched over me, even after he lost his arm." They notices a bird flying above them. Luffy look at it feeling annoyed by it's presences for a spilt second. "It's a stupid bird. Anyway, like I was saying. He took me along with him to different places, he wanted me to have a taste for travel. During our travels, I met up with you Naruto."

Naruto's eyes widens a bit and scratches his hair slightly. "I'm interested in knowing how we met."

Zoro looked over at Naruto and places his swords back in their sheaths. Okay, he's putting his training on hold for a while. "You two met before?"

Naruto nodded his head. "From what he says."

"I'm interested too. I want to see what made Naruto make such a reckless promise to begin with." Sakura shot Naruto a suspicious glare. She had an intimating aura around her.

Naruto laughed nervously at the sight of the aura, but the laugher slowly faded. Luffy joined in the laugher unaware of Naruto's fear rising at the sight of Sakura's angry aura. "Shishishishi! All right. Listen well everyone!"

Luffy was going to explain to everyone about his past life. About how him and his first mate had first met each other. He was even going to explain why Naruto made such a promise, as a ninja to become a pirate in the first place. All of the questions that the three of them had for Luffy were about to be answered in this story. He's never forgotten that promise. It was an important promise they made with each other as kids.

Ten years ago, Luffy was currently at the age of seven, traveling along with Shanks. They were traveling towards a new village. A village supposedly hidden within the leaves. This village seems to be occupied with ninjas too. Despite all of the red flags that the village had already displayed. Shanks was still unfazed by all of them. He had stopped in front of the village gates looking at Luffy having to inform him of what kind of village, they're about to enter.

"This is the village, I was talking about Luffy." The young red-haired male said.

The young boy was looking up towards the village gate and it's walls. "Where are we?" The young boy asked.

"This is The Leaf Village. The Village Hidden within the Leaves." Not so hidden, if you can walk right inside of the village right out in the open just this. Still, this village intrigues him. "From what I heard, this place is only full of ninjas."

Luffy was tilting his head in confusion. Then why are they here? "Wait…why are we entering a ninja's village? Aren't they the enemy to us pirates?"

Shanks rested a hand on top of the hilt of his sword. "Luffy, there's something you need to learn about this world." He's just a kid that doesn't understand how the world works. "Sometimes, your worse enemy could be you're greatest ally, you know?"

Luffy's expression turned even more confused. "I don't get it Shanks…"

Shanks scratches the back of his hair. He wasn't sure if he could explain that in simpler words for Luffy. "This could be harder than I thought. Don't tell anyone you're a pirate. I would like to avoid needless bloodshed." Shanks request. He can do that much, right? Shanks began to walk inside of the Village gate,

Luffy nodded his head. "Okay. My lips are sealed." His childish made it's way across his face. He followed in the village after Shanks.

Shanks and Luffy were making their way through the village examining everything within the village thoroughly. It didn't look that much different from another normal village they had walk by. Luffy was barely showing any interests towards the village. He didn't enjoy the stares from some of the people they walked by. He spotted a few kids playing in the parks. He thinks he spotted a black eyed boy with a white eyed girl walking together. Sort of. The girl was holding onto his shirt as they were walking. Nothing strange about that. He continued his causal walking pace until he spotted a blond hair kid sitting on a swing all by himself separated from the other kids in the park.

"Who's that kid?" Luffy pointed out the one blonde that caught his attention.

Shanks turned his attention towards the young blonde kid with a look of despair on his face. "I'm not sure. That kid seems pretty lonely." Shanks didn't like that look suited a kid of his age. "You can go talk to him if you want. Just don't cause any trouble, or make a scene." He should already know to keep a low profile. Hopefully.

"Okay!" Luffy exclaimed as he started to slides down the hill towards the park below.

Shank had a soft smile creep across his face. And while Luffy deals with that, he'll deal with the negations. 'Now, I wonder where I can find the leader of this village at.' Shanks turned his back to the park and started to made his way for the biggest tower like building in the village.

The little blonde kid was just sitting on the swing all by himself. He wasn't even aware of the kids in the park. Or maybe he was, but he was just not bothering to approached them. If he were to approached the kids, they would most likely tease him, or ignored him. He was swinging back and forth looking down at the ground. He let out a heavy sigh and wondered what he should do now. He was thinking of going to cause some trouble for some people in the village. Maybe they'll get them to pay him more attention. He was bored. That was until he heard the sound of approaching footsteps.

It was Luffy. He was standing right in front of the blonde hair boy with his by his side. "Hey!"

The blonde boy slowly stopped his swinging and looked at Luffy. Why was he here? Is he here to make fun of him too? "What do you want…?" The boy's blue eyes met with Luffy's black eyes.

"You looked pretty sad by yourself. I wanted to see if you needed some company." Luffy replied to him bluntly.

The young blonde's eyes had widen. Did he hear that correctly? "You want to hang out with me?" He repeated quietly. His eyes went back down to the ground below him. He must just messing with him. "You don't need to force yourself to."

Luffy blinked. Force himself to? He wouldn't do that. "I'm not. I chose to come here of my own free will." He had a small smirk on his face. "Besides, I don't like that look in your eyes."

"What look?" He asked. The boy's expression harden slightly.

"The look of someone about to cry." Luffy deadpanned.

The boy suddenly jumped up to his feet not taking kindly to Luffy's insult! "I wasn't about to cry!" He shouted.

The kid was beginning to lose his temper with Luffy, but for some reason when he was getting angry, he couldn't stay angry at Luffy. He was growling but in a way that said, he better not push his buttons. Still, there was something about him, which told him he wasn't really making fun of him. He doesn't look like the type of kid that would do that. Not with that grin on his face. Huh? Why was he laughing at him?

Luffy was laughing at the blonde kid. He's fallen prey for his little trick. "Well, you don't anymore. What's your name?"

The blonde haired boy was hesitating at first at telling Luffy his name. He didn't want him to start making fun of his name next. But, he didn't see any harm in that. If he did, he'll just have to regret it later. But of, course he's not going to tell him his name without asking for something in return.

"Naruto…" He quietly spoken up louder to Luffy meeting his gaze. "Naruto Uzumaki. What's your?"

"Monkey D. Luffy. Heh heh. It's nice to meet you Naruto." Luffy smiled at the boy before he offered a hand to him.

The boy named Naruto slowly takes his hand and smiles back at him. "Nice to meet you too, Luffy."

Currently back with Naruto and Luffy on the pirate ship. Naruto was slowly beginning to remember everyone. Piece by peace. He was surprised actually. He did remembered seeing a black haired boy, but he didn't expect it to be Luffy that was the boy. That's what surprised him.

"So, you're that kid that walked in front of me randomly?" Naruto asked.

"Yeah, how could you forget this face?" Luffy leans over towards Naruto while pointing at himself. "It's not hard to forget this smile either!" Luffy smiled brightly right after he said that.

"Sorry, Luffy. I've met up with so many other faces. I can't say I would remember you right away. Took me some time. So I'm remembering as you tell the story." Naruto had let a nervous chuckle escape from his lips.

The bird makes another loud chirping noise. That time it was louder and it caused Sakura to look up this time. The other ignored while being too into the story.

'What's up with that bird?' Sakura wondered to herself before she looked down at Luffy from her standing position. "So you entered the village and no one noticed you?"

"Well for the moment, yeah. But, Shanks went to talk to the Leader and got his permission to stay for a while, but we had to be supervises." Luffy replied.

"Must have been weird having the Anbu Black Ops watching your every move." Naruto let out a small laugher.

"To be honest, I didn't even notice them, nor did I care really. I made a friend and I wanted to have fun with him. That's the only thing that was in my head." Luffy said.

"You thought of me, as your friend, just from meeting each other for the first time?" Naruto was honored really. It's like looking at a mirrored pirate version of himself. "I think I see why, I was enjoying hanging out with you so much."

Zoro crossed his arms over his chest. He inquired a question. "You guys felt some kind of special bond or something?"

The word 'bond' reminded Naruto of another boy he once called 'friend'. Just remembering his words actually reminded him of a pain, he had forgotten about. This boy talked about severing their bond with each other, but he could still feel their bond was still there. He just refused to see it anymore. A small smile appeared on Naruto's face. 'A bond… huh?'

"Guess, you could call it something like that. Now let me finish the story. I'm seriously in the mood to finish it now that I started." Luffy insisted on telling the story. If he didn't he may whine about wanting to tell the story later.

Naruto looked up having snapped out of his trances before he nods hesitantly. "Y-Yeah. Finish it. I want to hear the rest."

"All right. Now as soon as we introduced ourselves…" Luffy went back into telling the story of what led up to this promise of his.

They were walking through the village while Luffy was explaining to Naruto about how he was traveling around the place. Of course, he left out the part of being pirates. He just told him he was traveling by boat. That's all.

Naruto was in awe of the story that Luffy was telling him. His eyes were glimmering with curiosity. "Really? So, you're traveling with someone?" Luffy was making his travels sound so wonderful!

Luffy nodded his head quickly. "I'm traveling with a friend of mines. He's someone I'll always look up to."

Naruto found his eyes directed towards the skies. It was getting somewhat cloudy outside. It looks like it may rain today. "Your idol, huh?" That sounds nice being able to have someone to look up to. "I wonder if I'll find someone to look up to myself." He wants to become Hokage but he's not all that inspired to someone one as of yet.

"Well, you can look up to me!" Luffy suggested.

"I don't think so…" Naruto shrugged that idea off quick.

"Hey." Luffy punches his shoulder playfully. Naruto punches his shoulder back just as playful with a grin. Luffy was starting to grow a bit hungry. His stomach was beginning to growl on him. "Hey, do you know a place, where we can get something to eat?"

"How about some ramen? I know of a good place. It's really good. You can take my word on it." Naruto was started to grow hungry too.

"Ramen? What's ramen?" Luffy asked. He's never eaten that before.

"Just follow me!" Naruto shouted as he started running. Naruto, and Luffy ran through the village. Naruto was leading Luffy towards his favorite Ramen shop in the village. Ichiraku's Ramen, but Naruto never told him the name of the shop. That's probably why he doesn't remember eating here. Naruto had skidded to a halt right in front of Ichiraku's. Luffy had followed him all the way towards the shop and his eyes started shining greatly at the sight of the mouth-watery ramen.

"Oh, this place seem nice! Is the food tasty?" Luffy asked with a pinch of drool rolling down his lip.

"Best ramen ever!" Naruto could proudly admit to Ichiraku's having the best out there. He was smiling brightly at him while he takes a seat at the shop.

"I'll be the judge of that!" Luffy countered. He was looking forwards to this. He sat down next to Naruto.

"Two pleases!" Naruto raises his hand.

"Coming right up!" The shop owners turned his back to them.

After a few minutes of waiting, along with Luffy, and Naruto chatting with each other to kill time. The sky was completely covered in dark clouds. Neither one of the young boys had taken notices to the clouds yet. They were too into the conversations they were having to have seen the cloudy skies. They were soon served their ramen by Tenchi.

Luffy picked up his chopsticks and started eating his ramen. Naruto picks up his chopsticks as well and starts eating. They were both eating in silences. Naruto was right. This ramen is good. Delicious, to be exact. Luffy was forcing it all down. Naruto found his eyes making their way over towards Luffy stuffing his face. He was eyeing him carefully before he called out his quietly. "Hey, Luffy?"

Luffy paused his actions before he turned his head towards Naruto with his mouth full of ramen noodles that were sticking out of his mouth. "Hm?"

Naruto looks down at his bowl of ramen, and smiles sadly. He has no idea how grateful he is. Of course, he's going to have an issue. "Thank you. You may not know it, but you really did saved me, from being completely alone…"

"You're all alone?" He swallows the food in his mouth and stares at him with a blank stare.

"Yeah." He began to list the things that he didn't have in this village. It was practically him versus the village. "No parents." No mother or father. "No friends." Nobody for him to request aid from. "No family." No relatives whatsoever. "No one." His smile had faded away and he was looking towards the table.

Luffy blinked, then places a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Naruto! You're not alone!" Luffy declared to Luffy. As long as he's alive and breathing, he'll never be completely alone anymore. "You have me now. I'm a friend." He grins at her happily then swallows the rest of the ramen in his bowl.

"Thanks…" Naruto quietly replied. He went back to eating his ramen. He was smiling again. His first ever friend. A true friend. That, or he's just being overly friendly with him. If this was the kids playing a prank on him, then he's fallen for it hook, line and sinker. He'll probably never be able to trust any kid in this village ever again. Within a few more seconds, Naruto finished his bowl of ramen. They both heard the masculine voice of a familiar man that Luffy knew of. He sounded a pretty far distances away. He was calling for Luffy.

Shanks was walking around aimlessly, looking around for Luffy. Finding Luffy in this big village is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. "Luffy! Hey, where are you?!" He called out for the little boy to show himself.

"Shanks!" Luffy responded to his call. He jumped off from his chair and ran in the direction of where the voice came from.

Shanks heard the voice of Luffy's voice and looks in the direction of Luffy's voice. "There you are! I was looking for you. It's time to go." Shanks approached the boy and crouched down towards him.

Luffy looked up at Shanks with his eyes widened slightly. They have to leave now? "Aw! Already? Can't we stay just a little longer?!"

"Well, the leader…or Hokage as they call it, said we can stay for now, but not for too long. We'll also be under surveillances until we leave the village." Shanks had already noticed the few ninja following him. He had that feeling he's being followed, thanks to certain ability. Luffy's words had cause Shanks to looked somewhat baffled. "Why do you want to stay? Just a while ago, you didn't even like the place."

Luffy nodded his head. He knew that but... "Well, I find someone here who's similar to me." He turned around towards the Ramen shop to see if he could spot out Naruto.

"Similar to you?" Shanks was intrigued now. "Similar to you, how? Is he an idiot like you?" He asked.

"Shut up! I'm not an idiot!" He shouted before he started growling. "He reminded me of myself a bit."

Shanks chuckled. Yeah, yeah, he gets it. "All right. I can understand where you're coming from."

Small drops of water started to landed on the top of both male's head. Rain was beginning to descend from the skies drenching the ground in water. Naruto stood under the ramen shop's roof using it to cover himself from the rain falling. He didn't bring an umbrella out with him. His eyes were glued on Luffy, and Shanks continuing their little conversation. He was watching them hoping Luffy would come back. At the corner of Naruto's eyes he spotted a few kids eyeing him suspiciously. The look in their eyes already spelled trouble for the young blonde. Naruto narrowed his eyes and started to walk off in the rain.

Shank didn't mind, as long as he didn't catch a cold. "Well, if you want to hang with your friend a little longer. Go right ahead." He pointed towards the village gate in the distance. That's where they'll meet. "Meet me at the gate when you're done. I don't want to get caught in this rain for too long." His Straw Hat isn't rain resistance. His head could feel some of the water steeping through.

"Okay!" Luffy nodded his head and turns around to head back to the Ramen shop, but he noticed Naruto was gone. Where did he go? "Naruto?" He called out to him and started to walk back towards the entrances of the shop. No sight of him. "Old man!"

The owner of the shop turned to face Luffy as he was cleaning the bowl of ramen that were left on the table. "Hm? What is it, kid?"

"Where did Naruto go?" He asked.

"Naruto is gone?" The man started looking around the place for the little blonde kid. This isn't the first time he pulled a disappearing act! "That little brat stole another bowl of ramen!"

Luffy started to looked slightly worried. Where the heck did he go? He started calling out the blonde boy's name. "Naruto!" Luffy continued to call out for Naruto but only to receive no responses. Why would he just suddenly leave without saying a word? Not even a 'Good bye'? Luffy scratches the back of his head. "Where is he?"

Shanks had been watching Luffy for a short while and he looks to be looking for something. He approached Luffy adjusting his Straw Hat. "What's wrong?" The older man asked.

"I can't find Naruto." Luffy replied. His expression started to sadden at the thought of Naruto just vanishing without so much as a 'Good bye'. Did something come up?

"Maybe he had to leave in a hurry for something." Shanks shrugged his shoulders.

"I didn't even get to say bye…" The young boy's eyes began to sadden. He wanted to hang out with him a little longer.

"I'm sure, he'll be fine. Maybe while we're walking, you'll see him before we leave." Shanks smiled.

"Maybe. I hope so." Luffy returned the smile, but his eyes wavered.

Shanks and Luffy began their walk towards the village's front gate. Luffy was still thinking about Naruto. Is it strange that Luffy shake the feeling that Naruto couldn't say good bye? Luffy began to feel the rain starting to come down a little more harder. Still despite the heavy water Luffy was still looking around trying his best to spot out the blonde haired ninja that he met. Something was wrong, yet he was slowly beginning to lose hope in finding him. Suddenly he caught a glimpse of Naruto being chased by a group of kids, that were slightly taller than him.

Luffy took off in a sprint to follow the kids. "Shanks! I'll be right back!" He shouted while he was running ahead.

"Hey, Luffy!" Puts his hand out, but then places it on his hip, and grins a bit- "That kid…"

Naruto was still running down the street trying to get away from the kids. Trying to lose his pursers. He tried, but instead he began to head towards a wider open area. He ran towards the only place he could think of at the very moment. The playground. He reached the playground and turned around to face the kids that were still chasing him. All of the kids stopped right in front of Naruto who was standing his ground.

"Looks like we finally got you where we want you. You sure do like to talk big about being Hokage, huh? Maybe we ought teach you what happens to those who think they're all that."

Naruto shot a small glare at the group of older males, as he positions himself for a fight. "W-What could I possibly learn from a bunch of cowards?!" Naruto countered trembling slightly.

"Cowards? You've got some nerve there!" One of the boy had pulled out a kunai knife.

Naruto clenched his hand tightly into a fist. "Yeah, you're all cowards! Having to outnumber one kid with four others!"

One of the older boys had a darken grin on his face as he took a step forward to Naruto. "This kid really does have guts. I wonder if he can keep up that attitude after we're through with him."

One of the boys raised his hand up signaling the other four boys to surround him to block Naruto's escape's routes. "Surround him!" All four of the kids when into position.

Naruto clenched his teeth together. "I'm not going to run away!" Naruto refused to run even if outnumbered! One of the boys suddenly dashed towards Naruto and threw a punch in her direction but, Naruto swiftly evaded the punch and nailed that boy right in the face sending him tumbling back to the ground.

"You little…!" The second kid ran towards Naruto, and attempts to punch him from behind his head, but Naruto duck down forwards, making the boy miss, and then Naruto grabbed his arm, and flipped him over to his back. The third boy appeared behind Naruto, with the kunai in hand, and nearly stabs Naruto in the arm. The boy was too fast for Naruto to react in time, but then someone punched him towards the ground making him land in front of Naruto. Naruto didn't do it, so he looks up to see who threw the punch, and saved his a punch to the face.

The boy that was punched in the face slowly got up to his feet rubbing his cheek before he looked at one of his buddies wondering if he saw what had transpired. "Wha... What just happened?"

Naruto saw that it was the same boy he had spoken to before. Luffy, himself, had came to Naruto's aid. Without any of them knowing, he was following after them, and even managed to overhear most of their conversation. Luffy ran up next to Naruto after opening himself a clear path and grins as he looks at Naruto at the corner of his eyes. Naruto was still looking at Luffy with surprise. He couldn't believe that he was getting some assistance, but he was more surprised to see that it was Luffy who was helping him.

"Hey, you all right?" Luffy asked seeing that Naruto looks a bit awestruck.

Naruto finally snapped out of his little trance to finally ask the question that was on the tip of his tongue. "W-Why are you here?!"

One of the other boys shot a glare at Luffy demanding he tell them who he was. "Who the heck are you!?"

Luffy ignored the older male's glaring eyes focusing on Naruto, right now. "You looked like you need helped! I don't like to watch and see someone get attacked, especially when he's outnumbered!" Luffy soon had a tiny smirk make it's way across his face.

"You… Your pay for that! Both of you!" All of the older males charged all together towards Naruto and Luffy to finally take down the two of them so they could leave. Anyone who helps Naruto is branded an enemy of them as well. After a long time period of time, punches being thrown around and kicked also flying all around the place... Naruto and Luffy had managed to fend off the group of kids. They watched each other's back throughout the entire rumble and kept it so none of the other boys could sneak up on the other without getting past them. They were like brothers in arm, syncing with the other. They had even found a way to force the boys into a retreat. Naruto and Luffy were completely exhausted from the fight and both had fallen down onto the ground panting heavily. They were trying to get a little rest before they go anywhere. They were letting the rain land on their faces and roll down their cheeks. It was refreshing. Too bad, rain can heal the bruises they've received. They were covered in bruises all over their faces, but yet it didn't hurt as much as they would've thought. Those kids were all talk. They didn't even know how to throw a punch right. All they had was numbers.

Naruto couldn't help but just continued to pant and stare up at the cloudy skies. He's never been helped before. It's super rare for anyone to lend a helping hand to him. Luffy had find himself laughing at a low tone. "Shishishishi…" Luffy was laughing at how they were looking right now after the fight. They were covered in bruises, as well as mud and dirt from the wet floor. He couldn't help, but laugh because they barely knew each other, but yet they were so in sync. He slowly stopped laughing and roll over to his stomach. "We won…" He said with a small laughter soon after.

Naruto looked at Luffy up-side down. "Why did you come back?" He asked him. Everyone in the village hated him, but yet Luffy was the only one who didn't. Why? Was there any real reason? Was it out of pity? Like Naruto needed any. The last thing that he wanted, was for someone to help him out, due to any kind of sympathy. Little did he know that wasn't the reason why Luffy lend a helping hand.

Luffy blinked. "What? Is it wrong to want to help a friend? If that's wrong, then I don't want to be right." Luffy was being serious here. What friend doesn't help out another friend that's in a jam?

"You called me a friend…" He's using that word so fluently. Naruto had closes his eyes for a brief moment, before he reopened them to look up at the sky. He was watching as the rain fell on his face, dripping down his cheeks. One of them roll down his eye. He slowly smiled. "We're friends?" It was a genuine one.

Luffy nodded his head rapidly. "We're not just friends. We're best friends!" He declared.

It was finally Naruto's turn to laugh. "Best friends." He closed his eyes again. "I like the sound of that…" He mumbled to himself. He didn't mind being called someone's best friend out in the open. It made him happy to even be called a friend.

Luffy rolled over and went back to laying on his back. He also started to eye the sky. He found himself watching the rain fall on his face. He wanted to tell Naruto everything before they go. The truth about him and Shanks. He knows he promised to not tell anyone, but Naruto looks like the type to not tell anyone. Plus, he didn't want their friendship to start off with a lie.

"You know, I'm leaving the village for a while…" Luffy confessed.

Naruto slowly nodded his head. "Yeah, I overheard…" Naruto was eavesdropping.

"When I come back, I'm going to want to start a crew… A pirate crew."

Naruto's eyes widen slightly before he looked over at Luffy again. "So you're a pirate? You don't look like any kind of pirate I've seen before…" Not that he's seen one, but he's sure that they're not goofy looking like Luffy.

Luffy had a nervous grin on his face. Yeah... He's a pirate. "I'm supposes to keep that a secret. But, since we're best friends, I trust you to not care about me being a pirate, just like I don't care about you being a ninja." Maybe this was what Shanks wanted Luffy to learn. Value a friend despite what or who they are.

"To think my first friend, would be a pirate…" He laughed at a weaken tone before he smiled. "It's funny. Oh yeah, you was saying something about a crew?" He was curious. he wanted to hear more.

"Yeah, I'm starting my own pirate crew once I become old enough, and I want you, to be my first mate. If you want to." He looks at Naruto hoping he would agree to it, but Naruto responded more swiftly than the boy expected.

"I'll do it."

Despite the quick decision, Luffy had a massive grin on his face. "Really?!" He rolled over onto his stomach again and his eye lit up in excitement.

"Yeah! It's a promise. You helped me and saved me from being alone in this world." He gave Luffy a small grin and a thumbs up. So I'll help you." He slowly sat up from the ground wincing. Still hurts to move.

Luffy returned the grin. He struggled to his feet wincing just like Naruto. He slowly walked over towards Naruto and holds a hand out for him to take. "Till we meet again… Partner."

Naruto was staring directly at Luffy's hand before he slowly take it into his with his smile making it's way back on the little blonde's face. "Yeah." They're partners from now on. The flashback ended with Naruto and Luffy shaking hands on that secret promise of a lifetime. That was something Luffy kept to himself deep within his dense head. No matter what happened, the first thing he swore to do, was to find his first mate and have join his crew. Luffy was currently staring at his Straw hat in the palm of his hand. Naruto was letting the memories flow through his head fluently. It all came back to him all at once. The story was right on the mark. Down to the last detail. Now he feels extremely bad that he had forgotten... Must have been from all of the times that Sakura hit him in the head...

"I owe Shanks so much. Not only did he give me this hat, but he also helped me find a best friend! Shishishishi!" Luffy was grinning like fool and laughing. He couldn't forgot how they became even if he tried! Not that he would...

Sakura looked over at Naruto, at the corner of her eyes. 'Naruto…' That was a very emotional story. Who'd thought Naruto made a promise out of respect for their friendship. He's always found new ways to amaze even her.

Zoro was leaning back against the wall with his hands resting on his lap. "That's some story." He commented. He isn't going to complete with that.

Naruto had a small smile on his face, but it saddens slightly before he nodded. "Yeah… I remember everything now. After that, you left the village with Shanks. I remember how I promise to be a part of your crew." He looked up towards the rubber boy and his smile brightly slightly. "I was very thankful to you and I still am."

Luffy returned his smile with a grin. "I'm just glad, we're still friends even after all of these years!" Luffy continued to grin. That goofy grin is one of the characteristics that drew Naruto into being his friend.

"Yeah." Memories are nice, but that's all they are sometimes. But, for Luffy, and Naruto, memories are really all they've got to remember the other. Luckily, one of them held the memory more closer to heart than the other. But, Naruto was definitely going to have to make up for having forgotten such a promise. He's prove their friendship through this journey. Suddenly, the four of them all heard the sound of Luffy's stomach growling. Almost like a chain reaction, everyone else started to feel hungry too.

Sakura had a small hint of blush on his face as she tried to ignore the growling stomach that was coming from her. She knew she should have pack more lunch boxes. Zoro placed a hand on his stomach and rubs it. "Man, I'm starting to get hungry…"

They all then hear the sound of a bird chirping above them. It was that same freaking bird that annoyed Luffy and the others at some point. There was definitely someone suspicious about that bird...

Luffy looked up at the sky having heard the bird for like the last few times it chirp so loudly. Wait... "That bird is looking pretty tasty right about now…" The bird chirp loudly again. That tears it! "I've decided that bird stew is on the menu!" Luffy threw both of his arms and they stretched over to the top of the boat. He gripped onto the mast. "Gum Gum Rocket!" He launches himself up into the air and was heading directly for the bird at full speed.

"Wait!" Naruto tried to stop him but it was too late. He had already projected himself towards the bird.

"I see, so he plans on capturing it like that, huh?" Zoro wasn't one-hundred percent on this plan, but it's too late to get a word in.

"Would it kill him to at least let us know before he does it…" Sakura sighs heavily. He's such a pain...

Luffy was launched in mid-air, but for some reason he had just came to a halt, like... right on the bird. The very front where the long peck was. They couldn't tell what was going on from where they were. They were too far below the bird. But, they did take notices to the fact that, he was taking his sweet time trying to get the bird. They just stood there watching Luffy, unaware that he was yelling about something.

"Luffy…?" Naruto scratches his hair sheepishly. What's going on up there?

Zoro winces his eyes seeing if he could spot out the problem that Luffy is dealing with. Zoro's slowly widen as his eye twitched at what he had discovered... "His head is stuck…" He muttered regrettably.

"What?" Sakura was hoping she didn't hear what Zoro had just say. Se was really hoping that Zoro was messing around. Naruto heard him loud and clear. He seriously wished he didn't though. Naruto swallows as he turned his attention back back to the sky. Zoro was right...

Zoro jumped up to his feet and shouted. "His head is stuck in the bird's mouth!"

Luffy was still desperately trying to get his head freed from the bird's mouth, but it had it's head in a tight grip in it's peck! The bird even started to fly off with him in his mouth. It was planning on keeping Luffy as a souvenir! "Help me! My head is stuck in this thing's mouth!" Luffy's screamed, pretty much begging his crew-mates to get him out!

Naruto's eyes shot open in shock. "How the hell did that happen?!" Naruto grabbed a nearby paddle and was paddling as fast as he could. "Damn it!" The blonde ninja cursed their luck! But he was mostly angry at Luffy for being the bird's caught of the day!

Zoro grabs the other paddle that was available and starts paddling with Naruto in sync. Zoro was pissed off! How does something like this even happen!? "You fucking moron! What the hell are you doing?!" He screamed. He was going to hurt Luffy for this!

Sakura had a vein bulging on her forehead. This day just keeps getting better and better. "Can't keep our eyes off you for one second, can we!?"

Naruto and Zoro began paddling the boat at full speed chasing after the giant bird that has Luffy. They were going to first kill that bird then cook it! Then possibly tie Luffy up with his own arms to prevent something like this from happening again. They were barely keeping up with the bird even with the combined strength of Naruto and Zoro. Well at least, they didn't lose sight of it! As they were paddling, they saw three pirates in middle of the ocean.

One of the pirates had spotted them and waved their hands to get their attention as they were paddling. "Hey! Stop! You there! Stop!" The pirate continued to wave it's hands trying to get their attention if possible.

Naruto had heard them and growled. "Are you serious?!" That didn't stop his pace one bit, but now he was annoyed!

Zoro continued to paddle along with Naruto, not really caring if the pirates got on or not! "Shipwrecked people at a time like this?! We can't stop! Jump in on your own! You better be quick!" That's the only way they'll get on.

All three of the pirates eyes widen in shocked at what Zoro had just say. It was either, grab on or get left behind! "What!?" All three of them shouted in unison before they all barely managed grabbed onto the passing boat. Naruto, and Zoro didn't even bother to check up on them as they continued paddling. All they know it that they grabbed on. Good for them!

Naruto let out a slight laughter before he commented. "They actually was able to grab on to it!"

Zoro had a smirk on his face. He was actually amazed. "I'm impressed you got on!"

"Were you trying to run us over!?" The three pirates screamed in unison. When you see shipwrecked people in the sea, you're supposes to stop them so they can get on safely.

"No offenses! But, we're in a rush!" Naruto informed them.

One of the pirates suddenly drawn their sword and placed it right in front of Naruto and Zoro. They weren't just any random pirates that got shipwrecked. "Hey! Stop the boat. We're members of Buggy the Clown's crew! This boat is ours now!" One of them threaten with the very sword in their hand.

Zoro and Naruto just continued to ignore the pirates and kept on paddling after Luffy as fast as they could. They had to hurry on away Luffy. These guys aren't even worth their time. That and the fact, they someone else had their pirate's number.

"Hey, don't ignore me! We're seriously taking your boat!" One of the pirates screamed at them, but the moment he finished that sentence, all three of the pirates felt a deadly presences coming from behind them as well as the sound of knuckles cracking, making all three of the pirates turn around with nothing but fear in their eyes.

"Oh? Is this the thanks we get for even bothering to save you? Well?!" They all came face to face with Sakura's rage. She had a fiery aura surrounding her body, as well as her hair flaring all around the place. This is what Naruto has to deal with the daily basic... Sakura was sending death glares at each and everyone of them sending chills out their spines at the sight of her. They were cowering in fear.

The pirates had received a near death beat down courtesy from Sakura herself. She was fixing to throw them off, but another idea struck her. She threaten to throw them miles into the ocean unless they were to paddle the boat in Naruto and Zoro's place. Of course, they agreed as long as they doesn't hit them anymore. They would really die by one more of her punches. As now they deci- Well, more like they were forced to help them reach the nearest town. Unfortunately, they soon founded out something worse. Not only was the Pink-haired girl dangerous, but they also had the Bounty Hunter Zoro in their group.

"W-We didn't you guys not only had that scary woman with you, but also the famous Pirate Hunter Zoro. F-Forgive our rudeness!" The supposedly leader bowed his head as the other two pirates were paddling the boat.

Naruto was watching those two, making sure they don't do anything sneaky. Naruto soon found his gaze looking around in the sky and ocean for any sight of their Captain, but he doesn't seem to see the bird or Luffy anywhere. They must have lose sight of them while dealing with the pirates that attempted to steal their ship. "Great… I can't see them anywhere!" Naruto growled in frustration.

Zoro was sitting down in front of the pirates, holding his swords firmly. He was annoyed but not as much as Naruto is. "Thanks to you guys, we lost sight of our friend."

Sakura sent another bone chilling glare at the pirates. "For now, you had best just keep paddling straight ahead, and hope we find him!"

"Y-Yes ma'am!" All of the pirates cowered in fear and continued their paddling.

Naruto let out a sigh. He places his hands behind his head while eyeing Zoro. How do they expect to find Luffy. He could be anywhere, for all they know! "Man, this is going to be like trying to find a needle in a haystack!" Naruto lay promptly onto on the ground.

Zoro shrugged his shoulders. "Knowing Luffy, he'll manage something once he spots land."

Sakura looked out towards the sea trying to see if she can spot any land nearby. "Hopefully, he doesn't manages to cause trouble while he's there."

Zoro turned his head to look in the same direction as Sakura. "Yeah…" Although, that seem impossible. Zoro almost forgot. He meant to ask these pirates something. "Oh, by the way… Who's this Buggy guy?" He asked.

"You've never heard of Buggy the Clown?!" One of the pirates looked over at Zoro in surprised. He turned his gaze towards everyone on the boat. None of them knew about Buggy the Clown.

Naruto tilted his head to the side, still confused about the name. He heard Buggy and then Clown and the first thing that came to mind was a circus. "Buggy the Clown?" He repeated just to be sure he heard that correctly.

"Nope. We don't know anything about this guy." Sakura deadpanned. She doesn't sound intimidated at all by the name. She crosses her arms over her chest. "Mind spitting out info about him?" Sakura asked.

One of the pirate decided to explain to the two, how much info, they know of their captain Buggy. If they share their info, they won't have to worry about getting hit for being cooperative. "He's the head of our pirate ship! He's eaten one of the Devil Fruits, and is just an all-around terrifying person…" As the pirates began explaining everything to them about who and what kind of person Buggy the Clown is, little did any of them know that Luffy was about to meet face to face with a similar person.

There was a young woman currently in a huge bind. The young woman had orange-colored hair with light brown eyes wearing a white, blue striped short-sleeved shirt and a orange mini skirt with brown high heel boots. She was running down the streets carrying a map in her hands. She was being pursued by Pirates that belonged to Buggy's crew. She stole the map from them and they were chasing her to get it back for their Captain. Their Captain will not take failure lightly, even if it's by an accident.

The young woman continued running while looking at her pursuers at the corner of her eyes trying to keep her distances from them as she also attempted to outrun them. She got what she came here for and now she had to escape with it. 'Yes! I finally got the map! I just wish I wasn't getting chased!'

"Get back here!" One of the pursuers shouted demanding that she stops.

"You wench! Give that map back, damn it!" One of the other pirates shouted.

"We just stole that chart of the Grand Line! Damn it! If we don't get that map back, we're so dead!" One of the other pirates were panicking, fearing what would happen if Buffy found out what happened.

"I don't want to have to face the Captain's wrath either! We got to get that map back!" One of the other pirates exclaimed.

Meanwhile, while they were chasing the girl across the town, the Captain of the pirates that was chasing the girl had ordered one of his men to fire a cannon at a certain bird that was flying along the sky over the town at the certain moment. A cannon shoots out throughout the air and towards the bird in that very sky. The cannon connected with the bird and exploded on impact. The explosion emitted a light in the center of the sky somewhere near the young woman and the pirates chasing her. They all looked up unsure of what had just combusted in the air.

"What…?" The carrot-haired woman was looking up in shock.

"W-What the…?" All three of the girl's pursuers had stopped.

They all could hear the cry of a boy screaming in the air. They were watching as that same boy came falling from the sky and crashed down on the ground leaving a small crater in between the girl and the pirates. The impact caused a cloud of dust and dirt polluted the air around them and blinded their views of each other temporary. "W-What?!"

"What the hell?!" They all covered their faces once the dirt was flowing within the air. They waited into the area cleared before they reopened their eyes only for another to comment.

"Someone just fell out of the sky!" One of the pirates shouted.

A boy emerged from the destruction adjusting his Straw Hat on his head. He couldn't believe what had just happened to him. But he was pretty pissed off by that damn bird exploding like that. Not to mention, he even witnessed the cannon ball heading his way. "Damn it! Why the hell would someone launch a cannon ball in the air towards me for?!" The boy had gotten up while dusting himself off. That was a hell of a bumpy ride! "At least, I'm safe! I'm finally out of the bird's mouth! That not something I'm going to want to do again!" He exclaimed. It was Luffy who was shaking off the impact his body went through.

"Y-You're that…" The girl recognized him. She saw him before...

Luffy: "I'm serious about not wanting to do that again anytime soon! That bird had really bad breath!"

Nami: "Hey, at least you got to meet up, with a nice girl."

Luffy: "'Nice' girl? Who's that?" –Looks confused-

Nami: -Her eye twitches, but smiles overly happy- "You know… the girl in the end of this chapter!"

Luffy: -Tilts his head in confusion- "What girl?"

Naruto: -Chuckles- "If she meant herself… I'll probably be as clueless as him."

Zoro: "Ditto…"

Naruto0116: "Leave it to Luffy to be clueless."