Chapter 7: Beginnings of a Legacy

Naruto slipped past another swipe of Needless' fist and sent his newest crew member tumbling with a palm thrust. Needless jumped back to his feet, ready for more, but Naruto was done. "Nah, that's enough for today. If you want more practice, ask one of the others for a spar." Naruto ignored the glare the former marine sent his way, and stuffed his hands into his pant pockets. He turned to leave, but Needless stepped in front of him.

"You forced me onto your crew with the the promise that you would train me. With the promise that I would not have to bow to someone like Gasparde again, and this is all I get? You force me to fight without my weapons, in your style, and even then only for a few minutes a day. You promised me strength." Needless said, frustration evident in his gruff voice.

"I did, I will, and you will get stronger. But that takes time, and we've done enough for today." Naruto answered. Needless looked ready to protest, but Naruto cut him off. "You stopped adapting, stopped learning, about five minutes ago. To go any further now would be pointless. And I am forcing you to fight without your weapons because Konohamaru broke one of them. Until we can get you a new set, you will train with just your hands. You need to be able to fight without them as well as with them. Besides, you're strong and you're fast, but I can make you stronger, and faster. For now, think about what worked, and what didn't in our match. Look for areas where you can improve. You're a very analytical fighter, very technical fighter, so use your mind to your advantage." Naruto shrugged, "Or, beat your head against the wall. It's your choice."

Needless grunted in disapproval, but he did not pursue the subject any further. He stomped away muttering under his breath about shitty captains, and how he would kill them all. Naruto sighed, and shook his head. Needless did not know Naruto could hear everything he said. Another perk of being a shinobi, but it wasn't always so great. Forcing Needless to join the crew had been a difficult decision, but Naruto felt it had been the right one. Needless could be helped, Naruto could feel it. He just needed to show him that there was another way. A better way. Naruto turned to stare out across the ocean, thankful for the small rocky island that dominated much of the horizon. It would be a nice reprieve from the open seas. Jaya had come into sight early that morning, and they would make it to the port soon. He could see a few other ships making their way towards the island, and noticed something about them. "Hey Murdock. Why is it that every other ship out here has cannons but we don't?"

"Just now noticed did you?" Murdock chuckled from the helm. "It's because even though I liked you enough to build you a ship, I wasn't about to build you a weapon." The shipwright looked down at Naruto on the foredeck. "Besides, I saw what you and yours did at the start of the race. You don't exactly need them."

"That's horseshit! I paid you for a pirate ship! I want cannons!"

"No, you asked me to build you a ship. Just a ship, no pirates involved." Murdock growled, biting into the stem of his pipe. "Besides, cannons are just over compensation. Any true sailor worth their salt can get by without em. Now either help me dock or get out of the way you damn Brat!"

"You can't talk to me like that. I'm captain!" Naruto shouted.

"I'll talk to you however I damn want! Show some damn respect to your elders!"

Naruto never had the chance to respond. Ino stepped onto the deck, the bags under her eyes a remnant of being on watch the night before. "Stop shouting or I'll stitch both your mouths shut! Some of us are still trying to sleep." Ino slammed the door behind her and disappeared back below deck.

Naruto glared at Murdock, letting the old marine know they weren't done yet, but did not utter another word. They would finish this argument later. As quietly as he could, Naruto spawned a handful of clones to assist as Murdock skillfully maneuvered the ship into Jaya's small Harbor. The master shipwright brought the Shadow to rest a mere step from the docks. At which point Naruto and his clones carefully secured the ship to the available pylons. Within minutes, the task was complete, and the crew began to disembark.

"Boss I'm off to explore. Anything I need to look for?" Konohamaru asked,

"Nah, you're good." Naruto replied, waving off the energetic chuunin.

"When are we leaving?" Needless' gruff voice asked.

"Three days. We have to leave before the Log sets." Samui announced, as she made her way up from below deck.

Needless nodded. "I'll be back." He said before disappearing off onto the docks.

Samui tossed a scroll to Naruto. "Send that back, it's for the Kages."

Naruto nodded. "Sure, you got it Samui." But she was already gone, having leapt ashore for her own tasks. Gaara slipped passed, as silent as could be, and then Ino burst onto the deck.

"I'm off to go shopping! See you boys later." Ino shouted, her voice filled with excitement.

Naruto blinked rapidly, not understanding where the kunoichi's weariness had gone. Hadn't Ino been trying to sleep? Naruto spun around only to find Murdock missing as well. Had everyone disappeared into town without him. "Dammit, I'm captain of this ship! I do not get stuck with watch! That's not how this works!"

"Zehahahahaha! Looks like you were too slow Little Fox. You gotta be quick if you want to survive out here."

Naruto's annoyance fled as he looked down at the large black haired pirate on the docks The newcomer could not be anything else. With his unkempt appearance, ratty clothes, and the bottles of booze stuffed into the horribly stained yellow sash at his waist, the man screamed pirate. Not to mention, Naruto could feel danger lurking underneath his benign exterior. Still, no point in stirring the pot just yet. "That's okay, they may have gotten away with it this time, but us foxes are known for our tricks. I'll get them back when they least expect it."

"Zehahahaha! I like you kid. Name's Teach, though most people just call me Blackbeard."

Naruto tried to remember if that name had been one assigned to one of the hundreds of wanted posters he had studied, but it didn't ring a bell. No, Blackbeard did not have a bounty, and that meant something. What it was Naruto had no clue, but the man had enough of a presence that it meant something. Look underneath the underneath, Naruto thought to himself as he studied Blackbeard. Wanting to keep things light, Naruto played along, and introduced himself. "Uzumaki Naruto, though you already seemed to know that."

Teach nodded, his toothy grin never waning. "I like to keep tabs on the up an coming. Tell me kid, what's your dream?" He asked, his voice a little more serious than before.

"Hmm, well I have several dreams. Some of them I've already accomplished others I haven't." Naruto answered, successfully hiding the smirk that he desperately wanted to show. He had long since forgiven Kakashi for his quirks, and especially after realizing the fun they could be. He watch Blackbeard think about the non answer for a second. His confusion very apparent, before Naruto took mercy on him. "But, I would like to leave an impact on the world. Make it a better place."

Teach studied him for a moment with renewed vigor. "You're strong just like that Straw Hat kid. You got heart. I like that." He reached up to scratch at his beard. "And your lucky. If you were worth more I'd have to kill you. See, I'm in the market for a good bounty. A really good one."

Naruto grinned. "Hmm, well I guess that means you're lucky too. Cause you can't afford to lose the teeth it would cost you to fight me."

"Zehahahahaha, that, that right there." Teach slapped at his thigh. "That spirit, don't ever lose that. Not enough people like you out here anymore. Hold onto it, and you'll find a way to achieve your dream."

"Oh I plan to. No matter who tries to stop me" Naruto leaked some killer intent towards Teach, but the man did not so much as blink an eye. Seeing this, Naruto decided to probe a little further. "So you ran into Luffy? I haven't seen him since we split ways after Alabasta. Where'd you see him?" Naruto asked, his tone casual.

"He was here just a few days ago. Just barely escaped my grasp." Teach answered. "And he wrecked my ship when he went blasting off to a sky island."

"Sounds like Luffy." Naruto laughed, making sure to log sky islands in the back of his mind. It was something that would warrant an investigation later.

"Fuffuffuffuff. What do we have here? A Whitebeard deserter, and a rookie fresh out of his diapers. Maybe there is some fun to be had out here after all." The newcomer stood taller than either Naruto or Teach. Dressed in a flamboyant pink coat, with sunglasses to match, he clearly enjoyed attention. His odd strut spoke of a unique confidence as well. One that only people who had true strength could produce. He looked directly at Blackbeard "I've heard rumor that Ace is in the area, and he's looking for you. Maybe I should point him in your direction. The fireworks would be quite a show."

Teach actually looked a little nervous, but waved it off. "Bah! Ace doesn't have the strength to kill me."

The newcomer shrugged uncaringly. "Perhaps not" He turned his attention to Naruto "And you, Uzumaki. You have good taste, the world needs more smiles." He stared up at the smiling skull that flapped atop the Midnight's Shadow. "I've heard interesting things about you too, and it just so happens that there's a recent opening in my organization. Let's just say someone got cut from the team for too many failures."

Naruto shrugged. "Nah, I don't do well with authority. You should offer it to someone else. I'd hate to see that pretty face of yours get messed up because I was an insubordinate little minion."

"Fuffuffuff, suit yourself. The Donquixote family will endure without you. But will you be able to endure without us? Arrogant little rookies tend to die rather painfully out here on the Grand Line." The man smiled cruelly. "Just ask Bellamy the Hyena what happened to him. Burning the wrong bridges leaves you stranded and marked for dead." He returned his attention to Teach. "As for you, I know what you want Teach. Your little mime came to a certain meeting I attended recently. If you want it, head to Banaro Island. A prize worthy of that goal will meet you there. So long as you can capture him." The man grinned viciously. "I look forward to the chaos."

Teach frowned in uncertainty, but was unable to ask any questions. The flamboyant newcomer had already reached up, and as if grasping the air itself, pulled himself into the sky."

Naruto scratched his head in confusion. "Who the hell was that?"

"Heh, you still got a lot to learn kid. That was Donquixote Doflamingo. A member of the Shichibukai, and one of the more dangerous ones at that." Teach answered, his voice no longer as carefree as it had been moments before. "Grow stronger Uzumaki. Maybe then we can stand on level ground…" He seemed to want to say something else, but he never did. Blackbeard simply turned and continued on his way down the docks.

Naruto looked out towards the spec that was Doflamingo and then back to the retreating form of Teach. "Hmm, I don't like those guys." Turning his focus inward, he addressed his eternal companion. "Hey Kurama do feel like stretching your legs a bit?"

"You want me to follow that fat oaf?" His tenant asked. "Why should I? If I stay here, I can continue napping until you actually pick a worthwhile fight."

"Because I asked you to?"

"Fine, but I want two tails worth of my energy."

"Done."

Naruto ran through a variation of the hand seals used for summoning, carefully pulling on Kurama's chakra. When he slammed his fist into the deck of the ship, a small cloud of smoke erupted from the point of impact. A small two tailed red fox appeared at the point of summoning. The fox looked up at Naruto, and gave the blond a toothy grin. "I'll be back once the boredom really sets in."

"Kurama, keep a low profile. I don't trust this place, and I don't trust these people. I want to know why."

Kurama snorted and twitched his tails in agitation. "You're lucky I like you. I'll snoop around for as long as I can." With a blur of red, Kurama disappeared, leaving Naruto totally by himself.

"Well, I guess I could train…"

/\/\/\

Gaara made his way through the jungle at a reasonable pace. He had wandered through Mock town, listening to the residents whisper about recent events. Bellamy the Hyena had laid claim to the port for weeks until Luffy and the Straw Hats had shown up. Supposedly Luffy had let the hot shot rookie do as he pleased until the spring man had attacked someone named Montblanc Cricket, a new found friend of theirs. Following the duel with Bellamy, the strawhats had apparently done battle with some other pirate crew and escaped, via a knock up stream, to a sky island. Gaara had his doubts about the last part, but if there was such a thing, he knew Naruto would find a way to get them there. He would want in on that particular adventure. A Shichibukai, Doflamingo Donquixote, had also been seen on the island recently. It seemed that Jaya really was a hotbed for piracy, and all the recent activity had been high profile. Something Gaara believed to be a sign. From the Marines approaching the Elemental Nations, the rebellion in Alabasta, and heightened pirate activity, too many events were happening simultaneously to be purely coincidental. Pieces on the shogi board were moving, but to what end? And what would it mean for him and Naruto?

Gaara hoped Montblanc Cricket would be a better and more willing source of information than the rest of the town. Being a pirate friendly port, the residents of Mock town knew that too loose of lips could sometimes mean a nighttime visit from former patron. No, for most of Jaya it made sense to respect the unspoken agreement between the pirates and the residents.

As the forest cleared, Gaara caught sight of the faux castle that Cricket called home. Two ships, each garishly decorated in a monkey motif, floated at anchor in the small bay beyond the home. Gaara quietly approached the front door, and knocked. The door opened to reveal a tall muscular blond man. With purple track pants, a tattoo that said "Maroon", a cigarette dangling from his lips, and a large chestnut atop his head, if nothing else, Montblanc Cricket had a unique appearance.

"Who are you? And what do you want?" Cricket growled.

"My name is Gaara, and I am a friend of the Straw Hat Pirates. Can I come in?"

Cricket studied Gaara suspiciously for a moment. "Bah, fine! Come on in." He stepped back from the door, and turned his back to Gaara. "Luffy described someone like you, said you had a blond friend named Naruto. The two of you were supposedly part of that shitstorm on Alabasta."

"Yes, he and I were on opposite sides in fact. Naruto supported Luffy and I had been hired by Robin to protect her." Gaara replied. When he stepped into the house, he noticed the two ape like figures lurking just inside the door. They looked like they had been ready for trouble. Gaara spied a pile of bloody bandages in the trash nearby. Looks like the reports had been correct. Trouble had been here recently.

"You lot sure did shake up the hornet's nest. Luffy's new wanted poster came through just after he left. I haven't seen a bounty raise like that in a while. Not to mention all the new bounties they put out on you and the others." Cricket laughed. "It's nice to see some real rookies shaking things up again. People like Bellamy have thought themselves big shots for too long."

"I see." Gaara muttered. "So you keep track of the pirates coming through here, and this part of the sea in general?"

"Sure, it's hard not to when I used to be one of those arrogant rookies myself."

"I'd like to offer you a deal. Naruto and I need information on a regular basis. If you and your friends could keep us informed of pirate activity in this area, we'd be willing to pay you for it."

Cricket slumped onto a nearby stool, and stroked his chin. "I'll consider it, but you have to tell me why."

"Is the prevention of senseless bloodshed and a war the scale of which the world has not seen in centuries a good enough reason?" Gaara answered.

Cricket smiled. "It is, but my family comes from a line of storytellers. I would like to hear your story."

Gaara fought the urge to roll his eyes. Maybe he should have stayed on the ship. "Very well…"

/\/\/\

Ino walked back towards the Midnight's Shadow, arms full with shopping bags, and a smile on her face. Mock town had been surprisingly fashionable, and she had been able to find a couple new outfits amongst its stores. Additionally, with their winnings from the Dead End Race, her little spree had not even put a dent in her pocket book.

"Hey babe looking for a good time? I have a 30,000,000 Berri bounty, I could show you a thing or two."

Ino sighed. Of course scumbags were a dime a dozen here. All these pirates and their precious bounties. Did none of them understand that the monetary reward for their capture did not actually relate to strength. It simply meant they were more likely captured and killed. Still, they seemed to a boasting point for many. Maybe she needed to do something wild and reckless like Naruto, simply so she would have one assigned to her. It might actually get some of the riff raff to lay off a bit.

"Hey I'm talking to you!" an arm shot out and tried to grab at Ino. Ino groaned as she sidestepped the swipe. She turned to look at the thug and his two compatriots. Each wearing a lecherous grin as they looked her over like a piece of meat.

"And I was ignoring you. Now go before I have a good time collecting your bounty." Ino spat.

"You little!…."

The nameless pirates never had the time to finish drawing their pistols. Three senbon needles flashed into place between Ino's lips. With unimaginable precision, she fired them from her mouth. Each needle embedding into a pirate's forehead. Their eyes crossed as they tried to focus on the thin pieces of metal, and then, one by one, they fell backwards dead as could be. Ino didn't even pause, simply stepping over the bodies and continuing towards the docks. She shot a few daring looks towards her observers, but they all backed away, letting her pass unmolested. She probably should have used a non lethal poison, but Ino knew the type. Just one look at their hungry eyes, and she knew the world was a better place without that scum in it.

"I'm back!" Ino announced hopping up to the railing of the Shadow. She barely caught a glimpse of Naruto sitting legs crossed in the center of the deck before a flash of white and blue blinded her.

CRACK!

"AHH! SHIT!" Naruto howled, rolling in pain on the deck.

Ino dropped her bags and ran to Naruto's side. "Sorry Naruto! I didn't mean to startle you."

"Not your fault." Naruto hissed. "Besides, the battlefield is full of distractions. If I can't handle you shouting a friendly greeting, how am I supposed to keep this thing going during a real fight."

"Fine, still, let me see what you've done. I am here as the team medic after all." Ino tried to get a good look at the damage, and gasped when she saw how mangled her fellow blond's hands were. His fingers were bloody, broken, and dislocated. In their current state, Naruto's hands were completely useless. To make it worse, burns covered the majority of his forearms. Even the tough artificial limb Tsunade had made from her grandfather's DNA had not survived whatever Naruto had cooked up. "You're creating another one of those monster techniques aren't you?" Ino chided, her hands already glowing with the green hue of the mystic palm technique.

"Sort of. The Rasengan was my dad's technique, and I've completed it several times over by adding elemental chakra. They are difficult techniques, and I'm happy to have completed my dad's creation, but this is something new. Something I want the Uzumaki's to be known for once I get the clan restarted. Something that's entirely mine."

Ino shook her head. "Well whatever it is, be careful. I can heal broken bones, create antidotes, and keep you alive, but I'm not Sakura or Tsunade. No miracle cures from me. Just the basics." Ino smiled when Naruto's wounds sealed up. "Now for the fun part." She grabbed his hand and jerked it painfully. A loud series of pops rang out as she reset the bones.

"AHHHH!" Naruto howled. "That hurts!"

"Don't complain to me. You're the one that did this to yourself." Ino reached for his other hand. "So you want to rebuild the Uzumaki Clan? That's the first time I've heard you mention it."

"Yea...AAAAH!" Naruto screeched as Ino attacked his other hand.

"Oh quit being a baby. I know you're tougher than that."

Naruto jerked his hand back and rubbed it absently. "That was mean Ino. You didn't have to distract me like that."

"I didn't want you flinching just because you were looking at it." She huffed. "Next time you can fix yourself if you're going to be so ungrateful. Baka!"

Instead of getting angry, Naruto erupted with laughter. Ino looked at him incredulously. No doubt wondering if what few shreds of sanity he had left had finally left him. Naruto fought through the laughter. "Don't look at me like that Ino. The way you yelled at me just reminded me of when we were all in the academy together. You and Sakura fighting over Sasuke, Shikamaru sleeping through every class, and me causing all sorts of hell." Naruto smiled. "Things were a lot easier back then."

Ino smirked. "I don't know Naruto. You seemed to have a pretty hard time deciding whether or not you wanted to kiss Sakura or Sasuke. That could not have been easy. Although," He grin turned savage, "I don't really blame you for choosing Sasuke Kun over Forehead."

"Well I got to kiss him before you or Sakura did, so what's that say about you?" Naruto laughed, not taking offence in the least.

Ino sighed. "We've come a long way haven't we?"

"Yeah we have. And we still have a long ways to go." Naruto answered. "These people out here, these Pirates, theses Marines, they're all different. I'm not really sure how we are going to find a common ground for us all to stand on."

Ino cuffed the side of his head. "Naruto, you worry too much. You're not a planner like Shikamaru, so don't try to be. But," She smiled. "You've always pulled through for us in the end. I'm sure you will figure it out this time too."

Naruto smiled. "Thanks Ino. And thank you for agreeing to come along."

Ino waved it off. "Someone had to do it. And you're not the only one who wants to exceed their parents. Daddy was great in T&I, and in the Ino Shika Cho Formation, all things that I've been able to duplicate and exceed, but this," She gestured to the ship and their surroundings. "This is all me. Whatever the result of this mission is, it will be something totally of my own." Ino stood up and grinned. "Now, since you're the only one here, you get to help me carry all my goodies down below." Before Naruto could protest, she had thrown all her bags atop him. "Chop, Chop Naruto."

"Help…. Anyone…?" Naruto muttered weakly, his body straining under the crushingly heavy pile. "Please…."

/\/\/\

The rest of their time on Jaya had passed rather sedately. The Shadow Fox crew mingled with the inhabitants of the island, restocked the ship, and kept their ears to the ground for any information that might benefit them, but for the time being it seemed as if the giant cogs of the world had slowed at least for a moment. Naruto even took a short trip to Yuba to see if Toto had any new information for him, but the Alabasta native had nothing noteworthy. Only that recovery for the desert nation looked good and had progressed nicely since the pirates had left. Something they could all be happy about, but not the sort of intelligence the Shinobi needed. Still, despite it not being much, they had made progress, and they had created the opportunity that the other Kage needed from what little they knew. Between that opportunity, and contacts on three different islands, they had a start. A far cry from what it needed to be, but it was a start.

Rocking gently in a hammock he had strung up in the rigging, Naruto looked down at the pages of the only true novel his godfather had ever written. He missed the man now more than ever. Trying to follow in his footsteps, Naruto realized just how strong Jiraiya really had been. The man had never given up on making the world a better place, and neither would Naruto.

"Naruto, everyone is back, and if we want to go to Asuka island we need to leave now before the log pose adjusts to Jaya." Samui said, her approach silent as usual. "Or would you prefer to stay and see if we can lock onto the sky island that you heard about?"

Naruto looked up at the Kumo Kunoichi, her face stern and expressionless as usual. "You should smile more Samui." He grinned, completely ignoring her question. "Being serious all the time is bad for your health. Just look at that sparkplug you call a Kage and the grumpy old man with the bad back in Iwa. No smiles, no fun, and bad attitudes."

"Insulting the Kage is not cool. I would ask if you referred to your own leader in such a fashion, but I already know the answer." Samui retorted. "This is the precise reason why Raikage-sama sent me to accompany you on this mission."

Naruto stuck his tongue out at her. "What's the point of life if you can't enjoy it. Beside, your village's Jinchuriki is just as crazy as I am. He raps, I cause unparalleled mayhem. I don't see the difference."

Samui raised an eyebrow stoically.

Naruto sighed, "Fine, fine." Throwing himself from the hammock, he joined Samui on the mast. "All work and no play. Let's go be dull and boring."

Naruto smirked, "Well, at least as dull and boring as rogue ninja can be." Quick as lightning, he tapped Samui between the eyes. "You're it!" Naruto fell backwards, plummeting towards the deck of the ship, multiplying as he went. "Catch me if you can Samui-chan!" He and his clones shouted simultaneously.

Samui's face twitched in irritation, but she refused to validate Naruto's childishness. Dropping to the deck silently, she prepared to set sail and assumed her position next to Gaara at the helm.

"You may want to wash the graffiti off your forehead." Gaara offered nonchalantly.

Samui strained to keep her face emotionless. "I actually want to cause him harm. I want to strangle him."

"You're welcome to. But if you're going to do it, you better kill him. If you don't, it will only get worse. He will stop holding back." Gaara answered.

Samui's eye twitched. "Not cool."

As the crew sailed clear of the island, an echoing bell sounded out from the heavens. Looking up, they could all see the silhouette of a man's head and shoulders adorned with some sort of circular hat. Naruto, immediately recognizing the profile clapped his hands. "Bravo Luffy, Bravo." Turning to the others, his eyes alight with excitement, Naruto said, "We have to find a way up to a sky island. That looks way too cool."

/\/\/\

Sengoku looked over the parchment in front of him and Tsuru. "So this is your compromise?" He asked. "You will not let us build on your shores, but you will resupply our ships and give them limited access to a single port city. Additionally you wish to enter into a contract with the World Government. For standardized fees, you will deploy your own military forces after targets of our choice. Am I understanding this correctly?"

"Yes, while we believe your intentions to stabilize the region would be a benefit to our nation, the respective rulers of our land refuse to allow any structures to be built for permanent occupation by World Government personnel. We would welcome temporary guests in specific locations, but we cannot offer more than this." Mifune answered as diplomatically as he could. They had to say no, but they also could not afford to anger a government as large and as powerful as the World Government. Another war would be the end of the Shinobi and the Samurai.

"I see, we would have to negotiate terms for the exchange of goods and the standardized fees involved in the military contract. However, this is much more than I hoped for. I can approve a three year trial period. After that, we will determine how effectively our cooperation has stabilized the region. I would also request that medical services be made available to my men. Shipboard medicine has advanced greatly in the past few decades, but some things cannot be fixed while at sea."

Tsunade spoke up. "As the premier medical mind of our nation, I will ensure that any sailor that needs medical attention receives the best we have to offer. The port that will be made available to your men has excellent medical facilities. They will be cared for until they can be discharged back to your service."

Sengoku nodded in approval. "That is very good to hear. I am glad we have come to this compromise. I hope that this arrangement will bring our two governments closer, and that we can build a powerful alliance as we do so."

"Bah, just make sure your men know that they will not be allowed to wander. Our country does take well to foreigners. Too many wars have come about from "Innocent Travelers." Between rogues, and standing orders with our own men, we cannot guarantee the safety of anyone who ventures outside of the designated city." Onoki grunted. "It will take time for suspicion and paranoia to grow into trust."

Tsuru glared at the former Tsuchikage, "You would kill wounded soldiers?"

"No, you misunderstand me. We have perfected the art of espionage. For us it can be a way of life. As such, we understand that not all those who claim asylum need it. Any attempts to conduct espionage in Wano under the guise of a medical recovery will be exiled from our shores. If they resist, they will find a forceful response."

Sengoku stoked his beard. "Understandable."

"Fleet Admiral! You can't be serious?"

"If I understand correctly, our men will receive a safe haven from the ravages of the New World at the behest of the Wano people. Something which we desperately need." He studied the faces of the Wano diplomats. "So long as we do not betray the trust being given to us, no harm shall befall any of our men, and both the Marines, and Wano will see benefit. Is that correct."

"Yes Fleet Admiral." Mifune acknowledged. "It is not for lack of trust in your people, but in our own. Much like you are familiar with the dangers of the Grand Line, we know our own land best. To the unaware, Wano can be a very dangerous place. Historically, we are a violent people, and some still hold to the old way. The two rogues who attempted to usurp this meeting are such an example. We are offering you our hospitality, something which is not exactly within the wishes of our superiors, but a solution to both our betterment and your own. However, the safety of your people can only be guaranteed under the watch of our alliance. We actively combat unrest within our borders, something which I am sure you do as well, but there are many who would love nothing more than to create diplomatic tensions between our Governments." Mifune explained. Sengoku remained pensive, and Tsuru seemed to have calmed. "However, Onoki is correct when he says that espionage is frowned upon within our nation. It is something that we have dealt with extensively due to our history, and any caught performing such acts will be forcefully expelled."

"I can guarantee that no such activities will be sanctioned while I am in charge of the Marines." Sengoku replied, "We would ask for greater access to your lands, technologies, and resources with time, but not without your approval."

/\/\/\

Naruto, Ino, and Konohamaru all felt at home as they hiked ashore on Asuka island. As a summer island, it had thick trees, lush vegetation, and a climate that seemed to mirror that of fire country. They had anchored the Shadow in a small inlet a ways down from one the island's ports to avoid suspicion and set off on foot. Gaara and Murdock trailed the trio as they made their way down into the town.

They wandered from shop to shop, grabbing supplies, and other necessities for the ship. From talking with the locals, they learned that the Marines had recently set up a small dojo on the other side of the island. They were training new swordsmen there, and offering positions to the locals. Making a note to discreetly inspect the training center later on, the group moved towards a restaurant in the center of town.

"The Fox and The Raccoon, a unique pair. One to challenge the fates with blood and destruction."

Naruto and Gaara tensed, each preparing to make a move against the tall man with long straw like hair, who had spoken from a table nearby. Cards stuck on small stick like strands of straw obscured him from their view. The cards shuffled around briefly. "Ah, but today is an unlucky day for killing. Perhaps another time." The man added. The cards dropped away to reveal the face of Basil Hawkins, a pirate captain from North Blue, who currently held a bounty of $130,000,000. Sitting with his hands clasped together, dressed in neatly pressed clothing, and with a calm expression on his face, the pirate looked more noble than outlaw.

"Who's this guy?" Konohamaru grunted ignorantly, "He looks like he could give the Hyuuga a run for their money in the stuck up and stuffy department."

"And you dress like a slob. Only fitting for The Monkey, or will you become The Ape?" Hawkins replied.

"Huh?" Konohamaru stared at the pirate in total confusion.

"He's referencing your clan's association with the monkey summons." Gaara answered. If Hawkins knew about his connection to Shukaku through some means, it would not be much of a stretch to say he would know about the Sarutobi family. The question was, how?

"But how does he know that?"

"Because I can read the signs." Hawkins answered. "I simply relay them to the world as they apply. Some, like those that represent your fate, are easier to understand than others." He explained looking towards Gaara and Naruto. He stood, and his crew, who were spread out amongst the tables of the restaurant, rose to join him. "I hope fate allows us to meet again. We would stay, but the red moon comes. It will bring, violence, betrayal, and the Mighty Fist. We have no wish to test that fate, it would be unlucky." Hawkins explained.

"I've seen some strange shit on these sea, but that boy is up there on the list." Murdock grunted as the Hawkins crew departed. None Naruto's crew could understand what had just happened, they just watched with confusion as the other pirates left in peace.

"Yeah, that made no sense." Konohamaru grumbled. "Can we get food now?"

"Gaara, Ino, were you able to get anything out of that?" Naruto asked pinching his nose in concentration. "I'm trying to piece together that crap, but I just don't have the mind for it."

"What are you talking about boss?"

"I may not be the most book smart ninja around, but I know useful information when I hear it." Naruto answered. "I just don't know how to decipher it."

"Sorry Naruto, I can't make heads or tails of it either." Ino replied. "I could try to get a mind transfer, and see what I can learn that way?" She offered.

Naruto shook his head, "No, that might cause a fight, and I'd rather lay low on an island that has a marine base. Even if it's as small and unexperienced as this one seems to be" He turned his attention to Gaara. "Anything?"

"Not yet. I am still trying to connect the clues. However there is a red moon coming in several days." The Kazekage offered.

"Right, well let's stay on our toes." Naruto shrugged. "But we can't do that on an empty stomach so we might as well eat."

"Here, here." Murdock agreed. "And beer. Beer helps with everything."

/\/\/\

Kurama, had trailed the obese form of Blackbeard back to his ship. The strange raft like vessel looked like it had been put back together by a child, but it floated. Stowing away on the vessel had not been difficult. While Kurama could sense almost no end to the malace held by most of the crew, they were not the most observant group. They had left Jaya the day Naruto had arrived, and made their way to Banaro island. The small crew raided the island, easily dispatching the small marine garrison that guarded the island's sole town. Revelling in their piracy, they made themselves comfortable as they waited. Kurama had almost left, but the man Blackbeard had been looking for finally showed up. He immediately went about attacking Blackbeard, and his crew. Their fight raged, nearly destroying the island. Even Kurama would admit it had been impressive. The power of their abilities would have placed them amongst the highest tier of fighters in the elemental nations. Both would have easily ranked as S level targets in the bingo book.

Ace had pitted his fire against Blackbeard's darkness. At first it seemed they were quite evenly matched, their powers canceling each other out, but Kurama had seen what Ace could not. The darkness radiating from Blackbead could absorb the flames. Blackbeard was hiding his true strength while Ace spewed and more fire. Eventually, Blackbeard took the advantage. He toyed with Ace, reveling in his ability to cause the younger man pain. He bragged, and lorded over his opponent. Landing vicious blow after vicious blow on the the 2nd Division Commander. Ace, for his part, made several desperate counters, but Blackbeard just shrugged the damage off. Each time Ace retaliated Blackbeard would just howl with laughter, and hit back twice as hard. Eventually Ace fell into bloody unconsciousness, his body ruined, and his spirit broken. As the tremors of the battle wore off, Blackbeard's crew drug themselves out of the rubble. They had all scattered when their captain had claimed the fight above their level. With the danger gone, they converged on their captain. Blackbeard slung Ace over his shoulder, and with his crew at his side, turned to leave. He took half a step before abruptly stopping. He turned and looked directly at Kurama.

"Did you enjoy the show little fox?" He smiled cruelly. "We've enjoyed having a pet for the last week, but I think it's time we part ways. Permanently."

Van Augur lowered his rifle in the blink of an eye, and fired. Kurama barely dodged the speeding bullet, hopping backwards as the pirate unleashed a dozen precise shots.

"Zehahahahaha! I knew Uzumaki had something to offer!" Blackbeard shouted. "Burgess, get in there."

Van Augur's attacks relented when the beefy helmsman dove towards Kurama. Kurama slipped through the wrestler's outstretched hands, and jumped atop his body as he crashed into the ground. Kurama flicked his tails hard enough to daze the man, and for added embarrassment, emptied his bladder atop Burgess' head. Kurama kicked off the downed wrestler and leapt to the top of a nearby pile of rubble. "I misjudged you, you're not as much an oaf as I thought." Kurama snorted, his deep voice rumbling from his currently diminutive body. "But you are the vile spawn of the lowest depths of humanity. All of you."

"We're Pirates!" Blackbeard shouted "It's what we do." His grin went manic as he added, "It's what we do best!"

"And this is what I do." Kurama opened his jaw, and forced almost all of the chakra Naruto had given him into the dense spherical form of a Bijudama. Without pause, he fired the attack. Despite only having two tails worth of energy, the blast blossomed into a massive domed explosion. What remained of the tattered town vaporized, and sea water rushed to fill the crater. Like many other battleground where Kurama's power had been put to use, the island would never be the same.

"Zehahahahaha, That stung! How about another!"

Kurama growled with frustration as Blackbeard reappeared from within the blast zone. Standing holding the limp bodies of Ace and Burgess, Blackbeard looked battered and bruised, but unbeaten. Blood ran down the side of man's skull in tiny rivers, his skin shone red with burns, and a few more teeth were missing from his grin, but he still stood. The unconscious form of Burgess looked to have suffered worse than his captain. Several of his bones were badly broken, jagged spears of white protruding from his skin, but the wrestler would live. The rest of Blackbeard's crew revealed themselves to be mostly unharmed. Van Augur and Doc Q reappeared alongside his horse at the edge of the crater. Kurama scowled at the lack of damage. He had hoped to at least maim one of them, but he did not have enough power, at least not with Blackbeard acting the part of a shield for his men. His abilities were truly frightening.

"Next time, I won't hold back." Kurama spat, his voice tinged with frustration. Reversing his summons, the fox disappeared in a poof of smoke.

/\/\/\

Naruto and the others returned to the Shadow after a second visit to the town. Fresh food, water and other supplies for the ship had been stored in scrolls where they would not spoil unless retrieved. A system Murdock and Needless had been baffled by at first.

"Meh, I'd call that cheatin if it weren't to my benefit." Murdock rumbled. "Though I'd still be up shit creek if you brats weren't here to open these damn things."

Naruto smiled as he stacked the last of the scrolls in the galley. "Nah, all you need to do is prick your finger and smear a little blood onto this seal here." Naruto explained, pointing at a small seal on one of the scrolls. "I keyed your blood into my seals once you joined the crew."

"I don't remember giving you any blood." Murdock growled, a vein in his forehead pulsing as he held back his frustration.

Naruto grinned. "You didn't."

Murdock took a swipe at his captain, but the enigmatic blond vanished before the blow could land. "GRRRRAH! UZUMAKI! Get back here so I can pound some common decency into that thick skull of yours! You can't go stealing another man's blood! It's just not right!"

A small toad hopped into the room and handed the irate shipwrite a note before disappearing. Scroll number five has the beer. "Hmm, maybe the Brat has some sense after all." His irritation fleeing at the promise of beer. With a steady hand, Murdock pricked his thumb on his combat knife. A hint of trepidation creeped into his mind as he smeared the blood across the seal on the scroll. The nervousness disappeared and a smile briefly graced his face when the scroll popped open. The brief sense of elation fled when a flood of beer erupted from the scroll. Hundreds of gallons of the liquid surged out of the scroll, knocking Murdock off his feet and washing him towards the door. when the torrent subsided, Murdock was left sputtering, coughing, and choking against the far wall. He sat in a stunned silence for almost a minute before Konohamaru stuck his head into the room.

"Oh man, Boss got you good." Konohamaru chuckled, as he surveyed the carnage in the galley. "Hey you haven't seen Needless have you? I was supposed to spar with him this afternoon."

Murdock did not answer. He just sat there stewing in the remains of Naruto's idea of a good time. Veins pulsed in his forehead, as he tried to remain calm.

Konohamaru knew the shipwright was one little push away from exploding, so he decided it was best he leave before he became the target of Murdock's ire. "Right, well I can see that your busy, so I'll leave you to it."

/\/\/\

There's lots of characters in One Piece that I feel don't get enough screen time, especially the Supernovas and the 're all characters that we know, but not very well. Naruto's wanderings are a good way to better incorporate them into the story and expand on their characters. Hopefully it makes things a little more interesting and provides good interactions for Naruto and his team. I've got some good things coming, but I'm struggling a little to keep the momentum so bear with me. Work's been running me ragged. Still, I hope this hits the spot. Let me know what you think.