A/N: Sup guys, I'm back with another chapter as I've once again skipped forwards a little in the canon storyline as I didn't change anything about Sanji's story and/or leaving the Baratie. Now this arc will have the minor changes I mentioned were coming soon, although I'll still try to keep it recognizable as canon… maybe.
Friendly Sacrifice
Naruto yawned as he reclined on the small boat, taking a nap in the warm mid-day sun as the boat floated along after Nami on the Going Merry and Johnny, Yosaku, Ussop, and Zoro after her. Even with his eyes shut, he could feel the tension on the boat between Gin and Sanji, although Luffy was oblivious as he sat at the front 'ooh'ing and 'ahh'ing at every little thing.
He remembered Sanji's story about wanting to find the All-Blue and smirked. "A man who wants be King of the Pirates, a swordsman who wants to be the World's Best swordsman, a man who wants to explore the ocean's and have great adventures, a cook who wants to find the All-Blue, and… what was Nami's dream again?" Naruto thought shrugging it off. He'd just ask her when they got to wherever they were going.
He was awoken from his nap by Luffy's outcry. Barely opening his eyes, he saw what would cause this response in his younger brother as he saw a destroyed village. Some houses were upside down, others had perfect circle cut out of them, and some even were only piles of rubble.
"This is where Nami was headed?" Luffy asked hesitantly as Naruto just shook his head in disbelief.
"I'm not sure it is, Luffy. Look over at that sign." Naruto pointed out as the quartet looked at the sign that read 'We_c_ _o _n_hl_ Vi_ge' was all they could make out due to the sign being shattered into multiple pieces. Even so, it was enough for Naruto to make an assumption.
"The letter mentioned a place called Cocoyashi Village. That doesn't fit with the sign." Naruto said as they pushed off, heading down the coast.
"All the same, what kind of monster could just upend a building?" Sanji asked the questioned on most of their minds. Naruto decided against mentioning that both he and Hidara could do it, although Hidara had a habit of breaking the building when he did it. Naruto just couldn't be bothered picking up someone's home for no purpose.
"Do you guys think that has something to do with why Nami told us not to follow her?" Gin asked, Sanji glaring at the former Krieg Pirate.
"Nami-chan told, Luffy, Me, and Naruto to stay away, you were never included!" He ranted as Naruto gave off a low growl as he tipped his hat low over his eyes.
"Keep quiet until we get to Cocoyashi Village. Sanji, Gin is now a member of my crew, he even apologized to you and the others back at The Baratie, so deal with it unless you want to take it up with me." Naruto ordered as Sanji huffed going back to helping Luffy look for the village as Naruto leaned back, closing his eyes.
Without thinking about it, he reached into his pocket, pulling out the piece of paper that he'd found after the fight in the same pocket, his eyes wandering over the letter.
Dear Strawhats,
I'm leaving you. I have something I have to do. I wish we could keep 'adventuring' together, but I made a promise to some people that I have to keep. Please don't follow me, both for my sake and yours. If you want to keep your brother safe, then stay away from Cocoyashi Village, please.
Sincerely Nami
Flipping it over, he saw it was a map with a course already charted from The Baratie to an island further south. A big X was even on the island along with several wet spots that may have been sea spray, or something.
Naruto tightly clenched his fist, thinking of the redheaded navigator as he heard Sanji and Luffy talking as the boat ran into the sandy beach.
"Hello, anybody here?!" Luffy shouted, running into the village in front of them, this one untouched as Luffy ran around shouting as people began to stream out of the houses.
"Who are they?" "They look like pirates." "Pirates, we can't afford anymore pirates around here!" The crowd said to each other as they began to surround the quartet, who were back-to-back in the middle of the mob as the villagers began pulling out pitchforks and wooden sticks.
"Someone go and ask Genzo for a couple of his swords." Someone said as a brunette ran off towards a house towards the outer edge.
"Uhmm, no, no need for swords, we come in peace." Gin said for the quartet as the mob began shouting their displeasure. A few threw punches that hit Luffy only for the Strawhat Captain to ignore them.
"What do you pirates want? We haven't got any money, or treasure for you to plunder." Someone asked unseen, another voice whispering 'Hide the women and children!'
"We're here looking for our friend Nami." Luffy said, and the crowd was stunned into silence.
"Go to the North and look for a village." An elderly man said, Naruto interjecting now, "We already did, the place was wrecked. Are you saying that Nami did that?" The blonde asked skeptically.
"Not directly, but the members of Arlong's Fishmen destroyed the village when they couldn't pay him off anymore. You should just give up on your friend and get as far away from this island as possible!" A younger voice said only for the brunette from before to come running back wide-eyed.
"He's here, Arlong's at Genzo's house, he's trying to pressure him for more money!" She hissed as the crowd gasped and split up, some hiding in their houses, while others went to see what was going on. Luffy and company were part of this group as they jumped on to the rooftops, watching the confrontation.
A large blue-skinned man with a jagged nose was holding an elderly gentleman up by his shirt collar. "He has a pinwheel!" Luffy whispered, only for Sanji to cover his mouth to muffle the pirate.
"I heard rumors that someone was hording weapons in this village. Then, I come here and what do I find?" The blue-skinned man asked rhetorically, as he gestured towards the small pile of swords and knives.
"No, I just collect antique weapons. I'm an elderly man; I don't even know how to use a sword, Arlong." The elderly man said as Arlong grinned viciously.
"Let Genzo go, Arlong!" The growing crowd shouted as Arlong frowned, using his one free hand to grasp the corner of a building, lifting it into the air before flipping it over as he put back down.
"You don't tell me what to do, you peons. I'll let him go just as soon as he pays for all these weapons he owns. I think 30 million beris should suffice, as well as all these 'antique' weapons." Arlong said, only to suddenly drop Genzo as a small black ball hit his hand.
"Th-that's r-right The G-Great U-U-Ussop is protecting th-this v-village." Ussop said from an adjacent rooftop, quivering like a leaf.
"Oh well then I'll leave them alone. Deal with the pathetic waste, Chu." Arlong ordered as another fishman came forwards with thick lips as he spit at Ussop who dived for cover as he tried to run away, only to be clotheslined by a third fishman.
"Good job, Kuroobi. Now bring him back to Arlong Park." Arlong said as they started to walk away. "We'll be back same time tomorrow for the money, and if it ain't here, I'll be very unhappy." Arlong threatened as the Fishmen walked away, Ussop tossed over Kuroobi's shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
Luffy started after Arlong, only to be stopped by Naruto who shook his head. "Ussop can wait. He's a Strawhat Pirate, which means he won't be taken out that easily. Right now, we to get that guy to a doctor and find out what the deal is with this Arlong guy and Nami, kay?" The blonde said as Luffy looked after his crewmate, sighing before shaking his head in ascent.
That settled, the quartet hopped own, Gin and Sanji getting under his arms as they helped him up.
"Follow me." A blue-haired female said, seeing the men as she started to walk off. Gin grunted as Sanji let go of Genzo, chasing after the woman while wiggling with hearts in his eyes. Despite this, Gin didn't comment as he followed after them.
Following her into what Naruto assumed was her house, Gin set Genzo down in an empty chair as the woman began attending to him.
"So, tell me, what it is that you really want from my little sister?" The woman asked, not looking at the quartet. Not receiving any answers, she amended, "I'm Nojiko, Nami's older sister. Now tell me, why are you here, and don't lie to me." Nojiko ordered; ignoring Sanji's love struck words.
"We're her friends." Both Naruto and Luffy said simultaneously with serious expressions as Nojiko blinked in surprise.
"Not very good friends if she ran off without you. She probably just told you that so you'd let her near your treasure." Nojiko said; sitting back in a chair as Genzo snored softly.
"Well, we have no treasure to begin with so it wasn't her best choice. Now how about you tell us why she's a member of Arlong's crew?" Naruto responded as Nojiko stared at the ground before beginning with her story of how their mother Bellamere found Nami and raised her alongside Nojiko, until Arlong came along and began taxing the village. How she was executed because she didn't have enough beris for both her and her daughters. And finally, how Arlong took Nami when he saw her maps, how he wanted her to draw maps for him, and he'd let Nojiko live tax free if she did.
"So, Nami's being forced to help Arlong to keep you safe, even though he killed your mother? That doesn't add up; why would she leave to steal treasure from pirates if she's supposed to be helping him." Naruto said as he pushed himself up, heading for the door.
"Where are you going?" Nojiko asked as she started after him.
"To find Nami and get some answers. Something is missing from your explanation, and I have a feeling only Nami will be able to answer my questions." He said, opening the door only for Nojiko to grab his shoulder.
"And what makes you think she'll just tell you?" The bluenette asked curiously as Naruto looked down, pulling the brim of his hat low over his eyes as a tear ran down his cheek.
"Because I never knew my father, all I had was my mother, and when I lost her, all I wanted was revenge. I need to know how she can just help the man who did that!" He snarled as he pulled free, bending down as he raced away in the direction of Arlong Park. Nojiko was left reaching after him.
"Naruto. Naruto, wake up. It's Mommy." Naruto heard the words whispered in his ear, but all he could see was red as he remembered for lifeless body as her blood painted the ground. He snapped, pulling his sword free from its place at his side, whipping it in a circle with a loud "RAGHH!" as a wave of light was left behind as he switched the grip as he slammed it into the ground point first, the light shooting off in fragments. Breathing deeply, he resheathed the blade before resuming sprinting towards Arlong Park, and hopefully Nami. He never noticed the pair of watchful eyes that had seen him lose his cool.
Coming to stop without a single breath lost, Naruto leaned against the wall listening to the voices inside the walled-off Arlong Park.
"Are you really going to let her go after she pays the 100 million beris, Boss?" Naruto didn't know that voice, it didn't sound as bloodthirsty as the ones from earlier.
"Of course not Hachi, the girl's ability with a pen is unrivaled. We'll just keep milking her for more money, since she'll never be able to pay 100 million beris. She can't stay away from here for too long or else I may 'lose my temper'. And every time she comes back, we'll just take whatever she has and act none the wiser." Arlong said; the Fishmen laughing inside as Naruto blood began to boil.
"Still I can't believe she just stabbed that guy with the long nose earlier. No hesitation." Hachi said in disbelief as Naruto gritted his teeth, refusing to believe that Nami would kill Ussop.
"And I still can't believe you just carried Zoro out of here." The one from earlier, Kuroobi said rudely as Hachi apologized, probably not of the first time.
"Hey Boss, how are we going to just take all Nami's money? Surely she'd notice one of us taking it, plus we don't even know where she hides it." Hachi asked as Arlong grunted annoyed with this line of questioning.
"You idiot, did you forget we have the local Marines in our pocket, all we have to do is just give them a little money and they help us. I've already sent them to collect what is due ours." Arlong said as Naruto growled lowly before seeing some bubbles coming from the shore. Looking closer, Naruto saw a reed sticking out of the water as Ussop was below the surface, trying to avoid being noticed.
Looking around, Naruto sank his arm into the water, grasping the sniper's overalls as he hauled him out of the water. Before he could say anything, the blonde covered his mouth with his hand.
"Shhh, we got trouble. Nami is working both sides, and she's going to get burned if we don't go help her out. Think you can hold on?" Naruto whispered to the curly-haired sniper, who nodded furiously as Naruto turned around, allowing the man on as Naruto smirked, bending down as he began to run down the dirt road bent low like a sprinter as his feet blurred and Ussop was forced to pull his goggles down to keep the wind from drying his eyes out.
A/N: So, there's another chapter done for you guys. I'll be honest, I managed to write this chapter all at once rather than the months it took for the last couple. *sigh*. Hopefully I can keep up this rate of writing since I'll get some time off work soon since I visited my dentist/orthodontist and he said I need a root canal. Oh sweet merciful joy, how thou torments me.