"Amazing, just simply amazing," gasped Arthur as he watched the footage of the battle that happened on Junius Seven. It had been a day since they had landed on Earth's surface and they were currently making there way towards ORB to deliver Cagalli.

"Yes, I would have never thought a Gundam with no long-range capabilities would be able to offer so much assistance. The Commander saved many lives by breaking down most of the large pieces of debris after the demolition team managed to split it in half," commented Captain Gladys as she watched the battle with Arthur.

"I can see now why he is a member of FAITH. I would say his skills rival those of the veteran fighters at Jachin Due," said Arthur.

"I wonder where he has been lately. I haven't seen him since he landed in the hangar and went to his personal quarters," frowned Captain Gladys thoughtfully. Arthur just shrugged because he didn't know where the Commander was at either.

Naruto's Room

Naruto was currently lying down on his bed and had been for the fourteen hours. Usually, after a battle, he would spend his time checking over his unit to make sure it was ok, but he is currently suffering from chakra exhaustion so couldn't. Making four identical to something as large as a mobile suit is no easy feat and took up almost all his chakra. He refused to show any weakness so decided to rest until he was back to 100 or at least 90 of his original strength before moving around again.

The weird thing is that he was holding up his right hand and staring at a beautiful white feather that he was twirling around in his hand. If someone had seen him doing this they would probably be curious as to how he got the feather as he didn't have it before they landed on the Earth's surface and he hadn't been outside since so couldn't have found it on the deck. The truth was, he had found the feather floating in front of his Gundam after he dispelled his jutsu before returning to the Minerva. It was crazy to think that a feather was floating around in outer space, but it was the truth and it confused him because there was something familiar about this particular feather. He felt a connection to it, but didn't know why.

'Animals can't survive in space and this didn't come from the remains of Junius Seven so where did it come from?' thought Naruto, as he twirled the feather between his fingers. Was it some type of sign or message that he was suppose to recognize?

'Ever since I have started to pilot Zero and Epyon weird things have been happening, but this is even beyond my reasoning,' sighed Naruto as he continued to stare at the feather as if it would tell him everything he wanted to know. The life of a warrior was never easy, but throw in a manipulative Gundam and life just became so much more complicated. It was times like these he regretted accepting the position to pilot a Gundam.

'Perhaps it is time, I take a walk. I grow tired of these thoughts,' thought Naruto as he slowly got up, but not before placing the feather inside his uniform where it would be safe.

Minerva's Deck

Cagalli and Athrun along with many other members of the crew were outside on the deck looking at the Pacific Ocean. For many of the crew it was the first time they had ever been to Earth and were just amazed by the sight though it wasn't such a beautiful sight with the dark skies above them. Still, the sight was nonetheless amazing to them as they had never seen such a large body of water in their lives.

"I am glad you are safe Athrun, I didn't expect you to go off in a mobile suit like that," smiled Cagalli.

"I'm sorry for not letting you know of my actions, but it was something I needed to do," apologized Athrun.

"No, it's fine. Besides, I am sure the people of Earth are very grateful," started Cagalli, before she was interrupted.

"Shut up, you're such an idiot," yelled Shinn, as he couldn't take listening to the girl anymore. He glared at Cagalli with a deep hatred in his eyes. The boy hated ORB with a passion, though no one knew why. Apparently, he had been listening in on the conversation and finally grew tired of Cagalli and her speeches.

"You were on the bridge so you must have seen what was going on. Those soldiers were justifying their actions by carrying on the will of the former Chairman Patrick Zala. Yet, you don't even seem to care because all that matters to you is your precious ORB," growled Shinn, but before he could say anything more, he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned around to see Commander Uzumaki looking at him dispassionately.

Naruto didn't even bother to say anything, but Shinn got the message loud and clear. The boy either shuts up and keeps his comments to himself or he would be in major trouble. Shinn just glared at Cagalli one last time before heading back inside the Minerva with an angry scowl on his face.

"I apologize for the disturbance representative," said Naruto before heading over to the edge of the deck to stare out at the ocean.

Athrun looked at Cagalli and when he saw the way she was glaring at Naruto, he knew he needed to get her away from him before she did something stupid. Just because he wasn't in a mobile suit didn't mean the man wasn't a threat to them and Athrun didn't want to see Cagalli get hurt.

"Come on Cagalli, let's head back inside," urged Athrun with a look that left no room for argument. Cagalli wanted to say something, but when she saw that look in his eyes, knew better and kept her mouth shut. She merely glared at Naruto one last time before heading back inside with Athrun at her side.

"Wow, I can't believe you were able to silence Shinn with just a mere glance. Usually, when he gets all angry like that it is impossible to shut him up until he stops ranting," smiled Luna, as she walked up next to Naruto. Naruto just glanced at her with a blank look in his eyes before surprising her by leaping down onto one of the wings. Luna gasped in surprise as he jumped down about ten or so feet and landed lightly on his feet. She watched him as he kneeled down and placed his hand in the water and let pass through his fingers as the ship continued to move at a decent pace.

'He is so strange,' thought Luna, but her thoughts were interrupted when her eyes widened in disbelief as a couple of dolphins started to swim up near the wing where the Commander was. They easily kept pace with the ship and even jumped so close to the Commander that he ran his hands over their smooth wet skin. It was a captivating sight and Luna couldn't take her eyes off it.

Luna had never seen such wonderful animals before and couldn't stop herself from wondering what it would be like to be close to one. They looked so beautiful and majestic. If it weren't for the fact that she was scared of upsetting her Commander, she probably would have jumped down there and seen if he would let her join him.

Athrun

Athrun slammed his fist into the wall as he was now walking the hallway all by himself. He kept remembering what the leader of those GINNs said to him about how the path chosen by Patrick Zala was the right one to take. It made him feel like all the deaths that had occurred from the falling debris of Junius Seven was his fault because the man who inspired them to do such an act was his father. His own father was the one who originally wanted to kill all Naturals and now it seemed others were starting to follow his example.

"Damn it all," muttered Athrun angrily before punching the wall again.

"Hn, you do not belong here Athrun Zala," said a cold voice that Athrun immediately recognized. He turned around to see Naruto walking towards him with an emotionless look in his piercing blue eyes.

"What are you talking about?" asked Athrun, as the comment was so random.

"Do not join ZAFT," said Naruto as he walked past Athrun.

"You are making no sense. I am a part of ORB not ZAFT," replied Athrun confused. Naruto stopped walking and turned his head to glance at the young man before replying.

"I do not want you as an ally. I would much rather be fighting against you, as you are one of the few people that can give me a challenge. When the Second War, officially starts, do not join ZAFT," explained Naruto before leaving as he was done talking to the boy.

Athrun wanted to ask him something more, but couldn't as Naruto had disappeared around a corner and out of his view. So he was stuck there in the hallway alone again, with nothing but the man's last words to him.

'Don't join ZAFT. Why would he think I would join ZAFT knowing I am a part of ORB?' thought Athrun.

'Never mind, it is time I get some answers from him,' thought Athrun with a determined look as he started to walk in the direction of the man. It wasn't long before he spotted Naruto leaning against the doorway with a bored look on his face. He was about to speak with him, when he heard gunshots going off and turned his head to see some pilots and crewmembers doing target practice.

"Oh hi," said Luna cheerfully, as she saw Athrun and Naruto watching them practice.

"Training exercises?" said Athrun with a small smile, as he remembered the days when he had to go through much of the same thing.

"Yeah, it is mandatory, but they let us do it outside this time. As you can see, I am not doing too well," sighed Luna as she reloaded her clips.

"Would you like to give it a try?" asked Luna curiously. Athrun was surprised by the question, but quickly declined.

"Oh, um no thanks," replied Athrun with a shake of his head. Luna just raised her eyebrow at his reaction before turning to face him completely.

"All of us know who you are pretty well," confessed Luna as she removed training glasses and looked Athrun in his eyes.

"You are a former ZAFT Red and a member of the Klueze team. During the middle of the war, you are responsible for destroying the Strike Gundam, which was considered the most powerful mobile suit at the time," said Luna as she started to read off his brief history.

"Later, you joined a special military team that took direct orders from the Chairman and were assigned to be the pilot of the ZGMF-X098 Justice," said Luna with a small smirk. Athrun's eyes narrowed slightly because he didn't like where he thought this was going. Naruto just remained silent, but his eyes narrowed slightly as well because the girl was leaving out a very important detail.

"I don't know much about your father, but you're a hero among us. Especially considering what you did at the Battle of Jachin Due," smiled Luna as she walked towards Athrun.

"Well, um," spluttered Athrun as the girl walked towards him.

"You forgot to mention that he is a traitor who betrayed his own people and stole the Gundam he was so famous for piloting," said Naruto, causing everyone to look at him. Athrun looked down at the ground because he knew the man was speaking the truth and there was no denying it.

"Idolize him for his impressive abilities with a mobile suit and his tactical mind, but not for who he is because in the end, he was declared a traitor and betrayed those who put their trust in him," stated Naruto, but before he could take his leave Cagalli blocked his path with a heavy glare on her face.

"Who are you to speak to him like that? He did what he did because it was the right thing to do and you believe you have the right to judge him," glared Cagalli as everyone stopped what they were doing to listen to the conversation.

"Whether he fought for the right side or not, when you swear your loyalty to a cause you do not abandon your comrades who place their faith in you," replied Naruto with a slight narrowing of his eyes.

"What about you? Aren't you a traitor as well since you are now a part of ZAFT?" argued Cagalli fiercely.

"No, because I was let go after the first war ended, which means I no longer had ties to any nation when I was recruited to join ZAFT," said Naruto.

"So he should have just stayed with ZAFT and helped them destroy Earth instead of helping to end the war like he ended up doing," glared Cagalli.

"Yes," answered Naruto simply.

"You bastard, of course someone like you would say that," yelled Cagalli, as everyone looked at her confused except Athrun. Even Shinn who had just come for some target practice stood in the doorway confused instead of taking the chance to take his anger out on the girl. None of them had any idea what Cagalli was talking about as she yelled at their Commander.

"Why don't you tell everyone aboard this ship who you really are, Naruto Uzumaki, former member of the Earth Alliance Forces, and pilot of the unknown Gundam that destroyed Boaz in one shot along with helping for the destruction of my home nation, ORB," glared Cagalli, as her fists had turned white from clenching them so hard.

"No way," gasped Luna in horror along with Meyrin, Rey, and Shinn.

"Wing Zero was the name of the Gundam I used to pilot during the war," replied Naruto. Cagalli just looked at him shocked because she couldn't believe how calm he was acting and it made her even angrier, but before she could hit him, Athrun grabbed hold of her. Naruto just brushed past them as Shinn was still in too much shock to do anything, but watch him leave.

Shinn could still clearly remember how his whole family was killed, including his baby sister, during the invasion of ORB, and now found out his Commander was the one who piloted the Gundam who helped destroyed ORB. Luna and Meyrin were no better off as they remembered what happened to Boaz as they had friends that were stationed there during the first war. Rey stood there calmly, but his eyes were narrowed with a calculating look in them as he now realized why the Chairman had recruited that man to ZAFT.

It was suffice to say that Naruto's stay on the Minerva was about to get much more complicated as it didn't take long before the whole crew knew his true identity.