A/N: Chapter 10. Sorry for the delayed update. Enjoy
Temporal Hokage improvised office:
"Roronoa Zoro, am I correct?"…Danzo said to Zoro who was currently standing across him.
"Yea, so what's the deal?"…Zoro said nonchalantly.
In a flash, that only trained eyes could've seen, Fu and Torune had gone and pointed one kunai each one at Zoro's neck, who had blocked them with his swords.
"Damn you, how dare you talk like that to lord Danzo"…Fu said warningly.
"Tch, lord or whatever, like I care"…Zoro said.
"You…"…"That's enough! It's alright, we just want to discuss some matters"…Danzo said motioning them to stop their attack. "Leave us alone for some minutes"
"But lord Danzo, he's dangerous"…Fu said.
"Are you disobeying me"…Danzo said raising his voice signaling that there would be no more place for opinions. Reluctantly, both were gone in a flash.
"This guy has a bad vibe to him, he's dangerous, better be careful, but I'll just see what he wants"…Zoro thought. "So, what did you want to talk with me about"…Zoro said.
"Well, we've been watching you for some time now and I've come to the conclusion that you're a great asset to this village and I wanted to ask you if you could accompany me"…Danzo said.
"Accompany you where?"…Zoro asked.
"You see, there's going to be a reunion of kages, and well, each and every one is going to take bodyguards"…Danzo said.
"Hmm, but…what are the kages?"…Zoro asked.
Danzo's eye twitched. "Is he stupid?"He thought. "By logic of course, it's the reunion of the…to put it in a way you understand, Hokages of other hidden villages"…Danzo said.
Now Zoro's eye twitched. "-A way that I understand- are you saying I'm stupid?"…Zoro asked a bit annoyed by his comment.
"Now, now. I didn't mean it that way. So back to the reason you're here, will you accept?"…Danzo said.
Zoro decided to stop the inquisitive part; if anything bad came he would just face it. "Sure as long as I can come back because I have some unfinished business here"…Zoro said.
"Splendid, we part in a five hours so be prepared"…Danzo said.
"Yea whatever, I'm good to go already"…Zoro said leaving the tent.
"Just don't get lost in the few hours that we're supposed to leave from now"…Danzo said.
Zoro stopped for a moment, dark-purple lines covering his eyes; but then left without saying anything.
"Fu, Torune. Come in"…Danzo called for his subordinates after Zoro was out of sight.
They both appeared immediately, bowing down to Danzo. "Yes, lord Danzo"…Asked Fu.
"You both heard about the 5 kages summit. You both are the strongest and most loyal in the root, so you'll accompany me together with Zoro. Usually they only let two guards accompany the kage, unless it's a special case, which is the case this time. After Pain's attack, the village was utterly destroyed so it's only natural to bring more protection"…Danzo said.
"With pleasure"…They both said.
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With Zoro:
"Hmm, hope there's more action than before"…Zoro thought while smiling wickedly.
"Zoro, here you are! I wanted to introduce you to Naruto, since you haven't really met formally"…Said Sakura while running towards him with Naruto being dragged from the neck.
Zoro raised an eyebrow. "Oh right, the name's Roronoa Zoro"…Zoro said.
"U-Uzumaki Naruto"…Naruto stuttered, recovering from Sakura's dragging.
"Y-yea, well, was nice to meet you"…Zoro said and started to leave.
"Wait a minute, where the hell do you think you're going?"…Sakura said, stopping Zoro before he went too far.
"…Somewhere"…Zoro said in a bothered tone.
"Look, we're going to have a meeting with everyone to have some quality time all together. We've finished repairing Ramen Ichiraku and we're going to have an opening celebration, and we'd like for you to come with us"…Sakura said.
"I don't know, I don't have much money left (he wasted it buying some sake), and besides, I'll be leaving in a few hours"…Zoro said scratching the back of his head.
"Don't worry about the money. But wait, you already know how to get back to your world?"…Sakura asked.
"No, I mean that, an old man named Danzo-I believe- asked me to accompany him to the kages summit or something like that"…Zoro explained.
"Danzo? He's a mysterious man and dangerous too, you shouldn't have accepted"…Sakura told him with a frown on her face.
"Don't worry, I already felt like he wasn't someone I could trust. So see ya later"…Zoro said turning to leave 'somewhere'.
"Hey, wait a second. At least come with us for a while, we'll invite you so, what do you say?"…Sakura said.
"*Sigh* Got nothing else to do. Sure why not"…Zoro said and after that they lead the way and he followed.
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"HAHAHAHAHA, REALLY? I CAN'T BELIEVE IT. YOUR CAPTAIN IS SUCH AN IDIOT!"…Naruto laughed/shouted.
"LIKE YOU'RE ANY DIFFERENT!"…Sakura hit him in the head.
Everyone was laughing of a story that Zoro was telling about their adventures. He had just told the story in Whiskey Peak, and how they both fought because Luffy thought that the people from the town were nice people and weren't bounty hunters.
"Yeah, he's always like that"…Zoro said with a bit of nostalgia in his voice. At first he didn't want to tell them about his crew, but Naruto had insisted.
They all exchanged stories that had happened to them, some funny ones and others sad ones. Everyone listened intently, even Zoro. Even though he didn't laugh like the rest, you could see that he was actually having a good time with them.
Two hours had passed and Zoro was telling the time when they were separated. Everyone listened carefully, almost even, holding their breath, afraid to interrupt the story and mess up the atmosphere that had formed. And with Zoro's deep voice, the tension of the story as it progressed, seemed to get thicker.
"After we finally defeated the cyborg, we sat down and rested a bit…but it didn't end there, two more people came, a man with a huge ax and another cyborg"…Zoro said in a scary voice.
They were all so in the story, even Zoro, that they failed to notice the crowd that had gathered around them, who didn't make a sound either. The story was finally getting to the climax, and when Zoro mentioned that the real Kuma appeared, a gasp was heard.
"The hell?"…Zoro said after being brought back to reality and seeing the entire crowd around. Everyone else noted it too.
"Ohh, c'mon man, don't stop, it's really interesting"…A man from within the crowd said.
"Why are you all here?!"…Zoro said. "I mean, how did you even know that I was telling one of me and my crew's adventures?"
"Oh, it's just that you were telling your adventures so happily that you were saying it enough loud for us to hear, and it looked like it was interesting so we came. I mean, you were so into your story that you didn't even notice us until now"…A woman said.
"Yea, she's right. So, on with the story"…Another man said, rushing Zoro to continue.
"It's supposed to be only for them"…Zoro said pointing at the rest of the guys that were with him.
"Awww c'mon, don't be a party pooper"…The voice of a kid was heard. Everyone else agreed.
A vein popped on Zoro's head. "Tch, whatever. Ok then, I'll continue the story"…Zoro said.
"YEAH!"…The crowd cheered.
"Crap, didn't expect it to be like this"
And so Zoro told them until he was blown away and how from there he didn't know what else happened to the crew, only a bit of Luffy, because of the newspaper. Everyone in the crowd applauded for the story. Some even had tears on their eyes.
After a few moments the crowd had dispersed and the only remaining were Zoro and the rest of the guys.
"But Zoro, what happened next? How did you get back with your crew?"…Ino asked.
"Oh yeah well. We spent two years training and after that we reunited at the same place we were blown away"…Zoro said with a smile on his face.
"Man, you've had it tough huh?"…Kiba said.
"Well, I can't say I regret anything…Oh yeah, I have to go"…Zoro said standing up.
"But, where?"…Ino asked.
"Uhm, some old man said I was going to escort him to the five kages summit or something like that, and since there might be some strong people there, who knows"…Zoro said with a wicked smile on his face.
"You know, you're not supposed to attack them"…Shikamaru said.
"Hey, I didn't say I was going to attack them"…Zoro defended himself.
"You're face said I all"…They all thought simultaneously.
"Well then, I'm leaving"…Zoro said turning around and heading for what he thought was the exit.
"You're going the wrong way, that's the bathroom!"…Kiba said mockingly.
Zoro stopped dead on his tracks realizing his mistake. "I-I already know that, I just wanted to use the bathroom before leaving"…Zoro lied, while a bead of sweat slid down his face.
"I'll help you get there!"…Ino said excitedly, which she then regretted and blushed a bit. "I mean, he'll probably get lost and never get there, ha…ha"…She laughed nervously. Zoro just grunted in annoyance.
"Yeah, you better. Who knows, he might end in another village, hahahaha"…Kiba said smugly looking at Zoro. Zoro snorted.
"Well then, let's go"…Zoro said impatiently, motioning Ino to the exit.
"Ok, bye then everyone!"…Ino waved her hand as they both walked out.
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They've been walking for some time now and were close to the outskirts of the "village", but Zoro soon noticed Crocodile sitting under a tree, thinking. He then remembered that they didn't finish their little chat concerning their world/dimension problem; and since he hadn't seen him since the end of the battle, he had already forgotten about that.
"Hey, wait a second here, I need to talk to him"…Zoro said and went towards Crocodile.
"Sure, I'll wait here"…Ino said.
When Zoro approached Crocodile, he stopped. Crocodile looked at him for a while, not knowing why he would be here, but remembered after a second. He motioned Zoro to sit a few feet in front of him. Zoro did so.
"So, what were you saying about Dragon sending us here?"…Zoro asked after a few seconds of just staring at each other.
"Dragon, as you know, is the leader of the Revolutionary Army; so of course he'd have someone smart with technologies or stuff like that. I don't know who the guy is, but I have my suspicions that Dr. Vegapunk is becau-…Back on the subject, with his storm-like powers, I think they are, he created this world/dimension-traveling device. He sent us here"…Crocodile explained.
"Hmmm, such things are possible?" "Well but, why?"…Zoro asked.
"He told me that he was going to send you and the rest of the crew, but unexpectedly, you were all separated. That thing takes a lot of power to be able to make a vortex. And to make one for each one would be really tough. He was going to wait until you were all gathered but there wasn't any time. He said that since you were already done with your opponent, he was going to send you alone. So he sent you with prep time so that you could acquaintance with the people of this village, and help them in this battle we just had"…Crocodile said, and sighed because all the explaining, which wasn't something he like to do much.
"Wait, wait, wait. How did he know this was going to happen?"…Zoro asked.
"I asked the same and he just said 'let's just say I have spies almost anywhere', which isn't hard to believe since he's been in the shadows and the navy never is even close to catching them"…Crocodile said.
"Well, that seems true. And when am I…we going back to our world?"…Zoro asked.
"I'm leaving once I explained this to you, but you, he said that you were going to have to help them out much more in something messier"…Crocodile said.
"WHAT? Why me, I mean, someone else could do it"…Zoro said kind of irritated.
"Don't worry, he said that he'd later send the rest of the crew, not sure when, nut he said he will"…Crocodile said.
"Tch, guess I'll have to look at the good side of this. Maybe there will be someone worth my time"…Zoro mumbled to himself.
"Sure you will, but don't underestimate them, some guys are really powerful here"…Crocodile said. "What the hell, why did I even told him that, for all I care he can die here"…Crocodile scolded himself mentally.
"Crap, he heard that" "Sure, don't worry"…Zoro said teasingly.
"I'm not worried"…Crocodile retorted quickly. "…Uh…Dragon told me to tell you that"
"What am I doing, I'm talking playfully with him like he's some sort of frien-no-acquaintance, yeah that's more like it. But still, he was an enemy…who helped Luffy once…ugh, this is giving me a headache"…Zoro scolded himself too.
There was an uncomfortable silence after that. Time passed, felt like hours to them, but they were really just seconds to them; but Zoro then had a question that just came up to his mind. "But why send you, I mean, they could send someone else. I don't think you would do this from your own accord"
"-Sigh- Well, as I told you earlier, I'm don't like being here more than you like me being here. So the kind of blackmailed me (Damn that Ivankov! Someday I'll kill her…or him)"…Crocodile said venomously.
"But why you, there's a lot of people around the world"…Zoro said.
"I don't know either"…Crocodile said.
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"So what did you talk about?"…Ino asked after Zoro came back.
"Of why I'm here and when I'll go back"…Zoro said.
"So you're leaving soon?"…She asked, though it made her feel a little sad, she didn't show it.
"No, I think I'll be staying here for another good amount of time"
"Really! I mean, is that ok with you?"…She was a bit relieved now.
"I'll be fine"…Zoro said.
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Outskirts of Konoha:
"Seems we're a bit early"…Zoro said.
"Yeah, but according to what you said, I think he might be coming soon"…Ino said. And just as said, a few yards away were Danzo and his two bodyguards.
"Well, guess I'll be leaving now"…Zoro said.
"Yeah. Just be careful please…and don't get lost on your way there"…She said.
"Tch, I don't get lost. Besides, I'm not a kid you know. I can take care of myself"
"I know, was just saying. But you do get lost"…Ino answered.
"I said: I don…Ok, ok, just leave like that"…Zoro didn't want to discuss right now. He was concentrating on Danzo and the other two, to be prepared in case they did anything funny. He didn't trust them.
When they got to where Zoro and Ino were, the stopped and looked only at Zoro.
"Let's get going, I don't want to be late"…Danzo said and started walking away, Fu and Torune just behind him.
"Bye"…Zoro said and started walking to catch up with the rest.
"Bye. Please be careful"…Ino said the last part to herself, but Zoro still heard her, but didn't anything.
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They've been walking for some hours; the environment had already changed to one of a snowy weather. Of course Danzo, Fu and Torune had coats to protect themselves from the cold weather; but Zoro, he just had his usual clothes, which did protect him a little from the cold, but not enough. He was in front of the rest (request from Danzo), and was trying to suppress his shivering; if a normal person saw him, it would look like he was alright, but for someone like the other three, trained ninjas, they could see his almost invisible shivering.
"I brought in extra coat. Since we didn't tell you it was going to be a place this cold, it's understandable that you didn't come prepared"…Fu said showing the other coat he had.
But the pride of Zoro got the best of him and refused to accept his help. "It's ok, I'm alright without a coat, so thanks but no tha- *shiver*"…Zoro was about to refuse but suddenly shivered. "Ugh, alright, alright"
"Here"…Fu said throwing the coat to Zoro.
Zoro grabbed the coat; but then he suddenly felt the presence of something coming his way. He dodged the coming shuriken with ease and looked at the place from where the shuriken came and the presence he felt. He placed one hand on the hilt of Sandai Kitetsu. Fu and Torune both got on guard too.
"They're about 50 ninjas surrounding us"…Zoro said straightening up and smirking.
"Hmm, I'll take care of them. I could use some warm up before going to the Kages Summit"…Danzo said.
"As you wish"…Fu and Torune said at the same time, bowing.
"I want to have some action too"…Zoro complained.
"No. Leave it to…"…Danzo was about to say when he saw that there were 50 more ninjas coming in aid of the other ones. "Well then, but let's end this fast so that we get there in time. Fu, Torune"
"Yosh"…Zoro said.
"Yes, Danzo-sama"…They both said at unison.
After that, everyone sprang to action and were dealing quite fast with the hundred ninjas. Only ten were left after two minutes; so after seeing that the rest, fled from the 'monsters' they said, leaving only snow dust behind them. But things were not going to be so easy on them, because while Danzo and his two most loyal ninjas let them go, Zoro ran after them without Danzo noticing of course.
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Zoro was dealing with the last ninja; he had him by the collar lifting him several inches from the ground.
"W-wait, wait please"…The last ninja said weakly and frightened. "I swear I won't attack you again, but please don't kill me"…He pleaded. He saw how Zoro had killed each and every one of the last ten ninjas, without remorse.
"Tch, to think that a weakling like you would want a fight against me"…Zoro said bored. "Just go already"…He said throwing him unceremoniously to the ground.
"T-t-thanks!"…The ninja whimpered. He struggled to get up, but we he did, he ran with all his might trying to get away from Zoro as soon as possible.
"Tch, how boring. Now, where the hell did those guys go to"…Zoro said looking around. "I can't believe it, even here the rest get lost"…Zoro sighed. "Guess they'll have to find the way on their own.
So Zoro began to walk in a random direction, going to where 'he' thought the Kages Summit is going to take place.
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"Where the hell did Roronoa go?"…Asked Danzo a bit frustrated because Zoro was nowhere to be seen.
"Sorry Danzo-sama, but I don't know where he went. Probably went after the ones who fled and got lost. After all, it's said that he has a terrible sense of direction"…Fu said.
"Damn it!"…Danzo seethed. "Now we'll have to take a little detour; better yet, you two go find him"
"We will do all we can to find him as fast as possible"…They both said and disappeared quickly.
"He'll be a good asset to my troops. All I need to do is 'convince' him"…Danzo thought darkly.
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Darui sighed. "What a bother, it's not like they had any chance to defeat us"…He said, killing a ninja.
"Well, that's their mission. They can't just disobey; but it's still bothersome"…'C' said.
The Raikage and co. were just about to finish killing every ANBU ninja that came against them when Zoro came walking out of the woods nonchalantly, he looked lost.
"Hey Karui, look someone's coming"…Omoi said.
"Hmp, another one. Let's take care of him both of us fast"…Karui said already preparing to attack him.
"But what if he's not a ninja, or if he's too powerful for us and kills us or…"… "Oh shut up, he doesn't seem like a ninja, he has normal chakra, but he has three swords. Maybe he'll attack the Raikage"…Karui said exasperated.
"Hmm, guess I can ask them for directions"…Zoro thought after noticing them.
Zoro was approaching them to ask for some directions, but he was soon attacked by Omoi and Karui. They both jumped at him ready with their swords. Karui slashed directly at Zoro's head, but at the same time Omoi was slashing from behind Zoro at his mid-section. They both thought that he was finished, but Zoro in a quick move had already drawn out two of his swords and blocking them.
"What the hell!"…Karui said.
Zoro not letting them completely fall put his two drawn swords in front of him. "Sai Kuru!"…He said spinning fast and creating a small tornado which caught both ninjas unprepared and sent them flying. But before he could relax, the Raikage was already punching him in the head with his body coated in his lightning release chakra mode. That punch sent Zoro crashing through dozens and dozens of trees; only dust was left behind and several pieces of wood and splinters.
C and Darui went to pick up Omoi and Karui who were unconsciously lying on the cold snowy ground.
"Whoa, didn't expect him to be that…strong or skillful. Thankfully they're not injured badly, they're just knocked out"…'C' said.
"Well, he's dead now"…'A' said. "But somehow, even though I hit him square in his head, it wasn't blown away"
"Ugh! Even though I hardened my head with haki, it still hurt like hell"…Zoro said standing from the last tree that was destroyed by his body. "But I'm glad, someone as strong as him surely is going to be more entertaining than what I've had until now"…Zoro then started to walk back to them following the path of destruction that was left in his path.
"Let's go"…'A' said turning around and walking away.
Both Darui and 'C' nodded and each grabbed one ninja and started to walk away.
"Wait a minute!"…Zoro said gaining their attention. "Don't think that that's going to be enough to get rid of me"…Blood was trickling down his forehead all the way down to his face. He licked some of it. "Let's do this"
Everyone turned around wide-eyed, surprised to see Zoro standing after receiving a direct hit from the Raikage. "What the hell are you"…'C' said. "You should be dead"
Zoro smirked at that. "Guess you shouldn't have underestimated me"…He said while unsheathing his three swords. He put one in his mouth and the other two were one in each hand. He slightly bent his knees, and put his put his two hand swords over his mouth one. "Ul- Tora Gari!"…He said swinging his two hand swords down.
The Raikage once again had went for a hit, but Zoro had already anticipated it so all he could do was block the blades with his lightning coat and his bracelets. The result of the attack's block was a huge shockwave that even made 'C' and Darui fall from their feet. The ground under the Raikage even transformed into a big crater by the force that Zoro put to this attack.
"The hell's this brat, his strength is ridiculous"…'A' thought while struggling to stop the advancement of Zoro's swords.
Zoro was slowly pushing down the Raikage. The ground under his feet was cracking more and more, but before Zoro could completely push him down, the Raikage jumped back with his super speed creating some distance between them.
"Who are you? Who sent you? And why the hell are you attacking us!"…'A' said with rage.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Just wait a minute. I'm only attacking because you guys attacked me first…Oh and by the way, I'm here on my own accord"…Zoro said defending himself.
'A' snorted. "Yeah right, you're to try and kill me aren't you? First my brother and now me"
"No. I just wan-"…But Zoro didn't get the chance to explain himself since the Raikage had already pumped himself with more energy than before. "You're going to regret coming after me Akatsuki!"…The Raikage shouted before attacking Zoro once again.
"Did he just power up!"…Zoro thought while barely managing to black the Raikage's attack. They were trading blows; each one sent more and more big shockwaves that made the ground tremble, while 'C' and Darui were just managing to remain standing. They even had to leave on the ground the two unconscious ninjas.
After some time where Zoro and 'A' were trading blows, they broke apart. They were a few meters apart. The landscape was totally wrecked, some big rock ended on the trees that surrounded them.
"Although I'm having a great time, I need to go where I was supposed to"…Zoro thought somewhat disappointed. Zoro sheathed his three swords and placed one at the other side of his hip. "Nitoryu Iai…"…He bent a little bit his knees. "Rashomon!"…He said disappearing from the Raikage's sight and appearing behind him. An X-shaped cut appeared on the Raikage's chest. Blood started to ooze blood from them.
Everyone was surprised by Zoro's speed, but not just them, even Zoro was surprised because the Raikage was still standing and the wounds weren't enough deep to make him loose lots of blood.
"You bastard!"…'A' said attacking once again. They both locked arms and swords respectively. They were in a standstill both looking intently at each other; while the Raikage's face was contorted by his rage while Zoro was smiling after recovering from his shock. "Look old man. I just wanted to ask for directions, that's all"…Zoro said trying to reason with the Raikage.
"I'm no fool you know. Akatsuki has my brother, and you came to finish me off I guess"…The Raikage said. "No. In first place, I don't know who the hell that guy is named Ataksuki…" "You're not going to deceive me"…The Raikage said. "….And in second place. I was just going to the Kage's summit accompanying the Hokage or something like that"...Zoro said. "So you came from Konoha? Yeah right. You don't even have the headband with Konoha's symbol"…The Raikage kept trying to push Zoro more.
Meanwhile, Fu and Torune got to where this battle had occurred. Fu had sensed the Raikage's chakra and followed it. When they got close to where he was, they could hear the battle and hurried to see what was happening. When they got to the battlefield, they saw Zoro and the Raikage in a deadlocked stance.
"Roronoa! What are you doing?"…Torune said running quickly to where Zoro and the Raikage were. But before they could get closer, they were stopped by 'C' and Darui. "What are you doing? You don't think we let you go to the Raikage that easy, do you"…Darui said.
"We are just here to get Zoro. The Hokage is waiting for him"…Fu said.
Zoro jumped back to make some distance between him and the Raikage. "See. I told you I just wanted ask for directions"…He said.
"Sir, if you'd let me explain to you, we'll clear your doubts"…Torune said. The Raikage looked at him, he still didn't trust Zoro but he relented. He put out his chakra flow and walked towards Fu and Torune, Zoro just behind him.
They finished explaining all the questions that the Raikage had, except the ones of where he came because that was top secret, they just answered that he had been hidden until now. Zoro of course was left out of the conversation to avoid further 'complications'.
When they finally convinced the Raikage, they started to walk away from where they were towards the place where the summit was going to happen and where Danzo was waiting for them.
"Here, you forgot the coat I gave you"…Fu said handing him the coat. Zoro grabbed it, he really wasn't cold after the fight he had with the Raikage, that was enough warm-up, but he knew that later he was going to start feeling the cold so he put it on.
When they were finally close to the Land of Iron, they encountered Danzo who was patiently waiting for them.
"I'm sorry for the delay, we had a tough time finding him"…Both Torune and Fu bowed.
"It's alright, we are still in time; let's just keep an eye on him so he doesn't get lost again"…Danzo said.
"Hey, I didn't get lost, it was you guys!"…Zoro protested, but they ignored him and walked towards the Three Wolves Mountains for the meeting.
A/N: Sorry if there are any grammar errors or something of the kind. But hope you liked it.