A/N: WOW! Over ONE THOUSAND & SIX HUNDRED AND EIGHTY REVIEWS as of last chapter! Thank you so much for all of your support and I'm sorry for dissapearing on ya'll like I've done! I never thought that this story would become the sensation that it is for you guys and gals and myself! ALSO...MERRY SUMMER! What's left of it! I know this chapter was late in coming out, but I had a lot of work to do, and I needed to let the manga get ahead of me somewhat! Now that it has, I am finally free to continue! I'm proud to say that things heat up this chapter, as we finally start to bring a close to the Fishman arc, then onto the juicy bits with the others!

But I digress. Pretty soon, PLENTY will have their turn with him, eventually. Keep in mind that Naruto KNOWS Robin, and she knows him, and as such, she's bound have a bit of an advantage over the others wenches AT FIRST. Poor Sanji. He's going to be so very very jealous when he learns of Burning Will's popularity with the ladies XD I also added some much needed humor in this chappy short thought it might be. I'm terribly sorry for being gone so long and not updating in FOREVER but with this chapter, and another slew of updates, I plan to ammend that!

Now, I know all of you are eager to see the Strawhats arrive at Fishman Island, and to see everyone's reaction once they learn that Burning Will is in town. I promise you, it won't be a disappointment. You'll soon see just what kind of elegant, flowing tapestry I'm weaving for you here. Now, in lieu of further chit-chat, I present to you, the fruits of my labor! And...long last, another moment you have all been waiting for, taking place in this chapter...some very much needed romance!

Sorry if its short! But consider this story officially restarted! We're covering a lot of ground here! And yes, I KNOW about the Dressrosa debacle. Trust me, I have a plan..and we're wrapping up the Fishman arc with this chapter here, folks! Onto punk hazard and all the insanity that comes with it! And fair warning...

...someone takes a beating here...and a few liberties have been taken in regards to devil fruits, so please be nice!

"I absolutely cannot...will not...LOSE TO YOU!"

~Burning Will.

Heavyweight

'Water. It had to be water...

Naruto hated water.

It wasn't just that he couldn't swim, although it was almost certainly a factor playing in his defeat. Water, was simply the polar opposite of his element. Fire simply did not tolerate it. He'd never liked it to begin with, far less so since eating the Mera Mera no mi. Indeed he despised the idea of getting wet, even when it came to something as platonic as a simple shower. It was rather ironic, given the fact that he'd chosen to make his life one on the high seas.

"You can't do anything!"

But to lose that power? To have it reduced to a mere tenth?

"You're completely at my mercy!"

To then be forced to fight an enemy who not only regenerated, but owned the home turf?

"Ace's successor? Ha! Don't make me laugh!"

Unpleasant didn't even begin to describe the situation. Much less with his opponent actively mocking him. Everything he stood for, everything he was, all of it was being made light of, and he couldn't do anything to stop Kisame; nothing to silence him; merely opening his mouth would result in a slow, agonizing watery death.

Another agonizing rent tore across his chest as he parried Samehada, his Black Blade trembling violently in hand as the barbed blade slipped through his guard to find flesh. Red bloodied the waters around him, more of his life slipping away as he stood there. And still Burning Will weathered the storm. Weakened as he was, it took everything he had just to move.

Just to stay alive.

"What's wrong?!" Kisame cackled, drifting to halt only inches away. Words bubbled through the water, distorted and warped. "You were talking all that good shit a few minutes ago! C'mon!" Naruto's entire body gave an epileptic shudder as the agile fishman rained blows down upon him with each word. WHERE'S ALL THAT PRIDE?! WHAT HAPPENED TO THE STRENGTH THAT BEAT TWO ADMIRALS, EH?! I KNOW YOU CAN MOVE! I WANT TO SEE IT! SHOW ME YOUR POWER!"

"Gack!"

Breath burst from Naruto's lungs in a streamy foam of air as a blue fist found his stomach, but like a stubborn mule, he held on. Kisame grunted, unamused.

"Really, you're starting to bore...hmm?" His smile trailed down into a frown as a haki-hardened hand latched onto-around-his wrist with surprising strength, scalding the limb. The blond glowered back at him, refusing to let go, refusing to relinquish his hold. Angry blue eyes leered back at him, his sword arcing up to strike-

Slowed by the water, it was almost pitifully easy to dodge.

Kisame simply scoffed and struck him in the stomach again; launching his stubborn adversary away with a contemptuous kick, smashing him through yet another ruined wall.

"You'll have to do better than that!"

Twitching, Naruto struggled to move, his body fighting him for every inch. It was true he'd found a way to resist water, but resisting wasn't the same as overcoming. He was still greatly weakened, and, coupled with the lack of oxygen, he could feel himself slipping away.

'Kill him. Kill him. I swear to God, I am going to KILL him for this...'

Now, as he slowly suffocated in the palace, barely able to move as water flooded the room, Uzumaki Naruto felt a seed of anxiety begin to grow in his chest. He was wholly out-classed in this environment. He knew Zoro was suffering a similar plight, but was powerless to help him. He never even saw the swordsman cut down Hody Jones. Never heard Nami shout for him as Kisame swatted him down into the drink again.

"Naruto!"

All he could do was fight.

And exactly how long had he been fighting now, anyway? Hours? Days? Weeks? Months, even, perhaps? Time no longer held any meaning for him; even if it had he'd have failed to recognize it. Minutes bled together as he weathered attack after attack after attack helpless to do anything other than defend. Everything hurt, everything ached, his body bled from so many wounds, dying from a thousand cuts. Sheer willpower kept him on his feet, his incredible lung capacity enabled him to cling to the cliff of life despite countless blows otherwise.

But Kisame just kept coming.

'I'm not...I'm not going out like this!'

Naruto was dying.

Nami didn't need an ability to know this. The blood in the water told her all she needed to know, the rising flood waters and the thrashing bodies within couldn't be more apparent. Every fiber of her being told her to flee with Camie but she hadn't; instead she'd stood here, transfixed, watching. So here she stood, perched upon the last piece of dry land in the palace, watching those waters rise.

Watching him die.

She couldn't understand what was taking Zoro so long to help him or even if he could; had he finally run out of air? Had he been captured didn't understand why Naruto's honor was more important than his life. What point was there in having pride if it got you killed? Yet no matter how hard Kisame battered him, she still saw the blond move. Her eyes traced back to the crater in the floor. He had fought for her, defended her, done what so few would do.

Now he would die for it.

"Moh," her hands scrabbled furiously against her head, "This is ridiculous! I told him to fight, not die! WHAT THE HELL IS HE THINKING FIGHTING DOWN THERE~?!"

"Avenging you, that's what."

In all the chaos she'd nearly forgotten about her.

"Bellmere?!"

The Wil-o-Wisp created by Kisame was still present after its creation and now, the ghost of Bellmere was glaring intently at her daughter. In that instant, she didn't care whether the apparition was the genuine article or not; that look was so entirely her that Nami felt herself stiffen.

"If you care about him that much, get down there and do something, already!"

"But I...I can't do anything in a fight like this!" Tears glimmered in her eyes as she beheld the woman who'd raised her. "I'll be killed!"

"No buts! I didn't raise a coward!"

"I...

Nami's hands stabbed into her pockets in indecision, fretting.

Wait.

Frowning, she retrieved the item in question and recognized for what it was; she still had that piece of bubbly coral that Camie had given her! She'd completely forgotten about it in the chaos of the palace being invaded but now, Nami clutched at it like a lifeline.

"What're you waiting for?! Hop to it!"

Glancing back at the water, the navigator could only gulp. Her mind instinctively rebelled against the plan taking shape in her. Nope! Nope nope nope! There was no way she could compete with those monsters! Fighting a beast like Kisame was out of the question! But if she didn't do something, Naruto would...would...would...!

"Oh, you better appreciate this, Naruto~!"

Steeling herself, she dove headfirst into the water.

The ghost of Bellmere observed this selfless act with a small smile.

"That's my girl. I'm glad I got to see you, one last time."

She vanished moments later.

Burning Will knew he was knocking at death's door.

With every fiber of his being he struggled to hang on, but it was like trying to swim upstream with both arms tied behind your back. Every second sapped his strength further; he could see black spots straining against the corners of his vision, darkness encroaching on his sight. Just a little breath, his body begged. Just a little air. Opening his mouth was suicide and he knew that, but his lungs were screaming...!

It wouldn't be long now.

Not long at all.

Still, this was almost exciting, in its own way. Never in all of his years had he expected to find a warrior of this caliber. Trapped in a dome of crushing, watery pressure; air running out, powers reduced to a mere flicker of their former selves-and all that awaited him outside was the cold depths of the ocean's embrace. Given the circumstances, he might've actually enjoyed himself.

'Nope. Not enjoying this. At all.'

His only solace lay in the fact that Kisame seemed to be toying with him; had he tried to finish him off from the get-go, he wouldn't even have the chance to regret his actions now. Now, flat on his back legs pinned by a heavy piece of coral, he could only wait for the mistress of demise to take him. Kisame was bound to find him sooner or later under this rubble...oh. Speak of the devil!

"There you are. Kisame chuckled as he materialized within the gloom, hoisting Samehada high. "I think you've earned this much. I'll finish you off...with my best technique." Before his very eyes the strange blade began an even stranger transformation, wrapping itself around its master, spiky tongues of metal obscuring the fishman from sight.

Well, at least he's only focused on me...

Then, as though summoned by that very thought, a shape resolved itself in the murky blackness. Naruto tensed, resolving himself to meet death with a smile as the last of his oxygen left him. Determined to meet death without flinching. He wasn't expecting a hand to touch his cheek. Not the rough shark skin of Kisame or Samehada, it was instead a woman's touch that roused him.

'What?'

Baffled, he barely managed to raise his head. A halo of orange hair wafted before his vision in the water, bright eyes staring back at him.

Nami?

What was she doing here? He tried to wave her away but she swam closer still. Her hands pushed desperately at the corral pinning his legs, a determined expression set in her eyes. When that failed, she turned back to him. Now what was she planning? He shook his head rapidly, cheeks bulging, and tried to push her away. She had to get out of here! Quickly, before Kisame...

Oh.

That was all Naruto had time for before Nami grabbed his face between her hands and forcefully welded her mouth to his. Blue eyes bulged, and he inhaled without thinking. It was pure bliss. Great gulps of heavenly air rushed back into his shriveled lungs, life-giving oxygen flooding his chest in a heady rush. Desire took over, sinking its claws deep into him. Strong arms locked around her and held tight, drawing a small moan from the strawberry blond as his tongue found hers.

Nami was of two minds on the whole matter; equal parts torn between shock and another, stranger, emotion she couldn't quite quantify. Her first instinct had been to give Naruto some much-needed air before passing off the coral to him, but now...she couldn't find it in her to let go. By the time Naruto finally did, her face was steaming. Oh, there would be words about this, later!

Air.

Strength came roaring back and Naruto bucked, knocking the beam off his legs with an ease that seemed almost primitive. Her hands slapped at his frantically, pushing a small piece of coral into them. Pushing a button. Bubbly coral? He blinked, marveling as a small bubble enveloped him. Where had she gotten that thing?

Strength.

That was his next thought as his stamina came rushing back in a great wave, washing away his weakness. He could move again! A hand reached down, reclaiming the Black Blade from the ocean floor. The bubbly coral was swiftly passed back to Nami, creating another coating for the navigator, allowing her to breath in the murky waters.

A moment of awkward silence passed between the two of them.

"Nami, I...

She spun away, flushing from head to toe.

"Don't die, idiot."

"Aaaaaw you do like me!"

"Do not!"

"Do too~!"

A jet of pressurized water shot past them in the deep, putting an end to their argument.

"Aren't we forgetting something?"

"Oh, right. You...you...oh, fuck me."

When next Naruto turned his head, he was looking at a monster.

Kisame and Samehada were no longer separate; both man and blade had merged, becoming some twisted amalgamation of a shark. It was...quite terrifying, really. He was facing a legendary monster of the deep, with the environment against him, and only his skill and wit standing between him and certain doom. Yes, this was the penultimate challenge, the second most dangerous entity he'd ever faced in all his carreer, and yet, for all his fear, he couldn't help but grin like a complete loon.

Because now, now the odds were in his favor. He could fight. He could win. For all that Kisame had done, all the attrocities he'd committed...

"You're going to die." the worlds were cold and black, colder than the deepest waters of the abyss. The deadly Black Blade leveled itself at the Monster of the Sea, gleaming a menacingly blue in the dim light. "Its a real shame; I've enjoyed fighting with you, but I can't forgive what you tried to do to Nami."

"We're pirates, kid. We do whatever we can to win." the fishman scoffed.

"Not me. I have a code."

"Whatever you say," Kisame grinned, the shark's words warping within the realm of wetness. "Anyway, looks like you've got your second wind. Why don't we finish this, Burning Will?"

"Gladly. Nami!"

Once more, the navigator stiffened at the bite in his voice. "H-Hai!"

"Get out of here."

She looked at him like he'd grown an extra head. "Are you nuts?! You're hurt! You'll d-

Red eyes rounded on her, glaring bloody red daggers.

"Get out of here while I can still control myself!"

She got.

Kisame barely gave her a glance. "Sending her away, eh? Smart. She'd just be in the way."

"..." Naruto didn't answer, he simply beckoned withing the coating.

"You're finished!"

With a cackle, the legendary Monster of the Sea raced forward, howling to end it-

-and found himself facing a pair of clenched fists.

'Wait,' he paused, drawing back. 'Isn't that-

Blue eyes snapped up, narrowed to angry slits. "In the words of an old friend of mine...prepare your anus."

Kisame went white.

"Rokuogan!"

A wave of sonic force erupted from the blond's clenched knuckles, snarling upwards into the fishman's unprotected chest and flinging him away as though he'd been smacked by the hand of an angry god. Weakened by being beneath the water, the deadly technique didn't so much pierce as it did push his blue foe, but that brief moment of respite was all that it took for him to recover.

Enough for Naruto to end it.

"You may be right, ya know." he stood slowly withing the coating, woodenly, not taking enough care. "Maybe I don't deserve to be in Luffy's crew; my presence is like a magnet to crazy monsters like you." a hand rose, stubbornly scrubbing a bloody line away from his face. "Maybe I should've struck out on my own from the beginning. I could have done a lot of things. A ton. But, they're my friends, no, they're my family, and for their sake, for my sake, for Nami's sake...

...I WILL NOT LOSE TO YOU!"

"You don't have a choice!"

Once more Naruto met him head on, the edge of Kokushibyo arcing up with a whispering hiss.

For the first time since their battled had begun, Kisame bled. More than that he realized, staring down at the truncated stump of his right arm; the limp severed coldly just below the elbow. There was no pain he realized distantly as he stared at the ragged cut, his body was simply going into shock. And in that shock Naruto flashed into existence behind him, and the deadly Black Death Blade tasted fishman blood once more.

Clutching at the bloody rent in his back, the fishman could only glower. "Yes! That's more like it! This is it! The fight I've always wanted!"

Naruto merely snarled.

"Give me back...my flames!"

With every fiber of his being he took what little remained of his power and focused. He could do this. He would do this. C'mon, focus! FOCUS! A bubble snaked between his clenched teeth. Blood vessels burst in his eyes, the white of his sclera staining themselves scarlet as he called forth every inch of his reduced flames.

Fire was life.

Fire was eternal.

It could be weakened, even slowed, but never truly stopped.

All around him, the water began to bubble. Not with flames, but heat; raw primal energy heating the deadly dome around them. The power was still his, it was simply trapped, held elsewhere. Sealed away inside Kisame where the fishman couldn't use it. Naruto just had to call it out. Remind it who was its master. He roared, and all the world roared with him. So did the fire. Temperatures skyrocketed, the once cool water becoming now warm, them warmer, bubbling, boiling...!

Kisame balked, hissing in discomfort.

"What-stop!" he streaked forward through the boiling water, lashing out with a fin. "I said stop! What the hell're you doing?!"

Naruto only pulled harder, the temperature spiking to inhuman degrees. "ITS OVER!"

With a final howl, the watery dome collapsed with a loud splat, shriveling up into harmless steam.

Deprived of his natural advantage Kisame fell, and in the same instant Naruto hand closed around his throat, fingers wrapping-squeezing with a vengeance. There was a moment of dreadful, dead silence as the fishman processed this, the terrible mistake, realizing exactly what was about to happen. He tried to struggle, and found himself impaled for his efforts. That black blade pierced his stomach as effortlessly as one would cut open a waterlogged corpse, erupting out his back in a shower of bloody entrails.

I have blundered.

That was his last thought before Kokushibyo found his head.

It was a swift death, all things considered. He barely even felt the pain, grinning toothily as the rest of his body tumbled away, the headless corpse striking the palace floor with a wet smack.

"Well, shit...you're just too much for me...

Burning Will glanced at the corpse and sent it ablaze, wheezing softly. Pain flickered to life in his chest.

'Ace, I hope I'm living up to your legacy. I really do. But I'm so...so tired...I need to rest...

Naruto stood there a moment, swaying on his feet, smiling as the full of his being-his power-flooded back into him. Unfortunately, his body chose that very moment to finally give; knees buckling beneath him like a wet bag of sticks. His forehead kissed the ground with a dull thud, all the world spinning around him like a merry kaleidoscope. Distantly, he thought he saw Nami's legs running toward him. A gusty breath burst out of him with a dry croak of his lips.

"Baka, why did you have to overdo it again...?!"

"Fwaaaaaah!" he slurred, yawning. "No more! I'm exhausted! Gonna sleep... fr'now, wake me when t's over...

He slept for a very long time.

A/N: Before anyone asks, yes, Naruto does have an illness that manifest when he over exerts himself. He's deadly, but in a prolonged fight, he ain't the best.

And there we go! Been awhile, hasn't it folks? As I said, I've been on a massive updating spree! I'm sure many of you might be wondering what I plan to do with the Donflamingo arc coming soon in this story, as well as the matter of the contest and Sabo himself. But fear not! I have plans! I can promise you this, though, the Punk Hazard is going to be veeeeeery amusing. Can you say body-swapped Robin and Naruto, anyone? Bwahahahaha!

So...In the Immortal Words of Atlas..

...Review...Would Ya Kindly? Hope it makes ya smile!

(Preview)

Naruto blinked, slowly.

He stared down at a slim pair of hands-his hands-and yet not. These were certainly not his arms. His arms were all muscle and tattoo, skin kissed by years under the harsh, beating rays of the sun. By comparison, these arms looked as though they hadn't seen a good tan in over two years. Turning them end over end, trying -and failing spectacularly- to understand what was going on here. The last thing he remembered was hauling ass away from Law and Smoker.

Now this.

He looked down...

And found himself staring at a sizeable chest. A trembling finger reached down, poking the breasts; and he nearly jumped out of his skin at the response.

Definitely not his!

"Ah, hell." Somewhere in his brain, the wires finally crossed.

"Oh." Robin's voice answered him.

Naruto turned...

...and realized he was looking at himself.

"Well, this is all kinds of don't want."

R&R! =D