I make no money off of this work of fiction. One Piece is the work of Oda Eiichiro and Naruto is the work of Masashi Kishimoto.

Ninja Pirates

Chapter Thirteen: New Orders

Merissa blinked at the two women in the room. The two had just finished telling her what Luffy had meant as the group was leaving. With Robin commenting on how Rae was 'their kunoichi' he had immediately agreed. This meant that Luffy had decided on one of two things. The first is the most obvious, he decided that Reecheru was now a part of the crew. The second option would be that he considered both of the women part of the crew. Nami and Robin both agreed that that second option was the more likely of the two.

Merissa continued to stare at them in shock. Neither one paid much attention to her as they continued to sift through the clothes they had. They were looking for something she could wear on her mission with Law's group when they exchanged Clown. Merissa's eyes shifted to the door. She was wondering if she would be able to make a get away, grab Reecheru, meet their contact and get out of this place before the crew noticed they were missing.

"That isn't the best choice," Robin's voice startled Merissa. Merissa turned back to see Robin staring at her. "If you're thinking of trying to get away I should warn you about our captain. He's very determined when it comes to getting crew members. From what I understand, he basically blackmailed Zoro into joining, announced Nami was the navigator from the start without so much as thinking she would disagree, welcomed Usopp right away, pestered Sanji into joining despite the number of refusals he gave and chased Chopper around a castle. When I joined the crew I was still considered an enemy by all except Luffy. He welcomed me without much thought or taking the opinion of the others into consideration. To get Franky to join he held his only pair of underwear hostage which caused Franky to flash all of Water 7. He asked Brooke to join based off of the fact that he's a living skeleton. He didn't much care if Brooke had anything else to offer the crew. As it turned out he had lots to offer and is now an integral part. When Law offered the alliance he didn't have any hesitation even after he was warned that he could be betrayed by the other captain. I wouldn't be surprised that he considers you to be Nakama already."

"Life just doesn't work that way," Merissa argued. "Reecheru and I already have prior commitments that we can't abandon. Your captain is going to have to be disappointed when it's time for us to leave."

"We'll just have to wait and see," Nami smiled. She was holding up a t-shirt with a puppy on it that showed a bit of a mid-drift.

"What the hell is that?" Merissa asked.

"This is your disguise," Nami explained.

"I don't think so," Merissa crossed her arms. "The style of the shirt I have no problem with, but I refuse to look like a child obsessed with puppies."

Nami let out a huff of air as she blew at her bangs. Merissa wasn't stopping her completely from finding her a disguise, but she had wanted to see what this shirt would look like on her. Nami turned around and continued in her search. Robin smiled as she watched the interaction between the two of them.

Reecheru glanced up at the man that she was walking next to. Zoro was looking straight ahead, making sure to follow Luffy and the others. Reecheru was blushing as she noted that Zoro's hand had not moved from it's spot on her waist when Nami put it there. "You don't have to hold me so close anymore," she muttered. "I'm sure that it can't be easy for you to be forced into a situation like this."

"What kind of situation do you mean?" Zoro asked. He looked down at Reecheru, but he did not move his hand.

"You're being forced to act like my boyfriend," Reecheru reminded. "A lone wolf like yourself can't be very pleased with that kind of situation."

"How much of a lone wolf do you think I am?" Zoro returned his attention to the front. "I don't recall telling you that I do things alone."

"It's in your personality," Reecheru pointed out. "Your aura just screams out that you prefer to be alone."

"You're only partially right about that," Zoro smirked. "As far as facing my enemy, yes, I prefer to face my battles alone. The same can be said about Luffy and the Love-cook. We prefer to fight on our own. It's what we fight for that makes the difference. I fight to achieve both my own goals and Luffy's. I also fight to protect the members of the crew that are weaker. When the occasion calls for it then we all fight together if necessary."

"Okay, you're not a complete lone wolf." Reecheru took back what she said a moment ago. "That still doesn't mean that you have to hold me so close."

Zoro looked over his shoulder pointedly. Reecheru followed his gaze and noticed both Sanji and Kin'emon walking behind them. Kin'emon seemed to be normal, altough after Reecheru watched him for a moment he seemed to be stiff and moving forward forcefully. Sanji just seemed like a hot, rolling fire of rage. He glared at Zoro as if he could set the swordsman on fire just by staring. Zoro looked back down to Reecheru's face. "Yes I do," he faced forward again. This time he pulled Reecheru to walk a little closer to him once again. Rae's ears burned with all of the cursing that suddenly came out of Sanji's mouth. A smirk was all that showed Zoro had even heard him.

Reecheru shook her head at their antics. It was obvious that Sanji wanted to do bodily harm to Zoro. At the same time he was restraining himself because of her close proximity. Zoro was only holding her close, in her opinion, to illicit a reaction. So far it was working. Reecheru returned her attention ahead where Luffy and Franky were leading them. The two in the lead seemed to be oblivious to the inner squabbling's of the crew behind.

Merissa blinked at the outfit held out to her. "Just no," she shook her head. "I compliment the colors and the coordination on a whole. I will not be wearing that though. There's not much to it, especially if there's a fight. What kind of protection does it even offer and where can I hide my weapons."

"You currently don't have any weapons," Robin helpfully pointed out. "Not to mention you've already refused to wear everything else that you've been shown."

"You have two choices at this point," Nami declared. "Wear this outfit or I'm forcing the dog shirt on you."

"Now you're just being cruel," Merissa narrowed her eyes.

"I guess it's the dog," Nami started forward.

"It's neither," Merissa announced. "I can just wear what I have on."

"You're current outfit screams that you're up to no good," Robin said. "Black and dark green, while they do look good in that particular style, are not colors associated with tourists."

"How about this," Nami put the dog shirt back down. "You'll wear this final outfit or I'll charge you travel expenses. Also, I'll charge Reecheru double and tell her why."

"ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME!?" Merissa yelled. She snatched the outfit that Nami held out to her helpfully. "You know what you are? You're an extortionist."

"Whatever works," Nami shrugged uncaringly. She and Robin left the room to give Merissa some privacy as she changed. Though Nami did give her a glare before leaving that just screamed Merissa would regret it if she tried to wear anything else.

Reecheru blinked as the floor in the restaurant/casino gave way. The crooked men in charge all fell down to what seemed like a bottomless chasm. "You're pretty strong old man," Luffy was saying. "What's your name?"

The blind man let out a raspy chuckle. "I think for both our sakes it's better if I don't tell you that," he said. The man then left the restaurant without another word.

"That was bracing," Reecheru commented. As she turned to see if anyone was ready to leave she heard Zoro give a shout. She looked at him to see what the trouble was. He was looking all around himself and the table. "What's the matter?" she asked.

"One of my swords was stolen," he announced. Right after that announcement other patrons in the restaurant were claiming that they had various things taken from them as well. One helpfull living toy suggested that it was the work of fairies. The citizens of Dressrosa then brushed it off, all believing that there was nothing they could do to get their stuff back. "You've got to be shitting me!" Zoro's anger continued to rise the longer his sword was missing. "Things don't just disappear and fairies don't exist."

"Maybe if you paid more attention you wouldn't have lost it," Sanji goaded.

"Talk about poking a viper's nest," Reecheru muttered.

Zoro was about to snap in retaliation when a clattering noise drew his attention to a nearby window. A bag that seemed overloaded with stuff was trying to get through. The only reason it wasn't was because Zoro's sword was not only preventing a quick escape it was also the cause of the clattering. "THERE YOU ARE!" Zoro exclaimed. "DON'T EVEN THINK OF TRYING TO GET AWAY!"

The bag paused, Reecheru could swear the thing was sweating in fear, and then started trying to get out of the window again only more frantic this time. Zoro was on top of it quickly with his hand extended for his sword. Just before he could reach it the bag made it out of the window and starting rushing down the street. Zoro jumped out of the same window and gave chase. Sanji yelled after him, not wanting the man to get lost. He quickly told the others that he would meet back up with them once he tracked the swordsman down.

Kin'emon took that moment to announce he was going off on his own as well. He needed to find his friend and all this waiting around was just wasting his time. Without waiting for any of the others to acknowledge him, he ran out of the building as well.

"I'll take that as my cue to leave as well," Reecheru stated. "It's almost time for me to meet with my contacts anyway." She turned to Luffy and gave a bow. "Thankyou for giving Merissa and I a ride here." She straightened her posture and looked Luffy in the eye. The captain of the Straw Hat Pirates was giving her a confused look. "If we should happen to meet again I'll be sure to repay the favor."

"What are you talking about?" Luffy asked. "Of course we're going to meet again."

"I like your optimism," Reecheru smiled. "In that case, I'll see you all later."

Luffy let a huge gring spread across his face. "You can count on it," he said.

Reecheru left the restaurant as well, never noticing that Franky was restraining himself from laughing out loud. "I can hardly wait," he said. "It'll be SUPER entertaining when we get back to the ship."

"What are you talking about Franky?" Luffy asked.

"I mean, Reecheru is SUPER clueless about you making her and Merissa a part of the crew."

"WHAT!?" Luffy's mouth dropped so low it nearly hit the floor. "How could they not know that they're a part of our crew now?"

"Perhaps it's because you've never really told them," Franky pointed out. "Plus, I'm sure their SUPER-iors would have something to say about them becoming pirates."

Luffy looked thoughtful for a moment and then grinned. "We'll make sure that they know when it's time to leave," he announced. "Then they can always fire their superiors later."

"That's not really how it works," Franky said with a shrug. "But you're not too far off. Like I said, this will be SUPER entertaining."

It didn't take Reecheru too long to reach the rendezvous point. Being a ninja definitely had it's perks. Of course, Koala and Sabo were already waiting for her. Koala handed her a bag that was filled to the brim with sealing scrolls of various uses. "We also have a few messages for you and Merissa," Koala stated. She looked behind Reecheru and back pointedly.

"She's been detained for a little while," Reecheru said. "We'll be meeting back up before the end of the day."

"That's a good thing," Sabo nodded. "But we can't sit around and wait for her. The operations for today can't wait, not with the arrival of the Straw Hats. Things are going to start getting interesting around here."

Reecheru's eyes snapped to look at Sabo. "What's going on?" she asked.

"Well first off," Koala started. "You already know that the chief and Leader have suspected this island of dealing weapons in the black market and stirring war all around the world. You and Merissa were the ones to dig that information up after all. Secondly, Doflomingo has gotten his hands on the Flare-Flare Fruit."

"Portgas D. Ace's?" Reecheru asked for clarification.

"The very same," Sabo confirmed. Reecheru didn't need to ask what the importance of this was to Sabo. Everyone close to Sabo now knew of his relation to both Ace and Luffy. "Doflomingo is using it as a prize for a battle tournament today. He plans to lure and trap Luffy in the colosseum while the rest of the crew is destroyed."

"Leave it to someone that thinks themselves as gods to not play fair," Reecheru rolled her eyes. "I suppose it would be too much to ask that the nations still had the Jinchuriki system in effect. That would shut them up real quick and in a hurry. How can you claim to be a god when you're not even omnipotent?"

"Those with big heads can't see past their own nose," Koala snorted. "On top of that, they refuse to think that they're just humans like the rest of us."

"I would love the opportunity to change their minds," Reecheru hissed.

"You just might get your chance," Sabo let out a smirk. "Leader has contacted the Hokage and told her he no longer requires the aid of you and Merissa. At least, not after she sent over another team to work with the Revolution."

"What team?" Reecheru asked. "Why aren't we needed any longer?"

"You're still needed," Koala appeased. "Just not in the same capacity as you were. Leader wants to make a statement to the government. Letting the information slip that there are nations out there that exist outside of the government's control is most likely going to cause quite the stir with other nations. Considering the state that Dressrosa is in right now, how the government allowed this to happen, is going to raise a fuss when word gets out. Leader intends to do everything possible to make sure that it does. Add that to the knowledge of other governments working successfully as independant nations is going raise questions. A fair number of rulers are going to start asking what use the World Government is for them. At least that's what they should be asking."

"Long story short," Sabo cut in. "You and Merissa no longer need to work from the shadows and gather information. We want you two to be noticed. We also would like you to make sure that people know where you come from. You're top warriors and operatives of a nation that does not answer to the World Government."

"That's a great plan and all," Reecheru started. "But you're forgetting one very important detail in all of this. With no standing orders from the Hokage then Merissa and I need to return to the village." Koala then handed over a tone dial. "What's this?"

"Give it a listen," Sabo smiled.

Reecheru pressed the button on the top of the dial. "Hawk and Fox, this is Dog. You are receiving new orders as of now."

"Why is the Hokage speaking in code?" Reecheru muttered.

"Security," Koala pointed out. "In case the dial fell into wrong hands."

"Shh," Sabo chastised. Both women quieted as they continued to listen.

"From this moment on you have a new assignment. As Anbu operatives of the Leaf you are hereby on an S class mission." Reecheru sucked in a hiss of breath. This was much more then a simple reassignment. "It is my understanding that you've come across a group of individuals that excel at getting under the skin of the World Government. Here are you're new orders. Join them, if it's possible. While you're traveling take every chance available to you when you cross any official of the World Government. Don't let them have their way. If they're up to less then chivalrous deeds then stop their plans by any means. If they're actually helping then help in your own way without being caught. Make sure the people know that there's a country out there that thrives outside of the World Government and that we're declaring a war of wits against them. I expect regular reports sent in regards to your success. You will not return to the village until you have been called. Do you get me?" The tone dial fell silent as the unspoken threat hung in the air.

"Well that's just great," Reecheru sighed. Koala held her hand out for the dial, which Reecheru returned. No doubt it was meant to be left somewhere a marine could find it. "You never said who's replacing us."

"Leader has ordered Team Dragon to infiltrate Marie Jois and discover what secret weapon they have hidden." Sabo gave Reecheru a pointed look. "They're also to disable it if they can. If not, then the specs and weaknesses will be enough."

"My brother gets to annoy the Celestial Dragons and I get to babysit pirates? That's just all kinds of wrong."