Hello again. Time for chapter 25. Thanks for the reviews and follows.

Disclaimer: I own neither Naruto or One Piece

Chapter 25: Alabasta Landing

The first thing Naruto noticed as he began to wake was the throbbing headache born from the booze he had imbibed the night before. It was far worse than the one he had after joining the crew during the celebration at Cocoyashi and he began to regret joining the drinking contest between Nami and Zoro.

'Why did I try to beat them again? Something Myukuru did?'

His memory of the party was a blur, but he could just remember falling asleep on the deck. Which confused him as he wasn't lying on Merry's hard planks, but something far softer. Which, considering his normal bed was a hammock, turned that confusion to concern.

Then whatever he was resting on moved and pulled him into an embrace and Naruto began to realize the situation he was in. He slowly opened his eyes, the dim light of predawn not bright enough to cause discomfort, and his fears were confirmed.

He stared up at Myukuru's sleeping face as her toned arms kept him cradled into her breasts. Their bodies met at an angle; Myukuru lay flat on her back while Naruto had shifted onto his side. Panic quickly began to set in as Naruto's mind flashed back to instances of Sakura and Tsunade enacting punishments against perverted actions. Though, in a thought that would make Jiraiya proud of his student, Naruto couldn't help but to admire the girl's bosom.

'Not the time Uzumaki,' Naruto chided himself, 'It's only a matter of time until Myukuru or someone else wakes up. And then….'. Several scenarios playing in Naruto's mind. Myukuru would wake up and beat him. Sanji would see them and beat him. As would Nami and Matatabi.

Caught up in his panic, which wasn't helped as Myukuru pulled him even deeper into her embrace, he failed to notice soft footfalls approach. He did notice the quiet laugh that sounded from above.

"Well, it was bound to happen at some point. I just did not expect it to be on the first night."

Naruto did his best to peer up at Matatabi, hoping his eyes conveyed his innocence in this matter.

"Matatabi, I can explain," he whispered, "Well, I mean, I can't but I…."

"Naruto," Matatabi said calmly, "I know your predicament is not your fault."

"Uhm, what?"

"Aside from the fact that one cannot control their actions while they sleep, making assigning blame pointless," Matatabi stated, "Myukuru is the one that initiated things. She is prone to cuddle in her sleep."

"Oh well that's a relief," Naruto said, his tone dripping with sarcasm, "Now help me!"

Matatabi studied the pair for a moment before she shook her head, "I believe that time has past. Myukuru appears to be waking up."

Sure enough, the girl had begun to stir, her grasp on Naruto's upper body loosening slightly. He gazed up at her face, her brow crinkled cutely. He returned his eyes to Matatabi, only to find the Mink had begun to walk away.

"Hey," Naruto whispered as loud as he dared, "Where are you going? You have to explain things!"

"Myukuru often tells me I am too serious for my own good," Matatabi replied "And I believe that a way to disprove her would be to pull of a prank. And how many people can say they caught Uzumaki Naruto in a prank?"

"This is barely a prank," Naruto protested, feeling insulted that Matatabi considered this a prank, "You can't call stumbling into a situation like this a prank. Pranks need to be planned, dammit!"

"Shut up, Whiskers," Myukuru said with a sleep heavy voice, "t's too early for yelling."

Naruto froze, hoping that Myukuru would slip backing into sleep, or at least let him go before she fully woke up. Unfortunately, Myukuru seemed to not be that type of sleeper. Or perhaps it was the odd weight that was pressing into her breasts, or the oddly stiff, warm object she had worked her arms around in the night.

So, unable to return to sleep, Myukuru opened her eyes and was greeted by Naruto's panicked expression peeking up at her from her cleavage, her arms securely around him.

"Oh," she said, her tone strained as heat blossomed on her cheeks, "Hey, Whiskers."

"Um, I can, um, sorry," Naruto stuttered out.

"No, it's my fault," Myukuru said, looking anywhere but at Naruto, "I always end up like this. Drove my sister crazy when we were younger."

Matatabi, still watching the pair, perked up when Myukuru mentioned her sister. Since leaving Toto Land, Myukuru had scarcely mentioned her family, often brushing off anyone's questions about her past. Not that she could blame her, given what she had learned about the Charlotte Family.

"Sister," Naruto asked, his curiosity concerning his newest friend overriding the awkwardness they found themselves in.

Myukuru held back a curse. She didn't want to think about her family. After escaping into North Blue she'd made a decision: to not let her family dictate her actions any longer. She had wondered if Lola had the same feelings when she set out. And she just had to blurt out she had a sister. At least she mentioned only one and not the whole thirty eight of them.

'I guess that's fair, though,' she thought, 'I did get more of Whisker's history than he did mine. I'll just spin things a bit.'

"Yeah, Marble. You can imagine the sort of tangle we'd get into after sleeping," Myukuru said, shrugging her shoulders.

Matatabi, in an effort to spare her student needing to speak about her family and only a little disappointed that her 'prank' had been a failure, spoke up, "Are you two just going to lay on the deck all morning?" At least she got one jab in.

The pair, who had managed to somehow forget their somewhat intimate position, and in Naruto's case that someone was nearby, both turned bright red and hastily pulled away from each other.

"Mata-sensei, how long were you there," Myukuru said, mortified.

"Since before you woke up," Naruto answered for his fellow world hopper, "She seemed to think it would be funny if you woke up with me in your arms."

"You have been trying to get me to, in your words, 'loosen up'. I was just following your advice," Matatabi said.

"I meant you should find a hobby or something," Myukuru said crossing her arms, "Not use my sleeping habits as a joke."

"Alright," Matatabi said bowing, "I am sorry for taking advantage of your cuddling habit. And for not assisting you, Naruto in avoiding this situation."

Myukuru sighed. "It's fine, I guess. Ugh, it's way too early for this."

"Yeah, too early," Naruto mumbled before his stomach added its two Beri, "Too early and too hungry."

"Hear you there, Whiskers," Myukuru said, "How about we head to the galley and get some food while we plot our revenge against Mata-sensei."

Naruto smirked, "That sounds like a good idea."

"I am still here," Matatabi said, "Is it wise to discuss plots of revenge while the target is in earshot?"

"That'll make it so much better," Naruto said, "You'll never know when we'll strike."

"I accept your challenge," Matatabi said with a smile, "I look forward to thwarting your plans." She began to walk away before addressing Myukuru, "I arranged a small spar with Zoro for later. If you wish to join us, I do not think he would object."

Despite her slight anger at her mentor, Myukuru smiled, "Sounds good. Hey Whiskers, five thousand Beri on Matatabi knocking Mossy on his ass."

"Mossy? I think you just became Sanji's favorite person," Naruto said, "You're on. No offense Matatabi, but you guys haven't seen what Zoro can do."

"Betting on our spar," Matatabi tutted, "I suppose that is the life of a pirate. I shall see you later."

Matatabi walked away and Myukuru and Naruto headed towards the galley.

"Mata-sensei's gonna win," Myukuru boasted, "Mossy's never fought anyone like her before."

"I don't know," Naruto taunted back, "Zoro took out about hundred bounty hunters alone about a week ago, and he beat one of those Fishmen guys last month. If he can beat someone with six swords, I think he can handle two."

By midday, the Going Merry had traveled far enough away from Drum that the weather grew more temperate, which made things more pleasant as Zoro and Matatabi faced off on the deck. The rest of the crew had gathered around, exited to see the spar. Zoro didn't really care either way about the audience and Matatabi wondered if Naruto and Myukuru's early morning talks had alerted the crew to the spar.

Both ignored the various cheers the crew sent their way and focused wholly on their opponent. For Zoro, it had been a long time since he'd had an actual spar and his mind flashed back to his final duel with Kuina. He wondered what she would think about his crew's newest members.

Matatabi likewise it would be the first time she would fight someone who was not an enemy or had a skill below her own. She was eager to see where he skill matched up against someone like Zoro.

There was no call to draw their blade, but both did so in sync, eyes never leaving the other. Then they surged forward as the same time, steel meeting steel in a flurry of blows. Matatabi's unnamed swords flashing as they were deflect by Kitetsu and Yubashiri before they could pose a risk to Zoro. Those first few attacks defined the spar, as Matatabi's slight edge in speed and finesse was countered by Zoro's raw strength, but that same speed meant Zoro couldn't land a solid hit against her.

And while neither was fighting at full power, it was clear to the two of them that in a real battle Zoro would eventually overpower her. Though Matatabi took solace in knowing the green haired swordsman would not be in pristine shape afterwords.

Still the pair kept up their spar moving up and down the deck, never crossing the unseen boundary that marked their arena. Eventually, they reached a point were the spar had become more bothersome than fun and the pair broke away from one last blade lock. Then Matatabi sheathed her swords, the sign that she coincided.

"Thank you for the spar, Zoro," Matatabi said as she bowed to the swordsman.

Zoro ignored the cheers, mainly from Luffy and Naruto, and grinned at Matatabi, "Not a problem. Anything you want a spar I'm game. I've been putting of refining my swordplay lately. Why don't we make things interesting and throw your student into the mix too. Been a while since I've have a decent free for all."

While the two sword users discussed various aspects of their craft, pulling in Myukuru after she handed over the five thousand she owed Naruto, the rest of the crew dispersed. Sanji retreated to the galley to prepare the midday meal while Vivi groomed Carue, the girl still concerned over the duck's condition following his swim in Drum's waters. Naruto was telling Chopper about the doctors back home, which Luffy listened in on after Naruto mentioned how powerful Tsunade and Sakura were. Usopp, who normally would have joined them, instead went to his workshop to replenish his arsenal, which was still low after Little Garden.

And Nami followed him in.

"A weapon," Usopp repeated as he fiddled with his tools.

"Yeah," Nami said, "Our crew keeps getting stronger, and we're heading for some real dangerous waters. I don't want to let Vivi down by not being able to fight. You get that right?"

"Yeah, I know," Usopp admitted, "But we don't have a lot of time before he hit Alabasta."

Nami let out a resigned sigh, "I guess. Sorry for bothering you Usopp."

Before she could leave, Usopp spoke up, "Oi, when did I say I couldn't do it. Are you doubting the Great Usopp?"

Nami's face lit up with a radiant smile as she turned around and hugged Usopp, "Thank you Usopp!"

After releasing the sniper from her death hug, Nami began to leave again, but Usopp spoke up again.

"But," he said, "Things would go quicker if I had some input."

"Input," Nami repeated, slightly confused.

Usopp nodded, "I've had a few ideas, but nothing I've got a full grasp on. But if I rattle of my ideas to you, you can help me focus on what I can put in your new weapon."

Nami nodded in understanding, "Right. So what have you got."

The next several days passed without any major incident. Zoro, Matatabi and Myukuru sparred on and off, Usopp worked on the weapon Nami requested, Chopper checked and double checked his medical supplies and brushed up on his medical readings. Naruto had finally begun to work on his writing, switching between the novel based on his past and, after a suggestion by Myukuru, a record of the crew's journey.

It was during this time that Vivi, her nerves growing as they grew nearer to her home, filled them in on what she knew of Baroque Work's plan. Mainly for the benefit of the newest crew members.

"So, we're going to fight one of the Warlords," Myukuru said, a mixture of nervousness and excitement warring with in her.

"Yeah," Vivi said, "Crocodile's set himself up as the hero of the people by dealing with the pirates who try to raid. By making the people think my father can't keep them safe, he's stoked them into wanting a revolution. Giving him the perfect cover to over throw the country."

"Don't worry, Vivi," Luffy said as he punched the air, "I'll kick his ass!"

Matatabi looked to Vivi, "Do you know what sort of force this Crocodile have. If we are to engage them, having an idea to their structure would be beneficial."

"Yeah," Usopp chimed in, "And what's up with the Mr and Miss thing?"

"It's simple," Vivi said, "Baroque works is set up in pairs, each male agent taking a numbered name, based on their position in the organization, with a day themed female partner with comparable strength. The top five under Crocodile's Mr. 0 are known as the Officer Agents. Most of them have Devil Fruit powers and command the Billions, about two hundred subordinates. With Crocodile's plans moving into the final stages…."

"They are likely all going to be in Alabasta," Matatabi reasoned, "Correct?"

"Yeah, at least the ones we haven't already dealt with like Mr. 3 and 5," Vivi said, "Hopefully, we can expose Baroque Works without having to deal with them."

Myukuru let out a snort, "Tell that to Captain." She pointed at Luffy, who was mime punching the air, hyping himself for the future fights.

"Yeah," Sanji said though a plume of smoke, "He stopped listening a while ago. Oi, Luffy, weren't you going to fish. You did eat most of our food!"

"Oh yeah," the captain replied, "Me and Usopp tried, but nothing was biting."

"That's because you ate the bait," Usopp retorted.

"I don't care," Sanji said, "Get back to fishing!"

Fishing was hard without bait, so Luffy thought to use Carue as bait, much to the duck's distress. Vivi, seeing her noble steed in distress, quickly reprimanded to two, knocking them to the deck, but after seeing smoke rise from the water, she sough out Nami.

"Don't worry," Nami said as Vivi told her what she'd seen, coming out onto the deck to see, "It's not smoke, it's steam. There's an underwater volcano that's heating the water. A few thousand years from now, there'll be an island here."

So the Merry sailed though the sulfuric smelling steam, Carue still hanging off the side from the fishing rods, much to the relief of the strange man who clung to the duck after the emerged from the other side.

He was an odd looking sort, with strange white puffs adorning his head, a pair of swans on his back, and a pink coat with a blue tunic-like outfit that left his hairy legs exposed. Ruined make up ran down his face.

"Oh, thank you," he said with exuberance as they lowered him to the deck, "I apologies for intruding upon your ship. I missed my jump in the steam and fell overboard, which would have been very bad since I can't swim. Could I trouble you for some soup?"

"We're barely stocked as it is," Naruto said, "Sorry. No soup."

"Oh well," the man said before spotting Vivi above, "Oh, I could just eat you up instead." He finished off by giving Vivi a creepy wink.

"You said you can't swim," Luffy said, "You ate a Devil Fruit?"

"Yes I did," the man said, perking up a bit, "Would you care for a demonstration?"

Luffy nodded and the man slammed his right hand into his face, knocking the captain back. Before anyone could react and attack the man, he held up his hands in a pacifying gesture, then touched his right hand to his face.

He morphed into a copy of Luffy, stunning everyone.

"Ah, he looks just like me," Luffy said, "Me in weird clothes!"

"Yes, that is the power of my Clone Clone Fruit," the man said with Luffy's copied voice, "And with my left had, I can change back!"

He then proceeded to tap the faces of those present, moving down the line from Usopp, Nami, Chopper, Naruto and Zoro. He then morphed into them, using Nami's body to show he copied every aspect of a person, much to the navigator's dismay and rage.

Once the man had recovered from her beating, he offered to show them more of his power, after they complimented him. And in the litany of faces he transformed into, Vivi gasped as she recognized one, a man with sun wrinkled skin and dark hair. Her father.

She held back her surprise and worry until the man had left; his ship having crossed path with theirs. And that was where they learned the man's name: Mr. 2 Bon Kurei.

"Vivi," Luffy shouted up at the princess, "Why didn't you say that was one of those Baro guys?"

"I, I didn't know what he looked like," Vivi admitted, "I've never met him, or the Mr. 1 pair. All I knew about Mr. 2 is his flamboyant personalty and love of swans."

"And you didn't think he seemed a little too much like that description," Naruto pointed out.

"He had my father's face," Vivi said, fear painting her voice, "How did he get close enough to copy my father?"

"If one of Crocodile's men can copy the king," Zoro noted, "Then he could do some real damage."

"Yeah, I know what that's like," Naruto agreed, remembering the chaos the White Zetsu caused during the war.

"And he has most of our faces memorized," Nami said, "If he finds out we're his enemy, he could try to attack us while wearing one of our faces."

"What a troublesome foe we let slip thought our fingers," Usopp commented.

Chopper nodded then looked around, "Hey, where are Sanji, Matatabi and Myukuru?"

"They were in the galley last I saw them," Nami said, "I think Sanji said something about fixing them something to eat."

"Of course I was," Sanji said as he emerged from the galley, Matatabi and Myukuru on his heels, "Lovely ladies like them need something to recover after a brute like Moss Head over there overworks them."

"Hey," Zoro objected.

"Weren't we running out of food," Naruto pointed out.

"I did try to dissuade him," Matatabi said, her arms crossed, "But he was insistent and had already begun to cook."

"It was delicious though," Myukuru said with a smile, "So what we'd miss?"

After a quick recap, Matatabi frowned and looked to Naruto, "So this Mr. 2 has something akin to the Transformation Jutsu, correct?"

"Yeah, but he has to touch someone before he can use it."

"How would you deal with someone like that," Usopp asked, "You know, like a ninja." He, Luffy, and Chopper looked at Naruto expectantly.

Naruto scratched his chin, "Well I did beat someone by transforming into his dog after I transformed into him."

Seeing their confused expressions, Naruto recounted his fight against Kiba at the Chunin Exams and how he used the Inuzuka's nose against him, leaving out the unintended fart.

"So you tricked him," Zoro said, the beginnings of a smirk on his face, "I think I have an idea. You know, it's a good thing we ran into someone like him now. It gives us a chance to set up a countermeasure."

It took another four days to reach Alabasta, with the first sign of being at the island was the Sea Cat that tried to eat them. The number of Baroque Works ships sailing for port was the second.

"Guess those are those Billions you mentioned, Vivi," Naruto said as he adjusted the bandage on his left arm, "Getting into port might be a hassle."

"As long as they don't guess who we are, we should be fine," Zoro said, tying his own bandage tight.

"Everyone got their countermeasure in place," Nami called out, with the crew all sounding the affirmative.

"We should dock on the western side, so we can hide the Merry," Vivi informed then as the port drew nearer.

"All right," Luffy exclaimed, thrusting his left arm out, "Time to dock. Let's get some food! Oh and save Vivi's home!"

"Work on your priorities, dumb ass," Sanji chided.

"Yeah, we're going up against assassins," Nami added, "Try to act more focused."

"OK," Luffy responded.

"Why didn't anybody tie Captain down," Myukuru asked as the crew watched Luffy rocket into Nanohana even before the Merry was properly docked.

"I don't know," Nami said with sigh, "Why can't he grasp he's a wanted man?"

"At least we know where he's going to go," Sanji pointed out, "All we'll need to do is go to the noisiest restaurant in town."

"Wait, look over there," Vivi suddenly exclaimed, pointing towards another ship, one with a prominent '3' motif.

"That's not," Usopp asked.

"Looks like it," Naruto said, "Mr. 3's around. Goldenweek said she lost track of him after Luffy beat him. He must of rushed off Little Garden."

"He's just one more enemy we'll have to deal with," Zoro said calmly, "Anyway, we should probably get our supplies and food. And I guess someone's got to look of Luffy."

"I'll go look to Captain," Myukuru volunteered, "Hey Whiskers, wanna come?"

"Sure, I'm game," Naruto replied, "Besides, I want to look for something."

"We'll meet back here," Nami told them, "Try to keep Luffy from making to much of a mess. This is Vivi's home after all."

"We'll try," Myukuru said, giving Nami a mock salute, "But Captain's gonna do what Captain's gonna do."

And the pair heading into town.

"Maybe I should have gone after him," Nami lamented, a pit forming in her gut. Matatabi put a hand on her shoulder.

"Myukuru likes to joke," the Mink said, "But she knows when to take things seriously. They will be fine."

"Here anything," Myukuru asked as they walked down Nanohana's dusty streets.

"Nope," Naruto reported, "If Luffy's around here, he's uncharacteristically quiet. And that's a scary thought."

As they walked, they listened, both for their overly energetic captain and to the townspeople in case they said anything to aid in their search.

"You're kidding," someone to Myukuru's right said, "One of Whitebeard's crew is in town."

Myukuru froze, 'Whitebeard!? What's one of his doing all the way out here!?'

"You OK, Myukuru," Naruto said once he noticed his companion's petrified state.

"We might have a problem," she said as she pulled Naruto onto a less populated side street, "What do you know about the higher level pirates?"

Naruto shrugged, "Not a lot. I didn't know about the Warlords till after we ended up on Crocodile's hit list."

"OK, here's the deal," Myukuru explained, "On the far side of the Grand Line there are four really powerful pirates, known as the Four Emperors. They can rival the Marines in power and control a lot of territory. And I just heard that someone from an Emperor's crew is in this town."

Naruto frowned, "And how is that a problem? It's not like we're going to make an enemy of them. At least I hope we don't. We've got enough problems with Baroque Works."

"It's a problem, Whiskers," Myukuru hissed, "because someone like that's going to draw attention. If there any Marines in town, they'll go after them. It won't be quiet and they might lock down the town."

"Trapping us here," Naruto realized, "Then we should pick up the pace and find Luffy before trouble…."

A loud crash rang though the air and Naruto and Myukuru hurried towards it. The pair saw their captain, his mouth ballooning with food run down the street, a Marine hot on his heels. A Marine Naruto recognized.

"Damn it," Naruto cursed, "It's that Smokey guy!"

"You know that Marine," Myukuru asked as they headed to aid their captain.

"He was at Lougetown," Naruto explained, "Almost got us. He can turn into smoke!"

"A logia," Myukuru cured, "Damn it! We need to get Captain out of there. He can't fight someone like him."

"I might be able too," Naruto said, holding a kunai in a reverse grip in his left hand, it's phantom counterpart manifesting in his right, "Or at least I can slow him down."

Then Naruto noticed someone respond to the Marine Captain's call. A young woman with dark hair, glasses and a sword.

"Right, he also had a swordswoman underling," Naruto said, pointing Tashigi out to Myukuru, "There she is."

Myukuru smirked, "I think I take her on. Last thing we need is Doc wasting all his medical stuff before we even leave town. Good luck."

The two split up, each headed to their target. And neither noticing the shirtless man in an orange cowboy hat chasing after the Marine as well.

And cut. A little bit of a more subdued chapter, before things start to take off. Fun fact, the first three parts of this chapter were all just going to be Omakes but I felt they would be better in the main narrative. I've got some plans with what I've laid here.

As always, I'm open to any suggestions and ideas. And I have been toying with using some of the movies. I think I can do something with the 5th one.

And we finally started getting the Vivre Cards for Baroque Works. Which I could have used an arc ago, but what can you do.

Next time. Smoker vs Naruto. Tashigi vs Myukuru. Bad Luck vs Luffy. And the beginning of a desert adventure. See ya!