Growth through Chaos

by Animephilosopher1

As they return from the Land of Waves, Team 7 fall into somewhere far more chaotic and divided than the Ninja World. Follow Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke and Kakashi, after they find themselves in the World of the One Piece. Growing through a Special brand of Chaos across trials, battles, training and more as members of the Straw Hat Pirates on the Grand Line.(LuffyxNami, Kakashi x Robin)

18. Chapter 18: Sharing the Past

Growth Through Chaos: Chapter 18: Sharing the past and moving to the future.

A sincere thank you to a new BETA reader; SwordoftheGods. Who's "Coby's Choice" is one inspiration for this story.

Results of Garp and Smoker:

By a strong margin of 21 to 7, Garp is on his way to Loguetown! Thank you everyone for voting, and I am privately glad to have this chance to write something so original. However, Smoker and Tashigi will not be overlooked….it is time for a funeral.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

A tense air hung around the warf, dense enough that only an ax would cleave through it. A Navy ship up above was now meters away, pulling in beside a second one; a make-shift prison-barge. Genzo could barely swallow past the lump in his throat. His conscious split between hope and instinct.

The leader watched on as a line was tied-down, followed with the gangplank and brick-wall of a man striding down. His uniform closed and crisp, with unlit cigars crossing it but not a single one in his mouth; a younger woman came behind to stand at his shoulder whilst additional men were lined-up in file behind them.

"So this really him, hung Johnny?"

"That's right Yosaku," the bounty-hunter-turned-protector answered his partner. "Smoker, the White Hunter. Don't know about the girl beside him, though."

The two groups faced one another: the townspeople of Cocoyoshi village and thralls of others from across the Conomi Islands starring with distrust at the Marines. At their head was Genzo, Johnny and Yosaku, facing the Marine Captain before them.

"Which one of you three is Genzo? The guy I spoke with on the transponder snail?" the white-haired man spoke in a bitter tone.

"I am," the local officer replied. "I take it that you are Captain Smoker? We have the Arlong Pirates and the Marines who conspired with them over in that ship. And the Logbook you asked for is in my possession."

"You don't have it here with you?" the bespectacled officer spoke in confusion. "If you hand it over to us then—"

"Quiet Tashigi!" her superior snapped, brisk but not unkind. "It makes sense that they aren't wavin' it around. If crooked Marines are involved in leaving these people to suffer, they don't have much of a reason to trust us straight outa the gate."

"But sir. True Marines stand for justice and service. We can—"

"Then where were you when my Dad got killed!" a child's voice rang up from the beach. Turning their eyes, the Marines were all starring at a boy with a green beanie. "Arlong came to my home, Gosa Village. His crew turned everything upside-down after they couldn't pay him, killing so many people, and my father among them. Another Marine, some rat-faced man called Nezumi was around and even shot some people here just because Arlong allowed him to. Why should any of us believe that you are different from him!"

The female Marine's mouth hung-open, unable to reply. Until her sight was blocked by a white jacket, carrying the symbols for "Justice" covered with a signature jitte.

"You're right, kid. All I can say to you is that I'm sorry. And I want to see this traitorous, bloody monster pay for every crime that he's done. Still, even worse than him is anyone who stoops low enough to be a traitor. If a Marine was corrupt here, then he'll pay for it along with Arlong, and anyone who was tied with them." The man's words carried over the crowd, drawing their entire attention on him.

"I'm not really one for formalities; but this is somthin' nobody under my charge can take lightly. If you'll allow it, we'll take each of the Arlong Pirates aboard my ship and drop'em off to Impel Down, and take the testimony of everyone one of you to ensure they are buried so deep in a prison no sign of daylight can be seen."

"But first." The Marine drew to his full height, standing at the best attention he could muster. "I heard from Genzo how a single Marine tried to fight off these bastards and got killed by him. A woman named Bellemere."

At this announcement, a new face stepped out from the crowd; Nojiko. "That is right. Bellemere managed to ambush Arlong, but when her rifle was right in his mouth, he bit the barrel to pieces. She meant to protect my sister and I, after adopting us years ago. My sister is not around anymore, but after confronting him, our mother met her death at Arlong's hand without a flinch."

"Nojiko!" Genzo shot himself in front of her, as Smoker face came to form a glare, promising death in his gaze. Tension began to rise, until the Marine dropped to his knees. Smoker's forehead met the ground, his crew following their captain; prostrating themselves before the people.

"I met Bellemere years ago, before I made Captain. That woman was an indomitable inspiration to any officers here in the East Blue. I'm sorry. For the suffering you've had, and from losing her. Her death never should have gone ignored, and now I want to put that right."

Raising his head, Smoker faced a stunned group before him. "All of us are here to give our respects to Bellemere, if you'd show us where her restin' place is. First, I'll move each of the Arlong Pirates and crooked Marines aboard my ship. Then, we'd like to see her off with a ceremony, from one Marine to another. From there, will you consent to turning over the Logbook that you mentioned when you called me here?"

Nobody moved, the Marines holding the full attention of the crowd before them. Nojiko's hand came to her mouth, the woman's form trembling at this promise. Genzo beside her felt tears stabbing in his eyes. After several swallows, he could speak again. "That is fair enough. As I said, all of the rouges are inside the ship right there. The two men beside me are former bounty-hunters, and the best guys I can supply to help move those fishmen anywhere."

"That won't be a problem," Smoker gruffly declared. "I'll move all'u those bums to the ship myself a few at'a time. If you will meet with my men and subordinate, Sergeant-Major Tashigi to give accounts of everything, this'll be done that much smoother."

Johnny and Yosaku both led Smoker inside the smaller Marine ship, while Tashigi walked over with Genzo and several men to address the crowd. Organizing them into line-ups, the Marines each held notepads and stood at the heads, speaking with people a few at a time. Everything was coming under way, until smoke came billowing out the holes from the ship.

"What, fire! Did those men honestly escape!?" Genzo panicked.

"No, sir," Tashigi intervened, the other Marines doing the same. "Everything is under control. It's Captain Smoker's Devil-fruit abilities. Please, observe and you will see."

Now the crowd was excited. Memories of another Devil-fruit's role in Arlong's downfall bright as the sun in their memories. Slowly, the smoke they could see began moving towards a hatch in the deck. Seconds pasted, the dense vapour growing stronger until Arlong was brought into the daylight. The Shark-fishman was air-born with nowhere to reach, moving higher and higher until the Marine Captain stepped above-deck, his shoulders linked to the clouds entrapping the prisoner.

"Quit struggling, or I'll pump it to your lungs and let ya suffocate," Smoker snarled at him. Rapidly, the clouds began to move, the links to Smoker's limbs extending until they reached the deck of his own ship where the content was held at sword's-edge and gunpoint. Chains were brought and cuffed on the Saw-tooth Captain, until Smoker was satisfied and released the smoke.

Arlong didn't say anything, apprehensive eyes wondering over the smoke.

'So, this guy's encountered Logia's before, huh?[1]Damn, I was hoping to have a chance to rip him to pieces,' the White-Hunter frowned. Turning back to his job, a few at a time each of the prisoners were brought out with his powers, to the waiting men ready to cramp them all into a brig. The whole process took a few hours, while Tashigi worked diligently to collect the accounts from each person in the assembly.

'Every detail must be meticulous, otherwise these criminal pirate filth may not receive the justice due to them at the hands of Navy authorities with fair and indiscriminate will,' the junior-officer pledged.

Finally, all was done, with Smoker calling a special party of men together.

"Captain Smoker?" Turning, the man found Genzo facing him, with a leather-bound book outstretched. "Here is the Logbook you asked for."

Taking it in hand, the White Hunter read through opening pages, slowly….carefully…..with a will of iron to keep his hands shaking with rage. After lingering at a single spot, he closed the book.

"Tashigi!" the roar from him forced everyone to jump, his subordinate alone unaffected as she was beside him within seconds. "Lock this up in a safe within my quarters. Then…I'm gonna hunt that Rat into a Yonko's territory if I gotta!" The Captain broke the formalities now, tearing three cigars from his chest-belts and lighting them.

While the Captain fumed, Tashigi obeyed and his men continued very, very briskly.

After another moment, Smoker took a breath and let out a cloud twice his size from his cigars. Crossing back down to the warf, he stood before Nojiko. "Miss. Will you lead us to Bellemere's grave. It's several years overdue for her to be honoured and remembered as a true Marine should be."

It took minutes before both her and Ganzo were walking to the cliff-side, Smoker and Tashigi following them at the head of a parade with several Marines in dress-uniforms. Along the may, more from Cocoyoshi village turned up to meet them. Upon finding a simple wooden cross, the Marines reformed into ceremonial positions. Smoke stood before the grave, with Genzo and Nojiko beside him in a daze, and he spoke.

"To serve and uphold justice. To enforce and maintain the order of the World Government. To fight in the service of a cause that will demand all that you have to give, and more. These are what every Marine is expected to do."

"One Colonel, and each man under him, threw that aside. And those you wished to serve and protect suffered from it, Bellemere. You gave the people of this Blue so much, and the Marines even more. I still recall how you spoke about not standin' around while pirates threatened innocent, ordinary people when I joined-up."

"We can only give you justice for what was taken from you. And honour the courage and commitment you undoubtedly showed, to every choice you made. From the moment you decided to stand beside us, to starring down death for those you took into your own care."

Nojiko's cries came, now. In that moment, the memory of her beloved mother's death passing in blink, and now recognized by strangers she had known with pride, broke her heart. 'Na….mi. AH…I…..I wish you…-thatyoucouldseethis,' her thoughts raced. 'I promise, you…' choking on her own promise, Nojiko still finished it. '—you'llknowthishappenedhere.'

Smoker stood back in respect, watching as Genzo held the woman upright; trying to hide his own grief beneath his cap. Turning back to the grave, the Marine Captain froze a second.

His mouth dropping, Smoker would swear he saw a woman, tall, tough and sassy, standing behind the marker, shimmering in the sun before glancing down, then at the Marines assembled.

"Uhhhh…..umm….Men! Salute!" Smoker commanded them.

"SIR!" At this signal, the lines of Marine cocked their rifles to the sky. In-turn, volleys rang through the island, marking respect for the fallen.

Once they ended, the Marine stood vigil over the grave. Led by Tashigi, each one began to sing. The tune was long, melancholy, and with purpose.

"The Sea watches us quietly. Guiding us through our death and our birth."

"From humble hometown waters, to the waves at the end of the earth."

"The Sea carries us carefully. Through the dark of night and light of day,"

"To the World that is just and peaceful, so that we never lose our way,"

"All our pain and suffering, it swallows up in its warm embrace."

"So knowingly and gently, washes them all away."

"The sea watches us quietly. Guiding us through our death and our birth."

"From humble hometown waters, to the waves at the end of the earth."

"There will come a day, I'm sure, when I must heed its solemn call,"

"And walk side by side with my old friend, resting in its foamy waters."[2]

Without music or joy, they sang. A requiem for the fallen, it travelled over the site, down across the waters and high to the heavens. Helping a single spirit pass over into the peace she now could feel.

0….0

Later, elsewhere in the East Blue, night had fallen with an ink-coloured shade. Clouds above were hiding the moon, the seas were calm and tranquil, almost caressing the Going Merry.

Hatake Kakashi and Roronoa Zoro shared the deck, one forward on the bow and another near the stern. Zoro had completed an evening training session one hour ago[3]and was starring out towards the distance. The swordsman was still digesting Sasuke's motivations, grappling with the magnitude of how much his young nakama had suffered and what he had set before himself. Revelations that were further compounded by Kakashi, having taken the swordsman's challenge for his life-story.

'The guy's own father reaches a level of shame powerful enough to kill himself,' the swordsman reflected. 'Following that, his own team and sensei, this 4th Hokage guy, goes and dies a few years after. Growing up, training and bonding with people like that…only to watch them die in front of you.'

Gripping his fist around the hilt of Wado Ichimonji, Zoro frowned ahead, torn between his head and his gut. 'Losing Kuina was one thing, but Kakashi has been through a ton more than I have. It's rough to image it. But I still think he's got the wrong idea to try and talk Sasuke into working towards giving up his revenge.'

Across the deck, Kakashi himself was cursing. The weight of Icha-Icha Tactics in his tool-pouch was agonizing. 'Why couldn't the moon be kind and provide the light for my favourite book? It was even better to read through it for a second time. To think the hero at the climax would be-'

"GU-AAAAAHHHHHH!" In a snap, two noises came with a spring! Zoro, closer to the source, stormed into the lounge with a solid guess about what was going on.

Sure enough, a giant mousetrap occupied the room, directly before the fridge and pinning a certain rubber-man under the hammer. Luffy was pushing off the ground, while trying to move his knees and slide out from underneath. Zoro only groaned, while Kakashi arrived, followed by Sanji.

"Thought this would happen," the cook muttered. "I told him several times before shutting my eyes tonight. And he still tried it."

"Hey, who's stealing all our food!" Several puttering feet carried Naruto through the door, in his collared pyjamas. Looking for the fridge and then down to floor; the boy's mouth hung open at the sight. "Ghuuuuk-Hahahahahaha! Captain, why did you try and leave us with starvation for your own greedy gut?"

The boy folded his arms, while Sanji and Kakashi had to blink. 'Don't tell me he's emulating Chef Zeff,' Sanji silently pleaded.

"You woke all of us up with this much noise, ya know!" the boy tried to chastise him, striding forwards as Luffy kept trying to reach his goal. "This is really-Gu-AHHHH!"

A rope on the floor became taunt; its loop closing on Naruto's ankle and hoisting up the boy to the rafters. "Huh! Hey! Hey this isn't funny, believe it! Someone let me down! Luffy was stealing our food! Come on, who set up this trap anyways!?"

"Naruto. You just triggered your own back-up trap." Sanji exclaimed, out of sight from the fellow-blonde; Naruto trying to shuffle his up-side-down shirt from around his head. "Ghuuu?" the knucklehead slowly recalled making this very prank just a short while ago. "Oh, I did? Wait, don't tell anybody. Please, Kakashi-sensei this would ruin my reputation!"

"Too late, dobe!" Sasuke called over from the doorway.

The rest of the night passed over, with Sanji doing-up a midnight snack for everyone. Soon sunny skies, crisp and salty ocean air and the sound of waves promising a comfy day were all around them. The entire Straw Hat pirate crew were gathered for breakfast, especially a certain knucklehead blushing as his sensei recounted the trap from last night.

"Naruto, how could you wind-up stuck in your own trap? That was a little stupi-um, thoughtless. Even for you." At Sakura's comment, her teammate was left a shade of pink brighter than her hair. Ussop's chuckles were slipping past a smirk, one shared by Sasuke and Sanji.

"You literally walked into your own work, Naruto. What kind of prankster falls for their own prank?" Ussop added.

"Hey, I said I get it, okay?" Naruto muttered over.

"You know," Kakashi spoke up, from behind his favourite book. "He did wind-up in that same kind of loop during our first training session together. So, Naruto, I think feeling this out might be a good thing for you. I recall giving a lecture of how merely saying you 'get it,' isn't really the same as actually 'getting it.' 'Get it?'"

"You're right about that, but don't be so roundabout Kakashi." Nami replied. "Sorry, Naruto. But sometimes looking straight at your own mistakes can be a good way to learn from them." Kakashi, Zoro and Ussop both nodded at this.

"Yummy! Sanji, this breakfast is tasty!" Captain complemented.

"GGHHHUUUUU! Luffy, you stole our food!" Ussop exclaimed, stomping one foot by his empty plate and pointing straight at Luffy, who held both hands in his mouth. After trying to shake his head, Gin and Kakashi noticed their own toast and eggs were gone, the former joining in with Ussop.

"Okay. While all of us are up," Nami announced, over the three rolling around the cabin. "Let's discuss on where out next destination is. According to my sea-charts, there's a small islet that we should reach by tomorrow. We could spend some time there, but the next place after that could be, well, anywhere, maybe."

"Hmm? You really haven't decided on a new destination?" Kakashi inquired, quite seriously. In reply, the rest of the crew looked sheepish; especially under the watch from all the ninjas.

"To be honest with you," Nami continued. "Before, I was always looking for new people to steal from or getting back to Cocoyoshi Village. But now that it's safe and out from Arlong's grasp, having the chance to go anywhere is…well, new to me."

"You're not the only one, Nami." Zoro spoke up. "I was always wondering around looking for new opponents, or a town to stay in before I met Luffy."

"That's eashweee! We're gwoing ta th'Gran Lwine!" Luffy proclaimed holding Gin away while Ussop was yanking on his stretchy cheek. Pulling out of it, he shook his head. "Everything we want to do and find is on the Grand Line! I have a crew now, all of you have your own dreams too, and we just beat a lot of pirates here! Let's go to the Grand Line, men!"

"Yeah, believe it! That's where we'll find our way home too! Bring it on, let's get going!" Naruto shouted together with him.

"Slow down, Naruto," Sakura admonished him. "Chef Zeff used to say that the Grand Line is a Graveyard, where a lot of people can die. If we just run there without making sure we're ready, things could go really, really badly! And we don't know for sure if the Elemental Nations are even there for sure!"

"Ya gota sharp mind, thinkin' like tha', little lady," Gin nodded at her, walking back the table. "Don Krieg, m'self and all o' 5,000 crewmates went there wi' th' same attitude. Now…so many are dead." The former cut-throat had to blink away tears for his own crewmates.

Kakashi especially found himself uncomfortable, but for different reasons. 'There's no Hokage here; no mission to follow, and no absolutely clear way for us to follow. It's…...strange. Really strange to lack something that clear to fulfill a mission or a goal.'

"We are ready!" Rang a forceful declaration, from Sasuke. "Arlong himself came from the Grand Line. And so, did the crew that followed him. We beat them, so we should be ready to handle that place too. The sooner we go there, the sooner all our goals can be fulfilled. Right?"

Few people felt up to challenging the boy, recalling what his goal was from their conversations earlier.

"Ya, Sasuke's got it right!"

"HUH!" Kakashi's eye was wide, while Sakura dropped her teacup! The cry had come from Naruto, who was waving his arms around and swinging side-to-side. "We're better than Captain Krieg, or Arlong, 'cause we beat them! And we can still get better with more training together and beat anyone we run into! Why not head there starting today?"

"I like the sound of that." the first mate smiled with the boys, gripping his sword. "After winning over Buggy, Kuro, Krieg and now Arlong I guess there isn't much left the East Blue can offer up for us. The sooner we run into stronger enemies, the more skilled I can grow. And that needs to happen a lot for me to keep a promise, and defeat Mihawk, someday."

"But. We need to stop somewhere else first," Zoro announced, frowning. "I need to get some new swords after two I had were destroyed by him. Plus, Cocoyoshi village didn't have everything we needed for a voyage like this one. If we can find a town to stop in close by, we can buy everything up and then head to the Red Line and enter the Grand Line."

"Shishishishishishishi! I like how that sounds Zoro. Maybe we can find more meat in a bigger town. And a musician, too. We need one for this to be a great pirate crew!" Luffy spoke, wrapping his first mate in friendly headlock.

"I don't see how that is so important, captain." Kakashi tried to moderate them. "And who was this 'Buggy?' that you defeated before?"

"Wait!" Gin shouted out, planting both hands on the table. "Cap'n Luffy. Zoro. The two'u you takin' 'bout Buggy th' Clown! Th' Immortal?"

"Hm. Yup," Zoro answered with a smirk. "We ran into a fight with that clown, just Luffy, Nami and me. He and everyone with him were really weird, plus they tried to kill Nami after she stole treasure from them."

"WHHAAAATTTTT!" Sanji roared from the kitchen. "Somebody else hurt Nami-swan! Where are they? I want to cut them into fractions!"

Luffy and Zoro both grinned, sharing their story about meeting the eccentric, disembodied clown. Sanji became satisfied after hearing about how Buggy nearly attacked Nami but left his lower-half behind, for Luffy to kick his family jewels. Gin, Sasuke and Kakashi were befuddled over a Lion-tamer and swordsman on a unicycle; but stranger things had already crossed their paths before.

"Even before him, I met Zoro and we won a fight with Captain Morgan! Next, we found Ussop and his town was in danger from another pirate called Kuro, too! Then we met all of you right after that." Luffy finished, taking another mouth-full of meat.

Most of the crew thought over this. Until Gin spoke up. "You know, Don Krieg kept a track of major players in th' Eas' Blue. Jus' in case we ran into 'em. If Don Luffy beat all o' these guys, then there's no'un here a'tall t' challenge our crew on these seas. Maybe we are ready for th' Grand Line. With some extra prep."

The rest of the group mulled over this, until Kakashi rose to his feet. "First, we learn more about this 'Grand Line.' Then we can plan our next step. Captain," the jonin announced, locking eyes with Luffy.

"I also want to train Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto up more, and improve some of my own moves before we head into the same place that Mihawk came from. How about we spend a few days on the islet Nami talked about, then sailed to somewhere close to the Grand Line and ask around for more specific info about the place."

"I like that too, Kakashi," Nami chimed in, standing at her feet. "I'd like some days to rest-up, without keeping this boat sailing. Maybe even try on my bikini and get some time in the sun."

Watching Nami slip into a striking pose, Sanji's glee nearly shook the boat, while Kakashi's eye traced her figure.

"That….sounds nice," the Jonin muttered. "Still, if we take out time, it could involve trying some different restaurants on the way. With some very rare, very tasty meat."

That sealed it; Ussop and Nami even groaned at the inevitable.

"Yeah!" Luffy exclaimed. "Alright! We're going to a town, somewhere! Then off the Grand Line, to find the One Piece!" the Straw Hat Captain declared. "So, where is it?"

"Lougetown!" Gin announced. Nami shot a look at the pirate. "I've heard that place, Gin! On one of my maps, Loguetown is the final port in the East Blue, right before the Grand Line."

"Tha's right, Nami. Loguetown is 'round 2-day's sailin' from th' only way in t' th' Grand Line, through Reverse Mount'in. It's a pretty famous place too."

"Oh? What's so important about a town?" Sakura chimed, following her curiosity.

"Little gal," Gin nodded towards her. "It's th' city o' th' binnin' and th' end. Gold Roger, the King o' th' Pirates. Th' man who's treasure everyone chases t'be the next King? He was born there. It's where his execution was held too. Th' spot where th' entire Great Pirate Era kicked-off from!"

The ninjas barely clued into that, but the reactions from Ussop and Luffy were totally different. Each sharing a sense of awe that passed through the natives from the East Blue, even driving their captain into silence.

"Gin is right," Nami spoke up. "We should be able to collect everything we need there, with a little haggling. Learning some fresh news about both the East Blue and the Grand Line on the way would be nice too. But, there is something else that we have to do there. In fact, it's our most critical priority."

The busty teen looped her arms around Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke, pulling them close with a smile bigger than Luffy's. "Shopping.~" she sang.

"Yesterday I was talking with Sakura, and she barely has any clothes at all! All of the ninja's here just have enough to fit into one backpack each! Nobody, especially a girl, can live off of wearing so little! I need to take her and the boys out to buy new clothes and dress up!"

"Miss Nami, that would be amazing!" Sakura squealed with glee. "I don't even have a bathing-suit, or anything for time in a bath or the sun. Out here with all this water, it would be really good to have one; especially with some perverts aboard."

The last comment came with a glare towards Sanji and Ussop, unforgiven after a wardrobe mal-function and pestering to learn the transparency-jutsu.

"I want to go too Sakura!" Naruto called in. "Getting some new stuff sounds cool! Maybe we can get more Ramen? And see where this famous guy came from. Oh-but I'm still looking forward to training more, right Luffy!"

Only silence met the genin. "Captain Luffy?" More of the crew looked over at their captain. The excitable teen…was totally quiet.

"Loguetown. The place where Gold Roger both lived and died. I've gotta go there and see it. The spot where he got killed, and the search for the One Piece all started from."

Slowly lifting the straw hat from his head and staring down at it, Luffy face evolved from complete reverence, to an empowering grin.

"That's my next step. To living up my promise to Shanks!" Zoro, Ussop and Nami understood now. But the rest….

"Who is Shanks?" Naruto asked what was on the other's minds.

"Huh!..." Luffy stopped staring at his hat, shifting over to Naruto. Several faces followed, Luffy trying to make sense of what had come, then dropping a fist into his hand. "Oh! I never told you did I! Some of you guys don't know about Shanks! I gotta tell ya!"

"What's so important Captain Luffy? If Shanks is a friend of yours, is it so important that we need to know about him?" Sasuke inquired.

Luffy met this with another smile, reaching to the heart of soul. "Shanks is the reason I set out to be a pirate. I wouldn't be alive if he hadn't been around, and he's the one who gave me this hat!"

A short story followed, describing everything Luffy had done with the Red-Haired pirates. Everyone but Zoro fell off their seats at hearing about how Luffy stabbed his own face to prove he was tough enough to be a pirate. Naruto did one worse by calling it cool, and the first mate agreed; leaving Sanji, Nami and Kakashi to nail the latter upside his head, then demand an oath from Naruto to never try the same thing.

What followed was how Shanks would brush off anything done to him, Luffy eating the Gum-gum fruit, Shanks losing his arm to save Luffy, and finally gifting him his precious Straw Hat.

"That's when I decided I would become the King of the Pirates! Shanks in on the Grand Line too, and now that I have a crew and I'm tough enough, I'm eager to go there and become a famous pirate."

After hearing his story, Sanji lit a fresh cigarette, Gin didn't know what to say, and each of the Konoha ninjas were deeply impressed. Naruto found himself reminded of Iruka and the Hokage, especially their belief in how he could one day become Hokage; while Kakashi's hidden smile was clear to spot; Sakura and Sasuke didn't know what to think, the former having never had such an inspiration in her life before, while the later recalled a shadow of feelings for his own father but without such inspiring feats.

"Yeah, and Luffy isn't alone either! Right pal!" Ussop spoke-up, looping his arm around the shoulders of his friend. "Uh huh! You're Dad was really great too, Ussop! He's the only guy who could be a better shot than you are!"

"Right!" The sniper took a dramatic bow towards the rest of the crew. "You all see, my Dad and I follow a similar strategy. We both join different crews with a front-man to claim he's the captain, but when the real power and brilliance comes only from us! Yassop is my Dad's name and he's part of the Red-Hair Pirates too! And he's a sniper, just like I am! That's a real smart system, huh?"

Nobody bought it for a moment, and Luffy was too happy to care. "Yassop told me all about Ussop, and when I met him, he had to join my crew! Yassop even said he wanted to stay with his wife and Ussop, but when the seas were calling him for adventure, he just had to follow it!"

Gin and Sanji both narrowed their eyes at their nakama. "So, you're Mom was okay with all that? Leaving home to become a pirate like your father too?" the chef inquired through his smoke.

At this question, Ussop's mood dropped harder than a Devil-fruit in the open seas. A grieving mood came to his face, filling Sanji with regret. "Uh…..my Mom. She got real sick you see, and…and passed away. I was a little kid. After that I always running around talking about different pirates coming to our home or helping out Miss. Kaya to feel better."

Sanji hung his head. Unbeknownst to everyone, to cook was thinking back on his own childhood, and a loving woman always in a bed, very sick. Nami has already heard this story, but this time she raised a comforting hand to Ussop's shoulder. Gin and the ninjas were respectful; but Naruto himself drew a face, totally unable to relate. Having never even met his own parents, or their names. At all…..ever.

"So, you both want to go their to find these men; Shanks and Yassop. Especially because one of them saved the Captain's life." Kakashi summarized.

"You got it!"

"Yeah, I want to go there and become a brave warrior of the sea's! Facing every challenge with nerves of steel and showing the world the strength of Captain Ussop!"

"Hey, I'm the captain!" Luffy complained. Causing the crew around the table to laugh out loud.

"You know, what kind of roles do we have here on this crew, Captain Luffy?" Kakashi asked from the blue.

"Ahhhh, tha's a good point, Kakashi," Gin replied to the Jonin. "Don Luffy, I'm wonderin' tha' too, here abouts. You named Zoro th' first-mate, Sanji's th' cook, Nami is th' Navigator, and Ussop's always talkin' round bout a sniper. Do th' kids, him and I have any role in th' crew."

Everyone at the table eyed their captain, with a classic mouthful that somehow wound-up in his greedy gullet.

"Wha's th' ribig-rehal? Yoor—" "Swallow first Luffy!" Nami berated him, right in her seat to his right. After gulping down a load wide enough to stretch his throat, Luffy shot a dim look at Kakashi.

"All of us are Nakama, and old Doctor guy said we should get a ship's doctor too. After we get a musician. Do you really need some kind of job here?" Now the Genin were looking over at the oldest men around.

"Well, Don, it'll be for what I'd do day-t'-day. Jus' in general if nothin' big's blowin' up in our faces," Gin replied, lost to have a captain and didn't make demands every other moment.

"Plus," Kakashi stepped in. "Technically, you were employed by us to travel until we find our home island. I'd feel bad letting that go without giving some work back in exchange. Usually, Jonin in our village use their time to train, or as security inside the group we live with. Genin often do small jobs, cleaning, running chores, or babysitting. Small jobs to build into a-"

"Don't lie, sensei!" Naruto exploded, now standing in his seat. "All that kid-stuff was not what ninjas do! We need to get out and get big missions, and get strong."

"Maybe not," Nami purred with a dangerous look. "That sounds an awful lot like a cabin-boy's role. They're the lowest rank on a crew, doing odd-jobs like cleaning, running at the other's whims, and learning all about sailing on-the-job. Kakashi can keep his title as 'Jonin' or 'master-at-arms,' and as for Gin we could use a 'Quartermaster' who knows about sailing and fighting."

"And we have three new Cabin-kids. Or maybe…Cabin-Genin," the Navigator smirked connivingly.

Both men pondered their roles, while the other three appointees were sharing gob-smacked horror.

"SHishishishishsishishishi! Great Idea Nami!" Luffy proclaimed, looping an arm around her shoulders. "That's real easy. Gin's Quarter-guy, Kakashi's the Jonin, or arms-guy, and we have three Cabin-Genin!"

"No! Luffy give us something else, please, please, please!" Naruto wailed, throwing himself on the table to bow.

"Hahahaha! A little too late, Cabin-Genin!" Zoro's mocking drew glares from each, until Nami herded them out for their new chores.

The day continued, with the newest Straw Hat Nakama settling into their roles. Zoro continued training on-deck, with Kakashi beside him doing his own intense exercises. Envy was heaped upon them, solely from the Cabin-Genin as they were broken into the meticulous roles involved with sailing by Nami and Gin. Ussop and Luffy forced Sanji into playing tag with them, until Naruto jumped in with a demand for hide-and-seek.

"Hold-up, Naruto!" Gin called over. "If you come in th' Lounge firs', I can give yer art one las' touch-up, and it'll be complete."

"Oh wow!" An Orange bolt flew through the door, leaving Team 7 perplexed.

"What kind of art can Naruto be doing right now?" "Watch out, Sakura," Sasuke answered her. "We might find out soon."

Kakashi gave a shrug, then pulled a kunai from his pouch. 'Alright, now, let's see if Pakun is truly out of reach.'

With a prick on his finger, the masked Grey-hound wove his hands through five-symbols, then planted one hand to the ground. "Summoning Jutsu!"

"Whaaaa!" Zoro nearly dropped his load, several spiralling signs flew over the deck, centred from the Jonin's hand, lingering for some moments. Looking over, the swordsman found the Jonin sweating mildly.

'I….I barely feel….anything,' Kakashi realized. Holding the power for a moment longer, he completed the jutsu. It's reward give a cloud of smoke, then nothing. Rising to his feet, the Hatake starred at his hand.

"Sensei, who did you try and summon?" Sakura was at her teacher's shoulder.

"Well, Sakura," he replied. "I have a contract with a pack of Ninja-Hounds. Often I use them for tracking, ambushes, scouting or even messengers. Previously, I initially wanted one to track-down Nami after she slipped away at the Baratie, but the jutsu failed."

Sasuke stood a short ways away, while his teammate only cocked her head. "How can that happen, sensei? I read about the Summoning-jutsu before, and even the most preliminary tries can bring something out from the technique."

"Correct," he nodded. "I executed it properly, but still nothing has come from this jutsu. I'm going to pour over this for a while and try to figure-out why. As for you,"

Giving her a trolling smile, the Jonin slowly pointed back towards the deck. "I believe that Gin assigned you to 'swab th' deck cleana' than a mirror,'" Kakashi recalled, with two fingers curled to quote the words.

"Wouldn't want Nami to revoke your shopping rights for being lazy, do you?"

Pouting with all her might, the Cabin-kunoichi had to stomp off back to her job, passing by Sasuke who went back to tying and untying the mast lines.

Kakashi continued with the summoning-jutsu ten-times over, until finally deciding it was pointless. 'I might as well limit this to one attempt every morning. Maybe some luck will bring at least one of them.'

Things continued uneventfully for another half-hour; until the Lounge doors got thrown open.

"It's finished, Believe it! My tattoo looks so cool, ya Know! Hey sensei, what do you think? Huh? Huh?"

Kakashi couldn't blink at all, watching Naruto parade his bare left shoulder around; sporting a unique skull-design with whiskers matching his on each bony cheek and the Konoha head-band design on its forehead.

Sakura's jaw hit the ground, while Sasuke face was blank. "So cool!" Ussop and Luffy both exclaimed, running over for closer looks. Zoro took one look and smirked, "Guess you're a true pirate-ninja now, Naruto. Good job."

'Kushina-san….' Kakashi bemoaned, looking towards the heavens. 'Please forgive me,' imagining what the Hotblooded-Habanero would do with the picture of her son getting a tattoo.

Nami herself came out the next moment, in a tank-top and showing a new tattoo of her own; a spiraling vertical cross with the image of a fruit dangling off the top arm. Luffy and Sanji were right beside her.

"OOOOOOOh, really cool tattoo, Nami," the Captain eyed it, googly. "It kinda looks like pin-wheel guy's hat, and a piece of food. Is that what it is?"

"~Hahahahahaha~! That's right Luffy. Genzo's pin-wheel and one of Bellemere's Tangerine trees. I'm glad you like it." Nami's chuckle came in a light-hearted melody.

Turning to face the younger Nakama, she smiled at his excitement. "Naruto walked in when I showed the design to Gin and asked to get his own too. It looks pretty cute on him."

"So that is what the three of you have been pouring-over lately," Sanji nodded, taking a smoke. Gin strode up beside him, nodding. "Some'a my best work there. And Ah bet Nami's happy t' git Arlong's mark gone f' good."

"Yes, I am Gin." The young woman smiled, loud enough to send her thanks to the heavens.

"Hey!" Naruto called out, grabbing their attention. "Ya know, I wonder what happened to that Marine-guy that Arlong was with. The one that Captain Luffy sent flying."

0…0

Nezumi, Former-Colonel of Marine Branch 16. A proud realist and career-Marine, to himself alone, was utterly beyond saving.

The toothless man couldn't even cry, no sound was made through the steel grip on his throat; in a hand strong enough to punch apart eight mountains.

'Whyyyyy. Why oh why oh why oh why oh why must I sufferrrrrrrrr?' the Rat silently moaned. 'How can any of this resemble fairness for my sake? After loosing my teeth, swimming to an island with no hospitality, and drifting around in the ocean for days on a raft. This is where I wind-up.'

"You repulsive, back-stabbing, corrupt piss-stream!" His captor roared, followed with a mix of rancid and putrid stink from Nezumi's pants. The snarl facing him started to gag.

"Ahh-ghukkk! How could a piss-poor maggot like you get into the Marines on the first day!" Monkey D. Garp declared in revulsion. "Why the hell did I snag you outa the sea in the first place, Toothless!"

While the Rat tried to spit at his new nick-name, Bogard came back up to Garp and whispered to him.

"WHAAAAA! How could I forget that? About this stinkin' traitor pallin'—around with pirates who murdered his fellow marines!"

Pulling Nezumi face back, both the Vice-Admiral and the piss-pot were nose-to-nose. With Garp's voice was lower than death. "I'm gonna pound you into the smallest pieces I can make. Then maybe call-up the brat Shakazuki. He'd sure love to roast-up the leftovers…" grinning all the while.

0…0

Back on the Going Merry, once the last of their chores were complete, the Cabin-Genin were pressed right back into ninja training.

The ship had reached the islet exactly as Nami forecast. Kakashi sent Naruto off first, running laps across the island to complete his water-walking exercises. Gin was leading 2-dozen clones around to search for different supplies, leaving the others to enjoy their time on the beach. Luffy had run-off exploring, Sanji, Nami, and Ussop stayed aboard, watching ship, reading a newspaper and pouring over a handful of vials and a set of tiny shot. 'Just a few more dabs and this hot-sauce. Then I've gotta find a way to test my latest invention; the Tobasco Star!'

Back on the beach, Kakashi suggested Sakura, Sasuke and Zoro remove their shoes and start running over the sand. At first, they barely thought anything of it, until 10 steps in the sand dispelled that fog. After some minutes of their feet sinking deeper in the loose surface, different leg muscles nobody felt before were screaming.

"Kakashi-sensei! This is really difficult to move on!" Sakura called over, wobbling on her legs and feet.

"Yes, I'm certain it is," the Jonin replied, from a hand-stand position crossing over different laps; struggling himself to stay balanced on his hands while pushing his entire body up. 'If only Guy could see me now. At least here he won't turn it into a race,' he thought ruefully.

"Wouldn't we get more progress by moving faster and further on a trail? Or what about across the water like we were doing at the restaurant?" Sakura suggested.

"I thought you'd enjoy the change-of-pace. Now keep going, else there won't be any shopping with Nami in-store for you." Her teacher's threat sent the pinkette off again, while the Jonin-sensei had to focus on his own struggles.

'This sand-running will allow their entire feet and leg muscles to develop since it doesn't have a stable platform, especially for the muscles in the balls of their feet, toes and calves, rather than the heels and thighs.[4] Footwork and balance like that is essential for their speed and composure. At least with Naruto's stamina he'll be able to complete some water-laps and this running as well.'

'After my talk with him. It's past time this happened.' Lowering his body down, Kakashi's gloved and calloused hands left them unburnt by the sand, while the same principles as sand-running were applied to his palms, fingers, and forearms.

Several minutes later, Gin returned with the clones carrying the fresh-water barrel and baskets worth of fruits. Zoro finished running first, only standing upright from his time with sea-legs on the ocean. Sasuke was behind him and fell to the sand once he couldn't stand any longer. Zoro was ruthless though, demanding his new protégée get to his feet then yanking him up after too long.

"Eh, Kakashi," Gin spoke to his crewmate. "Ah'm gonna to work through with my tonfa for a while. That a prob'em?"

"Not at this moment. Although, I was hoping you would be willing to spar with Sakura at one point today." Kakashi's answer left the girl to jerk with surprise and squirming under Gin's gaze. "She doesn't have the highest degree of practice in actual combat, and nothing can replace experience." The Jonin elaborated, before turning his single eye towards his students.

"Sakura, you'll be allowed to use each of your skills, weapons and jutsu again Gin, but not towards a lethal degree. But before hand, I want you to practice further with the transparency jutsu and your elemental affinity." As the kunoichi visibly relaxed at this news, Kakashi's attention moved towards Zoro.

"Zoro. One detail I noticed in your swordsmanship was footwork. Improving that would transfer into greater balance and mobility with all of your techniques." Kicking up some sand, the Jonin continued. "I take it you're already feeling the results from running here on the beach. This was a part of it, and further dedicated practice would be a notable benefit to your swordsmanship. Otherwise, you would prefer to train with Sasuke?"

Both the swordsman and the avenger nodded at this. Kakashi himself approved, so long as Sasuke continued his own jutsu practice before hand. Each of the four broke off, Sakura finding a shady spot on solid ground, hidden from the sun as she rehearsed the hand-signs for her jutsu and focusing on her arm. Gin had his single weapon out, twirling it around while composing his sense of balance.

Zoro and Sasuke remained close to the other, Zoro kicking off his boots and shifting around barefoot on the earth before drawing his blade. While Sasuke stood facing the open water, taking several breaths then executing the jutsu-signs of his clan's signature technique, releasing a continuous fireball across the surf.

Kakashi watched everything closely, while waiting for his important job of the day.

"Heeeeyyy! Hey-huh-huh-I'm back! Believe it!" Naruto came running up the waves, waving over to the beach. Coming up to the group, he found they had moved on to different things, with a spark of jealousy towards Sasuke.

"Naruto!" At his name, the Genin faced his teacher. "For today, you and I are going to be working together on your skills. Including the fundamentals for a new jutsu. But first, let's head further inland to find a wide, open space."

At this the boy was jumping with delight, almost singing aloud about getting to learn a new jutsu. Kakashi himself remained patient, indulging him before turning towards the island and moving away from the group. Naruto hustled to catch up, smiling brightly all the while.

"Hey! Hey sensei, there's one of those out here! Just seven turns that way!" the boy called over, pointing to his right. Kakashi barely noticed, his mind somewhere else; worried over an immensely crucial matter. The man waited for Naruto, placing a hand on his shoulder and guiding him further down the path.

'He must have found that from the shadow-clones memory-transfer. I'll explain it a little later. This cannot wait,' he deduced, glancing around while Naruto questioned what was going on.

This continued until Kakashi found a quiet place and brought them to a stop. With a deep breath, he moved over to a flat boulder and took a seat. "Naruto," fixing the Jinchuuriki with a serious eye, he took a deep breath.

"I was honest with you, and there is a technique I will introduce you to today. However, there is something else we need to discuss before hand."

"What-what-what-what-what-what? Come on sensei, this time is in the way of my training, and Sakura-chan or Sasuke are already getting stronger!" the boy complained, itching to get started. "How can something be bigger than us getting stronger?"

"The Kyubi. And how you are a Jinchuuriki." Kakashi answered, cutting to the point with a razer.

At this, Naruto came to a stop; his face evolving from excitement to fear, gulping down at this news.

"You and I haven't even spoken a word of it since Hanma Village. What I told you there still stands, Naruto," he reassured the sacrificed orphan in a calm voice. "You are my student and my comrade first and foremost. But, ignoring your prisoner would be extremely irresponsible. What do you know about that so far? Take your time and tell me everything."

Naruto didn't answer. Not immediately. His mind was travelling back to the night Iruka and Mizuki had unveiled the truth. Stories from how the demon-fox had nearly destroyed his village, becoming defeated by the 4th Hokage, Naruto's personal hero, at the cost of everything he had. The ways other people hated or despised him in his own home.

Thoughts and feeling left behind when he departed for Nami no Kuni months ago…they came back this moment with a vengeance.

Naruto was shaking, his breaths growing shallow and erratic, blinking at those thoughts for some moments; until by strength of will, he pushed it all away and wore a fragile smile. "Uhhh. W-well, Kakashi-sensei. Oji-Hokage-san told me a little more after things with Mizuki and Iruka-sensei. About how it was sealed inside of me the day that I was born, and how other people blamed me for it. I haven't thought about it all for a bit. Not since we first got to the Baratie, ya know?"

Kakashi nodded. "Indeed. Naruto, if you want, it is actually possible to see the seal that contains the fox. However, do you know about how you could possibly use the Fox's power, it's chakra, for yourself?

"Huh? S-s-s-s-sensei, I'm not the Fox! You-you said so, I'm Na-Naruto! I can't do anything with it!" the boy protested, growing shaky with his words until the desperate shout pushed again this news. Kakashi remained placid, holding one hand up to calm it. "Yes. You are correct, and so was I, Naruto," he continued.

'Maybe, I need to coach him through this,' he decided. "It looks like there are a couple things that Hokage-sama left unsaid.

"You see, another important part of having a Biju sealed inside of you, is that tiny parts of it's chakra are mixing in with yours. This means it might be possible that you can stay yourself, but at the same time draw on parts of the Kyubi's chakra in a fight. Using it's power to beat enemies greater than yourself and growing more powerful as a ninja."

At this news, Naruto was quiet for a bit. "Huhhhh? Whadoya mean? I never did that before?"

At this, a frown came over Kakashi's face. "I see. Naruto, you may not have realized this, but the truth is you have done that once before. All the way back against Zabuza and Haku at Tazuna's Bridge. Do you remember after Haku defeated Sasuke? Did a sudden rush of power come over you? Something that allowed you to match Haku's speed, breaking out of that ice-prison jutsu?"

Naruto followed his teacher's words. Thinking back, far back, to before his wish to the Genie had brought them far away from Konoha and the Ninja World he'd grown up in. "Ohhhhh!" dropping a hand into his palm, understanding was clear in his blue eyes.

"You mean that was the Kyubi's chakra. Yeah, it made me real powerful, sensei. And really super fast."

Seeing they were on the same page, Kakashi nodded. "That is correct. It allowed us to win that fight. Nothing like that has happened since, but it is still very, very important, Naruto."

"Please, remove your shirt for a second and come here. As I said, it is possible to actually see the seal that is keeping the Kyubi-no-Kitsune locked away inside of you. But while it might not threaten Konoha from here, it could be a danger to us. I want to check the seal and ensure it's working properly, then there is a lot we need to talk about."

0….…0

Meanwhile, back near the beach, Sasuke was throwing a handful of shuriken towards Zoro. The pair stood amidst charred and tiny fragments of glass in the sand. Throwing stars bent around the swordsman, while Sasuke twisted his hands. Yet, the first mate was turning it in a flourish, causing the shuriken to fail around, randomly. Sasuke gasped, moments before a tug yanked him off his feet, straight into Zoro grasp with Wado Ichimonji leveled at his heart.

The shuriken hung about harmlessly, the ninja wires connecting them to Sasuke's hands taunt around Zoro's blade. "You've done that trick one time too many, kid. I'm not skill enough to cut steel yet, so I tied the wires around my blade to pull you in this close. You understand?"

Snarling at this lesson, taking it as a wound to his pride, Sasuke nodded. Zoro let his Nakamaa to rise back to his feet, sliding the wires clear from his blade then turning a glare down at his sparring partner.

"There something you want to say, kid?"

"I've never failed with that move before, Zoro-san. How could you have seen those wires without a Sharingan yourself after I used my fire-jutsu to screen them?" Sasuke demanded, fiercely.

"Simple," Zoro gave back without a care. "You've done it to me several times before, even far back as the restaurant. It became predictable."

"The same move reused several times over doesn't guarantee it'll have the same results, Sasuke. You've grown stronger since we met, but the details in some of your moves are still the same without any change. You just reuse the same one exactly from before and expect their nature to bring results."

Sasuke was still glaring up at Zoro, unmoving. Zoro himself merely scoffed. "Let's go again, then."

It continued, this time with Sasuke dashing in, two kunai ready in his hands. Elsewhere, Gin and Sakura were both aboard the Going Merry.

Sakura had managed to leave more of her arm obscured before cutting that practice short to save chakra. Now she was pouring over different lists, writing out any and every tactic, strategy and scenario she could think off for combat. Working to recall as many theoretical strategies from the Ninja Academy as she could. 'After using these in Miss Nami's Village, I should double-down on them going forward. Maybe even prepare a few unique ones for fighting out on the open ocean.'

Sanji was nearby giving his own critiques, proving to have an aptitude for strategy. Nami herself was still going through the newspaper while Ussop's chemistry set lay about the deck.

Gin stood apart from the group, working through a handful of his Man-Demon style techniques; watching closely on the beach all the while. 'How long'er those two be? Ah can't jus' start fighin' with Sakura, else Sanji'll get in th' middle for hittin' a lady. Still.' Looking back towards where the younger pirate-girl worked, he nodded some approval.

'She's certainly makin' good use'a th' time. Plannin' like that saved dozens back in Cocoyoshi village.'

"Um, Sanji-san? Miss. Nami?"

"Hmmm? Something up, Sakura?" the Navigator replied, while Sanji came out from the lounge. "How do ships usually fight with each other out on the open ocean? If we run into another pirate crew and they attack us, is it better to be up close to fight them, or further away from a distance?

Sanji took up the answer. "That depends on what kind of weapons you have." Setting down cool drinks beside the ladies, Sanji took a breath while reflecting on a good answer.

"We only have three canons on this caravel, so nearly every kind of ship on the seas will have more firepower than we do. Leaning on our captain's Devil-fruits or Kakashi's Ninja-powers will be our best bet to fight at a distance, but we'll still have a disadvantage. Otherwise we can try to out-sail our enemies with Nami-swan's navigation skills or get up close to board them. Naruto's clone-jutsu would especially be a good method to use in that scenario."

Ussop perked up at this, nodding eagerly. "Hey, I'm a really good shot too, Sanji! Don't count my skill with the canons or my special stars out yet. We could also use how the Ninjas walk over water to try and take down another ship too, since that's one thing even devil-fruit users or Fishmen can't perform at all."

"Hmmm. Good thinkin' Ussop." Gin chimmed in. "'Side's all that, lookin' for th' weatha' or surroundin's can be a handy principle. Fog and Islands are good places to hind behind, eitha' t' escape someone pursuin' y'all or t' hide an' ambush."

Sakura herself listed all of these, building different strategies for the crew to use in the future. Things kept on going back and forth between them while back on the island, Sasuke got thrown down again by Zoro.

Glaring up towards the green-haired warrior, Sasuke took a mental tally of all his ninja tools. 'I'm totally out, and still haven't gotten Zoro away from his sword at all.'

"You did better that time, kid." Zoro nodded, now sporting bruises on his arms, and single foot-sized mark on his face. "That kick caught me by surprise. But if this is how you want to defeat the guy who orphaned you, then you're being stupid about it."

"WHAT!" Sasuke snarled up, loud enough for the others to hear. Zoro didn't respond. Instead, he cleared his blade and sheathed it. "Kid. All that you've done is throw out different skills, and expect the quality they have to do the work for you."

"Now you're too predictable, and just doubled-down on what you've got, not try anything new or unexpected."[5]

"I've always won at the Ninja Academy!" Sasuke proclaimed. "Nobody there could challenge me at all, and I have to grow more powerful to kill Ita-to avenge my clan! It's just the same as you getting stronger to beat Mihawk!"

Zoro fixed him with a stoic glare, unmoving and thoughtful.

"You're half right, and half wrong, Sasuke. First, I need to get stronger, you're on the money there. But Mihawk isn't doing nothing right now either. He's the Best Swordsman in the World, and to stay like that I know, without any doubt, that he's training too. Improving and sharpening himself to ensure that he will keep that title. A swordsman's oath and his blade in bound by their word; but this guy you wanted to kill. He's a ninja too. Isn't he?"

Sasuke nodded, shaking to leap back into a fight. Zoro returned his glare, staying easy to drive a point home. "Then it sounds like killing you first will be all that matters to him just as well. I'm willing to bet this guy is also training himself, just as Kakashi has been while teaching you, Sakura and Naruto. Whomever killed your family. If he's truly in in the top league, then he likely has become a better fighter now than when he tortured you.[5]

Thinking back to his own revelation towards a certain rival, Zoro stepped forward. Taking Sasuke by his arm, the older teen pulled him over to the shade where they both sat down.

"Listen, 'cause I'm only going to tell you this once," he snapped to the boy, shifting in discomfort. "When I was a kid, I had a rival at the dojo I trained at. My sensei's daughter, Kuina. On my first day there, I challenged her to a fight and she accepted. So-"

"What!" A roar cut off the story. Looking up, Zoro watched a Black-and-Blonde blur knock over Ussop, sail over the railing and dash through shallow water to deliver a kick for his face. Zoro blocked it, while Sanji followed this with a handstand, raining kick after kick on his first-mate. "You started a fight with a girl, you senseless imbecile! Forget that first-mate title, I'm going to kick some decorum into you right here and now!"

Elsewhere, a shout of agony rocked the Merry, followed with a column of flame erupting from the deck. Ussop was running sideways, hands to his face and screaming, "WHHAAAAHH—OOOWWW-HHH—HHHHHH—HHHHHH-HOT—HOT—HOT—HOT—HOT!"

Gin threw the sniper overboard, where the shallow water quickly solved the problem, as Sanji and Zoro were wrestling around one another. Sasuke himself watched the pair, until a crazy sight left him stupefied.

"Gum—Gum: ROCKET—STAMP!" Luffy came sailing down from the sky, flying at break-neck speed feet-first. Both his cook and first-mate had only seconds to get out of the way before their captain stomped down at the tree behind them; his rocket's impact adding to the force in his legs, shattering bark to splinters and sending the whole tree clear-off it's stump to spinning far away off the island.

"Shishishishishishishi! Perfect. Now I got a new move to use on anyone who tries to hurt my crew." Their captain's voice came whimsically amidst the dust. Everyone else only blinked, Sanji and Zoro especially.

"Hm?" Luffy took a glance around. "Zoro? Sanji? Why'd both of you nearly come in my way?"

"I was teaching this idiot a sense of propriety, Captain!"

"Can you think about anything but woman at all!?" Zoro shot back at the cook. "Quit jumping to ideas, pervy-cook! Kuina kicked my ass! That and the 2,000 and one times I sparred with her!"

Nobody moved at that news. Sanji even had to blink a few dozen times. "Oh. That sounds alright than," he spoke while letting the first-mate have a bit of space. "Hey, captain. You were training too right?"

"Yup." Luffy replied. Sanji himself threw down his spent cigarette, and turned about to face the trees. "Well, I don't like feeling useless right now. Why don't we go to a separate part of the island and have our own spar together?"

"You wanna train with me!" Luffy cried with delight, palming his fist with a grin. "Okay! Hang on!" Throwing back his left arm, Sanji had one second to gulp. "Wait!-No, not this close-!"

"Gum—Gum: Pistol!" Luffy's fist came flying, for Sanji to duck by a hair. Pulling it back just out from a counter—kick, the Rubber-man spun about to let his own leg fly out at his partner. "Whip!" Sanji dropped in a splits under the appendage, before a tell-tale groan behind him signalled several falling trees.

"WHAT DUMB-ASS DID I GET FOR A CAPTAIN!?" he shouted, rolling around the falling trunks Luffy knocked towards them. Zoro and Sasuke had to scramble out of danger, all the while Luffy ignored them, hounding Sanji while trusting his rubber-nature to take a hit.

Sanji weaved around each collapsing tree, snarling now before dashing to drive a Collier-Shot right for Luffy's chest; sending the younger pirate flying to a cliff. "I'll kick your ass into fractions for that!"

Soon, both were gone; the sounds of their own fight and wreaking boulders growing lower. Leaving others on the beach in a blend of bewilderment.

"Zoro-san?" At Sasuke's voice, the swordsman came back to his prior point. Standing up, he walked over towards the last Uchiha, even as the others on the ship came across to listen in.

"As I was saying. Kuina was my rival, and within my first year at sensei's dojo, she defeated me 2,001 times. I challenged her that often, and she won all of them."

"All because she trained just as hard as I did. I was driving myself from before dawn until long after the sunset, endlessly working to improve and grow stronger. I defeated every student in the dojo, even adults that were twice my age. Yet, Kuina still defeated me because she was doing the same; training just as hard as I was, leaving the gap between us as the same."

Placing one hand on his sword, Zoro's gaze rested on the blade until shifting it to Sasuke. "You asked to train with me, and I pledged that you would be able to kill this clan-murdering bastard by the time our paths depart from one another. If you truly want to grow, start by becoming more personal instead of predictable."

"Each of those contests with Kuina actually compelled me to learn how to use two-sword-style. And later invent my own three-sword-style: Sentoryu. Something unique, with different moves that I invented myself. I'm not saying you should sacrifice what you've already got, Sasuke. But start using what you have in a better way. Or develop something different that someone else won't expect at all."

Sasuke blinked his eyes, taking in this new idea, slowly "I'm going to meditate for a bit," Zoro announced. "Think over what I said for a while, then we'll resume sparring again."

Gin meanwhile called over towards Sakura. "Al'right Little Lady. Now that th' cook's gone, it's time for us t' start sparring. Sanji'll blow a gasket if I were fighting with ya right before 'im. Now that he's gone a ways, we're good t' go."

Sakura had to gulp under this concept, glancing wistfully towards her plans. Still, she didn't want to disappoint her sensei again and followed Gin over to the middle of the deck. Ussop, standing in the surf, stole a glance back at the Merry, then looked down to his pouch. "Well. I might a well practice my sniping now. That Tobasco Star was more potent than I imagined. But nailing someone's mouth or face could still be tricky."

While the Sniper strode off to set-up his own targets, Sasuke himself stood still for a while, before turning over to watch Zoro. His eyes taking on a gleam at the sword resting on his teacher's shoulder.

Nami herself began to feel out-of-place. 'Hmmmm. I guess practicing with my bo would do a little good. But the sun won't be high forever, so I'll grab my swimsuit. Still, I wonder what Naruto and Kakashi are doing?" she asked herself.

0…..0

Back in the clearing, Kakashi kept a very close watch on Naruto while speaking about Jinchurriki.

"The Kyubi is considered top-secret. Even details like these are kept hidden from any lower than a Jonin's rank. But, given how we are right now, keeping things from you might not be the best choice."

"After I examined your seal with my Sharingan, everything appears to be balanced and intact. It's also designed to allow fractions of the Biju's chakra to be funnelled into your own chakra and kept locked away. That was a crucial point made by the Four Hokage for your own safety. But, it can also allow you to draw on it's power easily enough to be dangerous."

"Yeah—" Naruto cut him off. "You just told me that if I go with too much the seal can break I would die. And that happens each time a Biju breaks out from the person holding it inside of them."

Watching him carefully, Kakashi stayed silent. Letting the boy process this on his own.

"Basically, I'm stuck with the stupid Kitsune for life. And if the seal breaks, it might hurt our nakama if they are around me." Naruto summarized in a tone filled with fear. His body trembling at the idea of the ones he'd met dying because of him; all the whilst the Biju within him sneered with glee at such a concept.

"Yes," Kakashi answered, blunt and direct. "In another ninja village, Kumogakure, that happened quite often with the Gyuki. However, it never did inside of Konoha andnthe chance of that happening to you are very small. For now. They might grow larger if you use the Kyubi's power too often, and—"

"WHY!" Naruot screamed. Facing his sensei, tears mixing anger and fear were rolling past his whiskered face. "WHY DID IT HAVE TO BE ME, SENSEI!? FOR MY LIFE TO BE SO BADLY SCREWED LIKE THAT SO MUCH!?"

Begging the only source of answers he had, Naruto curled into himself, his fists tight and trembling. "I…I….Sensei, I'm not the Kitsune…..and I don't want anything to do with it either! Why did everybody hate for maybe letting out that monster, when I'm gonna die too if that happens! It's unfair, from so many people even-!"

More may have followed, but a hand came to rest on Naruto's shoulder, drawing his attention towards a certain Copy-ninja.

"Yes. It is unfair, to say the absolute least."

Naruto stop cold…awe growing through the fog of rage in his mind. Hearing sympathy from anyone still so alien to him.

"Naruto. Do you know what a ninja is?" Kakashi continued, in a gentle voice. Drawing from memories to emulate his own sensei. 'Minato-sensei. I hope this will work.'

"Ummm…sensei. Ninja's save people, don't they? They rescue their comrades, protect their homes and follow their nindo to the end. Right?" he answered. Kakashi nodded.

"In general, yes. But at the same time, a ninja is one who endures. We are people who set goals for ourselves and are measured but what stands in the way of those goals. Everything that we surpass is what a ninja can judged by, even things we find hateful and unfair."

Taking a deep breath, Kakashi thought back towards how his other two students had become angry before. And what shocked the pair of them into growing more amicable with others and their situations.

"Believe me, I know more than a little about an unfair life. If you want, I'll tell you about some things that happened to me before I became a Jonin. Not about important missions I finished or great enemies I overcame. But about what I lost in my life, and what I did to endure it."

This was followed with the story of Sakumo Hatake, right up to his death. "Everyone in the village turned against my father. Right up until…he took his own…." Kakashi had to swallow several times. Turning over a stone he left untouched for years, a second time within months.

"I found him in our home, after he killed himself. After that, Naruto, I became focused completely on being the perfect ninja; you might not know this, but I actually graduated from the Academy at age five, and became a Chunin when I was six years old."

"Whoa! Huh?" Naruto went from horrified to excited, then confused all within seconds. "Uhhh. Sensei I forgot. What's so big about a Chunin?"

At this, Kakashi's face fell flat. 'Did he really just ask that?'

"Naruto. There are five official ranks that a ninja can have after they complete the Academy. Genin, Chunin, Jonin, Anbu, and Kage. You, Sasuke and Sakura are each Genin, and I am a Jonin, an elite ninja. Chunin are in the middle, the same rank that Mizuki and Iruka had. Didn't you learn this in school?"

Naruto's face scrunched up on itself, before a light-blub clicked and he went totally sheepish. "UH…huhuhuhuhuhuh. Now I remember them, sensei. Guess I fell asleep or didn't really try to hear when Iruka-sensei talked about it."

"Hhhhhh,"

'It looks like my work is going to be harder than I thought,' the lazy greyhound reflected, silently. Before taking another breath to speak about the other matters.

"Coming back to what a person can endure. After completing several missions, I was assigned to a team with a new sensei, and my own teammates. But that was during the 3rd Great Shinobi War, and a lot of people were dying."

"On one mission…" Kakashi had to stop, repressing a shudder threating to course through him. The image of Obito's body buried under rubble, and Nohara Rin's mouth coughing blood flashing in his sight.

"Both of my teammates died in that war. On separate missions right before my eyes. The first one saved my life and became crushed beneath a giant bolder. As he lay dying, he begged me to protect the one I still had left…but even she died right in front of me a short time later."

Kakashi had to fight the instinct to grasp his right hand, recalling the sickeningly wet sensation of it piercing through her heart. Naruto didn't speak. Rustling leaves up above and distant waves becoming the only sound between them.

"Then, during the Kyubi attack a year following the end of the war, even my sensei, and his wife died in the fighting. I wasn't allowed to join, as several younger ninjas were kept away from it to ensure the future of our village would grow up and nurture those to come after them."

"I lost…everyone I have ever known. Every one of those losses was a mountain, too steep to climb myself."

Turning aside, Kakashi single dead eye met Naruto's wild blue ones. "It took everything I had to endure that. And become the ninja I am now. I tried to do it on my own, but fell down several times. Still, there were others who picked me up along the way." Without meaning too, Kakashi's mind brought images of his rival, Might Guy, the grandfatherly Third Hokage, and even Pakkun and the other dogs to his conscious.

"That is how I became a great ninja, and why I will not allow any of my comrades to die. Again"

"Naruto," he addressed his bewildered student. "That even includes preventing you from becoming lost to the Kyubi-no-Kitsune. I know you have been through an immeasurable amount of suffering as a Jinchuuriki. But you are still right here, and you became a ninja despite all of it. Even your dream to become Hokage deserves only praise and support."

"I want you to understand this so we can prepare for it, and ensure nothing happens that will endanger you, the crew we are travelling with, or anybody at all. But that can only happen if the both of us work on it together. Do you understand?"

Naruto didn't reply at first. Pure awe remaining on his face, even facing the ground for a long time. Kakashi decided to be patient as the minutes came passing by.

"Sensei….I…" Naruto's voice cracked under the pressure. The maelstrom within him becoming compressed beneath a mask. Look up, he gave a fake smile. "I guess I shouldn't talk about things being fair to you. With you Sasuke, Sanji-senpai or Nami around. They lost people just like you, too, and hurt a lot."

After this, a new look of sheer determination and will same into Kakashi's sight. Sending him for a ringer by recalling the same from the young Jinchuriki's father.

"I swear I won't let that evil Kitsune out! If I have too, I'll only use him to protect our nakama, and get strong enough to make sure he stays in his cage! I give you my word. And I never go back on my word!" A fierce smile joined Naruto's pledge. Giving Kakashi more than he'd hoped for.

"I know you will," he answered. "In that case, I'll focus your training on growing strong enough not to rely on the power very much. Still, if you feel the same sensation as the one you did against Haku, then try to use only a small amount of it or come and find me immediately. For now,"

Standing up, Kakashi moved directly into the middle of the clearing. "let's focus on this new jutsu I promised."

"YEAH!" The knucklehead's mood shifted on a dime, jumping high at this piece of news.

"Alright. Now, this ninjutsu is a little special, Naruto. It's an A-ranked technique and was actually invented by the Hokage himself. One of his most famous, ever."

0….0

By the middle of the afternoon, Kakashi was satisfied with Naruto's progress, but had to blink after finding the sight near their ship. Gin was up on the deck while Sakura was slumping over a chair, exhausted and sore all over. Sasuke and Zoro were the closest to them, sitting together in silence under the watch of the sun. Noticing how they were meditating, Kakashi left the pair be. Taking in the sights of the rest of their companions, until…"Huh? Where did Naruto….?" the Jonin noticed, his mind shorting-out.

Some meters away, the pervert caught sight of Nami's assets. The girl was practicing with a bo-staff, sporting only a bikini. Kakashi couldn't move, watching sweat rolling over Nami's chest, middle and thighs, across her sexy, slender limbs the spray in a glitter in the sun.

"Yaaaa!" "Haa!" with a yell at each strike, the Navigator spun her weapon about, rising onto one leg high to swipe around the air.

"Sanji-sensei! Hey, Sanji-sensei! Sanji-sensei, I'm back and ready! Come on out, ya know! I want to get some more Black-leg training!" Naruto was up in the Merry's Crow's nest, scanning the beach with his eyes covered, impatient to start with his second instructor.

"Huh? Oh hey Naruto," Nami called over, waving. "Huh? Kakashi?"

Some few dozen meters away, the elder man was lying flat on his back, steam pouring through his eyes and several red spots scattered in the sand.

"Huh? Kakashi-sensei? What happened to you?" the boy called down to his teacher. After several moments spent moving the Jonin into the shade, he final came back around.

"Oh, Naruto. I'll take care of finding Sanji. For now, Sasuke and Sakura completed a certain excise that you haven't finished yet; so they're a little more along in that way than you are."

"WHAATT! What is it sensei! I can't let Sasuke get ahead of me, believe it. I gotta be strong to help him and help our crew. What is this new thing! Come on tell me!"

With a chuckle, Kakashi gave him the instructions for running on the sand, leaving the jinchuuriki to shoot off without his sandals on, and wind-up hopping around on the sun-bunt sand. After throwing the footwear back towards him, Kakashi left a resting Nami on a towel at the beach. Coming back aboard their ship, was Ussop reading through a newspaper while Sakura had draped herself across a lawn chair.

"Sakura," moving over towards her, he took a place by the railing near the chair. "I hope that sparring with Gin went somewhat well."

"Ghhhhhhhr. Sensei, I'm sore all over, and in the worst kinda ways," a croak came past her lips. Sure enough, the girl was covered with bruises and contusions, her muscles taunt and only taking shallow breaths with each word.

"Try to breath deeply, and tell me how it went," her teacher coached her.

Following his advice, Sakura recounted how things had gone. "At first I managed to get around him well and landed good kicks. Suddenly though his style changed. I couldn't touch him at all sensei, and any form of taijutsu I used were met with a sharp hit on my wrists, tummy, knees and elbows. I got around that with the substitution jutsu at first, and even used several of them to try and bait Gin. But he saw through that and grabbed me by my hair."

"I tried to kick him in his groin from there but he held me out of range and was just too strong, sensei. Still, Gin actually nodded, and said it was a good idea to use dirty-tricks like that if I had to."

Nodding at this news, Kakashi noticed how Naruto was cruising back across the sand while Sasuke and Zoro remained unperturbed. "Keep going Sakura. Is there anything else?"

"Well," pulling herself up, Sakura managed to sit-up, blushing somewhat at her teacher. "I did use the clone-jutsu to make copies of myself, then channelled a small amount of chakra to my feet and dash in, giving a strong black-leg kick to his face. But sensei, Gin just stumbled with it and was still able to fight. A short while from there, I ran into a low amount of chakra and became too tired to use anything else but taijutsu. From there, things went so bad that Gin decided to end things, and I lost the spar."

Shuffling her feet and looking downcast, shame was radiating through her form. Embarrassed to think of how she'd failed her sensei, Sakura retreated into her own thoughts.

'If that really had been a true enemy, I wouldn't be able to help Sasuke-kun or Na…or Naruto at all. I got a few goods hits in, but Gin shouldn't be any more than a highway bandit from nearby Konoha. That was all the success I was able to make at all, fighting on my own.'

"Sakura!" Kakashi's tone shook the girl out of her stump, finally noticing the gentle hand on her shoulder. "You made a good effort then, and the strategies to use the jutsu in your arsenal are not something to be ashamed for. I know you aren't a heavy-hitter like Zoro, Sasuke, Sanji or myself. But that doesn't make you a weak ninja at all."

"You discovered an important lesson today. You do have limitations, but how we work within those limitations can be what determines our success. You were successful in Cocoyoshi Village working beside Johnny, Yosaku, Ussop and Nami. Teamwork like that is critical, and something I value ahead of any skills a ninja can have. Still, there can be times when you become forced to fight separately. And that is what we are preparing for right here."

Looking up, Sakura could feel relief flooding through her heart; Kakashi's praise went a long way to lift her spirits, with a noticeable change.

"Now, taijutsu is evidently your weakest branch of ninja-arts right now, and your chakra-levels are too low to last very long in a fight. Think back towards the spar right here, and think of what you could develop to stand a better chance in it, then focus on applying those skills to go forwards."

Leaving her to her thoughts, Kakashi moved across the Caravel to the shoreline. Jumping from the railing, he took a breath before resuming his own training regimen.

0….0

Evening came around, to find Sasuke and Zoro were hanging in a tree, Zoro by his knees and Sasuke with chakra at his feet, doing sit-ups. Shirtless.

Sakura had hearts in her eyes at the sight, swooning over her crush, his sweating form glowing in the sunset.

Luffy also stood near the beach, while a cloud of dust dissipated to reveal he was alone. "Huh! Where? Darn, where did Old-Man disappear too!?" Shifting left and right, even crouching down are lying back, the rubber-man didn't find any trace of the ninja. "Come-on, where did—Ghu-AAAAAHHHHH!"

"I was where you least expect it, Captain." Luffy was know neck-deep in sand, stretch his neck around to face the Grey-hound holding his hat.

The Jonin had taken over for Sanji as Luffy's training partner, and despite outclassing him decisively could not help but become impressed with the Devil-Fruit user's grit, ingenuity and endurance. Placing the hat back over his hair, Kakashi stood up with a badly-needed stretch. "Why don't you try and get out for a while, and I'll take a break on-board the ship."

Leaving him behind with stars in his eyes, Nami handed him a glass filled with water back aboard the Merry. Ussop and Gin were doing their own practice together in a contest for who was the better shot. Sanji and Naruto also came out from the treeline.

"You did good learning today, Naruto," Sanji praised him once they reached the group. "For now, let's get back to the kitchen and prepare some dinner. for everyone."

"Fooooodddd!" a certain shout range across the beach. "Yeah, Sanji, meal-time! Come on, I'm starving right here. I need a lot of meat to get my strength back."

Sanji couldn't obey; fixed in-place with a cigarette dropping from his mouth. "Ghu-Hahahahahahahaha! Looking like sensei got you really good, Captain. Believe it." Naruto laughed. "How can you find this funny, Naruto!? Our captain lost his head…..okay, he literally, physically did this time!" Sanji admonished him, with a second to correct his statement over their crazy captain.

"It's fine, dumb-ass-cook!" Zoro called from his place in the tree. "Kakashi just yanked him under the sand to trap him in place. Hurry up and cook while that endless pit in his stomach can't steal dinner from everyone."

Taking this hint without even a come-back, Sanji nodded and was inside the kitchen moments later. Naruto was behind him, finding the cook with heart's in his own eyes, swooning over Nami at the table. Quickly enough, sandwiches were brought out to the beach where the crew gathered for a bite.

"Hey, Sanji!" Naruto called over.

"Yeah?"

"Today, Ussop and LUffy talked about going to the Grand Line. Is it really to find this Great Blue Place and cook everything there is to make?"

The chef shook his head, smiling at the idea of his own dreams. "You're off by a bit, Naruto. My goal is to find some place, but not the Great Blue. It's called the All Blue."

Some of the Straw Hats paused a moment, listening to Sanji talking about the Legendary place; a spot nowhere on any map, where all fishes of all types could be found. "It's a chef's paradise; one so amazing that many write it off as a myth, but it'll only be that way until someone proves it's real. And that's what I'll do."

"Hhhh," Sasuke scoffed at this news. "If that's what you wanted, then why waste time to start looking for it? You kept saying 'no' to Luffy at the Baratie, giving any excuse to stay with Zeff all the time. If this was so crucial, why not go for it the first time he kicked you out?"

"Yeah! What gives Sanji? I had to keep asking and asking and asking before you finally left!" Luffy demanded, still stuck in the sand while Nami was handing a sandwich to him.

Sanji fell silent again; thinking back to the most crucial days of his life; the vessel Zeff's crew attacked, the storm that followed, and one critical moment with a near-living skeleton with only thin grey skin on his bones.

Taking a breath from his cigarette, and looking around; the chef made a choice. Sanji began talking, sharing his first attempt to find the All Blue by joining a ship, the Orbit, as a trainee-chef. About Zeff's attack on the boat and the storm that ensued. The old man saving his life, then giving him a tiny sack of food while keeping a giant one to himself.

Kakashi remained stoic, while Sakura's mouth hung agape and Gin even had to blink. "S-S-S-Sanji. Chef Zeff really saved you like that?" the kunoichi asked him.

"I think you're wrong!" Naruto exclaimed, drawing glares from everyone in the room. "The Chef always talked about giving people food, not hoarding it! Believe it! There's no way he'd give you a tiny bit and keep a giant sack to himself. You've gotta be remembering it wrong, Sanji!"

Listening closer, some people picked up the denial in his voice. Gin even started pondering it. 'Th' kid's right. Tha' doesn't sound like 'ow that old Chef acted a'tall.'

"Well, he did, Naruto." Sanji continued. "I took it over to the other side and didn't see the old man for a while. Even moving around would waste energy and bring death that much closer."

"At first I rationed everything out for twenty days; thinking that something would come along before then. In that time, I felt guaranteed that a ship would pass by, and spent the nights smiling out at the sun. Slowly…those twenty days went by. More followed." A long pause came been each sentence; tempered with an agonizing despair.

"Weeks….a month…..I….." Sanji leaned back, his head to the ceiling, one hand slipping over his stomach.

"I started eating less….food….the feel of something in my mouth. It became more precious than air at the bottom of the sea." A pause followed this. "The twenty-fifth day came. That was the one I ran out." Sanji's hand came before his face, grasping the memory clear as glass. "One, single, mouldy loaf of bread. It was all that left of what I had."

Most of the crew had recoiled from their cook. Gin swallowed, hard; the weakness and the agony that came with hunger fresh in his mind. Nami's lips were trembling, recalling dangerous nights where she'd been unable to steal a scrap, or Arlong denied her anything to eat; all the worse from recalling the last argument with Bellemere, starving herself to ensure her girls ate their fill.

Naruto was barely holding back tears. Recalling how he'd seen families eating together in his village, and nobody around for him. Even lying on a bed at home on a sunny day, his stomach groaning out with nobody and nothing around.

Sanji lit a smoke, then continued. "I dropped it over side, after my cursed stomach came with a painful wrack. That bread was worth more than a country to me in that moment, and losing it was torture."

"From there, all the days just…I couldn't count them any longer. Water, a kind we could drink, was still there. But…My clothes become bigger. An empty…dark…torturous pit replaced any feeling in my stomach. Dust was the only thing my mouth could feel."

"And still there was no sign of any ship, people, not even birds up above. Rain, clouds, sunlight, all of it came and went. Months of time passed. I was closer to a skeleton than boy…..couldn't even walk anymore."

"I never saw the Geezer once. So, I thought he was dead and crawled over to see."

More continued, of Sanji's decision to kill Zeff, and take the giant sack beside him. Of how it fell open, filled only with gold, treasure and more. Even Nami had to gasp, giving no thought towards the money in-light of where it was found in.

"So…..he gave all of it you?" Kakashi spoke up; the most disciplined one in their midst. "You said before hand that only two sacks were there; the food he put aside and gave to you, and a second larger on. The old man didn't eat anything."

Sanji nodded. "Strange, isn't it? We had all that money and were starving with nothing to gain with it. All of it was worthless."

Raising his head, Sanji met everyone's eyes, sending their instincts screaming to run. "Next thing I did was shake the Geezer. That was how I saw he was missing one leg. I demanded to know what happened to it." Shifting his eyes to the table, the chef needed several breaths from his smoke to convey this piece of news.

"'He was hungry.' When I asked about his leg, that was his answer. He used a sharpened rock to cut off his own leg; the only thing he ate in that time."[6]

Sakura's scream caused the ship to shake, the girl hit her limits. Naruto was lost for any words or thoughts. Sasuke had become white, trying to force himself not to throw up. Gin was shaking, Zoro was frozen, as was Luffy. Ussop and Nami couldn't make a sound.

Kakashi couldn't move, both his eyes wide enough for one to edge out from under his headband. Turning that revelation over in his mind, failing to imagine someone from Konoha doing the same for their own team, even his own sensei.

"That Geezer. He gave all the food he'd recovered to me. I owe my entire life to him, and the greatest lesson I will ever have. When I asked him why, he said he'd had the same dream as I do. The All Blue."

Finally, so much made sense to the Straw Hat's about Sanji. A short explanation followed, of their rescue and opening the Baratie together.

"Whoa!" Naruto exclaimed. The boy was shaking, his arms curling at his hips. Then thrown out with excitement. "Zeff is so awesome! He's the ultimate guy! Sanji-senpai, please, please, please! Teach me to be like him, and all the stuff you learned from him!"

Most of the group could only smile at this reaction, Kakashi even shaking his head at Naruto's single-minded habits. Sanji shared a grin at his nakama. "You really want to learn everything I got from that Old Man, Naruto?"

"Yeah-yeah-yeah!" the whiskered Genin nodded. "Teach me everything you learned from him! Even how to fight and how to cook! Can you do that, Sanji-sensei?"

Sanji thought it over, while Kakashi himself did the same.

'These two really have hit it off together, even since we arrived at the Baratie. Naruto especially took to learning that Black-leg style more than Sakura or Sasuke. It is certainly a practical method for ninja's like us to have and Naruto certainly needs an overhaul for all of his baseline skills. This might be a good substitute for conventional taijutsu.'

Whilst the Jonin sensei was debating these possibilities, Sanji was looking down at Naruto, grinning. "Alright then. We'll start with practice sessions everyday from here on, Naruto. But first, there is one rule I need you to grasp."

Placing one had on his official protégé's shoulder, Sanji took another look on his past. "That time on that piece of rock. It left me with a single revelation towards my role as a cook."

"Before all of that, I thought it was disgusting to eat leftovers, or anything that another person left behind. Starving out there, all I thought of was scraping away pile's worth of food, even the night before the shipwreck. My one, absolute rule now, is to never allow any food to go to waste. I'll feed anyone who's hungry, no matter who they are or what they have done. Nobody can deserve to starve like that. Ever."

"That's the same reason Chef Zeff decided to open a sea-restaurant for anyone going about on the ocean. Naruto, if you want to learn anything from me, you must always respect the duty of a chef; to feed anyone who is hungry, and to never allow even a tiny flake of food to go to waste."

A loud bang followed, calling their attention to Luffy; who stood tall and strong out from Kakashi's sand-trap. "Sanji, you are a real man. And I get why you didn't want to leave back then. Old Man Zeff saved you like Shanks saved me. Now, we can find this Big Blue you both want to find, and head to the Grand Line!"

Nami, Sasuke and Ussop each smacked their heads, while Gin, Sakura and Kakashi let out one simultaneous sigh. Still, Zoro and Naruto nodded.

"Believe it, Sanji-senpai! Ya know, if I can make food really, really good, Sakura-chan might even say yes to date with me."

Sanji stopped cold, "you want to charm a lady and treat her properly too?" Straightening his suit, Sanji strode over to his new official pupil, with one hand raised. "Naruto, if that is your goal, then we will getting started right now. Get to the kitchen!"

"Awesome!" Naruto bolted. "What do I get to make first?"

"Hhhhh. Not so fast, kid." The chef was still close behind him, and pointing at the used, dirty kitchen space. "If you're aiming to learn how to cook and how to fight, then the first step is the dishes." Spreading his arm across the table, the cook then tapped his foot down.

"Never leave a kitchen filthy for someone else to come and find later. The last thing we do at any time is tidy every centimeter of this kitchen-space. Start gathering them up, and I want to see my face shine in each one before you can learn anything about fighting, or cooking."

Naruto tried to complain, before a solid kick to the noggin set him to the job. The rest of night witnessed Nami and Sakura in the bath together, Zoro and Sasuke meditating, Kakashi caught-up on his reading, while Gin and Ussop shared card-games. Once he was satisfied, Sanji and Naruto were back on-deck practicing black-leg style with Naruto learning to hold a hand-stand and improve his balance. Until the watch was drawn and most fell to sleep.

0….0

The Straw Hats remained there on the island for 4 days, either on preparation or relaxation. Zoro set several different exercises out for Sasuke that left the prodigy at his limits, and Sakura still tried experimenting to find what different fighting methods were the most practical, for herself and the crew. Naruto himself had it the hardest of the lot, stuck with dishes and kitchen-jobs any moment he wasn't training. He'd complained about wanting to make food and giving it to the crew, and especially Sakura; yet Sanji had none of it. Even giving kick after kick to Naruto's head every time he made a mistake in the kitchen. The chef was a strict teacher, recalling exactly how he had been educated and holding nothing back.

Meanwhile Sakura made the broadest leap by coming to Gin with a surprise.

"You want t' learn 'ow t' use a tonfa?"

"Yes, Gin," the kunoichi replied, her arms folded back, head straight, mustering her full commitment. "I decided that Sanji's Black Leg style takes too much out of me to use without some heavy chakra-use, and I'm still working on learning new jutsu. Using a weapon like Miss. Nami, Zoro and you would be more useful in a straight-up fight. I thought about a bo first, but I'd need to drop it completely to use the hand-signs for other moves. If I had one tonfa, maybe I can strap it somewhere or pull it out again when I need to in the middle of a challenging situation. Plus, they…really hurt a lot when they connect," rubbing her side delicately.

After wincing at the sore spot, she swallowed and lifted her head to face Gin square-on. "Naruto is learning from Sanji, and Sasuke-kun trains a lot with Zoro. Nami isn't a dedicated fighter like you, and I want to learn how to use that weapon. Please," bowing her head towards him, Sakura made her plea. "Teach my own to fight better, and the use a tonfa."

Gin pondered this, before looking over at Kakashi. His nod came a moment later. "All'righ, Sakura. I warn ya, I've neve' taught anyone befor'. This'll be hard on ya, kid, but I'll teach you my own methods, the Man-demon style."

"Heh!" the former Krieg pirate gave a smirk at his own name. "Guess we'll haf'ta rename it. Th' Daemona's Dance, or some'in'. First, though. I'll have t' getcha yer own tonfa, and a replacement so we both have matchin' sets. We'll take care of that in Loguetown."

Kakashi continued working with his students on their jutsu repertoire. With Naruto surprising everyone by learning his new technique the fastest.

"Whahooooooo! I did it! I did! I did it!"

"Indeed, Naruto," Kakashi smiled at his student. "You official completed the baseline-stage of this jutsu. I thought it would be perfect for you to learn. Especially since you have the first stage complete." Naruto spun around, a happy look on his face as the rest of the crew gathered about

"Hey! Hey, hey, hey show us." Luffy excitedly pleaded. "Come on. Come on show us this mystery-power you got Naruto. I bet you will be awesome with it. SHishishishishishishishishishishishishishi."

"Hm. I actually want to know too Kakashi," Ussop joined in. "What did you teach Naruto and what so big about it?"

"What's so big!?" Sakura cried out, finally getting her voice back. "Ussop, Naruto learned something faster than we did. At the Academy he was the worst student in our class. I can't believe he can learn anything this fast."

"There may actually be an explanation, Sakura." Kakashi spoke up, ever the enigma. "A head start can often bring the finish-line that much closer. Naruto, why don't you show everyone what you learned?"

"No way!" the boy cried out folding his arms in an X. "Nu-ah, no, no, no. It's be a big surprise for when we run into another fight, sure. But I wanna keep this secret for another sparring match with Sasuke. That's why I kept practicing it away where nobody would see me."

Ussop and Luffy fell flat on their faces, before jumping up and to hound Naruto. Going on and on while the cabin-genin raced around the beach, devolving into a game of tag. Kakashi and Sakura got roped in, while Sasuke and Zoro stood on the side-lines, their arms were folded somewhere between skepticism and jealousy.

From then, they raised-sail for Loguetown. More training continued on the way, especially on Sakura and Sasuke's part to not be out done by their teammate. Although, a single chance-storm between them and their destination set things on a stall for one day.

"AHHHHHH!" Naruto and Sakura both cried, feeling the boat shake around from under their feet.

"Hey, keep it together you too! This storm is only a small one, but we still need all hands of deck to avoid capsizing!"

"Huh? What do we need a cap for, Nami?" Naruto called over, while Sasuke and Kakashi were tying down anything loose o the deck. "Turning over!" Sakura answered instead, crouching down, one arm across her stomach trying to hold back breakfast. "Capsizing means turning upside down, Naruto!"

"Oh!" the boy actually turned pale at this idea, until a laugh of all things came from the bow. "SHishishishishsishishi! We're doing great Nami. That'll never happen with you as our navigator, so why worry!"

Rain was coming down hard, too much for the rest to see Nami blushing at this praise. The ninja's held tight to the boat with their chakra while Gin and Zoro stayed on deck with their sea-legs alone. The entire ship jarred with a sicken, harsh tear.

"The Haul is broken!" Ussop's shrilling report came up from below deck. There's a tear in the wall of the boy's room!"

"Oh no! Not—" "Naruto, come down here with me!" Nami's exclamation was silenced by Kakashi's command. Immediate, the Genin was with his sensei down the ladder to the room. Inside, Kakashi was already weaving hand-signs.

"Water-style: Water-wall Jutsu!" A stream coming through the wooden wall suddenly began shifting, moving from the floor of the room back outside the opening. "I'll holding this leak stable. Naruto, get at least 20 copies out here in a human-chain to the storage room. Working with Ussop to make a patch-job over top of this tear. Now!"

Nodding, Naruto made his clones quickly grabbed all the materials, while Zoro and Luffy were working over the sail and Gin took the helm with Nami. Soon enough they had the leak repaired and Kakashi was back on deck. Under Nami's directions, they continued to work hard until a single ray of light came into view.

"There it is! The Eye of the storm! Come about inside of it and we'll stay there until it dissipates," the Navigator ordered. The entire crew complied, and the seas became quite and still. Zoro, Kakashi and Sasuke tied off the lines while Sakura and Ussop both fell over, one over the side.

"Sakura!" "Ghhk-Naru, don—Blllleeaaahhhhh!" the Kunoichi emptied her gut over the side, the slightest relaxation forcing her shaking stomach to betrayal. "Huh….uhhhhhh."

Nami blinked, watching the boy stand beside his sea-sick teammate at a total loss. "Naruto, try holding back Sakura's long hair, and rub her back until she stops."

Nodding, the boy followed her directions, sliding one hand around Sakura's face the hold her bangs behind her shoulders, then clumsily trying the stop all the pink strands running down her back from sliding forward. Sasuke watched the pair a moment, then walked up to the stern deck to come beside Zoro.

"Well, that wasn't so bad, except it interrupted training for us today," Zoro observed, shifting way to take a seated pose. His sword resting on his shoulder, the man's knuckles came together and Sasuke mirrored him.

"Yo," Kakashi's lax daisy call announced that he was close by. "Mind if I join you too? Luffy, Nami and the others can handle the ship." The three warriors knelt into meditation, Sasuke remaining antsy, stiff and forceful even to an onlooker, while the others were a picture of calm and ease.

Sakura's sorry state soon passed and with a thank-you to Naruto, she came back to the other nakama.

The crew continued for the day and following night, staying within the Eye until the storm slowly lifted and clear, calm weather prevailed to next day. Enough for Luffy to start a game of tag on the deck.

"I told you, I don't have time for child's games, Captain," Sasuke growled at a certain pest.

"Come on a play tag with us. It was great back on the beach, and you didn't join," Luffy pouted. "Zoro said no so he could take a nap and Nami is busy. Naruto and Sakura are in, so come on!"

Sasuke still refused, until Luffy got impatient. Grabbing the boy off his feet and running back carrying Sasuke under his arm. Sasuke quickly became a game-prop, Sakura chasing after her crush to save him, making it keep-away between Luffy, Sanji and Naruto against Sakura. Even with a substitution, the Uchiha still got caught again with no place to stay escaped.

Kakashi had to chuckle, watching it from the corner of his eye while buried in a certain green "Tactic's," book.

"Hm? What exactly are you reading there, Kakashi?" Sanji had come to stand by his nakama and enjoy a smoke.

"Because I want to enjoy what comes next in the story. This one is part of a series in our village. It's actually a romance story written by another ninja."

"Romance?" the chef jerked, turning his full attention to the book. "Hey, you mind if I read it one time?"

"Hmmm?" Kakashi glanced towards him, actually taking one eye off the page. Looking back between it and Sanji, he stole a glance at Nami, and decided.

The Jonin reached around to his pouch and pulled out to first volume, and spoke in very, very low hush. "It's called Icha-Icha, with the first edition titled 'Paradise.' But do not, utterly, allow Nami to see or read it."

Crinkling his eyebrow, Sanji scowled at this news. 'If anything Nami-swan disapproves of is here, maybe I should throw it overboard,' he thought.

And several hours passed before Luffy began demanding food again, only to find Sanji frozen-in place; above a pool of blood dropping through nose, on a flushed pink face. Kakashi himself stayed in the background as everyone tried to revive the cook. "Quick, get him a lot of water and larger amounts of sugar!" Nami ordered everyone.

'This mask really does come in handy,' the pervy-Hatake silently remarked.[7] All as Gin took the book away first and started reading it himself. From then on, both the scoundrel and the cook had daily morning-sparring to decide on who would get to continue reading the new treasure they found in Kakashi's back pocket.

0….0

Within a bar at Loguetown, the patrons inside were trying to stay unnoticed; avoiding the eccentric party occupying the centre of the place. Still, two made the mistake of looking over. With a crash, a grey-beard man went flying out the window in a blood-spray, and the other waved over at a waitress.

"Ma'am?" the same attended spoke to one member of the centre-stage. "Your entire meal has been paid by a generous man. He requested this be passed on to you."

"Oh?" a black-haired, shirtless beauty smiled.

"Hhmmmm. Another boy-friend flashily slayed by your powers, Alivida?" a certain red-nosed clown beside her questioned.

"Yes, it seems so. Still, all the free service aside, how far longer do you expect to wait until Straw Hat may come around here?" she replied with an impatient frown.

"Oh, he most certainly will. That flashy dumb-ass is headed here no doubt; either to reach the Grand Line or to see where the man he wants to surpass met his end. It's actually laughable that idiot can imagine stacking-up to Captain Roger at all," her partner replied, shovelling another load into his mouth.

"Captain Roger? You talk like you've met him before, not only heard through an old ship's tale."

"Well of course I do," the red-nose man replied. "Years ago, throughout my time as an apprentice Pirate, I met that incredible man in-person. It's hard to see it has been 20 years since his execution happened right here. And kicked off the whole Great Pirate Era from it."

More followed, all within ear-shot of another man who'd run afoul of Luffy recently. With a thirst for blood and payback.

0….0

Another day of sailing later, a ship came in with the horizon. The docks of Loguetown held a barely anyone at that hour. Few enough that nobody spotted the silhouette on a roof-top, hidden under an ink-green cloak. Around the figure, ripples were forming in his cloths, flowing with the breeze building into a whipping gust.

'Fate must be the answer to this. Show me what destiny you have chosen for yourself, and whom will stand beside you. My son.'

Right in his sight, the one in his thoughts and those of the Straw Hat Crew were assembled at the Going Merry's figure-head. Watching their destination coming into view.

"That's it, huh?" Luffy asked, filled with awe and eagerness. "That is where Gold Roger was born and then executed, right?"

Nami stepped up beside him. "So you did remember. I've gotta say Luffy, you keep on surprising everyone here by turning into a nearly different self left and right."

"Whadoya mean? I'm always myself in everything, Nami. Now, let's go there. And then, off to the Grand Line, everyone!" he exclaimed.

Watching him, Nami smiled at this distraction; and the remind of how Luffy had gone beyond everything to end Arlong; 'Luffy landed on top of Arlong. Standing on top of him, with eyes focused entirely on one, single task. Grabbing his collar, the Fishman was hauled to eye-level "I…will…never…let…you…HARM…. …NAMI…IN…ANY WAY AGAIN! SHE IS SOMEBODY THAT I CARE ABOUT AND WILL ALWAYS BE MY NAKAMA!"'

"You're right. And Sakura and I need time for shopping! Zoro, Gin, angle the sails to starboard, the current and wind will slide us in!"

End.

With every ending comes a new beginning. I hope Bellemere's funeral was a good surprise. And the transition to Loguetown was worth the slower pace. Also, I decided it was past-due for Naruto to receive some due attention. More will be coming in this arc, from Kakashi and more. Especially due to a certain enemy I want to bring, with a terribly lethal plan.

[1]-Arlong's encounter with Kizaru.

[2]-Ocean Guide, from One Piece Z. While not the direct English translation, I found the words aligned with Bellemere's life so, so well; even in the very "humble hometown waters," she left to become a Marine and returned to with Nami and Nojiko.

[3]-In a set of online questions, Oda Ichiro shared some common habits, though often unseen, of all the Straw Hat crewmates. Including how often they sleep; with Zoro labelled as around 3 hours a night with periodic naps throughout the day due to his training regimen.

[4]-An authentic running exercise, especially bare-foot. I practice this personally and will swear by it for making marathon running and Muay Thai far smoother.

[5]-I maintain, this is 50% of why Sasuke lost to Itachi in the Search for Tsunade Arc. Throughout the original Naruto series, Sasuke rarely employed focused strategy or cleaver tactics. Rather, he applied conventional Ninja skills and his sharingan, riding the coat-tails of his talent to get success. Otherwise he would escalate to more powerful techniques as a situation demanded and still only applied them very directly. Especially against Itachi and Kisame, he jumped straight to the most powerful move in his arsenal and ran head-first to his own defeat when Itachi predicted and deflected it. The only person Sasuke out-foxed was Temari in their brief fight, when she let-down her guard and got caught in an explosion.

Sasuke never really ran into serious challenges during his time at the Academy, and built his skills around his talents and aptitudes. Leaving him horribly prepared to fight anyone who outclassed him, even only learning traditional Uchiha skills to kill Itachi; skills his brother had already mastered himself.

Really, quite a bad choice in retrospect; and reflective in how Shippuden-Sasuke became more innovative and strategic with his own jutsu against Itachi and Danzo; but retained some bad habits against the Raikage.

[6]-Zeff's leg. This does differ between the Anime and the Manga; the former with Zeff cutting off his leg to save Sanji from drowning, while in the Manga he ate his own leg after cutting it off himself. The change came about from censorship for the audiences that TV often features, in nearly every form of the Anime. With good reason.

[7]-One possibility for Kakashi's masks; to hide the nose-bleeds from reading all the time.