Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, One Piece, High School DXD (Kuroka, Shirone) or any other manga, anime, game, book etc material that may appear.
The only thing I will lay claim to is the multiple OC's that will appear throughout this fanfiction, (such a Suzuka)
Author Note #1: Few things to address that have come up in reviews. Thank's for those who offered me some positive criticism to use, such as Kuroka's overuse of Nyan, won't be making that mistake again.
Author Note #2: Now as for Issho/Fujitora, yes I know he was drafted after the war but for the sake of this story he has been a marine for some time.
Author Note #3: Next we have the One Billion beri on Jack, thank's to those who pointed it out, however I can work with this. Currently the story is 10 years till canon, so for story sakes not everyone's bounties are set in stone, meaning Jack isn't quite at One Billion yet, but by canon he will be. At the bottom of the chapter will be a current bounty list. I will update this after major events.
Harem: Naruto X Suzuka X Kuroka X OC X Nico Robin X Madam Shyarly X Boa Hancock X Jewelry Bonney.
Anyway here's the new Chapter 7.
Chapter 7: Moving On
Uzushiogakure
Naruto yawned as he walked through the streets of Uzushiogakure; a month had come to pass since his meeting with the Biju. Sadly he had not been sleeping terribly well, he had been having recurring nightmares about what had happened during the Fourth Shinobi World War, nightmares not just his own. Naruto had vowed during the month that he would never let one of his precious people die ever again. He would do everything in his power to make sure he protected them, he wouldn't fail again. He couldn't fail now nor ever again.
"UZU-SAMA" Naruto blinked as he was brought out of his thoughts as someone screamed his title. He turned as a mob of young children three to five raced towards him. Naruto cried out as he was tackled by the group and forced to the ground. The kids laughed as they looked up at their leader, getting a foxy smile from the sage. Naruto rose to his feet as the kids shuffled around him.
"Who have we here" his eyes looked over the group of six children, two girls and four boys. He lifted a finger pointing it towards a four-year-old boy with green hair and eyes, "Abbas right?."
The boy beamed, it seemed he had gotten the kid's name turned to the next child, a five-year-old with messy blonde hair and blue eyes, the kid reminded him of himself.
"If I remember your Nadim?" the boy smiled in response. Naruto turned to one of the young girls, she had long blond hair and blue eyes, she looked like a female copy of Nadim, she was the same age too.
"And your Nadim's twin sister Nadia."
"Hai Uzu-sama" replied the girl as she held a small rose out for him. Naruto accepted the flower with a smile, tucking it into his right sleeve. He turned to the two remaining boys, one was three the other five both had light red hair, freckles and brown eyes.
"You're the older brother Tai and you're his younger brother Kane." the two boys nodded their heads, from what he knew they were rather quiet.
Naruto turned to the last of the group, a young girl around four, she had short light blue hair and purple eyes, "That means you must be Myra" the girl nodded in response.
"So Abbas, Nadim, Nadia, Tai, Kane and Myra what can I do for you today?" he asked.
Abbas took a step forward looking at him with big puggy dog eyes. The jutsu was soon enhanced as the other five joined in.
"Please show us some magic Uzukage-sama!" asked the children in cute little voices. Naruto grabbed his heart.
"GWAH to cute" Naruto fell over pretending to be dead. The children poked him, giggling slightly. Naruto suddenly jumped up, throwing his arms up into the air.
"MAGIC TIME!" shouted the sage with a foxy grin, the children jumped up and down. To the children, his Ninjutsu and use of chakra was like magic.
"MAGIC YEAH, YEAH!"
"To the park! March!" shouted Naruto as he got mock salutes from the kids. He turned and started to do a funny little march lifting his legs high up into the air, the kids snickering and giggling behind him.
Once they arrived in a small clearing turned to the kids, time to start. Naruto inhaled, kneading fire nature chakra into his lungs. He looked to the sky as he brought his hands together in a tiger seal.
"Katon: Endan (Fire Release: Fireball)!" Naruto's lips parted as a jet of fire spewed forth launching up into the air. The flames shaped into a small fireball that began to curve descending back to earth. Naruto followed up by moulding water nature chakra into his stomach as the fireball grew closer.
"Suiton: Mizurappa (Water Release: Violent Water Wave)!" His cheeks expanded before his lips parted as he fired a stream of water up into the air. The stream of water sailed upwards hitting the ball of fire, the two elements reacting as a blanket of steam came raining down towards them. As the steam descended Naruto inhaled again.
"Futon: Daitoppa (Wind Release: Great Breakthrough)!" Naruto fired a blast of wind from his mouth that blew the steam away causing it to disperse. The group of children looked up in awe and began to clap laughing gleefully at the sight of the magic that their leader was demonstrating. Naruto rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. His chakra pulsed when he felt a familiar signature approaching. He turned to the right to find Suzuka walking towards him dressed in a long white sun dress. He raised an eyebrow, she appeared to be rather nervous.
"Um...Naruto-sensei could I have a word…alone" He could literally hear her teeth chattering from how anxious she seemed. He gave her a reassuring smile before forming a Kage Bunshin.
"Now then kiddies my clone will take you for Ice Cream while I have a word with my adorable student."
Naruto hadn't noticed, but Suzuka blushed bright red at being called adorable. As the children ran off, Naruto turned to face the blushing Suzuka whose face was as red as a tomato. Naruto blinked at this taking a step forth to place a hand on her forehead only making her blush darken at the close contact, "Are you all right Suzu-chan you look a little hot are you sick?"
The girl shook her head pushing Naruto's hand away as she took a step back, she fidgeted in her spot, "S-sen.. no Naruto-kun there is something I want to ask you."
Suzuka took in a gulp of air and looked him dead in the eyes, it seemed like she would faint at any moment.
"Sure go ahead" replied the sage unaware of what was happening, he may have absorbed the memories of the entire Shinobi Nation, but he was still dense as a brick.
Suzuka pressed her hands to her chest, time seemed to slow as silence reigned between them before she spoke, "I was wondering if you wanted to g-g-go on a d-d-date" stuttered out the young woman her blush turning even darker, if it was possible, as she asked her sensei out.
Naruto blinked as he looked down at his student, "A Date?"
Suzuka looked up panicking as he flailed her hands about frantically, "As friends! Yes just as friends" quickly shouted the girl, mentally berating herself for saying she wanted to go just as friends.
Naruto scratched the back of his head, staring at his student with a confused expression, he really didn't get it, but the way she was starting to stare at him with those puppy dog eyes, he doubted he could refuse.
"We spend most of our time training, so a break would be nice" spoke the sage with a big foxy grin. He had his eyes shut, so he hadn't noticed Suzuka's look of relief at his acceptance.
Suzuka smiled cheerfully as she grabbed hold of Naruto's right arm, pressing it between her bust. She fought down her blush, attempting to calm her nerves as she stood close to her love interest. She was going to enjoy her time with Naruto as much as possible.
Naruto gulped at the close proximity to his student. He could feel his arm being pressed against her bust allowing him to feel just how soft those mounds felt. A small red hue formed on his cheeks as he averted his gaze, attempting to fight down the perverse thoughts that were beginning to rise, he couldn't help but curse Kakashi. In fact curse the Shinobi nations, more than half of the population had been perverted, enjoying publicly or secretly his God Father's Icha Icha Paradise.
Naruto pushed his thoughts away, deciding to focus back on Suzuka. Even if they were just going out on an evening as friends, he would make it as memorable as possible for the both of them.
"Shall we be along to Loguetown Suzu-chan?" enquired the sage as he looked down at the young woman latched onto his arm.
Suzuka looked up at her love interest, giving a small smile. Even if she was to spend part of her time away from Uzu, as long as she got to spend it with Naruto she would be happy.
"I would love to Naruto-kun" responded the raven haired girl as she moved in closer to Naruto's warmth, all the chakra that made his being generated its own heat, creating an enjoyable warmth for the young woman.
Naruto brought Suzuka closer to his body removing his arm from her grip. He then wrapped his arm around her waist. He shut his eyes focusing on his chakra. He locked onto one of the Hirashin formula's a clone had planted in Logue town. He then vanished in a flash of white, taking Suzuka along with him.
Loguetown
The two appeared in a flash of white in a back alley of Loguetown.
Naruto had his clones plant the seals in various locations, where teleporting in wouldn't catch the attention of the town's citizens. Naruto released his hold on Suzuka, the young woman taking a step back to catch her bearings. She hadn't got used to the Hiraishin just yet, she had only experienced in a couple of times, as such moving through space and time tended to have a motion sickness effect.
Naruto rubbed Suzuka's back, his chakra flowing into the young raven haired woman to help sooth her. His chakra flooded into her system calming the effects of the Hiraishin. He received a grateful look from his student.
Naruto brought his hands together in the ram seal, best to disguise himself or else the marines may end up ruining their day out. He brought his chakra to the surface and in a puff of smoke his appearance changed. His horns were gone; his hair was shorter reaching the back of his neck and was once again it's golden blonde. His eyes no longer held the Rinne-Sharigan but were a bright cerulean blue. The changes were only superficial, but people tended to overlook the smallest details. His poster showed off his white hair, horns and rippling eyes so changing those along with making his hair look shorter would allow him to stay below the radar.
"Shall we take to the streets?" Naruto held out his arm for Suzuka to take, once he had was finished with his disguise. The young woman locked her arm with his, a small smile on her lips. Naruto couldn't help but admire how beautiful she looked with that smile. The two walked arm in arm into the streets of Logue-town, mingling in with the crowds around them. All around them, the town was bustling with noise, people from all over the world visiting the iconic town where Gol. D Roger the king of the pirates was born and met his death, a famous place to visit while in the East Blue. The two made their way through Loguetown, taking in the sights. All around them they could see couples and families from all over the world heading to the town square. Naruto raised an eyebrow wondering why they would all be walking in the same direction. His attention was drawn to a number of posters all over the surrounding buildings. Naruto pulled Suzuka towards the poster in order to read it.
"The Carrow Group's Open Show Performance in the town square this afternoon, come one come all and be entertained" read Naruto allowed as he looked over the colourful poster.
"Shall we see what this show is all about Suzu-chan?" enquired the immortal sage as he smiled down at his 'date' for this evening.
Suzuka turned to her 'date', her eyes sparkling getting a chuckle from her teacher.
"Yes please Naruto-kun" spoke the raven haired girl as she nodded her head frantically, it seemed a little childish but Suzuka didn't care. She hadn't seen a performing group in years, the last time was in her home town when she was eight.
Naruto patted Suzuka on the head, earning a blush from the young girl. He then escorted her through Loguetown in the direction of the Town Square, who was he to deny his charge?
The two Shinobi made their way through the busy crowds, slipping in through the cracks that formed in order to try and get a front row view of the performers. As they arrived in the town square the place was filled to the brim on all sides. In the middle was eight large caravans being pulled by horses and around them small tents. Naruto could spot various individuals hanging off the caravans dressed in colourful and unique outfits.
Standing in the middle of it all of it all was the announcer, a tall man easily ten feet in height, with short black hair dressed in a red and black suit with a top hat. The announcer bowed to everyone as he removed his top hat to address the crowd.
"Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls of every age. Come with me and you will see something strange!" called out the announcer in a sing song voice, purple smoke rising up around him.
"I welcome you all and thank you for coming out to see the grand performance of the Carrow Group Street Performers!" shouted the tall man as he waved a hand over his top hat, in a moment dozens of white doves burst forth from his hat flying up into the air.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce the wonderful, the beautiful, the flying woman Joanne!" roared the announcer as he threw his arms out dramatically, glitter and streamers bursting forth from his sleeves up into the air as a firework shot up from behind as smoke began to rose. The firework hit mid-air and exploded spelling out the name 'Joanne' in dark red letters to be seen in the daylight.
Stepping out from behind the announcer and out from the smoke appeared a young woman. She was tall six feet in height with long blonde hair reaching her shoulders, with piercing blue eyes. She was wearing a backless sleeveless black top and black leather pants. The woman, Joanne stepped out to face the crowd giving a kind smile and a polite bow, the crowd cheered and clapped loudly.
"Thank you, thank you. Today I shall be showing you the wonders of aerial acrobatics" the woman held out her arms her body seemed to ripple as white dove feathers extended down her arms. A pair of large dove wings burst out from her back out stretching into the air. Her wings flapping creating a small gust of wind. She hadn't changed besides the feathers on her arms and her wings.
"With a little help from my Akuma no Mi" announced the woman, her wings beginning to flap. She kicked off the ground taking to the air where she spun upwards before coming to a stop a good fifty feet off the ground. She hovered above the crowd and took off flying in circles around the town square. Joanne started doing loop de loops in mid-air diving towards the crowd and flying above them, the children laughing at the sight of the flying woman. She flew upwards folding her wing, going into a little spin as he dived towards the ground. Just inches from the cement her wings opened and she sailed upwards, white feathers falling down into the crowds as she flew straight up.
Joanne continued flying straight up, heading into the clouds where she was no longer visible. Joanne turned and started heading straight down going into a nose dive as she folded her wings. She began to spin as she descended, becoming visible for all watching. As the seconds past she flew down faster and faster picking up speed. She took a deep breath as the ground came closer and closer. As the ground came closer, at the last second her wings opened and she glided over back up, having stopped just inches from the cement.
Joanne flew to the middle of the town square her wings helping her hover inches from the ground. She smiled at the crowd as they began to clap and cheer at her display.
Suzuka could only look on in awe at the young woman's bravery. She had never seen Devil Fruit users like this before. She had interacted with Kuroka and Shirone on a number of occasions but they were really the only devil fruit users she had any contact with. She knew there were a number of fruit users that resided in the village, but she had never really met them, the only other one she had met was a young boy whose eye Naruto had fixed.
"She's amazing isn't she Naruto-kun" the young woman turned to face her date for the day, looking up at him with a bright cheery smile. Naruto chuckled at the younger woman's antics, giving her a smile in response.
"Indeed she is Suzu-chan. She must have gone through some intense training, flying looks to be second nature to her. Then you have her timing, she would have had to practice time and time again with some sort of safety device with that dive bomb of hers" complimented Naruto as he looked at the young woman. He had the ability to fly himself, but nothing like Joanne, he mainly used it for combat and even then that was rare as he had yet to come against any opponents who used flight as their source of combat.
The show continued on with Joanne moving away and the announcer bringing in performers one after the other. There was a young boy who specialised in beast taming, showing off his tamed Lions as they jumped through hoops, rings of fire and stood on giant balls. Then there was an elderly man who had eaten sometime of music based devil fruit that turned him into a living keyboard. With each performance the crowd began to grow and so did the cheers, it was all so exciting to watch. This new world was certainly different to his. These devil fruits offered all kinds of unique abilities, and while some took to battle others took to using their devil fruits to amuse others through entertainment. It was entertaining to watch an elderly woman releasing a soothing song, he had never been one for the styles of opera but this was surprisingly moving. He had thought her voice would have given out years ago, but here she was singing to the ground. He suspected it must be some kind of devil fruit that allowed her to sing like she could.
The announcer stepped up smiling to the crowd as a small group went out, walking around with hats for collection.
"Thank you all, if you enjoyed our show please feel free to give generously to those passing by" spoke the announcer as he waved his hand over his hat again, allowing more doves to take flight.
Naruto reached into the right pocket of his Hakama pants removing a very familiar toad shaped wallet. He opened it up, activating the storage seal he had placed inside. In a small puff of smoke a number of Beri notes from the Uzushiogakure Treasury appeared inside the wallet.
The treasury he had started building for Uzu was slowly growing, seeing as the population was still young and they had yet to start branching out to other nations to accept missions no one had any money yet. The current treasury was there for everyone to use, but at the moment it barely needed to be. The treasury was growing steadily thanks to nine wood clones he had sent out into the world acting as bounty hunters, tracking down low bounty pirates and bandits, turning them in for a profit. He had his clones keeping a low, only going after those with bounties of ten million beri or less. Sure he could go after the more well-known pirates, those with over one hundred million beri, but it would bring attention to his clones.
So his clones, which he had henge'd using the appearances of his old comrades, were tracking down various bounties all over the world. His clones were paired off in teams of three, only using the abilities of those whose appearances they had taken. The first group consisted of clones taking the appearance, personality and abilities of Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji and Yamanaka Ino. The second group was designed after squad eight Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino and Hyuuga Hinata. The last group consisted of Tenten, Maito Gai and Rock Lee. So far his squads had collected close to one billion beri in the last six months since he had deployed them. It was amazing just how many bounties were out there, so many small fries acting as if they were top of the food chain.
Naruto removed a few hundred notes from his Gama-chan wallet and dropped them into the passing hat, smiling at the street performer.
"Thank you all. We hope to return to Loguetown in the future to put on another show. If you wish to see us again, we will be making our way to Fuschia Village" spoke the announcer as he jumped up onto one of the Caravans as his crew went about packing up their gear.
"May you all have a lovely evening" shouted the announcer as he and his group of performers left.
"Did you enjoy the show?" asked Naruto as he turned to face Suzuka who had long since let go of his arm. He had quite enjoyed himself, he remembered while on his training trip with Jiraiya seeing performers of all kinds. Perhaps he would have a clone seek out to hire them to perform in Uzu, he was sure they would be warmly welcomed.
"Hai Naruto-kun. I haven't seen a show like that in a long time. You should see if they would come to Uzu, the others would no doubt welcome the show." Spoke the raven haired youth, turning to look up at her teacher with puppy dog eyes. She really wanted to see them again. Naruto could only chuckle at his student's adorable expression.
"To be honest, I was thinking along the same lines. I will have a clone head to Fuschia village and see if we can't organise a visit to Uzu" Naruto couldn't help by chuckle as his students face lit up like a Christmas tree. It seemed she was really eager to see them again, who was he to deny her such a chance? Who was he to deny any of his citizens a chance to see such a spectacular show?
Suzuka lunged forth grabbing Naruto's right arm, her smile never dropping. She was so happy he was going to seek them out; she wanted to see them again. She moved in close to her love interest holding down her blush as she enjoyed his warmth once more.
Naruto used his free hand to scratch his left cheek, smiling sheepishly as Suzuka clung back to him, without another word the two made their way back through Loguetown.
Time began to pass as the two explored every inch of the Town of Gol. D Roger's birth and death. They visited the museum dedicated to his life history, before heading to his execution spot. The two paid their respects to the Pirate King, leaving a silent prayer for him, before moving on. They visited various stores, looking at the merchandise on display from strange statues of Pink Elephants with wings, all the way to clothing of various styles and colours. The world had changed in many ways, it was all a sight to behold for not only Naruto, but also his student who even though had grown up in this World, was not familiar with all to be seen.
The two visited the cafés of Loguetown, tasting the various sweets on offer. Naruto sharing the tales of his adventures with Suzuka as the two began to bond. All the while Suzuka could only look on in admiration as she listened to her teacher's tales, her feelings for him growing with every passing moment the two spent together. As her feelings for Naruto grew, Suzuka couldn't help but ponder on when she would tell him, if she should tell him. Would he reciprocate her feelings? The idea of being refused made her heart feel heavy, making it ache as she walked the streets of Loguetown, secretly glancing up at her crush. Would Naruto think her love for him was simply hero worship? That her feelings were not real? To her, everything she felt for the man she called her saviour was real. She felt her heart begin to swell.
As the sun began to set, the two looked out across Loguetown from high upon a hill that over looked the town. Suzuka felt her heart beat faster in her chest. She gulped nervously as looked at her crush as he watched the setting sun.
"I need to tell him" Suzuka held her right hand to her chest, her fist clenching tight. She needed to share her feelings with the one she cared for. She wanted to get them off her chest. She took in a deep breath as she prepared herself, she would show Naruto just what she felt for him.
"Ne Naruto-kun…do you think we could head back to Uzu?" asked the young woman, unable to meet her teacher's gaze. Suzuka held onto the strong desire in her heart, she would tell Naruto no matter what, she would not back down, she was a proud Kunoichi, she would not allow her emotions to rule her, she would not run and hide like some coward. She would tell Naruto exactly how she felt. A burning fire of determination came to life inside her chocolate brown eyes.
Naruto blinked at his student, he scratched the back of his head. He wasn't sure why but all of a sudden, he was feeling a wave of confidence from the young woman. Suzuka seemed to be burning with positive emotions; if they were visible they would be a blinding sun.
"Sure. It's getting late so I suppose we should be heading back." Replied the sage as he freed his arm from his students grasp, using it to wrap around her waist. Naruto tugged on his chakra picking up a Hiraishin marker in Uzu allowing the two vanished in a flash of white.
Uzushiogakure
Teacher and student appeared in a flash of white just outside of the Uzukage tower. Naruto released his hold on Suzuka who wobbled from the sudden movements. She took a step forward stopping herself from falling over. She inhaled trying to calm her body down. She fixed her dress up as she stood tall. She could hear her teacher chuckling in amusement from behind her.
Suzuka turned to face her chuckling teacher, giving a cute little pout.
"Naruto-kun it's not funny!" shouted Suzuka in annoyance, she folded her arms over her chest, but she couldn't stay mad at him for long. Suzuka sighed, she couldn't stall any longer.
"Naruto-kun do you mind if we take a small walk, I have something to tell you," said the young woman with a series expression. She was going to confess to him, but she wouldn't do it here, she would do it somewhere a little more private.
"Sure" responded Naruto, after all what harm could a little walk do, that was his thinking at least.
Suzuka smiled softly as she turned taking hold of Naruto's right hand with her left. She then pulled him taking charge, leading him through Uzu. She wasn't pulling for long slowly coming to a slow walk, standing beside Naruto as she thought just how she should go about this.
"Naruto-kun there's something I've wanted to tell you for a while now" She asked as she looked at him shyly.
"Yeah what's that Suzu-chan?" Naruto looked dead ahead as he walked alongside his student. He could feel her chakra fluctuating from where he was standing, her hand squeezing his tightly.
"I've admired you for a long time, ever since you rescued me. You put yourself out there, helping those who need it without asking anything in return, you go out of your way to help those in need. You bring those without a home here to Uzu, giving them a new life" spoke the young woman from her heart. She really did admire Naruto for everything he did. He saved her when he didn't have to, he gave her a home when he didn't have to, he even trained her when he had no obligation to.
"Come on Suzu-chan I'm just doing what anyone else would do." He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, he never really thought much on what he did.
"Naruto-kun you know that isn't true. In this world, everyone turns a blind eye to the slave traders, even those who are supposed to up hold the law. They don't care for any of us; they sacrifice us to the nobles of the world. Why, because they're above the law. You didn't care, you went out and saved us; you brought us here to Uzu and welcomed us with open arms. You are the kindest man I have ever met" spoke Suzuka as she took a step forward to look Naruto in the eyes. The two had been walking until they arrived in a small private clearing in the Uzu Park.
"You're the gentlest, kindest, caring, charismatic, generous, and giving man I have ever known. You are humble and honest, you do what you can to try and make this world a better place. You seek to bring about peace so that no one has to live with the injustice of the world. There exists no one like you, not amongst the marines or the pirates whether it's Whitebeard or Sengoku, they don't care about the world, only furthering their own goals. And that is why…" spoke the woman pausing at the end as she took a deep breath.
"Why what Suzu-chan?" asked Naruto raising an eyebrow, he didn't know why his student was telling him this.
"Naruto I like you!" admitted Suzuka looking up at him with a series expression. She received a hearty chuckle from Naruto who patted her on the head, this only made her glare at him.
"I like you to Suzu-chan" the girl pouted in annoyance, her sensei was dense as a rock. She steeled herself and spoke again as she removed Naruto's hand. She took a step back her hands on her hips.
"NO. That's not what I meant you, dense idiot. I love you!" she admitted before she decides to do something incredibly brave...or stupid. Suzuka lunged forward, tackling the dense sage and pressed her lips to his capturing them in a passionate kiss. Naruto's eyes widened at that as the two landed on the ground, the kiss lasting seconds as Suzuka pulled away, her face bright red, "N-N-Naruto-kum."
Naruto's eyes widened, time beginning to slow, as the sage vanished in a flash of white.
Suzuka could only stare in utter silence as her teacher and crush left. She felt her heart beginning to break. She turned, tears beginning to form at the corner of her eyes as she ran off.
Hokage Mountain
Naruto appeared in a white flash upon his father's head. The sage gripped his head.
"SHIT SHIT SHIT!" roared the sage as he paced around the Yondaime's head. He couldn't believe what had just happened, Suzuka his STUDENT had just come right out and confessed to him, TO HIM no one had done that, with the exception of Hinata during his fight with Nagato and Shion with her request for him to help with the next generation of priestesses. Now there was this thing with Suzuka. He had taken note of the way she blushed every time they were together, but he simply thought she was shy, but now he knew the real reason. Hell how could he not his student had tackled him and kissed him after proclaiming she loved him, then there was the whole date that had just happened, had that all been designed to build up to this moment.
The Sage screamed pulling some of his hair out at this dilemma, his student confessed and she was only sixteen approaching seventeen, sure she was a budding young woman and incredibly beautiful, but it was wrong! He was a six thousand-year-old shinobi, sure he looked to be in his twenties but he was old, incredibly so.
"GAH!" roared Naruto as he turned to the mountain, his fist striking hard enough that web like cracks formed from the point of impact. What made the situation worse was he had just run away, using the Hiraishin to teleport himself, he had run like a coward. What else was he supposed to do he had never come across this situation. Sure he had the memories of thousands of shinobi, technically he was a collection of people in one body with one dominate personality, but the others would rise to the surface every now and then. When he felt like doing some hard core training, Gai and Lee. When he felt like a strong drink that was Tsunade. When he wanted to do some rapping Kirābī, hell when he wanted to see blood that was Anko!
Even with the entire collection of memories of the Shinobi Nations he still had no idea what to do. All the memories he had just made it so confusing it made him so frustrated. Naruto crouched down to the ground, cringing as he thought on what to do. He had no idea what to do. So he started looking through his assortment of memories once more, but that just left him even more confused.
"You look constipated"
Naruto jumped up out of shock he hadn't even sensed anyone approaching. He turned to find that Kurama was lying down beside him looking out at the village, he looked as if he had been there for some time "When did he get there?"
"You must have been deep in thought if you hadn't detected me. You disappoint Gaki what would have happened if I had been an enemy?"
Naruto sighed as he sat down, using his left hand to stroke Kurama's fur to help calm him down.
"What happened?"
"Suzuka confessed to me and then kissed, but I ran...I ran like a damn coward. I couldn't confront her about it." explained the sage as he pulled at his hair again,
Kurama gave a small sigh as he watched his friend, he could feel the rush of emotions that were rising inside of the sage, through the bond that they shared. As a walking mass of chakra, many believed he had no knowledge on the subject of human emotions, that was no true. At first, when born he may not have been as knowledgeable as he was now, but after being sealed into three different containers he had gained a grasp. Having lived on this island for so many years and witnessing the emotions of the Shinobi Nation's first hand, Kurama would say he had a firm grasp. Then again what even was the difference in emotions between the bijuu and humans? Whether your a hairless ape or a walking mass of chakra you both felt emotions.
"You know what I would say gaki?" asked the fox getting a questioning look from his friend.
"Accept her feelings, you don't have to reciprocate them, but at the least show you accept how she feels" The fox closed his eyes giving a yawn as his tails curled around his miniature frame.
"I don't like her like that, besides even if I did I can't love anyone they will grow old and I won't. Suzuka deserves someone who can grow old with her, someone who can take care of her not me. I'm a walking mass of chakra I'm no longer human, I don't have the right to love anyone."
"You're an idiot" Kurama cracked open his right eye and whacked Naruto on the head with a tail.
"Did you forget I am a walking mass of chakra! Idiot! It insults me to think that we beings of chakra should not have the right to love! What is love? It's all the same! I loved my father, I love my siblings and I love you!" barked the fox as he glared at his long time friend. Kurama inhaled calming down.
"Don't go shutting yourself off from the love of others, if anyone deserves love it's you. You missed out on the chance for love when you became immortal and now because of it you feel that you don't deserve the love of others. You think because you failed that you deserve to live a loveless life. That is not true."
The fox flicked his tails back and forth, "Besides knowing your luck you'll no doubt find some way to gift your immortality to others, or maybe you'll lose it, who knows. Besides even I can tell you care for the girl, why else would you be worried so?"
"So you think I should accept her feelings and see what happens? But what if it goes wrong, you know my trek record with woman, hell I never even had a girlfriend. If it wasn't for Ero-sennin taking things into his own hands I would still be a virgin"
Kurama snorted at that as he shut his eyes again thinking back to that particular event during Naruto's training trip, "I'm sure you would have done fine Gaki"
"I will say this Naruto. Again accept her feelings. Spend time with her, not just as teacher and student, get to know one another. You may not have feelings for her now, but you may find you will as time moves if you don't then where was the harm in trying? Do you think Hashirama and Mito hit it off right away? No those two couldn't stand each other, Hashirama thought Mito was too prim and proper, and Mito thought Hashirama was too much of a buffoon. But certain events forced them together and as they spent time together they developed a friendship which soon evolved into love." Spoke the fox as he recalled moments of the past, reflecting back on his own memories.
"Now get off your ass and find her. Tell her you, you accept her feelings and that your willing to try and see if you feel the same as she does. She's not going to wait forever. If you don't accept her feelings I'll eat you" Kurama showed his teeth in a lazy threatening manner getting a laugh from his friend.
"Thank's, Kurama" Naruto then jumped down from his father's head to find Suzuka.
"Stupid Brat"
Uzumaki Compound
Suzuka lay on her bed, back to the mattress as she looked up to the ceiling, inside the Uzumaki compound. She didn't know where else to go, this was her home. She couldn't stop the tide of emotions that were rising to the surface. She could feel her heart breaking as tears began to swell. She lifted her right arm bringing it down to cover her eyes as she felt salty tears fall down her cheeks. She had told herself she wouldn't cry, but she couldn't help it. She had confessed to Naruto. He had been as dense as always saying he liked her to before she said she loved him. She had then proceeded to tackle him capturing his lips with hers. Then what had he done, he disappeared using his Hiraishin vanishing in flash of white. He had rejected her feelings and it hurt so much.
Suzuka felt conflicted for the past year ever since she had been rescued. At first, it was just hero worship but then as she spent more time with her teacher and got to know him, she felt her feelings develop. Perhaps it was just an evolution of Hero Worship, or perhaps it wasn't, sure wasn't sure. All she new was she had feelings for Naruto. Every time he smiled she felt her cheeks heat up and her heart thump in her chest. When she was with him she felt butterflies in her stomach. It wasn't before long she realised, that she may love him. She wasn't sure as she had never been in love before, perhaps it was just some stupid crush, but she had to confess to get it off her chest.
Suzuka rolled over grabbing a pillow hugging it tightly. She cared for him, she didn't care that he was old enough to be a fossil, she still loved him. He was kind, compassionate, caring and warm. He was always there for her, helping her when she needed it. He was kind and gentle soul, always willing to lend a hand when it was needed.
"What is wrong child?"
Suzuka screamed falling off her bed. She hit the floor hard, "Itai" muttered the young girl as she stood up rubbing her behind. She looked up and found none other than the Nibi no Matatabi sitting in front of her.
"Ah Matatabi-sama I didn't see you" said the girl sniffing as she tried to dry her tears, she didn't want the feline to see her like this.
Matatabi looked at the girl the sight of the tears made her heart sink. Matatabi approached the young woman using a tail to help wipe her tears.
"You're upset, tell me what ails you?" her voice was soothing and filled with warmth, to Suzuka the two tailed feline reminded her of her mother, before her death.
Suzuka sniffed as she tried to speak, "I-I-I told Naruto I love him" tears began to swell at the corner of her eyes.
Matatabi tilted her head to the side it seemed things hadn't gone as the girl had plan. Matatabi manipulated her tails to wrap around the girl pulling Suzuka in giving her a comforting hug.
"It's all right I'm here. Tell Matatabi everything"
Suzuka sniffed again her lip trembling. She lay there against Matatabi, slowly breaking down.
"I kissed him then he...he...he ran!" Suzuka latched onto Matatabi crying into the feline's shoulder telling her everything that happened.
Matatabi sat there listening to every word. Listening as the young girl explained how she had asked Naruto out on a date, simply as friends. The day they spent together, watching performers, eating at cafes, exploring the sights of Loguetown. As the girl poured out her heart, Matatabi couldn't help but compare the young woman to Yugito. Her old container had always been unlucky when it came to love, always trying so hard to find the 'one'. Always seeming to fall in love with the scum of Kumogakure. Matatabi had tried many times to advise Yugito Nii, but in the end it always ended up the same, as if her container had been drawn to them.
Matatabi looked down at Suzuka as the young woman finished her tale. The feline gently rubbed the young woman's back.
"Suzuka my heart aches for what has been done, but please listen to what I have to say. Naruto is...complicated. He has never known the love of other's, raised without a family he latched onto any sort of attention thinking it was love. He craved attention, good or bad, mostly bad. When he thought he could love he lost it."
"Naruto is a conflict of emotion's day in and day out. He has no idea what he should feel anymore. He believes due to his failure to save those he cared for, that he does not deserve love. He feels that he doesn't deserve it, that he should be closed off, unworthy to accept the feeling of others. You must see his leaving not as a cowardice, but perhaps him needing time to think." explained the two tailed feline as she positioned Suzuka into a seated position next to her. Matatabi kept her tails wrapped around the young woman's frame.
"With his immortality, Naruto think's he should be alone with only we the Bijuu as his company. He may have taken you all in, but he is closed off, never truly opening up. Suzuka you must push forward, continue to show how you feel, to try and break through the walls he has created around his heart. Break those walls in order to get through to him." Matatabi sighed as she closed her eyes thinking about her friend.
"Naruto has suffered many hardships. He does not show it but the loss of his comrades still weighs heavy on his heart. Suzuka I want you to remove that weight. While his comrades can never be replaced, he can gain new ones. New friends, new allies. Be there for him, chip away at the stone wall he uses to protect himself. Chip away until it crumbles." The Bakeneko slowly began to stand stretching her back out as her tails swayed behind her, she could feel Naruto's presence approaching through the connection they shared.
"Suzuka!" echoed Naruto's voice through the compound as he searched for his student.
Suzuka looked up the moment she heard her name. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying.
"Go to him child" beckoned Matatabi as her tails moved to the door of the room, opening it up revealing Naruto standing in the door way.
The feline stretched her limbs as she strutted past Naruto. A tail brush against the left cheek of her long time friend.
"Good luck, Naruto-kun" The Bijuu then walked away leaving the two alone.
Naruto looked towards his student, seated on the floor. He felt horrible for what he had done. He took a single step forward noticing the redness of Suzuka's eyes.
"Gomen Suzuka. I-I shouldn't have ran away. I was conflicted. I didn't know what to do, I needed time to think. Please hear me out" Naruto approached Suzuka offering a hand to help her stand.
"All right, Naruto" responded the young woman as she looked up at the immortal sage. After speaking with Matatabi, she felt she could give him the chance to speak, to hear what he had to say.
"Thank you. To be honest, I'm not sure where to start. I've never had to deal with this before. I was unprepared, caught off guard" began Naruto as he closed his eyes, attempting to speak from his heart.
"I have only ever been confessed to once in my life and even then I was unable to deal with it" he wasn't going to include Sakura's fake confession during the Gokage Summit. As for Hinata's confession, he just hadn't had the time to deal with it so he was inexperienced, as for Shion that was another matter entirely.
"I'm clueless when it comes to feelings of the heart, and knowing what the heart desires. At this moment, I don't even know what I want. It's been so long since I've had to feel even the slightest bit of emotion. For that, I ran away, as I was conflicted and for that, I apologise. I ran away like a coward when I should have stayed. But I hope that doesn't ruin any chance we may have had. Right now I don't know what my own feelings are, whether or not I can reciprocate your own. But if your willing to give me a chance...I'd like to give us a go, to see what the future has in stall. What do you say Suzu-chan?" spoke the immortal sage as he opened his eyes, locking gaze with his student.
Suzuka looked into his teacher's rippling eyes. She too felt conflicted, were her feelings genuine, or was it still just hero worship, a silly crush, she had to know. She took in a deep breath, she would give him a chance and see where her heart took her.
"Yes Naruto-kun. Let us both take a leap of faith and see what the future has in store for the both of us" answered the brown eyed teenager, giving the sage a soft smile.
Naruto's lips stretched into a large smile as he lunged forth wrapping his arms around Suzuka, engulfing her in a giant hug, "Thank you Suzu-chan. I promise to never run again."
Suzuka blushed but she didn't say a word, merely leaning in to enjoy her teacher's warm.
From the shadows, a certain nine tailed fox watched on in amusement.
"I hope you ever lasting happiness Naruto…you deserve it. For six thousand years you have been devoid of human contact. Since your birth, you have craved to be loved. You chased the wrong girl simply because you thought she was the one, all the while ignoring those around you. I hope the two of you can find it in your heart's to love one another, to truly care for each other. Suzuka please take care of my knuckleheaded idiot."
Jaya
On the Island of Jaya, in Mocktown hidden by the shadows of the night, stalking the streets was a man. The man was over eight feet in height with a large imposing plump figure, his pot belly poking out from his dirtied white shirt. The man's eyes was focused on a single poster. His beady black hues were staring hungrily at the one billion Beri bounty placed upon the demonic white haired stranger with horns and rippling guys.
"Zwa ha ha ha, one billion beri" the man's lips began to part revealing rows of disgusting black teeth, saliva dripping to the ground. The disgusting grin began to spread, threatening to split the man's face in half.
The figure turned over his shoulder, where seven more shadowed figure's stood behind him. Behind each figure was a large cage and in each cage were folks of all races and ages, men, women, children, mermaids, merfolk, giants, mink tribesmen and more. They were all bound and chained, dressed in nothing but rags, bruises covering their bodies.
The figure turned to address his allies. "The hunt is on boys and girls. Zwa ha ha ha!" roared the man as the light of the moon reflected off his disgusting black teeth.
The earth around the man seemed to ripple with every disgusting laugh that escaped from the man's lips. The seven shadows soon began to join, their laughter filling the putrid air of Mocktown.
END
Current Bounties: Expect the Yonko bounties to rise exponentially. Also just to bring up, someone mentioned that I didn't add Ace or his bounty,. This chapter is 10 years and 9 month's from canon (last chapter was 10 years, 10 months, only a month has passed), at the moment Ace is only 9. He becomes a pirate when he's 17. That is why he is not on the list. Everyone listed is far older and had already long since started their pirate career at this point in time.
Naruto: 1,000,000,000
Kuroka: 150,000,000
Shirone: 80,000,000
Whitebeard: 750,000,000
Shanks: 620,000,000
Dracule Mihawk: 610,000,000 - Locked Shichibukai
Chinjao: 600,000,000
Kaido: 600,000,000
Jack: 400,000,000
Big Mom: 550,000,000
Gekko Moriah: 320,000,000 - Locked Shichibukai
Bartholomew Kuma: 296,000,000 - Locked Shichibukai
X Drake: 115,000,000
Crocodile: 81,000,000 - Locked Shichibukai
Boa Hancock: 80,000,000 - Locked Shichibukai
Nico Robin: 79,000,000
Capone Bege: 76,000,000
Basil Hawkins: 70,000,00
Brook: 33,000,000
Arlong: 20,000,000
Buggy: 15,000,000
Next chapter I will start adding current profiles for OC's (Suzuka, Vladimir, Dominc ETC), so readers can remember everyone's appearances.
