"SUGGOI!" Luffy yelled as he laid eyes on the ship Kaya gifted them, "Can we really have this?!"
"Yes, Please accept it" Kaya replied.
"It's a slightly older model, but I personally designed it" Merry stated with a pleasant smile," Its name is Going Merry!"
"Now, Let me explain how to operate this ship..."
Nami suddenly stepped forward, blocking Luffy's view, "He's too dumb to understand these things so you can explain all the ship stuff to me!".
"Such a cool ship!" Luffy started, "Especially this front- It's so cool!".
Approaching Luffy, Kaya informed, "We've loaded it with everything you might need on a voyage.".
"Thanks, that leaves nothing else to be tired" Luffy replied.
"It's 'Leaves nothing to be desired', you idiot". Zoro muttered.
There was a sudden rumbling as Usopp came tumbling down the slope, rolling on with his oversized backpack.
"What's he up to?" Luffy questioned.
"Let's stop him for now, he's on a collision course with the ship" Zoro replied as both of them stepped ahead, raised their legs and smashed it into Usopp's face, effectively stopping him before he could crash into the ship.
After explaining his decision to set sail as well, he bid farewell to Luffy's crew, who had already boarded their new ship.
"You guys take care too!" he yelled "Let's meet again sometime!".
"How come?" Luffy asked as he picked his nose.
"Huh? What do you mean 'How come?" Usopp questioned, "I'm gonna be a pirate too, so we'll meet on the high seas eventually".
"What're you talking about?" Zoro questioned, "Get on already, you are coming with us."
"We're friends now, aren't we?" Luffy asked seeing his puzzled expression.
Usopp stared at him wide-eyed for few seconds, "I-I get to be the captain, right?!".
"Don't be dumb! I'm the captain!" Luffy yelled "Now, get on quickly before I change my decision"
"Naruto!" Luffy yelled after noticing he had yet to board the ship "What are you waiting for? come aboard!".
Standing beside Kaya, Naruto shook his head "This is as far I go with you guys", he answered.
"What?" Luffy yelled in horror "You're done being a pirate so quickly!"
"No, you idiot!" Naruto yelled in annoyance "What I mean is, I'll be setting sail alone. It would be hard to say goodbye later if I tag along with you guys anymore".
"What about sailing to the Grand Line," Zoro asked "We have the map for reaching there".
"Don't worry, I've memorised the map" Naruto replied, raising his hand to show them something "With this log post, I'll have no problem navigating there".
"Are you sure?" Zoro asked, to which Naruto nodded, "I really hoped you'll tag along with us, It makes dealing with our idiot captain more bearable".
Setting sail, Luffy and his crew began to leave the beach.
"Naruto!" Luffy yelled suddenly as he stood at the end of the ship "WIll you Join my crew!?".
Naruto laughed as he raised his hand "Go to hell!", he screamed as he waved them goodbye.
"I should get going too" Naruto informed Kaya as the ship vanished over the horizon.
Holding his hand, Kaya whispered, "Thank you for everything".
"You can come with me if you want" Naruto offered as he gave her a brief hug.
"If it wasn't for my medical condition, I'd have surely accepted your offer".
Naruto nodded as he boarded his boat "Till we meet next time...".
"Wait!" Kaya yelled as he ran towards him and kissed his lips.
"Farewell..." Kaya whispered as she hid her face in embarrassment.
Naruto just smiled and waved her goodbye as he sailed away.
"Where to now" Naruto spoke out loud as he entered the open seas, "If I remember correctly, Baratie should my next destination. From what I remember, it's said to be an ocean-going restaurant. I could refill my supplies there".
Staring into the endless sea Naruto continued, "If the weather stays favourable, I should reach there within few days... I should really get myself a proper ship, this boat is too slow for traveling long distances".
It took him three days to arrive at the restaurant, He immediately noticed Luffy's ship docked nearby.
'Hmmmm' He thought 'I thought they would have sailed further than here by now'.
Entering the restaurant, he immediately spotted Luffy waiting tables and stealing food when the customers weren't looking.
"Yooo! Naruto!" Zoro called and motioned him to come sit on the empty chair near him.
"What are you guys doing here?" Naruto asked as he sat on the offered chair "I thought you would have crossed Conomi Islands by now".
"Our Idiot captain launched a cannonball and destroyed a part of the restaurant. So now, he is working here to pay off the damages" Usopp replied ate his food.
Luffy arrived at the table wearing an apron around his neck "Yo Naruto!" he greeted as he sat on a nearby chair, "How have you been?" he asked as he started to eat from everyone's plates.
"I'm fine" Naruto replied "I heard you blew up the restaurant and are now working here as a chore boy".
Before he could reply, a blonde-haired man dressed in a suit kicked him off the chair.
"Don't sit here having conversations!" the man yelled "People are waiting to give orders".
"Sanji!" A man came out wearing a huge chef's hat, "You're disturbing the customers again, I told you you're not needed here anymore yet you still work here disturbing everyone, flaring your nose at every pretty girl you see. You can't even cook a decent meal, you're dead weight to this restaurant. So go be a pirate or whatever and just leave this restaurant already!."
"The rest I can overlook," the man name Sanji replied as he grabbed the other chef's collar, "But I'm not just gonna let you trash my cooking! no matter what you say, I'll stay here as a cook".
"What's the meaning of you grabbing the owner of this restaurant by the collar" The old man replied as he swatted Sanji's hand away and threw him at Naruto's table.
The other's quickly picked up their dishes and held them up as Sanji crashed into the table.
"No matter how hard you try to kick me out, I'll continue to work here as a cook until you die!"
"I won't die! I'll live 100 years more than you" The owner replied as he started to walk back into the kitchen, "Back to work everyone!".
"The geezer is never short of words" Sanji muttered as he set the table, took Naruto's order and left.
"So, what's your plan now Luffy" Naruto asked, " Are you going to work here till you pay off your debt?".
Luffy shrugged as he continued to eat from other's plate.
"Don't you have the 5 million berries we got from Buggy, why not use them to pay off your debt?"
"I already gave him that money" Luffy replied "But he says that much won't cut it".
"I saw the damage you did" Naruto replied "It'll take 4 million at most for the repairs".
"I injured the head chef too" Luffy continued causing Naruto to nod in realisation.
"I also broke all the dishes and utensils in the kitchen, set the kitchen on fire and broke this ceiling" he finished pointing towards the hole in the ceiling.
"How long have you guys been here," Naruto asked in astonishment.
"One day" Luffy replied before he was kicked again by Sanji and was yelled at to get back to work.
"Sorry about that" Sanji apologized and served Naruto his order. Then gave a light twirl and approached Nami.
"I'd like to make up for my behaviour by serving you fruit Macedonia, my princess," He said as he began to serve her.
"Wow, thank you! you're so kind" Nami sweet-talked him "The food here is delicious but it seems a little expensive for me" Nami continued as she stroked Sanji's chin.
"Of course, It'll be free" Sanji replied as hearts appeared in his eyes when Nami hugged him.
Looking at Zoro and Usopp, he continued with a neutral expression "Your's are not free".
"What?" Usopp yelled "no compensation or even an apology for us, I'm gonna sue you. you stupid love cook!"
Thrusting a cup of tea at Usopp's face, Sanji replied "I'm serving you tea, aren't I? Thank me for that, Long-nose"
Smashing his forehead against Sanji's, Usopp yelled, "Huh? You wanna fight? I won't go easy on you".
Pointing at Sanji, Usopp continued "Beat him up, Zoro! Naruto!"
"Both of you are too predictable" Zoro muttered as he continued to eat his food.
Finishing his food, Naruto talked with Zeff, the owner of the restaurants about getting some rations then bid the crew goodbye.
As he was exiting the restaurant, he heard Luffy talking loudly with a very irritated Sanji.
"Come on! join my crew I want to eat delicious meat on the high seas too so a cook like you will be a huge help".
"How many times should I tell you that I'm not interested" Sanji yelled.
"He's very stubborn when he gets as that" Naruto interrupted as he approached them.
"Naruto!" Luffy exclaimed, "You're leaving so soon" he continued after seeing several bags of ration in his hands.
"I thought you guys were from the same crew" Sanji interrupted.
"No Naruto is not in my crew" Luffy whined, "I asked him to join many times but he always refuses me."
"So you can get a hint" Sanji replied.
"So, will you be joining him," Naruto asked, "Though he is a complete idiot, he has a good heart, people like him are hard to find in this world. So, if you're planning to join him, I can assure you you won't regret it".
Sanji was quiet for a moment, " I'll think about it" he sighed as he entered the restaurant.
"I can lend you some money if you want" Naruto offered "Or are you planning to work here for a year".
"Thanks for the offer" Luffy replied "But I can't leave from here without Sanji, I have decided he will be my crew's cook so even if my debt is settled, I won't leave without him".
"It's your choice" Naruto shrugged "Later" he finished as he waved Luffy goodbye and set sail.
Several hours later, as Naruto was sailing towards his next destination, he spotted a large pirate battleship making its way towards him.
From the Jolly Roger, he could see that it belonged to the pirate Don Krieg.
Naruto had heard about him during his time as a bartender.
'Foul-Play Krieg, known to use underhanded tactics to win his battles. Has 50 ships and around 5000 pirates under his dominion. The last I heard of him was when he set sail to the grand line.'
"This should be interesting" Naruto muttered as he sailed his boat in the direction of the ship.
Docking his boat near the ship, Naruto jumped aboard the pirate ship.
"Give everything you have and I may let you live" A man threatened as he stepped out from a nearby room pointing a gun at Naruto.
"Gin" a rasped voice called out, "Just kill him and get it over with, We don't have time to waste here, the Baratie awaits us".
" Gin..." Naruto called out "You're the pirate that Sanji fed, I heard about you from Zeff. Sanji took pity on you fed you and this is how you repay his kindness, by bringing your crew to destroy their restaurant."
Gin faltered for a second but the voice called him out again "Gin, what's taking so long, deal with him and let's get moving."
"Yes, Captain Krieg" Gin replied as he raised his gun again and fired.
Time seemed to slow down for Naruto as the bullet approached him. Unsheathing the sword that he got from Kuro's crew, he quickly slashed forward and sliced the bullet in half.
Gin looked on in shock as he started to reload his gun.
Naruto glanced at the flat of his sword when he noticed a dim red glow reflect from it.
He was surprised to see that instead of his usual blue eyes, staring back at him were crimson eyes with 2 tomoes spinning hypnotically around his pupil.
'This is what Kuro meant back then' Naruto thought, recalling the time when Kuro mentioned his changed eyes.
'Let's see what these eyes can do'
By now Gin had reloaded his gun and was pointing it at Naruto again. Pulling the trigger, Naruto felt time slow down again as he watched the bullet leave the barrel. He was able to track its trajectory and accordingly moved to dodge it.
Gin was left stunned again as Naruto managed to dodge the bullet. Not giving him any time to react, Naruto dashed ahead and slashed him across the chest.
Blood erupted from the wound as Gin fell face first on the ship deck, colouring it crimson.
"Get him!" Krieg ordered as he stood up.
"B-But captain-"
"Did I stutter" he cut off the pirate, glaring menacingly at him.
The pirates gulped in fear then began to rush towards Naruto.
It didn't take him long to deal with all a hundred pirates. With his newfound ability, Naruto was able to plough through them with ease.
Many pleaded and surrendered but remembering their underhanded ways of fighting, Naruto didn't show mercy on any of them.
Finally, only he and Krieg remained.
Krieg clapped as he approached his, "Those are some sharp skills you have, with someone like you under my command, conquering Grand Line will be a piece of cake".
Wiping the blood from his sword, Naruto replied "What makes you think I'll serve someone weaker than me".
" Weak!" Krieg exclaimed, "I commanded more than 50 ships and over 5000 pirates, Do you think a weak man could achieve such a feat".
"And where is your crew now?"
The question immediately shut Krieg up.
"If the rest of your crew is as weak as them, I have no doubt that they are already at the bottom of the ocean, becoming food for the sea kings".
" Enough" he shouted as he shifted his cloak to reveal the golden armour beneath "I'll not be insulted by a no-name pirate like you" he finished as several places of his armour opened up to reveal gun nozzles, all aimed at Naruto, "My 12 pistol attack will make a quick work of you".
The tomoe's in Naruto's eyes began to rotate rapidly as he tracked and dodged all the bullets and deflecting some which he couldn't dodge, he rapidly made his way towards Krieg and slashed at his armoured chest.
There was a loud screech followed by the sound of metal hitting the wooden floor.
Naruto immediately backed away, dodging the spear that was suddenly thrust at him, looking down at the broken sword in his hand Naruto cursed "Well, Shit!" and threw it at Krieg.
Krieg didn't make a move as the broken sword struck his chest armour and fell without even leaving a scratch behind.
"Hey brat" Krieg called him out, "I'll make you fully experience the true power that conquered the East Blue. I'll teach you that your weird devil fruit's power and your strength means nothing in front of me. You'll never be able to pass through this golden armour!".
Picking up a sword from a nearby fallen pirate Naruto replied "Let me know when the 'true power' plans to attack, all your griping is making me really annoyed."
"Such impudence..." Krieg angrily grunted as he threw a small sphere at him.
Naruto easily dodged the projectile but he wasn't prepared for it to suddenly blow up into smoke.
Coughing loudly, Naruto quickly raised his sword as he spotted a metal sphere coming straight at his face. The sword broke from the heavy impact, launching Naruto into a wall.
"Good work Gin" Krieg praised as he readied his guns and aimed at Naruto again.
Quickly dashing away, Naruto managed to dodge the bullets but some grazed his sides and shoulders. Picking up two swords this time, Naruto rushed at Krieg when he stopped his barrage to reload his pistols.
He couldn't close the distance as flaming spheres exploded all around him.
"HAHAHAHA" laughter echoed as a man stepped out of the shadow, wearing huge shields to cover his body and arms and a large pearl-like helmet covering his head "Unassailable! Hence invincible! When someone says, 'Pear, The invincible Shield of the Krieg Pirates' they mean me!'.
Dusting himself clean from the smoke Naruto replied "That's some self-centred introduction you have."
"Pearl, you idiot!" Gin exclaimed "Our crew is only unconscious not dead, stop using your fire or you'll burn down the entire ship." he finished as he adjusted his metal tonfas.
"Oh sorry sorry" Pearl replied as he put off the fire.
"Enough with the antics" Naruto interrupted "I have places to be".
"Yes," Pearl replied as he entered a guarded stance "It's the bottom of the ocean."
"You'll never get past his shields" Gin stated.
"I'll never know till I try" Naruto replied as he rushed towards them. Krieg had yet to make a move, he stood still observing the fight while holding onto his golden spear.
Naruto slashed at the shield, trying to slice through it but the shield held firm, damaging the swords instead. Gin would occasionally attack from behind Pearl's shield and retreat just as quickly. It was only because of Naruto's enhanced vision that he was able to keep up with them.
After breaking yet another sword, Naruto retreated to pick up a sword.
'This is getting me nowhere, I have barely made any progress' Naruto thought 'I'll need to focus my strength and technique or else I'll never be able to slice through that shield'.
Sheathing one of the sword, Naruto took a deep breath and closed his eyes 'I can do it' he kept repeating to himself.
Opening his eyes, Naruto dashed ahead and in one swift motion bought his sword down.
"Phantom Slash"
The shield wrapped around Pearl's arm fell along with his arm, the strike sliced cleanly through the metal and his bone.
Pearl fell to the ground in anguish holding his stump of a hand, not giving either of them a chance to recover, Naruto thrust his sword through Pearl's chest armour and buried it into his stomach.
Leaving the sword there, Naruto vanished and appeared behind Gin.
"Phantom Execution!"
Naruto let go of the sword as it shattered in his hand, behind him Gin's metal tonfas fell apart as blood erupted from his wounds once again.
Krieg, seeing his opportunity, immediately dashed forward and slammed his spear at Naruto.
Naruto easily caught the spear between his palms, Krieg smirked as an explosion suddenly erupted from the spear's tip blasting Naruto into the nearby wall.
"No one can stand against my Mighty Battle Spear" He bragged "As soon as you touch it, You'll be blown to pieces".
"Quit your yapping" Naruto muttered as he got up from the crater, aside from some singed skin, he seemed to have sustained no damage, " You're giving me a headache" he muttered as he picked up the nearby swords.
'I'll really need to invest in a proper sword, these cheap ones break way too easily'.
"I've had my fun, I'll not be holding back now" Naruto continued seeing Krieg's puzzled expression, "At the beginning of our fight I had decided to slice through that armour which you're so proud of but I couldn't quite get my technique right, that is not the case anymore. Get ready, You'll miss it if you blink" He warned.
"Phantom Kill"
Naruto suddenly vanished from his spot and appeared behind a stunned Krieg.
'I didn't even see him move' Krieg thought as he slowly turned around, midway through the motion, he started to cough blood as he looked down to see his armour fall apart 'So he was holding back this entire time', he thought as he closed his eyes. His torso slid down his waist and fell to the ground, his legs following soon.
Naruto turned away from Krieg's bifurcated body and started to walk away, checking the sword in his hand, he smiled when he saw that it didn't even have a scratch on its blade 'Looks like I've finally mastered this technique'.
From the corner of his eye, Naruto spotted something being thrown at him. Raising his hand, Naruto caught the small dagger, stopping it few inches from his eyes.
"Your captain is defeated, there is no point in fighting anymore".
"I'm not of his crew"
Turning around, Naruto faced the man sitting on the nearby railing, his face was obscured by shadows.
"Then why did you throw this... whatever this is"
"It's my butter knife".
"Why the hell would you randomly throw a butter knife at a complete stranger".
"I was just conforming my suspicion"
Throwing back the knife at the man, Naruto started to walk away.
"We are not done here" The man spoke as he jumped down from the railing.
"I think we are" Naruto replied as he continued to walk forward.
He suddenly ducked as a sword passed through where his neck just was.
"What the hell!" Naruto exclaimed as he readied his sword.
"Narutoooo!" he heared Luffy voice calling him.
"I'm starting to hear voices now" Naruto mutttered.
"You are not hearing things" the Man replied "There is indeed a boy shouting your name"
Quickly walking to the edge of the ship, Naruto spotted Luffy waving at him.
"What the hell?" Naruto exclaimed, "What are you doing here, Where is your ship and who are those two?".
"I was just passing through here when I noticed your ship" Luffy replied.
"Nami stole our ship" Usopp yelled in anger.
"These two are my friends from back when I was a pirate hunter".
"I'm Jhonny" "I,m Yosaku"
"What is the cook doing here?"
"I decided to join his crew" Sanji replied with a little embarrassment.
All of them boarded Krieg's ship and looked at the carnage around them.
"Damn Naruto! you did all this?" Zoro asked as he laid eyes on the bloodshed.
"Well, I didn't kill any of them excluding their captain" Naruto replied "The captain actually caused all this".
"There are almost 100 pirates here," Sanji asked "Who were you fighting?"
"Don Krieg".
"Whaaaaat!" Johnny and Yosaku yelled "Don Krieg, the strongest pirate in the east blue. You defeated him and his crew all by yourself".
"See for yourself" Naruto replied as he moved aside to show them Don Krieg's bifurcated body.
"Damn!" Zoro whistled "You sliced clean through his armour, I knew you could handle a sword but I didn't know you were this skilled".
Naruto shrugged.
"If you're done, can we get back to your fight now" The man interrupted.
Finally having a good look at the man, Naruto realized he was talking to Hawkeyes Mihawk, The world's Greatest Swordsmen.
"Wait! you're Mihawk the Strongest swordsmen in the world" Naruto exclaimed, this immediately caught the attention of Zoro causing him to freeze up.
"W-What are you doing here" Yosaku stuttered "The last I heard you were in Grandline".
"Don Krieg disturbed my nap so I obliterated all of his fleets, he managed to flee from me due to the storm. Since I was bored, I decided to track him down and destroy him too but it seemed that I arrived a little late as your friend was already fighting him".He finished as he brandished his sword "I have answered all your questions, Now you" he said pointing to Naruto "Fight me".
"Why do you want to fight me so badly" Naruto questioned "I can already tell by that first swing that you're way out of my league, the difference in our strength is too much for me to even consider fighting you".
"You're going to fight me one way or another" Mihawk replied as he dashed in front of Naruto and slashed his sword.