Hello everyone, hope you like this chapter after waiting for awhile.
WORDS STYLE:
Thinking
[Tv/Intercom]
SHOUTING
TwIsTeD
Chapter 43: End of Fishman Island Arc
LAST TIME
Naruto turns to Luffy and hands him the device which he moves to his mouth.
"Sure, wait for us there. We'll bring you that scientist guy as well as there's some business I want to settle with Big Mom, too."
When Luffy said that, he got much confusion out of everyone.
[Hm?]
"I'm not following your request just to protect Fishman Island, but to make sure not to leave it in her hands, that's too dangerous! If she tries and hurts the people of Fishman Island, I'll kick her ass all over the New World...THIS TERRITORY DOESN'T BELONG TO YOU PEOPLE!" His words were filled with anger and eyes of determination.
[I'll take that, as an agreement to my request.]
CURRENT TIME, BACK AT THE PALACE ON THE MAIN STAIRWAY
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!"
That was the single word echoing throughout the room as a shocked King Neptune and Minister of the Right were staring at the arrivals of Luffy, Naruto, and Zoro standing before them as well as Nami, Sanji, Robin, Brook, Chopper, Usopp, and Jinbe along with many guesses.
"YOU TALKED BACK TO THE BIG MOM PIRATES?!" Neptune shouted while almost everyone was staring at the idiot captain.
"What?! That Seki-guy was talking about Fishman Island having to pay for not getting the sweets! Can you believe how crazy he is?! I mean, if it were meat, I could understand! But don't worry! I really stood up to him!"
"YOU STOOD UP TO ONE OF THE FOUR EMPEROR'S CREWS?!" Their shouts were justified due to the fact that they were informed Sekiro was the first-mate of Big Mom Pirates.
"You talked back to Sekiro," Jinbe grips Luffy's jacket to shake him. "have you lost your mind Luffy?!"
Robin simply laughs at her captain's antics yet didn't pass the side glance to Zoro to see he was visibly upset all the while Shirahoshi looks at Luffy with amazement.
"Wow!" Shirahoshi approaches them. "You are so tough, Luffy-sama! Ahahah!"
"THAT'S NOT THE POINT!" Usopp's sudden shout earned a crying princess and an Usopp being whacked upside the head by Sanji as he shouted at the long-nose fella for making the beauty cry which he ended up apologizing for.
"Boy, that's not good." Muttered the Fishman that was allied with Big Mom. "I have to break away from Big Mom before it gets complicated."
His gaze shifts over to Naruto as he spoke.
"I'll trust you to handle this."
"Don't count on it, it's our Captain after all."
With that small exchange, Jinbe pinches the bridge of his nose with a loud sigh while Neptune and the Minister spoke silently how they were fucked.
"... Sekiro...if I'm not mistaken that's a more common name in Wano-..." Naruto's train of thought stops as he too looked bothered and looks out the opened window in thought.
"Now that I think about it, I haven't gotten any news on what's been happening over there since before I was imprisoned.
"Now that I think about it, I never got into contact with Hanabi after what happened. Due to her having a thing for me, her forgiving me is gonna be hard. Tho I wonder, did Hinata wake from her coma yet-oh god, I wonder what that rumbling fool of that Kozuki is doing right now as I think about it...with me and Daimajin having left Wano, did he even bother to stay?"
As he was thinking to himself, Nami was glancing at him to see his expression before immediately looking away as she recalled the two mermaids in her bed before glancing at Shirahoshi who caught her gaze as the two immediately turn away to break eye contact with each other.
(Well your the one who wanted him to sleep in your bed so it was his bed as well, not to mention you never took your chance to finally have him all to yourself, I could have left the room if you asked me to.)
Nami's right-hand turns into a fist, jealousy building up in herself.
"BUT NARUTO-SAMA, PLEASE STAY LONGER!"
"IT'S NO FUN THAT YOUR ALREADY LEAVING!"
Below their ship was a massive group of Fish-folk wishing them luck on their voyage to a new destination, a smaller group consisting of the mermaids who were waving quite a lot, more specifically at Naruto much to the envy of Sanji who was glaring at the blond trying his hardest to avoid his jealous gaze due to already dealing with another 'situation' that had attached itself to his body. Franky was almost finished stocking up on supplies they were gratefully given by the people as thanks while many others said goodbye or watched the show from the side of the ship where a crying Shirahoshi had latched herself on Naruto.
"Naruto-sama and everybody, are you really going to leave now?!" Her question drew even more tears from the princess. "We're engaged and we just met, as well as I became friends with everyone! Stay here at least one more day or week or year!"
While hearing this, behind him silent curses and insults were thrown at the back of Naruto's head, annoying him even more while Luffy just watches.
"You've been crying since the first time we met, Yowahoshi!" With the captain's words spoken, another apology was given to him while Naruto just sighs and looks at Brook, Sanji, Robin, Chopper, Usopp, and Nami who didn't meet his gaze which made him feel even more stressed about the whole issue with sleeping with two other women.
"I will stop being a crybaby!" As she promised those words, Naruto didn't even bother to believe that one bit due to her still crying.
"COME BACK AGAIN, NARUTO-SAMA!"
The shout once again originating from the group of mermaids from below, angering Sanji more as he glared more at the Fishman who was sweating up a storm.
"Yo ho ho ho ho! This has been a splendid trip!" Brook's shout gained their attention. "I sing about a dream life on Fishman Island on my latest single!"
With those words, he began to play another farewell song for them all of which Naruto simply smiles at.
"Gigigigi."
That single sound caused him to glance back at Samahada who was currently strapped to his back, giving it a worried look.
"You ok Samahada, you've been bothered ever since Hody attached that arm to him." In response, it becomes silent once again all the while Nami was being given a new Log Pose for the New World by the Minister of the Left while he was standing on their deck, about to escort Shirahoshi off of it.
"As you already know, a good navigator can tell which is safest by looking at slight movements of the needles. What it basically tells you is, the wilder the needle movement...the more dangerous the island is!" Nami's eyes widen just like Naruto as he overheard. "If something is happening on an island that is causing the magnetic waves to change, it means it could be very dangerous."
In response, she just looks at the device in her hand of three compasses.
"What?!" She outstretched it to him. "I don't like this at all! I'd rather not know about it!"
The Fishman merely grasps her hand and closes it around the device while pushing it back to her.
"As a navigator, it is your duty to help your crew navigate safely. This will help you and possibly save you one of these days." Nami just looks down on the device in her hand, still unsure before all of a sudden one Luffy decided to outstretch his neck to wrap around Nami, creeping her the hell out just like Naruto, and Zoro who watched in silence.
"Let's see."
"NOOOOOOO!"
"DAMMIT LUFFY, DON'T YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!"
"Whatcha mean, I just wanna look at it?"
"THAT'S A LIE!"
In less than ten seconds later, Nami had begun to strangle Luffy who had been struggling like a fish out of water, being punished for wanting to go on a crazy as hell voyage.
"Luffy! You stay quiet! I'll choose which way to go from now on!"
"NOW WAY! I'm the Captain!"
Naruto simply pinches the bridge of his nose knowing without the use of his devil fruit, Luffy may just get them all killed all the while Robin was just chuckling while Sanji was acting all lovey-dovey for her.
"All right, guys!" Franky's shout gained everyone's attention to see him back on board. "We're ready to go!"
As he heard that, Naruto simply looks at Shirahoshi who had finally let go of him thanks to the minister of the left.
"Don't worry," He shows a smile. "I'll be back but may not be for a while..."
"O...ok...I'll be waiting." With that said, Shirahoshi looks down before moving quickly to capture his lips once more, taking him and many others by surprise while Nami just looks away uncomfortably just as Robin glances at her with a sad smile. With what seemed like seconds she separates from Naruto and hurriedly moves down from the ship in a hurry followed by Minister of the left, prompting Sanji to begin shaking the Fishman in anger.
"WHY IS IT ALWAYS YOU YOU DAMN HAREM BASTARD!"
"DAMMIT SANJI, GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF!"
As the two argued with petty insults being thrown at each other, Den just watched with a smile next to Franky who spoke up again.
"Den taught me how to ascend, too." His gaze meets Naruto's. "With Naruto's devil fruit on the fritz, we can't rely on it from making quick maneuvers as of right now, including going up and down in the water. Everyone ready?"
His words gained smiles from some yet that attention gained another focus as Hatchan was standing in the crowd, waving goodbye to them with Pappag being held up high in the air.
"It's been really fun and thanks for all that food and candy!" With the words spoke by their captain in the air, it was a message to tell them all they were leaving now. Naruto simply just walks closer to the deck to wave goodbye like the others are doing when the blue-skinned man spots Shirahoshi being dragged by Ishilly towards the other mermaids, all of whom were grasping something.
"Hey, Nami!"
Once Ishilly shouts her name, the orange-haired bikini-wearing girl just stares in confusion until they spread out what looked like a message written on paper, a sign that results in her and Naruto turning a deep shade of red while Luffy raises an eyebrow not getting it.
[NAMI, GOOD LUCK! 👍 WE TAUGHT NARUTO EVERYTHING HE NEEDS TO KNOW, SO PREPARE YOURSELF!]
As the crew members read that, almost all of them were looking at the two of them in shock, Robin simply smiling at seeing this. It was with that sign that word spread around fast on the mermaids, more notably Shirahoshi and Ishilly's 'visit'.
"W-Why are they..." As Nami muttered that, she just felt completely embarrassed at it just stating she has a thing for Naruto for all to see while Naruto could feel the rumors spreading.
"Dear God, Shyarly was right."
As he thought that to himself, he just sighs loudly until they heard a small laugh and the two just turn to Robin on their right.
"I'm glad I asked them to do that."
Her words gained shocked expressions from the crew more so Naruto and Nami.
"Wait, What?!"
As they shouted it, Robin just smiles as she looks at the two with her arm on the railing.
"What's wrong," Her expression just showed she was having a lot of fun. "none of that is a lie, after all, right?"
In response, the two just look down in embarrassment at her words, their gazes meeting for a brief moment before separating from each other all the while Jinbe was watching the whole thing happening from behind the crowd with a smile, watching as their about to leave which was now due to Luffy shouting upon jumping high into the air to "spread the sails".
"LET'S SET SAIL!"
With that command, the waves and shouts increased as the sails were opened to hit the wind while the bubble coating was placed on the ship, as this was happening they were all waving goodbye to the masses with Franky at the helm yet before anything else, got noticed Minister of the right whispering something to the King and it caused Neptune's eyes to shoot out of his eye sockets before their gazes locked.
"HOSHIGAKIIIIIIIIIIIIIII! WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS, DID YOU SLEEP WITH MY DAUGHTER AND ANOTHER?!"
"FRANKY, GET THIS THING UP NOW OR WE'LL BE DEALING WITH AN OVERPROTECTIVE FATHER!"
As these two shouts were heard, the crowd was just shocked, the mermaids, on the other hand, smiling as they were still waving goodbye.
"Alright, here we go!"
With a shout and a spin of the steering wheel, the ship rocked into motion as it turns away from the civilians and onto the water while an angry King Neptune was waving at Naruto with his staff while the civilians just except the odd situation and wave goodbye with words of 'thanks' and 'good luck' being thrown at them as they were leaving.
At this moment, Naruto simply takes in a deep breath before releasing it, being the only one left on the railing and watching as they were leaving the island, his father's home behind.
"I'll defiantly come back." He mutters." I'll definitely be back to make this island under my protection, gotta contact Magellan to tell him about what happened, knowing him he's probably out and about dealing with Pirates that are attacking civilians with the others."
As he watches the island beginning to recede but not by a lot, his thoughts were on the threats ahead including the most notable one, Bahamut D. Ragnarok, his spirit or perhaps malice that dwells within the Apocalypse King's left arm, now in this era.
"What the hell could he be planning?"
In time their ship had finally left the entrance to Fishman island, all of them now out in the vast open sea, silently heading upwards towards the surface, it was at this time the others needed a long overdue rest due to the outside appears to be night time, more so the fact the time zones of the surface and Fishman island were quite different, middle of the day was currently night time up above, only ones bothering to stay awake being Luffy, Zoro, Franky, and Brook on the deck while Chopper, Usopp, Robin, Naruto, and Nami were below to shower or take a bath before resting. Naruto simply wore shorts and a sleeveless shirt, his robotic legs fake skin having to be thrown out due to the damage from the fight he was in, revealing to any who see it as mechanical.
"Damn that bath made tired again," He mutters while opening the door to Nami and Robin's room. "Best get some sleep."
Once the door fully opens, he takes one step inside but instantly found his feet stuck to the floor due to finding none other than Nami wearing nothing but a towel wrapped around her body and one around her hair that was already being pulled off since it was dry, her gaze met his upon entering before looking away nervously. In reaction to this, he takes a step back while speaking quickly.
"S-Sorry, I forgot to—" He was cut off as someone seemed to have pushed him and turned to find two arms having grown out of the sides of the door to push him back in just as Robin peaks out from the corner.
"I'll be up on deck if you'll need me."
With that said, what he gets next was the shut of a door, instantly causing heat to build up to Naruto's face as he knew what was happening, as well as to make a mental note Robin seems to have a thing with rocking up the boat of a relationship to get things moving.
"N-Nami, I Uh—" He stops once he turns around to find the gorgeous beauty in front of him, looking up with an embarrassed expression as well as giving Naruto quite the view of her cleavage.
"I'm gonna be needed back on deck before we ride on the upward current," She lets the towel drop while stepping over it, to press herself against his chest. "so I have about an hour..."
Naruto simply swallows while he stares at her embarrassed expression, taking another leap she moves her arms to snake their way around his neck, pulling him closer.
"Robin wasn't wrong," She leans up more. "I should have done this the moment we reunited."
And with that their lips met, causing Naruto to relax as his arms snake their way around her waist to pull her closer.
"Madam Shyarly," Spoke a mermaid upon entering the coral hill mermaid cafe. "Naruto-sama and his friends are leaving the island."
The one to be revealed that spoke those words was Caimie, having entered the room from the curtain to find she was by herself drinking alcohol with her pipe next to her, visibly upset.
"Oh, yeah?" Her sad gaze meets the mermaids. "Why don't you go and see them off?"
Her question earned a sad smile before it breaks down as she was suppressing the tears after her eyes glanced at the shattered crystal ball on the floor.
"Why can't you tell them, why can't you tell Naruto what's about to happen to him again...?"
"I've already told you, warning him will do nothing to stop what will in the end happen. It'll just destroy him...if he were told about this he would try everything he can to prevent it...the same thing happened when I told Kisame what will happen to Kushina...in the end, he couldn't save her."
Slowly her right-hand turns into a fist as she grits his teeth.
"I'm sorry...but this is how it is... Naruto will go through the pain of losing another love before his own eyes and he will be utterly powerless to stop the foe he, in the end, will meet."
Upon hearing that, Caimie's hands turn to fists with one thing on her mind.
"Who...is Gratos...I recall you telling me he served under as Kisame's second-in-command but...who is he exactly, I've never heard anything about him till joining Kisame.
Shyarly nods in agreement and understanding, at this point she took out what was an old wanted poster from a binder which she showed it to her.
"This was his bounty 40 years ago," Caimie's eyes grew wide. "when he first made his debut and deemed a calamity before being removed from it after what Gratos did in response to being hunted."
Caimie simply takes it, staring at it with wide-eyes at never seeing such a bounty before while Shyarly simply takes a drink before pulling it away from her lips.
"Gratos The Chaos...he's truly a frightening and unknown enigma in this world."
xxxxxCHAPTER ENDxxxxx
NEXT TIME, NEW ARC! PUNK HAZARD: THE BATTLE WITH DESTINY.