Disclaimer: I own neither One Piece nor Naruto.

Hey there!

Thank you so much for your reviews of the last chapter! You're amazing!

It took a lot of effort, but the second chapter is finally finished. I'm quite happy about how it turned out and I hope you like it too!

IMPORTANT Note:
Recently, the website has caused words to vanish in multiple chapters. Often enough, the end of one and the beginning of the following sentence had disappeared. I fixed the missing parts, but if it happens again, if you guys notice multiple words clearly missing, please notify me!
You all should have the possibility to read a whole story, not one where words are randomly missing. Thank you.

Last edited: 12/03/20

Pausing in front of the door rather than entering the bar, Sakura closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She tried to sense how many people were currently present, but couldn't detect anyone, even though she could hear the faint murmur of voices.

This is concerning. There has to be something wrong with my ability to sense chakra, Sakura thought, and frowned. When Luffy just came in, I wasn't able to sense him either. I am perfectly capable to feel and use my own chakra though. She made a mental note and decided to look into it at a later point in time.

The pinkette adopted a relaxed posture because she wanted to seem as non-threatening as possible. Anyone in the bar who had at least some fighting experience would easily discern her as dangerous if she moved with the feline grace of a kunoichi. Too smooth movements in front of the wrong people could be fatal and staying inconspicuous was of crucial importance right now. This was still a time of war after all.

Sakura did her best to put on a charming front and entered the bar.

Immediately, her sharp green eyes scanned the room, and all individuals present. Sakura's mind was already sizing them up and forming possible escape routes. Two men are sitting in the back, talking. They are clothed like sailors. Another three are eating to my right. That's not a lot of customers, but it's still before noon. Makino is currently polishing glasses behind the bar counter and Luffy is—

"Sakura!"—said boy called her name and waved at her. "Do you want to eat something too? Makino makes the best breakfast ever!" he explained, bubbling with excitement.

After another glance at the present men and classifying them as harmless civilians, Sakura willed her short legs to move and headed for the counter. Ignoring the fact that the barstool had the same height as her, she sat down—well, climbed it—as gracefully as possible.

Makino watched her with an amused expression and put the polished glass down. Sakura opened her mouth to ask for some water when the young woman suddenly placed a whole tray in front of her, including a large breakfast and a glass of juice. The kunoichi blinked in surprise.

"Welcome to the 'Partys Bar'! There you go sweetheart, I'm sure you're hungry. Dig in!" the green-haired woman invited her and smiled warmly.

That's generous of her, Sakura noted. Kindness like this is not often found. It could be fatal in these times of war though.

The battle-hardened shinobi in her wanted to check the food for poison, but after a look at Makino's honest, open face, the pinkette squashed her distrust. If her meal was poisoned she could always create an antidote. There was also the fact that she needed food as soon as possible, so she began to eat.

Mhh that tastes amazing, Sakura relished and closed her eyes for a moment to savor the taste. During the war, she had essentially lived off ration bars and those truly weren't designed to flatter your taste buds.

Apparently, her reaction didn't go unnoticed since Makino laughed and informed her in a warm voice, "You can eat as much as you want, Sakura. Don't worry about anything. Although I doubt you can surpass Luffy's appetite."

At her words, they heard a big burp from the said boy, immediately followed by his demand for another portion.

Makino threw her a look that conveyed 'What did I say?' and complied with Luffy's request. The woman vanished through a door behind the counter, most likely leading to a kitchen, to get another plate of food and more orange juice for Luffy.

Since Sakura wasn't keen on starting a conversation right now she continued to eat in silence, when she suddenly heard a faint whine from Luffy. Curious, she looked in his direction only to find him staring intently at the meat on her tray, drooling.

The medic blinked. Didn't he just empty a full plate? He can't be that hungry, can he? Well, I could share; I can't finish my whole portion anyway, my stomach is smaller now and not used to such a large amount of food at the moment.

Raising an eyebrow, Sakura offered, "Would you like to have this piece of meat? You can have it if you want, I'm not sure if I can clear the whole plate anyway."

Shifting his gaze from her plate to its owner, Luffy looked at Sakura with wide eyes and inquired, "Really? You would share your meat with me?"

She just said that, didn't she? Why did he look so awestruck? A bit bewildered, Sakura replied, "Yeah, of course. Here, you can have it," and pushed her tray in his direction.

With an expression bordering on reverence, the boy accepted the piece of meat she offered him and took an enormous bite out of it.

"Thwank ywu Sakuwha!" Luffy gushed with a full mouth. His black eyes shone happily.

Amused by his behavior, the kunoichi snorted and continued with her own plate. This boy is funny. He and Naruto seem to be very alike though Luffy seems to be even denser than my teammate.

A few seconds later, Makino came back with Luffy's new plate of food. She placed it in front of him with a stern look on her face that hindered him from straight off wolfing down the new portion. Makino raised her index finger and said with a steely voice, "If you continue to eat so fast, you'll get a stomach ache. And don't you dare talk with a full mouth again!"

Luffy pouted, but he nodded obediently and directed his fork to his mouth more slowly. Sakura suppressed a smile and watched him from the corner of her eye. It appeared to be very difficult for him to eat at a leisurely pace. It also didn't escape her notice that Luffy's eyes were glued to Makino and followed her every move.

Somehow, I don't believe he's reasonable, Sakura thought wryly and was proven right. As soon as Makino turned her back on Luffy because she had to serve a customer at the far end, the boy started to positively inhale his breakfast.

Even Naruto can't eat Ramen this fast, the kunoichi thought and was astounded. At this rate, I honestly doubt it's his second portion. How many did he eat already?

Her insatiable curiosity got the better of her and Sakura asked casually, "Luffy, how many portions did you already have?" The black-haired boy stopped chewing, swallowed, and scratched his head while he considered her question. Then he answered with a shrug. "I don't know; maybe five? Why do you ask?" He seemed confused.

Five portions of food? That's ... a lot. Where does all the food go? Sakura wondered. She inwardly shook her head and vaguely explained, "Just curious."
Luffy seemed to accept that and merely continued to shovel food in his mouth. A chuckle escaped Sakura because his carefree attitude again reminded her strongly of Naruto when he was younger.

The medic proceeded to eat in silence while Luffy chattered happily away—apparently, her silence served as a reason to flood her with words. Sakura would've even understood his mumbling if he had talked without having his mouth full.

Only half-listening to the chatterbox next to her, Sakura contemplated her next steps.

First, I need to find out where I am. Secondly, I need to find a way back home. Sounds easy? She inwardly cringed, admitting to herself that it probably wouldn't be that easy.

Turning her attention back to her breakfast and Luffy's cheery blabber, she only thought, Damn, I could really need some sake.

After finishing breakfast, Sakura asked Makino for a map. The green-haired woman sent her a kind smile and left her place behind the counter to rummage through a cupboard next to the door. Shortly afterward, she approached the pinkette with a long rolled-up map that she spread out in front of Sakura.

The kunoichi inwardly braced herself and turned her attention to the map with scrutinizing eyes.

A minute went by.

Then another.

Luffy, who was still eating, sent her a puzzled look, but Sakura just stared dumbfounded at the piece of paper on the counter. The outlines were foreign to her.

I don't recognize anything on this map... There's a vertical line of land and a horizontal line in the ocean. Also, there are incredibly many islands—like hundreds of them, and they seem to be the only pieces of land besides that horizontal mass in the middle...
What the hell? The sketches we have at home don't portray the whole world but I would recognize the Elemental Nations on a larger scaled map! Is this a depiction of the world?

Keeping up a serene front, the kunoichi didn't let her confusion show, but her expressive eyes divulged her feelings.

Makino was watching Sakura with concerned eyes; she had realized that something was very wrong—which was fairly observant for a civilian—and started to describe the map calmly.
"This map depicts the world. It's not a hundred percent accurate since there hasn't been anyone yet to sail around the world and draw a detailed map of it but this is the most precise one you can get. The vertical line of land you see here"—the woman pointed with her finger at the long crimson mass of land—"is called the 'Red Line'. It encircles our planet. The horizontal line of water here is the 'Grand Line' which is the most dangerous sea. The 'Red Line' and the 'Grand Line' divide the sea into four parts which are called 'Blues'. Dawn Island is situated in 'East Blue' which is regarded as—"

Sakura didn't listen to Makino anymore. Her brilliant mind was running through every scenario that could in any way explain her current situation but came up with nothing.

Despite the surge of panic she felt, the medic managed to calm herself for a moment, closed her eyes, and inwardly counted to ten.

Stay composed, Sakura told herself. Think rationally. Maybe asking the other way round will work. While I never heard of a 'Red Line' or this 'Grand Line', Makino surely knows about Konoha or at least the Land of Fire.

When she opened her eyes again she looked at Makino and asked evenly, "Did you ever hear of a village named Konohagakure?" When the bar owner shook her head, a feeling of dread began to fill Sakura, but she ignored it and continued, her expression still as calm and collected as possible.

"How about Sunagakure?" she tried but Makino just continued shaking her head.

Impossible, Sakura thought.

"The Land of Fire?" the pinkette inquired, not wanting to give up just yet but having to take another no for an answer.

No way.

There's no way she hasn't heard about the Land of Fire.

"The Elemental Nations?" At the last question, Sakura's voice quivered. The woman opposite gazed at Sakura sympathetically and answered in a soothing voice, "I'm sorry dearest, but I don't recognize any of the names you just mentioned."

Dismayed, Sakura's luminous green eyes darkened, and she clenched her tiny fists.

That's not possible. You may not know Konoha but there is no way you haven't heard of the Elemental Nations! That stupid map has to be wrong and Makino obviously has to have a poor memory for names! She already said the map isn't accurate and my homeland has to exist somewhere. The only other way to explain my current circumstances would be—

Sakura's breath hitched.

The only other way would be to presume that there aren't any 'Elemental Nations' in this world.

"That is absurd," she whispered.

A small voice at the back of her head buzzed, Why not? That white-haired bitch could switch between different worlds with a snap of her fingers. She somehow put you into the body of a child. It would be totally believable to assume—no, it is to expect that she somehow sent you to a foreign world. One that is maybe hundreds of worlds from home.

Sakura had a lump in her throat when she realized that the small voice might be right. It was possible that she was all alone now. In a strange world. It would explain the fact that the world map was unfamiliar to her and also that Makino hadn't ever heard of Konoha.

Sakura gulped.

I'm alone.

In a child's body.

In a foreign world.

She felt cold. Her breathing became irregular, and the pinkette felt the sudden need to run.

I have to leave this room, it's suffocating.

Being the skilled kunoichi she was, Sakura didn't let her inner turmoil show and muttered, "Excuse me please, I think I need some fresh air. I'll go for a walk"

She was a bit proud that her voice didn't waver and smiled a bright fake smile at Luffy. Proceeding to jump down from her bar stool, Sakura had already left the bar through the front door before anybody could object.

When she closed the door behind her and turned around, several different impressions assaulted her senses. She found herself on a cobbled street that was lined with small stores and cozy-looking houses. The sun was shining brightly and a salty breeze ruffled her pink strands. The sea could be heard from a distance and the noise of the bustling street filled her ears.

Sakura wasn't in any position to register her surroundings though. Her mind was reeling and her heart beat as fast as an air hammer.

I need to get away.

I need a break.

She turned to her right and started to run. Evading the residents and ignoring their strange glances, the kunoichi dashed along the street.

Not fast enough.

She pushed chakra into her feet and the world blurred when she moved even faster.

Her untrained muscles were screaming at her and her lungs were too weak to keep up, but she ignored the warning signs of her body and continued her sprint. In a matter of minutes, Sakura had left the village and rushed along a path that went alongside the shore.

It's not possible.

Just.

Not.

Possible.

It can't be. Konoha has to lie somewhere in this world.

But...Makino never heard of it. The map was alien to me. Everything indicates that...

Sakura's sight became blurred when tears filled her eyes and threatened to spill over. She was gasping for air but wasn't able to breathe properly. Her mind was in turmoil.

That's why she didn't see the path taking a turn to her left. Or that she was running towards the top of a low cliff.

Tumbling over the edge and half falling, half rolling down the slope, the kunoichi ended up with a mouthful of sand when she came to a halt on the beach. Wheezing and coughing she remained there, trying to compose her churning thoughts.

I'm alone.

Away from home.

I don't know if the others are alright.

I'm in another world. What...if there isn't a way home?

Sakura felt her sanity crumble. She started to laugh hysterically because...why her?

She had worked so hard to achieve the things she did. She had fought so fiercely to save her friends. And that...abomination simply touched her forehead and it was all. gone. Her strength, her friends, and Konoha—her home. It was beyond her imagination.

After a few minutes, Sakura's laughter subsided into crazy giggles that bubbled over her lips from time to time. A hollow feeling was all that remained.

A groan escaped her when she sat up, and the medic realized that she had heavily over-strained her muscles. Her chakra was nearly depleted because of her foolish act to use so much at once, and she deduced that she probably won't be able to stand up for at least ten minutes.

Turning her head, Sakura saw the overhang she fell down before. Apparently, she had been lucky. It was neither steep nor jagged and her bones were all intact.

What a fortunate woman I am, she thought sardonically. Oh, wait! I'm not a woman anymore. I'm in the body of a weak child right now!

It was too much.

All the pain and anguish inside her rose like a tidal wave.

The pinkette let out a cry of despair and started to sob. Drawing up her legs, she buried her head in her knees and let her tears flow. Dark thoughts tormented her mind. She was so weak! What did she do to deserve this? Hadn't she gone through enough?

She had fought Sasori and won. Sakura had survived Pain's attack on Konoha and healed the injured to the point of exhaustion. She had lived through a war and saw so many of her comrades die. Sakura had survived and endured. She had surpassed her mentor and exceeded all expectations. And yet...

I couldn't stop Kaguya from sending me away.

Maybe if I had been stronger...

She wept until she had no more tears left. In the end, she just sat on the beach in the burning sun and stared into space with empty eyes.

After a while, she heard the steps of an approaching person. Uncaring about who it was, Sakura stayed in her position and watched the sea. Her eyes were swollen and her clothes and hair were coated in sand.

The person halted for a moment and then approached the pinkette. Sakura would have tried to sense who it was if she wasn't already certain that her sensing ability had left her.
Therefore, she turned her head slightly and spotted a familiar raven-haired boy. She ignored Luffy's presence and lowered her head again. He sat down next to her and for a while, the only thing that could be heard was the gentle sound of waves lapping the sand.

"You'll get a sunburn if you stay in the sun for too long," Luffy finally said. A bitter laugh escaped Sakura's lips. She raised her head and stared at the boy next to her with hard green eyes. Luffy's black depths gave nothing away, but his cheeriness from before had vanished.

"What's wrong? Please, tell me", he urgently requested. When Sakura didn't respond, Luffy's next question was posed more forcefully. "Did someone hurt you?" A dangerous tone crept into his voice.

I don't think I'll be able to change the subject or distract him, the kunoichi thought tiredly. Somehow, she didn't even want to do that. The medic simply didn't care anymore. She felt empty and lost.

But what do I tell him? That I'm a de-aged ninja who maybe got sent to another dimension because some lousy goddess touched her big forehead? she mused wryly.

"I don't know how I got here. I think I got attacked—" well, that's not a lie, "—and then...the next thing I know is I'm on some island, located in a sea I never heard of." The words started to tumble out of her mouth and there was no way for her to stop them.

"I have to get back, I don't know if my friends are okay! Maybe they're hurt, maybe they're dead! But... I didn't recognize a thing on this fucking map and Makino didn't recognize the names I told her at all!"

Her tears welled up again—even though they had dried up a while ago—and she couldn't see Luffy clearly anymore.

Great kunoichi you are, Sakura. Crying like the little girl you currently look like. She felt weak and was disgusted by herself.

"W-what if my home not being found o-on this map means that i-it doesn't exist here? What if there i-is no way home?" she asked; her hoarse voice was mixed with small sobs.

The small part of Sakura's mind that was still able to think logically, realized that it probably wasn't just her current situation that overtaxed her nerves, but also her experiences during the war. She hadn't been able to come to terms with anything that had happened yet.

Still crying, Sakura started muttering curses under her breath, not really considering that a seven-year-old, who was sitting only a few inches away, could hear her.

Suddenly, she was hugged tightly. She immediately tensed but after a few seconds, Sakura allowed her body to relax in Luffy's hold. The trace of a fond smile played across her lips because That's what Naruto would've done too. Sakura buried her face in his neck until the flood of her tears dried up.

They stayed like that for a while.

All of a sudden, Luffy stated, "You didn't answer my question." Confused, Sakura leaned back while she wiped the remaining tears away and stared at the boy facing her. Taken aback by his serious expression, she asked "What question?"

Luffy responded, "I asked you if you wanted to be my friend earlier. You didn't answer my question." He pouted but his gaze was piercing. His black orbs were solemn and determined. She stared unblinkingly at them. Luffy's eyes reminded her so much of Naruto's. It wasn't due to the color but because of the intensity they held.

Unperturbed by her stare, he consoled her with an unwavering voice. "We will find your home. I'll help you." Sakura looked down and a sad smile tugged at her lips.

Defeated, she whispered, "What if my home doesn't exist in this world?"

Luffy just blinked at her and declared without the shadow of a doubt, "That's stupid. Then we'll find a way to bring you home. Or get your home here."

Then, he gave her a grin so bright and foolish that it shook her to the core.

And she believed him.

His arguments were beyond all reason, but Sakura didn't care. It was irrational and stupid and maybe she was just clinging to a vain hope, but she believed him. His conviction was strong and she was captivated by it.

Sakura took in the raven-haired boy in front of her. Luffy's broad grin and the sheer determination he radiated. A sudden thought flashed through her mind. This boy... I believe he'll be capable of accomplishing whatever he wishes for. Even if his goal is unattainable, he will surpass every expectation and make it possible.

"Alright," she finally voiced her decision. Then Sakura proceeded to give him a genuine, true smile and added, "Also, I'd love to be your friend."

Luffy's eyes lit up and he cheered. "Great, let's make a plan!" he announced.

Sakura quickly regained her subdued look and inquired "A plan? Makino has never heard of my homeland and I didn't recognize anything on the world map. Say, do you have any ideas?"

Luffy thought carefully and the medic almost expected smoke to rise from his ears when he perked up and exclaimed, "I know, why don't you ask Gramps?"

Sakura next to him raised her brows and probed further, "Gramps, who's that?"

An infectious grin spread across Luffy's face. "That's my grandpa! He's a strong marine! He only visits every three months because he's so busy but I still like him! I thought that Makino may not know every island in the world because she never really left Dawn Island. My Gramps though has sailed around the world and I'm sure if anybody knows where your home is, it would be him."

...That's brilliant! Maybe there's still hope, Sakura thought and was genuinely surprised by his suggestion.

I didn't take him for stupid but he seemed to be very naive. That was a rash assumption. I'd say he's actually quite intelligent, he just needs some motivation? Maybe his... The kunoichi blinked and realized that she got lost in her thoughts again and that Luffy was looking at her expectantly.

A warm smile spread over her face, and she said, "Thank you, Luffy. That's a great idea!" Then she asked hopefully, "When do you think he will visit next?" Luffy responded with a shrug and added, "Dunno, maybe in three months?"

Sakura nodded but didn't reply.

Her green eyes were fixated on the sea that was glistening in the sun while her mind was already occupied with figuring out a new plan.

I want to leave as soon as possible but that would be exceptionally stupid. Right now my body is weak and fragile. I can change that with training but I'll need approximately a year to reach a sufficient level of strength. Besides, I know nearly nothing about this place. I have to find out as much as I can about this world—if it really is a new world, who knows. Everything is possible. So...the first step is gathering information while waiting for Luffy's grandfather and resume training again.

She felt a lot better knowing that she had a plan now. Sakura silently watched Luffy from the corner of her eye. He was sitting there with his eyes closed and a peaceful look on his face. This way, he was giving her the time she needed to gather her thoughts and pull herself together.

This boy is amazing. She would've been lost if Luffy hadn't helped her.

"Thank you", she expressed, her voice strangely thick. Luffy remained silent.

Sakura stood up and ignored the burning pain that came from her body. She patted the sand from her clothes. The kunoichi stepped forward until the waves were nearly touching her feet. She felt Luffy's burning stare at her back and stood tall while she gazed out on the sea. The bright sun illuminated her pink hair and her green eyes were filled with renewed determination.

Naruto, Tsunade-shishou... I'll promise it. No, I'll swear it.

And she had to say it out loud. That she won't give up. That she will regain her strength and find a way back. Even if the only ones to hear it were Luffy and the deep blue sea.

"I swear, I will find a way back home. I will search through any means and in every way possible; I will travel to the end of the world and back if I have to. My steps shall never falter again and I will not rest until I am home."

Her firm voice was carried away by the light sea breeze.

Thank you for reading:)

If you're worried about Sakura being a weak crybaby now, don't be! She will be a badass again very soon:D