To Walk the Path of Freedom
"Holy lord Russ! Put your back into it!" Came a female voice from behind the wheel of the ship. All around the Void Pirates was a thick storm that was making their initial journey to the Grandline insanely hard. "Kiji! Pull down on that rope! It should level out the boat!" Lucy ordered to the fish-man who listened and yanked down on the rope in question, which in turn offset the ship just enough to keep the Void Pirates sailing straight.
After the ship steadied itself out to allow a moments peace, Russ turned back to face the navigator. "Why the hell ain't you down 'ere doin' this? Ain't it your job anyway?" He questioned with an angered voice. This of course did not sit well with Lucy as she looked at him again and a tic mark appeared on her head. "Shut the hell up Russ! It's my job to make sure the ship goes where we want to go! It's YOUR job to follow MY orders on where to put the sails!" She explained to the marksman who immediately turned to face Naruto to voice his discontent
"Wait, why are you looking at me!? What did I do!?" The Captain of the ship argued. "It's not what you've done, it's what ya haven't done! Feathers here thinks she runs the ship! And the last time I checked you were the Cap'n! So are ya goin' let her run this here ship into the bottom of the Sea or are ya goin' to show 'er who's boss and take charge!?" The marksman argued with Naruto who took one look at him and then glanced to Lucy who had a tic mark on her forehead and looked to be emitting a malevolent force from her body whilst cracking her knuckles
Naruto nervously chuckled as he turned his head to face Russ once again. "I'm not too good at sailing a ship or even navigating so I'll just leave that to Lucy! Besides, she scares me and I don't want to get on her bad side." He explained, whispering the last little part to Russ. "Yeah well maybe you should grow a pair and show 'er who's. . . wait. . . what is that over there!?" Russ exclaimed, pointing out in front of the ship
One by one everyone turned their heads to look out in the same direction in which Russ was pointing. Each member of the crew knew what they were looking at as they got a bit closer and the clouds obscuring it drifted away. "It's the Reverse Mountain! We're almost there! Kiji! Get ahold of those sails! We need to be as steady as possible when going up! Naruto, get up here and hold the wheel steady! We can't be bumping into the rocks and springing a leak!" Lucy had ordered to her crew mates as both the fish-man and the Captain of the ship ran and did what they needed to do. Lucy's gaze then went to Russ. "Russ." She began to say. "You can go take a shower, you look and smell disgusting." She finished
"Shut the hell up you sea witch!" He had yelled from his position on the ship. Of course Lucy had not heard him as rain and winds continued to batter against the ship which largely took her attention away from the Marksman. The Void Pirates continued to steady the ship as best they could as they slowly made it closer to Reverse Mountain. After a few minutes of constant manoeuvring of the sails, the crew was right on the doorstep of the mountain. "Alright we're here! Get ready everyone!" Lucy yelled down to Russ, Naruto and Kiji
Just as the navigator predicted, the ship jerked upwards at a snail's pace at first before it started to pick up speed while they began to go up the mountain. "Here we go everybody! Get ready for a bumpy ride!" Naruto grinned ear to ear while addressing his crew. "I swear Naruto, you better not run the ship into a rock!" Expressed Lucy, bracing herself on the railing beside him. The Captain of the ship did not take his eyes off of the rising stream of water in front of the ship and continued to grin as he responded. "No promises Lucy! Besides, it'll be fun to kick off our adventure with a little danger!"
"I can see the peak of the mountain! But we're going too fast!" Kiji yelled up to the upper deck of the ship where Naruto and Lucy were situated. Lucy's eyes went wide at Kiji's words and she turned to face Naruto once again. "Idiot, find some way to slow us down or we're going to crash!" She scolded the young man
He turned to face her with a smile before snapping his head back to face what's ahead. "No way! I wanna enter the Grandline in a flashy way!" He said as the ship made its way to the peak of the mountain. "Here we go! We're entering the Grandline!" Naruto yelled out to his crew who all looked ahead to see the most famous body of water in the world. To everyone's surprise, instead of the ship gently going down the side of the mountain into the Grandline it caught a back wind and shot out of the water into the air.
"WHAT THE HELL! WHY ARE WE IN THE AIR!?" Came a screech from Lucy but it was largely covered up by a laugh from Naruto. "GRAB ONTO SOMETHING!" Kiji ordered the crew as he and Lucy grabbed their closest railing, and Naruto held onto the wheel. Russ was not so lucky and began floating upward as the ship fell. "HA HA LOOK AT RUSS! HE'S FLYING!" Naruto pointed out, and they rest of the crew looked back to see Russ attempt to swim through the air back to the ship. "I HATE YOU NARUTO! HELP ME YA BASTARD!" The man demanded of his Captain, waving his arms through the air in hopes of getting back onto the ship
Naruto's laugh died down a bit and he held out his hand that was not on the ship's wheel. "Alright I got ya! Universal Pull!" He yelled out as Russ suddenly moved through the air and slammed back onto the deck. Sure enough after the crew had recovered Russ they flew through the air a little while longer before plummeting back into the sea, a little ways away from a light house. "Wow, what an entrance!" Exclaimed the Captain of the ship before he was swiftly met by a kick to the back of the head, courtesy of Lucy. "You ever pull a stunt like that again and I'll break every bone in your body!" She threatened to her Captain as she turned towards the lighthouse. "Hey everyone, I think it's safe to say that after Naruto's little experiment with the ship that we've all earned a few hours to catch our breath and take a break at that lighthouse over there!" She explained to everyone and Kiji gave a nod of approval, while Russ, who was still face down on the deck, raised his arm and gave a thumbs up.
"Alright! It's unanimous! I'll turn the ship around and dock us along the rocks." The navigator of the Void Pirates explained to the rest of the crew. Soon after the ship began to turn, both Kiji and Lucy began to notice weird wave patterns across the water. Kiji kept his eyes fixed on the water in front of the ship and noticed some bubbles were rising up over a fairly big surface area of water. "Navigator!" The fish-man called out to Lucy. "Turn the ship hard, to starboard!" He demanded of her
Lucy was puzzled for no more then a couple moments before complying with Kiji and turning the ship on a tight angle to get away from the rising bubbles. Just as she did that, the bubbles grew more violent as a giant whale, easily as big if not bigger than a sea king jumped out of the water and soared through the air. "LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THAT THING!" Naruto expressed with pure excitement, getting right back to his feet as the whale jumped out of the water. "Yeah I know, it's huge but I don't really want to be near that thing!" Voiced Lucy, turning the ship once again and sailing ever closer to the lighthouse on the rocks
"Well if you can some how find a way to steady this here ship, then I can probably kill the damn thing!" The marksman of the crew stated as Naruto frowned. "No don't kill it! It's not bugging us so just leave the giant whale alone!" Naruto countered Russ, who just grumbled as he was still getting used to being told what or what not to do. Just as the Captain and Marksman finished their quick discussion about what to do with the whale, who had now gone back underwater, they arrived at the rocky coast where the light house was situated. Dropping anchor, each member of the crew got off the boat and onto the land and looked around for any sign of life on the shore with no luck. The crew stayed out on the rocks until after a minute or two Naruto started to walk away. "Naruto, where do you think you're going?" Asked Lucy with a raised brow to which Naruto turned back with a grin and responded to her, "I'm hungry, so I'm going to see if the lighthouse has any food I can eat!"
Russ chuckled for a second. "Way to be subtle about it." He then got up from his sitting position and walked in the same direction as his Captain. "Wait up I'm comin' too!" He signalled out to Naruto who waited for him to catch up. "Bring back some food for the rest of us you two!" Lucy asked both of them who nodded before approaching the front door of the light house
Before long, both men stood facing the wooden front door of the lighthouse prior to turning and looking at one another. "So Cap'n, are you gonna knock or am I?" Russ asked Naruto who instead of knocking opened up the door and walked in without a care in the world. "Idiot! You're suppose to knock!" The marksman scolded before following his Captain into the light house. Looking around, both members of the Void Pirates could see nothing but charts, graphs, and medical equipment thrown messily all over the place with a thin layer of dust over top of everything. "Huh, looks like no body is home!" Naruto chuckled to himself as Russ spoke up. "I'm goin' to have to agree with ya on that one, now let's find the fridge."
The two Pirates eventually found the fridge that they were looking for on the far side of the dusty room against the wall, though both men were unaware of the pair of eyes watching them as they traversed the lighthouse. Opening the door, Russ did not see too much food or drinks but was happy at the outcome none the less. "Hey Cap'n! There looks to be some ol' fish in 'ere, and some booze!" Turning to face the Marksman, Naruto smiled. "That's perfect! I bet Lucy and Kiji will be happy that we found something to eat and drink!"
Russ grumbled at the mention of Lucy's name. "Yeah well if we do ever need some emergency food we could always ask 'er to transform into her bird form or whatever and cook 'er up instead. I bet it tastes just like chicken!" After that comment Naruto laughed loudly before he spoke again. "Russ I don't want to eat my navigator! Besides she's been with me since the beginning of my journey! The both of us set off together after fighting some of the World Government! And most importantly, she's my close friend who I would do anything for!" He explained, saying all of his words proudly
"And what 'bout Kiji! A-and me?" The former bounty hunter asked, stuttering a bit when he asked about himself. Naruto gave a warm smile and planted a hand on the cyborg's shoulder prior to speaking, "I think that the both of you are my close friends as well! Anyone who comes aboard my ship and who is a member of my crew is more then a friend actually now that I think about it!" Naruto explained, rubbing his chin, he began to ponder for the right words to use. "Oh yeah! I'd say that my crew mates aren't my friends. . . they're my family!" The young man beamed a heart felt grin while Russ just stood still with his eyes widened
The Marksman was shocked to the core after what he just heard from Naruto. 'He considers me family? After everything I've done to hurt 'im?' The man questioned in his mind. Russ then decided to raise his voice again. "Cut the crap Naruto! Everyone knows that the crew mates of a Cap'n are only tools to help the Cap'n, to conquer territory and achieve his goals!" Countered Russ as he looked at the ground, with a little bit of water welling up on both his cyborganic eye and his natural one. The man then was shocked to the core when Naruto pulled him in for a hug. "Not my crew Russ, each one of you I consider to be my family and my equals!" Naruto began to say, releasing the Marksman from the hug and looking at him with a massive grin. "Besides! All I want to do is be free and have fun!" Concluded Naruto, not dropping his smile for a second
Russ was about to respond to his Captain's words but was interrupted by one of his sensors going off. "Hold that thought Cap'n! There's someone else in the lighthouse!" The Marksman explained with his eye lighting up with a red light. He then drew one of his pistols with Naruto copying his action by drawing his staff. "Looks like they outta be right in that there next room." Russ informed his Captain with a calm and cool voice, showing that he was a professional when it came to close quarters interactions. "So behind that door then?" Naruto whispered back to his Marksman who responded with a nod
"Well then I'll take care of it! Universal Pull!" Naruto yelled out and the door was blown off its hinges and shot right past both of the men and collided with the wall behind them. The result of the crashing and breaking of the door was a cloud of dust, which both Void Pirates used as a cover to find out who was in the next room. They both rushed in and pointed their weapons at the person but just found it to be a shocked boy, no older then 14, who was dressed in beige cargo shorts and had a plain black shirt on which was mostly covered by an unbuttoned blue Hawaiian shirt. The boy also wore a tan bucket hat which had packs of bandages along the side of the hat, held there by a piece of fabric. Looking at the boy's physical appearance he seemed to be on the skinny side, lacking a whole lot a muscle, had was fairly pail as well with light brown hair and blue eyes.
He raised his hands up to the sky and began to sweat ferociously. "DON'T SHOOT DON'T SHOOT DON'T SHOOT!" He pleaded, yelling at both Russ and Naruto. The Captain of the Void Pirates was about to speak but Russ beat him to it. "Don't you worry mister, we ain't gonna shoot ya! That is, unless you tell us just who th' hell are ya!" Threatened Russ, who then pulled back the hammer of his pistol
"O-OKAY JUST PLEASE DON'T SHOOT! M-M-My name i-is Watson! I-I'm from t-the Drum Kingdom, w-where I was t-training to be a Doctor!" The now named Watson yelled out, holding his eyes shut and putting his hands in front of his face in hopes of stopping a bullet if russ did decide to shoot him. "Long way from Drum ain't ya? Now I'll ask one more time! What're ya doin' 'ere!" Russ ordered of the boy, now raising his voice a little more. The boy pushed himself closer to the wall. "Drum Island is not safe for any of the Doctors living there! O-Our King, Warpol, was put under hostage by a-a Pirate crew that ordered that all Doctors be b-brought to them. S-so far, n-no Doctor has r-returned alive! S-so I fled, a-and ended up h-here." Watson explained, saying the last part silently to the pair of men
Instead of Russ following up with another question, Naruto bent his legs to get to the same eye level with Watson. "What about Drum's army?" He asked simply. Watson looked up to face Naruto with a few tears in his eyes before he responded. "They're dead." A moment of silence flooded the room and Watson continued to speak. "Our army's commander, Dalton, h-had lead a s-small group i-into hiding when I left, u-unlike our Prince Wapol who took his troops and ran!" Watson spat when mentioning the Prince of Drum
Before the boy could talk further, Naruto asked another question. "Have you been here by yourself then?" He asked. Before Watson could responded, a voice came out from behind Russ and Naruto. "No he hasn't been alone, he's been training under me!" An older voice echoed through the lighthouse and both of the Void Pirates turned to meet it. Standing at the entrance of the hole in the wall was an old man with a fat lower lip, dressed in a yellow Hawaiian shirt with beige cargo shorts. He was also bald on the top of his head with what looked to be purple and yellow flower petals around his head. Russ quickly turned his pistol onto the newcomer who knocked it away with his harpoon. The Marksman gritted his teeth and went to grab another weapon but was stopped by Naruto's arm extending in front of him. "I imagine this young man here is a part of your crew then?" The old man asked Naruto who nodded with a smile
The man then laughed before speaking once more. "Just like your father kid! Picking up all the weird ones!" The old man spoke out which made Russ grow a tic mark. "You better watch your mouth geezer before I put a bullet in it!" Russ cursed at the man who just ignored him and continued to laugh. "It's good to see you again kid!" The man said opening his arms and Naruto replicated the same action, giving him a hug. "And it's good to see you too Crocus!" Naruto spoke with a smile
"W-wait Master y-you know him!?" Watson yelled out with a shocked expression on his face. The old man let out a laugh. "Yeah of course I do! I was the one who delivered him after all!" After Crocus spoke those words both Russ and Watson gaped in response. "Crocus here was on my father's crew! He was their Doctor!" Naruto explained with a grin prior to remembering about his other two crew members who were still on the ship. "Wait, Crocus, we have another two crew mates waiting on our ship-" He had begun to say but was cut off by the elder Doctor. "Call 'em and bring 'em in here with us! I have no problem with guests! Especially if they are companions of my friends!" Crocus explained to the Captain of the Void Pirates
A few minutes later. . .
"So this guy was the Doctor of your Dad's crew huh?" Lucy asked to Naruto who happily nodded. "Humans are garbage no matter what! But I suppose since he's a friend of the Captain's and that he had let us into his home I will hold back my prejudice." Kiji explained with his arms crossed in the corner of the room. After the fish-man spoke Crocus smiled at him. "Thank you Kiji, I appreciate it. You know, you're a lot like Sunbell! He was a fish-man on our crew and he shared a lot of your views but over time he eventually came to except all of us, human or not." Explained Crocus to Kiji who seemed to be a little ticked off by the comment but had no time to shoot any words back at the older man as Russ had spoken up first
The Marksman spoke, "Are we not gonna talk about the giant whale that almost killed us!" After he mentioned the whale, both Watson and Crocus had a frown on their face. Both Doctors exchanged a look before Crocus answered the Marksman's question. "That whale you saw, his name is Laboon and he means no harm. Decades ago he followed a Pirate Crew into the Grandline from the West Blue in hopes of being their companion all throughout their journeys. Of course the crew realized they could not successfully sail the Grandline and deal with all the hardships that sea brings and take care of a baby whale. So they left him here with me and promised to return after they sailed all the way around the world." Crocus had begun to explain to the Void Pirates
"Since the beast is still here I trust they didn't make it back." Kiji expressed which was met by a nod from Crocus. "No, the crew promised to meet Laboon back at Reverse Mountain in 3 years time and that was decades ago. So of course since they can't come to him, Laboon wants to go to them, and the only way he thinks he can do that is by punching a hole through the Red Line to meet them on the other side. I've tried telling Laboon that they aren't coming back and to except the truth but he refuses to believe that his friends are gone. Even after I left for a few years to sail with Naruto's Dad, Laboon remained and continued to slam into the Red-Line." Crocus finished explaining to the crew as Russ spoke up again.
"Okay just who the hell was this crew y'all keep talkin' about? Am I the only one who a'int know?" Asked the Marksman, his eyes floating between Naruto and Crocus as he looked for his answer. "I-I'm also curious." Spoke Watson from his sitting position beside Crocus. After hearing this, Naruto let out a wild grin and a chuckled. "Well, the crew we're talking about is none other then the Pirate King's crew! Before the Void Pirates, I, along with Crocus, sailed with the Roger Pirates! Crocus was the crew's Doctor and well I'm Gol D. Roger's son so I guess I didn't really have a role on the ship!" Replied Naruto sheepishly
After those words the room seemed to fall on a brief silence prior to Lucy, Russ, and Watson yelling out. "YOU SAILED WITH THE KING OF THE PIRATES AND HE WAS YOUR FATHER!?" After they screamed at him, the only thing the red head could do was laugh. "Yeah he was my Dad! And yes we did both sail with the King of the Pirates! But shhhh it's a secret!" Explained Naruto, whispering the last part to everyone present who faulted over right after he spoke
After a few moments, Lucy got up back off the floor where she faulted, dusting herself off and turned to face her Captain. "Anyway, aside from shocking revelations, do we have anything else we need to do here? I spotted some nasty clouds in the distance and as a navigator, I think we should avoid them by setting out as soon as possible." Lucy expressed to the crew but Crocus was quick to interject. "On the Grandline you're bound to see all sorts of weather patterns. It doesn't matter if you leave now or in a year, the chance of your ship getting destroyed in a storm will always be the same." The old Doctor told the crew. He then turned to face Lucy directly and spoke to her. "Has your Log Pose set yet since entering the Grandline?"
The navigator remained silent for what felt like an eternity before answering his question. "Um. . .well . . . it looks to be that we forgot to pick one up before we entered the Grandline. . ." She spoke quietly as Russ began to laugh. "Ain't it your only job to make sure we got the right stuff for navigatin'? How'd ya manage to screw that one up feathers?!" He barked at her, much to Lucy's annoyance. "Listen here you dirty oaf! The last time we had a chance to get one was in Loguetown! And if I recall correctly, we were being hunted by you and the Marines! So I don't want to hear it! GOT IT!?" Lucy yelled at the newest member of the Void Pirates who just grumbled in response. "That's what I thought!" She finished saying to Russ
Crocus had sweat dropped at the bickering of the Void Pirates but soon after, decided to speak up. "Well if it's a Log Pose that you're after, we have a few spare ones here in the lighthouse if ya need one." He informed the crew which caused both Naruto and Lucy to smile at his hospitality. "Thanks Crocus! We'll take one!" Naruto informed the man who then got up and walked over to a cabinet on the far wall in the room they were all in. He then pulled a key from his pocket and place the end in the lock on the furniture. After twisting the key, the door flung open which revealed a few traditional Log Poses along with some eternal poses as well stacked up on the shelves in the cabinet. He grabbed one of the wrist mounted poses and tapped the glass a few times with his finger and saw that the needle remained steady. Crocus smiled at the result and turned back to face the Void Pirates before walking back over to them. "Alright I'll give you this one. It seems to be pointing towards Tin Tan Island as well which should prove to be a good starting place for your journey." Crocus told the crew and each one of them nodded along
He approached Lucy and handed her the Log Pose and she put it on her wrist and raised her hand to the ceiling. "Now we're ready for an adventure!" She proudly exclaimed which earned a similar cheer from Naruto with both Russ and Kiji making small smiles . "W-well good luck on your journey guys! I h-hope you're the ones t-that find the One Piece." Watson expressed, still very shy around the crew. After the boy said this however, Naruto bursted into laughter. Seeing the Captain of the Void Pirates laugh, Watson turned as red as a cherry from embarrassment and covered his face. "HA HA, don't worry Watson we're not making fun of you! It's just we're not looking for the One Piece!" Explained the Pirate Captain with a grin
Watson let his hands fall away from his face and he curiously looked over to the smiling red-haired man. "You're not?" Watson questioned. Naruto shook his head. "No! The only thing that I want to be is freest man in the World and have fun along the way! Just like my friends!" Came the answer from Naruto and for the first time in his life, Watson felt a weird feeling wash over him. 'W-what is this feeling in me? It c-can't be a bacterial infection, I'd know if it was, and besides. . .this feeling i-it's. . . different.' The boy began to think quietly to himself. 'That man- I mean Naruto, I d-don't know why b-but when he said that I-I felt. . .pride.' Watson thought again prior to speaking up, "I believe you!" He spoke in a determined voice, not stuttering once. Naruto turned back to face him with a raised brow. "Hm?" He voiced to the boy
"I believe that you can do it! I believe can become the man with the most freedom!" A determined Watson told Naruto who returned his words with a smile. "And what's your dream Watson?" Naruto asked him, not dropping his smile for a second. After those words left Naruto's mouth, Watson was shocked to hear them and fell silent with a frown immediately taking over his face. "I see. . . you want to help them don't you?" Asked the Captain of the Void Pirates, dropping his smile and substituting it for a serious expression. Right after those words, the boy's eyes snapped onto Naruto's as tears began to run down his cheeks. "I-I-I want t-to b-but. . .I-I'm not strong enough-" He had begun to say but was interrupted by Naruto. "That's enough!" He yelled out, making Watson go quiet in the process.
"I have a question for you Watson. Are you willing to risk it all for your dream? Are you willing, against all odds, to go back to Drum and stand up to the Pirates that attacked your Kingdom despite your lack of strength? Are you willing to put your life on the line to accomplish what you plan to set out and do?!" Naruto questioned the young Doctor with a firm voice. Watson absorbed those words and fell silent for a few seconds prior to swallowing his fear and standing up tall. "Yes! I'm willing to whatever I can to help my people! To help my friends! To help my family!"
This proclamation brought a smile to everyone else in the room, especially Naruto. "Then it's settled then. Lucy! Get the ship ready for departure! The Void Pirates are going to the Drum Kingdom!" Ordered Naruto who received a nod from Lucy. "W-wait!" Watson proclaimed to the Captain, who turned back to face him. "Why come with me? You have no reason to come to Drum Island and face the Pirates!" He had asked Naruto who once again shined his smile. "Because you're our friend now Watson! Like it or not we're coming with you to help you free your home!" Was Naruto's answer to the Doctor as he and the Void Pirates began to walk out the door of the lighthouse
"B-but it's going to be dangerous! T-these Pirates are savages and have killed hundreds of people on my island! How can you expect to beat them!" Watson protested to Naruto's back but was swiftly cut off by the giant fish-man who stepped in front of him. "Listen human!" Kiji spat at Watson. "Never under any circumstance question my Captain's abilities in front of me! He fought me on equal ground and won and to insult his fighting ability is to insult my own! Do I make myself clear!" Finished the fish-man, glaring daggers into Watson's soul
The young boy fell back in fear of Kiji. "C-crystal!" He answered, struggling to get his words out. "Aw Kiji don't bully the kid! And you know what I said about the human stuff! Besides, as from now on Watson is a friend of the Void Pirates and should be treated as such!" Naruto scolded his first-mate who just grumbled as he always does. "But wait, Watson! I'm curious, just how much combat experience do you have?" Lucy asked him to which Watson gave a grin. "Well not a whole lot but I'm decent with my machete if my back is to the wall!" He beamed with his response which earned Naruto's attention
The Captain of the Crew turned around to face the boy once again and dropped the small bag he was carrying with a few supplies they would need on their journey. "I see! So then I suppose you wouldn't mind a little light spar then?" Came the question from Naruto, directed at Watson. The boy, with a look of determination in his eye, rose to the occasion and prepared himself. "I'm ready if you are!" He said, unsheathing the machete he had on his back
"I'm ready as well, though I won't use my staff or any lethal attacks that would otherwise hurt or kill you. However I don't expect you to hold back at all Watson, I want to see everything you got!" Came the response from the Void Pirates Captain. The young Doctor sweat dropped in response. "W-well thank you for not trying to kill me." He began to speak to the teen Captain. "And no I won't hold back! But you must let me tend to any injuries you get during the fight! No matter my opponent, I'll never take a life! That is my vow as a Doctor!" Watson finished with a look of determination
After a few seconds of silence, Lucy took a step forward and raised her hand to the sky. "Alright! The spar will begin. . .now!" She yelled out, swinging her hand to the ground and Watson immediately charged at Naruto, pointing the tip of the blade at the teen as he ran forward. Predicting the Doctor's attack, Naruto remained still until Watson was in range before making his move. Within moments, the boy lunged at Naruto with his machete but to his surprise his body and blade began to move away from the Pirate at a slight angle until his attack missed him completely. "W-what the hell was that!?" Exclaimed Watson in shock of what just happened. "What I did there was make the space between you and my blade expand which caused you to miss me completely!" Naruto explained with a grin as Watson charged him again. Instead of doing what he did before, Naruto just side stepped and dodged the boy's flurry of attacks. Watson continued to throw rapid attacks at Naruto who after a few moments, decided not to dodge them out right but to use his Devil-Fruit. The next slash Watson took, Naruto remained still and saw the direction the blade was going in and morphed his body to allow the blade to pass right through him and caught the boy's hand after the weapon cleared his body.
He then kicked out Watson's legs which in turn knocked him over onto the ground. The young Doctor looked up with a sheepish smile. "I guess I'm not the best fighter huh?" He explained, rubbing the back of his neck. Naruto returned his smile and offered a hand to the boy which he took. "Don't worry about it Watson! You still got a lot of time to get better before we get to the Drum Kingdom!" The Captain explained to him. "By the way, do you have all your things?" Naruto continued to ask of him
"No, not yet. Master Crocus went to grab everything I left in the lighthouse that I need for my journey. And if it's okay with you I would like to say goodbye to Laboon as well before we leave." Watson asked of Naruto who approved of his request. The Doctor then walked over to the shore just beyond the lighthouse and saw the giant whale in the distance, swimming around. "OI LABOON!" Watson yelled at the mighty beast. "I'M OFF TO GO SAVE MY HOME! PLEASE DON'T HURT YOURSELF! I'LL SEE YOU AGAIN SOON!" He finished saying, which earned a whale call from Laboon before he dove back into the water, out of sight. "I doubt that's the last we'll see of that damn whale." Russ spoke, polishing his gun on the railing of the ship. Lucy chuckled, "You can count on that!" She added to the conversation.
Right on queue, Crocus had walked out of the lighthouse with a few items in tow that were for the journey ahead. He approached both Naruto and Watson who had yet to make their way onto the ship and handed all the items to the Captain of the ship who gladly took them. The old man turned to face his apprentice and knelt down a little to be on his eye line. "I'm so proud of ya kid! You've come a long way since I've found ya, and now you're taking your destiny into your own hands and fighting the people who took your home from ya!" Crocus voiced to the teary eyed Watson. "Thank you master! For all the teachings and practices you put me through! I promise that while I'm out at sea I'll be the greatest Doctor I can be and make you proud!" Watson responded with passion which caused Crocus to pull him in for a hug
The two soon separated and Crocus looked over to Naruto. "It was good to see you again kid! I know your old man would be proud if he could see the fine young man you turned into!" He continued to say, which Naruto smiled at. The teen then responded with his own words, "It was great to see you Crocus and I imagine if he were still here, Dad would want to get you and the old crew back together for one last drink!"
Crocus nodded with a smile. "I'd love to see all the guys again, if you see anyone let me know and I'll drop by!" He told Naruto who nodded in understanding. "Anyway you all have a long way in front of you and you best be going!" The old Doctor continued to say as both Watson and Naruto turned around to board the ship while Kiji, russ and Lucy made the necessary preparations for their voyage to their first adventure in the Grandline
After a couple of minutes everyone was aboard the ship and the anchors were drawn, letting the boat slowly drift out to sea once again. The crew drifted away from the Twin Capes and looked back to see Crocus still standing on the rocky shore waving them off. Before long though he was out of sight and everyone began doing their standard duties around the ship while Naruto took his position at the front of the vessel. "Alright crew! Here we go! On our first official voyage in the Grandline! Let's turn the World upside down!" He proclaimed loudly as everyone else aboard voiced in agreement
Alright! I know it's been awhile and I would just like to apologize! I had been in the hospital for a few months now regarding health issues and unfortunately I had no time to write what so ever. i still plan on seeing this story through though it may take a bit considering that I'm still very much involved with the hospital and need to go back on a regular basis. But enough about me, I would like to talk about the Space Space Fruit for a second. I know that a lot of people have said that the functions of the fruit I made up have been very generic and boring. I did this on purpose because Naruto has only had the thing for a small amount of time and obviously he won't have the same mastery with his fruit as like Doflamingo does with his. As the story progresses you'll see Naruto get better and better at using it and be more out of the box with it! Though if you do what him to use it in a particular way, write a review on how you think it should be used and more than likely I'll incorporate the idea! As for pairings, it's still really up in the air right now, I have 2 girls in mind though I don't know if I'll do both or just one or go a different route we'll see. Anyway it's been a delight as always and I hope everyone enjoyed the chapter!