Author's note: Sorry this came out so late, schools are back in session and I have other projects to work on. This means there isn't going to be a set schedule on this series, but you can expect one chapter at least every week! Please be patient and I hope you enjoy! Ajax out...

P.S. I saw someone add my story into some harem naruto list, and although I am touched by your consideration, apart from maybe a quick fling with a few girls that may or may not even happen, this story won't have any romance...

"So, what will it be?" Whitebeard leaned forward, "You can have riches, fame, islands, or entire armies at your disposal! All you need is to say it, and we'll get it done,"

Everyone displayed different levels of disbelief: some just raised an eyebrow, others had their mouths open in shock, while others yet were trying to argue against their captain. One of them was Ace.

He contested with a frown on his face, "P-Pops?! I don't think we should go that far—"

Only to be waved away dismissively by Whitebeard, "We must show our gratitude. Without his instrumental presence in the war, hundreds would have died and thousands more injured! Not to mention… we would be risking a lot more to save you,"

"But—!"

Whitebeard sent an annoyed glare his way, "Are you saying a mere favour is worth less than all the lives of your brothers and sisters, Ace?"

This shut him up for good, "...No pops," He muttered under his breath, though with how silent the whole ship was, everyone heard him.

"You don't have to worry, Ace," Suddenly, everyone's attention was pulled to the speaker.

It was Naruto. He was looking straight at Ace, an understanding look in his eye.

"I dislike going overboard with things," He explained, "Especially favours; they have a tendency not to be equal to the debt they were owed anyways,"

He then turned back to Whitebeard, "You're like that too, eh fellow old-timer?" He said, grinning all the while.

The subject of his utterings followed suit, a similarly large smile on his face as he chuckled, "Gurarara… seems like you know me better than my own family!"

The two continued guffawing for the better part of a minute, their audience all looking on in hilarious confusion.

"Wait! W-What do you even mean by that!?" Ace's eyes rapidly switched from his father and Naruto, just as stupefied as the rest of them.

Naruto stifled a laugh, but failed miserably, "Sor— hehe…. Sorry, it's an in-joke every old guy can understand, don't mind it,"

He cleared his throat, "Anyways, you don't have to worry: all I need is some general information and a boat and I'll be outta your hair in a few days,"

Everyone, especially Ace, heaved a huge sigh of relief when they heard that's all he wanted. Whitebeard didn't share the same sentiment, unfortunately.

"That all you want?" He grunted in dissatisfaction, "I can give you a lot more, y'know?"

Naruto really didn't need anything, he didn't want weapons since he preferred hand-to-hand combat, nor devil fruits since his chakra could perform the same actions anyways, so he just shook his head.

"No need," And even if he did want anything from the man, changing his mind now would make him look like an ass…

"I see… Marco! Get him some books on history. Ace! I want you to fetch him a bo—"

"Waaaaaiiiit!" Suddenly, he was interrupted by Luffy, the young man jumping out to point at Naruto.

'Deja vu...' Naruto thought as he smirked at the boy's finger in front of his face, still not quite sure why he'd intervened.

-Bonk!-

"Oww!" Luffy whined, and he turned to his attacker, "What the hell was that for, Ace!?"

"Shut! Up!" Was his answer, "The adults are talking; you can say what you want later, got it?"

"Buuut it's impoooortant!" He continued to grouch, his face scrunching up like a petulant child. You know the one: bottom lip more pronounced, cheeks puffed up to an exaggerated degree, and a scowl that only five-year-olds would use.

Naruto actually felt a little wistful; his son would always do it when he was annoyed, especially when he failed to come home early due to work… I wonder where you are now... Boruto?

Ah! He quickly shook himself out of those thoughts. No use getting wistful over something he'd probably never see again…

He spoke up to distract himself, "If it's fine with Whitebeard, let's hear him out. Children almost always never stop unless they get what they want, after all,"

Seemingly not noticing his hidden jab, Luffy's face immediately lit up into a grin.

"Yeah! See? Someone gets me!" He shouted, his eternally happy-go-lucky tone almost making Naruto feel bad for the kid's obliviousness.

Almost.

He had to try his darndest not to burst out laughing(true story: he needed to think of how his wife wouldn't be able to get any of that naruto dicc so he wouldn't make a sound) when he bore witness to the countless amounts of sweatdrops in the vicinity.

He failed miserably, wife getting that thicc naruto dicc or not…

Whilst everyone else was still cringing at the crippling innocence of the almost adult boy in front of them, Naruto busted his ass off laughing, so much so that tears were starting to form.

"Ahem! Let's get back on track, guys," Ace had had enough, and put a stop to both Naruto and Luffy's antics.

"Huh? Oh yeah!" Luffy swerved to Naruto, "Weird guy!"

"Naruto,"

"Fish cake! Join my crew! You need a boat right? I have a really cool ship you can ride if you join my crew!"

"No, and my name's not fish cake, it's Naruto,"

"Whyyyyyyyyy?"

He shrugged, "I don't care about being a pirate; I just want to finish my mission and then I'll leave,"

"Well, you can totally do both!" Naruto rolled his eyes.

"Yes I certainly could, but why do I have to?"

"W-Well… Because you have no idea where to go, even with your boat!"

Everyone's eyes widened. Did… did he just use his brain?!

"I suppose you're right..." It was true that he had no idea where he was, and certainly no idea where his targets were. Shoot, I guess—

"Fine, I'll join your crew," He answered, "But only after I finish my mission, I still need to go back to save my family,"

"YEEEEEEEEAAAAHHHHHH!"

Luffy squealed in glee, "A cool ninja is in my creeeeew!" Before he began dancing around happily.

'This guy...' His laughter was so infectious, everyone began chuckling themselves.

"C'mon! Let's celebrate! I got a new crew member!" He leapt into the air and screamed at the top of his lungs.

"Yeah!" The Whitebeard pirates cheered him on, also intent on celebrating— if not for Luffy, for the fact that they got Ace back.

Amid the chaos and dance and music, Naruto found himself standing alone, idly playing with his nails and just generally not paying any attention. He cut quite a sorry figure, standing there by himself, but he didn't mind; he didn't belong anyways…

(Un-)fortunately for him, someone had other plans:

"Yo," A blonde man approached him, two rotund beer steins full of alcohol in both hands.

Naruto didn't recognize him, though he did remember Whitebeard saying something to him while he was fighting Blackbeard.

"Not going to party?" The man offered him a stein, which he denied politely.

"I have nothing to celebrate really; I'm using Luffy to get to my targets, and he gets to hang around a trained killer for a while," Naruto shrugged, "He'll probably get disgusted with me, then I'll be free to go on my own,"

But the man just laughed, his shaggy locks of hair shaking to reflect it, "We're pirates; who hasn't finished off a few enemies here or there?"

"Him," Naruto pointed at the distance, where Luffy and a few pirates were dancing, "My training tells me he's never killed. Fought, sure, but never killed,"

"Woah! Ninja training can tell ya that? Must be a pretty nifty skill," He praised, a look of wonderment on his face, "When did you start?"

"When I was seven," Naruto reminisced, his hand unconsciously going for a beer before he stopped himself, "I was the worst at school; could never manage the clone jutsu,"

"By the way, I never actually caught your name..."

The man turned to grin at him, his open jacket showing off a tattoo that spanned across his chest. It was a picture of the Whitebeard pirates logo…

"I'm Marco," He put a palm on his chest, right on his tattoo, "First division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates!"

"And I'm Naruto Uzumaki!" Naruto reciprocated, "Hokage of Konohagakure! Nice to meetcha Marco!"

"Likewise..."