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Summary:
To save everyone, Marco used his current existence. Never did he imagine that he will be reborn to a new world different from his own. It is a world filled with ninjas and creatures as large as Sea Kings that are made of pure living chakra. What can a pirate like him do to survive especially if he is a freaking bird? Thatch is right; he does look like a chicken. And a certain blue-eyed blonde is thinking of him as her new pet.

Disclaimer:
Nothing is earned in posting this story online. Just wanted to share it for everyone's enjoyment who likes to read something new or whatnot.

Copyright belongs to their respective creators.

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Of Flaming Feathers and Bloodstained Furs
By: Zelga Lim Li

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Part 4

Iruka may look like he doesn't care, but he does know the hardships one of his students encounter every single day of her entire existence.

But as of late, he did notice some changes.

She is far more serious in her studies, something his fellow instructors are suspicious of.

Her spars with the rest of her peers are also improving. She even managed to land a solid hit towards Uchiha Sasuke (that year's rookie) who is also surprised by her attack much to the fangirls raging reaction calling out a foul against the blonde for hurting their precious Sasuke-kun.

Ignoring their nagging, he did complimented her that day and Naruto returned it with a bright smile that reminded him of a familiar face (without the whisker marks).

She is then swarmed by Kiba and the others (mostly the clan heirs including the shy Hinata) who cheered for her win.

.

.

Just like always, she haven't stopped her pranking activities regardless of her academic improvements and catching up to reprimand her has always been a piece of cake.

He did meet the pet she is blubbering about the other day.

The bird who looked at him like he is some kind of a prey and patted the girl on her head with a wing as it flew off the distance.

"Why you… Come back here, you traitor!" The blonde shrieks out towards the avian and he immediately took hold of her escaping form. "Oh, hi Iruka-sensei. Fancy seeing you… here?"

Giving the girl the look, he did feel a bit of satisfaction after she whimpered pitifully looking at the direction her pet flew into.

After making her clean the mess she made for that day's prank, he treated her for a bowl of ramen much to Ayame's teasing look.

"Hopefully you'll be able to graduate this time, hmm?"

Cackling madly, the blonde boasts out loud that she definitely must or her new friend 'Marco' (apparently the name of the weird bird that acts like a human) will peck both of her eyeballs. The father and daughter duo both shook their heads in amusement hearing the aforementioned animal.

They parted that night in good spirits.

.

.

And pass she really did.

Even the dreaded bunshin that she loathes so much, Naruto did overcome that part with much gusto. She did beat the record of another familiar face (a redhead who happen to possess the same name) for creating too many clones that filled the room (they only required three). Now that he thinks about it, could they be related?

Proudly giving her hitai-ate, she beams happily at him not noticing the scowl Mizuki gave the girl's retreating back.

.

.

A bit later that day and wondering as to why she never showed up after the last examinee left. She did made him promise in front of the Ichirakus to treat her once she passes.

Thinking that the girl already went ahead, he finishes his report so that it can be submitted for documentation when he heard a commotion outside. The bird er Naruto's pet, is screeching at Sasuke for whatever reason. Noticing his arrival, Marco turns and flew right at him. Raising his arm defensively, Iruka gaped when he notice a Konoha headband held by the bird's talon.

"Naruto's in danger, hurry!"

What? The bird can-

"Tch! Now isn't the time damn it, yoi!"

Talk?

Dread filling his veins, he orders Sasuke to ask for help and rushes to find his troublesome student.

Knowing that the bird is following closely behind, Iruka darted towards the forest in the hopes of locating Naruto.

And when he found her in the middle of the woods with the Scroll of Seals wide open for her viewing, Iruka's heart stopped when he heard the why's.

A technique from the scroll to guarantee her passing? What on earth…

"You do not deserve anything, bitch!" A familiar voice blurted out filled with hate and loathing that he should have expected from everyone else.

Dragging Naruto safely behind his back, Iruka glares at his friend. Or so he thought Mizuki was.

Unable to stop the truth from Muzuki's mouth, he pleaded Naruto to escape and bring the scroll with her and fought him.

Perhaps this mistake will serve as his retribution for being negligent.

Frozen with tears running down her face, Iruka tried to protect her as best as he could and waited for the worst that is yet to come.

However…

"A monster?"

A voice he isn't familiar with. Who?

"From what I can see, all I saw is a girl with big dreams and an even bigger heart…"

Turning around, Iruka saw a stranger.

A tall man. Lean and mascular with blonde hair and a rather sleepy look on his face. But despite the easygoing appearance, the intent he is releasing scares him even if it is directed towards the other chūnin.

"You want to know what a real monster looks like?" Smiling sinisterly at Mizuki, the stranger's eyes lit like blue fire and approaches the man who tried to hurt Naruto. "You are looking at one. Here, right in front of you."

Ignoring the chill in his spine, Mizuki rushes to finish a set of hand seals and tries to attack. But a leg appeared out of nowhere angled towards him and he almost failed to block it with an arm. The force of the impact did shatter his bones. Eyes widening in horror, Mizuki could not even scream when another foot descended upon him. The stranger did not even blink and stares dispassionately at his fallen form.

"Why are you protecting that demon? She's-"

The man's smirk grew dangerously wider and Mizuki felt his world closing in. This time, he felt a rib break making it harder to breathe especially when the stranger added more pressure and-

"STOP!"

The mysterious man turned slightly and saw the girl clutching at his arm. Interested to hear what she is about to say, he allowed a bit of reprieve to his prey who then drags his pitiful self away from them.

Her eyes red from crying while the academy instructor watches silently in the background. Wounded in an attempt to protect his precious student.

Both hands shook from emotions as she held unto him tighter. "Someone told me that I should not let others held me back." Sniffling slightly, she raises her gaze from the bastard who tried to kill her and the last statement she added despite its origins puts a smile on his face. "That anything insignificant must be ignored as long as I have those that matters…"

Patting her head gently, the man drops on one knee and wiped her tears away. Gently he cradled her face affectionately and smiled.

Good. She's finally learning.

It is a fresh start.

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Author's note:
Thanks so much to WhiteyWolf26 for those kind and encouraging words. No worries though for I will do my very best. Albeit a trial and error one. Lol.

And glad to know that I am improving. Hah!

Also a big thank you for all those who take their time to leave some reviews. Very much appreciated. And thanks a bunch for liking and adding this story to their favorite lists.

Cheers!

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