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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:
Copyright belongs to their respective creators - Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto and One Piece by Eiichiro Oda

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Of Flaming Feathers and Bloodstained Furs
By: Zelga Lim Li

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Part 6

Marco does remind Naruto to eat breakfast purposely ignoring the Hatake's suggestion.

He did remember one of Thatch's grumblings about a good meal before every battle (knowing that the said man will probably test the children for whatever reason).

The thought of his old friend and Teach's participation from almost ruining their family put him in a bit of foul mood that he hid perfectly from his human's eyes.

Naruto does look suspicious after sensing the change in his demeanor since she is somewhat attuned to his emotions.

He is yet to understand their bond and perhaps he did imprinted on her.

If that's the case, he doesn't really mind though.

After watching her leave, he settled comfortably in his nest and waited for his uninvited guests to show themselves.

An old man in fancy white robes walked out from the shadows followed by Hatake Kakashi himself. The respectable looking man (with the same presence as oyaji's) wears a hat that cover most of his face and the kanji of fire written in red.

"I admit, when Iruka mentioned about a blue bird that took a liking to our favorite prankster, I never expected it to be someone like you…" Sarutobi Hiruzen noted and took a seat near Naruto's dining table.

The girl's apartment is tidy unlike the first few times he visited after Naruto started living on her own. He know of the Ichiraku's assistance regarding the matter and for that he is grateful for their presence. Despite how chaotic she is outside her home, her 'new' companion probably did something as well.

Marco did not voice out any response and decided to listen since he knew they came here specifically for him (they did wait for the girl to leave him on his own). The pirate did glance towards Kakashi who frowned at his bland reaction.

"Leave us." The older man ordered as if he isn't just talking to the jōnin himself.

"But Hokage-sama…" Kakashi protested (and probably the others as well) but the village leader is unyielding.

Once everyone (even the ones hiding in the shadows) left, Marco chuckled and looks back to the man in front of him who removes the hat finally showing his face.

Ah.

"You look older, kid. Has it been that long?"

"Indeed," Hiruzen admitted and took his pipe out. After dragging a few whiff, he also procure a bottle of saki and two cups out of his robes and places it on top the table. "Isn't Konohagakure too far from Paradise?"

Finally allowing his flames to reveal his real form, Marco curses out loud upon seeing a different set of hands.

And body.

A younger one.

Is it a side effect for transforming too soon?

"This is going to be a problem, yoi," Grunting annoyingly, he stood to his full height testing his limbs and sat callously opposite the boy (now a grown man who may look older than him because of his current dilemma).

"I do not think so." The man stated in a good-natured manner and fills their drink. "I strongly believe that this is some sort of opportunity for all of us, Marco-san."

"Oh? Enlighten me, yoi."

He does not know whether to laugh or scoff derisively at the suggestion provided but the boy, ah old man Hiruzen did made a point. Now that he can fully control his transformation again, he would be able to interact with his Naruto more physically and-

"Let me think about it, yoi…" Marco frowned but ignores the knowing look the man gave him.

"I think you already made a decision, old friend."

Tch.

With a tired sigh, Marco buries his face in his hand and waves at him politely.

Giving the pirate some space, Hiruzen smiled understandingly and took a small scroll from his pocket leaving it beside the man that now looked like a young teen close to Naruto's age (give or take fourteen to fifteen years old) which will work out real well with his 'plans'.

Seeing the Phoenix that night did surprise him especially when he came to Naruto's aid.

The same man his team and Tobirama-sensei met on one of their recon missions to explore the world outside the seas surrounding the elemental nations. That was before the said Senju took the hat left by the Shodaime, his older brother.

He is also amazed when he saw him that night, as if he never aged for a single day. But looking at him now-

Ah, such possibilities.

Iruka did mention that it was the bird that called his attention (after he forced the Uchiha boy to show him where the kind chūnin's office was).

Perhaps his presence here is fated.

How he ended up with Naruto among all the people in the village means that the two are destined to meet one way or another.

How these two will change each other's lives remains to be seen.

But the Third Hokage is hopeful.

Naruto needed someone to make her feel she belongs and that she's not just a 'human sacrifice'.

While Marco needed someone to remind him that he is still a human. Not that being a pirate changes ones perception on life or the value of it.

That is all there is to it. That simple.

And add to the fact that the said man turned boy is probably the most dangerous individual in the village at present. Not because he is a pirate. And unpredictable.

Naruto herself may be another since she contains the strongest bijuu in existence but knowing that she is yet to understand and control the Kyuubi's powers brings a false sense of security in his mind.

Alarmingly scary but true.

.
.

Putting the man's offer for a later consideration, Marco went to look for his blonde kunoichi.

Arriving at the training grounds she mentioned earlier, he never expected for the lazy jōnin to attack his Naruto from behind and if wasn't for the Uchiha's warning, the girl wouldn't notice.

With a feral cry and allowing his transformation halfway, he blocked the Hatake's hands with a leg and angled his body strategically while protecting Naruto's back with a wing and reverts back to his full human form after setting a foot down.

The girl herself fell flat on her face - possibly from the collision (they really needed to work on her balance).

"Maa, you are not supposed to interfere…" Marco isn't even surprised if the man knew who or what he is.

No matter.

Eyes glinting angrily, he cocked his head to one side and carefully set Naruto upright and carried her within his arms effortlessly. "Perhaps I shouldn't. But what you are about to do earlier doesn't sit right with me at all, yoi."

"M-marco?" Eyes bulging in surprise as the girl recognizes his voice (and verbal tick), he glances at Naruto from the corner of his eyes and gave the jōnin a dismissive shrug.

"Don't worry, yoi. This will be the last time I'll interfere unless…" Eyes flashing dangerously and his intent flares out that was felt by everyone in the said vicinity despite being directed to the man himself. "If you do something unacceptable that will endanger her life…," Marco gave the one-eyed jōnin a serious nod and disappears with a threat. "I will kill you."

Scratching his cheek, Kakashi did rethink his earlier actions. Unless he really overstepped his boundaries, he'll need to change things a little bit.

Come to think of it, if his sensei is here and knows what he is about to do - he may not be able to survive another day. Don't forget the redhead's reaction as well.

Ah Kakashi, you are an idiot. Really.

.
.

Flailing both her arms, Naruto tried to remove herself from Marco's grip and yet… looking at their surroundings, they relocated farther away from the clearing where she tried to take on the jōnin all by herself.

Wow. She never even noticed how fast they move.

"I should apologize, yoi." Turning at him, the girl stops fidgeting and saw his expression.

Unlike his laidback expression as a bird, his human features is far more pronounced.

Setting the girl on her feet, Marco took a step back and observes her reaction. She's…

"It was you, right?"

Never expecting her question, the girl approaches him quietly and raises her right hand to touch his face.

Marco thought that Naruto would remember his deception. But seems like all she can think about is…

"You are that man, right? The one who… saved me and Iruka-sensei that night?"

Shaking his head in disbelief, Marco took her hand and held it firmly as he gave her a contemplative stare, "Of all the things you can ask or say, that is all you remember, yoi?"

Grinning sheepishly, the girl laughs at his reaction. "Well, I do have a lot of questions, like how you look younger or transform into a bird. But I don't think that now is the right time to ask them or whatnot."

True. So he gave her a pat in the head like he always did even as a bird/phoenix and she returned it with a glower.

He will definitely tell her everything. It is the least he can do.

"Go teach that man a lesson, yoi."

"You bet, dattebayo!"

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Author's note:
I know that there is a slight uh question with the age difference between these two although I already thought of that beforehand. I think. So surprise! *wink wink*

Hope you'll like it this way *cough* Whitey *cough*. I also know that there will be additional inquiries for later. But for now, hope this is okay. *smiley*

Anyhow, if you guys have questions, do let me know.

And I just got my very first flame for this story. Yay! At least this one didn't ask me to die a painful death or kill myself. Regardless, thanks for taking the time to share your comment.

Also, just to give my own piece of something - this is called fan fiction. So yeah. And if one hate the changes made to the said manga/anime even the characters themselves, okay. No need to hurt yourselves. If not interested at all, then DO NOT read. Move on to the next story on the list. Thanks for checking this one out though.

Again for those who are being patient with me and all my faults - thanks so much. I suppose needing a beta might be in order. Hmmm…

Alrighty, enough chitchat. Till the next chapter. Cheers!

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