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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.
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Of Flaming Feathers and Bloodstained Furs
By: Zelga Lim Li
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Part 15
A shadowed figure came out from an undisclosed building revealing a young man wearing standard ANBU gears.
Eyeing his surroundings carefully (making sure that he is not being watched), the man took out a scroll from his weapons pouch and prepared a summoning hand sign after pricking a bit of blood from his finger.
The creature that was summoned gave an acknowledging nod and opened its mouth to receive the missive held towards its maw.
With a smile, the shadow added in a confident tone. "Tell him that I was able to find a more suitable replacement… someone far more worthy than his chosen 'host'."
If it can shrug its shoulders, it would probably do so judging from its gaze. It left with a puff of smoke signaling the creature's departure and the unknown laughs softly to himself. Removing the porcelain mask covering his face, the man stood to his full height.
Ah. It is only a matter of time before their plan sets in motion.
Brushing imaginary dirt from his clothes after passing through the foliage, the man greeted a passing vendor with a cheery wave and went on to his designated task as if nothing happened minutes earlier while whistling a jaunty tune to himself.
.
.
Meanwhile…
Team 7 went back to their normal routine doing random missions inside the village.
With Naruto's new housemates, the wall beside her unit was demolished to accommodate two new rooms (the pirates decided to share a room with Haku and Naruto taking the other one).
Surprisingly, the pirates knew how to do some house remodeling much to the Hokage's amusement.
Teme himself (uhm Sasuke) even offered to provide some building materials and old furnitures from the Uchiha compound in exchange for a few spars that the three (Haku-chan included) agreed on.
The matter with the Third's informant was set aside despite Marco's assurances but Naruto remains uncertain. The older teen didn't push any further but decided to watch her closely from the background.
He didn't like it especially when Naruto started wearing her old 'mask' again.
So when Kakashi decided to nominate the three to participate in the upcoming Chūnin Selection Exams (Konoha will be hosting the said event that year), there are a lot of spoken argument and tension between the two unknown to the genins in question.
"They're my soldiers, Marco-kun. So if I decide to throw them into a pack of wolves to fight on my behalf, I will do so…" The one-eyed jōnin stated firmly while his eyes never left his book. Marco's overwhelming killer intent is a bit muted and directed towards him alone, perhaps to hid it from his cute little genins who are currently with Haku learning about elemental affinities in Team 7's designated training grounds (mayhaps just to hide his anger from Naruto herself) but he ignored it all the same. He wanted to laugh out loud (but stopped himself just in case) when he used his book as a shield and Marco's left eye started twitching.
"As her 'friend', your duty is to support her…" Raising his gaze, Kakashi saw the teen's back, both fists clenched tightly. With a sigh, the older man closes his book and puts it inside his weapons pouch to observe the Phoenix better. Marco remains silent but he did redirect his attention towards another direction, seemingly to avoid his comment. "You do remember what her dream is, correct?"
Marco's glare intensifies as the pirate looks back at him. He growls angrily as Kakashi raises both hands in surrender letting the teen stalk away from him. Thatch sighed beside them who kept himself busy (and as incognito as possible) by polishing his new sword
Haku did promise to teach him how to seal Kubikiribōchō if not in use. He admits that carrying the sword on his back isn't his style.
"Regardless of what you intend to do for the children's development in their careers, isn't this 'exam' a bit too soon?" Thatch did heard Haku mention how dangerous these exams are thus he understand Marco's reaction.
Smiling mysteriously in response, Kakashi gave him a victory sign.
Or that the said jōnin just wanted to rile his friend up. And possibly kill himself in the process.
Eyeing him strangely, the Fourth Division Commander shrugged his shoulders with a careless grunt and gently wrap his new sword with its bindings. "Well it is your funeral I guess."
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The three genins eyed the chakra paper Haku is holding in wonder. Well, Sakura and Naruto are while Sasuke is hesitant. Apprehensive even.
"I already know what my elemental affinity is…" The last Uchiha muttered.
Surprisingly, Sasuke's main affinity is lightning but he was trained to master fire as part of their clan upbringing.
Sakura do have water while Naruto has wind.
"For your affinity, it is a big help if you decided to pursue being a medic…" Sakura nodded in understanding as she wrote furiously on her own journal.
"Wind is good for long range attacks and can be used to provide additional support to your teammates own elemental affinities (fire and water)." Eyes sparkling in amazement as the blonde nudges the two smugly.
"Hear that, my element is soo awesome…" Naruto boasts out cheerfully while Sakura shakes her head in amusement as teme er Sasuke-kun grunted in response. But his expression lightened up a bit after the girl teasingly poked his cheek.
For whatever reason, Kakashi-san and Marco-sama are arguing quietly near the memorial stone. The jōnin-sensei did entrusted his genins to her care and avert their attention away which is surprisingly working to an extent.
"Kakashi-san will probably explain more so I suggest that you guys talk to him later about the results and what training he can recommend…" Thankfully the two older men finally stopped arguing with Marco-sama leaving the premises and possibly to cool off before facing them later (she's still in the process of understanding the Phoenix's real form and age as per Thatch-san's mysterious remark).
"You bet ya!" Her new friend exclaimed happily as she drags the two towards the masked jōnin.
Haku did notice two remaining chakra papers beside her basket. Thinking of two particular people, she wonders what elemental affinities they may have. Hmmm…
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Marco knew that he has no claim whatsoever.
And despite everything, he wants to assume (especially to himself) that Naruto will favor him among everything else.
But Kakashi's right.
As her friend, he should be supporting her knowing that her dreams remains the same regardless of his arrival in her life.
Yes.
Uzumaki Naruto still aims to be a Hokage of this village. To be acknowledged by these people who thought of her as the nine-tailed fox reincarnate.
A monster.
The mask she wears is what these people sees. He will not even wonder if Kakashi or the other brats doesn't knew the real her.
How she cried in her sleep whenever she thought he's asleep (that was before he started talking to her).
How she repeatedly voice out her mantra every morning before going outside the safe confines of her home with everyone mocking everything she do thus her endless pranks throughout the entirety of the village especially to the people who is mean to her.
She no longer cry or do her pranks but… she dreamed of them. How he saw her attempt to protect herself from unknown assailants - he was livid knowing what that action entails.
"Marco?"
With a sigh, the Phoenix looked at his blonde whose worried eyes never left him after they rejoined them that afternoon to share the snacks Thatch prepared with Haku's assistance.
"Is everything okay?"
His eyes blink slowly as he returned her gaze before offering a small apologetic smile.
"Not really, yoi."
Stuffing her mouth with Thatch's homemade cookies, the girl studied his features (Marco did sense her nudging through their 'bond') and subconsciously turned the next page of her training material provided by the stupid jōnin. The other two already went home after taking a few pieces of baked goodies from Haku's basket.
Thatch may have also dragged the Yuki away so that he can settle this 'issue' of his with the girl in front of him.
Seriously, his friend knows more about him than his own self.
Placing both hands behind his head, he laid beside her and watches the clouds above.
"If I told you to stop being a ninja, would you heed- I mean, will you follow my request?"
Gauging her reaction would be the best. But ever since he met her, he continues to second guess what action he needs to take.
Ah.
The price of caring for someone. Not an unwelcome thought but totally annoying to some extent despite all his experiences. What a drag, yoi.
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Naruto stilled upon understanding Marco's question. Not that she didn't anticipated it. But hearing him ask it now makes her wonder. Did something came up? He is kind of tense after talking with Kakashi-sensei earlier.
"You are not asking me this because of what happened in Nami no Kuni, right?"
"Partly because of that, yoi. And some other things that might happen in the future, I guess?"
Squinting both of her eyes, Naruto places her stuff inside her pouch and crosses both arms in front of her chest as she looks at the teen laying beside her. Remembering what Thatch mentioned before, Marco's behavior is possibly caused by his continued existence. Or what others called 'immortality'. A very interesting concept if you think about it. Coveted by some but…
With a small humorless grin, Marco turned and held Naruto's hitai-ate that she placed in front of her as he thumbs the leaf insignia on the metal band.
"I just worry. That's all, yoi…"
Eyeing her softly, the older teen set the headband in her hand covering it with his own fingers.
"I first thought that there is nothing more dangerous than being a pirate. Seems like I am mistaken."
With a shrug, Naruto places her hand above Marco's, patting it gently. Giving the older teen a fond look and a slight tug urging him to sit properly, she took his hand and held it near her heart, clasping it tight. "Thanks…," An expression she rarely shows to anyone and yet eversince she met him, Uzumaki Naruto learns to smile from the heart. "For being here for me…" Even if the future is uncertain, she decided to take one day at a time.
Carpe diem.
And then the jinchūriki tackles Marco in a hug and burrows herself within his embrace. As expected, the pirate welcomed her in his arms. "For caring…" Hugging him tighter, Naruto added in a small voice hoping that he won't think less of her, "Even though I am scared for that day to come - that you will need to go and be with your crew, I promise to be the person you can be proud of. That you won't need to worry anymore because…" Grinning widely, she declares with conviction. An assurance of some sort to her most precious person. "Because I will become a strong kunoichi. And that I'll also stay true to my dreams and my own worth. I won't let anyone step on me and mock my dreams since I am doing this for the people that matters."
Naruto decided to seize the day and think little of the future. She knew… she knew that everything will work out. She believes it!
Marco nodded in approval and smiled at her. Patting her head affectionately.
The blonde pouts in response especially when he messed up her wild tresses that seems to stick up everywhere.
Ah. How did his human grew up so fast in such a short time?
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Interlude: Kakashi 2
Finally seeing the real human form of the 'pet', Kakashi could not fault himself but be awed (technically he is surprised mind you).
He did see his adult form the night Naruto was tricked by that traitor.
But then, he is totally different the day after - especially when he intervened against him during the bell test.
Ah. He definitely won't think of that 'stupidity'. Not at all.
Minato-sensei is possibly mad (aggressively furious) about his life choices.
And Kushina-nee-sama's probably going to castrate him.
So yeah.
For whatever reason, he does appreciate the pirate's presence in her life.
Ever since he came, Naruto started to come out of her shell. She started to trust other people.
She started trusting herself.
Now she knew her worth.
But regardless of her changes, he still won't trust the man turned 'teen'.
Pirates. In gritted teeth, he acknowledges Guy's worried look with a noncommittal shrug as he turned a page from his favorite book. Trying to ignore life's surprises and whatnot.
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Author's note:
Sorry for the delay. T_T
Not as polished as the previous chapter. So mistakes are all mine. Might need to edit again later on. So yeah.
Big shout out to Whitey for diligently pushing and inspiring me to do better. And my online grammar thingy for pointing out the mistakes. Haha!
Also thankful to DragonFoxx and kuu dot mochizuki dot 3 for taking the time to leave a review. Cheers!
Ah, lets not forget the others who added OFFaBF to their favorites (and alerts) especially the follow.
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