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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 23

"WHAT!"

Sasuke leans away as he avoided the dobe's spluttering reaction. Kakashi-sensei should be here explaining everything. But knowing how the jōnin avoids the Phoenix, he can understand his reasons (perhaps self-preservation is a factor he need to consider).

Huffing irritatingly, the blonde took the plate Haku offered with a cheerful thank you. "I do understand why he's the one who needs to train you Sharingan and all… but why didn't he tell me himself?" The blonde did pout after taking a mouthful of pasta.

Oblivious to Marco's darkening expression beside her, Sasuke chuckled internally as he places his chin above his palm and studied the blondes in front of him. They almost look-alike, despite the difference in shades of the eyes and the hair - dobe's eyes are lighter were Marco's are dark as the ocean; while his hair is lighter and hers are bright like the rays of the sun.

And their bond.

Ah.

It is something he wished to obtain for himself.

As if reading his thoughts, Marco turn his glare from the wall beside the balcony (Kakashi-sensei's location outside) back at him.

Oh right.

The Phoenix is sensitive to emotions due to his 'haki'.

Waving him off dismissively with a hand, he took a bread stick and nibbled on it while silently observing the two.

Their tardy sensei is sulking outside from the unfairness of life itself. Even if he isn't restricted from visiting Naruto's apartment, he tends to avoid Marco's 'territory' whenever the said Phoenix is inside the said premises.

Haku did promise to separate treats for the silver-haired jōnin that he'll bring out later after finishing his supposed task.

A task that the said man should have handled himself but couldn't do so for his own 'nefarious' reasons. Sasuke really does believe that it got something to do with Naruto herself despite the dobe's obliviousness.

Marco sighed audibly and Naruto turned her attention towards him.

"What's wrong, Marco?"

"I'll be at the rooftop if you need me, yoi." Ruffling his blonde's wild tresses, Marco took his plate and gave Sasuke a parting look. "Good luck on your training, kid," Pausing slightly to take a bottle of water from the refrigerator and walk towards the door. "Make sure to practice your meditation at night."

Naruto huffs and redirected her irritation somewhere else - like the meatballs in Thatch's special spaghetti (surprisingly, it tastes real good with all those tomatoes). "I swear that these two bicker like a married couple…"

Nodding in response with his smile hidden behind his fingers, the Uchiha pushes the plate of cookies on Marco's vacant spot, "Indeed they do…"

"No we don't!"

Startled, the blonde threw her fork towards the newcomer which their sensei avoided as expected for a shinobi of his caliber. The projectile embedded itself on the opposite wall. Whistling appreciatively, he approaches the 'weapon' and tried to pry the fork out. It took a few tugs though. Interesting. It was coated with haki. Nice.

Mentally he added it to his (no, he doesn't own a journal like the other two, he got eidetic memory after all) list of things he'll be working on during his spare time while purposely ignoring Naruto's screeching as Kakashi-sensei pouts in response to her nagging.

Hilarious.

.

.

"I can't believe I'm doing this…"

Naruto grumbled as she looked petulantly at the address Kakashi-sensei gave her. And the person she will be meeting.

The place is a familiar one.

Well, she just brought Haku and Sakura here the other day for some needed girls day out. A way to relieve the stress of becoming a bad ass kunoichi. She also invited Hinata-chan while the pinkette drags Ino.

The boys with Thatch-san and Kakashi-sensei included, went to men's portion of the bathhouse. She won't even ask how Marco did it with his devil fruit's weakness (he did explain the pros and cons). Afterwards, everyone shared a meal that she enjoyed greatly (maybe because she ate it with people she cares about).

Giving the place a once over, the blonde sighed and crumpled the paper. She was about to throw it away when she heard a slight disturbance from the trees overlooking the women's bath.

A very perverted giggle.

Closing her eyes and letting her senses expand, Naruto frowned when she recognized the chakra signature.

Another one of her old ANBU guards?

No. He is-

"There you are…"

Ignoring the voice after he entered her range, the blonde huffs in response and glances at the newcomer from the corner of her eyes.

The closet pervert crosses his arms and looked at her curiously.

"What are you doing?"

Focusing her attention at him and ignoring his question, Naruto eyed him skeptically. "I know that you are an elite jōnin, or so you say," Crossing her own arms in response, the blonde studied the man Konohamaru is so fond of. "But you are a pervert. What kind of stuff can you teach me that will help me win my match?" That one-eyed cyclops must be out of his mind to entrust her to him. Perhaps Marco is a better choice.

Chuckling, Ebisu motioned for the girl to follow him inside the bathhouse.

"W-wait! That's-"

Leisurely walking on top of the water, he observes the girl's reaction and smiled. "Control is every ninja's prerogative. Something that they need to continuously improve regardless of experience…"

"Whoa! That's like the tree walking exercise Kakashi-sensei taught us, dattebayo!" Naruto exclaimed excitedly.

Explaining the concept further, Ebisu got the sinking feeling that the girl doesn't understand everything he said especially when she looks dumbly at him when he used complex words.

Perhaps the treatment she received may have contributed to how she learn the 'hard way'. And if it wasn't for the 'friend', Uzumaki Naruto wouldn't become the shinobi that inspired the young master.

Perhaps she still will… given the circumstances.

"Yes, that is correct," With a hum, he walked farther away and stood in the middle of the man-made hot spring. "Just like the said exercise, we also use our chakra thru the soles of our feet and continuously regulate it while attaching to a different surface."

Her first attempt didn't go so well that it drenched her jumpsuit. Thankfully, the girl wore training clothes underneath that allowed her to remove (and dry) those ridiculous neon colored monstrosity while trying again.

And failing.

He did wince when he heard her curses. And a few colorful words not fit for children.

He did notice something peculiar on her navel specifically her 'seal'.

But before he can point it out, they both heard another weird noise coming from the trees just outside the women's section.

Another perverted giggle distracts them especially the girl judging from the annoyed frown she's been giving out.

Ebisu backtracked and places himself a bit farther away as the girl looses her control for the nth time.

Surprisingly, she was still able to stand shakily for a few seconds before she took another dip.

After wiping his glasses, he saw the blonde glared murderously towards the said noise.

"Alright. Let's rest up for a bit…"

At that exact moment, Ebisu thought of something very interesting and turned to ask the girl. "I would like to use your expertise for a well deserved prank… interested?"

The grin she gave him is priceless.

.

.

"Can you repeat that again, please?"

Marco thinks he overheard their tale. But Hiruzen tried to clarify the situation before he jumps ahead.

Surprisingly enough, his kunoichi is feeling accomplished with the task she and her new personal trainer took to apprehend the maniac that disturbs the peace particularly in the women's bathhouse. Her smile, full of pride.

Clones that she transformed into voluptuous and (almost) naked young women to lure the said pervert out.

The temperature in the Hokage's office drop drastically and the chair he is perching on (for appearance sake, damn it!) cracks with little to no effort. Naruto hastily explains her actions as she looks at him worriedly but the tokubetsu jōnin took the initiative ensuring that the girl didn't use her oiroke form. He did blush slightly meaning Naruto may have shown that blasted jutsu to him in the past.

He is not even going to understand the slight cough he heard the village leader made.

"I swear it is not deliberate, Marco…" He did looked at her pensively but decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. She felt relieved when the heavy feeling in the air started to ease up.

"I assume that you no longer need our presence here, yoi?"

With a chuckle, the kid (ah, he really should stop calling him that since he is physically older than him) nodded and Naruto immediately took him within her arms carefully. Because he started 'growing up' (again), he is bigger than an average eagle and standing (perching) on his human's shoulders would be stressful on her end. So they decided to carry him when possible (since he's still going incognito). Unless Thatch is available as the said pirate is taller and can effortlessly carry his weight.

.

After a few last-minute instructions for the girl, he left them on their own laughing amusedly to himself hearing her feeble attempt to explain their 'prank'.

Ebisu went back inside to give his report to the Hokage. Jiraiya-sama already removed his bindings but you can see the markings Naruto made because of the ropes. She did wrap the older man enthusiastically with lots of knots.

"She really is her mother's daughter…"

He looked at the other man questioningly. Hokage-sama had this sad look. Which means-

"Were you able to find anything, Ebisu?"

They knew her parents?

Remembering his task, he provided the information about the other seal that is disrupting the natural flow of her chakra. It was brief, but he did remember the design itself which he showed to the two.

The last remaining Sannin of Konoha curses out loud upon gazing on the said seal and promises to remove it as soon as possible.

"I don't think that is wise, Jiraiya-sama…"

"Oho? How so?"

"The pet wouldn't want you in the same vicinity where Naruto-chan is," He commented after removing his sunglasses and wipes it. A mannerism he acquired to avoid further inquiries. And it works real well.

The Sandaime agrees wholeheartedly with a small smile as he wrote something on a piece of parchment and handed it over to Jiraiya-sama. "If you want to try, I will not stop you…" They both smiled silently as the man accepted the challenge. Perhaps Hokage-sama will allow him to watch in a respectable distance?

Or a front row view is more worth it? Ah, decisions.

.

.

When he heard about the pet his god-daughter found, he confronted Kakashi after arriving back to Konoha a few days before the Chūnin Selection Exams. He might have freaked out a little especially when he learned that the said pet can transform into a human.

A Kami-forsaken pirate. Pleasing to the eyes and strong. And yet-

Did he already mentioned the good-looking one? Ugh!

If Minato knew, he will probably send his little girl somewhere far away where no one from the said opposite sex can get near her.

Surprisingly enough, the said pirate happens to be a young teen who is way too close for his liking - especially when Naruto took 'him' within her arms very carefully.

His mental warning bells started ringing.

Despite the avian's current form, he can feel the danger emanating from the said 'animal' after he looked at him in the eyes.

So he went to her apartment discreetly.

Unknown to everyone in the village especially the council - the said property is owned by her mother thus she doesn't need to pay for the rent except the basic necessities like food and clothing which is already covered by the stipend she receives as an orphan.

Still it wasn't enough so he made sure that her allowance is covered with Gama-chan mysteriously filling itself with ryō.

What he didn't expect is to see someone else in her apartment.

Seems like Hiruzen-sensei forgot to mention about her 'housemates'.

"Who are you and what are doing here?" Recognizing Momochi Zabuza's Kubikiribōchō gleaming dangerously near his neck, Jiraiya studied the man before him.

Tall and well-built, the man has a scar under his left eye that looks at him cautiously. He wore loose pants and white buttoned shirt with a bandanna tied around his neck.

"Thatch."

When did the other one showed up? He didn't even hear his arrival. Damn it.

Jiraiya kept his cool and ignored the sword (thankfully the man from earlier backs away keeping his head intact) and faces the most dangerous individual at the moment that suddenly appeared behind him (he does admit that his presence is far more ominous than Hanzō), the Toad Sannin carefully observes the teen.

"You are being noisy. Don't interrupt Naruto's training, yoi."

Uh, what?

The man called Thatch reacted indignantly while spitting curses (in a not so noticeable tone) and argued with the teen who continues to eye him speculatively.

.

Returning the other man's assessing look, Marco remembers what his Naruto thought about this man.

He was one of the people from her childhood, just like that stupid sensei of hers. He got this feeling that they knew her parents (perhaps Hiruzen as well). But they (the silver-haired jōnin especially) never mentioned anything. And Kakashi has all the time in the world to talk to her about it. Damn them.

With an annoyed sigh, he jumps over from their current building and landed soundlessly on their own rooftop. Naruto is probably in their living area doing the leaf concentration exercise that bandanna guy assigned so that she can focus on her chakra.

His irritation did spike up a bit when he thinks about their 'bond'. Whatever that snake bastard did severed their connection thus he won't be able to know her emotions especially the pain she hides from him because of that blasted seal which makes him cranky to an extent much to Kakashi and Thatch's caution.

He did gave his friend a pointed look conveying his message.

"Fine. I'll keep her occupied," Sealing his sword, the Fourth Division Commander took the herbs he picked for that day's meal he left beside the door. "Don't even think of fighting near my plants, got that? They're very sensitive…"

Rolling his eyes at his friend, the Phoenix nodded and waited until he's with his human who's asking about him and where he is.

"I think this is a bit of an overreaction, don't you think?" The ninja stated without letting his guard down.

Good. He shouldn't.

But just the same, he took a deep breath and calmed himself. Hiruzen did mention about this student of his and if he is not mistaken, this man might be able to help them find their way home.

"Where you able to find anything, yoi?"

The other man sighed and took a scroll inside his jacket and threw it at him. Despite that, the man continues to frown.

"I won't be able to answer your question if you don't ask, yoi…," He decided to look at the scroll later. Or perhaps Thatch will.

Crossing his arms, Jiraiya decided to confront the 'teen' and be done with it. He won't know the pirate's intentions towards his god-daughter and he does need to make sure that he doesn't have any malicious intent towards Minato's daughter.

Marco raises a brow and waited. He had a feeling that he already knew what the other man is about to say.

Just like Kakashi.

"Naruto is too kind," Pausing slightly, his eyes darken as he returned the pirate's defiant stare. "She is someone important to me… to all of us. And I will make sure that no one will take advantage of that innocence. Do you understand?"

Scoffing, he did sat on one of the benches he pilfered somewhere before that they customized it to fit the theme surrounding their home.

"Oh?" He noted indulgently. But his emotions did graze his eyes evident of his anger towards the village that took her for granted. The people that hurt her. "So you knew how she was treated before I came into her life? How this pathetic fools almost destroyed that 'innocence' you were talking about?" He felt a bit of satisfaction when he saw the man pale from each words that came out of his mouth. But his response did put a damper on his vindictiveness.

Jiraiya never felt so tired. But- "Once you leave… what will become of her?"

He knew that the teen before him is the reason why Naruto became the kunoichi that she is today. And he is afraid to know what will happen if these pirates go back to their lives… leaving her alone again. Not that he can bring her with him.

Everyone from the Elemental Nations knew his association to the Yondaime. All they need is to look at the right places to know who the girl really is.

The blonde is silent. But his eyes are unreadable. It did make him wary.

"Regardless of what will happen in the future, I will make sure that she's ready…" Covering his mouth with a hand (an attempt to prevent a growl), Marco gave him a warning. "Anyone - even this village - will suffer my wrath if they hurt her." Thinking of one particular prey that escaped him, the Phoenix vows to hunt him down.

And end him.

Before Jiraiya can respond, he heard Haku's frantic call as she rushes towards him. Without even thinking, he sprinted into their apartment and saw Thatch cradling Naruto in his arms.

Pale with tears trickling down her face, the girl clutches her stomach writhing in pain.

"M-marco… I-it hurts…"

Taking her into his arms, he swore to himself. He's going to kill that snake bastard.

Believe it!

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Interlude: Ebisu

He knew the changes in the young master's perception about the Hokage is because of one particular person.

So he took it upon himself to study the girl.

It is not about that ridiculous moment when he was swarmed by multiple copies of her adult self.

Ah.

The 'pet' may have noticed him on that first day but made no attempt to stop his observation especially when he is just plain curious.

Her everyday activities is nothing special.

Breakfast.

Train.

Meet with the young master to play ninjas (that was so hilarious when he learned about it).

Lunch with the said 'pet' at Ichiraku's.

Train again.

And then there's haki training in between. Uh, the what?

"Oh, that's what they call their chakra…" Konohamaru-sama mentioned. The young master knows a bit and demonstrated how to use the said 'haki' for combat.

Strangely enough, it is almost the same as a chakra enhanced punch. Utilizing it however depends on one's will.

An interesting concept.

So when he heard what happened in the preliminaries, he's not even surprised.

He does believe that the girl can do anything if she puts her mind into it. Especially if she has the support of her 'pet' er friend(s).

Oh dear. The avian is now glaring at him. And why is Kakashi giggling like a demented pervert. Tch.

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Author's note:
Yeah. My grammar thingy. Will get into that, promise.

Cheers!

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