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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 26
Naruto never felt so exhausted. She wanted to-
All she wanted is…
Sensing one of the medic-nin (Haku's acquaintance from the hospital that may have treated her in the past when she was still small and scrawny) who approaches her worriedly. She gave the medic a polite nod back, waves her off and walked towards the waiting area where the other genin participants are staying.
After their match, the other medics carted off the Hyūga in a makeshift gurney in one of the med bays prepared for that day.
The arena and possibly everyone from the spectators themselves couldn't believe what just happened. The noise was deafening alright but she isn't sure if they are cheering for her win or the opposite.
She stumbled after turning from the corner when she failed to notice a stupid rock. Ah, he is probably sighing in exasperation as she is still trying to control her limbs whenever she feels being clumsy. Preparing herself from impact (looks like she has very good relationship with the ground os of late), Naruto's eyes widen when she fell on someone's arms.
And a very familiar one at that.
She can feel his gaze on her as she gently raises her eyes and smiled thankfully in greeting (he always catches her whenever). Gingerly, she touches the mask covering his face.
Finally allowing a few tears fall, she burrowed her face within his embrace as she cried her sadness for Neji's fate.
"They're supposed to be a family. But why… why would they do that? I… I don't understand…"
Moving his mask to a side, Marco kneels and wipes her tears away.
"You are just too kind for these kind of shit, Naruto…"
The blonde uses her sleeves to clean her face as she snuffle a bit noisily knowing that her Phoenix wouldn't mind. "You're the only one who believes that, ya know…"
With a chuckle, the pirate tugs her arms away and uses a hanky to clean her face and wipes her tears.
"You know that is not true, yoi. And as much as I believe that this village does not deserve you… I know there are some people whose life will never be the same if you aren't in it." Marco did heard the lazy Nara coming down from the stairs (possibly to look for his blonde kunoichi). Ruffling Naruto's hair, the girl sticks her tongue out in response after placing his mask back in place. "Better head back, yoi. The others might be wondering why you are taking so long."
Rolling her eyes at him, Naruto approaches the Nara after she waves at him in farewell. Marco did frown a little when she wore her usual 'smile' after greeting the boy.
Thankfully enough, she rarely uses it whenever they are together.
Securing his mask (ugh, he really hated covering his face), he went back to his 'post' and stands behind the kid. He did see Thatch handing the two village leaders some refreshments.
He also overheard their conversation about the other Suna brat that forfeited his match and the eldest child (another blonde named Temari) facing the Nara heir.
It does sound suspicious enough since the delay should have disqualified Sasuke. A tactic just so the youngest can still fight the Uchiha? Hmm.
Turning around to observe the match, Marco admits that the boy does have potential. He remembers what his Naruto thinks of the kid. Loves to watch the clouds. Possibly smarter than the teme (or Sakura herself).
And very very lazy.
He's not even surprised when the boy surrendered after he incapacitated his opponent using their clan's special technique. He laughs internally after hearing his kunoichi's indignant response from the background.
But before the winner for that match is announced, they finally arrived appearing in the middle of the arena with clouds of smoke and leaves.
Then there was it again.
An emotion malicious enough that he can taste it from the tip of his tongue. And for whatever reason, the 'source' of the said feeling knows how to mask himself as he hides from his watchful gaze.
But he does know that the bastard is here somewhere.
So when the red-haired brat loses his mind from Sasuke's attack (a baka-Kakashi taught jutsu), he knew that something is about to happen. Then the balcony explodes forcing him away from Hiruzen's side as a barrier suddenly erupted separating the kid from everyone else trapping him with the other Kage.
And then there's chaos everywhere.
Marco knew that he need to made a decision as Naruto might also be in danger. But what she told him earlier that day made him think twice.
"Jiji is planning something stupid. I don't… I don't want him to get hurt." Looking at him apprehensively, Naruto drop to her knees and bowed her head. He was about to reprimand her when she added in a pleading voice. "Please help him. The enemy… is someone he knew. Someone he used to care about. He… he might hesitate and-…"
"Stand up. You don't really need to beg about something like this ever, yoi." Raising her chin, he smiled at her fondly, "The people you care about. They are under my protection too. So I will look after them knowing how important they are to you…" Relieved, his blonde smiled and tackled him in a tight hug returning it with one of his own. Perhaps he shouldn't made that promise in the first place. But just the same…
Goddamn it!
Four unknown shinobis suddenly appeared - who might have created the said barrier and caused the explosion.
He did saw Hiruzen talking to the other Kage who removes his disguise revealing himself as the snake bastard who hurt his Naruto.
"Suzaku, we have to regroup. Hokage-sama wanted us to-"
"Do whatever you have to, yoi," Eyes glinting dangerously, he walks towards the closest enemy he can reach that gave them a condescending look. "Make sure to secure the others. I got this one." Coating his legs with haki, he turns slightly to address Neko as he kicks the barrier. What he didn't expect is for it to crack on his first hit. The child did pale and he can see the look of surprise especially when he uses his bare hands to force the barrier open. With one swift move, he grabs the enemy's throat in a chokehold as the rest of the barrier fell apart.
Handing the terrified child over to the ANBU behind him, he darted towards Hiruzen. Thankfully they didn't stopped him.
His anger, uncontrollable.
It burns like embers - from the tip of his fingers surrounding his entire skin. Marco knew that he is on fire. Figuratively.
Ignoring the caskets that shot up to 'block' his attack, he may have broken the third one much to their astounded expressions.
His prey may never expected his arrival but was still able to evade him. Tch!
"What are you doing here, pirate?"
One of the caskets revealed the jōnin-sensei from the kid's old team and an unknown shinobi with a very overwhelming presence (just like oyaji in his prime). Ignoring them, he follows his prey.
"Tobirama-sensei…," Hiruzen breathes reverently as he stares cautiously towards the other. "Hashirama-sama…"
"Ah, looks like someone got a hold of your jutsu, Tobi-kun. I told you not to document it…" The Shodai noted glumly as he looks around the village. He did cheer up a bit after seeing him. "Oh, Hiruzen-kun. What a surprise. Not that I am sad to see you old and wrinkly but I'm just so happy to see you again…"
"I for one am happy to see you both," Preparing for battle, Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen never expected to win this match without sacrificing something. Facing two Kage level fighters with his current condition (he is far too old for this kind of disorder) is a suicide.
But… he will try. "I just never expected it to be this way." For Konoha.
"The final seal to control our will isn't given, so there's no need to do much, Hiruzen." Tobirama remarks in a bland tone and crosses his arms, observing his older brother fussing over his former student. "As the summoner's attention occupied, this jutsu will expire until the sacrificial body dies. Although for how long, that remains to be seen depending on their physical condition and will to live…"
"Can we dispel it on our own?" Hashirama asks as he tried to make sense of the commotion happening around the village. "Or rather after we secure the village? I do not want this borrowed time of ours to watch the home we built invaded by outsiders! If you know what I mean…"
"We literally cannot do anything, brother. As it is, we are just puppets…" Hashirama may have facepalmed in frustration but instead rakes his hand through his hair with a sullen pout.
"Seriously Tobi-kun, this jutsu of yours is really annoying…"
Ignoring his older brother's ramblings, he faces his former student who still eyes them carefully. "Care to explain why a Kami-forsaken pirate is in our village?" He is not freaking out, thank you very much. But people like him with their kind of ability may pose a more serious threat than a drunk Uchiha Madara.
A catastrophe waiting to happen.
.
Orochimaru curses internally when the masked ANBU tries to overrun him. All his attacks are either ignored (despite hitting him point on blank) or shaken off.
The same ninja from earlier whose presence is noticeable even if he tried to suppress it. Could it be?
"Tell me, boy…" With another shunshin, he took a farther distance from his persistent attacker. The barrier that is supposed to prevent anyone from interfering is nowhere in sight. What the hell had happened? "What grievances do I owe you to target me this way, hmm?"
As the face is covered, he couldn't see the expression yet Orochimaru knew that the said shinobi's - for what its worth, the killing intent is quite disturbing - focus is solely on him purposely ignoring two 'reincarnated' Kages that he should be using to further his plans. But because he couldn't apply the final component to control them fully, they alongside his former sensei, serves as their spectators for this match that is starting to be very irritating.
Finally reaching the end of his patience, he uses his snakes to bind this fool.
Head tilting slightly cataloguing the snakes that surrounded his body, Marco observes the pitiful shinobi before him.
A man similar to Teach.
Power hungry. Traitor. Willing to trample on the innocent. Someone else's Naruto…
Gaze sharpening, he releases a concentrated wave of Haoshoku. His 'bindings' fell one after the other to the surprise expression of his target.
The silver haired one (the same man he also met before with the kid) whose attention is directed at him with the other man curiously observing their fight while Hiruzen stands dutifully beside them. Ignoring their audiences, he stalks towards the bastard.
"You touched someone precious to me. For that, you must DIE!"
Not anticipating the move the bastard prepared for him, he ignored the sword that pierces his middle as he swatted the other's arm and grabs the tongue holding the weapon. Coating his right hand with haki, punches the snake using the flames he rarely uses.
The effect is instantaneous.
Flames that he first thought was useless as it only heals him. But after reading Haku's notes from the hospital and some experimentations they performed with Thatch as their guinea pig… with some observations here and there especially his favorite kunoichi… Marco finally realized that he can use his devil fruit ability to heal others.
And a thought that just appeared during this fight - that he can also use his flames to hurt (deciding to choose those who deserves it).
"What have you done!" Hissing angrily, Orochimaru grabs the mask as if to crush his face within. Smirking, he allows him just for the sake of amusement and partly transforms into his Phoenix form. With a swipe of his sharp talons, scratches the bastard's face revealing a feminine looking visage.
Eyes darkening, he clawed the arm that raises to protect himself and growled angrily.
With a shriek, the bastard quickly uses his spilt blood to summon an enormous snake that crushes the building, destroying everything beneath.
The man who he remembers was the First Hokage, uses his rare ability or kekkei genkai to reinforce the building with a large tree.
Sensing an incoming projectile thrown at his face, he disperses his flames and returned his attention to his 'prey'. Pulling out the sword the bastard used to pierce him, he noticed a few intricate designs etched on the handle particularly the guard.
A fine looking sword.
Looking up, Marco saw a creature with the size of a sea king who stares down at him.
"What are you waiting for, destroy HIM!" Orochimaru ordered in a rush as he tries to nurse his wounds. Where the hell is Kabuto, damn it!
.
Meiyo looks at her surroundings and listened to the Orochimaru-san's commands. Head tilted lightly, she lets her tongue to taste the air. Frowning, she looks down and came face to face with a sea dweller.
And a very dangerous one at that.
"What are you waiting for, destroy HIM!"
"Watch your tongue, boy…" Stretching her limbs, the great lilac colored snake lowers her head slightly as she reprimanded her summoner. The unknown sea dweller looks at her curiously in return. "If I am not mistaken, you were told to avoid any skirmishes with a 'Conqueror'… especially from those that came from the four seas."
"What?"
With a sigh, the snake gave Marco a knowing look. "I will not be an instrument to your petty quarrels…"
"Petty?" The Phoenix's temper may have flared a little. "Hurting someone I care about doesn't sound petty at all, yoi!" Unknowingly releasing a wave of Haoshoku, he growled as he glares at the sannin.
Huffing, Meiyo mentally rolled her eyes in response. How very bothersome. "Still, I or any of my brethren will not interfere this particular fight… Summon us when you decided to destroy something else."
Ignoring Orochimaru's scandalous reaction, she bowed slightly towards the sea dweller and reverse summoned herself back to Ryūchi Cave. Slithering her way into the White Snake's cavern, she saw her older brother, Manda, talking to the elderly sage.
"I see that you are disturbed, tell me child, what did the brat commanded you to do now?" The White Snake asks so Meiyo narrated everything.
Her brother is silent upon hearing her tale. Not necessarily angry but speculative enough with that cautious glint in his eyes.
Oh right.
Her brother have met a Conqueror once, when he was still a youngling.
"Those people are despicable enough that leaves a bitter taste in our mouth and stomach…" Manda harrumphed grumpily reminiscing the events he encountered in the past with their father. "I prefer not to face one again… if it can be avoided."
Meiyo agreed amiably. The one she faced earlier has a peculiar ability that allows him to transform into a mythical creature that she knew from the stories heard in these caves by the oldest among them. He does not seem aggressive though.
Still it was not an unwelcome thought. Perhaps she'll got another chance to meet that human again.
Maybe.
.
This should not be happening. His plans… he- they should be unstoppable. And yet this lowly 'ANBU' wannabe continues to be a hindrance to everything.
A lowly Kami-forsaken pirate.
"Curse you!"
Clucking his tongue in annoyance, the blonde cocked his head slightly to one side as he leaned Kusanagi over his shoulders. "Don't be like that, yoi. We're just getting started…"
He did sense Kabuto dropping beside him. Ignoring the bruises his spy currently has, he glares at him angrily when he heard his plea to retreat.
Him? The great Snake Sannin retreating because of one man? Preposterous.
Ignoring the searing pain in his left arm, he grabs the teen by his shirt.
"We are outmatched. We need to-"
"Silence!"
Backhanding the boy, he pushes him forward to receive the attack meant to pierce his heart.
The sword itself would be a great loss in his arsenal but Kabuto is right. His survival is foremost important and if Suna knows what he had done to their leader, ah. Better not risk it.
Abandoning his people (they are all expendable anyway especially the medic-nin), he rushes towards the forest to leave the village he loathed with every fiber of his very being ignoring Jiraiya's stricken expression as he uses one of his contracted summons (the other man is currently fighting the Three Giant Snake) as his makeshift springboard to escape.
Even if he lost Kabuto now, he still have some aces hidden up his sleeves.
This isn't over.
.
.
Retracting the sword (the weapon does look real handy so he'll definitely keep it), Marco stares down at the boy. His expression pitiful enough that he waves off an ANBU who tried to put him in chains.
"Are you sure about this, Marco?" Hiruzen asks as he walks towards him while eyeing the said traitor very carefully. He can also see the two 'somewhat reincarnated' Kages approaching them with the silver haired one looking quite disapprovingly.
"I will take full responsibility for him. No need to worry yourself, kid."
The unspoken word is clear in the Third Hokage's eyes. Lips quirking a little, he gave him a small smile purposely ignoring the Nidaime who is glaring daggers behind his back.
Laughing boisterously, the Shodai claps him by the shoulder as he tried to assess him physically. Not entirely unpleasant but somewhat similar to the bond he and Naruto shared.
Realization hits him like a punch in a gut.
Naruto!
Transforming into his full Phoenix form, he calls out for Haku and asks to wait for Thatch until they can sort out their new 'guest'.
Ignoring Senju Hashirama's amazed reaction, he flew towards his favorite human without looking back.
Hiruzen can explain everything to them (the bodies used for the said jutsu may or may not last long though).
For now, he needed to make sure that his kunoichi is safe and unharmed. Nothing else matters.
Konoha may burn for all he care.
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Interlude: Kabuto
Perhaps he should have already expected him to throw him into the wolves when the time comes.
It was always in their nature.
And yet he still hopes that Orochimaru-sama will never betray him.
Yet he still did.
The pirate's eyes is unreadable though. For whatever reason, he avoided fatal injury from Kusanagi's blades as if the teen knew how to use it.
As his former mentor left him for 'dead', the Phoenix waves off an ANBU that tried to put him in chains and uses his blue flames to heal his injury.
What?
"Are you sure about this, Marco?" The Sandaime asks as he approaches them while eyeing him carefully. The Second Hokage is glaring daggers towards the other teen's back as the First is silently observing everyone's reaction.
So they knew what he is?
"I will take full responsibility for him. No need to worry yourself, kid."
What?
Why?
Is he insane? A fool?
Clenching his fists tightly, Yakushi Kabuto tried to voice out his objections. He's-
The girl who he knew was an immigrant from Kiri stands by his side dutifully, waiting for the other pirate to come along. He never even saw her arrival. His mind, in turmoil. While his emotions… chaotic.
She did notice his reaction but answers his unspoken question just the same.
"Marco-sama have seen something in you." The girl, Haku, mused softly. "Thus he will be helping you from hereon. Allow you to choose or make your own path… somewhere you belong…"
That's…
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Author's note:
Merry happy christmas everyone! Till next chapter. Cheers!
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