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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 27

Naruto's everything hurts.

Again.

Well this time, it is the good kind of hurting.

It's like when she trains all day and the results are what she expected all along (hard work is the key, dattebayo!). It's like when she trains using haki with her awesome ninja skills with Marco and the others (Sasuke is given knowing how obsessed he is in learning new things to get stronger while Sakura just don't want to be left behind). And if she sees her Phoenix's proud look when she lands an unexpected hit, ah. Priceless.

Lifting her head from having another brief interaction with dirt, she eyed Gaara carefully. His expression seems lost.

Naruto does feel sorry for the bruise (oh my Kami, is that blood?) forming on the other boy's forehead after she head butted him to break the control the one tailed bijuu has over him.

After sensing the teme and the others (ensuring that they are safe and free of Gaara's sands), she forced her limbs to move and approaches the redhead cautiously. Her muscles might be protesting with all their might, but ignore them she did.

"H-how? How did you do that?" Gaara added hastily when he saw the confusion in her eyes. "Why are you so strong?" Huffing exasperatingly, she sat in front of him in a respectable distance. She may have winced slightly and he felt a bit sorry knowing that he was the reason for all her injuries.

"Those are my friends that you tried to kill. Even if you didn't mean it, I made promise to myself that I will protect them with my life. That is my ninja way…"

"Your ninja way?"

Nodding, she gave Gaara a little bit of everything. How she thrives to work real hard for the village to accept her existence.

To protect her most precious people.

Understanding lit his eyes when she told him that.

That they're the same.

When his older siblings came, Naruto did notice that cat boy is glaring and took a threatening step towards her. He did stop after two strides (and paled considerably) when he saw something (or someone) behind her.

Oh.

She won't admit it to herself but… she felt so relieve after sensing her pirate up close. And nope, she is not distracted… just tired, alright?

That Marco is… that he's okay.

Taking her into his arms, the blonde pirate's eye sharpened dangerously preventing the boy from taking another step. Ready to attack if this ninja tries to harm his blonde kunoichi.

"Kankurō."

Redhead calls out as the sister took one of his arm over her shoulders. Catsuit wearing boy did help his sister as they took the youngest away. Not before redhead eyed his Naruto strangely with myriads of emotions in those teal colored eyes.

Marco knew that he have to stop them. To answer for the mess they participated with even if they are just tools. But Naruto firmly taps his arm with a shake of her head. Of course, who will dare question his priorities.

"Are you sure, yoi?"

Nodding, his blonde gave him a reassuring smile and leaned towards his shoulders while angling her head tiredly.

Kami-sama, Naruto still felt so tired. So sleepy. Ugh.

Perhaps summoning Boss Gamabunta when she has enough chakra to spare in the aftermath can be added to her to-do list especially for her future battles. The epic ones. Right.

She did jolted back up when she smelled blood on his ANBU uniform. A long tear showing unblemished skin that his devil fruit ability might have already healed. The same size of a blade… a s-sword?! W-what the-?

Chuckling at her reaction, Marco carried her effortlessly placing an arm under her back and the other under her knees.

And then she asks about his mask.

Oh right, Naruto like that mask. He wonders what happened to it after the bastard clawed it out from his face.

Pouting… and trying real hard to fight her exhaustion, Naruto continues to question what happened to his fight (he's not even going to wonder how she knew that he fought the snake bastard).

From the distance, he can see the remaining members of Team 7.

Looks shaken (mostly Sakura) but still alive and well which is a win on his books. Sasuke looks grumpy though.

Ah.

Just your regular day in the Village Hidden among the Leaves.

Fantastic.

.

.

The repairs did went remarkably quick. Everyone helped one another.

And then they buried and mourned for their dead.

And those who are supposed to stay dead was regarded cautiously by the living. But knowing that they are the previous leaders of their village, it was taken as a sign that change is about to happen.

Senju Tobirama agrees much to his older brother's enthusiastic exasperation.

Hashirama's smile did falter when he saw the last remaining Uzumaki in Konoha, current jailer of the Kyuubi. What happened to his wife's village is tragic and he continues to berate himself for not doing enough.

The girl (despite not having the Uzumaki's trademark hair color) looks at him curiously and tried to approach him. Her chakra signature reminds him so much of his beloved wife.

The pirate, Marco, returns his look with a warning and led the girl to his previous office (now used by Hiruzen-kun) with a few hush whispers to the girl.

The matter with the traitor was dealt accordingly. Not that it matters. The boy is indeed a citizen of Konoha although the reasons why he betrayed the village is still unknown. He will entrust his fate to the teen Hiruzen talks fondly of.

"The sacrificial bodies are dying. And our 'visit' may come to an end anytime soon." He did request for the bodies to be returned to their village in case they have family waiting for them. He may have heard the boy (the traitor) who commented that ninjas from Oto are mostly orphans that Orochimaru have taken under his care. Some against their own will. Others volunteered to escape the hardships of a village that isn't protected by a shinobi organization.

His metaphorical heart did quench painfully knowing that his efforts to stop the hatred among the villages and its people haven't stopped at all. Tobirama did sigh behind him.

"You already did more than enough, brother. Let the children of this generation continue what you've started…"

"Hell yeah! We'll definitely do our best and stop this hatred, jiji-sama!" Marco tried to hide his smile while Kakashi and the others who know the girl fluster at her blatant disrespect (or lack there of) after she addressed the Shodai. Hiruzen chuckled in response while Tobirama did frown at her. The blonde turns her attention cheekily towards his younger brother. "You too, oji-san. We got this, so no need to worry yourselves. We're ormph-…!" Jiraiya covered her mouth and laughs nervously at them. She may have bitten his hand (judging from the slight wince he made) but slightly drags the girl away from them.

"Quiet you…"

He may not know it, but her words did put him in a cheery mood. Kneeling in front of her, she gave the girl a seed he took from his leftover possessions.

"When the day comes, you will know what to do with this…" Clasping her hand with both of his palms, Senju Hashirama entrusted the fate of the village (or perhaps the Elemental Nations) in her hands. "Stay strong for me, little one… everything's going to be alright." The reaction she gave in return made him laugh out loud much to everyone's incredulous reactions.

As their body started to scatter, he looked at everyone in the room. His gaze proud, he smiled at them and allowed his soul to be pulled back into the impure world. "When the time comes, each of you will face hardships that will define you… test your limits… gives you choices to make… and roads to walk upon," He turned to take one last look of his beloved village. With a sigh, touches the kanji etched on Hiruzen-kun's hat. "The philosophy behind the will of fire… is to protect. To move forward… and be better."

Tobirama gave him a regardful look but didn't add any further comments. For that he is grateful knowing how sceptical his brother is when it comes to his ideals.

"Until then…"

Hashirama does hope that he'll never be called again to fight someone else's battle.

Hoping might be a strong word.

.

.

As life moves on, everyone from the Hidden Leaf Village went on with their everyday life.

But there are some that still holds on to the past. Some who continues to berate himself for not doing enough.

So Marco did what he can especially when he felt Naruto's worry for the last Uchiha.

"I'll talk to him, yoi."

Gratefully, his kunoichi nodded as Sakura and Haku led her to the hospital for a much needed checkup. Her prior injuries may have healed on its own (courtesy of the fox) but it was requested by the Hokage himself.

Marco internally rolled his eyes hearing the pinkette's explanation but urges his human just the same (better to be safe than sorry). Upon hearing that, Thatch did stare at him exasperatingly. Their new 'guest' is minding his own business and tends to stay in his own room (another expansion of Naruto's apartment with Thatch and the Yuki enjoying the renovations and extra work). The blonde pirate did eye the seals preventing access to the teen's chakra distastefully.

"Come along, kid. We got places to be, yoi."

Kabuto may have wanted to protest out loud but remembering his current situation, held his tongue. Seems like his participation in the invasion wasn't mentioned at all throughout the village and only a selection of shinobis knew. Huh? Looks like they are bigger fools than what he first thought.

The pirate chuckled as if reading his mind.

Huffing irritably, he avoided Marco's gaze and followed the other teen outside.

"Sasuke is being difficult. Something may have happened during their fight with the Suna brat and he's closing himself from the rest of the team, yoi." Marco stated conversationally. His demeanor remains unchanged.

Knowing who the teen is and how dangerous he is, Kabuto hesitated to comment any further.

With a sigh, the blonde turns his head slightly and looked at him. "You do not need to restrict yourself from anything just because you did something wrong, yoi."

His gaze are unreadable and yet Kabuto couldn't help himself but saw pity in the pirate's eyes. Rage bubbles within his chest and he returned his look with a defiant tilt of his chin. Both fist clenches tightly and he can feel the seal triggering as his chakra tried to fight off the foreign addition to his person.

Scratching his chin as the blonde observes his reaction, Marco turned and walks away as they headed towards the Uchiha compound.

This boy has issues, that's for certain. Perhaps, he'll let things work out on their own. Eventually. A new mantra he learned from his favorite kunoichi.

As they walked by the busiest part of the village, they were interrupted in between by various greetings from everyone, be they civilians or shinobis.

People who may have seen him during the invasion can easily identify the 'ANBU' that defeated the traitorous Sannin who can use blue flames and transform into a 'Phoenix'.

Those who remembers his connection to a certain blonde kunoichi avoided his gaze in shame.

"You're bringing me along just to keep an eye on me, yeah?" He asks conversationally in a bland tone. They did reach the Uchiha's private training grounds after evading the next well wishers with a few turns in between (a street the medic-nin isn't familiar with).

"A change of scenery perhaps, yoi." They both see the Uchiha running himself ragged. Pieces of charcoal littered across the clearing with a few that still has dying embers. Marco can faintly sense Sasuke's diminishing chakra reserves.

Huh? That's something new.

"What is 'he' doing here?" Eyeing Kabuto suspiciously, Sasuke's hold on his kunai tightens, his knuckle white with strain.

"An observer who wants to see how far the 'last' Uchiha has fallen…" Kabuto retorted disdainfully as he studied his surroundings.

Sasuke responded angrily as he attacks Kabuto in a blink of an eye that surprises the silver-haired genin. Marco may have anticipated it and went in between the two. Outmaneuvering the Uchiha, the Phoenix drags and pushes the boy face down as he held his arms in a tight grip while giving the other teen an unimpressed look.

"Don't forget that anger often causes unexpected consequences, Sasuke. You are way better than this, yoi."

The boy grunted and knowing that Sasuke calmed down a little, he releases his hold and held his hand towards the boy. Raising one brow towards the other genin, Kabuto rolls his eyes in response and went to the farther end of the clearing, away from the unstable Uchiha.

As Marco further observes the younger boy, he can immediately notice the darkness that is starting to surround him.

Something that he needs to rectify as soon as possible.

"Say, what would you do for a good 'ol pirate-y kind of a spar, yoi?"

.

.

Haku can understand Marco-sama's concerns especially when they accompanied Naru-chan in the hospital for the mandatory checkup of all shinobis that participated (fought) in the invasion. It was subtle, but the looks the staff gave to Naruto held contempt in them (even some of the older patients who saw her friend upon entering the premises glared angrily at her).

Some even ignored her like she was never there.

And ever since she started learning haki, her perception to one's emotions and not just their outside appearances made her realize that something is so definitely wrong.

It was very similar to what happened to her in the past. Before Zabuza-sama found her.

On the other side of the waiting area, Sakura's already gritting her teeth in annoyance and the Yuki wouldn't even wonder if the pinkette will burst out angrily with that temper of hers.

Her own eyes glinted dangerously with her lips setting into a thin line as she stood abruptly surprising everyone. Perhaps talking to these despicable people one more time will put them in their place. But then Naru-chan holds her arm and looked at her pleadingly and shook her head.

"B-but…" Sakura asks confusingly.

"It's alright, really." The blonde smiled (she can hear the sadness in voice) and shows them her 'mask' (her acceptance for the said situation). The same face she always showed the world when she's hurting. Realization hit Haku and covers her mouth to hide the downward turn of her lips from her friend's gaze. That this wasn't the first time it happened. Deciding to settle the issue with her colleagues at a later time, she took Naruto's hand and gestured for Sakura to follow.

The girls found themselves at the rooftop on the next building. With a few calming breaths, Haku decided not to push Naru-chan any further especially when she saw her reaction earlier. Giving her a comforting smile to ease her trepidation.

Sakura sighed beside them and places her arms over the blonde's shoulders with that determined look in her eyes.

"When you become a Hokage, give us free reign over the hospital…" Her expression turns a bit darker and gave Haku a knowing look. "We'll make sure to give it a thorough makeover and 'train' everyone. Alright?"

Sweat dropping, the blonde winces slightly as the pinkette firmly grasp her shoulders in excitement. "We'll also work on your confidence. Ino has some ideas and Haku wanted to help too…"

"W-wait… I d-don't…"

"We promise not to let anyone hurt you anymore, Naru-chan… so leave the rest to us, okay?" The former hunter-nin promised. With conviction in her voice, she can see Sakura nodding affirmatively.

Naruto's eyes started to blur but kept her emotions in check and gave her friends (yes, the said word started to be more than just people who knows her) a wide smile and tackled the two in a big hug (these people who are precious to her). The pinkette giggles beside Haku who patted her head adoringly.

Now she understands why Marco-sama acts that way around her especially against these people.

Naruto is too selfless for her own good.

Too kind.

And if she needs to lend a helping hand for the village to see her worth… she'll do it. She will make them see.

How Naruto deserves the best especially from the village she vowed to protect. Believe it!

.

.

On the other side of the village, particularly the bathhouse, there are those who wanted to have time for themselves. To relax and feel better after the events that transpired the day before.

A respectable 'somewhat' looking shinobi, stands guard.

Well, not necessarily - but if you look closely enough, anyone in the half mile radius can hear a perverted giggle. Suspicious enough that if a certain blonde haired kunoichi heard and saw him, she'll probably tie him up and feed him to the wolves… er women.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura sighed in unison as they waited for the man to notice them.

Hiruzen should be here but because of what happened… ah. It does pain them to know that they could almost do anything except fight death itself.

Without looking away from his 'research', Jiraiya asks curiously. "What business does the Go-Ikenban have for me, hmm?"

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Interlude: Thatch

Watching his friend struggle with dealing this new 'relationship' of his is something he never expected to see.

At all.

Perhaps the reason why he was given a second chance in life is to witness Marco and his crazy antics especially when it comes to Naruto-chan.

Ah. It was hilarious really since birdbrain doesn't know (or remember) how to deal with girls (specifically the opposite sex)… those who he really like.

Oh.

Come to think of it, this was the first time he saw Marco liking someone (inspite of the women they slept with in the past… because yeah). As in really really like someone. Even the pirate himself is clueless about this certain development. That he cares for one specific girl more than life itself. Perhaps more than the crew.

Hmm. Naruto herself is another complicated matter. But he'll let Haku and that pretty ANBU chick to deal with the blonde.

For now, he continues to observe Marco's poor attempt of this so-called 'relationship'. Not that the two recognized the said relationship to begin with. Perhaps place a wager or two against Kakashi and Jiraiya. These other two who's still in denial about something.

Heh.

Totally outrageous if you ask him.

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Author's note:
So yeah, uhm… right.

Thanks so much for being with me up until now. Till next chapter. Cheers!

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