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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 30

A rubber ball hits him straight on the face. The last remaining loyal Sannin known thru the Elemental Nations as the Toad Sage stares sullenly towards the girl who threw the ball ignoring her annoyed look.

"Will you stop that? It's starting to get irritating, dattebayo!"

Disclaiming her statement, he pouted like a child (his reputation's already been tarnished long before so he won't care about anyone's opinion anymore… well except hers) and waves his hand frustratingly.

"I still don't understand why you did it, kid. As in seriously?"

Huffing in response, Naruto rolls her eyes at him and took another rubber ball from her pack. "If I hadn't, Marco may have killed you. So I did what I have to and break the illusion that blasted Uchiha placed on him." Growling, she accidentally used haki and the rubber melted like ice.

"And what's with the shiny black thingy you used to coat your hands?" Swinging her hands to remove the slime and purposely targeted the pervert. Unfortunately, he was able to avoid her latest projectile. With a scowl, she ignored his latest inquiry.

Seriously though. What's the big deal?

But…

Her face did warm though especially when she remembers what happened earlier… and what she did to stop Marco from his 'rampage'.

.

A few hours earlier…

"I don't have time for this…" Itachi muttered and the tomoe of his eyes started spinning. Allowing Tsukuyomi to impose his victim's greatest fear, he glances at the girl whose gaze never left the blonde before him.

The other teen shooks his head and yet he can immediately see the effects of his illusions. Strangely enough, the unknown still tried to reach him. Such willpower. Tch.

When the surrounding area suddenly turned into a giant toad's esophagus. He nodded towards Kisame and uses Amaterasu's flames to make an opening. Aside from the girl's 'protector' (who proves to be so troublesome) fighting a Sannin may delay them further and that their chances of winning are very slim.

Without looking back (knowing that Kisame follows slightly behind him), he decided to reconsider his priorities especially after what he discovered.

Everything's changed now.

"Your eyes…"

Noticing the wetness on his cheeks, the Uchiha wipes the blood off his face.

"I'll send a summon to report what had happened. For now, let's lie low… and rest."

Sighing dejectedly, his partner wraps Samehada with a fresh set of bandages as he threw a towel in his direction while continuing their trek away from Konohagakure.

Despite their failures, he is hopeful.

Tomorrow doesn't sound so bad after all.

.

"Tch. They got away…" Eyeing the black flames the Uchiha used to escape his Gamaguchi Shibari (Toad Mouth Trap). He looks back at the other two. He didn't expected for the pirate to be here (or even see them off knowing how the teen tried to mentally murder him earlier). But just the same, he is thankful for his presence as he was able to protect his god-daughter.

However.

Avoiding a fatal wound by his neck (damn, those talons do look sharp), he took out a kunai and keeps a defensive position a few yards away from the other two. "What the hell?!"

The girl hastily explained what happened earlier. An illusion… ah, Tsukuyomi? Oh shit.

He clucks his tongue in bafflement as the Phoenix tries again to attack him. Even a little, it does comfort him to know that despite the genjutsu, the teen doesn't think Naruto as a threat and continues to protect her.

But he cannot break the illusion without closing in. However any attempt may either give him a broken bone or new scratches that may or may not look good on his handsome face. Ugh.

"You're the only one who can break the illusion… do something, hurry!"

"W-what? But h-how?!" Frantically thinking of a way, Naruto remembers her chains. Closing her eyes, she imagined (conjured) rope like chains and three sprouted behind her back. Accidentally impaling the wall behind her, she uses the other two to carefully surround her pirate. Rushing in front of him, she holds Marco's face with both hands. His gaze still seeing something she cannot. Without even thinking, the blonde jinchūriki closes her face in. Automatically, her eyes shut close as her lips touches his own.

Reaching out through their bond, Naruto called out his name repeatedly. Marco… Marco. Marco! Letting her chakra chains loosen, she felt his hands snakes around her body, holding her closer. Tighter.

A moment's heartbeat passed (ignoring the pervert's flabbergasted reaction), Marco opened his eyes. His right hand cradles her cheek (when did that happen?) as the other gently gripped her jacket. Up close, she can feel his warmth. His fears. Wiping the sweat that started to trickle down the side of his temple (and the tears that seem to threaten at the corner of his eyes), Naruto took him in her arms as Marco burrows himself into her embrace, placing his head on top of her heart as his hands clutches her like a lifeline.

"Naruto… I…"

This is a first.

But she knew that even if their roles are reversed this time, she will make sure to do everything she can to save (protect) him.

Even at the cost of her own life.

That's a promise.

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In an undisclosed medical facility, Konohagakure, 16 hours after the incident…

Two shadowy figures emerges from a corner ceiling and carefully observes a guarded room along the hallway. There's a large glass window overlooking the entire corridor.

A few minutes passed, the guard heard a staff who seems to be in great distress when another patient from the next room made a fuss about his medications. As any dutiful person would do, he assisted the medic to calm the patient.

Taking the opportunity, one of the shadowed form prepare several hand seals to disrupt the monitoring seal placed strategically in the area to allow full usage of their chakra. Reaching the room left on its own by the shinobi guarding it, both nodded with one another. The taller one concealed itself with a genjutsu as the other gently turned the knob and saw their 'target'. His continued presence in their village - a hindrance to their plans if left alone.

Taking a senbon out, the shadow soundlessly approaches the bed and aimed for a vital part of his neck. Before the needle even pierce skin, the senbon freezes and frost travelled up to the hands holding it.

Panicking wildly as it finally notices the entire floor covered in ice. A full-sized mirror (placed at the back of the door) glows slightly with a pair of emotionless eyes who stares down at the intruder whose gaze tried to look for another way out. Stepping out of her domain, Haku strides over and took the senbon. Upon smelling it, she identified a poisonous herb native to Konoha. Frowning, she broke the needle into two as the door opens and a tall man entered the room with an unconscious cargo over his shoulders.

"I do know how annoying birdbrain can be. But kill him while he's like this? That's so barbaric… even for shinobis." Thatch mutters unbelievably.

"A threat they cannot predict or control." The Yuki noted softly as Neko approaches the frozen shinobi.

"Root!" Hissing angrily as Yūgao recognizes the unknown kunoichi. The masked ANBU jerks back and took a tanto behind her back. Thatch immediately holds her arm and shook his head.

"Regardless of your differences, no need to be hasty, Neko-san." Thankfully, the woman releases her weapon and calmed down a little. "Let's just put them in a place where no one can reach or corrupt them any further…" Adding as an afterthought, places his cargo behind the frozen statue and urges Haku to unfreeze their captives and put them to sleep. "They might be in danger too for failing their mission. So we might need to protect them as well."

"Don't tell me… you're planning to collect a few more strays?" Laughing amusedly at her incredulous reaction (her voice does sound one even if he cannot see her facial expression), Thatch rubs his neck bashfully and grinned towards the first 'stray' they collected (technically, she was Naruto's but Marco did play a big role for Haku's decision to stay in Konoha, so yeah).

The Yuki giggled in response and took a few scrolls from her sleeves to seal their prisoners. Who knew that learning ninja stuff are sooo convenient (although he can only use the basics). Not that they haven't taken prisoners before. But yeah…

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Present day…

Arriving in the gambling district of Tanzaku-gai, she forced the pervert to stop by the first restaurant they can find. Zooming into the restroom, she accidentally collided with a dark-haired woman carrying a pig.

"Oops! I'm soo sorry miss… ah, excuse me…" Bowing twice, Naruto winces slightly and rushes immediately into a vacant stall with a slam.

The woman laughs quietly and urges the animal she carried to stay quiet. She did stop when she remembers the symbol etched on the girl's hitai-ate. Paling considerably, she carefully went back to their table and saw another familiar face who is busy flirting with one of the pretty servers.

"Come Tonton, let's get out of here…" Her companion agrees with a squeak as they took their takeaways.

Unknown to her, Jiraiya did see the woman and cheerfully thanked his 'contact' after discretely handing a small pouch and a few flowery words which she returned with an irritated slap on his face.

Rubbing his cheek, he petulantly eyed the woman. Naruto who just came back from the washroom witnessed the last part and rolled her eyes at him.

"Seriously? Is that how you gather information?"

Laughing at her scandalous reaction, he did explain the pros and cons of the said method. Of course, he may have omitted the most important part of his job. Unless she plans to take his mantle as a spy (which he doubts), he'll give her the basic information and some half-truths. Besides, he can only see her taking her old man's hat. Nothing more, nothing less.

Bringing her along the next establishment (he got this feeling that she'll have a few words to share), he did saw a familiar shade of blonde. The woman from earlier saw them and covers her mouth in shock. Possibly nursing a hangover, Senju Tsunade ordered a cup of hot coffee as her companion and the pig nervously turned their heads to look at them. Silently observing the other blonde in his life, Jiraiya smiled in nostalgia. She may have retained her youthful appearance but one can never fault the change they all experienced.

"Fancy seeing you here hey, Hime?" Ignoring the crack she made on her cup, the Toad Sage also observes the girl standing next to him. He can bet all his savings and the special collection of his bestselling novel that the blonde haired Uzumaki is locking unto Tsunade's signature with that serious tilt of her mouth and the chakra thread she attached to his former teammate (oh Kami, she even adapted Minato's scrutinizing look).

Giving out a boisterous laugh (which Naruto understands as his game face), a scroll was handed over with Sarutobi-sensei's letter and the Shodai's emblem.

Hashirama-sama did kind of predicted the need for a proof to convince his wayward granddaughter to come back home. A scolding if you'd ask the Nidaime's opinion with that emotionless facade of his.

And as expected, everything escalated down the drain after Tsunade mocks the position with Naruto defending her dream (and surprisingly enough, the men who took the mantle including the Yondaime).

Ah… this is something he never foresee especially from the animosity she felt towards the man.

.

.

As what he knew of his god-daughter, Naruto bravely accepted Tsunade's dare and she's off somewhere to train (she almost camped herself in her chosen training area) and comes back to their suite to eat, sleep a little and returns to her training (he can almost feel her father's disapproving look towards him). He did assign one of his toad summons to watch over her in the event of another attack from Akatsuki.

"Will you cut that out?" Tsunade slammed her hands cracking their table in bits and chunks of splinters while the establishment itself wobbled a little. He did eye her carefully knowing how distracted she is with her grandfather's letter. Any wrong move or he'll be punted across the Elemental Nations for any teasing he wanted to throw at her.

And no, he didn't even attempted to peek, thank you very much. The scroll itself is tightly sealed and quite possibly his god-daughter can open it… somehow.

"You do know that coming back is inevitable, right?"

Huffing, she drank her saki in one gulp. The woman may look the same in her late 20's and yet entirely different. Jaded even.

"Besides," Adding thoughtfully as they saw Naruto's retreating form as she went ahead to start that days training (not before sticking her tongue out towards the other woman). "You're betting against a child about the fate of the entire village. And for the life of me, I do not understand the why's…"

Clasping her fingers, Tsunade returns Jiraiya's inquisition with one of her own. "What do you know about the seed of Shinseijū?"

When the old Toad gave her a blank look, the Senju sighed and barks another order of saki. It is almost time. "Never mind the question. Let's drink, just like the old times. Shall we?"

.

.

"You really should take care of yourself, Naruto-chan," Shizune took the girl's hand covered by scratches and burn marks of the jutsu she's trying to perfect as part of her dare with Tsunade-sama. The wounds are indeed healing on its own (possibly because of her 'tenant'). But just the same, she heals it anyway.

The girl laughs shyly at her and blew another balloon while asking endless questions about their travels - it is as if she's trying to divert her attention away. Shizune chuckled and answered dutifully when they heard a loud noise behind. Whipping out several senbons in her hands, the medic was about to attack when she saw Jiraiya's hunched form, grasping for breath.

Oh no.

.

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"So tell me, what do you plan to do to Konoha after I healed your arms?" Hands glowing with chakra, Tsunade carefully approaches her former teammate and took into consideration the other figure beside him. As his companion is yet to reveal their face, she wants to make this quick and deal with the other one as soon as she done with the old Snake.

However, she was ratted out (a sensor? Damn it!) before she can even touch him.

Using her 'weakness', Orochimaru's companion slices up their arm and sprayed everything all over her. Freezing at the sight of blood, she couldn't stop herself from shaking. Such a pitiful sight if one asks especially in comparison to her past escapades.

Following Orochimaru's orders to kill her, the cloaked figure was about to end her life but then…

"Don't even think about it, dattebayo!" The newcomer spats with venom in her voice as Shizune follows closely behind her. Jiraiya still looks wasted (the effects of her drug still present in his system) yet he immediately took the Snake's attention away.

Orochimaru's minion does know how to fight yet the brat's persistence may have forced her back. However…

"Chakra chains?" Shizune muttered unbelievably as a familiar shade of red unveils from the unknown participant and attacks the younger girl. She wanted to help but knowing that Tsunade-sama is vulnerable…

"I got this. Protect her no matter what…" Naruto stated with a wild grin and uses her own chakra chains against the other kunoichi. Both snake-bastard and the redhead eyes widen in surprise. Imbuing her chains with haki (aaw, her chains looks so nice and pretty), she was able to overpower the other's chakra chains. Wait! She cannot sense any ill intent from the other woman and yet-

"Why are you fighting for that man? Do you know how evil he is?"

.

Her chains rattled for a bit after she heard the other girl's questions. Throwing a few senbons at her, Karin bit her lips to prevent herself from responding.

Knowing who the man is, she kept a blind eye on everything Orochimaru-sama did. Despite his intentions, he is the only person who took her in when she got nowhere else to go.

The girl that her master wanted to kill hesitated upon learning that she's a Uzumaki too.

"Kill her! Kill her NOW!"

Praying that their ancestors and elders would forgive her for what she is about to do, Karin attacks. The blonde disperses her chains (an impressive ability despite the lack of proper training) and activating something in her hands. Black and shiny, she drops in all fours and tackled her down. Knowing what is about to come, the red-haired Uzumaki awaited her fate.

Her eyes did open abruptly when the ground beside her head crumbled by the force of her punch. Looking up, she saw tears threatening from the corner of her eyes.

"No matter what, you're family. And I will never abandon you… so give me a chance to make things right… please…"

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He can almost see how everything will end. Knowing that the girl is trying to steal his 'pet' (just like how that blasted pirate stole Kabuto) he must act quickly.

Killing the girl has never been a priority. But if she continues to be a hindrance to his plans… he will kill her himself. If his useless minions cannot do a simple task, he'll make sure to do it properly. Grinning maliciously, he bounded towards his former teammate and feigned an attack forcing Jiraiya to avoid him and with enough distance, he made his move.

But for whatever reason, the brat sensed him as she stands between him and that useless piece of red-haired hag. She was able to stop his sword with her bare hands (similar to what that blasted pirate has done to his Kusanagi) and used her other hand (after a clone did something and disperses) with a familiar looking technique that he saw one other blonde perform.

Hastily, he cuts off the connection to her chakra before being propelled backwards in a considerable distance. Feeling satisfied despite his broken body, Orochimaru laughs out loud ignoring their incredulous looks as the girl fell.

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Eyes widening, Tsunade and the redhead ran towards the blonde.

Karin hesitated but the female Sannin barks frustratingly at her while the other woman stoods guard.

"Do you know what he did to her?"

Gasping in freight, she drags her sleeve up showing multiple bite marks persuading the girl to bite her arm. "He cuts off her chakra. Without it, she'll die…"

The Senju reluctantly cuts off the brat's jacket showing her bloodied underclothes. Hands shaking, she bit her lips as an attempt to control herself. Tsunade did pause hearing the other Uzumaki's quiet apology. But then her idiotic teammate (former) tried to attack again as he shed his skin showing his current body (a girl?!). Pushing her away, the younger woman took Orochimaru's assult as she shielded the blonde jinchūriki.

"Then die with her, bitch!"

At that exact moment, Senju Tsunade knew what she needs to do without her noticing that her body particularly her hands…

That they stopped shaking.

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Konohagakure, a few days later…

"How is he?" Sasuke asks as he places an apple to the Yuki's waiting hands for peeling. Thatch is dutifully making his own creations as if competing with Haku's bunny themed slices.

With a sigh, the pirate eyed Marco thoughtfully with Naru-chan's mirror leaning at the vase of Sakura's flowers which the pinkette brought in earlier.

"Still sleeping like a log. But when Naruto called in yesterday, he may have responded…" Rubbing his jaw speculatively, "Then there's his phoenix flames that suddenly came out of nowhere."

"We don't want to think that Naruto-chan is in danger. But just the same, we asked Neko-san for an update." Haku added as she placed a platter of fruits in front of him. The Uchiha frowned and took a few slices (silently appraising the bite sized fruits). "She promised to send a summon and track them. Hopefully she'll bring good news a bit later."

An hour passed, the masked ANBU did indeed came back bearing some good news. That Naruto's coming home with few new faces and possibly their new Hokage. Much to his relief, he did saw the Phoenix's fingers move. His smile did disappear knowing what he is about to do which may or may not affect Team 7's future. He just hope that the others will understand.

Especially Naruto.

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Interlude: Jiraiya 2

His heart literally fell from his chest as he watches his god-daughter kissed the pirate to wake him up from the illusion the damn Uchiha placed on him.

Kami-sama, Minato is going to kill him…

His jaws seem to have locked up as the pirate responded to her 'kiss' and his hands held Naruto closer. Tighter.

Something he needed to rectify as soon as possible.

Thankfully enough, they parted as Marco burrows himself into her arms… h-her bosom?!

It was only a few seconds but Jiraiya felt like it was a hundred years when the two finally separated and the older teen continues to clings towards her like a lifeline.

From what he remembers about Tsukuyomi, it shows the victims greatest fear. That means-

"Don't open your eyes." Naruto repeated as she continues to calm her pirate. "Use our bond for now… I'll find a way to fix this. I promise…"

Bond? What bond?

As the girl looks at him desperately, the questions are set aside for later and helped Naruto bring her pirate back to their room until help arrives. As they cannot bring him along their trip, he must remain in Konoha. And if this keeps up, he won't be able to send the pirate back which is not acceptable. At. All.

Darn it!

Seriously though, the thought of bringing Tsunade home has never been more appealing than before.

Even if he needs to beg by his knees… bribe or pay all her debts, he'll do it. Marco the Phoenix must leave Konoha no matter what.

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Author's note:
Thanks for reading. And liking. Even if the said chapter is kind of anticlimatic… or too cliché… *sigh* anyhows…

Be safe everyone… Take care always!

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