Chapter 9: The Other Resident

XXXXXXX – East Blue

Two small boats were sailing along peacefully in the waters of the East Blue. One of the boats had the insignia of Buggy the Clown on it. The other boat, a skiff, was slightly longer and towing a small dinghy behind it. It was a quiet morning, with clear blue skies, a nice gently breeze and a warm sun shining down on them.

"AIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!"

Sadly, with Naruto around, such things do not tend to last.

Naruto, who had just woken up, came face to face with a giant dragonfly. It was the size of a horse, wearing a strange blue vest with a backpack on its back. It was currently hovering over the boat and looking strait at Naruto. It wasn't the fact that Naruto was seriously freaked out or the fact that their faces were only inches apart that made him scream. No, those things just made Naruto freeze right then and there. It was when the dragonfly's tongue popped out and touched Naruto's face that made him scream.

Shino, who was writing on a piece of paper and sitting near Naruto, said. "Please calm down, Naruto. You'll hurt Betsy's feelings."

"Hurt its feelings!?" Naruto repeated, as Betsy's tongue tried to lick him again.

"Yes, she has taken a liking to you." Shino replied calmly while Naruto tried dodging the tongue.

That got a laugh from Nami, who was currently sewing up Luffy's Straw Hat. "It seems like you made a new friend, Naruto!" That got a snicker from the others.

Naruto tried to push the tongue away. "So am I the only one that doesn't find this creepy?" He asked as he pointed to the dragonfly.

Zoro smiled and said. "Shino 'summoned' Betsy twenty minutes ago while you were sleeping. We…slightly freaked out…but we kept our cool." Naruto looked at him, Zoro was wet all over.

Sakura laughed. She was currently on Nami's boat because Nami insisted that Sakura not be with the 'stupid imbeciles.' She also had several bandages on her arms and legs, curtsey of Kin's needles. She then said. "Zoro fell out of the boat when Betsy first arrived and Luffy asked if he could eat it."

"Shut up!" Zoro shouted at her, just making everyone snicker at him instead of Naruto. By this time, Nami finished sewing up Luffy's hat and handed it back to Luffy, who cheered. Nami quickly said. "It's just a temporary fix. I just sewed up the holes. It'll be fine if you aren't too rough with it."

Luffy started poking his hat furiously. "Thanks! That hat was filled with holes! Now you can't even tell! It's all – " Luffy's finger then went right throw the hat and created a hole. "Oops."

"YOU DON'T LISTEN!!!" Nami reached over and stuck her needle in Luffy's right eyebrow.

"YEEEOWWWW!!!! Luffy screamed, causing the peaceful silence on the ocean to be disrupted yet again.

"Why did you stab me!?" Luffy demanded

"That's the only way I can hurt you!" Nami retorted as she grabbed the hat back. "Do something stupid like that again and it'll be a KUNAI next time!"

Shino then spoke up as Nami went back to sowing. "That reminds me." He pulled out a small bag and tossed it to Naruto. "With the help of my insects, I was able to reclaim 70 percent of the kunai and shuriken that were used." Shino finally turned and looked at Naruto. "Be mindful in the future to recollect all you can. We don't have the means to get more easily."

Naruto nodded as he took the weapons and restocked his weapons pouch. "So…why is…um…Betsy here?" He asked Shino.

Shino did not respond immediately, he simply continued writing. After a few moments, he finished, stood up and answered. "I am writing a report to send back to my clan. We found one disabled former Konoha chunin on the last island. My clan will get in contact with Sakumoto." He then looked at Naruto. "We are trying to regroup the Leaf shinobi, are we not?"

Naruto put a hand on the back of his head and laughed. "Well, yeah. I…just…um…" Naruto paused and tried to think of a decent justification. "…didn't think." He said finally.

"Obviously." Shino said as he put his paper inside Betsy's backpack. "Betsy is one of my clan's summons. Specifically, she is a Hikyarku Ekickuu, or messenger insect. They have vast amounts of stamina and can travel many leagues without rest. In addition, they have an excellent sense of direction. Myself and my clan will use them to correspond with each other and coordinate our search effects, with the Aburame compound as our focal point."

Sakura laughed. "At least one of those guys isn't a 'stupid imbecile,'" she said, echoing Nami's earlier description of them. She then looked at Shino. "Wouldn't it be faster just to desummon your bug and have your clan summon the same one once a week?"

"Insect," Shino said automatically. "And we would only do that in cases of emergency where speed is vital. Delivery is the Hikyarku Ekickuu's main purpose. Take an ant colony for example. Soldier ants' purpose is to protect the colony, while worker ants' purpose is to find and deliver food. Deny the insect's purpose and you deny the insect itself. As such, it would be unjust to deny Betsy her purpose and function."

Shino then zipped up Betsy's backpack and commanded. "Ichimokusan," Betsy gave a small nodded and took off. Seconds later, Betsy had disappeared from the sky and Naruto sighed in relief.

Zoro's stomach growled. "I'm starving. Shino, get some rations out."

Shino nodded and started distributing food. Nami finished up sowing Luffy's hat again and gave it back to him. She then addressed Luffy, Naruto and Zoro. "You guys are lucky that you have Shino to look after you. If you idiots were alone, you'd probably be starving on the open sea."

"We'd manage." Zoro retorted as he began munching on some bread. Luffy then finished off his pieces of meat, looked across the horizon.

"An island!" Luffy cried, pointing out. The others looked. Sure enough, there was a small island not too far away.

Nami checked her map. "Don't bother. That island is uninhabited. You aren't going to find anyone there to join your crew."

Sakura tapped Nami on the shoulder. "They already left." She pointed in the distance and the other boat was making full speed to the island.

"IDIOTS!!!" Nami screamed at them even though they were out of earshot. "Listen to me when I'm talking to you!!" She then began swearing and cursing under her breath as Sakura began guiding the boat to the island as well.

Several minutes later, all of them were on the island. Luffy looked around and shouted. "Cool! We're here!"

Naruto looked around. "There is absolutely nothing on this island. Only forest." He folded his arms. "Well that sucks."

Nami looked at the two. "I tried to tell you guys it was deserted, but you went ahead anyway."

"It doesn't matter," Sakura said, as she was stretching. "It feels great to got off the boat and stretch my muscles." She then kicked off her sandals and felt the grass underneath her barefeet. "Ah…that feels good."

Shino looked quite interested in the landscape. "This is quite a stunning place. I should be able to find many new insects to categorize here."

Everyone waited for Zoro's comment. After several moments of silence, all five looked in his direction and discovered he was sleeping. "You've got to be kidding." Naruto said.

"He shouldn't be sleeping!" Luffy said, clearly appalled at the thought that Zoro wanted to sleep instead of explore an island. "I'm gonna wake him up!"

Nami grabbed him by the shoulder, though Luffy was still facing Zoro. "No, idiot. Let him rest. He's still recovering with his injuries."

"Sakura got injured and you aren't making her stay!" Luffy protested.

"Leave me out of this!"

Nami grabbed him by his other shoulder and turned him completely around so he was facing her. "Sakura can come because she didn't reopen her wounds with a sword because she thought it would be cool." She then pointed at the sleeping Santoryu master. "Unlike that idiot."

Naruto then pointed at his ear. "And my ear is better now. Thank you all for asking." He finished sarcastically.

No one seemed to hear him. Luffy simply nodded and declared, "Good thinking!" He started walking to the forest. "Okay! Let's go!"

The five began walking to the forest. Luffy pointed into the forest. "Maybe there are people living deep in the forest!"

"Unlikely." Shino said simply.

"Why?" Naruto asked innocently. Sakura hit him. "Ouch! Sakura-chan, why did you hit me?"

Nami answered for her. "Very simple: you're an idiot." She then sighed. "I tried to tell you all earlier that this island is uninhabited. You won't find any people on this island. Monsters maybe, but not people."

"Kluck. Kluck. Kluck." All five heads turned to the source of the noise: a fox came walking. At least, part of it looked like a fox. Instead of a busy tail, it had a chicken's tail feathers. In addition, it had a chicken's comb on the top of its head and a wattle on its chin.

"Huh?" Four voices asked.

"Intriguing." Shino muttered as the chicken/fox/thing walked off in the distance.

Nami sweatdropped while she looked at the creature. "What is that thing?" she asked.

Before anyone one could answer, Luffy said. "Hey look!" He picked up a snake with rabbit ears and declared. "It's some kind of weird rabbit."

Nami put her hands on her head in disbelief. "Weird is right! But that's more of a snake than a rabbit."

"Yeah idiot!" Naruto agreed. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a weird pig with a lion's mane. "Hey! Some kind of lion!"

Sakura's shoes, which she had been holding in her hand, suddenly went flying on hit Naruto on the back of his head. "Ouch!"

Sakura walked over to him. "You don't have any room to talk! You're not any better!" She then pointed at the creature Naruto had seen. "And that thing is obviously some kind of pig! Not a lion!"

Naruto rubbed his head. "Ok, Sakura-chan." He then bent down and gave Sakura her shoes back, to which she muttered a quick thanks.

She looked around and said. "There's something odd about this forest." Before anyone could comment further…

"Do not come any further!" a voice said.

Naruto screamed. "This place is haunted!"

Luffy looked at him. "It is? Cool."

"I…am the Guardian of the Forest!" The voice continue as they group continued to look around. Naruto, who was still scared stiff, asked. "So…you're a ghost?"

"Um…sure…uh…I mean…YES! Tremble before my awesome power!"

Naruto screamed again and then fell on his knees and clasped his hands in prayer. He started ranting relentlessly about how awesome the 'ghost' was, how humble Naruto felt to be in his presence, etc. Sakura considered throwing her shoes at him again, Nami wanted to punch him, and Luffy was simply looking around in wonder. Finally, Naruto reached into his back pouch and withdraw a small frog sized wallet and held it up. "Please awesome ghost! Take this as an offering! I'll even offer up Zoro-bastard's swords as a bonus!"

"Naruto…" Sakura muttered. She then watched as Nami quickly speed to Naruto and looked at him. Sakura took a closer look and saw that Nami was actually looking at his wallet that he was holding up.

"My Naruto," Nami said sweetly, berry signs in her eyes. "That's quite a bit of money you have there."

"Huh?" Naruto replied, completely clueless to her sudden change in personality. "Yeah… I made some money on the side doing odd chores and stuff. I had to survive somehow when I was traveling."

"Really?" Nami asked slowly as her grin grew. "So…just how much do you have…"

"SILENCE!" The voice said again, being a little upset that they weren't focusing on him anymore. "If you value your lives, you'll leave this place at once!"

Naruto start groveling again, while the voice asked a question. "Now answer me truthfully or face my wrath! Are you pirates?"

"That's right." Luffy answered.

Naruto was still groveling and Nami was still focused on his wallet, waiting for the right opportunity to…borrow it. Sakura merely said. "Why is it asking us that?"

"So you are pirates!" The voice cried out. "Don't you dare take another step into this forest! If you do, you must face: the Trial of the Forest! Will you risk having your bodies dismembered!"

"Who cares?" Luffy asked absentmindedly. "Why you asking me all this stuff?"

Naruto grabbed Luffy by his shirt and began shaking him. "Don't offend the ghost! You want to die?!"

Luffy was unable to respond due to Naruto shaking him madly.

Sakura asked. "What's he talking about?" She then noticed that Naruto was still shaking Luffy. She sighed, set down her shoes this time, walked over and hit him on the head, sending him crashing to the ground. "Chill!" She ordered.

"Yes Sakura-chan," Naruto replied with his face still in the dirt.

Luffy reposition his straw hat and looked for the source of the voice. "I think there's something wrong with him."

"Naruto? I agree." Nami said, laughing.

"Nah." Luffy said as he waved his hand dismissively. "The dim voice guy. He's an idiot!"

"What did you say!?" The voice shouted in fury. "I dare you to say that again!"

"Ok: the dim guy. He's an idiot!"

"How dare you call me that again!" The voice shouted louder, completely ignoring the fact that it dared Luffy to. "You Straw Hat bastard! You will be the first to die at my Trial of the…HEY!!! PUT ME DOWN!!! LET ME GO!!! YOU COAT WEARING FREAK!!!"

"Huh?" All four voices asked. Luffy pointed in the direction of the voice. From the bushes, Shino emerged. He was carrying what appeared to be a treasure chest with a little man in it. The man's dirty, barefeet were at the bottom of the chest and moving furiously, as if trying to escape. His hands barely stuck out over the chest's top while his head had massive amounts of hair, including a gigantic unibrow, huge mustache, and a large afro which was green for some reason. "Here's your ghost, Naruto." Shino said. There even seemed to be a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Put me down!" The little man cried again.

Shino simply released him and the man fell and landed on his back. "Damn you! Help me up!" He yelled at Shino as he simply brushed his hands off.

Naruto looked down at the man. "This is the ghost?!" He asked in disbelief.

Sakura looked at Shino. "Shino-san, when did you run off and find…um…that man?" She asked as she pointed at the side person. She then unconscious slipped her shoes back on at the sight of him.

"You should be more observant." Was Shino's only reply

"HELP ME UP!!!" the man cried again.

XXXXXXX – Gold Island, about twenty minutes later

"So…you're actually a Devil Fruit user?" Gaimon asked after all the standard introductions (which included Naruto's question and picture, to which he got a no to) were done and he was upright again. "First time I've seen one."

Luffy grinned. "And this is the first time I've seen someone stuck in a treasure box. Did your parents feed you in the box?"

"When I was young, my parents were…HEY! I wasn't born like this!" Gaimon yelled at Luffy. "Don't make fun of me!"

"Are you a boxer?" Naruto asked, grinning.

"Well yes when I was young…HEY! That's a stupid joke!" Gaimon roared again. "I'm stuck and I can't get out! I've been alone here for twenty years! Do any of you have any idea of miserable I've been?!"

"Twenty years?" Sakura and Nami asked together. Nami added. "You've been all alone?"

Luffy laughed. "You must be stupid!"

"I'LL MURDER YA!!!" Gaimon cried, reaching for his pistols again. Naruto laughed and stopped him. "Don't bothered, he'll just bounce the bullets right back at you." He then looked around. Shino was nowhere in sight.

Nami sighed. "Where did he disappear to now?"

XXXXXXX – Another part of Gold Island

Shino walked through the forest, both looking at the many unique creatures and doing some serious thinking.

When he interrogated Zaku, he learned only a little about what he wished to learn. Either Zaku was well trained, or he really didn't know anything else as he proclaimed.

The first fact was that the Sound Village was created by a former Jonin, though Zaku admitted they he didn't know which village the man had come from. The only thing that Zaku described about his village leader was that he called him master. Nothing else. That was slightly disturbing to Shino. He wanted to know if the Sound Village should be considered a threat or not, and information on the leader would be critical to answer that question.

The second thing he learned was slightly obvious: the Sound Village was actively forging alliances with numerous pirate groups. Zaku admitted that Buggy was their first assignment, and that many other Sound genin teams were sent to other groups. As to the purpose of the alliance, all Shino learned was that Sound wished to destroy its enemies and was willing to give riches to the pirates for helping that goal.

The question was: who were the enemies? The Navy and World Government seemed to be a logical answer. Both ninja and pirates hated them, for various reasons. Another possibility was that Sound wanted to destroy the scattered shinobi. Such a motive wasn't unheard of, seeing how the Shinobi themselves had been involved in three great wars amongst themselves. Though, if that was the case, Shino was unable to determine if Sound would focus on the Shinobi in general or just specific groups. At least, not without more information.

The third thing he had asked for was the location of the Sound Village, which he hadn't gotten any answer to. It was the one subject he couldn't break Zaku on, though Shino knew he hadn't been particularly interested in using more…forceful…methods. He sighed outloud and wondered if he should had used more brutal tactics and made Zaku tell him what he wanted to know.

All in all, he hadn't learned much. Just confirmed facts that he either knew, or could had guessed. His report to his clan included all of this and he wondered if they knew anything about a Sound Village. He had never been provided full access to the Navy's reports, but he wondered if the Aburame did know something.

He also wondered if he should mention any of this to the others. On the one hand, it would put them on guard and perhaps one of them could offer their own theories on the potential problem. On the other hand, telling them could cause needless panic, such as Naruto's reaction to the 'ghost' earlier.

Shino shook his head at the small dilemma. He was so focused on it that he nearly missed it. He backtracked and reexamined the ground

It was a foot print.

But it wasn't one that matched Gaimon's. No, this one was made by a shoe. Shino was no expert in this type of tracking, but he guessed that this shoe was similar to his own sandals…and it hadn't been made by himself, or any of the other Straw Hats.

"It would seem…that Gaimon is not alone on this island." Shino muttered to himself and sent out many insects.

XXXXXXX – Gold Island, back with Luffy and the others.

"You guys can't read maps either?" Gaimon asked as he, Naruto and Luffy all threw their heads back and laughed.

Nami sighed and snatched the map back from them. "Where's Shino when you need him? At least he makes sense."

She then opened the map. "Ok, listen closely you idiots. I'm only going to explain this once." She pointed at the Red Line on the map. "You know where the Red Line is, right?"

Gaimon nodded. "Yes. It's the strip of land that divides the oceans."

"That's right. The world has two oceans. And there's a strip of land that circumferences the entire globe and that divides the two seas. That's the Red Line." Nami traced the land mass with her finger and stopped at one point. "Now, there's a town at the center of the Red Line. And there's a sea route that cuts through that town and goes around the whole world, following the equator. That's the Grand Line." Nami's finger then traced the Grand Line. "Gold Roger, the King of the Pirates, was the only one who ever managed to rule it. They say it's the most dangerous sea route."

Luffy rubbed his chin and looked thoughtful (for him). "So…if the One Piece is somewhere along that line…" Luffy began.

"…then all we have to do is search the entire world!" Naruto finished. "I'll find Iruka-sensei for sure!"

"Don't be so dense!" Gaimon protested. "If it was that easy, they wouldn't call the Grand Line a Pirate's Graveyard!"

"P-pirates G-graveyard?" Sakura repeated, stuttering.

"Yes…the Grand Line…I've seen pirates who've managed to make it back from that voyage. They're broken men, almost zombies! ("ZOMBIES?!" Naruto asked terrified) Yes. ZOMBIES! You can tell just by looking at them. Whether pirates or monsters, they've seen terrible things! None will speak of it…but the sight of them is proof enough! The Grand Line is a place of HORROR!"

Gaimon then looked at Luffy specifically. "To find the One Piece and come back alive is almost impossible. It's hard to tell truth from rumor. But it's been twenty odd years since the Great Age of Piracy started, and no one's got that legendary treasure yet. Understand? The search for One Piece is a fool's dream!"

Naruto and Sakura gave a very loud gulp at that. Luffy simply said. "Maybe so, but I think we'll find it."

Of course, this set off a series of protests, denials and alternate plans. All of which Luffy smiled and replied with a simple: "We'll find it! I'm very lucky!"

This simple statement changed Naruto's opinion instantly. "Hell yeah! Grand Line, here we come!"

Nami shook her head. "You simpleminded fools, I don't know where you guys get your confidence from."

"I'll tell you why I haven't left this island!" Gaimon suddenly declared.

"Because you're stranded here?" Naruto guessed which only got him hit by Sakura again.

And so Gaimon told the four his story: how he and his fellow pirates found this island, looking for treasure. How after three weeks, they had given up and Gaimon stumbled on to them by accident, on top of a small cliff. He climbed it, found the treasure and in the excitement, slipped and landed in the empty treasure chest at the bottom. He had then discovered that his ship had left him behind.

Gaimon lead them to the cliff and Luffy eagerly got on top. He found the chests but refused to bring them down. After some arguing, which included many colorful swear words from Naruto, Gaimon started crying and thanked Luffy. This statement shocked the other three people until the realized the truth: there was no treasure. Gaimon had spent twenty years guarding empty chests.

Luffy jumped down and was laughing. "Don't feel so bad Mr. Shrub Head! You're lucky we showed up!" He said between his laughs. "Another thirty years and you're whole life would had passed you by!"

"Luffy!" Sakura protested, as Gaimon continued crying into his hands.

Luffy ignored her. "Well, there's only one thing that will make up for a disappointment like this! You're going after the One Piece with me!"

Gaimon gave Luffy a tearful look. "Y-you want me to join your crew?"

"Yep! We'll have whole lots of fun! What do you say?"

Gaimon thought about it for awhile, finally he said. "Thank you for the offer, but no."

Naruto's jaw dropped. "You want to stay on the island?"

"Yes…" Gaimon said as he wiped his tears away. "Nice of you to ask me to join you, but this is my home. There's no treasure, but I can still be Guardian of the Forest."

"Why?" Luffy asked, completely confused. Who didn't what grand adventures?

"Did you see the unusual animals that live in this forest?" Gaimon asked. Several of the said creatures slowly began appearing. "More people came to this island looking for exotic animals than treasure. I've grown fond of these critters after all these years. I don't want to abandon them."

"You're sort of an exotic animal yourself." Luffy replied.

"Shut your mouth!" Gaimon yelled. Then when he was calmer, he said. "You know, in a way…I'm relieved that there's no treasure. I can finally stop fretting about it and enjoy this island."

"Too bad that you aren't coming with us. I kinda like you." Naruto said.

Gaimon laughed and looked thoughtful. "You know…if you want another crewmember…you could ask him."

"Him?" All four asked.

Gaimon nodded. "I'm not the sole resident here. There's another person. Showed up about four years ago. He's been stuck here all that time, either because the other pirates didn't like him or he scared them off. But you people might be willing to take him along with you."

"Who is it?" Sakura asked.

XXXXXXX – Gold Island, Back to Shino

Shino had been tracking the footprints from the past 15 minutes, trying to find their source. He had sent his bugs scouting in all directions, trying to locate the target. Shino then looked up and saw several of his bugs returning. Apparently, they had found something.

Shino raised an arm and allowed a bug to rest on his finger. The bug's report was very favorable. It had located the target.

Shino nodded and recalled all his insects from the search mission and took off in the direction the bug had relayed. Shino was no stealth expert, despite what his comrades might think, but they did not mean he was unskilled in the area. He took to the top branches and swiftly and quietly ran across the branches.

Approximately five minutes later, Shino came to a stop. He looked down and saw a boy, approximately his age, throwing kunai and shuriken at a tree with a target board scratched into it. From his angle, Shino could barely make out the figure. He had a blue shirt on, along with white shorts and jet black hair; that much he could tell. He couldn't get any more specifics from his position.

He studied the boy for several more minutes. He was skilled with the ninja weapons, if nothing else. Shino made a choice and decided to deliberately find a new position. This would make him slightly more exposed to see if the boy would detect him. So he began to move, the boy suddenly turned around and threw a shuriken strait at him.

It embedded itself in a tree about three centimeters from Shino's head. From the skill the boy had shown earlier, Shino guessed it was a warning shot.

"Come out." The boy said loudly. "I hate it when people spy on me. Show your face."

Shino obliged by jumping down into the clearing. "My apologies," He said. "It would seem that your powers of observation are greater than I anticipated."

"Shut the hell up. Why are you spying on me?" The boy looked directing at Shino, allowing him to get a clear and accurate view of the other boy. His shorts and shirt were small for him, as where his sandals. His feet were about five centimeters too big for them. His hair actually reached past his shoulder blades and looked like they had been cut with a kunai. Unskillfully at that.

But it was his eyes that caused him worry. All he saw was a fierce anger in them. This puzzled Shino. Surely it could not be just at him; this angry was too deep and brutal for something like this. No…this anger was something from his past. Something that caused him great rage. And it looked like this boy was going to let it loose on the first opportunity he had. Namely Shino.

"I found evidence that another inhabitant existed on this island, aside from Gaimon-san, and investigated. I met no harm." Shino tried diplomatically, trying to keep the peace and keeping things from getting out of hand.

"So you found me and decided to spy on me?" The boy accused. Strike one.

"I prefer the term observe." Shino replied. "You show advanced skill with at least one aspect of the shinobi arts and I was curious to learn what else you were proficient in."

"You have an annoying way of saying things." The boy said, getting into an attack stance. "I'm not amused." Strike two.

Shino looked at him. "It would seem that your rage and impatience is quite limited. Like a certain other person I know."

"Ok. I'm going to beat the crap out of you for sure!" Strike three.

"Do you intend to attack me? I will not hesitant to defend myself." Shino asked, moving to an on guard position himself.

"That's the point buddy."

"At least give me your name."

"It's rude to ask for a name without giving your own first."

"Very well. My name is Shino. Aburame Shino."

"Sasuke. Uchiha Sasuke."

End of Chapter 9

A/N: This chapter was one I was looking forward to doing: visiting Gaimon's Island with the introduction of Sasuke. I wonder how many people were expecting something like that. I hope this meets everyone one's approval, such as Emma Iveli, who once told me that introducing Sakura at the same time as Nami was cliché.

Anyway, after Shino, I had always planned on Sakura and Sasuke being the next ones introduced. Shino just came first because I thought it would be cool to have him first and I needed someone who could keep Naruto in line and keep him out of trouble, not to mention explaining everything about the shinobi to him.

Then came the question of when Sakura and Sasuke showed up. I wanted it to be early and fairly close together. Buggy's arc was an obvious choice, but I wasn't sure when to introduce the second one. When I finally choose Gaimon's Island…I had to choose who would show up at each place…and Sakura appearing at Gaimon's Island just didn't fit nearly as well as Sasuke. So, Sakura ended up in the Buggy arc and Sasuke ended up with Gaimon.

Translations on the Japanese (a.k.a. Shinobi language in this story) words:

Hikyarku – express messenger; postman; mailman; courier

Ekickuu – useful insect

Ichimokusan – at full speed; as fast as you can go

Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece or Naruto. They belong to their respective owners: Eiichiro Oda and Masashi Kishimoto.