Chapter 31: Farewell to Baratie
Arc – Captured Rain Genin Part 11
Inside the Nara restaurant, Oboro, Kagiri, Baiu, Mubi and Midari are sitting around a table eating a full meal with satisfied looks on their faces. Yoshino is looming over them, arms crossed, but a slight smile on her face.
Subtext: All in all, not a bad day's work.
XXXXXXX – East Blue, Baratie, Port Fin, Zeff
Zeff allowed himself to smirk at the sight of the pirate youths that had managed to pull a victory. If he were to be honest, there were times he thought they wouldn't make it out of this. Outnumbered nearly four to one, along with ruthless ninja including the Demon of the Mist himself. His cooks' fighting skills, normally enough for any daring pirate group, weren't for Krieg's band. Their secret weapon also fell.
And even so, they all continued to fight on. Even while the Fighting Cooks were beaten, even while Choji was poisoned by the two brothers, even while Sanji was beaten and battered over and over, not one of them had given up. Even their little allies of these Straw Hats had given their all, prevailing against that ice boy and the Pirate Admiral.
Zeff's eyes glanced at all of them in turn. Sanji. Choji. Luffy. Naruto. Sasuke. Patty. Carne. The pride he felt from all of their efforts made him want to start cheering out loud to honor their efforts. In fact, many were already congratulating them, slapping the young warriors on the back in appreciation. This once, he was tempted to throw away the 'hardcore boss' image and join in.
However, his eyes turned and began glancing at the rest of his surroundings. They may have been victorious, but Baratie had been trashed. Zoro and Zabuza's little duel wrecked a good portion of the inside and both of the fins were demolished.
It would be tight for awhile, but they'd pull through. He had a more pressing concern at the moment. His gaze shifted to the two Mist brothers. Both were standing off to the side, clearly uncertain of what to do, whether they should be running or joining in. They were lingering over Zabuza's fallen form where Patty and Carne had been tending to him before celebrating with the others.
Zeff stared at the unconscious man for a while, his suspicions growing. Even when he had told those two to help Zabuza on Naruto's behalf, he had suspected it. He had hoped he had been wrong. But now that the dust had cleared and the fight was over, he was positive.
Choza had gone to fight Zabuza… and only Zabuza had returned.
Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw the two Mist Ninja walk over and pick up Haku's body. That action seemed to jerk everyone else back to reality. They all looked on at the Mist Ninja, while the two Mist Ninja glared back.
Before anyone else could move, a small group of orange-clad blonds walked over to the fallen Mist Swordsman. As one they all bent down and picked the man up, heading into Baratie with him.
At the sight, they two sides looked at each other and a silent agreement to a truce passed between them all. Zeff couldn't help but smirk to himself. Intentionally or not, that kid just diffused the tension.
Of course, that was always the easy part… the real trick would be when the truth was brought to light and keep it diffused.
"Sanji," Zeff called out as he looked behind him.
The young man had been in the middle of pulling out another cigarette before putting on his annoyed face and walking over to him. "What is it, Crap-Geezer?"
"I need you to do an errand," Zeff told him. Sanji caught the tone of the older man's voice and listened up, tossing his smoke away.
"I need you to go swimming and confirm something."
Sanji's visible eyebrow rose at the words. Once Zeff confided in him, that gaze softened as the young man nodded, kicking off his shoes and tossed his jacket down before diving into the sea.
Zeff looked at the water silently for several moments before making his own way back to his restaurant, when he caught a glimmer out of the corner of his right eye.
A small pile of jewels.
He examined them, wondering if these were the same ones Sanji had collected from Gin when he first brought Krieg… or if perhaps Gin had "accidently" dropped them during the fight.
Recovery was never an easy road – and for Choji that would be especially true – but it'd be a little easier now.
XXXXXXX – Baratie Interior, Choji, thirty minutes later
"GET BACK HERE, KID!"
Choji ducked around a corner as Patty came running by with his angry face as he darted back and forth. "COME OUT, YOU LITTLE FAT WARTHOG! YOU STILL AREN'T HEALED, SO GET BACK IN BED!"
As per his mannerisms, Choji would have let his mouth loose on the man, but he clasped his hands over his mouth to prevent his outburst. Though his face still went red with rage.
"Huh… that always gets him…" Patty said to himself, rubbing the back of his head in confusion. "I guess he's somewhere else…"
With that, Patty turned around and walked back the way he came.
Choji snickered to himself as he made his way out. He didn't want to be cooped up in bed; he'd heal later. Right now, he wanted to get out and find out what happened with these Straw Hats. With the fight over, the Captain was now free of his obligations and Choji didn't want them to leave just yet. His curiosity demanded he learn more about these strange pirates… ninja? He didn't know what to call them. The images of the fight with Haku were still fresh in his mind and he wanted to meet these two boys firsthand before they left.
That… and the fact he couldn't stand being cooped up in a bed while everyone else ate! He was going to get a part of that victory feast, just you watch!
He continued to sneak on by when he heard voices coming from the room ahead. Tiptoeing as quietly as he could, he made his way past it.
"What you suspected about Choza is true, Zeff. Should we tell Choji?"
Choji abruptly backtracked.
"… he'll find out sooner or later. Better sooner if you ask me. You're absolutely sure?"
"I found this."
The Akimichi waited, but Sanji didn't say anything more. He pressed his ear against the door, hoping to hear more…
… and that's when he realized the door wasn't closed.
The door flew open and Choji fell down face first, rolling along the floor as if he was doing his Meat Tank. He crashed into Sanji, throwing him up into the air while Zeff casually stepped backwards. Choji crashed into the wall right as Sanji hit the floor.
"… hey there…" Choji said, trying to count the pretty stars swirling around his head. Maybe Patty had been right after all…
He expected Sanji to yell and Zeff to give him a lecture. When neither came, he picked himself up and looked at them. Zeff was sitting in a chair, a new peg leg over his opposite knee with Sanji standing next to him, hands behind his back. Both of them had a somber look on their faces.
"… something the matter?" Choji asked, finally getting to his feet. Remembering what he had overheard, he continued. "It's the damages to Baratie, isn't it? You have to make cuts and Dad and I…"
"That's not it," Zeff interrupted. He shook his head, then shot a look at the Assistant Chef. "Show him."
Sighing, Sanji brought his hands out in front of him. Choji recognized it almost immediately as the cloth piece that his father always wore.
As well as the blood on it.
"But… that's…" Choji found himself having a hard time forming any words. "Why… do you have that… why's there blood…?"
Zeff gave a resigned sigh. "There's no easy way to say this, Choji… but your father isn't coming back. He was killed in the fighting."
Choji felt as if Don Krieg had shoved the Battle Spear through his chest and detonated it. His mouth fell open first, then tears started forming. "What?" A mouse squeak would have been louder.
Sanji walked over and put the cloth in the boy's hands. "I'm sorry."
"IT'S NOT TRUE!" Choji shouted, suddenly getting his jumpstart as he grabbed Sanji's collar, bending him down to look him face to tear-stained face. "WHAT KIND OF BULLCRAP IS THIS? DAD WASN'T EVEN HERE! HE WAS OUT GETTING SUPPLIES! AND EVEN IF HE WAS, THERE WAS NO ONE THAT COULD HAVE TAKEN HIM DOWN! EVEN KRIEG'S BOUNTY WAS LOWER - !"
"He came back," the Head of Baratie said calmly. "Just in time to stop one of the enemy from killing you. They both went out onto the ocean and fought… and only one came back. And it wasn't your father."
Choji slid to his knees. His face began loosening up, his eyes watering. His chest began pounding hard, like a hammer was slamming against it repeatedly. His breath was quick and erratic as every body gesture pleaded for either Zeff or Sanji to deny it… to say his father was alive.
One more futile glance at both men was all it took. Choji's resolve shattered completely as he clutched the cloth and wailed, tears falling both as gracefully and terribly like waterfalls.
"HOW DID IT HAPPEN?" Choji spat out between his shrieks. "TELL ME, PLEASE!"
Zeff found he could not refuse.
XXXXXXX – Baratie, First Level
In one of Baratie's lower rooms were two beds, one of which Momochi Zabuza was currently sitting in and the other covering Haku's body. In one corner were Zabuza's sword fragments. The man himself just stared off towards the wall grumbling under his breath, wishing this annoying fly would just disappear.
"Come on, stop moping already and eat something." A plate of fish was shoved in front of his face by one Uzumaki Naruto. "You have to eat sooner or later."
In response Zabuza took a fish off the plate and shoved it in Naruto's mouth to shut him up.
Naruto's eyebrow twitched. He took a bite of the fish before taking it out. 'Tasty.' "You know, you could act more mature about this. Fight's over."
"I have been defeated, my subordinates as well, taken pity on by my enemy, that bastard Zoro has left chasing after your would be crewmates, been rescued by said enemy, the bastard Krieg still lives, have to eat sea food, lost my sword, with a whelp acting like a nanny. I'm understandably at a low point right now," Zabuza countered.
Naruto sighed at that as he rubbed the back of his head, not sure how to respond to that. Maybe telling the man that Zoro had been cut down by Mihawk then left with the others to go after Nami wasn't the best move. "Well, yeah… but just the same, sitting there whining how much your life sucks isn't going to help. Haku wouldn't want you to do that, so you need to recover so you can move on with what you want to do next."
Zabuza shot a look at the boy, then unceremoniously picked up one of the fish. "Little punk," he uttered as he lowered his bandages around his mouth and ate. "Happy now?"
"Happier," the blond replied with a small smirk. He then reached into his pocket. "Just one more thing…"
"Wonderful…"
Taking out Iruka's picture, he showed it to him. "Have you seen this man?"
Turning his head to get a look at it, the man narrowed his eyes. After a moment of studying the photograph, he asked, "Why?"
Putting his picture back in his pocket, he told the Mist Jonin about Iruka and his dream of uniting the shinobi. Zabuza just looked at him like Naruto admitted to wanting to marry a frog.
Before either of them could speak further, the door flung open violently. There stood one Akimichi Choji fuming like a bull, his eyes bloodshot, and Naruto swore the plump boy was bearing actual fangs. "ZABUZA!"
Naruto's eyes shot open in confusion as Choji took off running like some wild animal. The Uzumaki froze in his tracks when he realized the fat kid was suddenly becoming leaner, with tan fur appearing, his hands becoming claws and his face shifting to resemble that of a cat. Before Naruto could even think about reacting, Choji was already across the room, one of his clawed hands going towards Zabuza's throat.
Lazily, the Mist Ninja slapped the hand away then proceed to shove two fingers into the boy's throat. Choji coughed out blood as he fell on his butt. He gave a primal roar before being tackled by five Narutos and being pinned to the floor. "What's your deal? Fight's over – "
"HE KILLED MY FATHER!" Choji roared.
Naruto felt like his heart had been grabbed and crushed, all his breath leaving him in an instant. Acting on that, Choji threw off the Naruto clone dogpile and charged once again. This time, Zabuza merely leaned back and delivered a solid uppercut to the boy's stomach.
Choji gasped as the wind was knocked out of him, his feline features receding as he fell right on Zabuza's lap. "I don't have the patience to babysit both of you," the man said, grabbing Choji by the collar and hurling him back to the ground. "Beat it already."
"You… dare… say… that…" Choji choked out with one hand rubbing his stomach. "… and… then… recover… in… our place… eat our food… and act… like it's… NOTHING?"
Zabuza just shook his head, before settling his eyes on Naruto. "And you want to unite the shinobi?"
At those words, the plump boy's head zipped around to Naruto. "Unite the shinobi? I'll never work with that scum!"
"I… just… well…" Naruto honestly did not know what to say. What could he say?
"You hopeless fools…" Zabuza cursed silently under his breath. He reached up and took off his headband holding it out for both boys to see. "Do either of you even have the slightest idea of what this means?"
"That you're from Mist…" Naruto started to say.
"No, you moron! Not the symbol! The headband itself!"
Even Choji seemed confused at this statement as he calmed down a bit. Both of them looked at the Mist Headband, trying to think what else it could mean. It was nearly identical to their own, the only difference is that it bore the four slanted lines for Mist as opposed to the round leaf.
"It's an acknowledgement that you are a shinobi," Zabuza said at last.
"That's the same thing…" Naruto started, only to be cut off again.
"NO IT'S NOT!" Zabuza actually shouted this time, looking incredibly ticked off. "YOU TWO DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A SHINOBI! HAVE EITHER OF YOU EVER GIVEN THOUGHT TO WHAT A SHINOBI DOES OR WHY WE WOULD NEED UNITING IN THE FIRST PLACE?"
Zabuza shook his head again as he tied his headband back on. "The headband, or hitai-ite, is a symbol that you are a shinobi. The insignia merely says where you originate from. There are over twenty hidden villages. Each village has their own customs and ideas, but they all come down to the same purpose: We are mercenaries. We accept missions from whoever pays us, from guard duty, to pulling crops, to assassination."He paused for a bit before continuing on. "So what do you think happens if a client hires someone to assassinate an official and that official hires a shinobi from another village as a bodyguard? Talk about it over tea?"
Zabuza slammed a fist against a wall. "They fight each other. To the death. And that's not an opinion, that's a fact. Because the first shinobi is obligated to kill the target and the second is obligated to protect the target. There's no halfway point for that and the ninja will give their all to fulfill their duty!"Those eyes of his narrowed as he continued. "And that's just one type of mission between just two villages. There are two dozen of them out there and more than just assassination missions where ninja will come into conflict! That is what our society was based around: CONFLICT!"
"But doesn't that warrant change because there are better ways than just fighting all the time?" Naruto asked, actually managing to finish a question this time.
"Why?" Zabuza retorted. "Because it'll be kinder? You tell me which helps you increase your skills more: through personal training or when you are pitted against an opponent? Conflict is what strengths us! Not just physical conflict, but anything that forces you to compete against someone else! It drives you to improve, in mind, body and spirit because you are constantly challenged and grow stronger for it!"
The man sat up straighter, like his own arguments were giving him strength. "What would uniting the shinobi accomplish anyway? That we all work under one banner? Following one ideal and lifestyle? Then what! We go and sell our services to clients just like before, only this time you'll have ninja from the same organization killing each other!" He pointed at the two boys. "You'd have to fight against your own comrades as opposed to strangers! Try incorporating that with your Will of Fire…"
"The what?" Choji asked, mirroring Naruto's own thoughts.
Neither boy thought it was possible for Zabuza to gape in complete bewilderment, but both could have sworn he just did. His eyes widen, his mouth hung open and he seemed to stop breathing. "Oh… you have got to… for the love of…"
He quickly recomposed himself, grumbling under his breath. He uttered some phrase in the shinobi language that neither of them got. Naruto looked at Choji. "You catch that? All I got was something about 'Shark guts dipped in prime ribs over a tea kettle.'"
"Something about killing and living… and I think a tomato," the Akimichi replied.
"The Gods must hate me for having to explain to Leaf ninja that Will of Fire stuff…" Zabuza muttered, looking ready to wash his mouth out.
"Alright, listen up, because I'm only going to say this once. The Will of Fire is the belief system of the village you claim you're from. It's the idea that love is the key to your own strength. That through the bonds of your friends, you'll be able to overcome anything, building your willpower and character. Symbolic for your hopes and dreams."
Naruto felt a smile on his face. "That sounds perfect!"
"Really? Care to know what the rest of the Shinobi World thinks of that? Hypocritical wusses."
"Hey!" both boys shouted.
"What, surprised?" Zabuza sneered. "It is hypocritical. You claim to be fighting for love and just reasons, yet you'll go and take on the same assignments that we do. You'll hire yourselves out to whoever pays you. For whatever job. You'll preach your higher moral grounds, then turn around and do the same dirty deeds you condemn the rest of the shinobi world for. At least we don't pretend to be anything more than what we really are."
"What?" Naruto snapped. "What makes you guys so special? You allow kids to kill each other and – "
"See!" Zabuza cried out triumphantly. "Already, we're arguing whose lifestyle is better! And that's just between TWO villages! There are twenty four of them, all with different ideals and beliefs! There's no way in hell they'll all agree to one lifestyle!"
The blond acted like he had been slapped, realizing the trap that Zabuza had laid… and he walked right into it.
Choji recovered first. "So then what's your answer? That we just go and kill each other like you did with my Dad?"
"Oh, grow up. What happened between your father and me would have been no different if we were still in the villages. Each of us fighting for our own benefits," Zabuza said.
"BUT THIS WASN'T SOME JOB! THIS WAS OUR HOME!"
"I know. That makes this all the more annoying. I had even less reason to go and kill him. But if you're expecting me to agonize over what happened, you'll be sorely disappointed. That's the entire problem with you Leaves and your philosophy: You have your heads stuck so far up your butts that you can't accept the way the world is. You want to know the answer, Naruto? The shinobi don't need any big alliance; it's a matter of professionalism. To be man enough to accept things the way they are, not hold grudges, and do your duty."
Choji's earlier anger was rushing back and he looked ready to attack Zabuza again.
"Then I'll find out," Naruto said.
Mist Swordsman and Ninja Devil Fruit User looked at him as one. "What?"
Naruto looked at Zabuza, the iron coming back into his person. "If there really are so many clashing ideals, then I need to find out what they all are. I'll find all the surviving shinobi and villages and see for myself." He gave a trademark grin as he pointed to himself. "And then find the way that best suits all of them!"
Zabuza just looked at him, images of Haku coming to his mind. "… there's no arguing with you." He shook his head and threw off his blanket. "Do what you want… I'm going to go hurl."
He walked towards the door, his back towards them. "Try it and you'll feel pain, kid."
"Huh?" Naruto asked confused. Then he noticed that Choji was looking at Zabuza's back, the plump boy's face feline-like again.
Zabuza glanced over his shoulder. "As I said, professionalism is the key to the Shinobi World. Not wearing your heart on your sleeve. Come after me and I'll cut you down, I don't care who you are."
Choji just looked on, the wheels clearly turning in his head.
The man looked back towards the door. "I'll tell you one thing, boy. Your father's last thought was about you. Even when he was drawing his last breath, all he was concerned about was your safety. So if you want to honor the man, do it the right way. Get stronger, brat. So when you do come, you'll win when you challenge me for your father's honor. Make sure you have strength enough to defeat me; give me one opening and I'll send you to join him."
Both boys looked on in shock from the man's words as he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
XXXXXXX – Baratie, Second Level, Outside the Employee Dining Area
If there was one good thing about the rubber idiot, it was that he was good at distracting you. After having to look for the body of a friend and telling Choji the fate of his father, the blond man was happy to take any kind of conversation to distract him, even with his recruiting efforts. Though this time, the guy finally seemed to give up on it.
In a reasonably good mood now, he told the kid about the All Blue. He was pleased to see that the guy was highly interested, unlike the other fools who would just dismiss him like an adolescent child. He found it was highly refreshing to talk with someone not only interested in the All Blue, but equally as excited to find such a place.
After some talking, Zeff had called them saying it was time for a meal. Sanji saw the look on Luffy's proud face as he was clearly expecting a big victory feast for beating back Krieg's men.
Well, it couldn't hurt to indulge him. Since he did defeat Krieg, he was relieved of his Chore Boy status, so they would only have to put up with his appetite one more time.
Sanji and Luffy arrived at Employee Dining area to see several table cloths spread on the ground since the area had been wrecked when Zabuza and Zoro had their fight. Most of the cooks were sitting around the center of the room and in one corner, Zabuza's two henchmen sat looking mighty uncomfortable. Naruto was sitting at a third spot away from the main group. Sanji thought that was odd… especially when they were told that was their spot too.
Only three people were missing. Zabuza was expected as Sanji was sure everyone had figured out or suspected what had happened and why Choza was still absent. Choji was also expected. Why Sasuke was missing was a good question.
Zeff had pulled out all the stops, going into the entire stores and pulling everything out, including special food and drink that he had reserved for special occasions. He also managed to make this 'ramen' stuff the orange pipsqueak wanted so much, judging from the happy face the kid made. What brought a grin to Sanji's face was that Zeff also made the new soup Sanji had created.
Old coot did manage to do things right!
"These guys are acting strange," Luffy said, stuffing a loaf of bread and a drumstick into his mouth at once.
"You think so?" Naruto asked, gorging his third bowl.
"Strange is normal for these guys," Sanji said.
Still, the Rubber Captain was right. Something was off about them. He first thought it was because of the two Mist Ninja and they were still on guard, but quickly dismissed that. Normally they'd be bantering and throwing jabs at each other (at Sanji most of all!), yet they were talking quietly and civilly.
"Hey! Who made this soup?" Patty demanded as he got to his feet holding the bowl in his hand.
"It's my recipe!" Sanji announced proudly. "Easily one of my best!"
"This tastes like dog puke! I won't eat this!" Patty roared, throwing the bowl down on the ground, the soup spilling all over.
The Assistant Chef was on his feet in a flash. "Human food not good enough for you? I think we have some leftover pig slop for you!"
"Sure, that would an improvement!" Patty countered, stomping on the soup and rubbing his foot against it.
"Those pirates must have ripped your tongue out!" Sanji said, his face darkening. "I'd stick my REPUTATION on that soup!"
"Great, so pack your bags!" Carne spoke this time. He turned his bowl over and spilled the soup on the floor. "Because we don't want someone like you here who can't even make decent soup!"
Sanji shot off another cutting remark, but it was quickly drowned out by the sound of every one of the Fighting Cooks tossing their soup out. There must have been something wrong with their brains, so on impulse, he asked to the two Demon Brothers what they thought.
"Hey, it's free food," Gouzu said cautiously. "Could be fit for a king or a rat and I wouldn't complain."
"Whatever! You agree it's EXCELLENT, DON'T YOU?"
Gouzu and Meizu looked at each other. "To be perfectly honest…" Meizu said after a moment. "Our mother's was far better. This tastes like raw cabbage."
Sanji nearly blew a gasket right there. The only thing that stopped him was the sight of Zeff calmly eating the soup. "Shut up, all of you! We are Sea Cooks and we NEVER waste food. DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?"
No one answered as Zeff finished his own bowl… then promptly threw the bowl out the window. "What the HELL?" Sanji demanded.
"Food is one thing… dishes are another matter entirely," the Head Chef said as he stood up. "The crap that you call 'soup' was so bad we can't afford to keep the dishes it was held in! We can't give this to customers!"
That did it! In one move, Sanji closed the distance between him and the man and grabbed him by the collar. "That's enough, you old fool! How is your soup different from mine?"
Zeff's own face grew angry at the remark and the next thing anyone knew, his fist hit Sanji right on the face, making the assistant chef fall right on his rear on the ground. He was more shocked by the fact Zeff punched him rather than kicked him, a reaction that was mirrored by the rest of the cooks. Naruto was just looking on, clearly not sure what to do and opting to just keep his mouth shut, while Luffy just continued munching on a steak that was previously on Sanji's plate.
But it was that action that really hit Sanji on what was going on and he mentally kicked himself for not having seen it for what it was. Quickly uttering a curse to cover his retreat, he left the room slamming the door behind him.
Sanji immediately leaned against the wall and counted silently to himself. Sure enough, he heard the soft chatter of relief from the cooks, uttering things from 'Damn, he was scary,' to 'We know Sanji's a great chef' to 'Give me more of that soup!'
"If we don't do something like this, he won't listen. Hey kid, will you take him with you? The Grand Line is his dream."
Sanji just leaned back when he heard that line from the old man and quietly slid to the deck. There it was, said plain out. The Cooks wanted him to leave in order to follow his dream. It didn't matter to them if the All Blue was real or not, but they did know it was real to Sanji and he should pursue it. Sanji knew that he wanted to stay here and honor his debt… and then realized that after everything that happened, how hollow those words they seem to sound now. They still carried weight but it was like comparing the weight of a shark to a Sea King: It was still note worthy, but no longer the same as what it once was.
"NO WAY!" came Luffy's voice this around.
He would never admit this to anyone but those two words made his heart stop right then. It started up again when Luffy continued on from what Sanji had said earlier: That Sanji wanted to stay here and if he were to go, it would have to be his own decision to do so.
Once those words ended, Sanji found himself chuckling. He now knew, without a doubt, what his answer would be the next time that question was raised.
"You are a fool!" To everyone's surprise, it was Sanji of all people speaking. "You're just going to get yourself killed for a stupid dream, you three sword idiot!"
Without looking at the one-eyed cook, Zoro spoke. "That may be true, but don't insult me. The day I decided to be the World's Greatest Swordsman is the day I gave myself up for dead. Call me 'fool' or 'idiot' again and I'll beat you down. Call my dream stupid and I'll kill you where you stand."
Sanji laughed. "I guess that means I join the 'Fools' now." With another laugh, he took out another cigarette, enjoying the sounds of the people inside eating his soup with immense enjoyment.
XXXXXXX – Baratie Hallway
Choji was storming through the lower levels trying to vent his anger. So far he had gone to several other rooms with the intend to destroy them, but every time he tried, the conversation he just had popped into his mind and the desire left him.
But the anger didn't.
He growled in his throat. He wanted to strike at something and yet at the same time, he wouldn't do it! He didn't know if it was because of Naruto's plan, Zabuza's lecturing or images of his dad smiling in his mind.
"So this is where you are."
Choji spun around to see Sasuke standing at the other end of the hallway.
"I've heard that you were the one that defeated the Demon Brothers," Sasuke said, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall. "And I also found out about your father."
"… so are you here to pity me too?" Choji demanded. He didn't want that; that's why he wasn't eating with the others even with all that food.
Sasuke shook his head. "No. I could offer my sympathies and make attempts to make you feel better, but the fact is I barely know you and I didn't know your father, so anything I could say would just be hollow and empty."
For some strange reason, that did make Choji feel a bit better. Turning to the other boy with a slight smirk, he asked. "So what did you want?"
Sasuke just walked to his side, his eyes getting the full measure of the boy. "I'd like to test my own power against yours. Whatever it was that enabled you to best the Demon Brothers." A small smirk appeared on his face. "You aren't the only one with a vendetta against someone."
Choji gave a small laugh. "Looking for an easy victory, is that it?" Fur began growing on his face, his teeth sharpen, his eyes turned golden and the muscles expanded. From his throat, he emitted a lower, hungry growl.
In response, the raven-haired boy's eyes turned red, his chakra spiked and his intimidation went up. For several moments, the two just stood their anteing up and weighing each other, like ancient gods of myth ready to collide.
Sasuke backed off first, a smile growing larger on his face, causing Choji to mimic him. Sasuke spoke, "Yes, you would be quite the challenge. Unfortunately, my 'Captain' is getting ready to depart and neither of us are in the best of shape to fight right now."
Before the Akimichi could protest, Sasuke looked down the hallway he came. "You know… as idiotic this crew is… they do seem to have a flair for… attracting trouble. Constantly going to new places, colliding with new opponents, pushing your skills to the max. And that's not even counting the Straw Hats themselves." The boy glanced back at Choji, in whose head wheels were slowly turning. "Not too bad of a chance to get the strength you want for your revenge, is it?"
Before Choji could reply, both of them heard a loud thumping noise. Jerking their heads in that direction, they saw a large bundle wrapped in a brown table cloth, dripping water everywhere. They heard footsteps leaving but by the time they looked, whoever it had been was already gone.
Silently, Sasuke walked over to the bundle and peeked underneath it. He stared for a moment before saying, "It's your father's body."
Choji's heart lumped into the throat. He had thought it had been left in the sea, where any number of creatures could have their fill at it, but someone had gone and reclaimed it. Sporting some lion features again, he took a few deep sniffs.
And his eyes shot wide open at the scent he managed to get, his mind refusing to believe it.
Sasuke noted the plump boy's reaction, interpreting it very differently. He put his hand on the bus boy's shoulder, startling him.
"Let's say a silent prayer for him. Whether I knew him or not, he was still a man and a fighter."
Choji's head looked back once more down the hallway before nodding.
XXXXXXX – Back with Sanji
Blowing out one more puff, he stood up and stretched. Might as well head back in and get… Sanji trailed off as he saw a half man, half fish, half panda (yes, he knew that was too many halves) swimming right in his direction.
"… this must be a sour batch," Sanji muttered to himself, taking out the rest of the pack and tossing them into the ocean. He started to go back inside, when the creature jumped out of the water right at him. It wasn't mirage after all!
"WHAT THE - ?" Sanji shouted, now able to get a clear view of this thing: The first part of it was a human, wearing a red helmet thing and a green trench coat. At the waist portion started a large fish that resembled a panda.
Before his mind could further comprehend what was going on, the creature slammed right into him, launching both of them back into the dining room. They first hit Luffy's group, blowing both boys to opposite sides of the room, then smashed into the main area of the Fighting Cooks, all in the middle of eating Sanji's soup.
Three seconds later, the bowls were all on their heads with soup pouring down on them, as the cooks sprawled around like scattered bowling pins.
"WHAT IS THAT?"
"A MERMAN!"
"NAH, IT'S A FISH-MAN!"
"IT'S A MAN AND A PANDA SHARK, YOU MORONS!"
Luffy got back up and slapped his face. "Yosaku?"
"… hey…" Yosaku uttered weakly, giving a wave. Then he pointed at the panda shark. "… help…"
The Cooks helped the man get out from the shark, put a blanket around him as he told his story. He had been with the others following Nami and, who they presumed, Shino. He continued, saying that they calculated where the girl was going, but couldn't believe it. Hence why Yosaku volunteered to head back and get the others.
Though he evaded the question as to why he thought swimming back was a good idea.
"Alright, load it up!" Luffy said, pointing at the panda shark, which seemed to jerk at the order. "We're heading out! Naruto, go find Sasuke!"
"You got it, Rubber Man!" the boy replied as he started to run out.
"Wait."
All eyes looked to see Sanji leaning against a wall. "I'll go. Take me with you."
The room stopped breathing in shock.
"I might as well sail with you on your quest to become King of the Pirates. We both have foolish dreams, so I'll chase mine too! You've got yourself a cook!"
Everyone began breathing again, smiles on their faces while Naruto threw a fist in the air. He stopped in mid-action when he realized Luffy hadn't said anything.
"Yes or no?" Sanji pressed.
"YES!" Luffy cried, throwing his arms in the air.
"This is great, Brother Luffy!" Yosaku shouted, throwing his arm around Luffy.
"GOT ANOTHER ONE!" Naruto added, laughing out loud as he jumped on Luffy's back playfully, making them all fall down. They all gave a hearty laugh as they picked themselves up, dancing out the door in glee.
Sanji watched them go then looked back at the others. "Sorry for all the trouble."
Patty crossed his arms and snorted. "I was just about to throw you out and you decide to jump ship on your own? Good riddance!"
"Stop pretending already, your acting sucks."
"You KNEW?" half of them shouted.
"You idiots weren't exactly whispering."
"Well there goes Plan B of burning all your stuff," Carne said, earning a snicker from his coworkers.
Sanji countered. "Just would have been your own funeral pyre."
"DAMN SMART MOUTH!" Patty shouted, about to strike, but Zeff held him back, looking directly at the young man.
"You know, you damn brat… I never liked kids," Zeff said. "Not a day goes by that I don't regret saving your life."
"Have it your way, you crap-geezer," Sanji shot back. "Enjoy the rest of your life."
XXXXXXX – Baratie, Port Side, remains of the fin.
At his son's request, Choza was given a small service. Nothing elaborate, or lengthy. A table had been set up in the center, with Choza's body laying on it covered by one of the more expense tablecloths the restaurant had (which had been Zeff's own doing). The Fighting Cooks, all composed and calm, lined up neatly in front, with Choji at the front, Zeff to his right holding a torch, and Sanji on the left, a sack at his feet.
To the right side stood the remaining Straw Hats and Yosaku. Luffy looked on with a calm face, Naruto was fighting off the urge to shred a few tears and Sasuke took a series of deep breaths, constantly clutching his fists. Yosaku just bawled like a baby, biting into a handkerchief and pitting it repeatedly.
On the left side stood the three Mist Ninja. Laid at their feet was Haku's own body, wrapped like a mummy in another table cloth and the two pieces of his sword. Zabuza's expression gave no hint on what he was feeling, whether it was irritation, annoyance, sympathy or even sorrow. The Demon Brothers just looked bored, constantly fidgeting but no one paid them any mind.
After they had all paid their respects, six of the cooks walked over and picked up the table that Choza was laying on. They walked it towards a small rowboat, then lowered it in. They then gave a gentle push, allowing it to float out into sea. Zeff walked over to Choji, holding a torch. Grudgingly, the boy took it, gave a long look, then hurled the torch toward the small boat.
Smoke appeared, then a small fire, then a roaring one as they all watched the flames increase, with everyone watching in silence. The flames danced in Choji's eyes as he resolved himself not to cry and make his father proud.
Once it was over, Choji expectedly ran off. No one stopped him. The Mist Ninja looked at everyone else, and Zabuza just gave a nod. "Take it easy, we're going."
Gouzu and Meizu picked up Haku's body, while Zabuza collected his sword pieces. He walked to the edge of the fin, using one of them to cut his thumb. Running through five signs, he slammed his hand on the water and yelled, "Kuchiyose no Jutsu (Summoning Technique)!"
There was a puff of smoke and when it dispersed, a huge ray-finned Barracuda appeared.
"TASTY!" several cooks cried, drooling at the sight.
"Don't start," Sanji said, rolling his eye.
The fish opened its mouth and Haku was placed inside as the shinobi got on its back. Zabuza gave one more glance back before reaching into his pants pockets and pulling out a scroll, tossing it in Naruto's direction.
"Take it, brat. You want to learn about the other Villages? That has the basics of Mist. Some of our history, renowned figures, culture, and heritage. It also has the means to contact me if you so desire."
Naruto looked at the scroll in his hand, then gave a small salute. "But I thought all that made you want to puke."
"Don't remind me," Zabuza hissed. "Haku acknowledged that you bested him, though how the hell that happened is beyond me." He turned his full body around, giving the boy his full attention. "So you better make a name and status for yourself as a result."
There was a series of chuckles throughout the crowd. Patty stepped forward. "Zabuza… all things considered… you're alright."
Zabuza snorted. Tapping his foot, the barracuda turned east and began swimming away.
Once they were out of sight, Yosaku looked at the others and gestured the boat. "Got our crew, got the supplies and now we need to get going. We all ready?"
"Let's go Captain." The Straw Hats all jerked to see Sasuke had spoken that line, who was currently looking off towards the ocean to avoid their gazes but Luffy smiled anyway.
Everyone looked at Sanji, who merely grabbed his bag and started walking. "Let's do it."
Luffy and Naruto looked at him as he walked to the boat. "Don't you want to say good-bye?" the latter asked.
"No," Sanji said. Just as he was about to step in, there was a loud roar that made everyone jerk. From the second level of Baratie, a lion jumped from the railing, landing right behind the Straw Hats. It was wearing Choji's clothes and a backpack.
"A LION ATE CHOJI!" Luffy and Naruto shouted, holding each other and crying dramatically.
In response, the lion shot upward, its feline features retreating and human ones replacing them. Once Choji was fully human, he looked at them all, then a glance backwards. In a soft voice that was still heard by all, "Hey… Straw Hat… that offer still open?"
Luffy raised an eyebrow, then glanced over the shoulder towards Zeff. Red Leg stepped forward towards the boy. "May I ask why, Choji?"
At first he didn't respond. Then slowly looked back. He looked on the verge of tears himself. "It's… I can't stay here. The bad memory is going to linger… don't get me wrong… for all the chaos and troubles… I liked it here… but…" He slowly turned back. "… I've also lost something… that memory's going to haunt me… and what I need to do to move past it… I can't do it…"
Before he could utter 'here', a strong arm embraced him. Choji's lip quivered, trying to keep himself composed. "Don't say another word, Akimichi Choji," Zeff said in his one-arm hug. "Just know that you can always come back, no matter what you find out there."
That did it. With a shout, he turned around and bawled into Zeff's chest. At the sight, Sanji almost broke down himself. To keep some dignity, he threw himself on the deck, bowing low so no one could see his tears.
"Chef Zeff! All these years I lived under your crap-roof! I owe you my life! I'll never forget you!"
And that was the crack that broke open the flood. As one, the rest of the cooks tossed aside their hard-ass appearances and openly cried. "You Crap-Head!"
"I'm gonna miss you both, damn it all!" Patty yelled, his face waterlogged.
"I'll miss you too!" Carne added, tears falling like waterfalls.
Zeff shook his head, using his free hand to hide his own face. "Sentimental fools… men should take their leave quietly…" Letting go of the boy, he pointed. "Now get out of here, you heartwarming fools!"
Together, both Sanji and Choji bellowed. "Farewell, CHEF ZEFF AND YOU MANGY COOKS!"
Luffy leaned back, his head aiming at the sky. "LET'S SET SAIL!"
Naruto cheered, and Sasuke turned his head to look at the sea so no one would see his face.
XXXXXXX – East Blue, 15 minutes later.
Zabuza stood quietly pondering on top of Hanami, lost in his own world. Haku gone, his pride ruined and his blade broken. He still couldn't believe he had said what he had said, or gotten the boy's father's body.
This wasn't like him. He wasn't sentimental and he didn't dwell on things past. He punched it in the face and moved on. But it was like something had been wrenched out of him when Haku had died. He was feeling… softer. Like someone who had been half asleep and now was fully awake for the first time in a week.
And he didn't like it!
He had always felt fond of the boy. Both as an individual and as a weapon. He had known about the boy's desires and motives, but he never cared because it never interfered. Haku kept that in his personal time and never let it get in the way of orders, and what someone did in their own time was their business.
What was surprising him how much ache Haku's passing was causing him… and if he were to be honest with himself, how much he regretted not letting the boy know how much he meant to hm.
Zabuza growled in his throat, not liking these swelling emotions. And the worst part was that there was nothing he could do about this! Haku was dead, and there was no way to…
He paused in mid-thought, his mind swarming.
There was one thing he could do…
As soon as he thought of it, he immediately discarded it. It would be a waste of time. Haku had looked for eight years and never found a trace. Zabuza would have to start from scratch, finding trails and clues that were long gone by now, and he was no hunter nin. He had no starting place, no idea where to look – hell, he didn't even know what the man looked like! – and then there was that tiny crucial detail.
Someone screaming for blood was not going to be nice about it. The woman was dead, no doubt about it.
So why should he waste his time on a wild goose chase when there was nothing to accomplish?
At that, Zabuza found his mind drifting back to just after the encounter with Mihawk.
In a lower room on the Dreadnaught Sabre, Zabuza was sitting on a bed with Haku tending to his injuries. "Worthless punk… who told you to butt in?"
"You're just mad that I had to save you for real against Mihawk," Haku replied, applying a cream to Zabuza's chest. "We've pulled stunts before where I had to bail you out before we joined with Krieg; this time isn't any different."
"Of course it is," Zabuza snapped back. He had never been so utterly outmatched by an opponent before. Even ones that gave him a hard time, he had managed to hold his own. "I'm a swordsman as well as a shinobi. I'll live or die by the sword."
"Then live today and die tomorrow so you can cut your foe down too," Haku replied, giving a little smile.
"So innocent… so guileless… no doubt that's why I like you," Zabuza said.
"Heh… well, I am only a child," Haku responded.
At the memory, a smile appeared beneath Zabuza's bandages. 'And you always were demanding and selfish, weren't you, Haku?'
"Hanami," Zabuza spoke at loud, making the two brothers jerk in surprise from the sudden outburst. "Change of plans: We'll get Roronoa some other time; we're heading to Crystal Cove Island."
Hanami gave a nod as he turned ninety degrees and started heading a new direction.
"Crystal Cove?" Gouzu asked. "But that's on the other side of the East Blue!"
"That's right."
"Why on earth would we want to go there?" Meizu demanded.
"Because that is the island where I first found Haku," Momochi Zabuza answered, looking at the horizon. "If we're going to go on a wild goose chase, we might as well do it right and start at the beginning."
End of Chapter 31.
Hello once again! Damn, it's been awhile since the last update on this story hasn't it? Between trying to be more proactive in life, the holiday season, my other stories and being involved in one of the local schools, I've been busy. Now that the routine is fairly established, here's hoping I can become more frequent.
So at long last, the Baratie Arc ends, but I hope the ride was enjoyable. Do let me know what you thought as a whole: was it too long, too short, too much focus on the ninja, too much on the pirates, not enough original content, whatever. It'll help me as we go about the Arlong Arc coming next.
And the final verdict is in for Haku and Zabuza: Haku is dead and Zabuza will live. This was my intention from the beginning since most of the time, Haku is kept alive in stories and Zabuza is killed off, or more rarely, both are kept alive but more often than not, Zabuza disappears. This may be a little biased, but I always found Zabuza the more interesting character of the pair.
I also felt that their deaths were a needed impact, so I compromised with Haku getting the axe, as the plan was always to have Zabuza pick up the search. I may cover that in the next Cover Stories, like I'm doing with the Rain Genin, or I may do it through a few chapters. Which would you all prefer?
And before anyone says anything, yes, I have read the latest Naruto chapters and well aware of the Kubikiribōchō's special ability. I have my own ideas regarding the sword's nature and there just comes a time where you have to draw the line between canon and your own intentions. So will Zabuza's sword have an ability in this story? I've toyed with the possibility, so I wouldn't say it's impossible. We'll see.
Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!
Hanami – set of teeth
Kuchiyose no Jutsu (Summoning Technique): allows a ninja to summon animals and objects to fight on their behalf. The ninja normally signs a blood contract with the animal species, which allows them to summon different size and skill levels of creature. C-Ranked Ninjutsu. Canon Technique.
Nami's Ultimate Idiot Competition – Luffy: 49, Naruto: 58. Currently on hold due to Nami's departure.
May the Kage Bunshin and Gomu Gomu no Bazooka be with you!
Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece or Naruto. They belong to their respective owners: Eiichiro Oda and Masashi Kishimoto. Big thanks to Paintball Gamer for beta-reading this!