Disclaimer: I own nothing
Though this section a little bit late, as I was too busy with planning the story that I've forgotten people have reviewed this, whoops.
Anyway here we go,
coduss & The Lazy Wolf - Thanks for the review and the support, really appreciate it n_n.
Alucard - Thanks for the support! Though I'm gonna have to go for a no with your guess about Sasuke (sorry ;P), though it doesn't mean he won't be in this fic sooner or later, probably very late into the story or a possible Omake.
Little puppy - Thanks for the advice, relatively new to this so I've got lots to go before I think I'm decent at this but I'm giving my best! Though the update soon might not be promised fully, due to derping around in 6th form school, but I'll do what I can :)
Oh! And to hint at something, Hokurou was hinted at being previously a prisoner/test subject for Orochimaru, though I won't reveal that what he has gained from the experimentations OR when he was captured and tested upon as that will be revealed later but I'll say that he has no Biologically earned bloodline and is not born into a clan so I'll leave it at that.
And Hokurou's also a high level jonin that has not placed himself in any speciality, though some skills will be weaker than others, so expect more than just a Fire and Earth affinity.
Now that that's outta the way, lets get on with the story!
*Flashback 11 years ago. Location The Red Haired Pirate's ship.
'Its' been a long time yet I never thought I'd grow to become so attached to this Nakama...' I silently thought as I lazily swayed on my Hammock which was dangerously attached to the bottom of the Ship's 'Crow's Nest', watching the antics of the crew below.
It had been a very long year during our adventure of the East Blue and despite not having stayed here the longest, I have already developed an unbreakable camaraderie with the various crew on this ship.
First off to recap all the things that had happened in this year. A month after I joined this crew I had revealed my identity to the rest of the crew as Shanks had already known of my hidden identity. Luckily enough the rest of the crew was perfectly fine with me the newly titled "White Wolf of Death", the man who had turned the Holy City into soot in a minute once they had seen that Shanks was perfectly fine with me being part of the Red Haired Pirates and had begun celebrating my induction here.
Though they kept naming me a "Super-Rookie" the entire time, which was confusing and now I remembered I hadn't asked them what it mean't, but it wasn't a issue...
And then the drinking party started...
Kami help me, their home-brewed alcohol was nearly as strong as the special sake made by Lady Tsunade except without all the staying half-sober in the experience.
Luckily nothing embarrassing happened, there were no missing gaps in my memory, just some singing, dancing and me running around the ceiling.
Though I do remember nearly all of us vomiting at the end, still not a thing I want to relive.
I'd still prefer Sake though.
After that we continued to sail the East Blue on the "Jack of Blades".
At some point in the year, I had asked the ship's blacksmith for a favor, he gets a monthly pay of Belli's and Alcohol from me and he gets me a substantial supply of materials so I could re-create the equipment I used to have before my previous life's death.
Sadly various metals and a forge couldn't help me with creating Chakra scrolls and seals, I'll have to make do with the equipment a shinobi, even a samurai is used to.
I have forged multiple kata's varying from tanto's (daggers) to nodachi's (large/great swords) add to that a steady supply of throwing weapons varrying from Shuriken, Kunai and Senbon but I'll have to ask Yassop for some gunpowder to create some makeshift bombs in place for explosive tags. All of it currently neatly stowed on the Crow's Nest.
I have been refining my Kenjustsu on my free-time, since swordsmanship is the more commonly used style and in this world, I'll have to strengthen mine to expect stronger foes, some of it were spars with the swordsmen of the crew while the rest were practicing my form and balance on the various high points on the ship like the Bow and the Yards. Some of the swordsmen had also given me pointers about the Sword Styles that exist on this world, though I need not worry for the regular infantries that go for the straight sword or curved swords, though I have to watch for the more advanced swordsmen who use more advanced, even unorthodox weapons and styles, those elites who wield rapiers, longswords, even fellow Kata users. They have also taught me further on the Kata, sword styles they have here to add to my potential.
Iaido seems reminiscent of the Sword-Style the Samurai's of the Land of Iron, particularly the Samurai general, Mifune. But this seems to focus on a more meditative art and likely to be used more by nobility.
Though Iaijustsu is it's predecessor, it's more close to the style the Main Army Samurai's of the Land of Iron use, more aggressive, more intent to kill, practices involve the use of a real Kata but this style also focuses on fighting against groups as well as combatting against an individual.
Battojutsu branches so differently from the previous two styles, this one relying of unleashing multiple slashes on an individual, even a surrounding group instead of a one-slash, one-kill and a proper return of the Kata into its Saya and its form focusing on more standing positions than kneeling.
They have also told me of how creating your own style of sword fighting was encouraged as it gave a great advantage on the surprise factor and forcing enemies to open their defense more to try and analyse my style and adapt to it.
Looks like I'll have to incorporate the new styles into the old style I had used back when I used when I was an ANBU agent.
Especially with these two six-shot gun-blade's I received from the World Noble would be valuable as well.
But back to the point at hand, as I was now a member of the Pirate crew, they needed to find a role for me in the ship and were having a problem with it.
I had no experience with guns or ships so being a sniper or a shipwright was a no.
They can't put me as a swordsman and a martial artist as I was both an expert at both Ken and Tai jutsu.
I had basic-level medical-ninjutsu so it isn't enough for me to heal graver injuries, but I seek to improve it in hopes to rival even the prowess of Tsunade's apprentice, so becoming the ships Doctor was a no for now.
But I did inform them of my unparalleled eyesight and my ability to sense very faint scents even at a fairly far distance so they found a very suitable position for me.
Lookout.
Though the Title doesn't sound so appealing, its perks did outweigh the ailments.
You had a secure position on the Crow's Nest, and with that being your personal space as you would have to stay for long periods of time up there you could customize your space there, making it your own personal cabin. You only have to worry if a cannonball ever smashed through the mast that holds all your stuff.
Interestingly I have found myself to be very good in my role as it seems that the tracking skills that the dog contracts had has rubbed off on me, working alongside the ship's other Lookout and Navigator, apart from looking for landmarks I'm also adept at find very subtle changes in the environment and informing the navigator of them so he could properly discern whether a storm would appear or not, making ventures in the east blue more faster and safer.
We generally had lesser issue with storms but weren't unprepared and threats from pirates on the sea and bandits during leaves ware substandard at best.
Though one incident after a voyage was fairly interesting.
*A few months ago.* (HAha! Flashback in a flashback! Didn't expect that did'ya!?)
"So you managed to find him in a brawl with these marines?" Yassop asked me as he pistol-whipped a marine that was barreling towards him.
"Yes, but we should be expecting this from our illustrious leader by now." I answered sternly as Shanks whined about insubordination from his own crew as he lifted about three marines with one hand and threw them across the the street.
I have already grown used to occurrences like this as fights seem to follow Shanks where ever he goes and most of said fights starts at a drinking institute.
Blocking multiple overhead swings from five marines, I easily push them off my guard and into the air, knocking them unconscious at the end of their fall.
I've taken to only using lethal force when I was pushed to take opponents more seriously, and as much as I hate the World Noble's for their arrogance and how this world's government were incompetent and ignorant of them, I still see the necessity of the marines here as pirates, even though I'm one of them, most are greedy and power hungry, or just plain cruel and sadistic, an group of order is necessary to protect the civilization, this group just happens to have more corrupt, stuck-up, self righteous higher ups in the ranks.
So I merely knocked out most of the marines I faced, and killed the ones showing the most corruption or the most sadist.
But back to our current situation, me, Yasopp and Shanks are facing back to back, surrounded by marines, effectively blocking our path from the port.
"Surrender, we have orders to take at least two of you alive!" Demanded a lieutenant, though strange as my Wanted Poster noted I was to be taken dead but I can sense that he wants to subdue and capture me.
But before any of us could act a line of metal bars reminiscent of metal fences began shooting around us, surrounding us and the marines.
Reacting quickly, I grabbed the shoulders of my two friends and leaped for the roofs.
My suspicion was found to be correct when the large, flexible metal conjoined to the centre, binding anyone coming into contact with it.
"Oops, looks like Hina missed." said a female voice out loud, who the hell says 'Oops' after missing a chance to subdue and ends up binding the rest of their allies?
Looking for the source of the attack, my eyes meet an unexpected individual with strange abilities.
I see a tall, slim woman with long pinkish-blonde hair flowing long unto her back and framing her face on both sides with two locks. She had a womanly figure with well developed breasts, with her marine uniform not leaving much to the imagination, though apart from that the part that struck me the most was her eyes.
Those dark brown orbs full of determination and conviction with her belief in the marines rivals that of any shinobi's loyalty to their village, sho would make a splendid marine with that level of dedication.
Though the other factor was also incredibly strange as well, long metal bars that formed the binding fence were shot out of her arms, impossible to hide something of that size in the already small sleeves of the Female Marine uniform and were under complete control of the woman, using the metals as if it was in her nature.
Was this a power that this worlds 'Devil Fruit' provide? Interesting to say the least, though the erring disadvantage of losing your abilities if you came into contact with water and even losing the ability to swim and just sink like a rock in the sea was a very capitalizing disadvantage to a world surrounded by water.
"May I know thy name my lady?" I asked the woman politely, the style of speech stuck due to serving under Nobles and I required at least something to spite them as they thought of us as uneducated beasts, other than that, it caused her to redden slightly under my noble voice and honest question despite the circumstances as she unbinded her compatriots.
"My name is Hina, a lieutenant of the Marines, and you are Hokurou de Sephtis correct?" she answered as she asked me of my identity.
"Indeed, and I guess you came here to eliminate me right?" guessing from the slight shock in her eyes which was replaced quickly with fake coldness, she was planning nothing of that calibre.
"Yes, you can't just escape your punishment." lying to everyone but me and Shanks and began shooting metal bar restraints towards us.
"An admirable quality you have," I complimented which left her in surprise just enough for me to grab my companions once more and go for the road that reached the port "Your great dedication shall make you a splendid captain, an admiral even."
"St-st-STOP with all these praises! You are an enemy! Don't go complimenting your combatants out of the blue!" She shouted back as I also used my genuine compliments to give me opportune moments apart from giving my honest assessment of her.
Giving her a smile, leaving her with an even redder blush before turning back to my captain and friend, I notified them "Go for the ship." nudging my head back to the now fully ready marine group "I'll hold em off till you get the ship ready."
"You got these guy's?" Asked my friend Yassop, slightly worried at the odds against me.
Giving him a ridiculous face, I replied "I burnt down a large kindom of STONE in mere moments before easilly hiding from their main force for months." before giving a competitive smirk "I think I can handle my own." assuring him of my skills.
"Don't forget to buy your new girlfriend a gift though before you come back." Mocked Shanks ending the dramatic build up, leaving me and Hina in a blushing, stuttering mess and flooring the other marines and some civilians near us "Go for the classic, a really big teddy bear-" "CAPTAIN!" I shouted out, it wasn't my fault I was naturally respectful to the opposite gender!
Laughing on his way to the ship with Yassop cackling on the way, he continued "And don't forget to use protectio-" "OH FOR THE LOVE OF KAMI STOP!" seriously! I keep forgetting that Shanks can have a very mature sense of comedy apart from his childish mannerisms.
After the two left, with me, some civilians, the still floored marines, a similarly very red Hina now beside me and an atmosphere so silent you could hear a cricket at a distance.
"Sooo..." mumbled Hina, where do we go from this?
"That was my captain..." I acted as if we had just witnessed my father streaking around the city naked.
After a silence that seemed to last for hours, I finally gave in and answered for my captain "Sorry about that." rubbing the back of my head as I sported a heavy blush "My captain has a rather dirty sense of humour that only appears at certain times when I'm being respectful towards women."
"U-uu-understandable." mumbled out Hina "S-so-some marine-s in my division are very s-traightforward with Hina, some even try to go for her, but Hina always fights them off.."
Nodding my head in approval of her skill "Good." I complimented and before I could say anymore something caught my interest.
A large strail of smoke was moving around the rooftops, but from further observation it was a literal trail of smoke heading for Hina and I's location.
About to go forward to confront it, Hina extended her arm to stop me and the look in her eye said trust her instincts this time.
That and if I'd continue, I'd suspect she would have an easier time shooting restraints at me.
Agreeing for now, we wait till the trail of smoke travelled straight for us and stopped right in front of Hina, finally revealing its true form.
A tall, rather musclar man in marine uniform, white-haired buzz cut and smoking a cigar was standing impossingly in frony of Hina.
Normally I'd be naturally affected if someone was acting rather negatively to a woman due to my history but Hina seems rather calm about this and is familiar with the Marine.
"Hina, why didn't you tell me the target was in the city?!" Demanded the taller man at her after glaring at me for a moment, voice gruff and tough despite his looks making him look a few years older than me.
"You were lazing about again and I didn't have much time to wake you when the superiors were shouting at us to get to him and arriving there later than the others would have gotten us both in big trouble." replied Misa easily before turning to me.
"We don't have much time, but do come with us so we can explain more about the situation, seeing as how you realized that we weren't out to kill you." Looks like my suspicions were right and I could read well that she meant no ill will so I complied.
"Oh! and can you help us get our colleages and superior off the ground to the doctor, we can't just leave them here." Nodding once more, I motioned for them to wait as I formed a cross-shaped seal with my hands.
"Shadow Clone Technique!" and with that about five more clones of mine appeared and I had set them off to work, surprising both Smoker and Hina greatly.
Sighing slightly to myself as this explanation might come from both me and the Marine's side.
'This was gonna be a long day.' I thought to myself before I motioned for both marines to continue on their way.
*Flashback in a flashback end.*
It seemed that the 'Dead' Bounty on my head was more of a precaution than an actual sign of threat and rather large bounty prices were common for powerful criminals or pirates.
And now I finally know why most of the crew were titling me a "Super-rookie".
And it also seems that the organization as a whole isn't generally a bad influence, rather is being manipulated by corrupt agents and higher ups in the government to go far from their original goal into a mostly self righteous group that is forced to follow the whims of polititians than focus on their goal of protecting the innocent just for the sake of it.
That and they recognized me as an unknown threat and needed to know where I stand in this world.
Good thing we left with calmer minds as I explained that I had no problem with their organization and rather thought it was necessary, though I refused to explain the origin and further capabilities of my abilities and I assured them that they need not worry about it, hinting that only the corrupt shall 'suffer my wrath'.
And after getting to know Hina and Smoker more was great to ease tensions.
Though I respect Smokers own version of "Justice" and idea of what pirates are, I advised him still not to be so blinded to the point of arrogance.
I like to think that after a few 'Fair' bouts with him, he put that into consideration.
The problem is that now the entire crew, particularly Yassop and Shanks, now have ammunition to bombard me of my so called affair with the Marine lieutenant Hina considering they had heard no fights occurring in the city and with Shanks hinting at 'something' between me and her.
It doesn't help that she also gave me a Den Den Mushi (Transponder Snail) to contact her again.
Not that I didn't want to talk to her again, just that the rest of the guys are being more obnoxious about it.
Apart from that, less marines are being sent to hunt us and we have some leeway when we enter cities under marine protection so long as I keep doing 'jobs' for them, sniffing out the corrupt and if necessary or the target is out of marine hands, eliminate with extreme prejudice.
I had to speak with Shanks and Beckman about this, as I can't just hide such sensitive information about me being in league with Marines.
Luckily they were neutral on the matter and were rather accepting of me forming an alliance with them, saying that tensions were already high due to high number of Morganeers and the perks they recieved weren't so bad as well.
Sadly that was the words of Beckman, Shanks has understood the entire thing, but has decided to reply via mocking me once more as a chance for me to get more close with Hina! Kami! He's not gonna let that go is he?
But that was along with the 'working with the marines' issue a problem that we'll overcome (though I an't gonna make my relationship with Hina a competition), Peace Mains are neutral with the marines to begin with and we had more other things to look forward to.
Shanks says we're gonna take a much longer break at the destination we're gonna be arriving in, namely Dawn Island of the Goa kingdom, go up to a town, get temporary residence and party to our hearts content.
That and we've caught such a great bounty, a Devil fruit, which we nicknamed the Gomu Gomu no Mi due to its elastic properties.
With easy resting and such a miracle of a treasure, how could our situation go any worse?
Finally! The shortest time to an update!... Maybe. Other than that, do (please) Favourite, possibly (please) follow, and review & critique, it helps.
And no flames, no one likes those.