Chapter 4
"What have you done!?"- a certain blond asked. He was both infuriated and terrifed about the different scenarios of death that his brain supplied him with each breathing second. Something only added to that was the way Boa Hancock sat on a chair in teh same room, both legs and arms crossed and a satisfied, content expression on her face.
"What do you mean? I kissed you. What's wrong with that?"- she replied, faking innocence, but Naruto was not buying it.
"You know damn well that in your tribe, a kiss means marriage. Don't play innocent."- he answered, glaring at her. She became so happy she positively glowed.
"That's one of the reasons I fell in love with you. You don't let me get away with anything despite my beauty."
"We met today! How in hell did you fall in love with me in one day?"
"Not one day. You underestimate yourself too much, dear."- her response brought curiosity to the blond's face. He was wearing the white hooded jacket, covering his head again, though he had not found the tank top, which had probably exploded with the Rankyaku.
"Oh, you didn't know? All eyes are on you. The last edition of each international newspaper was all about the fourteen year old blond boy who just happened to be Garp's grandson becoming a Marine. What, you think someone shows up literally out of nowhere into this world and no one cares? You've been making enemies and allies without even knowing for a while now."
Naruto was dumbfounded. He had totally overlooked the fact that his fame was eventually going to spread. Boa chuckled, amused.
"Besides, I don't see reasons for complaining. You received a kiss and a marriage proposal from the most beautiful woman on Earth. You should be happy."
"You seem to forget that everybody thinks that way. Every damn male pirate in the world loves you. Hell, every Marine too! To worsen that fact, most will take it personally that a fourteen year old got Boa Hancock's first kiss, yet they didn't. For many reasons, that small act has painted a giant target on my back!"
The Empress's eyes blinked rapidly as she realized the truth in his words. Her mouth opened and Naruto could never have prepared himself for what was coming.
Boa Hancock, one of the Shichibukai and the Empress of the Kuja just threw herself on her knees, kissing Naruto's sneakers, whimpering and crying and begging.
"I'M SO SORRY! I DIDN'T MEAN TO PUT YOU IN DANGER! YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU! I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I WAS DOING, I'M SO SO SORRY! WILL YOU EVER BE ABLE TO FORGIVE ME! PLEASE!"
The next five minutes were filled with the Empress's cries for forgiveness and Naruto's embarrassed ways to try and calm her down. Ultimately, a lightbulb appeared over her head.
"I've got it. I know how to redeem myself! I'll make you proud of me, Naruto-love!"- she raced out of the room, with Naruto hot on her heels. Oh God what is she thinking of now?
The Kuja were all still in front of the Palace, all eager for news about the Marine's and the Empress' now sacred bond. Boa was already in front of them, ready to make a speech. Naruto rose an eyebrow, but decided not to interfere.
"Today I've made some of the best decisions in my life, but also some of the worse. When I heard Monkey D. Naruto, the fourteen year old Marine, was going to be the one checking up on my Shichibukai status, I immediately had the idea to let him in Amazon Lily."- she started, grasping the attention of all of the women. She wasn't the Empress for nothing.
"I broke a few of our rules, and I am happy to say I don't regret it. This boy has made me see and feel things I haven't felt ever since I was a child and became a Gorgon, together with my sisters. He made me realize that not all men are pigs, and that it is not one's gender, age or race that defines them, but rather what they do with life. But of course, words alone are not enough to convince me."
"I wanted to see how apt he really was, and so accepted his challenge. He has proved to me that he is a more than capable fighter. I am sure that if it was a real fight, I would not be breathing right now."- that confession shocked a few of the Kuja. Boa Hancock admitting she was weaker than someone? When would the lunacy end?
"I chose him for husband. I chose him for the man who would provide the Kuja with a capable, strong, BEAUTIFUL heir. But at the same time, I exposed him to the world. When others catch wind of this, and they will because they always do, my love will have Millions of enemies."
"Millions of enemies that will stop at nothing to see him dead. I know he's going to become a strong warlord, but I also know that nobody survives alone. So, I have decided to join him! I will leave Amazon Lily for some time, defend my lover and produce a heir before coming back. That is my decision!"
Naruto's jaw dropped with such force he swore he could feel it hit the floor. The same happened to all of the Kuja ladies. Never had they even thought that their Empress would care for a man, much less that she'd run away for one!
"But what of Amazon Lily? What of the Kuja Pirates? Lady, please answer!"- Aphelandra asked, easily noticed amongst the crowd. Boa Hancock pointed at her sisters, who were at the front of the crowd.
"My sisters, Boa Sandersonia and Boa Marigold will take my place until I return. They will run both Amazon Lily and be the Captains for the Amazon Lily Pirates. Understood?"
"Y-yes lady."- all of the beautiful women responded in unison. Tears fell down from the Empress' face, but she was smiling.
"I am sorry that I have to leave you, my people for so long, but I promise I will return and that I'm also doing this for your sake. If there's someone who can provide us with a future Empress that surpasses me both in strength and beauty, it's Naruto-kun. And even though I'm sad that I'm leaving you, I'm happy that I am joining him. Good luck to you all!"
"Good luck, Boa-sama!"- was their response as they cheered Naruto and Hancock out. The blond couldn't believe his ears as they walked through the crowd. Boa Hancock had turned his whole life into a mess, got him married, joined him and even had her leave cheered on by her own people, all in one day. Chills went through his spine. What a scary woman.
They reached the end of the city and were about to exit when one of the women stepped forward. Naruto recognized her as Marguerite, one of the women who escorted him through the forest.
"Marguerite, what are you doing?"- Boa asked, earning a bow from the blond woman.
"I'm sorry for the bother, Boa-sama, but there is something I'd like to ask from Naruto-sama."- she said as Naruto rubbed his eyes. He seemed to have a headache.
"Please, for God's sake, don't start calling me sama just because we're married. Just call me Naruto. What is it?"- he replied, making Marguerite grin.
"Sure, Naruto-sama. I'd like to join your crew."
"What? Why?"- both Hancock and Naruto asked. Marguerite blushed and tried to hide her embarrassment, but eventually just dealt with it.
"Ever since I escorted you from over the beach to Amazon Lily's city, I've been having this warm feeling inside me. Not warm like when I'm wearing furred clothes, or when I look at Boa-sama, but a different kind of warm. And I want to keep feeling it. Please, I swear I'll follow you to the end of the world."- the blond woman explained. Naruto sighed and shrugged before turning around.
"Sure, you may join us. But with all of the shit that has been created in one single day, I can predict you're going to have to fulfill your promise real soon."- were his last words for a while as the trip back begun. Along the way, Marguerite looked like she had something to say, but did not open her mouth until they were almost by the beach.
"Naruto-sama, what we saw by the beach today was your only boat, right?"- she asked, receiving a nod from the Marine.
"I don't think all of us fit in there."
Light suddenly came to Naruto's mind as he realized that simple fact. But no one could really blame him, with everything that was going on.
"You're right, but I don't have any other vessel to get away."- he confessed. The blond Kuja smirked and gestured for them to follow her.
After a few minutes of walking, they came across a hidden beach, where a medium-sized ship rested. It had a single, large, triangular sail on its left side, purple patterns on it. The whole ship was a bit dark, but still light enough to be disregarded as normal. It looked eerie, to be precise.
"A few months ago, Aphelandra and I were patrolling the shore when we came across this. Three wannabe pirates talking about how they were going to have their way with every Kuja "bitch" and their Queen "Whore". Aphelandra wanted to destroy them with brute strength, but I decided that a more painful doom would be better."- she reported. The ship looked in a decent state, but there were three skeletons tied around a rock.
"I used the Haki that Boa-sama taught me, and my arrow pierced the three of them in one shot, taking a rope with it. I tied the three crying and begging men around the rock and left them there to be picked at by the seagulls. They didn't end up well, but the ship is intact. What do you say, Boss?"
"Well, it seems perfect for now, thank you. Light, fast, not really made for all out battles but we can change that. Anyway, we should set sail right away, I have to deal with Gekko Moriah tomorrow."
"G-Gekko Moriah?"- Hancock asked as Naruto and Marguerite pushed the ship off of the shore and got on it.
"Yeah, what's wrong? Is he that strong?"
"No! He's just really ugly. Like, really."
Naruto facepalmed as Marguerite giggled and helped Boa onto the ship, readying himself for the trip. He took a deep breath and focused. Around his two outstretched hands, a big object started forming.
"Gizo: Tabin o. (Forge: Turbine)"- the Empress and the Kuja woman watched with curiosity as the clump of metal shaped itself into a Turbine, which spun at very high speeds by it's own.
"Gizo: Niju Tabin o. (Forge: Double Turbine.)"- he pulled both hands away from each other, and the turbine split in half, each of the halves formed around a different hand. After a couple of seconds, more metal came to life and completed the two parts, creating two turbines.
He lowered his hands as he went to the back of the ship, peeking down at the stern. He sat by the back, his legs hanging over the sea.
"Ready yourselves."
With a single grasp from each hand, both of the machines went at full speed, making them nearly fly over the waves. Marguerite was grasping the mast, trying not to fall off while Boa was crouching slightly. Both had surprised looks on their faces.
"N-Naruto-sama's full of surprises."- the blond woman commented.
"That's why he's MY husband."- the former Empress replied, getting a glare from Marguerite. They started a little stupid argument that Naruto just ignored. He had managed to stick the report Smoker had sent him between the two turbines, and was currently going over it.
"Gekko Moriah, one of the Shichibukai, though considered the weakest..."- he read out loud, and the hours started to pass.
…...
The Next Day
They arrived at the ship that the dark, zombie-creating Shichibukai called home. Thriller Bark. The place seemed gloomy, to say the least.
The gigantic ship was made of two sections. The first was a big, outward wall with a giant gate that looked like a mouth, which opened and closed as they entered.
The second section was the island in the middle, which had an old, broken stone wall, a dead forest and a mansion in the center. Four separate chains connected the wall to the island's mast.
The entire place had a gothic scenery, that was only betrayed by its dark flag and Thriller Bark signs everywhere.
Naruto only needed to click his fingers to have the turbines stop working, before throwing the anchor. The ship came to a stop minutes later.
It was close enough for Naruto to simply turn the ship and be right by the old wall's gate. With a quick snap of the fingers, Naruto created a metal set of steps attached both to the ship and to the main island by crouching and placing his hands on the ship's edge, allowing them to step over.
"Welcome to Thriller Bark."- a voice greeted, coming from behind.
They turned around to see a large, round, ugly creature sitting on their ship. The man's shadow flickered for a moment before turning into a mist of bats that flew over to them, conjoining into a shadow again. A blink of an eye later, Gekko stood in its place.
"My name is Gekko Moriah, one of the Shichibukai, and I'm here to guide you around my "humble" home. I'd guess you're the promising Monkey D. Naruto, accompanied by the beautiful Boa Hancock and a lovely Kuja warrior."- the man spoke, shaking a suspicious Naruto's hand.
"You don't seem surprised."- the blond replied, receiving an amused chuckle from the other.
"News travel fast, I'm afraid. Shall we begin?"
Naruto kept his right eyebrow raised as he took a regular Den-Den Mushi from his short's right pocket, pointing to Boa and Marguerite.
"You two go ahead, there's something I have to check."- he spoke, earning a nod from Gekko and suspicious looks from the two women, before they walked away.
The blond Marine dialed a number, almost immediately hearing a rough voice.
"Yeah, who is it?"
"Commodore Smoker, it's Chief Petty Officer Naruto."
"You've got good timing, kid. I was just about to call you. Would you mind telling me just what the FUCK is going on? Lucci is chewing my ass off with questions and I bet it'll be a matter of minutes before Garp catches wind of this and follows his example!"
Naruto gulped as he heard his grandfather's name. I am so getting cannoned for this.
"Don't ask me, I'm still wondering about it myself. I get to Amazon Lily, check on everything, chat with Boa Hancock, challenge her to a spar. After a bit of a struggle, she uses the Mero Mero no Mi's powers on me, it fails and has no effect, she falls in love, kisses me, now we're married and she wants me to provide her with a heir! One of her warriors also joined up, saying she feels warm around me. Now I've got a ship, a start of a crew, a wife, a girlfriend, a fuckton of enemies, am standing in Gekko Moriah's island and I don't know what the fuck is going on or how to deal with it!"
Apparently, the mushi was on high volume, because a shriek came from the other side and the poor animal was quickly grasped by someone.
"So it is true! Naruto, when you get here, I am going to make egg salad out of your balls!"- Tashigi's voice threatened before sounds of struggle came to life, and Smoker clicked back in.
"Alright, here's what you do. Finish the mission in the given date, try not to get any other girls by shutting that fucking chick magnet of yours off, and hope to God that Rob Lucci and Monkey D. Garp will find it in their hearts to forgive you. Good luck kid, because even I haven't been fucked over this badly."
"Thanks, I'll need it."- a click announced that the call was over and Naruto sighed. The news had spread, and surely, the Empress's fanboys would have placed a bounty on his head.
Fuck me.
…...
When he finally caught up with the other two, they were already inside the mansion. It was a creepy place. All of the decoration and mood pointed towards a gothic scenery, as if Gekko's biggest dream was to become Count Dracula.
But aside that, nothing was suspicious. Of course, Naruto had read the terms in the contract for Gekko's Shichibukai status, where it was clearly stated that the latter was authorized to produce zombies in his island, so he couldn't consider the many undead-looking creatures as infractions.
Everything was pretty much normal and within limits.
As he approached, he noticed Gekko was accompanied by two men and a woman. He was round, much more so than Gekko, which contrasted with his extremely thin limbs. His nose was like a beak, and both his ears and teeth were sharp, only giving him a more "monster"-like appearance. It smiled at Naruto and looked at him as if he was a curiosity.
The second man, who wore rich clothes was not behind the first in terms of strangeness. He had the muzzle of a lion replacing his nose, mouth and chin, and something told Naruto that wasn't the only part of his body which was modified. The man didn't seem to notice his arrival, as he could not take his eyes off from Boa Hancock.
The third and final unknown person, the woman, had big, round eyes and long, pink hair. Her outfit was rather Lolita Gothic-like, with the predominant colours being pink, white and black. Naruto couldn't help himself but to contemplate her. She was pretty.
"Oh, it seems the main guest has arrived. I assume you've been taking mental notes along the way towards my home. Is everything under legal limits?"- Gekko greeted him. Naruto shrugged.
"Everything's great. But please do have your lion-man stop drooling over my wife, or I am going to act upon it."
The man growled at Naruto, but Gekko quickly silenced him with one look before turning back to Naruto, with a polite smile on his face.
"Please forgive Absalom, he seems to forget his place quite often. The other gentleman is Dr. Hogback and the beautiful lady is Perona."- Naruto shook both hands, taking care to cover his in steel when Absalom tried to crush it, and kissed the girl's. Again, he had no idea why he did it, but it just felt right. And it did earn him a blush.
"Anyway, are you done with your check-up?"
The blond Marine took one last look around the small atrium they were currently in before turning back to Gekko and nodding.
"But there is one last thing."
"Yes?"
"I've been ordered to challenge you for a spar. One-on-one, and it ends when one of us is dead, near-dead or unconscious. What do you say?"
The trio, Absalom, Hogback and Perona looked at him like he was insane, while Gekko gave him an amused look.
"To fight a fourteen year old Marine, I can't believe how low I've sunk, but sure. Give me all you've got. Absalom, Hogback, Perona, stay back and don't you dare interfere!"
The trio reluctantly aggred as they walked to a corner of the atrium. Hancock and Marguerite followed their actions, waiting on the opposite side.
"I'm ready."- Gekko announced. Naruto nodded as he took his jacket off, staying in white sneakers and trim-line-furred shorts, displaying his well worked abs and letting his hair free. Absalom groaned with envy as Perona squealed with delight. He's so cuuute!
"I'm ready as well. Rankyaku!"- Naruto swung his right leg up, let it fall and jumped with a spinning left kick, creating a plus sign with two Rankyaku techniques, which went flying at Gekko.
The Shichibukai chuckled.
"Doppelman."
His shadow grew into a perfect clone of himself, though it was completely dark.
The figure blocked Rankyaku, which pushed it a few inches back before it was able to redirect it up, causing an explosion as the attack sliced a plus sign into the ceiling.
Naruto whistled, contemplating the scene before crouching.
"So that's the Kage Kage no Mi's power, right? Manipulate shadows. Including your own, correct?"
"Precisely. I don't even need to fight. My subordinates will do it for me. That's a life lesson, right there. Why work for your dreams, when others can do so for you?"
Naruto gave off a noise from his mouth, as if expressing disappointment, confusing Moriah. He got up from his crouched position and focused.
"Soru."
He vanished from sight as he kicked off the ground 10 times in a blink of an eye, making Gekko and his three followers gasp in surprise as Naruto appeared in front of him.
"Gizo: Bai-ryoku Tabin o (Forge: Boost Turbine.)"- a small turbine appeared on his elbow as he readied a punch. With one thought, the turbine sprung to life, making his fist fly at the speed of a racing car directly into the Shichibukai's face, sending him flying into a wall.
A loud crash was heard as the big pirate met the concrete barrier, significantly damaging it and falling to the floor.
"Ugh..."- was all he could mutter. Naruto had taken out a cigarette and was smoking it by then. He had taken a liking to the things right after Lucci had started his training. They helped relieve stress.
"You need to understand that your subordinates won't do everything for you. When the time comes, when the money's on the table, when you're between the wall and a sword and your whole crew is being held under arrest, no one will help you. Not even your own shadow."- he spoke. Gekko got up, bleeding from his mouth, giving him an angry look.
"Shut up! You know nothing of this world, kid! Brick Bat!"- as he replied, Doppelman dissolved into a bunch of winged, faced, spike-toothed little creatures that flew in a flock directly at Naruto, ready to start their meal.
The blond sighed. He threw the cigarette up into the air and kicked it into one bat, burning its face and turning the damned thing into an ink-like substance.
The others, though, did not hesitate even after seeing one of them get destroyed with such ease. Naruto jumped up, kicking three with a seven hundred and twenty degrees-kick, but there were still at least twenty left, which quickly circled him, taking bites at his hardened skin, not leaving even a mark.
"This is getting annoying. Suchīrutsurī: Karamatsu(Steel Tree: Larch. Reference to Kimimaro from Naruto. Many of Naruto's attacks will also come from him.)"- curved steel thorns came out of his skin, quickly piercing all of the creatures before returning to his body. Gekko and his three subordinates couldn't believe their eyes.
"I can't believe this is all you have. Perhaps they were right, you're too weak to stay as one of the Shichibukai. Soru."
"Kage Musha!"
As Naruto appeared by the Shichibukai, the man was suddenly gone, and in his place, Doppelman stood. Gekko himself was right by Perona, Hogback and Absalom's side.
"Tsuno Tokage!"- Doppelman turned into a shadow blade which immediately tried to pierce Naruto's body. The latter was surprised, and only had one resource to save himself in time. Here goes nothing.
"Kami-e."- as he pronounced these words, his body went limp, and just the air that the Shadow Blade shifted was enough to push him to the side, avoiding the hit.
Naruto quickly solidified back, and took advantage of the rotation to send a spinning right kick through the air.
"Rankyaku."
This time, he had reacted too quickly, and the blue blade of light went flying into Gekko. His shadow was still in a blade's form, which meant he couldn't switch.
The man ducked, followed by his three subordinates, letting the air blade pass and cut through the walls. The impact was enough to knock Moriah on his behind. Naruto contemplated him while taking another drag out of his cigarette. Apparently, he had gotten it back while using Soru.
"Definitely too weak to stay in the Seven Warlords. I now understand how you lost to Kaido in the New World. Relying on subordinates and zombies just won't do in a one-on-one fight. The lost of your crew is proof of that. Such a weak person should not be the captain of a crew. It's irresponsible."- was the blond's comment. Gekko's eyes narrowed until they were nearly pupilless. Absalom and Hogback took cautionary steps back, but Perona committed a mistake and came in closer.
"DON'T YOU TALK ABOUT MY CREW LIKE THAT YOU BRAT! I'M GOING TO FUCKING KILL YOU ALL!"
"Don't listen to him, Gekko-sama! You're strong! Just tell the zombies to come in!"- Perona said, hugging him tight as he pulled a pair of giant scissors from his back and broke into a pair of swords. Doppelman came out of nowhere and struck Perona, sending her flying away, shrieking.
"GET OFF OF ME, BITCH! BRICK BAT!"
Doppelman dissolved into a horde of bats that flew after the falling pink-haired girl. Naruto appeared out of nowhere, clutching Perona into a princess-style carry before turning around, iron poking out of his back.
"Suchīrutsurī: Karamatsu"
The iron thorns came out of his back again, piercing all of the mini creatures and effectively killing them before he fell to the ground, still holding the Ghost Princess. The bats went back to Gekko and formed back into his shadow. It seemed as if he had decided to take matters into his own hands as he ran towards them. Naruto's face was covered by darkness as he spun mid-air, chainsaw blades appearing in his legs.
"Gizo: Chenso o (Forge: Chainsaw)."
He made the blades spin as fast as possible, creating a quite threatening pair of roller skates, and dashing for Gekko Moriah.
"TSUNO TOKAGE!"
The shadow turned into a blade yet again. Naruto threw Perona around, having her hold onto his neck in a piggyback position.
"Hold tight!"
He jumped over the blade, and the rest was a blur.
All he knew was that seconds later, Perona was still holding onto him tightly, Absalom and Hogback had their chins dropped, Boa Hancock and Marguerite had smirks on their faces, and Gekko Moriah was on his knees, a cross-shaped trail of blood noticeable on his torso as he screamed in agony before falling forward, unable to get up.
(Chapter 4 for all of you readers. I hope you enjoyed this one. I know, the ending may raise questions, but Pms, Reviews and the next chapter can be used to answer them. As always, Favorite/Follow and Review if you like this story. Also, I wanted to thank Zaralann and .5 for giving me many great ideas for this story and generally helping out with it. See ya!)