I do not own Naruto. Kishimoto-san does.
Opening theme: Crazy Rainbow (7th opening theme of One Piece)
Chapter 3: The Location
The streets of the port town were abuzz with activity as Naruto and Inari walked through the crowds.
"I can't believe how much you grew," Naruto commented as the walked, "I didn't even recognize you!"
Inari grinned. "You can't say I'm a crybaby anymore, huh?"
"Yah, sure I can. Wouldn't be true though, huh?" Naruto laughed, "Where'd you learn to fight so good, anyway?"
"Well, after your team got rid of Gato," Inari explained, expertly kicking a stray soda can into a trashcan, "Lots of other under bosses tried to take control of his territory, but we wouldn't let them. Everything I know about fighting I picked up on the fly." Inari softly shook a bag he was carrying. "I'm working at the docks as carpenter's apprentice now!"
"A truly commendable accomplishment, to be sure," Kawazaki mentioned from his post on Naruto's head.
"Thanks! I…" Inari trailed off when he realized who said that. Jaw open, eyes wide, Inari pointed and cried, "It talks!"
"Yeah, he does that sometimes," Naruto smirked, enjoying Inari's expression.
"B-but, it's a frog…" Inari said weakly.
Kawazaki tipped his hat in Inari's direction. "Kawazaki of the Mt. Oinari frogs at your service, young man."
Speechless, Inari looked at Naruto for help.
Naruto shrugged. "He's okay. A little on the stiff side. But you know, talking frogs aren't the strangest thing in the world, now." To emphasize this point, Naruto nodded toward some kind of street performer. This odd man was tall and skinny, wearing polka-dotted pants, a stripped shirt, and checkered hat in all colors of the rainbow. The entire look was capped off by bells lined all over his body, which sang as he moved.
"I believe it, bro." Inari agreed. And the three moved on.
DATTEBAYO
Inari pushed through the door of his house, and announced, "Mom, I'm home!"
Tsunami, Inari's mother poked her from the kitchen and brightened. "Welcome back, Inari! How was work today?"
"It was okay. Mr. Moko is letting me help with the ships now." Inari then gestured toward the orange and black figure entering. "But look who I met in town today!"
Tsunami stared for moment. "Is that…Naruto?"
Naruto waved, smiling. "Hey, ma'am."
Tsunami began to smile. "It is Naruto! My, how you've grown! We've been expecting you!"
Naruto scratched the back of his head, enjoying the praise(Was it praise?) he wasn't used to getting. "Yeah, I've better than I was before- wait, how'd you know I was in town?"
Tsunami didn't answer. Instead, she pointed into the next room. Seated around the table was none other than Team Shikamaru II!
Naruto gaped. "Y…you guys…"
Shikamaru gave him a lazy wave hello. "Hey, Naruto."
Sakura got up from her chair and moved toward her teammate. "Naruto…"
Naruto felt uneasy. "Sakura…"
POW!
"You idiot! When are you going to learn not to go half-cocked!?" Sakura demanded.
Naruto clutched his bruised noggin. "Sakuraaaa…" He whined. Looking up, he asked, "What are you guys doing here?"
"W-we're here to help you with your search, N-naruto…" Hinata stammered, blushing slightly from talking to her crush.
"Huh?" Naruto let go of his head(He's such a fast healer!) in confusion.
"The 5th Hokage gave us the lowdown," Explained Shikamaru, "We're here to back you up on your search for your mom."
Naruto couldn't believe it. "You guys…You don't have to do that…"
"Of course we do!" Lee boomed suddenly, his eyes filled with fire, "We are all Leaf Ninjas! Your problems are our problems!"
"That's good to hear," Kawazaki said, hopping onto the table. "I was afraid we were going to that god-forsaken place alone."
There was a long pause as everyone took in what Kawazaki said. Or rather, that he said something.
Then it ended.
"It…it talked!?" Gasped Tsunami, dropping a plate she was cleaning.
"But it's a frog!" Cried Lee, jumping back.
"Hey, what's all the noise?" Tazuna, former client of Team 7 walked in from another door, holding a winebottle. "Can't an old man step outside for a minute without the world ending?"
DATTEBAYO
After introductions were exchanged, everyone got down to business.
"Now, Mister…Kawazaki," Shikamaru began, taking a sip of tea, "What makes you think Naruto's mother is alive? According to reports dating 14 years back, she was killed by a team of rogue ninja." Naruto shot Shikamaru a death glare for even suggesting this was a wild goose chase.
Kawazaki puffed his pipe for moment. "First off, I do not believe Kushina was ever killed. Most likely her death was faked and she was imprisoned." He paused to puff his pipe again. "Secondly, I can sense chakra from anyone I have met before. With that ability, I am able to pinpoint her location, or at least know what direction she's in."
"Can you tell us where she is supposed to be?" Lee asked, fuzzy eyebrow raised.
"I have a pretty good idea," Kawazaki admitted, "But to be sure, I would need some kind of sea chart."
"I have something." Tsunami left the room, and after a minute, came back with a rolled up piece of paper. As she spread it out on the table, Tsunami explained. "My first husband was sailor. After he died at sea, he left me his charts."
"Much obliged," Kawazaki said, scanning the chart. After a minute, he frowned. "I thought as much. And I wish I hadn't."
"Why?" Sakura asked.
Kawazaki took off his hat and wiped his brow. "I'm afraid that Uzumaki Kushina is on Kaiju Island- the Land of Monsters."
Only Tazuna seemed to know what Kawazaki was talking about, as he dropped his bottle in horror. The rest looked at the frog in confusion.
"Kaiju Island? Land of Monsters?" Shikamaru asked skeptically, "What kind of place is that?"
"The worst kind." Everyone turned to look at Tazuna, who continued. "Back when I was a brat, there was a place used a banishing point for the most dangerous super-criminals; guys so evil and dangerous that death alone wasn't a fitting punishment for them. These villains were exiled on a remote island to the south-west, rumored to be covered in the most vicious creatures that nature could come up with. Things too horrible to be called mere animals."
Hinata gasped.
"And…And my mom is there!?" Naruto clenched his fists, shaking with fear, rage, and many other emotions.
Kawazaki nodded. Without another word, Naruto bolted toward the door. His exit, however, was hampered by Sakura and Lee, who both took the liberty to tackle and hold him down.
"Lemme go!" Naruto snarled, trying to shake free.
"Naruto, calm down!" Sakura replied, keeping a deathgrip on his wrist and shoulders, "Do you want to get killed?!"
"If any of what Mr. Tazuna said is true, then we cannot act rash," Lee said firmly, "We know you want to find your mother, but-"
"WHAT WOULD ANY OF YOU KNOW!?" Naruto screamed, tears showing, "YOU ALL HAD YOUR MOMS!"
Shocked, Sakura and Lee let go while the others stared. Instead of making his escape, Naruto lowered his head down into the carpet and began to cry.
"I'm tired… I'm tired of being the orphaned guy…I don't even know why…" He sobbed, his tears staining the fabric. "I just wanna meet her…I wanna know who she is…I want my mom!"
The room was silent then, save for Naruto's sobs. As Inari watched his hero cry his heart out, he remembered something Kakashi said 3 years ago.
"Naruto doesn't remember any of his parents...or have any friends." Kakashi said, "Truth is, he's had a rougher past than you. But I have never once seen him cry or complain."
Inari felt some tears of his own come out.
"We'll find her, Naruto." Hinata spoke up. Naruto glanced up from his spot on the rug. "I promise."
Lee and Sakura helped Naruto up, setting him on his feet.
"We should get some extra help from the Village," Shikamaru mentioned, "But that would be a pain to do." Getting up, the lazy chunin stretched out and yawned. "So we might as well get going now."
Naruto wiped the tears from his face. "You guys…"
"We're very glad to hear that," Kawazaki said, cleaning his pipe, "But we still need to find a ship to sail on."
"I know somebody," Tazuna said, taking a sip from the unbroken bottle, "But he hangs out at a pretty rough joint. Think you can handle a trip to the slums?"