The Legend Of Naruto: The Wind Waker Chapter 9: The Forest Haven!

(Note: Since NaruHina is the main pairing of this story, there is a little bit of NaruSaku in there. I know that there's no kissing between NaruSaku, but I prefer their relationship in the story as a romantic one. Please enjoy the chapter!)

Naruto and the King Of Red Lions finally arrived at the Forest Haven... as night began to fall.

"Naruto! We are here! Do you not see that island that rises up from the horizon? That... is our next destination, Naruto... the Forest Haven." said The King Od Red Lions as Naruto got off of him.

"It seems that this place is nothing but a great big tree that's rising far above the ocean's surface... but not only that... but it is also sacred as well, too, Naruto. Inside the Forest Haven, you will find the guardian spirit that resides here... The Great Deku Tree." said the King Of Red Lions.

"Oh. I get it. So that means that Farore's Pearl is here, right?" asked Naruto.

"Yes! How did you know?" asked the King Of Red Lions in shock.

"Well duh! Each of these three pearls represent the colors of the goddesses hair. Orange is Din, the Goddess Of Power, Blue is Nayru, the Goddess of Wisdom, and Green is Farore, the Goddess Of Courage. My grandfather told me all about the three goddesses of Hyrule." said Naruto.

"Huh. And here I was thinking that you were dull-witted. But I guess I was wrong. Maybe you're not that much of an idiot after all." said the King Of Red Lions as Naruto grinned at him.

"But anyways... ahem. Yes. You will find Faores Pearl here on this island, the Forest Haven. You must talk to The Great Deku Tree and ask him to give you Farore's Pearl. But beware, Naruto: I fear that Orochimaru has already sent his minions, including Sasuke, to attack this once peaceful Forest Haven. Naruto... please be careful." said the King Of Red Lions.

"Don't worry King Of Red Lions. I will." said Naruto as he left the King Of Red Lions alone outside once again.

"Naruto... good luck." said the King Of Red Lions to himself.

Inside the Forest Haven...

When Naruto went inside Forest Haven, he was amazed at how beautiful the forest was.

"Wow... it's so pretty. Oh yeah! I have to find The Great Deku Tree!" cried Naruto to himself as he rushed to find The Great Deku Tree.

Suddenly, a group of ChuChus appeared on the Great Deku Tree's face. After Naruto killed the ChuChus on the Great Deku Tree's face, the Great Deku Tree started speaking the same Hylian tongue... just like the great sky spirit, Valoo of Dragon Roost Island!

("That garb you wear... Could you be the legendary hero? Has the king at long last found the Hero of Time?") asked The Great Deku Tree.

"Wait a minute... did you just talk?" asked a surprised Naruto.

"Okay. First I meet a talking boat, also known as the King Of Red Lions who becomes my travelling companion, and now I see a talking tree? Am I going crazy, or is almost everything I see talk?" asked Naruto as he passed out in shock and surprise.

("What is the matter? Do you not understand the ancient Hylian tongue? So... you are not the Hero of Time.") said The Great Deku Tree as one of the Koroks of the Forest Haven splashed some water into Naruto's face.

"What'd you do that for, huh?" asked an angry Naruto with anime bulging white eyes who woke up, startled.

"I must apologize. It seems I've made a slight error. When I saw the facial features on your face and the color of your hair, I thought for sure that you'd be the Hero Of Time, Minato Namikaze." said The Great Deku Tree.

"Wait... you knew my father?" asked Naruto.

"Yes. You are Naruto Uzumaki, the son of the Fourth Hokage of Konoha, are you not?" asked the Great Deku Tree.

"Yeah. I guess you're right." said Naruto.

"Oh! Where are my manners? I am the guardian spirit of the Forest Haven – The Great Deku Tree. I thank you for saving my life, Naruto Uzumaki." said The Great Deku Tree.

"Yeah. I think I already knew that the King Of Red Lions told me who you were." said Naruto.

"Hmph. So you say that the King Of Red Lions, the boat who speaks the wise words of men, told you who I was, huh? After all, he was the one that sent you here to my forest, right?" asked The Great Deku Tree.

"Yes! Believe it!" cried Naruto as he nodded his head.

"So, it is true... Orochimaru has returned, hasn't he? That's why those monsters are here, right?" asked The Great Deku Tree.

"Yes. He also sent his bird, the Helmaroc King to kidnap my little brother Konohamaru." said Naruto.

"But then... why are you here Naruto?" asked The Great Deku Tree.

"I've come to your forest in search of Farore's Pearl." said Naruto.

"What's that? You say that you're here because you're looking for Farore's Pearl, the goddess of Courage?" asked The Great Deku Tree as Naruto nodded his head.

"Very well then. Koroks! Little children of the woods! Come out! This person is not your enemy! He is the son of the Hero Of Time and the Fourth Hokage of Konoha, Minato Namikaze!" cried The Great Deku Tree as the Koroks appeared.

"Naruto, these are my children, the Koroks of the Forest Haven. A long time ago, they used to become humans, but were somehow turned into these tree-like creatures. Now they fear people... but to me... they will forever be my cherished little Koroks as the children they are. Oh! I almost forgot! Naruto! We are holding a ceremony here in the Forest Haven! You see, Naruto, we throw this special ceremony once a year." said The Great Deku Tree.

"You mean like New Year's Eve?" asked Naruto.

"Kind of. But Naruto, I will give you the pearl of Farore once the ceremony is complete. If the ceremony is not complete, however, an ill fate could befall us. Please excuse the delay. Now... is everyone ready?" asked The Great Deku Tree.

"Great Deku Tree! We are not ready!" cried a voice as a man jumped out of him.

"Oh no. Not you again." said Naruto as he now recognized the man to be Might Guy, the man whom Naruto saved back at Windfall Island.

"Oh? What's the matter Guy? Why are you not here with your son, Rock Lee?" asked The Great Deku Tree.

"Great Deku Tree! Something terrible has happened to Lee!" cried a hysterical Guy.

"Well what is it? Tell me Guy!" cried The Great Deku Tree.

"Very well! Lee has fallen into the Forbidden Woods!" cried Guy.

"WHAT? ROCK LEE HAS FALLEN INTO THE FORBIDDEN WOODS? I TOLD HIM TO BE MORE CAREFUL! But still, to hear that Lee has fallen into the Forbidden Woods... he was so close to it, too. Foolish little Lee. Naruto, have you not heard all this?" asked The Great Deku Tree.

"Yes, but Great Deku Tree, there's one question that I must ask though." said Naruto.

"And what's that Naruto?" asked The Great Deku Tree.

"Why is... he here?" asked Naruto pointing a finger at Guy.

"Guy? Explain to Naruto why you're here." said The Great Deku Tree.

"Well, to answer your question Naruto, remember how when we first met, I told you that I had an island called, "Might Guy Island"? Well, I kind of lied. I actually live here in the Forest Haven... because Rock Lee... is my son... and The Great Deku Tree himself is the guardian of the Forest Haven... and is also our father." said Guy.

"Naruto... before you go off to save Lee, I must tell you what kind of place the Forbidden Woods is." said The Great Deku Tree.

"Oh really? And what kind of place is it... Great Deku Tree?" asked Naruto who spoke sarcastically.

"The Forbidden Woods are right next to this beautiful hollow island of our very own Forest Haven. Those woods... that Lee has fallen into... the whole entire wood itself is home to a bunch of dangerous, evil, and threatening beasts in there. But it seems they have taken Might Guy's very own son, Rock Lee. It was not a mistake for you to come here Naruto. I hear that the King Of Red Lions is expecting great deeds from you. Naruto Uzumaki... as a request from the guardian spirit of the Forest Haven, The Great Deku Tree, father of the Koroks and Rock Lee and Might Guy... will you... Naruto Uzumaki... be able to rescue Rock Lee, Might Guy's son?" asked The Great Deku Tree.

"You bet I will! Since I'm on a mission to rescue my little brother, Konohamaru, and Itachi Uchiha's little brother, Sasuke, too, I can save this "Rock Lee" guy for ya! Believe it!" cried Naruto with a grin.

"But wait! Great Deku Tree! There's no way that a child like Naruto could be able to fly all the way to the Forbidden Woods, is there?" asked Guy.

"Ah, you're right Guy. It seems I have forgotten one more thing... Naruto... it's not possible for a child like you to get into the Forbidden Woods with the King Of Red Lions. But guessing on what your size is, I think but also see that you're heavier than my own little Korok children... but, I think we might be able to solve this problem. Naruto... since Lee is Guy's son... will you allow Guy to go with you to the Forbidden Woods to rescue Lee?" asked The Great Deku Tree as Naruto looked at Guy.

"Well, despite the fact that he's pretty annoying and all, I guess he can be useful."

Finally, Naruto looked back at The Great Deku Tree and replied:

"Okay. I'll take Guy with me."

"Very well. Oh! Naruto! Before you go, would you mind climbing up to my crown and getting the Deku Leaf?" asked The Great Deku Tree.

"Sure! Okay! No problem!" cried Naruto as he climbed up The Great Deku Tree and retrieved the Deku Leaf from him.

"Well, I guess we're off!" cried Naruto.

"Good luck Naruto! Good luck Guy! Be careful you two!" cried The Great Deku Tree.

"We will!" cried Naruto and Guy as they headed toward the Forbidden Woods.

(Note: I was thinking of making the part when Naruto announces the name of the next chapter like my Naruto version of Strawberry Panic! Yes. From now on, I will the same in this story. Starting now.)

Naruto:
Next Time: Rescuing Lee In The Forbidden Woods!