D's Orange Will

by Zelga Lim Li

In his last minute effort to save his brother, Ace never thought that there is more to his flames. Before he knew it, he was sent somewhere far from the place he was supposed to die to a pair of bluest eyes he has ever seen. Ace X Fem Naruto.

7. Chapter 6 - Inheritance

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Summary:
In his last minute effort to save his brother, Ace never thought that there is more to his flames. Before he knew it, he was sent somewhere far from the place he was supposed to die to a pair of bluest eyes he has ever seen. Ace X Fem Naruto.

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Author's note:
Now that I've think about it, I don't know how long will this story will be. I'm still having a discussion with Ziggy and she wanted to continue till the Straw Hats reach Dressrosa and Ace learns about Sabo and the Revolutionary. Or end this story now. Decisions decisions…

Oh well, since the events in the current arc is making me jumpy, anxious and somewhat worried, looks like I needed to hang on till we get there and decide later on… :)

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D's Orange Will
By: Zelga Lim Li

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Chapter 6 – Inheritance

"How was it?" Naruto asks the man sitting beside her. Ace never said anything yet but she could feel his emotions judging from his blank expression. Shaking her head in amusement, she took his hand and grasps it tightly placing her other hand on top of his knuckles after kissing it lightly.

He wasn't anxious like she thought he would act nor was he happy for seeing his brother after two long years.

Ace sighed and kissed the top of her head and took her in his arms. He never really expected Luffy to change so much. His and Sabo's worries have no basis at all.

Flashback…

"The way to Fishman Island is quite dangerous so you guys be careful, okay?" Ace said to his brother making sure that the rest of the Straw Hats were able to hear his warning as well.

"Shishishi… No need to worry. We're all good," Luffy didn't even look bothered and gave him a very wide smile much to Naruto's amused chuckle.

"By the way, I want you guys to have this kunai," Naruto gave one of her three-pronged kunai to Nami eyeing the said weapon curiously.

"Even though you can perfectly take care of yourselves, there will come a time that you needed a backup. So, if that happens throw this kunai and me…" Naruro heard Ace gave a short cough reminding her that he is listening as well, "I mean, both of us would come…."

"We don't need anyone's help…" Zoro said arrogantly. He stood far away much to Naruto's confusion. "…Especially from you or another pirate." But knowing the said swordsman and his uncanny resemblance to a certain shinobi she knew, the blonde shrugged her shoulders dismissively. She saw Sanji and Chopper argued with the said man as the two team up and banter with the green haired pirate. The cook even gave him a kick that Zoro blocked diligently with his sword's scabbard.

"Naruto-hime is being helpful, so be grateful you stupid marimo!" Naruto heard Sanji yelling at him.

"Why you…!" Zoro growled and was about to draw his sword to slice the perverted cook into pieces when Naruto responded, preventing another argument between the two.

"Be that as it may, you don't have a choice, Mr. Swordsman. I'm the type of person that doesn't accept no as an answer…" Swooning over her came Sanji after he danced around her much to Ace's growing irritation. He was about to kick him away from Naruto when Luffy voiced out a question. The one Naruto would expect from the straw hat wearing captain once he saw his older brother after two years. Call it precognition or something.

"You really didn't come here just to see us off, did you?" It may not look like it but Monkey D. Luffy is being perceptive which surprises everyone. Must be the first time his crew saw him that way.

Ace nodded as he touched the tip of his hat to hide the smile about to show on his face. "The other reason is to inform the world of my return and…"

Silence filled the Sunny and the Straw Hat Pirates held their breath in anticipation.

"…To tell you personally that it is time for me to accept my legacy. My birthright…"

"Huh?" Luffy eyed his brother curiously. "What do you mean?"

"Pops and the others may not be interested in the said title, but…" Placing his hand over Luffy's head, on top of the hat Red Haired Shanks lend his brother, Ace said his words carefully; "…I now wanted to become the new Pirate King… To be the freest man in the whole wide world, just like our promise to one another. But in doing so, that will make us competitors in the coming future."

"!"

"?"

"!"

Silence filled the Thousand Sunny and her crew.

Frowning slightly, Luffy sighed and stood to his full height. Ace removed his hand and waited for his brother to voice out his opinion regarding his announcement.

"That is unexpected," Luffy said but smiled nevertheless. "But I kind of knew that it would come to this, however…" Taking his brother's hand for a shake, the younger man took the challenge. "I'm not giving up on my title without a fight."

"Your title?" Ace questioned back, a smirk playing at the edges of his lips. "You seriously still think that you can take me on, little brother?"

"Shishishi," Straw Hat Luffy grinned widely in response as if he is the only one who knew the answer whether he could beat his older brother or not. "Who knows? It's been two years…" In return, Ace smiled as well.

Flashback ends.

Purupurupuru.

Ignoring the incoming call, Ace holds Naruto to himself for comfort. The blonde snuggled closer within his warm embrace. Burrowing his nose on her wild tresses, he smelled Konoha and her sweet, pleasant scent that is uniquely Uzumaki Naruto. The Fire Fist smiled contently.

Purupurupuru.

"Uh, Ace. Someone is calling," Naruto said, but her arms tightened around the said pirate. She felt his breath and the blonde kunoichi shivered in anticipation.

Purupurupuru.

"Ignore it," Ace murmured and finally took his blonde to a kiss. Naruto moaned in delight. Finally.

Purupurupuru.

"I suggest you answer that call. It might be important…" Rayleigh said as he suddenly appears beside the two completely oblivious to the scene before him. Kids nowadays and their hormonal cravings. Well, Shakky did mention he should wait a little later before disturbing the couple. But then again…

Ace growled in response and the Dark King had no other choice but to raise his hand in surrender albeit jokingly. "Shakky informed me earlier that a large pirate ship will appear on the east coast and a certain Yonko is waiting for his wayward son to finally come home…"

Ace stilled and Naruto felt his worry. Shaking her head in amusement, she placed one final kiss on top of his nose and stood bringing him along.

"Thanks, Rayleigh-san. Shakky-dono is really awesome with whatever she is good at doing…"

Releasing a loud boisterous laugh, the old man shrugged his shoulders dismissively and gave the kunoichi a pat on the shoulders. "Just make sure to stay out of trouble. Shakuyaku also said that in a few days' time, your wanted poster will be scattered all over the Grand Line and particularly in the New World for helping the Straw Hats escape thus making you a target as well… So prepare a mask or something."

"Really?" Excitedly, Naruto giggled and tugged Rayleigh's cloak to question him more. She already had a mask in mind to keep her identity hidden. "How much do you think it will be?"

"You really are excited, aren't you?" The Pirate King's former first mate commented incredulously and walks with the pair towards the shortest shortcut.

"Of course I am. I never knew if I was put on the Bingo Books in our world for being a threat to anyone else… Come to think of it, my memory is kind of blurry which doesn't make sense. Oh well, maybe I should think about it later. So, do you have any guesses?" Naruto fidgeted beside Rayleigh ignoring Ace altogether.

The Whitebeard pirate gaped at her and sighed forlornly. With hands stuffed deeply in his pockets, Ace walked behind the two. Without them knowing, he stopped on his tracks. On this particular sea, Moby Dick and her crew are waiting.

And despite the confidence Naruto have for him, Ace felt so insecure.

Uncertain.

Granted that the old man, Marco, his fellow commanders and the rest of the Whitebeard Pirates and their crew will be happy to see him again, he can never forget the sacrifices they made when they tried to rescue him that day. Many of his crewmates died because of him.

Where he currently stood now, he could hear their voices.

He could smell their blood.

Portgas D. Ace fell on his knees, hands clutching his ears, trying to tune out their cries.

And the voices of those people who wanted him dead because of the blood that flows in his veins.

Gol D. Roger's accursed blood.

Biting his lips to stop himself from screaming, Ace almost kissed the ground as he lowered his face. Blood started to trickle, but his eyes were dry.

It was similar to that day, two years ago. The never-ending fight between the so called justice and freedom. Marines and pirates died because of their very own duties, their obligation to one another. And in the middle of it all, the living legacy of the man that started everything.

How he managed to survive… It was still a complete mystery. But meeting Naruto is the only consolation that he received that day.

"Ace?" Hearing her voice, Fire Fist Ace felt so lost.

His will shaken, Ace breathed out heavily. Hesitantly, he looks up. Staring right through her eyes, he could almost drown himself in solace. Being with her, she miraculously alleviates his pain. Little by little, she patched him up.

His battered and wounded soul.

She is his… Naruto is his anchor. His light.

"Maybe it was too soon for this meeting…" Worriedly, Naruto wipes away the sweat that beaded his face. "I will talk to Rayleigh-san. We will try to reschedule your…"

Taking deep breaths, Ace shook his head. "I'm fine…" Shakily, he stands on his feet and Naruto took one of his arms over her shoulders for added support. It's as if he will fall any moment.

"No, no. You're not fine. Look at yourself, you're so pale…"

"N-no, I'm…"

"She's right-yoi," A very familiar voice commented behind Ace's back that caused the D to widen his eyes making him paler than usual. Naruto frowned when she sees this and turn to look at the newcomer. "You don't look so good. It's as if you're about to throw up-yoi."

Naruto mentally agreed but then the rest of the surviving Whitebeard commanders swarmed at them and hugged Ace simultaneously ignoring his yelped response. Tactically, she separated herself from the group and tried to stand at the back but his hand held hers tightly. Awkwardly, the blonde kunoichi stood and witnessed their interaction.

It was, heartwarming.

Nostalgic even.

From her eyes, instead of Ace and his peers from the Whitebeard pirates, all she saw was the people from her past. Those people whom she can never see again.

"…"

Of course, she knew the truth even if they (Sasuke, Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki and even Ace himself) tried to hide it from her. She is not stupid.

Despite stopping Kaguya from destroying mankind, she was able to trap everyone in her never ending illusion. And despite sacrificing themselves for her and Sasuke to seal the Rabbit Goddess, the two of them failed in bringing everyone back.

Kakashi-sensei. Sakura. Obito.

All of them.

It was already too late.

And for whatever reason, Sasuke took it upon himself to destroy the remnants of that hatred that he absorbed on his own, abandoning her in the process. Fearing that if he stays, he might hurt her again.

Laughing for the irony fate bestowed upon them. Looks like Ace aren't the only one who needed healing. Too wrapped up from her own thoughts, she did not noticed Marco's approach.

Naruto gasped out loud when she felt Whitebeard first division commander's gentle pat on top of her head. Turning to look at him, her mouth open wide to the other blonde who smiled gratefully at her.

"Indeed, we lost a lot of comrades… And then we gained new ones… I would also like to thank you, for bringing back our Ace." For once, the verbal tick was gone. "I never thought I would gain a new sister in the process-yoi." Or not.

Naruto smiled and forced her tears away even though its as if they have a mind of their own. "Ace did it himself. He wanted to come back, for his brother, for everyone else… I just…" Using both hands, she covered her face, as her tears can no longer be controlled. "Nursed him back to health. That is all."

Marco chuckled and turned to look at Ace himself who smiled back in response. Fire Fist Ace pulled her into his arms. Naruto wrapped her own arms around his neck and for a long moment and held each other tightly as the kunoichi cried out her own pain. Ace's fellow Whitebeard commanders surrounded them with words of comfort and gratitude to the blonde haired kunoichi.

"Come on, let's get going. He's been waiting long enough-yoi."

"Yeah…" Ace said bringing Naruto along. He is definitely sure; pops would love her as well. He just knew it.

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Reviews:
Narumiyu - Nope. Ace will remain as Whitebeard's division commander with a few minor changes. And I am not sure if Naruto will join any pirate crew (be they the Straw Hats or Ace's Whitebeard crew). Although I never thought of letting them join Luffy's adventure on Fishman Island, Punk Hazard or even Dressrosa: you do made a good point. Thanks for the suggestion. I'll keep that in mind :)

Guest # 2 - Indeed it was funny^^ Glad you like it.

idea . getthe - I'll try to put more amusing moments in between. Aja! I'll do my best.

Guest # 1 - Ace will turn out differently in regards to Naruto. I must say that he is kind of obsessive about her. *lols*

Next chapter is Sabo's cameo appearance. Till next time everyone.

Cheers!

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