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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:
For those who take their time to leave their reviews every chapter, thank you sooo freakin' much! If Ziggy can kiss you, maybe she already did :)
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D's Orange Will
By: Zelga Lim Li
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Chapter 7 – Deliverance
One week have passed ever since the events on Saboady Archipelago reached the New World. The return of the Straw Hat Pirates as well as the reappearance of Fire Fist Ace, son of the legendary Pirate King Gol D. Roger.
Even with the death of the great Captain Whitebeard spread like wildfire, the New Age seems to be inevitable and the World Government did their best to make their stand and implement their so called justice.
However, evil lurks within every corner of the sea and not everyone follows the same concept of dreams like a particular group of pirates. Thus the fear in everyone's hearts remains after the battle that started a new era of pirates.
…
Somewhere in an unknown island located on the second half of the Grand Line…
"I can't believe you ate all my ramen, you bastard! How could you?" A blonde haired stomped her feet in anger as she walks ahead of a dark haired pirate who looks so flustered and nervous. "Do you know how long they tried to perfect it? And when I got the chance to have a taste of their final product, you… Argh!" Pulling up her pigtails while glaring murderously at nothing, Uzumaki Naruto cried out her disappointment towards the said man who is wearing an open front shirt revealing a muscled chest (for once she wasn't distracted at the sight of his almost naked body which seems to be a usual getup in that world), a pair of black trousers enclosed within black boots. Hanging behind his back is an orange hat decorated by a red ribbon and two smileys: one frowning and one smiling above the rim. Her mood imitates the other smiley and instead of the usual frown, she is dangerously mad. "You ate everything! Dattebayo!"
It was a lifetime since she last used this word. She was able to control this verbal tic during the Fourth Shinobi War to impress her father, but then again.
Newly promoted First Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, Fire Fist Ace apologized repeatedly sounding tense and a bit of apprehensive, "I already said I'm sorry… Please forgive me, Naruto, honey…?" Feeling the hair at the back of his neck rise in foreboding, Ace paled once more and tried again. "I didn't mean to eat your ramen… Well," Thinking of possible excuses, Ace stilled when Naruto gave him a chilling look. "It smelled delicious and I couldn't help myself, you see…" It was a pitiful, to say the least.
Naruto's tears started to fall and Ace tried to touch her in an attempt to console his kunoichi with his embrace. It used to work in the past with their petty arguments but then what he come into contact with was empty space of air where he suppose she should be.
Naruto disappeared using her time space jutsu, the Hiraishin. And even though he can follow her anywhere, he decided to leave her alone for the meantime.
For whatever reason, Naruto is being temperamental more than usual. But despite her quirks every now and then, much to the amusement of his fellow commanders and Marco himself, he loved her dearly.
"Did she ditch on you again-yoi?" Marco asks amusingly as they met near the entrance to pops grave. Ace grumbled in response. "I did warn you about those ramen bowls, but you never really listen…"
"Could we please drop the subject?" Ace said as he glared at the other bane of his existence. "Even if you are the new captain, I swear I will beat you if you don't stop meddling with my own personal affairs." Well, ever since Marco assumed the role as the new captain of the Whitebeard Pirates, everything had been smooth sailing among the crew.
Even after his passing, everyone accepted the Old Man's wishes wholeheartedly.
They still have things to settle with the territories they protected in the past as various pirates had made their claim over them.
The commanders are tasked to ensure the safety of the remaining territories. He just come back from his three day reconnaissance mission and Ace really misses his woman. But then the ramen incident happened and he doesn't know what to do for Naruto to forgive him.
"Must be that time of the month-yoi…" Marco commented jovially and walks ahead leaving Ace to his thoughts.
"What the hell do you mean by that?"
Shrugging his shoulders dismissively, the Phoenix gave Ace an eye smile and took the flowers the younger man is holding. It was oyaji's favorite flowers. But then when they reach Whitebeard's tombstone, Marco's laidback demeanor changes which was noticed immediately by Ace who took an offensive position conjuring flames on both arms.
"You're overreacting, brat. Stand down-yoi," Marco commanded but knowing Ace, he never did listen to anyone, even him. Well, except if its Naruto beating him up and then force him to follow. There was an inside joke shared among the crew that Ace is far more afraid in facing Naruto's wrath rather than an enemy, be they an Admiral or another pirate. From his perspective, these two really do complement one another.
Well, sort of.
"I already lost too many brothers. I will not allow anyone to hurt the rest of MY family," Ace said in gritted teeth. "For as long as I live…" His flames show his conviction as it wasn't the usual shade of flares he often uses. Naruto once mentioned that the bluish flames are Ace's more powerful kind of fire. "…I will protect my precious people."
It was a nindo he learned from Naruto herself. Though he is technically not a ninja, he decided to follow her ninja ways. It sounded right, even to a pirate like him.
Marco sighed and decided to give Ace a smack in the head. He made sure to infuse it with Haki or his hand will pass through.
"I said, stand down-yoi!" In response, Ace glares at him with the usual pout on his face. Even at 22, the said pirate acts like a child and Naruto herself is indulging him much to his growing frustration.
Crossing his arms, Ace sulked and followed him closely. Knowing him, the brat's senses are on high alert, ready to burn anyone who will harm his captain.
Ever since he took the old man's hat, the attempts on his life is far more to his liking and it is starting to get under his nerves. He never really understood how pops managed to survive all those years especially when Ace tried to take his life during the earlier times. This particular pirate is a very persistent one.
What they saw on Whitebeard's tombstone is really unexpected.
It was a large bouquet of flowers in different colors, similar to the ones they brought.
"Hmmm…" Marco muttered curiously. Ace takes a closer look and inspected the flowers suspiciously.
"Did Vista and the others went here already? I thought they'll go visit pops after the initiation?" A new batch of recruits joined the crew and the Vista is assigned to welcome the newcomers alongside Jozu and the other commanders.
"I don't think so-yoi…" Marco chimed as he gestured a wooden box behind the gravestone, hidden from plain view. It is overlooking the ocean.
On top of the wooden box are three cups of sake with the bottle itself pinning a cutout newspaper article about Luffy's return and the reappearance of Gol D. Roger's son who went missing two years ago. Speculations were passed down from island to island as Akainu, the current Fleet Admiral of the Marines, killed Ace during the Battle of Marineford which was now proved to be false.
Seeing these things, Ace stilled. He knew that Luffy doesn't know that oyaji is dead or where the old man was even buried. So who could possibly…?
No.
It can't be…
He's…
Marco pointed the direction where the possible culprit is currently heading judging from the trail the stranger left behind. Looking hesitantly at the older man, the Phoenix nodded his consent with an understanding smile on his face. "Go."
Gratefully, Ace nodded and ran. With his new flames and a few ninja learned techniques, he was able to catch up. A tall voluptuous woman stood by the shoreline looking surprised and agitated at his sudden appearance.
Walking towards her was a young man who didn't seem to notice her reaction. He is wearing a long black jacket with a buckle on the left sleeve. On his head is a black top hat. Ace is making a wild guess that the said hat has a pair of blue goggles decorating the rim.
It was a little too late when he saw Ace and receives his punch. Thankfully, Fire Fist Ace manages to control his flames without hurting the said person fatally.
"?!"
The woman covered her mouth in shock seeing the two of them collide.
"You BASTARD!" Ace yelled furiously as he punched him continuously. He didn't even fight back. Good. "After 12 fucking years, you're alive? And you never told me? Us? Did you know how devastated Luffy has been when he thought you died?"
The hat fell revealing a very familiar face. Similar to Luffy and their grandfather, Ace saw a burned scar on his left face running across his eye that made him stop. Still enraged, he grabs his shirt, glared at him murderously and pushed him away.
"I need an explanation. NOW!"
Chuckling under his breath, the man stood and dusted himself. The woman, after picking up his discarded hat, approached them wearily.
"Is everything…" She asked softly, her eyes never left Ace who almost looks like he was about to combust into flames. Seems like it, Portgas D. Ace is starting to burn himself up. Literally. The man himself is indeed a walking fire torch as he ate the Mera Mera no Mi. "…okay?"
"Yeah, we're good…" The man said calmly and asks her to prepare for their departure. Hearing this, Ace's vein started throbbed irritatingly again. "I will need a few moments, if you may… Koala-chan."
"Sure." The woman named Koala left hesitantly and walks away. Ace didn't even bother to watch her leave.
Arms crossed, Ace taps his finger noisily. "Well? What can you say for yourself, Sabo?"
Sabo smiled and walks near the docks. Between the two of them, he is always the calmer one and he is his exact opposite.
Whenever he or Luffy gets into a fight, Sabo acted as the peacemaker. He also used to indulge Luffy's caprices and encourages their little brother to improve. As per Luffy's words, Sabo is a nicer older brother than him.
Well, come to think of it, Luffy might be right.
Sighing tiredly, Ace feels like throwing a tantrum. Like burning an entire forest or destroy something with his flames. If Naruto was here, all he needs to do is cuddle her to calm himself from all this chaos inside of him.
He heard Sabo chuckle as he sat beside him when he saw him slump on a weathered tree bark littered around the shore. "You've changed…"
"You think?" His tone sarcastic, Ace grumbled in response. Sabo shrug his shoulders amusingly.
"You are not the same hotheaded boy I grew up with at Dawn Island." Sabo said knowingly and smiled at his brother. "I suppose I should thank that woman who saved your life. Her name is Uzumaki Naruto, correct?"
Hastily, Ace turned and gave Sabo a questioning look.
"We knew almost everything on these seas. And he is quite interested in meeting her personally. Though I strongly recommended that he should seek your permission first before doing anything…"
"No! I will not…"
Sabo raised both arms in an assuring manner, calming his brother. "Rest assured that we mean her no harm. Of all people, you should know by now that we are not the enemies…"
"Be that as it may, but I will not allow anyone to…" Just like Marco, Sabo smacks him in the head as if he is a freaking child.
For crying out loud.
"I take my words back. You haven't changed for one bit, Ace," Sabo commented with a frown. "I wonder if I should worry about Luffy too…"
"Shut up, you asshole!"
"Now, now… You are being uncivilized. Did you know that I was really excited in seeing you again? Could you at least pretend to be happy?"
"I am happy," Ace said as he smiled sinisterly, his knuckles cracking out of habit. Sabo's sweat drop and was preparing to bolt out just in case his brother decided to explode. "After 12 years of thinking you were dead and then alas, here you are. Yes, indeed… I am so excited and happy to see you again… my dear brother."
From the Revolutionary Army's ship, Koala stood and did a face palm upon hearing the explosion. She just hope that these brothers won't gather in one place or there will be a catastrophe in the making.
Too bad their next destination is where the said people will meet once again. Who knows? They might use it to their advantage.
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Reviews:
Guest # 2 - Of course :) I feel like this story is one of my favorites, aside from AUPoH and A Raven's Song. DOW also make me warm, fuzzy and cuddly inside... *lols*
idea . getthe - Yes. Naruto will not be a pirate. Her own personal ship is a good suggestion and I kind of like that idea as well. Let's ask Franky, noh? :) But I don't think Ace will let her go on her own. Now that the World Government knew her existence, they will do anything and everything they can to get a hold of her.
Livvy4243 - Indeed. I am inspired to write new chapters because of reviews like yours^^ Now, if only the manga will come out any moment soon. That would be an added bonus, don't you think?
Hoytti - I am not sure about her own crew. But I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the suggestion. I really appreciate it :)
Guest # 1 - Children of Ace and Naru-chan? Hmmm... Now that you've mentioned it, well...
thewhitedragon1993 - Whitebeard did die. But how he lasted two years after all those injuries? Kindly wait for the upcoming chapters. Yosh!^^
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