Author note: been a minute huh? Well as i think i mentioned in the last chapter this will technically be the last chapter of the beginning section of this story. Next chapter onwards we will explore more about what Itachi learned from the giant and about a mysterious island said to be home to a certain giants tribe. (im going full head cannon here) Anyways idk when next chapter will come but hopefully it wont take as long as this one. Just pester me with reviews and ill eventually release it.

ENJOY!

After the intense battle between Big Snake's crew and the marines, the port lay in ruins. Smoke hung in the air, and debris littered the ground, bearing witness to the fierce conflict. Tobi stood at the center of the port, surrounded by the Tempest crew—Ella, Aurora, Seven, and Freddy. Itachi perched on a partially destroyed building, observing the scene with keen interest. Masaru, his face hidden beneath bandages except for his striking eyes, sat at the ship's edge, radiating an air of arrogance.

Suddenly, the silence shattered as Freddy, the lively captain, spoke up. "Hahaha! Finally, we're all here! Let's celebrate our two new crew members together!" he exclaimed, raising his arms in excitement.

Masaru couldn't hold back his disdain. "New members? Why did you invite these weaklings to join us?" he scoffed, casting a scornful glance at Tobi and Itachi.

Freddy looked puzzled. "What are you talking about?" he asked, genuinely confused.

Masaru, fueled by his own ego, jumped off the ship, spear resting casually on his shoulder. "What can these two clowns offer our crew?" he sneered, his words dripping with contempt as he confronted Tobi.

Seven tried to intervene. "Masaru, these guys are incredibly strong. They have valuable skills and can be assets to us," he explained, but Masaru cut him off.

"Strong? Maybe in your eyes. But in reality, they're just weak nobodies!" Masaru declared, his superiority on full display as he locked eyes with Tobi, who took a hesitant step back.

Freddy, unwilling to tolerate the disrespect, stepped forward, positioning himself between Tobi and Masaru. His usual cheerfulness replaced by a serious expression, he addressed Masaru firmly. "You're doing it again, Masaru. Rejecting my new recruits without even giving them a chance."

Tension built between Freddy and Masaru, and the rest of the crew watched, anticipating a clash. It was clear that conflicts like this had arisen before, and another confrontation seemed imminent.

Breaking the tension, Itachi spoke up unexpectedly. "We don't need this. We never planned to join your crew," he stated, his voice carrying a sense of finality. From his cloak's sleeve, he revealed a peculiar object—an hourglass-like device with a compass at its core.

Confusion filled the air as Tobi reacted. "We're not joining?" he questioned, his tone filled with contemplation. Itachi nodded, their eyes meeting in understanding.

As Itachi revealed their decision not to join the crew, Freddy's anger ignited, his wind powers surging to life. A fierce breeze whipped around them, threatening to sweep them away, but Freddy's control prevented it from turning into a storm. At that moment, the captain's true intentions came to light.

"I became a pirate because I yearned to be the strongest, to be noticed and respected by all," Freddy declared, his voice carried by the gusts of wind. "Becoming the Pirate King is just a stepping stone towards my ultimate goal. I'll make it to the New World, find the One Piece, and prove all those who doubted me wrong."

The winds ceased abruptly, leaving Freddy standing before them, his determination etched upon his face. Tobi, moved by Freddy's conviction, decided to speak up. "Alrighty then, we'll hop aboard your crew. But here's the deal," he said, raising a finger in the air. "Just lend us a hand with Itachi's plan, and in return, we'll lend you ours!" Itachi didn't interject, hinting to Tobi that he was fine with that proposal.

A wide grin spread across Freddy's face as he extended his hand, accepting the terms. The alliance had been forged. However, their moment of agreement was interrupted by Masaru, who couldn't resist interjecting once more. Before he could utter a word, Tobi silenced him, demanding the opportunity to prove their worth.

"I accept your challenge, Masaru," Tobi declared, his voice confident but tinged with mischief. A battle between the two immediately erupted, each displaying their unique skills and techniques.

Masaru wielded his spear with incredible skill, unleashing powerful strikes that seemed to shake the air around them. Each attack was fueled by his desire to defeat Tobi and establish his dominance. However, Masaru couldn't believe his eyes as Tobi effortlessly phased through every strike, his agile movements allowing him to evade harm. Masaru grew increasingly frustrated, unable to grasp how Tobi seemed to defy all expectations.

The rest of the crew watched in astonishment as Masaru, one of their strongest members, struggled against Tobi's elusive nature. It appeared more like a game to Tobi, effortlessly dodging each attack. But then, Masaru's sharp instincts kicked in, and he saw a potential weakness in Tobi's powers. With a wicked smirk, Masaru changed tactics. Instead of thrusting his spear, he hurled it towards Tobi's head, hoping to catch him off guard. Like all other times, the spear passed right through Tobi, but in that split second, Masaru appeared behind him, catching the spear as it emerged on the other side. He swiftly aimed a punch at Tobi's back.

Tobi, momentarily caught off guard by Masaru's unexpected move, faltered for a moment. However, even with Masaru's clever strategy, Tobi's reflexes were too swift. He quickly ducked and dodged the punch, using the opportunity to swiftly rise up and connect his head with Masaru's jaw. The impact sent Masaru flying backward, crashing to the ground. The battle was over in an instant, with Tobi emerging as the victor. Despite Masaru's skill and quick thinking, he couldn't overcome Tobi's incredible ability.

In the end, Masaru had to accept defeat, humbled by Tobi. It was a moment of realization for Masaru, recognizing the strength that lay within his new crewmate.

With the conflict resolved, the crew stood together, a newfound unity forming among them. Two new members had been gained, and the promise of a shared journey lay ahead. They pledged to sail together, supporting each other in their respective quests, bound by the bonds forged in battle.

And so, as the sun began to set, the Tempest crew set sail once more, their spirits soaring with the promise of adventure, camaraderie, and the pursuit of their dreams. The winds guided their ship towards the horizon, carrying them forward into the vast unknown, where their destinies awaited.

I dunno what that weakness that Masaru found was but idc it sounded cool in my head so i wrote it down. Anyway I realize that some of you might not like Tobi and Itachi joining a pirate crew and I get that but all I can say is two things.

1. How dare you doubt me? (you just gon have to put some trust ya boy not to ruin this story)

2. We're talking about Tobi and Itachi here. Tobi is only loyal to Rin (SIMP!) and Itachi is only loyal to the leaf. Either way with Freddy's strategy for getting new members, a crew like this is not going to last long anyway.

In reviews tell me who should be the first cannon character (other than shanks) you want Itachi and Tobi to meet. For now cya!