So, this will be a bit of an awkward moment, but I'll have to apologize first for what many of you might've seen happening, so let me explain with the help of a Kingdom Hearts knower, ZaneLockWood, who will address you all.

*Zane here. My boi here asked a question in our discord group and I being the magnanimous person I am helped my boi out. He asked if having Aqua out of the Realm of Darkness would kill his story. He asked for an honest opinion. I said yes. Yes, it would. Let me explain my reasoning before y'all get upset. If you have flames or hate. Direct them at me. I'll take you all on. Anyways. Aqua's character is built on love. Her love for her friends. Ventus and Terra. If any of you played Birth By Sleep you will know where I'm going with this. She loves her friends to the point that to protect them both she willingly enters the Realm Of Darkness so Ventus can be safe. I will not spoil the game though. I will say where she left Ventus is tied to the Realm of Darkness. Anyway, Aqua is my favorite character. Her entire arc/story is that she allows the Darkness to corrupt her so she can safeguard Ventus. If she isn't in the Realm of Darkness. Well. She isn't Aqua.*

Zane Lockwood

AL: So yes, this story will take place (hopefully, Zane check on this) from the very beginning. Thanks again to Zane Lockwood for helping me out. Please leave a review, follow the story and if you got questions, please be polite, I will answer them

Enjoy.

3 Months later

Traverse Town

Red-Light District

In an apartment in the middle of the most dangerous district of the Eternal Light town, one person lying on his bed was about to wake up.

Opening his eyes, the young man did as he stared at the bare gray ceiling with his blue eyes that were void of joy as he spoke the first words.

"Good morning cruel world."

Standing up from his bed, he went over to the bathroom, where he was shown to be sleeping in just his undergarments, indicating that his body was still well taken care of after three months of arriving in this place.

As he went into the shower to just get cold water over him, he began scrubbing himself briefly to wake up well as he had been preparing for a good long time now for what he had been training for these past times.

His first mission was one he couldn't decline nor wanted to. He had been eager to go on the hunt for a long time now.

Once he finished showering he then got out and grabbed the dry towel, having spent less than a few minutes on his own hygiene and less for himself to get dried up properly.

Walking back to his bedroom, the young man grabbed the clothes he had prepared the night before, alongside the gear he had purchased from the local markets and shops for preparations.

Among his things was wrapped up in bandages, the weapon he was connected to and had trained with.

"It's time."

Clothed up, he wore brown boots for traveling, cameo cargo pants, and a black shirt with organ Kanji writings in the back, alongside his patches, equipment, and everything else in his backpack.

What was written was quite depressing for those who could read it.

'For the fallen, I push.'

Once that, he grabbed the coat he pulled over himself, then the wrapped blade over his shoulder so it was lingering around his back alongside his backpack.

He was ready, Naruto Uzumaki was prepared now to go to the masters who trained him for his new role as a Keyblader.

Let's go." Naruto said having prepared himself and now making his way to the door. "You awake, you old furball?"

'Shut up, and just go.'

Naruto grabbed then for the doorknob and turned it, opening it as he walked out of his rented home.

Proceeding to walk, the young adult blond had to walk through the hallways that he walked through multiple times before, hearing or even seeing his neighbors' antics.

He didn't mind what their business was, nor did they press on his as this neighborhood in the middle of the Red-Light District was not the home to those of innocent lives. He had seen it before and wasn't shocked much by what their day-to-day lives were.

Some didn't even bother closing their doors to hide what they were doing, like how a man who was a few years older than himself was seen in his baggy clothes making what looked like drugs on his table, while a gun was seen lying next to him as he was wearing a purple bandana from the back of his pants. Meaning he was a member of one of the main gangs living in this district.

Continuing to walk through, he then happened to encounter another neighbor who was seen walking into his own apartment, a lady with a red stain dress and horrible-looking makeup with ginger hair. Who noticed Naruto and gave him a glaring look.

"What you looking at, brat?" The woman cussed him out. "Move it!"

Naruto didn't say much as he just glared at the woman, before bypassing her and hearing her door slam behind him.

'What a bitch.'

'Agreed.'

But not all of his neighbors were exactly of the asshole types he dealt with, as the next door that was seen left open was proof of it.

There was a person of a strange alien species, meditating with her back turned against the door, showing her to be close to his age, some metal and mechanical parts were seen floating in front of her as she was in deep concentration.

'She must be one of those members of that Order I heard.'

'Must be, but strange she isn't living with them in that commune like the rest of them.'

'You never asked, nor do you speak to her much exactly.'

Proceeding to let her in peace Naruto continued to walk down the hallway, With most of the other doors closed, Naruto went down the staircase towards the exit.

*Rumble!*

The sound of something falling was enough to then be followed by an angry raging yell that was not new to the blond Keyblader.

"Son of a piece of shit!"

'Oh, no.'

"He's at it again."

…

Underneath the apartments laid a bar that was named Paddy's Pub, with the owner also being the landlord who owned in fact the whole building; this was also the only main entrance for the tenors above.

Walking in came Naruto, who took a look around at the bar that was just finished with its renovations, it had the 'Irish heritage' that the landlord wanted, and even to his surprise, it looked quite good.

'I must say, this place looks kinda neat.'

'Hard to imagine that thing managed to get this build in less than a month.'

'Kurama, you know better than anyone calling someone a thing is not a nice thing to say. Even if he is our landlord.'

"GOD DAMN IT!"

There was an almighty crashing of several more objects hitting the floor, along with shattering glass, before a man emerged from behind the counter. He was by far the weirdest, ugliest man they had ever seen, standing at 4'10", with a huge pair of glasses, a balding head, and no shirt. He was quite rotund and hairy to boot.

He was Frank Reynolds, owner and landlord of Paddy's Pub, somehow one of the most successful businessmen in the Red-Light District. Even worse, he was keeping something in his office that had just woken up.

"Frank."

"Naruto! Good to see you! Have you seen my gun? " Frank asked while looking around, trying to find them. "I've been looking all over for the damn thing, but I can't find it anywhere."

"Have you been drinking?"

"No…. I mean maybe… Yes, I did." Frank admitted while scratching his stomach, "Why do you ask?"

"I can smell it…"

Frank took note, turned back to the counter, and grabbed from the floor behind it an empty unbroken bottle of beer.

"Nothing much," Frank burped before answering. "Like six beers I think."

Naruto could only shake his head at his landlord who was the only survivor of his world seemingly, or that is what he claimed, his memory wasn't the best, nor was his track record of the truth.

"So listen, I need your help, and it is quite important." Frank began to explain. "I got business in the back that can be beneficial to the both of us-"

"Sorry Frank, but I got my own errands to do," Naruto said to him and walked past him, "I already paid my rent, old man. Later."

"But-"

Naruto already walked out the front door of the bar before Frank could finish his sentence, leaving the smelly old man to himself.

"Shit." Frank cursed as he was out of luck, "Now what?"

"EYETA!"

"UTINNI!"

Hearing that, Frank turned around to see his business had come out of the backroom, with the two brown-cloaked Jawas of the same height as him looking at him with their yellow eyes.

The one who stood taller than the other began to speak, sounding a bit angry.

"Not now, Teeka" Frank told her off, "We talk business inside the room, alright?"

Teeka cussed him out further in her native tongue before she walked back into the room.

Leaving Frank to do some much-needed damage control, he thought of something and grabbed for underneath the counter, and pulled out two bottles of hard liquor.

"Hopefully these little bastards drink."

Traverse Town

Once outside, Naruto did not wait to make his way through the busy crowd, blending in and bypassing them as he tried to not gain any attention.

It didn't take long for him to leave the Red-Light District as he now had gotten over the supposed borderline that divided the crime world district from the rest of the town growing still in numbers, with hundreds of newcomers having arrived in the past few weeks due to the continued chaos that was being caused.

That chaos wasn't only because of the Heartless, that's for sure.

'That Zetsu bastard sure is leaving his tracks around, that is for sure.'

'Well, that's where I come in with my new job. Trying to prevent that from growing.'

*TING!-TING!*

It happened to be Naruto's lucky day as he turned around and saw the tram going by, right next to him with a whole load of passengers that were being transported to the center of town, a quick lift for him as he jumped right in the back and sat on the edge of it to hike.

'Quite remarkable that in just a few months this form of transportation is built by some newcomers. Where were those guys from again?'

'I believe a place called Danville, if I remember correctly. Some kids who have a neck for building.'

'Figuratively or literally?'

A hint of a chuckle coming from the Fox was enough to make Naruto shake his head.

'Very funny, Kurama. Given these kids made life easier for everyone, I doubt their parents were really happy knowing their children can build these things.'

'Well according to their oldest daughter, she had been trying to snitch on them for a while now. Yet they never get caught - It's either stupidity or those things keep disappearing, but that sounds illogical.'

'Kurama - in a place like this and how our lives are - I doubt logic is the right word to explain all of this.'

'Point taken.'

"Let's go!"

The tram stopped and many men in working gear were seen exiting the tram and going to a few construction sites that were in the early phases of being built. Among those construction workers were mainly humans, but also other sentients who were in different sizes and colors.

'Lately new arrivals of different races and aliens.'

'Yeah, more people who survive Zetsu's chaos are arriving here, trying to rebuild their lives.'

The tram continued on as it went through the market where vendors were selling and trading anything of value to anyone with a coin. No matter the appearance.

It happened also that they passed by a recently opened Cinema that was yet to be open,

"Heyo! Naruto!"

Turning down to the road the blond was surprised to see the craziest Chihuahua of Traverse Town running up towards him, it was the same one he met three months ago and helped out. Wearing a green headband and the wildest energy one creature could get, but had one of the biggest hearts.

"Tito?"

"Of course, it is me, man. Been a while!" Tito jumped on the back of the tram next to him, "I got a message for you."

"Master Yen Sid?"

"Yeah, he wants you to go to Merlin's spot."

Naruto jumped off the back of the tram and landed on his two feet as he responded to the stop.

"Alright, let's go."

Merlin's House

Taking a while before arriving, the state of the wizard's home was as usual.

"Curses!"

A whole stack of it fell to the ground and scattered all over the floor, causing the wizard to then go down towards the ground and try to clean up the mess he made by himself.

"Paperwork, paperwork, and even more paperwork."

The little pig Hen Wen sleeping underneath the table was not bothered, but her little pink nose sniffed up a few times and opened her eyes up.

"Perhaps hiring somebody to bring some order here would help-"

"I think you should, old man."

Merlin turned around to see it was Naruto who had entered his home, causing the old wizard to smile at seeing his presence.

"Ah, Naruto, glad to see you."

Hen Wen squealed at the sight of the blond and ran over to him.

A smile equally appeared on Naruto's face, "Hen Wen." He kneeled down and began to pet the little piglet on the head, "How are you doing?"

Hen Wen leaned her head into the blond's hand for the moment she cherished.

Naruto finished patting the pig and stood back up. "I'm here for my assignment. Tito said that Master Sid told me to come here."

"I did."

Hearing that voice made the young adult Naruto turn around and see that Master Sid himself had somehow appeared behind him, without any sound being made.

'Still fast, not going to lie.'

"Master Sid," Naruto bowed his head respectfully to the wizard. "I just arrived here for my first assignment."

"That I am fully aware, young Naruto," Master Sid acknowledged, "Your training has been followed and I am glad to see you have made the necessary progress for a Keyblader."

For Naruto, it was already clear what his duties were, and what was told to him.

Flashback

3 months earlier

A day after the rescue we see Naruto following Master Yen Sid in the hospital towards an elevator. Waving his hand across the button the wall shimmers and a second button appears, and Yen Sid pushes it.

Naruto raises an eyebrow as he hears gears whirling and levels shifting as the door slides down revealing a hallway and Yen Sid looks at the blond newcomer.

"Come my boy there is someone I wish for you to meet that is the highest priority for what i am about to tell you."

Nodding his head. Naruto follows the wizened master as the hallway closes up behind them as if nothing happened. The hallway turns once to the right and there is a single door with a magic circle glowing faintly.

Sitting next to that door was a guard in what looked like a police uniform, wearing a light blue shirt with shoulder patches showing her rank, with tight blue pants, where not only a radio, handcuffs, and other patches were on her belt, it was also showing her curvy thighs that were squeezing from her upper parts to the slender legs. Never mind the woman herself who's face screamed similarity to someone the blond knew.

The woman sees Master Yen Sid approaching with a blond newcomer she has never seen before she instantly gets in a stance to protect this door but after seeing the wizard wave her off she relaxes and bows her head.

"Master it is good to see you. There has been no update on the patient. No threats. All clear."

She eyes the newcomer and senses his power.

"Is he one of them Master?"

"Yes, my dear. Thank you for the dedicated work. Please take a break. I will be speaking with this young gentleman inside for some time."

She bows her head and leaves as Master Yen Sid walks to the door and presses his hand against the circle it glows bright and then fades away.

"Inside is a very special person. Probably the most important person in this entire town in a manner of speaking"

The door opens and Naruto sees a room that is all white. And a single bed with an occupant sitting against the headboard as the person in it is staring straight ahead and then a flash of pink and he whips his head around so fast you would think he broke his neck.

"Sakura!"

He rushes forth and captures the woman in a tight hug as tears fall down his face as he shakes.

"Kit…. That's….. that's not the banshee…."

As Naruto slowly opens his eyes and sees a woman of pure innocent beauty with pink hair and an equally pink face from the sudden contact as she stammers out.

"I. I… 'm sorry I don't know who this Sakura is…. My name is Joy. Nurse Joy…."

As she stammers out blushing up a storm from this handsome man still hugging her as she hangs there as she is a little bit shorter than him. He immediately sets her down and backs up five feet so fast as he waves his hands and shakes his head.

"I'm so sorry. I thought you were someone I knew. Please forgive me. I didn't…. I didn't realize…."

He softly says at the end the weight of the single survivor rearing its head once again as the woman and Yen Sid look sadly at him. The woman calms herself and has a look of determination as she sees that he has yet to process all that has gone on as her life as a caregiver takes over she boldly walks up to Naruto and he looks at her with confusion as she brings him down and hugs him tight and runs a hand through His hair and rubs his back and speaks softly.

"I understand." Nurse Joy brought up the usual smile she used to give to everyone in her former workplace, "I understand what you went through, young man. But just so you know you do not need to apologize, I was in the same position as you when I arrived here…"

"Nurse Joy, can we?" Master Sid asked the pinkette nurse, "We're in need of seeing the state of poor Kairi, if you allow us."

Nurse Joy obliged, "Of course."

Pushing aside the shroud, there she lay.

Standing over the bed are Master Yen Sid and Naruto who are looking at this teenage woman who was close to Naruto's age when he returned to the village, who is gazing straight ahead as if they weren't even there. Wearing nothing but a white overall as her bright hair was grown and covering the bed.

"This is Kairi. She is a Princess of Light. One of 7 of the most pure souls in the galaxy. She was found in an alleyway just as she is now. I fear the darkness has corrupted her but after examining her. She lost her heart."

Naruto looks at the wizened old man like he is crazy.

"Old man… she is alive… i can see that she is breathing. Although she looks out of it."

Before he can continue Yen Sid holds up a hand to stop his words and breathes deeply.

"What I meant to say is. Her spiritual heart. What makes her who she is, is gone. What you are looking at is in a medical term… a husk. A soulless body. Yes, she is alive… but she isn't living. Her heart is out there. Somewhere. Lost. A person is not whole without the heart my boy."

Naruto looks down at Kairi with a sad expression. Then anger. As he growls out.

"Did Zetsu do this… the heartless? Did they take her heart?"

Unknown to him when he set his hand down on the bed near Kairi's hand, her finger twitched… ever so slightly that Yen Sid barely glimpsed it as his eyes widened slightly.

"I do not know who this Zetsu is but the heartless do have a part to play with the stolen heart yes. As a keyblader. You have a duty to defend the Light. And as a Princess of Light. Bound to protect them… but I believe you have a greater role to play than just a mere guard… I believe you will be the one to find Kairi's heart."

Naruto raises a brow at this.

"How do you figure that?"

Yen Sid merely gestures down and Naruto follows his eyes and does a double take with wide eyes as before he knows he put his hand down. But now clasped in his hand is Kairi's. Holding it tightly fingers entwined.

"What... how… how did I not notice this?!"

Master Yen Sid strokes his beard in thought as he ponders possibilities. Before looking at young Naruto.

"My boy. I must ask you for a big favor. I wish for you to train to become a Master Keyblade Wielder. For the good of this town. For the good of the Light… and for the safety and rescue of Kairi."

Being given this information and plea of this man, the Konoha Nin thought for a moment as his own thoughts were even going through with this idea.

'Kurama...'

'Don't ask me, kid - ask yourself. Because you already know the answer.'

A sigh was all that came from Naruto, a deep sigh as he turned around to the bearded master and the nurse who stood there and watched something she didn't expect.

"I'm in."

Traverse Town

Walking now through the district, Naruto was accompanied by Master Sid himself who was telling him his mission.

"My boy you have come a long way from three months ago with your training. I feel it is time for you to learn why I asked you to train so hard."

Naruto listened closely.

"Long ago there were many others like you. I myself am a retired master. I know not what has happened to them, but there is one wielder. I have had many conversations with this one and have aided her on her journeys." Master Sid spoke and continued, "Her name is Aqua and she is a Keyblade Master. I have recently discovered a trail of where she was last seen many years ago…. But I warn you… This area is exceedingly dangerous. I would not even think to send you if I believed I had no other choice. You must find a way to the Realm of Darkness."

Master Yen Sid strokes his beard as he peers at Naruto.

"I believe you will find what you need out there. Journey to other worlds. Meet new people. Create bonds. Somehow you will find a way. I am sure of it."

"Do you wish for me to track her down now?" Naruto asked the old man, "It sounds like you are very connected to her…"

"As much as I want to say yes. Unfortunately, it is not that simple. The Realm of Darkness is not so easily accessible. You must either have been born there. Lose your heart and become heartless. Or. Have a link. I believe somewhere out there. There is a link connecting Aqua. And using that will be like a map…."

Pausing momentarily as he watches the children laughing he sighs heavily and looks into Naruto's eyes.

"I must ask another favor of you my boy. As you journey through the different worlds. Please. Help any lost soul you come across. This town was made specifically for the lost souls who have lost their home world. But unfortunately. Not all have made it here. They are out there lost. Please help them…"

A couple of moments pass as they continue to walk before the wise old man nods his head.

"Do try to keep the World Order as well. It is not known that you can travel between worlds. And most will not be able to handle that knowledge. It is up to us to protect the World Order of each world. Be mindful. And should there ever come a time where you are caught…. "

He waves his hands in a gesture like he is trying to think of something before he just shrugs.

"Improvise."

Red-Light-District

Walking towards an unassuming building within the Red-Light District Naruto knocks on the door.

A couple of moments go by, and a slot opens, A pair of black beady eyes peer through and see Naruto.

"Give me a moment."

the slot slides closed with a slam. A couple of locks click and a heavy bar slides and the door opens, and there stands a man with a pistol ready as he peers behind Naruto and ushers him inside.

"Welcome back Naruto. A little busy tonight. Please don't break anything….. again…."

Naruto rolls his eyes and walks in and the beat of a nice melody starts thrumming along the walls and floors as lights flash with different colors as Naruto parts a curtain and the scent of alcohol. Drugs. Lust permeates the air as on stage the normal band is blasting along with some people dancing.

Up above in cages, women in scantily clad clothes sway to the beat and move around. Private tables circle the cantina where there are shadows and some light where those that seek privacy can have it.

Managing the large bar was a large man who looked up and saw Naruto and nodded as he motioned to an open seat on the corner.

"Mister, I need some information"

"Naruto, nice to see you too." The large bartender spoke without turning around, busy cleaning up an empty glass, "Haven't seen you in a while, a drink?"

"No, I don't have time for that now." Naruto told the bartender, "I need a crew."

The bartender rubs his chin in thought, placing the clean glass on the counter.

"You will probably need a ship. And captain…" The bartender mentioned, not forgetting the details, "There is one here. He's got a ship. Doesn't have a crew but says he doesn't need one. He goes by Silver. John Silver. He is a cyborg but he is one of the best flyers around. You will find him soon he usually comes in…."

He stops as the music slows and everyone turns to the door as a thump is heard. Followed by what sounds like metal on stone. As it continues before the curtains part and in walks a beast of a man. He looks around the room before shaking his head and motions for everyone to carry on before he goes towards a table. The previous occupants cleared it and even wiped the table clean with their sleeves. And sits down.

Naruto walks over to the table Silver is sitting at and sits down.

"Hey, John."

"Aye, Naruto lad," John looked at him with his cyborg eye, giving a confident smirk, "Coming 'ere for the rum?"

The bartender was confused, "You two guys know each other?"

"Merely acquaintances, but not of the bad kin'" John laughed remembering that as he turned to the blond, "So what ya here for?"

Naruto didn't waste any time and turned to the big pirate.

"I need a ship and crew. I have a mission. I have the money. Can I hire your services?"

"For what be goin'?"

"Heartless business."

Silvers looks at Naruto as his red eye blinks before he smiles wide. And laughs loud and slaps a hand on the table.

"Seein' as I did spot thee wieldin' a blade loike that there, I would not be surprised." Silver made a slight bow to him, "Aye, I got me a ship. And I got a cabin boy. I can take ya where we need to go my boy. I'll do it for half pay if you show me that keyblade of yours."

Some of those looking from the shadows heard that, curious.

"I'll pay you, but I won't show you it here, too much in the open." Naruto responded, "I plan to leave within the hour, that works for you?"

Silver grin widens with a chuckle.

"My ship is in docking bay 17. I'll have her ready to set sail in a couple hours. Now shoo. Be off I got me some rum to drink"

And by that Naruto took his leave and left a sack of money on the counter, making his way to the door as he noticed some of the looks that were being given by some of the patrons.

'They're watching you.'

'Yeah, I know why.'

'They are wondering why you haven't hired them instead. This place is full then just crooks and criminals.'

'I'll keep that in mind when I return.'

Once walking out of the door, the blond made his way to make several stops. Final preparations for his first mission.

Docking Bay 17

A few hours passed by as Naruto was making his way through the gates, to the ship with a full backpack with what he needed, ready to start his mission.

"Let's go."

Once Naruto walked through the gates of Traverse Town, it would be the first time he left this settlement. Not expecting any new developments to take place.

Like for the fact a person was running up trying to catch up to him. With her own backpack and her own instructions, she was given the task of joining the blond

Running with her red boots.