Rise of the Whirling Tides

Key

"Hi there" Normal Speech

"Hi There" Thought

"Hi There" Biju and techniques

"Hi There" Biju thoughts and techniques in head

Flashbacks

"Hi There" Normal speech

"Hi There" Thought

"Hi There" Biju and Techniques

"Hi There" Bijuu thought and techniques in head

Chapter 22 Summary: Issho visited Uzushiogakure no Sato for the first time bringing along a battalion of 100 marines. Dominic and Vladimir students of Shukaku and Son Goku escorted the marines around the village. Issho, Naruto and Suzuka retreated to the Uzumaki Compound to talk. Issho asked questions about Uzushiogakure that Naruto answered explaining the mission system, education values, shinobi ranks, current population and the martial force. Uzushiogakure current population 80,000 above Uzu, below in Lower Uzushio 17,000 for a total population of approximately 97,000.

Chapter 23: A Sniper's Gaze

Fishman Island (8 Years from Canon)

Deep beneath the ocean's depths, underneath the redline was Fishman Island, home of the fishmen and merfolk. The entire island was encased in one gigantic bubble. Fishman Island as an underwater gateway to the New World for those who do not wish or are not legally permitted to cross over the Red Line above. And at this moment a great fire had begun. The citizens of Fishman island screamed as atop of a stone platform papers went up in the blaze. The royal guards scrambled attempting to put out the flames, when a woman, a goldfish mermaid with golden hair raced up the stairs carrying a bucket of water between her arms appeared.

"Quickly extinguish the flames! Protect the signatures." The golden-haired woman ordered the surrounding guards; she was none other than Queen Otohime, the wife of King Neptune. The Queen raised the bucket and doused herself with water before charging head-on into the flames intending to dive into them to retrieve the precious signatures. The signatures she and her people had worked so hard to collect, signatures for the 'Hope of Fishman Island' that would allow everyone to relocate for a better life.

As she charged the head guard, threw his arms around her waist, pulling his queen back, "You mustn't! It's too dangerous!" The guard held strong, wanting to keep his Queen from risking her life. How could he ever live with himself if he allowed harm to befall her?

"They are our precious signatures! We must save them at all costs!" Otohime pushed her way past the guard, falling to her knees. The Queen's hands plunged into the flames ignoring the pain, all to retrieve the precious pieces of paper. Otohime held back her tears, clutching the papers tightly in burned hands as if these scraps were the most precious thing in the world. "I will not let them go to waste! Everyone's dreams are in these papers!"

The Queen looked at the guards and spoke with such passion and emotion; it drove them to tears. She truly believed that these papers would bring about the dreams of her people, to the point she was willing to risk her own life to save them, "Fishman Island's future hangs in the balance!"

The guard stood dumbfounded at her conviction, but the determination she had, caused his own to soar, "Yes Ma'am! Hurry up and protect those signatures!" The guard gave the orders as he turned to the rest. The other's saluted pressing an arm to their chests.

"Yes, sir!" Immediately the guards spread out to put out the flames and retrieve the signatures.

"Please escape, we'll take care of the rest" The head guard spoke, a fist pressed against armoured plating, the guard would gladly give his life to save Queen Otohime's dream, all the while ensuring her life was not lost, as to him and the people of Fishman Island, she was a true treasure. A gem that could shine in the darkest of places.

Queen Otohime began to stand; as she did none were aware of the killer intent that hung in the air as a lone sniper watched from afar. With the squeeze of a trigger, the sound of a gunshot echoed from miles away but it was too late. That lone bullet sailed forward with the single intention of meeting with the Queen's heart and ending her life. As the shot rang out the shooter could only smile with glee as the guard's turned their heads towards the sound, but it was already too late, the Queen would be dead. The bullet would meet its mark and down would go the goldfish mermaid.

Or so he thought.

After the first shot had been fired, a second rang out that surprised even the shooter. The second bullet flew passed Orihime coming from behind her. The new bullet struck the first knocking it off balance. The killer bullet missed its mark and instead of piercing through her heart, tore through the left shoulder five centimetres above the heart. The force of the projectile forced the Queen's body to fall backwards as blood sprayed out from the back of her shoulder. The Queen released a silent scream as she fell back to the ground, coming to meet its kiss. Earth poured up from the ground taking the shape of an open hand that caught the falling Queen, holding her safely in its palm.

"Otohime-sama's been shot!" The guards screamed as they raced to their Queen's side, to take up a protective circle.

"There's a sniper out there! Protect the royal family!" roared a giant blue whale shark Fishman in a kimono. He roared orders to the guard's assembling them to surround the Queen's children in a protective enclave.

"Mother!" Otohime's three sons cried in anguish, attempting to push forward towards their mother only to be stopped by the guards.

"It's too dangerous here! Please fall back to the Ryuuguu Gondola." The guards were knocked aside as the Queen's sons forced their way towards their mother, they didn't care about the danger. Left behind was a young mermaid larger than even her brothers with pink hair, staring towards the body of her mother with a stunned and horrified expression. With her stunned appearance, she didn't even hear the words of someone behind her, nor the touch upon her arm before the person was chased off by the guards. In her stunned state, the young mermaid could only float towards her mother on instinct.

The sniper scowled and quickly attempted to bring the Queen back into his crosshairs as she lay on that hand of earth. The sniper locked onto her heart and squeezed the trigger again firing a round. The shot echoed out putting everyone on edge.

"Another shot!" everyone screamed. As the bullet sailed towards the Queen, another shot rang out and a bullet collided with the round aimed to kill. The second bullet hit the first and exploded on contact allowing a fist-sized explosion to appear in mid-air just a meter from Queen Otohime. The ground shook as a three-meter tall wall of stone shot up blocking the Queen from any harm.

A chuckle echoed over the plaza as from behind the Queen, atop a large coral cliff a young man appeared, he could be seen seated on the cliff's edge. The boy was no older than fourteen years old, who was tall for his age at five eight with gravity-defying teal hair and emerald eyes that shined like pieces of jade with fair skin to match. The boy was dressed in unusual attire, long thick maroon pants with a holster attached to each thigh. He wore a baggy long sleeve dark brown shirt with a thick maroon overcoat over the top, on the inside of the cloak were countless strange runic symbols. Wrapped around his right bicep was a black sash with a metal plate attached that had a swirl engraved. In the boy's hand, he was carrying a long bolt action rifle close to two meters in length.

The boy levelled his rifle bringing Queen Otohime into its crosshairs, making everyone hold their breath. They relaxed though as the boy raised the rifle away from the Queen up towards a section of the coral cliff, in his sights was the tip of a flintlock rifle. The boy rested the butt of the gun against his right shoulder, right finger on the trigger, barrel raised with the opposite hand. Leaning back legs raised into the air used as a stand, as the gun's barrel rested against his legs and feet. From the ground tendrils of sand sprung up wrapping around his body acting to support the boy's frame and absorb recoil.

The boy pulled the bolt back loading up a single round and fired. The round shot forward cutting through the air and struck the tip of the enemy rifle splintering it. Pulling back on the bolt another round shot out of the chamber, a seal lit up, and a new round was loaded. The boy readied the round and changed his aim and fired. The round met coral chipping away at it, just barely missing the sniper. Coral exploded forcing the sniper back, dropping his gun in the process. The boy reloaded in an instant and fired another round into the sniper's hiding spot to make him run. The child kept up the pressure until he was able to spot a shadow figure running away. He aimed and fired, only for the round to miss as the figure ducked behind coral for cover.

Sneering the boy pulled back on the bolt rapidly reloading and squeezed the trigger. Another round shot out from the chamber, immediately the teenager reloaded the weapon and fired. Quickly reloading and firing, rapidly releasing multiple rounds in quick succession. The shell casings flew upwards ejected and discarded just as quickly as they were loaded. Bullets met coral, sendings pieces of debris flying as the chipped away at the assassins cover. On impact, each round exploded kicking up a cloud of dust and debris. Within ten shots the coral segment had been crushed, amongst the smoke the retreating figure of the assassin could be seen.

The rifle bolt came sliding back, a set of seals lit up as another type of round was loaded into the chamber. Bringing the shooter into crosshairs, Dominic locked onto where his heart would be, the dust from the coral, obscured his vision. Fingers squeezed the trigger, taking the shot anyway, even though he estimated a fifty percent chance of missing. The round was let loose from the chamber and pierced through the smoking. Instead of piercing through the back of the heart, the round cut through the top assassins left shoulder. On impact, the round detonated, blowing off a baby fist-sized chunk of flesh, making the assassin stumble and fall. The assassin fell amongst the coral and out of the boys sighted.

The boy scowled and lifted up the rifle, then looked towards the group below and jumped down. As he fell sand shot up from the earth meeting him halfway. Sand took shape creating a staircase allowing the young boy to walk down towards the royal family. The guards scrambled lining up and pointed their tridents towards the boy. As the boy approached a giant figure swam towards the area, it was King Neptune.

"Stand down!" The King panted as he had raced all the way over as quickly as he could. The fire had alerted him, but he had increased his pace the moment it was announced his wife had been shot. The King took a deep breath and addressed his guards, "This is Dominic, a Genin of Uzushiogakure no Sato."

The boy was indeed Dominic, the student of Shukaku and a shinobi of Uzushiogakure no Sato under the command of the Shodai Uzukage, Uzumaki Naruto. The boy bowed to the King out of respect while holding his rifle keeping it close just encase.

"I apologise, King Neptune, the sniper, escaped." Dominic kept his head bowed, kicking himself for letting the sniper get away. Dominic was ashamed; as he was one of the best marksmen in all of Uzu yet, yet he allowed the assassin to escape. But the boy couldn't be faulted as he was still young, lacking real-world experience.

"My wife lives that is all that matters. Quickly take Queen Otohime away, she requires urgent medical attention" King Neptune swung out with his trident ordering his guards to take the Queen away. The royal guard formed a barrier around the Queen as she was taken away to the palace for medical treatment. The Queen's children followed tears streaming down their cheeks, all but one remained behind the eldest son, Prince Fukaboshi a Shark Merman with a large muscular frame and long blue hair. The eldest son approached Dominic who was years younger than him and did full dogiza bow.

"I thank you for saving my mother! On my honour, I promise to one day repay the debt that we the royal family owe!" The prince spoke with an honest tone; there was no other meaning behind his actions. He felt truly grateful for the young Dominic for saving his mother's life; if she had died, he did not know what would become of the family.

Dominic waved a hand nonchalantly, "While I am honoured, I am simply doing my job. Your father suspected someone might attempt to take his wife's life when she started collecting those signatures. There are bigots who do not wish for peace and cooperation with humans. Knowing this your father contacted Uzukage-sama to hire a guard to shadow Queen Otohime. I was picked to shadow from a distance. As a marksman, I can watch from afar, and my Doton Ninjutsu would allow me to create thick walls to enclose and protect the Queen. Know this, I didn't just come to protect your Queen, I had other motives, and that was to establish an alliance with the Ryugu Kingdom. If you wish to repay the debt owed, think hard and persuade your father." The gun-wielding shinobi threw his rifle over his shoulder and strapped it in place, before walking off into the distance where he vanished in a swirl of leaves retreating to watch over the Queen once more.

Ryuuguu Palace

A swirl of leaves appeared in the Fishman palace setting the guards on edge, before the young Dominic appeared, attached to his mouth was a water breather. The breather had sealed engraved along it that kept water out while drawing in oxygen molecules, allowing the wearer to breathe underwater. A seal was glowing on Dominic's neck designed to cover the body from head to toe in a thin layer of bubble that stuck to the body like a suit allowing him to move through water as if the shinobi was on land.

The young shinobi looked to one of the guards with a blank expression, "Show me where the Queen has been taken." Dominic couldn't be away from the Queen for too long the assassin could try again at any moment and from what he had seen so far the royal guard had been useless.

One of the guards stepped forward pointing a spear at Dominic, "We do not need an outsider to protect our Queen. We can do it ourselves!" They had heard about what had happened at the platform from the guards who accompanied the injured Queen back to the palace.

Dominic snorted in amusement, "Fat load of good you did earlier. If it weren't for me, your Queen would be dead. Now show me where she is or I'll make you." Demanded the Shinobi as he glared at the guard. Dominic was not in the mood to deal with them; he wanted to return to the Queen's side and continue with the mission. Once a shinobi had been given a mission they would continue it to the letter, especially since the King had already paid ahead.

The guards swarmed Dominic pointed their tridents at him; it seemed they were all on the same wavelength, "As I said we could protect the Queen, human!"

That explained it. The guards didn't like the fact that a human had been assigned to protect their Queen and that said human had already done a better job. Snorting Dominic waved a hand knocking the trident out of his face, "Keep those out of my face. Stand in my way, and I'll put you all down for interfering in my mission." Dominic released a small wave of killer intent allowing it to wash over the guards making them sweat. As a shinobi, he had been taught to kill and even claimed more than a dozen lives already. Trained in the art of killing his killer intent was nothing like they had ever felt.

"What are you all doing let him through!" roared an authoritarian voice. Swimming over towards the group seahorse merman, with ridges along his back and the sides of his face, as well as a curly orange tail like a seahorse rather than a standard merman's fishtail. His mouth protruded forwards like a seahorse's, and he had scruffy black hair. He wore a jacket with two circles and a band on each sleeve. His jacket's sleeves were very large on end. He carried a katana on his left hip and a trishula-like trident in hand.

The seahorse merman waved his trishula-like trident at the guards, "Get back to your posts now!" roared the merman causing the guards to quickly race away back to their guard posts. The merman snorted before turning to face Dominic, "Please follow me. Otohime-sama is resting in the royal chambers."

Dominic followed behind the seahorse Fishman. "Your the Minister of the Right correct?" spoke up the young marksman drawing the merman's focus.

"How-How did you know?" asked the older merman with a look of surprise, unaware that the young shinobi knew who he was.

"I was debriefed before my arrival of all the important figures on Fishman Island." Answered Dominic in a bland tone. Dominic had been thoroughly debriefed on all important figures the King, the Queen, the Princes, the Princess, Jinbei, the Minister of the Right, the Minister of the Left, all politically influential figures and high ranking royal officers. There had also been a debriefing on everyone close to the Queen such as servants and guards, no one's secrets had been safe from Uzushiogakure. Dominic had read files on everyone that worked or lived in the Royal Palace. The Uzukage Naruto didn't want to leave anything to chance

"Is that so." The merman nodded his head, no wonder the young man knew who of him. Silence reigned over the two as they moved through the halls of Ryuuguu Palace. The silence was awkward as sweat dripped down the Minister's back but he remained silent. Soon the two had arrived in front of a pair of giant metal chamber doors.

Pushing the doors open Dominic was greeted to a large bedroom where on a massive bed was the wounded Orihime. By her side was King Neptune to the right, at the foot of the bed the three princes and to the left of the bed was the giant mermaid princess. Guarding the room was twelve royal guards, accompanied by the minister of the left and the royal physician.

"Introducing Dominic-san, the hired bodyguard to Otohime-sama." Announced the Minister as he took a step to the right allowing Dominic to walk on in and approach the bed. Dominic wore a calm expression while noticing the fact the guards were on edge from his presence. Walking up to the bed, Dominic found Otohime resting on the cover's, her wound had been bandaged and already stained with blood. The Queen had sweat dripping down her forehead while she was out to the world.

"It is most likely the assassin may try again." Stated Dominic cutting to the chase before anyone could say anything. His words startled the royal palace, but the young man continued. "Even if the assassin is caught, it is most likely others will try. There are many who wish to see the Queen and her ideals burn."

"Can you find the assassins and stop them for good?" asked Ning Neptune tears streaming down his cheeks while holding Otohime's right hand.

"I'm a bodyguard, not a detective. You hired me to protect your wife, not to find her assassin. If you want them found and dealt with, I advise you contact Uzushiogakure and petition for another team to arrive. Of course, you could alter the contract with me, from protection to elimination. By changing the contact, it incurs a changing fee of one million belly."

"One million belly! How outrageous! That's highway robbery! You're robbing us blind!" roared the Minister of the Left seething with anger at the cost. The Minister of the Left was a catfish merman with a scruffy dark beard. The Left Minister had disagreed with the hiring of Dominic in the first place especially when it cost them over one hundred million belly.

Dominic ignored the Minister and continued to address the King, "Of course if you do change the contract that leaves your wife unguarded and as you have already experienced the royal guards assigned to your wife are well useless. I guarantee without me; these fools won't even be aware that an assassin has claimed the Queen's life."

"You how dare you! We are more than capable of protecting the Queen." One of the guards shouted in his anger unable to take what he heard any longer.

Dominic turned to face the guard before vanishing from his spot. The guard was caught off guard when the young boy appeared directly in front of him a strange knife pressed to his throat. The guard gulped as he looked down in Dominic's eyes that have a murderous gleam to them.

"How can you protect the Queen? If I was an assassin, I could have already killed your Queen by now." The genin took a step back and put the knife away. Meanwhile, the guard collapsed to the floor covered in a cold sweat.

"I believe I've proved my point Neptune-sama" Dominic addressed the King, moving to approach the bed, hands tucked behind his head.

"Point taken Dominic-san. Sadaijin (Minister of the Left), please contact Uzushiogakure to hire a team to invest…" Before the King could finish a guard burst into the room.

"The Queen's assassin has been found!" shouted the guard before he began to pant heavily to catch his breath. The guard had rushed over from the plaza.

"The assassin! Who was it! What happened!" demanded the minister of the right as he grabbed the guard.

"A-A-A human" spluttered out the guard as his collar was gripped by the minister. "Hody Jones found the assassin and attempted to restrain him. The human refused and was shot dead on the spot."

Soon the occupants began to whisper amongst each other. A few wary stares were sent Dominic's way making the shinobi snort.

"This is good news! The assassin has been caught, and the Queen is safe. My lord, I petition we cancel the contract with this ruffian." Demanded the Minister of the Left thoroughly in the belief the palace didn't need outside help to protect the Queen.

Before the King could say anything, another guard entered the roof, "My lord the citizens are in arms since finding out a human attacked the Queen. They are demanding answers. Some are even speculating that the help you hired has a hand in this."

"What do you mean?" asked the King while sparing a glance at Dominic.

The shinobi rolled his eyes and answered on the guard's behalf, "It's obvious. Someone must be trying to instigate everyone into believing Uzushiogakure was behind this. How good does it look for us if I'm able to protect the Queen from an assassination? No doubt you the King would then do anything to return the favour owed. It's called creating a scapegoat. Chances are the human shot might not even have been the assassin. Someone was planning to kill the Queen; I doubt they'd be so easily caught."

"You surely aren't going to side with this outsider my King? We know nothing about him nor his people" The Minister of the Left barked again. Dominic felt like punching the merman in the throat just to make him shut up. Perhaps before leaving he could persuade Shukaku to come and eat him.

"Enough! Dominic, please continue to guard my wife. I will have a message sent to the Uzukage-dono requesting for additional aid. Udaijin (Minister of the Right), Sadaijin (Minister of the Left) you will both cooperate with Dominic-san. Now please all of you except my children and Dominic leave. Allow my wife some peace." King Neptune shouted out his orders. The palace guards left followed by the royal physician and lastly the two ministers. The only ones left in the room were the three princes', the princess, King Neptune and Dominic.

The marksman retreated to a corner of the room and leaned against the wall allowing the family their peace. Stretching out his senses Dominic remained alert. Hopefully, this incident could be used to help increase political ties between Uzu no Kuni and Fishman Island. The main priority was to keep Queen Otohime alive while making sure her plans succeeded. Once the people of Fishman island were allowed to relocate, Naruto would offer to have them brought to Uzushiogakure no Sato, to populate the city beneath its feet.

Dominic sighed as he had a long mission ahead of him.

Across the Sea

A giant ship in the shape of a whale could be seen floating in the middle of a grand ocean; there was not a single island in sight for miles. On the ship was a giant chair. In a giant chair, was seated none other than Edward Newgate, Whitebeard himself. The giant was hooked up to machine's, while in one hand was a large jug of sake and in the other a written report. Taking a swig of the sake the giant of a man began to laugh, "Gurarara!" The laugh was loud and boisterous, that made the ocean ripple from the force behind it. The man appeared to be in a joyous mood. The crew members around Whitebeard could only scratch their cheeks sheepishly. None of them really knew why their father figure was in such a good mood. With the exception of one or two of them, this was a man simply called Marco, the 1st division commander of the Whitebeard pirates.

Marco looked at the laughing giant with a lazy gaze; the commander threw back a mug of alcohol, downing the drink. "Pops you seem hooked on this Naruto guy. You've been having us gather anything about him, Uzushiogakure no Sato and anyone seen sporting a metal headband with a swirl on it. Just why are you so fascinated with him anyway, yoi?" asked the 1st commander, from a seated position aboard the ship known as Moby Dick.

Whitebeard's shoulder's, as a twinkle of amusement reflected in his eyes, "He is someone who can change the course of history. Between the powers of the world, there has always been a balance, with no side getting an advantage over the other to remove them. But this man can change all that. Once his plans have been completed, no one can stop him from bringing a revolution. The Marine's, World Government, Shichibukai and even us Yonko will stand no chance against him and his people. The Child of Prophecy what will you do next?"

"Child of Prophecy yoi?" Marco looked confused, the term was strange.

"The Child of Prophecy is either man's salvation or destruction. It is said when they appear; they will bring an Era of Peace or Destruction, to remake the world. But I and those before me believe it to mean that he will bring an Era of Peace through Destruction. By fanning the flames of war to burn away all that is unjust, they will rebuild a new peaceful world, where we can live free without hate or fear. No longer will we fear for our lives." The old pirate looked to the sky with a big smile. The image of Gol. D Roger appeared before him as the pirate reflected about the past.

"Old friend you may not have been able to see the Child of Prophecy in your lifetime or fulfil the wish of your ancestor, but I shall see that your son does in your place." The pirate put the sake down and reached into his giant coat, removing a necklace with a golden locket that had been given to him by Gol D. Roger, said to once belong to his ancestor. Gently caressing the locket, Whitebeard sighed while reflecting on memories of the past. Where had the time gone?

"Peace through Destruction? Shouldn't we be worried about this Naruto guy and that Hagoromo guy running around together yoi?" questioned the voice of Whitebeard's 1st commander, bringing the pirate from his memories.

The massive pirate laughed heartily, grabbing his drink and waved the question off, "No need, no need. They are the same! Gu ra ra ra ra!' laughed Whitebeard as he dropped a massive bomb on the commander. Macro did a spit take, spitting his drink out from the sudden revolution that had been thrown at him.

"What yoi! Are you for real pops!" shouted Marco; the pirate had jumped to his feet like someone had lit a fire under him.

Whitebeard gave a beaming smile at one of his many sons, "It is but the truth my boy. Uzumaki Naruto and Otsutsuki, Hagoromo are one in the same. But be sure not to spread it. That also goes for all you brats!" barked out Whitebeard addressing the rest of his crew who had been stunned senseless by the reveal.

Whitebeard left them to their stunned silence, going back to reading the report he had been brought. It was surprising to hear that Blacktooth had taken a beating from some snot-nosed kid; to the point, he had been killed. While Blacktooth could never catch Whitebeard's eye, the pirate still had some crumb of strength and had once been a candidate to become a Shichibukai. The old pirate looked forward to seeing what the future would bring.