Gathering Memories
"I want to get strong enough to protect my precious people!"
His own words echoed in his head, another snippet of dreams slipping through to reality. The twelve-year-old blond with no past and no true way to remember it sighed heavily and looked skyward. An easy feat since he was lying on the ground. He was just a little bit scuffed up because of his latest chase with his blue birdie friend.
Closing his eyes the preteen let the bone deep ache in his heart surge so that it could go back asleep again.
'Precious people'… he didn't have those. At least, not anymore. They weren't here but inside his dreams, his memories. He remembered ninja. A shinobi world. Not a place with sea, sea, and sea with islands everywhere in between. It… there weren't a lot of fond memories… Many bad ones he'd really like to forget again.
But he at least had someone be there for him. Hokage-jiji and later Iruka-sensei. Sasuke-teme and Sakura-chan. Kakashi-sensei too.
It hurt. To remember having precious people but not have anything. Anyone. Just the island with the village that thought him an anomaly, a monster, something other than human.
The worst thing was… he didn't truly know if they were wrong or right.
He'd appeared in a giant flash of light at the bottom of a crater it left behind. A crater that used to be a nearby hill. And he'd been found unconscious but unscatched. He had 'superhuman' abilities that were the norm in his memories. People were wary. They feared that he would blow up like some bomb and there'd be no village left. It was way too similar to Konoha's people.
And he was determined to prove them wrong!
But… It's just…
He was so alone.
"You were everything to him! He gave his life for you! Does that mean nothing!?"
"Even shinobi are human"
"I'll never go back on my word!"
Haku… Zabuza. He remembered now. His first C-rank mission to Wave Country. Where his team became more than a team. Where he formed his nindo. His ninja way. Never give up, never go back on his word. Protect his precious people no matter what. Protect Team 7.
He took a shuddering breath, letting one tear escape past his eyelids.
With the press of memories gone he opened his eyes to the tweeting sound of his playing partner. The blue birdie who he'd been chasing and almost caught this time. She looked at him with worried black eyes and twittered. He let out a rough laugh before sitting up and grinning, masking pain behind a familiar expression.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Guess what! I remembered a new trick! Next time I'll definitely catch you!"
The bird looked at him for a second longer before puffing her feathers up proudly. Naruto pouted.
"C'mon, Bluey, I've caught you seven times now!", he told it, completely ignoring the fact that Bluey had evaded him at least seventy.
His little friend clacked its beak and took off to the skies. The blonde with whisker marks sighed again.
"See you tomorrow, I guess…", he hopped to his feet easily enough before grinning. It was much more real than before.
After all, he could learn to walk on walls now! That had to count for something!
xXXx
There were two boats at the horizon.
Naruto felt both ecstatic and apprehensive. The last time uninvited people came to Wheat Village… didn't go… well. He shook his head to clear the memory and hoped this time they weren't hostile. He would step in to protect the people if they attacked but…
He shuddered. Those eyes. They always followed him. Everywhere he went. Whispers, threats, and fear and he hated that.
Well, at least they came from this side so he could confront them first. Or observe them. Naruto did know how to hide, even in his favourite colour. Though he hadn't been able to get anything but a shirt fully orange. Even that had a red spiral Sasha stitched for him. His shorts were black and sandals a dark gray. The dark brown hoodie did have two orange stripes down the sleeves as decoration though.
The blond hid in the big trees of the forest. It was the only part of the small-ish island that had a bigger forest. Everything else was farmland or hills. One of which his… arrival had destroyed.
Anyway, at a glance the three occupants of the boat were strangely diverse. A straw hat boy with a red vest and… was he bouncing? Yeah, the teen was excited alright. It made him grin a little. That didn't seem like something a person who wanted to harm others would do. Reminded him of himself actually.
The other was green haired. With not one, not two, but three katana at his hip. Whoa. Could he use all of them at once, he wondered? That would be awesome to see in action… As long as the action wasn't aimed at the village.
Last but not least, there was an orange haired woman on board. His eyes were probably sparkling. Someone had orange hair! That was so cool! Hair in his favorite color! He was kind of jealous. She didn't have any visible weapons on her and was shaking her head at something or other with a smile. Naruto liked her already.
Well, as long as they wouldn't hurt anyone here. Except maybe Kai and his gang. Sasha they should leave alone at the pain of pain! She was the only one to do things for him, even if she was a grouchy old woman. And had… those eyes.
"Land ho, land ho!", the straw hat guy whooped as he leaped from the boat to land in a jump Naruto thought only he was able to do here.
Excitement flashed through him and he let his grin widen. There was a sliver of hope in there too. That maybe he wasn't alone as a shinobi here. Maybe there were others. But the teen didn't really move like a ninja so probably not.
"You're way too excited about this. I told you it was just to gather food supplies. Wheat Village has good ingredients", the orange lady told the raven haired straw hat guy who puckered his lips in a pout.
"Boo! Where's your sense of adventure?", he booed childishly.
The swordsman just yawned as he stepped to shore and Naruto's eyes were immediately drawn to his sharp eyes and earrings, thinking he reminded him of a scarier Shikamaru. A pang of homesickness was easily ignored. Again.
"Oi, Nami. Which way is the village?", the swordsman asked, "I want a taste of their sake"
Naruto thought for a second before nodding to himself. They didn't seem like they'd cause trouble. Not on purpose at least. Might as well say hello. He was curious after all. So he jumped down from the trees and landed at the edge of the forest.
"Yo!", he greeted, copying Kakashi-sensei.
Everyone stared. For two seconds. Then…
"Yo!", the teen with the straw hat copied, down to the hand lifted up in greeting.
Naruto grinned happily. He was right, these guys looked like fun.
"Sorry for listening in", he snickered, not sorry at all, "Wheat Village is that way! I can show you there", he pointed right where they'd find a road that would take them straight to their destination.
The straw hat guy grinned, "Thanks!"
And then started walking after Naruto who was just a step ahead. He heard that Nami lady grumble something about way too easy trust and the swordsman replying that he was just a helpful kid. It was nice to be thought of as helpful for once.
"So, I'm Naruto. Who're you guys?", he asked, turning to walk backwards. He knew the way well enough.
"Shishishishi, I'm Luffy! They're Nami and Zoro, my crewmates", the straw hat guy told him.
Naruto blinked and tilted his head in question, "Crewmates?"
"We're pirates!", Luffy stated proudly, "I'm going to be the King of the Pirates!"
The twelve-year-old heard Nami mutter something about being just acquaintances but he was so shocked at the matter-of-fact declaration he tripped on a rock he knew was there and yelped. Reflexes kicked in and he flipped on his hands to end up back on his feet, facing Luffy with an incredulous look.
"Pirates?", he asked since they didn't look it. And that surety behind Luffy's statement… it reminded him of his own once-dream. Hokage. He didn't know if he ever made it.
Zoro, the swordsman, seemed to be re-evaluating him for some reason. Probably intrigued at the show of easy acrobatics. Luffy laughed again and confirmed it.
"Yup!"
Now Naruto was just the littlest bit worried and frowned at all of them, "You won't try to burn or destroy the village, will you? Or steal?"
Nami was quick to placate him, even as Zoro gave her a side-eye, "No. We're here to restock since this idiot-", she pointed to Luffy, "-ate all our food"
The blond frowned at her, judging sincerity, and then grinned brightly.
"That's okay then! C'mon, I have some stuff I need to do so I'll just show you the road"
He chatted amiably with all of them, admiring Zoro's swords, asking what was a Pirate King (the looks of disbelief said he should know), sharing that he loved the ramen here and yeah there was sake, and told them about the village and island in general. They reached the road all too soon and Naruto waved them a goodbye with a grin. He still stood by the opinion that they were cool and not really a danger to the village.
Still. Just to be safe he made a shadow clone with orders to watch them. He didn't need a repeat of last time. Especially not now.
With that he bounced back to the forest, jumping on the branches like only a Leaf ninja could. Back to searching it was. He felt like groaning. It was times like these he dearly wished Kiba or Shino were here, though he wasn't completely sure why he thought that.
Anyway. Crossed fingers and twenty clones would make him able to cover more ground.
This was going to be another long day.
xXXx
"Naruto is a nice kid", Nami commented as they walked towards the very nearby village.
Zoro just grunted. He'd noticed how he carried himself, though he'd been hiding it well. It was the gait of someone used to fighting. His steps had made next to no sound too. That wasn't something you trained in an instant. Still, he seemed genuine in all his comments and conversation.
To be truthful, he'd kind of liked that little guy.
"Hmm. He looked sad", Luffy told them out of the blue.
The swordsman cocked an eyebrow. That seemed odd. He looked cheerful and amazed by the world around him. Kind of like Luffy, really, but more reserved… Maybe his captain had a point.
They walked into the small-ish village to see that the center was a marketplace. There were all kinds of ingredients lined up, mostly grown on fields or fished. Some duck and pork were on display and it didn't surprise him that Luffy's attention immediately went there.
"Meat!", he drooled with a happy expression and Nami snatched his collar to stop him rushing there that instant.
"No! We need to manage my money properly and that's not helping!", she snapped.
"Awww", Luffy whined petulantly but bounced right back to his normal cheerful self.
Zoro tuned them out as he scanned the surroundings, looking for that sake Naruto had promised was being sold. Only for a voice to address him from behind.
"Excuse me", the tall brunet man said sheepishly, "I couldn't help but notice your swords. Are you any good?"
This had the swordsman's eyes narrowing as he told the truth, "I am"
Not at his goal yet but he would be.
The man's eyes flashed in something like relieved victory. There was some fear in his eyes as he swallowed though. Which was… ominous.
"Good…", the man licked his lips nervously, "My name is Kai and I and my guys own much of the meat and alcohol products. We would be willing to give them to you for free if you could help us with a problem that requires a good fighter"
Zoro's eyes didn't show emotion and neither did his face. He didn't have time to think up a response before two slightly unwelcome voices piped in.
"Meat?", asked Luffy's.
"Free?", went Nami's.
And just like that the swordsman knew they were going to take care of this 'problem' one way or another. He wished he could sigh out loud.
Well, free sake sounded good either way.
xXXx
Naruto ran through the treetops as fast as he could and reached the other side in seconds. His clones had found it. The big creature that had stolen from the village again and again at night. In fact, it was going towards the village right now even though it was still the afternoon.
He needed to stop it.
The blond made it just as the creature with long ears and a bear like body snatched something in his teeth and turned towards him. Naruto's eyes narrowed and stomach dropped as he recognized Sasha's quilt, the one she'd painstakingly made all through last year and didn't let him touch. It had been drying outside.
He gritted his teeth and launched himself at the creature, wishing he had kunai or shuriken or something.
It dodged his high kick but Naruto had already twisted his body to punch its snout with all his strength. 'All his strength' was pretty powerful. He'd smashed a small dent in a tree with it. This time it was enough to topple the bear like creature and for it to smack its head to a wall. Hard.
Naruto winced. It might have been a while since he needed to punch with his full strength. That was a dent, alright. Surprisingly, it didn't knock the bear out though it looked dazed for a second.
"Let go of Granny Sasha's quilt!", he hissed through his teeth.
The bear fox thingy growled and swing its paw with more speed than a thing that big should have. Naruto dodged, obviously, like he dodged the next three hits too. They left deep claw marks to the ground and a wall. That too made him wince.
He needed to get the quilt back.
Grabbing the thing with both hands he planted his feet to the ground with chakra. That technique had really become useful since he learned it a month ago. He didn't want the quilt to rip. So he went ahead and ended the tug of war with a leap and hands clamped around the fox like jaws.
They struggled for what felt like an eternity before Naruto finally got the teeth to open up. Fast as lightning he janked the cloth out and kicked the jaws closed before letting out a blast of killing intent. Something he'd learned scared people and animals away.
Killing intent had been hard to learn since he didn't actually want to kill anyone. But maybe it worked because he would do it if he had to. Mindless animals, though, they were easier to kill. If he ate them later that is. And right now he wasn't opposed to the idea of eating the thing that stole food and stuff from them.
It wasn't a surprise to him that the creature froze, trembling, before it bolted with a terrified bark.
Naruto sighed in relief and lifted the quilt up sadly. It was all wrinkled now and had saliva coating it. He was dismayed to find that despite his efforts, it now had a row of teeth marks. Stupid thief. Sounds from around the corner didn't leave him with enough time to flee before a sandy blond man called Taoru saw him.
He hunched his shoulders at the eyes that flashed with anger and fear and shuffled his feet.
"Um-", he started but was cut off with a furious yell.
"You-!", Taoru shouted, "I knew it! We should've chased you out last time! Now you've went and called a demon to do your dirty work"
Naruto clenched his fists in anger, about to defend himself with words, but the villagers nearby had heard the commotion and came to look at what he'd done now. But he hadn't done anything. It hurt. He opened his mouth to retort but choked on his words as Sasha came out.
"You little demon brat what have you done!?", she shouted in a shrill voice, eyes on the quilt still clenched in his hand.
He watched, wide eyed, as the villagers gasped and glared. Kids sneered and glowered. Sasha was trembling with rage, eyes clouded with fear. That- That was like a knife to the gut. The only one ever even borderline kind to him was… like this. It was too much like Mizuki-sensei had been. Nice and helpful and then only using, fearful and furious.
"I- I didn't-", he was cut off again.
"LIES!", Kai's voice roared as the crowd parted to let him through, "We've caught you now! You're not supposed to be at the village this late. You're not supposed to be here at all!"
Everyone started shouting. Accusations one after another. The knife twisted. He was scared. He was angry. He needed to prove them wrong.
"Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!", he yelled from the bottom of his lungs, chest heaving as he glared at everyone, "I haven't. done. ANYTHING wrong! Stop- Stop looking at me like that!"
There was a moment of quiet as everyone stared. Coldness. Fear. So familiar yet so hurtful still. He felt like crying. But he'd long since learned to turn that into strength.
"I'll prove it to you", he vowed, "I, Uzumaki Naruto, will prove to you I'm not the one stealing"
And he fled, leaving the quilt behind, determination coursing through his veins.
He didn't notice Luffy standing at the back.
xXXx
Just a little earlier a conversation took place.
"Demon fox?", Nami asked dubiously.
Luffy's eyes were sparkling.
Kai nodded in frustrated anger, "Yes. The foxes it controls have been stealing our food, supplies, and valuables. I'm asking you to catch it and make sure it never does again"
The orange haired young woman smiled waaaay too innocently and chirped, "Okay!"
She turned to Zoro and Luffy with a gleam in her eyes.
It shouldn't be a surprise that the swordsman was now in the forest to look for the demon that could control foxes and the rubber man rushed around the village to find it so he could ask them to join his crew. Nami herself went looking for more supplies and haggling poor stall owners. Luffy was the one to stumble across a gathered mob around a wide alley. It piqued his interest and he wandered over to find out what was going on just to see a familiar blond at the center of it.
He was just about to walk over to ask what was happening when the boy spoke.
"I'll prove it to you", Naruto told the village defiantly, "I, Uzumaki Naruto, will prove to you I'm not the one stealing!"
And then he ran. Luffy blinked, not having realized the blond was that fast, then realized what he'd said and grinned. He liked Naruto. And it looks like they were both looking for the sneaky stealing demon fox. The teen immediately ran through the crowd and rushed after, ignoring the brunet man's cheering to get rid of it already.
How silly. He wanted to know what the demon was like before doing anything!
"HEEEEEY!", he shouted and got Naruto to stop on a tree branch and wow he was moving like a monkey! But with just his feet!
Well, he'd do it like a real monkey. Luffy grinned at the shocked look on the kid's face when he shot his arm to the branch next to him and flung himself on it. The blond just gaped. There were tears in his eyes though. It made Luffy frown.
"Eh? Are you crying?", he asked worriedly. He didn't want the boy to cry. It was… wrong.
Naruto blinked and raised a hand to his cheek. It came away wet and he furiously rubbed his face with his sleeve before grinning up at the older boy.
"That was awesome! Your arm stretched! How did you do that?", he asked, hopping over and poking at said arm.
Not at all worried about the intrusion to his personal space, Luffy laughed. He was happy the blond wasn't crying anymore. Granted, he was still sad but if acting happy made him okay then he'd let Naruto act happy.
"I ate a Devil Fruit, Gomu Gomu no Mi! I'm a rubber man now", he said proudly.
The blond's eyes were wide, "A rubber man? How does that work?"
Luffy stretched his cheeks out with both arms and was rewarded with an incredulous laugh from the boy. His eyes were sparkling. But then something occurred to him and he frowned in confusion.
"Uh… Why'd you follow me?", he asked.
The would-be Pirate King's cheeks snapped back into place but his grin didn't slip an inch.
"I wanted to meet the demon fox!"
Instantly, Naruto hunched and he became guarded. He radiated wariness, mouth pressed in a stubborn line.
"Who said I was the demon fox? It was Kai, wasn't it", that last one was a resigned statement.
Luffy's eyes widened in realization and he pointed at the younger boy, shocked.
"You're the demon fox!"
"NO! I'm NOT the stupid demon fox, stupid!", Naruto snapped angrily.
"You're not?", Luffy asked, slightly disappointed.
The blond frantically shook his head, hand unconsciously hovering over his stomach. His companion folded his arms with a pout.
"Awww. That would've been so cool", then he stared at Naruto accusingly, "If you're not a demon fox what are you!?"
"A ninja!", the boy yelped out, very much off kilter and out of his element. Who would want to meet a demon fox because it sounded cool!?
Wait, scratch that. He himself definitely would. Nevermind. But… he smiled tentatively. Because. This guy had wanted to find a demon fox because it sounded cool. And was disappointed when he didn't find one, even if the blond technically did have a demon fox sealed inside him. Or at least a nine tailed fox.
Luffy was looking at him oddly, mouth wide open. There were sparkles.
Uhh… what now?, he felt sweat gathering on his brow at the sudden shine his conversation partner's eyes had taken.
"A ninja!?", hands clamped on his shoulders and that D-shaped grin was way too close, "JOIN MY CREW!"
"WHAT!?"
Naruto officially didn't understand what was going on. So he did the logical thing and pushed it aside until he had time to deal with it. After all, he had a feeling he had forgotten something. Something important, something he was supposed to-
"AH!", he shouted in sudden realization, "I still have to catch that fox bear creature!"
He jumped to the next branch and sped off towards the lead one of his clones had found. Five leaps later he noticed an arm stretching beside him and Luffy following it. The pirate was coming after him, monkey style. His eye twitched.
"Wait up!", said monkey yelled.
"Why are you following me!?", Naruto shouted back.
"You're gonna find that thief, right?", was the answer that almost made him faceplant on the next branch but he caught himself just in time.
He slowed down enough for Luffy and him to be side by side, "You- You believe me?"
The teen gave him a look that said he was the idiot here, "Duh!", then he grinned, "Besides, I wanna see the real demon fox!"
And then he crashed into a tree trunk with an 'oomph'. Naruto stopped again with a sweatdrop.
"You okay?", he asked.
"I'm fine", came the muffled reply before Luffy got his still grinning face (his head bounced into place) out of the bark, "I'm made of rubber, remember?"
The young ninja felt a smile grow on his face. He did remember. And boy was it funny on this particular teenager. Though he hadn't seen something like that power since- since what? Ugh. Whatever. Choji too had some technique that reminded him of it but different. Multi-size or something.
…Luffy believed him. And would probably follow him no matter what. To be truthful, Naruto didn't mind. He actually felt grateful.
Still. His smile gained a mischievous edge.
"Wanna help me catch the real demon fox?", he asked hopefully.
He was answered by an equally mischievous laugh and a thumbs up, "You bet! Shishishi!"
And thus the pirate and the ninja disappeared into the soon-to-be-evening, towards the clearing Naruto found the pawprints at.
xXXx
Huh? The bear fox thing was just… standing there? Naruto frowned, not sure whether he liked this or not. On the other hand, they found it… on the other…
"Yosh!", Luffy said, a hand on his bicep and ready to throw his fist.
"Don't hit it yet!", Naruto hissed before jumping down and sneaking around to see what it was doing.
He stopped straight in front of it and the creature didn't move an inch, except for breathing. It had a dazed look in its eyes… Which actually reminded him of genjutsu. Was it seeing an illusion? Wait, had it seen an illusion when it attacked!? If that was so then someone was making it see things and-
There were sounds of footsteps coming closer.
Naruto immediately dashed towards the tree he'd left Luffy in and ran up its trunk. He hid next to the rubber man and put a finger on his lips in a mark to be silent. Then had to cover the teen's mouth since he looked a second away from shouting something! Seriously, why- !?
Oh. He ran up a tree trunk, of course Luffy would think it cool.
"Tch. Is it wearing off?", someone with a gruff voice asked, "It didn't bring anything"
The ninja looked sideways and stiffened, eyes widening. He recognized those guys. Luffy was pawing at his hand with a slightly miffed expression. A little bit apologetic, Naruto released the pirate's mouth before looking back at the thugs. He was glad Luffy didn't say anything, both because he wanted to hear what was going on and because he was sure his expression betrayed his apprehension.
"Calm down, that hypnotist guy told us it'd last two weeks at a time. That stuff is strong on animals like this", a black bearded guy with knives strapped to his tights answered.
He was right. There was an illusion at play. His fingers curled into fists.
"Oh yeah? Didn't he also say that a good hit to the head could release it?", the bigger guy snarked.
That made the knife guy wince… except he still stood his ground, "A good hit that knocks it unconscious. Where's that tall brunet at?"
The other one grumbled and gave some commands he couldn't focus on, leading the fox bear out of the clearing and into the shadows. They stayed there, as though waiting for something.
Tall brunet…? No. They can't mean-, his thoughts were cut off by a clone popping in the forest to relay information. It was the clone he'd assigned to follow Luffy and his group.
Memories filtered through and made his teeth grit in rage. Kai (and wasn't that funny since 'kai' was supposed to shatter illusions). He'd hired Luffy, Zoro, and Nami to go after him. Well, tough luck with that. Kai was also coming here. He should've known.
"Who are those guys?", Luffy wondered next to him, voice quieter than normal but still too loud.
Naruto twitched before sighing and replying in a whisper, "I beat them up a while back. They were pirates that attacked Wheat Village"
Then neither had time to talk as Kai stepped through the trees and into the clearing. His smile was self satisfied.
"Everything is going according to plan", he said to the hiding pirates, "The village believes that demon kid to be the culprit. No one suspects your group"
Group. That means the others are here as well, Naruto thought grimly.
Kai was betraying the village in order to drive him away. That- That was just wrong. Why would he? Didn't he care that these men had attacked them before? Wait, was that even a coincidence? In light of this Kai might even have worked with them that day.
The pirates had been pretty determined to gut him and Kai did hate him for some reason.
"Good. You're sure they'll blame him?", the big bandit asked.
"Absolutely", Kai confirmed, "Even Sasha is against him now"
Naruto flinched, gut feeling like it had been punched through. He'd felt this before, though he didn't really know why. The- The feeling of disappointed betrayal. A hand landed on his shoulder and he turned to Luffy who had a confident smile on his face.
"Don't worry. You'll prove them wrong"
For a second, he was in shock. No one- absolutely no one- had ever said that to him. Not one person had believed him without second thought. Luffy's own declaration of being the King of the Pirates flashed in his mind. Then, slowly, he smiled back. Gratefully.
"Yeah. I will. Believe it!", he said in a whisper that got gradually surer.
Luffy just grinned and patted his shoulder proudly.
Just then a loud rustle and the crack of branches snapping came from the other side of the clearing. Everyone minus Luffy stiffened. Then…
A green haired swordsman walked in.
Which, of course, made Luffy jump down from the tree to greet him.
"Zoro!"
Naruto sighed. There went the attempt at stealth. He looked to the gobsmacked looks on the pirates' and Kai's faces and snickered. Maybe it wasn't such a bad thing.
"Luffy", Zoro blinked in slight surprise, "Did you find that demon?"
The captain promptly pointed at the fox bear a healthy way away from the pirates in the shadows, "They said it had to be knocked out"
"YOU WERE FOLLOWED!?", the two pirates roared at Kai.
"THEY WERE LISTENING!?", Kai roared at exactly the same time.
"Knocked out, huh?", Zoro smirked, "I needed a good fight after a trek in this cursed forest"
"DON'T IGNORE US!", the three plotters screamed indignantly.
It was at that point Naruto saw it fit to jump in right beside Luffy. He was glaring at Kai.
"I should've known you would do something like this, Kai!", he said furiously, "Why do you hate me so much, huh!?"
"YOU!", they all shouted, slight panic entering their faces before one of them pointed at them, "Demonic force, attack!"
That seemed to be some kind of activation phrase as the fox bear snapped his gaze to them and snarled. Then pounced. Straight at Naruto who jumped out of the way and was ready for another attack when Zoro leapt in.
"I might not know what's going on…", he started, drawing one sword out, "…but Luffy says this one needs to be knocked out so I'll do it! You focus on the thugs!"
The ninja would have protested but remembered the swordsman wanted a fight. And that fox bear was certainly stronger than the average human. With that he nodded and ran after the fleeing men that Luffy was already chasing.
"Have fun!", he called back to Zoro before running past the rubber man who had gotten a head start.
He caught up with the bigger pirate first and tripped the guy into a tree. That knocked him out of the chase and the blond boy could focus on the other two. The one with knives had them drawn and jumped on a rock to face the pursuers. It didn't help him much. Naruto leapt right in front of him and pushed himself into a backflip, catching the knife arms with his hands and kicking the man's jaw up. He landed on his feet, twisting the still falling pirate's wrists just so and got the throwing knives to himself.
It took just about two seconds and he was back to the chase, leaving the unconscious pirate behind.
Kai was the last one. Naruto pressed his lips together and put on a burst of speed.
Only to stop in his tracks as he realized where they were. The forest had ended.
It was the crater. The circle was deep and round and Kai had run right to the center of it. Naruto stayed at the side and the two stared at each other, Kai hatefully and the blond in a kind of desperate confusion.
"Huh? Why did you stop?", Luffy asked, stopping beside him.
The blond didn't acknowledge the question, just let a strangled thought escape past his lips, "Why do you hate me, Kai? I get that people are scared 'cause I appeared with the thing that caused this but- but you just hate me. Why?"
Kai's expression twisted into something ugly. He laughed. A depraved thing that made Naruto shiver because it was directed at him.
"You idiotic brat…", he breathed, "YOU CAUSED THIS! That stupid pillar of light and noise destroyed this hill! Destroyed my PARENTS' GRAVES AND THE VILLAGE DARES TO LET YOU STAY!?"
The young ninja swayed back, shaking his head. Nobody told him that- that he'd destroyed graves by his sudden appearance in this place. That the hill was a graveyard. A slimmer of guilt passed through him but he stamped it down, sure that Kai would want that to happen. He grit his teeth in directionless anger and sadness.
"SHUT UP!", Luffy roared, "That's got nothing to do with who Naruto is and HE'S NICE! So there!"
Once again, Naruto was speechless. Luffy was… defending him. Actually defending him. Even with the childish end, someone was actually speaking up for him with absolute certainty that they were right. That he, the demon brat, was nice.
His thoughts were cut short by laughter. It wasn't the good kind.
"…ghhaha. Hahaha! GHAHAHAHA!", Kai laughed, "They let scum like you stay… and now they'll pay for it!"
Naruto's eyes widened as he stiffened, back ramrod straight and body ready for action.
"…What did you do?", he asked in horror.
Screams from the village's direction was the only answer he received. Luffy and him turned to see… a pillar of smoke in the darkening evening. Clear at the village center. The market.
"Sasha! Everyone!" "The meat! And Nami!", they shouted worriedly and turned to Kai with murderous looks.
Said man suddenly seemed to be drenched in cold sweat, as though just remembering what he was dealing with.
"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"
"Gomu Gomu no PISTOL!"
Fifty clones burst into existence just as Luffy's not-completely-serious punch connected with Kai's gut, making him gasp for stolen breath, and knocked the guy out. Two clones ran by to tie him up and carry him with them. He'd be down for the count for the foreseeable future. Then the two and the orange brown army dashed towards the Wheat Village at full speed.
xXXx
Nami was furious.
First and foremost at herself for not noticing the attack soon enough. For not being able to do anything. Second was at the stupid bandits that had invaded the village with loads of foxes and were now aiming guns and swords at the surrounded, innocent civilians. Third was at those exact civilians for heaping the blame on a child just because he had some whisker like marks on his cheeks and loved orange.
She didn't believe that for a second, especially because the adult bandits were trying to spread that idea. Which did not match the bright boy she had met that afternoon.
The thief gritted her teeth at another terrified and angry scream from the people, focusing on staying hidden so she could maybe free them. Unfortunately, she couldn't really move from her hiding place since it was the stall with perfumes that masked her scent enough for the controlled foxes to not find her. It didn't help her temper that the bandits were leisurely securing money and valuable things.
Like they weren't even the littlest bit worried about their actions.
"Psst!", a voice sounded next to her ear and she immediately brandished her bo staff at it.
She blinked rapidly as she found herself staring at Naruto. What was he doing here? If the bandits were talking like this was his fault, shouldn't they have captured him? Or worse? She shuddered. That was one other reason she loathed these bandits right now.
"What are you doing here?", she whispered frantically, "Get out! They could capture you too. Leave this to Luffy, Zoro, and me", truthfully she didn't know where her traveling companions were. She was prepared to deal with this herself.
Naruto stared at her oddly before his face broke into a smirk, "Nah. They can't get me. I'm a ninja! And Luffy's already here with Boss"
That made her blink. It was clearly said in her language. She just couldn't understand it. Ninja? Boss? But Luffy was already here so that- wait, that might be bad!
"No… Don't let him do anything! They have the villagers as hostages!", she whispered, "We need a plan"
Aaaand now she was subconsciously including a child in her rescue attempts. Naruto frowned and nodded silently. His mind seemed to go through something before he nodded more firmly and poofed out of existence. Nami gaped. What. Just. What.
Then another Naruto jumped out from wherever he had been hiding and landed next to her.
She only needed another two seconds for her brain to reboot, "Wh- But you- And then- Wha-"
"Shh!", the new Naruto whispered, "I'm just a clone. The other one dispelled to relay the need of a plan and to message Boss and Luffy"
It was at that point Nami decided to just leave the impossibility for now and focus on the situation. There was a hope sparked in her chest now though. The next thing she was about to say was cut short by a shout and by Naruto blinking rapidly in confusion.
"Captain!", one bandit called out and ran up to the man in charge.
"Hm? What's the problem?", there was some annoyance laced in his tone.
"The prisoner got away!"
"What!?"
There was a flurry of panic at the enemy lines and Nami assessed this information even as the Naruto next to her had his eyes going glassy… before he sighed heavily, exasperated and slightly amused. Going over what she knew about the new impossibility in her life the navigator's mouth dropped open. Everything clicked.
"Another of your clones was playing prisoner?", she asked.
The blond started before nodding, wide eyed.
"How did you know?", he asked curiously, "I didn't know until he popped. He was supposed to be searching the forest!"
Nami took that tidbit in with an inward sigh and smirked, "I'm smart. You can make clones that give you memories, they needed to have you prisoner to blame you without worry of discovery, and your reaction just now"
Her little deduction was met with shock and admiration. With blue shining sparkle eyes. It was… somewhat familiar. On the face of Luffy. Nami felt warm at the knowledge she could get that kinds of reactions with her brainpower.
"Can you do something to get the villagers away from the foxes and bandits? Or the other way around?", she asked seriously.
The blond thought for a moment before replying, "Uh. They're looking for me, right? I could give them a chase. There's fifty of me right now but Boss can make more… and we do have that smoke bomb tag, and the knives. I can switch places with people or things from a distance too"
He pointed to the throwing knives he was holding in a waist pouch. Nami took a moment to get over the number of clones this boy had at his disposal, along with the switching thing that sounded suspiciously like teleportation, and counted the idea as something usable. Going over her… much less impressive skill set and Luffy's probable inability to follow any plan except 'fight until you win' and Zoro being nowhere to be found… As much as she hated to admit it, Naruto's skills sounded like the best option to use if they wanted no one to get hurt.
"Okay", she said, "I've got a plan"
xXXx
"Wait, Luffy. My clones found Nami, and the villagers could get hurt if we attack now", Naruto said to the straw hat teen as they landed on a rooftop.
The pirate captain stopped and turned to him, eyes lightning up.
"Is Nami okay?", he asked.
Naruto smiled at the clear desire to keep his crew safe. Somehow that wasn't what came to mind when he thought the word 'pirate'.
"Yeah, she's fine. Just hiding like my clones. She also said we need a plan"
Luffy grinned, "Your clones are so cool! Can I make one?"
The ninja was so not used to people praising his techniques. He was sure that teaching shadow clones to someone with less chakra than he had was not a good idea and he had a lot. He wasn't even sure if people here had chakra or not.
"Uhh, no. It's just like I can't stretch like you do"
"Oh. That's okay then"
He smiled before blinking rapidly as new memories from one of his clones assaulted him. Something he wouldn't have noticed if he hadn't trained himself to dig the information out once he remembered that, yeah, he did get the memories.
Tree hopping, the pirates after Boss started the chase, accidentally-on-purpose got caught, listening for information, needed as a prisoner for something not sure what, oh no screams, inform Boss…
Yeah, okay. He had not known one of his clones got caught. One of the problems with them. Only a way for the creator give kind-of-commands, no way to get it back unless the chakra construct was destroyed or dispelled itself. But that meant…
"No…", he said out loud, dismayed, "They attacked the village now because- because they thought they caught me. It is my fault…"
A fist plonked him on the head and Naruto yelped, glaring up at a frowning Luffy. How come his body recognized the straw hat teen as safe? He just met him!
"What was that for!?"
"Not your fault! It's the bad pirates that attacked, not you!", the older boy stated stubbornly, mouth pressed into a line.
For a moment, Naruto stayed entirely still, blue eyes locked on the pirate as he tried to figure him out. From the first meeting onward, Luffy had left him feeling like he mattered. Like he didn't have to fight for his place in the world. Proving it that there might be people who accepted him out there. He was accepted by this stranger even while an entire village saw him as an outcast.
And he allowed himself to smile and take the older boy's words to heart.
"Okay. Not my fault. But still happening and we need to stop it!", he decided at last.
Just in time, since the new clone with Nami dispelled itself to relay a plan. And the plan did sound pretty good. The smile turned into a predatory grin.
"And Nami came up with the perfect plan"
xXXx
A green haired swordsman was seriously contemplating cutting the forest down. He'd been walking around for ages since he knocked the fox demon creature out. It had been an okay fight. Not the best he'd been in but not the easiest either. The creature had been very good at standing up again even after serious slices and strikes from the flat of his blades.
He hadn't wanted to kill it after all.
The woods were a pain though. He'd come across the same knocked out fox bear demon twice now. Zoro swore it was the forest messing with him. He might not be so annoyed if he wasn't so sure he was missing out on all the action.
Just then a familiar blond dropped in front of him.
"Finally found you!", he sighed in relief and pointed behind himself, "C'mon, this way. We're starting the plan soon"
Zoro raised an eyebrow as he followed the running kid. He was one fast little bugger.
"What plan?"
Naruto blinked, "Oh, right. There are pirates on the island and took the village hostage. Basically, I distract them and free the villagers while you and Luffy take 'em out. Sound good?"
Yes. It did sound pretty good to the swordsman. He'd been getting frustrated with the trees for a while. It'd be good to fight something right about now.
"Lead the way, kid", he smirked.
The kid grinned at him before seeming to remember something, "Oh, yeah. Don't be alarmed but Boss, that's the real me, can clone himself. I'm a clone"
No one could fault him for the stumble that information caused.
"What?", he demanded, righting himself.
Naruto just laughed, sheepish, and said, "I'm a ninja", as if it explained everything.
Then again, his captain was a rubber man and they had fought a clown that could chop himself to pieces that fly. Nevermind. Still. This was bound to be interesting.
xXXx
Surprisingly, or not so surprisingly, freeing the hostages was easy.
One smokebomb he'd crafted all by himself and the seventy-eight clones could swap themselves with the villagers, panicking pirates and hypnotized foxes or no. Kawarimi, Replacement, made them a little dizzy though and Nami had her work cut out for her calming them down since foxes were everywhere. They hurled accusations at him but were forced to shut up by Nami and Naruto's clones.
Nami, because she fingered her staff menacingly for daring to even think that. Clones, because they were clearly protecting them from the foxes, knocking them out and carrying them to a pile. There wasn't more than twenty or so though (supposedly the mass attacking force was the fox bear Zoro knocked out). All the while Luffy and Zoro pummeled the pirate crew with the real Naruto.
"Hmm, those clones are a useful trick", the swordsman muttered and the blond didn't understand how it came out so clear around his sword. Probably practice.
"Totally-", one Naruto said from the clearing smoke.
"-one of my best-", another continued.
"-techniques-"
The real Naruto picked it up, punching a pirate unconscious, "-EVER!"
"Hahahaha! You guys are funny!", Luffy laughed, dodging someone's swing lazily before knocking them over the head.
They stayed down. Boy, were the pirates surprised to find their hostages were all swapped with a blond cheekily grinning ninja kid. Their cries of outrage and shock had been music to his ears.
Anyway. It didn't take long for the three to wipe them out. Like, Naruto had taken them all a year ago with only one bigger wound that healed right up. Compared to that takedown this was downright lazy. None could even hit them. Let alone escape the line of clones that had taken place to shout encouragement and cheer them on, keeping the bad pirates inside the market.
Only a bit over five minutes later every pirate turned bandit (kinda, since they were almost always ashore at a cave thingy no one knew existed) (interrogation had been easy and didn't need violence) rounded up and taking the place of hostages. Except they were more like prisoners.
"That should do it!", Naruto declared to the village cheerily, "No more pirates hypnotizing foxes and other creatures to mess with you!"
He only wilted a little bit when just half of them looked guilty, apologetic, and relieved. The other part was still wary, scared, and had those eyes. Sasha wasn't one of them to his relief. Her gaze was soft and full of grief, heartbreaking sadness. That… That might be worse. He shifted his feet, not sure how to fix it.
"Oi, Boss!", one clone shouted, carrying a wiggling Kai on his shoulder. One of the seven clones (the others guarded prisoners) that did not dispel after the win, "I brought the traitor"
The blond gave a thumbs up, "Good. Let's let the village know what he's been doing under our noses"
This at least proved his innocence. Though many didn't like it. Especially Kai's gang. Who were clearly being ostracized by the other villagers now that it came to light Kai was making deals with the thieves to especially target Naruto. Soon the village leader came forward and bowed.
"We owe you a big apology, young Uzumaki. On the behalf of this village, I apologize and declare you unjustly found guilty of crimes you did not commit. As such you are welcome to live here once more should you want to"
Some gasps were heard from the crowd but they were drowned out by cheers. Sasha was smiling sadly. She walked up to him, quilt in hand, and draped it over his shoulders. Naruto stood still in stunned shock. There was still just a hint of wariness behind Sasha's eyes but it was overshadowed by content happiness and that sliver of grief.
"You have earned it, Naruto. I made it in remembrance of my son, whose grave rested on that hill. I'm sorry I have not treated you as I should have. Not when you resemble him so much", she told him in a low voice, brushing a gentle hand on his cheek.
The blond ninja stared up at her in silent shock before smiling and pulling the quilt closer, leaning into her touch, "I forgive you, Sasha-obaasan"
He turned to look at the village and swallowed. It… He was happy they welcomed him, or most of them did, but… It wasn't home. Not like Konoha had been. He'd known it this whole time. He wanted out, to search for a way home. Back to his precious people. If they were still there. And he thought he'd found a way to start searching.
Grand Line. Nami had said that the Grand Line was a mysterious place and he had a feeling he'd find at least something there.
"I… Thank you. For the offer, I mean. But I've been remembering more and more about where I came from. I'd like to find it. My real home. It's been my dream this whole time", he told everyone, "Thank you for letting me stay on the island these past two years but I think I'll be leaving now"
"Of course", Wheat Village's leader, or mayor, smiled encouragingly, "I think we can spare one of our boats and give supplies-"
"NO!", Luffy interrupted and got everyone to turn to him, Zoro, and Nami, "Naruto is joining my crew to chase his dream!"
The people were shocked to a stunned silence that was only interrupted by Nami hitting the captain over the head. It looked like it didn't do a thing.
"IDIOT! DON'T GO RECRUITING TWELVE-YEAR-OLDS!", she shouted in his ear, "IT'S TOO DANGEROUS FOR HIM!"
"He just rescued an entire village from pirates. Almost single handedly, I might add", Zoro drawled before smirking, "Besides, I like the kid"
"NOT YOU TOO!", Nami paused for a moment in her yelling, "…He is a good kid though. And those clones of his are amazing…", her eyes turned more calculating and had a suspiciously golden gleam to them.
Naruto watched the argument unfold with wide and uncomprehending eyes. His attention was on Luffy though, who watched him seriously. Stubbornly. Like he would go through hell and high water to get him on his crew. To help him if needed. And they were going to the Grand Line. To see all of it and get the One Piece. If they didn't find his home there, at the ocean of possibilities, then they wouldn't at all.
He wanted him, wanted Naruto, on his crew. Him. A random kid with some ninja tricks and amnesia. Someone who a whole two villages had hated and feared.
"You… want me… on your crew?", it came out faint, like he wasn't really there.
Luffy grinned, "Of course!"
Time seemed to slow down. He… he was wanted here. Luffy wanted him with them and thought him cool. Zoro liked him. Nami thought he was a good kid and obviously thought his abilities useful. That's… That's all he'd really needed, ever. Someone to acknowledge him, to like him. Be there for him. And now it was being handed to him freely. Friendship. Acceptance. Something he had always needed to fight for.
Tears of happiness stung his eyes as a wide grin rivaling Luffy's spread on his lips.
"YES!", he shouted and launched himself at the straw hat teen, the quilt fluttering behind him like a long cape.
Luffy laughed as he caught the boy who clung to him in a too-tight hug that would have crushed someone's lungs if not for the fact that they were rubber. One arm held the Naruto-limpet in place as he threw his right fist into the air.
"WOOHOO! WE GOT OURSELVES A NINJA!"
That cheer of success would linger in the blond's happiest memories for the rest of time.
xXXx
The end?
Originally this wasn't going to be a one-shot. I had many things planned for this. But then the word count got stuck somewhere around here for 3 years and I decided it was about time to publish it.
Let's see what happens now. I still kinda wish I could write it but I'm more focused on my Eternal Cycle series at the moment. Maybe some feedback will push me to writing more for this? If I can't seem to get another chapter done I'll go ahead and publish my plans for what happens. But hopefully it doesn't come to that.
Thanks for reading! I hope you liked it!