Chapter Two: Kitsune and Wolf.

Disclaimer: I don't own either One piece or Naruto obviously, I'm just a huge fan of both.

A.N: Yo everyone here's the second chapter! I'm so happy with all the support for this fic, it means a lot. I hope you enjoy this second chapter as much as I did writing it. Hope everyone is excited for Spider-Man 2, I know I can't wait to play it and I'm hoping I can release that fic on the day the game comes out but I won't promise anything.

Like always here's the link to Aizen's discord server- /kdftfrND


It was an ordinary day in the once prospering and open county of Wano or to be more specific, in the Flower Capital. Unfortunately, the region's prosperity was only due to it being under Kurozumi Orochi's control. It might look beautiful on the outside but the corruption through the capital was comparable to a cancerous growth. It was dug in tight and only growing while making the capital sicker and weaker.

The rich ate to their heart's content while the poor and non-privileged were left to starve and suffer…Or that would be the case if it wasn't for one Uzumaki Naruto stealing a cart full of food. Nineteen years old and already gaining notoriety around Wano for his deeds.

"You little bastard! We'll kill you for this!" A samurai roared as he drew his katana and pointed the tip of his blade at the snickering whiskered blonde.

"I'll gut you with my sword!" Another promised as he too drew his Katana. Soon, over fifty men, responsible for making sure food went into the capital or rather to Orochi, drew their own blades. Naruto's signature red scarf blew wildly over his shoulder, the wind rustling his blonde locks as he stood tall, laughing as he charged at the army of samurai.

"Come and get me then, you shitty samurai!" Naruto used the wind to shoot himself forward like a bullet leaving a gun, his right foot slamming into the face of an unaware and unguarded enemy and creating a dynamic sort of entry as he sent the bleeding man into his comrades.

"Damn, he took out Toto with one blow!" A shocked man with his hair done in a bun cried out, unable to believe the best swordsman of their group was taken out with a simple kick.

"Come on, boys! He won't stand a chance if we all attack him!" A man with a black and gold Katana roared. His bellow of courage ignited a fellow flame that passed on to the remaining forty nine men. All of them charged with their katana's drawn high or down low by their hips. The blades gleaned from the sunlight as they drew closer to Naruto's still form, his cheeky smile never faltering.

"Ora!" Naruto yelled as he punched the air, manipulating the wind pressure to blow down the charging samurai like pins. The whiskered blonde dusted his hands as if he just completed a simple chore and not defeated fifty grown men.

The devil fruit user started to whistle as he rode the cart down a hill, a single thought going through his mind. 'I hope the villagers will be happy…'

(Amigasa village)

A massive forest of bamboo surrounded and protected the small and humble village. The homes were made from bamboo as well as their tools to build and farm what they could…But the polluted lake, once a beautiful crystal blue color, was now tainted green and was poisonous to anyone who was desperate enough to drink it.

The people of Amigasa village were starving, they were dying. All of them. The men, the women and even the children.

A thin child with violet hair and pink spotted cheeks knew this well. Sitting on a mat so as not to dirty her green girl's yukata, the small child of only four years of age was busy weaving a kasa in a desperate attempt to ignore her horrible hunger cramps. She gave a sad sigh as she paused in her weaving, looking up at the sky as she thought of her adopted big brother who came on his great and amazing pirate ship to feed herself and all her people. She could still picture his freckled, smiling face even now.

"Ace…"

"O-Tama." The violet haired child looked away from the sky to see the elder of their humble village. His signature red tengu mask was in place as well as the white wings he always carried around on his back. His white long hair was still trailing down far past his shoulders. His hard eyes held a softness for his ward as he held out a metal canteen. "I've brought you some fresh water."

"But master Tenguyama, that's your water…" Tama might have only been four years old but she was still old enough to know how rare and special fresh drinking water was for her village.

"I'm an old man. You're just a child. You need it more." Tama bowed her head in thanks before greedily drinking down the cleanest water she'd had in months. Tenguyama took a seat beside his ward, bringing a long pipe to his lips and slowly huffing his personal home grown tobacco.

Tama brushed her lips with the sleeve of her yukata, her thirst quenched momentarily as she continued to sit and think of Ace…Until she, along with Tenguyama heard the sound of the earth itself crunching underneath wooden wheels. Soon many more villages heard the sound of Naruto riding the cart of food.

The suffering people of Amigasa felt themselves cry tears of happiness. Struggling and scared families could finally feed their children and it seemed no one had to fear dying of starvation this day nor the days to come. It wouldn't last forever this they knew but it was a helping hand they desperately needed.

Tama was the first one to recognise Naruto and her eyes lit up the same way they did when she was around Ace. "Big bro!"

"Hey Tama-chan!" Naruto yelled as he waved to O-Tama before leaping in front of the carriage and using his own body to slow down the wooden cart. His sandal covered feet left grooves in the dirt but eventually the whiskered hero did come to a stop directly in front of the villagers with none of the fresh rice, fruit and vegetables damaged in any way.

Naruto turned to face the villagers, feeling himself growing bashful under their tearful but thankful gaze. Many bowed in gratitude as they found the strength to shout out their thanks.

"Bless you, Naruto-san!"

"The gods must have heard our prayers…you're a miracle Naruto-san!"

"Thank you Naruto-san, because of you *sob* I can make milk for my baby!"

The whiskered blonde tried to be humble, something his father would do but the villagers would have none of it. They made sure they would have the best cooks in the village make him a grand meal in his honor and as well as thank him for bringing them the food they desperately needed. Tama's face lit up as she ran up to the blonde warrior who was starting to get flustered from all the praise.

"Big bro!" Naruto grinned as he crouched down, opening his arms for a hug that Tama was more then happy to give.

"Tama, when did you get so big? Last time I saw you, you were this big." Naruto said as he pointed down near his ankles, making the violet haired girl roll her eyes as she lightly shoved the young man she saw as an older brother.

"Come on, big bro, I was never that small."

"No?" Naruto questions with a raised brow. His silly grin was infectious and for the first time in many months, Amigasa village had a reason to smile.

Later that evening when everyone's bellies were full and content with a roaring fire that illuminated and warmed the entire village. It was a joyous day with more than enough food to spare for the coming harsh months.

Naruto sat on a rooftop, resting his chin on his hand with a smile as he watched the villagers. Their shouts of joy, the happy tears, the smiles…

'Is this what it was like for you Tou-chan? When you were a Daimyo…' Naruto pondered to himself before he heard the sound of wood clacking against the rooftop tiles. Naruto looked over his shoulder to see it was just Tenguyama carrying a bottle of sake along with two saucers to drink out of.

"I'm not much of a drinker."

"Too bad. Drink." Tenguyama gave no more room for discussion as he took a seat beside the blonde teen, holding out the saucer filled with sake. Naruto could do nothing but sigh and take the saucer with his soft grin still in place.

It was quiet between the two citizens of Wano, until the old master decided to say, "I know what you have planned."

Naruto made no reaction to that statement. He brought the saucer to his lips and knocked his head back, drinking all of the alcohol in a single gulp. He then proceeded to cough, banging his chest with his fist as tiny tears stinged the corner of his eyes. 'It burns!'

Tenguyama shook his head before drinking his own saucer of sake but instead of knocking it back like his younger companion, he took his time, savoring the alcohol. Tenguyama sighed as he glanced to his side to see the whiskered blonde was deep in thought.

"Are you going to stop me?" Naruto questioned as his red scarf blew lazily from the wind.

"No. I'm not that foolish to think I could," Tenguyama muttered. His red mask may have hidden his face but it was unable to hide the truth in his eyes. "But I will say, if you have a death wish, there's easier ways to go about it than fighting Kaido."

Naruto frowned for the first time that evening and he leaned forward, hands gripping each other tightly. "For thirteen years, I've waited to pay back Kaido for what he did to my father and mother. I'm not waiting a second longer. Tonight is the night."

"If you knew that yourself, you wouldn't have been stealing from the capital. You've been sloppy as if you don't care if Orochi or Kaido knows who you are, as if you don't care if you get caught. Don't take me for a fool, boy. I know a suicidal man when I see one," Tenguyama said with a scowl. After all, it takes one suicidal man to spot another. When Orochi rose into power and when Kozuki Oden and his family were slain…Tenguyama shook his head, shaking away the painful memories as he turned his attention back to the frowning devil fruit user.

"I'm going to fight Kaido," The whiskered blonde vowed and his furious sapphire coloured eyes showed nothing would change his mind.

Tenguyama scowled, slamming his saucer on the tiled roof as he barked. "And this is what your parents died for? An angry boy with a death wish?"

"At least I'm doing something!" Naruto yelled as he shot to his feet, glaring down at the old useless man who dared to talk about what his parents would have wanted. "What have you done?! You lay down and show your belly like a loyal dog while Orochi and Kaido starve our people and kill our home!"

Tenguyama was silent. His head bowed as he listened to the youth of his country's angry rant, the repressed rage and sadness finally coming out after a decade of holding it in.

Naruto looked away from the old master down at the people below, his smile coming back as he said, "If I die…at least I died fighting for something."

Tenguyama disagreed, shaking his head as he screamed at the foolish youth. "If you go out there and die then Minato and Kushina would have died for nothing!"

Naruto was silent as he refused to look at the man, not even when he rose from his seated position and started to walk away. Only stopping when he was asked by Tenguyama. "If Kozuki Oden and Namikaze Minato couldn't stop Kaido…How can you?"

Naruto didn't answer because he didn't have the answer. He didn't know how he could beat the captain of the beast pirates or even if it was possible…

Naruto pulled up his scarf, his eyes half closed as the sun finally started to set over wano's beautiful sea. Before Naruto left the village of Amigasa, he asked his parents a question he knew he wasn't going to get a response to. 'Kaa-chan, Tou-chan…This is what I'm supposed to do…right?'

(Onigashima)

Onigashima was a sight to behold. The eyes of the giant dome skull glowed brightly as all the inhabitants of the island celebrated the return of their captain, Kaido.

The man of the hour sat on his large throne, a giant saucer filled with enough alcohol to fill a small pool resting in his gigantic hand. The behemoth of a pirate had a top heavy, bulky, muscled frame that extended to his wide shoulders and muscled torso. His thick neck carried his slightly disproportionated looking head. Kaido's mass of unruly black hair covered parts of his gray-white horns, a feature he shared with his daughter.

His features could easily be described as tough and menacing on his long face and hairless browed ridge. His face was wrinkled showing his age, especially around his eyes. Like his subordinate, Queen, Kaido also had a Fu Manchu mustache that paired nicely with the spiked goatee across his chin.

The giant opted to go shirtless, showing off his scarred form. One of the two being the most prominent being the X-shaped mark on the right of his abs. The point of the scar reached his pectoral. This particular battle wound was given to him by Kozuki Oden.

The other that nearly ended his life was the single line across his throat. This scar was done by none other than Namikaze Minato.

Naruto, hidden in the shadows, stared down at the slightly drunk Kaido from the floor above. It took great restraint to not leap down and challenge Kaido in front of everyone but his desire for revenge was greatly overshadowed by the need to see and speak with Yamato before anything else. He needed to see her.

Using his Kenbunshoku haki, Naruto was able to find Yamato after only sensing her particular signature. Sifting through the masses and even Kaido's monstrous power wasn't too challenging for the blonde devil fruit user. He found Yamato secluded from everyone else, hiding herself in an abandoned room with just a candle and Oden's log book.

"I would have thought you had that memorized by now." Naruto uttered softly as he took a seat next to his tall horned friend. With the aid of the small flame, he was able to read about Oden's glorious adventures alongside Yamato.

"Naruto…" Hearing his name being called by the white haired beauty made Naruto turn his body so he was facing her. His heart made a painful pang inside his chest as he stared into her sad sunset coloured eyes. "You're going to fight him…Aren't you?"

"I have to…"

Yamato shook her head, her white hair flying as she tried to get her foolish blonde to see reason. "You don't have to do it alone…Let me fight with you. Even if we don't win, we'd lose together."

Naruto didn't even give it a second thought before denying her request. Unable to hold her gaze, looking away as he said. "Yamato, I couldn't bear for anything to happen to you. You can do so much for Wano-"

"And you can't?!" Yamato shouted as she took Naruto by the hands, tears streaming down her pale cheeks. "What about our dream?! What about Ace?! He's still waiting for us!"

"…" Naruto knew she was right but even so, his own stubbornness, his own pride wouldn't allow him to accept the help. His voice slightly wavered as he softly said. "You might have to live our dream for the both of us."

"How could you be so selfish…" Yamato muttered through gritted teeth. Her hair shadowed her eyes as she let go of his hands and then clutched Naruto by his signature red scarf and threw head forward.

Thwack!

"What will I do without you?" Yamato questioned as she headbutted her best friend, a new fresh batch of tears trickling in small streams. Her tight hold on his scarf, slacking by the second.

Naruto winced as his forehead ached but he didn't pull back or try to push his friend away. Instead he kept their heads connected to one another in a gentle nuzzle, a gesture they used to do as children. "Please Yamato, I…I need to do this."

Yamato let out a shaky sigh, her hands once again found his. She was gentle as she held them, using her thumb to softly run small circles. Yamato managed to swallow the lump in her throat, croaking out her demand. "If I let you go, you have to promise me you will survive and make your way back to me. You never break your promises right? So promise me, promise me you will survive!"

"Yamato…I promise I will survive. I will come back no matter how long it takes." Naruto swore and he meant it. No matter what it took or who he had to fight, he would find his way back to Yamato. She was his everything.

"You better…" Naruto gave Yamato's hands a squeeze before letting them go. Rising from his kneeling position, the blonde devil fruit user made his way for the shoji, stopping to look over his shoulder and give the red horned beauty a smile. A gesture Yamato tearfully returned as she watched her best friend and secret love leave to fight her father for not just her honor and freedom but for the freedom of Wano.

Naruto walked with purpose, his heart ignited with new found passion to stay alive. He could hear the sound of the beast pirates celebrating, Queen singing and dancing, his concert extravagant for Kaido's entertainment.

King wasn't far from his captain's side alongside the final member of the All Stars, Jack. A fishman giant, roughly twenty seven feet, even taller than his Captain Kaido.

Naruto stood on top of a wooden flat surfaced railing, his arms crossed as he flared his haoshoku haki. It was like a raging fire swallowing up the large room, packing it up with his impressive power. Naruto started filling his lungs with air before roaring out the dragon of Wano's name like a furious beast himself.

"KAIDO!"

This was his declaration of war.

The weaker members of the beast pirates fainted, foaming out the mouth from his power but they didn't matter nor did the Tobiroppo or the All Stars.

The only monster down below who's reaction mattered was Kaido's and you may wonder how the captain of the beast pirates reacted to Naruto's haoshoku haki? He simply turned his head and smiled something cruel.

"Ho? What kind of beast is approaching me?" He asked as he rose from his throne, his yellow bloodshot eyes staring up at Naruto curiously.

The wooden railing burst into splinters from Naruto's pure speed. The only members of the beast pirates capable of following his blurred form were the All Stars and Kaido himself. Naruto landed with a crash, crimson slitted eyes glaring at the monster responsible for killing his father.

King started to walk forward to deal with the blonde nuisance but Kaido blocked his path with his kanabo. The lunarian slightly turned his masked face, looking up into his captain's eyes and only needing a single glance to understand what Kaido was thinking. King nodded, taking a step back, crossing his arms as he followed Kaido's orders.

"It's been a while since anyone has been foolish enough to try and kill me. I hope you make this entertaining," Kaido ordered as he pointed his spiked kanabo at his fellow devil fruit user. His lips took a slight upturn as he released his own haki in an explosive burst. More and more pirates fainted, even some members of the Tobiroppo struggled to withstand the might of his power.

Naruto just responded with a feral smirk, a thick red-orange bubbling cloak started to cover his form head to toe as he asked "Is that it?"

"Worororororor!" Kaido laughed as the ground cracked beneath his heavy steps before bursting into smithereens as he leapt towards Naruto with his kanabo raised high, roaring out. "Cheeky brat!"

The ground where the blonde devil fruit user stood caved in on itself from the force behind Kaido's swing. He was fast, far faster than a man his size should be. His heavy swings left nothing but destruction in his wake. Unlucky pirates who happened to be in Kaido's way were batted to the side like flies, barely clinging to life or dying.

Naruto landed with a crouch before setting off like a tightly coiled spring. The whiskered blonde roared as he brought his right arm up, the plasma cloak took shape around his arm and a clawed hand made of pure energy, thrice the size of his own, slashed at Kaido with animalistic ferocity. Yet the horned giant had no trouble blocking the strike with his kanabo. Naruto growled as Kaido's arm didn't budge, if anything he was starting to get pushed back.

With clever, quick planning, his left plasma coated arm burrowed into the ground then burst out and struck Kaido's goatee-covered chin in a burning uppercut. Kaido took a step back, his subordinates bar the All Stars starred in shock, unable to believe Kaido, one of the four Yonko, Captain of the deadliest crew in all the great sea's, was being pushed back. Naruto yelled as he clawed Kaido's kanabo to the side, leaving him open for an assault of plasma covered kicks to the scar given to him by Oden.

Flipping then landing with a crouch, Naruto waited to see Kaido's reaction to his storm of blows. The white horned giant shook his head before glaring at the smug looking whiskered blonde. He grit his teeth, his haki flaring as he howled, "Damn brat! You made me bite my tongue!"

Kaido snarled as he swung his kanabo with the fury of an angered god. The monstrous man didn't even need to touch Naruto with his deadly spiked club before the unprepared teen was sent flying from the force of his swing. Naruto clenched his teeth in pain, wincing as he twisted in the air, using his plasma hands to slow then stop his unexpected launch.

Naruto took a moment to compose and think to himself, 'That was just the force from the swing of his attack, if I was actually hit by that thing…'

But the whiskered blonde wasn't given more time to think, no, he needed to concentrate on dodging Kaido's body, shattering blows and surviving for Yamato's sake. Naruto put some distance between himself and the white horned giant, placing himself on all fours like a wild animal. His slitted eyes shaking as he rushed past Kaido then he bounced back all the while dodging Kaido's sloppy but deadly onslaught. The captain of the beast pirates raised one of his brows in perplexity and anticipation. Curious to see what the boy had planned next.

There was a good reason for the seemingly random actions of the revenge seeking devil fruit user. His control over wind was masterfully shown as he created a hurricane from his erratic and rapid movement. The weaker pirates were lifted up and flung around the massive area like fallen leaves in a storm. The stronger members of the beast pirates managed to stay firm but even they couldn't deny his impressive display of power.

The air around Kaido started to swirl, until the giant was encased in a powerful spinning tornado. The user of the Uo Uo no mi, model: Seiryu felt the air be sucked out of his lungs but even so he stood still, waiting far more eagerly then a man who was slowly being suffocated by a wind storm should.

Wham!

Naruto burst into his own attack to strike the terror of Wano. His plasma burned as hot as he could make it at his current level of strength. It was like an inferno and every strike the whiskered blonde delivered before retreating left faint traces of his plasma cloak. The furiously spinning wind started to heat up, sparks that transformed into flames appeared before the stunned horned giant. The flames were sucked into the tornado causing the swirling winds of annihilation to become a hell storm.

Kaido's shoulders shook, his long hair shaking then being flung as he arched his head back in a cackle. "Worororororor! Not bad, not bad at all!"

Naruto was above the hellish tornado, his right arm became black as night as his flesh was coated in busoshoku haki. A loud sonic boom was heard over Naruto's fire-storm as he launched himself down his own attack. His busoshoku covered arm started to burn and ignite itself, the temperatures surrounding Naruto rising similar to a meteor when it breached the sky's atmosphere. Kaido's eyes widened, his mad grin larger and far more menacing as he awaited for the impact.

KKKKAAAA-BBBBOOOOMMMM!

The spinning hellstorm exploded outwards in a chaotic explosion, fire surfed across the area like a tidal wave. Those not quick enough were swallowed by the flames but those that survived or avoided Naruto's attack watched in shock and awe as the whiskered blonde managed to land a jaw shattering punch on their captain. What shocked them even more? Kaido took a step back, rubbing his slightly aching chin with a smirk.

"The force behind that punch…" Kaido muttered with his head bowed, concealing his grin. Naruto's heart sank as he felt the monstrous pirates overflowing haki right behind his unguarded form, "…Wasn't half bad!"

CRASH!

Naruto gasped in pain as Kaido's spiked kanabo barreled into his side, breaking his left arm and more than half of his ribs. The last member of house Uzumaki's eyes briefly went white, blood flew from his mouth and trickled down from the wound on his head like a small river. Naruto grit his teeth as he crashed down to the harsh ground below, struggling to breath. Naruto managed to crack one furious eye open to glare at the smug horned giant.

"Oi, boy, don't tell me you're done just as I was starting to enjoy myself."

"Nah…" Naruto drawled out as he found his way onto his feet, glaring at Kaido beneath his blood soaked hair, his broken arm hanging limply but even so, he smiled in the face of death. Just like his father. "I haven't finished kicking your ass yet…"

Kaido's own smile grew even bigger. He was impressed with Naruto's resolve and even more impressed with his power. "That's what I like to hear! We'll make this our final clash. My attack against yours."

"Sounds good to me, Kaido!" Naruto yelled as he leapt into the air, holding out his non-broken arm to summon his signature technique to his clawed hand. The rasengan burst to life already packed with tremendous power but it wasn't enough for Naruto. He wanted it bigger, needed it bigger. The whiskered blonde devil fruit user kept feeding his own attack more power until it was big enough to swallow even himself whole.

Kaido, not deterred, gripped his kanabo tight. The black metal glinting from the glow of Naruto's attack. Kaido's bloodshot eyes glowed with pure power as he met his fellow devil fruit users attack with his own, roaring the name of his attack to the heavens, "Thunder Bagua!"

"Chō Ōdama Rasengan!" Naruto bellowed out as his massive Rasengan clashed against Kaido's haoshoku-covered kanabo in an epic battle of dominance. Onigashima shook from the collision, black lightning swirled around Naruto and Kaido as they locked eyes. Kaido's were crazed and battle hungry while Naruto's were ferocious and murderous.

Naruto yelled as he pushed more power into his giant spiraling sphere of destruction. Kaido's eyes widened as the stress of the battle triggered a second stage to Naruto's transformation. His orange bubbling cloak seeped into his body and turned his skin gold. A new cloak of energy then burst from his form, dancing like the flames of the sun.

Black Haki infused markings covered different parts of his body. Naruto once again surprised Kaido as his Rasengan was packed with newfound power, pushing the great captain of the beast pirates back.

"It's over!" Naruto screamed as he overpowered Kaido's Thunder Bagua with his Chō Ōdama Rasengan and struck the white horned giant directly. Kaido yelled as Naruto's attack ground against his tough skin, he reached for Naruto with his large hand but failed as he was launched away by the force of the Rasengan.

There was a loud crash but Naruto was too tired to look where Kaido landed. Panting as the pain in his arms and ribs shocked him back to reality. Naruto winced as he forced himself to stand, cradling his broken arm as he started to limp away.

"Wororororor…"

Naruto's eyes widened as his heart was filled with dread. Kaido's haki was twice as thick and even more intense. It was overwhelming and Naruto found himself struggling to breath but he stood tall, glaring at the face of death as he approached with his kanabo dragging across the broken ground.

"That last attack was good…" Kaido said as he showed off his red and quickly bruising chest. Naruto's attack had definitely left its mark but there was no chance of him leaving a scar like Oden and his father. Kaido was just too strong. "…But not good enough!"

Naruto stared at the approaching kanabo with a blank face. Time seemed to slow down as the whiskered blonde accepted his fate. Closing his eyes as he apologized to his best friend and the love of his life. 'I'm sorry Yamato…I couldn't beat him.'

Naruto thought he heard someone scream his name before all he saw was blackness. The pain indescribable as the spiked kanabo smashed into his unguarded chest, barely surviving, Naruto was sent flying onto his back with his mouth slightly agape and his eyes wide and white.

Kaido had won.

"Kaido-sama, the boy is still alive." A mere grunt of the beast pirates called out to his captain, taking a step back as the giant stomped forward.

"Still alive after that huh?" Kaido muttered as he picked Naruto up in his giant hand, carrying the unconscious blonde towards the docks.

No one dared question Kaido's decision.

The strongest Yonko transformed into his beast form, becoming a terrifying serpentine dragon with blue scales and a yellow underbelly. The scars from his human form were present even when he was a massive dragon. Using the power of his devil fruit, it didn't take Kaido long to fly to the prison mines in Udon. Even less to have Naruto locked in a cell.

Naruto, now collared with an explosive, glared at Kaido behind his bars. His bloody bandaged form shaking with rage as he could do nothing but glower and listen to white horned giant.

"You've got a lot of potential. Far more than I anticipated. Heh, I doubt you believe this but you and I, we're the same." Kaido chuckled at Naruto's disbelief. The beast of a man leaned forward with mirth in his own eyes. A strange tone of familiarity in his voice as he said "I can see it in your eyes. Pain and adversity makes you stronger just like it did with me. I will break you and make you suffer, so one day, you can grow stronger and challenge me again."

"…"

Kaido turned and started to walk away, stopping to look back at Naruto with a smirk, pointing to the scar on his neck as he said. "Who knows, you might even manage to leave a scar next time like your father."

Naruto's eyes widened as he realized Kaido knew who he was the entire time. His haki burst out his shaking form as the whiskered blonde swore to himself he would break free. He watched the giant stomp away with a single promise in his heart, 'Just you wait, I'll be back to take your head soon enough…Kaido….'


The steady rocking of the ship slowly awoke Naruto from his dream. Rubbing his eyes as the morning sun's rays reflected beautifully off the sea and the sky was a mesmerizing orange with splashes of yellow and red. It was a wonderful reminder of their hard earned freedom.

Naruto made to move and get up but stopped when he felt he was entrapped in Yamato's tight but pleasantly warm hold. It seems somehow throughout the night, the two found themselves tangled together with the tall red horned beauty using Naruto's chest as a comfortable pillow.

The whiskered blonde didn't have it in his heart to wake Yamato, so he let her sleep while he enjoyed the sunrise. He couldn't help but wish his parents had a chance to see such a beautiful sight.

A stray beam of light reflected from the water and onto Yamato's closed eyes. The tall red horned beauty groaned as she tried to bury her face into Naruto's orange haori. Yamato groaned exhaustedly before lifting her sleepy head and giving her best friend a tired smile "Mornin' Naru."

"Mornin, Yamato. How'd you sleep?" Naruto asked with a yawn, giving his stiff muscles a good stretch.

"I think that might have been the best sleep of my life." Yamato confessed with a rather adorable laugh. It seemed her good mood was infection as the whiskered blonde found himself growing a large grin of his own.

"No kiddin'." Naruto said as he maneuvered around the mast and moved to the bow of the ship, looking out at the great blue ocean with a hum. '…I have no idea where we are.'

Naruto was cut from his thoughts by a loud rumbling coming from his stomach. He sighed at his hunger pains before there was a second even louder rumbling but that didn't come from him. Naruto looked over his shoulder at Yamato who had a slight dusting of embarrassment flushing her cheeks, laughing bashfully as she said "I guess you're not the only one who's hungry."

"I'm sure I can catch us something to eat. How hard can it be to catch a few little fishes?" The blonde devil fruit user asked the tall white haired beauty with a small shrug.

As if the universe wanted to test Naruto and his bold claim, their boat started to rock and sway from the heavy waves seemingly appearing out of nowhere. However the cause for these harsh and dangerous waters was caused by none other than a goliath sized Sea King rising from the depths. There was hunger in its massive eyes and its scarred maw parted to show off its rows of razor sharp teeth just waiting to tear their boat to shreds.

"What do you think, Yamato?" Naruto asked, not even bothered by the great creature of the sea gliding across the water towards their modest sized boat. Holding onto rope that was connected to the sail with a lazy smile as he looked back at the excited woman.

Yamato withdrew her kanabo from her obi, giving a ravenous grin as she declared, "It'll make a fine meal! I'm sure even Oden would be impressed by the size of this monster!"

Naruto nodded in agreement, cracking his knuckles as his sandals left the wooden deck of the boat, floating until he was eye level with the speedly approaching beast. His sapphire coloured eyes sparkling as he dashed forward towards the sea king, calling out to the tall red horned beauty, "Get ready!"

"Right!"

The sea king snarled as it tried to swallow Naruto whole but instead chomped at air. It opened its eyes in confusion only to hiss in fury at the sight of its small meal crouched on the bridge of his maw, laughing. It shook its head side to side in hopes of shaking its foolish prey into the sea but Naruto was far too quick and once again with the aid of his devil fruit he was flying. He dived until he was directly under the sea king's mighty mouth, the air swirled around his legs until he burst upwards like a rocket into the sea king's lower jaw. The power packed behind Naruto's wind propelled punch was too much force for the night beats of the sea to handle. It's neck broke with a loud snap, it's head falling limp as it died instantly. Its titanic body started to sink under its own weight.

"Now, Yamato!"

Yamato yelled as she leapt into the air, gripping her kanabo tightly while imbuing the studded weapon with frost thanks to the power of her devil fruit. The red horned beauty called out the name of her attack while bringing her kanabo forward in a mighty swing, "Mahoroba!"

The sea itself started to turn white and cold until a large portion of the water was nothing but an icy platform strong enough to hold the weight of the sea monster. The sea king smacked down onto the pobeda of ice with a loud crash but fortunately it was no longer being dragged down to the murky depths below.

Naruto flew down towards the boat, landing gently as he said "Great job, Yamato. You caught 'em just in time."

"Thanks! You were pretty great out there as well." Yamato replied as she put her kanabo to the side. She started walking with her best friend to grab a bunch of large hooks that were stored away in the cabin down below. The devil fruit duo worked as a team to drag the head of the sea king onto the stern of the ship, digging the hooks deep into its flesh they made sure it was secure while also not being too much weight on their ship.

After all that hard work catching their meal, the two devil fruit users could finally gorge to their heart's content on sea king meat with still more than enough of the sea beast left over to feed an entire island. They wouldn't be going hungry again anytime soon.

Naruto and Yamato, now sat on the deck of the ship, using the whiskered blonde plasma to slowly cook the juicy meat to perfection. Naruto was practically drooling, rubbing his hands together as the tenderly cooking meat's delicious smell wafted under his nose.

The first bite was indescribable, it was amazing, heavenly even. Naruto and Yamato could both swear nothing has ever tasted this good. Perhaps it was the fact they caught the sea king themselves and the hard work made it even sweeter or perhaps it was because of their newfound freedom that made the meat taste that much better.

"Ahhhh~" Yamato sighed in satisfaction, unable to eat anymore even if she tried. "I think if I try another bite, I'll explode~"

"*Buuuurrrrrppppp* Ditto." Naruto agreed/groaned out as he rested a hand on his slightly swollen stomach, having learned the painful way his eyes were slightly bigger than his stomach on this one.

After letting their food settle and making sure the sea king was completely secure, Yamato manned the wheel while Naruto controlled the winds around them to propel the ship away from these sea beast infested waters.

"Any idea where we should go?" Yamato asked as she kept the wheel steady until given a specific direction.

"The air currents coming from the west of us are different then the other directions. It feel more tropical, I think there's an island we can probably dock at. Maybe we can trade off the rest of this sea king and get some money."

"Mm, sounds good. Lead the way 'captain'." Yamato said playfully, giggling at the small blast of air that ruffled her long beautiful white hair.

Naruto shook his head with a snicker, explaining, "If I keep the winds at their current pace, we should get there well before sundown. Four degrees starboard and then dead on straight. Think you can manage that, 'First mate'?"

"Aye aye." Yamato saluted before turning the wheel, the waves crashed against their boat and the sea king hooked to their stern dragged against the water but Naruto's powerful wind currents made these issues nonexistent and just like Naruto predicted they would, the devil fruit using duo arrive to an island thriving with a village well before sunset.


(Banaro Island)

Naruto was at the bow of the ship once more, his hand providing shade for his eyes as he searched for the island he sensed through the air currents. That's when he saw it. Lush green and giant protruding rocks that protected the village within.

Zipping towards the helm, Naruto leapt then sat atop a railing near the wheel. An excited smile on his lips as he told Yamato "Land just up ahead, Yamato."

"This is it. The first island we're going to see outside of Wano…" Yamato whispered as her mesmerizing orange eyes seemed to glaze over as the reality of their freedom finally started to set in. It was one thing to sail the waters but finally seeing something new, experiencing a different culture then Yamato was used too. It made the tall horned woman feel exhilarated in ways she couldn't describe. Yamato was sure Naruto felt the same.

The whiskered blonde decided to take down the jolly roger and burn it to ashes. Now, their ship could no longer be associated or linked back to Kaido but it would seem that wouldn't matter as the island was already being invaded by pirates.

Pink and yellow themed ships were docked at the port. Part of the crew was already on land and oddly enough, they looked like chess pieces or perhaps that was the design of their suit of armor? Either way, it was clear they weren't here for a friendly visit.

They docked beside the massive ship that could have easily held fifty men or more. Naruto whistled in appreciation at the size and craftsmanship of the shop, while Yamato froze the sea king so it wouldn't spoil.

As the whiskered blonde continued to stare at the neighboring ship's flag, he couldn't help but feel something off about it. It had a skull like most jolly roger's but this particular skull was adjourned with thick red lipstick and a tricorne that Naruto could only assume matches the captain's own. There was a mass of pink behind the skull, Naruto wasn't sure if it was supposed to be hair or cotton candy.

"Hey Yamato, do you recognise the jolly roger on that flag?" Yamato hummed as she narrowed her eyes, trying to remember where she might have seen or heard of this jolly roger. That's when her shocked orange coloured eyes snapped open, her face going pale.

"N-No way, don't tell me this is Big Mom's ship!" Yamato exclaimed, thankful that her father taught her something useful for once.

"Big Mom?!" Naruto yelled, knowing of the Yonko's impressive reputation from the many times he would visit Yamato on Onigashima. He would eavesdrop on drunken pirates and listen as they told their tales. Only hearing about the giant woman once or twice but Naruto always found himself shocked that there was someone out there over the vast blue sea, strong enough to rival Kaido.

Then there was a commotion.

"Don't hurt my Papa!"

"Tch, damn pest."

"No! Please don't hurt him! Stop! Stop it!"


A large brute of a man sneered his prominent nose down at the mayor of Banaro Island. He was tall, four times the size of a regular man and his face was rough and scarred. A black pointed beard adorned his chin and jaw, the long dark hair rested on his vest that appeared to be made out of actual biscuits.

A very spartan like helmet shielded his head. This giant of a man was one of the three sweet generals of the Big Mom pirates, the tenth son of Big Mom and her fifteenth child out of eighty five. This was Charlotte Cracker.

The tall, menacing pirate held a long sword. It was a fine blade that would have no difficulty splitting anyone or anything in twine. It gleamed in the sunlight as the beautiful crafted blade rested on the protective pad of his massive shoulder. His arms looked very thin in comparison to his sword but there appeared to be no struggle in wielding the sword in any way.

"You will give us all your supplies, all the money you have. Do you understand? This Island is now the property of Big Mom. You may live here, be thankful for Mama's generosity." Cracker said with what could only be described as utter devotion for his mother and indifference for the man kneeling at his feet, head pressed hard against the ground.

"Please, if you take all our supplies and money, we'll starve! Our children and elderly will die! Please, spare us enough to feed the children at least!" The mayor of the island begged, frustrated tears appearing in his eyes at his own weakness to fend off the dastardly pirates but alas, he was no match for a pirate with a bounty of eight hundred and sixty million berry.

Cracker held back a scoff, glaring down at the shaking man as he said with a flare of his haki that had everyone falling to their knees. "That isn't our problem. Be thankful we're allowing you to stay on the island."

"But-"

Cracker silenced his pleas by bringing down his sword with a growl, impacting the ground beside the mayors head, not killing him but a deep cut appeared across his face all the same. It would surely leave a nasty scar. "Enough. You will do as commanded or be cut down by my sword. It is as simple as that."

Yet the Mayor of Banaro Island showed his own bravery and resolve as he didn't move from his kneeling position. His face burned but even still, he would endure for his people and especially his son.

"Please, General Cracker! It is my duty as mayor to look after my people. You may cut me and even kill me but just don't starve my people!" His shout echoed throughout the dock and even towards the decently sized town just up the hill surrounded by the great large stones that protected it.

"Mayor…" his people whispered, tears in their own eyes as they could do nothing but watch…Except one little boy. The mayor's son.

"Papa…" the boy was a mess with his waterfall of tears and snotty nose but through his blurry, watery covered eyes, the distraught son could see his father was about to be slain by the horrible pirate.

"I've heard enough." Cracker scowled as he raised his sword and prepared to cut the foolish man in two.

"No…" the brave boy rose to his feet and started to run. His head was down as he recklessly charged forward with a mighty yell, "Don't hurt my Papa!"

"Tch, damn pest." The tenth son of Big Mom looked at the charging boy, Cracker changed the angle of his swing, going to cut and reveal to the world the boy's innards.

"No! Please don't hurt him! Stop! Stop it!" The mayor but more importantly, a father screamed as he leapt in front of his boy, hoping to take the strike and spare his son from a gruesome death.

CLANG!

"Hm?" Cracker struggled to maneuver his sword, he struggled to move the blade in general. His eyes snapped open in surprise at the cause of his blade becoming stuck, it was Naruto with an arm coated in haki. The blonde devil fruit user was gripping the long, sharp blade tight, his hold crushing and chipping the fine crafted sword as his crimson slitted eyes flared furiously.

"Oi…" Naruto muttered as he moved faster than Cracker could react. A shocked gasp left his throat as the whiskered blonde delivered a stomach destroying gut punch. "…Who the hell do you think you are?!"

Naruto snarled as he stomped forward, cracking the ground. The muscles in his back flexed as he dug his fist deeper into Cracker's armored solar plexus. The force behind Naruto's punch was impressive as it was powerful. The giant was sent flying back, crashing into one of the many great stones that surrounded Banaro Island.

Father and son stared at Naruto's haori covered back with amazement. A wave of ease and even a sense of security fell over the people of Banaro as their new and sudden hero turned to face the shocked people. His grin was as bright and warm as the sun as he asked, "Are you guys okay?"

The mayor could only nod before looking frightened as Cracker's men started to surround the quickly frowning annoyed devil fruit user. Naruto frowned as he glared at the steadily approaching chess soldier. Naruto's Haoshoku haki swallowed and drowned Cracker's soldiers in his power. It could only be described as a furious maelstrom as one by one the knights fell to the ground, foaming at the mouth. Even Cracker was surprised by the output of Naruto's haki.

'That punch almost felt as strong as Katakuri's?! Who is this kid?!' Cracker had a scowl as he dusted his cracker armor of any dust and debris. His scowl depended as a woman with white hair and red horns landed beside the glaring blonde.

Yamato already had her kanabo in hand. Her grip around the handle tight. The white haired beauty was ready to attack alongside her best friend when she felt a flare of power coming from the village close by. Her Kenbunshoku painted her the perfect picture, she needed to leave.

A single glance was shared between the two but that was all that was needed. Naruto understood immediately that Yamato was going to go help the people in the village while he dealt with Cracker, which was more than fine for Naruto.

Yamato started to run towards the village, ignoring the charging Cracker with his chipped sword coming down in a heavy swing, "Where do you think you're going?!"

Naruto blocked Cracker's downward slash with his busoshoku covered hands, allowing Yamato to escape without any worry of being attacked, not that she had to be worry with her best friend watching her back.

"You're fighting me!" Naruto yelled as he let go of the blade and flipped over the double edged sword, ignoring as it crashed and tore apart the ground. Naruto had a feral smirk on his face as he aimed another punch at Cracker's face.

Clang!

A second arm had appeared out of thin air, just above Cracker's dominant sword arm. His new arm was carrying an exact replica of his blade, only this sword wasn't damaged and it had blocked Naruto's powerful punch just in time.

"So, you're a devil fruit user as well huh?"

"That's right. I ate the Bisu Bisu no Mi." The tenth son of Big Mom and member of the sweet generals declared proudly.

'This guy can make biscuits? That's lame…' Naruto thought to himself with a slight sweat drop. Cracker was once again scowling as he seemed to pick up the whiskered blonde's thoughts from the face he was making.

"I am known across the New World as 'Thousand Arms Cracker' and I have a bounty of eight hundred and sixty million berry! Do not underestimate me!" Cracker roared as he charged towards his fellow devil fruit user, creating more arms and more swords that were imbued with Busoshoku haki.

"I mean that's kind of cool…I guess." Naruto muttered as he flipped and twisted out of the way of all six of Cracker's sword carrying arms. Maneuvering through the air with grace as he gained some distance but Cracker was unrelenting.

Cracker followed the retreating blonde, gripping the handles of his swords tight as he bellowed, "We'll see how your insolence handles the power of a Sweet General of Big Mom."

All six of Cracker's sword's started to spin at high speeds, the haki imbued made them twirl faster and faster. Those deadly spinning blades would have skewered and ripped apart any lesser opponents but Naruto wasn't just anybody.

He leapt towards the danger, repelling the six swords by creating a dome of air that acted as a powerful barrier. Cracker eyes widened as he was left open and vulnerable for Naruto on coming attack.

Naruto had a shit eating grin as his Busoshoku covered arms were engulfed in a powerful mixture of air and haki. His arms were a blur, one punch was followed by hundreds more in a fraction of a second. Cracker's armour was no match for Naruto's pure physical power, nor could it withstand the might of the whiskered devil fruit users strikes that were quickly racking up into the thousands.

Naruto finished his deadly assault with a final devastating punch and a war cry of his attack. "Atmospheric rush!"

Crackers eyes were white as his biscuit covered armour shattered to a million pieces. Red squirted from his mouth like a fountain as the top half of his body crumbled apart. The villagers cheered at the defeat of the dreaded pirates that nearly killed their mayor and his son, yet Naruto didn't move a muscle, staring at Crackers 'remains' with narrowed eyes.

'Something feels off…'

Naruto's instincts saved his life or rather to be more specific, saved him from being impaled. The dust cloud the fallen giant had created with his massive body was the perfect cover for a sneak attack. Cracker, the real Cracker was revealed, smaller than his giant form but still far taller than the average man. The purple haired man rested his sword on his pink luxurious shoulder guard, the sparks in his hair emitting sharp cracking sounds.

"No one has ever forced me to leave my armour before…" Cracker muttered as he gave a sinister smile. His blade glinting in the sunlight. The scar near his eyes crinkled as his eyes thinned. He once again charged at Naruto with his sword held high and a homicidal grin on his lips. "I suppose congratulations are in order, fox boy!"

(With Yamato)

Yamato's kobo sandals clacked on the earth as the village came within sight, as did the flames. A building, a home, was lit alight to frighten and show off the power of the fourth son and fifth child of Big Mom, Charlotte Oven.

Oven is an extremely large man who perhaps was taller than Cracker with an extremely muscled form that he proudly showed as he was shirtless save for his orange cape which was tied securely over his chest by a yellow bow. His hair was unmissable from the way it was coloured as well as how it was designed. It had three curved sections and the colour could only be described as a gradient that resembled something being baked.

Like most, if not all of Big Mom's children, he was unique in his appearance but none of that mattered to Yamato, she came like a rocket, gripping her kanabo tight. Her eyes shined with power as she smashed the spot Oven was standing previously with her mighty weapon. The fifth son of Big Mom managed to save himself by the skin of his teeth. Eyes wide and his mouth agape at the extraordinary power emanating from the angry red horned woman.

"What the-?!" Oven was interrupted as Yamato's kanabo impacted the side of his face. The pain was agonizing as he slid along the dirt cradling his quickly bruising face.

Acting quickly, Yamato moved towards the burning house and used her power over ice to freeze the flames and save the home from being burnt down to ash. Oven yelled as he rose to his feet, recklessly charging forward as his skin turned a hot pink and flames surrounded his entire form as he screamed the name of his attack "Heat match guy!"

Yamato smirked at the approaching Oven, his flames paled in comparison to King's. The red horned beauty was confident that this fight wouldn't last long because Yamato was going to end it in one hit.

She squared her shoulders, gripped her kanabo with both hands, haki flared around her but Oven was too far gone to stop his reckless charge. He conjured more flames, the ground itself started to heat up with every step, leaving melted footprints as he grew closer to the red horned beauty. Smoke burst from Oven's nostrils as he leapt into the air, using gravity to add mass to his flaming attack. Yamato channeled haki into her kanabo and with a mighty swing fired an energy projectile that took the form of a shimmering, unstable arrow.

Oven yelled as he struggled to overpower the attack. His devil fruit, the Netsu Netsu no Mi, never stood a chance against the might of Yamato, the daughter of Kaido. Her powerful attack started to overwhelm Oven, extinguishing his flames and swallowing him whole.

"Narikabura Arrow!"

There was a cry of the technique's name followed by a blinding light. Then a boom that rocked Banaro island. The villagers slowly began moving from their hidden positions around the village, staring at the tall smiling woman with awe.

"I hope everyone is okay?" Yamato asked before looking down as a little girl walked up to her. She barely made it past Yamato's shin, the red horned beauty made her look tiny but that didn't stop the daughter of Kaido from taking a knee so she was closer to the girl's height. "Are you okay?"

A shy nod was Yamato's response. The girl's mother watched nervously, unsure if this woman was their savior or just another pirate about to take control of their humble island. Her fears were put to rest however as Yamato gave a big beautiful smile that instantly won the hearts of all the villagers, tussling the girl's hair before rising to her full height and turning around to once again face Oven.

"Eh?" Yamato asked blankly before holding her hands to her head in a comedic gesture, yelling out "He was just here?! Where did he go?"

"His soldiers started to carry him away. I think he's heading toward the docks!" A villager shouted as he pointed in the direction Oven was carried.

"Thanks!" Yamato yelled as she gave the villagers a wave goodbye before following Oven's trail. However Oven, when he was awakened, was smart enough to know that the red horned woman would follow his trail and he also knew she would catch up with his injured form in no time. Oven acted quickly and started a forest fire that would engulf all of Banaro Island if Yamato didn't take care of it.

A wall of fire blocked her path but just like with the burning home, she froze the flames before moving onto the next and repeating the process. Yamato sighed as two things became clear, she would save the island but she wouldn't be able to catch Oven in time. The white haired beauty could only hope Naruto would have no trouble stopping the sons of Big Mom from getting away.

(Back with Naruto)

Naruto met the charging Cracker dead on, parrying the son of Big Mom's precise slashes with his Busoshoku covered arms. Sparks flew through the air with every clash. Cracker showed his outstanding ability with a sword, his grin still in place as flipped away to dodge Naruto's haki infused punch.

Cracker took this moment to catch his breath, impaling the ground with his sword so now both his glove covered hands were free. Cracker grin became sinister as he said "Let me show you why they call me 'Thousand Arms Cracker'!"

Clap!

Clap!

Clap!

Biscuits materialized from the matter around Cracker and with every echoing clap of his hands he made more and more. The biscuits were titanic in size but they were steadily turning to dust and merging together. Naruto felt like he should stop this…but the whiskered blonde was curious how Cracker's devil fruit worked, and how strong the son of Big Mom actually was. Naruto allowed Cracker to continue with his technique and within seconds, the purple haired pirate had an army of giants. Each one was identical to the armor he previously used to hide his identity.

The army marched on his command and their target? He was grinning like a mad man as his plasma cloak shrouded his body in its protective energy coat. He was gone in a blink of an eye, his plasma clawed hand tore apart one of Cracker's biscuit warriors. Reducing him to nothing but crumbs. One down, twenty four more to go.

Cracker didn't seem phased at the loss of one of his soldiers, in fact, he found it amusing. With a clap of his hands he made five more to take his place. Cracker cackled, glee in his eyes as he could no longer see Naruto as he was completely surrounded by his biscuit soldiers.

'What do you think of my biscuits now? you smug-'

KA-BOOOM!

Cracker had to cover his face with his arms, the heated wind stinging his eyes. Parts of his own creation were blown apart, limbs sent flying and even reduced to dust. Cracker's mouth fell agape as twenty four of his biscuit warriors were defeated with a single attack.

Now there were only five left.

"Hey Cracker, why don't we kick it up a notch?" Naruto asked as his Haoshoku haki radiated off himself like an inferno.

"What?" Cracker asked as he took a step back, a bead of sweat ran down the side of his face as his eyes started to see things or rather, that was what he was trying to convince himself. Cracker was sure it was just the heat from the plasma but he thought he saw a monstrous kitsune roaring behind the grinning whiskered blonde. In a hasty blink, the mirage like kitsune started to fade away as if it never existed in the first place.

With another tremor of power, Naruto began to change. His eyes turned crimson, animalistic and his skin turned gold as if blessed by the gods themselves. The flames across his body danced like solar flares from the sun. Black tribal haki markings covered his hands, arms, legs and even his chest.

The villagers stared at their new hero like he was the light in the darkness. A burning star that couldn't be extinguished nor could it be burnt out. To his allies and the people he was protecting, his power felt warm, hopeful and even safe but for his enemies? It felt like a scorching chokehold that wouldn't relent.

"I haven't fully mastered this form. I think at my current level, I can handle it for possibly ten minutes." Naruto muttered as he stared at his flaming hand before clenching to form a fist. Titling his head, he smirked at the astonished Cracker, "But for you? I won't even need a minute."

FLASH!

A golden blur demolished the rest of Cracker's biscuit warriors in mere seconds. The sweet general's biscuit creations barely had a chance to lift up their swords in defense before a bolt of gold bisected them with a single strike.

Cracker held his sword out in front of himself, gripping the handle to his double-edged sword tight as he waited for the blond devil fruit user to strike.

FLASH!

Cracker's face went white, slowly he turned his head to see furious slitted crimson. Naruto had his right arm drawn back, surging with golden, shimmering energy that steadily formed a massive fist.

WHAM!

Blood flew from Cracker's mouth as his entire body was struck by the ethereal fist. A sonic boom echoed around Banaro island as his body was sent soaring into the sky. His sword clattered to the ground as he soared higher and higher. Cracker gritted his teeth from the pain, cracking open an eye to see Naruto floating above him with two of his plasma energy fists clasped together.

The tenth son of Big Mom barely had a chance to cross his arms together in a weak attempt to defend himself but alas, he was no match for Uzumaki Naruto. The whiskered blonde's double axe handle sent Cracker rocketing to his own ship, unconscious and defeated.

Oven arrived just in time to see his younger brother's defeat. The fifth son of Big Mom glared at the smirking Naruto but he did not dare make a move against the flying superior devil fruit user. Instead, he ordered his soldiers to check up on his brother as well as get the ships ready for a quick departure.

Naruto allowed the Big Mom's pirates to flee, deciding it was better to let them go then start a war with a Yonko. Yamato and himself didn't need the trouble after working so hard to leave Wano.

Naruto released the power of his transformation, his skin losing its golden glow as he gently floated down to the docks. The whiskered devil fruit user looked at the retreating pirate ships one last time before turning his attention to the grateful villager's of Banaro Island.

The mayor bowed deeply to Naruto, showing his gratitude and respect as he said "Thank you so much. You saved my home and my son, however can we repay you?"

"I was just in the right place at the right time." Naruto said as he scratched his blonde spiked locks with an easy going smile, pointing toward his and Yamato's ship with the frozen Sea King attached, asking "Would your village be open to a trade?"

The mayor stared at the dead Sea King with bulging eyes before his mind took the moment necessary to process the friendly devil fruit user's request. The mayor gave a tired but honest smile as he whispered out, "My boy, nothing would make me or my home happier."


Naruto and Yamato waved goodbye to the inhabitants of Banaro Island, now one sea king lighter. The village was more than happy to mend their clothes, give them plenty of fresh food and water, as well as a small sack full of berry.

The two devil fruit users once again sailed the open sea's, using Ace's vivre card as a guide. Naruto sat with his legs crossed as he eyed a fresh map of the new world. The whiskered blonde was clever as he used Ace's Vivre card to pinpoint where exactly they were heading on the map.

"So 'Captain', where to next?" Asked Yamato as she was once again manning the helm.

Naruto grinned as he folded away the map and placed the parchment inside his fixed kosode. He turned to face Yamato, the wind rustling his hair as he excitedly announced "We're setting course for Alabasta!"

Naruto then turned to face the sea once more, crossing his arms as he thought to himself, 'We'll be seeing you soon Ace.'