Chapter 9: The Voyage to Arabasta
Former Pirate's Ship
Paradise: Grand Line
"What do you mean he's unavailable?" Naruto said angrily into the den den mushi.
But immediately he tried to calm himself, Kakashi's availability wasn't the fault of the man on the other end.
"Sorry," he apologized. "But is there someone else of high ranking I can talk to? I have some important information regarding our mission."
"That won't be necessary," he answered. "The Rear Admiral said he would call you back shortly."
"I certainly hope so," Naruto replied in annoyance, setting the receiver down.
As soon as Naruto had been bandaged up, he'd wasted no time in heading into the dining area where they kept the den den mushi to make his report. But it turned out there wasn't much point in rushing.
Currently, only Shino was in the room with him, as everyone else was out on the deck preparing for departure.
"So, now that you have your ship back, I guess we'll be parting ways," Naruto told him.
"Not necessarily," Shino replied. "If you'll permit me, I'd like to continue our cooperation until we've ascertained if Orochimaru is involved and fully resolved this matter."
"I take it that you after the bounty on Orochimaru's head?" Naruto asked. "985,000,000 berries."
"Not really," Shino answered. "I can see why you might suspect that would be an issue given my occupation. However, money is secondary to me for I am only doing this for Justice since I was a former marine officer."
"You were a former marine officer?" Naruto asked, looking surprised.
"I was," Shino replied. "I served in the Marines for a couple of years before I left to become a bounty hunter."
Why did you leave?" Naruto asked, curious.
Shino was quiet for a moment before he said "I have good reasons. Maybe someday I'll tell you."
"Well if you want to join us, I will be happy to have you," Naruto told him. "You've certainly proven yourself capable. We'll make sure to pull your boat on board before we leave."
"That won't be necessary," Shino answered. "I've already removed everything of importance to me. And I don't believe the value of having a second ship of its size outweighs the cost of the space it would occupy."
"Well, if you're going to change your mind, do it quickly," he warned. "I'm about to go set course back to G-5."
"You'll do nothing of the sort," Nojiko said firmly, walking in from the galley and setting two large cups of water in front of him. "You're going to rest and drink lots of fluids. Your dinner will be ready shortly."
"I was just going to take the helm," Naruto protested. "There's nothing strenuous about that."
"We can handle it just fine," Tenten insisted. "And if you keep giving us trouble, we will lock you in your room under guard."
"I get it already," Naruto told her. "See, I'm resting."
Taking up one of the glasses of water, he began to guzzle it down as proof he was cooperating. But he was going to go mad if this kept up for long.
"By the way Nojiko," said Tenten. "What kind of Devil fruit powers do you have?"
"I don't know," Nojiko replied. "I guess I didn't use my powers when you defeated that Pacifista."
"Why don't you try it now," Kiba requested. "I want to see what kind of cool power you have!"
Ok then," Nojiko says before she closes her eyes and begins to focus.
Nothing happens.
She tries again, focusing really hard.
Again, nothing happens.
"Are you sure you ate a devil fruit Nojiko?" Kiba asked.
"Well, the fruit tasted nasty," Nojiko pointed out.
"Do you feel any different?" Naruto asked her.
"No, yet…I do feel kind of pump-up!" said Nojiko. "Like my muscles in my body had been enhanced."
"Then let me help you," Naruto began to give her some advice. "I want you to calm down and focus. Focus on the power within you. Once you find it, try not to summon it through force. Summon it with respect. Summon as it's part of you."
Following Naruto's advice, Nojiko closed her eyes and began to focus. This time she began to focus as she searched for heart and soul within her.
Then the moment she did, she felt a great change in her body. The change was augmenting her. In physique and physical competence.
Right in front of everyone, Nojiko transformed, from an average-sized young woman into a beautiful, winged Amazon warrior. Nojiko's height enhanced, twice as much taller than before.
Her physique was more muscular, yet Nojiko still maintained her slender form. Yet she has a well-proportioned figure, such as breasts becoming bigger. Not to mention her beauty had been enhanced. She looks like a Goddess of War.
"Wow!" Tenten gasped.
"Nojiko," Kiba slowly gasped, who couldn't take his eyes off her. "You look—HOT!"
"Is it bad?" Nojiko asked, getting a little worried.
"Nojiko," Naruto begins to ask while opening a Devil fruit book in hand. "Can you point out which Devil fruit you ate in the book?"
Looking closer into the book, Nojiko found the Devil fruit she had eaten and pointed out, saying "That's the one."
"It says here," Naruto read. "This says you had eaten the Hito Hito no Mi, Model Amazon,a Zoan-class Devil Fruit that allows the user to transform into an Amazon, a fierce warrior woman from Greek mythology."
"It's got to be a Mythical Zoan Devil fruit," Kiba guesses. "I heard that Mythical-Zoan Devil fruits allow users to transform into creatures that are the subject of myth and legend. It is rarer than Logia-type Devil Fruits, and following this rarity seems to be the most powerful Zoan category."
"So, I have eaten a powerful devil fruit," said Nojiko as she transformed back to normal."
"You did," said Naruto. "However, it takes a lot of training than having a powerful devil fruit. Not to mention experiences. Combined with your ability you'll be unstoppable."
"Shikamaru and Chōji," Igaram argued. "I can't afford to waste any more time. I told you I needed to get to Arabasta as quickly as possible."
The other turns and sees Igaram was arguing with was arguing with Shikamaru and Chōji. Igaram seems to want the ship to make a course to Arabasta, but Shikamaru wants the ship to return to G-5 Base.
"And we told you we needed to get back to G-5 Base and make our report to Rear Admiral Kakashi," Shikamaru told him. "Why can't you understand that Igaram? You're becoming more troublesome than Vivi."
"If you two were members of the..."Mi~mi~mi~"...of the Arabasta Guard instead of the marines," Igaram retorted. "You not let anyone, or anything get in your way to saved Arabasta, no matter what."
"Even if means hiring pirates to escort Vivi back home?" Shikamaru reminded him.
Igaram was caught off guard by that response, hesitated for a moment before he tried to explain "I didn't have a choice Shikamaru. The moment we were discovered as spies within the Baroque Works, we were running for our lives when Crocodile sends his elite agents and assassins after us. I try to protect Vivi but to my shame I was not strong enough to protect her."
"But the Straw Hats were," says Chōji. "Is that why you were desperate enough to seek their help?"
"I wish the two of you had told us before you both decided to infiltrate a criminal syndicate like Baroque Works," Shikamaru begin to reprimand Igaram. "I'm surprise the two of you made it this far, alive."
"So am I," said Igaram. "Even as we speak, Vivi is ignorant of the secret alliance between the Hydra Pirates and the Baroque Works. She could be endangered."
"Then clearly you underestimated the Straw Hat pirates?" Nojiko says as she enters the room. "If they say they'll protect this Vivi girl until she gets to Arabasta, then they surely they will."
Igaram stared at Nojiko before he said, "You seem to know these Straw Hat pretty well?"
"Well, they happen to save my village back in the East Blue Sea," Nojiko told them. "Not to mention my sister Nami is the navigator of the crew!"
"Nami?" Igaram repeated. "You mean that orange-haired woman is your sister?"
"That's right!" Nojiko replied. "She, my sister. I take it you met her?"
"Yes, I did," Igaram replied. "She's the one who swindled me to pay 1,000,000,000 berries to protect Vivi!"
Hearing that Shikamaru and Chōji gave Nojiko a funny strange look before Nojiko innocently tried to reply "Well—Nami can be very—opportunistic and venal when it comes to money."
"Look, if anyone going to get the Straw Hats to Arabasta safety it's them!" Nojiko began changing the subject quickly. "So, there is no need for you to worry."
"You hear that Igaram," Chōji says, trying to convince Igaram. "Nojiko says the Straw Hats are tough pirates. If they can protect Vivi, then there is no need for you to worry!"
Igaram looks very unhappy, but he has no choice but to submit.
0o0o0
Former Pirate's Ship
G-5 Base
Paradise: Grand Line
Pulling into the dock of the G-5 base, Naruto was hoping being here in person would let him finally get in contact with the rear admiral. Since leaving Rabbit Island, he had been trying to call the Rear Admiral, but he has not been responding. Naruto realized he owed the man a great deal for being so lenient on him, but it wasn't fitting for an officer of his rank to be so irresponsible.
He was just about to hop off the ship and see if he could locate Kakashi when he heard the den den mushi go off.
"You have got to be kidding me," Naruto complained.
Going into the dining room, he lifted the receiver and called out a greeting.
"Ah, Naruto," the den den mushi said in Kakashi's voice. "You had something to report?"
"Yes," he answered. "But I admit that I was expecting to report it much sooner."
"Yeah, about that," Kakashi replied, "I've been trying to call you back, but it seems our den den mushi was having problems. I think it must have been ill."
"Odd," Naruto answered suspiciously, "We called back three times after our first call, and it seems to work. And we have been trying to call you every day during our voyage back, but it was not responding.
"Then I guess it was only having trouble sending," the Rear Admiral suggested. "But at least it's working now. So what was the result of your mission?"
Naruto considered it far more likely that he'd forgotten to return their call until he'd heard the news, they'd been sighted off the base. But he'd let the matter drop for now.
"We discovered who was behind those kidnappings," Naruto answered. "It was Orochimaru's first officer, Kabuto of the Hydra Pirates."
"Are you certain of that?" Kakashi asked, his voice taking on a very serious tone.
"We tried to capture him on Rabbit Island, but he manages to escape," Naruto told him. "However, we did manage to save a prisoner of his, Igaram of the Royal Guard of Arabasta. He has some valuable information I think you need to hear personally."
"I see," Kakashi said solemnly. "I want you to write up a full report if you haven't already done so. I'll read it over after I've debriefed with Igaram. Until then, you and the rest of your crew get some rest until further orders."
"Understood, sir," Naruto replied.
0o0o0
Marineford
Paradise: Grand Line
Jiraiya was pretty sure that this Monkey D. Luffy who had become such a rising star in the pirate world, was the same Luffy that Garp had declared his grandson. However, even knowing that didn't lead him any closer to solving the parentage mystery of Luffy. And he was similarly stuck with Naruto.
About the only thing he'd discovered during his occasional investigations was that neither Minato nor Garp had any official record of having children. Garp, he could imagine simply not bothering to fill out the form, but he couldn't understand why Minato wouldn't. After all, simply being named, Minato's son would have made Naruto eligible for survival benefits upon his death.
In addition, it was a simple form that stood in stark contrast to the sea of red tape paperwork usually entailed. All you needed was the child's name, date of birth, parents' names, and a signature. Jiraiya was still going with the 'ignored the paperwork theory for Garp. As for Minato, he had three theories.
The first was that he'd done it to protect Naruto from potential enemies he'd made during his career. However, that left the question of why Naruto had been raised in Minato's village. It wasn't as if Minato's home was much of a secret.
So, if anyone truly had borne him a grudge, it would have been child's play to locate the village and search for anything Minato held dear. Such a search probably wouldn't have had any trouble uncovering Naruto.
The second possibility was that he hadn't filled it out because he didn't want to reveal the mother. He could just imagine a steamy forbidden romance with a princess or an affair with a married woman. That, of course, would be followed by a hidden pregnancy or perhaps a faked stillbirth.
After which the baby was sent with Minato to hide his existence or the fact that his blond hair and blue eyes couldn't possibly have come from a woman's husband. It sounded like the perfect topic for one of his novels, but it wasn't at all the type of behavior he would attribute to Minato.
The young man had always been too strait-laced. He was the type who would have insisted on marrying before even considering doing the deed. No, that theory was probably just wishful thinking on his part.
The final possibility was that he had filled out the form, but it had been removed from the records after the fact. Perhaps denying his son the funding as a final punishment for Minato's actions just before his death. However none of these theories explained why Minato had never said anything about a son to him in the first place.
Not having found an answer that satisfied him, Jiraiya pressed on with his investigation. Although he was running out of potential leads. Currently, he was occupying himself by looking through old mission reports Minato had written. For that purpose, he was presently located in one of Marinford's repositories of such records.
He was hoping something in them would give him a clue. But after a day wasted in here searching, he'd read every one of Minato's reports and was now skimming through the report of his death. The marines that had been sent to find the AWOL admiral had determined that Minato had been killed fighting pirates to protect his hometown.
Jiraiya always wonders who killed Minato. It was not an easy task to kill a Marine Admiral, especially Minato. He was renowned all over the world as the Marines' Yellow Flash. His abilities and skills not only earn him the rank of Marine Admiral but also allow him to face and survive the most dangerous and powerful pirates in the world. Yet it's hard to tell who was among Minato's large list of enemies that was responsible for killing him. Minato has a lot of enemies that want to see him dead.
Just then, Lieutenant Commander Brannew enters the room. Saluting first, Brannew says "Vice Admiral Jiraiya, Fleet Admiral Sengoku request your presence."
Wondering what Sengoku wanted with him, Jiraiya got up from the chair of his desk and left his office. A minute later, he was in Fleet Admiral Sengoku's office, facing Sengoku himself.
"You want to see me Sengoku?" Jiraiya asked his superior, colleague, and friend.
"Yes, I do," Sengoku says. "I have an important assignment for you. An assignment that takes you to Arabasta."
"Arabasta?" Jiraiya repeated. "Isn't that the nation in a state of Civil War?"
"It is," said Sengoku. "It seems Shichibukai member Crocodile has engineered a civil war that divided Arabasta. He is manipulating the people of Arabasta to go at each other's throat before he moves in to take over by replacing King Nefertari Cobra."
"Why the hell would he do that?" Jiraiya asked, looking confused. "What is he trying to do? I hate to see another Dressrosa tragedy."
The Dressrosa tragedy was a term for the disgraceful event in Dressrosa, a kingdom island in the New World, and one of the twenty kingdoms that founded the World Government. The original rulers of the kingdom were the Donquixote Family 900 years ago, until moved to Mary Geoise and were replaced by the Riku Family.
It was until around a decade ago, Donquixote Doflamingo, after becoming a member Shichibukai, came and took over, define reinstate the Donquixote Family as rulers of the Dressrosa kingdom. He was able to ascend to the throne due to the concessions and pardons granted to him with his allegiance to the World Government.
Marine officers like Jiraiya can't believe Doflamingo would get away with something like that. Due to the Shichibukai pirates' alliance with the World Government, their hands were tied, and they were unable to do anything. However, Jiraiya has heard rumors that Doflamingo became a Shichibukai member by blackmailing the Celestial Dragons, the elite nobles of the World government who are capable of wielding absolute power and authority.
"I don't want to see another Dressrosa event either Jiraiya," Sengoku agreed. "Which is why I need you to go to Arabasta and confirm some evidence of Crocodile's wrongdoings. Rear Admiral Kakashi of G-5 Base informed me that the captain of the Alabasta royal guard, Igaram, had evidence that Crocodile had engineered the civil crisis in Arabasta for him to attain takeover."
"Even if I do that, Crocodile will try to use any tricks under his sleeve to use his membership of the Shichibukai to protect himself from Marine investigation," Jiraiya stated. "He's a clever bastard to not get caught red-handed."
"I know that", said Sengoku. "But it seems Crocodile is in a secret alliance with a powerful and dangerous pirate to help him take over Arabasta."
"Really?" Jiraiya reacted soundinged curious. "Like whom?"
Sengoku had been quiet for a moment before he revealed "Orochimaru."
The name seems to stun Jiraiya completely before he replies "Orochimaru? Are you sure? After so many years, he's finally out of hiding?"
"I'm afraid so," said Sengoku. "It seems his righthand man, Kabuto has been masterminding kidnapping in the local region sea of the Grand Line from a distant island, Rabbit Island. His kidnapping operation has been exposed by a Marine Lieutenant of G-5 Base, Naruto Namikaze."
"Minato's kid?" Jiraiya responded in surprise. "I heard he was assigned in the East Blue Sea outpost."
"He was until he went AWOL from his post," Sengoku. "No doubt Garp's training is to blame. He arrived at the Grand Line and fell under Rear Admiral Kakashi's command. Kakashi gave him the assignment to investigate the kidnappings which led him to Rabbit Island, where he found and confronted Kabuto, who was responsible for the kidnappings."
"This is more than just kidnappings," Jiraiya stated. "Orochimaru would not come out of hiding if he had a big reason. What is he up to?"
"I don't know," Sengoku says. "But you and I both know that whatever Orochimaru is up to, it does not sound good. He is planning something very vast. Something very sinister. And whatever it is, it's got something to do with some of the blueprints he stole from Dr. Vegapunk."
"Do you think he's capable of creating Dr. Vegapunk's weapons on his own?" Jiraiya asked.
"Orochimaru was once a member of MADS!" Sengoku replied. "He was Dr. Vegapunk's brilliant apprentice."
MADS was an illegal scientific research institute led by Vegapunk, that was active many years ago. There were six significant members of MADS: Vegapunk and Orochimaru were among them. The rest were Caesar Clown who disappeared after the Punk Hazard event, Vinsmoke Judge, the supreme commander of Germa 66 and king of Germa Kingdom; And Queen, the cyborg member of the Beasts Pirates' All-Stars, as well as the top executives handpicked by the Yonko member Kaidou.
After MADS disbanded, Orochimaru became a pirate in his own right, attaining a great reputation that earn him a membership of the Shichibukai by the World government. However, Orochimaru went rogue, and began operating on his own interests, not the interests of the World government. It was discovered that Orochimaru had been conducting inhuman experiments on pirates, civilians, and other marines. Before he disappeared, Orochimaru stole several blueprints based on his mentor's advanced weapons.
"You and I both know what kind of damage Orochimaru can do with those weapons he stole from Vegapunk," Sengoku explained to Jiraiya. "And there is a good reason why he came out of hiding after many years. Whatever he's up in Arabasta it's going be an extreme catastrophe. I trust that you handle this mission you see fit Jiraiya."
"Understood." Jiraiya responded before he left.
0o0o0
G-5 Base
Paradise: Grand Line
Naruto and his crew sat in a private briefing room alone in the G-5 base. They hadn't heard anything since Rear Admiral Kakashi was debriefing Igaram alone. Whatever it is, he hopes it ends soon. He wants to focus training on improving his fighting skills and augmenting his devil fruit powers.
While he manages a quick recovery from the injuries he suffered from Kabuto in their fight from Rabbit Island, the utter shame of defeat remains. Naruto lost badly to Kabuto because he underestimated him. He was overconfident that he can defeat him, and he paid heavily on the price. The series of wounds on his chest from Kabuto was a sign of his arrogance. It was at that moment he had decided since he arrived in G-5 base.
He was going to train harder than before until he became a master of all six powers of Rokushiki. Not just a Rokushiki Master. A Rokushiki Master who has access to the Seventh technique; Rokuogan. It was not just his fighting skills he wanted to improve. Naruto also wants to improve his devil fruit powers. He wants to be strong enough to create an army of clones, numbering hundreds, maybe thousands or more. Each clone would be capable of becoming a highly skilled Rokushiki Master in his own right.
It was when Rear Admiral Kakashi entered the room and informed them "I have good news. Marine high command at Marineford wants to confirm if Orochimaru and Crocodile are indeed working together to overthrow the kingdom of Arabasta. They assigned a Marine Vice Admiral to oversee an investigation in Arabasta, Vice Admiral Jiraiya."
"Jiraiya?" Naruto repeated. "That name... sounds familiar."
"Jiraiya's name is well known," says Shikamaru. "He was one of the most well-known figures from the time Gold Roger; the King of the Pirates was alive. They say his strength was as formidable alongside Garp the Fist and Sengoku the Buddha."
"I also heard that he was one of the few people in the world to reach Mount Myōboku Island," Shino added. "An Island in the New World that is impossible to reach."
"Not to mention he's the author of Icha Icha series," Nojiko added.
"Icha Icha series?" Tenten gasped with surprise. "You read those books Nojiko?"
"Of course not," Nojiko quickly defended herself. "I know someone in my village that read them. He some kind of a pervert."
"What's Icha Icha series?" Chōji asked, curious.
"Icha Icha series is a series of adult novels written by Vice Admiral Jiraiya after the commercial failure of "The Tale of the Utterly Gusty Hero"!" Shikamaru explained. "It is wildly popular, giving Jiraiya's checkbook a balance that is "filled with zeroes."
"Of course, it's popular," Tenten rebuked. There is an army of perverts out there that are fans of that book. I never met anyone who ever read such a dirty book.
"Well now that you mention it Tenten," Chōji says. "Rear Admiral Kakashi happens to be a big fan of the book."
"You sir?" Tenten reacted, looking at Rear Admiral with surprise.
"I'm afraid so Tenten," Kakashi admits. "There is no book in the world that I enjoy than Vice Admiral Jiraiya's Icha Icha series."
"With a book like that, I suspect Kiba would be a fan of it," Naruto suggested.
"Hey!" Kiba protested, trying not to look red with embarrassment. "Do you think me so deviant?"
Akamaru barked as if it was a yes, and Kiba responded with an annoying look, saying "Shut up!"
"Vice Admiral Jiraiya is heading to Arabasta to investigate whatever Orochimaru and Crocodile are indeed working together against the kingdom of Arabasta," Kakashi told them. "Igaram of the Arabasta Royal Guard wants to return to his homeland quickly to stop the Civil War. However, I don't want to send him across the sea to Arabasta alone. That is why I am going to assemble a special marine task force to escort him to Alabasta."
"You want us to escort Igaram to Arabasta Rear Admiral?" Naruto asked.
"Correct Naruto," Kakashi says. "Your mission is to escort Igaram, while meeting with Vice Admiral Jiraiya in Nanohana, the port town of Arabasta. You'll begin your voyage tomorrow morning. And in addition, you'll have two new members in your crew."
"Three new members in our crew?" Tenten repeated, sounding surprise. "Like whom?"
Just then, a marine officer enters the room and says "Sir, Rear Admiral Might Guy's ship has arrived."
"Good," Kakashi says. "I think it's time for all of you to meet your new shipmates."
Everyone follows the Rear Admiral out of the room, heading straight to the docks. It was Naruto who asked, "Excuse me Rear Admiral, but is this Might Guy the marine officer who goes by the name, Marines' Sublime Green Beast of Justice?"
"I take it you heard of him?" Kakashi asked Naruto.
"Yeah, I heard about him," Naruto replied. "My father told me he was one of the most indomitable hand-to-hand combatants and martial artists in the Marines. His fighting skills were so near unstoppable it was saying he has devil fruit powers."
"Well Guy doesn't have devil fruit powers, but his strength and skills make him a force to be reckoned with," said Kakashi. "And I can say the same for his two subordinates."
Arriving at the harbor, they were in time to see the ship docked. Once the ship docked, a man jumps from aboard, now on land. He was a tall and well-muscled man. He has fair skin a strong jawline, a somewhat large nose, and black hair. He is most noticeable for his shiny bowl-style haircut and thick eyebrows. He wears a green jumpsuit, orange striped leg warmers, and the standard marine officer coat, with the symbol of Justice behind him.
"THE POWER OF YOUTH ASSEMBLES!" the man yelled in an energetic and cheerful mood. In the next moment, another person was at his side. He was a young man who also has round eyes and extremely thick eyebrows, shiny black hair that was cut and styled into a bowl-cut style and wore attire consisting of a green jumpsuit, orange leg warmers and a red piece of cloth worn as a belt. A set of bandages was wrapped and his hands and wrists. It's almost as if the youth is related the man, as a son to his father, and he also looks more dynamic and joyous.
A third person had joined the first two, although the way he holds the bridge of his nose, he seems very embarrassed be seen by these two. He was a tall, well-built young man with a muscular physique, and having a hairstyle that remains relatively consistent, with short, spiky hair and bangs covering his forehead. He has short, spiky, dark brown hair and piercing, icy blue eyes. His facial features are sharp, with a strong jawline and a prominent, slightly hooked nose. Neji's most distinctive feature.
Fourth person has also left the ship, yet he did not join the ridiculous pose the first two were performing. He looks like an elderly man with his once black hair, now greyed which he wears in a short ponytail. He wears a marine uniform, fitting for the rank of Marine Ensign.
"Kakashi, my Eternal rival," Guy greets him. "It's been a while."
"Yes, it's been a long-time Guy," Kakashi reply. "You haven't changed one bit."
"Funny," Guy says. "That was what I was thinking."
Facing the two young men that are with Guy, Kakashi greets "Lieutenant Rock Lee. Lieutenant Neji Hyuga. It's good to see you two. How have you been doing?"
"We're doing fine, thank you Rear Admiral Kakashi," says the one called Rock Lee, who made a salute to a superior officer.
Also turning to the old man with them, Kakashi also greets "Ensign Kosuke Maruboshi! Welcome! It's an honor to be in your presence!"
"Thank you for your kindness, Rear Admiral Kakashi," Kosuke responded before he faces Naruto and says, "So you're Admiral Minato Namikaze's son...you look your father saved for the fox-like whiskers."
"Thank you, sir!" Naruto responded proudly.
"Yet," Guy added. "I never knew the Yellow Flash had gone AWOL from his post as his son has."
"I didn't go AWOL," Naruto defended himself. "There has been a little misunderstanding."
"But it is true that you fought and arrested a hundred pirates in the East Blue Sea?" Lee asked.
"Hey," Kiba speaks up. "He's not the only one who fought and arrested a hundred pirates in the East Blue Sea."
"Anyone could single handedly beat a hundred pirates all by himself!" Neji confirmed. "The question is are you suitable enough to handle the responsibility of command and duty?"
"I'm sure he does Rear Admiral Guy," says Kosuke. "I can see it in his eyes."
"He's right," says Naruto. "I'm suitable enough to handle the responsibility of command and duty!"
"Then how about we settle this in a sparring match between our two subordinates," Guy suggested.
"Huh?" Naruto responded with a confused look.
"Kakashi tells me you also are a specialist in unarmed combat," Guy continued. "Perhaps you would agree to a spar with my young student, Lee."
"So, you practice the Rokushiki as well?" Naruto asked him, honestly a little intrigued now.
"No," Lee quickly answered. "Rear Admiral Might Guy taught train me in Strong Fist. A fighting style which we trained our bodies to excel physically, rather than relying on simple tricks."
As hard as Naruto worked on the Rokushiki, having someone dismiss them like that didn't sit well with him.
"Well, I think I have to accept now to show you just how effective these 'simple tricks' can be," Naruto answered.
Naruto then removed his coat and set it down before moving to empty a spot of ground where there would be room to fight.
"Come at me whenever you're ready," Naruto offered.
"Then I will," Lee agreed, charging straight at him.
Lee was fast, but far short of the speed Naruto could manage with Soru. Still, he remained cautious in case Lee was holding back to get him to let his guard down. But Lee did nothing to prevent Naruto from getting behind him and sent him stumbling with a kick to the square of his back.
"That speed isn't half bad for a trick, is it?" Naruto taunted as he let Lee get back to his feet.
"If I were you," Neji warned Naruto. "Don't underestimate Lee. It will be the last thing you'll experience in this world."
Naruto was confused by Neji's warning. What does he mean by that? Could it be that Lee has some devil fruit power that might give him the edge.
He scratches that part off. Neji was making him lose his nerve. Right now, he just needs proved how superior his fighting skills are.
Their next few exchanges didn't go any better for Lee, as Naruto's superior speed allowed him to all but toy with the other man. He was beginning to lose interest when he was startled by a shout from Guy.
"It's alright, Lee," he yelled. "I give you, my permission."
"Great!" Lee yelled back.
Curious about what they were planning, Naruto waited as Lee leaned over and rolled up his pant legs to remove something that was wrapped around his legs. He then stood up and repeated the process with him arms. Finished, he held the objects out to his side and dropped them.
Lee had been fighting him while wearing training weights. Naruto couldn't see how removing them would help, though. The difference in their speeds is too great.
But a loud crash shook Naruto from his thoughts. He was stunned to see a cloud of dust shooting up from where Lee had just dropped the weights.
"How much do those things weigh?" Kiba cried out in disbelief that matched Naruto's own.
"They weigh about ten tons," Neju told him.
"Ten tons?" Chōji gasped in shock. "But...he was moving so fast...there is no way in hell those things are ten tons?"
"It's a great training technique Rear Admiral Guy taught me," Lee replied enthusiastically. "Now I am going to show you Naruto what I'm made of!"
And this attack was like night and day when compared to Lee's previous assaults. Naruto was only barely able to get out of the way in time. Although when he'd had a chance to gather his wits and get over the surprise, he realized it wasn't quite as bad as he'd first feared.
If anything, he'd say he even had a slight edge in speed. This fight would be more interesting now, but Naruto could still handle it. So, their fight quickly turned into what must have looked like a high-speed game of tag. Naruto and Lee rocketed around each other, quickly changing directions and trying to find an opening to attack their opponent.
Naruto finally saw one as he feigned dashing in one direction only to stay where he was as Lee darted off in the direction Naruto had feigned to move. Taking the opportunity presented to him, Naruto charged off in an intercept course, coming up to Lee from behind and to the left.
However, instead of the collision he'd been anticipating, Lee almost seemed to dance to his right letting Naruto pass in front of him before aiming a punch of his own. Lee's blow grazed over Naruto's shoulder and Naruto ducked down into a roll to avoid the attack.
He only then realized what his mistake had been. Lee wasn't using Soru, he was just running fast. Soru depended on kicking off the ground repeatedly in the blink of an eye to create bursts of speed. It did have a downside, however, in that the burst of speed tended to be pretty much in a straight line.
Since Lee was simply running, it allowed him much more flexibility in terms of altering course. And to top it all off, his simple running was nearly as fast as Naruto's best burst of speed. Granted that not learning special techniques gave him more time to condition his body, but Naruto was almost terrified to think of the speeds Lee could reach if he ever mastered Soru himself.
And as it turned out, there was a second weakness to Soru that Lee was beginning to catch on to. In between the bursts of speed, there were points were Naruto was moving much slower as he prepared to use Soru again. And it was becoming clear that Lee was now focusing on these times to make his attacks.
This strategy was putting Naruto completely on the defensive. Yet even focused entirely on defense, he was still finding it very difficult to avoid his opponent's blows. But it was time to show him that Soru wasn't the only 'trick' he knew. Naruto had a lot more than just speed on his side.
"Tekkai!"
Waiting for Lee's next attack, instead of dodging, Naruto activated his Tekkai, ready to absorb Lee's quick jab. However, the force of Lee's blow sends Naruto flying off his feet, a few seconds in the air, crashing down on the ground. Naruto regained his senses enough to flip back to his feet and skid to a halt.
"Great job with the 'stand there and let him hit you' strategy," Kiba called out to him. "Always one of my favorites."
Ignoring Kiba's barb, he remained focused on his fight. After what Lee had just done to him, he was beginning to see a shred of logic behind dismissing the Rokushiki. After all, what was the point in training in Tekkai if your opponent instead spent his time building up his muscles so much that he could overcome it with pure force?
But Naruto was far from giving up. When Lee came at him again, Naruto jumped straight up in the air as high as he could. It was almost more than he'd hoped for when Lee leaped after him. He'd nearly reached the apex of his jump when Lee caught up to him.
However, rather than meet him in a midair fight, Naruto used Geppo to push off the air, sending Naruto away from Lee and back toward the ground. Naruto quickly landed and looked up to see Lee watching him. As well trained as Lee was, without Geppo he couldn't come down any faster than gravity would take him.
As Naruto began to dash around Lee's projected landing point, he was pleased to see that Lee was somewhat limited in how fast he could spin himself around in the air. Naruto found an opening shortly before Lee landed and jumped toward Lee's back.
Lee made a valiant effort to spin to face him as quickly as possible but was unable to prepare a guard for Naruto's attack. Naruto sent his hand flying at Lee with his pointer finger extended outward. However, just before impact, he slowed his attack, instead of just tapping Lee on the chest.
Lee retaliated by finishing his midair spin to land a bone-jarring kick on Naruto's side, sending him crashing back to the earth. Seeing Lee land and begin sprinting toward his position, Naruto ignored the pain of his most recent bruising and got back to his feet. But Lee's rush was stopped as Guy blocked his path.
"I'm afraid this was your loss, Lee," he told his student.
"But Naruto barely touched me," Lee complained.
"And if it had been a real fight, his finger would have gone into your heart, killing you," Guy replied.
"I had no idea he had such a terrifying ability," Lee gasped.
"That technique is one of the Rokushiki," Guy informed him. "Remember it well for next time."
"I will," Lee promised, taking out a notebook, of all things, and scribbling in it. "Just let me write that down."
"It was a good fight," Naruto assured him, trying to be polite.
"Yes, but I'll win the next one," Lee vowed. "How about a rematch? I ready now."
Naruto's body protested the notion, telling him his already impressive collection of bruises was quite enough.
"It won't be any different," Tenten interjected. "He didn't even use his devil fruit power in that fight."
"You have a devil fruit power, and you didn't use it?" Lee asked him curiously.
"It was supposed to be an unarmed combat match," Naruto replied. "And you weren't using a power, so I didn't think it would be fair to use one."
Lee looked taken aback by his words.
"Your youthful honor has moved me greatly," he declared loudly. " I'm going to declare you my eternal rival."
As Lee turned around, Kiba snickered "Isn't that nice? You got yourself a rival."
"Shut up!" Naruto retort.
"Even if you did have devil fruit power," Neji voices in the conversation. "Lee would have uses his trump card against you."
"Trump card?" Tenten repeated. "You mean like Devil Fruit!"
"Lee does not have no Devil Fruit power," Neji explained. "But it's as fearsome and powerful as one. Once he unleashed, you'll have no chance in hell against him. Be thankful that you're fighting alongside him instead of opposing him."
0o0o0
Marineford
Paradise: Grand Line
Jiraiya was finally ready for his voyage to Arabasta. His mission: investigate the secret alliance between Orochimaru and Crocodile and to stop them in whatever he can. He was to meet with the marine task force under the command of Lieutenant Naruto Namikaze who is escorting Igaram, the Captain of the Royal Guard of Arabasta. Their meeting place was to be at Nanohana, the port-town of Arabasta.
But before he left, there was something he needed to do. Now alone in the private cabin of his ship, Jiraiya activated his Den Den Mushi. But he also activated his White Den Den Mushi link to his Den Den Mushi. The last thing he needs is people eavesdropping on his conversations.
"This is the Incredibly Handsome Bachelor," Jiraiya whispered. "Long John Silver and Miss Spider-Woman. Do you copy?"
There was silence from the other side of the Den Den Mushi. Then the Den Den Mushi speaks with a womanly voice "This is Miss Spider-Woman to Incredibly Handsome Bachelor. Copy."
"Is Long John Silver there?" Jiraiya asked.
"Long John Silver is kind of occupied Incredibly Handsome Bachelor," Miss spider woman replies. "What is it that you need?"
"I need some information Miss Spider-woman," Jiraiya says to the Den Den Mushi. "It's for an important mission. And I need it fast."
"I seem to recall several other important missions before," Miss Spider-Woman teases. "And Long John Silver and I always charged you extra."
"This is very serious Miss Spider-Woman," Jiraiya told her. "And It involves the Great White Snake."
"The Great White Snake?" Miss Spider-Woman reacted and sounded surprised. "Are you sure?"
"From the reaction of your voice, you seemed surprised?" Jiraiya assumed.
"Well, the Great White Snake hasn't been seen in many years since he was stripped of his crown," Miss Spider-Woman pointed out. "Even my contacts in the Underworld would have informed me and Long John Silver of any movement he makes."
"Well, he already made his movement all right," Jiraiya stated. "The Great White Snake is working with Sand King to overthrow Desert Island. General Buddhism wants me to go to the Dune Island and find evidence that Great White Snake and Sand King are working together."
"Is that all?" Miss Spider-Woman asked.
"No," Jiraiya replied. "I wanted to know what the Great White Snake is up to. It's very unlike him to work together with anyone. He must have a big reason to come out of hiding and whatever it is, it's in Desert Island. I need you to contact your informants and see if they have heard any rumors that involve Great White Snake."
"I'll see what I can do," Miss Spider-Woman replies. "It might not be easy, but I'll try to find out what Great White Snake has been up to since in the Underworld."
Once the Den Den Mushi was quiet, Jiraiya wondered what his closest colleagues would think and react, that his most trusted informants were "Dark King" Silvers Rayleigh first mate of the King of the Pirates, and the infamous Shakuyaku, the notorious pirate woman who always evades the legendary Garp the Fist.
For a pirate, retirement was impossible. Despite the fact the Roger Pirates disbanded, and Gol D. Roger was dead, the Marines refused to get rid of his wanted poster, so could go into peaceful retirement. His bounty cannot simply be forgotten, as being a pirate, especially a Roger Pirate, carries crimes throughout one's entire life.
Jiraiya, on the other hand, was not so overzealous in justice as his colleagues. In his point of view, he believed everyone deserved a second chance, especially pirates. Not to mention Rayleigh was secretly his favorite drinking/gambling buddy. Garp and Sengoku would severely reprimand Jiraiya for such behavior.
Jiraiya turns his thoughts towards Naruto. He never knew that Minato had a son. He wonders why he never told him about him. And more importantly, who was Naruto's mother? Maybe he'll have a chance to talk to him when he gets to Arabasta.
0o0o0
Former Pirate's Ship
Rabbit Island
Paradise: Grand Line
While the ship remains of course to Arabasta, Naruto, Tenten, and Nojiko were training in Rokushiki. Since they departed from G-5 Base several hours ago, their primary lessons were focused in Soru.
"Soru allows the users to move at extremely high speeds to avoid attacks, as well as to attack at higher speeds and with greater power," Naruto explains the details of Soru to the two girls. "The principle of this move was to kick off the ground at least ten times in the blink of an eye! Why don't you two try it out."
Both Tenten and Nojiko attempt to use the move by kicking the ground ten times to use Soru. However, nothing happens which means they were not doing it right.
"This suck!" Tenten complains.
"Yeah," agreed Nojiko. "I'm not sure if we will get it right before we reach Arabasta."
"Have patience," Naruto tries to convince them. "I remember how hard it was when I tried master Soru. If I can do it then so can you two."
"Maybe I can help," said Kosuke who stepped in. Turning to Lee, Kosuke asked "Lee, do you think you can make more of those heavy ankle weights?"
"Sure, I can Ensign Kosuke," Lee says. "Are they for Tenten and Nojiko?"
"That's right," Kosuke replied. "This might help improve their Soru skills."
"You know I'm kind of surprised to see you here," says Shikamaru. "I take there a good reason you volunteer to be on Naruto's ship?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Naruto asked.
"Well," Kosuke explained. "I happen to serve on your father's ship."
Naruto looked stunned when he heard that and asked, "You served on my father's ship?"
"That's right," Kosuke admitted. "You might not hear of me, but I was known as the Eternal Ensign."
"Eternal Ensign?" Igaram reacted. "I heard about you! I thought you would be dead or retired."
"Is he some kind of celebrity within the Marines?" Nojiko asked, looking curious.
"He is," says Igaram. "According to the stories I heard, they say he has been in the Marines longer than Garp the Fist, Jiraiya the Gallant, Sengoku the Buddha, and "Great Staff Officer" Tsuru. While the rest have reached high marine officer ranks, Kosuke Maruboshi chose to remain an Ensign, and never received a promotion above."
Hearing that Naruto turned to Kosuke and asked "Is this true? You never accepted a promotion above the rank of Ensign?"
"You could say that" Kosuke admitted. "While I served Justice like every marine next to me, I don't need a promotion above my rank. Yet I'm strong enough to overshadow all the three Admirals of the Marines, even Sengoku the Buddha!"
"You're kidding me, right?" Kiba reacted with disbelief. "You're stronger than the Fleet Admiral
"He's not joking around. His true strength does not match his current rank," Igaram stated. "This man was powerful enough to defeat a large army of one hundred thousand enemies on his own if he took it seriously."
Hearing that, Naruto could not help but feel so tiny in comparison with Kosuke. If what this man says is true, then he may be stronger than the three Admirals of the Marines: Kuzan the Aokiji, Sakazuki the Akainu, and Borsalino the Kizaru, even Fleet Admiral Sengoku the Buddha. Yet why is he still an Ensign?
"Hey, boss!" Naruto's clone shouted from the crow's nest. "Look over there!"
The clone's tone startled Naruto. Whatever he spots from the crow's nest, it must be very serious. He sent a clone to grab a telescope for him while he went to have a look at himself. But the moment he begins tale look at what Lee has seen, he is surprised at what it is.
He doesn't know what the hell it is, but from his point of view, it looks like a rift or something. Similar to a crack in the glass, yet it is almost as if it was a crack in reality itself. It was heavily irradiated with violet electrical energy of unknown origin.
It seems to not expanse, yet it is almost as if the rift was trying to consume anything within its reach.
"What is it?" Nojiko asked, looking at the strange phenomena.
"I don't know," says Naruto, who also looks confused. "The Grand Line is known to have strange occurrences, but I never heard of anything like this before."
"Neither do I," Shino agreed. "I have a bad feeling about that rift."
"He's right," Kiba agreed. "Look at all the derbies of those ships in the water."
Naruto noticed it too. He could see several pieces of ships across the water. It looks as if some of these vessels must have gotten close to the rift.
"I can't tell if they are pirate ships or marine ships," Neji says.
"Pirate or Marine ship, it doesn't matter," Kiba stated. "That rift could be very dangerous if we get too close."
"You got that right," says Shikamaru speaks up. "There is something wrong with the Eternal Log Pose. It's going crazy."
"It must have something to do with that rift Shikamaru?" Chōji asked.
"What else could be messing around with the Eternal Log Pose Chōji?" Shikamaru remarked.
"I couldn't agree more," Igaram also agreed. "We should..."Mi~mi~mi~"...We should avoid it at all costs. We can't afford any obstacles in our way when Arabasta is—"
"Hey everyone!" Tenten shouted. "Look over there!"
Glossary
Devil Fruits
Hito Hito no Mi, Model Amazon (Human Human Fruit, Model Amazon): The Hito Hito no Mi, Model Amazon is a Zoan-class Devil Fruit that allows the user to transform into an Amazon, a member of a race of fierce warrior women from the Grek mythology. The fruit was eaten by Nojiko, making her an Amazon Human.