Growth through Chaos

by Animephilosopher1

As they return from the Land of Waves, Team 7 fall into somewhere far more chaotic and divided than the Ninja World. Follow Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke and Kakashi, after they find themselves in the World of the One Piece. Growing through a Special brand of Chaos across trials, battles, training and more as members of the Straw Hat Pirates on the Grand Line.(LuffyxNami, Kakashi x Robin)

14. Chapter 14: He's Gonna Pay

Growth Through Chaos: Chapter 14:
"…He made my Navigator Cry.
HE'S GONNA PAY!"

"…."=speaking.
'…'=thinking.
"'Inner thoughts'"=images or memories within somebody's head.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or One Piece.

Tap…tap…tap….tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap. Naruto stood beside Luffy, cross his arms with one heel taping on the ground, growing with impatience. Most of the Straw Hats stood inside the Doctor's office. Usopp had been treated by Dr. Nato and moved by Gin and Sanji to one of the beds. Waiting for Kakashi's return.

Sasuke had begun to pace, adding to the background noise, while the girls and Dr. Nako were behind a curtain. Nami still wore Luffy's hat and was lying down topless on the bed, her head resting in Nojiko's lap with the doctor stitching up her shoulder. Sakura stood close by holding a medical tray with various instruments, using the purpose of the task to focus past everything she had seen.

As Nami winced at another suture, Nojiko began to murmur encouragement to her in a soft voice, before a new question came to her mind. "Nami? Are you sure these guys can help at all? They are the only chance we've got, but can they actually beat Arlong and his crew?"

"Yes." The sisters turned towards Sakura, who's face had grown hard, focused, with eyes that held only the truth.

"Before we came here; Kakashi-sensei, Naruto, Sasuke-kun and I had to free a village that had been enslaved by a man named Gato. Gato was at least as bad as Arlong, and he hired another really ninja named Zabuza-san to kill someone we needed to protect. Zabuza-san was on Kakashi-sensei's level, but Naruto and Sasuke-kun managed to catch him off-guard and beat his partner, Haku. We freed the entire nation from Gato, together.

"As for the Luffy-san, Usopp-san, and Zoro-san," Sakura looked at Nami, with a pleading glint in her eyes.

"Miss. Nami once described to me how she, and those three saved another village from a dangerous pirate crew before. Right?"

Nami's mouth drew a thin line, nodding at her friend and sister, downcast with guilt.

'Back then, I wanted to run away until Luffy yelled at me about helping my friends. And now here I am, and Usopp got hurt because of problems here in my village.'

"Back at the Baratie," Sakura continued. "Naruto-san, Luffy-san, Sanji-senpai and Gin-san must have defeated another Pirate, Don Krieg, in the battle after we departed from there. Don Krieg had a bounty of 17,000,000 bellies, and over one hundred men under him. Yet they still won, and even got one of Don Krieg's own men to come over to our side. That has got to count for something."

"Of-course it does," Luffy's voice cut through them from outside the curtain.

"Back then, Bastard-Krieg even used poison-gas and tried to kill his own men when I made him mad enough. At the end, none of that bastard's fancy weapons could stop me, and I completely destroyed him. But that was after Naruto got poisoned saving Gin and me."

Even without seeing him, each of the girls could feel the seething rage in Luffy's voice. "Naruto…he got hurt with I wasn't looking. That's why I destroyed Bastard-Krieg." He continued, with a dethatched voice that belied the explosion building within the Straw Hat captain.

A moment of silence followed. Until the tell-tale sound of cracking knuckles, promising imminent pain, brought the wait to an end. "Arlong and his Marine friend have got a lot to pay for. With What happened to Zoro, to Usopp, and especially to Nami! I swear I'll beat the crap outa all of them so, so hard, then send those bastards flying out just like I did to Buggy."

With a flap, the entire curtain was thrown aside by Luffy. Following an outcry from Nami. Sakura and Nojiko quickly became a screen as she slipped a shirt back on. Luffy ignored all of it, and stood before his wounded, near-broken nakama. "Nami. You saw what I did to Red-Nose after he hurt my hat."

"Shanks himself gave me that hat, after he saved my life. But the one thing that matters more than it is my crew," Luffy declared, the blazing passion in his eyes causing the ladies and old man to shake. Nami's trembling hand rose to the keepsake resting on her head, recalling Luffy's words and attitude towards the precious gift.

"I promised Shanks that I'd return the hat to him someday, after I become the King of the Pirates. The problem. I'm a terrible sailor. I definitely can't cook. I don't know how to use swords. I can't even lie." Usopp's cry of indignation went ignored as Luffy continued.

"I'm not a good shot. And my powers aren't as awesome as a ninja's. Without my friends I'd be dead a long time ago. The one thing I can do, is protect my nakama and if any of them get hurt, then I will rip the one who did it apart!"

At this pledge, a sensation of empowerment was creeping into the souls of the crew, Luffy's tone building with each word: "Now, that happened twice in a row, first to Naruto, and now to Zoro, Usopp and Nami!...I…am…beyond…furious!" Luffy's declaration shook to whole house.

Nobody moved, until a clapping-sound came from the doorway.

Kakashi stood there, clapping his hands with a rare look of admiration clear to see. Yosaku and Johnny were beside him, sharing a mood of desperation alongside several minor and moderate wounds.

"Well, spoken, Captain. The town's people are safe now, just outside in the square. I also ran into these two on the way and brought them up to speed. Now—"

"GOOD!" Luffy begin to stomp towards the doorway. "Then let's go. First, we save Zoro, then go beat up Arlong." Sanij, Gin and the Genin began to follow their Captain, until Kakashi's arm. blocked Luffy's path.

"Kakashi! Zoro's in trouble and Arlong's probably laughing right now! We gotta find them now. Move that arm before I throw it away!" the raven-haired teen demanded from him.

"Yeah, Sensei, we've gotta save Zoro, then beat-up this Arlong guy, Believe It!" Naruto exclaimed to support Luffy. Even Sasuke stepped forward to voice his desires.

"We know where they are, and they need to pay for what happened. Right now! What is there to wait for!?" the Uchiha demanded, more impatiently than Naruto.

"Slow down, and plan," Kakashi replied, stopping his Genin and the other occupants inside, immediately. Each felt a new presence from the eldest crewmate among them. They were not dealing with Hakashi Kakashi, the tardy, porn-loving, lazy-ass…

This was someone else…the man who could even fill the Demon of the Mist with terror…Copy-nin Kakashi, ANBU, Jonin, and legend…out to save and avenge a wronged comrade.

"Running about will carry too many risks to be acceptable. What is more, you don't understand the full situation, captain," the ninja responded, as three contrasting eyes met one another: two with burning anger towards one, singular focus; the other a frozen anger with broader awareness

"When I met them, Johnny and Yosaku here informed me that they encountered a group of Fishmen pirates who mentioned Zoro. It devolved into a fight, hence their injured state, after the group insulted their friend, and two of them won, narrowly," Kakashi described.

Everyone else turned towards the beaten-up bounty hunters, who nodded. "Yeah, those bastards were gloating about Zoro getting imprisoned and about to be killed," Yosaku confessed. "We couldn't let them walk away after that, even with Big-sis Nami's problem. Then we came back here to get help and ran into Kakashi and a crowd of people, before talking them into coming back here."

Nami looked over, her eyes falling down until her unhurt shoulder was covered with a familiar hand. Nojiko's eyes carried a clear message: 'stop bemoaning how everything has fallen apart. Appeasing them is not important any longer.' She nodded, which did not go unnoticed from Kakashi.

"First, here are our objectives," Kakashi spoke-up, calling the attention of all assembled.

"Zoro's rescue is the most immediate concern. The Marines are the ones with him and responsible for hurting Usopp and Nojiko. Then, we need to remove Arlong and his crew from this island. I got to Nami's house before the Marine's did and hid her treasure haul away."

Several eyes from wide, with shock and respect. Gin was impressed with Kakashi's capacity for planning and prioritizing, while Sanji shared those sentiments. Nami herself felt a badly-needed wave of relief.

"Nami. Tell me everything you know about the Fishman here, and the Marines," Kakashi requested from her. "On the way here, Zoro, Sasuke, Sakura and I ran into a giant Sea-cow that nearly ate our boat. I beat it and trapped that creature on the bottom of the ocean."

"You fought with Momoo and beat him!" Nami cried with incredulity. Even Dr. Nako and Nojiko were bewildered.

"Momoo? That giant thing had a name?" Sakura questioned her, before giving a shrug. "Uh, probably not important. But yes, Kakashi-sensei used certain water-style jutsu to push that sea-monster back, then trapped him underwater."

"Who, really, seriously!" Naruto exclaimed. "Kakashi-sensei, you beat-up a sea-monster! That's awesome! Hey, Sasuke!?" the spastic, overeager Genin had his collar yanked by Sasuke, who was glaring with impatience for action.

"Yeah, Kakashi did fight and defeat a big one, but stay focused on this fight, dobe," the other Genin demanded from him. "But, if Nami recognized that creature. Then it must have been associated with Arlong. If it didn't encounter Naruto's group, then it must still be trapped down there, and won't participate in this fight."

Nami blinked at the revelation, feeling the enormity of such odds facing the group shrink by a minor degree. Luffy's arms were folded, even more impatient than Sasuke, too focused to share in the excitement. While Kakashi nodded at Sasuke.

"Good awareness, Sasuke. On top of that, Zoro defeated a little under one dozen Fishmen plus one of thm who fought using six different swords. Johnny and Yosaku also cut another ten of their numbers down. Nami, how many does that leave us from Arlong's crew and who are the stronger members?"

Those assembled turned towards their navigator. Even Luffy become more focused on Nami instead of rushing off.

"Umm…well, in total there are around 60 members of the crew. Arlong himself is the best fighter out of the crew; aside from his strength and powerful teeth, he also likes to use a giant saw-blade in any fight. Aside from the one who Zoro beat, Hatchan, the other really strong ones are the officers Chew and Kuroobi. One has a long mouth and teal-blue skin, and the other is a manta-ray Fishman with grey skin. Kuroobi is the more dangerous and cautious of the two, with a lot of skill in a martial art called Fishman karate. I never figured-out how it's supposed to work, though. He never trusted me at all and was the most hurtful and despicable after Arlong."

Kakashi nodded, while Sanji's foot began to tap, eager to meet this Kouroobi himself.

"Those who were beaten by Zoro, Johnny and Yosaku may or may not have some capacity to fight by now," the former ANBU captain proceeded.

"The main problem we have, is how once Arlong finds the men that Yosaku and Johnny defeated, he will probably move into the village again to find them. Best case scenario is they ransack the place, worst case, they take hostages or kill a few of your people to send a message."

"We need to keep him, and his crew focused on us to prevent that. But Zoro's rescue can't wait until after an attack on Arlong."

"So, both will need to be done at the same time. Yet, Nami and Usopp are in no condition to fight and our mission is to win without losing any of the civilians here. So, to defeat a crew of perhaps 20 Marines and 40 Fishmen plus three prominent fighters; we only have one rubber man, one cook, one ruthless and honourable outlaw, three Genin-level ninjas, two average bounty-hunters, and me." Kakashi summarized.

Sakura swallowed, fearful of the odds they were up against as her intellect put the pieces together. Naruto and Sasuke were too determined to care, while Sanji lit a fresh cigarette and shared a look with Gin.

"And that's only half of it," the blonde cook spoke-up. "You're right, Kakashi-san. The swordsman, Zoro-san, needs to be rescued as a soon as possible to avoid him ending-up killed. So, we'll need to split up into two groups. One to bring the fight to Arlong, to other to save one of our own. Personally, I think Naruto should come to help us deal with Arlong. Thanks to that cloning-technique he can use, we will be able to even-out their numbers."

Kakashi nodded, while Naruto grinned, a ball of excitement growing in his stomach.

"Slow down a touch, Sanji-san," Gin added. "Naruto's still not all set for a battle. Th' Doctor we met commented that some o'the MH5 poison ain't left his system yet. Tha'll be an issue in a fight th' like of which we're headin' for. Plus, if any o' Arlong's men are outside their base then they'll sure as hell come'ere an' attack the town for payback."

"Good observation Gin-san," Kakashi nodded at their more recent comrade.

"So, we have three roles to fulfill. One group attacks Arlong Park, a second rescues Zoro, and some need to stay within Cocoyoshi Village to protect Nami and Usopp and act as reserves if something unexpected happens," The legendary ninja surmised.

"Well, I know where I'm going," Johnny spoke up, stepping forward to grab everyone's attention. "If big-bro Zoro's in trouble, Yosaku and I are going after him, no matter what. If Sasuke-san comes with us, we can save him quickly then come directly back here to make sure the town stays safe or join the fight at Arlong park."

"Maybe, not." Both of the older friends turned to face Gin, who had a dangerously gleeful look in his eyes.

"Th' two o' you're bounty hunters. A public attack on th' Marines like may take your livelihood away or leave a black-mark agains' anyone you meet from this day on. Don Luffy, I've already got'a bounty on my head, and can take more'an'a few dozen Marines with a good plan," the grin of a demon slipping over his face at the prospect.

"What if Sasuke an' I took care of Zoro then joined you at Arlong Park?" the Man-Demon proposed.

Luffy glanced at him before folding his arms.

"Sounds good. I already promised to fight Arlong and anyone with him. Still, the Marines shot Usopp too, so I owe them one big beat-down," the stubborn youth declared, cracking his knuckles all the while.

"Make sure he hurts a lot, while the rest of us go to Arlong Park. That's all there is, right?" Gin and Sasuke nodded, while the others sweat-dropped at Luffy missing the third and fourth points; protecting the wounded and leaving the civilians out of the fight.

Kakashi of the Sharingan eyed both possibilities, looking around at the group to marshal his own thoughts.

'I want to keep Sakura, Naruto and Sasuke away from the worst of this fight. I have the most fire-power out of everyone here, and Captain Luffy did prove at the Baratie that he is a notable fighter in his own right. The two of us and Sanji are the most skilled here, that I know of, but I can track Zoro by scent faster than anyone else. On the flip side, I've been using shadow-clones all day and that can take its toll, while water-jutsu would likely be a good foil these Fishmen.'

Luffy looked around at his crew. "Okay. So, who here can move the fastest to catch-up with Zoro, and who wants to come with me and beat-up Arlong?"

0…..0

On the pathway between the villages of the Conomi Islands, a party of fifteen Fishmen were returning to Arlong Park with the coastline nearby. One of the group was laden with a sack filled with bellies, as another glanced at the load with an air of greed and satisfaction.

"I gotta say, it was good everyone in Yabusa Village got the message over what happened to Gosa Village. After we turned that place upside-down as literally as possible, everyone was almost begging to appease us or give even more money for the boss. Good to see the vermin learned their place beneath us so well."

The entire group agreed, beginning to erupt with laughter.

"Yeah, sending the fifteen of us was overkill, but I like the fear that all those humans display whenever we stride in to their homes."

"I haven't heard truer words in decades, Kaneshiro. A good day of…work for…Brothers!"

The Fishman carrying the sack of money dropped his load, before sprinting towards a group of fellow Fishmen beaten and bloodied near the road. The rest looked on in confusion, before joining the other to help their comrades.

"Who did this to all you guys?" one of the crew demanded, while others tried to bind the many wounds any way they could find.

"Uuuuhhhhgggg….some…bounty hunters," a single, wounded Fishman explained.

"The pair were associates of Roronoa Zoro; the guy who beat-up Hatchi. We tried to take their weapons when a single one announced who and what they were. After we mentioned Roronoa Zoro and how he's gonna die, the two of them started a fight with us, then took off running towards Cocoyoshi village."

The Fishman Kaneshiro nodded. Soon the wounded Arlong pirates were good enough to move. Five of the other party began to carry them back towards their home, with the money for Arlong. The remaining ten dove for the water, to reach Cocoyoshi Village by the fastest route and kill any they found until the Bounty hunters were found and executed for defying Arlong's will.

Elsewhere, six people were approaching the gates to Arlong Park, while the Fishmen remained inside, oblivious to the coming assault. From the group two began to stride ahead from the others, one of the pair glancing aside at her companion.

"This is only the first play. Let's hope they accept," her partner gave a reassuring reminder. At their words the girl glanced backwards, to find the others nodding their own consent despite the thrill to get stuck in a fight burning through their blood.

"Ready?" "Yes. For this nightmare to end."

A loud knock rang on the doors, causing the activities inside to pause. Without waiting for an answer, the stone doorway creaked open, with the first party shifting through.

"Swahahaha! So, my pretty little Navigator returns, empty and ready to return to work with her proper sensibilities. And who is this man beside you, Nami?" Arlong proclaimed. Nami herself forced the fresh wave of tears down, refusing to satisfy the monster. Then schooled her featured into focused detachment, while Kakashi stood at her side; glaring at the possessive smugness Arlong carried, alongside his guest.

"AHhh. I recall this man, Arlong. He was apparently entertaining this Nami's sister and was quite helpful to me moments earlier. Though I do not recall finding his name, Uuuhhh-!" Nazumi described, before scampering back under Kakashi's glare.

"Arlong? I am here with a proposition for you," the Jonin announced, as he strode forward, opening one pocket of his flak-jacket to withdraw a pair of storage scrolls.

"Well, let's hear it. What can this human offer to me that is not already within reach?" the Fishman acquiesced. Kakashi made a single hand-sign, resulting in columns of smoke billowing form the scrolls. As it cleared, an enormous collective of treasure was there, sprawling before the eyes of the Fishmen and their snivelling guest. Nazumi nearly squealed at the sight of such treasure while Arlong was gapping in shock. All part of Kakashi's plan, as he locked eyes with Nazumi.

"Arlong," Nami gasped, his fists trembling by her hips. "Here it is, 100,000,000 bellies exact."

Her declaration left the Shark-Fishman struck with dismay and amazement, while Nazumi dashed forward for the treasure.

"Chichichi! Money, mon-" the rat was clothes-lined by Kakashi's arm, then flung back to collide with one of the pillars near the porch.

"This man beside me found this treasure before that rat could take it. Together, with others, I got enough to for our deal. The money's here, with a proposal," Nami declared. As Arlong face morphed into a savage frown. The man's own deck-chair broke under his grip at this turn of events.

"Let's my village be free, and it's yours," Nami pleaded towards him, uncaring for the fear Arlong invoked with her. "That was our agreement, and I have delivered. So—"

"Silence, you sum!" Arlong roared, dashing forward to seize Nami, but halted in his tracks. Looking down, the Fishman felt a trickle of apprehension. The masked figure whom accompanied Nami had planted on hand over Arlong's chest, stopping him dead in his tracks.

"Now. I did not introduce my, Arlong-san," Kakashi gently murmured, barely high enough to be heard.

"My name is Hatake Kakashi. You don't know me, but I have been watching you. Nami has fulfilled your bargain, and that Marine you are allied with needs to die."

"You see, I owe Nami-san one favour. And a crewmate of mine was nearly killed by that rat, and another threated to be placed in the slave-trade. I was present at Nami's home when he arrived looking to seize this treasure and mentioned something about informing Marine HQ about you after taking this loot and pocket a bonus and promotion from your downfall."

"What! Are you being truthful with me!" Arlong demanded, his eyes leaving Nami to focus on the Marine who was just crawling to his feet.

"Hmm. Well, I thank you Kakashi. I wouldn't put it past that self-centred disgusting human. Should that be the case, you may kill him if you wish, once I am finished." Arlong declared, turning about towards the crooked Marine while two of his men grasped Nazumi's arms. Kakashi's smile was hidden behind a mask, while Nami looked on, praying.

"Nazumi!" Arlong bellowed, yanking the Marine off his feet, restoring him to consciousness, and a set of brown stains in his pants. "Our contract has ended!" throwing the man into the pools with a splash. Then the captain turned back towards Nami, eying her and the treasure, before his gut twisted into knots.

'Damn! I was too hasty!' Arlong silently cursed. 'He was my way out of this deal with Nami! With that ended and the full amount right here, right now, I need….'

Kakashi looked on, 'he suddenly became contemplative. I need a distraction.

"Captain Arlong?"

"What?!" the Fishman bellowed, as Kakashi raised both arms to placate him.

"From what I learned from that Marine and Nami-san herself. You made a deal to ensure the freedom of her village for this precise amount of money, correct?" The assembly of pirates nodded, while Nami adopted an air of defeat.

"Well then, I would hate to create such an inconvenience for the owner of the island I am standing on. Did your deal, by chance, specifically determine that she would be released once it was fulfilled, or only her village?"

"What!? K-K-Kakashi-san! You said you would help me!" Nami exclaimed, while Arlong's eyes began to clear, finding the answer he needed. "Now that I think back on it…No. Her concerns were solely towards the freedom of her home. The girl was not added in the finer details. Shwahahahahahahahahaha hahaha" he declared, before seizing Nami by her jacket with one arm.

"I suppose I can let the village go free, as part of our deal. But you. You, my beautiful Nami will stay here until all the end of time! This day is beginning to look up after all! 100,000,000 bellies added to my treasury, the removal of a traitorous bastard, the arrival of a far more amicable acquaintance, and I get to keep my favourite possession-"

BAAAAAMMM! Arlong's celebration was cut short, as part of his front door was struck, with a fresh imprint of a foot set in the metal. Another followed, matching the one that came before.

"Sanji? Weren't we supposed to wait?"

"After what he just said about Nami-swan, I'm not staying still any longer!"

"About time!" a voice outside exclaimed, before the doors were blasted off their hinges, flying open before a pair of arms.

"What! Hhhhh," Kakashi sighed. While the dust settled, four figures stood before the Arlong pirates, ready for a fight. One was dressed in grey clothes with red line designs, with golden tan kin and dark hair surrounded with a grey and blue head-band. He was the only figure clearly armed, with twin tonfas in his hands, and a pistol in his belt. Adjacent to him was very handsomely dressed, bedecked in a suit with handsome blonde hair and a single curling eyebrow. He stood easily; one hand pocketed while another held a cigarette. The centre figure ahead of the others was the youngest, clad in an open, sleeveless red vest and jean shorts that ended at his knees. Steam billowed from his nose, while one foot planted down; a bull preparing to charge.

"Which one of you is Arlong?" the leader demanded, scanning the courtyard.

"Huh! What is going on?" Kuroobi growled. "Another masked man is there, identical to the one talking with the boss!" Sure enough, the last person in the doorway had impossibly wild grey-hair and a face hidden behind a mask, and attire that suggested he was military.

Before Arlong could ask the say question, a sensation of water began trickling over his hand, from Nami. Or, who appeared to be Nami. Once his returned to the one in his grasp, Nami was grinning as she dissolved into water.

"Huh! Wha' the! Sea-water!?" Arlong barely registered what was going on, as the first "Kakashi" suddenly wrapped him in a bear-hug. And exploded with lightning!

"GUHAHAAAAA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HAAAAHAHOOOWWWWWOOOAAAHHHHH!" The Fishman exclaimed, as lighting continued searing through his body. Smoke and the scent of burnt flesh filled everyone's nostrils. Soaked by the soluble sea-water, the lightning's impact carried substantial damage, while fixing Arlong in the spot. A perfect target.

"Gum-gum:" Luffy's voice rang through the yard, his arms shooting backwards, fixing Arlong with deep loathing. "Bazooka!" Every Fishman's jaw dropped, watching two arms speed forwards and impact Arlong dead in his chest, sending him barrelling through the air and shooting through the opposite wall. Knocking him senseless, for a brief time.

"I don't think that'll every got old," the suave smoker muttered, grinning with satisfaction.

"I have to agree with you on that, Sanji," Gin replied.

Luffy's arms were retracting, before he stood high and turned towards the Kakashi to his left. "How was that?"

"Well, you came in far too early. Arlong hadn't made any concrete deals for the village to be free no matter this outcome. To be captain, leadership often requires more patience, Captain Luffy," the Jonin lazily admonished him.

"Na, I don't care. Those other you's were taking too long, and it's more fun this way. Stop keeping all of it for yourself, old man Kakashi!" Luffy brushed him aside, while Kakashi sweat-dropped. "I'm only 26, not an old man."

"Still, you're eldest out of us, Kakashi. Th' Don's words do have some merit," Gin chimed in. "Stop complainin' 'bout the sequence. Th' results are more th'n good. And how many differen' kind o' clones can you make?"

"Well, some have called me the man with a Thousand jutsu for good reason," as the second Kakashi nodded, as Luffy strode forward, facing down all of the Arlong Pirates.

"I am Monkey D. Luffy. A Pirate Captain. And I'm here to challenge all of you fishy bastards for hurting Nami, my crew member!"

0…0

Across the island, a party of Marines were surrounding their prisoner, moving him down a pathway. They were not alone as a towering Fishman strode along beside the green-haired bounty hunter, wearing a pair of katana strapped to his back. Chew could not keep the grin off his face every time one of the corrupt Marines struck Zoro along, trying to make the swordsman shout in pain.

'This human certainly has some grit, even if he is a piece of crap. This treatment really is fitting comeuppance for what he did to Hatchi,' the smelt-whiting Fishman spared him a passing thought. Unaware that the group was being shadowed.

"What're we waiting for? He's right there and easy to rescue. My clones could charge in, beat up them all, and grab Zoro-san no problem, believe it!" Naruto let out a whisper, louder than he meant for, towards Sasuke. Both were crouching low in the treeline, Naruto giddy to catapult into action, Sasuke focused with deep intensity, itching to use several Fuam-shuriken in a pack slung over his back. Now incensed teammate was fixing the blonde with a glare, ready to admonish him, before their partner spoke up first.

"Naruto. That attitude caused you to nearly die back at the Baratie and we had to save you from Krieg and his crew, twice," their third member cautioned him.

"This part of the mission is about something you are supposed to able do better than any of us. Grabbing their attention with unpredictable chaos."

The boy chuckled, rubbing the back of his head, "Uh, y-yeah. Sorry, I'm just a little excited that I didn't think."

"You're always too excited to think, Naruto. But you're not wrong about getting Zoro-san out of these and fast." Sasuke acknowledged, his patience made thinner by watching another Marine slamming the butt of a rifle into Zoro's chest. "Let's wait for the right moment then ambush them with your clones. I can follow-up with Shuriken for more precision. That'll create the opening to grab Zoro and move him out of there.

"Not a bad plan Sasuke," the third member acknowledge, another Kakashi. "The both of you need to distract them quickly, otherwise the Marines might kill Zoro before I can take him. Get your clones out there, Naruto."

Sasuke nodded, while Naruto grinned. "Shadow-clone jutsu," he whispered, producing several copies, all of whom nodded as with Kakashi handed them a storage scroll. "Hmm! Time to put all that paint to good use. And Sasuke, how many times did you call my hobby useless?"

The Uchiha rejected the bait, grasping Naruto by his collar, "Then get into position. Stay quiet dobe, and let's get this right." Naruto, for his own part, nodded. Shaking off Sasuke's hand, the pair moved on while Kakashi looked on with a pang from the past.

'They were acting just like me and…' the Hatake sighed deeply, recalling his own demeanor towards Obito and the parallels Sasuke had just shown.

'It's good to see they get along far better than before. Sasuke at least is going this to save a friend, Zoro-san, while Naruto is starting to put their rivalry aside.'

None of this was noticed by the Marines who continued towards their destination. Moving another hundred meters up the road. Before pure chaos unfurled!

"Huh!" "Wha-the-AAH!" "My eyes, it's in my eyes!" "Ghakkk-PLaa-plab-my mouth!"

"Wha-what the-how the hell…chew!"

The Fishman blinked on reflex, hearing pop of air-cannons and splattering waves of paint coat him head-to-foot, while the Marines began shouting in bewilderment.

Colour of purple, yellow, brown, rustic red and, unfailingly, orange were exploding around them, flying over the road.

Brushing the slop from his face, the Fishman looked about, finding the entire clearing covered with stripes of paint, surrounded by walls of smoke. As the thin clouds began to clear, a small army surrounded him and the marines, each figure a diminutive human in orange jump-suits, and everyone exactly the same.

"Is this an attack!" "Devil-fruit powers? I never believed any stories like that before!"

"This has gotta be a trick!" the Marines, complacent with corruption, barely held any sense of discipline, raising their swords or rifles in various directions.

"Charge! Let's go save Zoro!" Several of the beings shouted, as 50 beings converged on the party of eleven enemies. Sauske's teeth began to grind at Naruto's exclamation, and quickly readied his shuriken. The spinning stars arced through the air, cutting down three marines that surrounded Zoro and wounding several more, his accuracy dead-on-target through practiced skill and his Sharingans.

Chew was turning towards Zoro at the outset, in-time to watch the other Marines cut by strange knives. Rifles and pistols began to fire, yet each of the attackers that were hit simply dissolved into smoke, screening the others as they closed-in. The Fishman turned about, scanning the tree-line for the ranged fighter as various swords and guns were kicked skywards.

The Naruto clones ganged up every Marine, kicking some around while disarming others before pummelling them with barrage after barrage of kicks. Chew was a far harder target, knocking aside several dozen of them easily but still gawking as none did any more than dissolve.

"Crap! Wha-What stupid son-of-a-bitch has a power like this!" he exclaimed, watching more of the same attackers pouring from the forest. "They're here to help Zoro. I just gotta—HHHHHH!"

Chew's realization was cut-off, as a solid hold was clasping his ankle, than yanked him underground until the Fishman was neck-deep in the dirt.

Zoro was equally surprised, with layers of realization, 'Naruto's here? Luffy and the others must have arrived too,' just as those thoughts passed in his mind, something yanked him aside.

"Huh-!" Zoro exclaimed, glancing down to see a disembodied arm grasping his leg, and Kakashi's face.

"Yo, Vice-Captain. Time to go!"

"Wha-ghuu-rrr!" The swordsman could not reply, forcibly yanked underground. Below, Kakashi kept him in a firm grip while moving through the earth away from the battle.

"Kakashi-san? What is going on? And how are you doing this?" Zoro demanded from him.

"Earth-style: Hidden-like-a-mole jutsu," the ninja explained. "I can travel through the earth, almost like swimming, through my chakra to make a quick escape, or do something more unexpected. A lot of things have happened. Short version: Nami's sister and Usopp were shot by Marines. They aren't dead, but between that and Arlong's abuse, Nami broke and began stabbing herself in an emotional breakdown. Luffy saw it and learned what happened to you. He wants to fight Arlong's crew because of what he did to her, you and Usopp. Sanji and Gin from the Baratie are here as well, as are Johnny and Yosaku. Naruto and Sasuke are up there distracting the marines while I get you to a hospital nearby."

Zoro were speechless for a time, digesting all the news. Before glaring into space. "Then Arlong is as good as dead."

Back with Naruto and Sasuke, the fight was nearly over. Sasuke watched as every trace of Zoro and Kakashi slipped away, before turning a pair of hate-filled eyes at the Marines.

'Time to make them pay,' the avenger decided, in a blunder.

"Fire-style: Great Fireball jutsu!" Sasuke began, producing a steady fire-stream that engulfed the road, burning the remainder of the Marines. Even the ground beneath them cracked under the flames, taking all of Naruto's remaining clones with it.

"Sasuke!" Naruto exclaimed, with only the Uchiha's Sharingans allowing him to avoid a bonk on the head.

"What the hell was that!" the original Uzumaki was exclaiming, his arms wildly failing before pointing at the battle-site. "You could'a burned me down there, and my clones already had everything handled. Come on, that's really being a bad teammate!"

"Hhm," Sasuke brushed him off, turning to move into the trees. "Kakashi had already moved Zoro-san away. Besides, my fire-jutsu can cause the ma lot more suffering than your clones. Just let it go,"

"Hey, where're you going, ya know?" Naruto demanded, as Sasuke kept looking ahead. "To Arlong Park. The rest of this fight is there, and it's time to link-up with the others."

Naruto grimaced at the Uchiha until-"Boss look-out!"One of Naruto's remaining clones exclaimed.

Suddenly, the orange-clad ninja was several meters away, and watching Chew attack the spot he had just been shouting from. Sasuke whirled around, in-time to see the Fishman with two swords drawn nearly kill Naruto, until the clone who sounded an alarm substituted itself with the original at the…final…moment.

Chew's face was a smoldering wreak, his blonde hair burnt away, lips cracked and scared, with burns checked across his neck and shoulders. Glancing up, the Fishman hateful gaze met Sasuke.

"You damned son-of-a-bitch. Those flames of yours hurt a lot. But they weakened the ground around me enough to pull myself out of that hole. And now, it's time for the both of you to die!"

The Fishman bull-rushed the tree Sasuke was perched from, stabbing both swords through the bark. With the strength all Fishman carried, 10 -old stronger than humans, Chew tore the trunk from the earth beneath it with furry in his eyes.

Sasuke kept his grip with chakra, before his spot nearly collided with another tree, inciting him to jump. Landing on his feet, the boy barely dodged a kick from his enemy. Chew was far from done, draw his blades free, working up a frenzy of slashes toward Sasuke.

"And after that, I'm takin Nami back to Alrong Park myself to shackle her to her work desk until the end of all time. And give her the same kinda burns both of you have caused to me!"

His blades finally hit, stabbing Sasuke through the heart. Chew was grinning with elation, until "Sasuke" was engulfed with smoke, leaving one tree stump in place with Chew's katana stuck through it.

"WHa! Huh! Now this one disappears too!"

"I…don't…believe this! Chew!" the Fishman began exclaiming, his face growing pink.

Sasuke was hidden behind a tree, his gut plummeting downward. Raising a trembling hand, the prodigy reflected over how his own short-sighted firry blunder had given the enemy a way out, and nearly ended with Naruto's death had that one clone not been present.

'How…how could I have been so stupid? Letting him get free?' Sasuke admonished himself. In the background of his mind, two series of words began to voice different answers. '"Foolish little brother. You're hate is not strong enough. You are not strong enough." Itachi,' Sasuke recalled with dripping venom, before another memory echoed in his mind.

'"Your hatred is eating you up inside. Making you unfocused and weak…we're stuck in a pretty dangerous place….I need to trust that you will care and support us, not just yourself. Otherwise, you are no different than Itachi." Kakashi,' he recalled, feeling new clarity pass through his head.

'I….I used that fire-ball jutsu of hatred, and Naruto could have been killed, even as my back was turned on him!' Sasuke realized, turning back to the battle to see Naruto being forced into a corner by Chew.

"No!" Sasuke exclaimed, shooting forward while pulling two fuma-shuriken from his pack. "Don't you dare!" calling Chew's enraged attention to him before tossing the shuriken. The more experienced Fishman parried both of them with his blades while Naruto slipped away from his own predicament. Sasuke was already moving, catching the larger shuriken off their ricochets, and landing beside Naruto.

"Naruto. That was a blunder, I will admit that. Let's end this guy quickly so he can't move back to Arlong Park," the Uchiha proposed. Naruto blinked, looking over his teammate in surprise, before nodding his head and raising two hands.

"Shadow-clone jutsu!" another 2 dozen clones appeared, blocking the path towards that direction. Chew himself glared at the pair, before he noticed a pond off to his left.

"If you think that'll stop me, I'll blast it apart with my squirt-canon!"

Taking off towards the pond, Chew was still beset by shuriken form the two ninjas, but even those that hit were barely move than a painful nuance for the pirate. Quickly, reaching the water he dove in head-first.

'Down here, that fire-ball can't hit me, and I can gather water for-ahhhhhh,' Chew sighed in relief. The cool water was soothing the burns covering his upper torso and face. He took a moment, indulging this sensation before gathering water into his mouth.

Naruto and Sasuke looked on, confused for several moments. "Hey, Sasuke. I'm gonna go sneak around, then hit the guy when he comes outa the water, okay?" Sasuke nodded, his eyes trained on the pond. After Naruto disappeared, a splash came to the surface and the Sharingan's watched to next attack with awe.

"Payback Water-canon!" a visually obese Chew declared. Immediately the source of the fish-man's new girth became evident, launching a giant blast of water through the trees. Each and every Naruto-clone was destroyed as the focused blast collided with the forest, tearing trees from their stumps and leaving even a deep gauge in the earth.

Sasuke had evaded with a substitution and now stayed hidden, while Naruto looked over in awe. 'I hope Sasuke is okay, because I can't think of anything to counter a water-move like that, and all he has is fire. Still….' Turning his eyes back towards Chew, Naruto spied the Fishman bending down to gather more water. With their enemy's butt point high in the air, the blonde got an idea and pulled out one kunai.

Sasuke looked around, keeping his eyes on Chew. 'Damn, and I don't have any earth-style jutsu to counter a move like that. If I can predict those blasts and get close enough things can be different. Naruto is still out there though, maybe-?'

Looking out, the boy's Sharingan picked-up the chakra of one Naruto in the opposite tree-line, and another moving towards him. Soon, the clone was right beside him.

"Hey? Sasuke?" came a hushed whisper. "The other me has an idea. You and I need to keep this guy distracted so he can move and hit him with something really bad. Okay?"

Sasuke glanced at the other Naruto puzzlingly. 'Well, something is better than nothing.'

"Okay," he decided.

"Squirt-Machine-Gun!" Chew announced his next attack, combing through the forest in an arc.

'He's searching for us with the attack!' Sasuke realized. "Alright.' Quickly, Sasuke made several Academy illusion clones.

"Hey! Your accuracy and power are the worst I have ever see before!" the three clones began shouting, then scattering through the trees, leaving the real Sasuke hidden and giving Naruto a good distraction.

"Huh?! More copies of you too! Die you blasted boy! Chew." Chew declared. For nearly a minute, the fish-man's water-shots began combing the area but failed to hit any of the Sasuke's. While Naruto moved into position.

'Now I just gotta wait until it's the best target.'

"Damn it, where the other one of you-chew!" their enemy cried as his water-gun ran empty.

"Right here behind you!" Naruto cried, shooting forwards as Chew bent over to reload.

"Here it goes!" the boy exclaimed, honing-in on his target.

"Take this! Hidden Leaf Village Secret Taijutsu! Straight form the teachings of Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto exclaimed, thrusting forth a kunai with both hands.

"One-Thousand Years Of Death!"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG! MY BBUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUTTT!" Came a shout that shook the island. Sasuke was frozen, watching the kunai sunk into Chew's exposed rump.

The Uchiha wanted to face-palm, watching Naruto scampering away from Chew with a cheeky smirk. Until…their enemy turned around to attack the fleeing Naruto, and Sasuke noticed something. Or, rather, four things attached to the kunai, with smoke billowing from each one.

"Boom," the original Naruto and the clone muttered.

Chew, who could only look confounded before an explosion engulphed him. Naruto just got behind a tree for cover when it went-off, the blast sending water skywards, causing a light drizzle to cover them.

After the smoke cleared, both Genin looked back to find a very blackened and oblivious Chew, stuck on his feet and literally smoking. A moment followed, until, slowly, the fish-man's legs gave way; his form collapsing forward, face-down, with the kunai still stuck downstairs.

Sasuke moved forward, cautiously and was soon joined by Naruto.

"Hahahaha! Yeah! It worked, and he's totally out! Believe it!" Naruto was cheering loudly, while Sasuke looked over at his teammate, in quiet amazement and embarrassment.

'When Kakashi said "Unpredictable chaos," I doubt he could have imagined even this,' the boy grimaced. This went on for a while, until Sasuke shook his head.

"Naruto! Help me tie-up this guy. Then let's head over to Arlong Park and see if the others need help," he suggested, pulling ninja-wire from his pouch.

"Huh? Oh yeah, good idea, Sasuke."

0….…0

Back in Cocoyoshi Village, Sakura looked out across the town from the porch of Dr. Nako's clinic. Most of the towns people were gathered inside, crowding the area and growing anxious for news. Genzo was watching over Nojiko and Nami. Johnny and Yosaku were present too, kept watch for any dangers and impatient for Naruto, Sasuke and a Kakashi shadow-clone to return with Zoro.

Sakura herself took one-deep breath, noticing her hands had begun twitching again. She tried to push down the dread of ignorance over what was happening elsewhere with her crew and her teammates.

"Hey, little-sis?" Johnny stepped forward, placing one hand on Sakura's shoulder. "You're doing well. Wanna check those traps or set-up a few more? They were a great idea and seemed to kill a lot of the tension in you," he suggested to her.

"Uhhh. Y-yes. Thank you, Johnny-san," Sakura replied, standing up beside the bounty-hunter.

Together, both of them began moving about the streets and alleys of the village, checking various contraptions Sakura had suggested to Kakashi before everyone had left. All were in working order, but Sakura kept glancing over the road to see if someone, anyone, was approaching.

"Ummm… Johnny-san?" she questioned her temporary partner.

"Yeah, what's up?"

"How…how are you so…so calm about all of this? Especially with Zoro hurt and the others fighting one entire pirate crew, a Grand Line crew, with only four people? While we just wait here?" she questioned the older man.

Johnny, to his credit, simply glanced at her, with a deep sense of seriousness. "What makes you think I am calm, little-sis Sakura?" The girl blinked at this answer, while Genzo walked up to the pair and stood nearby, following their conversation.

"I'm more worried right now than any time before in my life, especially about big-bro Zoro. But…I don't know. Right now, I'm just looking beyond that from experience, ready for any fight to come or see him walking down the road," Johnny explained.

"That, and I like the idea of protect this town, truth be told."

The girl blinked at this answer, while the bounty-hunter turned aside, looking up the road.

"You see. Part of the reason I became a bounty hunter was from watching others when I was a little kid. In my home village, a lot of criminals would come through town and make things hard on us. But, right behind them were the bounty hunters who would fight-off those bandits and drag them away. I grew up with those guys as my heroes. And now…."

The man steadily clasped the broadsword at his hip. Slowly, deliberately, the weapon was drawn and held up before Johnny's eyes. "Now, I'm right here doin' the same thing, for people who really need it. Focusing on that and trusting that the others will get through this. That's what I'm doing right now."

Genzo looked over at the younger man, with a growing sense of respect. Sakura herself began to tilt her head, until-

"Enemies!" Yosaku's voice rang out from the roof of the clinic. "A group of ten Fishmen are in the water and coming this way!"

Genzo whirled about, fear emblazoned on his face. Sakura and Johnny were sprinting back to the clinic. Nami and Nojiko met them at the door, both sisters with their shoulders heavily bandaged.

"Do you think they failed!? Johnny, was Arlong with them!?" Nami shouted up to the roof.

"Nah! It's one group alone, I don't see Arlong with them at all, from Big-bro Kakashi's transformation!" he replied, recalling the power the Jonin had used to show them the Fishman he had identified while spying in Arlong Park before leaving with Luffy, Sanji and Gin.

"Still, they look really mad and are coming in armed!" the bounty-hunter described, hopping down from the roof to the ground.

"Everyone, get out here an—"

"No!" Sakura shouted, cutting-off Genzo's orders.

"Genzo-san! Is…." The girl's mind began to race, trying to recall what to do from her Academy classes. Umino Iruka's voice coming through her detailed memory.

'Should the goal of a mission be to defend anything, distance from respective dangers is a golden rule. Avoid them if they approach and you have an inanimate object or work to keep a living client away from any form a danger. Even if you are between them and the threat, just having the client present is not the optimal situation. Avoiding such risks altogether or placing them in a safer location then drawing danger to yourself is the better choice.'

Sakura looked up, to find everyone's eyes on her. "Ummm…"

"What is it little-sis!? They're getting closer!" Johnny began urging her. Swallowing back her fears, Sakura fixed her eyes on a wall and let the ideas spill from her voice.

"Nobody who lives here has any kind of training or skills for fighting. Our goal is to protect all the people. Not lead them into a fight or place them at risk. If they can move somewhere safer, then Johnny, Yosaku and I can fight the Fishmen here in the village then join-up with you there."

Everyone looked at her, before Nami nodded. "Sakura is right. Genzo, Nojiko! Can you both get everybody to the Tangerine orchard?" she questioned her sister and surrogate-father.

"Us? What about you Nami?" Genzo demanded, still wishing to stay and fight. Slowly, Nami's arm rose, touching the hat resting on her brow, Luffy's words coursing through her ears. '"What are you doing! These guys are your friends!...I fight anyone who hurts them!...Without my friends I'd be dead a long time ago. The one thing I can do, is protect my nakama!"'

'My friends…Luffy…the others…all of the mare fighting on my behalf right now,' Nami recalled, clenching the token she had been entrusted with. Some emboldening spirit coursing through her heart.

"I'm staying here to help them," the Straw Hat navigator announced, pulling out the bo-sections from her shirt and linking each together.

"I've been in a few fights with Luffy, Zoro and Usopp before we came here, and survived this long. With Luffy and the other's fighting for me…I want to pitch-in as well."

Genzo was about to argue, until Nami's face stopped him and Nojiko both. The same taciturn, driven expression that she wore around Arlong had returned; save for the burning fire in her eyes. A fire that hadn't been present before, invoking a shakenly echo in Genzo.

'Bellemere…' the man silently recalled. 'She had this same look on her face. The day she chose to join the Navy, and the moments before she was killed.' Catching the same look on Nami struck the man's heart, but someone else stepped up before he could say anything.

"If you want to stay or leave, get going now!" Johnny ordered them, hefting his sword up and ready. "We only have minutes until they get here, so you gonna go or what?" Yosaku encouraged them.

Nami stepped forward to stand beside Sakura, who took a measure of assurance from her company. Genzo's eyes shifted between them all, before cursing himself. Grabbing Nojiko, both ran into the clinic and began herding everyone out the back.

"I'll be back the moment they are safe. Don't let a single figure touch Nami!" he demanded from the group. Dr. Nako stayed begin, with Usopp in the clinic to avoid moving the wounded boy.

Soon the town was deserted, as Sakura and the others waited for their enemies to arrive. The pinkette quickly combed over a few ideas, before giving the other's suggestions and moving to hide close by.

Within 10 minutes, the Fishman arrived. Half the group splintered, forcing doors open to ransack certain houses, combing around for the people and their prey. Many began shouting, growing angered to find the homes deserted and nobody in-sight. Kaneshiro began glancing around, until his eyes rested on Nami.

"Hey, Nami, good you're here!" he shouted, waving her down. "Where did all the scum here disappear to!? Some human bounty-hunters beat-up a group of us, and they're with Roronoa Zoro, the hunter that attacked Hatchi! Get down here and get people out in the open so we can weed them out!"

No reply came.

Nami simply looked on, her face shadowed by the straw hat, confronting the scum before her. A strong breeze fell over the town, fluttering the hat, blowing the surface clear for the coming confrontation.

"Did you hear me!?" Kaneshiro shouted. "You are a fellow Arlong-pirate, aren't you? So, get here and pull some weight to—"

"Fuck Arlong." Nami spoke, heavy with her feelings. A boiling-pot of loathing disgust spilling in her words. "Fuck Arlong, and all of you go to hell," she began to cry; the words held for years in her heart finally able to be spoken.

"IF more of you got hurt, then all the better! You really think I was ever one of you after Arlong killed my mother! Never! I despise him, his ideals and the mark he forced on to me more than anything in this world!" Slowly, Nami's form began shifting, feeling the weight of nearly a decade lifted off her shoulders. She was panting deeply yet had not felt so true to herself within her own home for ages.

The Fishman were recoiling in shock, before anger clouded their judgement and all fixed Nami with their own loathing. "You scum! Betraying us like that and taking about marks forced up another! You have no idea how many of our kind were given that, and what these marks truly mean!" Kaneshiro declared, pointing more at the Sun-Pirates mark on his chest. As two being stepped forward.

"Yeah, well whatever marks you've got, they still make you our enemies," Yosaku announced, standing in front of Nami, with Johnny shoulder-to-shoulder. "I admit, we did just beat more of you, just by a bit. But if you're anything like them, this won't be very hard at all," Johnny gloated, baiting their foes.

"You! You're the ones we want. I bet Nami hired them and Zoro to come here and attack Arlong!" one of the Fishmen declared. At those words, each of them charged forward, eager for blood.

As Sakura smirked from a corner, shifting a kunai in-hand to cut the trap-wire.

Immediately, three dozen logs, covered with iron kitchen-ware, stuck the Fishman in the heads or arms, dropping from above. Another moment later, Sakura, Yoasku and Johnny each threw handfuls of smoke-bombs into the group, stunning each Fishman further. Sakura herself raised one hand, hesitating a moment at the idea of carnage,

'Uhhhh….ummmm…'

"Gahk! You'll pay for that! Each of you will die and after that I'm gonna find these villagers, tear their children apart before them and—"

BRRRUUUUUUUUUMMM!

At the mention of others hurt and children endanger, Sakura triggered the explosives. Paper-bombs she had hidden with loose layers of dirt in the middle of road, far from the buildings enough to leave them untouched, and several of Usopp's exploding stars, triggered by the kinetic force of the first explosions.

Sakura grimaced at the smoke-column with new focus, 'No…not like the Land of Waves was. I wont' let people get hurt like that, or…or just watch and do nothing…like…like with Nojiko-san and Usopp-san were…' her thoughts trailed away, as Johnny and Yosaku charged.

Each of them started on different sides, mowing through the smoke to take-out the Fishman any way they could. Many were struck down, while Nami watched and relaxed.

"Nami, you are dead!" a hateful voice exclaimed. Nami's eyes shot open, finding a single blue-skinned Fishman had come through and was charged her. The man had a single Oodachi-sword raised overhead, barely feet from his target. Nami tried to raise she staff, but her shoulder gaze out, searing with pain.

"Ahhhh!" dropping to the ground, her head drooped forward, her neck beneath the short orange hair clear to see, and behead.

The shadow of death fell over Nami…

….1 second….pink hairs, freshly cut, were scattering in the air.

0…0

Luffy stood before the Fishmen, cracking his own knuckled and impatient for the beat-down to begin. Arlong was shaking his head, while the crew who followed him began to show a smoldering rage; Kuroobi greater than the others.

"You're attacking us on Nami's behalf, as if she were part of you?" he demanded from them. To which Luffy simply nodded.

"Yup. Nami's my navigator, so she can't spend time here making maps from Arlong. I can't let that happen, and Arlong hurt her enough, so I've gotta give you a big butt-whoopin'. Plus…" a new haze began covering Luffy's eyes, straight towards a Marine with whiskers on his face.

"Old-man Kakashi? Is that the one. The Marine who shot Usopp and hurt Nami's sister?"

The Jonin could only nod. "That is the one, Captain Luffy."

"Well, then if he's on the same side as these bozos, then that's even more reason to rip them apart," Luffy declared, to the fury of the Fishmen.

"Who or what the hell could make a human possess such an impossible and fatal idea?! The only bozo going down here is you!"

At those words, fifteen of the Arlong pirates charged straight for Luffy. None of them even came within arm's reach, their efforts stopped by two wraiths darting in to meet them. Sanji was moving left, dropping for a hand-stand and twirling about, knocking half of them aside, until reaching the last. This one felt the chef's foot hook around his neck.

"Reception!" With the cry, Sanji shifting himself around, slamming the Fishman's face straight into the concrete. Before dropping his other foot down on the back of another, producing a sickening crack.

Gin was on Luffy's right, shifting around as his tonfa's met the knees, elbows and necks of their opponents. Several were dislocated or broken from his strength and technique, the final one struck in the chest sufficiently to send the Fishmen flying backwards straight into Arlong.

"Luffy, Kakashi, quite hogging all the action. Gin and I want a piece of these bastards ourselves," Sanji petitioned the other two.

"He's right. Don Luffy, leave this enemy's underlings to us," Gin commented, standing tall in the centre of Arlong park. "Kakashi can act from a distance, while you save your strength for the enemy captain."

"Heh! None of you are going to get even close to him at all!" Kuroobi declared, standing tall and ready in his Fishman-karate Gi.

"Someone go and wake-up Hatchi. He's doesn't' have to fight, but only make that trumpet-call to bring Momoo here. And then we can-"

"Boss, boss! Hey, who the hell are you!" a new voice came, behind the Straw Hats.

Luffy turned about, while Kakashi, Gin and Sanji didn't let their awareness waver from the more immediate threat.

"Take! Where were you, and what happened to your party!?" Kuroobi shouted, recognizing the voice but could not see his crewmate beyond the enemies blocking them.

"We found more of our brother's beaten-up badly! They were attacked by a pair of bounty-hunters who confessed they are here with Roronoa Zoro. All of them are right here and-"

"What! More! How, how are so many things fall apart!" Pandemonium began to course form the ranks of the Arlong Pirates. Until a certain idiot spoke-up.

"Oh. That must be the guys Johnny and Yosaku ran into. And they're not with Zoro. Zoro is with me," Luffy announced, jabbing one thumb at himself.

"Zoro is my Vice-Captain now. Are you guys picked a fight with him and then took him away and hurt him. That's another reason I gotta kick your ass!"

All the people there blinked…once…twice….

"Kill them!" Kuroobi ordered, all of the crew charging to get stuck in the fight. Gin and Sanji could only shake their heads, while Luffy faced-down the charging crew.

"Oh, you all want some more! Well then Gum-Gum-"

"No! Captain Luffy, go beat-up those guys behind us!"

"Huh!? Oh, okay," the simple-minded fighter decided, on Kakashi's directions. Pivoting around, Luffy struck out with his leg, extending the limb backwards through the air.

"Gum-gum: Whip!" in a twist, the rubbery leg scythed through the air, catching each of the Fishmen in its wake and launching the party out towards that sea, past a few hundred meters.

Kakashi kept his eye on the battle, watching Gin and Sanji hold their own nearly back to back, and noticing several Fishmen begin diving into the pools.

'No!' the ninja began weaving hand-signs. "Lightning-style: Discharging bolts!" between his fingers, Kakashi summoned tendrils of lighting courses over themselves, before casting out towards the water. A sizzling flash followed, mixed with dozens of air-bubbles breaking the surface. After a single moment, the forms of another dozen Fishmen reached the surface, their prostrated forms twitching with multiple electric jolts, knocked-out and cooked.

Now the Fishmen could only fight the pirates on dry land, not sprout forth from the water.

At the same time, Gin was moving through more of their enemies, revelling in the thrill of conflict with a clear consciousness.

'Yes, this is how battle truly should be, skill and direct confrontations, with cunning where the impacts make the greatest change. I'm more at home here than with any of the underhanded ploys Don Krieg decided with.' His commitment to Luffy growing with each foe he struck, Gin advanced too far, exposed to a blind-strike from behind.

"Hyakumaigawara Seiken!" Kuroobi shouted, bearing towards the Man-demon to strike him in the back. His target froze, the instinct born from battle rising to warn of the strike too late, as Kuroobi and the other Fishmen grinned at the oncoming sight of knocking him down.

Kakashi noticed this, as did their fourth crew member.

"Epaule Shoot!" Sanji got their first, a flying kick connecting with the Kuroobi's shoulder to deflect the punch, as the other foot curled over his throat. "Collier," and the Fishman struck the ground hard enough to crack solid concrete.

Elsewhere kunai and shuriken sliced around the pair and Gin, meeting the wrists and ankles of each Fishman homing in on the latter. At their cries, Gin's instincts kicked in, striking down each of the wounded foes before they could rally. Kakashi didn't spare a nod at his own work, instead drawing two kunai and moving to the left, working his own way through the remaining Fishmen with the full skill that all high-class Jonin carried.

Within seconds, each of them was out of the fight, while the Jonin sensei thought back to his own Genin with worry.

0….0

Nami couldn't move, darkness covering her form as the Fish-man's blade moved downwards.

"No!" "Ummmph!"

It was 1 second….pink hairs scattered through the air.

In that span, Sakura had seen the danger and acted just barely enough. The girl substituted herself with a barrel positioned close to Nami, then immediately moved for her friend, channeling a burst of chakra through her legs and arms. Her chakra-control refined from Kakashi's training at the Baratie, the girl executed the speed to reach Nami, and strength to push her aside.

The Fishman began glaring at the pink strands of hair, the only things he managed to cut. Both girls began breathing hard, Sakura on her knees as the Fishman moved to attack again. Her eyes wide in terror, the Genin could only raise a single kunai towards his sword, with both hands and hope.

"Exploding star!"

A fresh explosion hit the fish-man's face. Before one person in brown overalls appeared, hurling through the doorway, with a hammer in-hand.

"Usopp-Hammer!" the strike would even make a seasoned Marine cringe, sending the fish-man spinning before he crashed to the side. Yet, Usopp did not let-up, a fresh gong ringing through the scene with each hit.

"Usopp Hammer! Usopp Hammer! Usopp Hammer! Rubber-band of Dooooom! Usopp Hammer! Usopp Hammer U-Usopp Hammer! Usopp Hammer! Usopp Hammer! Usopp Hammer!"

It went on for another minute. Until the Fishman's face was rendered more bruised than blue. Sakura looked over, her eyes comprehending Usopp's panting figure and the fresh pool of blood at his feet, while Yosaku and Johnny were dealing with the last few enemies.

"You idiot! You're gonna open that wound again! Nami, are you hurt?" Dr. Nako admonished him, bolting through the door to grasp Usopp as the boy collapsed. As he looked over them both and found Nami unhurt, the doctor approached Sakura, resting one hand on her shoulder.

"Hey, girl. Thank you, for saving Nami. Those traps of your worked splendidly, but there still are a few enemies left," he reminded her pointing at the field, where three Fishmen remained, with Johnny and Yosaku blocked them from others.

Sakura nodded, pushing aside any other thoughts to pick herself up. Looking around the field, she executed another substitution with a barrel behind the Fishmen and was running towards the ground.

Pushing- off with her legs, Sakura launched a signature black-leg style kick at one of their heads, knocking him towards the bounty hunters, the grinning as they immediately punched him in the face. Sakura herself pushed off that foe's back, twirling about the deliver a spinning round-house at another with her heel. The girl form was well, but also deeply straining on her body. So much that up landing before the last one in a crouch, the final enemy snatched her by the hair, hold the girl up before himself.

"Nobody moves! You have hurt my brother's enough. One more thing, and I will kill this one!" he demanded.

"Sakura-chan!" Nami exclaimed, starting to run forwards, while Johnny and Yosaku grew worried, "Little-sis!"

Sakura struggled against this enemy, the pain on her scalp running deep, "Ow, ow, Put me down! Let go! Let go!" Sakura's hands rose above her head, clawing at the strong fingers while her legs were flailing about with each word.

"Let me go!" as her heel slammed into something very, very soft, squishy, and sensitive.

"Hooooooooooooo!" the Fishman suddenly began howling in a high alto, dropping Sakura to the ground.

Looking back, the girl noticed her enemy was curling forwards, and took a chance.

"Get out!" she cried, shooting one last chakra-enhanced high-kick into his jaw, knocking him over backwards, and into oblivion.

Slowly, the Genin Kunoichi began panting from the action, and her own exertions. Until a single hand began to rub through her hair.

"Here…does that make the soreness a little better?" Nami asked, gently stroking Sakura's hair with a particular grin on her face.

"Hmhmhmhm! That really was a nice hit, Sakura-chan. You really showed him not to mess with you again."

"Huh? What do you mean, Miss. Nami? I just kicked him," Sakura replied, confused.

"Just kicked him!?" Johnny squeaked out, calling Sakura's attention towards him. The bounty-hunters had dropped their swords, so both hands could cover their groins, protectively.

"Little-sis, Sakura! You kicked him right in his ruts, down below! I think I got hurt just seeing that happen!" Yosaku fearfully recalled.

Sakura herself blinked, before Nami brushed it all aside.

"Ok. You beat every here, so this village is safe again. For now…." As her voice grew shakenly, trailing off, Nami stumbled backwards.

"Huh? What is it Miss. Nami?" Sakura asked, lightly stroking the older girls' arm.

"Zoro!" With a scream of fear and worry, Nami took off, calling Johnny, Yosaku and Sakura to watch her, and spot the other two approaching them further ahead.

"Big-bro Zoro!" Yosaku and Johnny's voices shook the town, both sprinting forward to help their close friend. Sure enough Kakashi was carrying Zoro inside, one arm around the teen's waist, the other holding his arm draped over Kakashi's shoulders.

Sakura's hands flew to her mouth, falling backwards to the ground in terrified awe towards Zoro's wounds. Her crewmate appeared to be dyed exclusively red, accented with dense black marks across his face. Still, what stopped her, stopped all of them was the look in Zoro's eyes.

"Get the doctor to patch me up, again. Then, we're heading to Arlong Park for the others."

0….…..0

Inside Arlong park, the Fishman captain regained consciousness. Shaking his head, the man felt another figure on top of himself. Realizing it was one of his brothers, Arlong carefully lifted him aside, only to find the sight of a nightmare. 90% of the Arlong pirates were strewn around their base, beaten in one way or another.

Kuoobi was standing aside, squaring off with a blonde human, while another adorned with a grey coat and red dragons was glancing about, beside a third masked human who was doing the same.

"What…the…hell!" Arlong brokenly demanded, trying to absorb all the he saw.

"Oh, Captain. You're awake again. Please, let me deal with these scum, then we need to deal with Nami. That traitor requested these bastards attack us, betraying the trust and loyalty all of us have shown that harlot! After all these year—ghhhrk!"

Kuroobi's voice was cut-off, by a single leg honing towards his face. The martial-artist caught the kick, turning it aside to counter with a solid punch. Yet his target ducked their head, flowing with the move and landing with both feet on the ground. Without missing a beat, Sanji drove one heel straight upwards, forcing his opponent to back-flip away.

"She is no harlot!" The cook demanded, his face the picture of gentlemanly anger. "Nobody like you, the source of her torment and agony, can be allowed to speak so rudely about such an indominable, unconquerable beauty as Nami-swan!"

"Hh. And what do you know about her, filthy human," Kuroobi scoffed in response. "That girl betrayed her own family and home just for money and power the Arlong Pirates will achieve, one day. But now, that will never happen, instead I'll track her down and imprison her permanently. That garbage needs to be straightened out, with any kind of resistance pummelled out of her."

Sanji's form became frozen, rigid and unmoving. Just as Gin and Kakashi defeated the last of their enemies, he drew the cigarette from his mouth, dropping it before stomping down.

"Everybody, back away!" Sanji roared, pointing his arm directly towards Kuroobi.

"I challenge you a duel. One pirate to another, here and now. Do you accept, or have too much cowardice and mediocre skill with Fishman-karate to place it on the line?"

Arlong looked over towards them, his mouth curling into a knowing smirk at the human's words. "Ohhhhh…the fool really should not have said that to Kuroobi."

Said Fishman was fuming, equal to Sanji, but clear and self-centred, not subdued and selfless.

"You dare, to mock my mastery of Fishman-karate! I'm a level 40 Dan in this art," he declared.

"On my honour as a master and proud officer under Captain Arlong, I accept your request."

Sanji merely nodded, while Gin stepped aside, dragging Kakashi with him. "Come on, Kakashi-san, but keep'an eye on Arlong. I wouldn't put it past him to try somethin'."

Elsewhere, both Captain met other another's eyes, nodding at their crewmate's request. The field was left open. "Hey, Sanji. Do you very best and barbeque that stupid fish!"

"Aye-aye, Captain," the cook promised, grinning eagerly, "of course, a fish can never fight a cook, otherwise the chef would be beaten by seafood."

"Kuroobi! Crush that insolent bastard!" Arlong ordered his own man.

"With the deepest pleasure, Captain. Feel the power of the art you have insulted!" Kuroobi roared, closing in on Sanji within seconds. The Fishman struck out with his own front-kick. Sanji misjudged the range and was hit to his chest. The blow sent him crashing into the wall of Arlong park.

An imprint of his body was left behind him, while the Straw Hats began to shout in worry. Kuroobi merely sneered, dropping his pose to face the other pirates.

"That was truly a most pathetic display, come on, Arlong, let's rip these-!"

"Selle!" Another hard strike hit Kuroobi, directly to the lower back. The Fishman tumbled forward from the impact, before pushing past the agony to his feet.

"Don't you dare think a weak hit like that will finish me!" Sanji's voice came to his ears.

"Oh, hey Sanji! Good to see you're okay!" Luffy shouted over.

"Please, you have no need to worry yourself Captain. Old Man Zeff's kicks were a hundred times worse than this guy can do. And I never even died," he assured them. Causing Kakashi to raise one eyebrow, 'if that is true…..maybe letting my Genin train with him was not such a good idea.'

Back in the fight, neither Sanji or Kuroobi wasted time, one charging forwards while the other rose to their feet and braced his form. Sanji began raining kick and kick on the Fishman, who's arms moved in economic, minimal blocks. Kuroobi's strong arms, honed by his martial training, intercepted every kick at the ankle to stop them cold; each move honed to a reflexive edge, totally controlled with maximum results.

Sanji backed off for a moment, then began forming cartwheels around his enemy to flank them. Kuroobi moved fist, catching Sanji's leg and lifting the chef over his head. Sanji hit the ground hard, leaving a dent in the concrete slab and coughing blood from the impact.

The chef did not give in, but neither did Kuroobi step. In less than a beat, Sanji was air-born, but only throw lightly. He was suspended for a second, before Kuroobi's arm struck upwards, driving his dorsal-fin into the cook.

Sanji's agony came through his voice, his body heavily damaged by the hit. Closing both eyes for a second, the image of Nami, stabbing herself in desire filled his vision…pulling at one painful memory of a boy, forcibly clad in an iron mask, sharing his own tears with Vinsmoke Renji, begging to escape his own nightmare. Thoughts of that time led to the cook's pain-filled face curling into a snarl.

Spinning with the hit, Sanji's leg hooked around Kuroobi's neck, before twisting again to ax-kick the opposite leg to the bastard's face.

"Face-shot!"

The impact even made the "Man-Demon" Gin grimace. Kuroobi hit the concrete, hard, but Sanji was not finished. Immediately, the cook shoved his enemy towards the pool, forcing two of his limbs into the water. The instant Kuroobi's arm hit the water, the Fishman began shouting:

"GGGGHHKLKKKkkkkkhhhgguuuuhhhh!" Trails of electricity coursed through his body, producing a sickly-sweet scent of burned flesh from Kuroobi's arm and hand.

Sanji looked on, uncaring, but his curly eyebrow raised as Kuroobi still pushed himself to his feet. "You. You really don't ge-get it do you," he demanded, almost desperately trying to hold on to a singular belief. "It-it doesn't m-matter..w-what you do'ta me…or whate-ever hit I ta-take," he gasped, stuttering as the lingering jolts of lightning rattled through his form.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH MY BBUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU UUUUUUUUUTTT!" A fresh cry shook the island, from somewhere in the forest.

"Hey, that sounded like Chew! What the hell is going on around here!?" Arlong demanded. Kakashi merely looked over, until a certain memory cross through his mind.

"Well…I believe that was from the men you sent to move Roronoa Zoro, to be executed. The other members of our merry band went after him, and I can firmly say they succeeded in saving Zoro-san."

Arlong stood rigid, while Kuroobi ignored the implication entirely.

"Heh, don't ev-even try to gloat-t. Such a co-oncept is impo-ossible. Now yo-you will wi-witness-s th-the true p-power of F-fish-man-n Kar-arate! Senmaigawara Seiken!" Mustering his will to command his body, the Fish-man raised one arm, but before his own "ultimate attack" could be thrown, Sanji was moving first.

"Collar!" Sanji's right leg struck the exact spot between his target's neck and shoulder. "Flank!" another kick connected to Kuroobi's side, forcing the Fishman to tumble over himself. "Lower Back!" A solid heel dug into the Fishman's spine; forcing his head to rise. "Chin!" a fourth strike rocked Kuroobi's face, knocking him half-way to oblivion. "Ribs!" the final strike sent the Fishman flying this time, but, again, only enough to hang in the air for the final finisher.

"Anti-Manners Kick Course!" A single rising kick struck Kuroobi in his side. Hard enough to shatter half the Fishman's ribs, crack part of his spine, and launch the battered man skywards several meters beyond Arlong park.

Sanji merely lit a fresh cigarette, knowing his victory had been won. "That will suffice for his insults against Nami-swan. And then-"

"Sanji!"

"Shark Darts!"

"Rocket!"

Sanji whirled about at Arlong voice, before a single arm clasped over his shoulder, and another form shot towards him. Looking out towards its owner, Luffy was barrelling towards Sanji at break-neck speed.

"What are you doing you-!"

"AAHHHGGGRKKK!"...

The sound of dropping blood echoed through the battleground. Sanji could barely speak. Before him, Alrong had tried to attack the chef whilst his back was turned. Before his jagged nose could piece the cook through his heart, Luffy got there first. The Captain saw what was coming the same moment Kakashi did, but while the Jonin was forming hand-signs, Luffy stretched two arms forwards, hurtling himself to collide with the threat to his crew.

Shooting past Sanji, the Captain took Arlong's attack straight-on, the jagged nose stabbing through his rubbery shoulder as Luffy dug his feet into the ground.

"L…L…Luffy!" Sanji could barely speak, awed by the captain's decision. Even Kakashi was rendered speechless by the move, of Luffy throwing himself as a human shield between his nakama and danger.

Luffy merely glared towards his enemy, Arlong, his eyes carrying the promise to send the Fishman 12 feet under.

"Bastard. That was almost the fourth member of my crew hurt because of you. That's something I can never forgive," Brushing aside the pain, Luffy grabbed the collar of Arlong's shirt, before throwing his head backwards several meters.

Gum-gum: Bell!" the resulting head-butt struck like a gong, dislodging Arlong's nose and leaving him dazed from the impact. Luffy stood tall and ready.

"All of your crew are finished. Now, it's my turn to fight. My turn to smash you apart for all that has happened to my crew. My comrades. MY FRIENDS!"

Kakashi couldn't' look away. His internal respect for Luffy rising into the realm of reverence. 'He…took that hit for his own crewmate. Without any hesitation or question. And all of this…to him, it's due to his comrades, beings he refuses to abandon…'

"What! Impossib—"

"Gum-gum: Whip!" Luffy launched another strike, his extended leg catching Arlong in his ribs, and launching the Fishman side-ways into a pillar of his own giant house. Still, Arlong rolled with the hit, teared tow sets of teeth from his mouth and charging for LUffy.

"Take this you rubbery freak! Teeth attack!"

"Gum-gum: Whip!" Luffy launched another strike, his extended leg catching Arlong in his ribs, and launching the Fishman side-ways into a pillar of his own giant house. Still, Arlong rolled with the hit, and rising to his feet, empowered by sheer white-hot rage towards those that had destroyed his precious crewmates, and begun tearing his plans apart.

"Chew…Kuroobi…Hatchi….you burst right through my door, tear my crew apart…You're dead…Who the hell do you think you are to do this?! Because your death is long overdue!"

Arlong declaring, tearing two sets of teeth from his mouth and charging for Luffy. "Take this you rubbery freak! Teeth attack!" Clamping the jaws in his hands, the arms holding them shot towards the captain, forming a barrage of new attacks. Luffy leapt backwards, dodging each one with a dangerous grin forming on his lips. Arlong's barrage grew more intense, each jaw tearing chunks from the ground where he missed the Straw Hat.

It could not last, however, and Luffy's leg caught one of the fallen Fishmen, stumbling backwards as Arlong's jaws on both is harms, and those in his mouth going for the throat. Luffy powered through the pain, grabbing his head to bend it unnaturally aside before Arlong could pierce his jugular, the bite sending a crack through the façade of the building, including the name written above the doorway.

Still, Luffy was forced to his knees by Arlong's strength. "Heh. Finally, some order amidst this unacceptable chaos. An inferior human on their knees before a Fishman, the proper place in the world." the Fishman captain took the moment to gloat.

"Shut-up Already!" Arlong had only time to glare, as Luffy sent his leg shoot back, to drive it forward into Arlong's groin![1] The sound of crackling egg-shell could be heard by everyone. The Fishman could not even speak at the sledge-hammer rocking his entire being, feeling hollow pinballs clashing about inside of himself from head-to-foot behind the special, terrible agony.

"GHaAAAAAAAAAA!" Even Gin, Sanji and Kakashi had to share their sympathies with Arlong, while Luffy just didn't care. Mustering his will past the teeth in his arms, the Captain threw an upper-cut that sent Arlong tumbled head-over heels.

Luffy could only glare, totally unapologetic, as he drew the teeth out of their place. "I'm Monkey D. Luffy. The man who's gonna be King of the Pirates! And you are the one standing between that dream, by making Nami, my navigator, suffer and keeping her here, and trying to kill more of my crewmates!" whipping a trail of blood off his arms.

Slowly, Arlong started to feel his body and balls again, drawing to his knees.

"You….you fucking, indecent, disgusting piece of trash!" Arlong didn't spare Luffy a glance, charging for the wall several meters away and punching a whole through it.

Gin started to blink, 'did that hit from Don Luffy ripple up to his head, makin' him miss on accident?' he questioned. "Huh! WH-WHa-Where is it!? Where is it!?" Alrong was shouting, pressing his hand further into the hole.

"Where in all the hell in the Saw-Blade!"

"Oh, a jagged sword on the wall in that room?"

Everybody turned to Kakashi, who stood aloof, far too innocently, before drawing another scroll from his vest. "This one, by chance?"

Sure enough, following another cloud of smoke, Kakashi stood there hefting a single, massive, black-steel saw-blade over his shoulder.

"I was sneaking in and out of here for the past two days. On one trip out again, I may have stolen this from its place, as it appeared to be the most dangerous weapon inside Arlong Park. Does that happen to be yours?"

Arlong's anger only grew, charging straight for the Jonin. Luffy got there first, throwing two arms out, to wrap themselves under Arlong's armpits and across his head. Next, the Rubber-man twisted his own body around, forming a spring from his waist down.

"Gum-gum: Spring-sling-shot!" Arlong was yanked from his feet, as Luffy's body un-spun itself, building momentum until the end, releasing the load and launching Arlong straight through the wall.

That was not end, as another long-punch connected with the enemy's face, followed by a second to the chest, abs-shoulder-arm-leg-neck-! "Gum-gum: Gatling!" dozens upon dozens of punches bombarded the Fishman, even connecting with his groin, again.

"Captain Luffy!" a new voice came from the door. Everyone turned about, to find Sasuke and Naruto panting outside the doorway to Arlong Park.

"Sasuke, Naruto! What happened to the pair of you after my clone took Zoro away?" Kakashi ordered to pair. Both began to recount what happened with the crew, Sasuke's mood clearly low by the reminder of his hate-inspired blunder.

"After Sasuke used the fire-ball jutsu, then-"

"Teeth-attack!"

"Huh?!" Luffy, distracted by his arriving nakama, had taken his eyes off Arlong. Now, the being's dark mane and savagery produced the moniker of a demon, tearing into Luffy with his teeth again in a blind-rage.

The other Straw Hat's shouted in fear. Gin, Sanji and Naruto, started running towards him, but Kakashi stopped each of them.

"What th' hell, get outa th' way, Kakashi-san!" "We've gotta help Luffy!" "Come-on sensei! Let's beat this guy up!"

"Oh, I think he is quite fine at the moment," Kakashi of the Sharingan remarked, his eye tracing the fight through any dust and rubble, as Sasuke did the same. Soon it began to clear, with a third someone between both captains.

"Wha?! Nazumi!" Sure enough, the corrupt Colonel was held up towards the Fishman, his body littered with scars from Arlong's jaws. Luffy had grabbed the nearest shield he could reach and placed it between himself and the ensuing attack.

"Aaahhh, good thing this guy was here. Those look like they hurt," A certain stretchy Monkey threw the semi-conscious Marine behind him, skipping over to a stop at Kakashi's feet.

"Ar…Arlong…You're…fin-finished…after…"

The Jonin himself could barely resist the temptation to kill to the pathetic figure, as before he could say or do anything, more allies reached them.

"Kakashi-sensei!" a familiar voice shouted, calling the ninja's attention towards her.

"Sakura-chan! Nami-san!? Z-ZORO-SAN!" Naruto and Sasuke both could barely contain their emotions, as the swordsman came into sight, held up by Johnny and Yosaku. The rest of the people from Cocoyoshi Village were trailing behind them.

"Nami-swan! Nojiko-schwan! My heart is filled with joy and love to see the pair of you recovered!" Sanji proclaimed, inexplicably weaving towards the pair, his legs swirling like noodles. Closing in towards them, the cook's mind was a washed with scenes of the pair throwing themselves into his arms, with physical affection towards his efforts to free them, offering the deepest, most love-filled desires, amidst a shower of rose-petals, and their irresistible assets open for-a solid boot in his face.

"Outa-the way Romeo!" The cook found his fantasies met with a kick, lunching him to sail through the air, and crash head-first through a tree. Zoro had gotten in the way, with no patience for the cook's perverted habits: 'This crew can only handle one distraction-prone idiot. Maybe that'll work to knock some sense into the curly-brow dumbass,' the swordsman's rationale hoped, reaching Kakashi and Gin with Nami, Nojiko, Sakura and Usopp.

"Usopp! You're okay!" Luffy shouted at his friend, deeply relieved to see his fellow link to Shank's crew walking and well. Sasuke had moved over to his idol, but caught himself unsure of what to say to do without surrendering his dignity

"Sakura! Why has everybody followed you here? Did something happen inside the village?"

Kakashi demanded from her, combing through the entire populace beyond them.

"Kakashi-san!" Nami called his attention, stepping in front of the younger girl.

"I requested for us to come here and stand with all of you after Zoro reached the village. A group of 13 members of Arlong's crew did attack to village. But a plan made my Sakura and all of us managed to defeat them. That covered all the members of the Arlong pirates, and is why we're are here now."

Kakashi nodded, but Nami's voice had some dangerous consequences…."NAMI!"

The navigator froze, her own pain and fears gripping her soul at the one voice, from the visage of Arlong rising to his knees.

"You…dared…to betray me! Betray my generosity and mercy towards your home all these years!" Now his rage was at its highest. Arlong fixed Nami, fixed every human present with pure hated.

"This fight, these misfortunes, the horrendous damages to us has all been caused by you! I am not disappointed, I am disgusted with you, for such insubordination! Now, I see leaving your remaining people alive was a mistake, all these years. One that I now mean to correct!"

Turning away from Luffy, Arlong charged straight for Nami's people. The Rubber-man pulled his arms back for another hit, but Arlong could read his moves by now, and the gum-gum bazooka missed him! "Damnit, no!"

Gin and Kakashi began to move, the former throwing his tonfa into Arlong's face, for the iron-ball to shatter against his jagged nose, before a strong arm knocked the other pirate aside. Kakashi began forming hand-signs, stepping forward beyond the others.

"Ice-style: Ice-Prison Jutsu!" Drawing on the technique copied from the Hidden-Snow Village over a decade past, Kakashi executed a Yang-chakra method by manipulating the nearby water to engulf Arlong and lowering the temperature to the freezing point.[2] Quickly the Fishman was frozen-in place, only looking back in shock until his entire body was encased in ice.

Luffy turned around, blinking towards the figure, while many of the audience could only blink at the new decoration.

'Hmmm…..' Kakashi began to reason. 'My lightning must have dissipated from the water by now, after Sanji's enemy Kuroobi absorbed the last of jolts.'

"Chichichichichichichichi! Now, nobody move." Turning his eye away from his handiwork, Kakashi saw that Nazumi was still making trouble. The Corrupt Colonel had grabbed two pistols, pointing one at Usopp at the other at Nami.

"Now, assaulting a Marine Colonel is a treasonous crime alone. Particularly in light of conspiring with pirates, harboring stolen valuables, and more-Oooo-ah, ah, ah!" the Marine tauntingly admonished, towards LUffy and Kakashi.

As both started to approach him, Nazumi's hands twitched over his pistols, while Nami and Usopp didn't move a single muscle. Luffy kept walking, unafraid of whether the rat turned his gun on him.

"Now-now you listen to me here! I will not hesitate to-"

"Huh! What is going on, Nyuu?" Glancing forward beyond the stand-off, Hatchan had come out form his room, awaken by the ruckus.

"Nyuu! Wh—what is going on here! Arlong, Kuroobi, everybody! I..I…GGHHHRRRR!" Carshing back inside, the heavily bandaged Octopus grabbed six swords, not his own favorites, and jumped through a window to stand before everyone.

"All of you need to be thrown out of here! Octopus Pot-Sta-!"

"Shut up," a third person leapt to block the six-armed swordsman. Gin's eyes made the bewildered Hatchan screech to a stop. The other pirate began to twirl his single tonfa holding a double-pistol in his other hand by the mussel.

"Man-Demon style: Kishin Ranbu!" Gin charged his new enemy, spinning about with deadly grace, landing in a crouch before rising, to slam the tonfa into his gut, and giving a pistol-whip across Fishman's face. Another set of strikes followed, towards each of Hatchan-arms to force the enemy to drop his swords. Gin did not stop, in full view of the Straw Hats and the frozen Arlong, Hatchan struggled to block or counter as Gin's dexterity ensured no single target was hit twice, making his attacks that much more unpredictable.

Under his strength, Hatchan was beaten until he fell, Gin planting one foot on his back.

"Don, this threat is neutralized," he reported, while Nazumi blinked, recognizing this enemy.

"Hey…you, you're the Man-Demon Gin of—HAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWW!"

Sakura smirked from behind him, her right foot sunk into the corrupt rat's groin. Naruto, Sasuke and Kakashi each cringed at the sight, before the pinkette withdrew her foot, Nazumi dropping his guns and sinking to the floor. Nami could only smirk, drawing her own bo-staff as she knelt before him, pinching one side of his face.

"You…you're the one who tried to steal my treasure. And you shot Usopp and my precious sister Nojiko. These are for them!" Twirling the weapon to build-up force, Nami thrust one end into the Marine's gut, next a swipe at both arms, and a single round-house to his face, launching the Marine across the yard.

He did not escape, as Luffy stuck his left arm out to cloths-line the bastard. Grabbing his collar with the opposite arm, the Straw Hat threw him aside, before curling his left into a fist and launching it to his face. "And this is for hurting my crew! Gum-gum: Rifle!"

The strike shattered Nazumi's jaw and nose to pieces, then launching him skywards into the horizon. Luffy still was not done yet, turning around, he threw both arms backwards, "Everyone, get out the way! Because I still need to finish with Arlong!"

A scramble followed, the entire crew and civilians moving outside of Arlong park, as Luffy's fresh bazooka honed-in on the frozen Fishman. The strike shattered the ice, launching him through a window in the building, with Luffy jumping after him.

"Huh?" the room Luffy was in was piled high with papers, maps, shelves and a writing desk. Some fresh projects every hung form the wall, a few torn to pieces beneath Arlong's form or shards of ice that followed him. Thousands of them must have been inside as the Straw hat captain eyed each one in wonder. Until his eyes found something else. Extending one arm, he grabbed a pen from the desk and a single drawing of a person that had been torn in half.

"Ghhh! MY-my charts, NO!" Arlong' voice was heard, as the Fishman drew up to his knees.

"Hey, what is this room?" Luufy questioned him, unflinching as the Shark's blood-shot eyes met his own.

"Why this is Nami's room, of course. The place where I make her draw all her marvelous sea-charts and land maps. This is her desk, her masterpieces, her pens and records. Everything she has built up for me across the past 8 years."

Luffy stopped moving looking on in innocent curiosity as Arlong continued. Yet the more his enemy spoke, the narrower Luffy's world grew, until only this room and the hateful being in front of him were left.

"She's brilliant. Far too good for such talents to be wasted on human trash like you."

"You only wish to steal her contributions potential away from me, from the Arlong Empire! That girl is the key to fulfilling my own dreams and ambitions, and such garbage like you will never take her!"

"Is that so?" Luffy asked, holding the damaged picture up before Arlong. "Then, who is this?"

"Oh, that's just to woman who raised her. Bellemere, her name was. I freed Nami from the confines of her own existence after killing that woman years ago. I still can't understand why Nami would waste time keeping that piece of crap or drawing it in the first place. It's useless to recall or remember such pathetic, stupid beings like she was, after dying by confessing she had two daughters instead of lying and hiding to ensure her own survival."

"If that woman had remained alive, without the means to realize Nami's potential and talent as I have, that girls life would be far worse that it is now," Arlong continued, ignorant of the growing rage he invoked within Luffy, who only looked at the blood-stained pen in his hand.

"Under my watchful eyes, I ensured Nami worked days and nights away, right here in this room. After this fiasco, though, she will never leave this place again until it in finished, and I will have all that I need to conquer and subjugate the world, through the knowledge transferred into these sea-charts. I will provide all that she needs."

"No one else can use her like me! She would be totally wasted on beings like you!" Arlong finished, bracing himself for another attack. His fish driving towards Luffy's face-until it was caught in the Monkey D.'s hand and held in-place.

'What the…my..hand. Why can't I move it?'

"Use her!?" Luffy repeated himself, curling his hand to nearly break the bones in Arlong's fist. Carefully, he pocketed the drawing and threw away the pen.

Arlong tried to pull away, until Luffy threw a savage hook, shattering every tooth in his mouth.

"What do you take her for, you fishy piece of trash!"

Arlogn stumbled back, trying to regain himself, until his dreams began shattering before his eyes. Luffy threw one leg into a pile of charts scattering them through the air or out a fresh hole in wall. Arlong let a loud exclamation, trying to save them, but Luffy only took the opening to smash the book-case on the wall. Move and move, the Captain was tearing the place apart, until Arlong stopped try to save his possession, and turned on Luffy again.

"What do you think you are doing!?" Luffy ignored him, tearing apart every inch of the roomher could see, avoiding Arlong's helpless efforts to stop him.

Outside, many people looked up in wonder, especially the ninjas.

"Hey, Kakashi-sensei? What are all those strange papers?" Naruto asked his teacher.

"Shouldn't Captian Luffy have thrown Arlong out of the room, or into a different part of the building yet?" Sasuke demanded.

"What's going on?" Usopp cried out, "why is all of that stuff falling out of there?"

"Should one of us go up there and help him?" Sakura questioned. "What do you think, Miss Nami?"

The navigator did not respond, her eyes recognizing where Arlong had been thrown into. To her, it appeared everything flying through the window fell slower than a moment, shattering to pieces or landing in the water and ruin.

Her bo clattered to the ground, Nami herself feeling the unseen shackles placed by Arlong to that room starting to crack. Sweat was pouring from her face as her heart was racing with a relief she had been denied for half her life. Finally, a work-desk was kicked through at wall, immediately followed by thousands of maps scattering through the air. She followed them all the ground, recalling Arlong's instructions, his demands, his torments, and hundreds of nights staining the labours with her own blood, aching for Nojiko and Bellemere, again.

'"Dumb brat" the memory came, of Alrong pinning her down painfully against the desk. "You can't trick me that easily, trying to draw a fake chart," knocking her aside painfully and tearing up a picture she drew of Bellemere. Pilling the hopeless, helpless, and escapeless sense greater with every second she spent there.

Now, the source of her pain and enslavement shattered on the ground, the work made at it falling about, torn, cut, or falling to the water, beyond salvation. The shackles of bondage, guilt and suffering were breaking with them. Layers of pain and misery were scattering to the wind, letting her true self and true feelings surpass them all. Shining brighter with every move Luffy made to destroy the nightmare she had been imprisoned by.

One hand rose to her mouth, tears of relief, stifled for years, finally coming free. Her opposite hand grasped the hat sitting on her brow, Luffy's promise echoing in her ears.

"Th..thank you," came from her, the most emotional words she had spoken in her life.

Suddenly, Arlong was thrown out from the room, and Luffy stood proud in the crevasse in the wall, battered, bloodied, and growing stronger by the second. "ARLONG! You keep talking about how important these sea-charts and map are. And about how much better Fishmen are! I don't understand any of it! But I finally know how to save Nami!"

Leaping from the building, Luffy landed on the ground as Arlong rose to his feet. Charging him, Luffy grabbed the Fishman by the nose, ignoring the tears in his figures by mustering his strength to bend it in half.

Arlong's pain was the loudest noise to come that day, at his proud, powerful nose, the trademark of his flag, bent and broken under Luffy's strength.

"I'm setting Nami free! That room! It isn't anything more than her jail cell. The place that's holding her back and only seen pain and suffering!" Turning aside, Luffy threw one leg to the sky, extending to twice the height of Arlong Park. "I've gotta break the whole place apart! Gum-Gum: Battle-Ax!"

Before Arlong could move, the leg descend, gathering speed until it cut through the room Nami's spirit had been trapped within. It did not stop there, smashing through every layer of Arlong Park, with enough force to produce the force of an explosion on the bottom-floor.

Everyone braced themselves from the rubble, Kakashi weaving hand-signs: "Earth style: Mud wall!" a barrier, engraved with Dog-faces covered them, sheltering the ground from dust and falling debris. Nami, Naruto and Usopp cried out in worry for Luffy, running around and directly under falling wreckage above their heads.

"Nami-swan! Naruto!" Sanji was back on his feet, running forward to kick all the falling pieces aside with his legs. The three were unhurt as the wreckage settled. Kakashi lowered the wall, to the sight of Luffy glaring at the remains of the building he had shattered to pieces.

"Luffy!" Sanji exclaimed. "That stunt almost hurt Nami-swan, Usopp and Naruto! What the hell were you thinking, doing that while we were in the danger-zone!"

"Hhhh? Oh. Hahahahahahahaha! Sorry guys, my bad," the boy apologized, joyfully. Kakashi groaned, reminded of a certain "eternal-rival" he knew of with a similar habit. Naruto gaped at his captain, while Zoro smacked his own forehead embarrassed. Sasuke's eye was twitching, and Sakura was leaning over at Usopp.

"Is that guy bi-polar, or something Usopp-san?" The bandaged sniper pondered the question, then answered, "that might be a good question, Sakura-chan. I don't honestly know, but it might explain a lot about Luffy."

"Nami!" Arlong was still alive and fixing the Navigator with the eyes of a broke man. Luffy began to move and his stubborn enemy staggered to his feet.

"If I…can't….have you…then nobody can!" he declared, "Shark Tooth Drill!" forming a rotating twister towards her. Nami stumbled back, while Naruto ran in front of her, forming clones to block the charging enemy. Kakashi was ready to move, but Luffy got their first.

"Gum-gum: whirling Battle-ax!" Throwing his entire body forwards in a somersault, Luffy's leg swept through the air to land across Arlong's form at a low-alltitude. The Fishman's back was pinned to the ground, Luffy's heel striking his head, and stopping him inches from Naruto or Nami. Punshing off his other leg, Luffy landed on top of Arlong, standing on top of him, with eyes focused entire on one, single task.

Grabbing his collard, Luffy hauled the Fishman to eye-level. "I….will…..never….let….you…..HARM….NAMI…IN….ANY WAY AGAIN! SHE IS SOMEBODY THAT I CARE ABOUT AND WILL ALWAYS BE MY NAKAMA!" Nami could only tremble at Luffy's words, watching his head shoot backwards several dozen meters.

"GIN, Throw me your weapon!" he ordered the man. The pirate obeyed, tossing his tonfa at Luffy's face. His head shooting for Arlong, Luffy caught the tonfa in his teeth, "Gum-gum: LOADED CANNON-BELL!"

Timing it so the moment before he could hit Arlong, Luffy's head turned aside, driving the iron-ball straight into Arlong's face .The impact was worse than sickening, shattering all the cartilage in the shark's jagged nose, dislocating his jaw, and sending the Fishman spinning like a top, until the momentum ended, and the last part of the Arlong pirates collapsed….in….utter…defeat.

For a moment, nobody moved. Luffy himself spat the tonfa into his hand. Until someone grabbed his shoulders, turning him around to face her. Nami stood before him, almost unable to speak.

Turning around to see everyone present, Nami saw everyone cared for were alive and alright. Nobody had been lost, Arlogn was more than beaten, and the place that had been a source of imperialism and dread lay in ruins.

"Nami? Why are you crying now?" Luffy asked, raising his opposite hand to brush the tears from her eyes. More continued to follow, Nami's mind unable to think clearly past the awe of how and what had passed. She rushed to wrap him in her arms, hugging him tight and crying into his shoulder, in happiness, thankfulness and pure, truthful joy.

Around her, more cries of celebration rose. Men kissed their wives and loved ones, children cheered for their knew hero, Genzo hugged Nojiko close, Kakashi grinned at their handiwork, Johnny and Yosaku were jumping with glee, while Zoro, Gin and Sanji grinned in their success and satisfaction.

Naruto was the loudest of all, celebrating their victory, while Sakura rested one arm on a wall trying to feel the tension drain from her, and Sasuke was smirking in pride. Kakashi strode up to his kunoichi genin, steer her to stand beside the other two, and his other hand to quiet Naruto for a moment.

"Huh? What is Kakashi-sensei? Should we celebrating with them, ya know?"

"Each of you three. You performed spectacularly today. As your teacher, and a Jonin of our village. I am deeply and sincerely proud of you all," Kakashi praised them, his words simply, but more than enough. Together, Team 7 felt a deep rush of successful pride; the same yet stronger as that from the Bell-test, far stronger.

"Well done."

And there stood the Straw Hat Pirates, fall and proud, amidst their first, landmark, victory.

End.

Phew…..This has been officially the longest chapter I have ever written. The long-wait for this was due to a single presentation of my Master of Art's research thesis that was given to the entire University Department I am part of, finishing that same thesis, along with both written and marking different final exams, and preparing to fly half-way across the country.

I had a lot on my plate, and a very hard time actually finding the calm to write more without my job nagging in my head.

On top of that, I wanted to ensure this chapter did a lot of things, including step-up the action in the story as some reviews have been requesting more. While keeping the characterization very strong, and making sure the powerful, wily and dangerous Hatake Kakashi did not simply become inspired to one-shot all the Arlong Pirates himself.

I also wanted to give each crewmate their time to shine, and give a taste of how they will function in future Arcs.

It is one of the chapters I now have the most pride to have written.

[1]-Luffy is the same man who kicked Buggy the Clone downstairs just at the opportunity. Why the heck should that not happen to Arlong?

[2]-Naruto, Ninja clash in the land of snow. In Naruto, Yin techniques involve creating form or images from pure chakra, while Yang techniques involve empowering existing matter with chakra to alter its properties. Relating to elemental jutsu, this would include any methods that produce the element directly from someone's chakra, fire-style, lightning-style, the majority of elemental kekkei-genkai and some wind-style. While, most often, water-style and earth-style techniques function by pouring chakra into those elements that exist within a character's vicinity, save for rare cases like Kage-class shinobi skills (Kisame, Kakashi, Niidaime Hokage, Niidaime Mizukage, or Akatsuchi). From Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow, I believe that the ice-style that Kakashi was able to use falls under Yang-style, different from Haku who could create ice directly from their chakra in any situation.

This is my favourite Naruto movie, so it is definitely going to be making an appearance here. And the potential for its use in this story is just too much fun to leave out.