Okay, here's chapter three, and I know I've been (to put it mildly) not on schedule, with my 'A Jinchuuriki's Destiny' story now finally finished the Ölüm Arc, I can finally work on my other stories.
Another note: For those asking for harem lists, through and through. Please, I have seen some placing the same review on the same story twice. And if you're one of those who does that, it's been kinda annoying to be fair, let alone that it lets me think the only reason some of the readers come here is for that, while I am trying to make this reboot a good story.
If any of you have long questions you'd like to be answered, don't hesitate to send a PM message. If not, I'd appreciate the reviews. It keeps this story relevant.
For anyone info, once this story gets more popular than the original, I will delete the old one. Why? Because I don't want future spoilers to be given out.
Anyway, let's get started.
AOL - chapter 3
The Ryugu Palace
With recent news of Fisher Tiger's acts finally having reached around the world, the word also had reached the chambers of the royal palace, in the throne room where the Royal Family of Fishmen island was present. With on the throne itself, King Neptune sitting while carrying his youngest child.
The young and impressionable Princess Shirahoshi, just a year old and she was already the size of a young and healthy girl, fit right in the arms of her father while being given her dad's finger to nibble on it. King Neptune smiled at his daughter.
"It's hard to believe he really went through with it." Neptune commented.
Also present in the room with him were Queen Otohime and the three princes, Fukaboshi, Manboshi and Ryuboshi, who all were just listening to what their parents were discussing.
A big sigh came out of the king Neptune's mouth as he continued. "His actions only created more problems for Fish-man Island. It will be quite some time before we're welcome back to the World Summit. I don't even know where to begin fixing this."
"But we share the blame, remember?" Queen Otohime said facing down thinking back on the day before the events. "We couldn't bring ourselves to stop him."
Small flashback
Fisher Tiger, who just got back from his long journey around the world, now stood in front of both King Neptune and Queen Otohime as they listened to his plans he explained to them, leaving the king unsettled.
"You're going to free the slaves?" Neptune spoke to his friend. "Surely you can't be serious."
"I'm afraid I am." Tiger still kneeled while replying. "I can't stand it anymore. The thought of our people, living a nightmare, even as we're speaking right now, our people are being treated like animals."
Neptune couldn't disagree but tried to pursue. "Yes, but-"
"My mind's made up." Tiger interrupted his highness and stood up to face him as he continued to speak to him in a respectful tone. "I just want it to tell you before I do anything, since it's going to cause you a lot of trouble. Despite that, I ask you to keep this to yourselves."
This brought the giant merman king to pose the question. "Tell me, why are you so adamant about this, what did you see on your trip?"
The room was then given a silence where the three stood, with Queen Otohime standing there and watching from the sidelines. She'd however like the king did not expect the following to happen.
Tiger's usually carefree and heartwarming face gives this hardened look that could be read by anyone in the room as something horrible.
"I saw human nature."
Those words made Otohime cry in front of Tiger moments before he left and was seen for the last time, thinking about that left the queen even more horrible as she, nor her husband stopped him from entering that path.
"Because I understood the depth of his suffering, the scream of his soul, it was unbearable." It was then when the queen swam upwards to the side of her daughter and grabbed her pinky, comforting her child and brought up the most horrifying subject of the event.
"Yet, what he did afterwards, is only going to worsen the future of our people."
"You're talking about the murdered World Noble," Neptune asked his wife for clearance. "Right?"
"Right," Otohime nodded to him. "That, and that alone, only sealed his fate. An unfortunate and painful fate."
The brothers just looked among each other in confusion, not daring to ask what their parents were talking about, the youngest family member, Princess Shirahoshi just smiled.
Smiling with no care in the world, not knowing the world was changing slowly with the acts of the generation before her.
Night - The Snapper Head
Like mentioned before, the news about Tiger's actions had spread across the world, as far as the papers could reach, the civilized world got word about the Fishman's acts and soon this reality would come to fruition for the salmon man.
That was what Tiger knew, as he stood on the bow of his ship, with it being night again, he stood there, staring into the heaven's sky with the stars glowing in the blue air. Something he honestly could not stop watching in his free time as it was one of the few things he liked about the surface, how the nights were as beautiful as it could be.
With the crew being asleep, and Hatchan being on the watchtower, he expected not much to be done for tonight, a quiet and easy night, to a start of a dangerous voyage.
*Sigh*
That sigh made Tiger's eye turn towards the sound and was surprised to see who it was, sitting there on the end of the ship.
"Naruto?"
The young boy turned his head around and saw who it was. "Oh, hey Tiger- I mean captain."
"You don't have to call me that, just call me by my name," Tiger cleared it for the boy before presuming the question. "Why are you here? It's late, you should be in bed."
"I….can't sleep." Naruto muttered out before turning back to the sea. "I'm just not used to sleeping on a ship... This is even my first time seeing the sea like this."
Tiger raised his eyebrow after hearing that last part and walked towards him. "You mean this is the first time you see the open ocean?"
"Yeah, but only for a short while…." Naruto admitted before adding that memory. "It was three years ago, when I was kidnapped."
The salmon Fishman could see the pain in the little boy's eyes, it must've been a harrowing experience for a boy in such a young age to be taken away from the only home he'd ever known.
"So you have never seen the ocean like this before?" Tiger asked the Konoha native with intent to divert the boy's thoughts to something else while leaning into the rails next to him. "The calm sea, the stars, the fish swarming and all of that?"
"No, I have not." Naruto answered as he looked up to Tiger. "Why?"
"Then you've missed something good, kid. Because there is no better place in the world than the ocean."
Naruto asked. "How so?"
"It is for everyone," Tiger said, looking down at the endless sea. "All who wish to sail these seas far and wide, are free to do so, the challenges it gives to the many sailors are tests for anyone who is willing to travel through it. It's not an easy task, but in return you got something valuable in return."
"What is it?" Naruto wondered what that value was.
"Freedom."
This only left Naruto more confused, not knowing what his savior was talking about he repeated. "Freedom?"
Tiger turned back to the sea and watched as a whale resurfaced back from the ocean and dived right back in, giving a wonderful sight of nature itself.
"Naruto, you are no longer that slave. You haven't been for a while. Now though, you can look out there and see true freedom. On those waters, you can find hardships and pain, but you'll also find love and joy and most of all it will be your own choices that lets you find them. That's freedom. Not the safety from any pain and suffering you went through, but the opportunity to experience all of it as you wish. The life of a free man."
Then some more whales jumped out of the surface of the sea and made a spectacle in front of the two who were watching, it was truly a fascinating and rare sight to witness.
Those words drilled right into Naruto's mind, unable to understand it at first, he quickly figured out what he was being told and looked at the fishman with wide eyes.
Tiger made a small but noticeable nod at the boy's look and told him. "Get some rest, kid. Tomorrow, you'll be learning a lot, so you'll need to be in good shape."
That finally brought a confident nod, not wanting to mess this opportunity up to prove himself.
"Right, I won't be a liability, Captain Tiger." Naruto promised him with a bowing head. Gaining as much as a reply from the captain who said.
"Good, because even when you get that mark on your back, I expect you to work as hard as anyone on my crew. This is a new beginning for you kid, don't spoil it."
"I will, I promise you that." Naruto reassured his captain with strong conviction in front of the giant Fishman. All in the view of an onlooker who was watching from a slightly open door. Aladdin was witnessing it and kept staring at the scene from a good distance.
Next few days
West Blue
In the middle of the sea, the Snapper Head was seen sailing at full speed, through the seas as its crew was just about to set course for an island to land and get new supplies. With being on the seas for a few days, they have gotten their share of coming across marines and pirate ships in combat. Nothing too serious of course. They had recently crossed the Calm Belt, one of two areas that surrounded the Grand Line, being a barrier that prevented ships from entering the dangerous sea with its void of wind and steering as it was also the breeding grounds of the Sea Kings that resided there.
Of course for the Sun Pirates, being made of Fishmen mostly, had no problems crossing those barriers, and now they entered the West Blue, on orders of their captain, of course. The reason he gave was to avoid the large attention of the Marines on the Grand Line for the moment, and to restock in calmer seas where there was less presence of them.
The reason also why they went to the West Blue, was because of its known reputation. It was widely thought that the East Blue was considered the weakest and most corrupt part of the four seas. That was far from the truth as in fact it was the West Blue that held that (un)official title. With its widespread problem of the criminal Underworld stretching its influence in all walks of lives, crimes ranging from assassinations to smuggling being the norm and corruption reaching unspeakable heights, even reaching to the local authorities and Marine bases. It was no wonder why the Sun Pirates took the decision to resupply themselves in this part of the sea.
As for Naruto, who now stood on the crow's nest, he was using the telescope to find the island the captain told him to spot.
And there he saw - an island, with a port with a watchtower in sight!
"Captain!" Naruto shouted downwards. "Island ahead!"
Down below, Tiger looked right up and shouted in response to the boy. "Good! Come down, your shift is over!"
"Okay, coming down now!" Young Naruto replied back and started making his way down. While Jimbei and Arlong were seen approaching his brother/captain.
"Brother, what are we going to do in this port?" Arlong asked with glee of thirst. "Shall we feast on these pathetic humans?"
"No Arlong, we're going on a resupply run, that's it." Tiger replied to one of Arlong's many suggestions, he ignored before turning to Jimbei. "I'll be going down the port for essentials, along with Macro, Hatchan and Naruto."
Jimbei became a bit concerned. "Are you sure, brother?"
"No need to worry, Jimbei, I've visited this place before. There is no marine base on this island." Tiger said, assuring his friend that it was safe. "This is also a full port, where they sell what we just need. So it's the perfect chance to get what we need before sailing out."
Arlong was not in the mood of letting such a perfect target untouched. "I still say we should raid."
"We've got a different mission, Arlong. We're not just some low life pirates." Tiger responded back, before turning to Hatchan and Macro and asking them. "Are you ready?"
"Yeah. I'm good." Macro replied lazily before raising a question. "But why go on another supply run? We haven't even reached half of our supplies and we have just been on the seas for a few days."
"Let alone we've only sustained minimal damage." Kaneshiro added about the state of the Snapper Head. "So there must be another reason why you want to stop by, right captain?"
"That's right, but some important things need to be checked out first." Tiger nodded and turned right to his men and spoke. "Macro, I want you to check the gun stores, rumors are they are selling new types of weaponry, it's worth checking out."
"Yeah, I heard about those rumors too," Macro, the former captain of his own crew said, rubbing the back of his head. "Some new rifles, action bolts, repeaters, and some new pistols too, even revolvers."
"You don't say?" Aladdin said as he knew Macro's former activities were more than just piracy, it was something he rather not brought up. "You think they are real?"
"Yeah, they're real, I've seen them with my own eyes. But they're a bit expensive, so I need a good part of the money." Macro told the captain as he was not joking about the prices. "But with the amount of loot we've stolen from those pirates, I think we can get ourselves a good arsenal."
"Anything else?"
"I'll just need two guys helping me carry those guns," Macro pointed to his two men. "Mind of Gyaro and Tansui tag along?"
"Hmm, if that's all, then I am okay with it." Tiger agreed with the terms, "As long as you keep yourself out of trouble, bring that new firepower here."
It was then when Naruto landed on his feet and arms on the wooden floor behind the fishmen and saw they were talking about something, causing him to ask them.
"What are you guys talking about?" All the major Fishmen turned their heads to the only-human crew mate and it was Arlong who answered.
"Nothing important for you, brat, get lost!"
"Arlong! There is no need for that." Hatchan spoke back to his friend before turning his head towards the human boy with a smile. "Nothing you would understand, kid, just adult business."
Naruto looked slightly confused but then nodded as he knew that he'd only been on the ship for a few days.
"Yeah, sorry for asking."
Tiger looked at the young boy and turned right back to the other Fishmen, noticing that they were still, for the most part, either hesitant or for the smaller group of Arlong's, ignoring him. That will have to change.
"Hatchan, you and Naruto will go into town - we're running low on meat and the boy needs new clothing." Tiger said as he walked to his cabin, leaving the others stunned.
"Huh, why?" Naruto asked, surprised, looking down at his clothes. "What's wrong with what I am wearing?" Having the same clothes, they were showing signs of shreds and cuts, to be fair.
"Your clothes are already in bad shape, and I won't have slobs on my crew." Tiger said, opening the door to his private quarters. "End of discussion. Jimbei, make sure we dock outside the town limit's."
"But-" Naruto halted then in his words and sighs. "Alright."
When Tiger entered his quarters, the others were left wondering what to do next and instead went back to their posts and continued to sail for the newest destination.
"You heard the captain, set sail for the island!"
(Unknown Island)
It only took an hour for the Snapper Head to finally anchor just outside the town. To avoid any unnecessary attraction or even the smallest possibility of a marine patrol to be present on this island.
But the port town itself was at its busiest time, with the streets full with people walking around, exiting and entering the many stores that offered anything from fresh caught fish, to ship making materials and the newest many other stores offering diverse products.
In the middle of that busy crowd were Fisher Tiger and a few of his crew; including Macro, Gyaro and Tansui, and Hatchan with Naruto, standing in a small circle as they listened to their captain.
"Here."
Two brown bags were handed out to the two groups, the first one to Macro and his friends, the second, to Hatchan, with Naruto standing right beside the octopus man.
"Here. That's enough money for you to get what we need." Tiger said to his men. "We'll meet back at the ship in two hours, so make sure to keep up with the time."
"Right."
"Now split up, and remember, don't make trouble." Tiger warned them. "Last thing we need from these civilians are them calling the Marines on us. So it's best to not gain unnecessary attention."
"Uhm, captain, may I ask a question?" Tansui began raising a concern. "How do you know these humans aren't going to just call the Marines? We're standing here being noticed."
Naruto would have agreed as he saw the glances that were being given by the bystanders who looked at the tall Fishmen, while others seemed oddly enough to be not paying attention to the whole situation.
"Like I said before on the ship, this island is pretty safe for us to be on," Tiger told them. Seemingly not wanting to reveal too much information. "Yet we will keep our ship from a distance. These locals aren't unfamiliar with pirate crews coming in and out. So we will be civil and collect what we need."
"Okay, got it, boss. We'll see you back on the ship," Macro said before turning around and walking down the street. "Come on, guys. Let's check the gun store."
"Right behind you."
"Okay." Macro's friends said as their group already separated from the rest of the group, leaving only Hatchan and Naruto with Tiger who threw the other bag in young Naruto's hands.
"Remember, in two hours." Tiger said only before making his own way. "Don't forget it, Hachi, the kid needs clothes."
"Uh, sure boss!" Hachi stood firm for his captain. "See you later!" He said as the captain already merged into the crowd, well with his height that was different, but he was already in the deep crowd.
This now left the tentacle man and the young boy to look at each other in an awkward pause, before giving each other an understanding nod to start walking and move on.
Snapper Head
With the ship already having dropped its anchor, it left the Sun Pirates with free time on their hands and in complete boredom for others. Especially Arlong who was growing more impatient with being on guard duty.
"Damn it!" Arlong cursed out. "I don't get it, why come to these stupid waters? I don't understand why big brother wants us to come here to these weak seas!"
"You're being naive, Arlong."
Turning to his side, he saw Jimbei smoking his pipe while staring at nowhere as he made a conversation with him. "When are you finally going to use that brain of yours properly?"
Of course, Arlong did not take this well and responded sharply. "Don't talk to me like that, brother. What use do these seas have to offer us?"
Jimbei replied with a sigh. "Their low presence."
"Huh?" Arlong was confused. "Low presence?"
"Ever since the Great Pirate Era began, the World Government and the Marines have shifted much of their focus to the Grand Line." Jimbei told him what he knew from what he learned in his old days serving in the military. "Most of the pirates come from the four seas, with many of them having no intentions to stick around their seas and wanting to sail straight away to the Grand Line in search of the One Piece, that supposed treasure Gold Roger had found, apparently."
"You mean the One Piece?" Aladdin said, joining in the conversation as he walked up the steps of the deck and joined them. Arlong scoffed at that.
"Don't bring up that nonsense, Aladdin. As if that treasure is real." He was not in the impression of its existence. "It's most likely a trick of that pesky human."
"Whether it is true or not, it caused a massive increase of piracy around the world, Arlong." Jimbei argued while inhaling from his pipe. "Now there are more pirates sailing in these seas than there were ever before. And a lot less in these four seas. And that caused its own set of problems."
Aladdin narrowed his eyes and asked. "What problems?"
"Corruption, crime, and neglect." Jimbei told them and continued to explain. "With most manpower focused on the Grand Line, places like the West Blue are now overwhelmed with criminals having free-range, this sea is known for its underworld and vast corruption with only a handful of Marine bases on this corner of the world. With crime syndicates having free-range here." This shocked the doctor who was taken by surprise listening to this information whilst Arlong was surprisingly quiet on this.
"You're really saying it's that bad here?"
"Of course, but there are exceptions. Like for the island kingdoms that are affiliated to the World Government, they are well protected and so are the imports and exports of these nations." Jimbei added. "But it's just that, for the rest, it's everyone on their own. There are so few marines left in these seas, that even the smallest criminal crew can take over a town and pillage or extort it as long as they can."
"It's that easy?" Aladdin asked. Being in disbelief at the supposed lawlessness. "What about the Marines stationed in these seas?"
"They're low level people who barely leave their posts, let alone go out to fight pirates." Jimbei answered with the amount of information he knew from the reports of pirates who passed by Fishman Island. "The highest they might get is a captain, but even they couldn't care less what happens outside their zones. There are even stories of marines doing jobs for pirates in exchange for money."
What the Sun Pirates were hearing was absolutely mind-boggling, and it even was met with disgust by Aladdin, who himself once served under oath to protect the citizens.
"Disgusting…"
"I agree, but that cesspool leaves us now with an easy calm for now." Jimbei said, puffing out the smoke from his mouth as he just stared at the ocean. While for his younger crewmate, Arlong was sitting there in silence with an unnoticed small smile, taking this information to heart.
A lesson he would remember.
Meanwhile
"CHEERS!"
Inside one of the many saloons that was in the port town, ongoing feasting was going on with the patrons who were drinking their money away and singing with the bands that was providing the festivities. While also being pleasured by the working maids who kept them accompanied as they mostly had the intent to dry their earnings out of their pockets.
"HEE HAW!"
"I love it here!"
"Give me another one!"
The bartender and owner of this saloon saw his customers were getting rowdy and told his workers. "You heard them, bring them more beer."
"On it." The maids said carrying their plates of beer jugs to their customers in their skimpy and seductive uniforms that were getting the boys to pay more attention. Leaving the bartender to serve the customers at the counter, who for the most part were either sleeping or barely awake - leaving only the one customer standing out to speak with the owner.
"You got yourself a full night, I see." Tiger said, waiting for a refill of just water as he was speaking with the bartender who poured him some. "Business must be going well for you."
"You mean this? Ah, just another evening of a new pirate crew, feasting before they set sail for the Gran Line." The bartender said with a chuckle. "I'm not even joking, this is the 6th crew in two weeks. And what they leave me is a lot of money."
Tiger questioned. "You know the death rate amongst pirates is still high, right?"
In response, the bartender just cracked a smile. "That's why I am buying booze and food at good prices, it's not my fault these morons are sailing to their early deaths. If I can make a good living from pirates giving me their treasure before they go off, I am guilty as charged. As if anybody is going to stop me from doing business like this, with no marines coming here."
"Still a lawless zone here?" Tiger asked. Getting an unconfirmed shrug from the bartender.
"Ehhh, not really. No marines here, sure. But the local mob controls things here. Including the payroll, I'll pay a cut of my profits, and they leave me be." He said picking the empty jugs from the counter. "But I can say that no marines come here, they'll stay at their posts. Unless the suits come around."
"Suits?"
"Government agents. They often come here with the Marines in unannounced searches. Of course, the mobsters have informants who tell them before those things happen, but that's just the local stuff." The bartender said before telling him. "The real word is that they're still searching for that girl."
"Government suits searching for a young girl?" Tiger asked, sounding confused and asked. "What's her name?"
"Nico Robin - The Devil Child." The bartender told him while cleaning the jugs. "The only apparent survivor of the Ohara incident and the major suspect that's still on the run, and they suspect she's still hiding in this area."
Tiger heard about that girl and asked. "They are still searching for that girl? It's been years already."
"Tell that to the World Government, for some reason they are suspecting her for the whole fiasco what happened on Ohara. And they put a 79 million bounty on her head. Which makes anyone who uses the brain suspicious about what really happened there." The bartender replied, being one of the few who was not taking the word of the WG as granted. "They're still searching for her, and anybody who wants that bounty of hers still thinks it will be an easy catch, I doubt that. If she manages to stay on the run for seven years, she's got experience."
The giant fishman shook his head at the disgust of the Government, knowing full well from first-hand experience what it felt like to be on the opposite side of such a force.
"Of course, I don't know what that little girl will do, O'hara has been off limits for years, and anyone who even sees a glimpse of her, doesn't hesitate to call the suits. She's been forced to live the life of an outcast for the rest of her living days."
"Poor girl." Tiger sighed before going back to what he needed to ask. "Say, remember what I asked you when I came in?"
The bartender turned back around and nodded. "Sure, you asked for my sister's business, what about that?" He then saw Tiger pull out a handful of paper belli's put on the counter.
"I need a few things from her, got a kid on my crew who needs a bit of learning while on the run with me." Tiger told him vaguely enough for the first part, before telling the next. "But I also need info about something else."
"And that is?"
"A few questions," Tiger stated narrowly. "Questions that I rather don't ask in public."
Saloon - back alley
One of the cooks came out with a bin full with garbage he needed to empty in the big container that was almost propped up with stinking-rotting-leftovers that needed to be brought away by the end of the week.
"That's all." The cook said before dumping the garbage into the container as he began walking right back into the kitchen before closing the door behind him. Slamming it to keep the vermin crawling out of the shadows away from entering the building.
And vermin were seen, mainly rats who, in groups, descended from the dark corners of the alley right towards the leftovers from the saloon and began devouring anything their small teeth could bite on. With their naked bellies needed to be filled.
A few rats spotted an good-looking piece of bread that was left untouched and were running for it, that until they stopped and turned tails when they saw something that scared them.
A pair of hands appeared from the ground and took grasp of the piece of bread, and that caused the swarm of rats to run away from the container, frightened at the slightest sense of fear for what was coming out of the shadows.
What was coming out was the sound of small steps, steps of a young teenage girl who wore a light purple vertical striped dress with an cloak that was over her dress, and had her dark hair in a knot. She also was slender enough to look like a good-looking young girl who didn't look like a threat to anybody, yet she bears the nickname 'Devil Child'
This was Nico Robin, the last survivor of the Ohara Incident, an event that even till this day, seven years after it occurred, left her to be the sole person to be hunted for. A scapegoat for the World Government's actions that were covered up.
For years, she has been living by herself, to survive, going island to island, not staying in one place for too long, and trusting almost no one, the fifteen-year-old had experienced countless betrayals by those who offered her help, and had done that too to others to remain on the run.
Grabbing the piece of bread from the ground, the teenage took a look at the door and listened to the music and amusement that was coming from the saloon. The sound of laughter made the girl go back to unwanted thoughts of loneliness and despair…
"Derishishishishi,"
But then she forced a small smile on her face, but of the person she met and befriended with before he died shortly after. Remembering the words of one giant who gave her the advice she'd never forget. It wasn't her laugh,
"One day. I'll not be alone, and have people who will care for me."
"Hey, we've got another bin that needs to be dumped!"
Robin took it as her due and took the piece of bread and raised the cloak's hood over her head, to cover her identity as she walked through the rat-infested alleyways before walking into the crowd. Eating the small loaf of bread, Nico Robin did what she had been doing for the last seven years.
Survive, at any cost.
Clothing store
A clothing clerk came walking to the changing rooms, with much nervousness as she approached the large individual who entered the store an hour ago.
"S-S-Sir?"
The person she was talking to was Hatchan, turning around and seen carrying bags full with provisions, supplies and other stuff he bought on the island. "Oh, something wrong?"
"N-No!" The store clerk nervously responded but continued. "But, just so you know, the store is about to close in a half hour. Its almost closing time."
"Huh? Already? Have we been here this long?" Hatchan wondered what time it was. "Oh well, guess you're right." He then turns to the changing room where he stood and called out.
"Hey kid, you'll need to come out, store's closing any moment."
"I'm ready."
Moving the curtains aside, Naruto walked out and in a change of clothes, wearing first a white collared shirt with braces that were connected to his short pants that had multiple pockets, and he wore instead of sandals some small hard shoes that would protect his feet while doing his tasks, and he also wore a black bandana that was around his forehead, with a pair of working goggles he found for working with dangerous material.
"And?" Naruto asked, sounding a bit nervous. "What do you think?"
Hatchan smiled and responded. "It looks nice on you, kid."
"Really?"
"Sure, I mean it." Hachi said, kneeling down to his level. "It honestly fits you better than your old outfit, kid."
Naruto grinned and replied. "Thanks, Hachi, you're a good friend!"
"Wait." The female retail worker was a bit stunned, seeing that a human child and a grown Fishman were having a friendly conversation. "You two know each other?"
Naruto turned to the woman and stated. "Uhm, yes. We are part of the same crew." Naruto told her with confusion. "Why? Something wrong?"
Finding herself in a sudden uncomfortable position, she needed something to change the subject.
"N-Nothing, nothing at all. Take your time, and try anything you like." She said before making her way out of the changing rooms with much hurry as possible.
Leaving a slightly discomforted Hachi as he stared at the back of the woman who just earlier told him something different when it was him and her.
Naruto noticed the look on Hachi's face and knew what the woman said while he was changing, he tapped on his friend's arm to get him to look at him.
"You alright, Hachi?"
The octopus man looked down and gave him a smile quickly. "No worry, kid. Are you done?"
"Yeah, I got what I need."
"Good, change your clothes back and give them to me." Hachi told him. "You wait outside while I will buy all the clothing for you."
Naruto nodded and returned right back into the changing room, as he began changing his clothes, he was rethinking the views he was getting on Fishman Island were the same the retail woman had giving Hachi. One of the friendliest Fishmen he had met and who was helpful to him.
It honestly made him question how bad it was.
...
Moments later, he made his way out of the store and began waiting for Hachi to come out of the store.
With his back turned against the alley, he did not see a girl with a hood was about to walk out with something in her hand as he stepped backwards-
BAM!
Bumping into each other, the two kids fell down the ground with Naruto landing on top of her, landing in an uneasy position.
Naruto got back up and rubbed his head, opening his eyes, he made eye contact with the girl he bumped against, with her hood down, she looked a bit older than him, long raven hair and blue eyes. An actually good-looking girl.
But then, he realized where he held his one hand, and it was touching her breast. Copping a feel, the worst thing you could do. Expecting an angry reaction from the girl underneath him.
Instead, she just raised her eyebrows and asked. "What are you doing?"
"Eh?"
Saloon
THUD!
A full backpack was set on a table, in the middle of the now empty kitchen, placed by the bartender who hands it over to Fisher Tiger who waited for his return.
"Here's all the supplies you asked for, you're lucky my sister still had some in the shelves." The bartender said, shoving it to Tiger's reach. "Kinda unexpected for what you wanted, to be honest."
"It's not for me, it's for the cabin boy." Tiger checked the insides of the backpack and sees Its everything he needed. "He'll need to learn more useful skills while he's with a band of pirates."
"A big shot Fishman pirate like you concerned about the education of a young human kid - And I thought I had seen everything." The bartender chuckled as he pulls out a pipe and puts it in his mouth.
Tiger swung the bag around his shoulder and began pulling out his money. Just when the bartender ignites his pipe.
TCHK!
"How much should I pay you for the books?"
The bartender blew out some smoke from his mouth and declined. "Nah, no need. See it as a present for what you did for me."
"But I insist-"
"My sister wants to give it to you for free. As a thank you for freeing her from Mariejois." The bartender told him, clarifying the reason. "The moment she heard you were here and needed books, she wanted me to give you the best books she had in her book store she could offer. Saying it's the least she could do for you."
"If you say so." Tiger said, accepting the gift and putting the money back. "Where is your sister, anyway?"
"Hiding, of course." The bartender answered. "After managing to escape from that unholy city, she managed to find her way back here. Don't ask me how, but she managed to do it with some others. With some help, of course."
"Help?"
"The Revolutionary Army." He said, almost whispering those three first words, telling about an experience that was dangerous. "They found and helped her, gave her false travel documents to avoid the authorities and was brought back here."
"Revolutionaries?" Tiger asked, a bit of surprised as he hard heard about this group causing a lot of trouble for the World Government. "Why are they helping escaped slaves?"
"Because they're inspired by you."
"By me?"
"Your actions in Mariejois, they look up to you. A symbol of Resistance against the World Government." The bartender leaned in and told him. "They started helping escaped slaves by bringing them back to their homes and hide, I even heard some decided to join their cause."
Tiger didn't seem to buy it. "The cause of what? Of a group of dreamers who want to overthrow the government?"
"Not just one group, man. They're bigger than you think." The bartender corrected him. "They're growing, and they have been acting up against the Marines and the Government. With sabotaging their ships and robbing tax collectors."
"Sounds more like-"
"Assassinating Nobles, and even overthrowing kingdoms." The bartender shut down Tiger before he could finish his comment. "They've been even here, in my saloon. Recruiting anyone who wanted to give the Government a lesson they believe they deserve."
"And why are you bringing this up?" Tiger asked the man.
"Because they approached my sister…" The bartender said before informing the Fishman with caution and told him. "They are looking for you, word is that they want to offer you their services."
"... I'm sorry, but no," Tiger said. "I cannot mingle myself into politics and revolutionary activity. I've got my own people to find and bring home now."
"I understand." The bartender said as he looked outside the window and realized. "Oh, its already that time. Time for you to go."
"What is it?" Tiger asked. "Something serious?"
"Nothing, much, Payroll." The bartender said pulling underneath the bench a box of the month's pay. "Bege's coming around to collect."
"Bege?"
"Capone Bege, some new mobster who's making moves. Youngster trying to make a name for himself and he's rising through the ranks." The bartender said as he began walking out. "I've got a strong feeling he's going to make a move that's going to get himself a bounty."
They exited the kitchen and made their way to the front of the saloon, at the same time another conversation was taking place.
Outside the clothing shop
With Hachi still waiting in a long line to the register inside the store, Naruto was sitting on the porch of the business, next to the girl he just met. Who by now seem to be clearly not upset by the incident. Rather, she seem just to smile it off and not take the order of the situation to serious.
"You don't have to be ashamed, it was an accident."
Naruo, still on the other hand, was petrified, he had never done this before, and let alone that seldom interacted with girls...
Robin knew what to say and smirked with a teasing smile. "Don't worry, feel flattered that you are interested in my body-"
"NO!" Naruo's face turned red while he was hearing this, and began rambling. "I mean - I did not mean to do that to you - I didn't just grab your body for that! I mean, you got beautiful eyes, and your hair looks fine - Oh! What am I saying?" He panicked.
Robin just giggled and puts her hand on Naruto's hair. Calming him down immediately, petrified again, but this time more out of shyness then panic.
It was strange, his heart started pounding, and his face felt a bit hot. Something he never had experienced to be honest.
"Like I said, don't worry, I was an accident." Robin told him with a chuckle. "But I do appreciate the compliment, I can see you're being genuine."
Naruto tried to regain his cool and turned right back to her and smiled. "Oh, really? I don't know, when I bumped into you, I really was caught of guard by your eyes…."
He did it yet again, just being honest and only realizing a moment later he made another compliment to her without even trying.
"Thank you." Robin giggled at the little boy who looked only a few years younger than her. "You must be a real flirt with the girls."
"A-Actually, I'm not…" Naruto said, looking away. "I was not really liked in my home. I was an outcast, to be honest. I left my village over three years ago…"
Hearing that, Robin's curiosity spiked, wondering why he was not liked, "What about your parents? Aren't they concerned?"
"I... Got no parents," Naruto told her. "I've been an orphan ever since I was born."
"I'm sorry." Robin apologized, "I did no know-"
"It's okay," Naruto gave up a sad smile. "I'm used to it, you have to."
A pinch of guilt struck into Robin's chest, as she might've brought up and wanted to divert away from the topic to something else.
"My name's Robin, Nico Robin." Robin told him her name to start knowing each other. "Can I know what your name is?"
Naruto smiled. "Sure, my name's Naruto Uzumaki."
"Naruto?" Robin wondered. "Like in Maelstrom?"
"YES! Finally, somebody got it right!" Naruto shouted in happiness. "You won't believe how many people think I was named after fishcake."
This made Robin laugh as she thought about that, the meaning of the name could be confused, and it was both amusing and loving that someone had to deal with that.
"Anyway, Naruto, what are you doing here?" Robin asked the first question.
"I'm here on a stop with my crew," Naruto replied. "Our captain wanted to make a stop here."
"Crew?"
"Pirate crew." Naruto told her with an eye smile. "I'm a pirate."
Robin was a bit surprised by hearing this. "You're part of a pirate crew?" He looked like he wasn't even thirteen years old, he was way too young.
Naruto rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah, but I have to admit, I'm fairly new to it, I'm just the cabin boy for now. My captain keeps me away from the action."
"Your captain?"
"Naruto, where are you?" Hachi was seen walking out the store, with all the clothes he bought, with also other essentials he already bought. He got Naruto's attention as he said.
"Here, Hachi."
The octopus Fishman turned around and saw Naruto sitting on the porch with a girl, he smiled and walked over to them.
"There you are," Hachi said before noticing the girl and smiled at her. "Oh, I see you found yourself a girlfriend. You two look like you could be a good couple."
That brought Naruto to realize what he just implied and denied it quickly. "Wait! Robin and I are just friends, we met each other just a moment ago!"
Robin again couldn't help but laugh as she was feeling a bit guilty about the teasing.
"Really? Oh well, too bad." Hachi said before turning to the girl. "He's really a nice boy, Naruto is. He's a bit shy and a troublemaker, but he's a hard worker, honest and he really is somebody who is really loyal. A dependable boy."
"STOP IT, HACHI!"
"Good to know." Robin smiled at the Fishman. Not frightened by his appearance, as she herself had been learning about their species, and this Fishman didn't look intimidating either. "Maybe one day, Naruto and I will go on a date and get to know each other more."
"Huh?"
Robin walked over and pecked Naruto's cheek with a kiss and left him now in a state of shock, even Hachi was surprised by this.
"I wish I could stay longer, but a girl like me cannot stay long in one place. It was nice meeting you, Naruto Uzumaki. See you next time."
She turned around and walked down the alleyway, waving the two off before disappearing into the darkness.
"Bye kid," Hachi said, waving off the girl, then he turned to Naruto who was still in a state of shock and smiled, not being able to contain the teasing.
"Kid, you are going to be really popular with the girls, I can already see that."
Naruto got out of his trance and pouted. "S-Shut up, Hachi."
Saloon
As the party was still going, Tiger and the bartender were seen coming out of the kitchen, with Tiger being appreciative of the man's services and shaking his hand.
"Again, I can't thank you enough for freeing my sister. If there's anything I can do to help you, you know where to find me."
"I keep that in mind." Tiger said as he was about to make his way back to the ship as it has been almost two hours.
Then a group of men in nice looking clothing were seen entering the saloon, they wore suits, but they weren't government. Instead, they wore fedora hats, nice shows and dark suits that pretty much gave away they were far from government agents.
In front of this group, stood out the leader of the bunch. A short, stocky build young man in his early-twenties, had a stern face and an oiled-up and slicked-back hairstyle. Wearing a suit like his men's suit, but that of a little different with his suit being a striped white suit, he had a cigarette in his mouth that was burning a bit.
"Capone Bege's here!"
Silence, that was the one thing that happened when that name was said. The musicians, the laughter, all of that stopped as everyone turned their heads to the entrance and saw the notorious mob boss standing there with his gang. Locals and visitors, anyone from the West Blue, knew his reputation.
"Is that him?" Tiger asked the bartender/owner. "The local mob boss?"
"Yep, that's Capone Bege. the local boss here." The bartender whispered to him. "But don't think he's some pushover, he rose up from a hit-man to a notorious killer who killed than any cop, marine or government agent can count."
"He just killed them? Just like that?" Tiger asked him. "No retaliations?"
"Rumor is, that he possesses a devil fruit power." The bartender added. "Nobody knows what it is, but he's only been stealing goods and money, this island is his only turf he keeps safe."
"How so?"
Then Bege turned his sight on the owner of the saloon, who he started walking to, slowly as he was in no hurry to collect his 'pay' but what did raise his eyebrows, was the Fishman standing next to the owner.
"That's because he lives here. This island is his home." The owner whispered to Tiger with a tear of sweat pouring down his head. "We pay him protection, and he gives it to us. He's been more generous to us than to his rivals, and I wanna keep it that way."
Bege then stopped in front of the two men, causing both of them to be silent, an awkward silence made the room even more tense as nobody knew what the mob boss was going to do next.
More sweat was being produced in the room than a full sauna could do.
"I've come for the payroll." Bege stated, exhaling smoke from his mouth with the burner still in his mouth. "So don't act like I am going to kill you, because you haven't given me a reason yet."
The bartender nervously nodded and handed over the box. "Here."
Being handed over the box, Bege then opened it and started counting, the saloon still was in a trance of frozen fear as nobody dared to make the first move that would interrupt the counting of the don's cash.
Once he was done, he closed the box and snapped his fingers.
SNAP!
One of Bege's men came and took the box from Bege's hands as he focused on the newcomer he was observing.
"So," The mobster began, "this is how a Fishman looks like?"
Tiger narrowed his eyes at the tiny man. "Never seen one before?"
"No, and to be honest, I never expected it." Bege said, "Nor am I impressed, but I do know who you are: Fisher Tiger."
All eyes turned to Tiger as they just realized who was standing amongst them, some prepared to reach for their pockets, in case…
Tiger could feel the tension in the room as he noticed the amount of glares that began to stare at him, but more concerned looks of fear than anger was more present, yet still, this situation pretty much told him he had overstayed his welcome.
And overstayed it, he did.
"CAPONE BEGE! Come out with your hands up!" An voice outside disrupted the standoff. "This is the Marines!"
This sudden announcement got panicking reactions from most of the saloon goers, who ran for the back exits in fear, leaving in a manner of moments the whole place empty, leaving only a small group standing there. Including Bege and his men, the bartender and Tiger.
This turned from bad, to worse.
Standing outside, a whole platoon of Marines,and some Government agents were seen with their rifles pointed at the saloon. With the government agents standing in the back as they waited for the suspects to come out. The streets were emptied, stores closed down in fear and many villagers have run to hide.
The person with the megaphone, the captain of the local Marine Branch, yelled out. "I'm giving you ten seconds to come out, if not, we will enter with force!"
Walking out the saloon, Bege halfway had raised his hands, showing no fear in his eyes, but rather that of annoyance as he confronted the Marines.
"I hope for you what explanation you got for pointing those guns at me for, Lieutenant." Bege spoke to the officer who he apparently seems to know. "Because I already have sent yours and your regional officer's their cut."
"I'm afraid that type of corruption comes to an end now, Capone Bege." The leading government agent stated, a man with glasses said in a standard suit. "Captain Agusto has been arrested, and now with the cooperation of Lieutenant Foji, we're here to put you under arrest."
Bege scoffed. "Don't make me laugh, arrest me for what? What interest do government agents like you have here in the West Blue?"
"Nico Robin." The agent stated his reason, loud and clearly. "We have been told the Demon Child was spotted on this island - which happens to be under YOUR control. So in the name of the World Government, I demand you to hand her over!"
With nobody knowing, in a corner, Robin was witnessing the whole ordeal, being glad she had disappeared from the public eye, but was curious to see what was happening next.
"Nico Robin? Are you seriously bothering my time for searching that girl?" Bege wasn't impressed and instead threatened right back. "I don't know if you guys realize, but you're in the middle of Mob controlled area, and I am working directly for one of thee Five Families."
"Who do you think gave us the info?" The agent told him.
That implication did not have to take long to be figured out what happened.
"So it's like that, huh."
Coming from the second floor balconies, Bege's men stood there with their rifles aimed at the marines and their Government superiors, turning it into an armed standoff.
"I guess I need to pay my former associates a visit." Bege bit his cigarette in half in pure anger. "After I have dealt with you punks!"
Robin heard running steps down the street and saw two persons arriving at the worst time, Naruto and Hachi were seen coming out of the street, getting caught right in them middle of the situation.
Hachi was the first to react with gritting teeth. "Marines!"
"Another Fishman!" One marine yelled.
Naruto twitched his eye. "Bad moment?"
CRACK!
BANG!
….
BANG! BANG!
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Then one big explosion turned the whole area to smoke, out of nowhere it caused confusion and made Naruto and Hachan wonder what happened, and all they could hear was the gunfire going off.
Chaos erupted, with no clear knowing who would come out alive, and who would lay on the ground, unlucky.
Snapper Head
Back at the ship of the Sun Pirates, Macro and his friends had already returned with large crates of weapons they had bought from the gunsmith. And it drew the attention and curiosity of every man on deck.
Jimbei came in last and saw the three sets of crates that were placed on the deck, some different then the other.
"Are those the new guns?"
"Yep, and they weren't lying." Macro said pulling out a crowbar with a snicker. "These are real beauties."
"Enough talking, start showing." Arlong said impatiently.
CRACK!
The first crate opened, with in it laying ten identical rifles that looked new.
"These are Springfield rifles." Macro's eyes shine as he looks upon the contents of the crate and explained what the gunsmith told him. "This here is a crate of ten bolt action rifles made out of Exotic Ebony wood, the bolts nice and shiny looking brand new. A competent marksman with one of these rifles can put 10-15 rounds down range at his target a minute. It uses the 30-06 caliber round, which has good stopping power, and is accurate out to 1200 yards."
"1200 yards, you say?" Aladdin said, he picks up one of the rifles and checks the sight of the rifle, before cycling back the bolt and examining it thoroughly.
"And?"
"Not a bad rifle, got to be honest." Aladdin was impressed. 'I know a good rifle when I see one."
Jimbei nodded as he could see the use for these rifles for long range combat on sea before they would board their enemies on their ships.
"What else do you have?"Arlong's curiosity even spiked as he turned to the other crate.
CRACK!
Opening up another crate, and laying there were another dozen of rifles, but they were different. It had more metal and the barrels were more visible. These Rifles are a little smaller, with a little less wood which is a nice Canary Wood, stripey and with a yellowish and red coloration.
"This baby is known as the Winchester 1892 chambered in the 44-40 caliber cartridge. This rifle packs quite a punch, and is good for close to mid-range engagements."
Macro also stated something else. "Now for some reason we don't know why they named it the 1892 but we roll with it because it is an effective weapon. It has a tube fed magazine,"
As he flips the rifle over and shows everyone the tube and the loading mechanism. "Now you can load 10 rounds in this and after you fire a round, you pull the lever down and back up to chamber a new round."
"Repeaters?" Chew was unfamiliar with that term. "Why? What's the difference between this Springfield and that rifle?"
"Well, when you fire this rifle you can cycle the lever faster than you can the bolt of the rifle meaning faster firing, slight drop of accuracy, but you make up for it in the amount of rounds fired. The other rifle is good for pinpoint accurate shots. That is the difference between these firearms."
This left the one knowledgeable of firearms Macro a bit infuriated as he hated this simplification of the rifles.
"Now for the next crate, We have..."
The last and smaller crate was cracked open, showing it to be handguns.
"Pistols?"
"No, not pistols, revolvers." Macro corrected him while pulling out one of the shinnies and introduced it to the crew.
"This, my friends, is known as the colt .45, also known as 'the peacemaker'." He shows it off to the others as he explained further. "Now as I know and you all know we can't always resort to peace."
He opened the chamber where six empty holes were in, showing where the bullets must be placed.
"This firearm is chambered in .45 Long Colt or 357. Magnum, the barrel length is 11″ inches and is accurate out to 45 to 50 yards if you are a good shot, but its best used for up close and personal fights. Get in a sword fight, well the other guy won't be expecting you to whip this boy out and nail him, it will also function as a good club for just in case circumstances."
It got some whistles and expressions of shock from some of the Sun Pirates after being thought of the new firearms they've been introduced to.
With Arlong even getting a hold of one of the revolvers and gliding his hand over it, just feeling it smooth without any rust.
Kuroobi on the other hand was the old school type. "Pfuh, I'll keep using my hands and feet, they're more reliable than those small toys."
"Oh really? my friend, let's set up some tiles and targets and let you decide then."
BANG!
The introduction of the weapons ended short when the gunshots could be heard, the crew turned to the side of the deck and could see the captain, Hachi and Naruto running towards the ship with bags over their shoulders.
"Brother Ti-"
"Set sail!" Tiger shouted the order. "We're leaving, now!"
Only moments later, the Snapper Head took off in the open sea, a few miles away from the coast and not far away from the sight of seeing the black smoke coming out of the port town that was ablaze with continued fighting going on.
Tiger was watching the port town from the back of the ship as he was being approached by his second in command, Jimbei, who had some questions.
"Brother, tell me." Jimbei asked worriedly for his captain. "I see you're not wounded, but what happened there?"
Tiger just stared at the port town as he went back to what happened.
Flashback
Tiger just stood inside with the bartender and watched how Bege walked out and began talking to the Marines and the government agent.
"To the second floor, now!" The two could hear Bege's men running up the stairs with their rifles and taking positions, this leaves the Fishman alone with the human who he felt was getting into a lot of trouble because of his presence.
He was about to say something to him, but the bartender/owner of the saloon interrupted him before he could speak.
"Don't even dare to say sorry." The bartender told him. "Just make sure you're ready, you got to make a run for the ship."
"What about the marines?"
"They'll be busy with Bege. They're after him, so they'll be busy." The bartender said, reaching for under one of the wooden planks, a small package he had hidden underneath the floor. "That gives you the chance to slip through and get the hell out of here."
He stood back up and unraveled in front of Tiger the package, showing it to be a smoke bomb. As he lit the fuse of it, it was ready to go off once it reached the bomb.
"And again, thank you for helping my sister." The bartender smiled. "Too bad you wouldn't join the Army, you'd fit right in."
Tiger then realized it and asked. "You're a Revolutionary?"
The only response the bartender gave was a smile as he threw the smoke bomb right through the front window, into the street, with it shattering the glass loudly!
CRASH!
The bartender shouted. "GO!"
BANG!
That shot would come from outside, as a government agent had shot into the broken window, with the bullet hitting directly the bartender in the forehead.
THUD!
Tiger just saw the man die in front of him, a shot right in the head, ending his life as he laid there in his working clothes, with a smile that he gave just moments before departing from the living planet.
The smoke bomb exploded and in a moment, the whole area turned into smoke. Giving Tiger the opportunity to run.
Instead, Tiger did not take that chance to run, as he pulled out his two pistols and said one last thing to the dying man before going off.
"I'm sorry."
He turned for the exit, enraged by what happened, he unleashed his fury while making his escape.
End Flashback
Tiger just didn't answer to his brother's question, instead he kept staring at the island that was coming out of sight soon. With Jimbei inspecting the pistols of his captain and noticing something.
"Brother. You didn't enter the town with no ammo with you," Jimbei asked for confirmation to what he feared might've happened.
"... I didn't." He answered before departing. "I'll be back."
Jimbei nodded. "Right."
Below deck
Naruto placed all his stuff in the small place he slept and already got back to his post to help where Kaneshiro wanted him to be, currently placing the crates of guns and ammo into a safe place where they could be quickly grabbed but also safe from water.
As he was busy working, he couldn't stop thinking on what just happened, how he and the others escaped a shooting that left the port in chaos.
Flashback
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Hiding behind a few barrels, Naruto and Hachi watch how the smoke still wasn't clearing out as the shooting still continued with no end in sight.
"We've got to move now, kid." Hachi said to Naruto. "Now before more Marines arrive."
"But Tiger-"
BANG! BANG!
Two bodies dropped to the floor as it happened to be government agents, their bodies descending from the smoke and falling to the ground, dead to the floor.
Jumping out the smoke, came Tiger with both his pistols out and a bag over his back, he kept on firing into the smoke as he ran.
"Captain!"
"What are you both waiting for?" Tiger shouted. "Run!"
Three Marines came out of the smoke with rifles pointed at Tiger's back!
"Shoot him!"
CRACK!
CRACK!
CRACK!
Before Tiger could react, he saw how the three marines grew arms out of their bodies and cracked the men's back in a painful way that neutralized them.
"RUN!" Tiger shouted as he forwards with his two members of the crew, who followed suit after him.
Naruto, out of the corner of his eye, then saw a girl in the corner, it was the same girl he met just earlier, and she had her arms crossed for some reason, and in the split moment there, they made eye contact. And there, she gave him an assuring smile, and a wave goodbye.
This would not be the last time he would see her.
Flashback end
"Kid."
Naruto's thoughts were interrupted as he turned around and saw it was Tiger calling him out.
"Come here for a moment."
Naruto dropped the crate and walked right up to his captain and wondered what it was.
"Yes, something wrong?"
"Here."
Naruto got a backpack shoved into his chest, and looking inside, he saw it were a bunch of books and learning material.
"Captain, I-"
"Tomorrow, you'll be learning more than just how to work on a ship." Tiger told him. "I'll be personally teaching you everything what a kid should know, for I want you to be given the chance to be educated. Okay?"
"Right…" Naruto did not say anything much. "Okay."
"Go back to work, kid." Tiger said before turning back towards the exit. Leaving Naruto to go back to his tasks, as he felt like his captain was in a bad mood, and didn't want to anger him any further.
"Oh, and kid."
Naruto turned his head back and saw his captain wasn't finished.
"Don't think I am angry with you, I just saw another good person getting killed by the bastards." Tiger told him. "Because from now on, I want you to give your best. Good?"
Naruto was glad and replied. "Yes, Tiger. I won't disappoint you."
Giving a smile in return, Tiger walked right back up the stairs, back to steering the ship. As for Naruto, he was glad that he finally had gotten to the next phase, he would be able to do what he now always wanted to;
To prove his worth.
That's it for this chapter!
Hopefully you all have liked this chapter.
Please leave reviews down below, much appreciated.
Good night!