Okay, this chapter will be shorter then what I usually put out, but because of what I've planned, I will now come forward to what the plan is.

To explain now both Naruto's main story with the present and the 'Elemental Wars Chronicles' Where the war will be in. With often the chapters being regular or irregular. Might even have segments of the war in flashbacks in the present chapters.

By this, I can explain the many questions that keep spamming my PM's (to an extend) about his home, the war, the usage of 'modern weaponry' the fate of the Hidden Leaf Village.

Reason this chapter to be short, I want to put this out as I can and feel like I can't add anything more on this. Which is my feeling. Hopefully you all will like the chapter, and I am genuinely happy to know this story's going well.

Enjoy, leave a review/comment to support the story, and follow.

PEACE!

…

Six Years later

1522

Sabaody Archipelago

The night was misty, as it was a rare occurrence around the mangrove. Where the normal weather would be just the view of the clear blue sea and the sunny air. Yet it was all but a good day, as it wasn't one for a short but understandable reason for a group of people, who now were making their way towards the mangrove archipelago.

"Turn them lights on!"

A pair of lights flashed out from the mist, as those happened to belong to a ship that long hasn't returned back to these seas for a long time, as it had been gone off for years, with the scars to prove it from its previous experiences of combat.

It was the Sea Snake. The flagship of the 9th Raiders Battalion of the Alabasta Foreign Legion….or what was left of it. As this ship was one of the last units that had just left the Elemental Nations - marking the end of the occupation of it.

After almost decades of military buildups, four years of hostilities, two years of de-escelations and evecuating, and millions of lives left in shambles - the Conflict of that continent was over.

"Anchor it there, boys." Someone ordered through the mist. "Girl here deserves some long rest."

The collier steam boat began slowing down as it was being steered to the closest dock that it managed to get to, without getting noticed by the local Marines.

Once the old steam boat finally dropped her anchor, it was time for the men on the old steamer to get their feet back on land.

A boarding gangplank was seen landing on the mangrove ground, and it didn't take long before the first men were seen walking over it to dry land.

Dozens of different boots were seen walking over the creaky plank, with some even having binders with knives hidden in them, as most of these men were returnees from a conflict that had ended only very recently ago, with more men disembarking off the ship.

One of those men, seen wearing a green raincoat with his rifle slung around his back and a helmet, was seen staring at floating bubbles that were seen everywhere around them, and how they slowly were reaching the top of the skies.

Leaving the Sea Snake at where it was supposed to be for a day, it happened to be Grove 41.

With the ship's crew having been given orders - that were classified.

Marineford

"DAMN IT TO HELL!"

*SLAM!*

The fist that was just slammed on the wood of his desk. As it wasn't just some random office worker. The vein-popping hand belonged to one Marine, but that of none other than the Fleet Admiral - Sengoku the Buddha.

Recognizable by his with a long, braided goatee and a mustache. He was the most senior rank Marine in the entire world, with a weight of responsibility laid on his shoulders.

Especially now in times like these, where uncertainty was a constant presence that could not escape his mind at any moment.

In only a mere few months, the Grand Line had gained a few more pirate troublemakers who were hellbent on entering the New World, with leaving behind a trial of crimes and disregard to law and order.

One of such who was disregarding the rule of law happened to be a rookie pirate who was related to the person present in this room-

*CRUNCH!*

Eating a bag full of (Senbei) crackers on the couch next to him. Sat the renowned 'Hero of the Navy' Monkey D. Garp. As he hasn't changed almost a bit with the gray hair and the wide grin he's known for that fits his personality.

"Damn it, Garp!" Sengoku snapped angrily at him. "Stop munching your food out loud!"

Garp in return only laughed and advised him. "Sengoku. You really need to stop stressing out this much. It ain't helping your health."

Irritated by his friend's laid-back approach, the Fleet Admiral only could respond. "Maybe if your grandson didn't cause trouble, I wouldn't have this problem by now."

The person of whom Sengoku mentioned, was none other than Garp's grandson. A fresh rookie from the East Blue who already has caused more trouble than its worth it - Straw Hat Luffy.

Having caused his first offenses by taking out multiple big names in the East Blue. Luffy's first major incident was him having taken out Crocodile, a member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, in the kingdom of Alabasta - to which the truth was partly covered up but still a humiliating fact that Straw Hat indeed had taken out a Warlord who'd gone rogue with his plot to overthrow the Alabasta kingdom.

And afterwards, his actions at Ennies Lobby were the most troubling series of facts that occurred. Having gone this far to attack Cipher Pol agents, broke into the Ennies Lobby and even having ordered the burning down of a World Government flag - he had openly declared war on them, a act that defies law itself.

That itself caused an enormous increase of attention on the Straw Hat Pirates. Who despite their low numbers on the crew, were unpredictably strong and a huge headache on his mind.

And he hasn't even mentioned the rest of the 'Worst Generation' that's been paving their way to the New World.

Lumping backwards against his seat, Sengoku rubbed the temples of his head as he was overdue on this job-

"Bleh!"

That sound came from his side, and there he saw his pet goat. With his unbreakable smile on the little fellow, he brought the least amount of stress to the Fleet Admiral's mind.

The old man smiled as he reached his hand down to the goat's neck and petted him a bit on the neck, to which the goat smiled in return and leaned into the hand.

A sigh of release managed to escape Sengoku's mouth as he looked up towards the ceiling as he let out his frustrations in the calm manner he rarely does.

*Crack!*

A picture dropped to the floor, with the glass shattering around the floor, as it happened to fell off Sengoku's desk.

And it happened to be that picture.

"Damn." Sengoku stood up, about to clean it up. "Not that one-"

"Hold on, let me get it."

Without even waiting a second, Garp stood up and walked over to the broken picture as he kneeled down to start gathering around the small pieces of glass. Cleaning it up.

As he then stood up, he puts the glass on the working desk of Sengoku and kept staring at the picture he held up, with his noticeable grin having turned to a somber frown.

The picture was of five people all seen in one group. That included himself, Sengoku, Tsuru, Zephyr and Bishop - all in their younger days as Marines.

He especially stared at the young looking Frederick Bishop, the youngest of the group who at that time was just a grunt, who despite being the only one without the usage of strong Haki - like Garp and Zephyr, or possessing a Devil Fruit Power like Sengoku or Tsuru. Instead, was a formidable Marine who knew hid way with a gun and a handful of marines who he would lead into combat.

No fear, no cowardice, had backbone, brains and the calmest yet fastest thinker of the bunch. A worthy Marine.

Yet, he was no more.

"Still sad to believe it." Garp said watching that picture. "It's been only six years ago but it feels like it only happened yesterday."

Sengoku for his part, only stared out of the window, as he was unable to come up with anything to verbalize his thoughts on the matter of his late comrade.

He watched as the seagulls were flying by as the view of the wide blue ocean until he finally then had something to say.

"At least he saw the ocean before he went." Sengoku worded. "He always told us he wanted to see it before he died."

Garp could only grit his teeth and let out his frustrations, in one simple phrase.

"The Elemental Wars, what a waste of life."

The Elemental Wars, also known as the Shinobi Wars or the Great Expeditionary War, were the names for the many, seemingly endless conflicts that had afflicted the Elemental Continent for four years.

At first, it was only known as the Fourth Shinobi War, but once the World Government decided to involve itself, after a 'certain' incident took place, things escalated to historical proportions. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers were gathered from all over the world, with the consent of the Reverie, to take part in the battlefields of the Shinobi Lands.

That conflict…. hanged many people who lived to tell the stories. Some of those stories that weren't to be told openly.

"We can't afford to complain about it now, Garp. What's done is done. We can't reverse on what has happened." Sengoku said, trying to reason. "Be glad at that at least it ended two years ago."

"Yeah, it 'ended'." Garp stated in a clearly sarcastic tone, even adding onwards. "With results that nobody on the ground agreed upon. Let alone the forces that had been fighting there nonstop - especially the field commanders-"

"We're not beginning this again, Garp." Sengoku warned him. "So don't start it."

The sudden spark of hostility that erupted between the two old Marine officers, an unlikely occurrence that often stemmed off the fact that a mere mention of 'the war' was enough to enact a quick back-and-forth debate.

Garp responded. "No, I didn't start it, that's for sure. But who's the one that's going to mention that mess hasn't finished up yet?"

Sengoku could only swallow his words at that, knowing fully well his often hardheaded friend had sometimes the moments to say the hard truths as he laid back on his chair.

"I know…. But you know it wasn't my decision."

"That, is all what those field commanders know." Garp replied to his friend, to whom even he couldn't play the entire blame to. "They and all those who've served, know exactly who's to blame for all this mess - the whole lot of them do."

Staring back down, Sengoku resumed to pet the goat as it was accepting it with a smile.

*Knock!* *Knock!* *Knock!*

Both men turned around to see then a young marine running in, with what looks like a paled up face.

The news he brought in - was unexpected.

Meanwhile

Grand Line

On their way to safe waters, a fleet of four ships was seen sailing, with three heavy warships seen in formation to protect on other special designed battleship.

That ship happened to be accompanied by none other than an Vice Admiral, who now had been tasked with the very unusual and pretty important task: to escort a high–ranking pirate to an Maximum Security facility where the prisoner would be jailed until further notice. And this happened to be one big shot pirate:

On his knees, chained with Sea-Prism Stone shackles, with no shirt on, unwashed hair and unintended bruises all across his body, he was defeated by the very recently appointed Warlord Blackbeard, who happened to bring in his old comrade…

That comrade was Portgas D. 'Fire Fist' Ace, 2nd Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates with a bounty of 550 Million Berries.

The young pirate was silent, having not spoken a word ever since his capture, having chosen for his own safety and that of his primary reason: which was shame.

Shame for letting his guard down when he was fighting Teach with the thought he'd beat the man with ease. But instead he handled it recklessly with the new Devil Fruit powers he had stolen from Thatch, the 4th Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates.

Teach was a member of the Whitebeard Pirates, an long one too, he was even a subordinate to his division branch. Yet he managed to kill Thatch, steal from him and slip away into the darkness, evading the punishment for killing a fellow crewmate.

But now, he has gotten himself in the most screwed up position. On his way to imprisonment for the later time, until his inevitable punishment, would be decided.

And knowing what penalty Pirates gained, he knew that it would the one that would result him…

"Fire Fist Ace."

Ace's face risen up at the calling of his nickname, to see the one who addressed him was a woman, not a bad looker either, but a little older to his own 'preference', a slender woman with black curly hair and a noticable mole on her face, her spider tattoo on her leg gave away her identity.

it was Vice Admiral, Momousagi. Who was surrounded by other low-ranking marine officers who were obviously nervous by the presence of the infamous pirate. Momousagi however was known to keep her calm, even in the most stressful situations.

"I know you haven't spoken a word since your captivity. But I am to the belief you are smarter than most would assume."

Ace didn't utter a word as he faces back down to the wooden floor. Not facing the female vice admiral as she continued to speak.

"You'll be sentenced to death, it will be a public execution on Marineford, and we both know it." Momousagi added, and a frown appeared across her face as she mentioned. "And you know that Whitebeard will come to rescue you."

A public execution on Marineford, with an high-ranking pirate and member of the Whitebeard Pirates? That would only be one simple yet horrific result that everybody knew, but nobody dared to mention.

A war, between the Whitebeard Pirates and its allies, against the Marines. Two of the most powerful forces in the world, about to clash with all their might in just a mere week.

"So I'm not going to waste any more time to ask you now." Momousagi began. "So tell me."

"Tell you what?" Ace growled.

"Uzumaki's Vivre Card. I know he gave you a piece." Momousagi cleared her question. "Tell me where we can find."

"NARUTO'S DEAD! Don't play games with me!"

That loud statement got everyone on the warship to pay attention, as this was the first time they heard Fire Fist's voice being raised up this high ever since his capture. Ace's words felt heavy and sincere, as he himself was convinced of his death.

"He has been ever since we split apart, just over two years ago." Ace told her, not even raising his head as he was reminding himself of the news. "I heard it just a month after I joined up with the Old Man's crew. That he'd been cornered and taken out by Cipher Pol agents and one of the Seven Warlords, one named Kuma."

Slowly, Ace raised his head to give her an only glare that was genuine of anger.

"So don't feed me lies, Marine. Because I saw it with my own eyes his Vivre card burned out in my own hands, and there was NOTHING I could do when I knew he was ambushed. So don't waste my time!"

After a long, tense moment between the Marine and Pirate, she decided that this conversation was best given a more privacy.

"Marines, leave us alone."

The marines surrounding them decided to leave the Vice-Admiral alone by the orders she'd given them.

"I see you're convinced of Uzumaki's passing. Am I correct?"

Ace just was silent for a moment, but his emotions betrayed his hardened voice when he resumed talking again, even when he told her to leave him alone.

"I heard that he was visiting the Elemental Nations, having been recalled for some kind of ceremonial thing for the ending of that damned war he was stuck in for four years - it only been a trap made by those Cipher Pol bastards who trapped him on that Eddy Island."

"... So you're just as informed as everyone else on his current whereabouts." Momousagi said to him. "Leaving another dead trial into his 'unknown' status."

Ace's head raised up when he heard that.

"Wha-"

"We've arrived!"

Everyone on the deck then turned forwards to the front, where they then visible saw they've reached their destination. Where a large gate with the symbol of the World Government.

The Gates of Justice - the Impel Down Gate.

There was no escaping now, and Ace knew it. Only able to watch on…

Meanwhile…

Impel Down

Level 6

Impel Down the infamous prison where it basically was 'Hell' for the pirates that were condemned to spend their lives in this place.

In total of six levels, there was one such place that divined insanity itself where the condemned were to die a slow and painful death - Level 6. Where the Lifers were to be left rotten for the rest of their lives.

"Let me out!"

"I don't deserve this!"

"Give me the sweat relief of death! PLEASE!"

The pleas of the many condemned were those of either beyond sanity or those who were desperate enough to be given a quick end, this was unfortunately the living reality that these criminals themselves had chosen for.

*Click!* *Click!*

The sound of footsteps then happened to be heard coming down the area as it was the only thing stopping the manacle condemned hordes behind the bars from shouting any empty-meant please as they knew who was coming.

It was the Impel Down Jailers. In their clean and strict uniform clothing that they wore, they were seen escorting another condemned man to the lowest level of this prison - only this wasn't just a plain man: he was a Fishman.

And it wasn't just a Fishman neither: it was none other than Jimbei 'Son of the Sea' one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Or better known for now, a former Warlord as he now was put into custody.

"Right this way, Jimbei. You'll be given your own cell for now." One of the jailers spoke, it being a fairly beautiful woman with blonde hair and sunglasses named Domino, Head Jailer. "You'll be given the presence of another prisoner shortly once he arrives."

Jimbei did not mouth a word by the woman's instructions as he was barely able to hold back his own anger by what was about to happen in a few days, having been chained like a criminal.

"Here it is."

*Creeeek!*

The metal gate door was opened by Domino as she, to contrary to the many other inmates, allowed Jimbei to walk in by his own as he did so.

*Click* *Click*

The sound of then the locks being set, it was then that the silent but still angered Jimbei was fully chained to the wall, by both Domino and a few of her colleagues who were struggling to get him fully chained to the wall due to his length and size.

"Damn, took us a while." One guard mumbled. "Never knew these fish bastards were this big."

The comment alone didn't help but to boil that anger inside the Fishman, who was about to respond-

"Watch your mouth!" Domino nearly sneered at the guard with the comment. "I don't want to hear that kind of language being spoken, got it?"

"What? He's just a fish-"

"Are you deaf, guard?"

The unannounced voice that just entered came from the entrance of the gate, where a high man in a black uniform and the face of a mandrill had just come by, it happened to be their superior officer: Warden Megallen.

The bad-mouthing guard was nervous and tried. "W-Warden I-"

"Get out of my sight now." Magellan ordered the two males. "The both of you."

They nodded and swiftly left the cell, leaving only then Domino to finish things.

"I'll be waiting for you in the hallway." Magellan told his Head Jailer. "Are you sure that you can handle this by yourself?"

Domino nodded. "I only need a few more minutes then I'm done."

"Good. Because Fire Fist Ace is about to arrive here, and I want everyone standing ready." Magellan stated. "Plus, I need to go to the bathroom again."

"Go ahead."

The Warden took her word and went off to the elevator, with his presence having silenced most of the other inmates, she didn't have to worry about the callings the criminals would often do.

"I'm sorry that this needs to happen, Jimbei."

The Fishman watched the female jailer with a raised eyebrow. Her respectful tone and even apology didn't sit with him well as he didn't expect this kind of behavior from a Impel Down jailer.

"You're very polite to one who is a prisoner. How come?"

*Click*

The last lock across his chest was done, as she then proceeded to answer him, given that they could converse without anyone eavesdropping with the distance between them and the doors.

"You don't remember me, do you?"

"Hmm?" Jimbei looked at her, not recollecting of ever knowing this woman. "Sorry, but who are you?"

It was then that she happened to bring something up she rarely does, not even to her colleagues.

"We met once six years ago in the Elemental Nations. Haran Bay…"

It was then that the blue skinned Fishman's eyes began to widen up with a small gasp of shock, with his memory kicking in fast!

"Wait, now I remember you-" Jimbei's voice slightly raised up. "You were on the Sea Snake, with-"

"Please, don't." Domino silenced him, not even raising her own voice. "Nobody here knows I was there. So please…"

Jimbei nodded and kept his voice down. "I remember you now. You were that young woman who was stationed there with the Marines. But what are you doing here?"

"I requested a transfer to become a jailer three years ago. Just when my tour ended. Been here for that time now." Domino told him as she was giving him a bit of quick information. "After all that, things have been quiet, I heard the war ended, and the last troops are leaving now."

"That's right….but at the cost that was way too great." Jimbei mentioned as he did hold back at what occurred. "so many young people, died, including those who were close to me…"

Not even hiding it, Domino could already see that the Fishman was talking about some folks she knew the Warlord was close to who have been killed in the war. With some of whom she befriended herself briefly before their too early deaths.

"I'll leave you by yourself, Jimbei. But just so you know - whatever you find out, it wasn't my intent on hiding it."

"Huh?" Jimbei looked up. "What do you mean by that-"

"Head Jailer Domino!" Magellan's voice was heard. "Come now!"

Domino stood up, having no chance to explain why she said it, the jailer walked out of the cell and closed the door behind her, before proceeding to walk off, leaving the Fishman by himself.

…

Just around the corner, where one cell was located, it faced nothing but a wall and it was isolated from the other inmates as it happened to be next to the cell of Jimbei, around the corner.

Yet it wasn't a problem for Domino to take a small detour as she walked past the empty dark looking cell, she pulled out of her vest something quickly, it was wrapped up and she kneeled down.

"Sorry to be hasty, but here."

Throwing it through the bars, the wrapped up item landed right in the dark corner of the cell.

In that corner, sat a person in his meditative form, who was unnoticed for his silence as he barely moved from that same position for years now, yet was daily visited by the jailer.

"No worry… I understand." The silent voice responded, it being one of calm. "Now go."

Nodding, Domino left off without another word, allowing then the silent inmate to then go force his hand out off the shadows, revealing the tattoo of an fox on his arm - one that only one person had.

That hand began unwrapping the paper with the other hand, that happened to be partly covered up by old bandages that were slowly coming off, revealing severely untended burn wounds and marks that were gained through combat.

The clothing itself the inmate wore were not that of the standard white-black stripped prisoners uniform, but that of a military uniform. One of khaki brown colored with insignia that only were familiar with that of those who served the last greatest conflict: Meaning this man was a veteran of the Elemental Wars.

Not only that, on the shoulder patch that was visible, laid the marking of the AFL - in short the Alabasta Foreign Legion. With the rank of Captain on his collar.

TCHK!

The small sound could be heard in a snap second, but the small fire that was enlightened came from the cell itself, showing that inside the unwrapped item laid both a prepared sandwich, but also three rolled up cigarettes and a small bottle of water.

Of course, the inmate took the moment first to take a smoke, much to his inner companion's distaste for it.

'You need to quit, kid.'

'Don't start, Kurama. It is my only joy in here for now.'

'But your smoking is not helping your health in a place like this. You need to start prioritizing what's important now.'

'I do….'

The person sitting in that cell, was the now young adult Uzumaki Naruto. Former commanding officer, veteran of the Elemental Wars and now the 'unofficial' inmate of Impel Down's lowest level. With only a few questions having been answered as many were left now asked.

'Even still, the smoking could give away your presence. Let alone endanger that girl.' Kurama warned his friend. 'Even when those government bastards have no clue you are here, the last thing they need to know is that you've been hiding here in their maximum prison for almost two damn years.'

Naruto blew out the smoke from his mouth as he then responded.

'You know this isn't me only hiding, but also time for me to observe...'

'I know, the newspapers that girl often brings you in. About the war. How it finally came to an end.' Kurama stated as he then asked. 'Now that's done, what's your plan now with your men going off free?'

'Simple, I'll plan my escape.'

'Sure, walk out of the door, claim false imprisonment, that will work.' Kurama's sarcasm was clear. 'That, and the fact everyone who thought you've died will open their arms after seeing you still being among the living. How are you going to explain that?'

Naruto took the smoker out of his mouth and then proceeded to mentally respond to his friend.

'I needed time for myself, to think, to meditate, to plan, and to act…and for these last two years, even in a hellhole like this, I am glad I've spent my time here to think on what happened in the war.'

'And now with even your old friend Jimbei next to you and Ace about to be joining in. You're going to end your two-year long meditating and thinking?'

'Yeah, that's about it.'

'Then they're going to blast their feelings at you, expect that at least.'

'Believe me, I'm ready for that.'

Well, that's that.

Also, I am now planning to write the GTA fic at the moment, plus the MHA fic, which are a bit slow (apologies) and the Star Wars fic is a bit slow. Cuz my work schedule is a bit bad.

My schedule is more screwed up now then ever. With next week being more irregular.

As for the Harem aspect I keep getting asked in PM's? No spoilers, sorry. But I am open to more suggestions so long there is explenation for it. Don't give me a random list without telling me why, please. I like arguments for it.

Hope you all enjoyed it.

See ya!