I have been wanting to do this ever since I watched One Piece. Don't worry, I am not abandoning my other fics, I just wanted to do this after getting into One Piece. I don't own Naruto nor do I own One Piece. I know it's confusing that I am doing Part II Naruto and Part 1 One Piece but I haven't passed the time skip yet so I chose this arc. What is it? You'll see. And yes, pairings are involved. NaruSaku and LuNami. Don't like it? Don't read.

"All right!" Exclaimed Naruto Uzumaki, a lively blonde Ninja. He was met with a warm giggle from his friend Sakura Haruno. Just a week ago, they had successfully saved their friend Gaara from the clutches of the evil Atasuki and now they were making their way back to the Hidden Leaf Village. Their next stop was to rest and meet with the Hokage.

"So, Sakura... what do you think about going on a date after our mission?" Naruto asked, hopeful. Sakura rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"Oh, Naruto... you're such a knucklehead." She saw the pleading look in his eyes and let out a sigh of resignation.

"Fine, Naruto, but only if you're paying..." she reluctantly agreed. Naruto pumped his fist in excitement as they approached the Hokage mountain. They knocked on the door and waited until they heard a voice from inside.

"Come in." The two teammates entered the room to find Lady Tsunade, the Hokage, standing with her arms crossed and her eyes closed. Shizune stood beside her. Tsunade opened her eyes and faced Naruto and Sakura.

"Naruto, Sakura... I called you here because I have another mission for you. You are to retrieve a forbidden Ninja scroll known as the scroll of the sage of six paths."

"Where can we find it?" Sakura inquired.

"It is located at sea, specifically in the Yukio River." Tsunade pointed to the location on a map. Sakura examined it closely.

"I've heard of it, but I've also heard that strange things happen there."

"Indeed, Sakura," Tsunade confirmed. "You must exercise caution. I've heard of many terrible incidents occurring in that area."

"Understood, Lady Tsunade. We will retrieve the scroll and bring it back here."

"Good. Now leave my sight. I have work to attend to." Tsunade reached for a bottle of sake and a glass, signaling the end of the conversation. Naruto and Sakura exchanged knowing glances, rolled their eyes, and exited the room. Shizune looked at Tsunade with concern as she poured herself a glass and took a sip.

"Lady Tsunade... do you think it's wise for them to retrieve the scroll from there?" Shizune didn't get an answer because Tsuande was still drinking. "You know about the rumors of that river. What if they don't make it back?" Shizune's words were cut off as Tsunade placed her glass down.

"You don't need to worry about them, Shizune... even if the rumors are true... they'll find their way back home. I just know it." Shizune looks down in worry.

After a long day of walking, Naruto and Sakura finally arrived at the Yukio River. Exhausted, they decided to take a break and rest for an hour. As Naruto sat on the docks, he gazed up at the sky. Concerned, Sakura turned to him and approached him.

"Naruto... were you planning on telling me about the Nine tails inside you?"

Naruto let out a sigh and turned away from her. "It's a complicated situation, Sakura," he replied. He then turned his head back towards her. "I did intend to tell you, but I was afraid that you would... hate me."

Sakura gasped upon hearing those words. "Naruto..." she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. "I don't blame you for not telling me, but we're a team... you could have confided in me and Sasuke." Just the mention of Sasuke's name made her feel uneasy, but she quickly shook off the feeling.

"You weren't planning on telling me, even though you trusted me? You weren't going to share it with your friends? I would have understood. I wouldn't have to feel guilty about rejecting you," Sakura said, her voice filled with disappointment. Naruto growled and turned away once again.

"It's none of your business," he muttered. Sakura's tears continued to flow as she sniffled.

"How could you say that? You're my friend... my teammate. Of course, it's my business. I would trust you more than anyone else. Do you really think I would see you as the Nine Tails? You're not! You're Naruto Uzumaki... the future Hokage! And I will always stand by your side, no matter what." Naruto put his head up to see a teary but smiling Sakura. He smiled and embraced her.

"Thank you, Sakura... you are correct... I apologize." They both exchanged smiles as the boat suddenly jolted.

"What is happening?" Naruto questioned, peering ahead to identify the cause of the disturbance. However, there was nothing visible. Naruto shrugged, suggesting, "Perhaps it was a minor earthquake..." Yet, before he could fully relax, the boat shook once more. Sakura stood up, almost stumbling, but Naruto swiftly caught her, preventing her from falling. She expressed her gratitude with a smile.

"Thank you, Naruto." He returned the smile, but soon noticed something peculiar unfolding before them... a vortex that was pulling them in. The water began to transform from its usual blue hue to a vivid red. Sakura hurried towards the steering wheel, attempting to steer away from the vortex, while Naruto clung tightly to his seat.

"AGH! SAKURA, GET US OUT OF HERE!" he pleaded. Sakura struggled to maneuver the boat against the powerful current, but their efforts were in vain as the boat eventually succumbed to the force. Naruto held onto his pink-haired comrade.

"Sakura... if we do not survive... there is something I must confess to you!" he shouted amidst the chaos of the ship falling apart.

"WHAT!?" Sakura exclaimed. Naruto swallowed nervously, realizing that now was the time to reveal his secret.

"Do you remember when you called me annoying on the day we first met?" he inquired. Sakura nodded, feeling remorseful for her past words.

"And do you recall when Sasuke approached you and complimented your forehead?" Sakura's eyes widened in surprise.

"H-how did you know about that?" she questioned.

"Because..." Naruto lowered his eyebrows and offered a faint smile. "I was the one pretending to be Sasuke..." Sakura could hardly believe what she was hearing. However, before she could react further, the ship continued to crumble. Piece by piece, the floor gave way. Suddenly, Naruto and Sakura were forcefully separated. Naruto reached out for Sakura.

"SAKURA!" he cried out, just as he was pulled into a portal, while Sakura found herself on the other side... leaving behind their headbands...

I hope you liked this Prologue. Next chapter is Naruto meeting Luffy and the gang. But where is Sakura? I can't tell... yet. But I hope you enjoy this first chapter. I also want to thank Luckychi7 for giving me the name of the title.