Chapter 16: Arabasta Saga: Part 1 of 7

Dr. Potsun's Clinic

Paradise: Arabasta

"What are you doing here Harley?" Naruto demanded. "You don't belong here in my world!"

"What am I doing here?" Harley Quin responded. "I'm here because of you!"

"Me?" Naruto reacted, looking confused.

"One of the Imagined Order soldiers knocked you out when you weren't looking," she explained. "Then your Portal Device was destroyed."

"What?" Naruto reacted, looking shocked. He looked at his Portal Device and noticed it was undamaged.

"It's not damage." He replied.

"That's because I gave you mine," she told him. "And when I pulled you into the Bridge and it took you back to your world—only I got dragged along with you."

Naruto couldn't believe what he was hearing.

Harley Quin was from a different world, one that was not supposed to be here. Yet the reason she was here was because she saved him from those Imagined Order soldiers.

"You need to find a way to get me back to my world," she told him. "I don't belong here!"

Naruto frowned, unsure of what to do. As a Marine officer, it was his job to help people, but now he found himself in a situation where he didn't know how to handle it. He had to find a way to send Harley back to where she came from, but he didn't know how.

"Don't worry," Naruto told her. "I am going to find a way to send you back to Reality Zero. I promised!"

Harley scowled in frustration "Well, when is that going to happen?"

"I don't know," Naruto replied. "I doubt the portal from Reality Zero is going to just appear in the same spot or tomorrow. The portal can be unpredictable and might show up anywhere in the world."

"That's not good enough blondie!" Harley scorned.

"Well, it's the best I got," Naruto retorted. "Until then I have a job to do!"

"What job?" Harley snorted. "Don't tell me—Superhero stuff?"

"Superhero stuff?" Naruto repeated, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Yeah," Harley replied. "I can tell by looking at you and the others. You're the type who wants to save the world from bad guys."

"Superheroes are something out of a comic book," Naruto responded. "But as you should know, I am a marine officer whose job is to chase and arrest pirates!"

Harley and Naruto stood on the deck of a ship, the wind blowing through their hair as they gazed out at the vast ocean. Harley, with her wild spirit and love for adventure, couldn't help but express her excitement at the mention of pirates.

"Pirates huh? Cool!" she exclaimed; her eyes gleaming with joy. She imagined treasure hunts, epic battles, and a life on the high seas.

Naruto, on the other hand, took a more serious approach. For him, pirates were nothing to be admired. They were criminals who caused chaos and harm wherever they went. As a law enforcer, it was his duty to bring them to justice.

"Not cool!" he responded firmly. "Pirates are criminals, a plague to society. They must be stopped."

Harley raised an eyebrow at his seriousness. She had a mischievous smile on her face as she responded, "Well, don't worry about me Blondie. I may have a colorful past, but now I fight on the side of justice."

Naruto was taken aback. "You were a pirate?"

Harley chuckled. "Something like that, but back in my world, Gotham City, I was a criminal who wasn't right in the head. But don't worry, for I've turned over a new leaf. I'm a Vigilante!"

As they continued their conversation, Naruto couldn't help but feel conflicted. He believed in upholding the law and order, but there was something about Harley's free spirit that intrigued him.

"Vigilante, huh?" he mused.

"That's right," Harley said proudly. "I may bend the rules a bit, but I always do what's right in the end."

Naruto shook his head and said "You are a handful, Harley. But as long you're in my world we play by my rules. And be careful about this world, for it is as dangerous as you can imagine."

Harley grinned mischievously. "Oh, don't worry about me, Blondie. I can handle anything that comes my way."

Naruto turns to Dr. Potsun and asks, "Excuse me, Doctor, do you think you can help us, like give us some geographic knowledge on Arabasta."

The old man looked at Naruto with a twinkle in his eye. He scratched his beard thoughtfully before responding, "Well…if you must know. You're 30 miles from Alubarna."

"Alubarna?" Naruto repeated.

"Yes, Alubarna is the capital of Arabasta," Dr. Potsun explained. "It's where Nefertari Cobra, our King, is located. If you're heading there, you'll need to be prepared for the challenges that lie ahead."

Naruto nodded solemnly, grateful for the information that Dr. Potsun had told him. That means there is a chance his friends might be heading to Alubarna. He was sure the others thought he was dead and would be happy to see him. However, there was also one serious problem.

How is he going to explain to them what Harley Quinn is doing in their world?

0o0o0

Marineford

Paradise: Grand Line

Meanwhile, at Marineford, headquarters of the Marines, a meeting was arranged between the top elite high-ranking Marine officers. The meeting consisted of Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp, Vice Admiral Tsuru, and the three Admirals crowned as the World Government's most powerful fighters: Aokiji, Kizaru, and Akainu.

The assembly was of an important matter in hand. But before it started, Lieutenant Commander Brannew entered the room with a look of urgency on his face.

"I'm sorry to disturb you Fleet Admiral," said Brannew, trying to catch his breath. "But you're not going to believe who is on the Den Den Mushi."

Everyone's attention turned to Brannew's direction; curiosity evident on their faces. Garp, always quick to make a joke, asked with a twinkle in his eye, "Is it that troublemaker Jiraiya?"

"No, Vice Admiral," Brannew replied, trying to maintain his composure. "It's Vice Admiral Tsunade Senju."

Gasps filled the room as the officers exchanged bewildered looks. Akainu was the first to speak up, his voice laced with disbelief. "Vice Admiral Tsunade Senju is dead. How can she be on the Den Den Mushi?"

Brannew shook his head, "I don't have all the answers, but she's on the Den Den Mushi right now. We can talk to her."

Fleet Admiral Sengoku, known for his calm demeanor, spoke up, "Bring her in." The officers quickly rearranged themselves to make room for the unexpected guest.

Moments later, the screen on the Den Den Mushi flickered to life, and Vice Admiral Tsunade Senju's familiar face appeared. She looked as vibrant as ever, her emerald green eyes shining with a sense of purpose. Sengoku, the fleet admiral of the Marines, was both surprised and pleased to see her alive after all these years.

"Tsunade," he greeted her, his voice filled with relief. "Is that really you?"

Tsunade's smile was infectious, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Of course it's me! Who else would it be?"

Aokiji, another admiral, spoke up through the Den Den Mushi. "You were declared dead, Tsunade. What happened to you? Where have you been all these years?"

Tsunade took a deep breath, her expression turning somber. "It's a long story, Aokiji. A crazy story that I'd rather tell in person."

Sengoku leaned forward; curiosity piqued. "Where are you located now, Tsunade?"

"I'm in Arabasta," she informed them.

The news took everyone in the room by surprise. Garp, a vice admiral known for his strength and loyalty, was quick to ask, "Did you make any contact with Jiraiya?"

Tsunade's brow furrowed in confusion. "Jiraiya? What about him?"

Sengoku's expression darkened as he spoke. "Jiraiya missing."

"So, what," Tsunade responded. "Whenever Jiraiya missing, it's obvious he's spying on women taking a private bathing."

"No, you don't understand," said Sengoku. "Jiraiya seriously missing, as if something bad has happened to him."

"What do you mean by that?" Tsunade asked, her voice in the Den Den Mushi sounded confused.

"Jiraiya was on his way to Arabasta after he left Marineford," Sengoku explained. "And somewhere along the way to Arabasta something happens at G-6."

"G-6?" Tsunade repeated, sounding surprised. "What happens at G-6?"

0o0o0

Rainbase: Arabasta

Paradise; Grand Line

"What's going on here, Crocodile?" Nico Robin, also known as Miss Sunday, demanded, her voice laced with a mixture of anger and confusion. She had been caught off guard, her mind reeling at the revelation that her boss, the infamous leader of Baroque Works, was working with Orochimaru.

Crocodile, a man with a sharp and cunning demeanor, remained calm in the face of Robin's accusations. His crocodile-like eyes bore into hers, filled with a sense of defiance and superiority. "Miss Sunday, you should know better than to question my decisions," he replied coolly. "Orochimaru and I have a mutual understanding that benefits both of our organizations."

Robin's brow furrowed as she tried to stay calm in the situation before her. She had learned to keep her emotions in check while working with Crocodile, to further her goals. But working with Orochimaru, a man known for his dark and sinister ways, was a step too far for her.

Despite Orochimaru's insistence that they work together for a common purpose, the agents of Baroque Works found it difficult to trust him. Orochimaru's reputation as the "Butcher of Devil Fruit Users" preceded him, causing unease and suspicion among the already cautious agents. His history left a bitter taste in their mouths, as they feared they could be next in line to be his next victim.

Nico Robin, the archaeologist and elite agent of Baroque Works, was particularly wary of Orochimaru. Having survived her fair share of deceit and betrayal in the past, she was not quick to trust anyone, let alone a man with such a dark and twisted history. Her ability to decipher the ancient language of the Poneglyphs made her a valuable asset to Baroque Works, but it also made her a prime target for Orochimaru's sinister plans.

"I understand you and Orochimaru have had a run-in with each other in the past," said Crocodile. "For example, you accidentally stumble upon his hidden base and his experiment—barely escape with your life!"

Robin was silent before she said "Yes, it's true. It was dumb luck that barely escaped from my life. But you should know that it's very dangerous to be allied with that man."

"Like you?" Crocodile pointed out. "You think I didn't know about your background before we met? You got a reputation of treachery with allies you worked with."

"Then I guess you didn't know about the horrors of his experiments that I witnessed," Robin countered, her voice laced with a mixture of anger and sadness. "The countless victims he brutally experimented on."

Crocodile laughed, a low, mocking sound that seemed to echo across the desert. "You think I'm careless around the 'Butcher of Devil Fruit users'?" he sneered. "I know it's very dangerous to work with Orochimaru. But that man's scientific knowledge is second to none in this world, save for his former master and teacher, Dr. Vegapunk. Plus, he has developed weapons that would be a great asset to our plans after we take over Arabasta."

Robin's brow furrowed in disbelief. "You mean like the Manmade Devil Fruits he's created?"

Crocodile's eyes narrowed, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "So, you heard about it?" he questioned, his tone more serious now.

Robin nodded; her gaze unwavering. "I have. And I've seen the consequences of his experiments firsthand. The suffering, the pain... it's unimaginable."

As the wind whipped around them, carrying grains of sand through the air, Crocodile took a step forward, his expression unreadable. "And what do you suggest we do about it, Nico Robin?" he asked, his voice quiet but filled with a hidden intensity.

Robin hesitated, her mind racing with thoughts and memories of Orochimaru's twisted experiments. "We cannot allow him to continue unchecked," she finally replied, her voice firm. "His actions have caused too much harm already. We must put an end to his cruelty, no matter the cost."

Crocodile regarded her for a moment, his gaze assessing. "I see," he said, at last, a hint of respect in his tone. "Very well, Nico Robin. We shall confront Orochimaru together and put a stop to his madness once and for all. But only after Operation Utopia's success. Agreed?"

"Agreed?" Robin replied.

Just then, a knock on the door was heard, causing both Crocodile and Robin to look up in surprise. A Baroque Works aide entered the room, a look of urgency on his face as he apologized profusely. "I'm sorry to disturb you, sir," he began, "but I think you need to see this."

He passed a message to Crocodile, who took it with a frown. As he read the contents, his expression darkened, and Robin could tell that something serious had just occurred. She couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as she watched her leader's reaction.

"What is it?" she asked, leaning forward slightly.

Crocodile looked up from the message, his eyes narrowed in thought. "This message is from Nanohana," he explained. "It seems that a Marine Vice Admiral who was supposed to be dead has made a sudden appearance: Vice Admiral Tsunade Senju is alive."

Robin's eyes widened in surprise. "Isn't she supposed to be dead?" she asked, echoing Crocodile's earlier question.

"She was officially declared dead by the Marines several years ago," Crocodile replied. "How she ended up here in Arabasta is a mystery."

"But what exactly makes you think she'll be a threat to us?" Robin inquired, curious to learn more about this mysterious woman who seemed to have caught Crocodile's attention.

Crocodile smirked, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Tsunade may have disappeared for a time, but I have no doubt that she's been honing her skills and planning her next move. She's not one to sit back and let others dictate her fate. And from what I've heard, she's not one to be trifled with."

As they continued their conversation, the stories of Tsunade began to form in Robin's mind. A powerful female Vice Admiral known for her incredible strength and superior medical skills; Tsunade was a force to be reckoned with in the world. Her reputation as a fearsome fighter and a skilled doctor was well-known, and it was no surprise that Crocodile saw her as a potential threat to their plans.

"Seems like we got one solution," Crocodile declared, his voice cold and calculating. "We're going to have to rely on Orochimaru to take care of Tsunade."

Robin raised an eyebrow, her expression wary. "Are you sure that's a wise idea?"

Crocodile smirked, his eyes gleaming with confidence. "Don't worry," he reassured her. "Pitting Orochimaru against Tsunade would be like taking out two birds with one stone. And I have it on good authority that Orochimaru has some weapons that are sure to give Tsunade a run for her money."

Robin bit her lip, her mind racing with doubts. She knew all too well the dangers of trusting Orochimaru. The man was known for his treachery and deceit, his inhuman experiments. She had heard whispers of his creation of the Manmade Devil Fruit, a powerful weapon that could tip the scales in any battle.

But despite her reservations, Robin had to admit that Crocodile had a point. Tsunade, is the powerful enemy that should not be taken lightly. If Orochimaru truly had weapons that could incapacitate Tsunade, then maybe they stood a chance.

However, Robin couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the back of her mind.

0o0o0

Nanohana: Arabasta

Paradise; Grand Line

OK everyone, I just got new orders straight from Sengoku!" Tsunade addressed everyone. In front of her were Nojiko, Kiba, Akamaru, Tenten, Chōji, Shikamaru, Igaram, Shino, Kosuke, Neji, Lee, Shizune, Captain Smoker, and Tashigi. The atmosphere in the room was tense, as everyone awaited Tsunade's announcement.

"Sengoku has officially reactivated my rank and put me in charge of Jiraiya's mission," Tsunade continued. "This will be a challenging assignment, but I have full confidence in each of you to carry out your duties with precision and skill."

Smoker stood in front of Vice Admiral Tsunade, his arms crossed and a scowl on his face. He had always been a loyal and dedicated Marine, but he was not happy to hear that Tsunade was now in charge.

"We're going head to Alubarna," Tsunade declared to the group. "We must inform King Nefertari Cobra of the imminent danger that Crocodile and Orochimaru pose to his kingdom. We have to protect the innocent and thwart any plans these criminals may have."

Neji, the stoic and disciplined Marine officer, raised an eyebrow in concern. "You do realize that as Marine officers, we can't officially investigate Shichibukai members," he reminded Tsunade. "The World Government limits our jurisdiction against Shichibukai-class pirates."

Tsunade nodded in understanding. "I am well aware of the constraints placed upon on us," she reassured Neji. "However, the safety of the citizens of this country is at stake. We must act swiftly and decisively to neutralize this threat before it escalates further. Plus, we may find a loophole around the World Government's protection of the Shichibukai members."

"You mean like Orochimaru?" Kosuke guesses.

"That's right Kosuke," said Tsunade, framing her determined face. "If we can find evidence that links Crocodile and Orochimaru—the World Government might be able to strip Crocodile of his membership with the Shichibukai."

"As a pirate, Luffy and his crew are expected to be arrested on sight if we come across them," Tsunade said, her voice firm. "However, our primary target is still Crocodile and Orochimaru. Understood, Smokey?"

Smoker nodded; his jaw clenched. He had been following the trail of these dangerous criminals for months now, determined to bring them to justice. But the mention of Monkey D. Luffy, the notorious pirate with a bounty on his head, always stirred up conflicting emotions within him.

"Excuse me Vice Admiral Tsunade," Nojiko spoke up, her voice trembling slightly. "But have you forgotten something? Like Naruto?"

Tsunade's expression darkened at the mention of Naruto. The young marine officer, is trapped in another dimension with no way of returning. It weighed heavily on her shoulders, the feeling of helplessness and guilt gnawing at her insides.

"Yeah," Kiba agreed, his usual confident demeanor faltering in the face of their predicament. "He is still trapped in that other dimension, with no way back to this world. What are we going to do?"

"I know you're all worried about Naruto," Tsunade finally spoke, her voice tinged with sadness. "But we could do nothing about it unless he was trapped in Reality Zero. I doubt that the portal from Reality Zero is going to just appear in the same spot or tomorrow. The portal can be unpredictable and might show up anywhere in the world."

The others exchanged concerned glances, the weight of their friend's absence pressing down on them like a heavy shroud. They had faced many challenges together, but this felt different. This felt like they were facing an enemy they couldn't see or touch.

"We can't just sit here and wait," Lee spoke up, his voice full of determination. "We have to do something. Anything."

"Naruto is beyond our reach Lee," Neji told him. "We need to focus on the situation in hand."

"What do you mean saving Naruto is beyond our reach? We can't just give up on him!" Kiba exclaimed, his voice tinged with desperation. Neji remained calm, his piercing white eyes focused on his crewmate.

"I understand your feelings, Kiba. We all want to save Naruto, but we need to be realistic. The odds are stacked against us. We need to focus on what we can actually do, not what we wish we could do," Neji explained, his voice steady and unwavering.

Shikamaru, who had been quiet up until now, finally spoke up. "Neji is right. We need to think about the bigger picture here. Arabasta is in trouble, and the people there need our help. Naruto would want us to help them, finish what he started. We can't let our emotions cloud our judgment."

Kiba clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white with the pressure. He struggled to accept the harsh reality that saving Naruto might not be possible. But deep down, he knew that Neji and Shikamaru were right. They needed to focus on what they could control, not what was beyond their grasp.

After a moment of tense silence, Kiba finally spoke, his voice softer this time. "I...I understand. I just...I can't bear the thought of losing Naruto."

Neji placed a hand on Kiba's shoulder, offering silent support. "I know, Kiba. We all feel the same way. But we have to stay strong for Naruto and for the people who need us. We can't let our emotions consume us."

Shikamaru nodded in agreement. "Let's focus on the task at hand. We need to come up with a plan to help Arabasta before it's too late. We can't afford to waste any more time."

"When can we leave for Alubarna?" Igaram asked, eagerly.

"We can leave right now, Igaram," Tsunade, declared confidently. "But Nojiko, Shizune, and Shino, you three must stay behind in Nanohana."

Nojiko's brow furrowed in confusion. "But why do we need to stay behind? I am a strong fighter in my own right, and I have even learned to control my devil fruit power. I can be of help to you all."

Shizune shook her head firmly. "Nojiko, as much as I appreciate your enthusiasm, you are still a civilian. This is a dangerous mission, and we can't afford any liabilities. Shino, as a bounty hunter, this is your area of expertise. And as for me, I am a Fish-woman. I would be extremely ineffective in the harsh desert terrain of Alubarna."

Nojiko reluctantly nodded, understanding the reasoning behind Tsunade's decision.

0o0o0

Sabaody Archipelago

Paradise: Arabasta

Once a bustling pirate haven, Grove 13 was now a shadow of its former self. The streets were lined with dilapidated buildings, the air thick with the smell of cheap alcohol and desperation. Shakky's Rip-off Bar was one of the few establishments still standing, a beacon of dubious dealings and shady characters.

Shakky herself was a force to be reckoned with. Despite her age, she was still a formidable woman, her sharp wit and quick temper earning her the respect (and fear) of those who frequented her bar. She had a reputation for being fair but firm, never one to let someone get the better of her.

The two pirates she was currently dealing with seemed to have forgotten that. They had come into her bar earlier that day, loud and obnoxious, bragging about their latest plunder. They had ordered round after round of drinks, running up a tab they had no intention of paying. When Shakky had confronted them about it, they had laughed in her face, thinking they were untouchable in the lawless streets of Grove 13.

But they had underestimated Shakky. She may have been a bar owner, but she was also a former pirate herself, yet an infamous pirate back in the days when Gol D. Roger was still alive.

"Pleases…don't hurt me…I'll pay!" the pirate whimpered; the bravado gone from his voice.

"That's more like it," Shakky says with a wicked grin. Once she gets her money, Shakky has no problem taking out the trash.

Shakky decided to close it up since it was getting late. Her mind was on her husband and business partner. He hadn't been seen in over two months. Yet she wasn't worried about him. She knew Ray could take care of—

A loud noise had startled her. Could it be those pirates that she rip off? No, it can't be, not after the beating she gave them. Yet, she wasn't about to take any chances with what could be lurking behind that door.

As she approached the back room, her senses on high alert, Shakky reached for the handle and slowly opened the door. A cool breeze wafted in, causing chills to run down her spine. The room appeared empty, but Shakky knew better than to let her guard down.

Just as she was about to close the door and lock it, a sudden movement caught her eye. Turning around in one swift motion, Shakky was face to face with a figure she never expected to see.

In front of her was Marine Vice Admiral Jiraiya—who looked bloodied, beaten, and half-dead. He was missing his left arm.

"Hi, Shakky," Jiraiya replied with a smile, despite his injuries. "It's not too late if I buy a drink!"

Losing consciousness, Jiraiya fell to the ground in front of her as Shakky cried, rushing to help him "Jiraiya! What the hell happened to you? Are you all, right? Jiraiya? Answer me?"

AN

Gina: Fuck You!

Anthony: I'm still at it man, Thanks!''

Marvelesque1Der: Fan fiction is about absolute imagination. I need Naruto and his crew to be tough enough to be equal with Luffy and the others. Adventuring in the Fortnite world is a quick way to their abilities. Now, Naruto's and his crew's current strength equals that of an above-average Marine Captain like Captain Smoker.