I do not own Naruto or One Piece. Seriously if I did then I would be jumping into a vault full of money like Scrooge McDuck! Arghhhh fuck that hurts! Why would he do that? Why would he jump into a pool of metal? Fucking ouch!
"Talk"
'Think'
"What did you do this time?" Otohime asked as she crossed her arms over her chest, she tried to keep a stern face, but was failing to hold in her laughs.
Hanging in front of her were none other than Naruto thanks to the three Royal Knights guarding him, two flanking the one in the middle with his webbed hand on the scruff of Naruto's shirt. The guards armor that normally consisted of large striped snail shells as helmets and shoulder pads, weren't their normal color of white and black, instead they were neon pink and burnt orange respectively.
The one holding a grinning Naruto stepped forward revealing himself to be a grey-skinned great white shark fishman. He had a bulged belly, but muscular arms and legs betrayed that one trait for the fishman held an aura of power. He had glaring eyes, with long and distinctive eyelashes, a mouth full of sharp, triangular teeth, and a stub nose. He was the only one without a helmet to reveal his long curly black hair, with a long tuft hanging on the left part of his face.
Slamming the trident in his right hand on the ground the fishman told the queen just exactly what he did. "Your Majesty, we found this one committing unspeakable vandalism to the Royal Knights armor. After being caught we gave chase and," he indicted towards the blond, narrowing his eyes as he did so. "It took us over three hours to catch him. I do not know how or why he did it, but this cannot stand my queen."
"I agree." Otohime responded with a barely contained smile, "Please take Naruto-chan to his room, the king and I will have a serious discussion with him."
Giving a bow to her the three knights split off into three separate directions.
"So mister knight you're not entirely mad that I defaced your armor, are you?" Naruto asked after they left the queen's presence.
"Of course I am!" The knight barked out in anger. "Not only did you single-handedly deface some very expensive armor that may have to be scrapped, but you also put itching powder into our clothes, and dulled our weapons. And I keep telling you my name is Hody Jones you little runt! Remember it!"
Not even fazed by the fishman's yelling Naruto crossed his arms in front of him. "Those things are only minor annoyances with no permanent damage Hody Jones. Besides you will thank me in the long run." He cleaned his ear with his pinky as he hung from the great white fishman's left hand by the scruff of his yakuta, who looked puzzled by the brats response.
"Thank you? Why would I thank a little brat like you for making my life a living hell for the last two weeks?"
"Just think about it." Naruto's voice took a sudden chill that surprised Hody, as he turned towards the fishman, his eyes and mouth in a malign grimace. "The Royal Guard is supposed to protect the Royal Family, yet not once, not twice, but three times I have pranked you guys. Did it ever cross your mind that if a child could somehow sneak past you of all people, who says a professional assassin couldn't do the same thing, but instead of defacing your armor he slits your throats, and then assassinates the Royal Family?"
Hody couldn't believe what this kid had said, yet has made a point.
A very interesting point.
His intense eyes widening Hody gave a shark-like grin before bursting into laughter. "Jahahahaha! That's quite the dark mind you have there boy, disguising something simple as a prank to teach us a lesson."
"I grew up in the Fishman District, that place changes people." The blond deadpanned.
"No shit kid, I grew up there." Hody grunted in reply once he got to Naruto's designated room. Opening the door he dropped the tiger shark fishman into it. "Now that you got your message across I will inform everyone to up their efforts in protecting the Royal Family."
Slamming the door shut Hody Jones didn't see the unofficial member of the Royal Family opening his mouth and walked away. 'An interesting brat.' He thought to himself. Then he split his face with an ominous grin. 'No the perfect brat. I've always dreamed of mauling a World Noble like that. Maybe one day, he could be of use…yes…I could obtain the power of the Sea King for myself! I only need…' His eye's looked towards the young tiger shark who hummed, blissfully unaware. 'A little push in the right direction.'
After Hody literally dropped Naruto into his room the blond found himself sitting on the small bed. His human fingers gently caressing the fine silk fabric that seemed alien to him. Moving his blue eyes he honestly couldn't believe that he was in a room that wasn't filled with dirt, garbage, and completely wrecked.
His eyes settled onto the giant desk that was five feet away from his bed, on it were two things that he couldn't tear his eyes away from. The first being a giant-sized mirror with golden trimmings and pearls embedded within it. When he looked at his reflection he saw nothing but a complete stranger, the dirty street clothes that he was used to wearing, his somewhat dirty skin, and his unruly blond hair were gone. In their place was…someone he just didn't recognize that was completely clean and wearing a white yakuta and an orange sash.
Getting off his bed Naruto walked over to the second object on his desk. It was a photograph with a simple wooden frame, sitting down in the wicker chair pulled by his desk, picking it up in his hands a small, sad smile etched onto his face. In the photo were three people, the first being a six foot tall gray-skinned bull shark fishman with blond hair with jaw-length bangs framing both sides of his face, bright blue eyes, and a real toothy smile. He was wearing a blue shirt with the sleeves torn off, tattered white shorts that reached his shins, and an iron fishing spear clutched in his right hand.
The second was a beautiful dolphin tailed mermaid with a slender, but feminine build, fair skin, bright red hair that reached her flippers, with strands that framed both sides of her smiling face, the left of which was parted by a yellow clip and violet eyes. The only piece of clothing she was wearing was a red bikini top that held in her decently sized breasts.
And finally the third person was a younger Naruto, smiling brightly as he held both his parents hands.
"It sure doesn't feel like it's been two years." He said to himself, "It feels much longer than that hasn't it? Mom. Dad. I honestly don't know what to think. I feel so out of place here, two weeks ago I was living on the streets and doing odd jobs for the various criminals within the Fishman District, but then after biting off your killer's fingers, I'm in the Ryugyu Palace of all places for something that I felt was justified."
Hearing no response from the picture the blond let out a sad chuckle, "I'll thank Jinbe for bringing this back to me from my hut, I promise you all that. I just hope you guys are resting in peace, and I hope to see you two when I eventually die."
Unknown to him Otohime was standing outside with her ear pressed against the door. She wiped away a slight tear spilling from her left green eye when she heard the sorrow in his voice. Taking a calm breath the goldfish mermaid brought her dainty right hand up and knocked on his door.
"Naruto can I please come in?" Hearing a 'yes' in confirmation she opened the door and found the tiger shark fishman sitting on the wicker chair by his desk.
"I know why your here your highness. And I'm sorry for doing it." Naruto apologized.
"Naruto I'm not mad." Otohime said to him. "But I must know, what's making you act this way?" Poking his head in emphases she continued. "I know that readjusting from the streets may be hard for you, but I want to understand."
"My queen it's not easy to explain." The tiger shark fishman said to her. Opening his mouth to continue Naruto found himself interrupted when he found himself pulled into Otohimes comforting hug. They separated, the young blond tiger shark's shocked eyes staring into the kind understanding ones of the goldfish mermaid.
"I have all the time in the world."
While Otohime was dealing with Naruto, Jinbe was unfortunately dealing with Saint Mjosgard once again. Dear Neptune the man was testing his patience, every single day since the man woke up all he did was complain. He complained about the food, the medical treatment, the uncomfortable bed, the doctors and nurses, and most importantly the loss of his right thumb and index finger, and of course his demand that the 'monster' who did this to him to be put to death.
"Are you even listening!" Mjosgard screamed at the whale shark fishman. "I want that water breathers head right in front of me now!"
"And I keep telling you I will not heed to your regard Saint Mjosgard. That boy defended the queen that you threatened to kill, it may have been overkill, but at least you are still breathing. You should be grateful." Jinbe calmly responded to the extremely spoiled noble.
"That is not good enough!" The World Noble literally spat at him, "I am a descendant of the Twenty Kings, the creators of the World Government! The creators of order and peace in a world of injustice and discord! By birthright I am superior to you in each and every way! And if you don't comply you abomination I will have you killed as wel-" before Mjosgard could even complete his threat Jinbe raised his right fist, and easily punched a hole as wide as he was tall in the wall.
"My patience is wearing thin with you. Noble." Jinbe growled out, his glaring eyes silencing the Tenyurbito. "Normally I would settle this diplomatically, but you forced my hand." Reaching his giant hand into his karakusa he pulled out a Den Den Mushi, not a regular one, but a small black one. Seeing Saint Mjosgard's already pasty white skin turn even whiter the warlord gave him a victorious grin.
"I assume you're familiar with the Black Den Den Mushi, from the very second you were admitted I have been sending every threat and 'confessions' you made at me."
Still pale as a ghost the noble gave a nervous smile and laughed at him. "That's your ace in the hole? You stupid fool, who could possibly be listening? We control a vast majority of the civilized world, the Marines obey our every command, and no insignificant pirate will even do something to us no matter how high his bounty is! Who do you think can even make us think twice!"
"The Gorosei," Jinbe responded, causing the noble to shut his mouth in horror and to pale in a unbelievable shade of white. "And I must say none of them are remotely happy with your actions toward my people."
Suddenly a black snail popped out of its portable device, opening his mouth an old voice that contained much wisdom. "What Jinbe says is true Saint Mjosgard. We are most displeased with what transpired down there."
Feeling extremely ill Mjosgard sputtered in denial and shock. "No! What you have been hearing are lies! I knew he was carrying it-"
"Quit lying!" An older raspy voice shouted at him, only this one sounded like a man who experienced many wars. "We are not as dumb as you may have thought yourself to believe. Don't you know what you've done! Not only have you caused a near fallout between humans and fishman by attempting to shoot their queen, you have also threatened one of our Shichibukai!"
"He's inferior!" The Saint screamed in response, tears started welling in his eyes and snot falling from his nose showing that he was growing desperate. "That stupid fish has no right! No right! He's nothing but a lowly pirate that sold himself to you!"
"He knows this all too well." A younger sounding voice responded. "But regardless he formed a pact with us, and we need someone like him within our ranks so our decision overrules yours."
Gulping loudly the noble made one desperate attempt to defend himself. "You can't be serious. We are human beings, the mightiest species in the entire world! We can beat them, no... we can exterminate them! Wipe them from the face of the earth with the power of our military!"
"That won't happen." A voice as old as the first one, but filled with a slight tiredness responded. "We will not have a pointless war with Fishman Island, even with all our military might there will be pointless casualties on both sides. And all that bloodshed for what? Because a young fishman bit off your fingers for defending the queen? I think not Saint Mjosgard."
"But…but…"
"No more buts!" The final voice, filled with anger and arrogance barked out at him. "When you have recovered we are demanding you return to Mariejois so we can discuss your punishment!"
"Pu-pu-pu-punishment! But why! You're like us! We're relatives! All of us! Why! You're also nobles to so why!"
"Because we are enlightened. We let you and our other relatives live on a whim, or perhaps it's sentimentality. Now comply with the queen, or else."
After the transmission ended Jinbe gave the World Noble a superior look and left the room, just missing the man fainting from shock.
Many untold hours later Otohime gently ran her fingers through Naruto's spiky blond hair. While the tiger shark fishman was blissfully asleep the queen took that time to digest everything he told her. It honestly shocked her to learn that a boy, barely a year older than her daughter went through so much hardship in his life. The goldfish mermaid learned that after spending four blissful years with his parents who were suddenly taken right out of his life was almost immediately purged into a life of crime.
She heard the rumors of the Fishman District, her husband's worst failure in his career as king of Ryugyu Kingdom, but she didn't want to believe any of it. Whether it was denial for the love of her husband to overlook his mistakes or denial that such a placed existed. But she had the living proof sleeping in her lap, a boy who should have been in school or at least learning from his parents, was instead beating other kids; and sometimes adults for his territory, being a drug mule, and even to her increasing horror pit fights where the children beat each other half-to death while the adults bet on who would win.
"Never again will you have to endure that Naruto-kun." She whispered to him, "I promise that after we get the Reverie I will dedicate my time to fix the Fishman District, that's a promise so that no one can ever go through any of that ever again."
After putting the young tiger shark fishman to bed, and tucking him in, Otohime gently kissed his forehead with a smile and left him to sleep. After shutting the door she was surprised to see Jinbe almost in front of her.
"Sorry to disturb you my Queen." The former captain of The Sun Pirates apologized. "But I had a feeling you would be with the young one after the 'incident' with the royal armor." He held in a small chuckle when he remembered seeing several dozen knights in that horrendous armor chasing after a certain blond.
"You would be right Jinbe," Otohime responded, "So how have the negotiations with the World Noble been? Did you finally convince him to finally forgive Naruto?"
"I did." The Knight of the Sea boldly lied to her.
Placing her right hand on her chest, the queen sighed in relief. "That's good. Thank you Jinbe."
"Is it all right for me to see him?"
"I'm sorry but I just put him to bed, he…had a mentally exhausting day." Seeing the whale shark fishman raise an eyebrow Otohime explained what she meant. "Naruto told me exactly what goes on in the Fishman District."
"I see." Jinbe winced a bit. Compared to many others like Arlong or Macro, he was one of the lucky ones, because of his size he wasn't a target for muggings or the usual beat downs, he joined Neptune's military as soon as he reached the appropriate age, and basically got out of the life before it could even pull him in. "I'll speak with him another time then, farewell my queen." Bowing as low as he could the gigantic fishman walked away.
A week later we find Naruto and Shirahoshi in the garden where they first officially met. But he wasn't exactly a happy camper with the gigantic mermaid constantly decorating his head with flowers.
"Is this really necessary Shira-chan?" Naruto asked while his right eyebrow twitched in annoyance. Everyone was watching them, the guards sniggering as the young princess continued to place another crown of flowers on his head, making him look like he had a multicolored afro.
"Of course it is Naru-chan, it makes you look so pretty!" Shirahoshi giggled in response.
"I must agree, it does make you look rather pretty Naruto-chan." His right eye twitching in severe annoyance Naruto turned his head to see Fukaboshi coming towards them, a playful smile on his face, and a golden trident clutched in his right hand.
"Very funny Prince Fukaboshi, very funny." The blond tiger shark fishman gritted out and turned his eye's away in annoyance. "What's with the trident? You going to try out for the guard or something?"
"Not after what you did to them." Fukaboshi replied to him. "But now that I'm older, father said that it would be a good idea for me to start practicing with my weapon of choice." Stamping the butt of the weapon on the ground he gave a massive grin. "So like my father I chose the trident, you better hurry Naruto or you'll never surpass me."
"Oh yea!" Naruto jumped to his feet and gave an intimidating stare that horribly failed due to his flower afro. "I haven't been sitting on my butt during my entire stay here. Every day I work on my cardio and the muscles in my arms, I'll catch up to you soon!"
Shaking his head in an amused manner the first prince knew that the blond wasn't boasting like his younger brothers. Underneath his white yakuta was a body that was quite sturdy, not remotely muscular because of his young age, but not fat either. "Maybe one day Naruto, but right now I need you take your wig off and have the two of you follow me."
Sticking his tongue out at the elder merman the blond took the monstrous flower ornament off his head, and followed the first son of the king with the giant child mermaid trailing beside him. After exiting the garden the two children following the teenager entered a hallway adorned with literally hundreds of paintings couldn't help but stare at the various large scale portraits of members of the royal family, various knights from the past, and a few...humans.
The four most striking portraits were one of King Neptune when he was in his prime, granted he was still a giant, and had a shorter beard, but he was quite fetching in his armor.
The second was a tall pale blue-skinned blue shark fishman with small, round white eyes, gill-like facial markings under his eyes and on his shoulders, and sharp triangular teeth. His hair that was a dull blue color was in the form of a shark fin. While he was wearing the Royal Knights armor his weapon of choice was something rather unusual. It looked like a sword, a very big sword, almost as tall as the wielder actually. From what Naruto saw at the tip of the giant sword's handle was a small skull, but oddly enough the entire blade was wrapped in thick bandages.
The third had two human men in it. The first was a tall man who wore a long red captain's coat and a red captain's hat with a jolly roger depicting a smiling skull with a thick curvy mustache on its upper lip and two bones behind it. Beneath his coat, he wore a blue shirt and had a green sash around his waist. He had a white cravat around his neck, wore dark blue pants, and what appeared to be black sea boots. The man's most prominent physical features were thick black chin-length black hair, a curved black mustache, a fierce grin, and intense black eyes which showed an unyielding spirit.
The second was a broad chested muscular man with short strawberry blond hair, round glasses and black facial hair, which were arranged in four stripe-like patterns across his lower jaw, and a scar over his right eye. He was wearing a t-shirt with an ornately decorated collar, white pants and a simple pair of black sandals.
Finally the last painting held another human…an abnormally large human, in fact it looked like he even towered over Jinbe, but unlike The Knight of the Sea he was well-proportioned. The man had a long face, ploughed because of the advanced age with many wrinkles around his yellow eyes, a white crescent-shaped mustache and was very muscular, and had many scars running along his chest. The man wore a black bandanna around his head and adorned himself with a white captain's coat which hung loosely from his broad shoulders, and wore light, loose pants tucked inside his large black boots, and a dark blue sash around his waist. Finally, clutched in his large right hand was a massive bisento.
"Brother Fukaboshi where are you taking us? And what's up with all these paintings?" Shirahoshi asked as she looked in awe at the marvelous paintings.
Looking over to his gigantic sister the first son of Neptune grinned. "I'm taking you both to the gallery dear sister it's where many works of art are created here by none other than the Montissard family for generations."
"But why are we heading there?" Naruto questioned.
"You'll find out soon."
Bringing his lower lip out in a mock pout Naruto crossed his arms and continued to follow the shark merman.
Soon enough the three entered a large, lavished room with red silk curtains, royal furniture, and to Naruto and Shirahoshi's surprise and horror was a, extremely tan two-spot octopus merman almost the size of King Neptune. It wasn't his species, but what he was wearing. He was for the better term feminine, with a womanly face and long curly blond hair tied off into a ponytail he could easily be passed off as a woman…except for his flamboyant clothes, which consisted of a baby blue beret, an orange ascot tied around his neck, a neon pink shirt with white roses adorning the silk fabric that was buttoned down to reveal his chest, a royal purple sash, and cherry red sunglasses that covered his eyes.
Noticing the three entering the room the odd merman smiled and bowed towards the three. "Prince Fukaboshi, zet is good to see you arrived on time, ze others were getting zancy." He greeted them with an odd accent.
"Thank you Montague, we honestly can't thank you enough for doing this on such short notice." Fukaboshi replied to the octopus merman.
"Zink nothing of it my prince, for zen generations my family haz painted for ze Royal Family, zet is alwayz a pleasure, especially when zet's a family portrait."
"Paint?" Naruto asked. "I'm sorry mister painter, but if this is a family portrait why am I here?"
"I think that is obvious." Otohime's voice replied as the doors in the room opened, revealing the rest of the Royal Family.
"What's obvious?" The blond asked in confusion.
Giggling in response the queen practically floated over to him, and kneeled down to his eye level. "Naruto we all have been talking, and we all decided to be your new parents." The blonde's heart stopped, and his mouth was agape.
"My…what?"
"Hoh hoh hoh hoh!" Neptune let out his unique laugh. "Naruto my boy, what my wife is trying to say is we would like you to be part of our family. Would you like that?"
His blue eyes widening in complete surprise Naruto turned his head towards Fukahoshi, the eldest of the three brothers who were always kind and respected him, he smiled and nodded his head. He then looked over to Manboshi and Ryuboshi, the two brothers who tussled with him at times but always made him laugh when he was feeling down; they gave him their usual goofy grins and a giant thumbs up. Then looking up at Shirahoshi, the young mermaid who already treated him no differently than the others, eagerly nodding her head up and down waiting his for his answer. And finally the King and Queen, the two who brought him into their home, and treated him like he was one of their own were giving him inviting smiles.
"I…" Naruto began with a flustered look, "I thought I was already part of the family."
Letting out a loud laugh Neptune brought his giant arms out to the sides, "Then come over here, and let it be official my boy!"
Immediately a loud clapping noise echoed throughout the room, darting their eyes they saw Montague with massive anime-styled tears falling from his glasses covered eyes. "Veautiful! Zimply veautiful! Everyone gather together I must zaint this!" Pulling a gigantic easel, white canvas, and painting supplies from behind his back, which Neptune instantly concluded was some sort of Devil Fruit power, he brought his right hand out with his paintbrush clenched in his fist and his thumb pointed up.
Deciding that a celebration would be held later the family gathered together for their first family portrait. Once in position Montague began painting with his gigantic brush, not only was he using his right hand, but he was also using six of his eight octopus legs. The image in front of his cherry red sunglasses coming to life, the texture, the shadowing, the pure raw emotion on the family's faces.
Hours passed in what seemed like minutes, the flamboyant artist was perspiring, his blond hair matted, and his glasses slipped to the bridge of his nose exposing his bright green eyes, but his smile never faded once. Finally letting out a sigh the octopus merman took a final look at the painting and placed his painting materials behind his back. "Zeet is done!" He happily announced.
Turning the easel around to face the family he took in great delight at seeing their satisfied smiles at his latest masterpiece.
At the top of was the humongous king, Neptune smiling with his eye's curved and arms crossed.
At his left and right were Ryuboshi and Manboshi, flexing their muscles which looked rather comically.
In the center was Shirahoshi and Fukaboshi, Fukuboshi in front of the giant mermaid and crossing his arms like his father and smiling. Shirahoshi had her chin on the shark merman, her smiling beaming like a sun.
And below Shirahoshi and Fukaboshi was Otohime with her hands cupped and in front in an elegant pose. Her smile was the brightest of all as she stared out.
And next to her and below all of them was Naruto, who was weeping tears of joy. Even though it looked as if he was wailing, he was immensely happy due to his open vibrant blue eyes. For he now had a new family.
One more week passed by, and come Monday all the inhabitants of Fishman Island were crowding around the entrance to the island. Today every man and women were glaring at the World Noble beginning to board the ship to the surface, after a month of recovering from his wounds Saint Mjosgard was finally wearing his recently repaired suit with a yarukiman resin bubble around his head so he didn't have to breathe the same air as 'lowly commoners', especially with what he viewed as an inferior race. But it didn't help that his forehead was wrapped in gauze, he was missing a tooth, or that his right hand was completely encased in plaster, preventing anyone from seeing his missing fingers.
"I won't forget this, you stinking fish!" Saint Mjosgard snarled at the collective crowd. "The nerve of it all, the livestock turning on their masters."
"What right does he have to resent us after we saved his life?" One knight of the Royal guard muttered angrily. "We shouldn't send that bastard back, it will only bring danger to the island."
"I know what you me-" The knight next to him started to reply, but was interrupted by Otohime bumping into him.
"Wait, please!" She called out to the World Noble. "It seems that we have much to discuss. I will accompany you to the surface."
"Wait right there Otohime!" Neptune bellowed, following after her. "I cannot allow such a reckless act! If you are truly intent on negotiating with these nobles then I'll go myself." The king continued on in a desperate attempt to stop his wife from doing something that could easily endanger her because of her impulsive behavior.
Aladdin immediately turned to this king in surprise. "Your majesty! Certainly, I can't imagine you of all people getting would get captured by humans, but still…"
"No. It would be meaningless for you to go dear." The queen replied in a serious tone. "It must not be a powerful warrior like you, but a physically frail individual such as myself who goes to the surface and returns safely. That is the only way to prove that it is safe for our people in the world above! That way, we can show the world that our people are not warmongers but fellow sympathetic beings like surface dwellers as well."
Of course she was met with a lot of protests, from the citizens, the children and especially her husband. But Naruto, who was perched on Jinbe's shoulders, was quiet, unnaturally quiet. Jinbe could feel the complex emotions rolling off the tiger shark fishman, between the intense mistrust and hatred he had for the World noble, and the faint hope that his new mother would succeed.
He heard the queen give everyone her parting words and Mjosgard opening his mouth to no doubt object. But the warlord gave the man an intense glare that made him reel back before scoffing about their impudence.
'All according to plan, you will get your wish soon my queen.' The whale shark fishman thought to himself as he watched his queen depart with the noble.
Six days. For six days the entire kingdom was tense with worry and anxiety. Many didn't find a wink of sleep, most businesses were closed for the time being, but most importantly our hero was wracked with a bad feeling in his stomach. For six days he was restless, his body constantly in motion. For a good majority of the week he was always helping his new brothers keep Shirahoshi in good spirits.
But after having her constantly braiding flowers into his hair, squishing him with monstrous hugs and on one occasion putting him in a pink frilly dress Naruto knew that he couldn't continue on. He needed answers, and out of every inhabitant in the kingdom there was one person that could provide him the answers he desired.
And that was why he was sitting within the fancy building known as the Mermaid Café. Normally the smell of the various sweets and other delicious foods the café was known for would make his mouth moist and his stomach growl for them. But this visit was for business and not pleasure. So after being guided by one of the mermaids floating on one of the various bubbles to get around he was seated in a nice plush chair. After thanking the mermaid the tiger shark fishman squared his eyes onto the person in front of him.
In front of him was a mermaid sitting on a gigantic crimson couch. Not a regular mermaid mind you but one of the most important mermaids in the kingdom besides the queen and the princess for her fortune telling abilities. She was large, not as large as Shirahoshi, but easily towering over most of the mermaids in the Mermaid cove. She wore a purple blouse with a hood that covered most of her short black hair that was only buttoned in the middle, revealing her flat stomach and ample chest with a string of beads around her waist that stopped in the middle of her short fin shark tail. She had a kind smile that showed off her sharp teeth and blue eyes that resembled shark eyes.
"Ah! It's good to see you again Naruto-kun." The mako shark mermaid greeted him with a red lipstick smile. After being adopted by the Royal Family I feared that I may never see you again." The tiger shark shrugged.
"That's absurd Madame Shyarly I owe you too much of a great debt to just forget about your kindness." Naruto bowed his head towards her. "I wish I came under better circumstances, but-" Feeling a giant, but soft hand on his shoulder he peered up to see he owner of the café smiling at him with her sharp teeth.
"I know you're worried about the queen, we all are Naruto-kun," Shyarly said to him. "Queen Otohime will come back to us safe and sound tomorrow I promise you that."
"Was that a prediction?"
"You already know the answer young one, now head on home I'm sure little Shirahoshi's waiting for her newest oni-chan." Shyarly ruffled Naruto's hair for a brief moment and playfully shooed him from her room. After the tiger shark fishman left the café the mako shark mermaid brought her manicured hands to her head in sudden pain. She harshly gritted her teeth in order to not cry out in horror when she saw in front of her own eyes a shadowy figure with intense crimson eyes standing with twelve other figures with flames in the background.
"What in the world? No…no! He would never do that…There's no way!" She gasped out in denial.
One more day passed and like every prediction Madame Shirley made in her entire life came true once again. In a grand manner Otohime arrived on the ship she left on and through the tearful cries of her people the queen revealed to them a piece of paper signed by the Tenryuubito and the Gorosei themselves.
But on that day a tall slim build Japanese bullhead fishman with a prominent hunch that put his head on equal level with his shoulders, cat-like whiskers wearing a yellow fedora wit a purple band covering his black hair that was rounded into dreadlocks. He was wearing a broadly red and white horizontal-striped shirt under specialized green overalls for his four lanky legs.
"The Tamatebako?" He asked in glee as he revealed his sharp teeth.
"That's right Cap'n Vander Decken!" An unremarkable fishman replied. "A month's worth of waiting finally paid off, the guard that we paid off has confirmed that it's hidden somewhere in the palace."
"And it can cause anyone to age?"
"That's what our Intel says!" Another unremarkable fishman boasted.
"Could it, say," Vander Decken gave them a creepy face, and brought his right arm to waist level. "Turn a teensy little brat…into a fully grown, sexy lady?"
"I don't doubt it for a second." The first one nodded at the Captain of The Flying Pirates.
Letting out a laugh of glee the extremely odd-looking fishman began to prance around in some sort of victory dance. "That's it folks!" He proclaimed. "Our little problem is solved! With that box, I can marry Princess Shirahoshi right away I know it!" Pointing at a random crew member he barked out the order. "Steal me that Tamatebako right away!"
"Captain, the palace is impenetrable. But if you were to marry Shirahoshi first you would be able to get into the palace no problem, right?"
Gaining a shocked look Vander Decken reeled back before laughing a unique laugh. "Bahohoh! Man, you guys are smart! I'm lucky to have guys like you!" Placing his freakishly right webbed hand on his chin smiled about his future. "Yes, give that little cutie-patotie ten or twenty more years she'd grow into a proper beauty."
"She'll grow even more gigantic, though." One of the crew members deadpanned.
"So what! She's big-boned all right! I ain't got nothin' against large ladies! Besides, the ole saying the bigger the better is singing quite true for this situation!" The Captain spat back at him. "And once I'm Shirahoshi's husband…it will finally be mine! The power and wealth of the Royal Family my clan has sought after for generations!" Pulling a pen and some paper he then proclaimed, "All right! Let's start with the wedding invitations! On the double men!"
"Aren't you supposed to propose first, Captain Decken!" The crew screamed out in response before he could even start.
Meanwhile in the Gyoncord Plaza Queen Otohime was once again preaching to her people for what was hopefully the final time. Standing on the stage that she usually preached at she held up the paper high above her head signed by the World Nobles and the Gorosei.
"The word of the World Nobles and the Gorosei hold great sway…even at the Reverie of The Council of Kings!" She began her speech with noticeable relief in her voice. "And this is an official letter from them. This is what it says. 'For the sake of improving relations between humans and fishmen we support the proposal of the attached petition.' In other words if we gather enough signatures to submit at the next Reverie, then this piece of paper, will grant our proposal to put strength to be realistically put into action! Our relocation to the surface is no mere dream!"
Her words that were always worth their weight in gold stunned the residents of Fishman Island speechless. The Tenryuubito, possibly the most evil human beings in existence with the help of the Gorosei, though many never heard of them granted their support to their queen's long awaited proposal. In all honesty none of them knew what to think.
Clearing her throat Otohime finished off her speech that would wither make or break all her efforts at the coexistence with mankind. "All that we need now is to gather more signatures. I can only wait for all of you to make your decisions. And I beg of you to reach out for a life of harmony for a life on the surface, where we can achieve true peace!"
For several long seconds no one dared to move, time just seemed to stall, waiting for the proper response to a seven year long struggle. Otohime's smile began to fade slowly. Then it was finally broken when several children rushed to the stage and deposited their slips of paper into the crate that Otohime always had with her when she made her speeches. And almost immediately the gathered merfolk at her rally began handing in their own forms.
The goldfish mermaid was shocked. Touched by what the kindness of a few children can bring. Overjoyed that her ideal may one day soon be achieved!
Soon the small crate began overflowing with papers. And to Otohime's joy the Minister of the Right; a seahorse merman, her bodyguard and loyal supporter to her cause came floating to her rescue with a gigantic wicker basket in his sturdy hands. Seeing Otomime literally shedding tears of joy he gave her a thoughtful smile.
"Your majesty I see you are overcome by emotion. Please, take a seat and rest." Raising his arms in immense joy the merman bellowed to the people. "Come, everyone! This is the place to show your support to our queen's passionate endeavor!"
So overcome with emotion Otohime had to be escorted by the Minister of the Left and another guard to the castle, crying tears of joy all the way. And when she arrived at the palace she was bombarded by her family, Neptune with tears in his eyes and their biological children gave her the greatest and most loving hug that she ever received in her entire life. Even Naruto, who out of all of them had the best reason to oppose everything she worked for couldn't help but feel immense happiness for her accomplishment.
Little did they know that their happiness would be shattered by the glaring eyes spying on the happy family.
For days, the plaza was filled from across the land, eager to submit their signatures for Otohime's cause. But for the goldfish mermaid she was about to have a serious discussion with the oldest male siblings in her family.
"It was that moment," She began, "that I found the courage and assurance in myself that this country can truly change."
"That moment?" Fukaboshi asked.
"Yes, that day, when the Sea Kings peered into the island." Otohime clarified for them.
"Ah, yes! That certainly was a surprise!" Manboshi chirped up.
"It was Shirahoshi who called them, you know."
"Eh?"
Seeing their shocked faces the queen let out a soft giggle before reaching her right hand out to caress a passing fish, "We merfolk have the ability to understand the hearts of the ocean's fish, and to communicate with them, yes? But no mermaid has been able to communicate with those gigantic Sea Kings. That is beyond even your father, Neptune…the only person on this island able to communicate with whales. However, according to the records of the Royal Family…Once in every few centuries, a mermaid is born with the ability to understand and communicate even with the mighty Sea Kings."
"A mermaid who is able…to speak with Sea Kings." Fukaboshi crossed his arms over his barrel chest and reflected on what his mother was saying to them, while his other two brothers shouted in awe.
"And you're saying that's Shirahoshi mother?" Asked the shocked Manboshi.
"Wow! Amazing! I'd love to be able to on a Sea King's back on day!" Followed Ryuboshi.
"The same can be said for Naruto." Otohime continued to say, "Just like Shirahoshi every few hundred years a fishman is born with a great power within him. But unlike your sister who can communicate with Sea Kings, Naruto has the raw power of a Sea King."
"Raw power of a Sea King!" Manboshi's eyes nearly popped out of his head when he heard that.
"That is correct. Not only does he have their strength, anger and ferocity, but also a powerful alpha aura that would make even the most ferocious creatures submit to him. According to legend that is these two will meet a person to direct them onto the right path, and once the time came they would combine their powers to change the world."
"Our little Naruto and Shirahoshi changing the world!" Ryuboshi squeaked out in surprise. "Then maybe it'll help what you're trying to do, mother."
"I feel certain of it." Otohime smiled at them. "The power of love can save the lives of thousands if the will is strong enough. However is used wrongly, the power that those two hold is great enough to sink the world beneath the tides. They aren't aware of their abilities, and if anything were to happen to send the two of them into a panic or anger, like what you three saw that day, it is possible that in their current states, that they would both go on a mighty rampage."
"If they did that, then Fishman Island would be completely destroyed! What should we do, mother?" Ryuboshi asked.
"For the moment, I will do everything in my power to ensure that never happens. But I ask that you, my sons, grow to become fine warriors. And use that strength to protect them with your lives!"
"Of course mother! We will not fail you!" the three mermen bellowed out their promise.
But then on that exact same day, it happened. Suddenly, and without warning. The tens of thousands signatures caught fire. The entire plaza was in chaos, soldiers were frantically trying to save every piece of paper they could. Otohime, who brought her children to witness the fruits of her labor, was calling out for water.
A loud bang soon echoed throughout the area, several of the guards all too familiar with the sound of gun fire looked towards the source, for the shooter and if anyone was hit. The Minister of the Right brought is eyes towards the queen, to his horror he saw her clutching her bleeding chest and collapse to the ground. "Queen Otohime has been shot!"
"Where's the shooter! Who was it!" Aladdin barked out.
"There's a sniper lurking in the vicinity! Protect the Royal Family at all costs!" Jinbe barked out orders to several knights that were standing by him.
"Mother!" Fukuboshi yelled in shock. His brother's followed with similar shouts.
Shirahoshi was dead silent. Her eyes wide agape and her mouth frozen, her young pre-adolescnet mind still trying to wrap what has just occurred.
As the Minister of the Right cradled his queen in his arms and barking for a medic, Naruto was the first to reach her wounded body. His blue eyes already spilling tears down his face and his hands clutching her right hand that was stained with her freshly spilled blood. Even as his siblings crowded around her.
"Mother!" yelled the brothers save for Naruto, who still remained silent as his adoptive younger sister.
Otohime's eye's were half shut, as she drew deep breaths to help sustain her lungs.
"Queen Otohime!" Yelled out the civilian bystanders.
As Shirahoshi remained rooted, catatonic. A figure walked up to her. "Well well well, isn't this quite a ruckus." The figure, Vander Decken, raised his right hand, and placed it on Shirahoshi's lower left arm. "Quite a terrible predicament. Don'tcha agree? Princess?"
A nearby guard spotted Decken and raised his pistol. "Who are you! Stay away from the princess scum!" He fired, but missed as the four legged fishman scampered away.
"Mother are you alright?" Wailed the oarfish merman.
"We'll get you to a hospital in no time! Hang in there!" Assured Manboshi.
Fukuboshi was different thoughts as he released a low threatening growl. "Who could have done this!" And his face contorted to one of anger and fury, his teeth bared. "I'll make them pay! I'll make them pay!"
Beside the slowly dying queen, the adoptive son of the Royal Family was slowly breathing in an out. His teeth were clenched and bared, and although his hair covered his eye's, they were slowly being covered by a shade of red. Yet he did not clench his mother's hand tighter, despite some veins bulging within his arms.
Yet Otohime raised her hands, one onto Fukuboshi's trident, the other to cup Naruto's cheek.
"Stay by my side…my angels…and please wipe those horrid looks off your faces…"
"Your Majesty…You need treatment!"
"I let my guard down…I was just…so happy…to finally have all those signatures…I did not…" She gave a wheeze. "Fukuboshi…Naruto…if there is anyone who…should be bitter…it should be me, not you…"
Yet despite her plea, Naruto could not listen to her, her voice becoming faded. He did not know it, but his slowly rising fury was clouding him. He did not listen to his two brother's wails, but through his hair he saw his sister.
The same sister who annoyed him on hours end with creating flower crown, hugs, and giggles…About to burst in agonizing tears.
"M-Mother…" Somehow the blonde tiger shark could hear her, even if his fury distorting his hearing, and as if on que, his hearing slowly began to return to him. Manboshi and Ryuboshi turned towards her, then back to Naruto's slowly reddening eyes and bulging veins and saw that she was about to begin to lament, and remembered.
"If anything were to happen to send the two of them into a panic or anger, like what you three saw that day, it is possible that in their current states, that they would both go on a mighty rampage."
And Shirahoshi and Naruto screamed. But the latter's sounded more like a roar filled with sorrow.
"Shirahoshi! Naruto! Wait!"
But suddenly their screams cut short, Shirahoshi's tear filled eye's slowly reopening and Naruto's widening in shock.
Two of his adopted brothers…they were…with tears clouding their vision and runny noses…
"AKKAMAMBO! AKKAMAMBO! LOOK LOOK NARUTO! EVERYTHING WILL BE ALRIGHT! AKKAMAMBO AKKAMAMBO! HEY HEY SHIRAHOSHI EVERYTHING'S AS COOL AS NIGHT! AKKAMAMBO~! IT'LL BE OKAY! EVERYTHING IS ALRIGHT WHEN YOU MAMBO-DANCE OH YEAH~!" Shouted Manboshi at the top of his lungs, dancing and singing, even as he continued to shed his tears.
"AHHHH, WHAT FUN SUCH FUN! NOTHING CAN BE WRONG! NARUTO SHIRAHOSHI LET US SING THIS SONG! THE FOUR OF US ARE ALWAYS WITH YOU BOTH LA-TI-DO!"
"Young princes!" Shouted the Minister of the Left. "What on earth you-"
Shirahoshi stopped her tears, and Naruto brushed his hair back, revealing his blue and red eyes. Not reddened by the power of the Sea King within but with tears. His mouth agape. His much bigger sister was clamped shut.
"Someone stop the princes! The trauma has made them gone mad!" Yelled the Minister of the Right, as knights and guards gathered around and tried to hold them down.
"WATCH ON MOTHER! EVERYTHING WILL BE ALRIGHT!" People couldn't tell if Manboshi was shouting, more like wailing even as his visage stilled contained that strained smile.
"SIBLINGS STICK TOGETHER THROUGH AND THROUGH! TO PROTECT THAT WE DO LA-TI-DO!" Ryuboshi was having as much as a hard time as his fellow brother, looking up in order to avoid looking at the slowly growing pool of blood at his mother's side.
Shirahoshi continued to sob, not on the level as before. She gazed in amazement at her brothers.
"You…two…you are…" Muttered the blond tiger shark as tears wept from his own eyes. 'How…can such people contain such great strength, even in a situation such as this?'
Fukuboshi had similar thoughts, as he silently sobbed, yet his gaze held nothing but the highest of admiration towards his brothers.
"Stop this at once! Can't you see the condition her Majesty is in."
And Naruto gazed down and gasped. His adoptive mother, the Queen of Ryugyu Kingdom…was giving the most happiest smile he has ever seen her bear. Naruto saw Otohime's green eyes staring into his blue ones, a smile on her face even though she was so wracked with pain. Gently squeezing his hand within hers as if to tell him not to worry he saw the life leave her eyes.
"No…no, not again. Please God not her. Anyone…anyone but her…" He whispered out in denial. Otohime reopened her eyes, and placed two fingers and lips and gave a kiss, then placed those fingers onto Naruto's own as he gasped. She gave another smile. Naruto could hear his older brother. Claiming how they will all grow up to become strong warriors, recollect the signatures, and protect Shirahoshi with their lives.
The tiger shark couldn't agree more.
"We are…so close!" Otohime whispered. "I know…that all of you…can reach the light of the sun!"
All of the bystanders and pedestrians began to weep, as did the Ministers. But not the Royal family, who connected their fingers.
"THEY KILLED HER!" He heard a voice echo over the plaza. Looking upwards Naruto saw none other than Hody Jones, holding by the neck in his powerful right hand was a human. "A HUMAN KILLED OUR QUEEN!"
Xxx
One the day of Queen Otohime's funeral, when everyone thought that things couldn't get any worse, it unfortunately did. A letter was sent to Shirahoshi, not by mail, or even a delivery fish, no it flew straight through the castle walls. When the princess showed it to Neptune, it was discovered to be a love letter of all things! Seeing that it was from Vander Decken, Neptune forbade the children from attending his wife's funeral for the fear of another assassination attempt.
That was why they were standing in front of a camera dressed in black funeral tuxedos. Prince Fukaboshi being the most charismatic of the siblings giving his speech about inheriting his mother's will.
"Before she died, my mother said that the real 'sun' is within sight. Maybe our hearts won't make it in time for the Reverie due in two years. But there's another one in six, and another in ten years. We decided that we will inherit our mother's will, even if it takes up our whole lifetime." Pausing for a bit the first son let his words sink in to the mourners watching the broadcast. "Some of you probably changed their minds because of this incident. We will destroy the remaining signatures! We will start again, from scratch. And one day…when everybody's hearts are healed let's dream of the 'sun' once again!"
It would be later in the day when Jinbe met with Naruto. As the Shichibukai peered down at the tiger shark fishman who held the power of the Sea King, he saw the boy's eyes. No longer were they the bright and shining blue orbs that he remembered, they were the eyes of a broken man who lost everything. And Jinbe couldn't help but feel for him, not only did he lose his real parents at a young age, but after enduring the harsh reality of the Fishman District, being adopted by the Royal Family and then losing the person who treated him no differently than her own children…honestly Jinbe didn't want to see anyone who looked good after what he experienced.
"Boss Jinbe…I have a favor to ask you." Naruto whispered out. Looking straight at the whale shark fishman he clenched his fists. "I ask…no I beg you to take me as your pupil."
Not at all surprised at the request the former Captain of the Sun Pirates kept his stoic features and looked down at the boy.
"Are you sure Naruto-kun? If I were to take you as a pupil you will be thrust head long into the ugly truth of the world, whatever innocence you have now will be taken from you. Destroyed. I will take you, but I will demand one-hundred percent commitment from you if you are to master the ways of Fishman Karate, but the question is are you ready for this?" The tiger shark hid his eyes behind his hair as he held his head down.
"My innocence was destroyed years ago and I don't care what happens to me now." Naruto replied. "A madman has targeted my sister…I can't protect her…I can't protect anyone as I am now. I'm ready for anything you throw at me. So please…" He raised it back up, determined eye's blazing. Jinbe nodded.
"Then so be it."
Armageddon: Finally! Thank God this chapter is over with.
Pvt. Leaf Ranger: Dude was it really that bad?
Armageddon: Damn right it was! I'm all for realism and bringing about tragedies, but this chapter, which I thought would take maybe a few days at most took a week and a half.
Pvt. Gold: Well I see that the writing style differs from usual, did you get a beta reader?
Lt. RasenganFin: Pfft. Armageddon getting a beta? He has never had one in the entire existence of being an author.
Armageddon: Actually I did get one.
Everyone: Say what!
Armageddon: *clears his throat* It's true everyone I would like to personally thank Zaru for putting up with me and helping me out with this chapter...and future ones to come. Now normally I spell check my stuff out my myself, you know the usual errors, but this story is the first of its kind...and to tell the truth I honestly couldn't write out Ryuboshi and Manboshi doing that dance of theirs, but only because there was no way I could properly describe how...hell even now I cannot express how I feel about it.
Pvt. Liquor: Uhh that's good and all, but there are already One Piece and Naruto crossovers.
Sgt. Shadowtrayster: *Whacks him over the head, leaving an anime-style knot on his noggin* Of course there are crossovers in that department, but what he is saying is that this is the FIRST where Naruto is a fucking fishman!
Pvt. Fox: That's right, hell so far twenty people are impressed by it.
Armageddon: And I hope to keep it that way! From here on out this story will be completely original, there will be parts where he will participate in the canon arcs, but for the most part it will be original. That includes attacks, the crew members that Agurra of the Darkness and I have agreed upon, the ship, personal vendetta's, character deaths...well ones that I see fit, and many other things you guys will undoubtedly like. So enjoy because I'm going to sleep!
Pvt. VFSNAKE: Hold it! You're forgetting the story shout out!
Armageddon:...oh right. Well folks I haven't had much time to read some stories lately, heak I still need to finish up the Orc King by R. A. Salvatore so I can finally read the Neverwinter book that just came out. So umm aww hell read The Laughing Fox by Lord Dragon Claw, because it's the first to my knowledge to have Naruto being raised by my favorite Batman villain the Joker.