The blinding light that streamed through the window is what woke him up even though he was still tired and could fall asleep instantly if it wasn't for the sun, he glared at the glass window which only made his eyes hurt and gave himself a headache.
"Your funny you know that?" Giggled a young girl who was sat beside his bed, Naruto not realising there was someone else in the room nearly jumped out of the bed which only caused the girl to giggle more.
"It's impolite to scare people without even knowing them, ya' know?" Naruto sighed seeing that whatever he did only made the girl laugh more. Looking out of the window he could see the vast city that he found himself in. "Where am I?"
The girl looked at him with a funny look as if he had two heads.
"Well you're in Dressrosa of course, where else could we be?" The young girl stated as if Dressrosa was the only place in the world.
"I've never heard of a place like that, anyway who are you?"
"Well my name's Viola and your in Dressrosa the best place in the world, it's the most beautiful city in the world if a say so myself."
"Well how many places have you visited then?" Viola upon hearing what Naruto said staggered seeming to be caught out.
"Well, I haven't been any where else apart from the next island over."
"So it's not the best place in the world." Naruto stated with flat town, turning around Viola slowly walked to Naruto's side then lifted her fist and punched his head.
"Shut up! Your so mean even after I saved you" Viola barked out then dramatically fell onto Naruto's bed.
"You saved me? Really?" He asked with a raised eyebrow, Viola upon hearing this breathed in through her noise and started smacking Naruto on top of his head again.
"Of course I did you big idiot! Who else could of saved you! You were about half dead when I got to you!" Viola ranted until the door on the opposite side of the room opened with two people walking in.
"You know Viola when someone is in a hospital they usually don't come out worse then before" a girl with pink hair and hazel eyes said with a laugh.
"Viola get off him this instance! That is no way to treat an injured person" barked the second person who entered the room, he was a older looking man with grey hair but was very tall and well built.
"Nah, it's all good gramps" Naruto said while waving his hand and rubbing the back of his neck, both girls stared at him with wide eyes before looking back at their father. Looking at the girls Naruto had a questioned look on his face. "Was it something I said?"
The older man just let out a loud laugh while holding his belly before looking at the girls with a hard gaze.
"Scarlet please occupy your sister while I talk to our injured friend" Scarlet nodding took Viola's before guiding her out the room with Viola turning back and waving goodbye to Naruto who waved back.
"Son, do you know where you are?" Naruto looked at him for a second before nodding his head. "No I mean do you know 'where' you actually are?"
Naruto looking down tightened his grip on the blankets before shaking his head, the man sighed before taking a seat next to the bed.
"My name's Doldo and where you are is my kingdom Dressrosa, the girls who just left are my daughters who are the princess of this country." Hearing this Naruto's eyes widened.
'To think I was talking to royalty, just my luck to get executed on my first day away.' Naruto thought as he prepared himself to face the worse.
"I'm not going to hurt you, if that's what you think" Doldo said with a slight chuckle. "If anything you were more hurt than I could ever make you, how did you survive those injuries boy? Most of your injuries have healed themselves but your scars have stayed."
Looking down at himself Naruto noticed rough lumpy skin on his shoulders and one on his stomach, he traced his fingers over his scars as they filled him with the memories of his battle.
"What's your name son?" Naruto breathed in and out trying to dispel the memories of what had unfolded.
"My names Naruto, Uzumaki D. Naruto."
"Well Naruto can you tell me where you're from so we can get you back?" Naruto looked up to Doldo and shook his head turning away.
"I can't go back, not after that, I'll just be killed if I did go back."
"What about those scars, they wouldn't have something to do with it would it."
"I got them in battle to escape Wano" Doldo's eyes widened not having heard of the name of the country in years. "I can't go back! Please don't make me go back!"
Naruto's eyes started to water as he tried to get out of the bed but instead found himself falling onto the floor in a heap, looking back up at Doldo he saw him looking down upon him before bending over and grabbing him then putting him back on the bed.
"I won't make you go back, I would be a horrible person to do that but I don't know what I can do for you." Doldo said as he stood up and started to think of what to do. That was until the door started creaking and then swung open with both Scarlet and Viola falling in a heap.
Doldo didn't look impressed at the girls attempt to eavesdrop onto their conversation, the girls just smiled sheepishly before standing up and brushing off the soot and dirt. Viola who was thinking for a second went wide eyed and had a massive smile on her face as if she solved the problem.
"I know! I know! He can become my personal ninja because you're from Wano right and that's where all the ninja are right! Right!" Viola shouted as she hopped up and down with excitement at the thought of having a ninja.
"Now, now Viola you can't just go and enslave the boy now can you" Doldo laughed as he looked over to Naruto who looked scared to even speak out against Viola.
"Please Dad, Please, please can I have a ninja" Viola said still bouncing up and down waiting for an answer.
"Now, now don't go asking me, I'm not the one who you'll be enslaving. You have to ask Naruto instead." Doldo said as the three members of the Riku family turned towards Naruto who looked like a deer caught in the headlights.
Naruto at first was going to out right refuse but upon seeing Viola who was giving him puppy dog eyes caved in.
"Fine I'll do it as long as I have a place to stay."
"Of course that'll be easy, you'll be staying in the palace with us as Viola's personal guard and will be trained daily so that you can protect her" Doldo stated, Viola realising her wish was granted jump onto the bed and hugged Naruto snuggling up to him.
"But first to make sure you're worthy of this mantle you'll have to fight the winning gladiator of next month games." Both girls immediately stopped and looked at there father as if he was crazy, Naruto not knowing who it was but confident in his abilities had a massive grin on his face.
"No problems!" He shouted with both girls falling down at how unaware he was of what was to come, while Doldo just laughed at the scene.
It had been two weeks since the agreement between Doldo and Naruto, and Naruto had only been cleared to leave the infirmary yesterday. His first steps out of his bed were wobbly with him tripping over himself multiple times before finding a rhythm, he was meet by the giggle show of Viola when he was attempting to walk again and he had been annoyed by her being constantly at his side with her only excuse being that he was her guard so she had to be with him. If anything Naruto would of thought she was his his guard.
Though that had been yesterday Naruto now found himself sitting on the lawn of the palace court yard basking in the sun as he sat cross legged with his hands out trying to push out his claws like they had come out in his last two times in battle.
Quickly growing impatient of nothing happening he groaned as he fell onto his back and looked up at the clouds that dotted the blue sky. Reaching out a hand he moved his fingers around the fluffy clouds as they slowly moved along, getting quickly bored of his own day dreams he huffed and slashed his hand to the side.
Unknown to Naruto where he slashed the cloud that he was once tracing cut into two and started drifting apart, feeling a weird sensation in his palm he looked down at it and amazingly his palm seemed to glow yellow slightly. Looking back up in the air to the sky he was even more confused when he saw the cloud was now in two, reaching out his hand once again, this time glowing yellow, grabbed the cloud. Opening his hand again the cloud was now a perfect circle as if it was ball, pinching the ball with two fingers he felt the sensation of feeling something between his fingers.
Naruto started to slowly move his hand around and to his amazement the cloud moved with him, getting an idea he looked around at the other clouds that littered the sky before focusing on the biggest one. With the cloud he had already in his hand he throw the ball cloud at the normal cloud and when they came into contact with each other they exploded with white confetti.
"What you doing" Scarlet asked from the entrance of the court yard, she was looking at him funnily as he had his hands out in front him as if he was doing magic.
"Hey Scarlet, come here" Naruto gestured for her to come over, as she made her way over to him Naruto wondered if what he was about to do was stupid. He put those thoughts aside as she finally reached him. "Here look up at the sky"
"What are you talking about Naruto" she said with a giggle as she looked up at the sky.
"Here, here look, ready now don't look away from the sky." Naruto looked around and saw some clouds not to far away, reaching out he grabbed a handful and pulled them to where Scarlet was looking. Gasping Scarlet couldn't believe her eyes as these to clouds sky moved around the sky.
"Keep looking, now watch this" he said as he started to mould the clouds as if they were clay, Scarlet looked on amazed at what Naruto was doing and how he was controlling the clouds making them move around and changing shape.
"Let's see how my skills are in making a horse." Naruto spent a few seconds moving the clouds around and forming different shapes until he liked the look of it.
Smiling to himself as he proudly revealed the clouds to Scarlet he was instantly meet with a wave of laughter from her as she tumbled to the ground holding her stomach, looking back up at the clouds he had made it was only then that he realised how bad he was at moulding.
What was suppose to be a horse turned out to be more looking like a dog with long thin legs and a funny looking head. Laughing at his own failure of an attempt he fell down next to Scarlet who was still laughing, Scarlet turned her head towards Naruto as she stopped laughing but started smiling.
"You do know what you are getting yourself into Naruto, right?" She questioned with a smile. "Having to go up against the best gladiator which will almost certainly be Kyros, the only undefeated gladiator."
"I don't particularly care who I face, I just need a safe place to stay, I guess"
"Well if you win I'll be happy, Viola needs someone like you. She gets very lonely at times with being isolated and tutored privately, but I think you'll do her some good."
"I thought I was her guard?" He asked with a confused look which got more laughter out of her.
"You're a pretty good person, you'll be good for Viola" she said with a wink.
"Huh?" Naruto said even more confused now then he was before.
"CRASH"
A thunderous noise came from within the palace making Naruto go on edge and sit up as he looked over at the entrance, Scarlet behind him just propped herself onto her side and watched what was about to unfold.
"I'd get prepared if I was you" Scarlet smirked as the noise seem to quickly get louder, standing up Naruto slowly made his way up to the entrance of the court yard leaving Scarlet to watch.
He could hear the sound of foot steps race towards him and it was as he stood in the middle of the entrance was that he was speared tackled to the ground.
"NINJA! Let's play, I'm done learning for the day! C'mon!" Viola yelled as she sat on top of Naruto's smaller frame.
"Can't breath" he wheezed out, Naruto could hear Scarlets laughter as he silently cursed her.
"Be careful with him Viola, he's only five!" Scarlet yelled out as Viola raced away with Naruto in hand.
The day of the colosseum battle was wet and dreary with dark grey clouds covering sky completely as rain pelted down, this weather however did not deter the crowds from showing up to the stadium to watch this months battle. Excited chatter went around the stadium as the last few people made their way to seats.
"Are you people excited for this months battle!" The commentator Gatz screamed into the microphone as a wave of excited voices roared over the stadium. "Well let's get straight into it, of course our defending gladiator Kyros will go against any who wishes to dethrone him!"
As Kyros walked out onto the stage of the arena, it was completely surrounded by water except for the entrance and if anyone was knocked into the water they would being declared out, and the roar of the crowd was deafening as boo's and insults were thrown at him as he waited for his opponent.
As his first opponent walked out they seemed to be an average fighter so he immediately took them on once Gatz announced the start of the match.
The Riku family who were at the stadium also, watched on from the royal viewing which was a box that sat in the middle of the stands and had the best view of the action.
"When's Naruto coming out! It's taking forever!" Viola yelled as she stamped her feet.
"Now keep patient this is no way how a princess should act" Doldo chided her as he sat and continued to watch the fight that was going on.
Viola giving up on her father turned to her sister who was sat watching the fight with a dreamy smile on her face, Viola slowly started to lean her chair over towards Scarlet to try and get her to notice her but before that could happen the chair that she was leaning slipped making her plant head first into the ground.
Scarlet now snapped out of her stupor quickly picked her up and placed Viola on her knee just as Viola's tears started streaming out.
"That was stupid and you know it, so stop crying and watch the fight so you don't miss Naruto" with the mention of Naruto Viola quickly snapped back to watching the fight intently watching.
As time went on Kyros just keep going as if he was machine built for fighting with every person he went up against coming to the same end but in different ways.
The crowd even though they were still throwing insults at Kyros they loved every bit of the action that was given to them, by this time the rain had ceased and the sun creeped out from behind the clouds.
"Ladies and Gentlemen it is now time for the last fight of the day! Can this warrior have a result different to those before!" Gatz yelled into the mic as the crowd got to its loudest point of the whole day.
The last fighter of the day walked out of the entrance and started to walk along the bridge to the stage, the fighter was small and not looking to be very old. They wore a silver breast plate along with dark orange shorts, their shoulders and arms were exposed as they came out of the armour but it didn't seem to bother them.
In their hand was a sword that looked to big for them as they dragged it along the ground grinding making a horrible screeching noise. Once arriving opposite of Kyros they grabbed the sword with both hands wobbling as they tried to lift it.
Kyros who seemed to be unamused about the child that was standing in front turned towards the royal box looking up at Doldo and giving him an annoyed frown while Daldo just smiled and gestured to keep going.
"YOU CAN DO IT NARUTO!" Viola screamed from the royal box while having a massive smile and giving Naruto a thumbs up. Naruto who looked up at the royal box smirked back to Viola nodding his head.
The bell for the fight rung as they began and Naruto immediately charged towards Kyros swinging his sword at him, Kyros looking down at Naruto just sighed and used his sword to knock Naruto's sword out of his hand making him fall with the motion.
"Immediately the challenger seems to be down and out" Gatz yelled from the commentary booth, straight after that statement Naruto got back up not even bothering to get his sword and charged at Kyros.
Naruto quickly closed the gap between himself and Kyros and went to punch him, to which Kyros readied himself to hit Naruto again, but Naruto slid last second. Sliding through Kyros legs and behind him Naruto jumped to hit him but to everyone surprise claws grew from Naruto's fingers with the blue energy pouring out of his hand, he slashed at Kyros armoured back leaving a deep scratch along it.
The stadium sat in stunned silence as this young boy no older than five had just landed a hit on the undefeated Kyros who to was stunned at being hit by a mere child.
The crowd roared to life as they had just witnessed a piece of Dressrosa history, people in the stands immediately started to shout encouragement to Naruto to keep fighting.
As Naruto landed on his feet he was quickly confronted by Kyros, who seemed furious, swinging his sword at Naruto much harder than the other times which Naruto blocked with his claws than jumped back.
Kyros not letting Naruto get a second of rest to regain himself went on the offensive again slashing at Naruto which he parried away easily.
Raising his sword Kyros slashed it diagonally at Naruto who pushed his left hand out making the sword move slightly but enough to put Kyros off balance making him stumble slightly.
Naruto jumping on the opportunity and slashed at Kyros hitting his golden helmet cutting it in half and than once again jumping back preparing for the counterattack by Kyros.
Kyros stood still not moving as he felt his helmet slide in half off his head, he couldn't believe that this child had cut him twice and not only that but putting him off balance through his werid powers.
'Devil fruit powers?' He thought but quickly dashed the thought due to him having claws already and with people not being able to have two Devil powers without combusting on themselves there must of been another reason. 'Was I sloppy?'
"Boy! You have my respect but this is not you fight to win." Kyros called out over to Naruto which was meet with jeers and insults from the crowd about him being a sore loser.
"Shut up idiot! I need to win this, no I will win this!" Naruto yelled back at Kyros before charging at him, at this point Naruto's blue energy had consumed him completely.
Naruto ran twice as fast as he had before and then he jumped at Kyros slashing at him, the force pushed Kyros back even though he had blocked.
Naruto becoming more unhinged as he willed himself on to win started to become sloppy, taking hits instead of blocking and being on the offensive rather than being defensive leaving him open to easy counter attacks by Kyros which quickly tired Naruto out.
Naruto panted as he looked about half dead with scratches littering his body, where his breastplate once was now was on the ground cut into multiple pieces. His scars now on full view to the spectators made a few gasp in surprise that a child of his age had such scars while others nodded and appreciated him more as a warrior.
In the royal box both princess were in a somber mood at seeing Naruto's scars for the first time properly, both Viola and Scarlet thought back to the day they found him and how badly injured he was.
'Don't give up Naruto!' Viola thought as she tightened the grip she had on her chair as she silently prayed that Naruto would win.
"Give up now boy! You are in no state to fight! You have nothing more to prove, please surrender so I don't have to hurt you" Kyros plead not wishing to continue the beating he was giving.
"I'll never give up!" He yelled back as he once again raced towards Kyros for a decisive blow.
Sighing Kyros prepared himself and once Naruto was in striking distance hit him on the head with the hilt of his sword not wishing to hurt him. Immediately Naruto fell unconscious and landed on the ground in front of Kyros, Kyros who had admired the fighting spirit of Naruto picked him up and put him over his shoulders and carried him out of the arena. As the two left it surprised Kyros when the whole stadium stood up and clapped them off sending well wishes to Naruto and saying he did such a good job.
"Thank you for your attendance today and I wish to see you here at next months colosseum fight!" Gatz yelled out a final time before turning the snail off.
The two princess immediately jumped out of their seats, Viola sprinted out of the room ripping the door open before racing down the corridor. Scarlet went to follow her but turned towards her father and glared at him before running after Viola calling her name.
Doldo just sat and watched as people funnelled out of the colosseum, sighing Doldo stood up and went towards the door but stopped before turning back to the stadium and smirking.
"You did well Naruto, you did well."
Naruto looked down at his lap which was covered by a blanket, tightening the grip on the blanket he thought back to the fight. He knew he shouldn't have been so emotional but it was like the power consumed him whenever he used it.
He needed more training and he knew that but it didn't matter right now, he needed to think of what to do now that he had lost. Naruto thought to all the islands that Scarlet had told him in conversation trying to think back to which one would suit him most.
His thoughts were interrupted by the door being thrown open as Viola sprinted in and jumped towards him, at this point of knowing Viola he had taught himself to prepare for her hugging tackles so easily caught her as she landed on him. Looking up at Naruto she had tears in her eyes.
"You did so good! Please don't leave" Viola wailed as she dug her head into his chest, putting a hand on her chin he lifted it making Viola look into his eyes.
"I don't want to leave either but I had an agreement with the King and I intend to hold up my end of the bargain."
Knocking on the door interrupted what Viola was going to respond with as Scarlet walked in and made her way over to Naruto's bedside before bending over and hugging him.
"You did so good Naruto, I can't believe that you nearly won." Scarlet said as she let go of Naruto. "Surely father would allow you to stay, you nearly defeated Kyros the undefeated gladiator!"
"I know that Scarlet but I cannot go back on my word, King Doldo gave me a chance to succeed but I failed so now I have to pay the prices. I am forever great full to both of you for what you did when I was injured, I will never forget what you did for me and if you are ever in trouble I'll come and save you even if it means death."
Both girls now were crying at Naruto's statement and both jumped at Naruto again hugging him while crying, smiling to himself Naruto rubbed their backs as they cried.
"Now enough of that girls, it's time for Naruto to leave." Doldo said from the door way with both girls snapping around to their father.
"No! No you can't make him leave! I hate you!" Viola screamed as she jumped off the bed and raced over towards Doldo and started punching his leg. Scarlet just looked over to her father and glared at him not saying a word but face conveying what she meant.
"Now, Now let me finish. What I intended to say was that it's time for Naruto to leave and Viola's ninja guard to arrive." Scarlets eyes widened as she turned to Naruto, both Naruto and Viola had questions marks next to them clearly not understanding what Doldo said.
"He means Naruto can stay Viola" Scarlet giggled as both Naruto and Viola realised what Doldo had meant, jumping back on Naruto Viola just laid their next to Naruto snuggling into his side.
Seconds later both were fast asleep next to each other, chuckling Doldo motioned for Scarlet to follow him out of the room.
"He will make a nice prince won't he?" Scarlet stated as she and Doldo walked away from the room, nodding Doldo smiled before turning to Scarlet.
"We'll just have to wait until they are old enough now won't we?"
It had been a year since Naruto became Viola's guard, in that time he had been put through a rigorous training regiments with early morning and late nights to improve him so that he could protect Viola from any threats that were to arise.
Naruto at age six had become close friends with both Viola and Scarlet and both could be seen together throughout the day whether it be at the palace or in town.
Naruto although spent large amounts of time with the princesses he did try and help around the kingdom, he helped citizens with their daily routines such as helping them open shops or getting the food deliveries for them.
The people of Dressrosa adored Naruto for all he gave to them, some of the people had started to call him the prince of Dressrosa which Naruto would blush saying that they shouldn't call him that and waving them off.
The sun was slowly setting as Naruto and his newest instructor, who happened to be Kyros, were sparring against one another along the beach with Viola sitting on a log higher up the beach watching them fight with a smile on her face.
"You have gotten a lot better since our first fight, you are more controlled with your attacks" Kyros commented as he blocked a attack from Naruto, Naruto only grunted in response as he went defensive getting ready for Kyros counter attack.
Learning control over his powers had been tedious but with the amount of time he had put in the results were amazing, he could now control his claws perfectly and the blue energy enough so it wouldn't consume him.
He had also been secretly training his what seemed to be wind powers without telling anyone, except Scarlet of course who he first showed but she had promised to keep it a secret. Though he had seen progress in controlling the wind it was taxing at times but once he practised it every day it had become not as taxing, he still had to be careful when trying to use it for a long periods of time or using one large push of wind because he had nearly lost conscious a few times.
"Go Naruto!" Viola yelled out from where she was making Naruto turn to her and smirk, next thing that Naruto knew was that he was face first in the sand.
"You can not get distracted so easily Naruto you have to be more concentrated when fighting an opponent." Kyros said as he looked down at Naruto who was laying head first in the sand, turning over onto his back Naruto jumped to his feet.
"Yeah, yeah don't get distracted so easily because it'll be my downfall." He said brushing sand off himself before looking at the sun before turning back. "It's getting late we should probably head back."
Kyros nodded before patting Naruto's shoulder. "You are getting stronger with each passing day and soon enough you'll be the strongest person in Dressrosa."
As Kyros walked down the beach and away Naruto stretched his arms out before turning to Viola who had walked down to Naruto.
"You did very well, I'm sorry I messed you up." Viola said while looking down at her feet which was pushing sand around.
"Nah it's all good, it's probably better I learned that lesson now rather than later." Naruto grinned as he looked at the sun which was going down.
Falling onto his back Naruto laid in the sand and just looked up, Viola dropped down next to him laying next to him.
"You know that it's been a year since you have been here Naruto?" Questioned Viola as the two lay side by side.
"Feels like yesterday that I was in the colosseum fighting Kyros, its been fun to be around you Viola."
"Same to you Naruto, I don't know what I would do if you weren't around I'd be so bored having to be tutored all day by myself but now I've got you it's way better."
Naruto nodded his head, he sat up looking at the sun which was barely above the sea.
"What do wanna do when you're older Viola." Naruto said turning to look at Viola who was still laying down.
"What do you mean?"
"What do you dream of doing?"
"What I dream of doing? Well I want to serve my kingdom as best I can helping Scarlet become the best Queen when she does but I want to go on adventures to amazing islands all across the globe, I would like to settle down with someone though." She said blushing at Naruto before turning away.
"I think you can do all of that, I want to go on amazing adventures to but what I want the most is to go back to Wano to free everyone from Kaido and than after that I'm going to find my mother no matter what!" Naruto yelled as he stood up just as the sun fully set with it now being dark. "But to do that I need to go and become stronger when I'm older."
Viola looked sad about what Naruto wanted to do but seemed to accept that he would one day leave her and Dressrosa.
"I think it's amazing Naruto."
Naruto realising what time it was quickly stood up.
"Crap, we have to go! We don't want to be locked out of the palace!" Naruto yelled as he started running while Viola's eyes widen to and started chasing after him.
"Wait up Naruto!"
Naruto, Viola and Scarlet had been around the town many times but this time was different from the rest, today was the most important day of the year in Dressrosa with that being the Islands holiday which was when the kingdom was founded.
The holiday meant celebration through the night and into the morning with people drinking and eating to their heart's content, this also meant that the next day was also Dressrosa day of rest where everyone was off of work.
Naruto and the girls were partying with townsfolk dancing and eating all they could, the townsfolk danced with each other in the streets as people played music from windows and doorways.
Similar events to this went on much throughout the night with it slowly winding down as the sun rose and people all but dropped dead in the streets from exhaustion, it also meant that most things went missing this morning which most people put down to the fairies that took other things throughout the year.
It had been a long night of partying for Naruto and the girls which now found them on a bench sleeping as the sun fully rose above the horizon, they were not the only ones sleeping as many people littered the ground sleeping against walls, bench's and even each other.
Naruto was fast asleep dreaming peacefully when suddenly he was woken by a weight hitting him in the face, quickly waking up Naruto snatched the thing from his face and realised it was todays newspaper. Looking up in sky he could see the bird fly away, shaking his head Naruto looked down at the paper to see what todays new entailed.
DRACULE MIHAWK PROCLAIMED AS THE GREATEST SWORDSMAN IN THE WORLD
A bloodied sword this morning was delivered to Marineford with a note saying that Uzumaki D. Kushina had been killed recently, most people remember her for being apart Gol D. Roger 'the pirate king' crew. She was once revered as the greatest swordswomen in which she beat some of the worlds most famous swordmens her captain included which was reported that she held above her captain until she left the crew. She has been reported missing for the last seven years but now she is all but confirmed dead with her most coveted sword being found which will be kept at Marineford for the foreseeable future. Dracule Mihawk, who is a warlord, now can not be denied his position among the warlords.
Naruto couldn't believe his eyes surely his mother had not died, she couldn't of, she had promised she would find him. Tears started welling up in his eyes with a few slipping free and hitting the newspaper.
Scarlet who was peacefully sleeping on Naruto's shoulder was woken be his movements looked over to Naruto and saw his state.
"What's wrong Naruto, are you okay?" She asked as she lightly shook him, all Naruto did was push the newspaper into her hands and continued to cry.
Looking down at the paper she quickly skimmed the front page and realised what had happened, turning to Naruto she hugged him tightly against herself.
"I'm sorry Naruto, I'm so sorry." She whispered as he cried into her, Naruto had never talked to her or Viola about his life outside of Dressrosa and his mother. Though she didn't know much she did know that he loved her very much and would one day find her.
Viola who had been asleep for the whole ordeal had finally woken up as she slipped off Naruto's side and nearly fell onto the ground.
S'Whats happen?" She droopily said as she woke up, looking over at Naruto who was hugging Scarlet and crying confused her as she had never seen him cry. She went to ask what was wrong but was stopped by Scarlet who put her finger to her lip telling her not to speak. Reaching over to Viola she handed her the newspaper and after Viola had slowly read it she dived into Naruto crying.
"Naruto! I'm so sorry!" Viola wailed as she woke up a few people around her with the commotion, Naruto pulling himself away from Scarlet looked at Viola who was hugging his side and hugged her back as they both shed tears.
The trio sat their for a couple of minutes crying and trying to keep Naruto calm while trying to take away the grief that he felt. Naruto finally regaining himself stood up from the bench with both girls looking at him as he stood in front of them.
"Come we have to go to catch lunch." Naruto said blankly as his face showed no emotion, looking at each other the girls looked concerned at how fast Naruto seemed to turn his emotions around.
"It's okay to grieve Naruto, it took me months to get over our Mother's death." Scarlet said as she stood up with Viola nodding in agreement beside her.
"No it's fine, this only confirmed what I thought all along. The chances of my mother surviving after what happened were minimal at best, so let's hurry along to the palace for lunch."
The two girls weren't convinced about what Naruto had said but went along with him thinking it was better to let him grieve his own way.
As they grew closer to the palace Naruto stopped and looked at the ocean from where they were, seeing the ocean glisten Naruto sighed before looking up above the ocean and at the sky.
'I won't give up on the opportunities that you gave me mother, I will live a life like you did and live on the seas. I will tell all your crew-mates about what happened and once that is done I'll let you rest peacefully.' Naruto thought as he stared at the sky and then back down to the horizon where the water and sky meet.
"C'mon Naruto we're nearly there!" Viola yelled as they walked closer to the palace, smiling Naruto turned back around and started to make his way to them.
'I'll go on great adventures just like you told me.' He thought with one last smile before reaching Scarlet and Viola.
A year following on from Naruto learning of his mothers alleged death he couldn't shake the nagging feeling of being trapped on Dressrosa, it wasn't that Naruto didn't like the place in fact he loved it here but with him turning eight he felt he had to leave.
The locals around the town had talked about how young he was to be Viola's guard and how rigorous his training was but Naruto brushed those comments off knowing that both his mum and dad were young when starting their adventures.
It was night as Naruto sat on the window sill of his bedroom window looking out at the full moon which brightly shone down over the kingdom, Naruto found himself at window sill many times when he felt conflicted about his emotions.
Naruto knew that he wanted to start his grand adventure soon but didn't know how to tell Viola about him wishing to leave and he really didn't want her getting angry at him for trying to leave.
In that moment an idea popped into his head, if he left without anyone knowing then he wouldn't be made to stay here. In his young mind it all added up, quickly jumping down from the window he rushed over to his bedside table and grabbed his backpack which was more of a white bag with two ropes so he could carry it on his back.
He ran over to his wardrobe and grabbed all his necessary equipment he would need, opening his bedroom door he looked both ways before rushing down the hall silently not to wake anyone.
As he reached the front of the palace he made it there relatively easily with him only having to dodge some night guards who meandered around at the night. As he stood at the front of palace he could see down to the main port where a large ship was docked, quickly making up his mind he decided that he would stowaway on it to where ever it went. He was about to leave the palace grounds completely when a named called out from behind him.
"Naruto?" Naruto quickly span around and saw Viola standing in her night gown looking at him, looking down at the ground Naruto fiddled with his fingers before looking back up at her.
"Go back to bed Viola." He quickly said as he turned back around and went to leave, Viola stopped him as she put a hand on his shoulder.
"Where are you going Naruto?" She said as her eyes hardened, Naruto released a breath that he didn't know he was holding.
"Anywhere, I can't stay here anymore." Naruto said, Viola nodded her head as she chuckled.
"I knew this day will come and I hate it so much."
"I know that you may hate it Viola but I have to go."
"I know that to, so I'm not going to stop." Viola said as Naruto's eyes widened as he looked up into her eyes. "From the moment you looked at that newspaper I knew that you needed to leave and it's okay because I knows it's your dream so I won't stop you."
Viola had tears in her eyes as she finished speaking with a smile, Naruto with wide eyes started to get pricks of tears in the corner of his eyes. Racing towards her he embraced her in the biggest hug he had ever given her in the time of knowing her.
"That doesn't mean that you can completely leave me, if I'm ever in trouble I need to rely on my ninja for protection you know that don't you." She said with a giggle as Naruto to chuckled.
"If your ever in danger I'll come as fast as I can to save you, Scarlet or Doldo if you ever need me." Naruto said with a determined look.
Viola smiled as they stayed for a minute just embracing each other enjoying each other's present for as long as they could, eventually they let go looking over his shoulder he looked towards the ship that sat in the port unmoving.
"I have to go but one day I'll be back I promise, okay" he said as she nodded and dug her head into him for one last time.
"I'll hold you to that promise, now go to get that boat." Viola said as she let go of him and he started to walk away, her eyes widen for a second before yelling his name. "Naruto!"
Viola raced towards Naruto a final time diving into his arms then looking him in the eyes and giving him a peck on the cheek while blushing.
"I love you so you better come back eventually." She said blushing but still looking at him with a determined face, Naruto nodded before slowly pulling away and walking down the path. Before going out of view he turned around and gave her his trade mark smirk while waving his right hand before turning back around racing down path to the port.
As the hours passed and the sun slowly rises above the horizon as Viola was sat at the front of the palace leaning against its wall while looking out towards the ship as it slowly left the port and with the ship leaving so was her best friend that she dearly loved.
As the ship slowly left the port and entered the ocean the clouds above the ship started to move, taking shape above the ship and making the words which said 'the beginning of Naruto's adventures'.
Viola laughed out loud as ship kept getting smaller the further it got away from her, it made her both sad and happy knowing that Naruto had started the next chapter in his life but also the fact that she wouldn't see him for months maybe even years.
"I'll wait for you Naruto and when you come back it's going to be the best day of your and my life." She said with a grin already picturing them together after such a long time apart.
The morning was long for Viola as she had to try and explain where Naruto had gone to both her sister and father who were frantic about what had happened and even tried to send someone to go get him, but Viola had explained it to both of them which calmed them down to the point that they were accepted what had happened and where excited for Naruto.
Naruto to had a long morning as he dodge people on the boat and was nearly caught multiple times, Naruto now sat at the top of the mast looking out at sea smiling to himself at the thought of his great adventure starting.
"I'll make my adventure even better than yours was mother!"
Chapter 2 is done and I'm very happy how it turned out, I hope you enjoyed it and want more.
I hope people like how the story started, Naruto will meet Luffy soonish but others things have to happen first to let that happen.
Hope you enjoyed the read and see you next time.