Author Message: Here's the newest chapter, hope to hear what you all think.
WORDS STYLE:
Flashback
(Past words)
Thinking
[Den Den Mushi]
SHOUTING
TwIsTeD
Chapter: 3
Their Bodyguard, who was the infamous Douglas Bullet disguised walked silently behind Naruto and Uta who were talking yet the pirate was silent, thinking back to Luffy and most notably his straw hat, recalling a certain pirate of Roger's crew wearing that Hat after being gifted it from Roger.
(But someday, I swear I'll defeat you and become the world's strongest man…Roger!)
(You're strong, I'll take you on anytime, Bullet.)
As he recalled those memories, he merely frowned before his gaze fell upon the smiling blonde who was talking to Uta.
(Please, I need your help. I have a plan~~)
"I'm still surprised about finally meeting your childhood friend, Uta." He said to his girlfriend as they walked together, side-by-side and hand-in-hand. "Tho it was weird, I kept getting this odd nostalgic feeling whenever I looked at that Luffy fella and—" He stops when he sees Uta appearing to be upset, her cheeks looking puffed.
"Something wrong?"
"That blonde wasn't wrong, you seemed to have been looking at that woman a lot." When he hears that, Naruto's eyes widen in surprise as her gaze moves to him. "Is it because her boobs are bigger than mine?"
That question got Douglas to have the urge to just walk away, not finding this conversation amusing in the least as he rather begin the plan now rather than tomorrow.
"N-NO!" Naruto all but shouted. "Besides, yours are about the same size, not to mention—" He shuts up just as Uta starts to blush and glares at him, now embarrassed as she punches Naruto in the arm.
"DON'T SAY THAT OUT LOUD!" After saying that, she glares at Naruto. "So you were looking at her chest."
This merely got the blonde to raise both his hands in exasperation.
"Not my fault, she's literally wearing a swimsuit, kinda hard not to notice. Besides…" His expression turns to one of deep thought.
"I was staring at her because for some reason it felt like I met her before." He puts a hand to his chin. "It's hard to explain, Luffy feels like nostalgia but that Nami girl, I don't know why but it was more than just nostalgia, I felt like we've definitely met somewhere before but I just can't remember where."
"Wait," Uta turns to him wide-eyed. "do you mean it could be that your past may be connected with Nami?"
"Don't know, ever since I saw her wanted poster and now I just can't shake that feeling, it's different since when it came to Luffy's wanted poster all I had was a familiarity with that Straw Hat he wore till I met him just now where I had that nostalgic feeling."
"Isn't that basically the same thing between those two, you've met them somewhere before?"
"Yes and no, it's just hard to describe but I rather not try to think too hard my head is starting to ache and these chains are hurting if I try to think too much about it."
As they talked, Douglas was looking around at the many known pirates that have been seen throughout the New World so far, even some glasses at a certain world-renowned swordsman and a red-nosed clown that got a raised eyebrow.
"Isn't that—" His thoughts were silenced as something caught his attention and was a sort of automobile fast approaching them which he frowned just as it came to a slow stop before Naruto and Uta while other pirates nearby took notice yet minded their own business as camera Den Den's seemed more focused on the area, not wanting to deal with any problems getting involved.
"You've finally arrived." Spoke none other than Gild, stepping out of the vehicle with a smile. He was followed by the singer, Carina who gave a wave, and one of his close executives Baccarat who was the driver, having stepped out to give a bow. The man simply outstretched his arms in a welcoming manner to the three which Uta returns with a smile.
"It's nice to meet you." She told the man who simply responded with his award-winning smile.
"It's a pleasure to have you aboard my ship." Gild said with Carina standing right next to him, Gild glanced at nearby pirates that were in earshot. "I've heard many things about you from Naruto and heard many of your songs, from how things go you may have the highest chance of winning."
"Whatever I win will go straight to the people." The moment he heard that Gild's eyes widened somewhat as it took him by surprise.
"To the people?"
"Yes, so many people have suffered at the hands of pirates." She showed a more serious expression. "I want to do everything I can to help them, even if money won't replace the lives taken it can at least help them rebuild their lives so I'll donate it all to the people."
It was this response that had generally surprised Gild before he suddenly laughed a little.
"I see, out of everyone I've met I believe you are the most generous." He moves to the side, showing the automobile limo, and opening the door for them.
"As my special VIP, I shall show you to your room." As he finished saying that, Uta proceeded and walked past him, seeing an actual turtle on it along with others acting as the engine, the sight causing Uta's eyes to widen and turn towards Gild with worry.
"Are they—"
"Rest assured they are very well taken care of," The man said with a reassuring smile. "like many here, they do this as a job and in return, they are compensated plus…" He motions to the Turtles who proceed to flex.
"Muscle turtles like to workout a lot, this is just among their routine that helps us in return." He told the singer, reassuring her as she still looked unsure before turning to Naruto who smiled.
"Don't worry Uta, someone this rich means they are given the best care." He said, reassuring Uta just before Carina walked past them and wrapped an arm around Uta's arm.
"I just wanna say I'm a big fan of yours." She began, surprising the fellow singer. "New Genesis is my favorite song."
This causes her to smile as she enters the vehicle, the two talking while Naruto mutters to the richest man.
"There better not be any loose ends after what you did to the people on this ship, Gild." Spoke the blonde who did not look happy which in turn, annoyance was seen in the man's eyes. "Uta will not be involved in any of it and so will I."
His words caused the man to glare at Naruto but stopped upon seeing Douglas step forward, crossing his arms and staring down at Gild which he stopped and simply smiled again yet it looked very forced as he moved so their backs were facing the girls.
"Of course, as I said before I rather not want a repeat of what happened last time. The damages have all been repaired along with my injuries yet the memory is still fresh in my mind. The muscle turtles were one of the most difficult to reimburse after what they went through, especially the shocks we gave them but all is working out fine, the only one paying now is me." Hearing that, Naruto just sighs.
"Fine…" With that said, he walks towards the vehicle and enters followed by Gild himself then Douglas who takes up the entire space on one side of the car before they take off, gaining lots of attention as they drive past pirates but as they do so, seeing their out of ear range Uta begins to speak.
"There won't be any civilians dragged into it tomorrow…right?" Her sudden question merely gained a nod from Gild.
"Everything had been prepared, do not worry at that point there should only be pirates on this ship along with the maintenance, security, etc. just to keep the ship going. Yet they won't be anywhere near the 'event' tomorrow so don't worry, the only ones that it will affect are the pirates."
His words all but reassured Uta but even so, she still appeared to absorb it all before putting on a determined expression.
"I understand, I'll do my best." He told Gild who all but smiled before his gaze moved onto Naruto leaning back into his seat, staring at Gild before looking away at the scenery.
"This is where we'll be splitting up now." Spoke Gild as the limo stopped in front of a hotel that appeared to be made of gold. "I'll contact you later tonight and meet again tomorrow to confirm some things before the event begins, I suggest you rest up." As he said it, Baccarat opened the door for Naruto, Uta, and Douglas to walk out while Carina waved goodbye.
"Yeah, getting late, we should get some sleep soon before the contest begins tomorrow." Naruto told Uta, putting on a reassuring smile before the two started walking with Douglas soon following.
"So Uta, what do you think of this place so far?"
"It's nice but, it's hard to think of what it will be like after tomorrow~~"
As they spoke, the two weren't looking ahead of them as there were two individuals exiting the hotel, doors sliding open and they walked out. One being a tall, muscular, tanned man with long, thin limbs and fingers as well as having a shaven head. He wore a suit and walked slightly behind a taller man almost 8 feet tall who also wore a suit but had a long, thick, dark-pelted fur coat over his suit, and smoked a cigar. He had two very noticeable traits about him one where he had a scar across his face and the other was his left hand was a hook. The two were in the middle of a conversation and not looking forward when Naruto and the man bumped into each other for a moment.
"Oh, sorry." He apologized to the man who came to a stop.
"Naruto, you need to watch where you walking."
"Uta, you weren't watching either."
While they talked, Douglas just glanced at the man yet his eyes widened slightly at seeing the scared man's face yet ignored it and continued after Naruto and Uta.
"Foolish boy, he needs to watch where he's walking spoke what looked like a bodyguard to the taller one, turning towards his boss and starting to walk to move in front of him, having seen his abrupt stop the moment the shorter one walked into the taller one.
"Crocodile sir, is everything—" He stopped mid-sentence the moment he saw his face, the normally calm and collected Crocodile was frozen as beads of sweat were falling from his face.
"W-What the hell was that?!" Spoke Crocodile as he turned back, seeing the back of the three but more specifically Naruto as they were at the front desk. The moment they came into contact, Crocodile's mind was flooded with images of a monster he didn't recognize yet despite its form being hard to make out what appeared to be its eye wasn't. He recalled an eye, the sclerae were black, with yellow irides and pupils that each took the shape of a black four-pointed star with four black dots around it.
"Crocodile, is everything alright?" After asking that, he turned towards the direction the three walked yet was stopped abruptly by Crocodile grabbing his shoulder.
"Don't, Daz." He ordered with a serious expression. "Whatever I just saw, I don't know why but I can't shake this feeling, don't get involved with them and that's an order." With that said, he starts walking away despite having a massive headache and the images having been forced into his head. But one thing is clear, his entire being shook the moment he came into contact with the younger man.
Naruto stood at the windowsill, staring off at the scenery while he heard the shower running in the bathroom behind him. As he watched the many pirates walk by, drinking and or drunk the scene was replaced by corpses and blood lining the streets before the scene was blocked by the blonde who covered his eyes.
"It's all for her…this is just the start after all…" As he mutters that, he frowns before dropping his arm and walking towards the bathroom door to knock on the door just as the shower is heard cutting off.
"Hey Uta, I'll be back I'm just going out for a drink." The moment he said that he got a reply.
"Ok, just don't drink too much, be back before 12."
"I will but you should still get some rest." With that said he walks towards the door that he proceeds to open up, finding Douglas standing in the hallway with his arms crossed.
"Thanks again for standing guard." Despite the thanks, Douglas just scoffs.
"There is no point thanking me, she is the key to the plan working so if something happens to her it will all fall apart." He looks down the hallway. "Now go away, I'm thinking."
With that said, Naruto did as he was told and walked away, toward the nearest elevator.
It took a few minutes to arrive, taking the elevator down to the bar yet he came to a complete stop, eyes wide upon entering the establishment.
"Ya' know, starting to think this whole fate thing isn't some lie." As he thought that, he had found none other than Nami sitting by herself with a drink in hand at the bar table with the bartender pouring her a glass. It was at this point that Nami took notice and was surprised as much as Naruto who didn't expect to see her before she gave a wave and he approached, taking a seat next to her.
"What would you like sir?" Asked the suit-wearing older man who looked to be in his 70s.
"I would like some Jerez if you have any."
"Oh, been a while since the last person asked for some. Right away." As he went to get some below the counter, the blonde turned to meet the gaze of the Straw Hats navigator.
"A big coincidence meeting you here of all places, let me guess this is also your hotel?"
"Yeah, we're roomed on the top floor. Just came down for a drink before bed but didn't expect to see you down here." As he replied, the bartender placed a glass in front of Naruto and poured his drink.
"Thanks." With that said he took it and gave a sip just as Nami spoke.
"So, any reason why you were staring at me?" At that point he immediately choked and started coughing, the bartender appeared a little worried yet the blonde raised a hand to put him at ease.
"I'm fine." He told the man before turning to Nami.
"Not what you think, just that it feels like we've met before?" When she heard that, Nami was surprised and put on a thinking expression before turning to him in confusion.
"Didn't you say that to Luffy?"
"Yeah, but I've seen his wanted poster, and all I felt was familiarity with his Straw Hat until we met in person where I get this odd nostalgia from him, on the other hand, it feels like we have met before most definitely yet I can't recall why…" He frowns as he starts to think only for his head to ache and the chains to start to hurt but not to the point of being noticed by others.
"Isn't that basically the same thing?"
"Yes and no, it's hard to explain even with Uta. After all, the moment I saw your wanted poster it just felt like I knew you from somewhere." He raises his arms to show the shackles.
"About twelve years ago I woke up on some beach where Uta found me with no memory of my past and these things on me that can't be removed." When he explained that, Nami was surprised and stared at the shackles and his ankles where the other two were.
"That won't come off?"
"Nope, any time I try it just hurts so much. Hell, when I think about the past it also hurts." He frowns. "I still haven't been able to figure out how I ended up on that beach, why I can't remember my past as well as these shackles on me. However, besides you and Luffy, the only other person I have any familiarity with is—" As soon as he finished he took a drink of his alcohol while Nami puts on a thinking expression.
"Wha—" Nami was silenced as the two suddenly jolted upon hearing a shout.
"HEY," The two turn to see someone entering. "YOU SERVE ANY FOOD?!"
The one who asked walked into the barely filled room, showing herself as a slim, curvaceous young woman with long light pink hair and purple eyes. She appeared somewhat buzzed after having drunk several beer jugs on another floor of the hotel.
"Oh, your—" Nami stopped when she noticed something and turned to see the wide-eyed Naruto who was staring at her face just as she approached them. At this point, Naruto placed a hand on his head as if getting another headache.
"Hey, bartender!" She all bits shouts. "You deaf or something, got any food?"
She all but demands the bartender who sighs.
"No, I do not, this is a bar and we only sell drinks. Also." He points at a sign on the wall that says [No Shouting or you're kicked out.]
This only gets a frown before she takes a seat next to Naruto and Nami.
"Fine, I'll have some Liqueur." With that, he simply nods and goes to get a drink while the woman looks over at the two and smiles.
"What, you drank too much or something?" She asked the blonde who abruptly stood up, a pained expression on his face as his fingers tightened on his face.
"Hey, are you ok?" As she asked that the bartender grew worried and he took out the bottle he poured Naruto while the other woman, Jewelry Bonney of the pest generation just raised an eyebrow.
"He has a hangover or something?" She asked albeit a little drunk yet both girls' eyes widened as the expression turned more painful with Naruto grabbing his head with both hands and it was at this point he heard words spoken to him he did not recognize yet had a familiarity with them.
(PLEASE SAVE KUMACHI!)
As he heard that voice, his eyes widen as he saw an image of what appeared to be a child wearing rags, crying as her face somewhat resembled Bonney yet it was all of a sudden cut off as his shackles suddenly glowed with his eyes widening as his body was consumed by red electricity, sucking everyone in the room.
"What the?!"
"Naruto!"
"What's happening?!"
As soon as it started it ended as the man dropped to his knees with his hands still gripping his head while Nami got to his side.
"We need to get you to a doctor, I'll take you to Chopper, he's our ship's Doctor—" She was cut off as Naruto raised a hand and stood up, taking a deep breath before letting it out.
"Nothing he can do about it. I've been hit by that before." He turns to face Nami and the very confused Bonney and Bartender.
"I'll be fine, I'm just gonna return to my room and get some rest." He turns away from them. "Thanks again, it was nice chatting with you but I need to get ready for tomorrow."
With that said, he starts walking away while Nami stares at his back in confusion with Bonney not understanding what was going on.
It took him a few minutes to arrive back at his hotel room and thirty minutes to shower and get ready for bed where he lay next to Uta who was snuggling up to him.
"Are you sure you're ok, you've never had that happen before." The room was almost in complete darkness thanks to the curtains blocking the lights outside except for a small gap left open to see the room with it also being soundproof so they wouldn't hear outside.
"I'll be fine for tomorrow, whatever I saw and heard can be dealt with another time." He told her yet even so she didn't buy it and simply laid her head on his chest.
"Ok but be careful, anything could happen…and I don't want anything to happen to you." As he heard those words, he simply wrapped his arms around her.
"Don't worry, I won't die…but remember, your life is also very important. If something were to happen to you, I don't know what I would do." With that said, he closes his eyes just as Uta did the same.
"Ok, I'll be careful as long as you do the same."
"I will, good night Uta."
"Goodnight Whiskers."
That last comment caused the blonde to smile to himself.
COUNTDOWN TOWARDS DESTRUCTION: 18 HOURS
NEXT TIME: THE MORNING OF THE CONTEST