Authors Note - I figured we needed some more action. And since Luffy hasn't set sail yet- and the story line has begun- we'd introduce a new one for the time being. Diving more into Teach, and how Sakura feels around the man.
Story Description: Traveling dimensions wasn't unheard of for Sakura. But Kaguya had been defeated and sealed four years ago, during the forth great ninja war. So why the fuck, was she tied to a mast - on a god forsaken ship, surrounded by PIRATES?!
Ships: (Past) Sasuke/Sakura, (Future) Ace/Sakura
Warnings: language, mentions of slavery
Recap...
"Not sure how you guys do it. I'm used to being swamped at the hospital, or taking missions outside the village." Sakura murmurs, head falling as she groans. A tad dramatic, but who really cared?
"Can't tell ya, since I'm always busy preparing meals for the crew. But honestly, recently we haven't ran into many opposing ships in awhile. So less fights, less injuries. But maybe we'll come across an island soon." Thatch nudges her with his elbow. And Sakura lifts her head up to smile at him.
"yeah. One can hope." Sakura answers, eyes drifting out into the endless ocean.
"This is getting repetitive." Ace complained, peeking his eye open to stare up at her.
Sakura couldn't help but roll her eyes, placing her hands on her hips. Refusing to look away from the complaining teen. "It's meditation. It's supposed to be repetitive." She points out, huffing.
"Just as bad as Naruto, you are." She murmurs under her breath. Ace cocks a brow at the comparison, but doesn't ask who she's talking about. Thankfully.
Ace opens his mouth to say something else, but it's cut off by the sound of approaching footsteps. Sakura lifts her head up, a little too late to see who exactly is behind the door- before it busts open.
A crew member, whose name she has yet to learn, leans over with his hands on his knees. Breathing. "Oyaji has a job for you, Haruno!" The man says. Standing up, before glancing down at Ace.
"You look to be in a hurry, is it important?" She asks, completely turning her attention from Ace to the man who rushed in. She can hear Ace shuffle up into a standing position.
"One of our islands is under attack. Or it has been. Oyaji sent out Teach and a few others under his command to check it out. But Haruta hasn't heard anything for awhile. And we can't get their fast enough." The man explains.
Sakura nods, holding up her hand to stop the man from talking any further. Glancing down towards Ace. "Guess that means this little thing is over for now, until I get back. That is, if you're still here." She says to him, smiling as he huffs and crosses his arms. Refusing to say anything to her words.
Sakura turns back to the man, and motions for him to lead the way. And he does, leaving the room as she follows him. The two keep quiet, only slightly picking up the pace until they reach the top of the deck.
Whitebeard sits in his usual spot, Marco and a Vista stand beside him. Locking in what looks to be a hushed conversation.
"Captian?" She asks, once the two of them get closer. The man leaves just as Whitebeard turns to address her.
"Ah, Sakura. I hope Milo filled you in." He says.
"Only a little bit, the most important information I would assume. What will you have me do?" She replys, her back straightening. After years of training, her body seems to come to attention almost a will. Waiting for instructions.
"It's been a week over the normal call we typically recieve from Teach or his crew. The problem is that the way our ship has been sailing, we've been going in the opposite direction of the island they where stationed at. Our smaller ships will take at least four to five days to reach the island. And that doesn't include storms and other obstacles." Whitebeard goes into explain. Marco and Vista fall silent as he talks.
Sakura soaks in the information like a sponge, nodding along.
"Vista here-" Whitebeard motions to the large man. "Mentioned sending you, with your ability to walk on water- we had hoped you'd be able to reach thhe island in less time compared to using a ship. If- of course, you are physically able to pull it off." He finishes.
Sakura muses over his words. "Four to five days on a smaller ship normally. If I were to walk, the time would be shortened to about one to two days. Running on the other hand.." She murmurs to herself.
"it was either you, or me." Marco speaks up, knocking Sakura from her head. Her eyes lifting up to meet the first commanders gaze.
"I can't guarantee my devil fruit power would lost long enough to get me there. But I could certainly try, if you are unable." He offers.
Sakura shakes her head. "No, I can do it. I have enough Chakra. Water walking doesn't take much of it anyway. As long as I am smart about it." She says. Marco smiles.
"Then it is settled. Haruta will supply you with a den den mushi to keep you in contact. You priority is to find out what happened to Teach and the crew he was gifted. If other problems arise, deal with them as you see fit." Whitebeard commands.
"So you're leaving?" Ace asks, eyeing the bag she secures on her back.
Sakura glances over the teen. Thinking over her answer before nodding. "Yeah, not sure how long I'll be. Will you miss me?" She teases.
She watches Ace's face grow a shade too red, and if she squinted hard enough, she could have probably seen smoke leave his ears. Before she can apologize for teasing, the fire logia user turns and stomps off. Leaving Sakura to watch his back as he retreats. Shaking her head fondly, she moves towards the opposite door- pushing it open and walking out onto the deck.
"Sakura!" Thatch waves her over. He's standing beside Haruta and a few other crewmembers under the division.
"Marco drew you a map, Haruta here has your den den. It connects to the main line- no matter the distance. Unless of course, it dies." Thatcher explains. Handing her first, a rolled up map. Then the den den.
Sakura maneuvers around, dropping the bag so it's hanging off her shoulder- placing the den den inside safely.
"I'll update you once I reach the island." Sakura reassures them.
Thatch nods, and Haruta looks a little worried. "This is the first big assignment Oyaji has given you since you've joined. I know you'll do well, but I can't help but worry." Haruta admits, dropping his head.
Sakura just grins, lifting her arm and patting the shorter males head just twice.
"I'll be fine. I've been going stir crazy anyway. This will tid me over for the next few months when I get back." She winks.
Thatch laughs, and Haruta lifts his heads. Clearly uplifted by her words.
"Not sure what we'll do without you here keeping a leash on our soon-to-be brother." Marco says, coming up behind her.
Sakura tilts her head back, looking up at the first commander. "I'm sure you'll be able to convince him to join. Maybe even before I get back." She raises a brow, almost like a challenge for the pheonix.
Marco just grins in reply. "We'll see. I hope when you arrive back with our lost crew mates, we'll have our newest addition."
"Best get going." Thatch says, pointing to the edge of the ship. Nodding, she moves quickly. Unraveling the map, and keeping it tightly in her grasp as she waved goodbye to her crew mates and hops over the edge. Chakra circulating on the soles of her feet as she lands ontop of the water.
A smile breaks out on her face, glancing down to the map- then back up to the vast sea ahead of her. Taking off in a sprint, Sakura begins to pace herself- focusing on her chakra and emptying her mind.
She would be doing this for awhile.
The first few hours are nothing, Sakura keeps her focus on traveling onward. Looking down at the map occasionally so she knows she's headed in the right direction.
Two hours turn into six, yet as her muscles begin to protest- she sends a small ounce of her healing chakra to smooth them back into compliance. Back to running she gets.
The sun starts setting at hour twelve. And Sakura ignores her stomach that growls. And the urge to bend down and gulp at the water beneath her feet.
Surprisingly enough, she luckily does not run into any opposing ships. Or marine vessels. Which Vista had warned her off in passing. She wasn't certain if she had a bounty yet. But after that whole thing with the marine ships, and being on Whitebeard's crew for some time. She didn't doubt some people knew of her already.
Not that it didn't send a trill down her spine at the notion. A bounty! Similar to that of a bingo book entry. It was like being Tsunade's disciple all over again.
It was completely dark by the time she stepped foot on a shore. The moon shined above her, surrounded by pitch black and the chirps of crickets. Setting down her bag, she inzips it and pulls out the den den. Tapped onto the side, was a nine diget number.
"Haruta, Commander of the Twelfth Division, speaking."
"Haruta! I've made it here safely." Sakura says, a little unsure of how to properly work this thing.
"Sakura! Wonderful! We all were wondering when you'd call. Oyaji had faith it would be soon."
Sakura snickers. "Yes, well it's completely dark. I think I'll make a small camp and wait out until morning. Won't do me any good walking around blind."
"Absolutely. There should be a town on the opposite side. It's where Teach was originally stationed at."
Sakura nods, placing down her bag and settling against a tree. Eyes out facing the ocean.
"Got it." She murmurs.
It is silent for a moment, and Sakura wonders if he has left. But Haruta speaks up again.
"I must warn you though, Sakura. This island does dabble in slavery. We are pretty sure no Celestial Dragons have been spotted in the area. But.. if you get word- abandon the mission and come back to the ship immediately."
Sakura's brow creases in confusion. "Slavery? Celestial Dragons?"
She can hear Haruta sigh from the other end. "The reason we sent Teach, was to uncover the underground Slavery ring. It's our duty to protect islands under our Jolly Roger."
Haruta pauses, and she waits for him to continue explaining.
"Celestial Dragons have a lot of power. Not.. strengh wise no. But political standing with the world government. They deem anyone, even Kings and Queens of kingdoms, as commoners. Lesser beings. They will have them sold, killed.. anything they wish if they think you disobeyed them, humiliated or even if they believe you to be 'exotic' looking."
"My pink hair." She mumbles. She hears an intake of breath from the other side.
"Correct. While we would have means to retrieve you if you did indeed stumble across a Celestial Dragon and were.. captured. It would start a full blown war. It is best you just.. leave and try not to be seen."
Sakura nods slowly, despite Haruta not being able to see her. Before sighing and placing the den den on the sand.
"Alright. I get it. Goodnight Haruta. I'll inform you tomorrow if I find anything." She says.
"Goodnight Sakura. We wish you the best of luck."