Naruto and Luffy landed in front of their and friends, and in perfect sync, turned around to smile at them and give them a thumbs up. Vivi, with tears in her eyes, ran up to them and hugged them both while everyone still smiled in the background.
"Your guys tough." Zoro said.
"Yeah, your guy too." Sasuke responded.
As everyone celebrated Usopp showed up.
"WHERE WERE YOU AT THIS WHOLE TIME!" The Straw-Hats yelled all at once.
"As the great and brave captain I am, I let my subordinates handle the small fry while I helped escort people to safety." Usopp said.
"Oh, so you're the captain of the Straw-Hat pirates then?" Kakashi asked, "It's nice to meet you captain!"
"Oi! I'm the captain!" Luffy said with an angry face.
Kakashi looked at both men in rapid succession with sweat forming.
"Yeah, the one wearing the Straw-Hat is our captain, that's our sniper." Nami said.
"Boy Kakashi-sensei I thought you'd know that." Sakura said shaking her head.
"So, you're Luffy?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah! And your name is leaf shinobi right? Nice to meet you!" Luffy said.
Naruto looked confused and annoyed.
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki! I'm gonna be Hokage one day!" Naruto yelled.
Luffy looked at Naruto with amazement.
"WOW REALLY?! I'M GONNA BE KING OF PIRATES!" Luffy said.
"Looks like I wasn't wrong about the future need for ear muffs." Sasuke said.
"What was that?" Naruto and Luffy asked.
"Hey, I'm glad you both are getting along but we need to figure out what's going on with Chopper." Sanji added, "Usually he could help himself since he's a doctor but he can't speak on what's bothering him."
Sakura looked at Sanji with surprise.
"Give him here, I'm a medical ninja, I'll see what's wrong with him." Sakura said.
Sanji turned towards Sakura and his eyes widened and his mouth opened just enough for his smoke to fall on the ground.
"I've always believed in love at first sight, but never experienced it… I've always been weak around women, for my love for them goes above and beyond, but you? You could give sight to the blind, a man confined to a wheel chair would walk for the first time in years to get up and hold your lovely hands…please, tell me your name?" Sanji said smoothly, while grabbing Sakura's hand.
"Oh…" Sakura said, with a small blush and a smile, "I'm Sakura Haruno of the Village Hidden in the Leaf."
"Sakura… rightfully named seeing as you give off the same majestic pink beauty that cherry blossom trees do." Sanji continued, hearts in his eyes now.
Nami grew annoyed.
"Oh my, you're too sweet." Sakura said, blushing.
"MOVE IT!" Nami said angrily, giving Chopper to Sakura, "Sorry he does that sometimes."
"It's fine, really! I didn't mind at all." Sakura said with a smile.
Nami put up a fake smile and walked back to the crews. Robin watching her.
Sakura set the reindeer on a table and set her hands over him. Green energy appeared over Chopper's body.
"Hm. It looks like a virus that's attacking his vocal chords first, as Sanji said, then it looks like it spreads throughout his body. It's weird… it travels up to the head to give the victim a major headache, but then back down it looks like it could possibly travel back down his body." Sakura explained.
"Is there anything you can do to save him Sakura?" Naruto asked.
"All I know is that even though he won't be able to tell me what's wrong with himself I can still check up on him to see if it gets any worse." Sakura said.
"The man who injected into him said he had five days for sure to live, but those days would be a living hell for him." Kakashi said.
"Who was the man?" Sakura asked.
"I believe he told us his name was Onawagi Rinso." Kakashi said, "He claimed he was a doctor himself, so I took his word as truth."
Garra's eyes shot open.
"Did he have a bandage over his eyes?" Garra asked.
"Yeah! What do you know?" Sanji asked.
Garra walked over to a book case and grabbed a book titled: BINGO. Garra scrolled through the pages until a man fitting that description showed up.
"This man… has been wanted in these lands for a long time. He's can't be from the ninja world, as no villages have a record on him, not one. A major virus spread through the Village Hidden in Sand and took almost five years to clear up." Garra explained, "It's likely he's trying to do this again."
"What do we do? Chopper's got five days left, we need to figure something out." Nami said.
A sand shinobi landed in the window.
"You! Great timing, have you gathered up the bodies of the enemies?" Garra asked.
"Um, that's what I came to tell you sir… We recovered the bodies of the cannon man and swords man, but the bodies of the blind man and the man called Crocodile are gone." The shinobi said.
"WHAT?! THEY COULDN'T HAVE GONE FAR GO AFTER THEM!" Vivi shouted.
"Don't worry princess! We've got men in the desert looking for them now." The shinobi assured.
Vivi looked down and Garra walked over to her and put his hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry Princess, it will all be okay. I'm sure they're both too beaten up to do anything reckless, but we never finished the meeting." Garra said.
"Oh, that's right. Should we continue tomorrow?" Vivi asked.
"It looks like we won't have time for that… we'll have to come to an agreement now." Garra said.
"Well if that's the case I'm fine with Alubarna and The Village Hidden in Sand sharing the land between us at fifty percent!" Vivi smiled. Garra smiled as well, but before he could agree a sand council member spoke.
"The sand council still stands strong at eigh-." He was interrupted by Franky, Brook, Sasuke, Zoro, Sanji, Naruto, and Luffy standing over him, staring at them demonically.
"WE'RE FINE WITH FIFTY PERCENT! DON'T HURT US!"
Garra and Vivi smiled.
"Then it's official! I'm happy to have come to an agreement. Garra said happily.
"As am I, Kazekage sir!" Vivi smiled.
At the Sand village gate the leaf shinobi and Straw-Hats stood across from each other.
"So, going back to Alabasta huh?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah! Then we're gonna head to Drum island to get Chop checked out by the witch there!" Luffy said.
Naruto looked down.
"Something bothering you Naruto?" Kakashi said.
"It's just… since they're here, we won't get to go with them… Vivi has an escort now." Naruto answered.
"But Naruto… our mission specifically states that we return Vivi to her kingdom." Kakashi said.
"Yeah, why are you being so dramatic?" Sakura added.
"And did you forget we need to do our own research on DEATH?" Sasuke asked.
Naruto looked at them and smiled, then at the Straw-Hat crew, their captain's hand was already extended.
"Welcome to the Straw-Hat pirate crew!" Luffy said smiling with closed eyes.
Naruto slapped Luffy's hand hard and they shook, officially friends.
NEW ARLONG PARK
Psycho sat in a seat that over looked the Arlong pool, eyes closed, leaning forward, and his chin resting on his clasped hands.
Psycho slowly opened his eyes and looked up at the main gate opening. Cyclone walked in with Eneru and Kuro.
"You were supposed to be here a long time ago, brother." Psycho said.
"What can I say?" Cyclone sighed, sitting down to read a book, "These seas are tough."
Psycho looked at him, then up to Enel and Kuro.
"It's been quite a long time, Enel." Psycho said, standing up.
"Indeed, it has." Eneru said.
"And you're Captain Kuro of the Black Cat pirates correct?" Psycho asked.
"Former captain. The old crew were unfortunately cut to pieces." Kuro said, pushing up his glasses.
Psycho already knew what had happened from that statement.
"So, this DEATH stuff? What is it about? What's the goal here?" Arlong asked.
Psycho walked back over to his chair, looked at it, then jumped on one of the roofs of the new Arlong temple, now DEATH temple.
"Now that everyone is here I can officially state our mission." Psycho started, "Cyclone and I have been on a mission for world peace since we were but children in this cold world. You three, as well as every subordinate here, all have the same goal as us. Not just world peace, but peace of mind. The idea that nothing else could possibly go wrong to interfere with your life."
As Psycho spoke, the members listened. Every single one of them, their boss's voice was powerful.
"There will be three teams. Team Kuro, Team Arlong, and Team Eneru. Team Kuro will sail the seas mainly, bringing in: money, food, and supplies. Maybe you can capture more boats for us to use. Team Arlong will oversee the money, food, and supplies brought to us safe through safe houses I've created along the Grand Line. I will provide a map to Arlong to give his crew to study. Finally, Team Eneru will be in charge of claiming lands and promoting our message to the people for potential members." Psycho explained.
The three captains nodded in agreement.
"Anything that goes wrong is to be reported to your team captains. The only men who can speak to me directly are the captains themselves. We all have dreams and desires we wish to achieve and any man with a dream earns my respect, but what he does to achieve that dream will determine if he keeps my respect or not, which you will all learn soon, my respect is very important." Psycho said.
The DEATH soldiers began to cheer.
"Now! Everyone enjoy yourselves today, tomorrow we begin work." Psycho said.
"YEAHHHHHHHHHHHH!" The members, and captains, shouted in unison.
Psycho jumped down from the roof and walked past Cyclone.
"Psycho." Cyclone said.
Psycho looked at Cyclone.
"What happened to Crocodile? And the others?" Cyclone asked.
"Crocodile must have ran into trouble in the sand." Psycho said.
Cyclone continued to look up at Psycho.
"If it takes this long to go and check for a body and let me know, it must mean he ran into some sort of issue." Psycho explained.
"They will be here soon." Psycho said.
THE DESERT
The Straw-Hats and Leaf shinobi rode through the desert on the back of Hamasari while the royal guards rode their sand gliders. Naruto, Luffy, and Usopp were having having a great time.
"Looks like they've become well accustomed." Sanji said, creeping up to Sakura.
"Huh? Oh, Sanji-kun. Yes, haven't they? I'm so glad." Sakura said with a smile.
"If you'd like…" Sanji started.
Sakura looked at the curly eye browed man.
"Yes?" Sakura asked.
"When we land at the kingdom, would you like to enjoy a dinner with me?" Sanji asked.
Sakura looked at him with surprise and then at Sasuke who sat behind them.
"Sure! I'd love to!" Sakura said.
Sanji's eyes switched to hearts instantly.
"HAIIIIIII SAKURA-CHAN! I'M SO GLAD!" Sanji said, dancing.
Sakura laughed and looked back at Sasuke barely. Zoro, who rode with Sasuke spoke to him.
"You alright?" Zoro asked.
"Hm? Yeah I'm fine, why?" Sasuke responded.
"I don't know. You just seem down." Zoro added.
"Hmph." Sasuke sounded.
"Haven't even known you guys a day and Sanji's got a date with the girl in your crew, he's always like this though, I'm sure he hasn't developed anything serious for her." Zoro said.
"I wouldn't care if he did. She's not spoken for." Sasuke answered.
"You guys never hit on her at all? The cook can't control himself for a second around Nami or Robin." Zoro said.
"Naruto's tried for years, but she'll never love him more than a brother, me however, she's always liked. She's even told me she loved me before.." Sasuke paused at the end.
"What about you?" Zoro asked.
Sasuke thought about it.
FLASHBACK
"Let me go with you Sasuke! If you don't I'll scream!"
"SASUKE PLEASE STOP THIS!"
"Watch after Sakura…please."
"Sasuke! Orochimaru bit you! Hold my hand, it's going to be okay…"
END OF FLASHBACK
"She's always cared about me more than anyone ever has. I'd be lying if I said my desire to protect her wasn't higher than ever. I don't want anything to happen to her, but I could never give in to any feelings I might have, the life I live is too dangerous for her. If she ever got hurt or killed following me around how could I live with that?" Sasuke explained.
"I see…I guess.. I'm kind of in the same boat." Zoro said, looking up at Robin who rode in front of them.
FLASHBACK
"Over time… I've developed a little bit of a crush on you…"
END OF FLASHBACK
"Yeah. It's kind of annoying." Sasuke said.
Zoro sighed.
"You got that right buddy..." Zoro said, laying back and going to sleep.
Nami and Robin rode in silence, until Robin looked down and saw Nami with an upset expression on her face.
"You okay, Nami?" Robin asked.
Nami looked up at Robin and faked another smile.
"Of course, sis! Why wouldn't I be? We just beat up some tough guys!" Nami said.
"The same smile as back in the mansion…" Robin thought to herself.
"That smile is fake, I see right through it." Robin said.
Nami looked at Robin surprised then got agitated.
"What are you talking about? What would I fake a smile for?" Nami asked angrily.
"You tell me, you're the one faking it." Robin said.
Nami shot up and got in Robin's face.
"You got a problem with me?" Nami said aggressively.
"No, not at all, you're the one with the problem." Robin said calmly.
"What's my problem then huh? Tell me!" Nami got closer to Robin's face as she yelled, gaining the attention of both teams. Sanji's eyes reverted to normal as he looked over at the women.
"GET OUT OF MY FACE!" Robin yelled, pushing Nami.
Nami tackled Robin.
"Hey hey! What's going on back there?!" Naruto asked.
Luffy stared at the quarreling women.
"Hey Luffy? They always do this?" Naruto asked.
Luffy just stared.
"Girls stop! Please!" Vivi yelled out, Luffy grabbed her shoulder and sat her down slowly.
"Let them get it out. It's not our business." Luffy said, his hat blocking his eyes.
Naruto knew by the tone that Luffy was serious.
The two girls rolled on the ground for a second before they stood up and Nami threw a punch at Robin who dodged it and used her powers to make hands grow out of Nami's back and lock her arms behind her back. Nami kicked grass in Robin's face to make her lose focus and get free, then she charged Robin with her staff, but Sanji intervened. Sanji's eyes were blacked out, hidden by his upset expression.
"What's going on here? What's all this about?" Sanji asked.
Nami snatched her hand away from Sanji.
"It's none of your damn business! Just keep her away from me and you stay away from me too!" Nami said, walking off and sitting on her own.
Sanji stared at the navigator, confused, then he went to help Robin.
"Are you alright, Robin-chan?" Sanji asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine, thank you Mr. Cook." Robin answered, the ride continued in silence.
Kakashi stopped reading to ask Sanji, who had sat next to him, a question.
"Princess Vivi told us that fighting among the Straw-Hats was to be expected, but that scene there seemed a little tense even for you all. Mind filling me in?" Kakashi asked.
Sanji looked at the ninja and lit a smoke.
"Those two have never fought before, at least physically, we've all had our share of brawls on the boat. Mainly, me and the idiot swords man." Sanji said, pointing at Zoro.
"What'd you say over there?!" Zoro immediately woke up to ask.
"But…" Sanji continued. Kakashi listened.
"What he and I have is a friendly rivalry that never goes above some name calling and a spar. Same with everyone else on the boat, there's probably some sort of physical altercation every day but it's never with the REAL intent to hurt someone." Sanji explained, "We all love each other at the end of the day, and I'd die for every last one of them, as they would for me. We're a family." Sanji said.
Kakashi continued listening.
"That wasn't just an argument. They really wanted to hurt each other, well, Nami wanted to hurt Robin just now. I don't know what their problem is, but like Luffy said, it's not our business. They'll figure it out eventually. We always do." Sanji said.
"Doesn't sound much different than Naruto and Sasuke." Kakashi said, his eyes closed and a smile under his mask.
Sanji turned to look at him.
"Naruto and Sasuke are best friends, but still great rivals, always looking to surpass one another. Every insult almost ignites a brawl, but I know it won't go any further than that, and like you, I can tell when it's time to get serious with them." Kakashi explained.
"What kinda team did we run into?" Sanji asked with a laugh.
Kakashi laughed as well.
"Took the words right out of my mouth." Kakashi said.
ALUBARNA AT NIGHT
The teams landed in Alubarna at night time and got off Hamasari.
"Thank you all so much for everything!" Vivi said.
"No problem! It was a piece of cake!" Luffy said.
"You'll all be staying the night won't you?" Vivi asked.
"We'd love to, but with Chopper being sick we can't miss any days, we want to take him back to Drum before his condition gets worse." Nami said.
"Aweeee I want to eat…" Luffy said sadly.
"THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS FIRST, IDIOT!" Nami yelled.
"I can get you some food for your journey Luffy!" Vivi said, "It'd be no trouble!"
Luffy's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"So, Sakura-san, will you all be returning home?" Brook asked.
"HECK NO! WE'RE TRAVELING WITH YOU GUYS!" Naruto yelled.
"WELCOME ABOARD FRIEND!" Luffy yelled back.
As Naruto, Luffy, Brook, Usopp, and Franky danced in the background, Sanji approached Sakura.
"About that date? Miss Sakura-chan." Sanji said.
"Well your friend… he's very sick." Sakura said.
"Don't worry he'll be fine for tonight!" A voice said.
Vivi walked down the palace steps with her father.
"I appreciate all you did to save my daughter ninja team and straw-hats!" Cobra said.
"It's nothing old man!" Naruto and Luffy said at once.
"We have your friend in our infirmary in stable condition, please don't stress yourselves out, go out into the city and have fun! Then return to the castle for a good night's rest." Cobra said.
Sanji extended his arm for Sakura to grab and led her into the city while Luffy, Naruto, Franky, and Usopp, arms around each other, went to go find food to eat.
Brook and Kakashi teamed up to go find a good book store for more reading material. Zoro led Sasuke to a popular pub to grab something to drink, leaving Robin and Nami alone. The women looked at each other.
"Shopping?" Nami asked.
Robin smiled.
"Sure. I'd love to." Robin responded, as the two women walked into town.
NEW ARLONG PARK
Psycho was the only one awake. He sat in his chair with his eye closed again, but he didn't reminisce this time. He was interrupted by a knocking at the main door. He got up to answer it, and when he opened the door, Onawagi stood, an injured Crocodile in his arms. Psycho stared at the men.
"Things got rough sir…" Onawagi said.
Psycho continued to stare.
"Where are Uzanda and Kumama?" Psycho asked.
"They…" Onawagi started.
"Died. Didn't they?" Psycho answered for him.
Onawagi looked at Psycho and gulped.
"Onawagi. Drop him and come in here, you may have lost your battle, but this isn't your fault." Psycho said.
Onawagi hesitantly dropped Crocodile down and went inside to get treated.
"What… what… is the meaning… of… this?" Crocodile said, in a lot of pain.
"Your failure resulted in the deaths of two of my men." Psycho said.
"It wasn't my fault!... ninjas showed up… and the straw-hats!" Crocodile tried to explain.
"Did they now? That's unfortunate." Psycho said.
"What're you?..." Crocodile tried to ask.
As Crocodile lay beaten up, Psycho pulled his sword from his back.
"NO! IT WASN'T MY FAULT!" Crocodile tried to plea.
"I understand." Psycho said, stabbing Crocodile through the back with his sword.
A man in a top hat with goggles saw it all go down and ran to his boat.
ALUBARNA
Nami and Robin had done their share of shopping and were on their way back to the castle to get ready for bed. Nami looked at Robin, who looked back at her and smiled.
"Sis?" Nami asked.
"Yeah?" Robin responded.
"I'm sorry about earlier… in the desert…" Nami said.
Robin looked down to the side.
"I'm sorry too, I shouldn't have egged you on like that, it was very unprofessional of me." Robin said.
"You're right though, I was faking that smile, and I did in the sand village too." Nami said, "And you know why too don't you?"
Robin nodded.
"The cook." Robin said, "You're jealous of the new girl is it?"
"I don't know why though? I mean it's obvious I feel SOMETHING for Sanji, but I always pushed him away because he'd just come back… but now… I feel like he won't come back this time." Nami admitted.
"Nami." Robin said.
Nami looked at Robin.
"I've been reading this book lately. It's about two people who loved each other and knew it without ever telling each other how the other felt." Robin said.
"How did they know they felt that way if they never said it?" Nami asked.
"Because no matter what, no matter how far they tried to get away from other, no matter how much they talked to other people, they always ended up back together, and they always felt at home when they were with each other." Robin said.
"So basically, I just wait to see who he chooses?" Nami asked disappointed.
"Well, that's up to you. I'm choosing to let the swordsman do what he wants and if anything is meant for us, the time will come. Same with you and the cook." Robin explained.
Nami stared at Robin and smiled.
"Thank you so much sister. You really helped me figure out what I want to do next." Nami said.
Robin smiled as the two walked back to the castle.
The two teams had enjoyed themselves and went to go to sleep back at the castle, all except for Sanji and Sakura who came back late.
"Thank you for such a fun night, Sanji-kun." Sakura said.
"Ahhh, anything for you Sakura-chan." Sanji said with a smile, "Shall I take you to your room?" Sanji asked.
Sanji walked Sakura up to her room.
"Well, here's my room." Sakura said.
"Aye. Indeed, it is. Goodnight Sakura-chan." Sanji said, walking away.
Sakura closed the door and Sanji walked off to have a smoke.
"That Sakura-chan sure is beautiful… it's a shame she's from the ninja lands, I could've met her so much sooner." Sanji thought to himself.
Further thoughts were interrupted by Nami walking up to Sanji with her head down.
"Nami-san! What are you doing up? Shouldn't you be getting rest for tomo-."
Sanji was interrupted by Nami grabbing him and pressing his lips against hers.