Adventreader221, thanks for the contribution.

Hope you all like this and stay tuned, please leave reviews and follow the fic. The reason why I took it down first, this chapter, was because of FFN's glitch that did not allow notifications or views to be shown again, like hell I will let a chapter flop because of it.

Enjoy the fic.

Flashback

Mid-1517

In the middle of the second year of the Elemental War, months after the disastrous military disaster that took place three months prior Naruto was given a month's leave as he was allowed to do so after the tremendous amount of progress that had been made in the Shinobi Continent, with the march through the Land of Fire having been met with little resistance, they had already arrived with Expeditionary Forces, the Marines, and other forces to the gates of the Land of Grass, Wind, Waterfall, and Rain.

But they were then caught by surprise by surprise, surprised by the enemy counteroffensive, large counteroffensives by the entrance of Kaido and Big Mom, who caused chaos, panic, and destruction of all the progress made, forcing the retreat to the outskirts of Konoha and to the central provinces of the Land of Fire, up north to the Land of Rice, and in the south where the enemy was stopped in the southern parts of the Land of Grass. Leaving the Army group center with a salient based around Konoha.

The death toll of the Expeditionary Forces, Marines, local fighters, and even Shinobi was shockingly high for killed, missing, and wounded, with over a hundred thousand deaths alone in mere weeks, and triple that number of the wounded, with tens of thousands having gone missing.

Kaido's forces especially dealt heavy casualties with the entire front nearly having collapsed - division after division, regiment by regiment, crushed and scattered, they would've been nearly whipped out if it wasn't for the Foreign Legion's actions, alongside that core group of Shinobi that made it possible to stabilize the front, but not without a cost - a heavy cost that resulted in 1/3rd of its troops being killed or wounded, including many junior officers who were targeted.

Naruto was one of those targeted, yet he survived the onslaught, but many of his fellow officers did not.

After the whole ordeal and an incident that occurred in a village he had returned to years after leaving it behind, Naruto was given an assignment. With pressure from his surviving commanding officers, he was sent back to his home in the underwater kingdom.

He was accompanied by newly promoted Sargeant Jack Foster as they made their way through the halls of the Ryugu Palace. The vastness and beauty of the interior did little to amaze these two young men.

Changed young men.

"Keep your eyes up, we've arrived," Naruto said, bringing Foster's attention back to the task at hand.

Passing through the open main door, they entered the throne room where dozens of military Fishmen stood in formation on both sides of the hall. Standing before them were King Neptune and Queen Otihime, with their Ministers by their side.

"Lieutenant - I mean, Captain Uzumaki and Corporal Foster of the Alabasta Foreign Legion," announced one of the Ministers upon their arrival. "Congratulations on your promotion."

*TCHK!*

Without a warning, Naruto had already ignited a cigarette and began taking a drag from it before he blew the smoke out through his nose, looking then up to the Royal Family with an expression that they could read

Stern, stress, emptiness, tired, but not done.

Naruto bowed his head respectfully and spoke, "Your majesty, I am here at your request. I understand you wished to speak with me."

Taken back by the casual tone, Queen Otohime was especially distraught by the expression, she however nodded along in silence.

The Minister turned to the King and Queen who gave a nod of approval before speaking, King Neptune spoke.

"Yes, we wanted to discuss the ongoing war taking place in the Elemental Nations…"

"I'll spare you the details, Your Majesty, but it is hell, that is all I can say." Naruto responded to the Royals as he questioned, "Has anything been happening while I was on the front?"

Both monarchs looked at one another in discomfort, before Queen Otohime then broke the news and sighed.

"Well, nothing much, just to send in some of our own volunteers to-"

"I decline." Naruto vehemently denies it, interrupting King Neptune on the spot, "I will not jeopardize a single life from the kingdom, none of these people have anything to do with a human conflict, hell none of them even should have to go on to fight for us in the first place."

Foster stood firm, standing with the same motionless expression, he stood firm.

"They do not need to worry about our affairs up above on the surface." he shakes his head, "Tell them all to go home, it's where they belong." he waves his offer away, "They have more important things to worry about their sons and daughters growing up happy and healthy. Their businesses and livelihoods are more important here than any meager human conflict."

Queen Otohime gives a kind smile. Even when faced with such an idea, he would rather handle it himself than accept help. Truly the kind child she had known had indeed grown to be a fine man.

"Naruto, while we are grateful that you are thinking about our way of life and safety, we can't accept this," she tells him.

"And why the hell not, My Queen?" he says with clenched fists.

"Because, if we simply stay out of the conflict, the World Government will renegotiate the terms of our agreement, and deny us our place in the Reverie. We will have no place to speak, we will not be allowed up to the surface freely, confined back to the inner fringes of the kingdom, and any who are seen above will be forcefully conscripted by the Marines into service," she said sadly.

"Like all other kingdoms and islands who pay tribute to Mariejois, we are to start a recruitment drive to bring in a considerable amount of men to serve in the war, whether we like it or not."

Knowing what they were talking about, Naruto had heard of the World Government's announcement to draft manpower across the world to contribute to the war effort, something he had read about from the military reports, and seeing how his homeland now also pulled into this conflict, he could only ask.

"How many?"

"500 volunteers, strictly them." King Neptune replied while mentioning, "They all are either former soldiers, young ones, or humans."

"Humans?" Naruto questioned.

"We don't know how to explain but we had put out posters to recruit and they answered the call, which included a couple of humans who also answered the call." Queen Otohime responded as she stood up from her seat swam over to Naruto's side and offered, "I can show you where they are residing now if you wish?"

"Okay…"

…

As he was being escorted by the Royal Family, its ministers, and their security while walking to the area, Queen Otohime happened to swim the closest to the blond she knew as a simple human boy.

"Naruto…what happened?"

"War happened, ma'am." Naruto responded without even glancing at her, "Kaido and Big Mom entered, and we knew - but Marine HQ didn't want to act on it."

Otohime was bewildered, "They knew?"

"And men on the front paid the price, while they only have their pride hurt." Naruto replied once again without looking at her, "Now with the front stabilized, High Command has been overhauled, giving front commanders more room to act on their own accord."

She then asked what was on her, but also King Neptune's and the Ministers' minds, a question they had to ask.

"What…What happened to Captain Frederick Bishop."

"He did what he always believed he would do…"

"...And that is?"

"He fell where he fought."

Once they then arrived at the area, in several rows stood men in the hundreds in attention, told there were Fishmen and some humans, all in their given uniforms, khaki brown and waiting for the arrival.

"ATTENTION!"

As done, the men did as Naruto stepped up to the gathered force and stopped a few feet away, inspecting the men before he then spoke out in authority.

"So, this is the band of misfits I am set to take with me when I leave, huh? An army worth practically nothing when it comes to prolonged conflict!" he states harshly. Getting some nervous glances that they tried to hide, Naruto keeps yelling at them, "Why would you sorry louts even volunteer when you have better things to do than fight in some surface conflict that doesn't even involve you?" he demands from them.

A Fishman began, "Because we were told by the King and Queen! We were asked for volunteers to help see an end to the fighting, and we jumped at the chance to serve the Kingdom-"

"I DIDN'T ASK!" Naruto barked the talker quietly, he then turned to everyone in general, "That ain't a reason, it's a cause." Naruto responded, "The people we are fighting, men on the front are fighting! They would chew you all up and spit you out like a bad whiskey! Out there beyond that shoreline, every living thing that crawls flies, or squats in the mud wants to kill you and eat your eyes for jujubes." Stating it loud and clear, Naruto didn't stop. "So I want an honest and serious reason as to why I should accept any of you into the Foreign Legion!" he responds, And if this is your army, why does it go?"

"We didn't come here to fight for them!" a Fishman declares boldly.

"We fight for our land, our home! The enemy is too many!" a young Fishman-no older than sixteen, declares heatedly.

"I did not ASK for your opinion!" Naruto barked once again in the face of the young blue-skinned Fishman, "I will be showing no mercy to you all in the month-long training! For what is to come is no joke, Understood!"

"Yes Sir!" They responded all at once.

"Sargeant Foster!"

"Sir!" Foster stood up next to his commanding officer, "What are your orders, sir!"

"I want you to drill these men, none-stop!" Naruto told him, glaring at the volunteers, "We will be weeding out the weak!"

"We will not, Captain!" a familiar voice spoke causing Naruto to jerk, and then he saw a familiar face.

First Son of the Sea.

Jimbei…

Naruto looked at his old comrade with sorrow, why would he join up on a volunteer force so brazenly-but looking across the crowd of gathered Fishmen, he saw several others as well from the Sun Pirates Crew, this was the last thing he wanted.

King Neptune and Queen Otohime spotted the reaction of the young blond officer. Shocked at his demeanor.

"You!" Naruto walked over to Jimbei and looked up at him, "Are you responsible for this recruitment drive?"

"I am!"

"Okay! Then you will be commanding these men into battle." Naruto spoke to him, looking at the volunteers, "Let me ask you a question - Do you know what top secret is?"

The First Son of the Sea nods, "Well sure, it's-" he goes on to say only for Naruto to stop him.

Naruto raises a hand, "Top secret means you help me pick the other men, train them up, and go - without knowing where you're going until it's too late." he states.

Jimbei nods, "You can count on us!"

Naruto inhales deeply, "There's only one other thing I can tell you." he states, causing the group of volunteers to shuffle, "Look at the man beside you."

Watching as heads swivel side to side, the men did look at one another, confused as to why it was asked of them.

"It's a good bet that six weeks to a month from now, either you will quit or I will kick you out! These will be six weeks of cruel training and exhaustion, do you understand!"

"Yes, sir!"

They had accepted and knew what they were signing up for.

End flashback

10 000 feet underwater - the bottom of the trench

After the fall the Straw Hats and the small band of Naruto went through into the dark trench, where they ended up in what was now covered light.

As they all began to wake up, Naruto was the last to do so, happening to wake up in the middle of the tangerine bushes that were on the deck, he did so with his eyes slightly opening up slowly until he started to wake up fully, faster than last time - having been knocked out two times in one day.

He noticed that someone was on top of him and that something soft was pressing against his chest. He opened his eyes wide and saw that Nami was lying on him with her bust full on his chest and her face close to his.

Nami then slowly opened her eyes and realized who she was on and noticeably blushed.

"…"

"…"

"Hey."

"...Hey…"

Naruto smiled nervously and noticed the orchard. " Well, they look healthy. Would you mind if I ate one later?"

"Uhm, sure, no problem," Nami sounded nervous while being way too close, she stood up and looked down at him, "But that will be a hefty price."

Naruto smirked as they ceased their conversation when the others began waking up, not noticing that both were eavesdropped.

Robin commented first while looking up, "Light? This deep in the sea?"

"Ugh…my head…" Foster was the next to stand up, holding his head and looking up, "Where are we?"

"It's too bright! My eyes are dazzled!" Brook said as light streams passed through his eye socket, and he made a skull joke. "But I don't have eyes to be dazzled, Yohohoh."

Luffy was the next one to stand up, and he smiled shouting, "Hey guys, come here!"

Everybody looked up and, for the first time, noticed that the sun was shining fully, making them cover their eyes, but what they saw...

"Hey Nami, is that it?"

Holding the Log Pose that she uses to navigate the Grand Line, Nami saw the pins pointing upwards at what she was looking at, making her confirm it with a determined smile.

"Yeah, there's no doubt. The needle is pointing at the island!"

As Sea creatures were swimming around, the roots of the trees of Sabaody stretched up. Just off the deep ocean's sea floor and the coral reef, as the sight was all it needed to confirm where they were. There was a giant bubble home to the underwater kingdom enshrined in the bright light - a bubble the size of an island.

"The Fish-Man Island!"

While everybody was celebrating their arrival, Naruto stood on the edge in silence, smiling as he looked up at his old home, hearing the reactions of the newcomers.

"It's huge!" Luffy smiled.

"It's in a big bubble! There are clouds?" Nami wondered in amazement, "Maybe there is air inside."

"That's the Fish-Man island," Chopper was overwhelmed, "so we're 10,000 meters deep now!"

"How is there such a big tree this deep in the water?" Usopp joined in shock.

As everyone was overjoyed at their arrival, the same could not be said for one person.

Naruto's heart ached as he gazed upon the familiar sight of Fish-Man Island, his childhood home that had been taken from him years ago. He wanted to feel joy at the reunion, but instead, a deep emptiness gnawed at his insides, threatening to consume him.

His hands clutched the wooden railing with a fierce grip as he tried to hold back the overwhelming emotions brewing within him.

'Feeling nervous, kid?' The voice of his mentor echoed in his head.

'No-' Naruto started to deny before the trembling of his arms betrayed him. His facade shattered as he finally admitted, 'I'm scared.'

'You are scared to see your people?'

'No…I'm scared they'll see me…I haven't been the same person that I was years ago.'

'As far I remember, you made a short leave for your home with that Foster brat, remember?'

'Yes, but that was before…Konoha and all.'

'Ugh…now I understand.'

What Kurama saw and experienced throughout his life was that every other warrior he had seen go through this: returning home after a long period of fighting a war or in other circumstances, anxiety, guilt, fear, all these emotions that went through their heads. Naruto was now next, and it was now going to the host home that he hadn't seen for almost years without communication or letters since that year…

'1517…second year of the war, right after we reached Konoha when you were given leave.'

'Two weeks, and in five days I got called back.'

'Because those damn World Government idiots got greedy and tried to rush for the Hidden Mist, trying to get a fast victory - they instead got a surprise attack by those two Emperors.'

'I didn't think Big Mom or Kaido would be involved.'

'Yet they did and destroyed nearly two-thirds of all Expeditionary Forces if you didn't return.'

'And for that, I haven't returned to this island for five years…'

"Hey! What are they?!"

The abrupt call caused Naruto to look up and spot several creatures approaching the ship, and what they were caused the euphoria from earlier to turn into fear.

"AHHHH!" Chopper screamed while next to Zoro who narrowed his eyes at them.

"Who are they?"

A sea rhino, a sea giraffe, a sea lion a sea elephant, a sea bear, and a sea gorilla, sized that of the Kraken ganged up on them and the looks on their faces were anything but friendly.

"The group of sea monsters!"

While the Straw Hats were panicking, Reiser, Luca, and Foster approached the captain with their rifles, locked and loaded as they were ready to take action.

Their presence alone somehow scared Surume the Kraken away, as the Sunny was left to land on the sea bottom floor.

"Captain?"

"Wait…" Naruto held up his hand and looked closer, "See that?"

"What?"

"Someone's riding them…"

Saddled up, the sea giraffe was the first person to reveal himself, with a few others sitting with him. The first Fishman is bright yellow with orange hair and sinister facial features. He wears a black coat and striped undershirt to display his tattoos, frayed white pants, and black sandals. He also has a fedora and earrings.

The second is stocky with beige skin, brown spots, and pink tailings. He wears a white tank top and striped pants, with a large grin on his face.

The final one is an octopus merman with six orange tentacles for legs, two human arms, and shaggy black hair. He wears a blue unbuttoned shirt, untied tie, and jacket draped over his shoulders. His left arm holds a katana without a guard in a sheath covered in spot motifs, and he carries a small gourd.

"You guys are the Straw Hats, aren't you?" The first Fishman asked smiling, "I know you guys very well. You're the pirates who foiled the plans of the Arlong Pirates. If that were all you'd done, this would be much simpler. But then, two years ago, you stood up for Hachi, a former officer of the Arlong Pirates, and knocked one of the detestable Celestial Dragons out!"

Naruto seeing this slowly nodded to his men and they took positions, ready to fire if needed, he then slowly approached the Straw Hats.

"Your deeds are like our beloved Fisher Tiger, the hero of Fish-Man Island."

Mentioning that, Naruto held his hand over his blade, this guy would shut up sooner or later.

"So, tell me. Are you guys our enemies or allies? I'll give you a choice. Will you submit to the New Fish-Man Pirates - or do you refuse?"

At this moment Naruto approached Franky and Nami.

"What's the plan?"

"Simple, we run." Nami said to him, "We use the Coup de Burst for one shot into the island?"

"That's it?"

"Yes."

"Let me distract them, enough time to give you guys."

As the group prepared for their final Coup da burst, Naruto flashed a mischievous grin as he stepped up to the front, causing the Fishmen to spot him, and one of them to call out.

"Wait, isn't that-"

"You sure you want me to join?" he asked, pulling off his hoodie and earning glares from the pirates. But Naruto didn't seem fazed as he continued, "Because I happened to not like what you guys were trying to sell with Fisher Tiger's name."

Hammond's expression turned fierce as he barked out an order. "You filthy...KILL THEM!"

Naruto only laughed in response. "Well I did expect a welcoming party of this kind, but try something better than some measly giraffe!"

"COUP DE BURST!"

With a final battle cry from Franky, the Sunny shot forward at incredible speed. It broke through the first bubble, shimmering and translucent, and was quickly swallowed by the surrounding water. The crew members scrambled to their feet, gazing out in awe as they sailed towards the second bubble. Naruto's eyes widened as the figurehead of the Sunny crashed into the next bubble, revealing a vast sea of dark blue below.

"Hang on tight!" he shouted over the chaotic roar of crashing water, bracing himself for impact. They plunged into the water and burst through the other side, surrounded by dazzling bubbles that danced and swirled around them.

But as they emerged, everything went black once more. The crew scattered, some with diving experience, swimming frantically toward any source of air for survival.

But Naruto, like many of the Straw Hat crew members, had been thrown overboard and found himself sinking deeper into the murky depths. Desperately trying to swim upwards, his prosthetic arm and equipment hindered his progress.

In his struggle, he suddenly felt something brush against him before succumbing to unconsciousness...

Outside the bubble, the three New Fish-Man Pirates just watched the Straw Hats escape out of their sights and into the island through the barriers, but it wasn't the Straw Hats that they were concerned about.

"Let's go after them!" Hammond spoke angrily, reaching for his blade, "He was inside that ship! We can-"

"No, think!" Hyouzou the tentacle half-drunk fishman warned him, "He's way too dangerous for the three of us to handle him!" He held out his hand, "I know I am drunk half the time but trying to kill him now is suicide."

Hating to agree with his drunken friend, Hammond gritted his teeth out of anger and swallowed his pride, "Fine! Let's warn the captain first!"

A few hours later

Laid on his back, Naruto's eyes were squirming as he slowly opened them and he raised himself from where he was laid, only covered in blankets as he was entirely naked from up to the waist.

He was in a home, a Merfolk home to be exact, with air inside the room and the water floor, the interior belonged by the presumption of a Mermaid who must've taken him into her care.

As he spots his clothing on a table, properly set and dry, he walks over and grabs for his shirt that he begins to clothe himself.

Aside from his formerly officer's jacket, he soon was back in his boots, khaki trousers, and a white shirt with Y-suspensers. As he handed his bandana around his head, he was about to complete his clothing until he saw something on the wall…a poster.

End the War! Bring our boys back! End the slaughter of lives! It was written in large letters with a picture of multiple grave sites as a human mother and her children were walking past with whatever luggage she could carry on one hand, and holding her children's hand with the other.

It brought him back memories.

Flashback

1517

A month had passed since the new batch of Foreign Legionnaires signed up for war, as the training mostly had been happening outside the Kingdom, near the Coral forest, without contact with their families, and not even a letter, causing some to wonder if something bad had happened.

But they then in large numbers arrived at Gyoncorde Plaza, where Something was happening as the crowd also consisted of the Royal Family and even their children, with Queen Otohime arriving last.

"Fukaboshi," She asked her eldest son, "What's going on here?"

The eldest son with blue hair was without words and pointed downwards to the middle of the plaza.

Naruto looked at the gathered group of legion recruits.

standing before the assembled crowd of 500, but half of the men were set apart across one individual who stood alone, distinguishable by his khaki clothing and lack of a cap. The rest of the men stood in rigid formation as they awaited their punishment. This man had committed an infraction that had been brought to light after nearly thirty days of secrecy. He had fallen asleep while on watch duty, a grave mistake that could have endangered them all.

Now, he and the rest of the men had to face Naruto, their leader who had spent countless hours training them without rest. But this late-night gathering was not solely for punishment. Thousands, if not tens of thousands, of people, some of whom were family members of the volunteers, watched from afar as Naruto paced in front of his men, his arms crossed behind his back and his feet moving back and forth in deep thought.

The air was filled with tension and anticipation as everyone waited for Naruto to address the issue. The guilty man hung his head in shame, knowing he had let down his comrades and disappointed their leader. It was a somber scene, but necessary for maintaining order and discipline within their ranks.

Naruto stood there, glaring at his men as he had to drill the words into them. Words that would be like a lesson sink into their skulls and stick. He had to be forceful enough to make them feel bad, but firm enough to let them know that the issue wasn't entirely their own.

However, he also had to have it be bad enough in their minds to let them know that what was happening wasn't something that could be without consequences in the long run.

"Do any of you know why it is you as a whole stand here in the middle of the night? And not just the middle of the night, but a time when each of you not pulling shifts should be resting for tomorrow's departure, but now stand in front of everyone's families to see?"

Silence filled the air, none could answer, would answer; as it would immediately draw his attention quite - his ire to them.

"I'll tell you plain and simple." he stated loudly, "The whole lot of you have fucked up."

Confusion must have been on their faces because Naruto was quick to continue talking.

"Stand at ease," he ordered them.

When they relaxed their stances he pulled his arms across his chest, looks of confusion passed across a couple of faces, but Naruto opted to ignore them, As Naruto walked up to one of the Fishmen, a green-skinned one, and pointed at him.

"You, Name?"

The men stood in formation again, with the Fishman spoke and saluted. "Private Kitajima, at your command."

"Kitajima, you are dead!" Naruto yelled at him, proceeding to glare at him, to then ask, "Are you married?"

"Yes, Captain!"

"She lives in the Gyoverly Hills?"

"Yes, captain!"

"Give her a call, she needs to look for another flat." Naruto told him right up with shocked others who heard he wasn't finished, "She won't be able to stay there anymore, why? Because you are dead!"

The people in the crowd watched in shock at what he just told the Fishman, among them was even the wife who wanted to say something, but it was one Shyarly who told her to let him finish.

Naruto continued stating loudly, "Are your parents still alive?"

"Yes, Captain!" Kitajima responded quickly.

"Good. we'll send your coffin to them." Naruto finished before he proceeded to walk through the ranks, his hands behind his back as he then addressed another volunteer to whom he pointed his finger, one of the few humans among the ranks.

"You?"

"Haku Yuki from the Land of Water!" Haku saluted loudly, "At your service, sir!"

"You are dead!" he proclaimed into Haku's face with no warning, before turning to someone else, "You?" he demanded of another.

"Clarence Point Coupee from Frauce, sir!" the legionnaire said proudly.

"Clarence Point Coupee, you are dead!" he declared heatedly as he passed him by, pointing then to another person in the back, to another human.

"You?" he demanded.

"Kiyosaki tamalpaca from Dressrosa," he responded quickly. "At your command, sir!"

"To whom you gave your last will document?"

"To my father-"

"Good," Naruto nodded his head to him, "then we will also send him your coffin," Naruto spoke, turning to move down the line.

"You?" he asked another.

"Gnu, at your command sir!" the young pink fishman answered him.

"You are dead!" he proclaimed in his face.

Leaning over so his breath could be felt on his skin, Naruto saw the fear in his eyes, but he wasn't done yet.

"You have a girlfriend?"

"Yes sir,"

"Not anymore." Naruto told him just as quickly, "She'll marry another guy," Naruto told him right in his presence with his hands still around his back "Why? Because you are dead now, boy."

He walked by Gnu as he spoke to them collectively, knowing that he got the men now where he wanted, listening to him and thinking about his words. The blond was far from done as he went on to speak.

"Your mother cries her heart out, and your neighbors and friends will try to calm her down. They will rub calming oils on her wrists so she can breathe properly so she doesn't choke on her breath," he told them seriously,

"'My son' she's crying!...'My one and only son!'! My dear baby boy is gone!'"

Foster who stood watch, saw that the words were loud enough for some mothers in the crowd to hear, feeling their hearts sink. Others regretted bringing their children, some even their fathers down to the group hearing this, causing them to cover their ears.

But the men right in the middle of the ranks stood still, listening to their captain as he continued.

"Your father is crying as well. Silently, where nobody can hear him because he doesn't want anybody to see the tears falling from his face as he hides in a corner on his own; so he can be strong for your mother." he tells the group, pointing out his finger briefly to nothing to make a point, "He'll be telling himself he is proud of the man his boy has become. The strength he showed when others weren't able to. He'll weep, 'My boy, my boy is dead.'" he tells a legionnaire, "'I am proud of him, and if I have another son, I'd send him too!" he declares pointedly as he looks at another legionnaire.

King Neptune also paid close attention by the looks of it.

"Your mother's cries of 'Where is my baby, where is my dear son, why is my son dead?' and she can't get an answer because nobody will know why!" he calls out, "The enemy ambushes the flank where the high caliber ammo is stored using grenades." he states as he passes another legionnaire, "They destroy our cache of ammunition and overrun the flank, killing all of us in one fell swoop when we can't get the supplies that we desperately need to properly fight back; they leave no survivors!" he waves an arm.

"We'll send your families your coffins, with you inside." he declares to them, "Your families will wash the bullet holes covering your body that ended up killing you." he says as he makes the motion with his hand to make a point, "Clean off all the blood that covers you, and you look like you're asleep instead of dead, but you're cold as ice," he tells another.

"Afterwards, they cover your coffin in a nice ornamental flag, maybe a couple of offerings and sentimental items or medals. Because that's all they can do, right Jimbei?" he demands from the man up front, Jimbei

"Exactly so, sir!" Jinbei answers swiftly.

"Of course it is." Naruto says boldly and nodding his head, turning back to the men, "I should know because that's the same fucking way we did it when the man who meant the most to me died!" he shouted out as he turned to the crowd with anger, "He died not because he fell asleep but because he wanted." Naruto took a moment, before continuing, "And now, you are standing out here in the middle of the night, when you should be sleeping!" he snarls, "And not just anywhere, in the full fucking view of the entire Fishman nation. The Queen herself is right there next to the king and their heirs!" he shouts as he points over to the Royal family.

Briefly allowed, all the men in ranks turned to where Queen Otohime and King Neptune stood, alongside their children, the three Sons…and Princess Shirahoshi, who was shocked by what she was seeing.

"Not just them, but civilians who have no part in the war itself on the surface! They are seeing your every move-the good, the bad, and the fucking ugly; all of it! They are watching me, as I yell at each of you - right here, and now-for this fuck up tonight!" he shouts out, "You all died, not because he fell asleep, but because he doesn't care!" he jabbed a hand at the man standing at the front of the formation on his own.

The man was still standing there, with his black hair and small facial beard, he was not raising his head.

"The man who died for his men - for me and those he fought alongside - was put on a truck to be transported on a boat where he could be sent back home to his family in a pine box!" Naruto told the group, "And do you all want to know something?" he asked them, "When you die fighting the enemy, that's what they will be doing with you guys!"

He points to another in line and demands, "You?"

"Portgas D. Ace, sir!"

"Tell me, who will carry your picture on to your burial?" he questions the man, "Do you have a sibling?"

the very young-looking man who in actuality entered under a false age, Ace took a moment and responded.

"Yes, Captain!"

"Good, then he will carry it then." he says turning around, "How old?"

"12, sir!"

"Then your 12-year-old brother will carry your picture!" Naruto makes a motion with his hand as if he was carrying his picture, "Your brother will also have to carry your coffin when they bury you!" he states before he cocks his head, "Tell me, does your father smoke?"

"Don't have a father, sir!" Ace responded, having been caught by surprise with that last sentence, "I do have a mother figure-"

"Well guess what, she'll start because of you! She will have cancer!" he states seriously.

The young man was impacted by this, and Naruto could see it before he then continued.

"They'll announce it over the radio and broadcast for 2 minutes. No, not even 2 minutes; 45 seconds," Naruto minimized it even further to get into his men's heads. "You'll be heroes for 45 seconds!"

"And it won't be a simple explanation either, it will be some pompous and overly dressed woman who will sit in a chair while she'll say in a sad tone, Portgas D Ace died a martyr during an ambush' for 45 fucking seconds!" He snarls in his face.

No more expressions on his face to react, the young-looking Ace just listened, but not only him; also many others who felt uncomfortable on the line, now understood his words.

Jimbei who stood up front could feel something was brewing, and it was exactly what Naruto wanted.

"And after your celebrity status news position makes its way across the world, people will ask, 'Did he fight bravely?' then they'll question, 'Did he die fighting while trying to save his comrades?' and the answer is no!" he tells him and all the men on the line, "You died because this guy fell asleep!" he shouts out as he thrusts his arm repeatedly at the man standing alone.

"Why do your parents cry?" Continuing with the hard question, Naruto demands heatedly, pointing to the lowered head volunteer, "Because this man fell asleep!"

The young man with his face down couldn't say anything while Foster watched on.

"Don't be mad at him. Don't hold a grudge for Private Law!" he says pointing at the man, who's the identity he just brought up.

"Be made at yourself. When you are a unit, there is no room for individuality! No time for acting on your own! You act for your comrades. You act for the man to your left and your right so that each of you doesn't return home in a "wooden box!"

The torment went on as Naruto walked through the lines of men listening to his every word as he spoke further. "You don't sleep for him to sleep! You die, so he does not!" he tells them angrily, "So that the people counting on you, can live peacefully, without worry about someone sneaking into their room at night and slitting their throat or putting a bullet in their head!"

"You won't just die asleep. If you sleep, you die. You all die!" he says as he begins to walk through the ranks and points at individual men among the ranks, standing out among the tall fishmen with him intimidating them more with his mere presence and words, that were playing with their morale.

"If you sleep, you'll die!" he tells a human as he points at him and walks to a Fishman, "If you sleep, everyone will die!"

He repeats it over and over again.,

"If you sleep, he dies!" he pokes a man harshly before passing him, "You too. You die because he wants to sleep." he passes another, "You guys will all die!" he declares loudly, "If any of you sleep, then everyone will end up dying, Sergeant!" Naruto says as he looks at Kitajima as last.

Even when tall, the Fishman felt so little to the blond's words.

But Naruto wasn't done as he walked out of the formation and walked right up to Law and got in his face.

"IF YOU FALL ASLEEP EVERYBODY DIES!"

Naruto roars in the Trafalgar's ear angrily. Who in response did not talk back and simply acknowledged his commander's words.

He proceeds to turn and point to the formation, "Look at them, burn their faces into your memory, of their families crying over their caskets because they are gone, remember them and what they look like here and now! They stand strong and at the ready; eager to fight the enemy with all they have to give and more!" he declares as he thrusts his hand at the formation.

Naruto demands, "You won't sleep! You will not eat! There will be no breaks!" he roars angrily. "Because I will not send your corpses, your coffins, back to your families over one man's mistake! I will not put your families through that trauma!" Naruto tells his men loudly, "I forbid you to die, over one man's carelessness! For his mistakes!" he jabs a hand at the men yet again."Am I understood!?"

"Yes sir!" the group shouts together collectively.

He turns back to Law, "I forgive your actions so that I can preserve the order of this unit-of these men are here because of you." he tells him calmly, "You hear me men?" he questions as he faces the group, "I forgive him so that each of you can stand guard; side by side, right here until morning." he tells each of them, his anger clearly showing on his face.

He pulls out a pocket watch and looks at it, causing some to eye him more carefully,

"It is currently 2320 at night, you will all leave at 0400 in the morning. You are to be awake; cleanly shaven, showered, and ready to be departed for the front, arriving first at the Land of Waves. That means, some of you will sleep for less than an hour, so decide quickly who those people will be to ensure your readiness for tomorrow." he tells them, and then proceeded with a warning, "But know this, if at any point I come out here to check on you, and I catch you with your pants down…I'll shoot you dead by my hand, I swear to God-I dare you to test me on this, I fucking dare you to try me! It will be a training accident! That is what the report on your death is going to say for everyone to read for all fucking time!" he snarls with a demand, "Am I understood!"

"YES, SIR, CAPTAIN!"

The roar of the men all at once, they were pumped up for what was to come in the future, and now after having broken them, Naruto had created a new battalion of Legionnaires.

Now finished, he looked up to the crowd after his fit ended, and saw all of Fishman Island's population available having witnessed his speech. And now saw a whole different side of Naruto before his departure.

A departure for years to not come back.

End Flashback

Having just remembered it, Naruto placed his hat on the counter, and left the room-

*POOF!*

Vanished in smoke, Naruto left just the moment a figure appeared out from the water looked around in confusion, and spoke in her voice.

"Naruto?"

Now that was fun - and something else - from now one I will do commissions, but I have just started it.

Feel free to leave reviews, I will be happy to answer and hope you all have a good evening.