So, seeing I am closing in on the next Arc I've got planned, let me put some things in perspective and answer a few common questions.

First, for those asking where this is going, and where the 'One Piece' is and the overwhelming amount of military stuff I've been putting in. And when are you getting to the Straw Hat crew?

For that, I can only ask you to have patience, as I've decided to rather to go for an Arc of putting the plot in good sight then instead be going for a time-skip, because I'd be too busy to keep the plot on the line.

As for the military stuff, I can get why some don't like it, but honestly this is what I wanted to write, so please be understandable.

As for the time-skip itself? Any of you be surprised that I actually planned it very soon? Like perhaps before the 20th chapter?

Yeah, I've got what I need now and the story's to the point that allows me to do a time-skip very soon, but also allows me to explain the War that I've got planned.

So anyway, let's get through this, because now that I've got it figured out. I'm letting you all then read the chapter.

Also, to note, some of the characters are from Video Games I used to play, including some old Call of Duty characters of games way back before Modern Warfare, and I mean WAY BACK, like when CoD was in the old days.

Let's begin!

Nanohana

Early up in the morning, already the earliest awake of the city were starting to rise up from their beds to prepare for the day, as the usual life for the ordinary citizen was to get up to their work.

For the Legion however; that was now a different story, with word spreading out about the early planned deployment. With the officers at this point having already informed their mean about it. The total preparations were to be set up and ready.

One of those who were to oversee it was Naruto, who by now as awake and showered up as he was preparing himself for the day. With himself being presented in front of the mirror as he was busy clothing himself up properly.

In his uniform, modified for the heat, he sighed. It was going to be another hot one, especially for the new recruits. Fortunately today was not a full gear day as this was going to be brutal…for the newcomers of course.

Now up to his shirt's buttons, Naruto also was to make sure his rank insignia was properly visible, having his silver bar ready and his collar set up properly as he now wore his brown khaki uniform with his brown officer's cap laid next on the desk. With the uniform being prepared for the training of the new men.

'Getting a little fancy, aren't we?'

'Its just my uniform, you furball.' Naruto mentally noted to his companion with then a smirk. 'But hey, maybe you can lend a few lines from Shukaku, make your jokes a bit killer.'

'...Fuck you.'

"Nooo, thank you." Naruto said while finishing the last button as he smiled. "Done."

*Knock!* *Knock!* *Knock!*

Hearing the door being knocked on, Naruto began walking towards it with his combat boots as he just finished his last button.

*Knock!* *Knock!*-

"I am coming. Wait a minute." Naruto spoke up before finally finishing his last button up as he went for the doorknob.

*Click*

He pushed it open and asked. "Excuse me, but I gotta go quick-"

The moment he had opened the door, there was nobody there standing. Looking around at both ends of the hallway, he found it to be empty.

'Look down.'

Naruto turned his head down and saw that an envelope was prepared laid on the floor. So he picked it up from the ground and took a peak at it and saw it had had nothing written on the front.

Wondering what it was, Naruto decided to open up the envelope and pulled out the small note that only had one thing written on it.

Today

The Suna Dinner.

9 in the evening.

"Strange, just a time and place, and nothing else…" Naruto muttered as he turned the note around to see it was blank.

'Watch the time, kid.'

"The-Oh crap!" Naruto noticed the time and grabbed for his cap and his keys and his gun holster.

"Gotta go now."

'Should've gone long ago.'

"Oh shut up."

*BANG!*

Closing the door behind him, Naruto started making his way to the barracks. He thought that he had locked his door properly.

….

*Click*

That however wasn't the case, as the door was opening up slowly again with an brown hand glove seen opening the door up, all without the need to crack the lock open.

The intruder slowly opened the door widely and the only thing visible about her was the black thigh-high stockings with brown high-heeled boots she was wearing.

That, and the pink shirt with a frilly collar, a maroon short skirt, and her crimson newsboy cap with gold goggles.

The woman saw the pictures on the wall and more importantly, with the one of a younger Naruto, basically confirming the intruder's suspicions.

A smile appeared on her face as a small tear was even seen rolling down her cheek.

"I knew it was you."

Alabasta Foreign Legion - Barracks

With the day beginning, it was only being a matter of time before the full base was up and running again, the planned training for the deployments was going to take their 1st day in:

And the fresh recruits were going to feel it the hardest.

Standing there in formation, in ten lines of 10, were several full platoons of men in full gear, all members of the newly re-organized Fox Company of the 9th Raiders battalion. With them having been awake for a full hour before everyone else in the base.

Three groups of almost a hundred men each, were all in formation just as instructed, with each group being a platoon with a NCO standing in front of their men, all ready for inspection.

Of course this whole company wasn't made out of recruits only, as it was also home to some seasoned veterans of the past year who've been sticking around, that included also one big man from Jean.

Corporal Vic Denley stood among these new recruits, having been placed in the 1st platoon, he was pretty much surrounded by fresh grunts who were torture to him, with their complaining and talking that was coming from the two guys in front of him.

Thing was, they were from his country.

"Been standing here for almost two hours now." The person on the right spoke, complaining as he was being the impatient one. "Can this Lieutenant make us wait any longer?"

They had to be Yanks, damn northerners.

"Shut it, man. Bloomfield." The person on the left nervously warned him, wearing glasses as he held onto his Springfield rifle. "I don't want to get into any trouble."

"Oh, sure 'Mr. Brain surgeon's son' you won't complain, that's your choice." The person identified as Bloomfield responded. "But I am starting to doubt if this Lieutenant really is such a big shot to begin with."

Vic was clearly less than pleased to hear this guy being a loudmouth prick.

"I mean, you do know the guy's supposedly our age group, right? Kid's lucky to be a lieutenant."

"Yeah, but it's also Naruto Uzumaki we're talking about." The glasses guy reminded him. "And he ain't a nobody, so watch your mouth."

"Yeah right, whatever, Kelly."

"You people are at the position of attention!" A angry voice shouted.

That order alone shut every last man up in formation and every spine upwards.

As the person who had just commanded the order was Lieutenant Naruto Uzumaki himself, as he gained the full attention of the whole company, not wasting any time in starting the inspection.

And he already had gotten his first target in the middle of the 2nd platoon. As he approached the man.

"Name."

"Leroy Huxley, sir." The man stood firm with his M1897 Trench Gun he presented.

"Why are your hands dirtier than your shotgun?"

The infraction that Naruto brought up was the palms of Pvt. Huxley. That were clearly not cleaned properly, even making small marks on the shotgun.

"... No excuse sir."

Naruto responded. "If you're going to be a Legionnaire, Huxley. Then I remind you to take care of yourself as much as you take care of your gun. Midnight patrol."

"Sir." Huxley stood back in formation as Naruto walked past him. Going on with the inspection.

And there, Naruto's next target wasn't far away, approaching the new radioman, who was told to be known for having trouble with authority.

"Name."

"Salvadore Guzzo, sir." The radioman spoke, presenting his Enfield rifle to Naruto, who quickly already saw the infraction.

"Rust on the rear." Naruto told him, handing the rifle back. "Pass' revoked."

Catching the rifle, Guzzo slung the rifle back around his shoulder, as he kept looking forward, the small growl could be briefly seen on his face before it disappeared.

Having gone around the 2nd Platoon, Naruto saw very little among the rest of the men to penalize them, but the moment he happened to try and go to the next platoon, something caught his eyes.

"Corporal Nixon."

"Sir." Mike Nixon, an already two year member of the Legion stood firm as the lieutenant walked towards him and inspected his uniform.

"Why do I see your stripes being slightly damaged, Corporal?"

Nixon, knowing that the lieutenant had seen the clothing issue he wasn't able to clean up, was unable to come up with an excuse and just admitted it.

"Unable to properly fix it, sir. Was going to get to town for proper work. Sir."

"Don't let this happen again, Corporal." Naruto told the experienced soldier. "Midnight patrol with Huxley."

"Sir."

Naruto walked past him. Going over towards the Third platoon for inspection, and then happened to spot an infraction from a mile away and turned towards the man standing out:

What caught his attention, was the headband he was wearing - a major infraction by clothing.

"Name."

The headband wearing man presented his own rifle, an unusual one, as he was carrying a double barrel shotgun, a Winchester to be exact.

"Gin. Sir." The volunteer presented himself. "At your service."

Naruto went on to inspect the rifle and took a moment to see the state of the shotgun - and to his surprise, it was in a very good state: no rust, no dirt, clean as it could be.

*CLINK!*

Having opened the gun, Naruto checked the shells and the insides of it, seeing that it also was clean.

"No other name?" Naruto asked. "Just Gin?"

"Gin."

"That's unusual."

"I don't have much else to add, sir."

*CLACK!*

"12 gauge, pretty useful gun in close quarters." Naruto admitted the liking of this man's pick of weaponry. "But your headband, is an inexcusable infraction. Pass revoked."

"Yes sir…" Gin responded. Not seeming to give much of a damn about it.

Naruto returned the weapon before he then made his way to the 1st Platoon. Where he could already see something in his sights:

Vic's eyes were glued to the person in front of him - the freckled man with the smug in his eyes.

"Name."

Alvin Bloomfield, sir." Bloomfield presented his rifle in front of the Lieutenant his Springfield rifle.

Naruto grabbed it and pulled it open, to see the chamber of it looked okay, and the mechanism was without any dirt or rust.

"I see you've taken good care of your rifle."

Bloomfield could almost smirk if he could-

"Too bad your luck with me 'the kid' hasn't come for you yet. Hasn't it?"

Bloomfield's facial expression nearly dropped by hearing that - he knew he talked?!

"For that comments you made, you'd be given the brig. But I'm going to be easy on you." Naruto told him. "Weekend pass revoked. Plus latrine duty."

Being handed back his rifle, Bloomfield could only stand back in attention as he just got put into his place.

Naruto walked to the front and turned to his men to fully address them.

"Fox Company!" Naruto began. "Listen very carefully, because I am only going to say it once!"

They all listened.

"I'm not going to sugarcoat it, so I will be fair as here has a shorter timespan than it is usually. Mainly because of the full on deployment of the Legion to the Shinobi Lands - so expect that these three weeks will not, I repeat, will NOT be the easy for you."

The men just listened on as they knew about the deployment just a day ago themselves from the already patched up Legionaries.

"That means that I won't tolerate any insubordination, and by any infraction that I will find. I promise you, that you will be facing consequences." Naruto told his men loud and clear. "Am I clear!?"

"YES SIR!" The whole of Fox Company responded.

"Get your PT gear, we're going around Nanohana."

Hour later

Nanohana center

It being noon by now, the citizens of Nanohana were busy going on their lives.

"WORK IT, RAIDERS!"

That shout alone made the citizens alone to move away as they saw what was passing by:

Hundreds upon hundreds of men in training gear, seen sweating and exhausted as their clothes are seen soaked in it while running in groups as they were being lead by their CO's.

Seen amongst the most tired members, was none other than Alvin Bloomfield, who now was seen with red curly ginger hair that fits his freckles, he was seen totally unprepared for the already hour-long run that's been going on.

He wasn't the only one being at his breaking point, as others of the platoon were seen struggling to reach their limits, but couldn't stop or even say anything because-

"Move it, Bloomfield, don't you start slowing down!" Naruto yelled in his ear as he ran past the young recruit. "I want to see how fast you can swallow those words just a hour ago!"

"Yes, Sir!"

Fox Company continued to run as they had already done half of the run across the port city, with surprisingly all of them managing to keep up, with the occasional man who was about to be left behind, being berated by the other CO's who gave a extra bit of motivation to them to get some steam up.

"Ten miles, boys, ten miles!" Naruto shouted at them, warning. "Today's gonna be a busy one! Because I intend to make you the best of the best, understood!"

"Sir, yes, sir!"

"Move it!" Naruto shouted as he began leading them from up the front, earning himself already the attention from many of the bystanders, to which included also a few children who were trying to join them for the run.

"Get back home kids, no place for you here."

Those kids took those words and stopped running along, ending their brief run with the recruits. Allowing the Legion members to continue their run through the hot day.

They happened to be running past the newly designed Suna district, where many of the Wind/Suna refugees had now settled.

Even going past some of the tea bars that were observing elite force's standard training, as it was an usual occurrence for them.

Among the spectators, outside on a terrace where it was given some shades for the customers who were having a few drinks, were a couple of onlookers who had their sights on the training men.

Picking up a prepared cup of tea, was an hairy hand that belonged to one of the observers, and a high ranking officer.

"So, that's Lieutenant Uzumaki?"

"That's him, alright, Vice Admiral."

"I've heard about the kid, supposedly he was the one that prevented the death of Queen Otohime of the Fishman Kingdom. Good to see he's not some slacker."

"Then you'll also know he's not very keen on the Marines. Especially the higher-ups. ... And he's the one you'll be working with."

"Correction, We're the ones who will be working with him. You and the other junior officers will have to get used to work with him and the Legion commanders for the next few months."

The conversation briefly halted with the waiter coming in to serve some drinks to the conversationalists.

Just then on the opposite side of that same terrace, two other observers who were sitting inside a restaurant had also been watching the training course. With the two being the more silent ones.

With the one holding a knife over her food, gesturing her assistant to keep on taking notes on the whole thing.

There were more eyes on the Legion than anyone knew.

A few hours later

The training was especially uncommon, rushed, but sufficient, tactical and it brought results.

Only a few hours after the long run, obstacle running, mandatory tactics, language and survival classes. The new batch of the Legion was at the most important and last part of the daily routine training:

"Fire!"

*BANG!*

A long line of gunfire started loud in the air, as dozens of firearms of all ranges were being aimed at their targets that they were practicing on.

Normally the gun practices were to be done later, but due to the three-week cap, everything was getting on the fast track on the training, and the instructors were to make it sure that the rules were followed well.

*Rapid gunfire!*

One of those who was at the range, was Vic himself with his BAR rifle, firing with the support gun at his targets with clean accuracy he's been improving on. As he normally was a bad shot with a normal bolt action rifle, he'd fit more into the role as a support machine gunner.

"Cease fire."

Hearing that made Vic pull his finger from the trigger and his eye from the optics as it was Naruto who came by to check by.

He saw the targets were filled with noting but holes, and minimum misses that was a gigantic improvement on Vic's part.

"Good job, Corporal, seeing improvement." Naruto said as he tapped Vic's back. "Keep on going and then you're free to go."

"Yes, sir."

Naruto nodded as he went on to check on the others, and saw that the riflemen were busy, with them having a harder time hitting their targets with their Springfield and Enfield standard rifles.

But the real eye-catcher was the light machine gun training exercise-

*Loud rapid fire!*

At one of the light machine gun nest holes that was dug in, the new batch of weapons was being tested as there.

The one that was currently going off was one of the Maxim, a M/32-33 model to be correct, with the gunner seen aiming and hitting his targets as the belt holder was feeding the bullets through and through.

"Cease fire." One of the instructors ordered. "That's enough for today, boys."

One of those machine gunners stood up, and it happened to be one Gin who stood up and started grabbing for the belts of ammo that he began to clean the place up.

Naruto took a look at his watch and saw that today's hard day was coming to an end and he could hear the first instructor.

"Clean up and back to the barracks, boys!" One barked orders around. "If I see one gun or even one bullet lying around, there'll be hell to pay!"

That evening

After the first day had ended, the base was seeing its countless night come in as the officers and anyone else with a pass was allowed to leave the premise after the hours.

Naruto was one of those officers of course, having now gone to the Suna Dinner that he was told to come by letter. With the restaurant being a local popular hangout for both the locals and tourists.

Sitting out at a table by himself, Naruto was busy seen reading the menu as he had entered earlier with a waiter telling him that his table was already reserved for two.

The first one had already arrived, but the second guest was yet to arrive.

'I feel like there's a word for this kind of baiting.'

Naruto sighs as he could only agree to it as he's been waiting here for almost a full hour since he's been here as he had only gotten himself a glass of water and some loafs of bread.

'Yeah, I guess so.'

'How about you just leave now? Stop wasting your time here. You've got a busy schedule ahead.'

"Is this table taken?"

That question came from behind, as Naruto sees that a young lady with brown hair had just walked up to his table, the girl looked about his age and he couldn't deny she looked kind of cute.

"Yeah, it actually is…" Naruto responded by adding. "But I'm about to leave, so if you need it-"

"No, please stay. I'm also waiting for someone." She spoke as she walked over to the empty chair across him. "Mind if I?"

Being a gentleman, Naruto told her. "Sure, go ahead."

The unknown girl took upon his approval and sat right on the opposite side seat of the table, and sat down with then the waiter seen coming up with the intent of asking.

"What would the both of you like to have for dinner?"

"Sorry, but I'm about to lea-"

"We'll have two bowls of Miso Ramen." The girl began her order. "With pork, please."

That order, got Naruto confused. That specific order-

"Of course."

The waiter noted that down and moved on. Leaving then the two alone, with time on their hands, and undoubtedly some questions.

"Miso pork ramen, that's a specific order." Naruto the woman sitting across him, eyeing her with a hint of suspicion but still with a normal look on her. "Care to tell?"

The girl looked up, allowing eye contact that was for the first time direct with the young commissioned officer, and it was then that Naruto really began to become suspicious.

'Where did I see those eyes?'

'Kid, you wouldn't believe it…but hear me out.'

'What is it?'

'I sensed her nearby your apartment a few times, and this morning. When you got that letter….she's no normal person if she managed to get out with speed like that.'

'So she could be….'

'No, she's no Shinobi, but she is someone you knew…'

Naruto kept that info in his back, and went on to stare the woman in front of her with a close eye. As now both the dinner goers, were in a full lock unescapable conversation. The matter is who would speak first.

"I want to ask."

Reaching in his jacket, he pulls out a small piece of paper and he puts it right in front of the lady.

"This letter, to meet me at the Suna Dinner, was it you?"

The woman didn't answer the question but instead then had pulled the small letter with her glove hand and slowly reads it.

"... Yes, that's my handwriting." She answered, smilingly as her smile didn't disappear for even one moment and laid her head to the palm of her hand. "And before you ask. Yes, I was there in front of your home…"

This only narrowed Naruto's eyes at whatever she was playing at.

Then her smile began to corner, and it turned back to a normal genuine smile as her hand was seen trembling, before she then finally spoke.

"It has been almost five years since I left the Snapper Head…."

Naruto's mind then blanked for a moment when she mentioned that name, only knowing one other human who happened to be on that ship-

She then removed the crimson newsboy cap that she kept on, and it was then that the full image began to picture in his mind - and her face started to become familiar with that smile.

That once forced smile from way back then, to that of a genuine near tearful one!

"The big leader of his own men - just like Tiger." She said tearfully. "Good to see you."

It was then that everything then came to sense for Naruto, as he asked that daring question:

"Koala, is that you?"

She nodded her head. "Yes, it's me."

Naruto was too shocked to respond at that moment, with his body leaning back against the chair, he was unable to mutter a word out from his mouth as he tried to cope with the current situation.

It then just happened then-

"Two Miso Ramens with pork."

Ten minutes later

The tension had soon been gone and it had been replaced with joy and laughter.

The two had both eaten a considerable amount of food, as they even got the waitress to be a little concerned but was told they were fine, with Naruto seen finishing his eleventh bowl of Ramen, pretty much getting everyone's attention from the surrounding tables.

"That man eat likes a pig."

"And that for a Legion officer."

"Poor girl, she must be embarrassed-"

*Giggle!*

The other patrons really would eat their own words when they heard her laugh, as if she wasn't bother by the eating manner at all. Yet she only seems to grow her smile at her counterpart.

"Your appetite hasn't changed at all."

Naruto whipped his mouth clean and tried to keep himself proper. "My bad-"

"Don't, it's okay."

"No, I eat like a slob, where are my manners." Naruto tried to find a napkin. "If Queen Otohime would see me now, she would've flipped."

"Oh, the Queen from Fishman Island?"

"Yeah, she mentored me a bit for a while. In her free time of course." Naruto told her while pulling out a napkin and began cleaning his mouth. "... Like everyone else…"

Happening in the worst moment perhaps, Naruto began thinking back at his old home, something to which Koala really started to ask him about it.

She smiled at him. "You miss them, don't you?"

Naruto cracked a smile while looking down, remembering.

Otohime,

Aladdin,

Jimbei,

Shyarly,

… Tiger,

"I do, with my whole heart." Naruto said turning back up. "I owe them everything, if I'm going to be honest."

She leaned up on her hands. "Like now? Mr. Lieutenant Uzumaki."

"Please don't, not after working hours." Naruto waved his hand off with laughter. "It helps that I can go off the base, but the rank calling often can get you annoyed."

"Yet, you are a member of the Alabasta Foreign Legion." Koala pressed on, peaking in interest as she leaned forwards. "You guys have been getting a lot of attention for your actions."

"Like the good part or the bad one?" Naruto asked her with a confident smirk. "A village often has a more likable opinion of us than some prick noble."

"Oh? Got into some stories to tell?"

"Well, I'd like to tell you a few stories, but not here obviously." Naruto said as he stood up. "Want to leave?"

"Sure." Koala said joining up with him.

"Okay, let's go."

"Pay first, Uzumaki!"

Legion barracks

"I deal. Get your cards ready. Everything in the pot. Let's play."

Inside one of those barracks was a event taking place, a usual occurrence to break away the boredom and a good opportunity to earn some extra cash.

Poker.

With the lights mostly out except for a few lightbulbs, and a room visible of smoke and a small radio playing music.

Sitting around the table were a few members of the 9th Raiders, with the game taking place in the barracks of the 1st Platoon as several other players from the others had joined in on the game.

On the table laid a few cases of beers, some food and a few ashtrays for the smokers, as the biggest eye-catcher was the pile of paper cash that was in the center of the table, with it being surrounded by seated soldiers with their cards being dealt to them.

"How much's being played now?" Bloomfield asks, having just finished his latrine duty shift. He know ,needed to blow off some steam, getting his cards. "I ain't here playing for scraps."

"10 000 Berries." Vic said, being the dealer in this game, he was distributing the cards as he kept in check the game. "Winner takes the pot, simple as that. Always can be raised."

Bloomfield grunted when he saw his cards. "I'll play with that."

"One last chance of raising it." Vic asked the players. "Roll call."

"I'm good." Kelly said, playing along.

Bloomfield agreed. "Count me in."

"I'm not going back now." The third player told, throwing in a few black chips. "300 hundred in it."

"Getting a bit eager, aren't we?" Vic said before turning to the 4th player. "How about you, Gin?"

Gin, the shotgun man from the 3rd Platoon, had joined in the poker game just a few moments ago and had already been given his own cards as he sat next to the right of Vic.

"I'll raise with 100. That's it."

"That's that then." Vic said putting the chips together. "9 of Spades, Six clubs."

"All that for a lousy 10k Berries, alright." Bloomfield said.

"You still mopping around for that latrine duty, Brooklyn?" Kelly asked, getting annoyed. "Be glad he didn't send you to the brig."

"Bet or check?"

"Check." The 3rd player said.

"This is bullshit, I tell ya." Bloomfield spoke. "Getting commands from that prick from whatever the fuck he came from."

"I check." Gin spoke, having already betted up.

"check." Bloomfield said before asking straight up. "Where the hell's he coming from anyway?"

"Question's old as it can be." The third player said, even worthy of mentioning. "Nobody knows precisely and it has been turned into a pot itself."

"Pot?"

"Check, Vic." Kelly said, with the table now going clockwise. "Let's play it."

"Wait, wait, wait. What pot?" Bloomfield turned to Vic. "There's a bet on the Lieutenant?"

Vic, knowing that northern prick won't stop yapping about it, turned a brief glare to the third player.

"Why bring it up?"

The player's mouth turned into a smile with the smoke in his mouth.

Vic groaned before then replying. "Alright, there's a bet on the lieutenant's home place. Supposedly nobody outside a few people know."

"I thought he was from Fishman Island?" Kelly was confused. "Ain't that what his info says?"

Some of the other Raiders were laughing in the background.

"What?"

The unknown player joked. "For the son of a brain surgeon, you don't use that one in your head often, do you?"

"Hello." Bloomfield got back the focus. "What's the Bet?"

"About the lieutenant? Shit, I don't know." Vic turned his head around. "Hey, Lozano."

"Yeah?." Lozano was sleeping in his bunk, with a porn magazine on his face.

"The total pot on the lieutenant, what is it?"

"Ugh…." Lozano pulls the mag off his face and responded. "Around 789K, I believe."

The number alone got the two newcomers to be kind of surprised, that much cash on the officer's homeland?

"Really? It was only 750 a week ago." Vic said recalling. "Who raised it up?"

"Couple of newcomers from the 2nd and 3rd platoon." Lozano told, before laying back. "And a few officers from the Alabasta corps have also pumped in some cash."

"That much being set up for the Lieutenant's hidden truth?" Bloomfield commented. "God damn, my old man can only dream making that kind of cash working from his shop."

Kelly was curious. "How long's this been going?"

"The pot? Say about a year and a half." Vic answered, thinking back. "Ever since he became a hotshot around these parts, the question's been going like the lottery, with everybody wanting to take a guess where he's from."

"Getting that kind of cash would set anyone up."

"'Nough, talkin, more playing." The third player spoke as he tapped in. "Vic. Go on."

"Right." Vic said getting back to the game. "Raise, 15."

Bloomfield questioned. "Who raised it?"

"This miserable fuck." Gin said, throwing a couple more of chips on the table. "I'm finishing this game and then I'll go to sleep."

"Fuck you." Bloomfield spoke.

"Alright, people, call it in." Vic said getting impatient. "Before the MPs are going to bust it."

"Trips." The third player said, throwing three deuces he revealed.

"You're unlucky, man." Bloomfield chuckled, throwing them in his own cards. "Three beautiful Kings."

"Got nothing." Kelly stated, throwing Two Pairs.

"Hehehehe," Bloomfield couldn't help but feel happy as he reached for the chips. "Let-"

Five cards landed on the table, with all of them having hearts.

"Flush." Gin said, having played hiss hand. "I win."

"Damn."

"Jeez…

Bloomfield looks less than happy at Gin. "You incredible lucky son of a bitch."

"I'll accept that." Gin said as he was grabbing the cash on the table, much to the horror that was in the other players' their eyes that was their money being taken.

"Great, there goes my pay." The 3rd player sighs before then saying. "Who wants a drink?"

While the commotion inside kept on going, they wouldn't notice that they were being watched from one of the windows that was not closed off by the curtains.

The person spying on the Raiders was seen wearing a cloak that only left the legs uncovered, with those seen being covered by metal mesh clothing, and clearly giving away the spy was a woman.

Whatever her intentions were on spying these low-ranked Raiders, were unable to be answered-

"Man, that much in the bet?"

Because she then turned back into the shadows and hid, just when a night patrol unit was seen coming by - it being Corporal Nixon and the newcomer, Huxley.

"Yes, that much money is on the bet of where Lieutenant Uzumaki is coming from." Nixon told Huxley as they were passing by the barracks. "Given only a few know his exact home place, it has become a mystery of where he's from."

"I don't get it honestly." Huxley said trying to figure it out. "I know the kid's famous for saving that Queen from that Mermaid paradise, but except for that, I don't see it."

"That's because you weren't here for the past two years, Hux." Nixon replied back. "The Lieutenant is just like the Sarge, he's shown to be a good leader, a soldier, and someone who will have your back in the worst possible situations. And that is why he's now in charge of your training."

"Yeah-"

"Please, Hux. Don't take it personally. The Lieutenant's just trying to prepare you for the worst. And as far I can see, he's seen things that even I might not consider wanting to see."

"Yeah, I got it, I got it."

They happened to then turn another corner, leaving the area as the spy then came down from her cover.

"Time to go."

She vanished in thin air.

Nanohana Harbor

After a hour leaving the Suna Dinner, it was then that both Naruto and Koala had decided to go for a while to the harbor, to try and get some fresh air. But also, to bring up some uncomfortable things out of their chests. And this was especially the case for Naruto, who by now had just told the events as followed after her departure of the Snapper Head.

"And that's how the Sun Pirates disbanded.

Koala, who just listened in on this, laid her head back as she already had seated down on the bench, as she held her hand in front of her mouth, completely shocked.

"I-I'm so sorry-"

"Don't apologize, its nothing we could've done." Naruto said, not even turning around to her as he himself was trying to not get too deep into the old memories." Besides, it's not like those bastards got a good day. We dropped a good amount of them on our way out - especially those who were shot outside the town."

That made Koala look up to realize what he meant by.

"The Sniper attack…" She asked the following question. "That was you, wasn't it?"

Naruto didn't even face her as he then complied to her.

"Yeah, I was the shooter, before they fired a grenade at me."

Feeling herself nearly sinking into her seat, Koala tried to comprehend with the facts she's just been given.

"I won't lie to you that after that, the only regret I had was not bidding my farewell to Tiger before his death. That's all." Naruto told her as he was getting this off his chest. "So if you feel like saying anything, feel free to do so. I won't judge."

….

Koala then answered up and full out said.

"Three years after his death, I left my village, Naruto. When my mother told me the truth." Koala said to him as she added. "I joined up with some like-minded people afterwards."

Naruto was silent when she mentioned that afterwards, and carefully picked his words.

"Watch out with what you're saying, that's my only advice." Naruto told her. "I'm saying this as a friend, so don't take this the wrong way."

"Right." Koala nodded and took her friend's advice to heart.

"I think you may already know about what is going to happen soon, right?" Naruto asked, finally turning his head to his friend. "About the Legion's mission to the Shinobi Lands."

"I've heard. The growing tensions in the region." She mentioned and asked. "When do you leave?"

"Within three weeks, then we're moving to the Haran Bay." Naruto said to her the open basic information that was allowed to be talked about. "Me and my 9th Raiders are going in first and the rest follows.

Koala, seen struggling with something, as she seem to be wanting to say something.

"Naruto…."

Turning his head around, he saw Koala looking a bit uncomfortable.

"Yeah?"

"... Nothing, It's nothing." She said before then standing up. "Let's go back to your home, if you don't mind. I'm kinda tired."

"Sure, let's go." Naruto agreed as they both started walking, as the docks weren't that far away from the apartments, so they began to take a walk.

Of course, the suspicious pattern that was coming from Koala wasn't unsupervised, as an internal conversation was taking place.

'She's hiding something.'

'I know.'

'Watch yourself, she's giving different vibes when she mentioned that friends part of her.'

Nodding internally, Naruto soon was then asked another question from her.

"May I ask you something, about the old crew." Koala began. "It may be kind of difficult for you, but have you kept in contact with the other former Sun Pirates?"

"Like Aladdin, Macro and Jimbei? Sure." Naruto answered. "If you want, I can give you their addresses for correspondences if you want-"

"I mean, with the others." Koala clarified herself. "I mean….Arlong."

Arlong.

Naruto's eyes suddenly blacked out in the shadows of his eyes when that name was mentioned, and Koala could see that had triggered a response to him.

"Naruto?"

"... I have…briefly and dangerously…"

Koala was in shock when he mentioned, especially in that tone. Meaning something must've happened.

"It's better…you shouldn't know about it….for now."

The air around him suddenly grew cold, something that she never had felt coming from him ever in her short tenure, and this was clearly a signal that encounter must've gone Bad.

…. Three weeks later

Those three weeks, had quickly gone down then they had been announced. Now with the day being finally here - the final preparations had been completed.

The Mobilization was on its way.

"ALL ABOARD!" The Quartermaster yelled as the last men scrambled aboard.

The crowd was anxious as families and loved ones said their goodbyes for they may not see them alive again. This anxiousness was shared by some of the new recruits as they walked up the gangplank.

The Alabasta Foreign Legion was seen entering all the military-graded ships with all their equipment, all in orderly fashion as a huge crowd of people were seen watching from the sidelines.

After all, this was supposed to be a three months peacekeeping mission.

…

On the Sea Snake, the 9th Raiders' main ship, the combat-ready units were seen entering a orderly fashion, especially the rushed, newly trained Fox Company. With most of the company consisting of non-Alabastan volunteers, who weren't much having a hassle like the other companies or even battalions in the Legion.

"Man, three months and then we'll go back." Bloomfield spoke, in full packed gear as he was seen wearing his cap that was mandatory with his khaki uniform with Kelly and Gin seen behind him. "I wonder what we'll be doing in the Haran Bay. Maybe we'll find some ladies to keep us company."

"How about you shut up, Brooklyn." Gin told him off. "Because if you haven't noticed, we haven't left yet."

"How many times I gotta tell you, I'm from the-"

"Shut it." Kelly said to him as he stopped and watched from the ship, how the last men were seen getting on board - and what he saw was one of the officers seen talking.

It was Lieutenant Uzumaki.

…

Naruto was seen standing with his bag, talking with a few people he was saying goodbye to, it being Temari and her brothers, and of course Koala, who all wanted to wish him good luck as they knew that they wouldn't be seeing their blonde friend.

"Stay safe, alright?" Getting patted on the back by Kankurō. "And thanks again, for allowing me and Gaara to stay in your apartment."

"So long you keep it clean, puppet-boy." Naruto joked before patting him on the shoulder, then turning to Gaara. "We'll keep in touch, alright?"

"Absolutely." Gaara nodded, extending his hand. "Good trip, my friend. It would be a shame to lose you."

Naruto accepted the hand and shook it, as he and Gaara pretty much got a connection that was unique, and it was a iron bond to be honest.

"I won't die, I promise." Naruto gave a smug-like smile and told him. "And you know I don't break those."

"That I am convinced of." Gaara noted, then adding. "Just make sure to stay in touch. A sparring partner like you is hard to find."

Naruto smiled before he then turned to the girls: Beginning with Temari who had only a few words for him.

"Just like Gaara said, stay alive. Two like you aren't easy to find around."

"Don't worry, like I said: I don't plan on dying anytime soon."

She went on to embrace him in a hug, with Naruto returning it as they grew a bit close over the years, this was a bit normal, then they split apart.

"Naruto…"

It was then when Koala's turn came up, who was perhaps the most distrusted one of the group, being pretty saddened by the departure of her friend, something everybody noticed.

"Come here," Naruto held his arms out. "Lemme hug y-"

Koala jumped into Naruto's embrace, being still smaller than him, she actually gained the attention of all the other bystanders, from both on the ship and on the harbor, seeing the high-ranking officer saying goodbye to someone they thought was a relative.

Feeling her arms tighten around his back, it was clear to the young officer that she was not ready for him leaving. Something of which he couldn't blame her for nor would he.

She just reconnected with someone who had shared her pain - her history - and the scars on her back - alongside the brand that marked it.

It was safe to say - that in that reconnecting, some deeds were done, and some truths were exchanged, that only stayed in between four walls. Something they both agreed on and shered.

Placing a hand over her head. Naruto stroked her hair, and tried to calm her down.

"No need to fear, Koala. I always caressed for you - just like back then."

*Whistle!*

Moments later

The Sea Snake, was seen sailing off as the crowd was seen waving off with white napkins and their hands' goodbye to them, with the Legionnaires returning the gestures.

On the far end of the harbor, Koala was seen by herself. Watching the ship go by as she just bid her farewell to the closest thing to an loved one she had.

"You shouldn't have done that in public, Koala." A hooded woman said, standing right behind her, stating in caution. "It could've caused your exposure."

"I know."

She held her hand over a certain part of her body - just underneath her chest.

"But I don't regret anything." She smiled, with even a tear dropping from her eye. "Nothing in these last three weeks - Do I regret."

Sea Snake

Back in his own quarters inside the ship, Naruto had closed the doors after getting into a hassle as the hallways were literally full with people wanting to get back to their own quarters or any other destination. Once he finally closed the door, he dropped his bags on the floor, the one containing his uniform and the others are his scrolls while he had already gotten his weapons hanging on the walls.

As he dropped down to his bed, he noticed something jumped up and saw a box next to him, seeing it was unopened, it read something.

East Blue

You know who!

*Click!*

Looking up, Naruto saw that it was Bishop coming in.

"Hey kid. I-" He then noticed Naruto was holding unto something. "Oh, I see you're about to open it."

Naruto asked. "You knew about this?"

"Of course, it was delivered to me." Bishop smiled as he then wanted to say. "Come on, open it up. I want to see what her daughters had sent over."

Not taking long, Naruto ripped open the package, and what laid in it was just what brought an smile on his face.

Tangerines - Fresh from the Northwestern region of Conomi Islands.

"Cocoyashi Village tangerines." Naruto was glad to have been given these in a long time.

"And there's a note." Bishop said, giving the one that fell out. "Read it."

Grabbing it, Naruto then began reading it.

'Greetings from everyone from the island - and good luck!'

"Bell-mère's girls, they really grew up on ya." Bishop stated after reading it. "Don't let those go to waste, kid. They arrived just today."

Naruto grabbed one, fresh, orange and good-looking. Before beginning to slowly pull it off.

As the Sea Snake went off towards its destination - Naruto went on to enjoy the one treat he would never refuse, and especially not from the ones who he knew and became friends with.

"Trust me. I won't."

That's the end of it!

I got plans that for the next chapter, and I hope you all will enjoy it. Stay in touch!

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Good night!