Alright, so to begin. Lets me clarify what's going to happen after this chapter so that some of you have a clearer view on what is about to happen.
I plan to have this story instead of having flashback sequences, I'll have chapters dedicated to tell the war in times when filler or unnecessary scenes are in place.
As for the whole short chapters that have been happening? Yeah, my working schedule is really getting like...random, perhaps? Plus I'll need to figure out for a better schedule for it.
That hopefully will answer the questions of the Orochimaru or the Hidden Leaf mystery. Not a full answer of course, but one that they can understand where this story's going.
As for the One Piece Manga...THANK GOD! We finally can get forwards with the story, been like 3 years or so for the Wano Arc. And for the Harem? (Yes, it is a harem. That's my thing, folks) I think I got now a good list for now, but I won't spoil it for now.
Also, I planned many flashbacks and some background to Naruto's parents, and yes, the Elemental Wars. So please, be patient as I will do my time on this fic.
Impel Down
Elevator
On the fastest way of transportation of Impel Down, the elevator that could go to all six levels of hell, was making its way to every prisoner's wish: the entrance.
Inside that noisy elevator, both Warden Magellan and Head Jailer were waiting patiently, all the while they were being silent as none of them had spoken a word for almost ten minutes.
*Grumble!*
The silence was broken by the cramping sounds that came from Magellan's stomach.
"Oh no…" Magellan grunted while holding his stomach. "I need to go again."
"You'll need to hold it, Warden." Domino stated nonchalant, as this was a normal occurrence to everyone who works in Impel Down. "The transfer of Fire Fist Ace is about to take place."
"I know, I know. It's my stomach that doesn't want to understand." Magellan replied, a few more cramping sounds could be heard coming from him. "Ohhh, can I just go for one moment to-"
"Sorry, but that's non-negotiable." Domino told him, standing firm. "There will be no restroom breaks until Fire Fist Ace is put in his cell down in Level 6."
Magellan looked at her with a pleading face, just then when-
*EEEECK!*
The grinding irritating sound of the elevator going against the wall, the metal mechanism was making contact with the concrete walls that was almost sounding like a cat's nails against a chalkboard, an jeeringly bad thing to hear.
It would go on for a minute as it was something Magellan was used to hear like many other guards - except for one person.
Domino winced at the sound, trying to keep calm even as she grimaced and covered her ears. As her knees grew heavy on her, she barely could control the slight tremble.
'We're under attack!'
"Domino?"
It was lucky that only the Warden was there, as Domino nearly began kneeling down due to the heavy pressure she was feeling.
'Get to your battle stations!'
The moment went on until then-
"Head Jailer Domino!"
Hearing that, Domino's mind quickly shut off from that painful moment and felt a hand over her shoulder, as it was the Warden who got her out of her trance.
"Sir, I-"
Magellan went straight to the point. "You were having those memories again, weren't you?"
Unable to look him in the face, Domino straight up looked away. And instead took her glasses off for the moment, she rubbed her eyes, unable to answer.
"There's no need to explain yourself, Head jailer." Magellan said to her, being kind to one of his subordinates and speaking in a calm manner. "There's no shame in trying to talk about it."
*CLUNK!*
Timing couldn't be more perfect, the elevator had reached the tope level and the gates were seen opening up, having arrived just in time.
"We're here."
Not waiting, she walked out of the elevator before anything was further spoken about. Leaving Magellan by himself who was still in the elevator shaft.
He looked at her back in silence as his thoughts were not.
'Even after all these years, she still won't talk about it. What kind of savagery did she witness in that war in the Elemental Nations, Domino? You and all those poor guys have to open up so we can help you.'
"Warden, please follow up."
Magellan knew not to keep the female jailer waiting, as he caught up to her just when the massive wooden doors began to open.
"Vice Admiral Momousagi and the prisoner Portgas D. Ace!" The announcement was enough for a group of Marines to be seen entering the facility.
The normal routine would be to do the transfer outside the Impel Down entrance, but for this instance, and for the sincerity of the situation, routine was set aside, as the female vice admiral was seen approaching the Warden.
"Warden Magellan." Momousagi known as 'Gion' approached the large man. "We're here to transfer Fire Fist Ace under the custody of the Maximum Prison of Impel Down."
"Affirmative, the transfer is on schedule." Warden Magellan responded. "Head Jailer Domino, if you may."
The female jailer responded. "Yes sir."
Vice Admiral Momousagi turned to one of her subordinates and nodded.
Ace began being moved forwards by two Marines by his side while in shackles, marched inside the World's most secured prison. If a journalist had managed to take a picture of this moment and sold it to any newspaper, he's been making millions.
Once stopping in front of Domino, the pirate then turned his head upwards and stared straight fully at the female guard that stood in his way, seeing her, a mental note suddenly popped up in his mind.
'Wait, I know her, she was-'
"Portgas D. Ace." Domino began, unfazed by the pirate's stare. "You're now being put under custody of Impel Down. You'll be escorted now to Level 6 until the preparations of your execution are ready."
Not responding, Ace just stood there in silence and listened.
"I assume that his interrogation had already taken place, Vice Admiral?" Warden Magellan asked the Marines. "Or do you wish to resume it here?"
Momousagi gave an raised eyebrow look to the Warden, like a few other marines by that sudden topic.
"The reason for that is because of the apparent connection that Fire Fist Ace has with an unlikely group that I just found out from Navy HQ."
Momousagi asked. "What kind of connection to do you refer to?"
"I believe you also know which group I am talking about, you're as informed like any other vice admiral." Magellan spoke and mentioned. "I am talking about the war veterans."
The mention of those two words alone were pretty vague, but it didn't take long for everyone in the room to figure out who the Warden was talking about.
Even so, Magellan then continued for elaboration. "The veterans of the Elemental Wars. Because we can confirm now for sure that Fire Fist Ace is connected to some of them."
Ace stared down at the ground, not facing anyone as some eyes were turning to him, with some surprise while others looked suspicious.
"When was this information made available?" Momousagi asked, understandably angered by the lack of information she'd receive. "It was both unconfirmed rumor and classified for the higher officers only."
"Navy HQ itself has confirmed it to me, with Cipher Pol backing it up." Magellan answered the senior Marine officer. "They confirmed it to us that Fire Fist Ace, a year before his affiliation with the Whitebeard Pirates - fought alongside the Alabasta Foreign Legion."
….
….
….
The silence that had gotten everyone in that room, then broke in a universal shout by the lower ranking guards/marines.
"WHAT!?"
"He was there?!"
"How! He was already an upcoming pirate at the time!"
"How the hell would he be able to mingle in with them!?"
Momousagi took the news with calm and decided to proceed to ask. With pretty much skepticism in her mind on this information.
"How valid is this information, Warden?" She asked. "Because we know Fire Fist and Uzumaki Naruto were acquaintances, but Fire Fist in the Elemental Wars?"
Warden Magellan only then glanced over to the sight of Ace, who still was facing the floor, unwilling of facing anyone to the eye.
"Come with me," Magellan said turning around as he began to walk. "Its better that I show it to you then just explain it."
The female Vice Admiral nodded and then turned to two of her subordinates. "You two, with me."
Knowing not needing to be named, the two Marines walked out of the group, one man and one woman.
Gion turned back. "I know this is unusual, but I want these two to come along."
"Hmmm..."
Magellan took a look at the two Marines, and noticed they both were noticeable young people, but he could see these two were different then from the rest of the entourage of marines that escorted this pirate.
"Any reason why?"
"These two, both served in the Elemental Wars." Momousagi told her reason for their pick.
Hearing that, the Warden took a glance back to his colleague Domino, who herself had already taken the initiative by stepping forwards.
The man was a red haired muscular guy, who had all the normality of a average marine, but also bore a lasting scar across his right arm of a burn wound. And the woman? It was a brunette with long hair and a pair of heart-shaped earrings.
The blonde jailer took a look at them: to which she responded.
"They can come along." Domino stated to her superior. "Good to go, sir."
Magellan turned to the senior officer. "My Head Jailer says so, so they can come along for the explanation."
Gion nodded in agreement.
"Let's go." Magellan ordered his men. "Escort Fire Fist, we've got a detour to make."
The group of Impel Down jailers and three Marines were seen then walking down the hallways of the prison, while the remaining others of the Vice Admiral' crew were making their way back outside to the ship.
Ace was surrounded on all sides, watched closely by the head jailer and two Marines, and the Warden seen being up front with the vice admiral, Ace wanted to tune out the conversation next to him, so he kept his head down.
Not wanting to know more as he walked into the literal definition of hell for pirates.
Level 6
Back in the lowest level of it all, it was quiet, awfully quiet. As if Death itself ruled here with its cold and unmerciful grip.
But there were those unaffected by it; those who had gone through this very ordeal time and time again. Jinbei sat against the wall, barely even minding the chains that his jailers had placed on him like an animal.
Then the usual screaming would often occur.
"PLEASE!"
"Let me out! Let me out!"
"This isn't a place for us to die!"
"Damn you all!"
The fishman ignored the screams with practiced ease; he knew them well by this point and could easily tune them out. They were all shameless pleas from unrepentant criminals, who would certainly return to their evil ways even if the justice system showed them mercy.
Even so, Jinbei remembered all too well the times when those cries of innocence had been genuine.
Pleas from men who had once been the best of the best, but who had left this world behind.
'Ahhhh!'
'Medic! I need a medic!'
'I-I can't swim!'
'They got me!'
'Take cover!'
The Warlord shuddered at the memories that were dredged up. Voices and images that he would much rather shove into the back of his mind.
Only a few words left his mouth as the first of those men came to the forefront.
He violently raised his head upwards, and shouted in anger out with all his anger.
"Damned….those poor boys….DAMN THAT WAR!"
New World
While the seas were being glaringly silent for today, the same cannot be said for the ship that was sailing through these Grand Line waters.
As now, a large ship that had sailed these seas for almost half-a-century. A gargantuan, mighty ship that had gone through numerous fights and was preparing for another fight in the nearing future.
The ship's name was the Moby Dick - and the flag that it flew was that of none other than the Legendary Whitebeard Pirates.
And on that ship, things were going a bit fast ever since they heard the news of Ace's capture, as the sound of preparations could be heard wide and clearly happening outside on the deck.
Meanwhile inside, in his own private quarters that was a larger room that in itself was build to his space, for the 21 feet tall man who had a white mustache and a black bandana that covered his head, while his body itself was still that of a strong built man who wore his captain's coat that hung from his shoulders.
That tall man was Edward D. Newgate: better known as Whitebeard, the captain of the Whitebeard Pirates and the current best known as the 'Strongest Pirate in the World' who by now was seen sitting on his chair as he stared outside the window that he watched the sea go by.
Having not left his room for almost the whole day ever since the news broke out, the old pirate has been doing one thing in his room that suited him best for the moment: resting and thinking.
Resting, as he was seen having been attached to multiple medical machines and Iv's that were strapped into his veins that he was used to wearing.
Thinking, as he was deep in his own thoughts on what he knew was going to happen after he heard his 2nd Division Commander and son was in captivity. And knowing that the exposure of his true identity was only a matter of time, there was only one thing certain up ahead.
Public Execution. They were going to publicly execute his son.
*Knock!* *Knock!* *Knock!* *Knock!*
"Pops, you got a minute?"
That voice, being way recognizable, Whitebeard knew who it was and answered.
"Come in, Marco."
Walking in the room through the door, was a man with blonde hair that resemble that of a pineapple to his head, he wore a open purple jacket with a light blue sash adorned around his waist with an elaborate golden-yellow belt, dark gray knee-long pants and black sandals.
This was Marco, 1st Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates and right-hand man of the captain, but also a doctor who would keep an watchful eye on the old man.
"What is it son?" Whitebeard asked whilst staring through the window. "Something wrong?"
The blonde man didn't say anything at first as he took a closer look at his Pops for a moment, especially at his medical equipment.
It was, to his honesty, a painful sight to be witnessing as the man who had taken him in at a young age under his wing, had changed this much with his health having gone for the worst. A fact that every crewmate, ally and even close acquaintance cognised:
The Old Man was old, and old he would continue as his time went by.
"Came here to check on you, see if you needed anything." Marco stated while approaching his pops' bed and checked the monitors. "Your blood pressure seem to be alright, at least."
"What about the rest of my boys?" Whitebeard asked. "How are they reacting?
"They're all preparing, of course. Once word reached that Ace got captured, they went on to get on any supplies they could get their hands on before regrouping."
"And our Allies in the New World?" Whitebeard's eyes turned to his son. "Any word from them?"
Marco was seen checking on the monitors, and the Iv's of the tubes injected. Seeing all was in normal rate, he decided then to answer.
"They all answered and are coming. With Squard being the first to do so." Marco stated to him with a small sigh. "And of course he asked up first if we're going to attack Impel Down or Marineford. Typical Squard."
Whitebeard couldn't help but smirk at that. Despite Squard's devotion that was borderline reckless, he understood the man's reasons for asking. Knowing that he wanted to save Ace no matter what.
"That brat, of course he'd suggest wanting to storm Impel Down." But he reasoned. "But no, we're sticking to the plan by assembling and going directly to Marineford."
"Yeah, go figures."
The plan was for all the Whitebeard Pirate divisions, all 16 of them, and the hopefully arrival of all the 43 allied pirate crews, to assemble first. To then get through the blockades and enter Marineford to try and rescue Ace directly.
They could've at least expect a large number of Marines to be expecting them there. Including their strongest forces that included the Vice Admirals, the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and undoubtedly the Three Admirals.
They'd be outnumbered, sure. But that would be nothing if every pirate did their bid correctly.
"I will say this, Pops. and it's just being me." Marco began as mentioned. "It wouldn't hurt if we got more backup. I don't say our allies aren't enough. But given the situation, we're not exactly equal in numbers if you ask me."
Whitebeard heard his son's concerns, and quite frankly, he could understand his point of view.
"I understand it, Marco. But unfortunately we've brought out all the backup we've got. All our allies in the New World, have all answered the call."
Then it was Marco who brought up. "Well, we haven't asked them for help."
Them...
Whitebeard knew exactly who Marco was talking about.
"I don't know if they would lend any support, to be honest."
"Well, we can try?" Marco said. "After all, Ace's is the godfather of their grandchild."
The mentioning of that even caused a deep frustrated sigh to be released from Whitebeard as he lowered his head down to the palm of his hand, being reminded of it.
"They're still angry…for what happened." Whitebeard grunted. "It's not like I can blame them. For the negligence I am guilty of…"
Marco grimaced when his Pops brought that nasty memory up, to which he could only blame himself for even bringing it up in the first place.
"Sorry pops, I-"
"Don't blame yourself. You just tried to help." Whitebeard told his son. "The help we indeed need to rescue Ace."
Standing up, Whitebeard decided to get out from his bed and grabbed for his blade - the
Murakumogiri, his Naginata that he proudly wielded as along life pirate.
"We've got to work with the options we have." The old Yonko said as he then had another question. "Besides Squard, who else called in about coming in fast?"
Pretty much everyone you can think of." Marco said starting to bring up names. "The Decalvan Brothers, Bohemian Knight Doma, Little Oars Jr…."
Then it happened that Whitebeard asked up.
"How about her?"
Knowing who he was talking about, Marco sighed and then responded.
"Whitey hasn't responded yet. But I got word from Elmy that they met up and are sailing together." Marco told his captain about her. "McGuy has confirmed it to me just this morning over the snail phone."
Walking up to the door, Whitebeard opened it up to start making his way back to the deck of the ship.
"I appreciate her participation very much. Even after what she's gone through." He said. "But honestly, I don't wish the god mother to be on the same battleground as that of the godfather of Naruto's child."
Sighing, Marco could only tell the guilt feeling that his pops was feeling.
"You and I and both know, regardless of what has happened. If it was me, or Jozu, or Whitey, or anyone else - We'll back our family no matter what." Marco told his old man. "That extends to Ace too."
"Yes, I know." Whitebeard's eyes grew a shadow as he left the room. "Yet, I feel like I failed that time…"
*BANG!*
Unintentionally, the door was slammed hard backwards to which it closed with a few unintended cracks that were visible in the corners. Leaving Marco alone in the captain's quarters.
Groaning, Marco could only bury his hands into his face. Frustrated at what went on for the last few days, it was easy to assume he hadn't got much sleep after the news as he was busy calling in every favor on this side of the Grand Line.
*CLING!*
Hearing something fall down, the blonde turned around and saw that it was something next to Pops' desk. It being a beer mug. He walked over to it and then proceeded to clean the empty mug from the desk as he then saw what laid on it:
It was a whole stack of issues from the World Economy Newspaper, dated back over months, or even years. However, all of them shared a factor that caught Marco's eye.
All of them bore headlines pertaining to the Elemental Wars: exclusive photos, stories of battles and day-to-day progress that had reached the outside world. All of it detailed the gruesome truth, even the things no one really wanted to hear.
With such headliners that were followed:
A Pyrrhic victory! Wave landings result in gained but costly goals!
Expeditionary Forces reach Land of Fire capital! Alabasta Foreign Legion marches to Konoha.
Village of unending rain set ablaze: the Siege of Ame - Akatsuki Last Stand.
An end to a bloody chapter: Konoha Accords ends Fourth Shinobi War!
Those headlines were also alongside some pictures that were eye-catching to the normal reader.
Like the picture of dozens of ships seen nearing the coast, with warships and transports mixed alongside the coastline - or that of a convoy of truck seen arriving through the main streets of a local village.
But also gruesome pictures of harden battles like the Hidden Rain village known as Ame: where tall buildings were continuingly burning even with the unending rain as the streets were covered in rubble and soldiers shooting while approaching through the streets.
There were many pictures, with Marco knowing that Pops had an interest into reading this, there was however one picture that stood out and was pinned among all the articles.
It was of Naruto: seen with his back turned against the photographer, seen pointing the revolver he always carried with him - aiming it at a temple of a man's head tied to a pole who's about to be executed.
Atrocities committed! Captain Uzumaki summery execution of an Konoha citizen stirs up tensions!
That picture alone pretty much solidified the state of the Elemental Wars, and that picture became the unofficial face of it in the entire world.
"What a waste." Marco muttered. "The fact the guy was a traitor to his village, was let out. Of course."
"Marco. On deck!"
Hearing that, Marco puts the mug away and proceeded to get to the door after being called out, as he left the room, one that was pinned with a bit of duct tape against the mirror.
It was a picture of Naruto in his officer's uniform, seen smiling modestly as a woman was sitting on a chair, holding unto a small blanket in her arms. The sun happened to cover the woman's face, but the writing was:
'Congratulations.'
Impel Down: Level 6
Jimbei, was still seen sitting on the floor, his eyes shut as had calmed down for now, as he was just thinking and trying to figure out what to do next.
The fact he was one of the first to find out about Ace's capture, by a Warlord no less, and especially by the one person? It really got some feelings loose.
Hearing the plan of putting Ace on live execution in Marineford, was more then just a provocation, it was an outright declaration of war against the Whitebeard Pirates. One of the 4 Emperors no less.
What's next? Repeating the same with the Beast Pirates? Big Mom?
"Those fools…." Jimbei muttered. "They'll just film a massacre on live feed if they go along with the plan…."
….
"And they dare call it a war? For those who haven't even participated in one."
The voice that said it was no strangers' to the Fishman who heard it, as he raised body back up and ready to respond.
"I guess you're one of the few people who can say that…Right, Naruto?"
Right as a wall divided the two former Sun Pirates, they both were seen laying with their back against the same wall's that separated their cells.
Naruto, now seen without his jacket, was seen unbothered by the coldness of his cell as he was laid in a meditative position, seemingly calm as he was indeed ready to take some rest.
"So you know I was alive all this time, Jimbei."
*CRACK!*
That was the understandable response that Naruto expected - of Jimbei smashing his head against the wall, moving a few pebbles and kicking some dust. To which some landed over Naruto's shoulders.
"I guess I should've expected that…"
It was indeed Jimbei's head, with much restraint, that visible cracks, and even a small caved in hole was visibly seen on the wall.
But with that also came the small blood that was leaking from the Fishman's head as he was wheezing, and his teeth grinding, with anger clearly seen building up inside of him.
Instead of exploding in fury, with all the emotions coming out. He talked lowly.
"I knew you weren't dead….but damn you. For leaving us in such agony…" Jimbei began with much restraint in his throat. "Do you know how many people were stricken by grief when they heard the news?
….
"The crew? The little Mermaids? The Queen?-"
"How's she doing?" Naruto asked, having heard her name, his voice asked calmly. "Her? The Royal Family?"
….
….
*Sniff!*
Tears slowly began to built up in Jimbei's eyes, as even the emotions were getting to him, yet he squinted those tears away in a place like this.
"They were grieving in silence, but its the first time I saw Queen Otohime shedding more tears than the princess…"
Lowering his head, Naruto could've expected these reactions, but he still wasn't prepared for those.
"Of course they'd be hit hard…Especially the Queen. She's a good woman."
Jimbei sighs and then responded.
"You know, she always had a special place for you in her heart. Like many on Fishman Island. Like Shyarly, the Mermaids of the Café, the crew. Everyone hoped to see you return…Like…"
"Like?"
"You know who; your family, brat!" Jimbei growled at his human little brother. "The one back in Konoha, they've been worried sick after news broke out - but they never believed you died."
"How so?"
"Something about a summoning contract." Jimbei said, trying to remember the details with his head raised up. "Your name didn't go away from it…"
Hearing that made Naruto chuckle as he now remembered it, while the Vivre Card was the only proof the Marines could've searched for his death, there was always something else.
"Mount Myōboku… Those Toads." Naruto smiled a bit. "I guess I'll need to thank the Pervy Sage once I see him again."
"That's the main reason why everyone else on the Shinobi continent that knows you, are trying to locate you, in secret of course." Jimbei explained. "They didn't believe a word from the papers that you were killed, but they were worried sick."
"They were? Hmph, guess I should've seen that."
"You're smarter then that, Naruto." Jimbei said to him. "So tell me what your plan is-"
*CLANG!*
The sound of the elevator doors opening up, meant that the guards were here, with their priority prisoner...
"Don't tell Ace I'm here…"
"Huh, but-"
"It's for the best….Let alone they'll have a guard here. Last thing needed for them is to know I am here."
"... Right."
The sound of clicking heels and chains being slurred around the ground, pretty much confirmed it to the Warlord as then he could hear the voices.
"Did not expect that so many veterans of the Elemental Wars were kept in custody here. And the range of them."
"Right, mutinied Marines, deserters, even a few Revolutionary sympathizers. But also some of the Damned Raiders who were caught." Magellan's voice was heard. "We've got them on every level, split apart but in healthy conditions."
"How so?"
"Political pressure. Mainly from both the Shinobi Union and their native countries."
The sound stopped.
"... Here."
*CLICK!*
Raising his head up, Jimbei saw the guards bring in his apparent guest.
Ace, who looked tired, covered in bruises, and dirty, was brought in without any resistance and put against the wall next to him.
"Enjoy your stay at Impel Down for now, Fire Fist Ace." Magellan said. "Your stay will only be temporarily, until the preparations are finished."
No response being given, Ace just stared down on the ground as the guards left.
*CLICK!*
Looking up, Ace saw that the guards were seen leaving, except for the three Marines that were standing there, guarding him.
No word was said as he decided to turn to his cellmate, to which he was surprised to see who it was.
"Jimbei…"
"Rest first, young Ace. You'll need it." The Warlord said to him in advice. "I can see you haven't gotten a proper rest, do so."
Taking up his friend's advice, Ace laid his eyes to rest. Not knowing that in the cell behind him, someone else also laid.
Only Naruto didn't lay, he meditated, as he's been doing so for the past two years, slowly been building in peace, everything of his mind, back to each other.
All to the past of times…
The end of this chapter!
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