A/N I don't own Naruto nor One Piece. Hope you had a good 2024. I had some good times and some bad but I am thankful I am here and have you guys read my fic. Here's to start 2025 with this. Watch out for more LuNami...
Naruto sat with the Straw Hats, ready to share his story. He took a deep breath before speaking up.
"So, before I was born, my village got attacked by the Nine-Tailed Fox. It wrecked everything, and the Fourth Hokage gave his life to stop it." Zoro looked confused.
"And what's that got to do with you?" he asked.
"Hold on, I'm getting there... My childhood was rough. People treated me like an outsider, avoiding me and whispering nasty stuff behind my back. I didn't get why until I stole a scroll for a shady guy named Mizuki. He told me something shocking..." Naruto paused, recalling Mizuki's harsh words. He took a moment and continued.
"He said the Fox Demon was sealed inside me..." Naruto finished. "I'm its host..." Sakura couldn't take it and hugged Naruto, resting her head on his chin. Vivi gasped in shock, while Usopp, trembling, stepped back. Nami felt for him, lowering her head. She always thought her childhood was rough, but Naruto's was even harder, with the village treating him like a monster. Usopp's eyes widened, and he shook with fear. Naruto waved his hands.
"Don't worry, Usopp... I got it under control," he reassured. Having trust Naruto, Usopp sat down. Sanji was stunned and brings out a puff of cigarette and puffed a cigarette.
"It's amazing at what you went through.. How you survived." He looks at Sakura who placed a hand on his shoulder, feeling guilty about how the village... and how she tread treated him. She remembered the things she said about Naruto in front of Sasuke. She leaned on Naruto's shoulder, shedding tears.
"Naruto... I'm ashamed of myself. I said things I shouldn't have. I treated you badly... I don't deserve you..." Naruto pulled Sakura into a comforting embrace, holding her close.
"Shh... it's okay, Sakura..." Naruto whispered, drying her tears. "This is what led me to you all. If I hadn't experienced all that, I wouldn't be who I am today. And I wouldn't trade that for anything. Besides Iruka-Sensei and Kakashi-sensei, you guys treat me like a real person." Luffy slammed his foot on the table.
"That's right, Naruto! You're part of the Straw Hat crew. You're not the Fox Demon those jerks made you out to be. You're your own person." He then extended his hand to Naruto. The blonde ninja-pirate grinned, took it, and shook it. Sakura beamed at the scene. At last, Naruto was embraced for who he truly is.
"He's right, Naruto." Nami stated. She smiled at her friend. "You're more than that. You are a good guy. You also now have friends who care about you. We'll always be there for you..." She stated. Naruto smiled.
"Thanks guys... hearing it from you... it means a lot."
After explaining his backstory and feeling touched by his friend's acceptance, Naruto was hanging out with Usopp and Luffy at the ship.
"Guys, listen up. I will go to Elbaf someday, to the village of warriors!" Usopp declared
"Yeah! I can't wait!" Luffy cheered. He and the other two started cheering and dancing together. Sakura shook her head in embarrassment at first then smiled secretly. She is glad that Naruto is back to his cheerful goofy self. She wouldn't want that to change for anything in the world. She noticed Nami leaning against the main mast.
"Where did they get so much energy?" She questioned. She didn't notice Luffy, Naruto and Usopp falling off of the ship. Nami lets out a sigh. She was feeling fatigued to say the least.
"After everything that's happened here, I'm exhausted..." She holds out the eternal pose. "Vivi, Could you watch this for me?"
"Sure..." Vivi says as She takes the pose. She was feeling a little bit glum. Nami tries to cheer her up with a grin.
"You're on your way. soon you'll return to Alabasta. Well… my rosy outlook is assuming we can make it there safely and without any more surprises."
"Yes..." Vivi smiled. "I must return. It's my obligation. I am the person that everyone in the kingdom is counting on. I will return home... alive." She finished. Naruto, Luffy and Usopp stopped their shenanigans. Naruto stands beside Sakura, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
"Yeah... we'll get you there... I promise." They hear footsteps echoing. Turning around, they spot Sanji approaching with a tray full of food.
"For once, Naruto is right..." Naruto scowled at that remark. "You'll get home but there's no need to push yourself so hard. You've got me!" He pointed and presented his tray.
"Here you go, try one of these sweets. He smoothly said. "They'll help you relax. I've made some delicious tarts and your choice of coffee or tea."
"Thank you." Vivi smiled. Luffy and Usopp was about to have a bite but Sanji pulled it away in annoyance.
"Yours are in the kitchen now GO!"
Luffy, Usopp, and Naruto dashed to the location. Sakura chuckled.
"Those guys... they're such goofballs."
"Totally..." Nami nodded. She shot Sakura a playful grin. Then, she glanced down, resting her head in her hands. Sakura caught on and sat next to her.
"Nami... are you okay?" Nami glanced at Sakura, trying to smile despite her nerves.
"Really, Sakura, I'm fine," she reassured. "I just need some rest." Sakura lifted an eyebrow. Being a medic, she could easily spot if someone was feeling unwell or perfectly fine. Vivi, however nodded. Nami got to her feet and was just about to move when her legs buckled, and she ended up on the ground. Vivi let out a gasp and Sakura rushes to her side and felt her forehead.
"Vivi... she's burning up!" Sakura frowned. Vivi gasped. She then looks up at the galley.
"Hey, Everyone, Come quick!" She shouted. Zoro stopped practicing and Naruto opened the door while munching all over his food with Luffy and Usopp doing the same.
"What's wrong Vivi?" Asked Luffy.
"Nami has an awful fever!" She shouted. Luffy inhaled sharply, and Naruto set his meal aside. Sanji shoved both of them aside.
"WHAT?! NAMI'S SICK!" He exclaimed. Luffy and the crew are gathered around while Sakura checks on her.
"We need to get her to bed. Naruto, can you grab some hot water and a towel?"
"On it!" Naruto replies, hurrying off to the bathroom to fetch the supplies. Sakura then looks over at Sanji.
"Sanji, grab my medical kit. It's on the nightstand in my room," she gestures towards the left side of the Merry.
"On it!" Sanji says, quickly heading off to retrieve it. Sakura turns her attention to Luffy.
"Luffy, could you take Nami to her room?" Luffy nods, hoisting Nami onto his back. She leans her head on him, causing him to blush a bit. He brushes it off and carefully takes her to her bed, with Sakura and Vivi right behind. Sanji looks at Sakura examining Nami while crying. Usopp and Luffy look with worry. Naruto stands behind Sakura while kneeling down.
"Sakura... Can't you do something?" He asked. She removes the stethoscope and glances at Nami, puzzled.
"I have no idea what's wrong with her. After all my years in medical research, I've never come across a virus like this. But I don't think it's contagious," she says, placing the stethoscope back in her bag. Vivi wets a cloth and places it gently on Nami's forehead.
"It's most likely the climate." Vivi said. "It is quite Normal. You see, sailors in the Grand Line aren't used to the strange weather and can become quite ill. There are countless stories of tough, notorious pirates who suddenly died. Their immune systems were attacked and ravaged by colds and fevers. Ignoring the symptoms can make even the slightest cold deadly."
"Good point..." Sakura said. She She rests her chin on her hand. She wishes she has the answer to help Nami. "When you're sick, eating lots of meat always helps," Luffy said. Naruto and Sakura both stare at Luffy with blank expressions. "Right Sanji?" Sanji wiped away his tears.
"Meat is protein, and that does give the body energy to operate properly. I can cook some foods that'll boost her energy, but there's no guarantee, I'm not a doctor." He looks at Nami. "Besides... If my cooking made that much of a difference, she'd never get sick. I put a hundred times more care into preparing her meals than I do for you losers. I serve Nami fresh meats and vegetables to ensure a balanced diet. Anything that's rotten or moldy… goes to you."
"Screw you, Sanji..." Naruto said.
"Jerk..." Usopp seethed.
"Oh well, still tastes good." Luffy shrugged. Sanji lets out a sigh.
"My point, as long as I'm this ships cook nobodies gonna feed Nami better in terms of nutrition. "I can do anything in the kitchen. Still, I do know there are specific foods for different kinds of illnesses. But I can't make that call, she needs to be diagnosed by a doctor who'll tell how to help her."
"Just feed her everything we've got," Luffy recomnomended.
"Oh, shut up! She doesn't have the energy to eat," Sanji said. "She's sick."
"Sanji is right..." Naruto added. "She proably needs some medicine." Sakura took her temperature with the thermometer. She widens at the results.
"104! This isn't good!" She exclaimed.
"There's bound to be doctors and nurses in Alabasta that can help, right? How much longer until we get there Vivi?" Usopp asked.
"I don't know..." Vivi admitted while looking at Nami. "At least a week, and that's too long!"
"Okay, so she's sick... maybe we're overreacting." Luffy added.
"I don't know, I've never been this sick..." Naruto, Usopp and Sanji said while tilting their heads.
"YOU IDIOTS! THIS IS SERIOUS!" Sakura screamed. "Nami shouldn't have a high fever. Her temperature could rise to life threatening!" Naruto, Luffy, Usopp all screamed.
"YOU MEAN NAMI IS GONNA DIE!?" Luffy asked while swinging his arms. Meanwhile, Naruto was digging through Sakura's medical bag. Sanji was crying, and Usopp and Karoo were running around frantically.
"YOUR SCREAMS AREN'T HELPING!" Sakura seethed. "WE HAVE TO FIND A DOCTOR TO HELP NAMI BEFORE SHE DIES!" Luffy shouted.
"Everyone just calm down!" Vivi said as she raised her arms, "You're only going to make her feel worse."
"Listen..." They all stopped to hear Nami awake. She sits up while holding her damp rag. "I'm Fine."
"Yay, you're feeling better!" Luffy cheered. Naruto sighed and slapped his head.
"You moron! She's faking it..." Nami ignored their antics as she turned to Vivi.
"Go to my desk, open the second drawer..." Nami said. "There's a newspaper in the bottom."
Vivi took a look at what Nami said. Her eyes went horrified and Sakura noticed it.
"What is it?" She quesioned.
"Sakura, according to this article... 300,000 Royal Soldiers have defected to the Resistance. Until now, we've been embroiled in a cold war, with 600,000 Royal Soldiers against 400,000 Rebels. But with this… the balance has shifted!"
"The uprising in Alabasta will seriously escalate now..." Nami stated. "This'll get ugly. That paper you're looking at is three days old. I'm sorry I didn't say something earlier, we can't change our speed so I didn't want to worry you. There's nothing anyone can do right now. You understand... Luffy."
"But Nami..." Sakura was about to say but Nami grinned at her but Sakura can tell it's fake. Nami hops out of the bed.
"I'm fine, Sakura..." She assured. "That thermometer's broken. I mean, come on, nobody gets a temperature of one hundred and four. It was probably just a mild case of sun stroke. There's nothing a doctor could to for me that time won't."
"You should listen to Sakura..." Naruto said. "She is a medic after all. You should rest till we find a doctor that knows about this better than she does... no offense."
"None taken, Naruto.." Sakura said.
"Naruto, thanks... but we don't have time to hunt for one, we need to head straight for Alabasta, right?" Nami walked across the room over to the stairs then to the storage room. "I appreciate the concern, thank you." Luffy looks in worry.
"Nami..."He murmured. Naruto gazes at Luffy. He's seen that expression before. It's the kind of look when someone like him is...
"Does Luffy... love Nami?"
Nami was breathing heavily while leaning towards a wall. She walks out to the deck to see Zoro lifting weights. Back at Nami's room, Vivi was still devastated by what she read in the newspaper.
"Now that this conflict has escalated, more blood will be shed in the kingdom," Vivi realized as she stared at the newspaper. "We're at war. If I don't put a stop to this insanity, the entire kingdom of Alabasta will be doomed. Crocodile will move in and seize control." She scrunched up her newspaper and rested her head. "YOU'RE TRYING TO GET ME HOME SAFELY BUT THERE'S NO TIME! I NEED TO GET HOME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! If I don't make it back in time, a million innocent citizens will give their lives needlessly."
"There's a million people there?" Luffy asked.
"Don't worry, Vivi." Naruto said. "We'll make sure you get home and save your country. I promise." Vivi looks up at Naruto then Sakura, Luffy, Sanji and Usopp who smiled. Vivi returned then frowned while looking at the door.
Nami walks out of the Storage room to see Zoro up at the deck lifting weights.
"Zoro, what the hell have you been watching all this time?" Nami asked.
"What are you talking about? We've been going straight ahead as ordered."
"Oh yeah, straight at a right angle!" Nami snapped, she held up the Eternal Pose. "Look at the Eternal Pose, it doesn't lie!"
"I don't need to look at it," Zoro said, "I've been using that big cloud over there as my guide."
"YOU MORON!" Nami snapped. "CLOUDS MOVE AND CHANGE SHAPE CONSTANTLY!" She groans then rubs her forehead. "Ugh, my head's killing me."
"So leave the navigating to me and go to bed!" Zoro told her.
"I wish that I could but I'm here because I can't trust you with this!" She said. Out of the blue, she senses something off. Gazing up at the sky, she catches Zoro's attention.
The air? It's changed."
"What do you mean?" Asked Zoro. "The weather's been nice like this all day."
"Never mind. Just get the others." She ordered.
"Hey, HEY, GET YOUR BUTTS OUT HERE RIGHT NOW! We GOTTA WORK!" Zoro shouted. Usopp came out, followed by Luffy, Naruto and Sanji.
You know, I find it hard to get motivated when you're giving the orders," Sanji said
"Aw, shut up and get moving. Take the seat and catch the portside wind." Zoro ordered. They all were confused and turned to Nami.
"Nami, what's up?" Sanji asked the Navigator who was watching the sea. "It's a perfect day. The sun is shining, the waves are quiet."
"The wind..." She muttered. Sanji looked confused.
"Wind?"
"There's a powerful wind," Nami said. "It's heading right this way. I think... Luffy?" Luffy was in front of her, holding her forehead until it got so hot that he had to pull away.
"YOUR HEAD'S ON FIRE!" Luffy exclaimed. "YOU'VE GOTTA STAY IN BED AND WE NEED TO GET YOU A DOCTOR!"
"Maybe you should mind your own business! My Temperature is normal I..."
"No it's not..." A voice called out to them. She and Luffy look down to see Sakura and Vivi walking out.
"Nami, I know you're worried about Vivi's situation with her homeland but it won't do us any good if you stay up there then you die."
"Sakura's right, Nami." Vivi agreed. "Please let's find an island where they have a doctor right away. Then we will head for Alabasta. After that, we need her at the helm to move at top speed."
"Right..." Luffy agreed. "No one makes this ship move like Nami!" Hearing those words made Nami's cheeks turn re then she sank to her knees. Vivi stepped aside, giving her space. Nami glanced at her with a wistful smile.
"The sooner we get you a doctor, the sooner we can get to Alabasta." Vivi stated.
"Those are wise words, Miss Vivi. You're beautiful and " Sanji said. Hearing those words made Vivi's cheeks turn red. She then sees Nami sank to her knees. Vivi steps aside, giving her space. Nami glanced at her with a wistful smile.
"Thank you, Vivi."
"Maybe I can learn from this doctor so I can know more about diseases from this world." Sakura stated.
"Yeah... but I think you're the best doctor." Naruto complimented. Sakura smiled and kissed his cheek. Nami sighed at the sight then looked over at Vivi with a somber look.
"I'm sorry... I may need to... lie down." She then collaspes with Vivi catching her. Suddenly she heard Luffy screaming.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!" She and others turned to Luffy's direction and gasped. It was a massive gray swirling storm out on the water next to the ship.
"IT'S A CYCLONE!" Vivi exclaimed.
"And it was headed towards the direction we headed two..." Sakura remembered. She took a glance at Nami. "If it werent' for Nami sensing it... our adventure would have been over."
"Sakura's right. We were heading right for that direction!" Naruto stated.
"That would've been a direct hit!" Usopp yelled. "We'd all be dead right now."
"Incredible..." Vivi mused, Cyclones in the Grand Line are said to be impossible to predict. "But somehow Nami did. However she does it, it's obvious that her technique isn't based on any conventional method. It's as if she's detecting the weather with her body." The pink haired Ninja/pirate seems to agree as she says..
"It's beyond reason... a Miracle."
"All RIGHT!" Luffy shouted, gaining the others attention. "LET'S FIND NAMI A DOCTOR!"
"YEAH!" The crew cheered in agreement. Sakura helps Vivi in getting Nami back into her bed. She then prepares some medicine using herbs from Little Garden. Gently lifting Nami's head, she gives her the medicine.
"Hopefully, that will help her in the time being." Sakura exclaimed hopefully. Vivi nodded in agreement and puts the rag back on Nami's forehead. Sakura was sitting there rubbing her chin.
After dodging a cyclone all day, they ended up in a whole new climate—snowy this time. In Nami's room, Sakura and Vivi looked pretty worried.
"Sakura... I just hope we're not too late," Vivi said. "If we can't find a cure for Nami soon... things could get bad."
"I know," Sakura cut in. "But I'm not giving up. We're gonna find a doctor who can help Nami. I just feel it." Vivi gave a sad smile to the pink-haired , Luffy, Usopp and Sanji are at the deck looking at Usopp who is watching in the crowd nest with a binoculars. Naruto, Usopp and Zoro were all dressed in winters clothing.
"See any doctors yet!?" Luffy shouted at Zoro.
"Luffy, you can't be serious..." Naruto started with a incredulous look. Suddenly something caught Zoro's eyes.
"Guys?" Said Zoro. "You think people...? Can stand on top of the ocean?"
"What?" Luffy asked in disbelief. "Do I think it's possible?" Naruto gives Luffy a deadpan look.
"It's only possible if someone has chakra but since chakra doesn't exist in this world... no."
"Yeah?" Zoro questioned. "Then what's that?" Luffy, Usopp Naruto both spun around. Naruto glanced over, then shifted his focus back to Zoro... but then he did a quick double take. Naruto's jaw dropped so hard that it reached the floor. He then closed it then blinked.
"On any other day... that might seem strange." He commented.
Sakura: I'll save you, Nami. Don't worry.
Naruto: What the hell is going on?
Zoro: I can take care of these guys
Usopp: Whoa, He's eating the ship!
Luffy: On the next Shinobi X Strawhat... A Raid! The tyrant Wapol... I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!
Naruto: And I am gonna be Hokage!
Wow... what a way to start the new year. Pretty soon we get to see a certain reindeer. And no it's not Rudolph. It may not be the next chapter but soon. Happy New Years, everyone. Also, if you're a LuNami fan... hope you like the LuNami moments. There are more where that came from.