It was just late afternoon when a ship came into view, a small, dark shape edging along the harbor's eastern approach, half-hidden behind the salt-worn rise of the outer cliffs..
At first, no one paid much mind. Just another sail, another slow vessel limping in with the tide. But as it drew closer, details sharpened. The sail was patched, windworn and uneven. The hull short and wide moved low in the water, its battered frame rolling gently with the swell.
Someone near the cranes pointed.
"That one's riding heavy."
The ship creaked as it cut across the dock's outer edge, angling in slowly with the breeze. From a distance, it looked almost abandoned.
Then they saw the figure at the front.
Naruto stood at the bow, feet planted on either side of a forward-mounted cannon, the claws on his toes dug into the wooden railing. His shoulders were squared, back straight, eyes locked forward beneath the soft glare of the sun. He was scuffed from the battle, with a few singed patches of fur and faint bruising around his ribs — but he'd cleaned up. No blood, no grime.
The wind brushed gently through his fur, revealing the broad lines of his frame, lean and dense, fur brushed with sun and streaked red along the ears and head. The dull glint of metal shone from his metal arms at his sides, the barrel ends just visible where his arms hung relaxed but ready.
The rudder held its slow arc, and the wind was doing the rest.
Behind him, chained up and slouched against the mast was Tango Balik.
His large frame hung motionless, pinned upright by heavy loops of chain crossing his chest and shoulders. The coat he wore was scorched and torn at the collar, the sleeve on one arm half-ripped and dangling. One eye was swollen shut. The other, once hidden behind a cracked lens, was now empty, the socket raw but no longer bleeding, just dark and unfinished. His jaw hung slightly ajar, lips dry and slack.
The ship coasted in toward the lower dock slower now, its hull dragging just enough to make the outer fenders groan as they brushed against the pier's edge.
Naruto moved for the first time, stepping down from the bow as the front line bumped the wood with a low thud. He reached down, caught the dock post with one arm, and hooked the edge of the rope coil over it in a single motion. Not a perfect tie, but enough to keep the boat from drifting.
The dockhands nearby were already backing off, some out of wariness, some out of simple caution. Naruto walked to the mast, grabbed one of the chains looped over Tango's chest, and with a short grunt, hauled him upright.
Tango slumped, his weight awkward, but Naruto shifted and lifted without ceremony, slinging the much larger man over his shoulder like a rolled net. The chains clinked softly with each step as he made his way to the edge.
The dock groaned as Naruto stepped off the ship and onto solid ground.
The crowd had already started forming, not packed, but alert. Vendors paused mid-sale. A pair of off-duty sailors stopped halfway through loading a barrel, eyes wide. A mother held her child back by the sleeve as they walked by, whispering something low that Naruto didn't bother catching.
As he crossed the worn stone lip of the harbor road, a small group of Marines stepped forward from the edge of the square. Uniformed but relaxed, like they'd been stationed nearby.
They looked him over with a mix of wariness and surprise.
Naruto stopped a few paces from them, letting the chain at his side clink softly as Tango's bulk shifted slightly on his shoulder. One of the Marines younger, hair too long for regulation and a few buttons undone on his jacket squinted at him, then blinked in recognition.
"Naruto?" he asked, voice rising in surprise. "You actually brought him in?"
Naruto didn't say anything at first. He just stepped forward and let Tango drop behind him with a heavy slam. The big man hit the ground flat on his back, the chains coiled around his chest giving a sharp jingle as they settled. A few people in the crowd flinched at the sound.
Naruto rolled one shoulder with a faint grunt and gave the young Marine a nod.
The Marine in charge, taller, square through the shoulders, with a five-o-clock shadow and a tan line where his cap usually sat, stepped forward with a curious squint. He leaned slightly to one side, eyeing the unconscious man sprawled out on the stone.
After a beat, he let out a short whistle.
"Well I'll be damned," he said with a dry grin. "That's Tango Balik, alright."
He looked up at Naruto, offering a hand, not quite sure how to hold it at first, but settling on gripping the edge of Naruto's metal fingers with cautious respect. "Sergeant Marco," he introduced, giving the mechanical digits a firm shake. "You're either brave or crazy. Maybe both."
Naruto shrugged modestly. "Little bit of both, I guess," he said, smirking slightly.
Marco stepped around to get a better look at Tango. The man was still breathing, barely, his chest rising in shallow, uneven motions. The sergeant gave the chains a quick inspection, then stood upright, brushing the dust from his palms.
he said. "Nice work."
Marco chuckled, reaching into his coat pocket for a cigarette."Well, far as I'm concerned, job's done,"he said, sticking it between his lips and sparking it to life with a dull flick of his lighter."Nice work."
He exhaled a thin plume of smoke, eyeing Tango's unconscious form with a look of quiet satisfaction. Then he turned and patted Naruto lightly on the shoulder. "You mind helping us get this guy back?"
Naruto nodded and turned back to Tango's limp form. With a quiet grunt, he reached down and grabbed the chain wrapped around the man's chest, hoisting him up in a single motion. The weight didn't make him stagger, but it wasn't light, either. Tango's head lolled back, and the rest of the chain dragged behind him as Naruto slung the larger man over his shoulder.
He stepped up beside Marco, the two of them falling into stride together.
The outpost wasn't far, just up the hill past the merchant square, but the murmurs from the crowd followed them like wind at their backs.
"Are those guns... attached to his arms?"
"An animal like that... walking around town?"
"Mommy, mommy look! Look! The doggy has gun arms! How cool!!!"
Naruto kept walking, his expression unreadable, but his ears flicked at that last one. Marco exhaled through his nose, cigarette still clamped between his lips, his voice low and a little amused.
"Forgive the stares," he muttered. "We don't usually get folks like you around here."
Naruto tilted his head slightly, catching the older Marine's voice with one ear.
"Devil Fruit, right?" Marco went on. "That was my bet, anyway when the report came in yesterday about a little rabbit guy dragging in Redcap Haldren." He chuckled, the smoke curling upward. "Didn't believe it at first, but... yeah. Starting to make sense."
Naruto gave a quiet laugh as they reached the steps to the outpost, his claws clinking lightly on the stone. He turned his head toward Marco again, a wry grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Well... you win that bet."
Marco chuckled back, tapping ash from his cigarette. "Should've put more money down."
Two marines stationed near the front door stepped forward as they approached, quickly moving to relieve Naruto of the unconscious bounty. The chains scraped as Tango was lifted off his shoulder and transferred into waiting arms. He groaned faintly, barely conscious but the men were careful, moving fast and with practiced ease.
Naruto rolled one shoulder and stretched his neck, the weight finally off him.
As he and Marco stepped forward toward the front doors, they were met by another group coming out, five Marines deep, laughing among themselves, hands still stained from paperwork or polishing gear.
Leading them was the older officer he met before, stopping when he saw Tango being hauled.
His eyes widened before smiling
"Well I'll be damned," the man muttered, striding over. "You really bagged him, huh?"
He stepped up and clapped Naruto on the shoulder with two firm, proud smacks. "Good work, kid."
Naruto gave a small nod, quietly pleased.
"We were just heading to the bar down the road," the older Marine said, gesturing toward the winding alley behind them. "Me and the boys figured we'd get a few drinks before sundown. You should come by, once you've collected, of course."
Naruto smiled, ears flicking up slightly. "Might take you up on that."
The man gave a thumbs-up as he passed, his group echoing him with a mix of half-laughed encouragements.
"You earned it, rabbit."
"First one's on us."
"Better drink fast he doesn't share!"
Their voices faded as they disappeared down the slope, boots thudding against the dusty stone.
Naruto stepped inside the outpost beside Marco, the wooden door swinging closed behind them with a soft thunk.
The inside of the outpost was cooler than the street outside, the thick stone walls holding onto the shade, muting the bustle of the port into a low hum beyond the windows. The main chamber was wide and functional, lined with worn floorboards and sturdy desks arranged beneath a massive wall-mounted bounty board. A pair of ceiling fans turned lazily overhead, doing more for show than circulation.
A few Marines glanced up as Naruto entered, but no one stopped him. Most eyes flicked to the metal arms, then back to their paperwork with a little more focus than before.
Marco motioned toward the front desk, where a thin-framed clerk was already flipping through a thick, leather-bound logbook. He didn't look up until Marco cleared his throat.
"Got a bounty delivery," Marco said casually, thumbing toward Naruto. "Tango Balik. One piece, mostly quiet."
The clerk blinked, then sat up straighter as he caught sight of Naruto — and the Marine crew just outside hauling Tango's chained-up body into the intake room.
"Ah. Right. Uh… give me a second," the clerk said, adjusting his glasses and flipping a few pages forward. "Tango… Tango… ah, here we go."
He pulled out a second sheet, thinner paper, pre-stamped with the bounty sigil and a handful of box fields. He scanned it once, then nodded.
"Confirmed. Eighteen thousand beri for the bounty on Tango Balik. Alive delivery."
He scribbled something with a short, chewed-up pen, then reached for a second file from a drawer beneath the counter. Marco leaned lazily against the desk beside Naruto, watching the clerk with faint amusement as the man rustled through several documents with all the grace of a tired librarian.
He scribbled something with a short, chewed-up pen, then reached for a second file from a drawer beneath the counter. Marco leaned lazily against the desk beside Naruto, arms crossed, watching the clerk with faint amusement as the man rustled through several documents with all the grace of a tired librarian digging through tax records.
"Small bonus for bringing him in alive," the clerk mumbled, flipping through payout forms.
A few quiet moments passed as the clerk pulled out the payment, the crisp clack of coins and folded bills echoing through the otherwise subdued office. He stacked them into three tidy piles before sliding them across the counter without ceremony.
Naruto stepped forward and began transferring the stacks into the pouch on his belt. It wasn't quick. His metal fingers struggled with the soft cord, claws clicking awkwardly as he tried to loop it around and cinch the opening closed. One coin slipped from his grip and bounced off the counter before Marco caught it midair and handed it back with a dry grin.
"Still getting the hang of those?" he asked.
Naruto let out a breathy laugh. "You could say that."
When everything was finally secured, Naruto gave a nod to both men.
"Thanks again," he said, voice light but tired.
Marco offered a lazy salute. "You know where to find us."
Naruto pushed open the front door and stepped out into the warm afternoon light. The air was starting to cool slightly, shadows stretching longer across the street. He turned left, feet moving without urgency but not aimlessly either.
It only took a few minutes.
He could hear them before he even reached the bar.
Laughter spilled out onto the street like music leaking through cracked wood — overlapping voices, the occasional clatter of mugs, and the low thump of boots on floorboards. A tin sign creaked on its hook above the doorway, the paint mostly worn off, save for a faded image of a fish biting a tankard.
Naruto stepped inside.
The bar was modest, dark wood, low ceiling, and old lamps flickering gently from the walls. The tables were scarred from years of elbows, knives, and drunken gestures. But it was warm. And full.
Near the back, he saw them, the older marine from earlier and four others crowded around a round table already half-covered in mugs, food platters, and discarded napkins. The second they spotted him, the energy lifted again.
"There he is!" one shouted.
"The hunter himself!"
"The rabbit's real after all!"
The older marine leaned back in his chair with a wide grin and raised his mug. "Naruto! Get over here!"
Naruto walked over, trying not to smile too much as one of the marines shoved a fresh mug into his hand. He fumbled it at first, his metal fingers tapping awkwardly against the wooden mug, the claws clicking faintly with each shift of grip. But after a second try — a slow, careful adjustment of pressure — he managed to hold it steady enough to lift it.
He took a drink.
The burn hit instantly, bitter and sharp with something smoky buried beneath it, like old rope soaked in firewood. Naruto's throat clenched. He coughed once, then again, tail giving a twitch as his face flushed red from the heat.
"Easy there," one of the marines laughed, slapping the table. "First time?"
Naruto nodded, clearing his throat with a rasp. "Yeah," he managed, voice hoarse. "Didn't think it'd taste like I just swallowed a campfire."
That got a round of chuckles from around the table.
One of the younger men leaned in, pointing toward Naruto's side. "Hey, your fur's a little singed around here," he said. "Tango do that?"
Naruto glanced down at his ribs, brushing a thumb across the short patch of darker fur along his side. "Yeah," he said with a short laugh. "Bastard had a surprise waiting for me, two guns hidden inside his jaw. Took me off guard near the end."
The marine let out a low whistle. "That's dirty."
Naruto grinned. "Yeah. But I'm still standing."
One of the younger marines, clearly a few drinks in and riding a wave of excitement, leaned forward eagerly. "Hey…when you finished him off, did you do an amazing attack like they do in the stories!?" he asked, already rising from his seat with a wobble.
He grinned wide before throwing his hands forward, cupped together like he was channeling some dramatic, invisible energy "You know, like..right before the final blow! You shout the name! LikeKAMAHAMAHA!" he cried, thrusting his arms out in a grand, shaky motion.
He held the pose for a beat, then lost his balance completely and collapsed forward, landing with a light bang onto the table and knocking over two empty mugs as the rest of the group burst into laughter.
Naruto couldn't help himself, the sight of it cracked straight through his composure. He laughed, loud and genuine, his ears flicking back as he leaned against the edge of the table for balance. "Well… I didn't shout out a name with it, but I did do a fun attack," he said, grinning wide.
"Imagine this…a nine-foot-tall monster of muscle screaming as he's charging toward me, trying to finish me off with this massive minigun, daggers sticking out the end like a battering ram… and just as he pulls back to swing…bam! I jump up and uppercut him, point-blank, while letting loose a blast of bullets straight into his metal jaw."
The table erupted. One of the marines nearly fell out of his chair, slapping the tabletop with both hands. "No way! You uppercutted him with your gun-arm? That's insane!" another shouted, already grabbing a half-empty mug and mimicking the motion with exaggerated flair. "Boom! Right into the chin! Bet the whole cave shook!"
From across the table, the older marine leaned back in his chair, eyeing Naruto with a grin that was half amusement, half admiration. He tapped a thick knuckle against his mug before speaking.
"If I remember right, the other night you said Redcap was your first bounty, right?"
Naruto nodded once, his expression quieting, not out of humility, just letting the truth speak for itself.
That made the older man chuckle as he looked at his companions.
"Well, men," he said, raising his mug. "I think we're witnessing the start of something."
He turned his grin back to Naruto.
"The rise of the bunny bounty hunter."
The others laughed, not mocking, but light-hearted and one by one, they raised their mugs high.
"To the Red Rabbit!!" they shouted together.
The wood clacked as mugs knocked together above the center of the table, foam sloshing over the rims as they drank.
Naruto lifted his mug and drank with them, not as cautiously this time, but still broke into a coughing fit afterward, head ducking slightly, one ear flopping across his face.
The others roared with laughter, pounding the table or slapping him on the back.
He coughed, grinned, and wiped his mouth with the back of one metal finger.
"worth it," he muttered before eyeing the plate of meat on the table.
A stack of charred bones and greasy cuts sat piled between mugs and half-empty plates, roasted over open flame, dark at the edges and dripping with juice. Naruto reached out, claws clinking lightly against the wood, and grabbed one of the larger bones. He stuck the whole thing in his mouth sideways, bit down, and pulled it free with a clean scrape the meat stripped clean in one motion.
The marines watched as he repeated the process. One bone. Then another. Then two at once. He didn't rush, but there was an efficient rhythm to it, mouth open, chomp, pull, drop, the kind of eating that came from days of learning not to waste time when food was in front of you.
"Planning on heading out soon?" one of the marines asked, nudging a mug closer to Naruto while pushing a plate of shrimp out of the way.
Naruto paused mid-bite and shrugged slightly, finishing off the last of the bone before speaking.
"Not right away," he said. "Gonna spend tomorrow getting things in order. Might leave tomorrow or the morning after if it takes longer."
He reached for another bone, tail swishing lazily behind him. "Thinking about getting a new sail, maybe. Not sure yet. Ship's alright for now, but…" he glanced off to the side, ears twitching slightly. "I'm low on supplies, food, maybe a few tools. Haven't had time or the beri to stock up until now."
He paused just long enough to bite off another chunk of meat and pull the bone clean.
"Don't really know anyone around here," he added, voice quieter. "So… might take a bit."
The older marine, already deep into his third mug, downed the last of it in a single pull. He set it down with a dull thud before he wiped his mouth with the back of his wrist.
"Well, I'm off duty tomorrow," he said, straightening up slightly. "Why don't you meet me at the docks in the morning? I can show you around a bit. Got a few friends… shipwrights, repair crews, good folks. They'll treat you fair."
Naruto blinked at him, surprised by the offer. His ears perked up slightly.
"Really?" he asked, then chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head, a little sheepish. "Thanks. I, uh… just realized I never even got your name."
The man let out a warm laugh and leaned forward, offering a hand across the table.
"Iruka," he said. "Lieutenant Iruka Umino, technically, but no one's checking ranks here."
Naruto grinned and took the handshake, his metal fingers wrapping carefully around Iruka's hand. "Naruto," he said simply, though he knew they already knew. "But… I think you knew that already."
Iruka snorted. "Hard to miss."
They stayed for another round or two after that, nothing too heavy, just enough to keep the warmth in their voices and the edge off the day. The other marines filtered out one by one, clapping Naruto on the shoulder, wishing him luck, promising to see him off when the time came.
By the time Naruto stepped out into the street, the sky had deepened to a soft indigo, the stars just beginning to flicker into place overhead. The air was cooler now, the streets mostly quiet, save for the occasional bark of a gull or the distant clang of ship chains rolling on the tide.
He didn't walk so much as sway.
His stride was loose, uneven, cheerful. A faint, drunken grin tugged at the corners of his mouth as he passed under hanging laundry lines and crooked lantern posts. He hummed something tuneless under his breath. Not a song. Just sound.
When he finally reached the motel, the old wood creaked as he pushed open the door to his room. The mattress sat exactly where it had been left — crooked against the window, the sheets still rumpled from the night before.
Naruto stepped forward, wobbling just slightly.
His eyes were already half-closed.
With a soft red shimmer, his body shifted with a quick pulse of energy that rippled down through his frame. In a blink, he was small again. Fur neat, ears drooped, limbs light. The glow faded in the air behind him.
He didn't even finish the step.
Just fell forward with a soft thud onto the old mattress, ears flopping to either side as his face hit the pillow.
-
Naruto woke to the sounds of a town already in motion.
Distant chatter filtered through the thin walls of the room, the clatter of wagons over stone, boots thudding on wooden planks outside, and the high, uneven cry of gulls circling above the rooftops. Somewhere nearby, someone was hammering something. A cart wheel? A loose sign? He wasn't sure. All he knew was that it was loud.
The sun streamed through the window in a sharp, blinding line, landing squarely across his face. Naruto didn't even open his eyes, just flopped one long ear over them with a muffled groan, trying to block it out.
His head throbbed.
Not bad, but enough to remind him that last night had included more than one drink.
He groaned again and rolled lazily off the mattress — landing flat on the wooden floor with a dull thump, arms sprawled, cheek against the boards. Something in his shoulder gave a softpop, and he winced, muttering under his breath.
"Ugh… never again. At least not that fast..."
With a sluggish push, he peeled himself up off the floor and shuffled toward the window. He cracked one eye open, only for the early morning sun to hit him like a punch. He flinched, immediately turning his head away with a squint.
"Nope. Too bright," he muttered, rubbing one eye with the back of his paw as he let out a wide yawn. The yawn halfway through, something clicked in his brain.
Iruka.
He froze for a beat. Then his ears snapped upright.
"Oh crap."
He shimmered red a second later, a familiar pulse of energy wrapping around his body, brighter now, but tightly controlled. His limbs stretched, shoulders widening as his metal arms formed fully into place, the smooth, built-in barrels locking with quiet precision.
His paws reshaped into broad, clawed feet that pressed into the floorboards, which groaned softly under the added weight. Dark jeans materialized around his legs, frayed at the cuffs, and a rugged ammo belt crossed over his chest from shoulder to hip. He exhaled once, steadying himself tall.
"Okay... not bad."
He glanced around the room, spotting his beri pouch half-tucked beside the bed where it had fallen the night before. He leaned over, scooped it up, and tied it to his waist, cinching it tight with the practiced motion of someone who still wasn't used to fingers made of metal.
With that, he stepped out into the street, blinking into the sunlight.
The town was already alive, busier than the day before, but calmer somehow. More familiar. People moved with purpose, vendors called out over crates of produce and dried fish, and someone was sweeping a doorway with short, aggressive strokes. As Naruto walked, a few heads turned but only briefly.
No stares. No whispers.
Just the occasional glance. A couple of kids paused to look at him, one of them nudging the other and pointing with wide eyes. Naruto gave them a small nod in passing, just enough to make the braver of the two grin.
He smirked to himself and kept walking.
By the time he reached the docks, the tide was in and the air was thick with salt and damp rope. Gulls dipped lazily overhead. The dull clang of hooks on metal echoed from somewhere near the larger piers.
Naruto spotted Iruka standing near one of the mooring posts, chatting casually with an older man in a straw hat and thick gray stubble. Iruka had a hand on his hip, laughing at something the man had just said, while the other scratched at the back of his head.
Naruto jogged the last few steps and slowed as he approached.
"Sorry I'm late," he said, voice low but honest. "Woke up later than I meant to."
Iruka turned, offering a wave that doubled as a dismissal of the apology. "Don't worry about it. I only got here a few minutes ago myself."
He gestured to the man beside him. "Naruto, this is Tazuna, the best shipwright in the North Blue, and even better at grumbling about prices."
Tazuna gave a sideways grin and offered his hand. Naruto reached out with one of his metal arms, his three thick fingers clinking lightly as he closed them around Tazuna's calloused palm. The grip wasn't perfect, but it was steadier than before, confident in its own way.
"Good grip," Tazuna muttered with a nod. "Heard you've got a punch to match it."
Naruto smirked. "Sometimes."
The three of them crossed the dock together, boots thudding against sun-warmed planks as they reached the edge where Naruto's ship bobbed gently in the water. The vessel, scarred but upright, creaked softly with each shift of the tide. Tazuna stepped aboard first, letting his hand run along the railing like he could read the condition of the ship through his fingertips.
Naruto followed behind, glancing at the patched hull before looking back at the older man. "I was hoping to get some basic maintenance done," he said. "Nothing fancy, just enough to make sure she keeps going for a while. And…"
He looked up.
The sail hung overhead, patchy, sun-bleached, and tugging unevenly in the wind. A few of the seams were starting to fray again.
"…maybe a new sail."
Tazuna didn't answer right away. He moved across the deck with slow, practiced steps, pausing now and then to crouch, press a boot against a loose board, or run a hand along an old rope. After a few minutes of quiet inspection, he straightened and turned back toward them.
"She's got some wear," he said, "but nothing I haven't dealt with before. A few weak spots below the deck, rigging's halfway decent, and I've seen worse rudders."
He thumbed toward the mast. "As for the sail, yeah — I've got something that'll fit. Might even have it ready in the afternoon."
Naruto's ears perked slightly. "That fast?"
Tazuna shrugged. "Me and my boys are working on a project, but… I don't mind helping out a friend of Iruka's. Still need to get paid, though."
Naruto nodded, but his eyes drifted toward the side of the ship. Something flickered in his mind. He turned and walked to the railing, resting his claws on the worn wood, and glanced down.
There it was — the little fishing boat. Weathered, humble, but still floating where he'd first left it. It had brought him here.
He looked back at Tazuna.
"What if I throw that in?" he asked, nodding toward the smaller boat. "Not much, I know. But maybe it's worth something. Trade for a lower price?"
Tazuna followed his gaze, squinting into the morning light. "Hmph. Might be able to use it for parts," he muttered, scratching his beard. "Or sell it to a local. I'll take a look before I say how much I can knock off. Fair?"
"Fair," Naruto replied.
Iruka stepped in then, clapping his hands together once with a smirk. "Alright, old man, you've got a ship to work on. I've got a rabbit to escort. Naruto still needs supplies before he heads back out."
Tazuna waved him off with a grunt, already turning toward the main sail rig. "Just don't let him talk you into buying him candy and rope that glows in the dark."
Naruto nodded, casting one more glance at the furled sail as they turned to leave the ship.
Just as they stepped off the deck, Tazuna called out behind them. "Hey, kid!"
Naruto paused and looked back.
Tazuna was crouched near one of his tool crates, pulling out a coil of rope. He didn't turn around, just spoke over his shoulder with a casual tone. "You want something on it?" he asked. "The sail, I mean. Design, emblem — anything like that. Lotta folks like putting their mark on their ship."
As he looked up towards the furled sail, his mind drifted to a quiet memory. The high-ceilinged sitting room of the estate, all polished wood and silk-draped windows, with sunlight spilling in through tall glass panes.
The furniture was expensive, barely used, too stiff to feel like home, all except the long couch near the fireplace where Kushina liked to sit. She was there now in his memory, arms wrapped gently around his smaller frame, both of them nestled into the only soft spot in the entire room.
She smiled as she held out a piece of parchment, not from a book, but something older, something personal. On it, drawn in elegant brush strokes, was a strange spiral, tight at the center, curling outward like a storm or a seal come to life.
She leaned close, her voice soft, almost reverent.
"This," she had said, "is the mark of our family. The Uzumaki. We came from a place called Wano, far across the sea. A place with old forests and strong storms, full of warriors called ninja and samurai."
Naruto had stared at the swirl, fascinated.
"Even now," she continued, "no matter where I go... if I see this, I feel them behind me. Their strength. Their fire. It helps me move forward, even when I don't know where I'm going."
And just like that… the memory passed.
Naruto blinked. Iruka as nudged his arm lightly.
"You alright?" he asked.
"Yeah," Naruto said, shaking his head with a quiet exhale. "Just spaced out." He turned as Tazuna stepped up beside him.
"I've got something in mind," he said, his voice low but steady.
Tazuna gave a small grunt of approval. "Alright. Tell me what you're thinking."
Naruto stepped closer and spoke, explaining the details enough for the old shipwright to nod along, his eyes narrowing slightly as he listened.
When he finished, Tazuna scratched his chin, thoughtful. "Yeah... yeah, I can do that."
Naruto gave him a nod, then turned and stepped off the ship with Iruka beside him.
The two made their way through the winding streets of the port town, the steady rhythm of foot traffic and voices filling the air as the morning rolled into noon. Iruka walked with easy familiarity, pointing out shortcuts and side alleys, occasionally pausing to offer greetings to locals who called his name. Naruto followed, hauling a list in his head and a growing sense of purpose in his step.
Their first stop was a cartwright just off the main square, an old sailor who'd converted his dockside storage space into a lending station for heavy hauls. For a few coins and a favor promised by Iruka, Naruto left with a short, wide cart, just sturdy enough to carry what he needed without getting stuck on the uneven roads.
Next was a provisioning depot for barrels, two, tightly-sealed casks of drinking water, and another filled with low-grade alcohol. Naruto tested the weight of one before sliding it into the cart with a grunt. Iruka helped with the second.
After that came the food run, not a full resupply for a crew, just enough to last a man on his own for a few weeks at sea. The stall owner, a short man with ink on his sleeves and a scar across his collarbone, handed over sealed packs and crates without asking questions. Naruto mentioned his stove and small fridge in passing, and Iruka made sure everything was packed smartly.
The last stop was heavier: a shop tucked into the end of a low row of stone buildings. They bought a few crates of cannonballs. The shopkeeper gave Naruto a calculating look at first, but Iruka's presence kept the questions brief and the price fair.
By the time the sun was climbing high, the cart was half-full, the wheels creaking under the added weight. Iruka motioned toward a corner of the square.
"Come on," he said, "we're close to a better lunch spot than that fish stand you keep eyeing."
Naruto raised a brow but followed.
A few minutes later, they reached a modest dumpling stand nestled beneath the shade of a large overhanging banner. The sign overhead had a stylized boar painted across it in thick brushstrokes, faded but still bold. The aroma of grilled pork, scallion, and chili oil hung in the air like bait on a line.
Behind the counter stood a woman with strong arms, a half-tied apron, and a look that said she didn't suffer nonsense from anyone. Her purple hair was streaked with gray at the temples, pulled into a loose, practical knot. Her eyes were sharp but not unkind.
"Anko," Iruka greeted, raising a hand.
She looked up, scowled fondly, and waved a ladle at him. "You better not be dragging another mouth to feed and not paying double."
Iruka chuckled. "He's good for it."
She glanced at Naruto, eyes flicking briefly to the metal arms, the stripes, the height before giving a subtle nod of approval. "Hm. At least this one looks interesting."
They sat at one of the side benches, the cart parked nearby under shade. Anko brought them two trays stacked with steaming dumplings, lightly seared and dripping with sauce. Naruto took the first bite in silence, savoring the crunch of the pan-fried bottom and the burst of savory broth inside.
"This," he muttered, "is good."
Iruka grinned around a bite of his own. "She's a real warlord in the kitchen."
Naruto was too busy enjoying the dumplings, head slightly down, focused on the perfect mix of crispy bottoms and savory filling, to notice anything at first. Not until the bench beside him shifted and someone suddenly hopped up onto the seat next to him.
He froze.
A small hand was petting him. Light, rhythmic.
"Doggy!" a young girl squealed beside him.
Naruto's eyes widened, his body going stock still as his leg twitched involuntarily under the table. His face flushed pink as the child stood on the bench next to him, both hands now reaching for his ears with total, fearless glee.
"Maia—!" a voice called in alarm.
A woman, likely the girl's mother, rushed over from a nearby table, eyes wide with panic.
"I'm so sorry!" she gasped, grabbing her daughter around the waist and lifting her back into her arms. "I didn't think— I thought—!"
Naruto quickly held up a hand, waving gently.
"It's okay," he said, voice calm and careful. "No harm done."
The girl, still held in her mother's arms, reached out again with a tiny hand, fingers curled slightly toward his ears.
Naruto hesitated only a moment before leaning forward and gently tapping her forehead with one metal finger.
"Boop"
She giggled.
The mother blinked, relaxing just slightly.
"Sorry," she said again, more quietly now, as she turned back toward her seat.
Naruto offered a small smile, then turned back toward his tray.
Iruka was already halfway through another dumpling, chewing with smug satisfaction. "You're popular," he said between bites.
Naruto sighed and picked up more dumplings. "Shut up."
Iruka just chuckled again and offered him the last dumpling from his tray.
Naruto took it without hesitation, chewing contentedly before asking through a half-full mouth, "Do I really look like a dog?"
Iruka leaned back slightly, narrowing one eye like he was inspecting a puzzle. "Well…" he started, scratching at his chin, "you definitely have some rabbit features."
He reached out casually and tugged one of Naruto's long ears, lifting it between his fingers. "But this? Yeah. Definitely dog."
Naruto rolled his eyes as he finished chewing and swallowed. "I mean, I've only caught a few glances of myself in reflections and water, but I figured I looked more like a rabbit."
Iruka shrugged, still grinning. "You do. Just… a rabbit who might bite." He stood and stretched, brushing crumbs off his shirt. "Alright. We should get the cart back to the ship before we end up eating again."
They thanked Anko, who handed a slim black notebook wrapped in a single loop of twine to Iruka without a word. No explanation, no look. Just a simple pass-off, like it was already decided.
Iruka gave her a small nod in return and tucked it under his arm as they turned to leave, rolling the cart back to the docks.
With the cart rumbling, they made their way back through the winding streets toward the docks. The sound of ship bells and gulls returned, along with the salty breeze rolling in over the water. As they rounded the final bend, the ship came into view, already looking a little sharper.
They rolled the cart up the gangplank with a soft rattle, the weight of it making the old wood creak just slightly beneath the wheels. The sun had shifted overhead by now, casting long shadows across the freshly cleaned deck. The sail was gone, stripped completely — the mast standing bare like a monument waiting for a new banner.
Naruto let out a low whistle. "They weren't kidding."
Iruka smirked, wiping the back of his neck. "Tazuna's men don't sit still. Give 'em an afternoon and they'll rebuild your whole stern if you're not watching."
They got to work, hauling the first set of items, the water and alcohol casks, into place near the railing. There were simple bracket mounts worked into the deck now, likely installed that morning. Naruto tested the lashings, gave a short nod, and moved on.
The rest of the supplies, food, tools, rations, and anything that wouldn't fare well in the salt air, they brought below.
They stepped into the bottom deck with arms full, the cool shade of the hold immediately cutting the sun's bite. The scent of new sealant mixed with salt and pine hung in the air. It was quiet down here, the creaking of the ship more intimate — like the hull itself was breathing.
Crates were stacked in the corner, roped in place beside older gear. Naruto moved with a clear rhythm, organizing as he went, metal fingers clinking softly as he worked. Iruka followed behind, helping where he could, occasionally shifting a stack or adjusting a latch.
Then Iruka paused.
His brow furrowed as his gaze landed on something at the back wall — something large, unmistakable.
"Wait…what is that?"
There, mounted between two support beams with thick rope and custom hooks, was Tango's gun.
It sat heavy against the wood, scorched black in places, with its jagged feed assembly still warped from battle. Cleaned but untouched, it hung like a beast laid to rest.
Naruto glanced over at it. "Tango's gun," he said. "My trophy."
Iruka raised a brow, still staring. "Hell of a trophy."
Naruto offered a faint smile and nodded once, the weight of the weapon behind him a quiet, permanent reminder.
They finished organizing the last of the supplies in the hold, securing the final crates and checking the rope lashings before heading back up to the deck. Naruto moved to secure the cannonball crates near the mounted cannon, double-checking the tension in each knot. Iruka stepped away, walking toward the railing near the mast and taking a moment to stretch his shoulders in the sun.
When Naruto joined him, Iruka reached into the folds of his coat and pulled out the slim black notebook, the one Anko had handed him without a word. He looked at it for a second before glancing sideways at Naruto.
"Back when I was still in the field, I served under a marine who thought of himself as more of a bounty hunter than a patrolman," Iruka said. "Kept one of these with him at all times. Called it his bingo book."
He handed the notebook over.
Naruto took it, raising a curious brow, and untied the twine. When he flipped it open, his eyes widened.
Pages and pages of bounty profiles, hand-written and carefully maintained. Each entry held two small photos — grainy, clipped, or sketched — with short, concise descriptions beside them: names, locations, affiliations, patterns. No flair. Just the kind of information a hunter could use.
"This is…" Naruto turned a few more pages. "You've been tracking all these?"
Iruka shrugged lightly. "Old habit. I update it when I can. It's probably a few weeks out of date, but it should keep you going for a while."
Naruto looked up from the pages, his voice quieter now. "I don't know how to thank you."
But Iruka waved him off before the words could settle. "You brought a little excitement back into my life," he said with a smile. "Besides, I can always make another."
Naruto nodded, tucking the notebook under one arm, but the weight of it, not just the book, but what it meant, settled deeper than any words could've managed.
A rustling sound caught their attention. They turned to see a group of workers approaching from the dock, maneuvering carefully beneath the weight of a long sail. Tazuna led the way at the front, barking short commands as they hoisted the roll up onto the ship's deck.
As Naruto and Iruka stepped down onto the dock, the crew had already begun untying the sail, spreading it out carefully to inspect the stitching and align it with the mast fittings.
Naruto paused for a moment to watch, the fresh canvas catching the light with a slight shimmer, clean, bold, and blank no longer.
Iruka turned toward him, extending a hand.
"Good luck out there, Naruto."
Naruto took the offered grip, metal fingers curling around his forearm. "Thanks… for everything."
As Naruto turned to walk back up the gangplank, Iruka called out behind him with a grin.
"And make sure Tazuna doesn't gouge you on labor costs!"
Naruto looked back over his shoulder with a smirk. "No promises."
Naruto walked up the gangplank just as the last of the ropes were being secured. The new sail hung furled high above, black, clean, and bold against the afternoon sky. Even wrapped tight, it carried weight, the fabric slightly heavier than the old one, the stitching crisp and deliberate. It looked ready to catch the wind the moment it was given permission.
Tazuna's men stepped back from the mast, wiping sweat from their brows, rolling up stray tools and coils of rope. One of them nodded to Naruto in passing before hopping off the deck, the rest trailing after without a word. Job done.
Tazuna remained.
He stood near the base of the mast, thumbs hooked into the belt at his waist, squinting slightly as he looked over the sail, then at Naruto.
"We did what we could with that description you gave me," he said, voice gruff but not unkind. "Might not be perfect, but it's on there. You'll have to live with it."
Naruto followed his gaze up the mast, his expression unreadable, just a flicker of quiet thought behind the eyes.
"I will," he said, then turned back to Tazuna. "Thank you."
Tazuna gave a slight grunt, more of an acknowledgment than a reply. They stood a moment in the silence, the only sound the creak of the ship against the dock and the distant call of gulls overhead.
Then they talked price.
Nothing loud. Nothing drawn out. Just a quiet exchange between two men who'd both seen enough bartering to keep it efficient. After a few minutes, they shook hands, or tried to. Tazuna grumbled lightly as Naruto's metal fingers clinked against his, but he didn't pull away.
Naruto handed over a folded stack of beri with one hand and gestured with the other toward the small fishing boat still moored near the dock. "It's not much," he said, "but it still floats. Got me here."
Tazuna looked over his shoulder, studied the boat for a moment, then nodded.
"I can make use of it," he said.
Naruto gave a small nod in return.
Tazuna adjusted his cap, gave the sail one last look, and turned to leave without fanfare. "Good luck out there," he muttered over his shoulder.
Naruto watched him go, the ship creaking gently beneath his feet, the breeze tugging lightly at the edge of the new canvas above.
He stood there a moment longer, eyes tracking the last few steps Tazuna took down the dock before disappearing into the crowd. Then he turned and looked around the deck his deck small, solid, and just rough enough to feel real.
His ship.
Naruto stepped beneath the wheel and ducked into the cabin. It was narrow, but clean. Tazuna's crew had done more than surface work, the wood was freshly sealed, the corners reinforced, and the table at the center was bolted in place, no wobble to it. He set down the transponder snail gently on the tabletop, its feelers twitching slightly as it adjusted to the new light.
From under his arm, he pulled out a neatly rolled map, recent, sharp lines and crisp ink — and spread it out across the table. The North Blue stared back at him: open sea, ports he hadn't visited, trouble he hadn't yet earned. A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Next, he opened a supply crate to pull out a long cloak dark, thick at the shoulders, long enough to cover his larger frame. He hung it on a peg, letting it sway gently as the ship shifted underfoot.
From the supply crate at his feet, he pulled out three volumes ofSora, Warrior of the Sea, worn but clean and placed them neatly beside the snail.
He smiled to himself.
Naruto walked back onto the deck, the breeze sharper now, pushing against the hull with quiet insistence. He moved with purpose, untied the last of the mooring lines from the dock and coiled the rope carefully, letting the ship drift back with the tide. The creak of the wood under him was slow, steady — the sound of freedom loosening its anchor.
He stood at the bow for a moment, claws resting gently on the railing as the shoreline began to pull away. He thought about the people he'd met — the girl at the dumpling stand, the quiet grins from the dockhands, the way Iruka had looked at him when he handed him the notebook.
It had been a short stay. But something about it had left a mark.
His life… the real one, the one that was his… was just beginning.
A voice called out behind him.
"Oi! Naruto!"
He turned to see Iruka standing at the edge of the dock, flanked by a handful of Marines. All of them were waving. A few raised mugs, others just held their hands high. Iruka grinned like he knew something Naruto didn't.
Naruto raised one arm in return, waving back with a small grin as the figures on the dock began to fade from view.
Then he turned toward the mast and gave the last rope a firm pull.
The canvas above unfurled in a smooth motion, catching the wind with a risingflutterbefore snapping open with a sharpcrack. The black sail filled out strong and clean, stretched tight overhead, brand new, and fully his.
At the center of the sail, a red spiral curled tight.. sharp and deliberate, with two deep blue katanas crossed behind it, forming a bold X. The blades angled like drawn fangs, clean and simple, but full of purpose. Together, the design felt solid, grounded, not just a symbol of where he came from, but a mark he'd chosen to carry forward.
Naruto looked up for a few moments, watching the sail catch full in the wind. Then he stepped forward, climbing up to the wheel and placing his metal fingers on it, steadying his grip. With a quiet breath, he began to steer, guiding the ship as it pushed away from the dock and out toward the open sea.
-End-Notes:
Howdy folks! Hope you enjoyed Chapter 7 — the end of "tutorial island" (just kidding… mostly). Now that Naruto's got himself a small but proper ship, he's finally ready to hit the open sea and start chasing down pirates for real.
He won't be staying in the North Blue too long. After a quick reality check on how weak most pirates out here really are, he'll be heading toward the Grand Line. He'll also pick up a companion before making that leap, though I'm still deciding exactly who that'll be.
As for his transformations… I won't spoil anything just yet, but let's just say there are some more surprises ahead.
Thanks again for joining me on this ride. Feel free to share your thoughts, ideas, or just enjoy the journey. The Red Rabbit's just getting started.