Disclaimer; I don't own Naruto or One Piece series or any of its characters. They belong to their respectful owners.
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The new world confusing the new shinobi would be an understatement. Just from the first reports it showed great differences between the two dimensions, weirdly enough the language seems to be the same.
First it was Anbu Team Ro that reported their findings. A military faction under the name of 'Marines', very organized, just like Shinobi Villages but in much, much bigger scale. An organization called 'World Government' is ruling the whole world with over 170 countries being affiliated with it. Marines are their military branch of it, faction that oversees security and justice of all over the world.
Every notable island has their own Marine Bases that houses the Marines that patrolling the assigned areas to them. Filled with weapon arsenal, ships, documents and living quarters.
It was surprising how easy it was to spy on a Military base, so much that Team Ro actually lived in the base, Yamato staying inside the Base Captain's quarters so that he could hear and report every bit of news. It was him that learned the corruption that runs through the Marine Base, ignoring civilians' pleas from the same island that they were based on and also turning blind eye to a pirate crew terrorizing the island just to fill their pockets.
It was that finding that revealed the identity of the second settlement in the island, Arlong Park. Ruled by a pirate named Arlong, a Fish-man, shocking revelation to the Shinobi. But it was expected to have people like Pirates in a world mostly covered with sea.
Seems like Arlong came to the island 7 years ago and seized the control, racketeering the local population. Collecting such high amount of money that people were barely surviving each month. People who were unable to pay the fee were killed or beaten up to make example to others.
When they first found out about it, whole team had hard time holding Naruto back or he would already turn whole settlement to ashes with the pirates inside of it. Reminding him his first mission outside the village, bringing bad memories. But he calmed down after a while with others promising that he will get his shot at the Arlong Pirates while Shikamaru told them that he had plans cooking in his mind.
Jiraiya and his teammates came after over a week of short voyage, using toads to sail to other islands. They have come across another island, much bigger than Conomi Island, the one they are based on. It's called Frauce Kingdom, with a big city and monarchy in place. Ban Dedessine is the Queen of the kingdom and appearantly important figure in politics of the world.
Jiraiya had hard time leaving the kingdom after seeing the Queen itself, earning himself a beating from Tsunade.
Appearantly islands are mostly self-governed under the World Government regime. Only big kingdoms have a say in politics while being affiliated with World Government and smaller islands without important resources or strategic positions aren't considered important and left to their own with Marine Branches doing regular check-ups.
Sailing the seas are allowed if you abide the laws and follow Marines instructions but there is quite a bit of people that broke the rules and sailed without a care in the world.
Pirates.
Outlaws in the eye of World Government and issued bounty according to their danger level. Biggest current bounty in the East Blue being Arlong himself with 20 million belly on his head, currency of this world.
At the end of the two weeks, whole team met up once again in the temporary housing. Large table in the middle of the room, covered with documents, newspapers and maps while others surrounded it. Tsunade sat on a chair; fingers locked before her face looking at Shikamaru.
Lazy jounin gathered the attention of others with a cough, putting his palms to the table. "It has been an uneventful two weeks but we gathered enough information to start our primary plans. One of those being to secure a landing zone for our forces while figuring out our own place in this world. I believe Conomi Islands good for the shinobi forces but civilians need safe place so that we don't have to worry of them being targeted."
He pulled out one of the maps, pointing an island little far away from where they are called Clockwork Island. "This one has most of the advantages that we are looking for, isolated enough from other islands that if someone mobilizes against us, we will have enough time to prepare. It is also marvel of nature, being couple hundred meters above the sea level, held by a corkscrew like mountain that we can reinforce with Earth Jutsu."
"That is good." Mei nodded. "What about the money concerns? We can steal the money from Arlong, he has gathered quite a bit but it will not be enough."
Shikamaru smirked, taking out a document that they copied from Marine base. He pointed the illustration of a black flag with purple wings around a white skull and two saber piercing it. "Baroque Works, unique name but looks like they are Bounty Hunting Agency that operates in mainly in first part of Grand Line, sometimes even showing up in Blue Seas. Marine base has reports about this particular group, they took down quite a bit pirate crews that entered the grand line and also openly recruiting bounty hunters. Their leaders or higher officials are still mystery that Marines are still looking for but their concept is something that we can implement it here."
"So, we will be bounty hunters?" Naruto asked excitedly, eager to fight people, especially pirates. He heard enough of them to gain a distaste to them. Especially the famous ones.
"Not entirely." Tsunade spoke, guessing where Shikamaru is going for. "We can implement our mission system quite well in this world too, gathering missions from civilians and Marines alike, charging money accordingly with mission ranking system. We already have infrastructure for it, only need to advertise ourselves clearly while also being careful that no one acquires a bounty."
"That is correct." Lazy jounin nodded. "This world has snails that are used as communication devices just like our telephones that we were using. We can distribute our number to the public, getting missions that way. Of course, while doing it we will undermine the Marines reputation quite a bit if we take too many missions so we need to solve that problem down on the road."
"I understand so w-"
"We have movement!" Neji interrupted Tsunade, his Byakugan active. "Arlong crew is mobilizing all together towards Cocoyasi Village, same time someone is at Nojiko's house, a young woman little younger than her. They seemed to be arguing."
"She must be Nami that Chojuro reported." Mei said. "She is the thief of Arlong Park along with being the cartographer. Our intel said that she should be in the seas for another week or so… Arlong is also couple days ahead of his monthly schedule."
"Everyone, pack up. We will confront Arlong and his crew in the village." Tsunade ordered as she stood up.
"Are we killing them inside the village?" Naruto asked, his eyes hardened.
"That would be for the best. Hunting Arlong crew in front of the villagers will make them trust us more as we will save them while also being good public advertisement. We should have Tsunade-sama killing the Arlong, showing her as our leader while Naruto should deal with all others swiftly, showcasing our overwhelming power." Shikamaru talked, everyone exited the house walking towards the village.
When the group reached the Cocoyasi Village they see Arlong group confronting the villagers, even the villagers of Gosa Village were here. Arlong is seated on a wooden chair before the crowd while Genzo, middle-aged man with scars littering his body with mustache, he wears police uniform of the village while being beaten by the second-in-command of Arlong crew, Kuroobi.
"What have I said about gathering weapons?" Arlong asked, pile of swords and spears to aside. "It seems I have been too benevolent to you humans." His face soured in sneer. He rose to his full height, walking towards Genzo.
Villagers were looking in sheer fear, hopeless to protect their sheriff while he is moments away from being killed. Suddenly from the crowd, a young woman with blue hair and tanned skin rushed out, stretching her arms wide in front of Arlong.
"Enough!" She yelled. "You have relayed your message, leave Genzo alone."
Arlong growled at the girl, leaning towards her. "And why should I? don't think I am ignorant of you guys preparing for a rebellion." He then barked out a laugh. "Pathetic humans with weapons… looks like I need to remind you humans why Fish-men are the superior race!" He lifted his fist, bringing down upon Nojiko with ferocious power.
"No!" Nami who arrived to the village after hiding her earnings from the sea, just in time to see Arlong attacking her sister but her scream falls deaf in Arlongs' ear.
"Die!" Fishmen screamed, his fist inches away from Nojiko but never connected. "Huh?" he looked confused, looking down he saw a woman with blonde hair and green haori, holding his fist without any issue. Tsunade looked up to Arlong, her smirk looking dangerous.
"Who are you?" Arlong growled out, his fist shaking to overpower the woman but she looked as if she felt nothing from it, holding his fist with iron grip.
"A passerby."
"Passerby? Ha!" Arlong barked. "Looks to me you are just a bounty hunter… that is too full of herself. Countless others tried to take me down that we are quite used to it… but you are the only one that could stop my strike. How about working for my crew? I have enough money to pay you whatever you like."
"Crew?" Tsunade asked, looking behind Arlong. "I never knew one person count as a crew." Arlong heard gasps from the humans, feeling cold sweat forming at his back.
Turning his head around, his eyes almost bulged from his head. All of the fish-men that he brought from Grand Line, stronger than usual pirate crews that no one in East Blue could even dream to match, now laid on the ground blood pooling around their bodies while a young man with wild blonde hair holding the throat of Hachi, looking at his direction with icy blue eyes.
He then looked around, apart from the crowd there is new faces littered around the area, palming blade like weapons posed to strike at moment's notice.
"W-what… w-who are you people!?" Arlong screamed.
"You don't need to worry about that. Afterall…" Tsunade punched forward slowly, hitting Arlong on his chest. "You will not need it in where you are going." Slow punch from the shorter woman digs deep into his chest, his body exploding in shower of blood, upper half of his body becoming nothing more than a bloody mist.
Silence covered the whole village, locals could only look at the scene in front of them in shock, can't find words to describe what they are feeling or seeing. Nojiko pulled Genzo to his feet, looking scared at the beautiful woman in front.
Nami covered her mouth, eyes teared up but her hearth filled with emptiness as her years of effort just became absolute in seconds with unknown people simply destroying the very thing haunted her sleep.
"That was easy." Tsunade said, wiping her knuckles with a handkerchief while others walked up to her side.
"Just as scary as ever Hime." Jiraiya laughed.
"To be honest I was expecting more." Naruto also said, looking at his kills, only leaving the octopus looking Fish-man somewhat alive just so Marines can interrogate him. He also didn't feel much malicious intent from him as other Fish-men. "Their skin is quite bit tougher than ours though." He commented.
"W-who are you people… why are you here?" Nojiko asked fearfully.
Arlong was a nightmare to the whole island, unbeatable foe that struck fear with just mention of his name but these people just did the impossible, killing Arlong as if he is just an annoying fly.
"You can think of us as bounty hunters." Tsunade talked, hands on her hips, addressing the crowd. "The reason we are here is simple, our people need someplace to settle and this island looked good enough… even that Arlong park looks good for to take."
Locals' eyes widened. "Are you going to take over our island?" Nami asked with venom in her voice. Stepping in front of the crowd. Locals looked conflicted seeing Nami, they knew why she joined the pirate crew and played along with it but she still brought infamy to the island with her actions.
"If you are wondering that, are we going to replace Arlong? Then no." Jiraiya spoke. "Like Hime said, we are just looking a place for our people. You might see more and more of our people showing up but rest assured that we are not a pirate or bad people that would take over others home. We just ask for your cooperation while we are settling, our presence in the island will be boon for you guys I am sure of it. If you guys still have problem with it, you can take up to with our leader here." Gesturing Tsunade.
Genzo stood straighter, walking up to Tsunade. "While I am still unconvinced about you people, you just gave us our freedom back killing Arlong. Cocoyasi Village will welcome your people as long as you will not endanger our home." He extended his hand for a shake.
Tsunade smiled, shaking the sheriff's hand. "You don't need to worry, we come in peace."
Genzo nodded and turned to his people, looking each in the eyes. He took a deep breath… and yelled. "We are free!!!"
People cheered along with him, crying tears of joy of finally be free of 7 years long nightmare. Nojiko too joined to her fellow villagers crying of happiness, already making plans for the party that night. Nami on the other hand, just stood to the side, watching her people with a blank face. Her mind running through countless thoughts but couldn't settle on one.
Shinobi noticed the situation; they already knew the reason for it too. Nami just spend 7 years of her life either locked in a room drawing maps or risking her life on the seas, robbing or scamming people that could kill her as easy as breathing, just so she could buy her villages' freedom back. But now her life purpose robbed from her by strangers and don't know how to respond to it.
Naruto, ever the bleeding hearth, slowly walked up to the orange haired young woman under the watchful gaze of the shinobi.
"He is going to work his magic once again, isn't he?" Jiraiya playfully bumped his shoulder to Tsunade. Blonde woman could only smile, already knowing the outcome.
"Why don't you join them?" Naruto asked, standing beside Nami.
"They wouldn't appreciate…" Nami said, looking sadly at the cheering crowd. Her brown eyes trailed towards the blonde beside her. "And what is it to you? You just came and…" she lost her voice and just looked at the ground.
"Came and what? Destroyed your life? Killed your friends? Took away your purpose?" she flinched that the last sentence.
Naruto gained a faraway look. "You know… this reminds me a mission that I have took in the past. First time away from my home." Nami didn't raised her head but she could feel the emotion behind his voice. "I was excited to be out for the first time. Excited to show my powers to the world."
Naruto chuckled bitterly, remembering how useless he felt. "I was weak… so much so that froze upon seeing and enemy right away. It was supposed to be a simple one… protect the bridge builder until he finished building one. But nothing is simple with my life and that mission wasn't an exception. Run into pretty strong enemies, people that could slit your throat without batting an eye. But my team prevailed, pushing through the mission… it was then I met her." Naruto felt lump in his throat.
"Only person that seemed to understand me… the real me. Haku was her name, pretty as an angel." He chuckled. "I thought I was dead and went to heaven when I saw her for the first time." Nami too smiled slightly.
"We spent hours just talking with each other. She made me the man I am today… giving me the reason to be strong. 'When a person… has something important they want to protect… that's when they can become truly strong.' She used to say and I believed her whole heartily. She protected her precious person with all of her hearth, and that made her truly strong."
Naruto looked at Nami, his eyes soft. "You are truly strong, Nami. Even if they don't know your reasons, you have a truly strong hearth. You did everything in your power to protect them. So, raise your head, be proud of yourself. A new life awaits." He turned away, walking.
"Wait." Nami called out making Naruto stop. "How do you know my name and… what happened to that Haku person."
Naruto glanced over his shoulder with a smile. "A shinobi never tells his secret…" but then his smile turned sad, making Nami's hearth squeeze, she decided that sadness didn't suit him. "Like I said, she was truly strong, protecting her precious person but… I also had my precious people at the time and I protected them." He then walked away.
Nami could only watch his retreating back, feeling the weight of his words. Her eyes then turned back to the cheering crowd; light flickered inside of them. She might have lost years of her life to work alone but from now onward… she will be truly strong, just like that blonde guy, protecting her precious people even if they don't appreciate it.
Blonde sage arrived to his team, they were already done with clearing the corpses and shackled Hachi. "Now what?" He asked.
"We will proceed with settling over the Arlong Park." Shikamaru took a drag of his cigarette. "Anbu team will carry on Operation Shark Tooth, take care of Captain Nezumi problem before he could report us as criminals."
"Good." Tsunade nodded. She then turned around, walking towards Arlong park with Shinobi following her.
Nami noticed the group leaving towards the base, she seemed to hesitate to what to do. One part of her wanted to finally rest, settle back to her village and live her life in peace but other part, more dominant, wanted to continue. Thrill of sailing the seas, earning staggering amount of money left her wanting more…
She looked at the drying blood of Arlong, eyes turned colder. With a nod she turned on her heels to follow the departing team.
Nojiko watched her younger sister amongst the partying locals. Hesitating on what to do, Nami is still clueless that the villagers knew about her reason to join the Arlong crew, that means she truly believes everyone is against her even after the defeat of Arlong.
"Go to her." She heard Genzo speaking to her. "She will do something extreme once again… always trying to shoulder all of the burden alone… just like Belle-mere. But this time we will show her that she is not alone anymore."
Nojiko nodded her head fiercely, running after her sister.
Genzo looked at the horizon, sighing heavily. "Things will change once again… I hope it for the good this time." He rejoined the celebrations once more.
Shinobi team arrived at the now abandoned Arlong Park. It was a tower with large open area around it with concrete as the ground. Large pool in front of the tower going to the open sea with large steel gates keeping it safe. It has yellow walls and red tile roofs with shark heads on the roofs as decoration.
"We need to get rid of those…" Mei said with distaste. "What a bad sense of decor."
"We also need to air it." Ino spoke, pinching her nose. "Smells like fish market… a bad one at that."
"True… everyone, get to it, I want every belonging of Pirates counted and sorted, throw useless personal items. Assign rooms for arsenal and such. Find the vault too, count it and make it secure for future uses." Tsunade ordered as her man quickly dispersed around.
She then looked over her shoulders. "You two don't need to hide."
Nami and Nojiko appeared by the gates, unsure if could talk with them. Nojiko noticed that all the others with same uniform darting around, only the few that has different clothes left behind, leaders or officials of the group, she deduced.
It was Nami that gathered enough courage to talk first. She stepped up to the blonde woman in green haori. "I want to join your group." She bowed her head.
Tsunade raised her eyebrow at the younger girl, while others looked confused as of why. Nojiko too joined her sister, bowing her head along with her.
Crossing her arms before her sizable bust, Tsunade addressed. "And pray tell, why should I allow that?" her light brown eyes narrowing at the sisters before her. "We don't know anything about you…" That was a lie of course. "… and as you see, our group has particular skill set that I don't think you can train in it."
Nami bit her lip, drawing blood. "I… I want to be strong… I couldn't do anything when Arlong took over the village… killing our mother. For 8 years I have been abused… made pariah because I didn't have any strength to oppose Arlong, could only obey him and sail the seas… on my voyages I have been witness to countless pirate atrocities and Marines that couldn't or won't do anything… but you guys are different, I am sure of it. I don't care about punching like you or killing a pirate crew in a second like that blonde guy but I can be useful… I am the best navigator in the East Blue and can sail in any kind of weather."
Tsunade's expression didn't change a bit, even when she saw the smirking Jiraiya to the side while Naruto smiled softly at the orange haired girl. Her eyes trailed to Nojiko, waiting for her reason.
"I don't want to stay in my home while my sister risks her life for us anymore. I too want to be strong to protect my precious people. I can use my rifle with good precision and am diligent so I can do paperwork if needs to be."
Tsunade almost yelled yes when she heard that Nojiko could handle the paperwork but held herself, she then looked at Neji.
"Like I reported, people here have underdeveloped chakra systems so learning any Ninjutsu or Genjutsu like our people is impossible…" Sisters lowered their head once again. But Neji cracked a small smile. "But I believe chakra control exercises can be trained them in. They have more Yin Chakra than others I have observed, especially Nami-san, her chakra little vibrant too."
They stayed in silence, only noise is the shinobi in the background doing their duty. After a while Tsunade sighed.
"Okay…" Nami and Nojiko cheered only to Tsunade freeze them in the spot with ungodly amount of pressure pushing on their body. "But!..." Her voice stern. "If I or any of my people suspects you guys undermining our authority or endangering them, I will rip your spines out of your mouths and beat you with it!"
Sisters looked at the blonde woman with fear of God planted inside of them, but Naruto came around to stand between them, looking defyingly to Tsunade. "That is enough Baa-chan. I think they know not to cross our trust. Right?" he asked Nami and Nojiko, getting fierce nods as answer, they didn't trust their voice to talk. "Great! Please come in and talk with Shikamaru and Ino, they will need to ask some questions and we can go from there."
He took their hands and pulled them inside, didn't noticed the small blushes of the girls. Tsunade who just looked annoyed at her son figure while Jiraiya is writing fiercely at his notebook.
"Gaki is a goldmine, doesn't even trying." He laughed aloud. His laughter only stopped when Tsunade stepped up to him with knuckled cracking. "Damn it…"
Partying people in the village noticed something red and screaming fly over them but didn't care as they continued.