172Chapter 14. Minus Four Plus Two
(With Naruto)
Walking at a slow pace, Naruto made his way towards the north side of the island. Where the base of the island's slave traders was located. The Dark Prince had multiple thoughts running through his mind like the health of his second in command, but as a former slave himself. The mere thought of slavery was enough to trigger his Devil Fruit to subconsciously kick up a small whirlwind around him. Then as he continued his walk, Naruto eventually saw what appeared to be a decently sized complex surrounded by a stone wall.
"You ready to cause some havoc Kurama?" Naruto mumbled softly, while he gripped tightly onto the sword at his hip. Then after a moment of silence, Naruto smirked and drew his sword. "Yeah me too."
Pulling Kurama out and lazaily holding the weapon to his side, Naruto coated the blade in Haki. Next with a steady resolve, the pirate captain approached the main gate of the complex and prepared to slice his way into the base. However, as Naruto dropped back in a stance to make his attack. The gate to the base suddenly burst into an explosion of rubble and stone, while an individual could be seen flying outward. In fact to Naruto's surprise it appeared as if someone had been sent flying through the gate from the inside and landed face first into a snow covered embankment.
"Well this just got interesting." Naruto began, while he approached the demolished gateway and peered inside. Noticing the inside of the entire compound was covered in a thick mist, which greatly blocked his surrounding vision. "Well this is something. This island is covered in snow, but the weather is completely clear. So fog this dense only within this stronghold is rather odd."
Taking a few steps further inside, Naruto wasn't all too surprised to find blood soaked snow and bodies all around him. However, coming to a dead stop, Naruto smirked and his blue eyes appeared to glow for a brief second.
"Silent Killing huh?" Naruto chuckled in an amused voice, while he quickly brought Kurama over his shoulder.
"Silent Kill-. . ." A new voice began, but stopped the moment a large sword impacted against Naruto's own with a loud clang. "Wh-what!"
Naruto pushed back against his attacker and unleashed a torrent of wind, which hurled his attacker backwards and blew away all the fog in the area. Resulting in Naruto now having a clear vision of the entire area and his attacker. Who was a tall and noticeably muscular man with light grayish skin, short spiky black hair, dark brown eyes, and small eyebrows. The man could also be seen wearing bandages like a mask over the bottom half of his face along with a black shirt and matching pants, complete with an open black long coat to keep him warm in the cold winter island. However, by far the man's most striking feature was the massive broadsword in his hands that was easily just as long as the man's entire body.
"Well that's a rather fun looking sword you have there." Naruto commented in a lazy voice, while pointing his own blade forward. "Mine telling me who you are and why you're attacking me?"
The man huffed and brought his sword into a stance. "Like names matter! Soon you'll be dead just like the rest of your friends."
"Friends?" Naruto mumbled in surprise, while he looked around the compound at all the slain slavers. "I think you have the wrong impression here-. . ."
With another clang, Naruto and the man crossed swords. An action that caused Naruto to look at the man with a rather uninterested look.
"You know it's rather rude to attack someone while they are trying to be polite and have a nice chat with you."
The man gritted his teeth, as he was using both hands to try and push down onto Naruto with his massive sword. Meanwhile the Dark Prince was holding onto his own sword with a single hand and easily pushing the man back. Showing the clear difference in both individual's level of raw strength.
"You're stronger than you look." The man grunted, while he was slowly losing ground on Naruto. The latter of whom rolled his eyes and a black fist made of Haki flew out of Naruto's body and hit the man directly in the gut. Knocking the air from his breath and sending him flying backwards.
"You have no idea." Naruto replied, while he watched the man roll backwards before digging his sword into the ground and using it to stop his momentum.
"That was a Devil Fruit power!" The man shouted in surprise, which caused Naruto to smile.
"That's right I'm a wind man and as such I have complete control over wind. What you saw was me manipulating wind out of my body and coating it with my Haki. Neat little trick right?" Naruto asked with a large grin.
The man slowly grabbed a fistfull of snow before rising to his feet. "If that's the case, I'll need to go all out to defeat you!"
Naruto's eyes flashed a bright shade of blue with his Observation Haki, which made the pirate captain gasp in surprise. "No way!"
"Fishman Karate: Hidden Mist!" The man yelled loudly, while he threw the snow forward. Causing the moisture from the snow to evaporate and create another heavy fog to overtake the surrounding compound.
"You know Fishman Karate!" Naruto shouted out, while he blocked another sneak attack from behind with his sword. "But sadly you'll need a lot more than that to come close to beating me."
The man's eyes grew wide, as dozens of hands coated in black Haki grew out of Naruto's body and began to pummel the man into the snow. Then after a countless barrage of blows, Naruto halted his attack and used his wind powers to blow away the fog for a second time. Finally with a victorious smirk on his face, Naruto sheathed his sword and stood overtop of the beaten and bloodied man.
"For the record I came to fight the slavers here, not you. The name is Naruto by the way. Silvers D. Naruto, the Dark Prince." Naruto introduced, as he saw the bandages on the man's face had slipped revealing his jagged sharp teeth and the gills on the sides of his neck. "Mind giving me your name now my Fishman friend?"
The man closed his eyes and released a pain filled chuckle. "So you're the famous pirate brat that followed in big bro Tiger's path. Heh, never thought I would run into you. Especially in a place like this, but you can call me Zabuza. Zabuza Momochi."
Naruto grinned ear to ear and held a hand out. "Well Zabuza, it's nice to meetcha!"
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(Unknown Location)
Feeling weak and disoriented, Asuka was having a difficult time adjusting to her surroundings. The fire woman for some reason didn't feel like herself and it didn't help that she currently had a voice practically yelling into her ear. In fact the voice was growing louder and louder that it caused the woman to open her eyes and take notice of who was yelling.
"Konohamaru?" Asuka mumbled weakly, as she saw the youngest member of their crew laying on his side. However, to the girl's shock Konohamaru was tightly bound in metal chains to keep him in place. "Why are you tied up? Wait. . ." Asuka paused as she felt the chains around her own body. "Why am I chained up as well!"
Konohamaru growled and continued to squirm and yell about his current predicament. "Gawah! Damnit Yugito when I get out of these I'm going to kick your ass!"
"Yugito?" Asuka began in shock, as the last memory she had involved having lunch with the temporary cook.
"She betrayed us." Came the cold and monotone voice of Itachi, which caused Asuka to snap her gaze to the older pirate. Noticing just like herself and Konohamaru, Itachi was tightly bound in chains. "I can't believe I was so nearsighted. I trusted Yugito as a comrade and I let that trust cloud my judgment. I even had her within my grasp before she took us, but I've never harmed a friend before and I hesitated. I won't make that mistake a second time. Given the chance again I will swallow my emotions and kill her."
Konohamaru blew steam out of his nose and nodded his head. "Me neither! I'm gonna give Yugito a Haki coated kick in the ass she won't forget!"
Asuka turned her head from side to side to look at each boy desperately. "Guys you're overreacting! This is Yugito we are talking about. She is our friend! I'm sure this is a huge misunderstanding, I just gotta get out of these chains and talk to her!"
Itachi watched with little emotion as Asuka tried her hardest to fight her way out of her chains. However, the fire woman quickly realized she was completely powerless.
"Don't waste your strength Asuka, Yugito placed us both in Seastone chains. There is no chance of either of us getting out of these bindings on our own." Itachi explained in a matter of fact tone.
"Don't worry Asuka-nee! Once I get out of my chains I'll get you and Itachi free!" Konohamaru added in, as the boy continued to struggle with no results whatsoever.
Asuka watching for a brief moment eventually decided to take a moment to glance around their surroundings. Noticing they were slightly bobbing up and down, while being inside one of the crew quarters of their ship.
"Well we are still aboard the Will of Fire, but I don't see Naruto or Sasuke." Asuka began in a flat voice, while she gripped her hands tightly. "If she did anything to either of them I'll never forgive her."
Itachi sighed and lowered his head. "My assumption is that my brother along with our Captain are still on the previous island where we were docked. I've been doing a good amount of thinking and I believe I've finally formulated a solid theory as to what is happening."
"Care to fill me in?" Asuka asked before jerking her head to Konohamaru. The latter of whom was still loudly squirming. "And will you cut that out!"
"Never!" Konohamaru replied stubbornly, which caused Itachi to sigh.
"Just leave him be and listen to what I have to say." Itachi mumbled in an exhausted voice. "My guess is that Yugito had made plans to betray us from the very start. We are wanted pirates with decently high bounties after all, but we are also not pushovers either. So after doing some thinking I'm going to assume the night we found Sasuke and Yugito alone together my brother learned something that she didn't want him to know. After all, she has been acting rather strange ever since Sasuke's illness started to take over."
Asuka nodded as she started to place the pieces together. "She feared Sasuke ratting her true intentions out and she took action."
"Precisely, which is why the three of us are in chains. It was the easiest way for her to take as many of us down before Sasuke recovered."
"I see, but at least we know Naruto and Sasuke are okay! Which explains why you're so calm in this situation." Asuka pointed out.
Itachi nodded. "Yes I have faith that our Captain along with my brother will come for us."
Konohamaru grinned and momentarily stopped thrashing about. "You can always count on Naruto-nii to have our backs! And even Sasuke too!"
Asuka nodded in agreement. "Those two are dependable, but I wish the situation didn't require them to be. I really trusted Yugito."
Itachi observed the clear expression of pain and hurt on the navigator's face. "We all trusted her Asuka, but I know you really bonded with her over our time together. I'm sorry."
"Yeah me too." Asuka mumbled, as she turned her head to hide the small tear in her eyes.
However, both Itachi and Konohamaru saw this and had slightly different reactions. The oldest of the three chose to ignore the girl's tears and let her work through her emotions, as he knew Asuka was very hardheaded and didn't often listen to reason. Konohamaru on the other hand, began to jerk about with new found anger to free himself, as he hated to see his older sister figure crying.
"Damnit Yugito! We trusted you!" Konohamaru yelled one final time, while he continued to try and free himself. "You were family to us!"
With that Asuka let a sob out, while she choked on her words. "Did she really pretend to care about us? Did she really fake being my friend?"
Itachi watched his fellow pirates with an emotionless face. "I hope you're happy with yourself Yugito." The Dark Crow began, while he glanced to the door by his side as he spoke.
Meanwhile outside of the room the three pirates were held up in. Yugito had her back pressed against the wall, while she was mere inches from the door to the room. This of course allowed her to hear every word that each of the pirates had said. However, unknown to the Fūjin Pirates, Yugito had her hands clamped over her mouth as tears poured over her fingers.
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(With Naruto)
Helping Zabuza up onto his feet, Naruto looked upwards to the towering individual with a friendly smile. "So what exactly brings a Fishman all the way to the North Blue?"
Grabbing his massive sword and lifting it over his shoulder, Zabuza sheathed his blade behind his back. "Fixing past mistakes."
Naruto folded his arms and studied the man with a careful gaze. "Guessing that involves all these slavers you killed?"
Zabuza nodded. "They weren't the first and they won't be the last."
"I won't pry into your reasons behind your actions, but you have my gratitude. I was planning on killing these waste of human life myself."
"Not surprising given your past actions, but I am surprised to find you in the North Blue. I would assume someone of your caliber would be sailing the Grand Line. Hell if it wasn't for my mission I would sail back to the Grand Line in a heartbeat. I can't stand this cold!" Zabuza pointed out in a matter of fact tone, while Naruto merely smirked.
"I'm doing a little world traveling before I go back and conquer the Grand Line like my father and his crew did all those years ago." Naruto explained in a simple tone. "Though it's refreshing to run into a Fishman, I haven't seen your kind since my last run in with Jinbe and the other Sun Pirates!"
"You know Jinbe!" Zabuza shouted in surprise, which caused Naruto to grin and lift his clothing up. Revealing his Sun Pirates tattoo to the Fishman.
"Yeah I do! I owe a lot to Jinbe and his crew. I take it you know him as well?" Naruto asked, while Zabuza merely smirked and lifted his shirt down to show off his own Sun Pirate tattoo placed on his left pectoral muscle.
"I was an original member of Fisher Tiger's pirate crew along with Jinbe." Zabuza began in a low, but oddly off voice. "But after the boss died there was some tension among the crew and a three way fight broke the Sun Pirates into pieces. Many followed Jinbe and kept the name of the Sun Pirates, while others went off and followed another Fishman named Arlong. I, however, went off by myself and ended up here in the North Blue."
"I see, again I won't try to ask what happened or for you to tell me your entire life story. I would like it if you would assist me in freeing all these slaves and helping me get them back to their families!" Naruto began with a wide smile, while Zabuza merely nodded with a scoff.
"That's what I came here for in the first place brat."
Naruto laughed and placed his hands behind his head. "Hehe, well Zabuza lets go free all those slaves then!"
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(With Yugito)
Walking around the ship, Yugito made sure to check the sails, compass and even the weather to make sure the ship was staying on course. After assuring herself that she was still on the intended course and the waters were clear, Yugito fumbled around the ship in a trance-like state. Her head throbbing, as wherever she went she could hear the memories within her mind of her travels with the Fūjin Pirates. A group that she had grown rather fond of and now had betrayed completely.
"They don't matter to you Yugito remember that." The traderious girl told herself, while she felt sick at her stomach. So subconsciously she began walking to the one place she always felt at ease without even knowing it. Then before she knew it, Yugito was standing in the middle of the Will of Fire's kitchen. However, even being within the walls of a kitchen didn't help remedy the way Yugito felt.
"What is going on with me?" Yugito asked herself, while she clutched her head and gritted her teeth.
"You silly girl. Just look at the mess you've gotten yourself into this time!" A stern yet compassionate female voice spoke up. Causing Yugito to look to the side, where a vision of an older woman with blond hair was looking directly at her. A woman who looked exactly like an older, more mature version of Yugito. Who was wearing a chef hat that bore a skull and crossbones in the center.
"But mommy! I was just trying to help you cook!" A young voice protested, as before her eyes. Yugito saw a small younger version of herself, who couldn't have been no older than seven or eight years old. However, this version of herself seemed to be covered from head to toe in various cooking ingredients.
Yugito's mother smiled and bent down on her knee, while lightly ruffling the younger Yugito's hair. "I'm glad you want to help your mother cook for the crew, but you must be careful to not waste any food when you're cooking. Remember the sea is an unforgiving place and it's our job to make sure everyone is properly fed! After all this crew is our family and we must always protect our family. That's what it means to be a pirate chef!"
"Okay Mommy!" The younger Yugito replied happily, as the memory slowly faded away. Leaving Yugito alone within the kitchen, which caused the girl to furiously punch the table by her side.
"Why am I remembering her so vividly all of a sudden?" Yugito mumbled softly, while she took a deep breath and gathered her composure. "It's been nine years and now I'm remembering her lectures above everything else."
Collapsing onto the ground, Yugito sat against one of the kitchen counters and pulled her legs close to her torso. "This will be the last time mom I promise. No matter what I will kill that bastard with my own hands when we dock. That's what you want me to do right?" Yugito sobbed and clutched her head. "After nine years of trying I will finally kill that man for you. No matter what."
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(With Naruto)
Leading a crowd of people back into the main town of the island, Naruto had a large grin on his face. Meanwhile people began to flock around the group and cheer and happily reunite with their loved ones. A sight that filled Naruto with a sense of pride and accomplishment. However, Naruto suddenly felt a pat on his shoulder by his new Fishman acquaintance.
"Well brat it's been real, but I'm taking off. I got plenty of more places like this to check off my list!" Zabuza spoke up, while he walked by the pirate.
Naruto titled his head and watched the man walk. "Why not team up with me and my crew? If you're taking out more slave rings we would love to help!"
Zabuza laughed and waved the blond off. "I'm better off solo brat, besides I gave the pirate life up long ago."
Naruto nodded as he accepted the man's decision. "Well I hope our paths cross again someday!"
Zabuza merely chuckled as he walked off towards the island's docks. Leaving Naruto alone with only one final goal, which was to return to the clinic he left Sasuke and inform the help that the island's doctors had been freed. A task that didn't take Naruto long, as after a short walk through the town he eventually came up to the clinic where Sasuke was being treated.
"Let's hope that bastard didn't go and die on me while I was gone." Naruto grumbled as he remembered how poorly staffed the clinic was and how dire his friend was. However, upon entry Naruto was completely surprised to find most of the current patient's in relatively high spirits and good health. Even more so, Naruto was floored to find the clinic's workers following the lead of a very familiar redhead. "K-Karin!"
Hearing her name being called out, Karin turned towards the pirate with a friendly smile. "Hey Naruto fancy running into you here! I thought you and your crew already left this island by now! Hell I thought you just dropped Sasuke off here to die in this clinic!"
Approaching his family member, Naruto looked completely confused. "Karin why are you here?"
Placing her hands onto her hips and sighing, Karin shook her head. "I heard from some of the locals that slave traders had taken the island's doctors and people were dying because of it. So since I have a good amount of medical training I decided to help out and cure some people."
"That's not what I mean!" Naruto replied back loudly, while holding his hands outward. "I thought you were still with Granny Mito!"
Karin folded her arms and looked away with a pout on her lips. "I mentioned how nice it would be to travel the world and that old hag was all for the idea. Kicked me out and everything to make sure I left on a journey."
Naruto nodded his head and rubbed his chin. "I see that does sound like something granny would do."
Karin sighed and nodded in agreement. "Yeah, but that's how I'm here. So tell me where is everyone else? I found Sasuke since I've been treating him, but I haven't seen anyone else."
"Well as you know Sasuke contracted a serious illness that needed treatment, but there were no doctors. I just got back from freeing all the kidnapped villagers and dismantling the slave ring on the island. Everyone else is back on the Will of Fire waiting for my command." Naruto explained, which caused a look of confusion to sweep across Karin's face.
"But when I arrived on the island your ship was sailing away from the island." Karin explained, which caused Naruto to give her a strange look. "And your ship was a good ways away from the island. I mean I hardly noticed it in the distance."
"That doesn't make sense- . . ."
"NARUTO!" Sasuke roared loudly, while a few of the clinic staff surrounded the pirate.
"Sir please remain calm and remember you're in a clinic." One of the workers began softly, as they tried to restrain Sasuke in his bed.
Naruto and Karin both looking to the Dark Flame, saw the pirate was propped on his elbows and was trying to push himself up out of the bed. Actions that caused both Naruto and Karin to rush to his side.
"You idiot you're still sick! Don't overburden yourself!" Karin scolded firmly, while she used both hands to press Sasuke back down onto the bed he was on.
Sasuke growled under his breath and held his hand up to his captain. "I'm fine, just help me up Naruto!"
Naruto grabbed his friend's hand, but instead of helping Sasuke up. The Dark Prince gripped tightly onto his Vice-Captain's hand and the duo locked eyes.
"Sasuke what's gotten into you? I haven't seen you this on edge in awhile." Naruto began, while Sauke took a deep shallow breath.
"I'm going to kill her!" Sasuke began, which caused Karin to leap back with a shriek.
"I'm the one who saved your life jackass!" The redhead yelled loudly, which made Sasuke click his teeth.
"Not you idiot! I'm talking about that traitor Yugito!" Sasuke revealed in an anger filled tone, while he glanced at the sword by his bedside. This was Sasuke's sword that was left with the sick pirate just in case a situation where he may have needed it would have come into play. "So help me up and give me my sword! I'm going to have her head before she hurts our crew."
Naruto reached out with his Haki and tried to feel for the presence of anyone within his crew. However, Naruto quickly discovered that he could find any of them and that made his stomach turn. "Sasuke I can't feel Asuka, Konohamuru or Itachi's presence with my Haki. Karin also just told me she saw our ship sailing away from the island."
"Damnit!" Sasuke roared loudly, as his anger was finally hitting its limits. "Naruto we have to go after them! Before I fainted from my sickness I heard Yugito talking to someone. That bitch was planning to backstab us all along. Let's just hope our crew is okay! Knowing those backstabbing types she probably poisoned everyone and fled!"
Naruto nodded and to Karin's complete and utter shock, the Dark Prince grabbed his friend by the arms and in one swift movement slung Sasuke onto his back. Causing Sasuke to ride piggyback on his captain, while looking as if he could kill over at any moment.
"We still have our vivre cards, so finding everyone else won't be too hard." Naruto pointed out, while Sasuke nodded.
"My sword!" The second in command mumbled, which caused Naruto to bend down and grab Sasuke's sword. However, Sasuke was still physically weak and couldn't hold the sword, as his hands were currently draped lifelessly over his Captain's shoulders. This of course caused Naruto to place the sword in Sasuke's mouth.
"Are you two brainless? Sasuke is still dying of an illness and last time I checked you don't even have a boat!" Karin began, causing the two pirates to give her a dead stare.
"I can just fly us!" Naruto pointed out. "But that wouldn't help Sasuke out too much."
"Orf weave steallff a phip!" Sasuke added in, as he spoke with a mouthful of sword.
"That's right we could always steal a ship too!" Naruto translated, showing he understood the teen completely.
Karin removed her glasses and massaged her eyes. "How you two aren't dead yet is a mystery, but you two are in luck!" Karin began, as she looked at the pirate captain and his piggyback vice-captain. "Sasuke needs a doctor and you both need a ship. Well I just so happen to be a doctor with a ship and with the island's doctors freed I'm no longer needed here. So why don't the three of us travel together?"
Naruto beamed with a wide smile. "That's a great idea! That way we can save our crew and Sasuke won't die at sea. Plus we get a doctor to add to our crew!"
"I didn't say I would join your crew!" Karin hissed loudly, while she threw her hands into the air. "Last thing I want is the Navy chasing me down!"
"Melcome avorad va crew!" Sasuke replied in a lackluster voice, which made Naruto laugh.
"Yeah what Sasuke said! Welcome to the Fūjin Pirates!" Naruto declared, before he turned to the exit. "But we can celebrate you joining the crew once we save everyone else! We gotta hurry up and chase after everyone first."
Grabbing her doctor's bag, Karin chased after the two with fake tears in her eyes. "But I don't wanna be a damn pirate!" The redhead whined, but unfortunately she wouldn't get any say in the matter. As Naruto and Sasuke both had already decided for her that she was their ship's doctor.
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(The Island docks)
Slowly, but efficiently Zabuza was making preparations to prepare his small vessel to take off. It wasn't a large ship by any means, but was large enough for two or four people to travel with comfort. Considering the ship had a small miniature cabin with bunks to sleep and a kitchen to cook in along with a below deck storage area. However, as Zabuza tightened one of the ropes attached to his sails, the Fishman seethed and grabbed his side.
"That little brat definitely lived up to his reputation. We barely fought and he definitely broke several of my ribs." Zabuza then chuckled to himself and slowly patted the side of his ship. "But at least he isn't like most humans. In fact the way he treated me, reminded me a lot of you Haku. I was almost half tempted to travel with him. Heh, maybe another time."
"You're fucking kidding me!" The familiar voice of Naruto shouted, which caught Zabuza's attention. "You expect us to travel in that!"
Walking to the side of his ship, Zabuza peered over the side where he found Naruto. Who still had Sasuke on his back and Karin by his side. Meanwhile the notorious pirate was pointing angrily at the small rowboat that had a tiny sail in the middle.
"It's gotten me to this point just fine!" Karin replied stubbornly, while she glared at Naruto. "And you really can't be picky with ships since yours got stolen!"
"Mmmm mmshasjsjs." Sasuke yelled, which caused Karin to roll her eyes.
"Oh my god can you take that out of your mouth!" The redhead yelled back, while plucking the sword out of Sasuke's mouth. "And try speaking like a normal person!"
"I said we don't have time to argue!" Sasuke explained in an angry voice. "We have to save our crew and I don't care how we do it! Shitty boat or not we will save our crew at any cost!"
"Shitty boat!?" Karin yelled back in anger.
"Well I would like to not drown at sea!" Naruto added in firmly.
Finally hearing enough Zabuza made himself known by laughing loudly, which made everyone look to him. "Man you three idiots are a riot! But I'm surprised someone managed to pull one past you Naruto and steal your ship. I must admit I'm slightly disappointed."
"Naruto how do you know this man?" Sasuke asked in a low voice, while his attention was brought to the man's large sword.
"He helped me free the islanders from the slave traders, he's a Fishman named Zabuza." Naruto explained simply, which caused Sasuke to nod. "And Zabuza this is my Vice-Captain Sasuke Uchiha and our ship's doctor Karin Uzumaki."
"Quit telling people I'm a pirate!" Karin yelled, while she looked side to side to make sure nobody from the Navy was around to see them.
"Is he strong?" Sasuke asked almost instantaneously, which made Naruto roll his eyes.
"Strong enough, but your captain sure gave me an ass kicking!" Zabuza laughed loudly, while he folded his arms and Sasuke scoffed.
"Of course he did. If he's to be my captain he must be the very strongest." Sasuke replied smugly, which made Naruto flick his second in command.
"Don't be a cocky bastard." The Dark Prince grumbled.
Zabuza shook his head and grinned through his face wrappings. "So your ship is stolen and your crew is in danger." The Fishman began before closing his eyes, while a brief flashback of a smiling boy went through his mind. "Well hearing that I'll make you an offer brat. How would you and your little friends like to catch a ride on my ship?"
"Really? That would be great Zabuza! Thank you!" Naruto yelled loudly, while taking a slight bow.
Karin blew some air out of her lips. "His boat does look more safe than mine! At least now we won't sink in the middle of the ocean!"
"I thought you were saying your ship was safe!" Naruto and Sasuke both yelled, while they glared at Karin. The latter of whom looked away and awkwardly adjusted her glasses.
"I may have slightly lied about that part." The red haired doctor admitted honestly.
"We would have died!" Naruto and Sasuke both yelled in disbelief, while Zabuza laughed loudly.
"Well I take it you have a vivre card to find your friends?" Zabuza asked, which caused Naruto to nod and produce a white slip of paper from his pocket.
"Of course!" Naruto replied as he took a leap up onto Zabuza's ship.
"Good, let me finish my final preparations and then we will set sail after your friends. Mind lending me a hand?" Zabuza asked.
"Sure!"
Grabbing her stuff and jumping onto the ship, Karin pointed at Sasuke. "Well Naruto you can help with that, but I'm going to make sure my idiot patient doesn't die on me!"
Laying Sasuke onto the ship, Naruto ran over to help Zabuza prepare the ship and Karin started mixing a few herbs together for Sasuke to take. The latter of whom looked rather pale at the mixture the doctor was making.
"You don't expect me to ingest those do you?" The prideful second in command asked.
Karin lifted her brow. "Do you wanna get better so you can kick this Yugito's ass? Then yes, you're gonna take what your doctor says idiot."
Sasuke took a hard swallow, but sighed in defeat. "Fine whatever."
Over with Naruto, the Dark Prince was finishing tightening the last rope before looking to Zabuza. "You really know your way around a ship."
"You should see me sailing this thing on the sea! That will really impress you!" Zabuza boasted with pride behind his voice. "I was the Sun Pirates helmsman back before I left after all! So with me behind the helm we will catch up to your friends in no time!"
Naruto grinned ear to ear, as he saw the ship's sails catch some wind behind them and the boat slowly move forward. This of course caused Naruto to look out into the open sea with a hardened expression. "Asuka, Kono and Itachi. Just hold on a little longer, we are coming for you."
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(Chapter end)
Soooo it's been awhile hasn't it? Sorry about that, but I'm back and enjoying writing this story! As many of you know, I adopted this story and have been trying to finish it for my friend, the original author, as everything from chapter 12 till now has been my work! So am I doing the story justice? I have big plans for the story with my own vision and I hope to update this story more regularly!
Also if you have questions about progress on any of my stories and try to leave community style updates for everyone to see! Anyway I hope you enjoyed the read and are doing well! Leave a review and take care until next time!