Naruto Multiverse

At Marineford, the atmosphere in Z's office was heavy with tension. Z sat back in his chair, his fingers steepled as he observed Hina, who stood before him with her usual poise.

"You've done a good job subduing the Arlong gang," Z said, his voice deep and thoughtful.

"It was nothing," Hina replied humbly, her modesty ever present. Despite her words, she couldn't hide the slight pride in her eyes. She had done her duty well, but it was clear from Z's praise that the mission had been significant.

Z nodded approvingly but soon became more serious. "Well, it was better that you took the task instead of Naruto. If he had been the one to deal with them, I might have had to reject him."

Hina raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Why?"

Z leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he spoke. "Because Naruto would have killed them. And that would have caused political problems. Arlong's death would've been too much of a spectacle, and it would've stirred things up. Not every pirate deserves to die."

Hina thought about this for a moment, and her mind involuntarily shifted to Naruto. His fiery spirit and disregard for life were well known to her, especially when it came to pirates. She couldn't imagine him letting Arlong live either, given the man's notorious history.

Z sighed heavily, his tone shifting to one of concern. "That boy... He needs to learn to control his rage. Not all pirates are bad, and sometimes capturing them alive is necessary. I understand his hatred, given his past, but he's letting it cloud his judgment. His actions could lead to more than just problems for him—they could affect us all."

Hina, though always professional, felt a flicker of concern for Naruto. She had always admired his strength, but she too understood the importance of control. His emotions, while understandable, often led him down a darker path.

Z leaned back in his chair, eyes still thoughtful. "He'll get himself into trouble if he's not careful. If he's not careful, the Marines won't be the only ones coming after him."

Hina nodded but didn't respond, sensing that Z was lost in his thoughts. After a few moments of silence, she spoke again, her voice carrying a hint of impatience. "Shouldn't he be here by now?"

Z shook his head slightly, a wry smile appearing on his face. "That boy is most likely taking a detour, hunting down more pirates. I saw it in his eyes when he came to receive the task. He thinks he's being clever, but he's too predictable. Always trying to prove himself by going after more pirates, as if that's the solution to everything."

Hina didn't laugh, but she allowed a small smirk to play on her lips. She understood what Z was saying, but she couldn't help but feel a bit of amusement at the thought of Naruto's predictable nature. She excused herself, giving a quick nod to Z as she left the office.

Once the door clicked shut behind her, Z's expression darkened. He leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing slightly. He muttered to himself, "Do you think they might have also sent someone after him?"

From the shadows in the corner of the room, a figure emerged, silent as ever. Shiro, one of Z's most trusted allies, stepped into view, her gaze fixed on Z.

"Most likely," Shiro replied, her voice indifferent. She wasn't one to express much concern, especially about Naruto. He was just another piece in a much larger game.

Z nodded, his fingers drumming thoughtfully on the table. "I'll give him one more day. If he doesn't call by then, I'll move. But I can't do anything right now. I have too many responsibilities tied up here."

Shiro inclined her head slightly, her mind elsewhere. She had always respected Z's decision-making, but her thoughts were on Naruto. "If he can't even survive a single assassination attempt, then he's not worthy to be by my side."

Her voice was cold, detached, but it carried a subtle undertone of disappointment. She had seen potential in him before, but if he failed now, it would show her that he wasn't strong enough for the path she had envisioned. She had no place for weakness in her world.

With a final glance at Z, Shiro excused herself, disappearing as quietly as she had arrived, leaving Z to continue his quiet watch. The future, for Naruto and everyone involved, remained uncertain, but one thing was clear: the stakes were rising, and choices would need to be made.

The sun had barely risen when Naruto woke up, feeling the warmth of the woman beside him. Bell Mere, beautiful and peaceful in her slumber, was entangled in his embrace. He smiled softly at the sight, a faint sense of satisfaction filling him, though it was also tinged with a hint of melancholy. He couldn't quite recall when the last time was that he had felt such closeness and warmth. Life had always been a blur of intense training, fighting, and chasing after his goals, but in this moment, he allowed himself to savor the quiet stillness.

As his hand moved gently over her body, tracing the contours of her skin, he leaned down and kissed her cheek softly, the contact stirring her awake. Her eyes fluttered open slowly, her sleepy expression softened by the peaceful morning light.

"Good morning, Bell. How do you feel?" Naruto asked, his voice low and warm.

Bell gave him a lazy smile, her eyes half-closed from sleep. "Like some dragon had its way with me," she joked, her tone playful but with an undertone of contentment.

Naruto chuckled softly, the teasing remark amusing him. "Oh, you praise me too much." He pulled her closer, enjoying the intimacy between them. It had been a long while since he'd experienced such a connection, and Bell's presence was a balm for the part of him that had been hollow for so long.

Bell nestled closer to him, letting out a soft sigh. She appreciated his closeness as much as he did hers. The weight of the past, especially the stress and trauma of dealing with Arlong, seemed lighter when she was with him. It was as if his presence alone soothed her wounded soul.

"Mmm," she moaned lightly as Naruto's hand fluttered over her back in gentle strokes. The soothing motion eased her mind, and for a moment, she forgot everything else.

"I wish we could have spent more time together, but I need to leave today," Naruto said softly, his voice laced with regret, though he masked it with a smile to convey his care.

Bell, understanding the weight of his duties, sighed and hugged him tightly, her arms wrapping around him as though to hold him back from leaving. She had known this moment would come, and though she had hoped it wouldn't, reality had caught up. "When will you be back?" she asked, not in a frantic or desperate manner, but with quiet resolve. She wasn't one to act like a lovestruck girl; she was practical, yet her concern for him was evident.

Naruto nuzzled her hair, rubbing her back gently. "I'll need at least a month before I can leave again. But I'll come back in about two months, and I'll send things to help you three improve. You'll be stronger by then, Bell. I'll be sure of it."

Bell, although she'd expected something along these lines, couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness at the fleeting nature of their time together. Marine life wasn't one where you could return home at your leisure, not unless you were high-ranking or part of his crew, which meant their moments together would be sparse. Still, she accepted it with grace. She had no choice.

The two of them shared a brief, intimate moment before they both moved toward the kitchen. Bell went to cook breakfast while Naruto stepped outside, sitting down to meditate and practice his observational Haki. As he settled into his quiet focus, he soon sensed the small presence of the girls.

Nami and Nojiko appeared out of nowhere, launching themselves into his arms. The girls were excited, their eyes bright and full of energy, though Nami's expression was tinged with sadness.

"Naruto, please don't go," Nami said, her voice small, filled with unspoken fear.

Naruto looked down at them, gently rubbing their heads. "I need to go for treatment, but I'll come back as soon as I can. When I'm strong enough, I'll bring all of you with me," he said, his tone reassuring.

"But that will take so long…" Nami complained, her voice trailing off as she hugged him tighter.

Naruto smiled warmly at her, cupping her face gently to make her look up at him. "I will miss you both, but I need to go. I can't let people suffer like your mother did. Would you want that for anyone else?" His voice softened, the weight of his words clear.

"No," Nami replied glumly, her small voice barely audible. The memory of their mother's hardships under Arlong's reign lingered in her heart, but Naruto's promise was enough to give her hope.

Naruto kissed her forehead, a gesture of affection and reassurance. "Don't worry. I'll come by whenever I can, and maybe I'll even call you to train with me personally."

"Really?" Nojiko asked, her eyes lighting up with the prospect.

"Really," Naruto confirmed with a smile.

The conversation continued as they made their way to the breakfast table, where they ate together. Over tea, Naruto explained more about his plans, his training, and his promise to return. It was a bittersweet moment as they all knew the inevitable distance that would come between them, but for now, they cherished the time they had.

After the meal, Naruto bade them farewell, walking down the village path to the boat that would take him to his next destination. As he boarded the ship, the captain gave him a wary look. "Are you ready?" the captain asked.

Naruto nodded, his expression calm. "Yes, go in this direction first."

The captain frowned. "Isn't that Krieg's territory? Do you want us to get killed, boy?"

Naruto's killing intent leaked out in a small, controlled burst. "No need to worry. Krieg is dead," he said flatly.

The captain fell silent, his fears quelled by Naruto's aura. The crew quickly set sail, navigating toward Naruto's destination. As they sailed, Naruto felt the familiar signs of battle in the air as they neared the spot where he had been previously. He surveyed the scene and saw no signs of anyone coming to claim the spoils of war.

"Well, it seems no one's been here yet," he muttered, his eyes scanning the area. "Even if they did, I'd know. Good job, Arachne."

A light chuckle echoed in his mind, a reminder of the presence that lingered within him. The weapons Naruto had left behind were marked with Arachne's aura, making it impossible for anyone to take them without him knowing.

Naruto walked toward where his equipment was buried, unearthing the gun with ease while leaving the damaged items behind. The armor, though once formidable, had been ravaged by explosions and was now too heavy to be of much use. He glanced at the broken pieces with frustration.

"Man, I need some real durable weapons," Naruto muttered. "Even this armor is nearly done for. I focused too much on Haki and now I'm paying for it."

With a final sigh, he boarded the boat again, heading toward the nearest Marine base. His journey was far from over, and there was much to do before he could return. But for now, his focus was on regaining his strength, preparing for what lay ahead.

The 16th Marine Base Branch of the East Blue was a small but efficient station. As the ship carrying Naruto approached the territory, it was intercepted by several Marine boats, ready to assess any newcomers entering their domain. The crew on board the ship immediately identified themselves, signaling the Marines with the emblem of an elite recruit.

Naruto stepped forward and displayed his credentials. The soldiers, seeing the insignia that marked his status, immediately recognized that he was of importance. They exchanged respectful glances, understanding that such individuals were to be treated with courtesy. Without further question, they saluted and gestured for the ship to continue forward.

"You may enter," one of them said with a nod, and the ship sailed past the Marine boats, which followed close behind to ensure the proper protocol was maintained. The ship docked at the base, and Naruto disembarked.

"Thank you for your assistance," Naruto said to the Marines. "I'll be sure to send money to Bell Mere for your trouble when I return home."

His voice was calm, but the offer was genuine. Naruto was the type of person who understood the value of kindness and intended to repay it, even in the smallest of ways.

After the Marines nodded and acknowledged his words, Naruto made his way toward the main building, where he was guided to the Captain's office. He was curious to see how this branch compared to the main base. As he walked through the corridors, he took in the modest decorations and functional atmosphere—this wasn't a grand headquarters, but it was efficient.

When he entered the office, the Captain, a man with rat-like features and a gaudy, over-the-top smile, stood to greet him. His mannerisms immediately struck Naruto as distasteful, and the sight of the Captain's overly cheerful face stirred something unsettling in him.

"Welcome," the Captain said, his voice dripping with false warmth. "I am Captain Nezumi. How may I assist you?"

Naruto felt a surge of disgust but managed to suppress it, forcing a polite smile as he replied. "Thank you for your assistance. I wish to contact headquarters to arrange for someone to pick me up from here."

Nezumi, clearly eager to please and take advantage of the situation, puffed his chest out with pride. "Is that all? Of course, I can arrange that immediately," he said, trying to ingratiate himself with Naruto, likely hoping to improve his standing with someone of higher rank. "You can use this Den Den Mushi to contact anyone you wish."

Naruto took the device and nodded in appreciation, though he felt no genuine gratitude. As he picked up the Den Den Mushi and dialed the number for Z, he immediately heard the gruff voice of his instructor on the other end.

"Is that you, brat?" Z's voice was tinged with frustration. "What the hell is taking you so long? You've been gone for two days longer than necessary. Do you think you can just ignore orders like that?"

Naruto winced slightly at the anger in Z's tone but quickly explained the situation. "Z, it wasn't intentional. I was injured by an assassin, so I had to take a short break to recover. I need you to send someone to pick me up."

There was a long pause on the other end of the line, and Naruto could hear Z take a deep breath, likely calming down. After a few seconds, Z's voice came back, calmer but still carrying some annoyance. "Okay, fine. I'll send Smoker to pick you up. Just don't get into any trouble while you're there. Just wait and don't cause any more headaches."

"Thanks, Z," Naruto said with genuine relief, his voice carrying a touch of gratitude.

After the call ended, Naruto lowered the Den Den Mushi, his eyes immediately falling upon Captain Nezumi, who was grinning widely at him with a fake, ingratiating smile.

Naruto's mind momentarily darkened with contempt. He couldn't stand the man, and part of him considered the possibility of making an "accident" happen to Nezumi. The mere thought of having to interact with such a rat-like figure made his skin crawl, but Naruto kept his emotions in check. He forced a smile and turned back to Nezumi.

"Thank you for your help," Naruto said in a calm, amiable tone that hid his true feelings. "I'll make sure to repay this kindness when I return."

Nezumi, too, was oblivious to Naruto's inner thoughts. He puffed his chest out even further, basking in the belief that he had made a positive impression. "No need for thanks," Nezumi said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "I'm just doing my duty to help my comrades."

Naruto nodded, playing along as Nezumi continued, eager to maintain their cordial interaction. "Would you like me to prepare a place for you to stay comfortably? I can show you to the best accommodations available."

Naruto already knew Nezumi would be persistent, and though he wasn't particularly interested in the offer, he accepted it. "Sure, that sounds fine."

With a wide, satisfied grin, Nezumi got up from his desk and motioned toward the door. "Please, this way. I'll personally guide you to one of our finest rooms."

As Nezumi led the way, Naruto's thoughts drifted back to his mission, his injuries, and the time he needed to recover. He kept his face neutral, masking the annoyance simmering beneath. Soon, Smoker would be here, and he could leave this place and its disgusting inhabitants behind. But for now, he had no choice but to endure Nezumi's company as he made his way to the "best" accommodations the 16th Marine Base had to offer.