After my screaming fit, the adrenaline that carried me through the fight begins to ebb away, replaced by a deep, shuddering exhaustion that seeps down to my bones. My limbs feel leaden, every bruise and cut making itself known now that the chaos has faded. The air, thick with the lingering scent of smoke and scorched earth, fills my lungs as I stagger forward in a haze. Each step is heavy and unsteady, and my vision blurs at the edges, sweat and blood mingling and dripping down my temple. The once-loud plaza is eerily quiet, no more clashing steel or shouts of anger, just the distant caw of a bird and the soft crackle of a dying fire. I limp toward where the others are, barely able to process the world around me. Everything narrows to simply putting one foot in front of the other, willing myself not to crumble on the spot.
As I reach the street where we started the fight, my knees buckle, and I pitch forward, nearly collapsing face-first onto the dusty cobblestones. At the last second, a strong, calloused arm catches me around the chest, steadying me before I can hit the ground.
"Oi, don't go passing out on me. Makes the rest of us look bad." Zoro's voice is rough as always, but there's a smirk in it, the familiar edge of challenge and camaraderie. He hooks an arm under my shoulder, grumbling, "You look like hell." Even so, his grip is steady and careful, and I realize he's not as unscathed as he pretends; his movements are stiff, his breathing slightly ragged. I clutch his arm with what little strength I have, grounding myself. "I did it," I rasp, unable to keep the pride out of my voice. Zoro gives a lopsided grin, almost approving, as he hauls me upright, supporting me more than he'd ever admit.
"Yeah, you did. Took down way more than I thought you could." Zoro snorts, masking pride with his usual bluntness. "Don't get cocky, though. Next time, try not to bleed all over the place." He jerks his chin toward the ships. "Let's go. If you keel over now, I'm not carrying you the whole way, got enough to haul as it is." Despite the gruff words, the concern in his eyes is unmistakable.
His words barely register as we limp along together. The aches and stings of my wounds fade into the background. I can feel Zoro's steady grip keeping me grounded, a silent testament to the camaraderie we've built. Despite the fatigue clawing at my bones, I find myself walking taller, bolstered by the tangible support of his presence. "Daichi!" Luffy's voice pierces through my haze, impossibly loud and full of life. Before I can react, he launches himself at me, limbs flailing, wrapping me in a bear hug that nearly knocks me off my feet. His laugh is bright and unrestrained, face split in a giant grin. "You were awesome! You beat up a ton of guys! The way you disappeared and reappeared, woah! That was like, super ninja stuff!
"I nod with a small smile towards him. No matter how immature he can be, he still brings me an immense sense of safety and relief. "It's one of my techniques, I learned it back in Shells town."
"Ohhh, so that's what you've been doing all this time!" Luffy cocks his head, still grinning. "You gotta show me how to do that! I bet it'd be fun in a fight. And hey, you're way less scrawny than when we met!" He laughs, totally genuine, as if the bruises and blood don't bother him at all.
Almost unconsciously, I glance down at myself. My shirt clings to sweat-slicked skin, blood and dirt streaking the faint outlines of new muscle. I'm still far from imposing, but there's a tautness in my frame now, a sign of hard work and battles survived. I allow myself a tired, proud grin. "Yeah, I suppose so," I say quietly, more to myself than anyone else.
Zoro lets go, watching with folded arms as I test my legs and manage to stay upright. He grunts, feigning indifference, but I catch the faint curl of a smirk. "Heard you were running around saving people while we handled the big stuff. Trying to steal my job as swordsman, or just showing off?" He nudges my shoulder, the teasing unmistakable, but there's approval in his tone.
I turn my head slightly and see the crowd of villagers all gathered by the docks. The mayor and his grandson, Terry, stand at the forefront of the crowd. I call out towards them, "Thank you for keeping your word."
The mayor and Terry step closer, faces streaked with soot and weariness but shining with gratitude. "It's you we should be thanking, young man," the mayor says, voice rough but sincere. Terry, eyes wide with admiration, chimes in, "You not only brought the supplies we needed, but you and your crew stopped those pirates, for good this time. We can never repay you for what you've done." Their words hit me harder than I expected, a rush of warmth cutting through my exhaustion.
I just give him a small tired smile, "How about we just let me say goodbye like we promised, and we can call it even?" I say with a slight joking smile.
He nods several times before turning towards the mayor, who wears a confused expression. "Before giving us the supplies, he made us promise not to run him or his friends out of town and to allow him to say goodbye to someone."
The mayor nods but opens his mouth to add a word, showing discontent. "But surely there's more we can do for you? You've saved this village!"
I hesitate for a moment before turning toward Luffy, who is holding a conversation with Zoro, though it seems mostly one-sided as Zoro tries to ignore him, and Nami is off doing her own thing by the ships.
"I don't really need much, but do you think we could take some food? Our captain is a bottomless pit, and the last thing we need is for him to start complaining again. Already prepared or just supplies wouldn't matter; both would help tremendously."
He nods with a small smile, clearly easing some of the discontent. He waves towards one of the townspeople before talking to them in whispers. I nod towards Terry before walking off to find who I wanted.
I follow the trail of smoke, limping past charred timbers and piles of ash, my boots crunching over burnt debris. Rounding a corner, I spot the remnants of the pet shop, its walls half-collapsed, embers glowing faintly in the rubble. In front of it, Chouchou lies on his belly, nose pressed against the scorched earth, a thin, mournful whine rising from his throat. My heart twists at the sight. I kneel slowly beside him, ignoring the protest of my wounds, and reach out, letting my fingers tangle in his soot-streaked fur. With each touch, I remember my promise: no more burned dreams.
"You know, he's not truly gone," I murmur, glancing at the collapsed building before gently resting my palm on Chouchou's head. His ears flick, and he turns to meet my gaze, eyes glassy but attentive. I settle cross-legged beside him, ignoring the sting in my muscles, and keep my hand steady on his head. Closing my eyes, I let a gentle flow of chakra pulse through my palm, sending a soft warmth and comfort into his battered little body. For a moment, we just sit together in the ruins, two survivors sharing our grief in silence. The soft crackle of a dying ember nearby deepens the shared hush of loss, the faint sound echoing the fragmentation of dreams once full of life. 'No more burned dreams,' I whisper once more, letting it be a vow not just to myself but to every scarred heart touched by the flames.
"He lives on in the memories we carry," I whisper, voice thick. "Everyone who shapes us leaves a piece behind, and every moment changes who we are. Nobody can take away the love and memories you hold close, not even loss." Chouchou leans into my hand, his body trembling, then gives a soft, grateful bark. With a final nuzzle, he stands and trots off, head held a little higher, toward the docks. I watch him go, a bittersweet ache in my chest, then force myself upright and limp after him, the pain in my body strangely lighter now.
As I make my way to the docks, I spot Chouchou perched loyally at the mayor's feet, tail thumping softly on the ground. The sight brings a tired, genuine smile to my face. Luffy is already sprawled atop a barrel, happily munching on something, while Zoro struggles to balance two more barrels on his shoulders, grumbling under his breath. A towering mountain of barrels and crates looms nearby, clearly more than we could possibly carry alone. I glance at the mayor with an incredulous look; he just shrugs helplessly, an exasperated smile tugging at his lips.
"I told them to bring whatever we didn't need. I didn't think about how big your ships were, sorry." He says a bit sheepishly.
Suppressing a chuckle, I flash the mayor a teasing grin. "Don't worry about it," I say, already reaching for the scroll tucked in my pouch. With a practiced flick, I unfurl it and sweep my hand in a wide arc. In a swirl of chakra and a puff of smoke, the entire mountain of supplies vanishes into the scroll. The townspeople gasp and stare, mouths agape, while Luffy, oblivious, doubles over laughing at Zoro's struggle with the last two barrels. Zoro just grunts, refusing to ask for help, his pride as heavy as the supplies.
I can't help but laugh as I head for the boats, waving back at the villagers. Nami intercepts me before I get far, her eyes sharp and appraising. "Okay, what was that scroll trick?" she demands, hands on her hips. "You have to teach me!" There's an eager gleam in her eye, but I can tell she's already calculating how to use it for her own benefit.
I spot the glint in her eyes, a mix of awe and pure scheming. I smirk. "Sorry, Nami. Trade secret. Besides, you'd just use it to stash all your loot."
Nami huffs, rolling her eyes, and stomps off to her boat, already muttering about "greedy crewmates" and unfurling her maps with practiced speed. I make my way to our small boat, slump down on the bench, and let exhaustion take me. The last thing I notice as my eyes drift shut is the sound of Nami grumbling about "idiots" and Zoro arguing with Luffy about who gets the last rice ball, all against the backdrop of a golden sunset. Despite everything, it feels like home.
By the time I wake, the world is wrapped in darkness, broken only by the pale light of the moon filtering through the boat's small window. The rhythmic snoring of Luffy and Zoro fills the cramped space, a comforting reminder that I'm not alone. As I shift, a tug of resistance makes me pause. I glance down and notice neat, tight bandages wrapping my arms and chest, their precision almost surgical. Definitely Nami's handiwork. A slight blush comes across my face at the thought, but I quickly push the thought away.
The fatigue still lingers, but underneath it is a quiet sense of accomplishment: I survived, I fought, and I made a difference. For the first time, I feel like I truly belong with this crew, not just as a tagalong, but as someone who can pull their weight when it matters. I check the time by the moon's position, still hours before dawn. Rather than go back to sleep, I decide to test myself. Focusing my chakra, I create a shadow clone. The jutsu forms more smoothly than before; the strain is noticeably less. I could make about three now if I wanted to. I use the jutsu again, making two more appear next to the first. My chakra reserves have grown, a reward for pushing my limits in battle and refusing to give up.
My clones and I share a silent understanding, each of us knowing exactly what needs to be done next. The first clone finds the sealing book from Shell's Town, quickly flipping through the pages and jotting down notes with focused intensity, determined to unlock new secrets for us to use. The second clone steps onto the water beside the boat, practicing the delicate control required to stay upright and balanced, every step helping us refine our chakra manipulation. The third clone sits nearby, carefully balancing kunai on his fingertips, channeling chakra to keep them steady, an exercise that demands patience and precision.
Meanwhile, I settle into a cross-legged seat, closing my eyes and letting my breath slow. I can feel the chakra inside me moving more cleanly and powerfully than before, no longer wild and unpredictable, but shaped by the effort and pain of my journey. As I meditate, a sense of accomplishment settles over me. Every bruise and sleepless night, every moment of fear and determination, has built me into someone stronger than I was yesterday. For the first time, I truly believe I belong here, with this crew, in this world. I let that feeling fill me, grateful for how far I've come and eager for the adventures and growth still ahead.
As I emerge from meditation, a wave of memories from my clones washes over me, arriving in quick succession. The morning sunlight floods the cabin, briefly blinding me as I open my eyes, and I find everything as it was: Luffy muttering about food in his sleep, Zoro snoring steadily, and the faint sound of Nami talking to herself in the next boat over. For a moment, the peaceful routine grounds me after the chaos of the previous day.
I methodically sift through the memories, piecing together each clone's progress and how it all fits into my growth as a shinobi. The first memory is from the water-walking clone. Not only did he master walking on water, but he even managed to skate across the surface with surprising grace, spinning and gliding as if he'd always belonged there. The mental image of myself pirouetting on the waves is so absurd I can't help but chuckle.
Next, I review what my kunai-balancing clone achieved. He managed to keep two kunai balanced on each hand—a deceptively difficult feat that demands constant, precise chakra regulation. It's not mastery, but it's solid progress, and I can feel my fine control improving with each attempt. There's satisfaction in seeing tangible, incremental growth, even if it comes in small steps.
The most complex memories come from the clone studying the Sealing book, fuuinjutsu. Sealing is like deciphering an arcane language: each character and symbol can have dozens of interpretations, and the wrong combination could lead to disaster, whether a massive explosion or a tear in space itself. Every page is a puzzle, and the risks are ever-present, but the rewards are equally great.
He started with a basic storage scroll, replicating the one I already carry, and made steady progress thanks to our notes and hands-on experience. He then tried to create a chakra storage seal, essentially a battery for chakra reserves, but the theory is incomplete and the process riddled with pitfalls. The practical problems are enormous: maintaining the potency of stored chakra, safely integrating it back into my system, and avoiding any interference with my natural reserves.
When those experiments stalled, the clone shifted focus back to the storage seal, exploring ways to enhance it. Adding a temperature seal could keep food hot or water cold, potentially invaluable when we reach places like Alabasta or need a hot meal on the sea. The possibilities spark my curiosity; small improvements can make all the difference.
One section of the book catches my attention: summoning seals. In the Naruto world, summoning requires a formal contract with a clan, signatures, blood, and all. But here, the rules might be different. The book hints that, with some modifications, the seal could summon a specific creature or object, provided the bond is established. It's a tantalizing prospect: summoning a sword from afar, or even a companion animal.
The wildest idea emerges: what if I could form a contract with a dinosaur on Little Garden? If I could bond with a raptor pack, or even a T. rex, and have them sign a contract, I might summon them to my side in battle. It's a long shot, bordering on fantasy, but in this world, who knows what's possible? Just the thought sends a thrill of anticipation through me, a reminder that every day here brings new challenges and even wilder opportunities.
But more likely than not, I'll end up using it regularly first. Ending up in an unfamiliar place is a bit concerning, but most of the time, summoning clans like the Toads of Mount Myoboku not only have heightened intelligence but also can speak, strategize, and coordinate with others. Not just that, but they also sometimes have neat tricks like Sage mode that they can teach. Which could also be invaluable once strong enough to attempt.
But, for now, those dreams can wait. As the first rays of sunlight spill over the horizon, painting the waves gold, I let myself savor a rare moment of peace. The ship rocks gently beneath me, the air thick with the promise of new challenges and distant islands. My wounds ache, but they are proof that I've survived, that I am learning, growing, and carving out my place in this wild world.
Above deck, the crew is beginning to stir. Zoro grumbles as he stretches, Luffy bounces up with that boundless energy, and Nami is already fussing over her maps and supplies. We are an unlikely family, tied together by fate and stubbornness, but as I watch them, I know I wouldn't trade this for any life I left behind.
I take one last steadying breath and tuck away the sealing book, resolve hardening in my chest. Whatever the sea throws at us next, I'll be ready. With friends at my side and the lessons of yesterday guiding me, there is nothing we can't face.