1 Chapter 1: The Crucial Wish

Chapter 1:

The Crucial Wish.

Author's Note: I was inspired to write this story by the fanfics "Coby's Choice," and "Naruto: The Angelic Swordsman." with a few changes of my own. As Team 7 are travelling home to the Leaf Village after saving the Land of Waves, a single choice, borrowed from a recent Naruto OVA: The Three Wishes, changes everything.

What happens to Team 7 will lead to major changes to their lives, and new impacts on whomever they meet. The storylines and plot will not change too heavily, prior to a certain War declaration. Although some distinct choices form the characters will lead to smaller changes, gradual impacts, and more that will change the characters and events far down the road.

Let's see how it all starts, from a few crucial choices.

"…."=speaking.

'…'=thinking.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, or One Piece They are the property and brain-children of Masashi Kishimoto and Eiichiro Oda, respectively.

Please, Read and Review

"Come one Sensei! This mission turned out fine, ye know! And the next one has to be an even better one. And with a bigger adventure! We all got stronger, and we saved a whole Island! Believe it!"

"We need to get another C-rank, or an even higher mission to do more! Ya Know!" Uzumaki Naruto exclaimed to his teacher.

Team 7 were travelling home a relaxing, smooth pace. Leaving the Land of Waves behind them and returning home after the completion of their first C-rank Mission. As they strolled on near a river that connected to the ocean, Uchiha Sasuke let out a soft grunt. Agreeing with his attention-needy teammate, but unwilling to admit it.

Haruno Sakura did not share his sentiment. "Naruto! This mission wasn't even supposed to be this dangerous in the first place. Sasuke-kun almost died from that ninja Haku, and we had to rescue Kakashi-sensei from Zabuza's water-prison! It would be better if we avoided dangerous situations like that until we're much stronger."

"Oh, come on Sakura-chan! D-ranks are worse than listening to Iruka-sensei! I don't wanna go back to babysitting or chasing that crazy cat! Plus, we got a lot better on this one than anything we did on those chores! Right, Kakashi-sensei!"

Three sets of eyes trained on the tallest figure in the group. The legendary Copy-nin Hatake Kakashi. Veteran Ninja. Former ANBU. The Man with a Thousand Jutsu. With his single eye trained on a steaming, erotic scene in his favourite Icha-Icha book.

Still, the man wasn't absent-minded. "No. We…probably won't take another C-rank for quite some time after this one."

"WHAAAAATTT!" Two of the genin shouted. While one of them huffed in silent frustration.

"But Sensei! None of us wanna go back to lame kid's stuff! Come on! You're just saying that because you like being late and lazy all the time! Believe it!" Naruto cried. Pointing a figure roughly at his sensei.

'He's got a good point,' Uchiha Sasuke silently agreed. 'My Sharingan finally awakened during that fight with Haku. My chakra-control also grew during those tree-exercises. But…'

"Grrrr," the avenger quietly growled. 'But I froze-up when we first encountered Zabuza. Just the sheer presence of his Killing Intent had me trembling with fear and doubt. He will definitely have more, when I finally face him. I need to find more challenges and dangers to improve.'

Sakura spoke up. "Naruto! What if we run into any rouge ninja like Zabuza again! Plus…after finding out what kind of ninja he was, and what some villages make Ninja do." Her eyes became downcast, filled with conflicting emotions. "Maybe being a ninja isn't so great after all. Sure, Leaf ninja would never do any stuff like that. But with so many dangerous people out here, spending more time inside the village and getting stronger in a safe place would be better for us."

Naruto frowned in frustration. "No way Sakura-chan! The best way to-AAAAAHHHHH!"

The blonde yelled in pain, hopping on one foot while his right toes were throbbing.

Kakashi put down his book, and examined his injured Genin. "Naruto. Do try to keep watch of where you're going. Stubbing your foot on a rock in Shinobi sandals can be painful. And rather clumsy."

"Owe! Yeah! I get it! Owe! That really hurt." The boy complained, holding his open-toed right foot. Looking down, he glared at the rock that had gotten in his way. Only to see that it wasn't a rock. A clay bottle of medium-size rested on the ground. Several deep cracks accented its purple-grey body, with a rubber-cork in the mouth.

"What is that?" Bending down, Kakashi lifted it into his hands, while curiosity drew Sasuke and Sakura closer.

"Hmmmm. Now how did a lamp like this end-up just sitting here in the road?" the Jonin asked aimlessly.

"Can I keep it?" an excitable Blonde asked. "Why would you want something that beaten-up and antiqued? It's practically useless," Sakura asked. With a shrug, Kakashi handed the jar to Naruto. Who gave it an experimental shake. "Huh! Ge-Hey! There's something inside!"

"Huh! It won't open." Naruto was pulling hard on the cork. Harder. And even harder as his curiosity grew.

"Grrrrrrrrrrr."

"Uh, Naruto. That really isn't a good use for your teeth." Kakashi tried to stop the boy as his teeth were sunk into the cork. It took a few moments to get the blonde to start down the road again. But he kept trying to open the bottle, grumbling all the while.

"Hhhhhh. Naruto, why are-"

"Shhhhh." Sakura looked up, as her sensei quietly silenced her question. "If Naruto wants to keep it, just let him Sakura," the Jonin whispered. "Besides. Working on that cork has kept him from asking more questions. If you get him to stop, then he'll still be loud all the way back to the village."

Sakura gaped at her sensei in awe. The smiled in appreciation and chose to enjoy the relatively quieter setting.

Later that night, Team 7 made camp in a small clearing away from the road. Most of them were gathered around the fire, with Sakura edging closer to Sasuke. The last Uchiha internally groaned as a familiar question formed on Sakura's lips.

"AAAUUUUUHHHHHGGGGGGG! COME ON AND OPEN, ALREADY! Come on. Come on!"

"Gah! Naruto will you stop already! What's so important to make you want to open that piece of garbage anyway?"

Sasuke's eyes turned to Naruto. Frustrated by the blonde's clueless obsession, even if he was thankful that the guy had distracted Sakura from him.

"It's not Junk, Sakura-chan! I found it, and I wanna keep it! Plus, I'm really, really close." The boy kept yanking on the bottle, as Sakura began to argue with him over how stupid and useless moving the cork was.

Kakashi glanced up towards the pair. 'Hhhhhhh. Well, it may have distracted him from begging for more C-ranks for a bit. But I guess the kid's not gonna stop until he gets that bottle open. And now, it's getting a little ridiculous.'

"Naruto." Three young faces turned to the Jonin. One of them bent over on his back, holding the bottle with their feet and hands, and yanking at the cork with his teeth. "Whaahaa ish itch Kakasshi zenzei!" the boy answered with his jaws still around the cork.

"Ummmm. Why don't you make a couple of shadow-clones to help you with that?"

…...one moment past.

"Ahhh! Why didn't I think of that!" Naruto cried, jumping to his feet. "Pfffft-Pffftt-Pffffft-that thing was getting dirt in my mouth. Why not use clones to get it open!"

The audience sweat dropped, while a few spare Naruto appeared and began yanking together on the bottle. "Grrrrrrrr-Come on-Grrrrrrrrrrr-Al…. most…."

Plukunk!

Fwwwoooooommmmmmmm. A rapid column of purple smoke poured out from the open jar.[1]

The smoke began to compress, forming a tight orb until—

"Ta-daaaaaaawwww! Once again free at last!" A portly figure smoothly burst from the smoke. The man wore a black vest and pink long-sleeved changshan shirt. His face was round, with a tiny black goatee, sideburns, and a thin swirly mustache. A cheery smile and light, red-tinted sunglasses covered his face. The figure's arms gestured about, as he continued to loudly express his apparent gratitude.

"It's been a thousand years! The world I'm suurrree is waiting! Guess my identity! You have one try! Not one! Alright, I'll tell you! I am the famous Genie of the Bottle!"

The four onlooks watched the new arrival.

"I am prepared to grant you three wishes! You may wish for anything you want!"

"Ow! Hot-hot-hot-hot-hot-hot!" "Naruto, I told you to wait. Why can't you listen to anything! I said that you'd burn your tongue!" The Genin were gathered near the camp-fire, ignoring the strange being. While Kakashi lazed about, but kept a sharp eye on him.

'Hmmmm. He doesn't have any legs. Just a misshaped ribbon connected to the bottle. Could he really be-'

"Don't you listen when somebody is talking to you!" the new arrival spoke, indignantly.

"Stop asking. Genie's aren't real, so stop pretending to be one. You're too loud and annoying." Naruto said.

Gwoonnnnggggg

'You're…not really one to talk. Naruto.'

'If someone's more annoying than Naruto, I won't be able to stand them.'

'You shouldn't really say anything;' while another voice in the last person's head was shouting 'YOU'RE THE MOST ANNOYING PERSON THERE IS! STOP BEING A HIPOCRIT! SHANNARO!"

Sasuke looked at Naruto, "Just don't look at him. He is a little suspicious."

The apparent Genie moved forward. "I'm not suspicious. Take one look at me. A Genie i what I am!"

"Don't be ridiculous."

Sakura frowned at Naruto. "What are you doing? Stop talking to this guy and he'll go away!"

"I am a Genie. For real. And Genie's don't lie."

Kakashi spoke up. "I'm not so sure about that. There, are a lot of stories. Some that warn people about trusting Genies to give honest wishes. Or of the Genie in-question bending a person's wish to be more of a curse than a blessing. How can you prove to be an actual Genie, and not a charlatan?"

"Well! Just ask for a wish, and I'll show you!"

"Oh yeah!" Naruto cried out. "Well if you're a Genie then make me the-"

"Naruto!" Kakashi spoke with authority, softly placing a hand on the boy's mouth. 'Just in case, it wouldn't be good to risk it.' "Don't be a such as rush."

"Hhmmmmmmm." The Jonin deliberated for a moment, to find a wish that would be useful, but also the least impactful on other people.

"Excuse me? If you are a Genie, then could I have a complete set of the golden-edition Icha-icha series, with the next book that will be released?" with a smile in his eye.

"I shall grant your wish!" a dramatic declaration came. The strange being crossed his arms and spoke a pair of words. "Abra-Cadabrahhhhh!"

Pop! Kakashi's single eye went wide! There. Before him. Neatly Package. Hard-copies. 'It…' "It can't…no….no way…Ahah!..."

He lifted the headband, to check with his Sharingan that no illusions were present. A pile of the complete golden-edition series of Icha-Icha was there on the ground. With a green covered one on top, that he had never seen before.

"Is…No!...That can't be! Is it REALLY?!" The man squealed with excitement.

"Ta-Daaaaaw! A complete set Jiraya the Sannin's Make-Out series books! With the next installment, which will not come out for another three years! Icha-Icha Tactics!"

Kakashi was trembling, excitement running through his body. "Wait! Th-th-Three years! I got the next book that far in advance!"

"So you really are a Genie!" an hyperactive knucklehead declared, with stars dancing in his eyes.

"You're amazing!" Sakura cried, running up to the Genie and locking her arms around his neck. "That was the coolest thing I ever saw!"

Naruto, elsewhere, was shaking with excitement. "Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! If you're a Genie then I need this wish! I wish to become powerful enough to-MUMF!"

Sasuke's hand clamped over Naruto's mouth. "Don't waste it. I need to talk to this guy. And have a wish far more important than yours," he casually spoke. The boy's voice was quiet, even as his left hand trembled. His mind drifting back to the night his life was shattered, and someone challenged him to grow strong enough to kill them, if he ever could.

"Gayk! No way! You don't have anything that you need! I'm the one who's gotta have this wish the most, Sasuke!" Naruto was glaring at the other boy, even as the Uchiha ignored him, focusing only on the possibility of gaining the power he desired to destroy 'a certain someone' he had made it his ambition to fulfil.

"Now! Let's get down to the real business!" the proven-Genie gently yanked Sakura off of himself. Dropping her between Naruto and Sasuke. While Kakashi was cradling his new book Icha-Icha Tactics, with reverence.

"You only have two wishes left." Quickly, the Genin knelt down close together, and began debating over the next wish. Quite surprising given their rocky start and constant bickering. But after the tribulations and danger they had in the Land of Waves, the trio could accept each other's input and opinions far better than prior to the mission.

Eventually, the Genie grew tired as the pre-teens were talking together. So, he turned his attention back to Jonin. "Uh. Excuse me. Do you want anotha wish? Or would you please talk to the brats trying to make-up their minds."

"Huh?" Kakashi looked up from his silent celebration.

"Um. Would you please step back for a second, Mr. Genie? We need a minute to decide, and Sensei doesn't count, since he already had a wish." Sakura established.

"Certainly. Young Masters. Take all the time you need. Now you have only one wish left."

"Huh!" "WHAAATT!" "HEY!" All the kids shouted in surprise.

"Wait! How can that count! You didn't' say anything before, and nobody made a wish!"

"Because, young mistress. That is one of the rules," the Genie replied to Sakura.

"What rules?"

"These ones right here. They're written clearly on the bottom of the bottle." Said bottle was raised into the air and extended to the trio to read. "Please read the third paragraph of the Genie instructions."

"What paragraph. The bottom's covered in mud."

"Huh! Oh my, that would be a problem," the Genie nodded, quickly whipping the dried mud caked onto the bottom of his residence.

"Oh. I see," Sakura whispered, reading the instructions about any declined offers from the Genie, after wish number one had been fulfilled.

"Well, it's certainly a pity that we didn't stop somewhere to wash it. Otherwise Naruto might have seen those a lot sooner," Kakashi mused as he was now standing beside his students, with the new complete Icha-icha set held tightly in his left arm.

"Good! Now that We're on the same page! What is your final wish?!"

"I'm taking it!" Sasuke stepped forward.

"Hey, that's not fair! You can't keep something like this for yourself!" Naruto shouted, pointing his figure into Sasuke's face.

"You'll just use it to wish to be Hokage or waste the last wish on Ramen! Kakashi-sensei already used the first one! And Sakura blew the second by throwing it away! Nobody that useless should get to use something this important!"

That accusation had some different reactions. Sakura melted into depression, as her crush called her "useless" and was correct about her wasting a wish. Kakashi didn't make any noticeable movement, but his mind suddenly became very concerned over what Sasuke would wish for. While Naruto's hands clenched to his sides. 'If I made that wish right now. I could become the Hokage sure. But I could also wish for everyone in the village to finally start treating me like a person, not a germ that they want to disappear. And Sasuke just insulted Sakura-chan!'

"Genie," Sasuke spoke to the eccentric spirit. "I wish for the power to kill-"

"NNOO! I NEED THIS WISH A LOT MORE BADLY THAN YOU!" Naruto's hand grabbed Sasuke by his collar. Yanking the boy forward and down to the ground. "You have...no idea...what my life...what it's like to be me back in the village!" Naruto spat into the Uchiha's face, with tears forming in the corners of his eyes.

The boy's memory travelled back. Back to the glares. The neglect. The long, lonely nights curled on his bed, depressed and confused. The whispers:

'"Look. It…it's that kid. Why did they let that boy stay in the village"' 'Those two grown-ups on the street.'

'"Just return to your seat…"' 'Iruka Sensei, on my first day in his class.'

'"Hey you little brat. Get out of here! I don't want you here. You're nothing but a pest!' 'The shop keeper. I was just looking at a mask! I wasn't doing anything, and he hit me!'

'"There. You see him? It's That Boy. He's the only one who failed. Hmph. Well it serves him right. Just imagine it if he became a ninja. I mean he's the-"' 'Those ladies by the Academy. After my third try to graduate.'

"I've gotta use this wish to-"

"No!" In single second. Naruto was thrown over, and pinned to the ground. Looking up he cried out, until meeting Sasuke's eyes.

"Sasuke…" Naruto recoiled, in fear. 'That look in his eyes. It's…it's like that day at the Academy. They're like the same everyone gives me. But…but a lot stronger than those. His eyes…that Hatred…It's not for me. But…but it's still…there…'

Suddenly, Sasuke was lifted off of Naruto. "Alright. That's enough you two," Kakashi spoke, raising both boys back to their feet.

"Hhhhh. Now listen. I know you both have some deep ambitions. But ask yourselves. Do you really want this?"

A pair of confused eyes turned to the grey-haired ninja. "Do you really want some to just give you want you want so easily. Do you want to feel true accomplishment and satisfaction from the ambitions both of you carry? Because if you do. This isn't the way to do it."

Kakashi's eyes, as his Sharingan was still uncovered, met both Naruto's and Sasuke's. 'I normally don't like to be this hands-on. But if they just get everything that they want so easily, it'll cause a lot of trouble in the village. Naruto doesn't have enough maturity or understanding about the Hokage's position to just wish to become him so casually. While if Sasuke just wishes for Itachi to die, he might become aimless and undedicated at best. Or carry that anger all the more heavily by following a path of revenge right out of the gate.'

"If you ask this Genie those questions. Then the truth is, he'll be the one who made you Hokage, Naruto. Or killed the man you want to avenge yourself on so badly, Sasuke. He will have done it, not the pair of you, and hold the true credit."

Naruto and Sasuke…

Neither of them moved. Both looked down, confused and reflective.

Kakashi continued. "If you truly care about your dreams. Your ambitions, and aspirations. Then the best way to do that is by fulfilling them yourselves. Growing through missions, training, and facing real struggles along the way, until you accomplish your desires in your own unique way."

"That is what a true ninja does. It's how the 4th Hokage gained his title, and the best of the Uchiha rose to greatness. By creating success for themselves instead of just looking for easy wins or letting someone else do the work for them."

That hit the spot. Naruto and Sasuke both started to question asking the Genie to fulfill their goals for them. But, Kakashi Hatake made a fatal mistake.

"The best way to reach them goals you set for yourselves, is to train hard and face serious challenges along the way. And you might accomplish more than you originally intended to. Like the mission we just completed, the help we gave to those people, and the grow each of you made during that adventure."

"Yeah, but that won't happen sensei!" Naruto shouted. "You were just saying a while ago that we won't be having any C-rank missions for a long time. We can't grow if there's no danger for us to beat-up, and D-rank mission don't have any adventure! Wait! That's it!"

Naruto shrugged out of his jacket and rushed over to the Genie. "Hey! Hey! Genie! I wish for all of us to go somewhere with dangerous missions, strong enemies, and big adventures all the time! Oh, and people in trouble so we can help them along the way. Take us somewhere that will let all of us get strong!"

"Well! If adventure and danger is what you want! Then IIIII know the best place to go!" the figure proclaimed, with a prolonged reference.

"Naruto-wait!" Kakashi shouted.

The Genie began to spin. Smoke billowed from his arms, to encompass the camp-site, taking everyone and everything there with him. "Your wish is my Commmaaannnnndddddd!"

Quickly, the four Ninja were lifted up from the ground, consumed by the vortex emerging form the Genie. "Whaat-! Naruto! What did you do!" "Huh! Stop! We didn't agree on this!"

"Huh!" "Whaaaa-Hooooo!" All of the Leaf ninjas were surrounded, the purple smoke began to change. Now it brought the group of four into the air. Kakashi, Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto each felt as though a vacuum was drawing them in. Loud, confusing screams were made form the smoke around them. Until a single clear voice broke through:

"Abaraaaaaaaah-Cadabaraaaaaaaaaaaa!"

End.

And that is the end of the Beginning.

Especially about the actions and words from the characters. I also want to capture the true character, habits and thoughts of the original material in my fanfic stories. And present them authentically, believably and humorously.

Whisking them away to the World of One Piece. With only a single way back home.

How will this affect each of them? Naruto with no way to become Hokage? Sasuke removed from the goal of his revenge, and without a curse-seal? Sakura ripped away from the comforts and complacency of her home? Kakashi isolated from the village, and fully responsible for the Genin?

The next chapter will move Team 7 on to some familiar faces in the East Blue. Though when they meet the Straw Hats, as friends or enemies against other pirates…

Only time will tell.

P.S. I didn't want to separate Kakashi from his beloved Icha-icha books. Otherwise, he may have had a serious melt-down, and couldn't share them with people of One Piece. Especially a certain Cook with a swirly eye-brow.

[1]-Naruto OVA, the Genie, and the Three Wishes. Whether canon or not, it is an in-universe explanation for crossing into a different dimension. I prefer to find methods to cross between dimensions that are within the universe or lore of a franchise. It makes the cross-over less bewildering and celebrates human choices and characters more than, random portals or Godly intervention.

Plus, it opened up the potential for the team to return to their home dimension, and giving them a goal to work towards rather than dropping them in cold and wandering around aimlessly.

[2]-Naruto Shippuden, Episode 180, "Inari's Courage Put to the Test."

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