2 Ignite

After two long years, his journey was reaching its end.

At last, he was nearly there.

Rumors carried him at last to Sabaody Archipeligo. With no nakama, no crew, and naught but the clothes on his back, he opened the doors and departed the spacious cabin for what would indeed, be the final time. He stepped into the last remaining lifeboat, a rickety old thing; practically falling apart at the seams. Irate, he warred with the urge to simply spread his wings of flame and wing himself to the mangroves.

Unfortunately, that technique required a running start. One that, standing aboard a rickety raft, he no longer had. That being said, he couldn't help but eye the prospect of entering the relatively lawless port with more than a little chagrin.

Just a bit further.

If his boat sank here, now, before it hit the dock, then it would be all over for him. All the power in the world wouldn't be able to save him if he took a plunge into the water.

'Almost...yes!'

his eyes lit with renewed life as his boot came within reach of the dock. A ways behind him, he detected the sound of enthused shouts and other relieved cries of mirth and relief; mirroring those of the slaves he had freed. The ensuing chaos had attracted a large crowd of people, and for that, he was grateful. Even as he heard the odd cry or shout of thanks directed at his backside, he remained grateful for them.

"What happened!" A woman cried. "What were pirate ships doing this close to the Saboady?"

"Someone sank those ships!" This from a wizened old coot who looked old enough to be Naruto's grandfather

As if he even knew him

discerned as everyone milled about. That meant it was time to leave. The marines were bound to hear of this, the sinking of three ships, done in by a wanted criminal. That said criminal just-so-happened to have a great and terrible loathing of all things related to slavery, was unimportant.

The last thing he needed was to draw attention to himself. Not here. Not now. There would be time to pat himself on the back, later. For now, he had arrived at Sabaody. The worst was still yet to come, especially, ESPECIALLY if he encountered a celestial dragon. With that thought in mind, Naruto drew his cowl up to his face, pulled his head down, tucked his chin in; doing his level best to be discreet as he began to move amongst the people.

Men, women, children of all ages, many were drawn to the sight of three ships blazing upon the open water. They knew not the culprit, only that there was a spectacle to be seen, and naturally, such a sight drew unwarranted attention. By the time the slaves had disembarked and been helped onto the dock, he was already gone. He thought that the clear-eyed one, Hinata, locked eyes with him for a moment as he slipped away.

But, surely, that was impossible.

'Must've been my imagination.'

he mused, frowning as he watched her tug on the sleeve of another figure, the latter's face hidden within a cowl. Sugoi! What a woman! Wait, was that a fan on her back? He frowned, recognizing the figure as female, not by her face, but by her figure alone. Then Hinata pointed. Then the scowled woman turned, her jade green eyes peering through the cowl, seeking, trapping, finding his sapphire. Shit. She'd saw him. Perhaps it wasn't a coincidence after all, he realized, as she began to make her way through the crowd at an undeniable pace, headed in his direction.

Without a word, Uzumaki Naruto dissapeared into the crowd.

If the rumors were true, that the strawhats were recruiting members...

...then there was only one way to find out.

A/N: Naruto has arrived at Saboady! Marines and slavers beware! Yes, some Naruto characters will be making passing appearance in this story! Hope you liked the passing appearances of Ino, Hinata, and...hmm...who wears a gigantic fan on their back? Make no assumptions! Naruto's harem will be most of all predominately one piece! You'll just have to guess the who, what, where, when and why!