HEYYYY Everybody!

There was a long pause for me from writing (not a very pleasant one :( 2018 just started and I already hate this year), but I am back and happy to be here.

First thing first, for 'san . denzel' and 'vanpwalker709': thank you for your comments. I tried to look for an good auto-corrector (I and Sufficient velocity don't work well together) and the last the chapters were indeed moving slow. I was afraid to not rush the story and ended up doing the opposite (but I am not going to change the way that the characters interact with each other or the way they take action. Naruto doesn't like the idea of letting the others to be on the first line while he stands in the back. And Esdeath and the others didn't do it either in the anime (even if they weren't a special force/assassins, I highly doubt that they would have). But Akainu will chew them alive for acting the way they do with the first occasion). By the way, there is a misunderstanding. 'Rising star' isn't a rank, is just a nickname that they got for how talented they are.

With this aside, let's start!

[With Naruto. 7 hours after the last meeting]

Naruto was getting frustrated. He didn't expect for the culprits to be found right away. However, he did have hoped for at least a lead. It's clear that they went toward the route of the transport, but after hearing about the attack they disappeared completely. At least for Marine's point of view.

The Marine send fleet after fleet to look for that girl and the Gold Hunters. The only rapport he could get about this situation told him that World Government is sending one of the admirals to help them. It is unbeliveble how much do those old bastards care for the celestial dragons. Almost sickening.

Even with this in their way, nobody can say that they have been seating on their asses while doing nothing. During this search, around 100 pirate ships have been caught by the numerous fleets that are now sailing through all South blue. Soon there will be no place left to hide.

Naruto couldn't care less about this right now. He and his friends have been looking something else during this time. Even if the revolutionary army didn't get what they wanted, this doesn't change the fact that Dragon had something in mind with Saint Shalulia's kidnapping. Garp's son has a long history of 'crimes' against World Government. Even so, not once has he done anything rush or meaningless. 'This is such a pain' thought the young boy 'No matter how you look at this, he has nothing to win from this. If his men would have got the girl that would have got a bigger bounty for him and a death sentence for this Inazuma guy and whoever else is with him'

"Sir" one of the soldiers approached him.

"What is it? Any news about their location?"

"I fear not. It seems that one of the shichibukai has joined in the search. Also, another 25 ships have been found and caught in the last hour"

"So nothing of interest" despite his answer, Naruto was feeling frustrated. He was never a fan of the shichibukai. In his opinion to have them around is like giving your money to a thief so he doesn't stole from you. Even if they are relatively new, this doesn't stop them from using every advantage that comes with the title. Geko Moriah for example is known for how he treats anything that lives and think, and now he can take as many lives as he wants. Just because he is strong enough to be recognized by the Marine and is willing to 'cooperate'. "What did the other find out about the activity of our culprits in the last months?"

The same man flipped through some papers that were in his hand before speaking again "It seems that they weren't seen at all for three months. Even if they are known as valuable members of the revolutionary army, neither of them participated in any operation or attack"

"sigh~Seriously now. Give me a break. How am I suppose to catch someone that hasn't been seen in such a long time"

Another soldier got closer. He had a den den mushi in his right hand "Sir, vice admiral Garp wants to speak with you"

He extended his right hand to get the ... device? ... "What's up old man?"

"Damn you brat! I told you that I am not old!"

"Sorry gramps. It was a reflex"

"You smartass. Anyway, this is important. We found the Gold Hunters"

Naruto's eyes widened "I believe that there is something more to it if you called me first"

"As hard to believe as it is, finding them was the easy part. We have countless troubles with the rescuing part and your group would do the job just perfect"

"What is the situation?"

"You will understand it better when you will be here. I talked with your navigator and told him the coordinates. Just prepare for the worst"

"Soooo the usual?"

"Pretty much yes"

[7 hours later]

Naruto and his friends are standing on the deck while watching as they get closer an island that is covered in trees. The jungle has so many tall trees that is impossible for the sunlight reach the ground in some areas. This definitely looks like the perfect place to hide from the world.

"Sir, we got a call from vice admiral Garp" said one of the soldiers.

Naruto took the den den mushi in his hand "What's the deal gramps? You called us all the way here to be in the first line and you are not even here?"

"Things are more complicated than this. While me and my men were searching for them, we came across a shipwreck that was left behind by the Gold Hunters. Fortunately, we found some survivers that told us were did they go after the attack. On our way here we caught some of their scouts and managed to get this location. This is where you come into play. This place was used long ago for mining. But, a few years ago, the mine has dried up and was abandoned, they made their base there. Your mission is to go there and rescue Saint Shalulia"

"WAIT! WAIT! WAIT!" started Wave "Let me see if I understand. You want US to go THERE, where THOUSANDS of pirates are waiting for us, to save a CELESTIAL DRAGON? And where are you?"

"Easy there brat. I don't expect you to fight all of them. The mine is going so deep into the ground that owners had to make a lot of air vents. We were lucky enough to contact them and ask for the plan of the mine. There are around 20 or so entrances in the vents scattered around the whole islands. Any of them should grant you access to every level of the mine. They hold her in the lowest level. You just have to get in and rescue her"

"I hope that you know that is easier said than done" said Naruto with sarcasm "Why couldn't you do it?"

"The vents are too small for a full grown-man to fit in-""That's what he said" interrupted Leone. Meanwhile the others were staring blankly at her "*cought* sorry. I couldn't help myself"

"Anyway. There shouldn't be any problem for you to get in. Once you freed her get out ASAP. After we get there, we will start a Buster Call"

Naruto narrowed his eyes along with Esdeath "How much do we have until the ships will arrive here?"

"I can say roughly in five hours from now. You have to be quick. The elders saw this as an offense to the kings that united our world. We are ordered to start the attack as soon as possible to make sure that none of those pirates will escape. It won't matter if you are or not on the island"

"You sure love to give us easy missions, don't you" said Seryu with a dry tone.

"This is all. I hope you the best of luck" with that the call ended, leaving them unable to speak from the amount of stress that was put on their shoulders in less than five minutes.

Sheele was the first one to breack the ice "W-what's the plan Naruto?"

He crossed his arms before his chest "sigh~ Ok everybody, let's calm down. It's not the first when we meet a life or death kind of situation. We will form five teams so it will be easier for us to move around. One of them will stay on the surface and make sure that any guard that they meet will be dealt with. Since Bols and Run can't fit through the vents, they will be the ones doing this. If possible, look for the missing soldiers. The rest of us will go through separated vents. Whoever gets there first has to call the others so we can help them return to the surface. Now get to the boats. There is no way that they will not see a ship coming"

"YES SIR!"

[30 minutes later. 4 hours and 30 minutes until Buster Call]

Naruto and Leone just got off of the boat and got ready to run. They covered themselves with dark green cloaks to be harder to spot in the jungle. Nothing came in their way for seems to be around five minutes until they saw a man-made construction. It was a small tower that wasn't in a very good condition.

"Do you think that this is the entrance, Naruto-nii?"

"One way to find out" he claimed up to see what is on top. Right there was hole that went deep down into the ground. He took a flashlight out and pointed it down "Even with the flashlight I still can't see the bottom. Be careful to not fall" he said while tacking his cloak off.

"Ohh~ so cute. You care for little old me" she took off her own cloak and unsheathed her knieves.

He got a bayonet and each hand pierced the side of the hole with one bayonet "I am saying this so you don't fall on me" he repeated this action as he got lower and lower with the flashlight in his mouth.

Leone did the same with her knives "You know, it would be far more awesome if you would let me have at least one sibling moment"

Naruto rolled his eyes at her comment.

They continued they're climbing for a few minutes until Naruto's foot touched the bottom. He ducked and crawled through a small tunnel "How in the hell did they made this thing? There is barely enough space for us to crawl" stated the boy.

"Maybe they had a devil fruit user. I heard those can give you some crazy powers. There has to be at least one of them that can do this"

Naruto scoffed "Like anything that comes from the devil can provide you any real help. Those powers are just delusions. Garp can fight against any of the admirals just with his techniques and fighting style"

"I still don't understand what do you have against devil fruits in general. Is not like anybody that has them is a bad guy. There are plenty of Marine officers that use those powers for good"

"Is not about how they use it that pisses me off. From the first humans until now, everything that the devil gave us came with a price. And we end up lossing God's faith because we accept his deal. I hate how humans are so willing to give up on what He gives to us at birth just for some bloody flashy abilities"

Leone could feel the hate in his voice "Well this conversation didn't take an unexpected turn at all. By the way, how much do we have to keep crawling. My knees start to hurt"

"Well is lucky day. We now have to climb some more" he said while looking down at yet another bottomless looking hole in the ground.

"Well Garp wasn't lying when he said that they dug deep into the ground"

"Wait. Let's call the others to see where are they" he took a den den mushi from his pocket. In a few seconds someone responded.

"What is it, Naruto-sama? Have you already saved the celestial dragon?"

"I'd wish Akame. Where are you?"

"I'd say five hundred meters underground. Approximative"

"Glad to hear that there is somebody else down here. Do you know anything about the rest?"

"Esdeath and Wave called several minutes ago. They just found an entrance. Seryu and Sheele also found one, but they couldn't get far because it was destroyed"

"Thank you for the information. We will continue our way. Contact us if anything goes wrong"

[With Ivankov. Same time]

The okama is standing right beside the misterious leader of the Gold Hunters in a huge, artificial cave deep down into the ground. They are watching at the hundreds of pirates that are moving crates and gold to the upper levels "I have to say, cloak boy, you guys managed to gather a lot in the short time that you were in action. What is your secret?"

"Like I have anything to share with you freak"

"Ohhh~ come on now. I thought that we are friends"

"Don't you even dare compare me with a low life like you" Inazuma was having a hard time trying to not attack this person.

"Ehhh you just sounded like a celestial dragon right there. That just reminded me, where are you from? You just don't sound like someone from South Blue. The way you talk reminds me of some people from a land named Wano that I meet a long time ago"

"MHh is true that I am not from around here. I came here because it's easier to rob people around this place"

"So you are from somewhere where you can find lots of strong people. Is it the Grand Line? Maybe the New World?"

"Wrong"

This got Ivankov actually interested "Than, North or West Blue?"

"You are really bad at guessing, aren't you?"

"EHHH?! Don't tell me that you are from East. How is South an easier target when East is the most peaceful in the entire world"

Even if his face was hidden from view, anyone near could tell that he was amused "He he ha hahaha! This has to be the funniest thing that you said until now. Look, just because you made such a good joke, I am going to tell you something interesting. East Blue is the most peaceful place on this planet because all the major conflicts happen in one place that is ripped from the rest of the world for a long long time. You can say that is like an entirely different world. I am from that place. And believe me when I say, it is at least as dangerous as the New World that you all fear so much"

Ivankov smiled "Seems like a nice place for a battle maniac. It makes perfect sense that you are from such place giving the rumors about how cruel the leader of the Gold Hunters is" his obvious taunt fell to deaf ears as a couple of whispers could be heard "Ehh? What did you say? Speak louder for goodness sake. I couldn't understand anything"

"You two come with me. It's time to prove yourselves useful" said the man, referring to Ivankov and Inazuma "There are rats here that we have to take care of"

"'Rats'? how do you know?" asked Ivankov.

"Just come with me" he took them through a tunel that was unused by the pirates. Even with their large number, they couldn't explore the entire kilometres of unknown tunels that go in every direction from the main shaft. The cloaked man has a torch in his hand as he leads the way.

"Cloack boy, I am really starting to feel like you want to get rid of us without anyone knowing" Ivankov's voice wasn't his usual playful one. It was nearly an advertisement. Inazuma transformed his left hand in a pair of scissors behind his back.

"As much as wish to get rid of you faster, I am afraid that this might actually be a sign that we have to finish loading the ships faster" he stopped walking "they will be here in five seconds" he pointed toward the ceiling with his torch.

"Inazuma, can you give us a hand please?"

The man transformed his other hand as well and cut the ceiling in two fast moves. Like a piece of paper, it fell along with two blond kids. Growns of pain could be heard as Naruto and Leone tried to recover from suddenly hitting the rock floor.

"I have to say young ones" started the leader "This was brave of you...but also very stupid if you think that you can sneak on me out of all people" he got closer to them to see their faces and soon stopped in his track when he recognized Naruto's face "You...you..." there was venom in his voice. He sounded like there were no words to describe just how much hate he holds for the young boy.

"What's the matter, cloak boy?"

"Ouch Naruto, do you know this guy?" asked Leone.

"AHHhh no. But I think that he knows me" he answered without taking his eyes from the stranger.

The man regained his senses "YOU LITTLE FUCKER!" he threw the torch to the side, making the fire die and leaving the tunnel completly dark. Words of surprise and anger were thrown by Naruto, Leone and Ivankov until a dim light emerged again from the place where the cloaked man stood a few seconds ago. The bluish light grown stronger and stronger reaviling its source. The man's body was covered from head to toes in small lightnings "I WILL SMELT YOU DOWN UZUMAKIIII!"

[With Bols and Run. Same time]

The two of them didn't meet any trouble so far. Every enemy that they came across with was dealt with without any trouble. Some of them too easy. You would think that a cold-blooded pirate will be harder to scare, but for some of them, to see Bols emerging from behind a tree like some kind of ghost was enough to make hem faint. Ofcourse, the kind giant of a man didn't realize that he was the cause of it, but Run didn't had what it takes to break his heart with the harsh reality.

"You really improved your aim Run" declared Bols happily.

"Thank you Bols. But, I am still behind you when it comes to combat skills" the teen looked through his scope to scout for enemy when he suddenly spotted something far more interesting "Hey, take a look"

Bols took the rifle in his hands "What did we found here?" he was looking at a harbor. A few large ships were all hidden from any-passer by in a lake near the middle of the island that is connected to the ocean by a river "I think that there is the entire fleet of the Gold Hunters" he handed the gun back to Run "See if you can find any ship that doesn't their flag. If we are lucky enough, we should be able to rescue the missing soldiers before the Buster Call starts"

The boy started to search until his eyes meet a ship with plain veils "Is here. But I hate to bring bad news. It's right between two other ships and there is a lot of movement around here. These guys are loading all the ships with it seems to be gold. It's not going to be easy to get in there and I am more than sure that you will not be able to go there unseen"

"Than I will wait near by and take action if anything goes wrong"

"Okay. How much time do we have left?"

Bols revealed a pocket watch "3 hours and 52 minutes"

Aaannnnnddddd done!

I used speelcheckplus to help me with this chapter. Later on I will go back to correct every chapter, but you still have to wait for this.

Beta reader: UNHOLY LIGHT

See you all next time!