Our strands of Memories (One Piece Naruto Crossover)

Chapter 2: Vice Admiral. New Life

       Neji gets to know about his saviour, Vice admiral Garp, the day after that, when the man comes to visit him, completely ignoring the pleadings of his subordinates to do his work. The middle aged man is a good man. Tall with healthy tan skin with both black hair and beard. Wide shoulders under the white marine coat and strong muscles peeking under the orange shirt and black suit. A scar curves around his eye. The famous marine is very lively. Neji could hear his laugh from far away from his room, even before he entered the infirmary. Neji himself is tall but the man is still a bit taller than him. Probably by 2 inches.

       "So you are still alive young man?" Garp asks while stationing himself on a nearby chair next to Neji's bed. "I am still breathing." The white with little lavender tint orbs turn to Garp, inspecting the man before them.

       "Cheeky one aren't ya? Bwahahahaha. I heard that you have amnesia but are still able to memorize your name. So what's your name kid? Ah, I am Monkey D. Garp by the way!" The man crosses his arm over his chest still keeping the over friendly smile while holding his gaze with the young man before him.

       "I'm Neji. Neji Huyga"

       "Nice last name! Weird one though!" Garp laughs out loud, insensitively comments.

       "To be fair, yours is weird too."

       "Bwahahaha. Hey kid, I like your attitude! Become a marine!"

       "A marine? What is that?" Neji asks back, completely unaware of the word. He has never heard about it before. Right? Garp is shocked. There is actually a person who doesn't know about the marines?

       "Where have you been living, kid? Under a rock?" his eyebrows rise, "How come you have never heard about the marines before?"

       "Should I know?" Now is Neji's turn to rise his eyebrows. Is this something big? Even if it is, he doubts that he would know anyway. He has amnesia!

       "It can't be helped then. You have amnesia anyway. Bwahahaha!" Is this even something to laugh about? "Marines are the World Government's military sea force, tasked with law enforcement, international security, and military operations. We are the protectors of the sea. Our job is to bring justice to this world."

       The talk goes on and on with Garp, who is unexpectedly patient enough to explain anything to Neji. Even goes as far as answering any of his questions about this world. Sengoku's blood pressure will definitely break its limit bar if he sees this scene. Ah, we can ignore the crumbs of the stolen bag of rice crackers he has on his hands though. Sengoku should hide his treats better~

       "I see" is all Neji could say after processing all the information he just heard. There is only one word to describe this feeling. Weird. This world is weird. Even when he has amnesia, he can tell that he has never heard about such things before! A completely foreign world.

       "So, what do you say? You don't have anything beside your own name," Actually and a pair of clothes too. But whatever. "Not even your memories either. So why don't you join us?" The man laughs again, "Think about it as a place where you can freeloader."

       "I don't think that it is something that you should have said, Garp-san."

       "Bwahahaha! So, what's your answer, kid?" The man is still smiling. This time though, he is locking gaze at Neji.

       "Very well. As you said, I have nothing right now. Better find a shelter first." The young man chuckles slightly. He is quiet for a while as if thinking about the idea. "Please help me out in the future, Garp-san." Neji says, finally accept the offer. "What is your position in the marines anyway, Garp-san?"

       "Bwahahaha, I am a Vice admiral. What? Are you scared now? Bwahahaha!"

       "No, just curious."

       "Very well. Bogard will take care of the paperwork. Report to me when your injuries completely heal and he will put you into the new recruits." The Vice admiral stands up and heads for the door. "Glad to see you healthy kid." Something in Neji clicks before Garp's last words. Those kind words. . . .

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       Everything falls into a routine for Neji. He wakes up early in the morning to walk to the beach, around the edge of the bay, enjoying the salty fresh air. He eats well every meal and exercises regularly but lightly, letting his injuries heal. Later in the afternoon, he would read a book to ease the boredom or tend to the small garden next to the male dorms of the marine officials. Thanks to all his action as well as appearance, the sight of his being in the Marineford halls has become a regularity.

       Well, there is no way that they can ignore such a beautiful person. Long smooth silky black hair. Mysteriously white purple tint eyes. The perfect shape of his face and nose, along with those light pink lips. Everything about him is fabulous, a balanced mixture between beautiful and handsome. Combined with his clothes, a white kimono shirt with long sleeves that cover up most of his fair skin and a black pants, his look is guaranteed. Neji himself has asked the nurse, Isabella, for a favour to have this custom made clothes. He doesn't remember if he has worn it before or not, but seeing how comfortable he is in it, it has to be.

       After spending time like that for three days, his injuries have healed and it is time for some real stretch out! Putting his tense muscles to work, Neji begins to jog slowly then fasten his pace, making rounds around the infirmary until the 25th circle. Sweats pour down on his back and neck but his breath is only slightly off. His body has been trained well. Was he someone who needed to exercise much like this everyday? If he is, what was his job?

       Standing in the spot he had discovered when he first woke up, he begins to move his limbs. Hands stretch out, back straight and eyes forward. Even his legs know what to do as well. He has done this million times. Isn't . . . . he? Everything is in sync as he lets his mind wander, leaving the lead to his own body's memories. They know what to do.

       And just like that, two more weeks pass. All of his injuries have fully healed and his muscles have come back. He is ready. Knocking on the Vice admiral's door, Neji casually opens it up when the owner answers.

       "So, are you ready kid?" Garp is here, sitting at his table while crossing his arms out of habit, a bright smile on his face.

       "Yes, at least I think I am. The nurse and doctor might have said otherwise though." Neji chuckles a bit at the idea. They have been strict over him because of his body's conditions. Reminds him of someone. . .

       "Well then. Bogard!"

       "Yes, Vice admiral Garp, sir?" The man appears within a minute, as if he already knows what will happen. Truly scary.

       "Tell the kid everything he needs to know and send him on his way." Garp gives the order then looks at Neji,"I will see you tomorrow, kid. Beat them all! Bwahahaha!"

       "Rights?" is the only thing that escapes his mouth while looking at Garp in confusion. "See you later, Garp-san. Thank you." Neji nods at the man then follows Bogard outside. As they walk down the hall to the infirmary, the marine hands him a stack of papers.

       "These are all the rules and businesses about the marines as well as your own information and paperwork. You don't have any memories so we made it a special case. The assembly for the new recruits is tomorrow at the training area. Don't be late!"

       "Thank you very much, Bogard-san."

       "It's nothing. Vice admiral's orders after all. Good luck to you tomorrow." Stops at the infirmary door to the hall, the man pats Neji's shoulder before departing. This Bogard man is a bit untalkative but he is a nice guy. Leisurely making his way to his room, Neji wants to take a refreshing bath and read the stack of papers first. After finishing all of them, he decides to sleep early. Tomorrow is going to be a big day for him. A fresh start to everything.