On the way from Otogakure to Kumogakure, Killer Bee remained in his partial Tailed Beast transformation, carrying several Uchiha youths, and kept spitting out rhymes nonstop:
"Big bro, you idiot, we rushed over the moment we heard the news and ran into a powerful enemy, right? That was Uchiha Shisui! Crystal Release Kekkei Genkai! And that Shikotsumyaku from Kirigakure...
If not for the Hachibi lending me strength, both of us would've been seriously injured... Big bro is a fool! Killer Bee-sama is the strongest, oh yeah~
Dangerous Otogakure, the one who opens the box will die! Leave quick, or you'll perish! Yeah! But BOY, you've got my little bro Killer Bee to protect you, Yeah—"
"Shut up!!!"
Standing atop Killer Bee's beastly bull head, the Fourth Raikage's temple bulged with veins as he smashed his fist into Killer Bee's skull.
His mood wasn't great to begin with, and Killer Bee's nonstop rapping only made it worse.
Bee reeled from the blow, stars circling his vision, but still muttered, "Big bro, have you figured out what we're doing about them in three days!?"
"That Namikaze Menma definitely isn't bluffing. I feel like with his chakra, he could ignite the entire Kumogakure..."
"Silence!" The Fourth Raikage clenched his fist and said grimly, "Once we return to Kumogakure, what's a mere Namikaze Menma supposed to do!?"
"Don't forget the weather there. If we fight him on our home turf, I'll hold the terrain advantage."
"Besides that, we have you and Yugito. He's just a rogue ninja. I refuse to believe he can overturn the heavens."
Killer Bee gave a slight nod. He still trusted his big brother's judgment.
After all, in the current Shinobi world, Kumogakure—with its young Raikage and two perfect Jinchūriki—was undoubtedly the strongest Hidden Village.
Still, a sense of foreboding lingered in his heart.
"Forgive us, Menma-dono... If it weren't for protecting us, you wouldn't have let the Fourth Raikage and the Hachibi Jinchūriki escape..."
Uchiha Shisui looked at Naruto with shame flooding his face.
He knew full well that they had only become a burden to Naruto.
Uchiha Izumi, Guren, Kimimaro, Suigetsu... all of them lowered their heads, unable to meet Naruto's eyes.
In the battle just now, Naruto had already suppressed the Fourth Raikage. If things had continued a little longer, he would've won.
But they couldn't even take down Killer Bee.
"No, this isn't your fault..." Naruto shook his head, not blaming them.
In the original story, even Uchiha Madara alone could defeat the combined might of the Five Kage. That was the strength to rival an entire nation.
Yet he, Naruto, had failed to defeat just one Raikage.
That only meant... he was still too weak.
"Train hard," Naruto said calmly as he walked toward the distance. "Three days from now, I'll take you to Kumogakure."
"Yes!"
Shisui and the others responded loudly.
With a fire ignited in their hearts, they charged into the training grounds, starting even more intense training than before.
"I haven't exposed my identity yet, but I've already drawn the Akatsuki's attention... I have to grow stronger, fast..."
Naruto reached a clearing, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes. He focused his mind and connected to the towering World Gate in his soul.
"This time, I'm going to dramatically increase my physical abilities in the One Piece world..."
The golden-haired youth stepped through the crevice in the gate.
—
On the azure sea, waves surged constantly, and the salty sea breeze spread far and wide.
White seagulls flew across the sky.
On the distant islands, towering red trees stood tall, and bubbles continuously floated up from the ground.
"Sabaody Archipelago!?"
Naruto's eyes widened in surprise.
He hadn't expected the other side of the World Gate to be somewhere he had already visited.
As he thought this, Naruto stepped lightly across the sea and landed on one of the islands.
"First, I need to confirm the timeline. It's been a while since I crossed worlds... Nami and Robin haven't had kids already, right?"
The golden-haired youth muttered to himself as he turned toward the frightened local thugs nearby.
"You guys... do you know who I am?"
The thugs flinched in fear. A few even collapsed to the ground in shock.
They pointed at Naruto, their voices trembling with dread:
"You're... you're the one who destroyed the Holy Land of Mariejois! The Demon Child with a bounty over ten billion...!"
"No doubt about it... He's the Demon Child Uzumaki Naruto..."
"But didn't he disappear for years...?"
"We're screwed! He's targeting us! Are we going to be killed!?"
"Run—"
"Don't move!"
Naruto's icy gaze swept across them, making their backs freeze. They couldn't even summon the courage to flee.
Looks like it's only been a few years... good.
Naruto sighed in relief and said coldly:
"From now on, I ask, you answer. Anyone who lies... dies."
The thugs turned pale and nodded desperately like pecking chickens.
"How long has it been since I invaded Mariejois?"
The group looked at each other in confusion.
Wasn't it you who invaded Mariejois? How come you don't even remember the time?
"Hm!?"
Naruto's cold eyes swept over them again.
Terrified, one thug quickly grinned and stammered:
"N-Namikaze Menma-sama! It's been over ten years since your attack on Mariejois!"
Over ten years!?
So Nami and Robin must've grown into full-fledged women by now...
Naruto sighed internally but also felt relieved.
At least decades hadn't passed.
He didn't want to come back and find out that much time had gone by.
"Then... how is Boa Hancock?"
He had originally intended to ask about Nami and Robin but decided to start with Boa Hancock instead.
After all, those two were still under someone else's care.
This time, the thugs scrambled to answer:
"Namikaze Menma-sama! As far as I know, Boa Hancock is still one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!"
"That's right! She's said to be the most beautiful woman in the world!"
"People say she still occasionally comes to the Sabaody Archipelago, and she draws huge crowds every time!"
Seems like she's doing okay...
Naruto gave a small nod and asked his next question:
"Have you heard of Monkey D. Luffy?"
(End of Chapter)
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