Naruto greeted the pirate powerhouses warmly.
But every single one of those pirates had gone pale; they didn't even hear a word.
In this low-oxygen environment, even breathing felt difficult. They were dizzy, and it seemed like they could pass out at any moment.
Naruto ignored them and turned to Shisui in the crowd, smiling. "Shisui, how's the situation!?"
Shisui was utterly stunned.
He had been to the pirate world as well, but only spent a few days on Fish-Man Island. Even if he had seen merfolk or fish-men, he hadn't thought much of it.
After all, in the Land of Water of the shinobi world, there are also ninja somewhat similar to the fish-men.
But this time was different… Shisui took a deep breath, came to Naruto's side, and, pointing at the pirate world's powerhouses, asked in a trembling voice:
"Naruto-sama, where did you find these monsters? They don't even look human—how is there a giant that tall?"
He was pointing at a member of the Giant Tribe among the pirates.
Naruto had brought that one out of Impel Down; the giant stood a full twenty-three meters tall, like a mountain planted on the spot.
Shisui muttered, "Is that also a creature from across the great sea? It's too tall… I can't even see the top at a glance. Feels taller than what the Akimichi Clan reaches with their technique…"
Naruto chuckled. "Not quite. When the Akimichi clan head uses Baika no Jutsu (Expansion Jutsu), his size can approach nearly a hundred meters."
In the original story, when Chōza used Baika no Jutsu (Expansion Jutsu), his size was hardly inferior to the Gedō Mazō (Demonic Statue of the Outer Path).
And a single finger of the Gedō Mazō (Demonic Statue of the Outer Path) was already that big; converted to the whole, its height was around a hundred meters or more.
Placed in the pirate world, that's also extremely colossal—enough to arm-wrestle with the giant Oars.
"That's already absurd… Who are they…?"
Shisui still stared at the pirate-world powerhouses in shock.
"They're pirates from across the great sea whom I pulled out of prison. That one's of the Giant Tribe, that one's of the Mink Tribe, that one's from the Longarm Tribe, that one's from a Multi-Arm Tribe, and you've seen the Fish-Men and Merfolk before…"
Naruto gave Shisui a quick rundown.
The more Shisui listened, the more shaken he became, until he was practically slack-jawed at the end.
"The far side of the sea is way too terrifying. There are so many races… these guys are basically all monsters…"
Naruto only smiled without comment.
From the shinobi world's perspective, the humans and creatures of the pirate world were indeed a bunch of monsters.
At that moment, the pirate powerhouses also recovered and turned their gazes toward Shisui and the other shinobi.
…!?
Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) swept over all of them.
After sizing them up for a moment, the pirates all frowned.
Law said in a low voice,
"Boss Uzumaki, you said your homeland's people are all dangerous, but I really don't feel they're strong. The enemies you want us to deal with… don't tell me it's just this bunch?"
Other pirates couldn't help glancing at Naruto, too.
In their perception, the shinobi—including Shisui—were as fragile as ordinary civilians.
No—ordinary civilians seemed tougher than them.
"That's right." Naruto nodded calmly. "Next, I need you to subdue a few countries here. But don't get careless. I meant what I said: they're all very dangerous."
"Got it." Law answered offhandedly.
The other pirates grinned.
In their eyes, a nation formed by such weaklings—if they teamed up, wouldn't it be a matter of minutes to conquer?
Law looked back at Naruto, voice steady. "Boss Uzumaki, if we settle things here, you'll keep your promise and help me deal with one of the Shichibukai (Seven Warlords of the Sea), Doflamingo, right?"
Although, not long ago, Naruto had pulled him out of Marineford, Law hadn't planned on becoming Naruto's subordinate.
Not until Naruto said he could help take down Doflamingo—one of the Shichibukai (Seven Warlords of the Sea)…
Only then did he agree to be one of Naruto's men.
"Mm, sure." Naruto gave a small nod and didn't refute Law's words.
To him, Doflamingo didn't matter either way. That guy played all sides and could never be his subordinate.
In that case, he could settle it along the way when he went to handle Kaidō.
Excitement flashed in Law's eyes; he clenched his fist, and Rosinante surfaced in his mind.
"Rosinante, I can finally avenge you."
Naruto might not be one of the Four Emperors yet, but Law was certain that Uzumaki Naruto already possessed Four Emperor-level combat power.
Having someone of that level fight a Shichibukai (Seven Warlords of the Sea) was as easy as flipping a hand.
Naruto chuckled and cut through Law's rising emotions. "Don't celebrate too early. I said my homeland is dangerous—there are powerhouses not inferior to me."
Law froze, then his face changed drastically.
"Powerhouses not inferior to you!?"
Uzumaki Naruto already had the might of a Four Emperor; stronger than him… what kind of monster would that be!?
"With these flimsy guys?" Law turned to stare at Shisui again, brows furrowing deep.
He truly couldn't see anything strong about Shisui at all.
His right hand unconsciously settled on the sword's sheath.
He wanted to use the Ope Ope no Mi powers to cut Shisui open—just to see what was supposed to be so dangerous inside this guy.
"Naruto-kun…" Robin's figure stepped closer and whispered, "These pirates are all unruly and defiant. If they don't get a taste of the real danger, they won't act with caution…"
Naruto nodded. "I know. The prisoners of Impel Down and this new generation of pirates alike are all arrogant."
He beckoned Shisui over.
"Shisui, spar with them for a bit!"
(End of Chapter)
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