"...Don't think I'll thank you just because you saved me."
The red poison mist had completely dispersed, dense enough to obscure their forward vision. Naruto had to replenish the resin bubbles for everyone every few steps.
The outermost bubbles would begin to dry and crack after a short while in contact with the poison gas, eventually bursting.
Hearing Bullet, who could barely stand, still finding time to make snide remarks, Naruto retorted impatiently.
"I don't expect any thanks from you, but at least don't cause trouble."
His mood wasn't great.
Because just moments ago, when they reached their initial entry point, the place was already littered with corpses.
Level 6 was simply too large, and the poison gas had spread much faster than anticipated.
It wasn't that Naruto hadn't tried to disperse the poison mist using Jutsu or other means.
But in this situation, whether using Wind Release or other Ninjutsu, it only temporarily pushed the poison gas away briefly before it would be forced back.
He had also considered using [Amenominaka] to temporarily transfer everyone to the primary dimension.
But unfortunately, the various dimensions of Amenominaka seemed to be attached to the Ninja World, and after coming to the One Piece World, using Amenominaka for spatial transference became extremely difficult.
At least, the current Naruto couldn't do it. Perhaps things would change after Kaguya's consciousness awakened.
Looking at the Kama on his hand, Naruto recalled Sasuke and the others' 'spoilers' and thought about the future of his son 'Boruto' in another world.
But there wasn't much time for contemplation now. They had to immediately retrace their steps and use Yomotsu Hirasaka to leave the underwater prison.
This journey became especially arduous in the poison-filled environment. Even Sasuke's awakened Mythical Zoan physique couldn't ignore the poison gas now.
Perhaps only Naruto, with his Otsutsuki Clan's physique, could survive in this poison gas among those present.
Fortunately, because this plan was being executed, Magellan had initially withdrawn the jailer beasts patrolling Level 6 and the awakened Zoan Users on mobile patrols, which allowed Naruto's group to proceed unobstructed.
Soon, they reached the edge of the prison.
They had entered from here, while Ace's cell was at the very center of the prison.
"So... cough... how do you plan to escape?"
Bullet, being supported, coughed a little due to inhaling some poison gas earlier.
He looked at the wall of unknown thickness, mixed with Seastone, and even wondered if Naruto had taken the wrong path.
"Shut up and watch."
Karin, who had taken over supporting Bullet from Naruto, grumpily punched him in the stomach.
She had wanted to hit this guy who kept being disrespectful to Naruto for a long time.
"Urgh... Kid, you pack a punch too."
Caught off guard by Karin's punch, Bullet's eyes widened slightly.
He couldn't help it… he hadn't recovered yet and was injured internally from the poison gas, unable to muster any strength for the time being.
Before Bullet could say more, he watched in astonishment as a pitch-black cavity appeared in front of Naruto.
"Uzumaki Naruto, what kind of Devil Fruit user are you exactly?"
Seeing this, he said incredulously.
When Naruto transformed into his Otsutsuki Form earlier and used the Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack, he thought Naruto was also a human-form Mythical Zoan User, like Sengoku.
But now the other was using such a method… and wasn't there Seastone in the prison walls? Why could his ability still work?
Unfortunately, no one was in the mood to answer Bullet's questions now.
After some effort, the group finally escaped the poison-filled Level 6 and stepped onto the Gale Breaker within the bubble.
"Huff… Huff…"
Bullet was unceremoniously dumped onto the deck by Karin, but he didn't mind, simply sprawling on the floor naturally without any intention of resisting.
Meanwhile, Redfield's eyelids fluttered slightly, then opened.
"Where... am I?"
Clearly, his memory was still stuck at the moment he was defeated by Naruto.
Seeing this, Jinbei was about to explain, but the old guy took the lead and used his Observation Haki to 'read' what had just happened from the memories of those around him.
"...I see. Uzumaki Naruto, why did you save me... save the three of us, your enemies?"
Redfield looked at Naruto with questioning eyes.
He was similar to Bullet, both were individuals who didn't trust others much.
They had relied only on themselves their entire lives.
Hearing Redfield's words, Bullet also stopped his heavy panting and turned to look.
Even Byrnndi World, who had shown no movement until now, had opened his eyes at some point.
But unlike the other two, his gaze was utterly vacant, seemingly unable to process any thought.
"...Don't know. I just felt like doing it."
Naruto hadn't overthought it. Standing on the second-level deck, he used the Ultralight-Weight Rock Technique on the ship's hull, then used Water Release to propel the ship through the seabed.
"Maybe... I just didn't want to see the number of interesting people shrink further."
Scratching his head, Naruto finally voiced his thoughts.
"Is that so?"
Clearly, Redfield was also caught off guard by this answer, but he could clearly feel that Naruto's words held no deceit.
"What a willful guy... Just like that Roger fellow, ha..."
Redfield shook his head lightly. Hearing this, Bullet actually laughed out loud.
"Hahahaha! Cough! Uzumaki Naruto, you're really interesting!"
"I acknowledge you, Roger's successor."
"Hey hey, don't just randomly stick strange titles on people."
Naruto waved his hand dismissively while controlling the ship.
"Next time, it'll be my turn to defeat you."
Bullet forced himself up using his strength and looked intently at Naruto.
That gaze was similar to the one he used to have when looking at Roger.
The Demon Heir had found a new goal.
"...Suit yourself."
Being stared at like that, Naruto began to question if saving them was the right decision.
But then again, it made sense.
He didn't save Ace, but he did bring out a Knight of the Sea and three legendary great pirates from Impel Down.
Just at that moment, a terrifying slash suddenly shot down from the sea surface directly towards the Gale Breaker.
Swoosh-
The slash grew larger in their vision as the distance shortened, soon reaching a size sufficient to cover the entire ship.
"Not good!"
Jinbei shouted, then decisively leaped out from the ship.
There was no other way. On this ship, besides him, only Redfield and the kid named Konohamaru weren't Devil Fruit Users.
And they were currently deep underwater.
If the bubble was accidentally damaged, all the Devil Fruit Users would likely be doomed.
He quickly swam to the outer layer of the bubble. The water pressure at this depth meant nothing to this whale shark fish-man.
Then, Jinbei crossed his arms in an X-shape, Armament Haki quickly covering them.
"Kairagi!"
Just as he executed this defensive technique, the slash arrived before him.
Gurgle gurgle...
A large number of bubbles rapidly formed where the slash met Jinbei's defense, then quickly floated upwards due to buoyancy.
The slash was clearly no ordinary attack.
Even after traveling such a long distance through seawater, it still possessed considerable force.
Trickles of crimson blood seeped from the surface of Jinbei's arms, quickly dispersing into the surrounding seawater amidst the churning bubbles.
"Haa!"
Knowing he couldn't maintain the stalemate, Jinbei exerted force, forcibly redirecting the slash in another direction.
Swoosh!
The slash landed in the seabed silt, instantly carving out a large fissure.
However, before Jinbei could relax, voices came from inside the bubble.
"It's not over! Another attack is coming!"