CHAPTER 14
"Looks like they've fallen asleep after all that partying. Sweet dreams, my fellow adventurers. Oh, how beautifully the cactus rocks shimmer, as they dance beneath the moonlight tonight," murmured Igarappoi, staring wistfully at the glowing orb in the night sky.
"You're quite the poet, aren't you, Mr. 8?"
Startled, Mr. 8 glanced up, spotting Mr. 9 and Miss Wednesday perched atop a nearby house. He sighed in mild annoyance.
"Oh, it's you two. Where are those Konoha ANBU you claimed to have seen earlier?"
Mr. 9 shrugged nonchalantly.
"Does it matter? They've probably fled by now. Anyway, what about the new prey?"
A dark expression flickered across Mr. 8's face.
"They've already fallen. Deeply. Straight to hell."
Just as he finished speaking, the door of a nearby house creaked open, and a nun stumbled out. She was the same one who had been drinking with Naruto and his team earlier.
"Oh, dear Lord, that bunch sure knows how to eat and drink. And to think I was only drinking sparkling barley tea. Was there even a need to stage this whole welcome party? They weren't shinobi, anyway. We could've crushed them right at the gate. The village is already short on food as it is. By the way, where are those Konoha ANBU you two kept blabbering about?"
Mr. 8 bowed respectfully to his partner, Miss Monday, while Mr. 9 and Miss Wednesday bristled at her dismissive tone.
"Don't talk that way about us!"
"That's right! We weren't lying! We really don't know where they went!"
Their argument was abruptly cut off by a voice that sent chills down their spines.
"You were looking for us?"
They turned sharply to see Oden standing atop a house, his silhouette bathed in moonlight. Across the rooftops, the rest of the ANBU team appeared one by one. In unison, their transformation technique faded, revealing their true identities and gear.
Naruto stepped forward, his sharp gaze sweeping over the bounty hunters.
"So that's how it is. This village is nothing more than a den of bounty hunters. You prey on the trust of travelers, luring them in and killing them. After all, no one would ever suspect an entire village. Looks like all 100 people here are bounty hunters."
Mr. 8's eyes widened in shock as Naruto's voice rang out with clarity and turned to his team, his expression firm.
"Do you want to fight, or should I handle the underlings myself?"
Guren smirked, stepping forward.
"These Baroque Works grunts will make for a nice warm-up."
Her words shocked their enemies even more.
"You... you know who we are?" stammered Mr. 8.
"When I was working under Orochimaru, Baroque Works approached me to join them. Orochimaru dealt with them swiftly. Even so, we never discovered the identity of their leader. But we did learn this much: the boss of Baroque Works, Mr. 0, is one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
Hearing this, Mr. 8 visibly tensed, his hands clenched into fists.
"If you know that much, then you've left us no choice. You and your team must die here. Tonight, more tombstones will be added to the cactus rocks."
Naruto glanced at the enormous "cacti" and smirked.
"So that's it. Those aren't cacti, are they? They're graves. Graves of your victims."
The sinister truth hung heavily in the air, and Naruto's team readied themselves for the impending battle.
"Get to work, team," Naruto commanded.
The bounty hunters who had raised their weapons barely had time to react as Oden and Nezuko descended upon them with blinding speed. In one swift motion, they cut through their firearms, rendering them useless.
Miss Monday roared and lunged at Naruto, her massive fist hurtling toward him like a sledgehammer. But before she could land her strike, Jugo appeared in front of her, taking the full brunt of her attack without flinching. His sheer size and durability matched her strength blow for blow.
Meanwhile, Ace and Sabo leaped into action, appearing beside Mr. 9 and Miss Wednesday. With casual grins, they wrapped their arms around the two, preventing them from escaping.
"Don't go anywhere," Sabo said, his tone mocking.
"You wouldn't want to miss the show," Ace added with a smirk.
The rest of the ANBU team moved with precision and efficiency, cutting down the bounty hunters who dared to challenge them. Karin's sensory skills kept the group coordinated, while Natsu unleashed bursts of flame-like chakra to disorient their enemies. Nezuko moved like a shadow, her blade cutting through the air with deadly accuracy.
As the skirmish escalated, it became clear that the bounty hunters were outmatched. One by one, they fell, their numbers dwindling rapidly. The battlefield was a chaotic dance of steel and chakra, but Naruto's team maintained complete control.
Just as the last of the underlings were subdued, a slow, deliberate clap echoed through the air.
"It seems you're having some trouble, Mr. 8." a voice said, dripping with sarcasm.
Everyone turned to see four figures standing at the edge of the square. The one who had spoken stepped forward, his distinctive hairstyle marking him as someone of importance. The atmosphere grew tense as the ANBU team recognized the newcomers as higher-ranking members of Baroque Works.
Naruto's eyes narrowed, and he stepped forward, his chakra flaring ever so slightly.
"Looks like the real fight is about to begin."
The leader of the group smirked, his confidence as unshakable as the night around them.
"You're sharp, Kitsune. But don't get ahead of yourself. We're not here for you. We've come for business."
The words sent ripples of confusion and unease through Mr. 9 and the other bounty hunters.
"Mr. 3, Miss Goldenweek, Mr. 5, and Miss Valentine, with you four here, ANBU stands no chance!"
Mr. 5 stepped forward with a scowl, cutting off Mr. 9's misplaced celebration.
"Stop joking around. Do you honestly think we're here as your backup? You really believe that the boss would send us all the way to the edge of the Grand Line just to help you fend off a group of shinobi?"
"What? Then what business have you come here for?" Miss Monday asked, her brow furrowing in suspicion.
Mr. 5 sneered.
"Surely you've got some idea. It's serious enough that the boss himself gave us the order. His words were, 'My secret has been found out.'"
The revelation sent shockwaves through the bounty hunters. Mr. 5 continued with a dark chuckle.
"We don't know exactly what secret he was referring to. But one thing is clear—our organization thrives on secrecy. No one is allowed to pry into the identities of our members. And for the boss's real identity to be discovered? That's unforgivable."
Miss Valentine smirked as she stepped forward.
"Our investigation revealed that someone—a royal—has infiltrated Baroque Works."
The statement caused Mr. 9 to panic. He gestured to the crown on his head.
"Wait! I know I wear this thing, but I'm not actually a king!"
Miss Valentine's eyes narrowed.
"We know it's not you."
Naruto shifted his gaze to Mr. 8, his sharp senses catching the tension in the man's clenched fists. Then he turned his attention to Miss Wednesday. Something in her posture, her wide eyes, confirmed what he suspected. One of them was the royal in question.
"The spy we're after is from Kaze no Kuni. They are—"
Before he could finish, Mr. 8 moved. His hands blurred as he unsealed a barrage of kunai laced with explosive tags, hurling them directly at Mr. 5.
"Igaram!" Miss Wednesday's voice rang out, her tone filled with panic and betrayal.
Mr. 9 froze in confusion.
"Igaram? What—what's going on? Who even is Igaram?"
Naruto watched closely, piecing the puzzle together as Igaram—formerly Mr. 8—turned toward Miss Wednesday.
"Please, Princess Vivi. Run away!"
Miss Wednesday—no, Princess Nefertari Vivi—gasped but obeyed instinctively, breaking into a sprint.
"Doton: Kajūgan no Jutsu!"
Miss Valentine called out, leaping high into the air and targeting Vivi with her weight-altering technique. She dropped like a meteor, her body aimed to crush the princess beneath her.
Naruto's quick mind worked fast.
"Guren, handle her!"
Guren nodded, already weaving hand seals.
"Shōton: Yaeichi Kabe no Jutsu!"
She slammed her palm into the ground, and a crystalline dome formed around Vivi just as Miss Valentine crashed into it. The impact left cracks on the surface, but the barrier held firm.
Meanwhile, from the flames of Igaram's earlier attack, Mr. 5 emerged unscathed, brushing ash from his coat. His smirk widened as he locked eyes with the group.
"The spy is none other than Igaram, the head of Kaze no Kuni's royal guard. And, of course, Princess Nefertari Vivi herself. Under direct orders from our boss, we're here to eliminate you."
Mr. 9, caught in the chaos, reached for his weapon.
"I won't let you hurt them!"
Naruto raised a hand to stop him.
"Kaze no Kuni is an ally of Konoha. We'll protect her."
Mr. 5 chuckled darkly, plucking his nose with exaggerated flair.
"You think you can take us on? That's cute. But it doesn't matter what you think. The only thing that matters is completing our mission. Bakuton: Hana Ho!"
He flicked a booger at Naruto's team, and it exploded mid-air like a miniature bomb. But before the shockwave could reach them, Ace stepped forward, his hand engulfed in flames.
"Leave him to me, Captain," Ace said, incinerating the attack in an instant.
Naruto nodded as Mr. 3 and Miss Goldenweek joined the fray.
"Rōton: Yari," Mr. 3 intoned, crafting a harpoon-like spear from wax and hurling it toward Vivi.
"Natsu!" Naruto called out.
Natsu grinned, catching the spear mid-flight with his bare hands. He crushed it with ease before tossing the remains aside.
Meanwhile, Miss Goldenweek stepped forward, her palette and brush in hand.
"Kanashimi no Ao."
With swift strokes, she painted a blue symbol on Karin's chest, intending to manipulate her emotions and render her useless.
But Karin simply smirked.
"Genjutsu doesn't work on me. My chakra control is perfect."
Miss Goldenweek VS Uzumaki Karin Begins…
Karin's eyes narrowed as she closed the distance between herself and Miss Goldenweek with swift, precise movements. Her confidence in her chakra control had nullified the genjutsu, and she was certain this would be an easy takedown. But Miss Goldenweek wasn't a Baroque Works agent for nothing. As Karin advanced, the artist smirked and deftly painted a new symbol mid-air.
"Cannon," Miss Goldenweek declared.
A painted cannonball materialized out of thin air, fired straight at Karin with incredible force. Karin's sharp reflexes kicked in. She unsealed a pair of kusarigama from a scroll strapped to her waist, the sickle-like blades gleaming in the moonlight. Spinning the weapon's chain with expert precision, she lashed out, redirecting the cannonball mid-flight.
The projectile arced through the air, turning back toward Miss Goldenweek. For a split second, victory seemed assured, but the Baroque Works operative's smirk never wavered.
"Tsuisutā," Miss Goldenweek announced calmly, her brush sweeping across her palette in an intricate pattern.
With a flourish, she conjured two swirling twisters—one of fire and one of water. The water twister collided with the redirected cannonball, extinguishing its momentum in an instant. Meanwhile, the fiery twister roared toward Karin, its heat palpable even at a distance.
Karin skidded to a halt, her crimson eyes widening slightly. The technique wasn't just impressive—it was unconventional. Miss Goldenweek's ability to use her art to manipulate elements was akin to a genjutsu, but it was far more tangible, affecting even inanimate objects.
"So, she's not just a simple genjutsu user." Karin muttered under her breath.
The realization hit her: Miss Goldenweek's abilities were more nuanced than she'd initially thought. Every stroke of her brush wasn't just an illusion but a direct manifestation of her will, capable of influencing the battlefield in ways Karin hadn't anticipated.
Despite this, Karin's resolve didn't waver. If anything, it strengthened. With a determined glare, she spun her kusarigama again, the chains rattling ominously.
"You're full of surprises."
Karin admitted as she dodged the incoming fire twister.
"But tricks like that won't save you."
Miss Goldenweek raised an eyebrow, her brush poised for another attack.
"You think brute force can overcome art? How barbaric."
Karin smirked.
"Let's see if your 'art' can keep up with me."
As she spoke, Karin lunged forward, her kusarigama spinning like a whirlwind. Miss Goldenweek quickly painted another symbol, summoning a wall of swirling wind to shield herself. The barrier held, but Karin's attack wasn't meant to break it directly. Instead, she used the momentum of her chains to swing herself upward, vaulting over the barrier and landing directly behind Miss Goldenweek.
The Baroque Works operative barely had time to react before Karin wrapped the chains of her kusarigama around her, pulling them tight.
"You're not the only one who can get creative," Karin said with a grin, yanking the chains with a burst of strength.
Miss Goldenweek struggled, her brush falling from her grasp as the chains pinned her arms to her sides. Still, she refused to panic, her eyes darting around for an opening.
"I'm not done yet." she growled, straining against the chains.
Karin shook her head, tightening her grip.
"Oh, you're done."
With a sharp pull, she swung Miss Goldenweek off her feet and slammed her into the side of a nearby house. The impact sent debris flying, and Miss Goldenweek slumped to the ground, unconscious.
Karin stepped back, brushing dust from her clothes and exhaling sharply.
"That was easy," she muttered, though the faint beads of sweat on her brow betrayed the effort she'd exerted.
She glanced at the unconscious operative, her mind briefly reflecting on the fight. Miss Goldenweek's abilities had been more formidable than she'd expected, but ultimately, they hadn't been enough. Creativity and strategy might have been her strengths, but against Karin's overwhelming force and unshakable determination, they had fallen short.
Still, the encounter had been a reminder not to underestimate any member of Baroque Works. If even an operative like Miss Goldenweek could wield such unique and dangerous techniques, then the higher-ranking agents would undoubtedly be even more challenging opponents.
Karin retracted her kusarigama, sealing them back with practiced ease. Turning back toward the battlefield, she scanned the area for her teammates. The sounds of clashing attacks and shouted jutsu names filled the air, signaling that the fight was far from over.
"I hope the others are having as much fun as I am," Karin said to herself with a wry grin before dashing off to rejoin the fray.
As she disappeared into the chaos, Miss Goldenweek lay motionless, her once-confident smirk replaced by the stillness of defeat. The battlefield had claimed another victim, and Karin's relentless drive had ensured that her side would take one more step toward victory.
Miss Goldenweek VS Uzumaki Karin Concludes…
Uzumaki Karin Wins…
Guren, having secured Vivi's safety, turned her attention back to Miss Valentine. The bounty hunter lunged at her, but Guren's crystal blades intercepted her every move with precision.
Miss Valentine VS Guren Begins…
Guren's sharp eyes fixed on Vivi, who was trembling from the tension of the battlefield. The princess had tried to put up a brave front, but it was clear she wasn't cut out for combat on this level. Guren sighed and grabbed Vivi firmly by the arm.
"Go to the captain, Princess. You'll just get hurt if you stay here."
Before Vivi could protest, Guren flung her toward safety. Vivi let out a startled yelp as she was hurled through the air, but Sabo appeared just in time, catching her effortlessly.
"Don't worry, I've got her," Sabo said, nodding to Guren. He quickly led Vivi away from the chaos, leaving Guren to focus on the fight.
Above them, Miss Valentine smirked, her eyes gleaming with malice. She leaped high into the air, her body casting a shadow over Guren.
"You're not going to survive this, girl."
Miss Valentine taunted as she began her descent.
"Doton: Kajūgan no Jutsu!"
The air around Miss Valentine seemed to grow heavier as she activated her technique, drastically increasing her weight as she plummeted toward Guren like a human missile. The ground beneath her trembled, and the sheer force of her fall promised devastation.
But Guren stood her ground, unfazed by the incoming threat. Her lips curled into a confident smirk as she brought her hands together in a series of quick hand seals.
"Shoton: Kesshō Chōkōsōbiru no Jutsu!"
Slamming her palm onto the ground, Guren unleashed her jutsu. The earth trembled as a massive crystal spire erupted from the ground, gleaming brilliantly in the moonlight. The structure was sharp, elegant, and deadly, its surface reflecting light like a polished gem.
Miss Valentine's smug expression faltered as she realized she couldn't change her trajectory. The crystal tower shot upward, striking her midair with incredible force. The impact sent her hurtling skyward, her body spinning uncontrollably. She let out a pained scream as the sheer force of the blow rendered her unconscious.
Guren stood tall, her hand still pressed against the ground as she watched Miss Valentine's limp form disappear into the sky.
"Too easy," Guren muttered under her breath, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
The battlefield quieted for a moment as the other combatants turned to witness the aftermath. Minutes passed, and eventually, Miss Valentine's unconscious body came crashing back to the ground with a dull thud. Dust rose around her as she landed, motionless.
Guren approached the fallen Baroque Works operative with deliberate steps, her expression calm but determined. Pulling a length of sturdy rope from her pouch, she knelt beside Miss Valentine and began binding her hands and feet.
"You were a lot of talk, but in the end, you couldn't back it up."
Once satisfied that Miss Valentine was securely restrained, Guren stood and surveyed the battlefield. The sounds of clashing steel and roaring techniques echoed in the distance, signaling that the fight was far from over.
She took a deep breath, her mind already shifting to her next opponent. "One down. Who's next?" Guren muttered to herself, a confident grin spreading across her face as she rejoined the fray.
Miss Valentine VS Guren Concludes….
Guren Wins…
On the other side of the battlefield, Ace's flames clashed with Mr. 5's explosive abilities, creating bursts of fire and smoke that lit up the night sky.
"I'll burn through all your bombs."
Mr. 5 VS Portgas D Ace Begins…
Ace closed in on Mr. 5 with lightning-fast speed, his fist cocked back and ready to strike. His punch landed squarely on Mr. 5, but to his surprise, the man caught his fist with ease.
"You shouldn't have come this close to me."
Mr. 5 sneered, his lips curling into a menacing smirk.
"Bakuton: Jiraiken."
Ace's eyes widened as he felt the heat of chakra gathering in Mr. 5's palm. He realized what was about to happen and quickly countered.
"Katon: Hiken!"
Ace roared, igniting his fist in flames and releasing a condensed column of fire.
The explosion generated by Mr. 5's attack collided with Ace's fiery punch, creating a massive shockwave that sent both combatants hurtling backward. Smoke and debris filled the air as the two opponents landed several feet apart, each regaining their footing.
Mr. 5 wasted no time, pulling a small metallic ball from his pouch.
"Bakuton: Mini Danpen Bakudan!" he shouted, hurling the ball directly at Ace.
The ball detonated mid-air, unleashing a barrage of sharp, metallic shrapnel that shot toward Ace like a deadly rain of needles.
Ace reacted instantly, slamming his palm onto the ground.
"Katon: Kaenheki!"
A swirling wall of fire erupted around Ace, forming a protective barrier that melted the incoming shrapnel into harmless droplets of molten metal. The heat radiating from the fire barrier caused the air around Ace to shimmer.
Mr. 5 narrowed his eyes, realizing that dragging this fight out would only work against him. His chakra reserves weren't infinite, and Ace's counterattacks were proving difficult to overcome.
"I'll finish this now."
Mr. 5 growled, clenching his fists. He began gathering all of his remaining chakra into his right palm, his body trembling slightly from the shear strain.
"Bakuton: Shi no Bōru!"
A glowing orb of pure explosive energy formed in Mr. 5's palm, pulsating with dangerous power. It crackled ominously as he launched it toward Ace with all the strength he could muster.
Ace's sharp eyes locked onto the incoming orb, quickly assessing the immense chakra packed into the attack. A grim determination flashed across his face as he raised his own hand.
"Katon: Dai Enkai: Entei!"
With a powerful shout, Ace summoned an enormous ball of fire, its heat intense enough to warp the air around it. The fiery sphere was far larger than Mr. 5's explosive orb, glowing like a miniature sun. Ace thrust his arm forward, sending the massive fireball hurtling toward the incoming attack.
The two projectiles collided in mid-air, creating a deafening explosion that lit up the battlefield. The force of the impact caused the ground to quake, and the shockwave knocked loose debris from nearby structures.
At first, it seemed like the two attacks were evenly matched, but Ace's fireball began to push back against Mr. 5's orb. The overwhelming power of the Entei consumed the explosive energy, snuffing it out entirely before dissipating into harmless flames.
When the smoke cleared, Mr. 5 was still standing, but his body swayed unsteadily. His chakra reserves were completely drained, and his vision blurred as exhaustion overtook him.
"You're… quite strong," Mr. 5 muttered, his voice weak.
Before he could say anything more, his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed face-first onto the ground, unconscious from chakra exhaustion.
Ace stood tall, unaffected by the battle's strain. His chakra reserves remained intact, his breathing steady. He glanced at the fallen form of Mr. 5 and smirked.
"Not bad, but you've got a long way to go," Ace muttered under his breath before turning his attention to the ongoing chaos of the battlefield. There was still more work to be done.
Mr. 5 VS Portgas D Ace Concludes…
Portgas D Ace Wins…
Natsu and Mr. 3 continued their duel, the latter creating more weapons out of wax only for them to be shattered by Natsu's brute strength.
Mr. 3 VS Natsu Dragneel Begins…
Natsu charged forward, his fiery determination clear as he closed in on Mr. 3. But Mr. 3 was ready.
"Routon: Boru," he intoned, surrounding himself in a thick, protective shell of wax.
Natsu smirked as he came to a stop in front of the wax sphere. Without hesitation, he slammed his palm against the surface.
"Katon: Shusshoku Mucchi no Jutsu!"
Flames erupted from his palm, transforming into multiple beams of concentrated fire that wrapped around the wax. The intense heat quickly began melting it, the wax dripping away in viscous globs. Within moments, the protective shell was reduced to a steaming puddle.
But when the wax was completely gone, Natsu's eyes widened in surprise—Mr. 3 was no longer inside.
"Routon: Rōsoku Jōmae no Jutsu!"
Suddenly, wax-coated hands shot up from the ground beneath Natsu, wrapping around his legs and locking him in place. The wax hardened quickly, trapping him as Mr. 3 emerged from the ground a few feet away, a sly grin on his face.
"You're too slow, fire boy," Mr. 3 taunted, raising his fists.
"Routon: Rōsoku Senshuken no Jutsu!"
Thick layers of wax enveloped Mr. 3's fists, forming massive, hardened gauntlets. With surprising speed, he lunged at Natsu, throwing a powerful punch.
Natsu grimaced as the wax around his legs tightened, but he didn't panic. Instead, he focused his chakra and unleashed a burst of heat. The wax around his legs began to soften and melt.
Just as Mr. 3's punch was about to land, Natsu freed himself. With a sudden burst of speed, he launched himself upward, narrowly avoiding the attack.
"You think wax can stop me?"
Natsu growled as flames erupted around his fists.
"Think again. Katon: Karyū no Tekken!"
Natsu's fist ignited with roaring flames, the intense heat causing the air around him to shimmer. He drove his fiery punch straight into Mr. 3's wax-coated fists.
The heat was overwhelming. The wax surrounding Mr. 3's fists began to melt instantly, dripping away and leaving his hands exposed. Natsu's fist continued forward, slamming into Mr. 3's chest with incredible force.
The impact was devastating. A concentrated beam of fire burst from Natsu's fist, engulfing Mr. 3 in flames and sending him flying backward. He crashed into the ground, his body charred and smoking.
As the smoke cleared, Mr. 3 lay motionless, his wax creations reduced to puddles around him. His once-cocky grin was nowhere to be seen—he was completely unconscious.
Natsu stood tall, brushing off a few stray drops of wax from his clothes. He glanced down at the defeated Mr. 3 and smirked.
"That was easy," he muttered, turning away to rejoin his allies. There was still more fighting to be done, but for now, one more enemy was out of the way.
Mr. 3 VS Natsu Dragneel Concludes…
Natsu Dragneel Wins…
The entire team gathered around the princess, their presence steady and imposing. The faint rustling of the wind was the only sound as Naruto stepped forward, his tall figure casting a shadow over Vivi. His eyes, though concealed behind his ANBU mask, held a sharpness that made it clear he was the one in charge.
Naruto broke the silence, his voice calm but commanding.
"You know the identity of this Mr. 0. Tell us quickly."
Vivi hesitated, her gaze shifting nervously to Igaram. He met her eyes and gave a subtle nod of reassurance, silently urging her to reveal the truth. Taking a deep breath, Vivi turned back to Naruto.
"I'll tell you. But are you sure you're prepared to go up against him? I think the mere mention of his name will strike fear into your hearts."
Naruto tilted his head slightly, as if pondering her words. Then, to Vivi's astonishment, he burst into laughter. It wasn't a mocking laugh, but one filled with confidence and a touch of amusement.
"You think the name of Mr. 0 will scare us?"
Naruto said between chuckles. He finally composed himself, his tone shifting to one of calm certainty.
"You haven't even seen us use our full power yet."
Vivi's eyes widened.
"You're saying… all those attacks earlier weren't your full strength?"
Naruto's smirk was hidden beneath his mask, but his tone said it all.
"That's right."
Her shock was palpable. She hadn't thought it possible for people to be so powerful, let alone hold back so effortlessly in battle.
"Very well. Mr. 0 is none other than one of the Three Commanders of the Royal Guards of Kaze no Kuni. He's known as the Desert King, and his power is said to rival that of the Kazekage himself. He has the terrifying ability to turn into sand, though how he does it remains a mystery to us. And he is planning to overthrow my father and become the Daimyo of Kaze no Kuni."
Naruto crossed his arms, listening intently. Vivi's words hung heavily in the air, but the ANBU team remained unmoved. Their stoic demeanor, accentuated by their masks, made it impossible for Vivi to gauge their reaction. She had expected at least a flicker of fear or hesitation, but there was none.
"Is that so? Stay with the princess, team. I'll report this to Tsunade."
Before anyone could respond, Naruto brought two fingers to his forehead. A faint aura of chakra surrounded him, its intensity causing a ripple in the air. He focused for a moment, then disappeared in an instant, vanishing without a sound.
Vivi blinked in shock, struggling to comprehend what she had just witnessed.
"Did he just… teleport?" she asked, her voice laced with disbelief.
The rest of the team nodded, their movements synchronized and deliberate.
Her lips curled into a small smile despite the tension. If Naruto could teleport so effortlessly, he would have to be exceptionally strong. The surprises this team kept unveiling gave her a glimmer of hope. Perhaps, just perhaps, they were capable of defeating Mr. 0 and saving her homeland.
She looked at the team, who remained as disciplined as ever, and felt the weight of her fear begin to lift. For the first time in what seemed like an eternity, she believed salvation for Kaze no Kuni was within reach.
The ANBU stood ready, their presence radiating unwavering confidence. At that moment, Vivi knew that the team, led by Naruto, was unlike any group she had encountered before. They weren't just warriors; they were a force to be reckoned with. They were going to save her kingdom—of that she was certain.
Hokage's Office,
Konohagakure…
Naruto appeared in the Hokage's office in a flash, his sudden arrival startling Tsunade and Shizune. Both women let out shrieks, their papers scattering as they turned to face the intruder.
"Baa-chan, there's been a change in the plan," Naruto said, his tone casual as if he hadn't just startled them half to death.
Tsunade clutched her chest, glaring at him as her heartbeat began to settle. Shizune quickly started gathering the fallen papers, muttering something about Naruto's dramatic entrances.
"Could you at least warn us before you do that?"
Tsunade snapped, her voice filled with exasperation.
Naruto chuckled but waited patiently for the two to compose themselves. When Tsunade finally sat back down and gave him her full attention, he began.
"It turns out that Cactus Village was one of the two bases of the Baroque Works. They're a group of bounty hunters operating under someone called Mr. 0. We've also discovered something big—Mr. 0 is none other than one of the Three Commanders of the Royal Guards of Kaze no Kuni. He's planning to assassinate the Wind Daimyo."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed, her mind already racing through the implications of such a revelation. "And?" she prompted.
"We found the Princess. We're going to escort her back to Alabasta, the Wind Capital. That's where the Daimyo is, and it's where this all needs to be resolved. Do we have your permission to proceed?"
Tsunade leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples as she processed the information. Her golden eyes met Naruto's, and she could see the determination in his gaze.
"You've already made up your mind, haven't you?"
Naruto's lips curved into a smirk.
"Pretty much. I just thought I'd ask to be polite."
Tsunade sighed again, her expression a mix of frustration and reluctant admiration.
"You're impossible, you know that?"
"Yeah, I've been told," Naruto replied with a grin.
Shizune, who had finished picking up the papers, looked up at Tsunade.
"What should we do, Lady Tsunade? Should we send reinforcements?"
Tsunade shook her head.
"If Naruto and his team are already involved, sending more people would only complicate things. Besides, they seem to have things under control."
Naruto gave her a thumbs-up.
"Don't worry, Baa-chan. We've got this."
"Just make sure you don't get yourself killed."
Naruto nodded, his expression turning serious.
"I won't. I'll make sure Kaze no Kuni is saved."
With that, he brought two fingers to his forehead, focusing on his team's chakra signatures. In the blink of an eye, he disappeared, leaving behind only a faint ripple in the air.
Tsunade stared at the spot where he had been, shaking her head with a faint smile.
"That kid…"
Shizune placed a hand on her shoulder.
"He's growing into quite the leader, isn't he?"
Tsunade nodded, her smile widening.
"He always surprises me. If anyone can pull this off, it's him."
If you are wondering why the Bounty Hunters in Cactus Village would think about killing someone without a bounty, then it is to sell their organs. Kinda Dark but They have killed many people.
