As the second day of their journey back to the surface began, Naruto found himself in his private quarters, absorbed in a book Queen Otohime had graciously gifted him. The book detailed the intricacies of Fishman Karate, a martial art that emphasized manipulating water as a weapon, even in air. It was a remarkable compensation for the injury he had sustained, and Naruto acknowledged the Queen's thoughtful gesture.
"This is truly a masterpiece," Naruto muttered to himself, flipping through the pages. "She outdid herself with this. If I can master this, it'll add an entirely new dimension to my arsenal."
His thoughts drifted momentarily to Princess Shirahoshi. He had left her with a parting gift—a custom-made yo-yo and a delicate necklace that shimmered like the ocean's surface. Her delighted laughter echoed in his mind as he recalled her reaction to the toy. It was clear such a simple yet unique gift had brought her genuine joy.
"She's important," Naruto thought. "A key piece in the grand scheme. I hope she remembers me... because I'll need her when the time comes."
His expression darkened slightly as his focus shifted. The tranquil moment was a façade. Beneath it lay a plan—a resolution he had made to rid himself of a particular thorn in his side. Axel, a crewmate who had been more of a liability than an ally, was someone Naruto had tolerated long enough.
'It's time for you to die, Axel,' Naruto thought coldly, his fingers tracing the edge of the book. 'I've endured your disgusting existence for far too long.'
Naruto closed his eyes and took a slow breath, allowing his conqueror's haki to surge forth. The invisible pressure rippled out like a tide, slipping through the walls of the ship and homing in on its target. Axel, who was fast asleep in his quarters, felt an overwhelming weight press against his chest. His eyes snapped open in panic, but he was paralyzed, unable to move or even cry out. The crushing pressure intensified, squeezing the life out of him.
It lasted only a few seconds, but it felt like an eternity for Axel. His heart, unable to withstand the strain, faltered and finally stopped.
In the silence that followed, Naruto opened his eyes, his gaze steady as he turned back to the book. A faint smirk played on his lips.
'One more piece of trash dealt with,' he mused, flipping to the next page. 'And many more to go.'
The gentle hum of the ship's engines filled the air, a stark contrast to the quiet storm brewing within Naruto's mind.
Naruto believed his problems with Axel were over, that his precise use of conqueror's haki had sealed the fate of an annoyance. But he had grossly underestimated the complexity of his enemy, and in doing so, unknowingly set the stage for a storm he was not prepared for.
In an opulent palace at an undisclosed location, far removed from the waves and turmoil of the seas, a man stirred from his meditation. His appearance was a mirror image of Axel, yet his demeanor radiated authority. Sitting on an intricately adorned throne, his smirk betrayed amusement and irritation.
"So, he could use conqueror's haki," the man murmured, his voice rich and smooth. "Interesting. It's good I found him at such a nascent stage."
Axel—or rather, the real Axel, who had sent a decoy in his place—leaned forward, pressing a button on the console embedded into his throne's armrest. His expression hardened as he replayed Naruto's interference in his plans.
"That was a use I never thought of," Axel admitted to himself. "He is truly talented. A pity he had to cross me. If only he'd stayed out of that transaction… maybe I would have recruited him."
He allowed himself a moment of consideration before dismissing the thought entirely with a shake of his head. "Too late for that now. The fool made his choice."
The ornate doors to the throne room creaked open, and a tall, masked servant dressed in dark, ceremonial garb approached. The servant knelt before the throne, head bowed in deference.
"How may I serve, Master?" the servant inquired, his voice steady.
Axel's smirk grew sharper as he gestured toward the servant. "Inform the Admiral that a threat must be eliminated. Uzumaki Naruto has crossed the line—he killed a World Noble. That is grounds for execution."
The servant nodded without hesitation. "It shall be done, Master."
As the servant rose and exited to carry out the order, Axel leaned back in his throne, his fingers steepled as he contemplated the future.
"He thinks this game is over, but it's only just begun," Axel mused, his smirk deepening into a sinister grin. "Let's see how long he can survive once the entire world is hunting him."
Unbeknownst to Naruto, the death of Axel's decoy had set wheels in motion that could not be stopped. The World Government would soon turn its all-seeing eye toward him, and with it, the wrath of one of its most formidable forces.
Naruto had been deeply engrossed in studying the intricacies of Fishman martial arts when one of the guards knocked on his door. The interruption pulled him back into reality, and he looked up, his expression calm but curious.
"Naruto, Master Mjosgard is asking for you," the guard informed him with a tone that hinted at urgency.
Naruto set the book down carefully, a flicker of annoyance crossing his mind. 'What could he possibly want now?' he wondered as he stood and followed the guard through the dimly lit corridors toward Mjosgard's room.
Upon reaching the door, Naruto knocked and was met with a tense, "Come in."
Naruto entered the room to find Mjosgard seated, his face drawn in a grave expression. The man's usual air of authority was overshadowed by suspicion and worry. The tension in the room was palpable.
"Naruto," Mjosgard began, his tone sharp and scrutinizing, "did you kill Axel?"
The question struck like a thunderbolt, but Naruto's face betrayed only shock. He widened his eyes, his body language shifting to one of disbelief and offense.
"How can that happen?" Naruto asked, his voice trembling with controlled outrage. "We've all been on high alert. Sir, are you telling me that Master Axel has died? This... this is a grave sin. If my actions have caused this, I will offer my life as atonement!"
Without hesitation, Naruto raised his hand, his fingers curling into a deadly spear aimed at his own throat. His expression was one of tortured resolve, his movements so genuine that even Mjosgard, seasoned as he was, panicked.
"STOP!" Mjosgard shouted, lunging forward to grab Naruto's arm before it could reach its target.
Naruto froze, his hand trembling as if the mere act of restraint had prevented a tragedy. He looked at Mjosgard with a mixture of guilt and relief.
"There is no need for this," Mjosgard said, his voice laden with frustration and sorrow. "Axel is dead, and we don't know who's responsible. But…" he hesitated, his voice growing softer, "Axel made it clear in his precautions that if anything were to happen to him, the blame would fall squarely on you."
Naruto's expression turned to one of stunned disbelief. "How could this be? Why would he do such a thing? I swear, I've done nothing wrong!" His voice was filled with innocent bewilderment, but deep inside, his mind raced with anger.
'Even in death, that bastard tries to drag me down,' Naruto thought, his rage simmering beneath the surface.
Mjosgard sighed heavily, his hands falling to his sides as he slumped back into his chair. "Naruto, there's no time to argue or fight this. The higher-ups won't care about evidence or truth. For them, it's better to kill an innocent man than risk a criminal going free. High-ranking officers will be dispatched to execute you. You must leave, and you must leave now."
Naruto took a step back, his expression conflicted but his heart already resolved. "Thank you for warning me," he said solemnly. "Please, tell Z and the others... tell them I love them."
His words were genuine, yet his face betrayed no tears, only a calm acceptance of the situation. He turned to leave, and as he did, his features twisted into a silent snarl, his anger boiling just beneath the surface.
'Axel, even in death, you're a plague. But I won't let your petty schemes stop me.'
"Take care," Mjosgard called after him as Naruto opened the door and stepped into the corridor.
Naruto's steps were deliberate and measured, but inside, a storm raged. He knew his plans would have to change, and he would need to move swiftly if he was to outmaneuver the forces now hunting him.
Naruto's decision was swift; he gathered his belongings—his weapons, books, and essential supplies—and leapt from the ship into the open sky. Using his air walk ability, he propelled himself forward at incredible speed, heading toward a location that would be unpredictable and hard to track.
As he sped through the sky, his heightened senses detected something unusual. Beneath the surface of the water near his destination, he noticed the presence of three massive warships lying in wait. The strategic positioning made it clear they were preparing for something significant.
Naruto narrowed his eyes. "Are they planning to attack Mary Geoise? Who has the guts to pull off something this bold?" he wondered, curiosity piqued.
Realizing that investigating might provide a chance to form valuable alliances, Naruto changed course and dove into the water. As he swam closer, he encountered numerous Fishmen, each bearing a distinct tattoo of a sun.
Naruto's eyes lit up with recognition. "The Sun Pirates... Fisher Tiger," he muttered, a spark of admiration in his tone. Fisher Tiger was a name Naruto respected deeply—an individual who had acted decisively for freedom and equality, values Naruto held close to his heart.
Not wasting a moment, Naruto surged toward the ship where the strongest presence resided. As he landed on the deck, he was quickly surrounded by a dozen armed Fishmen, their weapons pointed at him.
"Who are you?" one of them demanded, his tone hostile and suspicious.
Naruto raised his hands in a gesture of peace, his voice calm and respectful. "I am a friend. My name is Uzumaki Naruto, and I would be honored to meet your captain."
Before the situation could escalate, a powerful voice cut through the air. "I'll decide that, human."
Naruto turned to see a towering figure with reddish skin and an aura of undeniable strength—Fisher Tiger himself. The leader of the Sun Pirates stood with an expression that was equal parts curiosity and caution, his piercing gaze locked onto Naruto.
"Fisher Tiger," Naruto said, bowing slightly, "I am very happy to meet you. You may judge me as you see fit."
Tiger crossed his arms, studying the unusual human before him. His haki senses told him Naruto wasn't an immediate threat, but his appearance and demeanor were enigmatic. "Is he genuine, or is this another ploy?" Tiger wondered.
"What do you want from us?" Tiger asked, his voice neutral but firm.
"I want to join your crew," Naruto said boldly, meeting the Fishman's gaze. "I've heard of your fight for freedom, and that's a cause I believe in with all my heart."
Tiger's eyes narrowed slightly. "And do you think I should take the risk of trusting a human in my crew?"
Naruto smiled, unshaken. "You may not know me, but perhaps this will help change your mind." Reaching into his pouch, Naruto pulled out the necklace Queen Otohime had given him and held it up for Tiger to see.
Tiger's eyes widened slightly, though his expression remained guarded. "Otohime gave him that? What happened while I was away?"
After a long pause, Fisher Tiger finally nodded. "I'll allow you to join us—temporarily. Otohime's acknowledgment speaks volumes, but I will judge you by your actions. We're about to embark on an operation, and your performance will determine whether you stay."
"Wonderful!" Naruto said, his voice filled with genuine enthusiasm. "I'll do my best to earn your trust."
"Jinbe," Tiger called, turning to another familiar figure on the ship. "Show him around and make sure he doesn't mess anything up."
Naruto's surprise was evident when he saw Jinbe step forward. "Jinbe? Isn't he supposed to become a Warlord of the Sea, working for the government to protect the Fishmen? What's he doing here?"
Jinbe regarded Naruto with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. "I didn't expect to work with a human again so soon."
Naruto chuckled softly. "I didn't expect to see you here either. Won't this cause problems for you?"
Jinbe raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you know who I am. Well, don't worry about it—it's been taken care of. For now, listen up. This mission isn't like our usual ones. This is our second strike on the same location, and stealth is critical. How good are you at that?"
Naruto almost laughed at the question, but he kept his composure, a small smile playing on his lips. "Stealth is one of my best skills," he said confidently. "You can count on me."
Jinbe gave him a brief nod. "Good. Follow me, and I'll explain the plan."
As Naruto followed Jinbe, he felt a flicker of hope. The Sun Pirates were a formidable force, and if he could earn their trust, they could become invaluable allies in his journey. But he knew this would be a test—not just of his abilities, but of his character.