The next day began with Naruto once again trailing behind the entourage, his black armor gleaming faintly under the ethereal light of Ryugu Kingdom's coral-lit streets. The events of the previous night had been uneventful, with the nobles meeting Fishman royalty and key officers in a formal, restrained gathering. However, Naruto's sharp observation had picked up on something unusual—one of the Queen's children, a young girl about the same age as Nami, had caught his attention. There was an aura about her, something strange yet intriguing, though he couldn't quite place it.
I'll figure out what's special about her later, he'd resolved that night, prioritizing the immediate danger over his curiosity.
As they moved through the city, Queen Otohime led the group to a large public square where crowds of Fishman citizens had gathered. Her speeches were well-meaning but painfully optimistic, extolling the virtues of cooperation between humans and Fishmen. Naruto couldn't help but feel frustrated. She really doesn't see reality. She's blind to the obvious threats right in front of her.
He didn't have to look far. Axel, one of the World Nobles, stood nearby with a smile so fake it barely concealed his contempt. Even the guards around the Queen gave off a malevolent air. Naruto's senses screamed danger.
As Otohime continued her speech, Naruto's instincts flared. The tension in the square reached its peak as he detected malicious intent, first from Axel and then from a hidden assailant among the crowd. The attack was imminent.
The moment the smoke erupted and gunfire echoed through the square, Naruto sprang into action, his movements swift and precise. He vaulted toward the Queen, placing himself as a shield between her and the incoming bullets. The crowd screamed and panicked, the chaos amplified by the thick smoke.
"Bang! Bang!"
Naruto's outstretched hand caught the bullets midair, the force of impact doing nothing against his armor-clad palm. With a single swipe of his other hand, he unleashed a burst of wind pressure that dispersed the smoke, revealing him standing tall and unharmed before the stunned crowd.
"Protect the Queen!" he barked, his voice cutting through the panic like a blade. He didn't wait for a response, his keen senses already tracking the direction of the sniper.
The assailant—a Fishman dressed in distinctive garb—was attempting to flee, but Naruto's Observation Haki had locked onto him. The sniper's movements were futile against Naruto's speed. Within moments, Naruto appeared in front of him, blocking his escape path.
The Fishman froze, his eyes wide with terror as Naruto loomed over him, his armor exuding an oppressive aura. "Do not resist, or it will be painful," Naruto said coldly. His cursed gauntlets snaked out, capturing the sniper and rendering him immobile.
Dragging the assailant back to the square, Naruto returned to find the Queen surrounded by her guards, the crowd still murmuring uneasily. Suspicion toward the human visitors was palpable in the air, but Naruto ignored it as he approached the Queen.
"This is the culprit, Your Majesty," Naruto said, his tone respectful yet firm.
Queen Otohime's gaze softened with sorrow as she looked upon the bound Fishman. "Vander Decken…," she murmured, recognizing the would-be assassin. Pain filled her voice as she addressed him. "You are hereby sentenced to lifelong imprisonment."
Naruto's lips pressed into a thin line. She's too soft. He deserved far worse.
The guards hauled Vander Decken away, his injuries severe from Naruto's gauntlets. Blood trailed behind him, yet he didn't resist, his spirit crushed.
Turning back to Naruto, Otohime offered him a warm smile. "Young hero, what is your name?"
"Uzumaki Naruto," he replied simply, his tone steady.
"A fine name," she said thoughtfully. "What would you like as a reward for your service?"
Naruto bowed slightly. "Thank you for the honor, but I am happy to have been of assistance. I require no reward."
The Queen's eyes brightened at his humility. To her, he was proof that there were humans willing to stand with her dream. Even one more ally is progress, she thought.
"No, that won't do," she insisted. "We shall grant you a title. Henceforth, you shall be known as the Friend of our Kind. If you are ever in need, call upon us, and we will assist you."
Her declaration echoed through the square, heard by all. While some of the Fishmen were skeptical, others looked at Naruto with newfound respect.
Axel, on the other hand, clenched his fists tightly, his nails biting into his palms. His face remained a mask of civility, but his rage boiled beneath the surface. Damn brat, once again you've ruined my plans. I'll make sure this place becomes your grave.
As the Queen departed with her entourage, postponing the day's remaining programs, Naruto remained vigilant. He could feel Axel's seething hatred, the quiet fury of a man plotting revenge.
Let him try, Naruto thought, his hand brushing against the hilt of his sword. He won't get the chance.
As the evening moonlight cascaded over the royal garden, Naruto sat beside Queen Otohime, who radiated an air of serenity despite the turmoil surrounding her. Beside her sat her enormous, shy daughter Shirahoshi, playing quietly with colorful fish that swam gracefully in a large pond. The scene was almost surreal, a moment of calm amidst the brewing storm.
"You look a lot better without that dark armor," Otohime remarked with a gentle smile, her tone motherly as she observed Naruto's more relaxed appearance. Without his usual foreboding gear, dressed simply and wearing only his gloves, he looked less intimidating—a stark contrast to the shadowy figure from earlier.
"Thank you for the praise," Naruto replied, inclining his head respectfully. "How may I be of service?"
Shirahoshi peeked at him from a distance, curious but too timid to approach. Naruto kept part of his attention on her, watching her interact with the fish. Something about her struck him as significant, and he intended to uncover the reason soon.
Otohime studied him carefully before asking, "How do you see Fishmen?" Her tone was calm, but Naruto noticed the faint tension in her gaze, as if she were probing for a hidden bias.
Naruto met her eyes without hesitation. "The same way I see humans," he replied firmly.
Otohime's smile widened, and she clapped her hands lightly. "Good. Then tell me—what do you think about the possibility of friendship between our kind?"
"Am I allowed to answer freely?" Naruto asked, tilting his head slightly.
"Please, do not hold back on my account," she urged, her expression serious.
"Thank you." Naruto's voice took on a sharper edge. "I do believe it's possible, but only if your people can stand on equal footing with humans. Without power, it's impossible. The real problem lies not with the ordinary citizens but with those in power. To achieve coexistence, you'll need strength. If you continue teaching your people to blindly trust humans without preparing them for the hardships they'll face, they will suffer."
Otohime's expression faltered as his words struck a chord. They echoed sentiments she had heard from Jinbe and others, but hearing them from someone outside her circle made them harder to ignore. She looked down, her fingers gripping her lap as she processed his blunt honesty.
"You're right," she finally admitted. "But how do we gain this strength without resorting to violence or causing more harm?"
Naruto smiled faintly, pleased by her willingness to listen. "It won't be easy, but it's possible. First, you need to limit interactions with the surface world. Only send trained male fighters to handle affairs above water. The nobles are less likely to target them, as their interest lies in beauty."
Otohime nodded, absorbing his words as he continued.
"You already have a powerful fighting art unique to your kind—Fishman Karate. It should be made compulsory for all Fishmen to learn, regardless of age or gender. Focus on refining the skills of those who are already proficient, and encourage innovation in the art. With water covering most of the world, your people have a natural advantage."
Naruto's tone grew firmer. "Additionally, you could improve relations with humans by contributing to the fight against pirates. The Marines can't patrol everywhere, but Fishmen warriors could fill that gap. This would earn respect and goodwill while also strengthening your people. Most importantly, you need to bide your time and avoid provoking the stronger human factions until you've amassed enough power to stand as equals."
Otohime sat in contemplative silence, her gaze distant. Naruto's plan was long-term and demanded discipline, but it was far more realistic than her idealistic vision of immediate harmony. "I will consider your recommendations," she said softly.
Naruto inclined his head. "That is all I ask. I don't like seeing innocents suffer." His tone grew darker as he added, "But there's another issue."
Otohime's attention snapped back to him. "What is it?"
"Vander Decken wasn't acting alone. There were two others involved—one of them is your guard, Hody. He released the smoke and likely fed information to Decken. The other is the noble Axel. I sensed his hostility clearly during the attack."
Otohime's face paled. "I will have my guards investigate Hody, but I cannot act against Axel without concrete evidence. It would provoke a conflict we can't afford."
Naruto nodded, understanding her dilemma. "Fair enough. Just be cautious."
A moment of silence passed before Otohime spoke again, her voice lighter. "Is there anything you wish for, young hero?"
Naruto rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, adopting a boyish demeanor. "It'd be rude to decline twice, so… I'm interested in martial arts. If it's not too much trouble, I'd like to learn as much as I can while I'm here."
Otohime chuckled warmly. "Is that all? Consider it done. Tomorrow, I'll take you to the Royal Dojo. I'll ensure your superiors allow it."
"Thank you so much!" Naruto exclaimed, feigning excitement.
As their conversation ended and Naruto departed, his expression hardened. Even those old experiences come in handy. That girl—Shirahoshi—is special. She was commanding the fish earlier. If she can control Sea Kings… His eyes gleamed with determination. That would solve most of their problems. I need to get closer to her.
Naruto leaned back on his bed, the cool metal of his armor reflecting the dim light of his room. His mind churned with thoughts about the confrontation with the two nobles. Axel's hostility was clear, but the motive behind it remained elusive. The more he thought about it, the more certain he became that this animosity was rooted in something deeper than mere suspicion or the thwarting of Axel's plans.
"It has to be connected to something from before…" Naruto mused, his expression darkening. "Shiro's influence or perhaps something tied to my lineage."
He paused his polishing, the steady motion of his hands halting as his grip on the gauntlet tightened, the faint sound of metal creaking under pressure. Axel's disdain and veiled threats had crossed a line in Naruto's mind, and he had already decided the noble's fate.
"He's too dangerous to leave alive. When the time comes, I'll remove him from the board. His death will be quick—he doesn't even deserve the dignity of a drawn-out fight."
Naruto's eyes flickered with cold determination. His thoughts shifted to Mjosgard, who seemed far more reasonable. Though complicit in the system Naruto despised, the noble had shown signs of caution and fairness. For now, that spared him from Naruto's wrath.
"Mjosgard… he's not a threat unless he decides to make himself one. I don't enjoy unnecessary sacrifices, but I won't hesitate if he stands in the way of change."
Naruto exhaled slowly, forcing himself to calm down. Emotions, particularly anger, had their place, but letting them dictate his actions would only lead to mistakes. He needed clarity, especially with so many eyes on him.
Meanwhile, in the dimly lit room they had left behind, Mjosgard sat in his chair, his head buried in his hands. Axel's venomous accusations echoed in his mind, filling him with doubt and fear.
"Naruto's actions have been nothing but honorable," he tried to reassure himself. "But Axel… he's a snake. I can't let him undermine everything. Still, what if I'm wrong? What if…"
Mjosgard shook his head. No, he wouldn't let Axel's paranoia infect him. Naruto had proven himself trustworthy so far. He would stand by that belief—at least until Naruto gave him a reason not to.
Back in his room, Naruto set his polished gauntlet aside, his expression cooling as he focused on the path ahead. Tomorrow, he would be training in the Royal Dojo, a rare opportunity to learn more about Fishman combat techniques and perhaps build stronger relationships with those who could become allies.
More importantly, he would keep a closer eye on Shirahoshi. Her connection to the Sea Kings intrigued him deeply, and he suspected she was the key to the Fishman's survival and their ability to rise to equal footing with humanity.
"Axel's schemes, the Queen's vision, and Shirahoshi's gift—they're all pieces of this puzzle. I need to make sure I'm the one putting it together."
As he lay back, his mind already preparing for the challenges ahead, Naruto allowed himself one last thought:
"Weak little maggots like Axel always overreach. It'll be satisfying to watch him crumble."