Chapter 40: Chapter 7
The warship sailed smoothly across the open sea, moving steadily toward the South Blue. For most of the journey, the waters remained calm, and the crew, both veterans and newcomers, were settling into the rhythm of their mission. The day seemed peaceful, the air clear and windless. The tension, though still present, began to ease as the sea stretched out before them.
However, the tranquility was not destined to last. As the warship continued its journey, Z, having just exited his cabin, stood on the deck, his gaze drifting across the horizon. A shift in the atmosphere seemed to catch his attention—his eyes narrowed, and he turned abruptly, his senses on high alert. Something was stirring in the sea.
"What's this...?" Z murmured to himself, his expression turning serious. He looked over the edge of the ship, his eyes scanning the vast expanse of water. He wasn't the only one who sensed the disturbance. From his position, Naruto, who had been standing at the side of the ship with his weapon ready, also noticed the change. A slight smile crept onto his face, but his eyes were sharp, as if anticipating something to come.
Suddenly, the stillness of the sea was shattered as ripples began to spread across the water. Two massive shadows appeared beneath the surface, creating enormous waves as they clashed with each other. The warship rocked slightly, and the crew was jolted from their calm.
"Sea Kings?" The Marines' navigator muttered in disbelief, his eyes widening as he spotted the two gigantic creatures in the distance. The two Sea Kings, enormous beasts with serpent-like bodies, were locked in a ferocious battle. Their movements stirred the waters around them into violent waves, sending spray into the air.
On the warship, the members of the elite camp gathered at the edge of the deck, eyes fixed on the scene before them. The sight of the two Sea Kings, with their immense size and raw power, was awe-inspiring. The battle between them sent shockwaves through the sea, and the windless air was filled with the sound of crashing waves.
"Mr. Z, we must make a detour!" The navigator spoke up, his voice urgent as he turned toward Z. "We can't continue the course with those Sea Kings fighting in the way."
Z's gaze was unwavering as he observed the two beasts. Despite the chaos unfolding before them, he remained composed, almost as if he had seen this kind of thing before. With a quick glance, he looked at Naruto, who stood calmly, weapon in hand, watching the battle with a faint smile on his face.
"No need." Z's voice cut through the noise of the crashing waves, clear and resolute.
The Marines were puzzled, but Z was not finished. He continued to address the crew, his tone firm and instructive. "In this world, many people rely too heavily on Devil Fruits, forgetting the strength that can be gained through pure physical power. Even without a Devil Fruit, a person can become strong."
His words resonated with the recruits, many of whom were still wide-eyed at the sight of the Sea Kings battling in the water. They had all been trained in the ways of the Marines, but nothing could truly prepare them for witnessing such raw power in person. Z continued, his gaze still fixed on the battle, but his words were meant for the future of these soldiers.
"Whether you have a fruit or not, you should always practice your body. Physical strength is just as important, if not more, than the abilities granted by a Devil Fruit."
With that, Z raised his hand slowly. His eyes locked onto Naruto, as if signaling that the time had come for him to demonstrate what he meant.
A strange energy began to radiate from Z's hand. The air around his fist seemed to warp, and as he clenched it into a tight ball, his fist turned black, glossy and shining. The force was palpable, and the atmosphere seemed to hum with power.
"Armament Haki…" a few of the veterans whispered to themselves, recognizing the technique. The power emanating from Z was undeniable.
With a sudden burst of speed, Z's figure blurred, disappearing from the deck of the ship. He was faster than any of the recruits could track—except for Naruto, who, with his Haki, was barely able to follow his teacher's movement. But even Naruto, with all his power, knew that his current body would never be able to match Z's speed.
Z reappeared beside the Sea Kings, who were still locked in their violent clash. Without hesitation, he swung his arm and struck one of the creatures with a powerful punch. The blow landed with a deafening crash, and the Sea King was sent flying through the air, knocked a considerable distance away. Z's other hand followed suit, landing another crushing blow to the second Sea King.
The sea around them erupted as the two giant creatures were blasted away, their movements sending waves crashing into the surrounding waters. The power of Z's strikes had not only pushed the Sea Kings back, but it had also calmed the sea, dissipating the chaotic waves that had once threatened the ship.
With a casual wave of his hand, Z stopped the water from rising any further, and the ship began to steady once again. Z slowly walked back across the air, his movements graceful and effortless, as he returned to the warship.
The crew watched in stunned silence, the shock of what they had just witnessed still settling in.
"That... that was Teacher Z's strength?" one of the recruits murmured, his voice filled with awe.
"The Sea Kings were knocked back with just a punch…" another added, his eyes wide with disbelief. "This power is incredible!"
Many of the recruits were already imagining what it would be like to possess even a fraction of Z's strength. "If I could even get half of his power… that would be amazing!" one said, his voice full of hope.
But another recruit shook his head, laughing. "Half of his power? You've got to be kidding. Teacher Z was once a Marine Admiral. Even half of his strength could probably turn the seas upside down."
Meanwhile, Naruto and his group stood quietly, seemingly unfazed by the spectacle. Hina, standing beside him, glanced at him with a raised eyebrow. "You weren't actually thinking of jumping off the ship, were you?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.
Naruto shrugged nonchalantly, a small grin tugging at his lips. "Just wanted to show you my good side," he replied with a wink.
Adam, standing nearby, chuckled. "Well, you're definitely shameless, I'll give you that."
Hina's face turned red as she quickly moved away from Naruto, flustered by his words. Naruto, on the other hand, laughed softly to himself, turning away with Adam to handle some of their equipment, leaving Hina to recover from the teasing.
The rest of the crew remained in awe of Z's display of power, but Naruto and his friends continued on, unaffected. For them, this was just the beginning of the adventure that awaited them in the South Blue.
The warship continued its journey, slicing through the waves toward the island where the Black Angel pirate group had taken root. For the past few days, the crew had sailed without incident, the time spent in tense silence as the reality of the mission loomed over them. Naruto, Z, and the rest of the elite camp members stood at the ship's deck, their eyes focused ahead, as the island's outline slowly began to emerge from the horizon.
Z stood at the front of the warship, his posture commanding, as he spoke to the group. "When we land on the island, all of you will wear the Marine uniform. If we encounter any pirates, your job is to prevent their escape. I don't need to tell you how to do that."
His voice was calm, but it carried the weight of experience and authority. The crew of the elite camp listened intently, knowing that this mission was about more than just capturing pirates. It was a statement, a demonstration of the Marine's power. Z continued, his gaze scanning over the group.
"The captain of the Black Angel pirate group has a bounty of 63 million berries on his head," Z added. "But don't underestimate them. Many of the other members also have bounties above their heads."
The elite camp members, including Naruto, exchanged looks. Their mission was becoming clearer. The pirates they were about to confront weren't just any common criminals. This was a group that had built a dangerous presence in the South Blue, dealing in arms and human trafficking. And they had managed to stay hidden for months, evading the Marines' eyes until recently.
As the warship continued to glide over the water, Naruto couldn't help but feel a thrill building inside him. The excitement of battle, the challenge of facing these pirates, sent a rush through him. The veteran members seemed to share his quiet anticipation, though their expressions were more focused.
"Understood, Teacher Z," Smoker said, his eyes narrowed in determination. The rest of the elite camp nodded in agreement.
Below deck, the island was already beginning to stir in response to the warship's approach. The island had observation posts placed strategically along its coastline, and the first sight of the approaching warship immediately sent waves of alarm through the pirates.
"That's a warship!" one of the lookouts exclaimed, his eyes widening as he peered through a spyglass. The other pirates around him stiffened. "Is it just passing by, or…?"
Before the lookout could finish his sentence, another pirate turned sharply and hurried toward a small communication room. "Inform the boss," he ordered.
Meanwhile, deep within the heart of the island, the luxurious hotel that stood above ground served as a facade for the pirate operations that were thriving beneath it. Inside the grand structure, in the depths of the underground, slaves were held in squalid conditions—many were weak, others dead, and some were struggling to survive, fighting each other for scraps of food. Their cries and wails echoed in the dark, never reaching the surface.
In the deepest room of the hotel, two men sat across from one another. The first was Ken Masters, the young pirate captain of the Black Angel group, his golden curly hair and sharp features giving him a striking appearance. His eyes narrowed slightly as he glanced at the older man across from him. The old man's expression was calm, but there was a sense of unease in his posture.
Ken's lips curled into a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "This is the last one," he said, gesturing to the plans before him. He was referring to the last shipment, the last transaction that would solidify their power in the South Blue.
The old man nodded in approval. "It's almost done. Then, we can move on to the next phase."
Just as they began to discuss their next steps, Ken's smile faltered. A den den mushi sat on the table, and it suddenly rang. Ken frowned and reached for it, pressing the receiver to his ear. "What happened?" he demanded, his voice sharp.
"Boss, bad news," a pirate's voice crackled over the line. "The Marines are here!"
Ken's face immediately darkened, and he stood up, his gaze fixed on the old man. "Are they coming directly for us?"
"Yes... it seems so," the voice replied. There was a moment of tension, then a long pause.
Ken's face twisted with anger. "We've been exposed this soon?"
The old man, silent until now, leaned forward, his voice low and measured. "If we're already exposed, then we need to act fast. You deal with the Marines immediately. It's not your responsibility to handle the cleanup. If we take care of this, Master may not hold us accountable."
Ken's eyes flickered with a mix of frustration and determination. He couldn't afford to let the Marines interfere with their operations, not now, not when everything was nearly in place. "Fine," he muttered. "I'll deal with them. This ends now."
The old man gave a curt nod. "Do what you must."
Ken's expression hardened as he turned to the door, his mind racing. The Marines had arrived sooner than expected. This wouldn't be easy, but he would not let them ruin everything. He would face them head-on—his bounty, his crew's safety, and his operations depended on it.
Back on the warship, Z stood on the deck, his sharp gaze fixed on the island ahead. The Marines were closing in on their target, but he knew the real test was about to begin. This would be a battle that would define not only the fate of the Black Angel pirate group but also the future of the Marine elite camp members, including Naruto.
As the warship drew closer to the island, the tension on board grew palpable. The recruits readied themselves, adjusting their uniforms and weapons. Z looked over them, his expression unwavering.
"This is the real deal," he said quietly, but his voice carried a weight that commanded attention. "Don't get complacent. You may have faced training, but this is a real battle. There's no room for mistakes."
The tension on the island was palpable as Naruto and the rest of the elite camp trainees, including Smoker, Hina, and others, stepped onto the sandy shore. The warship had docked, and they were immediately surrounded by a group of pirates. Men and women, their eyes narrowed in suspicion and hostility, pointed their weapons at the newcomers. Guns were trained on their faces, and the pirates' expressions were filled with disdain and wariness.
At first, there was confusion among the pirates. They expected Marines to come, but what they saw was a small group of young trainees, their formation sloppy, not resembling the usual disciplined Marine force. The sight of a huge warship for such a small crew added to the confusion.
"It's not like an official Marine ship. And why are there only a few of them?" one pirate murmured to another. They had thought the Marines would send an overwhelming force, but instead, they faced just a handful of young recruits.
A different pirate squinted at the uniforms and recalled where he had seen them before. "That's… the trainee uniforms! They're not full-fledged Marines! It's the new recruits!"
A murmur spread through the surrounding pirates, and their doubts grew. There was an air of uncertainty as they tried to make sense of the situation. After all, their island had been disguised as a bustling commercial hub, not a pirate stronghold. Everything about their intelligence had been wrong. Instead of an isolated pirate group, the entire island was a nest of criminals—each person here, a pirate in disguise.
Despite their confusion, the pirates weren't backing down. Their mission was clear: eliminate the Marines, no matter who they were.
"It's weird… but we must defeat them. Destroy the Marine!" the pirate leader bellowed, rallying the others into action.
But before they could make another move, Naruto's impatient nature took over. His blood was already boiling for a fight, and he couldn't wait any longer. With a single, powerful motion, he drew his sword and slashed through the air. A gust of wind followed the blade, forming cutting wind blades that raced toward the pirates, slashing through them with ease. The force of the attack was so strong that several pirates were sliced apart, their bodies falling in two pieces before they could even react.
"Aah, so much better! Enough chit-chat—let's kill the trash!" Naruto shouted, his voice booming with excitement and bloodlust. He was eager for battle, the sight of the pirates only fueling his desire to fight. With that roar, the fight had officially begun.
The pirates, initially stunned by Naruto's overwhelming strength, now recognized the gravity of the situation. The Marine trainees weren't to be underestimated, even if they were young and seemingly disorganized. But they couldn't afford to retreat. They had to fight back.
As the battle broke out, the veteran members of the elite camp fell into formation, quickly taking control of the situation. Smoker, Hina, and the others formed a tight defense around the newcomers, protecting them from the barrage of gunfire. Smoker, his usual grim demeanor in place, brandished his weapon and fired, eliminating several pirates with precision. Hina, agile and quick, darted in and out of the chaos, taking down opponents with swift, lethal moves.
Despite the chaos of the battle, the elite trainees fought with a calmness and precision that only seasoned fighters could muster. Their training under Z had prepared them for moments like this—facing overwhelming odds and handling high-stress situations. They moved in sync, covering each other's blind spots, their camaraderie and bond solidifying with every successful strike.
Meanwhile, Naruto was in the thick of the fight, his excitement radiating off of him as he slashed his sword through wave after wave of pirates. His movements were reckless but powerful, fueled by an uncontrollable desire for chaos. He cut through the enemy forces with ease, his sheer strength and unpredictable style throwing the pirates off balance.
The battle raged on, with the sounds of clashing steel, gunfire, and screams filling the air. Yet, despite the ferocity of the fight, Z's presence loomed over the entire scene. Though his physical form was absent from the battlefield, his influence was still felt, guiding the recruits and veterans alike. His teachings echoed in their minds, reminding them that this was more than just a fight—it was a chance to prove themselves.
Naruto's battle-lust didn't subside. As the pirates continued to fall before him, his thirst for victory only grew. The thought of taking down more and more enemies fueled his actions, each slash and blow sending shockwaves of excitement through his body.
As the clash continued, the elite trainees found their rhythm, each one showcasing the skills they had honed under the strict training of Z. They were not just fighting for the Marine cause—they were fighting to prove their worth, to solidify their place among the strongest.
But among them, Naruto stood out, his energy undeniable. His reckless abandon in battle was tempered only by his raw power, and it was clear that, despite his flaws, he was a force to be reckoned with.
The battle would not end easily, but it had only just begun. And for Naruto and his fellow elite trainees, this was the moment they would be tested in ways they could not yet fully understand.