"See, even if I don't dodge, I can easily take your punch."
Naruto said calmly, holding Jack's fist—larger than his own head—with one hand. His eyes were scornful, his tone flat.
"Arrogance and ignorance, not knowing how to respect the strength of others, will only lead to being trampled underfoot by the stronger.
This is a truth a truly powerful ninja taught me."
As soon as he finished speaking, Naruto twisted his arm. A powerful force transferred from Jack's arm to his entire body, and his tall frame lost balance, crashing heavily to the ground.
Those words were something Jiraiya had once told him—meant to remind Naruto not to grow arrogant because of his overwhelming talent, nor to look down on the weak because of his own strength. There had been a long lecture afterward, but Naruto had already forgotten most of it.
Still, saying it now felt extremely cool.
"Damn it!"
Jack struggled to rise, but Naruto stepped down with one foot, pinning him to the ground. Looking down at him, Naruto grinned.
"Give up. You're not my opponent."
After showing off, Naruto slipped back into his usual carefree demeanor—something that only made Jack even angrier.
"You… are you humiliating me?!"
Jack roared furiously.
"Give up? Who do you think I am?! I am the future All-Star of the Beasts Pirates—Jack the Fishman!"
He strained with all his strength, but Naruto's foot was like a mountain, crushing him in place.
Now serious, Naruto—his body enhanced by Breathing techniques and Chakra—could easily suppress Jack with pure physical strength alone. The gap in skill only widened the difference.
"Bastard!~"
Unable to break free, Jack roared and smashed both fists upward at Naruto.
"Get off me!"
"Boring."
Naruto kicked him cleanly in the chin.
Jack's eyes rolled back as he lost consciousness. Naruto jumped away, then turned to Yamato with a grin.
"How about it? Haven't I gotten way stronger?"
"Mm, super strong!"
Yamato gave him a thumbs-up, then clenched her fist confidently.
"But I'm still a little stronger!"
"That's nonsense! I'm clearly stronger!"
Naruto immediately protested.
"I still have a secret technique I haven't used. If I did, it'd totally scare you!"
"Hmph hmph!~"
Yamato snorted.
"I also have a secret technique I haven't shown you. If you saw it, you'd definitely admit mine is stronger!"
"Impossible. Mine's a hundred times stronger!"
"Then mine's ten thousand times!"
"A million!"
"A hundred million!"
"…."
The two gradually wandered off mid-argument, completely forgetting about Jack and Black Maria.
Black Maria stood there in silence, staring at the unconscious Jack.
…So what exactly did I come here for?
Yamato dragged Naruto straight to the Beasts Pirates' headquarters and shouted arrogantly,
"Kaido! Come out! We came to learn Haki from you!"
"Idiot, we're here to challenge him!"
Naruto rubbed his forehead and whispered urgently.
"Didn't we agree to say 'challenge'?! Why did you say it out loud?!"
"Eh? Oh!"
Yamato immediately corrected herself.
"That didn't count! Kaido, come out! We're here to challenge you!"
Inside the headquarters, a tall man wearing a mask, goggles, and a helmet—with massive black wings on his back—smiled faintly as he spoke.
"Boss Kaido, Yamato is here to challenge you again."
This man was one of the Beasts Pirates' All-Stars—King the Wildfire.
Kaido was about to wave it off, then suddenly paused.
"…Hm? That fox brat's back?"
A grin spread across his face.
"King, the brats outside are yours. I don't have time to play pirates right now. If they earn your approval, bring them to me."
After a pause, he added calmly,
"If they don't… killing them is fine too."
"I understand."
King turned and walked out, thinking silently.
Boss Kaido must be showing off his child…
But that demon-fox brat will need a thorough test.
Outside, Yamato was still shouting when King suddenly landed in front of them.
"Enough, Yamato."
His voice was stern.
"Boss Kaido is your father. Show some respect."
"Eh? King!"
Yamato frowned stubbornly.
"I don't want to respect that guy! Where's Kaido?!"
Naruto stared up at King.
So tall… and he has wings.
Even standing still, King radiated pressure like an ancient beast.
"Boss Kaido isn't interested in playing with you right now," King said calmly.
"If you want trouble, I'll keep you company."
The oppressive aura made breathing feel heavy.
This guy… is terrifying.
But retreat was never an option.
Naruto and Yamato exchanged a glance—and smiled.
They attacked together.
"Rasengan!"
"White Snake Drive!"
The spinning Chakra sphere and frost-wrapped fist slammed into King's chest.
He didn't move an inch.
"Is that all?"
King's eyes widened as a violent aura erupted from him.
"You're far too weak!"
He swung his arm.
A massive shockwave struck both of them at once.
Naruto and Yamato were sent flying—violently hurled away like dolls.
---
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