Looking at the massive gap Zian had blasted open, Barry and the others were so shocked their eyes nearly popped out.
What had they just witnessed?
Two enormous water dragons appearing out of nowhere in the middle of the sea was already unbelievable. But then those same dragons had actually torn apart the Aqua Laguna itself.
Bipley Lulu swallowed hard.
"This… this is the power of that ninja guy?"
It was honestly terrifying.
"So strong!" Zambai shouted excitedly. "With someone like him helping us rescue big bro, we'll definitely succeed!"
"Yeah!"
"And not just that… he can control the sea itself," Barry added, his tone serious.
He had seen it clearly. Somehow, Zian had manipulated the ocean and turned it into two massive water dragons.
Was that ninjutsu?
In a way, someone like him was the natural enemy of Devil Fruit users. In a sea battle, anyone with a Devil Fruit ability would be at a complete disadvantage against him.
Thankfully… he was on their side.
"Boom!"
The Rocketman surged forward at incredible speed, shooting straight through the massive opening and successfully passing through the Aqua Laguna.
"We made it through!"
"We're alive!"
The Franky Family nearly burst into tears from excitement. Dancing on the edge between life and death like that was just too intense.
Zian glanced into the distance. After confirming there were no more incoming tidal waves, he calmly turned back.
"If you spot anything else, let us know immediately."
"Got it, big bro ninja!"
Seeing the admiration in their eyes, Zian just smiled faintly and said nothing more.
Back inside the carriage, Luffy immediately rushed up to him.
"That was awesome, Zian!"
"How did you do that?!"
"Those two huge water dragons just shot out like that!"
"Yeah, yeah!" Chopper chimed in, gesturing wildly. "That's ninjutsu, right?"
"Nin!"
"Nin!"
"Ninja big bro is amazing!" Chimney cheered.
"Young people these days are really something," Kokoro said with a sigh of admiration.
They had all watched from the window earlier, witnessing the entire process of those water dragons forming and striking. It had been nothing short of breathtaking.
"Yep, ninjutsu," Zian said with a grin as he took a seat. "That was Water Release."
"Water Release?"
"Right. It's one of the elemental styles in ninjutsu," he explained.
"Do you have other elements too?"
"Of course." Zian straightened slightly, a hint of pride in his voice. "I have all five chakra natures. I've also studied Yin-Yang Release and sealing techniques."
He had snuck into Danzo's Root base more than once back then. Some of their secret techniques… he had definitely taken a look at.
Like the Expansion Jutsu.
In a sense, that was a manifestation of Yang Release.
Of course, he had also spent plenty of time studying the Sealing Scroll. That part had been officially permitted by the Third Hokage.
Zoro's gaze shifted subtly as he listened.
He recalled what Zian had said earlier.
"If I really wanted to attack, you'd all be dead before you even saw me."
Now he understood.
If Zian had intended to kill them, he wouldn't have needed to board the train at all. Attacking from a distance with that kind of power would have been enough.
A high-speed sea train hit by that kind of attack would meet the same fate as crashing into the Aqua Laguna.
Total destruction.
"So you really have that many abilities?" Luffy said, eyes sparkling. "What about your other ninjutsu?"
"Can you show us?"
Zian chuckled.
"No rush. You'll see eventually."
They were about to enter a real battle. This wasn't the time to waste energy putting on a show.
With that, he stood and headed toward the driver's cabin. Nami had just said she was going to contact Sanji, and he wanted to know what was happening on their side.
"No fair!"
Luffy suddenly clung to Zian's leg.
"Just show me one more!"
"Yeah, Zian!" Chopper grabbed his other leg. "Please!"
The scene from earlier had left them too excited to calm down.
Zian stopped, unable to move, and looked down at the two of them helplessly.
Luffy was one thing. That guy acted like a kid half the time anyway.
But Chopper too?
Then again… thinking about it, Chopper wasn't much different.
"Hey," Zoro cut in.
"That's enough. The battle ahead is probably going to be brutal. The enemy won't give us time to rest."
"If you can avoid it, don't waste your strength."
He didn't know exactly what Zian needed to use ninjutsu, but it definitely came at a cost.
Showing off for Luffy right now was pointless.
"Hmph, stupid Zoro!"
"Marimo head!"
"Three-sword freak!"
Zoro's veins popped as he snapped, baring his teeth.
"Was I wrong?!"
"And why did I just hear that damn cook's voice?!"
He turned toward the source of the voice and quickly locked onto Nami's hand.
She had just walked out of the driver's cabin, holding a Den Den Mushi shaped exactly like Sanji.
Zoro went silent.
So that's where it came from.
"Heh, hearing my voice must make you pretty happy," Sanji said with a grin.
"Not even a little," Zoro replied flatly. "Looks like you're still alive."
Even so, the slight curl at the corner of his mouth betrayed him.
At least now he knew Sanji was safe.
"Tch."
Sanji clicked his tongue before continuing.
"I heard we've got a new crew member, right?"
"Hey, I'm Zian," he said with a smile.
"I'm Sanji."
Sanji paused, glancing at Usopp behind him. He instinctively wanted to introduce him too.
But seeing the look on Usopp's face, he quietly sighed and let it go.
Then he continued.
"I hear you're a ninja?"
"Hm?"
At that word, Usopp immediately perked up.
Franky did too. Ninjas were something they had only ever seen in storybooks before. None of them had ever met a real one.
Now that one had actually appeared, how could they not be excited?
But when Usopp remembered that he had already left the Straw Hat crew, his eyes dimmed again.
"Yeah, I'm a ninja," Zian said casually. "What, you want me to give you a demonstration too?"
"Haha, sounds like Luffy already tried that," Sanji laughed.
"You know him well."
"Of course." Sanji smiled faintly, then his tone shifted.
"But that can wait. Let's talk about something important."
His expression turned serious.
"Luffy, I've figured out why Robin left us."
"So I need your permission."
"Permission for what?"
Sanji's voice hardened.
"Permission to go to war."