"I don't have a dōjutsu (eye technique), but I can learn Kenbunshoku no Haki (Observation Haki)..."
"Compared to the dynamic vision of the Sharingan, Kenbunshoku has a wider range and is more comprehensive in sensing movements..."
"However, it's harder to learn than Busōshoku no Haki (Armament Haki)..."
Naruto dispersed the lightning in his hand and looked toward the beach not far away.
There, two hundred of his shadow clones were training—half of them blindfolded, the other half swinging wooden sticks at them.
Thwack! Thwack!
The sound of blows filled the air, and only a few clones managed to dodge the attacks.
Watching them, Naruto frowned slightly. "Once those clones disappear, I'm going to be sore all over..."
Shaking his head, he let the thought go and looked down at his clenched fist.
"Something feels off..."
Lately, his body had felt increasingly heavy, as if gravity itself were pressing down harder on him, making him uncomfortable.
Yet he couldn't pinpoint the cause. Even the scholars of the Tree of All-Knowing had no answers.
"..."
"Robin-chan, let's set sail today!"
That noon, Naruto patted the side of a small boat. "I heard there are pirates in the nearby sea. Let's go have a look."
The boat was borrowed from the Tree of All-Knowing—something like the little boat Luffy used to first set out to sea.
"We're taking this one!?"
Robin stared blankly at the tiny vessel. "Naruto-kun, even though the seas in the West Blue are calm, the ocean is still dangerous."
In all the books she'd read, even the smallest seaworthy ships were at least seven to eight meters long.
This little dinghy barely fit two people—perfect for a lake, but hardly fit to brave the ocean.
"Don't worry about it!" Naruto grinned. "Robin-chan, did you forget my Devil Fruit ability?"
With a flick of his hand, he opened an Air Door.
"If things get really dangerous, we can just warp back to Ohara."
Robin's eyes lit up.
"And besides…" Naruto licked his lips. "Don't you want to earn a little money, so we can buy better food?"
While fish in the pirate world were ridiculously nutritious—and a few bites were enough to fuel him for a day—after months of eating nothing but fish, even Naruto had reached his limit. He craved meat and carbs.
Robin's eyes gleamed brighter. She thought about all the things she wanted:
Archaeology books, tools, pretty accessories, a Den Den Mushi, better meals, and maybe even a place of her own…
"Got it, Naruto-kun!"
Robin nodded firmly, then eagerly raised her arms toward the boat.
"Cien Fleurs: Dos Fleur!" (Hundred Flowers: Two Flowers)
In an instant, dozens of hands bloomed beneath the boat, lifting it and smoothly pushing it into the sea.
The dark-skinned girl leapt aboard, looking even more excited than Naruto.
Naruto didn't waste a moment—he vaulted into the boat and let the ocean current carry them into the boundless sea.
The horizon stretched endlessly as foaming waves danced beneath the boat.
Thanks to Robin's ability, dozens of arms extended from the boat's edges, rowing them steadily forward.
They sailed for four hours.
Robin checked her compass and gazed at the land ahead, turning to Naruto excitedly.
"Naruto-kun, we're here! That's Green Island—Dr. Clover said they buy supplies from there!"
Their first voyage. Their first successful navigation. Their first arrival at a new island. Robin was ecstatic.
Beside her, Naruto, who had been refining chakura, slowly opened his eyes.
"We finally made it."
They docked the boat at the port and tied it off before running into town.
Unlike the serene academic haven of Ohara, this island was bustling—crowds surged, carriages clattered, and vendors lined the roads.
"Wow… what a lively street..."
Robin gazed around in wonder, everything feeling fresh and fascinating.
Naruto was just as excited. He was finally seeing the strange and thrilling world of One Piece for himself.
"Boss, what's this!?"
The blond boy pointed to something on a street vendor's stall.
It looked like grilled meat, but the meat was translucent and jelly-like, with a delicious aroma that smelled vaguely of pineapple.
"Oh, this?" the vendor perked up and began excitedly explaining:
"This is pineapple meat from Bolun Island—a local delicacy! It's got both pineapple and meat flavor, and it's super springy! Want two portions?"
"Yeah!" Naruto nodded eagerly and reached for his frog-shaped wallet.
"How much for two?"
"Just 600 Beli!"
"...Never mind…"
Naruto's face fell with disappointment.
He did have some money, but it was stolen from Konoha. In this world, it was worth only the value of the raw materials.
Robin lowered her head slightly, embarrassed. "Sorry, Naruto-kun… I only have 500 Beli. We can't afford two…"
"It's okay, I'll figure something out!"
Naruto turned to the vendor. "Boss, where's the nearest tavern?"
The vendor, annoyed at losing a sale, waved in a direction.
"Over there. But I'll warn you—pirates hang out there all the time. You'd better watch yourself or you'll get killed."
The Grand Line's four seas—East, West, South, and North—had different reputations.
The East Blue was the weakest, likely due to a certain Navy hero's frequent returns home, which kept pirate activity low.
The West Blue, however, was different. It had five notorious mafia groups and many pirates with massive bounties.
Civilians here regularly interacted with pirates—like it or not.
"Got it. Thanks!"
Naruto grinned. "Once I earn some money, I'll buy out your whole stand of pineapple meat."
The vendor blinked in surprise, then watched, wide-eyed, as the two kids walked toward the tavern.
"He's crazy! What's he doing going to a pirate bar!?"
The vendor's eyes bulged. He opened his mouth to stop them, but by the time he could shout, they had already entered.
"Shit… they're doomed. Those two little brats don't know what kind of danger they're walking into…"
He sucked in a breath and shook his head with a sigh, staring at the tavern's closed doors with pity in his eyes.
(End of Chapter)
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