Chapter 153: Mission Objective! Sky Island!

Chapter 153: Mission Objective! Sky Island!

As he observed the group of men and women, Kaido glanced at the Whirlpool once more and asked, "Is this everyone? Teacher, aren't you coming?"

"For me, guarding against the Otsutsuki clan is of greater importance," the Empire Naruto replied. "Kaido, I'll leave them in your capable hands from now on."

"Rest assured, Teacher Naruto," Kaido assured him. "They are your companions, and by extension, they are mine as well."

Kaido grinned, then turned his attention to Shikamaru and the others, saying, "Greetings, friends of Teacher Naruto. I am Kaido, captain of the Beast Pirates and one of the Four Emperors of this world. How should I address you all?"

"I'm Shikamaru," Shikamaru said lazily, introducing his companions to Kaido. "This is Inuzuka Kiba, and this is Dojiro."

"Shikamaru, Inuzuka Kiba, Dojiro... Welcome, all of you!" Kaido roared, brandishing his battle club. "Prepare a grand welcoming banquet immediately! We won't leave until we're drunk!"

The Beast Pirates roared in response.

Just then, a white streak of light shot out from the distance and flew directly into the Whirlpool. This sudden occurrence left everyone present momentarily stunned.

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow and asked, "What was that just now?"

"That's my idiot son, Dawa," Kaido said with a scowl.

"A son?" Shikamaru asked, recalling the girl's exaggerated figure from earlier. "I must be seeing things, but I could have sworn that was a girl."

Shikamaru unconsciously covered his nose, grateful that he hadn't started bleeding. Why were the women in this world so well-endowed, too, when the men were already so tall? It was strange.

"That's because Dawa has the spirit of a man, so Kaido-san prefers to call her his son rather than his daughter," Jin explained.

"I see," Shikamaru shrugged.

"Teacher Naruto, I entrust my foolish son to you," Kaido said to the Empire Naruto.

"I understand," the Empire Naruto replied. "In a month's time, I'll bring her back."

"Bring her back? Let's hold off on that for now," Kaido said. "My foolish son thinks he's my enemy, whom I killed in the past. If he returns, it will only cause trouble. It's better for him to stay in the Empire for now."

"He thinks he's your enemy? That's a cognitive disorder... Don't worry, Kaido. As long as he's in the Empire, there's no problem that can't be solved. Next time, I'll bring back a healthy daughter for you." The Empire Naruto gave Kaido a thumbs-up.

"Thank you, Teacher Naruto," Kaido laughed heartily. He had faith in Teacher Naruto's abilities.

Night fell, and the entire Beast Pirates gathered together, raising their cups and engaging in loud conversations and laughter. Kaido, Jin, and other high-ranking members of the pirate crew mingled with Shikamaru and his companions, offering compliments and engaging in light-hearted banter.

Some onlookers who had been observing them in secret were left in awe.

"Hey! Are you guys from another world?" asked a masked figure with horns on her head, Ru'er, who had quietly approached Kiba.

Kiba, who had just been laughing and drinking with the Beast Pirates, was startled by Ru'er's sudden appearance. He glanced at her and then his eyes lit up. "Oh, a beautiful lady with excellent insight. You saw right through us at a glance."

Kiba spoke with a gentle tone, feeling a sense of camaraderie with Ru'er due to the horns on her head and the wild aura she exuded.

"I'd like to learn more about your world," Ru'er said. "I've heard about it from Kaido-sensei and Jin-boss. Are you all as powerful as monsters over there? Is it true that everyone is that strong?"

Ru'er's younger brother, Peijiman, had also quietly joined them, his eyes fixed on Kiba.

"As powerful as monsters? Well... hahaha... that's not entirely inaccurate!" Kiba laughed heartily. "Do you know about Windstorm Naruto?"

"Yes, the one who spoke with Kaido-sensei earlier," Ru'er replied. "Kaido-sensei told us about him. He's a powerful warrior who taught Kaido-sensei ninjutsu and martial arts, and he's ranked among the top five in your world. It's said that he could single-handedly defeat our entire Beast Pirates crew." Ru'er's expression turned solemn.

"That's unimaginable power," Peijiman added. "If it weren't for Kaido-sensei's words, we wouldn't have believed it."

"Indeed! He's too powerful!" the other pirates chimed in.

"Hahaha! Of course! That's how powerful we Empire folks are! Hahaha... So, you should all diligently train in ninjutsu and martial arts. Who knows, maybe one day you'll become that strong too!" Kiba laughed heartily.

"So... you must be really amazing too, right?" Runti asked, her eyes wide with anticipation.

His eyes sparkled with confidence. "Me? Of course! You've heard of the great Empire Naruto, haven't you? The one known as Whirlpool Naruto?"

"Yes, he's one of the top ten strongest in your Empire, capable of defeating the Four Emperors' crew single-handedly."

"Hahahaha! Indeed! That Whirlpool Naruto almost lost to me in the past! Back then, we fought fiercely, causing mountains to crumble and the skies to tremble. If it weren't for a minor accident, I would have won. What a pity..."

A hint of regret flashed across his face.

Runti's eyes lit up even brighter. "Wow, that's incredible..."

"What's so amazing about it? In the end, he still lost," he said, shaking his head, but feeling even more proud inside.

Many of his companions nearby, hearing his words, silently shook their heads.

The Chunin Exam caused mountains to crumble and skies to tremble?

You really have the nerve to say that.

With the strength you had back then, who among us wasn't stronger than you?

Akamaru, feeling ashamed, lowered his head.

"Come, come! Let's drink and eat!"

Mr. Kaido, seated in the center, shouted and guzzled down his drink.

Shikamaru, sitting beside him, took a few sips and spoke up, "Mr. Kaido, do you know where Sky Island is?"

Kaido paused his drinking and asked, "Sky Island? Are you planning to go there, Mr. Shikamaru?"

"Yes, even before we met you, we heard tales of Sky Island from many pirates, and we're curious to see it for ourselves."

"Hahahaha... It's rare for the Empire's people to be interested in our world. I know about Sky Island; it's a world high up in the sky, ten thousand meters above. It's not easy to get there, even with Moon Steps..."

Kaido explained.

"Mr. Kaido, you're underestimating the Empire's capabilities, aren't you?" Shikamaru remarked.

"Oh? Technology? It seems the Empire is quite advanced in that aspect too.

In that case, I'd like to see how you plan to reach Sky Island."

The Beast Pirates and the Konoha's advance team were getting along harmoniously.

Meanwhile, in the Empire, in a room surrounded by metal walls...

Dawa suddenly appeared, looking at the people staring at her, and she smiled. "Hey there! I'm Kikuzuki Akada!

I've come here to learn the unique abilities you taught Mr. Kaido, to restore the Land of Harmony!

Please, teach me!"

She bowed deeply as she spoke.

The others looked at each other, unsure how to respond.

Then, Empire Naruto appeared beside Dawa, placing a hand on her shoulder, and two water-formed handcuffs and leg cuffs appeared, restraining her.

Naruto then addressed the crowd, "Take this girl to Yokushin Mental Hospital. Her father said she's mentally unstable, and we need to provide her with treatment."

"Yes!"

The crowd responded in unison.

They surrounded Dawa.

Seeing this, Dawa cried out, "Hey! Hey! What are you doing? Let me go! Release me!

I just want to learn your techniques to defeat Mr. Kaido and restore the Land of Harmony! Even if you're unwilling to teach me, you don't have to do this! Let me go!"

Not long after, Dawa was completely restrained in a steel chair.

Facing a white-coated doctor, she roared, "Damn it! I told you, I'm Kikuzuki Akada! No matter how many times you ask, I'm Kikuzuki Akada!"

As her voice trailed off...

Vroom! The room erupted with a powerful force, and Dawa, already weakened by water, trembled under the electric shock.

"You're quite resilient. Your father seemed normal, but why do you have this cognitive disorder? Did you inherit it from your mother?"

A white-coated man with neatly parted hair and glasses spoke.

"No matter what, I am Kikuzuki Akada! You can't change my free will!"

Vroom...

Electric currents ran rampant on Dawa's body, eventually knocking her unconscious.

The white-coated doctor frowned, "She's more resilient than I thought... But I, Yang Yongxing, am a mental health expert.

I'm the Lightning Sage of the Empire, and I'll cure you!

Hmph! You've piqued my curiosity, strange woman!

Let's settle this right now!"

The white-coated doctor's eyes blazed with determination.

The next morning, on Onigashima...

The Beast Pirates gathered, their gazes fixed on the Empire's group.

Compared to yesterday, the people of the Empire, and even the dogs, were noticeably different today. Their entire bodies, except for their heads, were encased in a layer of black armor, and behind their shoulders, two pairs of radiant wings were spread, emitting a white particle mist.

"Mr. Shikamaru..." Kido narrowed his eyes slightly.

"This is our Empire's technological weapon, the Exoskeleton Battle Armor. Flight capability is just the basics."

Shikamaru smiled.

"A type of flying vehicle?"

I've seen it before, but... Don't these things usually require energy consumption?"

From here to Sky Island and the Devil Fruit factory, the distance is at least a thousand nautical miles... Without mid-journey resupply, it'll be extremely troublesome."

Kaido reminded him.

"Since Mr. Kaido knows that flying vehicles consume energy, how can he not know that the one above is the world's largest energy source?"

Shikamaru smiled and pointed his finger towards the dazzling body in the sky.

"The Sun..."

"That's right.

For the Empire, the Sun's energy is an extremely useful resource."

Shikamaru smiled and rose into the air with the others.

Accompanying them were two pirates sent by Kaido of the Hundred Beasts to act as tour guides.

They cried out, controlled by the artificial intelligence system of the Exoskeletons as they ascended.

"Whether it's individual strength or the sophistication of technology, it seems the Empire far surpasses our world.

The armor they wear, called Exoskeletons, allows them to fly very quickly... It shouldn't take more than a day or two to reach our destination."

Kaido sighed.

Gazing at the Empire's people, who were getting farther and farther away.

Sky Island.

"Robin!"

A scream accompanied by a sharp thunderclap rang out.

Enel slowly retracted his finger.

Directly in front of him, a woman with a sun hat and slightly tanned skin fell to the ground in pain.

Clop, clop, clop, clop...

Rapid footsteps echoed.

Zoro quickly approached, catching the falling Robin in his arms, and glared at Enel with a stern expression.

"She's a woman."

"Hmph, I know."

Enel replied disdainfully.

"!"

Zoro remained silent and charged towards Enel, swinging his dual swords to strike.

Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!

Several consecutive sword strikes, sharp enough to cut through steel, passed through Enel's body, unable to inflict any harm.

Enel sneered, slowly extending his hands towards Zoro.

"20 million volts... Thunder Release!"

As the last word fell, a deep blue light flashed.

"Uwah!"

Zoro, after being hit, couldn't help but scream, smoke rising from his body as he fell to the ground.

"Damn... Is this the power of the Nature-type Devil Fruit? Completely invulnerable... How... How can we defeat such an enemy?"

Zoro, on the ground, muttered with a bitter expression.

Not far away.

Nami watched this scene in horror, her body trembling.

The Enel before her, although he had only attacked a few times, displayed the overwhelming power of the Nature-type Devil Fruit ability.

It made people almost lose their will to resist.

Nami's heart sank.

"What should we do? What should we do? What should we do? Even if we fall, how can we defeat this guy named Enel... Or rather... How can we escape...?"

Nami stared at Enel, watching him sneer and reach out to Zoro again, feeling extremely anxious.

If he takes another hit, Zoro might completely lose his fighting ability, and they will be utterly defeated...

But... How can we stop this from happening if we fall?

Absolutely... Can't think of an answer!

Boom!

A loud rumble interrupted the tense moment.

Everyone turned their heads simultaneously.

In the sky above the clouds.

A group of twenty-odd people, clad in armor, with radiant wings on their backs... And a dog? They flew straight towards them.

Seeing this group.

Enel frowned:

"Another group of fools seeking death? All of you, die! Divine Punishment!"

Enel waved his right hand, shooting out a massive thunderbolt.

This action caused Nami to break into a cold sweat, thinking to herself:

"These guys are done for... Now might be a chance, I must find a way to escape with Robin and Zoro."

Nami's heart stirred, and she prepared to seize the opportunity.

However, the twenty-odd people and the dog that flew in suddenly increased their speed, dodging the Divine Punishment attack and landing beside them.

The thunder pillar continued to sweep.

The leader, a man with a pineapple-like hairstyle and a laid-back expression, gently clasped his hands together.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end