"RUMBLE!!!"

"RUMBLE!!!"

"RUMBLE!!!"

Deafening explosions echoed above Fishman Island.

Within the safety of the membrane, Fishmen and Merfolk stared in stunned silence at the terrifying battle unfolding in the deep sea.

"These guys... they're terrifying…"

One octopus Fishman muttered, "So this… this is humanity? Arlong, Hody… was this the kind of monster they were planning to challenge?"

Because of their unique appearance, Fishmen and Merfolk rarely left Fishman Island. Most had only ever encountered the weakest of humans.

But now—for the first time—they were witnessing the true might of the strongest humans.

It completely shattered their worldview.

"They're shaking the whole sea! I think Fishman Island even quaked just now..."

"And this is ten thousand meters below sea level! It's supposed to be our domain!"

"Right!? But down here, those monsters are even scarier than us Fishmen. Even the sea pigs ran away!"

"If that attack hit Fishman Island directly, the whole island would be obliterated…"

Countless Fishmen and Merfolk voiced their terror aloud.

When they recalled Hody Jones's so-called Fishman supremacy ideals, they wanted to dig up that dead shark bastard's body and beat it again.

You wanted to lead the Fishman District's thugs to challenge this kind of overwhelming force!?

You'd have dragged the entire Fishman Island into ruin!

With that thought, the perception of Naruto began to shift. More and more saw being under the protection of such a powerful being… as security.

While they whispered in awe, a vast shadow loomed above.

Before their terrified eyes, ship after ship coated in membranes fell from the sky, slamming onto the island's surface.

"RUN!!"

Fishmen and Merfolk scattered in panic, fearing the island was about to become a battlefield.

Within seconds, everyone had evacuated to a safer distance to watch.

From those ships, pale-faced pirates crawled out, tears of joy streaming down their cheeks.

"We… we're alive…"

One member of the Whitebeard Pirates broke down crying, shouting, "I swear! I'm never coming to Fishman Island again!"

Another pirate beside him nodded feverishly.

"It's terrifying… I've got a bounty of 70 million, and I was still completely helpless down there."

Others nodded in grim agreement.

To become a Whitebeard pirate—or part of an affiliate crew—already meant you were a seasoned warrior in the New World.

But even so, in the depths of the sea, death came indiscriminately.

"Damn that little brat…" Whitebeard growled as he jumped down from the Moby Dick, gripping his naginata, Murakumogiri.

"He dared to threaten me—and nearly killed so many of my sons…"

Buffalo Atmos braved a suggestion.

"Pops… maybe now's not the time to clash with Uzumaki Naruto. We still need our strength to rescue Izo…"

The other division commanders nodded silently.

They had witnessed the battle firsthand.

Naruto may not have directly fought Whitebeard, but it was clear—they both had the power to shatter worlds.

A real fight between them would be like a war between Emperors.

Even if they won… it would be a pyrrhic victory.

And then how would they save Izo?

Whitebeard's fury only deepened. As the "Strongest Man Alive," he had never endured such humiliation.

Then suddenly—

A furious roar rang from the sky above Fishman Island.

It was Isobu.

The massive turtle, face twisted with rage, spat out several figures from his mouth before diving back into the ocean.

He was done with Uzumaki Naruto.

That brat had used a technique that pulled him, too, into that spiraling death vortex.

He'd felt like his brain was about to be scrambled.

Enraged, Isobu swam off and chomped viciously on a nearby Sea King.

Savoring the delicious taste, he finally calmed down—enjoying his favorite delicacy from the pirate world.

"Classic Tailed Beast behavior—short temper and huge appetite," Naruto chuckled as he fell freely through the air.

Izumi hesitated, then commented softly, "Naruto-sama… from what I know of the Tailed Beasts, Isobu is incredibly obedient…"

She had never seen one so submissive—he obeyed Naruto without question.

If it were the Kyūbi, they'd already be chewed to bits by now.

Naruto grinned, "Well, I do have a summoning contract with him. And besides… he can't beat me."

Then his expression changed.

His sky-blue eyes turned downward and narrowed with interest.

He smirked.

"Whitebeard… you still want to fight?"

Below, Whitebeard stared up at the golden-haired youth in fury—and without hesitation, swung his naginata.

"Brat! Prepare yourself!"

The blade was coated in white concentric rings—its slash cracked the space before it, releasing shockwaves like blades toward Naruto.

"This old man's crazy..." Naruto muttered, glancing at the membrane covering Fishman Island.

If he didn't block that, the membrane would definitely shatter—and many would die.

Wait—no. He wouldn't die…

"Let me block it, Naruto-sama!" Izumi said firmly, her Mangekyō Sharingan spinning.

Dark chakra began boiling over her body.

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Black chakra… are you trying to use Susanoo?"

He recalled that in the original world, Susanoo came in many colors—red, blue, green, purple…

But this was his first time seeing a black one.

With continued chakra output, the exoskeletal form of Susanoo would begin to take shape.

But Naruto shook his head.

"Don't. Using Susanoo against that monster will make you go blind."

Susanoo's strength lay in raw power and destructive capability.

But this was the world of pirates—a world where mountains could be shattered with fists.

Without the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, Susanoo's durability was lacking.

He wasn't sure Izumi's would survive even a few hits.

Taking a deep breath, Naruto's voice turned cold:

"Hachimon Tonkō! The Eight Inner Gates!"

"Gate of Opening — Open!"

"Gate of Healing — Open!"

"Gate of Life — Open!"

"Gate of Pain — Open!"

"Gate of Limit — Open!"

"Gate of View — Open!"

"Gate of Wonder — Open!"

Seven gates of the Eight Inner Gates technique flared open in succession.

Blue chakra flames erupted from Naruto's body.

He looked like he was burning with divine power.

(End of Chapter)

[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum]

[+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]

[Thank You For Your Support!]