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The pirates in the tavern all stared at Naruto and Robin with undisguised envy.
To them, two million Beli was an astronomical amount. Even raiding ten villages wouldn't bring in that kind of money.
And now… just capturing two five- or six-year-old brats could earn them that much?
None of them believed Naruto or Robin could defeat Leopard Cat Kaden. After all, he had a nine-million bounty—a true tyrant of the West Blue.
Even if those kids had Devil Fruit powers, the gap in strength was insurmountable... or so they thought.
"Kyūrin Kaika: Twist!" (Nine-Round Bloom: Twist!)
Robin gritted her teeth as Kaden approached, crossing her arms once more to activate her Hana Hana no Mi (Flower-Flower Fruit).
Kaden's steps faltered for a moment as hands bloomed along his body, gripping him tight.
But he merely sneered cruelly. "Nice ability—but your strength's too weak!"
With a surge of force, Kaden ripped himself free, scattering the arms into fluttering petals.
Robin's face went pale. "Naruto-kun, he's too strong. I can't restrain him…"
Naruto thought for a moment and nodded.
"Robin-chan, next time, try channeling Busōshoku no Haki into your ability."
Because Robin didn't have access to the Tajū Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Multiple Shadow Clone Technique), she could only train with one body—and after two months, she'd managed to coat just a single hand in Haki.
But if she could apply it to her Hana Hana no Mi powers, the effect would be immense.
Robin seemed deep in thought as she nodded firmly.
As the two talked, Kaden arrived, eyes filled with fury.
"You brats dare ignore me!?"
With a roar, he slashed at Naruto's face with his gleaming metal claws.
If that strike landed, Naruto's cheek would be torn to shreds.
But a cold glint flashed in Naruto's eyes. He raised his right hand calmly—
The surrounding pirates smirked, expecting the boy's arm to be ripped apart.
But instead—
Clang!
A sound like steel-on-steel rang out. The metal claws were stopped mid-swing by Naruto's bare palm.
Except… it wasn't bare.
His hand was jet black, gleaming like forged iron—Busōshoku no Haki.
"What?!"
Kaden's face twisted in shock.
"Your Devil Fruit is a Door-thing! What the hell is this ability!?"
Even though he was one of the West Blue's big names, Kaden had never even heard of Haki. Compared to the New World, he was a frog at the bottom of a well.
Naruto didn't bother answering. His piercing blue eyes turned frosty.
"That hurt… so now it's your turn to die."
With his left hand forming a single seal, his chakra surged.
His right hand—already coated in Haki—crackled with lightning.
"Raiton: Chidori!" (Lightning Style: One Thousand Birds)
A piercing screech of a thousand birds echoed through the bar.
"AAAGH! ELECTRICITY!!"
Kaden screamed in agony.
His metal claws were great conductors, and the moment they touched Chidori, the full voltage ran through his body. Smoke rose from his limbs.
With a single step, Naruto drove his electrified hand straight into Kaden's chest.
Kaden's scream was cut off instantly.
The chaotic tavern fell into a suffocating silence.
Only the cry of Chidori remained.
Kaden stared down blankly at the gaping hole in his chest. Not a drop of blood spilled—the scorching lightning had cauterized everything.
His body, ravaged by thunder, was already dead before he hit the floor.
Even his blood had evaporated.
Thud!
Kaden collapsed with a heavy crash, smashing through two tables on his way down.
The last of the lightning faded from Naruto's hand.
The pirates stood frozen, eyes wide in disbelief. Some rubbed their eyes as if to check if they were hallucinating.
That... couldn't have happened. That was Leopard Cat Kaden. A nine-million bounty pirate.
Killed by… a kid?
But no matter how hard they stared… the body wouldn't move.
Silence held.
Then—
The tavern exploded with noise.
"Hey hey hey! Is this real!? Kaden just got killed!?"
"I didn't even see what happened!"
"What the hell was that in his hand!? Lightning!? You can't hold lightning!!"
"Kaden had a nine-million bounty! He killed a Marine Major before! Even a full Colonel couldn't capture him!"
"..."
The uproar echoed through the building like thunder.
No one could believe that this monster, returned from the Grand Line, had died right there in the bar.
And not even by another veteran pirate—but a child. A golden-haired child who didn't even look ten.
It was like watching an ant drop an elephant—utterly absurd.
Behind the bar, the one-eyed barkeep trembled.
"N-No way… How…"
He had once been a bounty hunter in his youth. And he knew—he had no hope of defeating someone like Kaden.
Yet this child just killed him like it was nothing.
And he remembered how rudely he'd spoken to Naruto earlier.
A cold sweat broke across his back, and a trace of fear filled his eyes.
"..."
"Captain… are you really dead…?"
Kaden's crewmates ran forward, gathering around his fallen body. They tried to lift him up, refusing to believe the truth.
They were in shock.
This was supposed to be a routine kill. Two brats, easy money, Mafia profits—they'd already been dreaming about how they'd spend it.
And in the blink of an eye… their captain was dead.
They hadn't even seen what killed him.
"Captain! Get up! You're Leopard Cat Kaden! A nine-million bounty pirate! There's no way—NO WAY—you're dead!!"
They screamed in disbelief.
But they got no answer from Kaden.
They did, however, get a response from Naruto.
The golden-haired boy looked at them coldly, casually opening an Air Door and retrieving several kunai.
"If you're that eager to join your captain… I'll be merciful and send you on your way."
"Shu shu shu—"
Dozens of kunai flew toward them, each one wrapped with ignited explosive tags.
The pirates turned and saw the rain of fire heading their way.
"Quick! Dodge—!"
One of them shouted, but didn't even finish before the world was swallowed in flame.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
(End of Chapter)
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