After more than a month, Kakashi finally returned.
This time, he brought Shin a great deal of useful information. He had initially gone to Water Province because of the local pirate unrest, but later wrote on his own initiative that he intended to thoroughly survey this world's seas.
Only the continent and Water Province fell within the Empire's jurisdiction. There were still many islands scattered across the ocean, which the Empire had ignored when it was first established. Most of their inhabitants were fishermen.
The month-long purge had finally made these pirates too afraid to casually encroach upon the borders. During that month, Kakashi had also thoroughly mapped out the pirate forces at sea.
As he spoke with Shin, he mentioned several names Shin recognized, such as Whitebeard, Red-Hair, Straw Hat, Kuja, and the like. All pirates were also pursuing a great treasure known as "One Piece."
"Did you fight any of them?" Shin asked.
"I encountered the Whitebeard Pirates."
"How strong are they?"
"Very strong."
"You lost?"
"No. The battle did not end."
Shin's expression remained unchanged. With Kakashi's current strength, he ranked among the very best even among Kage-level fighters. Shin would have been surprised if he had lost so easily.
Kakashi also mentioned Devil Fruits, calling them powerful and unusual abilities possessed by only a small number among those pirates.
"From what I understand, Devil Fruit users seem to have a fatal weakness, but that weakness has suddenly disappeared."
As Kakashi spoke, he took a strange-looking fruit from his clothes.
Shin's expression shifted slightly as he looked at the bizarre fruit in Kakashi's hand.
"I got this from a pirate crew."
Shin fell into thought, considering Kakashi's words. The weakness of Devil Fruits was nothing more than a fear of the sea. If that weakness had vanished...