Tsuru waved a hand and straightened up.
She looked at Naruto as he slowly drew back his foot in the sky, her expression complicated.
"I won't pick on an old lady."
Naruto spoke calmly. "Send old man Garp next time."
"I'm pretty interested in him!"
With that, Naruto turned and flew back to Ark Maxim.
Kuina was leaning over the side, watching anxiously. She sighed in relief when Naruto returned.
"Senior Naruto, are you all right?"
"I'm fine."
"Let's go!"
Kuina nodded.
Ark Maxim moved slowly, turned around, and flew into the distance.
Just then, Tsuru's voice came from below.
"Wait."
Naruto stopped at the side of the ship and looked down.
Tsuru stood on the warship's deck, looking up at him. There was no hostility in her eyes, none of the sharpness she had shown during their fight.
"What is it, Vice Admiral Tsuru? Are you trying to keep me here?" Naruto asked.
Tsuru shook her head. "Naruto Uzumaki, I sincerely apologize for the Marines issuing a bounty poster before we understood the situation."
"So I'd like to invite you to Marine Headquarters for a talk. Would you be willing?"
Naruto paused. "Marine Headquarters?"
Kuina immediately grew anxious. She moved closer to Naruto and lowered her voice. "Senior Naruto, this has to be a trap!"
"Marine Headquarters is where all the Marines' forces are gathered. What if they turn on us once we get there?"
Naruto glanced at Kuina and shook his head, then turned to Tsuru. "All right."
"I'd like to learn about the powers of this world anyway."
A glint flashed in Tsuru's eyes when she heard that.
Did Naruto Uzumaki just say 'this world'?
Tsuru's mind raced, but she kept her expression neutral and gestured for him to follow.
"Then please come with me."
She turned