Almost the instant the reward took effect, a gentle yet overwhelmingly vast force of Yang Release surged from every limb and bone in Natsu's body. Like an endlessly rushing river, it swept through every one of his meridians.
The chakra within him swelled accordingly—before this, boosted by the [Time Traveler] trait, his physical abilities had already multiplied several times over, while his chakra reserves had steadily reached the level of Tobirama Senju at his peak in the Ninja World.
Yet under the enhancement of the Sage Body, in merely a few breaths, his chakra reserves soared directly to a level comparable to Uzumaki Naruto without the Nine-Tails' support, so immense that it nearly spilled from his pores.
And this was only because his twelve-year-old body had yet to fully absorb that power.
Once he reached adulthood, with the physical foundation continuously strengthened in the One Piece World, combined with the bug-like Yang Release enhancement of the Sage Body, his future chakra reserves would likely leave even the Nine-Tails at full strength and Hashirama Senju far behind.
What thrilled Natsu even more was the change in his eyes.
As Yang Release energy continuously flowed into his eye sockets, Indra's Eye tingled with warm numbness. The three tomoe deep within his pupils spun rapidly, and his formerly dormant ocular power surged wildly like a wildfire being ignited, faintly showing signs of breaking through and evolving.
Though he had not yet awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan in one step, he knew that with this supreme Yang Release continuously nourishing him and balancing Yin and Yang, he would reliably awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan within a month at most.
In the West Blue at the end of January, Sea Circle Calendar 1539, the morning fog was thicker than usual. Pale mist wrapped around the biting sea wind, shrouding the ocean for dozens of nautical miles in hazy obscurity.
Five Marine Headquarters warships cut through the surging waves. Led by Gion's flagship, they advanced in a wedge formation, silently closing in on Origin Island's core alert zone.
Inside the bridge, Gion stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows, her fingertips lightly resting on the hilt of the famed blade "Kompira." Her Observation Haki had long since spread like an invisible net over every inch of sea within five nautical miles.
Vice Admiral Momonga beside her frowned tightly and pointed at the red alert line marked on the chart. "Commander-in-chief, thirty nautical miles ahead is their core patrol range. Previously, whenever our scout boats crossed that line, they never returned."
Hōshō held a cigar between his lips and exhaled a plume of grayish smoke, which quickly dispersed in the damp air. "This fog is too thick. Visibility is severely limited, and they know these waters far better than we do. Charging in rashly would put us at too great a disadvantage."
Gion nodded slightly. Just as she was about to order the fleet to slow down and halt so they could first send scout boats to ascertain the enemy's deployment, a shrill cry from the lookout pierced through the bridge's steel walls. "Report, Commander-in-chief! A large number of unidentified personnel have been spotted three nautical miles ahead! They are all dressed in black combat uniforms and bear Red-and-White Fan Emblems on their backs! Their numbers exceed thirty!"
At nearly the same moment, atop the warning reefs on the sea, Uchiha Yashiro's scarlet Three-Tomoe Sharingan had already pierced the thick fog and precisely locked onto those five massive steel warships.
Uchiha Kei and Uchiha Tetsuka beside him activated their Sharingan at the same time. Chakra faintly stirred around them, and the more than thirty clansmen behind them instantly tensed—
The three leaders were all genuine Kage Level experts, comparable to Marine Headquarters vice admirals. Behind them were ten Elite Jonin and twenty Jonin, forming Origin Island's outermost first line of defense.
"Three veteran Kage Level presences, and one more... that has already reached the threshold of Super-Kage Level." Kei's sensory ninjutsu had long since spread out, and he spoke with a grave expression.
"There are also dozens of colonel- and rear admiral-level presences aboard the ships. It's Marine Headquarters' main fleet. They came in full force."
Uchiha Yashiro showed no panic whatsoever. Raising a hand, he gave his order in a deep voice. "Kei, immediately use the Summoning Jutsu to send this intelligence back to the clan grounds. Inform the clan head and Young Master Natsu that Marine Headquarters' main fleet has entered the Level One alert zone. Their leaders include candidate Admiral Level combat power and more than four vice admirals in total!
Tetsuka, lead the team into a defensive formation. Without my order, no one is permitted to attack first. Strictly follow Young Master Natsu's instructions. Prioritize retreating to issue a warning!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Kei rapidly formed hand seals. With a bang, white smoke burst forth, and a summoned beast carrying an intelligence scroll in its mouth turned into a black blur and sped toward Origin Island.
At the same time, the more than thirty Uchiha ninja instantly spread into formation, positioning themselves in a staggered pattern across the sea and reefs. Their hands rested in the opening stance for hand seals, while their scarlet Sharingan fixed in unison on the Marine fleet. Chakra slowly circulated through their meridians as they prepared for any sudden development.
Meanwhile, on the bridge of the Marine flagship, Gion held a high-powered telescope and clearly saw the thirty-odd grim figures within the fog, along with the rotating scarlet tomoe in their eyes.
Even from three nautical miles away, she could clearly sense the vice admiral-level auras of the three leaders, condensed like steel. Of the remaining thirty, even the weakest were comparable to elite Headquarters colonels.
"This is even more outrageous than Momonga's report." Hōshō paused with his cigar in hand, and the smile on his face vanished completely. "For a single outer defensive post, they deployed three vice admirals and thirty officers of colonel rank or above. No ordinary pirate crew could possibly have such a lineup.
Commander-in-chief, I suggest we stop the ships immediately and send a signal identifying ourselves. We should first see their attitude.
This fog is far too disadvantageous for us. If we act rashly, we could easily fall into their trap."
Momonga immediately nodded in agreement. "That's right. They've been hiding in these waters for a year. They know every reef and every current inside out. We should stabilize the situation first and learn their background and intentions before proceeding."
Gion nodded slightly. Just as she was about to order the fleet to halt, Onigumo, who had remained silent beside her, suddenly moved.
A cold, violent aura instantly erupted from his body. Several swords at his waist flew from their sheaths at once, while six pitch-black arms suddenly burst from his back, each gripping a gleaming katana.
Before anyone could react, he pushed off fiercely. Geppo exploded beneath his feet, and he became a bolt of black lightning, smashing straight through the bridge window as he shot toward Uchiha Yashiro and the others on the sea.
"You sneaky vermin dare play tricks on the Marines' turf?!"
Onigumo's hoarse roar tore through the fog. All eight katanas swung at once, their fierce slashes ripping through the air with enough force to cleave steel as they crashed toward Uchiha Yashiro and the other two.
"Onigumo! Stop!" Gion's expression darkened instantly as she shouted sharply, but it was already too late.
Brothers, if you think this is alright so far, please leave a good rating. It really means a lot to me, I'm begging you~~
If this book gets a debut, I'll add two or three extra chapters on the day of the debut.
Before you continue