Rewards: Sage Body, Onigumo's Sudden Attack

Almost the instant the reward took effect, a warm yet incomparably vast surge of Yang Release power erupted from every limb and bone in Natsu's body. Like an endless rushing river, it flooded through every meridian in his body.

The chakra within him surged 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.

But with the Sage Body's enhancement, in just a few breaths, his chakra reserves had skyrocketed to a level comparable to Uzumaki Naruto without the Nine-Tails' support, so abundant it nearly overflowed 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 and the bug-like Yang Release enhancement of the Sage Body layered on top, even the Nine-Tails at its peak combined with Hashirama would likely pale in comparison to his future chakra reserves.

What delighted Natsu even more was the change in his eyes.

As Yang Release power continuously poured into his eye sockets, his Indra's Eye grew warm and tingly. The three tomoe deep within his pupils spun rapidly, while his once-dormant ocular power flared like a wildfire, churning madly as if it were on the verge of evolving.

Although 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 be able to steadily awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan within a month at most.

At the end of January, Sea Circle Calendar 1539, the morning fog over the West Blue was thicker than usual. Pale white mist mingled with the biting sea wind, obscuring the ocean for dozens of nautical miles in hazy shadows.

Five Marine Headquarters warships cut through the rolling waves. Led by Gion's flagship, they advanced in a wedge formation, silently approaching 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, Kimpira. Her Observation Haki had already spread like an invisible net across 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, another thirty nautical miles ahead is their core patrol range. Every one of our reconnaissance boats that crossed that line before never returned."

Hōshō held a cigar between his teeth and exhaled a plume of grayish smoke, which quickly dispersed in the damp air. "The fog is too thick, and visibility is severely restricted. They know these waters far better than we do. Pushing in rashly would put us at too much of a disadvantage."

Gion gave a slight nod. Just as she was about to order the fleet to slow down and halt so they could send out reconnaissance boats to scout the defenses ahead, a sharp cry from the lookout tower 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! There are more than thirty of them!"

At almost the same moment, atop the alert reefs on the sea, Uchiha Yashiro's scarlet Three-Tomoe Sharingan had already pierced through the dense fog, precisely locking onto the five massive steel warships.

Uchiha Kei and Uchiha Tetsuka beside him activated their Sharingan at the same time. Chakra stirred faintly around them, and the more than thirty clansmen behind them instantly tensed up—

The three leaders were all genuine Kage Level experts, comparable to Marine Headquarters vice admirals. Behind them stood ten Elite Jonin and twenty Jonin, forming Origin Island's outermost first line of defense.

"Three veteran Kage Level presences, and another one... already at the threshold of Super-Kage Level." Kei's sensory ninjutsu had long since spread outward, and he spoke with a grim expression.

"There are also dozens of presences at the colonel and rear admiral level aboard the ships. It's Marine Headquarters' main fleet. They've all come."

Yashiro showed no hint of panic. He raised a hand and gave his orders in a deep voice. "Kei, immediately use the Summoning Jutsu to send the 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 Admiral candidate-level combat power, with more than four vice admirals in total!

"Tetsuka, lead the team into a defensive formation. Without my orders, no one is to make the first move. Follow Young Master Natsu's instructions strictly—prioritize retreating and sounding the alarm!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Kei rapidly formed hand seals. With a bang, white smoke exploded, and the summoned beast clamped the intelligence scroll in its mouth before turning into a dark blur and racing toward Origin Island.

At the same time, the more than thirty Uchiha ninja instantly spread into formation, positioning themselves across the sea and reefs in an orderly pattern. Their hands rested in the starting stance for hand seals, their scarlet Sharingan fixed on the Marine fleet, chakra slowly circulating through their meridians as they prepared for any sudden development.

Meanwhile, on the bridge of the Marine flagship, Gion raised a high-powered telescope and clearly saw the thirty-odd murderous figures within the fog, as well as the scarlet tomoe spinning in their eyes.

Even from three nautical miles away, she could clearly sense the vice admiral-level aura, condensed like steel, emanating from the three leaders. Of the remaining thirty, even the weakest were comparable to elite Headquarters colonels.

"This is even more outrageous than Momonga reported." The cigar in Hōshō's hand paused, and the smile on his face vanished completely. "For an outer patrol alone, they've fielded three vice admirals and thirty officers of colonel rank or above. This is not a force an ordinary pirate crew could possibly possess.

"Commander-in-chief, I suggest we stop the ships immediately and signal our identities. Let's first see how they respond.

"This fog is far too unfavorable for us. If we attack rashly, it'll be easy to fall into their trap."

Momonga immediately nodded in agreement. "Exactly. They've been hiding in these waters for a year. They know every reef and every current like the backs of their hands. We should hold steady first and figure out their background and intentions."

Gion nodded slightly. Just as she was about to order the fleet to halt, Onigumo, who had remained silent beside her the entire time, suddenly moved.

A cold, violent aura instantly exploded from his body. Several swords at his waist were drawn at once, while six pitch-black arms suddenly burst from his back, each gripping a gleaming katana.

Before anyone could react, he stomped down hard. Geppo erupted beneath his feet, and he shot forward like a black bolt of lightning, smashing straight through the bridge window as he raced toward Uchiha Yashiro and the other two on the sea.

"You skulking trash dare play tricks on the Marines' territory?!"

Onigumo's hoarse roar tore through the dense fog. All eight katanas swung at once, their fierce slashes ripping through the air with enough force to cleave steel as they came crashing down upon Yashiro and the others.

"Onigumo! Stop!" Gion's expression instantly darkened 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, please~~

If this book gets a debut, I'll add two or three extra chapters on the day of the debut.