Everyone below stared in disbelief.
One person's jaw dropped and stayed that way.
Someone shouted at the top of his lungs, "That guy's got guts, climbing that high! Is he tired of living?"
Another person immediately chimed in. "Looks to me like he's trying to get himself killed. He didn't even think about how he'd get down before pulling a stunt like that."
A third person nodded. "That's what I think too. No one would do something that stupid unless they had a death wish."
Someone else muttered, "Has he lost his mind? Who'd dare climb up there?"
"Maybe he's got an ace up his sleeve. Nobody acts that cocky without one."
The people below began whispering among themselves.
Someone pulled out a recording device to capture the scene.
Naruto stood high above them, his lips curling into a grin as he chuckled.
I might as well show off while they're giving me the chance.
Saving Luffy was a bonus. Establishing his strength was the real point.
"Luffy, you're hopeless. I still have to bail you out when it counts."
On a distant rooftop.
The captain stared upward. His throat bobbed as he swallowed, his eyes full of terror.
His palms were drenched in sweat, and his legs felt weak.
The captain's throat went dry. He couldn't speak.
Someone beside him asked quietly, "Captain, should we pull back?"
The captain gritted his teeth. "Pull back? Watch him and see what he's planning."
"Everyone, look closely. That's the real powerhouse. No one here comes close to him."
"Stay sharp from here on out. One mistake, and we're dead."
Suspended in the sky, Naruto slowly extended his right hand.
"Lightning Release: Lightning Rod."
This is Kakashi's technique. I'm just borrowing it.
As soon as he spoke, bolts of lightning began to appear