Deuce fled into a cave. He felt that Ace had betrayed him, but falling rubble interrupted his thoughts.
A gigantic bird was staring fixedly at him, as though announcing that dinner had arrived.
The Giant Bird screeched and plunged toward him, smashing the entire cavern apart. Deuce reacted quickly and dodged.
Pursued by the Giant Bird, he scrambled and stumbled all the way back to the wrecked ship.
Only then did Deuce realize that they were not the island's only inhabitants, and that Ace had not raided the storeroom either... Regret washed over him.
It was not merely regret that he was going to die. More than anything, he regretted having falsely accused Ace.
"...He never laughed at me..." Deuce knelt on the ruined deck, tears streaming down his face. "But I... I...!?"
At that critical moment, Ace suddenly appeared, drawing a battered Giant Sword and swinging it at the Giant Bird.
The rusted, decaying Giant Sword struck the back of the Giant Bird's head, leaving it stunned. But the weapon could not withstand the impact either and broke into several pieces.
Ace landed along with the shattered Giant Sword, while Naruto, following close behind, seized the opening and charged.
[-Target locked. Close-quarters attack program activated.]
Naruto's pupils adjusted their focus like camera lenses. He deliberately avoided attacking its abdomen, choosing its head instead.
[According to intelligence, the chest containing the Flame-Flame Fruit is in the Giant Bird's crop. Avoid aggravating this area.]
He needed to make the Giant Bird retreat without inflicting injuries that would prevent it from moving.
[Analyzing species data. Simulating appropriate striking force...]
Using his database, Naruto ran preliminary calculations on the species' resistance to impacts and its physiology.
He leaped abruptly, twisting through the air with swift, powerful movements.