Main World.
Summer, Konoha Year 26.
Ocean Planet, southern seas.
The blazing sun hung overhead, and the sea lay as still as a vast blue mirror. Several sailing ships flying black skull flags lay scattered across the water, their hulls riddled with bullet marks, their sails tattered, their masts broken. The battle was already over.
Yahiko stood on the deck of the largest pirate ship, his short orange hair stirring in the sea breeze. His dark blue naval uniform was stained with dust and blood-not his own. He held the Reincarnation Prison-Suppressing Staff, the dark gold runes along its length still glowing faintly. Behind him, dozens of naval soldiers were clearing the battlefield, escorting prisoners, and moving supplies.
"President, we've secured the pirate leader." A soldier ran up to him and stood at attention, saluting. "He's in the cabin. Still alive."
Yahiko nodded and headed for the cabin.
The cabin was small, barely more than ten square meters, dimly lit and filled with the smell of blood and the rank stench of seawater corrosion. A man was pinned to the floor, his hands bound behind his back, his knees pressed against the rough planks. He wore a black pirate outfit, its tattered fabric exposing skin covered in scars. His dark blue hair hung messily over his face, hiding most of it.
Yahiko entered the cabin, crouched down, and reached out to brush his hair aside.
A young face. Just over twenty, with rugged features and a vicious gaze. Most striking were his eyes-not ordinary eyes, but deep blue pupils with a faint pale blue light swirling within them. Neither the Byakugan nor the Sharingan, but a "mutant bloodline" unique to Ocean Planet. Yahiko's brow furrowed slightly. He could sense an enormous amount of chakra inside this man, more than in