It Falls Into My Hands! Naito's Love

Even at the very end of that fierce battle, if Katakuri hadn't intervened, he would have almost defeated Cracker, a senior member of the Charlotte Family.

That's Thousand Arms Cracker, one of the strongest officers in the Big Mom Pirates!

Has such a rising star emerged in the navy?

People couldn't help but discuss it.

Just who is that young navy officer?

Will he become the next Marine Admiral?

Even the monsters have taken notice because of this.

Dressrosa.

Damn it!

Doflamingo, still wrapped in bandages, angrily tore the newspaper to shreds.

Those damn fugitives got away scot-free, and those brats in the navy got away scot-free too!

The worst possible outcome!

The Whitebeard Pirates.

"Did he almost beat Cracker?"

Marco, the Whitebeard Pirates' ship's doctor, couldn't help but be somewhat surprised. "These young people nowadays are truly terrifying," he said, "But..."

He glanced back slightly. "Pops, World and his gang should be heading into the latter part of the New World soon. Are they just asking for trouble?"

Behind him, Whitebeard sat in a large chair, casually sipping his drink, and said, "Unless they want me to sink them into the sea!"

Somewhere in the New World, a pirate ship with its dragon head ramming its horn slowly moves forward.

"The Lunarian Tribe Katakuri helpless, the Marine rookie who almost defeated Cracker, hahahaha!"

The red-haired man laughed heartily, "This world is truly becoming more and more fascinating!"

While the world was abuzz with discussion about this fierce battle, Sengoku, who had just returned from Mary Geoise, summoned Chief of Sengoku Tsuru and Admiral Aokiji for an emergency meeting at the Marine Headquarters.

"Ara la,"

Aokiji, as always, leaned lazily against the sofa, yawning as he sized up Sengoku, who had a sullen face. "Mr. Sengoku, did you get a severe scolding?"

"No need to emphasize it again,"

Sengoku adjusted his glasses. "However, the Five Elders are indeed very angry. World's inexplicable dual abilities, the data he stole from the Science Unit —those people not only have many secrets, but they are also extremely dangerous."

"But there's nothing we can do about it."

Vice Admiral Tsuru shook his head. "Everyone underestimated World. Unless Borsalino comes, who can stop them?"

The Sengoku ended with a sigh.

Yes, I wish Borsalino had been there.

But that guy can't leave; he still needs to clean up the mess at the Science Unit.

Putting everything else aside, Vegapunk's successful replication of the Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit also drew great attention from the Five Elders. They even made a special phone call to berate Vegapunk, because the scientist insisted that it was a failure because the color was wrong.

When the Sengoku heard about this, they also wanted to curse.

Regardless, the ability to copy Mythical Zoan, even with a low success rate, is still very good news.

"There won't be an opportunity to take down that group anytime soon."

Sengoku felt a throbbing pain in his temples again. "World is one thing, but that Lunarian Tribe woman is troublesome too. She's so young, yet Charlotte Katakuri is already helpless against her! If she's given a few more years, what will become of her?"

"Don't we have a super rookie on our side too?"

Aokiji said lazily, "Everyone at headquarters has been talking about that young Marine in the newspaper today. Really, I should say, he truly lives up to his reputation as Zephyr's last disciple."

"Naito?"

Vice Admiral Tsuru nodded slightly, "He is indeed a very outstanding child."

"Speaking of Naito,"

Sengoku's expression became somewhat subtle. "The Five Elders also mentioned him."

"Oh?"

Aokiji raised an eyebrow, somewhat curious.

"Um."

Sengoku nodded slightly, then said, "The Five Elders said the Navy lost face big time this time, but that kid Naito has garnered considerable praise worldwide, salvaging much of his reputation. People are very interested in him."

"Therefore, the Five Elders believe that perhaps that child could become a symbol of the new generation of the Navy, thereby gaining greater public support for the Navy's justice."

"Oh~"

Aokiji immediately understood and said, "That really brings back fond memories."

New World, Marine Guerrilla Unit, on the deck of Ship Number One.

Naito, who was routinely practicing his Armament Haki, looked at Zephyr with some confusion.

Not only him, but also Ain, who was still diligently practicing the Six Powers, was somewhat doubtful whether she had misheard. She asked in confusion, "Teacher Zephyr, what do you mean by 'Naito will become a big star'?"

"About this..."

Zephyr seemed a little tense. He coughed twice and said calmly, "Simply put, the government plans to groom Naito as a representative figure of the new generation of the Navy."

"Huh?"

Ain was completely stunned. "Why would you do something like this?"

Are the big shots at headquarters really that bored?

Naito couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

Is he trying to portray himself as a soldier boy?

Recruitment propaganda, right?

So, am I a navy boy?

"Understood,"

Vice Admiral Simon nodded in understanding. "Just like Mr. Garp, the government wants to establish a younger, more youthful figurehead. This would not only salvage the navy's damaged image from this defeat but also boost morale. Sakazuki and his crew went through a similar period, only much later than Naito."

Commodore Doll laughed and said, "There's nothing we can do about it. Admiral Akainu and the others were simply no match for Naito at the same time."

"Wow!"

Binz's face contorted with envy, his eyes filled with jealousy as he looked at Naito. "Now you're in for it, Naito!"

But Naito, who was the center of everyone's attention and the object of everyone's approval, frowned. "That's not right, Professor Zephyr."

"Wrong?"

Zephyr asked in surprise, "What's wrong?"

"It's wrong from beginning to end."

Naito said somewhat discontentedly, "What do you mean by turning me into a flag bearer for the new generation? Do I need to be made that flag? Haven't I already been one?"

There was a moment of silence on the deck.

Ain smiled faintly.

Unsurprisingly, he managed to keep a straight face.

Binz's reaction was much more exaggerated; he immediately burst into laughter.

That's right, that arrogant demeanor is the real Naito.

Seriously, is such a flag really alright? Won't it have some immeasurable negative impact on the young marines?

"Hahaha! Naito, you little brat!"

Commodore Doll Dorl laughed heartily.

That's really interesting.

Zephyr was also a little embarrassed, but he forced a smile. "Anyway, it's not a bad thing. With enough fame, seniority won't be a barrier to your promotion. Naito, you don't need to worry about anything. Headquarters will help with the publicity. Just do your job well."

"Anyway, you'll never lack merit in the Marine Guerrilla Unit."

Naito nodded slightly. "Alright then, let the world admire me from now on."

To pay homage?

Binz couldn't hold back again.

Naito's lips curled slightly.

As expected.

In that case, Navy Naito is indeed on the path to becoming a hero.

However, the title of "hero" doesn't seem to carry much weight, even Koby is called a hero.

Well, all that's fine now. The important thing now is what Luna and the others are doing.

The New World, the Dunas Kingdom, Night.

This country is a summer island, with a hot climate year-round and frequent rainfall.

Among the many non- Affiliated Nation in the New World, the Dunas Kingdom is doing relatively well; its government is functioning smoothly and order has not collapsed.

Although not particularly wealthy, thanks to the climate, agriculture has developed quite well, and the people's lives are not so miserable as to be considered impoverished.

And all of this is basically thanks to the king of this country.

King Gaston was hardly a wise and powerful ruler; in terms of governing the country, he was merely an average person.

What truly made him beloved by the people was his exceptional fighting ability.

He's incredibly skilled in combat.

This king was recognized as a strongman by the surrounding countries, and his iron fists were invincible throughout the surrounding seas.

He personally commanded the National Defense Force, defeating countless waves of pirates who attempted to invade the country; he was the guardian of this nation.

So even though he was a bit pleasure-seeking and had a bad temper, the people still admired him.

Like many countries in the world, the Dunas Kingdom is composed of a city and many villages, with the rest of the area being mostly farmland.

Meanwhile, in the heart of that seaside city in this country, within that luxurious royal palace...

One by one, figures slowly descended from the sky, finally stopping outside a tightly closed window.

"This must be it."

Naito, who was controlling World's body, politely reached out and knocked on the window.

Chapter Forty-Four: Back in My Hands! Naito's Love

Knock, knock, knock.