Naruto stared coldly at the Hokage Gate within his spiritual consciousness.
From the very first day he arrived in this world, he had noticed the gate's changes.
Back then, he had no intention of returning to the world of Naruto, so he had never tried to open it.
But now, despite not even touching the gate, it had cracked open on its own.
He could feel it—an invisible pull from the gate, a gravitational force trying to drag him through.
"The truth is… I don't belong in this world. And as time passes, the world's rejection grows stronger."
"And this gate that leads to the Naruto world… is starting to drag me back."
"Damn it… I'm not going back to Konoha!"
His eyes turned as cold as winter waters.
He walked forward and tried to push the gate shut.
But it was heavy. No matter how much strength he poured into it, the red gate wouldn't budge.
"..."
Naruto opened his eyes and exited the spiritual plane.
"Are you okay, Naruto-kun!?"
Robin stood before him, her brows knitted in worry.
Just moments ago, she'd felt something strange. Naruto had been right in front of her, but… it felt like he was somewhere far, far away.
Naruto exhaled and shook his head, gently ruffling her hair.
"I'm fine. It's just… the place I came from is trying to force me back. But I won't leave anytime soon."
"Your… your hometown!? Are you leaving, Naruto-kun!?"
Robin's voice trembled.
They had spent months together, and not once had Naruto mentioned anything about where he came from.
Naruto thought for a moment, then sat down on a tree stump and began telling her about Konoha—and the hidden ninja villages of his world.
"..."
Robin's eyes filled with tears.
"How could they!? That Hokage… those villagers… how could they treat you like that!?"
She hugged Naruto's arm tightly.
She never imagined Naruto's past would be even more tragic than her own.
At least she had a mother once… and the scholars of the Tree of All-Knowing.
But Naruto had no one.
His parents were both killed in the war. And as a Jinchūriki, he bore the hatred of an entire village.
He carried Konoha's hatred… alone.
"It's fine. It's in the past now."
Unlike the teary-eyed Robin, Naruto's expression remained calm.
He had lived in Konoha for five years—long enough to let go of any hope for that village.
All that was left… was hatred.
"I'm not sad anymore, Robin-chan," Naruto said, smiling faintly. "But from now on, things will get busier."
He patted her head once again.
Because he didn't know how long he could stay in the One Piece world, he had to move faster.
Robin looked at him with confusion, not fully understanding.
"..."
From then on, Naruto's days became even more packed.
Every day, dozens of shadow clones ventured out over the ocean, training with Soru and Geppō from Rokushiki, while scouting for a deserted island.
He also resumed intense ninjutsu training—Hachimon Tonkō, Rasengan, elemental techniques…
Meanwhile, he assigned two clones just to train Robin in Haki and Rokushiki.
Time passed in a flash.
Two months later.
"You stubborn old man…"
In the Tree of All-Knowing, Naruto's eye twitched as he glared at Dr. Clover.
"I'm not telling you to give up the Poneglyphs. I just want you to move the books first!"
"Shhh!!!"
Dr. Clover nearly leapt out of his chair, anxiously placing a finger to his lips.
"You'll get us all caught! The World Government will kill us!"
"Then stop wasting time and start organizing the move."
Naruto's face darkened.
It had taken him two months to find a suitable uninhabited island.
And now?
These old scholars refused to leave.
"We've reached a key point in our research. We can't—"
THWACK!
Smoke puffed from Clover's forehead as Naruto's punch knocked him out cold.
"Dr. Clover!" Robin gasped, rushing forward to catch him.
"Stop with the excuses…"
Naruto pulled back his fist and blew on his knuckles, turning to the others.
"You wanna end up like him? No? Then start packing."
The scholars looked at the fallen Clover, then at Naruto—and all nodded in a panic.
"S-Starting right away!"
They were weak. Ten of them together might not beat a single Naruto clone.
Within moments, the Tree of All-Knowing burst into action.
Scholars rushed back and forth, carrying books through the air gates Naruto opened.
Even with his enhanced chakra reserves, the constant strain was exhausting.
Only his recent training allowed him to hold up.
"..."
Days passed.
Robin had now mastered the basics of Busōshoku no Haki and had learned Shigan (Finger Gun).
One-third of the Tree of All-Knowing's archives had been relocated, and several scholars were already settled on the hidden island.
Everything seemed to be progressing well.
Until—
One day, on the beach during training…
A massive shadow lay sprawled along the shoreline.
It was a giant.
Dozens of meters tall, like a mountain collapsed on its side.
His body was torn and bloodied, clearly having survived a horrific shipwreck.
As Naruto and Robin approached, the giant groaned and slowly lifted his head.
That single movement kicked up clouds of dust, forcing them both to retreat.
"...Water…"
The giant croaked weakly.
Then he collapsed again, motionless.
Naruto's expression darkened. He recognized the man.
A Vice Admiral of the Marines—a giant Vice Admiral.
An old friend of Nico Olvia.
And his arrival meant only one thing—
The Buster Call was coming.
Robin hesitated.
"Should we…?"
"I'll take care of the water."
Naruto stepped forward, forming hand seals with calm precision.
"I'll make sure you're not thirsty."
"Suiton: Daibakusui Shōha!"
(Water Style: Great Exploding Water Wave)
(End of Chapter)
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