After her casual response to Richard, Kaguya approached the alien thugs with deliberate, measured steps. The criminals watched her advance with growing confusion—clearly recognizing that she and Richard weren't the same species, and obviously noting the gender difference between them.
The Marvel universe contained countless intelligent species. While their appearances varied dramatically, most remained carbon-based life forms, with humanoid races comprising the vast majority of spacefaring civilizations.
When the gang's leader saw Kaguya approaching alone, he barked out several more aggressive phrases in their incomprehensible alien dialect. Though neither Richard nor Kaguya understood his words, the reactions of his companions spoke volumes—lewd grins spread across their faces, accompanied by crude, suggestive laughter that transcended language barriers.
Kaguya ignored the disgusting sounds around her and slowly raised her right hand. She didn't bother with advanced techniques like Rabbit Hair Needle, Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack, or All-Killing Ash Bones—abilities that required her Blood Succession Ensnaring. Instead, she simply gathered chakra in her palm and thrust it forward toward the criminals.
The moment her hand moved, a powerful chakra-formed shockwave materialized, striking the thugs like a tidal wave.
Bang!
Without any suspense, the low-level alien criminals were sent flying, hurtling dozens of meters backward in the blink of an eye.
The previously leering onlookers fell silent immediately, their lustful expressions replaced by shock as they witnessed Kaguya's effortless display of power.
Only then did Kaguya spare them a contemptuous glance before turning her attention back to the airborne criminals. She raised both hands and launched several more palm strikes—these ones different from her initial attack. Instead of a massive wave-like shockwave, she produced smaller, fist-sized projectiles that moved like high-velocity cannonballs.
Though diminished in size, these concentrated attacks packed devastating force.
The visible shockwaves reached their targets at alarming speed, striking with pinpoint accuracy.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Each alien criminal burst like a punctured balloon, exploding into gore and debris that rained down across the marketplace.
"Pathetic insects," Kaguya said with obvious disdain.
To someone of her caliber, the would-be robbers truly were as insignificant as ants. However, that didn't mean the criminals were completely worthless—anyone capable of surviving in Knowhere and carving out a living possessed at least moderate skill. Otherwise, they would have been devoured long ago by the station's more dangerous predators.
While the Tivan Group owned all mining rights to Knowhere's "mineral resources," they took no responsibility for the station's security. Knowhere operated as a textbook example of a lawless frontier zone, governed only by a handful of basic rules: don't damage the station's infrastructure, don't interfere with Tivan Group operations, and that was essentially it.
The Collector and his organization couldn't care less about anything else. Robbery, extortion, kidnapping, assault, murder—crimes that would be prosecuted anywhere else in civilized space were simply everyday occurrences here.
While law-abiding citizens might consider Kaguya's methods excessively brutal, the surrounding spectators showed no such concern. To them, the violent display was merely quality entertainment.
Like the onlookers, Richard felt no particular sympathy for the dead criminals. He calmly walked toward the downtown district near the spaceport, and Kaguya followed without hesitation.
After more than ten minutes of navigation through Knowhere's winding passages, they reached the commercial area.
"What's our next destination?" Kaguya asked.
"Shopping first," Richard replied matter-of-factly.
"Shopping?" Kaguya's eyebrows rose in surprise. "What exactly do you need to buy?"
"Universal translators."
While Richard could establish telepathic communication with any target through direct mental contact, he preferred to avoid that approach unless absolutely necessary. It was invasive and drew unwanted attention to his abilities.
"Do you have currency that works here?" Kaguya continued.
"Some." Richard nodded. During the Fantasy's transformation from the original mercenary vessel, Aerith had discovered various alien currencies aboard. While the quantities weren't substantial and their exact purchasing power remained unclear, Richard had transferred all the recovered money into his system storage space before beginning this journey.
Using telepathy to scan nearby pedestrians' memories, Richard quickly located a shop selling universal translators. Within minutes, he had purchased two finger-sized devices manufactured by the Kree Empire—sleek units resembling wireless earbuds.
As one of the three major galactic powers, Kree technology enjoyed widespread popularity and reliability throughout the known universe. Interestingly, Richard paid using Xandar currency rather than Kree credits.
Despite most civilizations achieving spacefaring status, no unified galactic currency existed yet. Daily transactions typically used money from prominent civilizations—the Kree Empire, Shi'ar Empire, Xandar, and occasionally Asgard all produced widely accepted tender.
The translators Richard purchased represented the external variety preferred by short-term travelers. Most frequent space travelers opted for surgically implanted versions—more convenient and impossible to lose. However, Richard had no intention of allowing foreign technology into his body.
After demonstrating the device's placement on his right ear, Richard handed the second translator to Kaguya, who mimicked his actions.
"Now that we've acquired what we need, what's next?" Kaguya asked.
"With the language barrier resolved, the next logical step is to enjoy ourselves..." Richard paused, withdrawing a stack of mixed-civilization banknotes from his system space and offering them to Kaguya. "This is for your personal use."
Kaguya hesitated briefly before accepting the money and tucking it into her clothing's inner pocket. She still wore her traditional Naruto-world attire, having rejected Earth fashion unlike Tsunade and the others.
After the monetary exchange, Richard headed toward a nearby bar with Kaguya following closely.
They soon entered a boisterous, crowded establishment. Due to Knowhere's nature as a hollowed-out Celestial head rather than a true planet, the station experienced neither day-night cycles nor seasonal changes—making it perpetually active.
Kaguya immediately attracted significant attention upon entering. Many patrons openly leered at her with undisguised sexual interest, their gazes lingering inappropriately.
"Remember, this is a lawless zone with no prohibitions against violence or murder," Richard said conversationally. "If their staring bothers you, feel free to teach them proper manners. Here, you can do absolutely anything—as long as you can handle the consequences or possess sufficient strength to back up your actions. You could even claim this entire establishment as personal territory if you wanted."
Though Kaguya remained silent, Richard could sense her growing irritation at the crude attention.
"Are you certain I can do anything here?" she asked with dangerous curiosity.
"Absolutely."
The moment Richard confirmed her suspicions, Kaguya began circulating chakra throughout her body.
Byakugan: Pressure!
Without warning, Kaguya activated her dojutsu's unique ability, releasing crushing psychological pressure that seemed almost tangible. The oppressive force instantly blanketed the entire bar, transforming the noisy atmosphere into dead silence as every conversation ceased abruptly.
Though Kaguya hadn't exerted her full power, most patrons immediately lost consciousness under the overwhelming pressure. Those who remained awake displayed expressions of shock and disbelief, completely unable to comprehend what they were experiencing.
Only Richard and Kaguya herself remained unaffected by the technique.
Among the Otsutsuki clan members who had appeared in the Naruto universe, Kaguya alone possessed the ability to weaponize her Byakugan in this manner. Her pressure technique could not only render opponents unconscious but also inflict physical damage on objects and repel attackers. While ineffective against equals or stronger opponents, it provided an excellent tool for intimidating weaker foes.
Richard lacked the Byakugan but could produce similar effects using his Rinnegan or Rinne Sharingan if necessary.
Ignoring the unconscious patrons scattered around the floor, Richard approached the bar and addressed the only conscious staff member—a red-skinned bartender with prominent fangs. "Give me your finest wine and your most popular drink."
As a newcomer to Knowhere, Richard possessed no knowledge of local preferences or quality beverages.
"Certainly, sir," the bartender replied immediately, his voice slightly shaky from witnessing Kaguya's display.
Without hesitation, the server retrieved two bottles from the cabinet behind him along with appropriate glassware. "This bottle represents our premium selection, while this one is our most frequently ordered drink. Would you prefer ice cubes or bubble grass, sir?"
Bubble grass? Though unfamiliar with the substance, Richard assumed adding it to alcohol was standard practice here—otherwise the bartender wouldn't have offered.
"Bring everything and I'll add what I want myself."
"Of course, sir."
The bartender quickly provided glasses containing ice cubes and the mysterious bubble grass.
Richard glanced at Kaguya. "Come have a drink. You can stop maintaining that pressure now."
"Fine." Kaguya nodded, releasing her technique before taking the seat beside him.
Following his whiskey-drinking habits, Richard poured modest amounts of the expensive wine for both himself and Kaguya—roughly a quarter-glass each—then handed one to his companion.
Kaguya accepted the glass and examined the blood-red liquid with obvious suspicion.
"What exactly is this?" she asked, frowning.
"I don't know specifically, but it's supposedly the finest wine available here. It shouldn't taste terrible," Richard replied, though privately he acknowledged that expensive didn't necessarily mean delicious—high prices often reflected scarcity rather than quality.
Richard raised his glass and clinked it against Kaguya's before draining the contents under her watchful gaze. With his enhanced physiology, he had no concerns about alcohol or even most toxins that would kill ordinary carbon-based life forms.
He'd expected harsh, burning liquor but was pleasantly surprised. The taste proved smooth and complex, with rich berry flavors and refreshing qualities—almost like mint-flavored juice.
Not bad. Actually quite delicious.
Seeing no adverse reaction from Richard, Kaguya took a cautious sip. After confirming she enjoyed the flavor, she finished her glass in one gulp.
Richard immediately refilled both glasses, this time adding ice cubes. The chilled version became more delicate with enhanced sweetness layers. Next, they experimented with bubble grass, which transformed the juice-like beverage into something resembling a frozen carbonated drink.
This wine is fascinating.
Though still ignorant of its exact nature, Richard found himself genuinely intrigued by the beverage's versatility.
Setting down his glass, Richard called the bartender over. "What's this wine called? Please give me detailed information about it."
The server eagerly complied, sharing everything he knew without reservation.
Initially, both Richard and Kaguya listened with interest to the bartender's explanation. However, when he began describing the drink's "special effects," their expressions grew decidedly uncomfortable.
The wine was called Burning Night.
The name itself wasn't problematic—the issue lay in the beverage's powerful aphrodisiac properties.
According to the bartender, Burning Night made drinkers "feel like blazing stars, experiencing nights filled with passion and intensity." Furthermore, if both partners consumed the wine, their chances of producing offspring increased dramatically—even overcoming significant reproductive incompatibilities between different species.
Richard and Kaguya exchanged awkward glances, suddenly understanding why this particular drink was so popular in a lawless station filled with diverse alien species.