Whitebeard in Naruto World - Chapter 94
The Third Lesson of a Pirate! The Bloody Mist Ninjas’ Assassination Operation (Part 1)
—
Tomoto Aomizu reveals everything he knows, holding nothing back.
He understands that in front of a ninja, it’s best not to hide anything—
Especially when that ninja is one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of Kirigakure, renowned throughout the Land of Water.
But the more Kurosuki Raiga listens, the more his eyebrows knit together.
The intrigued look on his face gradually becomes serious; the more he hears, the more he feels something is off.
Because he gets an inexplicable sense of familiarity from the “giant” Tomoto Aomizu describes—
As though he’s seen him somewhere before.
“That giant—does he have a distinctive crescent mustache? Looks like a burly old man? And does he carry a very large blade in his hand?”
Kurosuki Raiga fires off three questions.
Those three consecutive questions—
Make Tomoto Aomizu freeze in place.
“Lord Kurosuki, you already know that giant?”
He hasn’t yet managed to mention those details about Whitebeard, so he never expected Kurosuki Raiga to say them himself.
“Tch! I wouldn’t say ‘know.’ I just happen to have heard about a figure like that through certain special channels.”
Kurosuki Raiga stands up, eyes brimming with murderous intent, his gaze growing dark.
“Didn’t think that man would come to the Land of Water!”
He glances at Tomoto Aomizu, who looks utterly perplexed, and continues:
“This ‘business deal’ is worth far more than a mere four hundred million ryo.”
“Huh?”
Tomoto Aomizu has no idea what he means.
Kurosuki Raiga sounds like a walking riddle, giving off a “showing off” vibe, which annoys Tomoto Aomizu. But recalling how formidable the ninja before him is,
Tomoto Aomizu bites his tongue.
“Lord Kurosuki,” a Kirigakure Chunin speaks up. “The person described here makes me think of that man. You must be thinking of the same individual, right?”
“Yes!” Kurosuki Raiga murmurs. “A single man who destroyed Kusagakure Village, killed the Daimyo of the Land of Grass, and carries a one-hundred-million bounty throughout the ninja world—Edward Newgate!”
He pauses, then continues:
“Nickname—Whitebeard!”
A Kirigakure Chunin licks his lips:
“Lord Kurosuki, a bounty of a full one hundred million, plus over four hundred million in treasure. That adds up to more than five hundred million. That’s no small amount. It might let us begin that plan earlier.”
“Idiot!”
Another Kirigakure ninja with bloodshot eyes glares at him:
“Don’t talk about that in front of outsiders! If anyone else finds out, we’ll have to kill that guy to shut him up.”
“Lord Kurosuki, we’re all loyal to you!” yet another Kirigakure ninja says. “No matter what orders you give, no matter what you want to do—we’ll follow you.”
Their conversation is shocking in every word.
Hearing the group of ninjas talking inside, Tomoto Aomizu realizes the situation isn’t what he imagined.
That towering giant… is apparently not some nobody!
And the ninjas’ words make Tomoto Aomizu wonder if his ears are malfunctioning:
Destroying Kusagakure, killing the Grass Daimyo, a 100-million bounty… Any one of those feats alone would be jaw-dropping!
And the same man is behind all three events?
He’s the giant who just showed up at the shipyard?
Plus, these Kirigakure shinobi mentioned some “plan.” Did Tomoto Aomizu hear something he shouldn’t have?
Hiss!
Are they going to silence me?!
Tomoto Aomizu gulps.
Cold sweat pours down his face; his hands and feet go numb!
“Hey!”
Suddenly Kurosuki Raiga calls out to Tomoto Aomizu.
“Aside from that ‘Whitebeard,’ who else is there?”
“Th-there are two kids, one injured guy, one woman… oh, right! And a Konoha ninja!”
Tomoto Aomizu truthfully replies.
“A Konoha ninja?”
Whether two kids, a woman, or an injured person, Kurosuki Raiga dismisses them instantly.
But that mention of a ‘Konoha ninja’ makes his pupils contract just a bit.
Memories from a few years ago flood his mind.
He remembers that fiery red chakra like a beast from hell, slashing the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of Kirigakure down to a mere trio; Kurosuki Raiga was one of the three who survived by sheer luck.
Even now, Kirigakure has never reassembled the full Seven Swordsmen.
One can guess how great a psychological blow that was.
“Hoo—”
Kurosuki Raiga exhales heavily.
At least…
That terrifying individual is dead.
Not everyone in Konoha is that monstrous. As long as it’s not that thick-browed man, he’s not afraid.
“I’ve got it. Get lost!”
Kurosuki Raiga’s voice is cold.
“Huh? Lord Kurosuki… Could you give me a definite answer—”
Tomoto Aomizu tries to say something, but a sharp ninja blade is already at his throat.
“Hey, Lord Kurosuki said ‘beat it.’ Are you deaf?”
A Kirigakure Chunin radiates murderous energy:
“Or do you want me to ‘help’ you out?”
“P-please spare me!”
Tomoto Aomizu’s legs nearly buckle. He staggers backward in panic.
“I—I was being rash, I’ll leave now, I’ll leave!”
He regrets coming here.
Who would have expected these Kirigakure ninjas to be so difficult? He feels if he refuses them…
He might really lose his life!
“Heh, cowardly merchant.”
The Kirigakure Chunin withdraws his blade, sneering:
“Can’t believe a huge portion of the world’s wealth is in the hands of people like him.”
Then he looks at Kurosuki Raiga, anxiety in his expression:
“Lord Kurosuki, are we really going to go after that Whitebeard? He seems terrifying. We can’t be certain of victory.”
“Whitebeard is strong.”
Kurosuki Raiga is silent for a moment before speaking again.
“But never forget—we are the Bloody Mist Ninjas! We’re the most skilled at assassination in the entire ninja world!”
“I don’t want to miss this chance.”
Kurosuki Raiga continues:
“If we kill Whitebeard, the money we get will be enough for us to leave Kirigakure and set up elsewhere in the ninja world. Over five hundred million ryo is more than enough to build a small ninja village.”
Leaving Kirigakure—this is precisely what Kurosuki Raiga and these ninjas desire most right now.
But for them, leaving the village would be an act of treason.
If they just leave without resources, as Missing-nin, they’ll have no foothold anywhere, forced to lurk in shadows as mercenary ninjas.
In Kirigakure, they can at least look down on a merchant like Tomoto Aomizu. Officially, although the Land of Water is poor, the village still provides them a certain budget for missions.
The moment they become Missing-nin, they lose that status and lose the village’s protection.
They might end up needing a merchant’s financial support, forced to bow their heads and do tasks for them—
Unacceptable!
But… if as Missing-nin they themselves possessed massive wealth, they wouldn’t need to lower their proud heads.
“I’ve decided!”
Kurosuki Raiga’s gaze turns fierce, the unique murderous aura of a Seven Ninja Swordsman bursting forth, alarming the four Kirigakure Chunin present.
He picks up the ninja blades known as the “Lightning Blades: Kiba,” a pair of unusually shaped dual swords.
“We’ll keep this hidden from the village and assassinate Whitebeard! Don’t engage that man head-on.”
“Leverage the essence of Kirigakure combat!”
Zzzt, zzzt…
Electric arcs flicker across the blades of the “Lightning Blades: Kiba.” Kurosuki Raiga says grimly,
“As soon as we take his head, we’ll leave Kirigakure for good! Before we go, we’ll kill everyone in this shipyard, so no one can know where we’ve gone!”
“Yes, Lord Kurosuki!” (×4)
All four Kirigakure Chunin bow their heads in unison.
They’re ready to follow Kurosuki Raiga, even if it costs them their lives.
—
The Third Lesson of a Pirate! The Bloody Mist Ninjas’ Assassination Operation (Part 2)
—
“Delicious! So good!” Naruto exclaims after arriving at the shipyard’s reception hall. As countless appetizing dishes are served to them, his hunger can no longer be contained.
He doesn’t even remove the training weights on his body—
He dashes straight to the long table and plops into a chair, nearly breaking it under his weight.
He doesn’t care, though.
If the chair won’t hold him, he’ll just stand and eat.
Naruto grabs a roast drumstick in each hand,
Crams them into his mouth with gusto.
He’s been through a day of brutal self-training. Several times he nearly collapsed, only to be saved by the fox inside lending him just enough strength to push on.
Now, Naruto’s so hungry he’s dizzy.
“Gulp, gulp, gulp—”
In the blink of an eye, he’s devoured several drumsticks and is gulping down a large bottle of juice. He drains a whole liter in one go.
Then he starts grabbing more meat—
Occasionally scooping up some vegetables to stuff into his mouth.
“Mmm, mm! It’s been so long since I had such good meat.”
Naruto recalls drifting at sea for days. He turns to his father. “Dad, I think our pirate crew is missing a great cook!”
“Gurararara!”
Fortunately, the reception hall’s ceiling is tall enough that Whitebeard, over six meters in height, can still enter.
He laughs heartily.
“Well, that depends on fate whether we ever find a son who’s a good cook!”
Seeing this “father and son” talking,
Uchiha Shisui props his crutch against the side and sits in a chair. He doesn’t touch any of the food.
Instead, he leans toward Kakashi, whispering:
“Captain Kakashi, that merchant called Tomoto Aomizu can’t be trusted. Especially now that Whitebeard has shown off his wealth—if that merchant grows greedy…”
“We’ve never trusted him to begin with.” Kakashi motions to Naruto:
“Aside from that simpleminded, hot-blooded idiot, notice that Naruto is the only one who’s actually eating anything?”
Shisui blinks.Indeed!
Among all of them—Shisui, Kakashi, Whitebeard, and the Uzumaki mother and daughter—none are touching the food, however delicious it looks.
Even though they’re hungry, they aren’t eating.
Kakashi picks up a piece of tempura, lifts it to his mask, and sniffs it:
“They mixed sleeping powder into it—what a dirty trick. Usually only some lecher uses a drug like that, slipping it into a girl’s drink.”
Right then, Naruto—his mouth crammed full—speaks with a muffled voice:
“Dad, Karin, big sis—why aren’t you eating? …Dad, I feel kinda sleepy.”
Naruto suddenly realizes something is off. He feels about half his strength sapped away.
He can’t support the heavy weights on him.
His legs buckle, and he collapses.
“Naruto, sorry,” Uzumaki Fushi says apologetically. “Father told me not to warn you.”
“Huh?” Naruto is confused.
“Foolish son!”
Whitebeard flicks Naruto’s forehead without hesitation, making Naruto yelp in pain—but Naruto no longer has the strength to rub his head.
Whitebeard looks at Naruto:
“This is the third lesson of being a pirate that I, your old man, am teaching you: always be wary of sneaky scoundrels trying to do you harm! Though men of the sea are bold and fearless, there will always be rats skulking in the gutter, using vile methods.”
At this point, Whitebeard’s gaze turns dark, as if recalling an unpleasant memory.
But then he smirks.
“Relax, you won’t die.”
This is how a pirate raises a kid.
As long as it won’t kill them—push them to their limit.
“It’s astounding that Naruto ate so much food laced with sleeping powder and still hasn’t passed out,” Shisui marvels. “Is the monster inside him helping neutralize the drug?”
“No… it’s because Naruto’s body has become extremely strong through months of intense training.” Kakashi shakes his head.
“You can’t treat Naruto like an ordinary five-year-old.”
“Oh, that’s right…” Kakashi corrects himself.
“He’ll be six in a few days—his birthday’s coming.”
Naruto has been away from Konoha for several months now.
In that time, Kakashi has seen how astonishingly Naruto has grown.
He knows Naruto’s weights already total over eight hundred pounds.
Yet Naruto can walk normally with them on.
Unbelievable!
Kakashi also knows that Naruto’s “Kenbunshoku Haki” (Observation Haki) training improves by the day.
Even if you blindfold him and cover his ears, he can dodge most of the stones Whitebeard hurls at him.
Out of one hundred stones, Naruto can dodge more than seventy.
Incredible!
Using such rough training methods really has heightened his sensory skills to a miraculous level. Indeed, Whitebeard’s training style is something else—but it probably only works because Naruto is a Jinchuriki.
Any normal person would have been killed by Whitebeard’s grueling regime.
“Naruto’s physical capabilities rival a Chunin already,” Kakashi says. “He eats over fifty pounds of meat a day. It’s that incredible constitution that gives him partial resistance to sleeping powder.”
Uchiha Shisui is dumbfounded.
He’s not even six yet—technically five—and his physical strength is on par with an adult Chunin?!
That must be the power of a Jinchuriki.
If there had been a war, Naruto would have made waves for Konoha, a genius in the making!
“Seems Whitebeard-sama’s hundred-million bounty is too tempting for many. Especially for those who live on the edge,” Kakashi mutters, slipping his little book back into his pocket, sighing.
The moment Kakashi finishes speaking—
Something unusual happens.
Thick white fog seeps in from the reception hall’s doors and windows.
In under three seconds, it engulfs everything in sight.
Moments ago, visibility was decent;
Now it’s less than a meter.
“Hold your breath!” Kakashi’s expression changes.
“This isn’t ordinary fog—there must be poison in it!”
“Bad news…”
Suddenly, Shisui’s voice pipes up.
Kakashi turns and sees Shisui’s face growing paler.
Shisui forces a bitter smile:
“Fog is basically water vapor. If it’s laced with a special toxin, it can seep into the body through open wounds. I… don’t think my chakra pathways can circulate chakra now.”
As it is, Shisui is already weak.
He’s just begun to recover a bit; he hoped he could handle a fight if it came.
But to his surprise, he’s been poisoned again.
Now he can’t even channel his chakra.
“Likely a special toxin that interferes with chakra flow. It must be very expensive. No way a mere shipyard merchant could access that—this has to be the work of ninjas.” Shisui speaks weakly.
“Not just that merchant who’s after us—it’s probably Kirigakure’s ninjas. Those of the Bloody Mist are the best assassins in the shinobi world!”
—
Meanwhile, outside the reception hall,
A vast blanket of fog covers everything.
Any nearby workers have been quietly ushered away.
Within roughly an eight-hundred-meter radius of the reception hall, it’s only Whitebeard’s group and five Kirigakure ninjas!
“A special poison that disrupts chakra circulation, plus the Hidden Mist Technique, plus drugged food.”
Kurosuki Raiga sneers,
“This is exactly the method I planned to use to assassinate the Mizukage. Let’s see how well it works today!”
“Under the effects of double poison, even a Kage will collapse at the table. But… since he’s a man with a one-hundred-million bounty, he’s surely no pushover.”
He glances upward—
Though he sees nothing, he knows the sky is heavy with dark clouds, occasionally rumbling with thunder.
“This is perfect timing. Attack all at once! Let’s finish them off right now!”
Kurosuki Raiga shouts his order.
“Yes, Lord Kurosuki!”
The four Kirigakure Chunin—Kurosuki Raiga’s most loyal subordinates—are positioned at the four corners outside the reception hall.
They swiftly form hand seals upon hearing the command.
Hoping to strike down their assassination targets in one blow, they do not skimp on chakra. They pour out nearly all they have, chaining together a sequence of seventeen seals.
“Water Style: Great Waterfall Technique!!!!”
They tap into the abundant moisture in the Land of Water’s air. Each of the four Kirigakure Chunin takes a huge gulp of air—so much that their lungs nearly burst. Their eyes bloodshot, they release it in a furious blast!
Four surging torrents spiral forward at high speed. Though each is a size smaller than a Jonin-level Great Waterfall Technique, combined from four different directions, their destructive power is hardly inferior.
The reception hall walls collapse instantly, battered down by the raging water that floods inward!
“Hahaha! Here we go!”
Kurosuki Raiga raises his blades overhead, and electricity crackles as his chakra flares.
“Lightning Style: Thunder Fang!!!”
He slashes the paired blades forward, discharging blasts of lightning.
Lightning merges with the four Chunin’s Water Release, enveloping the Great Waterfall Technique in fierce arcs of electricity—
Sweeping away everything in its path!
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