"Hahaha! My bounty's gone up again—two million full Beli now!"
"That's nothing! Our captain's bounty is six million! He rules these waters!"
"Tch, your captain's just a coward, hiding in this patch of sea like a rat..."
"Bartender! Another round of pineapple wine! Once I'm buzzed, I'm hitting the nearest village for loot!"
"The Marines? Bah, those weaklings aren't worth our time. Once I've saved enough, I'm heading for the Grand Line..."
"Another round! Hahaha..."
"..."
The moment Naruto stepped into the bar, before he could even look around, his ears were bombarded by rowdy pirate banter and drunken boasts.
The bar was packed with rough, vicious-looking men.
In the dim light, it was clear—everyone was armed. Swords, guns, and murderous auras filled the air.
"Naruto-kun… we…"
Robin clutched the hem of Naruto's cloak from behind, visibly nervous.
"It's fine. Leave it to me."
Naruto reassured her with a calm voice, his eyes flickering with a heated glint.
Unlike Robin, who had grown up sheltered in Ohara, Naruto was raised in Konoha—a land haunted by war and death.
It wasn't uncommon to hear of a shinobi's death. Even children five or six years old understood the brutality of the ninja world. Death and bloodshed were its melody.
So, to Naruto, death was no stranger. If anything… he felt a thrill in its presence.
Perfect. Busōshoku no Haki grows stronger through combat. Kenbunshoku no Haki is stimulated by danger. This bar's just what I need.
With that in mind, Naruto strode confidently to the counter with Robin by his side.
Behind the bar was a hulking man nearly 2.4 meters tall, rugged and scarred, an eyepatch covering his right eye.
When he saw Naruto and Robin approach, he snorted.
"This ain't a place for brats. You don't wanna end up kidnapped and sold off, get lost."
A retired pirate, huh... Naruto stared at him for a couple of seconds.
It made sense. Only someone affiliated with pirates would let so many of them hang around drinking and boasting in peace.
Ignoring the one-eyed barkeep's warning, Naruto glanced at the menu, then said:
"Two pineapple pies, please."
The bartender frowned, his single eye glinting dangerously.
"Kids these days… Fine. Wait here."
He turned away to prepare the pies.
Around them, many pirates licked their lips and cast greedy stares at the two children.
Several pirates shifted seats, inching closer to Naruto and Robin's table.
Thanks to his enhanced physique, Naruto clearly heard their whispers.
"Boss, judging by their clothes, they're not from a rich family…"
"Yeah. Probably no ransom value."
"So...?"
"We grab them, sell 'em to the Mafia. Easy money... I'd say forty thousand Beli at least."
"Hehehe… Those mobsters are loaded. We're gonna score big with these two."
"..."
Naruto smirked. This bar really is full of scumbags. No wonder pirates gather here.
He paid the surrounding pirates no mind and found a table to sit at.
"Naruto-kun… what should we do?"
Robin sat beside him, equal parts nervous and thrilled.
"Well…" Naruto smiled and pointed at the loud-mouthed pirates. "Robin-chan, use your Hana Hana no Mi (Flower-Flower Fruit) to spy on their bounties."
The drunken pirates were waving around their wanted posters like business cards, bragging about their bounties.
Fifty thousand, a hundred thousand, two hundred thousand... Each tried to one-up the last.
Robin nodded nervously but with excitement. She crossed her arms in front of her chest.
"Cien Fleurs: Byakugan Bloom!"
Instantly, dozens of arms sprouted around the bar in hidden corners, each palm opening into a single observing eye.
After about half a minute, the eyes disappeared in a flutter of petals.
"Naruto-kun, I found him!"
Robin pointed at a nearby table, her voice trembling with excitement. "That group has the highest bounties—the captain alone is worth nine million!"
"Nine million, huh!?"
Naruto's eyes gleamed.
That might not be much in the Grand Line or New World…
But here, in the West Blue, nine million was top tier. Enough to feed a regular family for decades.
Just then, the one-eyed barkeep returned with the pies.
"Here's your pineapple pie, kids. That'll be one thousand Beli. You do have the money, right?"
Robin stiffened, anxiously glancing at Naruto.
Between them, they didn't even have a thousand Beli.
The barkeep's expression darkened. No one dared dine and dash in his bar.
Naruto calmly stood and pointed toward the group of pirates.
"No worries. That table over there has a combined bounty of fifteen million Beli. Once I bring them in, I'll have more than enough to pay."
The barkeep's eye widened in disbelief.
The lively bar suddenly fell dead silent. All the pirates turned toward them.
The silence held for a second…
Then, like a dam bursting, raucous laughter exploded across the room.
"Hahaha! Did you hear what the brat just said? He's gonna take down Leopard Cat Kaden! Hahaha!"
"What an arrogant little punk!"
"Does he think he's a Marine? A bounty hunter? Trying to pay with bounty heads, what a joke!"
"That's Leopard Cat Kaden he's talking about! Guy's bounty is nine million—and he's been to the Grand Line!"
"Hey, Kaden, did you hear that? This kid says he's taking your head for cash!"
"..."
Laughter roared through the room.
Some pirates doubled over, tears streaming from their eyes. None of them took Naruto seriously.
After all, he didn't even look ten years old—how could he possibly have that kind of power?
But Leopard Cat Kaden, sitting in the back, didn't laugh.
His expression twisted into a snarl as he stood and turned, his eyes locking on Naruto.
"Kid… have you thought about how you want to die?"
(End of Chapter)
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