Chapitre 3: The Warlord
As the last of the Marines fled in small boats, the sea grew quiet again, leaving Naruto, Luffy, Zoro, and Nami standing victorious on the deck of the abandoned Marine ship. The night air was cool, a stark contrast to the adrenaline pumping through their veins.
Luffy, ever the carefree spirit, hopped up onto the ship's mast, grinning ear to ear. "That was awesome!" he shouted, stretching his arms wide. "We totally kicked their butts!"
Zoro sheathed his swords, his usual stoic demeanor in place as he glanced at the scattered remains of their fight. "You're not bad, Naruto," he admitted, giving a small nod of respect. "Guess I won't have to carry you after all."
Naruto smirked, wiping some sweat from his brow. "Same to you. Your swordsmanship is no joke."
Nami, still standing near the tiller of their original boat, finally made her way onto the deck, her expression a mix of relief and frustration. "I can't believe you guys just went headfirst into a Marine fight like that," she muttered, though her tone lacked the usual bite. "We could've avoided all of this."
Luffy blinked, tilting his head in confusion. "But why would we avoid a fight? It was fun!"
Nami sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Of course, you'd say that."
Naruto chuckled, watching the interaction between his new companions. It reminded him of his team back in Konoha—the way Sakura would often scold him and Sasuke for being reckless, while Kakashi would quietly observe with that annoying yet endearing calm. For a brief moment, the ache of homesickness tugged at his heart again.
"So what now?" Naruto asked, glancing around the ship. "Do we take this ship? Seems like a nice upgrade."
Nami looked around, her eyes scanning the ship's deck with the practiced gaze of a navigator. "It's not a bad idea. This ship is much sturdier than what we've got now. Plus, with the Marine insignia, we could use it to avoid trouble... for a while, at least."
Zoro nodded in agreement. "And it's bigger. We'll have more space to move around."
Luffy jumped down from the mast, already bouncing with excitement. "Great! Let's make it our new ship then!"
Naruto looked over the vessel, thinking about what they had just accomplished. The Marines had been a decent challenge, but nothing compared to the enemies he had faced before. He could sense that this world held even greater dangers, and a stronger ship might come in handy.
"Alright," he agreed. "Let's take it. But we should move quickly. If those Marines come back with reinforcements, we could have a bigger problem on our hands."
Nami, always the practical one, was already mapping out their next course in her head. "There's an island not too far from here. We can stop there to restock and lay low for a while. I'll set the course."
The crew quickly set to work, preparing the new Marine ship for their journey. Nami took control of the helm, expertly guiding the vessel through the night as Zoro handled the sails. Naruto, still getting used to the workings of a ship, helped where he could, but he spent most of his time keeping watch from the deck. Luffy was even more useless in preparing the ship, as he promptly fell back asleep
As the hours passed and the sea stretched endlessly before them, Naruto's thoughts wandered. He couldn't shake the feeling that something bigger was waiting for him in this world. It wasn't just about surviving and fighting off enemies—there was a larger purpose he hadn't quite grasped yet.
The memory of Konoha, his friends, and his old life still lingered heavily in his mind. He missed them deeply, but the more time he spent with Luffy and the others, the more he felt like he was starting to carve out a place for himself here. The world of One Piece, for all its danger and chaos, was full of adventure, and Naruto had always been drawn to that.
As he gazed out over the horizon, the first light of dawn began to break, painting the sky with shades of pink and orange. The sight was breathtaking, a reminder of the beauty and vastness of this new world.
But then, something shifted in the air—a presence, subtle but unmistakable. Naruto's senses went on high alert, his body tensing as he scanned the waters ahead.
"We've got company," he muttered under his breath.
Zoro, who had been resting nearby, immediately sat up, his hand moving instinctively to the hilt of his sword. "What is it?"
Naruto narrowed his eyes, focusing his chakra senses outward. "Something's coming. And it's strong."
Before Zoro could respond, the water ahead of them erupted in a massive spray, and a ship much larger than theirs emerged from the mist. It was unlike any Marine ship they had seen before—black sails, jagged metal plating along its sides.
At the bow of the ship stood a tall figure, cloaked in shadow. His presence was overwhelming, and even from this distance, Naruto could feel the power radiating off him.
Luffy, who had been lazily lounging in the rigging, sat up suddenly, his eyes wide with excitement. "Whoa! Who's that?"
Nami's face paled as she took in the sight of the ship. "That's... that's no ordinary Marine ship," she whispered, her voice filled with dread. "That's one of the Warlords of the Sea."
Naruto's eyes widened at the mention of the word. He remembered Nami explaining to him earlier about the Warlords—a group of pirates who had allied with the World Government, making them some of the most dangerous people on the seas.
"Which one is it?" Zoro asked, his grip tightening on his swords.
Nami didn't answer right away. Her eyes were fixed on the figure at the bow of the ship, who was slowly becoming clearer as the mist parted.
When she finally spoke, her voice was filled with a mixture of fear and awe. "It's Dracule Mihawk... the greatest swordsman in the world."
Naruto's heart skipped a beat. Even in his world, where legends like Madara and Hashirama existed, the idea of someone being the greatest at anything was no small feat. He could feel the weight of Mihawk's presence, like a predator calmly surveying its prey.
Mihawk's gaze swept over their ship, his hawk-like eyes narrowing in on Zoro. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he rested his hand on the hilt of the massive sword strapped to his back.
"So," Mihawk's voice carried over the water, deep and commanding, "which one of you seeks the title of the world's greatest?"
Zoro stepped forward without hesitation, his face grim but determined. "That would be me," he said, his voice steady.
Naruto glanced at Zoro, sensing the seriousness in his tone. This wasn't just any fight—this was something personal. Something that had been driving Zoro for a long time.
Mihawk studied Zoro for a moment, then nodded slowly, as if acknowledging his resolve. "Very well," he said, unsheathing a small knife from his necklace. "Show me the strength of your convictions."
Zoro didn't waste any time. He drew his swords and leaped into action, his movements sharp and precise as he charged at Mihawk, jumping onto the Warlords ship with one jump. The clash of steel echoed across the water as their blades met, and Naruto felt the sheer intensity of the battle in the air around them.
But even as Zoro fought with everything he had, it was clear that Mihawk was on a completely different level. His movements were effortless, each swing of his tiny sword calculated and precise. Zoro's attacks were deflected with ease, and it wasn't long before he was forced to his knees, panting heavily.
Naruto watched, his fists clenched at his sides. He could see the determination in Zoro's eyes—the refusal to give up, even in the face of overwhelming odds. It reminded him so much of himself, of the countless times he had been beaten down but refused to stay down.
"Zoro," Naruto muttered under his breath, his heart pounding in his chest.
As the fight continued, Mihawk's expression remained calm, almost bored. "You have spirit," he said, his voice quiet but carrying a weight that made the air feel heavier. "But you are not yet worthy."
With a final, swift strike, Mihawk knocked Zoro's swords from his hands, leaving him defenseless. Zoro knelt before him, breathing heavily, but his eyes never wavered.
Naruto, feeling the intensity of the moment, prepared to jump in if needed, but something held him back. This was Zoro's fight. He could feel it.
Zoro, his chest heaving with effort, looked up at Mihawk, his voice filled with unwavering resolve. "I'll surpass you... one day."
Mihawk's eyes narrowed slightly, and for a moment, the air between them seemed to still. Then, slowly, he sheathed his small sword and stepped back. "I look forward to it," he said simply.
Mihawk raised his leg, planting it on Zoros chest and pressing forward, launching Zoro over the rail of his ship and into the water below. Naruto almost jumped forward to catch the beaten man, but Luffy's arms stopped him as they stretched forward, grabbing Zoro and placing him on the deck of their ship.
Mikhawk glanced over the railing one last time, looking at Naruto. Their gazes met for a moment, and then the Warlord turned away.
As Mihawk's ship began to sail away, the tension slowly lifted, leaving the crew in stunned silence. Zoro, still on his knees, clenched his fists in the sand, his frustration evident.
Naruto watched him, a deep respect settling in his chest.
Zoro's got the same kind of drive I have, Naruto thought, watching as Zoro stayed knelt on the deck of their ship, his chest heaving with labored breaths. The weight of the loss hung in the air, but it didn't feel like defeat—not entirely. It was more like a declaration, a promise to the future.
Zoro slowly stood up, wiping the sweat from his brow. His gaze remained fixed on the spot where Mihawk had stood moments before. "One day," he whispered to himself, his fists clenching at his sides. "I swear... I'll surpass him."
Naruto approached him, his eyes filled with understanding. "You did well, Zoro. Facing someone like that takes guts. You'll get stronger, I know it."
Zoro glanced at him, his usual calm demeanor slipping just slightly. "I can't lose again. Not until I'm the best."
Naruto nodded. "I know that feeling. I used to be the weakest in my village... but I never gave up. You'll get there."
There was a brief moment of silence between them, the unspoken respect they had for each other growing stronger. Naruto understood the burden of chasing an impossible dream—the kind that weighed on your heart but also kept you moving forward.
Luffy, ever the optimist, jumped down from the ship's rigging, landing beside them with a grin. "Zoro, you were awesome! I've never seen anyone fight like that!"
Zoro chuckled, though there was a bitterness in his voice. "Awesome, huh? I lost."
"Yeah, but you fought with everything you had," Luffy said, his grin never faltering. "That's what matters. We'll get stronger together, and next time, you'll win for sure!"
Nami, who had been watching from a safe distance, sighed in relief now that the danger had passed. "You guys are crazy, you know that? First, you take on a Marine ship, and now you're challenging the strongest swordsman in the world. What is a guy like him even doing in the East Blue?!"
"That's what makes it fun," Luffy said, laughing as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Naruto smiled, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. These people—Luffy, Zoro, and even Nami—were different from the friends he had back home, but they had the same kind of spirit. They were chasing their dreams just like he was, and that made them comrades in his eyes.
As the sun climbed higher into the sky, the crew began to regroup. Nami busied herself checking the map, while Zoro silently recovered from his battle. Luffy, as always, was bursting with energy, running around the deck of the ship without a care in the world.
Naruto leaned against the railing, his gaze drifting over the horizon. The sea stretched out endlessly, glittering under the sun's rays. For the first time since arriving in this world, he felt... at peace.
But that peace was short-lived as Nami called out from the helm. "There's an island up ahead! We'll dock there for supplies."
Naruto nodded, his attention shifting toward the approaching landmass. "Finally. I could use some food."
As they neared the island, the crew prepared to dock, each of them falling into a comfortable rhythm despite the chaos they had just endured. The island itself was small, with thick forests and a town nestled by the shore.
Once they were anchored, Naruto, Luffy, Zoro, and Nami disembarked, stepping onto solid ground for the first time in days. The town was bustling with activity, merchants shouting their wares and townsfolk going about their daily business. It was a lively place, full of color and noise.
Naruto's stomach growled loudly, drawing amused glances from Luffy and Zoro. "Let's find some food!" Luffy said excitedly, already darting off toward a nearby stall selling large, roasted meats.
Nami, rolling her eyes, stayed close to Naruto as they walked through the marketplace. "Try not to spend all our money on food, okay?" she muttered, though there was a hint of amusement in her voice.
Naruto chuckled. "Don't get too attached to that money."
As they explored the town, Naruto couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder. Despite all the battles and challenges, there was something captivating about this world. The people here, even in the face of danger, were full of life, and the adventure that lay ahead seemed limitless.
But then, out of the corner of his eye, Naruto noticed something strange—a figure moving through the crowd, their movements unnaturally fast and precise. He narrowed his eyes, his shinobi instincts kicking in. This person wasn't just any ordinary townsperson.
"Hey," he said quietly to Nami, his tone serious. "Someone's watching us."
Nami stiffened slightly, following his gaze. "What do you mean? Who?"
Naruto didn't answer right away, his eyes locking onto the figure who was now slipping between stalls, seemingly unnoticed by everyone else. He could feel it—the same presence he'd felt during battles in the shinobi world. Whoever this was, they were skilled, and they were hiding something.
Without another word, Naruto slipped into the crowd, his movements silent and calculated. He followed the figure, weaving through the bustling market with ease, his senses heightened. The figure led him toward the edge of town, where the noise and crowds began to thin.
As they reached a secluded alleyway, the figure finally stopped, turning to face Naruto. The hood they wore obscured most of their face, but Naruto could see a glint of sharp eyes beneath the shadow.
"So, you noticed me," the figure said, their voice low and smooth. There was something strange about it—a familiarity that made Naruto's heart skip a beat. "You're not like the others, are you?"
Naruto frowned, his hand instinctively moving to his kunai pouch, even though he knew he didn't have any of his old gear with him. "Who are you?" he demanded, his body tense. "And why were you following us?"
The figure chuckled softly, taking a step forward. "I've heard about you... the strange one who fell from the sky. You don't belong here, do you?"
Naruto's eyes widened, his mind racing. How does this person know that?
Before he could respond, the figure reached up and slowly pulled back their hood, revealing a face that sent a shockwave of recognition through Naruto's entire body.
It was a woman—a beautiful woman, with long, flowing red hair and sharp, piercing eyes. But what struck Naruto the most was how much she reminded him of someone from his world. Someone he never thought he'd see again.
Mom?!
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone