Hokage World – Chūnin Exam Arena
"This… is that really Naruto?"
Sakura let out a shocked gasp.
She never expected the once-silly image of Naruto she had in her memory to have changed so drastically.
Beside her, Ino was equally stunned.
"That's still the same 17 or 18-year-old Naruto, right? Somehow… he actually looks kind of handsome now!"
Behind them, Hinata pursed her lips, a blush spreading across her cheeks.
"Naruto-kun looks so cool now… it's almost intimidating..."
At that moment, due to the interdimensional power tournament, the Chūnin Exam had been temporarily suspended.
Kakashi and Sasuke arrived late — their originally dramatic entrance now completely overshadowed, the moment turned awkward.
The two of them stood on the platform, unsure what to do.
Kakashi scratched the side of his masked face.
"To think Naruto had this kind of opportunity…
He really is Minato-sensei's son."
Sasuke's face, in contrast, was as cold as ice. He bit his lip.
"That guy… why is it always him!"
He had been planning to show off his newly mastered A-rank jutsu — Chidori — in front of the Konoha crowd.
But instead, Naruto had suddenly climbed onto a grander stage, drawing the attention of countless viewers from countless worlds.
It was as if they were now on completely different levels.
The emotional blow was crushing.
Jealousy burned in Sasuke's heart — stronger than ever before.
---
Pirate World – Luffy's Transformation
As for Luffy, despite being in his peak state, his appearance hadn't changed much.
Still the same iconic straw hat.
Still shorts and sandals.
He still reeked of "Jiraiya-like" carefree charm.
The only real difference? The red cape on his back —
Which suspiciously looked like it was made from some woman's red silk nightgown.
Oh, and the large, glaring X-shaped scar across his chest.
It looked fierce and terrifying.
---
Amazon Lily Palace
On the luxurious island of Amazon Lily, three women were discussing Luffy's appearance.
Marigold: "Big sis, doesn't that robe Luffy's wearing look like your nightgown?"
Sandersonia: "Totally! Don't tell me…"
Hancock (shouting): "Shut up! That's impossible!"
Though she yelled, suspicion flickered in Hancock's eyes.
---
Straw Hat Crew Reactions
The Straw Hat Pirates, meanwhile, were in complete shock.
Usopp clutched his mouth, trembling.
"Th-That's what Luffy looks like at his strongest?"
"He doesn't even look older than he is now!"
Chopper curled into a ball, tears welling in his eyes.
"At most… that's like one or two years from now!"
Even Zoro, normally calm, looked stunned.
"Luffy… he didn't become the Pirate King?"
In the Pirate World, most people's strength didn't peak until their 50s.
The Four Emperors, the Navy Admirals — all were late bloomers.
They had expected Luffy to appear older and more mature.
Instead, he showed up still youthful — which only meant one thing: short lifespan.
If this was his peak form, it likely meant he wouldn't live long enough to reach the Pirate King's throne.
---
Marine Headquarters
Back at Navy HQ, Akainu — initially furious about not being selected — suddenly burst out laughing.
"Straw Hat brat, at your peak and you're still that young?
Looks like you're about to die soon."
"Ace is about to be executed… and now it seems his little brother will soon join him in hell."
"Absolutely delightful."
The other aggressive vice admirals behind him had similarly savage grins.
Unbeknownst to them, Garp slumped in his chair behind them, deep wrinkles etching his face like never before.
He seemed to age decades in mere seconds.
Meanwhile, the Five Elders exchanged glances and let out a collective sigh of relief.
"Hmph. From the looks of him, that's no more than two years ahead.
You think he can awaken that power in such a short time?"
"I sure don't believe it."
"So he's still a baby devil… seems we worried for nothing."
"Besides, can he even defeat that blonde-haired kid across from him? That's still up in the air."
---
Hokage World – Again
In the ninja world, peaking in your late teens or early twenties wasn't rare.
Power often declined with age anyway.
At the Cloud Village, inside the Raikage's office—
Fourth Raikage stood by the window, lightning crackling around him.
"That boy may be from Konoha, but he represents all of us ninjas now."
"He better win… or I won't let him off easily!"
Back at the Chūnin Exam arena in Konoha—
Sarutobi Hiruzen finally came back to his senses.
He lit his pipe, took a long drag, and smiled gently.
Raising his arm high, he addressed the crowd:
"Even though I — not Jiraiya — was not chosen to fight,
if a young ninja from Konoha was,
then regardless of our past grievances, we must set them aside."
"Let's cheer for him! Naruto! Give it your all!!!"
The villagers roared.
"Sarutobi-sama is truly magnanimous — even cheering for the Nine-Tails brat!"
"No wonder he's called the strongest Hokage of all time!"
"Not that I like it, but kid — if you lose, I'll kill you myself!"
Feeling their admiration, Hiruzen smiled contentedly.
"As expected of me. Took just a moment to turn the tide."
---
[Start of the Match!]
All across the multiverse, countless screens finished their countdown.
[Battle Start!!!]
On the arena stage—
A wave of indescribable force rippled outward.
Two figures locked eyes, deadly tension filling the air.
Luffy adjusted his straw hat, eyes deep and calm.
"So this is Jiraiya's future strength, huh? Interesting."
"Hey! Blondie! Let's fight!"
Naruto's gaze sharpened.
He could feel his rage and fighting spirit steadily rising.
"That ripple earlier…
It must've been some power that stirs the will to battle."
His blue eyes gleamed with fierce intent.
"Let's go!"
He swiftly formed hand signs—
"Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Poof Poof Poof—
Thousands of clones filled the arena, surrounding Luffy completely.
The entire multiverse was shocked —
Even hardened warriors from the Dragon Ball world felt chills.
A second later, thousands of Naruto clones flung kunai toward Luffy.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
"Hah! That won't work on me! Watch this!"
"Gomu Gomu no… Balloon!"
POOF!
Luffy's entire body inflated like a massive balloon,
sending all the incoming kunai flying in every direction.
"But I'm not done yet!"
He clenched his fists — both arms suddenly coated in jet-black ink:
Armament Haki.
"Gomu Gomu no… Gatling Gun!!!"
Bang bang bang!
BOOM!!!
His fists blurred like bullets, raining down punches in every direction.
Afterimages flooded the air.
Within seconds, all of Naruto's clones were obliterated.
---
Marvel Universe Reactions
Human Torch: "Holy crap! That's just like Cap's fighting style — but younger!"
Invisible Woman: "Richards… he couldn't possibly dodge that many blades, right?"
The Thing: "Looks like Cap's position is in serious danger!"
Mr. Fantastic: "Hey! Don't count me out just yet!"
---
JoJo Universe
Kakyoin: "Jotaro, that punching speed rivals Star Platinum!"
Polnareff: "Hah! If he yelled 'Ora Ora,' I'd swear it was Jotaro!"
---
Null Realm – Supreme Arena
The entire audience burst into laughter.
Beside Zeno, the childlike king imitated Luffy's wild punches.
"Wow! His arms stretch that far? That's so cool!"
Goku turned to Buu.
"Luffy fights just like you do!
And that inky arm thing boosts his power and accuracy."
He grinned.
"After this match, I gotta ask him to teach me that move!"
Master Roshi lowered his sunglasses thoughtfully.
"Thousands of shadow clones?
That's even more insane than my afterimage technique…"
"But judging by this round of testing —
Luffy's still one step ahead."