After staying on the island for a month, the treasure had finally been found. It was time to leave.
However, Acier and his daughter decided to remain behind.
"I've spent most of my life trapped inside Bonbori's enormous belly. I've long since lost the courage to sail the seas again. Olga also wishes to settle here with me on this island."
Acier held his daughter's hand as they stood at the edge of the beach, bidding farewell to Arima and the others.
"Since you've made up your minds, we won't try to persuade you otherwise. Luckily, the house from before still stands."
Arima understood their desire for a stable life, so he didn't press them further. Instead, he took out a Devil Fruit and placed it into Acier's hand.
"This is the Bird-Bird Fruit, Model: Swallow. There are many fierce beasts on this island. If one of you eats it, you'll at least have the strength to defend yourselves."
Acier didn't refuse. He and his daughter truly did need power. To live freely on the seas, one had to be able to protect oneself.
And so, their paths diverged. Who knew when they might meet again? Perhaps years would pass, with each going their separate way, never to cross paths again.
On the Konoha Senju, their current navigator was the thin sailor captured from the Theo Pirates, while Kushina served as a trainee navigator.
She hoped to one day chart a course for her family on her own.
As evening neared, Arima stood on deck, gazing at the endless horizon. The sea was calm, yet his heart surged with anticipation. A new journey awaited.
Tsunade came to his side, slipped her arm around his, and asked softly, "Arima, where will we go next?"
"To the Grand Line. I've heard there are countless wondrous islands there, and we'll see them together.
Along the way, we must also keep track of Devil Fruits. I've found a way to eliminate their side effects, when the time comes, I'll get one for each of you."
Arima reached out, gently brushing Tsunade's delicate face. To have a woman like her by his side made his spirit soar.
"That's wonderful! I was always hesitant about whether I should eat a Devil Fruit. Now I'll have to pick carefully."
Overjoyed, Tsunade leaned in and kissed him. Arima wrapped her in his arms, and the two stood at the bow, watching the glow of the setting sun.
"I've heard many auction houses trade in Devil Fruits. The most famous is in the Sabaody Archipelago."
Arima had heard the name Sabaody countless times before.
"In that case, why don't we head there directly?" Tsunade asked.
"We'll need plenty of money for an auction. If we encounter foolish pirates along the way, we can seize their bounty.
Besides, rebuilding Konoha will also take a great deal of funds. That's why I plan to search for Sky Island first, the legends say it hides mountains of gold."
"Then we'll need to stop by Jaya Island on the first half of the Grand Line."
"Exactly. But before that, I want to visit the East Blue. Shanks once told me he stayed for a time in Foosha Village, and that's where his 'treasure' lies."
A faint smile curved Arima's lips, as if recalling something amusing.
"Then we'll have to cross the Calm Belt. But the Sea Kings lurking beneath the surface won't be easy to deal with!"
Tsunade shuddered at the memory of their previous encounter with those monsters.
"That won't be a problem. Shanks once told me of a way to make a ship 'invisible'."
From his Kamui space, Arima produced a strange stone.
"This mineral is called seastone. It's incredibly hard, the very crystallization of the sea itself.
Weapons made of it are deadly against Devil Fruit users. If we embed it in the ship in a special way, it can shield us from the Sea Kings.
Unfortunately, seastone is extremely rare and difficult to work with. This piece is the one that I collected in Kano."
"But Arima, you don't have to worry about processing it, do you? Kamui itself has a spatial cutting edge, it can slice through even the hardest stone."
"You really are a clever one."
Arima playfully tugged Tsunade's soft earlobe, making her cheeks flush; it was one of her sensitive spots.
After teasing her, Arima took out a pair of seastone-embedded gauntlets and a pair of custom high heels, handing them to Tsunade.
"These are for you. I don't want you caught off guard in a fight with Devil Fruit users."
Tsunade slid on the gauntlets, gave them a few experimental swings, and found them perfectly suited. Then she flipped the shoes around and held them out to Arima with a smile.
"Arima, will you put them on me?"
He had always spoiled her, and such a small request he would never refuse.
Since giving birth, Tsunade's figure had grown even more alluring.
Today she wore a short skirt, her slender legs wrapped in stockings, dainty toes peeking like hidden jewels, an irresistible sight to any man.
Suppressing the heat in his chest, Arima slowly helped her slip on the shoes. When he was done, he lingered, not rising just yet.
Tsunade leaned close, whispering in his ear with a mischievous grin, "Oh, Arima, who told you to tug on my ear just now? Now you know how flustered I felt."
Arima could only smile helplessly. "You are always full of tricks. I just hope little Yuna turns out a bit duller, otherwise, father will be tormented by both mother and daughter."
The two exchanged a look and disappeared together from the deck.
This scene happened to be witnessed by Kushina and Natsuka, who had come up for a stroll. Once again, they were greeted with a display of shameless sweetness.
"Ugh! Your brother and sister-in-law are way too much!" Kushina fumed to Natsuka.
Natsuka instinctively nodded. Since coming to this world, it seemed her brother and sister-in-law cared little for others' opinions, flaunting their affection openly.
"I guess that's what it means to let yourself go. They've really flown off the rails," Natsuka muttered, siding with Kushina.
"What if we send little Yuna to their room tonight? Let's see how lovey-dovey they stay then!"
It was the best scheme Kushina could think of.
"Forget it. Don't waste your time. Doesn't Arima know about the Wood Clone Jutsu?"
Both girls sighed together. It seemed the troubles of adolescence were catching up to them.
Three days later, Arima successfully embedded the seastone into the Konoha Senju. With everything ready, they set course for the East Blue.
At the same time, Vice Admiral Garp was returning from the West Blue, also heading toward the East Blue.
Ever since learning that Shanks had taken an interest in his grandson, Garp wanted nothing more than to keep Luffy at his side, lest the boy be led astray.
That day, his fleet had docked at a West Blue island for repairs. Beyond it lay the Calm Belt, and once they braved its dangers, the East Blue would be in reach.
By dusk, storm clouds gathered, winds howled, and waves crashed violently against the coast. Clearly, it was no night for sailing.
'No matter. Shanks has already returned to the New World. Staying here another day won't hurt,' Garp thought.
He ordered the marines to rest until the weather cleared.
Near midnight, just as Garp was about to sleep, he rose to check the harbor and ensure his men were standing watch. Through the window, he spotted a ship approaching to dock.
His den-den mushi rang.
"Report, Vice Admiral Garp! The Konoha Senju is about to make a port. Do we engage?"
"No. I'll deal with them myself."
Donning his marine uniform once more, Garp strode toward the harbor.
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