The speed of the Gale Breaker 2.0 was completely in a different league compared to the small boat Naruto had bought in the fishing village before.
In fact, strictly speaking, the scientific and technological level of the Ninja World wasn't particularly poor.
Things like movie theaters and vending machines had existed for a long time.
There were even icebreakers that could convert geothermal energy into propulsion power!
It's just that everyone was used to Ninjas shuttling through the forest and burrowing underground, and the few existing researchers were still working on helping Ninjas better exert their combat power, so this kind of technology wasn't widespread.
Naruto, standing at the bow, had basically sorted out his thoughts when he suddenly noticed a blind spot.
"Nine Tails."
"Hah?"
Inside the seal space, Kurama was awakened by Naruto's sudden call and lifted his eyelids impatiently.
The seal space was no longer like it was at the beginning.
The environment here seemed related to Naruto's state of mind and spirit, though the reaction seemed somewhat 'delayed'.
Fortunately, after Naruto traveled back and forth several times, the space here finally changed.
Of course, the gate symbolizing the main body of the seal was still there, but the previously gloomy, damp environment like an underground waterway had undergone a massive transformation.
There were no walls to be seen anymore. Although the light source was unknown, everything was covered in a gentle glow.
Bright but not dazzling.
Correspondingly, there were no water stains on the floor anymore, replaced by faintly glowing fissures emitting firelight.
Beneath them, something seemed to be brewing.
Kurama was somewhat shocked the first time he saw this, but he got used to it over time.
Anyway, he couldn't escape, so what else could he do?
"About what happened before..."
Naruto wanted to ask Kurama if he was aware of what happened when Stussy drugged him.
But the words got stuck, and he didn't know where to start.
However, Kurama, being one in mind and body with his Jinchuriki, could understand what he meant even if Naruto was stammering.
But after realizing it, he let out a disdainful chuckle.
"Hmph… It's just mating, what's the big deal?"
He could sense Naruto's inner turmoil.
But he couldn't understand it.
After all, as Tailed Beasts, they didn't even have the concept of 'reproduction'. Their understanding of relationships between the sexes was even less than that of wild beasts.
"Why didn't you stop me back then?"
After holding it in for a long time, this was the only sentence Naruto managed to get out.
The Baku Baku no Mi indeed didn't automatically identify the mysterious powder, but Kurama's Chakra could greatly enhance his drug resistance.
The response Naruto got was an even more mocking laugh from Kurama.
If Naruto himself hadn't wanted it, could anyone have forced him to do it?
As the Jinchuriki, Naruto also sensed the other's feelings.
Then, somewhat defensively, he exited the seal space.
Yes, no one could force Naruto to do those things.
When it came down to it, the reason he let his guard down under the influence of the mysterious powder was that he had entertained those thoughts before.
It's just that all those thoughts had been blocked by Naruto's own certain persistence, or perhaps affectation.
Falling for it this time could be considered a compromise with himself.
And who knows, the next time he returns to the One Piece World, he might receive the happy news of becoming a father.
"Sigh-"
'I had to face these two relationships seriously.'
The Gale Breaker sped across the seas of the Ninja World. Naruto's sighs didn't last long before they were interrupted by the astonishment of seeing his 'true homeland' for the first time.
In the distance, the ruins of the Land of Whirlpools had come into view.
Calling it 'ruins' was no exaggeration, as there are only shattered buildings, broken bricks, and tiles scattered everywhere. However, from their shapes and forms, one could still vaguely see the past prosperity of the Land of Whirlpools.
As the Gale Breaker drew closer to the shore, more scenes came into Naruto's view.
Beside those ruins, a large space had been cleared out.
Ordinary single-story houses made of earth and stone were scattered orderly across the open ground.
It was nearly dusk, and cooking smoke was already rising from those houses, clearly indicating people lived there.
Next to it was a river, its waters flowing into the sea here, also providing clean water for the surrounding residents.
The Gale Breaker was very loud, so its approach had already alerted the people in this newborn village.
Two familiar figures quickly arrived at the shore, while other villagers poked their heads out of windows. It seemed past experiences had made them like birds startled by the mere twang of a bowstring.
After recognizing the figure on the Gale Breaker as Naruto, one of the smaller figures rushed over quickly.
It was Karin, whom he hadn't seen for a while.
Naruto had naturally sensed her presence long ago. He watched with some surprise as the young girl skillfully ran across the water's surface towards him, a smile appearing on his face.
'Not bad. It seemed Jiraiya-sensei's childcare skills were pretty good too.'
He stopped the boat, and immediately, Karin threw herself into Naruto's arms.
"Naruto-san! It's really great that you're okay!"
Feeling the sincere concern from this clansmate, Naruto gently patted her head.
That night, the newborn Uzushiogakure held a long-awaited feast.
Among them, the young man named Sachinosuke, whom Naruto had rescued from the Southern Hideout's prison, specially came over to pour Naruto a drink.
The villagers here were basically all prisoners from the Southern Hideout.
After leaving that place, the homeless gathered together and headed to the Land of Whirlpools' ruins mentioned by their benefactor.
Life was tough at first. Since they weren't Ninjas, they could only search for survival supplies and build shelters among the ruins with their bare hands.
But this life was still better than being in prison, where they could lose their lives at any moment.
Later, Karin and Jiraiya arrived. After some discussion, both sides heard Naruto's name from the other.
They immediately hit it off.
With Jiraiya's help, they quickly built a somewhat presentable small village, and life gradually improved.
"Naruto, you have no idea… this little girl was so worried about you." Jiraiya said with a laugh, lightly clinking cups with Naruto.
"Ah, that's really a bit embarrassing," Naruto scratched his head, showing his proper demeanor in front of a true elder.
Karin, who is standing beside him, was no longer as emotional as when she first saw Naruto safe and sound, instead showing a hint of shyness.
She really hadn't controlled her emotions well earlier.
From Jiraiya's account, Naruto also learned how long he had been away from the Ninja World.
One month.
A full thirty days… ten times longer than the last time.
This time was almost the same as the actual time he had spent in the One Piece World.
Naruto was now a little worried that this time gap might continue to widen.
He hoped that the next time he returned, one or two years hadn't passed over there.