And what were the so-called 'overconfident man' and 'playboy' being gossiped about doing at this moment?
The answer is...
Being a mount.
"Sigh..."
This was already who-knows-what-number sigh from Sasuke.
"Hey now, don't sigh like that... I didn't do it on purpose..."
For once, Yamato even referred to herself in a cutesy, feminine way, but all she got in return were eye-rolls from Sasuke and Baby-5.
At this moment, both Sasuke and Yamato had transformed into their beast forms, flying over the sea surface using flame clouds.
While the speed was faster than sailing, it couldn't be sustained for long.
Sasuke couldn't because of his stamina, and Yamato because she wasn't skilled enough at flying yet.
Otherwise, Baby-5 wouldn't have needed Sasuke to carry her.
—Of course, despite the verbal complaints, Baby-5 was inwardly quite grateful for Yamato's unexpected move.
...
The story goes back to last night.
The three of them were originally eating and chatting.
From Yamato's mouth, Sasuke finally learned what Naruto had done over those past years.
For instance, taking Yamato along to smash up mines. For instance, after being caught, eating up all the reserve food on Onigashima and then using Clone Technique to trick Kaido. Or, for instance, using Harem Technique to lure Queen out and beat him up, and so on.
Basically, if he could fight Kaido head-on, he would, and if he couldn't win, he'd harass.
The goal was to never let him have peace.
Similarly, his actions also stirred up many insightful individuals whose inner flames hadn't yet died out at the time, rallying them to rebel against the Beasts Pirates together.
Over those years, Naruto fought Kaido many times, mostly ending with him escaping using Clone Technique.
There was no other way… Naruto hadn't learned many Ninjutsu back then, and his physical strength couldn't match Kaido, who had eaten the Azure Dragon fruit.
To contend with him, he had to rely on Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
It was also thanks to the clones that he avoided being captured on the spot.
—Of course, he was caught once later for certain reasons, but he escaped within a few days.
To Kaido's recruitment attempts, Naruto always had only one answer.
Never compromise.
Unlike Oden, who chose to 'play the fool' at the time, Naruto opted for a more aggressive approach.
And this behavior actually earned him more recognition from Kaido.
Of course, it also made Kaido want to smash him to death with his kanabo even more.
Recalling the events of those days, Yamato couldn't help but feel her emotions surge, so the alcohol also went down barrel after barrel.
If we talk about what she inherited from her old man, Kaido-
Aside from the naturally powerful physique and the two horns on her head, it was the drinking etiquette.
To put it simply, she starts acting crazy when drunk.
Her drunken etiquette is quite poor, and the consequences are too awful to behold.
If Sasuke hadn't acted fast enough, Baby-5, a Devil Fruit user, might have sunk to the bottom of the sea.
If that had really happened, Sasuke and Yamato could only have watched helplessly, as they couldn't even go into the water to save her.
After all, whose idea was it for three landlubbers to set sail together? That's just asking for trouble.
Although Baby-5 survived Yamato's indiscriminate drunken rampage, the ship they were piloting wasn't so lucky.
How could such a small boat withstand the rampage of Yamato, who could fight an Emperor? A casual swing of her kanabo completely shattered it, sinking it to the seabed.
Along with it went their food and fresh water supplies.
All we can say is, drinking etiquette is really important.
At this moment, the trio's most important goal had shifted to first finding an island where they could resupply.
Perhaps it was truly god's will, or perhaps it was the law of conservation of luck-
Anyway, after flying over the sea for a day and a half with no food or drink, they finally saw the outline of land.
…
"Hey, hey, won't you guys get discovered like this?"
"We're still wanted criminals!"
Buggy, wrapped in an airtight cloak, lowered his voice and roared at the three beside him who hadn't made the slightest effort to conceal their appearances at all.
Facing the accusations from [Clown] Buggy, [Desert King] Crocodile just glanced at him disdainfully, then went back to smoking his cigar and reading the latest World Economic News Paper.
Mr.1 remained his usual taciturn self, faithfully following his boss.
To him, even though Baroque Works had been destroyed and Crocodile's Warlord status was gone, the other party was still a boss worthy of his allegiance.
As for Buggy... well, he's a clown, living up to his name.
Little does he know, his prized [Supa Supa no Mi] is just a joke in front of Buggy.
"Don't talk about us, you're the most suspicious looking one! And you've never even tried to hide your nose!"
Mr. 3 directly pointed a finger at him, almost poking Buggy's red nose.
"Wh-what?! You! Are you making fun of my nose?!"
Hearing the keyword, Buggy immediately flew into a rage, forgetting all about his disguise, pulling out several throwing knives and holding them between his fingers.
"Hah? Who said anything like that! And why are you still following us anyway!"
Mr. 3 didn't hold back either, gathering wax in his hands, also adopting a fighting stance.
The shouting of these two immediately attracted the attention of other residents on the island.
Many gazes turned their way, surrounding the group.
"Idiots, shut up."
Crocodile put down the newspaper and cursed under his breath.
Simultaneously, the poisoned golden hook pressed against Buggy's throat.
"Another word, and I'll deal with you right now."
Mr. 3 and Buggy immediately quieted down.
In fact, before Buggy started shouting, not many people had paid them any attention.
Yes, Crocodile were indeed a figure before going to prison, but with so many major events happening on the seas recently, who would care about a few small-time prison escapees?
Not to mention, this is the New World. Wanted pirates are a dime a dozen, and they can even legally come ashore to purchase supplies.
Those pirates generally don't attack islands that can serve as resource resupply points because they likely belong to some major power.
Like, say, one of the Emperors.
Seeing the surrounding gazes gradually disperse, Crocodile picked up the newspaper again, rereading the news that read like a fantasy story.
No, perhaps even more bizarre than a story.
Before this, who would have dared to believe that the World Government would collapse, and the Celestial Dragons would become 'rare species' being hunted.
The newspaper in front of Crocodile clearly reported news about some Celestial Dragon noble being killed in which sea area.
Surprisingly, the Marine side didn't express any intention to seek revenge.
'It seems things have changed over at the Marines.'
'With the World Government dissolved and Marine forces pulling back, it means more guys will pop up, carving out territory on the seas.'
Rubbing his chin, Crocodile began thinking about how to make a comeback amidst this chaos.
And just at that moment, a voice suddenly spoke up.
"Hey, you guys, you're wanted criminals, right?"
Looking up, following the direction of the voice, it was a burly man in a black jacket.
This guy was also smoking a cigar and had a long sword at his waist.
What really caught Crocodile's attention was the tattoo on this man's right arm.
'One of Whitebeard's men...'
Crocodile remembered… he seemed to have seen this guy before.
And across from him, Fossa, the 15th Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, also seemed to recognize the appearance of the man before him.
"Crocodile!"