Stussy left.
Without any lingering attachment, she disappeared from Water 7 with the remaining CP9 personnel she had recruited.
Perhaps she hadn't given up on the mission to obtain Pluton's blueprints.
Or maybe she was brewing an even more complex plan.
In any case, the story between Naruto and this woman full of stories had come to a temporary end.
Neither a hero roaming the seas nor an agent walking on thin ice was suited for a stable relationship.
Naruto had known from the beginning that Stussy wasn't someone who would change her inner convictions for another person.
Her goals had never changed, and she was destined to be unable to experience an ordinary life.
This was also why he had avoided this ambiguous relationship.
Of course, it would be even better if others could be as understanding as Stussy about this.
A few days later, at Galley-La Company.
Looking at this streamlined orange-painted boat before him, Naruto's face showed an interested expression.
Considering his build and weight, this boat was considerably larger than Ace's.
The boat had a mast section. This served as emergency power. If the engine broke down, it could temporarily move using the sail.
Due to the expanded size, the boat even had a separate small "room."
You could also call it an interlayer.
It could store some food and alcohol and also allow Naruto to lie down and rest inside alone.
Not spacious, but it could shield from wind and rain.
This was an unexpected pleasant surprise.
After all, whether riding sea beasts or giant birds, Naruto had no protection from wind and rain, sometimes requiring Fire Release ninjutsu to dry his drenched clothing.
This was the harsh reality behind being strong on the seas.
If not mentioned, you might find it hard to imagine Hawk Eyes using his black sword as a paddle to row that coffin boat of his, right?
Glamorous in public, suffering in private. It was all much the same.
"Mr. Naruto, please come with me to see."
This was also Iceberg's first time making such a special boat, but as the senior disciple of the former master shipwright Tom the Fishman, his craftsmanship was no worse than his junior apprentice's.
In the original timeline, after boarding Luffy's ship, Franky could build various wonderful machines. Iceberg naturally wouldn't be much inferior.
Following his guidance, Naruto's gaze fell on the metal contraption at the boat's stern.
Rather than calling it an engine, it was more like a "cannon barrel."
Due to Naruto's personal requirements and several days of collaborative experiments, Iceberg had finally created this special propulsion device.
"Like this?"
Following his instructions, Naruto manifested a small Wind Release Rasengan in his hand.
Over these days of continuously cooperating with Iceberg's experiments, he had gradually become familiar with this method of incorporating special attribute chakra.
The stability of Wind Release Rasengan had greatly improved.
The Rasengan was placed into the "cannon barrel's" entrance, and immediately the "energy" indicator on the pipe wall lit up rapidly. As the small Wind Release Rasengan exploded, that charging bar was quickly filled.
Yes, unlike Ace's "plug and play" fire-powered engine.
The new engine Iceberg had built was actually of the charging type.
This better suited Naruto's needs too.
As Naruto moved the lever beside the cannon barrel, this accumulated wind power instantly converted into the ship's propulsion, with strong airflow spraying from the "cannon barrel's" tail.
"According to our previous calculations, one full charge can maintain top speed for about five hours."
Any more than that, and the engine's materials couldn't withstand it.
But this was already enough to delight Naruto.
"Very good, President Iceberg. You really surprised me."
Naruto very satisfiedly reached out to pat his shoulder, causing the ordinary person Iceberg to wince and grimace.
After paying the final payment, Naruto declined his offer to help with transportation.
Then, under the admiring gazes of other shipwrights, Naruto easily lifted the single-person craft that was even larger than himself, as if casually picking up a plate.
"By the way, Mr. Naruto, you haven't named the ship yet."
Hearing Iceberg's words, Naruto stopped his actions and stood in place, thinking for a few seconds.
"Let's call it Tempest."
"Woohoo!"
Standing on Tempest's single-person deck, feeling the sea breeze hitting his face, even Naruto couldn't help but let out a cheer.
It wasn't that Tempest was really that fast.
Actually, compared to giant Sea Kings, Tempest was still somewhat lacking.
But the experience between the two was completely different.
It could only be said that men were forever children until death.
The genes for loving to play were practically carved into their bones.
This "surfing"-like sailing experience was much more interesting than sitting on a sea beast's head.
Looking at the Eternal Pose in his hand, Naruto slightly adjusted Tempest's direction, then once again condensed a small Rasengan and placed it in the engine.
Instantly, the energy bar that had nearly emptied was refilled at extremely high speed.
What black technology...
Naruto completely couldn't understand this technology.
Perhaps when he returned to the ninja world, he could find some people skilled in manufacturing to modify this engine with chakra metal.
That way, he might be able to further increase Tempest's energy storage limit and maximum speed.
The small boat carved a white trail across the sea surface, with spray and foam left far behind.
After several hours of sailing, Naruto also felt somewhat bored.
So he adjusted the gear setting, then took out a fishing rod crafted by Water 7 master craftsmen from the cabin, along with half a bucket of special fish bait.
The formula was provided by a shipwright called Paulie under President Iceberg.
If not for seeing that Naruto spent money generously, the guy wouldn't have been willing to teach him.
Cast the line, start fishing.
A day quickly passed, the sky gradually darkened, and Tempest's lights were turned on.
The boat's speed was adjusted to the slowest setting, allowing it to maintain steady sailing until tomorrow morning.
Putting away the empty fish bucket and rod, then storing them with sealing scrolls, Naruto silently took out his own food and began eating.
This shouldn't be right...
It doesn't make sense.
Could that guy called Paulie have deceived him?
With such doubts and unwillingness, Naruto "Air Force" Uzumaki lay down in the cabin and gradually fell into sleep.
In his dreams, a huge fish kept slapping his cheeks with its tail.
Beside him were countless big fish he had caught.
Fine wine and food were piled into small mountains.
"Don't... don't slap... Fishball..."
While muttering, Naruto moved away the fluffy tail that was slapping him.
Fluffy?
Opening his eyes, he saw a big, curly-haireddog with its tongue hanging out.
"?"
One person and one dog stared at each other.
Naruto carried this dog out of the cabin.
Then he heard shouting sounds.
"George! George!"
It was a child, continuously calling for his pet.
The big dog being held by Naruto also barked excitedly upon hearing his master's calls.
The child turned his gaze toward the tall Naruto and George being "held hostage" by him.
"Oh no! Village chief! Pirates are here again!"