"Long time no see, Yamato."
Naruto stood smiling on the air, looking at Yamato hurtling toward him at a rapid pace, his arms opened wide as if to give her a long-awaited hug.
This scene even raised Sasuke's eyebrow behind her.
Throughout their journey, he had heard Yamato describe how deep her friendship with 'Naruto-sama' was. He had originally thought it was just this husky's wishful thinking, but now it seemed not entirely so.
As for Baby-5, the look in her eyes towards Naruto carried a hint of fear.
That was understandable.
When she had accompanied Doflamingo to Whole Cake Island, she had encountered Naruto.
—Of course, at that time, Naruto was flying in the sky, while they scrambled on the ground like ants.
Even so, she had witnessed Naruto's terrifying power.
It was the immense brute force that could suppress the [Marine Hero] Garp head-on, and those pitch-black orbs of destruction… she would never forget them.
But considering that she could barely consider herself half an 'ally' now, Baby-5 suppressed her fear and didn't collapse on the spot.
The happiest person present was undoubtedly Yamato.
The smile on her face widened, and her descent speed subtly increased.
However—
Bam!!!
A iron fist slammed into Yamato's forehead, sending her flying back into the sky even faster than she had descended.
"It hurts!!! A million times more painful than when that damn father hits me!!"
Yamato, who could take Kaido's Thunder Bagua head-on with her face and then continue drinking without changing expression, was now covering her head and shouting loudly after this ordinary-looking punch from Naruto.
If not for the flame clouds supporting her, the now-tumbling Yamato would probably have fallen into the sea first.
This blow not only shocked Sasuke and Baby-5 but also surprised the people inside the submarine, which had just surfaced.
'This... wasn't this horned girl supposed to be Naruto's friend? Why did they start fighting right away?'
Even Stussy couldn't quite figure out the situation.
—This wasn't her fault.
Admittedly, the Pleasure District's influence spanned the entire sea, but there were a few places where even World Government agents found it hard to infiltrate.
For instance, the [Minks' Country] of Zou on the back of the giant elephant, or Wano Country, shrouded by Onigashima and persistently maintaining its 'closed country' policy.
They didn't even join the World Government, and Marine ships couldn't enter their territory.
Coupled with the Governor, Kaido's overwhelming deterrent force, aside from the country's own people, only ambitious rookie pirates seeking to join the Beasts Pirates had the chance to enter.
And once they entered, leaving wasn't so easy.
Yamato's identity could only be recognized by people from Onigashima and Wano… and even in Wano, it was mostly those thugs, bandits, and others connected to the Beasts Pirates who recognized her.
Ordinary citizens usually used terms like [White Hero] to refer to Yamato.
So it wasn't particularly strange that Stussy didn't recognize Yamato.
Onigashima wasn't Whole Cake Island… she had no connection with Kaido, so it was naturally difficult for her subordinates to infiltrate.
But not knowing Yamato's identity didn't mean Stussy couldn't see the threat posed by this suddenly appearing white-haired girl.
Holding her child, Stussy glanced at Karin beside her, who was also shocked by Naruto's sudden attack.
'Hmm... both were white-haired girls, but this one's threat level was clearly much lower.'
Compared to Yamato's exaggerated figure and the allure her almost bold attire brought to men, Karin might only appeal to certain women who had turned over a new leaf.
...That didn't sound so bad, actually.
"Oww oww oww oww... Naruto-sama, your fist has gotten even stronger!"
Contrary to Sasuke's expectations, Yamato, clutching the red bump on her forehead, didn't seem angry at all. Instead, she had a satisfied smile.
This made him think of a certain group...
But clearly, Yamato wasn't that kind of person.
She was simply happy to see Naruto, and even more excited by this familiar way of reuniting.
'Naruto-sama truly understood me best!'
"Really... it's been so long, and you're still as impetuous as ever, Yamato."
Naruto spoke words of reprimand, but the smile on his face didn't fade.
Obviously, he was also happy to reunite with Yamato.
As one of the guides on Yamato's path of growth, he knew very well what the correct way to meet her was.
"Stussy, Sasuke, move your ships further away."
He first said to both sides, then turned to look at Yamato, who was standing on the flame clouds and already starting to stretch.
He extended his hand and then curled his finger toward himself.
"Come on, let me see how much you've improved over the years."
Different people required different ways of communicating.
Naruto understood this very well.
Likewise, he knew that for Yamato, nothing could rekindle their friendship better than a good, hearty fight.
Sure enough, Yamato showed no surprise at Naruto's invitation to battle. Instantly, she activated her fruit ability to one hundred percent.
The moon-white Guardian Deity of the Land of the Gods stood on the flame clouds, kanabo in hand.
"Did you teach her that move?"
Naruto tilted his head, looking at Sasuke, who was sailing the ship away from the battlefield's center. He remembered that Sasuke could fly.
But obviously, his question wouldn't be answered immediately, and he wasn't in a hurry about that anyway.
Naruto didn't think that guy Kaido would have the leisure to teach Yamato the technique of controlling flame clouds. That brute had probably just stumbled upon his own abilities.
Like smashing down with his club and calling it [Ragnaraku], or swinging it horizontally hard and calling it [Thunder Bagua].
Damn it, how did his brain come up with such cool names?
Naruto admitted he was a bit jealous of Kaido in some aspects.
"Hahaha! Just as I thought! This is Naruto-sama!! This is the reunion scene I imagined!"
Before Naruto could think further, Yamato above let out a bold laugh. The next moment, overwhelming Conqueror's Haki burst forth from her, rapidly spreading outward.
As if recognizing her achieved level of strength, the emergence of this Conqueror's Haki also stirred the weather.
But unlike the sky-rippling displays of Naruto, Whitebeard, and other older generations, Yamato's Conqueror's Haki slightly lowered the surrounding temperature, and sparkling white flashes appeared within the clouds.
"Ugh... so... such terrifying pressure!"
Kalifa and Naomi's expressions were far from pleasant. If they hadn't also undergone considerable growth, just being enveloped by this aura would have been enough to knock them out.
But then they immediately thought of something, quickly turning their gazes toward Stussy.
"Adam!"
"The baby!"
If even they felt this oppressive Haki, how could a newborn baby withstand it?
Karin thought the same.
So, she also released her own aura.
Strangely, even though the Pure Gold within her had been extracted, the Conqueror's Haki Karin released, like a warm golden sun, hadn't diminished much.
—Of course, compared to Yamato's winter-like, powerful Conqueror's Haki, it was still slightly inferior.
Just then, from the ship sailing parallel to the submarine, Sasuke's Conqueror's Haki also burst forth.
Rumble!
Everyone heard the faint thunder.
Black flames coiled around lightning, forming a purple-black Conqueror's Haki aura field, likewise shielding them from Yamato's Conqueror's Haki.
'Damn it! When did that stuck-up guy learn it too?'
While unleashing her own Conqueror's Haki to resist Yamato's, Karin made faces at Sasuke.
"Idiot! Don't you know there's a little kid here! Keep it down!"
Her shouting voice was hardly quieter than the faint thunder just now.
Fortunately, little Adam showed no signs of being frightened or uncomfortable.
In fact, not only when Sasuke and Karin's Conqueror's Haki appeared, but even when Yamato's Conqueror's Haki briefly enveloped this area initially, Adam was completely unconcerned.
On the contrary, he seemed amused by the sounds and the faint illusions.
"Ah... ha... gah..."
His little pink hand grasped at something in the air, a smile on his face like he had found a toy.
This sight made Stussy both happy and jealous.
Happy because of Adam's smile, jealous because it wasn't caused by her.
'Tsk... I had to think of something!'