"...So that's the situation. Next, I need to return to the Ninja World for a bit, but I'll only stay there a short while and come back quickly."
Inside a meeting room, Naruto sat leisurely at the head of the table, speaking to those below.
Hancock and Stussy apparently already knew about this, so they showed no surprise and simply ignored Naruto, amusing themselves by playing with Adam.
It was truly infuriating to say.
Compared to Stussy, his biological mother, little Adam seemed more attached to Hancock, his nominal second mother.
—At least, he had smiled at Hancock several times already, especially when watching her direct the servants imperiously, or when she kicked Naruto away. That little thing always laughed particularly happily.
This made Stussy start to consider whether she should change her approach and adopt the Empress's 'spicy' style.
In this room, clearly meant for meetings but now more like a nursery, Karin, Sasuke, and the others looked bewilderedly at Naruto, who had somehow managed to make the two ladies behave, each lost in their own thoughts.
Among them, Konohamaru and Yamato purely felt admiration for Naruto's wisdom.
Neither of them could think of any solution.
Sasuke and Karin, however, looked at Naruto's opaque teacup with complex expressions, then recalled his usual habit of drinking alcohol, which he had recently almost abandoned. They formed a rough guess.
"Karin, Sasuke, and Yamato, since you're here too..."
Naruto subtly rubbed his lower back, then took a sip from the teacup containing who-knows-what.
"Yamato, they should have already told you about Imu."
As he said this, his expression turned serious.
Hearing this, Yamato also put away her admiring expression and nodded seriously.
"This humble one never knew that behind the Celestial Dragons, who created so many miserable fates, there was such a mastermind."
"What a pity! That this humble one couldn't participate in that Summit War!"
The White Hero, who hated injustice, couldn't tolerate his own crew's and bandits' oppression of civilians, let alone the Celestial Dragons' arrogant, inhumane behavior.
"Due to some twists and turns, Imu was heavily injured last time and had already escaped before we reached Mary Geoise. If not for Karin encountering Blackbeard this time, we really wouldn't have found any clues."
Hearing this, Sasuke nodded and added.
"That guy has completely vanished from the seas. He doesn't even care whether those constantly 'hunted' Celestial Dragons live or die."
Karin, who had encountered Imu again, added.
"That guy is a monster who can 'possess' others' bodies and usurp their will. For him, as long as he occupies a sufficiently powerful body, he can easily turn the tables. Those Celestial Dragons are merely byproducts of his rule, so there's no point in saving them."
Naruto suddenly interrupted.
"Not exactly. Don't underestimate the Celestial Dragons. Don't forget those God's Knights."
As he spoke, he gestured with his fingers.
"Counting the one in Impel Down who looked exactly like Shanks, the few we defeated in the Summit War, and the one I killed when I attacked Mary Geoise alone..."
"The God's Knights are probably almost all dead."
"But that doesn't mean Imu can't create more God's Knights."
"I have a feeling that when that guy appears again, the so-called God's Knights will likely be revived as well."
"His ability to influence people's minds is indeed very troublesome to deal with."
Hearing this, Yamato also became serious.
"Is there no way to resist that kind of thing?"
From their accounts, she found his disgusting fighting style headache-inducing.
In comparison, she preferred fair and square fights, even if it meant dying in battle.
"Based on the clues I've gathered so far, that guy's ability likely has two prerequisites."
"First, the target must have sufficient 'dark emotions' in their heart."
This clue came from Imu's own words when he tried to possess Naruto's body, and it was also evident when he took over Blackbeard.
"Second, the target must be pierced by those special black spikes... I think that's probably some kind of 'ritual' technique."
"According to information from a friend of mine, that ritual leaves a certain mark on the body, making the target someone to be controlled."
Shanks had even intentionally lost an arm just to avoid triggering the mark's alarm and escape the potential crisis of being controlled.
—Of course, he insisted he had bet that arm on a certain kid. Naruto didn't comment on that.
"In summary, you all need to maintain 'purity' of mind and will during battle... especially you, Sasuke."
Suddenly pointed out, Sasuke pointed at himself, then looked at the other two, seeming somewhat unconvinced.
"Don't look. Yamato's mind is pure. Karin has that guy inside her to take the hits. The only one I need to worry about is you, isn't it?"
Naruto casually exposed his good friend.
"Besides, the Uchiha Clan's mental instability is famous. A little stimulation and you easily lose emotional balance."
Sasuke wanted to argue, but thinking about the past, he just couldn't get the words out.
Fine, he admitted it.
Seeing him silent, Naruto nodded, then looked seriously at everyone.
"That's all the points to note. For the next few days while I'm away, I'm counting on you all to protect Amazon Lily."
"Oh! Leave it to me!"
Yamato was the first to pat her chest and promise, followed by Karin and Sasuke indicating they understood.
"Oh, right. I'll also bring Jiraiya-sensei back with me to be the witness for my wedding to Hancock and Stussy."
Naruto added at the end.
Hearing this, even someone as innocent as Yamato showed a shocked expression.
Especially seeing that neither of the two 'sisters-in-law' objected when Naruto said this, the shock was even stronger.
"That's right! We're only having one wedding. All three of us together."
As if thinking this wasn't enough, Naruto simply clapped his hands and declared.
In return, he got disdainful looks from his two wives and a confused stare from Adam.
Of course, the three who understood the significance of this immediately showed expressions of astonishment.
'He's simply a superhuman. How did he manage that?'
Even Karin, who harbored admiration for Naruto, could only marvel at the strongest balancer in history.
"Oh, by the way, Konohamaru."
"Ah! Huh?"
A call snapped Konohamaru out of the daydream he had been in since the meeting started. He jolted and stood up from his seat.
"They all need to stay here and guard, and I don't think they have many people they care about in the Ninja World anyway."
"But you're different..."
"Interested in going home to visit your family?"
Naruto spoke very directly, and these words seemed to touch on a question Konohamaru had been considering from the beginning.
"Well... Naruto-Aniki, I do want to go back. After all, I've been away for so many days..."
Konohamaru had never been away from home this long… it would be a lie to say he didn't miss it.
"But... what about my grandfather..."
He hadn't been completely without growth these days. He was aware of some discord between Naruto and his grandfather.
Especially after hearing Naruto say he would bring Jiraiya back as a witness, without mentioning Hiruzen at all, he understood even more clearly.
"Don't worry about it, Konohamaru."
But Naruto just walked over and gently tapped his forehead.
"You are you, he is he. The older generation's affairs have nothing to do with you... Just answer me: do you want to go home and see?"
"After all, after the wedding, we'll probably start a long battle. I might not have another chance to send you back then."
Hearing this, Konohamaru was silent for a few seconds thinking, then made a decision.
"Then I'll do as you say, Naruto-Aniki."
"Perfect! I can show my grandfather and Uncle Asuma how much I've grown during this time!"
Seeing the silly kid he'd brought out flash that familiar smile again, Naruto rubbed his hair approvingly.
"That's the spirit. Go pack up. We'll set off tomorrow."