He has even mastered Haki, and you say this is Naruto?

Dazna didn't know what "Yonko" meant, but the name alone sounded extraordinary. He figured it must refer to one of the most powerful pirates.

"With the money I have left, I can only afford a C-rank mission."

Dazna stumbled out of the tavern, still a bit dazed from drinking.

To save some cash, he decided to grab a cheap breakfast.

"This must be the place."

Seeing the sign "Ichiraku Ramen," he walked inside.

"Welcome! What can I get you?"

Teuchi's face always bore a smile. Even when facing ordinary people like Dazna, he was always welcoming.

"Uncle Ichiraku, I want a bowl of ramen!"

Before Dazna could even speak, a kid ran in.

Dazna added quickly,

"I'll have the same."

"Got it! Coming right up."

Teuchi began cooking. Every time a customer came to eat, he felt grateful — there was something blissful about having a peaceful bowl of ramen.

"Naruto, don't you have any missions today?"

"Those missions are boring! Sakura and Sasuke think so too. Sasuke said he wants to train instead. Doing these dumb missions just wastes time."

Naruto grumbled.

Although he claimed it was Sakura and Sasuke's idea, the truth was he felt the same way.

They were genin now, but all they got were tasks like finding cats and dogs, picking up garbage, or cleaning riverbanks.

This was nothing like the ninja life Naruto had imagined.

And the pay? D-rank missions barely gave any money, and they had to split it too.

The only real gain was that Naruto's Shadow Clone Technique had become more refined. He used clones to do these menial tasks, which was some form of training — albeit with limited results.

Since the time of the Sage of Six Paths and the founding of the ninja system, the training methods had become very standardized.

"Standardized" meant rigid. Sure, there were cheat-like elements — bloodlines, kekkei genkai, tailed beasts — but compared to monsters like Shanks, these weren't "real hacks."

Shanks was the type who broke the entire worldview — cultivating power from another universe in this one.

That's why people believed Shanks was someone who ushered in a new era. He wasn't just a genius — he transcended that category altogether.

In the ninja world, the last person to pioneer a power system was the Sage of Six Paths.

So for ordinary people, just training alone couldn't bring massive breakthroughs.

And frankly, Naruto's talent… was below average.

"Well, you've only just become genin. It'll be a few years before you're sent on missions outside the village," Teuchi said kindly.

"I'm going to become Hokage! As the future Hokage, I can't just stay in the village doing D-rank missions forever!"

"Mmm, ramen!"

Naruto eagerly grabbed his bowl and began slurping.

Next to him, Dazna also got his bowl, but was surprised by Naruto's declaration.

Looking at Naruto — messy clothes, loud personality — Dazna shook his head.

"Big dreams, haha."

He laughed, like many others, not really believing in Naruto's "dream." It was just a kid's wishful thinking.

But Naruto, with his ever-shifting emotional intelligence, misunderstood Dazna's tone and thought he was being praised.

"Hehe, Grandpa, you think I can become Hokage too?"

"I think there's no way you'll become Hokage."

Naruto immediately wilted, hugging his ramen in the corner.

"You're here in Konoha to request a mission, right?" Teuchi changed the subject.

Dazna wasn't a familiar face, and most outsiders in Konoha were here to request missions.

"Yes, I am… but I don't have much money left. Only about thirty thousand ryo."

He was hoping to gather some info while eating — he clearly couldn't afford high-tier ninja.

"Thirty thousand? That's enough for a C-rank mission."

"C-rank?"

Naruto's ears perked up.

"Grandpa, I'm a genin from Konoha! I can do a C-rank mission!"

He was thrilled — finally, a real chance at an exciting mission!

"…"

"Naruto, you're still too young for that kind of mission."

Teuchi sighed. While genin could take on C-rank missions, Naruto and his team were still kids. Missions outside the village were dangerous.

"Yeah, a brat like you should stay put in the village."

Dazna didn't dare hire someone like Naruto — the kid didn't even look older than his own grandson. Was this supposed to be a ninja?

Naruto once again slumped into the corner, ignored and underestimated.

"I'm gonna be Hokage one day! How can I be stuck with these lame missions?!"

A little later, Dazna finished eating and made his way toward the Hokage building.

Naruto followed close behind.

He figured he'd just go and beg Grandpa Third Hokage himself if needed.

Naruto didn't try to hide. He just trailed right beside Dazna, much to the old man's annoyance.

"Grandpa, don't underestimate me. I'm a jutsu prodigy!"

"Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Naruto instantly spawned several clones.

The sudden appearance of five or six Narutos startled Dazna.

But he quickly recovered.

"Even if you're a real ninja, you're no match for what we're up against."

Dazna shook his head. Ordinary ninjas were useless against the Bladeless Pirate Crew.

"Grandpa, are you sure? I'm really strong! You don't know—"

Five or six Naruto mouths kept yammering.

Dazna got a headache.

"Kid, have you heard of the Yonko? We might be going up against one."

Trying to scare Naruto off, Dazna made up some stuff. It usually worked on kids.

"Y-Yonko?"

Naruto froze, stopping in his tracks. His clones dispelled too.

Like Dazna, he didn't really know what "Yonko" meant — but it sounded terrifying.

"Yeah. Yonko — the Four Emperors who rule the seas. The strongest pirates in the ocean."

Seeing Naruto's stunned face, Dazna kept going.

They stopped under a big roadside tree.

"Actually, the mission I want to commission is a protection job — guarding us while we finish building a bridge."

"The Sea Route in the Land of Waves is under the control of a man named Gato. He uses sea trade to dominate the country. Only by finishing the bridge can we break free."

"Gato? Who's that?"

"He's just a regular guy. A pirate. But the important thing is, he's backed by the Bladeless Pirate Crew. They're the strongest pirate crew operating in the Land of Waves and the Land of Water."

"So what's their connection to the Yonko?"

Naruto was fascinated. He'd heard of bandits in the Land of Fire, but pirates on the sea?

"The Yonko aren't a single person — they're the four emperors of the New World."

"And the Bladeless Pirates' captain is friends with one of them."

"In fact, that person is said to be the strongest of the Four Emperors."

What Dazna said was half true, half gossip — embellished with his own spin.

But he didn't stray far from what the pirates themselves had told him.

"The strongest one?"

"Yes. The youngest Yonko and a pioneer of the New World. Said to be its mightiest warrior."

"They say he can cut down a small mountain with a single strike. A ninja like you wouldn't even survive a hit."

Dazna said this gravely.

Naruto broke out in cold sweat.

"Cut down a mountain? That's impossible! No one can do that!"

"You think I'd lie? I heard it straight from the pirates. It's real."

"No way. You're lying!"

Naruto jumped up — he wasn't scared. He was gonna be Hokage, after all!

"Then tell me his name. You do know his name, right?"

Naruto wasn't the brightest, but he wasn't an idiot. This had to be a scare tactic. He wouldn't fall for it!

"His name?"

"Heh… the youngest of the Four Emperors?"

"His name is Shanks… Uzumaki Shanks."

"Even the Bladeless Pirate captain couldn't block a single swing of his sword. So kid… just forget it."

Dazna took a deep breath, as if saying that name carried a crushing weight.

"Uzumaki… Shanks?"

Naruto froze when he heard that.

Uzumaki?