Chapter 5: Trouble at the Docks
There were three things Naruto Uzumaki had learned about criminal organizations during his seventeen years of life.
First, they always believed they were more powerful than they actually were.
Second, they had an unfortunate habit of attracting people who thought wearing ridiculous clothing made them intimidating.
And third, no matter how many members you defeated, there was always another idiot waiting to announce that you had made a terrible mistake.
Naruto had never understood that last one.
If someone had just defeated twenty of your friends, surely the sensible response was to reconsider your career choices.
Unfortunately, common sense wasn't a particularly popular quality among criminals.
As Naruto and King approached Tokyo's harbor district, he had a growing suspicion that he was about to encounter all three problems.
"So," Naruto began, walking beside the blond woman, "let me get this straight. This Mad Gear gang used to control an entire city?"
King nodded.
"Metro City, in America. They practically ran its criminal underworld for years."
"And nobody stopped them?"
"People tried. Unfortunately, Mad Gear had considerable influence. They controlled businesses, intimidated witnesses, and maintained connections with corrupt officials."
Naruto frowned.
"Sounds like a pretty rotten place."
"It was, for many people."
The streets grew quieter as they approached the industrial waterfront. Towering cranes stood against the night sky, their enormous steel arms stretching above rows of shipping containers.
Cargo ships rested beside concrete docks, while the distant sounds of machinery and crashing waves filled the air.
The smell was something else.
Saltwater.
Diesel fuel.
Rusting metal.
And whatever unpleasant substance had apparently died somewhere nearby.
Naruto wrinkled his nose.
"Ugh. Do all harbors smell like this?"
"More or less."
"That's depressing."
King smiled faintly before continuing.
"Mad Gear was led by a businessman named Belger. Publicly, he presented himself as a respectable figure who offered opportunities to disadvantaged people."
Naruto snorted.
"Let me guess. Secretly, he was a complete scumbag."
"That's one way of putting it."
"Thought so."
"Belger built his organization through extortion, violence, and organized crime. Eventually, they made the mistake of kidnapping Jessica, the daughter of Metro City's mayor."
Naruto's expression sharpened.
"They kidnapped the mayor's daughter?"
"Yes."
"That's pretty stupid."
"Extremely."
King glanced toward him.
"The mayor was Mike Haggar."
Naruto waited.
King raised an eyebrow.
"That name doesn't mean anything to you?"
"Should it?"
"He's a former professional wrestler."
Naruto blinked.
Then he grinned.
"Wait. You're telling me the mayor was a wrestler?"
"A very powerful one."
Naruto began laughing.
"That's awesome! Imagine being a criminal and discovering the mayor can beat you up personally!"
King shook her head, although she couldn't quite suppress her smile.
"Haggar didn't act alone. Two other fighters, Cody and Guy, helped rescue Jessica and dismantle Mad Gear."
Naruto's smile froze.
"Wait a second."
King looked at him.
"What?"
"Did you say Guy?"
"Yes."
Naruto scratched his cheek.
"Huh. Interesting."
"Do you know him?"
"Maybe."
King stopped walking.
"Naruto."
"What?"
"How exactly do you know Guy?"
"I met a guy named Guy near Mount Fuji."
King stared at him.
Naruto stared back.
Then he groaned.
"Oh, come on! I didn't mean to do that!"
"Do what?"
"Say 'a guy named Guy.'"
King burst into laughter.
Naruto looked thoroughly offended.
"His name makes conversations difficult!"
"Apparently."
She eventually recovered.
"Was he wearing a red martial arts uniform?"
"Yeah!"
"Dark hair? Rather serious?"
"That's him!"
King nodded.
"Then you met the Bushinryu master."
Naruto whistled.
"So he's famous?"
"Among martial artists, certainly."
"Huh. Small world."
King gave him a curious look.
Considering how little he knows about this world, he seems remarkably good at stumbling into famous fighters.
She wasn't sure whether that was luck or something else entirely.
"Anyway," Naruto continued, "what happened to Mad Gear after those three beat them?"
"The organization collapsed. Belger was killed, and many members scattered. Some abandoned crime. Others found legitimate work."
"And the rest?"
King's expression darkened.
"The rest are why we're here."
The harbor district became increasingly deserted as they walked deeper into the industrial area.
Most legitimate businesses had closed for the evening.
Only security lights and occasional passing vehicles disturbed the darkness.
Naruto quietly expanded his senses.
Several dozen life signatures appeared within his perception.
Some belonged to ordinary workers.
Others were clustered around warehouses and loading docks.
Those were more interesting.
He could feel the difference.
Several possessed stronger physical energy than ordinary civilians.
Not extraordinary by Naruto's standards, but enough to suggest martial arts training.
There were also weapons.
Naruto couldn't directly sense every object through its energy, but the small metallic sounds, movements, and body language of the people ahead made their purpose obvious.
Looks like they've got quite a few people here.
He glanced toward King.
She was walking calmly, but her attention remained fixed on the surroundings.
Her breathing was steady.
Her movements precise.
Yet Naruto could sense a subtle tension beneath her composed exterior.
"You seem worried."
King glanced at him.
"I'm cautious."
"Same thing?"
"Not remotely."
Naruto chuckled.
"Fair enough."
King looked toward a warehouse in the distance.
"These aren't the same inexperienced criminals Haggar defeated years ago. The members who survived Mad Gear's collapse have spent years developing their abilities."
Naruto nodded.
"Survival makes people stronger."
"Sometimes."
"And sometimes it just makes them better at running away."
King smiled.
"That too."
She continued.
"The current organization is smaller, but its surviving members are dangerous. They've become involved with underground fighting events, illegal wrestling, and various other criminal operations."
"Anything else?"
King hesitated.
"There are rumors they're working with larger organizations."
"Like?"
"Shadaloo. Possibly NESTS."
Naruto repeated the names mentally.
Shadaloo. NESTS.
He had encountered references to both while studying.
Neither sounded particularly pleasant.
"Are they strong?"
"Very."
"Stronger than Mad Gear?"
"In terms of resources and influence, considerably."
Naruto frowned.
"Then this might be more complicated than beating up a few thugs."
"Exactly."
King gave him an approving glance.
"That's why I want evidence. I don't simply want you to defeat their members. I want to know what they're doing and who they're working with."
Naruto nodded.
"Got it."
He glanced toward the warehouse.
"And if they attack me?"
King smiled coldly.
"Then you're welcome to defend yourself."
Naruto's grin returned.
"Now that's an arrangement I can work with."
They stopped near a collection of shipping containers overlooking the warehouse.
From here, Naruto could see the entrance clearly.
Several men stood around the building.
A few were smoking.
Others were talking beside parked vehicles.
Their clothes included leather jackets, torn jeans, chains, and various accessories that apparently passed for fashionable among criminals.
Naruto examined them.
Then sighed.
"Yep. Definitely a gang."
King raised an eyebrow.
"What gave it away?"
"The clothes."
"Naruto."
"What? I'm serious!"
He pointed toward one particularly large thug wearing a sleeveless leather vest and enough metal chains to anchor a small boat.
"Look at that guy. If he fell into the ocean, he'd sink straight to the bottom."
King covered her mouth.
A small laugh escaped despite her best efforts.
"Focus."
"Right, right."
Naruto turned his attention back toward the warehouse.
His senses reached deeper.
Several powerful presences occupied the building.
One belonged to an enormous individual whose physical energy resembled a furnace.
Another possessed a similarly formidable physique.
Several others had more refined Ki signatures.
Naruto whistled softly.
"Those aren't ordinary thugs."
King's expression became serious.
"You can sense them?"
"Yep."
"How many?"
Naruto closed his eyes briefly.
"Quite a few ordinary guys. But there are six people with much stronger energy."
King's eyes widened slightly.
Six.
That number was troubling.
If the core members of Mad Gear were gathered here, the situation was considerably more dangerous than she had expected.
"You can distinguish their energy from this distance?"
Naruto opened his eyes.
"Sure. Why?"
King studied him.
"Most fighters would need to be much closer."
"Oh."
Naruto shrugged.
"Guess I've had a lot of practice."
King had the distinct impression that this explanation was becoming his favorite way of avoiding questions.
She decided not to press him.
"What's your plan?"
Naruto glanced toward the warehouse.
"Simple. I'll go in and talk to them."
King stared.
"...Talk?"
"Yep."
"To Mad Gear?"
"That's the idea."
"The criminal organization we just discussed?"
Naruto looked at her.
"Is there another Mad Gear around here?"
King sighed.
"Naruto, they're not likely to welcome an uninvited visitor."
"I know."
"Then why approach them openly?"
"Because they'll probably attack me."
King blinked.
Naruto continued.
"If they're doing something illegal, confronting them might reveal who's in charge. And while they're busy with me, you can look for evidence."
King considered that.
It was risky.
But not entirely foolish.
Naruto had demonstrated extraordinary speed and sufficient strength to impress Zangief.
Even the strongest Mad Gear members would have difficulty dealing with someone possessing those abilities.
Still...
"Are you certain?"
Naruto smiled.
"I trust my instincts."
"That's not a plan."
"It's part of one."
King folded her arms.
"And the rest?"
"You're watching my back."
King paused.
Naruto grinned.
"So I've got nothing to worry about."
She regarded him for several seconds.
"You seem rather trusting for someone you only met recently."
"Why wouldn't I trust you?"
"Because you barely know me."
Naruto shrugged.
"You helped me when you didn't have to. You explained how things work here, gave me a phone, and offered to feed me for a year."
"Provided you complete the assignment."
"Still counts."
His expression softened.
"Besides, we're friends now."
King blinked.
For a moment, she genuinely didn't know what to say.
She had met countless fighters during her career.
Some were arrogant.
Others were suspicious.
A few were kindhearted.
But Naruto possessed an unusually straightforward way of approaching people.
He had decided they were friends simply because they had helped one another.
It was almost ridiculous.
And strangely endearing.
King recovered and smirked.
"Come back from this fight, and then we'll see whether we're friends."
Naruto laughed.
"It's a promise!"
Before she could respond, he crouched.
"See you in a bit!"
Then he jumped.
King's eyes widened.
Naruto crossed more than a hundred meters in a single leap.
Not with an explosive burst of energy that shattered the concrete beneath him.
Not with a deafening shockwave.
He simply moved.
One moment, he stood beside her.
The next, he was soaring toward the warehouse.
His body traced a smooth arc through the darkness.
Then he landed.
Lightly.
Without even cracking the pavement.
King stared.
What?
She had witnessed powerful martial artists perform incredible feats before.
Leaping enormous distances wasn't particularly unusual among elite fighters.
What surprised her was the absence of collateral damage.
Naruto's launch should have placed tremendous pressure on the surface beneath his feet.
His landing should have transferred considerable force into the ground.
Yet nothing happened.
No cracks.
No crater.
Not even a noticeable impact.
That's high-level energy control.
King's earlier impression of Naruto had been that he possessed enormous power but occasionally struggled to contain it.
Now she was beginning to reconsider.
He hadn't merely jumped a hundred meters.
He had controlled the forces involved so precisely that his surroundings remained completely intact.
Among elite martial artists, such techniques were known as forms of damage mitigation.
Powerful fighters could generate tremendous destructive force.
Without proper control, even ordinary movements might damage the environment.
Some martial artists learned to reinforce the surfaces they touched.
Others developed techniques to contain the effects of their energy.
The most exceptional could manipulate the forces surrounding their movements with almost unbelievable precision.
King narrowed her eyes.
He must have reinforced the ground.
That was the most reasonable explanation.
But even then, the technique had been remarkably subtle.
She hadn't sensed a significant release of Ki.
The boy had simply moved as though the impossible were perfectly ordinary.
How much training has he undergone?
King's expression grew thoughtful.
She remembered his explanation about having poor energy control.
Perhaps she had misunderstood him.
Maybe the problem wasn't that Naruto lacked control.
Maybe his energy reserves were so enormous that he occasionally allowed insignificant amounts to escape when distracted.
That would explain his earlier behavior.
And it made him considerably more interesting.
Naruto landed outside the warehouse with a small smile.
Nice.
His chakra control had become second nature after years of training.
There had been a time when controlling his enormous reserves had been an enormous challenge.
His teachers had repeatedly complained that he used too much chakra for simple techniques.
Jiraiya, in particular, had spent years correcting his habits.
The old man had been relentless.
According to him, possessing enormous power was meaningless if Naruto couldn't apply it properly.
And as Naruto grew stronger, that lesson became increasingly important.
Moving at high speeds created dangerous consequences.
He had learned that firsthand.
During one particularly enthusiastic training session, he had accelerated across a deserted wasteland without properly controlling the surrounding air.
The result had been spectacular.
The air heated.
Dust ignited.
And portions of the ground beneath his path became glass.
Naruto had thought it was incredible.
Jiraiya had thought it was incredibly stupid.
The resulting lecture had lasted three hours.
Then came the training.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Eventually, Naruto learned to contain the effects of his movement through precise chakra manipulation.
Even when traveling at speeds exceeding a hundred times the speed of sound, he could prevent the resulting pressure and friction from devastating his surroundings.
Of course, that required concentration.
Which explained why his recent accidental journey beyond Tokyo had been so embarrassing.
He had been rushing without properly monitoring where he was going, not struggling with the physical act of controlling his movement.
Pervy Sage would never let me hear the end of that one.
Naruto chuckled.
His control over wind had also improved considerably.
And Jiraiya had hinted that mastering the relationship between chakra and natural energy would be essential if Naruto wanted to learn Sage Mode.
He still had a great deal to learn.
Especially regarding the fighting style he was developing around his shadow clones.
The technique had enormous potential.
Naruto could coordinate multiple bodies, create complicated attack formations, and overwhelm opponents through coordinated maneuvers.
But mastering that style at the highest level required more than simply summoning hundreds of clones.
Timing.
Coordination.
Energy distribution.
Experience.
And enormous amounts of chakra.
Jiraiya believed that once Naruto truly perfected the style, very few opponents would be able to challenge him.
Naruto wasn't there yet.
So for tonight, he would keep things simple.
No unnecessary clones.
No destructive techniques.
Just a little taijutsu.
And perhaps a few questions.
He looked toward the guards.
"All right. Let's get started."
"Hey!"
One of the thugs spotted him.
The man wore a leather jacket, heavy boots, and an expression suggesting that his last encounter with a toothbrush had been several years ago.
Naruto smiled.
"Evening!"
The thug stared.
"Who the hell are you?"
"Naruto."
"Naruto who?"
"Naruto Uzumaki."
The man frowned.
"Never heard of you."
Naruto shrugged.
"That's kind of why I'm here."
Several other gang members approached.
One carried a steel pipe.
Another wore reinforced metal knuckles.
A third had a knife tucked into his belt.
Naruto counted eight men near the entrance.
There were more inside.
"You lost, kid?" the first thug demanded.
"Nope."
"Then you better turn around."
"Actually, I'm looking for someone."
The thug sneered.
"Yeah? Who?"
"Poison."
Silence.
The men's expressions changed.
Naruto noticed immediately.
Bingo.
"Why don't you bring her out?" he continued pleasantly. "I'd like to have a word."
The first thug's face darkened.
"You think you can just walk onto our turf and demand to see the boss?"
"Well, I walked here. And I asked."
Naruto scratched his cheek.
"So... yeah?"
One of the men laughed.
Another cracked his knuckles.
The leader stepped closer.
"Listen carefully, brat. This is Mad Gear territory. People don't come here without permission."
Naruto glanced around.
"Seems like a pretty boring place to hang out."
The thug's eye twitched.
"You're asking for trouble."
"Not really. I'm asking for Poison."
"Same thing!"
Naruto sighed.
"Look, we can do this the easy way. You call your boss, we talk, and nobody gets hurt."
The thug smiled unpleasantly.
"And the hard way?"
Naruto shrugged.
"You attack me, I knock you out, and then I ask someone else."
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then the entire group burst into laughter.
Naruto waited patiently.
Eventually, the first thug wiped his eyes.
"Oh, kid. You really should've left when we told you."
He drew a knife.
"Looks like you're going swimming with the fishes tonight."
Naruto's smile faded.
Seriously?
He had been joking about criminals always making ridiculous threats.
Apparently, these guys had decided to prove him right.
The thug gestured.
"GET HIM!"
All eight men charged.
Naruto didn't move.
Not immediately.
He watched their approach.
One swung a pipe toward his head.
Another lunged with a knife.
Two approached from opposite sides.
Their movements were slow.
Painfully slow.
Naruto's mind processed their actions almost instantly.
He could see the tension building in their muscles.
The shifts in their balance.
The directions their attacks would travel.
He had faced shinobi capable of moving faster than these men could perceive.
Compared with those opponents, Mad Gear's ordinary members were practically standing still.
Should've just listened.
The first pipe descended.
Naruto moved.
THUD!
The thug collapsed.
Naruto stepped around the knife.
BAM!
The second man fell.
A third attempted to tackle him.
Naruto caught his wrist, redirected his momentum, and sent him crashing into a fourth attacker.
Both dropped.
The fifth man managed to blink.
Then Naruto struck him lightly beneath the ribs.
He folded over and collapsed.
Three remained.
Naruto sighed.
"Guys, seriously—"
One swung his metal-knuckled fist.
Naruto leaned aside.
He tapped the man's shoulder.
The thug spun, lost his balance, and slammed face-first into the ground.
The seventh attacked from behind.
Naruto ducked.
His leg swept outward.
Another body hit the pavement.
The final thug froze.
He looked around.
Seven unconscious companions lay scattered across the entrance.
Naruto stood perfectly unharmed.
The entire exchange had lasted barely a second.
The man's mouth opened.
Then closed.
He dropped his weapon.
Naruto smiled.
"Good choice."
The thug turned to run.
Naruto appeared in front of him.
"Actually, could you tell me where Poison is?"
The man's face turned white.
"MONSTER!"
He fainted.
Naruto blinked.
Then looked down.
"...I didn't even hit you."
He sighed.
"Well, that's disappointing."
From her position among the shipping containers, King watched the entire exchange.
Or rather, she tried to.
Naruto's movements had been so fast that she barely registered individual strikes.
One moment, the gang members surrounded him.
The next, they were unconscious.
No elaborate techniques.
No visible energy attacks.
No unnecessary injuries.
Just overwhelming speed and precision.
King exhaled slowly.
He's good.
That was becoming an understatement.
He had used exactly enough force to incapacitate each opponent without causing serious damage.
Even against armed attackers, his movements remained controlled.
There was no panic.
No hesitation.
And, more importantly, no enjoyment of unnecessary cruelty.
King smiled faintly.
Perhaps I judged him too quickly.
Naruto was certainly unusual.
He was cheerful, impulsive, and occasionally ridiculous.
But he possessed genuine discipline beneath that exterior.
She still didn't know where he came from.
Or how he had developed such extraordinary abilities.
But she was beginning to understand one thing.
Naruto Uzumaki was not merely some overconfident teenager looking for attention.
He was a trained warrior.
And a remarkably capable one.
Then another voice echoed across the docks.
"Bravo!"
King's smile vanished.
She immediately focused on the warehouse.
A slow, deliberate clap followed.
"That was absolutely marvelous."
Naruto turned.
Several figures emerged from the warehouse.
The first was a woman with long pink hair, a confident smile, and clothing that left little doubt she preferred attracting attention rather than avoiding it.
Her posture was relaxed.
Almost theatrical.
She clapped slowly as she approached.
"Eight men in a heartbeat. That's quite a performance, handsome."
Naruto examined her.
"Poison, I take it?"
The woman smiled.
"The one and only."
Five others emerged behind her.
Naruto's senses sharpened.
Now these guys are interesting.
The first was another woman.
She bore a striking resemblance to Poison, although her hair was bright orange.
She wore a black cap, a cropped top, red shorts, and high heels.
A pair of handcuffs hung from her outfit.
Her movements were relaxed, but Naruto could tell she was ready to fight.
Poison noticed his attention.
"My sister, Roxy."
Roxy smirked.
"Don't tell me this little blond kid beat all our guards."
Naruto waved.
"Hi!"
Roxy blinked.
Then laughed.
"Oh, I like him."
Beside her stood an imposing man wearing traditional Japanese armor.
A kabuto-style helmet concealed much of his face, while the kanji for death decorated his armor.
Two jitte rested in his hands.
Naruto examined the weapons.
Interesting choice.
The armored man stood with remarkable discipline.
His Ki was concentrated and controlled.
He clearly possessed considerable experience.
Poison gestured toward him.
"Sodom."
The armored fighter inclined his head.
"An interesting challenger."
Naruto nodded politely.
"Nice armor."
Sodom seemed pleased.
"Your appreciation is noted."
The next man wore military fatigues, a red scarf, and a harness containing several grenades.
A noticeable scar marked his face.
He held a green staff with practiced familiarity.
His expression was hard.
Calculating.
Poison continued.
"Rolento."
The soldier examined Naruto.
"Excellent mobility. Efficient close-quarters combat. Unusual striking precision."
Naruto raised an eyebrow.
"Uh... thanks?"
Rolento narrowed his eyes.
"Your technique lacks conventional military discipline."
"Well, I'm not a soldier."
"That is evident."
Naruto decided he didn't particularly like this one.
Then he looked toward the remaining two figures.
And stopped.
"...Whoa."
The first giant stood nearly three meters tall.
His enormous frame was covered with muscles, chains, and accessories resembling vehicle tires.
Dreadlocks hung around his head.
His trousers displayed tire-track patterns.
The man looked less like a fighter and more like someone had decided to build a walking automobile wrecking machine.
Poison smiled.
"Abigail."
Abigail grinned.
"YOU THE LITTLE PUNK WHO BEAT MY BOYS?"
Naruto stared.
Then looked at Zangief's image in his memory.
What's with this world and gigantic people?
Before he could respond, the final figure stepped forward.
Another enormous man.
Long, messy black hair.
A pink leopard-print tank top.
Heavy wristbands.
And a thick chain hanging from his waist.
Poison gestured toward him.
"Hugo."
Naruto looked from Hugo to Abigail.
Then back again.
"...Are you two related?"
Abigail scowled.
"WHAT?"
"Nothing!"
Hugo folded his enormous arms.
His expression remained stern.
"Small fighter."
Naruto sighed.
"Why does everyone keep saying that?"
Poison laughed.
"Because compared with these two, sweetheart, you practically are."
Naruto looked offended.
"I'm seventeen! And I'm perfectly normal-sized!"
Roxy chuckled.
"He's adorable."
Naruto pointed at her.
"Hey!"
Poison smiled.
But beneath that smile, her eyes remained sharp.
She had witnessed what Naruto did to her guards.
And she wasn't foolish enough to underestimate him.
The remnants of Mad Gear had suffered enough defeats in the past.
They had spent years rebuilding their influence, developing their skills, and establishing new connections.
Now an unknown teenager had appeared at one of their bases, demanded to see her, and casually defeated eight armed men.
That was not something she could ignore.
"So," Poison began, placing one hand on her hip, "you wanted to meet me?"
Naruto nodded.
"Yep."
"And you decided beating up my men was the best way to arrange an appointment?"
"They attacked first."
Poison glanced at the unconscious guards.
Then back at Naruto.
"Fair point."
Her smile widened.
"But I don't particularly appreciate strangers walking onto my property and causing trouble."
Naruto shrugged.
"Then maybe you should hire people who know how to talk instead of threatening to murder everyone who shows up."
Roxy burst into laughter.
Even Hugo's expression shifted slightly.
Rolento looked thoroughly unimpressed.
Sodom remained silent.
Abigail cracked his enormous knuckles.
"LET ME CRUSH HIM, BOSS!"
Poison raised one finger.
"Not yet."
Abigail grumbled.
Naruto studied the six fighters.
Their energy reserves varied considerably.
Abigail and Hugo possessed enormous physical strength.
Sodom's movements suggested refined weapons training.
Rolento carried himself like a veteran soldier.
Roxy appeared fast and agile.
And Poison...
Naruto narrowed his eyes slightly.
She's the one to watch.
Not necessarily because she possessed the greatest raw strength.
But because she was clearly the person directing everyone else.
A leader.
And leaders were often dangerous for reasons that had very little to do with how hard they could punch.
Poison smiled at him.
"Now then, Naruto Uzumaki..."
His expression changed.
She knew his name.
Poison noticed immediately.
"Oh, don't look so surprised. Your little performance against Zangief has been making the rounds."
Naruto scratched his cheek.
"Man. That video really gets everywhere."
"It certainly does."
Poison stepped closer.
"And now you've appeared at my warehouse."
Her smile became colder.
"So tell me, handsome. Did you come here looking for a fight?"
Naruto looked around.
Six powerful fighters.
An entire warehouse full of suspicious activity.
A criminal organization attempting to rebuild itself.
And King somewhere nearby, waiting to see how he handled the situation.
His grin returned.
"Actually, I came here to ask a few questions."
Poison raised an eyebrow.
"Questions?"
"Yeah."
Naruto slipped his hands into his pockets.
"About Mad Gear. What you've been doing around Tokyo. And who you've been working with."
The atmosphere changed.
Roxy's smile faded.
Rolento tightened his grip on his staff.
Sodom shifted his stance.
Even the two giants stopped moving.
Poison remained smiling.
But her eyes hardened.
"That's an awfully personal set of questions."
Naruto shrugged.
"Maybe."
"And why should I answer them?"
Naruto's blue eyes met hers.
For a brief moment, his cheerful expression became serious.
"Because I'd rather settle this without anybody getting hurt."
Silence fell across the docks.
Then Abigail began laughing.
A deep, thunderous laugh that echoed between the shipping containers.
"HAHAHAHA! DID YOU HEAR THAT? THE LITTLE BRAT'S THREATENING US!"
Hugo cracked his neck.
Roxy smiled again.
Sodom lowered his weapons slightly.
Rolento stepped forward.
And Poison tilted her head.
"My, my."
Her smile widened.
"You're either very brave..."
Naruto watched her calmly.
"...or very stupid."
Naruto grinned.
"Funny. I get that a lot."
Poison laughed softly.
"Then perhaps we should find out which one you are."
Behind her, the five fighters began spreading out.
Naruto remained exactly where he stood.
His posture was relaxed.
His breathing steady.
But beneath his calm exterior, his senses were already tracking every movement.
The distances between his opponents.
Their individual Ki signatures.
Their weapons.
Their positions.
Their intentions.
This wasn't going to be like fighting the guards.
These people possessed genuine power.
They had experience.
And unlike the ordinary thugs, they were unlikely to collapse after a single casual strike.
Naruto smiled.
Now things are getting interesting.
From the shadows, King watched the confrontation unfold.
Her expression grew serious.
She had expected Naruto to attract attention.
But she hadn't anticipated that Poison would personally emerge with nearly the entire surviving core of Mad Gear.
This had just become far more dangerous.
King shifted her stance, preparing to intervene if necessary.
Meanwhile, Naruto rolled his shoulders.
"All right, then."
He raised his hands into a loose fighting stance.
"Who's first?"