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

"If you want to gather information, you just need to pay,"Dazna suggested. He had just heard the news and was surprised that even ninjas could beat Kado's men.

Thankfully, the ninjas on their side weren't ordinary—these were the real deal, full-blooded Leaf Village Jonin from the Land of Fire!

Kakashi wasn't worried about Naruto and the others. After all, they were ninjas and should have the basic skills for this kind of mission.

At the very least, gathering intel shouldn't be beyond them.

As for accidentally revealing their names? That was even less likely.

…

But clearly, Kakashi was wrong.

After all, Kakashi was once a top prodigy of the Leaf Village—his talent was ridiculously high.

As for Naruto and his team…

"Naruto, there are more people here. This should be the place."To gather intel, you obviously go where people gather.

And if you're looking for pirates, the portside taverns were the perfect spot. After searching most of the day, the trio found a bustling restaurant by the harbor.

Sakura quickly called Naruto and Sasuke over.

The Land of Waves didn't have a structured law enforcement system. Its operation was more like a large corporation.

Taverns by the port were frequented by pirates and dockworkers alike, with plenty of foot traffic.

The trio entered the tavern without drawing attention.

But instead, a group of heavily bandaged men caught their attention.

"Turns out even regular ninjas are that strong. If it weren't for Kado stepping in, we wouldn't have stood a chance against those two.""It's not that they're that strong… Maybe we're just too weak? The others have been training hard lately, and we're stuck guarding the port.""Who knows when we'll be like the captain—true, independent pirates.""Dream on! The vice-captain doesn't even have his own ship. You need to get the captain's approval first.""Still… I envy the vice-captain. Getting trained by the captain himself…"

They admired their captain deeply.

And for good reason: during an earlier confrontation with a ship from Kirigakure, Zabuza had basically taken on an entire ship solo—and still won.

Since then, Zabuza had become their backbone and pride.

"The vice-captain's talent is different. Even the Emperor of the Sea, Shanks, acknowledged his strength! You? Better keep dreaming.""So what if his talent's different? Our captain only knows how to fight with a sword. I can swing a blade too! I think I've got potential."

"Recognized by Shanks? Wait… you mean the Emperor of the Sea, Uzumaki Shanks?!"

Suddenly, a blond-haired kid appeared next to the table. The pirates were stunned. A kid… at the port?

Wait—that's not important. What is important is that he didn't know about their captain's close friend?!

"Naruto…"Sasuke rushed over. Naruto had been reckless again.

The intel-gathering plan? Completely ruined.

"Sorry, sirs. We'll leave right away."Sakura, putting on an innocent-little-girl act, apologized quickly.

Before Naruto could react, Sakura dragged him toward the door.

But just as they turned around, several burly men blocked their path.

Dark shadows loomed over them. The pirates' expressions turned menacing.

"Brats, this ain't a place you can come and go as you please.""Never heard of Shanks, our captain's good friend? Are you even from the Land of Waves?""Boys, let's give these kids a proper lesson."

Sasuke instantly dropped into combat stance. He hadn't expected the pirates to get violent so quickly.

So this is what pirates are like…This was nothing like missions back home. Their first mission was already deadly serious.

Unlike Sasuke, Sakura was frozen with fear. Under the pressure of these seasoned warriors, her body began to tremble.

These pirates weren't ordinary. They had killed before, and it showed.

Even the guards on that Kirigakure ship had feared them. These men were beasts in human form.

"A lesson?"Naruto blinked.So gathering intel is this easy? Looks like they're about to hand us the info directly!Heh… I really do have the makings of a ninja!

Sasuke was speechless.

Is this guy an idiot?! They're clearly about to beat us up!

…

Later that afternoon, the trio still hadn't left the restaurant.

Because the pirates were actually teaching them.

"Alright, now do you understand how strong our captain is?""Repeat it. What's our captain's greatest skill?""Swordsmanship," Naruto answered.

"Because Shanks is also a sword master. In addition, he wields all three types of Haki—Conqueror's, Armament, and Observation. Also…"

"Alright, Naruto passes. Sasuke?"

"What's our vice-captain's name?""White, vice-captain of the Bladeless Pirate Crew. Nickname: Aokiji. A powerful Logia user with ice-based powers."

Sasuke was dumbfounded.This… was the weirdest group of pirates he had ever met—and likely ever would.

They had expected a fight, but instead got a full lesson on the pirate crew, their history, and combat styles.

They couldn't leave until they memorized everything.

"Sakura, what's the greatest thing our crew has ever done?""St-stole three hundred million from Kirigakure and defeated their ninjas in a naval battle…"

Satisfied, the pirates nodded.

These kids show promise… maybe the future of our crew is safe after all.

"Alright, you've passed. If you want to join someday, remember all this. It'll be on the exam.""Thank you, teacher!" Naruto stood and bowed gratefully.

"Haha, no need to thank me.""The younger generation is the future of the seas. You've got real potential. Maybe you'll be like our vice-captain someday."

The burly pirate was especially fond of Naruto—he just screamed "future pirate."

Naruto was beaming.

Someone finally recognizes my potential!"Haha! Even if you think I'm pirate material, I, Naruto Uzumaki, will become Hokage!"

"Hokage, huh? Ambitious… Wait a minute."

The pirate froze.

Naruto… Uzumaki?!

All the pirates stiffened.

"Uzumaki" wasn't forbidden—but recently some ninjas had tried infiltrating the Land of Waves using that surname.

Now, it had become taboo among the Bladeless Pirate Crew.

"What's your name again?""Naruto… Naruto Uzumaki."

Naruto realized something was off too. The atmosphere shifted—diners began quietly leaving.

They didn't want to be caught in the crossfire.

"Impossible. All the Uzumaki had red hair. How can you be one of them?""You kids… you're not from the Land of Waves, are you?""Looks like we'll have to take you all in for a proper interrogation."

All the pirates stood up.

The once-friendly tavern now felt like a powder keg.

To the pirates, it didn't matter—they had to bring these three in.

Their names were too suspicious. No way this was coincidence.

"Looks like… we're not getting out of this one."