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

Someone from the Uchiha clan actually managed to retreat unscathed in front of Shanks.

"Hiss!!"

Everyone gasped, and even Kado started trembling.

"V-Vice Captain, could you maybe restrain your ability a bit?"

The trembling crew softly reminded him.

"Ah? S-Sorry about that."

Haku apologized in a hurry. Just hearing that information had stressed him out so much that he unconsciously activated his ability.

"As for the last one — Uzumaki Naruto…

We've confirmed that's the brat's name. Although he doesn't have red hair, he likely carries the Uzumaki bloodline. We should still be cautious."

Upon hearing the captain's words, all the pirates felt a wave of pressure.

The ninjas they were going to face this time… were no pushovers.

"So next, we're in for a tough battle, boys."

"Are you ready?"

"Ready, Captain!"

"Let's show those ninjas what it means to have the spirit of a pirate!"

"Challenging the strong — that's what pirates should do!"

"..."

As Zabuza stood up, the pirates responded in unison. With their captain leading them, what was there to fear?

Strength didn't mean they were afraid — only those truly worthy of the No-Blade Pirate Crew's efforts deserved to be called powerful.

"But… why are we fighting, though?"

Haku asked out of place.

"Didn't we just collect protection money from Kado? Those people haven't even threatened Mr. Kado."

Well, gentle and kind Haku was just that straightforward. As for "standing up for their subordinates"? Zabuza knew that excuse wouldn't fly — at least not with Haku. After all, they were the ones who beat up the others first.

"Yeah, Captain, I also think maybe we don't need to fight."

Kado quickly nodded. You guys are pirates — is this how you operate? Cause a mess and then leave me, the lord of the Land of Waves, to clean it up?

"They haven't even threatened me. I don't think I need protecting."

Kado couldn't help but praise Haku in his heart. Vice Captain, you're the true conscience of the crew!

Hearing Kado speak, Zabuza turned his eyes toward him. Why did he suddenly look so punchable?

Kado looked guilty. Hey, those weren't my words! It was the Vice Captain! Why do you look like you want to beat me up?

"Yeah, Captain, we're pirates with principles."

"How about this — we drag Kado over there and let the other side beat him up first. Then we'll have a reason to fight."

"..."

Upon hearing Haku's suggestion, the other pirates quickly came to a realization — being a pirate means you have to act like one.

Zabuza's eyes also lit up. Yeah, Kado's super punchable, and he has a grudge with the islanders. If we toss him over, Haku wouldn't object, right?

"Kado…"

The moment Zabuza spoke, Kado understood.

He got it.

He hadn't done anything, yet he was the one who always ended up suffering.

Then look at the Vice Captain — constantly contradicting the Captain, even accidentally injuring him in battle, and nothing ever happens to him.

Fine, fine. That's how you all want to play it? Everyone spoils the Vice Captain?

Alright, I, Kado, have dignity too.

"Vice Captain, you must save me. Don't let those islanders beat me to death!"

Kado accepted his fate — as long as he didn't die, it was fine.

"Don't worry, Mr. Kado. You won't die."

Haku reassured him gently.

"If you get attacked, we'll definitely protect you."

Hearing Haku's promise, Kado put on his sunglasses and walked out with steely resolve.

"Mr. Kado, you're going the wrong way — it's over here…"

Haku's voice called from behind.

Kado's foot froze in mid-air, a bead of cold sweat running down his forehead.

In the next instant, he sensed dozens of fierce eyes staring at his back.

Without putting his foot down, Kado forcefully twisted his body and walked in the direction of the bridge.

On the way, Kado was filled with anxiety and dread — he was about to face top-tier ninja from the Hidden Leaf.

"Ka… Kado!!"

The workers at the bridge paled the moment they saw Kado.

He had really come — and not alone. The entire No-Blade Pirate Crew had followed him.

Seeing Kado walking in front, with a gang of fierce pirates trailing behind, the workers immediately sensed danger.

They turned and ran on instinct.

Kado watched this with no emotion. These islanders had long been oppressed by him and no longer had the courage or will to resist.

Even if he provoked them with words, they wouldn't dare lift a finger against him — but those ninjas were a different story.

"Hmph. Useless islanders. If it weren't for those ninjas backing them up, would they dare act so arrogantly here?"

Kado sneered coldly.

Just seeing him made them flee — that gave him a tiny bit of confidence.

Elsewhere, Kakashi's team had already heard the workers shouting from a distance. The construction crew immediately stopped what they were doing, fear on their faces.

"Kado… That bastard really showed up."

"And the whole No-Blade Pirate Crew came too."

"Kakashi-sensei!"

Naruto looked to Kakashi. If they wanted info on Shanks from the pirate captain, they had to rely on Kakashi.

"Let's first see what they're here for."

Kakashi had already explained the No-Blade Pirate Crew's situation to everyone during the past few days.

The captain was Zabuza of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen — elite jonin level.

Vice captain Haku — near chunin level.

The other pirates were stronger than regular people, but their numbers meant little against real ninja.

Overall, their strength was about even.

As Kakashi was contemplating this, Kado appeared in everyone's line of sight.

Shortly after, the rest of the No-Blade Pirate Crew followed behind him.

The pirates stopped a hundred meters away. Kado knew — this was the moment that would decide his fate.

"Tazuna! I didn't think you'd dare defy me publicly! Do you have a death wish?!"

Kado roared, his face filled with vicious rage.

He, Kado, was the ruler of the Land of Waves — a black-market mogul who had reigned for over a decade.

To the people of the Land of Waves, he was the greatest nightmare. And now, with the construction team barely holding it together, Kado's outburst shattered what little courage remained.

"K-Kado's furious!"

"Someone's going to die, Tazuna…"

"..."

Many workers wanted to resist, but their determination wasn't strong enough. After all, resistance could very well cost them their lives.

"Kado! We won't let you act lawlessly anymore. Once this bridge is finished, you'll never be able to control us again!"

Tazuna shouted angrily. He had a deep grudge against Kado.

That's why he never let go of his pickaxe — even if everyone else backed down, he couldn't.

Seeing Tazuna's conviction, Kado was secretly delighted. If Tazuna attacks first, my mission is complete — and an old man like him can't hurt me much anyway.

Good. Push him further.

"Hahaha! Tazuna, you know what happens if you piss me off. You won't be the only one paying the price — your family will too!"

Kado sneered, using Tazuna's family as leverage, hoping to make him lose reason and lash out.

And not just Kado — even the pirates behind him nodded inwardly. As expected of Kado, using someone's family to provoke them…

Even Kado hadn't gone this far before — this was pushing someone into a corner.

"If you have the guts to resist, then come at me, Tazuna! Either kill me, or you and your family will face my wrath!"

However, hearing those words jolted Tazuna back to his senses.

Right… his family. He could die — but what about his grandson? His family?

At that moment, Tazuna wavered.

Clang!

The pickaxe slipped from his hand and fell to the ground.

He… he never had that much courage to begin with. Otherwise, he wouldn't have taken the islanders' money to drink.

He wasn't a hero. He was just a regular guy from the Land of Waves.

"Tazuna Grandpa!"

"Naruto, first let's figure out what they're trying to do."

Kakashi knew what Naruto was about to say, but the people of the Land of Waves had long lost their will to resist Kado.

This… this was the reality of the masses.

Kakashi had seen this kind of thing far too often.

He had grown numb — or rather, mature.

"A true ninja doesn't waver mentally because of anything an enemy says."

Kakashi's words helped Naruto regain his composure. This was something he hadn't taught Naruto or Sasuke during the past seven days — but it wasn't too late now.

Seeing this, Kado was stunned. Even Tazuna didn't dare hit me? Then I'm screwed!

"Kado, activate the second plan!"

Zabuza spoke from not far away.

The first plan had clearly failed. But just because ordinary people didn't dare act didn't mean ninjas wouldn't either.