Chapter 287: Akainu Defeated?
This was one of the new features in the [Friends List]—
It allowed players to check a friend's status, whether they were in the game or in the real world.
They could also send each other gifts daily to increase intimacy. Once their bond reached a certain level, they could obtain special materials and items, or unlock friendship buffs that granted stat bonuses when in the same party.
There was also a spectating function.
If a friend was engaged in a duel within a special battle space, they couldn't be helped, but they could be watched.
Just a small cost of Reward Points allowed the projection of the duel to be broadcast.
"It's Naruto-senpai! He's in a duel!"
Konohamaru was thrilled. He quickly spent some Reward Points to project the battle, then proudly said, "When we get the chance, I'll introduce you guys to Naruto-senpai. He's really easy to talk to and treats his friends really well!"
"Now, watch and see just how powerful Naruto-senpai is!"
The projection appeared as a screen of light, which Konohamaru shared with Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, and the strongest among them, the Stone Hashira.
Not just at the edge of Grand Forest—
In many other places as well, curious players were activating the projection to witness this rare duel.
After all, rule-type items like these were special drops from high-level monsters and incredibly rare. Only top-tier players had access to them.
A battle between top-tier players?
Of course it drew attention.
Especially when one of them was Naruto Uzumaki—
An open, friendly, and kind-hearted player with no political scheming behind his actions. He had befriended countless others during the game, and his friends list was four digits long.
Hundreds of light projections lit up across the game world.
"A duel between Konoha and players from another world?"
Near the Eternal Snow Mountain, in [Stoneton City], inhabited by many from the Bantu tribe—
Mei Terumi looked up from her busy work. As she saw the projected silhouettes, her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Chojuro, call the intelligence team. Have them document the battle between Konoha and the Navy. Estimate the strength of Konoha's players and the combat capacity of these otherworldly Navy troops."
Naruto Uzumaki was arguably Konoha's strongest top-tier player.
Only Tsunade possibly surpassed him. Beyond that, the rest were on par with the newly formed [Seven Ninja Swordsmen].
With a hint of displeasure, she glanced at Chojuro and said, "And you—supposed to be my right hand as Mizukage—have only barely reached the threshold of top-tier. Have you even been putting effort into monster hunting?"
"You do realize you're already outdated, Chojuro!"
"Yes, ma'am…"
The honest swordsman could only show a bitter smile.
"That's Admiral Akainu… but who's the blond brat? I don't recognize him."
Even players who hadn't yet arrived in the Arad map could access the battle projection.
This speaker was Sig, a Navy recruit once saved by Akainu.
He had been a mountain bandit near Windmill Village in the Goa Kingdom, but had been so terrified by Red-Haired Shanks that he fell into despair.
His life spiraled.
Unable to eat, shunned by all, he nearly died after being attacked by a small Sea King while out fishing.
Just when he thought his life would end, a figure appeared before him.
Sig, the "Mountain Bandit King," still vividly remembered the moment.
"Admiral Akainu… your leg… ughhhh!"
Recalling how Akainu had his right leg bitten off to save him, Sig couldn't stop the tears from streaming down.
"Don't cry. Only cowards cry!"
Akainu had taken off the rose accessory from his chest and pinned it to Sig's collar.
"This rose badge is my most precious memento. I'm entrusting it to you."
"When you've become an outstanding Marine, return it to me."
"Sig, we made a promise—kill every pirate that sullies justice!"
It was from that moment—
That Sig, newly awakened as a player and touched by Akainu's recognition, paddled to the Navy base on a rickety wooden boat and shouted:
"My name is Sig, and I will become the King of the Navy!"
Now, the memory faded—
Watching Akainu in the projection, Sig clenched his fists.
The Admiral will never lose!
All around the world, projections lit up.
Fang Yi sighed as he watched. "Originally, the [Arena] system was supposed to unlock once Tier-2 players appeared… but because of constant sabotage between players, the update still hasn't rolled out."
The [Duel]-type rule items dropped by monsters were meant as tickets for the Arena.
But it still wasn't live.
Even so—
Fang Yi shifted his gaze slightly, landing on the Straw Hat crew, who were quietly gathering materials for the [Clan Building] quest. He chuckled softly.
Call it dumb luck or beginner's grace,
But somehow, these new players were stumbling into blessings.
Near the Eternal Snow Mountains—
Snow ninjas and Hidden Mist shinobi were locked in fierce battle, both fighting to claim first blood on [Iceheart Boy] Charlie.
Near Belmar—
Konoha, the Navy, and the stealthy Orochimaru were embroiled in a chaotic clash.
Near the Dark Elf Kingdom—
Hidden Rock, Hidden Cloud, and new arrivals like Whitebeard and Red-Haired Shanks had joined the fray.
The pirate world's arrival had shattered the fragile balance once barely maintained in the ninja world.
Now everything was war and chaos—
Monster spawns and resources were being fought over violently.
And yet, the Straw Hat Pirates—strong but unaffiliated—quietly and efficiently gathered the materials needed to reach Tier-2.
No one was paying attention to them.
"Straw Hat Crew, Buggy, Crocodile, and the lone wolves from the ninja world… we'll see who breaks through to Tier-2 before the major powers react."
In the end—
Tier-2 wasn't just a power boost. It was a transformation of life essence.
A weak Tier-1 becoming Tier-2 was still weak. Just like a level 28 noob with bad gear would still be crushed by a level 19 player with epic items.
The true value of the Tier advancement—
Was that it unlocked the path for further evolution.
However—
Some factions didn't want the current balance to break.
They feared that the emergence of Tier-2 players would leave them obsolete. So they took the lead in suppressing advancement efforts.
This created a toxic culture of sabotage.
"Cowards who cling to stability and fear the tides of change… They always show up in every era."
"It's nothing new."
Fang Yi sighed inwardly.
But the final authority of the Reincarnation Game didn't rest with these decaying souls.
Their feeble resistance couldn't stop the surging wave of progress. They would inevitably be swept away and eliminated.
Still, those obstructionists had unintentionally done some good.
Their stalling delayed the game's next update, which in turn gave players more time to adjust and prepare for the new version.
After all, many rule-based items were linked directly to Tier-2 systems.
Like [Duel] items—
Once the Arena system launched, they would become official entry tickets. Every tournament winner would receive substantial rewards and prizes.
"But as for Akainu… this time, he might be in trouble."
"Naruto Uzumaki's power may surpass everything the pirate players expected."
Unlike the pirate world, which forged strength through bloodshed and survival of the fittest—
The ninja world had a nurturing model. Naruto and Sasuke—children of destiny—were cultivated by the full weight of their world's will.
They were anything but ordinary.
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