In an instant, the massive Umibozu was engulfed.
The attack's power didn't waver, turning even the surrounding seawater into a blazing inferno.
The Umibozu, needless to say, had already been incinerated into nothingness by this ferocious Katon (Fire Release).
"Kazama!"
Naruto immediately shouted with excitement toward Kazama and Shino in the sky.
"Kazama! Was that kid the one who unleashed that Katon?"
Even Gamabunta, the giant toad boss, was stunned by Kazama's appearance.
"That kid's Katon was so powerful, even without my toad oil to boost it, it'd probably be enough to crush that Umibozu. Jiraiya was right—this kid's a monstrous genius!"
Though Gamabunta had seen countless skilled shinobi, someone with Kazama's heaven-defying strength was a first for him, and he couldn't help but marvel quietly.
As Gamabunta took his leave, Kazama learned from Naruto about the Land of the Sea's scheme to target the Kyubi (Nine-Tails).
So, after bringing Naruto back to Konoha, Kazama reported the matter to Hokage Tsunade.
While Kazama was capable of dealing with the Land of the Sea himself, his top priority now was to have Naruto train with Killer B to harness the Kyubi's power.
As for the feud between the Land of the Sea and the Land of Fire, Kazama felt it was best left for the two nations to resolve on their own.
"What?! Kazama, you're gonna train with me? That's awesome!"
Naruto, who'd always looked up to Kazama as his idol, was thrilled. Training with his hero was a dream come true for anyone.
"Hold up, you two! Tsunade-sama ordered us to go with you to the Land of Lightning!"
Just as Kazama and Naruto were about to set off, Might Guy and Yamato caught up with them.
Tsunade, worried about Naruto going berserk during training, had sent Yamato, who could suppress tailed beast outbursts, and Might Guy, a taijutsu powerhouse, to assist Kazama.
"Tsunade's really thought of everything, huh?"
Seeing Guy and Yamato, Kazama gave a cheerful nod.
Truth be told, Kazama alone was more than enough to handle a rampaging Kyubi. But since Tsunade meant well, he wasn't about to refuse her help.
The place where Raikage had arranged for Killer B to train Naruto wasn't technically in the Land of Lightning. It was on an isolated island near its border, known as Paradise Island.
Completely cut off from the mainland, the island could only be reached by boat.
"Whoa, that's a huge ship!"
At the Land of Fire's dock, Kazama let out an amazed shout as he spotted a massive vessel.
"Uh… Kazama, that's not our ship," Yamato said, scratching his head awkwardly and pointing to a small boat nearby.
"This…"
Kazama was speechless as he eyed the rickety little boat.
"Tsunade sure knows how to pinch pennies. The village has been raking in cash from all those missions lately, and she still picks this?"
Kazama could only sigh in resignation.
But just as they prepared to set sail, the crew balked upon hearing about the route they'd need to take, backing away in fear and refusing to go.
"Why's that?"
Kazama was puzzled by their terror.
"You don't understand, kid…" a sailor hurriedly explained to Kazama.
"That stretch of sea you're headed through is crawling with pirates."
"Pirates?"
"Yeah, and not just any pirates—these are the kill-without-blinking kind. We're not about to risk our lives!"
Seeing these sailors so spooked by mere pirates, Kazama shook his head with a smirk.
"No need to worry, folks. With us Konoha shinobi here, no pirate, no matter how tough, stands a chance!"
"Yeah, right. Anyone can talk big!"
"Exactly! Plenty of people claimed they weren't scared of pirates, but they still ended up dead!"
"Find someone else!"
"But…"
The sailors stubbornly refused to budge, leaving Kazama and the others at a loss.
Navigating the sea was completely different from land travel. Without seasoned sailors, Kazama and his group risked being lost at sea forever.
"If you Konoha shinobi can really take down those pirates, I'll guide you myself!"
At that moment, a young man stepped forward.
"Who're you?"
Kazama's heart leaped with hope at the volunteer.
But just as he was about to ask the man's name and thank him, the stranger suddenly lunged at him with killing intent.