Seeing that Naruto had no intention of leaving, the green-haired man broke into a cold sweat, visibly torn inside.
Based on the speed Naruto had just shown, he was sure—his entire crew combined wouldn't stand a chance.
"Senior... there's quite a lot stored in the hold. If you see something you like—please, take it."
The green-haired man gritted his teeth, watching Naruto hesitate to leave. As painful as it was to offer it up, keeping his life was more important than any treasure.
His attitude caught Naruto off guard.
'Now I feel bad about blowing them up.'
Led by the green-haired man, Naruto entered the ship's hold.
Inside were piles of treasures stacked like little mounds of sand. Even Naruto was surprised.
'Pirates are really this profitable, huh?'
Looking at all the gold, silver, and jewels—Naruto couldn't help but wonder how many Asumas this would be worth.
Without hesitation, Naruto sealed all the treasures into a scroll.
Watching their hard-earned loot vanish in seconds, the crew behind the green-haired man grew restless.
A bald man shouted, "Vice-captain! Why're you so scared of him?! That treasure was bought with blood! You're just gonna let him take it?! Screw this—let's take him down!"
"Yeah! Let's get him!"
The bald man's outburst stirred the rest.
Though the green-haired man was also hurting inside, he still chose caution.
"Shut it, all of you!"
"Shut up?! If you're too scared, get out of the way!" the bald man growled.
In the next instant, the bald man vanished.
A human-shaped hole appeared in the ship's wall.
There hadn't even been time for a scream—Naruto had sent him flying with one kick.
It took a long moment before the others realized what had just happened.
The green-haired man's fear only deepened. He forced a flattering smile.
"S-Senior, my men don't know any better. Don't take offense! Take what you want—take it all!"
Once the last of the loot was collected, Naruto turned to leave.
The green-haired man breathed a sigh of relief.
But before he could fully exhale, Naruto stopped again and turned back around.
"Hehe... Senior, is there... anything else?" The green-haired man nearly cried, but his face still wore a smile.
"After all that excitement, I'm suddenly feeling a little hungry. Got any beef ramen on board?"
"Beef ramen? O-of course!"
"Number Five! Go cook a bowl of beef ramen for Senior!"
Number Five, a young crewman, grumbled as he headed to the kitchen.
"Also—no scallions. I get extremely agitated when I eat scallions. Might even lose control and do something... regrettable," Naruto called after him.
The green-haired man turned pale. "Number Five! You heard him! No scallions! Not a single fucking scallion!"
Soon enough, Number Five returned with a bowl of plain beef ramen.
The green-haired man took it and handed it to Naruto.
"S-Senior, sorry... the ship's a bit short on supplies. It might be a little rough."
Naruto accepted the bowl, stirred it a few times—then suddenly smashed it to the ground!
"I thought I told you—I don't eat beef!"
Everyone froze.
Number Five stammered, "But you... didn't you say...?"
Before he could finish, the green-haired man slapped a hand over his mouth.
He looked at Naruto, who had suddenly lost it, and sighed.
"Understood, Senior."
"Huh? You understand now?" Naruto blinked.
There was a touch of resignation in the green-haired man's voice. "I heard what you and that fat bastard were saying earlier. You must've taken an interest in our... business."
"With your strength, of course you would."
He pulled a small scroll from his robe and handed it over.
Naruto took the scroll, giving him a deep, approving look. He patted the man heavily on the shoulder.
"You've got a future, kid."
And for once, he meant it.
Someone who could master the art of groveling to this degree wasn't ordinary.
Unrolling the scroll, Naruto saw a map.
"This is a map," the green-haired man explained.
"And here—this mark—it points to a treasure hidden from the Warring States era."
He pointed at a location.
Naruto studied him.
The guy had been perfectly obedient so far, but that didn't mean he wasn't dangerous. Often, the most harmless-looking ones had the deadliest bite.
But his expression and heartbeat showed no signs of lying—this guy really was a King of Cringing.
"If the treasure's so close, why haven't you claimed it already?"
The green-haired man sighed again.
"We tried. But the island's full of giant beasts. We couldn't even get near the center."
"Oh? And how do you know there's treasure at the center?" Naruto pressed.
The man pointed at the deck—at the still-unconscious Straw Hat Fatty, who was foaming at the mouth.
"Don't be fooled by that oaf. His ancestors were somebody. That treasure's from his family."
"If not for that map, I wouldn't be stuck following that idiot around."
"But with your strength, Senior, you could absolutely claim it!"
A flicker of cunning passed through his eyes.
"You're hoping I get myself killed on that island, huh?" Naruto's Transparent World picked up the spike in heart rate and the change in his eyes.
The man immediately broke out in cold sweat.
"N-no, of course not!"
The fear Naruto inspired rose again.
"Alright. Then you're coming with me."
Naruto clamped a hand on his shoulder.
"H-huh? I-I really don't think I'm needed, Senior... I'm weak, I'd just slow you down!"
"Wait! Take Hidan! That guy can't die! He'd make a great meat shield!"
But the look Naruto gave him told him everything:
'Nope. You're coming.'
Damn you, Straw Hat Fatty! This is all your fault! he screamed internally.
Out at sea, the white dolphin surged forward, cutting a long trail across the waves.
Where once there were two, now there were three.
Hidan grinned maliciously at the green-haired man.
"Ha! Green-haired turtle! You got what you deserved for stealing my ship! Karma, baby!"
The green-haired man, now tied up with Adamantine Sealing Chains, sat slumped and lifeless, dreading what came next.
Seeing him unresponsive, Hidan grew bored and turned to Naruto.
"Hey! Aren't we going to see Lord Jashin? This ain't the way!"
"Plans changed," Naruto replied casually—and sealed Hidan's mouth shut with another golden chain.
With some distance still to go, Naruto lay back on the dolphin's soft back, gazing up at the clear blue sky.
Money didn't mean much to him anymore.
But the adventure—chasing after some long-lost treasure...
That part?