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

"Of course not. That guy is more like a pirate than any ninja I've ever met."

"Hahaha!!"

Zabuza burst into laughter, no longer bothered by Naruto's identity. That matter no longer held any importance.

That evening, the pirates held a banquet on the ship, and Naruto's group naturally joined in.

"Uncle Jin, what was that ability you used earlier?"

Naruto asked curiously—he had never seen such a technique before.

"Hahaha, that's a physical technique only us pirates use. That defensive move is called Tekkai (Iron Body).

By accelerating the blood flow and increasing muscle activity, the body becomes as hard as iron."

"But I've just recently grasped it, so when I use Tekkai, the accumulated blood causes my skin to turn black, and after repeated use, it could even lead to necrosis.

Our captain says it's due to the interaction between mental energy and physical energy. That's why the area being attacked becomes even tougher than the rest when using Tekkai."

"The downside is that you can't move while using it."

Jin explained, and the other pirates chimed in—these techniques weren't secret among them.

So far, Jin was the only one among them who had mastered Tekkai. The others still couldn't reach his level.

At the same time, due to the interplay of mental and physical energy, Tekkai became even more powerful—but the cost was also greater.

"I see..."

After hearing the explanation, Sasuke finally understood.

Back when Jin used Tekkai, he was still able to attack, but once he struck, he couldn't adjust his move anymore.

Now Sasuke realized the reason behind his earlier doubts—Tekkai had that particular weakness.

Still, despite that, Tekkai was an extremely powerful physical technique.

"Then, Uncle Jin, besides Tekkai, what other skills do you pirates use?"

Naruto asked excitedly. He was very interested in these pirate techniques—especially because they had been developed by that great pirate named Shanks.

"Oh, those? There's also Kami-e (Paper Drawing), Geppo (Moon Step), Soru (Shave), Rankyaku (Storm Leg), and Shigan (Finger Pistol).

For example, my captain's bladeless sword style combines Shigan and Rankyaku. Moon Step allows one to walk in the air by stepping on the air itself.

Soru is similar—by stepping rapidly in place, you unleash explosive speed."

"As for Kami-e, no one in our pirate crew has learned it yet. Kami-e allows you to dodge attacks by sensing the flow of air and letting your body move with it the moment an enemy attacks.

But just sensing the air's flow is already incredibly difficult."

This time, Bai (Haku) was the one explaining. Ironically, he didn't know any of these techniques himself.

These physical arts required a high level of natural talent, and Bai's strengths didn't lie in taijutsu.

So all he could do was accumulate experience with time and hard work.

"I didn't know pirates had such powerful physical techniques."

"Pirates aren't ninjas. Many of us can't even generate chakra, so we can only train our bodies, pushing our physical limits to the extreme.

And that, too, is part of the new era of strength pioneered by Shanks. Even without chakra, we pirates can still hold our own against ninjas."

"That's also why Shanks is respected by us pirates. His spirit is far beyond what ordinary people can compare to—he's a man who's creating a new era."

Zabuza and Kakashi also walked over. Upon seeing Zabuza, Naruto and Sasuke couldn't help but feel deep respect. They had witnessed Zabuza's strength firsthand.

"Captain!"

"Captain, hehe, tell us more about the Four Emperors and Shanks!"

"Yeah, Captain, we want to hear more about that man's story!"

Seeing the lively atmosphere, Zabuza sat down. After discussing with Kakashi, he had decided—it was time to reveal the truth to Naruto.

If Naruto truly had the spirit to become a Kage of the new era, then he should learn what kind of burden Shanks, the trailblazer of a new world, carried. Let Naruto see what kind of aura the youngest Yonko (Four Emperor) held.

"That guy, huh?"

"His strength… well, I don't even need to say it. You all know—even I, your captain, can only barely force Shanks to draw his blade if I go all out.

But if you were to face Shanks yourselves, you wouldn't even be able to withstand his Conqueror's Haki."

"Hahaha, Captain, don't tell me your strength hasn't improved at all?"

"Of course not. Your captain isn't weak. But a man creating a new era doesn't stand still waiting for me to catch up.

If we're too weak, we won't even be able to see his silhouette from behind."

Zabuza took a swig of wine.

"That man isn't just bearing the weight of a new era.

Back when the Uzumaki Clan was destroyed, and the Land of Whirlpools fell due to Konoha's betrayal, some of the Uzumaki survivors were taken in by Konoha. But Shanks took on the mission of restoring the Land of Whirlpools. He didn't go to Konoha."

"The Uzumaki Clan was destroyed because of Konoha?"

"..."

As Zabuza said this, everyone looked toward the Konoha group in shock. Naruto was especially shaken—as if something deep inside him had collapsed.

"No way... Konoha..."

"Naruto, sit down."

Kakashi's voice was cold. This wasn't a lie—it was a brutal truth.

"Kakashi-sensei..."

"Naruto, I'm sure Kakashi-sensei has his reasons," Sasuke said, pressing Naruto down into his seat.

Zabuza also gave Naruto a meaningful glance.

"If you want to become a true Kage, then take everything on your shoulders. Even if you can't be like Shanks, at least show the spirit of a real man."

"Konoha, as the Land of Whirlpools' ally, truly did betray them.

But… it wasn't Konoha's fault. I didn't understand that before. Shanks did. It was the fault of the era."

"Even if the Land of Whirlpools had allied with Kirigakure, Kumogakure, or any other village, the same thing would've happened.

That's just how this era is!"

"What Shanks carries has never been just the revival of the Uzumaki Clan. His ambition is far greater—he wants to break the old era and usher in a new world.

Every route across the sea needs countless pioneers. And Shanks is the one leading the way at the very top of the Grand Line."

"This… is the belief and will of pirates."

"That guy never talks about the 'Will of Fire' or 'Village Loyalty'. What he carries is a new era."

"So Naruto, if you truly want to become Hokage in the name of Uzumaki Naruto, then show us the courage of a man.

Let us see the spirit of the Uzumaki name. Let us see the mindset of a Kage of the new era—because it can't just be about one village."

It was as if Zabuza had made a decision. In the end, Kakashi revealed Naruto's identity and made a request to Zabuza—which Zabuza accepted.

After all, he had once been a ninja too, and had his own path of ninja ideals.

Back then, he also wanted to change the village. He wanted to make it better.

But ever since the betrayal, Zabuza could never go back to who he was.

"Shanks bet everything on the new world. I, Zabuza, will bet my nindō (ninja way) on the ninjas of the old era. Let that guy witness the spirit of the past!"

Zabuza finally let go of everything from the old era. His former nindō would now be passed on to this kid before him!

The old Zabuza was now a full-fledged pirate—but his nindō hadn't ended yet!

A month later, the great bridge of the Land of Waves was finally completed.

Even Zabuza had to admire Tazuna's craftsmanship—if only the old man knew how to build ships too.

In this past month, Naruto and his group learned a lot by staying around Zabuza. He didn't hold anything back—none of what he knew was secret.

After all, what Zabuza could teach were just five of the Rokushiki (Six Styles).

Kakashi gained the most, naturally—he had a background in swordsmanship, and Zabuza's "No-Blade Style" was a form of swordsmanship too.

As for Naruto, he wasn't exactly a "learning-type" genius. His talent lay in battle, learning through fighting.

But for Zabuza, Naruto ended up learning the most—because Naruto inherited his nindō, Zabuza's ninja way.

Zabuza once killed to protect—not to kill. But in the end, as an executioner, he realized his nindō was meaningless. Peace never came.

"They're gone, huh."

"Finally left."

Standing at the end of the bridge, Gato let out a sigh. He couldn't understand why those people were looking at him so strangely.

Did he say something wrong?

Not just Kakashi and Sasuke—Naruto, who hadn't originally held a grudge, also began looking at him oddly.

All Gato did was compliment Naruto, saying, "You must have a lot of friends back in Konoha."

Gato didn't think he said anything wrong. At least the pirates liked Naruto, and the islanders of the Land of Waves treated him well.

"Ninjas really are strange."

Gato muttered, confused. Dealing with pirates was much easier. Ninjas should just be eliminated by the new era.

"Let's go, Mr. Gato. We have important things to do next."

Bai urged. A month ago, the battle didn't involve many people—but it did affect pirates on the open sea.

Before that, many pirates had gathered near the Land of Waves—some eyeing the region, others planning something for the Land of Water but needing a hideout.

Kisame and Itachi just happened to pass through—and casually sank several large ships.

That single event caused chaos among the pirates at sea.

No one knew who struck first. After all, those pirates had powerful backers, and none of those backers trusted each other.

As a result, chaos now engulfed the seas around the Land of Waves and the Land of Water.

Elsewhere, Kakashi's group crossed the bridge. Along with Naruto's group were Zōbei and Kotarō—they didn't want to stay in the Land of Waves anymore.

Kakashi also brought them along for Naruto and Sasuke's safety. With them present, Danzo would be able to monitor Naruto and Sasuke.

And since Zōbei and Kotarō were only genin-level at best, they wouldn't stir trouble in Konoha.

"Naruto, it's time to go."

Kakashi called. Naruto looked in the direction of the bridge—toward the Land of Waves.

On the side of the bridge were four words: Naruto Bridge—the name of this bridge.

As the waves crashed against the bridge and the sea breeze blew across, the Land of Waves in the distance blurred slightly.

A figure appeared in Naruto's mind—messy red hair, a katana at his waist, pants rolled up like a fisherman's, one leg higher than the other, wearing a pair of worn flip-flops.

That man walked across the bridge… walking… walking…

The sound of his flip-flops echoed, fading into the distance.

That lonely silhouette vanished at the far end of the bridge. The far end—was the Land of Waves, the pirate world.

The direction in which Shanks disappeared—was the direction of the New World.

"Kakashi-sensei, I will become the bridge that connects the old era to the New World!"

"Captain Zabuza, I will make Shanks witness the ninja way of the old era!"

That is what Naruto Bridge means—the bridge between the old world and the new.

Naruto turned and followed Kakashi and the others. One day, Uzumaki Naruto would give this bridge true meaning.

Let the pirates of the New World witness the nindō of the old era.

Meanwhile, the one who set all this in motion—Shanks—hadn't actually done anything. But Danzo still had a message for him:

"Even if you say you didn't do anything, aren't you still the cause?"

After all, Shanks was still lying in a hospital bed in Konoha.