Naruto: From Konoha to One Piece

"Help!"

A sudden cry for help rang out along the lively Lovers' Lane.

This Lovers' Lane, a famous dating spot in Dressrosa, was teeming with couples, filling the air with a romantic atmosphere that seemed particularly uncomfortable to the singles passersby.

Although Shin wasn't exactly single, he was alone at the moment and found the setting somewhat irksome.

Hearing a girl's voice calling out, Shin immediately moved against the flow of people to see what was happening.

Unlike on Earth, in this world, ordinary bystanders rarely stop to spectate without a reason. Here, if you lacked skills and still watched the show, you might end up being a part of it. As soon as trouble began, regular civilians would run faster than anyone else, leaving only the strong or brave to intervene.

When Shin reached the commotion, he found a group of burly, rough-looking pirates surrounding a small girl with green hair who looked barely ten years old. She appeared like a helpless little rabbit as an ugly, menacing man held her tightly.

"Little girl, tell us where the treasure vault of the Donquixote Pirates is!"

"Don't think we don't know—you're also one of Doflamingo's cadres!"

"Since the main forces of the Donquixote Pirates are absent today, I'm taking this chance to raid his treasury!"

Shin raised an eyebrow. If he wasn't mistaken, this green-haired girl was Sugar, the wielder of the Hobby-Hobby fruit.

Though Sugar appeared defenseless, she was actually a highly dangerous figure. Shin recalled her speed, which rivaled even that of the Tontatta Tribe. How could she be so easily captured by mere brutes?

Additionally, these men seemed ignorant of her abilities; without basic armament haki, they dared to grab her directly? Usually, they'd be turned into toys within seconds.

So, who was this theatrical display really intended for?

Sugar had her reasons. Though her Hobby-Hobby fruit abilities were a well-kept secret, everyone knew her association with Doflamingo's crew, and such an affiliation would likely lead to an immediate confrontation with Shin. Knowing Shin's past penchant for treasure, especially how he'd raided Kaido's trove, Sugar hoped this bait would be enough to stir his interest and perhaps save her from immediate hostility.

Unfortunately for her, Shin already knew of her abilities and immediately recognized her act for what it was.

Arms crossed, he kept his distance, curious to see how long this charade would continue.

The brutish man restraining Sugar continued to act tough, throwing around threats but never actually making a move.

At one point, his face tightened with apprehension, and cold sweat began to bead on his forehead as he stole glances at Shin, who was still watching.

Sensing her ruse was falling apart, Sugar stammered, "If you promise not to hurt me, I'll take you to the treasure vault."

The man wiped his brow nervously. "Don't worry. We're honorable men…"

Shin rolled his eyes, finally losing patience with the group's poor acting skills.

"Little girl, your name's Sugar, right? Are you the wielder of the Hobby-Hobby fruit?"

The color drained from Sugar's face, leaving her looking pale and shocked.

The Hobby-Hobby fruit was not listed in any devil fruit encyclopedias, and even its name had been crafted around Sugar's persona to conceal its true nature. Knowledge of this ability would link her directly to the toys scattered around Dressrosa, potentially exposing everything.

But for Shin to know about her abilities so precisely suggested he either had an informant within the family or some special skill, like mind reading.

Her trembling actor-associates, meanwhile, looked pale and terrified, ignorant of what the Hobby-Hobby fruit even did. Yet they understood enough to realize their plan had failed spectacularly and that their lives might now be in danger.

Sugar, gritting her teeth, quickly raised her hand, transforming the men beside her into two giant Nutcracker dolls—an aggressive form Sugar could deploy with her fruit ability.

Shin momentarily froze, slightly caught off guard. "Interesting. Is it due to my strength, my Rinnegan, or perhaps the chip in my brain that strengthens my memory?"

Just for a fleeting moment, Shin had nearly forgotten the brutes entirely. Yet, just as quickly, his memory snapped back.

The Nutcracker dolls charged at him while Sugar attempted to escape. Shin ignored the oncoming dolls and lunged forward, smashing them to pieces effortlessly and blocking Sugar's path.

Frantic, Sugar raised her little hand, ready to fight to the end. Shin's Rinnegan flashed, and Sugar abruptly stopped, her willpower succumbing to Shin's genjutsu.

Under the control of his power, Sugar revealed all of her plans.

Not that it amounted to much—a simple strategy of attacking first and, if that failed, surrendering. Meanwhile, Monet had already notified Vergo, the family's covert operative within the marines, hoping to leverage Doflamingo's status as a Warlord of the Sea and the power of the marines as their last line of defense.

*******************************

For each power stones milestone—25, 50, 100, 150, and beyond—I will release a bonus chapter.

If you would like to gain early access, you can join me at www.patre on.com/bookbattalion