Naruto: Fire-Release system

Chapter 236: What's the Shortest Distance Between Two Points?

Melting Aokiji with a single strike didn't surprise Uchiha Yi much—it was business as usual.

Initially, he had thought that his Armament Haki combined with his enhanced physique would allow him to easily overpower Aokiji.

But once the fight began, he realized he had underestimated the Admiral's strength.

It wasn't that his Mythical-grade enhancements were weak—

Rather, his base physique was still lacking.

Even with a ten-thousand-fold increase in attributes, he still hadn't reached a truly transcendent level.

Defeating Aokiji wasn't difficult, but it would take time.

And Uchiha Yi wasn't interested in drawn-out battles.

He preferred one-sided domination.

So, he had no choice but to activate his Pay-to-Win mode!

Over the years, aside from creating enhanced AI soldiers, Uchiha Yi had also applied powerful enhancements to weapons, tools, armor, and more.

Some of the more interesting ones he had kept in his personal collection.

As a result, his stash of OP items had grown significantly.

At this point, you could almost call him Doraemon.Yi.A., and you wouldn't be wrong!

With the Flaming Blade in hand, Aokiji was now severely restricted.

Every time he was touched by the sword, his body would start melting!

And the worst part?

He couldn't even dodge it!

Awakening Skill: Shrinking the Distance!

This mobility ability was based on a simple concept.

By awakening the Picture-Picture Fruit, Uchiha Yi could reshape his surroundings, turning them into one giant painting.

Now, let's ask a question:

What's the shortest distance between two points?

Logically, most people would answer:

"A straight line."

But in the realm of spatial theory, that's incorrect.

The true shortest distance is—

Folding the space between points A and B until they touch.

That's the concept behind Shrinking the Distance.

Within his awakened Picture-Picture domain, Uchiha Yi could teleport infinitely.

Paired with Observation Haki, Aokiji had nowhere to hide!

Since Aokiji was Nami's future target, Uchiha Yi couldn't kill him and risk ruining her mission.

So, he held back his Armament Haki.

But even with just the Flaming Blade's elemental advantage, Aokiji was suffering immensely.

Every slash evaporated huge amounts of his body's moisture, rapidly draining his stamina.

After just a few minutes, Aokiji collapsed from exhaustion.

He still had some strength left, but he knew—

Any further resistance was meaningless.

"Man… today's youth sure are fragile."

"You move around a little, and you're already out of breath?"

"That's just embarrassing."

Uchiha Yi looked down at Aokiji with mocking disdain.

"…"

"Looks like we all underestimated you, Uchiha Yi."

"What do you plan to do with me?"

Aokiji, expressionless, asked in a flat tone.

He had come without expecting defeat, but now, he had no choice but to accept reality.

"Hmm, let me think…"

For a moment, Uchiha Yi wasn't sure what to do with him.

Letting him go seemed too easy.

After all, when Aokiji first arrived, he had been acting all high and mighty.

He had boarded the ship without permission,

And even helped himself to a cup of "Princess Vivi's Handcrafted Lemon Tea."

Unforgivable!

He had to pay up!

"That's not for you to worry about."

"I trust your Marines will offer proper compensation."

Uchiha Yi smirked, not bothering to explain.

With a simple command, his AI soldiers retrieved a pair of Seastone handcuffs and restrained Aokiji.

---

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

After assigning Aokiji his mission, Fleet Admiral Sengoku hadn't given Uchiha Yi another thought.

After all, if an Admiral was handling it, Uchiha Yi only had two options:

1. Accept the offer to become a Warlord of the Sea and serve the World Government.

2. Refuse, get captured by Aokiji, and be sent to Impel Down.

Either way, the problem would be solved.

However—

Reality had a way of surprising people.

"Brrrrrring! Brrrrrring!"

The transponder snail rang, its features shifting to resemble Aokiji's face.

"Aokiji, that lazy brat…!"

"I didn't expect him to work so fast!"

Sengoku smirked in amusement.

"Looks like I should start giving him more missions."

Without hesitation, he picked up the call.

"Hello, this is Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral Sengoku speaking."

But the voice that responded wasn't Aokiji's.

Instead, a complete stranger answered.

Sengoku's expression darkened immediately.

An ominous feeling rose in his gut.

"Who is this?! Where's Aokiji?!"

Sengoku demanded.

"You must be Fleet Admiral Sengoku, huh?"

"Eh, doesn't really matter."

"As long as you're from the Marines, it's fine."

"Listen up, Marines. You better hear this loud and clear."

"I'm Uchiha Yi, Captain of the Nameless Pirate Crew."

"Your Admiral Aokiji is now my prisoner."

"If you want him back, you'll need to pay a ransom—ten Devil Fruits."

"Here are my conditions:"

1 must be a Logia-type.

6 must be Paramecia-types.

3 must be Zoan-types.

"If you don't comply, don't blame me for executing him."

"You have five days."

"When you have the ransom, call this number."

"If you don't have it by then, don't bother calling."

"I don't have time to waste on useless negotiations."

"If you miss the deadline, consider the deal canceled."

"That's all."

"Click!"

The call abruptly ended.

Throughout the entire conversation, Uchiha Yi had done all the talking.

There had been no room for negotiation.

By the time Sengoku tried to respond, the line was already dead.

He was so furious, he nearly transformed into a giant golden Buddha on the spot!

"This… this level of arrogance…!"

"I have NEVER seen such an audacious pirate before!!!"

Forgetting what he had just been told, Sengoku immediately tried calling back.

The transponder snail rang for minutes, but no one picked up.

This time, Sengoku was livid.

With a furious punch, he shattered his desk.

"Good! GOOD!!!"

"The Nameless Pirate Crew, huh?!"

"You dare provoke Marine Headquarters?"

His rage boiled over, his mind filled with thoughts of revenge.

"Once we get Aokiji back, I'll make sure the Marines and every bounty hunter target them!"

"To think they already have the strength to capture an Admiral."

"If that's the case… their bounties need another major update."

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