Naruto: The Forest's Chosen (Mori Mori No Mi)

"Ah—!!!"

Boom! Boom!

The next moment, Bonnie's scream was cut short.

Her head bowed slightly, Rinnegan eyes wide open in shock.

Slowly, her hands rose into the air.

Sensing the terrifying explosion of chakra, Mei Terumi didn't hesitate. She grabbed Nami and Robin and retreated.

"How can this be... that child... just like Naruto?"

Nami whispered in disbelief.

Robin trembled.

The power pouring out of Bonnie reminded her all too well of her own past.

That same power—born from isolation, anger, and hatred for the world.

Whoosh—

Bonnie appeared in the center of the field in an instant.

Her arms raised, her gaze icy and devoid of emotion.

Bartholomew Kuma opened his mouth to speak—

But Bonnie spoke first.

"Shinra Tensei!"

Buzz—

A massive repulsive force burst outward.

The air itself seemed to scream as the shockwave enveloped the entire island.

Meanwhile—

In the Calm Belt, amidst a sea untouched by wind or current, sat a lone island.

Towering peaks pierced the sky, and carved into the central mountain face were two bold characters: "Nine Snakes."

The seas surrounding it teemed with Sea Kings, their immense bodies slithering just beneath the waves.

This was why Naruto hadn't encountered a single ship during his flight.

In these waters, even those who miraculously drifted here met only one fate: death.

But today, two ships approached the island.

One bore the insignia of the Marines.

The other was towed by a colossal serpent.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The sharp click of high heels echoed on the deck.

Creak—

A cabin door opened.

"Who the hell tossed a kitten into my path?"

On the deck, a fluffy kitten was playing with a ball of yarn.

As a shadow loomed overhead, it looked up and meowed.

Thud—

"Meow!!!"

A slender white foot sent the kitten flying.

On the opposite ship, the Marines tensed instantly.

"She's finally come out…"

"Boa Hancock!"

A tall woman stepped to the head of the great serpent, lifting her hand.

The snake, intelligent eyes gleaming, swam toward the Marine vessel.

"Stay sharp!" barked a lieutenant commander.

"The Vice Admiral is right! She's the leader of monsters!"

"No one knows what terrifying abilities she's hiding!"

Gulp—

The Marines tightened their grips on their weapons, sweat beading on their foreheads.

Then she appeared—Boa Hancock.

"That's the Pirate Empress?!"

Buzz—

In that instant, the world turned pink.

She was tall—191 centimeters, with a stunning hourglass figure.

Her long black hair fell in a regal hime cut. Her forehead was slightly broad but flawless and elegant.

Her piercing blue eyes were almond-shaped and cold, holding an untouchable grace.

She wore gold, serpent-shaped earrings and a form-fitting cheongsam-style dress that accentuated her allure.

The Marines stared, hearts pounding.

"I heard she was beautiful... but this is unreal!"

Empress Hancock placed one hand on her waist, looking down at the Marines with absolute disdain.

That very expression sent the soldiers' hearts spinning.

So beautiful~!

The Vice Admiral wiped cold sweat from his brow.

Before the battle even began, the morale of his men was shattered.

This... was the Pirate Empress.

—Amazon Lily's Empress. Captain of the Kuja Pirates. One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea—"Empress" Boa Hancock.

"Finally here to pick me up?" she asked coolly.

Beside her stood two imposing Kuja warriors.

"The answer I gave days ago was a lie. We won't join this war."

"But... I won't give up my title as a Warlord of the Sea."

Gasps erupted from the Marines.

Then Hancock added with biting arrogance:

"Also—I want all the supplies on your ship."

The Vice Admiral exploded.

"What kind of nonsense is this?!"

"You're not a child throwing a tantrum!"

"Do you really think we'd just hand everything over?!"

But Hancock merely smiled, condescending and devastatingly beautiful.

"Such an exquisite woman~!"

The Marine soldiers, eyes shining with adoration, had already begun unloading cargo.

"I'd give her anything she asked!"

"Why the hell are you moving supplies?! Wake up!" the Vice Admiral shouted.

"Oh no! I didn't even realize I was obeying her!" a Marine cried in horror.

Taking a deep breath, the Vice Admiral shouted:

"Portgas D. Ace's execution is near!"

"At Marineford Square—the heart of Naval headquarters!"

"The Flame Fist will die there!"

Hancock rolled her eyes and elegantly seated herself atop the serpent's head.

"I quite like the title of Shichibukai," she murmured.

"I don't want to lose it."

"But I also despise the World Government."

"I have no intention of following their commands."

Her eyes gleamed with cunning.

"How about this: The Marines sent to escort me... suffered a mysterious incident at sea."

"They were all turned to stone. No survivors."

She crossed her arms and leapt gracefully from the serpent's back.

"Do you know why?"

A dazzling smirk curled her lips.

"Because no matter what I do... I will always be forgiven."

"No matter what I do... the world will forgive me—because I am beautiful."

"Ah~~!!"

All the warriors of the Kuja Pirates swooned, transformed into love-struck devotees.

"Snake Princess-sama~!"

"We forgive you, forgive you~!!!" Even the navy soldiers joined the chorus.

"Because you're so beautiful~"

With a graceful arc, Hancock tilted her head back, lifting her shimmering black hair with both hands.

"The guilt of being captivated by my beauty…"

"I shall punish you with love."

She formed a heart with her hands, her hair fluttering behind her.

"Mero Mero Mellow—!"

Buzz—

In the next instant, nearly every person on the battlefield—save for the vice admiral—was turned to stone. He had pierced his own hands with his blades to dull his senses, resisting the charm.

And so, the navy was looted without resistance.

"Set sail. Return to the tranquil shores of Amazon Lily!"

With a snap of her fingers, the massive serpent slithered into motion, towing the pirate ship across the sea.

Elsewhere…

"Where is this…?"

Hovering mid-air, Naruto narrowed his eyes.

"This place feels… familiar."

Whoosh—

He dropped suddenly—but halted just before landing, a gust of wind cracking the roof below.

"Welcome back, Snake Princess!"

"Thank you for keeping the island safe," Hancock replied calmly.

"We've prepared the finest gems, carefully selected from the spoils of war."

She opened a box, revealing a radiant jewel. Lifting it with one hand, she smiled faintly.

"Ah~"

"A smile so enchanting, even gemstones feel inferior~!"

All the female warriors sighed with heart-shaped eyes.

Yet, after a single glance, Hancock tossed the gem aside.

"Hmph."

Confused, they looked on. Hancock turned, her tone icy.

"Trinkets of this level... only tarnish my beauty."

Without a second glance, she made her way to her chambers.

"Is the bath ready?"

"Yes, we'll announce it now!"

Boom boom boom—

Bells rang out across the island.

"Snake-sama is going to bathe~!"

The city sprang into action as Hancock strolled gracefully into the bathhouse. One by one, her garments slipped away.

At that moment, Naruto landed silently in the main hall.

Fog drifted through the air.

"This place feels eerily familiar, but I can't quite recall…"

"Still, based on the architecture, the energy, the layout... this feels just like the Daughter Island of the Pirates' world."

Splash—

Water rippled in the distance.

Naruto opened his eyes.

He'd just scanned the entire island with his chakra perception.

No doubt about it—this was Amazon Lily, the pirate kingdom of women.

A wry smile touched his lips.

"What are the odds?"

Sure enough, through the steam, a figure stood in the grand bath.

"Who's there?!"

Hancock spun, her expression tightening.

A man?!

Naruto's gaze fell on the Celestial Dragon slave mark etched into her back.

"Ugh!"

Noticing his eyes, Hancock immediately submerged herself.

"You saw it… didn't you?!"

Her voice dropped, cold as winter.

Naruto gave a small nod.

"Damn you!"

Her face darkened, rage and shame flashing in her eyes.

She stood abruptly, forming a heart with her hands. Power surged around her.

"Mero Mero Mellow!!!"

A beam of pink, heart-shaped light shot forth.

Anyone struck by it—if they harbored lust or admiration for her—would be turned to stone.

Naruto, however, raised a hand. A transparent chakra barrier shimmered to life in front of him.

Buzz—

The heart beam dispersed harmlessly against the shield.

"I don't understand this technique yet," he said. "But I'm not about to test it directly."

Hancock's eyes widened in disbelief.

Her charm—her Mero Mero no Mi powers—had never failed before.

And certainly not in this state of vulnerability.

She gritted her teeth, furious.

Her fingers brushed across her red lips, and a delicate heart-shaped arrow formed at her fingertips.

She aimed it like a drawn bow.

"Slave Arrow!"

Whoosh—

Naruto twisted his body, narrowly avoiding the projectile.

"Stop this. It's pointless."

"I can erase that slave mark from your back."

"Shut up!" Hancock's eyes flared with fury.

She lunged, her legs infused with Kuja-style Haki, a blend of strength and elegance unique to the warrior women of Amazon Lily.

"Aromatic Feet!!!"

With a whirl of grace and fury, Hancock's long, pale legs swept through the air in a high arc.

If the kick connected, even without romantic desire from the opponent, it could petrify a part of their body instantly—and shatter it to dust.

Not even stone or steel could withstand it.

But this time, her enemy was different.

Naruto raised his hand—and the chakra of the Mori-Mori no Mi awakened, manifesting the ancient will of the forest.

Bang—!

The devastating kick landed.

Yet Naruto caught her leg with one hand, his arm glowing faintly as the energy from the petrification attempt was absorbed into his body through his Sensen power.

Hancock's eyes widened in disbelief, pupils shrinking.

Even my Aromatic Feet... couldn't turn him to stone?!

With no hesitation, she launched another kick, faster, sharper.

At the same time, her fingers brushed her lips, gathering pink heart-shaped energy.

"Slave Arrow!"

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

A flurry of heart-shaped arrows shot forward, cutting through the mist like a storm of affection-turned-deadly.

But Naruto's eyes narrowed—his Sharingan spinning.

Susanoo: Initial Form.

A towering ribcage of translucent chakra burst forth around him, deflecting every arrow with ease.

The love attacks shattered harmlessly against the spectral armor.

Naruto gazed through the mist, his eyes locking onto Hancock's.

He saw the shock on her face, the confusion—maybe even fear.

Calmly, with quiet power in his voice, he said:

"I'm not playing around."

"I can remove the Celestial Dragon's slave mark from your back."

His voice softened, though it remained firm.

"And not just yours—I can erase the tattoos from your sisters' backs too."

…

TN:

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