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

"Know~!"

Marine Headquarters.

Sengoku turned toward the Den Den Mushi, which had suddenly begun to ring. He picked up the receiver with a calm but sharp gaze.

"This is Marine Headquarters."

As soon as he spoke, the Den Den Mushi's expression shifted—from blank to one of sheer fear.

A trembling voice came through.

"Marshal Sengoku... the old man... the old man has been captured on the Sabaody Archipelago!"

Sengoku's eyes narrowed. "Sentomaru, explain yourself. What do you mean captured?"

The three admirals were the face of the Navy. The idea that one of them had been captured on Sabaody—where most pirates didn't even understand how to use Haki—was absurd.

Even Logia users like Kizaru were practically untouchable there.

With the power of the Pika Pika no Mi, being captured in a place like Sabaody was unthinkable.

Unless...

"Seastone?"

The thought passed through Sengoku's mind, but he quickly shook his head.

No. At their level, it's nearly impossible for someone to restrain them with Seastone.

"Sentomaru, are you still there?"

His voice grew colder now.

If this was some kind of prank, then when Sentomaru returned, he'd be facing far more than just disciplinary action.

The Den Den Mushi gasped for air—its expression twisted with even greater terror.

Then, Sentomaru's voice returned in a panicked rush.

"Marshal Sengoku!"

"We need backup—now!"

"I came with the old man and brought PX-1 and PX-4. He took down all the Supernovas!"

"But then... two unknowns showed up."

The receiver buzzed with static and panic as Sentomaru continued:

"A blond man who called himself Uzumaki Naruto, and a woman who could control water with hand gestures—she even launched acid attacks!"

"Naruto captured the old man!"

"Right now—above the Sabaody Archipelago—there's a gigantic floating sphere made of earth!"

"And... their powers—they're not Devil Fruits!"

"The old man's abilities were suppressed!"

Sengoku's pupils shrank.

"Not Devil Fruits…?"

He muttered, trying to make sense of it.

"A blond man named Uzumaki Naruto... and a woman manipulating water and acid—without any visible Devil Fruit powers?"

Just who were these people?

Sengoku had seen many strange things in his career, having once chased the Pirate King Roger alongside Garp. He wasn't one to be shaken easily.

But if what Sentomaru said was true...

"Sentomaru, what's the situation now?" he asked grimly.

"The Shichibukai—Bartholomew Kuma—showed up!"

Sentomaru's voice crackled in horror.

"He attacked Uzumaki Naruto and the Straw Hat crew—but it didn't work!"

"And then—Joelle Bonnie... she transformed! Her powers—they defy all logic!"

"And now—AHHHH! IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN!"

BOOM. BOOM.

On Sabaody, Sentomaru was hurled away by an invisible repulsive force, crashing and rolling across the ground like a ragdoll.

Sengoku could hear the chaos through the line—and he didn't hesitate a second longer.

He stood up abruptly.

"Listen carefully, Sentomaru—keep your eyes on everything around you!"

"I'm sending reinforcements immediately!"

"If Kizaru is really trapped inside a dirt sphere that's levitating like an island... damn it!"

The Den Den Mushi went silent.

Sengoku's expression hardened.

"Even Kizaru lost?"

Who were these people?

He exhaled sharply.

The Celestial Dragons had been assaulted.

Kizaru, one of the Navy's top admirals, had been defeated.

The Sabaody Archipelago—a critical stronghold—was in ruins.

It was a devastating blow to the Marines.

Realizing the severity of the situation, Sengoku burst out of his office.

"Garp!!!"

Garp, munching on a donut, turned lazily. "Why the panic?"

But Sengoku didn't have time for banter.

He grabbed Garp by the collar and dragged him toward the exit.

"What?!"

"You're not serious—are you, Sengoku?!"

Garp's eyes widened as he listened.

He had never heard of a man like Uzumaki Naruto.

Abilities that suppressed Devil Fruit users.

A woman wielding techniques reminiscent of ninjutsu.

Sengoku wasn't joking.

And that's what made it terrifying.

Moments later, the alarm rang across the base.

The Marine Headquarters was now in an emergency meeting.

In the highest-level war room of Marineford.

Sengoku sat at the head of the table.

At his side were the Navy's legendary hero Garp and the composed Vice Admiral Tsuru. On the opposite side sat two of the Marine Headquarters' most powerful forces—Admiral Akainu and Admiral Aokiji.

These five represented the absolute pinnacle of Marine strength.

"I've already informed the Five Elders."

Sengoku's face was grim.

Even Garp, usually light-hearted and irreverent, sat silent, his expression dark.

The matter of the Celestial Dragons being assaulted was still unresolved.

And now, Admiral Kizaru had been captured, and the Sabaody Archipelago was in shambles.

Each event was enough to shake the world. Together, they were an outright crisis.

"Any intel on those intruders?" Sengoku asked.

Vice Admiral Tsuru slowly shook her head. "Nothing in the records. No matching abilities. No known affiliations."

The air grew heavier.

Akainu scowled, a vein bulging in his temple.

"Tch. No matter who they are, laying a hand on an admiral is a direct insult to justice."

He stood abruptly, his voice rising. "No need for debate. I'm going to Sabaody myself."

"Akainu, calm down!" Sengoku barked.

"This isn't that simple!"

But before Sengoku could finish, Garp slammed the table with his fist.

"What's the point of sitting here and talking?! I'm heading over!"

Akainu shot him a sharp glance. "Straw Hat Luffy struck a Celestial Dragon at Sabaody."

He sneered.

"This is the perfect time to wipe them all out."

Garp's expression twisted.

"Enough!" Sengoku shouted, rubbing his temple. "The situation is unstable. We can't all leave."

"Akainu, prepare a ship. You'll deploy."

"The Headquarters must maintain a strong presence."

"Also… get an image of that blond intruder. Put a bounty on him."

"Four billion berries."

Sabaody Archipelago – Chaos

"Have the real Shichibukai shown up...?" Sanji gritted his teeth, body trembling.

"And what's with him...?"

"There are three identical ones—what the hell is going on?!"

Boof!

Bartholomew Kuma stepped up to Usopp—and without hesitation, slapped him.

Usopp vanished instantly.

"Usopp!!!" Luffy shouted, stumbling forward.

"Sanji, run!" he yelled. "We'll figure everything out later—just survive!"

But Kuma continued walking forward.

Bonney stared at him, raising her hand as if trying to stop him—

Then suddenly clutched her head.

"Agh... it hurts... Who is he...? Why does he seem so familiar...?"

"Danger!" Brook leapt in front of Sanji.

"Run, Sanji!"

He spread his arms wide.

"Even if it costs my life, I'll protect you!"

"Even though I'm already dead…"

Boof!

Kuma's paw strike sent Brook flying—vanished like the others.

"Brook!!" Sanji cried, eyes brimming with tears. "Damn it!"

"What the hell am I doing?!"

Clenching his hair, Sanji seethed with frustration. "I'm just standing here—while my friends vanish one by one!"

He pivoted sharply, legs blazing, and charged Kuma.

"You bastard!"

"Stop, Sanji!!!" Luffy screamed, his eyes wide with panic.

"You damned meatball freak!!" Sanji roared, twisting mid-air into a fiery kick.

But then—

Bonney appeared in front of him.

His body froze.

BOOM—

A sudden repulsive force struck Sanji, hurling him backward into a massive mangrove.

Bonney's power surged.

"Tianyin of All Things!" she called out.

Bzzzt—

The repulsion reversed—attraction manifested.

Sanji, barely conscious, was yanked out of the rubble, flying toward Bonney.

As he soared, Bonney slowly lifted her other hand.

A black staff materialized in her palm.

"Sanji! No!" Luffy shouted, rushing forward.

"Run away! Get out of here!" Bonney shouted back, her tone conflicted.

Behind her, Kuma turned around.

Spotting the opening, he struck.

Sanji, still mid-air, was hit squarely by Kuma's palm.

Boof!

Sanji disappeared—just like the others.

Bonney narrowed her eyes and raised her hand toward Kuma.

A small black sphere formed.

But then—

"Wait," said a calm voice.

Mei Terumi stepped forward, her tone firm.

Bonney hesitated.

"Isn't he... the family you were looking for?"

"Family…" Bonney whispered. Her hand lowered slightly.

Not far off, Luffy was on his knees, shaking.

"Sanji... why...?"

"What do I do now?"

Slowly, he stood.

Grrk—

His rubber legs twisted, his skin steaming.

"Gear Second."

Blood vessels bulged, and steam rose around him like a pressure cooker.

His body shimmered with a reddish glow—blood mist leaking from his pores.

Nami and Robin lay paralyzed, unable to speak, unable to move.

"RAAHHH!!!"

Kuma appeared behind them.

Luffy moved—vanished in a flash.

He reappeared, fist flying toward Kuma.

"Gomu Gomu no… Jet Pistol!!!"

Boom—

Luffy's punch surged forward with fury—only to stop cold.

His body froze mid-motion.

Arms extended.

Boom—

A ball of blue chakra flickered into existence.

"Ah—!!"

Nami and Robin could finally make a sound—

But all that came out were gasps of fear.

The bear's paw hovered above them.

After witnessing with their own eyes how he'd swatted away Usopp, Brook, and Sanji—it was impossible not to be afraid.

Just then, a hand appeared.

Boof—

This time, the bear's attack didn't connect.

He wasn't repelling anyone.

"Naruto~" said Mei Terumi softly.

Naruto gave her a slight nod.

Then he looked toward the Yomi Hirasaka portal behind him, still glowing and unstable.

"It took three jumps just to reach this place," he murmured. "As I thought… this world is far, far larger than the Shinobi World."

Nami and Robin stared, stunned.

They had felt the overwhelming force when Naruto arrived—like a hurricane colliding with their storm of chaos.

But the blond idiot's earlier attacks?

He hadn't even flinched.

Naruto turned his gaze toward the distant sea.

"…It's time to return. The slug summon is nearing her limit."

"Once I'm back, I'll take over the Wet Bone Forest's barrier… No."

"I'll tap directly into the dragon vein. That'll supply the chakra needed."

Once connected to the dragon vein, the Wet Bone Forest's barrier would become part of the Shinobi World.

When that happens, there'll be no limit on who can come to this world—or how long they can stay.

And when he returns again, Naruto plans to link the original energy of this world into the network.

After that, both worlds can move freely between each other.

"Hmm~ Naruto~"

A tall, graceful woman stepped out of the portal behind him.

For a moment, Mei Terumi froze.

Hinata? she thought. No—she's... too tall. Too powerful. Like a goddess version of her...

But there was no time to question it.

The bear attacked again.

Luffy and Chopper were his next targets.

Whoosh—

Bonney darted toward Naruto, her body propelled by emotion rather than power.

Without hesitation, she flung herself into his arms.

Naruto gently patted her on the back.

Her breathing steadied. Her chakra flickered.

She reverted into a small girl—and promptly passed out in his arms.

"You're not ready to wield that power yet," Naruto said quietly.

He stroked her hair once, then handed her over to Mei Terumi.

"Keep her safe."

On the battlefield, only Luffy remained.

He knelt, his fists trembling, tears streaming down his cheeks.

"I… I couldn't save any of them..."

"I couldn't protect even one of my friends..."

"...Goodbye."

Just as Kuma raised his paw to strike again—

Vrrrmmm—

A spiral distortion bloomed in the air.

Kamui.

A masked figure stepped out from the vortex of swirling space-time.

"He doesn't need your help," the voice said coldly.

The next moment—

Kuma's body twisted and vanished, swallowed whole by kamui.

Gone without resistance.

"Monkey D. Luffy."

"Stay close to the Pirate King's son."

…

TN:

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