One Piece: Starting with Sign-in Naruto Character Cards

"You know my Barrier-Barrier Fruit ability and still try to beat me with that kind of trick? Don't you find it laughable?"

"Hmph, that was just the appetizer. Now it's for real! Crow Clone Jutsu!"

In the next moment, Rikuya Kazama's body suddenly transformed into dozens of black crows!

Earlier, he had used the Great Fire Annihilation Technique mainly to test whether the ninjutsu from the Naruto world could break through Devil Fruit abilities from the One Piece world.

But the truth was—it couldn't. So Rikuya had no choice but to exploit the Barrier-Barrier Fruit's weaknesses instead!

Seeing Rikuya suddenly turn into a swarm of crows, Bartolomeo was caught completely off guard.

Immediately afterward, the crows circled around his absolute barrier from all directions and dove at him.

Just like that, his so-called absolute defense was rendered useless.

Realizing this, Bartolomeo had no choice but to quickly cancel the barrier.

But the moment it vanished, the crows instantly reformed behind him.

"You're finished! Monster Strength Attack!"

Rikuya snorted coldly, then smashed his fist directly into Bartolomeo's back.

BOOM!

The impact sent Bartolomeo crashing forward into the bar counter, utterly demolishing it in a single instant.

This Monster Strength Attack was a taijutsu technique originally created by Hashirama Senju, and incidentally, Uchiha Itachi had also mastered it.

The technique involved precise chakra control—focusing all chakra into one part of the body and then unleashing it in a powerful physical strike.

Just now, Itachi—within Rikuya's body—had concentrated all the chakra he brought into Rikuya's fist and released it in a charged blow.

However, Rikuya had intentionally held back a little at the last second.

Otherwise, at such close range, even a steel body would have suffered severe injury.

After all, his goal was to recruit Bartolomeo—seriously injuring him now would benefit no one.

Once Bartolomeo was knocked out, the nearby gangsters were all stunned. After exchanging looks, they bolted in a panic.

"Hmph, your underlings abandoned you. Looks like you're not much of a boss after all!

And really, what's the point of clinging to this tiny backwater town?

If you're willing, I can bring you to the grand stage of the New World. With your unique Devil Fruit ability, I'm sure you'll shine brightly there."

Rikuya offered sincerely.

Bartolomeo and Crocodile were both prideful and unyielding men—but Crocodile was shrewd and cunning, capable of patience and strategy.

Bartolomeo, however, was a reckless hothead. Push him too far, and he might really go berserk.

So Rikuya's strategy was to crush his confidence directly, then offer him a hand at the right moment.

As expected, after getting up and brushing the dust from his clothes, a hint of hesitation finally appeared on Bartolomeo's face.

Like Crocodile, he considered himself special—so submitting to another wasn't something he could accept easily.

"Kid, letting you in was a favor. Me and this guy—our fame and strength are leagues beyond yours."

Seeing Bartolomeo still hesitating, Crocodile couldn't help but scold him.

But Bartolomeo just gave him a sidelong glance and replied coolly,

"If the captain hadn't stepped in today, you'd still be trapped in my barrier sphere, crying and begging for mercy!"

"You looking for a beating?"

Crocodile snarled and was about to strike again.

"Enough. Stop arguing. We're all on the same side now. Get some rest—we've got some tough customers to deal with tomorrow."

Rikuya quickly cut in.

In truth, the moment Bartolomeo said the word captain, Rikuya knew he had already submitted.

He just couldn't bring himself to admit it outright yet, so that was his roundabout way of expressing it.

At that moment, the system popped up with a notification:

"Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully defeating the enemy. You have received 30,000 reputation points as a reward."

As expected, Bartolomeo's reputation value wasn't very high, but it was better than nothing!

Now that Bartolomeo had agreed to join the crew, there was no need for further fighting—especially since the seas outside were anything but peaceful.

Based on Rikuya's estimate, the Marines would arrive here by tomorrow morning at the latest.

"If the Marines are coming, maybe we should sneak out tonight. I've got several inconspicuous ships we can use to slip away!"

Bartolomeo immediately suggested.

"You can run if you want. I wouldn't mind killing a few more Marine officers."

Crocodile seized the chance to mock him.

"Running? Not necessary. I actually plan to visit Marineford—see for myself how strong those old geezers really are."

Rikuya said nonchalantly.

"What?! You seriously want to go to Marineford? With just the four of us, that's practically a suicide mission. Shouldn't we at least wait and gather more strength first?"

Douglas Bullet couldn't help but object.

After all, he had just escaped from Impel Down. If they really stormed Marineford now, with all the Marines attacking together, it'd be nearly impossible for them to get out alive.

"It's not that I want to go—it's that they will be on their knees, begging us to come. Get it?"

"Damn, you're even more arrogant than me. But I like it!"

That one bold statement from Rikuya completely won over Bartolomeo. He had always admired the strong—and instead of feeling fear, the thought of going to Marineford actually made his blood boil with excitement.

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