Chapter 30

Tsuna sighed inwardly, his expression carefully neutral as he walked into his study. The news of new enemies had been concerning, but what truly rattled him was the presence of Naruto Uzumaki—a man who seemed more like a walking calamity than a leader.

It wasn't fear that disturbed him. No, Tsuna had long outgrown such emotions.

It was the chaos Naruto brought.

Everywhere he went, the world changed, and that meant one thing—the age of peace was over.

"God have mercy on my soul." Tsuna whispered to himself as he shut the door behind him.

The study was silent, filled only with the faint scent of aged wood and paper, but inside his mind, a storm was raging.

He placed a hand over his chest, feeling the slow, steady rhythm of his heart.

'I've grown soft.'

The realization made him sigh. Once, he had been a king who never wavered. He had crushed enemies and seized absolute control over the underworld with an iron will. And yet, this—this momentary disturbance—had shaken him.

No.

He would not allow this weakness.

He took a deep breath, forcing his mind to calm, his body to relax, until finally, the warmth of his flames pulsed calmly within him.

He was the Sky King.

And a king never let anything disrupt his integrity.

With renewed determination, Tsuna accessed the virtual world—a tool gifted by Naruto to help him prepare for the coming war.

As he entered, two options appeared before him.

Ninja World

Battle Arena

His curiosity tempted him to explore Naruto's world, but he shoved the thought aside. Danger was approaching—and now was not the time for sightseeing.

He chose the Battle Arena.

Immediately, the environment shifted, and Tsuna found himself standing in a white space, surrounded by floating screens.

Each screen displayed different opponents, categorized by strength and abilities.

A cold, emotionless voice greeted him.

"Tsunayoshi Sawada. Master has given you full access. You may choose any foe."

The voice echoed from the empty space, but no figure appeared to match it.

Tsuna barely spared it a glance. He had seen stranger things.

Instead, he crossed his arms, his mind already set on his next move.

"Arrange for me a master who is appropriate for my level."

The voice processed the request before responding.

"Yes."

A new screen flickered into existence, and Tsuna's eyes narrowed as a familiar figure stepped forward.

A young man, no older than seventeen, stood with his arms crossed. His golden hair glowed under an unseen light, and his body radiated a godlike energy that sent ripples through the space.

4th Ninja War – Naruto Uzumaki

Tsuna raised an eyebrow, his sharp eyes scanning the younger version of the man he had just spoken with hours ago.

Once, this might have shocked him. But Tsuna had grown—he had seen too much to be fazed by the impossible.

Still…

"I underestimated his power."

It was strange, really. Tsuna had spent decades honing his strength, growing into a force capable of toppling nations.

And yet, standing before him was a boy—a decade younger—who was already his equal.

Or perhaps… something more.

"Let's fight in space."

He had no intention of risking the planet. The coming war would be fought on a cosmic level, and Tsuna needed to adapt to battles fought beyond the confines of Earth.

The world around him shifted.

The endless white space bled away, replaced by the vast black void of space.

Ahead, Tsuna could see the moon, its surface cratered and barren. Behind him, Earth loomed, glowing like a fragile gem in the darkness.

And then, Naruto moved.

Standing on the lunar surface, Naruto was different.

His body was bathed in golden energy, black markings running across his skin like divine inscriptions. His eyes—once blue—had transformed into something ancient and powerful.

Tsuna felt it.

The sheer raw energy radiating from Naruto's form was unlike anything he had encountered before.

A voice echoed in the void.

"Bijuu Sage Form Naruto. There is still a higher level, but I suggest getting used to this first. Fighting the real thing without preparation could end in a single move."

Tsuna considered asking for more information.

But no.

There were times when a king had no knowledge of his opponent.

Relying on external information would only weaken him.

He would learn through battle.

And so, he raised his hand—ready to fight.

Tsuna exhaled slowly, his mind shifting into battle mode as he floated in the vast darkness of space.

The clone of Naruto Uzumaki, bathed in golden energy, stood upon the moon with an untamed intensity. The contrast was striking—Naruto was wild and aggressive, while Tsuna was calm and composed.

"Bijuu Sage Mode… This power is already on another level." Tsuna murmured, feeling the oppressive aura washing over him.

The voice from the system had warned him.

This wasn't even Naruto's strongest form.

But Tsuna was no fool. He had seen monsters before, and he had become one himself.

Even so, he couldn't deny the thrill rising in his chest.

Naruto moved first, his figure blurring as the moon cratered beneath his feet, sending out a shockwave that shattered the moon's surface.

In the next instant, clones burst into existence—hundreds of them, each wielding golden Rasenshurikens that illuminated space like miniature suns.

With a flick of their wrists, the storm of destruction descended upon Tsuna, screaming through the void like a meteor shower of death.

Tsuna remained unmoved.

He simply raised a single hand—and the world froze.

The incoming Rasenshurikens halted in place, their violent energy restrained by an unseen force.

Tsuna's gloves ignited, his contacts flashing, and his headphones clicked into place.

The moment the first heartbeat resounded in his ears, the flames of the Sky erupted.

With a simple gesture, Tsuna erased the clones, their existence snuffed out like candles in the wind.

Only the original Naruto clone remained, standing atop the fragmented moon, his grin widening.

Naruto wasn't surprised.

He was thrilled.

Naruto wasted no time, his hands weaving complex seals at blinding speed before slamming them together.

A colossal wave of lava erupted from his palm, engulfing the battlefield in an unstoppable tide of molten death.

Tsuna, however, almost laughed.

The lava surged toward him, its overwhelming heat capable of melting entire planets—yet, to Tsuna, it was a gift.

"Pathetic."

The moment the lava touched his body, it ceased to exist—consumed by the very flames that empowered him.

Tsuna was fire itself.

And against the true king of flames, mere lava was nothing more than a warm breeze.

Naruto's golden form flickered, his instincts screaming at him—

And then Tsuna vanished.

Before Naruto could react, a crimson streak pierced the void, and Tsuna reappeared inches from his face, his gloved fist glowing with concentrated Dying Will Flames.

With a single punch, Tsuna sent Naruto flying, his body tearing through the moon's surface, splitting it in half like a shattered gemstone.

Naruto recovered instantly, flipping midair, his hands already preparing his next attack.

But Tsuna was already there.

Their fists clashed, sending shockwaves that rippled through space, causing Earth's atmosphere to tremble.

Naruto's ferocity was met with Tsuna's absolute control.

The battle raged—each exchange tearing through the cosmos, reshaping the very landscape of the battlefield.

Tsuna dodged a spiraling Tailed Beast Bomb Rasenshuriken, weaving through the chaotic storm like a ghost of fire.

His Sky Flames burned brighter, his calm and measured strikes overpowering Naruto's raw aggression.

Despite the chaos, Tsuna's mind remained clear.

This wasn't just a fight.

It was a lesson.

A test of what it meant to be a king.

And as Tsuna's burning fist drove into Naruto's chest, sending the clone spiraling into oblivion, he knew one thing for certain—

He was ready.

As the simulation faded, Tsuna stood in the darkness of the virtual space, calm and composed.

He had won—but more importantly, he had understood.

Naruto was not just strong.

Naruto was a monster beyond anything he had ever encountered.

But Tsuna?

He was no mere underling.

He was Tsunayoshi Sawada.

The Sky that ruled all Flames.

And when the time came to stand alongside Naruto, he would not do so as a servant—

He would do so as an equal.

"Not bad… but I can do better." Tsuna smirked.

And with that, he stepped forward—ready for the next battle.

(One Piece World: Alabasta Arc)

The scorching sun of Alabasta bore down upon the kingdom as chaos unfolded in the streets. Smoker, the relentless Marine, had finally caught up with his prey—Monkey D. Luffy. His white cloak billowed as he exhaled a cloud of smoke, his piercing eyes locked onto the Straw Hat captain with unshaken determination.

"Straw Hat! You won't escape this time!" Smoker bellowed, his jitte infused with Seastone gleaming in the sunlight.

Luffy, standing a few feet away, cracked his knuckles. He had clashed with Smoker before, and every time, the outcome was the same—his fists would phase through the Marine's intangible Logia body, leaving him at a disadvantage. This time, however, he had an ace up his sleeve.

Literally.

"Do you want my help?" A voice called out casually from the side.

Portgas D. Ace stood with his arms crossed, his ever-present smirk in place as he watched the tension build. The Fire Fist pirate had little interest in Marine affairs, but he had promised to help Luffy. Smoker was strong, and though Luffy was getting stronger, defeating a Logia user like Smoker alone was a near-impossible task.

Luffy hesitated for a moment, then turned to his brother.

"I will need some help," he admitted, an unusually serious expression on his face.

Ace blinked in surprise before bursting into laughter. "Didn't expect you to say that!" he said before taking a step forward, his body beginning to radiate heat.

Smoker narrowed his eyes. Ace was no ordinary pirate—he was the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates. And unlike Luffy, Ace could hit him.

"Stay out of this, Portgas!" Smoker growled. "This is Marine business!"

Ace grinned. "Sorry, but I don't take orders from Marines."

Without warning, the Fire Fist pirate launched himself at Smoker, his fists igniting as he swung a blazing punch. Smoker reacted instantly, his body dissolving into thick white smoke as he evaded the attack. The force of Ace's punch melted the side of a nearby building, sending a wave of heat washing through the streets.

The fight exploded into chaos. Smoker lashed out with his jitte, swinging it at Ace, but the commander weaved between the attacks, his body flickering like fire itself. Their Logia abilities clashed—flames and smoke intertwining as they battled through the ruined streets. Every strike from Smoker's jitte was aimed to weaken and capture, while Ace retaliated with overwhelming heat and explosive power.

Luffy could barely keep up with the high-speed battle. His eyes darted between the two fighters as buildings crumbled under their attacks. The heat from Ace's flames distorted the air, while Smoker's suffocating presence darkened the battlefield.

But Luffy was not one to stand and watch.

With a determined grin, he inhaled deeply, his body stretching unnaturally. He twisted himself like a spring, winding up his entire torso and arms.

"Gomu Gomu no… Tornado Spin!"

Luffy spun at rapid speed, turning into a whirling force of destruction. The force of his spinning created a powerful vortex, pulling in the surrounding flames and smoke. The storm of elements swirled violently, dragging Smoker into its center.

"Shit—!" Smoker grunted as he lost control, his smoke body getting tangled in the swirling wind.

Ace, standing just outside the storm's range, whistled in amusement. "That's new," he commented, watching the vortex of fire and smoke spiral around Luffy.

As the chaotic storm raged, Smoker struggled against the force, his smoke being pulled in uncontrollably. Ace, however, wasn't interested in dragging the fight out. He moved in swiftly, his right arm turning black with Armament Haki as he reached into the storm.

"Luffy, stop spinning!" Ace commanded.

Luffy slowed down, stumbling as dizziness overwhelmed him. "Ugh… that was not a good idea…" he muttered, nearly throwing up.

Meanwhile, Smoker was still trapped in the aftermath of the attack. He had solidified to prevent himself from being completely swept away, but that only made it easier for Ace to grab him.

With a sharp yank, Ace pulled Smoker out of the vortex and slammed him into the ground, pinning him down with his knee. He twisted the Marine's arms behind his back, effectively restraining him.

"You're tough, I'll give you that," Ace said, breathing heavily. "But this is where it ends."

Smoker gritted his teeth, trying to phase into smoke again, but something was wrong. He could feel something… unfamiliar crawling inside his body. His strength wasn't leaving him, but something was changing.

Luffy stood over him, his palm glowing with a strange red light.

"I need your help to save Alabasta," Luffy said, his voice sincere. "Please… don't fight back."

Ace raised an eyebrow. "Luffy, what are you—?"

A red seal appeared in the light, its intricate patterns pulsing as it etched itself into Smoker's skin.

The Marine's eyes widened in horror. "What the hell did you just do?!"

The red light faded from Luffy's hand, leaving behind a glowing seal imprinted on Smoker's skin. It pulsed for a moment before dimming, sinking into him as if it had always been there. Ace, still kneeling on Smoker's back, watched with furrowed brows, his usual smirk absent.

"What the hell did you do to him, Luffy?" Ace asked, eyes flickering between his brother and the Marine beneath him.

Luffy scratched his head sheepishly, still looking a little dizzy from his spinning. "Uh… I dunno. I just thought it'd help."

Smoker gritted his teeth, pushing against Ace's hold, but something stopped him. His powers felt intact, his strength remained—but there was an undeniable presence inside him now, something pulling at him from the inside out.

He turned his glare towards Luffy. "What did you do to me, Straw Hat?!" he growled, his voice sharper than ever.

Luffy tilted his head, looking completely unfazed by the Marine's fury. "I told you, I need your help," he said sincerely. "The people here are in trouble, and you want to help them too, right?"

Ace eased his grip slightly, sensing that Smoker wasn't going to lash out immediately. He stood up, crossing his arms. "Tch. This is a weird ability. Since when could you do that?"

Luffy blinked. "I dunno. It just felt right."

Ace stared at him before sighing. "You're so damn weird, Luffy."

Smoker slowly pushed himself up, his head still pounding as he examined his own arms. He could still feel his smoke shifting beneath his skin, but the moment he thought about attacking Luffy, the seal burned inside him.

He grunted, eyes widening slightly. What the hell is this?!

"Luffy," Smoker said, his voice dangerously low, "what did you just do to me?"

Luffy scratched his chin in thought. "Well… I figured since I didn't beat you, I couldn't make you join me. But if I asked for your help, maybe you'd say yes!" He grinned widely. "And now you can't say no!"

Smoker's jaw clenched. The sheer ridiculousness of Luffy's logic made his head hurt even more.

Ace snorted. "So what, you put a 'help me' button on him?"

Luffy nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! Now when I need help, he has to come help me!"

Smoker's face darkened. "Like hell I will!" he snapped, before immediately freezing as a sharp shock pulsed through his chest.

His body stiffened, his breath hitching. It wasn't pain exactly—it was like his very instincts resisted his anger. He tried moving, summoning his smoke to escape, but something in his core pulled him back, stopping him from attacking Luffy directly.

Ace whistled. "Oof. That's rough, buddy."

Luffy knelt in front of him, still grinning. "So! You gonna help?"

Smoker glared at him, seething. He wanted to refuse, to spit out his usual rejection of working with pirates—but the second the words formed in his mind, the seal pulsed again, tugging at him like an invisible leash.

His fists clenched. He hated this.

"…Damn it." Smoker finally sighed, his voice dripping with resentment. "Fine. But only to protect the civilians."

Luffy pumped his fist into the air. "Yosh! We got Smoker on our side!"

Ace shook his head, chuckling. "Luffy, you kidnapped a Marine."

"Nah," Luffy waved him off, "I just made him a friend!"

Smoker scowled. "I am not your friend."

Luffy grinned wider. "Sure you are!"

The realization of his predicament settled deep in Smoker's gut. He had been chasing Straw Hat for years, and now, in the span of a few minutes, he was the one being dragged into Luffy's mess.

Ace crossed his arms. "Well, guess we're all working together now. This is gonna be interesting."

Smoker could already feel the headache forming.