Chapter 34: A Fight Already?  

"Hahaha, no need to thank me. 

After all, the younger generation is the future of the sea. And I can see that you all have a lot of potential. At the very least, you could become as strong as the vice-captain, able to hold your own." 

The big man praised them, especially Naruto. In his eyes, Naruto was born to be a pirate. 

Hearing this, Naruto grinned proudly. He knew he had talent, but his dream wasn't to become a pirate. 

"Hahaha! Uncle, I appreciate the compliment, but I, Uzumaki Naruto, am going to be the Hokage!" 

With his hands on his hips, Naruto felt a new sense of pride. This was the first time someone had acknowledged him, and he couldn't be happier. 

"Hokage? Not bad, that's an ambitious goal..." 

The big man paused mid-sentence as something clicked in his mind. 

Wait a second. 

What did this kid just say his name was? Uzumaki Naruto? Uzumaki? 

It wasn't just him—every pirate around reacted immediately. 

The name Uzumaki wasn't forbidden, but just two days ago, some ninjas had tried to infiltrate the Land of Waves by using that surname. 

Because of that, the name Uzumaki had now become a sensitive topic for the Blade-less Pirates. 

"What's your name?" 

The big man's expression turned serious. 

"Naruto... Uzumaki Naruto." 

Naruto could tell something was wrong. Meanwhile, the other diners in the restaurant quietly slipped out. They didn't want to get caught in whatever was about to happen. 

"That's impossible. The Uzumaki clan all have red hair. How could you be an Uzumaki?" 

"Kid... You're not from the Land of Waves, are you?" 

"Looks like we need to take you all back for questioning." 

The other pirates stood up. 

Just moments ago, the restaurant had been full of laughter, but now, the air was tense. 

To the pirates, it didn't matter what excuses Naruto and his group had. Their names were too much of a coincidence. They had to be taken in and questioned—who knew if they had been sent here on purpose? 

"We're surrounded." 

Sasuke glanced at the door. Pirates had already gathered outside. 

A kunai slid down from his sleeve, and his stance shifted. He was ready to fight. 

"Ninjas, huh? I knew it. You guys always have some kind of hidden agenda." 

Seeing the kunai in Sasuke's hand, the pirates outside smirked and drew their own blades. 

Before things could escalate further, the big man raised his voice. 

"Put your weapons away. 

If you need to use a blade against kids like these, you might as well go home." 

"The Blade-less Pirates don't attack the weak." 

The pirates hesitated for a moment, then realized he was right. 

They had once faced the powerful ninjas of Kirigakure head-on. What were a few kids compared to that? 

"Put your weapons away." 

"If we need weapons just to deal with some kids, we have no right to call ourselves pirates." 

Some of the higher-ranking members spoke up. 

They had their own beliefs. 

Maybe they didn't always, but after spending so much time with Zabuza and going through countless battles, their mindset had changed. 

The moment they dared to stand against powerful ninjas, something had taken root inside them. 

They were the pirates of a new era. 

"Naruto, the name Uzumaki... isn't something just anyone can carry." 

Jin's voice was low and firm. 

They had asked before—why didn't their captain set sail with Shanks? 

And Zabuza's answer had been simple. 

Because the name Uzumaki was too heavy. 

He wasn't worthy of carrying it alongside that man. Only that man could truly bear the weight of the name. 

And their captain carried his own burdens—ones they knew nothing about. 

For these pirates, protecting the name Uzumaki wasn't just about the past. It was about something much more important…

Even our captain couldn't bear this weight. What makes you think you can? 

"I don't know what these two words carry, but..." 

"I, Uzumaki Naruto, will make everyone recognize me and my name!" 

"I'm not a freak, and I'm not a demon fox." 

"My name is... Uzumaki Naruto." 

Naruto spoke with unwavering determination. He was Uzumaki Naruto—that was his name. 

He wasn't some brat, he wasn't a freak, and he definitely wasn't a demon fox. 

He was Uzumaki Naruto, and he had his own name. 

"I am Uzumaki Naruto, the one who will become Hokage!" 

Before Naruto could finish his words, Jin's massive figure charged straight at him, his huge shadow looming over Naruto. 

There was no technique, just pure speed and power. 

"Hokage? Stop dreaming." 

A punch filled with incredible strength struck Naruto directly, sending him flying backward. 

The fight had begun. 

Sasuke and Sakura reacted instantly, but they quickly put away their weapons. Just some pirates, nothing more. 

"Becoming Hokage—that's my belief too!" 

Naruto, knocked away, wasn't badly hurt. He rushed forward again. 

There was no way he would lose. He was Naruto—why couldn't he carry the name Uzumaki? 

"Belief? Ninjas? There's no such thing!" 

Jin roared, swinging a powerful kick toward Naruto. 

The kick sliced through the air with a sharp whoosh, moving at incredible speed. 

Both his speed and strength were far beyond that of an ordinary person. 

Boom! 

Naruto blocked the attack with one hand. The impact was immense, but using Jin's power, Naruto pivoted on his leg and flipped mid-air. 

Boom! 

Crash! 

Both Jin and Naruto were hit at the same time. 

Jin was sent flying by Naruto's counterattack, while Naruto crashed hard into the ground. 

He didn't use any Ninjutsu, only pure Taijutsu. 

That was his way of the ninja. 

Sasuke and Sakura were the same. 

Sasuke had his own pride—he refused to use his Sharingan. 

And Sakura… well, Sakura didn't even know how to use it properly. 

In this kind of chaotic battle, she didn't even have time to form hand seals. 

*Cough!* 

Jin coughed up blood, a trail of red dripping from the corner of his mouth. 

Naruto's kick had swollen half of Jin's face. 

"A mere... little ninja." 

Through his blurred vision, he saw Naruto standing up again. 

Step. 

Step. 

Step. 

Jin took one step at a time toward Naruto, watching as his comrades fell one by one. 

These ninjas were stronger than the ones they had faced days ago. 

So this was the difference between them and a ninja. 

The difference between ordinary people and ninjas? 

"I refuse to believe that!" 

Jin's speed suddenly exploded, his steps quickening. 

But compared to Naruto, the gap in strength was too big. 

Boom! 

Jin's massive fist swung toward Naruto again. 

This time, Naruto dodged with ease. 

And at the same moment, seeing Jin completely open, Naruto struck his palm straight into Jin's chest. 

"Time to lie down, old man!"

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