Chapter 88: Stay Back, Let Me Handle This 

The information about Karin appearing in the Land should have already spread. 

The reason it took so long for these ninjas to track her down was that they never expected the previous group to be completely wiped out—not a single one returned. 

Because of that, the intelligence was delayed. 

On top of that, bounty ninjas weren't as united as village ninjas. They were just a temporary team thrown together. 

So their response time was much slower. 

Of course, these ninjas weren't just here for the bounty. 

Based on the current information, the strongest man in the ninja world, "Red-Haired Shanks," is actually from the Uzumaki clan. Another "Uzumaki" is Uzumaki Naruto from Konohagakure. 

The first one is the strongest man in the ninja world, while the second is just a Genin from Konohagakure, protected by a Jonin leader. Plus, Naruto doesn't have red hair, so to these people, he's not worth much. 

But now, someone like Karin has appeared, instantly attracting a lot of attention. 

After all, Karin doesn't have any strong protectors around her, and unlike Naruto with his bright yellow hair, she is a true red-haired Uzumaki. 

Even an idiot would know who to target. 

Because of this, Karin's bounty in the underground black market has skyrocketed to 70 million recently. 

"So, you've been telling people that the Uzumaki clan's bloodline carries a power that can shake the world. That's why the Land of Whirlpools was destroyed in the past. And all the Poneglyphs related to the Uzumaki clan were completely wiped out in that war." 

"To unlock the treasure hidden in the Poneglyphs, you must find someone from the Uzumaki clan?" 

Sitting on the ship, Shanks listened to Gato's explanation. This guy was truly shady—darker than Black Zetsu himself. 

Just listen to what he was saying—he didn't have a shred of proof, yet he dared to make up such nonsense? With just a few words, Gato had already gained access to intelligence from several countries. 

"Shanks, I am a very trustworthy businessman. I dare say there's no merchant in the entire ninja world more honest than me. 

Besides, the Land of Waves isn't far from the Land of Whirlpools. And since I'm the lord of the Land of Whirlpools, of course, they believe what I say." 

Gato had thought carefully about these words. Plus, because of the Divine Tree incident, he had already built a reputation as the most honest businessman in the ninja world. 

Even if someone wanted to argue against it, there was nothing they could say. 

On top of that, Gato had also hinted at something to certain people—that as the lord of the Land of Waves, he had strong ties to the Uzumaki clan. 

But he only vaguely hinted at this to a select few. 

After all, even if someone tried to investigate, they wouldn't be able to find anything. But logically speaking, there wasn't really a problem with saying he had connections to the Uzumaki clan. 

Otherwise, why did Zabuza seek him out first after escaping from Shanks? 

And why did Gato know so much about the Divine Tree and Shanks when he was selling the Divine Wood? 

Right now, Gato was determined to hold onto Shanks as his biggest backer, using his name to rise in the underground black market. 

"And besides, the information I spread won't cause you any trouble, Shanks. There's no fool in the ninja world who would dare mess with you." 

As Gato explained, he shamelessly flattered Shanks. 

Hearing Gato's words, Shanks really had no way to deal with him. In some ways, Gato truly was a genius. 

That being said, no matter how he looked at him, Shanks just found Gato irritating—especially that ingratiating smile of his. The more he saw it, the more he wanted to punch him. 

"Forget it. I can't interfere in the underground black market anyway. But who exactly spread the news that the Land of Wind was the old site of the Divine Tree? If we can find out, that would be best." 

Looking at the lively port in the distance, Shanks waved his hand, deciding not to argue over Gato's scheming anymore. 

Still, a little warning wouldn't hurt. Shanks wasn't afraid of trouble, but he was worried that one day Gato would bring disaster upon himself. 

After getting off the ship, Gato led Shanks into the busy crowd of merchants at the port. The moment these people saw Shanks, they froze for a second. 

Then, they wisely looked away and stopped paying attention to him. 

Meanwhile, some people loitering around the port also spotted Shanks. 

"Red hair… that must be the guy they're looking for." 

"Hurry and report back to those ninjas—we've found their target." 

The spies for the ninjas were often just ordinary people that no one paid attention to. 

Of course, regular people don't have much useful information, but it's still a lead. Sometimes, you just have to take a chance. 

Before long, a few bounty ninjas who had been tracking Karin's movements got new intel from the houses in the center of town. 

"Someone spotted that guy at the port." 

"He hasn't left yet? Perfect." 

"That guy always acts alone. Why would he suddenly show up at the port?" 

One of the ninjas spoke cautiously. The last group that went after him was completely wiped out. This time, they had to be more careful. 

"Have those guys keep watching. Let's figure out what's going on first." 

"Stay sharp, or you might end up dead." 

"I'll have them keep an eye on the port. If any other enemies show up around the target, we'll need to adjust our plan." 

"Got it." 

After some discussion, they settled on a plan. 

Time passed, and by the afternoon, the scouts at the port sent another update. 

"The target is alone now. Looks like he's heading toward the tavern." 

"Alone?" 

"Tell the boss. We need to move fast." 

The moment they got the news, the ninjas sprang into action. 

Not far from them, Shisui stepped out from the shadows. 

"Shanks? What's he doing in Land?" 

Shisui had returned to Land to deal with the ninjas tracking them. Unlike Ross and his reckless crew, Shisui was more careful. 

If he didn't take care of those pursuers now, they'd catch up to Ross and his group in less than ten days. 

That was the reason he had come back to Land. 

Shisui had no idea why Shanks was here, but since someone who could change the world had arrived, he had to check it out. 

Meanwhile, inside the tavern… 

"Hahaha! So that black eye on your face, Shanks… you gave it to yourself?" 

"I knew it! There's no way anyone in the ninja world could leave a mark on a guy like you." 

"Damn it… The World Government actually used that picture for my bounty poster." 

Shanks had only been in the tavern for thirty minutes, but he was already drinking and laughing with the regulars. 

Looking at the bounty poster in the drunkard's hands—where he had a big black eye—Shanks felt nothing but embarrassment. 

The mighty Four Emperors, Shanks, being laughed at by a bunch of drunks… 

"Speaking of which, a big shot like you showing up here out of nowhere… You must be here for something, right?" 

The bartender asked as he wiped a glass, smiling. 

Even though Shanks was one of the Four Emperors—one of the strongest men in the world—no one in the tavern felt afraid of him. Instead, there was something about him that made people feel at ease. 

That was exactly why he had blended in so quickly, getting along with the others in just half an hour. 

"Ah, Shanks, you're not here because of that red-haired girl from a while ago, are you?" 

An old man nearby suddenly brought up Karin. 

"If you're looking for that little girl, Shanks, you might be too late." 

"A red-haired girl? You mean Karin?" 

Something clicked in Shanks' mind. When it came to the Uzumaki clan, the only ones he could think of were Nagato and Karin. 

"Oh, so that little girl's name is Karin?" 

Hearing Shanks say that, everyone realized he knew her. That confirmed it—he had come looking for the girl. 

"But Shanks, you're too late. The pirates took her away some time ago." 

"Yeah, I heard there was a big fight. Those pirates wiped out the ninjas who went after them." 

Shanks wasn't surprised by the chatter around him. As the new era arrived, clashes between ninjas and pirates would only get worse. 

What people had seen so far was just the beginning. 

While the crowd was talking, two ninjas wearing vests and forehead protectors with the symbol for "bounty" walked into the tavern. 

Beside them was an ordinary-looking man, the kind of guy you'd forget the moment you saw him. 

"Sir, that's the red-haired man you were looking for, right?" 

As soon as he spoke, the entire tavern fell silent. 

Every eye turned toward the two bounty ninjas at the door. 

Shanks, sitting at the bar, slowly turned around. His white shirt was wrinkled, one pant leg was rolled up while the other wasn't, and his flip-flops had been swapped for sandals. 

He looked no different from the other drunks in the tavern. 

Holding a cup in one hand, his face flushed from drinking, he stood up under the dim lights of the bar. 

The sword at his waist let out a crisp sound. 

*Click!* 

"Ahhh!!!" 

"AAAAH—Shanks!!!" 

The two ninjas bolted, scrambling over themselves to get out. 

Outside, the leader of the bounty ninjas saw what happened and his expression turned cold. 

"As expected of an Uzumaki… even their raw strength is this terrifying?" 

"If that's the case, then I, Mitsume Ryuuya, won't hold back." 

"Step aside. Don't interfere. Let me handle this." 

Mitsume Ryuuya stepped forward, forming hand seals with both hands at the same time. 

Everyone watching was shocked. 

Mitsume Ryuuya's signature move—one-handed seals, allowing him to cast two jutsu at once. 

The combination made his attacks even more devastating. 

As he passed his two subordinates, he noticed their twisted expressions and the tears welling up in their eyes. 

Mitsume Ryuuya hesitated for a second. 

At that moment, he heard their trembling voices. 

"R-run…" 

"Run for your life!!" 

"What?" 

Mitsume Ryuuya froze. 

The next second, a figure stepped out of the tavern. 

*BOOM!* 

Mitsume Ryuuya's mind exploded. 

His confident expression instantly twisted in terror, his face scrunched up as tears and snot poured out uncontrollably. 

With every ounce of strength he had, he turned to look back—only to see his subordinates had already vanished down the street. 

As the sun set in the distance, Mitsume Ryuuya stood there, crying his eyes out, as if mourning his lost youth. 

In the glow of the setting sun, he saw his entire life flash before his eyes. 

"I heard you were looking for me?" 

A man's voice came from behind—calm, yet as powerful as rolling thunder. 

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