One Piece world, Amazon Lily, the palace bedchamber.
On the luxurious bed, the light was dim, the air filled with a faint sweetness and a lingering, intimate warmth.
Hancock lay limp on the rumpled silk sheets like a priceless work of art.
Her snowy skin was flushed a captivating pink, her chest rising and falling sharply, her long legs trembling faintly with weakness.
Her eyes were hazy, her red lips slightly parted—still lost in the lingering afterglow from moments ago, unable to even muster the will to move a finger.
Rei Ao lounged against the headboard.
One strong arm rested around Hancock's smooth shoulder.
With the other hand, he idly played with a strand of her sweat-damp, jet-black hair.
His face showed little emotion, his gaze calm,
as though he'd merely taken an ordinary stroll after dinner.
Only the corner of his mouth lifted into a faint, knowing curve.
"As expected."
The moment his low murmur fell,
a notification only he could "hear," carrying a peculiar rhythm, rang deep within his consciousness.
[Ding! Kushina has sent you a trade request!]
[Trade content]: Save her!
[Ding! Please choose the trade conditions.]
Rei Ao's eyes shifted slightly. He didn't hesitate.
In his mind, three conditions were quickly outlined and confirmed.
[Trade conditions selected]: "Nine-Tails," "one-time right to use the body," "world-travel authorization"
Were the terms harsh?
Perhaps.
But to Rei Ao, it was simply an equal exchange.
He was providing power that crossed worlds—and the time to resolve trouble—so naturally, he would collect the corresponding "payment."
As for whether the other party would accept…
[Ding! Trade established!]
[Trade target]: Uzumaki Kushina (Naruto world)
[Trade content]: Provide immediate rescue and guarantee her life safety.
[Trade conditions]: "World-travel authorization," "Ownership of the Nine-Tails," "Body usage right (one time)"]
Almost the instant the trade was confirmed, the record—complete with its specific conditions—was synchronized to the chat interface of every online member.
Akame: "A trade? Another newcomer."
Frieren: " 'Save her'… sounds like she's in serious trouble."
Mikoto Misaka: "Hey! @Rei Ao! Say something! Are you going to save her or not?!"
Inori Yuzuriha: "…Worried."
Erica: "Given Rei Ao-sama's style, if the trade is established, he has already acted. Everyone, there's no need to panic."
Rei Ao: "Already on my way. No need to worry."
The group's rapid-fire messages froze for a full second.
Then—
Mikoto Misaka: "Finally! Hurry up!"
Megumi Kato: "Be careful on the way."
Rei Ao withdrew his awareness from the chat.
He glanced at Hancock beside him—still limp with exhaustion, yet looking up at him with unmistakable longing.
"Something came up."
He kept it brief, reaching out to ruffle the crown of Hancock's damp hair.
"I'll be back when I'm done."
Hancock forced herself to nod, her voice soft and sweet.
"Mm… I'll wait for you."
Rei Ao said nothing more.
He rose, and with the motion, it was as if an invisible force swept over him—every trace vanished,
and a clean, well-tailored set of black clothes appeared out of nowhere, fitting snugly over his tall, lean frame.
There was no earth-shaking surge of power.
He simply lifted a hand toward the space in front of him and casually pulled outward to either side.
Rip—
Like cloth tearing.
A "door" silently formed in the bedchamber air, its edges flowing with chaotic colors, its interior filled with warped, shifting light and shadow.
On the other side of the door, faintly, came the rustle of trees, ragged breathing, and a cold, murderous chill.
Rei Ao stepped forward and entered.
His figure vanished.
The rift closed at once, as if it had never existed.
Hancock stared blankly at the spot where he disappeared.
Only after a long while did she curl up, hugging a pillow still carrying the trace of his scent, and with a sense of reassurance and a hint of anticipation, fell into a deep sleep.
...
Naruto world.
At the edge of a forest.
Kushina sat on the ground with her back against an enormous ancient tree.
She truly couldn't run anymore.
Her chakra was depleted. Her stamina was completely spent.
There was also a bloody gash on her calf, sliced by a kunai—burning with sharp pain.
Three ninjas wearing different animal masks advanced slowly in a triangle formation, sealing off every possible escape route.
"It's over, brat."
The hoarse-voiced leader's tone was icy as he raised the ninja blade in his hand.
"Don't worry—I won't let you die. At least, not until we take that thing out of you."
The other two closed in from the sides, holding ropes laced with paralytic drugs.
Leaning against the rough bark, Kushina lifted her small face toward the cold moonlight filtering through the leaves.
Is it… over?
Grandma… I'm sorry, Grandma Mito…
I guess… I'm still too weak…
She shut her eyes in despair, waiting for the final moment.
And then—
The moonlight seemed to twist.
No—not the moonlight.
The space illuminated by the moonlight: the air itself rippled like water.
A figure stepped out from the center of that ripple without any warning.
He appeared so naturally, so abruptly.
As if he had always been standing there—only the moonlight had just now revealed him.
Simple black clothing that looked utterly out of place in the forest. A straight, upright posture.
Beneath short black hair was a face far too young.
Yet his eyes were calm and deep, as though reflecting an entire sea of stars.
Or as though there was nothing at all—regarding the three murderous elite ninjas before him as if they didn't exist.
He stood precisely between Kushina and the three ninjas.
Time seemed to be slammed into pause right then.
The three pursuers' pupils shrank violently!
Every muscle in their bodies tensed in an instant!
They hadn't sensed any chakra fluctuations at all!
There was no sign of Body Flicker—nothing!
How did this man appear?!
Konoha reinforcements?
No! This method of appearing—none of them had ever seen anything like it!
Rei Ao didn't even glance at them.
He slightly turned his head, his gaze falling on the red-haired girl behind him—collapsed on the ground, stunned and bewildered.
Kushina's mouth fell open. She even forgot to be afraid.
This person who suddenly appeared… who was he?
So… handsome?
No!
Now is not the time for that!
"W-who are you?"
Kushina's voice shook from exhaustion and panic.
Could he also be here to capture her?
Rei Ao looked at her. A faint curve—barely a smile—appeared on his face.
"Your trade partner."
His voice was calm, but it reached Kushina clearly.
"The chat group's owner—Rei Ao."
Kushina's mind went buzz.
Rei Ao?
The one Hancock asked for help?
The group owner?
He really came—this fast?!
Before she could even process it,
the hoarse-voiced leader shouted harshly, "Whoever you are, don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong—move!"