With Buggy defeated and the town saved, our small crew set sail once more. The salty breeze carried us forward, the sea stretching endlessly ahead. Our next destination? A small village rumoured to have a sharpshooter.
Little did Luffy or Zoro know, but I was well aware of what awaited us in Syrup Village. Usopp, the liar with a heart of gold, was someone I looked forward to meeting. But for now, there were other things to focus on.
System Expansion & Naruto Volume 4 Release
That night, as we sailed under the moonlit sky, I decided to check my system.
[System Store Unlocked!]
A new menu had appeared, listing various items ranging from absurdly mundane to outright ridiculous. My gaze landed on an entry that read:
Common Bar Soap – 5 BerriesShinobi Kunai – 500 BerriesOne Piece of Toast – 20 BerriesRandom Skill Scroll (C-Rank) – 10,000 Berries
I blinked. Why the hell is there a bar of soap here?
Curious, I bought one. The bar of soap appeared in my hand, completely ordinary, unscented, and wrapped in plain paper. The system was truly a mystery.
Pushing that aside, I focused on my real goal—publishing Naruto: Volume 4. This was the volume where things truly began heating up, with the battle against Zabuza taking center stage. It was filled with emotional weight, battles of ideals, and the formation of bonds that would define the series.
[Volume 4 Released! Special editions have been gifted to select buyers.]
Unlike before, a new feature allowed people to order digital copies. However, since the world of One Piece had no concept of digital books, most assumed it was some sort of Devil Fruit ability.
I leaned back, stretching. "Let's see how the world reacts."
Reactions from Around the WorldOn the Moby Dick
The Whitebeard Pirates had gathered once more, this time with Naruto: Volume 4 in their hands. The last volume had already stirred them, but this one… this one hit differently.
Ace's eyes narrowed as he flipped through the pages, his fingers clenching slightly at the depiction of Zabuza's final stand. "Damn… this guy… a so-called demon, yet in the end, he died for the only bond he ever had."
Marco hummed, arms crossed. "It's ironic, yoi. He spent his life killing, but when he died, he wanted to be next to someone he cared for."
Vista nodded, exhaling. "It's a reminder that even those we consider monsters might have something they hold dear."
Whitebeard grinned. "Gurarara… That's the kind of story that lingers. It's not just about battles—it's about the hearts behind them."
The mood was heavy, and reflective. Then, Izo, who had been reading ahead, suddenly burst into laughter.
"Oh man, look at this!" He pointed to a certain page.
Jozu peered over his shoulder and smirked. "Pfft… That guy Kakashi is a menace."
It was that scene—the infamous moment where Kakashi casually spoiled the ending of the book Naruto had been hyping up.
Ace snorted. "Tch, I'd punch him for that."
Thatch shook his head, chuckling. "A true evil mastermind."
The emotional weight of Zabuza's end had been replaced by a moment of levity, and that, in itself, was the brilliance of these stories. They knew when to hit hard and when to make you laugh.
But something lingered in the back of their minds.
Whitebeard's eyes darkened. "This author… Whoever they are, they're not ordinary."
The crew murmured in agreement.
Mihawk & Doflamingo's Reactions
Far away from the open seas, in the dim candlelit study of Kuraigana Island, Dracule Mihawk sat alone. The world's greatest swordsman wasn't one to indulge in trivial pastimes, yet here he was, flipping through the pages of Naruto Volume 4 with the same focus he reserved for his battles.
His golden eyes traced every panel, lingering on the final moments of Zabuza Momochi, the Demon of the Hidden Mist. A man forged by blood, sharpened by death, yet… in the end, he died grasping the only connection he had ever known.
Mihawk exhaled, setting his wine glass aside. "A demon who learned to weep… A foolish sentiment, yet…" He turned his gaze back to the book. "There is weight in this."
Zabuza's path reminded Mihawk of the swordsmen he had seen fall—those who wielded their blades with nothing but violence, only to break when faced with something greater than power alone. A swordsman without purpose, without conviction, was nothing more than a beast wielding steel.
"This author," Mihawk murmured, closing the book with a quiet snap, "understands the path of warriors."
It was rare for something to capture his attention so fully. This was no mere entertainment—it was a reflection of battle, of strength, of those who carved their names into history, only to be remembered as either legends or corpses.
A cruel world… yet one that carried its own meaning.
He took another sip of his wine, placing the book carefully atop the stack beside him. He would finish it.
Not out of mere curiosity.
But because warriors such as these deserved to be seen through to the end.
In another part of the world, in the opulent yet suffocating depths of Dressrosa's royal palace, Donquixote Doflamingo lounged upon his throne, a devilish grin stretched across his face.
A single book lay open in his hands. Naruto Volume 4.
He flicked through the pages lazily, watching the story unfold. The Hidden Mist—a place where only the strong survived. A brutal world where weakness was trampled beneath the feet of the powerful. And yet… even within that madness, something unexpected emerged.
Bonds.
"Fuffuffuffuffu…" Doflamingo chuckled, a slow, rolling laugh that echoed through the chamber. "How ridiculous… A world where the strong devour the weak, yet even a so-called demon had something worth dying for."
The scene of Zabuza's last stand played out before him, the once-heartless assassin rampaging against an army of men just to hold onto the only connection he ever had.
"How amusing," Doflamingo murmured, leaning forward, his fingers tapping against the page. "He walked the path of blood, yet in the end, he didn't crave power. He craved something far more dangerous."
His grin widened.
"Attachment."
Power could be taken. It could be crushed beneath a stronger hand. But emotions? Those made men foolish. Made them vulnerable.
Yet, even as he thought that, his fingers curled around the edges of the book, gripping it tighter than before.
"Fuffuffuffu… This author," he mused, tilting his head, "they understand how the world truly works. Power, struggle, loyalty, betrayal. A dance between beasts wearing the masks of men."
He shut the book with a flick of his wrist, tossing it onto the table beside him.
"I wonder what kind of mind creates a tale like this…" His smile turned sharp, his sunglasses glinting in the dim light. "Maybe one day, I'll find out."
With that, he leaned back in his throne, awaiting the next volume with a strange anticipation he rarely felt.
Robin's Private Moment
Elsewhere, far from our little ship, in the ruins of an ancient library, Nico Robin sat alone. A single lantern flickered beside her, casting soft shadows on the stone walls.
In her hands was Naruto.
She turned the pages slowly, absorbing every panel, every word. The story was one of loss, perseverance, and the search for belonging.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she read about Naruto's loneliness—how he was shunned simply for existing. It struck a chord deep within her.
Unwanted. Hunted. Feared.
Yet Naruto had found people who accepted him. Who fought for him.
A bitter smile formed on her lips. "Foolish."
And yet… she turned another page.
A shadow loomed behind her.
"Enjoying the book?" Crocodile's voice was smooth yet unreadable.
Robin didn't look up. "It's an interesting story."
"Hmph." Crocodile glanced at the pages but lost interest quickly. "As long as you're still doing your job."
Robin's smile remained, but something about the book lingered in her mind long after Crocodile left.
Back on the Ship
Luffy had fallen asleep mid-sentence, snoring loudly, while Zoro leaned against the mast, one eye half-open. Nami sat nearby, flipping through Naruto, while I stared at the night sky, lost in thought.
Zoro finally spoke. "You're always drawing. But what exactly are you making?"
I smirked. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
He scoffed. "Tch. Keep your secrets, then."
Nami, however, was less patient. "You're always looking at these books like they're treasure. What's so special about them?"
I simply tapped my temple. "Trade secret."
She huffed. "Fine, keep your mystery act. But don't expect me not to figure it out."
I had no doubt she would. Nami wasn't someone who let things slide when money was involved.
As the ship gently rocked, I exhaled, closing my eyes. The world of One Piece was vast, filled with wonders and horrors alike. And I had only begun to carve my place in it.
................................................................
Hey, everyone! Please comment on how you like the story. It's a new idea I had, and I apologize for the slow updates. Also, let me know which manga you think I should include next!