Chapter 63: Underwater Real Estate, Giant Construction Workers, and the World's Most Expensive Fish Tank
There were many benefits to having Naruto Uzumaki as a friend.
He was loyal, generous, ridiculously powerful, and generally willing to help anyone who wasn't actively trying to murder him.
There were also several disadvantages.
For example, his definition of a small construction project occasionally involved reshaping the landscape, manipulating enormous quantities of water, and creating buildings that would make professional architects question their career choices.
Which was why, approximately twenty minutes after deciding to build an underwater emergency city, Naruto was standing on the coast of Little Garden with his hands on his hips.
"All right! Who's ready to build a city?"
Sakura stared at him.
"A city."
"Yup!"
"Underwater."
"Correct!"
"Near an island full of dinosaurs."
"Excellent location, isn't it?"
Sakura rubbed her forehead.
Kakashi, meanwhile, was examining the surrounding ocean with professional interest.
"We'll need to consider water pressure, structural integrity, ventilation, waste management, and food production."
Naruto nodded.
"Already thought of most of that."
"Most?"
"I haven't decided where to put the ramen district."
Sakura closed her eyes.
"Of course you haven't."
Gaara looked toward the water.
"The seabed should provide a stable foundation if we select the correct location."
Naruto grinned.
"See? Gaara understands urban development!"
Gaara looked at him.
"I said nothing about ramen."
"Nobody's perfect."
Behind them, Brogy and Dorry watched with growing curiosity.
The two giants had spent the better part of a century fighting each other on Little Garden.
Occasionally, they hunted dinosaurs.
Sometimes, they ate dinosaurs.
And on particularly exciting days, they argued about which dinosaur tasted better.
Underwater construction was an entirely new experience.
"GYAGYAGYAGYA! YOU'RE REALLY GOING TO BUILD A CITY BENEATH THE SEA?!" Dorry boomed.
"Yup!" Naruto answered.
Brogy stroked his beard.
"GABABABABA! CAN WE HELP?!"
Naruto's eyes lit up.
"Of course!"
Kakashi slowly turned toward him.
"Naruto."
"What?"
"Perhaps we should establish what they're allowed to do first."
Naruto looked at the giants.
Then at their enormous weapons.
Then at Kakashi.
"...Good point."
There was a brief silence.
Dorry scratched his head.
"WE'RE VERY GOOD AT BREAKING THINGS!"
"THAT'S WHAT I'M WORRIED ABOUT!" Sakura shouted.
Both giants burst out laughing.
Wonderful.
They hadn't even started construction, and the engineering team already consisted of two walking natural disasters and a pair of giants whose primary professional experience involved hitting each other with enormous weapons.
At least Gaara was responsible.
Probably.
The first step was finding a suitable location.
Naruto entered Sage Mode and expanded his awareness across the surrounding ocean.
He examined the underwater terrain, searching for a relatively stable region with enough space to accommodate the proposed settlement.
Eventually, he found one.
A broad section of seabed with several natural rock formations and enough surrounding depth to conceal a large structure from ordinary surface observation.
"Found it!"
He created a shadow clone.
"Water duty."
The clone saluted.
"Roger!"
Then it looked at the ocean.
"Wait. Why do I get water duty?"
"Because you're me."
"That's discrimination."
"Take it up with management."
"I AM MANAGEMENT!"
The clone jumped into the sea.
A moment later, the water began moving.
Not ordinary waves.
Not random currents.
The ocean itself shifted under the clone's control.
Enormous quantities of seawater separated, creating a vast opening that extended toward the seabed.
A transparent tunnel formed through the depths, its walls composed entirely of circulating water.
Conis stared in amazement.
"YOU CAN DO THAT?!"
Naruto grinned.
"Water manipulation."
Kakashi nodded.
"An extremely useful application."
Sakura examined the enormous tunnel.
"Well, at least we won't need diving equipment."
Neji activated his Byakugan.
"There's a large aquatic creature approaching from the east."
Naruto glanced toward the water.
A gigantic fish swam past the transparent wall.
Its enormous eye stopped directly beside Conis.
She froze.
The fish stared.
Conis stared back.
Then it opened its mouth, revealing several rows of teeth.
"KYAAAA!"
She jumped behind Gaara.
Naruto burst out laughing.
"Don't worry! He's just curious!"
Sakura looked at the creature.
"That thing could swallow a house."
"Exactly! Very friendly face."
The fish continued watching them.
Gaara calmly raised a wall of sand between it and Conis.
The creature lost interest and swam away.
Conis peeked around Gaara's shoulder.
"...Thank you."
Gaara nodded.
"You're welcome."
Naruto leaned toward Kakashi.
"Five berries says Gaara's secretly enjoying being her personal bodyguard."
Kakashi smiled.
"Only five?"
"You're right. Twenty."
Gaara's sand rose behind them.
Both immediately became fascinated by the underwater geology.
Construction began shortly afterward.
And it was spectacular.
Gaara stepped onto the seabed and raised both hands.
Sand surged upward.
Enormous quantities of sediment and mineral-rich material shifted beneath his control.
The ground leveled.
Foundations formed.
Streets appeared.
Then buildings began rising.
Naruto created dozens of shadow clones, each carrying sealing equipment and specialized tools.
Their job was straightforward.
Reinforce everything.
Every foundation received stability seals.
Every building received structural reinforcement.
Every major support received chakra-based strengthening formulas.
The water-manipulating clone maintained the construction area while Gaara shaped the settlement.
Kakashi watched an entire street emerge from the seabed.
"Impressive."
Neji nodded.
"The foundations appear stable."
Sakura examined the structures.
"Although the buildings are a little plain."
Gaara paused.
Then looked toward Naruto.
Naruto grinned.
"Oh, you know what that means."
Gaara's expression became thoughtful.
"Sand Village 2.0?"
"EXACTLY!"
Kakashi sighed.
He remembered that conversation from Alabasta.
Apparently, it had not been forgotten.
Naruto and Gaara had previously discussed improving the traditional architecture of Sunagakure.
Better roads.
More attractive buildings.
Public parks.
Improved infrastructure.
Plenty of greenery.
A city that didn't look like its architects had been personally offended by the existence of color.
Now they had an opportunity to experiment.
And they were absolutely taking it.
Gaara reshaped the structures.
Buildings gained elegant arches, wide balconies, and beautifully curved rooftops.
Naruto's clones reinforced the new designs.
Wide streets stretched between residential areas.
Bridges connected different sections of the settlement.
Elevated terraces provided beautiful views of the surrounding ocean.
Public squares appeared.
Then markets.
Workshops.
Schools.
Training grounds.
Food streets.
And an enormous public park.
Sakura stared at the emerging city.
"...We're supposed to be building an emergency shelter."
Naruto nodded.
"Correct."
"Not a luxury vacation destination."
"Why can't an emergency shelter be nice?"
She opened her mouth.
Paused.
Then closed it.
Annoyingly, he had a point.
Conis watched the buildings take shape with shining eyes.
"It's beautiful!"
Gaara nodded.
"We want the people who evacuate here to feel safe. Not imprisoned."
Naruto smiled.
"Exactly. People escaping a disaster have enough problems without being forced to live somewhere depressing."
Kakashi considered that.
"A reasonable philosophy."
"Thank you!"
"Although I notice you've allocated an unusually large area to food establishments."
Naruto looked offended.
"Food is important!"
"Three separate ramen shops?"
"Competition encourages innovation."
Sakura pointed toward the map.
"Why is there a noodle fountain?"
Naruto blinked.
"Why wouldn't there be?"
"No."
"But—"
"No."
Gaara quietly erased the noodle fountain from the design.
Naruto looked betrayed.
His dream of revolutionary urban planning had been crushed by bureaucracy.
Again.
Meanwhile, Brogy and Dorry had discovered that construction work could be surprisingly entertaining.
"GYAGYAGYAGYA! LOOK AT THIS!"
Dorry lifted an enormous rock formation that Naruto had separated from the seabed.
Brogy laughed.
"GABABABABA! THAT'S NOTHING!"
He picked up an even larger boulder.
Dorry stared.
Then grinned.
"OH, SO IT'S A COMPETITION?!"
"OF COURSE!"
Sakura immediately pointed at them.
"NO!"
Both giants froze.
A strange sight.
Two legendary warriors, each over twenty meters tall, stopping dead because a comparatively tiny pink-haired girl had shouted at them.
Sakura folded her arms.
"You're helping move construction materials. You're not having a strength competition."
Dorry scratched his head.
"BUT—"
"No."
Brogy looked disappointed.
"NOT EVEN A SMALL ONE?"
Sakura smiled.
"Would you like to help flatten the foundations instead?"
The giants considered that.
Then nodded enthusiastically.
"GYAGYAGYAGYA! VERY WELL!"
"GABABABABA! CONSTRUCTION IS HARD WORK!"
Kakashi watched them haul enormous loads across the seabed.
"Remarkable."
Neji nodded.
"They're surprisingly useful."
Naruto grinned.
"See? Giant construction workers! Best idea ever!"
Kakashi looked toward the two giants.
Then toward Sakura, who was directing them with the confidence of someone managing particularly troublesome children.
"Until they start arguing again."
A moment later—
"MY ROCK IS BIGGER!"
"YOUR ROCK IS UGLIER!"
Sakura took a deep breath.
Kakashi sighed.
"Right on schedule."
Once the buildings were completed, Naruto turned his attention toward making the place livable.
An underwater city needed more than houses.
It needed air.
Light.
Food.
Water management.
And, preferably, an environment that didn't resemble the inside of a gloomy cave.
Naruto created additional clones.
Some began constructing the protective barrier.
Others established the ventilation and environmental seals.
A network of sealing formulas spread across the city, connecting its major structures.
Then Naruto approached the empty park.
"All right. Time for landscaping!"
He pressed his hands against the ground.
Yang chakra flowed outward.
The soil stirred.
Tiny green shoots emerged.
Then they grew.
And grew.
Trees rose from the ground.
Their branches spread.
Leaves unfurled.
Flowers bloomed.
Fruit trees appeared along the walkways.
Gardens filled with vegetables and herbs.
The empty park transformed into a lush green sanctuary.
Conis gasped.
"It's wonderful!"
Sakura stared at the fruit trees.
"You know, most gardeners have to wait months for that."
Naruto grinned.
"Terrible customer service from nature."
Kakashi examined an apple.
"Will these continue growing normally?"
"Yup. The chakra accelerated their development. They still need proper care afterward."
Gaara nodded.
"We'll establish irrigation systems and ensure the agricultural sections have sufficient nutrients."
Naruto pointed toward him.
"See? Responsible gardening!"
Gaara gave him a flat look.
"I was the Kazekage before I came here."
"And now you're the Kazekage of Gardening!"
"...No."
"Lord Gaara, First Hokage of Vegetables!"
Sakura laughed.
Even Neji's mouth twitched.
Gaara considered burying Naruto.
Then decided the paperwork wouldn't be worth it.
The barrier was the most complicated part.
Naruto and his clones spent considerable time connecting the sealing network to several towers Gaara had constructed around the settlement.
Each tower served as an anchor, supporting the larger defensive field.
When Naruto finally activated the system, an enormous transparent dome formed around the city.
The surrounding seawater rushed against it.
Then stopped.
Inside, the atmosphere remained perfectly dry.
A steady circulation of fresh air spread through the streets.
Sunlight filtered through the barrier, illuminating the buildings below.
The city glowed.
Blue water surrounded it on every side.
Fish swam past the transparent dome.
Enormous aquatic creatures drifted through the distance.
Conis slowly turned in a circle.
"It's like living inside an aquarium."
Naruto grinned.
"An aquarium where we're the exhibits!"
Sakura looked toward a massive fish passing overhead.
"That's not comforting."
Then Naruto adjusted the environmental seals.
The barrier shimmered.
The light changed.
A brilliant blue sky appeared above the city.
White clouds drifted across it.
Then the scenery shifted again.
An aurora danced overhead, beautiful streams of light flowing across the artificial heavens.
Conis clasped her hands.
"Oh!"
Naruto smiled.
"Wait for it."
The sky darkened.
Stars appeared.
Thousands of them.
The enormous underwater dome became a window into a perfect night sky.
Gaara looked upward.
"Beautiful."
Conis nodded softly.
"It really is."
Even Kakashi seemed impressed.
"An excellent feature."
Naruto looked enormously satisfied.
"People deserve a nice view."
Sakura glanced at the stars.
Then at Naruto.
"Did you really need to install three different sky settings?"
"Of course!"
"Why?"
"Because four would've been excessive."
She stared.
Kakashi chuckled.
At least he knew his limits.
Occasionally.
The final stage involved charging the defensive network.
Naruto placed his hand against the central sealing array.
Chakra surged through the towers.
One by one, their markings illuminated.
The entire barrier shimmered.
Naruto supplied enough stored chakra to sustain the system for approximately one week under normal conditions, with the seal network designed to be recharged and maintained afterward.
It was an emergency settlement, not a permanently self-sufficient civilization.
Further engineering, supplies, and regular maintenance would be needed before civilians could safely occupy it for extended periods.
But the foundations were complete.
The structures were stable.
The environmental systems functioned.
And the defenses were operational.
"All right," Naruto announced, stepping back. "One final thing!"
Sakura immediately became suspicious.
"What final thing?"
Naruto smiled.
"Security."
He entered Sage Mode.
The surrounding ocean stirred.
Chakra gathered beyond the barrier.
Enormous quantities of water twisted together, forming a colossal serpentine shape.
Its body stretched through the depths.
Massive fins unfolded along its sides.
A long armored head emerged from the swirling currents.
Two brilliant eyes opened.
The creature was enormous.
A water golem shaped like a legendary sea monster.
A leviathan.
Conis stared.
"...Another one?"
Naruto grinned.
"Of course!"
Kakashi examined the enormous construct.
"Defensive guardian?"
"Exactly. It'll patrol the area, detect intruders, and protect the settlement. Once we finish the larger network, we'll integrate it with the other defensive systems."
The leviathan circled the city.
Its enormous body moved gracefully through the ocean.
Fish scattered.
A massive sea creature approached, took one look at the guardian, and immediately changed direction.
Naruto folded his arms.
"Smart fish."
Neji examined the construct with his Byakugan.
"Impressive chakra distribution."
Gaara nodded.
"It should provide a useful additional layer of protection."
Naruto grinned.
"And now it needs a name."
Sakura groaned.
"Of course it does."
"Every guardian needs a name!"
"Please don't name it after ramen."
Naruto looked wounded.
"Why does everyone assume I'm going to do that?"
"Experience."
Kakashi nodded.
"Extensive experience."
Naruto considered several possibilities.
Then snapped his fingers.
"Leviathan of the Abyss!"
The enormous guardian released a deep, resonating roar through the water.
Brogy and Dorry cheered.
"GABABABABA! MAGNIFICENT!"
"GYAGYAGYAGYA! A WORTHY GUARDIAN!"
Conis laughed.
Sakura shook her head.
But she was smiling.
They eventually gathered on one of the elevated terraces overlooking the settlement.
Below them stretched a surprisingly beautiful city.
Colorful buildings.
Wide roads.
Gardens.
Parks.
Bridges.
Markets.
Schools.
Workshops.
And beyond the transparent barrier, an endless blue ocean filled with marine life.
Not bad for an afternoon's work.
Naruto folded his arms.
"Well? What do we call it?"
Kakashi smiled.
"I believe Gaara should decide."
Gaara looked surprised.
"Me?"
"You designed most of the city's layout," Neji pointed out.
Conis smiled encouragingly.
"And it's beautiful."
Gaara considered the city for a moment.
Then looked toward the artificial sky.
"New Haven."
Naruto tilted his head.
"New Haven?"
"A place where people can find safety when their homes are threatened."
Conis smiled.
"I love it."
Kakashi nodded.
"Appropriate."
Naruto grinned.
"New Haven it is!"
He looked across the settlement.
Then added thoughtfully:
"Although we should definitely name one street Ramen Avenue."
Sakura sighed.
"One street."
Naruto's eyes widened.
"Really?!"
"One."
"DEAL!"
Gaara quietly added the name to the city map.
Sometimes compromise was easier than arguing with Naruto.
By the time they returned to Skypiea, Naruto, Gaara, and Conis had another matter to discuss.
Two very large matters, actually.
Approximately twenty meters tall each.
Gan Fall received them in his residence.
The old knight looked pleased to see them.
"Welcome back. I trust your journey went well?"
Naruto grinned.
"Very! We built a city!"
Gan Fall blinked.
"...A city?"
"Underwater!"
Another blink.
"You built an underwater city?"
"Yup!"
Gan Fall slowly turned toward Gaara.
Gaara nodded.
"The emergency refuge near Little Garden is structurally complete. We named it New Haven."
Gan Fall stared.
Conis smiled brightly.
"It's beautiful! There are houses, gardens, parks, streets, and even an artificial sky!"
The old knight sat down.
He had only been discussing the proposal recently.
He hadn't expected the visitors to return having already constructed a substantial portion of it.
"Remarkable," he murmured.
Naruto shrugged.
"We had some free time."
Gan Fall decided not to question that statement.
Some things were simply beyond the understanding of ordinary people.
"However," Gaara continued, "we also have another request."
Gan Fall looked interested.
"Yes?"
"We would like permission for two giants to stay temporarily at the edge of Skypiea."
Silence.
Gan Fall blinked.
"...Giants?"
"Very friendly giants!" Naruto added.
"How large?"
"About twenty meters."
Gan Fall slowly leaned back.
"Twenty meters."
"Give or take."
"And there are two?"
"Yup!"
Conis nodded enthusiastically.
"They're legendary warriors from Elbaf!"
Gan Fall stared at her.
Then at Naruto.
Then at Gaara.
"...I see."
He did not see.
Not even slightly.
Naruto continued cheerfully.
"They've been dueling for a hundred years!"
Gan Fall closed his eyes.
Of course they had.
Why wouldn't they?
"And they wish to continue this duel here?"
"Exactly!"
Gan Fall opened his eyes.
"On Skypiea."
"Yup!"
"Two enormous warriors."
"Correct!"
"Fighting each other."
"Precisely!"
Gan Fall stared at Naruto.
Then sighed.
"Is there anything else I should know?"
Naruto considered the question.
"Oh! They don't remember why they're fighting."
Gan Fall's expression went completely blank.
Conis covered her mouth.
Gaara looked mildly amused.
The old knight slowly rubbed his forehead.
He was beginning to understand why the Straw Hats had seemed relatively normal in comparison.
"Naturally," he murmured.
Gaara stepped forward.
"They're not dangerous to civilians. We would establish a designated area away from settlements where they can continue their duel."
"And their presence would provide additional protection," Conis added. "They're extremely powerful warriors."
Naruto nodded.
"If someone comes looking for trouble, having two giants around will make them think twice."
Gan Fall considered this.
Skypiea had endured years of suffering.
The people were rebuilding.
Peace was returning.
But the knowledge that powerful enemies might exist beyond their skies would inevitably cause anxiety once the political situation became public.
And people needed reassurance.
They needed signs that their future could be protected.
Two legendary giant warriors living peacefully among them might accomplish exactly that.
Assuming they didn't accidentally destroy someone's house while arguing over breakfast.
Gan Fall sighed.
"Very well. They may stay, provided their dueling grounds are safely separated from populated areas."
Naruto grinned.
"Excellent!"
Conis smiled.
"Thank you!"
Gan Fall nodded.
Then his expression became thoughtful.
"However, there is something else I wish to ask."
Gaara turned toward him.
"Of course."
Gan Fall folded his hands.
"You've already constructed this underwater refuge."
"Yes."
"And you've invested considerable energy and resources into the protective systems."
"Correct."
"But Skypiea has not formally accepted your proposed defensive contract."
Naruto nodded.
"That's true."
Gan Fall studied him.
"Then what happens if we refuse?"
Conis looked surprised.
Gan Fall continued.
"Would you dismantle the city? Withdraw the protection? Demand compensation for your efforts?"
Gaara remained quiet.
Naruto smiled.
"Nope."
Gan Fall blinked.
"...No?"
"Of course not."
Naruto leaned back comfortably.
"We built New Haven because people might need somewhere safe to go. That doesn't change just because you decide not to sign a contract."
Gaara nodded.
"Our goal has always been to help Skypiea."
"The contract is about long-term services, maintenance, equipment, and responsibilities," Naruto continued. "It's supposed to make things easier for your people, not force you into accepting our proposal."
Gan Fall listened carefully.
"We'll help even if you reject it," Gaara added.
Conis smiled.
Naruto grinned.
"Besides, we're having fun! We get to build underwater cities, meet giants, explore strange places, and help people along the way. That's a pretty good deal."
Gan Fall chuckled.
"And if nobody ever uses New Haven?"
Naruto shrugged.
"Then we built a beautiful underwater city that nobody needed to escape to."
He smiled.
"Sounds like the best possible outcome."
For a moment, Gan Fall said nothing.
Then his expression softened.
These young people were strange.
Ridiculously powerful.
Occasionally exhausting.
But their intentions were becoming increasingly difficult to question.
They weren't offering assistance because Skypiea possessed some valuable resource.
They weren't demanding obedience.
They weren't threatening consequences if their proposal was rejected.
They simply wanted to help.
The contract was meant to make that help sustainable.
Not compulsory.
Gan Fall smiled.
"Then I believe we have much to discuss."
Naruto grinned.
"Great! But first, we should probably get the giants here."
Gan Fall's smile faltered.
"...Today?"
"Of course!"
"Both of them?"
"Yup!"
Gan Fall slowly looked toward the window.
He imagined two enormous warriors arriving above the clouds.
He imagined the crowds.
The shouting.
The inevitable confusion.
Then he imagined the reaction of the local authorities when they discovered that their newest visitors had spent a century attempting to kill each other.
He sighed.
"Perhaps I should have some tea first."
Naruto nodded seriously.
"Good idea."
A pause.
"Maybe make it a big cup."
Conis burst out laughing.
Gaara quietly smiled.
And somewhere far away on Little Garden, Brogy and Dorry were enthusiastically preparing for their first change of scenery in a hundred years.
Skypiea was about to become considerably more interesting.
And considerably louder.