Chapter 303: Rule-Type Item – Death Duel Emblem
Back when Konoha collapsed,
Naruto learned the truth about his parents. There was no way he didn't harbor resentment toward the village.
He had been bullied since childhood, shunned, treated like a monster—labeled as the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
He had been hated during the most vulnerable, emotionally fragile years of his life.
In a single moment,
all his sorrow and anger surged forth.
So it was no surprise that, in front of everyone, after hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's apology, he simply turned and left.
But soon after, he picked himself up again.
So what if people rejected him?
He was Naruto Uzumaki. If they refused to acknowledge him, then he'd become someone they had to acknowledge.
If being a ninja wasn't enough, then he'd become a chunin, a jonin—
And if that still wasn't enough, he'd become the Hokage, revered by all.
"How foolish. One of those self-righteous types. Doesn't your relentless optimism tire people out?"
Orochimaru sneered,
continually releasing clouds of necrotic mist—faces twisted in agony emerged from the swirling haze.
As a villain, and a deeply rational one at that, Orochimaru could never agree with Naruto's naïve declarations.
In fact,
Even an ordinary person would feel exhausted dealing with someone like Naruto Uzumaki.
"Master, people like Naruto Uzumaki can indeed be overwhelming at times."
Watching the forest being ravaged by the ferocity of their duel,
Afu nodded slightly at Orochimaru's words.
Between Naruto and Luffy—two children chosen by fate in their respective worlds—
Afu preferred Luffy. That naturally carefree, passionate spirit.
He respected his companions and never forced his ideals on others.
"Don't let Orochimaru brainwash you. Villains always have logic that sounds reasonable."
Fang Yi had already seen through everything. He smiled.
"It's true, Naruto isn't as free-spirited and instinctive as Luffy. But to ordinary people, he's the hero they need."
Luffy, Shanks, and Roger—
They were the perfect adventurers born of the pirate world. Bold, passionate, willing to stake their lives for what they believed in. Their whole lives were driven by freedom and adventure.
But those kinds of great adventurers didn't help the lost.
Even when Luffy begged Nami to join his crew,
he didn't lift a finger when she was tricked by Arlong and her village was taken.
Only when Nami reached out—when the villagers rose up in rebellion—did Luffy step in.
That's an adventurer.
Only when you choose to fight your way out of the mire,
will an adventurer offer their hand.
"Unlike Luffy, Naruto doesn't have that near-animal instinct that sees into people's hearts."
Fang Yi said with a chuckle,
"He never felt warmth, so he clumsily tries to share it with others in the only way he knows."
His friend Sasuke wanted revenge—Naruto didn't understand, so he simply pleaded for Sasuke to stay.
Neji wanted to break free of fate—Naruto didn't understand, so he sincerely promised to change it.
He couldn't comprehend Gaara's pain from betrayal,
or the bond between Haku and Zabuza.
He was like a good-hearted child stumbling through life—
Holding everything close to heart,
and offering others the warmth he never had.
Naruto was passionate, kind, persistent, and resilient.
He stood up for the oppressed, and considered everyone's pain.
Not as some fake savior—but someone willing to sacrifice everything to save the world.
For strong people like Sasuke and Neji, who could change their lives on their own,
Naruto's love and ideals felt heavy.
But for ordinary people struggling in the mud—
He truly did what he said.
He wanted to be a hero—and he was the kind who could shine like sunlight on all those yearning for warmth.
"This is bad. These Navy abilities are too much trouble."
Nearly buried under the undead army, Naruto suddenly felt the pressure lighten.
His holy flame was nearly extinguished.
His armor was full of holes. Fatal wounds covered his body. He was at his limit.
Facing Orochimaru, worth over a million Reward Points, alone—was simply too much.
If not for his holy light countering necrotic forces, he wouldn't have lasted two minutes.
Naruto gripped his greatsword with both hands,
barely keeping himself upright.
He saw Orochimaru running toward the nearest safe zone.
It looked like reinforcements were coming.
Not far off—
Admiral Sakazuki, wearing his Justice cloak, activated his fully enhanced Observation Haki and quickly located the two combatants.
"You're not getting away!"
Panting, Naruto forced his body upward,
his final burst of holy flame condensing onto his golden blade—
He dove straight at Orochimaru.
Schlik.
Orochimaru turned, golden snake eyes filled with annoyance.
He opened his mouth.
A purple-grade longsword shot out like an arrow—piercing through Naruto's chest.
The holy flame vanished.
Naruto's body shattered into white motes of light, returning to the nearest town for resurrection.
But the few seconds he bought—
Were enough for Sakazuki to arrive and block Orochimaru's escape.
"Blond brat… admirable courage. Shame you're not Navy."
Sakazuki didn't hold back his praise.
Though still bitter over being defeated by such a young punk—
He had to admit: the kid was strong, principled, and bold.
A natural-born Navy officer.
If possible, he'd consider sending scouts to this other world.
Maybe they could recruit him.
Orochimaru's gaze turned cold. "Navy… you're not my opponent."
After being defeated by the Dragonkin lord, losing much of his undead army, being hunted relentlessly, and fighting Naruto—
He was now at his limit.
No potions left. Health and energy at 40%. Half his forces destroyed.
He needed time to recover before reaching peak form again.
Otherwise—
He wouldn't have had such a hard time fighting Naruto, let alone resort to using Muzan's flesh as a shield.
Sakazuki, for all his flaws, still had a game value of 500,000 Reward Points—
a battle-hardened Admiral.
Orochimaru had no intention of fighting him.
"Undead mutt!"
Sakazuki didn't waste time. A fist of molten lava flew toward Orochimaru's face.
In the pirate world, nobody stood still just because someone started talking.
You hit first—and talked only if your opponent survived.
Undead meat shield.
A shredded chunk of Muzan's flesh was yanked forward to block the lava punch.
Orochimaru's cold gaze narrowed on the bulky Admiral.
"You want to die, Navy?"
He had already bought time fighting Naruto.
If this dragged on, others would catch up soon.
Sakazuki sneered. "If you think you can kill me, try."
"Oh? Then don't blame me for what comes next… Admiral."
Orochimaru smiled darkly.
He opened his mouth—
and a brand-new body crawled out, sprinting toward Elven Line Fortress.
The body left behind didn't turn to snakes like with Body Shedding—
it was a full, conscious clone.
Sakazuki's Observation Haki confirmed—the one fleeing was the real body.
He moved to chase—but the clone blocked his path.
"I've poured all my remaining power into this clone. Are you ready to die?"
The clone's eyes glinted with lethal intent.
You think I'll keep tolerating this?
You want to kill me?
Then let me show you what that really means.
A hexagonal black badge appeared.
[Death Duel Emblem]: Upon agreement, both players enter a [Tier-1 Battle Arena]. Death in the arena is permanent.
Similar to the Gambler's Duel Emblem, it was a rule-type arena item.
But—
While the Gambler's duel merely penalized the loser by stripping points or gear—
This one brought true death.
"So you're Orochimaru?"
Sakazuki's expression froze.
"You dare challenge the justice of the Navy?"
He wasn't one of those who shouted "Justice!" on the battlefield only to let pirates flee.
He was a hardline Navy soldier. Admiral Akainu.
Any action that tarnished justice—
would be met with his fiery fist.
Some time later—
[Duel Complete. Winner: Orochimaru.]
Every high-ranking officer in Navy Headquarters—including Fleet Admiral Sengoku—
and all of Akainu's friends received the same shocking system message.
The Navy's strongest frontline power—Admiral Akainu—
has fallen.
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