"Sa… Sabo! It's Sabo!!"
Breaking free from his grandfather's grip, Luffy, still sporting a bump on his head, dashed to Sabo's side, who was clutching his head in pain on the ground.
In disbelief, he took off Sabo's hat, looking at the face that still resembled his childhood memories by sixty or seventy percent, and the scar left by the cannon fire.
"Sabo…"
Ace also walked over, ignoring the crowd of onlookers, and practically wrestled Sabo away from Belo Betty's arms.
This man, who could remain calm even in the face of life-threatening danger, now couldn't control his tears. They fell in large drops onto Sabo's collar.
"What is this about…"
Though Belo Betty didn't yet understand the full story, she could clearly see the deep bond between Luffy, Ace, and Sabo.
"What? My idiot son didn't tell you?"
Garp also walked over, his gaze complex as he looked at Sabo held in the brothers' arms.
"Ha, what a lucky kid to have survived."
He remembered this boy.
He was Luffy and Ace's playmate… no, should say sworn brother.
If he remembered correctly, this kid was the child of some noble from the Goa Kingdom. Though also a noble, he was a very interesting little fellow.
Garp had actually been quite interested in young Sabo back then. He had even thought about training all three kids together to become fine Marines.
But unfortunately, after he returned from a mission, he learned that Sabo had been killed by a Celestial Dragon.
What was even more infuriating were his noble parents. They showed no grief over their child's death and even blamed him for offending the Celestial Dragons and almost causing them trouble.
This couple didn't even bother to confirm Sabo's fate. After his 'death', they simply raised their adopted child as the next heir.
Garp had met that next heir too. He was a fool who worshipped power and was obsessed with the noble dream.
In contrast, Ace and Luffy, his sworn brothers with no blood relation, were the ones who truly considered him family.
Hearing Garp say this, Belo Betty naturally realized her identity was exposed. She instinctively moved to create distance.
But Garp waved his hand dismissively.
"No need to be so tense. Your quarrel is with the World Government. I'm just a guest at the wedding this time. I have no interest in you. Besides—"
The old man, lacking any sense of decorum, picked his nose and pointed at Sabo, who was still writhing in pain, clutching his head.
"—If you don't do something about that kid, he might just die from the pain right here."
Hearing this, Belo Betty snapped back to attention. She checked on Sabo's condition again and prepared to use her [Kobu Kobu no Mi] ability to temporarily relieve his pain.
The Kobu Kobu no Mi did have such an effect, but it was probably more of a 'side effect'.
Unlike Emporio Ivankov's Horu Horu no Mi, which injected various hormones directly, Betty's ability worked by influencing others' emotions through words and actions, which in turn affected their bodies, causing them to secrete adrenaline and other hormones that could reduce pain.
It wasn't as immediate as the Horu Horu no Mi, but it could affect a large number of people simultaneously.
"Sabo! Sabo! Pull yourself together…"
She didn't finish her words before Naruto interrupted.
Naruto walked directly to the three brothers, giving Ace and Luffy each a punch that knocked them down, forcing them to release Sabo.
"You two brats, stop hindering the rescue."
He then quietly said to Belo Betty.
"It's better to leave his problem to a professional."
Meaning, don't use your ability here.
Understanding the implication, Belo Betty didn't insist. She silently withdrew her hand.
Seeing this, Naruto nodded and called out.
"Uncle Crocus! Come take a look at this kid!"
Sabo was fortunate. He could have Crocus, one of the world's top doctors, diagnose him.
"…Hmm, no physical issues. It's likely his jumbled memories are restoring themselves."
A true expert… he identified the problem immediately upon examination.
After asking Ace and Luffy for information about Sabo, Crocus quickly reached a conclusion.
"All we can do now is wait for him to wake up on his own. Medicine can't interfere with this process. As for how long it will take…"
Crocus didn't continue.
Ace and Luffy looked worried, but Naruto, after hearing this, paused for a moment before thinking of a solution.
"You two, give me a hand. Help carry him into a room first."
Considering what was about to happen, Naruto decided not to let Sabo stay in the main hall.
"Everyone, continue eating and drinking. I'll be back after I sort out this young man's problem."
With that, he followed the attendants who had prepared a resting room.
Kaido and Big Mom glanced at each other but said nothing.
To them, Sabo's appearance was irrelevant… just some kid who popped up out of nowhere. It wasn't nearly as interesting as watching those four women fight over Naruto just now… Eh?!
They both realized belatedly: Wasn't Naruto using this as an excuse to get away?
How despicable!
But to be fair, with Naruto gone and the interruption caused by Sabo, Belo Betty lost interest in stirring up more trouble.
Gion, on the other hand, turned her gaze to Belo Betty, her brow slightly furrowed.
'This woman… she seemed familiar.'
Aside from those involved, the other spectators, seeing there was no more drama, resumed their eating and drinking.
Honestly, many of them had been quite eager to see Naruto squirm.
Regardless of allegiance, they just wanted to see Naruto get into a tough spot. This even included the Jinchuriki Squad.
Big Mom, who had resumed drinking with Kaido, suddenly heard Perospero whisper something in her ear.
"…You said he wants who to help?"
"That kid's memory is messed up. Uzumaki Naruto wants Pudding to go over."
"No!"
Big Mom reacted immediately, refusing outright.
Naruto already owed her a favor for letting Pudding help him last time, and he hadn't repaid it yet… and don't even mention Orochimaru. That whole affair had caused her such humiliation, she was already being generous by not holding it against Naruto.
But as soon as Big Mom refused, she saw the awkward expression on Perospero's face.
"M… Mom, Uzumaki Naruto said… he said he knew you would refuse, so he already went to our ship and took her. He also said this counts as another favor he owes you."
"That damned brat!!"
Kaido: "?"
…
Meanwhile, Pudding once again met Naruto, who had visited Totto Land before.
"Pudding, I'll need you to help sort out his memories."
After he finished speaking, Ace, holding Luffy's head down, gave Pudding a deep bow.
"We're counting on you!"
"Oh… oh, okay…"