"Sorry about this..."
Gently embracing Stussy and Hancock, leaving a light kiss on each of their lips, Naruto said with a helpless smile.
"Looks like I have to go on a little business trip."
After all, based on Hajrudin and the others' account, about five days had passed since they fled Elbaf until they arrived at Amazon Lily.
If not for the island cloud boat's flight capability, they could never have made it here so quickly.
At best, Elbaf had most of its territory fallen, with only a small group of resisters hiding in some corner.
At worst, it was complete annihilation.
Whether to rescue or to eradicate the enemy, Naruto couldn't just ignore it.
"Hmph~"
It was clear the Pirate Empress had her moments of petulance, but when it came to matters of right and wrong, she was very sensible.
She let out a small huff, but after a few seconds, her expression turned to worry as she looked at her husband.
"Do you need me to go with you?"
Hancock was confident in her own strength.
Naruto naturally declined.
"You're pregnant. Rest well at home. Don't worry, I'll handle things over there quickly."
Unfortunately, Hancock still didn't fully grasp the chasm between Naruto's current power and that of ordinary mortals.
In her mind, no matter how strong he was, even if he could swat away several demon giants like before, facing an entire giant nation's demonic army and the insidious Imu could still be dangerous.
And that was even ignoring the two 'special combat forces', the demonized Loki and Blackbeard.
Those two were already top-tier powerhouses on the sea. With the current configuration of the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi and Yami Yami no Mi, or the Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Nidhöggr, both Loki and Blackbeard could contend for the title of Emperor… in fact, their strength would place them high among the current Emperors. (T/N: Dragon-Dragon Fruit.)
Before Hancock could say more, Stussy took her hand and smiled, patting her belly.
"Have a little faith in your husband, dear~"
This sudden, intimate address made Hancock uncomfortable, and her worry faded somewhat.
Seeing this, Stussy and Naruto exchanged a smile.
After the smile faded, Stussy softly added.
"Stay safe. We and the children will be waiting for you."
Adam, cradled in her arms and sleepy after his feeding, nodded his head slightly, as if agreeing with his mother.
"Okay."
No grand promises, just a simple 'okay', but the certainty in it was unmistakable.
Unlike the harmonious atmosphere around Naruto's family, news of heading to Elbaf to destroy the demons elicited varied reactions among the guests.
As mentioned before, those like Luffy and Ace, Big Mom, Rayleigh, and others with personal ties were firmly determined to go to Elbaf.
But not everyone had that courage and decisiveness.
For example—
"Wahhh, no way Luffy, I've come down with a 'die if I set foot on Giant Island' disease!"
Usopp clung to Luffy's waist, wailing loudly, while Chopper latched onto Luffy's leg, reacting similarly.
Even Nami, another member of the 'coward trio', wasn't quite as pathetic, but judging by her nail marks on her palm, she was clearly conflicted.
"Usopp!!"
Luffy's loud shout made the wailing Usopp and Chopper freeze, their cries stopping.
"Have you forgotten your dream?"
'Dream?'
Usopp's eyes went wide, his own voice echoing in his head.
'I will become a true hero of the sea!'
That was a vow he had made countless times to Kaya.
'Master! One day, I will go to Elbaf! To the warrior's village!'
That was a promise he made to Dorry and Brogy on Little Garden.
Yet, when the crucial moment came, was he really going to shrink back?
Unknowingly, Usopp released his grip on Luffy's waist, head bowed in silence.
Chopper, sensing Usopp's emotional shift, also quietly stepped aside.
Luffy stood there, waiting for his comrade's response.
Just then, a large hand gently covered Usopp's head.
A voice, unfamiliar yet familiar, spoke.
"Young fool, don't struggle so much. Knowing your own limits isn't a bad thing, nor is it cowardice."
Usopp looked up toward the voice.
"Dad..."
Yasopp ruffled his son's hair vigorously, not stopping until Usopp's bandana came loose.
"You've found great companions. You've grown so much."
His eyes held pride.
"But... it's not your time yet. Let us old-timers handle this."
As he finished, the other Red Hair Pirates' members walked past Usopp, Luffy, and the others, smiling and occasionally patting shoulders or ruffling hair.
"Hey! Yasopp! What do you mean!?"
Because most of the Red Hair Pirates had befriended Luffy during his childhood in Windmill Village, Luffy didn't address Yasopp with the typical 'So-and-so's dad' like he did with other elders.
Instead, he called the Red Hair Pirates' members by their names.
Considering this, Luffy had known Yasopp long before he knew Usopp.
Hearing Luffy call his name, Yasopp wasn't angry at all. Instead, he grinned mischievously and poked the scar on Luffy's chest.
"Not bad, Luffy. You look more like a man now."
Seeing Yasopp change the subject, Luffy was about to throw a tantrum when Shanks spoke up.
"Luffy, stay here."
"But Shanks—"
"Yasopp is right. This battle isn't for you yet."
Shanks truly believed Luffy was the chosen one who would change everything, but he also felt Luffy wasn't ready.
He lacked time and combat experience. Though stronger than when he first set sail, such a battlefield might not be survivable.
Unlike Marineford, this was total war. Every demonized giant was formidable. Luffy's crew faced a high risk of casualties, even annihilation.
"Hey! You're saying that too? Damn it!"
Luffy tried to make a scene like when he was a kid, but Shanks pressed his head and released his Haki for an instant.
For just a few seconds, Conqueror's Haki capable of shaking the sky surged toward Luffy's spirit, momentarily stunning him.
Even as one with Conqueror's Haki himself, Luffy could barely maintain consciousness against it.
"There will be many people like me in the coming battle."
That was likely an exaggeration, but to discourage Luffy from a suicidal endeavor, Shanks chose his words carefully.
"Besides—"
As if sensing something, Shanks smiled, patted Luffy's head, and pointed toward Naruto, who was emerging from the palace.
"Let's hear what our 'commander' has to say."
Luffy looked at Naruto. But this time, the Fox-Faced Uncle didn't have his usual smile. Instead, he looked seriously at the gathered crowd.
"Anyone with a bounty under 1 Billion, leave."