One Piece World – Shakky's Bar
In the empty seat where Luffy's wooden chair had been—
A figure suddenly reappeared.
"Sorry… everyone. I let you down."
Luffy pulled down the brim of his hat, trying to hide his eyes. Though his voice still carried its usual cheer—
There was a slight tremble, like he was holding back tears.
Losing the match—
It would be a lie to say it didn't hurt.
The chance to resurrect Sabo had been right in front of him…
And he missed it.
Anyone would feel heartbroken.
But right now, he could only try to suppress those negative emotions.
He didn't want his sadness to spread to his friends.
Yet just a second later—
All his crewmates gathered around with huge smiles, wrapping him in warmth.
Usopp tugged at his cheeks: "Luffy! The you from the future is seriously strong! For real, how did you train?!"
Chopper jumped on his head: "Luffy! You were amazing! Gear 5 was super cool!"
Zoro threw an arm around Luffy's shoulder: "Don't let yourself fall behind, future Pirate King!"
"Come on… come on, now…"
Feeling the genuine care from his crew—
Luffy couldn't hold back anymore. His eyes welled up.
In the next moment, he stretched out both arms—
Wrapping them around all his friends.
"Haha! As long as I've got you guys, there's nothing I can't overcome!"
"Let's go, crew! Let's start our next adventure!!!"
At that moment, the bonds of the Straw Hat crew surged to new heights.
---
Outside the bar, Shakky appeared with a concerned expression.
"Luffy! Didn't you once tell me that Ace was your big brother?"
She pointed to the front page of the newspaper in her hand.
"Ace… is scheduled for execution at Marineford!"
Hearing that—
Luffy's pupils shrank.
"Ace… is going to be executed?"
Suddenly, a memory flashed through his mind.
He reached up and searched around the top of his hat.
Ace's life card… was almost burned to nothing.
He stared blankly at the nearly charred scrap of paper in his hand.
But a second later—
Luffy cracked a wild grin.
"So the next adventure is already calling?"
He raised his fist high.
"Destination—Marineford!!!"
---
Naruto World – Konoha Village
Whoosh!
A streak of light like a comet shot down from the screen.
One second later—
Chūnin Exam Arena
"I'm back?"
Naruto looked around at the familiar surroundings and let out a deep breath.
Then he looked up toward the highest seat, waving his hand.
"Gramps Sarutobi! Are we still doing the Chūnin Exams?"
"Sorry! I might have to skip it—my parents came back to life! Haha!"
But then he paused, realizing—
He didn't actually know what his parents looked like.
And he didn't know where they had returned to in Konoha.
"Gramps! Can you use your crystal ball to help me find them?"
But Sarutobi Hiruzen said nothing.
He was just trembling, eyes locked on something behind Naruto.
Following his gaze, Naruto turned around—
---
"Naruto! You silly boy! You didn't even notice we were right behind you?"
"Come here, sweetheart! Let Mom give you a hug!"
Minato and Kushina stood there, faces glowing with affection.
"...Huh?"
Seeing the unfamiliar man and woman in front of him, Naruto didn't look happy.
In fact—he frowned a little.
"Uncle… Auntie… don't mess with me. My parents were just ordinary lower-ranked ninjas."
"But you two… your chakra feels at least Jonin level! And you're way too good-looking!"
Before he could finish, Naruto's eyes froze.
He stared hard at Minato's face.
Then suddenly turned and looked toward the distant Hokage Rock.
He looked back and forth several times.
Then his body started to shake violently as he pointed at Minato, voice trembling:
"You… you're the Fourth Hokage?!?"
"Weren't you killed by the Nine-Tails?! You're not dead?!"
Minato was a little stunned.
What's going on with this kid?
He doesn't even recognize his own parents?
THWACK!
Kushina smacked Naruto's head.
"You little brat! You doing this on purpose?!"
"Look, I know we didn't get the chance to raise you, and you never got to feel the warmth of a family."
"But it was all to seal the Nine-Tails!"
"We protected Konoha—don't you have any pride as the son of heroes? Hmph!"
Kushina crossed her arms, pretending to be angry.
---
Wait…
Seal the Nine-Tails? Protect Konoha?
"No way! In our textbooks, it says the Fourth and his wife were killed in their sleep by the Nine-Tails."
"It was Grandpa Sarutobi who protected the village!"
"Whatever! I'm going to go find him and ask him where my parents are!"
Naruto's voice was rushed, filled with genuine yearning.
Minato and Kushina stared in disbelief.
WHAT?!
That's what the textbooks say happened?!
Killed in your sleep by the Nine-Tails?
Was I—the Yellow Flash—just some background NPC?!
The Third Hokage beat the Nine-Tails? Protected Konoha?
Then what the hell did we sacrifice our lives for?!
They looked again at Naruto's ragged clothing…
At how he didn't even know what his parents looked like…
At how the villagers called him a demon fox, a cursed child, and avoided him with cold stares…
Suddenly, a deep, unexplainable pain swelled in their chests.
Minato held it in, only turning to look quietly at Hiruzen.
But Kushina—hot-headed as ever—couldn't take it anymore.
She was already dead once. What rules was she supposed to follow now?
Suddenly—
Her long red hair stood on end like flames.
She let out a furious scream:
"SARUTOBI HIRUZEN!!!"
"YOU'VE GOT A LOT TO EXPLAIN!!!"