Naruto Online: Hyuga Branch Family? Let's go all out!

Chapter 294 Invisible Shackles - Thick Barrier

Elmaru, the site of a Baroque workshop, was temporarily converted into Ningyuan's office.

The office was extremely simple, with just a desk and a chair.

There was still nothing on the table.

Hina didn't suspect anything, because everyone knew that Ning Yuan had just killed Crocodile two days ago. It was already good enough that he could free up an office in two days, what more could he ask for?

She looked at the broken stone fragment in her hand. She had thought Ning Yuan had some special idea, but she didn't expect there to actually be a stone that could hurt a Devil Fruit user!

"This is it! I found it in the sea!" Ning Yuan said. "I heard that Devil Fruit users are afraid of the sea, so I thought there might be something in the sea that could counteract their abilities, and that's how I found this stone!"

"Where is the sea?" Hina asked.

"Just look at the sea outside Nahana!" Ning Yuan pointed to the opposite side.

Nahana is the other of the two port cities at the mouth of the Santin River, just across from El Maru.

Nahana is a transliteration of the name; if translated literally, it would be called Rapeseed Flower Harbor.

Hina looked out the window at the city across the river and then fell into deep thought.

There are actually sea stones in the sea outside the rapeseed flower harbor?

That's right, the broken stone in her hand is a fragment of sea stone. Ning Yuan might not recognize it, so he calls it salt crystal.

But Hina is a naval officer, so she is certainly familiar with Seastone.

So here's the question.

Are the sea-stone formations outside the rapeseed flower harbor just this one patch, or are there many of them?

Or is it simply a sea stone vein?

"Are there many rocks like these underwater?" Hina asked.

"Not many, I only found two small fragments!" Ning Yuan shook his head.

"How do you know it can counter Devil Fruit users? And you even specifically brought both of them up?" Hina pressed.

"I didn't just take these two pieces; I brought up all the rocks from the seabed and tried them one by one. I finally found that this type of rock was the most effective!" Ning Yuan said. "I even went back into the sea to look for more, but I couldn't find any more!"

"I see!" Hina nodded, indicating that the case was probably solved.

So Crocodile's death wasn't unjust; after all, Crocodile found the Seastone fragments on the seabed.

As for how the irregular stones were loaded into the gun...

These days, firearms fire bullets, so even a stone can be fired as long as it fits into the barrel.

At most, it just flies a little slower and its trajectory is a little more irregular.

However, there is still one thing that is uncertain: are there only two fragments of sea stone in the sea, or is there a mineral vein?

Hina leans more towards the former, because although sea stone is hard, its edges are rounded by the erosion and friction of seawater over the years.

But the fragment in her hand was sharp and angular, and didn't look like it had been at the bottom of the sea for a long time; it looked more like it had just fallen into the water.

But then another question arises: Seastone is extremely hard, and it cannot be destroyed even by being cleaved by a knife or burned by fire. So what force could cause Seastone to shatter like this?

"Will there be any pirate battles at this Rapeseed Flower Harbor?" Hina asked.

"Of course! Crocodile used to fight pirates here all the time!" Ning Yuan said. "There are still pirate heads hanging on the dock!"

"Then I understand!" Hina completely solved the case. There should be no seastone veins on the seabed. This seastone came from some pirates and was accidentally dropped into the sea during their battle with Crocodile.

As for where the pirates got the Seastone, and why it was such a tiny fragment.

Hina no longer wanted to investigate further.

She was afraid the investigation would lead to the Navy or the World Government.

After all, the production of seastone is monopolized by the World Government, and only the World Government possesses the technology to process seastone.

Do you think there will be any fragments when processing sea stone?

Where did these fragments go?

After fiddling with the seastone fragment in his hand for a moment, Hina grabbed Ning Yuan's hand and placed the seastone fragment on it.

"Aren't you going to take it away?" Ning Yuan asked.

"Why do you want to take it away?" Hina asked with a smile.

"This thing is so dangerous, what if I use it to kill another nature-type or something!" Ning Yuan said.

"Do you think everyone's as careless as Crocodile?" Hina rolled her eyes, annoyed. "A Marine Admiral doesn't die so easily!"

She didn't know there was another user of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit on the Sky Island.

"It might not necessarily be a Marine Admiral!" Ning Yuan asked. "I heard that Whitebeard's Second Division Captain Ace has also come to the East Blue, and might even arrive in Alabasta in a few days!"

"Don't mess with him!" Hina's expression suddenly turned serious. "Not only is he incredibly strong, but he also has the Whitebeard Pirates behind him! This pirate crew is different from others; the crew members all call their captain 'father.' If you kill Ace, Whitebeard will definitely come to Alabasta to seek revenge!"

"Don't we have the navy protecting us?" Ning Yuan laughed. "What am I afraid of!"

"This!" Hina's voice faltered. The Navy did indeed have an obligation to protect the member states of the World Government.

But if the Whitebeard Pirates were the ones attacking a member state of the World Government, would the Navy still intervene?

After much deliberation, Hina finally shook her head.

She didn't know!

But not knowing in itself represents one answer: a lack of confidence in the Navy's determination to uphold justice.

"All I can tell you is to pretend you didn't see Ace and let him pass by!" Hina said, feeling somewhat agitated, because sometimes the Navy really couldn't protect the people or carry out its own justice.

She then thought of a sentence Ning Yuan mentioned in his first article: Is justice delayed still justice?

"Forget it, let's not talk about this anymore!" Hina waved her hand, then stood at the window and pointed to the mouth of the St. Ding River outside: "I remember the ocean here isn't very peaceful, is it? There should still be sea kings here!"

She frowned and asked, "How did you muster the courage to go into the sea? Aren't you afraid of dying?"

"I'm afraid!" Ning Yuan said calmly, "But what can I do if I'm afraid? Some things just have to be done!"

As he spoke, Ning Yuan sighed again: "This is the tragedy of being weak. I also long to be a powerful person! Unfortunately, I've never received any proper training growing up, nor have I obtained any powerful Devil Fruits. Lacking intelligence, I can only rely on my wits!"

Hina patted Ning Yuan's shoulder with some pity, but then felt that just patting his shoulder might not be enough to comfort him, so she simply pulled Ning Yuan into her arms.

Ning Yuan felt his ear pressed against something soft, and through the mountain peaks, he could hear his rapid heartbeat.

"Colonel Hinata, you don't need to comfort me!" Ning Yuan quickly said, "The hardship is over, isn't it? I believe that under my leadership, Alabasta will gradually get better!"

"I believe in your wisdom, but what if Alabasta encounters pirates again without Crocodile's deterrent?" Hina asked.

"Uh!" Ning Yuan was stunned, his body stiffening instantly.

After thinking for a moment, Ning Yuan said, "I know there's a group of manatees who know kung fu on the coast of Alabasta. I plan to subdue them and then form an underwater army. When we encounter pirates, I'll have these manatees sabotage our ships!"

"What good can a herd of manatees do!" Hina shook her head dismissively. She had never seen manatees before, so she assumed they were insignificant. "If you trust me, how about I apply to Marine Headquarters to build a Marine branch here?"

This wasn't Sengoku's intention; it was purely Hina's own sentimentality acting up.

A young man who is good-looking but weak in ability is just too lovable!

It just so happens that the Black Cage forces don't have a fixed base, so setting it up in Alabasta is a great idea!

"It probably won't work!" Ning Yuan shook his head slightly. "Although I don't know what Alabasta's situation was like before, there must be a reason why there hasn't been a naval branch there for so long. I can't agree rashly without understanding the situation!"

"There's such a thing?" Hina was taken aback. Oh right!

Alabasta is such a large island, yet it has no naval branch for protection.

Not only is it not found here, but it's not found in several surrounding countries either.

Unfortunately, this is the Grand Line, a Grand Line teeming with pirates.

This naval configuration just doesn't seem quite right.

Perhaps there's some kind of agreement between the Navy Headquarters and Alabasta?

"Since that's the case, let's just forget about it!" Without knowing the specifics, Hina couldn't force the issue.

However, where there's a policy, there's a countermeasure.

Since the Black Cage forces are going to be traveling around anyway, we can just change their routes later and include Alabasta in their protection area.

"Um, could you let me go?" Ning Yuan asked in a low voice.

"Where's the courage you had when you tickled my hand at the dock?" Hina asked with a smile.

"Uh!" Ning Yuan blushed. "I'm sorry, that was the first time I'd ever seen such a dashing female navy officer like you, so I couldn't help myself!"

"So, I'm still quite charming!" Hina laughed. "Do you know how many Marines would kill for this kind of treatment, and you're asking me to let go?"

"I really like this treatment, but I'm getting married after all!" Ning Yuan whispered, "It wouldn't be good if the princess's people saw us!"

"You little rascal, I didn't expect you to be so innocent?" Hina was a little surprised. She thought that such a handsome young man would have many girlfriends.

The fact that he tickled her palm on the dock shows that the boy was not honest.

Who would have thought he was all lust and no guts?

What if I like it even more!

"My men are already guarding the area; no one will come up!" Hina said in a seductive voice, "Are you sure you don't want to do something?"

Ning Yuan said with a wry smile, "Sister Hina, please let me go!"

Your heart is pounding like a general's command; you're clearly more nervous than me, yet you're pretending to be an experienced driver.

They're clearly fishing!

Moreover, Ning Yuan could also tell that Hina had never had a boyfriend and was not the kind of person who would flirt with everyone.

"Looks like I'm getting old, I'm not as charming as young girls!" Hina sighed and finally let go of Ningyuan.

Ning Yuan rubbed his face. To be honest, it was very warm.

"When are you getting married?" Hina asked. "If it's soon, I'd love to attend your wedding!"

"Well, I'm not too sure either. After all, I'm just a commoner, and I don't know what the rules are for marrying a princess!" Ning Yuan scratched his head and said.

"You, you! Where did that confidence that wisdom could conquer all go from just now!" Hina patted Ningyuan on the shoulder. "How come you've suddenly become a commoner again? So what if you're a commoner? Didn't you still kill Crocodile? Didn't you still marry a princess? I heard you're going to be a king someday!"

Ning Yuan was speechless: "I'm very confident. Where did you get the idea that I'm not confident? I just said I didn't know some court etiquette!"

"Fine, I'll take that as confidence!" Hina nodded, but inwardly she was thinking, "He's clearly a lecherous person, but because of a princess, he doesn't even dare to accept a beautiful woman who's offered herself to him. And he calls himself confident?"

Seriously, what's wrong with me? Why do I feel so heavy-hearted?

I don't want him to marry a princess?

That doesn't make sense. Even if he's handsome and talented, we've only just met. It's impossible for me to actually fall for him!

Hina paused for a moment, then suddenly realized why she felt sorry for Ning Yuan.

This child is a genius!

He is certainly not the kind of person who excels in combat, but he is definitely adept at clerical work, strategizing, and devising plans.

After all, he was able to kill the Seven Warlords of the Sea when he only had himself and a useless princess. What if he had a fleet or an entire navy?

This might just bring an end to the Great Pirate Era!

This is a talent capable of succeeding Lieutenant General Tsuru!

Unfortunately, such a talented person could not be used by the navy. In the end, he married a princess and became the king of a corrupt member state of the world government.

I have seen many kings myself. These kings were either pot-bellied, had a sleazy appearance, or were mentally challenged (due to inbreeding).

These kings also shared a common trait: they were lustful!

There are quite a few people who drool when they see her.

The thought that Ning Yuan would become like this in the future pained Hina!

Why do you have to be Alabasta? Why do you have to meet a princess?

If you had met me back then, I would have taken down Crocodile for you, and you wouldn't have needed to marry the princess and become king.

At that time, his career path might have become marrying a colonel and becoming the Chief of Naval Staff!

"Um, Colonel Hina, is there anything else you'd like to ask?" Ning Yuan asked softly.

"Weren't you just calling Hina-neechan?" Hina asked in surprise.

"That was a private matter, isn't this business?" Ning Yuan said.

"I don't care, since you've already called me 'older sister,' just keep calling me that!" Hina said firmly.

If you don't call me "sister," how am I supposed to find a reason to see you in the future?

"Um, Colonel Hina, you are, after all, a colonel of the Navy Headquarters. Getting involved with someone from a member state like me might not be good for your future!" Ning Yuan said earnestly.

"Hmph, let them say what they want, what am I afraid of? Huh?" Hina paused, then suddenly realized something.

What Ning Yuan was talking about was probably not just rumors circulating within the navy, but something related to the World Government.

You're a navy that the World Government pays to support, yet you're constantly flirting and getting involved with the kings of member states of the World Government. What do you mean by that?

Do you intend to betray the World Government and defect to a member state?

Even if you haven't thought about seeking refuge, it's unacceptable to have even the slightest hint of it!

Thinking about this, Hina suddenly realized that Ning Yuan was right!

You really can't just call someone "sister" casually!

Suddenly, I felt terrible.

Why, why?

In order to continue my career in the navy and to continue upholding justice, I don't even dare to date, let alone get married!

Now I've finally met someone who makes my heart flutter, and all I want to do is get closer to him, but because of my status, I can't even let him call me "sister"?

Why? By what right?

What kind of logic is this?

Hina suddenly realized that she, who seemed free and could go wherever she wanted, was actually bound by an invisible layer of shackles!

"Ning Yuan, you!" Hina reached out to grab Ning Yuan. She didn't know where these shackles came from, nor how they bound her.

But she knew how to break free of these shackles!

What if I absolutely have to be with him?

Does that mean I can't even continue being a naval officer?

However, Ning Yuan simply stepped back, already within arm's reach.

If she uses her own strength and abilities, she can definitely hold Ning Yuan firmly.

But at this moment, Hina was just like a frail woman, and she couldn't even grab Ning Yuan's clothes.

He raised his head, looking at Ning Yuan with a pleading expression, but only received a polite yet consoling response from Ning Yuan: "Colonel Hina!"

Hina left, looking dejected.

Ning Yuan, standing at the window, watched Hina, who was walking unsteadily, gradually disappear into the distance, his eyes filled with anticipation.

Can you feel it? This pathetic, thick barrier!

This thick barrier is called feudal ethics and morality!

Under the constraints of feudal ethics, people could not be free in love, marriage, religion, or even their profession.

The braver a person is, the more likely they are to be smashed to pieces!

Who imposed this set of etiquette upon all living beings?

It's the World Government!

Bound by traditional social norms, Hina was destined to be unable to have both love and career.

So, will Hina realize this? Will she awaken?

Ning Yuan was unaware of this, since the conversation happened naturally. As long as the established social norms remained, the thick barrier would inevitably appear.

Ningyuan neither guided nor deliberately stirred up Hina's emotions.

Since he couldn't control the beginning, he naturally didn't know how things would develop.

However, Ning Yuan could control the outcome; there were only two possibilities.

One is resignation, the other is awakening.

There's not much to say about the former; we're on different paths, so let's meet again in the future.

And the latter!

If Hina really awakens, then we'll all be on the same side, and there's nothing more to say. We can just fight the World Government together.

"The canal, trade, diplomacy, wow, I'm really something!" Ning Yuan withdrew his gaze and sighed a few times.

In just a few days, he has accomplished more than several generations of Alabasta kings.

"Next, I just need to wait for the wedding. But I have some free time beforehand, so I might as well finish writing the blank 100-year history!"

(End of this chapter)