Starting as the mastermind behind Naruto

Chapter 540 If you want to save Ace and Sabo, you'll have to wait!

A dark aura swept through the entire tavern.

The pirates in the tavern couldn't help but shiver. Just as they were tense, they saw the man walk into the tavern, and everyone's expression instantly relaxed.

"Lord Kakuzu!"

"Has Lord Kakuzu returned?"

"Lord Kakuzu, would you like a glass of juice?"

The tavern became lively again after Kakuzu walked in.

Although they are exploited by Kakuzu every month, Kakuzu is honest and fair in his dealings with everyone, and he is very friendly to his loyal customers.

To be honest...

If Kakuzu were willing to give up being a pirate, with his obsession with money and his attitude towards people, he would definitely be a successful businessman.

"No, I have something to take care of first."

After nodding to the pirates present, Kakuzu's gaze fell on the three members of the Straw Hat Pirates, and he slowly frowned: "Straw Hat Luffy, bounty 130 million Berries, Roronoa Zoro, bounty 60 million Berries..."

Clearly, the Straw Hat Pirates did not pay any money.

When Luffy and Zoro saw Kakuzu enter, their nerves immediately tensed up, because they knew that Kakuzu had a dangerous aura about him!

A danger that cannot be ignored!

Just as Nami was nervously watching Kakuzu enter, thinking he was there to cause trouble for Luffy and Zoro, she heard Kakuzu's heavy question.

"Is Nami from the Straw Hat Pirates here?"

"kindness?"

Nami's expression was one of utter confusion, and a bead of cold sweat instantly trickled down her face: "I... don't have any bounty on me! No, I'm not Nami..."

"Huh? Are you looking for Nami?"

Luffy pointed his thumb up at Nami beside him and casually called out, "Hey, Nami, someone's looking for you..."

"Ugh... Shut up, you idiot!"

Nami punched Luffy on the head, trembling with rage. This Shichibukai named Kakuzu coming to find her was definitely not a good thing!

She was just a navigator!

She was still a woman who couldn't even kill a chicken!

"Don't worry."

Kakuzu slowly opened his palm and calmly explained, "I'm not here to cause you trouble. I remember you know someone named Uehara Naraku, and it just so happens that I'm on good terms with him. He asked me to look after you without charging your Straw Hat Pirates protection money..."

"Uehara...uh...uh..."

Hidan's eyes lit up immediately.

Just as Hidan was about to say something, Kakuzu's hand suddenly shot out strands of earth-feeling grime, sealing his mouth shut.

"Uehara Naraku..."

Nami's expression immediately froze.

That guy really is her destined enemy!

Nami never seems to have any good luck whenever she encounters Uehara Naraku, but now she never expected that guy would actually have a Shichibukai looking after her...

That guy…

Does he still have a conscience?

But it seems like we could borrow that guy's name for a while?

It only took one sentence from Uehara Naraku…

居然就能节省路飞的1亿3千万贝利、索隆的6千万贝利和妮可·罗宾的2亿9千万贝利！

I never expected Uehara Naraku to have such a big influence!

If they don't need to pay such high protection fees to Kakuzu, then the conflict between them and Kakuzu can be avoided!

As a pragmatist, Nami certainly wouldn't let this opportunity pass her by!

"That's right, that's right."

Nami nodded her little head like a chick pecking at rice, a sunny smile instantly spreading across her face. She said with a touch of nostalgia, "I've known Uehara Naraku for so many years, we've been best friends for so long. I never imagined he knew Kakuzu-san too..."

"Yes, I've already agreed to it."

Kakuzu nodded and slowly began to speak: "He just happened to tell me that you have always been very poor, and that you even owe him a billion Berries. You simply cannot afford to pay protection money."

Therefore, since your Straw Hat Pirates entered the Grand Line, out of respect for him, I have no intention of charging you protection money.

"Yeah yeah…"

Nami nodded seriously, her expression gradually relaxing: "I'm the Straw Hat Pirates' treasurer. We are indeed very poor, and we still owe him money..."

Although Nami didn't know why Uehara Naraku said she owed 1 billion Berries, that reason was enough to make Kakuzu give up collecting protection money from the Straw Hat Pirates!

You don't need to offend a Shichibukai...

This is wonderful for Nami!

Kakuzu stared at Nami, slowly nodded, then suddenly changed the subject and said coldly, "But half a month ago, Uehara Naraku caused me to lose 1 billion Berries and told me to come directly to you to collect that money..."

This story was not fabricated by Kakuzu.

Two weeks ago, Uehara Naraku kidnapped Portgas D. Ace, directly causing Kakuzu to lose a bounty of one billion Berries. According to Kakuzu's theory, all the bounties of pirates in the first half of the Grand Line should belong to him...

and…

When Kakuzu questioned Uehara Naraku, arguing that Uehara Naraku was being wasteful, Uehara Naraku offered Kakuzu a way to compensate for the loss.

But this method…

It seems they're not very friendly towards Nami.

Nami's face turned deathly pale.

These guys...aren't they all devils?

Why was she so eager to admit that she and Uehara Naraku were friends? Why did she accept the reason that Kakuzu gave her?

One billion Pele…

Why are you asking her for it?

Even if you bundle Luffy, Zoro, and Robin together and exchange them for bounties, it wouldn't be enough for half the money. That bastard Uehara Naraku isn't some kind of person with a conscience; he's clearly a demon in human skin!

"Wait! Let me explain!"

Nami shook her head frantically and explained earnestly, "Actually, I'm not familiar with Uehara Naraku at all, and I've never borrowed money from him."

"Aren't you friends?"

Kakuzu frowned and said in a deep voice, "I'll verify this with him later. Since you're not friends, let's settle the Straw Hat Pirates' protection fee for this month. It's 480 million Berries in total..."

"..."

Nami quickly shook her head, then looked earnestly at Kakuzu again: "No, Uehara Naraku and I are good friends, but I have never borrowed money from him..."

"Um?"

Kakuzu frowned slightly, somewhat displeased, and said in a deep voice, "Then I'll trouble you to wait here for a while until Uehara Naraku comes down from the sky island!"

"Uehara...is on Skypiea?"

A look of confusion flashed across Nami's face.

Wait, why couldn't Uehara Naraku be on Skypiea?

Sky Island was once a land of gold. Given Uehara Naraku's personality, he's probably going there to find gold now!

"Let's go to the Sky Island too!"

Luffy clenched his fist, a bright smile spreading across his face: "Now that Uehara has already gone up, we can't fall behind! Nami, Zoro, let's go!"

"You cannot leave yet."

Kakuzu suddenly stretched out his arm, blocking their path, and said in a hoarse voice, "Straw Hat Luffy, Uehara Naraku also asked me to tell you some news..."

Kakuzu fixed his gaze on Luffy and calmly continued, "Your brother Portgas D. Ace and Sabo have been captured by the Navy."

"Are you kidding me?"

A look of astonishment flashed across Luffy's face, then his expression turned more grim and somber than ever before: "I only just parted ways with Ace and Sabo not long ago..."

Kakuzu interrupted Luffy coldly and calmly continued to explain: "Two months ago, the Revolutionary Army Chief of Staff Sabo was arrested in Loguetown, which was the latest headline news."

Two weeks ago, Portgas D. Ace was arrested in Alabasta, and that was the headline news today…

"It seems like that's true..."

A pirate, slurring his sleep, opened his eyes and chimed in, "I don't know about that Ace guy, but it seems a big shot from the Revolutionary Army has indeed been captured... Is Lord Kakuzu also keeping an eye on this?"

"..."

Luffy's fist clenched suddenly!

The next moment, just as Luffy was about to rush out of the tavern, Nami hurriedly stopped him: "Hey, Luffy, if you leave now, you won't even know what's going on, right?"

Nami turned to look at Kakuzu and hurriedly asked, "Hey, what's your purpose in telling us this? No, what's Uehara Naraku's purpose?"

"I'm not quite sure yet."

Kakuzu calmly observed the Straw Hat Pirates' drastically changed expressions, shook his head, and said, "Uehara Naraku only told me to stop you and tell you that if you want to know how to rescue Portgas D. Ace and Sabo, stay in Mock Town and wait for him..."

After Kakuzu finished speaking, he slowly stepped aside and said in a deep voice, "If you still want to leave after I finish speaking, then feel free to leave..."

"..."

Luffy sat down calmly.

Zoro and Nami exchanged a glance and slowly sat down next to Luffy.

Just then, Usopp and Sanji of the Straw Hat Pirates rushed into the tavern and glanced at all the pirates present.

When Usopp and Sanji saw Luffy and his two companions, they finally breathed a sigh of relief, as it seemed the three of them had come to see them urgently.

"Usopp, Sanji, what happened?"

"The latest newspaper delivered by the newsbird of Magic Valley!"

Usopp waved the newspaper in his hand hastily, his expression grim, and shouted, "Luffy, something terrible is about to happen!"

The Straw Hat Pirates, who had been sailing at sea the whole way, finally learned the purpose of ordering the Newsbirds: they could know the news happening at sea at any time.

Just as the Straw Hat Pirates encountered the News Bird, the top news stories on the high seas had just finished their special feature on the Revolutionary Army and were about to publish an even bigger story.

Fifteen days of fierce battle culminate in the final day of the great war! Uchiha Sasuke is defeated! Portgas D. Ace, the world's most evil bloodline, is captured!

Third update!

(End of this chapter)