Chapter 359: So This Is That World
This island was vast, its towns bustling and lively, with a dense population.
Not only did the architecture differ from that of the Ninja Continent, but the people here also looked distinct from those of the shinobi lands.
Simply put, they were far more diverse—hair came in shades of black, red, yellow, blue, and even green. Their skin tones were equally varied.
Their builds, too, weren't uniform—some tall, some short, some thin, some stout. Uchiha Dali even spotted giants standing four to five meters tall.
In fact, he even saw beings that were clearly not human, yet shared humanoid features—and could speak like people.
Coupled with the docked merchant ships and vessels flying skull-emblazoned flags...
Uchiha Dali could almost be certain that this place was, without a doubt, the world he was familiar with—
"The world of pirates!"
Uchiha Dali muttered in shock.
"Oh? You know this world?"
Hearing his words, Ōtsutsuki Kyōshiki turned to him in surprise.
By now, the two were walking along the streets of the town.
But since there were so many people passing by, dressed in all sorts of outfits, no one paid the slightest attention to them.
"I saw those ships. I have eyes."
Uchiha Dali replied flatly.
Kyōshiki nodded, not thinking much of it. "Though we're on the same planet, this region is indeed rather unique—quite different from that land solely inhabited by shinobi."
Uchiha Dali looked at him, remembering that Kyōshiki had mentioned before that he learned his mind-reading technique here.
If he learned it here, then his so-called 'original ability' must actually be Observation Haki.
Thinking that, Uchiha Dali quickly lost interest in exploring the area further.
Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly noticed commotion up ahead. Turning his head, he saw a large group of fully armed soldiers shoving the crowd aside, soon surrounding both him and Ōtsutsuki Kyōshiki.
"Marines?"
Uchiha Dali immediately recognized them from their uniforms.
They were unmistakably naval soldiers.
Seeing themselves encircled, Kyōshiki's gaze turned cold, his presence alone exuding dominance. "Are you looking for trouble?"
He stared at the marines playfully, as if amused by their ignorance.
At that moment, a man in a suit approached from the distance—slick hair, smug grin, hands in his pockets, radiating arrogance.
As he walked, he sneered, "You two are the ones causing trouble here."
"This island doesn't welcome just anyone. And you two—complete strangers, aren't you?"
"Right now, you're both suspected of being pirates. Come with us and cooperate with the investigation."
The young man stopped about five or six meters away from them, chin raised in disdain.
The onlookers and merchants nearby clearly feared him. At his words, all fell silent, not daring to speak.
"I don't have time for this."
"Don't bother me."
Uchiha Dali replied coldly.
The man's face darkened. "Huh? You've got some nerve talking to me like that! Looks like you don't know who I am!"
"Men! Arrest these two pirates!"
He declared on the spot, labeling Uchiha Dali and Kyōshiki as pirates.
At his order, a wave of armed marines swarmed around them.
Uchiha Dali didn't move, only frowned slightly.
Is this the East Blue? The marines are this disorderly...?
As the thought crossed his mind, his Observation Haki instinctively expanded, instantly enveloping the area for miles around.
At that same moment, from an island several thousand kilometers away, he sensed a gathering of numerous powerful presences.
Practically all the strongest beings of this pirate world were concentrated there.
That made Uchiha Dali's heart stir slightly.
Meanwhile, Ōtsutsuki Kyōshiki had already lost his patience.
Against these ordinary humans, he didn't even need to make a real move—just a faint burst of aura, and instantly, the entire group of marines collapsed, eyes rolled back, unconscious on the ground.
"How boring. They're far too weak."
Kyōshiki curled his lip, glancing at the now dumbstruck man in the suit.
Just as he was about to deal with the guy, Uchiha Dali said, "Let's go. There's somewhere more interesting to visit."
As he spoke, his gaze drifted down to a newspaper by his feet.
The front-page headline read: The Navy Will Publicly Execute Fire Fist Ace.
And the execution date wasn't far off.
"Where to?" Kyōshiki asked curiously.
Uchiha Dali ignored him and looked at the terrified man in the suit. "Let me ask you something."
"W-what is it? Don't mess around! My father is—"
"What's today's date?"
"Today? It's the sixteenth…"
"Oh. Thanks."
Uchiha Dali nodded.
The timing matched—the day of Ace's public execution was today.
Which meant Marineford must be lively right now.
"Let's go," he said to Kyōshiki.
"You're just going to let that guy go?" Kyōshiki began to ask, but before he could finish—
A sharp, whistling sound cut through the air.
A powerful blast struck, and the spot where the suited man had been standing erupted in a violent explosion.
"…I thought you were going to spare him." Kyōshiki chuckled, watching the target reduced to dust.
Uchiha Dali said nothing, slowly rising into the air.
Seeing this, Kyōshiki followed suit.
Neither used any special movement technique—they simply flew straight toward their destination.
Their speed was like lightning; in the blink of an eye, they vanished over the horizon.
Before long, the two appeared above a vast stretch of ocean.
Kyōshiki looked down to see a massive island, upon which stood an ancient fortress-like stronghold.
Below, on a broad plaza, a sea of people filled the space, the scene roaring with excitement.
"Oh, it really is lively."
"They're fighting, huh? Heh…"
Kyōshiki showed no interest in the ongoing battle.
What intrigued him more was why Uchiha Dali had insisted on coming here.
"But why watch them fight? Shouldn't our real goal be getting stronger?" he asked curiously.