It didn't take Naruto much ti to convince the little boy nad Pepe and the villagers he called over to believe his explanation.
This was, of course, thanks to his friendly attitude and gentle words.
…And the fact that he stood there completely unhard despite the villagers attacking him with everything they had.
Honestly, what could be more convincing than that?
Still, the villagers' nervous deanor made it clear that this village had been suffering from frequent pirate harassnt lately.
"Now you believe I have no ill intentions, right?
After 'fishing' Gale Breaker out of the water, Naruto wiped off the moisture from its hull and pulled out a sealing scroll.
With a poof, smoke dispersed, and the portable Gale Breaker was ready.
This scroll was the largest-capacity one he could get his hands on, and even then, it barely managed to fit Gale Breaker.
'It seems that the next ti I go back to the Ninja World, I will have to get so blank sealing scrolls with larger space.'
With the misunderstanding cleared up, Naruto followed the villagers back to their settlent.
Since he was already here, he might as well grab a al before leaving.
He still had so money left from building the ship, so he could spend it here.
Faced with a paying custor, even though the village didn't usually provide hospitality services for outsiders, they happily agreed to Naruto's request.
If soone was willing to pay, what more needed to be said?
As he ate the fresh food the villagers provided, Naruto also learned about the village's situation from the elder.
"Originally, our village and the dozens of nearby islands all belonged to the sa kingdom."
"The king imposed heavy taxes every year, and back then, we couldn't even afford to eat."
"Then, the Revolutionary Army ca."
"With their help, the citizens of the capital united to overthrow the king and installed a more moderate noble to rule the country."
Here, it's worth ntioning the different managent thods the Revolutionary Army employed after liberating a country.
Under normal circumstances, if the World Governnt hadn't imposed a strict blockade, they would organize the people to form self-governing councils and leave behind so personnel to guide them in the early stages.
But if the World Governnt was keeping a close eye and there wasn't enough ti for long-term guidance, they would select a 'suitable' noble from the region to take over governance.
For example, the Goa Kingdom in the East Blue was handled this way.
Once a moderate noble took power, the Revolutionary Army would demand the abolition of noble privileges and grant commoners the right to participate in national governance.
At the sa ti, they would occasionally send people back to the country to secretly observe and ensure the nobles didn't revert things to the way they were.
As for strategically important locations under World Governnt's long-term control, the Revolutionary Army would station personnel there and develop them into new bases.
Clearly, the situation Naruto encountered in this village was the second type.
"After that noble took power, they did reduce taxes as promised."
Since they no longer had to pay the [Heavenly Tribute] to the World Governnt, the entire nation's citizens were given a temporary reprieve.
But soon, new problems arose.
"In the past, because the Marines would patrol regularly, pirates rarely attacked island villages."
"But after the king was overthrown, this country was removed from the World Governnt's list of 'legitimate nations'."
The most direct consequence was that the nearest Marine's base no longer sent patrols, causing the security of this stretch of sea to plumt.
"What about the Revolutionary Army? Didn't they take care of you?"
After hearing this, Naruto swallowed his food and asked with so confusion,
'That Dragon wasn't the type to handle things so sloppily, was he?'
"They did send people to fight the pirates."
"But every ti the Revolutionary Army showed up, the World Governnt would send forces to pursue them."
"Normally, the World Governnt wouldn't do anything to us, but if anyone dared to harbor Revolutionary Army mbers, their warships would rcilessly erase us from the map."
The World Governnt might not care much about pirates, but when it ca to dealing with the Revolutionary Army, they were all too eager.
It is precisely because of the tug-of-war between the Revolutionary Army and the World Governnt that the Revolutionary Army's support was never able to go all out, giving the pirates an opening.
Right now, this country was caught in a three-way struggle between the Pirates, the Revolutionary Army and the World Governnt.
"I see…"
Naruto nodded in understanding.
Situations like this were actually quite common.
After all, the World Governnt remains the most powerful force in this world. Whether in terms of numbers or military strength, the Revolutionary Army struggles to compete head-on.
The fact that they've managed to establish so many bases under such suppression is already no small feat.
However, this also highlights that the Revolutionary Army's current thods still aren't perfect.
If this were to be implented in the Ninja World, so adjustnts would likely be needed.
"Pirates! Pirates are here!"
Just then, shouts erupted from outside the village.
The village chief, who had been sitting and chatting with Naruto while smoking, imdiately straightened up, tossed aside his cane, grabbed a nearby pitchfork, and rushed out in a flurry.
Looking around after stepping outside, Naruto saw the other villagers doing the sa.
These guys are just ordinary people… they didn't possess innate superhuman strength or strange abilities.
But it seed soone had inspired them, reigniting their courage to fight back.
"Hmph…"
Unfortunately, this was a world where the disparity in individual power was far too vast.
If all they had was numbers, these villagers stood little chance against pirates who had survived dozens of bloody battles.
Following the villagers to another stretch of coastline, Naruto saw that this ti, it wasn't a 'child crying wolf' situation.
A pirate ship flying a Jolly Roger had indeed docked there.
At this ti, the pirates had already disembarked and were now facing off against the villagers.
The guys in the lead are even Devil Fruit users.
Against enemies like these, if Naruto weren't here today, the villagers would undoubtedly suffer heavy casualties.
"Looks like your luck isn't so bad after all."
Just as Naruto was about to step in, an unexpected guest arrived.
A steam-powered ship ca speeding in, practically chasing the pirate vessel's wake.
A woman with purple hair, wearing red leather pants, sunglasses, and a necktie, but nothing else under her open leather coat, leapt from the ship, holding a flagpole.
Such a bold fashion statent was sothing Naruto had only ever seen on one person.
The commander of the Revolutionary Army's East Army, the user of the [Kobu Kobu no Mi], Belo Betty.
"Seems like I don't need to intervene after all."
Naruto looked at the familiar figure and a smile appeared on his face.
And the villagers clearly recognized her too.
"Don't be afraid! The power is in your own hands! You can protect your hos!"
The pirates on the other side were still confused when they saw that the villagers, who had been helpless against them monts ago, suddenly beca filled with furious, fanatical energy upon hearing her voice.
"Raaaaaah!"
One villager knocked a pirate's weapon away with a pitchfork before the others sward in.
The power of Kobu Kobu no Mi wasn't limited to emotions… it also stirred up their physical potential.
The Devil Fruit-using pirates tried to fight back, but they were quickly intercepted by other Revolutionary Army's mbers who had jumped down from the ship.
With the situation under control, Belo Betty finally removed her sunglasses and turned to Naruto, her expression unreadable.
"So… what are you doing here?"
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