Chapter 249: Creating Another Hashirama Senju   

The result was obvious: after just a minute or two!

Tsunade was kneeling on the ground, her face pale.

How is this guy so lucky?!

But!

Tsunade had long gotten used to losing, and at this point, even losing something more wasn’t a big deal.

But this time was different—this was about Uzumaki Mito and Kushina.

She understood Uchiha Raijin’s nature all too well.

If Granny Mito and Kushina ended up in his hands, they might be controlled, just like Shizune had been.

At that point, they might even become part of that infamous…

Wait, no!

Tsunade realized that ever since she set sail, she had been exposed to way too much strange knowledge.

This was causing her to have some outrageous thoughts.

“I’ll take those warships outside, and this kid too. He’s just a waste in your hands,” Raijin said.

“Once I take him back and fully develop his abilities, he’ll be able to make a great contribution to Dressrosa.”

Raijin glanced at Yamato—someone Orochimaru had cultivated from infancy, who possessed the Wood Release bloodline limit.

If they could further enhance Yamato’s powers, he might reach an even higher level with his bloodline.

Now that they had even solved the issues regarding Sage techniques, Raijin was curious to see how far Orochimaru could go.

Maybe, just maybe, they could create another Hashirama Senju with Yamato!

That would greatly boost their combat strength.

“Damn Uchiha…”

Tsunade gritted her teeth as she looked at Raijin, but she didn’t say anything more.

She had already lost everything to him just moments ago.

If Raijin wanted to, he could even make her strip down to her underwear.

“Heh…”

Raijin chuckled softly. Originally, he had come here just to relax.

Seeing Tsunade made his mood even better.

Tsunade could have had a much better life here.

But she had chosen to continue running away, just like she always did.

Since she was determined to keep running, Raijin didn’t plan to interfere.

Let her be—she can live or die as she pleases!

“I’ll stay here and chat with Tsunade,” Tobirama Senju said.

Raijin had no objections and left with Uchiha Izumi to go for a walk.

As they stepped out, they saw a woman approaching, holding a tray.

Behind her was Stussy, followed by a group of girls, all carrying trays as well.

It was as if Raijin had walked into some kind of extraordinary place.

And indeed, Pleasure Street was no ordinary place.

If Raijin wanted, Stussy could arrange all sorts of beautiful women for him.

But Raijin had little interest in that.

“Lord Raijin, are you done with your meeting?”

Stussy hadn’t expected that by the time she turned around to grab a fruit platter, Raijin had already finished.

She thought they would be discussing important matters, considering how Tsunade was practically a spy planted in Dressrosa.

It was an open secret on the seas, but few dared to infiltrate the Navy so boldly.

Moreover, none of this even concerned them!

Who would be foolish enough to risk offending both Dressrosa and the Navy for such a thing?

But did they really not exchange any information?

“Yeah! If you have something to do, you can have someone else show us around.”

“I’m quite interested in your Pleasure Street and would like to explore it a bit,” Raijin said to Stussy.

“No worries, accompanying you, Lord Raijin, is my top priority.”

“Linlin used to visit Pleasure Street often too, and I was her guide as well.”

“But ever since that incident, Linlin hasn’t left Totto Land much,” Stussy said with a light laugh.

Though she was a ruler of the underworld, that didn’t mean she had absolute power.

Her influence far exceeded that of Dressrosa, with operations in the Four Seas, the Grand Line, and even the New World.

Mafias, bounty hunters—her reach extended into all these areas.

But few people knew about it. Even the World Government didn’t fully grasp the extent of her business empire.

However, Stussy was the World Government’s frontwoman, tasked with gathering intelligence and fulfilling their needs.

So, she always tried to avoid unnecessary conflict. But when forced into a corner, she would strike ruthlessly.

Yet Uchiha Raijin was far stronger than her. Exactly how much stronger? She didn’t have a clear measure.

Unless it was absolutely necessary, it was better to stay on his good side.

“Shall we go then? Oh, by the way, do you know someone by the name of Tezolo?”

“That guy stole something from me and hasn’t returned it yet!” Raijin suddenly remembered to ask.

With Stussy’s vast intelligence network across the seas, she might just be able to locate him.

But after hiding for so long—over a year now—could this guy really be found?

“Tezolo? I have indeed heard of him,” Stussy said, placing a slender finger on her elegant chin as she pondered.

From what she knew, Tezolo was no longer an unknown figure.

He had made his debut over a year ago!

He had stormed Doflamingo’s auction house and stolen the invaluable Paramecia Gold-Gold Fruit.

As far as Stussy was aware, Doflamingo hadn’t intended to sell the fruit.

He had just used its reputation to boost the auction house’s influence.

But who would have expected some reckless guy to break in and smash the place up?!

By the time Doflamingo arrived, the most valuable item in the auction had vanished.

Doflamingo had immediately put a bounty on the guy’s head—200 million berries for that unknown figure.

And just like that, this previously nameless person gained a reputation.

After all, how many people had the guts to destroy Doflamingo’s business?

Doflamingo wasn’t just some random pirate—he controlled half of the North Blue.

With that kind of background, it was hard to believe anyone would dare cross him.

But after Tezolo’s robbery, he had gained some fame on the seas. A few months ago, he had gathered a group of people and opened a casino.

His casino was lavish, mostly made of gold, as if money was no object.

Its extravagant luxury drew crowds from all over, and Stussy’s own business had suffered as a result.

“I do know a bit about him. Recently, Tezolo opened a casino on the seas,” Stussy said.

---

"But he's taken quite a bit of my business. Lord Raijin, are you interested in this guy?"

"If you're interested, I can give you the Eternal Pointer I have. It will help you find the place."

"After all, this guy is hiding out at sea. Without this, it's hard for the average person to locate him."

Stussy licked her lips with her pink tongue, sensing that a storm was about to break.

Based on her brief understanding of this guy, she figured Tezzolo wouldn't surrender easily.

Stussy remembered when they had met Tezzolo.

Yes!

It was them.

At that time, she had met Tezzolo as a representative of the World Government's CP0.

But that arrogant, smug, and disdainful attitude...

He didn't even give the World Government any respect!

They were completely humiliated by him.

This made Stussy realize that this guy had immense ambition.

But!

What if he faced the even more arrogant man in front of her?

Stussy could already foresee Tezzolo's fate.

Even if he wanted to die, it wouldn't be that easy.

"Alright! If you have any requests, feel free to ask! Or perhaps—"

"I noticed you've recently been purchasing the Uchiha bloodline factor from our Dressrosa."

Raijin pulled out a vial-like object and waved it in front of Stussy.

But the next moment!

The bloodline factor was thrown right into Stussy's hands.

"Consider this a small favor. If you have any further requests, just come to me!"

"Or you can contact Nonoyu, he can also reach me."

Raijin leaned down and whispered softly in Stussy's ear.

"."

Stussy's pupils dilated, staring at Raijin in disbelief.

This guy knew her identity.

And!

The strongest new member of CP9 was actually this man’s subordinate.

Nonoyu had rapidly risen through the ranks since joining Cipher Pol.

In just a year, he had become the rising star of Cipher Pol.

If nothing unexpected happened!

Nonoyu would likely join CP0 soon.

At that point, he would truly enter the core of the World Government.

But!

What she never expected was—

This guy had been planted by Uchiha Raijin from the start.

No wonder he knew her identity—Nonoyu must have stolen many secrets within Cipher Pol.

Who knows how many other people's identities had already been exposed because of Nonoyu.

"I understand!"

Stussy slowly nodded, her face expressionless.

She would have to keep Nonoyu’s identity a secret too!

It wasn’t just Nonoyu who had infiltrated the World Government.

There were probably others who had already climbed to unknown positions within the government.

And if she exposed Nonoyu's identity, the first one to suffer would be her.

Stussy felt a bit helpless; this was the advantage of overwhelming power.

It allowed people to threaten others at will!

"There's no downside to working with the Uchiha clan! Whatever the World Government can offer you, we can too."

"And what the World Government can't give you, the Uchiha clan can!"

"It just depends on what you want!!"

Raijin patted Stussy on the shoulder and walked toward Uchiha Izumi.

Uchiha Izumi had entered a dessert shop and was now sitting inside.

It seemed that!

Izumi’s innocent and romantic nature hadn’t changed.

It had only been hidden away!

"I didn’t expect so many spies in the World Government! Who knows if there’s one beside him?"

Stussy chuckled, feeling a sudden surge of pressure.

After returning, she planned to report this to him.

At the very least, they had to take precautions.

So no one could infiltrate too closely.

"Are they all trained by Zephyr?"

In the Admiral's office, Sengoku widened his eyes at Akainu, completely stunned.

He hadn’t expected such a great opportunity to fall into the Navy’s lap.

Akainu relayed everything Kakashi had said to Sengoku in detail.

This nearly made Sengoku jump out of his chair.

He didn’t trust many people.

But Sengoku had to trust Zephyr's capabilities.

After all, the current three Admirals were all trained by Zephyr.

And many Vice Admirals, Rear Admirals, and other Naval officers—the very foundation of the Navy—were all trained by Zephyr.

The entire Navy was a testament to Zephyr's skill. Without Zephyr, the Navy wouldn't have developed so quickly.

Although Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan were born monsters,

Undoubtedly!

Zephyr accelerated their growth and even filled in some of their gaps.

"That's right! Most of them have special abilities and are available for us to choose from at will."

"My suggestion is to contact Zephyr, ask him what’s going on, and list the strongest ones."

"Tomorrow, I’ll personally head to Dressrosa and bring all of them back to the Navy!"

"Even if some have their own agendas, under my watch, they won't be able to pull anything."

Sakazuki said calmly, puffing on a cigar as smoke billowed around him.

The excitement on his face was unmistakable.

He was about to reinforce his troops and possibly raise their combat strength to a new level.

How could Sakazuki not be excited?

"Indeed! We need to treat this seriously!"

"Do you know where Uchiha Raijin is?"

Sengoku thought for a moment and suddenly asked.

"On Pleasure Street. Yesterday, he bet on a warship with Tsunade and won it."

"He even took the kid with her who can build wooden houses and boats."

Sakazuki's face darkened, radiating an aura of killing intent.

Though Tsunade had achieved notable results in the Navy by frequently capturing pirates,

But!

That came with a condition.

Tsunade would lose their ships in the process.

In the end, they'd have to capture pirates, sail back on pirate ships to Marineford,

And exchange the pirates for money, ships, weapons, and so on!

Then, she'd return to Pleasure Street.

It was a never-ending cycle!

At this point!

Sakazuki felt like Tsunade was constantly tarnishing the Navy's reputation.

Couldn't she do something a real Navy officer would do for once?

"Hmm! Looks like his vacation still has some time left! I wonder if he knows about this."

"But it doesn't matter. Since that's the case, there's no need to ask Zephyr anymore. We'll head to Dressrosa tomorrow."

Sengoku decided not to wait any longer.

(End of chapter)