Chapter 288 :In Zou

As the Straw Hats, Law, and Kirito prepared to depart from Dressrosa, the entire kingdom gathered to see them off. 

The citizens of Dressrosa lined the harbour, cheering and waving. "Thank you, Straw Hat Pirates, laws and to you Kirito!" Their voice was loud and was making enough noise to make those poor birds scared to fly closer to the land.

Though Kirito himself never liked noise until it was caused by himself, he also has to say that this was far better than the first time he came here.

Earlier Dressrosa was good but it was lacking this soul which he can feel now. 

Luffy stood at the ship's rail, grinning broadly and waving back. "Take care, everyone! We'll be back someday!"

Viola stepped forward, her eyes meeting Kirito's. "Thank you for everything Kirito, it is only, because of you that the people of Dressora are now free and smiling," she said, her voice calm but there was sincerity in her words, making Kirito remember the same kind of things he felt when helping Uzushiogakure or the land of snow all those years ago.

"You'll always have a place here in Dressrosa."

Kirito nodded a small smile on his face. "No need to be formal here princess, I did what I did because I wanted to, there was nothing else about it. You also make it up to me by giving me a hint of where Asuna could be. Previously I was planning on going to Big Mom at Cake Island to find information about Asuna but thanks to you and Rebecca, I now don't have to do that. I will directly be moving towards Wano." Kirito said as he learned that Asuna came here to Dressora 2 years ago.

Obviously, she too was looking for a way back and while here she learned about the Wano Country.

The only place where Ninja live. So of course she will, out of desperation go there. Kirito now finally had an idea of where he wanted to go.

Rebecca approached next, holding a bouquet of flowers. "For luck on your journey," she said, handing them to Kirito. "And I hope you find you girlfriend soon."

"Ah, I never said that she is my girlfriend." 

"Hehe, anyone could tell by the smile on your face. That face you made, its impossible to make if you are not in love with her." 

'Ah, is this that infamous girl's / womanly instincts? Quite terrifying' 

Kirito accepted the flowers with a forced smile. "Thank you. Hope you fix everything with your father and I hope Dressrosa from now on will grow. Kirito smiled and finally went on board Bartolomeo's ship.

As the ship began to pull away from the dock, the cheers grew louder. Kinemon, Kirito, Luffy, Zoro, Robin, Ussop and Law were ready to depart with Bartolomeo's ship towards the next island. 

ZOU

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Kirito, Zoro, Luffy, Robin, Usopp, Franky, Law and Bartolomeo pirates, as they were travelling with Bartolomeo pirates, were greeted by an astonishing sight. What they thought was an island turned out to be a colossal elephant, its massive legs reaching down into the ocean.

'Damn, this might be even bigger than that turtle in Naruto world.' Kirito was truly shocked this time seeing Zunesha.

"Whoa! That's one huge elephant!" Luffy exclaimed, his eyes wide with amazement.

Robin, had her big beautiful eye shining already. Maybe it was an instinct of an archaeologist but she just knew that there was something up there which she just had to know. "So this is Zou!"

Usopp's jaw dropped. "An entire city on an elephant? How is that even possible?"

Franky grinned, his mechanical arm gleaming in the sunlight. "Now that's super!"

Bartolomeo looked in amazement "This is incredible! I can't believe we're seeing this with you guys!"

"Now how do we climb this elephant." Asked Bartolomeo. 

Kurozumi Kanjuro, who aboard the ship later after leaving the dressrosa, hearing this said to leave this to him. 

And then he took out his giant brush from his black and drew a Rising Dragon at the deck of the ship. 

And then came out a not-so-dragon-looking creature from the deck of the ship. They planned to sit at his back and the dragon climbed at the elephant. 

Kirito seeing this, just deadpan. So while others sat at the back of the dragon and started climbing the elephant. Kirito just walked straight with his chakra attached to Zunesha's leg.

"Hey, how are you walking like that." Others shouted seeing Kirito walking nonchalantly. 

"I am a Shinobi remember." Kirito just rolled his eyes and he ran forward leaving others behind.

"Tch, if only I have that power."

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Kirito sprinted ahead of the others, Despite having the ability to teleport to Nami, who had one of his Hiraishin kunai, he wanted to experience the journey to Zou firsthand. The sheer magnitude and mystery of the place intrigued him.

Reaching the top, Kirito found the city gate which led to a forest first before the city itself, Why he has no idea but whatever. Seeing the forest, there was a smile on his face. It almost felt like home there for a second. 

Konoha is surrounded by forest, so this just felt like home for a second. And maybe that's why Kirito is so easily able to cross the forest at a very fast speed. 

Hopping on top of the tree now is second nature to any Shinobi of Konoha. Naturally, Kirito is no different. 

What should have been a bustling city was now a scene of devastation. Buildings lay in ruins, and the air was thick with the remnants of smoke and ash. He walked cautiously through the desolate streets.

"Why can't I go somewhere and find that place in a completely intact and good position? What with my luck with finding wars, dictators and destruction everywhere I go ?" Kirito curses under his breath.

Using his senses he tried to find any survivor there but there was no one. He wouldn't lie that he was now a little worried about Nami and others but upon remembering that Sanji was with them, he didn't directly teleport to her. 

'For the time being, I should check out in the forest itself. Seeing this destruction, it's natural that the civilians would run inside the forest if the city was under attack, which seems to the the case, this seems like happened recently like not more than a week ago. 

Nami and others should have also gone with civilians.' Kirito thought as he turned back and made his way inside the forest to find others. 

The reason he didn't want to directly to go Nami is because its possible that there are threats in the place. And if that is the case it is better to warn those idiots who are climbing up on the the back of the dragon before finding Nami. 

'And before that, I gotta see whether the place safe or not'

As he ventured into the dense forest, his senses heightened. Suddenly, a blur of movement caught his eye.

It might be hard to navigate in the forest for others but not or Kirito. He immediately noticed the figure even if it was only for a brief moment the figure came to light.

A rabbit-like girl lunged at him, her speed astonishing. Kirito dodged, avoiding her attacks without countering.

"Wait!" he called out, trying to communicate. "I am not here to hunt bunnies, I mean I'm not your enemy!"

She didn't respond, her attacks relentless. Kirito continued to evade her, though she was fast but Kirito was untouchable when it came to speed, as long as it was not Kizaru, Kirito didn't want to hurt her though. His eyes scanned the surroundings, noticing the agility and ferocity of his opponent.

Before he could react, another figure emerged—a man with the features of both a lion and a human. This one was larger and more imposing, and his attacks crackled with the power of lightning.

'Since when is lightning release because so easy ?'

Kirito's eyes widened as he blocked a powerful punch, feeling the electric current surge through his body.

Actually, he did that just to test how strong the lightning was. It didn't look much strong but it was strong. 

No way close to Chidori level but strong nonetheless.

"Why are you attacking me?" Kirito asked, the lightnign kind of made him serious. "Now you are making me angry!"

Kirito didn't want to harm them but now he was getting mad.

The lion-man growled, launching another attack infused with lightning. Kirito deflected it, still holding back. He could see the confusion and anger in their eyes, but there was something else—a deep-seated fear and desperation.

'Fuck, alright.

Seems like I need to give them a reason to stop.' Kirito grumbles as he makes a fist and with insane speed delivers a punch right at the jugular of the demi-human. 

Using a little chakra infuse strength. Making the demi-human drag back with all the air left his lungs. 

"I don't want to fight you," Kirito said firmly, his voice carrying an edge of resolve. "But that doesn't mean I won't if you push me."

The rabbit girl and lion-man paused, momentarily thrown off by Kirito's words and actions. The brief respite allowed Kirito to study them more closely. Their attacks weren't just wild; they were coordinated, purposeful, and filled with a strange mix of lightning and physical prowess.

Definately they are sencient and can think for themsevles.

"Tell me what happened here. Why is Zou in ruins?" Kirito upon seeing they were no longer attacking just asked though he was ready to deliver a little more ass-kicking if so needed.

The rabbit girl hesitated, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. The lion-man, however, remained tense, his muscles coiled for another strike. It was clear they were wary, not just of Kirito but of something far more sinister.

"Seems like this conversation gonna take some time." Kirito just rolled his eyes and huffed.