"Fine?"
Hancock hadn't expected him to agree so easily—it made her suspicious.
"We really just want a place to grow peacefully. We're not parasites. We'll do our part."
"In fact, I think an alliance would be best. That way, if my clan ever causes trouble, you can distance yourselves."
"Trouble?"
"Mm… something outrageous—like taking down a Warlord, killing a Celestial Dragon, beating up an Emperor, or smashing Marineford."
Everyone's faces went dark. Was this guy insane?
If they really did those things and were connected to Amazon Lily, it'd be national suicide.
Akemi waved his hand and chuckled. "Haha! Just kidding, don't take it so seriously."
Bang!
"Don't joke about things like that!"
Hancock, her two sisters, and Elder Nyon all shouted angrily at once.
If it had been anyone else, they'd dismiss it as a joke—but considering the young man had already defeated Boa Hancock, one of the Shichibukai, they believed he could actually do it.
Hancock frowned, her pride pricked. "Tell me—when you saw me, didn't you feel your heart move? Am I not beautiful enough?"
"You're beautiful—beautiful enough to make anyone's heart race. Every man who sees you would want you. I'm no exception."
"Hmph, filthy man."
Hancock regained her confidence. For a moment, she'd worried that her charm had failed. Hearing his answer restored her pride.
Normally, no man's flattery mattered to her—but somehow, hearing it from him made her heart flutter.
"Then why weren't you turned to stone? Anyone enchanted by Sister's beauty should've been instantly petrified," Marigold asked curiously.
Akemi smiled. "Simple—I shifted my focus before it could take effect."
"What?"
They had clearly seen that he never looked away.
Akemi pointed to his eyes. "Our clan's Sharingan can observe, copy, and hypnotize. I've refined that ability to an unprecedented level. I call this state the 'Transparent World.'"
"When I activate it in battle, everything becomes transparent to me. I can see your bones, muscles, even the blood flowing through your lungs. No normal person would feel desire while looking at that."
"Moreover, every move you make—every motion you intend to make—is clear to me. I can predict and evade attacks effortlessly. Because my perception accelerates, your movements appear slow in my eyes."
This "Transparent World" was one of the greatest ability Akemi gained in the Demon Slayer world.
Though that world's power level was lower than Naruto's or One Piece's, its mastery of technique surpassed both.
Through training, Akemi had integrated that skill with his Sharingan, making its perception superior even to the Hyuga clan's Byakugan.
He explained calmly, but Hancock and her sisters felt chills down their spines. No wonder they couldn't land a hit—he could literally see through them.
Such power rivaled even the Observation Haki.
"What kind of people are you?" Hancock stared at him. A power like that couldn't come from an ordinary clan.
Akemi smiled. "We're from a legitimate background, don't worry. Though strong, our overall strength is only about equal to a single Warlord's. Compared to the Four Emperors, there's still a gap. That's why an alliance benefits both sides."
In truth, even he wasn't sure how strong he was—but he guessed around the level of a Navy Admiral or Yonko.
Shisui was stronger than most Warlords, Itachi was close behind, and Sasuke had immense potential but was still young.
Even Fugaku, the clan head, had secretly awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan but never revealed it.
The other elite members had at least jonin-level strength—roughly equivalent to pirates with bounties in the tens of millions.
Their overall power still couldn't match a Yonko crew. It was better to lay low and grow.
"Good. Then it's decided. Your clan will send members to join our warrior guard. The rest will live here as citizens. You and those two boys who fought today will join my Kuja Pirates. As for you—" Hancock smirked. "You'll be my vice-captain."
"Vice-captain?"
Akemi froze.
Seeing his reaction, Hancock's lips curved into a satisfied smile. "If I don't, I can't convince my people."
"For centuries, men have been forbidden on Amazon Lily. I've already broken that rule for you. Surely you can meet me halfway?"
"Uh… fine."
Her sharp glare left him no choice but to agree.
"Then it's settled!" Hancock said quickly, afraid he might change his mind.
"Marigold!"
Understanding her sister's intent, Marigold rang the large ceremonial bell.
DONG! DONG! DONG!
"The summoning bell! The Snake Princess is calling all citizens!"
"Quick! Everyone gather in front of Amazon Castle!"
Soon, every Amazon Lily citizen assembled at the castle plaza.
The Uchiha clan was summoned as well. Curious whispers spread among the female warriors.
"So that's the Uchiha clan?"
"Those are men?"
"I heard they defeated the Gorgon Sisters!"
"They're so strong…"
Everyone remembered the earlier battle where three Uchiha warriors had beaten their island's strongest fighters.
Moments later, Hancock appeared on the platform, with Sandersonia, Marigold—and Akemi—beside her.
"It's the Snake Princess!"
"Lady Hancock!"
"Lady Sandersonia! Lady Marigold!"
"And that man is here too!"
Hancock raised her hand for silence.
"My fellow citizens! I have an important announcement!"
"From this day forward, Amazon Lily and the Uchiha Clan will become allies—standing together through hardship and prosperity alike!"
"The Uchiha people will share equal status with our citizens. Their elite will join our warrior guards to help protect the nation."
"The three warriors who fought today will join the Kuja Pirates."
"And Uchiha Akemi… will serve as the Kuja Pirates' vice-captain!"
Boom!!!
The crowd below erupted. They had expected the Empress to make an important announcement, but no one had imagined it would be this shocking.
"I know this may be hard for everyone to accept. It goes against the centuries-old laws of Amazon Lily. But laws are dead—people are alive. The World Government has developed technology that allows ships to safely cross the Calm Belt. Amazon Lily is no longer untouchable."
"The World Government and the Navy have never given up their ambition to destroy us. They could tear up their agreement at any time. That's why we must find trustworthy, powerful allies to protect our nation together."
"With the Uchiha clan joining us, Amazon Lily will fear no one!"
"No force can underestimate us again!!!"
"OOOOOOHHHH!!!"
"Lady Hancock is wise!!"
"Lord Akemi is mighty!!"
The warriors of Amazon Lily cheered wildly. The members of the Uchiha clan also felt their hearts stir.
They had abandoned everything—left their homeland and come to this strange new world.
Even for those as strong-willed as they were, uncertainty still lingered in their hearts.
But now, they had found a home. Their restless spirits could finally be at peace.
"To celebrate our alliance, a grand feast will last three days!"
"OOOOHHHH!!!"
Hearing there would be a feast, the female warriors were even more excited. The Uchiha men, on the other hand, looked dazed. An entire nation celebrating together—they had never seen such a thing.
At the Empress's command, the whole island sprang into motion. Delicious dishes were placed on long tables, and countless young women danced in dazzling performances.
Many of them surrounded the Uchiha men with boundless curiosity—asking endless questions, touching their strange clothes, and even boldly confessing their affection to the young Uchiha warriors.
The men blushed furiously. None of them had ever experienced such attention before.
[Main Quest: Find a new home for the clan.]
[Completed!]
[Reward: Single Tomoe Sharingan.]
A familiar system prompt echoed in Akemi's mind.
He smiled faintly. It wasn't a reward that mattered much to him—he already possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan.
If he relied solely on the system, it would be no different from those who only awakened late in life.
A single tomoe Sharingan at sixteen would barely qualify as an elite among the Uchiha—essentially, still a small fry.
As long as the system didn't downgrade his eyes, it was fine.
[Detected: Host already possesses the Mangekyō Sharingan. Single Tomoe Sharingan will be converted into Mangekyō Chakra.]
Suddenly, Akemi felt a surge of power flow into his eyes. His ocular energy had expanded significantly.
"This is…"
He hadn't expected such a pleasant surprise.
The stronger his chakra flow, the more powerful his visual jutsu became—especially Susanoo, the Mangekyō's ultimate manifestation.
The massive warrior of chakra that embodied offense and defense alike grew stronger with every increase in ocular power.
Although the increase wasn't huge, it was still a meaningful gain.
At this rate, even his "mediocre" system might prove more useful than it first appeared.
Akemi couldn't help but smile.