BUILDING A VILLAGE IN NARUTO WORLD

"I…"

Twelve-year-old Hancock hesitated, her words catching in her throat. Suddenly, her expression shifted drastically. She spun around, her sharp gaze fixed on the cabin behind her. With one hand, she pulled her two younger sisters closer, shielding them instinctively. Her voice, though young, carried a firm authority as she called out, "Who's there? Come out!"

Her heart raced, unease flickering across her delicate face. Could it be? Had an enemy infiltrated the cabin?

At that moment, a voice echoed from within, accompanied by the sound of approaching footsteps.

"Calm down! We're not your enemies! We ended up here by accident!"

"Can you tell us where we are?"

Moments later, two figures emerged from the dimly lit cabin.

It was none other than Uchiha Zhi'an and his son, Uchiha Xuanqing. They hadn't expected their first teleportation to land them on a ship in the middle of the sea.

Xuanqing's sharp eyes scanned the surroundings. The ship's unique design and the massive serpents carved into its structure instantly gave him a clue. "This… must be one of the ships from Amazon Lily." His gaze then shifted to the three sisters standing before him.

Judging by their distinctive features and the ship's appearance, he quickly deduced, Could these be the Boa sisters? And judging by the timeline… this is before Hancock was enslaved, isn't it?

For Xuanqing, this revelation was a fortunate twist.

"So beautiful!"

The Boa sisters, despite their initial caution, couldn't help but gasp in unison as they saw Zhi'an. His striking features and the calm, refined aura he exuded were utterly captivating.

However, their admiration was fleeting, their wariness returning quickly. Hancock, maintaining her protective stance, asked firmly, "Who are you? And what is your purpose here?"

"Relax."

Zhi'an's voice was gentle but carried a steady reassurance. Noticing their guarded expressions and assessing the tense situation, he spoke in a soothing tone. "My name is Uchiha Zhi'an, and this is my son, Xuanqing. We're healers. Ending up here was purely accidental."

He paused, then added, "Are you under attack? If so, we can help you fight off your enemies. In return, could you tell us where we are and perhaps guide us to Drum Island afterward?"

"Eh?"

Hancock blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "Healers? Drum Island? You… you're really willing to help us?"

Before she could receive an answer, a harsh, grating laugh interrupted.

"Gahahaha!"

The sound drew everyone's attention. A towering pirate, over two meters tall with a brutish appearance, strode into view, his leering eyes scanning Hancock, her sisters, and the newcomers with a sinister grin.

"Well, what do we have here? Three pretty little girls, a stunning grown woman, and even a sickly pale man who looks like he's worth something." His laughter grew louder, his tone dripping with malice. "Too bad you're sickly, little man. Won't live long, I bet. But you'll fetch a nice price before you go!"

Uchiha Xuanqing's expression remained blank. "…."

If not for his weakened state, he'd have already ended this mutt's miserable life.

"Surrender quietly, and you might suffer less. Otherwise… hmph!" The pirate sneered, his tone dripping with menace.

Uchiha Zhi'an didn't bother acknowledging the threat. Instead, he turned to Hancock with a calm smile. "Hold on a moment. I'll deal with this trash first."

"What did you say…"

The pirate's face darkened. His grip tightened on the massive blade in his hand as he raised it high, aiming to teach Zhi'an a harsh lesson.

But before he could strike, Zhi'an turned his head to face him. His left eye, unnoticed until now, glimmered with a scarlet light—the intricate patterns of the Mangekyō Sharingan spinning ominously.

"Genjutsu: Sharingan."

In an instant, the pirate froze, his body locked in place, his lifeless eyes staring ahead.

Shing!

Zhi'an moved like a phantom, slipping past the immobilized pirate. As he did, a fountain of blood erupted from the man's neck. His head toppled to the deck with a dull thud, his wide-open eyes frozen in disbelief even in death.

Without pausing, Zhi'an launched into the fray, targeting the remaining pirates.

"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire!"

"Fire Release: Dragon Flame Jutsu!"

"Wind Release: Vacuum Blade!"

One jutsu after another flowed seamlessly from Zhi'an, each attack as precise as it was devastating. The battlefield quickly turned into a showcase of his unparalleled skills.

The pirates of the Amazon Lily ship watched in stunned amazement. Zhi'an's movements were fluid and efficient, every strike dealing lethal damage. His mastery of ninjutsu and sheer combat prowess left the enemy forces in complete disarray.

As more of their comrades fell, the remaining pirates—especially after witnessing their leaders dispatched with shocking ease—began to flee in panic.

Within minutes, the battle was over. Of the hundred or so pirates, only a dozen managed to escape with their lives. The rest lay scattered, lifeless on the deck.

"You're amazing, Mom!"

Hancock and her sisters had watched the entire fight, their eyes sparkling with awe. Hancock couldn't help but exclaim to Uchiha Xuanqing, her youthful enthusiasm unrestrained.

"Ha! That's my mother for you!" Xuanqing chuckled, his pride evident.

Still, he couldn't help but marvel silently. That's Uchiha Zhi'an for you… even in a weakened state.

"Thank you so much for saving us!"

The leader of the Amazon Lily pirates, clutching her injured side, approached Zhi'an with a mix of gratitude and curiosity. "May I ask who you are?"

"We're merely passing through. Nothing worth worrying about," Zhi'an replied with a casual wave of his hand as he made his way back to Xuanqing.

Turning to Hancock, he said, "Well then, I've held up my end. Now, can you help us get to Drum Island? It's not too much to ask, right?"

"Uh…"

Hancock blinked, a troubled expression crossing her face. She turned toward her leader for guidance. "Leader?"

The pirate leader sighed inwardly. He helped us without hesitation, yet we didn't agree to anything beforehand. There was no way to refuse his request now, especially considering how dire their situation had been. Without Zhi'an, their entire crew would've been wiped out.

The leader gave a firm nod. "Drum Island… you mean the one under the rule of Wapol, known for its advanced medical expertise? Are you heading there for treatment?" Her gaze shifted briefly to Xuanqing, noting his frail condition.

"Correct." Zhi'an nodded. "So, can you assist us?"

"Of course!" The leader's tone was resolute. "We owe you our lives. The Amazon Lily pirates always repay their debts."

She hesitated briefly before adding, "However, we've sustained significant injuries, and reinforcements are on their way. We'll need to stop at the Sabaody Archipelago first to recuperate and repair our ship. After that, we'll escort you to Drum Island. Is that acceptable?"

She then glanced at Zhi'an and Xuanqing. "During our stay at Sabaody, if there's anything else you need, please don't hesitate to ask. As long as it's within our power, we'll make it happen."

"That sounds reasonable."

Zhi'an turned to Xuanqing, a rare softness in his gaze. "What do you think, Xuanqing?"

"It'll do," Xuanqing replied with a slight nod, his voice calm.