REBORN: BUILDING THE UCHIHA CLAN IN NARUTO AND ONE PIECE

 Uchiha Zhi'an nodded affirmatively as she listened to the first part of the conversation, but when she heard Xuanqing's last sentence, her expression turned playful. She looked at Xuanqing with a teasing smile.

"Oh? Who do you think is worthy of your Mikoto-nee?"

"Well... obviously me—uh…"

Uchiha Xuanqing's words trailed off mid-sentence as he realized what he had just said. He froze for a moment before quickly recovering, his face turning red with embarrassment. Looking at his mother's amused expression, he coughed awkwardly.

"Ahem! I just meant that Fugaku isn't good enough for Mikoto-nee! Mom, surely you agree, right?"

"You, huh?"

Zhi'an chuckled, reaching out to tap her son on the forehead with her finger, her tone teasing.

"I never thought my little boy would already be such a tiny rascal!"

"To think you've had your eyes on Mikoto-nee this early…"

"But you're right—Fugaku isn't worthy of Mikoto."

"Besides, if the future you described is true, then it seems neither you nor I had the strength or awareness we do now in that timeline."

"Since you've already changed your fate, perhaps the future will no longer be the same!"

"That said, Mom fully supports you marrying Mikoto-nee in the future!"

"In fact, I'm planning to groom you into the next leader of the Uchiha clan!"

"So, you'll need to work hard from now on! Not only must you improve your strength, but you'll also need to gradually establish your authority within the clan."

"For that, Mom will lend you a hand! Go for it!"

As Zhi'an looked at her son, she didn't find his ambition excessive. After all, he was her son. She'd be more than happy if he married a few wives, had children, and ensured the Uchiha clan flourished.

Over the next two days, Xuanqing mostly stayed aboard the ship. When not training with Sea King meat to cultivate his life force, he focused on copying medical texts and practicing the Uchiha meditation techniques his mother had brought him.

Perhaps due to his two lifetimes as a person, his soul and spiritual energy were far stronger than most his age, granting him exceptional memory and comprehension.

By the end of the first day, he had already grasped the basics of the technique and successfully recorded it within the Heavenly Scroll of Perseverance.

From here, improving further would be much simpler.

Two days later, the group successfully arrived at a port in the No. 13 area of the Sabaody Archipelago.

There, they were greeted by Shakuyaku and Rayleigh, who had been waiting for them.

"Congratulations on returning safely!"

As soon as the ship docked, Shakuyaku and Rayleigh boarded, nodding at the team leader before turning to Zhi'an and Xuanqing.

"You must be Uchiha Zhi'an and Uchiha Xuanqing, the ones who rescued our Kuja Pirates. On behalf of Amazon Lily, thank you!"

"I've already been informed of what Hancock promised you," Shakuyaku said with gratitude.

"Escorting you to Drum Island isn't nearly enough to repay the debt we owe you!"

"If there's anything you need, just let me know. As long as it's not too unreasonable, we'll do our best to accommodate you."

"Additionally, I have some reliable sources when it comes to information. If you're looking for news, feel free to ask me—I'll provide it free of charge!"

"Once again, thank you!"

Had it not been for Zhi'an and her team's timely intervention, Shakuyaku couldn't imagine what kind of devastation the Kuja Pirates would have faced this time.

It was highly likely that Hancock and the others would have been captured by those despicable slave traders and sold to the Celestial Dragons.

It truly is that dire; just thinking about it is unbearable.

After all, Hancock is one of the candidates for the next Empress of Amazon Lily.

There is no room for error.

"You're too kind! It was just the right time and a convenient opportunity to help!"

Uchiha Zhi'an wasn't in a rush to seek benefits and replied humbly with a smile.

"No!"

Shakky, a person who distinguishes between gratitude and grudges, shook her head firmly and said, "A favor is a favor! There's no doubt about that. Please make your request, and if you can't think of one now, you can always come to me later to redeem it."

"Haha!"

At this moment, Rayleigh laughed and patted Shakky's shoulder. "Alright! There's no need to rush this matter! This isn't the place to talk. Why not bring our guests back to the shop first?"

While speaking, he glanced at Uchiha Zhi'an with an inquiring expression.

"That sounds good! Sorry for the trouble!"

Uchiha Zhi'an had no objections.

Before long, the group arrived at the entrance of Shakky's shop.

Seeing the signboard hanging above that read Extortion BAR, Uchiha Zhi'an paused slightly, then cast a knowing look at Shakky.

Shakky: "..."

"Hahaha!"

Shakky felt a bit awkward under Zhi'an's gaze but quickly regained her composure. She laughed heartily and said, "You know how it is! This place is full of riffraff—pirates and thugs are everywhere. A name like this adds a bit of deterrence."

"Mhm, mhm!"

Uchiha Zhi'an and Xuanqing nodded in unison, looking as if they believed her explanation.

With the previous conversation easing the mood, Shakky quickly shed her embarrassment and invited the mother and son into her shop.

She served drinks, juice, cakes, and other refreshments before reopening the conversation.

"I heard you're planning to go to Drum Island to seek medical treatment? Do you need me to introduce a skilled doctor to you?"

"I happen to know a very capable doctor who might be able to help with this young man's condition."

Xuanqing's health wasn't normal, and anyone observant could tell.

Even Shakky and Rayleigh could see that Uchiha Zhi'an's physique wasn't in peak health—her vitality and constitution were weak.

It was hard to imagine that this was someone capable of easily defeating several bounty hunters worth over a billion berries.

However, they could sense a unique power within Uchiha Zhi'an, which might be the key to her strength.

Still, such things were considered personal secrets, so neither Shakky nor Rayleigh inquired further. It wouldn't be polite.

"No need for now."

Before Uchiha Zhi'an could reply, Xuanqing spoke first:

"We plan to consult the 'Witch Doctor' Dr. Kureha on Drum Island first and see how it goes.

She should be able to address my mother's condition. If not, we'll seek your help then!"

"Oh?"

Hearing Xuanqing take the initiative to respond, both Shakky and Rayleigh gave him a surprised look.

Shakky said, "The Witch Doctor Dr. Kureha? I know her! Her medical skills are indeed remarkable! She might even surpass Crocus in some ways!"

"However, she's not someone easy to hire! Without sufficient compensation to satisfy her, she won't lift a finger. You should be prepared for that."

"Understood!"

Xuanqing nodded firmly. "I've already planned for that!"

"That's good to hear."

Shakky smiled slightly. "In that case, I wish you success!"

"By the way, have you decided what reward you'd like from us? Please don't refuse—we insist on repaying this favor."

She was someone who disliked owing debts.

"We've thought about it."

At this moment, Xuanqing spoke again, glancing at Shakky and then at Rayleigh:

"I'd like to exchange this favor, along with information about the Pirate King Roger's descendants, for training insights into the three types of Haki, as well as the techniques and methods for mastering the Six Powers and Life Return. Would that be acceptable?"

Rayleigh was immediately shocked:

"What? Information about Roger's descendants? That guy really has a child?"

For a moment, he even forgot to question how Xuanqing knew his true identity. The news itself was explosive enough.

"This young man is truly surprising, revealing such astonishing information."

There's suspicion, but we've never been able to confirm whether this news is true or not."

At this moment, Shakky looked at Xuanqing in astonishment as well.

From the moment they entered the shop, she had noticed something peculiar: the dynamic between Xuanqing and Uchiha Zhi'an, mother and son, seemed to have reversed.

It had always been Xuanqing speaking up and making decisions.

This surprised her greatly.

It also made her increasingly curious about Xuanqing.