[bonus]
---
"..."
The room fell silent as gasps of shock echoed around. The sheer audacity of Akira's proposal left everyone present in disbelief.
"Th-This..." One of the Uchiha members stammered, trying to find words, but failing.
Akira, completely unfazed by their reactions, continued calmly, "Of course, I'm not forcing anyone. I just think that, in some cases, women having four or five children isn't unreasonable." He leaned back slightly, recalling memories of his past life. "Before I traveled through, it wasn't uncommon for women in my grandmother's generation to have five or six children. I even remember the old lady who lived behind her house—she had eleven."
He paused, letting his words sink in, before continuing. "Now, we find ourselves in a unique position. Amazon Lily is a country of women. If we play our cards right, this could be a golden opportunity to increase our clan's numbers."
"!!!"
The gathered Uchiha stared at Akira with wide eyes, their shock only growing.
"I understand this may sound strange to you," Akira said, his tone still even. "But the atmosphere here is different. The women of Amazon Lily leave the island when they reach adulthood and return only when they're pregnant."
He scanned the room, noticing the awkward coughs and nervous glances between his clan members. "I'm sure some of you have already received... invitations for deeper 'conversations' during the banquet."
"Cough! Cough!"
Nearly every Uchiha man present was suddenly coughing in embarrassment. Even Uchiha Fugaku, their proud leader, shifted uncomfortably. He had a wife and children, yet even he had been approached by the women of the island.
Akira smirked. "There's no need to be so shy. We're men, after all. And here, refusing a lady's invitation is considered a grave insult."
The silence in the room was deafening.
"Their intentions are quite simple: they want children. Strong children. They believe that powerful offspring are born from powerful parents. You don't need to feel burdened by responsibility or guilt." Akira's tone remained matter-of-fact. "If anything, you're not taking advantage of them—they're taking advantage of you."
He raised an eyebrow, adding with a smirk, "If you openly announced your availability, I'm sure a large number of women here would pay a handsome price. In fact, if you issued a challenge in the arena, they'd likely fight to the death for the chance to be with you."
"!!!"
The Uchiha elites looked at each other, their worldview shattering at Akira's words. None of them had imagined that the culture here would be so... intense.
Akira surveyed the room once more before saying, "Listen, my dream is simple: to make the Uchiha clan strong again. Hokage? Too small. The ninja world? Also too small. It's just a bunch of weaklings squabbling over crumbs."
He raised his voice slightly, his tone filling with ambition. "We need numbers—many, many more people. And that requires everyone's effort."
Uchiha Fugaku's face softened as he mulled over Akira's words. As the head of the clan, it was his duty to ensure the survival and prosperity of the Uchiha. The birth rate had been in decline for years, and it had reached a critical point. They needed new blood.
"Leave the rest to me," Fugaku said finally.
Akira then turned to Shisui and Itachi, two of the clan's most promising members. "Shisui, Itachi."
Both young men stepped forward. Shisui smiled as he approached Akira. "Looks like you've finished your speech. Shall we start?"
Akira nodded. "Shisui, Itachi, it's time to teach everyone the Fire Breathing technique."
(Fire Breathing = Flame Breathing = Breath of fire)
Gasps of surprise echoed once more.
"Shisui and Itachi can use breathing techniques?!" one of the Uchiha exclaimed.
Akira chuckled. "Of course. They're my closest brothers. Everything I know, they know."
He placed his hands on their shoulders, proud of how far they had come. "The breathing technique isn't something to be underestimated. It's one of the greatest assets we've gained during our travels. Shisui and Itachi are both geniuses, but I didn't just leave them to fate. I taught them from a young age, and now they are my most trusted right-hand men."
Shisui and Itachi began demonstrating the Fire Breathing technique, and the rest of the Uchiha clan followed suit, learning the intricate movements and techniques with enthusiasm. Fire-style ninjutsu had always been a hallmark of their clan, but with the Fire Breathing method, they were reaching new heights of mastery.
Meanwhile, Akira couldn't help but feel satisfied. This technique was a perfect fit for the Uchiha. Of the five fundamental breathing techniques, the Breath of Fire harmonized best with their natural talents.
As for the Sun Breathing, he once taught Shisui and Itachi, but neither of them could learn it. He didn't quite understand why the couldn't but their potential for growth was already immense with Fire Breathing.
---
In the grand palace of Kuja City also go by the name of nine-snakes city, Hancock sat regally on her snake throne as someone entered to announce Akira's arrival.
"Lady Snake Princess," the attendant said. "Lord Akira wishes to see you."
Hancock frowned. "Him again? What could he possibly want this time? Let him in."
Moments later, Akira strolled into the palace with a confident smile. "Lady Hancock! It's been so long!"
Hancock shot him an annoyed look. "It's been less than a day."
Akira grinned mischievously. "One day without seeing you feels like an eternity. With a beauty like you, I can't help but want to see you all the time."
Despite herself, Hancock felt a tiny flutter of pride. Normally, compliments from men fell on deaf ears, but coming from the one who had bested her in combat, it stirred something inside her.
"Glib tongue," she muttered, though not without a hint of amusement. "So, what bad idea are you scheming now?"
Akira adopted an innocent expression. "Bad idea? I would never! Only good ideas!"
Hancock arched an eyebrow. "Oh really? I'd love to hear what 'good ideas' you've come up with this time."
Akira's smile widened. "Simple, Lady Snake Princess—let's get married."
Akira's bold declaration, "Let's get married," echoed through the palace hall, leaving a stunned silence in its wake. Hancock, the Empress of Amazon Lily, stared at him in disbelief. For a brief moment, she seemed to question whether she had heard him correctly.
...