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"I…"
Twelve-year-old Hancock began to speak but suddenly froze. Her expression changed drastically as she whipped her head toward the ship's cabin. Instinctively, she pushed her two younger sisters behind her and shouted toward the cabin, "Who's there? Come out!"
Her heart raced as she thought, Could an enemy have already infiltrated the ship?
At that moment, a voice came from inside, accompanied by the sound of footsteps.
"Relax! We're not your enemies, just accidental intruders."
"Could you tell us where we are?"
Soon, two figures—a woman and a boy—emerged from the cabin.
The newcomers were Uchiha Jiri and Uchiha Kaito. Neither had expected their first teleportation to place them directly on a ship.
As soon as Kaito stepped out, he surveyed the surroundings. Spotting the two massive serpents coiled on the ship, he immediately recognized it as one of Amazon Lily's vessels.
Then his eyes fell on the three young sisters. Based on their appearance and the ship, he speculated, Are these the Hancock sisters? Does this mean the timeline is before Hancock was enslaved?
This realization brought him a sliver of relief.
"She's so beautiful!" The three Hancock sisters stared at Uchiha Jiri, unable to suppress their admiration.
Jiri's beauty was breathtaking, but it was her composed and gentle demeanor that captivated them.
Despite this, Hancock quickly shook off the moment of awe. Although the newcomers didn't seem hostile, she remained cautious and asked, "Who are you? And what are you doing here?"
"Relax."
Jiri, noticing their wariness and taking stock of the situation, spoke softly. "My name is Uchiha Jiri, and this is my son, Uchiha Kaito. We're here seeking medical treatment, and our arrival here was accidental."
She gestured toward the distant commotion and added, "It seems you're under attack. If you allow it, I can help eliminate your enemies. In return, I'd only ask that you tell us where we are and later take us to Drum Island. What do you say?"
"Huh?"
Hancock was momentarily stunned. "Medical treatment? Drum Island? You will really help us?"
"Hahahaha!"
Before Hancock could respond, a grating laugh echoed from afar, drawing everyone's attention.
A hulking pirate, over two meters tall with a rugged and grotesque appearance, emerged with a sneer. His greedy gaze swept over Jiri and the sisters as he taunted, "Well, what do we have here? Not just three little beauties, but also a stunning older beauty and a pale, frail boy. Such a pity, though—he looks like he won't last long. Otherwise, he might've fetched a good price!"
Kaito glared silently, thinking, 'If I weren't so weak right now, you'd already be dead...Less than one second as It should.'
"Give up and surrender quietly, and you might suffer less," the pirate threatened with a wicked grin.
Jiri paid him no mind, instead turning back to Hancock. "Wait a moment. Let me deal with this trash first."
"You dare—"
The pirate, incensed, raised his massive blade to strike.
Before he could act, Jiri locked eyes with him. Her left Sharingan spun, morphing into a unique Mangekyo pattern.
"Genjutsu: Sharingan."
The pirate froze mid-motion, his body stiff as a board.
With a flicker of movement, Jiri dashed past him. Moments later, blood spurted from his neck, and his severed head hit the deck, his lifeless eyes wide open in disbelief.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Claw-Red Jutsu!"
"Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu!"
"Wind Style: Vacuum Blade!"
One jutsu after another erupted from Jiri as she unleashed her arsenal against the invading pirates.
The battlefield transformed into Jiri's personal stage. Her efficiency in eliminating enemies was terrifying.
The remaining pirates, already shaken by the swift deaths of their leaders, fled in disarray. Within minutes, the fight was over. Of the hundred or so enemies, only a dozen managed to escape, while the rest lay defeated by Jiri's hand.
"Your mother is amazing!"
The Hancock sisters had watched the entire spectacle, their eyes sparkling with admiration as Hancock turned to Kaito.
"Of course," Kaito replied with a proud smile. 'She's Uchiha Jiri, after all.'
"Thank you so much for saving us!"
The leader of the Kuja Pirates, though wounded, approached Jiri with gratitude. "May I ask who you are?"
"We're just passing through. No need to make a big deal of it," Jiri replied with a warm smile as she walked back toward Kaito and the sisters.
Then she addressed Hancock. "I've held up my end. Now, would you mind taking us to Drum Island?"
"Um…"
Hancock hesitated, glancing toward the leader for guidance.
The leader, understanding the situation, nodded and said, "Drum Island? You mean the one known for its advanced medicine? Of course, we'll take you there! Your kindness is something we'll never forget.
"However, many of us are injured, and we've already sent a request for reinforcements to our former captain. We'll need to stop at Sabaody Archipelago for repairs and recovery first. Once we're ready, we'll escort you to Drum Island. Would that be acceptable?"
Jiri turned to Kaito. "What do you think?"
"That's fine," Kaito said with a nod. 'This will give us a chance to meet Shakuyaku and Rayleigh.'
"Then it's settled," Jiri replied, smiling. "Thank you for your help."
The leader heaved a sigh of relief and immediately arranged for Hancock to prepare quarters for the mother and son.
Meanwhile, the Kuja Pirates began tending to their wounded, repairing the ship, and cleaning up the battlefield.
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