Chapter 33: A New Shichibukai

"What's wrong? Is the Navy here?" Luffy yawned casually.

At this point, he was no longer so repulsed by the idea of being captured, since he just wanted to save Ace.

Being sent to that prison would actually help him reach his goal, so he wasn't worried.

In fact, he couldn't wait to arrive there as quickly as possible.

"Are you planning to break free from Impel Down and rescue your brother?" Yami asked bluntly.

"Unfortunately, with your current strength, you can't accomplish it at all. After all, you can't even break Seastone handcuffs."

Yami shattered Luffy's fantasy without mercy.

"As long as I get inside, there'll definitely be a way." Luffy snorted defiantly, showing a 'don't try to fool me' expression.

"Robin mentioned that a great pirate once escaped from that prison." Luffy added. As if he was smart.

Yami smiled helplessly.

"That great pirate was a rival to the Pirate King himself. He could destroy Seastone handcuffs through pure physical power alone. Can you do the same?" Yami shook his head and continued his harsh reality check.

"Damn it." Luffy cursed in frustration.

"I'll definitely rescue Ace no matter what."

Luffy remained stubbornly argumentative, refusing to accept defeat.

"I can help you break those Seastone handcuffs while you're in prison," Yami offered unexpectedly.

"However, I don't do anything at a loss."

"You'll owe me a favor. I'll make a request of you in the future, and you'll simply fulfill it."

Yami presented his proposal to Luffy.

This was something he'd learned from Madara Uchiha, strategic planning and long-term investment.

However, unlike Madara who had been manipulated from the beginning, Yami felt confident about spending some effort on this matter, though he wouldn't invest too heavily in this particular venture.

"Why would you arrest me and then help me? Are you an idiot?" Luffy asked, genuinely confused.

With a glare…

"Do you want it or not?" Yami responded curtly.

"This is your one chance to do so."

Yami had no intention of wasting time.

He felt certain that Luffy wouldn't die, but whether the rubber boy could produce something useful remained to be seen.

"Fine." Luffy gritted his teeth and agreed.

"I’ll owe you."

Saving Ace took absolute priority over everything else.

"[Summoning Technique]."

Yami channeled his chakra until a crow materialized, then tied a special key to the bird's leg, one capable of unlocking Seastone handcuffs.

The key's teeth were adjustable and could open most Seastone restraints.

"Open your mouth," Yami commanded.

Luffy looked puzzled but complied with the instruction.

Yami then directly controlled the crow and guided it into Luffy's mouth.

Luffy looked uncomfortable and his eyes were full of disbelief, feeling as though he'd been deceived.

"[Seal]."

Yami activated his Mangekyō Sharingan and began the sealing technique.

A minute passed as the crow entered Luffy's mouth.

Luffy felt extremely uncomfortable.

Although he ate vast quantities of food regularly, the sensation of swallowing something with feathers proved particularly unpleasant.

"That crow will emerge when you need it. Remember to take the key from it," Yami instructed before having Luffy taken away.

Luffy still couldn't comprehend what had happened.

He wasn't sure if he'd been deceived and remained consumed by the awful experience of swallowing a crow.

Shortly after dawn, the Navy warship docked and came ashore.

The person responsible for escorting Straw Hat Luffy was Vice Admiral Momonga.

He also brought an official pardon for Yamikage.

Luffy and Bartholomew Kuma were handed over to the Navy smoothly.

Momonga studied this remarkably thin man, wondering how he had defeated Bartholomew Kuma and captured the Straw Hat Kid.

It made him genuinely curious.

"From today forward, Uchiha Yamikage, you are a member of the World Government's Shichibukai," Momonga announced formally.

"This is your pardon order, and keep this Den-Den Mushi safe. If the World Government needs anything, they'll contact you through this."

Momonga handed the items to Yami.

Yami accepted the Den-Den Mushi that resembled Bartholomew Kuma's, while simultaneously tossing Kuma's communication device back to the incapacitated cyborg.

"Tomorrow the World Government will announce this news to the world," Vice Admiral Momonga continued.

A short man beside him produced a camera and quickly photographed Yami.

"Understood," Yami acknowledged.

"By the way, Vice Admiral Momonga, this represents the symbol of my power. Please distribute it to the newspapers along with tomorrow's announcement."

Yami nodded, then retrieved a flag bearing the Uchiha clan emblem and handed it to Momonga.

Momonga accepted it without objection.

This man who had suddenly become a Shichibukai possessed little reputation and obviously wasn't a famous pirate.

If he were a pirate, he wouldn't maintain such a respectful attitude.

The Navy departed quickly, and the matter concluded efficiently.

"Pack up everything. We return tomorrow," Yami ordered.

The surrounding clan members felt genuinely happy at this moment.

The Uchiha now possessed legal status in this world.

During these recent days, they had learned exactly what kind of power the Shichibukai wielded.

Freedom from World Government restrictions without becoming pirates, and at the same time, immunity from Navy attacks.

Although they had to surrender part of their income, the impact seemed negligible.

They simply had to respond to World Government summons and work on the organization's behalf when required.

In the past, when they served as ninja, the situation had been identical, except they hadn't enjoyed such tremendous freedom.

Ordinary clan members contemplated a better life ahead, but Yami's thoughts reached much further.

"You can go now," Yami addressed the Straw Hat crew.

"If you want to save your captain, you can try now, but Bartholomew Kuma would be freed from his Seastone handcuffs first. You can attempt a rescue if you feel capable of defeating him."

Looking at a seastone handcuff nearby, Yami contemplated methods to provide each Uchiha combat team member with effective self-defense weapons.

"You're really letting us go?" Chopper exclaimed in surprise.

He had thought these people would deceive them in the end.

"It's not too late to save Luffy now." Zoro declared anxiously.

The captain to whom he had entrusted everything couldn't simply die like this.

Although he desperately wanted to reclaim his swords, saving their captain took absolute priority.

Nico Robin took a long, calculating look at Yami.

People like this, decisive individuals with clear goals, were invariably ambitious.

"Damn it. I'll definitely pay you back for Nami-san next time." Sanji declared harshly.

“Stop it Sanji, you’re just creating trouble…” Nami bonked him on the head.

Meanwhile, Yami just smiled.

"Sanji-san, I'll be visiting your home soon to tell your father all about our encounter," Yami said calmly.

These words made Sanji feel as though he'd fallen into an ice cellar, leaving him momentarily speechless.

"Move." Franky grabbed Sanji and ran away quickly.

He realized how dangerous these strange individuals were, but saving Luffy took priority now.

The Straw Hats quickly disappeared from Yami's sight.

The remaining Uchiha clan members continued packing.

Gecko Moria's castle still contained various items worth taking.

Yami, now left alone, couldn’t stop his excitement.

"Mission complete. Submit,"

Yami silently accessed the system and submitted his first system task.