Chapter 18: To become a Shichibukai

After the general assembly concluded, a smaller meeting convened immediately.

Eleven people in total attended.

Three clan elders, four Mangekyō Sharingan wielders, and the remaining squad leaders comprised the group.

"What I discussed earlier covered general intelligence and basic knowledge. What follows contains more sensitive information."

"Don't resist, I'll convey this through genjutsu."

Yami addressed the assembled leadership within the recently constructed meeting hall.

Everyone nodded and relaxed their mental defenses to allow the illusion to take hold.

While genjutsu proved ineffective against people in the One-Piece world, this method remained extraordinarily efficient for transmitting detailed information among the Uchiha.

A short while later…

"The gap at the highest levels is absolutely staggering."

After awakening from the genjutsu, Uchiha Fugaku's expression had grown extremely grave.

Initially, when Yami had mentioned that the Navy possessed five Hokage-level fighters, Fugaku had felt that the Uchiha clan could potentially hold their own, especially with four Mangekyō Sharingan users among their ranks.

However, the "Hokage-level" strength referenced here matched Super Kage-level opponents like the First and Second Hokage, not weakened leaders like the aging Third Hokage.

The most powerful individuals could even battle on equal terms with Hashirama Senju himself.

These represented opponents the current Uchiha clan simply could not defeat.

"The captains of the Yonko crews possess similar levels of strength."

"This world is far more complex than we initially realized."

"The Uchiha should proceed cautiously at first, absorbing this world's methods of gaining power. We will reach those heights eventually."

The other leaders voiced their concerns one by one.

Though they felt tremendous pressure, these individuals also represented the most confident members of the Uchiha clan.

They all sensed the challenge ahead, believing that given such opportunities, the Uchiha would inevitably surpass even these legendary figures.

"The Uchiha clan didn't come to this world to live in hiding, so we'll inevitably attract the attention of these major powers."

"I refuse to let what happened in Konoha repeat itself. The Uchiha need an appropriate identity now. I've decided to become a Shichibukai and use that position's authority to protect our clan."

Yami nodded, then revealed his strategic plan.

Beyond the system's requirements, the Shichibukai position genuinely offered the most suitable path forward.

If the Uchiha became an outlaw organization, they would face constant conflict with the Navy, an exhausting prospect that would waste precious time and resources.

Becoming a Shichibukai could resolve multiple problems simultaneously: legal status, political protection, and even an explanation for their mysterious origins.

"The Shichibukai represents an excellent choice."

Fugaku nodded in agreement.

The others naturally had no objections, since the Shichibukai maintained relative independence.

Though technically under World Government authority, they rarely had to follow Navy orders directly.

Joining the World Government as regular members would prove far more restrictive and uncomfortable.

After their experiences with Konoha, the Uchiha refused to place their fate in others' hands again.

"For this first expedition, I need to take most of our combat strength. The nearest place, still requires us to sail, but after gathering intelligence there, I'll arrange for someone to return with initial supplies."

"This world uses communication devices called Den Den Mushi. Someone will bring examples back when possible. I may not return quickly, so Fugaku-san will have to guard our base."

"Additionally, this scroll contains training methods for the [Eight Gates Formation] and the [Rasengan]. Both techniques require immediate practice by everyone. One improves physical conditioning, while the other provides concentrated offensive power."

Yami made his arrangements while producing a scroll for Uchiha Fugaku.

During his initial reconnaissance, he had spent considerable time confirming their location before selecting this particular island.

Their current base sat near the Calm Belt and lacked substantial freshwater resources, explaining why it remained uninhabited.

For the Uchiha clan, however, these limitations posed no real problems.

Ninja could walk on water, and the Sea Kings that occasionally appeared fell under Sharingan influence.

Three-tomoe Sharingan users could intimidate these massive creatures, causing them to flee in terror.

"Don't worry, leave everything to me."

Fugaku nodded, happy to be of help.

He felt amazed that Yami had acquired training methods for both techniques.

After all, one was a forbidden art made famous when Might Duy used it to kill four of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.

The other represented a jutsu created by the Fourth Hokage himself.

Nevertheless, both techniques would prove invaluable for the current Uchiha situation.

"This time, Itachi, Yashiro, Inari, Tetsuhuo, and Izumi will accompany me."

Yami announced his team selections.

"I can participate as well. My injuries are mostly small. I'm perfectly capable of fighting."

When Shisui noticed his name missing from the list, he quickly spoke up.

In reality, his injuries were severe enough to significantly impair his combat abilities for at least a month.

"Shisui, you should remain here to recover."

"Besides, we need someone to protect our people. Now that I also possess the Mangekyō Sharingan, I can better help everyone, don’t worry,"

Itachi interjected quickly.

He cared deeply for his close friend; otherwise, hearing news of Shisui's supposed death wouldn't have triggered his own Mangekyō awakening.

Izumi observed Shisui with a subtle intensity from the side.

‘Tsk, idiot Itachi…’

She wondered if this man seemed more attractive than her.

Could that explain Itachi's exceptional concern for Shisui?

Izumi belonged to Itachi's generation, a genius second only to Itachi himself.

She had awakened her three-tomoe Sharingan at age thirteen, achieving jōnin-level capabilities.

"I betrayed our family before. Now I simply want to contribute more toward redemption."

Shisui shook his head and spoke with complete seriousness.

Itachi noticed that Shisui's eyes had lost their previous optimism entirely.

Simply put, they had lost their light.

‘Shisui…’

Yami raised his hand to stop Itachi.

"Since you believe you're ready, you can come along."

"At any rate, this mission focuses primarily on intelligence gathering and supply acquisition. The risks should remain manageable."

"Yashiro, arrange the personnel and prepare for departure tomorrow."

Yami nodded, then issued instructions to several police force squad captains.

"Yes, sir."

Yashiro and the others immediately left the meeting hall to organize the clan members who had been eagerly waiting to volunteer.

Throughout the night, the entire island buzzed with activity.

They had managed to bring substantial supplies from Konoha.

This time, they would take ninja tools and weapons, but food and other provisions would remain behind.

Regarding water resources, [Water Release] techniques could condense moisture from the air, making additional supplies unnecessary.

For sustenance, they would rely on seafood initially.

Ninja survival skills proved remarkably useful for wilderness living.

****

Early the next morning, five boats sat loaded with personnel.

The shipbuilding craftsmanship was rather crude, essentially wooden vessels, but this posed no real problems.

These served merely as rest platforms.

Once they reached a proper town, they would acquire better ships.

"This world's magnetic fields are unusual, rendering standard compasses useless. However, animals' natural directional instincts still function properly."

"I'm providing these summoned crows to record our location. Later, we'll switch to this world's navigation tools."

Yami summoned several crows and gave them to Shisui, Itachi, Yashiro, and the others.

Then, under the watchful eyes of their fellow clan members, the five ships departed the shore and headed toward the open sea.