NOVEL NEXT Chapter 19: Alliance
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After Kitaro had agreed.
Hancock was taken aback by how easily Kitaro agreed to her proposal, so much so that it made her suspicious. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his acceptance than what met the eye.
"We really do plan to live peacefully and develop ourselves," Kitaro reassured her. "We aren't here to leech off you. We'll take on responsibilities naturally. In fact, I think the best option would be an alliance. That way, if the Uchiha ever cause any trouble, you'll have the option to distance yourself."
"Trouble?" Hancock asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah, you know… small things like taking down a Shichibukai, killing a Celestial Dragon, beating up the Four Emperors, or smashing Marineford."
Hancock, her sisters, and Gloriosa all paled at his nonchalant words. Was this man insane? These weren't just minor incidents; they were the kind of actions that could bring entire nations to ruin. The very idea that the Uchiha might involve Amazon Lily in such madness terrified them.
Seeing their reaction, Kitaro chuckled and waved his hand dismissively. "Relax, I'm just joking. No need to take it so seriously."
*Bang!*
"Don't joke about such things!" the three Boa sisters and Gloriosa shouted at him, their teeth bared in frustration. This man was far too casual about matters that could lead to their island's destruction.
However, there was a lingering tension in the air. None of them were entirely sure if Kitaro was truly joking. After witnessing his power, they feared he might actually be capable of such outrageous feats.
As the room quieted down, Hancock suddenly voiced the question that had been bothering her. "I need to ask—aren't you at all excited by my presence? Is it because I'm not beautiful enough for you?"
Kitaro, unfazed, responded with a calm smile. "You are beautiful. So beautiful that anyone who looks at you would want you. I'm no exception."
"Hmph, typical man," Hancock muttered, but her confidence returned. She had briefly worried that her beauty might have failed her, but Kitaro's words put those doubts to rest.
Still, her sister Marigold couldn't shake her confusion. "But then, why weren't you petrified? Everyone who is captivated by my sister's beauty should be instantly turned to stone."
Kitaro explained, "It's simple. I diverted my focus before your sister used her ability."
The sisters stared at him, baffled. They hadn't noticed him doing anything of the sort.
Kitaro raised a hand to his eyes. "My Sharingan. It has the ability to observe, copy, and even hypnotize. I've developed it to a level I call the 'Transparent World.' When I activate it, I can see through a person's body, down to their bones, muscles, and even blood vessels. No normal person would feel excited when looking at something like that."
'Transparent World' This is also one of Kitaro's biggest gains in the world of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.
Although the power level of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba appears lower than that of Naruto or One Piece, Kitaro understood that this difference was largely due to the presence of more potent systems like Chakra and Haki. However, when it came to pure skill, the world of Demon Slayer was highly refined, surpassing even the abilities found in those other universes.
Kitaro had learned not to underestimate the strength of Kimetsu no Yaiba. Through diligent study and practice, he had unlocked the secrets of the "Transparent World," an advanced state of perception that allowed him to see through the flow of life itself. Coupled with his Sharingan, this realization elevated his abilities to unprecedented levels. His already heightened senses became sharper, his observation skills now far exceeding even the Byakugan of the Hyuga clan.
With his mastery of the "Transparent World" and the Sharingan, Kitaro had become nearly untouchable. Every movement of his opponent, no matter how subtle, was laid bare before him.
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He continued, "In battle, I use it to see your every move. I can predict your attacks before you make them. Everything you do becomes slower in my eyes because my perception is heightened."
The room fell silent as Kitaro casually revealed his terrifying ability. Hancock and her sisters couldn't help but feel a chill run down their spines.
It suddenly made sense why their attacks had been so futile—Kitaro had seen through every one of them with terrifying precision. Every strike, every feint, had been anticipated. His eyes, both calm and calculating, had dissected their every move with chilling clarity.
No wonder they couldn't land a hit. They realized that Kitaro's eyes were on a whole different level of awareness—he could see everything before it even happened.
Even though Kitaro didn't know Haki, his Sharingan abilities were on par with, if not superior to, the strongest Observation Haki.
"Who are you people, really?" Hancock asked, her sharp gaze fixed on him. With powers like these, the Uchiha couldn't possibly be an unknown clan.
Kitaro smiled. "We come from an innocent origin, don't worry. While our clan is strong, we're still only about the level of the Shichibukai, and nowhere near the level of the Four Emperors."
In truth, Kitaro wasn't entirely sure of his clan's strength compared to this world's powerhouses. He believed he was on par with the Four Emperors or the Marine Admirals at least can retreat, but the rest of his clan was varied. Shisui, for example, was certainly stronger than most Shichibukai, while Itachi still had some training to do before reaching that level. Sasuke was still young, full of potential but not yet battle-ready.
As for the clan leader, Fugaku, though he seemed ordinary, Kitaro had discovered he had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan but kept it hidden. There was no way a man who fathered Itachi and Sasuke could be simple.
The remaining elite members of the Uchiha were about the strength of Jōnin, which translated to being comparable to pirates with bounties in the tens of millions. While strong, their overall power wasn't quite at the level of the Four Emperors, so developing the clan further was essential.
"Alright," Hancock finally said after a long pause. "We will form an alliance. But your clan must contribute. You and your strongest fighters will join the Protectors of the Nation, while the rest will be treated as Amazon Lily citizens. You, and those two boys who fought today, will join my Nine-Snakes (Kuja) Pirates. And you—Kitaro—will become my Vice-captain."
Kitaro couldn't help but be a little confused when he heard Hancock's words.
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