Kapitel 53: Uchiha Security Company

---

When they reappeared, the group stood on a desolate, uninhabited island.

"Where are we now?" Shisui asked, looking around.

"Uninhabited island," Akira replied calmly.

"We were just at the hotel…," Hancock muttered.

"This is the Flying Thunder God Technique," Akira explained. "Anywhere I've marked within my range, I can teleport to instantly. It's the same technique I used to move Enel's thunder ball away."

Hancock's amazement grew as she realized the depth of his abilities. The Uchiha clan seemed boundless, especially Akira. Every time she thought she understood his power, he unveiled something new.

How could one person wield so many powers with such ease? she thought. "Wouldn't each one require years to master? And yet…he does it effortlessly."

Meanwhile, Shisui had already started experimenting with his new Thunder Fruit abilities. He transformed into lightning, moving faster than ever.

"Ten million volts!" he called out, raising his hand. A bolt of lightning shot out, instantly destroying a large tree.

"Twenty million volts!" Another blast, this time reducing a large boulder to rubble.

"Ha ha!" Shisui laughed, exhilarated by his newfound power. He continued to test his abilities, his excitement growing with each strike.

Shisui gripped the hilt of his sword, his entire body crackling with electricity. "Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash!"

With a blinding burst of speed, he streaked past a massive rock, cleaving it cleanly in two as he passed.

Hancock's eyes widened, shocked by Shisui's display. "The Thunder Fruit is so powerful" she thought, "And Akira just gave it away…without a second thought."

After a while, Shisui stopped, breathing heavily but grinning with excitement. "This Thunder Fruit…is incredible!"

He had unleashed so many attacks on par with high-level ninjutsu, yet his energy reserves barely felt depleted. Unlike Chakra, the Devil Fruit's power seemed boundless.

"Eating a Devil Fruit gives you the corresponding abilities, but to reach its full potential, you must develop it further," Akira explained. "Each Devil Fruit has an awakened state, like the Mangekyō Sharingan, where it reaches its peak. But awakening is a gradual process, so there's no need to rush."

"Brother Akira…" Shisui looked down, deeply moved. He understood the priceless gift he'd been given.

Seeing Shisui's expression, Akira simply patted his shoulder. "We're brothers. No need for words."

Shisui nodded firmly. Akira had been his family since he was young, both mentor and elder brother. The care he felt for him ran deep, and he silently vowed to protect him, no matter what.

Akira placed his hand on Shisui's shoulder and extended his other hand to Hancock. She hesitated, blushing, before taking it. In that moment, the Thunder Fruit was the last thing on her mind—she only saw Akira, her heart racing.

The four of them reappeared in the hotel room as if they'd never left.

With the day drawing to a close, they each retired to their rooms for the night. But morning arrived with a commotion from the lobby, pulling Akira and the others out of their rooms to see what was going on.

A newspaper vendor had burst into the hotel, shouting, "Extra! Extra! Assassin targets the hero of Water 7! Mayor Iceburg has been attacked!"

People crowded around, alarmed, and a few bought papers as the vendor continued, "An unforgivable act! Was it for money, or power? Who is the assassin that vanished without a trace?"

Akira flicked a coin to the vendor and took a paper, scanning the front page. "Mayor Iceburg was found shot at his home last night. He's still alive but unconscious."

"Someone attacked the mayor?" Shisui asked, surprised.

"This sort of thing happens. His security must have been weak. Had he hired us yesterday, this could've been avoided. Sometimes, investing in protection is necessary," Akira replied dryly.

Shisui pondered for a moment. "Should we look into it?"

"There's no need," Akira said, folding the paper. "But we may see a delay with our ship's delivery."

A glint of understanding passed through his eyes. He already knew who the attackers were—if his memory served him right, it was likely the work of CP9.

---

Water 7 - Main Street.

At the Galley-La Company, a large crowd of reporters and citizens gathered in the aftermath of the attack.

"Mr. Iceburg, please tell us the details of what happened!" one of the reporters shouted.

Inside the President room.

Iceburg slowly opened his eyes, recognizing Kalifa at his bedside.

"Mr. Iceburg! You're awake!" Kalifa exclaimed with relief.

Others entered the room, equally relieved. paulie plopped down in a chair nearby. "It's a miracle you're alive, boss! Don't worry, we'll handle everything at the shipyard while you recover."

"Thank you…but last night…the ones who broke in…" Iceburg struggled to remember.

"Don't worry, we're investigating it," Kalifa replied.

"No need…I saw them. There were two: a tall man with a mask and a woman with sharp eyes…The Devil Child, Nico Robin," Iceburg stated grimly.

"Nico Robin?" paulie echoed. "She's from the Straw Hat Crew…does that mean they're responsible?"

Not long after, news spread like wildfire: the assailants were allegedly from the Straw Hat Crew. Reporters were eager for more information, and local authorities were soon issuing orders to find and capture the Straw Hat pirates.

---

At a restaurant, Akira and his team were eating when they noticed the commotion outside. Crowds moved through the streets, seemingly on a hunt.

"The Straw Hat Crew, ha!," Akira said, recognizing the frenzied mob's target.

"Those pirates from the shipyard yesterday?" Shisui asked. He and Itachi didn't know much about other pirates, and Hancock had no interest in other pirate groups.

"Yes. They were arguing about their ship with the shipbuilders when we saw them."

Itachi raised a brow. "But why would they attack Mayor Iceburg?"

"Rumors can be misleading," Akira said with a small smile. "Still, Iceburg's attack presents an opportunity—for us to make our company's first impression."

From his pocket, he pulled out a finely crafted gold business card. It was embossed with elegant lettering on the front:

Uchiha Security Company

President: Uchiha Akira

On the back was a design of a Sharingan symbol, lending it an air of mystery. Shisui also had his own card, labeled:

Captain of the 1st Division: Uchiha Shisui

And Itachi's read:

Captain of the 2nd Division: Uchiha Itachi

Seeing everyone's cards, Hancock felt left out and insisted on having one too. Akira eventually relented, presenting her with a matching card:

Vice President: Boa Hancock

Pleased with her card, Hancock tucked it away with a satisfied smile.

Akira felt she was cute, and he wouldn't refuse someone who wanted to work for free.

With the company established and their roles set, Akira raised his glass. "To the founding of Uchiha Security Company!"

"Cheers!" the others chimed, clinking glasses.

From here, their next steps were to attract clients and recruit more members. Once the People from clan joined, the company would be fully operational.

Meanwhile, the weather outside grew stormy, with waves crashing against the coast as strong winds howled through the city.

Back at Galley-La Company, the Shipwrights of the shipbuilding company had lined up in full force, armed and ready.

"Everyone, stay on alert!" a foreman shouted, his eyes scanning the horizon.

At the entrance to Iceburg's bedroom, the company's five senior foremen sat cross-legged, a vigilant guard around their injured leader. They weren't about to let any attackers get close to him again.

One of them glanced at a junior member. "Did you hear about the new security company?"

"They call themselves Uchiha Security Company. The president is Uchiha Akira, and they've got some high-ranking figures, including the Pirate Empress as vice president."

"Do you have one of their business cards?"

"Yes, here." Kalifa handed a gold card to Iceburg.

Iceburg examined it thoughtfully. "Golden cards, huh? Looks like they're serious about making an impression…and this Uchiha name sounds like a family."

"Kalifa," Iceburg said, his gaze firm. "Send someone to invite this Mr. Uchiha Akira over. I have a business proposal for him."

"Yes, Mr. Iceburg!"

...