章 77: The Arena
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Next morning
As the soft morning light filtered through the room, Akira woke with a feeling of contentment he hadn't known before. Hancock, the Empress, the woman whose beauty was famed throughout the world, lay peacefully on his chest, her face calm and serene, her lips curved in the faintest of smiles. She looked genuinely happy, a rare sight that brought a warm smile to his face.
He hadn't expected Hancock to be so bold, so willing to show him her true feelings. But with all reservations cast aside, she had placed her trust in him completely, letting him become her confidant and protector.
Looking down at her, Akira felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and affection for the incredible woman by his side. He silently vowed to always keep her safe, to make her feel cherished and free of fear.
Hancock shifted slightly, her face nuzzling closer to his warmth, her breathing soft and even. The liberation she felt in his embrace was unlike anything she'd known; all her life, she'd carried burdens, fears, and scars. But now, with Akira, those weights had lifted, and for the first time, she felt a true sense of peace.
A quiet sound by the doorway drew his attention. One of Hancock's loyal attendants had entered, prepared to assist her Empress for the morning. The attendant froze as her eyes fell upon them together, but a knowing smile quickly spread across her face. She, too, had recently found companionship in an Uchiha, and understood the happiness this new bond could bring.
"Lord Akira…" she began softly.
"Shh." Akira raised a finger to his lips, smiling gently. "Let her rest a little longer. She's had a long night."
With a nod, the attendant withdrew, carefully closing the curtains and motioning to the others to give them privacy.
As the room returned to silence, Hancock stirred, her eyes fluttering open. When she saw Akira looking at her, her cheeks turned a deep shade of pink, and she buried her face against his chest in embarrassment.
Akira chuckled. "Getting shy now? I thought that was all behind us."
"I… I can't help it!" she mumbled, her voice muffled but sweetly indignant. Her flushed cheeks made her look even more captivating, and he couldn't resist brushing a strand of hair from her face.
"Well, if you're feeling shy, maybe it's time we get up," he teased. "your people are waiting, and soon enough, they will be knocking on the door to see us."
Hancock's eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. "Let them see. I don't mind. I am your woman now, after all, aren't I?"
Akira grinned, giving her hand a playful squeeze. Just as they shared a lighthearted laugh, the familiar ring of a phone bug sounded, breaking the quiet intimacy of the morning. Reaching over, he answered, recognizing the voice on the other end immediately—it was Uchiha Fugaku.
"Akira, have you gone to Water 7?"
"Not yet, patriarch. Is something up?"
"We discussed it, and we think it's best to select ten clan members now for the upcoming missions. We'll hold a tournament in the arena and let the top ten go with you."
"That sounds perfect," Akira replied. "I'll meet everyone in the arena shortly."
After hanging up, he turned to Hancock. "Let's get going. I want to see how strong the Uchiha elites have become."
Hancock, intrigued, nodded. She had only seen glimpses of their power, mostly through Akira, Itachi, and Shisui. Witnessing a full display of the clan's prowess would be a treat.
They dressed and left together, arm in arm, drawing attention as they walked openly through Kuja City. The sight of their Empress so affectionately holding onto Akira's arm created quite a stir.
"Is that the Empress with Akira?"
"Could Amazon Lily soon have a King?"
"Imagine... the strength of the Empress's child with an Uchiha!"
The Amazon Lily warriors whispered excitedly, some even hoping for a chance to catch the attention of a Uchiha themselves.
When Akira and Hancock arrived at the arena, it was already packed. People from Amazon Lily and the Uchiha clan alike gathered in eager anticipation. The last time the people of Amazon Lily had seen the Uchiha's skills was during their initial arrival, and the memory of Itachi, Shisui, and Akira's techniques had left a lasting impression.
As Fugaku stepped forward, he signaled the start of the tournament. Two young Uchiha clan members took their positions, immediately activating their Sharingan. Their skills were on full display, exchanging blows with kunai, shuriken, ninjutsu, and even breathing techniques. Each strike was met with intense focus, their Sharingan catching every subtle movement.
Akira noted with satisfaction that both were wielding Armament Haki, further bolstering their strength."The breathing techniques had made their bodies strong enough and with their chakra control, learning haki shouldn't be hard"
The combination of Sharingan's insight, relentless physical training, breathing techniques, and swordsmanship, all layered with the defensive and offensive power of Haki and Chakra, had honed them into formidable warriors.
The crowd watched with bated breath as the two continued their fierce battle, neither backing down. Finally, one emerged victorious, prompting the spectators to erupt in cheers. Amazon Lily's female warriors watched the winners and losers alike with admiration, some even boldly approaching the contestants.
"The winner or the loser... they're all so strong! I want to raise a child with a man like that!" one of the warriors whispered, her gaze locked on the contestants.
As the matches continued, the power of the Uchiha clan became more evident. Their unity and strength were palpable, and the connection they shared with Amazon Lily was growing just as strong. With each clash in the arena, a new chapter was being forged for both clans, one that hinted at a powerful alliance poised to reshape their worlds.
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