"I…"
Just twelve years old, Boa Hancock opened her mouth to speak, but her expression shifted in an instant. She spun around, eyes narrowing toward the rear of the ship's cabin. Shielding her two younger sisters behind her, she called out sharply:
"Who's there? Come out!"
Her heart pounded.
Could an enemy have slipped aboard the ship already?
Just then, a calm voice echoed from within the cabin, accompanied by a set of slow, steady footsteps.
"Relax—we're not your enemies. We ended up here by accident."
"Can you tell us where this place is?"
Two figures emerged into view—one tall and poised, the other younger and frail-looking. A woman and a boy, stepping out one after the other.
It was Uchiha Genkei and his mother, Uchiha Chiri.
Neither of them had expected the spatial transfer to drop them onboard a ship.
Genkei glanced around quickly. The ornate carvings, the massive twin serpents curled along the hull—he recognized the ship immediately.
Amazon Lily's fleet.
Then his eyes turned to the three girls in front of him.
Their features, their clothing, the timing…
Are these the Boa sisters?
If so… then this is before Hancock became a slave?
That would be a stroke of luck.
Good. This timeline might still be salvageable.
"Wow… so beautiful!"
All three sisters stared at Chiri, unable to hide their awe. The words slipped out without thinking.
It wasn't just her stunning appearance—Chiri's mature and serene presence drew people in like a gentle tide.
Of course, their admiration didn't stop Hancock from staying alert. She stepped forward, eyes wary.
"You two—who are you? And why are you here?"
"Don't worry," Chiri said softly, reading the tension in the girl's body.
"I'm Uchiha Chiri. This is my son, Genkei. We came here seeking medical help. Appearing here was completely unintentional."
"It looks like you're under attack. If you'd like, I can help you deal with these invaders. In return, all I ask is that you tell me where we are and take us to Drum Island afterward."
"Eh?"
Hancock blinked, caught off guard. "Drum Island? You're here for treatment? You really want to help us?"
Gehahahaha!
A hideous, grating laugh interrupted them, growing louder by the second.
A tall, brutish pirate—easily over two meters—stomped across the deck. His face twisted into a leering grin as his eyes swept over the group.
"Well, well. What do we have here? Three pretty little girls, a ripe mature beauty, and even a pale little pretty boy."
"Shame the pretty boy looks half-dead already. Could've been worth something if he weren't so sickly."
Genkei: "…"
If he were stronger, he would've killed the man where he stood.
The pirate raised his voice.
"Be good and surrender. Maybe we'll go easy on you. Otherwise… heh heh heh."
Chiri didn't even glance at him.
She turned calmly back to Hancock.
"Hold on a moment. Let me deal with this trash first."
"What did you just—"
The pirate's expression darkened. He raised his massive blade, ready to strike.
But before he could move, Chiri turned to face him.
Her left eye gleamed—at some point, her Mangekyō Sharingan had quietly activated.
"Genjutsu: Sharingan."
Thud.
The pirate froze mid-step.
Then, in a single blur of motion, Chiri dashed past him.
A red spray arced through the air.
His body dropped, headless.
His eyes were wide open—unbelieving—until the moment his head hit the deck with a thump.
Chiri didn't pause.
She dove into the enemy ranks.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Talon Blaze!"
"Fire Style: Great Dragon Flame Jutsu!"
"Wind Style: Vacuum Blade!"
BOOM!Fwoosh!SWISH!
A torrent of jutsu erupted from her hands.
Explosions rocked the enemy vessels as ninja arts flew in every direction.
It was no longer a battle—it was a slaughter.
The warriors of the Kuja Pirates could only watch, stunned, as their mysterious benefactor tore through the Mad Shark crew like a tempest.
Their enemies tried to resist. They failed.
Within minutes, the tide had turned.
Of the enemy force, only a dozen or so fled in panic. Over a hundred more lay dead, their ships broken, their leaders slaughtered.
"She's amazing!"
Hancock's eyes sparkled as she turned to Genkei.
"Your mom is incredible!"
"Heh. Naturally," Genkei replied, smiling with pride.
She is Uchiha Chiri, after all.
A heavily wounded Kuja officer limped toward Chiri, her face filled with gratitude and curiosity.
"Thank you for saving us… but who are you, exactly?"
"We're just passing through," Chiri replied with a gentle smile, waving it off. "No need to dwell on it."
She returned to Genkei's side, then turned to Hancock.
"I've held up my end. Now, can I trouble you to take us to Drum Island as promised?"
"Uh…"
Hancock blinked. Her expression turned slightly awkward as she glanced at the officer beside her.
"Captain?"
Clearly, she hadn't actually agreed to anything yet—but Chiri had gone ahead and helped anyway.
And the fact was, without her, they'd all be dead.
Still… she wasn't in charge.
The officer gave Hancock a nod and turned to Chiri.
"Drum Island? The one ruled by the Iron Barrel Kingdom? Known for its elite doctors?"
"You're planning to seek treatment there?"
She glanced briefly at the pale, frail Genkei.
"That's right."
Chiri nodded. "Can you take us?"
"Of course."
The captain nodded firmly.
"We owe you our lives. The Kuja Pirates are not ones to forget debts."
"We'll get you there."
"But that alone doesn't feel like enough. If there's anything else you need—just say the word. We'll do everything in our power to help."
"Also… we have quite a few injured aboard."
"We've already sent a call for help to our former captain, Shakuyaku. We're heading to the Sabaody Archipelago to regroup first."
"Once we've rested and repaired, we'll take you to Drum Island."
"In the meantime, please let us know if there's anything else we can do for you."
She hoped to pass the responsibility of repaying such a huge favor to their more resourceful former captain.
After all, her own resources were limited.
"I see…"
Chiri glanced at Genkei.
"What do you think?"
"No problem."
Genkei nodded. Honestly, this worked out even better.
They'd get to meet Shakuyaku—and possibly Rayleigh too.
"Then it's settled."
Chiri smiled and turned back to the captain.
"We'll go with your plan. Thank you."
"You have our deepest thanks."
Relieved, the captain turned to Hancock.
"Prepare rooms for our guests."
Then she began organizing cleanup—tending to the wounded, repairing the ship, and collecting the fallen.