Sengoku, hiring Uchiha

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Gulp, gulp!

Everyone instinctively swallowed hard, utterly stunned by Fleet Admiral Sengoku's sheer generosity.

Even Uchiha Kitaro was caught off guard. Is this how rich people flaunt their wealth?

2 billion berries!

All this, just for taking on a single mission?

Converted to the Ninja World's currency, that's around 5 billion ryō.

If you think of it in terms of Earth, that's a five hundred million dollar!

Kitaro was no stranger to money anymore. After all, he'd plundered the City of Gold, brought back the Golden Bell, and signed a ten-year security contract with Water 7, worth 6 billion berries annually for the Uchiha Security Company.

But that was an annual fee, and Sengoku was offering 2 billion upfront for one job.

"Uchiha Kitaro, do you dare take it on?" Sengoku challenged.

"Why not? Of course, I dare! Turning down money like this would just be stupid!" Kitaro responded confidently.

Hearing this, Sengoku was taken aback. "You're saying you'll take the job?"

"Yep, but let me be clear. The Uchiha Security Company is a security company, not an assassin service. If you're asking me to directly go after Whitebeard or something, I won't do it."

"No, you won't need to deal with Whitebeard directly."

"Good, then I've got no issues. Consider the job accepted."

"Very well. There will be a strategy meeting tomorrow at the Holy Land, Mary Geoise. You, Boa Hancock, and Uchiha Shisui will be expected to attend."

"No problem!"

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Marineford – Marine Headquarters

Fleet Admiral Sengoku hung up the call.

A subordinate hesitantly asked, "Fleet Admiral Sengoku… Did Uchiha Kitaro actually agree?!"

Sengoku nodded. "Yes."

He'd heard from Garp that Uchiha Kitaro once claimed he would take on business from both pirates and the World Government alike. At first, Sengoku dismissed it as the arrogance of a brash youth.

To be honest, he had only reached out to the Uchiha Security Company on a whim. He never expected the young man to actually accept the job.

Was it sheer confidence, or was Kitaro just a reckless rookie unafraid of danger?

"This fills six of the Seven Warlords' seats. We're still one short," Sengoku muttered. "What about the one locked up? Has he calmed down yet?"

The subordinate shook his head. "No, he's still adamantly opposed."

"I thought he'd be the most cooperative… Who knew he'd cause such a ruckus here? That damn Jinbe…"

Sengoku sighed but waved it off. "Still, whether he agrees or not doesn't matter anymore. With the Uchiha Security Company on board, this operation is practically foolproof."

"But Fleet Admiral," the subordinate ventured cautiously, "can the Uchiha Security Company really be trusted? This seems like a risky move. And let's not forget, Saint Rosward among the Celestial Dragons surely won't let this slide."

The subordinate's concerns were valid. Uchiha Kitaro, along with the Uchiha Security Company's First Division Captain, Uchiha Shisui, boasted strength that was off the charts.

Kitaro had already made his mark at Enies Lobby, where he single-handedly fought two Marine Admirals. His exploits had catapulted the name Uchiha Kitaro, the Uchiha Security Company, and the Uchiha Clan into global fame.

Shisui, for his part, had faced Admiral Kizaru at the Sabaody Archipelago in a battle so fierce it destroyed several of the island's iconic mangrove trees. His fight, captured by daring reporters, had made him a household name.

The world quickly realized that the Uchiha Security Company was not just about Kitaro—Shisui, too, was a force to be reckoned with.

The company's elite security personnel had also started gaining recognition, further solidifying its reputation. The Uchiha Security Company was no longer just a rising power—it was a force on par with the Four Emperors.

This meteoric rise baffled the world. It was as if a new Emperor-level faction had appeared out of thin air.

As rumors about the Uchiha spread, so did information about their unique bloodline trait: the Sharingan. Reports revealed its abilities, such as heightened perception and hypnotic powers, as well as their mastery of techniques resembling elemental devil fruit powers.

An entire clan with abilities rivaling devil fruit users? It was no wonder they inspired both awe and fear.

Sengoku calmly addressed the concerns. "Compared to the Seven Warlords, the Uchiha Security Company is far more reliable. As a security firm, their business depends on their credibility. Without trust, who would hire them? Who would believe in their services?"

"Ah… I see now!"

Just then, another Marine rushed in with a report. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku! Urgent news! In the Sabaody Archipelago incident, Admiral Kizaru captured 500 pirates in retaliation. Impel Down is overwhelmed!"

"Then send them to do hard labor! Unless it's related to Whitebeard, don't bother me!" Sengoku barked.

That Kizaru… He promised to handle the situation, yet it only ended up amplifying the Uchiha Security Company's fame. Now, everyone knew the company boasted two Admiral-level fighters.

"Also, Saint Rosward of the Celestial Dragons is demanding accountability for the Navy's incompetence…"

"Let the Admirals deal with him!" Sengoku snapped. He had no time for politics—his focus was on the impending battle with Whitebeard's pirate crew.

The Uchiha Security Company's involvement was also strategic: ensuring the public execution would proceed without issue while preventing the company from stirring up trouble during the war.

"Where's Garp?"

"Vice Admiral Garp just left for Impel Down."

Sengoku's face darkened. "That old fool! What's he doing gallivanting around at a time like this?!"

Suddenly, a naval intelligence officer burst into the room, panic written across his face.

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku! Bad news!"

"What now?!"

"Whitebeard… he's on the move!"

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