Uchiha Puppet Master, Starting from One Piece

With the help of the puppets, the three-sailed sailboat can sail very fast across Qufu when there is a sea breeze. However, the sails make a rustling sound when the wind blows, just like the off-key tune that Matsumoto Rangiku sometimes hums.

During this time, Nicole Robin always stayed under the canvas canopy at the stern of the ship, looking at the ancient documents obtained from the previous uninhabited island, her gaze calmly sweeping over the lines of obscure text.

Several wooden barrels were piled up beside her, filled with fresh water and dried fish. Occasionally, she would look up and see Uchiha Shiraha standing at the bow of the boat.

The Sharingan reflected the boundless blue sea and sky, and he was playing with a kunai in his hand. The kunai's cold light shimmered in the sunlight, startling several seabirds that were trying to land on the ship's side, causing them to flap their wings and fly away.

Overall, the West Blue is relatively peaceful; at least so far, Uchiha Shiraha and his group haven't encountered any particularly powerful pirates.

As for Matsumoto Rangiku, most of the time he would lean against the ship's railing, drinking tasteless liquor and watching Connor run around on the deck with nothing to do.

The little guy was incredibly energetic. One minute he was chasing after a sea cockroach that appeared out of nowhere, and the next he was squatting by the boat, reaching out to grab the big flying fish that were skimming the surface of the water and jumping very high. As a result, he got splashed with water and stomped his feet in anger, making Matsumoto Rangiku laugh heartily until the corners of her eyes turned red.

During a voyage, there are always some unexpected little incidents.

Once, a group of sea kings with round heads suddenly appeared and circled around the ship's side. Connor excitedly shouted that he wanted to catch one to take home as a pet, but he was blown off his bottom by the strong wind brought by the sea kings crossing the water. He then pitifully ran to Robin's arms and acted like a spoiled child.

The weather changes very quickly at sea; in the same area, Connor was sunbathing just yesterday.

The next day, fog rolled in at sea, reducing visibility to less than 100 meters, and the ship was like a lost child, spinning around in the fog.

They ended up going around in circles all night. It was only thanks to Robin's knowledge of astrology from the Sheep Book that they were able to adjust their course and narrowly avoid a reef area.

When the fog lifted, a magnificent rainbow appeared in the sky, and Connor, lying on the side of the boat, stared in awe.

"It's so beautiful. I've never seen a scene like this before."

Upon hearing Connor's words, the three members of the Uchiha clan all turned their gazes to Connor beside them.

Connor lowered his head slightly, no longer as lively as before. Sitting on the deck, Connor unconsciously picked at the wood grain with his fingertips, his voice so soft it seemed to dissipate with a sea breeze: "Most of the scenery in that world is unchanging. My father is the king who rules the entire Dragon Realm, but he has never cared about me."

"Other little dragons have their fathers who carry them to fetch molten crystals from the volcano. I can only squat on the cliff and watch. When he passes by, he doesn't even wag the tip of his tail at me."

The sea breeze suddenly picked up, and Connor's voice lowered, carrying a unique mix of grievance and stubbornness.

She clenched her fists, her eyes reddening slightly, but she held back her tears: "Sometimes I call out to him into the empty cave, and only the echo answers me. I'm not afraid of the dark, nor am I afraid of those roaming monsters. I am just..."

Connor paused, a hint of longing in his voice that he himself was unaware of.

"I'm just a little lonely. All those pranks I played were just hoping he'd glance at me, say something to me, even just one sentence."

Connor looked up at Bai Yu and the other two, his eyes filled with a blank expectation, as if asking if such a desire was childish.

Uchiha Hakuba lowered his eyes and remained silent for a moment.

He stepped forward and patted Connor on the head.

"From the moment you boarded the ship, you no longer need to chase after anyone's shadow to prove yourself. You should live each day happily, at least we are by your side."

Matsumoto Rangiku put away her cynical smile, tucked the empty sake bottle back into her bosom, and her upturned eyes resembled a warm orange sunset: "Kanna-chan, loneliness is never a solitary thing. If you want something to eat, just ask your sister. If you want someone to talk to, the sea breeze on the deck and we are always there for you."

"Family is never defined solely by blood ties. This ship is your safe haven, and we are your family."

Robin smiled slightly and patted Connor's head, adding, "You did a great job, Connor, really. Everyone is happy with you around, and everyone needs you."

"So, you will never be alone again."

"Um!…!"

After drifting for about two or three days, one morning, as the first rays of sunlight pierced through the clouds, Nico Robin put down her binoculars, pointed into the distance, and slowly said, "Look, that's the coastline of the Kingdom of Ilycia."

Following her gaze, the group saw a bluish-gray outline gradually becoming clear at the horizon where the sea met the sky. As the ship slowly approached, a majestic port city came into view.

The city wall was built of huge bluestones, and flags painted with crossed swords and ancient books fluttered on it. The dock was crowded with people, and all kinds of boats were moored densely. The shouts, ship whistles and horses' hooves mingled together and could be heard from a distance.

"We've finally arrived."

Matsumoto Rangiku stretched, showing off her beautiful figure to the group, while muttering complaints as if she was annoyed that the drinks on the ship were being consumed too quickly.

Uchiha Shiraha sheathed his weapon and glanced at the hurried people at the port.

He keenly noticed that many people in the crowd had sharp eyes and bulging waists, which made them look like troublemakers. Moreover, they all had a small skull symbol embroidered on their cuffs or collars.

"Something's off here. I wonder if it's pirates or gangsters."

Uchiha Shiraha said in a low voice, "It looks more chaotic than expected."

Robin nodded, his gaze falling on those people, lost in thought: "The Kingdom of Ilycia is actually rumored to be a notorious no-man's-land in the West Sea, with deeply entrenched gangs. It is said that there are several ruthless gang leaders whose men are spread throughout the entire country."

As they were talking, the ship slowly approached the shore. Connor was the first to jump onto the dock, excitedly pointing to the vendors' stalls not far away, clamoring that he wanted to eat the grilled takoyaki there.

Uchiha Hakuba paid the mooring fee, left behind the puppet, and provided basic security for the ship.

In fact, although there are many gangs in this country, as long as you pay, these gangs may provide better protection than the national guards of Ilya.

Perhaps this is the power of money.