Newgate: I Really Am Old!

"Heh, getting old, huh?" Newgate didn't directly answer Natsu's question, but simply shook his head, a self-deprecating smile playing on his lips.

"If I were young, who would dare talk to me like that? I Murakumogiri."

Ace and Marco stood up at the same time, their faces full of struggle.

Yaoyu and Yakumi remained seated calmly, confident in Natsu's abilities. They believed that even if Newgate were to make a move, he couldn't possibly harm anyone in front of Natsu.

Natsu looked calmly at Newgate, her tone unwavering. "Everything I've done today will be remembered by history. As a friend, I don't dislike you."

But as the leader of the Uchiha Clan, I am responsible for the entire clan.

The humiliation of the past must never be repeated—no matter the cost or the sacrifice, personal feelings are insignificant in the face of this.

"I'm happy to be friends with the Whitebeard Pirates, but I'm sorry, for the sake of the Uchiha, I had to make this choice."

"Gurgle la la la!" Newgate's smile deepened, then gradually faded, replaced by an unprecedented seriousness.

"I'm getting old after all. Even with those transplanted cells, I won't live for many more years. Natsu —can you promise me one thing? Take good care of my sons."

"As long as one Uchiha Clan is alive, and as long as the members of the Whitebeard Pirates do not violate the rules set by the Uchiha, the Uchiha will never abandon any friend."

Newgate threw his head back and laughed, the sound of which made the windows of the side hall vibrate, but it felt more relaxed than ever before, as if he had unloaded a burden he had carried for decades.

"Pops!" Marco and Ace stepped forward simultaneously, their voices filled with resentment and anxiety.

Newgate waved his hand, stopping them from continuing.

He turned to look at his two most beloved sons, his voice unusually soft. "Marco, I'm already in my seventies or eighties. Shouldn't I be able to enjoy my retirement?"

Marco opened his mouth, but all the words stuck in his throat.

"Gurgle la la la! You stupid son, stop looking like that! I'm not going to die!" Newgate waved his hand dismissively, his tone carefree.

"Life's the same wherever you are, and I'm thinking of taking a good rest." He turned to look at Natsu, a mischievous smile suddenly appearing on his weathered face.

"Speaking of which, Natsu, your Uchiha Clan is full of handsome men and beautiful women. My son is already in his thirties or forties and still doesn't have a girlfriend. Why don't you play matchmaker for him?"

Natsu's lips twitched almost imperceptibly. "The Uchiha Clan doesn't allow women to marry outside their clan."

Newgate clicked his tongue, still somewhat unwilling to give up, and asked, "Not even my son?"

Fugaku, standing to the side, coughed lightly, set down his teacup, and explained in a gentle yet undeniable tone, "Lord Newgate, anyone with Uchiha blood has a chance to awaken the Sharingan. The Sharingan is the Uchiha Clan's Kekkei Genkai, and it can never be passed on to outsiders. Besides—"

He paused, a barely perceptible hint of sadness flashing in his eyes, "Back when we were still in Konoha, it was not uncommon for Uchiha clan members to be ambushed and killed, their Sharingan stolen afterward."

These eyes are both our glory and the source of our misfortune. Therefore, our clan rules are as firm as mountains, and we hope you will understand.

"Gurgle la la la! How about this!" Newgate slapped his thigh, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

"How about letting Ace marry into your Uchiha? Find that kid a pretty girl from your clan. After all, my son is Division Commander in the Whitebeard Pirates, it's not shameful, is it?"

Natsu glanced at Ace expressionlessly, picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said in a tone as calm as if she were stating a weather forecast, "Are you referring to his feat of being imprisoned in Impel Down and almost being publicly beheaded?"

Ace's lips twitched violently, and the smile on his face shattered instantly.

Here we go again.

After being criticized for days on the topic of Yakumi and Yaoyu, it's Natsu's turn to step in this time.

The Uchiha Clan is known for its sharp tongues; there is no exception.

Natsu looked at Newgate, whose face had darkened slightly, sighed softly, and put down her teacup.

"The Uchiha does not prohibit intermarriage with other clans, but there are conditions."

First, after marriage, one must join the Uchiha Clan. There is no need to change one's surname, but the children must take the Uchiha surname and live in Uchiha Clan District.

Secondly, marrying Uchiha woman requires a clansman's guarantee—however, for your sake, if both parties are willing, I can personally act as guarantor, exempting you from the guarantee procedure with other clansmen.

However, after marriage, the first rule must still be followed: joining the clan, and children taking the Uchiha surname.

Newgate's lips twitched. After a moment of silence, he finally laughed and cursed, "You brat! I haven't even gotten half a son, and now I have to give up several Division Commander to your Uchiha? You've got a really big plan. You've got your eyes on my sons right from the start. You're ruthless."

Natsu picked up her teacup, took a slow sip, and said in her usual nonchalant tone, "Joining the Uchiha isn't so bad. At least you won't have to worry about food and drink, and you won't have to brave the winds and waves at sea anymore. Besides—"

He glanced at Newgate and said, "Of all your sons, how many look like normal people? If I remember correctly, Ace, Izo, and that guy named Haruta are already the upper limit of good looks in your Whitebeard Pirates."

The words had barely left his mouth when Marco sprang up from his cushion, his laziness vanishing instantly. He pointed angrily at Natsu, yelling, "Hey! You bastard! What about me? Don't you dare attack people's appearances like that!"

Natsu placed the teacup back on the table, looked at him indifferently, and slowly uttered a few words: "You? Your beard is barely acceptable if you groom it. As you are now, you look exactly like a pineapple that has come to life. Sitting at the same table with Vista, you barely look like a human."

Marco stood frozen in place, his lips twitching several times, his face as black as the bottom of a pot.

A few muffled laughs came from the side—it was hard to tell if it was the Yakumi or the Yaoyu. In any case, the two brothers' faces remained expressionless, but their shoulders twitched suspiciously.

That bastard, he really doesn't give people any face at all.

Newgate leaned against a pillar, watching the young people bicker, shook his head helplessly, but a smile he couldn't hide lingered on his lips.

After laughing, he placed the Murakumogiri horizontally on his lap, gently patting the cold hilt with his rough hand. He spoke slowly, his tone carrying the resignation of an old man who had seen through the ways of the world. "Forget it, it doesn't matter anymore. I've fought for most of my life, it's time to enjoy a few years of peace. Let them be."

Changing the subject, he raised his eyelids to look at Natsu, "But you'd better give me the best treatment, don't try to fob me off with those cheap knock-offs."