Planning to Set Sail

The Rear Admiral Yuma, who had taken command, broke out in a cold sweat on his forehead, staring fixedly at the two pairs of eerie eyes not far away.

He had no doubt that if the warship crossed the line, they would be met with a terrifying attack capable of capsizing the vessel.

Vice Admiral Momonga's bizarre defeat and the unimaginable creature control before him made him wisely choose to heed the mysterious man's warning.

"Maintain alert, slowly retreat to a safe distance! Medical team, do everything you can to treat Vice Admiral Momonga!"

His command carried a faint tremor, spreading across the deck.

The situation now was beyond what a rear admiral like him could handle.

Hopefully, the medical team would wake Vice Admiral Momonga quickly!

The flock of crows that was Uchiha Itachi swept across the sea surface dyed by the setting sun, swiftly flying back to Kuja Island.

And in the waters behind him, the two giant Sea Kings he had controlled with his Sharingan, like two moving islands, slowly patrolled, their crimson Three Tomoe pupils locked firmly onto the distant naval warship beginning to retreat.

Because he had learned about the power distribution of this world from his big brother.

The Navy, as a top-tier force in this world, was something Uchiha couldn't afford to provoke yet, so Itachi didn't go too far.

Controlling the Sea Kings to leave that warship forever on this sea would be easy.

But doing it without a trace was impossible.

At that moment, inside the palace of Kuja Island.

Uchiha Yoru and Shisui were sitting opposite Hancock, discussing important matters.

Ever since Yoru noticed the Empress had taken an interest in Shisui, he had gone with the flow, often bringing Shisui to the Empress's palace for visits.

For no other reason than to hurry along the match between the two.

Yoru was happy to see them end up together.

Shisui's personality was too gentle; people like that loved nothing more than sacrificing themselves to satisfy others.

That was why he could have his right eye taken without even getting angry.

And then worry that his left eye might spark a conflict between Konoha's higher-ups and the Uchiha, escalating tensions.

To eliminate that possibility, he decisively chose to take his own life!

Was that a decision a human could make?

Even a god wouldn't go that far!

What a complete fool!

Now that the Uchiha were mostly stable, Yoru planned to find time to secretly take Shisui back to reclaim his right eye.

What? You say he already promised Itachi not to return to Konoha?

Oh, foolish little brother, forgive Big Brother for lying to you this one more time!

But the key issue was, with Shisui's personality, would he be willing to retrieve his right eye?

That was why Yoru desperately wanted the strong-willed Empress to temper Shisui's gentle nature.

If Shisui absolutely refused to go back to Konoha, then Yoru would just tell the Empress all about Shisui's miserable early life and take her back to reclaim his right eye for him.

What? You ask why Uchiha Yoru didn't go for the Empress himself?

Come on, no matter how beautiful the Empress was, she was almost thirty.

Uchiha Yoru was only sixteen this year.

A full cycle apart—did that seem right to you?

And if you didn't know, just ask—was the Empress's eccentric personality really that great?

At the same age, Yoru would rather choose the understanding big sister Robin.

Before Yoru could keep daydreaming, a faint rustle of wings sounded.

Countless crows flew in through the window into the great hall, gathering in the center and condensing into Uchiha Itachi's calm, unruffled figure.

"Big Brother, the Navy has arrived."

Uchiha Itachi didn't waste words, simply recounting what had just happened.

"Starting the summons again, are they?"

Hancock's red lips curled into a mocking smirk: "Those World Government bastards, still so self-righteous. And then? That Momonga, I remember him as a somewhat capable, rigid man."

The World Government granted the Warlords special privileges and treatment, allowing them to plunder the seas without being captured by the Navy—truly royal pirates.

They could also act freely normally, without government interference.

But every so often, the Navy would summon them and assign tasks.

Of course, the tasks weren't mandatory; refusing the Navy was possible, but before refusing, it was best to weigh one's own strength.

With Mihawk's power, no matter how many times he refused the Navy, it wouldn't affect his status as a Warlord.

But if Gekko Moria dared to refuse the Navy's summons repeatedly, just see what happens.

He'd get his head smashed flat!

Even the Navy picks and chooses who to push around.

With her top-tier strength, the Empress could mostly ignore the Navy's conscription.

Only when she was in a good mood would she occasionally sail out to stir up some trouble, and that counted as completing the Navy's mission.

"I stopped him at sea," Itachi replied.

"Then just chase them off. I have no mood to sail right now."

The Empress glanced sidelong at Shisui beside her and commanded with authority.

Unfortunately, Itachi didn't even acknowledge the Empress. He stared straight at Yoru, silent.

"Timing-wise, it's about right to set sail. A real man should yearn for the sea."

Uchiha Yoru rubbed his chin, deliberating.

The Uchiha Clan had already mastered the basics of Haki, but recently, their progress had slowed considerably.

After all, learning behind closed doors can't compare to the speed of growth through battle.

Right, Luffy only learned the basics of Haki in two years, but a few good whacks let him quickly master Flow, Conqueror's Coating, and Devil Fruit Awakening.

More importantly, this sea held far more than just Haki as a power.

Devil Fruits, those local specialties you could only pick up by luck, were one thing.

What Yoru was more curious about was the Uchiha's Sharingan.

Could it copy the swordsmanship of those swordsmen and great swordsmen?

If those techniques could be replicated by the Sharingan, then the Uchiha Clan would be due for another round of massive upgrades.

Thinking about it, he was actually a little excited!

"If you want to sail, go ahead. I don't feel like it lately."

The Empress tossed her head, ignoring Uchiha Yoru entirely.

Seeing the Empress turn away in a huff, with an air of "Go if you want, just don't bother me,"

Uchiha Yoru rolled his eyes internally.

They had no ship. Sailing wouldn't be convenient.

Did they expect the whole clan to walk out of the Calm Belt on foot?

Hijacking that Navy warship outside seemed like a barely viable plan.

But if there was a better option, why go the long way?

Yoru set down his teacup, his gaze casually sweeping toward Uchiha Shisui, who sat diagonally across from the Empress, and shot him a barely perceptible look.

The meaning in that glance was crystal clear:

Your turn, brother.

Catching Yoru's gaze, the corner of Shisui's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.

Shisui wasn't an idiot. He understood perfectly what the Empress's unusual behavior toward him these days meant.

He didn't particularly dislike it.

She was strong, beautiful, had a good personality, and cared for her subordinates.

She fit his tastes quite well.

It was just that everything seemed to be moving a bit fast, leaving him unsure how to face the Empress.