Three days later.
Orute Kingdom, its largest deepwater port.
The wind howled as waves crashed heavily against the reefs.
Above the harbor.
A dense mass of Empire ninjas stood in orderly formations.
There was no noise, no whispered conversation.
Only a chilling, murderous aura that shot into the sky.
A full hundred thousand elite Empire troops.
Every one of them possessed strength at least at the Chunin level.
This force was enough to crush any of this world's Four Emperor crews ten times over.
Upon the towering city walls.
Chiba stood against the wind.
His black Empire cloak snapped loudly in the gale.
Beside him stood Shikaku Nara, Shisui Uchiha, Kakashi, and the other absolute core members of the Empire.
Below.
Nine massive fleets stood ready to depart.
Chiba lowered his gaze, looking down at the wolf-like Empire soldiers below.
"The Four Seas have been pacified."
"The Empire's flags have already been planted throughout the east, south, west, and north."
"But the heart of this world still lies within that sea route stretching across the ocean."
Chiba's voice was not loud, yet amplified by surging Chakra, it clearly reached the ears of all one hundred thousand ninjas.
"Convey my decree."
"The Empire's armies will divide into nine routes and launch a full-scale advance into the Grand Line!"
"The governors of the four provinces will each lead one route."
"The Uchiha Clan will lead one route."
"The Hyuga Clan will lead one route."
"The Ino-Shika-Cho Clans will lead one route."
"The Sarutobi, Utatane, and Mitokado clans will lead one route."
"The Aburame, Kurama, Moonlight, and other secret technique clans will lead one route."
Chiba's Six-Tomoe Rinnegan erupted with a soul-shaking violet radiance.
"Every route will be led by a Super Kage Level powerhouse."
"I want no prisoners and no negotiations."
"Whether