Setting Sail!

Her companion swayed from her movements and whispered, "Are they really going to the Grand Line? I've heard that place is extremely dangerous; even the Navy doesn't dare to set foot there lightly."

A slightly older boy next to him clenched his fist, his eyes exceptionally determined. "I want to join the Night Owl Guard someday. My goal is to become someone like Senior Qi."

Chunwu didn't stop walking, nor did he turn around, but he clearly heard these innocent yet fervent expectations. The smile on his lips deepened even more.

"Did you hear that? The younger generation's sights are set on the Night Owl Guard," he said softly.

"Yes, the target is still Senior Qi." Rin replied calmly.

"We've only just graduated and established ourselves, and the next graduating class is already catching up with us," Chunwu remarked.

Rin stared ahead, her steps composed, her tone carrying a hint of unyielding determination. "Then we have to run even faster, so we don't get caught up by the younger generation too easily."

"That won't do," Chunwu joked with a smile. "He's a senior after all; we have to maintain the proper dignity and confidence he deserves."

Rin didn't reply, but quietly quickened her pace. In the dim light, the long-dormant light in her eyes shone even brighter and more intensely.

Night slowly bathed the entire island, and the lights of the camp lit up one after another, dotting the entire encampment with a gentle yet lively glow.

Chunwu stood by the dormitory window, gazing up at the boundless deep sea in the distance. Tomorrow morning, they would leave the peaceful Origin Island for good and head towards a truly turbulent New World.

He withdrew his gaze from the horizon, bent down and focused on the nautical chart spread out on the table, his fingertips holding a fine pen as he patiently marked the routes and risk points along the way.

My heart is churning with a mix of anticipation and trepidation about the future. A night like this is likely destined to be sleepless.

The Uchiha Clan has always kept an unwritten ironclad rule in their hearts.

Those clansmen who have not yet passed the final graduation examination of the Clan Academy will have their activities permanently confined to the West Blue.

This rule was established more than three years ago, the moment the Uchiha Clan first set foot on Origin Island and took root there.

The initial intention was simple yet pragmatic: before the new generation of clansmen had developed sufficient self-defense capabilities, they would never be easily exposed to the immense dangers of the Grand Line.

For Chunwu, the first graduating class of the Clan Academy program, this rule permeated their entire eight years of childhood.

From the age of six when they entered school for training to the age of fourteen when they successfully graduated, their world was always confined to the West Blue, a safe and secure territory firmly controlled by the Uchiha.

They had been listening to stories for eight long years about the mysterious currents of the Grand Line, the fragmentation of the New World, and the deadly dangers lurking everywhere.

All my knowledge came only from tactical simulations in the classroom or from casual conversations with my predecessors after the war; I had never personally experienced anything about it.

That's why, when Uchiha Kei announced the training arrangements in public, a barely concealed excitement welled up in the eyes of all the young people present.

For this sea expedition, Uchiha Chunwu will serve as the temporary captain, leading a vanguard team of twenty top graduates to traverse the first half of the Grand Line and reach the outer waters of the New World to carry out an exploration mission.

Chunwu reached out and took the nautical chart with all the route nodes marked. His fingertips gently stroked the thick paper, his fingertips unconsciously tightening.

He looked up and answered, his tone calm and restrained, revealing no trace of emotion. "Understood."

Others thought he was calm and composed, but only Uchiha Rin, who stood close by, saw it clearly.

The moment he carefully folded the nautical chart and tucked it into his bosom, a very faint tremor appeared on his drooping fingertips.

That was the mark of an expectation that had been suppressed for eight long years finally breaking through the soil.

Several days later, as dawn Spirit Awakening Island harbor, a thin mist drifted across the sea. A medium-sized sailboat untied its moorings and silently sailed away from the harbor, cutting through the clear morning waves and heading towards the vast ocean.

Chunwu stood alone at the bow of the boat, the sea breeze whipping his clothes.

He unfolded the nautical chart, his gaze shifting back and forth between the chart and the sea, comparing it with the trajectory of the Log Pose's swing, and steadily circled the first destination of this trip— Alcoron Island.

It was a neutral island on the outskirts of the New World, unclaimed by any ruler. Factions were everywhere, and several small forces had been fighting each other for years. The chaotic situation made it the perfect training ground for these teenagers.

The twenty Uchiha graduates each performed their duties diligently and methodically throughout the ship.

Some people closely monitor changes in ocean currents and record data in real time;

Personnel were stationed around the ship's sides, keeping a constant watch for any unknown movements.

Others checked fresh water, dry rations, and war supplies one by one to prevent any oversights.

This group of teenagers, with an average age of less than fifteen, are leaving the protection of their elders for the first time and embarking on a journey on their own.

While their movements still carried a hint of naivety, their inherent discipline and refinement were on full display, exhibiting precision and reliability.

Unbeknownst to them, half a nautical mile away, a small, minimalist speedboat, hidden between the morning light and the misty waves, followed steadily, neither too close nor too far.

Uchiha Kei sat casually cross-legged on the ship's side, a Tachi resting horizontally on his knees, its blade calm and unassuming, revealing not a trace of its sharpness.

An invisible Observation Haki quietly spread out, steadily enveloping the entire sea area in front, firmly locking the twenty-one young and vibrant Chakra auras within its perception.

Two seasoned Night Owl Guard veterans sat beside him. Inside the cabin, five senior Nightingale Guard Jonin who had experienced the Summit War were discussing Jonin hushed tones, checking the backup routes, contingency plans, and strategies for dealing with various unexpected situations.

A member of the Night Owl Guard turned to look at Qi and casually asked, "Captain, are you sure you don't need to move closer to escort us?"

Qi shook his head slightly, his gaze remaining fixed on the sailboat setting sail into the distance, his tone calm and peaceful.

"Back then, Natsu led us away from Konoha, he also made us walk at the forefront. The path of the strong is never one to be protected, but one to forge step by step on their own."

He paused, a faint smile curving his lips, and added a confident remark.

"However, before we set off, I secretly left a Flying Thunder God Mark deep inside the collar of each child."

"Consider it a protective charm prepared for them by their seniors. Ideally, they'd never need it in their lives, but if they ever encounter a dire situation, I'll let them witness firsthand what Uchiha Kei's speed truly is."

Upon hearing this, the several Jonin inside the cabin chuckled softly in unison.

The Night Owl Guard beside him shook his head helplessly, his eyes full of gentle indulgence.

"These kids probably don't realize how many of us are supporting and worrying behind their seemingly free and adventurous path."