Graves

The paper was completely blank, without any portraits or information of any of the new generation of Uchiha, clearly indicating that the combat power files had not yet been updated.

However, someone deliberately added a line of hasty and flamboyant handwriting in the lower right corner with charcoal, each character clear and glaring.

Twenty-one new generation Uchiha, the captain with Three Tomoe, all Jonin, their route leads directly from the West Blue to the New World.

Below the handwriting was a list of updated black market prices.

The amount was outrageously high, far exceeding the latest intelligence they brought from the West Blue. The escalating bids concealed a covetousness that outsiders could hardly imagine.

Chunwu raised his hand, his fingertips tracing the rough paper surface, and tore off the entire wanted poster, carefully folding it and tucking it into his pocket.

He turned to look at the team members carrying the supplies behind him, his tone becoming more serious. "Notify everyone to shorten the resupply time. Once the supplies are in hand, return to the dock immediately and assemble. There is no need for any further delays."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a soft laugh came from the alley entrance.

A figure leaned lazily against the mottled alley wall, wearing round-framed sunglasses that covered most of his eyebrows and eyes, making it impossible to see his true expression.

His attire was completely different from the flamboyant tourists and arrogant pirates on the island. He wore a neat dark casual outfit with the cuffs casually rolled up to his forearms, revealing a section of simple and ancient-looking tattoo.

It wasn't the emblem of any pirate crew; it didn't have any ostentatious skull patterns. The lines were ancient and obscure, a secret mark unique to the underground intelligence circle.

"Uchiha guy, don't be so tense."

The man straightened up, his posture relaxed and harmless, a plain white business card between his fingers, which he gently handed out into the air.

The paper was neat and tidy, with only a name and a string of encrypted contact numbers— Barto Graves, the intelligence broker.

Chunwu didn't reach out to take it; he stood firmly in place, his gaze calmly fixed on the other person. "What do you want?"

Graves wasn't embarrassed at all. He withdrew his hand, shrugged, and chuckled, his tone smooth but not obsequious. "I'm just doing pure intelligence work, nothing more. I just want to make connections with the Uchiha and get acquainted with them."

"From now on, any information regarding your group's movements and combat capabilities across the air routes that needs to circulate on the black market should prioritize going through me. Prices are negotiable; I'll give you a fair price, the best available on the market, without compromising its value in the slightest."

Chunwu remained silent for a moment, his mind quickly recalling the information Elder Chana had given him Setsuna they set off.

The underworld of Sabaody is complex and intertwined, with bounty hunters, black market auction houses, and itinerant intelligence brokers each playing their part. The most troublesome of them are never the desperate criminals who fight with their bare hands, but rather these intelligence brokers who are rooted in the shadows and control an information network spanning the entire ocean.

They don't wield swords or guns, yet they can stir up the entire maritime landscape with a single message.

"The Uchiha does not sell any clan information." Chunwu's tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation. He then subtly shifted his focus, leaving a slight room for maneuver, "But we do not reject friendly, constructive contact."

He silently noted down Graves's name and number, and said calmly, "If there's an opportunity to exchange information, we'll contact you."

Graves's perfunctory, smooth smile slowly faded. He leaned forward slightly and began to carefully examine the young captain before him.

Despite her young age, she possesses a composure and shrewdness far beyond her years, knowing when to advance and when to retreat, and striking the perfect balance between soft and hard approaches.

He put away the business card, his tone now more earnest and serious. "I'll be waiting."

Just then, light footsteps came from the direction of the dock.

Rin hurried over, carrying the last bag of sealed dry rations. The moment her gaze swept over the strange man at the alley entrance, her steps faltered almost imperceptibly. She instantly activated her Observation Haki, quickly scanning him to confirm that he was unarmed and exuded no malicious intent, though his aura was deep and unfathomable.

She didn't ask any further questions or make any unnecessary movements, but Chunwu, indicating that the port's supply operations were now complete.

Chunwu took the heavy supply box from his teammate and turned to walk towards the dock.

As he passed Graves, he paused slightly, never turning back. His soft voice, carried on the wind, precisely pierced through all pretense.

"You know who released that inflated bounty on the black market. That's why you're waiting for us here today."

The man at the alley entrance was still leaning against the wall, his sunglasses concealing his emotions. Upon hearing this, he merely chuckled softly, neither confirming nor denying.

A cool sea breeze swept through the streets and alleys, carrying away the fading footsteps of the young people.

Graves watched the tall, orderly figures silently until they completely disappeared around the street corner before slowly turning his gaze away.

He muttered to himself, his tone carrying a hint of insightful reflection on the situation, yet also a touch of confident anticipation.

"The new generation has fully grown up... This long-silent sea is finally about to change."

The moment the sailboat left the Sabaody Archipelago, the entire sky suddenly changed color.

The gentle, clear golden light of early morning was completely swallowed up by layers of leaden-gray clouds.

A sea breeze swept through the towering masts, carrying a chill and emitting a low whistling sound, enveloping the entire ship in a suppressed wind.

Behind them, the unique, crystalline bubbles of Sabaody drifted slowly away with the ocean currents, gradually shrinking into tiny specks of light before finally merging completely into the gloomy sky, bidding farewell to the peaceful scenery of the first half of the voyage.

Chunwu stood at the bow of the ship, the unfolded nautical chart fluttering in the wind. He raised his hand to firmly hold the paper down, his gaze fixed on the distant archipelago behind him.

The bustling crowds of Sabaody, the lurking spying and scheming, were all left behind by the waves.

But the real test is only just beginning to unfold.

Ahead lies the renowned New World.

The Four Emperors each control their own territory and claim their own seas, while the G-2 Fortress is heavily guarded and strictly controlled. Countless weak forces struggle to survive and tread between these two powerful forces.

During the tactical lesson before departure, Elder Setsuna gave solemn instructions.

The calm waters of the first half of the Grand Line are merely a warm-up for the new generation to hone their skills and adapt to each other. The real whetstone for tempering character and honing combat prowess has always been hidden in the turbulent and unpredictable second half of the sea.

He withdrew his gaze from the distance, turned to look at Rin beside him, and said in a calm tone, "The sea conditions in the New World are far more turbulent than in the first half. The latest intelligence indicates that a large storm is quietly forming near the entrance. We can't force our way in; we have to take a long detour and avoid the turbulent currents on the outer edge of the storm."

Rin raised her hand, held up the Log Pose, and examined it closely in the sunlight.

The hands on the dial vibrated slightly, steadily locking onto the north-northwest direction.