Dragon's Surprise
On the outer outpost of Baltigo, on a high platform where sandstorms raged, the Revolutionary Army soldiers on duty gripped their binoculars, their fingers slightly clenched.
He put down the lens, then immediately raised it again, not daring to misread it even slightly.
Layers of gray sea fog shrouded the sea, obscuring visibility, but the silhouette of the black speedboat that broke through the fog became increasingly clear.
The ship's hull was sleek and cold, without any pirate flags, except for the Gunbai clan emblem engraved on its side, which shone with a chilling light in the thin morning light.
Without the slightest hesitation, the soldier grabbed the Den Den Mushi beside him and, suppressing the gravity in his heart, reported in a low voice.
"Uchiha- style vessel has been spotted three nautical miles to the south, steadily approaching the main island."
The brief announcement almost instantly detonated the entire security system in Baltigo.
The Revolutionary Army has been lying low in this barren white land for many years, relying on an early warning network that is more sensitive and covert than that of the Marine Headquarters.
This time, however, the alarm sounded throughout the camp, and the reaction of the soldiers at all levels was unusually unified.
No one gave the order to charge, yet no one dared to lay down their weapons.
The entire base instantly fell into an extremely tense standoff.
Everyone was aware of the Uchiha Clan's importance.
Since their rise from the West Blue, this group of Red Eye powerhouses has swept through the land with unstoppable momentum.
The Summit War overwhelmed several Admiral-Emperor Level powerhouses, forcing the World Government to retreat in disarray and completely eliminating all naval forces stationed in the West Blue.
The recent battle at Coral Port shook the Four Blues. Madara Uchiha's feat of suppressing Kaido, Kaido of the Four Emperors, with a single sword strike remains at the top of the intelligence lists of various powers, forcing the entire sea to reassess the terrifying potential of this race.
The sudden and unannounced approach of such a top-tier force to the Revolutionary Army's headquarters is unsettling for anyone.
The camp command quickly assembled, their expressions grave. They were urgently discussing whether to send an advance team to intercept the enemy near the sea and ascertain their intentions when a tall figure silently landed on the high platform of the city wall.
Monkey D. Dragon wore a dark green cloak, with a wide hood covering most of his face, revealing only his sharply defined jawline.
The sea breeze swept past the hem of his cloak, stirring up fine white dust and sand. He raised his hand and gently pressed it down, signaling all the soldiers on guard to lower their stance.
"No need to intercept them, let them dock."
The words had barely left his lips when everyone present froze. A core commander strode forward, his voice heavy with urgency. "Mr. Long, that's Uchiha ship! Letting it pass is far too risky!"
Dragon gazed silently at the black ship slowly approaching on the sea, his tone calm and resolute, revealing not a trace of panic. "I understand."
"If the Uchiha intended to start a war, this ship would never have taken the open, main course, much less brazenly approached the main island."
He knew all too well the way these top-tier forces operated.
This group was able to launch a surprise attack on Marineford under the navy's nose, and could quietly stir up the Four Blues situation. They could easily and effortlessly sneak onto a heavily guarded island.
Since they chose an open route and approached steadily, it's clear they weren't there to provoke a war.
Dragon's gaze sharpened slightly, piercing through the hazy sea mist to pinpoint the familiar figure at the bow of the ship. He added casually, "There are three people on board, one of whom is Ace."
The commander beside him looked puzzled and asked softly, "Ace? Who is that?"
"Former Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates." Dragon didn't elaborate on his past, only highlighting key information. "After the Summit War, he recuperated and healed on Origin Island, and developed a very deep relationship with the Uchiha Clan."
With Ace on board, this cross-sea visit is most likely not a military operation targeting the Revolutionary Army.
Having grasped this point, Dragon immediately gave a stern order, "Open the main gate and receive them as honored guests. Everyone must maintain the highest level of alert, observe the situation, and without further instructions, no one is to act rashly or without authorization."
The long-sealed main gate of Baltigo slowly opened, and as the heavy door panels were pushed open, a biting sea breeze carrying white sand rushed into the camp, dispelling some of the stagnant oppression.
Dragon stood atop the high wall, his hood slightly lifted by the sea breeze, revealing a pair of calm, deep eyes, fixed intently on the approaching black speedboat.
The Revolutionary Army's understanding of the Uchiha has always been limited to cold, hard news reports.
The earth-shattering battle report from the Marineford Summit War, the analysis of the changing power structure in the West Blue, the assessment of the overwhelming strength of the Four Emperors at Coral Port, and the step-by-step expansion plans... After eight years of dormancy, they rose to prominence in one fell swoop. Every step of this group was precise, steady, and flawless.
Dragon had never seen a single Uchiha member in person, yet he understood one thing deeply.
Such top-tier forces that have reached the pinnacle of the world never engage in meaningless wanderings, much less arbitrarily cross borders to visit the heartland of hostile forces.
This journey across the sea must have a hidden purpose.
He stood quietly in the wind, his eyes revealing a cautious inquiry.
Let's wait and see.
What exactly were the purposes of this group of visitors from the West Blue who were stirring up the winds of change when they set foot on this Isolated Island white island?
Beneath the gates of Baltigo, the sea breeze never ceases.
Dragon stood silently atop the city wall, the brim of his hood repeatedly lifted and lowered by the strong wind, completely revealing his eyes hidden in the shadows.
Calm, expansive, yet with an all-knowing sharpness, it firmly locked onto the black ship slowly approaching from the nearshore waters.
The jet-black hull clung steadily to the shallow shoreline, and the Uchiha Gunbai emblem on the side of the ship gleamed with a cold and aloof metallic luster amidst the gray-white sunlight and sandstorm.
The stepping stone was lowered, and the three of them stepped onto the bluestone shore one by one.
The brothers Yaoyu and Yakumi walked side by side at the front, their expressions as indifferent as ever, their faces calm and their steps steady and silent.
As the sandstorm swept past their eyes, pairs of scarlet Sharingan faintly lit up, standing out against the desolate, gray world, exuding a unique, aloof, and imposing aura.
Ace, who followed closely behind, was a completely different person.
This desolate island was barren and the wind and sand were biting. Even the air was filled with a silent and desolate atmosphere, but he was not constrained by the surrounding atmosphere at all.
The sea breeze tousled his black hair, sending it flying wildly. His lips always held that signature bright smile, and his gaze eagerly swept over the city gates, watchtowers, and buildings along the way. His eyes couldn't hide the urgent search, as if he desperately wanted to find the figure he had longed for for half his life in this unfamiliar land.
Dragon broke the silence on the coast first, his voice deep and resonant, restrained and prudent, perfectly balancing the appropriate manner of hospitality with the caution of a power struggle.
"Unexpectedly, a distinguished guest from the Uchiha has suddenly visited Baltigo."
His gaze shifted slightly, first sweeping over the cold-faced Uchiha twins, and finally settling on Ace, lingering for a long moment.