Brothers Catch Up

The lights inside flickered, casting a warm, yellow glow that enveloped the quiet room.

Sabo leaned back in his chair, his fingertips unconsciously twirling the water pipe that had accompanied him through many years of battles, his movements practiced yet relaxed.

Mentioning Luffy, Ace's eyes instantly lit up with a gentle smile, his tone light and confident. "That kid has been training in Haki under Master Rayleigh, and he hasn't missed a single moment of training. I reckon it won't be long before he sets sail again."

"You know his personality; he's always been talking about becoming the One Piece, heading to the Laugh Tale, and finding the legendary One Piece. Right now, he's probably itching to go and adventure in the New World."

"So now... would he still actively provoke Kaido and other Yonko Level powerhouses?" Sabo couldn't help but ask.

Ace waved his hand, smiling with a mix of helplessness and indulgence, "Luffy has never been the type to cause trouble or stir up trouble. What he seeks has never been fighting and conquering, but simply pure adventure, a journey alongside his companions."

"But if anyone dares to block his path or bully his companions, he will not back down in the slightest. Even if the opponent is one of the Four Emperors, he will charge headlong into them and fight to the bitter end."

Sabo nodded slightly, then, recalling the Uchiha Clan currently shaking up the New World's power structure, he asked, "The Uchiha Clan is now firmly established in the New World, Luffy sail, won't he?"

"Definitely." Ace nodded without hesitation, his tone completely reassured. "The Uchiha is already a top-tier power in the New World that can't be ignored. With Luffy into them."

But I'm not worried at all.

He looked up at the gray night outside the window, his eyes filled with warmth. "Summit War, the entire Uchiha clan did everything in their power to save me. Luffy will always remember this kindness. He will not harbor any hostility towards the Uchiha."

The powerful members of the Uchiha Whitebeard Pirates, would not actively make things difficult for him.

At most, we'll just treat this kid as another eccentric person who doesn't follow the rules.

"To be considered a weirdo by that group of eccentric Uchiha, that's really Luffy," Sabo chuckled softly.

"Not a bit changed." Ace laughed heartily. "Still that dim-witted, hot-blooded, reckless, and innocent brat."

Sabo lowered his eyes and smiled faintly, the water pipe between his fingers quietly stopping. He looked up at his brother beside him, his gaze gentle and sincere. "But you, you've changed a lot. You're much more composed than before, and you know how to take care of people much better."

Ace touched the tip of his nose sheepishly, and said frankly, "I guess it's because I've gotten used to being the older brother all these years."

"Then just continue doing it," Sabo said softly.

With a simple sentence, he gently embraced all the regrets and gaps of the past years.

Ace nodded emphatically and replied readily, "Okay."

Outside the window, the sandstorms of Baltigo continued to howl, swirling white dust across the desolate wilderness, a scene of bleak desolation. But inside the hut, an oil lamp burned quietly, its warm light shielding the outside world from all the turmoil and hardship.

The two said nothing more, and sat quietly facing each other, relaxed and at ease.

Just like the cabin in the woods of Mount Colubo many years ago, the night was gentle, a close friend was by my side, life was peaceful, and everything was well.

The conference room at the Revolutionary Army Headquarters was made of pure white rammed earth, with rough and plain walls, carrying the dry texture unique to a deserted island.

A gentle sea breeze seeped in through the window cracks, causing the candlelight on the table to flicker. The dim light and shadows danced on the white earthen walls, lending the entire room a cool and solemn atmosphere.

Dragon didn't waste time with pleasantries or formalities, getting straight to the point.

"I hope to meet Uchiha Natsu."

His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable seriousness, his gaze fixed steadily on the Uchiha twins opposite him. "There are some matters concerning the entire ocean's future that I need to discuss with him face-to-face."

Yaoyu leaned lazily against the back of the chair, maintaining her aloof and indifferent demeanor, her expression so calm that it revealed no emotion whatsoever.

He glanced sideways at the smell of Yakumi beside him. With just that one glance, without a word, the tacit understanding built up over the years was enough for the two to share all their considerations.

After a moment, Yaoyu slowly spoke, his tone frank and straightforward, without the slightest hint of perfunctoriness.

"We do not have a direct way to contact Lord Natsu Yin."

He frankly stated the truth, neither exaggerating nor shirking responsibility. "Lord Natsu's whereabouts, the pace of his seclusion, and his intentions have never been something that we at this level can fathom or control."

We can bring your request back with us, but we cannot guarantee that the message will be delivered to him in person, nor can we guarantee that he will be willing to see you or respond to you."

Silence fell over the meeting room once again, broken only by the rustling of the wind and the faint flickering of the candlelight.

Dragon stood silently, his fingertips pausing slightly. Against an ordinary force, he might have been able to exert pressure and negotiate, but against the Uchiha Clan, whose foundations were unfathomable and whose actions were capricious, any coercion would be futile.

After a brief silence, he reached into his pocket, took out a Den Den Mushi with a unique pattern, gently placed it on the solid wood table, and slowly pushed it in front of the two of them.

This Den Den Mushi was entirely dark in color and had undergone top-level encryption. Its lines were independently isolated, completely circumventing the Navy's monitoring and interception methods. It was his exclusive private communication channel.

"Please convey my message," Dragon's voice was deep and powerful. "I only wish to speak with Natsu about the future of the sea and the current turbulent situation. Whatever his final answer, whether he agrees to a meeting or refuses outright, I will accept it without question."

Yaoyu picked up the Den Den Mushi from the table, her fingertips tracing the fine encryption patterns, and then she lowered her eyes to examine it for a moment.

The small, cool-to-the-touch body of the insect is a testament to the caution and reliability of this communication channel.

"After returning to Origin Island, I will relay all your requests truthfully."

He looked up at Dragon, his tone still calm and objective, offering no empty promises or guarantees, "But I still maintain that I cannot offer any assurances. Whether he makes the call, or when he makes the call, is never up to us."

After a slight pause, the usually austere and cold Yaoyu was unusually softened with a touch of human warmth.

"However, for Ace's sake, I will personally deliver this request to Natsu Shane."

A simple addition, yet it carries enough weight.

Dragon nodded slightly, a faint hint of relief flashing in his eyes.

He was naturally aware of the Uchiha Clan's code of conduct; these powerful individuals were always aloof and rarely involved themselves with outsiders, personal relationships, or power struggles.