Dragon's Invitation
The evening breeze eventually swept through the courtyard, swirling up a carpet of light and shadow.
Unbeknownst to anyone, the landscape of the ocean has been quietly rewritten.
The navy lost a great Admiral, and the old world lost its last vestige of checks and balances.
And the Uchiha's eternal throne gained another top-tier combatant, capable of suppressing the turbulent times and protecting the land, steadily calming the Four Blues world.
The sea surface at Origin Island pier was gently rippling. A Uchiha- style speedboat slowly cut through the waves and came to a steady stop on the blue stone pier.
Before the boat had fully landed, Yaoyu moved swiftly, leaping directly from the bow and landing steadily on the stone steps.
The Yakumi followed closely behind. The two walked steadily, but a hint of weariness was hidden between their brows.
After days of drifting across the ocean and braving the winds and waves, we have finally returned to the safe haven of Origin Island.
The two had no intention of lingering or resting. They bypassed the clansmen coming and going at the dock and walked straight towards the side hall of the Naka Shrine along the familiar stone path.
The side hall was quiet and peaceful. Natsu sat quietly at her desk, her fingertips flipping through the clan affairs report that had been compiled and delivered that Setsuna. The paper was full of trivial matters concerning the clan's livelihood, the deployment of military forces, and the control of the sea area.
Two approaching footsteps were easily identifiable outside the door. He heard them, raised his hand, closed the briefing, and looked up.
The Yaoyu and the Yakumi mingled as they entered, bowing respectfully as they performed a proper clan ceremony.
Without any unnecessary pleasantries, Yaoyu gently placed a fully encrypted Den Den Mushi on the table and got straight to the point.
"My lord, on our journey to Baltigo to escort Ace back, we also brought back an important matter."
"The leader of the Revolutionary Army, Monkey D. Dragon, wishes to meet with you in person. He wants to discuss the current changing landscape of the seas and potential opportunities for future cooperation between the two sides."
"Dragon..."
Natsu softly uttered the name, picked up the Den Den Mushi from the table with her fingertips, and casually twirled it between her fingers twice, a thoughtful glint appearing in her eyes.
Yaoyu nodded appropriately and repeated the other person's words verbatim.
Dragon stated that although the Revolutionary Army and the Uchiha seem to have no connection, they share an absolute commonality that runs throughout their relationship—both are mortal enemies of the World Government.
On the path of overthrowing the old order, both sides naturally have a basis for cooperation.
This exclusive Den Den Mushi is encrypted with multiple layers of security, completely circumventing the Navy's and the World Government's surveillance channels; it is Dragon's private line.
Whether Natsu ultimately agreed or refused, he accepted it calmly, without any hint of coercion.
"The other party's attitude was very sincere, not like a casual, feigned politeness," Yaoyu added in a low voice.
Natsu gently placed the Den Den Mushi back on the table, slowly leaned back in her chair, and tapped the wooden armrest with her fingertips in a leisurely and scrutinizing rhythm.
It wasn't really unexpected that Dragon extended an olive branch.
The Revolutionary Army has been lying low for many years, and has always been at odds with the World Government, which is entrenched in the Holy Land.
Meanwhile, the Uchiha rose to power in the West Blue, swept across the surrounding seas, and gradually tore apart the old world's barriers of dominance, already standing on the opposite side of the World Government.
Looking across the entire ocean, the only force capable of directly confronting the Celestial Dragons and standing shoulder to shoulder with the Revolutionary Army to restrain powerful enemies is perhaps the Uchiha Clan.
Dragon was able to establish a firm foothold and secretly grow stronger for many years despite the World Government 'Revolutionary Army tight encirclement and suppression, and this was never due to empty ideals and passion.
This person is deep and insightful, adept at assessing situations and laying the groundwork for future plans.
Now that they are taking the initiative to lower their stance and seek cooperation, it seems that they have already thoroughly grasped the Uchiha's combat strength, strategic vision, and potential, and are convinced of the value of cooperation between the two sides.
"Does he have any other explanation?" Natsu asked, looking up at him.
"No." Yaoyu shook her head slightly. "There was no rushing, no time limit set, he only said that everything was in accordance with your wishes, and he would accept whatever the outcome might be."
Natsu nodded slightly.
Do not exert pressure, force, or bind others; hand over all initiative to your own side.
This seemingly mild attitude was precisely Dragon's most cunning test.
It demonstrated sincerity in cooperation while preserving all possible escape routes, striking the perfect balance.
He gazed silently at the quiet Den Den Mushi on the table, having already made up his mind.
He would make that call sooner or later, but definitely not now.
Dragon is eager to join forces to counterbalance the old powers, then let him wait a while longer.
Once the Uchiha has solidified its position in the New World, once the situation across the ocean becomes clearer, and once Dragon has fully revealed the Revolutionary Army's trump card...
Game theory is never about hasty negotiations, but about first observing the overall situation before making a move.
Let the Revolutionary Army reveal their strategy first, so that the Uchiha can calmly formulate a plan.
Natsu reached out and put the Encrypted Den Den Mushi into the drawer, gently locking it. She looked up at the two people in front of her and said in a gentle tone, "You must be tired from this long voyage. Go and rest."
He bowed respectfully, responding to the Yaoyu and the Yakumi, and quietly withdrew from the side hall.
The hall fell silent again. Natsu picked up the clan affairs report again, her gaze casually sweeping across the paper, but her peripheral vision fell on Sasuke in the Training Ground below.
The boy was engrossed in fighting his Shadow Clone, his clothes soaked with sweat, his moves stubborn and fierce, showing that he was desperately honing his skills.
Natsu calmly withdrew her gaze, a relaxed smile spreading across her lips.
The cooperation with Dragon, the changes at sea, and the struggle between the old and new forces may seem like imminent storms to others, but to him, they are merely ordinary moves on a chessboard, waiting to be made.
He has the overall situation under his control and the pace of things; he never needs to cater to anyone's urgency.
No rush.
Let the Revolutionary Army leader in Baltigo continue to wait.
Since he was in control of the game, when to place a piece and how to balance the game were entirely up to him.
Today, the Dressrosa Palace Hills are unusually bustling and lively.
Before dawn, with the sky still shrouded in a heavy, pale light, Doflamingo impatiently woke all the Donquixote Family executives from their sleep and assembled them.
No one in the entire family was exempt; even the usually calm and taciturn Pica was summoned to the royal palace to await orders.
Trebol leaned lazily against a pillar in the main hall, sticky fluid dripping slightly from his clothes, his signature snot hanging from his lips, his face full of impatience and bewilderment.
He was utterly baffled. It was just a group of young Uchiha clan members patrolling the island; why make such a fuss and put everyone on high alert?
Doflamingo happened to turn around and glance at him.
The sunglasses concealed the expression in his eyes, but the gaze that swept over him was as sharp as a poisoned blade, chilling to the bone.
Only his tone remained his usual sarcastic and enigmatic manner, both languid and intimidating.