Madara Uchiha at Ease
The safest and most comfortable spot on the entire warship is undoubtedly the second deck, which offers the best view.
Here, there are no obstructions; the sea breeze is refreshing, and the sunlight shines freely, illuminating the entire area brightly.
Madara Uchiha wore a simple, dark blue outfit. The fabric was thick and heavy, and the hem and cuffs of his clothes fluttered slightly in the sea breeze.
He casually leaned against an old-fashioned rattan lounge chair, his posture relaxed and comfortable, without a trace of domineering arrogance, but rather a completely leisurely and carefree demeanor.
He gently propped his cheek with one hand, while the other hand slowly turned the pages of a yellowed book of folk tales. His gaze was calm and focused on the pages, his expression serene and peaceful. The fierce and ruthless nature of the battlefield had faded from his eyes, leaving only the composure and leisure that comes with the passage of time.
No one could imagine that this man, quietly reading and seemingly carefree, was a top-tier powerhouse who had recently crushed and severely injured Kaido, the Strongest Creature on land, sea, and air, and stood at the pinnacle of combat power in this vast ocean.
Madara did not intentionally release any Chakra, nor did he reveal any killing intent. However, the immense pressure of a top-tier expert still permeated every corner of the entire warship like an invisible and intangible tide.
The gentle sea breeze seemed to linger here, and the once active seabirds in the surrounding waters flew away, while the Sea Kings hidden in the deep sea hid and dared not surface. Even the surging waves seemed to subconsciously slow down.
The seemingly calm voyage was actually filled with the absolute dominance of the strong.
Ban appeared to be immersed in the everyday stories in the book, but his mind was never completely detached from this long voyage mission.
The warnings and instructions that Natsu transmitted remotely through the Uchiha's exclusive secret technique remained clearly imprinted deep in his mind.
This voyage across the first half of the Grand Line, traversing the Red Line and reaching the waters near New Marineford in the New World, was not primarily for war or conquest, but rather a straightforward, forceful, and subtle show of military power.
At a crucial juncture where the World Government is secretly orchestrating, implementing layers of checks and balances, attempting to divide forces, and analyzing the power of the Uchiha...
Origin Island needs to use such a frank voyage to clearly inform the Navy, the Five Elders, and Imu that the Uchiha Clan's fighting power is no longer afraid of any official intimidation and that they are ready to confront all the plans of the world's highest authority at any time.
After a long while, Ban slowly closed the storybook in his hand and looked up at the vast horizon where the sea and sky met in the distance.
At the edge of the horizon, the Marine Branch patrol ship that had been hastily dodging had completely disappeared from the horizon, leaving not even a trace.
But with his extraordinary perception, he clearly sensed the panic, fear, and desperate desire to escape among all the Navy Soldier on that warship.
From a clan once suspected, feared, and slandered by the world, to a top power that makes the entire sea and the official navy retreat and dare not look directly at them, in just a few short years, this sea has once again been marked with the brilliance of the Uchiha.
A faint smile curved at the corner of Ban's lips, a smile that seemed both mocking and indifferent, but vanished in an instant without leaving a trace.
"In just a few years, the atmosphere over this sea has changed so quickly," he murmured to himself, his voice low and soft, completely dissipating in the howling sea wind.
He had witnessed the wars and power struggles of the Ninja World, and had also experienced the lows and periods of dormancy of his clan. Now, as he once again witnessed the glory of his clan shining throughout the world, he felt neither arrogant nor impatient, but only a calm and clear mind.
He knew very well that the current peace and awe he felt were not something that came out of thin air, but rather the absolute confidence gained from the bloody battles and the explosive growth in strength of countless clansmen.
Withdrawing his gaze from the distance, Ban lowered his head again, slowly turning the pages of the book, continuing to immerse himself in the mundane story, his posture still leisurely and calm, as if there were no confrontations or storms ahead.
The warships continued their steady advance, cutting through the waves day and night towards the Red Line. Occasionally, scattered pirate ships and small merchant vessels would appear on the edge of their vision along the way.
But as soon as they saw the Uchiha Clan Crest hanging high in the distance, everyone would instantly be terrified and stop their movements. They would either drop anchor and stop their ships to avoid it, or quickly turn their ships around and flee in panic. No one dared to linger or spy on them for even a moment.
The patrol vessels of many Marine Branch received early warnings of unusual activity in the sea area. Whenever they detected the sailing trajectory of this giant warship, they all immediately changed course to avoid any contact.
Having witnessed the crushing defeat on the Deserted Island Battle, the lower ranks of the Navy had developed a deep-seated fear of the Uchiha Clan, and no one was willing to risk their lives to confront this terrifying force capable of crushing the Four Emperors and rivaling the Navy Headquarters.
On the surface of the sea, the scene appears perfectly peaceful and tranquil, with warships sailing smoothly and without hindrance, and no one daring to stop or disturb them; but beneath the surface, undercurrents are already surging and the situation is tense.
The World Government's quietly initiated recruitment, extermination, appeasement, and scientific research strategy is being implemented layer by layer, while the Uchiha Clan's powerful long-range expeditions are the most direct counterattack and check and balance.
This warship, laden with Uchiha elites, moved like a chess piece calmly placed in a game of chess, slowly traversing the Grand Line, step by step approaching the core battlefield of the New World, and the power center of the New Marine Headquarters.
On the second deck, Ban continued reading leisurely, his expression calm, the atmosphere around him relaxed and tranquil.
But everyone knew that the moment this warship crossed the Red Line and officially entered the New World's waters, a silent yet deadly top-level confrontation between the Uchiha Clan and the World Government would begin.
The storms ahead are approaching, and a change in the overall landscape of the ocean is quietly brewing amidst this seemingly calm voyage.
New World, New Marine Headquarters.
A massive fortress, constructed from gray-white boulders, stands on the turbulent coastline, its fortifications dotted with numerous Navy Soldier moving back and forth, the intermittent sounds of bugles echoing across the entire base.
Since the last earth-shattering battle on the deserted island, the Marine Headquarters has been shrouded in a persistent atmosphere of oppression. The confrontation with the Uchiha Clan is like a heavy boulder, weighing heavily on the hearts of every high-ranking Marine officer.
The heavy solid wood doors of the operations conference room on the top floor of the headquarters building slowly closed.
The room was dimly lit, and on the long table lay a series of secret paper orders from the World Government, their red wax seals strikingly prominent—high-level directives issued directly by the Five Elders.
Sengoku, dressed in a Fleet Admiral's cloak, stood before a floor-to-ceiling window with his hands behind his back, gazing at the surging, azure sea outside.