Kizaru: This Presence... Madara Uchiha?

In the Sabaody Archipelago, bubbles floated in the sky, their vibrant colors drifting with the wind. Yet, the once bustling atmosphere, filled with tourists, pirates, and traders, was now overshadowed by a heavy, somber military atmosphere.

The seven main warships led by Akainu and Kizaru have already docked safely in the naval harbor of Sabaody.

Tens of thousands of elite soldiers from headquarters landed on the island one after another, moving supplies and dismantling weapons. Temporary defensive fortifications and barracks were quickly set up along the island's coastline.

According to the headquarters' plan, this place will undergo a large-scale expansion, widening the port berths, adding gun emplacements and ammunition depots, laying the foundation for the large-scale troop assembly and pirate extermination operations in the first half of the Grand Line after the completion of the second global Great Conscription.

The beach was bustling with naval activity; the clanging of hammers striking building materials echoed everywhere, as soldiers rushed back and forth, transporting crates of ammunition and military equipment.

Akainu Sakazuki was completely absorbed in his work, his Admiral's cloak billowing in the sea breeze as he moved back and forth between various construction sites, his face grim.

He constantly monitored the progress of the expansion fortifications, deployed troops to divide the garrison areas, and checked one material list after another. He devoted himself wholeheartedly to the deployment work and had no time to pay attention to the movements further away from the sea.

The Headquarters Vice Admiral, Momonga, Tokikake, Bastille, Strawberry, Doberman, as well as the newly promoted Vice Admiral Lantuo and Shouya, were also assigned missions and scattered throughout the archipelago.

Some were taking inventory of the harbor's defensive batteries, some were sorting out intelligence on the surrounding waters, and some were in charge of planning the temporary camp for new recruits. Everyone was engrossed in handling complicated matters, and the entire Sabaody Marine Base was operating at high speed.

Inside the Marine Branch building, this office was much quieter than the hustle and bustle outside.

Kizaru had already slipped back to the branch office. He leaned back lazily in his chair, one hand resting on the edge of the table, his fingertips holding a ceramic teacup, Borsalino which wisps of steam rose from the hot tea.

He slowly sipped the warm tea, his face bearing his usual nonchalant smile, as if the bustling expansion and defense deployment outside had little to do with him.

"Oh my, that Sakazuki guy is really energetic. He's been working on the construction site ever since he got ashore, without even a thought of resting," Kizaru murmured to himself, his glasses reflecting the light streaming in from the window.

At that moment, his Observation Haki, far surpassing that of most naval powerhouses, spread outwards like invisible ripples, sweeping across the entire surrounding sea area.

The next instant, a powerful and domineering aura, like an ancient mountain pressing down on the world, crashed into his senses.

His previously relaxed body stiffened slightly, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes beneath the sunglasses perched on his nose.

The teacup in my hand swayed slightly, and ripples spread across the tea inside.

Kizaru sat up straight, his gaze passing through the office window to the vast ocean beyond the Sabaody Archipelago. His lips moved slightly as he muttered to himself in a low voice.

"How terrifying... This aura... Madara Uchiha?"

He would never mistake that scent.

Back on the outskirts of the deserted island battlefield, he had witnessed that shocking scene from afar. That figure raised his hand and with a single sword stroke, severely wounded Kaido, one of the Four Emperors. That overwhelming sense of oppression that spanned heaven and earth was exactly the same, resurfacing in his senses once again.

The Uchiha warship that had been marked by headquarters intelligence as heading towards Sabaody had already arrived at the outer sea of the archipelago. Instead of entering the harbor, it quietly anchored in the waters outside the Bubble Current.

Kizaru was no longer relaxed. He put down his teacup, strode over to the Communication Den Den Mushi, dialed the number, and connected to Akainu's private line.

The Den Den Mushi (transparent Den Den Mushi) started ringing.

Akainu, who was supervising the construction work at the coastal construction site, had his Den Den Mushi (snail Den Den Mushi) light up.

He picked it up casually, and a rough voice came through the Den Den Mushi: "What is it, Borsalino? I'm still checking the layout of the fortifications."

Kizaru's tone lost its usual playfulness, taking on an unusual seriousness. "Sakazuki, immediately activate your Observation Haki and check the waters outside Sabaody. That Uchiha warship has arrived, and the aura on board... it's Madara Uchiha."

"Madara Uchiha?!"

On the other end of the phone, Akainu's tone suddenly turned cold.

A chilling sense of vigilance instantly crept into his heart, and he immediately unleashed his Observation Haki, extending it towards the outer sea.

A moment later, that savage, ancient, and terrifying pressure, as if it had been tempered by thousands of years of war, crashed into his senses, causing even the battle-hardened Akainu to become solemn.

"All personnel on alert!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Akainu picked up the signal horn in his hand, and the powerful warning horn sounded throughout the entire Sabaody Naval Base.

Waaah--

The deep sound of horns echoed throughout the island.

The Vice Admiral, who were all busy at work, including Momonga, Tokikake, Bastille, Strawberry, Doberman, Lantuo, and Shouya, were all taken aback when they heard the alarm horn.

With puzzled expressions, they all stopped what they were doing and hurried toward the location of Akainu and Kizaru on the shore, following the sound.

Meanwhile, off the coast of the Sabaody Archipelago.

The enormous warship floated silently on the sea, its hull bearing the Uchiha Clan crest, which stood out prominently in the sunlight.

On the deck, Madara Uchiha, dressed simply, stood with his hands behind his back, gazing across the vast sea towards the Sabaody Archipelago.

Colorful bubbles floated on the distant sea. On the island, the navy was expanding its base on a large scale. Countless warships, gun emplacements, and barracks came into view.

His dark eyes calmly surveyed this transit hub, the link between the two halves of the Grand Line, as his thoughts slowly drifted through his mind.

This is the Sabaody Archipelago, a vital passage connecting the Four Blues and the New World.

The navy has significantly increased its troop strength and defenses here, and is making large-scale preparations for a military operation to clear out the waters of Paradise. The World Government's intention to regain control of the maritime order has become clear.

He was well aware of the Navy's speculation, which most likely assumed that this trip was to pass through here on the way to Fish-Man Island.

A faint, cold smile curled at the corner of Ban's lips.

Fish-Man Island was just a stopover along the way.

To outsiders, the navy's expansion and deployment appear as a powerful force that intimidates all sides. However, in his eyes, having witnessed the millennia-long war in the Ninja World, such a force is barely enough to maintain order on this sea.