Katakuri's Plan, Charlotte Linlin's Attention
"Their enemy is far away in the West Blue, and they have no dealings with us in the Totto Land Tavern. There's no need for us to make enemies." Katakuri's voice remained calm, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the trident at his waist.
"The West Blue is the World Government's base of operations; they can't just sit idly by and watch such a power grow stronger. We don't need to do anything; we can just observe and wait."
He paused, then added, "If you don't like that kid, when the World Government makes its move, we can just shut down the outer patrols. That way, the Navy can free up more troops to go to the West Blue."
If you think letting the World Government win is too arrogant, then wait until they are both severely weakened, then send your fleet to show up and force the Navy to withdraw.
There are no unnecessary embellishments or fancy words; every sentence hits the mark perfectly.
The Big Mom's face immediately lit up with a satisfied smile. She clapped her hands on the armrest and laughed heartily, making the cream cake on the table shake. "Mamamama! You're such a good son! We'll do as you say!"
Her eyes suddenly lit up, and she licked the cream from the corner of her mouth. "Oh, right, let's add one more thing. Go and investigate this Demon-Subduing Ghost Clan, see if they have any strange abilities or special products. If it's interesting, send an invitation to that Uchiha Natsu at the next Tea Party too."
"Understood." Katakuri nodded slightly, without asking any further questions.
He turned and left the banquet hall, his lips beneath the scarf still devoid of any smile.
As he passed through the corridor, he glanced back towards the West Blue, and a barely perceptible hint of seriousness flashed in his eyes, which seemed to glimpse the future.
Only after his figure completely disappeared at the end of the corridor did the cadres huddled in the corner finally dare to breathe heavily, collapsing to the ground, their backs soaked with cold sweat.
The sea breeze from Origin Island drifted through the wooden lattice windows of Naka Shrine, carrying a faint salty smell that mingled with the smoke of sandalwood incense, swirling in the room. Natsu pulled her finger away from the black Den Den Mushi, turned and walked to her desk, spreading out a roll of neatly cut Xuan paper.
He dipped his wolf-hair brush in ink, the tip making a soft rustling sound as it touched the paper. He meticulously copied down every word Whitebeard had said, from the most basic Armament Haki, "Concentrating Qi within the body," to Ryuo's "Qi penetrating within," and then to Observation Haki Haki's "Perceiving all things," leaving nothing out. Occasionally, when he paused to write, he would recall Whitebeard's words, "The most basic thing is taking a beating," and a slight smile would unconsciously twitch at the corner of his mouth.
Half an hour later, the last character was written. Natsu blew the ink off the paper, carefully folded the Xuan paper, and tucked it into her bosom.
He pushed open the wooden door of the shrine and walked along the stone path towards the Training Ground. The afternoon sun was shining brightly, and the Training Ground was bustling with activity as the clansmen trained hard, Kunai Rainbase. Some were practicing Shuriken, the sharp sounds of kunai slicing through the air echoing everywhere; others were sparring with Wood Release, emerald vines entwining Wood Golem and making dull thuds as they struck the open ground; and several children were practicing the Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu, orange-red fireballs soaring into the air, illuminating half the sky.
Natsu kept walking, his gaze sweeping across the Training Ground. He could see that the clansmen's Ninjutsu had been honed to perfection, but once they engaged in close combat, they inevitably revealed weaknesses. Without the support of Haki, even the most exquisite Ninjutsu would be greatly diminished when facing Logia Fruit users or Taijutsu masters.
Passing through the Training Ground, you reach Fugaku's residence. The gate is ajar, and the sound of a wooden ruler tapping on blueprints can be heard from inside. Natsu pushes open the door and sees Fugaku hunched over the table, sketching and writing on a defensive fortification diagram of Origin Island, his brows furrowed.
"Uncle."
Hearing the voice, Fugaku looked up and put down the wooden ruler in his hand. "Natsu? What brings you here?"
Natsu walked to the table and handed over the folded Xuan paper she was carrying. "I just spoke with Whitebeard on the phone, and he taught me the cultivation method for Two-Color Haki. I've organized it, take a look."
Fugaku's fingers tightened suddenly, and he took the Xuan paper a fraction of a second faster.
His knuckles, calloused from years of wielding a knife, carefully unfolded the thin sheet of paper, his gaze sweeping over each word. His tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed, then slowly deepened into even deeper lines.
The room was quiet, with only the occasional sounds of training coming from outside the window and the two people's soft breathing.
Natsu pulled up a chair and sat down, looking at the Xuan paper in Fugaku's hand. She softly added the details that Whitebeard hadn't written on the paper, "He said there are no shortcuts to Armament Haki. The dumbest but most effective method is to get hit and feel the flow of Qi in actual combat. Observation Haki relies more on talent. Close your eyes and listen, feel. The Sharingan's dynamic vision should be a great help."
Fugaku didn't speak, he just nodded. His finger lingered on the two characters "Ryuo" (Ryuo), stroking them repeatedly.
After a long while, he finally raised his head, his eyes filled with undisguised shock. "So this is Haki... No wonder the Navy and those great pirates can run rampant in the New World. This power is a completely different system from our Chakra, yet they complement each other."
"That's right." Natsu nodded. "Chakra allows us to unleash Ninjutsu, Haki can compensate for our weaknesses in close combat and defense. If we could imbue Wood Release Armament Haki, or wrap it around the blades of Susanoo, its power would at least double."
Fugaku wholeheartedly agreed.
He recalled his fight with Gion, where Kompira, wreathed in black energy, had easily severed his Ninjutsu.
At the time, he thought it was some kind of special Ninjutsu, but now he realizes that it was Armament Haki.
"If only I had known about this power earlier..." Fugaku sighed, then shook his head. "It's not too late now."
He carefully folded the Xuan paper, his movements as solemn as if he were holding the future of the entire clan in his hands.
He looked up at Natsu, his eyes resolute. "This method must be passed on to the entire clan immediately."
"That's what I think too," Natsu said, "But we can't rush it. Whitebeard said that forcibly training Armament Haki will harm the body."
"Let's start with the Jonin and Elite Chunin within the clan, letting them figure out a training method suitable for our Uchiha, and then pass it on to the ordinary clan members."
"Okay." Fugaku nodded immediately. "I'll call a meeting with all the Elder tonight, and we'll start teaching in batches first thing tomorrow morning. The Training Ground also needs to be adjusted. We'll set aside a special area for practicing Haki, and arrange for a few people to take turns as sparring partners."
As he spoke, he stood up, clutching the sheet of Xuan paper tightly in his hand, his steps quickening slightly.
As he reached the door, he turned back to look at Natsu, a rare, faint smile appearing on his lips, "Natsu, thanks to you. With this, we Uchiha have finally gained a foothold on this vast ocean."
Natsu also stood up and looked out the window.
The setting sun cast long shadows of the tribespeople on the Training Ground.
Those figures sweating profusely, those shouts of battle rising and falling, were now all bathed in a golden light.
yes.
Ninjutsu is their foundation, and Haki is their wings.
From this day forward, no one on this vast ocean will be able to easily bully the Uchiha Clan.