During the great battles of the past few days, even the scorching air of the West Blue seemed to have frozen. News of Hua Country's five Admirals sweeping aside all opposition spread to every corner of these waters like a final verdict. Yet the storm of conquest had not abated. After a brief strategic adjustment, Hua Country's terrifying war machine began its final and most thorough reckoning with the remaining powers of the West Blue.
The ghosts of the old era had to be banished completely. The new emperor's authority had to be branded onto every inch of land and every breaking wave as swiftly and irresistibly as possible. Zhou Yu and Gan Ning turned their weapons toward those powers still waiting on the sidelines, or even stubbornly refusing to yield.
Southeast of the Ilusia Kingdom lay Sang Country. Composed of several islands, it was a nation whose people revered so-called "Bushido." Its ruler, the Sang King, and the Samurai Group under his command were notorious for their obstinacy and arrogance. The country produced a unique "tamahagane," and its warships and swords enjoyed some renown in the West Blue. Upon receiving news of the Ilusia Kingdom's surrender, the Sang King showed no panic. Instead, he held a banquet in his palace and arrogantly declared, "The cowards of the Ilusia Kingdom don't deserve their fertile lands! We warriors of Sang Country will use the famous swords in our hands to show the people of Hua Country what true backbone is! Seal our borders! All warriors, board the warships! We'll fight them to the death at sea! Then we'll annex the entire West Blue. Gahahahahaha!"
Before the echoes of his boast had faded, three Hua Country warships flying the Dark Bird War Flag appeared on the distant horizon. They were the Brocade