The N-7 Area of the West Blue, waters that had once belonged to the former Ballywood Kingdom, was terrifyingly quiet. Afternoon sunlight pierced the thin clouds and spilled across the ink-blue sea, yet brought no warmth. An invisible pressure drove the seabirds far away, and even the waves grew tame and restrained.
Hua Country's fleet stood in a crescent formation between sea and sky, its core consisting of nine enormous ships with emblems of a wing-spread Dark Bird set into their bows. On the bridge of the flagship Azure Dragon at the center, Guan Yu stood with his eyes lowered, the Green Dragon Crescent Blade reflecting the cold daylight. Beside him, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong, Lü Bu, Gan Ning, Chinjao, and the other commanders stood solemnly. Even Dian Wei, who usually guarded Chen Yu, had been sent over. Their gazes pierced the distant horizon, settling on the row of black dots gradually growing larger.
Meanwhile, Chen Yu, accompanied by Liu Bei, Guo Jia, and the others, remained atop the walls of a border city in the former Ballywood Kingdom.
"They're here." Zhuge Liang gently waved his Feather Fan, his voice calm. Beside him, Guo Jia took a gulp of wine, a sharp gleam flashing briefly in his eyes.
"Once we overcome this hurdle, Hua Country will stand above the heavens, on equal footing with those ridiculous Celestial Dragons," came the voices of several civil officials behind them.
"Those Celestial Dragons are nothing but fools raised in captivity. The ones we should stand alongside are those who truly hold power." Guo Jia glanced behind him and smiled.
Just then.
In the distance, dozens of standard-issue Marine warships broke through the morning mist, the seagull flags atop their masts conspicuous. Even more striking was the stretch of sea ahead of