Uchiha's personal opinion

After several days and nights of sailing, the advance fleet finally met up with the task force and obtained advance intelligence and the natives captured in the naval battle.

The first thing Uchiha Shiina did was to follow Uchiha Tokumitsu's instructions and arrange for the Yamanaka clan ninjas to search the minds of the prisoners, extract their knowledge of language from their memories, and compile it into language teaching materials.

Then, advance ninjas who had learned the New World language were arranged to disguise themselves as various individuals and go to the target area to conduct reconnaissance and verification.

Furthermore, Uchiha Shiina also uncovered some information about the ninja world—

"The Hidden Mist Pirates..."

This also reminded Uchiha Shiina of the Pipa Juzo fleet that once sailed east across the sea.

"A ruthless pirate capable of controlling dense fog to obscure the ocean, with the ability to manipulate wind, waves, and tides comparable to sea kings, leaving behind only devastated ruins wherever he goes..."

This description is also very similar to the image of the Hidden Mist Ninja.

"So they were the pioneers of the ninja world!"

Uchiha Shiina was extremely displeased.

Moreover, the interrogation revealed that the origins of this pirate crew are very mysterious. To this day, no one in the New World knows their origins. Even though the regular army of this world—the World Government Navy—has repeatedly tried to encircle and suppress them, they have either been defeated or escaped. They are known for their ruthlessness and cunning, unlike the stubborn pirates that are common in this world.

"No wonder His Majesty calls this world the pirate world; I didn't expect there to be so many pirate crews!"

As he flipped through the intelligence, Uchiha Shiina shook his head repeatedly.

He needs to send personnel to verify the information about the various kingdoms, the World Government, the Navy, pirates, and even powerful figures with various titles, and determine the Shinobi World Government's future stance based on the contact.

The strategy of "pulling one faction and attacking another" was also one of the guiding principles of the Ninja World Expedition.

Furthermore, according to the logic of the ninja world where being able to eat one's fill is considered happiness, the living conditions of ordinary people in this world are far too good—they can simply throw nets into the sea and catch enough fish to eat! But in reality, the reason why pirates are rampant is because ordinary people have neither opportunities for advancement nor enough to eat, which is why they flock to join pirate crews of all sizes, plunging the entire world into chaos.

He couldn't quite understand what kind of brutal and tyrannical government could lead to such a stark contrast, allowing so many pirates to emerge in such a prosperous world.

However, emotions aside, work is work. After completing the arrangements for the intelligence personnel, Uchiha Shiina began to compile reports to report to headquarters.

All the words in the book can be summed up in one sentence:

"The land is rich in resources, yet the people are suffering terribly. The army must come quickly!"

Chapter 491 Intelligence First

In Uchiha Shiina's report, the New World was officially designated as the 'Pirate World' based on Uchiha Tokumitsu's suggestion, and the Shinobi World Government adopted this as the official name for the New World.

Although it's just a minor issue of title, it can, to some extent, weaken the resistance of some ninjas who are reluctant to participate in the war. It also reflects the view of the Shinobi World Government—a world overrun by pirates needs the benevolent and virtuous Emperor Deguang to send ninja troops to 'save' it!

Uchiha Tokumitsu also gave important instructions on the report of the expeditionary vanguard: It is imperative to base ourselves on the customs and culture of the pirate world, dig out the real internal contradictions and pain points, strengthen intelligence gathering and organizational infiltration, do a good job in mobilizing the people at the grassroots level, and support their armed struggles against the opposition in various places.

As the most trusted member of the royal family of His Majesty the Great Emperor, Uchiha Shiina readily agreed and added another performance indicator to the intelligence ninjas dispatched abroad: they must find and infiltrate an opposition organization of the World Government among pirates!

……

"Our Lord Shiina really knows how to order people around..."

Based on the map obtained during interrogation, the intelligence ninja, who was attempting to infiltrate the target area by boat, complained after receiving a telegram from headquarters: "We've only just learned the language, and we're already trying to infiltrate an opposition organization... It's not that easy!"

"Captain Xinhu, you're also of royal lineage, shouldn't you ask headquarters to lower the mission's difficulty?"

Hinata Shinki, who was in charge of the radio station, complained to his captain, Uchiha Nobutora.

"Why don't you attend another language class?"

Uchiha Nobutora, who was dozing off with his legs crossed, didn't even bother to open his eyes and casually said, "And also~ do you know why you've never been promoted?"

“I know…you’ve said it countless times.”

Hinata Shinki muttered.

"Because you are too lazy. Even though your strength is sufficient, you have never shown the sense of responsibility that is sufficient for a Jonin captain."

Uchiha Nobutora said, "If I hadn't dragged you into the expeditionary force this time, you'd probably still be lazing around under Commander Hizashi, right?"

"...Lord Hizashi said he would send me a wife."

Hinata Shinki said in a somewhat pitiful tone.

The Ino-Shika-Cho ninjas who were traveling with him immediately turned red in the face, while the other five ninjas who lacked stamina began to chuckle.

"...Even someone with professional training could easily burst out laughing in this situation."

Uchiha Nobutora said expressionlessly.

He was actually trying not to laugh.

"Ha ha ha ha!!!"

The three Ino-Shika-Cho ninjas immediately burst out laughing.

"By the way, why haven't we encountered any of those so-called sea monsters along the way?"

Hinata Shinki tried to change the subject: "Didn't the intelligence report say that the so-called Calm Belt is full of large sea monsters?"

"I don't know..."

Uchiha Nobutora shook his head and said, "If we could capture a sea monster, we might be able to roam freely in this strange world."

"It's a good thing we didn't encounter a sea monster..."

The Nara ninja, who was diligently studying grammar, looked up and said, "It's still quite risky for a company to fight against a large sea monster of unknown strength..."

"Let's rest. After all, we still have to stay at sea for another ten days or so."

Bored out of his mind, Uchiha Nobutora closed his eyes.

"Target location: Sabaody Archipelago... What a strange place!"

Hinata Shinki took out the mission document and looked at it again. He noticed that everyone was resting with their eyes closed, trying to recover from seasickness. So he stopped talking and continued to stare blankly before returning to the radio station. The fast ship, powered by the engine, continued to sail in the calm zone.

……

Because the number of fast ships in the Dynasty Navy fleet that were capable of withstanding storms was limited, and because the ninjas' progress in learning the common language of the pirate world varied, the first batch of intelligence personnel sent out consisted of only twenty groups totaling two hundred people.

These intelligence agents had different objectives, but their first destination was the Sabaody Archipelago. According to intelligence obtained through interrogation of prisoners, the Sabaody Archipelago was the starting point of the so-called New World and the Grand Line, and it was also near Marineford, the headquarters of the World Government Navy, the strongest armed force in the world. Based on the intelligence agents' research and judgment, the Sabaody Archipelago naturally became the first infiltration point.

Of course, another important reason is that the navigation tools they had previously seized in the pirate world only had memory pointers that could point to the outer perimeter of the Sabaody Archipelago.

Although the ninjas' geographical knowledge was insufficient to comprehend the so-called Grand Line and the relationship between the four seas in this strange new world, following Uchiha Tokumitsu's personal instructions, the advance command decided to send its most capable personnel to establish an intelligence station in the Sabaody Archipelago and begin various infiltration operations—including but not limited to joining or even merging with various pirate crews.

"To conquer the pirate world, one must first control the oceans of the Old World; to gain control of the Old World's seas, one must seize the Sabaody Archipelago!"

That's what Uchiha Shiina thought.

Since the current expeditionary force is located in an area consisting of only scattered small islands and no large-scale human settlements, the expeditionary ninjas are unable to piece together a complete geographical picture of the pirate world based solely on the information obtained through interrogation, let alone have any comprehensive understanding. Under such circumstances, developing and cultivating the area is the top priority. After all, according to the interrogation information, the claim that the so-called four major pirate crews of the New World have tens of thousands of members is far too exaggerated. If their strength is as exaggerated as that of Uchiha Lumbu in his first encounter, then the ninja world's conquest of the pirate world would be an impossible task!

However, it is certain that the sea area now appearing through the hurricane barrier should be the first half of the Grand Line in the pirate world, and the importance of the Sabaody Archipelago as the front gate to the New World is self-evident.

……

After the advance team's fisheries experts sent the marine information from the pirate world back to the ninja world, a large fleet of fishing boats from the United Company also entered the New World through the hurricane barrier and returned fully loaded after a day and a night of fishing!

This harvest is comparable to the monthly catch of the United Fisheries Bureau!

This achievement has greatly inspired the ninjas' enthusiasm for exploring the world of One Piece—after all, profit is the best motivation!

Subsequently, the second batch of more than 5,000 expeditionary troops also began to prepare to enter the pirate world after completing their organization and training. Their duties were to establish a series of permanent bases in the 'Storm Islands' behind the vanguard, build shipyards and other supporting facilities, and explore the mineral resources of the pirate world.

Overall, although Uchiha Tokumitsu raised his voice very high, he was still quite cautious in his actions.

After all, it is not advisable to gamble the fate of the nation on a single battle, and Uchiha Tokumitsu is still young. He has enough time and manpower to explore this pirate world, which may or may not completely match his memories from his previous life.

……

When Uchiha Nobutora arrived at the waters surrounding the Sabaody Archipelago, even though he prided himself on his extensive knowledge, he was stunned by this extremely strange island!

"Is this...is this an island...?"

Uchiha Nobutora was the most astonished: "Even the legendary Wood Release couldn't achieve this level of skill!"

"So this is what is known as the Yarlung mangrove..."

The entire squadron was deeply shocked, and Hyuga Shinki murmured to himself, "It's truly a dreamlike fairyland!"

"...We're still twenty kilometers from the archipelago. Let's prepare to disembark."

Nara Hideyuki, one of the Ino-Shika-Cho ninjas in the team, was the first to come to his senses.

"Pack your personal belongings, I'm going to seal the ship away!"

Uchiha Nobutora shook his head, took out a giant scroll more than a meter long from the cabinet, and instantly appeared on the deck. After everyone left the ship and stepped into the water, he used a sealing technique to seal the entire speedboat!

After securing the massive scroll to his back, he donned a diving mask and was the first to leap into the sea, followed by his nine subordinates who also dived into the water.

After slowly and stealthily advancing for nearly an hour, Uchiha Nobutora and his group infiltrated Tree Island, the sixteenth island in the chaotic area of ​​the Sabaody Archipelago as described in the intelligence.

"Outsider!"

Having just landed on the coast, Uchiha Nobutora and his group, who were wandering around and drawing detailed maps, were surrounded by a large group of 'white-uniformed marines' who looked very hostile.

Who are you people?!

Uchiha Nobutora frowned and replied in standard, colloquial language he had learned from the One Piece world.

The reason they didn't conceal their whereabouts was because Uchiha Nobutora was eager to make a name for himself—according to intelligence, fighting the Marines was almost the most direct way for pirates in this world to gain fame!

"what!"

The group of 'white-uniformed' men, who clearly didn't look like good people, immediately became agitated after hearing Uchiha Nobutora's words.

"You...you are..."

The men in white uniforms, who had initially looked somewhat menacing, stammered, "Are you from the Navy?"

"...How did you figure that out?"

Uchiha Nobutora was a little confused.

He pondered that although his group was armed, their attire was very ordinary, and there were no conspicuous features to be seen!

"That's right! It's naval slang!"

The men in white uniforms shouted and then scattered.

"What kind of situation is this...?"

Uchiha Nobutora was even more confused.

"...It seems the language teaching materials were extracted from the memories of a navy officer, so perhaps their spoken language is somewhat unique?"