New Delhi and Abroad,
Late 1919
The Union of India stood at a crossroads—internally maturing and externally scrutinized by powers grappling with the seismic shifts left by the Great War. Arjun Sen, as Foreign Minister and the republic's unyielding protector, found himself balancing the nation's precarious sovereignty amid growing global tensions.Diplomatically, India sought to assert itself as a voice of reason and progress. Treaties were signed with emerging powers, trade agreements flourished, and India's chair at international councils symbolized its new place in world affairs. But beneath this official diplomacy lurked rivalries and undercurrents of distrust. Britain, though officially conciliatory, maneuvered covertly to weaken the Union's global standing, fostering tensions among neighboring states and funding dissident groups.Arjun's strategic foresight became paramount. Drawing on his shinigami eyes, he anticipated moves on the global chessboard, guiding India through fragile alliances and potential conflicts. He negotiated a tense peace with neighboring kingdoms, secured trade routes, and brokered intelligence-sharing pacts with allies wary of imperial entanglements.Within India, political factions debated fiercely over the republic's future course—economic policy, social reform, and the delicate balance of federal power. Arjun remained a central figure, respected and sometimes feared, his ambition tempered by wisdom born from centuries of watchful patience.Yet, as external pressures mounted, so did internal challenges. The ideals of unity were tested by regional ambitions and cultural complexities. The integration of diverse peoples required not only laws but healing—a process Arjun believed demanded more than governance; it required vision.At night, away from political throngs, Arjun reflected on the costs—his growing isolation and the relentless demands of eternity. Still, the flag of India flying high reminded him why the path must be walked alone if need be.The Union had risen from revolution and intrigue, but its future depended on the delicate interplay of power, trust, and courage. And Arjun Sen, immortal architect and vigilant guardian, knew the hardest battles were yet to come.