Holy Land Mary Geoise.
Inside Pangea Castle.
Even indoors, the atmosphere felt like eternal spring.
The entire structure was enclosed in transparent glass. Thick vines wrapped around the luxurious ornaments and climbed across the crystal walls, transforming the massive greenhouse-like palace into a flourishing forest paradise.
"..."
At the center of the hall, a figure sat upright upon a throne, eyes narrowed as they silently gazed into the distant sky.
"Lord Imu, Servants No. 12 and No. 10 have both been eliminated. Yuri, the user of the Dimension-Dimension Fruit, and Ushen, the user of the Close-Close Fruit, are both dead."
The Gorosei stood respectfully nearby with lowered heads and bent waists, not daring to look directly at the figure as they carefully reported the situation.
"..."
Imu did not turn around.
Their gaze remained fixed on the sky as a cold voice slowly echoed through the chamber.
"Have Saint Blacksmith continue forging the Ability User Sacred Artifacts. Once the two primary weapons are completed, send them here immediately."
The Gorosei answered in unison:
"Yes, we obey your command."
"God King Shirogai still has not made a move. On Pilgrim Island, Cero remains beside him, but the relationship between them is still unclear."
"Furthermore, pirates have already discovered the passage leading to the death row cells. The defensive forces stationed there will likely fall soon."
Saint Saturn, the Warrior God of Science and Defense, spoke cautiously:
"Do you require the God's Knights to intervene...?"
Imu's emotionless voice immediately interrupted him.
"The death row cells no longer need to exist. Do not allow the events from over ten years ago to repeat themselves."
Saint Saturn's expression stiffened slightly.
"You mean...?"
"Release the poison gas into the death row cells."
Imu's voice was utterly indifferent.
"Kill them all."
The Gorosei's hearts trembled.
"Yes, we obey your command."
"Lord Imu..."
Saint Marcus Mars, the Warrior God of Environment, lowered his head even further.
"The God's Knights have already become restless. They wish to personally eliminate the invaders attacking the Holy Land. Should we deploy them?"
Imu finally withdrew their gaze from the sky above.
Those crimson eyes with swirling pupils shimmered with horrifying malice. Anyone who stared directly into them would instantly fall into darkness, mistaking evil for righteousness and slaughter for justice.
"It is not yet time."
A sinister smile slowly curved across Imu's lips.
"Let them continue their reckless rampage."
"Shirogai... oh, Shirogai... your arrival has played perfectly into Imu's hands."
An almost insane greed surfaced within Imu's eyes.
"Today, everything you possess shall belong to Imu."
"You only need to guard Pangea Castle. Ignore everything else."
Imu glanced coldly at the Gorosei.
"What? Are you reluctant to part with the worthless trash living on the outskirts of Mary Geoise?"
The Gorosei immediately felt their hearts tighten.
If they displeased Imu, death would be the least of their concerns.
"Your servants would never dare!"
"That is good."
Imu paused briefly before looking toward Saint Topman Warcury, the Warrior God of Justice.
"Warcury, arrange a worldwide broadcast of everything happening in Mary Geoise."
Imu's voice carried a terrifying chill.
"Let the world witness the atrocities committed by those pirates slaughtering the World Nobles."
"Tell the commoners that this war was initiated solely by God King Shirogai."
"The World Peace Conference, which was meant to bring stability to the seas, has been completely destroyed by him."
Saint Warcury bowed deeply.
"Yes, Lord Imu."
Imu then shifted their gaze toward Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, the Warrior God of Finance.
"Also, inform that greedy man that Imu accepts every condition he proposed. Everything is negotiable."
Saint Nusjuro fell silent briefly before speaking softly.
"Lord Imu, a mere commoner is unworthy of cooperating with you."
"Imu naturally understands that."
A faint smile appeared on Imu's face.
"Do you truly believe Imu intends to cooperate with him?"
The instant those words were spoken, overwhelming malice flooded the hall.
Saint Nusjuro's breathing nearly stopped.
His body trembled uncontrollably as he immediately dropped to one knee.
"Your servant dares not question you, Lord Imu."
"Imu merely requires an excuse to eliminate them completely."
The killing intent within Imu's voice was no longer concealed.
"If everything proceeds smoothly, those vermin will never again have the chance to continue their pathetic existence."
"As long as Imu's plan succeeds..."
Suddenly, Imu's voice changed.
The originally deep and magnetic tone became distorted, layered with the voices of men, women, children, and elders speaking simultaneously.
"God King Shirogai..."
The merged voices whispered greedily:
"As long as Imu obtains the perfect vessel, the body Imu has desired for so long, a body capable of containing all of Imu's power..."
"Then this world shall have only one voice."
"And that voice shall belong solely to Imu."
Darkness flickered within Imu's crimson eyes.
"Imu is the world."
"And the world is Imu."
"..."
The Gorosei exchanged fearful glances before immediately kneeling.
"Congratulations, Lord Imu! Your long-awaited wish shall finally come true!"
The overwhelming malice instantly disappeared.
Imu calmly observed the kneeling Gorosei before speaking with unquestionable authority.
"Rest assured. Once success is achieved, Imu will reward your loyalty."
"You shall be granted the opportunity to become gods."
The Gorosei lowered their heads deeply.
"We thank Lord Imu for your divine grace!"
...
"What do you mean we can't get through?!"
"Vice Admiral, look! None of our attacks can penetrate this strange silver-white membrane ahead of us! Cannon fire, sword strikes, Haki, Devil Fruit abilities, none of it works!"
Along the mandatory route leading toward the Holy Land Mary Geoise, multiple Marine warships had gathered chaotically across the sea.
Directly ahead, beneath the ocean's surface, a massive silver-white barrier emitted a faint glow.
It appeared close enough to touch, yet no one could make contact with it.
And because of this strange membrane, the Marines who should have already reached Mary Geoise were now completely trapped outside.
Whoosh!
A figure suddenly dropped from the sky.
"Damn it! What kind of absurd ability is this?!"
Vice Admiral Onigumo landed heavily back onto the warship, his entire body covered in Armament Haki as he breathed heavily.
"To think it's this durable..."
He raised his head toward the glowing membrane above.
After over ten minutes of nonstop attacks, not even a single crack had appeared.
Frustration and helplessness filled his expression.
"I'm afraid only someone with Admiral-level strength can destroy this thing!"
Onigumo clenched his fists tightly and roared:
"Immediately contact the Admirals and have them come here at once!"