Ron studied the woman before him with clear interest.
This was the one who stood above the Five Elders and even the Commander-in-Chief of the entire military in the pirate world.
The true ruler lurking behind the World Government.
The master of the Empty Throne.
And standing behind Im—
Was one of the Five Elders themselves: Jaygarcia Saturn.
"Hello, Ron,"
Im replied softly, her voice gentle yet cool.
However…
Her steps toward the bar were slow.
Very slow.
Even though she had already received intelligence from Sengoku beforehand and had mentally prepared herself—
The moment she truly saw the tavern's guests, her heart still skipped involuntarily.
The first person to catch her eye
was a blonde girl carrying drinks.
But—
She had horns on her head.
And a green tail trailing behind her.
When Observation Haki spread outward,
Im and Saturn both heard a furious dragon's roar echoing in their minds.
Kaido?
No—
Compared to this presence, Kaido was nothing more than a little brother.
Next—
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the Nether King and the Snow Emperor still locked in debate,
while Kesha and Liang Bing were openly trading insults.
The casual aura leaking from those four alone
made even Im's heart sink heavily.
Just as she was about to sit at the bar—
Suddenly—
The tavern door was shoved open.
Saint rushed in from outside, looking frantic,
with his half-dead idiot son tucked under his arm.
"Make some room!"
Saint shoved past the two of them, tossed Demon Xiaolong onto a chair, and immediately activated the Horse Talisman to heal him.
Not long after—
Demon Xiaolong regained consciousness, and all his injuries vanished.
Saint hugged his son tightly and burst into tears.
"Waaah—
my stupid son!
If it weren't for the Horse Talisman, you'd have died here today!"
Demon Xiaolong ground his teeth.
"Isn't that because you keep hitting me with killing blows?!"
"Wait—
why isn't my lower body healed yet?!"
Saint chuckled awkwardly.
"Well… I was worried you'd interfere with my late-night grinding,
so I figured you could suffer a bit longer."
Demon Xiaolong: "..."
Seeing this scene,
Im and Saturn—who had been shoved aside—couldn't help but feel speechless.
But…
They recognized Saint and his son immediately.
These were the monsters who had beaten Garp, Sengoku, and Kizaru senseless just days ago.
Soon after,
Im chose a seat at the bar.
Unluckily—or perhaps fatefully—
She ended up sitting right next to Rayleigh.
Rayleigh's body stiffened instantly.
Saturn stood behind her, assuming the role of bodyguard.
"What would you like to drink?" Ron asked calmly.
"You choose," Im said, legs together, hands resting lightly on her abdomen, sitting with perfect elegance.
"There's no special purpose today. I only came to visit this place."
"I hope I'm not intruding."
Ron turned and handed her a bottle.
"All guests are welcome here.
No need to be tense—just relax."
"Rayleigh and Chaton are always quite at ease here."
"Then I'll take your advice," Im smiled, nodding, before glancing sideways at Rayleigh.
Rayleigh's heart clenched.
His first instinct was to grab his drink and leave immediately.
Terrifying.
This was Im, for god's sake.
If she disliked him even slightly—
sure, the tavern was safe, but once he stepped outside?
Immediate execution on the spot.
"Relax," Im said lightly.
"Can you tell me what you saw back then on Laugh Tale?"
"Ah—well,"
Rayleigh sighed.
"I don't know what happened, but after leaving that cursed place with Roger…
I seem to have forgotten everything."
"Must be old age," he added solemnly.
He lied with a straight face, without a hint of shame.
"Very good,"
Im nodded approvingly.
"You're a smart man."
Everything about Laugh Tale was forbidden.
If Rayleigh had just revealed the truth—
Im would have smiled and praised him:
Your memory is remarkable for your age.
And then—
After everyone finished drinking, she would likely wait for him outside the tavern
and erase him on the spot.
"It's a pity your captain wasn't as smart," Im continued casually.
"He said nothing before his death,
yet still triggered the Great Pirate Era."
"Do you know how many people died because of that?"
She twisted open the bottle, filled her glass, and took a sip.
Gulp.
Her eyes lit up instantly.
The wine wasn't harsh.
Not burning.
Smooth, rich, mellow, and lingering.
She liked it.
But—
Before she could savor it further,
she noticed Rayleigh's aura had changed.
The hesitation vanished.
Resolve flickered in his eyes.
"That was the captain's decision," Rayleigh said firmly.
"I have no right to question it, nor to judge it."
"All I can do is support him in silence."
"And compared to those who died in the Great Pirate Era—
far more people starved to death because they couldn't afford the Heavenly Tribute."
"It's the same kind of evil.
Don't pretend otherwise."
Saturn's old eyes flared as he barked,
"Impudent!
Do you know what those words mean?!"
Rayleigh slammed his head forward.
"Go on—do it."
"If you've got the guts, kill me right here."
"If not, then stand there quietly like a good dog."
"Any more noise is just annoying."
Rayleigh might often joke about Roger's embarrassing stories—
But that privilege belonged to him alone.
Anyone else?
Draw a blade and talk.
At that moment,
Saturn was furious—veins bulging, eyes bloodshot—yet he could only endure.
You're dead.
Just wait.
Even if Roger came back to life, he wouldn't save you—I guarantee it!
Im took another sip, her smile deepening.
"Excellent."
"The Dark King's presence truly hasn't faded."
Rayleigh replied proudly,
"Of course.
Just don't push me too far."
"My mouth isn't as tight as you think."
Then he leaned closer to Ron and whispered,
"Prepare me a room.
I'm staying the night."
Ron raised an eyebrow and teased,
"Alright."
"To be honest—
I still prefer how you looked just now."
"That arrogant, unruly expression."
Wasn't he supposed to be some relic of the old era?
Why suddenly chicken out?
Rayleigh ignored Ron's mockery and met Im's gaze head-on.
Just then—
Two figures descended from above the tavern, slamming the door open.
Creeeak—
Doflamingo strode in arrogantly.
Kaido followed behind,
one shoulder carrying Yamato,
the other slung with a half-dead man.
Just as Doflamingo was about to report his success to Liang Bing—
He caught sight of Saturn standing behind a woman.
His pupils shrank violently.
"The Five Elders…
Saint Saturn…
That woman—is she Imu?!"
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