Ian was genuinely stunned for a moment.
Imu had actually shown up in person?
He never expected to meet the final opponent of his plan this soon.
He scrutinized the figure that had suddenly appeared before him—this final boss.
From the outside, nothing could be seen. A long pitch-black robe concealed every inch of the figure completely.
The only thing noticeable was how slender they were. With that long, towering crown, they looked like a stick—almost like a pair of chopsticks.
Even when he used Observation Haki to examine the stranger, he couldn't make anything out. Their aura felt weak, yet he knew that was impossible.
Most likely, their Haki was simply on a higher level—something like the Z-fighters' ability to suppress their presence.
Eight hundred years ago, Joy Boy could never have fully understood the present-day Imu.
"Who are you supposed to be?"
Even though Ian already had an idea of Imu's identity, origin, and abilities, he still put on a look of surprise.
He had been hiding information for so long—exposing himself now would be a waste.
Ian's goal was to wait until the World Government remained clueless, then pilot the Pluton straight into their nest and blow them sky-high with a single shot.
If the Government realized he found the One Piece and obtained an Ancient Weapon, they would start preparing defenses.
That would complicate things.
"A new Gorosei, perhaps? But—"
Ian's shock twisted into mocking amusement, the corner of his mouth curving like a playful dragon.
"I've never heard that the Gorosei have ranks among themselves. And kneeling to greet a colleague with such formality? Isn't that a bit excessive?"
Saturn knelt silently behind Imu. A man once believed to be the pinnacle of world authority now bowed his head without a word, his face expressionless.
His silence solved nothing. If anything, it deepened the confusion.
Kizaru's pupils trembled. Sentomaru took a step forward, disbelief written across his face.
"Oi… what's going on here? There's someone even higher than the Gorosei in the World Government?"
No one had ever heard of such a thing!
Unlike the brash Sentomaru, Kizaru's expression slowly darkened. He sensed something deeply troubling.
"I'm curious as well," Ian smiled casually at the mysterious figure. "Mister or Miss—whoever you may be—would you enlighten me? Just who are you?"
Behind Ian, Kuma struggled to maintain composure.
As expected of Lord Ian—possessing not only unmatched strength, but acting skills just as frightening.
"Shut up, Ian!"
Saturn, who had kept his head lowered until now, finally raised it. "Do you have any idea what you're doing? Are you trying to question this lord?"
Kizaru's mouth twitched slightly.
Even the Five Elders call him 'lord'? Well, they're already kneeling before him…
Sentomaru stood there blank-faced, his not-so-sharp mind pushed into utter chaos.
"Will you not answer what I have asked?"
Imu showed no concern over their shock or confusion. He spoke with cold detachment. "It has been a long time since anyone has dared be so arrogant before me."
"Then you better get used to it."
Ian let out a soft laugh. "Seeing the Five Elders grovel like this… So, are you the final opponent I'm meant to face? Or is there an authority above even the Five Elders among the Celestial Dragons?"
"Silence, Ian!"
Saturn barked again. "No one in this world stands equal to this lord!"
"The one before you is the god of this world! You need only kneel!"
"Got it."
Ian's smile grew brighter. "So if I'm the emperor among pirates, then he must be the emperor of the Celestial Dragons, right?"
"The king who sits upon the empty throne of Mary Geoise—the throne that was never meant to be occupied, correct?"
"The Empty Throne…?"
Sentomaru turned pale. "Hey—tell me this isn't real!"
Even he knew of the Empty Throne.
Eight hundred years ago, after the twenty kings founded the World Government, they created the Empty Throne to show the world that no single ruler would dominate them. No one was ever allowed to sit upon it.
It was meant to be the symbol of the World Government's equality.
Yes… though everyone eventually realized that was a lie. After all, the World Government was always ruled by the Celestial Dragons, and the Five Elders remained the highest authority in power.
But on the surface, at least, the government did put in some effort. The Five Elders were five people after all, and while they ruled the World Government, they never openly interfered with the internal affairs of the affiliated nations.
Ian's words, however, claimed that the dictator who shouldn't exist actually did exist. Someone was secretly pulling the strings of the entire world?
Kizaru had been silent ever since. No one could tell what was going on in his mind.
"You're clever, Ian," Imu spoke softly. "But beyond your common brilliance, what surprises me more is that after eight hundred years, a man like you has appeared—one who can rival Joy Boy."
Joy Boy?
Ian almost laughed.
Wasn't this the same person who Joy Boy caused to cry all those years ago? Wasn't that when everything fell apart?
With interest in his voice, Ian said, "Eight hundred years ago, huh? Interesting. Sounds like you've been alive since then."
"Is it the Immortality Surgery? A friend once told me that if one received it, they might gain the Celestial Dragons' national treasure. Are you the origin of that legend?"
"Ian!!" Saturn's expression changed drastically.
Because of the Hobby-Hobby fruit, he had nearly forgotten Doflamingo entirely. Although he'd later read the reports, hearing Ian say this out loud still shocked him to the core.
"As expected," Imu murmured. "Not only are you as strong as Joy Boy, you're just as annoying. Imu dislikes those who pry into Imu's secrets."
Sweat began to form on Kizaru's forehead.
This was bad. The worst kind of workplace taboo—speaking what should never be spoken.
"So," Imu's eyes shimmered dangerously, "die."
A sharp hiss cut through the air.
From beneath that obsidian robe, a pitch-black shadow shot toward Ian like an arrow.
Fast. Terrifyingly fast.
Kizaru's pupils contracted sharply. Even he couldn't react in time.
But someone could.
Ian casually flicked his left hand. With a thunderous blast of air, the shadow was swatted aside like nothing.
And as it quickly recoiled, slipping back beneath Imu's robe, Ian finally saw it clearly—a long, whip-like appendage, shaped like a tail, ending in a barbed arrow-head tip.
**********
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