Inside the restaurant, an endless stream of exquisite, luxurious dishes was brought to the table.
Imu quietly watched Ian, her dark red pupils devoid of their usual majesty and coldness, reflecting only her son's figure.
After a long while, she spoke softly, her tone somewhat serious: "Imu already knows about you having the Marine publicly execute Ace. There are still three days until the execution; what do you plan to do?"
Ian swirled the red wine in his glass, the crimson liquid refracting an enchanting light under the diamond chandelier.
"Isn't Kaido always eager for a top-tier war that could overturn the world?"
"Since he yearns for war, This Young Master will satisfy him."
Ian paused, put down his wine glass, and analyzed clearly: "With Ace publicly executed, Whitebeard will surely come. And Kaido and Whitebeard forged a deep 'friendship' at God Valley back then. When he learns that Whitebeard is going all out to attack Marineford, he will most likely come to cause trouble."
"Either he directly joins the war and allies with Whitebeard, or he creates a big commotion elsewhere, using the tactic of 'besieging Wei to rescue Zhao' to pressure the Marine and alleviate Whitebeard's pressure."
Imu blinked blankly, "Kaido and Whitebeard… friendship? How does Imu not know? Also, how do you know about God Valley back then?"
"Sigh."
Ian helplessly rubbed his forehead and sighed: "Mom, your recurring amnesia is not a good thing. It's fine to forget those insignificant people, but don't you dare forget me."
Imu was stunned: "Amnesia? When did Imu…"
"Except for your contracted servants like the Gorosei and the God's Knights, you always have trouble remembering other people and events," Ian interrupted her.
"Do I?" Imu seemed to be trying hard to recall, "Then tell me, what has Imu forgotten?"
"For example, the people who participated in God Valley back then," Ian thought for a moment and said slowly, "Rocks, Whitebeard, Charlotte Linlin, Kaido, and also Roger and Garp. At that time, the six of them ganged up on you, who were possessing Saturn, at God Valley. Although you eventually defeated all of them, it did happen."
Imu frowned slightly: "Roger, Imu remembers, he was executed later. Garp? Isn't he a Marine hero? Why would he ally with pirates?"
She had some impression of the name Garp, but that was all.
"As for Kaido," Imu's tone carried a hint of curiosity, "was he very strong back then?"
"So-so." Ian curled his lips, "He had just eaten the Fish-Fish Fruit, hadn't even come up with proper moves, and yet he imitated Rocks and Whitebeard to challenge you. As a result, Rocks, whom you controlled, punched him away, and he left God Valley in a sorry state."
"Of course, none of that matters."
Ian changed the subject, his expression suddenly becoming incredibly serious: "What's important is that among that group of people from God Valley, one later became the Pirate King, went to Laugh Tale, and learned the World Government's secret. Three others became the current Four Emperors of the New World, and another became a Marine hero, which is Garp."
At this point, Ian sighed deeply again, leaning back in his chair, spreading his hands, his face full of an expression that screamed 'I have sacrificed too much for this family.'
"Mom, if this Holy Land didn't have me, it would fall apart!"
"The Gorosei are old and senile, spending all day reading newspapers and drinking tea in the Seat of Power. The God's Knights are also all show and no substance."
"To ensure that my status as the all-powerful crown prince is as stable as the Red Line, I must eliminate all these potential threats in one fell swoop."
"So, what I'm going to do next is to lure Kaido and his Beasts Pirates out of their turtle shell in Wano Country and have them participate in this grand war."
Imu fell silent.
Ian's plan was too grand, and the risks were too high.
To deal with two Four Emperors pirate crews simultaneously, the Marine's combat power alone would be far from enough; the God's Knights would have to be mobilized, and the Gorosei could no longer remain idly in the Seat of Power.
But once they left, the Holy Land's defenses would be vulnerable. If the Revolutionary Army or other forces took the opportunity to attack, the World Government would be plunged into a two-front war.
The restaurant fell into a brief silence.
After a long while, Imu looked up at Ian and asked, "Do you have the confidence to capture Whitebeard and Kaido in one go? If Red Hair and Big Mom also take the opportunity to cause trouble, what will you do?"
"I have my own way of dealing with Red Hair," Ian smiled, confidently saying: "As for Charlotte Linlin, she most likely wouldn't dare to leave Totto Land. If she really dares to bring the Charlotte Family out in full force…"
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Mom, to make a personal trip to Totto Land and perform a 'Black Domination' within its borders."
Upon hearing this, a ripple finally appeared in Imu's usually unruffled eyes.
Looking at her precious son, a gift from God, not only was she not angry, but a faint smile appeared on her face, hidden behind her veil.
"As long as you have the confidence to take down Whitebeard and Kaido, Imu will handle Big Mom."
"These past few years, Imu has been idle in the Holy Land; it's about time I went out for some fresh air."
As soon as she finished speaking, she immediately turned her head to Gunko, who was standing respectfully by her side: "You are to depart immediately, infiltrate Totto Land, set up a teleportation point within its borders, and monitor in secret. During the period around the Marineford War, if the Charlotte Family makes any unusual moves, Imu will possess your body at the first instance."
"Yes, Lady Imu," Gunko acknowledged.
As soon as Gunko left, Ian also stood up, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and waved to Imu: "I'm full!"
"Love you, Mom, see you tomorrow."
With that, Ian turned gracefully and walked out of the restaurant without looking back… Upon returning to his castle, as Ian stepped into the hall, a petite figure charged in furiously.
It was Uta, the World Diva, who had been secretly brought to the Holy Land from the Island of Music by CP0 agents.
Her red and white long hair was a bit disheveled, her beautiful face was filled with rage, and she stared intently at Ian, like a kitten about to explode.
Having been inexplicably brought to the Holy Land, she woke up to find a slave collar around her neck. Although she could move freely, the castle was simply too large. She had tried to escape several times, but either got lost or was quickly discovered by bodyguards lurking in the shadows!
A new day had arrived, and she had originally planned to lure away the lurking bodyguards and then try to escape the Holy Land, but she hadn't expected Saint Ian, who had ordered her capture, to return!
"Saint Ian, why did you send people to capture me and bring me to the Holy Land, and even put this cursed slave collar on me!"
Before Ian could react, Uta quickly approached him and tugged at the collar around her neck, her pouting expression looking utterly charming.
"Quite bold, aren't you?"
Unexpectedly, Uta dared to run up to him. Ian narrowed his eyes, sizing Uta up and down, and chuckled: "Those who dare to call This Young Master by name in the Holy Land either have their tongues cut out or their eyeballs gouged out. Tell me, which part of your body do you want This Young Master to remove?"
"Kill me!" Uta tilted her head back, facing death unflinchingly: "Anyway, I don't want to live anymore!"
"Kill you? This Young Master couldn't bear to." Ian raised his hand and pinched Uta's chin, "This Young Master specifically sent people to capture you and bring you to the Holy Land, not to kill you, but to give you a warm home!"
"Don't even start," Uta turned her head away, "I've already found out what kind of person you are in the Holy Land; no one who falls into your hands comes to a good end!"
Ian smiled, then turned his head to look at the door, and regardless of whether anyone was outside, he said decisively: "Issue an order: heavily reward the CP0 agents who brought Uta to the Holy Land; they did a good job on this mission!"
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