Joy Boy's methods were not infallible.
Imu shook her head lightly before lowering her gaze toward Lloyd once more. Noticing the subtle shift in his expression, a golden gleam flickered within her eyes.
"Saint Lloyd, what occupies your thoughts?"
Lloyd returned to himself at once, aware that his composure had slipped for a brief moment. The tone of Imu's earlier laughter, unexpectedly mature and almost indulgent, had caught him off guard.
Naturally, he could not voice such a thought.
He gave a quiet cough, his expression turning solemn.
"I am considering Joy Boy, specifically his next move."
Imu narrowed her eyes slightly.
"And your conclusion?"
"For now, it remains speculation. I believe Joy Boy intends to command Zou to collide with and destroy the Red Line."
A brief silence followed.
"That is indeed a plausible course of action," Imu replied. "In that case, what preparations have you made?"
The golden epaulets on Lloyd's shoulders caught the light as he adjusted the collar of his Marine coat.
"Joy Boy has concealed his whereabouts through unknown means. Until we uncover his method, we can only wait for him to make the first move. I intend to redeploy the majority of Marineford's forces to the Red Line, stationing warships throughout the surrounding seas and preparing for his arrival."
Imu inclined her head.
"I trust your command over the Navy. However, what if he chooses to attack Marineford instead?"
"That possibility is accounted for," Lloyd answered evenly. "I can move between Marineford and the Red Line at any time. The reason for concentrating forces at the Red Line is simple. Marineford can be relocated if necessary, but Mary Geoise cannot. It is the Holy Land of the Celestial Dragons. If it were to suffer catastrophic damage, it would be equivalent to dragging the dignity of the Celestial Dragons into the depths of the sea. I will not allow that."
Imu listened in silence.
A faint smile appeared beneath the shadow concealing her face.
"Well spoken. Never forget, we are Celestial Dragons, the gods who rule this world. The dignity of a god is absolute."
The moment her words fell, the Empty Throne beneath her radiated a brilliance like diamonds. Light flooded the hall, banishing every shadow.
Seated upon the throne, Imu resembled a blazing sun, exuding overwhelming power.
Within that immense pressure, Lloyd remained unmoved. Only his coat shifted under the force.
When the radiance subsided, Imu rose slowly. Sunlight streamed from above, outlining her slender figure.
Yet in Lloyd's eyes, there remained an unmistakable trace of fatigue within her presence.
Imu raised a hand.
"Saint Lloyd, come closer."
Lloyd paused briefly, not moving at once.
Seeing this, Imu continued, her tone carrying a subtle note of provocation.
"What is the hesitation? Did you not wish to approach last time? These steps have remained untouched for eight hundred years. Do you not wish to experience ascending them, to stand at the pinnacle of power?"
A faint crease appeared between Lloyd's brows.
Then he stepped forward.
One step.
Then another.
And another.
Imu watched in silence as he ascended. The elevated platform was divided into three distinct sections. Only when Lloyd reached the open space before the final set of steps did she speak again, just as before.
"That is far enough."
At once, a transparent barrier materialized before him, completely sealing the path upward.
Lloyd's eyes sharpened slightly. The phenomenon bore a striking resemblance to the Bari Bari no Mi.
He raised his hand and pressed it against the barrier. Dark energy gathered around his palm, swirling as it tore against the invisible surface.
Imu made no move to stop him.
After a moment, the energy dissipated. Lloyd withdrew his hand, and ripples spread across the barrier before settling back into stillness.
His gaze narrowed.
This time, he clenched his fist. Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki intertwined, releasing dense arcs of red and black lightning.
He struck.
The force, capable of shattering a small mountain, collided with the barrier, producing a thunderous roar. The entire hall trembled from the impact.
Outside, the Five Elders, still kneeling, reacted instantly to the disturbance.
Saint Warcury was the first to move, rising abruptly as dark, flame-like clouds surged from his body. He appeared ready to force his way inside.
Saint Nusjuro reacted without delay.
Cold air spread rapidly from his hands as they pressed against the ground. A thick layer of ice formed instantly, freezing Warcury in place.
The biting chill snapped Warcury back to clarity. He did not resist, instead turning toward Nusjuro.
Maintaining his kneeling posture, Saint Nusjuro spoke in a firm, controlled tone.
"Kneel. Without Imu-sama's command, no one is to enter."
The others, including Saint Saturn, had not moved at all.
Warcury's expression darkened. He shattered the ice around his feet with a brief motion before dropping back to his knees.
"I was concerned for Imu-sama…"
Saint Nusjuro cut him off immediately.
"Do not speak nonsense. No one can harm Imu-sama. Furthermore, Saint Lloyd is inside. Do you suspect he would act against Imu-sama?"
Saint Saturn added evenly,
"Saint Nusjuro is correct. Saint Warcury, your impatience is unbecoming."
Faced with their rebuke, Warcury clenched his jaw, anger evident yet restrained. He lowered his head, saying nothing further.
Within the hall, several white cracks had formed across the once flawless barrier.
Imu observed the damage without displeasure. Instead, approval colored her voice.
"Excellent. Your strength surpasses my expectations. Even compared to Saint Casillas of the past, the difference is negligible."