As for why Imu suddenly wanted to meet Is—
Even the Gorosei didn't know.
The summons had come too abruptly.
Not just Is—
Even they were caught off guard.
"You… you don't know either?"
Aurelius D. Virel ·Is looked at the bald elder's back, uneasiness creeping into his voice.
"It was sudden," the elder replied seriously.
"Imu-sama called us, then simply said—she wants to see you."
"She didn't explain anything."
"And we… didn't dare ask."
He paused, then added firmly:
"There's something you must remember."
Is felt even more uneasy.
"What… what is it? The way you're saying this—it sounds like Imu is going to do something to me."
"She won't harm you. That, you can be sure of."
"But—"
His tone hardened.
"You must not act recklessly."
"With us, we may overlook certain things…"
"But Imu-sama will not tolerate it."
"..."
Is swallowed slightly.
"Like what, exactly?"
"Respect."
"You must address her as Imu-sama."
"…That's it?"
Is let out a breath.
"That's easy."
"But anything else? Any weird habits? Like suddenly attacking people or… trying to scare them?"
"I should at least be mentally prepared."
The elder stopped walking.
Then looked at him speechlessly.
"What kind of nonsense are you thinking about?"
"No. None of that."
"That's good," Is said calmly.
"I prefer solving things with words anyway."
The elder shook his head slightly.
"Being summoned by Imu-sama is an honor."
"Honor?"
"Of course."
"Normally, she only meets us."
"If she wants to see you—"
"That means she acknowledges you."
"…Acknowledges me?"
Elsewhere — A Remote Island
"AHHH!"
Kaido jolted awake from a nightmare.
He tried to sit up—
But the pain from his wounds made his body tremble violently.
He gave up.
Yes—
He had survived that battle.
Barely.
Washed ashore by the waves.
If not for being rescued—
He would already be dead.
"Damn it… DAMN IT!!!"
He roared in anger.
A voice came from outside.
"You're awake?"
A middle-aged man walked in, glancing at him in disbelief.
"You're tough."
"With injuries like that, you're still alive."
"If you had woken up a few days later… I might've thrown you back into the sea."
Kaido glanced at him but said nothing.
Right now—
He needed this man to survive.
"When I recover…"
"I'll give you a huge reward."
The man waved his hand.
"No need."
"I just thought it'd be a waste for someone young like you to die."
"You were attacked by pirates?"
Kaido paused—
Then nodded.
He didn't dare admit he was a pirate.
"The seas… are getting more dangerous," the man muttered.
Marine Prison
At the same time—
Charlotte Linlin sat in a corner.
Hands and feet shackled with Seastone.
Hair messy.
Clothes torn.
Completely battered.
"Linlin!"
A voice came from the adjacent cell.
Another former Rocks pirate.
"You heard them, right?!"
"They said the Rocks Pirates are finished!"
"The captain… is dead!"
"What are you trying to say?" Linlin replied weakly.
"Don't you get it?!"
"No one is coming to save us!"
"We're done!!"
"We're all going to die!! HAHAHAHAHA!!"
He burst into hysterical laughter.
Despair had broken him.
Linlin simply stared at him—
Then lowered her head.
Closed her eyes.
Said nothing.
Mary Geoise — Outside the Palace
The bald elder finally brought Is to a grand palace.
The other four elders were already waiting.
Seeing him—
They forced faint smiles onto their worried faces.
"Where have you two been?" one asked.
"Don't blame me," the bald elder replied.
"He just returned. I brought him immediately."
"Enough of that," another elder said.
"Kid, go in."
"Imu-sama has been waiting."
"Remember—do NOT act recklessly."
"Or you'll cause a disaster."
Their repeated warnings—
Made Is uneasy again.
"…Got it."
He nodded.
The doors opened.
He stepped inside.
BOOM.
The doors shut behind him.
He paused briefly—
Then walked forward.
"Step… step… step…"
Inside the vast hall—
A towering throne came into view.
The Empty Throne.
Surrounded by countless swords and weapons.
Then—
A voice echoed.
"You've arrived…"
"Aurelius D. Virel ·Is."