North Blue.
While Imu enjoyed his peaceful days in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, ships bearing the World Government's emblem were quietly moving between islands.
This stirred unease among the nobles of the North Blue, who had only just shifted their attention back from the Slave King incident in the South Blue.
They couldn't shake the feeling that the World Government had become unusually restless lately.
"Doffy! Doffy!"
On the island of Spider Miles, Donquixote Doflamingo was studying a world map inside his home when the anxious shouts of Trebol came from outside the door. As Doflamingo looked up, Trebol burst into the room.
"What's going on? Slow down and speak clearly."
"Doffy, World Government ships have docked at our port—they're here right now!"
Hearing this, Doflamingo, who had just sat back down on the couch, furrowed his brow.
"Could they be here to pick someone up for this year's World Summit?"
He paused, then added, "No, that can't be right. If I remember correctly, this island only has a mayor—no king. Did you find out why they're here?"
In the past, he might've assumed they were targeting the Donquixote Family. But now that he was one of the Ōka Shichibukai—though this identity had to remain secret—it at least guaranteed that he wouldn't be hunted down by the World Government or the Navy anymore.
As he thought of this, he glanced at the X-shaped wristband on his right arm.
"I asked around. The mayor's office passed along a message—the World Government is here to take away a group of top-tier finance personnel!"
Trebol panted as he delivered the news.
"Finance personnel?"
Doflamingo raised his head in surprise. Then, looking out the window toward the interior of the island, he turned back and asked: "How many are they taking?"
"Doffy, that's not the issue. It's not about how many—they're taking the best people. What happens to our business if they're gone?!"
Trebol was clearly agitated.
Training competent financial staff wasn't something that could be done overnight. Their arms business relied on these people at every level, and now Doflamingo was starting to feel the headache set in.
If it had been before, he might've found a way to intercept them. But now, he was technically under the World Government's control, and going against them directly was no longer a viable option.
As for doing it covertly and without leaving evidence—since when had the World Government ever cared about such things? As long as they knew this was his turf, they would hold him responsible for whatever happened.
"Is there anything else?"
Trebol thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Yeah. Word is, the World Government also plans to allocate funding to support the island's schools—expanding their facilities and whatnot."
"And it's not just happening here. Apparently, they've sent people to every kingdom and island with a basic industrial foundation. Oh, right—not just finance either. They're taking any administrative talent they consider outstanding. The World Government's stirring up quite a storm."
Upon hearing this, Doflamingo chuckled and shook his head.
"Fufufufufufu… Well, nothing we can do about that. This is clearly a major operation from the World Government."
"But that doesn't mean we have to be the only ones to suffer."
"Go leak the locations of those factions that compete with us in business. I want everything—factory locations, financial operations—everything except their main headquarters."
Trebol nodded rapidly and left the room.
Doflamingo stood in place for a moment, gazing up at the deep blue sky in thought.
"What are you really planning… Five Elders?"
"Or is this His will?"
Ever since returning from Mary Geoise, one question had been weighing on his mind.
If that figure—Lord Imu—was truly a monster who had lived for centuries, then why had he only now revealed himself? Why establish the Ōka Shichibukai system now?
Or… had the system already existed all along, and he was merely a new-generation recruit?
"Why would the World Government need so many finance and administrative personnel all of a sudden…?"
He didn't know why, but Doflamingo had a growing sense—
The winds of the world were beginning to shift.
...
Ten thousand meters beneath the sea, Fish-Man Island basked in brilliant sunlight, and the Ryugu Palace still shone resplendently.
The Left Minister stood below the throne, solemnly reporting to King Neptune, "Your Majesty, we've made contact with Fisher Tiger. He said he'll return to Fish-Man Island within three days at most."
"Is that so? And what did he say—does he agree to join the Navy?" King Neptune stroked his long, orange-red beard as he asked.
"Fisher Tiger refused," the Left Minister replied. "He said with Jinbe and Aladine in the Navy, that's more than enough. He'd rather join the Sea King's Army and head to the Sabaody Archipelago to protect the future generations of our people, so they can live and enjoy life there in peace."
"I see."
After a moment of contemplation, King Neptune nodded. "Very well. The Sea King's Army stationed in the Sabaody Archipelago could indeed use a strong hand to hold the line. Be sure to communicate clearly with the Navy so there are no misunderstandings."
"Understood, Your Majesty," the Left Minister responded respectfully.
"How are things progressing in the Sabaody Archipelago? Has there been any concrete news from there?" King Neptune continued asking.
The Left Minister replied, "Since this is the first deployment, the Right Minister personally went to oversee it. I've heard that the facilities in Area 62 are well-established—it'll only take a few adjustments before our forces can settle in smoothly."
"They're currently familiarizing themselves with the environment under the Navy's guidance. Starting tomorrow, they'll officially begin their patrol duties. According to the Navy, this is to help the residents get used to the presence of Fish-Men, and to prepare for the eventual arrival of civilian Fish-Men."
King Neptune nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Very prudent. I'm growing increasingly confident about future cooperation. It seems the World Government is truly sincere this time!"
"Indeed. Since the Navy arrived at Fish-Man Island, they've taken down over a dozen pirate crews attempting to abduct merfolk. Many have been rescued as a result, and the public's attitude toward the Navy is becoming increasingly welcoming and warm," the Left Minister added, his face full of joy.
Previously, due to the lack of powerful warriors, Fish-Man Island had struggled to fend off human pirates with high bounties. But now that officers from Navy Headquarters were stationed there, the pressure had dramatically lessened.
Whenever the Sea King's Army encountered difficult pirate threats, they would immediately call for the Navy's support—further strengthening the bond between the two peoples.
"Still, about giving the two Poneglyphs from the Sea Forest to the World Government... I can't help but feel uneasy," the Left Minister said hesitantly, gazing at King Neptune. "Doesn't this go against the will of our ancestors? Is this truly the right thing to do?"
"Sigh... I really had no choice," King Neptune muttered, furrowing his brow and tugging at his beard with frustration. "Somehow, the World Government found out about it. Vice Admiral Aokiji himself came to collect them—and he intends to take them along with those 200 Fish-Men heading to the Navy."
"Tell me, could I have refused?"
The Poneglyphs were explicitly banned from being researched or possessed under World Government law. It would've been fine had they remained undiscovered, but now that the truth was out, they had no option but to cooperate and hand them over.
Honestly, the fact that the World Government didn't prosecute Fish-Man Island for hiding them was already a sign of their restraint!
"I understand," the Left Minister sighed.
"Sigh… Fish-Man Island has no choice but to place our faith in the World Government and see how things unfold."
King Neptune lifted his head to gaze skyward. His profound gaze seemed to pierce through the ceiling, through the roof, through the ten-thousand-meter-deep sea, and beyond the Red Line.
"Don't let us down… Celestial Dragons."
Above the Red Line, within the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, Imu had descended alone to the deepest part of Pangaea Castle.
This was the Historical Archive Vault.
"The Apology Inscription, huh…"
Imu stood before a deep-blue Poneglyph towering over ten meters high. As he looked at it, distant memories rose to the surface of his mind. The image of Joy Boy—his face and silhouette—seemed to materialize before him.
"Who would've thought," Imu mused, "that the one who would fulfill your promise—bringing sunlight, forests, and freedom to Fish-Man Island—would not be someone else, but me… Imu, of all people."
"Back then, I personally destroyed that grand kingdom where all races lived in harmony. And now, I shall build a new one in my image—a World Government far greater, and truly worthy of uniting all races!"
To Imu, that ancient kingdom may have been noble… but it wasn't his. And because of that, it had to be destroyed.
Snapping out of his recollection, Imu turned his eyes to a red Poneglyph beside him.
Until now, the World Government had never managed to find one of these—a Road Poneglyph. This was their first.
With this, even if someone were to gather the other three out in the world, it would still be meaningless.
Truthfully, as someone who had transmigrated, Imu didn't think much of the Poneglyphs—except for a few that mentioned the Ancient Weapons.
To him, the past was the past. Even if the wars back then were steeped in deception and intrigue, wasn't it all just a matter of winners and losers in the end?
As long as the future World Government could provide the people of the world with a comfortable life—with good food, drink, clothing, and harmony—then what harm could it possibly cause if the truth of the past were someday revealed?
How many people would truly be willing to give up the food on their plates, the fine clothes on their backs, or the well-being of their children just to pick up a sword and avenge a kingdom long gone?
No matter how dark the past, it could never outshine the light of the future.
Still, collecting the Poneglyphs posed no downside. Imu had no intention of halting the operation. After all, it was his subordinates doing the work—all he had to do was leak the locations he knew.
For now, the priority was retrieving the Poneglyph hidden in the 'Funerary Sanctuary' of the Arabasta Kingdom. That one contained the location of Pluton's true body—a dangerous artifact by any measure.