Noah's Ark, In the studio.
After reading through today's reports, Imu casually shut the 'Star Den-Den Mushi,' and the lifelike holographic projection vanished instantly.
"Once we take over this 'Modern World,' I'll probably be able to watch anime and play games again, right?"
A smile of anticipation appeared on Imu's face.
The part of his soul that belonged to a transmigrant seemed to come alive once more.
Then he glanced down at Matatabi, lying on the corner of the desk, letting his right hand roam freely over her body engulfed in blue flames.
This 'cat' had been here for a while now.
Over the past few months, he'd pet her whenever he felt like it, and occasionally took her out for a walk.
The only thing was, like all the other animals on the Ark, Matatabi loved staying near Historia.
Imu understood that too.
Historia had a gentle and kind personality, and there was something about her presence—some mysterious aura—that could instantly calm even the most frenzied beasts.
Unfortunately, Imu had still decided to give the Two-Tails to Enma.
After all, on this Noah's Ark, the Two-Tails could only serve as a pet.
But if she stayed by Enma's side—perhaps the environment of the Underworld could help her develop further.
"Father! I'm back!"
Just then, Enma's cheerful voice echoed from the living room outside the study.
Imu smiled. He had long since gotten used to this "daughter" calling him that.
As for having biological children with Historia or Esdeath—he hadn't given it any serious thought for now.
"Alright, go on. Your new master's here to pick you up."
Imu patted the Two-Tails gently on the head, and she obediently stood up.
By now, she already understood how terrifying this man before her truly was.
"Waaah! What a cute kitty!"
The moment Imu stepped out of the study with Matatabi in tow, Enma squealed with excitement.
"Mhm. She's the Two-Tails Matatabi, one of the Nine Tailed Beasts of the Shinobi World. From now on, she belongs to you, so take good care of her."
As Imu spoke, Matatabi walked up to the wide-eyed Enma on her own and, in an exceptionally gentle female voice, greeted her: "Hello, Lady Enma. My name is Matatabi. It's a pleasure to meet you—please take good care of me from now on."
"Yes, yes, yes! You're so beautiful, oh my god!"
Overwhelmed with joy, Enma scooped Matatabi into her arms, her cheeks pressing into the blue flames as a radiant aura of bliss enveloped her entire being.
"Alright, sit down and let's talk. Tell me how things are going in the Underworld."
Imu settled into the sofa, watching Enma still cuddling Matatabi.
"Yessir! Father, you're too good to me!"
"Enma really loves you!!"
Enma showered him with affection and gratitude.
Imu could only respond with a helpless smile, accepting it all, and quietly watching as her emotions gradually settled down.
"Ahem, Honorable Lord Imu, I now report to you the latest status of the Underworld in my capacity as Ruler of the Underworld."
Enma, holding the small Matatabi in her arms, looked at Imu with a serious expression.
The latter merely nodded faintly, his demeanor saying, Go on, I'm listening.
"First of all, the organizational structure of the Underworld has been successfully completed in accordance with your instructions."
"The Imperial Guard Divisions have been staffed according to your instructions. We prioritized the recruitment of souls who served as officials of the World Government during their lifetimes, supplemented by experienced officials from the major member nations. All departments are now operating normally."
"However, as for the construction of the Court of Souls, only the central part of the city has been fully completed so far. For now, we've finished building the Palace of Penitence. Since souls are no longer sent to Hell randomly as they were before, this tower now assumes some of Hell's functions. It is partially connected to Hell and absorbs the spiritual energy of prisoners—but the process is very slow. Therefore, we still need to establish a proper prison directly linked to Hell in order to uphold the rules of the Underworld's cycle of reincarnation."
Imu was quite satisfied with Enma's efficiency. It seemed the Underworld was finally on the right track.
"In addition, the captives from the Pure Land of the Shinobi World have already been returned. Among them are the ones you asked me to keep an eye on—Yoriichi Tsugikuni, Kokushibo, and Hantengu. There are also a few surviving former officers of the Roger Pirates."
Imu raised an eyebrow, smiling. "Yoriichi Tsugikuni is a real gem. You should focus on training him. He at least has the potential to become a Great Swordmaster."
"I'll have Mihawk compile a collection of swordsmanship insights from various Great Swordmasters, along with master-level techniques from across the worlds."
"You can take the book back to the Underworld and share it with Yoriichi and anyone else you think shows promise in swordsmanship."
Enma rubbed her chin against the blue-flamed head of Matatabi and obediently replied, "Understood, Father!"
Then, as if she suddenly remembered something, she quickly added, "Oh right—Yoriichi told me that he killed two people while in the Pure Land of the Shinobi World. One was named Hiruzen, and the other was Danzo."
"Afterward, I asked someone to do a quick background check. We're not sure who this Danzo is, but Hiruzen seems to have been the Third Hokage of Konohagakure."
Imu was genuinely surprised to hear this.
So Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo, after being eliminated by Aramaki, ended up encountering Yoriichi again in the Pure Land?
Talk about bad luck. Hehehehehe.
"Kokushibo is also quite promising. While his swordsmanship isn't as refined as his younger brother's, he embodies the classic samurai code. He despises 'overthrowing one's superiors' and is fiercely loyal to hierarchical order—traits that are extremely useful for maintaining structure within the organization. Make full use of that, but be cautious. He's deeply envious, especially toward Yoriichi."
In Imu's eyes, Kokushibo's personality made him an ideal asset for any ruler.
That trait alone warranted a greater investment in his development.
"Yes, I will remember!"
Enma asked softly, "What about those former officers of the Roger Pirates and the former daimyō samurai of Wano who came back with them?"
"Toss them into the Palace of Penitence."
"Yes!"
Seeing that her father had no further orders, Enma hesitated briefly before speaking up again: "At present, the Underworld is in urgent need of two high-level combatants—one to serve as the Commander-in-Chief of the Underworld Army and another as a General. What do you think…"
She wasn't lacking in mid- or low-level forces. She even had officers equivalent to Lieutenant Generals.
But as for top brass, the only General she had was Eren Yeager.
Imu understood what Enma was getting at.
For a true military headquarters to be considered complete, at least one General and one Commander-in-Chief had to be in place.
Fortunately, he had already devised a solution to this problem.
"In a few days, I will send over Marshal Jyrex, currently commanding the Holy Land's Defense Forces, along with Bowen Knohen, the current head of CIPHER POL-AIGIS 0. They will assume the roles of Commander-in-Chief and General of the Underworld Army."
Both men were impeccable—whether in age, ability, strength, or loyalty to the Celestial Dragons.
As for whether Jyrex and Bowen themselves were willing...
Imu was confident they would be. After all, they were the most loyal vassals of the Celestial Dragons.
It's just dying once.
Besides, it's not like they're being completely annihilated—they're simply switching to a different world to continue living.
When you think about it, it might actually be good for them.
At the very least, they'll be able to secure high-ranking positions in the Underworld in advance, making it easier to look after family members who'll die later on.
"That's wonderful! Thank you, Father!"
Enma was overjoyed. Her return this time had brought nothing but good news.
"Mm. Once you're back, quickly take over the Underworlds of Kabane World and Demon Slayer World. When Jyrex and Bowen arrive, you'll move to subjugate the Teigu Underworld and the Zero Magic Underworld. Also, in a few days, I will fully integrate the Titan Underworld into the Starfish Underworld. Make sure you're prepared."
Enma asked in confusion, "Integrate?"
"Yes, exactly as it sounds. From now on, the Titan Underworld will become part of the Starfish Underworld," Imu replied casually.
The world of the Titans had long since been completely overwritten by the Starmap's function—Planetary Dominance—after his three-year stay.
Naturally, Imu now held full authority over everything in both the Titan World and the Starfish World.
And since he had now become the Lord of the Starfish Underworld—
Then whether it was for the benefit of the Starfish Underworld or to reap more advantages for himself—
The Titan Underworld should be fused with the Starfish Underworld.
From then on, the dead of the Titan World would directly descend into the Starfish Underworld.
"You can even do something like that? That's insane, Father!!!"
Enma was dumbfounded, and Matatabi in her arms looked equally stunned.
Imu paid no mind to their reactions.
"There will be more Underworlds fused in the future. You'll get used to it."
Once the three-year period was up, Imu also planned to fuse the Underworld of the Teigu World with that of the Starfish World.
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