"Even Joy Boy's methods have their limits, huh…?"
Imu shook her head before turning her gaze back to Carl. Seeing his strange expression, a golden light flickered in her eyes as she asked,
"Saint Carl, what are you thinking about?"
Carl snapped out of his thoughts, realizing he had momentarily lost composure. He couldn't help it—Imu's brief lapse into an elegant, mature voice had caught him completely off guard.
However, he obviously couldn't say, 'I just thought your laugh was pretty unique.'
Clearing his throat, he straightened his expression and replied seriously,
"Of course, I'm thinking about Joy Boy. I'm trying to figure out what his next move will be."
Imu narrowed her eyes slightly. "And? Have you come to any conclusions?"
"For now, it's just speculation," Carl responded. "I believe Joy Boy intends to use Zunesha to ram into the Red Line."
Imu remained silent for a moment before nodding. "That is a very likely scenario. Do you have any countermeasures in place?"
The golden epaulets on Carl's shoulders gleamed under the light as he raised a hand and adjusted the collar of his Marine cape. He replied,
"Joy Boy has used some means to conceal his whereabouts. Since we can't pinpoint his location, the only viable strategy is to confront him when he gets close. I plan to mobilize most of Marineford's forces to the Red Line, surrounding it with warships and waiting for his appearance."
Imu nodded slightly. "Very well. I trust your command over the Marines. But what if Joy Boy decides to attack Marineford instead of the Red Line?"
"That won't be a problem," Carl answered without hesitation. "I can reach Marineford or the Red Line whenever necessary. The reason I'm prioritizing fortifications at the Red Line is simple—Marine Headquarters can always be relocated, but Mary Geoise cannot. This is the Holy Land of the Celestial Dragons. If it were to suffer catastrophic damage, it would be as if our very dignity was trampled into the ocean depths. I will not allow that to happen."
Hearing Carl's firm response, Imu's face—shrouded in shadow—curved into a faint smile. She spoke in an almost reverent tone,
"Well said. Never forget—we are Celestial Dragons, the gods who rule this world. The dignity of a god is absolute and inviolable."
The moment she finished speaking, the Empty Throne beneath her erupted with dazzling light, illuminating the entire hall as if it were daytime.
At that moment, Imu, seated upon the Empty Throne, radiated an overwhelming, sun-like brilliance, unleashing an unfathomable surge of energy.
Amidst this terrifying surge, Carl stood motionless, his Marine cape billowing violently in the wind.
...
When the energy dissipated, Imu slowly rose from the throne. Sunlight filtered through the ceiling, casting a long shadow behind her.
Yet, to Carl, there was an inexplicable weariness in Imu's figure.
Raising her hand slightly, she spoke, "Saint Carl, come closer."
Carl hesitated for a moment, remaining still.
Seeing this, Imu continued, "What's wrong? Are you hesitating? Last time, you wanted to step forward, didn't you? The steps before you have gone untrodden for eight hundred years. Don't you wish to experience what it feels like to ascend to the peak of power?"
Her voice carried an unmistakable allure.
Carl furrowed his brows but took a step forward. Then another. And another…
Imu watched in silence as Carl ascended the steps. The elevated platform was divided into three sections. When Carl reached the final section, Imu spoke once more,
"That's far enough."
With her words, a transparent barrier instantly materialized in front of Carl, blocking his path entirely.
Carl's eyebrows lifted slightly. This really did seem like the ability of the Barrier-Barrier Fruit.
He pressed a hand against the barrier, dark energy swirling in his palm. The energy spiraled, attempting to tear through the obstruction.
Imu made no move to stop him. She merely observed silently.
After a while, the dark energy dissipated. Carl withdrew his hand and flexed his fingers, watching as the barrier rippled before restoring itself to its original pristine state.
Carl narrowed his eyes, then clenched his fist, intertwining Armament Haki with Conqueror's Haki. Red and black lightning crackled intensely around his fist.
Without hesitation, he threw a punch.
A force powerful enough to shatter a mountain exploded against the seemingly fragile barrier, producing a deafening roar. The entire hall trembled from the aftershock.
...
Outside the hall, the Five Elders—who were kneeling on the ground—were startled by the commotion. They simultaneously lifted their heads toward the great doors. Warcury even instinctively rose to his feet, dark flames flickering around him, as if prepared to charge inside.
It was Nusjuro who reacted first. A wave of frost spread from his hands onto the ground, forming a thick layer of ice that froze Warcury in place.
The piercing cold jolted Warcury back to his senses. He didn't struggle but turned his gaze toward Nusjuro.
Remaining kneeling, Nusjuro spoke in a low voice, "Kneel. Until Saint Imu commands otherwise, no one is to step beyond that door."
Unlike the impulsive Warcury, the other three—Saturn, Garling, and Aramaki—hadn't moved at all. Warcury's face darkened, but he ultimately gritted his teeth and shattered the ice with a stomp, then immediately knelt back down, lowering his head as he muttered,
"I was just worried about Saint Imu…"
Nusjuro cut him off coldly. "Don't speak such nonsense. No one can harm Saint Imu. Besides, the one inside is Saint Carl. Are you suggesting he would attack Saint Imu?"
Saturn cast a glance at Nusjuro before adding, "Nusjuro is right, Warcury. You are far too reckless."
Being chastised so openly, Warcury seethed but didn't dare retaliate. He clenched his jaw so tightly his face turned purple.
...
Inside the hall, cracks had already begun to form on the barrier blocking Carl's path.
Imu, instead of looking displeased, smiled approvingly.
"Impressive. Your strength surpasses my expectations. Even compared to Saint Cassilius of old, you are not lacking."
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+185 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg