"Wow—"
"It's so beautiful here~"
The moment Aqua stepped out of the Flower Chamber's entrance, her attention was completely captivated by the sight of singing birds and fragrant flowers.
Especially when she spotted colorful butterflies dancing among the blossoms, she immediately dashed over on her short little legs, wanting to catch one to play with.
This gave Gunko quite a fright.
The butterflies in the Flower Chamber were exclusively Imu's companions, cherished over many years.
If Aqua accidentally killed one or two, it would surely provoke Imu's furious wrath.
However, her worry proved unnecessary.
Before Aqua could reach the flower beds, the butterflies fluttered up in alarm and scattered in all directions.
Seeing this, Aqua pouted in disappointment and turned to gaze pitifully at Orion.
"Does Aqua like butterflies?"
At that moment, an unconcealed voice with a mature tone suddenly rang out.
Immediately after, a figure materialized out of thin air in the previously empty garden—it was Imu, draped in a long robe with only her dark red eyes visible above her face veil.
"Greetings, Lady Imu!"
Gunko didn't dare delay, immediately dropping to one knee and bowing toward Imu.
Seeing this, Luna didn't hesitate to follow suit and prepared to kneel.
But as she bent down, an invisible energy lifted her back upright, followed by Orion's soft voice whispering in her ear.
"Luna, have you forgotten the privilege I granted you? Even if she is Imu, you need not kneel!"
Before Luna could react, Orion had already stepped forward, speaking as he walked.
"Gunko, prepare some fruits and snacks, and clean up my room. I'll be staying in the Flower Chamber for the next couple of days!"
Having said that, Orion walked straight toward the pavilion across the way without even glancing at Imu.
"Yes, Orion-sama."
Gunko didn't dare delay, rising quickly and hurrying off.
Imu paid no mind to Gunko's obedience to Orion's commands.
Her dark red eyes fixed on the adorable Aqua, and a hint of warmth surfaced in her typically cold gaze.
Then, she slightly raised her hand, and a butterfly immediately descended from the sky, fluttering its wings as it landed on her fingertip.
"Wow, you're amazing!"
Witnessing this, Aqua's eyes sparkled like stars, her little face filled with admiration as she looked at Imu.
Imu lowered her hand in front of Aqua, as if adapting to interacting with a child, her voice unprecedentedly gentle.
"If you like it, I'll give it to you."
"Really?"
Aqua's face lit up with joy as she cupped her hands to receive the butterfly.
As if possessing a spirit, the butterfly fluttered its wings and landed in Aqua's palms.
Watching Aqua's delighted expression, Imu glanced sideways at Luna, who stood nervously nearby, and said coldly.
"Be grateful for having protected Aqua in the past. Because of her, you have gained the opportunity to ascend to godhood—something you could never have achieved no matter how much you yearned for it."
"From this moment on, you shall enjoy all privileges, Luna!"
Upon hearing this, Luna's pupils instantly dilated.
She wanted to look up at Imu but suddenly came to her senses, then spoke with flattered surprise.
"Thank you, Imu-sama!"
Imu waved her hand dismissively.
"Go now. While Aqua is in the Flower Chamber, you may enter any place freely."
After speaking, Imu raised a hand and gently summoned all the butterflies that had scattered earlier, gathering them around Aqua.
Then, turning around, Imu walked toward the pavilion and sat down opposite Orion.
"As expected, having me bring Aqua to the Flower Chamber was just your excuse to see me!"
Watching Imu sit opposite him, Orion narrowed his eyes and continued.
"Speak. Why were you in such a hurry to have Gunko summon me to headquarters? If it's about the Reverie, there's no need—it's just a meeting, no need to make a mountain out of a molehill."
"Aqua is very adorable."
Imu turned to look at the small figure chasing butterflies with delight, speaking in a gentle voice.
"If you trust me, you can let Aqua live in the Flower Chamber. I'll have the Gorosei and the leader of the God Knights teach her swordsmanship, Haki, and various combat techniques! Of course, if you permit it, I can prepare a Devil Fruit most suited for her!"
Staring into Imu's dark red eyes, Orion responded without holding back.
"Unsolicited favors are either deceptive or malicious. Just be honest. Between you and me, there's no need to beat around the bush—get straight to the point."
Hearing this, the corner of Imu's mouth twitched slightly beneath the veil.
After working together for so long, Orion still viewed her this way?
Were the matters she brought up not important?
She had already learned everything about Aqua.
This time, having Orion bring Aqua to the Holy Land was purely because she wanted to do something for the child.
After all, since Orion became the Fleet Admiral, although his attitude toward her had been somewhat domineering and forceful, everything he had done so far and the results achieved were nearly perfect.
After a brief silence, Imu secretly took a deep breath, then lifted her gaze to meet Orion's eyes and said seriously.
"What I just said is the reason I called you here. Aqua is too young; living in Marineford isn't suitable. If you agree, I can summon the Gorosei and Figarland Garling right now to have them become Aqua's teachers!"
"You're not joking, are you?"
Confirming that Imu's intentions were truly only for Aqua's sake, Orion couldn't help but laugh.
"Having the Gorosei become Aqua's teachers? Aside from Sengoku and Zephyr, do you think Saturn, Warcury, and Nusjuro have the demeanor of mentors? And Garling—that century's biggest scumbag who killed his wife and abandoned his child at God Valley? Is he fit to be Aqua's teacher? Imu, don't let your good intentions backfire! Aqua can live in the Flower Chamber, but stay out of the teacher selection. I'll make my own arrangements!"
Hearing that Orion was willing to let Aqua live in the Flower Chamber, Imu's eyes instantly lit up.
Making the Gorosei and Garling her teachers was merely an excuse.
Given how much Orion doted on his daughter, how could she possibly let useless individuals like Saturn, Warcury and Nusjuro teach Aqua?
The real reason she said this was to wait for Orion to refuse.
And then—
Imu straightened her posture, her eyes carrying a hint of anticipation.
"In that case, how about letting Imu be Aqua's teacher? After all, Imu has nothing but time!"