"Shaking the entire world because of the will of a single person is absolutely unforgivable. Mu wants to discuss two things with you, and one matter with Cobra. As for you... stay here and listen to the voice of Mu."
The one sitting on the throne, Imu, spoke coldly.
"Calling yourself Mu... I've seen references to that term in ancient texts," Roy said calmly.
"In ancient times, it was women who bore the role of reproduction that held the highest status in the tribe. Just like in elephant herds, it's not the strongest male but the eldest female who leads. Similarly, in early human society, women held leadership roles."
"Though that changed later due to shifts in the labor division. But back then, the eldest woman who gave birth to the most sons in the tribe had the most revered status. Such a leader was called 'Mu', a combination of the characters for 'woman' and 'mother.'"
Everyone present narrowed their eyes at Roy's words.
Sabo, hiding behind a pillar, held his breath to listen in. Wapol was also eavesdropping.
Imu looked at Roy without saying a word, clearly unfazed by the analysis of the name.
Roy suspected that only the mention of "D" could truly unsettle her.
"Who are you?!" Cobra asked, looking up at her.
"I know the name Imu. It might be just a coincidence, but among the first Twenty Kings, there was someone named-"
"Do not pry. There is no answer you will ever find," Imu interrupted coldly.
"Cobra, just sit quietly and listen. I don't think we'll live much longer anyway," Roy chuckled.
The Five Elders had surrounded Roy, but he continued to smile as if nothing fazed him.
Imu turned to Cobra and said, "I can tell you one thing: The so-called will of the D were those who once opposed us. Those who bear it now are nothing more than hollow shells, ignorant of its meaning."
"All of this was caused by a major mistake made by Lily 800 years ago. Those scholars studying the Void Century, and the pirates searching for treasure through the Poneglyphs, if Lily hadn't made that mistake, those detestable Poneglyphs would never have spread around the world."
"That most tragic script from the past only hides one truth: It was either a simple mistake... or a carefully planned conspiracy. The answer lies in that letter in Alabasta."
"You mentioned her name earlier. So tell me... who signed that letter?"
Cobra looked at Roy and said, "Mr. Roy, it seems I won't be leaving here alive."
"Relax. Worst case, we die together. But I'm curious, did you never investigate this for the last 800 years? Or... were you just too afraid to show your face?" Roy asked Imu.
A beat of silence.
Then-
"Mu can grant you supreme power. Pledge your loyalty to Mu," The Five Elders stiffened. Imu was offering Roy a place beside her.
Roy smiled. "Does that include immortality like them?"
"Naturally," Imu replied.
"Figured as much. But before I decide... let's hear Cobra's answer."
Everyone turned their eyes back to Cobra. The Five Elders were already locked onto him.
"If I made up a lie, would you let me go?" Cobra asked.
"From the moment you laid eyes on Imu-sama, your fate was already sealed," Saint Warcury answered.
Cobra raised his voice with resolve: "Just as the letter said, 800 years ago, the signatory was Nefertari D. Lily!"
"D!!"
Imu growled in fury and unleashed a black, barbed spike aimed at Cobra.
"Tch. Hiding your true form?"
Roy's eyes flashed, and a burst of Haki erupted like a shockwave, intercepting the attack.
Smack!
The Five Elders reacted immediately, already aware Roy was troublesome, but they were shocked when Roy replicated Saturn's "Death Glare," deflecting Imu's strike.
Imu turned her gaze toward Roy, but he exploded with Haki and sent the Five Elders flying.
"Sabo, get Cobra out of here!" Roy suddenly shouted.
Sabo, who had been hiding behind a pillar, rushed out.
He had already received word earlier, once Cobra was attacked, he had wanted to move, but it was too late. Thankfully, Roy had prepared in advance.
"You fool."
Roy sighed when he saw that instead of rescuing Cobra, Sabo charged directly at Imu.
"Attacking the leader first does make sense… But the problem is, you're not nearly strong enough."
Imu's body warped, her form shifting grotesquely. A Mythical Zoan, but unlike any other.
Roy knew immediately: 'A Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit with true illusion powers?'
As Sabo charged, Imu opened her mouth and let out a strange soundwave. The flames on Sabo's body vanished, and his Phoenix form canceled out.
"W-What-?!"
Sabo's eyes widened in disbelief. Before he could react, Imu's tail had already pierced through him.
"I told you to grab Cobra!" Roy snarled, darting forward as countless black spikes shot toward him. His Haki flared, repelling them before he locked eyes with Imu again.
Boom!
Imu's face was hit with an explosion. This giant frog-like creature had been injured.
"I don't know what kind of frog species you are, but don't stick your tongue out like that, it's disgusting," Roy said.
"Inferior creature. Perish." Imu's eyes locked on Roy.
In an instant, Roy felt like his body was no longer his own.
It was stronger than Saturn's mental attack; he was nearly dragged into a void-like dimension.
"SHIT"
Roy immediately unleashed his Conqueror's Haki, tearing open the void.
The dark world cracked open. Outside, the Five Elders were already waiting.
Saint Warcury launched a Haki attack that slammed into Roy.
His Observation Haki faltered briefly, likely due to Imu's previous mental assault.
As razor-sharp fangs charged at him, Roy grabbed hold of them, but still got slammed into a pillar, breaking three in a row.
Gritting his teeth, Roy grabbed the boar's tusks and flipped him, driving a fist into his skull.
..
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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