"Witnessed with your own eyes?" Michael frowned. "I need an explanation."
"Ah, well, because I was leading a team hidden in Mary Geoise at the time, planning to create an opportunity to rescue Nefertari's widow..."
"And when you took those siblings away, I even tried to follow you from afar. But your flying speed was simply too fast, so I gave up."
"Later, though, I privately investigated and found that Donquixote had appeared on Angel Island... Oh, Donquixote, rest assured—the intelligence gathering in that area was handled solely by my trusted aides. The Great Kingdom never obtained any related information... Putting the pieces together, I concluded that the two of you were connected."
At Imu's words, Michael and Donquixote exchanged bewildered glances.
These events...
They truly had no idea.
"Wait, how you knew about our connection isn't the main issue... Why did you go to rescue them in the first place? You shouldn't have had any ties to them, right?"
Michael stepped forward, studying this tall princess...
Blue hair? Crimson eyes?
Wasn't this combination identical to Lily's?
"If we're going by official records, then no, there was no relation," Imu shrugged. "But Nefertari's queen was actually my father's illegitimate daughter—my half-sister... And those two children also carry half the bloodline of the Naronna family."
"Does that explanation satisfy you?"
Though the reasoning sounded somewhat tenuous...
Imu's uncanny resemblance to Lily—her blue hair and red eyes—spoke louder than any explanation.
If this wasn't proof of kinship, Michael could only admit defeat.
"So let me get this straight... You're saying you're the... aunt of Nefertari's orphaned children?"
"That's correct," Imu nodded before gracefully moving toward the prepared sofa and seating herself.
"Now then, shall we discuss how to overthrow this Great Kingdom looming over everyone's heads?"
...Michael had been in a state of surprise ever since meeting Imu.
However, after calming down, he quickly pieced things together.
The relationships between the great kingdoms in this era were much like those in medieval Europe or the Warring States period—each had some degree of blood ties with the others.
This was also a necessary means for these vassal states to seek reliable alliances under the overwhelming influence of the Great Kingdom.
Having some blood relation, no matter how distant, still made people more trustworthy than complete strangers.
But what truly struck Michael as odd was Imu's personality…
Wasn't she a bit too… kind?
Every gesture, every action, exuded the demeanor of a wise and benevolent ruler.
This was a far cry from the final boss who would casually erase entire nations from the map by unleashing Uranus.
How did she end up like that in the future?
Could it be that after obtaining an unnaturally long lifespan through a Devil Fruit or some other means, she gradually grew twisted over those eight hundred years?
Michael felt a slight pang of concern for the future.
But only for a moment—soon, he cast it aside entirely.
Eight hundred years later, if he returned, he would deal with it himself.
For now, the confident and radiant Princess Nerona Imu sitting before him was an almost perfect ally.
"Since you've laid your cards on the table, I won't hold back either," Michael said as he took a seat across from Imu.
"You're not fighting alone right now, are you?"
"Of course not," Imu replied without hesitation. "In an era where history could shift at any moment, a single misstep could doom me forever… So of course, I've had to form tight alliances with certain people to protect myself."
"And how many are there?"
"Let me think…" Imu playfully tapped her finger against her lips, feigning a girlish demeanor. "The Jaygarcia family, the Marcus family, the Topman family, the Ethanbaron family, the Shepherd family, and the Figarland family… As for the smaller families aligned with them, I'm not entirely sure."
Michael blinked.
Those surnames…
The Five Elders and Figarland Garling's families.
So, the Five Elders coming from these families wasn't without reason.
These were the trusted inner circle who had stood by Imu's side even in her early days.
"W-Wait a minute?" Donquixote suddenly sensed something amiss. "These families… aren't they supposed to be equal partners with your Nerona family? Why would they—"
"Why would they side with me instead of my father?" Imu flashed a brilliant smile. "That's simple—because all of this was done behind my dear father's back."
"What?!"
"My father is a staunch follower of the Great Kingdom. He truly believes that marrying me off to a Lunarian or a Buccaneer will elevate the Nerona name into the legendary 'God's Nation.'" Though Imu was smiling, Michael saw no warmth in her crimson eyes.
"Since he wants to use me like that… then this father of mine has outlived his usefulness."At this point, Imu patted her own forehead.
"Ahaha, it's about time. If nothing unexpected happened, my dear father should now be lying completely paralyzed on a bed so luxurious it could buy hundreds of slaves."
Michael couldn't help but shiver.
This woman... is truly ruthless.
Yet at the same time, he couldn't help but look at her with admiration.
Being ruthless was good.
A woman with such capability and a clearly volatile temper suited his tastes perfectly.
At the slightest disagreement, she had her incompetent father, who wanted to take the crooked path, bedridden for good.
But this ruthlessness didn't cross into outright cruelty...
At least she left him alive.
If she only had methods, Michael would fear her backstabbing.
If she only had principles, he'd worry she'd be too soft-hearted.
But having both methods and principles?
Simply perfect.
If he didn't know this woman would become the major boss he needed to deal with in the future, he might have been tempted to get to know her better.
Michael raised his head with a satisfied smile.
"So... should we address you as... Queen Imu now?"
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We should first discuss the specifics of our next steps in cooperation..."
Imu narrowed her eyes like a smug and cunning fox.
"Though of course, if you insist on calling me that, I won't stop you."
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