The meeting between Joy Boy and Imu wasn't as... intense as Michael had imagined.
There were no scenes of "cheering long live" or "prostrating in worship."
Firstly, Imu truly wasn't the type of woman willing to submit to others.
Secondly...
With Joy Boy's personality being extremely similar to Luffy's, he probably didn't even know who Imu really was.
After all, at those grand banquets in the Great Kingdom, as the mascot king, all his attention was likely focused on eating and drinking.
Naturally, he wouldn't notice that a princess from a vassal state was ambitiously eyeing his seemingly lofty throne from below.
"I see, so you're the same type as King Donquixote!" Joy Boy crossed his arms and nodded with partial understanding.
"That means from now on, we'll be following your orders, right?"
"I don't intend to forcefully command you and Michael... I doubt I could even if I tried," Imu said sincerely, nodding at Joy Boy.
"If you can come up with better plans, I'm willing to defer."
"No, no, it's best if you take charge," Joy Boy immediately raised his hand to stop Imu's polite pretense. "Even as a mascot king, I know that if there are too many voices at the top... we'll end up like the Great Kingdom eventually."
Joy Boy might share Luffy's carefree personality, but people like them aren't stupid.
In fact, they often hit the nail on the head with their observations.
Originally, Joy Boy only became the rebellion army's leader at the request of King Donquixote and several other vassal kings, reluctantly agreeing to it.
From beginning to end, Joy Boy was more of a spiritual symbol.
That's the polite way to put it—to be blunt...
This guy was an absentee leader.
And the rebellion army had always been managed separately by several kings according to their specialties.
Which led to exactly what Joy Boy mentioned...
"Too many voices" at the top.
Imu quickly realized...
She... might have been somewhat duped.
This seemingly legitimate rebellion army was actually leaderless!
And Michael existed completely outside the rebellion army's structure!
Imu suddenly felt that this rebellion army was a hot potato.
No wonder Michael had so readily invited her to take charge!
"Mr. Michael... you're truly quite the schemer."
"Such refined insults—you really are a proper princess," Michael replied with a wholesome smile.
"From today onward, we're partners on the same pirate ship!"
Then, Michael's laughter echoed through West Village's forest.
Though Imu didn't leave in the best mood, her objective had largely been achieved.
Under Imu's supreme command, the original rebellion army and the six noble families under her completely integrated their resources.
Instantly, they gained considerable influence throughout the entire Great Kingdom.
At this time, within the rebel forces, aside from Joy Boy as their mascot, there were already twelve powerful vassal kings among their ranks.
Of course, this included Lily, who was essentially a commander without an army.
Alabasta, which should have rightfully been under Nefertari's rule, had completely fallen under the control of the Great Kingdom.
And time, as the rebel forces secretly nibbled away at the Great Kingdom's remote territories, seemed to fast-forward.
...
Four years later, in the royal bedchambers of the Naronan Kingdom.
A man with six Wings stretched lazily on the grand balcony, his pristine and flawless Wings trembling slightly with his movements.
Countless specks of light scattered into the air.
"Is this what kings get to enjoy? Truly so luxurious it's almost irritating."
"Michael! Have some conscience, will you!? Aside from planning the entire nation's livelihood, I also have to skulk around like a thief, secretly preparing for rebellion with you all… Tell me, which king has it harder than me!?" A complaining woman's voice rang out as the door creaked open.
"Working myself to the bone every day is bad enough, but I'm also constantly on edge, terrified that even the slightest flaw might appear in our plans… So what if my bed's a little nicer!?"
"Fine, fine." Michael turned around, bare-chested, and spread his hands toward the newcomer.
"Queen Imu has toiled tirelessly. Tell me, does the cushion stuffed with my angel feathers feel comfortable?"
"Look at that petty face of yours… It's just a few feathers, not like I'm asking for you!" Imu's lips twitched as she carried a stack of documents to the table.
"Let me make this clear—don't get the wrong idea. The only reason I've temporarily hidden you all in my bedchamber is because you can't show yourselves anywhere else before we set out…"
"Then why not just let me stay with the others in that abandoned side chamber? Instead, you had to drag me here for a 'heart-to-heart'!" Michael rolled his eyes. "Who the hell falls asleep after just a few words during a 'heart-to-heart'!?"
"Just Shut up already!"
Imu turned and snarled at him viciously.
Over the past few years, she and Michael had interacted frequently due to rebel affairs…
But ever since three years ago, his image in her mind had solidified into that of an utterly clueless block of wood—one that not even lightning could split open!
"Tch, wasted all those expressions on an idiot." Imu snorted coldly before getting down to business.
"This operation… how confident are you?"
"How confident can I be?" Michael raised an eyebrow. "Retaking all of Alabasta—that's something we've been planning for a full year… We strike when the Great Kingdom's garrison in Alabasta is handing over duties to newly arrived troops. We take Alabasta back and let the name Nefertari shine over its skies once more."
"However... Lily can no longer use her original identity... At least not until the Great Kingdom is overthrown," Imu said gravely. "If the name Lily were to reign over Alabasta again, it would inevitably link you to the rebel forces in the eyes of the Great Kingdom... So, it's better to reappear before the world as a bastard child between the Nerona family and the Alabasta royal line... After all, Lily's hair and eyes clearly mark her as one of our Nerona bloodline."
"If the identity changes, the name must too, right?"
"That's easily settled..."
Imu suddenly smiled brightly.
"From today onward, Lily's public identity shall be Nerona Imu the Second!"