"I demand that Im be demoted, and the Five Elders bow their heads to witness my coronation as king."
Rosen leaned back in his throne-like chair, his gaze sweeping across the conference room like that of a supreme ruler. Every monarch, prince, or noble whose eyes met his involuntarily lowered their gaze, refusing to hold eye contact.
"Is this a declaration of war against the World Government?"
"Has the day finally come?"
"Who is Im?"
The kings gathered for the summit were horrified. They all knew conflict between Marine Headquarters and the World Government was inevitable, but they hadn't expected it to escalate so suddenly.
Most were completely unfamiliar with the name Im. Only Cobra of Alabasta knew the truth; the rest remained ignorant, even those who had previously attended World Government summits.
"Deep within Mary Geoise lies an empty throne," Rosen stated, his voice cold and clear. "Its owner is named Im. She is the Queen of the Celestial Dragons—or rather, the queen of this world."
The conference room erupted into chaos.
"What?"
"That throne is supposed to be unoccupied!"
"The Five Elders dare to defy the foundation of the World Government?"
The kings who had traveled to Mary Geoise for the summit rose in shock. The empty throne was the World Government's final pretense—a symbol that no single king ruled the world, that even Mary Geoise was governed collectively by the Five Elders.
Now Rosen claimed a single, hidden monarch sat upon that throne, unknown to the world.
"Silence!"
Rosen's voice cut through the noise. No Conqueror's Haki crackled, yet every king froze, their arguments dying instantly. The room fell into heavy, tense silence.
"The empty throne has no need for a cowardly rat hiding in shadows, stealing power while fearing exposure," Rosen declared. "Im, the Five Elders, even the World Government itself—they all become history today."
Rosen stood. Behind him, Garp, Sengoku, the three Admirals, and every high-ranking Marine officer present also rose.
"I summoned you here for one purpose." Rosen's gaze swept over the assembled Marines. "I ask all nations to bear witness as I ascend the Red Line. To be crowned King."
He raised his hand and pointed to empty space beside him.
Whoosh!
The void tore open, revealing a massive black rift—a Garganta—within the palace-like conference room.
"Let's go, everyone." Rosen's eyes met those of his officers. "It's time to usher in our era. The era of the Marines."
Rosen stepped forward into the rift. Gion followed without hesitation, never leaving his side. The three Admirals, Sengoku, Garp, Douglas Barrett, Tensei, Kakei, and every other high-ranking officer followed.
Then, the remaining Shichibukai—Boa Hancock, Bartholomew Kuma, Donquixote Doflamingo, and Gecko Moria—entered the portal.
In an instant, only a dozen Vice Admirals remained in the conference room to maintain order alongside the royal families and nobles.
"Gentlemen," Doberman said, rising to his feet. He produced a remote control and pressed a button. "Please take your seats and do nothing until Fleet Admiral Rosen and the others destroy the World Government."
A video Den Den Mushi opened its eyes, projecting a massive image onto the screen at the front of the room. The scene depicted Mary Geoise atop the Red Line. A sky torn apart by a black void.
A live broadcast of the World Government's destruction.
"It won't take up too much of your time," Momonga added, standing as his entire body radiated blinding golden light. In an instant, he transformed into a golden Buddha over seven meters tall.
Not just him. Every Vice Admiral present displayed their Mythical Zoan transformation. Some manifested the Human-Human Fruit, Buddha form. Others manifested the Fish-Fish Fruit, Azure Dragon form. Others still manifested the Bird-Bird Fruit, Phoenix form.
The dozen or so Vice Admirals, all in Mythical Zoan forms, towered over the kings, a silent display of overwhelming force.
"The Grand Line is about to change," someone murmured.
One moment, the First World Government Conference was in session. The next, it had escalated into a war that would determine the world's fate.
---
Pangu Castle
Beneath the empty throne, the Five Elders and the Knights of God led by Figarando Grimm gathered. These figures stood at the pinnacle of the world, the strongest of the Celestial Dragons, all kneeling in worship before the empty throne.
Tap. Tap.
Amidst their reverence, a figure slowly materialized and approached the throne—a seat even the twenty kings who founded the World Government dared not touch.
She knelt and sat regally upon it, facing the worship of the Five Elders and the Knights of God.
Im. The hidden king of the world.
"Eight hundred years ago, I was the one who laughed last," she declared, her voice echoing through the chamber. "It was the Celestial Dragons."
"Eight hundred years later, I still laugh last. It is still the Celestial Dragons."
Im sat upon the throne, looking down upon her servants. This place was forbidden even to CP0; she was a figure they were not qualified to meet.
"The majesty of a god cannot be violated," one of the Five Elders declared. "Neither the Marines nor Rosen."
"The Four Emperors have been crippled. Rosen's light should be extinguished now."
The Five Elders and the Knights of God expressed their opinions. They had tolerated Rosen's existence until now because his power was necessary to cripple the World Government. They needed Rosen and Marine Headquarters to end the Great Pirate Era.
Now, apart from Kaido hiding on Onigashima, the Four Emperors were history. The Shichibukai had become the Marines' lackeys. The remaining pirates were either insignificant or not yet a true threat.
The Great Pirate Era, started by Gol D. Roger, had been completely crippled by Rosen. With just a gentle nudge, it would be utterly destroyed.
At this point, the World Government could no longer tolerate Rosen's existence.
---
Mary Geoise
Imu's eyes flashed red, as if sensing something. For centuries, she had almost never left Pangaea Castle, rarely venturing beyond the Flower Garden. This was her first time stepping out.
When sunlight finally entered Imu's eyes, it revealed the black maw tearing through the sky, resembling a colossal beast devouring the Celestial Dragons.
"It's here?" Saint Vochuli looked up at the rift and murmured.
Everyone's gaze fixed on the black void in the sky.
Soon, a figure exuding overwhelming Conqueror's Haki, as if ready to trample Mary Geoise and the Red Line underfoot, slowly emerged.
Rosen.
The moment he ascended to the summit of the Red Soil, every eye in Mary Geoise fixed upon him.
"Nice to meet you," Rosen said, his voice carrying effortlessly across the distance. "You must be the King of the Celestial Dragons."
He stood in the sky, looking down at Mary Geoise. His gaze swept over the Five Elders, the Knights of God, and finally settled on the unfamiliar figure—Im. The first time he had seen her in person, though he had sensed her presence before.
She was completely shrouded in a cloak, only a pair of chilling eyes visible.
"Truly a coward," Rosen observed, shaking his head.
"How dare you!" one of the Five Elders shouted. "You stand before the King of the World. The incarnation of God! Not one of those pirates in the New World who casually claim such titles!"
Rosen laughed. "An empty throne, only secretly coveted when no one is around. If not a coward, what is he? A piece of trash who dares not show his true face. If not a coward, what is he?"
Im finally spoke, her voice calm and deep. "I sit on that throne when no one is around because the world is already beneath my feet. I need no worship, nor do I need to prove anything to anyone." She gave Rosen a deep look, sensing a Conqueror's Haki far more powerful than Joy Boy's from eight centuries ago. Pure, intense killing intent brewed within her eyes. Joy Boy. Damn it. Stronger than Joy Boy. Then he deserves to die even more.
"Is that so?" Rosen smiled, not bothering to argue.
"Listen well," Saint Vochuli addressed Sengoku, Garp, and the others standing behind Rosen. "One last chance. Stand on God's side, and you will live. Stand on God's opposite side, and you will be like Rosen—your light extinguished, reduced to ashes along with Marine Headquarters and so-called justice."
Saint Nasujuro's words weren't a plea for surrender; they were an ultimatum.
"Choose, Marine men," Saint Maz coldly stared at Sengoku and the others. "This is a gift from Lord Im."
Although fewer than twenty accompanied Rosen on this expedition—excluding the weakest among them, Gecko Moria—the others were at least Yonko Commander-level. Admiral-level combatants were also numerous. That was why the Five Elders gave them this choice. Even the proud Five Elders wouldn't make things harder for themselves if victory could be won more easily.
Imu felt the same way. While the Admirals were strong, they posed no threat to her position, so she acquiesced to the Five Elders' ultimatum, giving the Marines' top officers a final chance to stand on God's side.
—-
Enjoying the story? You can read 3-5 chapters ahead right now on Patreon!
New chapters drop there much earlier than Web Novel.
Join P@treon & Read Ahead → https://[email protected]/c/Ren_Saga
Thank you for your support! ❤️