The Holy Land. Mary Geoise.
Atop the Red Line. Where gods supposedly lived, according to legend.
Really just the Celestial Dragons' home turf.
The Red Line cut off the seas. The altitude advantage—just standing here looking down gave you that ruler-of-the-world feeling.
And the Celestial Dragons? They thought exactly that.
Since the twenty kings founded the World Government, the royal families calling themselves Celestial Dragons grew arrogant.
Descendants of gods. Everyone else? Lowborn. Controlling violent organizations across the world, they held unmatched dominion.
Above the Five Elders—someone of even higher status existed.
Once one of the twenty kings, yet sitting brazenly on the throne meant to stay empty—
Saint Imu.
Immortal. Mysterious. Controlled everything.
Even if the seas ran wild, couldn't shake them much. Like watching insects play.
The Room of Flowers—
A mysterious tall figure wearing a crown stood there, face hidden. Indifferent gaze watching the five highest powers slowly kneel. No surprise in those eyes.
Captivating red circular eyes—intimidating like Mihawk's, maybe more so.
"Lord Imu..."
Kneeling respectfully, bowing low—the Five Elders, usually so high and mighty, now prostrated like dogs.
Aus stood with crossed arms. At some point, he'd appeared here. Behind a pillar in shadow, quietly listening.
His eyes flashed crimson. He tried peering into the future to prevent accidents.
But...
Nothing.
Imu showed no reaction. Just sat on the throne, listening to the Five Elders' periodic reports. Whether they couldn't be bothered or hadn't noticed Aus—
Probably the latter. In the original story, whether Imu got careless with Observation Haki, or the Five Elders respectfully didn't use it—they failed to detect even Sabo hiding.
Imu's power probably wasn't pure overwhelming force...
Or rather—
Imu might be strong, but couldn't crush the sea's powerhouses without question.
Otherwise how could Sabo—without Conqueror's coating or Awakening—escape the combined pursuit of Five Elders and Imu?
Facing the report, Imu seemed uninterested. Aus didn't hear them say a word.
Just sat on the throne. Quiet. Deep in thought.
Managing the world—that was the Five Elders' job, not the World King's. Unless major errors occurred, they didn't care.
Even when the Five Elders came for audiences, just to confirm information and ask about personal interests.
"That fruit—still haven't found it?"
"This..."
The kneeling Five Elders broke into sweat, lowering their noble heads.
"Lord Imu, we've dispatched massive CP forces worldwide, intelligence agents, spies—but still no news..."
"Mm... expected."
Nothing to disappoint about. Imu understood—the Nika Fruit was hiding from them. Some will guiding it.
"But rest assured, we're contacting Devil Fruit merchants and underworld businessmen worldwide, working to locate it quickly.
We've established close ties with the biggest leader, Dortorl Aus. Should be twice as effective moving forward..."
Saint Saturn reported, dropping Aus's name. Well-reasoned briefing—like a wage slave satisfying the boss.
Hearing this, Aus pursed his lips.
He collected Devil Fruits as a hobby. Plus the Nika Fruit might avoid him too.
Aus liked watching chaos—not becoming it, grinning and acting crazy all day.
And they wanted free labor...
Though he could try later. Aus really wanted to see if Nika's destiny was bigger or his fist was harder.
Could it grow legs and run?
"Dortorl... Aus?"
Imu heard the name. Living alone so long, rarely heard the Five Elders mention new names.
Not just anyone was worth mentioning before Imu.
The last one...
What was it... Rocks...
Caused massive damage. Killed Celestial Dragons.
Before they could discuss longer, footsteps sounded from the entrance. Aus had seen this coming. His figure flashed and vanished.
Only after two figures walked forward and knelt did Aus reappear.
"This is... Shanks? No, Shamrock?"
Sudden realization—Aus almost thought Shanks was acknowledging family in the Holy Land. But instantly recognized something was off.
Not the same person. But looked nearly identical.
Aura-wise, the still-young Shamrock probably wasn't much weaker than Shanks. Though it'd been four years since Aus saw him.
The other person had a crescent moon head, also resembled the Shanks brothers—especially that red hair.
Should be the well-deserved strongest swordsman of the old generation after Rayleigh retired and Golden Lion fell—
Saint Figarland Garling.
Perhaps arranged long ago. Neither Five Elders nor Imu reacted much to this father-son arrival.
Shamrock was exceptionally proud. But maybe received his father's warnings, or already knew his ancestor existed—
He still slowly knelt. Showed submission.
"Garling, is this child your chosen successor for the Holy Knights' future?"
Nusjuro held his cursed blade, looking at Shamrock—so young yet far along the sword's path—and spoke.
"Ah, Shamrock has something to report to Lord Imu."
Clearly the Five Elders knew their purpose. Understood Garling was paving the way for Shamrock to take over as Holy Knights leader.
"Speak."
Imu wasn't interested, but since it was their bodyguard captain's wish—they listened patiently.
"I request granting some of the sea's monstrous talents special opportunity to join the Holy Knights."
Shamrock was young—dared to think and speak. Well-reasoned arguments convinced the big shots present.
Trading for powerful combat forces, and all they paid—
Just a "Celestial Dragon" slot without inheritance rights. They weren't that petty.
"You've been planning this long?" Saint Warcury asked deeply.
"Yes." Shamrock's face—identical to Shanks'—full of confidence, faintly carrying a king's presence.
"In fact, I already have a recruitment target. A monster among monsters on today's seas."
"Who?"
"Dortorl Aus!"
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