"This..."
Hearing that name, the Five Elders froze. Exchanged glances.
But Shamrock still smiled confidently. That calm presence—identical to Shanks'.
"I admit at the same age, that guy qualifies to fight me.
Perhaps only I can successfully recruit him."
Possessing Shanks' talent to reach the sea's pinnacle, Shamrock was undeniably arrogant.
Even declared only he could subdue Aus.
But in the Five Elders' view...
They quietly exchanged glances, reading each other's thoughts.
Remarkably unanimous:
Almost impossible.
They acknowledged—as Figarland family blood, like Saint Garling, Shamrock possessed one of the strongest talents they'd seen.
At his peak, catching up to the once-king of Celestial Dragon combat, Garling—not impossible.
But subdue Aus?
Very difficult.
Pure talent? Aus's spirit and ability hardly fell beneath Shamrock's.
Aus was only nineteen. His Conqueror's Haki—just a hair away—already rivaled former sea overlords.
Especially Totto Land. Combat footage their spies sent back left them silent.
Even using frontal combat he wasn't skilled at, still severely injured two Emperor-level monsters. So young, yet his Conqueror's could crack the earth...
Seeing that, they'd privately wondered—one-on-one—
Could they take Aus down?
One might capsize. Two safer. Five probably couldn't catch him.
But fighting Shamrock?
Nusjuro glanced at his cursed blade. Maybe he alone had decent odds.
Aus, listening in shadow, raised an eyebrow.
Interesting...
Become a Celestial Dragon?
He hadn't considered that. But seemed fun...
World Noble. Celestial Dragon. Saint Aus?
Aus's lips curved. Not that he coveted their privileges—
Summoning Admirals, endless money, CP bodyguards...
Controlling the underworld, Aus could accomplish that with his own power. A hundred times more luxurious than Celestial Dragons.
But this title—Aus found it novel. Interesting.
Connected to many D's, yet also Celestial Dragon. Revolutionary Army's financial backer. Active pirate...
Aus admitted—truly tempting.
Should he... show himself?
Aus observed. Saint Mars among the Five Elders spoke faintly:
"Aus isn't easily dealt with. Even we've had to exercise considerable caution regarding him."
Saving the Five Elders' face.
The existence leaving five highest powers helpless—you, a brat, say you'll make him your subordinate?
Might as well recruit the five old guys too.
Doesn't know limits.
But Shamrock disagreed.
As Figarland family's future, accustomed to being undefeated. Almost walking an emperor's path. Never met an opponent among peers.
Though he'd heard Aus's feats, in his view they relied on Devil Fruit powers.
He didn't deny fruit abilities were part of strength, but true Haki and swordsmanship clash—he was confident he wouldn't lose.
"I heard he's come to the Holy Land. I'll find him afterward and prove..."
On the throne, Imu watched their drama without obvious emotion.
Or rather—aside from eight hundred years ago and Joyboy, having witnessed storms, they rarely concerned themselves with "mortal affairs."
"Arrange these matters yourselves."
Imu clearly didn't care. And since the ancestor didn't, Shamrock wasn't too intimidated by the Five Elders.
"I'll challenge him. As long as he accepts..."
"Sure thing."
A voice suddenly picked up Shamrock's words.
Everyone startled, looking toward the source. Fastest reaction—a mysterious arrow shot toward Aus.
Casual strike from the World King.
Eyes flashing crimson, wearing black cloak and dark red noble attire, Aus slowly vanished.
Faster than the arrow—
Space-crossing power. Even the sharpest attack couldn't harm him. Even the World King's.
His unhurried figure reappeared behind the Five Elders and Figarland father-son.
"What?! Aus!"
The Five Elders were old acquaintances. Garling and Shamrock had seen him on posters—not strangers.
Only Imu's eyes gleamed coldly, staring fixedly at Aus.
"Spying on Lord Imu without permission—you must die here!"
Garling drew his blade, killing intent surging. Couldn't care about recruitment anymore.
Aus rashly learning of Lord Imu's existence—such top secret—capital offense.
"Wait, Garling! Aus already knew of Lord Imu's existence!"
The Five Elders saw clearly. Lord Imu's attack couldn't handle Aus's bizarre ability. Hearts sank.
Can't take him down? Don't start war. Especially in the Holy Land's most secret place...
"What?!" Garling froze. Seeing Imu make no further moves, slowly sheathed his blade.
Shamrock wanted to draw, but Garling's hand blocked him. Shook his head.
Because now, Imu and Aus locked eyes.
"Interesting ability... You knew of my existence before? Through Poneglyphs, or the final island..."
Imu looked indifferently, as if pondering, scrutinizing.
"Well... probably natural future-seeing Observation Haki."
When in doubt, blame Observation. Aus was used to it. So many types—who could guarantee this didn't exist?
Just seeing incredibly distant future.
"Is that so... In Observation Haki, you see farthest of anyone I've met. No wonder they mention your name before me."
Perhaps feeling they couldn't capture Aus on the spot, or Shamrock's words left them without hostility—
"Then... are you willing?
To become a Celestial Dragon and join the Holy Knights."
[PS: Godfathers, drop five stars to become Celestial Dragon]
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