Just a moment ago, Imu had wanted to kill Fang Huo, but after hearing Fang Huo's mix of half-truths and lies...
The next moment, Imu changed their tune and began trying to recruit Fang Huo, this 'important talent' who controlled a vast amount of resources and contingency plans.
As long as they could secure the loyalty of Kogetsu Fang Huo!
Then all the contingency plans of Joy Boy, Davy Jones, the Mermaid Princess, and Queen Lily would turn to ash.
Imu truly never expected Fang Huo to also possess information about the Mother Flame.
If they could recruit Fang Huo, wouldn't that mean they could restart Uranus?
Fang Huo also hadn't expected Imu, the King of the World, to be such a flexible and pragmatic hegemon.
To switch so quickly from 'calling for blood' to 'sincere recruitment'.
However, Fang Huo had just teased Imu about the love triangle between them, Joy Boy, and Queen Lily.
Could Imu really still tolerate him?
This was likely nothing more than Imu's deception and temptation.
If Fang Huo's life were ever controlled by Imu, the moment he lost his utility, Imu would grind his bones to dust in a heartbeat, leaving nothing behind.
At least Saint Jaygarcia Saturn still had a skeleton left.
And all that talk about not being interested in power!
If they weren't interested, Imu wouldn't have ascended the Empty Throne to receive the devout kneeling of the Gorosei.
"How so?"
"Can you make me the head of the Gorosei?"
With a slight curl of his lip, Fang Huo continued to chat aimlessly with Imu through the Divine Blade.
He wanted to hear what kind of empty promises this King of the World could still conjure up.
"Whether you desire supreme power, even greater strength, or even eternal life, Mu can give it to you."
Imu had already suppressed their anger, seriously trying to fool this special brat, Fang Huo, who possessed so many resources and intelligence.
"Then could Lord Imu bestow a few Mythical Zoan fruits upon me, so I can see the sincerity of a god?"
"Of course, I also bring sincere intent; I can reveal all of Rocks' plans to you."
"I can even tell you the whereabouts of the pluto battleship and the Mother Flame."
Fang Huo was talking out of his ass, just wanting to see what tricks Imu could play.
"Deal! Where do you want to trade?"
Imu's eyes narrowed; to catch the wolf, one had to be willing to sacrifice the child. This time, Mu would personally set out to deal with Fang Huo.
"..."
Fang Huo hadn't expected Imu to be so decisive; it seemed they were truly being fooled by him.
However, from Imu's perspective, this twenty-something-year-old pirate actually possessed near-secret intelligence on Joy Boy, Davy Jones, Queen Lily, the Mother Flame, and Zunesha.
Especially since last time, Fang Huo had utilized the ancient robot emitt and used Joy Boy's Conqueror's Haki, causing Imu to suffer a great loss.
This served as indirect proof that Fang Huo truly held a wealth of intelligence and resources.
Now, even Imu couldn't see through exactly how much Fang Huo knew.
Mu was equally unclear about how many traps and contingency plans those fellows—Joy Boy, Davy Jones, the Mermaid Princess, and Queen Lily—had buried for Mu.
Imu suspected that Kogetsu Fang Huo might be someone sent to this era from eight hundred years ago by that Time-Time Fruit user.
Otherwise, how could Fang Huo possibly know so much?
---
Now that Fang Huo dared to state his conditions, Imu dared to agree.
Regardless of whether Fang Huo truly intended to defect, Imu intended to personally capture him.
The intelligence and items this brat possessed were simply too much.
So much so that even Imu was becoming a bit restless.
As for whether Fang Huo was trying to lure the tiger from the mountain—tricking Mu into leaving the Holy Land Mary Geoise to steal Uranus...
This indeed required careful preparation.
First, Mu would move Uranus to a different hidden location.
Fang Huo shouldn't even think about snatching the national treasure of the Celestial Dragons!
"I wonder if Lord Imu currently has the Mythical Zoan Azure Dragon Fruit?"
Fang Huo pondered for a moment and continued to ask through the Divine Blade.
As for the trade, that would require some serious fooling.
"The Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Zoan Type, Model: Azure Dragon?"
"Mu's treasury does not have that one yet."
"However, Mu's treasury has the Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Mythical Zoan Type, Model: Qilin."
"If you want more Mythical Zoan fruits, Mu also has the Mythical Zoan Model: Karasu-Tengu Fruit!"
Imu instantly realized Fang Huo wanted the Azure Dragon Ability; this special brat could actually consume Devil Fruits.
Where exactly was Fang Huo's limit!
But as long as it wasn't the Sun God Nika ability or those other few special abilities, it was fine.
Imu could handle any other ability.
'It's good that you don't have it! If you don't, I can continue searching!'
Just like that, Fang Huo easily dug out some important intelligence from Imu's mouth.
"Is the Paramecia Type Paw-Paw Fruit in Lord Imu's treasury?"
"And are the Logia type Chilly-Chilly Fruit, Magma-Magma Fruit, and Glint-Glint Fruit among Lord Imu's collection?"
Fang Huo pushed his luck and continued to press for more.
"..."
Imu hadn't expected Fang Huo's appetite to be so large; he truly wasn't being polite at least.
"As long as you become the head of the Gorosei, these Devil Fruits will be at your disposal. Even if Mu doesn't have them currently, the World Government will find them for you in the future!"
Imu spoke indifferently, not responding directly to Fang Huo's probing, but Mu's heart grew increasingly shocked.
Could it be that there truly was no upper limit to the abilities Fang Huo could accommodate?
He was actually coveting so many top-tier abilities.
However, Imu finally saw where Fang Huo's desires lay.
This special brat's weakness was his desire to obtain more Devil Fruit abilities!
This would have to be utilized properly.
"Lord Imu's prestige makes me a bit fearful."
"How about Lord Imu first sends a kirin fruit through the Underworld to soothe my fears?"
Fang Huo spoke directly, wanting to see if Imu was willing to set the bait.
If they weren't willing, today's negotiations would end here.
In any case, the mix of true and false information he revealed today should be enough to scare Imu or at least make them cautious.
"I will have a Cipher Pol agent trade with you directly, giving you both the kirin fruit and the Karasu-Tengu Fruit."
Imu's eyes narrowed; Mu likewise didn't believe Fang Huo's nonsense. Fang Huo was likely trying to swindle the bait.
"Is Lord Imu unwilling to part with even a single Devil Fruit!"
"After this, who knows when I'll be able to communicate with Lord Imu again."
Fang Huo had the Divine Blade speak in a mocking tone.
He had no time for idle chatter with Imu.
Charlotte Linlin, Silver Axe Fierce, and the others had already taken down those Marines.
This mission was about to end, and they could leave this island.
And Rocks was even considering whether to take advantage of Kong leaving the New World to launch a surprise attack on the G1 Fortress.
To first take out one or two Admirals and weaken the World Government's forces.
"Location!"
"I hope you don't care only for a single Devil Fruit. You deserve to hold higher power and command even more Devil Fruits!"
Imu pondered for a moment and finally decided to give Fang Huo a little taste of sweetness.
If this Devil Fruit was truly swindled by Fang Huo, then Imu could only admit bad luck.
It would serve as a lesson to thoroughly understand Fang Huo!
Hearing Imu's words, the corner of Fang Huo's mouth curled up; he hadn't expected to actually fool them out of a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit!
This was a huge gain!!
He was openly deceiving Imu, and the fish had taken the bait!