As everyone knew, Imu's abilities were divided into two categories.
The first was the act of forming contracts.
These contracts were split into three tiers—Shallow Sea, Deep Sea, and Abyss.
The Shallow Sea Mark was granted to the [Gods Blades]. Within a certain range, Imu could directly control the actions of those who bore it.
The Deep Sea Mark was bestowed upon the [Divine Knights]. It granted Immortality and power far beyond ordinary humans. More terrifyingly, Imu could seize control of their bodies from anywhere in the world.
As for the Abyss Mark, only the Gorosei were qualified to bear it.
It not only granted ageless Immortality and the ability to transform into legendary creatures, but also symbolized absolute dominion—life and death resting on a single thought from Imu.
The second ability was even more domineering—Black Conversion Dominance.
This power allowed Imu to forcibly refine others into puppets, completely obedient to his will. Even a legendary pirate like Rocks D. Xebec, who once ruled an era, had been subdued instantly by this ability.
At that moment, everyone noticed the strange expression on Shamrock's face.
Standing beside him, Saint Figarland Garling gave a light cough.
"Show us your strength."
Shamrock glanced at him, but inwardly, he was practically shouting:
System Daddy, bail me out already!
[Ding! Mission Triggered: Become a Divine Knight. Reward: Mysterious Gift.]
[Do not panic, my son. Your father is here.]
…Then I can relax. Shamrock let out a breath in his heart, but still added, Don't forget—if I die, you disappear too.
[Are you threatening your father?]
"I wouldn't dare~."
Saint Sommers noticed Shamrock's momentary distraction. A cold glint flashed across his eyes as his hand pressed down on the thorn-wrapped rapier at his waist.
"Oh? Daydreaming in front of us?" His voice turned icy. "Then let me see if you're truly qualified."
Before his words had even fully fallen, the blade was already drawn—
A sharp arc of light tore through the air, cutting straight toward Shamrock.
Shamrock's Observation Haki had already detected the danger.
His brows furrowed slightly as he stepped back in an instant, narrowly evading the strike.
Almost simultaneously—
His hand moved.
Steel flashed.
His figure vanished.
In the next moment, Shamrock appeared behind Saint Sommers.
A beat of silence.
Then—
A thin line of blood erupted across Sommers' waist.
His body stiffened… before splitting cleanly in two.
The outcome had been decided in an instant.
Shamrock calmly sheathed his sword, his indifferent gaze sweeping toward the Gorosei—whose pupils had all contracted sharply.
Even they, who had witnessed countless storms, could not hide their shock at the strength he had just displayed.
Standing to the side, Saint Figarland Garling was momentarily stunned.
…When did my son become this powerful?
With this level of strength, forget the [Gods Blades]—he's already qualified to stand among the [Divine Knights]!
Sommers' body rapidly regenerated.
He rose to his feet, his face ashen, his eyes blazing with fury—like he wanted nothing more than to tear Shamrock apart.
He had been defeated… by a junior.
Among his generation of Divine Knights, only Saint Figarland Garling had ever been stronger than him.
And yet now—he had been cut down so effortlessly.
The humiliation burned.
Just as he was about to attack again—
"Stand down!"
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter's voice rang out sharply.
"Have you not embarrassed yourself enough?"
Sommers froze.
His teeth clenched as he reluctantly stepped back, though his murderous glare remained locked onto Shamrock.
The other Gorosei exchanged glances, faint traces of amusement flickering in their eyes.
Then—
A voice echoed directly within their minds.
"Bring him here."
The Gorosei stiffened slightly.
They hadn't expected this matter to draw the attention of Imu himself.
It seemed… the ranks of the Divine Knights were about to welcome a new monster.
Hearing the summons, Saint Figarland Garling's eyes lit up with excitement.
Meanwhile, Saint Sommers' expression turned even darker.
At the front of the hall, the bandaged woman—Gunko—stepped forward without a word, her expression unchanged as she walked toward the Void Throne.
Everyone arrived before the Void Throne.
The vast hall stood empty and silent. The marble floor gleamed like a mirror, reflecting the towering pillars and flowing silk curtains that added to the overwhelming solemnity of the space.
At the top of the steps, beside the empty throne—
A shadow slowly gathered.
Darkness condensed near the ornate seat, its silhouette indistinct, yet exuding an unquestionable, suffocating pressure.
From above, Imu looked down at Shamrock.
After a brief pause, he spoke.
"You are… impressive."
The voice was calm. Flat.
Devoid of emotion.
The moment the words fell—
A mark suddenly manifested on Shamrock's left arm.
It bore a wishbone-like base, entwined with serpent patterns. The ink-black lines writhed like living creatures, crawling across his skin.
As the patterns tightened—
A terrifying force erupted.
A violent surge of power burst forth from the mark, flooding through his body like a raging tide.
Shamrock's entire body trembled.
Power—raw, overwhelming power—coursed through his veins, washing over every inch of him.
The Gorosei immediately sensed it.
Their expressions shifted.
"When Garling and Sommers formed their contracts… there was no such reaction."
"I haven't seen a talent like this in centuries…"
"To gain such explosive power the moment the mark is bestowed… unprecedented."
"It seems this generation of the [Divine Knights] will revolve around him."
The last speaker let out a faint chuckle, his tone laced with subtle provocation.
"Perhaps… one day, he may even stand alongside us. You'd all do well to be cautious."
Silence.
Then—
The atmosphere stiffened.
The other Gorosei's expressions hardened almost imperceptibly.
Not far away, Saint Figarland Garling stared at Shamrock, his eyes filled with unconcealed pride and relief.
Sommers Saint, on the other hand, looked like a storm about to erupt—his face dark enough to drip with anger.
Beside him, Gunko slightly turned her head, her voice low and steady.
"Don't act rashly."
Her gaze lingered on Shamrock.
"For his power to surge like this immediately after forming the contract… even if Saint Figarland Garling were to step in now, suppressing him wouldn't be easy."
Shamrock clenched his fist slightly.
He could feel it.
The power coursing through him.
Even without activating the template of Gol D. Roger, he was certain—
Anyone below the level of the Four Emperors… was no longer a threat.
Even against an Admiral—
If they lacked Conqueror's Haki…
I can crush them.
[Ding! Mission Complete!]
[Reward Granted — The Strongest Shikigami from Jujutsu Kaisen: Mahoraga!]
In the void—
Something ancient… stirred.
A violent, primordial presence seemed to open its eyes.
Though it had not yet been summoned, an indescribable pressure—one that felt capable of adapting to all phenomena—quietly seeped into the depths of Shamrock's consciousness.
System Daddy… since when were you this overpowered?!
[Heh… what do you think?] The system's voice carried a lazy, smug amusement.
[I knew you liked "Big Raga," didn't you?]
Shamrock's thoughts shifted.
His gaze fell to the mark on his arm.
The snake-patterned brand pulsed faintly with heat.
"…This thing hasn't been dealt with yet."
[What's the rush?]
The system sounded completely unconcerned—like a veteran watching a rookie panic.
[Enjoy your life as a Holy Knight first. Then rebel.]
[Handle your business, and I'll naturally give you a way to break the contract.]
It paused, as if brushing the matter aside.
[Alright. I'm heading out.]
Its presence faded.
Like a receding tide.
Leaving behind only silence—
And the suffocating coexistence of power… and bondage.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
Shamrock's expression darkened.
"Damn it… you're screwing me over!"
The system's voice suddenly rang out again—
Bright and Shameless.
[Host, you've got it all wrong.]
[I'm spoiling you.]
(●—●)