In the deepest part of Pangea Castle in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, within the Room of Flowers, Saint Jaygarcia Saturn and Saint Marcus Mars bowed respectfully before a shadowy figure.
This figure was Imu, shrouded entirely in darkness.
Also present were several powerfully built individuals of varying heights, the tallest of whom stood at a terrifying ten meters.
Even after being struck by Pluton's cannon, this place remained largely intact, a testament to its incredible durability.
"Imu-sama."
The two remaining Elders knelt on the ground, their gazes fixed respectfully on Imu.
"Did the CP0 agents die?"
Before Imu could speak, a tall, surprisingly young-looking man with strange tattoos on his face directed the question at the Five Elders.
"They were completely wiped out. Shin Uzumaki didn't even have to act," Saint Jaygarcia Saturn reported.
"Hmph. Those CP0 grunts are as useless as you two."
One of the brawnier men shot a disdainful glance at the two Elders.
Faced with the insult, the Elders could only swallow their anger.
"You fought with Shin Uzumaki. Tell me, how strong is he?" Imu's voice, distorted by the shadows, questioned the two Elders.
Hearing their master's inquiry, they didn't dare hesitate. "Your Majesty, Shin Uzumaki's power is overwhelming. We fear only you can deal with him."
"Hmph. You think Imu-sama needs to lift a finger? I'll go deal with him myself," the brawny Celestial Dragon scoffed, his tone dripping with contempt.
The two Elders glanced at the fool. To still underestimate Shin Uzumaki at this point...
They secretly believed that even if Imu acted, there was no guarantee they could handle Shin Uzumaki.
"Oh? Did I hear someone say they were going to kill me?"
A lazy voice drifted in from outside as Shin’s footsteps echoed through the hall.
"Well, I'm right here. Show me what you've got. Try not to make this boring," Shin said, striding towards them.
Behind him followed the core members of the Kuja Pirates. Of course, those without significant combat strength had been left outside.
Olvia had also stayed behind to act as a babysitter, protecting Sugar, Vivi, and the others.
"What's your name, big guy? You seem to have a low opinion of me. Go on, give me your best shot. Let's see what kind of trash you are."
Shin's gaze locked onto the brawny Celestial Dragon. He had to be one of them—though he wasn't wearing the signature bubble helmet, his bizarre, ostentatious clothing screamed Celestial Dragon. Only they would dress so absurdly to distinguish themselves from commoners.
"So you are Shin Uzumaki?"
At that moment, Imu, seated on the throne, stood up, their gaze fixed on Shin.
"Well, I wasn't expecting a woman," Shin said, a flicker of genuine surprise on his face.
"Imu. It's been a long time."
Suddenly, Amatsuki Toki spoke, drawing Imu’s attention. The moment Imu saw Toki, their brow furrowed.
"Why are you here? Could it be... the Time-Time Fruit?"
Imu stared at Amatsuki Toki with suspicion. Indeed, Imu and Toki knew each other.
"Whoa, Toki, you know her?" Nami asked, her eyes wide with shock.
Her gaze then snapped to Imu. According to what she knew, Toki had traveled here from eight hundred years in the past. If they knew each other, that meant Imu had been alive for over eight hundred years.
"Shin, this person is an old monster, living for so long..." Nami said to Shin.
Shin's expression remained perfectly calm. He glanced at the astonished Nami and said, "If you wanted, you could live that long too. I've seen someone who lived for over a thousand years. What's the big deal?"
Compared to Nami, Shin was completely unfazed. Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, for example, had been sealed for a thousand years—but that was still a millennium. Compared to her, Imu's lifespan was nothing special.
"Really?" Nami was still struggling to accept it. Even the long-lived Giants probably couldn't live for eight hundred years.
"Wait, Shin, you said I could live for eight hundred years too?" Nami suddenly asked.
"Not just eight hundred. As long as I don't die, you won't die," Shin told her.
"Ah! Then what if you die?"
Nami’s question made Shin clench his fist. He was sorely tempted to let her feel just how powerful that fist was.
"If I die, you can come with me as an offering. So you'd better behave from now on, or I might just kill myself and take you with me."
"Don't, don't, don't! Please don't do that! I haven't lived enough yet! I still want to live!"
Hearing Shin's words, Nami's face paled as she pleaded with him.
"Shin, Nami, are you two completely ignoring the situation we're in?" Robin couldn't help but interject.
"Robin, you worry too much. With Shin here, is anything really going to happen to us? Why else do you think I had the guts to come along?"
Nami said to Robin with a completely composed look. She was originally supposed to stay on the ship, but she had insisted on coming, mainly to see the Celestial Dragons' treasure.
Of course, the main reason she was so bold was that she knew there was no real danger. And if there was no danger, what was there to worry about?
"Am I worried?" Robin was also perfectly calm.
If anyone should be worried, it was Imu and the Celestial Dragons.
"ARE YOU IGNORING ME?"
The brawny Celestial Dragon roared, then charged at Shin.
"And what if I did??" Shin asked, his expression completely flat as he swung his sword.
The blade in his hand was the Shodai Kitetsu, formerly belonging to Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro.
With a single slash, the entire Room of Flowers was cleaved in two. As for the Celestial Dragon charging at him—he was killed instantly, bisected by Shin's blade.
"So weak... Did you really expect my attention? An ant begging for the gaze of a dragon. How pathetic."
Shin's voice was ice-cold. The one-shot kill of a Celestial Dragon shocked the remaining ones into silence. Even Imu had to take him seriously now.
The group of Celestial Dragons here were not the cannon fodder that had been blasted away earlier. They were all powerhouses, at least on par with Doflamingo, some even rivaling the Admirals.
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After Shin cut down the Celestial Dragon who dared to attack him, he made no further move. The other Celestial Dragons, likewise, remained frozen.
With such a clear warning, who would dare to act recklessly now? Did they want to be cut down in a single blow too?
They may have been Celestial Dragons, but they still felt fear. And right now, they were terrified of Shin's power.
"Toki, since you know her, what's your relationship with her?"
Shin pointed at Imu and asked Toki. If they were on good terms, Shin might consider holding back a little. If not, then there was no need for mercy.
"She hunted me in the past," Toki said, her expression complicated as she looked at Imu. "We were once... clansmen."
That meant Amatsuki Toki had once been a Celestial Dragon.
That wasn't entirely surprising. If one traced Vivi's lineage back far enough, her ancestors were also among the founding families of the World Government.
"Oh, so you two have a history. Don't worry, I'll get revenge for you."
Shin reached out and gently patted Toki's head, a smile on his face.
Toki, on the receiving end of the head-pat, felt a mix of embarrassment and annoyance. But deep down, it was mostly shyness—she didn't want to refuse. In fact, when she had seen Shin use the same gesture on Sugar and the others, she had felt a pang of envy.
"I didn't expect you to have this side to you. It seems my actions were correct after all. You were never fit to be the clan leader," Imu said mockingly, seeing Toki's reaction.
Shin's ears perked up, but he didn't act, deciding to be a spectator for a moment.
There was a story here, and Shin was curious to know what it was. He had a strong sense of curiosity, a bit of a gossip, though he would never admit it. Absolutely not.
"Don't try to make it sound so noble. This was all about your ambition," Toki's expression turned cold.
"You hunted me down to seize power, to fulfill your own ambitions. Why bother with such high-and-mighty excuses now?"
Toki's face was grim. Her journey through time hadn't been by choice—she had been forced into it to escape being hunted down and killed.
Imu didn't deny Toki's words, simply stating, "I never expected you to survive. You have more lives than a cat, managing to live this long."
Back then, Imu hadn't known Toki had eaten the Time-Time Fruit. If she had, Toki might not have had the chance to escape.
"But it doesn't matter. You'll die today. And you, Shin Uzumaki—no one can threaten my rule."
Imu's gaze locked onto Shin.
The Five Elders' plot against Shin hadn't been their own idea—it had come from Imu. She saw Shin as a threat, a major one, and wanted him eliminated. Anyone who threatened her rule had to be dealt with.
She hadn't even spared Toki, who was as close as a sister, and had hunted down her entire branch of the family. She certainly wouldn't tolerate the existence of Shin Uzumaki.
"You think you have the power to kill me? I've heard that from plenty of people. What makes you so special?" Shin let out a cold laugh. "Now, take off that ridiculous mask. I want to see what kind of face you're hiding under there."
Imu was currently wearing a mask that completely concealed her features, leaving her appearance a mystery. Shin was curious to see what she looked like, hoping she wasn't too ugly.
He wondered what kind of power Imu used to live for so long. It was possible she had turned into an ugly old hag. Anything was possible. Shin now suspected Imu was hideous—why else would she cover her face?
"YOU'RE ASKING FOR IT."
Imu remained silent, but the Celestial Dragons couldn't hold back. Imu was their world, their king. They would not tolerate any disrespect towards her.
"I think you're the ones asking for it. I'll eliminate you right now."
Hancock took a step forward, but just as she was about to act, Shin reached out and stopped her.
"Hancock, let me handle them," Shin said with a smile.
"Since my husband says so, I'll leave it to you."
The fury on Hancock's face vanished, replaced by an incredibly sweet smile.
"Your mood swings are certainly fast," Robin couldn't help but comment.
Hancock just glanced at Robin, then turned her attention back to Shin's retreating figure.
"You grunts think you have a place in this dance? You don't know your place."
Shin's voice was chilling, as if it could freeze everything in its path.
"<Super Shinra Tensei!>"
An infinite repulsive force blasted outwards, causing the entire Holy Land of Mary Geoise to tremble. The Room of Flowers was completely flattened.
Shin's one move had leveled the area, and the dozen or so Celestial Dragons who had attacked him were all wiped out.
"Ahhh! Shin, you used too much force! All the jewels are gone!" Nami cried, pulling at her hair.
"I was already controlling the force to keep you safe. You really expect me to care about worldly possessions?" Shin shot a glance at the money-grubbing Nami.
"Sigh, what a shame."
Nami was twitching with heartache. 'You might not care about these things, but you have to consider me!'
"If you want them, you can go look in the ruins,"
Shin pointed at the distant rubble.
"I think I'll wait until this is all over. I feel safest by your side, Shin." Nami shook her head.
Compared to treasure, her life was more important. Though Nami valued money more than life, if she truly had to choose, she would undoubtedly pick her own life. Running out on her own was too dangerous—the enemy hadn't been completely dealt with yet. She'd wait until it was all over.
Indeed, Shin's Super Shinra Tensei had only wiped out the Celestial Dragons.
As the king of the Celestial Dragons, Imu had not been killed.
In fact, the moment Shin used Super Shinra Tensei, she had already begun to flee. Her Observation Haki was incredibly sharp. Saint Jaygarcia Saturn and Saint Marcus Mars had also retreated early on, which was how they managed to save their own lives, though they were now severely injured.
Jalil Hayes
2025-11-02 19:38:35 +0000 UTC