Chapter 2: Personally Steering the World Government!
Loneliness deepens the night; loneliness sublimates within the night.
The ancient full moon releases its cold, clear light in solitude.
Even with the dense, twinkling stars surrounding it, they cannot bring it the slightest warmth.
It quietly watches the ancient castle below.
Suppressing the Four Seas, ruling the world, the center of the planet's highest authority, the supreme holy land recognized by all.
All these titles refer to the city standing atop the Red Line.
Mary Geoise!
Even in the night, it shines brightly like the most dazzling golden crown.
And this ancient castle named Pangaea Castle is the core of the holy land.
The legendary Five Elders reside here, controlling the situation and direction of the entire world.
However, within the core exists an even more central existence.
The Empty Throne!
To the people of the world, this golden-red throne symbolizes peace and equality.
It will forever only be placed as a symbol upon the triple platform; no one will ever sit upon it.
Moonlight spills from above, becoming the only light source in this Empty Throne Hall.
This makes the entire interior space seem vast, empty, and cold.
And the towering, pointed throne, high above, is bathed in most of the light.
But at this late hour, when all is quiet.
A deep, profound figure sits upon the throne in the moonlight, their back facing the World Government symbol on the chair's backrest.
Those golden ripple eyes look down upon the five figures kneeling below.
The Five Elders!
"Lord Imu, Gol D. Roger has been successfully apprehended by the Marines and is currently being escorted to Impel Down by Sengoku and Garp."
"His wife, Portgas D. Rouge, is also under house arrest in Marineford as per your instructions, guarded by the Female Soldier Unit led by Marine Vice Admiral Tsuru."
Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro Saint was the first to speak.
Then, Topman Warcury Saint, kneeling to his right, took over.
"The five of us have discussed and considered a public execution in Roger's hometown, Loguetown in the East Blue, to deter various countries and regions around the world and simultaneously suppress the arrogance of the increasingly rampant pirates. What do you think?"
"Forbidden!"
This answer from the one high above startled the five individuals kneeling on the cold ground.
It caused them to freeze for a moment.
They truly hadn't expected Lord Imu to refuse this proposal.
No matter how they looked at it, a public execution had many benefits.
And based on past experience.
For such 'minor matters', Lord Imu generally wouldn't interfere too much.
What they didn't know, however, was that the adult sitting above them.
Although his expression remained as cold and aloof as ever.
His mood at this moment was incredibly conflicted.
As a transmigrator, he naturally knew that, according to common sense, a public execution would have a positive effect on the World Government.
But also because he was a transmigrator, he knew even more clearly what the subsequent developments of doing so would be.
Maybe that Roger was just waiting for a public execution!
He didn't believe that declaration that kicked off the Great Pirate Era was truly thought up just because someone happened to ask.
Anyway, he felt that even if no one asked, Roger would definitely shout similar words loudly.
Otherwise, wouldn't surrendering and dying be in vain?
"The public execution location will be Marineford to avoid any further incidents, and during the broadcast, only Sengoku's voice will be played, with the rest kept silent to prevent Roger from saying things he shouldn't before he dies."
Imu, sitting on the Empty Throne, came up with a compromise.
Incidents... things he shouldn't say...
The Five Elders carefully pondered these two keywords.
Soon, Marcus Mars Saint, kneeling on the far left, seemed to understand something.
He habitually stroked his long white beard, which completely covered his mouth, and then a look of pleasant surprise appeared on his face.
"Lord Imu is wise!"
The four on the right glanced over in confusion. What did you understand?
"The reason this Roger became the world-renowned Pirate King is because he gathered the four Road Poneglyphs and reached Laugh Tale."
"This means he must have some understanding of the history of the past, so we must guard against any words he speaks during the public execution."
"So that's it!"
The other four suddenly understood and nodded in agreement.
"Mm."
Imu paused for a second before tacitly agreeing.
Although it was slightly different from what he was trying to prevent, what the other party said did indeed make sense.
"Roger's matter will be handled this way. Next, let's talk about the future. This is also the main reason I summoned you here this time."
However, what he said next completely shocked the Five Elders who were still kneeling.
"I have seen the future!"
"Twenty-four years from now, an unprecedented rebellion of the Four Seas will erupt, leading to a great war that can directly threaten the rule and lives of all Celestial Dragons!"
Although such terrifying words came from his mouth.
Imu's tone remained as indifferent as usual.
As if there was nothing in this world that could make him change expression.
Coupled with the cold moonlight on him, he seemed so solitary.
But the five below had their faces change drastically.
Their eyes widened, looking up with faces full of disbelief, unable to speak for a long time.
What could they say?
Say it's impossible?
Such a thoughtless remark couldn't be said, and saying it would be treasonous.
They had been the apparent controllers of the highest authority for decades; they wouldn't lack such composure and intelligence.
Secondly, they genuinely had no doubt about the ability to foresee the future.
Although it sounded fantastical, it was an ability that truly existed in this world.
At most, it could be called rare, uncommon.
And for their great master, Lord Imu, to possess such an ability was arguably the most reasonable thing!
Therefore, the Five Elders were only shocked by the future situation predicted!
Rebellion of the Four Seas?
Great War?
Imu, on the other hand, had no intention of considering their emotions and continued speaking calmly.
"And the source of this rebellion and war lies in slaves and Celestial Dragons."
"Given this situation, I will personally control the direction of the world from now on. The five of you will cooperate fully, all for the rule of the World Nobles."
Upon hearing this, the Five Elders' hearts slowly calmed down, and they understood Lord Imu's meaning.
Before this, unless a 'light' appeared outside that needed to be erased from history.
Otherwise, Lord Imu basically lived in seclusion within the Room of Authority, enjoying peaceful times.
But now, this one was going to personally command the direction of the World Government's massive ship.
As for the five of them.
On the surface, they still held the rudder.
But how it turned next would no longer be up to them.
Even so, the Five Elders had no resistance whatsoever.
As the saying goes, ignorance is bliss, and they were the opposite; they knew too much and dared not have any improper thoughts at all.
"We humbly obey your will!"
The simultaneous voices of the five elders echoed in the vast, dark hall, their kneeling heads lowering even further.
"Then, let's start with this year's Reverie."
Imu's eyes, which had always looked down upon everything, sparkled with determined starlight.
Since he was now the master of the World Government.
He would absolutely not allow the great upheaval twenty-four years from now to happen.
Revolutionary Army, pirates, Elbaf... I'll deal with them one by one!
Imu looked up at the starry galaxy accompanying the huge bright moon in the sky.
"First, completely control this world, and then use this planet as a ship to venture into that Sea of Stars."
(End of Chapter)