Chapter 202: The Appearance of Saint Imu
A chill that pierced the soul.
It was as if this entire world—like the shattered island before—meant nothing in the eyes of the Game Merchant, to be molded and crushed at his whim.
"Five Elders!"
Sensing something terribly wrong, the Revolutionary leader roared,
"Mr. Fang Yi already warned you! Exchanging too many assets at once will cause disruptions to the world. Aren't you even afraid of triggering chaos?!"
Even the Game Merchant had issued a warning.
That meant the consequences must be irreversible.
Yet the Five Elders had ignored it, focused solely on currying favor with Fang Yi.
"The Reincarnation Game is founded on absolute fairness."
Feeling vast amounts of Origin rushing in, Fang Yi's smile deepened, an indescribable satisfaction appearing in his eyes.
In the center of his palm, a card glowing with pure violet light materialized.
Then it descended—
hovering in front of Spandam, who was so terrified he nearly collapsed.
"What… is this?"
Spandam's lips trembled. He didn't even dare to reach out for the card.
A line of black text appeared in midair:
[Game Merchant's Violet Gift (5/5)]
Fang Yi calmly explained the card's use.
"Consume this card to receive five purple-grade Fate Items for free."
It was similar to how game players shower NPCs with gifts—once a certain favorability threshold is reached, there's a reward.
The Five Elders' "generosity" had just reached that threshold.
Saint Saturn asked, somewhat excited,
"Mr. Fang Yi, are these items similar to the one the rebel leader received?"
Fang Yi answered patiently,
"The Magic Fortress was a silver-grade item. The gift only produces purple-grade ones. But weaker versions of similar types can still be drawn."
"Thank you, Mr. Fang Yi, for your generosity!"
Saturn hadn't expected this surprise bonus.
Even if it wasn't a silver-tier Magic Fortress, as long as it was a similar structure,
with his scientific expertise—and Vegapunk's Brain-Brain Fruit assistance—he might still reproduce something of equal power.
Gasps filled the crowd.
Jealous eyes fell upon the purple card in front of Spandam.
Most players' Game Rooms only contained white and green items, aside from the initial starter refresh. Even blue was considered rare.
Only after reading the [Random Key] description carefully did players realize—
There were hidden mechanics.
For every 10 keys consumed, a green gem would appear on the Game Room shelf.
Every 100 keys? A blue gem.
These gems increased the chances of higher-grade Fate Items spawning.
The trap?
Weekly auto-refreshes deleted all gems—requiring players to start over.
In other words—
Ordinary players had almost no chance of acquiring a purple item—let alone one that matched their abilities.
Smoker only managed to draw Flame-Toxin Technique because he refreshed enough times.
Otherwise, relying on pure luck,
at best they'd draw some random purple gear between Lv. 5–10.
Fang Yi smiled politely and waved a hand.
"Everything is equal exchange."
"Mr. Fang Yi, with the help of the World Government, the Marines can safeguard you. Your game's spread would accelerate."
Saturn hadn't given up on recruiting him.
Unlike before, where arrogance colored every word, now he spoke with hope—almost pleading.
A being they couldn't control, yet offered immense profit?
Of course the Five Elders wouldn't give up so easily.
If Fang Yi agreed to work with them—
they'd tolerate even mass island destruction and seas of blood.
"I'm sorry to say this so directly,"
Fang Yi shook his head.
"But even if every force in this sea united against me, they couldn't stop my will."
His tone was calm,
as if he were merely stating a mundane fact—no boasting, no exaggeration.
And yet—
no one could refute it.
The Five Elders went silent.
So did the players.
Even the loudest, cockiest pirates dared not question him now.
The Five Elders had once tried.
What happened?
Fang Yi created a Fish Marines HQ, mirroring the world's peak powers with ease.
Just then—
a stiff, mechanical voice rang out.
One of the nearby Pacifistas asked:
"May I ask—what is your purpose in coming to this sea?"
Everyone turned.
"Bartholomew Kuma!"
"The World Government's dog! The tyrant who destroyed kingdoms!"
"No… it's a Pacifista…"
Vice Admiral Tsuru and other high-ranking Marines instantly recognized the difference.
Kuma was strong, yes—
worthy of a Shichibukai title.
But compared to whom?
Even the Five Elders were backing down.
And yet a Shichibukai replica chose now to speak up?
Only—
Inside Mary Geoise,
Saint Nasjuro frowned. "Who is it? Vegapunk? The Navy?"
Who dared activate a Pacifista now?
If they angered the Game Merchant, the fallout would land squarely on the World Government.
"No. Not Vegapunk. Not the Navy…"
Saturn's voice was heavy.
"…Even I can't override that Pacifista."
The other four Elders froze.
There was only one possibility:
Someone with greater authority than the Five Elders…
The One in the Room of Flowers—Saint Imu.
Seeing this,
the Five Elders told Spandam to store the Violet Gift card and return to Mary Geoise immediately. Then they fell into silence.
"Imu… the one above the Five Elders, the true ruler of the World Government?"
Fang Yi smiled faintly. Though he phrased it like a question, his eyes said he already knew.
"Yes. It's me."
The Pacifista spoke with a synthesized voice.
Those few words—
Nearly made Morgans, the albatross fruit user and president of the World News, faint with excitement.
"The untold secret of Imu, Supreme Ruler of the World Government, and the Game Merchant!"
He stuffed the story into the pouch hanging around a messenger albatross's neck and sent it flying.
"It's… Lord Imu!"
In just a short span, from the arrogant debut of the Five Elders—
to their humbled surrender before Fang Yi—
the crowd had endured so many twists, they'd become numb.
And yet—
Imu's appearance still made their hearts skip a beat.
Words from a Shichibukai wouldn't stir the world.
But a question from the highest authority in existence?
That was the entire pirate world speaking.
Fang Yi's eyes calmly locked onto the Pacifista.
Far away, in the Room of Flowers—
Imu, who had never once appeared in public, suddenly felt a strange and unexplainable sensation.
As if every secret…
had already been laid bare—seen through by the Game Merchant.
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