Sea Circle Calendar Year 1468
Three years had passed since Acropolis Port, since the world split in two. Everyone who witnessed that epochal moment felt the world like a powder keg, capable of igniting at any instant. How could anyone sleep peacefully when enemies rested beside their bed?
The White Wolf Pirates' occupation of Acropolis Port meant they could launch assaults on Mary Geoise whenever they chose, using the New World as their bridgehead. Though Mary Geoise sat atop ten-thousand-meter mountains—easy to defend, difficult to attack—Ripley's Miniaturization Fruit allowed Silas to transport armies anywhere across the seas. Even Imu couldn't maintain constant vigilance. There was no perfect defense against a determined attacker.
A year passed quickly. At year's end, when everyone believed peace would continue as it had in the previous two years, news shook the entire world.
White King Silas appeared at Mary Geoise, openly ignoring his ten-billion-plus bounty, and casually rented a villa at Sabaody Archipelago, claiming it was for vacation.
The world stirred once more.
"That bastard pirate!!!" Holy Land Mary Geoise, Pangaea Castle, a woman's furious voice echoed through the Flowers Chamber. "Does he think I'm powerless against him?"
Appearing openly, speaking openly, announcing his presence at Sabaody Archipelago, and requesting they not disturb him. What did he think Mary Geoise was? A place to visit whenever he pleased, to leave whenever he wished?
Before Imu stood a young girl, her head lowered. A day ago, when Silas appeared, Imu had dispatched her to intercept him.
As Imu's avatar, she could display most of Imu's strength. In Mary Geoise especially, she performed even stronger than at Acropolis Port. Yet she couldn't detain Silas. Even with four Five Elders, the Holy Knights, and their leader present, Silas refused combat, slipping through their fingers.
Moreover, he had grown stronger.
If Lord Imu doesn't personally intervene, I probably cannot defeat him, Gunko thought silently.
Three years ago at Acropolis Port, though Silas was formidable, when Imu possessed her, they were roughly evenly matched. He escaped their encirclement, but that proved nothing. In that state, Silas couldn't even use his most devastating Haki.
Yet if Silas retained that trump card, detaining him would require at least ten Admiral-level fighters. Did the World Government command so many top-tier warriors now?
Yes, they did.
But the White Wolf Pirates didn't rely solely on Silas for their combat strength.
Gunkp watched Lord Imu stab her sword into the ground, slicing photographs of Silas into fragments. She displayed more emotion in one day than in all the years before. For a moment, Junshi thought perhaps Lord Imu wasn't so terrifying after all.
"Gunko!"
"Present."
"Have the Marines compile a list of promising recruits and submit it!"
"Understood."
Though uncertain what Imu intended, serving her meant obedience. Gunko didn't notice the fear flickering through Imu's eyes.
What Gunko had discovered, how could it escape Imu's notice?
Three years ago, Silas was a troublesome individual. Imu would have wagered that if Silas appeared before her true self, she could ensure he never left. But three years had passed, and something impossible occurred.
Silas had become stronger again.
How? On what grounds could he continue to grow?
After Silas withdrew, Imu hadn't even bothered responding to Saint Jaygarcia Saturn's distress calls from distant South Blue. Useless. Absolute fools. If they'd eliminated Silas before he matured, none of this would have happened.
Imu blamed the Five Elders, conveniently forgetting she herself had initially dismissed Silas as insignificant. Just another pirate. If he'd eaten the Nika Fruit, perhaps she'd feel genuine concern. But some White Wolf Fruit? An ordinary Mythical Zoan. Animal-type Mythical Zoans were rare elsewhere, but for the World Government, with its comprehensive knowledge of Devil Fruits and constant specimen collection, they were utterly unremarkable.
Imu had never imagined she'd develop fear toward a second man in her entire existence.
"Reinforce Oss Island with Marine support," Imu issued new orders, her voice sharp and commanding. "As for White Wolf Silas, tell them not to engage directly."
Oss Island housed the kidnapped Baldimore scientists. Though the Rocks Pirates had attacked, with Saint Jaygarcia Saturn defending, even Rocks couldn't breach it quickly. However, in pure strength, Saturn could no longer match Rocks. Prolonged fighting would inevitably cause irreversible damage to Oss Island.
Regardless, Uranus's energy replenishment couldn't be delayed.
Best scenario: while Silas remained at the Sabaody Archipelago.
Imu's eyes seemed to pierce through the Red Line, cutting through thick clouds at the continent's edge, seeing Silas vacationing at Sabaody.
She didn't mind sacrificing the entire Sabaody Archipelago to become his grave. She only wanted him dead.
Silas had roughly guessed Imu's intentions.
Silas relished watching Imu want to kill him yet remain powerless to do so. The irony was exquisite.
Silas's first action upon arriving at Sabaody was following tradition: destroying the human trafficking market.
This time, nobody dared interfere. Even the Marines turned a blind eye.
Then Sabaody residents discovered something remarkable. The entire archipelago suddenly became peaceful. Even the most heinous pirates, after accidentally knocking elderly women over, would warmly help them up. The Marines might impose rules on pirates, but Silas didn't impose rules—he simply expected better.
Though Silas now owned his own territories, most pirates still considered him this world's strongest and most terrifying pirate. All pirates recognized him as their apex. Marines didn't dare casually offend him, let alone ordinary pirates.
Under these exceptional circumstances, a pirate ship pulled by two giant sea serpents appeared at the Sabaody Archipelago.