The Second Elder was gone — erased without resistance.
The Fourth and Fifth Elders turned pale, trembling uncontrollably. Before them stood a youth whose strength defied imagination.
Was this the captain Imu had spoken of?
For survival, both fell to their knees with a heavy thud, pressing their heads to the ground.
"Please… are you the captain Imu spoke of?" the Fourth Elder stammered. "We deserve death for angering you."
Ferdis lounged on the sofa, chuckling.
"See? Dogs only learn to wag their tails after a beating."
The two Elders swallowed their rage. The Second Elder's fate was proof enough — this man could annihilate a top-level powerhouse with a tap, leaving no trace. Even Good could not match such brutality.
They realized then: if this wasn't the captain, how terrifying would the real one be?
Just then, heavy footsteps resounded beyond the grand hall.
An overwhelming aura filled the chamber, pressing down like thick tar, suffocating all within.
Captain Vield, Vice-Captain Darr, Cadre Dakonina, and others appeared. In total, nine entered, plus Ferdis made ten — and trailing them were two apprentices.
One spoke, and the Elders' hearts lurched.
Among the newcomers was someone they recognized — a ghost from history.
Rocks D. Xebec.
The man once called the ruler of the seas, defeated decades ago at God Valley. A man who had fought Roger and Garp together. Though he had lost, his power was undeniable.
And yet, back then, he had only been an apprentice aboard this crew.
If such monsters had been mere underlings then… what had they become after 38 years?
The Fourth and Fifth Elders' foreheads dripped with sweat, though they scarcely noticed.
The newcomers passed without so much as a glance, settling themselves on the couches once reserved for the Elders.
Ferdis smirked. "Captain, these two old dogs are useless. Shouldn't we put them down?"
The Elders' hearts clenched. They couldn't even breathe under the crushing aura. Only prayer remained — prayer that Imu would intervene.
A cold, mechanical voice broke the silence.
"Ferdis, enough. They're ours. Killing them is unnecessary."
It was Dakonina, the doll-like girl. Strings shimmered into existence, countless threads piercing the Fifth Elder's body — head, neck, arms, fingers.
The Elder screamed. His body convulsed in agony, his face twisted grotesquely, drool spilling as the strings puppeteered his very soul.
The Fourth Elder froze in horror.
Moments later, the Fifth Elder stopped struggling. His body jerked into unnatural positions, moved like a marionette.
This was Dakonina's Great Will Fruit ability — the Puppet String Fruit. Anything, living or inanimate, could become her doll.
The Fourth Elder wet himself, staring at his comrade's hollowed shell.
Just as Dakonina prepared to seize him as well, Imu appeared.
"Dakonina, enough. These have served me for years. Show me some courtesy."
She lowered her arm, her porcelain face twitching slightly. "Oh, little Imu came."
Imu sighed. "Still hate hearing you speak, as always."
The surviving Elders finally exhaled in relief.
Imu bowed to the man seated at the center.
"Captain Vield, long time no see."
Vield waved a hand. "Enough with the pleasantries. Tell me — why summon us back now?"
Imu's expression hardened.
"Because this world has birthed a Breaking Emperor Ninth Stage… a peak beyond its limits."
Gasps spread among the crew.
The impossible had happened.
(End of Chapter)
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