At that moment, Ezra D. Vale was just a little no, a lot nervous.
Meeting the Five Elders? That didn't scare him much. They were just five cranky old men sitting at the top of the world's power structure. But hearing them say, "Someone wants to see you,"? That was a completely different story.
Anyone with half a brain could guess who that someone was.
Imu.
The ruler of the Celestial Dragons. The true sovereign of the world. The ultimate puppet master pulling every string from the shadows. The final boss of the One Piece world shrouded in mystery, even in the original story.
Just imagining it made Ezra's heart skip a beat.
And honestly, who wouldn't be nervous?
If you were suddenly summoned by the final boss in just Chapter Seven, your knees would probably be shaking too. (Yes, I'm looking at you, reader.)
Following the Five Elders, Ezra stepped through a door behind the council chamber and walked down a long, winding corridor.
What greeted him next was a sight that screamed extravagance the legendary Pangaea Castle.
He didn't know why it was called that, but the sheer opulence was impossible to hide.
Marble pillars carved with gold accents lined the hallway. Priceless art pieces paintings, sculptures, even ancient relics decorated every wall. Above, a chandelier of woven crystal and light shimmered like a sea of stars.
"Boy, this way," said one of the Five Elders.
Ezra returned from his thoughts and followed their lead up a spiraling staircase that seemed to stretch endlessly toward the heavens.
At the very top stood a grand door, carved from ancient wood, its edges inlaid with pure gold.
The Five Elders stood straight and solemn, then knocked gently.
"Lady Imu, as you commanded, we've brought Ezra D. Vale."
Creak.
The massive door slowly opened, revealing a narrow gap.
They stepped inside.
And that was when Ezra saw her Imu for the very first time.
Her long, flowing black hair reached her waist, shimmering faintly under the soft light. Her crimson eyes glowed like twin rubies, their depths unfathomable. Her features were delicate, almost divine.
If beauty could conquer kingdoms, then Imu had long since conquered the world.
Even Boa Hancock, the so-called most beautiful woman alive, couldn't compare.
Hancock had charm pride, strength, and allure but Imu? Imu radiated command. She didn't just possess beauty; she wielded it like a crown.
As Ezra stood there taking in her presence, Imu's gaze fell upon him.
Crimson met crimson.
For a moment, the air between them stilled an invisible current passing through.
Imu's expression softened. Those sharp, calculating eyes now shimmered with something far gentler... nostalgic, even.
Too similar, she thought. Exactly the same... could it really be...?
A memory flickered in her mind, something long buried. Her heart whispered a name she hadn't uttered in centuries.
Meanwhile, Ezra's brain was buzzing.
What kind of look was that? he thought. It's... gentle? But why?
He didn't understand. No one could've given him an answer.
Then
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
The sound of five knees striking the floor nearly made Ezra jump out of his skin.
"Lady Imu! Forgive us for disturbing your peace! Please punish our insolence!"
What the—?!
Ezra's heart nearly leaped out of his chest. Do you guys have to be so dramatic?! You're kneeling, not auditioning for a stage play!
He rubbed his chest, glaring at the five old men with a look full of silent complaint.
Imu's attention shifted back to them, her brows furrowing. Clearly, their behavior irritated her.
Her voice, cool yet commanding, broke the silence.
"You may leave."
"Yes, Lady Imu!" the five chorused in unison.
They rose slowly, keeping their heads bowed, and exited without daring to look back.
Now only Ezra and Imu remained.
The room grew quiet almost uncomfortably so.
Freed from distractions, Imu took her time studying the young man before her. There was something hauntingly familiar about him.
Ezra, on the other hand, felt his nerves start to tingle.
He scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Um... Lady Imu?"
Her eyes refocused. "Hm?"
"I... don't mean to be rude, but... why did you call me here?"
"Oh? That's right, I called you for something..." She paused, blinking. "What was it again? Oh right!"
Ezra stared at her blankly. Seriously? Did the most powerful being in the world just forget why she summoned me?
Imu coughed lightly, regaining her composure. The cool authority in her tone returned though for Ezra, the image of her earlier confusion had already softened her aura considerably.
"Ezra D. Vale," she said calmly, "I heard you've joined the Marines."
Ezra nodded casually. "Yeah. General Sengoku invited me. I figured why not? Beats staying on a deserted island."
Imu blinked, a little caught off guard by his casual tone and quick wit. But she quickly recovered, her gaze steady as a still lake.
"If that's the path you've chosen, then follow it," she said softly. "Do as you see fit."
Ezra tilted his head, a bit puzzled. She's... really being kind to me? Why does this feel so strange?
Could they be... related?
The thought barely formed before he shook it off. No way. If I were related to her, would she really have left me stranded on some random island?
He never questioned, however, why that "random island" just happened to lie perfectly between Marineford and Mary Geoise...
Imu suddenly spoke again. "Oh, and Ezra... may I call you that?"
Her voice softened, and her gaze turned warm enough to melt steel.
Ezra swallowed hard. "Of course, Lady Imu."
At that, her eyes dimmed slightly. "Lady Imu..." she murmured under her breath, almost to herself.
"Sorry? Did you say something?" he asked.
"It's nothing," she replied, regaining her poise. "You may go now."
Ezra glanced at her one last time, confusion still lingering in his mind. "Then... I'll be going. See you next time?"
He paused at the door, grinned, and added, "Oh, and by the way Lady Imu, you're really beautiful."
Before she could respond, he dashed out like a man escaping a crime scene.
The thrill of teasing the ultimate boss was... indescribably exhilarating.
Yet, as the door closed behind him, he didn't see the faint smile blooming on Imu's lips gentle, nostalgic, and filled with a warmth that could burn away centuries of ice.
"That boy," she whispered softly, "he's become so much brighter..."