Holy Land Mary Geoise.
Pangu City, Flowers Room.
The three remaining Five Elders, Mercury Warcury Saint, Jupiter Peter Saint, Venus Nusjuro Saint, are respectfully kneeling before the Void Throne.
"Master."
Warcury Saint's forehead touches the ground, and he says in a deep voice, "According to your instructions, after layer by layer screening, there are currently 20 selected Shallow Sea Contract Holders and 10 Deep Sea Contract Holders. The reorganization of the Divine Knight Order can be considered initially complete."
"Only this many?"
In the darkness, Imu's indifferent response comes from above, unreadable in tone.
"We need to continue supplementing manpower. The size of the Divine Knight Order must expand; currently, it's far from sufficient."
The foreheads of the three Five Elders bead with cold sweat as they hurriedly respond:
"Yes, Master."
"What about the Abyssal Sea Contract Holders, do you have candidates to recommend?"
The cold voice inquires again.
The three Five Elders instinctively exchange glances.
Though they are all slaves to the Master, there is a clear hierarchy.
The lowest level is the apprentice knight, named "God's Blade," granted the Shallow Sea mark;
The formal "Divine Knight" is granted the Deep Sea mark;
Above those, the highest rank "Abyssal Sea mark" is extremely rare.
Basically, only the commanders of the Divine Knight Order and those of the Five Elders level are qualified to possess it.
Therefore.
The Master's question is apparent.
He is finally ready to fill the vacancies of the Five Elders and the knight commanders!
"Yes, Master."
Warcury Saint quickly contemplates and solemnly begins:
"The current head of the Donquixote Family, mature and steady, firm and reliable, and also has..."
Bang!
Just then, the sound of a cup shattering suddenly interrupts Warcury Saint's words.
The three Five Elders' surprise lift their heads, only to see Imu on the Void Throne, frozen, with the teacup in his hand fallen to the ground and shattered.
"Huff, huff..."
The elongated shadow clutches the armrest tightly, panting heavily on the Void Throne.
Only after more than ten seconds does he struggle to stand up, looking out at the skyline with an uncertain look.
"Master?!"
Warcury Saint and the others have never seen Imu like this, and after exchanging glances, they cautiously inquire.
"What a powerful presence..."
Imu doesn't respond to them, continuing to stare at the sky, muttering to himself, "Unrestrained, with no intention to hide but only a momentary flash... Was it an illusion?"
Such a level of oppressiveness, who exactly is it? Or what is it?
Joyboy?
Davey Jones?
No, neither is right. Even at their peak, unleashing all their Haki could never match what was just felt...
As for that kid, Shano?
Even less possible, that kid is just slightly stronger than my vessel doppelgänger.
Could it be?
Imu looks up, squinting at the boundless starry sky.
A powerful presence from another galaxy just passing by?
This seems like the greatest possibility; over the past 800 years, similar events have occurred.
In any case, there's no follow-up.
He cannot perceive the other's location or direction, nor sense their existence.
Imu closes his eyes and, when he opens them again, he's already calm, slowly sitting back on the throne, his slender fingers gently tapping the armrest.
The loss of composure just a moment before seems never to have happened, but the shattered tea cup fragments still lie quietly on the ground.
"Imu is going into seclusion."
He softly speaks, his voice returning to its usual indifference, "You three continue to expand the Divine Knight Order affairs, suspend the promotion of Abyssal Sea Contract Holders, during this time, do not disturb Imu unless he actively summons."
"Yes, Master."
The three Five Elders hurriedly bow, acknowledging, watching Imu's shadow disappear behind the wall, exchanging glances with faces extremely pale.
All three know their Master's "World" is nearing completion, and once finished, the Master will no longer be confined to the Flowers Room and can act freely.
That's why they can tolerate the New World being consumed bit by bit by the Endgame, it's their greatest confidence and reliance.
But what is happening now?
The always calm and composed Master is voluntarily going into seclusion, hastening the completion of the world...
What exactly did he sense at that moment?
...
Meanwhile.
In the Golden Inari Shrine.
Shano had long since shifted his attention from the direction of the Red Earth Continent, while young witches hide behind the door, under the eaves, looking either curious, happy, or respectful as he leisurely strolls around the shrine.
Seven days ago.
When he temporarily left the Pirate World, this place was still desolate and barren.
Upon return, the shrine had been completely renovated, the vermilion torii and the white Shimenawa gently swayed in the wind, and cherry blossoms in the courtyard had bloomed, petals falling like rain.
From the small seeing the big.
Obviously, the sea reconstruction led by Kuina, Yamato, and others in Wano Country is going quite well.
It's just this "Moonlight Moria" cenotaph that's also been rebuilt, seemingly a bit of an eyesore.
Shano looks at it speechlessly.
He knows the tales of the national hero Moria have deeply ingrained in local hearts, and even if he casually destroys this cenotaph, it'll be rebuilt time and again.
Sigh, there's no helping it.
Then deal with it from the source.
He tends to be meticulous about these things and abhors history's lies running rampant, with villains glorified in shrines, worshiped as heroes.