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Chapter 98 - [98] : The Empty Throne! Imu!
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Pangea Castle.
"SKY SOVEREIGN ROWEN!!"
The four Five Elders remaining in the spacious office—Saints Mars, Warcury, Ju Peter, and Nusjuro—stared with incredibly grim expressions at the Transponder Snail that had automatically connected.
The five of them shared a deep understanding—even without direct communication or Transponder Snails, they were aware of what was happening at Saturn's location.
They knew the one wantonly unleashing Conqueror's Haki in the Holy Land was none other than Sky Sovereign Rowen—the man they now desperately wanted eliminated.
Through some unknown means—via a Transponder Snail, he was projecting his Haki.
And now, he had forcibly connected to their private Transponder Snail here.
If even their snail could be forcibly connected to—didn't that mean every Transponder Snail in Mariejois was vulnerable to this brat?!
What kind of power was this?!
The Five Elders' faces darkened further...
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Back in Mock Town.
Several unconscious Transponder Snails now lay around Rowen.
Their communication Traits had all been plundered by Rowen, enhancing his own telepathic communication ability.
And because Rowen was directly using his spiritual power—infinitely stronger than any snail's—to utilize these communication Traits, he could forcibly establish a spiritual link with any Transponder Snail within a certain range.
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At the Warlord Meeting Room in Mariejois.
"To achieve this feat—you brat..." Saturn Saint's expression was utterly grim.
"What happened, Saturn Saint?" Garling Saint asked, noticing Saturn's grave demeanor.
"This brat has forcibly connected to the Transponder Snails throughout the Holy Land—"
Saturn Saint stated, glancing at Garling and the others present.
There was no point hiding such news now...
"WHAT???!" Sengoku and the others' faces paled drastically, staring intently at the Transponder Snail still relaying Rowen's voice.
Forcibly connected to the Holy Land's Transponder Snails?! And communicating with multiple snails simultaneously?!
WHAT KIND OF ABILITY IS THIS?!
Then, a horrifying realization dawned on Sengoku and the others.
Didn't this mean... after recovering his Haki... this brat could once again unleash his Conqueror's Haki wantonly throughout the Holy Land?!
While such a tactic wouldn't faze powerhouses like themselves... the Celestial Dragons residing here couldn't withstand such Haki blasts!
The Holy Land, Mariejois, repeatedly subjected to a pirate's Haki attacks?! Celestial Dragons continuously fainting under the pressure?!
The mere thought made even Sengoku, who held little affection for the Celestial Dragons, feel his scalp tingle.
For a pirate to possess such a troublesome ability... Sengoku and the others looked utterly grim.
"Are you trying—to declare eternal war against our World Government?! Sky Sovereign Rowen!" Saturn Saint demanded coldly.
"As if we aren't already in a state of war!" Rowen's laughter boomed back, as if he'd heard the greatest joke in the world.
"Don't get too cocky, brat! It's only because we haven't dispatched our true forces to apprehend you... Previously, you weren't considered a priority—But if you continue this wanton recklessness, we will have no choice but to risk upsetting the balance and eliminate you with lightning speed! Since you know of the God's Knights' existence, you should also understand what kind of power you are facing!"
Saint Topman Warcury, the most hot-tempered of the Five, snatched the Transponder Snail and roared.
Continuously subjecting the Holy Land to Conqueror's Haki blasts, keeping the Celestial Dragons under constant threat—this was something the Five Elders absolutely could not tolerate...
Their forces were needed to deal with the Four Emperors and various other global powers, to maintain the balance of the seas, true.
But against this outrageously irritating brat constantly testing their limits—they wouldn't hesitate to deploy the God's Knights and UTTERLY ANNIHILATE HIM!
"Too bad~ Before you manage to catch me—the Holy Land, Mariejois, will just have to keep trembling under my Conqueror's Haki,"
Rowen laughed mockingly, completely unfazed by the Five Elders' threat.
They were about to ascend to Skypiea—why would he fear them? Even the Five Elders couldn't pinpoint their location if they didn't broadcast it.
'Threaten him? Then let Mariejois get a good, long taste of continuous Haki blasts!'
"WAIT!"
Seeing Rowen undeterred, Saint Shepherd Ju Peter interjected gravely.
The sea was vast; hunting down a single pirate—especially one possessing such power—was no easy task.
Strength alone wasn't enough...
Look at Roger—they poured immense resources into pursuing him for years, yet failed.
Too many factors could lead to failure.
And this brat, with his bizarre ability to forcibly connect to their Transponder Snails—who knew what other unknown powers he has?
If they couldn't capture him quickly, were they truly to allow the entire Holy Land to be constantly battered by his Haki?!
What would become of the World Government's dignity?!
"Well?! Shall we dispatch the God's Knights and eliminate this insolent brat?!" Warcury demanded telepathically to the others.
"We don't know what other tricks this kid has. What if we can't capture him quickly?" Mars countered.
"Risking our years of preparation for this brat is not worth it," Ju Peter argued.
"Ultimately, all this kid wants is a title change..." Mars added.
"THAT WOULD MEAN WE ARE BOWING TO HIM! WHAT A JOKE!" Nusjuro seethed.
"Let the Navy change the title. It's not us bowing down. This matter can be handled by the Navy—" Saturn Saint stated slowly.
The Five Elders fell silent for a moment, then concurred.
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In the meeting room, Saturn Saint gave Sengoku a look.
Sengoku, with his Buddha-like wisdom, instantly understood Saturn's meaning.
'Once again, the Navy is being made the scapegoat.' Veins throbbed on Sengoku's forehead, but he could only turn to the Transponder Snail.
"Your request—we understand. Vivi's title will henceforth be changed to—Desert Princess," Sengoku announced reluctantly.
"JUST CHANGING THE TITLE ISN'T ENOUGH. You need to clarify—that Vivi was not the one attempting to overthrow Alabasta," Rowen's voice came through again.
"DON'T PUSH YOUR LUCK! ARROGANT BRAT!" Saturn Saint roared.
Changing a title was one thing.
But clarifying the Alabasta incident?!
What kind of sick joke was this?!
The World Government had already broadcast to the entire world that the Alabasta incident was an act of extreme malice orchestrated by Sky Sovereign Rowen and Nefertari Vivi!
For the World Government to retract that now—would be a complete and utter loss of face!
"Don't want to? Well then... let's continue. Let's see who can outlast whom. Or, I have an idea—WHY DON'T YOU JUST MOVE OUT OF MARIEJOIS???" Rowen's laughter echoed.
That laughter made the Five Elders' faces turn incredibly gloomy.
Move out of Mariejois?! What a joke!
As the Five Elders, they knew the world's true secret...
Under the power of the Ancient Weapons they controlled, the sea levels of this world would continuously rise, eventually submerging most islands and continents.
And the Holy Land—Mariejois, perched atop the Red Line, the world's highest point, would naturally remain above the waves.
For a mere pirate to suggest such a thing to them—UTTERLY OUTRAGEOUS!
VMM!
As Rowen's words faded, the Transponder Snail began to visibly charge with Conqueror's Haki again, clearly about to unleash another blast.
"WAIT!" Saturn Saint commanded grimly.
"Hmph." Rowen smiled. He knew these old geezers wouldn't dare let him continue. Because in Mariejois, the ultimate authority wasn't the Five Elders.
It was—Imu.
The World Government, ultimately, served Imu.
The so-called 'Highest Authority', the Five Elders, were merely servants Imu could dispose of at any time.
Allowing him to continuously unleash Haki in Pangea Castle?
Imu would deem them incompetent...
These five old men couldn't afford such a consequence—Certainly not a consequence worth bearing compared to simply clarifying the Alabasta incident.
And also... In Mock Town, Rowen's eyes glinted sharply. Vivi being targeted with a bounty—Imu must have already taken notice of Vivi.
Faced with his demands, the Five Elders had no choice but to concede.
"Fine. We will clarify the matter. However—if you push your luck any further—then we will show you the true terror of the World Government," Saturn Saint stated, his voice dangerously low.
"Interesting... In the future, you too will come to know my terror," Rowen laughed heartily.
"By the way, Doflamingo. Are you still coming for me?" Rowen's voice shifted, addressing Doflamingo directly.
Doflamingo's forehead veins bulged, but he remained speechless for a long moment.
Go after this monster?!
That wasn't looking for death—THAT WAS SUICIDE!
"Your head—I've already reserved it. Don't let someone else kill you before I get there, Doflamingo! Hahahaha!"
Rowen laughed, then cut the connection.
Click!
Staring at the disconnected Transponder Snail, Saturn Saint's face was incredibly dark.
WHOOSH!
With a flash of black light in Saturn's eyes, the Transponder Snail was instantly blasted, half its body vaporized by a mysterious power.
Everyone present tensed at the display.
"Sky Sovereign Rowen..." Saturn Saint hissed, his expression utterly grim.
Though there was no tangible loss, the World Government's dignity had been severely damaged!
"Doflamingo! That brat's Transponder Snail—he got it from Mock Town, correct?" Saturn Saint demanded, turning to Doflamingo.
"Correct." Facing one of the Five Elders, Doflamingo didn't act like the insolent thug he was with Sengoku.
As a former Celestial Dragon, Doflamingo knew very well the scary extent of the Five Elders' authority—And the World Government's greatest secret!
"Locate Sky Sovereign Rowen! Sengoku!" Saturn Saint ordered, looking coldly at Sengoku.
"Understood," Sengoku replied after a moment's silence.
Saturn Saint then departed the conference room, heading deeper into Pangea Castle.
"This meeting is suspended. The Warlord candidate selection will be discussed next time. Your name is Laffitte, correct? If you can bring us the head of Sky Sovereign Rowen, the Warlord position will belong to your captain,"
Sengoku stated, looking at Laffitte, who was struggling to his feet after the Haki onslaught.
Laffitte no longer made any bold claims. He composed himself, then quickly departed.
Having experienced such terrifying Haki, Laffitte needed to report back to his captain, Teach, immediately.
Their assessment of Sky Sovereign Rowen's strength was likely severely flawed.
This man—had just caused chaos in the Holy Land Mariejois!
Laffitte's eyes still held lingering horror.
"Today has certainly been enlightening," Mihawk commented, standing up with a faint smile. This sea... was getting more and more interesting.
Doflamingo's face was incredibly grim. He stormed out, his expression dark. Rowen's words about 'reserving his head' and the recent Haki impact echoed in his mind; Doflamingo felt a distinct chill.
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Pangea Castle, the Empty Throne!
This throne, situated within Pangea Castle in the Holy Land Mariejois, was created by the twenty kings who founded the World Government 800 years ago, symbolizing the center of the world.
The twenty kings decreed it an empty throne, one no one could sit upon, representing equality between nations and an eternal vow against dictatorship.
But at this moment—
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Footsteps echoed.
A slender, shadowy figure slowly ascended the steps to the Empty Throne.
And then—sat upon it.
"Imu-sama." Below, the Five Elders—hailed as the World's Highest Authority—knelt humbly at the foot of the steps like mere servants.
"'Sky Sovereign' Rowen..." Imu's voice sounded, strangely ethereal.
"Regarding that man's abilities—we will investigate with all our resources," Hearing Imu utter the name of the man who caused chaos in Mariejois, the Five Elders bowed their heads even lower.
The reason they had instantly conceded to that brat Rowen's demands earlier—was because of Imu's order.
"There is one other matter," Imu's voice continued.
"Your command, Imu-sama," the Five Elders replied reverently.
"I want... Vivi." Imu held three wanted posters: Rowen's, Luffy's, and Vivi's.
Gazing at Vivi's poster, Imu's crimson eyes glinted with a strange light.
"As you command," the Five Elders responded instantly.
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Mock Town.
——
—[Caused Chaos in Mariejois! Forced the Five Elders to concede, Born of the Sea (Apex Gold) Activated! Spiritual power massively increased! Conqueror's Haki massively Enhanced!]—
——
A notification appeared.
Causing chaos in Mariejois and making the world's highest apparent authority, the Five Elders, bow down—Rowen felt fantastic.
The Born of the Sea (Apex Gold) Haki training cheat code activated, significantly boosting his spiritual power, and consequently, his Conqueror's Haki.
This victory was the result of a calculated gambit, exploiting the information asymmetry—Rowen knew everything about the World Government, while the Five Elders knew almost nothing detailed about him.
The increase was roughly equivalent to one Deep Gold tier Trait.
'As expected of the world's highest apparent authority. Using them as 'nourishment' under the Born of the Sea Haki cheat code really yields substantial gains!'
Rowen felt his Haki strengthen and smiled. This was a delightful, unexpected bonus.
However... for the Five Elders to concede so quickly... Vivi must have already caught Imu's attention.
Rowen glanced towards Vivi beside him, who was incredibly moved by his recent actions, and smiled fondly.
Rowen had checked Vivi's Traits long ago. Nothing special. But Imu's interest in her in the original story proved Vivi possessed something Imu desired.
Based on existing intel, the most likely reason was Vivi's bloodline—descended from Queen Nefertari D. Lili of Alabasta from 800 years ago.
But regardless—Vivi was his woman now.
Imu wanting Vivi was nothing but a pipe dream.
Bringing Vivi onto his ship—Rowen had considered this.
Vivi being targeted by Imu was inevitable. In that case, keeping Vivi by his side was the safest option for Rowen.
And after obtaining the Rumble-Rumble Fruit—even if the World Government came at him with full force, they wouldn't be able to catch him.
The value of that Devil Fruit wasn't just its terrifying combat power...
Rowen smiled.
"Alright. Let's go find the person who can take us to Skypiea—" Rowen announced, standing up and looking at his crew with a grin.
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