Snap.
"Phew, we're saved!"
As Marine Admiral "Neo" and the Celestial Dragons' god, Im, disappeared into a swirl of distorted light, Usopp collapsed onto the ground with a thud. The others also let out a collective sigh of relief.
"They were too strong!"
"That was way too close... and they just left like that?"
"I was already thinking about what to write in my will—there was no way we could win."
As the Straw Hat Crew reflected on their near-death experience, Nami stood frozen in place, while Luffy grew more and more frustrated.
"No! This fight isn't over!!"
...?
"I won't accept this ending!"
Luffy roared toward the sky.
Usopp and Chopper, both on the verge of tears, rushed to grab him from either side.
"Luffy, Luffy, just let it go!!"
"Yeah! If you call them back, we'll all be wiped out!"
"It's not about how strong they are," Luffy muttered. His hands clutched his head tightly as a strange feeling welled up inside him, making it impossible to stay calm.
Even he didn't know why.
"I can't just leave it like this—I have to go find them and fight again!"
Seeing Luffy struggling to run off in some unknown direction, the crew—who had just breathed a sigh of relief—panicked all over again.
"Hey, hey, hey, Luffy?!"
"That was a Marine Admiral and the leader of the Celestial Dragons—where are you planning to find them?!"
"Marine Headquarters? The Holy Land of Mary Geoise? Don't be ridiculous! If we go there, they'll crush us like ants!"
Luffy stopped in his tracks and clutched his hair even harder.
"I know, but I just... I just..."
Even someone as reckless as Luffy couldn't just charge at the Red Line with his crew. That wouldn't be an exciting adventure—it would be pure suicide! Even with the Straw Hat Crew as they were now, they still couldn't take on the World Government head-on.
They weren't clueless rookies anymore. They were a battle-hardened crew, standing at the peak of the pirate world.
But with the three Marine Admirals, the retired legends, CP0, and that so-called "God of the Celestial Dragons"—any one of them could probably crush the Straw Hat Crew with a single punch.
"Nami, what's wrong?"
On the other side, Robin looked at Nami with concern as she wiped her face.
"I don't know... I don't know why, but I feel so empty inside..."
Silent tears streamed down her face, and it felt like a part of her chest was missing.
To Nami, it was confusing—"This is so weird... why can't I stop crying...? Did someone use an ability on me?"
"Doctor! We need a doctor!!"
"Stop yelling, I am the doctor—!"
Chopper rushed over and had Nami lie down. After fumbling through a quick check-up, he frowned.
"No inflammation, no allergies... I... I don't get it either..."
"I'm fine. I just feel... off."
After all the commotion, the Straw Hat Crew had to face reality.
"Guys, I brought the Sunny over! Get on board!"
During the battle, the *Thousand Sunny* had been sent flying from its spot near Laugh Tale. Thankfully, with Jinbe around, they managed to find their ship quickly in the vast ocean.
"Hahahaha! No matter what, Luffy's the Pirate King now!"
Usopp threw his arm around Luffy's shoulders and patted him.
"Cheer up, Pirate King!"
"Uh... yeah, I... I should be happy..."
"Luffy."
Sanji lit a cigarette as he watched Luffy mumble weakly to himself.
"Don't tell me that 'God of the Celestial Dragons' actually scared you? I admit, those two guys were ridiculously strong... but this really isn't like you."
"Next time."
Zoro, gripping the hilts of his three swords, had a serious look on his face.
"I won't lose to them again!"
"—Robin, let's go."
"Coming."
Squatting next to the only thing still intact on Laugh Tale—the Poneglyph—Robin glanced at the fresh modern writing at the bottom of the stone one last time before turning away.
"So the history of our world... all started because of three stubborn young men? Hahaha~~ What a joke! What a... tragedy!"
"Message left by: Gol D. Roger!"
——————
"Alright then."
With both the captain (Luffy) and the navigator (Nami) completely out of it, Usopp had no choice but to step up and take charge.
—After all, Usopp could do anything. Well... except have kids.
"Should we send out... that thing to scout ahead?!"
Wait, what am I saying...?
Usopp rubbed his long nose, frowning.
What was he trying to say just now?
"Jinbe, you're in charge of steering."
Holding the Log Pose in his hand, Usopp looked around at the crew on deck—
Zoro, leaning against the rail with his eyes closed.
Sanji, smoking.
Robin, studying the Poneglyph rubbing in her hands.
Franky, sitting cross-legged on the floor.
Brook, resting his arm on his cane.
Chopper, still trying to figure out Nami's strange "illness."
And then there was Nami, resting in the cabin.
Luffy, fidgeting on the figurehead like a hyperactive kid.
And himself, Usopp.
Ten people. That was everyone.
"Everyone's here. Set sail for home!"
In the Hall of Power at Mary Geoise—*whoosh!*
A tiny black dot suddenly expanded, transforming into an oval-shaped "gate"! And then—
A figure in full royal attire, wearing a tall, pointed crown, gracefully stepped through.
Imu.
Following closely behind, still holding her hand, was Roman.
As soon as he emerged from the dark space, Roman's eyes fell on the sight ahead—
A massive collection of swords stabbed into the ground. And not just any swords. A rough glance was enough to recognize them—famous blades, great swords, and even *Supreme Grade Blades*...
"Lady Im, the Five Elders have come to pay their respects!"
Looking past the sea of weapons, Roman's gaze landed on the figures kneeling before them.
The Five Elders.
The rulers of the World Government.
The ones who govern over 170 allied nations.
The highest authorities who could point at Akainu's face and scold, "Your pride means nothing!"
And yet, right now, every single one of them was on one knee, bowing their heads in complete submission.
Before the two figures standing at the throne—
"My dear Neo,"
Im turned toward the throne marked with the symbols of the Four Seas and gestured toward it.
"This throne belongs to you. Please, take your seat, King of the World."
Roman remained silent as he sat upon the Empty Throne.
Im leaned forward slightly, her long hair cascading down like a waterfall, the strands framing Roman in soft waves of sky blue.
"Do you remember?"
Her warm breath, tinged with teasing sweetness, brushed against his ear.
"You once told me... you loved my sky-blue hair the most."
*Actually, I prefer orange now…*
*But long hair is still my thing.*
"Don't worry," Imu whispered, her voice seductive yet commanding. "I'll have someone bring me the current holder of the *Ope Ope no Mi* very soon. They will perform the *Immortality Surgery* on you."
"From this moment forward, we will rule the world together for all eternity. And this world—"
"You can shape it however you desire."
"Because—"
Her lips left his ear as she turned away. The softness disappeared. The seduction faded.
And in its place—
Absolute dominance.
"In ten days, I will marry my fiancé, Neo!"
"I want the Four Seas to celebrate! I want all races to rejoice! Spread the word—"
"Every nation, every species must send their blessings for our wedding!"
"Anyone who fails to attend—"
Her voice turned ice-cold, carrying the weight of eight centuries of unquestioned rule, built upon mountains of corpses.
"—will die."
With a single wave of her hand, she sealed the decree.
"The wedding preparations are in your hands. Leave now."
"As you command, Lady Imu."
The Five Elders bowed and withdrew.
The moment the world would never forget—Im's wedding—was now officially in motion.
But before that—
"Don't worry, my dear,"
"I'll make sure everything is arranged exactly as you once described."
"Oh, well… thanks for that."
Roman's words were polite, but deep inside, he was breaking out in cold sweat.
*What kind of nonsense did I tell her back then?!*
*Please, don't let it be some weird mix of Eastern and Western traditions…*
*Maybe I should just move to another planet?*
*Also… I wonder how Luffy, Nami, and the others are doing right now…*
(End of Chapter)