One Piece: I am Imu

For the top-tier powerhouses of the Starfish World—especially those who came from pirate backgrounds—

Clashes of strength were far more effective than any exchange of words.

No matter what you said, if you wanted the enemy to stop or even listen, there was only one real method:

Beat them down with overwhelming force.

Just like now.

Imu had opened the meeting with a forceful 'request' for Sengoku, Garp, and the others to kneel on one knee.

That move alone was enough to make both sides fully aware of the vast difference in power—

and to further cement the hierarchy between them.

The entire exchange took less than five minutes.

Even after Imu withdrew the pressure from his Conqueror's Haki,

the others remained in their kneeling posture.

Even the most unruly—Newgate, Shiki, and Kaido, whose face was still an angry shade of gray despite being granted permission to stand up—remained frozen.

This was true submission in body and spirit, whether they liked it or not.

Then there was Charlotte Linlin, still unconscious.

Kaido, however, had already sensed that her life force remained intact and hadn't weakened much, which reassured him a little.

Though… her aura had changed significantly. It felt strange.

The next phase proceeded as planned: a question-and-answer session.

Sengoku took the lead, with Tsuru adding supplementary questions from the side—this was a strategy they had discussed beforehand.

The topics themselves weren't overly complex,

but every single one carried massive implications.

For example: confirming Imu's ultimate goals, the future course of the World Government, and the developmental direction of Starfish civilization itself.

Imu held nothing back.

He even told them about the upcoming abolition of all existing national governments within the Starfish World, and the complete centralization of military and political authority under the World Government.

"What?!"

Sure enough, upon hearing this, the twelve figures behind the Five Elders visibly changed their expressions.

If word got out, it would cause a storm across all nations.

It was impossible to predict how many kings would rise up in rebellion over it.

All sorts of possibilities flashed through Sengoku's mind in an instant.

And yet… just like he'd felt before—that having a powerful, decisive leader was more of a benefit than a threat to the World Government's multiversal expansion—

he now found himself believing that unifying the Starfish World's political systems under the World Government was, in the long run, the right choice.

And apart from a few truly exceptional monarchs, most kings contributed little to the growth or well-being of their nations.

On the contrary—

they often caused more suffering through the indulgence of their own desires.

In comparison—

Would it perhaps be far better to replace kings with government officials rotating every few years?

In Sengoku's view, it certainly couldn't be any worse than the kings.

These thoughts—

He voiced them aloud without the slightest hesitation, speaking also for the sake of the rougher men beside him.

In his eyes, the fact that Imu was willing to share such monumental information during their very first meeting was a sign of sincerity and trust.

And so, he too had to respond with sincerity—and do his utmost.

"Well said, Sengoku."

High upon the Empty Throne, Imu looked down at him with a glint of admiration in his eyes.

The role of Fleet Admiral was beneath such a man.

With that kind of vision and wisdom… what a pity he wasn't a Celestial Dragon. Otherwise, Imu might've considered elevating him to the position of one of the Five Elders.

Still, the role of Supreme Commander was already set aside for Sengoku.

"Wait a moment—what about my Whitebeard Kingdom?"

At that point, Newgate couldn't hold it in any longer. His kingdom had only been founded a few years ago—was it just going to vanish now?

That country meant nearly as much to him as his own family.

Imu didn't respond.

Sengoku quickly stepped in to explain on his behalf.

"In the future, it can remain as your personal territory. It just won't be officially recognized as a kingdom. Other than that, not much will change."

"Hm."

Newgate paused, glanced up at Imu's silhouette above, and nodded calmly. "Let's hope so."

He'd never really cared about the title of king anyway.

"May I also ask a question, Lord Imu?"

Garp asked a question.

At his voice, Sengoku, Tsuru, Zephyr and the others immediately tensed. They were worried he'd blurt out something outrageous again.

"Go ahead."

Imu's response was casual.

"I want to know… if we manage to refine the 'Tricolor Convergence—Colorless Haki' you taught us… would that allow us to reach your current level of strength?"

Still kneeling on the red carpet, Garp asked the question in a solemn tone.

The moment the words left his mouth—

Everyone in the room, even the Five Elders, instinctively raised their heads to await Imu's answer.

"It can."

When the answer finally came, those with the potential for Conqueror's Haki lit up with uncontainable joy.

But those without it—like Raymond, Zephyr, Sakazuki, and Kuzan—were immediately disheartened.

Strangely, even Garp's eyes flashed with barely concealed delight.

No one expected what Imu said next.

"It can… get you to the level I was at five years ago."

That final phrase—delivered in a calm, steady tone—struck everyone like a bolt of lightning.

Five years ago!

Before the appearance of the Dimensional Gate.

It might sound like a short span, but for the powerhouses present, every one of them had made significant strides in strength since then.

Suddenly, everyone's eyes turned toward Edward Newgate.

Garp was the first to ask, "Whitebeard—when did you lose to Lord Imu?"

It had to be said—

That 'Lord Imu' was rolling off his tongue more naturally with each passing moment.

"Eh…"

Newgate fell silent for a long time before letting out a deep sigh.

"Four years ago… my Murakumogiri was broken in half by a single strike."

...

The first official meeting between the upper ranks of the World Government's military and Imu ended peacefully.

Kong, Sengoku, Raymon, Zephyr, Tsuru, Garp, Sakazuki, and Kuzan were all quite satisfied with the outcome of this meeting.

In their eyes, Imu was nearly perfect—be it in age, status, strength, personality, demeanor, or bearing.

And then there was this—

Imu had previously ordered all Haki mastery techniques in the military to be made public, even going so far as to share the method for uniting the three types into 'Colorless Haki' without holding anything back.

That, right there, was true resolve.

It also showed that Imu had no fear of being surpassed by any of them. Such openness, such confidence—it left even Garp and the others deeply impressed.

And now, this same Lord Imu was planning to unify the political powers across the entire Starfish World. It was a feat no less monumental than the founding of the World Government itself, even after a millennium.

To put it simply—Garp and the others had been sick of those kings for a long time!

As for Sengoku's concerns about possible rebellions—

Before leaving the Hall of the Empty Throne, Garp boldly patted his chest and made a promise to the figure seated above.

He might not be able to take care of everything, but in the East Blue—if any royal family dared to show their heads, he'd flatten them himself with his Iron Fist!

Imu didn't get angry at this. Instead, the corners of his mouth curled slightly, and he gave Garp a single line:

"You really ought to go back to the East Blue and visit your daughter-in-law and grandson."

That offhand remark left Garp completely dumbstruck. Sengoku, Tsuru, Zephyr, and the others nearby all froze as well.

What did that mean? Was he saying… that Dragon had a child?

Sakazuki and Kuzan exchanged glances—both seeing the same shock in the other's eyes. Wait a minute, wasn't the agreement that none of them would marry or have kids?

As the realization hit and chatter erupted, everyone crowding around Garp as they walked—

The ones who didn't care much for the topic—Shiki, Bullet, and Newgate—picked up on something else entirely: how did Imu know all this in advance?

Was it Cipher Pol's intelligence? Or did he possess the ability to foresee the future?

[Bang!]

Oimo and Kashii shut the massive doors to the Hall of the Empty Throne once again.

Inside the hall, only the Five Elders remained kneeling, along with Tsuru and Kaido, who had been asked to stay behind.

Currently, Kaido was looking confused at Charlotte Linlin, who was kneeling on both knees, innocently looking around with an expression of pure childlike innocence on her face.

"Linlin?"

Kaido called out hesitantly. Linlin turned her head and beamed at him with a radiant smile.

"What's wrong, Kaido-san?"

"..."

Kaido was at a loss for words. The tone, the smile… And did she just call him 'san'? Wasn't that a little too polite?

"Are you really Linlin?"

As he spoke, Kaido's eyes flickered briefly toward Imu above. He was starting to wonder if Imu had done something to her.

"Of course it's me! You're my adorable little Kaido brother, aren't you? By the way, when do we get to leave this place, Lord Imu? Mamama~~"

Linlin looked up at Imu as well. Her tone and expression were extremely childlike.

Especially those eyes—devoid of any malice whatsoever.

Seeing her like this... gave people the creeps.

"Very well. Go inside and have some candy for now."

Imu thought for a moment. Considering what was about to happen next, it wouldn't be appropriate for this version of Linlin to be present. Best to send her off temporarily.

And without making a single move, a door of air—over 20 meters tall and 7 or 8 meters wide—suddenly materialized on the red-carpeted floor below the platform.

From within the green space behind that 'door', a golden giant began to emerge.

"Please, General Charlotte Linlin. Inside, one hundred outstanding chefs from various worlds have already prepared a feast of food and sweets for you."

"Wonderful!!"

Charlotte Linlin was overjoyed. She got up eagerly, ready to run inside—only to suddenly stop and turn back to look at Kaido.

"You're coming too, right?!"

"Uh..."

Kaido hesitated.

"Kaido, go later. Linlin, you go ahead and eat first," Imu said softly from atop the triple platform.

"Well... alright then. But Kaido-chan, you better come quickly! Otherwise, I'll eat all the good stuff myself!"

Charlotte Linlin hesitated for a few seconds, her index finger tapping her lips, but in the end, she obediently listened to Imu's words.

In the blink of an eye—

Charlotte Linlin's massive figure followed the even more massive Saul and disappeared into the air.

"Lord... Lord Imu, what is all this about?!"

Still half-kneeling, Kaido clutched the red carpet beneath him with a deathly pale face.

But Imu gave no answer. Instead, he casually took out the red heart he had previously extracted from Linlin's body.

In the next moment—

The red heart expanded into a ball of light, gradually forming a faint, small figure that instantly appeared on the red carpet before Kaido and Tsuru.

It was a long-haired nun, trembling violently, her face lined with age and filled with sheer terror.

"Carmel. The previous wielder of the Soul-Soul Fruit. Revered by the giants and many others as the 'Mother Carmel'."

Suddenly, Ju Peter spoke, drawing Kaido's attention.

"But her true identity was that of a professional human trafficker who abducted orphans and sold them all over the world. She mysteriously disappeared forty-three years ago."

"The truth is, she had her eyes on the astonishing talent of the six-year-old Charlotte Linlin. Under the pretense of nurturing her, Carmel intended to sell her to certain powerful forces behind the scenes. However, an unexpected incident occurred—and in the end, Linlin inherited the Soul-Soul Fruit and everything that came with it."

Ju Peter explained the story of Carmel and Charlotte Linlin succinctly.

Of course, all of this had been provided to him in advance by Imu.

The more Kaido and Tsuru listened, the more shocked they became—while Carmel grew increasingly terrified.

Every time she opened her mouth to speak, a mere glance from Imu would make her shrink back, shivering violently, unable to utter a word.

Most terrifying of all was the instinctive, overwhelming fear she felt from Imu's very presence.

"Th-then... the Linlin I knew—who was she, really?!"

Kaido clutched his pounding temples. The sheer weight of information was making his head ache.

"If you're talking about the Charlotte Linlin you met in the Rocks Pirates... then it was probably this one, Carmel, right here."

Ju Peter answered lightly.

"Ah?!"

Kaido's jaw dropped as he stared in stunned disbelief at the tiny, shrunken figure of Carmel.

So the one who had given him the Azure Dragon Fruit back then—was her?

And the one he'd cared about deep down—was also her?

"No way! No way in hell!"

Inside, Kaido was roaring with fury. His Linlin—how could his Linlin be... this?!

Meanwhile, Tsuru, listening quietly to the side, was lost deep in thought.

She was starting to piece together the purpose behind Imu and the Five Elders' actions—and beginning to understand why she, specifically, had been kept behind.

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