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If "admiration" is the emotion farthest from "understanding," then "kindred spirits" is the term that best describes those who truly understand each other.
Is Rowen really Orrick's kindred spirit?
This thought is terrifying when considered deeply.
Imu slightly narrowed his eyes and turned away with a wave of his hand.
"Assign the secret mission to capture Orrick to Rowen... Also, announce to the world that the Nibelung Family has voluntarily relinquished their Celestial Dragon status. Whoever can bring back Orrick will be granted one wish."
"Remember, any wish!"
"As long as the government can fulfill it!"
With his fist hidden within his wide sleeve, Imu concealed the bloodstain on the knuckle of his left index finger.
This supreme ruler of the World Government had been injured during the recent battle!
The Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) were unaware of this. Upon hearing Imu's orders, their eyes lit up.
The world is driven by profit, and people live for fame and fortune.
Aside from the truly devoted people, when such an immense reward is offered, who would still care about the internal conflicts of the government?
Especially those simple-minded pirates— it's nearly impossible for them to resist such temptation!
Imu's move, seemingly exposing the government's dark side, is actually a strategic retreat to advance. Redirecting public focus to a matter that is inconsequential to the government demonstrates his masterful control over people's minds.
"Understood!"
Ferrick nodded respectfully. Although this meant that the Nibelung Family, which had passed down its legacy for generations, would be removed from the Celestial Dragons, it also meant that he would no longer face the threat of death— which is already a sign of Imu's unexpected mercy.
Ferrick was sincerely grateful.
"By the way, my lord, what about the public execution?"
The goat-bearded Gorōsei hesitated and asked, "Should we continue with it?"
Pa-Da...
The crisp sound of footsteps suddenly stopped. After a brief moment, Imu waved his hand before speaking.
"Handle it as you see fit."
The rare hint of fatigue in his voice made the Gorōsei uneasy.
They exchanged bitter smiles, gave each other a look of understanding, and slowly rose to leave.
How many years had it been since they last heard Imu speak in such a manner?
Was it because they hadn't worked hard enough?
No, it wasn't that.
It was because this era had produced too many unpredictable variables.
From Nox to Roger, from Roger to the Yonko, and now to Orrick— each of these once-in-a-century figures had gathered in this era, bringing with them unprecedented chaos and turmoil!
That the government could still maintain its position of power was a testament to its incredible resilience.
To put it simply, previous government leaders faced the "easy" mode of the seas, while they were facing the "hard" mode.
When using the same skills to deal with such different circumstances, the results naturally varied.
As they stepped out of the Room of Flowers, the Gorōsei looked up to the sky and sighed.
"It's not that our forces aren't trying— it's just that the enemy is quite clever not to mention strong enough to hide from us!"
"Gorōsei-Sama, there's a major problem!!"
At this moment, Bald Zero rushed over as he saw them leaving the Room of Flowers, bowing respectfully.
"The Celestial Dragons have been poisoned!"
"Pfft!!"
The five elders turned pale and spat blood in unison.
What did you say?!!
---
Just as one crisis ended, another arose— in the Ark's dining hall.
"How much longer do we have to wait? Get the Gorōsei here to see us!"
"Did you not hear my orders? Hurry up, you worthless fool!"
As the waiting time dragged on, the Celestial Dragons aboard the Ark finally grew impatient.
These spoiled individuals, who had lived their entire lives in luxury, were like overgrown infants, doing whatever they pleased.
When their patience ran out, the small amount of fear they had was quickly replaced by other emotions, which then turned into dissatisfaction.
"Please remain calm, everyone. These are Imu Sama's orders!"
Zero narrowed his eyes, exuding a killing intent as he spoke.
However, the Celestial Dragons, who had long lost their patience, ignored his killing intent. After all, everyone knew that Zero wouldn't dare kill anyone.
"Why bother with him? If there's a problem, let's go ask Imu Sama directly!"
"Break out! I don't believe he'll dare to make a move!"
Some were simply impatient, while others had ulterior motives.
Those Celestial Dragons connected to Orrick were desperate to return to their families and destroy anything that might link them to him.
When a plate flew past his face, Zero knew that if no new orders were issued soon, these people would definitely rush out.
And there was nothing he could do.
Just as the doors to the dining hall were about to be thrown open by the agitated crowd, Zero raised an eyebrow and stepped aside.
Boom!
"Ouch!"
"My foot! Stop backing up!"
"Move aside, you're crowding me!"
As the thick doors were forcefully pushed open, the Celestial Dragons, unable to react in time, stumbled and fell over each other, shouting and cursing as they got trampled in the chaos.
The moment the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) opened the door, this was the scene that greeted them. The goat-bearded elder glanced at the nearby Masked Zero and then let out a cold snort.
"What a disgrace!"
"Get back inside, or don't make me use force!"
The Gorōsei were chosen from among the best, and their arrival represented Imu's stance. Therefore, as soon as one of them spoke, the crowd quickly quieted down. Those who had fallen silently got back on their feet with the help of their slave attendants and retreated back into the dining hall.
"All unrelated personnel must leave immediately, or else..."
He didn't need to finish his sentence. The household slaves and attendants still lingering in the dining hall hurriedly scrambled to escape, not daring to linger even for a moment.
Once the chaotic dining hall returned to silence, the Gorōsei moved to the front of the crowd and slowly announced, "Members of the Falstaff Family, Ofeo Family, and Melisand Family are to remain. The rest of you may leave."
Whoosh!
Instantly, murmurs spread through the crowd. The faces of those from the three named Families turned pale.
As expected, these families were all connected to Orrick and had provided varying degrees of support in his power struggle against the Gorōsei.
If this had been a normal competition, regardless of the outcome, as World Nobles, the winners would never burn bridges.
But now...
Orrick had betrayed them all!
He had betrayed Imu, the government, and everyone else!
They couldn't be sure if Imu, after suffering such a blow, would still honor the promises made back then.
Even if Imu didn't punish them directly, the scorn from within their ranks would make life difficult for their Families for a long time.
"I... I want to report someone!"
A short, stout middle-aged man from the Melisand household raised his hand. "The Igor Family is also connected to Orrick. They're his accomplices too!"
"Nonsense!"
The Igor Family head was enraged and quickly turned to protest.
"Gorōsei, this man is slandering us! Don't believe him!"
"Slandering you? I saw it with my own eyes! Orrick left your house through the back door that night."
"Liar! That never happened!"
"The Carlo Family too! They've shown goodwill to Orrick many times!"
"That's not true, don't make things up!"
With the Melisand Family taking the lead, the other two Families quickly caught on and tried to drag more people down with them.
As the saying goes, "The law doesn't punish the masses." If everyone was guilty, perhaps Imu's punishment would be lighter.
In no time, the dining hall turned into a marketplace, with people confidently accusing others— though in reality, many of these accusations were baseless slander, meant only to protect themselves by pulling others down.
"These people..."
The Gorōsei's faces darkened as a thought crossed their minds: "Perhaps it would be better if they all just died."
But that wasn't an option. If something happened to the Celestial Dragons, it would be disastrous for the government.
Zero, who had been standing silently after the Gorōsei arrived, moved closer to Bald Zero and asked, "What's going on?"
The Gorōsei's intentions were clear—they wouldn't reveal their physical condition to avoid causing panic—but why single out these three Families?
As Melisand had mentioned, even the information they had indicated that five households were loyal to Orrick. These three just stood out more.
In a low voice, Bald Zero replied, "We know too little about the... thing. We need to keep experimenting to see if it can be undone and how."
"By not choosing new people as test subjects, this is Lord Imu's way of punishing them."
A warning to others!
"I see..."
Zero nodded in understanding, casting a sympathetic glance at the three families now tearing each other apart.
Generally, they wouldn't be in mortal danger, but becoming experimental subjects was a terrifying fate, enough to intimidate everyone else.
But the problem was...
"Is there really a cure for that... thing?"
Zero remained silent, recalling his previous experience.
That thing went beyond ordinary parasites— it was something far more mysterious and dangerous, almost like a creature from Hell.
Suddenly, a thought crossed Zero's mind.
"Could this be... Uranus?"
"Is it possible...!!"
...