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Even a great man, invincible in the world, can only influence the course of history for a single era. Of course, he had never thought about managing this world forever.
That would be too tiring.
Six months later, the new emperor of the empire took office. The choice was beyond everyone's expectations and also surprised Arashi.
"Koby? That's a truly unexpected choice." Arashi said with emotion.
"Actually, it's not surprising. It's just that Minister Koby has been low-key all these years and has never shown it." Armin said.
"But I am actually very clear that Minister Koby has been working like crazy all these years. His efforts have surpassed others by a hundred, even a thousand times! Now, his strength is already immense!"
Hearing this, Arashi nodded. He had always greatly approved of this junior's hard work. While the two were chatting, the sound of footsteps was heard at the door.
Arashi looked up and saw a figure stepping into the courtyard gate.
He wore a white, standard-issue military uniform, with a "Justice" cape on his back.
He wore a Marine cap, and his face was already very mature. His every move carried a great presence.
"Your Majesty Koby!" Armin's eyes widened. He quickly stood up and bowed in salute.
"No need for formalities. I'm here to visit my senior brother!" Koby waved his hand with a smile.
Armin breathed a sigh of relief and then stepped aside.
The Koby before him was no longer the same as he had been before, but now he was the supreme emperor of the current empire.
He was different from his father; naturally, he needed to show reverence.
"What brings you here?" Arashi glanced at him and said casually.
"I've been busy recently and haven't come to see you in a long time, senior brother," Koby said cautiously.
Even though several decades had passed since the two had met, and he himself had become the emperor of this massive empire, he still felt a heartfelt nervousness and reverence upon seeing him.
"That's thoughtful of you. Govern this country well, and do what you ought to do." Arashi said with a light laugh.
"We of the older generation are stepping aside precisely to pave the way for you of the younger generation."
"The empire has a foundation, but that doesn't mean you have nothing to do. You must know that conquering a country is easy, but defending it is hard."
"You must balance the interests of all classes." Hearing this, Koby's expression grew serious.
"The empire has been established for thirty years. It's not long, but it's not short either."
"New conflicts have already arisen within many departments and interest groups. This matter is indeed very difficult to handle."
Arashi's expression did not change; he had long anticipated this. Any country would have such a trend.
Once vested interests have tasted power, they will be unwilling to relinquish it.
Thus, classes begin to form, the country falls into rigidity and stagnation, and gradually becomes a pool of dead water.
The bottom layer cannot be promoted to the higher levels and can only accept exploitation.
"There's not much I can guide you on"
"I can only say that you must do a good job in cultivating ideological and moral character, and the rule of law must be even stricter."
"You must take care of the interests of the common people. This was our original intention when we founded the country."
"Since the word 'Justice' is engraved on the cape on your back, then go and do your best to live up to it!" Arashi said faintly.
Koby nodded heavily, and so, his generation of emperors strengthened the cultivation of ideological and moral character, making the rule of law even stricter.
No one had expected that the once-timid Koby would, after taking office, act with a thunderous hand, dealing with many corrupt officials.
Of course, none of this had anything to do with Arashi.
...
Time continued to pass.
In the blink of an eye, it was the fortieth year of the empire. Arashi's courtyard had become very quiet, with only the white-haired Hancock to keep him company.
"After so many years, you are still as young as you were back then. But I am already old and decrepit."
Hancock said with a trembling voice. By calculation, she was now over seventy years old. Her children were already married, and Arashi was already a grandfather.
"In my eyes, you are still as young and beautiful as the day we first met," Arashi said with a smile, reaching out to stroke her wrinkled face.
"I don't know how much longer I can be with you." Hancock sighed.
Arashi was silent.
"Vegapunk has new technology, and we finally found the Pure Gold!" After a moment's hesitation, he said.
Hancock, however, burst out laughing. "I have no desire to become a cyborg, and even if I use Pure Gold, it just maintains my current state."
Arashi sighed softly and said no more because even a cyborg and Pure Gold might not live as long as he would.
It had been nearly sixty years since he came to this world, yet his physical fitness and appearance had always remained those of a person around twenty years old.
In other words, he was always at his peak. Time lost all effect on him, leaving not the slightest trace on his body.
"I hope to see our son ascend to the imperial throne before I die! He is so much like you." Hancock said.
"He is outstanding and has much hope," Arashi said.
"Are you not willing to give him a hand?" Hancock asked.
She knew very well that with Arashi's status, as long as he was willing to say a word, there would be almost no suspense about the next imperial throne.
"With his ability, he can do it. Moreover, I think our son would not want me to really intervene." Arashi said.
"I know very well that he wants to achieve this dream, and he also has a bit of a desire to prove himself to us." Hearing this, Hancock also gave up on trying to persuade Arashi further.
Clearly, she also knew her son's character. In the blink of an eye, another two years passed.
Koby announced his abdication, and a new imperial election began. Arashi's son, Armin, was among the candidates.
But the selection of the emperor of the empire would certainly not show any mercy because of Armin's identity.
At this time, Armin's position was the Minister of Scientific Defence, holding the rank of Fleet Admiral, and his strength was outstanding.
Arashi sat in the courtyard, untroubled by his son's absence, looking remarkably calm. Hancock, however, appeared very nervous.
Because she knew very well that this day would be the most important day for her son, Armin had been striving for it for the past several decades.
An old maple tree was planted in the courtyard. The autumn wind blew, and yellow leaves fluttered, spiralling down from the air and landing right at Arashi's feet.
He slowly raised his head, his pupils contracting in an instant.
"It's been over forty years! You've finally appeared again." Murmuring to himself, Arashi slowly stood up.
....
"What are you going to do?" Hancock was taken aback and asked hastily.
"To solve a problem left over from the previous era," Arashi said in a low voice.
At the same time, in the Amiens Royal Palace.
Armin ascended the steps one by one, accepting the succession ceremony of the new emperor.
"Let us welcome the new emperor of the Fredom Kingdom!"
And below, a figure completely shrouded in a hood and cloak slowly raised its head, revealing blood-red eyes.
"Has it really been over forty years?" Completely shrouded in a pitch-black long robe, with only a pair of eyes visible.
The pupils were blood-red, with circles of patterns entwined around them. A mysterious aura emanated from his entire body as he gazed at Armin, who was ascending the steps.
In the fortieth year of the empire.
The Holy Capital of Amiens was bustling with people, and the lively sound of fireworks could be heard everywhere.
Everyone was excited and exhilarated for the enthronement of the new king, especially since this new king was the biological son of the founding emperor, Arashi.
As the biological son of the founding emperor, Arashi, he had not used any of his father's power, but had walked this path step by step, on his own two feet.
If one were to look at his life, it could also have had its ups and downs.
At his lowest point, Armin had once worked in a Marine mess hall, where he was responsible for preparing meals for the soldiers. And his colleagues didn't even know his identity.
Until today, he had walked step by step to the very top. These steps were like his life, which he had crossed one by one.
Countless people watched this scene, their hearts filled with an indescribable emotion.
The second emperor, Kuzan, stood silently in a corner with his arms crossed, looking at the now-peak-of-his-power Armin, whose appearance was so similar to Arashi's.
For a moment, his mood was complicated. Koby, the third emperor, was also present. His eyes were full of encouragement.
As the son of the founding emperor, Armin's efforts are in no way inferior to his own.
Coupled with that outstanding talent, it was not at all surprising that he had reached this point.
The wind was blowing gently, and the azure sky symbolised the auspiciousness of the day.
Armin walked step by step to the highest point until he stood there, accepting the crown and golden sceptre handed to him with both hands.
"DONG!"
The golden bell of the Holy Capital rang, and the melodious bell toll slowly spread, echoing in everyone's ears.
The expressions of everyone changed. They were excited, emotional, and nervous, their eyes all fixed on the figure at the very top.
Armin took a deep breath, placed the crown on his head, and then slowly raised the golden sceptre.
At this moment, he was somewhat in a daze.
In such an environment, it was simply impossible to remain calm and clear-headed.
Having gone through countless hardships and finally achieved his dream, he even felt a sense of unreality.
"I finally did it! Father, you see, I have achieved the same accomplishment as you!"
"Without relying on your power, just through my own efforts, I have also become the king of this country!"
"I will also, like you, go to govern, to understand, to carefully observe the people of this world!"
Armin's heart was surging, and his entire body was trembling slightly. He had waited for this moment for too long and had put in too much effort for it.
The moment his goal was achieved, he even wanted to cry. This emotional fluctuation made his senses numb and dull.
Everyone was immersed in the lively atmosphere of the new king's ascension, unable to tear themselves away from it. They raised their right hands, letting out their most excited shouts.
Armin's popularity was undoubtedly very high; his approval rating was considerable.
This young man, who so closely resembled the founding emperor, just by standing there, would remind countless people of that invincible emperor.
However, since his abdication, that figure had not been seen in this world.
At this moment of universal celebration, a jet-black shadow suddenly flickered in a corner below the stage.
This shadow twisted at a bizarre angle, rapidly transforming into a sharp, barbed hook.
In an instant, it flashed with a black and red colour and stabbed toward Armin, who was on the steps, immersed in his life's reflection.
No one noticed this scene, and no one shouted a warning.
In just an instant, this sharp, barbed hook became more powerful, faster, and arrived in front of Armin. After a sharp refraction, it stabbed toward his neck.
"AH!!"
A scream was heard as someone finally discovered this bizarre and sudden sneak attack. Armin raised his head, his pupils contracting.
What entered his eyes was a field of dazzling black and red, sharp as the tip of a blade, shooting out an icy, frigid intent.
"Danger!!"
Koby roared. Kuzan's expression changed, and he was about to rush up the steps.
But undoubtedly, faced with this fatal and swift blow, Armin had no time to dodge. And this blow was aimed at the most vulnerable part of the human body, the neck.
Tragedy was about to strike!
Suddenly.
"VMMM!"
A ferocious and domineering aura suddenly radiated out. In just an instant, it had enveloped the entire Holy Capital of Amien, and this aura was still spreading even further.
Everything fell still.
Everyone's eyes widened in shock at this vast and majestic aura. A flash of lightning passed, landing in front of Armin.
Then, a figure stepped out of the lightning and, facing the black and red barbed hook, fiercely threw a punch.
"BANG!"
A heavy collision sound was heard. The black and red barbed hook was sent flying, shooting up into the sky.
Armin finally reacted, a sharp light shooting from his eyes as he looked down, instantly locking onto the figure completely shrouded in a black robe.
The people around, of course, had also reacted by now, and they all retreated to the sides.
A large number of imperial troops surrounded the area in the blink of an eye, and the gathered powerhouses all locked onto that mysterious figure.
At the same time, their gazes also turned to the figure on the high platform, who was standing in front of Armin.
That person was completely enveloped in lightning, his expression majestic, giving off an extremely strong sense of pressure.
"That is?!"
When they got a clear look, someone cried out in alarm.
"The Founding Emperor!!"
"It's Emperor Arashi!"
"He's still alive!"
"Of course he's still alive! If you calculate by age, the Emperor is already in his eighties, but what's unimaginable is that he's still so young!"
The scene began to boil with excitement. The appearance of the founding emperor shocked everyone.
Especially with him standing there with Armin, the father and son were the spitting image of each other.
"This appearance! Could it be that he's still at the peak of his combat power?" Someone said in shock.
With his stout body and strong, full muscles, Arashi's appearance did not immediately suggest that he was an old man in his eighties or nineties.
"Could it be that the legends are true?"
The empire had been established for forty years, and the legends about Arashi had mostly faded.
Most were just rumours about him, making it impossible to distinguish truth from falsehood.
"You've finally shown yourself!" Arashi looked down from above and said faintly.
"It's time for a settlement between us." The figure, completely wrapped in the black robe, said in a low voice.
His visible eyes, when they saw his opponent's young face, could not help but show a hint of shock. After so many years, his opponent still looked the same, without the slightest change.
"It is indeed time for a settlement! I have been waiting for you for too long!" Arashi nodded and sighed softly.
"Father, who is he?" Armin asked.
"A remnant of the old era. The mastermind behind the World Government. His name is Imu." Speaking of this, Arashi looked down.
"Your full name seems to be Nerona Imu?"
Imu was noncommittal, just saying faintly, "It's just a name. It's no longer important to me!"
Arashi let out a laugh.
"Let's find a place! This battle will decide who the world belongs to!" Imu said faintly.
Arashi's eyes narrowed slightly, and then he gently nodded. "That's exactly what I was thinking!"
...
In the end, the battlefield was set on a deserted island in the New World, not far from the Holy Capital of Amien.
There were only two people on the island.
Aokiji, Kizaru, Crocodile, Fujitora, Bullet, and other figures of the older generation surrounded the island, quietly observing the situation within.
"In the final battle forty years ago, only Imu did not show his face, but to think he would appear today!"
"He was waiting for Arashi to grow old and weak before striking. What a cunning and ruthless fellow!"
The people present were not simple characters; they naturally saw through Imu's plan at a glance.
"It's been over forty years. Arashi has never fought again. His strength." Kizaru hesitated.
Beside him, Armin turned his head, a little worried. "Uncle Borsalino, Father, he, just how strong is he! This battle, why don't you let me handle it!"
As the emperor of this generation, Armin was naturally the strongest of his time.
"How strong?" Crocodile, however, began to laugh, a look of emotion and excitement in his eyes.
"He is the Strongest! From the last era and even in this current era,"
As his voice fell, Armin was stunned. The others all burst out laughing.
Yes, he is the Strongest!
This title was not self-proclaimed, but was determined by the era, without a doubt. Then, everyone felt the sea breeze above them suddenly grow stronger.
In just over a dozen breaths, it had evolved into a fierce gale, howling out.
"CRACKLE!"
Black and red lightning rose from the ground of the island and shot into the sky in an instant.
Then, two ferocious and powerful auras suddenly erupted and then slammed into each other.
"BOOM!"
The island trembled, and two balls of dazzling light bloomed, radiating outwards from the centre of the island.
"BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!"
After that, a continuous stream of impacts was heard.
The thunder-like sound made people's heads spin. The seawater on the sea's surface fell into a state of intense unrest, fluctuating violently.
Armin stared blankly at the two figures rapidly flickering and colliding on the island in front, deeply shocked.
Although his father was young in appearance, his age was not small.
At this moment, his uncles, of the same generation as his father, such as Kuzan and Borsalino, already looked old and decrepit.
However, a person of such advanced age was able to unleash such terrifying Haki and power.
And what shocked him even more was that the person named Imu, if he wasn't mistaken, also seemed to be from the previous era.
Flames, lightning, and dust quickly churned between the islands in front, erupting with a huge, chaotic sound.
The battle between Arashi and Imu had become white-hot from the very beginning.
Kizaru and the others stood on the warship, quietly gazing out at the war before them, their expressions serious and grave.
It had to be admitted that Imu's strength far surpassed that of the Five Elders. In this world, perhaps only Arashi could stand against him.
This battle lasted for a considerable period.
(T/N: Please give me some power stone, I hope it can at least reach the top 100)
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