"Celestial Dragon, huh..."
Orin narrowed his eyes slightly, then rubbed his chin.
"Can I just have the title without the responsibilities? I've gotten used to being free."
Seeing the unfriendly look in Shamrock's eyes, Orin shrugged, looking helpless.
"After all, I don't like taking orders from people weaker than me."
Upon hearing this, whether it was the Elders or the Figarland father and son, all of them widened their eyes in shock, staring intently at Orin.
How dare he?! He actually tried to negotiate in front of Imu-sama!!!
Atop the throne, Imu narrowed Their eyes slightly, but Orin continued to meet Their gaze head-on.
While becoming Saint Orin was a fleeting whim, working for others was another matter entirely. Orin didn't feel much psychological burden—he was bold.
Was it because of his overwhelming personal strength? Or the Warp-Warp Fruit?
If one had to say...
It was actually early screening.
As long as he couldn't see the future clearly—or if the future showed danger—Orin would instantly warp tens of thousands of meters away.
His whole style was about staying alive.
Who knew how many centuries this shady old monster had lived? Who could say what kind of nasty Devil Fruit abilities They had hoarded—or what weird, dangerous artifacts?
Fortunately...
Imu didn't show much hostility. After all, Orin didn't carry the D name.
Seeing that Imu-sama didn't react much, the others below had mixed reactions. The Elders found it within expectations.
Shamrock, however, furrowed his brows, gripping his sword's hilt even tighter.
What did he mean, "don't like taking orders from people weaker than me"?
When Orin said that, his gaze wasn't directed at the current Commander of the God's Knights, Saint Garling—
It was aimed at Shamrock.
After all, Shamrock was the figurehead of the new generation, the one who had declared he'd make Orin submit.
And Imu had noticed this too.
They also wanted to see just what this loudmouthed brat, trying to grab a fringe Celestial Dragon title, was really capable of.
Could he become one of the powers that would defeat the D?
"You may..."
Imu's voice revealed no gender, only a lofty, superior tone.
"If you can defeat the strongest among the young Celestial Dragon, we can accept a genius like you. After all, the strong deserve special privileges."
Both Imu and Orin knew what the other wanted, and what each could offer.
Orin just wanted the Celestial Dragon title to play around with—he didn't truly want to join the World Nobles.
So he didn't ask for too much, only helping the God's Knights if he felt like it.
Imu saw that clearly. They simply felt Orin's talent and ability were eye-catching and wanted another card in hand for the war to come.
But They wouldn't place all hopes on him, which is why They only offered a meaningless title—not something like a Commander role.
In the end—
Orin, Shamrock, and Saint Garling left together, heading to the training ground exclusive to the God's Knights.
The Elders remained behind with complex expressions. They couldn't help glancing toward the throne, where Imu-sama was lost in thought—but none dared to interrupt.
In their eyes, Orin joining the God's Knights was all benefit, no downside.
Even if he couldn't be controlled, the connection was still one step closer. Nominally, they'd be on the same side. That would make handling matters on the sea easier in the future.
Besides, the Holy Land had been wasting money on so many useless nobles already—one more didn't matter.
"Bring me his profile."
As the Elders exchanged glances, Imu finally spoke.
They looked up and saw Imu's eyes on them, instantly breaking out in cold sweat.
"Yes, Imu-sama."
They didn't dare delay and quickly had someone fetch Orin's detailed file, which they then presented respectfully.
Imu's commands were absolute—they couldn't risk slacking off.
Imu leafed through the documents calmly. Truth be told, the record was impressive—one of the elite few on the Grand Line.
If They had to compare... given Orin's age and talent, only one person came to mind who could definitely defeat him.
A man who had once fought twenty nations alone and struck fear even into Imu—
Joy Boy.
The Sun God.
The rest—even former Elders, Saint Garling, and those other so-called "geniuses" among the Celestial Dragon whom They had once taken notice of—likely couldn't compare to Orin at the same age.
King of the next generation?
Perhaps... but Imu had seen too many eras come and go.
"Powerful Observation Haki, overwhelming strength, and a nasty personality... He reminds me of an old comrade. They're quite alike..."
Imu murmured.
But those words shocked the five highest authorities in the world. Their eyes bulged with bloodshot veins instantly spreading across their sclera.
For Imu to call someone a comrade—aside from the handful of kings from long ago, they couldn't imagine anyone else.
They remembered Orin was supposedly an orphan raised by pirates...
"Too bad... he doesn't carry his bloodline. The sea never lacks geniuses..."
Finishing, Imu placed the report aside and slowly stood up. Their proud figure strode through the path of the Nineteen King's Blades, descending from the throne.
The Elders stepped aside, bowing respectfully to follow behind.
...
The training ground of the God's Knights was on the Red Line, in a remote, desolate region far from the Holy Land.
Garling brought the two of them there, immediately drawing attention from many God's Knight members.
"Is that... Garling-sama and Shamrock? Who's the guy behind them?"
"Is he one of the Celestial Dragon? Never seen him before."
"I did hear Shamrock has a long-lost brother out there somewhere..."
"No way. His hair isn't even red."
Saint Garling ignored the murmurs. He led the two straight to the largest open field. Orin glanced around casually.
Not too many people.
There were both men and women. Among Celestial Dragon elites, few looked grotesque—at least not deformed or monstrous.
In fact, most of the Celestial Dragon girls Orin had seen—aside from a few exceptions—were quite attractive.
Unfortunately, their personalities were horrible.
Garling wouldn't be participating. He was merely following Imu's orders. And truthfully, if Orin had to face this man—this God's Knight Commander who could rival Roger and Whitebeard—he didn't feel confident at all.
This was basically a peak Shanks!
Unbelievable Conqueror's Haki Infusion and swordsmanship. A true six-attribute warrior. Same level as healthy Roger and peak Whitebeard.
As for Shamrock—he was meant to be a parallel to Shanks and Garling. Naturally, he wouldn't be weak either.
"Orin! Let's go! If you lose, join the Knights and become my right-hand man!!!"