Imu led the surviving three Elders slowly into the underground chamber. The Gorosei felt uneasy, exchanging nervous glances.
The Second Elder finally asked in a low voice, "Imu-sama… what is this? You once said this was a forbidden area. Are we really permitted to enter?"
For centuries, this place had been forbidden even to the Celestial Dragons and Gorosei themselves. Yet now, Imu was taking them inside. The unease in their hearts grew heavier.
Imu's expression never changed. Without looking back, he spoke slowly:
"In the past, Joy Boy broke free of the world's shackles and stood at its very peak. With one fist he could shatter the sky, with one step he could crush mountains."
The three Elders were stunned. Joy Boy… was that strong? Comparable to Good himself?
But then the question struck them — if such a being existed, why had he vanished? Even with the world united, could anyone guarantee killing someone like Good today?
The First Elder asked cautiously, "Imu-sama… do you truly have the confidence to kill Good?"
Imu only gave a quiet laugh, offering no answer. Soon, they arrived before a massive straw hat, shrouded in mist, radiating an eerie, suffocating presence.
The Elders stared in silence.
Finally, Imu turned and said evenly, "Even Joy Boy fell. What chance does a newcomer have?"
His lips curled into a cold smile.
"But before that… I am curious. This boy, not of the D clan, yet able to shake the world — what kind of man is he really?"
The Gorosei blinked in confusion. But before they could reply, Imu's form dissolved like mist, vanishing before their eyes.
Kamabakka Kingdom
Amid a sea of pink blossoms, Whitebeard, Shanks, Dragon, Fujitora, and General Rayleigh were locked in heavy discussion.
Meanwhile, Good lay in the grass with a stalk between his teeth, legs crossed, humming lazily.
"In this world I'll chase my dream, you ask me where it lies — I'm still young…"
The song carried across the meeting, making the great figures twitch with irritation.
They were trying to decide the future of the world — and this brat was singing? Worse yet, the lyrics sounded like mockery.
All of them felt the urge to smack him, if only he weren't stronger than all of them combined.
Still, after days together, they had grown used to his antics. Some, like Momousagi, even laughed. For all his recklessness, Good was both their greatest hope in battle and their greatest nuisance in peace.
Rayleigh chuckled. "Well, well. Our little Good is finally growing up? You actually stopped singing?"
They often teased him about his age, calling him "little Good." But now, when they saw the look on his face, all mirth vanished.
Whitebeard rose instantly. Dragon, Fujitora, Shanks, and Rayleigh followed, every nerve tense.
Good hadn't spoken — but just his expression was enough. His will bound them together more tightly than any title.
He slowly turned toward the blossoms.
The veterans gripped their weapons — Shanks drew Griffin, Whitebeard hefted his bisento, Fujitora's hand rested on his cane-sword.
"Who goes there?" Fujitora's voice rang sharp as steel.
And then, from behind a cherry tree, a voice — neither male nor female, calm yet cold:
"Hehehe… no wonder you've reached the peak of this world. To sense me so easily."
Imu stepped out from the mist.
A flowing robe draped his tall frame, a crown gleamed upon his head, and the train of his garment dragged silently across the earth, as if he belonged to another realm.
With every step forward, hearts pounded faster.
"This… this pressure…" Shanks muttered, eyes wide.
Even Whitebeard felt sweat bead on his brow.
Momousagi collapsed at once, fainting under the crushing aura.
None of them recognized this figure — yet the oppressive might was undeniable.
And from start to finish, Imu's gaze never left Good.
Stopping just twenty meters away, he spoke with calm elegance:
"Good. At last, we meet."
Good grinned, standing tall.
"Glad to meet you too, Imu! Hahahaha!"
Imu arched an eyebrow.
(End of Chapter)
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