One Piece Thundergod Marine

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A heavy killing intent flowed through him, and death's presence began to lick at his neck. After learning the true reason why Imu had developed a killing intent towards him, Rowen couldn't help but bitterly smile.

What was this? Shooting himself in the foot? Changing the storyline?

Come on, what traveler doesn't do that? But it turned out that this seemingly insignificant little action, a completely normal process, was precisely what Imu feared the most.

*Tick-tock, tick-tock...*

A clear tapping sound rang out, slow and rhythmic, as Imu walked over to the flower bed, bent down, and picked up a long-spouted watering can, slowly sprinkling water.

The droplets of water gently slid down the delicate leaves of the plants. A butterfly, caught off guard and was struck by a droplet and fell to the ground, struggling to recover.

"But... then I thought about it."

"Compared to an unchanging future, perhaps making some changes and witnessing more uncertainties in the future, also holds great significance."

Gol D. Roger, that beacon of light that had already been extinguished, had given Imu an inexplicable sense of tension for the first time.

That feeling returned when Rowen appeared.

But unlike erasing Roger, Imu chose a different approach this time.

With eyes full of pressure, Imu gazed at Rowen and said, "So after you killed BIG MOM, I awarded you the First Grade Glory Medal, allowing you to enjoy an honor second only to the Twenty Kings."

"Let me give you a mission, Rowen."

"Please, Lord Imu."

Rowen knew he had no choice but to accept. The person in front of him was not like Sengoku; Rowen had no confidence that he could overcome him.

"The Gorosei (Five Elder Stars) are the highest-ranking Celestial Dragons, the ones I personally appointed to govern."

"To oppose them is to oppose me... do you understand what I mean?"

Of course, he understood.

This was a directive to go after the Nibelung Family!

Rowen took a deep breath, and then, recalling the reason Imu had developed a killing intent towards him, suddenly understood. It wasn't surprising at all.

Position determines perspective; status determines one's way of thinking.

The conflict between the Gorosei and the Celestial Dragons wasn't rooted in any deep reasons. It was simply because the Gorosei represented "government," while the Celestial Dragons represented "Family." That was all.

They were all "rulers," but there was still a distinction between them.

Now, the "Family" wanted to replace the "Government" and become the new "Government," completely disregarding the presence of Imu.

As the saying goes, "You should look at the master before beating the dog."

Is the World Government truly without a king, as the "symbol of peace" and the "Empty Throne" suggest?

The answer is no.

Imu is the foundation of everything, the one true king who can sit on the throne!

Imu wasn't concerned about the power struggles between Orrick and the Gorosei, as long as everything happened under his watchful eye. But the changes Rowen brought caused things to spiral out of control.

So, Imu decided to make an example!

By killing Nibelung Family, the "chicken," he would warn Rowen, the "monkey."

Just as he had extinguished countless beacons in history, Imu intended to bring things back to the direction he predicted and allowed.

At the same time, he would send a warning to the increasingly unruly atmosphere in the Holy Land, reminding them not to forget that he was the true ruler, the one in control of everything.

"Understood!"

Rowen's lips curled into a slight smile as he nodded in agreement.

He didn't fear any challenge, even if Imu was as powerful as a god. He dared to swing his blade against him. At worst, he would die on the path of defiance.

Facing death to live— what was there to fear?

But if the opponent was truly a god— emotionless, invincible, and unyielding— then that would be a different story.

This order confirmed one thing for Rowen: Imu was also a human!

The bond of "ruling" had brought him down to the level of a mortal, giving him emotions like joy, anger, love, and hate, along with desires and discontent.

But once a "god" has these things, they are no longer perfect, no longer invincible. They're just a powerful "person."

So Rowen couldn't help but boldly speculate— when the day comes that his only bond, "ruling," starts to crack, what expression would Imu have?

Seeing Rowen agree so readily, Imu was slightly surprised and asked softly, "You don't seem curious about my decision?"

"They are the descendants of gods, the Celestial Dragons, the World Nobles."

"Don't you want to know why I, as the ruler, allow you to take action against them?"

Here it comes!

Rowen understood that for someone like Imu, who held himself in such high regard, there was a deep suspicion toward things he couldn't comprehend.

Without an explanation, that suspicion would likely turn into a killing intent!

Responding with "I only follow your orders, my lord"? That definitely wouldn't work.

Imu was probably tired of hearing empty flattery.

So Rowen carefully considered his words and slowly replied.

"To me, it's not important."

"Oh? Why not?"

Those eyes, full of overwhelming pressure, locked onto Rowen, making him aware that he had completely piqued the curiosity of the supreme being in front of him.

In response, Rowen slightly smiled.

"Because I'm a very practical man. I live in the present and only for the future."

In other words, why should I care about the World Nobles? 

It has nothing to do with me!

Even if they really were part of the Twenty Kings who supposedly saved the world, the descendants of heroes, that was all in the past.

And the "past" is something that never holds Rowen back.

Looking deeper, the D. Clan? Descendants of gods? The great treasure, ONE PIECE? The truth of history?

Sorry...

That's none of my business either!

My mind is too narrow to be filled with such things.

Imu naturally noticed this and was momentarily taken aback.

For centuries, he had seen countless extraordinary individuals who would stop at nothing to uncover the truth, who were willing to defy everything to unravel the mysteries of history.

Even in the Holy Land itself, such people weren't unheard of.

Roger was like that, too.

But today, he finally encountered someone different.

Just like his mysterious past, here stood a man who had no interest in the "past" at all, a man whose eyes were fixed solely on the "future."

"Interesting! Very interesting!"

Imu repeated the word "interesting" twice.

Now, he was certain that sparing this man's life had been the right choice.

Because Rowen would never become a beacon for others, guiding their way on the sea.

He was the type who walked his own path, leaving no path behind for others to follow.

"I hope you continue to surprise me, Rowen."

As the words fell, the heavy atmosphere that had filled the air instantly dissipated. Rowen looked up and saw that Imu had vanished from the hall.

At that moment, Rowen realized that his back was already soaked with cold sweat.

It wasn't the sweat brought on by fear in his heart but rather the result of his body instinctively sensing danger and trying to cool down.

"Phew… it's finally over!"

Those who hadn't faced Imu would never understand the pressure he brought.

When dealing with Imu, Rowen didn't dare lie because he couldn't be sure whether Imu could detect falsehoods.

But he also couldn't tell the whole truth, because if he did...

Well, let's just say that wouldn't end well!

But in any case, he had made it through this ordeal.

And he had gained a lot from it.

...

Exiting the Room of Flowers, Rowen found Vic waiting outside with Jason. Upon seeing Rowen emerge, a flicker of surprise crossed Vic's eyes.

In his memory, the last person who had been granted a lengthy personal audience with Imu— more than five minutes— was the successor of a man who single-handedly shook the government's authority and dominated the New World.

Shanks!

What could Rowen possibly have in common with Shanks?

Narrowing his eyes slightly, Vic decided to stop pondering this matter. Rowen had already approached, clearly with something to say.

"Mr. Vic, I'd like to meet with the Gorosei as soon as possible."

Rowen got straight to the point.

*Ssss…!!*

Vic drew in a sharp breath.

The heavens of the Holy Land were about to change!

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