Takuro raised an eyebrow as he took the documents from Robin. He casually flipped through the pages, but his expression quickly soured. They were covered in complex ancient text, strange symbols, and Robin's detailed, handwritten annotations.
He grew impatient with the technical jargon and said directly, "Get to the point. I can't understand these scribbles".
Robin took a deep breath to organize her thoughts before beginning her report. "Based on what we have deciphered, our previous understanding of the 'Void Century' and the origins of the World Government is only the tip of the iceberg".
"First, regarding the 'observer,'" Robin said, pointing to a rubbing inscribed with a blurry, eye-like symbol. "It might not be a specific creature or a person. Instead, it seems to be an automated mechanism existing in a higher dimension. It operates based on certain 'Rules.' Its main function is to maintain a specific 'Balance' and monitor any 'Variables' that could disrupt that order".
"Variables?" A flash of interest crossed Takuro's scarlet pupils. "Does that refer to people like me, who come from other worlds?".
"It is highly probable," Robin nodded. "The documents repeatedly mention that 'People from Beyond the Boundary' disrupt the 'Predetermined Weave.' The observer reacts to this. Even Imu-sama seemed to be constrained by this entity to some extent. There may have even been a symbiotic or exploitative relationship between Imu and the observer".
She turned to another document. "Second, regarding Devil Fruits. There are signs that their widespread appearance was not a natural evolution, but deliberate. Some records suggest the fruits are 'Bait' used for attraction and selection. They are also described as 'Shackles.' Their power system itself may contain limitations we haven't perceived yet".
Takuro recalled his own assessment of the purple Devil Fruit, which his inner senses labeled as a Seed of Rule Distortion. He stroked his chin and muttered, "Keep going".
"This is the most crucial part," Robin said, pushing fragmented records concerning a "Ritual" toward him. "Imu-sama obtained near-eternal life and supreme Authority through an ancient Ritual. This requires specific 'Mediums' and 'Coordinates'". Her voice deepened. "The documents mention 'Guidance of the Stars' and a 'Vessel of Wishes' as central to the Ritual. We highly suspect the 'Vessel of Wishes' refers to what you have been searching for—the Dragon Ball".
Takuro straightened up, his eyes flashing. "That old geezer Imu also used the Dragon Ball to cause trouble?".
"We cannot be certain, but the correlation is high," Robin replied. "The records also mention terms like 'Doorway,' 'Sacrifice,' and 'Deceiving the Rules.' We speculate Imu used the Dragon Ball's power to bypass the observer's limitations or perhaps reached an agreement to steal some 'World Authority'".
She concluded with deep worry in her tone. "The world we inhabit may be under constant, impersonal Observation and Regulation. The Devil Fruit system, the rule of the Celestial Dragons, and the concealment of history might all have the observer's shadow behind them. Imu was merely the 'Administrator' of the previous era".
"Your arrival and your search for the Dragon Ball are likely viewed as severe challenges to the existing 'Balance.' This is attracting the observer's attention. The 'End' that Imu-sama mentioned might refer to direct 'Correction' measures the observer could take".
Silence fell over the room, broken only by the steady thump, thump, thump of Takuro's fingers tapping on the sofa. Suddenly, he broke the silence with a scoff.
"Heh, so after all that, we're just fighting in someone else's fish pond?" Instead of worry, his face displayed an excited smile full of battle intent. "'Observer'? 'Rules'? Sounds like a worthy opponent!".
He stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the vast sea. His scarlet pupils seemed to pierce the atmosphere, looking into the infinite depths of the universe. "Maintaining Balance? Monitoring Variables?" Takuro's voice was filled with arrogance. "I am the biggest Variable! You want to crush me like an insect? Then come and try!".
He turned to Robin. "This intelligence is useful. Keep investigating! Focus on two things: find the observer's weaknesses and speed up the search for the Dragon Ball. Since Imu used it for a Ritual, maybe I can use it to drag that observer out of its tortoise shell!".
"Yes, Mr. Takuro," Robin agreed solemnly. Seeing his fearless demeanor, her unease dissipated slightly.
"Oh, right," Takuro added, tossing the purple Devil Fruit in his hand. "This thing is related to those 'Rules' and 'Authority.' Keep that in mind for your research". Robin nodded, looking curiously at the fruit's ominous sheen.
On Ambri Island, life under the Golden Group was orderly and prosperous, but for Uta, it was a "new home" that felt both novel and a bit lonely. Unlike the free, noisy life aboard the Red Force with the Red Hair Pirates, everything here felt efficient and a bit cold.
She lived in a room in the Golden Tower with an excellent view, filled with gifts from Shanks and her old crew. Tesoro had even provided her with top-tier audio equipment and a private music practice room. Most of the time, Uta was alone. She spent her days in the Sky Garden, swinging her legs and humming softly while looking down at the vibrant city below.
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