Imu's brief words
echoed endlessly in Doflamingo's mind.
Not Queen Lily?
Was I… wrong?
If he overturned all previous assumptions and reorganized every clue—
One conclusion remained certain:
Im had to be one of the original twenty kings.
And yet…
Among those twenty nations,
Queen Lily was the only known female ruler.
There were no others.
As Doflamingo pondered this, his gaze remained fixed on Im.
But the longer he looked—
The more his thoughts began to sink
into those scythe-shaped pupils.
The truth felt like a vortex—
Tearing the body apart.
Grinding the soul into dust.
Just then,
Liang Bing's lazy voice pulled him back to reality.
"Why bother tying yourself in knots?"
"Once the World Government is overthrown,
everything you want to know will come to light."
Doflamingo snapped back to his senses, breathing heavily.
"Thank you… Your Majesty."
Im glanced at Liang Bing, a hint of contemplation in her eyes.
She seemed as though she wanted to ask something—
But in the end, she didn't.
So this is the queen who granted him power…
With that thought, Im no longer paid Doflamingo any attention.
She rose slowly from her seat.
"It's getting late. I should be going."
"Bartender, your wine is excellent. I'll visit again."
"Perhaps one day, I'll invite you to Pangaea Castle."
Ron smiled calmly.
"There will be a chance.
You're always welcome."
Im nodded, her black cloak trailing behind her as she walked out gracefully.
Saint Saturn left a thick stack of Berries behind and hurried after her.
Just as the two were about to leave the tavern—
Doflamingo's laughter rang out once more.
"Fuffuffuffu…"
"The giant straw hat."
"The Ancient Weapon—Uranus."
"Pluton in Alabasta."
"The twenty nations…"
"And that massive kingdom symbolizing freedom…"
"We're just missing one final piece
to connect everything."
Im's steps halted.
She hadn't expected Doflamingo to know this much.
Queen Lily could still be traced through scattered records—
But the giant straw hat
and Uranus?
How did he know?
"I look forward to you finding that final piece,"
Im said calmly—
yet a faint killing intent seeped into her voice.
"And I also look forward to seeing you
stand beneath the Empty Throne…
and declare war on me."
With that,
she and Saint Saturn exited the tavern and headed toward the port.
"Since I guessed wrong…"
"I'll just make everything I know public."
Watching their backs, Doflamingo muttered softly, madness filling his eyes.
Rayleigh's heart sank instantly.
Kaido sobered up on the spot.
Originally,
the World Government was meant to be an international organization—
a system to uphold justice and order.
But if it were suddenly revealed that—
An absolute ruler named Im
had secretly controlled the world for eight hundred years—
Then the seas would erupt.
People would be enraged.
And the World Government's credibility would collapse overnight.
"Boss, I'm heading out."
"Oh, right—
the arena will be fully completed tomorrow."
Doflamingo left another stack of money behind, gave a casual farewell,
and walked straight out of the tavern.
"Alright. Come again."
Ron smiled and nodded,
already envisioning the storm that would sweep the seas at dawn—
A shockwave far greater than Roger's execution.
"He's insane…"
"That brat has completely lost it."
Rayleigh shook his head repeatedly, still stunned.
But then—
A sharp glint flashed through his aged eyes.
"I wonder if Morgans would dare publish this."
"Forget money."
"I'd even let that guy lick my shoes if it meant running the story."
Ron raised an eyebrow.
"You sure about that?"
That'd be suicide-level journalism.
"Absolutely!"
"Kid, this time we'll make a fortune!"
"Once I get the money—
I'll take you somewhere to really experience the local culture!"
"There's a dark little path I know…"
"Even at my age, when you pass the first hut,
you'll still stop for love!"
A lecherous grin spread across Rayleigh's wrinkled face.
The next second—
A faint killing intent brushed past.
Rayleigh didn't hesitate.
He bolted out of the tavern at full speed.
Behind him,
Rem, Ram, and Tohru stared furiously at his retreating figure.
They didn't understand his words—
But judging by that grin,
he was clearly trying to drag Ron into something indecent.
Just then—
A mechanical voice echoed in Ron's mind.
[Ding! Guest: Im has completed her confession.]
[Guest Im: Conqueror's Haki, Armament Haki, Observation Haki… Select one ability.]
[Guest Im: Ancient Weapon Uranus, Supreme Grade Blade… Select one item to copy.]
Ron didn't hesitate.
"Select Ancient Weapon: Uranus."
"Store it in the system inventory."
[Ding! Item successfully copied and stored.]
Ron checked the data and immediately understood.
Uranus was, in essence,
a colossal airborne vessel.
Mounted beneath it was a massive, jet-black cannon—
so long it occupied nearly a quarter of the ship's length.
No wonder a single shot
had erased the Kingdom of Lulusia from existence.
Meanwhile—
Wang Zhi finally regained consciousness.
The legendary pirate of the old era stared blankly at the tavern.
Who am I?
Where am I?
What happened on Hachinosu Island?
Wait—
Did I just get knocked out by Doflamingo… in one punch?
With that realization,
Wang Zhi slapped himself hard across the face.
Smack!
Pain exploded.
"…Am I really that old?"
"Did I seriously get one-shot by some brat…?"
Unacceptable.
Absolutely unacceptable.
Kaido, seeing his former crewmate in despair, laughed and pointed at Liang Bing.
"If you want power like Doflamingo's—
why not ask her?"
Wang Zhi followed his finger.
His eyes lit up instantly.
Too beautiful.
In all his years,
he'd never seen a woman who could compare.
But the very next second—
That perfect first impression was shattered.
"KAISHA, YOU F*ING B**—
I'LL—"
Three sentences.
Four curses.
One of them dragging the entire family tree into it.
In just a few minutes,
Wang Zhi felt as though a whole new world had opened before him.
And somehow—
A single thought surfaced in his mind:
Less understanding.
More insults.
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