The natural system started off strong, but the navy finally reached its peak!

Their prestige and influence stood in stark and compelling contrast to the corrupt, racist, and privilege-protecting old world government.

“Finally,” Samuel Kronos said, his voice even lower, almost a whisper.

Throughout the entire meeting, Tianzhen remained on the moral high ground.

He became the 'liberator of the race' and the 'embodiment of justice'.

By publicly promising and soon delivering on its commitment to racial protection, it has won immense public support and political capital.

In the future, any force that opposes him could easily be labeled as 'opposing liberation' or 'upholding slavery.'

"Weaken the nobles of the member states and strengthen the central authority of the navy"

Shifting the blame and dividing potential enemies

Recruit high-quality soldiers and cultivate loyal followers

"To elevate one's own image and occupy the moral high ground..."

Having said all that, Samuel Kronos glanced at the figure on the high platform receiving the reverent gazes of countless racial representatives, and sighed softly.

"Captain, this Marshal 'Tianzhen'... his political skills and long-term planning are probably more terrifying than his military strength."

After listening to this meticulous analysis, Blackbeard looked at Gern on the platform again with a complicated expression.

This admiral is more than just a capable fighter...

It seems we must be careful when cooperating with the world government.

Chapter 636 Im in Fear

Meanwhile, in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, deep within the city of Pangaea, behind the Void Throne.

Within that "Flower Garden," which defies convention and eternally blooms with exotic flowers and plants, months of silence and recuperation have passed.

The wounds on Im's body, which had been injured by Gern's "Starfire," seemed to have finally been completely suppressed by some powerful force.

Im no longer curled up in pain as before, but sat upright again on the couch naturally woven from vines, his posture returning to its former emptiness and indifference.

But only it knows the terrifying pain that originates from the "spark" burning its very essence.

It was merely forcibly sealed and suppressed deep within the body, and was not truly eradicated.

It doesn't want to experience that burning sensation—which ignores all defenses and acts directly on the "conceptual" level—a second time.

Every time I recall that tear in Nassshuro's body on the deserted island

At the same time, he connected with the golden-red blade light that had injured him through his willpower.

A subtle, almost imperceptible tremor would flicker deep within Imna's inhuman, dark red eyes.

Especially since it had just recovered from that long period of suffering.

Before I could even properly examine the world situation that had become more chaotic due to my silence...

Another thing that it instinctively felt repulsed and annoyed was transmitted to it through some mysterious sense.

A small, special light screen floated in front of it, displaying a photograph frozen in time.

The boy, wearing a straw hat, was surrounded by white steam and cheerful rhythms. His hair and eyebrows turned snow-white, and his smile was free and unrestrained.

Nikka form - Gear 5, Monkey D. Luffy.

Im's empty eyes narrowed slightly as he stared at the figure in the photograph, an image brimming with an aura of "liberation."

“Joey Boy…”

The name carries an echo of destiny, causing its emotions, which had just begun to calm, to surge with a chilling ripple once more.

Yet another... attempting to challenge eternity, bringing trouble to "dawn".

Just then, a soft female voice sounded beside Im.

"grown ups."

The soldier was still wearing that outfit, similar to that of an ancient court lady, her face shrouded in a thin white veil.

He was kneeling a few steps away from the bed, his posture respectful.

"We've made contact with Blackbeard as you instructed," the military officer said calmly.

After finishing her report, she habitually glanced at the small, antique-style table in front of Im's bed.

On the table, there used to be several photos or portraits that Im had "gazeed" at.

There's Monkey D. Luffy with his straw hat and bright smile, and Blackbeard Teach...

There's Nefertari Vivi, the princess of Alabasta, and Shirahoshi, the mermaid princess...

These all seem to be specific beings that Im "noticed" over the long years, based on some kind of prophecy or intuition.

But at this moment, the tabletop is completely empty.

No, it's not completely empty.

Only two remain.

One of them was a picture of Luffy in Gear 5 that had just appeared on the screen, casually placed in a corner.

The other one was deliberately placed in the very center of the table.

That's a front-facing photo of Admiral Gern Reginald Sigmar.

But at this moment, the photo appears shocking.

Gern's face, and the outline of his body in the photo, were covered by some kind of sharp weapon (perhaps Im's fingernails, or something else).

Repeatedly, haphazardly, and indiscriminately, it was drawn into a jumbled mess!

The deep, crisscrossing carvings almost completely destroyed the portrait in the photograph.

Only some tattered pieces of paper and hideous scratches remain, showing the extreme negative emotions of the perpetrator.

Jun Gongzi glanced at her once, then quickly lowered his head, not daring to look any longer.

She knew what that meant.

Im seemed oblivious to the reports and stares from the military palace; its gaze remained fixed on Luffy's photo.

After a moment, she responded in a voice that was neither male nor female, her tone devoid of any emotion.

"Everything... continues as planned."

"Yes," the soldier's palace replied.

She hesitated for a moment, but decided to convey the message that the Five Elders had asked her to deliver, even though she had a premonition that it might provoke a bad reaction.

"Furthermore... the Five Elders have entrusted me to convey a message to the Lord..." The General's voice trailed off.

"Fleet Admiral Gern Reginald Sigmar has convened a so-called 'World Conference' in New Marineford, in place of the World Government."

She paused, then forced herself to continue.

"Furthermore, Your Excellency the Five Elders..."

"And what?!"

A sudden, high-pitched roar, like a stress response, exploded from the bed!

He interrupted the soldier's words!

Im suddenly turned his head!

Those dark red Rinnegan eyes were now pulsating violently; they were no longer empty, but filled with rage and agitation.

And a... almost instinctive, intense repulsion!

It even swung its arm uncontrollably, causing the surrounding vines to tremble violently!

"What use are those five useless pieces of trash?!"

"Didn't I tell them already?! Don't worry about the Navy!! As long as..."

Its voice suddenly paused, then became rapid and obsessive.

"As long as... Mu succeeds! Everything... everything will return to normal!!"

“That man…Gern Reginald Sigmar…he was just a mistake!”

An error that shouldn't have happened!! An error that arose from the course of eight hundred years of the ocean's movement!!

Im was clearly out of control, repeatedly muttering "wrong" and "shouldn't have," as if this could negate Gern's existence and threat.

Mentioning Gern's name is like triggering a painful switch, instantly bringing back the helplessness and fear of being burned by the "spark".

Faced with Im's sudden, almost out-of-control rage, Jun Gongzi trembled all over, burying his head even lower, almost touching the cold ground.

She dared not look up, dared not make a sound.

Because, having served Lord Im for so long, she had never seen him display such intense emotions.

This is more than just anger...

Jun Gongzi's heart pounded wildly as a chilling realization surfaced clearly in her mind.

It's fear!!

Lord Im... is filled with fear.

It was... terrified of that Admiral named Gern Reginald Sigmar!

This fear was so profound that merely hearing his name and related news was enough to cause such a deep dread.

That alone was enough to cause this supreme being, who had ruled the world for eight hundred years, to lose his composure to this extent!

Chapter 637 I am, after all, one of the Four Emperors!

Meanwhile, the new Marine Fendo naval port.

The grand "World Conference" has come to a close, and the lingering excitement in the conference hall has not yet completely dissipated, but the port's hustle and bustle has gradually turned into the busy farewell.

One by one, ships flying different flags began to raise their sails and weigh anchor.

The kings and representatives of various countries, some in high spirits and others with heavy hearts, boarded the ship one after another, preparing to take back what they had seen and heard that day to their homelands.

And next to a relatively secluded berth in the port

A burly figure, seemingly out of place, lingered, showing no sign of leaving.

It was none other than Blackbeard Marshall D. Teach.

He went to great lengths, even making dangerous deals with the World Government, to ensure that Beehive Island would gain legitimate status as a "nation."

The ultimate goal is to launder territory and gain the right to engage in normal and legitimate trade with other countries.

This would free them from a model that relied solely on plunder and underground trade.

To truly establish a stable and continuously profitable "pirate empire".

This risky trip to Navy territory to attend the "World Conference" was partly motivated by a desire to provoke and disgust Gern.

You want to hold a big meeting to demonstrate your authority? I'm going to interfere as the "king" and see if you dare to make a move in front of everyone.

The other half, on the other hand, had a pragmatic plan.

I want to have private contact with them in this gathering of world leaders.

Seeking out individuals who might be willing to trade with the "newly formed nation" of Beehive Island.

Especially partners in gray or scarce commodities such as weapons, rare materials, and intelligence.

Unfortunately, reality dealt him a cruel blow.

Needless to say, during the meeting, he could only sit on a small stool in the corner, ignored by everyone.

After the meeting, in this bustling naval port...

He deliberately lingered in a conspicuous spot, even forcing what he considered a "friendly" smile onto his face.

His gaze swept over the representatives from various countries who were boarding the ship or talking.

The results of it?

Wherever his gaze fell, the delegates either instantly looked away, pretending not to see him.