Chapter 325: We are the same kind of people

"In this world, there is no eternal dynasty. Just as you thought, Straw Hat Luffy will awaken before long."

"He will inherit the will of Joy Boy and bring something different to this world..."

Imu was silent for a long moment before saying, "Is this the reason you are trying so hard to distance the Navy from the World Government?"

Karl did not expect Imu to say this, but he replied, "Correct. As a member of the Navy's high command, I believe there is no need for the Navy to shed blood and sacrifice itself for a regime destined to fail."

"Are you so certain that My rule will be overthrown?"

"It is not that I am certain; it is that in the future I have seen, you will inevitably fail. No matter what you think, the things I have seen in the future have all been verified one by one."

"We are now in a period of great change unseen in a century. You should be very clear about this: eight hundred years have passed, the Sea King has awakened, the Revolutionary Army is rising, and Joy Boy's successor has appeared. Even if the Navy remains on your side, it will be of no use."

"Of course, if you can do nothing, or do everything, you can see if you can continue to maintain your rule."

Imu fell into silence again, then seemed to think of something and said in a deep voice, "But you have already changed the future, haven't you? How can you be so sure about a changed future?"

"Heh, you are right. I have indeed changed many futures, and the future is now very different from what I first saw. But the overthrow of the Celestial Dragons' rule is irreversible, no matter how things change, because it is fated."

Karl walked slowly to Imu's side, hands on his hips, looking at the surrounding grass and flowers, and said with some emotion, "The succession of dynasties is merely a cycle of history. The demise of an old regime, the rise of a new one, and then following the old path of the previous government—decay, corruption, destruction—and then entering the cycle of history again."

"For you, who have undergone the Immortality Surgery, time is just a number. After being the ruler behind the scenes for 800 years, staying in this cramped place every day? Aren't you tired of it yet? You might as well take this opportunity to liberate yourself and find another way to live. Otherwise, endless loneliness will erode your eternal lifespan. Or is it that there are many things you cannot let go of?"

"Are you trying to persuade me to surrender?"

Karl grinned, "It's just a suggestion. Actually, I could do nothing at all, because I have plenty of time. After all, we are the same kind of people..."

Karl raised his right hand, revealing the pure gold bracelet on his arm.

"What is this?"

"Pure gold. As long as you wear it, you can obtain eternal life. Otherwise, why do you think my appearance has not changed at all since I was 24?"

Imu did not doubt that Karl was lying, as there was no need to. Looking at the pure gold bracelet in Karl's hand, Imu whispered, "Eternal life..."

"Karl, we can cooperate..."

"Cooperate?"

Imu nodded slightly, "Correct. We can cooperate. You help me, and I can share the entire world with you."

Whoa~ Is this asking him to become a second Imu? It sounds tempting... as if! Making him stay in this hellhole every day—he'd rather be killed.

"No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no~" Karl said "no" many times in a row, showing his firm attitude.

"I have no interest in ruling the world. To you, eternal life means eternal loneliness, but I am different. I have a fiancée and lovers, and they all have eternal life."

"But we are not interested in power or strength. What we pursue is completely different from yours. If you want to win me over to help you maintain your rule, I'm sorry, I refuse."

"Then go to hell!!!"

As soon as the words fell, three shadow arrows pierced toward Karl's glabella, heart, and crotch respectively. It was clear that Imu's methods were quite vicious. However, before the shadow arrows could touch Karl, they were blocked by the shield of Divine Protection.

"Although I don't know what you have been doing for these eight hundred years, one thing is certain: you are very strong, but not strong enough to make people feel despair. If you want to kill me, I'm sorry, I refuse that too."

"Is that so? Then how about this move?"

Imu's figure suddenly disappeared and reappeared ten meters away, distancing himself from Karl. Then, he raised his right hand and summoned a sky-covering barrage of shadow arrows, piercing toward Karl.

Ding ding ding~

The invisible, transparent shield was teetering in the shadow frenzy, and cracks soon appeared.

Crack~

The shield shattered, and the remaining shadow arrows surged toward Karl all at once.

Karl curled his lips slightly, then his gaze focused. His whole body became pitch-black and glossy. Armament Haki first strengthened his body's defense, then floated around him, releasing a barrier to block all attacks.

However, Imu's shadow arrows showed no sign of stopping.

"Holy Light Apocalypse!"

Golden light appeared around Karl, condensing into wings of light behind him. Karl drew his sword, Raven, from his waist unhurriedly. Black and red Conqueror's Haki intertwined on the blade, reflecting the golden holy light.

"One Sword Style: Holy Light Verdict!"

Holy light, expel, shadow...

The golden shockwave shattered countless shadow arrows and rushed toward Imu at high speed. If he didn't take measures to block it... even if Luo Luo Jie were resurrected, he would have to die again.

Imu looked at the slashing wave close at hand, his red pupils shrinking to a point, and he hurriedly condensed a shadow shield to block in front of him.

Boom~

The entire Flower Room shook suddenly, and fragments of flowers and grass flew everywhere.

Imu retreated more than a dozen steps in a row, finally neutralizing the slashing wave. At this moment, Imu no longer possessed his previous calm.

"How can this be?"

Swoosh~

Karl suddenly appeared in front of Imu, pointing Raven at Imu: "Your power is strong, but you seem unable to fully utilize your own strength. What, have you been a shut-in for 800 years and forgotten how to fight? Or is it that you don't know how to fight at all?"

"Hmph! That is none of your business! Do you think you have me cornered?"

Karl shook his head, "No, I just want to tell you that we are not enemies, and there is no need to fight to the death. But if you want to use violence to make me submit, it is impossible, because I have the ability to flip the table at any time. Since I dare to stand in front of you, I am not afraid of you flipping the table."

"I have said enough, and I have nothing more to say to you. I will leave you with one sentence: don't think of yourself as too important. The world can still function as usual without you."

"When the World Government falls, you and I will both be witnesses and participants. That day will not be far off. Take care of yourself."

Clang~

Karl sheathed Raven and turned to leave.

Looking at Karl's departing back and the surrounding mess, Imu sighed faintly.

However, Karl suddenly turned back, less than 20 centimeters away from her, to the point where she could even feel Karl's breathing.

"Imu~ my lord~, there is something I would Move Move Like to discuss with you."