Chapter 223

"Of course!"

Big Mom's eyes bloodshot, said: "If you want to become the king of this sea, it won't be that easy."

"Go tell Kaido, instead of fighting over territory with me, let's first deal with that annoying brat together!"

Kaido, who had already formed a grudge with Luo En, immediately agreed upon receiving Big Mom's ceasefire proposal.

Afterwards, Big Mom and Kaido arranged to meet on an island.

The contents of their discussion were unknown to anyone.

……

On the other side.

Red-Haired Shanks, one of the Four Emperors, also sought out Whitebeard, another of the Four Emperors.

He came this time both for the matter of Blackbeard and for the current situation on the sea.

After Red-Haired Shanks's proposal was rejected by Whitebeard.

Negotiations between the two sides broke down.

Whitebeard and Shanks engaged in a brief exchange of blows.

After a single strike, the entire sky was torn apart under the collision of their Haki.

……

On the Revolutionary Army's side.

After Sabo, Ivankov, and the army commander of the South Sea led their forces to join in.

They directly broke the deadlock in Santo Reiya head-on.

Within half a month, they completely overthrew the aristocratic regime of the South Sea nation Santo Reiya, fully liberating the country.

On the other side, the main revolutionary force, led by leader Dragon, headed toward Tequila Wolf—a bridge nation in the East Sea known as the Labor Country.

The people here are citizens of nations that refused to join the World Government and 'criminals' who rebelled against the World Government, forced to toil at bridge-building every day.

This great bridge has been under construction for seven hundred years.

It represents the World Government's tyrant-like rule, which has not changed for a full seven hundred years.

This is also a nation the Revolutionary Army has prioritized for liberation.

……

A Celestial Dragon has been killed.

Admiral Akainu lost an arm.

One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Crocodile, attempted to usurp a kingdom, only to be defeated by a rookie pirate crew.

The Ancient Weapon Pluton has reappeared in the world.

The Four Emperors entrenched in the New World continue to make moves.

The Revolutionary Army has been liberating nations one after another.

……

While the world was being shaken by one major event after another.

Luo En, at the eye of the storm, was fishing by the seaside of Rusukaina Island, which was overrun with savage beasts, together with Lei Li. Nearby, Kuina and Conis were roasting savage beast meat until it was mouthwateringly fragrant.

Leisurely and pleasant.

195. Above the Empty Throne, Lord Imu

After a meal of tender, delicious roasted meat.

Luo En lay on a rock by the shore, basking in the sunlight, his face full of enjoyment.

"When do you plan to go to Shedao?"

Lei Li, sitting nearby with an iron wine jug in hand, asked him.

Luo En smiled: "Any time works. Have you thought over what I mentioned?"

Lei Li took a swig of wine: "I'm already old. At most I can hold off a few Admiral candidates for you."

"That's enough."

Luo En smiled.

Lei Li looked at him, a hint of emotion flashing in his eyes behind the lenses: "To launch a battle that overturns the World Government... even an old man like me is getting fired up."

"Regarding this matter, how confident are you?"

"Hard to say right now—it depends on the final assembled strength. Lei Li, about the World Government's Five Elders... do you know their strength?"

"The Five Elders, huh..."

Lei Li thought for a moment: "They hold high positions; ordinary people can hardly even get a glimpse of them. Their strength and abilities are extremely mysterious. Even when I was on Luo Jie's ship, I never dealt with them, so I'm not too clear on their strength or background."

"I see... got it."

Luo En nodded.

"Luo En kid, is that Ancient Weapon Pluton really in your hands?"

Lei Li asked curiously.

"No, I don't even know where that thing is, but Luo Bin does know." Luo En said casually: "Since she feels that thing is best left unseen in the world, let it keep sleeping. I don't really need that weapon."

"I see..."

Lei Li looked at him and took a sip of wine with a smile.

He was satisfied with Luo En's answer.

The strong always believe in their own power.

Only the weak and those who wish to enforce violent rule over this sea need such cold, killing weapons.

"But now the World Government has leaked the news. Everyone who wants to seize Pluton will probably see you as a target. Big Mom and Kaido among the Four Emperors also seem to show signs of joining forces because of you, a threat."

Lei Li drank his wine. "If those two join forces, the might of Rocks from back in the day could very well descend upon the sea again. Could that affect your plans?"

"It doesn't matter."

Luo En said breezily, "If we go to war with the World Government, the victor decides who holds the world's voice. An existence on the level of an Emperor of the Sea couldn't possibly stay out of it. There are three choices—stand with us, stand with the World Government, and… join forces together."

"Of those three choices, the likelihood of standing with the World Government is the lowest, and the other two choices don't have much impact on my plans."

"Big Mom is hard to say, but for Kaido, who longs to start 'the greatest war in the world'… even if he has a grudge against me, he wouldn't refuse me on this matter."

"He might even become a great asset to us."

Lei Li listened to his words and nodded lightly.

Kaido really is that kind of guy.

"Whether it's Kaido, Whitebeard, or Big Mom, I can roughly guess their moves. But that Red-Haired Shanks… I can't figure out what he'd do."

Luo En suddenly asked, "Lei Li, what kind of guy is Red-Haired Shanks?"

"Shanks, huh…"

Lei Li thought for a moment and said, "A few years back I saw him once at Sabaody Archipelago. Very strong—or rather, his strength is a bit unfathomable, completely different from when he was on Luo Jie's crew. That little intern back then has actually become this strong. Quite surprising, hahaha."

Lei Li laughed heartily.

"Aside from his strength, his personality is still the same as before—bold and generous, not fussy over small matters, his clothes and manner very casual, free and easy. In that respect, he's a bit like Luo Jie."

"That's the same as saying nothing."

Luo En shook his head and stood up.

"Looks like I'll have to go to the New World and meet him."

The plot from the original work where Red-Haired Shanks goes to meet the Five Elders still nags at him a little.

And that Imu, whom even the Five Elders hold in awe…

Luo En touched his eyes with his hand.

Fifteen days remain before these Tenseigan awaken.

"Let's go, to Shedao."

……

On the way Lei Li was taking Luo En's group to Shedao.

The Holy Land, Mariejois.

The deepest part of Pangu City.

The Room of Flowers.

Imu, the leader of the Celestial Dragons, the hidden ruler of the World Government, draped in an extremely long black robe, sat upon the Void Throne.

The Five Elders knelt prostrate below the tall staircase, their expressions humble and reverent.