On the side of Mary Geoise, Im sat on the Empty Throne, controlling the situation and directing the actions of the administrative department and CP agents scattered across the world.
Including the letter sent to Dragon, it was he who expressed his thoughts under the guise of the Five Elders' name.
Monkey D. Dragon, leader of the Revolutionary Army.
Such an important person and matter, how could someone as clever as him overlook it?
The day after Roger's public execution, he ordered the Five Elders to dispatch CP6 to monitor Dragon at the G-3 branch. If any signs of defection were detected, CP0 was to be notified to intercept and capture him.
Moreover, the order specifically mentioned that if Dragon's resistance became too intense and capturing him alive was impossible, direct elimination was permitted!
Of course, Im preferred not to kill if it could be avoided. Besides being wary of Garp, Dragon was a talent in his own right, and it was only fair to give him a glimmer of hope.
But if it truly became necessary, he would not hesitate to strike.
Not to mention Dragon, even Garp—if he could not be utilized, what harm would there be in acting as a masked assassin? However, from the recent report relayed by the Five Elders regarding CP0, it seemed that Dragon was quite rational and had not been swept away by extreme emotions.
After all, if he didn't possess some extraordinary qualities, how could he become the world's most notorious criminal? Now, it seemed that Dragon had been stabilized, and Im believed that under his control, the World Government would improve, thus eliminating Dragon's reason to form the Revolutionary Army.
A good thing!
As for the matter concerning the Sorbet Kingdom in the South Blue, that was also orchestrated by Im; otherwise, no one had the right to unilaterally alter the amount of heavenly gold.
Although this heavenly gold essentially served as the World Government's membership fee, it was nominally a tribute to the Celestial Dragons, from which the Five Elders would allocate some as funding for various departments of the World Government, the Navy, Judicial Island, and Impel Down.
As the King of the Celestial Dragons, the financial authority over the heavenly gold naturally belonged to Im, while the Five Elders merely acted as caretakers, having no right to decide how much should be taken.
Thinking of Bartholomew Kuma, not only was his combat power quite impressive, but the ability of his Devil Fruit was also crucial, capable of playing a significant role if utilized properly.
However, according to intelligence gathered by CP2, it seemed that his fruit ability had yet to awaken, which greatly diminished its value.
It was the same principle: first, pacify him, and take it slow. That night, Im once again summoned the Five Elders to the Empty Hall, and everyone had grown accustomed to the recent frequent meetings.
The Five Elders did not need Im to specifically inquire; they began to report on the matters he had previously instructed.
The bald elder with a mustache, kneeling in the center, spoke first.
"Lord Im, this afternoon we have gathered all the merfolk and fish-men within Mary Geoise and dispatched doctors and psychologists to provide them with the best treatment for their physical and mental well-being. We plan to return them to Fish-Man Island once their conditions improve."
His words sounded simple and harmless, but Im discerned from them that these merfolk and fish-men had likely suffered greatly at the hands of the Celestial Dragons.
Indeed, if they were sent back to Fish-Man Island now, covered in scars and emotionally numb, they would likely harbor deeper hatred rather than gratitude.
This Elder's handling of the situation could be described as quite mature and prudent.
"Well done. For their injuries, use the best doctors and medicines. Please invite the doctors from the Drum Kingdom and aim to have them fully recovered within a month."
At this point, Im paused, as he had always harbored an idea: to establish a medical school based on the Holy Land's medical department.
Gathering the world's most outstanding doctors to collect, organize, and research medical techniques, that Dr. Kureha was the most suitable candidate for the position of director in his mind, more than qualified in terms of age, experience, and medical skills.
Perhaps in the future, they could truly develop the 'universal cure' that Tony Tony Chopper dreamed of?
"As for the psychological issues, summon Vice Admiral Tsuru from the Navy. Use her Wash Wash Fruit ability to directly erase the negative emotions of the fish-men and merfolk, restoring Fish-Man Island to a nation of optimistic, pure, and kind-hearted citizens!"
As Im spoke, his gaze showed no signs of fluctuation, only coldness and ruthlessness.
He did not care whether this would cause any irreversible effects or side effects on the mental state of those fish-men and merfolk; he only needed to ensure that it would not affect relations with Fish-Man Island.
Besides, as long as no one spoke of it, who would know? Even if Fish-Man Island found out, it could be framed as helping them heal their psychological trauma and live better lives.
At least, on the surface, a clean and sunny disposition was not a bad thing.
"Your will is our command."
The Five Elders responded in unison, and then the kneeling Topman Wokuli Saint continued to report.
Since these administrative matters were under his purview, he was the one to manage them.
"Lord, according to reports from CP members across various regions, all twenty-three kings we have initially contacted have expressed their support for the agenda and signed the scroll."
Im nodded from the Empty Throne, quite satisfied with this result.
"Good. Then continue as before, prioritizing kings with good reputations among their citizens and the poorer small nations. The only goal is to ensure that the voting process goes smoothly. Once the agenda is formally passed, we will immediately take action to push for its execution with maximum effort!"
"Yes, Lord Im."
"How is CP5 doing? Have they found that terrifying three-masted ship?" Im coldly gazed at the lowered heads of the five men as he asked.
When this matter was mentioned, the golden-haired, most handsome and robust Shepherd Saint Peter answered:
"Lord, the foggy conditions in the area known as the Devil's Triangle are too harsh. So far, three CP5 members have gotten lost inside and can only confirm they are alive through Den Den Mushi."
Im's brow furrowed slightly; he did not ask why they didn't use a compass.
Because he knew that the magnetic field of the Grand Line was extremely chaotic, and ordinary compasses were useless, while permanent pointers only pointed to the next island, rendering them practically ineffective in that foggy environment.
This was also the reason why experienced captains had avoided the Devil's Triangle for centuries.
Ah! Im's eyes lit up as he recalled the content of the original work and suddenly thought of a solution.
"Since the main issue lies in locating direction, that's easy to solve—just find a 'compass'!"
Below, the kneeling Five Elders almost simultaneously furrowed their brows, instinctively wanting to voice that compasses were useless, but ultimately held their tongues.
Yet their confusion remained; how could Lord Im not know such common knowledge?
Im, high above, could not see the expressions of the Five Elders with their heads bowed, but he could guess some of it.
"In the forests of Gaia Island, there exists a giant bird whose beak always points south, no matter where it is. Send CP5 to find it!"
"There's such a miraculous bird?" Marcus Mas Saint recalled historical documents he had once read, surprised as he spoke: "Gaia Island, I remember it's not…"
"Once, it was special, but it is not anymore."
Im did not want to dwell too much on such matters; what was most important now were the present and future issues.
"Have them find a few more, and establish a department specifically for breeding these guide birds. Meanwhile, let the Navy send a fleet to clear out the pirate town above, and in the future, it will serve as a base for breeding guide birds!"
"Your will is our command."