In the stillness of the night, the enormous full moon appeared once again.
"Lord Imu, the doctors from the Drum Kingdom are currently treating the merfolk and fishmen. According to their estimates, it will take about fifteen days for them to recover."
In the Void Hall, the Five Elders knelt below the platform, with the one in the middle respectfully reporting.
"On the psychological front, although Vice Admiral Tsuru was initially reluctant, she eventually stepped in to cleanse the negative emotions from their hearts."
Imu was quite satisfied upon hearing this.
Indeed, Tsuru couldn't bear to see the merfolk continue to live in despair, numbness, and hatred. She also considered their lives, as if they maintained an extreme attitude towards the World Government, they would inevitably be disposed of. She had no doubt about the World Government's ruthlessness in this regard.
But for Imu, regardless of her psychological changes, as long as the result was satisfactory, it was enough.
"Gecko Moria has also agreed to become a jailer at Impel Down, responsible for cutting off prisoners' shadows and managing the severed shadows. According to Warden Columbus's feedback, although he is quite cold towards his colleagues, he is responsible in his work. However, he often sends food and water to his fellow inmates in the 'Starvation Hell' without permission, which gives the warden a headache."
"Let him handle that aspect himself. As long as it's not too excessive, let Moria be. We just need him to obey and work diligently," Imu's tone remained cold.
Impel Down holds nearly six hundred thousand prisoners, and the workload Gecko Moria faces is immense, not to mention the influx of more prisoners to come.
According to intelligence feedback from Cipher Pol across various seas, rumors about the 'Pirate King's Great Treasure' are intensifying, and the Navy is gradually noticing an increase in pirates at sea.
"What about the matter of the Thriller Bark?"
This time, Shepherd Ju Peter Saint was responsible for answering, speaking respectfully, "With the help of three South Birds found in the forests of Jaya Island, CP5 has located it in the misty seas and is now figuring out how to control it."
"Hurry up with the modifications. The undercurrents of the Great Pirate Era are surging everywhere, and we need it to suppress the 'tsunami' sweeping the world!"
Imu coldly looked down as he issued the command.
"Yes, Lord Imu," the Five Elders responded in unison.
"Also, bring that brat from the Donquixote family to see me. I have a use for him!" Imu added.
This statement, however, left the Five Elders exchanging puzzled glances, their eyes filled with obvious confusion and bewilderment, but they still complied.
"We shall obey your command!"
Then, Topman Warcury Saint, kneeling in the middle, spoke up, "Should we summon the other one as well? I remember he's almost twenty."
Imu frowned for a moment but quickly realized who he was referring to. After a moment of thought, he said, "Not for now. Wait until he turns twenty next year."
He couldn't think of any immediate arrangements for that boy, so it was better to let him continue to roam freely and hone his skills.
"Yes, Lord Imu!"
Just as the Five Elders thought the audience was over and prepared to bid their respectful farewells, another command came from the lofty throne.
"In a few days, I will be going out. Prepare a vehicle with flight capabilities for me, and ensure it has ample space!"
What! The Five Elders were utterly shocked, their heads snapping up in unison as they stared at Imu in astonishment. Their thoughts were nearly identical: Lord Imu is actually going out?
This man had been secluded in the Chamber of the Moon for hundreds of years. Could it be that he was finally feeling restless after so long?
"What, is it not allowed for me to go out?"
Seeing the astonished looks on their faces, Imu's tone carried a hint of displeasure as he retorted, instantly turning the Elders' shock into fear.
"No, no, no! It is your freedom, of course we have no objections. However, your safety is of utmost importance. Could you inform us of your destination and the duration of your trip?"
Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro Saint, holding the first-generation Shodai Kitetsu, asked softly.
"There are many places I plan to visit, and the duration of my trip is still uncertain. I will depart after this Levely concludes, so make haste in your preparations. We can communicate via Den Den Mushi if anything arises."
Imu thought for a moment before giving a brief response.
Indeed, for over a year now, he had been confined to the Chamber of the Moon, with his activities limited to Pangea Castle. It had been suffocating and frustrating.
The previous Imu had been a recluse for over eight hundred years, but he couldn't do the same. The outside world was so beautiful and exciting, and he had long wanted to explore it. Moreover, there were some matters that required his personal attention.
As for the vehicle, it needed some thought. Taking a ship would be too slow, and it couldn't fly. If he were to use Moon Walk, he could fly and move quickly, but it would look rather unimpressive, wouldn't it? He, the great Lord Imu, the de facto ruler of the entire planet, needed to maintain some level of grandeur.
Additionally, while traveling, he would inevitably encounter many trivial matters. Surely, he couldn't handle all of them himself?
"Understood, Lord Imu. But what identity will you be using during your trip? And your appearance..." Marcus Mars Saint asked with concern.
"Prepare a new, unremarkable identity for me as a Celestial Dragon, along with 'invisible contact lenses' that can conceal my pupils without affecting my vision. As for my appearance, I haven't been seen in public for centuries, so no one will recognize me."
Imu had already thought this through and spoke his plans unhurriedly.
The Five Elders could tell that their lord was determined to go out, so they didn't press further. From here on, they only needed to assist him in his preparations.
"Regarding Impel Down, I need to have someone transferred out. Send someone to notify them," Imu suddenly added as an afterthought.
The 'Six-Person Meeting' concluded, and the Five Elders returned to the 'Chamber of Authority.' As soon as they sat down on the sofa, they began their own small discussion.
"Regarding Lord Imu's vehicle, does anyone have any ideas?" Topman Warcury Saint, seated in the central position, spoke first.
"It's indeed a bit tricky. The requirement for ample space is manageable, but the main issue is his demand for flight capabilities," Jaygarcia Saturn Saint, with his flat cap and bushy beard, lamented.
Marcus Mars Saint, with his long, straight hair, thought for a moment and suggested, "Perhaps we could consult Dr. Vegapunk and see if the Science Unit can create a flying ship?"
"Even if they have the capability to create it, with less than three months left until the Levely, will there be enough time?" Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro Saint, holding the Shodai Kitetsu, retorted.
"This..."
"Then let's try the Devil Fruits, the ability to fly," Shepherd Ju Peter Saint pondered for a moment and suddenly said, "Isn't Shiki still locked up in the 'Infinite Hell'? Find a way to make him obedient, and the problem will be solved!"
"Lord Imu previously mentioned that he has other uses for him. Apart from drawing blood to provide research materials for the science division, we are not to touch him lightly," Topman Warcury Saint shook his head.
"Then what other options do we have?" Shepherd Ju Peter Saint grew frustrated.
At this moment, Jaygarcia Saturn Saint, wearing a flat cap, spoke up, "Devil Fruits are a good solution. Although Shiki can't be used, we can look for others. The treasury is practically overflowing with Devil Fruits. Have the subordinates search thoroughly; there must be something usable!"
A few days ago, following Lord Imu's orders, they had confiscated all the Devil Fruits from the other Celestial Dragons to prevent those fools from wasting them. At the same time, they had people categorize and record them according to the encyclopedia.
Thus, the number of Devil Fruits in the hands of the Five Elders was no exaggeration to describe as a 'small mountain.'
As for the commotion among the Celestial Dragons, ever since one was stripped of their status, all the Celestial Dragons had quieted down, obediently handing over both mermaids and Devil Fruits.
"Alright, let's proceed with that. Start searching!"
This was one of the accumulated resources of the World Government over hundreds of years.