"Rocks?!"
Upon hearing this, the Five Elders were all taken aback.
Especially Jaygarcia Saturn Saint, who instinctively touched the scar on his face.
Even though fourteen years had passed, the mention of that name still brought a faint ache.
"In 1480, Rocks led his pirate crew with the intention of breaking into the 'New World,' but he discovered that the flagship he had brought from the West Sea was too large to pass through the fissure beneath the Red Line Continent. Left with no choice, he had to switch to another ship."
Imu's tone was slow but detailed, clearly explaining the background of the incident. The five below listened attentively, as they hadn't paid much attention to the matter of Rocks' crew changing ships back then. After all, what mattered were the people on the ship, not the ship itself—it wasn't the 'Pluton.'
"Are you suggesting that the former flagship of the Rocks Pirates is large enough to serve as a naval base for the Reverse Mountain branch? But where is it now?" Shepherd Ju Peter Saint, who was in charge of intelligence, hesitantly asked, while quickly recalling information related to the ship in his mind.
It had been over a decade, and his memory was a bit hazy, but he could always have the records pulled up later. The other four Elders looked equally astonished—just how big would a ship have to be to serve as a naval base?
After all, in their memories, the Rocks Pirates were primarily associated with the 'New World' era.
"The ship is called the Thriller Bark, and it is likely the largest ship in the world. Based on the future visions I've seen, it will later become the flagship of Gecko Moria. It should currently be deep within the misty sea," Imu said coldly.
He remembered clearly that next year, when Gecko Moria and his crew fought Kaido in Wano Country, his flagship was not the Thriller Bark.
According to the background information, Moria likely retreated into the misty sea after his defeat, where he encountered the Thriller Bark and claimed it as his territory.
It was referred to as territory rather than a flagship because, later on, whether Moria went to participate in the Summit War or ventured into the 'New World' to rescue Absalom from Blackbeard, he never brought out the Thriller Bark.
Clearly, Moria also understood that the ship was too large to be practical for use as a vessel.
"Gecko Moria? Isn't he that pirate rookie who was just given a bounty of 120 million Berries?" Shepherd Ju Peter Saint had some awareness of pirates with bounties exceeding 100 million Berries.
"His Shadow-Shadow Fruit ability is quite intriguing, as is his racial lineage. Find an opportunity to dispatch CP0 to capture him alive."
Imu issued the command without hesitation. The current Gecko Moria hadn't fully matured yet, and while sending CP0 might seem like overkill, Imu didn't want to give him any time to grow. Capture him first, then deal with him later! "As you command," Shepherd Ju Peter Saint replied respectfully, bowing his head. He then added, "I will also send personnel to investigate the misty sea area."
Lord Imu nodded and instructed, "Once you locate the Thriller Bark, immediately mobilize the craftsmen to begin its transformation. The castle and other structures on it must be redesigned in the Navy's style, especially that red-lipped, white-toothed gate—tear it down directly."
"Yes, Lord Imu!" the Five Elders responded in unison.
"That's all for now. Once these preparations are complete, we'll consider the new branch's base commander. Next, let's discuss the matter of Fish-Man Island," Imu said, his eyes flickering with thought.
Outside Pangea Castle.
A dozen Holy Guards stationed at the entrance to the "Land of the Gods" noticed three Celestial Dragons—two men and one woman—seated on the backs of their slaves, accompanied by a group of suited attendants. They were even wearing their bubble helmets, clearly preparing to leave.
As the Celestial Dragons approached, a captain saluted respectfully and asked, "Saint Winifred, where are you headed?"
"Open the gate! I'm going to Sabaody Archipelago with Saint Leopold and Princess Veronica for some fun!" Saint Winifred declared arrogantly.
The captain, his expression hidden beneath his helmet, hesitated and said, "Saint Winifred, the Five Elders issued an order recently. Without permission, no World Nobles are allowed to leave the 'Land of the Gods.'"
"Hmph, so what? I've been cooped up for days. It's just a little trip, and I'll be back soon. Open the gate!" Saint Winifred snapped angrily.
He was well aware of the Five Elders' decree, but he didn't believe that simply going out for fun would result in the loss of his Celestial Dragon status. Besides, he had brought Saint Leopold and Princess Veronica with him.
No one would dare strip a Celestial Dragon of their status, not even the Five Elders!
"I... I'm deeply sorry, but I cannot disobey the Five Elders' orders," the captain gritted his teeth and held his ground.
"How dare you!"
Enraged, Saint Winifred pulled out a flintlock pistol from his pocket and, without hesitation, fired at the captain.
Bang! A searing bullet shot out, but the Holy Guard's armor was no mere paper. The bullet ricocheted off with a sharp clang, leaving everyone present pale with shock—including the captain and Saint Winifred himself.
"Finger Gun!"
At the critical moment, one of the suited attendants standing behind the three Celestial Dragons flashed forward. His elongated index finger moved like a blur, deflecting the incoming bullet.
"Whew—"
All the Holy Guard soldiers exhaled in relief, including the captain, though he knew he was in deep trouble now.
Regardless of the reason, the bullet had indeed bounced off him and nearly struck Saint Winifred. This could easily be interpreted as an attack on a Celestial Dragon!
"You dare attack me?!" Saint Winifred roared, his face flushed with fury, though he no longer dared to use his pistol.
"..."
The captain's eyes beneath his helmet were filled with despair. He was doomed. The best outcome he could hope for was to be enslaved and tortured to death.
"You! Kill him!" Saint Winifred ordered the CP7 member who had just protected him.
Saint Leopold and Princess Veronica looked on with disdain and sneers, eagerly anticipating the scene of the Holy Guard captain being beaten to death. Meanwhile, the other two CP7 members remained coldly standing behind them.
"Hmm?"
Just as the CP7 member who had been ordered was about to respond, a "purupuru" sound rang out. He pulled out a small Den Den Mushi in confusion, and the next moment, it spoke with an icy and emotionless voice.
"Saint Neferud's attack on the Holy Guard is considered a forced entry into the 'Land of the Gods,' a severe violation of the Five Elders' decree. As per regulations, his status as a World Noble will be permanently revoked, and he will no longer enjoy any privileges or qualifications."
"Order: Arrest Neferud immediately and imprison him in the Holy Land's jail!"
As soon as the words fell, the Den Den Mushi closed its eyes without hesitation. However, Saint Neferud was utterly terrified.
Even Saint Leopold and Princess Veronica beside him panicked, climbing down from their slaves' backs and distancing themselves from him by four or five meters.
At the same time, the CP7 member slowly turned around, his cold gaze shifting from Neferud's protector in the previous moment to his captor in the next! Perhaps even Imu hadn't anticipated that he had truly underestimated the foolishness of the Celestial Dragons.
Imu sat atop the Empty Throne, his golden rippled eyes gazing down upon you, the insignificant readers, and spoke coldly, "Offer up your collections, recommendations, and comments, and I shall lead you to conquer all realms and multiverses, standing atop the rankings, overlooking all existence!"