A Private Talk at the Table
The heavy mahogany doors slowly opened, the ancient creaking of hinges echoing through the empty corridor.
Roy followed Nefit Lily into the conference room.
This is the highest council chamber of the Twenty Countries.
The towering vaulted ceiling is adorned with stained glass windows depicting deities and royalty. Sunlight filters through, casting dappled patterns on the floor, giving the entire hall a seemingly sacred yet subtly turbulent atmosphere.
The moment Roy stepped in—
"Whoosh!!"
From both sides of the long table, 19 sharp, blade-like gazes were simultaneously cast upon them!
The air seemed to freeze, and an invisible pressure suddenly swept over, making the entire conference hall feel suffocating.
Nineteen kings or leaders, dressed in magnificent attire and each with a different air about them, all had piercing eyes.
Some squinted and sneered, some frowned, and others had sinister expressions, their scrutiny and wariness undisguised.
"Nefit Lily... you actually brought an outsider in?"
Who is this guy?
"His aura is unfathomable..."
Quiet murmurs of doubt rose and fell.
After a brief silence, a person dressed in a white robe and wearing a golden crown slowly spoke.
"Lily, who exactly is this?"
Roy's eyes flickered, and he looked in the direction of the voice, a slight jolt running through him.
That face, not yet completely covered by indifference and ruthlessness, still carried an air of haughty arrogance.
--Nairona Imu.
At this time, He was merely the king of one of the Twenty Kings.
But the aura of authority that emanated from his very bones already hinted at a future of "supreme" status.
Lily's eyes were clear, her expression calm, and her voice resounded firmly throughout the hall:
"Gentlemen, this powerful figure has shown great interest in our 'Slaying Joy Boy' plan."
"With his strength, he might be able to influence the course of this war."
"Oh?"
Imu raised an eyebrow and a cold smile curled at the corner of his lips.
"If such a powerful individual truly existed, why would they have waited until now to appear?"
His gaze pierced Roy like a blade, his voice cold and tinged with disdainful skepticism:
"Could it be a spy sent by Joy Boy?"
Before the words had even finished --
"Whoosh!!"
Roy vanished in an instant!
In the next instant, he appeared silently in front of Imu, their noses almost touching!
"When?!!"
Imu's pupils constricted sharply, and he retreated rapidly, his body undergoing a dramatic transformation.
"Bang!!"
Dark black Demon Wings unfurled from his back, his sharp tail lashed out like a steel whip, and eerie dark red patterns instantly crawled all over his skin!
The conference room erupted in gasps of surprise!
"Imu... he didn't even react?!"
"This person's speed..."
However, Roy did not give chase, but simply stood there calmly.
His gaze fell on Imu's wings and tail, a meaningful smile playing on his lips:
"Just as I thought..."
Lily suddenly stepped forward, standing between the two, her arms slightly outstretched, her voice cold yet steady. "Enough!"
"Everyone, please calm down!"
She surveyed the entire room, her tone firm. "This powerful figure harbors no ill intentions; his purpose is clear—he intends to participate in this campaign to 'defeat Joy Boy '!"
"Joy Boy's power is expanding rapidly, and we need all possible assistance."
"You've all witnessed his strength in the demonstration just now."
A brief silence fell over the conference room.
Imu stared intently at Roy, his gaze seeming to pierce through him to the bone.
For the first time, an unprecedented unease welled up in my heart:
--Just who is this person?!
Alabasta Restaurant
The aroma of Barbecue filled the air, and sizzling fat dripped onto the charcoal fire, sending up enticing smoke.
On either side of the spacious dining table, the three brothers were already in "battle mode"—
Bones piled up like mountains, and chunks of meat were continuously devoured, as if their stomachs could never be filled.
"Sabo! Another one!!"
Luffy reached out and snatched the biggest piece of meat from the grill, stuffed it into his mouth, and mumbled incoherently.
Ace laughed heartily, grabbing the weapon as he asked, "Sabo, how's the Revolutionary Army doing lately?"
Sabo's movements were much more refined than his brothers'; his knife and fork-cutting technique even exuded elegance, yet his speed was by no means slow.
He took a sip of juice, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Not bad. Mr. Dragon has been planning something big lately."
At this point, he glanced at the two of them, his tone slightly teasing. "But compared to us, you two are definitely more sensational."
"The 'Fire Fist' and 'Flame Dragon' brothers, the New Generation of naval warriors, are now renowned New World."
Ace proudly raised his fist, flames dancing on the back of his hand. "Of course! I'm going to be a Marine Admiral!"
With his Luffy raised his hand, mumbling, "Me too! Me too!!"
At the other end of the table, the atmosphere was much quieter.
Nami, Nojiko, Robin, and Koala were elegantly enjoying Desserts and black tea.
Nami, holding a glass of chilled juice, looked at Robin curiously. "Robin, I heard you used to be an archaeologist?"
Robin gently stirred his tea and replied with a smile, "Yes, now too."
She paused, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes. "But now, I enjoy life in the Revolutionary Army even more."
Nojiko blinked and couldn't help but ask, "Was it Roy who took you to the Revolutionary Army?"
Robin nodded, her eyes softening. "Yes. He saved me and took me to see Dragon..."
Later I learned that Jaguar D. Saul was actually still alive.
"Dragon took me to see him when he had some free time, and at that moment, my inner conflict was completely resolved."
"Therefore, I decided to make the Revolutionary Army my true home."
Nami and Nojiko at each other, their mouths agape in astonishment.
"Huh?! Jaguar D. Saul? That Giant Race general?!"
Robin chuckled and nodded, "You know him too?"
Nami excitedly replied, "Of course! Roy told us about him; he's a kind-hearted Giant Vice Admiral!"
Koala, resting her chin on her hand, smiled and said, "Sister Robin is incredibly popular in the Revolutionary Army; everyone loves her!"
"Koala..." Robin blushed slightly and coughed softly.
The cheerful atmosphere was only halfway through when it was suddenly interrupted by a remark from Sabo.
"Ace, Luffy-- "
Sabo's voice suddenly deepened, carrying an unprecedented solemnity.
"Brother Roy has been missing for over a year... is that true?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the previously noisy desktop fell silent.
Ace's smile gradually faded, his fist clenched unconsciously, and flames flickered in his palm.
"Yes... it's true."
Luffy stopped moving, unusually refraining from his silly grin, and instead lowered his head, his voice muffled. "Roy... where did he go...?"
The air seemed heavy and oppressive.
Robin put down his teacup, his brow furrowing slightly. "With Mr. Roy's strength, what place in this world... could possibly hold him back?"
Nami sighed softly and tapped her fingertips on the table:
"If it weren't for Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Vice Admiral Garp, and Professor Zephyr jointly guaranteeing that Roy would be alright... Marine Headquarters would have Overturn the World long ago."
Koala frowned as well. "But ever since Brother Roy disappeared, various forces in the New World, especially Pirates, have started to stir again."
Nojiko took a newspaper from her small bag, pushed it into the middle of the crowd, and said in a serious tone:
"Breaking news: The Red Hair Pirates have stolen something from Vegapunk."
As for what it is, we haven't found out yet.
"What?!"
Sabo, Robin, and Koala all changed color almost simultaneously.