The Pinnacle of Haki and the End of Strength!

The Void Grand Hall was quiet, but as soon as the door opened, the noisy sounds of battle outside immediately rushed in.

Ortolan and Imu stepped out of the room.

The moment the two of them appeared, the battle outside quickly ceased. The Five Elders, Yi Xiao, and the others all looked at the two with great surprise and uncertainty.

What's going on?

We're fighting to the death outside, how come you two are chatting and laughing like this?

This doesn't make sense, does it?

As Ortolan and Imu observed the situation outside, their expressions differed. Imu's expression was slightly smug, and he even gave Ortolan a deliberately provocative look.

As for the original text, it's simple.

In this chaotic battle, only Dragon, Bartholomew Kuma, and Issho remained in good condition. Doflamingo was covered in injuries; despite Awakening his abilities, he was still no match for them. Hina, as Phoenix user, was also alright, but her face was weak and pale, and she was about to give up. Lucci, he had already collapsed.

It can be said that, at least at this stage, the Five Elders and others have the upper hand.

That's why Imu seemed a little smug, but this smugness wasn't arrogant; it was more like the smugness of a close friend showing off some impressive achievement, which inexplicably made Ortolan both amused and exasperated.

"Don't think they can really win..." Ortolan rolled his eyes at Imu.

Although there are only three of them— Dragon, Bartholomew Kuma, and Issho— Ortolan believes that they will ultimately be the ones to win!

The Five Elders and others can only bully characters like Doflamingo who can't grow up, and characters like Lucci who haven't really grown up yet.

"At least I look better than you now, hahaha..." Imu laughed.

Then, he stepped forward, patted Saint Figarland on the shoulder and said, "There's no need to continue fighting. Take good care of them and wait here for me and Ortolan."

When Saint Figarland was patted twice on the shoulder, he almost knelt on the ground in fear.

He'd served Imu for a long time, but when had he ever received such warm treatment? It was always the five of them kneeling before the main hall, waiting for Im-sama to reprimand them. And today he was even getting a pat on the shoulder?

Therefore, he was very certain that Im-sama must be in a very good mood at this moment, a mood he had never seen before, to the point that he was much more friendly towards them.

"Could it be... that my decision to bet on Ortolan is a blessing or a curse, or is it still uncertain?!" Saint Figarland's heart stirred with excitement.

At first, when Ortolan was loyal, Saint Figarland Vochuri was satisfied. But when Ortolan was no longer loyal, he lived in constant fear, terrified that Im-sama would settle scores with him and have him skinned alive.

Now, he felt confident again!

Im-sama's attitude clearly indicates that he won't settle scores with him later. Among the Five Elders, he has the best relationship with Ortolan.

From this perspective, regardless of what the outcome is between Im-sama and Ortolan, he will have an advantage over the other Five Elders!

When Imu patted him on the shoulder, the other Five Elders were also stunned, and for a moment they were confused. What was going on? Wasn't Ortolan a rebel?

Perhaps this is why Imu never took the Five Elders seriously; there was an insurmountable gap between them and Imu, whether in terms of thought, beliefs, or strength.

The things they value—rule of state, the World Government, the Celestial Dragons, the Celestial Dragons, and so on—are, in Imu's eyes, disposable. He doesn't care at all. All of them combined are less valuable than a single hair on Uranus's Uranus, let alone someone like Ortolan who can stand on the same level as him.

For the first time in hundreds of years, Imu met someone who could stand shoulder to shoulder with him and whom he found agreeable. How could Imu, who had been feeling incredibly lonely and had stood at the highest point for hundreds of years, not be happy?

Celestial Dragons? No, no, no, Ortolan is his kin!

The rest are all ordinary people, not worth mentioning!

Imu had given these instructions to the Five Elders, Ortolan could only smile and nod to them, saying, "I'll spar with this old man, you all wait here for me..."

Hearing Ortolan's words, the Five Elders were terrified and started calling Im-sama "Old Den"?

To their surprise, Im-sama was not angry. Instead, he chuckled and scolded, "Kid, don't be so arrogant..."

One was called Lao Deng, and the other Xiao Gui. They didn't seem to be very polite to each other, but the others felt a bit awkward. What exactly happened between the two of them in such a short time in the main hall? Why did they act like long-lost best friends?

But no one came to explain anything to them, and soon Imu led Ortolan away from Panger Castle.

The God's Abode, the dwelling place of the Celestial Dragons, is off-limits to all except their servants and slaves.

At this moment, the God's Abode was quiet and peaceful. The Celestial Dragons were all hiding in their own castles and manors, waiting for the outcome of the war on the front lines. No one dared to show themselves.

Im-sama thus led Ortolan into this so-called God's Abode in a grand manner.

Then they arrived at the headquarters of the Holy Knights.

It was a magnificent castle, and outside the castle was a huge training ground, sturdy and exquisitely constructed, clearly the place where the Holy Knights usually sparred and trained.

"Beneath our feet lies Uranus," Imu said, standing in the training ground.

Ortolan glanced down, completely oblivious to the situation.

"The entire God's Abode is built upon Uranus... Of course, only a handful of people know this," Imu explained.

Under Ortolan's somewhat questioning gaze, Imu continued, "The Red Line holds special significance and mission. If it were to collapse here, you'd have a lot of headaches to deal with later. But Uranus is incredibly sturdy; only here can withstand the combined power of the two of us without collapsing too much..."

"Special significance and mission?" Ortolan asked with a hint of curiosity.

"Heh, you don't need to think about these things. Only if you win is it necessary to consider these future circumstances. If you lose, you'll leave here with me, and no matter how great the flood, it won't concern you." Imu waved his hand, clearly not intending to say anything more.

Seeing this, Ortolan stopped asking questions.

Arriving at the center of the training ground, the two stood facing each other. Imu spoke, "Touching the limits of power, reaching the so-called other shore, standing in the heavens—is this your description and understanding of this realm?"

Upon hearing this, Ortolan blushed. "Damn it, here we go again?"

Do you also know the saying "standing in the heavens"?

"More or less..." Ortolan casually replied.

"You reached this realm based on strength, but different paths lead to the same destination. Reaching this realm is not solely due to strength..." Imu said softly.

At that moment, he slowly raised his arm, gently clenched his fist, and raised an eyebrow. "Guess what I used as the foundation to reach this level?"

Imu's physique appears slender, and unless he can unleash his full power, he is clearly not a strength-type fighter. This is something Ortolan is particularly aware of, especially as a man standing at the pinnacle of strength. He is absolutely certain that unless he has eaten Devil Fruit, the top-tier strength-type fighters cannot appear slender on the surface but actually unleash terrifying strength from their small bodies when they go berserk... that's all nonsense.

Physical strength is a manifestation of power!

"Haki!" Ortolan answered without hesitation.

From the moment he saw Imu, even though he didn't make a move, Ortolan had already sensed that Imu was exuding a powerful Haki aura that seemed to overflow and flow onto the ground!

Although he never used Haki power in his every move, the Haki that naturally emanated from him was still unstoppable!

What does this mean? It means that Imu's Haki has become so strong that it's overflowing. His body can no longer contain such powerful Haki, so it keeps overflowing outwards at all times!

Ortolan has seen many Haki and domineering masters, but he has never seen one as strong as him before!

I estimate that this will be the only time we'll see each other.

"That's right...it's Haki!" Imu nodded in approval.

As soon as he finished speaking, he clenched his fist, and then, a Haki power, like a tsunami, surged out!

"I call this power the World... If you want to take this world, first destroy it, Ortolan!" Imu roared.

Feeling the overwhelming surge of Haki, Ortolan's lips curled into a ferocious smile, "The ultimate goal of power is the unity of body and mind, unwavering and consistent. Whether it be the world or anything else, my power will advance relentlessly!"

A wild and violent aura, accompanying Ortolan's declaration, erupted from his body. His long, silver hair cascaded down his shoulders, like the bright moonlight...

A dazzling display of light and thunderous roar tore apart the overwhelming tide of Haki, its defiant energy echoing across the high skies of Mary Geoise!