Former Rocks' Main Ship!

"Rocks?!"

The Five Elders were all startled upon hearing that name.

Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, in particular, instinctively touched the scar on his face.

Though fourteen years had already passed, hearing that name still made the wound ache faintly.

"In 1480, Rocks led his pirate crew in an attempt to enter the New World, only to discover that the main ship he had brought from the West Blue was too large to pass through the fissure beneath the Red Line. Left with no choice, he changed ships."

Imu's tone was slow but detailed, clearly laying out the full story. The five below listened intently. Back then, they truly had not paid much attention to the Rocks Pirates changing ships. After all, what mattered was the people aboard, not the ship itself. It was not Pluton.

"You mean the Rocks Pirates' former main ship is large enough to serve as a Marine base for the Reverse Mountain branch, but where is it?" Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, who oversaw intelligence, asked hesitantly, while rapidly recalling everything related to that vessel.

More than a decade had passed, and he could not remember clearly. Still, he would know once he returned and had the records retrieved. The other four were even more astonished. Just how large would a ship have to be to serve as a Marine base?

After all, their impression of the Rocks Pirates mainly came from their time in the New World.

"This ship is called Thriller Bark. It should be the largest ship in the world. According to the future scenes I saw, it will later become Gecko Moria's main ship. It should currently be deep within the Mist Sea," Imu said coldly.

He remembered clearly that next year, when Gecko Moria led his crew in a great battle against Kaido in Wano Country, his main ship had not been Thriller Bark at all.

According to the background information, he should have fled into the Mist Sea after his defeat, encountered Thriller Bark there, and claimed it as his territory.

The reason it was called territory rather than his main ship was that later, whether he went to participate in the Summit War or headed to the New World to rescue Absalom from Blackbeard, Gecko Moria never sailed Thriller Bark out.

Clearly, Moria also understood that the ship was simply too large to be used as an actual vessel.

"Gecko Moria? Isn't he the pirate rookie who was just given a bounty of 120 million Beli?" Saint Shepherd Ju Peter paid some attention to pirates with bounties exceeding a hundred million Beli.

"His Shadow-Shadow Fruit ability is quite interesting, as is his racial bloodline. Find an opportunity to send CP0 to capture him alive."

Imu gave the order without hesitation. The current Gecko Moria had not grown strong yet. Though dispatching CP0 was somewhat like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, Imu had no intention of giving him time to grow. Capture him first!

"As you command." Saint Shepherd Ju Peter lowered his head and replied respectfully, then added, "I will also dispatch personnel to investigate the Mist Sea."

Imu nodded and instructed, "Once Thriller Bark is found, immediately have craftsmen begin modifying it. The castle and all other structures on it must be redesigned in the Marine style. Especially that gate shaped like red lips and white teeth—tear it down directly."

"Yes, Lord Imu!"

The Five Elders responded in unison.

"That will do for now. Once these preparations are complete, we can consider the commander of the new branch base. Next, let us discuss Fish-Man Island." Imu's gaze flickered.

Outside Pangaea Castle.

More than ten Holy Guard soldiers stationed at the entrance to the Land of the Gods noticed three Celestial Dragons—two men and a woman—seated atop their respective slaves' backs as they slowly approached, accompanied by suited attendants. They had even put on their bubble helmets, clearly preparing to leave.

When the Celestial Dragons drew near, a captain respectfully saluted them before asking, "Saint Winifred, what is this about?"

"Open the gate. Saint Leopold, Saint Veronica, and I are going to the Sabaody Archipelago for some fun!" Saint Winifred said arrogantly.

The captain's expression beneath his helmet turned troubled. "Saint Winifred, the Five Elders issued an order a few days ago. Without permission, no World Noble may leave the Land of the Gods."

"Hmph, so what? I'm practically suffocating after being stuck here these past few days. I'm only going out to have fun for a few days. I'll naturally come back afterward, so open the gate!" Saint Winifred snapped furiously.

Of course he knew about the Five Elders' order, but he did not believe that simply going out to have fun would truly cost him his status as a Celestial Dragon. Besides, he had brought Saint Leopold and Saint Veronica with him.

No one would dare directly strip Celestial Dragons of their status, would they?

Not even the Five Elders!

"This... I am deeply sorry, but I do not dare disobey the Five Elders' orders," the captain said, gritting his teeth and holding firm.

"You've got some nerve!"

Saint Winifred flew into a rage, pulled out a Musket from his pocket, and pulled the trigger at the captain without another word.

Bang!

The scorching spherical bullet shot forward, but the plate armor worn by the Holy Guard was not made of paper. The moment the bullet struck it, it ricocheted away with a sharp clang. The sight drained the color from everyone's faces, including the captain and Saint Winifred himself.

Shigan!

At that critical moment, one of the suited attendants who had been standing behind the three Celestial Dragons flashed to the front. His long index finger became an afterimage as it flicked the incoming bullet away.

"Whew—"

All the Holy Guard soldiers let out a breath of relief, as did the captain, though he knew he was in serious trouble.

Regardless of the reason, the bullet had indeed ricocheted off his body toward Saint Winifred. That was more than enough to be considered an attack on a Celestial Dragon!

"You dared attack me?!"

Sure enough, once Saint Winifred recovered his senses, he flew into a furious rage, his entire face turning red. Yet he no longer dared use the Musket in his hand.

"..."

The captain's eyes beneath his helmet had become utterly Despair. He was finished. At best, he would become a slave and be tortured to death by the other party.

"You! Beat him to death for me!" Saint Winifred ordered the CP7 agent who had just protected him.

Saint Leopold and Saint Veronica looked on with disdainful sneers, eagerly anticipating the sight of the Holy Guard captain being beaten to death. The other two CP7 agents remained standing behind them with indifferent expressions.

"Yes—hm?"

Just as the CP7 agent who had received the order was about to comply, a burururu sound rang out. He took out a small Den Den Mushi in confusion. The next moment, the Den Den Mushi spoke in a voice utterly cold and merciless.

"Saint Winifred attacked the Holy Guard, which is deemed an attempt to force his way through the Land of the Gods gate. This is a severe violation of the Five Elders' prohibition. In accordance with the regulations, his status as a World Noble is permanently revoked, and he shall no longer enjoy any privileges or qualifications."

"Order: Arrest Winifred immediately and imprison him in Holy Land Prison!"

The moment the words ended, the Den Den Mushi closed its eyes without any hesitation. Saint Winifred, however, was utterly terrified.

Even Saint Leopold and Saint Veronica, beside him, climbed down from their slaves' backs in panic and moved a full four or five meters away from him.

At the same time, the CP7 agent slowly turned around and looked coldly at Saint Winifred.

One second he had been a protector; the next, he had become an arresting officer!

Perhaps even Imu had not expected that he had truly underestimated the stupidity of the Celestial Dragons.

Imu sat upon the Empty Throne, his Golden Ripples eyes looking down upon you insignificant readers as he said coldly, "Offer up your favorites, recommendations, and comments. I shall lead you to crush the Heavens and Myriad Worlds and the multiverse beneath our feet, stand atop the rankings, and look down upon all living beings!"