Imu's Loneliness and Troubles!

Imu casually plunged his longsword into the moonlike gray ground.

Though there was not a drop of sweat on him, upon returning to the warm, brightly lit cabin, he still habitually went into the bathroom for a shower.

[Whoosh—]

As the showerhead turned on and warm water sprayed down, Imu raised his face, closed his eyes, and enjoyed the comfort of the moment.

Yet after drying himself off, changing into a clean bathrobe, and dropping onto the soft sofa, he looked at the empty surroundings and suddenly felt a little lonely.

The excitement he had felt at suddenly gaining invincible strength, supreme authority, and the wealth of enemy nations—

Even the thrill of being able to call himself the ruler of this planet—

Had gradually calmed after so much time. He had also begun to grow accustomed to his power and status.

But deep down, he was still just an ordinary person who had crossed over less than two years ago. He did not possess the previous Imu's cold, ironlike heart.

As a normal person, he truly wished someone could keep him company, exchange a few heartfelt words with him now and then, and ease the pressure in his heart.

But he also knew perfectly well that, given his current status, he could not casually allow anyone to come into contact with him.

The Moon Chamber looked supreme and inviolable, the most mysterious and noble place on the entire planet.

But from another perspective, it was also a spacious Cell, even if he could leave whenever he wished.

Back then, he had thought that becoming Imu through transmigration, compared to those who had become pirates, civilians, slaves—

Or prisoners, was practically the luckiest possible start.

But on closer thought, those people could at least adventure across the seas, admire the beautiful sights of different lands, and experience all kinds of extraordinary events.

Wasn't the most appealing thing about crossing into this world of One Piece the bizarre islands and creatures?

Right, and all kinds of Devil Fruit abilities, but he could not easily try those either.

If he truly went out someday, he would have to consider every aspect carefully.

Still, thinking about it, with his current strength, there should be nothing on this planet capable of threatening him.

But Imu also knew well that the oceans of this planet were far more mysterious and dangerous than those of his previous life.

All kinds of supernatural phenomena emerged endlessly. No matter how unbelievable an accident he encountered, it would not be strange.

As for Devil Fruits—

Honestly, aside from the Devil Fruit he was currently searching for—

He did not care about any of the others at all!

Then it seemed all that remained was finding someone to keep him company.

And naturally, that someone meant a woman. Given his status, getting a beautiful woman should have been easy.

Take the maids who attended to his daily needs. Outside, every one of them would be considered a top-tier beauty.

Before crossing over, if any one of them had become his wife, he would have treasured and spoiled her.

But things were different now. Imu felt that even if he were to build a harem, the quality of the women in it had to be guaranteed at the very highest level!

It was just that the current point in time was rather awkward. Those great beauties of the future were either not born yet or still far too young—calling them little girls would not even be appropriate.

And he had no interest in raising one from childhood.

There were also some who had once been great beauties but were now too old, such as Vice Admiral Tsuru of Marine Headquarters.

In the end, for the next dozen years or so, he would still have to bear the loneliness and solitude at the top of this world alone.

Sigh—

Just as this king of the world in every practical sense fell into enviable helplessness and jealousy-inducing troubles atop the Red Line, several thousand meters above sea level—

In the deep sea ten thousand meters beneath him, at the base of the Red Line—

Another king, fifty-six years old, was currently radiating pink bubbles of happiness from head to toe.

He gazed lovingly at the blue-skinned infant lying in his wife's arms atop the luxurious bed.

"Otohime, let me hold him. I want to touch Fukaboshi too."

At this moment, King Neptune had none of the bearing of the ruler of Fish-Man Island. He looked more like a child drawn to a toy, staring eagerly at the beautiful, delicate blonde queen.

Queen Otohime's face still bore obvious exhaustion, but her eyes were exceptionally bright. Hearing her husband's words, she examined his twelve-meter-tall body and enormous palms, then looked down at the tiny baby in her arms before firmly shaking her head.

"No. Fukaboshi was born less than five hours ago. He is too small, and his body is too soft. Please wait a few more days."

"Ah, well..."

Upon hearing the refusal, King Neptune's face immediately filled with disappointment. But he loved the woman before him too much to force the issue. Just then, a beautiful mermaid attendant entered.

"Your Majesty, the Minister of the Right has arrived. He says he has an urgent matter to report."

"Is that so? Then let him in!" King Neptune said casually.

Ordinarily, he should have gone out himself and spoken with him in the small hall outside.

But at this moment, he was still immersed in the joy of becoming a father for the first time. He truly did not want to leave his wife for even a second.

"Yes, Your Majesty." The mermaid attendant naturally had no objections and respectfully turned to leave.

Soon, the Minister of the Left, a catfish Fish-Man clad in a purple robe, walked in.

At this time, he was only approaching middle age. He did not look as old as he would in the future, nor did he hold that horned cane.

"Greetings, Your Majesty! Greetings, Your Majesty the Queen!"

Queen Otohime nodded gently, while King Neptune asked directly, "What is it?"

"Yes. The Minister of the Left just sent someone to report that a World Government ship is waiting outside the entrance to the Gas Storage, requesting entry," the Minister of the Left said steadily.

The World Government?!

King Neptune instinctively turned to exchange looks with Queen Otohime. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Perhaps it is for this year's Reverie?"

"That should be it."

King Neptune thought so as well. He immediately instructed the Minister of the Left, "Inform the Minister of the Right to welcome them in. At the same time, have the main hall prepared. We will meet them there!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The Minister of the Left acknowledged the order and left to handle the matter.

"Your Majesty, may I listen from the side later?" Queen Otohime asked softly.

"This..."

King Neptune hesitated. Of course, he knew what she was concerned about.

When he had first become King of Fish-Man Island, he had heard that his newlywed wife had begun traveling everywhere for the ideal of peaceful coexistence between the Fish-Man Race and humans.

But honestly, he did not agree with it much. He felt it was too unrealistic. He knew what the World Government was like, but he could not stop her, so he could only let her do as she pleased.

"Your Majesty~"

Queen Otohime's voice became even gentler. Such undisguised coquettish pleading instantly broke through King Neptune's defenses. Scratching the back of his head, he chuckled foolishly. "All right!"

Thirty minutes later, the king and queen, dressed neatly in magnificent royal robes, sat in their seats within the banquet hall. One was mighty and imposing, while the other was dignified and virtuous.

The hall was extravagantly luxurious, spacious, and lofty. Everywhere the eye could see was filled with the finest coral and pearls, while a massive shell stage stood in the center.

Since they were receiving personnel from the World Government, there were no musicians or dancers on the stage in order to maintain a solemn atmosphere.

Not long after, a mild-mannered young man in a black suit and leather boots arrived outside the hall atop a giant bubble-coated flounder, accompanied by two capable-looking attendants dressed similarly.

Unfortunately, at this point in time, even if the protagonist wanted to build a harem, there was no one available. It cracked me up—I spent ages checking the ages of a whole bunch of beauties, and damn, most of them had either just been born or had not been born at all.