The Elusive Thriller Bark!

Over in Mary Geoise, Imu sat upon the Empty Throne, controlling the overall situation and remotely directing the Administrative Department and Cipher Pol's operations across the world.

Even that letter to Dragon had contained what he wanted to say, written under the Five Elders' name.

Monkey D. Dragon, the Revolutionary Army.

How could someone as intelligent as him possibly overlook such an important person and matter?

The day after Roger's public execution, he had ordered the Five Elders to send CP6 to watch Dragon at the G-3 Branch. The moment they detected any signs of defection, they were to notify CP0 to intercept and capture him.

Not only that, the order had specifically stated that if Dragon resisted too fiercely and could not be captured alive, they were permitted to kill him outright!

Naturally, Imu preferred not to kill if he could help it. Aside from being wary of Garp, Dragon himself was a talented man. This could be considered giving him one last chance at survival.

But if it truly became necessary, he would absolutely show no mercy.

Forget Dragon—even Garp, if he truly could not be used by him, what was wrong with playing the role of a masked assassin for once?

However, judging from the CP0 report the Five Elders had just relayed, this Dragon was quite rational. He had not been blinded by extreme emotions.

That made sense. Without something extraordinary about him, how could he become the world's most dangerous criminal?

Now things were good. Dragon had been stabilized. Imu believed that under his control, the World Government would only grow better and better, leaving Dragon with no reason to establish the Revolutionary Army.

A good thing!

The matter of the Sorbet Kingdom in the South Blue had naturally also been Imu's handiwork. Otherwise, no one had the authority to alter the amount of the Heavenly Tribute without permission.

Although the Heavenly Tribute was essentially the World Government's membership fee, it was nominally an offering to the Celestial Dragons. The Five Elders then allocated a portion of it as funding for the various World Government departments, the Marines, Enies Lobby, and Impel Down.

And as the king of the Celestial Dragons, Imu naturally controlled the financial authority over the Heavenly Tribute. The Five Elders were merely stewards. What right did they have to decide whether the master should demand more or less?

When he thought of Bartholomew Kuma, aside from his considerable combat strength, his Devil Fruit ability was the true priority. Used properly, it could play an enormous role.

However, according to intelligence gathered by CP2, his Fruit ability had likely not awakened yet. That greatly reduced his value.

The same principle applied: pacify him first, then take it slowly.

That night, Imu once again summoned the Five Elders to the Empty Throne Hall. Everyone had grown accustomed to their increasingly frequent meetings.

The Five Elders did not need Imu to ask. They began reporting on the matters he had previously assigned, one by one.

The bald old man with a figure-eight mustache, kneeling at the very center, spoke first.

"Lord Imu, this afternoon, we gathered all Merfolk and Fish-Men within Mary Geoise in one place. We have dispatched doctors and psychologists to provide the best treatment for their bodies and minds. Once their condition improves, we plan to send them back to Fish-Man Island."

It sounded simple enough, nothing remarkable on the surface, but Imu could tell from it that these Merfolk and Fish-Men had likely been tormented terribly by the Celestial Dragons.

Indeed, if they were sent back to Fish-Man Island now, covered in wounds and mentally shattered to the point of numbness, they would most likely receive not gratitude, but even deeper hatred.

This Five Elder's handling of the matter was exceptionally seasoned and prudent.

"You've done well. Use the best doctors and medicine for their injuries. Invite doctors from Drum Kingdom and restore them as completely as possible within a month."

Imu paused here, because he had long harbored an idea: to establish a Medical Academy on the foundation of the Holy Land Medical Department.

It would gather the finest doctors from around the world to collect, organize, and research medical knowledge. Dr. Kureha was the most suitable dean in his mind. Whether in age, qualifications, or medical skill, she was more than qualified.

Perhaps they could truly develop the Panacea that Tony Tony Chopper dreamed of in the future?

"As for their psychological issues, summon Vice Admiral Tsuru from the Marines. Use her Wash-Wash Fruit ability to directly wash away the negative emotions of the Fish-Men and Merfolk, and return to Fish-Man Island citizens who are optimistic, pure, and kind!"

Imu's eyes did not ripple in the slightest as he spoke. There was only coldness and ruthlessness.

He did not care whether doing this would cause irreversible effects or side effects on the minds of those Merfolk and Fish-Men. He only needed to ensure it would not affect their relationship with Fish-Man Island.

Besides, as long as no one spoke of it, who would ever know?

Even if Fish-Man Island found out, they could claim that they were helping them heal from psychological trauma so they could live better lives.

At the very least, having a sunny and clean personality on the surface was not a bad thing.

"We shall obey your will."

The Five Elders answered in unison. Then Saint Topman Warcury, kneeling in the center, continued his report.

He was the one who oversaw these governmental affairs in the first place.

"My lord, according to reports from Cipher Pol agents across various regions, all twenty-three kings we have initially contacted have expressed support for the proposal's passage and signed the scroll."

Imu nodded from atop the Empty Throne, very satisfied with this result.

"Good. Continue as before. Prioritize kings with good reputations among their people, as well as poor small countries. There is only one goal: ensure that nothing goes wrong during the voting process. Once the proposal formally passes, begin acting immediately and push its implementation with full force!"

"Yes, Lord Imu."

"How is CP5 doing? Have they found that Thriller Bark?" Imu asked, coldly watching the five lowered heads.

At the mention of this matter, Saint Shepherd Ju Peter—the blond, most handsome and powerfully built among them—replied, "My lord, the dense fog in the sea known as the Florian Triangle is too severe. So far, three CP5 agents have gotten lost within it. We can only confirm through Den Den Mushi that they are still alive."

Imu frowned slightly. He did not ask why they were not using compasses.

That was because he knew the Grand Line's magnetic fields were exceptionally chaotic. Ordinary compasses were completely useless, while Eternal Poses only pointed toward the next island, making them practically useless in that fog.

This was also why even experienced captains had avoided the Florian Triangle for centuries.

Ah!

Imu's eyes lit up. Recalling the original story, he suddenly thought of a solution.

"Since the main problem is determining direction, that's easy enough. Just find a 'compass'!"

Below, the Five Elders kneeling on the ground nearly frowned at the same time. They almost instinctively blurted out that compasses were useless, but ultimately swallowed the words.

Yet their confusion remained. How could Lord Imu not know such common sense?

Imu, seated high above, naturally could not see the Five Elders' expressions as they lowered their heads, but he could guess more or less what they were thinking.

"In the forests of Jaya, there is a type of large bird whose beak always points south, no matter where it is. Send CP5 to find it!"

"Such a miraculous bird exists?" Saint Marcus Mars recalled historical records he had once read and said in surprise, "Jaya... I remember it wasn't—"

"It once was. It was special then, but it is no longer."

Imu did not want to dwell on such matters. What mattered most now was the present and the future.

"Have them find several more, then establish a department specifically to breed these Compass Birds. Also, have the Marines send a fleet over and clear out the pirate town there. From now on, that place will serve as the breeding base for Compass Birds!"

"We shall obey your will."

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