I'm Actually This Strong!

Holy Land, Mary Geoise, Pangaea Castle, Moon Chamber.

Imu reclined on a comfortable sofa, intently watching the high-definition footage projected by the Den Den Mushi. It showed Sengoku, Garp, and Shiki locked in a fierce battle outside Marineford.

Shockwaves collided everywhere, columns of water and spray surged one after another, ice chunks and Warship wreckage exploded without end, and the three men moved with unbelievable speed and skill amid bursts of dazzling golden light. It felt like watching a top-tier blockbuster.

Before his transmigration, he would not have been able to see these people's movements at all. But things were different now. Having fully adapted to his own strength, his dynamic vision could easily capture every detail of the fight.

Imu picked up the wineglass from the coffee table, swirling the crimson liquid within as he chuckled.

"With this, Marineford can avoid having most of it destroyed. Kuzan will have it rough, though."

It was naturally Imu who had informed the Five Elders in advance that "Golden Lion" Shiki would attack Marine Headquarters, after which they relayed the information to Fleet Admiral Kong. As for having Kuzan create a vast ice field outside the harbor, Sengoku was said to have come up with that idea.

The current Kuzan was somewhat stronger than an ordinary Vice Admiral, but he had yet to reach the Navy Admiral level. He could not freeze an entire sea with a single Ice Age.

Thus, from noon until dusk, he had remained busy. After all, he was preparing a battlefield for three major powerhouses, so the ice's thickness and area had to be carefully worked on.

As for Imu, watching the fierce battle between three of the world's strongest fighters would help him gain a deeper understanding of just how great the gap between them and himself was.

Memories were only memories. As a transmigrator, there were some things he had to witness for himself.

It had to be said that watching the three fight made his sense of security rise with every passing second. Combined with the National Treasure in his possession, he had only one thought.

So I'm actually this strong!

"Looking at it this way, I have quite a few trump cards and resources on my side. Now it all depends on how I use them." Imu took a sip of red wine, savoring its sweet, smooth taste on his tongue, his gaze thoughtful.

"There are still twenty-four years until the final battle from the original story, but now that I'm here, many things can no longer remain unchanged. In that case, once Roger is executed, I'll begin next year."

It was currently the end of December, 1497. Next year, in 1498, a new Reverie would be held!

Three days later, the World Economic Journal released an extra edition, and its contents once again shocked the entire world.

The bold black headline on the front page read: <Shocking! Golden Lion Shiki Captured and Imprisoned!>

This time, the article gave a detailed account of how Shiki, because Roger had been captured, had attempted to attack Marine Headquarters alone, only to be defeated by the prepared Navy Admiral Sengoku and Marine hero Garp. He had now been locked up in the world's greatest prison, Impel Down.

There was also an exceptionally clear photograph printed alongside it, showing Shiki covered in wounds and lying before Sengoku and Garp. It was a record of one of the Marines' finest moments.

Just days ago, Pirate King Roger had been captured and was about to be publicly executed. Now even the Admiral of the Golden Lion Pirate Fleet, which had dominated the New World for more than a decade, had been dealt with by the Marines.

Kingdoms and forces everywhere were profoundly intimidated by the overwhelming strength displayed by the Marines. At the same time, the World Government's authority became even more deeply ingrained in people's hearts, while the pirates causing trouble across the Four Seas instinctively began to restrain themselves.

Within Level 6 Infinite Hell, the sixth underground level of Impel Down, the nearly five-meter-tall Magellan stood in the dark corridor, studying the new tenant inside the iron Cell. Several Chief Wardens who had specifically come over stood around him as well, all of them there for the man within.

"So this is 'Golden Lion' Shiki? Other than his thick hair, he doesn't seem all that impressive. Yet they specifically asked us to put an extra pair of handcuffs on him." Shiryu held a cigar between his lips, wearing a sinister grin, while inwardly considering finding an opportunity to stab him and see what it felt like. The feel of cutting into one of these big shots had to be more interesting.

Magellan, the Vice Warden, looked at Shiki, whose hands and feet were restrained as he lay flat on the cold floor, and spoke.

"The Warden said the people above did this to stop him from cutting off his own feet and using the Float-Float Fruit's power to escape. From now on, all Devil Fruit prisoner on the sixth level must wear handcuffs."

"What? Cut off his own feet?!"

The Chief Wardens, Shiryu included, were all stunned for a moment. Then they immediately considered whether, if such a thing really happened, they could stop the man inside.

According to the records, Shiki was not only an awakened Float-Float Fruit user, but also a Great Swordsman-level dual-blade swordsman with top-tier Haki. At that thought, all of them felt a chill run down their spines.

"Enough. You've seen him. Disperse," Magellan ordered in a deep voice.

"Yes!"

"Alright."

The Chief Wardens promptly answered and returned to their respective levels. Shiryu left with them after giving Magellan's back a deep look. Magellan himself remained where he was. About twenty minutes later, the Warden personally arrived with several people.

"Magellan, open the Cell door. These people were sent by the World Government. They need access to Shiki."

Magellan looked them over. There were five people in total. Three wore standard black suits and leather boots, each exuding a capable air, while the other two carried small white cases and did not seem to be combat personnel.

"Understood."

The Warden had given the order, so of course he had to obey. The key to the Infinite Hell Cells was on him.

Naturally, the Warden had one as well, but how could they make the boss handle this sort of thing personally?

Very soon, Magellan opened the Cell door. The two people carrying cases and one of the men in black entered, while the remaining two black-suited personnel stood guard at the entrance with an attitude that clearly forbade anyone from entering.

"What is this?" Magellan asked the Warden in confusion, but the latter only shook his head.

"Don't ask. It has nothing to do with us. I heard they'll be coming often in the future. You only need to bring them here, then open and lock the door."

Magellan nodded silently.

The people inside moved quickly. Less than five minutes later, they emerged and hurried away behind the Warden without saying a word.

Magellan watched them leave, then approached the Cell door and looked inside. He found that Shiki, who was still unconscious, had not changed in any way.

In the Moon Chamber, Imu received a Den Den Mushi call from the Five Elders.

"Lord Imu, Shiki's blood has arrived safely at Punk Hazard."

"Mm. Have Dr. Vegapunk try to replicate the Float-Float Fruit. This ability will be of great use to our World Government. Its priority is higher than the research into Kaido's genes and abilities. Also, keep a close watch on Shiki. He is not allowed to die, nor is he allowed to be crippled. He still has his uses!"

"As you command!"

[Click]

Imu placed the receiver back atop the Den Den Mushi's head and gazed through the window at the lunar landscape and the scattered Galaxy beyond.

He was thinking about Vegapunk.

According to the original story, Vegapunk had clearly perfectly replicated Kaido's Azure Dragon Fruit, yet claimed to the World Government that it was a failed product. Did the latter truly believe it had failed, or did Vegapunk know it had succeeded and lie about it?

It seems this doctor isn't an honest man either.

And then there was "Golden Lion" Shiki. Imu had originally intended to send Vice Admiral Tsuru over to Wash-Heart him, then have someone brainwash him into becoming a loyal hound of the World Government. But he had thought of an even better idea and held himself back.

His plan would still require waiting a few more years. First, he had to find a key item.

There was no rush. He could take it slowly.

Imu's gaze lingered in the depths of the sky, upon the bright moon above.