Deep within Pangaea Castle.
Flower Room.
The air seemed to have solidified into lead, crushing the breath from everyone's lungs.
The five elders who stood at the pinnacle of world power now knelt beneath the steps like humble servants.
At the end of the staircase, a pitch-black silhouette sat upon the Empty Throne.
Imu looked down upon the Five Elders from above, with not a trace of warmth belonging to the living in his eyes.
"Empire..."
"Mere ants dare touch the authority of gods."
The icy syllables emerged from beneath Imu's veil.
All the flowers and plants in the Flower Room instantly withered into ash.
"Lord Imu."
"The Empire's fleet has split into nine forces and launched a full-scale invasion of the Grand Line."
"Their vanguard, the Uchiha Clan, has just killed Saint Charlos."
The sword-bearing elder lowered his head even further, pressing his forehead against the cold marble.
"Marine Headquarters exists in name only. Conventional forces cannot stop those monsters at all."
The elder with the handlebar mustache hurriedly added, his voice trembling with suppressed fear.
Imu gave a cold snort.
That snort struck the Five Elders' hearts like a heavy hammer.
"Activate Uranus."
Those four simple words sent all five elders shuddering.
Uranus, the foremost of the three ancient weapons controlled by the World Government, possessed the world-ending power to instantly erase a large island.
The long-bearded elder gathered his courage and raised his head, cold sweat covering his face.
"But..."
"Lord Imu, activating Uranus requires a special source of energy."
"It requires the Creator's bloodline—the lives of the Celestial Dragons!"
Uranus did not operate on electricity or firepower.
Its core furnace needed to devour the flesh and blood of pure Celestial Dragons to unleash its devastating power.
Imu's gaze grew even colder, as if looking upon a