Mary Geoise, the Holy Land. The Void Hall in Pangaea Castle.
Atop the Empty Throne, Imu appeared before the Five Elders for the first time since the incident at the Sabaody Archipelago. He sat high above them, looking down at the Five Elders, God's Knights commander Garling, and their captain, Shamrock.
The Five Elders had just brought him news. In the waters held by the Whitebeard Pirates in the New World, Oak, Whitebeard Newgate, Golden Lion Shiki, and Kaido of the Beasts—survivors of the Rocks Pirates—had gathered once more.
No one knew what they intended to do together, but it had to be something big.
That had been the Five Elders' first thought upon receiving the intelligence, so they needed Lord Imu to decide what to do.
Whitebeard and Golden Lion alone would not have warranted disturbing Lord Imu. But Oak changed everything. He was no longer someone they could handle.
Seated on the Empty Throne, Imu tapped his fingers against the metal beside him after hearing their report.
"Vegapunk's research facility is in the New World, isn't it?"
Only after a long pause did Imu speak. His question was directed at Saturn.
As the Warrior God of Science and Defense, Saturn oversaw the World Government's scientific research. Vegapunk's facility had always been a particular focus of his.
At Imu's question, Saturn immediately raised his head.
"Yes, Lord Imu!"
Imu stared hard at him.
"How is Vegapunk's Mother Flame research progressing?
"How much longer until it succeeds? I recall pressing you about this before!"
A stern edge entered Imu's gaze. Saturn broke out in a cold sweat.
"L-Lord Imu!"
He tried to explain, but Imu cut him off before he could finish.
"Go to the New World now. I don't care what methods you use—bring Vegapunk and the Mother Flame