This novel is finished, and I have posted all the advanced chapters on my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/darkshadow6395
Boom!
A figure fell from the sky, smashing straight through the ocean surface and vanishing beneath the waves.
Although the Sabaody Archipelago was shielded by the Red Line and thus didn't suffer the most severe damage, it was still in chaos at the moment. As a result, no one noticed this single, dramatic disturbance.
…
Holy Land, Mary Geoise
"At least this proves that Imu's range of action isn't limited to the Holy Land… hmm, though that proof is pretty much useless now."
Watching the events unfold through the Heavenly Network, Rowen gently exhaled a wisp of white smoke from his cigar and muttered to himself.
"Don't worry, I won't come to the Room of Flowers… that's our agreement, isn't it?"
No one answered, but something in the air, a subtle pressure of observation, visibly dispersed because of those words.
As long as Poseidon remained undefeated, neither side was willing to go to all-out war, but necessary precautions were still in place.
Since ancient times, warfare had thrived on deception. Fools who unconditionally trusted their opponents deserved whatever fate awaited them.
"Hmph! Such a cautious little thing!" In the hidden Room of Flowers, Imu opened their eyes and murmured softly, annoyance coloring their tone.
"If you really dared to come, it would actually make things much easier for me."
With a casual wave of their hand, humanoid black shadows emerged from every corner of the room and merged into the roiling black mist behind Imu, their forms baring fangs and claws.
It was clearly a trap.
If Rowen truly believed Imu had left and barged into the Room of Flowers, what awaited him would be a thunderous, decisive strike!
Afterward, Imu turned their gaze toward the outside world, their voice laced with cold fury.
"Mountain Ancestor… you mindless, foolish beast! This is not yet the time for you to emerge."
…
The Deep Ocean
Gurgle…
A black figure shot downward at tremendous speed, trailing a rapid stream of bubbles as it plunged deeper into the dim seabed.
It sped past the irregular fissure along the Red Line's solid rock wall, the only passage pirates used to reach the New World without scaling the wall. But that wasn't the black figure's destination. It continued downward, soon passing the silent, desolate ruins of Fish-Man Island.
The corpses from the massacre years ago had long been cleared away, leaving vast uninhabited areas behind. Aside from the Marine garrison, where a mere two or three small clusters of soldiers lived, the rest of the island resembled a ghostly wasteland.
"So the observation post has ended up like this… honestly."
The black figure did not alert the stationed troops. As if it didn't even need to breathe, it silently skirted Fish-Man Island and continued deeper into the dark sea.
Only after the bioluminescent sunlight brought by the Sunlight Tree Eve had completely faded behind it did the black figure finally stop.
Suspended quietly in the dark seawater, it raised its head. A pair of crimson eyes emerged on its face, glowing faintly.
"Mountain Ancestor!"
A deep, powerful sound wave spread through the immeasurable depths, rippling the seawater as it surged outward in all directions.
As the sound faded into the distance, the deep ocean returned to silence.
A few seconds later…
Buzz!!
A powerful, resonant tremor came from all directions. In the pitch-black ocean behind the figure, a pair of cold, glowing lights suddenly appeared.
No, more than a pair.
As if something unimaginably vast had been awakened, countless points of light, dense as a star-filled sky, lit up across the seabed. Each one was as large as a battleship. Being there felt like standing in the cosmos itself, facing the boundless void of outer space.
Yet the black figure remained unmoved, its gaze fixed firmly on the murky darkness ahead.
Then…
Crack… crack-crack!
Rock layers that had accumulated for untold ages began to split apart, accompanied by a thunderous roar. The black figure stood directly above as the rock beneath its feet collapsed continuously.
Boom… Rumble!
Amid terrifying tremors, the ground instantly caved in, forming a massive basin of unimaginable size. Compared to its sheer area, even super–large-scale Sea Kings were insignificant.
And yet…
This was merely an eye socket.
Gurgle…
Faint bioluminescent light bloomed from all directions of the "basin," illuminating the entire seabed. Even though the light was weak, across such an immense area it was more than enough to light up the deep-sea world.
A cold, emotionless eye appeared within the glow. It rotated twice and, aided by the bioluminescence, located the source of the sound: the black figure.
Then…
"ROAR!!!"
A terrifying, colossal bellow resounded through the seabed. Rock and sediment that had accumulated for countless ages blasted apart in all directions, layered shockwaves surging upward and instantly shattering innumerable stone formations.
At the same time, a powerful earthquake struck Sabaody. The islands, built upon the interwoven roots of the Yarukiman Mangrove, displayed their excellent conductivity; large swathes of buildings collapsed and fell, dust and debris billowing skyward.
However, the black figure seemed to exist in an entirely different space. No matter how terrifying the roar was, it stood silently in the ocean, unmoving.
Shattered rocks shot through the chaotic currents like bullets, yet without exception, every piece passed straight through the black figure's body.
"Fortunately, I never let this seed leave my sight, otherwise, I really wouldn't have had any way to deal with you."
Seeing the colossal eye, the black figure spoke calmly, then raised a hand.
"But letting you stay this awake won't do either. Sleep… sleep in sweet dreams."
Buzz!
An invisible force spread outward from the black figure, gradually filling the seawater. Sensing that familiar fluctuation, a tremor appeared in the Mountain Ancestor's enormous eye.
It remembered, across who knew how many springs, summers, autumns, and winters, every time it was about to awaken, it was this very power that forced it back into slumber.
Now, even fully awake, it felt an instinctive fear toward that power.
And anger!
"ROAR!!"
The terrifying roar sounded again. If one stood atop the Red Line, they would see the constantly struggling claw suddenly go berserk, like a dying fish, thrashing with all its might upon a chopping board.
However, what was happening deep within the New World could not interfere with the black figure's actions. The invisible force pierced the Mountain Ancestor's immeasurable body and slowly sank into it.
"Wooo…!"
The roar, heavy with rage, gradually turned into an unwilling wail. The Mountain Ancestor exhausted all its strength, yet still could not resist the encroaching sedative power.
Finally…
Pop!
As an enormously oversized bubble rose from the seabed, the dim bioluminescence vanished in an instant, and darkness reclaimed everything. The Mountain Ancestor had fallen back into forced slumber.
…
Holy Land, Mary Geoise --- Room of Flowers
"Ugh…"
At the same time, Imu let out a muffled groan. The healthy color drained from their face in an instant, a profound cost for Rowen's action.
Wrinkles crept across the corners of Imu's eyes. Having aged decades in a single heartbeat, Imu slumped into the chair and took a deep, shaky breath.
"That detestable Soryu (Azure Dragon)!"
Those profound eyes were fixed on the direction of Pangaea Castle. Imu clenched their teeth inwardly, but in the next moment, suddenly laughed, a dry, rasping sound.
"However, it doesn't matter. I've recovered my strength. I'll let you understand what true power really is."
…
Pangaea Castle, Rowen's Office
"…I'll let you understand. That day isn't far off."
At the same moment, as Rowen sat in Pangaea Castle awaiting news, Imu's message echoed in his mind.
"The Mountain Ancestor has fallen back into slumber. You'd best ensure… There won't be a next time."
'Next time, you won't be able to control it? Or next time you'll just throw in the towel?'
Naturally, Rowen didn't ask such provocative questions. He folded up the newspaper he wasn't reading and smiled easily.
"Don't worry. She won't get a second chance."
After waiting for a long while, Imu did not reply.
Rowen shrugged indifferently and lit another cigar.
"Judging by the timing, the Straw Hats should be just about recovered."
"Hmm… just don't know how they're doing. Hopefully, they didn't die in the earlier Sea Howls."
(End of Chapter)