Mary Geoise — Room of Flowers.
Surrounded by immaculate rows of rare, meticulously maintained blossoms, Imu stood with a faintly bored expression. The air was calm, fragrant, carrying the soft scent of exotic petals collected from every corner of the world. A short distance behind him stood his caretaker his personal maid maintaining a precise and respectful distance.
Her name was Vera.
She possessed silky, lustrous blonde hair that flowed neatly down her back, styled with an almost ritualistic level of care. Her eyes were a serene shade of blue clear, observant, and sharp. She wore a traditional maid uniform : a dark, perfectly fitted dress layered with a crisp white ruffled apron. The skirt fell smoothly to her knees, swaying gently whenever she breathed. White stockings hugged her legs, and polished black shoes completed the pristine ensemble.
Her face remained neutral, composed, and disciplined. She stood perfectly still, awaiting Imu's command or even the subtlest gesture from him.
After a while, Imu's expression shifted subtly. A realization washed over him he needed to act. With a quiet, thoughtful look, he began walking toward his chambers. His figure was tall, draped in an extremely long, flowing black robe that trailed behind him for several meters. The fabric glided silently over the floor, brushing lightly against the flowers.
On his head rested a large crown with four sharp, pointed spikes cold, heavy, and regal.
He wasn't original imu.
He had been transmigrated into Imu's body just a few days earlier, right when the Five Elders rushed to report that the Rocks Pirates were heading toward God Valley exactly as Imu had predicted. The Five Elders themselves had been bewildered by Imu's certainty, confused by his sudden, unshakeable confidence, but Imu had simply instructed them to verify it. And he was right.
Recalling that moment, he thought:
So the battle of God Valley is going to happen soon. I have to step out myself. I can't rely on these bum elders or those bum knights to accomplish anything. They're all useless. I suppose I'll have to minimize the World Government's losses.
Rocks…
The original Imu had many weaknesses crippling ones, in fact. But now, he no longer did.
First, his body had been damaged.
Second, he had been unable to leave Mary Geoise.
Third, he had countless incompetent subordinates whose mistakes caused him more problems than his enemies ever did. The so-called God Knights, who would've all died without Imu's regeneration they were bums through and through.
Haah… Imu sighed internally. Well, I can't do anything about that. They're still my servants. Better than nothing. I just need to control their actions properly.
But now, his body was healed.
And his cheat oh, his cheat was overwhelmingly powerful. Being transmigrated into One Piece as Imu alone was a cheat, but it was nothing compared to his other power. He had to earn that strength, unwrap it slowly. Yet he already possessed fragments of its abilities. Because of those fragments, he had healed his body, the curse no longer applied to him, and he had gained several buffs.
His abilities no longer had any of their former weaknesses, especially Domi Reverie. Originally, he couldn't fully transform a target unless they were within their hometown. Now, he could transform anyone, anywhere, without restriction.
All of this knowledge settled in his mind like inherited memories.
If he wanted full power, he could simply wait. But there was another option: eliminating obstacles. By doing so, he could gain power much faster a shortcut. Otherwise, he would need to wait hundreds of years just to obtain a drop of his original power.
Imu continued toward his room, Vera bowing her head deeply as she followed behind him.
He glanced at her once before giving his order.
"Prepare hot water for a bath," he said casually with a dismissive wave.
"As you command, Imu-sama."
She bowed again and rushed down the corridor, disappearing from sight.
He decided to bathe before departing for God Valley and to change his clothes. Now that the curse no longer bound him, he could step outside freely. So why continue wearing those wretched garments? He hated them.
---
Pangaea Castle — Holy Land of Mary Geoise
Inside the serene chambers of the castle—
Imu stood silently before a large mirror.
His reflection appeared shockingly youthful for someone who had lived over eight centuries. His face was calm and expressionless, yet carried an otherworldly quality. His sharp, almond-shaped eyes glowed a vivid red, each iris encircled by a thin, ominous ring. His sleek black hair fell neatly to the nape of his neck.
He now wore a white shirt draped with a red kimono patterned with small horn-like symbols, paired with loose black pants. A five-pointed star pendant hung around his neck, glowing faintly a quiet, unsettling aura radiating from it.
Imu stared at himself for a moment… and felt genuine satisfaction.
Finally, he was free from that monstrosity that hideous attire and heavy crown he didn't even want to think about anymore.
He stepped out of his room.
"Haah…" he exhaled deeply, almost blissfully. "Sigh… what a great bliss," he said with a rare, faintly happy expression.
Vera, waiting nearby, looked at him with a slightly puzzled expression.
What happened to Imu-sama? He's acting different today… she wondered. She quickly shook her head.
Doesn't matter. My only job is to serve Imu-sama.
"Hey, you…" Imu called out to her.
"Ha–?!" Vera flinched, jolting out of her thoughts. She immediately bowed deeply. "My apologies, Imu-sama! Please forgive this lowly servant for her misconduct!"
"Ah, well, it's okay. No need to overreact—I didn't mind."
"Thank you, Imu-sama! Thank you for your forgiveness!" she said, visibly relieved.
Ugh… trouble, Imu thought as his head throbbed slightly.
"Okay, okay, okay you don't need to repeat it," Imu said, waving a hand dismissively. He looked at her and asked, "Can you tell me your name?"
"E–Eh?!" Vera froze.
"M-My name? Imu-sama, my name is Vera. I am your faithful servant I will do anything as long as it's within my power!"
"Ah, okay. You don't need to be so stressed. I'm not going to eat you, you know," Imu said with a slight amused smile.
"Well then, my little faithful Vera, go and call the Five Elders and the God Knights for me. I have business with them."
"Yes, Imu-sama! I will deliver your message immediately!"
She bowed, then ran off to complete her task.
Eh… she really thinks I'm going to eat her, Imu thought, watching her leave.
"Oh well… I'll definitely eat her," he added casually to himself and let out a soft laugh.