One Piece: The Strongest Trait System

[98] : The Empty Throne! Imu!

Doflamingo's forehead veins bulged, but he remained speechless for a long moment.

Go after this monster?!

That wasn't looking for death—THAT WAS SUICIDE!

"Your head—I've already reserved it. Don't let someone else kill you before I get there, Doflamingo! Hahahaha!"

Rowen laughed, then cut the connection.

Click!

Staring at the disconnected Transponder Snail, Saturn Saint's face was incredibly dark.

WHOOSH!

With a flash of black light in Saturn's eyes, the Transponder Snail was instantly blasted, half its body vaporized by a mysterious power.

Everyone present tensed at the display.

"Sky Sovereign Rowen..." Saturn Saint hissed, his expression utterly grim.

Though there was no tangible loss, the World Government's dignity had been severely damaged!

"Doflamingo! That brat's Transponder Snail—he got it from Mock Town, correct?" Saturn Saint demanded, turning to Doflamingo.

"Correct." Facing one of the Five Elders, Doflamingo didn't act like the insolent thug he was with Sengoku.

As a former Celestial Dragon, Doflamingo knew very well the scary extent of the Five Elders' authority—And the World Government's greatest secret!

"Locate Sky Sovereign Rowen! Sengoku!" Saturn Saint ordered, looking coldly at Sengoku.

"Understood," Sengoku replied after a moment's silence.

Saturn Saint then departed the conference room, heading deeper into Pangea Castle.

"This meeting is suspended. The Warlord candidate selection will be discussed next time. Your name is Laffitte, correct? If you can bring us the head of Sky Sovereign Rowen, the Warlord position will belong to your captain,"

Sengoku stated, looking at Laffitte, who was struggling to his feet after the Haki onslaught.

Laffitte no longer made any bold claims. He composed himself, then quickly departed.

Having experienced such terrifying Haki, Laffitte needed to report back to his captain, Teach, immediately.

Their assessment of Sky Sovereign Rowen's strength was likely severely flawed.

This man—had just caused chaos in the Holy Land Mariejois!

Laffitte's eyes still held lingering horror.

"Today has certainly been enlightening," Mihawk commented, standing up with a faint smile. This sea... was getting more and more interesting.

Doflamingo's face was incredibly grim. He stormed out, his expression dark. Rowen's words about 'reserving his head' and the recent Haki impact echoed in his mind; Doflamingo felt a distinct chill.

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Pangea Castle, the Empty Throne!

This throne, situated within Pangea Castle in the Holy Land Mariejois, was created by the twenty kings who founded the World Government 800 years ago, symbolizing the center of the world.

The twenty kings decreed it an empty throne, one no one could sit upon, representing equality between nations and an eternal vow against dictatorship.

But at this moment—

Tap! Tap! Tap!

Footsteps echoed.

A slender, shadowy figure slowly ascended the steps to the Empty Throne.

And then—sat upon it.

"Imu-sama." Below, the Five Elders—hailed as the World's Highest Authority—knelt humbly at the foot of the steps like mere servants.

"'Sky Sovereign' Rowen..." Imu's voice sounded, strangely ethereal.

"Regarding that man's abilities—we will investigate with all our resources," Hearing Imu utter the name of the man who caused chaos in Mariejois, the Five Elders bowed their heads even lower.

The reason they had instantly conceded to that brat Rowen's demands earlier—was because of Imu's order.

"There is one other matter," Imu's voice continued.

"Your command, Imu-sama," the Five Elders replied reverently.

"I want... Vivi." Imu held three wanted posters: Rowen's, Luffy's, and Vivi's.

Gazing at Vivi's poster, Imu's crimson eyes glinted with a strange light.

"As you command," the Five Elders responded instantly.

<><><><><><><><>

Mock Town.

——

—[Caused Chaos in Mariejois! Forced the Five Elders to concede, Born of the Sea (Apex Gold) Activated! Spiritual power massively increased! Conqueror's Haki massively Enhanced!]—

——

A notification appeared.

Causing chaos in Mariejois and making the world's highest apparent authority, the Five Elders, bow down—Rowen felt fantastic.

The Born of the Sea (Apex Gold) Haki training cheat code activated, significantly boosting his spiritual power, and consequently, his Conqueror's Haki.

This victory was the result of a calculated gambit, exploiting the information asymmetry—Rowen knew everything about the World Government, while the Five Elders knew almost nothing detailed about him.

The increase was roughly equivalent to one Deep Gold tier Trait.

'As expected of the world's highest apparent authority. Using them as 'nourishment' under the Born of the Sea Haki cheat code really yields substantial gains!'

Rowen felt his Haki strengthen and smiled. This was a delightful, unexpected bonus.

However... for the Five Elders to concede so quickly... Vivi must have already caught Imu's attention.

Rowen glanced towards Vivi beside him, who was incredibly moved by his recent actions, and smiled fondly.

Rowen had checked Vivi's Traits long ago. Nothing special. But Imu's interest in her in the original story proved Vivi possessed something Imu desired.

Based on existing intel, the most likely reason was Vivi's bloodline—descended from Queen Nefertari D. Lili of Alabasta from 800 years ago.

But regardless—Vivi was his woman now.

Imu wanting Vivi was nothing but a pipe dream.

Bringing Vivi onto his ship—Rowen had considered this.

Vivi being targeted by Imu was inevitable. In that case, keeping Vivi by his side was the safest option for Rowen.

And after obtaining the Rumble-Rumble Fruit—even if the World Government came at him with full force, they wouldn't be able to catch him.

The value of that Devil Fruit wasn't just its terrifying combat power...

Rowen smiled.

"Alright. Let's go find the person who can take us to Skypiea—" Rowen announced, standing up and looking at his crew with a grin.

<><><><><><><><>

~ 18 Advanced Chapters Available on my Patreon!

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