Her identity as Alabasta's princess?
Vivi froze but said nothing more.
There was simply too little information to go on.
Blackbeard didn't press further with Vivi.
Taking her from Charloss' hands, he jerked his head toward the God's Knights behind him.
"Let's go. Mission accomplished—time to report the good news to our most revered Imu-sama."
"Don't presume to command us, you filthy wretch," Shamrock shot Blackbeard a glare. "You only have authority during combat missions. Otherwise, we answer to no one."
"Fine, fine, ignore me all you want... But I'm heading to report to Imu-sama now. If you don't follow, I'll just take all the credit for myself."
With that, he leapt off the ship without looking back.
After exchanging glances, the God's Knights eventually followed suit, jumping down after him.
...
In the hall of the Five Elders.
"You actually... did it, Blackbeard."
"Tsk tsk, Nusjuro, were you hoping I'd fail? Seems your loyalty to Lord Imu isn't as firm as it should be."
"Trying to undermine my loyalty with such cheap words? Blackbeard, you're still too green."
"Then take me to see this Lord Imu already!" Blackbeard's face showed a hint of excitement. "At the very least... you should let me know what kind of person I'm pledging loyalty to, no?"
Nusjuro glanced at Blackbeard, then at the other four Elders, before giving a silent nod.
The Five Elders then rose and proceeded deeper into Pangaea Castle.
Blackbeard swaggered after them without hesitation or fear, wearing only the triumphant grin of someone who'd gotten his way.
The God's Knights followed silently behind.
Though they were God's Knights, opportunities to personally meet Lord Imu were nearly nonexistent.
They usually only ever saw the Five Elders.
Passing through the long corridor, they entered the palace housing the Empty Throne.
There, before the towering Empty Throne, the Five Elders knelt reverently.
"Lord... Blackbeard has completed his mission. We beseech you to appear and bestow upon him the divine glory."
Everyone knelt in unison.
Even Blackbeard—the unruly man who'd never known the meaning of "loyalty."
A moment later, a soft sound came from the direction of the Flower Room.
Lily stepped forward slowly.
This time, she wore no disguise, clad instead in the queenly attire that had once belonged to "Imu" eight hundred years ago.
When she seated herself upon the Empty Throne, Blackbeard could feel his Haki trembling uncontrollably...
Both in fear...
And excitement.
And as time passed, more of that fear transformed into excitement.
He knew he was a monster...
But the woman sitting upon the Empty Throne was one too.
"Marshall D. Teach? You've brought the princess of Alabasta before me?"
"Yes, Lord Imu."
Blackbeard stood up, pushed past the Five Elders, and shoved Vivi forward, cutting the ropes binding her limbs with a casual motion.
"I have brought the person you commanded me to retrieve..." Blackbeard knelt again without hesitation, his eyes—filled with greed and ambition—locked onto Lily.
"Please... grant me the rewards and glory I deserve."
"You've done... well." Lily's voice seemed slightly breathless at first, but she quickly masked it.
"Blackbeard, you've proven your worth, proven you are destined to be a Celestial Dragon... Therefore, you shall replace Kong as Fleet Admiral! The God's Knights will also fall under your command, and your authority shall be equal to that of the Five Elders."
...
After glossing over many details of gratitude and political maneuvering, Blackbeard ultimately left Vivi in the Empty Throne's palace and departed alongside the Five Elders.
He had obtained the power he sought. Now, all that remained was figuring out how to wield it against those tedious Angel Alliance members...
Under their relentless pursuit over the years, he'd had quite the miserable time!However, the smug Blackbeard noticed that at this very moment, a tall Celestial Dragon with golden hair was staring at him with sharp eyes.
Among humans, those exceeding four meters in height were rare.
"Hey, you seem pretty interested in me?"
"I was just curious to see what kind of man the legendary Blackbeard really is... How disappointing. You haven't changed a bit from back then."
The golden-haired man glanced at Blackbeard with disdain, shook his head, and walked away.
Blackbeard frowned and turned to Nusjuro beside him. "Who was that guy? Pretty arrogant, huh?"
"Though Imu-sama has granted you equal status and authority as us, I still wouldn't advise provoking him," Saint Nusjuro, interjected. "You... might not actually be able to handle him."
"...Now that you mention it, he does look familiar." Blackbeard suddenly widened his eyes in realization.
"He... wasn't he a Marine? No, wasn't he part of the Angel Alliance?"
"Donquixote Rosinante, descendant of the Donquixote Family. Originally the second-generation commander of the Marines' SWORD Classified Special Forces. But after the Angel Alliance was established and selected new Three Admirals, they chose his subordinates but passed over him. Enraged, he defected from the Angel Alliance and returned to the Donquixote Family... Now he oversees the entire CP0. Though it's still being rebuilt, it will undoubtedly prove useful eventually..."
Figarland Garling calmly explained.
"Don't underestimate him just because he wasn't selected as one of the Three Admirals... His combat power is absolutely on par with them. A fully awakened Gold-Gold Fruit is something no strong fighter can ignore."
Blackbeard slapped his forehead.
"If I recall correctly, this Rosinante was one of Michael's most loyal followers, right?"
"Correct... But after Michael disappeared, the SWORD Classified Special Forces became a hollow shell due to the Three Admirals incident... So Rosinante saw the true nature of the Angel Alliance and chose to return to his kin. Is that so strange?"
Strange?
It was downright bizarre!
Blackbeard screamed internally!
Only these overly arrogant Celestial Dragons would believe such lies!
Though the timing was perfect and the reasoning sound.
Anyone who had once served under Michael should never have been accepted by the World Government!
But... whatever.
He was a rebel too.
Now coexisting with a traitor...
Like well water not intruding on river water.