Ezra's lips twitched, but he still stepped forward to stand beside Imu.
Looking at her, he couldn't help but recall the first time they had met. A gentle smile tugged at his lips.
"Ezra, what are you smiling about?" Imu asked, her curiosity evident.
Sitting down, Ezra replied with a small chuckle,
"Nothing, I just remembered the first time I met you."
Imu paused for a moment, a flicker of nostalgia passing over her face.
"Time flies, doesn't it? Over twenty years have passed in the blink of an eye."
Ezra shrugged lightly. "Well… twenty years, and you still look as beautiful as ever, Imu."
At his words, Imu's cheeks flushed slightly. She tapped his forehead gently with her slender fingers.
"You little rascal, still daring to flatter your sister."
Ezra scratched his head sheepishly. "I'm just speaking the truth."
Imu covered her mouth and laughed softly. The two of them chatted casually for a while longer.
Finally, Imu asked, "Alright, enough reminiscing. Tell me, what brings you here this time?"
Ezra froze. How did she know I had business with her?
"You little brat, would you really rush to see me without a reason?" she teased.
Ezra gave an awkward laugh before voicing his question. After some time, Imu finally understood what he meant.
"So, you're struggling with whether or not to create five Admirals?"
Ezra nodded. "Yes. What do you think, Imu?"
Imu rested her delicate hands on the armrests, deep in thought. Ezra waited patiently.
After a short pause, her voice broke the silence.
"Ezra, the rules for the three Admirals cannot be broken at this time."
Ezra raised an eyebrow, curious rather than angry.
"Why, Imu?"
With a casual wave of her hand, a map floated down into her palm. Ezra's eyes glimmered at the sight, though he still could not tell if she had eaten a Devil Fruit.
Imu spread the map and pointed to a location.
"Ezra, now that you are Fleet Admiral, I will gradually share some information with you. For example… the World Government…"
Ezra followed her finger to Mary Geoise's location.
"Our World Government, under the name of Absolute Justice, comprises over 170 nations. It is the largest international organization formed through strong alliances, ruling the world and maintaining order across the judicial system."
She paused briefly, then continued.
"Of course, you probably know the other version. Eight hundred years ago, twenty kings founded the World Government. As creators, they brought their families to reside in Mary Geoise. Their descendants are the Celestial Dragons… correct?"
Ezra nodded slightly. "Isn't that the case?"
Imu smiled knowingly. "Sometimes, what you see with your own eyes is not the full truth. The World Government was not created by that group of kings. It was founded by your sister alone. Its primary purpose is… to find someone or rather, that one family. They are the greatest threat to us. Everything else is just secondary. You don't need to focus too much on other matters. Maintaining the balance between them is sufficient. Do you understand?"
Ezra furrowed his brow, beginning to grasp her meaning. Expanding to five Admirals could disrupt the balance between the Navy and the pirates.
"So, Imu, I should stick with three Admirals for now?"
She nodded slightly. "For the time being, yes."
"But Imu, my goal is to eradicate all pirates…" Ezra said firmly.
"I know," Imu replied with a smile. "And that's exactly what I wanted to tell you next."
She raised a slender finger. "One year."
Ezra tilted his head, puzzled.
"I want you to spend the next year focusing on your training."
"Why?"
Her warm eyes met his. "In one year, great changes will come. After that, whatever you choose to do, I will no longer stand in your way. Understand?"
Her voice carried an unexpected note of earnestness, something Ezra never imagined coming from Imu.
"Alright. For your sake, I won't cause trouble this year," he promised.
Imu's lips curved into a gentle smile, then she took a bold step pressing her lips lightly to Ezra's cheek.
"Good boy. This is a reward from your sister."
"Now, it's time for you to leave. We'll meet again next month."
Ezra stepped out of Imu's chamber, still slightly stunned, savoring the lingering scent of her presence.
"Wha… I actually got kissed?!" He shook his head in disbelief.
The Five Elders finally spoke from beside him. Ezra paused, bowing slightly.
"Hmm. We'll stick with the three Admirals for now. I'll inform you of the specific candidates later."
"Yes, young master," they answered respectfully, sending him off.
Once aboard the Hades, Ezra muttered under his breath,
"One year, huh…"
"Fleet Admiral Ezra, shall we set course back?" Rosinante asked.
Pushing aside the scattered thoughts in his mind, Ezra nodded slightly.
"Return course."
"Yes, Fleet Admiral."
Reclining on a deck chair, Ezra began considering the three Admirals. Akainu and Kizaru were untouchable. The remaining choice was between Issho, Kaiji, and Aokiji.
"This is troublesome… do I really need to create a new squad?"
After thinking it over, he shook his head.
"Even if I create a new squad, I won't move the current Navy personnel."
Meanwhile, in her chamber, Imu clenched a photo in her hand, murmuring softly.
"Keep growing, my brother… Lo… no, Ezra D. Vale…"