Chapter 23: The Hard-to-Find Thriller Bark!
In Mary Geoise, Lord Imu sat on the Void Throne, controlling the overall situation, remotely directing the Administrative Department and CP Members' actions around the world.
Even the letter to Dragon was written by him, expressing his own thoughts under the guise of the Five Elders.
Monkey D. Dragon, Revolutionary Army. How could someone as intelligent as him ignore such important people and events?
The day after Roger's Public Execution, he ordered the Five Elders to dispatch CP6 to monitor Dragon at the G-3 Branch. Once any signs of defection were detected, CP0 would be notified to intercept and capture him.
Moreover, the order specifically mentioned that if Dragon's resistance was too intense and capture seemed impossible, direct elimination was authorized!
Of course, Lord Imu would avoid killing if possible. Besides considering Karp, Dragon himself was also a talent, which could be considered giving him a chance at life.
But if it was truly necessary, he would definitely strike decisively. Not to mention Dragon, even Karp, if he couldn't be used, what would be wrong with him acting as a masked assassin once?
However, judging from the report from CP0 relayed by the Five Elders just now, this Dragon was quite rational and not overwhelmed by extreme emotions.
Indeed, if he didn't have something extraordinary, how could he become the world's most heinous criminal?
Now it's good, Dragon is considered stabilized. Believing that under his control, the World Government would become better and better, then he would have no reason to form the Revolutionary Army.
Good thing!
Also, the matter of the Sorbet Kingdom in the South Sea was of course also orchestrated by Lord Imu. Otherwise, no one would be qualified to arbitrarily change the amount of Celestial Tribute.
Although Celestial Tribute is essentially a membership fee for the World Government, it is nominally an offering to the Celestial Dragons. Then, the Five Elders allocate a portion of it as funds for various World Government departments, the Navy, Enies Lobby, and Impel Down.
As the king of the Celestial Dragons, the financial power of Celestial Tribute naturally belonged to Lord Imu. The Five Elders were merely stewards; how could they be qualified to decide for their master whether to demand more or less?
Thinking of Bartholomew Kuma, besides his own considerable Combat Power, his Devil Fruit Ability was the most important thing. If used well, it could play a huge role.
However, according to the Intelligence detected by CP2, his Fruit Ability should not have awakened yet, which greatly reduced its value.
It's still the same principle, appease him first, and take it slowly.
That night, Lord Imu once again summoned the Five Elders to the Void Palace. Everyone had become accustomed to the frequent meetings recently.
The Five Elders, without needing Lord Imu to specifically ask, began to report the situation of the previously instructed matters one by one.
The bald elder with a mustache, kneeling in the very center, spoke first.
"Lord Imu, this afternoon, we have gathered all the Mermaid and Fish-men within Mary Geoise in one place and dispatched doctors and psychologists to provide them with the best treatment for their physical and mental well-being. We plan to send them back to Fish-Man Island after their condition has improved."
His words sounded simple and unremarkable, but Lord Imu could hear from them that these Mermaid Tribe and Fish-men must have been severely tortured by those Celestial Dragons.
Indeed, if they were sent back to Fish-Man Island now, covered in scars and mentally broken to numbness, they probably wouldn't receive gratitude but deeper hatred.
This Five Elder's handling can be said to be quite mature and steady.
"Well done. For injury treatment, use the best doctors and medicine. Invite doctors from the Drum Kingdom and try to achieve complete recovery within a month."
Speaking of this, Lord Imu paused because he had always had an idea: to establish a medical school based on the Holy Land's medical department.
Gathering the best doctors in the world, specializing in collecting, organizing, and researching medical skills. Dr. Kureha was the most suitable dean in his mind, more than qualified in terms of age, experience, and medical skills.
Perhaps in the future, they could really research and develop the 'Panacea' that Tony Tony Chopper dreamed of?
"As for the psychological problems, directly summon Vice Admiral Tsuru of the Navy and use her Wash-Wash Fruit Ability to directly wash away the negative emotions of the Fish-men and Mermaid, returning to Fish-Man Island optimistic, pure, and kind Citizens!"
When saying these words, Lord Imu's Eyes showed no fluctuation, only indifference and ruthlessness.
He didn't care whether doing so would cause any irreversible effects or side effects on the minds of those Mermaid and Fish-men, only needing to ensure that it would not affect the relationship with Fish-Man Island.
Besides, as long as no one spoke out, who would know?
Even if Fish-Man Island found out, it could be said that this was to help them treat psychological trauma and live better lives.
At least on the surface, a clean and sunny Personality was not a bad thing.
"Imperial Will."
The Five Elders responded in unison, and then Saint Topman Valcury, kneeling in the center, continued to report.
Because these administrative matters were originally under his jurisdiction.
"Lord, according to reports from CP Members in various locations, all twenty-three kings initially contacted have expressed their support for the Agenda to be passed and have signed the Scroll."
Lord Imu on the Void Throne nodded, very satisfied with this result.
"Good, then continue. Still the same as before, prioritize kings with good reputations among their Citizens and poor small countries. The only Purpose is to ensure no surprises in the voting process. As soon as the Agenda is officially passed, immediately begin to take action and promote the execution of the Agenda with maximum effort!"
"Yes, Lord Imu."
"How is CP5 doing? Have they found Thriller Bark yet?" Lord Imu asked coldly, gazing at the lowered heads of the five.
Mentioning this matter, Saint Shepherd Ten Peter, the one with golden hair, the most handsome and robust-looking, replied:
"Lord, the dense fog Environment in the Sea Area called the Devil's Triangle is too harsh. So far, three CP5 Members have gotten lost inside and can only be contacted via Telephone Bug to confirm they are still alive."
Lord Imu frowned slightly. He didn't ask why they weren't using a Compass.
Because he knew that the magnetic field of the Grand Line was extremely chaotic, ordinary Compasses were useless, and Eternal Poses only pointed to the next Island, which was basically useless in that dense fog Environment.
This is also the reason why captains with centuries of maritime experience would avoid the Devil's Triangle Sea Area.
Eh! Lord Imu's Eyes lit up. Recalling the content of the original work, he suddenly thought of a solution.
"Since the main problem lies in positioning direction, then it's easy. Just find a 'Compass'!"
Below, the Five Elders kneeling on the ground almost simultaneously frowned. They almost subconsciously wanted to say that Compasses were useless, but ultimately held it back.
But the doubt remained. How could Lord Imu not even know this common sense?
Lord Imu, being high above, naturally couldn't see the expressions of the Five Elders with their heads lowered, but he could more or less guess some of it.
"In the Forest on Jaya Island, there exists a Big Bird whose beak always faces south, no matter where it is. Send CP5 to find it!"
"There's such a magical bird?" Saint Marcus Mars, recalling historical documents he had read, said in surprise, "Jaya Island, I remember it's not..."
"It used to be special, but it's not anymore."
Lord Imu didn't want to dwell too much on this matter. What was most important now was the present and future matters.
"Have them find more of them, and then establish a department specifically for breeding these Guide Birds. By the way, have the Navy send a Fleet over to clear out the Pirate Town on it. In the future, that place will be used as a Base for breeding Guide Birds!"
"Imperial Will."
(End of Chapter)