The mysterious palace remained shrouded in an ancient, oppressive atmosphere.
Cassian stood before the Void Throne, his gaze fixed on the figure seated above.
Draped in a long white robe, the figure’s face was hidden in shadow, impossible to make out.
“It has been quite a while since you last came to see me.”
Imu’s voice echoed through the hall, calm and emotionless.
Cassian grinned, relaxed.
“I didn’t want to disturb your peace, elder.”
He shrugged slightly, then added with a smirk,
“But seriously, I’ve caused you a fair bit of trouble these past two years, haven’t I?”
Imu replied without hesitation,
“It was acceptable.
At the very least, I no longer need to suffer injuries on your behalf.”
Cassian stepped forward, his expression turning more serious.
“That’s because I’ve gotten stronger.”
He paused briefly before continuing,
“I came this time because I want guidance on something.”
“Conqueror’s Haki Infusion?”
Imu spoke as if she had already seen through him.
Cassian’s eyes lit up immediately.
“You’ve lived for so long, your Haki must be at the absolute peak.
Teach me.”
There was a short silence.
“Why do you need it?” Imu asked.
“With your current strength, very few in Mary Geoise can threaten you.”
Cassian tilted his head slightly, a sharp glint in his eyes.
“Mary Geoise is too small.
My goal is the entire sea.”
“To stand at the top, Conqueror’s Haki Infusion isn’t optional.”
He looked directly at her, his tone turning persuasive.
“Besides, look at our situation.”
“You don’t want me dead, and I don’t want you getting dragged down with me.”
“We’re tied together whether we like it or not.”
“If I get stronger, that benefits you too.”
He spread his hands casually.
“If something dangerous happens, I’ll last longer.
That alone makes it worth it, doesn’t it?”
Imu let out a faint, almost amused breath.
“Allies, then?”
Cassian nodded instantly.
“Exactly.
Allies.”
“You help me grow stronger, and I make sure you don’t end up suffering because of me.”
This time, Imu did not respond immediately.
The silence stretched long enough that Cassian almost thought she would refuse.
Then, at last, she spoke.
“It demands extreme control.
A single misstep can injure you.”
Cassian’s expression sharpened.
“So you’ll teach me?”
“I will guide you,” Imu replied calmly.
“Whether you succeed depends entirely on you.”
Cassian tapped his chest confidently.
“No problem.
I learn fast.”
Imu’s tone shifted slightly.
“However, I do not teach for free.”
Cassian’s smile faded just a little.
“What do you want?”
“Do one thing for me.”
Cassian hesitated for a moment, weighing it quickly in his mind.
Then he nodded.
“Fine.”
It wasn’t a bad deal.
The benefits outweighed the risk.
“Good,” Imu said.
“Starting tomorrow, come here at this time.”
Cassian broke into a grin.
“Got it.
I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He turned and left, clearly in high spirits.
From the throne, Imu slowly raised her hand, her fingers brushing through empty space as if touching something unseen.
“Allies…”
Her voice was soft, almost distant.
“Let’s hope you don’t regret this, Cassian.”
Outside, the sunlight felt warm against his skin.
Cassian took a deep breath, energy coursing through his body.
Conqueror’s Haki Infusion was finally within reach.
The summit of the sea no longer felt distant.
As he walked back, his mind was already racing with possibilities.
Every punch, every strike infused with overwhelming willpower.
Just imagining it was enough to excite him.
As for Imu’s condition, he would deal with it after gaining what he wanted.
Back at the mansion, Boa Hancock saw his expression and immediately understood.
“She agreed?”
Cassian smirked.
“Of course.
Who do you think I am?”
Before she could react, he pulled her into his arms.
“Come on, let’s celebrate.
We’re going to…”
Cassian ignored her, clearly amused.
The next day, he arrived at the palace on time.
The air inside felt frozen, and the ancient stone pillars cast long, eerie shadows.
Standing before the Void Throne, Cassian felt his heartbeat quicken slightly.
This was it.
Imu’s condition.
“I want you to deal with someone.”
Her voice echoed from the throne, carrying a strange weight.
“More precisely, someone who will appear in the future.”
Cassian frowned.
“Someone from the future?”
“Are we talking about a prophecy?”
In this world, prophecies were nothing unusual, especially when tied to the Void Century.
“His name is Joy Boy.”
A trace of emotion slipped into Imu’s voice.
Cassian froze.
“Joy Boy?”
His expression stiffened.
That name carried too much weight.
A legendary figure from eight hundred years ago.
The one connected to the Poneglyphs, to Laugh Tale, to the very truth of the world.
And in the future, the one who would inherit that will…
Monkey D.
Luffy.
Cassian’s thoughts churned instantly.
So this was the target.
Luffy.
He almost laughed.
That was practically asking him to walk straight into death.
He had seen how this kind of story played out.
Shiki, a pirate who once stood on equal footing with legends, ended up getting beaten by a version of Luffy who barely understood Haki.
Enel, a man with overwhelming power, lost because of a ridiculous elemental disadvantage.
Kaido, known as the strongest creature in the world, turned into a stepping stone for Luffy’s growth.
Each of them had overwhelming strength.
Each of them still lost.
Not because they were weak, but because they stood in the way of someone the world itself seemed to favor.
Cassian wasn’t interested in becoming another example.
He had no intention of throwing himself at a walking miracle.
He still planned to travel the seas, to take Hancock and Koala with him, to see everything this world had to offer.
Picking a fight to the death with someone like Luffy?
Was stupidity.
___
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