NOVEL NEXT Chapter 278: Imu
Five distinct auras appeared within the space—undoubtedly, these were the other four of the Five Elders temporarily concealed by the spatial abilities of Ju Peter.
In Bob's perception, each of these auras carried a completely different sensation.
Among them, one aura was pitifully weak, on the verge of vanishing entirely.
This aura belonged to Nusjuro, whose lower half had been obliterated by Bob's single punch.
Without a doubt, this elder's life force was rapidly draining away.
In the next moment, Bob's figure blurred as he instantly locked onto Nusjuro.
Bang!
With a resounding noise, Bob's form shot towards his target at blinding speed.
But at that very moment, an overwhelmingly powerful aura suddenly enveloped the skies above the Red Line.
The heavens above darkened, the clouds twisting unnaturally—once white, now tinged with a faint crimson glow.
People stared in terror at the eerie phenomenon unfolding in the sky, their faces paling in shock.
The origin of this surging pressure was none other than the skies above Mary Geoise, where a red mist-like radiance spread outward in rippling waves, relentlessly approaching the Red Line.
More precisely, it was advancing towards Bob's location.
"Finally decided to show yourself, huh?"
Bob's airborne figure came to an abrupt halt, his sharp eyes fixed intently on Marie Geoise.
There resided the pinnacle of this world's combat strength.
And just like Bob, the World Government personnel on the Red Line—alongside the Revolutionary Army, the Four Emperors and other pirates—all sensed it.
Without exception, they perceived an impending, unimaginable terror emanating from Marie Geoise.
This oppressive might was unlike anything they had ever felt—save for Bob himself.
"Could this be what the Five Elders meant?"
"Is this the one capable of facing Bob?"
At this moment, Sengoku and Garp hauled themselves out of the crater, their wounds from the earlier impact still bleeding profusely.
Yet, they paid no mind to their injuries.
Like Fujitora, Ryokugyu, and the other Marine officers, their gazes were fixed on Marie Geoise.
There, an immense power had manifested—unrestrained, its surging waves distorting the very energy within their bodies.
Only now did they realize the Five Elders' words held no exaggeration—this being's strength far surpassed their own.
The next moment,
A thunderous roar erupted from within Pangaea Castle in Marie Geoise, followed by a figure streaking forth at impossible speed.
In the blink of an eye, he appeared before everyone's eyes.
Adorned with a crown bearing four towering spikes, draped in a floor-length cloak, he had slender arms and crimson pupils encircled by thin rings.
"What—what is this?"
"Such overwhelming presence!"
Among the pirates, the Four Emperors—Whitebeard, Kaido, Big Mom, and Shanks—all stiffened, their eyes widening in shock.
They had never imagined the World Government harbored an existence even mightier than the Five Elders themselves.
Even just standing there, the sheer aura emanating from his body was enough to make people lose the will to resist.
Yet beyond shock, there was deep confusion in everyone's eyes.
Who was this person?
Even after living for so many years, having stood at the pinnacle of the world since the era of Rocks, not a single one of them could recognize this man's identity—as if he had suddenly emerged out of nowhere in this world.
Among the Four Emperors, Shanks eyes flickered with a glint of realization.
Though he had some history with the Celestial Dragons, it was only today that he learned there was someone hidden behind them.
But just because they didn't recognize him didn't mean the Five Elders were the same.
Almost the instant Imu appeared, the Five Elders manifested from the void.
Among them, Saturn had half his body missing and his expression haggard.
Nusjuro fared the worst—his lower body was gone, supported by Marcus Mars and Shepherd Ju Peter.
Only Warcury remained unscathed.
The five of them gazed at Imu with reverence, their faces filled with fervor as they prostrated themselves on the ground.
"Imu-sama!"
"Please extinguish Bob's light!"
The Five Elders' voices were not loud, but they sent a jolt through everyone present, who stared at the scene in disbelief.
Imu-sama?
Extinguish his light?
Whoosh!
The battlefield on the Red Line fell eerily silent, as if by some miracle.
The clashing of weapons vanished.
Both sides stood frozen, staring blankly at the indistinct figure of Imu in the sky.
"My God! Who is this Imu?"
"To make the Five Elders kneel—who exactly he is?"
"Look at how the Five Elders treat him—they practically worship him!"
"Could it be... he's the true leader of the World Government? Are the Five Elders just his puppets?"
At this moment, those watching the live broadcast sensed something extraordinary about Imu the instant he appeared, but they assumed he was just another powerful enforcer of the World Government.
Yet no one expected the Five Elders to kneel before him.
"Extinguishing his light... means killing Bob, right?"
"Can Bob... win?"
Across the world, viewers of the broadcast couldn't help but worry for Bob.
Judging by the Five Elders' reaction, Imu's power seemed overwhelming.
*****
Meanwhile, in the highest hall of Marie Geoise...
The Celestial Dragons gathered there stirred restlessly.
"He's here—Imu-sama!"
"This time, we're definitely gonna win!"
Among the Celestial Dragons, the elder from earlier spoke slowly, his gaze burning with fervor as he watched Imu on the screen—as if beholding a deity.
"But... is Imu really that strong?"
"That Bob seems like a tough opponent!"
Beside him, a Celestial Dragon with snot dripping from his nose muttered.
Bob's performance on the Red Line had left a deep scar in his heart.
Compared to the newly arrived Imu, it was Bob who truly terrified him.
"Bastard! Address him as Imu-sama!"
"Imu-sama is invincible!"
The old man angrily scolded the Celestial Dragon, deeply displeased with both his form of address and his doubts.
In his view, Imu was a god—one who could never know defeat.