One Piece: Reborn and Skypiean

269

Chapter 270

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The white-clothed man, who was self-proclaimed as Imu-sama, threw the head of Monkey D. The dead dragon behind him as it fell into the sea, thousands of meters below.

Amon's eyes followed his head for a moment before he looked up.

Imu spoke nonchalantly from his place. "As you know, I'm not here to fight you."

Amon did not give any answer, letting Imu continue. “I want to talk, if you're okay with that. So, where are we going for a walk?”

Amon observed the man for a moment, before nodding. “I can feel Sky Island nearby, seemingly empty of any residents. Follow me."

Amon makes a clone of himself as his original body instantly teleports towards the island, while the clone guides Imu. He did not want the suspicious-looking man to be behind his real body.

The clones of Amon accelerate, hoping to see if Imu can follow or not, and surprisingly, even when Amon surpasses several thousand miles per second, Imu follows him with ease.

Amon could not test any more than that because at that moment his clone and Imu had reached the sky island.

It was a children's garden, its size was huge but everything was damaged or destroyed somewhere, there were no living creatures except for a few wandering birds.

The clone disappeared into the air and Imu fell in front of Amon who quickly controlled the clouds with his lightning to form a table and two chairs facing each other.

Amon pointed his hand at a chair and Imu graciously picked it up, with him taking it himself.

As Amon sat down slowly, he tried to use his «Future Sight» to see what Imu would do if he attacked right now. However, his future view .. was not successful. More precisely, it was an empty future filled with darkness.

Imu slowly took off his mask and then his tall crown as a perfectly sculpted face came out from within, his shoulder-blonde hair swaying in the wind.

“I think you already know about me?” He said but continued without Amon's confirmation. “People used to call me Imu-sama. I am the Owner of the throne without an owner, the King of this kingless world. In other words, I am the ruler of this world, the sole ruler of this entire planet since 800 years ago.”

"I've heard of you." Amon finally spoke. "You're the same guy who blew up Skypiea."

Imu laughing. "Oh yeah. I'm sorry about that, but that's the reason why I'm sitting here instead of fighting you in the first place, you know? ” A second later, he spoke again. “I was very impressed with you who survived it, and even threw the challenge to me. So, even after I saw you kill all my people, even my five servants, I decided to talk to you about a proposal instead of killing you.”

He talked about killing Amon as if it was the easiest thing in the world. 

Amon refrained from snickering. He was interested in this proposal. Is that the usual sentence of a criminal, "Be my subordinate, and you can live.", Or will it be something different? Something special, maybe?

Amon hooked his fingers on the table. "The capsule? I can listen to that, but first tell me, how did you get out? I'm sure you're locked, sealed in your washroom.”

“Oh, you know some deep secrets about me. Is it pure speculation?” He scratched his chin and chuckled before shaking his head. “By the way, I only had a moment's chance to get out. You see, the Palace I live in is wrapped up from all directions using an invisible barrier made from the fruit of the Barrier-Barrier, which is enhanced by Haki from the legendary 'Joyboy. Anyone can enter that place, but I can't leave it. However," he let his words hang in the air. "Every time Joyboy's incarnation dies, the barrier is greatly weakened, until 'The Will' is passed on to another incarnation." 

After a while, he continued. “This has happened dozens of times now, but even though the barrier is growing weaker than before, I can't get out. Because the Will of the World is against my own will, so it weakens me enough to remain affected by the barrier. Surprisingly, this time it did not. ” She's laughing. “I think he wants us both to be strangers and eliminate each other.”

Amon's eyebrows fused together. "Outside people?"

Imu chuckled at her tired tone. “No need to act suspicious, Amon. I expected it a long time ago. You're not from this world, are you? I'm the same."

Amon only looked at the man as he stared back.

“I'm from a galaxy far away from this galaxy, that's why the strange name 'Imu', you know." You talk again. “I had to escape to somewhere safe from my enemies to heal my wounds, so I came to .. 'break' in this star system almost a thousand years ago.”

Amon breathed deeply. This person seems to refer to aliens or life forms from other planets as 'outlanders'. Not a reincarnator, as Amon had expected.

'Also, with a break, he basically means he's hiding here.' Amon thought.

“However, I had not landed on this exact planet back then. I landed on one of 46 randomly selected planets of this star system.” Imu speaking. “I live in peace for a while and wait for my wounds to heal. A decade later, I mostly recovered and decided to leave, but something strange happened.” Imu eyes sparkle. “Unlike when I entered this place, there is an invisible aura barrier around this star system, which does not allow me to go.”

Amon listened attentively. He had never tried to get out of this star system during his time on the moon, so he had no idea about this.

“It took me time to realize what really happened. One of the planets in this solar system is forming its own will, it is at the peak of its existence and hence it is forming the [Core of the World] which is why it does not want any invaders invading this area, so it locks the whole star system.”

Imu exchanged glances with Amon, who seemed ordinary about all this. You just chuckle at hearing it.

All of this was new to Amon, but there was no need to reveal any shock on his face.

“That's why I was shocked when I realized someone from the outside, aka you, had come here even though the World Core was incomplete, meaning that the aura barrier was still active up there.”

He continued. "As you might expect, this planet we're sitting on is the one that shapes its will, that's the point. In other words, World Core was the One Piece that many people were looking for." Imu speaking. "All planets have their own will, but 99% of them are just the subconscious and should not even be referred to as the 'Will'. When the World's Core was formed, one planet merged with the will of all the other planets in the star system and merged to form a perfect will. Therefore, acquiring intelligence exceeds most intelligent beings.”

'...Very similar to the Core of the Underground Prison.' Amon thought in a few minutes.

Imu continued, observing Amon. “When I realized that the World's Core was so close to me, I immediately jumped to this planet to wait until the Core finished forming before 'Definitely' could reach this place.”

That means World Core can be used by third parties. Amon could only imagine what power one would be given.

“Dika... What?”

Amon frowned, looking at Imu who was laughing. "They are just people with too much power, not real Gods. Ironically, they look like you." 

He laughed again. "There are thousands of millions of star systems in this galaxy, and there are billions more galaxies in this universe. It is the one who keeps order in almost all and every part of the universe."

It had an unpleasant feeling.

"Anyway," continued Imu. “Something changes when a barrier forms around this star system. It cut this entire area off from [Root ], the source of the power of this universe.” Amon narrowed his eyes as Imu continued. “People on this planet can use Haki, right? It was their own will, letting them do the impossible. However, the people outside of this star system are stronger than all of you combined. Those people can smash the stars with a thought. Because they draw strength from 'Rubber', which is basically the Will of the Universe.”

Or in other words, the Core of the World but with the power of the Universe.

'So we just got stuck in Safe-Room in a bigger dungeon.' Amon thought again, as Imu continued.

“However, when I landed on this planet nearly a thousand years ago, I no longer had access to Root because of the aura barrier. Which in turn makes me weak on this planet, as my power coming from Root starts to fade at high speed. So I had to stand on my own feet and train this 'Haki' thing for a few years before I became strong enough.”

In other words, 'Although he seems to be a great person in this universe—assuming all of this is not made-up— at the moment, he is at his weakest point.' Amon thought in his mind.

continued Imu. “There are some problems along with that. Like I could die of old age, now I'm not drawing strength from Root . So I had to hunt down an Op-Op Fruit user, then I forced that person to give me immortality, which in turn gave me this ring in my eyes.” He pointed at the black ring in his red eyes. “However, the world sees me as an invader and keeps trying to eradicate me from time to time. I was not defeated, of course, but in the end I was sealed. Then, I spent several centuries locked up, and finally got out a few minutes ago."

He stopped talking at that moment, giving Amon time to digest all of this.

A man who can destroy stars with just his mind…

An organization wide enough to cover the entire universe …

Root, the ultimate source of power of the universe…

Finally, the Core of the World …

“...What's your proposal?” Amon spoke after a few minutes. "You've attracted my interest if that's your intention."

Imu laughing. “Indeed, indeed. First of all, I'm interested in your existence. How can you enter this locked place when I can't even leave? Are you one of the Dictated? Did they sense the core of the world and send you here?” He shook his head. "I've pondered that thought for centuries, and I know you're not one of them, in fact I believe even you don't know how you entered this place."

Amon nodded after considering his answer.

“So, my application is..” Imu stood up and stretched out his hand. “Join me, Amon. With the core of the world in our hands, we can create our own organizations. With a power that can rival the Apostles of the Twelve Gods, we will become unstoppable. Together with you and your people whom you have trained for decades, we will form an organization to overthrow the Dicti. It may take several millennia, but we will come out as the ruler of this Universe!”

The world became silent at that moment and Imu waited for Ammon to receive his hand.

Amon rubbed his hair, between his horns, and began to laugh.

“... Hahahaha .”

Imu noticed, his expression became grim as Amon laughed for a while.

He finally stopped and tilted his head to Imu. “How long have you been watching me, Imu-sama ?”

He pulled his hand back. “Hn, already 8 years now. I'm starting to observe you from the day you get Rumble-Rumble Fruit. ”

Amon stood up with a grin. "You've known me for a long time, even if I assume you haven't noticed me 24/7." Amon's voice became hoarse. “Then, based on your long observation of me, do you think I will work under you? Or rather, do you think I trust you at all about working together? Also, what do you mean by `when 'we' get the World Core′? You sound as if you're going to give me a bite out of it. ”

Amon chuckles to himself while Imu smiles.

“Think this well. Of course, I will be the one to take Core, I will be the owner of our organization, but even so, isn't that a sweet offer? You will be second in command. ” He stretches out his hands and speaks calmly. "In this entire universe, you will be the 2nd strongest."

Leakage

Amon drew his sword. "Delusions have their limits, you old peep."

Even as Imu's face grinned, Amon raised his hand into the air and swung his sword forward. 

«Freedom Dimension»

The green curved sword energy, vertically as tall as a two-story building, and horizontally as wide as a palm where the dark world of the Door Dimension could be seen, headed towards Imu. 

If the sword hit anyone in the middle of their body, it would move the affected part of it in the door dimension, therefore cutting their body in half regardless of any defense.

Any defense except Haki.

Amon could feel Imu coating his palms with weaponry even with the lack of black ink on his skin.

With the back of his palm, Imu gently slapped the curved sword energy that smashed into the shattered garden, cutting a portion of the sky island in half, as he sighed softly.

"Then I'm sure I'm of no use to you, fellow stranger."

Saying so, he rushed to Amon at a terrifying speed.