Saturn clearly also knew that Imu's memory had become disordered.
Fearing that staying behind might lead to reprimands or some other unforeseen incident, Saturn quickly turned and silently walked out, not forgetting to shoot Gunko a meaningful glance before leaving.
Gunko instantly understood, immediately bowed to Imu, and then hurried after Saturn, leaving the Flower Room together.
As Imu's personal attendant, she had long noticed that Imu would experience memory confusion at regular intervals, even forgetting certain people or events.
Fortunately, this time Imu had only forgotten Wang Zhi, an insignificant minor character, and the task of contacting Orion.
Otherwise, she couldn't imagine where the World Government would head if Imu forgot everything about Orion.
Because if Orion no longer existed in Imu's memory, and Imu learned that this "stranger" not only held the power of the Marines but had also committed such "unforgivable" acts as restructuring the Celestial Dragons in the Holy Land, she would undoubtedly order his elimination without hesitation.
Given Orion's temperament, facing Imu's attempt to eliminate him would inevitably lead to a clash of blades, and the two might even fight to the death.
In that case, the Holy Land would surely be reduced to scorched earth due to their battle, and countless lives would be lost.
Setting Orion aside, if Imu were to discover after her memory confusion that two of the Five Elders in the Chamber of Authority had been replaced, Sengoku and Zephyr would undoubtedly face retribution.
Neither scenario was one she wished to see.
Under Orion's leadership, the World Government was now advancing rapidly in a positive direction.
Not only was it gradually changing the world's perception of the Celestial Dragons, but it had also successfully relocated all the kings of the affiliated nations to the Holy Land.
In Orion's words, the previous World Government operated like a feudal system, while it was now centralized.
Given time, the Grand Line and even the Four Seas would inevitably be unified.
As long as Laugh Tale was found and erased, the world would usher in an unprecedented golden age.
Although she was Imu's attendant, a member of the God's Knights, and part of the Celestial Dragon Manmayer family, for some reason, she secretly felt a faint anticipation for the golden age Orion described.
Even though she knew Orion's actions were pulling the Celestial Dragons down from their divine pedestal and weakening their rule over the world.
Thus, what she hoped for most now was for Orion and Imu to continue treating each other with mutual respect.
Orion was out there sweeping away all obstacles.
While Imu managed internal affairs and took care of her husband and daughter?
Huh?
Gunko suddenly snapped out of it, realizing she had entertained such a strange thought.
Flustered, she glanced up at Saturn walking ahead and, seeing that he hadn't noticed her change in expression, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Her gaze was then drawn to the petite figure skipping ahead, held by Luna's hand, and a faint blush unconsciously spread across her cheeks.
Next, she took out her Den Den Mushi, wanting to contact Orion, but couldn't think of a suitable excuse.
In the end, she had no choice but to give up and hurried to catch up with Aqua and Luna.
...
Hachinosu Island.
Orion led a group of trainees, Mihawk, and others as they slowly walked out of the castle hall.
"Fleet Admiral, that mountain looks so strange!"
Nami came to Orion's side, habitually taking his large hand with one of hers while pointing at the distant giant skull-shaped mountain with the other.
She asked curiously, "Was it formed naturally or made by people?"
The side of the mountain looked as if it had been sliced by a sharp blade, smooth and flat, with two enormous eye sockets as embellishments.
At first glance, it resembled a giant skull split in half.
"Stupid Nami, that mountain is obviously natural..." Luffy suddenly jumped out, shouting loudly.
But before he could finish his sentence, Nami's fist accurately landed on his head.
"Who are you calling stupid?" Nami turned her head, her expression fierce.
Luffy clutched the lump on his head, muttering pitifully, "Me, me, me... I'm the stupid one."
But he still refused to back down, stiffening his neck and saying, "But that mountain is natural, right? Right, Fleet Admiral?"
Orion shook his head and smiled. "It wasn't formed naturally. Especially those eye sockets—they were created on a whim by a legendary figure from the seas back in the day. That person was named Rocks, and he dominated their era. Even though he ultimately met his end at God Valley, he didn't come to this world in vain!"
Luffy blinked, looking utterly bewildered. "A legendary figure? Rocks? Is he strong?"
Orion nodded. "Setting aside allegiances and factions, he was indeed formidable—a remarkable individual."
Luffy blinked again, his expression turning unusually serious. "Then... was he stronger than the Pirate King?"
Pirate King!
Hearing that title, Ace, who stood nearby, subtly narrowed his pupils and stiffened involuntarily.
But he quickly regained his composure, though his perked-up ears betrayed the turmoil within.
Though he deeply despised everything related to the Pirate King, he still wanted to hear how Orion would evaluate that man—his biological father, Gol D. Roger.
Before Orion could speak, Luffy seemed to recall something and tilted his head toward Ace, declaring loudly with earnestness.
"Ace, I remember you said your father was the Pirate King Roger, right? Want to know about him? Hurry and ask the Fleet Admiral!"
The moment these words were uttered, everyone was stunned!
Zoro, Sanji, Nami, and the others simultaneously turned to stare at Ace, their faces filled with shock.
Ace's father—Was the Pirate King Roger?!
Brook blinked his skeletal eyes at this moment. "Roger? I vaguely recall a rookie named Roger in my memory... I never expected he was Ace's father!"
After speaking, he adjusted his top hat and let out his signature laugh. "How remarkably broad-minded the Fleet Admiral is, yohohohoho!"
"Luffy! What nonsense are you spouting!" Ace's eyes widened instantly as he shouted in flustered exasperation.
"I don't want to know!"
Though his words denied it, his flickering eyes couldn't conceal the deep-seated curiosity and yearning for his father's past.
Orion observed Ace's reaction thoroughly and shook his head with a faint smile.
"Whether it's Rocks or Roger, they have all become history."
"The future belongs to you."
"How history unfolds from here on will be written by your own hands!"
After saying this, Orion raised his hand and gently patted Ace's shoulder before striding forward.
The interns and Mihawk's group quickly followed.
Soon, the entire party arrived in a grand procession at Rocky Port.
The port was unusually quiet at this moment, with pirates lying haphazardly along the shore—executed by Morgan and his elite guards.
The sea surface was densely littered with wrecked ships and corpses, gathering toward the shore with the lapping waves.
Orion pressed one hand on his sword hilt, looking down at the port from a commanding position.
Then, without warning, he drew his blade and swung it backhand through the air, aiming at the prominent skull mountain of Hachinosu Island.
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