Imu stood before the four portraits, the weight of his thoughts settling like a physical burden.
The chaos of the world, the corruption of the World Government, the depravity of the Celestial Dragon all circled back to a single point: power.
Who had it, who abused it, and who could reshape it.
His gaze drifted inward, to the vast arsenal of abilities of his Devil fruit. 'Mental domination, the ability to bend wills across oceans, to make the Five Elders dance like puppets on strings. To strip their immortality with a mere thought if they displease me.'
'Possession.' The memory of taking Gunko's body surfaced vividly. The complete erasure of her identity, the seamless takeover of her form and powers. 'To wear another's skin like a garment, to walk in their shoes while they can not do anything in the darkness of their own mind. It is a terrifying power'
'Devil's Contract.' He remembered the faces of those who'd sworn fealty to him in exchange for power, their bodies warped into immortal demons bound to his will. 'To grant too much power in short term in exchange of their lifespan A power that created the most loyal and most dangerous followers.'
'Abyss Magic.' Summoning weapons from the void or opening portals across vast distances. 'To strike from nowhere, to escape anything. The tactical advantages were limitless.'
'Conqueror's Haki.' He'd once walked onto a battlefield and silenced an army of nations with nothing but his presence. The sheer force of his will had knocked thousands unconscious before a single blow was struck. To dominate through sheer force of spirit.
'Telepathy.' The constant surveillance, the ability to issue commands and punishments across the world with a thought. 'To be able to communicate with his followers from anywhere'
'Ancient Weapon - Uranus' The power to destroy islands with a gesture, to command the very seas.
The sheer scope of his capabilities overwhelmed him for a moment. The power to control, to communicate, to destroy.
He smiled up in his throat deep, resonant, and utterly unhinged. It started as a chuckle, then grew into a full throated, maniacal laugh that echoed across the entire ship.
"HAHAHAHAHA!HAHAHAHAHA!HAHAHAHAHA!HAHAHAHAHA!HAHAHAHAHA!HAHAHAHAHA! HAHAHAHAHA!HAHAHAHAHA!HAHAHAHAHA!HAHAHAHAHA!HAHAHAHAHA!HAHAHAHAHA!HAHAHAHAHA!HAHAHAHAHA!HAHAHAHAHA!HAHAHAHAHA!HAHAHAHAHA!HAHAHAHAHA!HAH"
The sound was terrifying and devoid of warmth which is filled with dark amusement at his own mind. The waves seemed to recoil from the ship, and the air grew thick with oppressive energy.
Then, abruptly, the laughter stopped. Imu froze, a flicker of something unfamiliar crossing his features. 'Self-awareness.' 'This is how villains laugh,he realized with a jolt. This is the sound of me becoming exactly what I despise.'
"Imu sama?" Gunko's voice cut through the silence, tentative but respectful. her eyes wide with concern at the unsettling sound. "Why are you laughing?"
Imu composed himself instantly, the mask of control sliding back into place. "Nothing," he said, his voice smooth and calm, though a hint of the madness still lingered in his eyes. "I just remembered an old joke. Hahahahaha." The forced laughter sounded hollow even to his own ears.
Gunko studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable. "As you say, Imu-sama."
"I am leaving," Imu announced abruptly, turning to face her fully. "start your journey Gunko you will definitely become excellent pirate Bye."