Chapter 23: The Elusive Terror Three-Masted Sailing Ship!

On this side of Mary Geoise, Im sat upon the Empty Throne, controlling the entire situation and commanding the global operations of the Administration and CP from afar.

Even the letter sent to Dragon was written by him, expressing his own thoughts under the guise of the Five Elders.

Monkey D. Dragon, the Revolutionary Army.

With such an important person and matter, how could someone as intelligent as him possibly overlook it?

The day after Roger's public execution, he ordered the Five Elders to dispatch CP6 to keep an eye on Dragon at the G-3 branch. Once any signs of defection were detected, CP0 was to be mobilized to intercept and capture him.

Not only that, but the order specifically mentioned that if Dragon's resistance proved too fierce and capture became impossible, he was permitted to be killed on the spot!

Im, of course, preferred not to kill if he could avoid it. Aside from his concerns regarding Garp, Dragon himself was a talent, and sparing him was a way of offering a glimmer of hope.

But if it truly became necessary, he would strike without hesitation.

Never mind Dragon; even if it were Garp, if he could not be used, what would it matter if Im acted as a masked assassin once?

However, judging from the report the Five Elders had just relayed from CP0, this Dragon was quite rational and had not been blinded by extreme emotions.

Then again, if he weren't somewhat extraordinary, could he have become the world's most heinous criminal?

Now, things were stabilized. Believing that under his control, the World Government would only improve, Dragon would have no reason to form the Revolutionary Army.

A good thing!

Furthermore, the matter regarding the Sorbet Kingdom in the South Blue was also Im's handiwork; otherwise, no one would have the authority to unilaterally alter the amount of Heavenly Tribute.

While the Heavenly Tribute was essentially a membership fee for the World Government, it was nominally an offering to the Celestial Dragons. The Five Elders would then distribute a portion of it to fund the various departments of the World Government, the Navy, Enies Lobby, and Impel Down.

As the King of the Celestial Dragons, the financial power over the Heavenly Tribute naturally fell under Im's control. The Five Elders merely acted as stewards; how could they have the authority to decide for the master whether to demand more or less?

Thinking of Bartholomew Kuma, besides his own formidable combat strength, his Devil Fruit ability was the most critical factor—if used well, it could play a massive role.

However, according to the intelligence detected by CP2, his fruit ability had likely not awakened yet, which significantly diminished its value.

It was the same principle: appease him first, and take it slow.

That night, Im once again summoned the Five Elders to the Empty Palace. Everyone had grown accustomed to these frequent meetings.

Without needing Im to ask, the Five Elders began reporting on the matters previously assigned to them one by one.

The bald, mustachioed elder kneeling in the center was the first to speak.

"Lord Im, this afternoon we gathered all the merfolk and fish-men within Mary Geoise in one location. We have dispatched doctors and psychologists to provide them with the best possible physical and mental treatment. We plan to send them back to Fish-Man Island once their condition has improved."

His words were simple and sounded unremarkable, but Im could hear between the lines that these merfolk and fish-men had likely been severely tormented by the Celestial Dragons.

Indeed, if they were sent back to Fish-Man Island now—covered in scars and mentally broken to the point of numbness—they would likely respond not with gratitude, but with even deeper hatred.

This Elder's handling of the matter could be described as quite mature and steady.

"Well done. Regarding their injuries, use the best doctors and medicines. Invite doctors from the Drum Kingdom to ensure they recover fully within a month."

At this point, Im paused. He had long harbored the idea of turning the Holy Land's medical department into a medical academy.

A place that gathered the world's finest doctors to specifically collect, organize, and research medical arts. Dr. Kureha would be the most suitable dean in his mind, possessing more than enough age, experience, and medical skill.

Perhaps in the future, they could truly research the "Panacea" that Tony Tony Chopper dreamed of?

"As for the psychological issues, call Vice Admiral Tsuru of the Navy directly. Use her Wash-Wash Fruit ability to wash away the negative emotions of the fish-men and merfolk, and return an optimistic, pure, and kind citizenry to Fish-Man Island!"

As he spoke these words, Im's eyes showed no emotion, only coldness and ruthlessness.

He did not care whether doing so would cause irreversible damage or side effects to the minds of those merfolk and fish-men; he only needed to ensure it wouldn't affect the relationship with Fish-Man Island.

Besides, as long as no one spoke out, who would know?

Even if the people of Fish-Man Island found out, he could simply say it was to help them treat their psychological trauma so they could live better lives.

At least on the surface, a clean and sunny personality was not a bad thing.

"We shall obey your command."

The Five Elders responded in unison. Immediately after, Saint Topman Warcury continued the report.

Because these administrative matters were under his jurisdiction.

"My Lord, according to the reports from CP members in various regions, of the twenty-three kings contacted so far, all have expressed their support for the passage of the motion and have signed the scroll."

Upon the Empty Throne, Im nodded, satisfied with this result.

"Good. Continue as before. Prioritize kings with good reputations among their people and small, impoverished nations. The goal is singular: ensure no accidents occur during the voting process. Once the motion is officially passed, act immediately to push its implementation with maximum force!"

"Yes, Lord Im."

"How is CP5? Have they found that terrifying Three-Masted Ship?" Im asked, his cold gaze fixed on the five bowed heads.

Regarding this matter, Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, the blond, most handsome, and robust among them, replied

"My Lord, the dense fog in the sea area known as the Devil'ary Triad is too severe. So far, three CP5 members have become lost within it; we can only confirm they are still alive through Den Den Mushi contact."

Im's brow furrowed slightly. He did not ask why they didn't use a compass.

He knew that the magnetic fields of the Grand Line were extremely chaotic, making ordinary compasses useless, and Log Poses only pointed to the next island, which was of little use in such dense fog.

This was also why experienced captains had avoided the Devil'ary Triad for hundreds of years.

*Aha!*

Im's eyes lit up. Recalling the contents of the original story, a solution suddenly came to mind.

"Since the main problem lies in determining direction, that is easy to solve. Just find a 'compass'!"

Below, the kneeling Five Elders almost simultaneously furrowed their brows. They instinctively wanted to say that compasses were useless, but ultimately swallowed their words.

Yet, doubt remained: how could Lord Im be ignorant of such common knowledge?

Being high above, Im naturally could not see the expressions of the bowed Five Elders, but he could more or less guess.

"In the forests of Jaya, there exists a type of large bird whose beak always points south, no matter where it is. Send CP5 to find it!"

"Such a miraculous bird exists?" Saint Marcus Mars recalled historical documents he had once read and said in surprise, "Jaya... I remember it wasn't..."

"It used to be special, but it is not anymore."

Im did not want to dwell on such matters; the most important things were the present and the future.

"Have them find several of them. Then, establish a department dedicated to breeding these 'Compass Birds.' At the same time, have the Navy send a fleet there to clear out the pirate towns. From now on, that place will serve as a base for breeding Compass Birds!"

"We shall obey your command."