The natural system started off strong, but the navy finally reached its peak!

At the very center of the palace, in the very center of that void, stood the throne.

The Void Throne.

It symbolizes the supreme creed and sacred lie that the World Government was "jointly founded by twenty kings, and no one can sit on it alone to rule the world."

And this moment.

On that empty throne that should have remained forever, sat a person.

Marshall D. Teach—or rather, the shell that belonged to Blackbeard.

Im appeared extremely relaxed, even slightly languid.

Leaning against the cold metal throne backrest, his legs were even casually spread apart.

One elbow is resting on the armrest, and the palm is supporting the side of the face.

The fingers of the other hand moved intermittently.

Gently tapping the armrest on the other side of the throne.

It emitted a soft, rhythmic tapping sound, exceptionally clear in the deathly silent hall.

Nineteen handles were inserted in a ring around the base of the throne.

These are tokens symbolizing their vow to "abandon dictatorship and govern together".

“Lily… I understand now.”

So...she left.

The Neferutari family refused to move to the Holy Land, relinquishing their status and privileges as "creators."

In Im's view, this might not be foolishness, but rather a sober despair.

"What a pity..."

Im stopped tapping his fingers on the armrest.

"When the World Government was founded, each and every one of us..."

"They are all heroes."

hero.

What an ironic phrase.

For Im today, perhaps even it can no longer distinguish itself.

This "hero" refers to that group of comrades who, back then, harbored (perhaps) ideals.

Or is it referring to... that long-lost "original aspiration," one that has become distorted even in its own memory?

"And now..."

Im slowly raised his eyes.

Beyond the empty hall, beyond the silent weapons, I looked toward the hall's entrance.

"The real 'hero'... has arrived again."

"Just like you were back then..."

"Joey Boy is the bad guy, we are the heroes."

"Now Mu is the bad guy, and..."

Im paused,

"Today's 'hero' has arrived."

The moment it finished speaking...

"Tap, tap, tap."

A figure clad in a pure white marshal's overcoat stood against the light emanating from the corridor behind him.

I stepped into this final temple, into the void throne that symbolizes the pinnacle of world power.

Gern stopped and stood about thirty meters away from the Void Throne.

This distance was enough for him to clearly see the person on the throne.

See that face clearly, see those eyes clearly.

When Gern's gaze fell upon the face of "Blackbeard" on the throne...

I was taken aback for a moment.

"Blackbeard...is sitting on the Empty Throne?"

The shock and absurdity of this scene even surpassed the gathering of the Five Elders in Egherd.

But Gern's stunned silence lasted less than half a second before he quickly recovered.

There was nothing he could do; the person in front of him wasn't Blackbeard.

Because he was too calm

Even Gern, who had a stereotypical view of Blackbeard's face, found it strange.

Where's Blackbeard?

Gern didn't waste any words and went straight to the point.

Im, sitting on the throne, smiled more deeply.

“David…”

"He has fulfilled his destiny."

Gern did not inquire further about the specific meaning of the title.

The other party's words have already indicated that Blackbeard Marshall D. Teach, the ambitious Yonko, is no more.

All that remains is this body chosen by "fate" (or rather, by Im).

Im leaned forward slightly, removed his elbows from the armrest, placed his hands on his knees, and looked at Gren with interest.

"But you... I didn't expect you to actually..."

It paused, as if savoring the "unbelievable" journey.

"He walked unimpeded all the way to Mu."

"Unimpeded"

The word, spoken by a "god" who ruled the world for eight hundred years, carries a complex meaning.

There is an acknowledgment of Gern's strength, and an indifference to the successive defeats of his own forces (the Five Elders and the Divine Knights).

Upon hearing this word, the corners of Gern's mouth also curved upwards.

But it wasn't a joyful or relaxed smile.

“Yes,” Gern replied softly.

His right hand slowly rose and rested on the hilt of the jet-black sword named "Eight Desolations" at his left waist.

With his movement, the special white bandages wrapped around the scabbard...

It began to loosen, rotate, and release the black blade and the dark purple patterned tsuba on its own.

"My journey along the way..."

Gern's gaze traveled across the thirty-meter distance to meet the calm eyes on the throne.

"All are 'unimpeded'."

He spoke these words slowly and clearly.

Everything was 'unimpeded'.

This is not merely a response to Im's assessment of his invasion of the Holy Land.

This is more than just a recounting of his entire life.

From an unknown recruit in the Western Blue to a "rising star" stirring up the Grand Line.

From being feared and suppressed by the world government, to integrating the navy and declaring independence

From slaying the Celestial Dragons to Eghard slaying a "god," and now to standing beneath the Hollow Throne...

How many powerful enemies have blocked our path along the way?

How many conspiracies and schemes are there? How many seemingly hopeless obstacles are there?

Internal strife within the Navy, encirclement by the World Government, hostility from the Four Emperors, murderous intent from the Five Elders, and even the personal descent of a "god"...

But in the end, he made it through.

Treading over the corpses of enemies, shattering all conspiracies, with absolute power and will.

He turned all the "obstacles" into stepping stones to his destination.

The journey was smooth and unobstructed!

What arrogance! And what a stark reality!

The bandages completely fell off, the eight wastelands were utterly liberated, and sparks ignited.

Gern gripped the hilt of his knife tightly, bent his knees slightly, and lowered his center of gravity.

They assumed a very basic starting stance.

No further explanation is needed.

The final stage.

The only two "actors".

One of them sat atop a void throne, ruled the world for eight hundred years, and proclaimed himself the "Creator."

Now, it is Im who occupies the body of another.

The other is someone who crushed all obstacles, rose from humble beginnings, and slew a "god" with a mortal body.

The "hero" who now stands with a sword at the foot of the throne is Gern Reginald Sigmar.

The final performance.

Here.

Officially begin.

Chapter 735 Absolute Suppression

"Earthquake..."

Im's voice echoed in the empty, deathly silent hall.

It slowly rose from the cold, empty throne, its movements unhurried.

"Hmm, let me show you..."

"Devil Fruit, the true power revealed."

The moment the words fell!

Without warning, materialized darkness surged from Im's lower body!

Immediately, the darkness, like a rocket booster, generated a violent recoil force.

It propelled its body forward from the throne pedestal, instantly closing the distance with Gern!

At the same time, its left hand suddenly clenched its five fingers inward at a seemingly empty area to the side and in front of Gern!

"Dark Explosion!"

"Bang!!!!"

The locked space suddenly collapsed violently inward without warning, followed by a devastating explosion of dark energy!

There was no firelight, only pure darkness, annihilation, and terrifying shockwaves created by spatial distortion.

It spread wildly in all directions in a spherical shape!