Imu finally decided to step out of the Tree House and the Chamber of the Moon, as he suddenly realized he had been overthinking things.
He hadn't been to the Four Seas, the White Sea, or the Grand Line, but wasn't the Red Line Continent the same? Besides, ordinary people didn't even have the privilege to come up here! He could start by exploring the Red Line Continent, and by the time he was done, he was sure it would help pass a lot of time.
Truth be told, he had been incredibly bored these days. For someone who had only crossed over a little over a year ago, life without a computer or a phone was unbearable, and there wasn't even anyone around to chat with.
Every day, aside from practicing his swordsmanship, playing the piano, and reading reports, all he could do was gaze at the moon!
So he left Pangaea Castle, and with unimaginable speed, he left the holy land of Mary Geoise far behind. Now, when he looked back, he couldn't even see a trace of it.
"Whew————"
For some reason, Imu let out a long, relieved breath, then took a deep inhale, savoring the incredibly fresh natural air.
It wasn't that he particularly disliked staying in Mary Geoise, but he felt a sense of relaxation, at least for a short while. He no longer had to pretend to be aloof or worry about the World Government's rule.
"Oh, so the area right next to Mary Geoise is an autumn zone!" Imu chuckled as he glanced at his surroundings.
He found himself in a red "world," with palm-sized "Crimson Snow" fluttering down from above, and the ground covered in thick red leaves.
As far as the eye could see, the mountains and fields were filled with fiery red maple trees.
Imu strolled leisurely through the forest, enjoying the autumn breeze and the company of the falling leaves, while recalling information about the Red Line Continent.
The Red Line Continent was somewhat like the islands of the Grand Line. It didn't have the normal cycle of four seasons like the Four Seas. Instead, it was composed of regions with different terrains and climates, some spanning hundreds of kilometers, while others were just a few dozen.
So, if you were to walk across the Red Line Continent in one direction, you might find yourself in a region with heavy snowfall, only to step into the next region where the sun was blazing and the heat was unbearable.
For travel enthusiasts, this must be like heaven, right? Actually, it wasn't that surprising, because back in the day, the Red Line Continent was pieced together from islands of the Grand Line.
Mary Geoise, the holy land, was a spring zone, so the climate there was always warm and sunny, with flowers in full bloom.
"Ah, it would be nice to have someone to talk to right now," Imu muttered to himself as he reached the edge of the autumn zone, looking at the snowy ice fields ahead.
But then again, even if someone were with him, what would they talk about?
Given his current status, finding someone with common interests wasn't easy. As for someone who could speak to him as an equal, that was just wishful thinking. Even if such a person existed, he might not actually be pleased.
He had also thought about finding a few beauties, but he felt that with his current position, his standards for selecting consorts should be higher. He couldn't just settle for anyone, as it would not only be beneath his dignity but also lack any sense of prestige.
"Forget it, I shouldn't dwell on these trivial matters. Women will come eventually; there's no need to rush. My future harem, as the great Lord Imu, must consist of the most exquisite beauties, preferably with a touch of arrogance in their personalities."
Imu tried to shift his attention away from women and began contemplating the utilization of the Red Line Continent. Although he appeared to be avoiding pressure, deep down, he couldn't let go of his concern for dominion.
"Such a vast land! If we relocate people here, the population will surely explode in a few decades. There's also plenty of space for growing crops. Leaving it idle is such a waste!"
In his view, scattering most of the population across numerous islands was not only inconvenient for governance but also problematic for transportation and living conditions, which weren't very safe.
While larger islands might fare better, smaller ones were essentially gambling with lives against typhoons, tsunamis, and other natural disasters. Who knew how many islanders perished in these calamities each year?
Living on the Red Line Continent, however, would be different. Although each region had fixed seasons, the stability was invaluable. Moreover, the high terrain made tsunamis a non-issue.
"Population, population, population..."
Imu kept repeating this word.
He was well aware of how crucial it would be for the future of the World Government.
With the Starmap and Stargate at his disposal, he knew that both war and governance would require an enormous population in the future.
While other worlds would undoubtedly have their own inhabitants, he couldn't rely on them extensively in the early stages.
The local population was the foundation! As he trudged through the vast snowy expanse, he suddenly stopped, feeling bored once again.
Looking around, the scenery was beautiful, but there wasn't a soul in sight. Occasionally, he spotted snow hares and foxes darting about.
Truth be told, he wasn't much of a traveler. His desire to explore the outside world stemmed purely from curiosity—he wanted to see interesting people and wondrous things. But the landscapes of the Red Line Continent were too mundane, too ordinary.
So, what did he enjoy?
Watching movies, anime, reading novels, playing games, savoring delicious food, and occasionally playing sports like ping-pong, badminton, or basketball.
"It seems that once the world stabilizes, I'll have to find ways to enrich this world's entertainment industry."
Suddenly, Imu thought of someone—a young lad who dreamed of becoming a big star, a celebrity who loved grand spectacles.
"At this point in time, that kid should be on Sabaody Archipelago. He's a promising talent worth nurturing. Though movies and games are out of the question for now, sports might be worth a try."
Imu stroked his chin, pondering as he turned back the way he came. He found the idea of sports far more intriguing than the bland scenery.
After all, wasn't sports just another form of play?
"But I can't play alone, can I?"
[Purupuru, purupuru]
Just as he was contemplating which sport to try first upon his return, the Den Den Mushi in his pocket rang. This was a line only the Five Elders could reach when he was away.
"Lord Imu, the attendants from the Marine Headquarters and Cipher Pol have been confirmed. Would you like to meet them now, or wait until the time of departure?"
This voice belonged to the mustachioed elder of the Five Elders, a voice Imu had become all too familiar with.
"Wait until departure," Imu replied calmly. Just as the other party was about to end the call after receiving the answer, Imu casually asked, "What are their names?"
"My lord, the Marine Headquarters will send a female rear admiral named Gion. While her strength is average, her appearance is top-notch, and she is proficient in all the arts of a geisha. I believe she will bring you enjoyment during the journey."
"Gion?"
Imu raised an eyebrow. It was indeed a familiar name, and the choice was quite fitting.
"And the other one?"
"She is Stussy, currently with CP9. She also has an excellent appearance and considerable strength, particularly skilled in intelligence gathering and assassination. We believe she will be able to handle many minor tasks for you."
After hearing the identities of these two attendants, Imu's interest was piqued. Feeling bored, he immediately said, "Have them come to see me. Also, arrange for a tennis court and the necessary equipment near Pangaea Castle as quickly as possible."
"Uh, yes!"
Topman Warcury Saint, far away in Mary Geoise, was full of questions but promptly and respectfully agreed. He then gently placed the receiver back, ending the call.
Imu, on his end, grew excited, a smile appearing on his face.
"Finally, something to play with."
But the smile quickly faded, replaced by his usual cold and aloof demeanor. In the next second, he vanished from the spot, his entire being like an invisible bolt of lightning, shooting toward Mary Geoise.