"Me."
As soon as Imu's words fell, Shanks was about to respond when suddenly, a lively and upbeat melody began to play. The curtains on the projected stage slowly opened, forcing Shanks to swallow his words and look on in exasperation as Nerona Saint, no longer paying attention to him, focused intently on the screen.
The feeling of listening to someone for so long, only to be unable to speak when it was finally your turn, was truly frustrating. Was this person doing it on purpose? The timing was just too perfect. But now, everyone's attention was drawn to the evening's performance, and Shanks could only sigh inwardly and raise his head to watch along.
And honestly, the opening act was truly spectacular!
As the crimson curtains fully opened, most of the lights in the audience area dimmed. Meanwhile, beams of light shot toward the center of the stage, illuminating it in a golden glow and making the performers shine brilliantly.
Band members, some holding bass guitars, others with electric guitars, and some seated behind drum kits, played the energetic and rhythmic tune with full concentration.
Whether it was the humans, Fish-men, or Mermen in the audience, or the countless viewers watching through live broadcasts, almost everyone was instantly captivated by the music.
The atmosphere of the entire event was lifted to new heights by their performance.
But they were not the main attraction.
"I'm now setting out to chase~~"
"Splashing through the waves~~"
"Sailing toward an endless world~~"
The main attraction was the handsome man standing at the center of the stage, in front of the upright microphone, flashing the brightest smile as he sang his heart out for all to see.
And beside him stood a stunningly beautiful woman with golden hair and blue eyes, dressed in a luxurious golden gown. Nearly every man, including the Fish-men, couldn't take their eyes off her.
But it was clear to everyone that her gaze was fixed solely on the man holding her right hand.
"With overflowing passion~~"
"Anywhere is fine~~"
"Chasing the unknown light————"
People all over the world were amazed by this novel and joyful song. Even the lively party scenes in various places began to quiet down. Instead of drinking, eating, or laughing loudly, people now wanted to simply listen to this never-before-heard but incredibly beautiful melody.
"Let the summer sun raise the sails of the heart~~"
"Open your heart~ The signal to enter a new world~~"
Tesoro, dressed in a suit adorned with golden stars and wearing a gold-and-white top hat, sang with all his might. Seeing the tens of thousands of audience members captivated by his voice, he felt a fire burning fiercely within him.
This was the scene he had dreamed of since childhood—having everyone fall in love with his singing! Filled with emotion and passion, Tesoro turned to share a deep gaze with Stella beside him, yet his lips continued to sing the heartfelt lyrics into the microphone, accompanied by the music.
At the same time, Stella smiled and joined in the chorus.
"Rolling through the waves~ Beyond despair~ Toward the other side of the horizon"
"I'm now setting out to chase~~"
"Splashing through the waves~~"
"Sailing toward an endless world~~"
Indeed, the third objective of the Publicity Department is to catapult Tesoro and Stella to stardom, transforming them into global superstars under the World Government! "Listen to this song, it's really well sung," Gion praised sincerely as she watched the handsome man and beautiful woman on the projection screen.
Stussy nodded in agreement, saying, "Indeed, this is the first time I've heard it. It must be their own creation. It's truly impressive."
"I always thought 'Binks' Sake' was the best song in the world, but I never expected to hear another song this good!" Shanks, who had just put his straw hat back on, laughed cheerfully. His heart was truly expansive; even in an unfamiliar environment, he could naturally adapt.
"'Binks' Sake'?" Gion looked at him in confusion. Having grown up in Marineford, she had never heard of this song.
"Ahem, it's a song known as the 'Pirate's Song,' a tune that praises pirates," Stussy whispered into her ear.
"Ah!" Gion covered her mouth in surprise. "How could someone compose a song specifically to praise pirates?"
"..."
A string of black lines appeared above Shanks' head. He was about to retort that pirates also had many commendable aspects, but for some reason, he glanced at the expressionless Imu and swallowed his words.
However, at this moment, Imu was completely uninterested in their conversation. Instead, he was earnestly enjoying the familiar song, and memories from before his transmigration surfaced in his mind like ripples on water.
The people, the things, the events, the anime he watched, and the games he played back then... Although he felt genuine joy and gratitude for the transmigration that had happened to him, he sometimes also felt lonely and bored.
Mainly bored.
This was actually the reason why he had the Publicity Department specifically cultivate Tesoro—a reason even greater than Tesoro's potential as a top-tier talent.
Having someone he was familiar with sing the Pirate King songs he knew so well—that was what he wanted.
In Imu's view.
Reforming the World Government was important. Improving the lives of the world's people was important. Conquering planets across the universe and enhancing his own strength were important.
But making the world interesting was equally important! Otherwise, simply monotonously expanding the World Government's influence and endlessly pursuing power would be too dull. In the long journey of life, one should find some joy. If there was none, then he would create it, have those below him manufacture it for him! After all, he was Lord Imu. What he wanted, whether it existed or not, would eventually be his!
Power, authority—weren't they all meant to allow him to do as he pleased?
"Hosting a grand banquet where all races and people of the world could participate and laugh—wouldn't that fulfill Luffy's dream?"
"And I'll hold it every year!"
While the outside world was immersed in the joyous celebration of Liberation Day, filled with singing and dancing, within the Calm Belt, Impel Down remained a place of despair. Apart from the guards who secretly watched the evening performances in their rooms, the prisoners on every level were still filled with screams and wails of agony. Every moment, thousands died under various circumstances.
Crunch
"Hmm?"
In the deepest level, within a cell of Infinite Hell, Crocodile, who had been sitting on the platform with his eyes closed in meditation, suddenly opened his somewhat numb eyes.
When he saw the cell door slowly rising, his pupils contracted sharply, and a spark of hope automatically ignited in his heart.
"Crocodile, come out."
Outside the cold Seastone cell door, Magellan looked at him expressionlessly. Crocodile slowly stood up and asked unhurriedly, "Can you tell me where we're going?"
"You can ask the person outside who's picking you up. I'm only responsible for taking you out."
"Is that so..."
Crocodile no longer hesitated and decisively walked over. Even if they were taking him out to execute him, he would rather die under the sunlight outside than slowly rot away in this pitch-dark cell.
"It seems my wheel of fate is turning once again~~"
The sand crocodile walked up to Magellan and revealed a mocking smile, followed by his unique, drawn-out laughter.
"Ha—Ha—Ha—Ha—"
"Shut up!"
Magellan frowned, unable to bear the gasping, breathless laughter, and angrily said, "Laugh one more time, and I'll end your fate right here!"
"..."