Standing at the doorway, Ezra D. Vale let out a long, heavy breath before knocking on Imu's door.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Come in."
That familiar, cold voice reached his ears.
Ezra slowly pushed the door open.
Inside the room, Imu was already waiting, as if she had anticipated his arrival.
She sat quietly upon her throne.
Ezra walked over and sat beside her.
Two crimson eyes met in silence.
Ezra spoke first.
"Imu, I've already finished reading everything in the archive."
Imu gave a slight nod.
"Did you find anything?"
"There were indeed some things."
Ezra paused slightly before continuing.
"Imu, is there any connection between me and Rocks D. Xebec?"
At that question, Imu's body paused for a brief moment.
"Why would you ask something like that?"
Ezra replied calmly.
"Too many things line up."
"Rocks underwent a surgical procedure thirty-six years ago."
"And I also have fragments of memories involving a similar operation."
"Plus, we both have red eyes."
"The coincidences are too many…"
His crimson gaze locked onto Imu.
Imu's expression remained calm and unreadable.
She tilted her head slightly.
"Then tell me, what do you think the truth is?"
Ezra answered without hesitation.
"I am Rocks D. Xebec."
The moment those words fell, a faint ripple passed through Imu's eyes.
Then she let out a soft breath and smiled.
"Ezra, your guess is correct."
Ezra's body stiffened.
That sentence confirmed everything.
"So it's true… But how was it done? What exactly is the 'Life Design Blueprint'?"
Imu looked at him, slightly surprised.
"Aren't you curious why I did it first?"
Ezra shook his head.
"I think the answer is already in the archive."
Imu paused for a moment, immediately understanding what he meant.
The line from Rocks' file.
"His sister will always protect him."
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"You really are clever. That part of you never changes."
"As for how it was done, you already have a guess, don't you?"
Ezra frowned slightly.
"The Ope Ope no Mi."
Imu nodded.
"Yes. That Devil Fruit."
"But the exact procedure was only known by Vegapunk."
Ezra raised an eyebrow.
That part did not surprise him.
Only a genius like Vegapunk could come up with something like that.
"Imu, my memories only exist in fragments."
"I want to know why I attacked the Celestial Dragons."
"And why I was killed by Garp and Roger."
At those words, Imu suddenly seemed to recall something.
A faint blush appeared on her face.
Ezra froze.
What now?
I just asked a question, why are you blushing?
Imu quickly noticed her own reaction and coughed lightly.
"That matter… I'll tell you later."
Ezra sighed.
Of course.
That was the usual answer.
Imu seemed slightly guilty and reached out, gently patting his head.
"Ezra, no matter what happens in this world."
"Even if everyone turns against you…"
"Your sister will always stand with you."
Their eyes met again.
For a brief moment, the room fell completely silent.
Ezra looked at her.
Then, without warning, he leaned in and kissed her cheek lightly.
Before Imu could react, he had already slipped away.
And fled the room.
By the time she processed what had happened, Ezra was already gone.
Imu touched her cheek lightly.
A faint smile formed on her lips.
"You little troublemaker…"
Meanwhile, Ezra had already stopped outside the meeting room.
He let out a breath.
"Damn… that was intense."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
That was revenge.
For all the times she had teased him before.
Still, even though Imu's words gave him some reassurance, one question remained.
Why did he once lead an attack against the Celestial Dragons?
And why were Garp and Roger the ones who killed him?
Based on everything he had seen, and Imu's confirmation…
He was indeed Rocks D. Xebec.
But his memories only contained fragments.
White coats.
An operation room.
And nothing before that.
Only Ezra D. Vale's memories remained intact.
Rocks' past… was gone.
Erased with death.
"Looks like I'll only get that answer from Imu."
As for Vegapunk and the "Life Design Blueprint"…
He would visit him another time.
For now, he needed to focus.
Ezra adjusted his mindset and stepped into the meeting room.
"Lord Ezra!" the Five Elders greeted in unison.
He gave a slight nod.
"Right. There's one more matter to discuss."
One of them cautiously asked.
"May we ask why another division is being established in the New World?"
Ezra replied calmly.
"The Zero Division is strong enough now to operate independently."
"It's time they begin taking control of important regions on their own."
"In the future, not just the New World, but other key islands as well."
"I will establish Zero Division branches wherever necessary."
The Five Elders immediately understood.
So it was about expanding the Zero Division's influence.
They all nodded respectfully.
"As you command, Lord Ezra."
"That's all for today."
After finishing his business, Ezra left the meeting room without lingering.
He nodded briefly to Kong on the way out before leaving Mary Geoise.
Looking up at the sky, he stretched lightly.
"Spent longer in that archive than I thought…"
"Three days already."
Kong had informed him of that.
Otherwise, he would have assumed only a single day had passed.
Ezra exhaled slowly.
"Well, whatever."
"At least I've got part of the truth now."
"Next…"
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"Time to deal with the pirates."
-----------------------------
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