**Chapter 18: Im's Loneliness and Troubles!**
Im casually planted his Long Sword into the gray ground that resembled the Moon Surface.
Although he didn't have a drop of sweat on him, as soon as he returned to the warm and bright Wooden House Interior, he habitually walked into the Bathroom to shower.
The showerhead turned on, spraying warm Water Spray. Im raised his face, closed his eyes, and enjoyed the comfort of the moment. However, when he dried his Body, changed into a clean bathrobe, and plopped down onto the soft Sofa, looking at the empty Environment, he suddenly felt a sense of loneliness.
Originally, the excited Mood from suddenly possessing invincible Strength, supreme Authority, the Wealth of enemy nations, and even being able to call himself the Ball of this Planet, had actually calmed down after such a long Time. He had even somewhat gotten used to his Strength and Identity.
But deep down, his Heart was still that of an Ordinary Person who had only transmigrated less than two years ago. He didn't possess the ruthless Mind, like gold and iron, that Former Imu had.
As a Normal Human, he really hoped to have someone accompany him, someone to chat intimately with from time to time to relieve the Pressure in his Heart.
But he also Understood very well that with his current Identity, he really couldn't easily let people get close to him.
This Room of Authority, while seemingly supreme and the most mysterious and noble place on the entire Planet, could also be seen from another perspective as a spacious Prison Cell, even though he could leave anytime.
Initially, he had felt that transmigrating as Im was an unimaginably lucky start compared to other Transmigrators who became Pirates, Civilians, or even Slaves or Prisoners.
But thinking about it carefully, those people could at least adventure across The Seas, admire the beautiful Scenery in Various Places, and experience all sorts of exciting events.
Transmigrating to this World of One Piece, wasn't the most appealing part itself the myriad of strange Islands and Creatures?
Oh, and there were also all sorts of Devil Fruit Abilities, but he couldn't easily try any of them.
If he were to really go out one day, he would have to Consider all aspects of the Situation. However, thinking about it carefully, with his current Strength, there shouldn't be anything on this Planet that could threaten him.
But Im also knew well that the Ocean on this Planet was far more mysterious and dangerous than the Ocean in his Previous Life. Various Supernatural phenomena emerged endlessly, and it wouldn't be strange to encounter any kind of incredible Accident.
As for Devil Fruits, honestly, other than the Devil Fruit he was currently searching for, he didn't care about any of the others at all!
So, it seemed the only thing left was to find someone to accompany him.
This person, naturally, referred to a woman. Logically, with his Identity, getting a beautiful woman would be easy. Just look at the Maids who served his Life; outside, they were all top-class Beauties.
If it were before transmigrating, any one of them would be someone he'd cherish and pamper like a treasure if she were his wife.
But now the Situation was different. Im felt that even if he were to start a Harem, the quality of the women in the Palace had to be the absolute best!
It was just that the current point in Time was a bit awkward. Those great Beauties of the Future were either not yet born or still too young; calling them Lolis wouldn't even be appropriate, and he had no interest in raising them. As for some who were great Beauties in the Past, their Age was now too high, for example, Vice Admiral Tsuru of Marine Headquarters.
Ultimately, for the next decade or so, he would still have to bear the loneliness and solitude at the peak of the World by himself.
He sighed.
Just as this de facto King of the World, at the Top of the Red Line thousands of meters above sea level, was sinking into enviable helplessness and frustrating vexation...
...ten thousand meters below the base of the Red Line beneath his feet, in the Deep Sea, another thirty-six-year-old King was currently radiating pink Bubbles of happiness all over, looking with doting affection at the blue-skinned infant held in his wife's arms on the luxurious bed.
"Otohime, let me hold him. I want to touch Shark Star too."
King Neptune, at this moment, showed not a hint of the demeanor of Fish-Man Island's King. He looked more like a child captivated by a toy, gazing with a face full of Longing at his beautiful and delicate blonde Queen Consort.
Queen Otohime's face still showed clear fatigue, but her Gaze was exceptionally bright. Hearing her husband's words, she glanced at his twelve-meter-high Body Size and huge Palms, then lowered her head to look at the tiny person in her arms, and finally firmly gave a Shake Head.
"No, Shark Star was just born less than five hours ago. He's too small, and his Body is too soft. You should wait a few more days."
"Ah, well..."
Hearing the refusal, King Neptune's face instantly filled with disappointment. But he loved the woman before him too much to force the issue. Just then, a beautiful Mermaid Attendant walked in.
"His Majesty, the Right Minister has arrived and says he has an important Matter to Report to you."
"Is that so? Then let him in!" King Neptune said casually.
Logically, he should have gone out himself and had the Conversation in the small hall outside, but at this moment, he was still immersed in the joy of becoming a father for the first time and truly didn't want to leave his wife for a single second.
"Yes, His Majesty." The Mermaid Attendant naturally had no objection and turned to leave Respectfully.
Soon, the Left Minister, a Catfish Fish-Man, walked in wearing a purple Robe. At this time, he had just entered middle age and didn't look as old as he would in the Future. He also didn't have that Ox-horn Cane in his hand.
"Greetings, His Majesty! Greetings, Queen Consort!"
Queen Otohime nodded gently, while King Neptune asked directly, "Is there something the Matter?"
"Yes, the Left Minister just sent someone to Report that a World Government Ship is waiting outside the Gas Storage Gate to enter the country," the Left Minister said calmly.
World Government?!
King Neptune subconsciously turned his head and exchanged glances with Queen Otohime. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Perhaps it's for this year's Reverie?"
"That should be it."
King Neptune thought so too. He immediately instructed the Left Minister, "Inform the Right Minister to welcome them in. At the same time, have someone tidy up the Main Hall. We will have the Meeting there!"
"Yes, His Majesty!"
The Left Minister responded and left to handle these matters.
"His Majesty, could I also listen in later?" Queen Otohime asked softly.
"Well..."
King Neptune hesitated slightly. Of course, he knew what she was concerned about.
When he first became King of Fish-Man Island that year, he had heard that his newly wedded wife had begun traveling around, striving for the ideal of peaceful coexistence between the Fish-Man Tribe and Humans.
But honestly, he didn't really agree with it in his Heart. He felt it was too unrealistic. He Understood what kind of organization the World Government was, but he couldn't stop her, so he could only let her be.
"His Majesty~"
Such blatant coquetry and pleading instantly caused King Neptune to Break Defense. Scratching the back of his head, he chuckled foolishly, "Alright!"
Thirty minutes later, the King and Queen Consort, dressed neatly in Royal Robes, sat upright in their seats in the Banquet Hall. One was majestic and imposing, the other dignified and virtuous.
This Main Hall was extremely luxurious, spacious, and tall. Everywhere the eye could see were the finest Coral and Pearls. In the Court, there was also a giant Shell Stage.
Because they were receiving World Government Personnel, to show seriousness, there were no Musicians or Dancers on the stage.
Not long after, a gentle young man wearing a Black Suit and Leather Boots, accompanied by two capable Attendants dressed similarly, arrived Outside the Hall riding a giant Flounder covered in Bubbles.
End of Chapter