Chapter 42

"Where is Mayor Espagu? Why didn't he inform the people? He will pay a huge price for this!"

"Go to the shelter like last time!"

The residents of Water 7 were terrified, using their "old method" to prepare for the incoming threat of Aqua Laguna.

The sound of the waves drowned out their screams as Water 7 was inundated.

After the surge of Aqua Laguna, all traces were wiped clean.

After today, all the Pirate World's factions aware of the Pluto blueprint were silenced.

...

On Sky Island, in the Imperial Palace, the Zhaoyi Palace.

Ethan carried Kalifa's body out of the alternate space. The angels guarding on either side showed a hint of surprise in their eyes and hurried forward to assist, but he simply waved them off, signaling there was no need.

He walked to the couch and gently laid Kalifa on it.

Kalifa's sleeping face, angelic and peaceful, would captivate any man.

Ethan admired her for a moment, then instructed the angels to dress her in a gown befitting a divine consort before he gently roused her.

Kalifa woke slowly, blinking in confusion at the unfamiliar surroundings. She quickly stood up, her eyes widening in shock.

[Where am I? Wasn't I just working in the office...]

Palace surroundings, crystal chandeliers, golden pillars...

A beautiful girl with angel wings, a man in a white robe…

[Wait? He can't be Emperor Ethan... It seems I've been captured by him... Why did he target me...]

"It seems you're awake?" Ethan's voice drew her attention as he sat in midair, attended by angels, and watched her expressions shift as she regained awareness.

"I…"

Kalifa hesitated. As a member of CP9, she'd been trained to stay calm in any situation. After a moment's confusion, she steadied herself, knowing she needed to disguise her intentions and gather intelligence.

[Thunder Fruit ability... If he knew I was CP9, I'd be dead... I'd better act...]

Kalifa's voice quivered as her eyes darted around. "I...this... Where am I? How did I get here? Who are you?"

She looked around, feigning amnesia convincingly.

Oh? An agent used to playing pretend? Let's see how far you're willing to take this act.

"Why, are you trying to act as if you've lost your memory?"

Kalifa's face flushed as she shook her head, tears forming in her eyes. "Why would I pretend? I truly don't remember... Everything's so blurry, and my head hurts so much…"

She held her temples, acting as if she were trying and failing to recall her memories.

Ethan chuckled. If she wants to pretend amnesia, he'd indulge her.

"Don't worry. I believe you."

Ethan moved beside her and held her, feeling her body stiffen momentarily. He patted her back to calm her, wiped the tears from her cheeks, and said gently:

"This is the Kingdom of God. My name is Emperor Ethan. I am both god and emperor here. You, Kalifa, are my goddess consort, and these are the angels who serve here."

Kalifa, despite her inner turmoil, managed to keep her expression calm. "Okay..."

...

Two hours later, Ethan couldn't help but smile. He found this amnesia game amusing.

Initially, he had planned to offer Kalifa to Robin as a surprise, but the "gift" had become a treasure for him.

Kalifa's father, once part of CP9, had led the search for evidence of scholars studying the ancient texts in O'Hara, eventually prompting the Buster Call that wiped it from the map.

If Robin learned of this, she would resent Kalifa's family and might subject her to a relentless interrogation, forcing Kalifa to fall further under Ethan's control.

Now, Kalifa had unknowingly avoided Robin's wrath and fallen directly into Ethan's hands.

"Stay here obediently. That will help you regain your memory."

"Yes... I'll be obedient..."

...

Days later, Ethan left the Zhaoyi Palace and found Robin in the Palace of Gods.

Robin lay comfortably in his arms, reading. "Where's my surprise gift? You haven't forgotten, have you…"

"Ah, well... There was a slight issue with the surprise gift. I might have…kept it for myself," Ethan admitted, recalling Kalifa's innocent sleeping face.

"Oh?"

He explained to Robin how he had captured Kalifa, a CP9 agent connected to her past, but he left out the details about the Pluto blueprint.

Robin's eyes brightened. She thought Ethan might seek justice on her behalf by targeting the World Government.

"So, you're saying the CP9 agent, Kalifa, is pretending to have amnesia, and you've taken her as your goddess consort?"

"Yes, she's my gift to you, though things progressed differently than expected."

"Thank you…"

Robin wrapped her arms around him, giving him a tender kiss.

"Kalifa's pretending, you say. So what's your plan for her? She might try to contact the World Government."

"No need to worry; she's in the palace. She has no way of reaching them."

Ethan reassured her, knowing CP9 wouldn't escape him.

"Den Den Mushi capable of contacting the outside are rare on Sky Island, restricted to the temple or priests going to the Blue Sea."

"If she wants to act amnesiac, I'll play along. Once she's comfortable with life here, she'll naturally be reluctant to leave."

"After all, your god-husband is someone who leaves his goddess consorts 'addicted'!"

Robin nodded, reassured by Ethan's confidence. "You don't have to risk fighting the World Government just for me. They're endless, like the Navy—they're just pawns."

"I don't hate them, not even the Navy. They're only tools of the World Government. My hatred is for the World Government itself, for their senseless decisions."

"The pain of O'Hara is buried in my heart. One day, I'll watch you overthrow the World Government, but not now. Our power is not yet enough."

Robin shifted and freed herself, managing to turn over without resistance.

"Don't worry, I'm no fool. I control the world's changes."

Ethan's gaze held immense confidence, his hand already gripping power tightly.

Later, they drifted into each other's dreams, while Nami quietly snuck in, executing a playful "prank."

...

Days later, Ethan's thoughts wandered to the ghost princess, Perona. A true "loli" beauty, a rare addition among his consorts.

Please don't misunderstand; he was not a loli enthusiast! Absolutely not!

He simply felt the need to add this lovely princess to his collection and provide her with a home.

Perona's Ghost Fruit ability was formidable. She had the potential to annihilate Luffy's crew, making her a valuable ally.

Thus, the Devil's Triangle became his next destination.

This territory, belonging to the Warlord of the Sea, Gekko Moriah, was filled with mystery, his eerie Thriller Bark making navigation difficult.

Ethan summoned Shura and instructed all Sky Island priests to search for Thriller Bark in the waters around Water 7.

Meanwhile, he spent time with his consorts while strategizing his path to greater power.