One Piece: I am Imu-Chapter 268: Historia’s Dilemma, Esdeath’s Quest

The Natural energy.

According to Guren's account: She was born into a group of Danger Beasts called the Snow Foxes of the Frozen Sea, creatures that could only throw snowballs and were experts at diving into the water to hunt small fish. However, she instinctively discovered that she could absorb the freezing wind to satisfy her hunger.

Thanks to this ability, she survived in an environment where her brothers and sisters periodically died of starvation. At the same time, her power related to ice and snow was strengthened, and new tails began to sprout behind her, one after another.

When she reached maturity, her intelligence far surpassed that of her kind. It was then that she decided to investigate the energy contained in the icy wind.

However, with her limited understanding, Guren was never able to discover anything concrete.

It was over two centuries before she evolved into a Super Class, at which point she encountered the old dragon. It was then that she realized that what she was absorbing was natural energy.

According to the dragon, the natural energy in the air has multiple attributes, but generally, each Super Class can only absorb a specific type.

However, there are exceptions.

In short, this ability to absorb and control natural energy is an innate skill. It cannot be taught to others.

After explaining, Guren added: "However, Queen Esdeath may have a chance. Her body contains my bloodline, and she controls it perfectly. She could try to sense the natural energy in a polar region."

"Oh?" A flash of interest lit up Esdeath's eyes.

"Come to think of it." Esdeath said, touching her chin in thought. "My Snowstorm Technique, which accumulates energy for days before being unleashed all at once, I always thought it was my Teigu's power. But now that I think about it, maybe it's because I unconsciously absorb natural energy."

"Not bad. You've done well." Imu commented with satisfaction, as he casually praised Guren. "Let Stussy use her ability to shrink you down. Then, follow her to find the place where you'll live." Imu, having nothing else to add, dismissed her directly.

"Yes, Master!" Guren replied, bowing, then she extended her huge paw towards Stussy.

[Buzz!]

With the power of the Devil Fruit, a faint golden glow enveloped the gigantic fox. In a matter of seconds, its body shrank until it reached a height of about three meters.

"Is this size to your liking?" Stussy asked with a slight smile.

"Thank you!" Guren replied, surveying her new size and surroundings, clearly pleased.

Without saying another word, Guren followed Stussy as they slowly walked away.

"Lord Imu, I would like to return to Teigu World and look for the place where Guren lived." Esdeath suddenly said.

"Okay, you have three months." Imu agreed after a moment's thought. "But I suggest you visit the polar regions of this world first. Then, the pole of your own world, and finally, the icy regions of Starfish World."

"Thank you!" Esdeath thanked her sincerely. She had been afraid that Imu would refuse her request, considering how little time she had spent here.

...

That night.

Imu decided that Esdeath would sleep with him, considering that she would be leaving for three months in a few days.

Historia understood, but her heart couldn't help but feel a little dejected.

Since Esdeath arrived, she spent more and more nights sleeping alone.

At first, for her, sharing a bed with Imu was a duty. Although she enjoyed it physically, she saw it as nothing more than an obligation.

However, over time, a feeling of attachment arose in her, even though it all started for selfish reasons. Since she believed that if she lost Imu's favor, the Eldians would no longer enjoy the comforts and privileges that her status as Queen afforded them.

Her face shadowed with worry, Historia walked towards her rooms, closely followed by Mikasa and Levi.

"Mikasa, can you stay and talk to me?"

When the three of them arrived inside the rooms, Historia turned to Mikasa with that request.

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"Then, with your permission, Your Majesty, I will be leaving." Levi bowed slightly before leaving hurriedly.

"Mikasa, I'm a little scared now."

For the first time, Historia let her vulnerability show. Mikasa listened patiently as Historia confided all her worries.

"What can I do?" She finally asked, her tone heavy with uncertainty.

Mikasa thought for a moment before answering.

"I don't understand much about these things... but I think I know an opportunity when I see one."

Historia blinked, confused. Mikasa continued: "Queen Esdeath will be away for three months. That's your chance."

"But what about three months later?"

Mikasa shook her head and said: "That's for the future. For now, focus on seizing the moment."

"And how do I do that?" Historia looked at her with genuine curiosity.

"Spend more time with Lord Imu. It's best that you don't travel to Paradis Island so often, or at least do so only occasionally. Also, try to share Lord Imu's interests."

"Okay."

Historia hesitated for a moment but ended up nodding. She had no better ideas.

"By the way." Mikasa added. "You should also try to convince Ymir. I think she's your best card. If you can get her on your side, you'll become even more indispensable."

Historia sighed deeply. "Understood. Starting tomorrow, I'll try to communicate more with Ymir." Her eyes sparkled with determination.

...

At the same time, an area on one of the floors of Noah's Ark had turned into a world of ice and snow overnight, and an ice palace rose from the ground.

This was Guren's private territory.

After settling in, Guren had donated 20 liters of blood as per the agreement with Imu.

Of these, ten liters were sent to the Institute of Biochemical Research. The other ten were delivered to Utgard.

...

In his residence, Utgard observed the scarlet blood and without hesitation, poured the entire contents into his mouth. He closed his eyes, waiting for some effect.

"Hmm?"

Apart from a brief feeling of coolness in his stomach, there was no noticeable change.

Frowning, he raised his palm and inspected it curiously.

He decided to test the powers of his Snow-Snow Fruit and transformed his right hand into elemental snow. Then, he lightly moved his hand forward as if tracing something in the air.

The next moment, about ten meters away, a gust of wind and snow appeared and began to spin violently, covering his living room in a blanket of white and leaving everything in a mess.

"Oh?"

Utgard let out a sound of astonishment. Before, the powers of his Snow-Snow Fruit always emanated directly from his body into the surroundings. Now, he could generate snowstorms from a distance.

Although the discovery was exciting, it was also somewhat disappointing. 'Is that all?' He thought, scratching his head.

'Could it be that I used too little blood?'

Utgard looked down at his twenty-two-meter-tall body and thought.

However, Utgard did not believe that he could get more blood in a short period of time. Still, he decided to give it a try and at least report his current status.

In retrospect, Guren's blood did contain a strong wild aura, but the effects on the mind were not that different from that of hard liquor. It was palpable, but not overwhelming.

Furthermore, just as Guren had mentioned, to truly awaken the ability to manipulate the natural energy of ice, an exceptional affinity with ice was needed.

An extremely demanding requirement.

...

Two days later.

Esdeath embarked on her journey.

She was accompanied by three thousand soldiers from the Holy Land Garrison, fifty members of the Cipher Pol, and a hundred servants in charge of logistics such as food, lodging, and medical care. They all set out on a flying warship from Noah's Ark.

Her first stop would be the Arctic of the World of the Titans.

Meanwhile, Imu continued with his daily life without any disruption.

However, in the last few days, he had noticed a change in Historia.

She no longer spent as much time visiting the Eldians on Paradis Island. Instead, she had begun playing extraordinary tennis and asking about his daily activities.

This piqued his curiosity.

Using his Kenbunshoku Haki to read her surface thoughts, Imu discovered the reason: Historia was feeling a growing sense of insecurity.

He pondered for a moment and realized that since Esdeath's arrival, he had probably neglected Historia.

Still, he appreciated Historia's efforts to accommodate and seek his attention. That's why, whenever he didn't have urgent matters, he spent more time with her.

After all, she was his first wife.

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