Chapter 81 - Return to the Voidreign Kingdom
High up in the sky, the dark clouds started to go away. The air still smelled like smoke, salt, and battle, and the ocean waves stayed wild after the big fight.
High above everything, a bunch of seagulls flew in circles. Around their necks were tiny gadgets that took pictures and recorded videos of the big battles happening below — showing giant fights, huge monsters, and powerful heroes.
Meruem, standing atop a jagged, scorched boulder, his crimson eyes narrowing, finally noticed them.
He exhaled slowly, his Nen flickering like living shadow tendrils around him.
"So... Morgan," he muttered under his breath.
He knew right away who sent those birds. It was Big News Morgans, the famous bird-man who loves to spread big stories. He had sent his spy seagulls to watch the battle and take pictures. Soon, everyone across the seas would hear about the huge fight between the Voidreign Pirates and the powerful Immortal Commanders.
"Trying to make the world tremble again, huh?" Meruem whispered, the faintest curl of a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
He didn't care.
Let the world watch.
Let them bear witness to the chaos.
Elsewhere amidst the shattered islands, one by one, the remaining members of the Voidreign Pirate elite gathered. The oppressive air of battle faded as battered warriors regrouped.
Uta was the first to arrive.
Her long, red and white hair clung to her face as she strode across the debris-strewn shoreline, her delicate fingers trailing through the humid air. Her eyes were sharp, still reflecting the madness of battle, though the weight of something deeper lingered within them.
She approached Vash the Stampede, who was leaning against a fallen palm tree, casually reloading his revolver. His Angel Arm had vanished, sealed away until needed again. The gunslinger's crimson coat was torn, scorched, but his carefree smirk remained.
"Vash," Uta spoke
"Back there... a magic circle appeared beneath my opponent. Gunko. Before I could finish him, it pulled her away."
Vash tilted his head, his expression turning thoughtful.
"Hmph... so it happened to you too." He gave a curt nod.
"Same thing with Sommers. Blasted him clean to hell, but just as I was about to end it — bam, circle appeared, and poof, gone. Felt like some ancient spellwork, not Devil Fruit."
He spat to the side.
"Annoying bastards... it's one thing to fight tough enemies, another when they can cheat death like that."
Nearby, Black Eye Panda walked over, a piece of bamboo in his mouth. He didn't look worried at all. His fur was messy and stained from fighting, but he stayed calm and peaceful.
"Rawr Rawr (Hmm, whatever. Immortal or normal, it doesn't matter if I can eat them)," he said with a big grin, chomping on his bamboo.
Vash laughed and said, "Panda, I don't get what you're saying! I hope Jessie finds a new crew to translate for us. I think the Mink race might be able to understand all animals!"
Uta's brow furrowed deeper.
A sudden pulse of aura made the group stiffen. From the edge of the broken cliffside, Meruem appeared, his presence alone causing the nearby sea to ripple unnaturally.
His crimson gaze passed over his comrades, noting the battle-worn state of each.
"So," Meruem began, his tone calm, cold, and infinitely calculating.
"It happened to all of you."
Uta gave a sharp nod.
"Yes. All our targets... vanished through those circles."
Vash crossed his arms, scowling.
"I don't like it. Either it's some ancient technology leftover from the Void Century... or someone's learned to merge Devil Fruits with magic."
The air fell heavy at that. The Void Century — an era buried by the World Government, shrouded in mystery. Forbidden knowledge, lost weapons, unspeakable power.
Black Eye Panda, munching nonchalantly, spoke between bites.
"Rawr Rawr"
Meruem's eyes glinted.
"It will be. Soon."
He turned toward the horizon, where the silhouette of the Voidreign Kingdom stood against the fading light of dusk.
"We're heading back."
In the Voidreign Kingdom, Jessie leaned against the big, glowing Azure Ocean Tree. The tree had a soft, blue shine in the evening light. Jessie's face looked calm, but it was hard to tell what he was thinking.