The various sounds from the eager crowd, along with their gadgets and movements, made it difficult to hear their own conversations, hindering the large group from coordinating a plan of action.
As the crowd made way, they were able to see the area where the grand event would unfold.
The faint light around them barely revealed the wide plaza made of beautiful gray stone, arranged in several thick rings, each larger than the one before, all radiating from the central circle.
Surrounding the perimeter of the largest ring were eight medium-sized moats, evenly spaced.
Aligned with the axes between the outer moats were massive, cushioned pillows, with five of them already occupied by the monarchs.
The pirates looked disappointed by the dull plain where the long-awaited celebration was to take place.
"Is that it?"
"All this fuss for this?" Usopp whined.
"Just eight pools on a decorated floor..." Mic said disillusioned, having been eagerly anticipating the event.
"And the food?" the captain asked through tears.
"This all came up so suddenly. Most likely, they're not ready yet..." Iida replied.
"Do you think they're waiting for us to go?"
"Why do you think that, Kirishima?"
"Well... no one's moving."
"I'm not sure... they look anxious. They're definitely waiting for something, but we don't know what..." Momo deduced, noticing how the residents were all frozen, staring in one direction.
They all kept their eyes fixed on the dark forest. Now, they could more clearly identify the different races by their styles.
The giants' attire was characterized by their use of pelts and leather made from sea monster hides, always worn proudly over their shoulders or backs, accompanied by helmets with large horns, and wide pants tucked into fluffy boots, all necessary for the cold coniferous forest where they lived.
The women, on the other hand, only wore leather in their skirts, donning long-sleeved dresses down to their wrists made from light fabrics in neutral and soft colors.
Similarly, the Tontattas, living in the same kingdom, wore the same garments, with the only difference being their size and the lightness of the material. Instead of thick furry layers, they wore small cloaks with braided tails adorned with wooden beads.
Despite Mu's cold lands, being deep underground, the Minks wore lighter fabrics due to their thick fur, with the females sporting striking jewelry, while the males wore necklaces and belts made of teeth that stood out against their coats made from their own recycled fur.
Unlike the other races, the mermaids and mermen had the lightest attire, with the women only wearing shell bras and thin cloth decorated with coins and jewelry on their tails, while the mermen fully exposed their torsos, showcasing large tattoos that told stories, along with baggy pants made of shiny material decorated with shark teeth.
"KYAAA, THEY ALL LOOK SO CUTE!" The heroines couldn't help but compliment the beautiful outfits.
"What's happening?" Chopper asked, looking with the others towards the forest, feeling a slight vibration in the ground.
"Is it starting?"
"I'm not sure, but it's exciting," Kirishima said, clenching his fists, as his eyes shined with enthusiasm.
"It's about to begin!" said the mermaid from the boutique, wrapping her arms around Todoroki and Sero.
The mangroves began to shake their tops, signaling the arrival of enormous beings. Four giant maidens in long beige dresses, with leather wristbands and belts, emerged from the trees, each carrying two copper vessels on their shoulders, walking toward the pits in the plain.
Despite their enormous size, their steps were delicate, gliding smoothly, appearing as if they were levitating because of their long dresses.
The four beautiful gigantesses lowered their vessels with a series of graceful movements, honoring the four elements they carried within them. They began a subtle dance, featuring elegant and delicate hand movements, presenting the eight contents as they moved in a circular pattern, symbolizing the cycle of life.
From the audience, four men emerged to join the maidens who had prepared the ground to welcome the strength of their clan.
The four couples formalized their presentation with aggressive steps that, through the vibration caused by their stomps, affected the vessels, releasing their contents.
A synchronized leap between the eight individuals caused the flames to flare and intensify, covering the pit completely and igniting it, while in the others reacted differently, creating small geysers. Then, the eight dancers stopped, giving the impression that they had frozen in place.
Although the giants had stopped moving, the ground began to shake like never before. Strong, intermittent jolts caused the river's water to spill out of its banks, flooding the land with its violent movements. The sound of trees cracking as they fell one after another, clearing the path and frightening the outsiders, while the locals remained unfazed.
After the final tree blocking the entrance fell, Lagertha appeared, having swapped her warrior attire for a comfortable, light dress with long puffed sleeves.
The dress was paired with a sea monster skull adorned with several piercings and hanging white gold coins, complementing her feathered necklaces and teeth with metallic accents that jingled as she moved.
Her arrival signaled the retreat of the eight dancers who had prepared the stage for the queen to begin her presentation.
"PEOPLE OF LEMURIA... LET US WELCOME OUR ALLIES AND BROTHERS FROM THE SURFACE... HEROES IN TRAINING FROM THE LANDS OF JAPAN," the queen declared.
The mention of the surface and Japan caused a wave of unease among the heroes, who had already had troubling experiences when revealing such information. However, as they observed more closely, they saw the locals getting excited, shouting with joy.
The gray-haired giantess with braided hair slid the skull covering her face, leaving only her jaw exposed, which wore a broad grin.
The river connecting to the mangroves began to glow as a large group of deep-sea mermaids, known as "The Fireflies of the Sea," emerged, leaving a trail of bioluminescent light from their glowing skin.
The former queen of Valhalla moved toward the center of the ceremony, affecting her surroundings with each step... The fire intensified, the water shifted, and the earth cracked beneath her feet.
The crystals started to lose their shine, and soon, the entire kingdom was cloaked in darkness, illuminated only by the river, thanks to the glowing fireflies, and the faint fire that strengthened with each step Lagertha took.
The darkness was so overwhelming that the heroes could only make out the witch's figure, feeling their companions nearby through the warmth of their bodies and the occasional brush of contact.
"Fire... Water... Circles... Just a pentagram left."
"What are you implying, Tokoyami?"
"They're totally about to sacrifice us."
"WHAT?!"
"Well... They do call her the Witch for a reason."
"They're all wearing teeth and bones on their clothes," they heard the raven's words, eyes wide as they noticed the same in their own outfits.
"Now that you mention it... it is pretty weird," Sero said.
"YOU JUST REALIZED THAT?!"
"What are you guys mumbling about?" asked the swordsman.
"Hahaha, when we first met them, we thought they were cannibals too... but that didn't scare us." Usopp lied with a proud pose.
Lagertha's final step caused the ground to tremble violently, cracking the nation as part of the protective walls collapsed. The impact lifted embers into the air, creating towering pillars of fire.
The flames changed from orange to blue, as the ethanol in the pits ignited, revealing the elusive invisible fire due to the deepening darkness around them.
The crystals absorbed the fire's glow, reflecting it like mirrors and illuminating the entire open space. Meanwhile, geysers erupted from the remaining pits, forming a delicate, birdcage-like structure in the center, connecting all the elements.
The sight of fire and what seemed like a cage caused some of the students to huddle together in fear, seeing the face of the so-called witch illuminated in the indirect light.
Their panic was interrupted by the deep, resonating sound of collosal instruments being played. The giants gathered on the field, taking the flames into their hands until the pillars disappeared, replaced by two towering columns of water that merged with the rest of the show.
The residents appeared excited as the giants danced joyfully.
With each step, the central circular piece began to rise, revealing a vast area of giant mushrooms that, as they emerged, dislodged the surrounding tiles, creating a suspended spiral walkway with platforms at varying heights.
"Are they floating? How?!" Uravity exclaimed, surprised.
"Kikikiki. Did you think you were the only ones with powers?" the squirrel grinned, moving toward the field with her teammates.
"But who?" Deku asked, scanning the crowd and dancers, trying to find the source of the levitation.
The humans' confusion was cut short by the rumbling of massive drums, their deep sound resonating in their chests.
The thunderous percussion disrupted the water columns, spilling some of the liquid into the gaps created by the missing platforms.
The more muscular Minks took the rumble as a signal, heading to the open space, pulling large drums between two oxen. The canines howled at the great star formed by the crossing lights from the crystals embedded in the kingdom.
The crowd began to disperse, splitting the group into smaller factions led by different tribal parties who guided them to various locations.
"Hagakure! Mina! Midnight-sensei!" Froppy and Uraraka called out, confused, seeing the three women being dragged away by a pack of Minks.
"They also took Nami and Robin," Franky pointed to a vacant space.
"Eh! Robin-chwan, Nami-swan!" The cook followed after them, accompanied by the rest of his nakama.
"And Kachan!"
"Sero, Tokoyami, and Kirishima are missing too..." Todoroki noted, tallying those who had disappeared.
The four missing were taken by the buffalo, who easily carried them to where eight massive drums stood, interspersed with their handlers.
"What do we do?" the redhead asked, gripping his sturdy Bachis.
"Just follow our rhythm and hit with all your strength, or your drums won't sound."
"This is a job for those with great passion and strenght."
The buffalo's words filled the redhead with excitement, and he couldn't help but shed tears as he accepted the honorable task.
"HAH! OF COURSE! YOU CHOSE THE RIGHT PERSON!" Bakugo beamed, transitioning from annoyance to pride after hearing why he had been chosen.
The pounding of the drums began out of sync, both in rhythm and force... but quickly it became synchronized, creating a thunderous beat that caused four entrances of water in the bubble protecting Lemuria to burst, alarming the heroes. However, the indifferent behavior of the locals made them ignore the four columns of water linking the kingdom to the outside depths, allowing marine traffic to flow.
Fish and deep-sea mermaids descended to light the pillars, simulating aquatic cages where they frolicked joyfully and danced with the marine fauna.
Little by little, the area that had once seemed dull and lifeless transformed into a vibrant scene full of life. Water columns filled with mermaids, who danced and leapt from one column to another, uncaring about the fall, were aided by mermen using their Gyojin techniques to create paths of water everywhere.
The stone platforms landed on large bubbles that cushioned their descent, fixing them in the air like a spiral staircase.
The space they once occupied was now a pool of water, where floating tables were placed with an assortment of foods. In the center of the area, giant mushrooms of various sizes and vivid colors—orange, red, and yellow—began to emerge.
Seeing the union of the deep-sea merpeople and the cleared space, the Tontattas rushed to the center to jump on the soft mushrooms, which were so elastic they allowed them to make high leaps.
The tiny beings could be seen joyfully bouncing up and down, as their laughter echoed through the air.
"SUGOI! I WANNA DO THAT!" Luffy exclaimed, watching the merry little creatures, grabbing the serious student and dragging him toward the mushroom area.
"LET'S GO, PEPPERMINT!"
"Wait, Straw Hat!" Mic tried to stop him.
"Shouta, say something!"
"I quitted for the day..."
Usopp, Franky and Chopper ran after their captain, weaving through the Minks who were the last ones to join in.
"So, what do you think, Ashido and Toru? Are you in or are you scared?" The squirrel approached them, accompanied by a group of felines.
"Eto..." The invisible girl fidgeted with her green-painted nails, unsure if she should join.
"I'M IN!"
"That's the spirit!" The voice of the white-haired came out of nowhere, grabbing the pink-girl hand and running toward a group of dancers ready to perform.
"HUH, MINA?!"
"So, Toru-chan?"
"Eto... yes... YES!"
The squirrel grinned, pulling her along, only to stop dead in her tracks as an elegant figure approached.
"My Myeow... It seems you're quite the participants." A refined black panther dressed in traditional orange and white with red-painted markings approached with impeccable grace and poise.
"Tanzanite-sama," The squirrel turned surprised, as she saw the distinguished panther approaching the strangers of her own accord.
"Beautiful ladies, it would be an honor to share this memorable experience with you," Tanzanite said, holding her head high in a noble manner, extending the edge of her gown and showing off her glossy black fur, elegantly inviting the pirates and professional heroine to join her.
"Sorry... But perhaps another time..." Nami shook her hand, apologetically.
"I'd rather watch the passionate movements of my girls... They fill me with youth," the heroine said, hugging herself in bliss.
"I must have misunderstood after seeing you all in ceremonial attire... My apologies," the panther said, still maintaining her impeccable composure.
"Garchuuu!" The cook suddenly appeared out of nowhere, rubbing his cheek against the delicate panther.
"Rwoarchuu" The greeting came with soft, delicate purring sounds, leaving Sanji utterly fascinated.
"Sanji-san is a furry?!" Iida and Denki froze, stunned at how "friendly" he was with the Mink.
"I see you've met Tanzanita." Terk approached, wearing a dress similar to the panther's, looking like twins, though one was more delicate than the other.
"Terk?!"
"Why are you wearing a skirt?" Jinbei asked, confused.
"OW! Let him wear whatever he wants... he looks S-U-P-E-R!" Franky defended.
"Hehe, thanks, Mr. Franky... You see, a few years ago, my little brother was shy about wearing this out of fear of being judged... So, I started wearing it to support him, so he could do it too... Also... They're really comfortable, hahaha!" Terk replied cheerfully, hugging her brother, who blushed only to be slapped in the face by a pair of black tights moments after.
"TERK! YOU FUCKING PERV, THIS TIME DON'T LET YOUR BALLS AT SIGHT, THER ARE PUPS IN HERE!"
"Please cover up, Terkchak," Tanzanita said, embarrassed closing his eyes.
In a swift movement, the panther turned to put on the tights, accidentally flashing the Lemurians in front of him, who quickly turned away with a deep sigh, while others pressed their noses.
"Looks like they're used to it..." The heroes said, with sweat dripping from their foreheads.
"I don't know why they insist for me to wear these pants... The family jewels need to breathe."
"Could you stop being so vulgar? You're embarrassing me!" Tanzanita said, walking away with the group of dancers.
"Tanzanita ototooooo~san," Terk followed, hopping on all fours and landing on his head.
"YOHOHOHOHO! He never stop surprising me!"
"Brook, you too?"
The skeleton was wearing a shirt similar to Aoyama's, with iridescent ruffles that moved softly.
"But it's for men..." The musician pouted, modeling his lovely outfit.
"BUT NOT THE SKIRT!" The boys shouted.
"THEY DIDN'T HAVE PANTS MY SIZE! YOHOHOHO."
"And there's no time to make them," a pair of tights landed on his face.
"Hide your pelvis, skeleton!" The Minks yelled from afar.
"And stop teasing!" The canine Minks growled, drooling rivers.
"You know... You could wear the pants you had, Brook-san," Midoriya suggested.
"Aaaaah... You're right." The skeleton said, slapping his bony palm.
The drums stopped for a moment, and the male Minks entered the center of the stage, where the four pirates were still bouncing. They began singing with their deep voices as they climbed the floating stones, making them orbit around the small mushroom field, turning it into the center of a gravitational field.
With the stage now in motion, the locals who didn't have specific tasks raced to the edges of the platforms, officially starting the celebration. This left the human group standing, confused, as they watched everyone celebrating in perfect harmony, regardless of size or race.
With the enormous and agile musical Minks reaching the top of the platforms, the giants intensified their percussion, causing the platforms to levitate even higher.
The students at the drums could feel their bodies heating up from the effort despite just starting, but that didn't stop them from keeping up with the rhythm, synchronizing with the deep voices of the singers, which were soon drowned out by the intermittent shouts of the Minks and Giants, expressing the overflowing energy inside them.
"AH - UH"
"AH – UH"
With every passing second, the increase in voices could be felt as they were joined by rhythmic strikes against bodies used as percussion.
"I feel dizzy..." Jiro expressed, covering her mouth.
"Everything is shaking... How do they manage to not be affected by it?" Momo pointed out, watching the passionate movements of the giants that made everything around them tremble.
"I think I'm going to throw up..." The doctor said, covering his mouth.
"We need to get to the platforms, so we don't get affected by these quakes." Nerumi advanced, struggling to keep her balance.
The giants noticed the group's difficulty in even staying on their feet and helped them up, carrying them in their hands toward the middle-level platforms.
The water columns destabilized for a moment, causing dozens of mermaids to fall. But the bubbles of water that orbited in the opposite direction of the platforms catched them, not interrupting their dances as the pillars reformed.
Their movements were delicate and fluid, like water, expressing their emotions in a way that contrasted the Mink dancers who were just entering the scene, leaping with great agility across the platforms, with the more experienced ones reaching the highest points, while the less experienced stayed closer to the ground.
The young squirrel and a badger helped the invisible girl switch platforms, as she didn't have enough strength in her legs to make such large jumps. Meanwhile, Mina almost made it on her own, but was assisted by the white-haired, who left her behind once they reached the top to continue her climb, leaving both girls confused, unsure of what to do next.
"Relax, you just need to dance like you usually do." Hazel said, taking Toru's hands.
"What matters is expressing yourself through your body." The badger added, comforting the two students who then started moving with the enthusiasm they always had.
A warm sensation began to rise in both girls, noticing how the passion of each being traveled and spread among everyone on the different levels.
At the top, the most skilled Minks danced with vibrant energy, their movements was a living testament to their culture. Their choreography wove a tapestry of connection, not only with nature but with each other and with the unfamiliar, creating an unbroken rhythm of life that surged through their bodies, a dance of vitality that echoed the pulse of the world itself.
"Hagakure-chan looks nervous... Kero."
"They can't even see her..." Zoro grumbled, while sweat ran down his neck.
"You're right!"
"DON'T WORRY HAGAKURE! THEY CAN'T SEE YOU!" Deku and Uraraka cheered, raising their hands, helping Toru to relax as she let herself be carried away by the rhythm of the drums.
The music grew more cheerful, causing tremors of greater frequency. The tiny Tontattas left the mushroom area, carrying conch shells and jumping between bubbles until they gained enough height to activate them.
Beautiful, fluffy cloud pathways began to form high above the open area, where everyone moved to avoid the bothersome tremors caused by the giants.
"AMAZING!" Nami exclaimed excitedly.
"HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?" Mic couldn't contain his surprise.
"They're walking on clouds!" Nerumi was still incredulous at what was happening.
"I want to try it... Can I?" Uraraka asked.
"What's stopping you, young lady?" Brook said.
"Ah! Haha," The girl used her power to float to one of the clouds.
"OCHAKO-CHAN!" Tsuyu raised her hand so she can float too, thanks to Uraraka's quirk.
Despite the energetic and joyful atmosphere, Aizawa and Zoro couldn't help but feel overwhelmed, taking advantage of the newly cleared space and the new social areas to find somewhere to retreat.
The sharp alcoholic sense of the swordsman kicked in, and he located one of the clouds where drinks were being served.
"Oi, Hobbo... I'm going for some liquor... You coming?" He asked, pointing toward one of the new cloud lounges.
"BUT HOW WILL WE GET THERE?"
The navigator looked around curiosly.
"Allow me to help..." Nami approached, playing with her Clima-Tact.
"Milky Road!"
A cloud path formed from her platform, connecting to the drink area.
"Thank you, Miss Nami."
"YOU CAN CREATE CLOUDS TOO?" Mic's eyes bulged as he watched the girl, without a Quirk, use her versatile staff.
"HAHAHA, you really don't know about the dials in your world." The helmsman mocked.
Yamada amazed climbed onto the cloud, only to immediately sank as if it were a river.
"Ah... Banana drowned..."
"It appears that it's not the depth or moisture of the place that gives them such resilience," the girl mused, tilting her head as she watched them assist the blonde in emerging. "These must be a different type of cloud, or perhaps they've infused them with some resin from the corals..."
"Why don't you travel inside the bubbles?"
"Great idea, Robin-chan," Nerumi exclaimed, making her way toward one of the gooey bubbles and stepping inside, allowing the weight to guide her down toward the rest area, as Zoro, Yamada, and Aizawa quickly followed her lead.
With the entertainment sectors well-defined, the groups began to split up. Sanji, Aoyama, Mineta, and Denki were the only ones remaining on the platforms, dancing alongside the mermaids and Minks, joining Hagakure and Mina.
At the highest point, Tanzanita and Terk, leading the complex choreography, were joined by Bakanee, who participated while also distancing herself as much as possible from the humans.
In the middle area, Jiro, Uraraka, Momo, and Tsuyu decided to celebrate in one of the quieter clouds, avoiding any collisions, and were soon joined by their friends from Mermaid Bay.
Deku and Iida felt a twinge of sympathy as they watched their usually composed classmate visibly intimidated by the captain who had dragged him into the mushroom area against his will, forcing him to join in. Meanwhile, Luffy continued to playfully engage with the cyborg, doctor, and sharpshooter, completely oblivious to the situation.
"Black Whip!"
A whip-like tendrils snaked around Todoroki's torso, lifting him into the air until he was caught by his classmate.
The young boy with bicolor hair wore a mix of shock and embarrassment, clearly outside his comfort zone.
"Thanks, Midoriya, Iida."
"You looked like a lost child."
"That whole thing about me reminding him of his brother just brings trouble..." Todoroki muttered flustered, glancing at the captain who was looking for him around.
"Quick, let's get out of here," he urged, with sweat trickling down his forehead.
A trail of ice formed beneath them, leading them toward the cloud where the girls had gathered, joining the distant group as they continued to enjoy the show unfolding around them.
"Todoroki-kun... Are you tired of playing with the captain?" Tsuyu asked.
"Please, don't let him get me again."
Uraraka spat out some water, surprised by her classmate unusual behavior.
"Heh, I've never seen Todoroki-kun so scared," Jiro remarked, eyeing the bicolor-haired with a thoughtful gaze, but her attention was quickly diverted by the familiar strum of a guitar, a soft smile spreading across her face.
"Brook-san," she murmured, watching the skeleton play nearby.
His music blended with the lively energy from Bakugo and Kirishima, who were still giving their all. Meanwhile, Tokoyami and Sero, worn out, were replaced by Franky and the Búfalo.
As the hours passed, fatigue began to settle in, and everyone gathered in a chaotic feast spread across a vast cloud before the still-vibrant stage.
"SEEMS LIKE THEY FINALLY DECIDED TO REST," Yagi said relieved, sitting on Lagertha's shoulder along with Odder, both enjoying the company of the monarchs.
"It seems they're having fun..." Anphitrite said, taking a sip of wine.
"Yeah... what a joy..."
"I'm sorry, Apnea, darling... You know it wasn't intentional." The queen apologized, slightly tipsy, to her blind friend.
"It's a joke, I can feel your happiness," the deep-sea mermaid said.
Her face lit up with delight as she lifted her cup, swaying her shoulders to the rhythm of the music.
All Might couldn't help but smile at the harmonious interaction among the monarchs, finally witnessing a pleasant moment from the queens.
"LAGERTHA-SAMA, WITH ALL RESPECT, YOU LOOK SPECTACULAR!" The hero exclaimed, admiring the elderly giantess who had undergone a complete transformation from her warrior attire to a priestess outfit, merging both intimidating and elegant elements effortlessly.
"OH, STOP IT... I'M MARRIED!" She pointed at a giant, whose face was bandaged, one eye covered with a patch, and a long, singed mustache. The giant only blushed, responding shyly to his wife.
"YOUR BOYS DID THAT TO HIM." She whispered playfully as she continued to greet her husband.
"EH! I'M REALLY SORRY!" Toshinori bowed, deeply embarrassed.
"HAHAHA, THEY DID WELL… THOSE KIDS HAVE POTENTIAL, BUT THERE'S STILL A LOT TO LEARN."
"At least they managed to hold him off for a moment, yoyoyoyi," laughed Odder.
"In a real battle, they wouldn't have lasted a second."
Hakim's cold remark sent a shiver down All Might spine. The giants had been holding back, and the rulers knew exactly what their people were capable of. It was clear that if they ever had to fight against humans, they would claim victory with minimal effort and numbers.
If they were ever compelled to leave Lemuria and confront troublesome humans, they would not hesitate to strike back.
Contemporary humans, with their untrained bodies and fragile quirks, would be utterly outmatched by the battle-hardened skill and experience of Mu's inhabitants. Though humanity's greatest asset lay in the vast diversity and sheer number of their quirks, it paled in comparison to the unwavering discipline and overwhelming strength of the monarchs and their people.
As these thoughts churned within him, All Might solidified his resolve as a representative. He lacked the strength of a warrior to shield his people through force, but the respect and authority he had cultivated over the years remained a formidable power—one he could still wield to protect them.
"So, what do want, All Might-san?"
"PARDON?" The hero asked, snapping out of his thoughts.
"I asked if you'd like a drink."
"OH, I APPRECIATE THE OFFER, BUT I DON'T DRINK." He declined politely, focusing instead on his students enjoying the lively banquet.
The section reserved for pirates and heroes was constantly being replenished to keep up with the gluttonous appetite of their chubby captain. Mermaids floated around them in bubbles, laughing at the ridiculous sight of pirates dancing on the tables while singing in horribly off-key voices.
"Captain Luffy, you're crazy!" Ochako giggled.
"This is way too much fun!" Denki added, joining in on the absurd dancing.
"This is nothing like the festivals in Japan… they're so…" Sero struggled to find the right word.
"COMPARED TO THIS… OUR PARTIES ARE DULL!" Present Mic declared.
"What? Don't they get better with time?"
Coming from their most energetic teacher, that conclusion only dampened the students' spirits.
"No, they just turn into drunks losing control or throwing up," Nerumi added crestfallen.
"Oi! Banana, since you can't drink, hand me your bottle!"Zoro called out, grabbing Aizawa by the shoulder and signing for a refill.
"Even Aizawa-sensei seems to be enjoying himself," Midoriya remarked, surprised.
"Ignore him… he's drunk," Nerumi whispered.
Suddenly, Denki perked up with excitement.
"Guys… I think I just figured out what we should do for the school festival!"
"Jiro, you play instruments, don't you?"
"School festival?" The dumb trio tilted their heads.
"Yeah! We have an event coming up!"
"Sugoi! Oi, guys, we should go!"
"If we're still here, can we go?"—Chopper asked curiously.
"CAN THEY?" Everyone turned to Aizawa with hopeful eyes.
"No."
"AAAAAH!"
"You know what… we'll go anyway. Shaggy will give us permission… Right, Shaggy?"
"Where's Shaggy?"
"He's with the Monarchs," Aizawa replied.
"He should be with his Nakamas!" Franky protested.
"Well, he's a representative now. He should be with them."
Luffy took a deep breath, puffing up his chest before shouting into the air.
"OI! Possession! Tell Shaggy to come over!"
"DON'T MISPRONOUNCE HIS NAME!" Present Mic scolded, exasperated.
"What are you doing, Luffy?"
"Shishishi, he should be with his nakamas," Luffy grinned.
A loud voice suddenly echoed in the distance.
"STRAW HAT!"
"Huh?"
"CATCH!"
Lagertha threw something toward the group with tremendous force. The object shot through the air, striking the inflated captain's stomach with a thud, causing it to sink in, leaving only his legs protruding.
"Ah, Shaggy!"
"Welcome back!"
"THAT WAS SO HARSH!" The students shouted in unison.
As Usopp and Sato tugged at All Might's legs, pulling him free from Luffy's stomach, the hero straightened his clothes and shook his head.
"SHE'S NOT EXACTLY THE MOST GENTLE LADY," he said with a resigned sigh.
"IS EVERYTHING OKAY? WHY DID YOU CALL ME?"
"You were the only one missing."
"And Bakanee, but she's busy."
"She must come! She needs to celebrate with everyone!" commanded the young straw hat.
"She can't," Mina snapped, catching the curiosity of some.
"They shared with us that the Minks' energetic dance is a sacred bond with the very essence of nature and all its living beings. If one disrupts or abandons it, the entire ritual is rendered meaningless. It must flow with unyielding strength and vitality, allowing the energy of the world to circulate and infuse all those present."
"But she hasn't eaten..." Luffy complained.
"Then why were you able to leave?" Franky questioned.
"We were part of the beginner group; they only invited us to join the expressive dance."
"It's strange. It feels hot when you're close to them, like something rises inside you." Toru added.
"WAAAH, that's called passion..." the Cyborg said tearfully, interrupted by a waitress bringing another round of drinks.
"Is that really what it's all about?"
"The purpose is for them to keep going until they collapse, always with the same energy, to share the joy and passion they emit... That's why everyone gathers at the center, to absorb it." He gestured towards the platforms, noticing that only there were they dancing, while the clouds were used for resting.
"Shishishi, hey... Let's go!"
"No, wait, Mugi-san, we're already tired," complained the Hagakure, surrounded by one of the rubber boy's arms along with most of their companions, all of them being thrown toward the platforms.
"That was close," Todoroki said, now next to the teachers and a few of their fellow students and pirates.
"Luffy's insane..." Sero remarked, watching as most of them face crashed onto the surface, while the captain landed effortlessly on his feet.
"First time?" Usopp commented, taking a sip of his drink.
"DOES HE DO THIS OFTEN?!" Iida, Koda, Mineta, Bakugo, Momo, Sato, and Ojiro all exclaimed.
"PRETTY MUCH..."
"YOU TOO?!" Mic shouted in surprise, seeing how All Might seemed regretful for accepting the pirate trip.
Everyone seemed to be having a great time, except for Bakugo, who refused to socialize with either classmates or teachers.
It was the sharpshooter who noticed the bitter boy.
The glow of the crystals began to dim, with the bioluminescent bodies of the deep-sea mermaids becoming the main source of light.
Small children from all species began creating bubbles filled with luminescent resin, which rose to the heights and landed on the clouds, causing the fluffy bodies to light up completely.
A few lonely bubbles remained suspended in the surroundings, and when reaching a certain height, they burst, creating colorful explosions like fireworks.
"Aaaaah, how beautiful!" Momo expressed, marveling as she brought her fingertips together.
"This really is a magical celebration," said Midnight, blushing.
"Fufufu"
"Are all the parties this lively in your time?" Sato asked.
"HAAHAAHAA, MOST OF THE TIME," Franky replied, joining the group with a bottle of Cola.
"Hey, sparks!" Usopp called Katsuki after getting an idea with the explosive bubbles.
"WHO DO YOU CALL SPARKS, PENIS NOSE?"
"Who's faster? Your maneuvers or my shots?"
"WHAT?!" The boy jumped up, startling the pirate.
"Aaaah... You look absolutely miserable. I figured all this was way too childish for someone as 'exceptional' as you. So, tell me—just how exceptional are you, really?" he taunted, pulling out Kabuto with a smirk.
"I WON'T FALL FOR YOUR CHILDISH GAMES!"
"I knew it... You're just a loudmouth with no talent." Usopp mocked, pressing his index finger against his nose.
"WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?"
The fire in the hero's eyes alerted Usopp, who quickly prepared his weapon, shooting at one of the bubbles, creating a beautiful explosion of colors, and not stopping there, continuing with the others.
Bakugo watched angrily as he couldn't miss any of his shots, moving to burts them before the skilled sharpshooter.
"Heh, this will cheer him up a bit," Usopp said, missing a shot so that the youngster could win a moment before continuing to try to burst his targets, lighting up the surroundings simultaneously.
The celebration was nearing its end; the singers had stopped hours ago, and the dances had grown more relaxed. The clouds ceased to glow, just like the crystals, leaving everything in complete darkness, except for the abyssal creatures.
"What's going on?" asked one of the Tontattas along with the young heroes.
"Is it normal for it to be this dark?" Chopper asked.
"I've never seen it this dark," one of the Minks said.
Murmurs of confusion rippled through the crowd, but up at the highest point, the celebration showed no signs of stopping.
The massive drums thundered on, their deep booms shaked the air, as the ever-joyful captain swayed to the rhythm, gnawing on a hunk of meat like it was the finest delicacy in the world. Around him, the Minks danced with unrelenting passion, with movements wild and untamed, pushing their bodies to the limit until exhaustion would inevitably claim them.
The drumming quickened, each strike was more intense than the last, signaling the grand finale of the festivities. The pounding beats sent tremors through the very air, and as if caught in an ancient ritual, the people of Lemuria threw their voices into the night—howling, chanting, their songs rising and crashing like waves, filling the darkness with raw, untamed energy.
*DOOM DUT DA DA*
*DOOM DUT DA DA*
The vibrancy of the environment led both heroes and pirates to join in with songs and howls, shedding any sense of embarrassment. They became part of the community as if they were a single entity, setting aside their differences.
*DOOM DUT DA DA*
*DOOM DUT DA DA*
"Shishishishi... These drums are so much fun... My heartbeat feels weird, hahaha."
The drums roared like a living force, the thunderous rhythm swallowed every heartbeat, commanding them to march in unison with the pounding percussion. It wasn't just sound anymore—it was a pulse running through the air, through the ground, through them.
Laughter and howls blended into the melody, pure exhilaration surging through every being. The world itself seemed to vibrate with the revelry. The endless hours of celebration had stripped them of all tension, leaving only weightless bodies, tranquil minds, and spirits soaring in ecstatic harmony. They had stepped beyond exhaustion—beyond thought—into something primal and euphoric.
Then, from the heights, a radiant white light cascaded downward, heralded by a new set of drumbeats, perfectly in sync with the Minks' wild rhythm. The joy it carried was contagious, spreading like wildfire among those nearest. These were the dancers of the top level, the ones closest to the source, the ones most deeply ensnared in its spell.
The Kizuna's hair shimmered in a ethereal glow, as if woven from strands of starlight. The brilliance didn't just touch her—it sank into her, wrapping around her very being. She embraced it without resistance, and in return, it revealed its gift: from her legs, a fine, luminous white sand began to drift downward. It was not ordinary dust—it was alive, infused with the guardian's essence, growing richer as it passed through each reveler, absorbing their energy, expanding with every touch.
The radiant dust danced freely, twirling around bodies as if teasing them, shaping itself to their forms, tracing their movements before slipping away to continue its descent. It spiraled through the air, setting each level aglow in its wake.
Then, an odd sensation crept over those who had been touched by the falling light—a tingling, a ripple beneath the skin, as if something unseen had been stirred awake inside them.
And just as the revelry reached its peak, something unexpected happened...
One of the platforms began to dissolve, melting away in slow, viscous drips. Then, without warning, Mina plummeted... Her body had liquefied into pure acid, making her form unstable as her control lost to the mysterious force coursing through the air.
"MINA!"
Her friends cried out as she plummeted toward a platform teeming with locals.
Just as disaster seemed inevitable, Shoto without hesitation gripped her arm, trying to pull her to safety. But the moment his skin touched hers, pain should have seared through him... if he had time to feel it. His flesh dissolved layer by layer, the acid ate away at his forearm until there was nothing left. Yet, in that reckless act of heroism, his momentum pulled her to solid ground. The price? He lost his balance, left staring at where his arm used to be.
"TODOROKI-KUN!" Mina sobbed, collapsing as she realized what had happened.
The others could hardly process the sight... Their composed, unshakable classmate, standing there, emotionless, with nothing but a raw stump where his arm had been. But before their horror could fully take hold, something impossible happened.
A glacial mist swirled from his wound. Ice sprouted where flesh had been lost, rapidly reshaping into a perfect replica of his missing limb. It hardened, frosted over, and before their very eyes... his skin regrew over it, as if nothing had happened.
A stunned silence fell over the group.
Todoroki, however, had no time to question this anomaly. His gaze snapped back to Mina, who kept falling. His instincts took over, as he sent out a slide of ice to catch her before she hit the ground.
But his power... wasn't his.
The ice surged out of him, uncontrolled, wild. The glacial path spread too far, freezing over a massive portion of the surface and it didn't stop at the ground, It didn't stop at the air, It didn't stop at the people.
Panic slammed into him as he staggered backward, seeing the frozen bodies of the Lemurian residents caught in the expanding ice.
It wasn't just Mina's body or Shoto's quirk that had become uncontrollable... something was wrong with everyone. Across the platform, horrified cries rose as more and more residents struggled against their own quirks.
"Oi, half-and-half, what the fuck do you think you're doing?!" Bakugo's foot barely touched the ground before a violent explosion erupted beneath him, launching him high into the air.
The force of the blast didn't stop there. The entire platform trembled, cracks spiderwebbing across its surface as it threatened to collapse.
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!"
A girl with wavy green hair and wide emerald eyes turned in terror, as everything spiraled into complete and utter chaos.
"Who are you?!" Jiro asked confused at the other human.
"What do you mean, 'Who am I?!' It's me!" The girl's voice was panicked, while winked out in confusion, showing her green shaded eyelids.
"Hagakure?!"
"WAAAH?!"
"What's wrong with your students?" Jinbei asked confused, turning to look at All Might, who was stuck in his muscular form, unable to return to his fragile state, and suffering from the lack of Chopper's medicine.
"I DON'T KNOW..." He responded, coughing up noticeably less blood than usual, pressing the spot where his stomach used to be.
"You too?" Usopp asked, realizing that even the teachers were struggling to properly use their abilities. Noticing how Nerumi accidentally put Nami, Zoro, Mic, Brook, and Sanji to sleep.
"Amplification..."
"MISS ROBIN?!"
"The Guardian's power doesn't just amplify... it awakens... It works just like the underworld where he could use our devil fruit habilities without side effects...
"It's pushing Quirks past their limits... forcing them to evolve." Usopp's voice was barely a whisper, while his fingers scratched into his scalp as if trying to keep his thoughts from spiraling.
Jinbei's gaze darkened. "Even the Minks... they're changing."
"AIZAWA, ERASE THEIR QUIRKS BEFORE SOMEONE DIES!"
"I KNOW! But I have to focus on the crowd; someone among them is causing those devastating tremors!"
Eraserhead activated his Quirk, capable of shutting down abilities with just a glance, and noticed that as soon as he shifted his focus to a new target, the previous ones collapsed; drained to use their abilities any further.
"Just looking at them once lets me keep my ability active, even if I blink..." He thought, exhausted by the sheer number of people affected by his Quirk.
With the exception of those on the highest platform who were still lost in their music and dance; the entire scene had transformed into a battlefield, filled with turbulent clouds, earthquakes, and violent winds.
"STOP!" Kirishima roared, but his voice was lost in the chaos.
"We have to do something..." Tokoyami's voice was almost guttural. Darkshadow no longer clung to him... It had broken free, moving with its own volition: A doppelgänger.
A series of deep growls echoed from several white figures, their fur growing long and their eyes turning crimson. Some of them rushed to aid the wounded, while the younger ones were in complete frenzy.
"WHAT'S HAPPENED TO THEM?!" Jiro cried out in alarm, staring at the massive, glowing beings.
"DEKU-KUN, PLEASE, YOU HAVE TO STOP!" Uraraka pleaded, holding her friend tightly as he floated with countless black whips lashing wildly from his body, shrouded in a haze of smoke.
Suddenly, bolts of electricity crackled across the area, striking various surfaces and people. Given the humidity in the air, the electrified surroundings became even more perilous.
"KAMINARI, GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF!" Kirishima called desperated.
"I CAN'T!" Kaminari's scream was raw with terror. His body had dissolved into pure electricity, shifting into a volatile blue current.
His body flickered, shifting into an intense blue, no longer able to remain solid or move at will.
"GET INTO ERASERHEAD'S LINE OF SIGHT!" Todoroki commanded, standing at a distance while using his ice to suppress his uncontrollable flames.
"I CAN'T CONTROL MY BODY!"
The stray lightning bolts surged wildly, hitting structures and finally reaching the highest platform, where the Minks danced. The white-haired snapped out of her trance as the lightning struck dangerously close to the dancers.
The brilliance in her hair faded, and her fear spread to those connected to her. In an instant, they all collapsed, she among them, trembling and vomiting between sobs.
As the amplified abilities drained away, everything returned to normal; though those who had wielded the most dangerous powers lost consciousness from sheer exhaustion.
No one fully understood why tears streamed down their faces, nor why an overwhelming sense of dread gripped their hearts, feeling a terror unlike anything they had ever felt before. Unknowingly, for a few fleeting seconds, they had all experienced the anguish of a single soul.
"Boss Jinbei... you too?" Franky's voice was unsteady, watching the helmsman wipe away the silent tears streaking his face.
"I don't know what's happening... but I feel... strange..."
"I know what this is," Usopp said proudly. "It's not just fear. It's horror. It's trauma. It's the kind of terror that stains you."
"THAT'S NOTHING TO BE PROUD OF, YOUNG USOPP..." All Might's voice was heavy, as his eyes locked on the unconscious bodies.
"MISS ROBIN, I APOLOGIZE FOR THE REQUEST, BUT I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE WITH THE WOUNDED"
"It would be my honor."