The wails had subsided after minutes of relentless sorrow. The group of heroes had finally managed to digest the bitter news of their professor's loss, halting their tears because, though difficult, the life of a hero meant keeping life always on the line.
"Death is an inevitable part of life..."
"Apnea, they are grieving; don't be insensitive." Hakim chided.
"Crying won't bring him back to life..." The shark mermaid said, dissatisfied with their cries.
"ANPHITRITE"
"But it will soothe their hearts... They are free to express their pain..." Apnea added.
"Okay fine... But somewhere else... I can't stand watching children cry... Lionnel... Dismiss them." The callous queen huffed, waving them away.
"We're sorry, but now your teacher power will feed part of the life that is extinguishing..."
"What do you mean by that, Odder-sama?"
"He will return to be part of a whole Entity, from where his power was borrowed."
"That must be their species religion..." Nerumi thought.
A sudden bubbling sound arose among the guards. General Malakat took from his garments a small conch shell that continuously expelled thick foam.
"I beg your pardon, Your Majesties; I must attend to this summons."
"Go ahead, General."
The merman left the throne room, abandoning the disturbed group, only to return shortly with a look of relief.
"That was quick, Yoyoyoyoi!"
The merman leaned on his knee, bowing to those present with a proud demeanor.
"Your Majesties, I have received word that the Straw Hats are en route."
The heroes turned their attention, wiping their noses and tears to listen closely to the general's words.
"THEY MANAGED TO ESCAPE FROM HELL?!" The six kings exclaimed in surprise, as their serious expresions vanished for the first time.
"It seems Terkchak was right... They really had a vessel among them." Hakim swallowed his pride, giving credit to the Doctor.
"Malakat! All Might... Is All Might okay?" Izuku asked nervously.
"Your dehydrated friend? Yes... he is traveling with them. It shan't be long before they reunite with us."
In an unexpected turn of events, the wails transformed into cries of joy as the relieved group celebrated, while the monarchs looked satisfied with the news.
"I TOLD YOU THOSE TROUBLESOME ONES WOULD SUCEED! SHAJAJAJA!"
"You looked worried nonetheless, my dear..." the pale mermaid remarked, feeling sympathy for the king.
"Insignificant humans... I believe it goes without saying, but you must not speak a word of what has been discussed here," Apnea stated, her tone now more cordial.
"Anything concerning the past is strictly forbidden to be mentioned in front of the Straw Hats."
"You have our word. We shall not speak of it," Aizawa pledged with a respectful bow.
Following the group's representative, the delicate heroine broke the silence.
"Forgive me, your majesties... but what do you mean by 'Vessel'?"
"IT IS SAID THEY WERE HUMANS CAPABLE OF LINKING LIVES AND BECOMING A BRIDGE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH..."
The pirates were violently expelled by the powerful current of the Styx, crashing onto the blackened sands of the lifeless land that had once been a forest. Once out of the water, they couldn't stop coughing, choking out everything they had swallowed on the way back as they struggled to catch their breath, except for Jinbei, who remained composed, assisting his nakamas with Terk support.
The Mink, however, was restless, anxiously inspecting each of them from head to toe. He lifted their hands, sniffed their armpits, climbed onto their heads to rummage through their hair, and even went so far as to sniff their butts.
"OI! BACK OFF, YOU PERVERTED CAT!" Zoro growled, shoving him away with a kick.
"Personal space, Doctor!" Nami snapped.
"I'm sorry, it's just hard to believe you're really you," he admitted as he attempted to sink his claws into Franky's body. But the unexpected sensation of cold metal sent a strange jolt through him. His fur bristled, and with a startled yelp, he leapt away, only to end up lodged in the brittle branches of a dead tree.
"MEEEEEEEEEEEOW!"
"YOHOHOHOHOHO! I missed this old cat," Brook laughed.
The feline doctor's startled yowl caught the attention of the weary pale-haired woman. Curiosity flickered in her dull eyes as she peered at the Mink, now wedged awkwardly in the tree, his fur still standing on end.
"MISS YUE, THIS IS DOCTOR TERKCHAK, HEAD OF THE RESEARCH PROJECT ON ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS," Yagi introduced, gently pushing her forward until she was face-to-face with the panther, whose sharp gaze lingered on her striking white hair.
His claws retracted as he gracefully leapt down from the tree, landing on all fours before eagerly making his way toward the now-conscious vessel.
With quiet fascination, he circled her, sniffing intently, his movements were calculated and feline. The scrutiny made her uneasy, prompting her to extend a hand in greeting.
"A pleasure, Doct—"
Her introduction was abruptly cut short as the Mink sank his teeth into her wrist. Instinctively, she retaliated, biting down on his snout.
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" they both shouted in unison.
"Why did you bite me?!" they demanded simultaneously.
"I wanted to see if the guardian was still inside you, but it seems it's not," he explained, rubbing his snout while observing the fresh bite marks on her wrist, where her blood now trickled.
"HE'S INSANE!" the girl exclaimed pointing towards the panther while turning indignantly to the pirates.
"He's just playing," Zoro replied flatly, entirely unbothered.
"The guardian isn't with us anymore... we left it in Hades."
"Strange. You still carry its scent," Terk noted, lowering himself to the ground to sniff at her feet.
"Ugh, this guy is utterly disgusting."
"I didn't know you had such peculiar tastes, Doctor. Yohohohoho!"
"AAAAAAAAH? It come along?!" Her eyes almost popped out of her face as she saw how her feet were covered up to the knee by a black cloak.
By instinct, she pressed her chest in surprise, noticing how her heartbeat was racing, but she didn't lose consciousness this time.
"No wonder my steps felt heavy..."
"She's so slow..." thought the pirates with a bead of sweat rolling down their heads.
"This is wrong, it have to go back." She walked towards Styx, trying to enter but was stopped by Usopp and Chopper.
"Stop, idiot! If you go in, they'll kill you!"
Both pirates had no trouble stopping the weakened girl, who continued to kick and struggle.
"I don't want him with me!"
"Witch, he's always taken care of you, and you want to get rid of him!"
"Usopp... As long as the guardian is near her, they can use his power... Only when separated will they be unable to use his ability."
"So, as I understand it, while they are together, they become a target... Am I right?" The archaeologist asked the girl, who only nodded her head frantically in desperation as she was released by the pair, hesitating to distance herself from Styx.
"So, is he in a limbo?" Terk stepped forward, following the white-haired to continue questioning her.
"Yes, he'll be asleep for a while."
"Asleep?"
"To wake him up, he needs to bond, and that's something I don't know how to do." She said, moving toward Jinbei until she reached his side.
"And what about, when he lived inside you?" The cyborg asked.
"That wasn't a bond... It was codependency... A perfect bond shines white, living in a perpetual circuit of energy that flows between two or more beings... Black only absorbs and takes the life from its surroundings while consuming its own... A dark guardian is destined to disappear."
"Just like the underworld and hell... One is life and the other is death..." Robin mentioned.
"Exactly." He said, opening the merman's clothing to crawl in and curl up inside his jinbei like a cat.
"NANIIII?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" The merman complained, feeling violated.
"I'm sleepy... I'm going to sleep."
The Mink mirrowed her, hiding on the opposite side within the merman's clothing.
"So, Miss Oracle... How did you get out of hell?" He asked as he snuggled into the merman's garment.
"BOTH OF YOU GET OUT OF THERE!" The helmsman lost his patience, pulling both of them out of his clothes and tossing them onto the dark floor,that made the vessel notice, the abscence of her long white hair.
"AAAAAAH! My hair! What happened to my hair?!"
"She just realized!"
"It got cut when Hades attacked you." Brook explained, causing her to enter a desperate trance and burst into tears.
"Hair will grow back, and besides, don't you feel more free now? You could hardly move before."
"Nami-san, no offense, but other people's hair is sacred." The skeleton remarked, playfully fiddling with his afro.
"That was the whole point! It has to be in the way!... Now I feel more free." She replied, tugging at her cheeks, showing the insides of her lower eyelids.
"Missy, you have some issues..." He said, a drop of sweat trickling down his afro as he observed her pacing in circles, throwing a fit.
"Doctor Terk, please lead the way." The navigator required.
The Mink agreed, guiding them to the Shinkansen and updating them on the situation with the troublesome heroes who were with the kings while the crew roamed the underworld.
"Hahaha, such idiots! Luffy, Chopper and Usopp began to mock.
"STRAW HAT!"
"I warned them not to get into trouble." Luffy said, sounding disappointed as he put his arms behind his head.
"Wait... Did you bring your students?!" The woman shouted in surprise from the far end of the train, as far away from the group as possible.
"They followed us." Zoro replied.
"I DON'T UNDERSTAND... THEY'RE NOT TROUBLEMAKERS! HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?!"
"Apparently, they didn't like the idea of humans from the surface in their lands, so everything escalated quickly." The Mink explained as the bullet train sped through the kingdoms; while Bakanee fall asleep while watching with fascination from the window.
"And why are we different?" Everyone tilted their heads in confusion.
"Captain Jinbei and Straw Hat were the first to break the stigma of interspecies blood transfusion... Their achievement is respected as the first act of unity between humans and merfolk."
"That's not it... There's something he's hiding from us..." Zoro said.
"It's something we can't know, right?" The merman suspected.
"You're correct."
"Hmm..."
"For now, you are requested by the continent's monarchs to finalize the verdict regarding their intrusion."
"What have we done now?" The cook complained.
"Nothing! They just want your opinion to reach a solution. Ultimately, you brought them here, so their actions fall under your responsibility." He concluded sarcastically before heading to the back of the cabin, where the vessel was dozing off, bombarding her with endless questions while shaking her constantly to wake her up.
"AAAAH, you're going to hurt her!" Chopper scolded, jumping around angrily and waving his hooves.
"Black Leg... Dr. Terchack won't let me sleep..." The white-haired complained like a little child.
"Do you want me to knock you out, Yue-chwaaaaan?" He suggested, spinning with heart-shaped eyes as he approached the end of the cabin.
"I want you to knock me out..." The request caused him to slump down in despair on the floor.
"Don't ask me for those things... I can't lay a hand on a woman..."
"Foot... Use your foot..." She pointed to the man's black shoes.
The argument among the four continued until the Mink gave up and returned to the group.
"We'll need to make a stop so you can clean up before facing the Monarchs... You're all a bit... unkempt." He said, gesturing from head to toe at the crew.
"I'M WON'T WEAR PANTS!"
"Just match your thong with a tie..." Zoro suggested.
"AOW!"
"Eto... Yeah, that might work."
"Do you think the kings can help us?" Nami asked, intrigued.
"Help us go back?"
"I don't think so..." The archaeologist mentioned, resting her hand on her chin in thought.
"We need to fulfill whatever we must do to be able to return... But Bakanee won't tell us."
"Hey Bakanee... We're out now... What's next?" The persistent captain approached her.
"Let me sleep." She replied, curled up and covering her head with the split jacket that was borrowed.
"Once you answer our questions, you can sleep."
"I don't know."
"What do you need to do?" He asked with an innocent expression, similar to a child. "Can we do it for you?"
"You can't... Besides, I don't think I can manage it either." She answered, huddled in the corner.
"TELL US ALREADY, DAMN IT!" Usopp pointed out, irritated.
"You don't care about returning, but we do!" The captain retorted.
"I do want to go back..."
"Then explain it to us!"
She sighed.
Her head popped out of the garment like a gopher.
"I don't know!... I don't know if I should... I think it's best to just let everything flow..."
"Be ourselves?"
"Yes..." She replied with a hopeless look, showing fatigue and sadness, burying her face in her arms to try to sleep again.
"Let her rest... We won't get anything from her if she keeps being stubborn." Jinbei suggested as the hero looked at her with uncertainty.
"She knows what needs to be done." Zoro scoffed, being watched by his nakamas.
"TRAFLGAR WARNED ME, THAT SHE DOESN'T TRUST ANYONE... MAYBE WE SHOULD WORK ON THAT SO SHE CAN OPEN UP."
"Yosh! So all we have to do is make her trust us!"
"YOUNG LUFFY, IT'S NOT THAT SIMPLE... SHE CARRIES A LOT OF WEIGHT AND FEAR."
"Shishishi."
"Forget it old man, he won't listen to you." Sanji said, lighting a cigarette.
"Trust in our captain." Nami said proudly.
"Fufufufu... You might be surprised."
Toshinori couldn't help but feel a bead of sweat slide down his face, showing his nerves about leaving this task to the unpredictable group.
The news that the undefeated land had finally lost its title of "the lands of no return" after the group's victorious exit had reached the ears of the heroes eagerly waiting to reunite with their hosts.
"What's wrong, Shouta? You look a bit anxious." Mic asked with a smile, patting his friend's back, who just exhaled nervously, revealing a more tired look than usual.
"I can't help but think that... even though the kings have great respect for Straw Hat... don't you find his attitude a bit concerning?"
Aizawa's words spread worry among the group, leaving them speechless.
"Most likely, he'll ask stupid questions!"
"Like whether his poop is like a fish or a human's." Hagakure said covering her mouth, but no one noticed since she was invisible.
"Sanji will flirt with the queens, no doubt..." Jiro looked conflicted.
"Nami will negotiate just to talk to them..." Nerumi expressed her concern.
"This definitely won't end well," they murmured in unison.
"Calm down... Jinbei and Robin usually handle that."
"Yes, but in the end, Luffy is the captain who does and says whatever he wants..." Ojiro lamented.
Everyone tilted their heads, frowning with trembling lips.
"This will end badly." They said simultaneously, letting their heads drop in defeat, as their strange behavior were observed by the confused kings.
"Yoyoyoyoii! What has you all so down?" The Tontatta asked.
"Nothing~" They replied disheartened.
The captain's high-pitched voice echoed from beyond the large throne room doors, piquing the kings' genuine interest in the arrival of their guests, while the heroes turned pale with worry.
"REMEMBER, DON'T MENTION ANYTHING!" Poseidon reminded, holding Odder like a teabag as he settled him onto his throne, while Hakim discreetly hid the remnants of the half-eaten cushion.
"T...The... They're nervous!"
The main door creaked open, revealing a bit of light, through which Terkchak's nose appeared, along with his whiskers.
"Your Majesties... Am I still banned? I request permission to enter."
Everyone exhaled frustrated, wearing displeased expressions, diverting their gazes and grimacing.
"THEY'RE DISGUSTED!"
"Go ahead." Hakim said wearily, pinching the bridge of his nose and letting his head drop.
"Roawr... Thank you, Your Majesty." The door was about to close when the head of the Captain peeked in, slipping inside.
"Wait, Straw Hat!"
"LUFFY!" The students exclaimed through clenched teeth, startled by the sudden intrusion just as they had requested entry for the panther.
"WOAAAAAAAAH SUGOOII!" The pirate dressed in a black suit, red shirt, and sandals, all topped with a black trench coat featuring golden details and wide sleeves, rushed in, taking in the grand hall filled with the enormous monarchs.
"Oh no..."
"He's going to ask something..." Hagakure, Mina, and Tokoyami looked worried.
"Todoroki... Freeze his head if he says something stupid." Denki requested.
"Freeze him already" Bakugo demanded.
"I can't do that... I might hurt him."
"He came back from hell... He can handle it!"
"They're huge!" Straw Hat exclaimed, running past all the well-behaved students to get a better look at the six monarchs. "Except that one" He pointed towards the Tontatta.
"Luffy looks just like a real captain now," Uraraka noted, receiving nods of agreement from the group.
"Yeah, but he still doesn't act like one!" Mineta muttered under his breath.
"Ah, we heard you got into trouble ~Baaaaaaaakaaaaaa~~ Shishishi!" The captain teased, causing veins to pop on the group's heads, with Bakugo standing up and moving dangerously toward the young captain.
"Enough, Bakugo!"
"Stop it, Kachan!"
"WHO DO YOU THINK YOU'RE MOCKING, YOU DAMN SON OF—!"
Bakugo's furious outburst was abruptly cut short as a sharp spine stopped inches from the center of his forehead.
The deadly needlehad been intercepted mid-air by Luffy, who paid no mind to the enraged youth, focusing instead on the attack that had been aimed at him.
He clenched his fist around the razor-sharp spine, snapping it cleanly in two before letting the pieces fall onto the porous floor. Meanwhile, Apnea watched the captain with intrigue.
"Those are the poisonous spines from our way underwater..." Koda's voice trembled, his concern spreaded to the others as they saw the liquid dripping from the broken needle, releasing toxic fumes upon contact with the ground.
"Thank you, dear... I could no longer tolerate such insolence... Though I would have preferred if the attack had landed." Queen Anphitrite murmured, brushing her fingers over her companion's hand in appreciation.
"Apnea, Anphitrite, mind your behavior."
"Straw Hat, allow us to give you treatment. The deep-sea urchin's spines carry a lethal toxin." The Tontatta's words sent a ripple of tension through the heroes, who immediately understood that Apnea had yet to fully accept them.
Any misstep would be enough to seal their fate, despite their current circumstances.
"OI! What's wrong with you?! Why are you trying to hurt my friends?!" Straw Hat demanded, his expression dark with anger as he brushed off the guards attempting to approach him.
"WE'RE NOT FRIENDS, DAMN RUBBERHEAD!"
"HERO AIZAWA... CONTROL YOUR JESTER."
"JESTER?!"
"¡BAHBAHBAHAHAHAHA!"
"Luffy-san, please let them treat you! You've been poisoned!" Izuku urged, his voice thick with concern.
"Huh? Oh, really?" The carefree captain mused, casually resting his arms behind his head.
"I don't want to."
"STOP BEING SO STUBBORN! THIS COULD KILL YOU!"
"NO!" Luffy nimbly evaded the hands reaching for him, dodging every attempt to restrain him.
"What's with all the ruckus?" Zoro grumbled as he entered the chamber, as the rest of the crew following closely behind.
"AAAAH! Your majesties..." Terkchak practically froze, his nerves getting the best of him as the Straw Hat pirates made their grand entrance. "It is a great honor to present the Straw Hat crew!"
The pirates had dressed for the occasion. The men wore well-tailored suits in colors that complemented their skin tones and hair, with some donning long coats that accentuated the crisp shirts underneath. The women, on the other hand, stunned in sleek, form-fitting gowns, with plunging necklines, exposed backs, and bare arms that accentuated their figures.
The heroes and heroines couldn't help but blush—finally seeing the crew exude the presence of true legends.
"DAMN IT, YOU WALKING SCRAP HEAP, WOULD IT KILL YOU TO WEAR PANTS?!"
"Bakago's already picking a fight again," Luffy commented, casually pointing at the furious teen, who was practically steaming with frustration.
"YOUR MAJESTIES, I SINCERELY APOLOGIZE FOR MY STUDENTS' CONDUCT!" All Might bowed deeply, wearing his usual dark-colored attire making him appear all the more solemn as he addressed the rulers.
"ALL MIGHT! YOU'RE SAFE!" The students cheered, rushing toward their mentor and surrounding him with relief and excitement.
"Aaaaah... Luffy, get it together. You're standing before the rulers of the continent." Usopp cautioned, his tone uneasy.
"Doesn't matter! They disrespected my friends!"
Luffy's sharp words sent a ripple of embarrassment through the royal figures, who immediately covered their mouths and shrank back in shame.
"OUR SINCEREST APOLOGIES!"
"It's fine, just a misunderstanding. It won't happen again... right, Apnea-chan?" Anphitrite stated, waving her hand somewhat awkwardly, as her voice tinged with nervousness.
"Last time... I swear." The Deep sea mermaid responded, pressing her clawed hand against her chest, carving an X into her skin.
"THEY RESPECT HIM!" The heroes were visibly stunned, watching as the formidable queens set aside their pride to apologize.
"Of course they do, you idiots..." Bakugo muttered under his breath with an annoyed huff.
"Maybe you should start doing the same..."
"Pfff... Like hell I'd admire an idiot like him."
Among the Straw Hat crew, only Jinbei, Nami, Usopp, and Brook bowed before the royalty, while the rest stood tall and unwavering, unfazed by the imposing presence of the monarchs.
"Ruffy-kun, you should show some respect to the kings."
"Huh? Why?"
"Forget it, Jinbei... Asking Luffy to be respectful is like asking that moss-brained idiot for directions. you're never getting what you need."
"Shishishi."
"That's nothing to laugh about!" Sanji snapped before shifting his attention to the two stunning mermaids.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAHH! MELLORIIIINE ~~ "
"Straw Hats, it is with the utmost honor that I present to you the sovereigns of Lemuria," Malakat proclaimed, as his voice echoed with reverence, while the monarchs regarded the group in silent scrutiny.
"Yosh! I'm Monkey D. Luffy, the man who's going to be King of the Pirates!"
At his bold proclamation, the monarchs broke into laughter, causing concern among the heroes.
"Oi! What's so funny?!" Luffy demanded, frowning.
"Oh, nothing. The enthusiasm of youth is simply amusing." Odder chuckled.
"SUCH GRAND AMBITIONS IN SOMEONE SO SMALL." Lagertha mused.
"YOU'LL SEE!"
"IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO MAKE YOUR ACQUAINTANCE, YOUNG STRAW HAT... WE TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN YOUR ARRIVAL AND CELEBRATE YOUR VOYAGE THROUGH LANDS THAT HAVE LONG REMAINED BEYOND OUR KNOWLEDGE."
"Indeed! Tell us, what's the underworld like?! Is it truly as terrifying as the legends say?!" Lionnel, the royal guard,asked eagerly, unable to contain his excitement.
"How did you even make it back?"
"We thought you were gone for good!" Some of the students teared up at the revelation.
"Technically, we were." Jinbei replied.
"WHAT?!"
"WHAT DID YOU DISCOVER DOWN THERE?! HOW DID YOU MAKE IT BACK?! ARE THERE INHABITANTS IN THAT PLACE?!"
"TERKCHAK, YOUR QUESTIONS WILL HAVE TO WAIT." Poseidon interjected firmly.
"As you can see, we have a matter to address regarding your guests." Anphitrite spoke with a poised smile, elegantly gesturing toward the heroes.
"We have been informed of their circumstances and how they ended up here... Thus, their presence is now your responsibility."
"So... does that mean we're in trouble?" Luffy tilted his head in confusion.
"Not quite, but from now on, their actions will be your responsibility," Hakim clarified, directing his words toward the heroes.
"THIS IS A NIGHTMARE!" The heroes felt a creeping dread, as if their very souls momentarily left their bodies upon realizing their fate was now in Luffy's hands.
In the meantime, Nami approached with elegance, her figure was accentuated by the snug fit of her red dress. Many of the heroes couldn't help but gaze at her, entranced by her beauty, including one particularly boisterous blond.
"At least try to be discreet." Aizawa muttered, shutting Mic gaping mouth with an unimpressed look.
The rulers exchanged glances before shaking their heads.
"Only someone with that particular power could send you back... But I can assure you that no one in our kingdom possesses such an ability." Apnea explained calmly.
"There must be someone on the surface who can..."
"Didn't Yue give you a response?" Nerumi asked.
"Speaking of which... where is Nee-san?" Mina asked, scanning the group.
"Bakanee doesn't want to help us." Chopper sighed in disappointment.
"Bakanee?"
Most of them looked confused, except for Bakugo, who immediately burst into laughter.
"Pffff! What a dumb name!"
"Just like yours, Bakago." The captain's words reignited Katsuki, who merely muttered under his breath.
Jinbei, feeling awkward, opened his coat, revealing the white-haired nestled inside, curled up.
"Why is she there?!"
"She was tired and insisted on staying." The merman explained.
"SHE ACTUALLY FELL ASLEEP WHILE WALKING."
"HOW DARE SHE SLEEP WHILE IN FRONT OF US?!" Anphitrite's irritation was evident as she rose from her throne, showing her sharp teeth.
"Chief Jinbei... Could you wake her?" Malakat requested.
The former captain fully unbuttoned his coat, laid the girl on the ground, and yanked her ear to rouse her.
"WAKE UP, MISS, YOUR PRESENCE IS REQUIRED!" The force of Jinbei's voice shook the girl, making her feel the words echo inside her head.
"HOW RUDE!" The unusual method stunned the group.
"Ah, my apologies... It's become a habit to wake Ruffy-kun."
The disoriented girl, wearing a long white tunic with emerald embroidery, rubbed her eyes to focus on the strong presences around her. She became uneasy from their power and tried to hide behind the merman.
"Bakanee, don't be disrespectful, show yourself..." Zoro scolded.
After a few moments, she straightened her posture, lifted her head high, keeping her eyes shut. She moved with light steps that gave her an ethereal quality due to her long attire.
"Your majesties, allow me to introduce the Oracle; the last Kizuna." Terkchak's words drew the attention of the kings, who, upon hearing the title, quickly shifted from impressed to disappointed.
"Is that really it?" Apnea spoke first, with her voice tinging with disappointment.
"We expected something more... striking." She waved her hand dismissively, downplaying her importance.
"Or mystical" Anphitrite added with a frown.
"I don't know... Wings" Odder said.
"With fire" Hakim continued.
"With all due respect... You just described Lunarians..." She responded calmly, not offended by their remarks.
"So what do you do, Miss Oracle?" The Tontatta asked, curious, brushing his beard.
"I'm unable to age," she stated confidently, maintaining her eyes closed and steering clear of direct eye contact.
"..."
"That's all?!" the kings and heroes exclaimed in unison, clearly disappointed.
"WHAT A WORTHLESS ABILITY!" Bakugo sneered, covering his mouth to keep from laughing too hard.
"I agree with the rude one," Apnea added, pointing toward the ashen-haired young man.
"WHAT ABOUT THE LEGENDS?" Lagertha asked, visibly disheartened.
"The ability to bond lives?"
"It is possible under very specific conditions, but unfortunately, I am incapable of doing so."
"HOW USELESS!"
"What's the use of a Kizuna who can't do anything?" Apnea sneered, gesturing forward in exasperation.
"It's better this way. An uncontrolled vessel could be dangerous."
Her words made the monarchs pause in contemplation.
"HOW CAN WE CONFIRM THAT SHE TRULY BELONGS TO THAT RACE?" Poseidon demanded.
The woman remained motionless, maintaining her composed stance, not betraying any reaction.
"She was the one who brought them back," Terkchak interjected in her defense.
"Kizuna Bakanee, you should show respect and bow before royalty," the minister on the right instructed firmly.
"I apologize... but I do not acknowledge your power or authority," she stated calmly, keeping her gaze averted.
Both queens immediately frowned in disdain, while the other monarchs exchanged shocked glances.
"I HAD FORGOTTEN HOW INSOLENT SHE WAS!" a hero groaned, clutching his head in distress and taking a hesitant step back.
"She's going to get us all killed!" the heroes panicked internally, realizing that, like it or not, Bakanee was now part of their group and her defiance could have serious consequences for them.
"All Might, control your friend!" Eraserhead muttered in irritation.
"SO THIS IS WHY THEY ALWAYS KEPT HER SILENT! NOW I UNDERSTAND WHY THEY FORBADE HER FROM SPEAKING!" he panicked, rushing toward her, seemingly ready to cover her mouth.
"Honestly, I'm not surprised," Mic wheezed, coughing up blood from his internal injuries.
"SORRY ABOUT THAT... SHE'S TERRIBLE AT SOCIALIZING! HAHAHAHAHA!" he laughed nervously, dragging her away and trying to disappear among the pirates.
"I respectfully seek your majesties' permission to eliminate her race permanently," Apnea requested politely.
"Granted," Amphitrite replied cordially.
"WAIT, APNEA-SAMA..." Poseidon interjected, raising his hand in curiosity and halting the irreverent woman from continuing.
"I UNDERSTAND THE ORACLE LIVED ON THE SURFACE IN OUR TIME FOR A FEW YEARS?" he addressed his companions, capturing their interest.
"SHE MUST HAVE WITNESSED THE CRITICAL CONDITION OF THE KINGDOM AND OUR NEED TO REOCCUPY THE SURFACE..." The king stroked his beard, closing his eyes and tilting his face upward toward the ceiling.
"I WANT TO LEVERAGE HER EXPERIENCE OF LIVING IN A DIFFERENT TIME, UNAFRAID OF HER DESTINY AND WITH HER OWN ANSWERS WITHOUT HAVING TO SEEK OUR APPROVAL." He redirected his focus to the group, sensing that their account of events was missing some important details.
"WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON OUR REINTEGRATION WITH HUMANS?" he asked, gesturing towards the heroes in the back.
The girl responded evenly, maintaining her gaze elsewhere.
"Currently, humans, due to their diverse appearances and powers arising from various abilities, have developed a disdain for their own kind, unable to accept their differences. What assurance do the inhabitants of Lemuria have that they will be accepted as entirely different races?"
"For centuries, the Minks, Tontattas, and Merpeople living on the surface have suffered from human contempt, which forces them to live in fear of being discovered and eliminated for their true identities. Thus, to survive, they must disguise their mutant abilities and pass as anthropomorphic humans."
"NEE SAAN!" The group turned pale, and their skin and clothing becoming completely white after her revelations.
"Don't say that," the heroes whispered among themselves.
"Now they'll judge us!"
"They hadn't mentioned anything like that!" Hakim grumbled angrily, releasing clouds of steam from his nostrils.
"THEY CAME INTO THE KINGDOM WITH TWO MERMEN WHO ARE UNWILLING TO GO BACK OUT OF FEAR FOR THEIR LIVES... WE WERE HOPING TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM YOU PEOPLE, ABOUT THE REASONS BEHIND THE PROHIBITION ON READING THE PONEGLYPHS, PARTICULARLY SINCE IT APPEARS THAT OUR COLLEAGUES STILL LIVE ON THE SURFACE."
"We just found out recently; we aren't equipped to discuss it based on hearsay... To us, it's merely myths or speculations," Nerumi interjected before anyone else could speak.
"It's a truth hidden from our own kind," Aizawa added.
"I WAS HOPING TO HEAR IT FROM YOU. HOW CAN YOU EXPECT TO EARN OUR TRUST IF YOU DON'T TRUST US?" The merman looked at the heroes with disappointment, recognizing their failure to share the complete story.
"Humanity is currently a threat to Lemuria. I refuse to let the idea of integrating races into the outside society continue!" Bakanee declared, giving them a challenging look and issuing an ultimatum, surprising the kings with her blunt words.
"I agree with the Kizuna." Both Amphitrite and Apnea supported her, leaving Hakim confused about which side to take, disappointed by the human group that had only shared part of the truth, portraying themselves as victims of the situation.
"Who gave you the authority to make such a decision?!" For the first time, the Tontatta showed frustration.
"I claim my right to voice and vote as the last Kizuna, heir of the underworld's bloodline, and representative of "Hades" kingdom, to vote against reintegration with humans."
"WHAAT?!" The heroes were unsure which part shocked them more, her origin or her turning her back on them.
"I thought we were friends..." Mina said disappointed.
"Wow, she wasn't joking when she said she doesn't get attached to anyone." Zoro commented, arms crossed.
"Bakanee, you traitor!" The captain shouted, giving a childish thumbs down to the girl, who remained unfazed by his words.
"Bakanee, traitor! Backstabber!" The young heroes joined the captain's complaints, but were equally ignored.
"I request to be considered as an equal in this council."
"What is she doing? She's going to mess up everything we've just accomplished," Mic grumbled to his fellow teachers.
"Oh, no! You said you weren't going to get involved!" Usopp protested, pointing at her.
"Bakanee, go back to sleep!" Nami, Usopp, and Terk whispered, trying to hush her.
"Send her back to Styx!" The cyborg suggested eagerly, worried for the young ones who had accompanied them on their journey.
"Apologies... She hasn't been sleeping well, she's just rambling." Nami tried to ease the situation, pulling on Bakanee's arm, but the girl refused to budge, staring straight ahead without blinking or shifting her gaze.
"YOU CAN'T JUST WALK IN AND DECLARE YOURSELF ONE OF US!" the giantess protested.
Her words betrayed a deep, unspoken longing to live on the surface; a desire born from being part of a race strong enough to confront any challenge terrestrial problems could offer.
"Lagertha-sama... are you familiar with the term Oracle?" Hakim asked, siding with the two stubborn queens.
"It signifies answers bestowed by a deity through a chosen individual."
"If they're referring to this being as an Oracle, it means it's a message we must respect..."
The goat's explanation silenced everyone, as they accepted the truth of her words and opinion.
"Her words are not driven by fear or intimidation... Unlike the small group of humans. "His perspective left them deep in thought.
Although Poseidon didn't seem entirely satisfied with the idea, King Hakim was right... If they wanted the full picture and a neutral perspective, they had to include her.
"WE ACCEPT YOUR POSITION AND INVITE YOU TO JOIN THE COUNCIL TO DETERMINE WHICH PATH TO TAKE WITH THE CURRENT INFORMATION."
"MALAKAT, COULD YOU ACCOMPANY OUR GUESTS OUT OF THE ROOM? WE'LL PROCEED WITH THE ASSEMBLY." posseidon kindly requested, which malakat acknowledged before guiding both the heroes and pirates to the exit.
"That traitor is going to get us killed." Shouta muttered under his breath.
"This isn't good... She may not be intimidated by the kings, but she has plenty of reasons to resent the government. That alone could put us in danger just for being public servants under their regime." Nerumi said, discussing the situation with their colleagues.
"We had three kings on our side, but now she's opposing us with the other half... If her arguments manage to sway them, what will happen to us?" Mic voiced his concern.
"Amphitrite said they're prepared this time... If another war breaks out, it could end terribly." Yaoyorozu joined the discussion with the teachers.
"Just because they don't want us here doesn't mean a war will start." Kirishima argued.
"No, but now that they know how the surface reacts, and following their need to leave the depths, it's only a matter of time before one does." Iida deduced.
"Especially now that they're aware Minks and Mermen live on the surface. They might send a team of investigators to infiltrate..." Froppy speculated.
"Even just dealing with Lagertha would be a problem." Shoto muttered, loud enough for his companions to hear.
"Are you sure, Todoroki?"
"Her husband is weaker than she is, and we barely stopped him from causing more damage."
"He took Bakugo's strongest attack and wasn't even fazed..." Tokoyami explained.
"And Lagertha-sama knocked him out with a single hit."
The group swallowed hard at Aizawa's team's account.
"Poseidon wouldn't allow that..." Uraraka attempted to defend her protector.
All Might listened to his students' and colleagues' concerns, growing uneasy about the assembly's outcome. Just before stepping out of the throne room, he halted.
"WE STILL DON'T HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE FOR HUMANITY."
"YOUR MAJESTIES, AS THE FORMER NUMBER ONE HERO OF SOCIETY AND ONE CHOSEN BY A GUARDIAN, I REQUEST YOUR PERMISSION TO SERVE AS A SPOKESPERSON REPRESENTING HUMANS."
"Chosen by a guardian?" The unknown detail caught the monarchs' attention.
"What are you doing?" The white-haired gritted out, masking her discontent behind a composed expression.
"MAKING SURE YOU DON'T RUIN THIS."
"Oh, so now you acknowledge me?" She clenched her teeth but maintained her posture, shooting him a sidelong glare.
"I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING."
She exhaled, resigned to the certainty in his voice. "You better."
"Indeed, Your Majesties, if I may. It is my honor to formally present Toshinori Yagi, also known as All Might, the esteemed Symbol of Peace, former number one hero, and the individual chosen by the Guardian of Time, whose guidance has led to our arrival in your present."
His full introduction and background brought a mix of relief and intrigue to the monarchs' faces.
"Heh... Symbol of Peace."
"Ara... ara..." Amphitrite observed the blond with interest.
"What a reassuring title, yoyoyoyoii."
"WE ACCEPT YOUR REQUEST." Lagertha declared, her excitement evident as she slammed what remained of her throne's armrests, shattering them completely.
"WITH EVERYONE PRESENT, WE SHALL NOW BEGIN THE FIRST REVERIE WITH THE INCLUSION OF HUMANS." Poseidon's voice echoed as the throne room doors shut.