La la la la~~
La la la la la la~~~
In this world bathed in endless daylight, the cheerful yet eerie and frenzied melody never ceased.
"The tragic ending often looks so beautiful ♪!!!"
Across the radiant world, a spreading black stain appeared, forming a wildly swaying dark stage.
"Adorned with the color of black, so close to darkness ♫~"
At the very center of the pitch black stage stood Uta. Her hands moved erratically as she pointed in all directions, her eyes filled with madness and despair. Her sorrowful voice echoed as the darkness consumed the space where Shirogai stood.
"The more scattered the vision, the more its beauty appears ~ with my back to the burning light ♪ yet drawn toward that black color ♪ ~ ♪ ~"
Gurgle, gurgle…
As Uta continued her desperate song, the stage beneath her began to swallow her like a living swamp.
"This tangled heart ♬ ~"
Darkness engulfed her shoes and pale ankles.
"I understand it well ♫ ~"
It crept upward, wrapping around her calves like venom, pulling her deeper.
"Now no longer tangled ♪ ~"
Her lower body dissolved entirely into the abyss. Only her upper half remained, still dancing wildly, as if unaware of what was happening.
"And words have expressed anxiety…"
Her movements suddenly froze. The singing stopped.
Only her trembling upper body remained above the darkness, as if making one final resistance. If she gave in, she would never see Shanks again.
I… I…
Whoosh!!!
The energy of the entire daylight world surged violently, compressing into a single point at Shirogai's fingertip, swaying obediently like a tamed force.
"Who exactly merged your Sing Sing World with a Nightmare World and pushed you to attack me? Hard to guess."
Shirogai casually extinguished the brilliant light at his fingertip as if putting out a cigarette. He smiled faintly, looking at Uta struggling in the distance.
"Uta, do not give up. Shanks is outside this place, trapped in another Nightmare World. You…"
"Shanks… Ahhh!!!"
Before he could finish, Uta screamed. Her eyes, hidden beneath her bangs, overflowed with agony as she was completely consumed by darkness once again.
"My anger ♪! ♪! ♪! Now drive those villains away ♪! ♪! ♪!"
Her body sank entirely into the black abyss.
Dark liquid surged upward, engulfing her and dyeing her completely black, merging her with the stage itself.
"…Ah."
Shirogai's smile faded slightly. He shook his head.
"I underestimated how deeply Shanks is rooted in your heart. He is both your light and the darkness you refuse to face."
Strange, incomprehensible chants echoed from the darkness.
The stage expanded violently, writhing as the eerie melody intensified.
"Oh… this tune."
Shirogai narrowed his eyes, then chuckled.
"So it is the sacrificial song that summons Tot Musica. Fittingly unsettling."
Crack!
A section of the stage shattered. From within, a massive arm made of writhing piano keys burst out and lashed toward him like a monstrous limb.
Boom!!!
Shirogai was sent flying, crashing into distant black mountains.
"Unending desires and endless tears ♪Ψ♪~~"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
His body pierced through multiple mountains, each impact causing massive destruction as the terrain crumbled.
Rumble…
The world trembled under the force.
High above, the enormous piano arm twisted and danced wildly, celebrating its return.
The song continued without pause.
"Release the cursed incantation ♪Ψ♪~~"
The cracks across the dark stage spread further.
"A hymn that overturns even death ♪Ψ♪"
The entire structure began to distort and collapse as a suffocating aura spread outward, leaking into other Nightmare Worlds and even Dream Worlds.
…
In another Dream World.
Splash, splash.
Gentle waves rolled beneath a clear sky. Hundreds of pirate ships floated across the sea.
At the center was the largest and most extravagant vessel.
Every ship carried the same flag, a white skull with a long nose wearing a golden crown, backed by a golden slingshot.
This was the Yonko crew of this world, the Lying God King Pirate Crew.
Ruled by the strongest of them all, Usopp, the Lying God King.
At the sight of this flag, both pirates and marines fled in fear.
"Lord God King, look at me!"
"Lord God King Usopp, you are amazing!"
On the grand ship, beautiful women surrounded Usopp, their voices filled with admiration.
"Hmph, he likes me the most!"
Usopp lounged comfortably, resting his head on soft laps while being fed grapes.
"Alright, alright, no fighting. I like all of you."
Laughter filled the air.
"Hehehe, Lord God King is so playful!"
"Why tease me like that?"
Usopp stared wide eyed at the overwhelming scenery before him.
"This is not small at all, it is huge!"
A charming woman leaned closer.
"Lord God King, you are so handsome. Tonight, can I…"
Usopp rubbed his hands eagerly.
"Yes, yes!"
Suddenly, a chilling song echoed in his mind.
"Prayers offered, yet wavering ♪Ψ♪~~"
"Huh? Where is that coming from?"
The world flickered.
Buzz… buzz…
In an instant, all the women vanished.
"What?!"
Usopp looked around in panic. The surrounding ships were empty.
His crew was gone.
"Where did everyone go?!"
The sky darkened as the sea turned violent.
Boom!!!
Massive waves surged, shaking the fleet violently as if something monstrous stirred beneath.
"Who is it?!"
Usopp pulled out his golden slingshot, shouting bravely despite his fear.
"Who dares challenge the Lying God King?! You are dead!!!"
The eerie song intensified.
"That arrogant cry ♪Ψ♪~~"
The ocean exploded upward.
A colossal claw made of piano keys emerged from the sea.
"Ah…"
Usopp stared upward, frozen.
The claw stretched into the clouds, massive beyond comprehension.
A few seconds passed.
Then he screamed.
"Am I dreaming?!"
The monstrous claw descended.
Boom!!!!
===
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