Anime Girls are Moist

Chapter 1165 1,164: The Demon of Uta! Kidnapping Uta!

At that moment,

the entire island suddenly began to quake violently.

A massive crack split open across the stage floor.

From that fissure emerged a grotesque demon,

pitch-black all over and covered in countless writhing tentacles.

It was a Tot Musica-like demon born from Uta's negative emotions fused with the power of the Sing-Sing Fruit.

It had always been hidden deep within Uta World.

But now that it sensed Uta's convictions collapsing,

it immediately broke through the barrier of the virtual world and descended into reality.

The demon's enormous body blotted out the sky.

Its hideous face turned toward Rei Ao as it let out a deafening roar.

Even the surrounding air shook violently from the force of its bellow.

"Who are you?! How dare you ruin Lady Uta's plan! How dare you shatter Lady Uta's dream! I'll tear you to pieces!"

Uta stared at the demon that had suddenly appeared,

her eyes filled with terror.

She had never known that such a horrifying monster was hiding inside her Uta World.

She wanted to activate her power and stop it,

but her body was already at its limit.

She could not even stand.

All she could do was watch helplessly as the demon lunged at Rei Ao.

Her assistant had long since collapsed to the floor in terror,

too frightened to even scream.

Rei Ao merely lifted his eyes.

His gaze settled on the snarling demon charging toward him.

His voice held a trace of impatience.

"How noisy."

The moment the words left his mouth,

he casually raised a hand.

An invisible pressure instantly spread outward.

The demon that had just been roaring like mad—

a monster that not even a Marine Admiral could necessarily take down with ease—

didn't even have time to scream.

It was annihilated in midair with a thunderous burst,

reduced to a cloud of dust.

The wind scattered it at once,

leaving behind not even the slightest trace.

The entire stage fell silent in an instant.

Even the trembling of the island stopped.

Uta stared at the scene before her.

She was completely stunned.

Her eyes were wide open,

filled with undisguised shock.

She knew that demon's power better than anyone.

It was the embodiment of her ability.

The concentrated form of all her negative emotions.

Even a Yonko-class powerhouse might not have been able to erase it so effortlessly.

But this man before her—

he had destroyed it completely with a mere lift of his hand?

What kind of power was that?

Who exactly was this man?

Rei Ao lowered his hand.

Then he slowly walked over to Uta

and held out his hand to her.

There was a faint note of temptation in his voice.

"Your ideal was wrong, but that doesn't mean your song has no meaning."

"Come with me. I'll show you a different kind of world."

"I'll make you understand that the real world is ten thousand times more wonderful than your fake Uta World."

"And your voice shouldn't be trapped on this tiny island of Elegia, nor wasted inside some empty illusion. It deserves to be heard across a far wider world."

Uta looked up.

She stared at the hand Rei Ao was offering,

then into his deep, unreadable eyes, her thoughts in complete turmoil.

Her dream had already collapsed completely.

She no longer knew where she should go, or what she should do.

She had once planned to trade her life for so-called world peace.

But now she realized that everything she had done

had been nothing more than a cruel joke.

This man standing before her was unimaginably powerful.

When he said he could show her a different world—

was that really true?

Did she really still have another choice?

Rei Ao looked at her hesitation,

a faint smile curling at his lips.

There was a hint of provocation in his tone.

"What? Afraid?"

"You weren't afraid to bet your life on a hollow peace. And now you're afraid to come with me?"

Uta bit her lip.

Then she steeled herself.

That was right. She hadn't even been afraid of dying.

So what did she still have to fear?

She had no road left to retreat to.

She might as well follow this man

and see the different world he spoke of.

See what the real sea was truly like.

She took a deep breath.

Then she reached out and tightly grasped Rei Ao's hand.

Her voice was a little hoarse, but incredibly firm.

"Okay. I'll go with you."

Rei Ao smiled.

He tightened his grip on her hand

and snapped his fingers.

A soft white glow spread outward like a rising tide,

wrapping Uta inside it.

He cast one final glance over the island, still filled with sleeping crowds,

and at the Wake-Shroom lying forgotten on the ground.

A wild, unrestrained smile curled at his lips.

In the next instant,

his figure blurred slightly—

and he vanished completely from the stage on Elegia, taking Uta with him.

High above the clouds,

the sea of clouds churned below.

Rei Ao brought Uta into a private space of his own making.

The others had already watched everything that had just happened through the light screen as well.

Bonney was the first to rush over.

She waved at Uta and spoke in her usual carefree, straightforward way.

"Hey! You're Uta, right?"

"I'm a huge fan of your songs. Since you're one of us now, tell me—can you cook meat dishes?"

Uta looked at the enthusiastic pink-haired girl in front of her

and blinked in surprise.

Then, unable to help herself, she laughed.

Much of the confusion in her eyes faded.

She nodded.

"A little. I can make some for you later."

Stussy walked over gracefully,

offering Uta a warm smile.

"Welcome, Miss Uta. From now on, we're companions."

Gion folded her arms

and gave Uta a small nod.

She didn't say anything,

but there was no longer any hostility in her eyes.

Shirahoshi also timidly waved at Uta

and said softly,

"Miss Uta, your singing is really beautiful."

Uta looked at the people gathered before her.

A sudden warmth welled up in her heart.

She had spent so many years alone on that island.

Always by herself.

She had never had companions.

And she had never known warmth like this.

Maybe following Lord Rei Ao

really was the best decision she had made in her entire life.

Rei Ao lowered his gaze,

looking down at the magnificent blue sea below.

Listening to the chattering voices around him,

the smile on his lips only deepened.

This sea really was far more interesting than he had imagined.

Now then—

where should he go next,

to find some new amusement

and collect some new treasures?

His gaze turned

toward the end of the Grand Line—

the final land known as Laugh Tale.

And in his eyes

was nothing but wild, untamed arrogance and blazing ambition.