Chapter 26: The Fifth Emperor Sets Sail
The Calm After the Storm
The world held its breath.
For the first time in decades, the seas were silent. No pirate dared raise a flag in defiance, no Marine ship patrolled with unchecked arrogance. The name Voidreign had become synonymous with invincibility, and the title of Fifth Emperor weighed upon the world like a storm cloud waiting to burst.
Jessie stood at the bow of the Voidreign, his black coat fluttering in the wind, his cowboy hat casting a shadow over his eyes. Behind him, his crew rested—some nursing minor wounds, others simply enjoying the rare peace.
Uta strummed her guitar, humming a soft melody that carried across the deck. Vash lounged against the mast, twirling his revolver lazily. Kuina sharpened her blade, the metallic shink of steel the only sound breaking the quiet. BlackEye, the now-infamous panda, sat beside her, gnawing on a fresh bamboo stalk. The Seraphim stood at the edges of the ship, their golden eyes scanning the horizon.
They had earned this rest.
And no one—no one—was foolish enough to disturb them.
The World's Reaction – The Fifth Emperor's Deterrent
Morgan's latest headline had spread like wildfire:
"THE AGE OF THE VOID KING BEGINS! JESSIE CROWNED FIFTH EMPEROR OF THE SEA!"
The world had erupted in chaos.