Chapter 52: A White Bear Floating at Sea
The midday sun shimmered above the vast ocean as gulls circled lazily in the sky. Somewhere beyond the protective reach of Voidreign Kingdom, three figures sailed atop a modest ship—its sails simple, its mast creaking with the rhythm of the waves.
Standing at the bow, hair rustling in the sea wind, was Vash—gunslinger, outlaw, and wanderer of countless fates.
Perched high on the ship's mast like a statue was Meruem, his arms crossed and eyes sharp, scanning the distant waters. Resting comfortably on Meruem's broad shoulder was none other than Black-Eye Panda, gnawing contentedly on a thick stalk of bamboo.
"I told you this would be fun!" Vash declared, laughter dancing in his voice. "Come on, admit it!"
"Fun wasn't the point," Meruem replied calmly, scanning the distant horizon. "We're here to observe."
"Yeah, yeah," Vash interrupted, spinning one of his dual pistols around his fingers. "But we can't live life on edge all the time. You've gotta let go and enjoy the ocean breeze every now and then."
Black-Eye Panda remained silent—chewing, unbothered, disinterested.
They were headed toward a small, unclaimed island chain just a few miles off the eastern border of Voidreign territory. No formal flag flew there—no law, no structure. Perfect, Vash had said, for "blowing off steam."
But the peace was short-lived.
Without warning, the sound of cannon fire shattered the peace.
BOOM.