Chapter 78: Departure! (Finale)

Chapter Seventy-Eight: Departure! (Finale)

Silence. Below, a hush so profound that the fall of a single needle would be audible. The reason Camus gave was so extraordinary that it left everyone bewildered—an extraterrestrial meteorite? What could that possibly be?

Camus gazed at the confused crowd below, his expression darkening. He realized then that, though the world’s technology was not lacking, it was still somewhat behind in terms of exploring the universe and outer space. Perhaps in a few decades, with steady development and the power of Devil Fruits, traversing the cosmos would be inevitable, but for now, it was simply too soon.

Resigned, Camus explained in detail why the meteorite had fallen to Earth, the devastation it could cause upon impact. Robin and the other women, along with the pirates, began to understand, at least a little. Camus concluded, “…That’s all. Only one thing can be said—the destructive power of nature is limitless.”

The pirates below whispered among themselves. Though they didn’t fully grasp Camus’s words, they now understood there were no gods in this world; it was merely a star falling from the sky, nothing to live in constant fear of—the odds were, after all, pitifully small.

Camus paid no mind to their discussions, turned away from the stone monument, and walked toward the central avenue. Robin and the others were the first to react and followed him, with Red-Haired and his companions close behind.

In front of Camus stretched a stone-paved road ten yards wide. The ground was covered with tightly fitted square stones; after centuries, only a few had collapsed or cracked, but walking on it was still comfortable.

This stone road was exceptionally long. After half an hour of walking, Camus and his companions finally reached its end.

Ahead stood a vast, ruined palace. At its main entrance were two stone pedestals, each more than ten feet tall, shaped like unknown beasts—fierce and intimidating, with sharp fangs and glaring eyes. Their bodies seemed covered in scales, suggesting that, should such creatures exist, they would be utterly ferocious.

Everyone was startled by the two statues. Only when Camus stepped inside the palace did they follow, still glancing back, as if afraid the lifelike statues might truly come to life.

The palace roof was supported by dozens of pillars three feet thick. The walls were adorned with bas-reliefs—not of the animals and plants seen outside, but of humans. Camus glanced around, nodded slightly; nothing had changed since he’d last been here ten years ago.

“Everyone, this is the end. The treasures you seek lie behind the palace, more than you could ever desire. Take as much as you like,” Camus announced loudly. The pirates behind him were stunned, then erupted in cheers, rushing through the side door at the back of the palace. Camus smiled at their excitement, paying it no further mind.

Indeed, there were so many treasures behind the palace that hundreds could not carry them all away.

“Luffy, aren’t you going to grab some treasure?” Camus asked, seeing Luffy below, looking around.

Luffy froze, turned to Camus, his eyes lost.

Camus seemed to understand, gave a wry smile. “Luffy, I know your dream is to become Pirate King. Now is your chance—take some treasure, then sail around to the far side of the island. From there, you can reach Sky Island. Follow the straight path and soon you’ll return to East Blue. Then you’ll be the true Pirate King; even Roger never took that route.”

Luffy was shaken, staring at Camus. Realizing Camus was serious, he nodded fiercely, called his crew over, and went to gather treasure at the back of the palace.

Turning to Whitebeard, Red-Haired, and Hawkeye, Camus walked over.

“Whitebeard, Shanks, Hawkeye, now I must leave. In the future, it’s ‘possible’ you won’t see me in this world again. I’ve already instructed Amazon Lily; please help look after it for me. Thank you,” Camus’s voice carried a hint of nostalgia, but his tone was resolute.

The three nodded slightly. They already knew Camus was leaving. Though they didn’t know where he was going, so long as he lived, there was always a chance to meet again.

With that, Camus turned and walked outside without looking back. Robin and the five women followed.

When they reached a secluded spot, Camus looked at the five women.

“Nokiko, now you are my beloved. You must get along well with the other four!”

Nokiko, hearing this, twisted her hands together, blushing as she recalled the intimate moments she’d shared with Camus on the ship two days earlier.

“Shall we go?” Camus asked, no longer teasing Nokiko.

“Yes!”

“Yes!”

“Yes!”

“Yes!”

“Yes!”

Seeing all five nod in agreement, Camus finally breathed a sigh of relief. As long as none of them left his side, everything would be well.

“Don’t resist. I’m going to bring you into the ring,” Camus said, suppressing his joy.

With a wave of his left hand, a violet light appeared, and the five women vanished before him. Glancing at the ring on his left hand, it seemed to come alive, slowly merging into his finger.

Camus entered a mysterious state. His aura began to surge wildly. As his power grew, the island itself began to tremble lightly. Whitebeard and the others left the palace, looking toward the source of this energy.

Space rippled around Camus, and just before collapse, his aura vanished without a trace. When he opened his eyes, his formerly purple pupils were now deep black, as profound as the night sky.

Camus glanced at the distant crowd, nodded slightly, and with a sweep of his right hand, a pitch-black fissure appeared before him. Amid the astonished gazes of Whitebeard and the others, he stepped through.

…

“Is that Earth?”

(The End)