The Sabaody Archipelago, where numerous warships were docked at the port.
Holding Klee's hand, Hiroshi stepped off the warship, accompanied by Kuroneko (Ruri Gokou), who was carrying Qiqi.
"Brother Hiroshi, will Hifumi-nee and the others be okay?"
Klee tightly held Hiroshi's hand, her worried gaze fixed on the live stream Mark had opened in the chat group.
"Don't worry," Hiroshi said with a reassuring smile, patting Klee's little head. "Hifumi has a natural affinity with animals and has been working with you and Megumin to complete missions and level up. Now, she's reached a master level. Her natural affinity has evolved into a harmony with nature. There's nothing in Mark's world that can threaten her life, especially with Gabriel by her side."
"Mm!"
Nodding vigorously, Klee patted her small chest. "Since Brother Hiroshi says Hifumi-nee will be okay, then she must be okay. That's great!"
Her face lit up with a wide smile as Klee looked ahead at the massive trees forming the Sabaody Archipelago.
"Wow~!"
With her mouth agape, Klee marveled at the bubbles floating across the island, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Yay!!!"
Jumping with joy, Klee tugged on Hiroshi's hand and exclaimed, "Brother Hiroshi, Ruri-nee, Qiqi-nee! Let's hurry over!
"I want to play with the big bubbles!"
"Alright, but Klee has to behave," Hiroshi said, lifting the excited Klee into his arms and nuzzling her cheek. "I'll need you to stay here and play with Qiqi and Ruri while I go take care of some bad guys. Once I'm done, I'll come back for you."
"Oh, that's right! We're here to fight bad guys!"
Realization dawned on Klee as she giggled. "Can I come with you to fight bad guys, Brother Hiroshi? That way, we can play together sooner!"
"No, Klee," Hiroshi said with a gentle smile, tapping her forehead. He handed her over to Kuroneko. "There's some dirty business over there, and it wouldn't be good for you to see it. So, be good and wait here with the others."
"Okay, Klee understands."
Klee pouted but nodded, wrapping her arms around Kuroneko's neck.
"Brother Hiroshi…"
Qiqi's soft voice called out. Hiroshi turned to her, noticing her small, outstretched arms. He picked her up, her cool body fitting snugly in his embrace.
Resting his chin on Qiqi's head, Hiroshi whispered, "I've figured out a way to fully revive you. Once this mission is over, you won't be a zombie anymore. You'll be alive again."
"Brother Hiroshi…"
Qiqi nestled closer, tilting her head to look at him. "Qiqi thinks this is fine too. Being cool like this lets me feel the warmth of Brother Hiroshi's hugs better."
"So, Qiqi doesn't want… Brother Hiroshi to be in danger."
"Don't worry, Qiqi."
Hiroshi pinched her small nose gently. In her slightly trembling gaze, he said, "I promised you I'd bring you back to life. I'm looking forward to seeing you grow up into a beautiful young woman."
Holding Qiqi close, Hiroshi took Kuroneko's hand, their fingers interlocked. They exchanged a smile as a gentle breeze passed by, enveloping the four of them.
"Goodbye, Brother Hiroshi."
With a soft bow, Ruri accepted the food box Hiroshi handed her. Her golden eyes shimmered with joy as she held the box, then turned and cheerfully ran off with Klee, led by Xiao Hei.
"Whew~"
Watching them leave, Hiroshi let out a deep breath. Turning to Zhongli and the others, he nodded. "Let's go."
In Mariejois, the Holy Land, the Celestial Dragons—who claimed to be descendants of the creators—found the day unusually noisy.
Footsteps echoed incessantly through the Holy Land, disturbing Charlos's usual routine. Clearly irritated, the grotesque man, with his runny nose threatening to drip, hastily sucked it back in before it fell.
Amid the disgusting sound of dripping mucus, Charlos raised his gun and shot the woman in front of him, who was enduring pain in silence.
Blood pooled around her as the fallen woman weakly raised her head to look at the black-clad man nearby.
"My… daughter… Can she be spared… now? I didn't… scream…"
Her mosquito-like voice carried the heartfelt plea of a mother's dying wish. The black-clad man ignored her, kneeling before Charlos with a fawning smile.
The revolting mucus dripped onto his head, but the man only shouted joyfully, "Thank you for your grace, my lord!"
He grabbed the mucus from his head and swallowed it with delight. Despite his strength on the seas, the black-clad man acted lower than a dog.
Bang!
Kicking the man aside, Charlos waddled to the mansion's entrance, where a pirate captain was chained like a pet.
"Lord Charlos, your headgear," the black-clad man said, rising to place the transparent headpiece on Charlos's head with great reverence.
Supporting Charlos onto the pirate's back, the man carefully held the chain leash.
"Lord Charlos, shall we continue today's feeding game? The bait in the warehouse is running low."
Smack!
"Do you want my precious darling to starve?!" Charlos roared, lashing the man with his whip. "Feed the little one from the remaining stock. It needs three meals a day to stay full."
"If the warehouse is empty, go catch more! There are plenty below!"
"Yes, my lord."
Groveling before Charlos, the black-clad man promised, "I'll immediately send people to replenish the bait. Please calm your anger."
"Hmph."
Snorting, Charlos kicked his pirate mount and pointed outside. "Let's go. I want to fetch some new toys from below."
His obese body jiggled as the mansion doors opened. Sunlight streamed in, causing Charlos to tumble from his mount, crying and choking as the light blinded him despite the helmet's protection.
Through blurred vision, he saw a figure standing before him. Raising his gun, Charlos fired.
"Damn slave! How dare you blind the great me with light? I'll slaughter your entire clan!"
"Oh, really?"
A soft chuckle echoed as Charlos's vision cleared. He saw the figure still standing, the justice cape of a Marine fluttering amidst the flames.
"I'm here to exterminate your entire clan."