I, Kizaru, only came to the chat group after I became invincible

Chapter 418 Music Domination
"Continue searching other areas!" The sailors left the ballroom.

"We did it!" Chopper cheered softly. "They didn't even notice us!"

"The disguise operation was a great success!" Luffy excitedly continued dancing.

Now free from the threat of the navy, everyone relaxed and enjoyed the ball more. Music played one piece after another, each with its own unique style and charm.

"The variety of music here is truly impressive," Brooke commented professionally. "From classical to modern, from melodious to intense, there's every style imaginable."

“And their playing is of a very high standard.” Borsalino nodded in agreement. “These musicians are highly skilled.”

As time went on, Borusalino began to notice something strange.

The people attending the ball seemed particularly engrossed in the music and dance. There was an unusual focus in their eyes, as if they were deeply attracted by something.

“Strange,” Borsalino observed the crowd around him. “These people seem a little too engrossed.”

Indeed, a closer look reveals that the participants at the ball hardly stopped to rest. They danced incessantly, their eyes glazed over, their faces displaying an expression of ecstasy.

"When did they start dancing?" Borsalino asked a participant next to him.

“Me? I’ve been dancing the whole time,” the person replied, but their voice was somewhat dazed. “The music is so beautiful, why stop?”

"You've been dancing the whole time?" Borsalino pressed. "Aren't you tired?"

"Tired?" The man looked at him, puzzled. "Why would I be tired? Music gives me endless strength."

This answer only confused Borsalino more.

He carefully observed the others and found that they all exhibited similar behaviors: unfocused eyes and mechanical movements, as if controlled by something.

"Hey, Nami," Borsalino called out quietly to Nami. "Don't you think these people are a little strange?"

"Strange?" Nami was immersed in the joy of dancing. "I think it's perfectly normal. Everyone is very enthusiastic."

“That’s not what I meant,” Borsalino tried to explain. “I meant, they seem a little too involved, a little abnormal.”

"You're overthinking it," Nami said with a laugh. "Attending a ball is about enjoying yourself!"

After saying that, Nami continued dancing.

Borsalino discovered that not only the other participants, but even the members of the Straw Hat Pirates were becoming overly involved.

Luffy's movements became more exaggerated, his eyes flashing with an unusual light. Sanji's gentlemanly demeanor became somewhat mechanical. Even the usually calm Zoro unconsciously succumbed to the rhythm of the dance.

“This is not right,” Borsalino realized the danger.

He tried to move away from the center of the stage to clear his head. But the melody of the music seemed to have a magical power that was hard to resist.

"No, I must stay alert." Borsalino forced himself to think rationally.

He noticed that the band members on stage were all wearing special masks. Strange symbols were engraved on those masks, which glowed faintly in the music.

“Those masks,” Borsalino examined them closely. “They don’t seem to be ordinary decorations.”

Just then, he heard a familiar voice.

"Did you find anything interesting?"

Turning around, they saw the old man who had provided them with the clothes before. But this time, the old man's expression was completely different from before, carrying a strange smile.

“You are…” Borsalino became alert.

“I am the master of this island,” the old man’s voice turned sinister. “Welcome to my eternal ball.”

“The Eternal Ball?” Borsalino repeated the word. “What does that mean?”

“It means exactly what it says,” the old man grinned. “Once you join this ball, you can never stop.”

"What!" Borsalino exclaimed in shock.

“Look at all these people around you,” the old man said proudly, pointing to the dancers. “Some of them have been dancing for months, some for years.”

"But they seem so happy, don't they?" "Under the magic of the music, they forgot their fatigue, forgot their pain." "Isn't that wonderful?"

“You’re controlling them!” Borsalino said angrily.

“Control? No, no, no.” The old man shook his head. “I simply let them experience pure joy.”

"The power of music is sacred; it can make people forget the troubles of the world." "And I am a disseminator of this power."

Borsalino looked around and saw that the Straw Hat Pirates were completely absorbed in the dance. Their eyes had become as dazed as the other participants.

“What did you do to my companions!” Borsalino demanded.

“They’re very happy now,” the little old man said innocently. “Look at their smiles, how pure they are.”

Indeed, Luffy and his crew all wore happy smiles. But those smiles lacked their usual liveliness and appeared somewhat dull.

“This isn’t true happiness!” Borsalino declared firmly. “True happiness is the freedom to choose, not forced indulgence!”

"Freedom?" the old man scoffed. "Freedom only brings pain and confusion."

"Look at the world outside, it's full of war and conflict." "Only in my music can people find true peace."

“That’s not calm, that’s numbness!” Borsalino retorted.

"There's no point in arguing about this," the old man waved his hand impatiently. "You'll be joining them soon enough."

"The allure of music is irresistible, even for someone as powerful as you."

Borsalino felt the music around him grow even stronger. The melodies seemed to drill directly into his brain, trying to take control of his consciousness.

"I must stay awake," Borsalino gritted his teeth, struggling against the influence of the music.

But he found it more difficult than he had imagined. The magic of the music was constantly eroding his sanity.

"It's no use," the old man said smugly. "No one can resist my musical magic."

"Soon you'll be just like them, forever immersed in the world of music."

Borsalino watched his companions dancing, his heart filled with worry. Luffy, Nami, Zoro... they had all lost their sense of self.

"I will absolutely not let you hurt my companions!" Borsalino made up his mind.

He began to think of a solution. This musical magic must have a weakness; the key was to find the source of the control.

Observing the band on stage, Borsalino noticed the distinctive masks. "Those masks must be the key!"

But getting close to the stage wasn't easy. The entire ballroom was enveloped in the magic of music.

"Looks like I have no choice but to go for it head-on." Borsalino prepared to use his ability.

"Trying to resist?" The old man sensed his intention. "How foolish. You cannot win in my domain."

As the old man finished speaking, the music grew even louder. An eerie glow began to emanate from the entire ballroom.

The participants' dance moves became more frenzied, and the dazed look in their eyes intensified.

"This is the true power of music!" the old man laughed wildly. "Before it, everything must yield!"

Borsalino felt the pressure mounting. He had to find a way to save his companions before he too was controlled.

"Luffy! Nami! Everyone wake up!" he shouted.

But his companions, absorbed in the music, couldn't hear him at all. They just mechanically repeated the dance moves, their faces blank with empty smiles.

“It’s no use shouting,” the old man scoffed. “They belong only to music now.”

"Forever and ever"

Seeing this situation, Borsalino knew he could no longer hesitate. Even at the risk of revealing his identity, he had to save his companions.

“Since that’s the case,” Borsalino’s body began to radiate golden light, “then let me end this farce!”

Golden light burst forth from Borsalino, instantly illuminating the entire ballroom.

"Flash—Yata no Kagami!"

A powerful beam of light shot directly at the band on stage, targeting the masks that emitted an eerie glow.

But just as the beam was about to hit its target, a huge musical note barrier suddenly appeared, blocking the attack.

"Tsk tsk tsk, how impatient they are."

A brand new voice rang out, carrying a sinister magnetism.

The ground in the center of the stage began to rise, and a tall figure slowly appeared.

This was a middle-aged man dressed in an ornate conductor's uniform, holding a gleaming baton in his hand. His face was handsome but had a sickly pallor, and his eyes gleamed with a crazed light.

"Welcome to my music kingdom, Admiral Kizaru."

The man bowed gracefully.

"I am Melodyus, captain of the Music Pirates, the 'Music Ruler'."

"The great pirate with a bounty of 15 billion Berries."

Borsalino narrowed his eyes.

"I see, no wonder they were able to control so many people."

"Control? That's an awful word."

Melodius shook his head.

"I'm simply spreading the beauty of music and letting people experience pure joy."

"Look at them, how happy they are."

He pointed to the crowd still dancing wildly. "No pain, no sorrow, only eternal music for company."

"This is not happiness, this is slavery!"

Borsalino said coldly.

"Release my companions, or else..."

“Otherwise what?”

Melodius laughed dismissively.

"In my musical realm, I am a god!"

He raised his baton, and the surrounding music instantly became both exciting and dangerous.

"Since you want to save your companions, then defeat them first!"

"What?"

Borsalino was startled.

Suddenly, Luffy stopped dancing and slowly turned towards Borsalino.

His eyes no longer held their usual innocence and vitality; instead, they were filled with an empty, bewildered look.

"Rubber, rubber—"

Luffy's body began to swell.

"Rocket launcher!"

A powerful punch landed directly on Borsalino.

"Luffy!"

Borsalino quickly dodged.

"Wake up! It's me, Borsalino!"

But Luffy couldn't hear him at all and continued his attack.

"Rubber, rubber—Gatling gun!"

Countless fists rained down upon them.

Borsalino had to transform into a photon to evade.

"Damn it!"

He glared angrily at Melodius.

"What have you done to him?"

"Don't worry, he's fine."

Melodyus conducted the music with a leisurely air.

"Under my musical guidance, he will unleash his full potential."

"And this is just the beginning."

As the music changed, the other Straw Hat Pirates members also stopped dancing.

Zoro drew his sword, his eyes equally empty.

"Three-Sword Style - Demon Slash!"

A sharp slash came toward Borsalino.

Sanji also joined the attack.

"Demon Wind Kick - First Meat Shot!"

A burning kick came from the side.

"Everyone is under control!"

Borsalino was in a somber mood.

He dared not use too strong an attack, for fear of hurting his companions.

But the Straw Hat Pirates' attack was merciless.

"Nami! Robin! Wake up!"

"Thunderous Weather - Lightning Strike!"

Nami unleashed a powerful bolt of lightning.

"Thirty rounds of flowers—strangulation!"

Robin grows arms around Borsalino, attempting to restrain him.

“This won’t work!”

Borsalino realized the seriousness of the situation.

He must find a way to break free from the music's control, but without harming his companions.

"Hahaha! How about it?"

Melodius laughed triumphantly.

"Could you bring yourself to harm your own partner?"

"And they won't go easy on you!"

"Frankie Laser!"

Franky fired a powerful laser beam.

"A blasting cannon!"

Usopp also began attacking from a distance.

"Ultimate move—Explosive Starfall!"

Countless explosive bombs detonated around Borusalino.

"Elegy of the Soul - Frozen Waltz!"

Brook's swordsmanship produced chilling attacks.

"Weight Intensification - 10,000 Kilograms of Compression!"

Chopper's transformed, heavy-pressure attack fell from the sky.

All members of the Straw Hat Pirates are attacking Borsalino.

Although their eyes were vacant, their fighting instincts and teamwork remained perfect.

"This is such a hassle."

Borsalino dodged while pondering a countermeasure.

"We must find a way to break free from this control."

He carefully observed Melodius's movements.

The other party drew complex patterns in the air with their baton while chanting incantations.

"Is that baton a vessel for the power of a Devil Fruit?"

Borsalino had a guess.

"The Eight-Foot Jade Ornament!"

He fired a large number of light projectiles, aiming directly at Melodius.

But Luffy suddenly stood in front of Melodius.

"Rubber, rubber—balloon!"

Its body inflated into a giant balloon, deflecting all the light bullets.

"Luffy! Don't let yourself be used anymore!"

Borsalino cried out in anguish.

Think of your dreams! Think of your friends!

But Luffy didn't react and continued his attack.

"it's useless."

Melodius sneered.

"Under the sway of my music, he will only obey my commands."

"Music reigns supreme."

Borsalino repeated the word.

"What is your Devil Fruit power?"

"Since you're so curious, I might as well tell you."

(End of this chapter)