Chapter 90: Primordial Energy!

At this moment—

Nanashi was in his Bankai mode.

A state that governed everything.

He exhaled slowly.

And felt it.

The entire planet was now under his control.

Just as his Bankai had declared—

"All things in the universe belong to me."

Everything.

Every phenomenon.

Every law of nature.

It was all under his dominion.

With that—

He began.

Setting Najenda's rules in place—

They would be absolute, ironclad, etched into the very fabric of this world.

Like an unshakable decree, implanted into the minds of every being.

Like a stamp upon the world's consciousness.

Nanashi cared little for the people of this world.

But at the very least—

Najenda's laws would guide civilization toward progress, steering it away from the filth and ugliness that had consumed it.

And then—

The iron rule for those beyond redemption.

With a simple command—

"Those who violate this law shall be hanged."

It was done.

Quick.

Effortless.

A task completed in less than a minute.

The golden imperial robe and radiant starry eyes faded.

Najenda and the others stared at Nanashi, suspicion flickering in their eyes.

Mine, however, had no hesitation in voicing her doubts.

"That's it? But you didn't do anything. Shouldn't you, I don't know—overthrow the empire first?"

Nanashi glanced at her small frame and smirked.

"Ah… poor knowledge limits your thinking and growth."

As soon as he spoke, Mine instinctively looked down—

And realized.

Her face burned with a mix of anger and embarrassment.

"You bastard! I'm still young! I'm still growing!"

Nanashi clicked his tongue.

Grow by yourself?

Or should I lend a hand?

He ignored her flustered reaction and turned to Najenda.

"I've already implanted your laws into the minds of everyone on this planet, stamping them into their consciousness."

"Those who have violated the decree of the damned—will commit suicide."

"If you don't believe me, take a look outside. Many nobles have already begun to hang themselves. Perhaps even the little emperor is gone."

"What?!"

Najenda's breath hitched.

Her heart pounded in shock.

She had never imagined that this was what Nanashi meant by "changing the world."

The others exchanged uneasy glances.

It was almost unbelievable.

But there was only one way to find out.

Without hesitation, they rushed outside.

Kurome, however, stayed behind—

Her gaze filled with awe.

"Master truly did something incredible!"

Nanashi ruffled her short hair, chuckling.

"Your master is quite powerful, after all."

"Mmm…!"

At his words, Kurome involuntarily recalled the events of last night.

Her face flushed, and she instinctively lowered her head.

Meanwhile—

Akame's eyes were fixed on Nanashi's hand.

"…"

Sensing her silent demand, Nanashi casually placed his other hand on her head as well.

Immediately—

Akame's expression softened into pure contentment.

The sight of both sisters—acting like hamsters being petted—made Nanashi shake his head in amusement.

Seemed like their long night of communication had truly cleared away their grudges.

Their stances had completely shifted.

Kurome was no longer obsessed with the empire.

Akame was no longer bound by vengeance.

Because ultimately—

They now understood.

Nanashi wasn't just destroying the empire.

He was rebuilding it.

"Are they your new toys?"

Esdeath crossed her arms, raising an amused brow.

Nanashi smirked.

"What? No, they're my subordinates now."

"Oh."

Esdeath then fell silent.

After all—

Wasn't she a "toy" as well?

What right did she have to question it?

"Nanashi… did you really do something so… so incredible?"

March 7th hesitated for a long time before asking in a quiet voice.

Nanashi gave her a side glance.

"Are you saying I'm heartless?"

March 7th quickly shook her head.

"No, it's not that. It's just… placing a mental stamp on people seems a bit… extreme."

She tapped her index finger against her chin, clearly troubled.

Nanashi sighed, then gently explained.

"March, you're too naive."

"The darkness of this world cannot be fixed overnight. The corruption of the human heart isn't limited to this empire alone—it's everywhere."

"Even the Revolutionary Army you might think is fighting for justice… is just another group of people who want to replace the nobility."

March 7th frowned, processing his words.

"I've read Najenda's laws. They're humane. And I can remove the stamp at any time."

"But first—"

"People must experience peace firsthand. Only once they've grown used to it will it be safe to remove my control."

"Otherwise, they'll just fall back into chaos."

March 7th fell silent.

Her mind spun, carefully digesting Nanashi's reasoning.

A long pause.

Then, she raised her head, rubbing her hair awkwardly.

"I'm sorry, Nanashi. I misunderstood you."

Nanashi chuckled.

"It's fine. In fact—"

"I like this side of you."

"Eh?!"

March 7th blinked, caught off guard.

Nanashi's voice softened slightly.

"Because you're kind and pure."

"I didn't want you to misunderstand me. That's why I explained it to you."

March 7th's cheeks heated.

A sweet, fluttery feeling spread in her chest.

"I-I'm not as good as you say…"

She looked away, flustered.

Watching the scene unfold, Nami let out a quiet sigh.

Nanashi's gaze was soft, filled with clear affection.

And she recognized it immediately.

Because—

Last night, she had been caught in that same gaze.

And she still hadn't recovered from it.

After a while—

The women of Night Raid returned.

Each wore a complicated expression.

Clearly—

They had seen exactly what Nanashi had described.

The Little Emperor was dead.

General Budo was dead.

Countless nobles and high-ranking officials had committed suicide.

Even among ordinary citizens, there were suicides as well.

Najenda couldn't help but glance at Esdeath.

In the Imperial Capital—

Esdeath's troops and the Jaegers had already begun cleaning up the aftermath.

It wouldn't be long before Esdeath would officially be crowned Queen.

And with the mental stamp in place—

Her job would be effortless.

"I didn't expect it to be this easy…"

Chelsea pursed her lips, struggling to process it all.

If the rules they had created together had truly been implanted into every mind—

Then the future had to be bright, right?

She wanted to see that kind of future.

"I'll bring you back to see it if I get the chance."

Nanashi's voice echoed in her mind.

Chelsea's eyes widened in surprise.

"Wait… did you just read my thoughts?!"

Nanashi smirked.

"I can do a little mind reading."

"H-Huh?! What a perverted ability! Don't eavesdrop on me!"

Mine immediately jumped behind Sheele, using her as a shield.

"U-Uh…"

Sheele, caught in the middle, looked awkward.

It's mind reading, not X-ray vision… hiding behind me won't help.

"Tsk, little brother, your ability is crazy. Is this some kind of Teigu stronger than the Supreme Grade ones?"

Leone crossed her arms, her golden lion eyes filled with curiosity.

"It's not an Imperial Arm."

Nanashi shrugged.

"Forget it. Let's fulfill our promise first."

A flash of starlight flickered in his eyes.

With his current power, controlling several people at once was effortless.

Instantly—

A flood of information poured into their minds.

And then—

"W-What?! Master is from another world?!"

Mine jumped out from behind Sheele, staring at Nanashi in shock.

Then—

Her expression suddenly changed.

Her face flushed red as she tried to speak.

"W-Wait… why can't I say your name?! W-Wah! Why do I keep calling you—"

Realizing she was about to shout something humiliating, she quickly clamped her hands over her mouth.

Nanashi smirked playfully.

"Because you're under my control now. Without my permission, you can only call me Master."

"Tch! Master, is there anything I can help you with~?"

Unlike Mine's embarrassment—

Leone grinned and threw her arms around him without hesitation.

Her Imperial Arm's power was deactivated, causing her lion-like features—claws, ears, and tail—to vanish.

But her body—

Toned, curvaceous, soft yet incredibly strong—pressed tightly against him.

For a brief moment—

Nanashi froze.

Then, naturally—

His hands slid around her exposed waist.

"!!!"

A strange warmth spread through Leone's body—

A mix of tingling heat and unfamiliar nervousness.

Her instincts kicked in.

She tried to break free—

But Nanashi held her firmly in place.

"You can throw yourself at me whenever you want."

"But don't expect to run away so easily."

Nanashi then glanced at Esdeath.

"There's nothing left to do here."

"I'll leave the Imperial Capital to you."

With that—

He confirmed their return.

March 7th waved.

"See you next time!"

Nami and Honghong also waved their goodbyes.

As the group departed—

Esdeath stood alone.

Hands resting gently on her lower abdomen.

A soft, almost out-of-character smile on her lips.

And no one knew what she was thinking.

"So this is another world…!"

Akame and the others followed Nanashi back to his domain.

At that moment—

Nanashi still held Leone's slender waist.

Leone's face flushed as she quickly muttered,

"M-Master, if you don't let go of me… are you planning to do something here?"

She thought he wouldn't actually be so bold.

But—

Without hesitation, Nanashi suddenly placed his hand directly on her belly button.

"W-Wait, what are you—"

He leaned in close, his lips near her ear.

"Why? You don't want to try it?"

Leone's body shivered.

"H-Hey! Don't bully Leone!"

A flash of pink cut between them.

Mine wedged herself in, glaring at Nanashi like an overprotective puppy.

Nanashi smacked his lips.

"Tch. Why are you panicking? Leone doesn't seem to mind."

"What?! She clearly resisted!"

Mine huffed, turning back to Leone for confirmation.

Only to find—

Leone standing frozen—face completely red.

"Wha—what's with that look?! Leone?!"

Nanashi chuckled.

His gaze then drifted toward Najenda.

More specifically—

Her mechanical arm and eyepatch.

"Take off your eyepatch."

Najenda's breath hitched.

After a moment of hesitation—

She complied.

Removing the patch, she revealed her empty, scarred socket.

"I'm sorry. My right eye was destroyed by Esdeath."

Najenda gave a bitter smile.

She had already accepted what kind of man Nanashi was.

She knew what he and Nami had done that night.

And she understood—

Nanashi was a man of desire.

And a man of power.

In truth—

He had only accepted them because they were women.

Unlike the others, Bulat and Lubbock were not offered a deal.

Nanashi's focus had never been on assassination skills alone.

Najenda knew her own body best.

Even if she didn't say it aloud, she had already accepted a harsh truth—

Who would be interested in someone with a missing right arm and a lost eye?

Nanashi, hearing her thoughts, gently touched her cheek.

"Don't underestimate yourself."

His voice was soft, yet firm.

"Even with a missing eye and arm, I'm still interested in your body."

Blunt. Honest. Undeniable.

Even in her current state—

Najenda was still a heroic woman.

But Nanashi's next words surprised her.

"That said, I won't allow my woman to live in such a state."

His gaze flickered toward her mechanical arm.

And then—

With a mere thought—

The metal prosthetic disintegrated.

Before anyone could fully comprehend what was happening—

A golden light flashed.

Then—

A new arm began to grow from Najenda's shoulder.

A golden sphere of light formed within her empty eye socket.

As the golden glow faded—

A brand new, perfectly formed white arm replaced the mechanical one.

Her right eye—

No longer empty.

A fully restored eye now sat in its place.

"Consider this a gift for becoming mine. I won't allow those who serve me to be missing limbs."

"!?"

"Is this real? Najenda's arm and eye… they actually grew back!"

Mine and the others immediately rushed forward, surrounding Najenda with excited curiosity.

Some poked at her new arm.

Others waved their hands in front of her restored eye.

For Najenda, however—

A warmth spread through her body.

Blurry colors filled her right eye.

Slowly—

They became clearer and clearer.

In the slightly dazzling light, she saw familiar faces—

Mine. Chelsea. Leone. Sheele.

Their eyes, wide with wonder.

And in her right hand—

Sensation.

She flexed her fingers—

Then lightly clenched her fist.

It felt exactly like her own arm.

But that wasn't all.

Excess energy surged through her body.

Her short white hair grew—

Transforming into long, silver-white strands that cascaded down to her waist.

Her battle-worn skin, once rough from years of war—

Now smooth, radiant, and youthful.

It was almost unbelievable.

For a brief moment—

She wondered if it was all just a dream.

The empire had changed.

Her broken body had regained its prime.

And all of this—

Was because of the man standing before her.

Her gaze hardened with resolve.

And from the depths of her heart—

"Thank you… Master."

It was not mere gratitude.

It was a vow.

From this moment on—

Najenda's body and soul belonged to Nanashi.

She would follow him for the rest of her life.

Nanashi chuckled.

"This suits you better—young, beautiful, and full of life. No need to keep that serious face every day."

For him—

It was nothing.

A small favor for his own people.

Whether to strengthen loyalty or simply to raise their affection,

It was something he could do effortlessly.

"This is even better than Gaia Foundation! How is your skin so smooth?"

Chelsea's curiosity was piqued.

And she wasn't alone.

Several others were equally intrigued.

Nanashi smirked, half-joking—

"If you want to find out… come to me late at night."

"Huh?"

Chelsea blinked, confused, scratching her fingers together.

"!!!"

Mine, however, immediately went on high alert.

She threw herself in front of the others, arms outstretched as if to shield them.

Her sharp gaze locked onto Nanashi.

"I won't let you take advantage of them!"

Unaware—

That the people behind her…

Had other thoughts entirely.