Within the mental world, Setsuna's offensive grew increasingly fierce.
Each of his attacks precisely targeted Tot Musica's energy flow, yet the demon managed to withstand them every time.
It had completely abandoned the battlefield in the real world, concentrating all its power into the home ground of the mental world. Its strength had actually increased to a level where it could barely contend with Setsuna.
Its current plan was simply to endure, to outlast the host until her stamina was depleted, forcing the mental world to close. Then it would retreat back into the underground world and not emerge for a hundred years.
"You plan to tough it out?" Setsuna discerned the demon's intention and chuckled lightly, "So you know fear too? Since we're in the mental world, I'll use some fighting styles that fit the flavor of this world."
Setsuna's right fist crackled with Conqueror's Haki lightning. An intangible mental wave rippled outwards.
This was a special attack method he had developed by combining Observation Haki with Gourmet Cell perception, then propelled outward with the undulation of Conqueror's Haki.
"Mental Burst: Taste Impact!"
The fist had not yet landed, but Tot Musica shuddered violently.
In its perception, Setsuna's attack wasn't a simple physical impact, but a direct injection of 'flavor' into its consciousness.
This 'flavor' wasn't just Setsuna's own experience… it contained the vast memories of Don Slime.
Extreme sweetness, corrosive sourness, burning spiciness, rotten bitterness… a mixture of countless extreme taste sensations.
These flavors exploded within the demon's 'existence', allowing it to experience pain for the first time.
It was a music demon, the pinnacle of auditory existence. These taste impacts were undoubtedly mental pollution for it, blurring its very essence.
"Grraaahh!" The demon roared in agony. It felt this human was more demonic than it was!
It finally stopped evading, lashing out in rage.
The surrounding musical staves suddenly tightened, transforming into countless sharp strings that sliced through the air.
But Setsuna's figure flickered like a phantom, each step landing precisely in the gaps of the musical rhythm.
He suddenly appeared behind Tot Musica, clasped his hands together, and a brilliant blade of light erupted from his palms.
"Taste Slash: Imperial Banquet!"
Where the blade light passed, Tot Musica's body was devoured ravenously.
The demon discovered to its horror that its very existence was being broken down into countless bits of taste information.
The top notes were burning jazz, the middle notes were rotting classical movements, and the finish was nothingness.
In the real world, Don Slime's devouring proceeded simultaneously.
Finally, under the assault from both worlds, Tot Musica let out one last dissonant chord and completely dispersed.
Everyone's consciousness returned to the real world. Cavendish looked at Setsuna with awe and reverence, 'Did Captain just… eat that demon?'
But at that moment, Don Slime in the Gourmet Space suddenly shouted furiously. "Setsuna! You lied to me!"
"Lied about what?" Setsuna was puzzled.
"That thing wasn't a demon at all! It tasted awful! I nearly got food poisoning!" Don Slime loudly accused.
"A Gourmet Demon getting food poisoning? That's not a funny joke," Setsuna shook his head slightly. "What exactly happened?"
Don Slime made spitting sounds. "That thing's essence was still human. It was just corrupted by some kind of power. It's been too long, so it has become completely inhuman now."
"You're saying… that demon was human?" Even Setsuna couldn't help but be stunned.
He had always thought the demon was a failed awakening of a Uta Uta no Mi user, possessing the user's body.
But Don Slime said the demon's essence was still human?
'Could it be Imu's [Domi Reversi]?' Setsuna pondered internally, but it didn't quite fit.
'If Imu could mass-produce demons, what would she need the World Government and Marines for?'
'Or perhaps Imu can't truly control demons either. They just transforms them and then leaves them be, letting them wreak havoc?'
Setsuna nodded to himself, 'That made sense. If Imu could completely control demons, there'd be no reason to abandon a perfect puppet like Rocks.'
Setsuna felt that, during the God Valley incident, the reason Imu used Domi Reversi on Rocks might have been to get others to clean up the mess for them.
If they had used Domi Reversi on everyone present, even they might not have been able to handle it. The world might have ended.
Tot Musica was likely an example of Domi Reversi going out of control, to the point where even Imu could only seal it away. That would explain the clear records about Tot Musica that remained.
Extending this line of thought, perhaps Imu back then threatened Joy Boy by planting threats everywhere, using the Domi Reversi of the entire world to force him to abandon the fruits of victory.
And she herself was confined to Mary Geoise by Joy Boy, unable to leave in her true form.
"Forget it. No point overthinking." Setsuna pondered for a moment, then dismissed it.
If he were simply crossing over into the One Piece World, he might need to worry about Imu's abilities.
But he was a multiverse traveler. A few training trips to other universes, and coming back to deal with Imu would be trivial.
Setsuna snapped out of his contemplation to find everyone staring at him nervously.
"What's wrong?" He asked, somewhat puzzled.
"We saw the Captain fall into deep thought as soon as you returned. Could it be that demon isn't completely dead?" Cavendish asked with a trace of concern.
Seeing their tense expressions, Setsuna couldn't help but smile. "Don't worry. That demon has been completely eradicated."
Hearing Setsuna's definitive answer, Gordon finally let out a sigh of relief, tears streaming down his face as he knelt on the ground. "Thank you… thank you all!"
Uta clasped her hands to her chest, her eyes shining with admiration. "Captain, I heard the voices of the lost souls. They are all thanking you!"
"Think nothing of it," Setsuna smiled gently. Then, his tone suddenly shifted. "Now that the misunderstanding is cleared up, do you want to return to the Red Hair Pirates?"
Uta shook her head, her tone resolute. "Setsuna-sama gave me a second life. I wish to spend my lifetime composing the most beautiful songs in the world for you!"
A faint smile curled at the corner of Setsuna's mouth, 'It'll be quite interesting next time we meet the Red Hair Pirates, having Uta go catch up with her 'Dad'.'
"Well then," Setsuna spread his arms, his voice echoing over the ruins. "To celebrate our new crew member, let's hold a grand banquet to witness the rebirth of the Music Island!"
…
Night had fallen. Bonfires burned brightly, the dancing flames illuminating everyone's faces.
Uta stood by the bonfire, her red-and-white hair shimmering in the firelight.
She parted her red lips. A heavenly song flowed like a clear spring, instantly igniting the atmosphere.
The pirates sat around the fire, clapping and stomping to the melody. Some couldn't help but hum along.
Ace tossed another log into the fire. Sparks crackled and popped, as if accompanying the song.
Bonney swung her feet, forgetting to eat her cotton candy, completely immersed in the music.
"Another song! Another song!"
"Uta-san is the best!"
In this joyful atmosphere, Kuma approached Setsuna. "Captain Setsuna, could I ask… to leave Bonney on your ship?"