Chapter 165

**Fork in the Road** (分岐点 *Bunkiten*) is the 165th chapter of Hiro Mashima's Edens Zero.

Ziggy uses the All-Link System to activate the 20,000 antimatter bombs, making Shiki face the decision on whether to stop it or evacuate...

## Summary

Xiaomei talks about the fork in the road, and how when people see it they must choose only one, never knowing what is on the path not chosen, yet that it also leads to its own world. She suggests to the audience that there exists a you who is completely unlike who you are as of now.

Nero 66 starts rumbling as Ziggy ends his call and the countdown to detonation of the antimatter bombs starts. Shiki wants to stop the bombs, but Rebecca tries to convince him that they have to leave if they want to live. Shiki is at the fork of the road, Xiaomei states that one path leads to escape and survival, whilst the other leads to death and. She tells him that he must choose which path for himself. Rebecca gets Shiki's attention again, which he decides that they are leaving. The Aqua Wing arrives with everyone else onboard, questioning what happened. Shiki wants to get Shura but finds him missing. The citizens of Nero 66 are panicking as they try to evacuate the planet. The Oceans prepare to leave in an escape pod, leaving Shura behind and Callum ordering the soldiers to evacuate as well. Meanwhile out in space, The Sea Serpent is fully charged and prepares to fire. However, Dylan charges at it, angered that it took Furena away from him, and crashes into it. With the warship incapacitated, Eraser starts erasing the weapon until it is nothing.

Suddenly, an announcement is made from the Edens Zero, addressing all combatants in the airspace of Nero 66, advising every party to cease fire and leave the sector immediately. Hermit informs that Shura has been defeated and his plan to use the All-Link System has been thwarted, adding that Nero has also been defeated and the empire is beginning to fall. She declares that the war is over, but there are 20,000 antimatter bombs ready to detonate, where the combined power will obliterate the entire sector and maybe more. An Imperial guard knocks his adamant admiral, and orders the Imperial fleet to leave. Eraser does the same with the Interstellar Union ships, doubting that this is a lie. Justice is worried about Jesse and Creed, but the former contacts them. Goodwin follows suit and all ships are leaving.

On the Edens Zero, the crew talk about the recent events and of their escape. In the infirmary Witch is awake and greeted by Shiki and Rebecca. Witch answers Pino that she knew what was going on since the Shining Stars are in constant contact via Data Link. Witch smiles at how much stronger Shiki has gotten, but does not understand why she is feeling something like joy and sadness. Rebecca answers that she is basically the Edens Zero's mother, with what she is feeling is the joy of seeing her child grow and sadness that comes when they start to leave the nest. An alarm starts blaring, which Witch asks Hermit. She answers that the ship is not working, when a transmission from Ziggy, claiming that Shiki made the wrong choice. The ship's functions are frozen as the bombs are about to detonate, everyone starts thinking of ways to escape but is pointless. Ziggy states this would not have happened if Shiki decided to stop the explosion. However, Witch states that things will not go according to his plans, not as long as the Shield of Edens is here.

## Characters In Order of Appearance

1. Xiaomei
2. Shiki Granbell
3. Ziggy
4. Rebecca Bluegarden
5. E.M. Pino
6. Happy
7. Homura Kōgetsu
8. Kleene Rutherford
9. Kris Rutherford
10. Weisz Steiner (X442)
11. Mirrani Lucra
12. Nasseh
13. Callum Steelford
14. Lyra
15. Victory
16. Dylan
17. Furena *(Flashback)*
18. Russo
19. Gomakichi
20. Eraser
21. Ibaraki
22. Justice
23. Goodwin
24. Hermit Mio
25. Jesse
26. Laguna Husert
27. Sister Ivry
28. Couchpo
29. Mosco Versa-0
30. Witch Regret

## Appearances

	+ Nero 66
* Edens Zero
* Mildian
	+ Temple of Knowledge

**Items*** All-Link System
* Aqua Wing
* Sea Serpent
* Hot Eyes
* Angel Feather
* Kraken
* Edens Zero
* Megalodon
* Maine Coon
* Escape Pod
* Starfighters