Wano Country!
At the base of the enormous Devil Fruit Tree, Luffy, who had rushed over from Final Island, descended to the ground surrounded by a gentle breeze.
He reached out and lightly stroked the bark, a nostalgic look appearing on his face, as though he had reunited with a companion he had not seen in a long time.
"Hang on, buddy!"
"I'll restore your former glory soon!"
As Luffy murmured, he bit open his thumb and pressed the bloodied digit against the bark.
His blood quickly seeped into the bark. Like a sponge absorbing water, the tree rapidly drank in Luffy's blood.
The tree seemed to have an immense need for blood and continued drawing Luffy's blood. His thumb was firmly stuck to the tree as if held by a suction cup.
Before long!
Luffy's face turned pale, and he could no longer endure it. He looked utterly weak from excessive blood loss.
But it seemed to be just short of enough. Luffy continued to hold on without pulling back his thumb.
A while later!
Smack!
Nearly bloodless, Luffy finally could not take it anymore. He pulled free on his own, yanking his thumb out as though removing a suction cup.
"Sh-should... be... enough, right?" Luffy panted and muttered uncertainly, but he truly could not keep going.
Buzz!
At that moment, an invisible ripple spread from the enormous tree.
A relieved smile appeared on Luffy's face.
The invisible ripple quickly enveloped the entire World of Pirates!
Then, the tree began to change.
Creak, creak, creak...!
Part of the tree's crown had already extended into outer space.
Now, another long branch grew from its peak, like a giant python completely leaving the planet and reaching deep into outer space.
Then, a flower grew at the tip of that huge branch