Curtain Call (Part Five)

"Vegapunk, you're dead!"

Imu was so furious that she burst from the withered Eden in an instant, streaking forward like a meteor. She moved so fast that even Vegapunk failed to notice her approach. By the time the wind struck his face and her killing intent washed over him, her slender hand had stopped right before his eyes.

"I'm sorry... But for now, please look back. You were never alone."

What saved Vegapunk from dying on the spot was a spray of green branches from the Tree of Life. They wrapped tightly around Imu, and no matter how she struggled and twisted, she could not break free.

"Imu, come back..."

A voice both strange and familiar reached her ears. Imu stopped struggling and turned. The boy in the Straw Hat, wearing a bright smile, caught her so completely off guard that her heart trembled.

"Joy... Boy?"

"Yes and no. To be precise, the soul is mine, but the body is his."

Joy Boy approached wearing Reg's face, apology written all over it. As he came closer, the Tree of Life, now lush and laden with all kinds of strange fruit, quietly moved away and formed a green hedge that blocked both Vegapunk's view and the sound of their voices.

"Whew... I nearly died."

Vegapunk slumped to the ground and let out a long breath. A guardian appeared before him, its round little face showing a remarkably human trace of disdain. "I never thought the smartest man in the world would be afraid of death."

"There's nothing shameful about fearing death. Avoiding harm is an instinct of all living things... Thank you for trusting me, Reg."

"Save it. If I'd had any other choice, I wouldn't have done this."

Reg had regained his ability when the Tree of Life bore fruit