"I can sense Lin Ye's presence," Luffy said softly. "He's nearby, in another dimension... but there's a thin membrane separating us."
Sabo looked at Ace. "Are you all right?"
Ace nodded, though the Purple Patterns around the wound on his chest flickered more violently than usual. "Better than I expected. Actually, the energy here seems to be stabilizing my condition."
Luffy slowly opened his eyes, purple light flickering in his pupils. "I know what to do." His tone was firm. "We need to place the Anchor Stone into the groove on the central stone platform and activate the seven surrounding pillars at the same time. It's a ritual, a ritual to open the Dimensional Gate."
Just as Luffy prepared to begin, the entire island suddenly shook violently. The purple lake churned like boiling water, an eerie purple vortex gradually formed in the sky, and a deep hum filled everyone's ears.
"It's a sign that the Purple Moon Cycle is arriving early!" Sabo shouted, struggling to keep his balance on the shaking ground. "The Five Elders' actions have already affected the stability of the Dimensional Barrier!"
Luffy's expression grew even more resolute. "Then we have to act immediately! Sabo, arrange seven people at the pillars and form an energy circuit!"
Sabo quickly selected the seven strongest Revolutionary Army fighters, including himself, and had them take their places around the seven stone pillars. Ace voluntarily walked toward one of the pillars despite his unstable condition.
"Ace, are you sure?" Luffy asked worriedly.
"Of course." Ace flashed his trademark confident grin. "I won't let my little brother face something like this alone."
The instant everyone took their positions, Ace's wound suddenly erupted with a blinding light. He dropped to one knee in pain as Purple Patterns rapidly spread across his body.
"Ace!" Luffy