"Me too," Kuzan nodded. "Justice... must endure."
Sengoku looked at the two Admirals with gratification, then sent a signal to their companions at the other three nodes through some mysterious mental connection. Luffy's body began undergoing a strange transformation. His skin turned translucent, revealing energy flowing through him like blood. This was not the rubberization of a Devil Fruit ability, but the energization of his very life essence. He was transforming from a physical being into a pure energy form.
"Luffy... your body..." Ace watched his younger brother change, agony in his eyes.
"It's okay." Luffy forced himself to endure the pain and flashed his signature grin. "As long as I can save you, as long as I can save the world, what does a little pain matter?"
The two brothers held each other tightly, feeling their lives ebb away. Yet strangely, although both their bodies were fading and their life force was draining away, their hearts had never been so calm and resolute.
"Ace," Luffy said softly, "do you remember the promise we made when we were kids?"
"Of course I do." Ace's voice carried a gentle smile. "We promised to become each other's pride and protect everything the other cherished."
"This world, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, Chopper, Robin, Franky, Brook..." Luffy named his companions one by one. "And you too, Ace. You're all things I cherish."
"Me too." Ace hugged his brother tightly. "Luffy, having a little brother like you is the greatest pride of my life."
Nourished by their combined life force, the World Tree Seed finally awakened completely. A colossal illusory tree began to condense above the temple—the legendary World Tree that had birthed the entire world. Though it was only a phantom, the life force it emitted was already enough to cleanse the entire planet of