"Ace... your plan is too dangerous!" Luffy looked at his badly wounded older brother, his eyes filled with worry.
The Black Tornado's attacks grew increasingly fierce, and the life force on the Island of Beginnings was vanishing at a visible rate. The once-lush forest had become a withered yellow wasteland, the clear streams had dried up completely, and even the air was thick with the stench of death.
The World Tree Seed's green glow flickered precariously under the Void Clone's frenzied attacks. If it, the Life Node, was destroyed, the entire Sealing Formation would fail at the final step.
"We have no choice, Luffy." Ace wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and looked resolutely at his younger brother. "In our current condition, we can't stop this clone at all. Only by completely merging our powers do we have a sliver of a chance."
"But merging our life essences... that means..." Luffy's voice trembled slightly.
"It means we might never be able to separate again." Ace smiled gently. "But so what? We're brothers, aren't we? No matter what happens, we'll be together."
Luffy fell silent for a moment, then revealed that familiar brilliant smile. "Heh heh, you're right! Since we're brothers, we should fight together until the very end!"
The two brothers smiled at each other, as though they had returned to the days when they trained together at Dadan's Hideout. Back then, they often argued and fought, but whenever they faced an enemy, they always fought back-to-back. That unspoken understanding between their hearts was something no power could destroy.
"Do you remember the promise we made when we were kids?" Ace held out his fist.
"Of course I do!" Luffy immediately raised his fist and bumped it against Ace's. "No matter when, we're the strongest brothers!"
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