Awakening markings, ancient bloodline

Whenever this happened, Ace would grip his hand tightly, as though that alone could stop him from fading away. The medical team monitored Luffy's condition day and night, trying every method they could to stabilize him, but with little success.

Yet, to everyone's surprise, Luffy's willpower far exceeded anything they had imagined. Even at his weakest, he never showed the slightest inclination to give up. Instead, in a faint but determined voice, he spoke of his dream, his adventures with his companions, and his hopes for the future.

At dawn on the fifth day, the Island of Mists finally appeared on the horizon. True to its name, the entire island was shrouded in thick purple mist, its outline flickering in and out of sight as though it lay on the boundary between reality and illusion. The surrounding sea was unnaturally calm. There were no waves, no seabirds; everything lay beneath an eerie silence.

"We're here," Silvers Rayleigh said from the bow, his keen gaze piercing the mist. "But getting ashore won't be easy. Gol D. Roger mentioned that the island has guardians—beings far beyond the ordinary."

Just as Silvers Rayleigh had warned, vague figures suddenly emerged from the purple mist as the ship approached the island. Strange creatures appeared, their forms somewhere between solid and gas, their purple bodies translucent and their eyes like burning flames.

"Void Creatures," Silvers Rayleigh warned. "Prepare for battle!"

Ace immediately stepped forward, flames rising around him. "Everyone, protect Luffy!"

A fierce battle erupted between the ship and the island. The Void Creatures' attacks were bizarre and unpredictable. They could turn intangible and solid again in an instant, and ordinary attacks often passed through their bodies without causing any damage.

Yet the attacks of Ace, Silvers Rayleigh, and Sabo proved surprisingly effective. Ace's flames were