The people of Alabasta prayed for them, the people of Dressrosa cheered them on, and countless strangers silently offered their support.
"This is the hope of people all over the world," Ace said as his body began to solidify again. "They're supporting us..."
In the waters around Laugh Tale, Zoro and Jinbe felt the same power. The light of hope not only restored their stamina but also strengthened their abilities beyond anything they had ever experienced.
In Mary Geoise, Lin Ye and Kizaru, who had nearly dissolved entirely into photons, were enveloped in the light of hope. Kizaru's scattered photons began to gather again, gradually restoring his human form.
At Marineford, every Marine felt the support of the people. Tears of emotion welled up in the eyes of Sengoku, Sakazuki, Kuzan, and everyone else.
On Aurora Island, Claire had reached the final moments of her life after completing the All Beings' Prayer Spell. Her body began turning into starlight, about to return to the cosmos.
But in those final moments, she saw glimpses of the future.
"I saw it... the sealing will succeed... but this is only the beginning..." Claire's voice was as ethereal as the stars. "Greater adventures await you... there are more secrets in the universe..."
"Luffy... Ace... Zoro... Jinbe... Lin Ye... and all our friends..." Her figure began to fade. "Remember the strength the people gave you today... remember what is truly worth protecting..."
The final wisp of starlight faded, and Claire vanished completely into the night sky. Yet the All Beings' Prayer Spell she had cast changed the course of this battle forever.
The power of hope not only infused the sealing nodes with new energy; more importantly, it imbued the Sealing Array with the power of "humanity." This was a power the Lord of Nothingness