The people of the Science Kingdom had survived the disaster, but they did not lose themselves in the joy of victory and take a leisurely rest.
Everyone divided up the work and got busy in an orderly fashion.
The aftermath of the petrification had engulfed the entire island, and countless ordinary people and innocent survivors still waited to be freed from their stone shells.
An unknown amount of time passed before the last statue's stone shell cracked and peeled away, and the final survivor awakened safely.
All of Treasure Island came back to life.
Warm sunlight pierced the layers of cloud and haze, spilling over the scarred yet reborn land and gently soothing every wound left by the fighting.
Amid the crowd, Soyuz slowly opened his eyes, awakening from his petrified stillness.
He blinked in confusion and looked around.
Every face he saw was familiar: Senku, Tsukasa, Kohaku, Chrome, Ryusui, Li Xiang...
All the companions who had fought at his side were safe and sound, standing in small groups nearby as they dealt with the aftermath.
"Everyone... is all right."
Soyuz murmured under his breath.
Just as he was about to join the others, Senku slowly walked over from the side.
"Soyuz."
Senku spoke.
"While we were cleaning up after the battle, we discovered something very important. I need you to come with me."
Soyuz paused, his heart tightening for no clear reason, and instinctively nodded. "Okay."
He silently followed Senku, walking step by step toward the only old wooden house still intact.
Senku stopped at its door and stepped aside.
"Go in and take a look."
Filled with questions, Soyuz looked up. His gaze passed through the open wooden doorway, and the instant he saw what lay inside, he froze on the spot.
At the very center of the