A devastating energy storm raged wildly Chamber of the False Throne, and the explosion resulting from the collision of the brilliant light of liberation and the unstable dark singularity nearly tore this space apart and reduced it to Void.
The light slowly faded, revealing the interior.
Luffy knelt on one knee, his Nika Form had deactivated, white smoke billowed from his body, and he was covered in wounds. His rubber body was covered with scorch marks caused by the Dark Energy, but he still held on and did not fall, his eyes still burning with an indomitable flame.
Opposite him, Imu reappeared. He was even more disheveled than Luffy, his white robe tattered, his inhuman aura extremely chaotic, and dark red energy flickering on his body, sometimes dissipating uncontrollably, clearly suffering a massive backlash. The partial release of the " Primordial Light," in particular, had caused him fundamental damage. His cold eyes were fixed on Luffy, filled with unbelievable anger, fear, and a hint of... wavering?
"Why... why can't I completely annihilate you..." Imu's voice was hoarse, tinged with a barely perceptible weakness, "Is the will to freedom... so difficult to erase?"
"Because..." Luffy gasped for breath, struggling to his feet, revealing his signature, tired yet still radiant smile, "... human dreams... never end!"
These words, like a final judgment, struck Imu's cold, defensive mind (if he even had one) which was built upon absolute order.
Just then, the part of the " Primordial Light " that had been freed seemed to sense Luffy's pure and powerful free will, emitting an even warmer and brighter light. This light spread out like ripples, gently brushing over the heavily injured Sabo, Robin, and the unconscious Allen.
A miracle has happened!
The injuries on Sabo and Robin began to heal at a visible speed, and the traces of being eroded by the power of order were quickly purified! Even Allen's cracked and collapsing body stabilized under the nourishment of this pure Light of Life. Although he was still unconscious, his breath no longer dissipated, but instead showed a glimmer of life.
The light also shone on Imu, causing him to let out a painful roar! This pure light was like a deadly poison to him, further purifying and disintegrating the twisted dark red power within him!
"No... this is my power... the order of the world..." Imu tried to regain control of the light, but his connection with the " Primordial Light " had been severely weakened. Although the chains were not completely broken, they could no longer be controlled as easily as before.
The tide has turned!
Imu stared intently at Luffy, then at the resurrecting Sabo and Robin, and at Allen protected by light, and finally understood that his eight-hundred-year reign might truly be coming to an end today.
"Even if I disappear... the chaos of the world will not end..." Imu's voice lowered, carrying an eerie calm, "You... will eventually face the Abyss of disorder you brought upon yourselves..."
His body began to gradually become transparent, as if it were about to merge into the dark red energy, seemingly preparing to escape in a special way, or... to initiate some final, mutually destructive program.
"I won't let you escape!" Sabo struggled to his feet, weak but with sharp eyes.
"History... needs your end." Robin stood up as well, his gaze resolute.
However, it was Luffy who made the first Luffy. He didn't know what Imu was going to do, but he knew that he had to settle things here and now!
He used his last bit of strength, stretching his rubber arm backward to its limit. He didn't use any special techniques, but instead concentrated his final Haki and will into his fist, charging fiercely towards the ethereal Imu!
" Gum-Gum-- " " The Final... Banquet Fist!!!"
This punch, though lacking earth-shattering power, contained all of Luffy's beliefs, the bonds with all his crewmates, and the will of all those who yearn for freedom!
Imu didn't seem to dodge, or rather, he was no longer able to dodge. He simply watched the fist grow larger before him with his gradually dimming, complex eyes.
• Bang! A dull thud that wasn't very loud.
Luffy's fist landed squarely on Imu's chest.
There was no explosion, no light. Imu's ethereal body shuddered violently, and then, like a shattered glass statue, it began to crumble from the point of impact, turning into countless dark red specks of light, which ultimately dissipated completely into the pure " Primordial Light ".
There were no spectacular explosions, no lengthy dialogues. Imu, who had ruled the world for eight hundred years and was like a god, vanished completely with this simple, unadorned punch.
With Imu's disappearance, the remaining chains of order binding the " Primordial Light " also broke and dissipated as if they had lost their source. The complete " Primordial Light " was finally completely released, radiating an incomparably warm, peaceful, and vibrant light that illuminated the broken Chamber of the False Throne and, through some mechanism, rapidly spread to the entire Holy Land Mary Geoise and even to the more distant stars.
That suffocating "absolute order" force field melted away rapidly, like ice and snow under the sun.
Outside, the World Government forces, locked in fierce combat, suddenly discovered their strength waning, and their morale instantly collapsed. Meanwhile, the Revolutionary Army and the Straw Hat Pirates felt a huge weight lifted off their shoulders, as if a tremendous burden had been lifted, and their morale soared!
The war is over.
The cheers of victory first rang out from outside the holy site, spreading like a tsunami in all directions.
Chamber of the False Throne, Luffy collapsed backward from exhaustion, only to be caught by Sabo and Robin who rushed over.
"We succeeded... we..." Sabo's voice choked as he looked at the completely liberated " Primordial Light ".
Robin watched as Imu vanished and the light source was reborn, tears streaming down her face. "Eight hundred years of darkness... finally..."
Just then, the core of the " Primordial Light " slowly drifted down, hovering before the three, its light soft. From it emanated a warm yet weary thought, like the gratitude of countless liberated civilizations, or perhaps the whisper of the light source itself:
"Thank you... Liberators..." "Order... should not be a shackle... but a... framework to protect diversity..." "The future... is entrusted to you..."
The light gradually faded, eventually transforming into a pure crystal Seed containing infinite possibilities, which gently landed in Luffy's hand.
Then, the entire Chamber of the False Throne began to tremble and slowly rise, separating from Pangaea Castle. It would become a monument floating above the sacred site, symbolizing the beginning of a new era.
A few days later, the severely injured Allen awoke under the nourishment of the remaining power of the " Primordial Light." Luffy, though weak, recovered quickly and was already clamoring for a banquet.
The World Government completely collapsed, and most of the Navy chose to surrender or disband. The Revolutionary Army began to take over the government and set about establishing a new, freer order. Oppressed people all over the world took to the streets to celebrate their new life.
Pluton, slowly descended onto the reconstructed Sanctuary Square, becoming a symbol of peace.
On a sunny afternoon, the Straw Hat Pirates, core members of the Revolutionary Army, and friends from all over the world held a grand banquet on the deck of Pluton.
Amidst mountains of meat and seas of wine, laughter and merriment filled the air. Luffy devoured a massive chunk of meat, his mouth dripping with grease; Ace and Sabo clinked glasses with smiles; Zoro and Sanji engaged in their usual banter; Chopper and Usopp played around; Robin smiled as she examined a rubbing of the Poneglyph; Franky and Brook performed a duet; Jinbe and Koala busied themselves greeting guests; even Tesoro temporarily shed his Gild Tesoro persona, enjoying a rare moment of relaxation.
Allen sat on the ship's railing, gazing at the thriving new world below, a warm crystal Seed clutched in his hand, a faint smile playing on his lips. His body was still weak, and the Power of Zhulong would require a long time to recover, but the future was full of hope.
Long stood at the bow of the ship, looking at the cheering crowd, his eyes filled with emotion and a sense of responsibility.
"A new era has begun..." he said softly.
"Yeah!" Luffy suddenly jumped to his side, holding up a meat bone and shouting, "The era of great freedom for everyone has arrived!!!"
Sunlight shone on the massive hull of the Pluton and on the smiling faces of everyone, as if gilding this new era with a warm golden edge.
The magnificent ship, carrying hope, freedom, and dreams, will surely sail towards a broader and more splendid future.