The atmosphere on the bridge of the Pluton was oppressive. The broken chains composed of silver and purple dots on the screen, like Allen's final, tragic lament, deeply pierced everyone's hearts. Although the impact of the energy torrent had been temporarily contained, everyone understood that this was merely a stopgap measure.
Just then, Luo, who had been silently observing the data from the life support pod, suddenly raised his head, a look of disbelief flashing in his eyes.
"Wait... this fluctuation... something's not right!"
Everyone immediately looked at him.
Luo strode to the control panel and compared the life support data with the energy spectrum of the silver-purple spots at the crack detected by Pluton. His fingers trembled slightly with excitement.
"The frequency... is perfectly synchronized! No, it's not just synchronized! The wisp of spacetime power within Sanji that sustains his life is resonating with the spacetime imprint left by Allen at the rift!"
"What?!" Everyone was shocked.
Nami immediately pulled up the energy flow analysis chart. There, the faint signal representing the wisp of spacetime power within Sanji's body pulsated like a heartbeat, echoing the shimmering points of light at the distant rift, forming a strange energy harmonic!
"Could it be..." Sabo's breathing became rapid.
" Allen... he might not have completely vanished!" Law's voice carried suppressed excitement. "His essence is the Mythical Zoan, the Torch Dragon, the embodiment of time and space! His physical body may have been annihilated, but the imprint of the Laws of Space and Time, especially the imprint of laws that has just broken through to the level of the Four Emperors and deeply merged with the world's fortune, is not so easily erased!"
He pointed to the data on the screen. "He is currently in a... 'information state' form of existence, scattered and attached to the spacetime nodes profoundly affected by his power—mainly the severely damaged core of destruction, the collapsing crack structures, and... the depths of Sanji's consciousness, which he protected with all his might!"
As if to confirm Law's words, Sanji's body suddenly twitched slightly inside the life support pod. The faint silver-purple light between his eyebrows suddenly brightened, even faintly outlining a tiny, abstract dragon-shaped pattern!
At the same time, on the main screen, the previously disordered, flickering silver-purple light spots at the crack seemed to be summoned by the core, and their convergence speed increased significantly. The tattered chain phantom also solidified a bit!
"It's Allen's Dragon Soul Imprint!" Jinbe voice, "It's responding to its comrades' will, trying to reunite!"
This discovery was like a thunderbolt in the darkness, instantly dispelling the gloom in everyone's hearts!
"Great! Allen can still be saved!" Luffy was the first to jump up, his rubber face filled with ecstasy.
"I knew it! That guy wouldn't die so easily!" Ace breathed a heavy sigh of relief, the flames on his fists leaping merrily.
But Luo immediately poured cold water on their hopes. "Don't be too happy! He's just a remnant of 'information imprints,' scattered and extremely fragile. Like a pile of loose sand, it will scatter with a gust of wind. There must be a sufficiently powerful 'carrier' and 'catalyst' to reassemble these scattered imprints, awaken them, and give them 'form' and 'substance,' truly reviving them!"
"Vessel? Initiator?" Sabo astutely grasped the key point.
"The vessel must have the deepest bond with him, perfectly bear his imprint of the Laws of Space and Time, and be resilient enough to withstand the immense burden of the resurrection process." Law's gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on the life support pod. "As things stand, there is no more suitable 'temporary vessel' than Sanji, who is deeply fused with his last strength and whom he protected with his life."
All eyes were on Sanji.
"And the catalyst..." Luo continued, his tone grave, "Requires a vast and pure source of primordial energy as the 'first driving force' to ignite his Dragon Soul Imprint and reshape its existence. This energy must be of a sufficiently high level to influence the Laws of Space and Time..."
All eyes turned simultaneously to the main screen, to the depths of the still churning and surging energy crack—to the [ Heart of Destruction ], riddled with cracks, its aura greatly diminished, yet still present!
Destruction Origin! Is there any energy source larger, purer, or of a higher rank than this?!
"You mean..." Nami's voice trembled, "To use that Destruction Core... to resurrect Allen?"
"Not use it, but 'seize' its core essence as fuel and foundation!" A mad yet rational light gleamed in Luo's eyes. "This is the only way! It can completely eliminate the threat and provide Allen with a final opportunity for rebirth! But it's extremely dangerous!"
He looked around at everyone. "We need someone to go deep into the rift, and under the chaotic energy currents and possible attacks from the remaining will of destruction, precisely 'cut' and 'seize' a portion of the core's essence, then bring it back and guide it into Sanji's body to combine with Allen's Dragon Soul Imprint... The entire process cannot have the slightest mistake!"
silence.
A moment later, Luffy was the first to step forward, his eyes beneath his Straw Hat filled with unwavering determination. "I'll go!"
"Me too!" Ace without hesitation.
"How could we miss out on such an adventure?" Sabo pushed up his glasses.
Jinbe stepped forward, silent yet resolute.
"No, this time, we need more precise execution." Law shook his head, looking at Luffy and Ace. " Luffy, Ace, your destructive power is sufficient, but your precision is lacking. Sabo needs to oversee the overall situation. Jinbe better suited for providing external support."
His gaze finally settled on himself, and... Sanji in the life support pod (using that spacetime imprint as a coordinate). "The most suitable candidate is me. My Op-Op Fruit ability is key to completing the 'cutting' and 'guiding'. But I need someone to escort me, shield me from the dangers along the way, and precisely deliver me to the vicinity of the core."
He looked at Luffy and Ace: " Luffy, Ace, you two are responsible for clearing the way and providing protection. I will use ROOM to protect us to the maximum extent, but you will be the ones to withstand the main impact. This may be our last chance, and also... our most dangerous gamble."
Luffy and Ace exchanged a glance and nodded emphatically.
"It's settled then!" Sabo took a deep breath and made the final decision. "Law, Luffy, Ace, you will form an assault team. Depart immediately, infiltrate the rift, and seize the Destruction Origin!"
" Nami, Franky, Pluton, give them your full support! Clear the path for them and stabilize the passage!"
" Jinbe, you'll be with me. We'll be responsible for providing backup and dealing with any potential escape threats!"
"The rest of you, hold the line!"
The plan is set, there's no time to lose!
Law walked to the life support pod, looked at the unconscious Sanji inside, and the Dragon Soul Imprint flickering between his brows, and whispered, "Hold on, Sanji. Soon, we'll bring 'him'... back!"
Luffy and Ace stood behind Law, their eyes burning with resolute determination.
A new expedition, its goal no longer destruction, but—to reclaim its fallen comrades! Amidst the ruins of the End, ignite the flames of rebirth!
The story of Allen Portgas D. Torch Dragon is far from over!