Having shaken off the Predator warships, the Thousand Sunny continued along the Freedom Sea Route opened up by Allen. The surrounding scenery gradually transitioned from the cold graveyard of stellar debris to a strange space shimmering with light, seemingly composed of pure energy. This place was known as the " Sea of Ether," a natural wonder formed by the high concentration of spacetime energy.
On either side of the Sea Route, there were no longer solid wreckage, but rather constantly generated and fading energy streams, as dazzling as the aurora borealis. These energy streams would sometimes coalesce into lifelike scenes—bustling alien cities, strange creatures never seen before, or even reappearances of certain profound fragments from people's memories.
"So... so beautiful..." Chopper's eyes sparkled as he looked at the ever-changing light and shadow outside the window.
"But it still feels a bit... unreal." Nami maintained the vigilance of a navigator, recording the data on energy flow.
Robin perused the star map data he had exchanged with the survivors of " Ark of Hope " (as a reward), and pondered, "There are similar records in ancient texts: ' The Sea of Ether reflects the mind, reality and illusion intertwine, bewitching the mind.' What we see here may not be reality, but rather a reflection of inner thoughts by energy."
Suddenly, the ship trembled slightly, as if passing through an invisible membrane. The surrounding energy flow became even denser and began to actively converge towards the Thousand Sunny!
"Not good!" Allen's eyes narrowed. "We've triggered some kind of mechanism! This etheric energy is reading our minds and trying to materialize them!"
Before he finished speaking, the energy flow in front of him suddenly condensed, transforming into a sight that surprised everyone—
Luffy's Trial:
Before Luffy appeared another " Luffy "! This " Luffy " also wore Straw Hat, but his smile carried a hint of wickedness and domineering arrogance. Behind him were the Four Emperors, the Fleet Admiral, and even Ace and Sabo, all of whom submitted to him! He reached out to the real Luffy, his voice filled with temptation. "Come, become me, and you can have all of this! The true Pirate King, ruling this sea! You'll never have to worry about losing any of your crew again!"
Luffy stared blankly at the "himself" embodying power and strength, then picked at his ear with a look of disgust. "Huh? Rule the sea? That's so boring! The Pirate King is the freest person! Besides, Ace and Sabo would never be ruled by someone like you!" Without hesitation, he threw a punch. " Gum-Gum King Kong Gun!" The illusion shattered under the powerful force of the punch.
Zoro's Trial:
Zoro found himself amidst an endless sword graveyard, countless broken Famous Sword lying beneath his feet. The World's Greatest Swordsman, Hawk Eyes Mihawk, stood before him, a fatal wound across his chest, while blood dripped from the Wado Ichimonji in Zoro's hand. A voice whispered in his mind, "You have Transcendence him, fulfilled your vow, become the strongest... and then what? At the end of the sword path, only loneliness and Void remain."
Zoro looked at the sword in his hand, then at the "dead" Hawk Eyes, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes, but it was instantly replaced by a stronger determination. "Nonsense! Defeating him is to fulfill my promise to Kuina! What lies at the end of the sword path, I will witness for myself! Not deceive myself in this illusion!" The secret technique of the Three-Sword Style erupted, and the illusion of the Sword Tomb was torn apart by the sharp sword energy.
Nami's Trial:
Nami felt as if she had returned to Cocoyasi Village, but the village was prosperous and peaceful, Bellemere was still alive, and Arlong had become the village's guardian, treating her with utmost respect. There was no suffering, no sorrow, only warmth and abundance. "Stay, Nami, everything you want is here..." Bellemere smiled gently.
A flicker of longing crossed Nami's eyes, but she quickly shook her head, tears streaming down her face. " Bellemere... the real you taught me to face things bravely, not to wallow in false tenderness." She raised her Clima-Tact, unleashing lightning to shatter this warm illusion.
Sanji's Trial:
Sanji, meanwhile, saw ALL BLUE! Countless rare fish from all over the world and even other worlds swam freely within it. Zeff, the owner, ran a huge floating restaurant nearby, and all the crew members were enjoying the food he prepared, praising him highly. There were no Lineage Factor, no family constraints, only pure cooking and joy.
Sanji lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and a complex smile played on his lips. "It's... a perfect dream. But," his eyes sharpened, "The true All Blue requires me to find it with my own feet! True recognition requires me to earn it with my own hands! Not to be a dreaming cook here!" He unleashed Diable Jambe, shattering the illusion like glass.
Chopper, Robin, Franky, Brook, Jinbe...
Everyone faces a trial of their own innermost desires or fears. Chopper sees himself as a panacea capable of curing all diseases; Robin sees Ohara restored and all the scholars safe and sound; Franky sees an ultimate battleship Transcendence Pluton; Brook sees his reunion with Laboon and the Rumbar Pirates all intact; Jinbe sees Fish-Man Island truly relocated to the sunlight and living peacefully with humans...
These illusions felt incredibly real, striking right at the heart's weaknesses. But after a brief moment of wavering, the Straw Hat Pirates crew, with their unwavering will and dedication to their comrades and their dreams, shattered these beautiful illusions with their own hands! They understood that indulging in illusions was a betrayal of their true dreams!
The moment everyone's mental trials were broken, the surging etheric energy around them seemed to be purified, becoming gentle and pure. And like rivers flowing into the sea, it actively surged towards Allen, who was standing at the bow of the ship, using his own spacetime power to stabilize the ship and protect his companions!
These pure etheric energies, containing fragments of will and the Light of Dreams that have become more refined after everyone has overcome their inner demons, merged into Allen's body and created a wonderful resonance with his Power of Zhulong, which has been fused with the essence of " Void "!
Allen was enveloped in a brilliant silver-purple light, as if the Chaos color that had been stagnating between light and darkness had been infused with vibrant "color"! He gained a deeper understanding and appreciation of the laws related to concepts such as "existence," "reality," and "dreams." His power, beyond the pure energy level, seemed to possess a touch of spirituality that carried "will" and "possibility."
As the light faded, the Sea of Ether returned to calm, and the illusions ceased to appear.
The group exchanged smiles, their eyes clearer and more resolute than ever, despite their exhaustion. Having undergone this mental trial, their will had been tempered like refined steel, making them even more invincible.
"Let's keep going." Allen felt the power within him becoming more complete, and looked towards the increasingly clear spacetime vortex at the end of the Sea Route, which seemed to connect to some enormous entity. "The real challenge has probably only just begun."
The Thousand Sunny Modified, carrying dreams and will forged through trials, fearlessly sails into the depths of the Sea of Ether. The mysteries and dangers of the Xinghai are gradually being unveiled to them.