The truth brought by the Scar Keeper was too heavy, plunging the deck of the Thousand Sunny into a long silence. The foundation of the universe, the opposite of existence, the " Harvest " that concerns the survival of all living beings... these concepts far exceeded the scope of ordinary adventures.
Allen gazed at the " Scar of Origin " in the distance, which seemed to have existed since time immemorial. He could feel that the World Seed was not only conveying sorrow and longing, but also a faint yet tenacious "call" from the depths of that scar.
" The Scar Keeper says there are cracks on the mark..." Allen slowly began, pointing to a certain spot on the mark where extremely fine, irregular dark lines could be seen, like cracks in porcelain, from which wisps of an unsettling " Void " constantly seeped out. "Is that why the ' Shadow of the Other Side ' was able to infiltrate?"
Nami immediately aimed all her detection instruments in that direction, and the data confirmed the presence of minute damage and energy leakage at the level of the rules. "Indeed! Although extremely small, it's expanding very slowly! And... it seems there's more than one place!"
This means that even though the main force of the Gray Fleet has not yet launched a large-scale invasion, this barrier protecting the universe is itself slowly crumbling from within!
"Fix it... Can we do it?" Chopper looked up at the enormous mark, feeling as insignificant as a speck of dust.
"I don't know." Franky, unusually serious, didn't adopt a super-sounding posture. "This thing doesn't look like something you can fix with a hammer and Nail."
"But we have to try!" Luffy's voice broke the heavy atmosphere. He stood at the bow, his rubber finger pointing to the mark, his eyes more serious than ever before. "Otherwise, not only us, but everyone we know, all the islands and countries, Shanks, Rayleigh, everyone who has helped us... even this ocean and the starry sky, will be swallowed up by those Black Shadow! I absolutely will not allow this to happen!"
His words were simple, yet they revealed the most fundamental reason—to protect. To protect our companions, our home, and this vast ocean of stars that carries countless dreams.
"That's right!" Zoro, holding his sword, curled his lips into a sharp smile. "Cutting down those who want to destroy everything—that's my way of the sword!"
"Protecting the smiles of ladies and everyone else is a gentleman's duty!" Sanji lit a cigarette, his eyes resolute amidst the swirling smoke.
"I will use my medical skills to protect all life!" Chopper raised his little hoof.
"Exploring the truth is also for the sake of better protecting!" Robin smiled.
"How could General Franky be absent from such a momentous undertaking as protecting the universe!"
"Yo ho ho ho~ A requiem played for protection must be exceptionally beautiful!" Brook began to play her violin.
"Upholding righteousness and peace is the promise of the Fish-Man!" Jinbe said solemnly.
"Count me in for this exciting event!" Ace's fist ignited with flames.
"A dimensional-level surgery, that sounds very challenging." A hint of interest flashed in Luo's eyes.
"I, I, the Great God, will also use courage and wisdom to protect everyone!" Usopp's legs were still shaking, but he straightened his chest.
The team's will was perfectly united at this moment. No matter how daunting the challenges ahead, they were determined to protect everything they cherished.
"Alright!" Luffy grinned, revealing his signature confident and adventurous smile. "Then it's decided! Our final adventure—"
He waved his hand, pointing to the Scar of Origin that contained the ultimate secrets of the universe:
"Fix it! Keep all those Black Shadow out!"
Objective: To repair the cosmic barrier, the Scar of Origin!