That " Light of Dreams," Transcendence existence and non-existence, did not take the Straw Hat Pirates to some unfamiliar dimension. Instead, like the gentlest guidance, it enveloped the Thousand Sunny, and in a warm halo, crossed the boundless Xinghai and the barriers of rules, sending them back to where they first set sail—that blue planet.
As the light faded, the Thousand Sunny gently rocked, floating in the familiar, salty sea breeze. Below, the East Blue shimmered. In the distance, the silhouette of the town with its giant windmills appeared so peaceful and welcoming in the sunset.
"Where... where is this?" Usopp clung to the ship's railing, looking down at the familiar sea below, rubbing his eyes in disbelief.
"East... East Blue?" Nami looked at the Log Pose pointing steadily downwards, her voice choked with emotion.
"We... we're back?" Chopper's tears welled up instantly.
There were no cheers, no jubilation; an eerie silence fell over the deck. After experiencing the vastness of the Xinghai, the clash of rules, and even the confrontation with the ultimate concept of the universe, returning to this primordial sea, everyone felt an indescribable sense of being in another world and a profound tranquility.
Luffy adjusted his straw Straw Hat, looked at the distant Foosha Village, and grinned, revealing a pure smile just like the boy he once was, "You're back."
Standing beside him, Allen felt the vibrant life-filled ocean and land, so different from the Xinghai. A gentle pulse throbbed within him from the " World Seed," which had undergone countless trials by the laws of nature. Gazing at the familiar harbor, his eyes slightly unfocused, he murmured to himself, " Foosha Village... I'm finally back..."
Ace walked over, put his arm around Allen's shoulder, and smiled as brightly as ever, "So, bro? This ocean is still the most reassuring place, isn't it!"
Feeling the warmth from his cousin's arm, and looking at Ace's features that resembled those of his aunt Rouge ( Portgas D. Rouge, Ace's mother), Allen couldn't help but smile and nod. As Rouge's nephew and Ace's cousin, this bond of blood had become even stronger and warmer after their cosmic adventure.
Without alerting anyone, the Thousand Sunny quietly landed in a secluded bay near the Foosha Village. The moment it stepped onto solid ground, a sense of grounded happiness welled up within it.
They walked along the familiar path toward the village. The scenery along the way seemed unchanged: the ridges of the fields, the windmills, the sheep grazing leisurely... everything was the same as when they left.
When they appeared at the village entrance, the children who saw them first were stunned for a moment, then burst into thunderous cheers!
"It's Luffy, the older brother!!"
"And Nami too! Chopper!"
" Usopp is back!"
" Ace is here too!"
"It's the Straw Hat Pirates! They're back!"
Who is that white-haired older brother? A new friend?
Cheers rippled outwards, and the entire Foosha Village erupted in cheers! Villagers poured out of their houses and fields, staring incredulously at the legendary pirates—they had really returned!
Makino's hand, holding the wine glass, froze in mid-air. Looking at Luffy, who was walking ahead with a bright smile, her eyes instantly reddened. When her gaze fell on Eren, a surprised and tender smile appeared on her face—she clearly remembered this white-haired boy, a little older than Ace, with a calm demeanor; he was Rouge's nephew and Ace's cousin. Years ago, Eren had left Windmill Village to sail away and disappeared without a trace; she never expected him to return today with Luffy and Ace.
The familiar faces in the tavern rushed out.
" Luffy! You finally came back!"
" Nami! You're still so beautiful!"
" Usopp! Tell us the story of the Grand Line!"
Chopper! Come quick, help me take a look at my chronic leg pain!
" Ace! Are you staying a few more days this time?!"
" Allen?!" Makino couldn't help but step forward, her eyes filled with concern and joy. "It really is you! You've grown so much... How have you been all these years?"
Luffy put his arm around Allen's shoulder and loudly introduced him to the puzzled villagers, "This is Allen! He's my and Ace's older brother! He's our most important buddy! He's super-powerful!"
A little embarrassed by Luffy's sudden enthusiasm, Allen still gave Makino and the surrounding villagers a gentle, slightly nostalgic smile, " Makino, Grandpa Hans... everyone, it's been a long time. I'm Allen, I'm back."
The villagers then Satori what was happening and warmly surrounded him, greeting the child who had been "away from home" for many years. This warmth, imbued with hometown affection and blood ties, stirred a long-lost feeling of comfort in Allen's heart.
The Straw Hat Pirates was somewhat overwhelmed by the simple and warm welcome, but were immediately enveloped in immense warmth. The battles in the Xinghai, the mysteries of the rules, the whispers of the Overlord... all the heavy past seemed to be washed away and soothed in this familiar land, in the pure smiles of the villagers.
That evening, a grand feast was held in Foosha Village. Mountains of meat and seas of food filled the air with the aroma of fine wine, and cheerful music resounded through the night. Luffy devoured the Sanji without a care in the world; Sanji was pulled aside by Makino and the village aunties, who asked him about his seafaring adventures; Usopp once again became the center of attention among the children; Chopper was picked up and praised by the villagers in turn; Nami and Robin watched the lively scene with smiles; Franky and Brook made everyone laugh with their music and robotic dance; Jinbe and Ace drank with the village elders, listening to them recount the embarrassing stories of Luffy, Ace, and Allen's mischievous childhood antics; and Law was surrounded by several curious young people asking about his adventures.
Allen sat beside Makino, listening to her gentle inquiries about his experiences over the years, watching Ace and Luffy playfully fight over the last piece of meat like they did when they were children, feeling this long-overdue, ordinary yet genuine warmth. This bond rooted in the land and blood ties stood in stark contrast to the grand narratives he had experienced, yet it was equally profound.
Luffy munched on meat, he looked at his crewmates' happy faces, at Makino's gentle smile, at the villagers' carefree cheers, and at Allen and Ace catching up with the villagers. He touched his Straw Hat and whispered to himself, and to all his crewmates:
"See? This is what we're here to protect."
The starry sky remains as brilliant as ever, and the sea as vast as ever. Their adventure may have come to an end, but their dreams and bonds will forever continue on this sea they love so dearly, in the warmth of this blood-related connection.