The pitiful ferocity of " Gluttony " Balo was as insignificant as a mosquito's buzz in the perception of Portgas D. Allen, who had experienced the interdimensional battlefield, faced the Star God, and personally ended Imu's rule. The great power belonging to " Torch Dragon " within him flowed slightly, completely isolating that unpleasant aura, and even silently smoothing out the disturbed spacetime fibers around him.
Allen didn't even glance at Balo; his gaze seemed to pierce through the bustling arena, through Terra Island, and into the boundless starry sky. After resolving the interdimensional invasion, his spiritual senses had become exceptionally sensitive to fluctuations from beyond the world.
" Ace," Allen's voice rang directly in Ace's mind, a telepathic message based on his spacetime abilities, "Just a noisy fat worm, Luffy and the others can handle it. But this starry sky... it seems to have 'blinked' just now."
Upon hearing this, Ace's relaxed expression softened slightly, and he nodded almost imperceptibly. He trusted Allen's judgment and understood that what his cousin, whose strength had reached an incredible level, had sensed was no small matter. He patted Luffy, who was still grinning at Balo's retreating figure, and said, "Hey, Luffy, consider this guy just an appetizer before the festival. Aren't you going to participate in the challenge? Go!"
"Oh! Right!" Luffy's attention was instantly drawn back, and he excitedly rushed towards the "Volcano Eruption Giant Spicy Burger" challenge booth.
Sanji glanced in the direction Balo had left, snorted, and then headed towards the "Flavor Showdown" area, his target being the " Juice Baron." Zoro, on the other hand, became interested in the "Knife Skills Trial" and walked over with his arms crossed. Chopper and Usopp, under Nami's "encouragement" (and forceful coercion), also began looking for suitable challenges to earn points.
The Straw Hat Pirates crew quickly immersed themselves in the food-filled revelry, finding it a rare moment of relaxation and enjoyment after the war.
Allen stood still, seemingly observing his companions, but in reality, his mind was deeply resonating with the " World Seed " and the Power of Zhulong within him. His perception, like invisible ripples, quietly spread out from him (combat power: 25000+), crossing the Red Line, covering the four seas, touching the Calm Belt, and even gently brushing the borders of Laugh Tale. The main world had not suffered any new major damage during his absence, which gave him some peace of mind.
But when he extended his senses upward, trying to touch the "crystal wall" that protected this world, constructed by the power of the ancient miracles and the World Seed, a faint, greedy, and malicious "gaze" swept across his senses like a cold spider's web.
'Not the otherworldly creatures we repelled before... but new "Observers"... from a more distant star system?' Allen pondered. Having resolved the last invasion, the "coordinates" of their world seemed to have become clearer on some level, attracting more hostile gazes. This wasn't an immediate invasion, but more like a probe, a positioning exercise.
" Allen, why don't you try some?" Robin walked over with a cup of an unidentified specialty flower tea, took an elegant sip, and keenly noticed Allen's momentary concentration.
Allen withdrew his gaze from the starry sky, smiled at Robin, and took the other drink she offered. "Watching them fool around is quite entertaining. And," he swirled the glass in his hand, a golden glint in his eyes that was incomprehensible to ordinary people, "To experience this kind of earthy, mundane life is also a precious experience for us."
The "we" he refers to are people like him, as well as other top-tier powerhouses who might be able to perceive certain levels of power. After gaining the power to shake the stars and control time and space, this kind of simple, pure food and laughter is more likely to touch the soul, helping him anchor his "humanity" and balance the excessively large divine power within him.
Just then, in the highest level of the Gourmet Arena, in the legendary " Seven Flavors of Desperation " room that no one could completely challenge, a slight energy fluctuation suddenly emanated, which only Allen could clearly perceive. It was not the power of Haki or Devil Fruit, but rather a strange power that was highly concentrated and contained the ultimate " Food Honor " and "mental impact".
"Hmm?" Allen raised an eyebrow slightly, looking towards the top floor. "Interesting. The food culture of this planet can actually touch upon the power of the rules? Although it's still very rudimentary..."
It seems this Gourmet Island isn't just plagued by local bullies; it might also harbor things that even he, at his current level, finds interesting. This sparked a slightly personal interest in the upcoming Gourmet Festival, beyond simply spending time with his companions.