The relentless battles and pressure had left everyone exhausted. At Dragon's suggestion, the Combined Fleet decided to take a short rest on a legendary island—Carnival Island, a mysterious place said to be filled with laughter and music.
"Carnival Island..." Sabo leafed through an ancient nautical chart. "There aren't many records. They only say the people there are always celebrating, and supposedly, it holds a 'Song of Joy' that can make people forget their troubles."
Luffy's eyes lit up. "Song of Joy? Can you eat it?" Ace laughed and ruffled his hair. "All you think about is eating!" Allen felt the pull of the Compass of Time. "The compass is pointing there... it seems connected to some kind of 'temporal bliss.'"
Pluton led the Combined Fleet toward Carnival Island. As they drew closer, the sea breeze began to carry cheerful music and laughter, and the seawater turned a dazzling array of colors.
When the island came into view, everyone was stunned by the sight before them-
The entire island was like an enormous carnival! Bells hung from rainbow-colored trees, the roads were paved with candy, and the houses were shaped like various musical instruments. Dressed in brightly colored clothes, the islanders danced and laughed to music that never stopped.
"Welcome to Carnival Island!" An old man wearing an extravagant jester's hat rowed out to greet them in a candy boat. "I'm Bacchus, the master of revelry! Have you come to join the eternal celebration?"
Whitebeard roared with laughter. "Gurararara! What an interesting place!" Shanks enjoyed the music. "It really does help you relax." Hancock frowned slightly. "But it's a little... too noisy." Luffy was already drooling. "Candy roads! Can you eat them?"
Bacchus laughed. "Of course! Everything here is edible! But be careful not to eat too much, or you'll get 'joy-drunk'~"
Sure enough, several members of the Whitebeard Pirates couldn't resist eating some of the candy houses and began grinning foolishly and dancing as though they were drunk.
Allen activated Time Perception and discovered something unusual. "The flow of time here... has become 'elastic' under the influence of happy emotions... sad moments are compressed, while happy moments are stretched out..."
Sabo grew wary. "Some kind of emotional influence?" Ace tried a little candy. "Mm... I really do feel much more relaxed..."
With Bacchus guiding them, everyone joined a true carnival celebration. There were talking animals performing acrobatics, candy fountains, and rivers of music. Most amazing of all was the "Laughter Roller Coaster," whose riders couldn't help laughing nonstop.
Luffy and Chopper, who had secretly tagged along, went wild playing, one swimming in a candy pool and the other befriending a talking reindeer. Ace tried "flame dancing," competing with a local fire performer, only to eat the man's flames and set everyone laughing. Sabo and his Revolutionary Army comrades studied the island's social structure-no currency, no classes, only an eternal celebration. Even the stern Dragon couldn't resist trying a "smile massage" and ended up laughing as he was tickled. Hancock tried to remain aloof, but after Luffy dragged her onto the roller coaster, she couldn't help laughing out loud either.
Watching everyone enjoying themselves, Allen felt a sense of relaxation he hadn't experienced in a long time. But he noticed the worry that occasionally flashed through Bacchus's eyes.
Late that night, while most people were immersed in "joy-drunkenness," Allen found Bacchus sitting alone beside the musical lake.
"Master of revelry, what are you worried about?" Allen asked softly.
Bacchus sighed. "You noticed... yes, Carnival Island has a secret."
He told Allen the truth about the island: it had once been an ordinary island, until they found the "Song of Joy"-an ancient music box that played music capable of making people forget their troubles. But overuse had altered the island's flow of time, creating an eternal carnival.
"It was a good thing at first..." Sadness filled Bacchus's eyes. "But gradually, we discovered that no one could leave the island anymore. The moment they left, all their suppressed sorrow would come flooding back at once. Many people couldn't bear it..."
Allen's Time Perception confirmed this: a powerful emotional time barrier surrounded the island.
"We need help," Bacchus said. "The Song of Joy's power is weakening, and the barrier is becoming unstable. If it suddenly collapses..."
The consequences were unthinkable. All the suppressed negative emotions would come crashing back like a tsunami, and no one on the island could withstand it.
Allen considered this for a moment. "Take me to see the Song of Joy."
In the music temple at the center of the island, Allen saw the exquisite music box. Through Time Perception, he could see that cracks had already formed inside it.
"Temporal wear..." Allen diagnosed. "It needs to be repaired by rewinding time."
But when he tried, he discovered that the music box's material resisted the Power of Time.
"Use this." Bacchus handed him a tuning fork. "Only a 'conductor of joy' can truly repair it."
Just then, the barrier fluctuated violently! Several islanders suddenly began crying as their suppressed sorrow started leaking out!
"This is bad! The barrier is starting to collapse!" Bacchus cried.
Allen acted immediately, gathering everyone who could still move. "I need everyone's help! Strengthen the barrier with the power of laughter!"
He explained, "The music box needs genuine joyful energy to be repaired! Not forced laughter, but heartfelt happiness!"
Luffy was the first to respond. "Let's have a banquet! Banquets are the happiest things there are!" Whitebeard laughed. "Gurararara! Let's throw the biggest banquet in history!" Shanks nodded. "Leave the music and fine liquor to us!" The Revolutionary Army organized games, Amazon Lily put on dances, Germa contributed fireworks technology, and Dressrosa provided delicious snacks.
A truly grand banquet began! There was no coercion, only heartfelt joy! Music, dancing, food, games... everyone enjoyed the moment to the fullest.
Allen stood before the music box, sensing the surging energy of genuine joy and guiding it into the box. With precise control over the Power of Time, he rewound every worn component.
As the repairs progressed, the music box shone brighter and brighter, and its music became even more moving. The barrier stabilized again and became healthier-it no longer forced happiness, but allowed emotions to flow naturally.
When the final crack was repaired, the music box erupted with warm light before returning to normal. The barrier also became permeable, allowing the islanders to freely choose whether to leave or stay, without any further risk of emotional backlash.
Bacchus's eyes filled with tears. "It worked! True freedom..."
As thanks, he gave Allen a special gift-a small fragment of the music box, made into a pocket watch chain pendant.
"This is the 'Joy Resonator.' It can bring you inner peace and happiness when you need them."
At dawn, the Combined Fleet prepared to leave. Many islanders chose to stay, but some decided to see the outside world.
Luffy reluctantly said goodbye to his new animal friends. "I'll come back to eat candy!" Ace exchanged insights with the local fire performer. Sabo recorded the island's social structure for reference. Hancock wore a rare smile. "This isn't bad once in a while."
Standing at Pluton's bow and watching Carnival Island recede into the distance, Allen held the Joy Resonator and felt peace within.
True joy wasn't about forgetting one's troubles, but learning to find happiness even amid suffering.
This realization made the emotional core within him shine brighter, while his Power of Time became gentler and easier to control.
Pluton sailed toward their next stop, everyone refreshed and filled with new strength.
And this inner joy might be the strongest power of light against the darkness.