Allen's words were like a pebble thrown into a still pond, creating ripples. For the first time, a subtle fluctuation appeared in the empty eyes of the old man, the embodiment of the city's consciousness; it was no longer pure sorrow, but rather a faint glimmer of disbelief.
"Forgetting... is not absolute?" the old man murmured, repeating.
"Yes." Allen's gaze swept over the enormous " Core of the Past," then turned to his companions. "'The past' is called the past because it is remembered by the 'present,' or at least, has the potential to be remembered. What difference is there between an absolute, unknown, and untouched 'past' and 'non-existence'?"
He walked forward, and an indescribable rhythm began to emanate from his body, as if the power of time and space was resonating with him.
"Your Akasha Civilization was stripped from the 'present' timeline, 'forgotten' by the world. But," Allen's voice carried an undeniable force, "We, we who come from the 'present,' have set foot here, learned your story, and carried fragments of your memories. This in itself is a 'connection,' an 'anchor' that breaks through absolute 'forgetting'!"
As he spoke, the power of time, space, light, and darkness within him, originating from the Mythical Zoan Torch Dragon Fruit and far Transcendence conventional understanding, began to operate in an unprecedented way. He was not trying to forcibly reverse time (that would invite direct intervention from the Guardians of Temporal Order ), nor was he trying to destroy this prison of memories (that would lead to Akasha's complete annihilation).
What he was going to do was something even more ingenious and unbelievable—to use the fragile connection established between the "present" and the "past" because of their arrival to find a "place" for this forgotten history in the torrent of time!
"History should not be erased, and memories should have a place to belong." Allen's voice, like the tolling of a bell that has traveled through eternity, echoed across the square. He raised his hands, palms facing the slowly rotating " Core of the Past."
The Power of Zhulong —which governs light (existence, Definition ) and darkness (concealment, end), and touches upon the flow of time and the positioning of space—is now being unleashed to its fullest extent!
An invisible, immense power emanated from him! This was not destructive energy, but a force of correction, Definition, and reshaping!
Above the plaza, the phantom of an invisible, gigantic book seemed to appear. The page representing the Akasha Civilization, which had been roughly torn off, crumpled, and almost completely destroyed, was now carefully smoothed out by Allen's power. Although it could not be restored to its original state, the writing (memories) on it was clearly traced back to its original form. Then, instead of being pasted back into its original place (that would cause a chronological paradox), it was embedded as a bookmark, a footnote, a remnant of remembrance, in the crevices of the thick pages of the Book of Time!
It no longer belongs to the fluid "present," nor is it a completely erased "past." It has become a tangible "historical relic" that can be revisited!
Buzz--!
The entire Akasha Island trembled violently! The thick fog that had shrouded the island for countless years began to thin and become transparent at a visible speed! It was no longer the fog of oblivion that devoured everything, but transformed into a soft halo like the dawn!
In the city center, the enormous " Core of the Past " emitted an unprecedentedly brilliant light, its rotation gradually slowing down until it finally stabilized. It no longer exuded sorrow and resentment, but rather revealed a sense of... relief and peace.
The old man's illusory figure became more solid. He looked down at his hands, which were gradually becoming warm and bright, and then looked up at the sky where real sunlight was beginning to shine through. The eternal sorrow on his face finally melted away, turning into two lines of tears made of light.
"We... we've been remembered..." the old man's voice trembled, filled with unbelievable joy and relief, "Even in this way... we... existed!"
He turned to Allen and the Straw Hat Pirates and bowed deeply, very deeply.
"Thank you... strangers and travelers. Thank you... for granting us, the departed souls... true 'rest'."
As he spoke, the entire Akasha City seemed to be infused with new life. The dilapidated buildings remained dilapidated, but they had lost some of their deathly stillness and gained a sense of historical weight. The glow of the eerie moss became warmer and no longer sinister. Countless fragments of memory no longer chaotically assaulted outsiders, but rather, like exhibits in a museum, quietly told their own stories.
Akasha, from a forgotten prison, has become a remembered... historical tombstone.
Although the deceased are gone and civilization cannot be resurrected, the traces of their existence have been preserved, thus achieving a kind of eternity.
The Straw Hat Pirates watched this miraculous transformation, their hearts filled with awe and emotion.
Luffy scratched his head. "I don't quite understand, but it seems... like a good thing?"
Usopp and Chopper finally felt relieved and breathed a sigh of relief.
Robin said softly, "To be remembered in this way, perhaps... is also a kind of fulfillment."
Nami looked at the sunlight streaming down and felt her mood brighten.
Sanji lit a cigarette. "If this trip can bring peace to the departed, then it wasn't in vain."
Zoro sheathed his sword, seemingly accepting the outcome.
Franky and Brook were both moved by the magnificent sight.
Jinbe his beard and nodded. "Having let go of his obsession, his soul finds peace. Well done."
Ace looked at Allen with pride in his eyes. "As expected of you, cousin."
Allen slowly withdrew his power, his face slightly pale. This operation, seemingly effortless, was actually extremely mentally taxing, representing the most subtle application of the Laws of Space and Time. But as he looked at this land that had returned to tranquility and was no longer tormented by oblivion, a sense of relief appeared in his eyes.
To remember is to exist.
Akasha's adventure has come to an end in a way that Transcendence life and death and redefines Definition.