The whispers of the Dark Abyss vanished completely, and the Sky Archipelago ushered in a long-awaited, true tranquility. Sunlight pierced through the thin clouds, shining on the scarred yet still beautiful floating Sky Island, and also illuminating the hearts of every Winged Tribe survivor.
With Robin's help, Allen slowly stood up. Although his face was still somewhat pale and his breath was weaker than usual, the weariness in his eyes was as steady as a rock. Using so much primal power at once, especially manipulating time and space simultaneously and guiding the Power of the Stars, was a tremendous challenge even for someone with his current strength.
" Allen, are you alright?" Luffy the first to rush into the tower, looking at him with concern. Although his face showed the excitement of victory, it was also clear that his comrade was worried.
"It's nothing, just a bit tiring. I'll be fine after a rest." Allen gave a reassuring smile.
"Honestly, don't do something so reckless next time!" Nami complained, but her eyes were filled with lingering fear and gratitude. She knew that if it weren't for Allen, they might have really been in grave danger this time.
Surrounded by his people, the Winged Tribe elder approached Allen once more. This time, his demeanor was even more humble and respectful. "Guardian, your kindness will be forever etched in the memory of Kumokakure Village and the entire Sky Archipelago! Please allow us to fulfill our duty as hosts and provide you and your companions with the best possible conditions for recuperation."
For the next few days, the Straw Hat Pirates stayed in Kumokakure Village. The village began a vigorous reconstruction, and Allen became the most honored guest of the entire tribe, enjoying the most attentive care and focusing on recovering his strength. The Winged Tribe looked at him with eyes full of almost devout respect.
During this time, Robin had in-depth exchanges with the Winged Tribe elders and several of the oldest scholars. She consulted the limited records preserved in Kumokakure Village about the Crystal Tower of the Holy Land and the ancient seal, and combined them with her knowledge of the Void Century and the Poneglyph, making some astonishing discoveries.
"Elder," Robin said solemnly during a meeting, "Based on my deduction, what your clan has guarded for generations may be more than just this seal. This crystal tower, and the energy it draws upon, is very likely related to the 'moon'."
"The moon?" The elder and the other Winged Tribe were all taken aback.
"Yes." Robin pointed to the top of the crystal tower, where, even after the Lord of the Dark Abyss was purified, it still emitted a soft energy fluctuation, the same as moonlight. "The records mention that in ancient times, this tower could draw in moonlight and maintain its levitation. I suspect it's not just an energy source or a seal, but more likely a... signal receiver, or some kind of beacon."
The elder pondered for a long time, as if making a decision. "Ms. Robin, your wisdom is astonishing. In fact, in our clan's oldest oral history, passed down only to the elders, it is indeed mentioned... that our homeland may not be this place."
He paused, and under the watchful eyes of everyone (especially Luffy and Allen, whose curiosity was overflowing), slowly revealed the secret passed down through generations:
"Ancient teachings say that our ancestors were descendants of Watcher from the moon. We remain here, firstly to guard the seal, and secondly... perhaps also to await some kind of call from our 'homeland,' or to protect some secret leading to our 'homeland.'"
From the Moon!
This news struck the Straw Hat Pirates like a thunderbolt. The existence of Sky Island was already miraculous enough, but now, the remnants of the moon had appeared?
Luffy's eyes lit up with an unprecedented light. He jumped to his feet and shouted excitedly, "The moon?! That moon in the sky? Did people really live on it? That's so interesting!! We have to go to the moon and see!!!"
His sudden decision stunned everyone, but then, a flame of adventure ignited in everyone's eyes. Sanji imagined the beautiful princess on the moon, Usopp began boasting about how he would establish a legend of a god on the moon, Chopper worried about the lack of a doctor on the moon, Franky was already sketching out the design for a lunar spaceship...
Allen smiled as he looked at his excited companions. His strength was recovering quickly, and the Power of Zhulong within him for spacetime filled him with a desire to explore the "moon," a celestial body that was both so close and yet so far away. Perhaps, it held more secrets about this world, about the D. Clan, and even about the cosmic civilizations he had encountered.
Seeing the Straw Hat Pirates's reaction, the Winged Tribe elder not only didn't stop them, but instead showed a relieved yet expectant expression. "If you are willing to go to our 'homeland,' our clan will do everything in our power to help! We know of an ancient ruin where clues to a tool left by our ancestors that might lead to the moon are preserved—an ancient scientific treasure known as the ' Endless Vearth ' blueprint!"
Thus, the Sky Archipelago incident came to a successful conclusion, not only averting a world-ending crisis but also unveiling a deeper layer of history. A grander adventure, stretching beyond the Xinghai, awaits the Straw Hat Pirates!
The Straw Hat Pirates ' next target has been decided--
Point to the moon, search for the blueprints of the " Endless Vearth," uncover the secrets of the lunar inhabitants, and usher in a new era of Space Pirates!