The Ark Maxim hovered in the plaza outside the pyramid ruins, its engines running at low power, ready to accelerate at any moment. Everyone stood by the portholes, gazing with complex expressions at the building that bore the last traces of lunar civilization. Chopper and Usopp had tears of reluctance in their eyes, and even Luffy pursed his lips, watching silently.
Deep within the ruins, in the central hall.
Allen's will was now completely connected to the Star Core. He could almost feel the heartbeat of this silver city, the countless days and nights of lonely vigil that Laisesu had endured, and the heavy expectation that had been passed down to him across eternity.
"I'm sorry to say goodbye like this," Allen murmured to himself, then made no further hesitation.
He guided the Power of Zhulong and the Star Core Mark, like a precise wrench, activating the command sequence deeply buried in the core of the Star Core, representing the final, decisive blow—[ Moonfall ].
"Final Initiation Command: [ Moonfall ]. Energy Overload Program Activated."
A cold, emotionless synthesized voice echoed in the hall—the final response from the ruins' AI.
Buzz--!!!
The Star Core suddenly emitted an unprecedented, blinding light, like the prelude to Supernovas explosion! The immense energy no longer pulsed gently, but surged wildly like a runaway horse into every energy conduit, every defensive node, and every still-functioning system in the ruins!
The entire pyramid structure, and indeed the entire dilapidated silver city, saw all its remaining lights shine to their maximum intensity in an instant, before exploding due to energy overload! The city seemed to be in a final burst of light, displaying its last brilliance after ten thousand years of silence!
"Now! Franky, full speed ahead! Get out of the force field!" Nami shouted into the communicator.
"Understood! Ark Maxim, maximum power output!" Franky slammed the control stick.
A thick stream of silver-blue light shot out from the stern of the Ark Maxim, and the ship sped towards the edge of the force field it had come from, like an arrow released from a bow!
Almost the instant the Ark Maxim burst out of the hidden force field—
On the far side of the moon, the area enveloped by the force field suddenly contracted inward, as if the universe had taken a deep breath.
The next moment!
boom!!!!!!!!!!
An indescribable burst of terrifying energy erupted! The hidden force field shattered instantly like a fragile soap bubble! A silver sphere, far brighter and purer than a real star, suddenly expanded outwards from the center of the pyramid ruins!
The light engulfed the ruined city, the craters, and even illuminated the far side of the moon as if it were daytime!
Then came the devastating shockwave! Silent, yet more awe-inspiring than any sound! The lunar surface was ripped up, shattered, and vaporized layer by layer! A brand-new, colossal crater, far larger than any natural crater, its edges shimmering with a reddish glow like lava, appeared on the far side of the moon!
The " Purge Protocol " fleet, which had just arrived in lunar orbit and was preparing to deploy more troops, was the first to be hit!
The dozens of shuttle-shaped warships at the forefront, along with the ghost-faced flagship, didn't even have time to react before being instantly engulfed, disintegrated, and transformed into basic particles of the universe by the expanding silver sphere and the energy shock that followed! The fleet behind was also scattered by the violent energy turbulence, with shields flickering and many warships colliding with each other, suffering severe damage!
Even though Ark Maxim was far from the epicenter, it was still being tossed about by the intense energy shockwaves like a leaf in a storm. Its shields flickered wildly, and the hull groaned under the strain. Franky gripped the helm tightly, Nami screamed as she corrected the course, and everyone clung tightly to whatever was around them.
This destructive glow lasted for a full ten seconds before slowly fading away.
When everything calmed down, everyone looked back and saw that the area on the far side of the moon that had been hidden had completely disappeared, leaving only a shocking, enormous crater that resembled a planetary scar. The Endless Vearth, the last remnant of the lunar civilization, along with the pursuing enemy vanguard fleet, had all turned into dust of history.
Silence enveloped this star field once again. But this time, the silence carried a sense of tragedy and resolve.
"... Goodbye." Chopper waved his little hooves towards the moon, his voice trembling with tears.
"They... stayed until the very end," Robin said softly, her voice filled with respect.
Luffy pressed down his straw Straw Hat, concealing his expression, but his clenched fists betrayed his inner turmoil.
Allen appeared in the control room, his face even paler than before, the continuous high-intensity exertion leaving him exhausted. But his eyes remained resolute; he had fulfilled Laisesu's request, protected the secret, and dealt a heavy blow to the enemy.
He walked over to Robin and looked at the completed star map in her hand. The coordinates representing the moon on the star map had faded, but the route leading to the Jade Nebula seemed to have been injected with new vitality, shimmering with brighter and clearer starlight.
"We did what we could," Allen's voice broke the silence. "Now, it's time to move on. Don't let their sacrifices be in vain."
Nami wiped the tears from her eyes, took a deep breath, and pointed at the star map. "Navigation set! Target— Jade Nebula!"
Franky adjusted the spaceship's attitude, stabilizing the power output at a new level. The Ark Maxim, carrying the hopes and warnings of a lost civilization, and the dreams and determination of the Straw Hat Pirates, once again transformed into a silver meteor, piercing the dark curtain of space, and steadfastly sailing towards the unknown star field.
Behind them lies a glory that has already faded.
Before them lay Xinghai, filled with both thorns and hope.
The Straw Hat Pirates's great space Great Pirate Era has officially begun!