On Newborn Island No. 1, the Straw Hat Pirates flag flutters in the slightly weary sea breeze atop the volcanic rock hills. This nascent island home is now filled with the unique hustle and bustle and tranquility of parting.
The Ark Maxim is docked in the expanded harbor. Franky is leading a group of Earth engineers and Super Soldier Company technical soldiers to conduct a final comprehensive overhaul and resupply of the spaceship. The cabin is filled with supplies provided by Earth as a gesture of goodwill—from high-energy compressed food and medical supplies to spare parts and special materials that have been approved by Franky and incorporate technologies from both worlds.
"SUPER~ This alloy formula is great! Lightweight, and energy conductivity is improved by 5%!" Franky patted an engineer on the shoulder, who scratched his head, flattered. After this period of cooperation, Earth's scientists and engineers were filled with admiration for this "steel freak" (their private nickname) tech fanatic.
On the other side of the port, a small but solemn farewell ceremony was being held.
General Dukao came in person, and behind him stood the core members of the Xiongbing Company. Ge Xiaolun, Reina, Du Qiangwei, Liu Chuang, Zhao Xin, Qilin, Rui Mengmeng... Everyone had complicated expressions on their faces. There was reluctance to leave their comrades fighting side by side, feelings about the magical experience of visitors from other worlds, and blessings and a hint of envy for their future.
" Allen, Luffy, and everyone in the Straw Hat Pirates," Du Kao's voice was steady and powerful, "Although we haven't spent much time together, you've proven through your actions that the belief in protecting life and fighting against darkness is universal, regardless of which world you come from. Earth will never forget your help."
He handed over a specially made metal data disk. "Inside is all the research data we have on the Void, the Triangle Bodies, and the ' Observers ' and ancient civilizations, including preliminary analysis reports on the Kunlun Gate and deep-sea ruins. I hope it will be helpful in your search for your way home and the truth."
Allen accepted the gift solemnly. "Thank you. This information is crucial to us."
Du Kao then looked at Luffy: " Luffy, you are... a very special captain. Your 'freedom' and 'belief' have taught us a lesson. I hope that one day, you can truly sail freely on your own vast ocean of stars."
"Hehe! Of course!" Luffy grinned, patting Du Kao's shoulder hard (almost making the old general stumble), "Once we find our way home and become the Pirate King, we'll come back for a feast!"
Nami was currently finalizing her "financial settlement" and exchanging intelligence with Lian Feng. Lian Feng gave Nami an encrypted interstellar account and a star map (marking some safe routes and resource points for Earth and its allies), while Nami "generously" shared some climate data from Weatheria and some characteristics of the Sky Island's shellfish (after filtering), and indicated that if there was an opportunity for inter-world trade in the future, she could offer a "friendly price."
Robin was bidding a reluctant farewell to several elderly archaeologists and mythologists, exchanging thick notebooks and copies of materials. She promised that if any conclusive evidence or written records related to the Kunlun Civilization were found in Laugh Tale, she would find a way to send the information back.
Sanji was handing out his specially made "farewell bento boxes" to the female warriors of the Super Soldier Company (as well as several beautiful women from the North Star Cultural Troupe who rushed over after hearing the news), and tearfully declared that he would always remember the beautiful ladies of Earth. As a result, he was dragged away by the ear by Nami, who had a dark expression on her face.
Zoro sparred with Ge Xiaolun and Liu Chuang one last time. Zoro won by a small margin with a newly mastered technique called " Three-Sword Style: Secret Technique: Selflessness: Sky Slash," which combined Haki with a deeper understanding of the concept of "cutting." This prompted Liu Chuang to exclaim, "Monster!" Zoro simply wiped his sword and said, "The swords here are not bad either," which was a rare form of recognition.
Usopp and Chopper were surrounded by a large group of children from the base, listening to their stories of adventures in space (of course, artistically adapted by "Captain Usopp "), and receiving all sorts of oddly shaped but heartfelt handmade gifts from the children.
Brook held a small farewell concert for the soldiers of the base. His performance, which blended the chill of the underworld with warm remembrance, brought tears to the eyes of many tough men. He even improvised a piece called "The Bond Between the Stars and the Sea," claiming that it would become one of his signature pieces.
Jinbe had in-depth exchanges with several oceanographers and environmental officials about their views on protecting marine ecosystems, and obtained some information from Earth about marine pollutant treatment technologies, which he planned to take back to Fish-Man Island for reference.
"Well then, let's leave it at that," Allen said to the people who had come to see him off. "The threat to Earth is not completely gone, so you must all be careful. Especially Death God Karl; his schemes go far beyond this."
"We know." Rena nodded, her eyes resolute. "With this experience and the information you left behind (especially the ideas about using willpower to combat the corruption of the Void ), we will become stronger. I look forward to meeting you again, both of us standing at an even higher level."
Ge Xiaolun stepped forward and said earnestly to Allen, "Keep in touch... if possible. Lian Feng and the others are trying to reverse-engineer and adapt your ' Den Den Mushi ' communication method across dimensions. Although it's difficult, maybe one day we'll be able to truly communicate across worlds."
"We'll look forward to it," Allen smiled.
Just then, a faint buzzing sound came from the sky. Angel Zhui and Angel Leng slowly descended.
"Queen Yan asked me to convey your message," the Angel Zhui, "The angel respects and blesses your journey. The vision of 'justice' will be watching the developments of your world. Furthermore..."
She handed over a delicate silver box engraved with the emblem of angel wings. "This is a ' Beacon ' personally gifted by Queen Yan. If you encounter an Resistance crisis in the future, one involving the rules or the very essence of the Void, you can activate it. It will send a one-time, highest-priority distress signal to the Angel Nebula. Although cross-world support is extremely difficult,... this is an angel's promise."
This gift was of great importance. Allen accepted it solemnly. "Thank you for Queen Yan's trust. Please tell her that we will also strive to prevent the 'shadow' from spreading in our world."
All the words of farewell seemed to have been spoken, but the deep affection remained in everyone's heart.
One by one, the Straw Hat Pirates boarded the gangway and returned to the deck of the Ark Maxim. They took one last look at the blue planet and at their new friends waving goodbye on the dock.
"Raise the sails! Set sail!" Luffy shouted from the bow of the ship.
"Weigh anchor! Raise the auxiliary sails! Preheat the Star Core Reactor! Activate the Jet Wind Dial system!" Franky skillfully operated the controls from the cockpit.
The Ark Maxim emitted a deep hum, its hull glowing with a soft silver light, and its massive sails (modified to combine traditional sail power with energy guiding functions) slowly unfurled. The ship began to lift off the sea surface, and with the combined power of the Jet Wind Dial and the stars, it steadily rose into the sky.
On the ground, the people seeing them off looked up at the giant silver ship carrying legend and hope as it soared higher and higher.
"Have a safe journey!" someone shouted first.
You must come back!
"Become the Pirate King!"
The sounds of blessings converge into waves, following the Ark Maxim.
Along the ship's side, the Straw Hat Pirates crew waved vigorously until the figures on the ground became blurred, until the North Star Base and Newborn Island No. 1 turned into tiny specks on the blue planet.
"Everyone," Luffy turned to face his crew, his face beaming with his signature, energetic smile, "a new adventure is about to begin! The goal is—"
" Laugh Tale!" the crowd shouted in unison!
"And home!" Usopp added.
"Of course!" Luffy adjusted his straw Straw Hat. "But before that, we need to get back to our own seas!"
Allen walked over to Robin, and the two looked together at the huge star map displayed in front of the bridge. One corner of the star map was marked with the coordinates obtained from the lunar civilization that guided them to this world. In the center of the star map, a brand new, more complex and three-dimensional navigation path was being generated—a homeward route recalculated by combining information from the Kunlun Ruins, the resonance of the Star Core Mark, and Robin's interpretation of the " Laugh Tale coordinates".
The flight path meandered and twisted, traversing several dangerous zones marked as "space turbulence zones" and "ancient gravitational anomalies," ultimately pointing to a vague "coordinate" that seemed to exist in the gap between reality and illusion.
"This voyage will probably not be easy," Robin said softly.
"When have we ever had an easy voyage?" Allen smiled, but his eyes were incredibly determined. "But this time, we have a reason to go back, a truth that must be uncovered, and... a promise that must be fulfilled."
He looked at his companions playing on the deck, and at the blue planet that was gradually shrinking in the distance.
They arrived unexpectedly, filled with confusion and wariness.
They experienced battles and alliances, and gained friendship and a sense of responsibility.
They glimpsed an ancient secret that transcended time and space, and were given an unexpected mission.
Now, carrying clues, growth, and the blessings and expectations of two worlds, they are about to embark on their journey home.
Ahead lies an unknown route, the ultimate secret, the call of home, and the continuation of the journey.
The Ark Maxim adjusted its course, its bow pointing towards the deep starry sky, and the Star Power Furnace operated at full power, leaving a dazzling silver trail of light at the stern.
"Destination—The Road Home, Laugh Tale!"
Full speed ahead!
The giant silver ship transformed into a streak of light, breaking through the atmosphere and sailing into the boundless Xinghai, disappearing among the glittering constellations.
For them, the story of Earth has come to a temporary end.
But the Straw Hat Pirates ' Grand Line is far from over.
Their adventure will unfold a magnificent new chapter on their own vast ocean.
And within the Xinghai, the ignited " Sparks " has quietly linked the destinies of the two worlds even more closely together.
Perhaps there will be moments when they intersect again in the future.
That will surely be an even more exciting story.