The decision had been made, and the Xinghai of Laugh Tale seemed to rejoice, its flowing light becoming even brighter and softer. Shadow of Noah conveyed the details of the " Soul Binding Ritual " to everyone. It wasn't a particularly complex procedure, but it needed to be performed deep within the " Beacon's " core—the " Giant Tree of Spiritual Light "—at the edge of the " Well of the Star Sea," using the purest power of the " Beacon's " essence to complete the "imprinting" and "connection" of the soul.
The following day, the ceremony took place on a platform formed by flowing liquid light at the base of the giant tree. At the center of the platform was the mouth of the " Well of the Star Sea "—not a physical well, but a constantly rotating, seven-colored vortex connecting the " Beacon " energy core with the projection of the " Sea of Origin." A gentle yet vast power emanated from here.
The entire Straw Hat Pirates (including Allen, who had fully recovered) stood around the well. W7 hovered quietly a short distance away as a witness.
["The ceremony begins."] The luminous face of Shadow of Noah emerged from the vortex at the well's mouth, its intent becoming grander and deeper, as if resonating with the entirety of Laugh Tale, and even further back to the "Origin." ["Relax your minds, open your hearts, and let the light of the ' Beacon ' illuminate the most essential aspects of your souls, leaving behind the mark of 'Watching Over.'"]
A gentle, all-encompassing seven-colored light emanated from the wellhead, like a warm tide, slowly enveloping everyone. There was no coercion, no oppression, only a sense of peace and intimacy, as if returning to the womb.
Bathed in this light, everyone's consciousness became incredibly clear and transparent. They "saw" their own souls— Luffy's ever-burning flame of adventure, Zoro's sword heart that cut through all confusion, Nami's protective and guiding nautical chart, Usopp's ever-shining light of courage as he grew, Sanji's fiery yet gentle knightly heart, Chopper's pure and flawless healer's heart, Robin's book of knowledge that carries history and the future, Franky's inexhaustible creative spirit, Brook's soul symphony that transcends life and death, Jinbe's Jinbe and inclusive sea of chivalry, and Allen's core of will that merges stars, purification, protection, and Definition, shining like a new star.
The rainbow light seeped into the radiance of these souls, not covering them, but merging and resonating with them, leaving a tiny yet incredibly resilient " Sparks Brand " deep within them, seemingly composed of countless intricate runes. The moment the mark took shape, everyone felt a wondrous connection established—they could vaguely perceive Laugh Tale's "breath" and "pulse," could vaguely sense the flow of the " Beacon's " energy, and could even, through the mark, engage in a deeper, silent spiritual exchange with the Shadow of Noah. Simultaneously, a heavy, yet willingly undertaken sense of responsibility was imprinted deep within their souls—to protect the peace of this place, guide civilization in the right direction, and pass on the Spark of hope.
["Imprinting complete."] Shadow of Noah's thoughts were filled with satisfaction. ["From this moment on, you officially become the ' Sparks Watcher ' of ' Beacon Noah ' in this world. Your souls will resonate eternally with the ' Beacon.' Wherever you are, as long as the light of the ' Beacon ' remains, the mark of the ' Sparks ' will endure. May you make good use of this connection and power to fulfill your vows."]
As the light gradually faded, everyone opened their eyes and felt that they hadn't changed much, but deep in their hearts they had gained a clear anchor and an indescribable sense of closeness to this island of Xinghai.
"It feels... so strange." Luffy clenched his fist. "It's like I can hear this island softly 'speaking'."
"It's a subconscious perception of energy flow and fluctuations in rules." Allen felt the new imprint on his soul, like an inextinguishable lighthouse, or a weighty covenant. "Now, we and Laugh Tale are truly 'partners'."
With the ceremony complete, the next question is whether W7 will remain or not.
A gray, humanoid construct floated closer, its V-shaped beam of light calmly observing the crowd. ["After in-depth communication with the Shadow of Noah, and based on my core agreement ' Passing Down the Spark ' and an analysis of the current situation, I have made a decision."]
It turned to Shadow of Noah: ["I choose to stay."]
"My fundamental purpose is to record, observe, and, when possible, assist the ' Spark.' The ' Beacon ' is the greatest carrier of the ' Spirit Source Civilization's' Spark, and its evolutionary state and current challenges hold the highest value for observation and research. By staying here and deeply integrating with the ' Beacon,' I can more effectively repair myself, assist in managing the ' Beacon ' system, analyze data related to ' The End ' and ' Chaos,' and... attempt to contact other potentially scattered 'Ark' units."
It then looked at the Straw Hat Pirates: ["At the same time, you have become official ' Watcher,' possessing the ability and responsibility to independently handle the affairs of this world. My direct following may not be the best choice for your growth. But please believe that our connection will not be severed. Through the ' Beacon ' and the ' Sparks Brand,' we can exchange information across vast distances when necessary. When you encounter a major crisis in the future that may involve the origin of the ' End ' or the ' Void,' the ' Beacon ' and I may be able to provide crucial support or guidance."]
W7's choice was rational and responsible. Although everyone was reluctant to part with this "comrade" from the destructive universe who had fought alongside them, they fully understood and respected its decision.
"We'll miss you, W7," Chopper whispered, his eyes slightly moist.
"SUPER~ You must repair the spaceship even better! Next time we meet, I'll show you an even better Ark Maxim!" Franky patted (virtual) W7 on the shoulder.
"Take care," Allen said solemnly. "Thank you for your guidance and help along the way. We will never forget the ' Passing Down the Spark '."
Luffy grinned. "Then it's a deal! We'll come find you again after we've sorted out those troubles! And you'll have to tell us what fun stories you've discovered!"
["The agreement is established."] The V-shaped light strip on W7 seemed to soften a bit. ["May your journey home be smooth and your future boundless. ' Sparks '... Never walk alone."]
The final farewell was not filled with sadness, but rather with blessings for each other's future paths and anticipation of reunion.
Next came the specific plan for dealing with the "legacy issues." Combining the detailed information from the " Beacon " database with everyone's understanding of the current state of the pirate world, they quickly finalized a solution:
1. " Poseidon " ( Poseidon ): Jinbe and Robin are in charge. Upon their return, they should secretly contact Princess Shirahoshi Fish-Man Island as soon as possible to assess her condition and attempt to help her better understand and control her innate "communication ability" through the indirect connection between the " Sparks Brand " and the " Beacon," ensuring it is not exploited by the World Government or those with ulterior motives. Simultaneously, they should promote further easing of tensions Fish-Man Race and humans, aligning with the " Beacon's " philosophy of guiding civilization towards harmony.
2. Pluton "Pluton: The blueprints are already encrypted and stored by the " Beacon," so no further processing is needed. However, we need to be wary of any forces that may know parts of the blueprints (such as the Revolutionary Army, who may have clues, and the World Government, who may also be secretly searching). Franky and Nami should keep an eye on this matter and, if necessary, use the rules of the " Beacon " to interfere and ensure that the blueprints are not restored.
3. Imu and the World Government: This is the most complex and dangerous part. Imu is extremely well-hidden, having controlled the World Government for eight hundred years. He may have even stolen some of the secondary authority or fragments of the " Beacon," making his strength and resources unfathomable. A direct assault on Mary Geoise is not the best strategy (it could trigger global unrest, and Imu might resort to unknown means in desperation). The plan involves Allen, Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji as the core fighting force, with Robin providing intelligence support, employing a strategy combining "decapitation" and "revealing the truth." Specific steps: First, using the " Sparks Brand " to detect the " Beacon's " energy, attempt to locate items or locations related to the " Beacon " that Imu might be hiding; second, collect conclusive evidence of Imu and the World Government's hidden crimes (combined with historical facts); finally, choose the right moment to strike at the heart of the problem, defeating Imu while controlling the sphere of influence as much as possible, and exposing him to the public, thus overturning the legitimacy of his rule. This requires meticulous planning, formidable strength, and... possible cooperation from other resistance forces such as the Revolutionary Army (e. g., Dragon, Sabo ).
"This will be our 'final adventure' after our return," Allen concluded. "The difficulty and danger may surpass any battle we've ever fought before. But we must do it. For the buried history, for the oppressed, and for... to fulfill our first duty as ' Watcher' —to clean up the hidden dangers left by the ' Beacon '."
"Hehe, that sounds interesting!" Luffy's eyes burned with fighting spirit. "That old monster named Imu has been hiding for eight hundred years; it's time for him to come out and bask in the sun!"
With the plan set, all that remained were the details of the return journey. Based on the energy fluctuation cycle of the " Well of the Star Sea," Nami selected a stable energy peak three days from now as the optimal time to set off.
In these final three days, the group didn't rest. They further familiarized themselves with the new senses and abilities brought by the " Sparks Brand "; Franky seized the time to make key enhancements and repairs to the Ark Maxim using the readily available special materials and energy in the " Beacon " environment; Robin, Shadow of Noah, and W7 worked together to compile more encrypted information packets that might be helpful for future operations; and the others bid farewell to this Xinghai -sea island that had given them strength and responsibility in their own ways.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
The day of departure.
The Ark Maxim is anchored directly above the " Well of the Star Sea ". Its hull has been reinforced and repaired, shimmering with a more restrained and resilient silver-gray luster than before, and its surface faintly reveals fine, regular patterns that are the same as those of the " Sparks Brand ".
All the "residents" of Laugh Tale — the Shadow of Noah, W7, and the "Light Elves" derived from the rules—gathered on the shore of the surrounding Xinghai to bid them farewell in silence.
["A stable passage to your world's coordinates has been established."] Shadow of Noah's thoughts transmitted, and the seven-colored vortex at the well's mouth spun faster, revealing a straight "tunnel of light" leading to endless depths at its center. ["Sailing along this passage will take approximately seven ' Beacon time' days to reach the exit. The coordinates are located above the sea near Wano Country in the latter half of your world's ' Grand Line' —this is a relatively stable landing point calculated backwards from your initial spatial anchor point."]
"The passageway is smooth and orderly, but please remain vigilant. Upon reaching the exit, there may be some spatial jolting, which is normal."
"Finally, in the final name of ' Beacon ' and ' Spirit Source Civilization,' I thank you once again for everything you have done." Shadow of Noah's radiant face appeared incredibly solemn. "You have not only inherited the 'legacy,' but also given it new meaning and hope. The ' Sparks ' has been ignited; the future is promising."
W7 also released its final message: ["Data record update: The Straw Hat Pirates, the inheritors of the Spark, have completed the initial trial of ' Legacy Watch ' and are officially setting sail for home. Observation status adjusted to: Long-term silent monitoring, high-potential support sequence. Best wishes for... good fortune."]
"Goodbye, Laugh Tale! Goodbye, Shadow of Noah! Goodbye, W7!" Luffy stood at the bow of the ship, waving his Straw Hat vigorously. "Wait for us! We'll definitely come back! With adventure stories and delicious meat!"
"Take care!" everyone shouted in unison.
Allen took one last look at the dazzling Xinghai, at the Giant Tree of Spiritual Light that supported the heavens and the earth, and at the consciousnesses that felt like family. A warm pulse emanated from the " Sparks Brand " within his soul.
He turned and walked toward the bridge.
" Franky, set sail."
"SUPER~ Understood! The Ark Maxim, the final journey home—departure!"
The thrusters emitted a deep, powerful roar, and the stellar power reactor operated at full power. The silver spaceship slowly adjusted its attitude, its bow pointing towards the tunnel of light, and then, without hesitation, it entered it and disappeared into the dazzling seven-colored radiance.
The whirlpool in the Well of the Star Sea gradually resumed its gentle rotation.
Laugh Tale returned to silence, leaving only the eternal flow of rules and silent vigil.
And that ship, carrying hope, dreams, and responsibilities, has embarked on its journey home.
After passing through a long tunnel filled with pure light, the concept of time became blurred. Some people rested, some gathered their thoughts, and some conducted final adaptation training.
Seven days later.
The countdown on the navigation screen reached zero. Ahead, at the end of the tunnel of light, a rotating, wave-like "exit" came into view!
"Prepare to exit the passage! Everyone, hold on tight!" Nami shouted.
The speed of the Ark Maxim began to slow, the hull trembled gently, and it slowly and steadily passed through the water-like exit.
In an instant, the light vanished!
Outside the porthole, it was no longer a magnificent Xinghai or pure light, but rather—
Azure skies! White clouds! And... below, the boundless, surging, familiar Grand Line sea!
The salty and refreshing sea breeze rushed in through the open cabin window!
"The sea! It's the sea!" Usopp rushed to the porthole and shouted excitedly.
"We're back! We're really back!" Chopper exclaimed, tears welling in his eyes.
"The smell of the air... yes, it's the smell of our world!" Sanji took a deep breath.
Zoro, sword in hand, a slight smile playing on his lips. Robin gazed into the distance with a gentle smile. Franky struck his signature pose. Brook played a cheerful tune. Jinbe wore a relieved smile. Luffy, meanwhile, excitedly ran onto the deck, shouting towards the sea, "Yo-ho--!!! We're back--!!!"
Allen walked onto the deck, gazing at the ocean he had been away from for so long, yet which seemed like only yesterday. He felt the steady pulse of the Star Core Mark within his body and the " Sparks Brand " in his soul, and his heart was filled with indescribable emotions and pride.
I'm back.
With an epic journey spanning two universes.
Bearing the heavy legacy of a destroyed civilization and fervent hopes.
It carries with it the power and truth to shake the world.
They also carry with them their unchanging original aspiration to pursue freedom and adventure.
Their ship hovered above the Grand Line, like returning kings or newly born travelers.
Ahead lies a familiar route, an unfinished adventure, "historical problems" awaiting resolution, the destination of each companion's dream, and... the world they, as " Sparks Watcher," must protect and guide.
" Nami," Allen turned to the navigator, "Where are we?"
Nami quickly checked her instruments. "Confirmed! Located in the New World, approximately 500 nautical miles southeast of Wano Country! Climate... normal! Ocean currents... stable!"
"Alright." Allen nodded, his gaze sweeping over each of his crew members before finally settling on Luffy. "Captain, where do we go next?"
Luffy adjusted his straw Straw Hat, grinned, and pointed to the distant horizon:
"Is that even a question?"
"Raise the sails! Set sail!"
"Target--"
"First, beat up the guys who need to be beaten up, and then take care of the troubles that need to be dealt with!"
"Then--"
"Let's continue our adventure, find the final ONE PIECE, and become the Pirate King!"
"Oh--!!!"
The sails (auxiliary) of the Ark Maxim unfurled once more, the ship lowered its altitude, and landed lightly on the sea, splashing up white waves.
A giant silver ship, carrying returning travelers and hopeful Sparks, cuts through the azure sea under the long-awaited sunlight, embarking on a new voyage in its predetermined direction.