After leaving the Time Sand Ruins, the Combined Fleet received a set of warm coordinates-Heartwhisper Garden. According to the Time Sand Guardian's final gift, this was a sanctuary of the ancient mind communicators, capable of helping different beings achieve profound understanding.
"Heartwhisper Garden..." Sabo felt the warm pulses from the information. "The records say there are no language barriers there. All minds can communicate directly." Ace asked curiously, "Direct mind reading?" Luffy's rubber face scrunched up. "Then wouldn't everyone know when I don't want to eat meat?" Allen extended his Time Perception and smiled. "The flow of time there... is filled with the warmth of understanding... it's one of the rare timelines completely free of conflict."
As Pluton approached Heartwhisper Garden, a reassuring warmth enveloped everyone. The island itself resembled a gigantic flower, its petals formed from various soft colors of light, with bubbles of friendly emotion floating through the air.
"Welcome, friends seeking understanding." A being made of light came forward to greet them. "I am the Heartwhisper Gardener. Here, every mind can find resonance."
The Gardener led them into the garden. Something wondrous happened immediately-although the Gardener spoke an unknown language, everyone could understand its meaning directly! More amazingly, they could also communicate directly with one another's minds!
"Wow! We really can understand directly!" Luffy's thoughts passed straight into everyone's minds. "This feels... so strange," Ace said, somewhat unaccustomed to it. "It greatly improves efficiency," Sabo analyzed rationally. "More genuine than language," Allen said with a smile.
The garden had various areas: the Empathy Pool allowed people to experience others' feelings; the Understanding Grove allowed them to share memories; the Reconciliation Pavilion could resolve years of misunderstandings.
As everyone explored the garden, they reached many unprecedented understandings:
Whitebeard sat down in the Reconciliation Pavilion with several pirate captains who had once been his enemies. They instantly understood the helplessness behind one another's positions, and years of hatred turned into mutual appreciation.
The Revolutionary Army and representatives of certain kingdoms experienced one another's difficult choices in the Empathy Pool, reaching unexpected cooperation agreements.
Even Hancock let everyone experience her suffering as a slave in the Understanding Grove, as well as her gratitude after Allen saved her, changing many people's views of her.
The most profound experience was that of Allen and his three brothers in the Empathy Pool:
Luffy let his brothers experience his understanding of the "Pirate King"-not power, but ultimate freedom; Ace shared his feelings of inferiority as the "Devil Child" and how much he cherished his family; Sabo showed the weight and responsibility of his revolutionary ideals; Allen let the three experience the burden of the Power of Time and his longing for change.
"So it's been this hard for you..." For the first time, Luffy truly understood Allen's burden. "We've only been seeing the surface," Ace said with feeling. "We need to do a better job of sharing the burden," Sabo promised.
In the midst of this deep exchange, Heartwhisper Garden suddenly shook! A group of Heart-Barrier People were attacking the garden's core! They feared the transparency of minds and were trying to destroy this sanctuary!
"Destroy what we don't understand!" the Heart-Barrier leader shrieked. "No one has the right to peer into my heart!"
The Gardener explained anxiously, "The Heart-Barrier People fear being understood, because it means facing their true selves."
The Heart-Barrier People's method of attack was bizarre-they released the Mist of Misunderstanding, making clear mental communication muddled and chaotic! Misunderstanding and suspicion began to arise within the Combined Fleet!
"He's doubting me!" "She just looked down on me!" "They're planning to betray us!"
The harmony was shattered, and trust began to crumble!
"We must purify the mist!" the Gardener urged. "With the pure light of understanding!"
Allen discovered the key through his Time Perception. "The mist exploits the insecurities in everyone's hearts! We have to break through from within!"
He was the first to open his heart, showing everyone all his fears and unease-his fear of failure, the crushing weight of responsibility, and even his worries about his brothers!
Something astonishing happened: when they were honest with one another, the Mist of Misunderstanding could gain no foothold! Greatly encouraged, the others followed his example:
Whitebeard showed his worries about his sons' futures; Dragon revealed the countless times he had despaired on the path of revolution; Hancock laid bare the deep trauma of her enslavement; even the strongest warriors exposed the vulnerability in their hearts!
The more honest they were, the more the mist dispersed! The Heart-Barrier People's attack instead brought about an even deeper understanding!
The Heart-Barrier leader frantically intensified the mist, but this only bound the Combined Fleet's minds more closely together! Finally, amid the ultimate resonance of their minds, the mist dissipated completely!
The Heart-Barrier People stared in shock at the unharmed garden. "Why... aren't you afraid of being seen through..." Allen replied gently, "Because true strength means daring to show vulnerability."
Many of the Heart-Barrier People came to a realization, laid down their weapons, and joined the garden. The few extremists were subdued and received mental treatment.
At the garden's core, Allen discovered the ultimate wisdom of the ancient mind communicators: understanding was not agreement, but acceptance of differences. True communication was not persuasion, but empathy.
Imu's distortion lay in his fear of differences and pursuit of absolute unity, which instead cost him the true power of understanding.
When they left Heartwhisper Garden, everyone received Heartwhisper Flower Seeds, which could establish mental connections when needed.
The fleet's mutual understanding reached an unprecedented level. They needed neither words nor gestures; a single glance was enough to understand one another's intentions.
Luffy was still boisterous, but better able to appreciate others' feelings; Ace was still hot-blooded, but more considerate; Sabo was still rational, but more empathetic; even the most stubborn people learned to put themselves in others' shoes.
Standing at Pluton's bow and looking back at Heartwhisper Garden as it gradually receded, Allen held seeds that gave off a warm glow.
True connection was not control, but understanding and respect.
This wisdom of the heart would guide them to change the world in a more inclusive way.
Pluton sailed toward the final journey, carrying a profound respect for the diversity of life.
And this respect might be the very key to opposing Imu's absolute unity.