The deathly silence that Super Soldier Company the communication blackout lasted only a few seconds.
Immediately, the entire City of Tranquil Echo surged like a deep pool tossed with Boulder, but not in a state of panic. Instead, it was a highly efficient, cold, and urgent operation, like the starting of a precision machine.
"Activate the ' Deep Blue Protocol ' to its highest state of readiness! Shift all energy supplies from non-essential areas to reserve reserves! Awaken all slumbering ancient guardians! Activate the ' Silent Spire ' for full-area scanning, focusing on monitoring the Ocean Current Graveyard coordinates and all nearby spatial anomalies!" Speaker Aisera's commands were transmitted instantly throughout the entire council headquarters via the mental network.
Inside the hall, the elders no longer hesitated. Each of them shone with the light representing their race and duty, and they all left their seats to go to their respective posts. Tortuga hurriedly bowed to Allen and the others before leaving as well. His mission was to assemble and prepare the council's most elite " Deep-Sea Guardians " legion.
"Lord Allen, please follow me." Aisera looked at Allen, her azure vortex eyes filled with unprecedented solemnity. "Time is of the essence; we must begin immediately. The Council's core ' Ancient Memory Corridor ' and 'Rule Analysis Chamber' will be fully open to you. You need to master the technology to stabilize and reinforce spatial passages as quickly as possible, and... understand all the weaknesses we know about that ancient Source of Corruption."
"My crew..." Allen looked at Luffy and the others.
"They can go to the ' Coral Sacred Spring ' to rest and recover, which is the best place for the council to nourish their life energy," Aisera said. "At the same time, I will arrange for special mentors to teach them some combat techniques in the deep-sea environment, as well as secret methods to combat corrupting spiritual pollution, based on their abilities and characteristics. The more prepared they are, the greater their chances of victory."
Allen nodded and looked at his companions. "Everyone, hurry up and recover and improve. Especially our defense against mental pollution. We already felt the pressure from the mental attack we suffered against the Nest of Corruption."
"Don't worry, Allen! We'll get stronger!" Luffy his fist, his eyes filled with the familiar fighting spirit.
"Don't underestimate us," Zoro said with a smirk.
"We must find a way to consistently make corrosion-resistant dishes..." Sanji had already begun to think.
Guided by a friendly water spirit elder, the Straw Hat Pirates headed to the Coral Sacred Spring. Meanwhile, Allen followed Aisera, passing through several barriers formed by flowing water curtains and spatial ripples, and entered the most central forbidden area of Deep-Sea Council.
The first place we arrived at was the " Ancient Memory Corridor." This was not a corridor in the physical sense, but a huge biological neural network space composed of countless glowing jellyfish and crystals. As Allen stepped into it, he immediately felt a vast, Xinghai- like flow of information rushing toward his consciousness. This information was not text or images, but direct spiritual inheritance and fragments of memory.
He witnessed the birth and transformation of the ancient ocean, the rise of intelligent races and the establishment of alliances, the outbreak and tragic sacrifice of the first " Chaos Tide " (the corruption event of ancient times), and the epic tale of the first members of the Deep-Sea Council who, one after another, sacrificed their lives to seal the Source of Corruption deep within the " Abyss Corridor "...
He also witnessed knowledge about the mysteries of space—the intelligent marine races possessed a unique understanding of water flow and space. They recorded the characteristics of many natural spatial nodes along the Grand Line and even in the Calm Belt, as well as ancient techniques for using water flow, sound waves, and life energy to interfere with, stabilize, or even temporarily open spatial passages. Among these techniques, those concerning "energy resonance anchoring," "spatial weaving," and "dimensional foam isolation" were of crucial reference value for Allen's next task. "Locating and stabilizing the corruption passage."
A massive flow of information assaulted Allen's consciousness. If it weren't for the " Sparks Brand " in his soul stabilizing his mind and the powerful information processing ability granted by the Eye of the Torch Dragon, he would have been instantly overwhelmed by this vast amount of ancient memories. Like a greedy sponge, he frantically absorbed, understood, and digested this knowledge, verifying and merging it with his own understanding of time and space.
In just half a day (in the Memory Corridor, the flow of time seemed different from the outside world), Allen felt that his understanding of the rules of space had taken a big step forward. If his previous use of spacetime was more based on the innate instinct of the Torch Dragon Fruit and a rudimentary grasp of the rules, now he was beginning to truly "understand" some of the underlying principles and mechanisms.
"Next is the 'Rule Analysis Chamber,'" Aisera's voice roused him from his sea of memories. "There are records of the Council's powerful figures throughout history researching and analyzing the power of corruption, as well as... 'samples' extracted from captured or purified corrupted creations."
The rule analysis chamber is more like a laboratory. In the center floats a dark purple crystal isolated by multiple pure water-attribute energy fields—it is a relatively stable sample of corruption energy crystals collected from an early corruption point. Around it float many water flow screens with constantly changing shapes, recording dense data and analysis reports.
Allen placed his hand outside the isolation field, simultaneously activating the Eye of the Torch Dragon and the Sparks Power, carefully sensing the crystal.
Cold, viscous, greedy, twisted... filled with hatred and a desire to devour all "order" and "life". But unlike the active corruption felt in the previous battle, the "malice" inside this isolated crystalline sample seems to be in a relatively "inert" state.
"We've discovered that pure 'order' energy, especially highly condensed rule power imbued with the concepts of 'purification' and 'life protection,' has an extremely strong restraining effect on corruption," Aisera explained. "Your ' Sparks ' perfectly fits this description. However, the Source of Corruption itself is at an extremely high level of power and is deeply bound to the extreme environment of the ' Abyss Corridor,' possibly even drawing upon some of the power of the ' Chaos Void,' making conventional purification ineffective in reaching its core."
She pointed to a water-like screen displaying a complex three-dimensional energy structure, at its core a constantly pulsating dark dot. "This is the possible core energy structure of the Source of Corruption, deduced based on historical records and recent monitoring. It is surrounded by multiple layers of 'corruption field,' 'mental pollution layer,' 'space distortion shield,' and 'symbiotic tissue buffer layer.' Your purification attack must penetrate all these defenses and directly strike its most core ' Chaos consciousness aggregation point' to completely dismantle it. Otherwise, it can rapidly regenerate through its connection with the environment."
Allen stared at the structural diagram, combining the characteristics of the Nest of Corruption he had observed in the previous battle with the ancient malice he sensed at the other end of the passage, and gradually sketched out a clear attack path and difficulties in his mind.
"I need a purification method that can 'ignore' or 'quickly dismantle' the outer defenses and reach the core," Allen pondered. "Perhaps we could combine the 'purification' rules with the abilities of 'spatial penetration,' ' Time Acceleration,' or even 'concept locking'..."
"This is precisely the part you need to figure out and create for yourself." Aisera nodded. "The Council's knowledge can provide you with the foundation and ideas, but the fighting style best suited to you can only be honed by yourself. Time... we still have a little time. But we must hurry."
Allen once again immersed himself in perceiving the corrupted sample and deducing its rules. The power of Sparks flowed within him, simulating various attack patterns and rule combinations...
Meanwhile, outside...
The Coral Sacred Spring is a thermal pool surrounded by enormous, living corals that emit a soft blue light. The water contains pure life energy and a soothing rhythm.
Immersed in the water, the Straw Hat Pirates's fatigue quickly subsided, and even the hidden injuries from the battle were gently healed. Several assigned deep-sea mentors (an ancient Sea Kings elder skilled in mental protection, a Fish-Man monk proficient in underwater combat, and a water spirit priest who could manipulate water currents for support and healing) imparted techniques to combat corruption and adapt to the extreme environment of the deep sea, based on each individual's strengths.
Luffy is experimenting with combining Armament Haki with water pressure to develop a more penetrating and wide-range " Gum-Gum Water Current Fighting Style "; Zoro is trying to extend the concept of "severing" in slashing attacks to energy connections and spatial folds; Sanji is researching how to combine flames and water to create a continuously burning " Deep-Sea Flame "; Nami is trying to use water-attribute energy to enhance her control over the Clima-Tact; Chopper is developing an anti-mental pollution enhancement drug; Robin is researching how to use her abilities to quickly construct defensive and binding structures in deep water; Franky is optimizing the Ark Maxim and the deep-sea combat modules of his General Form; Brook is figuring out how to make soul sound waves travel farther and penetrate more effectively underwater; Usopp is frantically creating various anti-corrosion and anti-mental interference plant Seed and special ammunition...
Everyone knew that the upcoming battle would likely be the most dangerous and arduous of their adventuring careers. The enemy wasn't just a powerful monster, but also involved the mysteries of space, the corruption of the mind, and unknown threats possibly from other universes. They had to become stronger!
Outside the headquarters of the Deep-Sea Council, Speaker Aisera's call to arms was also sent to all parties in the ocean at top speed.
On Fish-Man Island, King Neptune and his three princes, upon receiving an urgent message from the Deep-Sea Council, immediately assembled their most elite royal army and royal guard, led by Jinbe (who had temporarily left the party to return and lead the troops) and Prince Manboshi, and set off for the City of Tranquil Echo aboard a giant sea beast. Princess Shirahoshi, though worried, firmly stated that she would pray from the rear and was ready to use the power of Poseidon for remote support at any time (although the effects of her power on corrupting creations were unknown, controlling ocean currents might provide assistance).
At the Revolutionary Army Headquarters, after receiving a secret letter delivered by a special deep-sea messenger (which outlined the threat of the Source of Corruption and the potential crisis affecting the entire world), Dragon held an emergency meeting with Sabo, Ivankov, and others. They ultimately decided that Sabo would lead an elite Revolutionary Army cadre squad (including some Fish-Man Race members skilled in underwater warfare) equipped with the Revolutionary Army's latest technology to provide support. Dragon himself would remain at headquarters, vigilant for any potential attempts by the World Government to undermine the regime, and coordinate intelligence from all sides.
Even more remarkably, through special channels, a vetted intelligence report was delivered to the desk of the new Fleet Admiral (hypothetically, a newly promoted powerhouse like Koby or Akainu after their retirement). Despite the complex relationship between the Navy, the Straw Hat Pirates, and the Revolutionary Army, the Navy, after intense internal debate over the potential threat of "corruption" that could destroy the entire marine ecosystem and even the world, ultimately decided to secretly dispatch a special task force composed of former Admiral Fujitora (whose Press-Press Fruit ability might be surprisingly effective in the deep sea) and an elite Science Unit (equipped with Seastone technology and energy weapons) to the relevant waters under the guise of "observing and responding to unknown threats," to await orders and decide whether to intervene based on the situation.
In an instant, undercurrents surged in the depths of the Grand Line, as various forces converged on the same goal. A massive encirclement and suppression network targeting the Source of Corruption was quietly being deployed.
Three days passed in the midst of intense preparations.
On the morning of the fourth day.
Allen emerged from the secret chamber of rule analysis. In addition to the usual silver brilliance, his eyes now held a deep, azure ripple that seemed to see through the rules of all things—a mark left after absorbing the ancient knowledge of the Deep-Sea Council. His aura was more restrained, but the subtle fluctuations of rules he exuded still moved Aisera, who was guarding outside the door.
"It seems we've had a very fruitful harvest," Aisera said.
"I've managed to get a rough idea," Allen nodded. "Based on the characteristics of ' Sparks,' I've initially conceived several attack patterns targeting the Source of Corruption itself. But they need to be tested in actual combat. I've also basically mastered the technology for locating and stabilizing the passage. Now, we need to immediately begin trying to locate that collapsed passage."
"The monitoring network just reported a message." Aisera's expression was far from relaxed. "Just an hour ago, the Silent Spire detected unusually active spatial fluctuations near the original core area coordinates of the Ocean Current Graveyard. It's not a natural recovery, but... regular, corrupting 'traction' fluctuations. We suspect that the Source of Corruption itself may be attempting to reconnect or repair that passage from the other end!"
"What?!" Allen's pupils contracted. "It reacted so quickly? And... it can actually actively repair the passage that was severely damaged by ' Sparks '?"
"I'm afraid so," Aisera said in a deep voice. "We may still underestimate its intelligence and capabilities. It seems extremely eager to rebuild that 'avatar incubation ground,' or... it sensed that the passage was attacked by an external force and wants to investigate. In any case, this is both a crisis and an opportunity—if it actively repairs the passage, its stability will temporarily increase, making it easier for us to locate and reverse stabilize it. But we must complete the location and... reverse infiltration before it fully repairs itself and may set up new traps!"
"No time to lose!" Allen said decisively, "Let's go immediately! Where are my companions?"
"They are ready and waiting outside the Coral Sacred Spring. The First Legion of the ' Deep-Sea Guardians,' directly under the Council, and Tortuga have also assembled. Other allied forces are on their way; we will notify them to proceed directly to the target area to rendezvous."
Ten minutes later.
Carrying the Ark Maxim Straw Hat Pirates, now at full strength and with an increasingly refined demeanor, and protected by dozens of giant Deep-Sea Guardians (including whale warriors, heavily armored giant clams, water elemental manipulators, swift Fish-Man assassins, etc.), the Ark Proverb once again shot towards that recently calmed sea area— the Ocean Current Graveyard —like a silver arrow from the deep sea.
This time, it's no longer a trial or a partial cleanup.
Rather, it was a preliminary battle, a true prelude to the final showdown, a direct assault on the enemy's heartland!
Objective: Locate and seize the spatial passage that is being repaired by the Source of Corruption!
When Ark Maxim broke through the relatively calm turbulence on the outskirts of the Ocean Current Graveyard and entered the core area, the scene before it confirmed the alarm from the monitoring network.
The vortex area, which had gradually calmed down after the destruction of the Nest of Corruption, has now reappeared at its center with a slowly rotating dark purple energy vortex, several hundred meters in diameter! The vortex did not form naturally; its edges were extremely regular, radiating a strong, more condensed corruption energy wave, originating from the same source as the Nest of Corruption. The center of the vortex was bottomless, with a faint dark red light shining through, as if connected to some incomparably deep and evil place.
Even more unsettling is that the space around the vortex seems to have been forcibly "smoothed" and "reinforced" by an invisible force. The originally raging ocean currents and spatial rifts become docile and orderly near the vortex, as if they are paying homage to their "king".
"It's... modifying the environment, establishing a stable 'passage entrance'!" Robin exclaimed in shock.
"The energy readings continue to climb! The stability of the passage is rapidly increasing!" Xi's voice came through the communicator, tinged with anxiety. "At this rate, the passage should be completely repaired and stabilized in half a day at most! At that time, the power of the Source of Corruption will be able to be projected more smoothly, and it might even be able to directly transmit part of its main body or powerful minions!"
"We can't let it succeed!" Allen's eyes sharpened. " Franky, Ark Maxim at full power, advance towards the center of the vortex! The rest of you, prepare to deal with any defensive forces that may emerge from the passage! Tortuga, Deep-Sea Guardian Legion, protect the flanks and clear out any external interference!"
"Yes, sir!"
"SUPER~ Go for it!"
The Ark Maxim shone with seven-colored light, and the Order Barrier was fully opened, like a silver whale swimming against the current, crashing headlong into the dark purple vortex!
Just as the bow of the ship was about to touch the edge of the whirlpool—
At the center of the vortex, the dark red light suddenly intensified!
Several enormous, dark purple tentacles, covered in thick keratin and energy patterns, and tipped with suckers and sharp teeth, shot out from the depths of the vortex like venomous snakes that had been waiting for a long time! Each tentacle exuded a terrifying aura far exceeding that of the previous guardians of the Nest of Corruption, and, moreover, many eyes that opened and closed constantly, emitting mental pollution, were embedded in the surface of the tentacles!
At the same time, an ancient spiritual fluctuation, mixed with endless greed, malice, and a trace of... doubt and anger, swept out from the depths of the passage like a storm:
"It's you again... the scent of Sparks... the disruptor... the purifier..."
"How dare you... injure my body... destroy my passage..."
"Now... they actually dare to... deliver themselves right to our doorstep..."
"Then... stay forever in this... corrupt Abyss... prepared just for you!!!"
With this mental roar, more tentacles surged out, the vortex expanded rapidly, and a terrifying suction force came, attempting to drag the Ark Maxim and the entire fleet into the depths of the passage!
The very will of the Source of Corruption, through the still unstable passage, has already cast its gaze upon us and launched an attack!
The prelude to the final battle unfolded in a far more intense and direct manner than anticipated...
It opened with a bang!