Two years and three months after the Gate of the Void incident.
The world of One Piece, New Marineford.
This place was once the location of the Marine Headquarters, a symbol of the World Government's power. However, after Imu and the Five Elders were destroyed, the old Marineford sank completely in that great war, and the new United Government chose to rebuild its administrative center on an island group 300 nautical miles north of the original site.
Today, " New Marineford " is no longer an isolated island, but a ring-shaped archipelago composed of seven artificial islands. Each island represents a major power region in the pirate world, and on the largest central island, " Island of Balance," stands the white domed building of the Joint Council.
Today marks the second anniversary of the establishment of the Joint Council and the day the inter-universe communication agreement was officially signed.
The central square of the Island of Balance was packed with people.
Representatives from all corners of the world and the Grand Line gathered here: the Revolutionary Army's flag stood alongside the Kingdom's crown, the pirate crew's skull and crossbones flag fluttered in designated areas, and the merchant guild's emblem mingled with the badge of a technological organization. Representatives from various races, Fish-Man Race, Giants, Longarm Tribe, and Tontatta, were all present.
The most eye-catching area is the VIP section on the east side of the square, where guests from another universe are seated.
Angel Yan wore a simple silver-white dress, her folded wings shimmering softly in the sunlight. Beside her stood Ge Xiaolun in a black military uniform and Rena in a red combat suit. Liu Chuang, Qilin, Zhao Xin, and other core members of the Super Soldier Company were also present.
"It's more diverse than we imagined," Ge Xiaolun said to Yan in a low voice, looking around.
Yan nodded slightly. "This is the world that Allen protected. Chaotic, but full of vitality."
Rena, chin in hand, watched with interest a fire-breathing acrobatic troupe perform. "Speaking of which," she said, "Your ' Devil Fruit ' concept is really interesting. If we could figure out the principles behind it and apply them to our genetic engineering..."
"It's best not to," a voice interjected.
Everyone turned around and saw Zoro walking over. Two years had made the swordsman's temperament more reserved, but the sharpness in his eyes had become even more intense. He had three swords hanging at his waist— Wado Ichimonji, Sandai Kitetsu, and a brand new sword with a star pattern engraved on its scabbard.
" Devil Fruit are part of the rules of this world; forcibly transplanting one could disrupt the balance." Zoro sat down opposite Yan. "This is something Allen said before."
The atmosphere paused slightly when Allen was mentioned.
"Still no news from him?" Zoro asked, his voice calm, but his fingers tightened around the hilt of his sword.
Yan shook his head. " The Void realm remains calm. But the cosmic 'heartbeat' we've been monitoring is becoming increasingly regular. The latest data shows that the fluctuation curves of Chaos and order are approaching a theoretical equilibrium point."
How much longer?
"It's unpredictable. It could be years, it could be decades." Yan looked directly into Zoro's eyes. "Are you... ready?"
Zoro smiled slightly, "I prepare every day."
Suddenly, the noise in the square quieted down.
The representatives of the Joint Council ascended the central platform. Leading them were three people:
Sabo, the Chief of the General Staff of the Revolutionary Army, represents the revolutionary forces;
Former Marine Admiral Fujitora Issho represents the remaining forces of order from the former World Government;
And—unexpectedly for everyone—Boa Hancock, one of the Shichibukai, representing the independent forces of Amazon Lily and the Amazon Lily seas.
Sabo walked to the podium and cleared his throat:
"Ladies and gentlemen, two years ago today, we established this Joint Council on the ruins of war. We did not choose to rebuild a supreme World Government, but instead chose a model of joint governance and mutual checks and balances."
"Over the past two years, we have experienced disagreements, conflicts, and even small-scale armed skirmishes. But ultimately, we have all chosen to return to the negotiating table—because we all remember that the war two years ago taught us that the real enemy is never each other."
He paused, then his voice became even more forceful:
"Today, we have reached a historic moment. Through the bridge of the Straw Hat Pirates, we have reached a formal diplomatic agreement with a civilization from another universe— the Earth United Government to which the Super Soldier Company belongs."
Thunderous applause erupted.
Fujitora stepped forward; although he was blind, he could clearly see the direction of the crowd.
The agreement includes: technical exchange, cultural understanding, security cooperation, and most importantly—the joint establishment of a cross-universe Void monitoring network.
"The threat of the Void has not completely disappeared. Our hero, Portgas D. Allen, is still fighting for the balance of the two universes deep within the Void. All we can do is protect these two worlds until he returns."
Hancock was the last to speak. The universally acknowledged world's most beautiful woman was not wearing her signature cheongsam today, but rather a smart white military uniform, with her long hair tied in a high ponytail.
Her voice was clear, cool, and firm:
"On behalf of the Amazon Lily and its seventeen member island nations, I hereby announce the establishment of the ' Star Sea Defense Fleet.' The fleet will utilize some of the technology provided by the Super Soldier Company, combined with the shipbuilding techniques of this world and Devil Fruit abilities, to specifically patrol inter-space Sea Route and defend against potential threats from the remnants of Chaos."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the members of the Super Soldier Company the VIP area, finally settling on Void:
"This is my promise... no, this is the promise we all made to that person."
"Protect 'our world' until he returns."
There was a moment of silence, followed by even more enthusiastic applause.
After the ceremony, at the New Marineford port.
A uniquely shaped ship is making its final preparations for departure.
It has the Thousand Sunny, but the hull is larger and the lines are more streamlined. There is a huge wing-like structure on each side of the hull, and the surface is covered with a light blue energy membrane - that is the anti-gravity levitation technology provided by the Super Soldier Company. In addition to the Straw Hat Pirates ' flag, a new secondary flag embroidered with the Torch Dragon totem has been added to the mast.
" Franky, can this ship really travel between universes?" Usopp asked nervously.
"SUPER—of course!" Franky struck his signature pose. "I've combined Vegapunk's ancient technology, the interstellar travel technology of the Super Soldier Company, and the Wind Dial propulsion system I got from Sky Island! This ' New Thousand Sunny ' can sail on the sea, fly in the air, and even briefly enter outer space!"
Nami is inspecting the new equipment in the navigation room—a holographic star map projector that can display the relative positions and Sea Route of two universes.
"Three stable passages have been established from the One Piece world to the Super Soldier Company universe." She pulled up a star map. "According to the data provided by Miss Yan, the fastest one only takes seven days to traverse."
Chopper ran across the deck carrying a huge pile of medicine bottles. "I've developed a panacea for cosmic radiation and low-pressure environments! And a tranquilizer for Triangle Bodies mental attacks!"
Sanji poked his head out of the kitchen. "The food reserves are enough for a three-month voyage! I've even researched recipes that combine ingredients from two universes—like Sea Kings meat with spices from the Angel Civilization..."
Brook sat at the bow of the boat tuning his new violin. "Wow, this violin has a star crystal embedded in its soundbox, which is said to make music travel farther... maybe even to Allen?"
Jinbe inspected the Fish-Man Race underwater propulsion system at the bottom of the ship. "If necessary, we can dive into the deep sea to evade pursuit."
Zoro swung his sword in the training room, each strike accompanied by a ripple that seemed to slice through space.
And Luffy--
He stood on the highest observation deck at the bow of the ship, wearing that Straw Hat that would never change, gazing at the distant horizon.
"Captain, everything is ready!" Franky reported.
Luffy didn't turn around, but simply asked, "Is everyone here?"
"Except for Miss Robin, who said she would arrive a little later to check one last document in the parliamentary archives."
"Then let's wait for her."
Ten minutes later, Robin hurriedly boarded the ship, holding a yellowed rubbing in his hand.
"Found it." A rare look of excitement crossed her face. "It's in the last piece of the Void Century's Poneglyph —the record of the ' Weavers ' civilization coming into this world."
Everyone gathered around.
Robin unfolds the seal, which bears ancient writing and star charts:
[... Weavers from beyond the stars descended, carrying the Spark. At that time, Chaos first appeared in this world, the Devil Tree grew wildly, and the Seastone veins spread disorderly...]
[Using the Spark as a guide, the Weavers weaves a ' Web of Order ' within the rules of this realm, restraining Chaos, defining the four seas, and fixing the Red Line...]
[However, the power of the Spark was finite. The Weavers exhausted his life, transforming into the foundation of eternity. The last one left a prophecy: When Chaos returns, the successor of the Spark will return to complete the unfinished balance...]
The text ends here.
Everyone fell silent.
"So..." Nami said softly, " the Sparks that Allen obtained was originally brought to this world by the ' Weavers '?"
"Moreover, the Weavers did the same thing here as Allen is doing now—balancing Chaos and order," Robin analyzed. "Except back then, the main manifestations of Chaos in this world were the ' Devil Tree ' and the ' Seastone Vein'."
Zoro frowned. " The Devil Tree? Could it be...?"
"The origin of Devil Fruit." Robin nodded. "I speculate that Devil Fruit are likely crystallized products of the primordial Chaos energy of this world. The Weavers used the Web of Order to restrain the Chaos, but they couldn't completely eliminate it, so the Chaos remained in the form of fruits."
Franky Satori: "That's why Devil Fruit User are countered by Seastone —because Seastone is also part of the ' Web of Order ' woven by the Weavers!"
"And Seastone only exists in large quantities in this world." Ge Xiaolun's voice came through the communicator—they were seeing someone off at the port—"In our universe, similar substances are extremely rare. This indicates that the Weavers primarily carried out their work of weaving order in this world."
Luffy finally jumped down from the watchtower and adjusted his straw Straw Hat:
"In other words, what Allen is doing now is something that someone started doing a long time ago."
"And this time—" he grinned, "He won't be doing it alone again."
"Sail away!"
The engines of the " New Thousand Sunny " roared, its anti-gravity wings deployed, and the ship slowly rose into the air.
At the port, the Super Soldier Company looked up and watched them go.
"They've really grown up," Rena remarked.
"It's been two years, after all," Yan said softly. "And so have we."
The ship adjusted its course in mid-air, heading towards a pale blue vortex in the sky—the entrance to a stable inter-space Sea Route.
Just before entering the whirlpool, Luffy suddenly ran to the stern of the ship and shouted towards the port and the whole world:
" Allen--!"
The sound echoed between the sea and the sky.
"Let's find more partners! Let's go to more worlds!"
"When you come back--"
He grinned, revealing his brightest smile:
"Let me show you the new adventure we've found!"
The ship was swallowed by the whirlpool and disappeared.
The port was completely silent.
After a long silence, Sanji lit a cigarette and said softly, "That idiot captain... always manages to say the most important thing."
Zoro leaned against the ship's railing, holding his sword, a slight smile playing on his lips.
Nami wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and smiled, "Yes... this is our captain."
The New Thousand Sunny is sailing through the intergalactic Sea Route. Surrounded by dazzling spacetime turbulence, it occasionally sees other civilizations' ships passing by—the formal establishment of diplomatic relations Super Soldier Company Universe and the One Piece world has attracted many third-party civilizations to come and exchange ideas.
On the third day of the voyage, the ship's alarm suddenly sounded.
"Abnormal spatial fluctuations detected!" Franky shouted from the control room. "Unidentified object ahead of the Sea Route!"
On the holographic star map, a red dot of light is rapidly approaching.
"Is it an enemy attack?" Usopp had already set up his new slingshot, " Starry Sky Sniper."
Zoro gripped his sword tightly. "Prepare for battle."
But Luffy, staring at the star chart, suddenly said, "Wait... that fluctuation... I feel like I've sensed it somewhere before."
A few seconds later, a ship emerged from the temporal turbulence.
It was a simple, old-fashioned wooden sailboat, without any high-tech modifications, propelled entirely by sails and oars. Strangely, it was able to navigate through interstellar Sea Route.
A flag was flying on the ship—black background, white skull, and a straw Straw Hat on the skull.
"That's..." Nami's eyes widened.
The ship drew closer. A Red-Haired man wearing Straw Hat stood on the deck, grinning at them.
"Yo, Luffy." Shanks waved. "I heard you're going on a space adventure, wanna hitch a ride?"
" Shanks!" Luffy excitedly onto the ship's side, "What are you doing here?!"
"The entire Red Hair Pirates reporting for duty." Ben Beckman, Yasopp, Lucky Roux, and others appeared one after another behind Shanks. "We heard you're forming the ' Star Sea Alliance,' how could we miss out on such a great opportunity?"
Yasopp winked at Usopp: "Son, I heard you've developed a new bullet that can shoot in space? Let your dad see it?"
Usopp paused for two seconds, then puffed out his chest. "Of course!"
Shanks boarded the New Thousand Sunny and patted Luffy on the shoulder:
"Two years ago, I couldn't get there in time for some reason during the war. This time—"
He gazed at the distant starry sky, his eyes deep and thoughtful.
I won't miss it.
"That kid named Allen is Ace's cousin, the son of an old friend of mine. He shouldered everything alone; it would be too much for us old guys to just stand by and do nothing."
Luffy nodded emphatically. "Yes!"
Shanks ' arrival was just the beginning.
During the rest of their voyage, they encountered other "joiners":
A colossal whale-shaped warship emerged from the deep sea, carrying Princess Shirahoshi and warriors handpicked by the Deep-Sea Council: " The Fish-Man Race will not be absent from this voyage to protect the world."
A technological fleet emerged from a spacetime rift, led by a former Triangle Bodies commander who had been "ordered"—now calling himself the " Star Speaker "—and three hundred transformed former Triangle Bodies warriors. " The Threshold Bearer gave us new life. We will use this new life to help him maintain balance."
There was even a ship bearing the Donquixote Family crest—now owned by Viola and Rebecca, representing Dressrosa and the other seven allied kingdoms. "Mr. Allen saved our country. Now, it's our turn to repay him."
The New Thousand Sunny transformed from a single ship into a fleet.
Luffy stood at the bow of the flagship, with his ever-growing crew behind him.
He recalled Allen's last words two years ago before he stepped into the Gate of the Void:
[Until then... please take care of our world.]
Luffy clenched his fist.
"We will, Allen."
"Not only will they take good care of --"
He gazed at the gradually clearing Super Soldier Company's cosmic border outpost ahead, at the azure planet behind the outpost, and at the endless Xinghai in the distance:
"We will make this world bigger and more wonderful."
"You'll be quite surprised when you come back."
Deep in the starry sky, in a dimension that cannot be observed.
A wisp of platinum flame flickered gently in the dark Sea of Concepts.
As if in response.