Under the escort of the Revolutionary Army fleet and the Thor and Kuja, Pluton sailed through a relatively quiet star field. The ship was riddled with scars, and the newly formed patterns were dim, as if they too were weary. Inside, medical personnel were busy treating the wounded, while engineers were urgently repairing the damaged parts.
Inside the core control room, the atmosphere was heavy. The main members of the coalition forces were gathered here, almost all of them wounded.
Allen was pale and leaning against the wall, receiving emergency treatment from Chopper (if he were on the ship). The aftereffects of overdrawing the Power of Zhulong and his mental strength were very serious, and he would probably be unable to use his full strength again for a short time.
Luffy sat quietly, his Straw Hat on his lap, bandages wrapped around his body, watching the stars drift by outside the window, lost in thought.
Ace's arm was in a cast, and the flames of his Flame of World Purification were somewhat weak due to excessive consumption.
Sabo's injuries were serious, but he still managed to take charge of the situation. Although his Omniscient Domain was damaged, his basic analytical abilities remained.
Tesoro, who was controlling the gold to assist with the repair work, also looked unwell.
Robin, Nami, and others were also present, their faces showing worry.
"The casualty statistics are in..." Sabo's voice was a little hoarse, " The Revolutionary Army soldiers we brought have suffered nearly 30% casualties... Pluton itself has 35% damage to its propulsion system and multiple overloads in its defense system, but the Arks are thankfully intact..."
A moment of silence followed. Although they had successfully escaped, the cost was heavy. The World Government's demonstrated military might and determination far exceeded expectations.
"What are those... monsters that came out of the cracks?" Ace broke the silence first, looking at Allen and Robin.
Robin pondered, "Based on the scattered records in the Pluton Database and the Poneglyph, they are likely beings like the ' Children of the Abyss ' or the 'Old Families' who were banished or isolated from the main universe in ancient times. They are usually chaotic and disordered, and they are indifferent or even hostile to life in the main universe. Their intervention this time... is likely due to Mr. Allen's Awakening Power of Zhulong."
Everyone looked at Allen. Allen nodded slightly, his voice weak but clear. "I can sense... the power of the Torch Dragon, which seems to originate from the same source as theirs, or even... a higher level. When I unleashed my full power, I may have unintentionally emitted some kind of 'signal' that they couldn't ignore, or they may have perceived it as something... that needed a response or observation. Their actions are more out of instinct than to help us."
"Regardless, they certainly disrupted the situation at crucial moments," Sabo concluded. "But this also reminds us that there are many powerful forces in the universe that we cannot understand or control."
"The attitudes of the Three Admirals are also quite subtle," Robin added. " Akainu is fighting to the death, but Aokiji is clearly holding back, and even secretly providing some assistance? Kizaru, on the other hand, is just coasting along the whole time... The World Government is not a monolithic entity either."
"Hmph, that magma bastard!" Luffy suddenly spoke, clenching his fist. "Next time we meet, I'll definitely beat him to a pulp!"
"There will be a chance, Luffy." Ace patted his brother's shoulder, his eyes sharp. "But his strength is indeed formidable; we all need to become stronger."
"After this battle, the World Government will undoubtedly pay even closer attention to us, and the subsequent pursuit will only intensify." Sabo looked at the star map. "We must quickly determine our next destination, a place where we can rest, repair Pluton, and further enhance our strength."
Everyone fell into deep thought. Almost all known star systems were under the surveillance or influence of the World Government.
Just then, in the center of Pluton Core control room, the illusory image of the Emerald Mother Tree once again emitted a soft light, reflecting the surrounding patterns representing the Sea of Mists and Tesoro's gold. The Whispers of All Spirits became clearer, as if they were telling a story.
Robin closed her eyes, carefully sensing the information in the whispers. After a moment, she opened her eyes, a look of surprise and understanding on her face:
" Pluton... or rather, the civilization it embodies, is sending us a coordinate... a very distant galaxy, existing almost exclusively in ancient legends—'The Lethe Stream '."
"Legend has it that it is the last refuge of many lost civilizations, with an extremely unstable spacetime structure, filled with ancient ruins and chaotic energy storms, making it extremely difficult for the World Government to reach. But it is precisely because of its danger and isolation that it may provide us with the breathing space we need, and perhaps even... find an older wisdom or power to fight against Imu's 'Order'."
" The Lethe Stream..." Sabo repeated the name, his Omniscient Domain mobilizing all relevant information. Though scarce, it pointed to an unknown and mysterious region. "Extremely risky, but perhaps the best option right now."
"That sounds interesting!" Luffy's eyes lit up again. "Let's go there!"
"We need time to repair Pluton, and Allen needs time to recover," Ace agreed.
Tesoro nodded, "My gold can be used to aid in the repairs, so that Pluton can regain his sailing ability as soon as possible."
"In that case," Sabo made the decision, "Target: ' The Lethe Stream '! All personnel, prioritize repairing Pluton's propulsion and navigation systems! We must enter that unknown star system before the World Government's next wave of attacks arrives!"
The order was given, Pluton, this battered ark carrying a heavy past and a faint but steadfast hope, adjusted its course and sailed toward the legendary " The Lethe Stream," a place filled with unknowns and dangers.
Their journey has entered a deeper and more unpredictable chapter. What kind of collision will occur between the awakened Power of Zhulong within Allen and the mysterious the Lethe Stream? All of this remains unknown.