The Path Towards the Sun

As the Sea Kings hold Noah away from destruction, Shirahoshi listens to the voices speaking directly to her. They call, "Princess Shirahoshi... we have waited so long... for the day you would be born." Shirahoshi asks, "For me...?" and they answer that Noah "was created to be pulled by us." The duty has been known since long ago, and Shirahoshi wonders, "Is that why the Noah is so big?" The Sea Kings say they know only that, once every few hundred years, "our king is born in the form of one of the merfolk." The reason remains "a mystery," but they tell her plainly, "You... have been our true king from the moment of your birth."

The Sea Kings and the people below try to understand what has happened. Someone says the giants arrived almost as if trying to protect Noah from being destroyed by Luffy. Others ask, "What is it...?" and "That's what it looks like, anyway!" Fukaboshi realizes that Shirahoshi is speaking with them and says, "I do believe she is speaking with the Sea Kings." Manboshi is stunned: "The Sea Kings... Incredible..." The thought turns to their brother: "You don't think Shira-Hoshi could be..." and Fukaboshi understands the scale of it. Their father, Neptune, says, "So you have finally awakened... to your power that could even destroy the world...!!!"

The Sea Kings warn Shirahoshi that the air bubble around Noah is being absorbed into the island. "Look down - the bubble is being absorbed into the island. You should go to him. A human cannot survive in the ocean depths..." Luffy is carried out from the broken ship, blood streaming from his wounds, and Shirahoshi cries, "Luffy-sama!!!" Then the bubble gives way with a violent rush, and she sees Luffy falling toward the water. She reaches for him with a desperate "Oh, no!" as the voices' warning becomes immediate.

The Sea Kings notice something uncanny about Luffy. One asks, "Was I imagining things...?" Another answers, "Hmm?" and then says of "that human with the hat," "He seemed to notice our voices." They can hardly accept it: "It can't be..." Below, Neptune hears something too and shouts, "Who's that muttering out there in these deep waters?!!" On the Sunny, Rayleigh is mentioned as well: "Rayleigh!! Did you hear those voices just now?!" Someone snaps, "What are you talking about? We're in the depths of the ocean... it's deathly quiet!!" The Sea Kings recall, "I remember something similar happened not so long ago..." and another confirms, "So it did, so it did..."

The Sea Kings begin carrying Noah away. The citizens stare upward and scream, "Sea Kings?!!!" and "They're carrying the Noah!!!" Others panic, "They're gonna eat us all up!!!" The Sea Kings discuss the ship's terrible state: "The ship is in a terrible state... D'you think it can be fixed? Is it still usable?" Another answers, "Who knows..." Their hope rests on craftsmen: "Our only hope is the skills of that clan... but times have changed." One still says, "Can it really be fixed? I sure hope it can... before the promised time comes..."

At Ryugu Palace, a minister reports urgent news: "Minister of the Left, we have urgent news to report!" The mermaids who were kidnapped have been recovered, though they are still shaken from the ordeal, and they remember the face of their kidnapper. The report continues with a second disaster: "But that's not all. The palace treasure stores have been emptied bare!!! There isn't a single piece of treasure left...!! Even that great royal treasure, the Tamatebako, is gone!!" The palace itself, just reclaimed from chaos, has been robbed while the royal family was away.

The minister realizes the theft happened quickly during Neptune's absence, but refuses to make it the priority. "This is not the time to worry about petty treasure thieves... not after we came so close to losing the kingdom itself..!!" The order is clear: "Inform the people of Fishman Island that the missing girls are safe. Though it comes far too late, we must make the innocence of the Straw Hats in this matter clear. We have treated them terribly." At Gyoncord Plaza, the citizens argue over it at once. One says, "Did you hear that? It wasn't the Straw Hats behind those kidnappings at all! I knew it!!" Another snaps, "You liar!! Just admit it! You doubted them 'cause they're human!"

The prisoners from Hody's army try to leave Fishman Island before judgment. They shout, "We're beggin' you here, boss-man!! You gotta let us go!!!" and protest, "We didn't want any of this!! It was all Hody and his cronies!!!" Another argues, "There's no point us sticking around now, is there?! We're humans, we ain't got nothin' to do with this island's affairs!!!" and even says, "Heck, this island is a tourist region, right?! It's human pirates like us that fuel your economy, ain't it?!!" Jinbe stands over them and answers that he has not said they will all be beheaded, only that they must await judgment at the hands of the House of Neptune. But he warns, "Any one of you who tries to escape with a floating bubble... I will shoot you down without hesitation." Nearby, Usopp asks, "Hey, Chopper, are you sure you're all right?" and Chopper replies, "Yeah... don't worry about me."

Chopper sits exhausted after Monster Point and explains the cost: "After I use Monster Point, my whole body goes so numb I can't walk for about two or three hours. I can still treat the injured, though! Is anybody hurt?" Sanji immediately uses the moment to collapse across Robin's lap, saying, "Robin-chan! I used my ultimate technique and my whole body aches as well! Rest me on your lap!" Robin answers, "Yeah, you are, idiot." Chopper adds, "Man, that's one freaky doctor!!" Then the crowd sees Shirahoshi descending: "It's the princess!! Look, over there!! The king as well!!" Below, Hody and Van der Decken are dragged into view, chained and defeated.

Shirahoshi returns to the plaza and cries to her father, "Father! I must apologize for worrying you." Neptune answers, "...I'm just glad you're all right." The crowd recognizes the prisoners: "Hody...!!" and "Vander Decken!!" Shirahoshi looks at Hody in silence, remembering the terror he caused. The royal guards present the captured men to the citizens: "Citizens of Fishman Island, have no fear!! These men... will roam free no longer!!" Hody and Van der Decken sit bound together in heavy chains, their rebellion reduced to a public display of defeat.

The people stare at Hody's monstrous face and shudder. Someone says, "I was so scared... to think a guy like that was living so close by, just down in the Fishman District..." Others whisper, "C... Captain Hody...!!" and "He looks like a monster..." Then attention snaps to the returning heroes: "...and Princess Shirahoshi!!" "It's Straw Hat Luffy..." and "Why, that must be Luffy-san coming back!!" But Shirahoshi is crying in terror, not celebration. She begs, "Please, somebody help!!! It's Luffy-sama!!! His bleeding just won't stop!!! He pushed himself so hard for our sake...!!!"

Luffy lies unconscious and soaked in blood while Chopper takes command. Shirahoshi asks, "Can... can you really help him?" Chopper says, "I can stop the bleeding all right, but he's lost a lot of blood already... He needs more blood, or he won't survive!!" He asks the crowd, "Is there anybody here with blood type F?!" The answer freezes everyone: "Luffy's the only type F on the crew, isn't he? There's gotta be someone out there with the right blood type!!" Someone starts to answer, "I'm... type F, but..." another says, "I... I'm a type F...!!" but no one steps forward. Shirahoshi cries, "Anyone!!!"

The old taboo rises immediately. Someone says, "Oh, of course!! I almost forgot... The law of this country says nobody's allowed to give any blood to humans!!!" Another cries, "What?! Who came up with that?!" and the crowd calls it "a terrible law!!" Shirahoshi tries to offer her own blood: "M... my blood isn't that type, but... but it is red!! Is that not good enough?!" Chopper bows in panic and answers, "Uh-huh, right, I appreciate the sentiment, really!! Oh, yeah!! What about the human pirates?!" But the moment turns when everyone sees a large figure step forward. Someone whispers, "Princess Shirahoshi...?" and then the crowd gasps as Jinbe appears beside Luffy.

Jinbe offers his arm without hesitation. He says, "I'm type F!! Take as much as you need!!" Chopper and the others shout, "Jinbe!!!" and the plaza recognizes him: "Boss Jinbe!!" Some still object, "But... the law..." Jinbe answers, "Well, I am a pirate..." Neptune's minister sees the meaning and says, "Such outdated laws... are nothing but a part of the curse..." The crowd begins to cheer for Jinbe as "Big Boss!!" and the old taboo breaks in public. Jinbe's blood becomes the bridge no law could permit.

The narration names what the transfusion means: "The deep red of blood... it flows from those who are hurt, and in those who do the hurting. Though far too narrow to be called a path... it was the tiny tubes... through which that blood now flowed..." The blood crosses a line "that tore through prejudice and fear" and passes through "the battles of those who sought to wash away blood with more blood." The page frames Luffy and Jinbe connected by medical tubes while the history of hatred watches around them. The blood flows "so smoothly and easily," clearer than any dream or ideal, and becomes "a path to the sun."

Luffy opens his eyes. Shirahoshi cries, "Ahhh! Luffy-sama is coming to!!" and Nami and Usopp shout, "Luffy!!" Luffy looks at Jinbe and says his name: "Jinbe..." Jinbe asks, "You're conscious?" Luffy answers, "Well, I never..." Then the moment cuts to another memory of Luffy by the sea, smiling and saying, "Hey, Jinbe... join my crew!!" In the present, the invitation hangs over the medical scene and the cheering island. Shirahoshi says, "Mother... we have finally reached your 'zero'," tying the blood shared before everyone to the long path away from hatred.

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