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As soon as Ikki finished speaking, a violent explosion erupted from not far away, sending a shockwave that launched the Merry into the air.
Just as Ikki thought the crisis was over, he realized with horror that the entrance to the Rainbow Mist was vanishing even faster than before.
At this rate, the Merry wouldn't make it out in time…
"Damn it! Are we gonna be trapped here?!"
Usopp shouted.
Chopper and Bon Clay looked equally distressed.
"Aah… if we get stuck here, I won't be able to send Doctorine off in person…"
"Yeah! I still wanted to see the Okama King…"
Unlike the others, Ikki didn't panic. He was confident he could draw a space-related treasure to get them out of this mess.
But… he still needed a backup plan.
Then, suddenly, an idea struck him—the Rabbit Talisman!
Without wasting a second, he pulled it out and pressed it onto the deck of the Merry.
Immediately, the ship accelerated at an incredible speed.
Seeing this, Ace leaped off the ship, intending to use his flames as propulsion to push the Merry and help everyone escape the Rainbow Mist.
"You idiot—!"
Ikki cursed and, without hesitation, blasted forward at full speed, catching up with Ace. But just as he grabbed hold of him, he realized something horrifying—
The Going Merry had already vanished into the Rainbow Mist!
Ace blinked in surprise. "Ikki… why did you jump off the ship?"
Hearing Ace's words, Ikki's face darkened. "Why did you jump off the ship?"
Ace answered as if it were obvious, "Of course, to see you off!"
Ikki smacked his forehead in frustration. He had nothing to say about Ace's reckless actions. The guy would always choose to sacrifice himself for his crew… and for his brother.
Just then, out of the corner of his eye, Ikki spotted a faint glimmer of light—the exit of the Rainbow Mist!
Without wasting another second, he grabbed Ace and shot toward the light at full speed.
Meanwhile…
After passing through the Rainbow Mist, the Merry suddenly appeared on the shores of Ruluka Island.
No one spoke.
Everyone silently watched the last light of the Rainbow Mist fade away.
As the final glimmer disappeared, a weak sigh escaped from the crew.
Bon Clay bit down on his handkerchief, tears welling in his eyes.
Chopper outright burst into tears.
"They… they didn't make it out, did they…?"
Chopper finally voiced what everyone was thinking.
Hearing this, Luffy stretched his arms without a word—intending to launch himself toward the place where the Rainbow Mist had vanished!
Seeing this, Sabo quickly stopped Luffy.
"Calm down, Luffy."
"Let me go, Sabo! I... I have to find Ace and Ikki!"
"Believe in Ikki! I know they'll find a way back. After all, Ikki is someone who creates miracles!"
Hearing this, Luffy slowly calmed down and retracted his arm.
He thought about all the incredible items Ikki had pulled out before. In fact, the only reason the Merry had been able to escape the Rainbow Mist was because of Ikki's abilities.
At that moment, Henzo, who had just gathered his thoughts, stepped forward and said, "I will continue studying the Rainbow Mist! I know Rapanui and the others are still alive, waiting for me to bring them home!"
Seeing Henzo's unwavering faith in his friends, Luffy turned to Sanji and said, "Sanji... I want to eat meat!"
Hearing this, everyone relaxed. They knew that Luffy had returned to his usual self.
As Sanji brought out plates of meat, several Marine warships appeared on the horizon, sailing toward the Merry.
After pulling alongside the ship, a Marine major wearing sunglasses suddenly jumped onto the deck.
"Private Marine crew... looks like you've wrapped up your adventure in the Rainbow Mist!"
Everyone was a little confused by how casually this Marine boarded their ship and spoke as if he knew them.
"Huh? Does anyone know this Marine guy?"
Henzo, however, stared at the man in shock. After a moment, he asked hesitantly, "You... are you Rapanui?"
The older Rapanui took off his sunglasses and smiled. "Henzo, long time no see!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the elderly Isoka, Rongo, Akibi, and Pukau also leaped onto the deck of the Merry.
"Isoka, Rongo, Akibi, Pukau… you... you're all still alive!"
Tears streamed down Henzo's face as he saw his old friends again.
Even Luffy's eyes widened in shock upon realizing that these Marines were actually the same kids he had just seen in the Rainbow Mist.
"Wait a minute... If you guys made it out of the Rainbow Mist, then shouldn't Ikki and Ace be here too?"
At that moment, Sabo stepped forward, his expression serious.
Rapanui nodded. "I did see them… but that was fifty years ago."
"We didn't die in that explosion—instead, we were sent fifty years into the past."
"At the time, we knew we weren't strong enough to defeat Wetton, so we decided to join the Marines and rise through the ranks. Our goal was to return to Ruluka Island one day and bring Wetton to justice."
"While we were stranded on a deserted island, we actually met Ikki and Ace. But it seemed like they had a way to return to this timeline. We didn't stay together for long before they left."
Hearing this, the Straw Hats fell silent.
Then, Rapanui suddenly pulled out a worn-out letter from his coat and handed it to Luffy.
"Oh, right… Ikki gave me this ten years ago and asked me to deliver it to you!"
Luffy carefully unfolded the letter.
There were only ten words written on it:
"Continue sailing. We will be back."
"This is Ikki's handwriting!"
Nami, who peeked at the letter, exclaimed excitedly.
Hearing this, the crew let out a collective sigh of relief.
If Ikki said he and Ace would return, then they would return.
"Thanks for the letter!" Luffy said, handing it to Nami for safekeeping.
Rapanui let out a hearty laugh. "Hahahaha! No, I should be thanking you!"
"If not for you guys, we might still be trapped in the Rainbow Mist!"
"And… thank you for taking care of Wetton."
"Even though I know it was just part of your Private Marine duties, I still want to personally thank you."