Despite the enchanting colors and captivating shapes along the trail, it persisted in its monotony, evolving into an endless maze that maintained its uniformity no matter the chosen path. Jinbei, Robin, and Nami concurred that the safest approach to finding their way back was to consistently advance in a straight line.
Following the group's guide toward an unknown destination, the guardian eventually brought them to an open space. The profusion of roots diminished, as did the radiance emanating from the ground and the surrounding environment.
"Bakanee... Are the guardians dangerous? What if we run into one of them?" the navigator asked with concern.
"I doubt we'll come across them," she replied, surveying the surroundings. "The surface, riddled with quirks, suggests they might have all left the depths."
"Why would they do that?"
"I don't know..."
"Does that include Hades?" Robin inquired.
"No. It must still be here."
"Can't It get out?"
"It's out and It's in..." she answered playfully
"Don't say such complicated things; you'll break Luffy!" Yelled the shooter, catching a whiff of burning hair coming from the captain. The woman glanced at all the men, their heads tilted in confusion, while the captain's face turned red from overthinking.
"It's like... How to explain it... Hive Mind?" Expressed the Oracle, with sweat running down her hair. However, her words could only be understood by Robin, Nami, Jinbei, Sanji, and Toshinori.
"EXPLAIN IT WITH FRUITS AND CRAYONS…" Yagi said, making signs as if playing charades.
"Right... Let's see..." She paused, scratching her head, attempting to explain it in simpler terms.
"Let's say that 'Hades' is like a river of crystalline waters with its own flow and strength," She began, trying to simplify the explanation. "The river is a whole, but the water flowing in it can be drawn into different bodies of water or drops, thus becoming individual forces... As they separate into various bodies of water, it weakens the river, which is the main source. When they all are returned, it regains its size and strength."
"So,
Hades divided itself, with a portion of itself staying here, while the rest exists outside," Sanji explained.
"That's correct... They are all one being and individual simultaneously. The issue is that if the rest of the energy reunites with the main stream, it can be harmful. And that would pose a problem for everyone," she commented, releasing her body to continue stepping into the unknown.
"Why?"
"Crystal clear water represents purity. When the water is divided among different owners, each one contaminates it with their care."
"Blood can stain it, the earth can muddy it, poison can intoxicate it... What takes away its purity is to whom it was given. By the time it all returns to the river of crystalline waters, these impurities will tarnish it."
"But if the main body of water is of greater mass, all that pollution would go unnoticed, but it will still be present, flowing in it," she noted. "The energy of the guardians who went to the surface has been tainted by the individuals in whom it resided. If some of them returned to the main source, it may have corrupted it. However, if the main source is of greater mass than the one that managed to reintegrate, we wouldn't be in trouble."
"You mean if the guardians made it back, then the main consciousness will be dangerous," Nami concluded.
"That's right... Unless it has been purified," she affirmed.
"Can it be purified?" Nami asked.
"Yes, it's not always negative desires and emotions. Just as a smile is contagious, so are positive auras," she replied uneasily, giving them a nervous smile.
"So, we're taking a gamble... It can be dangerous as well as friendly," the cook commented.
"We can handle it," said the swordsman.
"Can you?" she asked, surprised by the firmness of the pirate's words, but the creature turned around with a disappointed look, shaking its head in negation.
"What does that thing know?!" Sanji claimed, feeling offended.
"He kept running away," the captain pointed at the big white creature.
The giant fox hybrid distorted, transmitting a message that only Bakanee understood, turning his attention back to the group.
"He's a tiny fraction of the power of the main consciousness. If you couldn't beat him, you won't stand a chance with... How do you call it? Hades."
"Isn't its name Hades?"
"Doesn't he have a name?" Chopper asked curiously, approaching the animal that transformed into a reindeer to try to play with him.
"Yes, it does, but it's unpronounceable," she answered with a serene tone as she tried to generate extreme high pitch and low notes, failing in the attempt and causing the guardian to distort.
"Hey... What is he saying?" Chopper questioned, confused, seeing how his playmate did not continue as it failed to solidify.
"Nothing. It's making fun of me," she replied, blushing with embarrassment. "We'll call it Hades... It's simpler."
"Why did you focus on Greek mythology?" the archaeologist asked curious.
"Simple names... If you don't like it, we can call it Mictlanotanitl."
"We'd better stick with growling," Usopp mocked.
"You get my point."
The grass began to vanish, revealing a path that resembled a vast salt desert, reflecting everything around it. Although there was no sign of water, every step on the surface generated small waves, confusing the brain as it related the sensation to liquid. The environment lost its blue tones, transforming into purples and oranges with light white glows.
"This is strange... It's a flat road," said the white-haired woman in confusion, turning to her surroundings, only seeing roots and a few anemones that continued to make their presence felt, as if the wind existed in the mystical realm.
The guardian distorted itself, disintegrating as it finished, ending up sliding like sand in eight different directions, leaving them alone.
"It's going to investigate if there are any guardians nearby to avoid crossing paths with them," the girl commented, relieved, continuing with her step.
"Good idea!" the cyborg cheered.
"And can we trust it?... It almost sucked my soul," said the skeleton with a fearful tone.
"Yes. If it wanted you dead, you wouldn't be here anymore… And, by the way, I recommend you, Mr. Soul King, not to play that song again if you don't want to die... again," She uttered nonchalantly.
"EH!"
"But it was just a harmonious lullaby."
"THE SONG TO CALM THE MASSES OF GAIA, YOUR HOME," said the hero, trying to justify the skeleton, causing the girl to sigh in frustration.
"Who said it was a soothing song?" Her tired tone gradually changed to a frivolous one. "The series of frequencies and vibrations it transmits is a message."
"Luffy, the song you were humming, is that the same sound you heard when we bathed her?" asked the reindeer.
"When you, what?"
"Yeah, but it was higher pitched and more irritating," he said, pressing his temple with his index finger.
"Then it's a message..." Nami said, intrigued.
"What does it convey?" Jimbei was the one who asked.
"You are offering your lifespan... It is a way to wake a sleeping guardian… Offering them a little more life," the words of the white-haired stopped the hero in his tracks.
"THOSE PEOPLE... DID THOSE PEOPLE KNOW?" His words sounded desperate, fearing the answer, but he did not receive it from the Oracle who only continued on her way.
"THEY THOUGHT I WOULD GIVE THEM A SECOND CHANCE! THEY WERE OFFERING LIVES OF OLD AND SICK PEOPLE ALL THIS TIME!"
"What are you talking about, Shaggy?" the captain asked, lost in conversation.
"WHEN I MET HER... IN HER TOWN, THEY WERE HOLDING A SOLIDARITY EVENT WHERE EVERYONE PRESENT JOINED IN TO HUM THAT SONG IN FRONT OF THAT GUARDIAN! THEY SAID IT WORKS FOR HEALING AND SECOND CHANCES, BUT THEY WERE REALLY OFFERING THEIR REMAINING LIFE!" He explained in an altered voice, as his tone raised straight at the pirates.
The crew stopped their pace, being alert after listening to the hero's version, distrustful of the strange intentions of the guide who did not stop advancing towards an uncertain path.
"They were not going to heal... And as they were about to die, their life was of more use to it," she confessed without regretting her actions or words.
The Kizuna's footsteps were all that could be heard in the piercing silence, indicating how everyone stopped following and causing her to turn her attention to the irritated group.
"EVERYONE DESERVES TO LIVE TO THEIR LAST BREATH! WHO ARE YOU TO DECIDE THAT?!" The hero's words annoyed the white-haired who came closer hiding her gaze.
"It's true, I won't deny that you're right, and I completely agree with you... But for this occasion, you'd better keep shut if you don't understand the situation."
"YOU CAN'T...!"
"TOSHINORI!" For the first time since she raised her voice in an annoyed tone, using it to silence him. "If you don't understand what's going on, you have no right to have an opinion!"
"NO! YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO DECIDE ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES!" Yagi was so upset by the woman's frivolous and unusual attitude that he ended up spitting blood after hurting his throat by straining his lungs while shouting at her.
Chopper did not hesitate to approach the blond to check his condition, despite his insistence not to do so.
"Bakanee, we understand what you went through, but not all people are the same. They don't deserve your contempt," Nami tried to make the girl understand that her actions and mentality were wrong, being observed with a bit of guilt by Jinbei, understanding the strength and maturity of her nakama for not holding a grudge against an entire race.
"You shouldn't dedicate your grudge to all humans when the government was responsible," Brook added.
"There were innocents! If you knew what would happen, you should have stopped them!" the doctor complained in annoyance.
Unlike his nakamas, Luffy remained silent with his face obscured by his hat, attentively listening to the words of all, as well as Sanji, Zoro, Jinbei, and Robin, who let the feelings of their nakamas flow.
Bakanee did not know how to answer; the words of the pirates were just spinning in her head, making her grind her teeth with the helplessness she felt.
"I solved their problems and fulfilled their desires... I never left them helpless," she complained with a lump in her throat, trying to keep the tears from flowing.
"And that gives you the authority to do with their lives as you wish?!" the cyborg protested angrily.
"DID THEY KNOW THAT?!" He demanded one last time, gently pushing the doctor out of his way.
"Tch"
The pirates made way for their captain who advanced towards the Kizuna keeping his hat hiding his expression, but his body language showed how angry he was.
Bakanee noticed the attitude of Straw Hat, raising her head and closing her eyes in anticipation of what was about to happen. Her face went numb at the contact with Luffy's fist that, with one blow, sent her to the ground, bouncing multiple times on the surface, generating waves like liquid.
"YOU CAN'T DECIDE THE FATE OF OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES! YOU ARE ROBBING THEM OF THE FREEDOM OF THEIR LAST MOMENTS!" Luffy raised his head, showing his anger to the woman who leaned her elbows to lift her body while coughing blood.
"YOUNG LUFFY..." The hero whispered, witnessing how the cheerful boy displayed anger on his sweet face for the second time in the journey... ALTHOUGH HE IS CONSIDERED A CRIMINAL BY SOCIETY, HE HAS A NOBLE HEART.
"THEY TRUSTED YOU..."
"As do we..." Chopper interfered to the blond.
"He's right. How do we know you're not lying until you get what you want?" Ussop asserted.
"If you don't trust us... *Cof* *Cof*... Continue on your own," she said calmly, reclining on the surface and placing both hands, tracing a circle with them as she turned on her axis. The drawing formed a giant sphere that remained afloat as she moved aside.
Inside the sphere, a memory specifically chosen for them to witness unfolded. The group approached, intrigued. It was the curious archaeologist who touched the bubble, realizing that due to its size, she could enter it and observe the memory without actively participating.
"Robin, wait! What are you doing? It could be dangerous," the navigator tried to stop her, but she stood there, looking around, indicating for them to make her company.
Luffy was the one who didn't hesitate, immediately following the raven-haired woman without giving thought to whether he could exit once he entered.
Inside the sphere, a story unfolded—a memory carefully chosen for them to witness. The group approached with intrigue, as the curious archaeologist touched the bubble; Realizing its size allowed her to enter, which she did, as she observed the memory without actively participating.
"Robin, wait! What are you doing? It could be dangerous," the navigator tried to stop her, but she stood there, looking around and gesturing for them to accompany her.
Luffy was the one who didn't hesitate, immediately following the raven-haired without considering whether he could exit once he entered.
Both pirates found themselves in front of a destroyed kingdom, standing on a beautiful crystalline floor with pebbles in a scale of grays and grayish blues. The area was filled with badly wounded human bodies, and the once-beautiful white streets and buildings now vividly displayed a recent war that had taken place, marking the surroundings with blood and gunpowder.
The memory began to ripple, signaling the entrance of other spectators along with the pair. The swordsman and hero entered together, with Yagi being the one to step back, leaving them alone for a few seconds; returning with the group, having verified that it was possible to enter and exit with ease.
"What?! What happened here?!" Brook asked, upset when he saw the number of corpses on the ground.
"IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GAIA, WHERE I MET HER…"
"AAAAAAHH SO MANY WOUNDED! A DOCTOR!"
"You are a doctor!"
"Right!" Chopper ran towards one of the bodies, coming out of the memory and returning to the lonely, silent, glowing landscape.
"We can't interfere with memories," concluded Robin.
The surroundings rippled again, announcing the doctor's return to the motionless group observing the static surroundings. The only thing that remained intact was a black amorphous pillar, contrasting with the clear surroundings.
A silhouette wearing a long red cloak emerged behind them, advancing without pause. The figure skillfully avoided stepping over the dozens of bodies strewn around until reaching the dark pillar. There, the silhouette stopped, resting hands on the figure and leaning the head against it.
The complete silence of the memory was interrupted by a familiar tune, alerting the group, making them think that the "vessel" was up to something. They all formed a circle, watching the surroundings, only to realize that the lullaby was emanating from the memory itself. The figure in the red hood leaned against the pillar, humming the melody, sliding to the ground and losing strength.
"That voice... It's her," said Sanji, for whom nothing escaped attention when it came to women.
"That bastard is going to feed on them with their lives," Zoro said, annoyed, putting pressure on Enma's hilt, mirroring his captain, who clenched his fists.
The melody finally affected the pillar, causing it to disintegrate into white illumination. The light ran through the figure's body and then through the streets, reaching the lifeless bodies scattered throughout the shattered town.
Slowly, traces of life began to be perceived in the unconscious. The bodies got up with difficulty, as veins connected to all of them emerged from where the pillar used to be.
One of the adults, who seemed to have more vitality, approached the weakened figure in the red hood. Out of curiosity, the figure ended up revealing the face —A younger version of the hairless Kizuna—Who kept humming with her last strength until losing consciousness.
The people closest to where the pillar was regenerating managed to get up completely healthy, attempting to lift the bald girl. They were confused as they observed how the veins connecting with everyone disappeared along with her consciousness. She did not respond to the man who lifted her up, so he began to hum the song as to wake her up.
The pillar illuminated again, connecting with the young girl and then running to the other bodies on the ground, which began to regain their vitality.
The group noticed how the melody revived the wounded, all joining the song. Meanwhile, they observed how the girl's body lost its color, marking her veins and losing muscle mass.
"Oh... Just like your mummy," Zoro mocked, pointing at Yagi, suddenly being interrupted by Nami's slap.
"Stop joking with those things!"
"They're... They're stealing her life," the doctor gasped.
"Stooop! She was helping you!" Luffy started hitting the villagers in annoyance, but his attacks only went through them.
"They can't hear you, Ruffy-kun... This happened a long time ago, and we can't interfere," Jinbei explained, stopping his captain before he could harm any of his nakamas due to the frustration of dealing with unresponsive figures.
The survivors watched as the girl's body seemed almost lifeless, leaving her on the ground, while the rest of them began to collect the corpses of their loved ones.
The memory accelerated, revealing the rebuilding of the now smaller town. The community, with members who were sick, injured, or elderly, carried a frail woman who fought to break free. They engaged in a ritual where the chants of the Gaians drained some of the life from the white-haired woman, suggesting that she had aged over the passing years based on the length of her hair.
Whenever she attempted to flee, the locals apprehended her. Exploiting the fact that she was in the outside, using her to restore the health of the sick, regardless of the ailment's significance, ultimately confining her for her own safety inside a custodied dungeon.
"It can't be..."
"How long have they been draining her life away to cure each other?!" Sanji said angrily, clenching his fists.
"They took advantage of her good intentions," Nami sighed, feeling a pressure in her chest from a sense of guilt.
The straw-hatted boy walked stubbornly to the front, wanting to stop the crowd. However, he ended up out of the memory and back in the cold underworld.
Luffy took a big breath of air to expel a loud scream and then ran off in search of the Oracle. "BAKANEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"
"That idiot is going to get lost!" said Zoro, running after him.
"Oh, that marimo head is going to get lost for sure!" Sanji also left to go after the swordsman.
"Sanji will be too busy guiding Zoro; we'd better go after Luffy."
"Good idea, Usopp-san. We must not get separated here," Brook commented, keeping him company.
The rest watched as their companions departed, while in front of them, the escape of Kizuna on a merchant ship finally unfolded.
After leaving, their surroundings underwent a complete transformation into a more modern setting within the same kingdom. The buildings changed in material, with blue roofs made of crystal that reflected the shades of the sea, and orange trees abounded, indicating the cool autumn weather on the island.
The woman with long white hair returned, accompanied by a group of Mermen and Minks, in search of the pillar now venerated by new generations of Gaians who were unaware of its mysterious workings. They continued with the songs, offering with happiness on their faces and good intentions the bodies of old and sick people in search of a miracle.
The continuous praises only opened old wounds, causing her to retreat again to the highest point of the island, avoiding direct contact with the local people. What had started as a ritual involving sacrifice for healing had evolved over the years into a farewell ceremony for the residents, unintentionally keeping the guardian alive for centuries.
Yagi couldn't help but step away, chagrined. Once again, it seemed to be a misunderstanding.
"WHY DOESN'T SHE JUST EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED?" he complained in frustration, not avoiding making gestures with his hands, and then clasping them to his face.
"Is it very common?" asked the cyborg.
"IF MISUNDERSTANDINGS WERE A QUIRK... IT WOULD BE HERS! IT LOOKS LIKE SHE DOES IT ON PURPOSE," he grunted, moving forward to join the search for the link.
"How tiring," said the helmsman as the hero continued to suppress his mixed emotions.
"Do you think they found it?"
"MOST LIKELY, SHE HAS PASSED TO THE OTHER REALM," he said, causing Nami and Chopper to swallow saliva, while Robin curiously asked for a description of the "other realm."
The small group continued advancing towards the front, calling their nakamas who slowly responded to join the gang, until they ran into Luffy, who was just standing there, watching the girl leaning on a root and wiping her tears, refusing to make eye contact with him.
"Luffy... Is she...?" Sanji approached, wanting to know about the girl, but his captain did not answer him. Instead, he motioned for him to keep his distance.
The suppressed wailing stopped.
"My past does not represent my present. I have no grudge against humans; not all of them are bad. A whole race should not be a reason to hate just because of the mistake of others," she expressed, her voice cracking.
"Just because I prefer to avoid them does not mean that I will refuse to help them when they need it. I did warn them, but they didn't listen to me," she finished, hiding her face between her knees as she hugged her legs.
"Bakanee, I..." The captain's apology was interrupted.
"It doesn't matter. Let's go, or you won't be able to come back," she said, getting up, slapping her cheeks to remove her sad gesture, and continuing seriously on her way.
For the first time, the group remained silent, moving forward following the girl who, from time to time, stopped to change direction.
"This is very uncomfortable," Franky said.
"Brook, play something," ordered the captain.
"Luffy-san, I'm afraid to play something that can be an offense to some creature.
"Yaaaah... This is so boring," he complained with his tongue hanging out.
"Bakanee, do you know where we are going?" questioned the navigator, receiving no answer.
"Where is the guardian?" asked Robin curiously, who likewise get no answer.
"Moshi Moshi, Earth speaking to Bakanee, are you listening to us?" Usopp tried to call the attention of the woman who continued ignoring them, never seeing them head-on.
The few tentacle-like flora similar to thick anemones, that were in their way waved freely with traces of blood, catching the attention of the green-haired.
"Oi, Ero cook..."
"I know Marimo... Stupid captain hit her too hard."
The trail of blood became more noticeable, with Chopper smearing it on his clothes, catching his attention.
"It must be a hemorrhage... Bakanee, are you all right?" asked the doctor, who was also ignored by the white-haired who continued silent.
"Hey, wait! You may be badly hurt," insisted the doctor, approaching the Oracle.
"CHOPPER!" called Zoro, who had stopped, taking Enma's handle in an alert pose, looking to the front.
"ZORO, WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?" Nami questioned his sudden change of mood, but at the same time, trusting her comrade, she halted, as well as the others, with the exception of Yagi, who was taken by the shoulder by the captain.
Suddenly, the surroundings looked strange, as if the energy flowing in them carried an unusual movement. The anemones were hidden, leaving kilometers free of only reflective surfaces, and the small fireflies that used to float up to the star that illuminated everything remained static in the air.
The "vessel" did not stop walking, even though she was not followed. The sweet melody that had forbidden, began to be heard coming from the white-haired who finally turned towards the group direction, surprising them by seeing her face.
Her eyes were irritated and bloodshot, as continuous stream of warm ferrous liquid ran down her nose, coating her mouth and staining her teeth and gums in a bright crimson red. A rain of blood fell from her face to her white bandages and soaking her hair, dyeing them red, creating a stark contrast against its original color. Her ears continued bleeding, further intensifying its grotesque appearance. The relentless bleeding not only affected her appearance but also hindered her ability to hear the words spoken by the group.
Without a guide and determined to find their target, Bakanee opted to use Observation Haki, disregarding any potential repercussions on her own body.
As she focused her Haki, a peculiar phenomenon unfolded in the surroundings. The energy that had been ascending toward the star started descending. The roots disintegrated, the flora vanished completely, and the suspended stones in the air suddenly plummeted. Everything that had adorned the surroundings disintegrated into particles, converging at a point near the "Vessel".
"WHAT IS HAPPENING?" Toshinori asked in panic.
"What did you do?" Zoro demanded, grabbing Enma.
"We found it," she answered with a trembling voice, showing evident fear in her eyes and body language.
Energy flowed from different paths, converging upon them all until it reached the young girl, enveloping her in a radiant, fine white sand. A colossal face with twelve eyes, each reflecting the memories of the piercers, began to emerge from a giant torso rising from the ground, sprouting hundreds of arms.
The monstrous being continued its transformation and variation. Its body produced familiar faces of those present, constantly changing to new ones.
"Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" Nami, Usopp, Chopper, and Brook shouted in terror.
"What is that?!" Sanji exclaimed in surprise, staring at the colossal being bearing familiar faces.
"It's them..." Robin replied, visibly intimidated.
"Guardians!" Franky exclaimed.
The colossal creature underwent yet another transformation, revealing the imprisoned body of Kizuna at its core. Her limbs were entangled where the heart would be situated, her eyes emptied of expression, and it seemed as if her body had merged seamlessly with the massive guardian.
"Bakanee!" Luffy shouted, running preparing to retrieve her.
"It's Hades!" Yelled Robin, who stepped back while crossing her wrists.
The monstrous trio seemed poised to attack but was abruptly halted… The ground, mirroring the world like water, ensnared everyone's feet, making it impossible to escape.
The group observed in astonishment as the entity before them transformed once more. The multitude of heads vanished to form a colossal snout, which remained open, emitting light from within and pulling the pirates' feet towards its inside.