Luffy's consciousness had only just returned, and after suffering such a heavy blow, his mind was thrown into complete disarray. His lips trembled as he muttered,
"Why?"
Joy Boy's voice answered steadily,
"Because in every battle, I had to divide my attention to account for you. Your subconscious constantly resisted me. In that state, our power could never be fully realized. We could never stand against the Celestial Dragons like that."
"Are you saying... this is all my fault?"
"No, Luffy. You have done nothing wrong. I understand you. Anyone would resist having their body controlled by another. That is only natural."
"But now Nami and the others are gone too. I have no one left. Even if I defeat the Celestial Dragons, what meaning would it have? What use is this power to me now?"
"Meaningless? How could it be? You are not alone. You still have me. I will always be with you. Have you not always wanted to become the Pirate King? The Pirate King is the freest person in this world. You and I share that same dream."
"The Pirate King..."
"Luffy, you cannot lose yourself at a moment like this. Let me tell you something. I am the first pirate in this world. It was I who defined what it means to be free upon the seas."
Luffy's eyes widened in shock. By that logic, Joy Boy stood as the origin of all pirates.
Joy Boy continued,
"I come from eight hundred years ago. You could call me a remnant of a forgotten era. To witness someone like you, eight centuries later, fills me with genuine joy. I truly wish to help you fulfill your dream."
"But..."
Seeing Luffy's hesitation, Joy Boy pressed further,
"Luffy, your brother, your father, your companions, they all fell at the hands of the Celestial Dragons. Do you not wish to avenge them? Do you know that Brook was still calling your name with his final breath? He was reduced to nothing by them."
Those words struck deep, cutting through Luffy like a blade. Grief surfaced across his face as tears streamed down his cheeks.
Though he had been unconscious, Brook's final cry now echoed vividly in his mind.
The memories of his fallen family and crew ignited something within him. Luffy clenched his fists, his eyes turning bloodshot as he growled,
"What do I have to do?"
Joy Boy responded without hesitation,
"Accept me completely. Let us become one in both mind and body."
"Become one? Will I still be myself?"
"Of course. This is your body. After we merge, your consciousness will remain dominant. I will fade from this world entirely."
"What? Why would you do that?"
"For the sake of the dream. For the complete liberation of this world. Luffy, the Human Human Fruit, Model Nika that you consumed carries both my will and my power. The moment it chose you, I was already prepared for this."
His words carried conviction and resolve. Luffy's heart pounded heavily as he staggered to his feet, lowering his head into silence.
After a long pause, he finally spoke,
"Alright. I will inherit your will. I will defeat the Celestial Dragons, become the Pirate King, and free this world from their control."
"That is it, Luffy. You finally understand."
"So what do I do now?"
"It is simple. Open your heart and body, and accept my power."
Luffy nodded, then slowly closed his eyes. Following Joy Boy's guidance, he released all resistance, allowing both his mind and body to relax completely.
"Now we begin... Agh!"
Suddenly, Luffy clutched his head and dropped to his knees, his face twisted in agony.
It felt as though a blazing fire had ignited within his skull. The pain surged violently, threatening to tear his mind apart. Instinctively, he tried to resist.
Joy Boy's voice rang out sharply,
"Do not resist. If you cannot endure this, how will you ever defeat the Celestial Dragons? Compared to the pain of losing everything, what is this?"
Joy Boy had grasped Luffy's emotions perfectly. Provoked by those words, Luffy gritted his teeth, his body trembling as he forced himself to endure.
"Keep going... I can handle it!"
"Excellent, Luffy. I was right to choose you. This pain will pass soon. Freedom awaits you."
A sudden burst of energy erupted.
White flames ignited across Luffy's body once more. He covered his face with both hands as he struggled to rise. As he staggered forward, laughter began to escape him, wild and uncontrollable.
Alongside that laughter, a deep elephant-like trumpet echoed through the sky.
Dark clouds gathered, and heavy rain began to pour.
The rain drenched Luffy completely, yet the white flames did not fade. Instead, they intensified, growing fiercer until they formed a blazing sphere of white light that enveloped him entirely.
The sphere slowly rose into the air, glowing brilliantly against the dim sky.
The surrounding forest rustled as figures emerged from the shadows.
They were members of the Mink Tribe.
Covered in fur, they stared upward in astonishment at the radiant sphere.
Then, the light intensified further.
A rhythmic drumming sound followed.
Boom, boom, boom. Boom, boom, boom.
With each beat, the eyes of the Mink Tribe turned red, their bodies beginning to twist and react.
They gathered beneath the floating sphere, moving instinctively to the rhythm. Grins spread across their faces as they began to dance, their movements growing increasingly energetic.
Gradually, the sphere dimmed.
Within it, a figure appeared, shifting and moving.
The silhouette stretched and bent in exaggerated motions, resembling someone running in place.
As that figure took form, the ground itself began to tremble.
"Woo!!!"
The elephant's call echoed again, no longer sorrowful, but filled with overwhelming joy.
The Mink Tribe ceased their dancing, confusion replacing their previous expressions.
Then, a white figure descended from the sky, landing among them.
He crouched slightly, legs apart, one hand pressing down on the straw hat resting atop his head, now bearing a visible hole. His skin gleamed with a bright white hue.
A wide grin spread across his face, revealing teeth as white as snow.
Raising both arms toward the sky, he laughed loudly.
"I'm back!"