Supported by Ray's triple strikes, the Island-Destroying Light had yet to obliterate the areas where the Straw Hat Pirates were gathered.
Kuma, meanwhile, worked frantically, utilizing his Paw-Paw Fruit ability at high speed.
Just before the Meido Zangetsuha was about to dissipate, Kuma managed to reach beneath the black moon and successfully sent Robin, Zoro, and the others flying.
Immediately after, Kuma activated his ability again, instantly propelling himself to Sanji's location.
There, the Kongoshoha was still holding off the Island-Destroying Light, but it was on the brink of being overwhelmed.
The Light's power was overwhelmingly strong, with seemingly endless subsequent energy.
Even though the Kongoshoha initially managed to swallow its front end, it was quickly countered and suppressed by the light's relentless force.
Now, without the support of Ray's Demonic Power, the Kongoshoha was about to be completely annihilated by the Island-Destroying Light.
But the two extra seconds the Kongoshoha held out were enough for Kuma to rescue them.
Sanji and the others did not resist since they had encountered Kuma back on Thriller Bark and were aware of his background.
Clearly, Kuma was Ray's contingency plan.
But before being sent flying by the Paw-Paw Fruit, Sanji, Mikita, and the others were all anxiously watching Ray.
The power of this light was too immense, they couldn't be sure if Ray could withstand it.
However, being sensible, they chose not to cause trouble and obediently allowed Kuma to slap them away from the area.
Thus, only one spot remained.
Kuma had overused his abilities, and his mechanized body had become somewhat stiff.
But he didn't stop, for the reason was clear: Ray's Demon Dog form was already struggling to hold on.
…
One second earlier, Merry, Chopper, and Franky, who were being protected beneath Ray's massive Demon Dog form, were now filled with regret.
They had come all this way to save civilians, only to end up forcing Ray to shield them with his own body.
Yet Ray didn't blame them in the slightest.
In such circumstances, whether to save others or oneself was purely a matter of personal choice.
He wouldn't criticize those kind-hearted individuals willing to sacrifice themselves to help others.
Besides, if Chopper didn't go out of his way to save people, he wouldn't be Chopper.
Each of these people had their own unique traits, making Ray's one piece world experiences rich and colorful.
Though he usually appeared cold and aloof, he genuinely liked this group of people.
Ray's emotions were merely suppressed and hidden away in his heart, not that he couldn't feel them.
And this bunch, led by Luffy, often managed to bring out Ray's emotions.
Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse.
But regardless, they made Ray's life more eventful.
In other words, they made him feel more alive.
Ray could live in solitude, but he was also quite content to be with them.
Now, he was very tolerant of his comrades and subordinates, and fiercely protective of them.
If Merry and Chopper wanted to save people, then they should go ahead and do it.
Franky's desire to save others was likely tied to his wish to heal past wounds, which Ray found perfectly reasonable.
It was their freedom.
Of course, Ray believed he had the ability to protect them.
He only needed to hold on for five more seconds, and Kuma would send the three to safety.
As for his own safety, there was no need to worry.
Tessaiga had already returned to his feet, the moment he reverted to his human form, a Bakuryuha would create an escape route for him.
His left arm, bolstered by both Haki and Demonic Power, could definitely hold on.
And Kuma was just about to finish sending the others away and arrive beneath him.
Everything was going smoothly!
Just then, the originally 500-meter-wide pillar of light suddenly expanded, instantly becoming a terrifying beam 2,000 meters in diameter.
Clearly, Imu had injected more energy into the island-destroying light.
Compared to this radiance, Ray's enormous Demon Dog form looked like a Chihuahua pinned beneath an adult.
The overwhelming pressure forced Ray's demonic body to sink downward and the island beneath his feet cracked like a spiderweb.
It was upon seeing this that Kuma realized Ray could no longer hold on.
To resist such terrifying energy, Ray's power would be drastically depleted.
The Haki on his left claw was visibly diminishing.
Even the rate of Demonic Power consumption had surpassed its recovery efficiency.
What should have been a steady five-second hold now seemed unlikely to last even three.
…
Kuma pushed himself to the limit, slapping himself toward Ray.
Ignoring the strain on his body and overloading his energy, he finally reached beneath Ray after two seconds.
Only one second remained before Ray's energy was exhausted.
A slap and Chopper vanished.
0.5 seconds left.
Another slap, and Merry soared into the sky.
Time's up!
Ray's Haki vanished as his left claw made full contact with the island-destroying light.
The moment his demonic body collided with the pillar of light, a brief stalemate occurred.
Then, Ray's sharp claws rapidly melted under this energy.
At this moment, Kuma had just flashed in front of Franky.
0.3 seconds later, Ray's left claw disappeared, his forearm began to dissipate, and Kuma slapped Franky away.
Looking at Ray, Kuma was filled with bitter regret.
Even he began to regret his own powerlessness.
If only his abilities were stronger, couldn't he have slapped Ray away instead?
But Ray seemed to sense the abnormality in Kuma beneath him.
He turned his head and glared fiercely with his eyes.
Shaking his head to signal him: 'You need to leave, Now!'
Kuma immediately understood - this crisis moment wasn't for him to release emotions.
If he died here, what would Ray's sacrifice amount to?
Ray could have retreated with the Straw Hat Pirates long ago.
Hadn't he stayed here precisely to help Kuma and Bonney kill Saturn?
For just one promise, Ray had gone this far.
He absolutely couldn't betray Ray's trust.
Thinking this, Kuma slapped himself with one hand and instantly vanished from beneath Ray.
Only a shockwave remained, showing he had once existed there.
The moment Kuma disappeared, Ray's entire left upper arm vanished completely, and the powerful light smashed directly into the dog demon's back.
"ROAR!"
At this moment, Ray unleashed all his demonic power, enduring for a brief moment with his powerful physique before ultimately being swallowed by the light.
Then, all the island-destroying light merged into one.
A massive pillar of light over 20 kilometers in diameter completely consumed all of Sabaody Archipelago.
High above, a slender figure hidden within a cloak chuckled softly.
"Hehe, the biggest variable has been eliminated."
...
On this day, Sabaody Archipelago disappeared.
On this day, the Five Elders were annihilated here.
On this day, the demon god Ray who had slain two Yonko vanished into thin air.
On this day, the world's sea level rose by one meter.
This day would later be known as the Day of God's Fall.
...
One hour after Sabaody Archipelago's disappearance.
Grand Line, Calm Belt, in the jungles of Amazon Lily.
One thousand pirates belonging to the Straw Hat Grand Fleet stared blankly at the sky.
"What exactly happened to us? How did we all end up here?"
"Don't ask me, I don't know either."
"Yeah, I thought about it the whole time we were floating through the air but couldn't figure it out."
"I remember enemies coming, then they fought with Boss Ray."
"Hey, I hope Big Sis Mikita is okay."
"My big brother Bartolomeo, you have to survive and come save me!"
"Tch, we just acknowledged a boss, didn't help at all, and just flew all the way here."
"Hiss, do you think one of those monster used their ability to send us here?"
"I think you might be right. Look at the sky - bubbles are flying over just like when we came."
"Nonsense, that's not the same at all. They're single rooms, while we were dozens of people in mixed bubbles."
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