Whale Forest.
After the Dream Team left, Pedro looked at Nekomamushi with a face full of doubt and asked,
"Boss, why did we let them into the Whale Forest so easily?"
You have to understand—
This place is like a sacred forbidden land to the Mokomo Dukedom. Even their own citizens aren't allowed to step foot in it.
Letting humans in, whom the Mink Tribe usually dislikes, is just unthinkable.
Even if the other side is the famous and powerful Dream Exploration Team, the Mink Tribe has never been the kind to back down out of fear.
But yesterday—
When the Dream Team asked to enter the Whale Forest, Nekomamushi and old man Duke Inuarashi agreed right away. Everyone present was stunned.
"You don't know this, but this team is different from other pirates. They didn't just set sail for ONE PIECE. Since they first went out to sea, they've been chasing their own dreams step by step.
They're really interesting people. Pedro, since you've never left Zou, of course it's hard for you to understand," Nekomamushi said, his eyes slowly drifting into memories.
But Pedro felt completely lost, not understanding what Nekomamushi meant at all.
At the same time, over at Duke Inuarashi's mansion, Sicilian asked the same question Pedro did.
And he got the same answer.
The Mink Tribe had guarded the Whale Forest for generations because a Poneglyph was hidden inside. But not many people knew about this.
~~~~~~
Meanwhile—
Before they even reached Zou, Ryuen had already mentioned that this island was so unique that there was a high chance a Poneglyph might be hidden there.
That's why Robin had been so excited.
Now, after crossing the ancient forest, Robin and the others finally found the red Poneglyph deep in the Whale Forest!
"It's red?!"
"Robin, this Poneglyph is totally different from the ones we saw before—it's actually red!" Anya shouted in shock.
Robin, Nojiko, Hog, Leah, Sugar—everyone else was just as surprised.
"I can't believe Ryuen actually guessed it right!"
"Zou really was hiding a Poneglyph… and not just any Poneglyph—a red one, something we've never seen before."
"I always thought all Poneglyphs were black." Nojiko tried to suppress her surprise, muttering to herself.
"Robin, quick! Take a look at what it says. Maybe it's hiding some world-shaking secret!" Leah's curiosity was now boiling over like a volcano.
"Okay~ I'll start translating now~" Robin replied and walked forward eagerly, gently touching the ancient writing on the red Poneglyph.
...
The others stood by quietly, filled with anticipation as they waited for Robin to read it.
But it didn't take long—
Robin's face changed faster than a chameleon's. Her body even began to tremble, as if she had been struck by something invisible.
No one could tell if she was shocked or scared.
"What is it, Robin? What kind of earth-shaking thing does it say?" Leah asked anxiously.
Everyone else turned to look at Robin too.
"Guys… this red Poneglyph tells us the way to the final island on the Grand Line—Raftel.
It's a red Road Poneglyph!" Robin's voice trembled with excitement, and her eyes were filled with shock.
"What!"
"The route to the final island, Laugh Tale?"
"This red Poneglyph is a Road Poneglyph?"
"So that's what it is!"
The other four were so shocked by Robin's words that they couldn't hide it anymore. Their surprise burst out like a dam breaking.
"That's right!"
"There are four red Road Poneglyphs like this one in the whole sea. If we can find all four, we'll be able to reach Laugh Tale!" Robin tried to stay calm, but she said it firmly to the others.
"So, as long as we find the other three red Poneglyphs, we can get to the Laugh Tale that the Pirate King Roger talked about?" Anya's eyes widened, shining like two bright gems, as if she still hadn't snapped out of her shock.
"If the writing on this Poneglyph is correct, then yes. We need to call Ryuen and Nami over right away and make a rubbing of this one!" Robin said with a serious look.
"Everyone!"
"What's going on?" At that moment, Nami, Ryuen, and the others came rushing over.
They had heard Anya and the others shout in surprise.
So they hurried over to see what had happened. After all, anything that could shock them that much would definitely be something worth checking out!
"Ryuen, Nami…"
"You got here just in time. Ryuen was right—there really is a Poneglyph here. And it's not just any Poneglyph, it's a special red Road Poneglyph…" Robin quickly explained everything about the Poneglyph.
Everyone except Ryuen was stunned by what Robin said.
Laugh Tale!
That mysterious place was directly connected to the Pirate King Roger's treasure, the ONE PIECE!
Even though their goal wasn't to find Laugh Tale, or to get the ONE PIECE and become the Pirate King, in this moment, faced with such a shocking discovery, none of them could stay calm.
"Nami, we need to make a full copy of the writing and store it safely in your special space!" Robin said solemnly, as if she were entrusting her with something priceless.
"Got it!" Nami replied excitedly, her voice full of anticipation.
The Pirate King's legendary treasure, the ONE PIECE—the one said to be valuable enough to buy the entire world—could they really be the ones to find it?
The golden city in the sky, the treasure-filled islands of the adventurers, and now the Pirate King Roger's great treasure! Suddenly, it felt like they were about to collect every major treasure in the world!
Thinking that,
She immediately took out the rubbing tools, and the others jumped in to help, carefully copying everything written on the red Road Poneglyph.
But at that moment, Ryuen frowned and seemed deep in thought.
After all, this world was full of passion and wild ideas. Ever since coming here, Ryuen never planned to change anything.
But if they really found the ONE PIECE… that would be a different story…
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