"Huh? Looks like we've arrived!"
Nami peered toward the distant shore, unfolding a map to confirm their position. She waved excitedly at her companions skidding across the ice.
"Everyone! We've reached the spot marked with an X on the map!"
Ahead, a five-story castle loomed in the distance, shimmering with luxury. Its grand façade faced directly toward the path of the Going Merry.
"Wow!"
Luffy halted mid-chase of Usopp and Chopper, his eyes sparkling in awe.
"What a huge castle!"
Usopp gasped, stars in his eyes.
"That guy must be loaded! Chopper, stop running already—we're here!"
But Chopper's mind was still filled with images of being sliced into venison hotpot. Terrified, his hooves only pounded harder against the ice.
"Wuwuwu! Don't eat me! Reindeer meat isn't tasty!"
"Hey! Calm down! They're not chasing anymore—" Usopp shouted, gripping the sled handle desperately. The screw rattled loose under the pressure.
"Ahhh, Chopper! Where are you taking me?! Somebody help!"
With a sharp snap, the screw gave way. The sled jolted violently, flinging Usopp into the freezing sea with a splash.
"Achoo! Achoo! I'm freezing!"
Shivering, dripping wet, Usopp clambered back aboard the Merry.
"I-I'm sorry, Usopp…" Chopper trailed behind him guiltily.
Zoro crossed his arms and muttered flatly, "Serves you right."
"Usopp, come here."
Sitting relaxed, Shirogai stretched out his hand. A small flame flickered to life, hovering steadily in his palm. With careful control of the Mera Mera no Mi, he dried the seawater from Usopp's clothes without burning them.
Usopp's eyes lit up as warmth returned to his body.
"Thanks, Shirogai! I thought I was gonna freeze solid out there! Your fruit is so handy—perfect for drying clothes! From now on, you're in charge of laundry duty!"
Shirogai chuckled. "Heh, no problem."
The crew regrouped aboard the Going Merry as the ship curved toward the mysterious castle.
"What a mansion…" Nami's eyes glittered with greed.
"This Montblanc Cricket must be filthy rich!"
But Zoro squinted at the structure, unimpressed.
"You idiots, take a closer look."
Sanji lit a cigarette, frowning.
"Tch, a dreamer with shallow pride. That 'castle' is just a cheap façade—planks painted to look fancy."
"Huh???" The others blinked in shock.
As the Merry drew closer, the truth was revealed: the "five-story castle" was nothing more than a two-story house, half of it missing entirely as if it had been sliced clean in two.
"What?! All that luxury was fake? Just painted wood?!"
Nami pouted. "What a stingy man…"
Robin spoke softly, her tone edged with curiosity.
"This man… Cricket. He's a descendant of Montblanc Noland. Driven out by pirates and called a dreamer."
Nami tilted her head. "Dreamer? What dream was so important?"
Robin smiled faintly.
"Jaya Island is said to have once held vast amounts of gold."
"Gold?!" Nami's eyes shone brighter than ever. "So that box of gold we found earlier… it came from here?!"
She snapped to her feet, shouting commands.
"Everyone, dig this island three feet deep! Shirogai, do you have a Devil Fruit ability to detect gold? Hurry and use it!"
Shirogai offered an apologetic smile.
"Sorry, Nami, not yet."
His thoughts drifted silently: The Gold-Gold Fruit of Gild Tesoro… now that's a fruit with real strategic value. If fate takes me to Gran Tesoro one day, perhaps I'll claim it.
Zoro sighed, exasperated.
"Oi, Nami. We didn't come here for gold. We're here for Sky Island."
But Nami's eyes were practically shaped like Berries.
"No! We're here for gold!"
Usopp trembled. "Oh no… she's lost it! Nami, get a grip!"
"Gold! This whole place is covered in gold!" Nami cried, already fantasizing about riches.
"Chopper, use your horns to dig! They're perfect for it!"
Chopper blushed, torn between embarrassment and pride.
"Idiot, don't praise me like that! …But, uh, really? My horns are that good? Then maybe I'll try!"
Zoro just shook his head, walking away.
"This woman's insane. Forget it."
Sanji spun in circles, hearts in his eyes.
"Wuwuwu! Even greedy Nami-san is beautiful!"
While everyone fussed, Luffy had already wandered to the door, laughing as he pushed it open.
"Hellooo! Anybody home? Excuse me!"
"Idiot! That's reckless!" Usopp complained, though he still hurried after him nervously. "What if the owner's dangerous? What if there are traps?!"
Shirogai followed quietly, scanning the house.
Inside was simple: a bed, a small table with chairs, a bookshelf, and some boxes stacked against the wall.
Luffy scratched his head, disappointed.
"Huh? Doesn't look like anyone's here."
Shirogai turned his gaze toward the nearby waters, narrowing his eyes. Beneath the surface, he could sense a human presence swimming. So, Montblanc Cricket is close…
He recalled the tale: the descendant of Noland the Liar, a man ridiculed by history. A man whose true strength lay not in power, but in friendship and unwavering conviction.
Meanwhile, Nami's digging frenzy had stopped when she spotted something on the table.
"Huh? A book…"
She picked it up, brushing dust from the cover.
"It looks ancient… The title says, 'Noland the Liar.'"
"The title's great!" Usopp beamed instantly. "A story about a liar's adventures? Sounds like my kind of book!"
Sanji raised an eyebrow, amused. "Noland the Liar, huh? I read that story when I was a kid."
Nami blinked. "Wait… you did? But it says here this book comes from the North Blue. We've never even heard of it!"
Sanji chuckled, exhaling smoke.
"That's because I was born in the North Blue. Didn't you know that already?"
_____
Thanks for the Power stones.