"Time to try out a new skill."
Shirogai's cold gaze swept across everyone as he spoke in a detached tone.
"It will temporarily alter my personality."
"Oh, I see…"
Though surprised, the crew accepted his words without question.
Robin quietly returned to the Going Merry, her eyes fixed on the endless horizon. She recalled her role in the strange vision — playing the false witness in the tale of Noland the Liar. A bitter thought crossed her heart.
So, in Shirogai's eyes… am I nothing but an informant?
"Waaah, the big liar was so miserable! Executed by the King after telling so many stories!"
Luffy's voice echoed with sympathy, looking at Usopp with pity.
Usopp snapped back furiously. "Hey! Luffy! I'm not a liar! I was just playing the role in that story!"
Nami shook her head sadly. "How pitiful… he hadn't even become a brave sea warrior before his execution…"
"I told you, that wasn't me!" Usopp roared, face red.
Splash!
Luffy, who had been standing at the shore, suddenly toppled into the sea.
"Luffy!"
The crew gasped in shock.
A strong figure burst from the water — a muscular man, bare-chested, with chestnut-yellow hair like Noland's. A waterproof cigarette dangled from his lips as his sharp eyes scanned them warily.
"Who are you people? How dare you trespass on my territory!"
His voice carried authority and hostility.
This was Montblanc Cricket, the leader of the Saruyama Alliance — and the descendant of the so-called liar, Montblanc Noland.
"Damn pirates! This sea belongs to me!" Cricket declared, taking a firm stance.
"Oh no, an enemy! Luffy's been dragged into the water!" Usopp panicked.
Sanji rushed forward. "Usopp! Go save Luffy, now!"
"Okay!" Usopp dove into the sea without hesitation.
Cricket, however, noticed the disturbed earth and the opened entrance nearby. His eyes narrowed with suspicion.
"You're after the gold, aren't you?"
Whoosh!
He lunged forward, delivering a sharp kick at Sanji.
"Damn!"
Sanji barely dodged, forced backward and unable to help Luffy.
Fortunately, Usopp managed to reach Luffy in the water.
The fight began. Sanji traded blows with Cricket, surprised by the man's speed and precision.
"What vicious movements…" Sanji muttered, deflecting a strike. "Not bad."
Cricket smirked and suddenly spat his cigarette embers at Sanji.
"Using dirty tricks, huh?!"
Sanji twisted aside, but Cricket had already drawn a flintlock pistol from his waistband. His eyes glinted with lethal intent.
"Die, pirate scum!"
Bang!
"Sanji!" the crew shouted.
The smoke cleared. The bullet stopped midair, encased in frost.
"The bullet froze…?" Sanji muttered, stunned.
All eyes turned toward Shirogai, who remained seated upon his Ice Throne, calm and unmoving.
"When did Shirogai act? We didn't even notice…" Nami whispered.
Even Cricket faltered. "What the hell?!"
Pointing his pistol toward Shirogai, he barked, "So, you're a Devil Fruit user? Then I'll take you down first!"
He fired rapidly.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The bullets streaked toward Shirogai.
"Boring."
Shirogai didn't even flinch.
Zoro instinctively reached for his swords but froze as he witnessed the impossible.
The bullets slowed, their rotation faltering as if some unseen force gripped them. Ice crystals bloomed across their surfaces until they froze solid in midair.
Zoro released his blade and smirked. "Incredible. Shirogai just keeps getting stronger."
Cricket's face darkened. He spun on his heel, rushing toward the nearby house. "I'll end this!"
"Stand still," Shirogai's voice rang out, calm and lethal. "Move again, and you will die."
But Cricket dismissed it as arrogance. "You think a Devil Fruit user is invincible? Fool!"
He bolted for his hidden stash of Sea Stone bullets.
"Foolish," Shirogai muttered coldly.
Before Cricket could reach the door, his chest seized with pain. He staggered, drenched in sweat, clutching at his ribs.
"Huff… I…!" He collapsed heavily onto the ground, unconscious.
The crew stared in shock.
"Did Shirogai do that without moving again?" Zoro muttered.
Shirogai's eyes shifted toward Chopper. His tone was detached.
"Chopper. Decompression sickness."
Chopper blinked in realization. "Of course!" He dashed to Cricket's side, checking his pulse.
"You're right. Divers suffer this when nitrogen bubbles form in the blood. If not treated, it can kill."
"Will he die?" Luffy, dripping wet, asked bluntly as Usopp dragged him ashore.
Chopper shook his head. "No… he seems stable enough to recover, but treatment is necessary."
The door creaked as Shirogai entered, his cold presence filling the room.
"No. The air bubbles in his body are too many." His voice left no room for doubt. "Sanji, Zoro — hold his arms. Chopper, Luffy — hold his legs."