Just as Buggy and his crew finished their meal and stepped out of the tavern, the weather suddenly changed dramatically—huge, fluffy snowflakes began to fall from the sky.
It was astonishing. None of them had expected that on this mist-shrouded island, snow could suddenly descend. The crew couldn't help but sigh in amazement—the Grand Line truly is full of wonders.
As Buggy's group marveled at the heavy snowfall, they noticed the island residents reacting startlingly. People who had been casually walking along the road suddenly looked panicked, hurrying desperately toward their homes as if their lives depended on it.
The crew found themselves puzzled. It's just snow, they thought. Is there really any need to panic like this? Snow can't possibly kill you.
But then, from behind them, a tense voice called out:
"Guests! Hurry inside and take shelter! Don't stay out there—this could cost you your lives!"
It was the tavern owner. His face was pale with fear, his body trembling as if it took all the courage he had to speak those words.
Buggy's crew turned back, meeting his panicked expression. They exchanged confused glances.
"Boss, what's going on? It's just snow. Our bodies are plenty strong enough to handle a bit of cold." Crocus (Clo) said skeptically.
But the tavern owner didn't answer. Instead, his eyes darted anxiously around, and he rushed forward to grab Dadi by the arm, dragging him back inside.
"Not here. I'll explain inside—quickly!"
His voice carried a weight of urgency, and his trembling hands revealed his fear.
Dadi didn't resist, and the others, seeing the seriousness in the man's eyes, followed him back inside the tavern.
The moment they stepped in, the owner slammed the door shut and leaned against it, breathing heavily in relief.
"Boss," Buggy asked, narrowing his eyes, "what's really going on?"
The owner steadied himself, then spoke in a low, trembling voice:
"The Snow Woman has appeared. If you stay outside… you'll surely die."
The crew blinked in confusion. Snow Woman? They had heard the name before in old folk tales, but those were just stories. Could such a thing truly exist?
Seeing their skeptical looks, the tavern owner sighed heavily and began recounting the legend.
According to him, the Snow Woman was real—she lived deep within the snowy mountains, a forbidden place on the island. Every time she appeared, great flurries of snow would fall. Anyone caught outside during her appearances would vanish without a trace.
Rumor had it that the Snow Woman emerged to hunt, seeking living prey. Any creature she set eyes upon would be taken away… and eaten.
This blizzard was her sign. Anyone who remained outside was likely to become her next meal. That was why the villagers were so terrified—and why the tavern owner had risked warning Buggy and his crew. The Snow Woman's terror had sunk deep into the islanders' hearts.
"Don't you have your great Hero Gott to deal with her?" Buggy pressed.
He and his crew didn't buy into ghost stories. More likely, they thought, this "Snow Woman" was just a Devil Fruit user. If Gott was the strongest man on the island, surely he knew about her existence. Why hadn't he stopped her?
The tavern owner nodded grimly. "Lord Gott has entered the snowy mountains many times to hunt her down. But the Snow Woman… she seems to possess an incredible power of concealment. Every time he goes, he returns empty-handed. Not a trace of her has ever been found."
For over a decade, Gott had tried, only to fail each time.
Buggy frowned. To him, it was obvious: She's a Devil Fruit user—probably something like the Snow-Snow Fruit. Her so-called "concealment" was likely elemental powers or a unique ability to blend into the snow. Or maybe she was simply too strong for even Gott to defeat, forcing him to make excuses.
Buggy closed his eyes briefly, focusing his Kenbunshoku Haki. His Observation Haki had improved; now he could sense up to three hundred meters around him. Probing into the storm, he realized something strange—the snow wasn't falling naturally from the sky. Instead, it was spreading outward across the island from a single point.
That confirmed it. This wasn't natural weather. This was a Devil Fruit user's doing.
Understanding the situation, Buggy made up his mind.
He would go. He wanted to see this so-called Snow Woman for himself. If she truly was the monster the legends described—devouring humans for prey—then today might be her last.
He stood. "Boss, thank you for your warning. But we have business to take care of. We won't be staying here."
The tavern owner's eyes widened in shock. "What? No—you mustn't go out there! If you do, you'll lose your lives! I swear I'm not lying!"
He couldn't believe that after everything he had said, Buggy and his crew still insisted on leaving. He had tried to help them, but they seemed to be walking straight to their deaths.
Buggy's gaze softened. "We believe you. And we're grateful for your kindness. But we're not going out there to die. We have the strength to protect ourselves. Even if this Snow Woman is real, we won't fear her."
The owner studied their faces. The unshakable determination in their eyes told him they wouldn't be swayed. With a sigh of resignation, he lowered his head.
"…Fine. But please, be careful. If danger comes, run back here. I'll open the door for you."
It was all he could offer them—a way back, a slim chance of survival. But in his heart, he couldn't muster much faith. They were still so young. Even Gott, with his overwhelming power, had failed against the Snow Woman. How could these newcomers possibly succeed?
To him, their departure was little more than a death sentence.
Buggy and his crew thanked the man once more, then, under his sorrowful gaze, stepped back outside—onto the snow-covered streets, walking straight into the storm.