Cursed Seas and Slashing Tides

The Island of Dreams and Determination

The Merry sailed toward the opposite side of Jaya Island, where a dreamer awaited.

“This is the place on the map.” Robin said, eyes scanning the shore.

“And we'll find…” Ryomen trailed off.

“Mont Blanc Cricket. Were you not paying attention?” Robin asked, her lips quirking in amusement.

“I...no, not really.” Ryomen admitted, distracted. His unusual behavior didn't go unnoticed by the others.

Luffy, oblivious as ever, pointed ahead excitedly. “Wow! That’s his house!? He must be loaded!”

They all turned to see a grand ‘castle’ perched on the shoreline.

“Look closer, idiot.” Zoro shook his head.

“A man of big dreams, huh? Well, he sure likes creating illusions.” Sanji remarked, his eyebrow raised.

As the Merry docked, Luffy wasted no time sprinting toward the so-called ‘castle.’ Moments later, his voice echoed back. “Hey, it’s only made of cardboard!”

“What!?” Chopper yelped in disbelief.

“There’s just half a house.” Zoro muttered, eyeing the modest building behind the fake façade.

“Talk about a cheapskate.” Sanji added.

"What kind of dreams did he have for being exiled?" Nami asked Robin, curiosity evident in her voice.

"I'm not entirely sure of the details…but he believes there's a massive hoard of gold somewhere on Jaya." Robin replied, sparking excitement in Usopp and Nami.

"Gold!?" Usopp nearly shouted.

"Is it some kind of lost pirate treasure!?" Nami asked eagerly. "Chopper, start digging! Find that gold!"

"Huh!? Why do I have to dig!?" Chopper responded, flustered.

Before anyone could answer, Luffy burst into the house, shouting, "Hello!? Anyone home!?"

"What are you doing, Luffy!?" Usopp yelled, his panic growing.

While Luffy explored the house, Nami found an old, weathered storybook outside. She glanced at the title and murmured, "Noland the Liar, huh?"

"That's a catchy title! I like it!" Usopp chimed in with enthusiasm.

"Of course you would." Ryomen muttered, rolling his eyes.

Sanji, walking by, looked at the book and smiled faintly. "That brings back memories. I read it when I was a kid."

Nami raised an eyebrow. "But it was published in the North Blue."

"Yeah, I was born there." Sanji replied casually. "The story's pretty old, but Noland was a real person once, a long time ago."

The story recounted the life of Mont Blanc Noland, an explorer whose incredible tales were so unbelievable that no one trusted him. One day, Noland claimed to have found an island brimming with gold, so the king gathered two thousand soldiers and set sail with him.

The journey was brutal—tempests battered their ship, and sea monsters attacked relentlessly. By the time they arrived at the island, only a hundred soldiers were left. But instead of gold, they found only a dense jungle.

Accused of lying, Noland was sentenced to death. His last words were "I know! The mountain of gold must have sunk into the ocean!" His dying claim left the king and his people in shock. No one believed Noland, but he stuck to his story until the bitter end.