Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper hadn't expected this at all.
Beneath the top layer of stones inside the massive chest was a dazzling hoard of golden artifacts.
"Oh my gosh! There's so much gold! It's really gold!"
Usopp grinned from ear to ear as he lifted a solid gold teapot over his head with both hands, bouncing in excitement.
"We're rich! We're rich! We finally have money!"
Out on the Going Merry, Nami—who was examining a skeleton's origin with Robin—suddenly perked up, her ears twitching in excitement.
"I think I just heard the sound of treasure…"
---
Farther out on the sea, a bizarre pirate ship approached.
It flew a black flag emblazoned with a grinning monkey face… holding a banana.
The vessel was huge, with a cluster of palm and banana trees growing right on its deck.
Its destination was clear—the shipwreck that had fallen from the sky.
"Beep, beep, beep…"
A towering, rugged man stood at the bow, blowing a whistle and barking orders.
"Quiet down! Head straight for the wreck! Ooh-ooh-ooh!"
His crew, dressed lightly for the heat and armed with various weapons, beat gongs in rhythm as they answered in unison.
"Yes, Boss! Ooh-ooh-ooh!"
The man raised his head and laughed, "Admit it—I'm handsome! Hahaha! Now move it! I'll prove my family's legends were true!"
"Yes, Boss!"
---
Meanwhile, Shirogai had crafted a small candle boat and carefully loaded the heavy chest onto it.
"La la la, we are pirates, we're here to find treasure…"
The four of them rowed the candle oars cheerfully, hauling their prize back to the Going Merry.
"We're back! Look what we found!"
Luffy vaulted onto the deck with his usual agility, hoisting the box of gold onto the ship with effort.
"What's that? Could it be treasure?"
The rest of the crew gathered around, curiosity piqued.
Nami's eyes sparkled. "It's treasure, isn't it?"
Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper exchanged a mischievous glance.
"Heh heh… time for the big reveal!"
Usopp and Chopper, puffing out their chests, lifted the lid.
"Ta-da! A whole box of… stones!"
Everyone froze.
Nami's face fell. "You carried all that weight for a bunch of rocks?!"
"You fell for it!" Usopp laughed, sweeping away the false layer of stones.
"Because underneath… it's all gold!"
A warm golden glow bathed the deck.
---
"That ship… it had this much gold?" Zoro, Sanji, and Nami's eyes went wide.
Only Robin remained calm, smiling lightly at the sight.
But Nami—being Nami—was on the verge of losing her composure.
Her mouth hung open in shock before she swayed and stumbled, only to be caught by Shirogai, who had expected her reaction.
Still in his arms, she covered her eyes and muttered, "Don't wake me up from this dream… Shirogai, pinch me."
"My pleasure," he replied, giving her cheek a playful squeeze.
"Ah! That hurts!" She blinked rapidly, realization hitting her.
"It's real! It's actually real!"
Her eyes gleamed like twin golden coins as she lunged for the chest, hugging the gold.
"It's all mine! Hehehe… all mine!"
The crew only laughed at her shamelessness.
Luffy pumped his fists. "We finally found treasure!"
Shirogai smirked, watching the glittering heap.
"You know, there's a Devil Fruit that deals with gold. If Nami had it, she'd probably master it in a day."
Sanji's eyes turned into hearts. "The lovely Nami-swaaan… even cuter when she's happy."
Zoro cracked a small smile. "Rare to see her like this."
Chopper and Usopp celebrated together, "We're real pirates now! We found treasure!"
Robin simply observed with that knowing smile of hers.
---
For Nami, this treasure was more than just gold—it was freedom.
Since her childhood under Arlong's control, she'd been obsessed with money, seeing it as the only way to protect her village. That mindset had never left her, even after liberation.
Shirogai studied her with a thoughtful look. "Nami, do you know why this ship from Sky Island had so much gold?"
Her eyes widened. "Wait… you mean there's more gold up there?"
"Without a doubt," Shirogai replied.
"To Sky Island then!" she shouted. "Zoro! Sanji! Full rudder up!"
"Uh… you're the navigator, Nami," Zoro said dryly. "That's… not how ships work."
Sanji, on the other hand, twirled in delight. "Anything you say, Nami-san!"
Shirogai chuckled at the chaos, keeping his role in their find a quiet secret.
Just then, the distant sound of whistles and gongs drew their attention.
"Beep! Beep! Beep!"
"Salvage! Salvage!"
A large, odd-looking pirate ship was heading straight for them.
On the Grand Line, you don't just watch out for the Marines.
Other pirates could be just as dangerous.
And when two pirate crews crossed paths, the law of the sea was simple—
The weak are prey, and the strong take everything.
---