《One Piece: Magma of Absolute》Chapter 40: The Truth Buried for Four Hundred Years

Four centuries.

Generation after generation, they held on.

Even when their family became the butt of a world-famous joke. Even when the whole world sneered at their ancestor's name.

Not once did they waver in their belief.

Yet now, in this moment, all those defenses finally crumbled.

It was as if four hundred years' worth of grief and injustice, bottled up by so many before him, burst forth in a flood of tears that just wouldn't stop.

The Marines standing nearby watched in silence, their faces somber.

They could hear it—the heartbreak and helplessness woven into every sob. There were no words that could comfort him, so they simply waited, quietly bearing witness.

At last, the boy's tears ran dry. He rubbed his eyes, glancing up at the soldiers' downcast faces. Embarrassed, he stammered,

"S-sorry… I… sniff... I…"

"You don't need to apologize. You've done nothing wrong."

Sakazuki lifted his large hand from the boy's head and asked gently,

"We still don't know your name."

"I… I'm… Montblanc Cricket."

"Would you like to tell us more about your ancestor's story?"

"Y-yes! I'd love to!!"

The Marines crowded around Cricket, all listening intently.

For the first time, Cricket found himself telling his ancestor's tale to so many people—and not a single one was laughing at him.

So, with mounting excitement, he spun the true story—not the legend of a "great liar," but the real Montblanc Noland: a bold, honest, and mighty explorer whose adventures blazed across the world. In Cricket's words, Noland's courage and kindness shone through every trial.

And this time, not a soul doubted his words.

—

Evening fell.

The sun had dipped low before the savory scent of roasting meat from the galley finally broke the spell. Only then did they realize how much time had passed.

"All right, tidy up and get ready for dinner!" the adjutant called, following Sakazuki's nod.

The Marines formed up, marching into the mess hall in perfect step, leaving Sakazuki and the boy alone on deck.

Cricket watched the disciplined soldiers, a flicker of longing in his eyes. But it faded quickly, replaced by a shadow of sadness.

Sakazuki caught the look and chuckled. "Thinking about joining the Marines?"

Cricket's eyes lit up for a second, but then he shook his head, voice soft but resolute. "No. I still have to prove to the world that my ancestor never lied. He wasn't a fraud."

Splash!

Sakazuki just smiled, not pressing the issue.

Instead, he pulled out a sea chart and laid it before Cricket, pointing to Jaya Island.

"What part of the human body does Jaya Island remind you of?"

"Um… teeth?"

"Exactly."

"And what about this?"

"That's the Knock Up Stream."

"In your story earlier, didn't Noland say something?"

"I saw gold in the skull's right eye."

"Y-yes, he did."

A spark of inspiration flickered in Cricket's eyes, but he couldn't quite grasp it.

Sakazuki picked up a pen and drew a few lines on the map. Cricket stared, stunned.

"What does it look like now?"

"A s-skull! It's a skull!"

"This… this—!"

Watching the boy's stunned expression, Sakazuki sighed inwardly.

If he didn't know the truth from the legend, who would ever guess that the lost City of Gold was up in the sky? Four hundred years of searching…

"If there was a once-in-history Knock Up Stream here…" Sakazuki pressed his hand over part of the map, leaving only the current shape of Jaya Island visible.

"What would be left behind?"

Cricket stared at the chart, thunderstruck—his whole world upended in an instant.

~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~

Explore More Amazing Fanfiction on My Patreon!

Unlock 30+ Advance Chapters and Enjoy Exclusive Stories Early!

��� patreon.com/GoldenLong