Generations of unwavering determination.
Even if it meant becoming a worldwide laughingstock.
Even in the face of global scorn toward their ancestor.
They never once doubted.
Yet in this moment, the dam finally burst.
As if the sorrow and injustice accumulated over four hundred years across generations was pouring out in one great wave, refusing to stop.
The surrounding soldiers wore somber expressions.
They could all hear just how much grief and helplessness was contained in that crying.
Words could not express it—so they simply waited in silence.
Finally, the boy cried himself out.
Rubbing his eyes, he looked around at the soldiers with downcast eyes.
A little embarrassed, he said,
"Sorry... I'm... sniff... I..."
"You don't need to apologize. You didn't do anything wrong."
Sakazuki removed his large hand from the boy's head, then asked,
"I still don't know your name."
"I... I'm... Mont Blanc Cricket."
"Would you be interested in telling us more about your ancestor's story?"
All the soldiers gathered around Cricket, listening intently.
Cricket was equally excited—this was his first time telling his ancestor's story in front of so many people.
And they were listening without mockery!
And so, under Cricket's narration, a very different image emerged from the infamous "liar" of legend.
A hearty, straightforward, powerful warrior took shape in everyone's minds—along with Noland's incredible adventures.
This time, no one thought it was fake...
More than half a day had passed, but the boy, still engrossed in storytelling with the others, was interrupted by the smell of meat wafting from the ship's dining hall.
Only then did they realize the sun was already half set.
"Alright, let's wrap it up and get ready to eat."
Following Sakazuki's orders, the adjutant called out.
Everyone lined up and marched in order into the dining hall, while Sakazuki and the boy remained on the deck.
Cricket gazed at the neatly arranged soldiers marching in perfect step. A flicker of longing passed through his eyes.
But it quickly vanished, leaving behind a faint sadness.
Sakazuki noticed and chuckled.
"Want to join the Navy?"
Cricket's eyes lit up, but he quickly lowered his head again and replied,
"No... I still have to prove to the world that my ancestor didn't lie... that he wasn't a fraud."
Sakazuki smiled and didn't press further.
Instead, he pulled out a nautical chart, laid it out in front of Cricket, and pointed at Jaya Island.
"What part of the human body do you think Jaya Island resembles?"
"This is the Knock Up Stream."
"Didn't Noland say something in your story earlier?"
"I saw gold in the right eye of the skull."
Cricket seemed to have a flash of inspiration, but no matter how hard he thought, he couldn't make sense of it.
At that moment, Sakazuki took out a pen and made a few strokes on the map.
Cricket was completely stunned.
"What does it look like now?"
Seeing Cricket's astonished face, Sakazuki couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
If not for knowing the story, no one would ever have guessed—the lost City of Gold was in the sky. Four hundred years...
"If there was once an unprecedented Knock Up Stream right here..."
Sakazuki pointed to a spot as he spoke, pressing his hand over the area where he had just drawn, leaving only the current visible portion of Jaya Island.
"Then what would it look like?"
Cricket stared at the map, thunderstruck, as if struck by lightning.
read +100 chapters on tambeerg