“Since we’ve found him, then go meet him. If he’s willing, bring him back with you. Remember to be friendly, don’t scare him.”
Nereus knew Noland still had descendants alive. If they still couldn’t be found, then after a few more years, Nereus would have people search around the direction of Mock Town.
After all, Noland’s descendants were carrying out deep-sea salvage operations in those waters, trying to find the missing City of Gold. If they could be found, that would naturally be better.
“You’ve been away from Fishman Island for several years now, so this is also a good chance to come back and take a look. As for Deul Kingdom, I’ll send someone else to take over your duties there.
Of course, if you like the environment in the North Blue, you can always go back later.”
Tiger already liked traveling around outside and had long been assigned to overseas duties, so he did not particularly care.
Rather, most of the original residents of the Fish-Man District shared this mentality. After all, most of those people were orphans and had no real family on Fishman Island. It was common for a few brothers to head out together and make their own way in the world.
“I understand, Your Majesty Nereus.”
Some time later, North Blue, Lvneel Kingdom.
Tiger arrived here alone on a small boat.
On these seas, it was common for a kingdom to last for hundreds of years. Among the World Government’s affiliated nations, many had been passed down since eight hundred years ago.
And Lvneel was the nation where Noland had once lived, something that could be confirmed through the fairy tale books.
Back then, after Noland brought back news of the City of Gold, the king of Lvneel Kingdom, driven by greed for gold, sent Noland out to sea once more. But because of the Knock Up Stream, the City of Gold had already disappeared.
The king believed he had been deceived, but Noland insisted the City of Gold truly existed. In the end, he was executed by the king and left behind the title of “Liar.”
Even now, this was still a well known fairy tale throughout the North Blue.
Using a fairy tale to search for someone sounded absurd, but this was actually the most effective record concerning Noland on the seas.
Some time ago, Tiger had entrusted merchant ships traveling through the North Blue to gather information here, but all the news he received said they hadn’t found anyone. Only recently had they finally obtained a small lead.
Although they still lived in Lvneel Kingdom, Noland’s descendants did not stay there all the time. The gossip within the country still greatly affected their lives.
Tiger could already feel this when he arrived.
“Old man, do you know where Noland’s descendants live?”
“A Fish-Man? You people are interested in that liar’s story too? They used to live here, but after Cricket’s parents died, that kid sold the house and moved onto a ship.
Right now… he should be at the docks.”
Tiger’s obviously Fish-Man appearance did not draw much attention here. Lvneel Kingdom had always produced explorers. Not only did civilians enjoy sailing out to explore, but the king also regularly organized expedition teams.
Compared to those perpetually isolated countries, this kingdom understood the outside world far better. And judging from the old man’s tone, Tiger was not the first person to come looking for Noland’s descendants.
It was just that those people had all come to mock them. The only ones insisting the City of Gold truly existed were not just Noland himself, but also his descendants. In Lvneel Kingdom, they were even called the family of liars.
Every descendant, because of Noland, would be labeled a liar. No matter the reason, even childish lies during childhood would be treated as perfectly natural.
Following the old man’s directions, Tiger quickly found the ship drifting at the docks and met a chestnut-haired young man—Mont Blanc Cricket.
By comparing that hairstyle with the hairstyle in the picture books, it was almost certain that this was Noland’s descendant.
“Excuse me, are you Noland’s descendant?”
“No, you’ve got the wrong person.”
Without even turning his head, Cricket immediately denied his identity.
“So I got the wrong person… Sorry for bothering you.”
Seeing the other party deny it, Tiger did not question him and simply picked up the map in his hand, comparing it as he walked away.
“Wait, I’m actually a friend of Noland’s descendant. What do you want with him? I can pass the message along for you.”
The identity of the Mont Blanc family caused Cricket endless trouble, to the point where he did not even want to face it. But for some reason, just as Tiger was about to leave, he subconsciously called out to stop him.
“I come from the Grand Line. There’s a country whose people once received Noland’s help, so they want to meet his descendants.”
“Help…? You’re not joking, are you?”
“Of course not. Even to this day, Noland is still their great hero, and ‘Land’ is their highest title for a hero.
Since you know him, have him call this number when you see him. I came here under His Majesty’s orders to bring Noland’s descendants to that country.”
“There’s no need! I’m his descendant, Cricket!”
At this time, Cricket was still just a teenager. Because of Noland, he had been mocked since childhood. The moment he heard there was a place that admired Noland, he instantly lowered his guard.
Bringing all his belongings with him, he followed Tiger onto an unknown journey.
Or rather, even though he knew this journey might be dangerous, under the influence of that “benefit,” he still could not refuse.
Tiger’s return route to Fishman Island was also unusual. Instead of heading toward Reverse Mountain, he traveled in the opposite direction along the sea chart, arriving on the other side of the Red Line to wait for the others to meet up with him there.
Sailing through the Four Seas was undoubtedly far safer than sailing through the Grand Line, but it still took quite a long time.
If it had only been Tiger alone, it would never have taken this long, but Cricket could not endure such high-intensity sailing. By the time they arrived beneath the Red Line, on the other side of the Grand Line, another ship had also reached the Sabaody Archipelago.
“Sabaody Archipelago… this really brings back memories. We’re back here again.”
Roger had crossed the Grand Line countless times. When the destination was clear, the voyage actually did not take very long. Part of the time had even been spent “playing around” with Garp chasing after them.
With the current lineup of the Roger Pirates, Garp alone was no longer enough to deal with them.
“Rayleigh! Get ready to coat the ship! We’re diving soon! Didn’t you say you wanted to open a coating shop here and spend your retirement years peacefully? Our lives are all in your hands now!”
For ships traveling on the surface, no matter how many times they had gone to Fishman Island, the risk of death never changed. A trustworthy Coating Craftsman was absolutely indispensable.
If someone aboard the ship could coat it themselves, naturally they would not leave such a thing to outsiders.
However, while Rayleigh was purchasing the necessary materials in Sabaody Archipelago to prepare for the coating, he received a rather unexpected request.
“A permit… from the Ryugu Kingdom?”
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