As the Anglerfish's mouth closed, everyone aboard turned pale in an instant.
Nami threw herself into Leno's arms, crying and screaming in panic.
Chopper clung tightly to Leno's leg, his mouth agape in speechless terror.
The others, though visibly shaken, managed to stay somewhat composed and gathered around Leno, waiting for him to make a decision.
At that moment, Robin stepped forward, her eyes filled with curiosity.
"Leno, if I'm not mistaken… you came in here on purpose, didn't you?"
"What?!"
Both Nami in Leno's arms and Chopper at his leg shouted in unison, staring up at him in disbelief, trying to read his face.
What the hell was this guy thinking—diving straight into a monster's mouth? Did he have a death wish?!
"Ahaha~ so you noticed?"
Leno tried to joke, but seeing everyone's grim faces, he quickly explained,
"The reason I came in was to confirm my theory—to see if that thing was really inside this creature's stomach."
"You're insane! To prove a theory you had to get us eaten alive?!"
Nami's fury flared instantly. The thought that Leno had risked everyone's lives just for a hunch made her want to tear him apart.
"And why drag all of us in here with you?"
"Well, of course not! Treasure's meant to be shared, isn't it?"
In truth, Leno had acted on pure impulse—he'd been so excited he hadn't thought it through and had instinctively steered the ship forward. But that, of course, he wasn't about to admit.
"Treasure?!"
"That thing?"
Nami's eyes gleamed with greed, while Robin's expression deepened with curiosity as both women turned their attention to Leno.
For Nami, it was the magic word treasure that caught her attention; for Robin, it was curiosity—what kind of object could drive Leno to take such a risk?
"Pure Gold~" Leno said casually.
"Pure Gold? The legendary metal said to be able to buy the whole world?" Robin's eyes widened in shock.
"It can buy the whole world?!! I want it!!!"
Nami's eyes shone like suns, brimming with energy as she grabbed Leno's arm.
"You idiot! Hurry! Move forward!"
"Nami, we'll die if we're not careful! Think about it first!"
Chopper, trembling and teary-eyed, pleaded with her for reason, but she was too excited to listen.
She rushed to the bow, eyes sparkling with anticipation as the ship descended through the Anglerfish's massive throat.
After what felt like an eternity, just as Nami's patience began to wane, they finally saw light below.
"This is incredible—the stomach's so bright!"
"Wow~ there's even an island over there!"
As the crew entered the Anglerfish's stomach, they were left speechless.
The space was enormous, illuminated like broad daylight—and far in the distance, an island rose from within.
"This Anglerfish really eats everything, huh?"
The Gale soared through the air, the crew leaning over the rails, staring in awe at this bizarre inner world. It was hard to believe they were inside a living creature.
"Leno, look—there's someone over there!"
Hancock, who had been nestled at Leno's side, suddenly pointed ahead.
In the distance, several dinosaurs were surrounding a blonde girl riding a strange lizard, clearly hunting her.
Seeing this, Leno's eyes lit up. In the next instant, his figure vanished in a flash of lightning.
Zzzz—Crack!
Before the girl's terrified eyes, the dinosaurs were struck by several massive bolts of lightning, instantly reduced to charred husks.
Leno emerged from the fading sparks with a bright smile.
"Hey, little one, you okay?"
"Sugoi—y-you…"
The girl stammered, still shaken by the display of power, her eyes wide. Then, as she saw the flying ship descending behind Leno, she blinked in surprise.
"You guys… were swallowed by Lord Lantern too?"
"Lord Lantern?"
Nami, who had just arrived beside Leno, tilted her head in confusion.
To think that people actually lived here—it was beyond belief.
"That's what we call the Anglerfish. You see—"
Growl~
A loud rumble interrupted her words. The smell of roasted meat drifted from the charred dinosaur corpses, and the girl's stomach betrayed her instantly.
Clutching her belly, she gazed at the meat with drooling longing. She couldn't even remember the last time she'd eaten flesh.
Fortunately, Carmen arrived with a warm smile and quickly began grilling fresh meat for her.
Soon, after introductions, everyone learned the girl's name—Olga Myskina.
Burp~
"Ahh, I'm so full! My dream of two hundred years… finally fulfilled!"
Olga leaned back, patting her round belly with pure bliss. For so long she'd been hunted by those beasts—today, she'd finally eaten them.
"Two hundred years?!"
Everyone froze, staring at the frail little girl with disbelief.
"That's right. I've survived for two hundred years eating only the fruits and vegetables on this island," Olga said cheerfully. "I've always dreamed of tasting meat again."
The others exchanged stunned looks.
"Two hundred years…? How can a human live that long—and still look like a child?"
"Then technically, you're an old granny, aren't you?"
"This is unbelievable…"
Even after all they'd seen today, Nami and Robin were once again left speechless.
Leno, seeing their confusion, stepped forward with an explanation.
"Olga hasn't aged or died because she's wearing Pure Gold. Once someone wears it, every function of the human body is forcibly halted. As long as it's not removed, she could theoretically live forever."
His words struck them like thunder.
Everyone went silent, their minds blank, unable to process what they'd just heard.
Olga, meanwhile, blinked in surprise, staring at the ring on her middle finger.
"So… it's because of you…" she murmured softly.