"Hey kid, judging by your eyes, you seem to recognize what I'm holding."
Raleigh stared intently into the boy's eyes as he spoke.
Startled by the Marine's words, the boy quickly lowered his head.
Yet, driven by some mysterious determination, he seemed to struggle against his own fear, trying to overcome a heavy psychological barrier.
Raleigh had seen scenes like this many times before. In moments like these, silence was often the best approach.
If they managed to break through their mental barriers, they would reveal the whole truth on their own.
Conversely, if one could not overcome the obstacles within, no amount of coercion would make them speak.
Time passed minute by minute.
In the boy's world, it felt as if a century had dragged by.
Finally, he lifted his head.
"Yes, Marine Sir. I recognize the object in your hand."
Raleigh held a copper pocket watch in his palm.
He glanced at it and chuckled. "I thought you'd take much longer to decide, but it's been less than ten minutes."
He snapped the watch shut. "Come aboard, kid. Have a drink, and then we'll listen to your story."
The boy grabbed the rope lowered by the soldiers and climbed up the ship's hull.
Though he sensed the suddenness of their arrival and found Raleigh and his crew somewhat rough around the edges, he felt they were good-hearted people.
Besides, they held an artifact that proved the existence of the city of gold.
Once the boy was on deck, Raleigh ordered a square table to be brought out.
He had the chef serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, then placed the golden artifact on the table.
"Take a look, kid."
"Thank you, Sir."
After expressing his gratitude, the boy carefully picked up the gold and examined it closely.
As he observed it, he couldn't help but reveal a look of delight, murmuring to himself.
"That's right. According to the records in our clan's archives, this ethnic group did indeed create artifacts of this design."
Raleigh sipped his rum on the rocks, not rushing the boy.
Only after the boy had thoroughly inspected the gold did he belatedly speak up.
"I'm sorry, Marine Sir. I lost my composure earlier. It's just that... this object is far too precious."
Raleigh nodded to indicate he didn't mind.
The boy lifted the golden artifact, allowing Raleigh and the surrounding Marines to see it clearly.
"Sirs, this uniquely designed golden artifact is a ceremonial object exclusive to a special ethnic group that lived on Jaya Island four hundred years ago—the Shandia tribe."
He took a breath. "My ancestors once described the Shandia tribe's lifestyle and traditional rituals in detail, which is why I recognized it at a glance."
The boy's words caused an uproar on the deck.
"What? Something from four hundred years ago?"
"To think it's connected to a mysterious race from the past—that's incredible!"
"Truly unexpected. I thought it was just a nice piece of craftsmanship from a merchant ship."
Raleigh, who had not been particularly interested before, suddenly sat up straight.
His gaze became intense as he stared at the boy. The sudden shift in expression startled the child.
"Jaya Island... the Shandia tribe... Could it be that your ancestor is Noland?"
Though Raleigh phrased it as a question, he had already concluded in his mind that only a descendant of Noland would believe in the legend of the city of gold.
"Huh? How do you know about my family, Sir?"
The boy stared at Raleigh in confusion, then suddenly seemed to realize something and hurriedly covered his mouth.
Beside them, Bessermer Reginald wore a look of bewilderment, as if something felt very familiar.
"Noland... that sounds familiar."
"Yes, I feel the same way. It's like I've heard that name somewhere before."
"Ah, now that you mention it, it's right on the tip of my tongue, but I can't quite recall it."
The soldiers on the deck who were born and raised in the North Blue suddenly felt that the name Noland was ubiquitous, yet their memories of it weren't particularly vivid.
It seemed the name was known across the North Blue, but without any specific heroic deeds attached to it, the Marines couldn't immediately place the figure.
Raleigh rubbed his temples and downed a large glass of rum before slowly speaking.
"What a bunch of fools. Noland's full name is Mont Blanc Noland."
He set the glass down. "But in the North Blue, he goes by another nickname—the Liar King."
After Raleigh finished speaking, the soldiers on the deck wore expressions of sudden realization.
"No wonder it sounded familiar—it's the fairy tale my mom used to tell me when I was a child!"
"If you'd said Mont Blanc Noland, I might not have known, but if you mention the Liar King of the North Blue, I doubt there's anyone who hasn't heard of him."
"To think Noland is your ancestor—that's unbelievable, kid."
Hearing the discussions around him, the little boy raised his small fists, grinding his teeth.
His face filled with a mix of anger and restraint as he spoke with righteous conviction.
"My ancestor, Mont Blanc Noland, was not the Liar King of the North Blue—he was a great navigator!"
Tears began to well up in his eyes.
"Ancestor Noland once landed at the port of Jaya Island on a pitch-black night to escape a terrifying tempest. According to our family records, he cured the Shandia tribe, who were suffering from 'Tree Fever,' and put an end to their tradition of human sacrifice. He became instant friends with the 'Great Warrior' Kalgara!"
As the little boy spoke, his round eyes overflowed with tears.
For over 400 years, his family had endured the scornful gazes of the North Blue populace—almost everyone believed Noland was the most notorious liar and braggart in history.
His family had spent their entire lives traveling to the islands Noland once visited along the Grand Line, trying to find traces that would prove their ancestor had not lied.
Now, the appearance of this golden artifact was clear evidence that a tribe called the Shandia had indeed existed in this place. How could the little boy not be overwhelmed with emotion?
Raleigh brought a glass of rum with ice to the little boy and patted his shoulder.
"Things will pass. Perhaps the shame your family has carried for so long will come to an end in your hands." Raleigh's voice was steady.
"I believe that if Noland truly wrote in his logbook about the Shandia tribe on Jaya Island, then the tribe must have existed."
Raleigh was actually quite familiar with the truth of this story.
Mont Blanc Noland was indeed an exceptional navigator, and he had truly discovered the city of gold on Jaya Island.
He was simply unlucky.
Although he made detailed records, shortly after he left, the section of Jaya Island containing the gold was suddenly thrust into the sky by the massive Knock Up Stream.