The harbor was covered in rust. Broken mining cranes leaned to one side, as though they could collapse at any moment. Empty mine carts remained scattered along abandoned railway tracks that had long since fallen into disuse. Every building had been reclaimed by time. Not even the sound of birds could be heard. Only the wind echoed through countless mining tunnels carved deep into the mountains. The entire island felt...
Dead.
For a brief moment...Silence filled the harbor. Robin immediately understood why Arthur believed the Devil Fruit was hidden on this island. Hancock narrowed her eyes slightly. Monet quietly studied the rocky cliffs surrounding the island once more. Law seemed to realize something as well. If a Logia Devil Fruit capable of controlling metal truly existed... then an island that had once produced the finest iron and steel in the world would be the most logical place to find it. Arthur shifted his gaze toward the dark entrance of the mine. The faint smile on his face slowly disappeared.
Arthur: "Let's go. It's time to meet our host." Using his Kenbunshoku Haki, Arthur began walking toward the presence he had sensed. He glanced at the compass in his hand. Just as he expected... Its needle pointed in exactly the same direction.
Law: "Captain, we'll search the residential area. We might find something useful." Seeing Arthur heading toward the mine, Law led Sabo, Sugar, and Kuina toward the ruins of the abandoned town.
Robin: "An abandoned mining island... A place like this is the perfect hiding spot."
Monet: "Very few ships pass through these waters anymore." Monet nodded quietly.
Hancock: "If someone has truly been living here...then they probably don't want to be found." Hancock looked toward the mine entrance.
Arthur: "Then we'll simply ask."
Robin: "Is that your version of 'asking'?" Robin laughed softly.
Arthur: "If they're willing to talk." Arthur smiled faintly.
The five of them entered the main tunnel. The rocky ground was covered with rusted mining rails that stretched deep underground. Occasionally, the sound of dripping water echoed through the darkness. The air inside felt damp and cold. Arthur crouched down. His hand brushed across the ground as he carefully examined several wheel tracks and footprints left in the dirt.
Arthur: "Mine cart tracks."
Robin: "They're recent. Less than three days old." Robin knelt beside him.
Baby-5: "This place is kind of creepy." Baby-5 rubbed both arms.
Robin, however, paid little attention to the darkness. Instead, she examined several carvings etched into the stone wall.
Robin: "This isn't an ordinary mine. Hm? There's a royal emblem here."
Arthur: "It's not recorded in any history book." Arthur stepped closer. A symbol depicting a hammer beneath a crown had been carved into the rock.
Robin: "Perhaps one of the kingdoms that disappeared before the World Government was founded."
Arthur silently memorized the emblem. He knew... The older a place was... The greater the chance it concealed forgotten secrets. About fifteen minutes later... They ventured even deeper into the mine. The tunnels had become completely dark, forcing them to rely solely on Light Dials to illuminate the way. The damp stone floor had become increasingly slippery.
Eventually... The tunnel split into three different passages.
Hancock: "Which way now?" She let out a quiet sigh.
Arthur: "The right." He took out his small compass once more. The needle spun rapidly... Before finally stopping, pointing toward the passage on the far right.
The right tunnel gradually became narrower. Yet... The air inside felt noticeably warmer. Monet, who had been floating at the front, suddenly came to a stop. She silently pointed ahead. A faint light flickered beyond the bend. It wasn't sunlight. It was torchlight. Which meant... Someone else was here. Arthur slowly raised one hand. The entire group immediately stopped moving. Soft footsteps echoed through the tunnel.
Tok... Tok... Tok...
An elderly man appeared, carrying a large backpack over one shoulder. His beard had turned completely white. His worn clothes resembled those of an old miner. The moment he saw Arthur and the others... He looked just as surprised as they were. The old man slowly examined each of them. His gaze paused on Robin. Then Hancock. Finally... It settled on Arthur.
Old Man: "...Visitors?"
Arthur: "You could say that." Arthur smiled politely.
Old Man: "You're... not treasure hunters. That means... You're pirates, aren't you?" The old man narrowed his eyes.
Arthur: "We're only looking for one thing." Arthur nodded calmly.
Old Man: "If you're searching for the Devil Fruit hidden in the deepest part of the mine...then you've arrived too late." The old man gave a bitter smile make The tunnel suddenly fell silent.
Arthur: "Too late?" Arthur narrowed his eyes slightly.
Old Man: "Two days ago...Someone entered the deepest chamber. And... They were searching for the same Devil Fruit." The old man slowly nodded.
Arthur: "Did they succeed?" Arthur stared at him for several seconds.
Old Man: "Hahaha... If they had... I wouldn't still be standing here." The old man suddenly laughed.
Arthur: "Arthur." He stepped forward and extended his hand.
Old Man: "Loran. The last mine foreman of Ferro Island." The old man looked at the offered hand for a brief moment before shaking it.
Robin quietly observed the elderly man. His rough hands were covered with countless scars.
His clothes were old and worn. Yet his eyes remained sharp. The eyes of someone who had spent an entire lifetime living in this forgotten place. Loran slowly shook his head.
Loran: "I never imagined... There would still be people searching for that fruit."
Baby-5: "Then it's true. The Metal-Metal Fruit really is on this island."
Loran: "Follow me. If you're truly determined." Loran did not answer immediately. Instead... He picked up an old lantern hanging from the wall.
The tunnel continued descending deeper underground. The air grew hotter with every step. In several places... The mining rails had long ago melted into twisted shapes, as though they had once been made of wax. Baby-5 gently touched the stone wall.
Baby-5: "This wasn't caused by age."
Loran: "No. It was the power of that fruit." Loran shook his head make Everyone immediately stopped walking.
Arthur: "Its power?" Arthur raised an eyebrow and see Loran nodded.
Loran: "My father told me the story. Long ago... Our king possessed the Metal-Metal Fruit. The entire mining complex... Was built using its power."
Robin: "So this kingdom prospered because of a Devil Fruit user." Robin's interest was instantly piqued.
Loran: "Exactly. He could refine metal... Fuse different kinds of steel... And even create alloys that had never existed before." Loran nodded once more.
Arthur remained silent. But the excitement in his eyes became impossible to hide.