Not long after, Jango and little 3 returned first.
little 3 handed a large bag of biscuits to Marie, his expression a mix of indulgence and helplessness.
"Marie, I'm going to have to buy biscuits by myself in the future. Your third brother and I need to buy Darjeeling tea; I don't have that much time to choose biscuits for you."
"Thank you, little 3."
Marie accepted the biscuits with a simple expression of gratitude.
Carl immediately understood that Jango was being used as a coolie. It was likely because little 3 and Marie had been partners for so long that he was accustomed to her behavior. little 3 probably regarded Marie as a younger sister, so even when inconvenienced, he could only spoil her. Especially Darjeeling, which little 3 cherished, was something Marie could drink casually.
Because of this, Carl's opinion of little 3 had shifted considerably. The guy seemed unreliable, but he was actually quite caring. Carl just wondered how he and jango had become such a bizarre duo.
Carl didn't concern himself with the small cliques forming on board. After all, while they were all crewmates, some personalities naturally meshed better, leading to closer bonds and a tendency to group together when undertaking tasks.
Even Carl himself preferred the quieter company of Marie and Robin.
Though Nami was part of the "weak trio," she had a particular fondness for Marie. As Nami herself put it, Marie was a valuable ally who could silence even the rowdiest crew member with a cup of tea.
None of this was a significant issue, and as long as Luffy was around, the minor interpersonal dynamics on the ship weren't a real problem. The Straw Hats might seem to operate independently, but they would always unite behind their captain in crucial moments. Luffy was the unwavering core of the Straw Hats.
After a while, the rest of the crew returned one by one.
Sanji, with Usopp and Chopper acting as his "muscle," came back to the ship laden with ingredients. Nami, accompanied by Tashigi, had gone to buy clothes and jewelry. When they returned, Tashigi was wearing new clothes but seemed somewhat dazed. She had likely witnessed Nami's aggressive bargaining tactics for the first time and was thoroughly intimidated.
"People in Magic Valley Town are saying that Sky Island is just a legend, and no one knows how to get there!" Luffy exclaimed, his expression crestfallen. He desperately wanted to go to Sky Island, but if no one knew how, it meant he couldn't. How could this be acceptable?
Robin produced two maps. "Let's take a look. These two charts can actually be viewed together."
Everyone gathered around immediately, only to be met with a sharp punch from Nami's Haki-infused fist. Examining maps was a job for professionals, and no one was more proficient than Nami.
"Huh? This is a new chart and an old chart, and many areas overlap. However, this extra section on the old chart is completely missing on the new one. What's going on?" Nami noticed immediately.
Robin offered guidance. "Have you all heard of the great liar, Noland?"
Many of them had heard the tale, but they all dismissed it as a fairy tale.
Then, Robin began to recount the story of Noland and the Golden City: Noland had discovered the Golden City on Jaya Island, returned to his kingdom to tell the king, but when the king went to Jaya Island, there was nothing there. Consequently, the king believed Noland had deceived him and ordered his execution. The world thereafter branded Noland a liar.
But now, comparing the two charts, everyone began to see the potential connection. Why had a corner of the old sea chart disappeared, and where had it gone? It was likely the secret of the Golden City!
Nami was visibly excited, her greatest passion being the discovery of gold. In any case, the others on the ship didn't care about money, so any treasure they found would belong solely to her. This Golden City had to be found!
"Does this have anything to do with Sky Island?" Luffy asked, sniffing inquisitively.
"Stupid Luffy! That's the Golden Land! Isn't that more worthwhile to visit than Sky Island?" Nami couldn't resist the urge to punch him.
"No! I'm going to Sky Island, not the Golden Country!" Luffy declared decisively and unequivocally, leaving Nami speechless.
Where the ship went was ultimately Luffy's decision. They could do as they pleased on a daily basis, but once Luffy expressed his intention, no one could object. That was the captain's authority!
Then, Chinjao subconsciously glanced at Carl.
Carl looked at Robin. "Robin, don't keep everyone in suspense. Just tell us what you know."
Robin smiled. "Yes, there's still some information. Some of Noland's descendants believe the missing corner of the old sea chart sank to the bottom of the sea, while others think it was carried up into the sky by a powerful current.
There are even descendants of Noland still engaged in marine salvage, but they don't seem to have found any evidence of the Golden Country on the seabed."
Hearing this, everyone understood the implications.
Nami's eyes suddenly transformed into glittering gold coins. "In other words, the missing part might have been swept up to Sky Island?! Then, when we go to Sky Island, we can also go to the Golden Land at the same time!"
Luffy also reacted, his entire body trembling with excitement. "That's amazing! Are Sky Island and the Golden Town the same place? That's fantastic!"
Immediately, everyone smiled. It was a good thing that both Luffy's and Nami's goals could potentially be achieved simultaneously, which would at least spare them Nami's complaints. Moreover, everyone was intrigued by both Sky Island and the Golden Town, so visiting both at once was ideal.
Now that they had a direction for their investigation, they naturally wanted to proceed as quickly as possible.
The Merry Go and the submarine navigated around Magic Valley Town, and before long, they spotted a large, luxurious house on a secluded stretch of coast.
In front of the grand house stood an uncle with a distinctive diamond-shaped face, smoking a pipe.
Everyone was slightly surprised, as this opulent mansion resembled a castle, yet it was unexpectedly located in such a remote area. They all silently speculated about the immense wealth of the house's owner.
"Hey! Uncle Diamond-Face, is this amazing castle yours?" Luffy greeted him familiarly.
The uncle with the diamond-shaped face looked up, startled.
Everyone in a pirate haven like Magic Valley Town knew the reputation of the Straw Hat Pirates, so it wasn't surprising that the uncle recognized them. He simply wondered how they had arrived here.
Then, Luffy, Usopp, Chopper, and Nami excitedly rushed towards the castle, eager to explore.
However, they soon discovered that the so-called castle was merely a cardboard facade, and behind it stood a dilapidated little shack. The three of them and the reindeer immediately lost interest, their faces showing disgust at the diamond-shaped uncle.
The uncle with the diamond-shaped face was used to such reactions, but he still asked tremulously, "I... I don't know why the famous Straw Hat Pirates are here?"
Luffy declared loudly, "Uncle Diamond-Face, we want to go to Sky Island. Do you know how to get there?"
------------------------
For Advance chapters visit : patreon.com/Mythic_Muse