The five stepped into the hut without hesitation, but found nothing inside.
Not a trace of gold, nor even a hint of life—just a barren space. The only notable feature was a fireplace directly across from the door.
No paths led to other rooms; it was a complete dead-end.
No sign of gold anywhere—not even a speck in the room.
The five stood frozen, scanning their surroundings.
"What's this place?"
"Nothing here…" Luffy muttered.
"Where's the gold? Maybe a hidden room or something?" Nami wondered.
"What about Woonan? Wasn't he supposed to be here?" Tobio asked.
Amid their confusion, Iwakura wordlessly started walking.
It was odd—among the emptiness, only a fireplace stood out. This was a relatively warm region; even at this altitude, it rarely got cold enough to need one. For it to be the sole fixture, with no other essentials, felt unnatural.
As Nami suggested, there had to be a hidden path.
Testing this, Iwakura pushed the fireplace from the side. It moved surprisingly easily.
As it slid aside, a new path appeared—a staircase leading underground. The four onlookers gasped, their faces lighting up with excitement.
"Awesome! A hidden passage!" Luffy exclaimed.
"So the gold and Woonan's room are hidden underground!" Usopp added.
"Nice. Things are looking up," Nami grinned.
"I'm finally gonna meet Woonan…!" Tobio breathed.
"He's here," Iwakura murmured softly.
Exchanging glances, they cautiously descended the stairs.
The mountain's interior must have been hollowed out to create this space.
The staircase was longer than expected, narrow enough for only one person at a time.
The passage was dimly lit.
Without light, walking was dangerous. When they reached a point where outside light no longer reached, Usopp halted them.
"Wait a sec. I'll light a torch."
"Usopp's got everything, huh? Man, you're a lifesaver," Luffy said.
"Well, you know, that's Captain Usopp's reliability for you. Feel free to call me Captain if you're impressed," Usopp boasted.
"Pass," Luffy shot back.
"We're good," Nami added.
"Tobio, what do you think?" Usopp asked.
"Thanks, Usopp. Really helped," Tobio replied.
During the lighthearted exchange, Usopp prepared a makeshift torch and handed it to Iwakura, who led the way.
They continued downward.
The passage wasn't too deep; they reached the bottom in a few minutes.
At the end of the tunnel stood a wooden door.
Sensing it was the final destination, joy spread across their faces. The moment had arrived.
"We there?" Luffy asked.
"That's the goal, right? So beyond that door…" Usopp trailed off.
"…is the gold," Nami finished.
"No, that's where Woonan is," Tobio corrected.
With a tense expression, Iwakura placed a hand on the door. Without hesitation, he pushed it open.
A creaking sound filled the air, accompanied by a musty smell.
The room was shrouded in darkness.
A single shadow was visible.
Lighting it with the torch, they saw someone seated in a chair.
A dusty coat and hat, unmistakably pirate-like. But no flesh or skin remained—after long years alone, it was merely bones.
Tobio, stepping inside, was speechless.
The figure, with Woonan's emblem on its hat, was undoubtedly him—a skeleton now.
"This… this is…" Usopp stammered.
"No way, Woonan…?" Nami whispered.
"No! Woonan can't be dead! This is a fake! Or just a mistake! Woonan's a legendary pirate—he wouldn't die in a place like this!" Tobio shouted, frantic.
"Tobio," Iwakura said softly, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.
Tobio turned to see Iwakura's pained expression, shaking his head slightly.
No mistake. It couldn't be.
It was Woonan, unmistakable even in this decayed state.
Understanding hit, and Tobio looked down.
He was supposed to be a legendary pirate. Known across the world, even if just in the East Blue, his feats were legendary.
To die alone in such a dark place…
Tobio's admiration made tears well up unconsciously.
In the heavy silence, Usopp turned and noticed something on the wall.
"Hey, look at this," he called.
"Hm?" Luffy responded.
All eyes turned to it.
The wall was covered in words carved into the earth.
Illuminated by the torch, Iwakura murmured, stunned.
"No doubt. That's Woonan's handwriting."
"His final message, maybe? To tell someone something when they came," Nami suggested.
"Let's see, that's the start…" Usopp said, finding the first words and reading aloud.
His voice echoed in the small space, the words lingering strangely in their minds.
"To those who came seeking gold, I am Woonan. Regrettably, there is no gold here," Usopp read.
"What!?" Nami exclaimed.
"I returned all the gold I gathered to its rightful owners. The treasure I once chased with my life no longer holds value to me. I remembered a certain man's words."
Ignoring Nami's shock, Usopp continued.
"'Gold doesn't laugh. It's just like any stone.'"
"Ah… that's…" Tobio started.
"What Grandpa said," Iwakura confirmed.
"Yes, I thought gold was what I'd risk my life for, so I sailed on. But I finally realized I was wrong. What I truly wanted wasn't gold—it was the 'adventure' of chasing it."
Swallowing hard, Usopp pressed on.
Some words were faded, hard to read—likely carved with Woonan's last strength.
Moved by the sentiment, Usopp's expression shifted as he read to the end.
Each word changed their faces.
Tobio no longer grieved, now witnessing a man's final moments.
"There's no gold here anymore. But there's something far more precious—my life's greatest treasure. Please, don't disturb this place."
"Treasure…?" Nami tilted her head.
"Old man, Woonan's hand. It's holding something," Luffy pointed out.
Indeed, the skeleton's right hand clutched something tightly.
Without a word, Iwakura approached.
Setting down his oden pot, he gently opened the hand and took it.
A black cloth. He knew instantly what it was.
Standing, Iwakura unfolded the tattered pirate flag with both hands, holding it before his eyes.
The only flag they'd made together.
A symbol of their bond, from when they swore to sail as one.
His chest warmed.
It was as if he could hear Woonan's voice.
That day they fought and parted, fists flying, no apologies before Woonan sailed off. Yet he never let go of this flag. From that day, they'd been on the same ship in spirit, sharing adventures, living the same experiences over long years. No regrets—not for this choice, this adventure, this life. He'd lived proudly as a pirate.
Of course, these weren't Woonan's words. He was gone.
But in that moment, gazing at the flag, Iwakura felt his voice.
Tears silently wet his cheeks.
"Old man, there's more writing here," Usopp said, finding smaller text on another wall.
Leaning against it, he read.
"To Iwakura, my lifelong partner, my final words. I was a pirate, you an oden vendor, but I never looked down on you. We always stood shoulder to shoulder. Our pride was always equal."
"Woonan…!" Iwakura choked.
"Become the world's greatest oden vendor. Now, I can wholeheartedly cheer you on…"
Usopp finished, standing still.
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