ONE PIECE: Lone Sails

A week later, the Nautilus glided into the waters near the Organ Islands.

"Lilith, find us a desert island to rest on for a bit," Noah instructed.

Lilith nodded. A full week submerged beneath the sea had left the crew—most of whom were unaccustomed to such voyages—feeling restless and uneasy. She pored over the chart and soon pinpointed the nearest option: a nameless speck labeled simply as Organ No. 52. Three hours later, the Nautilus surfaced in a sheltered bay, its steel hull breaking the water's surface with a soft ripple.

As the crew disembarked onto the island's shore, Noah sealed the submarine within one of his cards. The spatial dimensions of his Card Fruit had recently expanded, just enough to accommodate the Nautilus's bulk.

"Brother," Joshua murmured, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the horizon, "it looks like we're not alone here."

Noah had sensed the presence of another when they approached, but he'd held off on alerting the others. "Just keep watch, Joshua. No need to say more."

Joshua nodded, understanding at once, and kept his observations to himself.

The crew, relieved to be on solid ground, erupted into joyful chaos, their shouts echoing across the beach as they stretched their legs like untamed horses finally set free. But the moment of reprieve was short-lived.

Bang! A lead bullet tore through the air, aimed at Uncle Joseph as he loosened his stiff limbs.

In an instant, Joshua vanished, reappearing before his uncle with a shaved step. "Iron!" he barked, his body hardening as the bullet struck his chest. It ricocheted harmlessly, failing to pierce his skin.

Panic seized the group. Weapons were drawn in a flurry of motion, but Noah shook his head, unimpressed by their scattered response.

"Who's shooting? Show yourself!" Vic bellowed, charging toward the jungle lining the shore. Bang! Bang! Bang! Three more shots answered him, striking his swollen, steel-like frame with no effect.

Alei, revolver in hand, unleashed a rapid volley toward the source of the attack, his bullets cutting through the foliage. Ajie sprang into action, conjuring a graphite wall to shield Lilith, Lillian, and Mary.

"Roar!" Uncle Joseph, shaken from his initial shock, pounded his chest with a furious growl. His body surged, expanding to over three meters as he fully transformed into a silverback gorilla. With a thunderous step, he launched himself into the jungle, Joshua and Anthony close behind, their blades gleaming.

Moments later, Uncle Joseph emerged, dragging a battered figure by the scruff of his neck—a short, bruised man with a wooden chest encasing his lower body. Noah recognized him instantly: Carmon, the Treasure Chest Man.

The pirate whimpered, pleading for mercy, but Noah's gaze was cold. Years later, Carmon might play the part of a reformed soul, but his unprovoked shot at Uncle Joseph betrayed his intent—kill or be killed. Sympathy had no place here.

"Pirates are pirates," Noah said flatly. "Finish him. One strike each."

Alei, whose hatred for pirates ran deep, fired first, shattering Carmon's hand. The man howled, cursing them through gritted teeth.

Mary, her jaw clenched, gripped her rapier and drove it into his leg. "Die, you filth! You attacked us first!"

One by one, the others followed—Lilith, Lillian, even the gentlest among them—each delivering a blow. Noah ended it with a single, clean stroke, severing Carmon's head.

Silence fell as the crew caught their breath. Noah turned to them, his tone stern. "Your performance was abysmal. Only Joshua used his Observation Haki to spot the threat early. The rest of you? Blind to the danger, unprepared for an ambush. A desert island isn't a safe haven—it could harbor pirates, beasts, diseases. Let your guard down again, and it'll cost you dearly."

The group hung their heads, chastened. Noah waved a hand, softening slightly. "Keep this lesson close. Don't repeat it. Now, we split up. Uncle Joseph, take Vic, Joshua, and Anthony to scout the island. The rest of us will set up camp here."

"No problem, let's move!" Uncle Joseph rallied his team, leading Joshua, Anthony, and Vic into the island's interior. Wary now, they overreacted to every rustle, mistaking odd beasts for foes and stirring up chaos in the forest.

Noah's group cleared a swath of virgin jungle for a temporary camp. He released wooden cabins, supplies, and kitchenware from his cards, establishing a base. Lilith, Lillian, and Mary began preparing a meal, while Ajie and Tomani gathered a towering stack of firewood.

Deep within the island's forested hills, Uncle Joseph's party stumbled upon Carmon's hideout—a modest wooden shack. Anthony surveyed the sparse belongings: a single bed, a few utensils. "Looks like he was alone."

"He mentioned treasure," Uncle Joseph mused, uncertain. "What do you think?"

Vic shrugged, unconcerned. "Why not just search around?"

Joshua nodded. "Makes sense."

With the shack as their center, they fanned out, scouring the area. Soon, Anthony spotted a dozen wooden crates atop a rocky platform. They pried them open, only to exchange puzzled glances.

"Empty?" Anthony muttered.

"Probably fake," Vic said.

"Or someone beat us to it," Joshua added.

Anthony frowned, kicking at the crates. "If the treasure's gone, why leave these boxes here? And if it was never here, why place them in such an obvious spot? It doesn't add up."

Vic scanned the surroundings. "No hiding spots nearby?"

"There's one right under us," Anthony replied, crouching. He slid his dagger into the dirt, meeting resistance after a shallow depth. "Soil's loose. Should we dig?"

They drew their blades and set to work, excavating the earth. A meter down, they hit stone.

"Just rock?" Vic asked.

"No," Joshua said, tracing the surface. "It's cut—man-made. Something's beneath it."

"Keep going," Uncle Joseph urged.

After more digging, they uncovered a massive stone slab, four or five square meters wide. Anthony probed its edges with his knife, finding it over ten centimeters thick before hitting a barrier. "This is no thin cover."

"Step back," Vic said, slipping on alloy gloves. "Iron Cannon Fist!" His punch shattered the slab, revealing a dark pit below.

"Hold off, Vic," Anthony cautioned, flicking his windproof lighter near the opening. The flame weakened as it descended. "Low oxygen. We can't go in yet."

He turned to Vic. "Head back to Noah. Grab two diving suits."

"Diving suits? Got it." Vic sprinted off, leaving the others to guard their discovery.