....
On Top of the Cliff, Nami was bandaging Gaimon's wounds when Usopp pulled out a flask, poured himself a cup of hot water, and took a slow sip.
Lucas walked up to him.
"Give me some too."
"Huh?"
Before Usopp could react, Lucas snatched the cup and drank.
"Ahhh, that hits the spot. You've gotta savor it, Usopp," Lucas said with a satisfied sigh.
Just as he finished, the flask was suddenly yanked from his hands.
"Hey?"
Lucas looked up to see Zoro already seated on a nearby rock, drinking from it.
"You've gotta savor it," Zoro echoed calmly.
"Seriously? You can fall asleep anywhere, but this is where you wake up?" Lucas laughed.
Zoro's eyes flicked open then widened at the sight of Gaimon in his box.
"What the? A guy in a box?!"
"Yeah, I've been protected since childhood...Wait, don't make me explain this twice," Gaimon grumbled before pausing. "Who are you people?"
Luffy grinned. "I'm Luffy! The man who's gonna be King of the Pirates!"
"King of the Pirates?!" Gaimon gasped. "You mean you're heading to the Grand Line?!"
Luffy nodded, pulling out a weathered map. "Yep! Got the charts right here."
Gaimon's expression turned grave. "Listen, kid...the Grand Line's a pirate graveyard. I've seen crews crawl back from it, broken. The age of legends is over. One Piece is just a fairy tale now. Turn back while you can."
Luffy didn't flinch, Lucas stepped in.
"Mr. Gaimon, you're wasting your breath. Once our captain sets his mind to something, nothing changes it."
Nami crossed her arms. "Even if we do go, we're just grabbing treasure and getting out."
Luffy shrugged. "I'll find One Piece. I've got the best luck!"
Lucas stifled a laugh. 'This guy really is destiny's favorite.'
To everyone's surprise, Gaimon's eyes welled up.
"Straw Hat… you remind me of myself."
Lucas blinked. 'Where? You look like a bearded potato.'
Gaimon continued, voice thick with emotion. "I once risked everything for treasure. Even like this… I don't regret it."
The crew fell silent except Luffy, who nodded enthusiastically.
"Hey, Straw Hat! Let me show you the treasure I never got," Gaimon suddenly offered.
Nami's eyes lit up. "Treasure?! Where?!"
Gaimon gestured toward a distant peak. "Up there. Chests I guarded for 20 years. Now… I can't reach them. But you can."
"Luffy, go!" Nami urged.
As Luffy scaled the cliff, Lucas gazed up. 'Those boxes are empty. The 'treasure' he wasted his life on… is nothing.'
Minutes later, Luffy stood at the summit, holding a chest.
"Well?!" Nami yelled.
Luffy grinned. "Nah. I don't wanna take it."
"WHAT?! That's Mr. Gaimon's life's work!" Usopp screamed.
Zoro's sharp gaze caught on, then the truth settled over them like fog.
Gaimon spoke first, tears streaming. "You're kind, Straw Hat. There's… nothing there, is there?"
Luffy shook his head. "Just empty boxes."
"I knew… but hearing it still hurts," Gaimon whispered.
Nami paled. "Twenty years… for nothing?"
Gaimon wiped his face. "Most treasure maps lead to disappointment. Pirates die chasing lies. That's the sea's cruel joke."
Suddenly—"HAHAHAHA!" Luffy's laughter cut through the gloom.
"Uncle, look at the bright side! If you'd waited thirty years, you'd be dead!" He beamed.
"Come with us! We're gonna find the real treasure!"
Gaimon stared. "You're… inviting me?"
But in the end, he declined. For Gaimon, he'd already found what he needed.
At the Shore.
"Too bad, Uncle! You're fun!" Luffy called as the Going Merry prepared to depart.
Gaimon chuckled, surrounded by the island's rare animals. "No treasure means no chains. Thank you, Straw Hat."
As the ship sailed away, Lucas leaned on the railing, lost in thought. Zoro and Luffy sidled up.
"Hey. You're spacing out," Zoro noted.
Lucas hesitated. Gaimon's story had struck a chord.
"Luffy… what if One Piece is like Gaimon's treasure? What if it's… nothing?"
The question hung in the air. Nami and Usopp turned, waiting.
Luffy's answer came instantly, his grin unwavering.
"Nah. One Piece is real."
And just like that the doubt shattered. Everyone laughed… except Nami, whose smile didn't quite reach her eyes.
.....