"Alvis Island lies outside the Grand Line. Few ever set foot on it. I've never been there myself, but I did hear some tales in a tavern on Mysteria Island. No idea if they're true or not."
"According to the stories, Alvis Island used to be part of a seven-island archipelago that was home to a prosperous and powerful kingdom. No one knows what happened exactly, but one by one, the islands vanished until only Alvis remained. Some say it was a once-in-centuries mega-tsunami that drowned the kingdom. Others believe it fell during a catastrophic war that literally sank the other islands. That's why only Alvis is left, and why it's so hard to find."
Backan pulled over a chair for Galan and let him continue.
The opening alone had already piqued the interest of nearby crew members. A small crowd gathered, all leaning in to listen. Even Aeridar sat up straighter, his curiosity clearly sparked.
Millie and Mina's eyes lit up with excitement as they quickly asked, "And? Is there treasure on the island?"
The mere mention of treasure sent a visible jolt through the crowd. Every pirate within earshot inhaled sharply.
Treasure, who wouldn't want more of it?
Especially when Aeridar's third and fourth phases demanded an enormous fortune. The more riches, the better.
"Indeed," Galan nodded. "Legend has it that the ruins of that fallen kingdom lie hidden somewhere on Alvis Island. And within those ruins, secrets that made the kingdom powerful, and countless treasures beyond imagining."
"Secrets of a powerful kingdom?" Aeridar's eyes gleamed with interest.
"Countless treasures?!" Dimitri felt his blood start to boil.
As both navigator and treasurer of the crew, he'd developed an intense love for treasure ever since they'd seen the Golden City of Shandora in Skypiea. That intoxicating moment of uncovering a hidden trove had never left him.
"Because of this legend, many pirates have searched for Alvis Island off the Grand Line. Some even found it. They made landfall, entered the dense forests and remote mountains, but most of them never made it back."
"Most of them? They died?"
"Sounds like it's a dangerous place..."
"What about the ones who did make it back? Did they find anything?"
The crowd murmured question after question, some worried the treasure had already been looted, and that they'd just be chasing shadows.
"Those who returned said they did find remnants of the lost kingdom deep in the island's wilderness, crumbling ruins and scattered valuables. But even they suffered heavy casualties. And as for the kingdom's great secret, and the legendary treasure hoard? No one's ever found it. Over the centuries, who knows how many have died in those mountains and forests."
Galan let out a sigh. Back in the tavern on Mysteria Island, several pirate crews had boasted they'd uncover Alvis Island's treasure. None of them were ever heard from again. They were likely dead.
"Heh... heh heh... hahahahahaha..."
Aeridar chuckled, then burst into laughter, his voice gradually warping into something darker.
"Interesting. Very interesting. Since the island's right in front of us... let's see just how dangerous it really is."
He stood up and waved his arm with a wild grin. "Full speed ahead, we're going ashore!"
"WOOHOO! LONG LIVE THE CAPTAIN!"
"TREASURE HUNT! TREASURE HUNT!"
"We're coming for you, treasure!!"
Aboard the Chris, a storm of jubilation erupted. The ship pulsed with the raw, contagious energy of pirates on the scent of gold.
On the shore, a tall, lean man with spiky blond hair crouched near the edge of the water, one eye larger than the other as he stared at the unnaturally rising tide.
Behind him stood more than twenty pirates, armed, wild-eyed, dressed in garish attire that screamed trouble.
"Captain, doesn't this feel... familiar?" rumbled a brawny, broad-chested man with tousled golden hair, stroking the stubble on his chin.
"Whitebeard," the lanky blond captain murmured, fingering the golden triangle pendant hanging from his neck. His tone grew somber. "Two years ago, we were sailing near Arthur Island. We saw it, Whitebeard and Kaido clashing on land. The sea churned violently, like it had gone mad. A massive tsunami rose from nowhere, and even the surrounding waters surged unnaturally. Just like now."
"Y-Yeah... it's just like that," the golden-haired brute muttered, a shudder creeping up his spine as his eyes filled with dread.
The memory was burned into his brain. Whitebeard splitting the ocean with a mere swing, summoning hundred-meter waves like a god. Kaido punching the sea so hard it collapsed in on itself.
That wasn't human strength. That was the power of monsters... of gods.
From that day on, no one aboard dared to dream of challenging a Yonko. Not even in their thoughts.
When someone else did, the crew would just smirk coldly and watch. Sure enough, those bold enough to try never even made it to a Yonko's doorstep. They either died, fled, or ended up pledging fealty.
The sea emperors who ruled the New World, the Four Emperors, hadn't earned that title for nothing.
"Captain, are you saying... this was caused by a clash between top-tier pirates?!"
The navigator in a white coat looked utterly stunned, cold sweat running down his temple. A seasoned veteran of the crew, he'd witnessed firsthand the sheer devastation left behind by battles between the Four Emperors and other legendary pirates.
The tall, lanky blond man gave a slow nod, the corner of his mouth twitching into a crooked grin.
"Pretty much. Judging by the distance, it's not too far from here. Unless it's the Yonko themselves... it would have to be one of those pirates they call 'monsters.' No one else could leave behind this kind of wreckage."
Suddenly, from the lookout tower perched atop a ship docked in the harbor, a panicked voice rang out.
"Captain! A pirate fleet is headed straight for us, nine ships strong!"
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