To Meet, like the Half Moon Hidden by Clouds

There lived a man named Mont Blanc Noland. A close-up shows Noland grinning widely. Townspeople greet him: "Good morning!" "Morning, Mr. Noland!" Noland waves back. In a village square, children and adults gather around seated Noland as he tells stories. A boy with a wide grin listens excitedly. Narration states the townspeople had no idea whether Noland's tales were truth or fiction. Noland speaks of dwarves and grand adventures. Later, his ship arrives at the kingdom's port. Townspeople cheer: "Welcome back, Noland!" "It's Noland's ship!" "Tell us more of your stories!" Noland reports to the king.

A dramatic panel shows a stern king declaring: "Its name is Shandora, and if there ever were a city of gold, it surely refers to this city!" He continues, "Though long uninhabited now, the ruins of the city stands proudly and, I dare say, even more beautifully than ever." The king speaks with advisors who react with shock and awe. He then addresses a man: "As such, I wish to appoint you the admiral of our next exploration fleet." The man bows, replying, "I humbly accept the post, your majesty..." A caption reads, "Marie Joie has granted us permission to enter the Grand Line." Another caption states, "5 years later. Lvneel Kingdom."

The king insists, "Yes, but... In that case, I must ask your majesty to be prepared to face the harshest of dangers. I, too, have decided to personally come aboard. Is that clearI" He adds, "However, you are to leave your former crew behind this time. My royal troops will be taking their place for this voyage." Noland's ship sails into a violent storm. Crew members shout in panic: "THE SAIL'S BEEN TORN APART FROM THE WINDS!" "IT'S A MONSTER! NOLAND! SAVE US!" "NOLAND!" "NOLAND, WHAT DO WE DOI" "ADMIRAL NOLAND!" "ICEBERG UP AHEAD! THE RUDDER WON'T MOVE!" "SHIP NO. 3 IS MISSING!" Noland stands firm, declaring, "AT THE VERY LEAST, I HAVE TO PROTECT THE SHIP HIS MAJESTY IS SAILING ON!" A crewman curses, "DAMN LANDLUBBERS! I KNEW THOSE SOLDIERS COULDN'T HANDLE THIS VOYAGE...!"

Aboard a ship approaching a tropical island, a voice confirms, "Yes, Most definitely, your majesty!" while another asks, "Is that the island, Noland!I" A boxed caption reads "Marine calendar, Year 1127, November 16th." On deck, the tall, crowned King Aruyutayan V grins confidently amid his crew, including a large man in a checkered outfit and others in period naval attire. The view shifts to a distant cliffside tower overlooking crashing waves and dense jungle. A massive "!!!" reaction erupts from the water below.

Mont Blanc Noland kneels on the beach in shock before a stone tower, sweat flying as he cries, "WHY DOES THE ISLAND MEET THE SEA HERE...I" and "WHY..." A close-up shows his horrified face. In a massive panel he roars, "YOU DECEIVED ME, DIDN'T YOU!I" while another bubble demands, "JUST WHERE IS THIS CITY OF GOLD SUPPOSED TO BE!I" A desperate scream erupts: "NOLAAAAAANNND!" Impact lines and motion effects emphasize his breakdown.

Noland's face fills the panel as he gasps, "WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS ISLAND...I" and calls out, "KALGARA," while staring at the empty tower. Another panel shows the ruined site with the question "WHERE... DID THE VILLAGE GO...I" A wide view of the sea and distant island carries the narration, "THE SOUND OF THE GOLDEN BELL...!" and a plea: "IF YOU'RE STILL ALIVE, PLEASE LET ME HEAR IT..." The page ends with a caption box: "Half a year later, North Blue, Lvneel Kingdom," showing a grand castle and town under a bright sun.

Six years earlier on Jaya, a close-up of Noland declares, "I SOLEMNLY SWEAR THE CITY OF GOLD EXISTS." A caption states, "6 YEARS AGO, ON THE ISLAND OF JAYA IN GRAND LINE, I SAW AN IMMENSE GOLDEN CITY." The scene shifts to a public square in Lvneel where a sign reads "NOLAND'S PUBLIC EXECUTION IS STARTING!" Townspeople shout, "Tell us. Are Noland's claims, True...I" and "We now call to the stand one of the sailors who accompanied Noland's voyage 6 years ago." The crowd erupts in anger: "THAT SCOUNDREL! HOW DARE HE DECEIVE THE WHOLE COUNTRY AND PLAY A FALSE HERO!" "Then... Were all of his stories until now... Also lies!I" "What!I So Noland was... Nothing but a liar!I" A sailor answers, "They are but bold-faced lies."

On the execution platform, Mont Blanc Noland stands bound as the crowd erupts. Voices shout "Clear the way!", "Who the hell is heI He wasn't a part of our crew!", "Stop! I've never even seen that so-called witness of yours!", and "Aghh! Our admiral's up on the execution stand! THIS WAY, GUYS!" A man yells "ADMIRAL!" The admiral, a stern figure in uniform, commands "Restrain them." A close-up shows his sweating face as he asks "Were you not able to meet Kalgara and the ShandiaI What happened!I" A subordinate replies "Yes, sir. My men..." The sentence is read aloud: "MONT BLANC NOLAND IS HEREBY SENTENCED TO DEATH BY BEHEADING FOR HIS GREAT LIES!" Noland's face twists in anguish as the blade descends amid impact lines and the sound effect "ドドド".

The furious crowd continues roaring "ADMIRAL! OUR ADMIRAL WOULD NEVER LIE!" and "LIAR!" repeatedly in massive lettering. A sweating man with gritted teeth insists "...MY ONLY CONCERN IS OF YOU AND YOUR PEOPLE." On the raised wooden platform, two armored guards stand with spears flanking the kneeling, cloaked Mont Blanc Noland. One guard calls out "KALGARA... WHERE ARE YOU NOWI ARE YOU ALIVE...I" The massive crowd below surges and shouts, filling the square beneath the town buildings and bright sky.

The scene shifts to Jaya one year before Noland's visit. A sign reads "Jaya." A stone tower stands by the sea with birds flying. In the village, Seto asks "Yes, SetoI" as Kalgara walks past carrying a spear, replying "Kalgara! You're going to go ring the bell, aren't youI I'll come with you." A sign on the wall states "1 year before Noland's visit." Inside a building, a smiling woman with dark hair holds a small animal and laughs "Hahaha... That's all you ever ask when you come here." Kalgara stands nearby as she continues "Kalgara, when do you think Noland and his men will come againI" Outside, Kalgara walks with a snake-like creature that sings "CHURARARA ♪" while a voice calls "Hahaha... Hello, there, Nola! You've already made this place your home, haven't youI"

Kalgara speaks confidently: "So long as we continue to ring the bell here on this island, I'm sure the day will come when he- But he made a promise. He's from the seas to the far North. And he's got his own family to look after in his country. It's not a trip he can make so simply." Sound effects "ジョエエ! ジョエエ!" ring out. Suddenly the ground shakes violently with massive lettering "ズドゥン!!!!" and impact effects. Kalgara reacts in shock "UOHH!" as the great bell tower and village structures tremble. Villagers cry "WE MUST PROTECT THE VILLAGE! THIS IS NO ORDINARY MATTER! COME, SETO! WHAT'S GOING ON!I AN EARTHQUAKE!I THE SKIES ARE DARK TOO!" The tower cracks with sounds "ズド... ッ..."

A colossal pillar of water and cloud erupts violently upward from the sea of clouds as an enormous object plummets from the sky. Debris and fragments scatter in all directions amid the turbulent waves. Below, multiple smaller panels reveal the aftermath from above: a dark, smoking crater punched into the cloud layer, with scattered rocks and destruction radiating outward from the impact site.

The spiraling object continues its descent through the clouds, trailing smoke and debris. It crashes into a tropical island town filled with domed buildings and palm trees, toppling structures and sending up plumes of dust and fire. In the aftermath, a group of villagers and Straw Hat crew members react with shock. Luffy cups a hand to his ear while shouting, a woman with a headpiece raises her hand to her head, and other onlookers stare upward in alarm at the destruction.

High above the ruined landscape, a tall tower-like structure stands amid the clouds. A man with an afro-like hairstyle speaks while looking toward it: "That is proof that the heavens have bestowed this gift upon us! It is the birth of a holy land! It is only fitting that I live there." Another voice replies, "Yes. You all heard the beautiful ring of vearth just now, didn't youI" A third figure exclaims, "It's so beautiful... To think a vearth of that size could come up! GOD! IT'S A HUGE CHUNK OF VEARTH!" In a massive close-up, Enel glares furiously with smoke rising from his cigar, declaring, "I AM GOD AND ALL IS AS I WILL IT! THERE ARE PEOPLE THERE!I DRAG THEM OUT FOR ALL I CARE!"

Kalgara stands on a rooftop pointing urgently and shouts, "Treat the wounded! Is everyone alright!I What happened..." A voice calls out, "Kalgara! Someone's coming this way!" Enel's forces descend as warriors rush forward. Kalgara yells, "DRAG THEM OUT!" Luffy, bruised and determined, declares, "I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE GOD OR WHATEVER... THIS VEARTH IS NOW MINE, FOR I AM GOD! Protect the women and children! We warriors must fight off these invaders! YOU'RE NOT TAKING OUR LAND FROM US!" An exhausted fighter pants, "HUFF... HUFF... WHY... AM I FINDING IT SO HARD TO BREATHE...I"

In a dim stone chamber lit only by a barred window high above, an old table stands empty as a small object drops to the floor. A voice recalls their vow: "WE PROMISED, DIDN'T WE, NOLAND..." The scene erupts into a fierce vision of the past. A wild-haired warrior with a skull-like face and massive weapons looms amid swirling smoke and impact lines, shouting, "THAT WE WOULD MEET AGAIN ONE DAY." He continues, "I'LL TELL YOU SOON ENOUGH, THAT WE ARE STILL HERE!" Another voice questions, "WHAT WOULD YOU THINK IF YOU WERE TO COME BACK TO JAYA... BUT NOT FIND US THERE...I" The warrior pleads, "PLEASE WAIT A LITTLE LONGER."

The warrior continues speaking amid chaotic battle images: "THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS I WISH TO TELL YOU, NOLAND. THE VILLAGE HAS CHANGED QUITE A BIT SINCE LAST TIME. THE CROPS YOU GAVE US HAVE GROWN WELL. MY DAUGHTER IS MARRIED TO SETO NOW." He cries out, "LET US MEET ONCE MORE ON THE SAME LAND, NOLAND!" In a quieter moment, the fierce warrior gently touches foreheads with a small child while a suited man watches nearby. The vision peaks in a massive close-up of the warrior's roaring face as he declares, "OF SHANDORA! LIGHT THE FLAME..."

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