One Piece Chapter 290: Light of Shandora

A giant snake with its mouth wide open hisses loudly, "CHURA RARAA" and "CHURAAA". Mont Blanc Noland looks up in surprise, saying, "Is this..." In the background, Shandia villagers and Noland's crew are frantically trying to shoo away a much smaller snake. They yell, "Go away!", "SHOO!", "SHOO!", "DON'T LET IT BITE YOU!", "IT'S A VIPER!", and "A SNAKE!" The small snake hisses "CHURARARA". Kalgara watches with a serious expression and notes, "The grandchild of that snake..." Noland looks down at the small snake, which hisses "CHURARA", and says, "What a surprise... So it must have had a grandchild, too... Hey, Kalgara..."

Kalgara and Noland burst into loud laughter together. Kalgara laughs, "AHAHA HAHAHA HAHAHA!" while Noland chuckles, "PFFT- AHAHA HAHAHA HAHAHA!" Noland adds, "'Snake,' eh?" The villagers and Noland's crew watch them in disbelief. One of Noland's men says, "Well, Kalgara's been nursing our admiral back to health." Another replies, "Of course! It was our admiral saved his daughter, after all!" A Shandia villager comments, "Yet now they couldn't be getting along better!" Another adds, "They tried to kill each other only 10 days ago." A third villager says, "Can't understand those two at all..." Someone laughs "HA HA HA HA" in the background. One of Noland's crew members observes, "I've never seen Kalgara smile like that before." Another crewmate says, "They may have been born and raised in different places, but they seem to understand each other the most." A third adds, "But it seems he's found a match..." A Shandia villager notes, "Kalgara doesn't even get along too well with his fellow villagers." Another villager snaps back, "Stop talking like you had anything to do with it."

Noland and Kalgara walk through the jungle. Noland asks, "Kalgara? What is it you wish to show us." Kalgara replies, "You'll see soon enough. Hey, you there. That way leads to a cliff. We can go down through here." Noland looks surprised and asks, "Go down?" A close-up shows Noland's foot stepping down with a "ZA..." sound effect. A massive, breathtaking view of a ruined ancient city hidden deep within the jungle is revealed. A loud "KARAAAN..." sound echoes through the air. Noland stares in shock, exclaiming, "!!"

The loud ringing sound "KARAAAN..." continues to echo. Noland looks up, sweating, and says, "THIS BELL SOUND...!" Kalgara smiles proudly. The small snake slithers nearby, hissing "CHURARA CHURA" with musical notes floating around it. Noland urgently asks, "Tell me, where is that lovely bell sound coming from...!?" One of Noland's men shouts, "Kalgara!" The ringing intensifies with a massive "KARAAAN!!" Noland looks completely amazed. The crew runs forward excitedly through the ancient stone structures.

A magnificent, sprawling view of the Golden City of Shandora is shown. At the center of the ancient ruins stands a colossal golden pyramid. At the very front of the pyramid, suspended between two massive pillars, is a gigantic golden bell. The sound of the bell ringing is depicted with massive "DOOOON!!!" sound effects filling the sky. Tiny silhouettes of people can be seen exploring the vast, glittering city.

Noland's crew members notice his stunned reaction and ask, "Speechless, are you...?" Kalgara proudly reveals, "These are the surviving ruins of... 'The Golden City, Shandora'." Noland stares in awe, murmuring, "A golden city... It's like I'm dreaming..." The crew erupts into wild celebration, cheering, "WHOAAA! JUST LOOK AT ALL THIS GOLD! A CITY OF RICHES GALORE!" and "WOOHOO!" Noland quickly turns and orders them, "Men! Stop!" However, Kalgara reassures him, "It's fine. Aside from the gold and treasures of the belfry, You're free to take as much gold as you want back to your ship!" Noland is shocked and exclaims, "What!?" Kalgara explains with a smile, "The other villagers have already agreed. We owe a heavy debt to you all. In return for saving our whole tribe from a deadly disease, This is the least we could do..." The crew praises him, shouting, "HAHA! YOU'RE A GENEROUS MAN, GREAT WARRIOR KALGARA!" Noland, still hesitant, asks, "...But haven't your people been guarding this city for ages!?"

Kalgara smiles broadly and continues, "Yes... We've guarded this city... But it's not the city's gold we've guarded...!" Noland asks, "Is that this city fell into ruins over a great battle to protect this stone." Kalgara explains, "The only thing we're certain of, It's something called a 'poneglyph.' Unfortunately, we cannot read its writing." Noland looks confused and asks, "What's this?...Writing?" Kalgara points to a massive, cubic stone block covered in ancient, carved text. "We've been guarding this very stone!" Kalgara states firmly, "IT IS THE DESCENDANTS' DUTY TO PROTECT WHAT THEIR ANCESTORS HAVE FOUGHT SO DEARLY FOR. WE REVERE OUR ANCESTORS LIKE GODS. TO PRESERVE THEIR DESIRE TO KEEP THIS STONE SAFE. IT IS OUR DUTY,"

Kalgara continues his explanation, "To ensure that the spirits of our ancestors, Who've long ascended to heaven can nevertheless find their way back here anytime, The sound of this bell carries a message." Noland listens intently and repeats, "A message?" Noland thinks back to his journey, realizing, "I never imagined that the sound I heard that day was this giant golden bell..." Kalgara says, "We ring this bell to convey our message: 'WE ARE HERE.'" A panel shows Noland's ship sailing on the rough seas towards the island. Kalgara declares proudly, "To the ends of the seas for all to hear! And we will not run nor hide! The bell's sound carries the proof of Shandora's former grandeur,"

Kalgara stands tall with his spear and says, "Thus, we call this bell which sings the pride of this city, 'Light of Shandora.'" Noland smiles and says, "Yes... I hear a true and dignified ring from it..." Kalgara looks surprised and asks, "You do!?" Noland confirms, "Yes." Noland recalls his perilous journey, saying, "During our voyage, The light of Shandora guided us in the middle of a storm. By any means, it shouldn't have been possible to hear a bell in the midst of a raging storm, But I did! I heard the sound of this bell...!" A flashback panel shows Noland's ship being tossed by massive waves in a storm while his crew struggles to keep it afloat. Below, Noland and Kalgara stand before the giant golden bell.

Kalgara asks Noland, "The sound of this bell? Do you like it too?" Noland looks at the small snake, which hisses "CHURARARARA", and wonders, "I wonder... If you'll grow to be as large that other snake..." Kalgara laughs heartily, "Ahahaha! It'll take more than a hundred years before that!" Kalgara then warmly offers, "Noland, why don't you stay here as long as you want!? Tell me more about your travels. Since Shandora fell 400 years ago... You and your men are the first proper guest we've had on this island! We want to treat you right!" Noland replies, "Thank you. I'd love to collect more plant samples in the forest, And I do need to carry out some final preventive measures for tree fever as well." Nearby, Noland's crew members are excitedly examining items. They shout, "ADMIRAL! ADMIRAL! What's with that getup...?" and "LOOK! AN ETERNAL POSE! AND THERE'S EVEN A MAP, ADMIRAL!" A Shandia warrior comments, "Hmm, must be something our warriors picked up from one of the invaders in the past." Noland examines the map and deduces, "Judging by this skull-shaped figure, This must be a map of this island... The name 'Shandora,' Actually refers to the location of this city. Its name means 'right eye of the skull.'"

A Shandia villager excitedly calls out to the others, "Everyone, come look! Noland says he'll be giving us some new crops!" Noland explains, "I have a greenhouse onboard to keep all kinds of plant samples. I'll give you some seeds for plants which I think will grow well in this island's soil and climate." Later, Noland waves goodbye to a villager, saying, "Bye then. Keep your body well-rested for now." The villager waves back, "Thank you so much, mister!" In another area, villagers and Noland's crew work together to carry a large wooden log. They coordinate, "Hey, lift up on your end!" and "Alright." Noland thanks them, "Thanks for all your help." A series of montage panels shows the growing bond between the two groups: Noland is seen closely examining plants in the forest while Kalgara watches, and Kalgara is shown laughing joyfully while holding a large round fruit.

A montage of scenes depicts the joyful time spent together. Mousse is shown smiling brightly. Kalgara and Noland are seen splashing and playing in a river, with Kalgara laughing heartily. A large bonfire is lit at night, and silhouettes of people are seen dancing and celebrating around it. Noland and Kalgara work together, using tools to build or repair a wooden structure. In another scene, the villagers and crew cheer excitedly as a massive, strange-looking fish is hauled out of the water.

The montage continues. Noland and Kalgara sit together, drinking from cups and laughing. They are also seen sitting on a beach at sunset, raising their cups in a toast. Noland uses a magnifying glass to closely examine a plant. A crew member carries a large stack of wood. A caption reads: "A month later since arriving on Jaya". A wide view shows the beach where Noland's ship is anchored, with several tents set up on the shore.

The mood suddenly shifts. A Shandia villager runs through the village, shouting, "NOLAND AND HIS MEN ARE BACK!" Another villager warns, "REMEMBER, EVERYONE! DON'T SPEAK OF LAST NIGHT'S EVENTS!" Kalgara stands with a dark, angry expression, saying, "Those foreigners could never see eye to eye with us! It's just as I suspected... Am I clear!?" An elder with a staff tries to calm him, saying, "They've already said they'll set sail in a few days. So don't be rash and take matters into your own hands!" Kalgara furiously yells, "ARE THEY SO GREAT THAT THEY CAN JUST TRAMPLE OVER OUR HISTORY WITHOUT A THOUGHT!? THEY'RE STILL BEASTS THAT WOULD KILL A GOD IN COLD BLOOD! EVEN IF THEY CAN MAKE EFFECTIVE MEDICINE," A villager interrupts, "That's enough! they're coming!"

Noland approaches the village with a friendly smile, greeting them, "Hello, folks. Is Kalgara around?" The villagers stare at him silently with cold, hostile expressions. Noland looks confused and asks, "Why is everyone acting so cold all of a sudden?" A villager replies bluntly, "...Well, you're nothing but foreigners. And Kalgara said... He doesn't ever want to see you." Noland spots a familiar face and calls out, "SETO!" but Seto turns his head away, refusing to look at him. Mousse glares at Noland and demands angrily, "JUST WHEN ARE YOU AND YOUR MEN, FINALLY GOING TO LEAVE?" Noland is taken aback and stammers, "Wha-"

Noland's crew members are confused and hurt by the sudden hostility. One asks, "It's like... They despise us all of a sudden! D... Did we stay too long?" Another angrily yells at the villagers, "HEY, WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA!? YOU WERE ALL STILL FRIENDLY JUST YESTERDAY!" Noland raises a hand to calm his men, saying, "Stop. Let's continue our work for now. There are still parts of the forest we haven't been to yet." Elsewhere, Shandia villagers are venting their anger. One shouts, "I CAN'T DO IT! I CAN'T PUT UP WITH THEM FOR EVEN ONE SECOND!" Another agrees, "I DON'T HAVE AN OUNCE OF GOOD WILL TOWARDS THEM!" A third villager tries to calm them, "You don't have to have any... Just be patient until they set sail." Noland is shown looking towards the distant golden city, thinking sadly, "Kalgara... So this is where you were..." A dramatic close-up shows Kalgara's face contorted in absolute rage as he declares, "I DON'T WANT TO SEE THAT BASTARD'S FACE EVER AGAIN... AND IF I DO... I WON'T BE ABLE TO STOP MYSELF FROM KILLING HIM...!"

Noland's crew members are talking among themselves. One notes, "The bell... Didn't ring today..." Another adds, "I think that's the first time I've seen a day go by without the bell ringing. Where's the admiral?" A crew member spots him and points, "Over there by the rock. Admiral..." Noland is seen walking through the forest, saying, "Just 2 more days and we'll be able to finish our inspection of the forest." A crew member replies nervously, "R... Right, sir..." Later, Noland is sitting slumped against a tree. He instructs, "Tell the men we're setting sail in 3 days, So they should enjoy their time on land while they can...!" A crew member expresses concern, "Admiral... I'm not sure if we should remain here any longer on such a hostile isl-" Noland interrupts firmly, "We've got to finish what must be done! Now go to sleep!" A large close-up shows Noland's face, his expression a mix of determination and deep sorrow.

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