## One Piece Chapter 288, pages 5-7: Curse - Chapter: 288 - Pages: 5-7 - Characters: Mont Blanc Noland, Kalgara, Mousse, Noland's crew ### Summary Page 5: Noland swiftly counters Kalgara's attack, striking him hard in the chest with the hilt of his sword. The blow knocks Kalgara backward as Noland commands, "STOP THAT AT ONCE!" Kalgara looks stunned, blood dripping from his mouth, while Noland glares at him with intense anger. Mousse, overwhelmed by the situation, collapses to the ground with a cry, "Aghh!" "FALL!" Kalgara recovers and thrusts his spear at Noland again. In a shocking move, Noland doesn't dodge; instead, he catches the spearhead with his bare hand, letting the blade pierce through his palm and into his shoulder to stop the attack completely. Mousse watches in horror, gasping, "...Ahh!" Page 6: Noland begins to speak, his voice steady despite his injury. "For centuries, We have strictly maintained the law forbidding all outsiders to this island." His crew watches anxiously, calling out, "My men...!" "ADMIRAL!" "A..." Kalgara, still holding the spear embedded in Noland's shoulder, yells furiously, "100 OF YOU AND YOUR MENS' LIVES WILL BE OFFERED TO THE GODS!" Noland replies calmly, "Your death alone will not be enough! For the crime of trespassing and deicide... Don't you underestimate us warriors of Shandora." Noland then raises his voice, his face filled with righteous anger, "THIS WHOLE RITUAL IS AN INSULT TOWARDS US!" He continues, questioning their beliefs, "All this talk about life, sacrifice, and blood... Do you really think a god takes joy in such things?" Page 7: Mousse listens with tears in her eyes as Noland continues his impassioned speech. "For all the researchers and explorers... I will not allow rituals that make a mockery of the achievements of great men in ages past." His crew is moved by his words, murmuring, "Admiral..." "What...!?" Noland shouts, "THIS IS AN INSULT! WHO BRAVED THE UNKNOWN SEAS FOR THE SAKE OF HUMANITY'S HAPPINESS..." He then makes a bold declaration, "The 'evil spirit' that has cursed your village... I will exorcise it! If I fail, you may do whatever you wish to my men and I." He asks Kalgara, "Give me time..." Kalgara listens silently, his expression unreadable. Noland finishes his argument, "AND TO DARE ASSUME THAT A GOD WOULD VICIOUSLY SEEK THE BLOOD AND LIVES OF HUMANS... IS THIS NOT AN INSULT TO YOUR GOD AS WELL!?"