The title page reads "Chapter 303 'The Rich Pirates'". The cover story is titled "ACE'S GREAT SEARCH FOR BLACKBEARD VOL. 28 'A HAPPY CONFERENCE THANKS TO COFFEE WITH MILK'". The illustration shows Ace sitting at a large table with a group of men, all drinking coffee. A man with a large mustache and a coat sits at the head of the table. A framed sign with Japanese text hangs on the wall behind them.
AceMustached manOther men
01
A location box reads "Blue seas, Grand Line, Jaya". The Saruyama Alliance's large ship is docked near a forested shore. Masira and Shoujou yell out, "BOSS!" and "Boss..." with tears streaming down their faces. Mont Blanc Cricket stands on the shore, looking out at the sea. He says, "So there's no point in looking for it on the ocean floor anymore... The city of gold is in the sky. It's only natural, right? Call off the search..." He turns to his crew and continues, "Thanks for... Everything until now, all of you. I'm surprised you managed to stick with my stubborn search for years and years..." Masira cries out in protest, "WHAT!? DON'T START ACTING LIKE WE'RE JUST STRANGERS NOW!" Cricket replies calmly, "Well, then..."
Mont Blanc CricketMasiraShoujouSaruyama Alliance members
02
Cricket smiles around his lit cigarette and asks his crew, "WHAT KIND OF ROMANCE, SHALL WE CHASE AFTER NEXT?" Masira and Shoujou cheer wildly, tears still in their eyes. The rest of the Saruyama Alliance crew throws their arms up in celebration, yelling, "Woohoo!" "Ook ook!" and "We'll follow you no matter where, boss!"
Mont Blanc CricketMasiraShoujouSaruyama Alliance members
03
A location box reads "Western shore of Jaya, Mocktown". Citizens are screaming and running in panic, yelling "AGHHH!" Two men are fighting in the street. One onlooker asks, "WHY'RE THOSE TWO GOING AT EACH OTHER IN THE TOWN!?" Another warns, "RUN OR YOU'LL BE CAUGHT UP IN THEIR FIGHT!" Sarquiss, bleeding heavily from his head, swings his large kukri knife at Bellamy, who is also battered and bleeding. Bellamy dodges the strike. The crowd yells, "GET AWAY FROM THEM!" Nearby, Blackbeard sits on the ground, watching the fight with a grin.
SarquissBellamyBlackbeardMock Town citizens
04
Members of the Bellamy Pirates watch in horror, yelling, "Sarquiss!" "Bellamy!" and "Please stop this!" The townsfolk are confused, asking, "WHAT'S GOING ON!?" and noting, "Sarquiss looks like he's suffering..." Sarquiss, crying and struggling against an unseen force, begs, "PLEASE STOP THIS! WHY DO YOU HAVE TO- PLEASE!" Bellamy looks at him and asks, "Why? Why, you ask? Sarquiss..." Bellamy holds up his hand, crossing his fingers over his eye to mimic the Donquixote Pirates' jolly roger. "IT'S BECAUSE YOU PAINTED A BLACK STAIN... UPON MY SYMBOL. WHAT OTHER REASON IS THERE?" An unseen voice laughs, "FUFUFU! FUFUFUFU!"
SarquissBellamyBellamy PiratesMock Town citizens
05
A massive figure stands over Bellamy and Sarquiss, manipulating Sarquiss with his fingers like a puppeteer. It is Donquixote Doflamingo. He says, "Whether sky island exists, Whether the city of gold is a mere fantasy, Or not... I could care less about such questions. You see, Bellamy... Differing opinions can always be used... AND TWISTED AROUND!"
Donquixote DoflamingoBellamySarquiss
06
The onlookers recognize the towering man. "Donquixote Doflamingo... A pirate with a former bounty of over 300 million... What's a guy like him doing here...?" "EEK- AIN'T THAT ONE OF THE SHICHIBUKAI!?" Doflamingo smirks and says, "I have no need... FOR WEAK UNDERLINGS, YOU LITTLE BRATS...!" Sarquiss struggles violently against Doflamingo's control, crying out, "AHHH!...! DAMN IT! MY BODY... NGHHH! PLEASE LET ME STOP! I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS!" Despite his pleas, his body moves on its own, swinging his blade down towards his captain. "BELLAMY!"
Donquixote DoflamingoBellamySarquissMock Town citizens
07
The crew yells, "Bellamy!" "Bellamy, that's enough!" Bellamy, panting and bleeding, looks up at Doflamingo and pleads, "PLEASE... GIVE ME ONE MORE CHANCE...! I... WE'LL FOLLOW YOU NO MATTER WHAT!" Doflamingo smiles down at him. Bellamy continues, "I MAY HAVE LOST... BUT I NEVER INTENDED TO GO AGAINST YOUR WISHES! I SWEAR UPON YOUR SYMBOL! THIS IS... JUST MY OWN WAY OF HANDLING THINGS!" Doflamingo's eye twitches slightly as he says, "I'LL EXTERMINATE EVERY PUSHOVER AS NEEDED, TO REACH WHERE YOU ARE SOME DAY!" Doflamingo mocks him, "........Ooohh! Oh, how you make me tear up, my obedient little lackey. Bellamy, I really do like that part about you! However, Do as you wish. The 'New Age' is already right before us! Fufufufufu!"
Doflamingo coldly states, "I don't need you as one of my men." Sarquiss screams "AGHHH!" as his controlled body brings the blade down, slashing Bellamy across the chest. Blood splatters as onlookers scream "KYAAA!" Doflamingo laughs, "Mnn... Fufufufu!" The townsfolk are terrified. "Even Bellamy, the 55 million bounty hotshot rookie, Was like a baby in front of him!" Doflamingo spreads his arms wide, laughing maniacally. "FUFUFU! IT'S HERE AT LAST! QUICK, QUICK! PREPARE YOURSELVES! A WORLD IN WHICH ONLY TRUE PIRATES WILL BE ABLE TO SURVIVE DAWNS BEFORE US! THOSE WITHOUT STRENGTH ARE BETTER OFF FLEEING! ALL WILL BE SWEPT AWAY BEFORE THE POWERFUL, AND THE NEW AGE THEY HERALD! FUFUFUFU!"
Donquixote DoflamingoBellamySarquissMock Town citizens
09
High in the sky, the octopus balloon carrying the Going Merry begins to fail. The crew's screams of "AAAAAAAAA" echo as they plummet towards the sea. The octopus deflates rapidly, and the ship crashes into the ocean surface with a massive "SPLASH", sending water flying everywhere.
Straw Hat Pirates (off-screen)
10
The impact throws the crew around the deck. "WHOAAA!" "GAHH!" "IT'S COLD!" "OWWW!" "MNNF!" "OOF!" The deflated octopus lands in the water next to the ship. Chopper calls out, "Nami! Robin! Are you okay!?" Nami, panting, says, "Hah... Hah... That was a shock! Who knew the octopus would shrink so suddenly...?" Robin suggests, "Perhaps it ran out of air..." Luffy lies on the deck, laughing in relief. "Haa... Even so... We managed to get down alive... Thanks, little guy!"
The Going Merry bobs gently on the blue sea. Someone observes, "The sea... Is blue... Is everyone fine?" Sanji lights a cigarette and says, "I gotta say... We came back, From one hell of a place." Robin looks up at the sky. "Looking above after falling, It truly was a distant place..." Nami smiles, "It's almost as if it were all a dream... I wonder if we'll ever be able to go there again..." Chopper adds, "A real dreamland..." Zoro smirks, "Maybe you'd go there if you died? Or close to it, at least." Usopp yells at him, "Zoro, do you actually think you can get into heaven?" Luffy grins widely. "Alright then..."
LuffyNamiRobinChopperZoroSanjiUsopp
12
Luffy stands on the figurehead and declares, "IT'S TIME TO SET SAIL FOR THE NEXT ISLAND!" Usopp pleads, "Hang on, Luffy! give us a little time to rest at least!" Nami takes charge, "RAISE THE SAIL, CREW! Don't be naive! If you could simply rest whenever you wanted in the Grand Line, No one would have difficulty sailing it! The waves are acting a little odd." Usopp complains, "Yeah, I know but-" Nami yells, "Everyone on your feet! Take the helm! See, it's here! TURN AT FULL SPEED!" The crew screams "AGHHHH!" as a massive wave approaches. "IT'S A HUGE WAVE! And there's something inside the waves too! Sea monkeys!"
LuffyNamiUsoppChopperSanjiZoro
13
Seagulls fly overhead, cooing. The sea has calmed down. "The seas calmed down. But we can't let our guard down..." Sanji coughs up seawater. Usopp lies exhausted on the deck. Zoro says, "See, I told you it was impossible." Luffy is crying, holding a broken waver. "EVEN IF I COULDN'T DO IT ON THE WHITE SEAS... I THOUGHT I MIGHT AT LEAST BE ABLE TO RIDE IT HERE..." Chopper panics, yelling, "DOCTOOORK!"
LuffyZoroSanjiUsoppChopper
14
Nami rides her waver smoothly across the blue sea. "THAT'S ME! Looks like Nami's the only one who can ride it even down here." Sanji swoons, "Naaammiii! Be careful!" Chopper watches in amazement. Nami smiles, "Thank goodness! I can use this even on the blue seas!" Back on the ship, Usopp says, "Chopper, raise the waver up. You were amazing! For the dials... Only the milky dial's no good. I suppose the atmosphere of sky island is required to make the clouds..." Sanji brings out snacks. "You still got plenty of other strange and rare dials, so it's still good..." Luffy yells, "AHH! BREADSTICKS!? HEY SANJI! I WANT SOME TOO!" Nami sits in front of a massive pile of gold. "Now then, It's time for the long waited division of spoils! Look at all this gold! We're rich! Obviously, pirates should split their loot equally!"
LuffyNamiZoroSanjiUsoppChopperRobin
15
The crew cheers at the sight of the gold. Zoro says, "Unlimited booze!" Sanji plans, "Let's see... A new pot, frying pan, and... a giant rat trap." Chopper asks, "CAN I BUY BOOKS!?" Luffy yells, "WOOHOO! I'M GONNA BUY A HUGE STATUE!" Nami holds up her hand. "FINALLY! But first, 80% will go to my savings." The crew freezes in shock. "WAI-WAI-WAIT A SEC..." Nami laughs, "It's just a joke." Usopp yells, "IT BETTER BE! AS IF YOU COULD JUST TAKE ALL THAT FOR YOUR PERSONAL SAVINGS!" Luffy asks, "The ship? You mean the Going Merry?" Usopp replies, "That's right. It's already in a cracked and creaking mess." Luffy agrees, "That sounds good!"
LuffyNamiZoroSanjiUsoppChopperRobin
16
The crew enthusiastically agrees. "LET'S REPAIR THE GOING MERRY! 100% AGREED!" The Going Merry is shown sailing, looking battered with numerous patches. Nami says, "So... since we don't know how much the repairs will cost yet, let's put off dividing the treasure for now." Usopp admits, "Yeah, Usopp's shoddy repairs, Weren't quite cutting it. Must I remind you that I am a 'SNIPER?'" Sanji adds, "Yeah... We ought to go to a legitimate dockyard, And get it repaired by a professional shipwright." Chopper asks innocently, "Ohhh! So there are people better than Usopp at fixing things?" Usopp reflects, "Now that I think about it, This ship's been supporting us ever since my hometown in East Blue. If we don't give it our support in return every now and then, We'll run into some major trouble for sure. Then how about..."
LuffyNamiZoroSanjiUsoppChopperRobin
17
Luffy smiles broadly and suggests, "WE GET A SHIPWRIGHT, FOR OUR NEXT CREWMEMBER?" Usopp agrees, "Our journey still has a long way to go, And it's a skill we do eventually need." Luffy says, "Merry's our home, As well as our life! So let's look for a shipwright who can take care of Merry!" Sanji notes, "He... Sure does know how to hit point right on the mark at times..." Usopp says, "That sounds great! Let's do it! Then it's settled! I HOPE WE CAN FIND A GOOD GUY!" Luffy excitedly adds, "AND WE NEED A MUSICIAN!" Zoro immediately shuts it down, "Uhh, no, leave that one out." Luffy reacts, "WHA!?"
LuffyNamiZoroSanjiUsoppChopperRobin
18
A location box reads "Grand Line, Marine HQ". A marine reports to his superiors. "Vice admiral! He's not here!" A voice yells back, "DON'T JUST TELL ME HE'S NOT HERE! AT LEAST FIND OUT WHERE HE'S GONE THEN!" The marine replies, "Well, sir, his bicycle isn't here so I'm guessing... He left for the seas?" The superior orders, "Contact the Gorousei at once!" The Gorousei are shown discussing the matter. "That man again? He's probably gone off sight-seeing again. We can't just have him wandering off as he pleases. Hmph... Just how lightly does he take his position!?" A Den Den Mushi rings. "CLICK! MARINE HQ'S STRONGEST POWER, ADMIRAL AOKIJI..." The scene shifts to a tall man riding a bicycle across the surface of the ocean. He says, "Oops, sorry about that. Sigh... Not a single decent person in this family..." He is holding a wanted poster for "DEAD OR ALIVE MONKEY D. LUFFY".
MarinesGorouseiAokiji (Kuzan)
19
An SBS page where the author discusses a class time-table schedule and announces the "Straw-Hat Theatre" for the next 4 pages, followed by Chapter 304 "Adventure on Long Island" and Chapter 305 "Foxy the Silver Fox".
20
No description for this page.
End of chapter21 pages
Discussion
p10
Going Merry crew survives a violent sea descent.
p10An octopus aids the ship and then shrinks.
p11Going Merry floats on the open sea after leaving the sky island.
p11Straw Hat crew reflects on their sky island experience.
p12The Going Merry is sailing on the Grand Line after leaving a sky island.
p12Unusual large waves appear suddenly around the ship.
p12Nami is steering the ship during the disturbance.
p13The ocean has become calm after the earlier rough waves.
p13Usopp and Luffy are both wet from attempting to ride a wave.
p13The crew remains cautious even after the sea settles.
p14Nami demonstrates use of a dial device on the blue sea.
p14The crew has recovered gold and dials from the sky island.
p14Nami proposes taking 80 percent of the treasure for savings.
p15The crew is dividing sky island treasure among themselves.
p15Nami claims the majority share for her personal savings.
p15Luffy is concerned about funds for repairing the Going Merry.
p16Straw Hats postpone treasure division until repair costs are known.
p16Going Merry is described as the crew's home and source of ongoing support since East Blue.
p17Straw Hats decide to recruit both a shipwright and a musician as next crew members.
p18Aokiji has left Marine Headquarters without permission.
p18Luffy's wanted poster is displayed at Marine HQ.
What is said, page by page
p1Crew concludes city of gold search on ocean floor is pointless and suggests calling it off.
p1Goggled pirate yells 'BOSS!' in shock at the decision.
p1Helmeted pirate says 'Boss...' with hesitant tone.
p1Cricket tells crew not to act like strangers and thanks them for years of stubborn search.
p2Cricket asks crew what kind of romance they should chase next.
p2Crew shouts they will follow boss anywhere with cheers and 'Ook ook!' cries.
p3Long-haired man questions why two fighters are battling inside town.
p3Bloodied blond man warns to run or be caught in the fight.
p3Cloaked figure yells to get away from the fighters.
p4Crowd pleads desperately for the violence to stop while calling out names Sarquiss and Bellamy.
p4Spiky-haired man with bandana questions what is happening in shock.
p4Long-haired man in sunglasses begs repeatedly to stop the attack with visible distress.
p5Bellamy dismisses questions about sky island and city of gold as irrelevant opinions that can be twisted.
p5Bellamy states he cares nothing for such debates while addressing the listener.
p6Onlookers recognize the arrival of a former 300 million bounty pirate and identify him as Shichibukai Donquixote Doflamingo.
p6Bellamy declares he has no need for weak underlings while attacking.
p6Beaten man cries out in agony begging for the assault to stop.
p7Beaten man pledges eternal loyalty and begs for one more chance.
p7Woman tells Bellamy that enough violence has occurred.
p7Bellamy sarcastically claims he will exterminate only as needed and swears upon the symbol to reach Doflamingo's level.
p7Bellamy laughs while stating this is his own way of handling things.
p8Blackbeard harshly rejects the sunglasses man as unworthy crew material with cold finality.
p8Blackbeard laughs mockingly while discarding the defeated man.
p8Blackbeard proclaims that only true pirates will survive the new age and sweeps away the weak.
p9Faint echoing cries of pain trail the falling object through the sky.
p10Luffy shouts about the cold water while clinging to the rail.
p10Crew members cry out in shock from the icy waves.
p10Luffy thanks the octopus for assistance.
p10Luffy states they survived the descent.
p10Crew discusses the sudden shrinking of the octopus.
p11Nami reflects that the sky island was a distant and hellish place.
p11Zoro notes they have returned safely.
p11Luffy declares readiness to move forward.
p11Crew wonders whether death would lead to heaven or if the sky island was a dream.
p12Luffy shouts excitedly about setting sail for the next island from the bow.
p12Crew member pleads for rest time while ship moves forward.
p12Luffy orders crew to raise the sail with energetic tone.
p12Nami commands full speed turn at the helm with determined intent.
p12Crew reacts with surprise and alarm to sudden wave appearance.
p12Crew discusses unusual wave behavior on the Grand Line with cautious mood.
p13Crew notes that the seas have calmed down with relieved tone.
p13Another crew member warns not to let guard down despite calm.
p13Usopp coughs and complains about failing to ride the wave even here.
p13Luffy laughs weakly admitting the attempt was impossible.
p14Nami declares she can use the dial even on blue seas with confidence.
p14Crew expresses relief and cheers for Nami's ability.
p14Usopp notes Nami is the only one who can ride the dial here.
p14Chopper claims credit for the waver device excitedly.
p14Sanji complains about bread being taken while preparing food.
p14Usopp comments on remaining strange dials being valuable.
p14Nami insists on splitting loot with 80 percent to her savings.
p15Luffy yells excitedly about buying a huge statue with treasure.
p15Usopp asks if he can buy books with his share.
p15Sanji plans purchases of new cooking tools and a rat trap.
p15Zoro demands unlimited booze as his share.
p15Robin states finally with satisfied tone.
p15Nami firmly declares 80 percent goes to her savings.
p15Luffy reacts in horror questioning the ship's repair funds.
p16Crew fully agrees to repair Going Merry before dividing treasure.