I Will Not Run!

In a dimly lit wooden room, Outlook III speaks to Bluejam: "...I WILL SEE TO IT THAT YOU NO LONGER HAVE ANY NEED TO HIDE. I WILL USE MY AUTHORITY..." and "ONCE ALL OF THIS IS OVER..." Bluejam listens as the noble continues, "I AM QUITE AWARE OF THAT FACT, BLUEJAM..." and "IT MAY BE JUST A TRASH HEAP TO YOU, YOUR MAJESTY... BUT TO US, IT'S A VALUABLE HIDEOUT!" Bluejam erupts in rage: "HOW DARE HE PLAY ME FOR A FOOL...I!" and "...DAMN THAT KING...!!" The noble offers, "...TO GRANT YOU AND YOUR CREW NOBLE STATUS." Bluejam snarls, "DO YOU MEAN THAT...I!" and "WHAT...I!" The scene cuts to the Goa Kingdom port at night where Bluejam's ship explodes in a massive fireball. Crew members scream: "CAPTAIN BLUEJAM, IT'S NO USE!!!" "THERE'S NO STOPPING THIS BLAZE NOW... THE SHIP IS A LOST CAUSE!!!" "WE CAN'T ESCAPE TO THE OPEN SEA, NOT ANY MORE!!!" Bluejam roars, "I WON'T FORGET THIS, YOU DAMN DOUBLE-CROSSER!!!" as the vessel is consumed by flames and smoke.

From the Royal Palace overlooking the burning city, servants apologize: "WE MUST APOLOGISE, YOUR MAJESTY! WE WILL CLOSE THE CURTAINS AT ONCE...!!!" A noble seated in an ornate chair remarks, "IT IS SUCH A BOTHER FOR THE SKY TO BE SO BRIGHT AT THIS TIME OF NIGHT..." and "DEAR ME..." The label "THE ROYAL PALACE" appears on one panel. Inside, the noble tells his young daughter, "NOW THEN, LET US SPEAK NO MORE OF SUCH FILTHY THINGS. YOU HAVE LOTS OF WORK TO DO TOMORROW, SO WHY DON'T YOU GO AND GET SOME SLEEPI" She replies, "YES, FATHER!" He continues, "AFTER ALL, THINK OF IT THIS WAY. IT IS THEIR OWN FAULT FOR NOT BEING BORN INTO NOBLE FAMILIES!" and "...AREN'T HUMAN BEINGS LIKE USI" The girl asks, "SAY, FATHER... WHY IS IT THAT THE PEOPLE ON THE TRASH HEAP..." He answers, "WELL, MY DEAR, I'M AFRAID THEY ARE ONLY GETTING WHAT THEY ARE DUE." She exclaims, "OH, I SEE! THEY SHOULD HAVE JUST BEEN BORN AS NOBLES IN THE FIRST PLACE! HOW SILLY OF THEM!" while the city burns in the distance.

Amid roaring flames and collapsing structures, panicked voices cry out: "I'M SO SORRY, DARLING!! I'LL MAKE SURE NOTHING HAPPENS TO YOU!! JUST HANG IN THERE, ALL RIGHTI!" "WAAAAAH HHHH!!! DADDY, IT'S SO HOT!!!" "THE SAFE GROUND IS SHRINKING WITH EVERY MINUTE!!!" "THAT WAY'S NO GOOD EITHER!" A man coughs violently: "*COUGH*... *COUGH*...!!!" while shouting, "THIS IS NO TIME TO BE WORRYING ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE!!!...UGH!! I CAN'T EVEN TELL WHERE WE ARE!!!" "DO YOU THINK THE GUYS FROM THE TRASH HEAP MADE IT OUT IN TIME...I!" Luffy, covered in soot and sweat, runs desperately with a pipe in hand, panting "*PANT*... *PANT*..." and yelling "WHOA AAAAA A...!!!" as explosions and debris fly around him. Suddenly Bluejam's massive silhouette looms over the boys. Luffy gasps, "...I! BLUEJAM...!!!" Bluejam bellows, "HUHI!" and "AND WHO GAVE YOU PERMISSION TO RUN, YOU FILTHY BRATSI!!!" while the fire rages on.

On a rocky, fire-scorched slope, Bluejam Pirates and bandits glare down at young Luffy and Sabo. One roars, "SHUT YOUR FACES, BRATS!!! WE'RE SUFFERING THROUGH THE DEPTHS OF DESPAIR RIGHT NOW...!!!" Another sneers, "...I! WHY ARE THE PEOPLE WHO CAUSED THIS FIRE IN THE FIRST PLACE......STILL HANGING AROUND HERE...I! SURELY THEY SHOULD'VE MADE THEIR ESCAPE AGES AGO...I!" Luffy and Sabo stand their ground with weapons in hand. In the next tier, a bandit lunges forward shouting "DON'T LET 'EM ESCAPE!!!" as others cry "!!I ばっ!! AHH...!" A pirate laughs, "YOU KNOW, HUMANS ARE A STRANGE KIND OF CREATURE, DON'T YOU THINKI WHEN WE HIT ROCK BOTTOM, WE CAN'T HELP BUT STAND THERE AND LAUGH! WHO'D'VE THOUGHT THINGS WOULD TURN OUT LIKE THISI" Below, a close-up of a furious bandit declares, "SO IT'S ONLY RIGHT THAT WE SHOULD DIE TOGETHER, AN' ALL...!!! DON'T YOU REMEMBERI WE'RE PALS, WE ARE! WE PULLED OFF THIS WHOLE JOB TOGETHER!" Luffy turns and shouts, "LUFFY, LET'S GET OUT OF HERE!" as the group begins to flee amid smoke and debris with SFX "ゴォォォォォォォォ".

The confrontation intensifies. A bandit snarls at Luffy, "YOU'RE WORRYING ABOUT TREASURE WHEN YOUR LIVES ARE IN DANGERI! SO TELL US WHERE IT'S HIDDEN!!! WE'LL TAKE IT OFF YOUR HANDS BEFORE IT GOES UP IN FLAMES. YOU NEVER DID TELL US WHERE THAT TREASURE OF YOURS IS HIDDEN... BY THAT LOGIC, WHY WOULDN'T YOU TELL US, HMI" Ace steps forward and yells, "...!!! ACE!!...ALL RIGHT. I'LL TELL YOU." Luffy protests desperately, "DON'T!! BE STUPID!! THAT'S THE TREASURE THAT ACE AND SABO - IF YOU'RE NOT GONNA GO COLLECT IT, THEN IT'LL ALL GO TO WASTE." A bandit threatens, "DON'T YOU REMEMBERI WE'RE PALS, WE ARE! WE PULLED OFF THIS WHOLE JOB TOGETHER!" In the lower panels, Bluejam grins viciously, "...!!!...ALL RIGHT. I'LL TELL YOU....IS OUR OWN LIVES!!! I'M SURE SABO WILL UNDERSTAND!! ALL THAT MATTERS NOW IS YOURS......BUT YOU AND SABO WORKED YOUR ASSES OFF FOR -" Luffy and Ace react in shock with SFX "ゴォォォォ".

Bluejam's rage erupts. He bellows, "DON'T BE RIDICULOUS!! IF YOU TRY TO REACH THE TREASURE NOW, WE'LL ONLY LOSE OUR CHANCE TO ESCAPE!! IF YOU WANT IT THAT MUCH, GO AFTER IT YOURSELVES!!! AND WHAT IF YOU WERE LYING TO ME, EHI YOU'RE COMING WITH US. WHAT D'YOU THINK YOU'RE DOINGI! I TOLD YOU WHERE THE TREASURE IS!!" Ace fires back, "THAT SO-CALLED 'BROTHER' OF YOURS IS JUST THE SAME, YOU KNOW!! EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM THINKS THEY'RE BETTER THAN THE REST OF US!! THEY DON'T THINK US COMMON FOLK ARE ANY BETTER THAN TRASH!!! I'VE SWORN TO LIVE THROUGH THIS GODFORSAKEN MESS, I'M GOING TO TAKE REVENGE ON THOSE STINKING NOBLES - EVEN IF I HAVE TO STEAL TREASURE FROM A COUPLE OF STINKING URCHINS TO DO IT!!! DON'T MAKE ME ANY MORE ANGRY THAN I ALREADY AM!!!" Sabo shouts, "DON'T YOU DARE SAY ONE MORE WORD!!!" while Bluejam retorts about Sabo's noble background, "DEEP DOWN, HE WAS LOOKING DOWN ON YOU, PINCHING HIS NOSE AND LAUGHING!!! OH YES HE IS, YOU BRAINLESS FOOL!!! HE ONLY HUNG AROUND THE TWO OF YOU SO HE COULD ENJOY FEELING ALL SUPERIOR!!! WITH PARENTS AS RICH AS HIS, WHAT TORMENTS COULD HE EVER HAVE HAD TO FACE!! FACE IT!! YOU WERE JUST BEING USED AS IDLE PLAYTHINGS FOR A NOBLE KID'S AMUSEMENT!!! SABO ISN'T LIKE THAT, YOU DAMN -" with impact SFX "ギャルっ!!" and "ギャルっ!!".

The fight explodes into violence. Bluejam swings his weapon shouting "DAMN BRAT...!!!" as Porchemy attacks, "THAT'S RIGHT!! ALL SABO EVER WANTED WAS TO BE FREE!!!" Luffy cries "!!I" while Sabo is struck, screaming "AAGH HHHHH HHH!!!" Porchemy continues his assault with "I'LL KILL YOU...! AARRG HHH...! LUFFY!! UNGH HHHHHH HHHH!!! SLASH" and blood sprays. Luffy charges in, yelling "DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH LUFFY!!!!" as he swings his pipe with massive impact SFX "ゴォォォォォォォォ" and "ドンッ". Porchemy and Bluejam reel from the blow amid debris and motion lines, their faces twisted in pain and shock.

A massive explosion rocks the ruined town as Bluejam swings his sword with a loud "ガクッ...!". Luffy and Ace lie battered amid the debris while Dadan stares in horror. The bandit boss grits her teeth, sweat flying, as the battlefield burns. In the center of the wreckage stands a tall cloaked figure. Luffy suddenly lunges forward and strikes Bluejam from behind with a desperate "CHACK!!". Bluejam reels, roaring "WHAT DID YOU JUST DO, YOU FILTHY LITTLE URCHINI!!" as a massive impact "ビズン!!" sends him flying. Ace screams "ACEI!!" while Luffy cries out "STOOOOOOP!!" and Bluejam howls in pain "UNGHHHHHH!!!".

Dadan charges through the smoke, swinging her massive axe and bellowing "GET YOUR HANDS OFF OUR ACE!!!" and "GIVE IT UP ALREADY, YOU STINKING SEA MONSTERS!!!". Bluejam's pirates recoil in shock. Dadan smashes through their ranks as the bandits rally behind her. In the chaos, someone spots her and shouts "DADAN...!!!!". Luffy and Ace watch from the ground while the remaining pirates scatter, yelling "WHAT ARE YOU ALL DOING HEREI!!" and "NGH...!!!".

Dadan stands tall and declares "...I HAPPEN TO BE THE GUARDIAN OF THESE BRATS! I'M DADAN THE BANDIT!! AND FOR BETTER OR WORSE..." while glaring at Bluejam's men. Dogra calls out "DOGURA...!!!" and worries over Luffy's wound: "OIII! THAT'S A NASTY WOUND YOU'VE GOT THERE, LUFFY!!!". Ace, bloodied and furious, refuses to flee. Close-up on his determined face, he growls "...WON'T RUN!!!" and begins "I...". The bandits prepare to fight as Ace's words echo across the burning ruins.

Luffy tries to follow Ace, shouting "I... I'M GOING TOO...!". Dadan immediately blocks him: "ON NO YOU DON'T, LUFFY!!!". She turns to Ace and warns "HE'S BEYOND THESE GUYS!!! YOU CAN'T FACE THESE GUYS!!! BLUEJAM'S STRENGTH ISN'T JUST FOR SHOW, YOU KNOW!!!" and "WHAT D'YOU THINK YOU'RE SAYING, ACE M'BOYI!!". Dadan then makes her decision: "...AND SEE TO IT MYSELF THAT HE GETS BACK SAFE AND SOUND!!! I'LL TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ACE...". She orders the bandits "MEN... YOU TAKE LUFFY AND GO ON AHEAD." and roars "NOW GO!!!". The bandits salute "Y-YES, BOSS!!" while Luffy reaches out desperately, crying "YOU'D BETTER BE COMING BACK, BOSS, YOU HEAR ME!!!!".

On a devastated battlefield, a cloaked swordsman stands amid rubble while an axe-wielding bandit and a small child move through the smoke. Narration reads, "...AND A CHILD." and "A WOMAN..." A massive SFX rumbles "ゴォォォォ..." In close-up, a scarred, curly-haired man snarls, "THE BRAVE MEET WITH DEATHS... THAT'S JUST HOW THE WORLD WORKS...!!!" A young man with a scar on his face states, "THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO SURVIVE ON THE BATTLEFIELD... ARE THE STRONG AND THE COWARDS." A grinning man warns, "IF YOU START GETTING OVERCONFIDENT JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE A LITTLE HANDY IN A FIGHT, YOU COULD END UP A BLOODY LIMP." Below, chaos erupts as people scream and flee an explosion. A man in a "36" jersey yells, "IT'S SO HOT... THERE'S NOWHERE LEFT TO RUN...!!!" and "...IT'S NO GOOD!! WE'RE COMPLETELY SURROUNDED!!" Others cry "WHY DID THIS HAVE TO HAPPEN...I!I!" "WAAAAA AAAHHHH HHHHH!!!" and "EH!I" as debris flies and a voice shouts "DAMMIT!!"

A massive explosion erupts with huge SFX "ドゴォン!!!" sending rocks and flames flying. People react with "!!!I" and "AAAH HHHHH HH...!!!" A voice questions, "WHERE DID THIS PATH COME FROMI! SOME KIND OF EXPLOSION JUST OPENED UP A CLEAR PATH!!!" accompanied by "*PANT* *PANT*" and continuing rumble SFX "ゴォォォォ..." In the next panels, a man points and shouts, "THIS PATH LEADS STRAIGHT TO THE COAST!!" while another exclaims, "I CAN SEE A SHIP AT THE END!!" A curly-haired man adds, "I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT CAME FROM, BUT IT'S A MIRACLE AND NO MISTAKE!!!" The group stares in shock at the revealed path leading toward the distant sea.

The cloaked figure questions the scarred man, "DO YOU HAVE SOME KIND OF PERSONAL CONNECTION TO THIS PLACEI" and notes, "I'M RATHER SURPRISED YOU HAD INFORMANTS ALL THE WAY... OUT HERE IN THIS REMOTE CORNER OF EAST BLUE..." The scarred man replies, "EVEN A ROTTEN LAND LIKE THIS......CAN STILL PRODUCE INNOCENT CHILDREN!!" and "IF I STAY HERE, I'LL NEVER BE FREE!!!" The cloaked figure declares, "ONE DAY, I WILL CHANGE THIS WORLD... YOU MARK MY WORDS." and "THIS COUNTRY IS LIKE A SMALLER-SCALE VERSION OF THIS WORLD'S FUTURE... THERE CAN BE NO HAPPINESS IN A WORLD WHERE THOSE DEEMED UNNECESSARY ARE WEEDED OUT AND ELIMINATED...." He then commands, "BOARD MY SHIP!!!" and "THOSE OF YOU WHO WISH TO JOIN ME IN A BATTLE FOR FREEDOM..." A small panel shows a raised fist with SFX "ばっ...!!" as the group reacts with surprise.

A small panel shows someone sleeping with "ZZZZZZZZ" and SFX "すぅ..." The view shifts to a grand city at night with a large domed building flying a flag. In the streets, a blond man, a woman, and others look up in concern. A man with a bird on his shoulder stands among a crowd of onlookers. Narration boxes read, "ACE AND DADAN..." and "...LEFT BEHIND IN THE FLAMES OF THE GREY TERMINAL..." Below, a wide landscape shows a line of people walking away across hills with palm trees, while a close-up captures anguished faces with tears and SFX "ゴゴゴゴッ...+..." One box states, "...DID NOT RETURN..."

Bandaged and battered, Luffy lies among the ruins as Dadan and the other bandits tend to him. Luffy suddenly declares, "I'M GOING TO SEARCH FOR ACE AND DADAN....!" Dadan snaps back, "DON'T BE RIDICULOUS!!" The bandits warn him that the Grey Terminal is crawling with military men cleaning up after the fire and that going now would get him killed. Luffy insists, "BUT...!!" A sign reads "REMAINS OF THE GREY TERMINAL." Luffy's face fills with desperate resolve as he shouts, "I WANNA SEE ACE....!!" The narration notes there are fewer corpses than expected, with the area still reeking of burned remains.

In a flashback, a nobleman confronts young Sabo: "YOU ARE MY SON, AND I WILL BRING YOU BACK HERE AS MANY TIMES AS IT TAKES!!" He continues, "NOW I SUGGEST YOU TURN OVER A NEW LEAF AND APPLY YOURSELF TO YOUR STUDIES LIKE STELLEY!!" Sabo glares silently. The noble adds that Bluejam's pirate ship was caught in the blaze. Stelley appears, offering new clothes and noting the Tenryuubito ceremony is tomorrow. Sabo thinks to himself, "WHAT IS FREEDOM, REALLYI WHERE CAN I FIND ITI" and reflects that the place feels like a birdcage, worrying about Ace and Luffy.

Preparations are underway for a grand ceremony to celebrate the arrival of world nobles from the Grand Line. On the sea, a small sailing ship approaches the crowded harbor. Onlookers shout, "IS IT A FISHING VESSELI!" and "GET BACK HERE!! YOU'LL GET IN THE WAY OF THE CEREMONY!!" A child stands at the helm of the ship flying a pirate flag. The boy, wearing a straw hat and goggles, grins widely and declares, "...TO SET OUT TO SEA!!!" He adds, "WHAT GREAT WEATHER...!! THIS IS THE PERFECT DAY..."

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