REVERSE MOUNTAIN

A close-up shows a wide-eyed character in a Marine-style hat shouting in panic, "THE LIGHT JUST WENT OUT!" while another voice cries, "NAMI, THIS IS BAD!". In the next panel a small figure with goggles and rabbit-like ears stands on a railing inside a lighthouse, declaring, "WELL IT IS ONLY A LIGHTHOUSE. IT CAN GO OUT FROM TIME TO TIME." Nami's voice replies calmly, "BESIDES, IT'S FOR TIMES LIKE THESE YOU HAVE A NAVIGATOR, YOU KNOWI SO DON'T WORRY. I KNOW THE BASIC DIRECTION AT LEAST." A worried voice asks, "AND THAT WAS OUR GUIDING LIGHT TOO! WHAT DO WE DO NOWI". Nami, looking concerned, says, "AT THIS RATE, IT'LL BE EXACTLY AS THE RUMOURS SAY...!" while another character adds, "BUT THIS IS RATHER TROUBLING...". The goggled figure is told, "MORE IMPORTANTLY, CAN YOU PLEASE GET OFF FROM THERE!I" and retorts, "WHEN DID I SAY I WANTED THIS SPOT!I" only to be countered with, "NO, THIS IS MY SPOT! YOU CAN'T HAVE IT!" Someone else exclaims, "WOW, YOU'RE AMAZING."

Nami stands over a map spread on a table, pointing firmly as large bold text declares, "IS A MOUNTAIN. THE ENTRANCE TO GRAND LINE,". In the galley, Usopp reacts with shock, "A MOUNTAIN!I". The crew gathers around the table where Nami explains, "THE LIGHT OF GUIDANCE WAS DIRECTLY POINTING AT REVERSE MOUNTAIN LOCATED RIGHT HERE ON RED LINE." Sanji leans in and says, "BUT LOOK!" while Nami confirms, "EXACTLY. I HAD A HARD TIME BELIEVING IT MYSELF WHEN I LOOKED AT THE MAP." Luffy, Zoro, and the others listen intently to the discussion.

Nami's hand points to a detailed map of Reverse Mountain, stating, "NO, THERE'S A WATERWAY RIGHT HERE." Usopp panics, "DOES THAT MEAN WE HAVE TO CRASH THROUGH THE MOUNTAINI" A dramatic panel shows a tiny ship attempting to climb the massive Reverse Mountain waterway as Usopp yells, "EVEN IF THAT WATERWAY REALLY IS THERE, THERE'S NO WAY A SHIP COULD CLIMB UP A MOUNTAIN!" with the sound effect "あぁぁっ!!". He continues, "A WATERWAYI THAT'S CRAZY!". In the next scene the crew debates: Luffy exclaims, "ARE WE REALLY GONNA CLIMB UP A MOUNTAIN ON A SHIP!I THAT SOUNDS SOOOO COOL!" while Zoro questions, "BUT ISN'T THAT THE MAP YOU STOLE FROM BUGGYI HOW DEPENDABLE COULD IT BEI" Nami insists, "THAT'S RIGHT. AS IF WHAT NAMI SAYS COULD EVER BE WRONG!" and points out, "BUT THAT'S WHAT THE MAP SAYS." Usopp concludes, "SO IT'S A MAGIC MOUNTAIN, HUHI".

Inside the ship’s cabin, Sanji points emphatically while declaring, "THAT'S RIGHT, AND THERE'S A PERFECTLY GOOD REASON FOR THAT." Luffy stands with his back to the group, arm outstretched. Nami questions from her seat, "IN THE FIRST PLACE, WHY DO WE EVEN HAVE TO ENTER DIRECTLY THROUGH THE ENTRANCE ANYWAYSI" and "COULDN'T WE JUST HEAD DIRECTLY SOUTH AND STILL ENTERI" The crew debates until Luffy suddenly roars with excitement, "IT'S SO MUCH COOLER TO GO IN USING THE REAL ENTRANCE!" as the storm outside abruptly clears. Usopp yells, "WAIT, WHATI GUYS! THE STORM SUDDENLY STOPPED!" while Zoro notes, "THAT'S NOT THE REASON!" On deck, the Going Merry sails under bright skies. Nami stares in disbelief, muttering, "THAT STORM SHOULD HAVE DIRECTLY LED US TO THE ENTRANCE... THAT CAN'T BE..." Someone laughs, "HAHAHAHA!" as the crew wonders what happened to the storm.

Nami’s eyes widen in shock as she realizes, "WE'VE ENTERED CALM BELT...!" and cries, "OH NO!" A wide view shows the Going Merry in perfectly still water while a raging storm rages in the distance. The crew reacts with confusion: "IT'S PERFECTLY CALM OVER HERE..." "HEY, LOOK. EVEN THOUGH THE STORM'S STILL GOING ON OVER THERE," and "WHAT'S THATI CALM BELTI" Back on deck, Nami urgently orders everyone, "THIS IS NO TIME TO BE JUST STANDING ABOUT! GO GRAB THE OARS AND START ROWING AS FAST AS YOU CAN!" Usopp protests, "WHY WOULD YOU EVEN WANT TO GO BACK INTO THE STORMI" while Luffy cheers, "AS YOU WISH, NAMI!" The crew scrambles to the oars as the ship sits motionless in the unnatural calm.

Sanji questions the plan while Zoro listens skeptically. Nami stands firm and explains the geography: "LISTEN! THE GRAND LINE IS SURROUNDED BY TWO OCEAN BELTS." She points to a diagram showing the Calm Belt and Grand Line, warning that the windless zones trap ships. The crew debates turning back when the ship suddenly lurches violently. Zoro shouts, "BUT WE'RE OUT IN THE OPEN SEAS!" Usopp panics, "AHH! IS THIS AN EARTHQUAKEI" as barrels and crew members tumble across the deck. Nami narrows her eyes and begins, "THE POINT IS THAT..." while the vessel rocks violently beneath them.

A massive splash page reveals the true source of the tremors: the gigantic whale Laboon looms over the Going Merry, its enormous black-and-white body covered in scars and barnacles. The tiny ship sits precariously on the creature’s back as water cascades down its flanks. Surrounding the whale are several aggressive Sea Kings with gaping jaws and jagged teeth, all staring hungrily. Laboon’s eye glares while the crew’s tiny silhouettes react in terror atop the whale. Massive impact lines and exclamation marks fill the sky as the sea churns violently around them.

Luffy, Sanji, and Usopp stare in horror at something off-panel. Luffy gasps, "HOLY... SH..." Their faces twist in shock as the view widens. Below deck, Sanji presses against the wall and mutters, "THIS PLACE IS A DEN..." A small note reads "FOR SEA KINGS... especially." The crew stands tense in the background as a loud "THUD" shakes the ship. Suddenly a massive striped whale surfaces with a splash, water erupting around it. The creature lets out a questioning "I" while surrounded by sound effects of churning waves.

The whale sneezes violently, "CHOO!" Sanji shouts orders, "AYE AYE! AS SOON AS THIS THING DIVES BACK DOWN INTO THE SEA, START ROWING YOUR ARMS OFF, GOT IT!I" The crew scrambles as the giant whale leaps upward with a massive splash. Usopp is hurled into the air, screaming "USOOOO-OOOPPP!" Luffy yells, "DON'T GET THROWN OVERBOARD" and "USOPP JUST FELL!" while the whale crashes toward the ship. Panic spreads as someone cries, "AGHH! A GIANT FROG IS JUMPING THIS WAY!"

The ship is tossed violently in the storm. The crew lies sprawled on the deck after the impact. Sanji groans, "OH THANK GOD... WE'RE BACK IN THE STORM NOW..." while Luffy mutters, "YEAH... UNDERSTOOD..." A diagram appears showing the four ocean currents converging at the Red Line and Grand Line calm belt. Nami explains, "IF STRONG CURRENTS FROM EACH OF THE FOUR SEAS WERE TO ALL HEAD TOWARDS THAT MOUNTAIN... IT MUST BE DUE TO THE SEA CURRENTS. WE REALLY ARE GOING TO CLIMB UP THE MOUNTAIN!" Luffy reacts with surprise, "WHATI" as Nami adds, "AH, I GOT IT...!"

Nami continues explaining the currents, pointing at the diagram of the Grand Line and East Blue. She says, "SINCE WE'RE ALREADY RIDING THE CURRENTS, ALL WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IS STEERING PROPERLY. AND AT THE VERY TOP, THE CURRENTS WILL MERGE AND COME OUT TO THE GRAND LINE! THEN THEY WOULD DRIVE THE WATER UP THE WATERWAY." Luffy beams, "NAWI, YOU'RE AMAZING!" while hearts float around him. The crew discusses the risk: "SO IF WE FAIL TO ENTER THE WATERWAY, WE'LL CRASH AND GET DRAGGED DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA, GOT ITI" Sanji and Zoro exchange words about the mountain's dangers.

The crew stares upward in shock at a massive dark shape looming over the sea. "WHAT'S THAT HUGE SHADOW!I" "WAIT!" "IT'S HUGE!" Luffy leans forward excitedly and shouts, "I SEE THE MAGIC MOUNTAIN!" A suited man mutters "yo." The view widens to reveal an enormous sheer cliff face rising from the ocean, water cascading down its sides with the giant onomatopoeia "ゴォォォォ" filling the air. The Going Merry sails toward the base of the towering rock wall. Someone exclaims, "SO THAT'S THE RED LINEI" Another voice cries out, "I CAN'T EVEN SEE THE TOP BECAUSE OF THE CLOUDS!"

Nami looks determined and calls out, "JUST LEAVE IT TO US!" Usopp stares through binoculars, gasping, "I CAN'T BELIEVE IT..." Sanji grips the ship's wheel tightly, yelling, "GET A GOOD GRIP OF THE RUDDER SO WE DON'T GET DRAGGED DOWN UNDER!" Massive sound effects "ドォォォ" and "オォォ" shake the panels as the ship begins climbing the waterway. Voices react in awe: "THE OCEAN IS..." "REALLY GOING UP A MOUNTAIN..." "IT'S THE ENTRANCE TO THE WATERWAY!" Luffy points frantically from the deck, shouting, "RIGHT!I WE'RE VEERING OFF COURSE! TURN A LITTLE TO THE RIGHT!" Sanji strains at the wheel, grunting, "TURN STARBOARD!" while the ship tilts dangerously.

Panic erupts on deck as the rudder spins wildly. "THE RUDDER JUST..." Crew members flail and sweat in terror. Enormous impact lettering "ブォォォ" explodes across the page as the Going Merry hurtles toward the carved stone walls of the waterway lined with ancient sea-creature reliefs. Someone screams, "WE'RE GONNA CRASH!" Luffy stretches his arm outward with a determined grin, beginning his signature move: "GOMU GOMU..." A small balloon-like object appears as he prepares to act, accompanied by the onomatopoeia "ばるっ!" and frantic motion lines.

Luffy inflates his body into a massive balloon, the huge onomatopoeia "ばいいーん!!" dominating the panel as he bounces off the stone walls. The ship slams violently into the waterway with explosive water spray and impact effects. Zoro reaches desperately from the deck, yelling, "LUFFY! GRAB ONTO MY HAND!" Nami watches in shock and relief, crying, "WE'RE SAVED!" Luffy's stretched arm connects as the crew fights to stay aboard the wildly rocking vessel.

The Straw Hat crew erupts in triumph aboard the Going Merry as they burst through the final stretch of the canal. Massive celebratory SFX explode across the page while the ship rockets forward. A huge creature head looms in the foreground as the crew cheers wildly. Someone shouts, "WE DID IT!" The Going Merry tilts dramatically amid flying debris and motion lines, with Luffy, Sanji, Nami, and the others raising their arms in victory.

The ship hurtles down the steep waterway at breakneck speed. Luffy stares in shock, mouth agape, as the canal stretches endlessly ahead. "OHHH!" he yells. The Going Merry plunges forward with "ガゴゴゴゴ..." rumbling SFX. Luffy adjusts his hat and grins, declaring, "NOW ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS GO DOWN!" In the lower panel, Luffy leans over the railing with wide eyes and shouts, "I CAN SEE THE GRAND LINE UP AHEAD!" Sanji and Nami stand beside him as the ship races toward the horizon.

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