The title page displays Chapter 549: "THE SHIP DEPARTS". Below the title is a large snowy scene of a massive industrial complex covered in pipes, snow, and steam. A large sign reads "VEGAPUNK" on the central tower, which is boarded up with wooden planks. Franky stands in the foreground with his back to the viewer, wearing his trademark Hawaiian shirt and speedo, staring up at the structure. A small caption at the bottom reads: FRANKY'S "I'M NO GOOD THIS WEEK." CONCLUSION: THE HOUSE WHERE DR. VEGAPUNK WAS BORN.
Franky
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A wide view shows Impel Down surrounded by Marine ships on rough seas. Inside Level 4, a stone bridge spans a fiery pit. Crocodile stands on the bridge and says, "IF I HADN'T BEEN CARRYING THE ANTIDOTE, YOU WOULD ALL BE DEAD." A voice replies, "YOU PEOPLE SURE LIVE ON THE EDGE." Crocodile continues, "YOU UNDERESTIMATED MAGELLAN TOO MUCH...!!!" Large sound effects echo: "オオオオオ...オ...". In smaller panels below, Buggy coughs and says, "FORTUNE HAS... BEEN GOOD TO US AGAIN... AAAH... COUGH!!" Jinbe remarks, "HOHOHO... BUT IT'S TRUE, FOR A MOMENT THERE, I THOUGHT WE WERE DONE FOR." Crocodile adds, "YOU COMING TO US HERE WAS FATE." Buggy bursts out laughing, "UIHAHA-HAHAHA!! BUT WE'RE ALIVE!!!"
CrocodileBuggyJinbe
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The scene continues in the prison corridors. Shiryu stands among the group as Blackbeard points and laughs, "ZEHAHAHA!! YOU SHOULD LIVE IN THE MOMENT!!" Shiryu replies, "OHH, SHIRYUU!! THANKS FOR SAVING US, MAN." Blackbeard declares, "THOSE WHO FEAR DEATH ARE THE LOSERS!! MATTERS OF LIFE AND DEATH ARE DECIDED BY FATE." In a close-up, Blackbeard grins widely at Shiryu and says, "YOU SEEM LIKE YOU'D MAKE A FINE ADDITION TO THE CREW!! ZEHAHAHA!!! LET ME WELCOME YOU AGAIN." Shiryu responds with a smirk, "I ALREADY KNOW WHAT'LL HAPPEN TO ME IF I STAY HERE. I'VE BEEN WAITING TO MEET A MAN LIKE YOU...!!!"
ShiryuBlackbeardJesus Burgess
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A Marine ship sails past with the label "World Government Private Route, 'Tri Current'". Someone asks, "EH...I DOES THAT MEAN THE POISON HAS DONE THAT MUCH DAMAGE!I" A speech bubble states, "LET INAZUMA REST HERE." In the next area, Inazuma lies recovering while Emporio Ivankov stands nearby with other Newkama. A voice explains, "BUT THOSE ARE FORCEFUL TREATMENTS; ONE SHORTENS YOUR LIFESPAN, WHILE THE OTHER HAS HARSH SIDE EFFECTS." Inazuma replies, "I EXPELLED THE POISON FROM MY BODY WITH A COMBINATION OF RECOVERY HORMONES AND TENSION HORMONES. IF POSSIBLE, IT'S BEST TO LET THE BODY TAKE THE TIME TO NATURALLY RECOVER." Ivankov shouts dramatically, "INAZUMA IS A NEWKAMA THAT WE NEED FOR THE REVOLUTION. NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO OVERBURDEN HIM!! IF YOUR LIFESPAN IS CUT, YOU CAN'T REGAIN THOSE YEARS!!"
InazumaEmporio Ivankov
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On the deck of the escaping ship, chaos erupts among the former Impel Down prisoners. Buggy clings to the railing, shouting in panic, "BON-CHAAAN!! BON BRO!!" while others cry out, "I FINALLY MET HIM AGAIN... AND HE SAVED ME AGAIN..." and "HE WASN'T A BAD GUY..." A voice wonders, "IF I THINK ABOUT IT..." Below, the wild crew debates Mr. 2's fate. One declares, "WE CAN MAKE IT MR. 2'S FUNERAL AND SEND HIM OFF WITH A BANG. BURO!!!" Another yells, "IT'S TIME TO PARTY!" and "HE WAS A GOOD GUY, BUT NOW HE'S DEAD, SO THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO!!" while a third mocks, "OHH OHH, HOW LONG ARE YOU GUYS GONNA BE DEPRESSED ABOUT THIS!I" They celebrate their prison break with "WE BROKE OUT OF PRISON!! GYAH-HAHA-HA!!" Tensions flare as insults fly: "I'M CALLING YOU A RED NOSED, ROUND NOSED, IDIOT NOSE!!!" countered by "WHO'RE YOU CALLING GIANT NOSE!I" Buggy screams, "WE DON'T KNOW THAT BON-CHAN IS DEAD YET, YOU GIANT NOSE!!!" and "GABEBE!! THE BOOZE IS MAKING ME BLEED EVEN MORE...!!!"
BuggyBon Clayprisoners
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At the ship's wheel, Jinbe steers while Crocodile stands nearby. Jinbe remarks, "I THOUGHT THAT WAS ONE OF THE MERFOLK'S SPECIALTIES... I NEVER THOUGHT YOU COULD CALL SHARKS..." Crocodile replies, "SO YOU CAN TALK TO FISH..." Crocodile adds, "I SUPPOSE YOU'RE AN EXCEPTION TO YOUR... WILD PEOPLE." Jinbe answers, "WELL, IT'S NOT NORMAL..." and questions, "ABOUT A FISHMAN BEING FRIENDLY WITH FISHI IS THERE SOMETHING STRANGE" Luffy suddenly appears, calling out, "CAPTAIN BUGGY!!" Buggy responds with "HMI" Crocodile states, "I CAN'T DENY THAT FISHMEN ARE OFTEN WILD..." and Jinbe replies, "I'LL TAKE THAT AS A COMPLIMENT."
JinbeCrocodileLuffyBuggy
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Luffy stands on deck facing Jinbe. Jinbe says, "YOU'VE GIVEN ME A CHANCE TO SAVE ACE...!! I OWE YOU A DEEP DEBT." Luffy answers, "IT'D NEVER END...!! IT'S REASSURING FOR YOU TO BE HERE. YOU'RE REALLY STRONG!!" while Buggy yells, "STOP THAT." Crocodile tells Jinbe, "WE HAVE ONLY ONE OBJECTIVE RIGHT NOW...!!! I'LL LET IT SLIDE FOR NOW." Jinbe responds, "SHAAHA-HAHAHA" and continues, "I OWE YOU BOTH THANKS AND AN APOLOGY... EVEN FROM BEFORE THIS INCIDENT..." Luffy reacts in shock, "EEEEEH-HHHH!!!I" Jinbe declares, "I'LL FIGHT ALONGSIDE YOU AT MARINE HEAD-QUARTERS!!!" and "I WAS A SHICHIBUKAI, BUT I'VE ALREADY LOST MY TITLE. JUST CALL ME JIMBEI." He adds, "I'LL RESPOND TO THE OKAMA'S WISHES AS WELL... WE'LL DEFINITELY RESCUE ACE!!!"
LuffyJinbeCrocodileBuggy
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Crocodile confronts the crew about their destination. He demands, "HEY!! WHAT IS THIS ABOUT MARINE HEADQUARTERS!!!I ARE YOU TELLING ME THAT'S WHERE THIS SHIP IS HEADED!!!I DON'T YOU KNOW THAT WHITEBEARD AND THE MARINES ARE GOING TO BE FIGHTING A WAR THERE!!I" Jinbe replies, "OF COURSE YOU'RE STRONG!!!" Buggy panics, "WAIT, WAIT!!! YOU'RE A SHICHI-BUKAI!!I" Jinbe explains, "SORRY I DIDN'T INTRODUCE MYSELF EARLIER. IT'S STRANGER THAT YOU DIDN'T KNOW." Crocodile states, "ONCE YOU PASS THROUGH THE GATES OF JUSTICE, THE ONLY PLACES YOU CAN GO ARE MARINE HEADQUARTERS AND ENIES LOBBY." Buggy shouts, "WHAT!!I" and "IT'S YOUR FAULT FOR NOT SAYING SOMETHING EARLIER, IDIOTS." Others react, "EHI WHAT- MARINE HEAD-QUARTERSI" Crocodile notes, "WE'RE RIDING THE GOVERNMENT-ONLY TRI CURRENT NOW." A map of the Red Line appears, showing Marine Headquarters (Marinford), Enies Lobby, Impel Down, and the Calm Belt, with narration explaining the whirlpool linking the government's three major facilities.
CrocodileJinbeBuggyprisoners
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The escaped prisoners erupt in panic aboard the ship. "WE DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT THIS!!!" they roar, faces twisted in shock and rage. "I'd rather go back to prison than go there!!!" one yells. "How are we supposed to do that!I We'd be torn apart!!!" another screams. "Why don't you guys just get offI" demands a third. A prisoner at the wheel shouts, "Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't be able to. Stop the ship right now!!!" Luffy stands calmly at the Den Den Mushi. "Ah, I'm Luffy," he says into the receiver. The Marine on the other end freezes. "WHY'D YOU SAY YOUR NAME!II" The narration box states: "MARINE HEADQUARTERS VERSUS THE SHICHIBUKAI VERSUS WHITEBEARD PIRATES! THAT BATTLE IS SCARIER THAN HELL!!!"
Monkey D. Luffyescaped Impel Down prisoners
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At Marine Headquarters, officers analyze the situation. "Based on reports we received before communications were cut, we've concluded that there were two masterminds behind the escape!!" A voice questions, "TwoI" The ship sails onward with Buggy's Jolly Roger. "The Impel Down defense fleet has reported that this ship has been taken by escaped prisoners." Close-ups show Buggy's furious face and Luffy's surprised expression. "Wha... wha wha WHAAA!!I" Buggy yells. "And 'Buggy the Clown,' also a pirate!!!" "The pirate 'Strawhat Luffy'" is identified. Inside Marine HQ, a Marine calls out, "Bring the documents here." Prisoners react in the background: "EHH!I SERIOUSLY!!!I THEY THINK CAPTAIN BUGGY WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE SHICHIBUKAI!I" "WHO ARE YOU!!!I" "WHY ME!I"
Monkey D. LuffyBuggyescaped Impel Down prisonersMarines
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The Marines continue their briefing. "But Buggy the Clown, you were actually once a member of the Pirate King Gol D. Roger's crew!!!" Another adds, "We also found out that one of the Four Emperors, Red Hair Shanks, once thought of you as a brother!!!" Buggy's face twists in horror. "WHAAAAAT!!!I" The ship rocks violently on the waves as prisoners react. "We haven't found a connection between you and Fire Fist Ace, but we're certain that your objective is the same as Strawhat Luffy's: to rescue Ace." A Marine notes, "It's impressive that a man like you has managed to stay off our radar for this long. Hiding under the surface only to show yourself at this time."
Buggyescaped Impel Down prisonersMarines
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The Den Den Mushi delivers a final warning: "Let me warn you now. If we don't open the Gates of Justice at Marineford, you won't be able to leave the Tri Current!!!" The narration confirms, "We've also confirmed that over 200 prisoners are on that ship, including Jinbe, Crocodile and Ivankov...!!!" Prisoners shout back, "HEY!! WAIT, MARINES!!!" "AND NO WAY FOR YOU TO SURVIVE...!!!" Luffy grabs the receiver with a fierce grin. "THIS ISN'T THE TIME TO BE WASHING POTATOES ANYWAY!!!" he snaps. "AND WHY ARE YOU PICKING A FIGHT WITH MARINE HEADQUARTERS!!!I" The Marine voice replies, "It's 'Neck,' Strawhat!!!" Luffy declares with burning determination, "I'M GOING TO SAVE ACE!!! SO YOU JUST WASH SOME POTATOES AND WAIT!!!"
Monkey D. LuffyBuggyescaped Impel Down prisonersJinbeCrocodileEmporio IvankovMarines
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Buggy's crew erupts in shock and awe around their captain. "AND YOU KNEW RED HAIR SHANKS!!!I" one prisoner yells. Another shouts, "MORE IMPORTANTLY, CAPTAIN BUGGY!! YOU WERE A PART OF THE PIRATE KING'S CREW!!!" Buggy sweats nervously, thinking, "THIS IS BAD...!! IF THEY KNOW THAT MUCH, THEN THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE WATCHING ME!!" while his men cheer, "I KNEW IT... OUR SAVIOR WAS REALLY AN AMAZING PIRATE!!" The crew debates in smaller panels: "NO SHIP IS PERFECT!!" "THEN WHY IS HE SUCH A COWARD...!!I" "..." "BUT HE'S SO WEAK..." "HE HAD THAT KIND OF HISTORY..." Luffy stands nearby listening as the conversation turns to Rayleigh. "THAT TAKES ME BACK!! VICE CAPTAIN!! WHERE DID HE END UP...I" someone exclaims. Luffy reacts with wide eyes, "WHAAAA!I YOU...!!! YOU MET RAYLEIGH!I HOW'S HE DOING!I" A voice asks, "YOU KNOW A GUY NAMED RAYLEIGH, RIGHTI" Another adds, "VICE CAPTAIN...!I" The narration notes, "THE LORD OF THE UNDERWORLD RAYLEIGH'S NAME CAME UP TOO!! THIS IS AN AMAZING CONVERSATION!!!" as the group reacts in surprise.
BuggyMonkey D. LuffyBuggy Pirates subordinates
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Buggy's crew continues praising him wildly. "AWESOME, HE WAS A MEMBER OF THAT LEGENDARY PIRATE CREW!!!" they shout. Buggy panics internally: "IF MY REPUTATION GETS THAT BIG, MY PIRATING LIFE FROM HERE ON..." while waving his hands, "NO NO, WAIT!! THAT'S ALL TRUE, BUT..." The men cheer, "YOU REALLY ARE A FEARSOME MAN!!! CAPTAIN BUGGY!!" Buggy's expression shifts as he thinks, "IF I CAN RIDE THIS AND TAKE WHITEBEARD'S HEAD TOO... I COULD BE..." His stock rising, he grins, "MY STOCK IS REALLY RISING NOW...!!!! WITH THIS MOMENTUM..." He then declares, "WAIT, THIS ISN'T THAT BAD!!! EVEN IF THE MARINES ARE GIVING ME TOO MUCH CREDIT, THIS MISUNDERSTANDING COULD WORK FOR ME... AND NONE OF IT IS TECHNICALLY A LIE." His crew chants, "BUGGY! BUGGY!" Buggy yells back, "YOU'RE MAKING TOO BIG A DEAL OUT OF THIS... YOU IDIOTS!! STOP CHEERING!!" The men discuss bounties: "YEAH, THESE GUYS ALL HAVE HIGHER BOUNTIES THAN ME, SO IF I MAKE THEM MY UNDERLINGS... IF I USE THEM WISELY..." Buggy's face twists in realization as he thinks of the Pirate King and the Four Emperors, screaming with a massive impact effect, "ONE OF THE FOUR EMPERORS!!I"
BuggyMonkey D. LuffyBuggy Pirates subordinates
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Buggy's crew rallies around him on the ship deck. "AND THEN WE'LL BE FREE!!" one shouts while raising a sword. Others yell, "GIVE US YOUR ORDERS!! WE'LL TAKE THE SHIP FROM THOSE GUYS WHO WANT TO GO TO MARINE HEADQUARTERS!!!" and "CAPTAIN BUGGY!! WE'LL STICK WITH YOU!!" A tiny figure on the railing shouts, "BU BU" as the crew cheers. The scene shifts to the larger deck where prisoners swarm. "WE'VE GOT CAPTAIN BUGGY ON OUR SIDE!! WE FINALLY ESCAPED FROM PRISON, THERE'S NO WAY WE'RE GOING TO MARINE HQ NEXT!!!!" they roar. Luffy stands with a blank stare as someone demands, "HAND OVER THE SHIP, STRAWHAT!!" The crew keeps chanting, "COME ON, CAPTAIN BUGGY!!" Buggy's face fills the panel with a fierce grin, surrounded by cheering voices: "BUGGY!! BUGGY!! BUGGY!! BUGGY!!" He thinks, "THIS COULD BE BAD..." while his subordinates worry, "I FEEL LIKE I CAN DO IT!!! THAT'S RIGHT, I CAN DO IT..." One prisoner suggests, "LET'S JUST KILL THEM ALL."
BuggyMonkey D. LuffyBuggy Pirates subordinates
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Buggy snaps at his rowdy crew. "CHRIST, ARE YOU ALL OUT OF YOUR MINDS!!I" he yells as they panic around him. He then roars with a massive impact effect, "BE QUIET, YOU BUNCH OF MORONS!!!" The crew calms slightly. One prisoner says, "A CHANCE LIKE THIS WON'T COME AGAIN." Another adds, "CALM DOWN AND THINK... WE COULD REACH OUT AND TOUCH THE PINNACLE OF THIS WORLD!!" The ship sails onward with a Marine vessel visible in the distance. A voice declares, "THERE'S NO STOPPING THIS SHIP ANYMORE!! WE'RE HEADING FOR THE CENTER OF THIS WAR!! WE'VE ALREADY COME THIS FAR!" Buggy's face dominates the final spread in dramatic close-up. He declares, "TODAY... I'LL TAKE WHITEBEARD'S HEAD... AND WITH IT, THE WHOLE WORLD!!!" while thinking, "IF YOU'RE A MAN... COME WITH ME AND CHASE MY DREAM...!!!" The crew reacts with shock around him.
BuggyMonkey D. LuffyBuggy Pirates subordinates
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Buggy's crew panics aboard their ship as they realize they have lost sight of what truly matters. "SOMEHOW WE... WE LOST SIGHT OF WHAT'S IMPORTANT!!!" one cries. Another adds, "WE... WE'VE BEEN IN THE DARKNESS OF HELL FOR SO LONG...!!!" A third shouts, "!!!! HUHH...!!! CAPTAIN BUGGY!!" Buggy himself roars with tears streaming, "THE DREAMS WE ALL HAD, THE TREASURES OF OUR HEARTS!!!" The crew rallies, yelling "CAPTAIN BUGGY!!" and "UWOH..." as the ship charges forward through explosions and debris. "TO MARINE HEADQUARTERS!!!" Buggy declares. A crewman replies, "THAT'S RIGHT!!! HERE WE GO, MEN!!!" Another asks, "WHO NEEDS A BORING LIFE OF PEACE!I" They all cheer, "WE'LL FOLLOW YOU!!!" The massive ship races across the sea toward Marineford with Buggy at the helm. "UWOOOHHHHH!!!" the entire crew roars. "Well, that worked out well," Buggy mutters with a grin. "IT LOOKS LIKE HE HAS A TALENT FOR THIS..." a crewman notes. The men shout, "WE'LL FOLLOW YOU ANYWHERE!!!" "CAPTAIN BUGGY!! YOU'RE THE WORLD'S LEADER!!" and "GYAHHAHA!! I'LL HOLD YOU TO THAT!"
BuggyBuggy Pirates crew
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At Marine Headquarters at high noon, a voice commands, "TAKE THE PRISONER TO THE EXECUTION SITE!!" and "THREE HOURS UNTIL THE EXECUTION..." Luffy, heavily chained, is marched up the stone stairs by marines. "UP THE STAIRS...!!" an officer orders. A marine warns, "LISTEN, LUFFY..." as the chains rattle with sharp "KATSUN" and "KATSUN" sounds. Luffy stands silhouetted against the sky and declares, "GOING TO SEA WITHOUT REGRETS!!!" Another marine replies, "WE ARE DEFINITELY..." The group ascends the long staircase, footsteps echoing "KATSUN" with each step. Luffy's intense glare fills a panel as he thinks of the coming battle. The marines continue leading the chained prisoner upward toward the execution platform.
Monkey D. LuffyMarine officers
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Luffy remembers standing with Ace as children, declaring, "SOMEDAY, WE'LL GO TO SEA!! WE'LL LIVE THE WAY WE WANT!!" The massive doors of the execution site begin to open with a grinding "GIII..." sound. Marines order, "WE'RE OPENING THE DOOR. STOP." and "DARN..." Luffy is led forward in chains between two towering guards. A radiant panel shows him walking ahead as the narration states, "FREER THAN ANYBODY!!!" The heavy chains drag across the stone floor with loud "KATSUN...!!" sounds. Sunlight bursts through the opening doorway as Luffy approaches his fate.
Monkey D. LuffyMarine guards
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SBS corner page titled "質問コーナー STRONG WORLD". Reader questions and Oda's answers are shown with illustrations of the Straw Hat crew. Topics include Hannyabal's chin, real-world origins of the Straw Hats (Luffy Brazil, Zoro Japan, Nami Sweden, Usopp Africa, Sanji France, Chopper Canada, Robin Russia, Franky America, Brook Austria), and the sound effect of Ivankov's Death Wink. Oda provides a map image and explains the "BA" sound effect with additional panels. The page ends with a promise of more SBS next time and the page number 164.
Monkey D. LuffyRoronoa ZoroNamiUsoppSanjiTony Tony ChopperNico RobinFrankyBrook
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No description for this page.
End of chapter21 pages
Discussion
p7Jinbe reveals past Shichibukai status and lost title.
p8Luffy is speaking directly to Marine Headquarters via Den Den Mushi.
p8The ship is crewed by escaped Impel Down prisoners in striped uniforms.
p8Prisoners are unaware of the planned destination until this moment.
p9Buggy's Jolly Roger is flying on the escaping ship.
p9Marines have identified both Buggy and Luffy as key figures in the escape.
p9Communications with the Impel Down defense fleet were previously cut.
p10Buggy's past connection to Gol D. Roger and Shanks is publicly known to Marines.
p10The prisoners' goal is confirmed as rescuing Ace.
p10Over two hundred prisoners are aboard the ship according to Marine reports.
p11Jinbe, Crocodile and Ivankov are confirmed aboard the ship.
p11The ship is trapped in the Tri Current without the Gates of Justice opened.
p11Luffy explicitly states his intention to save Ace.
p12Buggy's crew learns he sailed with Gol D. Roger.
p12Buggy's crew learns he knew Shanks.
p12Buggy fears increased government surveillance from the revelations.
p13Buggy begins planning to leverage his crew for greater ambitions.
p13Buggy's crew remains unaware of his opportunistic shift in thinking.
p14Prisoners refuse to head toward Marine Headquarters.
p14Buggy's crew pledges full loyalty to him on the ship deck.