Hoof of the Soaring Dragon

Boa Marigold and Boa Sandersonia stand with tears and sweat, Marigold crying out, "NOT ONLY DID WE LOSE, BUT WE WERE EVEN SAVED BY THE ENEMY!" Sandersonia adds, "WE'RE SORRY, SISTER!!" In the next panel Luffy stares from afar asking, "GOING TO FIGHT ME NEXT...I" while a Kuja warrior reacts with "!!". On the arena platform the petrified Kuja warriors remain frozen as "poto..." sounds. Below, Luffy grips Boa Hancock's arm; she pulls back saying, "NO, THAT'S ENOUGH... I DON'T FEEL LIKE IT...!!" while Luffy notes, "LOOKS LIKE SHE DIDN'T CRACK..."

Luffy shouts desperately, "YOU CAN DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT, RIGHT!I" and "TURN THESE GUYS BACK TO NORMAL!!" Hancock sits with the petrified sisters, replying, "IF THAT'S SO, THEN..." Close-ups show her intense expression as she states, "THEY WERE JUST HELPING ME OUT. THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG!!" She continues, "I CERTAINLY CAN UNDO THE PETRIFICATION. BUT... YOU SAID THERE'S SOMEWHERE YOU WANT TO GO BY BOAT, RIGHTI" Hancock demands, "CHOOSE ONE AND ABANDON THE OTHER!!! SHOW YOUR TRUE NATURE, YOU MAN...!!!" Luffy stares in shock, thinking "..." as she adds, "EITHER I CHANGE THEM BACK OR I LET YOU LEAVE THE ISLAND!!"

Luffy bursts into laughter on the ground, yelling "OKAY!! THANKS!!" and "THEN PLEASE SAVE THESE GUYS!!" with motion lines and "はっ" SFX. Hancock's sisters react with wide eyes and "...!!!" Hancock herself sweats, thinking "...!!!" while a small panel shows Luffy bowing deeply, "THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!" In the final panels Hancock blushes, thinking "A MAN WITH THAT KIND OF HAKI... IN ORDER TO HELP THOSE WHO SAVED HIM... IS WILLING TO LOWER HIS HEAD..." and "WITHOUT A MOMENT'S HESITATION..." as distant figures watch from the arena stairs.

The Kuja warriors burst into cheers as Aphelandra, Sweetpea, and Margaret wave excitedly from the stands, shouting their names. A sign marks the Coliseum Exit while a small "Giii..." sound drifts from the doorway. Below, the group expresses relief: "WE WERE WORRIED!! GOING OUT THERE TO HELP THAT MAN....!!" "THANK GOODNESS YOU WERE UN-PETRIFIED." "WE THOUGHT SOMETHING HAPPENED!!" "PETRIFIEDI" Luffy stands among them looking confused. Boa Hancock appears dramatically in the foreground, declaring "EVERY-ONE!" and "SO THIS IS WHERE YOU WERE!" as the warriors react with surprise.

The women continue their worried exchange: "I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WOULD DO IF YOU GUYS DIED!!" "THANK GOD, YOU GUYS!!" "AND EVERYONE WAS GONE..." "WHEN I CAME TO, THAT MAN WAS REALLY HAPPY..." Luffy scratches his head with a question mark floating nearby. They explain, "HE WAS TAKEN INTO KUJA CASTLE..." "I DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND, BUT..." "WHAT ABOUT LADY HEBIHIMEI DID SHE TURN THE MAN TO STONEI ZAHAHAHA..." "MARGARET, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MANI" A wide view reveals the grand Amazon Lily, Kuja Castle with a sign confirming the location as the group reacts in shock: "TAKEN TO KUJA CASTLE...!!!I" "THE MAN WAS..." "EH!I"

Inside the grand Empress's Hall, Luffy sits on the floor as Boa Sandersonia and Boa Marigold tower over him. The sisters discuss: "AN AFTER-BATTLE... MEAL, MAYBEI" "WHAT'S GOING ONI SOME BUSINESS... AH..." "IF THAT'S THE CASE, THEN I'D BE HAPPY TO..." They continue, "IF THEY HAD SEEN WHAT IS ON OUR BACKS, WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO STAY IN THIS COUNTRY ANY MORE..." "IT'S NOT LIKE I CAN ACCEPT YOUR GRATITUDE." "NAH, IT'S FINE." "YOU HAVE OUR GRATITUDE." "...WE REALLY NEED TO THANK YOU..." Luffy is invited inside the curtain with "COME INSIDE... 'MAN.'" and reacts with surprise, "OH! FOODI" "INSIDEI" "HMI" "YOU MAY ENTER!"

Luffy stares in shock at the scene before him. Boa Hancock, partially covered by her snake, reaches for cloth while a small creature protests, "EXCUSE M... THAT'S NOT FOOD!" Luffy blurts, "HEY! WHY ARE YOU NAKEDI" She replies calmly, "THAT WAS A VERY RUDE RESPONSE... BUT I SUPPOSE THAT'S TO BE EXPECTED." Close-ups show Luffy's confused expression and Hancock's intense gaze as she says "VERY WELL..." She then reveals the large scar on her back, declaring "THIS MARK...!!!" and "YOU SAID YOU HAD SEEN IT SOMEWHERE BEFORE..." while instructing, "TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT IT NOW."

Luffy sits cross-legged, hand to his chin, staring at a black circular symbol with a sun-like mark above it. Hancock, seated on an ornate throne-like structure with a skeletal figure behind her, raises one arm and demands, "WHERE HAVE YOU SEEN IT...I DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS SYMBOL MEANSI" An unseen voice replies, "..." Luffy answers with "...!!!" Elder Nyon leans in close, sweat on her face, insisting, "THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT I SHOW OFF TO PEOPLE...!!!" Hancock presses, "ANSWER ME ALREADY...!!!" Luffy explains, "HAS A SIMILAR MARK ON HIS FOREHEAD, AND I GOT IT MIXED UP WITH THAT. ONE OF MY FRIENDS, A FISHMAN NAMED HACHI... I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT MARK IS!" Elder Nyon shouts, "THEN I WILL TELL YOU!! IF YOU DON'T KNOW, ZAH!!" The skeletal figure reacts with "!" as Hancock sits with her back turned, the black mark visible on her skin.

Hancock reacts in shock, "HOW... DID YOU GET IN AGAIN...I" Elder Nyon appears in the background of the grand hall, staff in hand. Luffy asks, "...!!! YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT. HOW DID YOU KNOWI" Elder Nyon points her staff and declares, "BE AT EASE, AND TELL HIM EVERYTHING...!!! YOU! YOU'RE THE PIRATE MONKEY D. LUFFY, CORRECTI" She continues, "THE DEPTH OF THIS MAN'S HEART... YOU'VE SEEN IT WITH YOUR OWN EYES...!!!" Luffy stands wide-eyed as Elder Nyon explains, "THIS MAN, UNAFRAID OF THE GODS THEMSELVES, WAS THE PERPETRATOR!!! AT THE SHABONDY ARCHIPELAGO, RIGHT NEXT TO THE HEART OF THE GOVERNMENT, A TENRYUUBITO WAS SENT FLYING WITH A PUNCH...!!!" Hancock stares in disbelief, "A... A TENRYUUBITO...!!!I" Elder Nyon holds up a newspaper showing the incident, "LOOK AT THIS NEWSPAPER FROM A FEW DAYS AGO."

Elder Nyon continues, "THOUGH THERE IS MUCH ABOUT IT I STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND... IT HAS BEEN TWO DAYS SINCE THAT INCIDENT, BUT HERE HE STANDS BEFORE US. IN RESPONSE TO THIS, THE GOVERNMENT DISPATCHED THEIR GREATEST MILITARY FORCE, BUT HE MIRACULOUSLY ESCAPED...!!!" Hancock murmurs, "EH..." Luffy stands in the hall and says, "AND I DON'T REGRET WHAT I DID TO THAT TENRYUUBITO GUY AT ALL. WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT BASTARD DID TO MY FRIENDS!I I'M TELLING YOU, I JUST GOT SENT FLYING ALL OF A SUDDEN!! I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE THIS IS!!" The skeletal figure looms over a fallen Hancock on the bed, stating, "STILL EXISTED IN THIS WORLD...!!!...I HAD NO IDEA AN IDIOT LIKE YOU..." Hancock lies on the bed with impact effects around her as Luffy watches from the doorway.

Hancock sits with her head in her hands, sweat dripping, as a voice says, "JUST LIKE HE DID...!!! WITH NO REGARD FOR YOUR OWN LIFE... YOU CHALLENGED HEAVEN ITSELF..." Luffy stands nearby while Hancock, back turned, explains, "AS WELL AS THE MEANING OF THE SYMBOL ENGRAVED INTO YOUR FRIEND'S BROW...!!! I... WILL TELL YOU EVERYTHING..." Luffy reacts with surprise, "HE...I" Hancock reveals the black mark on her back and states, "THE CREST OF THE TENRYUUBITO. THIS IS THE 'HOOF OF THE SOARING DRAGON,'" Luffy stares in shock, "...HACHI'S MARKI" Elder Nyon watches silently with "..."

The Celestial Dragon's brand burns on the sisters' backs as a massive skull-shaped mark. Narration declares, "IT IS INDELIBLE PROOF THAT YOU ARE LESS THAN HUMAN!!!!" and "IT IS BRANDED INTO EVERY SLAVE OWNED BY THE WORLD NOBLES..." Luffy stares in shock, sweat flying, exclaiming "....!!! THE TENRYUUBITO...!!!" The young Boa sisters stand terrified in ornate halls. Celestial Dragons gloat from their bubble, one shouting "FREE- FREE-, AN OCTOPUS FOR FREE-!!!" and "MY LORD FATHER!! WE'VE GOTTEN A FISHMAN SLAVE FOR FREE!!" Hancock's close-up reveals her tear-streaked face and trembling mouth as she recalls, "SLAVES TO THE WORLD NOBLES....!!!" and "WE THREE SISTERS... WERE ONCE..." Luffy reacts with "!!I"

Flashback panels show the Kuja pirate ship at sea. Young Hancock, Marigold, and Sandersonia were abducted and sold. Luffy cries out in horror, "YOU WERE... SLAVES...!!!I" Sonia!! Mari!! WHERE ARE YOUI" The sisters weep and clutch their heads, voices overlapping: "UUU... WAAH!!!", "THE FIRST MAN I EVER SAW WAS A BALL OF TERROR.", "I DON'T EVEN WANT TO THINK ABOUT THE ABOMINABLE THINGS THEY DID...!!!", and "AFTER THAT..." A chained figure is dragged away. Hancock continues, "IT WAS TERRIBLE... WE COULDN'T FIND ANY HOPE AT ALL..." Luffy tries to stop her, "YOU DON'T HAVE TO TALK ABOUT IT!!!" while Sandersonia screams "SISTER SONIA!!!" and "AAAAAH!!!" as the trauma resurfaces. Luffy shouts "WHOA, COME ON!!" and "I JUST WANTED TO DIE...!!!"

Luffy listens wide-eyed as narration continues: "AND ENTERED MARIEJOA, WHERE THE TENRYUUBITO RESIDED." "YET ONE MAN CLIMBED THE RED LINE WITH HIS BARE HANDS" "THE IRON LAW OF THE WORLD WAS THAT NOBODY COULD OPPOSE THE TENRYUUBITO." "AN INCIDENT OCCURRED THAT SHOOK THE WORLD GOVERNMENT ITSELF." "BUT AFTER FOUR YEARS, IN ONE NIGHT..." Hancock explains, "IN ORDER TO FREE THE MANY FISHMEN SLAVES WHO WERE BEING OPPRESSED IN THE CITY..." A cloaked man runs while shouting "RUN!! DON'T GET CAUGHT AGAIN!" The narration names him: "THAT MAN... WOULD LATER LEAD A CREW OF FISHMAN PIRATES. THE ADVENTURER, FISHER TIGER." The sisters recall fleeing through the burning city: "WE RAN, PREPARED TO DIE...!!!" "HE RAMPAGED THROUGH THE CITY WITH ALL HIS STRENGTH... AND EVEN THOUGH HE, A FISHMAN, HATED HUMANS..." "HE DID NOT DISCRIMINATE... HE FREED THOUSANDS OF SLAVES, OF ALL RACES." "WE OWE THAT MAN AN UNFATHOMABLE DEBT...!!!"

The Sun Pirates' ship sails under a black flag bearing the sun symbol. Narration states: "FORMED THE SUN PIRATES WITH THOSE FORMER SLAVES, AND THEY SET OUT TO SEA...!!!" "TIGER, WHO HAD MADE AN ENEMY OF THE WORLD GOVERNMENT," "BUT THE SLAVES' BRANDS COULD NOT BE ERASED..." "TIGER FREED MANY FISHMEN, WHO ESCAPED TO SEA." The brand is shown transforming: "WAS CHANGED INTO THE SYMBOL OF THE SUN!!!" "THE TENRYUUBITO MARK THAT HAD BEEN BURNED ONTO EVERYONE'S BODIES..." "AND, AS IF HE WAS LIFTING A CURSE..." Luffy touches his forehead, realizing, "... AH, I GET IT! THE MARK ON HACHI'S FOREHEAD LOOKED LIKE THE SUN!!" Hancock replies, "WAS THE SUN SYMBOL OF THE FISHMAN PIRATES." "THE MARK YOU MISTOOK FOR OURS" as Luffy stares in surprise.

In the grand hall of Amazon Lily, the snake woman explains the past while Luffy listens intently. "They were given those symbols so that you couldn't tell the difference between those who had been slaves and those who weren't.... We can't say that for certain.... So was he a slave, too...!!I" The snake woman continues, "Though he was definitely a member of the Sun Pirates..." Luffy responds, "I see, I kinda get it now." She adds, "... That's why the marks on our backs resemble that fishman's. Hachi's been through a lot... The fishman pirates... have split into a number of pirate crews... By the way, Fisher Tiger is dead now." Luffy's eyes widen as the snake woman reveals more: "We wouldn't have been able to stay on this island... And thanks to those powers, we were able to fool the country... and protect our secret. Strangely enough, while we were slaves... we were forced to eat the Mero Mero and Hebi Hebi fruits as entertainment.... We can't let anybody know about our past... If you hadn't covered up Sonia's back..."

Boa Hancock stands with tears in her eyes, declaring fiercely, "I won't be controlled by anybody ever again...!! Even if we have to deceive an entire country... I'll never show any weaknesses!!!" She turns away, overwhelmed: "... I can't face... my own fear...!!!" Luffy watches with a shocked expression. The snake woman and an elder Kuja discuss the situation: "Recently, it's as if Lady Hebi Hime had been turned to ice...!!! Since you've let your emotions show like this...! But... it's been a while... Sister...!!!" Hancock remains tense, her guard up.

The elder Kuja woman shouts at Hancock, "You were just three lost, hurt little girls!! You be silent!! You escaped the Tenryubito... Only to find no way of returning to the island. Silence, you traitor!!" Hancock faces her, asking coldly, "You...!! Do you despise me... for being a slaveI I told you I hate the Tenryubito, didn't I!!I" The elder retorts, "I've been looking after you like a mother... Hmph! You're blowing things out of proportion... Just who do you think brought you back here!! It's all because I was living in the outside world!!!" Hancock smiles slightly and offers, "Tell me where you want to go!! I'll lend you my ship!" Luffy reacts with shock, "Really!!I" as a small creature pops up saying "Kusu..."

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