TO EACH HIS OWN WAY

A massive explosion rocks the sea as a pirate ship is torn apart, debris and smoke filling the air. Large onomatopoeia "ゴォォォォーン" echoes across the top. A smaller intact ship floats nearby. Below, three panels show the aftermath: a panicked man with a headband screams "WE'RE SORRY, BRO!"; Buggy tumbles across the deck yelling "わあああああ"; and sailors on another vessel react with "I DON'T KNOW BUT... MAYBE THEIR MUNITIONS SUPPLIES EXPLODED!I" and "W-WHAT'S GOING ON!I" while one shouts "AGHHHHHH!".

The Going Merry floats calmly on the water. Nami leans on the railing, staring at wanted posters with a surprised expression as she asks, "WHAT IS IT, SISI YOU'VE BEEN DOING NOTHING BUT STARE AT THOSE WANTED POSTERS." In the lower panels, Johnny and Yosaku discuss in whispers: "BUT I HEARD HE'S RECENTLY STARTED RAMPAGING AGAIN." "FOR A WHILE, HE'S BEEN KEEPING PRETTY QUIET." "OHI EYEING THE HIGH-BOUNTY OUTLAWS, EHI" Nami replies "NO, IT'S NOTHING." and "OH UMM," while Johnny warns "BUT IT'S BEST NOT TO GO FOR THAT GUY."

Johnny and Yosaku continue debating the bounty: "THERE'S A SLIM CHANCE THAT EVEN WE WOULD BE KILLED BY A SLIM MARGIN." "BUT CONSIDERING HIS STRENGTH," "YEAH... BUT THAT 20 MILLION BELI BOUNTY SURE IS HARD TO PASS UP!" Nami smiles and says "OK THEN." The men ask "HUHI WOULD YOU TWO MIND TURNING AROUND FOR A SECI WE'LL LOOK THE OTHER WAY." Nami responds "YOU KNOW, WE AREN'T PLANNING ON STAYING WITH YOU GUYS ON THIS SHIP FOREVER..." "YUP, I BROUGHT IT ONBOARD JUST NOW!" and finally declares with a smile while holding up scissors, "I WANT TO CHANGE MY CLOTHES!" The two men react with shock and hearts: "S... SURE, WHY NOT!I WE'LL LOOK THE OTHER WAY." "C-CHANGE CLOTHESI N-N-NOW...I"

On the Baratie deck, Usopp leans in with a grin while the bandaged man with sunglasses scratches his head. "Right, like 2 seconds." "Heh, of course not. Just a little." Usopp replies "HmmI" A small heart floats as the bandaged man blushes, declaring "S-sister Nami sure is bold as she looks." In the next panel the bandaged man leans closer, "You uh... you don't think we'd get in too much trouble to peek a little, do yaI" Suddenly Luffy is sent flying backward off the railing in a massive flip, limbs flailing. "WHA!I" he yells. Below, Luffy crashes into the sea with a huge splash, "WHA...! WHAT'S GOING ON, SIS!I" as the onomatopoeia "ザブーン" erupts across the water.

Nami leans on the Going Merry's railing, smiling with eyes closed. "This ship is no exception." She continues, "I never recall agreeing to be one of your shipmates, I only said we were joining hands!" A large "どきーん" sound effect rings out. "What do you mean whatI It's just business! After all, I am a thief specializing in stealing from pirates!" In a close-up her expression softens as she recalls, "But it was a lot of fun...! It was a short while being with Luffy and the others." The two men in the water gape in shock, "Oh, but your treasures are an exception!" Nami waves from the stern, "Tell the others that if we're truly linked by fate, we'll meet again! Huh!I Well, see ya then!" as the ship pulls away.

The two men in the water shout desperately, "AND GIVE BACK OUR TREASURE!" "WE WERE ASKED TO KEEP A WATCH ON THAT SHIP! YOU'RE PUTTING US IN A LOT OF TROUBLE HERE!" From the deck Luffy cries, "W-WAIT A MINUTE, SIS!" A massive impact shakes the ship with bold sound effects "ビコーン" and "ドゴォン" as someone yells "AGHH! WHAT IS IT THIS TIME!I" Below deck Sanji, Patty, and Carne react with fury. Sanji growls, "HOW DARE SHE PULL A FAST ONE OVER US, ESPECIALLY DURING THIS CRISIS!" Patty adds, "DAMN THAT WOMAN! JUST BECAUSE SHE WAS ACTING ALL NICE RECENTLY, I LET MY GUARD DOWN FOR ONE MOMENT AND THEN THIS HAPPENS!" Luffy stares at the floor, "AFTER SAYING THAT, SHE RAN AWAY!"

Luffy stands at the window, hand shading his eyes as he spots the distant Going Merry. "IT'S THE GOING MERRY! WHAT!I WAIT! I CAN STILL SEE OUR SHIP!" Inside, the crew argues. Usopp protests, "B-BUT SHE TOOK OUR SHIP! THAT SHIP'S IMPORTANT!" Zoro replies, "JUST LET HER GO. NO GOOD WILL COME OF CHASING AFTER THAT THIEF." Yosaku asks Johnny, "WELL, WE STILL HAVE OURS. YOSAKU! JOHNNY! WHERE'S YOUR SHIP!I" In a dramatic close-up Luffy clenches his fist and shouts with fierce determination, "NO MATTER WHAT! I WANT HER TO BE OUR NAVIGATOR!"

The Straw Hats prepare to depart the Baratie. Usopp shouts, "HEY, USOPP! WE'RE GOING!" while clutching his head in frustration, muttering, "...WHY'D I HAVE TO FOLLOW SUCH A TROUBLESOME CAPTAIN..." Sanji replies coolly, "FINE." Luffy, standing nearby, insists, "I STILL HAVEN'T PAID THIS RESTAURANT BACK FOR WHAT I DID." Sanji answers, "SORRY BUT I CAN'T." Usopp calls out, "LUFFY, WHAT ABOUT YOUI" From the ship, someone yells, "BROTHER ZORO! WE'RE READY TO SET SAIL!" Luffy turns and walks away as a voice cries out, "IT'S HIM!!!" Zoro warns, "THE SITUATION HERE IS GETTING A LITTLE CRAZY. BE CAREFUL."

A massive black silhouette of a small boat cuts through the wreckage of Don Krieg's fleet. Crew members scream in terror: "THE ONE WHO DESTROYED OUR FLEET! DON KRIEG, IT'S HIM!" "HE'S COME TO KILL US OF US!" "HE FOLLOWED US ALL THE WAY OUT HERE!" Close-ups show panicked faces as one man stammers, "THE HAWK-EYED MAN...!I" Another gasps, "I-IT CAN'T BE... IS THAT... THAT BASTARD..."

Inside the Baratie, the cooks react in shock. One exclaims, "AND IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE HE'S CARRYING ANY SPECIAL WEAPON..." Another adds, "HE LOOKS LIKE ANY NORMAL GUY..." "THEN... HE'S THE ONE WHO DESTROYED KRIEG'S SHIP JUST NOW!I" "A FLEET OF 50 SHIPS...!I" "HE'S... HE'S THE ONE WHO SANK," "Y-YOU MEAN HE CUT THAT GIGANTIC GALLEON BY SWINGING THAT!I" A close-up of Dracule Mihawk shows him stating, "IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR HIS WEAPON, THEN IT'S ON HIS BACK...!" Zeff concludes with arms crossed, "MORE RENOWNED THAN ANY OTHER SWORDSMAN IN THIS WORLD... YES... THAT 'HAWK-EYED' MAN IS A RENOWNED SWORDSMAN."

Dracule Mihawk sits calmly on the deck of his small boat, legs crossed and hands clasped. A large sign beside him reads, "WORLD'S STRONGEST SWORDSMAN 'HAWK-EYES MIHAWK'". Massive black impact effects and debris fill the air around the ruined ships in the background.

A massive close-up shows the stern face of a tall man in a wide black hat and ornate coat, his sharp eyes glaring forward as motion lines and sound effects emphasize his imposing presence. Below, on the deck of a damaged ship, terrified Krieg Pirates scramble in panic. One crewman with a headband drops to his knees, sweat flying, shouting "WE'RE DONE FOR..." while others point and flee toward the stairs. In the next tier of panels the black-hatted man stands calmly on the left as a striped-shirted pirate on the right gestures wildly toward the sea, yelling "DAMN IT! WHAT DID WE EVER DO TO YOU! WHY THE HELL DO YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW US ALL THE WAY OUT HERE!" A distant ship burns and lists in the background.

In close profile the black-hatted man answers with a slight smirk, "JUST TO KILL SOME TIME." Gunfire erupts across the deck; a striped-shirted pirate fires two pistols at point-blank range while shouting "THAT'S BULLSHIT!" Impact lines and smoke fill the air. The black-hatted figure vanishes in a blur, reappearing with his coat flaring as he grips his sword. Nearby crew react in shock, eyes wide and mouths open, one yelling "!!!I" as bullets are deflected.

Mihawk perches casually on the railing of the damaged ship, one leg raised, as water splashes around him. On the deck below, a tall swordsman in a striped shirt explains to stunned onlookers, "HE CHANGES THE BULLET'S TRAJECTORY WITH THE TIP OF HIS SWORD." A wide-eyed crewman gasps "WHAT!I I-IT MISSED!I" while another stares in disbelief. Mihawk draws his blade slightly from its sheath and states, "A SWORD WITHOUT GRACE IS NO SWORD." The striped-shirted man adds, "I'VE NEVER SEEN SUCH GRACEFUL MOVEMENTS." A fallen pirate lies nearby as the group watches in awe.

From high above, the massive wreckage of a splintered galleon litters the sea. A voice asks, "DID YOU CUT THIS SHIP AS WELL WITH THAT SWORDI" Mihawk replies simply, "YES, INDEED." In a close-up, Sanji stares with wide eyes and a grin, sweat on his brow, declaring "YOU REALLY ARE THE STRONGEST." He continues, "NO WONDER..." From the small boat below, Mihawk looks up as Sanji questions, "...WHAT DO YOU AIM FORI" Mihawk answers, "I SET SAIL TO MEET YOU!" Onlookers on the wreckage react in shock: "HEY... COULD THIS GUY BE...!I" and "T-THREE SWORDS...!I"

On the damaged deck of the Baratie, Mihawk stands with arms crossed and declares, "SO LET'S HAVE A DUEL." He continues, "YOU SAID YOU'RE FREE, RIGHTI TO BE THE STRONGEST." Zoro, bandana on and three swords ready, faces him. Nearby, Sanji smokes while watching with narrowed eyes. A Marine-like figure with a headband shouts, "HIM...!I THE PIRATE HUNTER...I" Another yells, "WHAT!I" The crowd reacts in shock as someone cries out, "IT'S HIM! ZORO! RORONOA ZORO OF THE THREE SWORD STYLE...!" Large impact lines and "どよっ!!" burst around the onlookers. In a close-up, Mihawk's intense glare fills the panel as he utters, "WEAKLING. PITIFUL." Luffy, standing with the crew on the right, looks on with a serious expression while someone calls out, "HEY! WE'RE GONNA LOSE SIGHT OF THE SHIP!" and "BRO..."

Mihawk questions Zoro from across the ruined deck, "BUT STILL, YOU DARE TO CHALLENGE ME. DOES YOUR BRAVERY COME FROM YOUR CONVICTION...I" He adds, "WITHOUT NEEDING TO CROSS BLADES AT ALL. IF YOU'RE A COMPETENT SWORDSMAN BY ANY MEANS, THEN I CAN DEMONSTRATE THE CLEAR DIFFERENCE IN STRENGTH BETWEEN YOU AND I." Zoro grips his swords tightly, replying, "AND A PROMISE TO A FRIEND. IT COMES FROM MY AMBITION," as massive "どん!!" sound effects explode around him. Mihawk stands with arms folded, responding, "OR FROM IGNORANCE...I" Below, Luffy and the crew watch in stunned silence as a heavy "コゴク...!!" sound effect rumbles.

The Going Merry sails away across the open sea under a cloudy sky. A narration box reads, "THEY WERE GOOD PEOPLE..." Nami stands alone on the deck, wind in her hair, thinking, "I WONDER IF WE CAN EVEN MEET AGAIN...I" and "THE NEXT TIME WE MEET... I WONDER IF THEY'LL COUNT ME AS THEIR FRIEND." In a large close-up, tears stream down her face as she cries out, "BELLEMERE...!" with motion lines and sweat drops emphasizing her grief. She resolves, "...I WANT TO HURRY UP AND BECOME FREE," while small "トト" sound effects punctuate her sobs.

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