A PROMISE ON THE CAPE

Inside the massive whale’s stomach, a vast cavernous space filled with water stretches out, a small island with a palm tree and a lighthouse visible in the distance. A large speech bubble declares “I’M AMAZED YOU’VE MANAGED TO DIG OUT SUCH A BIG HOLE AND LIVE INSIDE HERE.” Another asks “IS THIS ANOTHER ONE OF YOUR WAYS OF HAVING A GOOD TIMEI” and notes “THIS IS SOME WATERY.” Luffy leans forward excitedly on the ship’s railing, shouting “THEN JOIN MY CREW AS A DOCTOR!” The old man with the flower-shaped hair replies “A DOCTOR!I REALLY!I” while a woman in a striped outfit and a man in a hat stand nearby. The old man continues “NOT ONLY THAT, I’VE GOT A FEW YEARS UNDER MY BELT WORKING AS A SHIP DOCTOR TOO.” and “DON’T GET THE WRONG IDEA. I MAY NOT LOOK LIKE MUCH BUT I’M A REAL DOCTOR. I EVEN USED TO RUN A CLINIC AT THE CAPE LONG AGO. IT’S A HOBBY OF MINE AS A DOCTOR.” Nami stands with arms crossed, remarking “THAT’S RIGHT. WITH A WHALE THIS BIG, IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO PROPERLY TREAT IT FROM THE OUTSIDE.” The old man turns a large wheel, saying “I’LL OPEN THE GATE NOW.” while Sanji and Usopp watch. He adds “SO YOU’RE A DOCTOR, HUH… AND YOU’RE LIVING INSIDE A WHALEI” and “I’M TOO OLD TO BE DOING RECKLESS THINGS UNLIKE YOU YOUTHS.” Someone snaps “STOP TALKING NONSENSE.”

The Going Merry bursts forward through the whale’s interior with a massive “ガコ” impact sound. Luffy stands triumphantly on the figurehead, arms raised, shouting “WE’RE OUT! I CAN SEE THE REAL SKY AT LAST!” and “ALRIGHT!”. The ship emerges into open air. In the next scene, the crew is thrown into churning stomach acid with “ザバーーン” and “UBAGH!” effects. Luffy yells “IS THIS STOMACH ACID!I WHERE ARE WE!I” Mr. 9 and Miss Wednesday surface in the water; Mr. 9 cries “WE MUST’VE BEEN KNOCKED OUT BY THOSE PIRATES.” while Miss Wednesday replies “NO, WE APPEAR TO BE IN A REAL OCEAN, MS. WEDNESDAY.” A large “SHUT!” sound effect appears as someone orders “JUST THROW THEM OVER SOMEWHERE AROUND HERE.” and “WHAT SHOULD WE DO WITH THESE TWOI”

Miss Wednesday points forward and declares “TRUE INDEED, MR. 9. OUR ORGANIZATION MAY HAVE SOME USE FOR YOU.” Mr. 9 responds “NO WAIT, MISS WEDNESDAY. PERHAPS IT IS THEIR BUSINESS. AS LONG AS THEY’RE PIRATES, THAT IS.” while preparing an attack. From the ship, a voice shouts “SHUT UP! IT’S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!” and “SO… WHO WERE YOU GUYS AGAINI” Crocus warns “AND HEED THIS, YOU HILLBILLY PIRATES! PREPARE YOURSELVES! THIS WHALE SHALL BE OURS FOR THE TAKING SOON ENOUGH!” as he unleashes a powerful blast with “ズドドドドドドドドド” and impact effects. He adds “THEN WE BID YOU GOOD DAY UNTIL NEXT TIME, YOU HILLBILLY PIRATES!” On the deck, Crocus asks “EVEN IF I DIDN’T LET THEM GO, THERE’LL BE OTHER ROGUES WHO’LL COME TO TAKE THEIR PLACES.” Nami wonders “ARE YOU SURE ABOUT JUST LETTING THEM GOI THEY’LL BE SURE TO COME BACK FOR THE WHALE AGAIN, YOU KNOW.” Luffy looks surprised, asking “HUHI DID SOMEONE DROP THIS OR SOMETHINGI” while waving a small object. Someone remarks “SO HER NAME IS MS. WEDNESDAYI WHAT A BEAUTIFUL ENIGMA, YOU ARE.” as the ship sails away.

A massive whale named Laboon surfaces near the lighthouse at Twin Cape, its scarred head breaking the waves as it lets out a long, mournful cry. "ブォオオオオオオオ!!" Laboon waits in the sea. A speech bubble wonders, "Does it still believe its friends will really returnI" Another notes, "But to think it's been waiting here for 50 years..." At a wooden table near the lighthouse, Sanji smokes a cigarette and remarks, "Yet they're still not back after 50 years... the answer's obvious." Usopp replies, "They promised they'd be back in 2-3 years." A man at the table says, "You idiot, this is the Grand Line." From the rocks, someone adds, "Those pirates sure are taking a long time..." The final panel shows the lighthouse against the cliffs as a voice declares, "They won't come back no matter how long that whale waits...!" and another concludes, "They're long dead by now."

Crocus leans in close with a serious expression and states, "The truth is far more cruel, however." At the table, Usopp protests, "Can't you even appreciate such a moving story about a whale who still believes in his friends' promise..." while Sanji snaps, "You can't say that for sure! They still might come back!" and adds, "Why do you have to go and say such cold things!" Crocus continues explaining, "Left from Grand Line, that is. I heard from a reliable source." Nami reacts with shock, "WHAT!I" as the group discusses the pirates who left. Crocus concludes, "But even if they did survive, they would never dare return here again... A place where the seasons, climate, currents, and winds could not be any more chaotic..." Nami realizes, "...So they just left the whale behind!I" and "But that would mean they left Grand Line through Calm Belt...!"

Crocus explains intensely, "That place is this sea, the Grand Line, and it rules with fear over the faint-hearted. A place where common sense fails to uphold..." Usopp cries out in anguish, "How could they be so cruel!I" as the discussion continues about the whale being abandoned. Sanji and the others react with surprise. Crocus tells Laboon directly, "Laboon, I have something to say." He adds, "I have. I've told him the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. But he refuses to listen." Nami asks, "If that's the case, then why haven't you tried telling the whale the truthI" Crocus replies, "This whale can understand human words, rightI"

Laboon floats in the water near the lighthouse as Crocus's voice carries, "It seems they've already left Grand Line..." and "It's about those pirates who entrusted you to me..." Crocus tells the whale, "But they're not going to come back here ever again. And that you think they would've kept their promise no matter what..." A silhouette of Luffy stands watching from the rocks. In a dramatic splash panel, Laboon charges forward and rams the rocky cliff with tremendous force, sending debris flying. The impact creates massive "ブォオオオオオオオ!!" sound effects and "BUO OOO HHH HHH!" as the whale expresses its rage and sorrow.

Crocus stands before the massive tunnel entrance and shouts desperately, "LABOON! LISTEN TO WHAT I'M SAYING!" Laboon responds with a thunderous roar that shakes the rocks: "BUOOOHHH!" Crocus, sweat flying, yells again, "I SAID THEY'VE ALREADY L-" as another massive "BUOOOHHHH!" erupts from the whale. In the distance a lone figure stands at the tunnel mouth while Crocus pleads, "THOSE PIRATES HAVE ALREADY-" Laboon continues bellowing "BUOOOHHH!" Crocus, face twisted in frustration, insists, "PLEASE LISTEN TO WHAT I'M SAYING!" Laboon smashes its head against the stone, sending shockwaves and debris flying. Crocus cries out, "I UNDERSTAND YOUR FEELINGS OF DENIAL! BUT YOU HAVE TO ACCEPT THE TRUTH...!" as Laboon lets out another earth-shaking "BUOOOHHH!" and "AGHHH!" escapes Crocus amid the impact lines and flying water.

A huge "BUOOOHHHH!" echoes from the tunnel as Crocus, exhausted and dripping sweat, mutters "...YOU..." Nami appears with a serious expression, explaining, "EVER SINCE THEN... AND BASHING HIS HEAD AGAINST THE RED LINE," while Luffy watches with wide eyes. Crocus continues, "LABOON HAS BEEN BELLOWING AT REVERSE MOUNTAIN." In a wide shot at the lighthouse base, Crocus sits on a barrel and tells the crew, "I'VE TRIED TELLING THE TRUTH MANY MORE TIMES SINCE THEN, BUT LABOON STILL REFUSES TO ACCEPT THE TRUTH. AS IF TRYING TO STUBBORNLY ASSERT THAT HIS FRIENDS ARE BEYOND THE WALL, AND THAT THEY'LL RETURN SOMEDAY...!" Nami, Sanji, Zoro, and Luffy listen intently amid the rocky cliffs and crashing waves.

Luffy lies on a rock chewing meat and listening as the crew discusses Laboon. Crocus explains, "HE'S AFRAID OF LOSING THE MEANING BEHIND HIS WAITING ABOVE ALL ELSE. THAT HE REFUSES TO LISTEN. THAT'S EXACTLY IT... IT'S BECAUSE HE'LL LOSE ALL REASON. EVEN THOUGH THERE'S NO POINT IN WAITING ANYMORE...! WHAT A WHALE... HE STILL KEEPS ON WAITING EVEN AFTER BEING BETRAYED..." Crocus, hair blowing in the wind, adds, "THAT'S WHY HIS ONLY HOPE, ARE THE VERY FRIENDS HE CAME ALONG WITH HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE. THIS WHALE'S HOME IS BACK IN WEST BLUE, WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF RED LINE. IT'S TOO LATE FOR HIM TO GO BACK." Nami asks, "LOOK AT THE SCARS ON HIS HEAD... SO WHY DON'T YOU JUST LEAVE THE WHALE BE ALREADYI YOU'VE ALSO BEEN BETRAYED BY THEM IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT....BUT YOU KNOW, AS MUCH AS I FEEL SORRY FOR THIS WHALE AND ALL," while Sanji and Zoro sit nearby.

Crocus continues, "I CAN'T JUST STAND BY AND WATCH HIM DIE... WE'VE HAD AN ODD RELATIONSHIP BUT HE'S STILL MY COMPANION THAT I'VE LIVED WITH FOR OVER 50 YEARS. HE'LL DEFINITELY DIE. IF HE CONTINUES TO RECKLESSLY BASH HIS HEAD AGAINST THE WALL," as Laboon's scarred head is shown. Suddenly Luffy reacts with shock, "HUHI" then erupts in fury, "UOOOHHHH!" Crocus readies a massive harpoon launcher aimed at Laboon while Luffy stretches his arm, shouting "GOMU GOMU..." and launches himself upward with "GUM GUM" effects. Mid-climb Luffy yells, "TAKE YOUR EYES OFF HIM FOR ONE SECOND AND... WHAT'S THAT IDIOT UP TO NOWI" as Nami watches in surprise. Someone remarks, "MAYBE HE JUST LIKES CLIMBING THINGSI" while Crocus fires the harpoon with a loud impact.

A massive impact shatters the ship's main mast as debris flies everywhere. A figure dashes across the wreckage while bold lettering declares FLOWER ARRAN-GING! Below, the Going Merry floats near a rocky shore under a rising sun. A dark circular opening on the cliff face releases a spray with the sound ブシュゥ...!!! Three men on deck stare in confusion. One says, "HEY, IS THAT A MASTI" Another replies, "YEAH, I THINK IT'S OUR SHIP'S..." The third confirms, "YUP, IT'S OUR MAIN MAST ALRIGHT." Suddenly a colossal black shape erupts from the water with a thunderous BUO OOO HHH HH!, its enormous spiral eye filling the final panel as someone gasps "....!I"

Laboon rears up with both massive eyes glaring, the sound BUO OOHH HHH! echoing across the sea. The whale's jaws gape wide as it smashes the ship. Crew members scream in panic: "HE DESTROYED OUR SHIP!" "WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING!I" Close-ups show terrified faces with sharp teeth visible in the whale's maw. A man is hurled through the air yelling AGHH-HHHH! while another cries AGH-HHH! amid splintering wood and the repeated roar ゴォォォォォ.

Laboon's tail swings violently, marked by impact lines and C symbols. The whale's head bursts through clouds of spray near a tall lighthouse. A voice shouts AGHH-HHHH! as someone yells "IT'S COMING THIS WAY!" Another warns "HE'S GOING TO CRASH DOWN HERE!" The lighthouse stands amid flying debris and motion lines while the whale's massive body looms overhead, the sound オォォォ filling the panels.

Laboon continues its rampage with BUOO OHHHHH! as terrified faces watch from the lighthouse. Luffy appears, grinning confidently with "HEH HEH" while someone shouts "IT'S TOO DANGEROUS!" and "HEY KID!" Luffy retorts "YOU BIG DUMMY!" and launches forward yelling "TAKE THIS!" with a powerful punch. The whale recoils under the blow as AGHHHH! rings out. Crocus stares in shock asking "WHAT IS HE TRYING TO DO...I" while more impacts and GUH! sounds erupt around the lighthouse.

Luffy sits up in bed as a massive impact shakes the room. "BUOOO HHHH!" Crocus stares in shock, sweat pouring down his face. Outside, Luffy stands before the enormous whale Laboon, whose body is riddled with fresh cracks. Crocus yells, "Luffy! Just what the hell are you doing!I" Laboon's massive form looms against the lighthouse as the whale crashes forward. The narrator declares, "IT'S A TIE!" Luffy grins fiercely in close-up, declaring, "I'M PRETTY TOUGH, EHI"

Laboon and Luffy face each other on the rocky shore. Luffy shouts, "SO WE MUST FIGHT EACH OTHER AGAIN!" Laboon replies, "OUR FIGHT HAS YET TO BE SETTLED." Inside, Luffy continues, "AND ONCE MY CREW SAILS AROUND GRAND LINE," while Crocus warns, "BUT I'M YOUR NEW RIVAL!" and adds, "YOUR OLD FRIENDS MAY BE DEAD." Laboon's tail splashes as the whale says, "WE'LL BE SURE TO COME BACK HERE TO SEE YOU AGAIN." Nami and Usopp watch nearby.

Luffy's face fills the panel as he roars with excitement, "AND THEN WE'LL DUKE IT OUT AGAIN!" In smaller panels, Nami smiles while Usopp and Sanji stand nearby; Crocus looks on with a stern expression. Laboon rears back in the water and unleashes a thunderous cry, "BUO OOOHH HHH!" The whale's cracked head surfaces amid crashing waves and flying spray.

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