Anniversary of Revenge

Panic erupts across Fish-Man Island as citizens look upward in alarm. A fish-man in a patterned shirt shouts into a Den Den Mushi, "PLEASE RESPOND...!" while another voice yells, "CALLING THE ROYAL PALACE, CALLING THE ROYAL PALACE!" A mermaid asks, "MAMA, WHAT'S THATI" with a question mark bubble nearby. In the middle row, a fish-man with an open mouth exclaims "CANT!!" amid swirling debris and confused citizens. Below, Luffy stands on a dark structure, hand shielding his eyes as he says, "SOMETHING'S FLYING UP THERE..." and "CAN'T SEE WHAT IT IS, THOUGH. IT'S TOO FAR..." while a small figure nearby also looks up with a question mark.

At the border, guards report urgently: "IS THE DEN-DEN MUSHI ILL...I" "WHY CAN'T WE SEEM TO MAKE CONTACT...I!" "THIS IS STRANGE..." and "THIS IS THE BORDER GUARD!! CALLING THE ROYAL PALACE!" A guard states, "...HAVE JUST BEEN SEEN ENTERING FISHMAN ISLAND...!!" while another warns of "A NUMBER OF DANGEROUS INDIVIDUALS FROM THE FISHMAN DISTRICT..." and "WE HAVE A REPORT TO MAKE...!!" A mermaid swims past in concern. In the lower section, a shark-like fish-man declares, "NOW LISTEN UP, MEN. THIS DAY WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY..." as another figure adds, "IT COULD OF COURSE BE NOTHING, BUT..." Citizens react with shock as a voice notes, "THEY DID NOT APPEAR TO BE GOING ON A MERE SHOPPING TRIP."

A massive sea king rears up with Hody Jones riding it, mouth open in a roar. Vander Decken IX stands on the right, pointing dramatically. Hody declares, "HUMANS ARE AN INFERIOR SPECIES WHO CANNOT EVEN BREATHE UNDERWATER. THEY SHOULD SUBMIT TO OUR AUTHORITY!!!" while a large figure on the left shouts, "TIME AND AGAIN, HISTORY HAS TAKEN THE WRONG PATH... BUT NOW, WE'RE GOING TO SET THINGS STRAIGHT!!!" Vander Decken adds, "THIS WORLD IS NOT RIGHT UNTIL ALL FISHMEN, MERFOLK INCLUDED, ARE ABLE TO SEE THINGS EYE-TO-EYE...!!!" and "...AS THE DAY FISHMAN ISLAND WAS UNIFIED UNDER ONE VISION!!!" In a side panel, a figure in a hat yells, "BAHOHOHOH!! TODAY WILL BE THE ANNIVERSARY OF OUR ENGAGEMENT, SHIRAHOSHI!!!!!!!! NO NEED TO RUSH INTO THINGS; THE WEDDING CAN WAIT UNTIL... TOMORROW!!!" Large onomatopoeia "ドドド!!" shakes the scene as the sea king looms over fleeing citizens.

A hulking fish-man villain laughs maniacally in close-up. "MUHHH!! IF WE CAN JUST TAKE THOSE FOUR OUT, THE REST OF THE NEPTUNE ARMY IS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT!! MUHHH!!!" Three close-ups follow, naming the targets: "RYUUBOSHI. MAMBOSHI." "NEPTUNE. FUKABOSHI." "AND JINBEI'S FACTION, THAT IRRITATING OFFSHOOT FROM THE SUN PIRATES THAT ALWAYS STOOD IN OUR WAY, ARE OUT OF THE PICTURE, DOSUN!" The leader in a fur-collared coat rallies his crew: "LET'S GET THIS STARTED... YOU ALL HAVE YOUR ASSIGNED LOCATIONS, SO GO AND CONQUER THEM!!!" A swordsman with a long blade grins, "YOU SHOW ME WHAT TO SLICE, AND I'LL SLICE IT... SIMPLE AS THAT... *HIC*" Another crewmate howls, "KYA!! LET'S TEAR THE FLESH FROM THEIR BONES!! KYAKKYA!!" The full crew cheers wildly as a massive narration box declares: "TODAY MARKS THE END OF THE RYUUGUU KINGDOM!! WE WILL BE THE NEW RULERS OF THE OCEAN DEPTHS!!!" Fish-men surge forward with weapons raised.

A frantic report echoes through a wrecked area: "...S-SOMEBODY... REPORT...!!! SHE......GOT... AWAY...!!!" A fish-shaped bus marked "OSAKANA BUS" and "FISH BUS STOP" waits at the stop for "DESTINATION: THE OCEAN FOREST." Inside the bus, a figure sits quietly. A thought bubble reads: "JUST AS I THOUGHT THIS IS VALUABLE INFORMATION... THERE IS A PONEGLYPH IN THIS AREA..." The bus swims onward with sound effects "BASUN BASUN" and "BURORORO." Nami appears in close-up, sunglasses atop her head, looking serious. "THIS COUNTRY HOLDS AN IMPORTANT KEY......TO THE SECRETS OF THE BLANK CENTURY..."

At the grand Ryugu Palace, a skeleton-headed figure in a top hat declares, "BUT IT IS TRUE! YOU BATTLED WITH VICARIOUS JOY! ANY FOOL COULD SEE, YOU ARE A BORN KILLER!" Jinbe retorts to someone off-panel, "OH, DON'T YOU GO ACTING LIKE I SLICED 'EM ALL UP BECAUSE I WANTED TO!!" Ministers and guards argue in the hall. "AT ANY RATE, WITH ALL OF THEM OUT OF ACTION, WE HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING THEIR OBJECTIVE IN COMING HERE!!!" "AS THOUGH THAT WOULD'VE WORKED WITH THESE GUYS!!!" Neptune, chained and furious, shouts, "WHADDAYA EXPECT ME TO DO WHEN A BUNCH OF PIRATES COME CHARGING IN WITH SWORDS AT THE READY!! SERVE 'EM TEAI!" A small voice wonders, "DO YOU THINK LUFFY-SAN WAS ABLE TO SEE THE MERMAID PRINCESSI I WOULD LOVE TO MEET HER..." Another replies, "EVERYTHING IS GOING SO WRONG..." In the lower panel, a guard yells, "LOOK, WHY WOULD WE KIDNAP THE MERMAID PRINCESSI!" while pointing at a figure. "STRAW HAT LUFFY IS THE CULPRIT!!!" A massive impact erupts with the sound "どすーん!!" as someone screams, "FORGET ALL THAT!!! RELEASE MY BONDS!!! RETURN MY SHIRAHOSHI TO ME, YOU FIENDS!!!"

Jinbe continues, "AND BESIDES, SHIRAHOSHI IS AS LARGE AS I! SHE COULD HARDLY LEAVE WITHOUT ANYONE NOTICING!!!" A guard panics, "EHI! THE MERMAID PRINCESS IS HUGEI! HOW OUTRAGEOUS!!!" Brook adds, "NEVERTHELESS, SHE WOULD NEVER LEAVE THE PALACE OF HER OWN ACCORD!!" and "BUT I SAW NO SIGN OF ANYONE RESEMBLING A MERMAID PRINCESS!" A fish-man official insists, "CERTAINLY, IT IS TRUE THAT LUFFY-SAN AND THE SHARK CAME OUT OF THAT ROOM..." A young woman with long hair exclaims, "...AT ANY RATE...! OUR CAPTAIN WOULD NEVER KIDNAP ANYONE!! SO CAST YOUR SUSPICIONS ELSEWHERE, GOT THATI!" The officials debate: "THIS IS HARDLY THE TIME FOR SUCH SILLY JOKES, YOUR MAJESTY!!!" "PFF PFF PFF!!!" "I KNOW!! PERHAPS THE CULPRIT STUFFED SHIRAHOSHI INSIDE MEGALO'S MOUTH, AND TOOK HER FROM THE CASTLE THAT WAYI!" A sign reads "RYUUGUU PALACE ENTRANCE: ALL GATES OPEN." Neptune roars, "NO WAAA AAY!!!...I WILL NEVER BRING YOU YOUR SHIP OR YOUR CREWMATES!!!" Guards shout, "NO!! THERE IS NO OTHER EXPLANATION!! IF SHIRAHOSHI DOES NOT RETURN UNHARMED..."

In the depths northeast of Fish-Man Island lies the Ocean Forest, a mysterious underwater expanse filled with sunken ships forming a graveyard of vessels carried by the currents. Franky, aboard his massive BF-37 vessel, marvels at the scene. "It certainly is hard to believe we're at the bottom of the ocean. Of course, Fish-Man Island is the same way..." he says. "As for me, I'm living in these parts so I can research this mysterious ocean forest that has grown upon the ocean depths." The group discusses the ship's construction from the legendary Treasure Tree Adam wood. "You think so too, huhI! It's made of the very same materials Tom-san used to make the Pirate King's ship!! And the design is my life's finest work!!" Franky exclaims proudly. A small figure nearby adds, "That's a real help!! Uh... your name was..." Franky replies enthusiastically, "Hahah... I'd be glad to coat this ship for you. I'll handle it with a 'don'!" The narration notes the irony of the beautiful coral-filled forest blooming amid the ship graveyard, where even fish and whales gather. A massive sound effect erupts as the vessel descends further into the forest.

Den, a wolffish merman shipwright and ocean researcher wearing a large black hat and frilled collar, stands with arms crossed. "The name's Den!" he declares. He discusses family resemblances among ocean species with Franky and others. "Hahahah. That's a very human way of thinking. I know most species that live above the ocean tend to have a heavy resemblance within families," Den says. He explains, "So for instance, if an octopus mermaid gives birth to a shark merman... Fishmen and merfolk carry a long memory of their heritage in their genes. But it's a little different for us. That just means that somewhere way back on their family tree, they had a shark merman for an ancestor." Franky listens intently. "So it's a little difficult for us to understand that human instinct... that leads you to classify people based on their appearances," Den continues. A caption identifies him: "Shipwright and Ocean Researcher Den (Tom's younger brother) (Wolffish Merman)". The conversation touches on how children on Fish-Man Island resemble their parents closely.

Den continues speaking with Franky. "I've heard all about you and Iceberg-kun from those letters, you know." Franky responds, "Oh, right... old lady Kokoro was sending you letters..." Den remarks on a robot ancestor and asks, "By the way, you wouldn't happen to have..." Franky blushes, "You're making me blush!" while holding a blueprint marked BF-37. Den smiles, "And I'm happy to see that he had such a wonderful apprentice, who would come out of his way to let me know how it happened. My brother lived his life with a 'don', right until the end... So of course, I know all about the incident." The scene shifts to the island's entrance where a figure waits outside. "Apparently he's waiting for someone. He can't enter the island, of course, since he's a fugitive," someone notes. "Oh... that's the boss, Jimbei," another replies. "Who's that guy sitting over thereI...Hey, by the way, I've been wondering for a while now..." Franky looks on with concern.

A diagram shows the "Connecting Way" leading to the palace entrance and main gate. Inside the grand palace, chaos erupts as Hody Jones and Vander Decken burst in. "You fiends...!! How did you make it all the way in here!!" a guard shouts. Neptune, the king, reacts in shock: "Hordy...I! That man is... And that man is...!! Hordy Jones, from the Fish-Man District!!! What business do you have coming back hereI!!!" Another voice cries, "That face...!!! Why, you are the deplorable Vander Decken!!! Finally you show yourself!!!" The crowd panics with cries of "BOSSI" and "But why is he...I!" as the intruders advance through the ornate halls. The palace gates and main gate are shown in dramatic panels amid the sudden invasion.

Neptune stands tall gripping his massive trident, staring in shock at the chaos around the palace. "I'M QUITE AMAZED... WHOEVER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS, THEY LEFT US QUITE A PRESENT...!!!" he exclaims. Vander Decken looms in the foreground with a wide grin, one leg raised. "WELL, WHADDAYA KNOW!!! WE CAME IN HERE ALL READY TO START A BATTLE... BUT IT LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE BEAT US TO IT! NEPTUNE AND HIS TROOPS ARE ALL TIED UP!" Nearby fish-men soldiers lie bound. Neptune mutters, "COULD IT BE A TRAP!I THIS IS FAR TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE." In the lower half, Sanji glares angrily while a fish-man guard shouts, "LOOK, WE WOULDN'T EVEN BE HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE IF YOU HADN'T INVITED US!!" Another guard yells, "NOW WHO THE HECK ARE THOSE CRAZY POWERFUL-LOOKING GUYSI!" Sanji points accusingly, "I SEE NOW... YOU MUST BE IN CAHOOTS WITH THESE SCOUNDRELS! IT WAS YOU WHO GRANTED THEM PASSAGE INTO THE PALACE!!" A palace attendant pleads, "THE GUESTS JUST KEEP COMING, DON'T THEY...I THIS IS ONE LIVELY PALACE, ALL RIGHT...!!! PLEASE!! YOU MUST AT LEAST RETURN US OUR WEAPONS!!"

Vander Decken laughs wildly, "BAHOHOHOH! I AIN'T EVEN MARRIED THE GIRL YET! DON'T YOU THINK YOU'RE GETTING A LITTLE AHEAD OF YOURSELF, POPSI!" Neptune roars back, "I AM NOT YOUR 'POPS'!!! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH SHIRAHOSHI!!! YOU HAD BETTER NOT HAVE HARMED A HAIR ON HER HEAD!!!" Vander Decken's face fills a panel as he threatens, "VANDER DECKEN!! NOW THAT YOU HAVE SHOWN YOUR FACE HERE, THERE CAN BE NO FURTHER DOUBT!!! YOU ARE THE CULPRIT!!! RETURN MY DAUGHTER AT ONCE!!!" Neptune demands answers about Shirahoshi's disappearance. Vander Decken sneers, "WHAT'S THIS GUY BLABBERING ABOUT...I YOU TRYIN' TO TELL ME SHIRAHOSHI'S ALREADY GONE OFF SOMEWHERE...I" Neptune continues, "WHAT OTHER EXPLANATION IS THERE FOR HER SUDDEN DISAPPEARANCEI!" Vander Decken snaps, "DO NOT PLAY THE FOOL, DECKEN!!!" A fish-man notes, "BESIDES WHICH, REGARDLESS OF THE TRUTH OF THESE MEN'S WORDS... AT THE VERY LEAST, THAT MEANS SHE WAS STILL HERE WHEN YOU LAUNCHED THE ATTACK!!" Neptune pleads, "CALM YOURSELF, DECKEN!! TAKE A LOOK AROUND. THE HUMANS YOU SENT FLYING TOWARDS THE PRINCESS HAVE ARRIVED HERE IN THE PALACE!!" Vander Decken yells, "MY BELOVED SHIRAHOSHI... DISAPPEAREDI! SHE IS NO PROPERTY OF YOURS!!!" Neptune retorts, "YOUR MAJESTY!! THERE IS NO NEED TO RISE TO THIS DISGUSTING MAN'S PROVOCATIONS..."

Vander Decken hurls a massive coral projectile with a "ブォォォ!!" sound effect. It flies toward the shell tower as someone shouts, "IT'S NOT HEADING FOR THE SHELL TOWER...!!!" Vander Decken grins madly, "TRUE ENOUGH!! YOU'RE A SHARP ONE, HORDY MY MAN!!! I KNOW IT!" The coral transforms midair with "パキッ!!" and flies onward. "FLY, CORAL!! FLY TO MY BELOVED SHIRAHOSHI!!" Vander Decken declares, "KUAH! WE'VE BEEN JOINED BY THE BONDS OF LOVE FOR TEN YEARS NOW! NOTHING SHORT OF DEATH COULD HOPE TO KEEP US APART!!!" Luffy appears laughing in a small panel. A close-up shows Vander Decken's intense face as he vows, "I'D SOONER SEE YOU DIE A BLOODY DEATH!!! SHIRAHOSHI!!!! BAHOHOHOH... I'LL NEVER SURRENDER YOU TO ANOTHER MAN!!!"

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