Engagement

A wild, colorful party rages inside a neon-lit club. Monkey D. Luffy, wearing goggles and headphones, spins records on the turntables with a huge grin. Nami dances energetically nearby holding a cymbal, while Usopp cheers with a book in hand. Chopper, Brook, Franky, and numerous animal-like revelers play instruments, drink, and dance under flashing lights. A large "ONE PIECE" logo sits at the bottom right alongside the phrase "MUSIC doesn't have to be UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE". Bottles, speakers, and chaotic motion lines fill the scene with pure festive energy.

Massive machinery crashes through rocky terrain as "CHAPTER 981: ENGAGEMENT" appears. A huge strike shatters stone with the sound effect "バキ バキ!!". Scratchmen Apoo yells in panic, "WAIT A MINUTE! THAT GUY'S NOT ONE OF US!" and "APOO-SAN!!". Eustass Kid stands amid the wreckage, glaring furiously as someone shouts "THAT'S CAPTAIN KID!". Debris flies everywhere while Kid's mechanical arm and spiked hair dominate the panel.

The chaos continues as a massive structure collapses in smoke and rubble. A voice cries "HE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE LOCKED UP IN UDON, TOO!" while another exclaims "WHAT!I ANOTHER ONE OF THE WORST GENERATION...!I". Kid confronts a figure, declaring "YOU WERE HIS INFORMANT...!!!" and "YOU WERE WORKING FOR KAIDO THE WHOLE TIME!". The other man retorts "JOINING OUR ALLIANCE WAS JUST A PLOY!!" and "I SHOULD'VE FIGURED IT OUT THEN AND THERE...". A small panel shows a horned silhouette replying "ALL'S WELL, SIR!" amid the destruction.

In the chaotic upper level, a voice pleads desperately, "HEY, HEY, STOP! EVEN IF YOU KILL THEM, DO YOU REALLY THINK THEY'LL MAKE YOU PART OF THE FLYING SIX!I" A small figure is hurled through the air with a startled "!I" as laughter rings out, "HA CHA CHA!" Below, Killer stares intensely while someone shouts, "IT REALLY IS YOU! KILLER!" Allies urge, "KID! WE GOTTA PULL OUT!" and "HELL YEAH!!" as weapons clash. In the massive lower panel, the enormous Numbers member Hatcha swings a spiked club wildly, smashing through debris. A panicked voice cries, "WAAAH! STOP, YOU'RE GONNA HURT SOMEONE!" while Hatcha roars with laughter, "HA CHAAAA!!!!" as smaller fighters are sent flying amid the destruction.

Hatcha looms with a wide grin, labeled "NUMBERS HACCHA," as he laughs "HA CHA CHA!" Someone yells, "YOU GOTTA STOP, HACCHA!" Nearby, a furious fighter demands, "...CAN'T THEY CONTROL HIM!I" while another exclaims, "HE TOOK OUT TWO PEOPLE!" A shocked observer shouts, "IS THIS GUY A GIANT!I HE'S MASSIVE!!" and "SOME-BODY STOP HIM!!" In the explosive sequence, Hatcha smashes downward with massive force, sending shockwaves and debris flying. A voice declares, "KID IS MINE!" as an attack lands with "PWISH!!" Eustass Kid appears in close-up, snarling, while Luffy shouts urgently, "GET TO THE KEEP, JAGGY!"

Amid the ongoing brawl, a voice laughs "FA FA FA!" while another remarks, "THESE GUYS ARE ALL RIDICULOUS." Luffy calls out, "THAT'S RICH COMING FROM YOU, RORONOA!" and "LIKE YOU'RE ONE TO TALK, LUFFY!" Kid adds, "MAN, I KNEW YOU'D MAKE A HUGE MESS OF THINGS, JAGGY!" as fighters clash in the background. Suddenly, an ally warns, "!I COVER YOUR EARS!" while another shouts, "Check it ouuut!" A massive explosion erupts with "E~~~" and "Boom!" as Kid, Killer, and Luffy react in shock, covering their ears amid the ringing blast and swirling smoke.

The Beast Pirates strategize: "GETTING HIM WOULD BE AN EVEN BIGGER WIN." "I WANT ALL OF YOU SEARCHING FOR INFORMATION ON YAMATO." "FORGET IT. LEAVE IT TO THE RAT-CATCHERS." "SHOULD WE GO AFTER THEMI IT COULD BE A BIG WIN FOR US." One warns, "DON'T LET SASAKI BEAT YOU TO IT." A subordinate replies, "YES, SIR!" In the next tier, Black Maria notes, "WELL, THAT MAKES TWO OF US...!" while others discuss, "HE WANTED TO WIPE SOMEBODY OUTI" and "WHAT DID QUEEN SAY AGAINI" Below, a group reacts with surprise: "...PORTI WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUTI" "HUHI" "IT'S STRANGE, THOUGH. THERE'S BEEN NO SIGN OF A SHIP AT THE APPOINTED PORT." "SO THEY SHOULD BE HERE SOON!" "THE SHIP'S IN GOOD SHAPE, FROM THE SOUND OF IT..." "MAAAAAMA MAMAMA...!! LOOKS LIKE THEY FINALLY GOT IN TOUCH..."

Narration boxes detail the samurai response: "THE SAMURAI, IN RESPONSE TO THAT FACT..." "WORD OF THE SAMURAI'S ARRIVAL HAS YET TO REACH THEIR FOES." "KIN'EMON LEADS THE EASTERN ARMY." "ON THE EASTERN SIDE OF ONI-GASHIMA..." A map marks the current location with a skull emblem. Kin'emon and allies advance up the mountain path. "HALFWAY UP THE MOUNTAIN PATH, THEY WILL SPLIT INTO TWO GROUPS." "RATHER THAN SENDING THE FULL FORCE TO THE REAR ENTRANCE..." Explosions and motion lines show the split. "IF THEY ARE SUCCESSFUL, THEY WILL HAVE KAIDO AND OROCHI IN A PINCER MOVEMENT." "THERE, THEY WILL POSE AS THE ENEMY, AND AWAIT THE MOMENT OF BATTLE!" "HALF WILL BREACH THE KEEP FROM THE DOME OF THE SKULL." Another map confirms the position.

A scenic view shows a watering hole with blooming wisteria and a long bridge. Narration notes: "A WATERING HOLE. FULL OF BLOOMING WISTERIA. SPANNED BY A LONG BRIDGE." "A BRIDGE IN CLEAR VIEW OF A BROTHEL." "BUT A MISCALCULATION HAS ARISEN. AN ADDITION NOT LISTED ON THEIR OUTDATED MAPS." SFX: "ドンチャン ドンチャン" and "ベェーん!!" Kin'emon stares in shock as a group reacts. "WE CAN HARDLY WALK MORE THAN 2,000 SOLDIERS ACROSS THIS BRIDGE WITHOUT RAISING SUSPICION..." A heart-filled panel shows a blonde woman clinging to him. "KIN'EMON! THAT'S A BROTHEL~!" The building entrance displays "女雞" with the label: "ONE OF THE FLYING SIX." "HERE STANDS THE DOMAIN OF BLACK MARIA."

Chaos erupts as Sanji is yanked toward the brothel. "IT'S LIKE IT'S PULLING HIM IN!" "SANJI-DONO!!" SFX: "すううう" and "すううう". A woman with hearts in her eyes pulls him while others react. In another panel, a bald man and Kin'emon discuss: "I WILL FIND A WAY TO ESCAPE ON MY OWN!" "WE'LL FORM A TEAM TO SEARCH FOR MOMONOSUKE-SAMA." "WE'RE GONNA SLIP IN TOO, KIN'EMON." Near the brothel entrance, someone shouts "SOMEBODY'S COMING OUT!" "WOBBLE..." "!I" A woman smiles and says, "YOU HAVE MY THANKS...! IN TRUTH, IT WAS HARD FOR ME TO FOCUS, PRE-OCCUPIED AS I WAS!" "YOU SHOULD JUST FOCUS ON THE BATTLE!" "YOU'RE CRAZY WORRIED ABOUT HIM, RIGHTI LET US HANDLE IT!!" "I LEAVE IT TO YOU!"

Narration explains: "THE BROTHEL, HAVING RECEIVED WORD OF THE CHAOS LUFFY WAS CAUSING, WAS NEARLY EMPTY." "THIS IS OUR CHANCE TO CROSS!" "A BROTHEL WITH NO WOMEN SHOULD SURELY HAVE NO MEN!" "HE LOOKS LIKE HE WASN'T ABLE TO MEET ANY PROSTITUTES!" "IT'S SANJI-DONO!" Sanji stands ready. The group charges across the bridge: "NOW, ONWARD, MEN!" "YES, SIR!" "ALL RIGHT! SOUNDS GOOD!" "YES, SIR!" "I LEAVE THE INFILTRATION TO YOU!" SFX: "ドドドド" and "TMP TMP TMP". "KEEP AN EYE ON THE BROTHEL WINDOWS!" Below, figures tumble into water amid curses: "CURSES! EVERYONE, INTO THE WATER!" "WHAT'S ALL THAT RACKET...I" "IF YOU SEE ANY SILHOUETTES..." SFX: "シワワ..." and "ガシャン".

Behind iron bars, an elderly figure peers out as a small tracked vehicle rolls across the wooden bridge, its engine sputtering KRK KRK KRK.... Two close-up faces react with shock, eyes wide and mouths agape amid swirling SFX キラ キュラ キュラ.... Below at the roaring cascade labeled THE OUTER WATERFALL OF WANO, a group of allies charges forward through the spray. One shouts, "C'MON, BROTHERS! LET'S GO!" Another yells, "YEAAAH!!" as they leap toward the thundering falls.

Perospero leans forward with a wide grin, tongue extended, declaring "CLIMB THE WATERFALL!" and "I WON'T FORGET WHAT YOU DID, KING! PERORIN♪". Below, the massive waterfall erupts with impact lines and SFX トォーン トォン トォン as the alliance ship ascends. Big Mom Pirates react in panic: "AND WHAT'S THIS ABOUT AN ALLIANCE WITH THE BEASTS PIRATES!I" "WHAT'S MAMA THINKING...!!I" "THAT DOESN'T SEEM SANE!" "JEEZ, THIS IS CRAZY!!" "HOW IS THIS THE ONLY WAY INTO THE COUNTRY!I"

Perospero and a female Big Mom Pirate argue fiercely: "WE NEED TO PUT STRAW HAT'S HEAD ON A PIKE FOR THE WORLD TO SEE!" "THAT'S RIGHT! STRAW HAT SPAT IN MAMA'S FACE AND IT'S RUINED OUR REPUTATION!" "DON'T FORGET WHAT WE CAME HERE TO DO!" A calm voice replies, "IT'S WHAT MAMA DECIDED." "AN ALLIANCE...I" The crew tumbles through the air amid debris, shouting "PREPARE FOR BATTLE! DON'T LET THEM CATCH US OFF GUARD!" "WE'RE FINALLY IN WANO!!!" "AND MORE IMPORTANTLY..." "TAKE STRAW HAT'S HEAD FIRST! WE'LL TALK ABOUT ALLIANCES LATER!" "I WANNA GET KAIDO-SAN TO LIKE ME!" Elsewhere, a massive reptilian figure stares in shock: "NO... IT'S NOT HIM!!" "KING!I" "WHAT'S THAT BASTARD DOING NOW!I" "HUH!I" as a bird flies past and a figure flaps away.

Marco the Phoenix descends amid phoenix flames, smirking as he says, "THIS AGE OF OURS... MIGHT LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT." and "THE NEXT TIME YOU MAKE IT UP HERE..." Below, a massive ship flies past with SFX SLASH SLASH SLASH... while onlookers react: "HUHI" "A HUGE SHIP JUST WENT FLYING BY." "WHAT WAS THATI" "FIRST TIME HE'S GONE AT IT SINCE THE WAR, I THINK." "FINALLY, HE'S HERE!" Marco lands on the ship, flames bursting, as voices cry "MARCO!!!" "I'D HEARD TALK OF AN ALLIANCE WITH THE BIG MOM PIRATES..." "WELL, WELL." "LOOKS LIKE IT WAS TRUE." "IT CAN'T BEEEEEE!" "AGAIN!I" "MARK!!" "TIME FOR YOU TO DROP OUTTA HERE!" "PHOENIX..." The page ends with the caption ONE PIECE CH.981 /END.

A massive, masked Beast Pirate with a long tongue and wild grin leans forward, laughing maniacally. "APAPAPA! AND I THOUGHT THEY'D KILL YOU BY NOW!!" he cackles. Nearby, another fierce fighter with a stitched face and horns snarls, "THOSE DON'T HAVE HAPPY ENDINGS! AND LEMME FILL YOU IN. PIRATE ALLIANCESI WOULD LET YOU TAKE DOWN ONE OF THE EMPERORS!I YOU REALLY THOUGHT US TEAMING UP... OPEN YOUR EYES, MAN!" In the next panel a long-haired figure is violently slammed backward amid swirling debris and impact lines, grunting "URGH!" as a musical note "Kshhh!" rings out. Below, the large masked fighter known as Queen glares with a cigarette, barking "IT'S FINE. KILL 'EM!" while a curly-haired subordinate panics, "BUT HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO PULL THAT OFF!I" Queen-san!! WE'RE SUPPOSED TO TAKE THEM ALIVE..." Queen smirks coldly and retorts, "...YOU'RE GARBAGE." Another crew member with pigtails and a mask leans in, asking "WASSUP, KIDI"

Three figures react in shock, one with goggles shouting "WHATI" while another warns, "IF YOU CAN HEAR THEM, YOU CAN'T AVOID THEM! KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR SURPRISE ATTACKS!" A third adds, "APOO'S ATTACKS ONLY REACH WHERE YOU CAN HEAR THEM!" The goggled man clicks his tongue, "TCH." In the next spread a skeletal, grinning figure looms over a chaotic festival scene on Onigashima as narration notes the danger. A voice declares, "IT TURNED HIM INTO A PLEASURE!" while another asks, "HEY, DID YOU KNOW KILLER ATE A BAD SMILEI" and a third suggests, "WE COULD MAKE A NAME FOR OURSELVES IF WE TOOK THEM OUT!" A circular panel shows a spiked collar and the line, "EAT THIS, AND YOU'LL HAVE A CHANCE TO SAVE YOUR CAPTAIN!" Below, a black-masked horned figure exclaims, "UDON ESCAPES...I" A long-nosed character yells, "DON'T CAUSE A SCENE, YOU IDIOT!" as a wild-haired fighter named Kid is struck, shouting "KID, STOP!" and "GYAAAH!!" while someone else demands, "YOU THINK SOMETHING'S FUNNY!I"

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