Romance Dawn

A black-and-white title page. At the top, text reads "SHONEN JUMP MANGA", "ONE PIECE", "Vol. 1 ROMANCE DAWN", and "STORY AND ART BY EIICHIRO ODA". The main illustration shows Monkey D. Luffy standing proudly in a small wooden boat on the ocean, smiling with his hands on his hips. He wears his straw hat, a dark vest, and shorts. The ornate boat has an animal-like figurehead with curling decoration, a small mast, and a rolled-up sail. A large banner unfurls across the sky above him, bearing the word "ONE PIECE". A seagull wearing a pirate hat with a skull and crossbones sits on the tail end of the banner. The background features a calm sea, distant islands, and a clear sky.

The first story page of Chapter 1, titled "CHAPTER 1: ROMANCE DAWN". The page opens with a narration box: "GOLD ROGER, THE 'KING OF THE PIRATES,' HAD ACHIEVED IT ALL." The top panel shows Gold Roger sitting on a wooden execution platform. His hands are bound in front of him, and his long dark hair and prominent curved mustache obscure his eyes. Two executioners stand on either side of him, crossing their long polearms in front of his chest. Another narration box reads: "NOT SURPRISINGLY, THE FINAL WORDS HE SPOKE BEFORE THEY LOPPED OFF HIS HEAD INSPIRED ADVENTURERS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD TO SAIL THE SEAS." The middle panel is a close-up of Gold Roger's face. He is smiling broadly, showing his teeth, with a "SMIRK" sound effect beside him. He speaks: "MY TREASURE? WHY, IT'S RIGHT WHERE I LEFT IT... IT'S YOURS IF YOU CAN FIND IT... BUT YOU'LL HAVE TO SEARCH THE WHOLE WORLD!" The bottom panel shows a massive, dense crowd of people viewed from behind, raising their arms and cheering wildly in front of the execution platform. A massive "RRROAR!!" sound effect fills the background above them. In the foreground, a raised fist wearing a wristband with a skull and crossbones is visible. Narration boxes frame the scene: "THE WORLD......IS ABOUT TO WITNESS A GREAT ERA OF PIRACY!"

One half of a double-page title spread for Chapter 1, with the title text "ROMANCE DAWN" and "THE DAWN OF ADVENTURE" across the bottom. The illustration shows a group of pirates celebrating in front of a large Jolly Roger flag while treasure, coins, jewels, swords, and barrels fill the background. Nami stands at the left with her arms raised joyfully, wearing a striped crop top and a skirt. Shanks sits near the center, smiling broadly, with a striped sash across his lap. Lucky Roux, Yasopp, and other Red Hair Pirates cheer and drink around them.

The left half of the double-page title spread. Monkey D. Luffy is front and center, leaping into the air with a huge, open-mouthed smile and his arms thrown wide. He is wearing his signature straw hat, a dark vest, and shorts. Behind him, seagulls fly over the ocean, and a pirate crew member is seen carrying a treasure chest overflowing with coins.

The page opens with a view of a peaceful countryside landscape featuring windmills, houses, and cows grazing behind a wooden fence. A narration box reads, "A SMALL HARBOR VILLAGE". The next panel shows a large pirate ship docked at the village harbor. Narration boxes state, "ONE YEAR AGO..." and "...A PIRATE SHIP MADE THE VILLAGE ITS BASE." The final row shows the front of the pirate ship, with its dragon-like figurehead and a Jolly Roger flag with a skull and crossbones. Young Luffy stands on top of the figurehead, arms at his sides, replying "HMPH!" while someone on the ship calls to him, "HEY, LUFFY! WHAT'RE YOU UP TO NOW?!" Narration boxes read, "THE WIND BLOWS FROM THE EAST." and "AND THE VILLAGE IS AT PEACE."

Young Luffy stands defiantly on the ship's figurehead, holding a dagger up in his right hand. He wears a t-shirt with the word "ANCHOR" and an anchor symbol on it. A caption box introduces him: "VILLAGER BOY MONKEY D. LUFFY". He shouts angrily, "I'VE HAD IT WITH YOU GUYS!! NOW YOU'LL HAVE TO TAKE ME SERIOUSLY!!" and "THIS IS HOW TOUGH I AM!!!" Below, the pirate crew watches him from the deck. One laughs, "HA HA HA! GET IT OVER WITH!" Another says, "WHAT-EVER IT IS..." and a third asks, "WHAT'S THAT PUP UP TO NOW?" In the next panel, Luffy suddenly plunges the dagger into his own face, just under his left eye. A large sound effect reads "CHUNK?!". The final panel shows the pirates reacting in absolute shock and panic. They scream, "HUH!?", "AAARGH!!!", "YOU IDIOT! WHAT'D YOU DO THAT FOR!?", and "YEOWWW!!!"

The scene shifts to the village, showing a building with a sign that reads "PARTYS BAR". Voices from inside shout, "A TOAST!!", "TO LUFFY'S...", "COURAGE...", "AND TO OUR GREAT VOYAGE!" Inside the tavern, the pirate crew is having a rowdy party. They are drinking, laughing, and fighting. One pirate cheers, "HAR HAR HAR HAR! DRINK UP!" Another demands, "GROG! GROG! GROG! MORE GROG!" Two pirates argue over food: "HEY THAT'S MY MEAT!!" and "NOT ANY MORE! I'M GONNA EAT IT!" Another tries to calm them down: "HEY, STOP FIGHTING! YOU'LL SPOIL OUR FUN!" In the bottom panel, Luffy sits at the bar counter, now sporting a bandage under his left eye. He smiles broadly and says, "IT DIDN'T HURT A BIT!" Shanks, sitting next to him, scolds him with a sharp-toothed, angry expression: "LIAR! THAT WAS A FOOLISH THING TO DO!" Luffy, undeterred, leans forward enthusiastically and declares, "I'M NOT THE LEAST BIT AFRAID OF GETTING HURT!! TAKE ME WITH YOU ON YOUR NEXT VOYAGE!! I WANNA BE A PIRATE TOO!!!"

Shanks bursts into loud laughter, his face filling the top panel as he mocks Luffy: "HAHAHAHAHAHA", "YOU?! A PIRATE?! IMPOSSIBLE!!" In the middle panel, Shanks sits casually at the bar, holding a fork and a glass. A caption box identifies him: "PIRATE CAPTAIN 'RED-HAIRED' SHANKS". He explains, "LUFFY, DO YOU KNOW WHY WE CALL YOU 'ANCHOR'? BECAUSE YOU CAN'T SWIM-- YOU JUST SINK!! WHAT GOOD IS A PIRATE WHO CAN'T SWIM?" In the bottom panels, Luffy stands up, looking frustrated and determined. He argues back, "BUT IF I DON'T FALL OVERBOARD, THEN IT DOESN'T MATTER IF I'M AN ANCHOR!! AND I'M A STRONG FIGHTER!" He throws a punch to demonstrate, adding, "I'VE BEEN TRAINING! MY PUNCH IS AS POWERFUL AS A PISTOL!"

Luffy angrily yells at Shanks, "ARE YOU DOUBTING ME?!" Shanks, resting his head on his hand, calmly replies, "IS THAT SO... A PISTOL, EH?" The rest of the Red Hair Pirates are shown having a rowdy party, laughing and drinking. They try to cheer Luffy up, shouting, "CALM DOWN, LUFFY!", "LET'S JUST HAVE A GOOD TIME!", and "YEAH! PIRATES ALWAYS HAVE A GOOD TIME!" They boast about their lifestyle, adding, "THE SEA IS VAST AND THERE'S LOTS OF ISLANDS TO EXPLORE!" and "AND BEST OF ALL, PIRATES HAVE FREEDOM!!" Luffy's eyes widen with excitement as he exclaims, "WOW!" Shanks tells his crew, "YOU GUYS STOP FILLING HIS HEAD WITH CRAZY IDEAS." However, Lucky Roux, holding a large piece of meat on a bone, insists, "BUT IT'S TRUE! RIGHT!?"

The crew tries to persuade their captain, saying, "C'MON, CAP'N... LET'S TAKE THE LAD WITH US JUST THIS ONCE...", "AYE!", and "YEAH!" Shanks agrees, saying, "OKAY, BUT ONE OF YOU WILL HAVE TO STAY BEHIND..." Instantly, the crew turns their backs on Luffy, laughing uproariously. "SORRY, LADDY, YOU'VE JUST BEEN BEACHED! LET'S DRINK! HAR HAR HAR HAR." Luffy angrily yells, "HEY!! I THOUGHT YOU GUYS WERE ON MY SIDE!" Shanks tells him, "YOU'RE JUST TOO YOUNG, KID. MAYBE IN 10 YEARS I'LL GIVE YOU A CHANCE." Luffy insists, "CAP'N SHANKS! I'M TELLING YOU... I'M NOT A LITTLE KID!!" Shanks offers him a glass, saying, "DON'T GET UPSET NOW. HERE, HAVE SOME MILK." Luffy happily takes it, saying, "OH BOY! THANKS!" and drinks it down with a "GLUG GLUG". Shanks bursts into loud laughter, pointing at him and mocking, "SEE! A REAL PIRATE WOULD NEVER DRINK MILK!!" Luffy realizes he's been fooled and growls, "GRRR! THAT WAS A DIRTY TRICK!"

Luffy sits at the bar, sulking. "HMPH! I'M GETTING TIRED OF THIS. I EVEN STABBED MYSELF IN THE FACE SO YOU'D TAKE ME WITH YOU." Shanks's voice calls out, "LUFFY..." Benn Beckman, the first mate, sits nearby smoking a cigarette. He tells Luffy, "THE CAPTAIN'S JUST DOING WHAT'S BEST FOR EVERYONE..." Luffy asks, "HOW DO YOU FIGURE, MR. FIRST MATE?" Beckman explains, "THE SAFETY OF THE ENTIRE CREW AND SHIP RESTS ON HIS SHOULDERS. BEING A PIRATE ISN'T ALL FUN AND GAMES, YOU KNOW... THERE'S LOTS OF DUTIES LIKE... PILLAGING, HOSTAGE-TAKING, HEAVY DRINKING... AND SWIMMING!" Luffy looks confused. Beckman continues, "AND THE CAPTAIN KNOWS ALL ABOUT THE DANGERS OF THE SEA, TOO! IT CAN KILL YOU IN A THOUSAND WAYS! IT'S NOT THAT HE WANTS TO CRUSH YOUR DREAM OF BECOMING A PIRATE." Luffy stubbornly replies, "WELL I DON'T BELIEVE IT!! SHANKS JUST LIKES TO MAKE ME LOOK DUMB." In the background, Shanks laughs loudly, "HEY, ANCHOR! I TOLD YOU!"

Shanks muses, "HMM... MAYBE THE LAD'S GOT A POINT..." while Luffy glares at him. A woman approaches them, greeting, "CAPTAIN SHANKS! I'M GLAD TO SEE YOU AND YOUR CREW ARE ENJOYING YOURSELVES." Shanks replies, "HO BOY... I JUST LOVE MAKING FUN OF THIS KID!" A caption introduces the woman as "MAKINO PROPRIETOR OF THE TAVERN". She is carrying a large wooden barrel labeled "BEER". She asks, "LUFFY, WOULD YOU LIKE SOMETHING TO EAT?" Luffy smiles brightly, "YEAH! JUST PUT IT ON MY TREASURE TAB!" Shanks scolds him, "TREASURE TAB? LOOK BOY, DON'T TRY TO SWINDLE THE LADY." Luffy holds up his fork and knife, declaring, "I'M GONNA BECOME A PIRATE, FIND LOTS OF TREASURE, AND THEN I'LL COME BACK AND PAY HER!!" Makino laughs warmly, "HA HA HA! WE'LL CELEBRATE TOGETHER WHEN YOU RETURN." Luffy grins, "HEE HEE".

Luffy and Shanks are eating at the bar. Luffy calls out, "SHANKS..." Shanks, with his mouth full of food, replies, "YEAH KID...?" Luffy asks, "HOW MUCH LONGER WILL YOU STAY AT THIS VILLAGE?" Shanks thinks for a moment, "HMM... LET'S SEE... WE'VE BEEN USING THIS VILLAGE AS OUR BASE FOR ABOUT A YEAR... AFTER TWO OR THREE MORE VOYAGES......WE'LL LEAVE HERE FOR GOOD AND HEAD NORTH." Luffy, chewing his food, says, "I SEE..." He then mutters to himself, "TWO OR THREE MORE TRIPS, EH?" Makino watches them with a gentle smile. Luffy suddenly declares with determination, "I'M GONNA LEARN HOW TO SWIM BY THE TIME YOU LEAVE!" Shanks, with his back turned, casually replies, "THAT'S GOOD KID... DO WHATEVER YOU WANT."

The peaceful atmosphere in the tavern is suddenly interrupted by a voice shouting from outside, "MAKE WAY FOR THE SCOURGE OF THE MOUNTAINS!" The saloon doors are violently kicked open with a loud "SLAM!" and "KLAK-A-KLAK". The pirates inside look over in surprise. A tall man stands in the doorway. He smirks and insults the crew, "HEH HEH... SO YOU CALL YOURSELVES PIRATES, EH? FIRST TIME I'VE SEEN PIRATES... YOU LOOK LIKE A SORRY LOT TO ME." He walks into the tavern with heavy footsteps, "KLOMP TMP", approaching the bar where Shanks and Makino are. Luffy, with his cheeks stuffed with food, looks at the newcomer in confusion.

A tall man stands in the tavern, a caption identifying him as "HIGUMA THE BEAR LEADER OF THE MOUNTAIN BANDITS". He announces, "WE'RE MOUNTAIN BANDITS." He smirks and adds, "OH, DON'T WET YOURSELVES. WE'RE NOT HERE TO BUST UP THE PLACE. JUST SELL US 10 BARRELS OF GROG, AND WE'LL INJURE ONLY THE BARE MINIMUM." Makino, looking nervous, replies, "I'M SORRY... WE JUST RAN OUT OF LIQUOR." Higuma glances over at the pirates sitting at the bar. "HMMM... THAT'S STRANGE. WHAT'RE ALL THESE PIRATES DRINKING?" He asks, "FRUIT JUICE?" Makino confirms, "IT'S TRUE... I JUST SERVED THE LAST OF IT."

Shanks holds up an unopened bottle of liquor towards Higuma with a friendly smile. "I FEEL KINDA GUILTY... I GUESS WE DRANK UP ALL THE LIQUOR. SORRY ABOUT THAT. WHY DON'T YOU HAVE THIS? IT'S STILL UNOPENED." Suddenly, Higuma swings his fist and smashes the bottle right in Shanks's hand with a loud "KRACK!!" and "TINK TINK!!". The glass shatters, spilling the liquor all over Shanks, who sits there quietly with his hat covering his eyes. The entire tavern falls silent. Higuma stares down at him. Luffy looks on in shock. The Red Hair Pirates, including Benn Beckman, Lucky Roux, and Yasopp, watch with serious expressions. Makino covers her mouth in horror.

Higuma glares down at the drenched pirate captain. "WHAT DO YOU TAKE ME FOR? YOU CAN'T MAKE A FOOL OF ME! WHAT GOOD IS ONE BOTTLE OF GROG?" Shanks sits calmly, liquor dripping from his hat and face. "OH MY... WHAT A MESS." Higuma pulls out a wanted poster with his own face on it. "LOOK AT THIS." The poster shows a bounty of 8,000,000 berries. Higuma boasts, "MY HEAD'S WORTH 8,000,000 BERRIES. I'M A WANTED MAN. I'VE KILLED 56 PEOPLE... MOSTLY FOOLS LIKE YOU!" He slightly draws his sword from its sheath with a "KLINK". "WATCH YOURSELF... IF YOU'RE FOND OF BREATHING! IF YOU'RE SMART YOU'LL SAIL AWAY FROM HERE SO I NEVER SEE YOU AGAIN."

Higuma draws his sword with a "SHHHK." Shanks ignores the threat, crouching down to pick up the broken glass from the floor. "SORRY ABOUT THIS MESS, MAKINO. GIVE ME A RAG AND I'LL CLEAN UP." Makino leans over the counter, concerned. "UH... DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT." Annoyed by Shanks's reaction, Higuma violently sweeps his sword across the bar counter with a massive "KRASH!!!", shattering plates and glasses everywhere. Luffy ducks for cover. Higuma smirks down at Shanks. "SO, YOU LIKE TO CLEAN? THAT OUGHT TO KEEP YOU BUSY FOR A WHILE. HMPH!"

Higuma turns his back and walks out of the tavern. "...COWARDS. FAREWELL..." Outside, he and his bandit crew walk away down the dirt road. "NO GROG! THAT'S AN OUTRAGE! LET'S GO TO ANOTHER VILLAGE." Back inside the tavern, Makino rushes over to Shanks, who is sitting on the floor amidst the broken glass. "CAPTAIN, ARE YOU OKAY? ARE YOU HURT?" Shanks wipes his face and smiles. "I'M FINE. NO HARM DONE. PHEW!!" Suddenly, the entire crew of Red Hair Pirates bursts into uproarious laughter. "HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR! HAR HAR HAR HAR! CAP'N! HE GOT YOU GOOD!" Luffy stands to the side, clenching his fists and looking furious at their reaction.

Shanks laughs heartily along with his crew, "HA HA HA HA!" Luffy yells at him, completely outraged. "YOU THINK IT'S FUNNY?!" Luffy's face fills the panel, screaming in anger. "HE MADE YOU LOOK LIKE A WEAKLING!!! WHY DIDN'T YOU FIGHT HIM?! SURE, THEY OUTNUMBERED YOU, AND MAYBE THEY LOOKED PRETTY TOUGH, BUT WHAT KIND OF MAN LETS HIMSELF BE TREATED LIKE THAT THEN LAUGHS ABOUT IT? YOU'RE A DISGRACE TO ALL PIRATES!" Shanks looks at him quietly for a moment, "...". Then he smiles gently, touching the brim of his hat. "WHEN YOU GROW UP MAYBE YOU'LL UNDERSTAND, KID. HE JUST GOT SOME GROG ON ME, THAT'S ALL. NEEDLESS KILLING DOESN'T MAKE YOU A MAN." Unconvinced, Luffy turns and stomps away. "HMPH! TO GO FIND A REAL ROLE MODEL!" Shanks reaches out and grabs Luffy's wrist. "HEY, WHERE YOU GOING?" The page ends on Shanks holding Luffy back with a "GRAB" while Luffy keeps trying to stomp away.

Luffy turns his back and walks away angrily, saying, "HEY!!!" Shanks grabs his arm, asking, "WHAT!!?" As Shanks pulls, Luffy's arm stretches out incredibly long like a rubber band with a loud "BW-OING!" sound effect. In the background, the pirate crew spits out their drinks in shock with a "PFFSH!!" and "!!??". One pirate yells, "HIS ARM'S STRETCHING!!!!" Shanks, sweating and wide-eyed, stammers, "DOES THIS MEAN... DID HE--" Yasopp adds, "HE COULDN'T HAVE!" Luffy looks back at his stretched arm in confusion, asking, "WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME?!!!" Lucky Roux holds up a small, empty wooden chest and shouts, "IT'S NOT HERE!! THE GUM-GUM FRUIT WE TOOK FROM THAT ENEMY SHIP!!!" The crew reacts with a collective "HUH?!" Shanks points frantically at Luffy, yelling, "LUFFY! YOU DIDN'T EAT THAT FRUIT, DID YOU!?" Luffy, sweating nervously, replies, "YEAH... I ATE IT FOR DESSERT!! IT DIDN'T TASTE ALL THAT GREAT, THOUGH..."

Shanks grabs Luffy by the shoulders and shakes him violently, screaming, "THAT WAS THE GUM-GUM FRUIT!! THE FRUIT OF THE DEVIL, IT'S ONE OF THE SECRET TREASURES OF THE SEA! IF YOU EAT IT, YOUR ENTIRE BODY BECOMES LIKE RUBBER! AND YOU WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO SWIM FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!" Luffy looks terrified, screaming back, "WHAAAAAAAAAAT!? AAARGH!! AAAAAHHH". Shanks yells, "YOU IDIOT!!!!!" The scene transitions to a peaceful view of the village with windmills and a cow mooing. Luffy is seen walking down a dirt path with a "TMP TMP TMP". In the next panel, Luffy stands in front of a shop with a sign reading "FISHMONGER". He smiles broadly with his rubbery, stretched-looking grin and calls out, "HEY, MR. FISHMONGER! GIVE ME SOME FISH!"

The fishmonger, a large man with a headband, laughs and says, "HEY, RUBBER BOY! WHY ARE YOU IN SUCH A GOOD MOOD LATELY!" His wife, sweeping nearby, adds, "THE PIRATES SET SAIL WITHOUT YOU TODAY, YOU KNOW?" Luffy recalls Shanks's warning: "AND YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO SWIM FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE." Unbothered, Luffy replies, "IT DOESN'T MATTER. IF I SINK LIKE AN ANCHOR, THEN I'LL JUST BE A PIRATE THAT NEVER FALLS OVERBOARD!" He grabs his cheeks and stretches them far out to the sides with a "BOOOING", saying, "I'M GLAD I ATE THE GUM-GUM DEVIL FRUIT... LOOK AT WHAT I CAN DO!" Suddenly, the village mayor, Woop Slap, appears, wearing a striped hat and glasses. He scolds Luffy, "YOU THINK BEING GAWKED AT BECAUSE YOU'RE A FREAK IS A GREAT THING, EH? WELL, THIS VILLAGE DOESN'T NEED ANY MORE IDIOTS, SONNY!" Luffy casually greets him, "GOOD MORNING, MR. MAYOR!" The mayor continues his rant, "FOR THE LAST TIME, LUFFY, I WON'T ALLOW YOU TO BECOME A PIRATE! IT'D MAKE THE VILLAGE LOOK BAD!! NOW, THE CAPTAIN'S NOT SUCH A BAD FELLOW, BUT YOU STAY AWAY FROM THOSE PIRATES!" Luffy completely ignores him, picking his nose and pulling down his eyelid in a mocking face while muttering, "BLAH BLAH BLAH".

Inside the empty Partys Bar, Makino is wiping down a glass while Luffy sits at the counter drinking from a large mug. Makino notes, "THE PIRATES HAVE BEEN OUT AT SEA FOR A LONG TIME. DO YOU MISS THEM, LUFFY?" Luffy replies firmly, "AFTER THE WAY THOSE MOUNTAIN BANDITS HUMILIATED THEM?! NOT AT ALL! I REALLY MISJUDGED THOSE GUYS! I THOUGHT THEY WERE BRAVE AND TOUGH... BUT THEY'RE REALLY JUST A BUNCH OF WIMPS." Makino smiles gently and asks, "ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THAT? MAYBE SOMETIMES IT TAKES MORE COURAGE NOT TO FIGHT." Luffy dismisses this, saying, "YOU JUST WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND, MAKINO. A REAL MAN HAS TO STAND UP FOR HIMSELF, NO MATTER WHAT." Makino replies, "IS THAT RIGHT? I GUESS I DON'T UNDERSTAND." Luffy confirms, "THAT'S RIGHT. YOU DON'T." Suddenly, a voice shouts from outside, "MAKE WAY FOR THE TERROR OF THE HIGHLANDS!" Makino looks toward the door with a question mark above her head.

Luffy looks over his shoulder in surprise, uttering, "WHA..." Makino and Luffy stare toward the entrance as the saloon doors are violently kicked open with a loud "BA-BAM!". Higuma, the bandit leader, stands in the doorway with his crew behind him. He smirks and says, "NO PIRATES TODAY, EH? SMELLS BETTER... WE WERE IN THE AREA, SO WE STOPPED BY." He walks in and slams his sword down on a table with a "SLAM!", demanding, "WHAT'RE YOU WAITING FOR? WE'RE CUSTOMERS!! SERVE US DRINKS!!!" He glares menacingly.

A view of the peaceful village exterior is shown. Suddenly, Makino bursts through a door with a loud "SLAM!", crying out, "MAYOR! WE'VE GOT A PROBLEM!" Mayor Woop Slap, sitting at a desk drinking tea, asks in alarm, "WHAT'S WRONG, MAKINO!" She replies frantically, "IT'S LUFFY... AND THE MOUNTAIN BANDITS!" The scene shifts to the dirt road outside Partys Bar. A crowd of villagers has gathered, watching in fear. Higuma and his bandits have surrounded Luffy. One bandit remarks, "YOU'VE GOT A STRANGE BODY, BOY. OUR PUNCHES AND KICKS AREN'T HURTING YOU AT ALL." The villagers whisper among themselves. One says, "HEY! WE GOTTA GO HELP LUFFY!" Another replies, "ARE YOU CRAZY? THOSE MOUNTAIN BANDITS WOULD KILL US!" A third adds, "BESIDES, LUFFY'S THE ONE THAT STARTED THE FIGHT!"

Top right panel: Luffy yells, "DARN YOU!!!". Top middle panel: Luffy continues yelling, "YOU'D BETTER TAKE IT BACK!!!". Top left panel: Luffy throws a rubbery punch at Higuma with a loud "BWOING" sound effect, his arm stretching across the panel. Higuma watches, amused, and says, "EH, RUBBER BOY? THERE SURE ARE SOME WEIRD CREATURES IN THE WORLD...". Luffy yells, "YOU JERK!". Middle panel: Luffy bounces around on the ground uncontrollably with "BWOING BWOING!!" and "OOF!" sound effects. Higuma looks down at him. Bottom right panel: Luffy yells angrily at the bandits, "DARN YOU!!! I'LL MAKE YOU SO SORRY FOR THIS!!". One of the bandits remarks, "I'VE DISCOVERED A NEW LIFE FORM...". Bottom left panel: Higuma looks down at Luffy and says, "MAYBE I'LL SELL YOU TO A FREAK SHOW... I BET THEY'LL PAY GOOD MONEY FOR YOU."

Top panel: Luffy charges at Higuma with a wooden stick, yelling "ROAR". Higuma casually kicks Luffy in the face, sending him flying backward. Higuma says, "YOU STUBBORN LITTLE...". Middle right panel: A close-up of Higuma glaring angrily as he finishes his sentence, "...BRAT!!". Middle left panel: A close-up of Luffy looking shocked and hurt. Bottom right panel: Higuma violently stomps his foot down on Luffy's head with a loud "STOMP!!", crushing Luffy face-first into the dirt. Higuma says, "I WAS JUST DRINKING AND TALKING TO MY MEN." Bottom left panel: With his face pressed into the ground under Higuma's foot, Luffy struggles. Higuma continues, "I DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING TO OFFEND YOU." Luffy yells back defiantly, "YES YOU DID!! YOU'D BETTER APOLOGIZE!!!".

Top right panel: Villagers watch the commotion from a distance. One says, "CURSE THAT LUFFY!" and another asks, "WHY'D HE HAVE TO PICK A FIGHT WITH THOSE GUYS?!". Top left panel: Higuma stands over Luffy, keeping his foot firmly planted on the boy's head. His bandit crew stands behind him. From under Higuma's foot, Luffy yells, "MOVE YOUR FOOT... YOU STINKING MOUNTAIN APE!!!". Middle right panel: Mayor Woop Slap and Makino rush to the scene. The Mayor yells, "LET THE BOY GO!". Middle left panel: A wide shot of the street shows the Mayor bowing deeply to Higuma. He pleads, "PLEASE!!". Bottom right panel: The Mayor is shown bowing with his head to the ground ("BOW"). He says, "I DON'T KNOW WHAT LUFFY DID... AND I HAVE NO INTENTION OF FIGHTING YOU PEOPLE... JUST DON'T HURT THE BOY! BUT IF IT'S MONEY YOU WANT, YOU'LL GET IT." Bottom middle panel: Luffy looks up in surprise, saying, "MAYOR!". Bottom left panel: Higuma smirks down at the Mayor and replies, "NICE TRY, OLD MAN... YOU KNOW HOW THE WORLD WORKS."

Top right panel: Higuma slightly draws his sword from its sheath. He says, "BUT I'M AFRAID IT'S TOO LATE. NO ONE CAN SAVE THIS BRAT NOW." Top middle panel: Higuma continues, "HE'S DONE THE UNPARDONABLE... HE ATTACKED ME... AND HE CALLED ME NAMES." Top left panel: Luffy struggles under Higuma's foot with "BWANG BWANG" sound effects. Higuma adds, "I CAN'T TAKE THAT FROM THIS LITTLE RUBBER-SPINED FREAK!". Middle left panel: Luffy yells angrily, "YOU STARTED THIS, BANDIT! YOU MOUNTAIN MACAQUE!". Middle right panel: Higuma fully draws his sword with a "SHHRR" sound. He declares, "THAT DOES IT. I'M NOT GONNA SELL YOU. I'M GONNA KILL YOU!". Bottom left panel: Makino covers her face in horror, crying out, "LUFFY!". Mayor Woop Slap pleads, "PLEASE! FORGIVE HIM!". Bottom right panel: A familiar voice calls out, "NOBODY CAME TO GREET US AT THE HARBOR. I WAS WONDERING WHAT WAS GOING ON...". Shanks appears, wearing his straw hat and a calm smile.

Top panel: Shanks stands confidently, smiling. Makino looks relieved and cries, "CAPTAIN SHANKS!!". Shanks says, "OH, IT'S YOU MOUNTAIN BANDITS AGAIN! LUFFY! I THOUGHT YOUR PUNCH WAS AS POWERFUL AS A PISTOL." Middle right panel: Luffy, still pinned to the ground and crying, yells, "NOT NOW, CAP'N!!". Middle left panel: Higuma looks over his shoulder at Shanks and scoffs, "HMPH! YOU PIRATES ARE STILL HERE? TAKING A BREAK FROM YOUR CLEANING DUTIES?". Bottom right panel: Shanks begins to walk forward silently. Bottom left panel: As Shanks approaches, one of the bandits steps forward and points a flintlock pistol at him. The bandit warns, "I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU WANT, BUT YOU'D BETTER BACK OFF BEFORE YOU GET HURT. COME ANY CLOSER AND WE'LL HAVE TO KILL YOU... COWARDS."

Top right panel: The bandit holds the pistol right to Shanks' head with a "KLIK". He threatens, "DIDN'T YOU HEAR HIM?! DON'T COME ANY CLOSER... OR I'LL BLOW YOUR HEAD OFF! HA HA HA HA!!". Top left panel: Shanks looks at the bandit calmly and says, "YOU'RE PUTTING YOUR LIFE ON THE LINE BY POINTING THAT AT ME." The bandit looks confused, "HUH?! WHAT'RE YOU TALKING ABOUT?". In the background, other bandits laugh, "HEH HEH HEH HEH!!". Bottom right panel: A close-up of Shanks' face as he clarifies, "I'M SAYING IT'S NOT SAFE TO POINT GUNS." Bottom left panel: Suddenly, Lucky Roux appears beside the bandit and shoots him in the head with a loud "BOOM!". The bandit falls backward, dropping his gun. Lucky Roux is casually holding his smoking pistol in one hand and eating a large piece of meat with the other.

Top right panel: A bandit falls backward with a loud "THUMP!!". Top left panel: Makino and Mayor Woop Slap look on in shock, exclaiming "WHA--!!". Middle left panel: Luffy, lying on the ground, looks up in surprise, "...!". Bottom panel: The rest of the bandit crew yells angrily at the pirates: "NOW YOU'VE GONE AND DONE IT!", "WHAT'VE YOU DONE?!", "THAT WASN'T FAIR!", and "FAIR?!". Benn Beckman stands calmly with the Red Hair Pirates, holding a rifle. He tells the bandits, "STOP WHINING LAND-LUBBERS! YOU'RE NOT DEALING WITH SAINTS HERE."

Top panel: Shanks stands confidently with his crew behind him. He declares, "WE'RE PIRATES! AND WE DON'T PLAY BY THE RULES!" Middle right panel: Higuma glares angrily, sweating. "THIS WAS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!" Middle left panel: Shanks looks back over his shoulder, his expression serious. "LISTEN UP... YOU CAN POUR DRINKS ON ME, YOU CAN THROW FOOD AT ME... YOU CAN EVEN SPIT ON ME. I'LL JUST LAUGH THAT STUFF OFF. BUT..." Bottom panel: A close-up of Shanks looking furious and intense. "GOOD REASON OR NOT... NOBODY HURTS A FRIEND OF MINE!!!!"

Top right panel: A close-up of Luffy looking up with tears in his eyes, touched by Shanks's words. "FRIEND?!" Top left panel: Higuma throws his head back and laughs loudly, "HA HA HA HA! NICE SPEECH, VERY INTIMIDATING!" Middle panel: Higuma smirks and points his sword forward. "YOU PIRATES SPEND YOUR TIME FLOATING AROUND IN YOUR LITTLE SHIPS. AND YOU THINK YOU CAN STAND UP TO MOUNTAIN BANDITS? DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH! KILL THEM!" Bottom panel: The bandits charge forward with their swords drawn, yelling "ARRRGHH!" and "DIE!!!!!". Benn Beckman steps forward, holding his rifle by the barrel like a club. He says to Shanks, "CAP'N... I'LL TAKE CARE OF THIS."

Top panel: Benn Beckman calmly faces an attacking bandit, holding his rifle across the clash while punching the bandit in the face with a quick "TSSS...!!". The bandit is caught off guard "!", and Beckman keeps his cigarette in his mouth. Middle panel: Beckman moves rapidly through the bandits, using his rifle like a club and taking them down one by one. The bandits cry out "YAAAAA!!!" and "YEOWW!!!". Beckman casually says, "NEXT...". Bottom panel: Beckman smashes a bandit face-first into the ground with a massive "WHACK!!".

Top panel: Beckman points his rifle directly at Higuma, cocking the hammer with a "KLIK". Smoke rises from his cigarette with a "FSST". He says, "YOU WERE SAYING SOMETHING ABOUT MOUNTAIN BANDITS AND PIRATES?" Middle right panel: A wide shot shows all the bandits lying defeated on the ground outside Partys Bar. Beckman stands victorious while Shanks and his crew watch. Beckman tells Higuma, "IF YOU WANNA FIGHT US... YOU BETTER BRING A BATTLESHIP." Higuma stands alone, trembling and speechless "...!". Middle left panels: Luffy looks amazed, "WOW, HE'S STRONG!". Makino also watches in awe, "WOW...". Bottom right panel: Higuma sweats profusely, looking panicked. "BUT......THE BRAT STARTED IT!" Bottom middle panel: Shanks looks at him seriously. "DOESN'T MATTER. THERE'S A PRICE ON YOUR HEAD, ISN'T THERE?" Bottom left panel: A close-up of Higuma looking absolutely terrified, "..."

Top right panel: Higuma quickly pulls out a smoke bomb, muttering "HMPH!". Top left panel: He throws the bomb on the ground, creating a massive explosion of smoke with a "POOF!!". The pirates are caught off guard, exclaiming "!?". Shanks covers his face, yelling, "SMOKE BOMB!!!" Middle right panel: Within the thick smoke, Higuma grabs Luffy. A voice calls out, "C'MERE KID!!". Luffy struggles, yelling, "HEY! LET GO!". Middle left panel: The smoke begins to clear. Shanks looks around frantically, shouting, "LUFFY!!". Bottom right panel: Shanks panics completely, waving his arms and screaming, "OH NO! I LET HIM ESCAPE! WE'VE GOTTA SAVE LUFFY!!". Bottom middle panel: Lucky Roux tries to calm his captain down, "CALM DOWN, CAPTAIN! WE'LL ALL GO OUT AND LOOK FOR HIM! WE'LL FIND HIM!!". Bottom left panel: Benn Beckman watches the scene calmly, smoking his cigarette. "HMM... CAP'N..."

A wide shot of the ocean shows a small boat in the distance. A speech bubble from the boat reads, "HA HA HA HA HA!" "WHAT A BRILLIANT ESCAPE!" "AND NOBODY WOULD EVER EXPECT A MOUNTAIN BANDIT TO HIDE OUT AT SEA!!" In the middle panel, Higuma stands in the small wooden boat, looking down at Luffy, who is tied up and struggling on the floorboards with a "PWANG" and "UNH". Higuma says, "I BROUGHT YOU ALONG AS A HOSTAGE..." "BUT I NO LONGER HAVE A USE FOR YOU!" "I'VE ALREADY KILLED 56 PEOPLE WHO WERE FOOLISH ENOUGH TO MAKE ME MAD, WHAT'S ONE MORE?" "YOU DIE!" In the bottom panel, Higuma kicks Luffy out of the boat with a "BWOINK!". Higuma says, "GOODBYE..." and "TSK TSK". Luffy falls backward toward the water with a "...!!".

In the top right panel, Luffy flails in the water, yelling "&%$#!!!!" and "JERK!!". In the top middle panel, Higuma looks down from the boat, saying "BRAT...". Luffy yells, "THAT GUY IS SCUM!" and "AND I DIDN'T EVEN GET ONE PUNCH IN! DARN IT!". In the top left panel, Higuma laughs loudly, "HA HA HA HA HA!!". Luffy continues to struggle, yelling "&%$#!!!!!!!...". The middle panels show a flashback to the tavern. Higuma's bandit crew laughs, "HAHAHAHAHA". One says, "DID YOU SEE THE LOOK ON THOSE PIRATES' FACES?" Another adds, "HOW PATHETIC!! HA HA HA HA!!". Higuma, holding a glass of liquor, says, "I BROKE A BOTTLE OVER HIS HEAD, AND NOT ONE WORD OF PROTEST!!" "COWARDS LIKE THAT MAKE ME SICK!" "I WANTED TO KILL HIM!". Back in the present, Higuma looks down from the boat and says, "PIRATES ARE ALL TALK." Luffy yells from the water, "TAKE THAT BACK!". A brief flashback shows Makino holding Luffy back, crying "LUFFY! STOP!". In the present, Luffy yells, "TAKE BACK WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT SHANKS!! HE'S NOT A COWARD!!". Higuma looks surprised, "HUH!?". A close-up of Luffy's face shows him furious and yelling, "STOP TALKING BAD ABOUT SHANKS!!!!".

A massive splash erupts in the water behind Higuma's boat with "SPLASH SPLASH SPLASH!!". Higuma, unaware, continues to laugh, "HAHA HA HA HA HA HA!!". In the foreground, Luffy is sinking, bubbling "GLUG GLUG GLUG". Suddenly, a terrifying, giant sea monster with sharp teeth emerges from the water directly behind the boat. Higuma turns around, his face contorted in sheer terror, screaming, "WHAT... THE-- AAH!!". The monster growls "SHAAAA GRRRR...". Luffy, still in the water, looks up in shock, "?!!!!" and "HUH?". The sea monster violently chomps down on Higuma and the entire boat with a massive "CHOMP CHOMP" and "KRUNCH!!", shattering the wood. Higuma screams in agony, "GYAAAA!".

Luffy thrashes desperately in the water, yelling, "GLUG! SOMEBODY HELP ME!! GLUG!" with "SPLASH SPLASH". The sea monster looms nearby, roaring "GRRRR!!". Luffy screams, "YAAAA!! GLUG GLUG!!". The sea monster lunges downward with its massive jaws wide open, aiming right for Luffy with a "CHOMP!! CHOMP!! CHOMP!!". Luffy screams in terror, "YAAAAA!!!". Suddenly, Shanks appears in the water, holding Luffy tightly to his chest, shielding him. The sea monster's huge snout is inches away from them. Shanks glares fiercely at the beast. Luffy cries out, "SHANKS!".

A close-up shows Shanks glaring intensely with a furious, intimidating expression. He commands the beast, "GET OUT OF HERE!". The monster growls nervously, "GRRR RR". The sea monster recoils, sweating and looking frightened, letting out a "HRUNH". A close-up of Luffy shows tears in his eyes, sniffling "SNIF" with "SPLASH SPLASH" and "...!!". A tight close-up of Shanks's eye maintains his fierce glare with a "REE REE REE" sound effect. The terrified sea monster quickly turns and swims away, diving back into the ocean with a "SLOOSH" and "!! SPLASH SPLASH".

Shanks and Luffy float in the calm water. Shanks says gently, "LUFFY, I'M SORRY." "MAKINO TOLD ME WHAT HAPPENED." "YOU STOOD UP FOR ME." Luffy cries, "SNIFFLE!". Shanks smiles warmly at Luffy. "HEY, STOP CRYING! YOU'RE A TOUGH GUY, REMEMBER?". Luffy, bawling with "SNIF SNIF", cries out, "SHANKS!!!" and "B-BUT...". A wide shot reveals the devastating cost of Shanks's rescue. Shanks is hugging Luffy, but his left arm has been completely bitten off at the shoulder by the sea monster. Blood drips heavily from the severed sleeve into the water. Luffy screams in absolute anguish, "WHAT ABOUT YOUR ARM!!?". A massive "WAAAAAA" sound effect fills the background as Luffy wails.

The top right panel shows a close-up of Shanks looking down with a gentle smile. He tells Luffy, "IT'S A SMALL PRICE TO PAY... JUST AN ARM... I'M JUST GLAD YOU'RE OKAY." In the top left panel, Luffy is shown crying uncontrollably, tears and snot streaming down his face. A massive sound effect "WAAAAHHHHHHH" stretches across the middle of the page, emphasizing Luffy's loud wailing. At the bottom, a series of narration boxes read from right to left: "LUFFY UNDERSTOOD WHY SHANKS WOULDN'T TAKE HIM OUT TO SEA." "THE DANGERS OF THE SEA WERE TOO GREAT..." "AND HE WAS NOT YET STRONG ENOUGH..." "BUT MOST OF ALL, LUFFY REALIZED WHAT A GREAT MAN SHANKS WAS." "HE VOWED TO BE JUST LIKE HIM ONE DAY."

In the top right panel, Luffy smiles and asks, "SO YOU WON'T BE COMING BACK TO THIS VILLAGE AFTER THIS VOYAGE?" In the top left, Shanks stands with his crew by their docked ship. He replies, "THAT'S RIGHT. WE'VE BEEN USING THIS HARBOR AS A BASE OF OPERATIONS FOR A LONG TIME. MAYBE TOO LONG. ARE YOU SAD?" In the middle right panel, Luffy looks determined and says, "YEAH, I'M SAD... BUT I WON'T ASK YOU TO TAKE ME WITH YOU! I'VE DECIDED TO BECOME A PIRATE ON MY OWN!" In the middle left panel, Shanks mocks him by pulling down his lower eyelid and sticking out his tongue with a "NYAH". He teases, "IT WOULDN'T DO YOU ANY GOOD. YOU'RE STILL TOO LITTLE! THERE'S NO WAY YOU CAN BECOME A PIRATE!" In the bottom right panel, Luffy yells angrily, his mouth wide open, "OH YES I WILL!!! ONE DAY I'LL HAVE A SHIP AND CREW BETTER THAN YOURS!!" In the bottom left panel, Shanks looks surprised as Luffy continues, "AND WE'LL HAVE THE BIGGEST HOARD OF TREASURE IN THE WORLD!!"

In the top right panel, Luffy throws his arms up and yells at the sky, "I'M GONNA BE KING OF THE PIRATES!!!" In the top left panel, Shanks smiles warmly and says, "HMM... YOU'RE GONNA BE BETTER THAN US, HUH?" In the middle left panel, Shanks takes off his signature straw hat, saying, "WELL THEN..." In the middle right panel, Shanks places the hat on Luffy's head with a "TMP". Benn Beckman, Lucky Roux, Yasopp, and the rest of the crew watch from the background, smiling. In the bottom right panel, Shanks says, "DO ME A FAVOR..." In the bottom left panel, Shanks holds the hat on Luffy's head and asks, "KEEP THIS HAT SAFE FOR ME?" Luffy looks up in surprise, uttering "!"

In the top right panel, a close-up shows Shanks's hand resting on the straw hat. He says, "THIS HAT MEANS A LOT TO ME." In the top left panel, Luffy bites his lip, tears streaming down his face, uttering "...!!" In the middle right panel, Shanks walks away toward his ship, looking back over his shoulder. He says, "PROMISE THAT YOU'LL GIVE IT BACK TO ME SOMEDAY..." In the middle left panel, he finishes, "...WHEN YOU'VE BECOME A GREAT PIRATE." In the bottom right panel, Shanks is on his ship, smiling. He remarks, "HE ACTS JUST LIKE I DID WHEN I WAS A KID." Benn Beckman, smoking a cigarette, agrees, "THAT KID'S GONNA MAKE SOMETHING OF HIMSELF." Shanks replies, "YEAH..." In the bottom left panel, the pirate ship sails away with shouts of "WEIGH THE ANCHOR!" and "RAISE THE SAILS! WE'RE OFF WITH THE TIDE!!" The bottom-most panel shows the silhouettes of Luffy, Makino, and Mayor Woop Slap watching the ship depart. A narration box reads, "LUFFY'S ADVENTURE......BEGINS 10 YEARS LATER FROM THIS VERY SAME SPOT."

The top panel shows a wide view of the ocean with large text reading "TA DA!" across the sky. A narration box states, "TEN YEARS LATER...". In the middle panel, Makino and Mayor Woop Slap stand on the shore with other villagers. Makino smiles and says, "WELL, HE'S FINALLY SETTING OUT, EH, MAYOR? I'LL MISS THAT RASCAL." Woop Slap, looking grumpy, replies, "BUT IF HE DOES BECOME A PIRATE, HE'LL BRING SHAME TO THE VILLAGE." A villager behind them says, "I NEVER THOUGHT HE'D REALLY DO IT!" The bottom left panel shows a tiny wooden boat on the open ocean. From the boat, Luffy cheers, "IT'S A GOOD DAY TO SET OUT TO SEA!" and "WOW!". The narrow bottom right panel shows two seagulls flying past, each crying "SKREE".

In the top right panel, the same giant sea monster from ten years ago emerges from the water, growling "GRRR R...". In the top left panel, an older Luffy sits in his small boat, wearing his straw hat and smiling confidently. He says, "OUR LOCAL SEA MONSTER! SORRY I HAVE TO DO THIS..." In the middle right panel, the sea monster lunges at Luffy's boat with a massive "SWOOSH". Luffy calmly remarks, "WHOA..." In the middle left panel, a close-up shows Luffy grinning as he says, "BUT HERE'S AN ATTACK I'VE BEEN PERFECTING SINCE THE LAST TIME WE MET!!" In the bottom right panel, the sea monster opens its terrifying jaws wide, preparing to devour the boat with a "GRR R!!". In the bottom left panel, Luffy winds up his right arm, stretching it far back behind him like a rubber band. He calls out, "GUM-GUM..."

Luffy winds up his attack, his right arm stretching incredibly far back behind him like a rubber band. The tension builds as his arm extends far past the edge of his small wooden boat. A massive, jagged speech bubble dominates the right side of the page, roaring, "...PISTOL!!!".

Luffy's stretched arm shoots across the page and drives a devastating punch into the sea monster's face. The blow bends the beast's long head and neck backward, with its jaws still open as the impact throws its body off line. Heavy black impact lettering and dense speed lines fill the background, while Luffy's boat is partly visible at the lower right, emphasizing the distance his rubber arm has crossed.

Top panel: The sea monster is sent flying backward from the sheer force of Luffy's punch, its head snapping back as it crashes toward the ocean. Middle panel: A massive splash erupts with a loud "SPLOO SH" as the beast hits the water. Luffy stands triumphantly in his small boat, adjusting his straw hat with a confident smirk. He huffs, "HMPH!" and declares, "THAT'S WHAT YOU GET, YOU DARN FISH!" Bottom right panel: Luffy looks out toward the open ocean horizon, stretching his arms behind his head with a "FLEX FLEX". He ponders, "HMM... FIRST THINGS FIRST. I'VE GOT TO GET A CREW! I THINK ABOUT 10 MEN SHOULD DO." Bottom left panel: Luffy smiles brightly, looking forward with excitement. A black insert behind him displays a classic Jolly Roger skull and crossbones, like the pirate flag he is imagining. He adds, "AND I'LL NEED A PIRATE FLAG!!"

Top panel: A close-up of Luffy grinning from ear to ear, filled with excitement and determination. He shouts, "LOOK OUT WORLD, HERE I COME!" Main panel: Luffy stands tall and proud on the bow of his small wooden boat, throwing his arms wide open to the sky. Behind him, massive block letters spell out a triumphant "YEAH!". He declares at the top of his lungs, "I'M GOING TO BECOME......THE KING OF THE PIRATES!!!!" Bottom panels: Two narration boxes frame the bottom of the page. The left box reads, "LUFFY'S GREAT VOYAGE OF DESTINY HAS BEGUN!!!" The right box reads, "LUFFY'S TINY BOAT FLOATS ON, HIS CREW YET TO BE FOUND..."

This is the title page for Chapter 2. At the top left, a narration box designed like a torn scroll reads: "THIS IS NO ORDINARY BOY IN A ROWBOAT. THIS IS A BOY WITH A DREAM, CHALLENGING THE VAST, TREACHEROUS SEAS IN A TINY DINGHY, SEARCHING FOR EXTRAORDINARY MEN FOR HIS PIRATE CREW!" Seagulls fly overhead with a "SKREE SKREE". Luffy is happily rowing his small boat across the calm ocean, smiling broadly. He says, "WOW! WHAT A GREAT DAY!" and "THE WEATHER'S SO NICE!" A caption box next to him reads "MONKEY D. LUFFY". In the bottom left, an ominous speech bubble warns, "WHO'D HAVE THOUGHT THIS VOYAGE WOULD END IN DISASTER SO SOON?" Large, bold text reading "TA-DA!" dominates the bottom of the page, partially obscuring the chapter title: "CHAPTER 2: THEY CALL HIM 'STRAW HAT LUFFY'".

The top panel shows a massive, violent whirlpool churning in the ocean with loud "VA-DOO" and "WHRRR" sound effects. Luffy's small wooden boat is caught on the outer edge, being pulled in. Luffy remarks calmly, "HARD TO BELIEVE THAT I'M GETTING SUCKED INTO THIS GIANT WHIRLPOOL..." and adds, "MAYBE I WAS A LITTLE CARELESS..." In the middle right panel, Luffy looks out across the empty ocean, noting, "I COULD USE SOME HELP, BUT THERE'S NOBODY AROUND." In the middle left panel, Luffy rests his hand on his chin, looking mildly inconvenienced as the water swirls around him with "SHWRRR", "WMMMMMM", and "SHNRRR" sounds. He sighs, "OH WELL, CAN'T BE HELPED. DOWN I GO..." and "TOO BAD I CAN'T SWIM, TOO." In the bottom right panel, Luffy suddenly smiles cheerfully, realizing, "HA! WHAT WAS I THINKING? IN A GIANT WHIRLPOOL, IT DOESN'T REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IF YOU CAN SWIM OR NOT! I'D DROWN EVEN IF I COULD SWIM!" The bottom sequence then shows the whirlpool closing in through narrow action panels, ending in a violent splash as Luffy cries, "YIKES!!" and "AAAA!".

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