Chapter 529: "BEAST HELL". Against a starry night sky, Monkey D. Luffy rides a massive, winged insect-like creature with glowing eyes and large mandibles. Luffy sits confidently on the creature's back, one hand raised to his forehead as he scans the horizon. The creature's wings beat powerfully, carrying them over a dark tropical island dotted with palm trees and rocky formations below. Light beams from the creature's body illuminate the night as they soar toward the island.
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Heavy chains rattle as a massive figure strains against his bonds. "POTA...!" A voice grunts in exertion. "HAA... HAA..." The chained man, covered in thick ropes and iron links, speaks with labored breaths. "But you guys are totally different...!!! I am just a pirate-hating pirate......to the government..." Another figure nearby reacts in surprise. "PIRATE-HATING...I YOU...I" In a closer view, the large horned prisoner continues, sweat dripping from his face. "YOU'VE GOT CLASS, AND YOU TRAVELED THE SEA FLOOR DOING YOUR BUSINESS... IT MIGHT BE SURPRISING TO YOU, ACE... BUT I'VE VISITED WHITEBEARD'S SHIP MANY TIMES. I LIKED YOU GUYS..."
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The horned prisoner glares intensely. "...SAME GOES FOR YOU...!!!" He continues, "...I SEEM TO REMEMBER YOU TRYING TO KILL ME A COUPLE TIMES... I JUST WANTED TO BE OF USE TO HIM..." A flashback panel shows the same man scaling a rope in a prison corridor. "AND IT'S ALL THANKS TO YOUR OLD MAN, WHITEBEARD...!!!! NOW... FISHMAN ISLAND IS AT PEACE...!!!" In another panel, the prisoner reflects, "AS SOON AS THE 'GREAT PIRATE AGE' STARTED... FISHMAN ISLAND WAS THROWN INTO CHAOS...!!! A NEVER-ENDING STREAM OF HUMAN PIRATES... AND THE MARINES PURSUING THEM...!!!" A map of the Red Line appears. "ALL THE PIRATES WHO ADVANCE THROUGH THE GRAND LINE MUST PASS THROUGH FISHMAN ISLAND...!!!!"
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Silhouettes show a fierce battle on a shore. "MANY FISHMEN AND MERMAIDS WERE ABDUCTED... AND SOLD... BUT JUST WHEN WE WERE ABOUT TO GIVE IN TO DESPAIR, WHITEBEARD APPEARED...!!!" The horned prisoner roars with intense emotion, "I'LL NEVER FORGET THAT DAY...!!!! IS UNDER MY PROTECTION!!! THIS ISLAND" Smaller panels show the chained prisoner in a cell. "IT'S NOT RIGHT TO TAKE HIM DOWN JUST BECAUSE HE'S A PIRATE BOSS...!!!! HE HAS SEVERAL ISLANDS UNDER THE PROTECTION OF HIS NAME... WITH THOSE WORDS, NOBODY DARED TO LAY A HAND ON FISHMAN ISLAND...!!!!" He strains against his chains. "IF, BY SOME CHANCE... HE WERE TO HAPPEN ON THESE SEAS...!I THE GOVERNMENT IS VERY WELL ABLE TO IMAGINE THAT!!!...WHAT POWER...!!!!"
JinbePortgas D. Ace
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Chained to the stone wall, Ace strains forward with tears in his eyes. "I WANTED TO GET YOU OUT OF HERE... ACE...!!!" he cries. Beside him, Jimbei, also bound in heavy chains, shouts back, "I WANTED TO STOP THIS FIGHT, EVEN IF IT COST ME MY LIFE!!!" Ace is slammed down onto the floor by the chains, yelling, "YOU'RE JUST MAKING IT WORSE...!!!" Jimbei replies calmly, "... JIMBEI... THAT'S ENOUGH..." In a close-up, a stitched-mouth figure laughs, "KUHAHA... THINGS ARE GETTING PRETTY INTERESTING... KUKU-KUKU...!!!" Ace's face is shown in shadow with a determined expression, followed by "......!!!" Jimbei continues, "... I HAVEN'T GIVEN UP HOPE YET... I STILL HAVE FAITH... THAT A MIRACLE... OR AN OPPORTUNITY WILL PRESENT ITSELF!!!"
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A massive prison transport vehicle bursts through the wall amid explosions and debris. Prisoners inside roar, "GET ME TO THE OCEAN!!! I'LL BE THE ONE TO KILL HIM!!!", "LEMME FIGHT TOO!!!", "GY AHA-HAHAHA!!!", and "I'LL END WHITEBEARD'S REIGN!!!" Large sound effects "ウオオオオオ" and "ガシャン!!" fill the air. Onlookers react with "UWOH!", "KILL WHITEBEARD!!!", "THAT BASTARD'S GONNA DIE!!!I HY AHOO!!!", and "THAT'S GREAT!!! THAT'S THE BEST!!!" Ace and Jimbei are shown in close-up; Ace growls, "JIMBEI...! FIRE FIST...! REMEMBER THIS WELL...!!! THERE'S NO SHORTAGE OF 'SILVER MEDALISTS' SHEDDING TEARS..." Jimbei snaps, "SHUT UP, ALL OF YOU!!!" Ace finishes with a fierce glare, "IT'S NOT JUST ME...! YOU THINK YOU'LL TAKE MY OLD MAN'S HEAD...!I GY AHA-HAHAHA!"
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In the monitor room labeled "Great prison Impel Down, Monitor Room," two guards stare at screens in panic. "THOSE TWO BEAT THE BASILISK!I WHERE ARE THEY NOW!!!I" one shouts. Another adds, "THE BASILISK CRUSHED THE LEVEL 2 GUARD ROOM!!!" and "WE CAN'T CONTACT THEM." A small panel shows "ジッ..." as the view switches to Level 2 chaos: chained prisoners flee while a giant creature rampages. "WHAT IS GOING ON AT LEVEL 2!!!I" A Marine officer with sunglasses yells, "IT LOOKS LIKE... THERE ARE THREE OF THEM NOW...!!! WHAT!!!I" Another Marine responds, "BUT... WHERE!I I SEE THEIR SHADOWS!!!"
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A diagram labels "Level 2, The Floor of Demon Beasts" with a tower showing Levels 1-5. Prisoners including Buggy and Mr. 3 attack with "CANDLE LOCK!!!", "GOMU GOMU PISTOL!!!", and "BARA BARA CANNON!!" while shouting "ハアーッ!!" and "ビュン". A giant centipede and scorpions swarm them. "VUORU-RURU-RURU!!!", "THAT THING'S MADE UP OF SMALLER PUZZLE SCORPIONS!!! THEY'RE SUPER POISONOUS!!", "UWAH!! THAT GIANT CENTIPEDE JUST EXPLODED!!", and "THESE DAMN MONSTERS!! THEY JUST KEEP COMING!!!" with impact sounds "GACHIN!" and "CRASH!!". Buggy panics, "NO!! THOSE ARE MANTICORES, MAN-EATING LIONS WITH HUMAN FACES!" Mr. 3 adds, "...!!! NOW THAT I THINK ABOUT IT, I HEARD THAT THE BOSS OF THE BEASTS IN LEVEL 2 IS SUPPOSED TO LOOK LIKE A LION... ARE THESE GUYS IT!!!I"
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Level 2's Manticore guards roar with massive open jaws and clawed paws, their wild cries echoing as VUORU-RURURU!!! and ビュルルルル. A sign labels them "Level 2 Guards Manticore." Prisoners shout in panic: "IF THEY CATCH YOU, THEY'LL EVEN EAT YOUR BONES!!" and "THEY REMEMBER WHAT THE PRISONERS SAY, BUT THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE WORDS MEAN!!" "DON'T LISTEN TO THEM. THEY HAVE HUMAN PARTS, SO THEY CAN IMITATE HUMAN SPEECH!!" One prisoner gasps, "TH... THAT'S CREEPY....!!" while others yell "EH!I" "GIVE US THE KEY....!!" "THE KEY....!!" In the chaos, Luffy, Buggy, and Mr. 3 sprint through the prison corridors. Buggy panics with food-themed outbursts: "DON'T RESPOND!!!" "EHI" "BEEF STEAK" as Luffy dashes ahead. The group collides with more Manticores, prompting cries of "WHERE DID THEY LEARN THOSE STUPID WORDS!!I" "STRAW BERRY PANTIES!" "FUN-DOSHI, FUN-DOSHI!" amid impact SFX ズバァッ!! and ドゴォッ!!
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Luffy points forward with determination as Buggy and Mr. 3 react in shock. "OF COURSE! AREN'T WE TEAMING UP TO ESCAPE!!I" "HEY, YOU SAID YOU'D HELP ME, RIGHTI" "HOW DO I GET DOWN TO LEVEL 3!I" "EHI" A massive roar えええええええ fills the stone halls. Prisoners yell "YOU'RE TRYING TO SAVE FIRE FIST ACE!!I" "WE'RE NOT ESCAPING!!I WE'RE NOT GOING UP TO LEVEL 1!!I" Mr. 3, sweating heavily with CHIN!! and KOH-KOH sounds, thinks "I CAN USE STRAWHAT AS BAIT FOR THE BEASTS THAT GUARD THE STAIRS! AND THEN I CAN ESCAPE!!!" A diagram shows the stair levels 1-4. He shouts "THE STAIRS... RIGHT!! THE STAIRS FROM LEVEL 1 CONTINUE ALL THE WAY DOWN TO LEVEL 3!!" Luffy and Buggy charge down the stairs as Mr. 3 yells "FOLLOW ME....!!!" "OKAY!! STRAWHAT!! LET'S GO TOGETHER!!" while another prisoner screams "WAIT!!! YOU'RE CRAZY!! I'M OUTTA HERE!!" and "JUST TELL ME WHERE THE STAIRS ARE!!" A prisoner stares at a dead end: "HMI A DEAD END!I"
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A massive feathered lion beast with a human face emerges from the darkness, labeled "Level 2 Guardian Sphinx (Human Faced, Feathered Lion)." It growls VUO-RURU-RU... and utters noodle names: "SOUMEN..." "SOUMEN!I" "TANMEN... YAKISOBA...!!!" "RAMEN!!" "VUO-RURU!!" A note explains "*MEN MEANS 'NOODLES,' BUT IT'S THE ENGLISH AMEN." The Sphinx continues "AMEN!" while a prisoner cries "IT PRAYED!!!" Mr. 3 realizes in horror "IT CAN ONLY SAY THE NAMES OF NOODLES!!!" The Sphinx lunges with a huge impact オオオオオ, sending debris flying as Luffy, Buggy, and Mr. 3 stand frozen. Luffy sweats and stammers "A... A LION..." "WHAT A THING TO RUN INTO..." "NO... A MANI" while another prisoner screams "UWA AA AAAHH-..." Mr. 3 laughs nervously "うおおおおおおお" and shouts "IT'S THE GUARDIAN OF THE STAIRS, THE SPHINX!!!"
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The Sphinx's massive clawed paw slams down with ゴォ...!! and ズバァッ!!, creating a huge impact ドゴォッ!! as it rampages. Mr. 3 yells "UWOH!! THIS GUY IS BAD NEWS!!" while prisoners are sent flying amid debris and smoke. The beast's wild attacks continue with ガアアアア!! and ダダダダ. Mr. 3 gasps "MAN... I KNEW IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO ESCAPE!!" as Buggy shouts "ZO...!!" "THE SPHINX IS GOING WILD... SOMEPLACE FAR AWAY..." Other prisoners scream in terror "!!I" "BIRL... BIRL..." "GURA... GURA..." while the group is thrown about by the guardian's frenzy.
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Luffy and Buggy stare up in shock as the massive Sphinx beast looms overhead. "HMI HEY, WHAT'RE YOU GUYS DOING!!!I" Luffy yells. "DAMN IT!! WHAT POWER!!" Buggy shouts. The Sphinx roars with its jaws wide open, "VUO-RURU-RURUR!!! JYAJYA-MEN!" Mr. 3 grins confidently and declares, "NOW LET'S PUT THE 'MAKE-STRAW-HAT-INTO-BAIT' PLAN IN ACTION!!" Buggy panics, "I'M GLAD THERE'S SOMEONE ELSE SERIOUS ABOUT ESCAPING!" while Luffy adds, "ALL RIGHT!! WE'RE FORMING THE JAIL-BREAK ALLIANCE!!!" In the lower panel Luffy stretches both arms back and unleashes a powerful strike, shouting "BAZOOKA"!!! as the impact explodes outward with "GOMU GOMU..." and heavy crash effects.
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The Sphinx rears back with a furious roar, "VUO-RURU-RAAH!!!" as Buggy yells, "THIS IS BAD!" and "WHY ARE YOU PISSING HIM OFF!!!I" The beast lunges forward with "VUORU-RURURU!!" Buggy cries out "WHA...I" while Mr. 3 laughs, "HAH!! THAT'S NOT FAIR, YOU TWO CAN GET SO HIGH UP!!" The Sphinx smashes through the ground with a massive claw strike, "ZUDOOOOON!!" sending Buggy, Mr. 3, and Luffy tumbling amid debris and "GYAAA AHH!!!" and "GASHAAAN!!" sound effects.
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Mr. 3 stands atop the Sphinx's head and taunts, "IT'S NOT QUITE COMPLETE WITHOUT MISS GOLDEN WEEK PAINTING IT, BUT IT'S PLENTY GOOD ENOUGH TO FOOL AN ANIMAL LIKE YOU!!!" and "FUHAHA-HAHAHA!! FOOLED YA, YOU SIMPLE BEAST!! THAT WAS JUST A WAX MAN, MADE WITH MY DORU DORU POWERS!!" Multiple wax clones of Buggy appear, each shouting "WRONG!" as the real Buggy laughs, "COME ON, COME ON, WHICH ONE IS THE REAL ONE!I" The ground shakes violently. Luffy looks excited while Buggy notes, "LOOKS LIKE HE'S HAVING FUN... BUT NOW'S MY CHANCE..." and "IT'S LIKE WHACK-A-MOLE!!" The Sphinx continues rampaging with "VUORU" and "NYOK..." sounds.
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The Sphinx smashes through the ceiling, roaring "VUO-RURURU!!!" as the floor collapses. Luffy screams "UWAAAAAH!!!" Mr. 3 yells "OH NO!!" and Buggy shouts "WE'RE FALLING DOWN TO LEVEL 3!!!" The narration and characters react: "THIS IS LEVEL 3! UWAAH!! THERE'S A GIANT MONSTER FALLING FROM THE CEILING...!!!" "IT BROKE THE FLOOR ITSELF!!!" "GYAAA-AAHHH!!! YOU STUPID BEAST!!!" They plummet past the gate to Level 3. Mr. 3 exclaims, "IT'S NOT EXACTLY HOW I IMAGINED IT... BUT I'M ESCAPING! OUR PLAN SUCCEEDED!! GYAAHAHA!!" while Buggy adds, "THERE'S THE GATE, THE STAIRCASE! I'LL MAKE THE KEY OUT OF WAX!" Chaos erupts with "WE CAN'T CONTACT LEVEL 2!" and "WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S GOING ON!"
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This is the SBS corner page. Top banner shows two characters with afro hair and goggles holding weapons, surrounded by stars and the text "SBS" with Japanese characters. Reader R: "Hello, Oda. I found out something about Nami's attacks. When she was fighting Kalifa, she used Mirage Tempo Fata Morgana, rightI According to a book, that's the name of a famous witch, Morgana... But it's also a mirage that occurs in the Italian seaI MMM, I don't really get it. Could you please explain thisI -Leiru" Oda answers: "Sure. I see. There are lots of explanations here. First, I named it after a mirage that can be seen on the island of Sicily in the Italian sea, which was in turn named after an illusionary fairy, called 'Fata Morgana.' But a witch named Morgana also appears in a European legend. I'm not really sure about the details. Either way, people thought that the Mirage was something mysterious that the witch had done, so they named it after her." Next, R: "I became Sanji's mother! -Sanji's mother" Oda: "Ah, congratulations." R: "Please make Hancock's birthday September 2. Please.☆ 9 (ku)/ 2(ja). -SUN" Oda: "Done." R: "It's about time for you to pick a birthday for Shanks!! I came up with 3/9, for shan (3) kusu (9).% Oda!! Please decide!! Please!! -Purin" Oda: "Okay, that's fine." R: "Please put this in Brook's head. Brook, is this okay with youI -Obama" Brook replies: "Yohohohoho!! Yeah, that's good." Oda ends: "No, it's not!! All right, that's the end of my SBS. On page 166, the voice actor SBS starts! What's with the way we ended!I" Small sketches show Hancock, Shanks, and a character named Cotobakkuru with special attack Skirt Lift (Nami and Robin's).