Final Curtain

A storm echoes through the sky over Onigashima as dark clouds gather with musical notes and loud "BENG BENG BENG" sound effects. Narration states: "A TALE IS BEING TOLD IN THE CAPITAL..." Below at Habu Port, scattered leaves fall in the rain while the Azure Dragon's roar joins countless beasts in a cacophony. The scene shifts to a grand indoor stage where the Red Scabbards sit in formal attire. Narration continues: "THE EVENING OF THE FIRE FESTIVAL STARTS TO UNFOLD..." "MANY A HARDSHIP LIE IN WAIT, BUT THEY STAY RESOLUTE TO MEET THEIR FATE." "THE STAGE IS SET FOR A TALE OF DUTY AND HONOR! THIS IS THE STORY OF THE ROYAL RETAINERS... AND THEIR QUEST TO LET KOZUKI ODEN'S NAME SHINE ONCE MORE!" The audience watches intently as the performance begins.

Near the forest by Tokage Port in Udon, Yamato stands with horns visible and declares firmly, "I'M STAYING." Luffy reacts with shock: "YAMATOI!" Yamato replies, "NOPE. I'VE ALREADY SPOKEN TO LUFFY AND THE OTHERS ABOUT IT." A massive fiery dragon spirit coils in the background as Yamato explains: "OH THAT...I WELL, ODEN STARTED HIS JOURNEY WITH A TOUR OF WANO, RIGHTI I REALIZED THERE'S SO MUCH OUT THERE THAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND! BUT I'M SURE THAT I'LL FIND MY WAY IF I FOLLOW IN HIS FOOTSTEPS, AND I'M BOUND TO MAKE IT OUT TO SEA SOONER OR LATER." An unseen speaker asks, "A-ARE YOU REALLY CONTENT WITH THIS, YAMATOI" Yamato answers, "AREN'T I WELCOME HEREI" The group replies, "YOU ARE! WE ARE JUST CONFUSED. A MOMENT AGO, YOU SAID YOU HAD MADE UP YOUR MIND..." Luffy grins widely and shouts, "I'M LUFFY." The dragon spirit roars with sound effects as tension rises. Someone yells, "THAT DOES IT! THEY MUST HAVE INTENTIONALLY SNUBBED ME!! WHY BID FAREWELL TO EVERYONE BUT USI!"

Luffy glares and retorts at the insults, "YOU ARE NOTHING BUT AN IGNORANT APE!!" while sticking out his tongue. Momonosuke in dragon form roars and clashes overhead as someone shouts, "BIG TALK FOR AN EEL!!" and "ONE DAY I WILL BE ANOINTED SHOGUN OF WANO, SO TAKE THAT!! YOU HALF-WIT!!" Luffy fires back, "BAH!! OH YEAH, WELL... SO WHAT IF YOU'RE A WARRIORI I'M GONNA BE KING OF THE PIRATES ONE DAY, SO THERE!!" The group forms an alliance as Luffy grins, "ALRIGHT! THEN LET'S TEAM UP!! IT'S AN ALLIANCE!!" Kin'emon, face bandaged and bloodied, roars, "I WANT TO BEAT KAIDO!!" Momonosuke stands small and tense while Luffy yells, "ARE YOU JUST GONNA STAND THERE AND CRYI! WHAT ARE YOU, MOMO, JUST SOME FIGUREHEADI!" Kin'emon urges, "DON'T FORGET, WE'RE PALS!! FIND A WAY TO SURVIVE!! WE'LL HAVE YOUR BACK!!" and "TOP-KNOTTED BRAT, BUT YOU'RE RIGHT!!" Luffy is sent flying with a massive impact as someone yells, "LUFFY!!" and the narration notes, "THAT'S THE SPIRIT, MOMO!! YOU MAY BE A COWARDLY, JUMPED-UP..."

Kin'emon declares with fierce determination, "THE MAN WHO WILL BE... SHOGUN OF WANO!!" as Momonosuke's name echoes, "KOZUKI MOMONOSUKE!!" Luffy is questioned, "I'LL ASK YOU ONE MORE TIME, BOY... WHAT IS YOUR NAMEI" Luffy shouts with burning resolve, "...BEAT KAIDO!! I WILL DEFINITELY..." while the dragon form of Momonosuke soars, "RIGHT!! GO!! YOU CAN FLY!! STOP ONIGASHIMA IN ITS TRACKS!!" Below, Kin'emon questions, "AM I WRONG, KIN'EMONI! HE IS MISTAKING 'BEING FREE' FOR 'FREE TO BE RUDE!'" Momonosuke replies, "NOT AT ALL! BY THE WAY, MOMONOSUKE-SAMA... IS THERE A REASON WE AREN'T FLYINGI QUIET!!" as the dragon carries them onward. Kin'emon reflects, "I WAS WRONG ABOUT YOU LUFFY! YOU FIEND!! WE MAY NOT HAVE GOTTEN ALONG, BUT WE STILL CAME A LONG WAY TOGETHER..." while a dragon-like figure growls, "IS HE REALLY THAT HEARTLESSI!"

A woman with long hair protests, "I THINK YOU'RE BLOWING THIS OUT OF PROPORTION..." as others argue, "EXACTLY! THAT IS THE WAY OF THE SAMURAI! I THOUGHT WE WERE PALS, LUFFY!!" and "HE HUMILIATED US! OVERLOOKING THIS WITHOUT GIVING HIM A FEW BLOWS AND BITES IS OUT OF THE QUESTION!" A stern man with a headband adds, "DEPENDING ON LUFFY-DONO'S WORDS, I MAY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO CLEAVE HIM APART FOR THIS SLIGHT. MOMONOSUKE-SAMA, YOU ARE THE UNDISPUTED SHOGUN OF WANO NOW." The crew prepares to depart as someone calls, "SET SAIL!! SEE YOU AROUND, TRAFI! GOTCHA. IT'LL BE AS ENEMIES! DON'T WHINE TO ME IF WE'RE SHOOTING TO KILL. REMEMBER, YOU GUYS THE NEXT TIME WE MEET..." A sign reads "TOKAGE PORT, UDON" as the ship pulls away. On deck Luffy beams, "OH!" while Usopp, Brook, Chopper, and Nami react with surprise, "HMI" and "HEY!!"

Momonosuke's dragon form thrashes violently in the sky as Yamato calls out, "MOMONOSUKE! KIN'EMON! YAMATO-CHAAAN!" and someone yells, "YOU MONSTERS!!" The dragon crashes down with massive impact, "UWAAAH!" Luffy leaps to catch the falling figure, "GOT YOU!" as Yamato cheers, "LUFFY!!" and another grunts, "NNGH!" Luffy demands, "WHAT'S THE BIG DEALI THIS IS AN EDICT FROM THE SHOGUN... WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY FOR YOURSELFI!" The battered Kin'emon lies on the ground while Yamato protests, "LUFFY!! YOU DASTARD! WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS OUTRAGEI! HOW CAN YOU ABANDON THE TWO COMRADES YOU HAVE KNOWN THE LONGEST WITHOUT A WORDI!"

A massive close-up shows Kin'emon's tear-streaked, anguished face as he sobs uncontrollably. "I WANT TO BE WITH YOU FOREVER!" he cries. "IT CAN'T END LIKE THIS!" Nearby balloons plead, "PLEASE DON'T LEEABEE! IT'LL BE SO LONELLLYYY!" and "HIC!!I" In the panels below, Kin'emon continues through tears while the Straw Hats watch: "THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR AVENGING MY FATHER... AND MY MOTHER!!" "YOU'RE THE REASON I CAN LAUGH AGAIN...!!" "I ONLY MANAGED TO SURVIVE BECAUSE YOU WERE THERE..." He adds, "YOU SEE. I CAN'T EVEN EXPRESS MYSELF PROPERLY NOW!! I'M SCARED OF WHAT HAPPENS NEXT..." Luffy, Usopp, Nami, Sanji, Chopper, and Brook react with shock and sadness. Usopp shouts "YEAH! IT'S READY!" while someone yells "GAH!!" and "USOPP!" A voice urges, "CUT HIM A BREAK, HE'S STILL A LITTLE KID ON THE INSIDE." Another notes, "THAT'S QUITE THE PITIFUL SIGHT." Kin'emon begs, "PLEASE DON'T GO."

Kin'emon weeps and tells Momonosuke, "I THINK OF YOU LIKE A LITTLE BROTHER." Luffy stands with his back turned as Momonosuke, in his dragon form, speaks emotionally: "YOU'RE A SMALL, WEAK DUMMY," "YOU CAN'T PLAY THE TOUGH SHOGUN WITH ME, MOMO," and "WE'VE BEEN WAITING HERE ALL THIS TIME 'CAUSE I WANTED TO GIVE YOU THIS. EVEN IF YOU'RE A BIT BIGGER NOW, I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE LIKE ON THE INSIDE!" Luffy turns with a grin and hands over a flag, saying, "HANG IT UP SOMEWHERE IN WANO! IF ANY MAJOR BAD NEWS COMES KNOCKIN', JUST POINT 'EM TO IT!" Momonosuke stares at the Jolly Roger and asks, "THIS IS...I" A furious Kin'emon roars from the side, "IS THE SAME AS SCREWING WITH US!!!" and "DOES THAT MEAN I AM ONE OF YOU...I!"

Luffy grins and declares, "JUST REMEMBER, I WON'T HAVE ANY WEAKLINGS ON BOARD!" and "IF ANY OF YOU EVER WANNA BE PIRATES, I'LL COME FOR YOU RIGHT AWAY!" Kin'emon smiles widely and calls out, "KIN'EMON! YAMATO! MOMO!" The group cheers "ALL RIGHT!!" and "HEHE." On the shore, the farewell continues with calls of "GOOD LUCK, MOMO-NOSUKE!" "KEEP IT TOGETHER, SHOGUN!" "LET'S GO!" "YEAH!!" and "TAKE CARE OF 'EM, YAMATO!" Momonosuke stands determined and vows, "SOME DAY, I WILL SURPASS KOZUKI ODEN! MARK MY WORDS..." Kin'emon answers, "KIN'EMON!" with "YESI" while a woman asks, "YOU TALKING ABOUT MEI" and someone shouts "NO!"

On the deck of the Thousand Sunny, Nami points forward and says, "ALRIGHTY, LET'S GET COURSE FOR HAKUMAI. THE MAIN PORT IS THERE." Brook plays his violin while Chopper and others react with relief: "I THOUGHT SINCE WE SCALED A WATERFALL TO GET HERE, WE'D HAVE TO FALL DOWN TO LEAVE IT!" "ME TOO! THANK GOODNESS!" and "PHEW!" Nami adds, "I WAS TOLD THERE'S A LIFT THAT CAN LOWER SHIPS DOWN." Below, the Sunny sails alongside a massive sea creature as Kid Pirates watch. Kid laughs, "PERFECT FOR YOU WUSSES." and "HAHA HA." Jinbe warns from the water, "HANG ON, CAPTAIN! WHAT'S WITH THAT FACE! WE ALL THINK THE MAIN PORT IS BETTER!" Luffy snaps, "NO, LUFFYI" while others shout "LUFFY! DON'T!" "JINBE, GIVE ME THE HELM!" and "BEING SAFE IS GOOD! DON'T LET HIM GET TO YOU!" Two figures react with "SAFE... AND... SOUNDI!" and "SNAP SNAP."

Explosions rock the sky as three ships plummet toward the ground. "NOO! WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!" someone screams. "TAKE THIS!!" another voice roars while a third shouts "STOP HIM!" Narration boxes detail the scene: "Their power descended like a wrathful tsunami, obliterating all in its path... made them akin to real-life wisdom kings." Below, Kin'emon, Denjiro, and a third ally stare in horror. "During that chaos, Princess Hiyori was accosted by Orochi; the snake that seemingly perished in the flames..." Kin'emon cries out in anguish. Denjiro's face twists with rage as the narration continues: "In a desperate last ditch attempt for his spiteful vengeance! The heavens themselves were torn as painful shrieks reverberated through the air. Even Kaido, the Dragon King, and the yokai possessed giant Onigashima failed to withstand their assault!"

Denjiro stands before a crowd of onlookers, recounting the tale. "With his last one detached and burning, the twisted Kurozumi was at long last brought to his knees!" A biwa plays "BEBEN ♪". Narration explains: "Why none other than Kozuki Oden's second disciple, Denjiro! And who owns the blade that separated Orochi from his final cursed headI! His gambit was thwarted by a single slash!" The sun finally pierces the dark clouds. "The fall of the Dragon King, Kaido!!" A massive dragon crashes down. Hiyori's eye glares fiercely. Orochi's burning remains speak: "The Kurozumi family's grudge shall continue to curse this rotten land, generation after generation for all eternity...!" The crowd celebrates as Orochi's voice echoes: "Sounds from the ignorant masses celebrating the fire festival in the capital crept into their ears... Then, suddenly, defying all reason... the burning remains of Orochi spoke!"

Hiyori stands tall in her ornate kimono, fan raised, tears streaming. "...They were born to burn!" she declares. Close-ups show her determined face and Orochi's grotesque burning head. Denjiro and others cry out: "Stand back, Denjiro! It's too dangerous, Hiyori-sama!" but she shakes her head. Narration reads: "Cried the samurai, Denjiro! But she shook off her head! Staring into Orochi's devilish face, she delivered a damning epitaph... Our beloved princess Hiyori did not yield even one step..." Hiyori's voice rings out: "Kurozumi means charcoal... Father! Mother! Brother! And our homeland! No longer having to bite her tongue, like she did for the last 20 years, she cried out...!" The crowd cheers wildly: "WOO!!" as the massive onomatopoeia "ベェんっ!!" erupts across the page.

Hiyori plays the biwa as the scene shifts to a joyful reunion at the port. "Where feuds and weapons can finally rest..." she sings. "BEBEN ♪" notes fill the air. Narration states: "And now time slides ahead to the day after the festival! The denouement of the violent saga is a joyous reunion! A shocking truth is revealed at the port where the reversed crescent moons met!" The crowd erupts in celebration. A note reads: "*TL NOTE: THIS PART OF THE RAKUGO IS A REFERENCE TO A NOVEL, 'SHINSEIGUMI BLOOD WIND RECORD.'" The final panel shows the gathered samurai and allies. "That concludes today's tale... On our nation's renowned samurai..." The massive sound effect "ベェんっ!!" closes the chapter.

Kin'emon grins widely while holding a flag, asking, "NOW, WHERE SHALL WE PLACE THIS FLAGI" In the background, voices cheer "SHOGUN-SAMA!!" and "MOMO-NOSUKE-SAMA!!" A narration box states, "WITH THAT, I THINK A WELL EARNED BREAK IS IN ORDER." Another box reads, "AND HOW MIRACULOUSLY THEY RETURNED TO US." The scene shifts to a wide view of the castle and celebrating crowd as large banners proclaim "FAREWELL!" and "TILL WE MEET AGAIN." Massive sound effects echo "カンカンカンカンカンカン" and "カンカンカン!!!" across the page. The final panel shows a hanging sign reading "FINAL CURTAIN" with the caption "INHERITED WILL NEVER FADES..." and the chapter end marker "ONE PIECE...CH. 1057 /END".

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