Efforts Toward Glory

Three small panels open the sequence. Hands raise cups in a toast as a voice declares, "WE'LL LEAVE THIS COUNTRY BEHIND, AND GAIN OUR FREEDOM!!!" In the next panel a figure lies on their back in the grass wearing a large straw hat, arms raised. Sabo appears in close-up wearing goggles on his hat, shouting with intense expression, "ACE... LUFFY...!!! WE HAVE TO MAKE IT OUT TO SEA SOMEDAY!!" The scene shifts to a wide view of a grassy cliff overlooking the sea under a bright sky with birds; two "COOO" sound effects float in the air and a small "+" appears near the cliff edge. A speech bubble reads "PAGE PAGE..." In the bottom tier, young Luffy lies face-down in the grass with his straw hat on, a sweat drop visible. He pushes himself up with motion lines and impact effects "UNG H...!" and "コッ!!" as Ace walks past in the background wearing a tank top with Japanese characters on it.

Ace stands with arms crossed looking down at Luffy, who remains on the ground with his hat beside him; Ace's speech bubble shows only "!!!" Luffy, now sitting up with bandages on his face, looks up angrily and asks, "HOW LONG ARE YOU GOING TO CARRY ON LIKE THAT...I" In the next tier Luffy clutches his hat while speaking, "ACE... I..." Three large speech bubbles continue the conversation: "I THINK I'M... OKAY WITH THAT.", "SABO DIDN'T USE IT IN THE END... SO...", and "ALL THE TREASURE WE HID IN THE FOREST WAS GONE." A smaller bubble adds, "NO USE COLLECTING TREASURE IF WE CAN'T EVEN PROTECT IT..." The final large panel shows a close-up of Luffy gripping his straw hat tightly with both hands, tears and motion lines emphasizing his determination as he shouts, "I WANT TO GET STRONGER!!!" followed by "...!!!! I WANT TO..."

Multiple overlapping speech bubbles fill the top of the page as Luffy's voice repeats with growing intensity: "AND STRONGER, AND STRONGER, AND STRONGER!!!", "AND STRONGER, AND STRONGER, AND STRONGER...", and "...STRONGER... AND STRONGER!! AND STRONGER, AND STRONGER, AND STRONGER...!!!!" A final bubble declares, "AND THEN EVEN STRONGER STILL!!!" Luffy appears on the right side of the panel with a fierce expression. In the middle tier Luffy, still bandaged, pleads while looking toward the distant figure of Sabo standing by the water, "YOU'VE GOT TO PROMISE ME...!!!" Sabo stands alone facing the sea as Luffy continues, "THEN I'LL BE ABLE... TO PROTECT ANYTHING! I WON'T HAVE TO LOSE ANYONE ANY MORE...!!!!" The bottom tier erupts into action: Luffy lunges forward with impact effects as Ace's voice retorts, "TRY WORRYING ABOUT YOURSELF INSTEAD OF ME, DUMBASS!!!" and "THE HELL'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEANI!" Luffy yells back, "YOU'RE A HELL OF A LOT WEAKER THAN ME!!!" The final panels show a close-up of Ace's face and gritted teeth as he shouts, "...EVER DIE, ACE...!!!" and "...DON'T YOU..."

A close-up shows a bandaged young Ace shouting fiercely at Luffy, "I'M NOT GOING TO DIE!!!" and "LISTEN UP, LUFFY, AND REMEMBER THIS!!!" Below, young Ace sobs into his hands while wearing a SOCCI shirt, crying "UH-HUH... UH-HUH...!!!" In the next panels, young Luffy, scarred and determined, recalls Sabo's words and vows, "SABO ASKED ME TO LOOK AFTER YOU, TOO... LIKE HELL I COULD DIE AND LEAVE MY WEAK LITTLE BROTHER ALL ON HIS OWN! SO I'M NOT GONNA DIE, NO MATTER WHAT!! THAT'S A PROMISE!!" while Ace continues sobbing "...UH-HUH!!!" The page ends on a wide view of a cliffside overlooking the sea where Luffy reflects, "...BUT WHATEVER IT WAS, IT MUST BE SOMETHING TOTALLY OPPOSED TO FREEDOM!! SABO DIED WITHOUT EVER BECOMING TRULY FREE... I'M NOT ALL THAT SMART, SO I CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS REALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR SABO'S DEATH."

Young Luffy and young Ace stand together on a grassy cliff. Ace declares, "...HAVE TO LIVE OUR LIVES WITH NO REGRETS!!!" and "NO MATTER WHAT, THE TWO OF US..." while Luffy adds, "SO REMEMBER THIS, LUFFY. BUT WE SHARED THAT DRINK WITH SABO......AND WE'RE STILL ALIVE!!!" A flashback panel shows a stern young man in a cap stating, "MEN OF NOBLE BLOOD ARE ACCEPTED AS TRUE NOBLES WHEN THEY TURN 18.... SO I'M GOING TO LEAVE THIS COUNTRY WHEN I'M SEVENTEEN!" The boys continue passionately: Luffy yells, "I'M SURE WE'LL END UP MAKING A LOT OF ENEMIES ON THE WAY... EVEN GRAMPS WILL BE OUR ENEMY!! WE'LL BE RISKING OUR LIVES!!" Ace replies, "WITH MORE FREEDOM THAN ANYONE IN THE WORLD!!! WE'RE GOING TO GET OUT TO SEA SOMEDAY...!!! LIVE OUR LIVES THE WAY WE WANT TO...!!!" They conclude together, "...TO BE PIRATES!!!" and "BUT WHEN WE TURN SEVENTEEN, WE SET SAIL!!" as they gaze out at the vast ocean.

A hooded figure watches a massive ship and exclaims about its size while numbers 581 and 580 appear. Onlookers react with "HYAH HYA H!!" and "DID YOU SEE THAT PERSON BACK THEREI! WITH THAT HUGE FACE...!!!" A narration box reads, "LET US TAKE A BRIEF STEP BACK IN TIME......TO THE EVENING OF THE DAY THE TENRYUUBITO SHIP ARRIVED IN THE GOA KINGDOM." The scene shifts to a small port town in East Blue where a cloaked man named Dragon arrives on a dragon-headed ship. Villagers shout, "HEY... SOMEBODY TREAT THESE WOUNDS, QUICKLY!! THIS IS TERRIBLE...!!!" Dragon says, "SORRY. HOW LONG DID YOU PLAN TO KEEP ME WAITINGI!" A crew member replies, "DRAGON! YOU'RE LATE!" Dragon commands, "LET US SET SAIL. WE RETURN TO BALTIGO!!" while noting, "THIS IS A SMALL PORT TOWN... IN A CERTAIN REGION OF EAST BLUE." and "THE PEOPLE OF THE VILLAGE DOJO WERE KIND ENOUGH TO PROVIDE US WITH FOOD."

Narration states, "THE INSPECTION OF THE GOA KINGDOM COMES TO AN END... HERE COMES MORE TRASH! THE DAYS AND MONTHS GO BY..." Rubble and debris are dumped outside the kingdom walls as someone cries "AHH H!!" Time passes and the trash heap grows again. Young Luffy appears furious, stretching his arm back with the attack cry "GOMU GOMU NO..." and unleashing "PISTOL!!!" The massive punch sends an opponent flying with impact lines and the sound effect "ごしゃっ" as Luffy shouts "AH!" while wearing his straw hat. The sequence shows Luffy charging forward through the ruined landscape.

Young Luffy stands in the forest, shouting back at Ace, "I'M TELLING YOU, THAT RUBBER OF YOURS JUST ISN'T GONNA BE ANY USE IN BATTLE!" Ace laughs wildly, "AHAHAHA! WHAT'S THAT MEANT TO BEI! USELESS, TOTALLY USELESS!" Luffy yells, "SHUT UP!!!" as Ace lands a heavy blow, sending Luffy flying with a pained "GUAH H!!!" and the sound effect "バチッ!!!" Later, Luffy stretches his arm farther than before. Ace admits, "NOT BAD, LUFFY! YOU MANAGED TO STRETCH YOUR ARM FURTHER THAN YESTERDAY!" Luffy challenges, "COME ON, ACE! IT'S OUR TURN TO HAVE A MATCH NEXT...!" Ace snaps, "STOP MAKING FUN OF THE GOMU GOMU NO MI!!! I'LL MAKE YOU CRY THOSE WORDS BACK SOMEDAY!!" Luffy retorts, "WHAT WAS THATI! YOU TRYING TO TELL ME I'M WRONGI! YOU'RE JUST A DEADWEIGHT HAMMER WHO CAN'T BE HURT BY BLUNT ATTACKS, AND THAT'S THE END OF IT!!" The boys turn to Sabo, who watches quietly. Luffy asks, "RIGHT, SABO...I" Sabo smiles, "I KNEW IT! SO I AM GETTING STRONGER...!" Ace glares, "SABO!! YOU'RE ALWAYS TOO SOFT ON LUFFY!" Luffy protests, "WHAT'S THAT S'POSED TO MEANI! YOU'D RATHER I DIED INSTEADI!" Sabo reflects, "... SABO WAS A NICE OLDER BROTHER..."

In the forest clearing stand two small wooden forts labeled "ACE'S COUNTRY" and "LUFFY'S COUNTRY." The boys declare they have formed independent countries. Dadan approaches the hideout with a young bandit, grumbling about borrowing the bath occasionally. Suddenly a massive bear attacks. Luffy screams, "ACE! HELP ME OUT HERE!! IT'S A BEAR!!!" as the beast roars "GRRRRRRRRRR!!!" and "KA-CHANK!!" Luffy is pinned, crying "LUFFY...!" The bear looms over him. From the hideout Dadan yells, "YOU'VE ONLY EVER TAKEN ON THESE WILD BEASTS TOGETHER AS A TEAM BEFORE, HAVEN'T YOU...I!" Inside, she orders, "NOW, NOW... LET'S SEE... THIS IS QUITE THE NASTY WOUND... NOW... NOW... GET YOURSELVES INSIDE!!" Outside, someone shouts, "LUFFY'S BEEN INJURED!! YOU'VE GOT TO HELP HIM!! HEY!! DADAN'S COUNTRY!! IS ANYONE HOMEI!"

Makino stands outside a wooden building, thinking, "ONE DAY, I'LL HAVE TO GO AND THANK OLD RED HAIR... FOR EVERYTHING HE'S DONE FOR LUFFY, YOU KNOWI MAKINO-CHAN'S COME ALL THIS WAY TO BRING US SOME BOOZE!! WELL, I'M LUFFY'S BIG BROTHER, YOU SEE... AND I DON'T WANT TO BE RUDE OR ANYTHING. HOW TO MAKE A PROPER GREETINGI" Two small figures walk away in the background. In town, a wolf-masked figure lunges, "STOP, THIEVES!!" Makino smiles calmly, "WELL, THEN, LET'S SEE... AHAHA HAHA I'M SORRY. WHAT'S THAT LOOK FORI!!" The chase continues through the forest. Luffy runs carrying a sack, chased by an angry man yelling, "DON'T GIVE ME THAT, YOU BRATS!!! THANK YOU FOR THE FOOD!! JUST PAY UP ALREADY!!!" Luffy dashes past trees with Ace close behind.

The massive bear rears up roaring "GRRRHHHH!!!" as Luffy is hurled through the air with a desperate "HYAAAAAHHH!!!" The beast swings its club wildly, the impact marked "ズドーン!!!" Luffy lands a punch, shouting "ALL RIGHT!!" while the bear howls in pain. Someone yells, "TONIGHT, WE HAVE BEAR STEW!!!" The fight spills across multiple panels: Luffy and Ace charge together, the bear swats wildly, and the boys tumble through the air. Makino watches from the side with a surprised expression. The chaotic brawl ends with the bear defeated and the group celebrating their hard-won meal.

Seven years later, Ace stands at seventeen while Luffy is fourteen. From a cliff overlooking the sea, young Luffy shouts toward a departing ship, "YOU JUST WAIT!! I'LL MAKE A NAME FOR MYSELF IN NO TIME!!!" A voice answers, "GOOD LUCK OUT THERE, ACE!!!" The narration box states Ace quietly set sail from the coast of Mount Colubo. In a large panel Ace grins widely under his signature hat, raising one arm as he leaves. Below, Luffy waves both arms wildly from a crowd of villagers and bandits, one asking "DEAR ME... WHAT WILL OLD GARP SAY...I" while another laughs "HAHAHA! HE'S STILL WAVING!!"

Inside a wooden building, Dadan reacts with shock. "...!! IS THAT RIGHT...I" she mutters, then growls "WELL, I'M SURE I'LL BE GETTING A RIGHT EARFUL FROM GARP NOW. HE REALLY WAS A HOPELESS BRAT..." A subordinate reports "BOSS!!" and "YOUNG ACE HAS FINALLY SET SAIL!!" Another blurts "YOU'RE GONNA RAISE HIM, DADAN!" Dadan erupts, "WHAAAAAATI! DOES THAT BOY NEVER MISS AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMPLAINI!" and later "THE HELL IS THATI!!! STUPID IDIOT!!!" Outside, Luffy stretches with "GOMU GOMU NOO..." while thinking "RIGHT... THREE YEARS TO GO!!"

Luffy trains relentlessly. A massive impact SFX "ゴゴゴゴ" and "Pistol!!!" shows his fist stretching and striking. He yells "WHAT IS ITI" as a villager runs up shouting "LOOK!! THE NEWSPAPER!! THE NEWS-PAPER!!" Reading the paper, Luffy thinks "I'VE GOT TO GET STRONGER... AND STRONGER...!!!" while dodging attacks with "SNAP!!" and impact lines. He later declares "BUT I CAN'T LET HIM BEAT ME...!!!" and smiles at the headline about Ace: "HE'S GOT A REAL PIRATE SHIP, AND A CREW AS WELL!!!" "WOW... ACE REALLY IS AMAZING...!!!"

Dadan argues with Luffy. "NO, YOU GO ON DOWN THERE ALONE!!" she snaps. Luffy replies "NAH... IF WE WERE TO COME STROLLING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN..." and "YOU KNOW I HATE BANDITS..." Dadan roars "SHUT YOUR FACE, BRAT!" and "STOP SPOUTIN' CRAP AND GET OUTTA HERE ALREADY!!! DAMMITALL!!!" Luffy smiles and says "WELL, THEN... THANKS FOR EVERYTHING, YOU GUYS!!" He walks away as Dadan yells "BUT YOU GUYS, I LIKE!!" The final panel shows Luffy on a small boat leaving Dawn Island, Fuschia Village, with narration noting three years later when Luffy turns seventeen.

Luffy stands triumphantly on the small boat with arms raised high, shouting, "I'M FINALLY HEADING OUT TO SEA TOO!!!" and "SABO!!! I HOPE YOU'RE WATCHING!!!" In close-up he grins fiercely while thinking, "ACE SET OUT SECOND...!!! SABO SET OUT FIRST...!!! I'LL BE THE THIRD, BUT I'M NOT GONNA LET THEM BEAT ME!!! YOU JUST WAIT, ACE!! I'LL CATCH UP WITH YOU IN NO TIME!!!" Makino smiles gently nearby as the old man in the hat watches; Luffy's boat drifts away from the dock while villagers murmur, "WHAT'S THAT, LUFFYI! YELLING AND MUTTERING TO YOURSELF YOU TRYING TO CAST SOME KIND OF GOOD LUCK CHARMI" "WHO'S ACE, ANYWAYI" "IT ISN'T A CHARM!! IT'S A CHALLENGE!!!" Luffy waves one last time, declaring, "WELL, THEN... I'LL BE GOING NOW!!!"

The Lord of the Coast lies defeated in the water as Luffy rows away, fist raised. A voice notes, "HE REALLY HAS BECOME STRONG, THAT KID. TAKING OUT THE LORD OF THE COAST IN ONE HIT...WOW" Luffy screams with all his might, "I'M GONNA BE......THE PIRATE KING!!!!" and answers himself, "ALL RIGHT!! I'M OFF!!!" The scene shifts to the present day on the Calm Belt island where Luffy lies bandaged and unconscious. A small panel shows a familiar face saying, "LUFFY-KUN..." while another figure yells, "I'M NO PIRATE KING...!!!" Narration reads, "HIS BROTHER ACE DEAD, LUFFY SHEDS TEARS ONCE MORE." Large sound effects echo across the sea.

Luffy lies on his back in the jungle clearing, arms behind his head, tears streaming down his face. Overwhelmed by grief he cries out, "...SO WEAK!! I'M STILL..." Large impact lines and motion effects surround him as memories of Ace flood back. Palm trees and rocky terrain frame the solitary figure beneath a vast sky.

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