WHALE

In a vibrant splash of color, the same dramatic scene repeats: Luffy beams atop the cracked whale, now rendered with warm brown fracture lines across its black hide. Crocus stands to the right, still scowling with cigars in his mouth. On the left, a grinning figure in a yellow coat and red nose laughs heartily beside the whale. Pink and yellow speed lines radiate outward, highlighting the whale’s massive, injured form rising from the water near the lighthouse at Twin Cape.

At the lighthouse on the cape, Sanji points dramatically and shouts, “IT’S A FLOWER!” A shirtless man nearby reacts with surprise, “A FLOWER!I” Inside, Zoro and a woman with goggles stare in confusion. “WHAT’S WITH HIM…” “WAIT, NO! IT’S A PERSON,” someone exclaims. Flashback panels show the giant squid being struck and the old man dragging it ashore. “...WAS HE JUST FISHING OR DID HE DO THAT TO SAVE USI” “THAT OLD MAN TOOK OUT THAT GIANT SQUID WITH ONE BLOW!” Crocus stands imposingly with a thick rope in his hands as large onomatopoeia “ドーン!!” and “ゴク…!” echo across the page.

Sanji, sweating and furious, yells “SAY SOMETHING!” while glaring toward the lighthouse. In the background, Crocus lounges in a beach chair and calmly replies “ME.” A crew member warns, “WE HAVE A CANNON ON OUR SIDE!” Crocus retorts, “I-I-IF IT’S A FIGHT YOU WANT, T-THEN YOU’VE GOT ONE!” while raising a fist. Sanji questions, “OHI AND JUST WHO WOULD THAT BE…I” Crocus warns, “DON’T, OR SOMEONE MIGHT END UP DEAD…” as massive laughter “ゴォォォォォォォ” fills the air. Sanji snaps, “YOU!I”

Zoro and Sanji confront the older man at the lighthouse. Sanji snaps, "IT'S COMMON COURTESY TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF BEFORE ASKING OTHERS QUESTIONS, YOU KNOWI" while Zoro eyes the stranger warily. The man retorts, "HEY OLD MAN. WOULD YOU MIND TELLING US JUST WHO YOU ARE," and adds, "NOW, NOW, DON'T GET SO WORKED UP." The stranger thinks, "THAT GRAMPS THINKS HE CAN MAKE A FOOL OUT OF ME...!I" Crocus calms them: "CALM DOWN. NOBODY MINDS IF I KILL HIM, RIGHT!I" He then introduces himself properly: "I'M 71 YEARS OLD, A GEMINI, AND TYPE AB BLOOD. MY NAME IS CROCUS, THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER OF TWIN CAPES." Sanji and Zoro react with surprise as Crocus continues, "SORRY ABOUT THAT. OH RIGHT..." In a massive close-up, Crocus glares and demands, "DOES THIS PLACE LOOK LIKE THE STOMACH OF A MOUSE!I YOU'RE WONDERING WHERE THIS PLACE ISI YOU FIRST TRESPASS IN MY PRIVATE RESORT AND THEN START MOUTHING OFF WITH THAT ATTITUDE!I"

Luffy points excitedly at the distant arched exit inside the whale's stomach and shouts, "YOU CAN GET OUT OF HERE!I" Nami panics, "WHAT DO WE DO...!I I DON'T WANNA BE DIGESTED!" Usopp wonders, "IF IT'S AN EXIT YOU WANT, IT'S THROUGH THERE." Sanji questions, "S... SO THEN WE REALLY MUST'VE BEEN SWALLOWED BY A WHALE." The crew stares at the painted sky and clouds as someone realizes, "THE INSIDE OF THE WHALE'S STOMACH HAS BEEN PAINTED OVER!" Nami gasps, "ARE ALL JUST A PAINTING...!" and notes, "NO WAIT... IF YOU LOOK CAREFULLY, THE SKIES, AND THE CLOUDS... AND HOW IS IT THAT A DOOR'S FLOATING IN THE SKYI" Suddenly a massive impact rocks the ship; Luffy yells, "WHAT'S THAT!I" while the crew reacts in shock to the violent shaking and the sound effect "ドォン!!!" as someone shouts, "JUST LEAVE HIM BE. WE'VE FOUND AN EXIT SO LET'S JUST GET OUT OF HERE." Sanji adds, "JUST WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING IN HERE ANYWAYS!I THAT'S JUST MY WAY OF HAVING A GOOD TIME."

Crocus watches from the lighthouse as the crew realizes the ocean is stomach acid. Someone yells, "SO THEN THIS OCEAN IS ACTUALLY STOMACH ACID!I IF WE STAY HERE ANY LONGER THAN THIS, OUR SHIP WILL BE DISSOLVED!" Nami points out, "LOOK! THAT'S NO ISLAND EITHER! IT'S A SHIP! AN IRON ONE AT THAT, TOO!" Crocus mutters, "SO HE'S STARTED AGAIN, HAS HE..." The crew demands, "HEY! WHAT'S GOING ON! GIVE US AN EXPLANATION!" Inside, Zoro and Sanji react with shock as Crocus explains, "WHAT!I HAS STARTED BASHING HIS HEAD AGAINST THE RED LINE AGAIN...!" Nami's eyes widen in realization: "IT MEANS HE'S SUFFERING...!" She recalls, "NOW THAT HE MENTIONS IT... I REMEMBER THAT WHALE'S FOREHEAD WAS COVERED IN SCARS...!" and adds, "...AND HE WAS BELLOWING UP AT THE SKY!" The sound effect "ブォオオオオ" echoes as the whale continues its rampage.

The whale Laboon slams its head violently against the Red Line with massive impact sounds "ブゴォン!!!" and "ドゴォン!!!" Luffy yells, "I GOT IT...!" Crocus watches grimly. Nami shouts, "NOW THEN... HE MUST BE TRYING TO KILL THIS WHALE FROM THE INSIDE!" Usopp groans, "WHAT A NASTY WAY TO TRY SOMETHING...!" Crocus confirms, "THAT'S RIGHT. I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING AGAINST WHALING AND IT'S NOT LIKE WE'RE OBLIGATED TO SAVE THIS WHALE, EITHER. WE'LL BE DISSOLVED IF WE HANG AROUND ANY LONGER. SO LET'S JUST GET OUT OF HERE." Sanji agrees, "WELL, IF THE MYSTERY'S BEEN SOLVED, LET'S LEAVE ALREADY." The crew prepares to depart while the whale continues its desperate, painful assault on the Red Line.

Luffy plummets through the metal scaffolding inside the whale, screaming "AGHHHHH!" as he bounces wildly off beams with repeated "BOUNCE! BOUNCE! BOUNCE!" sounds. "WHAT'S GOING ON!I" he yells in confusion. Below, Mr. 9 and Miss Wednesday advance down a long corridor toward a distant door. Mr. 9 declares, "ALRIGHT, WE'VE SUCCESSFULLY MANAGED TO INFILTRATE THIS FAR INSIDE! LISTEN UP, MISS WEDNESDAY. BEYOND THIS DOOR IS THE WHALE'S STOMACH, AND THAT OLD MAN IS PROBABLY INSIDE AS WELL." Miss Wednesday replies, "YES, MR. 9. THIS WHALE IS OUR TOWN'S SWEET HONEY, AFTER ALL." They brandish weapons as Mr. 9 adds, "THIS IS ALL FOR THIS WHALE!" while a large "GOGOGOGOGO" rumble echoes through the passage. Their identities are labeled as MYSTERIOUS WOMAN MS. WEDNESDAY and MYSTERIOUS MAN MR. 9.

Luffy crashes into a dead-end wall with a loud "DOON!!" and "GON!!" impact, shouting "UGH!" and "OOF!" as he slides down. "WHAT!I A DEAD END!I" he cries while tumbling. Elsewhere, he slides uncontrollably down a sloped passage yelling "AGH, I'M SLIDING DOWN!" with "GOGOGO" effects. Two small figures with question marks watch from the walkway. Luffy then spots the Going Merry floating in a vast waterway inside the whale and shouts, "WELL IF WE DON'T HURRY, OUR LIVES AND LUFFY'S WILL BE IN DANGER. HE'S NOT INSIDE WITH US. I SAW HIM ESCAPE OUTSIDE THE WHALE'S MOUTH!" as the ship rocks violently amid "DONNN" sounds. Someone wonders aloud, "IS THIS AN OCEAN OR A RIVERI LOOKS LIKE A WATERWAY OF SOME SORT... WHAT IS IT THIS TIMEI"

Miss Wednesday dives headfirst into churning water with "GOBOGOBO" bubbles, exclaiming "HE'S GONNA GET HIMSELF DISSOLVED!" and "WHAT'S HE TRYING TO DO!I" The old man has already jumped in ahead. The scene reveals a massive skeletal structure and debris underwater with more "GOBOGO" effects. On the surface, the crew rows desperately toward a gated exit. "WE'VE GOT NO CHOICE BUT TO ROW!" one shouts. "WE SHOULD HURRY UP AND MAKE OUR WAY TO THE EXIT BEFORE THIS GETS ANYMORE VIOLENT," another urges. "HE'S SWIMMING THE EXIT," a third notes as the whale's interior shakes violently with "DONNN" impacts and "AGHH!" cries.

Luffy clings desperately to scaffolding, yelling "I CAN'T STOP I CAN'T STOP! PLEASE STOP ME!" with frantic "ZUZUZUZUZU" motion lines. Mr. 9 and Miss Wednesday stand ready at a massive door; Miss Wednesday counts, "OK, MISS WEDNESDAY. ON THE COUNT OF 3-2-1 BABY, I'M OPENING THE DOOR. SO DON'T LOSE YOUR FOCUS!" while Mr. 9 replies, "ROGER, MR. 9. READY WHEN YOU ARE." The door bursts open with a massive "DONNN" and "DOKAAA" explosion, hurling everyone backward amid screams of "AGHH-HHHHH!" Luffy and the others stare in shock as an enormous silhouette looms. "I HAVE NO IDEA, MISS WEDNESDAY!" Mr. 9 shouts. "W-WHO'S THAT, MR. 9!I" Miss Wednesday cries as figures are flung through the air.

Luffy spots his crew from afar and yells, "GUYS! YOU'RE ALRIGHT!" A surprised voice replies, "L-LUFFY...!I" Luffy adds, "WELL IN ANY CASE, JUST HELP ME OUT!" Below, Miss Wednesday and Mr. 9 plummet helplessly through the air. "NOOO-OOOO!" Mr. 9 cries. Miss Wednesday screams in terror, "OH NO, MISS WEDNESDAY! BELOW US IS A SEA OF STOMACH ACID!" The pair continues falling toward the churning digestive fluids inside the whale. In a massive splash, the Straw Hats' ship bursts through an enormous arched gate into the open sea, sending up huge waves and debris with the impact SFX "ザブゥゥゥゥーン!!!" The Going Merry rocks violently in the churning water near a towering structure.

Crocus glares with determination. "FORGET ABOUT HIM. SAVING LUFFY COMES FIRST," he orders. "HEY! THAT OLD MAN'S RUNNING AWAY!" someone shouts as Crocus sprints. "THERE'RE TWO OTHER WEIRDOS ASIDE FROM LUFFY...!" another voice notes amid gasps and bubbles near the ship. Outside, massive impact sounds "ドゴォォォ...ン" and "ドゴォォォ...ン!!" shake the cliffs as Laboon repeatedly bashes his head against the Red Line. "BUOOO HHHH!" the whale roars in pain. In a close-up, Crocus pleads, "STOP IT, LABOON."

Inside the lighthouse, Crocus works on a large syringe-like device. "I DON'T HAVE MUCH SEDATIVES LEFT. LOOKS LIKE I NEED TO GO MAKE SOME MORE..." he mutters. A close-up shows his stern face as he declares, "STOP HURTING YOURSELF." Laboon continues thrashing, "BUO OHHH!" Crocus warns the whale, "YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO BRING IT DOWN EVEN IF YOU KEEP ON BASHING IT UNTIL YOU DIE...! THAT WALL BEFORE YOU SEPARATES THE OCEANS OF THE WORLD. SO PLEASE STOP, LABOON." Laboon surfaces with a "ブスッ!!" sound and a pained "..." as water splashes.

Nami stares toward the distant lighthouse and lighthouse keeper's home. "JUST WHO EXACTLY ARE YOU GUYS...!I" she wonders. "WELLI" she asks. "THE WHALE SEEMS TO HAVE CALMED DOWN..." she observes with relief. On the ship deck, Mr. 9 reports, "Y-YES I KNOW, MISS WEDNESDAY. BUT THEY SEEM UNDERSTANDING ENOUGH." Miss Wednesday replies, "M...MR.9, THESE PEOPLE ARE PIRATES." A pirate flag flies overhead. Luffy, now back aboard, declares, "FOR AS LONG AS I LIVE! I WON'T LET YOU LAY EVEN A SINGLE FINGER ON LABOON," while an unseen voice asks, "WHO'S THAT OLD MANI" and another notes, "OH, HE'S BACK..."

Inside Laboon's stomach, Mr. 9 and Miss Wednesday fire their weapons at the whale's inner wall. "TO BLAST A HOLE IN ITS STOMACH!" they declare. "IT'LL BE ONLY TOO EASY," Mr. 9 adds while Miss Wednesday laughs, "FUFUFU... BUT WE'RE INSIDE THE WHALE NOW... OH..." Crocus appears furious on a metal platform, shouting "DAMN ROGUES...!" The agents retort, "WE WON'T LET YOU INTERFERE IN OUR WHALING BUSINESS ANY LONGER!" Crocus takes a direct blast to protect the whale. A young woman with a net on her head watches in shock as the explosion erupts: "THAT OLD MAN TOOK THE BLAST WITH HIS OWN BODY!"

Mr. 9 swings his massive weapon while Miss Wednesday yells, "JUST TRY TO PROTECT THE WHALE IF YOU STILL CAN! BUT IT WON'T STOP OUR TOWN FROM USING THIS WHALE AS OUR FOOD!" She taunts Crocus, "OHOHO-HOHO! CEASE YOUR FUTILE RESISTANCE!" Nami watches in surprise, thinking, "WHAT... HE'S SO THEN, HE'S BEEN PROTECTING THE WHALE...I" Crocus grunts in pain, "GUH!" The Straw Hats react with confusion. Luffy charges forward, declaring, "I'M NOT SURE WHAT'S GOING ON BUT I'LL KNOCK THESE GUYS OUT FOR NOW!" He delivers a powerful kick, sending the agents flying amid large impact effects.

Crocus sits on the shore beside the massive Laboon and begins explaining. "IT'S THE LARGEST SPECIES OF WHALE IN THE WORLD. THIS ONE'S NAME IS LABOON." He continues, "THIS WHALE IS AN ISLAND WHALE, FOUND NORMALLY IN WEST BLUE." Pointing at the Baroque Works agents, he states, "THEIR GOAL IS TO HUNT LABOON, BECAUSE THE MEAT FROM LABOON CAN FEED THEIR TOWN FOR 2-3 YEARS. AND THESE TWO ARE ROGUES FROM A NEARBY TOWN..." Crocus recounts his past: "A CERTAIN GROUP OF FRIENDLY PIRATES CAME DOWN REVERSE MOUNTAIN. LONG AGO, WHILE I WAS MINDING MY BUSINESS AS A LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER, AND FOLLOWING THEIR SHIP WAS A LITTLE BABY WHALE. THAT WHALE WAS LABOON." He adds, "AS FOR WHY LABOON KEEPS ON BASHING HIS HEAD AGAINST THE RED LINE, AND BELLOWS WHILE FACING REVERSE MOUNTAIN... THERE'S A REASON FOR ALL THAT TOO. BUT I WON'T ALLOW THAT!"

Crocus continues the tale with flashbacks of the Rumbar Pirates and young Laboon at Twin Cape. "BUT TO LABOON, THOSE PIRATES WERE HIS POD MEMBERS. NORMALLY, ISLAND WHALES ARE KNOWN TO SWIM TOGETHER IN PODS, BUT FEARING THAT GRAND LINE WAS TOO DANGEROUS, THEY LEFT HIM BEHIND OR SO THEY THOUGHT. IT SEEMS THAT LABOON HAD ACCOMPANIED THEIR JOURNEY IN WEST BLUE." He recalls the captain's request: "AND SO, ON THE DAY OF THEIR DEPARTURE, THEIR CAPTAIN ASKED ME, 'COULD YOU PLEASE TAKE CARE OF LABOON FOR 2-3 YEARSI' I BECAME QUITE GOOD FRIENDS WITH THEM DURING THEIR STAY." In the present, Crocus finishes with resolve: "UNDERSTANDING THEIR INTENT, LABOON WAITED PATIENTLY FOR THEM HERE. 'ONCE WE'VE SAILED AROUND THE WORLD, WE'LL COME BACK FOR HIM NO MATTER WHAT.'"

In a series of panels atop the lighthouse, Crocus and the others reflect on the past. "IT'S BEEN OVER 50 YEARS SINCE THEN..." one remarks with shock. "THAT'S RIGHT..." Crocus confirms grimly. Nearby, a young woman with pigtails watches Laboon climb the rocks and smash against the Red Line. "SO THAT'S WHY HE KEEPS ON BELLOWING EVEN TODAY... AND BASHING HIMSELF AGAINST RED LINE..." she observes. The massive whale Laboon rears back and unleashes a thunderous cry that shakes the cliffs: "BUUUUOOOOOHHHH!" A narration box explains, "HE STILL BELIEVES HIS FRIENDS WILL COME BACK..."

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