The Hero's Hat

Above the bustling towers and domes of Fish-Man Island, a speech bubble states "Luffy-chin and his friends are saying they're going to leave the island soon." At the Mermaid Cafe labeled "Fishman Island, Coral Hill, The Mermaid Cafe," Madame Shirley sits holding a pipe as Camie waves goodbye. Patrons cheer with cries of "Madame! Can we go tooI!" and "Will do!" Shirley replies, "I see. You should go see them off." She adds, "Dear me... I suppose we'll have to close the cafe for a little while..." as dramatic sound effects like "れああああっ!!" fill the air. Camie swims off saying "Ah..." while two mermaid waitresses assure Shirley, "Leave it to us, Madame!!" and "I'll be needing you all to help make the cafe an enjoyable place to be!" Shirley concludes, "With Hody out of the way, we should be getting plenty of customers again soon enough."

Madame Shirley sits with her crystal ball, declaring "That's one future I would rather not have seen at all. Straw Hat Luffy causing the destruction of Fishman Island..." and "No more fortune-telling for me. Don't worry. I really am done with all that now." She questions, "Oh, my crystal ballI" Camie reacts with surprise "!I" as another mermaid notes, "But Madame... I know Luffy-chin would never do a thing like that." A panel explains, "Madame Shirley's has never made a prophecy that didn't come true, so she must be more frightened than any of us... She can't predict when it might happen; it could be in a year's time, or longer... There's no way to say for sure that her vision was wrong..." Shirley smiles faintly, thinking "...Then nothing would make me happier... If my foretelling was wrong, just this once..." Camie beams excitedly, "...That's right...!!!" Shirley responds warmly, "I understand now... We can trust in him, yesI You must forgive me for doubting your friend... In the Straw Hat boy..."

Shirahoshi cries out with tears streaming down her face, "We've only just properly made friends... Can't you stay for another day, at least...I Or another week...I" Luffy sits on her hands as she wails, "No, another year...!!!" and "UWAAAAAAAAAA AHHHHHHHHHHH!! Are you really all going to leave the island already, Luffy-samaI!" In a flashback, a young Shirahoshi weeps while Luffy stands determined. She sobs, "To think that I would live to see her shed tears at our departure...!!! Maybe we really should stay for another year!!!" and "AHHHHH... The mermaid princess of Fishman Island, who has always been in my dreams..." Luffy replies, "I... I'm very sorry! I'll stop being such a crybaby, I really will! *sniff* You really do end up crying every time I see you..." The scene shifts to the present where a skeleton musician counts "A-one, two, three, four!!" and sings, "You stay here as long as you like, Nosebleed-kun, Nosebleed-kun. We won't miss you." Brook plays while declaring, "Oh, you wake up bright and early and say: 'Good mor-ningyo!' ♪ I must say I agree, yohohohoho!! I have decided to base my new single on the Fishman Island life!!" A furious fish-man with flaming hair yells, "Who are you calling 'Nosebleed-kun', Marino-headI!!!"

The crew debates the Tamatebako gift from Big Mom as Neptune sweats under his crown. "They can't just leave without knowing that there was a bomb concealed in the Tamatebako that Luffy sent as a gift to Big Mom..." someone warns. Neptune replies, "Your Majesty, I really think we ought to tell them...!!!" Another voice shouts, "Bring it on!! I'll digest anything from poison to razor blades!!" A crew member adds, "I'll teach you what happens if you make an enemy of the ship's cook!! You'd better be careful at mealtimes in future!" Neptune mutters, "I know, I know... but take a look over there..." Panic spreads as the group realizes the danger. "How can we possibly break the news to them that they've already sent Big Mom a bomb in disguise...I" one asks. Another worries, "Maybe Big Mom will forgive us if we promise to give her all the treasure we ever find..." A voice cries, "We're not going to last a day in the New World now...!!!" Someone concludes, "It's all over... we've made an enemy of a Yonko...!!!" Neptune's massive form looms as he declares the bomb has sat in the box for ten years. A woman with long dark hair asks suspiciously, "What are you two muttering aboutI" The group hopes the box will open safely, noting the Ryugu Palace's humid conditions may have rendered the bomb useless.

A hand holds up a strange wooden log pose with three needles. "What's thisI!" someone exclaims as impact lines flash. "HuhI!" The fish-man navigator explains to Nami, "Take a look at the log pose you have been using along the first half of the Grand Line." Nami stares with wide eyes and a question mark above her head. The navigator continues, "There are three separate needles... This is a log pose for use in the New World. Please, take it as our gift to you. Trust me, you don't want to try voyaging with only a single needle to guide you..." Nami wonders why the old log still moves a little. The navigator reassures her, "Oh, it's settled all right. All logs from here on out will settle within half a day." In the background, the crew reacts with awe: "Wow, it looks pretty cool!!" and "Oh, what's thisI A new log poseI" The new device spins dramatically in close-up.

The fish-man navigator points at a map of the Red Line and warns, "You are of course aware of how unstable the ocean currents and climate can be throughout the Grand Line. Well, in the New World... even the magnetic fields cannot always be trusted you true!!" Nami reacts with "HuhI!" He continues, "When travelling in the Grand Line, you find your way by allowing your log pose to attenuate to the magnetic field of the next island, yesI That is how you have proceeded up to this point, but in the seas ahead, things are a little different..." Nami clutches the log pose and gasps, "WhatI! But then we'd never be able to reach our destination!!" The navigator explains that in some cases the next island's magnetic field may vanish entirely. He adds that two of the three needles remain stable while one moves shakily like their old log pose.

The fish-man navigator holds the three-needle log pose and states, "In other words, you will need to choose between three different possible courses. Which course to follow is for your instincts to decide. But the decision can mean the difference between life and death!" He warns that each needle will point to a different island and that an unstable needle signals danger. A diagram shows islands labeled "DEATH." The navigator explains that skilled navigators read the needles' slight movements to choose the safest route. Luffy suddenly grabs Nami from behind with a wide grin, shouting "Let me see...!" Nami cries out in alarm, "AHHH HHHH HHHH...!!!" The navigator panics, "But whyI! If you do not have the foreknowledge to seek the safest route, you may find yourself in gravest... You can tell which route is most dangerousI! Smash that log pose!! Smash it right now!!!" Luffy and Nami tumble as the crew reacts in shock: "EHHHI! That doesn't sound good!!" and "We'd better be not knowing at all!!"

Luffy and Nami clash violently on deck, Luffy grinning wildly as he points ahead and shouts, "WE SHOULD GO THERE!!!" Nami screams back in terror, "I LIKE THE LOOK OF THAT ISLAND WITH THE MIDDLE WITH THE REALLY SHAKY NEEDLE!" while yanking his arm. Someone notes, "HE WAS LISTENING!!!" as Nami wails, "NOOO OOOOO OOO!!!" In the next panel the crew argues frantically. Brook declares, "I THINK I HAVE MY B-SIDE!! I CALL IT 'REQUIEM FOR US'!" Usopp and others plead, "WE'RE BEGGING YOU, CAPTAIN! LISTEN TO WHAT YOUR NAVIGATOR SAYS!!!" Nami snaps, "DON'T BE STUPID!! I'M THE CAPTAIN!!!" and "THIS HAS GOT NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU, LUFFY!!! I'M THE ONE WHO DECIDES WHERE WE'RE GOING TO GO!!!" while a background voice coos, "NAMI-SAN'S SO CUTE WHEN SHE'S TERRIFIED!" Luffy roars, "LET'S GO!!!" Franky, now in his armored form, bellows from the helm, "ALL RIGHT, YOU GUYS!! WE'RE ALL READY TO SET SAIL!!" and "I'M ALL CLEAR ON HOW TO TAKE US UP!! ARE WE GOINGI!"

The Straw Hats cheer wildly on the deck as they prepare to depart. Luffy yells, "YEAH!! THIS IS WAR!!!" while Usopp shouts, "THAT'S THE SPIRIT!! WHO NEEDS A GUIDEI! A TRUE MAN FOLLOWS HIS OWN PATH INTO THE JAWS OF HELL!!!" Nami calls out, "WE'LL BE FINE! WE MANAGED TO HAVE FUN ADVENTURES ON OUR WAY HERE!" and asks, "NYUUUU! I'M GOING TO HELP OUT WITH THE REPAIRS AT THE FACTORY. WILL YOU BE OKAY WITHOUT A GUIDEI" Sanji dramatically proclaims, "YOU CAN COUNT ON IT!!! THIS IS THE ALL BLUE OF MY HEART'S DESIRE!!!" as mermaids wave goodbye, one saying, "YOU'RE ALWAYS WELCOME! COME BACK ANYTIME!!" and another giggling, "HEEHEE YOU'RE SO FUNNY, SANJI-CHAN!" Neptune bows deeply, offering, "YOU HAVE MY GRATITUDE!!! MY PEOPLE WILL PRAY FOR YOUR SAFETY!!" Luffy replies, "GREAT!" Neptune adds, "I HAVE NAUGHT BUT THE DEEPEST THANKS TO OFFER YOU....!"

Neptune continues the farewell, singing, "...THE TALES OF THE GREAT WARRIOR NEPTUNE WILL PALE IN COMPARISON SO-LA-TI-DO!" while a fish-man adds, "QUITE, QUITE!! WE'LL BECOME SO AMAZING..." Neptune promises, "NEXT TIME WE SEE YOU, WE'LL BE LEADING THE GREATEST FIGHTING FORCE THE DEPTHS HAVE EVER SEEN!! YOU COUNT ON IT!! OOH, MAMBO!!" Luffy grins and answers, "HEHEH!! I LOOK FORWARD TO IT!!" The Sunny pulls away from the palace as the crew spots a distant figure. Someone shouts, "JINBE!!" A small speech bubble replies with dots and "HAHAH..." In close-up Luffy beams under his hat, "ALL RIGHT!!!" while Jinbe smiles back from the water's edge.

The Thousand Sunny surges forward as the crew waves goodbye. Law stands on deck while Luffy yells, "FAREWELL TO FISHMAN ISLAND!!!" and orders, "HOIST THE SAIL, GUYS!!! WE'RE SETTING OFF!!!" The ship races across the sea with Fish-Man Island receding behind it. Chopper shouts, "OH, AND RACCOONS!! AND ROBOTS TOO!!" while others call, "WE ALL LIKE HUMANS NOW!! WE'LL HAVE PLENTY OF SWEETS AND MEAT WAITING WHEN WE DO! COME BACK SOME-TIME!!!" Luffy laughs, "SHISHISHI!" and replies to an invitation, "COME BACK AND HAVE SOME OF MY TAKOYAKI SOMETIME!!" A starfish-like fish-man yells, "I LOVE YOU GUYS, DAMMIT!" Nami waves, "TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, LUFFY-CHIN AND EVERY-ONE!!" while the crew cheers their departure from the island.

Shirahoshi bursts into tears on the deck, reaching out desperately as she cries, "...TO MEET YOU AGAIN...!!" Luffy's voice calls out, "SHIRAHOSHI-CHAAAN!" while someone else shouts, "WHOAA!! CRYY-HOSHI!!" Shirahoshi continues, "LUFFY-SAMA! IF I AM LUCKY ENOUGH..." In the next scene Luffy stands shocked on the ship and asks, "FOR A WALKI WHAT, YOU WANT TO VISIT YOUR MOM'S GRAVE AGAINI" Shirahoshi replies earnestly, "I HOPE YOU WILL TAKE ME OUT FOR A WALK AGAIN...!!!" and adds, "WHEN THAT TIME COMES... I PROMISE I WILL NO LONGER BE A CRYBABY...!!!" Luffy presses, "DO YOU PROMISEI!" Shirahoshi nods tearfully and promises, "NEXT TIME WE MEET, I'LL TAKE YOU TO SEE ONE!" Luffy answers, "I SEE! I GUESS YOU'VE NEVER BEEN OUT OF THE SEA BEFORE, HUHI ALL RIGHT, SOUNDS GOOD!" Shirahoshi smiles and says, "I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A REAL FOREST!" while adding, "...THIS TIME, I WOULD RATHER GO SOMEWHERE EVEN FURTHER AWAY, ABOVE THE WAVES..."

Luffy grins widely and snaps his arm, declaring, "IT'S A PROMISE!!" as a loud "SNAP" and "ぐるぐる!" sound effect ring out. Someone warns, "LUFFY, ARE YOU SURE YOU SHOULD BE MAKING PROMISES LIKE THAT WITHOUT CONSULTING USI" while another voice insists, "LUFFY-SAN! A PROMISE IS SOMETHING TO BE HONOURED TO THE GRAVE AND BEYOND!" Luffy laughs, "SURE! LEAVE IT TO ME!!" Shirahoshi clasps her hands and cries happily, "THEN I'LL PROMISE TOO!" and "ME TOO!" as hands reach toward the center. A voice protests, "QUITE...ENOUGH FINGERS, DON'T YOUI!" while another adds, "I RATHER THINK THIS SHOULD BE..." Shirahoshi promises, "ALL RIGHT THEN, SHIRAHOSHI... I'LL PROMISE YOU AS WELL!" In the final panel the ship sails away under the waves as Luffy waves and shouts, "SHISHISHI! AND YOU REMEMBER NOT TO CRY, YEAHI" Someone answers, "...OF COURSE!!"

Shirahoshi smiles gently underwater, bubbles rising around her as she holds a finger to her lips. A large fish-man with a long face declares, "BUT OF COURSE!!!" while another figure warns, "DO NOT FORGET THIS DEBT WE OWE." On the surface near the palace, fish-men react in surprise. One shouts, "AH, BOSS JINBE! PERFECT TIMING!!" Another exclaims, "THERE ARE STRONG AND HEROIC GUYS LIKE THAT STRAW HAT UP THERE AS WELL..." A small fish-man wearing a "HERO" shirt yells, "DON'T BE RIDICULOUS!! THE SURFACE IS FULL OF TERRIFYING HUMANS WHO HATE ALL FISHMEN..." while another fish-man asks, "HEY, DAD!! CAN YOU BUY ME A STRAW HATI!" The boss fish-man replies, "WE'RE GONNA PLAY AT BEING HEROES!!" and "THEN BUY ME ONE BY YOURSELF, YOU KNOWI!" A voice calls, "REALLY, BOSSI!" and another adds, "YES, YES, I HEARD. I'LL SEE IF I CAN FIND SOMETHING FOR YOU FROM A MERCHANT SHIP." The boss laughs, "WELL, YOU WANT YOURSELF A 'HERO HAT', DON'T YOUI HAHAHAH!"

The Thousand Sunny rises rapidly through the sea, surrounded by spinning rings of "KULIGOS WOOD" buoyancy devices. Franky explains, "THEY'RE CALLED 'KULIGOS WOOD'. THEY HAVE EXCEPTIONALLY POWERFUL BUOYANCY SO THEY'LL LIFT THE SHIP TOWARDS THE SURFACE." Luffy asks, "WHAT'S THAT, FRANKYI" Franky continues, "WE CAN CONTROL OUR SPEED BY ADJUSTING HOW MANY OF THEM WE EXTEND OUT INTO THE OCEAN." Nami smiles and says, "NOW, I HOPE EVERYONE'S FEELING READY FOR THIS!! ONCE WE REACH THE SURFACE, THERE'S GOING TO BE NO ROOM FOR RELAXING!!" while adding, "WE'RE HEADING FOR A DARK AND DANGEROUS SEA!!" Luffy beams excitedly, "HERE... WE'LL BE IN THE SAME SEA AS SHANKS!!!" and "I CAN'T WAIT TO MEET HIM..." A small figure stands on a high platform as someone asks, "...I WHAT'S UP, LUFFYI" while another voice notes, "ONCE WE REACH THE SURFACE..."

A long-haired man smiles while holding a young boy's face, saying, "...WHEN YOU'VE BECOME A GREAT PIRATE!" He continues, "IT'S A PRECIOUS POSSESSION OF MINE. I'LL LEAVE THIS HAT WITH YOU. MAKE SURE YOU COME AND GIVE IT BACK TO ME SOMEDAY..." The straw hat is shown being offered. In another panel a bearded man with glasses shouts, "HEAD STRAIGHT FOR THE TOP!!!" A monstrous fish-man face roars, "ASK YOURSELF THIS!! WHAT IS THERE THAT STILL REMAINS TO YOUI!!!" A scarred man growls, "YOU'LL PULL IT OFF FOR SURE...!! YOU'RE MY BROTHER, AFTER ALL...!!!" Silhouettes stand before a grand building as narration states, "AND THE MAN WHO CONQUERS THAT SEA... IT IS THE SEA WHERE GREAT MEN GATHER TO FORGE A BRAND NEW AGE!!...WILL BE THE PIRATE KING!!!" Luffy stares ahead with wide eyes while a goggled figure exclaims, "...CALL THAT FINAL OCEAN BY ANOTHER NAME. MOST PEOPLE..."

SBS page featuring fan letters and Oda's responses. Questions include bust sizes for Nami and Robin, references to "Taolf Repus Planks" from chapter 653, and a note about the "Ridiculously Floaty Plank" from chapter 175. Oda answers with sketches of Nami and Robin, discusses the plank's history, and jokes about becoming a gravure model. Page number 142 is visible along with small manga panels and reader names.

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