Plan to Escape from the Sand Country

A grand domed palace rises under a bright sky. Inside, frantic motion fills the corridors as someone dashes through arched hallways with repeated “HUFF” sounds and impact effects. A voice cries out, “IT'S AN EMERGENCY!”. The scene shifts to a large bedroom lined with beds. A massive figure wearing an enormous stacked turban and long robe enters from behind, holding a newspaper. A small “!!I” appears near one bed as the figure reacts to something unseen. Huge sound effect “がらん…!!” echoes across the room.

A hand knocks firmly on a wooden door. Inside the elegant room, Nefertari Vivi sits with her back to the entrance, her long hair tied back. Suddenly the door bursts open as Igaram rushes in, face drenched in sweat, eyes wide with panic. "PRIN-CESS!" he cries out. Vivi spins around in alarm, thoughts racing: "LUFFY AND THE OTHERS GO....!I" "WHERE DID..." Igaram, still catching his breath, asks, "What's wrongI You look panicked, Igaram." Vivi's expression softens into a gentle smile as she answers, "They're pirates, after all. They left for the sea."

A Marine officer wearing a tall "MARINE" hat and heart-shaped sunglasses glares down, declaring, "Scums of the worst kind. You pirates are..." Beside him, another Marine in a cap retorts, "You used to be a pirate yourself..." The first officer snaps back, "Hey, now..." The scene erupts into chaos as the two labeled recruits clash dramatically: Marine HQ Seaman Recruit "Iron Fist Fullbody" and Marine HQ Seaman Recruit "Jango the Double-Crosser." Fullbody shouts, "SHALL WE DANCEI" while Jango roars, "GAHHH! YOU'RE RIGHT!" Impact lines and debris fill the air around their wild confrontation.

On the deck of a Marine ship, two figures dance wildly to music. One shouts, "OH YEAH! JUST YOU WAIT, MS. HINA, WE'LL BE BACK SHORTLY!" while the other cheers, "OH YEAH! DANCE! DANCE! FUNKY STYLE!" A speech bubble identifies the absent commander as "Ms. Hina." Narration notes that after seeing their abilities, Hina purposely left them in charge of the ship they had been targeting, but she is disappointed. "Disappointed. Hina is disappointed." In Alabasta's Port Town Nanohana, a tall Marine with a white coat marked "MARINE" stands on the dock holding a Den Den Mushi, remarking, "Well they're taking an awfully long time. What's keeping them so longI" Another Marine adds, "The two seem to be on their way back after successfully capturing an enemy ship." A sign reads "Alabasta, Port Town Nanohana." Below, a close-up shows a Marine officer yelling, "IS NOW COMPLETELY BLOCKADED BY 30 SHIPS, INCLUDING REINFORCEMENTS!" and "EVERY PORT IN ALABASTA," while nearby a woman with long hair and a man in uniform discuss preparations: "Yes, all preparations are complete, ma'am!" and "Are the ships all in place yetI"

A Marine questions, "Is no longer there." Another states, "The Straw-Hat Pirates' ship, which we last confirmed to be at Erumalu..." A surprised voice asks, "WhatI" while a Marine adjusts his cap and says, "There is, however, one thing that bothers me..." In the next sequence, a long-haired woman is addressed: "MS. HINA! OUR APOLOGIES FOR ARRIVING SO LATE!" She replies, "What a pain..." Small figures argue in the background, one saying "No, mine. She'll like mine better." and another asking "Why are you lateI" A Marine orders, "Then find it at once! Search from shore to shore!" Another warns, "N-no! We have the mouth of the Sandora River completely surrounded so that would be impossible..." and "...Don't tell me that they've already left this country-" In the final panels, a Marine gasps, "S... STRAW HAT!I" as the long-haired woman turns and declares, "Get to your posts at once! It's time to take down Straw-Hat." A voice answers, "Completely unnecessary." Two Marines appear holding bouquets of roses, one saying, "WE WENT TO PICK FLOWERS FOR NONE OTHER THAN YOU, MISS!" with a heart symbol and the SFX "フラワーァァァ...!!"

In the vast desert under a bright sun, a line of ducks waddles across the dunes as "QUACK" sounds echo and large stylized SFX "ビビッドビビッド..." stretch across the sky. The Straw Hats ride forward on their mounts. Sanji speaks while holding a small bottle, "Along with some spices. Yeah, I'm quite interested in trying my hand at 'em. I got the recipes from Terracotta," while Luffy devours meat with wild energy. Usopp adds, "Sanji, try cooking some next time." Vivi smiles, "Alabastan food is the best!" Luffy keeps eating as someone calls out, "Hey, Luffy. How long are ya gonna keep on eatingI" Another voice continues, "So it's time to say farewell to the country of sand... You put us through quite the battle." Nami murmurs, "Hmm... This is nice." In closer panels, Sanji looks at Vivi and says, "You're thinking about Vivi, aren't you... I understand how you feel but... It's not something we can do anything about. We had a lot of good times together but... That's just how it is. Come on, cheer up now." Luffy, mouth full, offers, "I'll give you some meat if you want, Nami! Only one though." Nami stares ahead silently with a heavy expression. Chopper, in his hat, asks with concern, "Nami...I Are you sickI"

Sanji thinks quietly, "For Vivi's sake at least..." while Usopp looks back and says, "Guess I should give it up." A large panel erupts into chaos as Nami's face fills the foreground with a bright smile. She declares, "On the 1 billion belis." Behind her, the crew reacts in panic: "IT WAS MONEY YOU WERE SAYING ABOUT!I" and a massive bold outburst "YOU DAMN WELL BETTER!" SFX "ビキビキ..." and "ドドド..." shake the scene as figures tumble and flail. Usopp falls off his mount again. Voices shout, "AOHH! USOPP FELL OFF AGAIN!" "Are you upset about ViviI That can't be helped, you know." "What're you all worked up overI" "STOP BEING SO DAMN MISLEADING, NAMI!" "AGHHH! USOPP FELL OFF!" Someone sighs, "Oh, just leave him be..." A final caption reads, "IT'S YOUR FAULT!" as the desert stretches on with more "ビビッド..." SFX fading into the dunes.

Under the night sky, a grand domed palace rises in the background. A voice calls out, "Carue! Carue, are you thereI" A small "QUACKI" floats in the air. Inside a room, Igaram stands in the doorway while Vivi sits up in bed. Igaram explains, "In any case, it'd be the same whether or not they knew. So even Carue can't catch up with them. I sent them off on the Spot-Billed Duck Squad." Vivi questions sharply, "WhyI We should at least make them aware of their new situation...!" Igaram replies, "It's pointless, Igaram." Vivi presses, "What do you mean!I" Igaram continues, "W-well... Yes, you're right. You have to deliver a speech to the country tomorrow. I need to sleep. We've got to wake up early tomorrow, after all! They'll be fine so get out now." Vivi adds, "So nothing would change. They'd only be happy if they found out about that." Carue waddles over as Vivi smiles and says, "Carue, come here. Let's sleep together. QUACK." Igaram protests, "But...!"

Vivi sits up, sensing something wrong. "Hm... Something's off. What should we-" Igaram calls, "Igaram!" A small "HMM..." appears. The door slams with a loud "パタン...." as Carue is pushed out. Inside the hallway, Igaram looks concerned while Vivi says, "Pardon!I She's too unconcerned about it..." Carue stands outside the door looking dazed with swirling eyes and "SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY STRANGE..." repeated. In the bedroom, Vivi lies awake noting, "How long has it been since a night as quiet as this..." Carue snores "ZZZ" and "QUACK" on a bed. Vivi thinks, "It's quiet, isn't it, Carue. There's nobody here... Nor a sleepy navigator who then throws pillows out at everyone... No swordsman doing his usual night training... There's no fridge-raider duking it out with the cook here."

A den-den mushi rings in the room. A voice asks, "FROM WHOI" and "A DEN-DEN MUSHI CALLI" Someone reports, "SOME PERSON CALLING HIMSELF BON-CHAN..." The crew debates the call. "It could be a trap. I'd advise against it," one says. Another replies, "Well... Why don't we try talking to himI" A third notes, "He insists that he's one of your friends..." and "We don't know anybody by that name." Someone asks, "Who's Bon-chanI" Sanji reaches for the receiver. "CLICK..." The den-den mushi connects with a loud "MOI!" A wild voice bursts out, "HELLO!I HELLO!I GAAAAA HAHAHA! IT'S MEEEEEE!"

Luffy grabs the receiver and shouts into it, "What d'ya want from usI" The voice answers, "You the okamaI" Luffy recognizes it instantly: "OH!I Isn't this Straw Hat's voice!I Aren't you a strong Colour me surprised!" The caller laughs wildly as the crew reacts in shock. "WHAT DID YOU SAY, YOU BASTARD!I" Luffy yells. The voice on the other end threatens, "Or I'll be in big trouble if the marines tap into this call! Now don't go calling me Mr. 2!" Mr. 2 Bon Clay appears on the line, arms spread wide, crying, "Aren't weeeeee... FRIEEENDSI" The crew panics. "YOU'RE PUSHING YOUR LIMIT...!" "I'm on your ship riiiight now!" "THIS AIN'T NO JOKE! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU RIGHT NOW!I" Luffy demands. Mr. 2 wails, "OH NOOOO, NOOOO, NOOOO!"

Inside a spacious room the Straw Hats sit together discussing their next move. Someone says, "...But we've got no other choice." Another replies, "Knowing you, I'm worried you'll get friendly with him again." A third adds, "Well, we were friendly with him once before." "Can we trust himI" asks a fourth. A voice states, "He's along the upper reaches of the Sandora river." Vivi suddenly appears in close-up, sweat on her face, as voices call out "Vivi!I" and "Everyone." The crew continues planning: "If it's settled then we better start getting ready..." "If he's setting a trap for us... Then we'll just kick his ass when the time comes." "You're right. He has our ship after all." In the wide lower panel the crew stands scattered across the room with luggage and weapons ready. Vivi stands alone, head bowed, thinking "What... Should I do...I" while another voice murmurs "Everyone..."

Vivi stands before a map showing the Sandora River, Alubarna, Nanohana and the Eastern Port. She declares, "We'll approach the Eastern Port JUST ONCE, exactly at noon tomorrow! We probably won't be able to stop anchor though..." A large bubble reads, "Listen, Vivi. We'll give you 12 hours to decide. Once we take back our ship at Sandora River," Luffy appears in the next panel, arms spread, shouting, "That'll be your one and only chance to get onboard! This time, though... We'll welcome you as a pirate!" Nami smiles and adds, "So... If you want to continue travelling with us." Vivi looks conflicted. The crew crowds around her, Luffy yelling "COME WITH US, VIVI!!" while others shout "YOU BETTER COME! NO, JUST COME RIGHT NOW!" and "COME WITH US, VIVI!!" Someone pleads, "Since you're the princess of a country, we won't push you to come along." Vivi answers quietly, "This isn't about that! Vivi has to decide for herself!" Luffy snaps, "What, don't you guys want her to come!I" as the crew begins to leave, saying "We're off then."

In a quiet bedroom, a figure lies under the covers while Carue the duck leans in close. A thought bubble reads, "TOMORROW AT NOON..." Carue says, "AT THE EASTERN PORT... IT'LL TAKE 4 HOURS TO GET THERE BY CARUE'S SPEED... SO I CAN MAKE IT AS LONG AS I LEAVE BY 8..." A wide view shows an ornate palace courtyard under a bright sun. The girl thinks, "A CHANCE LIKE THIS... IS SOMETHING I WON'T EVER GET AGAIN IF I LET IT GO THIS TIME. BUT I'VE NEVER EVEN ONCE THOUGHT ABOUT BECOMING A PIRATE BEFORE..." Close panels capture her face and Carue's intense expression as she asks, "...But what do you want to doI" Carue replies, "Wouldn't you, Carue..." She continues, "...If I go, you'd come too. I'VE NEVER EVEN THOUGHT OR DISLIKED OR THOUGHT ABOUT BECOMING A PIRATE BEFORE... AND EVEN THOUGH THE REBELLION'S OVER, THE COUNTRY'S STILL IN A CRITICAL PERIOD..."

A dramatic splash shows a cloaked figure with wings soaring through the air, arms spread wide, shouting, "NICE TO SEE YOU ALL AGAIN!" and "I'VE BEEN WAAAAAIII-TIIIING FOR YOUUUUU ALL!" Small "flutter" effects surround the figure. Below, on a sandy shore near a docked ship, the duck flock gathers. One duck says, "I guess it's time for us to say good-bye..." Others call, "Run back safely now!" "You can drop our stuff now. Thanks for the ride." "We're here." The ducks wave and shout, "See ya all!" "QUAAACC CK!" "Take care of the king and the chikuwa-dude!" as they prepare to depart.

A massive impact shakes the scene as Luffy and the crew confront the flamboyant figure on the dock. "WAIT A SECOND!" someone yells. The man in the swan outfit beams, "LET'S MEET AGAIN SOME DAY FOR SURE! LET'S..." Nami snaps back, "WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEMI DON'T GIMME THAT COLD, 'OH WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEMI'" Usopp stands nearby, hat shading his eyes. The man, Mr. 2 Bon Clay, continues cheerfully despite the tension. In the next panels, Bon Clay sits dramatically, declaring, "But... Oh phooey, who gives a hoot about any of that now. Oh, sorry. Hey, move it." Luffy glares and retorts, "I DID NOT TRICK YOU!! I HADN'T THE FAINTEST IDEA EITHER!" Bon Clay fires back, "What do you mean, 'friendI' We were enemies all along. You tricked us." Nami demands, "WHAT'S WITH YOUR ATTITUDE! IS THAT ANY WAY TO GREET A FRIEND!I" Bon Clay explains, "Baroque Works is gone and we're no longer enemies." Usopp presses, "Do you have ANY IDEA AT ALL. What would've happened to your ship if I hadn't taken itI" Bon Clay stands and asks, "If we're no longer enemies, then why'd ya take our shipI" Luffy shouts from below, "WHAT WAS THAT!I" A small "WHAT WAS THAT!I" speech bubble floats near the hat on the ground.

The crew learns the dire situation: "MARINE SHIPS HAVE TOTALLY, UTTERLY, BLOCKADED THE ENTIRE ISLAND! Not even one little swan could fly its way out right now." Bon Clay panics, "NOT PROBABLY! THEY'D HAVE TAKEN IT ABSO-POSITIVELY-ABSOLUTELY! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT KIND OF STATE THIS ISLAND IS IN RIGHT NOW!I" Nami notes, "The marines probably would've taken it." Bon Clay flashes a thumbs-up, "We're friends. Because my dear," while Luffy sweats and asks, "So you... Protected the Going Merry from the marines...I Yeah, why!I" Usopp and Chopper react in shock. Bon Clay then dances wildly across the deck, shouting "STOOOP JOOOKING AROOOUND!" with large SFX "んかいはははは" as the crew yells the same phrase back. Nami and Usopp watch from the side, one saying, "Nope, this is the last one. Do we still have more stuff down thereI" In the final panel, Bon Clay is struck, "ACK!" as a voice accuses, "You were basically looking for ways to increase your allies, am I rightI" Bon Clay replies, "BON-CHAN!" while another states, "So in other words, Mr. 2... Since you couldn't get out of the island either due to the blockade,"

A scarred warrior with a fierce expression rallies everyone, shouting, "WHEN WE THE PEOPLE MUST BAND UNDER THE NAME OF FRIENDSHIP AND FIGHT TOGETHER!" A voice affirms, "THAT'S RIGHT! IT'S TIMES LIKE THESE...! IT'S ERAS LIKE THESE WE LIVE IN..." On the deck of a ship flying a "RAM" flag, a cloaked figure demands, "SINCE WHEN THE HELL WERE YOU ALL HEREI" A relaxed reply comes: "Welp, we're countin' on y'all then." Another mutters, "...Oh jeez." The crew erupts in celebration with "HELL YEAAAAAHHH!" and excited cheers. In a close-up, a long-haired woman glares intensely and orders, "PREPARE FOR BATTLE." A report states, "It's at the upper reaches of the Sandora River!" and "Miss Hina! We've located their ship!"

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