ONE PIECE episode A

A young dark-haired man in a white shirt fights inside a ship's interior, breaking chains and machinery. He mutters "I... I LOST, HUH..." while touching his face. Flashback panels show a grinning man with a mustache declaring "I'LL SURPASS... THE PIRATE KING!!" and another shouting "OUR TARGET IS WHITEBEARD! EDWARD NEWGATE!" The young man vows, "I'LL RACE UP THE STAIRS OF THIS GREAT OCEAN... UNTIL I'M AT THE TOP!" A cloaked figure stands on a ship's railing under a stormy moonlit sky with lightning. Nearby panels depict the same man bloodied and exhausted on deck, thinking "THIS PLACE..."

Two large ornate ships sail across the open sea under a bright sky, one whale-shaped. A tall man with blond hair, a scar, and a white scarf stands proudly, declaring "I'M THATCH, COMMANDER OF THE 4TH DIVISION." Below, the dark-haired man faces him as Thatch says, "YOU UNDERSTAND... YOUR SITUATION, RIGHTI" Large sound effects "HUPP" and "P P" punctuate the scene. Bottom text reads "ONE PIECE episode A CHAPTER 3: THAT KIND OF PIRATE" with production credits.

Massive sailing ships cut through rough seas under heavy rain and wind. Multiple vessels with tall masts and billowing sails appear in formation. Loud rumbling SFX echo across the sky: ゴゴゴゴ and ゴゴゴ. Birds scatter as the ships press forward. In the lower panel the lead ship dominates the view from behind, flanked by two others on the waves. More SFX ゴアアアア ring out as the fleet advances through the storm.

A close view of a thick wooden mast on the deck shows ropes and rigging. A speech bubble reads, "A CAPTIVE, HUH..." Small figures stand on the deck below. The right side of the page shifts to a wide stormy sea at night. Lightning flashes as several ships sail in the distance. Large SFX ビリビリビリ and ビリビリ... mark the thunder while smaller impact marks scatter across the waves.

A close-up shows a tall man with slicked-back hair, a stitched scar across his face, and a confident grin. He declares, "WELCOME ABOARD OUR SHIP. THE MOBY DICK!!" A second close-up reveals a dark-haired man with an intense stare. In the lower panel the dark-haired man is seen from behind on the deck while the stitched man stands nearby. Other crew members react in the background. Dialogue bubbles read: "CALM DOWN, THEY'RE NOT DEAD. THEY'RE ALL ON BOARD THIS SHIP.", "YOUR CREW CAME TO TAKE YOU BACK... SO WE CRUSHED THEM.", "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU-!I", "OH RIGHT, I SHOULD PROBABLY TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENED AFTER YOU PASSED OUT."

Multiple panels show the two men facing each other. The dark-haired man, chained, asks, "WHEN EXACTLY WILL YOU BE ABLE TO FACE THEM AGAINI" The stitched man replies, "SO, IT'S NOT LIKE I CAN FACE THEM AFTER WHAT HAPPENED." He laughs "HAHA!!" and continues, "WANNA GO SEE THEMI THEY'VE GOT A REAL HANDFUL OF A CAPTAIN!" The stitched man adds, "THEY'RE LESS INJURED THAN YOU ARE, ACTUALLY. WELL, SINCE THEY'RE NOT EXACTLY GUESTS, WE'VE PUT THEM TO WORK DOING WHAT EVER THEY'RE GOOD AT. I'M IN CHARGE OF YOUR CUSTODY, AFTER ALL." A boot steps forward with SFX ビシッ. The dark-haired man questions, "IS IT REALLY ALRIGHT TO KEEP ME ON THIS SHIP... WITHOUT ANY CHAINS OR SHACKLESI" The stitched man answers, "LET ME ASK YOU..."

A massive man with an eyepatch and pompadour hairstyle looms over a smaller figure seen from behind, his scarred face twisted in a fierce expression as large stylized characters explode across the sky. Below, crew members react in smaller panels: one states "WASN'T LYING ABOUT MY CREW." while another notes "SEEMS LIKE THAT POMPADOUR GUY..." A voice adds "JUST WAIT, YOU GUYS..." In the bottom panel a bloodied young swordsman with wild hair grips his blade tightly and shouts "...AFTER I'VE TAKEN WHITEBEARD'S HEAD!!" followed by "I'LL RETURN TO YOU ALL..."

The young swordsman lunges forward with intense motion lines, eyes wide and mouth open in a roar as he swings his blade. Close-ups show a bloodied face and a glaring eye. In another room a muscular sleeping man lies in bed with multiple "SNORE" bubbles above him. The swordsman then appears mid-strike with a large "SHING" effect, blade flashing as the sleeper begins to react.

A massive impact erupts as the sleeping man's enormous fist smashes into the young swordsman, sending debris and shockwaves flying with "SNAP" and impact effects; the swordsman is hurled back with a shocked "!!I". Background voices react with "WAH!" and "!!!!". In lower panels the eyepatch man speaks: "BUT SINCE I GOT HERE, I'VE ONLY HEARD YOU CALL HIM ONE THING..." and "IN EVERY PIRATE CREW, THE CAPTAIN IS THE BOSS." Other crew discuss "NO MATTER YOUR METHODS, YOU'RE FAR..." "ATTACKING AT NIGHT, ARE WEI" and "THEY'RE CLEARLY UNDERESTIMATING ME, BUT EVEN SO..." The sleeping man wakes with a "SNORE" turning into motion as crew members comment "HEY, HEY, WHATCHA DOINGI" and "POPS REALLY TOSSES AND TURNS IN HIS SLEEP."

Night scene on a ship shows the young swordsman being thrown with "UH-" and shouting "I WON'T ACCEPT CHARITY FROM THE ENEMY! LEAVE ME ALONE!!" while others reply "REALLYI THEN WHAT DID YOU DO WITH THE FOOD WE LET YOU SNEAK OUT FOR DINNERI" and "WE'RE GOING TO THE SICK BAY. COME, I'LL TAKE YOU THERE." "HEY, YOU CAN'T EVEN STAND!!" Two identical bandaged men appear saying "YOU'RE A WEIRD PIRATE CREW..." and "POPS." A nurse-like woman stands with a small masked figure holding an "ANATOMY" book as another character reacts in surprise nearby.

In a lively bar filled with Whitebeard Pirates, a woman with leopard-print stockings stands with hands on hips, declaring, "YOU'RE REALLY JUST HERE TO WORK, YOU IDIOT!!" Nearby voices chime in: "OH, THAT'S RIGHT, YOU WERE ALWAYS FLICKING THROUGH MEDICAL BOOKS." and "IF SOMEONE GIVES YOU FOOD AND A PLACE TO STAY, YOU PAY THEM BACK! THAT'S THE PIRATES' CODE OF HONOR!!" A bandaged young man with dark hair mutters "MEH..." while another figure sweats nervously. The scene shifts to the same young man shouting with a wide-open mouth, "I'M THE ONE WHO LOST!" as others react: "HEY, WE'RE THE ONES WHO LOST! EVEN THOUGH YOU GAVE US AN ESCAPE, WE STILL GOT CAUGHT..." and "YOU GUYS ARE ALL BEING PUT TO WORK 'CUZ OF ME... I FEEL AWFUL..." In a dramatic close-up, the bandaged man, revealed as a young Ace with a headband and facial injuries, glares intensely and growls, "I NEED TO TAKE OUT... WHITE-BEARD! I'M YOUR CAPTAIN. THAT'S WHY..." A masked figure at the bottom panel responds with "..."

The flashback erupts into combat as young Ace is hurled backward by a massive impact, his body twisting mid-air amid explosive debris and motion lines reading "ドン" and "バキ". From behind, Whitebeard's towering silhouette swings his naginata, with narration bubbles stating "...THEN I'LL MAKE FULL USE......OF THE OPPORTUNITY!!" A separate panel shows a blonde crew member with a scar saying "BURDENING YOURSELF LIKE THAT..." while another notes "ACE, YOU..." and internally thinks "IF HE'S REALLY GONNA KEEP ME ON THIS SHIP..." Ace recovers in a fiery explosion, flames bursting around him as he yells "I'LL MAKE YOU REGRET... KEEPING ME ON THIS SHIP!!" and unleashes "FIRE FIST!!" Whitebeard stands firm, calmly replying "COME THEN, WASTE YOUR TIME." while a crewmate watches with a grin.

Ace crashes onto the deck of the Moby Dick, his cloak billowing as he shouts "I WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE YOU!!" Whitebeard looms above, his naginata raised, retorting "A FLAME LIKE THAT... WON'T EVEN BE ENOUGH..." while thinking "MY FLAMES..." A crew member reacts with "!!I" Ace lies sprawled on the wooden planks, sweat and injuries visible, as Whitebeard continues, "YET HE EXTINGUISHED IT WITH HIS BARE HAND. MY FLAMES WERE STRONG ENOUGH TO WORK AGAINST ONE OF THE SEVEN WARLORDS..." The large captain adds, "I ONLY LET A LITTLE CHICKLET LIKE YOU LIVE ON A WHIM. USE YOUR SAVED LIFE HOWEVER YOU WISH." Ace struggles with "GUH..." as the ship sways under stormy skies.

On the deck of the Moby Dick, Whitebeard smirks and says "GREAT SPEECH BACK THERE." while crewmates including a blonde man and others watch from the background, one commenting "I BET THE NASTY STARES FROM THE CREW DON'T FEEL PLEASANT, THOUGH." and another noting "BESIDES, WHAT YOU'RE LACKING ISN'T FOOD... IT'S STRENGTH." A small figure adds "I'M THE ONE WHO MAKES THAT FOOD." Whitebeard grins and asks "HOW'D YOU LIKE TO TRAIN UNDER MEI AT LEAST UNTIL YOU'RE STRONG ENOUGH TO SHOW POPS A FUN TIME." In a massive splash panel, young Ace lunges forward with burning determination, flames erupting around his fist as he roars "ONLY THEN WILL I SET SAIL AGAIN!! I'LL DEFEAT YOU!! JUST YOU WAIT! WHITE-BEARD!! I'LL DEFINITELY SURPASS YOU!" The intense close-up captures his scarred face and fiery aura amid debris and motion lines.

A stern man with long light hair, a dark goatee, and a scar over his left eye glares sideways while speaking. "IF YOU WEREN'T PROMISING, I WOULDN'T BE HELPING YOU OUT." Beside him, a wild-haired man with a scar snarls back, "YOU BASTARD. JUST HOW MUCH ARE YOU GONNA LOOK DOWN ON MEI" The first replies calmly, "IT'S QUITE THE OPPOSITE, ACTUALLY." Below, a grinning man with a topknot laughs, "THAT'S A SHAME." "THAT SOI" "HAHA!" The scarred man snaps, "I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS." "YOU GUYS REALLY ARE WEIRD." The scene shifts to open sea where a large sailing ship with skull flags is struck by a massive wave and explosion, sending debris flying amid dramatic SFX "ビュオオオ" and "ドドド".

Explosions rock a rocky island as a spiky-haired man in a white coat with a cross emblem stands amid flames, shouting, "SHUT UP!! SOMEONE THREW ME OUT HERE WHILE I WAS STILL SLEEPING!" Below him, a muscular tattooed man with a chain necklace yells, "AN ENEMY SHIP! THEY WERE LAYING WASTE TO ONE OF OUR ISLANDS-YOI." "WHERE THE HELL ARE WEI!" On the right, a close-up shows a smirking man with spiky hair replying, "YOU SURE ARE A LIVELY ONE, ROOKIE." Debris and smoke fill the chaotic battlefield.

Allied fighters charge forward amid blasts. One shouts, "LET'S HURRY UP AND CRUSH THEM SO WE CAN GET BACK TO THE SHIP!" Another calls, "A NEW CREW-MATE..." Observers note, "SO THAT'S THE FIRST DIVISION COMMANDER, MARCO... BLUE REGENERATIVE FLAMES..." "BUT WHO'S THE ONE NEXT TO HIM WITH THE RED FLAMESI" "HOW DEPENDABLE-YOI." A massive impact erupts with SFX "バゴン" as a figure is hurled back, "UGH...!!" In a close panel a dark-haired man thinks, "IF THIS LEVEL OF PIRATE CAUSES YOU TROUBLE... SO FAST... AND ON TOP OF THAT THEY CAN USE HAKI....THEN TAKING POPS' HEAD IS JUST A PIPE DREAM." A powerful pirate captain with crossed-hat and dual swords glares intensely amid swirling energy, ready for battle.

The wild-haired man roars, "SHUT IT!!" with veins bulging and sweat flying. Beside him the smirking man continues, "I'M JUST SAYING, YOU SHOULDN'T GROWL... IF YOU CAN'T BITE HARDER THAN A PUPPY-YOI." The view widens to open ocean where a massive underwater explosion erupts beneath the waves near distant ships. Narration reads, "THE BATTLEFIELD IS CERTAINLY... THE PERFECT PLACE TO SHARPEN MY FANGS!" and "THE THOUGHT OF DOING EXACTLY WHAT THATCH WANTS PISSES ME OFF. BUT..."

A long-haired fighter with a beaded necklace twists mid-air, delivering a powerful kick while shouting, "SWEET SEDGE KICK!!" The impact sends a smaller figure flying amid debris and motion lines. Nearby, a giraffe-like creature complains, "I DON'T RECALL PERMITTING YOU... TO COMPLAIN ABOUT WHAT NAMES..." A voice retorts, "WELL, THAT MAY BE SO..." Another panel shows the fighter declaring, "FOR THE TIME HAS COME... THE HEAVENLY JUDGEMENT!" Spectators on the right react with shock: "YEA, HE CHALLENGED POPS AGAIN TODAY," "HE'S GOT THE GUTS TO SEE THIS THROUGH TO THE END," and "HE'LL BE RUNNING AWAY IN NO TIME. HE'S GOT NO CHANCE." A bearded man with a scar mutters, "AIN'T HAPPENING." On the left, close-ups reveal the fighter's intense expression as he is stabbed, with narration noting "TCH..." and "ACE, YOU'VE... BEEN LEANING TOO HARD ON THE PART OF HAKI YOU'RE BEST AT, HAVEN'T YOUI" A voice warns, "IT'S FUNNY HOW CARELESS YOU LOGIA USERS ARE!! EAT THIS! KUZUNOHA DISORDER STAB!*" The stabbed fighter gasps, "HAA..." while another states, "YOU GOTTA EXPAND THE REACH OF YOUR ABILITIES." A pitfall of self-study is noted as the young fighter walks away. The right side shows the bearded man, identified as Commander Thatch, watching with concern amid the chaos of the ongoing clash.

The long-haired fighter unleashes a massive explosive attack, wings of energy erupting outward as he roars, "ARE YOU CALLING DISORDERLY!!" The blast engulfs the giraffe-like creature in a cloud of smoke and debris. A close-up shows his furious face with the exclamation, "JUST WHO..." The surrounding panels capture the raw force of the strike, with impact lines radiating across the page and the fighter's determined stance as he follows through with a clenched fist.

The scene shifts to a ship deck where the long-haired fighter lands dramatically amid falling debris. A voice comments, "ALL THANKS TO MY GENEROUS ADVICE... GREAT OBSERVATION HAKI." Close-ups show the fighter's sweat-covered face and the bearded man's intense glare. Below, the young fighter stands on the deck as the bearded man asks, "CARELESS HUH, TEACHI" The stabbed fighter replies, "DAMN IT, I GOT STABBED AA! GYA AA!" while clutching his wound. Another character with spiky hair growls, "GRR..." The bearded man concludes, "IT'S ALRIGHT, I DON'T NEED ANY THANKS." The fighter retorts, "HUHI THAT DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT I CONTRIBUTED, THATCH!" as the group processes the aftermath of the fight.

Two ships sail across the open sea under a cloudy sky. Signs mark the location as "WHITEBEARD'S TERRITORY" and "FOODVALTEN," with a large black flag bearing a skull and crossbones flying over the port town of Foodvalten. In a tavern, the bearded man sits with a mug, stating, "YOU JUST FINISHED HIM OFF AFTER ACE ALREADY BEAT HIM. BESIDES, DIDN'T YOU SEE HOW I TOOK OUT THAT ZOAN CAPTAINI" A voice responds, "HUHI THAT DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT I CONTRIBUTED, THATCH!" A woman adds, "LIKE I SAID, ALL YOU DID WAS GET STABBED AND MAKE A RACKET OVER IT." The group relaxes in the lively port setting as the chapter's events conclude.

On a moonlit rocky island, a topknotted man sips from a cup and says, "I WASN'T EVEN KEEPING COUNT... HE'D PROBABLY GO ON FOREVER." Nearby, a wild-haired man reacts with shock: "WHA-!I" Voices debate, "THAT YOU'LL JOIN OUR CREW... SAY, I'VE BEEN HEARING A RUMOR... OH, THAT'S RIGHT, IT WAS YOU, FLAME ROOKIE. ONCE YOU'VE TRIED AND FAILED 100 TIMES TO TAKE ON POPS, THAT RIGHTI" A bearded man declares, "IT WAS ME WHO CAME UP WITH THAT." In a tense exchange, a dark-haired man snaps, "WHAT'S SO FUNNY, YOU BIG BEARDED OAF!I" The bearded man bursts into laughter: "ZEHAHAHAHA! SO MANY TRIES AND HE HASN'T EVEN GOTTEN POPS TO USE HIS DEVIL FRUIT ABILITY! FOR YOUR REFERENCE, HE'S ON HIS 48TH LOSS." The view widens to a starry night cliff where a figure plummets amid crosses, then shifts to the bearded man hauling sake barrels past a "SAKE" sign while offering, "HOW ABOUT I GIVE YOU A TASTE OF MY DEVIL FRUIT POWER!! ONCE YOU'VE EATEN, WE'RE GOING SHOPPING. DON'T FIGHT."

A grand sailing ship glides across moonlit waters near rocky outcrops, with sound effects "T Too..." and "T T" trailing behind. On deck, a man with a bottle states, "AS A COOK, YOU'VE GOT THE FLAME-FLAME FRUIT. I'M PRETTY JEALOUS!" while another silhouette replies, "I KINDA EXPECTED IT, BUT THAT'S A LOT OF ABILITIES. AND COMMANDER JOZU HAS THE DIAMOND-DIAMOND FRUIT, COMMANDER MARCO HAS A BIRD-BIRD FRUIT, POPS HAS THE QUAKE-QUAKE FRUIT." The large man seated with a bottle warns, "IF YOU WANT IT, YOU'VE GOTTA KILL HIM!!!"

A massive close-up reveals Marshall D. Teach's grinning face as he explains, "THEY SAY WHEN A DEVIL FRUIT USER DIES... THEIR FRUIT WILL RE-APPEAR SOMEWHERE IN THE WORLD." On the ship deck at night, crew members chat casually: "...WHYI DO YOU HAVE A FRUIT YOU WANT TO EATI" "NAH, NOT REALLY." "...I DO." "WANNA HEAR ABOUT ITI" "HAHA, TEACH..." "IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME THOUGH, RIGHTI" "AH, SORRY." "HEY!!" "WHO'RE YOU CALLING A CREW-MATE!I" "BY THE WAY, ON THIS SHIP THERE'S A RULE THAT WHOEVER FINDS A FRUIT CAN EAT IT." "THERE'S NO ABILITY SOMEONE COULD WANT ENOUGH TO KILL A CREWMATE. DON'T TALK ABOUT SOMETHING SO DISTURBING."

The crew discusses eagerly: "THE CLEAR-CLEAR FRUIT THAT MAKES YOU INVISIBLE! IT'S A MAN'S DREAM." "CAN I OPEN THIS BARRELI WE'RE OUT OF BOOZE." "OF COURSE." "IS IT THAT FRUITI EVEN IF IT TAKES MY WHOLE LIFE, I WANNA FIND IT." Elsewhere, a woman notes, "IT'S THE SAME FOR THE ISLAND WE JUST SAVED. THE WORLD GOVERNMENT WON'T PROTECT THEM." A man adds, "REALLYI AN EMPEROR LIKES THISI" "IT'S POPS' FAVOURITE." "SINCE POPS SENDS HIS SHARE OF THE TREASURE BACK TO HIS HOME TOWN, HE PREFERS STICKING TO THE CHEAP STUFF. THEY CAN'T EVEN PAY THEIR HEAVENLY TRIBUTE TO THE CELESTIAL DRAGONS. I HEAR IT'S A PISS-POOR VILLAGE." "THAT'S WHY HE LENDS THEM OUR FLAG INSTEAD." "WAIT, WAIT, YOU CAN'T OPEN THAT ONE! BUT THIS IS THE CHEAP STUFF, RIGHTI"

In a series of stark flashback panels, a young man with glasses glares intensely and shouts, "I DON'T CARE IF THEY CALL ME A VILLAIN!" Smaller inset panels show him continuing, "...KNOW MY NAME!!" and "I'LL MAKE THE WHOLE WORLD..." A wide shot reveals a rocky outcrop where a small boy in a straw hat stands triumphantly with a staff raised beside two other children. A large central speech bubble declares, "...THAT KIND OF PIRATE." On the right, a tall man with an elaborate pompadour hairstyle, facial scars, and a tied scarf looks upward with a fierce grin, saying, "OUR POPS, HE'S JUST..."

A tall vertical panel shows young Ace, shirtless with a beaded necklace, roaring in fury with mouth wide open as "YAA AAA!!" explodes beside him amid heavy speed lines. The next panel reveals the massive wooden mast of a ship with multiple "X" impact marks and a small cloaked figure clinging to a lower railing. On the right, three stacked speech bubbles read: "HE'S A GREAT PERSON, RIGHT ACE!I" "THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOU AND HIM IS LIKE NIGHT AND DAY! A FIREFLY COMPARED TO THE SUN!" and "QUIT AGITATING HIM, TEACH." Below, Ace appears again with an enraged expression, sweat flying, while a young boy in a straw hat looks up in shock. A large Japanese SFX "暴" marks the impact.

The fight erupts violently. A mustached man in a feathered coat stands over a downed opponent and says, "NO SURPRISE ATTACK THIS TIME... BUT A LOT OF FORCE." Another pirate with a captain's coat asks, "WHAT'S UP WITH YOU TODAYI DID YOU THROW SOME TWIGS ON THAT FIREI" while a third yells "GURA RARA!" amid explosive impact SFX. Close-ups show a scarred face muttering "...KEEPS TALKING..." and a long-haired figure stating, "EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU..." A massive splash panel depicts a ship being hurled through the air by a gigantic force as Ace's face fills the frame, eyes bloodshot, shouting, "I'M GONNA BEAT YOU!!" "...ABOUT THINGS YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT!!" Young Ace is then sent flying backward with "F..." sound effects and debris.

A towering cloaked figure looms over the scene, coat billowing wildly with motion lines and debris flying as Ace is slammed down. In the lower right, Ace lies against a wall, the tattoo "ACE" clearly visible on his upper arm. A close-up shows his sweat-drenched face with intense eyes as he thinks, "NO MATTER WHAT, I..." and "I STILL COULDN'T EVEN TOUCH HIM... HIS LEAGUE..." The final panel focuses on a weathered hand gripping the edge of a wooden barrel labeled "ALE" and "10,000,000 BERRIES," emphasizing the crushing weight of the moment.

A scarred, long-haired man glares sideways with intense eyes while gripping a thick, scaled tail. "COME AT ME AT ANY TIME..." he growls. Nearby, a bloodied face with glasses stares in shock. "THAT FIGHT FELT... SOMEWHAT WORTHWHILE," the voice continues. In the next panel a tall figure in a flowing white coat and wide hat walks away down a wooden corridor, a small figure sprawled on the floor behind him. "...YOU SNOT-NOSED BRAT," the scarred man adds. The walking figure raises a hand to his face. "THANKS..." he says quietly. "...FOR THE LIQUOR."

Under a vast night sky filled with stars and a bright full moon, a dark-haired man sits alone on a cracked stone platform, head bowed and hands clasped between his knees. Earlier close-ups show him clutching his face, sweat and tears visible. "JUST SHUT UP..." a voice says. The man remains motionless, the moonlight casting dramatic shadows across the broken ground and wooden railings around him.

A large sailing ship rocks on moonlit waves beneath dramatic clouds and a shining moon. Massive sound-effect lettering "### ### ### ###" slashes across the sky. On deck, crew members react excitedly. "THEY'VE BEEN GETTING PRETTY INTENSE!" one shouts. "I HEAR THEIR DUELS AREN'T COMPLETELY ONE-SIDED ANYMORE," another adds. "HE'S GOTTEN PRETTY STRONG RECENTLY!" a spiky-haired man says. "HEY, DID YOU SEE FIRE FIST EARLIERI" "ANOTHER FLAWLESS VICTORY, POPS!!" a rabbit-like figure cheers. "HIT HIM BACK, ROOKIE!!" a helmeted boy yells as a massive fist dominates the foreground.

A wide starry sky with swirling clouds and a brilliant central star fills the upper half of the page. Below, an extreme close-up reveals intense eyes glaring forward through strands of dark, sweat- and blood-streaked hair. The gaze is sharp and unwavering, framed by furrowed brows and scattered droplets against the night backdrop.

Ace stands with his head bowed low, dark hair falling over his face. His powerful, shirtless torso is turned slightly, revealing the bold tattoo spelling 'ACE' across his left arm. A string of round beads rests against his neck and shoulder. Sweat and tension mark his skin as he remains motionless in the bright, empty space.

On a rocky cliffside overlooking the sea, a massive cloaked man with a long mustache delivers a powerful kick. "WHAT AN ANNOYING BUNCH," he growls. The blow sends Ace flying backward, arms flailing. "THIS ISN'T FOR SHOW..." the large man continues as his white cloak billows dramatically. In the background, ships, cheering onlookers, and distant structures fill the scene while birds scatter across the sky. A close-up shows Ace's intense glare from the ground.

Explosions erupt across the battlefield. "THOUGHT YOU'D TEST... MY GUTS, DID YOUI" the mustached man shouts amid the blasts. Ace dashes forward as fire and smoke fill the air. "FIRE-FLY... FUNA-DAMA!" someone calls out. The mustached man reacts with surprise, "OH...I" while noting the delayed fire blasts. "WOAH!!" onlookers yell as massive flame bursts rock the ground. A note reads: "TN: GUARDIAN SPIRIT/SOUL OF A SHIP."

Ace launches a fiery kick amid swirling flames and impact lines. "THAT'S A SKILLFUL TECHNIQUE YOU GOT, SNOT-NOSE," the mustached man observes. He continues, "HE'S USING HIS OBSERVATION HAKI TO CAREFULLY PLACE HIS ATTACKS WHERE I'M GOING TO MOVE." Ace counters with rapid strikes. "NO SURPRISE ATTACK THIS TIME... AND A LOT OF FORCE." The mustached man adds, "A PITFALL OF SELF-STUDY. YOU GOTTA EXPAND THE REACH OF YOUR ABILITIES." He declares, "WE'LL USE THE FORCE OF THE COLDEST FLAMES YOU CAN MANAGE... TO SPIN THE PADDLE." A laughing figure mocks, "ZEHAHAHA! SO MANY TRIES AND HE HASN'T EVEN GOTTEN POPS TO USE HIS DEVIL FRUIT ABILITY!" Ace lands a "FLAME KICK!!" while the mustached man notes, "FOR YOUR REFERENCE, HE'S ON HIS 46TH LOSS." Finally he tells Ace, "ACE, YOU'VE BEEN... LEANING TOO HARD ON PART OF HAKI! YOU'RE BEST AT, HAVEN'T YOUI"

A fierce close-up shows a bandana-wearing man with gritted teeth and wide eyes as he realizes the danger. "HE GOT BEHIND POPS!" he shouts in alarm. Below, another intense close-up captures a spiky-haired fighter lunging forward with a savage grin, yelling "GOT YA!!" On the right, the ponytail fighter in a white shirt and dark pants is struck from behind in a massive fiery explosion, his body twisting violently amid smoke and debris as the battlefield erupts around distant onlookers.

A colossal explosion tears across the page as the ponytail fighter is hurled backward by a devastating strike, his fist still extended amid crackling energy and flying debris. Massive impact lines and "ドカーン!!" dominate the scene. Below, the ground shatters violently with "W O A H!!" and "OH!" as rocks fly and distant figures react in shock to the quake-like force.

The spiky-haired fighter's massive fist connects in a shattering blow, sending the ponytail fighter flying amid a storm of cracks and flying fragments. "!!!" reaction lines flash across a close-up of wide, shocked eyes. The lower panels erupt with more impact effects and "ドドド" sounds as the battlefield is torn apart by the overwhelming force.

A gigantic quake rips the earth apart with enormous "ドドドド" lettering as a massive ship tilts on the crumbling cliffside. In the aftermath, the ponytail fighter crouches on the broken ground asking "HOW'S THAT!" The spiky-haired fighter laughs triumphantly "HA HAHA HAHA!!" while an onlooker notes "HIS QUAKE QUAKE POWER... POPS USED..." as the group stares in awe at the destruction.

On a rocky cliff above the sea, a bandaged man with a long mustache watches as a figure plummets. "HEHE..." "A FLAME LIKE THAT WON'T EVEN BE ENOUGH..." "NEXT TIME, I'M GONNA OVERCOME THAT ABILITY OF YOURS..." Below, someone shouts, "HEY, HE FELL INTO THE SEA!" The mustached man mutters, "HONES-TLY..." and declares, "HE'S A REAL HANDFUL." The large right panel reveals the injured young man with wild dark hair, a beaded necklace, and blood streaking his face. He grins fiercely amid speed lines and light, thinking, "I FINALLY......GOT YOU TO USE IT!!"

A boot stomps on a ship's railing as a voice snaps, "NO." Onlookers comment, "YEAH, PROBABLY." "THIS MUST BE THE 100TH TIME." "SOMEONE GO HELP HIM!" The young man with the beaded necklace plummets past the hull, bubbles trailing, as narration states, "...HIS 99TH LOSS." A small figure tumbles through the air near cliffs while someone yells, "GYA!!" and another notes, "THAT WAS ONLY..." Below deck, a young man with dark hair reacts in shock. "DEUCE..." A figure with a hat says, "YOU'RE RIGHT, WHITE-BEARD BEAT ME AGAIN..." "LOOK CLOSELY. NO, THAT YOUNG LADY'S A NURSE." The bandaged youth jolts upright, eyes wide, shouting, "WHITE-BEARD!!" as "KYA!!" and impact sounds erupt nearby.

A masked figure with long hair speaks to the injured youth: "AFTER ALL, SOME-ONE......FORCED ME INTO THAT ROLE." The youth replies with a small smile, "HEH..." In a flashback panel the masked one continues, "IF YOU FALL INTO THE OCEAN... YOU AREN'T ABLE TO SWIM ANY-MORE!" "HEY! DON'T DO ANYTHING RECKLESS, ACE!" The youth answers, "YEAH. YOU'RE THE ONE WHO PULLED ME OUT OF THE SEA." Later discussion unfolds among the group: "YOU EVEN MADE HIM USE HIS POWERS..." "IT WAS YOUR BEST FIGHT YET." "THAT'S ANOTHER LOSS..." "BUT... DAMMIT!" "NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRY, HE'S ALWAYS GOT SOMETHING ELSE..." "BUT THOSE ABILITIES HE HAS..." The youth exclaims with wide eyes and raised hand, "THE PLAN I THOUGHT UP WORKED PERFECTLY! OH, YOU SAW THATI! WASN'T IT GREATI!" The masked figure watches silently.

Night falls on the ship as a small figure stands on deck under a crescent moon, thinking, "POPS, YOU'RE OVER-DOING IT..." "THAT TRAITOR DEUCE, HE'S WAVERING. HE'S 'ACKNOW-LEDGED'... PSH..." "JUST WHO SAID ANY-THING..." The youth with the beaded necklace stares ahead, wide-eyed. A masked companion says, "AFTER ALL, SOME-ONE..." while another panel shows the youth asking, "WHY DON'T YOU..." The masked figure replies, "QUIT TALKING CRAP!!" A large central panel shows the youth looking up as a speech bubble states, "CHALLENGING A MAN YOU'VE ACKNOWLEDGED." On the right, the masked figure smiles slightly and says, "WELL, YOU LOOK LIKE YOU'RE HAVING FUN. THAT'S NOT THE FACE OF SOMEONE WHO'S BEEN LOSING REPEATEDLY." The youth sweats, replying, "UHH... IT'S NOT LIKE THAT! AH, I BLAME YOU OR GET ME ANY-THING. DON'T GET ME WRONG."

In a dimly lit room, a silhouetted figure stands with arms outstretched while addressing a dark-haired young man in a coat. The figure says, "...BUT FIGHTING HIM AT HIS CURRENT LEVEL, DAY AFTER DAY... IT'S JUST TOO MUCH FOR YOU." The young man replies, "I KNOW I'M THE ONE WHO TRAINED ACE..." Whitebeard, lying in an ornate bed with medical equipment, snaps back, "QUIT TALKING NONSENSE." and "ARE YOU ASKING ME TO STOP FIGHTING HIMI" A light-haired person with stitches on their face stands facing him and states, "THIS ISN'T A FIGHT YOU CAN JUST STOP." Close-ups show the scarred young man's intense expression as voices continue: "YOUR CONDITION IS ONLY GETTING WORSE." "ALTHOUGH THE MEDICINE IS GIVING YOU SOME RELIEF..." "BUT..." "...DON'T LAST FOREVER..." "PEOPLE'S GOLDEN DAYS..." A wide-eyed shocked face fills the final panel.

Whitebeard's fierce close-up dominates as he growls, "COULD YOU REALLY CALL ME YOUR POPS..." and "...IF I CAN'T LET A BRILLIANT YOUNGSTER CUT THEIR TEETH AGAINST MEI" The light-haired person stares up at him with wide eyes. From below, Whitebeard declares while looking upward, "WHETHER IT'S FOR THE 100TH TIME, OR THE 1000TH..." and the light-haired person responds firmly, "...I WON'T BACK DOWN FROM HIS CHALLENGE!"

A large vertical SFX "ゴゴゴゴゴ" rumbles on the left. In the center, a close-up of the dark-haired young man with a headband and stitches shows a serious, sweat-streaked face. On the right, Whitebeard's intense face fills the panel as he says, "IF I DID, THAT RECKLESS KID WOULD GO RUSH OFF TO HIS DEATH SOMEWHERE..." and "...AND THAT'S NOT HAPPENING ON MY WATCH."

Narration boxes recount the past: "THAT DARK SHADOW LOOMING OVER HIM..." "...DAMPENED, AS IF BEING DILUTED BY THE SEA ITSELF..." "ACE BEGAN TO CHANGE. LITTLE BY LITTLE." "THE ILL FEELINGS WITHIN HIM... THE DEMON'S BLOOD..." A young Ace sits on a rocky shore with another figure. A large panel shows the Moby Dick sailing through stormy seas near Peak Ode Island in Whitebeard's territory. Further narration reads, "NEW WORLD WHITEBEARD'S TERRITORY" and "OVER THESE PAST THREE MONTHS..." "OF THE 100TH TIME AND PLACE..." "BETWEEN ACE AND WHITEBEARD, HAS BEEN DECIDED..." Ace smiles while saying, "SORRY. I CAN'T- YOI." A crewmate shouts, "YOU HAVE TO STOP HIM!" as the ship rocks on the waves.

A close-up reveals the intense gaze of a young man with long dark hair. The scene shifts to a rocky cliff under a stormy sky where two figures stand ready to clash. The young man, wearing a black outfit with a cape, faces a towering muscular warrior with a white mustache, gripping a massive naginata. Torn narration boxes declare: "THEIR 100TH DUEL..." "...WHITE-BEARD AND ACE." "TWO CREWS WHICH HAD FACED OFF BEFORE..." "THE WHITEBEARD PIRATES..." "...AND THE SPADE PIRATES. THEIR CAPTAINS..." Another box states "...BEGINS NOW." A dramatic caption reads "A LONG-ANTICIPATED CLASH!" The final panel marks "...EPISODE A CH. 3 /END" as the duel between Ace and Whitebeard erupts.

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