One Piece Chapter 1097: Ginny

A colorful spread features Luffy lounging in a chair with sunglasses, a cigarette, and a gun, surrounded by Nami, bottles, and scattered items. A yellow cat in a hat and coat sits in the foreground smoking. A notes box includes an illustration of a fish and the quote: "I WAS PRETTY SHOCKED WHEN I REALIZED JIO-SAN FROM ZUN WAS THE MAN BEHIND 'LA-OKAKI.' I JUST CAN'T GET THAT COMEDY DUO OUT OF MY HEAD." — ODA EIICHIRO.

Eight years after the God Valley Incident, in the Kingdom of Sorbet, South Blue, young Bartholomew Kuma, now 17 and labeled "PASTOR BARTHOLOMEW KUMA (17-YEARS-OLD)", sits on stone steps in a hooded cloak. A small elderly woman with a topknot gestures excitedly and says, "AAAAAH, WHAT A RELIEF! I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER, BLESS YOU!" and "ME NEXT! MY HIPS ARE KILLING ME!" Kuma replies calmly, "IT CAME AS A NASTY SHOCK WHEN YOU ALL WENT AND DISAPPEARED ON US..." and "THERE ARE HARDLY ANY YOUNGLINGS LEFT IN THIS COUNTRY THESE DAYS. IT'S NO WONDER WE'RE GETTING POORER AND POORER." Villagers react with joy: "BUT IT'S COMFORTING TO KNOW YOU GREW INTO SUCH A SWEET BOY!", "YOUR PARENTS DID A GREAT JOB. I'M SURE THEY'RE SO PROUD OF YOU BECOMING A BONAFIDE CLERGYMAN!", "Sundays only!!", "Fat chance!!", "Can't you do this on weekdays tooI", "God bless your miracle hands!", and "We can't thank you enough!" A sign on a building reads "DAYS AND MONTHS PASS BY..." while another notes the location.

A young woman with short light hair, wearing a tank top labeled "SISTER" and shorts, stands with hands on her hips looking annoyed. She shouts, "QUIT FLAPPIN' YOUR GUMS! THIS ISN'T A NURSING HOME!", "GET OFF ASKING FOR EVEN MORE HELPI!", and "WHERE DO YOU FREELOADING OLD BAGS..." An elderly crowd cheers and teases her: "HA HA, WE'VE GOTTEN THE ATTENTION OF LITTLE MISS CHEAPSKATE!", "I'D TELL YOU TO WASH YOUR MOUTH OUT IF YOU WEREN'T SUCH A CUTIE PIE!", "I HEARD THERE'S NO END TO THE NUMBER OF SUITORS THAT COME KNOCKIN' ON HER DOOR♡", "YOU'RE THE ONE WHO'S TOO KIND!", "YOU'RE TOO KIND.", "NONE OF THEM HAVE A CHANCE WITH KUMACHI HERE!♡", and "YEAH!!" Ginny (21-years-old) is labeled in a box. In the background, Kuma smiles amid the chaos. A large panel shows the town with a Celestial Dragon symbol as villagers discuss struggling to meet the tribute and their new king.

Prisoners huddle in their cell, whispering fearfully. One woman exclaims, "THE OTHER DAY, AN ACQUAINTANCE OF MINE ENDED UP STARVING TO DEATH IN THEIR CELL!" Another adds, "HE'S THE WORST!" and "IF WE CAN'T, THEY'LL LOCK US UP!" A man shouts, "CAN YOU BELIEVE THATI!" In the next panel, an elderly prisoner warns, "THEY SAY KING BEGORI IS A COLD HEARTED MONSTER. HE'S HELL BENT ON PAYING THE TRIBUTE, AND HE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT WHETHER US OLD FARTS ARE TOO SICK TO CONTRIBUTE..." Kuma, standing calmly among them, offers, "I CAN GET RID OF ANY PAIN OR MILD ILLNESSES YOU NEED ME TO... SO PLEASE VISIT EVERY WEEK." The others react in panic: "IF WE DON'T STAY IN GOOD HEALTH, WE'RE GONNA GET KILLED!" and "YET HE'S HAPPY TO BEND OVER BACKWARDS FOR THE CELESTIAL DRAGONS!" One prisoner yells, "THAT MISERLY KING OF OURS WON'T EVEN FEED HIS PRISONERS! HE'S EVEN MORE OF A CHEAPSKATE THAN KUMA, GINNY!" The scene shifts to a grand hall where a large bear-like figure with round ears stands; Kuma walks away down a corridor as Ginny waves from outside, calling, "THANKS SO MUCH, KUMACHI!!!" with a crowd visible in the distance.

Kuma strains violently inside a massive mechanical restraint, teeth gritted as impact lines and SFX like "ビビッ" and "ドゴォ!!!" explode around him. He grunts, "NGGHH HNN...!!!" while pushing back with both hands against the device. Sweat flies as he huffs, "HUFF..." The restraint shatters with a loud "ドシャ..." Kuma stands free, arms crossed, as debris rains down. Distant buildings and a tower collapse in the background amid clouds of dust and SFX "ズズズズズ". A voice cries out, "UGGHHA AAAHH...!!!" and another screams, "UWAAA AGHH...!!!" In the aftermath, Ginny kneels beside an injured person on the ground, saying, "IF SOMEONE DOESN'T SHOULDER THEIR BURDENS... IT CAN'T BE HELPED. AND IF YOU KEEP DOING THIS, WEEK AFTER WEEK! THEY HAVE NO IDEA YOU'RE TAKING ON ANY OF THEIR PAIN, KUMACHI... THAT PAIN AND SUFFERING OF THEIRS WON'T JUST DISAPPEAR." She looks on with a worried, tearful expression as a soft "ぐすっ" sound effect appears.

Ginny speaks gently to the bandaged Kuma lying in bed: "...I CAN DO SOMETHING TO HELP THEM FEEL HAPPIER. I'M JUST GLAD..." Kuma replies weakly while holding a cup, "MORE THAN ANYTHING, I'M JUST GLAD... IT'LL BE LEFT TO FESTER, RETURNING TO HAUNT THEM AGAIN AND AGAIN. I'M SORRY FOR PUTTING YOU THROUGH THIS. I'LL GET TOUGHER, SO YOU WON'T HAVE TO WORRY..." Ginny snaps back, "THAT'S NOT THE POINT!!" In a brighter memory, Ginny peeks through a window with a smile, while Kuma grins nearby. Inside, Ginny leaps joyfully with hearts around her, shouting, "WOO-HOO! DINNER TIME! LET'S EAT UP! HEY, WE GOT A LITTLE FOOD AS THANKS TODAY." Kuma smiles from the bed. The scene flashes to a dramatic proposal years ago: Kuma on one knee before a church-like building, asking, "HEY, KUMACHI, LET'S GET MARRIED!!" Ginny reacts in shock, "H-HUH...I! WE CAN'T!" as a sign reads "25 YEARS AGO (WHEN KUMA WAS 22)". Others cheer, "WHAT THE HELL'S WITH THAT REACTIONI! OF COURSE WE CAN! YOU LOVE ME, RIGHTI! JUST ADMIT IT, YOU DOPE!"

In a heated argument, a man pleads desperately, "MY WIFE IS NORMAL!! PLEASE LET HER AND MY SON GO!! I DON'T WANT TO MAKE YOU UNHAPPY..." while another figure growls, "JUST TAKE ME! I'M THE ONE WITH BUCCANEER BLOOD!!" Ginny shouts angrily, "I'M SURE IT WOULD, BUT THE THING IS... WOULDN'T IT MAKE YOU HAPPYI!" Kuma reflects, "...AND DEDICATE MY LIFE TO SAVING PEOPLE TOO! ONE DAY, I WANNA HEAD OUT TO SEA..." A young Dragon appears in his memory as Kuma thinks, "DRAGON... HE'S SO COOL, HE'S LIKE A HERO." Later panels show Dragon reading a newspaper about "FREEDOM FIGHTERS" and wanted posters. In the present, Ginny bonks Kuma on the head with "GUNK!!" yelling, "IDIOT." Kuma laughs heartily, "THANKS SO MUCH, MR. FISH-MONGER!" as Ginny winces, "OUCH!" A massive feast is presented with the fish-monger declaring, "WE HAD A MASSIVE HAUL TODAY! PLEASE HELP YOURSELF!" Ginny smiles and calls out, "GINNY, OUR SWEET MUSE!" while a voice cheers, "HEEEE-EEELLO! IS ANYONE HOMEI!" Kuma looks surprised with "...I"

In Castle Town of the Kingdom of Sorbet, twenty-two years ago when Kuma was twenty-five, a pastor from the southern province stands accused. Townspeople shout, "WHAT ARE YOU YELLING ABOUT, YOU BIG OAFI! ARE YOU TRYING TO PICK A FIGHT WITH THE ROYAL ARMYI THAT'S TREASON, Y'KNOW!" and plead "SAVE US, KUMACHI!" while others cry "THE PEOPLE YOU'VE KIDNAPPED...!! LET THEM GO!!" A massive scream erupts: あぁぁぁぁぁぁぁぁぁ!!! Kuma looms angrily as chaos breaks out. In the next panels, explosions rock the street; a man yells "WAAA AHHH!!" and "HE'S A REBEL!!" while soldiers and civilians clash. Nobles confront the pastor: "HEY, PASTOR! DIDN'T YOU HEAR ABOUT THE NEW LAWI" and declare "WE'RE ALLOWED TO DO WHATEVER WE WANT TO YOU SOUTHERNERS!" The king smirks, stating "IT IS OF NO CONSEQUENCE. THEY'LL SOON GROW ACCUSTOMED TO THEIR NEW STATUS... BEFORE LONG, IT WON'T BOTHER THEM. THEY'LL ALL COME TO SEE THE SOUTHERNERS FOR THE VERMIN THEY ARE." Another noble adds, "THE PEOPLE MIGHT FIND IT HARD TO SWALLOW..." while the king concludes, "MY LIEGE... THIS NEW POLICY..."

A map of the Kingdom of Sorbet labels Castle Town, Kuma's Church, Old Folks' Village, and the Lawless Land. The king proclaims, "FROM THIS DAY FORWARD, THE BORDERS OF SORBET SHALL STOP AT THE EDGE OF THE NORTHERN PROVINCE!" and "THE AMOUNT OF CELESTIAL TRIBUTE IS DECIDED BY A COUNTRY'S POPULATION, YOU SEE!" while declaring "WE'LL NO LONGER BE WEIGHED DOWN BY ALL THE OLD FOSSILS IN THE SOUTH!" and "WE MUST CUT OUT THIS CANCER SO THE FITTEST OF THIS GLORIOUS NATION CAN THRIVE!" Kuma is thrown into jail. In the cell, he sits with head bowed as Ginny and others watch. A prisoner laughs "HE HE HE..." and says "BUT THEY GAVE US A THRASHING IN THE END..." Ginny smiles gently and tells Kuma, "WE RAISED HELL TRYING TO GET THEM TO FREE YOU, KUMACHI..." while another asks, "TELL ME... WHAT MADE THEM ARREST YOU TOOI"

Dragon appears with Ivankov and others. Ivankov laughs "HOW ABOUT COMING WITH US AND CHANGING THE WORLDI!" while Dragon asks, "IS THAT YOU IVA-CHANI!" and notes the man who recommended Kuma. Kuma and Ginny are shown in silhouette. Dragon states, "LOOKS LIKE THE MAN YOU RECOMMENDED WENT ON QUITE THE RAMPAGE!!" and "I SEE YOU'VE GONE AND GOTTEN YOURSELVES CAUGHT!!" Ginny warns, "GINNY... THIS COUNTRY IS ON THE BRINK OF BECOMING A CESSPOOL OF BIGOTRY AND HATE." and "IF YOU PLAN ON STARTING A REBELLION, YOU'LL BE SIGNING UP TO FIGHT THE WORLD GOVERNMENT AS WELL." Explosions erupt as Dragon declares, "THE ONSET OF THE GREAT PIRATE ERA AND THE TRAGEDY OF OHARA... SPURRED THESE 'FREEDOM FIGHTERS' TO TAKE UP ARMS... AGAINST THE CORRUPT REGIMES OF THE WORLD." Ivankov shouts "COUNT ME IN, TOO!!" and "HEE-HAAAW!!!" while the group forms the Revolutionary Army. A narrator box states the organization would adopt a new name. Ginny thanks Dragon as the king's overthrow ends the slavery laws.

Dragon's group trains recruits, stating "ALL OUR RECRUITS GET WEAPONS TRAINING DRILLED INTO THEM!!!" and "FOR NOW WE MUST ACT LIKE MERCENARIES! SUPPORTING THOSE WHO ALREADY HAVE A WILL TO TOPPLE THEIR MONARCHS, FUELING THEIR REBELLIOUS SPIRITS!" while noting "WE'RE STILL LACKING FUNDS." Dragon reflects, "HE'S A MAN DETERMINED TO HELP OTHERS!!" and recalls time in the navy where he "FOUND NO JUSTICE THERE." He asks, "WHERE DID YOU LEARN ABOUT WEAPONS, DRAGON-SANI" Eight years later, Kuma walks away from Ginny as she calls, "YOU'RE SO SWEET, KUMACHI!! I'LL BE COMING HOME EVERY NOW AND THEN. I WORRY ABOUT YOU ALL..." Dragon smiles and says, "WELL, I'LL BE! LOOK WHO'S BACK!" and "YOU CAN RELY ON ME, DRAGON!!" while another figure adds, "YOU WON'T REGRET JOINING US!!" A caption reads, "AND THUS, ANOTHER 8 YEARS WOULD PASS. THE SUN WOULD CONTINUE TO RISE AND SET LIKE NORMAL, UNTIL..."

In a lively scene from 14 years ago in a certain kingdom, a man in a top hat exclaims to Ginny, "YOU LOOK EXCITED, GINNY-SAN!!" Ginny, perched confidently on a crate with a large rifle, smiles and replies, "HMI IT'S THAT OBVIOUSI" Nearby, another excited figure with goggles cheers, "WE'RE SO CLOSE TO THE DAY WHERE WE GET TO LINK UP WITH KUMACHI'S SQUADRON!! I'M SO HAPPY, I CAN HARDLY BREATHE!" Ginny responds playfully, "CAN YOU BLAME ME THOUGHI!" Below, background figures react in surprise as one shouts, "HUHI! YOU CREEPS ADMIRE MEI! GROSS!!" while others note, "CAPTAIN KUMA... THAT LUCKY DOG! HE'S WON THE HEART OF THE LADY WE ALL ADMIRE!" A sign reads "CAPTAIN OF THE REVOLUTIONARY ARMY'S EASTERN FORCES GINNY." The mood shifts dramatically as a close-up reveals Dragon's shocked face, sweat dropping, as he receives disturbing news: "GINNY'S BEEN CAPTUREDI!" An urgent report states, "THE ENEMY TOOK US BY SURPRISE... PLEASE FORGIVE US!!" A box labels the location "REVOLUTIONARY ARMY HEADQUARTERS - BALTIGO" and someone calls out, "DRAGON-SAN!! DRAGON-SAN!!" The page ends with "ONE PIECE CH.1097 /END."

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