One Piece Chapter 215: Last Waltz

The page opens with a vision of Vivi dressed as a pirate captain, wearing a skull-and-crossbones hat and a dark coat, holding a flintlock pistol. She smiles confidently and declares, "I'M GOING TO BECOME A PIRATE QUEEN! IGARAM!" Suddenly, the scene shifts to Igaram waking up in his bed, screaming "AGHHH!" in terror from the nightmare. Covered in a cold sweat, he bursts out of his room, his hair wild and unkempt, yelling "PRINCESS VIVIIIIIIII!" as he frantically sprints down the palace hallway.

Igaram violently throws open a door, shouting, "WHAT DID YOU TRY TO DO!?" Inside the room, Vivi is standing calmly while the royal maid, Terracotta, fastens the back of her elegant, ornate gown. Terracotta turns and angrily yells at Igaram, "THEN GET OUT! I TOLD YOU THE PRINCESS IS GETTING CHANGED!" Vivi looks over her shoulder, unbothered, and asks, "What's wrong? You're covered in sweat....Oh, good morning, Igaram." Igaram, realizing his mistake and feeling embarrassed, stammers, "Ah- G... good morning. Umm... wha...?" Vivi asks if he needs something, and he quietly replies, "No..." As Igaram closes the door behind him, he mutters to himself, "Oww... Guess I'm worrying too much..." while a palace guard greets him in the hallway.

Vivi is now fully dressed in her beautiful, flowing gown. She adjusts it slightly and asks, "Nghh... Isn't this a little too tight, Terracotta?" Terracotta, standing behind her, replies, "No, this is just right for a princess' proper attire." Outside the palace, a massive crowd of citizens has already gathered in the square, murmuring in anticipation. Terracotta notes, "The square is already packed with people." Vivi is surprised, "It is? Even though we've told them your speech is at 10," Terracotta adds with a smile, "They're all an impatient bunch..." Vivi looks down thoughtfully, her expression softening. "But it's perfectly understandable. Your 'Coming of Age' ceremony had been delayed for 2 years... Normally, this would've been done when you turned 14 years of age."

Vivi looks at her reflection in the mirror, her expression uncertain. "But... I don't know if I can even say anything all that-" Terracotta reassures her, gently adjusting her hair, "You only need to go out there and show everyone how much you've grown. That'll be more than enough. The Coming of Age ceremony is only to celebrate your entry into adulthood, after all. Just keep in mind of his highness' feelings, On wanting to carry out this ceremony now of all times. No worries. It's fine even if you don't say a word." Terracotta smiles warmly, "Yes, yes... He's arranged it, With the aid of den den mushis and loudspeakers, So that your speech can be broadcasted to every citizen of Alabasta." Meanwhile, in the palace hallway, a guard approaches Igaram with a serious report, "Igaram... I've received reports of a battle at the port..." Igaram's expression darkens as he replies, "Is that so......There's nothing we can do about it any more."

Out at sea, the Going Merry is under heavy attack from a fleet of Marine ships. Luffy yells frantically, his mouth wide open, "FIRE SOME CANNONBALLS, DAMMIT!" The Marine ships fire large iron spears at the Merry, accompanied by loud booming sounds. A Marine commands, "FIRE! OPEN FIRE!" The spears pierce the hull of the Merry, causing damage. Someone shouts in panic, "IF WE CONTINUE TAKING THESE IRON SPEARS TO OUR HULL, THEN IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL WE SINK!" Usopp, manning the ship's cannon, yells back with determination, "THEN I COULD AT LEAST BOUNCE'EM BACK! THIS IS NOOOO JOOOKE!"

The Straw Hats desperately defend the Going Merry from the relentless barrage of iron spears. Sanji kicks a spear away with a powerful strike, yelling "ORAAAA!" Zoro deflects one with his swords, grunting "...HMPH!" Luffy punches a spear away, shouting "DAMMIT!" Nami warns them, "HERE COMES MORE! CAN'T WE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS?" The Merry is completely surrounded by eight Marine ships, trapping them. Usopp panics, holding a hammer and nails, "DO SOMETHING, GUYS! HEY! I CAN'T SEAL OFF ANY MORE HOLES! WE CAN JUST BARELY HOLD OFF ONE BARRAGE FROM ONE SIDE! 8 SHIPS IS JUST TOO MANY TO HANDLE!"

The Marine ships maintain a tight, inescapable formation around the Going Merry. A voice notes the dire situation, "WE'D HAVE THE UPPER HAND IF THIS WERE HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT... BUT WHETHER WE TRY TO ESCAPE OR CHASE AFTER THEM, THEY WON'T BREAK THEIR FORMATION AT ALL!" On one of the Marine ships, Captain Hina stands confidently, smoking a cigarette. "THE BLACK CAGE FORCE'S SPECIALTY: 'BLACK SPEAR FORMATION!'" Jango, now a Marine, taunts the pirates, "It ain't a formation you little pirates can break out of! HAHA! TAKE THAT, DUMBASSES!" Luffy looks confused, "Who's that guy on the left again...?" Sanji recognizes him, "Ahh! It's that hypnotist! Aren't you a pirate!?" Fullbody, also a Marine, steps forward, showing off his brass knuckles. "At last, we've crossed paths again! This time, I'll send that violent cook and the rest of his crew to the bottom of the sea! I've powered up plenty! Now look closely at this ring! I'll prove it to you today that I'm no weirdo! One..."

Before Fullbody can finish his dramatic speech, a cannonball strikes his ship, causing a massive explosion. He yells "AGH!" as he is thrown back, and Jango cries out "BRO!" On the Merry, Usopp stands proudly by the smoking cannon, having fired the shot. Luffy cheers, "THAT WAS YOU, USOPP!? YOU'RE AMAZING!" Usopp boasts, striking a pose, "Y-yes! It all went according to my calculations! That's what happens when you go up against me!" Luffy points ahead excitedly, "YOU'RE AMAZING, LONG-NOSE! LOOK, THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF THEIR FORMATION COLLAPSED! WE'LL BUST OUTTA HERE BY CHARGING THROUGH THERE!" Suddenly, Mr. 2 Bon Kurei's swan-themed ship approaches. His crew panics, "MR. BON KUREI, WE'VE GOT TROUBLE! WHAT!? IT'S THE BLACK CAGE!" Luffy asks, "What's that?" Bon Kurei's crew explains in terror, "GAH! 'Black Cage Hina!' She's the Marine HQ captain who patrols this area! This is reaaaal bad! Let's get outta here at once!" Bon Kurei responds firmly, "Yes, sir, Mr. 2 Bon Kurei!"

Hina's ships close in on the pirates. A Marine reports to her, "We've weakened them quite a bit... There is no ship that our 'Black Spear Formation' cannot sink." Hina warns her men, "But don't get cocky now. Underestimate them and they'll be sure to bite you on your behinds." She puts on her dark gloves, instructing her crew, "Once we get to their broadside, the rest of you are to stand back. You'll only drag Hina down... Don't bother Hina." The Marines salute, "Yes, ma'am!" On Bon Kurei's ship, his crew urges him to flee, "What're you all doing!? We've gotta escaaaaaaape! If we aim for that opening to the South, we can get outta here with minimal casualties! Continue to sail like this and we'll be done in for sure!" Luffy, standing on the Merry, tells them calmly, "Go if you want, but we're staying."

Bon Kurei is shocked by Luffy's decision, yelling, "You're WHAAAT!?" His crew pleads with him, "Mr. Bon Kurei! Please hurry onboard! Let's escape by ourselves!" Nami explains their situation, "We have a promise, To be at the Eastern port at noon...! We've got no time to change directions." Bon Kurei's crew is incredulous, "This is ridiculous! Is there some treasure worth risking your lives over at that port!? Fine, go ahead and die if you want!" Luffy smiles broadly and declares with unwavering determination, "WE'RE GOING, TO PICK UP A FRIEND." Bon Kurei is deeply moved, crying dramatically as he realizes the depth of their loyalty, "THEY'RE DOING IT... FOR THE SAKE OF A FRIEND!?"

Back in Arabasta, the massive crowd waits patiently outside the palace, the square filled with citizens. In Vivi's room, someone knocks on the door and says, "I'm coming in, Vivi." King Cobra enters and is taken aback by Vivi's stunning appearance in her gown. "Now the s- Ohhh! I mistook you for the former queen for a moment, Princess Vivi." Vivi turns to him, "Sit down, Papa- I mean," Cobra smiles warmly, touched by her resemblance to her mother, "...My, what a surprise. Yes, quite..."

Vivi stands by the window in her elegant gown, looking resolute and serious. She addresses her father and Igaram, "Father... Igaram... I have something important to discuss..." Cobra and Igaram look at her with surprised expressions, sensing the weight and importance of her words.

Back at sea, Bon Kurei is crying profusely, his makeup running down his face in thick streams. His crew watches in confusion, "Mr. Bon Kurei...!?" Bon Kurei spreads his arms, his swan coat billowing, and declares passionately, "...Running away here, Is unbefitting of an Okama! COULD ANY OF YOU FIND YOUR MEALS PALATABLE, ON THE DAY AFTER ABANDONING FRIENDS WHO RISKED THEIR LIVES TO SEE ANOTHER FRIEND!?" He turns to his crew and the Straw Hats, pointing dramatically, "Listen up, you scallywags and the Straw Hat crew, and listen well!" Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper listen intently to his speech.

A Marine lookout spots the pirate ships splitting up. "MISS HINA! The enemies are heading in two different directions! The duck-ship is sailing South! The duck's the decoy, obviously." He looks through his binoculars at the duck-ship and is shocked by what he sees. "Ahh- NO! STRAW HAT CREW SPOTTED ON THE DUCK SHIP! MS. HINA! THE DECOY IS THE SHEEP!" Hina reacts with surprise and anger, realizing she's been tricked. "!!! AFTER THEM AT ONCE! SET UP THE FORMATION AGAIN!"

The Going Merry sails away towards the East. Nami checks her watch, "3 minutes...! It's time to move! Full speed ahead!" Meanwhile, Hina's ship intercepts the duck-ship. A voice laughs boisterously, "GAHAHA HAHAHA HAHAHA! IS THE STRAW HAT LUFFY YOU'RE LOOKING FOR... THIS!?" On the deck of the duck-ship, Bon Kurei is disguised as Luffy, complete with a straw hat and drawn-on scar, while his crew members are poorly disguised as Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji. Hina looks on, unamused by the charade.

Bon Kurei, still disguised as Luffy, continues to laugh loudly, "GAHAHA HAHAHA HAHAHA!" A Marine reports to Hina, "MS. HINA! THE SHEEP-SHIP IS HEADING EAST!" Hina realizes she's been completely fooled. Bon Kurei smirks, "You fell for my trap... We're masters of disguise... And... THE FRIENDS OF STRAW HAT!" He spins around, shedding his disguise to reveal his true self in his swan coat with "Okama Way" written on the back. Hina glares at him, furious at the deception.

Bon Kurei recites a dramatic poem: "Stray from the path of men, Or stray from the path of women. But the path of humans, we cannot stray from. If we are to fall, then may we scatter across the true sky. Okama Way. -Mr. 2 Bon Kurei-" He strikes a flamboyant pose on the railing of his ship, ready for battle. Hina, visibly angry with a vein popping on her forehead, says coldly, "HINA HUMILIATED." Bon Kurei challenges her, "COME AT ME, IF YOU DARE."

A fierce battle breaks out between Bon Kurei's crew and the Marines. Bon Kurei fights valiantly, kicking Marines away to protect his friends' escape. On the Going Merry, Luffy cries uncontrollably, yelling back towards his friend, "Bon-chan! Bon-chan! WE... WILL NEVER, EVER, FORGET ABOUT YOU!" The Merry sails away to safety as explosions rock the sea behind them, marking Bon Kurei's heroic sacrifice to let the Straw Hats escape.

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