One Piece Chapter 234: Please keep that in mind

The top panel establishes the grand palace of the Holy Land “Marie Joie”. Inside a lavishly decorated room, several figures react in panic. One man with a striped suit and Justice kanji on his back shouts, “It’s not me! My… my hands are moving on their own!” Another yells, “DON’T BE STUPID! THIS IS NO TIME FOR JOKES!” and “WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING!I” while a third cries, “So stop it at once!” and “He’s right. This is no time for jokes.” A close-up shows a man with a shocked expression being struck as the word “STOP!” rings out. In the lower panel, Marine HQ Vice Admiral “The Great Staff” Tsuru sits calmly with hands clasped, saying, “Be a good boy now. And stop. Doflamingo, this is your doing, isn’t itI”

Doflamingo lounges in a chair, laughing “Fufufufu!” while holding a newspaper. Tsuru’s voice continues, “Be a good boy nowI Fufu! Can’t get a thing past you, Tsuru, can II” A large man with a G symbol on his back says, “Well then…” The scene erupts into chaos as Doflamingo attacks, strings visible as he grabs Tsuru. Voices shout, “I SAID STOP, YOU IDIOT!”, “CEASE THIS.”, “Doflamingo! STOP! SOMEONE STOP HIM!”, and “Fufufufu! And quickly wrap up this meeting!” Tsuru is slammed against the table amid impact effects and cries of “AGHH!” and “GSS…”. Another figure demands, “Let’s discuss what we came here to discuss…” while motion lines and debris fill the room.

Marine HQ Fleet Admiral (Commander-in-Chief of the Marines) Sengoku the Buddha stands imposingly in full uniform, a goat at his side. He addresses the room with stern authority: “OR HAVE YOU COME HERE TODAY TO WAGE WAR AGAINST USI” and “PUT AN END TO THIS SILLINESS AT ONCE.” A small sound effect “ピッコリ…” appears near his face. The goat bleats “BAAAAH!” as Sengoku continues, “Ah, forgive me for not greeting you all first. I’d like to thank you all for coming today…” His serious expression and medals emphasize his commanding presence.

A close-up reveals Donquixote Doflamingo's grinning face behind dark sunglasses as he leans forward with a wide, mocking smile. A large speech bubble declares, "SCUM OF THE SEAS." Doflamingo chuckles, "Fufufu! Well aren't you pretty high-minded..." A framed bounty poster identifies him as Royal Shichibukai Donquixote Doflamingo, Former Bounty: 340,000,000. The scene shifts to Bartholomew Kuma reclining with his own bounty poster visible: Royal Shichibukai Bartholomew Kuma, Former Bounty: 296,000,000. Kuma remarks, "He has hit the mark on its head." Another voice adds, "...Still,"

In a grand hall lined with ornate windows and a long table, several figures sit in discussion. Doflamingo stands with his back partly turned, coat of pink feathers prominent. Multiple speech bubbles capture the exchange: "But my business has been going so smoothly as of late," "I came here out of boredom," "Sound judgment. I wasn't planning to come either," "Even having 2 out of 6 Shichibukai show up was more than I had anticipated," "I doubt any more will show," and "Let us begin then. Even if we wait any longer." Fleet Admiral Sengoku appears in close-up, identified by name, replying with a cold stare. Doflamingo retorts, "Fufufu! That's pretty cold coming from a guy nicknamed the Buddha." Sengoku notes, "There's nothing more ill-boding for us than to hear a pirate's business going well." A voice answers, "I see, that's quite troubling to hear." From below the table, a figure mutters, "Perhaps I should not have come here...I" while another observes, "There seems to be a lot of trifling chatter."

Dracule Mihawk stands tall in the center of the hall, black coat flowing, cross necklace visible, arms crossed. A large bubble reads "HAWK-EYES!" Nearby dialogue states, "To call the marines and Shichibukai together to one table... Two competing powers..." and "I can hardly expect this round table yielding any successful discussion." Doflamingo grins widely in the next panel, declaring, "The most unexpected man of the hour has come!" and "I never imagined you would show...!" Mihawk responds in close-up, "I happen to be interested in a few of the pirates at the center of today's discussion... That is all." He adds, "Hmph... I'm merely an interested observer."

A dramatic silhouette of Mihawk raises one hand in a gesture while asking, "Ah, then may I also participate as an interested observerI" The hall erupts in shock as multiple voices shout, "WHERE DID YOU COME FROM!I" and "WHO ARE YOU!I" Mihawk replies calmly, "Ah, then again, perhaps it's not entirely accurate to describe myself as an 'observer.'" A small panel shows a question mark above his head. He continues, "Still, this is quite an impressive gathering of individuals." In rapid succession, Kuma reacts with a startled pose and "Hm!I" while Doflamingo's face twists in surprise. A hand reaches forward as text reads, "Nevertheless..." and earlier lines note, "In the hopes..." and "I have come here today."

A tall man in a top hat and patterned jacket stands confidently with one leg raised, making an OK sign. He speaks with a masked figure below. "You must be looking for a replacement, are you not...I" he asks. Another voice replies, "That may be allowed to participate. Forgive my presumptuousness, but in light of Crocodile's title revocation." A man with glasses and a cane leans in, asking, "You must be Laffitte, rightI" Laffitte answers smoothly, "An infamous sheriff of West Blue who crossed an acceptable level of violence in his means. I am most honoured. Ah, you are aware of my nameI" Background figures react with shock: "Who is heI" and "He's since been chased out of his country..." The masked man at the bottom declares, "I have only come to nominate a certain man to the position of Shichibukai." Laffitte concludes with a grin, "Hoho... All in the past, and of no concern in the current discussion."

A large sailing ship cuts across the Grand Line waters. A voice reflects, "Shanks... That's a name that takes me back." On the deck, a man with a topknot and cloak receives a letter. "So this is his letterI It's a very important letter that I've been tasked to deliver!" he says. Another replies, "I see... Well, good work on the delivery." Below deck, the spiky-haired newcomer Rockstar faces a crewmate who asks, "Hey, you ever heard of the name RockstarI" Rockstar answers, "Can't say I have..." while thinking back, "Still, I'd like to think I made a name for myself, back when I was an independent pirate..." A crew member reacts in shock, "...WHA!I" A bounty poster labels him: "Red-Hair Pirates Member (New-Recruit) Rockstar Bounty: 94,000,000".

Whitebeard's Jolly Roger flutters as voices react angrily to the letter. "Since when did that brat get so cheeky in treating his elders...I" "Passing off a mere letter to me...I W-WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE-" On the deck, a nurse tends to an IV while Rockstar protests, "Don't be absurd! I'm only drinking what my body demands. So how could it wreck my healthI Captain, you should make that your last drink today..." Another crew member shouts, "AND I'M WHITEBEARD." Rockstar yells desperately, "DO YOU... HAVE ANY IDEA WHO MY CAP'N IS!I HE'S THE RED-HAIR, Y'KNOW! HAVE YOU LOST IT!I T-THE CAP'N SAID THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT LETTER!" Whitebeard's massive silhouette looms as he growls, "IF YOU WANT TO TELL ME SOMETHING, THEN YOU BETTER COME IN PERSON WITH SOME GOOD BOOZE TOO, WHILE YOU'RE AT IT... Tell that red-haired punk this: I can already assume the gist of his letter... It's most likely about Ace and Blackbeard... HE TOLD ME THIS LETTER HAD TO BE DELIVERED ASAP!"

Whitebeard sits massively in a medical chair surrounded by IV drips and equipment, his body covered in scars and tubes. A sign reads: "World's Strongest Man The Great Pirate, 'Whitebeard' Edward Newgate". He glares down at Rockstar, who stands with his back to the viewer. Whitebeard rumbles, "I DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO TALK TO SOME SNOT-NOSED BRAT. IF YOU GOT THAT, THEN SCRAM." Nurses and medical staff watch silently in the background as the tension fills the room.

On a snowy winter island, a voice reflects, "Ah well, I expected it might come to this..." Another laughs, "Hahaha... That old man never changes..." A third protests, "But this is no laughing m-" The scene shifts to a tropical shore where a small, squirrel-like pirate pleads desperately. "There's nothing you can do about this anymore. You've worked hard enough already." "Your life is more important than your pride." The squirrel snaps back, "B-BUT... MY PRIDE'S BEEN COMPLETELY TRAMPLED-" A calm voice replies, "You've done what I asked so you come back straight to me." "Whoa, whoa now. Hold your horses." The squirrel roars, "I'VE NEVER BEEN SO HUMILIATED LIKE THIS!" "CAP'N! JUST GIVE ME A LITTLE MORE TIME!" In a lively port town, a long-haired man with three facial scars sits among his crew and states, "...Now's not the time to be worried about stuff like that." A crewmate agrees, "That's right." Another asks, "You think the World Government will just sit by quietly if we did something like thatI" A shocked voice exclaims, "To Whitebeard...!I" The scarred captain decides, "We'll go, of course... Prepare to set sail!" A crew member asks, "What do we do, cap'nI"

Close on the scarred captain's intense face, he declares, "If they try to interfere, then we won't sit by quietly either...!" and adds, "It doesn't matter if the World Government sits by quietly or not..." Standing tall with his black coat flowing, he orders, "GET A BOTTLE OF SOMETHING GOOD READY!" His crew erupts in cheers behind him, "WOOHOO! PREPARE FOR BATTLE, SCALLYWAGS!" Bubbles and motion lines fill the air as the pirates celebrate and ready themselves.

At Marine Headquarters, a tall tower looms as a voice confirms, "Yes... That is the captain of our pirate crew." Someone murmurs, "Teach...I" Inside an ornate hall, a man in a top hat gestures while speaking to Sengoku: "That is why we are setting up a plan to correct that flaw of his, so I ask for a little more time." Sengoku replies, "Never heard of him before. Appointing an unknown person to Shichibukai is hardly going to make any pirate tremble." The top-hatted man chuckles, "Fufufu! Now that sounds interesting! I say give'em a chance, Sengoku!" "Yes, I understand completely." A close-up panel reveals an eye and the bold title "THE BLACKBEARD PIRATES." with the line, "As for the name of our pirate crew, we are..." and the note "Please keep that in mind." The scene cuts to the town of Mocktown on Jaya where locals shout, "BELLAMY GOT TOTALLY TRASHED!" "BY WHO!I" "HEY, DID YA HEAR!I"

In Mocktown, a long-haired man with sunglasses yells, "WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING, FATASS!" "HEY, FATASS!" "BUMP!" "I'M REAL PISSED OFF RIGHT NOW!" A worried voice asks, "What should we do, captainI" Another reflects, "100 million... I thought 30 million was a little too low judging by his haki but..." A note reads "*Haki: Literally "Ambition"" A massive impact erupts as a cloaked figure with a top hat smashes forward, roaring, "SHUT YOUR GODDAMN MOUTH!" Blackbeard looms in close-up, eyes wild, declaring, "I'M ONLY LOOKING FOR GUYS WORTH 100 MILLION OR MORE!" "I'VE GOT NO INTEREST IN SMALL FRIES!" He bursts into laughter, "ZEHAHAHA! IT'S TIME FOR ME TO MAKE IT ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP!"

The Blackbeard Pirates stand triumphantly in a ruined town square. On the left, Doc Q rides his sickly horse, coughing violently. A speech bubble reads, "EXACTLY... FATE IS WHAT MEASURES A MAN'S WORTH AT ALL MOMENTS... UGH!... COUGH!" Behind him, Marshall D. Teach laughs loudly with "ZEHAHA HAHAHA!" and declares, "Not speaking like your usual self, Augur! If we fail to meet up with him here, then that too is another act of fate, ain't it!I" In the center, Van Augur holds his rifle and asks, "Captain, did we not plan to meet up with Laffitte in this townI" On the right, Jesus Burgess flexes and shouts, "AHAHAHA! FINALLY TIME TO HUNT SOME PREY, EH!I" Large black letters spelling "FATE" loom in the background. Identification plaques label the four men: Blackbeard Pirates' Doctor "Grim Reaper" Doc Q; Blackbeard Pirates' Captain "Blackbeard" Marshall D. Teach; Blackbeard Pirates' Sniper "Supersonic" Van Augur; and Blackbeard Pirates' Helmsman "The Champion" Jesus Burgess.

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