One Piece Chapter 340: The Woman Who Brings Darkness

From a high angle, a small figure plummets through the air between tall buildings as a voice cries, "NO...!!" A circular sound effect reads "HOP!". The next panel shows a dramatic close-up of a face with wide-open mouth and tightly shut eyes, tears flying, screaming in agony with large stylized Japanese text "ああああ" and the English "NOO OOOO OOOO...!!" Impact stars and motion lines fill the background as the figure continues falling.

A bald man with sunglasses and a bare torso lands hard amid debris, grunting "GYA!!" while a small flying creature hovers nearby. Speech bubbles note "GOOD LANDING." and "PHEW." followed by "...!!". In the next row, the same man lies dazed as a black-haired man with a scar and a blond man in a tank top react. The black-haired man shouts, "WE COULDN'T USE THE ELEVATOR BECAUSE WE CAN'T BE SEEN. YOU SAID SO YOURSELF!" The blond replies, "WE CAN'T HELP IT!" A woman with long hair adds, "GOOD LANDING, MY BUTT!! I ALMOST HAD A HEART ATTACK!!!" The group decides, "LET'S GO BACK TO THE HOTEL." The woman remarks, "THE SKY AND THE TOWN ARE... SO GLOOMY..." while the black-haired man yells, "THEN DON'T HIT ME!!!" Another character questions, "WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE, THAT LONG-NOSED SHIPWRIGHT!I" and warns, "BUT I DIDN'T TELL YOU TO JUMP DOWN!"

Large narration boxes announce: "AS SHELTERS FOR EVACUEES DURING THE STORM. ALL OF THE SHIPYARDS IN ZOUSEN-JIMA ARE NOW OPEN... AQUA LAGUNA IS APPROACHING. THIS IS A WARNING TO EVERYONE ON THE ISLAND." A massive tower-like structure numbered 1, 2, and 3 stands amid turbulent waves. Below, a man in a headband hammers a door while saying, "NO. WE'RE READY TO GO TO THE SHIPYARDS. IF THE DOOR ISN'T SEALED TIGHT, IT'LL LEAK, AND ALL THE FURNITURE IN THE HOUSE WILL BE RUINED." Sound effects read "DON" and "KON KON KON". A woman with a bandana uses a megaphone, declaring, "I'M SEALING THE DOOR! DID YOU FORGET ANYTHINGI AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, THERE WILL BE A CROWD ENTERING THE SHIPYARDS. SO PLEASE, DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE. ALSO, DOCK 1 IS CURRENTLY IN DISARRAY, THEREFORE..."

In a bustling Water 7 street, panicked citizens shout warnings as wind howls and debris flies. A helmeted man yells, "IF WE DON'T... THOSE KILLER PIRATES MAY COME!!" while another cries "LET'S HURRY IT UP!!" and "THE WIND IS GETTING STRONGER..." A child screams "AH! SCARY!!" Nearby signs announce train schedules: "LEAVE THE STATION FOR GENTO BOBURA AT EXACTLY 1 P.M.", "SEA TRAIN, PUFFING TOM, WILL...", and "BLUE STATION". A large poster warns: "THE STRAW HAT PIRATES, WHO ATTEMPTED TO ASSASSINATE MAYOR ICEBERG, ARE STILL AT LARGE... PLEASE SHOW YOUR TICKET AS WELL AS YOUR FACE! THE USAGE OF MASKS ABOARD TODAY'S TRAIN IS FORBIDDEN! ALL PASSENGERS MUST SHOW THEIR FACES BEFORE BOARDING. PLEASE COOPERATE TO HASTEN THEIR ARREST." A masked man grins while holding up a face mask, ignoring the rules.

Sanji stares intensely with a large "ド" sound effect, sweat dripping as he mutters "SO THIS IS WHY..." In a flashback panel he reads a newspaper and thinks: "WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO NOW... WE CAN'T GO BACK TO THE HOTEL... ONLY MY, LUFFY'S, AND ROBIN'S PICTURES ARE IN HERE. THAT'S PROBABLY BECAUSE WE HAVE BOUNTIES ON OUR HEADS... THAT WAY! I THINK HE WENT... THE REASON I'M BEING CHASED... IS BECAUSE I'M AN ASSOCIATE OF THE ASSASSIN..." At the hotel entrance a bespectacled man says "THEIR BAGS ARE STILL IN THEIR ROOMS... THEY'LL BE BACK." Townspeople confirm "YES, THEY CAME HERE YESTERDAY... THEY WERE SLEEPING HERE LAST NIGHT." Sanji asks "ARE YOU SURE, MISTERI" A sign reads "HOTEL" as a voice adds "THEY SHOULD BE AROUND HERE."

On the coast, figures spot the beached Going Merry. One says "YES, THIS IS IT. JUST LOOK AT THE FLAG." A sign labels the area "ROCKY PENINSULA..." The Straw Hat Jolly Roger flutters as they board: "THEY'VE PROBABLY ABANDONED THIS SHIP, BY THE LOOKS OF IT. I HEARD THAT THEY FOUND OUT THIS SHIP IS NO GOOD YESTERDAY. NOBODY'S HERE..." The flag is confirmed with "YEAH, THAT'S THE STRAW HAT ALRIGHT..." Below deck Usopp lies tied up, muttering "THEY'RE CARRYING WEAPONS... WHO ARE THEYI THEY'VE LIKELY ABANDONED IT ALREADY... THERE'S ALMOST NOTHING LEFT ON THAT SHIP..." Large SFX "ヒュオオオオ..." echo across the scene.

Searchers comb the city streets. Voices call "WE CAN FIND THE REST EASILY!! IF WE CAN CATCH ANY OF THOSE THREE... HURRY! WE HAVE TO CATCH THEM BEFORE THE TIDE COMES! NO, SORRY. DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THOSE PIRATESI" At the station a conductor notes "THE SEA TRAIN SURE IS AMAZING... THE WEATHER IS THIS BAD, AND THEY CAN STILL GO TO ENIES LOBBY AT 11PM... ONE TRAIN DURING THE DAY, AND ONE IN THE NIGHT... THE SEA TRAIN IS STILL OPERATIONAL..." Sanji urges "GET ON THE TRAIN ALREADY..." Usopp wonders "DID I MAKE HER MAD WHEN I WENT TO THE BOOK STOREI I WONDER WHY SHE LEFT..." while a dog-masked figure retorts "IDIOT, THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE." Sanji concludes "IT'S ALREADY HARD ENOUGH SEARCHING IN JUST WATER SEVEN... OTHERWISE, IT'LL BE A HELL OF A LOT OF TROUBLE."

Sanji stands with a cigarette, wondering aloud, "I WONDER WHAT HAPPENED TO LUFFY..." while a small figure beside him reacts with concern. Nearby, Usopp holds up a wanted poster and exclaims, "SHE'S THE ASSASSIN!" as he points at the image of a woman. Sanji questions, "HAVE YOU SEEN THE CUTE GIRL IN THIS PICTUREI" and notes the real person is around 20 years older. In the city streets of Water 7, Sanji observes, "THE WIND IS GETTING STRONGER, TOO... EVERYONE PROBABLY EVACUATED..." while a distant figure remarks, "LUFFY IS FINE. IT'S NAMI-SAN THAT I'M WORRIED ABOUT. THIS PLACE LOOKS SO DESERTED NOW..." Chopper suddenly appears in the foreground with a startled "!!" and a sound effect "ヒュゥゥゥ..." Sanji turns in surprise as Chopper asks, "WHATI CHOP-..." and reacts with wide eyes. Usopp, in his Sogeking mask, sniffs and calls out, "HEY---!!! ROBIN-CHAN~~~!!!"

Nico Robin stands alone on an elevated walkway, her expression serious as large black impact shapes and motion lines surround her. Below, Sanji spots her and shouts, "WHERE DID YOU GO!I EVERYONE IS WORRIED ABOUT YOU!" Usopp, still masked as Sogeking, cries out with tears, "ROBIN!" Sanji follows with an emotional yell, "ROBIN-CHAN!!" Robin remains silent at first, shown with a small "....." bubble, as the group reacts with shock and relief at finding her.

From the bridge, Sanji calls to Robin, "WAIT THERE. I'LL COME OVER TO YOU. I'LL TELL YOU EVERYTHING LATER. LET'S GO BACK TO THE HOTEL! WE CAN'T TALK HERE." Robin turns and firmly replies, "NO. WE'RE FINE WHERE WE ARE." Usopp reacts with surprise, "!!I" as Robin continues, "GO BACK WITH YOU... I WON'T..." Sanji stands tense on the stone walkway beside the canal while Usopp pleads from the foreground.

Sanji presses, "AH! IS IT ABOUT THE THING IN THE PAPERSI ER... WHAT ARE YOU SAYING, ROBIN-CHANI" Usopp stammers, "ROBIN!I" Robin looks away and states, "IN THIS TOWN... LET'S SAY OUR FAREWELL HERE..." She explains, "YES. YOU GUYS WERE FALSELY ACCUSED OF THE CRIME. HOWEVER... THEY ALWAYS BLAME THE PIRATES WHENEVER ANYTHING BAD HAPPENS! WE DON'T BELIEVE IT! DON'T WORRY!" Sanji reacts with shock, "HUHI" as Robin adds, "I DID, IN FACT, INFILTRATE THE MAYOR'S OFFICE LAST NIGHT. FOR ME, IT IS THE TRUTH." The group stands on the canal-side street with distant figures visible in the background.

Nico Robin stares forward with a cold, distant expression. "I AM SHROUDED IN A DARKNESS THAT YOU HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF." A second bubble follows: "AND THAT DARKNESS WILL EVENTUALLY BE THE DEATH OF YOU." Chopper reacts in shock with a "I" and sweat drops. A shadowy figure declares that every group associated with Nico Robin has been destroyed and that she is the sole survivor. Sanji looks shaken, eyes wide and sweat flying. Robin continues, "WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!I WHY ARE YOU...!I" as the situation worsens. She states she will leave soon and declares, "NOW... YOU WILL BE MY SCAPEGOATS FOR THIS INCIDENT."

Sanji shouts desperately, "DID SOMETHING HAPPEN TO YOU!I...!! ROBIN-CHAN!! YOU'RE NOT MAKING ANY SENSE! ROBIN!!! LET'S GO BACK TOGETHER!!" Robin stands on the steps of a grand building and replies, "YES, THERE'S NO NEED TO TELL YOU ALL THAT. WHY AM I DOING THISI" Chopper and a small figure urge her to say "HELLO" to everyone. Robin continues, "WE HAVEN'T KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR LONG... AND AFTER TODAY, WE WON'T SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN." In a large panel she adds, "YOU HAVE TREATED ME WELL. IN THE TIME I'VE BEEN WITH YOU..."

Chopper and Sanji stare in stunned silence as Robin says, "GOOD-BYE." Sanji mutters, "I DON'T BELIEVE THIS... I..." while running figures appear in the background. He suddenly lunges forward, hand outstretched, yelling, "THIS ISN'T FUNNY!!! WAIT A MINUTE!! ROBIN-CHAN!!" Multiple panels show his frantic pursuit and desperate calls of "ROBIN ~~~!!" as the scene erupts into motion.

Sanji and Chopper sit slumped on the steps. "SHE'S GONE..." A sound effect "ギャー" rings out. Chopper calls, "CHOPPER." Sanji lifts his head and says, "I HAVE A PLAN. WHAT ABOUT YOU, SANJII TELL HIM EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED. FIND LUFFY, DON'T MISS A SINGLE WORD. DON'T WORRY, I'LL BE FINE." Chopper responds with a puzzled "HUHI" as the group begins to recover.

Marines swarm the city rooftops, shouting as they search. "ARE YOU ON ONE OF THE ROOFS!I" "WHERE ARE YOU HIDING!I" "WE'LL GET YOU EVENTUALLY!!" A large man with a zipper coat yells orders while scanning the streets. Below, on a stone bridge, several figures keep watch. One says, "NOTHING. I SAW THEM COME THIS WAY." Another replies, "ANYTHING FROM THAT STREETI" A quiet "......!!" comes from nearby. Under the bridge arch, Luffy, Robin, and Chopper hide in a small boat. Luffy asks, "WHERE DID THEY DISAPPEAR TOI" Chopper suggests, "LET'S CHECK OVER THERE!" Robin answers, "IS IT... SAFE NOW...I" Luffy replies, "NOT YET." A close-up shows a hand gripping the stone as water drips: "SLIP... plip plip plip..."

The boat tips violently. Chopper screams "WAAA AH!!" as he and Luffy tumble out, hitting the water with a splash. "BUA!! KYAA!!" Chopper sniffs the air, "SNIFF..." and mutters "......!!!" On a rooftop, the group catches their breath. Sanji says, "I COULDN'T HELP IT! THERE'S JUST SO MANY... AND THEN YOU GOT US SPOTTED, TOO!" Robin replies, "CLEARI THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT, YOU WERE BEING CHASED BY SO MANY OF THEM!" Chopper asks, "HOW DID YOU FIND US, CHOPPERI" He answers, "SMELL." Luffy wonders, "AH! WHERE'S SANJII" A close-up shows Luffy's shocked face: "ROBIN REALLY SAID THAT!I" "IS THAT FOR REAL!!!I"

The Straw Hats sit on a rooftop overlooking the city at dusk. Luffy says, "BEFORE THE SUN GOES DOWN, WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT..." Robin explains, "SHE WOULDN'T HAVE LEFT US OUT OF FEAR AFTER ALL THIS TIME. THEN WE LET HER ON OUR SHIP. ROBIN STARTED OUT AS OUR ENEMY." Sanji adds, "IT'S TIME FOR EVERYONE TO WAKE UP..." Luffy reacts with surprise. Close-ups show Luffy thinking "OR FOE...I" and Nami with a serious expression replying "FRIEND..." The page ends with the One Piece logo and chapter number.

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