One Piece Chapter 497: Adventure on the Archipelago of Dancing Bubbles

The Thousand Sunny rests among massive trees on an island filled with floating bubbles and elevated walkways labeled "GR". Usopp, Franky, and Chopper converse in speech bubbles: Usopp says, "USOPP, FRANKY, YOU GUYS AREN'T HEADING OUTI EVERYONE ELSE WENT TO TOWN." Franky replies, "THE SHIP GOT A LITTLE DAMAGED DURING THAT LAST BATTLE, SO IT'S MY JOB TO FIX HER UP!!" Chopper adds, "I WANTED TO HELP, SO I STAYED BEHIND." Nami responds, "NO, I'LL WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO COME BACK AND SWITCH WITH ME, THEN I'LL GO SHOPPING." Sanji questions, "HMI WHYI" Nami explains, "WELL YOU SEE, MY BELOVED NAMI SAID THIS..." with sound effects "ハラハラ!!" and "ハラハラ". In lower panels, Sanji sweats while being grabbed, exclaiming "YOU'LL DO WHATEVER SHE ASKS, HUHI" and "IT'S ME!!!". Nami smiles with sparkles, saying "OH MY. ♡ ALL MY TREASURE IS STORED ON THIS SHIP. IF ONLY THERE WAS A KNIGHT WHO COULD PROTECT IT FOR ME. ♡"

On a walkway amid bubbles and trees, a woman in a striped hat gestures while saying "HMI JUST TAKING A WALK." Sanji questions "WHERE ARE YOU GOING ON YOUR OWN!!I" as Zoro walks away. A long-nosed man in a striped hat declares "I'M JUST A SLAVE TO LOVE!!" and "IT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING IF YOU SAY IT YOURSELF." Sound effects include "あいあいあいあいあいあいあいあい". Franky yells "THERE ARE NUMBERS ON THE TREES! IN THE WORST CASE, I'LL JUST ASK SOMEONE FOR DIRECTIONS." and "EVEN A KID COULD FIND HIS WAY." A small creature warns "WHO COULD GET LOST IN A PLACE LIKE THISI" while a masked figure shouts "I'M TELLING YOU, I'M NOT GONNA GET LOST!!!" and "JUST STOP RIGHT THERE, YOU DAMN LOST CHILD!!!" "DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!!!" "WE'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO FIND YOU HERE!!!". Later panels show Sanji noting "GROVE 1, HUH...I" and "...THIS IS REALLY ANNOYING..." while a man in a cap says "I UNDERESTIMATED YOU... SORRY, BE CAREFUL." and "AH... I NEVER THOUGHT YOU COULD BE THAT SMART." with signs for "Grove 41" and "41 GR".

Luffy, Robin, and the skeleton Brook stand together as Luffy points and says "SURE..." while Brook warns "YOU ABSOLUTELY CAN'T DEFY THEM IN ANY WAY. JUST PROMISE ME THIS ONE THING." Robin adds context about the "TENRYUUBITO" with a note "*HEAVENLY DRAGON PEOPLE". Brook continues, "THE WORLD NOBLES ARE ALSO CALLED THE TENRYUUBITO.** THEY THINK THEY'RE TOO GOOD TO BREATHE THE SAME AIR AS THE REST OF US, SO THEY WEAR MASKS." In the lower wide panel showing the bustling island with buildings, trees, and bubbles, various characters including a man in a top hat and a large figure with a goat discuss: "THERE ARE PIRATES, JUST LIKE YOU, AND THE MARINES CHASING THEM." "IS WHERE PEOPLE AIMING FOR THE 'NEW WORLD' GATHER." "LIKE I SAID BEFORE, THIS ISLAND IS WHERE..." "THERE'S PLENTY OF OTHER STUFF TO LOOK OUT FOR." "PLUS THERE ARE BOUNTY HUNTERS AND KIDNAPPERS." "IF PIRATES ARE CAUGHT BY THE SLAVE TRADE, THEN LAW WON'T PROTECT THEM."

Luffy touches his cheek and replies to a question about his wound, "K... WHEN DID YOU GET THAT WOUNDI" "THISI DON'T MIND IT." A woman with short light hair warns him firmly, "BE REALLY CAREFUL, WHATEVER YOU DO. IF YOU DO ANYTHING TO STAND OUT, THEN THEY'LL ALL BE AFTER YOU IN A HEARTBEAT." The crew stands on a bustling street lined with bubble-filled buildings and tall towers. Franky declares, "THE MARINE HEADQUARTERS IS RIGHT AROUND HERE, AFTER ALL!! EVEN THE BOUNTY HUNTERS ARE ALL A CUT ABOVE AVERAGE!!" Robin adds, "THERE AREN'T ANY INCOMPETENT MARINES AROUND HERE." In the next panel Robin smiles and advises, "... WHEN IN ROME, DO AS THE ROMANS DO, LUFFY. LET'S DO AS THE OCTOPUS SAYS." Chopper asks, "WHYI" while another crew member notes, "ON THIS ISLAND, TREAT US LIKE WE ARE 'HUMANS.' HERE, CAMIE AND I AREN'T FISHMEN OR MERMAIDS." Franky complains, "COME ON, THAT'S TOO MUCH TO KEEP TRACK OF!!" and someone else says, "AND ONE MORE THING."

A large bubble is slowly pushed from the outside with the instruction, "SLOWLY PUSH YOUR WAY IN." Inside, Luffy exclaims, "MUNI-" as the bubble envelops him. On the street Franky reacts with excitement, "UWAAH, HOW INTERESTING!! IT'S NOT LEAKING. I CAN GET IN!!" while Robin remarks, "HOW MYSTERIOUS." Luffy is shown inside the bubble with wide eyes as it seals, "NUPON!!" A man in a top hat and goggles instructs, "THEN, GO AHEAD AND ADVANCE. IS THE HEIGHT OKAYI" Luffy adjusts the bubble from inside, asking, "LIKE THISI" The man replies, "OKAY! TAKE THIS AND PUT IT INSIDE," while operating a large mechanical device labeled "AIAIF AIIAIIRI" amid sound effects and spinning parts.

Luffy rides inside a speeding bubble vehicle, shouting with joy, "OOOOOH!! IT'S MOVING!! THIS IS SO FUN!!" while sound effects show "KIKO KIKO KIKO" and "GURUN GURUN." Chopper watches excitedly, "WAAAH! AMAZING!" At a bustling rental stand marked "BON CHARI," Franky argues with the shopkeeper, "NYUU-! DON'T BOTHER. THERE'S NO POINT IN BUYING ONE, SO JUST RENT IT. I WANT ONE!! I'LL BUY ONE WITH MY SPENDING MONEY!!!" The shopkeeper responds, "AND IF YOU WANT TO BUY ONE, IT'S 10000 BERI. A STEAL, RIGHTI IF YOU WANT TO RENT A BON CHARI, IT'S 500 BERI A DAY." Robin questions, "HEY, TAKOHACHI!! WHY ARE YOU DECIDING THIS!I" Franky retorts, "I'LL TELL YOU LATER." A local onlooker comments, "AW, MAN, YOU'RE A LOCALI WELL, SHOOT. INTERESTING HOW THEY DON'T POP."

The Straw Hat crew rides bubble vehicles through the lively streets. Luffy declares, "I'M GOING TO BUY A BON CHARI AFTER ALL!!" while riding with Camie. Robin and Franky follow on their own bubbles. A voice addresses Luffy, "STRAWHAT, WHEN YOU FIRST GOT HERE," as the group enjoys the ride with bubbles floating everywhere. In a flashback panel Luffy explains, "I WANTED TO GO EVEN HIGHER. AAAH!! AFTER THE BUBBLE PASSED THE TOP OF THE TREES, WHY DID YOU FALL BACK DOWNI YOU GOT ON A SOAP BUBBLE AND FLOATED UP INTO THE SKY, RIGHTI AND THEN THE ONE I WAS RIDING ON POPPED, TOO. BUT THE BUBBLES AROUND ME ALL STARTED POPPING. SO I FELL BACK DOWN." Sound effects and impact lines show the chaotic fall with "WAH!" and multiple "10%" marks.

The group stands before a grand building on the Sabaody Archipelago as large soap bubbles drift through the air. A voice explains, "BUT WHEN YOU LEAVE THE AREA, THE RESIN CAN'T MAINTAIN ITS SHAPE." Another continues, "THAT'S BECAUSE YOU LEFT THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE SHABODY ARCHIPELAGO. THE ATMOSPHERE HERE IS ESPECIALLY SUITED FOR YARUKIMAN MANGROVES." In the next panels, Brook the skeleton in a top hat gestures while speaking with a shopkeeper. "OFTEN BUY BON CHARIS... BUT THAT'S A BAD PURCHASE. PEOPLE WHO COME HERE FOR THE FIRST TIME NYUU- THAT'S RIGHT. JUST RENTING THEM IS FINE." Nami, wearing a large hat, smiles and asks, "THEN OUTSIDE OF THIS ARCHIPELAGO, YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO RIDE THESE BUBBLE BICYCLES, RIGHT...I IS THAT SO...I" Luffy, looking confused with sweat drops, mutters, "HMMM-MMPH... BUT... I DON'T REALLY GET IT, SO..." A small figure nearby panics, "WHAT!I THEY MYSTERIOUSLY POP!I HOW IS THAT POSSIBLEI" Luffy snaps, "IF YOU LEAVE THESE ISLANDS FOR ANY REASON, THEN THE SOAP BUBBLES JUST MYSTERIOUSLY POP. DON'T YOU GET IT! LET'S JUST GET... ONE..."

Luffy excitedly declares, "IT'S GOING TO BE AWESOME. I WANT TO GO TO THE FISHMAN ISLAND NOW." Nami replies, "WHAT IS IT LIKE...I NO!! I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT YET." She adds with a smile, "WE HAVE THESE SOAP BUBBLES AT THE OCEAN FLOOR, TOO. AH, BUT YOU CAN USE THEM AT FISHMAN ISLAND, LUFFY-CHIN!" Brook plays his violin and says, "AFTER ALL, I'M A SKELETON... THAT WOULD BE GREAT!! I HAVE NO EYE FOR WOMEN!! I KNOW HER, SO MAYBE I'LL INTRODUCE YOU. I HOPE WE SEE THE MERMAID PRINCESS, SHE'S A BEAUTY!! EVEN A STARFISH LIKE ME CAN SEE THAT, NO MISTAKE!!" The scene shifts to a bustling street where the group approaches a shop. A sign reads "ANTONIO'S GRAMAN". Brook asks, "SO WE SHORTEN IT TO 'GRAMAN.' IT'S A 'GRAND LINE MANJYUU.'* IT SMELLS GREAT!!! WHAT'S A 'GRAMAN'I SO I DON'T HAVE ANY EYES!!! YOHohoHO!" A vendor calls out, "WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRY ONEI" as the skeleton dashes forward with motion lines and a loud "KKK-!!" *A snack similar to mochi, with a sweet filling, usually red bean paste.

The crew samples the treats. Luffy and others exclaim, "THEY REALLY ARE GOOD- MAY WE OPEN THE NEXT BOX AND HAVE SOME MOREI THEY'RE SWEET AND TASTY!! THEY'RE DELICIOUS!! THEY STAY GOOD FOR UP TO THREE MONTHS, SO YOU CAN TAKE THEM ANYWHERE!! THEY'RE POPULAR SOUVENIRS TO TAKE TO THE 'NEW WORLD.' SEE, THEY'VE GOT 'GRAND LINE, FIRST HALF' WRITTEN ON THEM. TASTY. SO GOOD." A voice asks, "ARE YOU GOING TO BUY ANYTHING!I" Nami points toward a large domed structure and says, "YOU TAKE A GIANT SOAP BUBBLE AND COVER IT WITH AN ALLOY, AND THAT MAKES THE FOUNDATION. IT'S EASY TO MAKE A HOTEL HERE. NYUU- THEY'RE WAITING FOR PERMISSION TO GO THROUGH MARIEJOA. IT LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE A LOT OF HOTELS AROUND GROVE 35... THAT'S HOW THESE ROUND BUILDINGS ARE MADE." She smiles and notes, "HEEH... AH! IS THAT A SHOPPING MALL!I" Later, Brook holds up items and announces, "YOU GUYS MADE LOTS OF GREAT MEMORIES!!! PENNANT. KEY HOLDER. 'GRASEN' AND 'GRA-CHOCO.' THANK YOU FOR YOUR BUSINESS!!" as the group enjoys their purchases.

Luffy points and says, "THEY WENT TO THE SHOPPING MALL AT GROVE 30. THEY SAID TO TAKE CARE OF THE COATING. IS THAT SOI THEN WE'LL TAKE CARE OF IT!!!" Nami asks, "HUHI WHERE DID NAMI AND ROBIN GOI" Brook answers, "CARRYING STUFF AROUND ON THESE ISLANDS DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A PROBLEM. I HAD THEM PUT IT IN A 'BON BAG.'" In a separate scene, a woman in a large hat wonders, "... COULD IT BE THAT...I SHE'S HAD SOME BAD EXPERIENCES HERE...I YES, SHE SEEMS TO HAVE GOTTEN A LITTLE MORE RESERVED SINCE WE CAME TO THESE ISLANDS... CAME... WE INVITED HER, BUT SHE STILL DIDN'T COME.... I WONDER WHAT'S WRONG WITH HER." Luffy suddenly reacts with surprise, "HMI WHAT'S GOING ON UP THERE!I" as a bubble vehicle speeds past with motion lines. Brook yells, "NYUU-! I WON'T LOSE! THERE'S STILL A LONG WAY TO GO! THE FINISH LINE IS GROVE 13!!" Luffy shouts from the speeding bubble, "DAAAAH!! I'M OUT IN FRONT!! AHAHA, GO, HACCHIN!!"

A massive, desperate slave with a heavy explosive collar around his neck thrashes and begs wildly in the middle of Sabaody Archipelago. He screams, "ANYTHING IS FINE, JUST GIVE IT TO ME!!! I JUST NEED TO BREAK THIS COLLAR!!! THERE'S NO DANGER FOR YOU!!! I'VE GIVEN UP ON THE 'NEW WORLD'!!!" Nearby voices plead, "PLEASE!!! I'M BEGGING YOU, ANYBODY!!! HELP ME!!! PLEASE, LET ME GO!! I DON'T WANT TO DIE!!! ANYBODY AT ALL!!! AN AXE!! OR A SAW!!" Smaller panels show other terrified slaves crying out, "PLEASE HELP ME!! I JUST WANT TO GO HOME... PLEASE! I LEFT WHEN MY KID WAS STILL A BABY! PLEASE, I HAVE A WIFE AND A SON AT HOME!!!" One onlooker notes, "HE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW MY FACE!!!" while another adds, "THE PEOPLE WHO BROUGHT HIM PROBABLY BROUGHT HIM HERE AND HE ESCAPED!!" Luffy stares in shock as the scene unfolds.

The slave's collar suddenly detonates in a massive fiery blast. He shrieks in agony, "KY-AAAAA AAH!!" as his body is consumed by the explosion. Onlookers react in horror. One voice realizes, "IF THEY BREAK THE CHAIN AND ESCAPE, THE COLLAR EXPLODES!!! SLAVES ALWAYS HAVE CHAINS TO THEIR NECKS!" Luffy's eyes widen in shock as he shouts, "WHA...I" The blast sends debris flying while bystanders flee in panic.

The massive explosion rocks the town as the slave's body is obliterated. Panicked citizens shout, "A SLAVE TRIED TO ESCAPE!!! GET AWAY FROM HIM!! DON'T EVEN GET CLOSE!!!" Luffy stands frozen, muttering, "I... DON'T WANT TO BE A PIRATE ANYMORE...!!!...!!! I'LL GET SOMETHING FOR MY KID AND GO HOME... THAT'S AWFUL..." A group including a man in a jacket marked "8" reacts with alarm: "EH...I OKAY... I GOT IT. STRAWHAT!! GET OFF OF THAT BON CHARI! HACCHIN! WHAT SHOULD WE DOI THE 'TENRYUUBITO' MUST BE CLOSE!! UWAAAAH!! WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON IN THIS TOWN!I IDIOT!! YOU PROMISED NOT TO GET INVOLVED, NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENED!! WA... WAIT!! SHOULDN'T WE HELP HIM!I"

A silhouetted figure reads a newspaper and remarks, "THAT WAS... THE CAPTAIN OF THE AKUMATE PIRATES, DEVIL DIAS, WORTH 60 MILLION, HUH... HOW PATHETIC...!!! HE WOULD NEVER HAVE MADE IT IN THE 'NEW WORLD'..." In the background, an elephant-like creature named Saru wanders among bubbles while people react. One voice says, "THEY'RE HERE...!!!" Another notes, "THAT'S THEM, HUH...I OH MY, HOW UNLADYLIKE, 'SARU'." A warning is given: "YOU GUYS GET ON YOUR KNEES, AND NO MATTER WHO COMES, DON'T LOOK THEM IN THE EYES!! DON'T LAY A HAND ON THAT DOG EITHER, THE 'TENRYUUBITO' ARE RIGHT BEHIND IT." Luffy watches with a concerned expression.

Saint Roswald towers in his bubble helmet and ornate robes, chains rattling as he glares with a demonic expression. Princess Shalria stands beside him in her own bubble, gripping a spear. A voice asks, "DID YOU GIVE IT TRANQUILIZERS EVERY DAYI" Roswald replies, "I DID, BUT IT DIDN'T SEEM TO HAVE ANY EFFECT ON THIS FOOL." Shalria adds, "OH SHOOT, FATHER, IT LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER ONE GOT BROKEN." In the lower panels Roswald snarls, "...MY COLLECTION OF CAPTIVES IS GETTING RUINED ONE BY ONE... YOU'RE JUST TERRIBLE AT TRAINING THESE THINGS." Shalria smiles and says, "WON'T YOU PLEASE BUY ME A NEW ONEI"

The chained slave collapses in the dirt as Roswald's massive fist strikes, impact lines and "ドン!!" exploding across the panel. Roswald declares, "WELL, THIS ONE IS NO GOOD ANY MORE..." Onlookers react in horror: "JURAKIN... YOU'RE JUST A FILTHY HUMAN..." "GA!! GAA!! A FULL GROWN MAN LIKE YOU, CRYING AS YOU DIE AMONGST THESE PEOPLE. HE CAN'T EVEN MOVE ANY MORE..." Roswald aims a pistol and fires, the bubble helmet flashing as he snarls, "YOU DISGUST ME." The slave begs on hands and knees, "START WITH A HUMAN CHILD. I DON'T WANT SOMETHING WEAK." A new figure appears, hands clutching his face in shock: "WAIT!!! PLEASE!!! YOU...!"

Onlookers murmur among the bubble trees: "A PIRATE LIKE THAT SHOULD BE ABLE TO WIN AGAINST AN OLD MAN AND THAT GIRL!! HE'S A PIRATE, SO EVEN IF HE'S SAVED, HE'LL BE STUCK IN PRISON. I WONDER IF HE'LL BE OKAY, HE WAS TAKEN TO THE MARINES, BUT......I FEEL AWFUL." Luffy, Zoro, and Usopp stand together. Usopp cries, "OR AKAINU, OR KIZARU. YOU DON'T KNOW WHO WILL COME. HEADQUARTERS IS RIGHT THERE, AFTER ALL." Luffy shouts, "LIKE AOKIJI!!I" A massive close-up of a Tenryuubito's face explains, "THEN AN ADMIRAL FROM THE MARINE HEADQUARTERS WILL PERSONALLY LEAD A SQUAD TO COME AFTER YOU. IF YOU HURT ONE OF THE 'TENRYUUBITO,' THEIR DESCENDANTS ARE THE 'TENRYUUBITO,' AND MAKE NO MISTAKE; OVER THE YEARS, THEY'VE GROSSLY ABUSED THEIR POWER... 800 YEARS AGO, THE ORGANIZATION KNOWN AS THE 'WORLD GOVERNMENT' WAS CREATED BY A GROUP OF 20 KINGS. WHY ARE THEY SO IMPORTANT!I BECAUSE THE BLOOD OF THE CREATORS RUNS THROUGH THEIR VEINS..."

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