One Piece Chapter 588: Would You Like Another Cup of TeaI

A grand city with a towering castle stands under banners as a tiny fishing boat drifts away from the docks. Voices shout in alarm: "HE'S FLYING A BLACK FLAG... IS HE TRYING TO BE A PIRATE OR SOMETHINGI!" "HOLD IT!! THAT'S MY BOAT!! HE'S STOLEN MY FISHING BOAT!!" "WHERE IS HE PLANNING TO GOI!" "A PIRATE, AT HIS AGEI! THAT'S RIDICULOUS!" On the pier a cloaked figure yells "YOU THERE! GET BACK TO SHORE!!" while another warns "HE'S IN THE WAY OF THE CEREMONY!!" and "THE WORLD GOVERNMENT SHIP SHOULD BE ARRIVING ANY MINUTE NOW!" A young boy with goggles cries out in shock, "HUHI! IT CAN'T BE... ISN'T THAT...I! IT'S LITTLE SABO...!!!" The boy in the boat, wearing a top hat and goggles, declares with fierce eyes, "THERE'S ONLY ONE THING I'M REALLY AFRAID OF... AND THAT'S BEING CONSUMED BY THIS COUNTRY... UNTIL I'M NOT EVEN THE SAME PERSON ANY MORE...!!! I'M NEVER GOING BACK!!"

A massive ornate government ship with a lion figurehead and four black circles on its sail looms over the water, its arrival announced by bold sound effects and the cry "THE GOVERNMENT SHIP IS HERE!!!" The small fishing boat bobs dangerously close. An old man with a telescope exclaims, "IT WOULD APPEAR TO BE A SMALL FISHING BOAT." A man in a top hat peers through binoculars while another figure thinks, "BETTER GET OUT OF THE WAY..." Young Sabo stares up at the colossal vessel in terror, thinking, "WHAT IS THAT DOWN THEREI THAT SURE IS A BIG SHIP... I'LL GET SUCKED UP INTO ITS WAKE IF I'M NOT CAREFUL..."

An excited crowd on the docks waves flags and cheers wildly: "THAT SACRED RACE... YOU HAVE TO BE LUCKY TO EVEN WITNESS ONE WITHIN YOUR LIFETIME...!!!" "THERE ARE ACTUAL WORLD NOBLES ON BOARD THAT SHIP...!!!" Through a porthole the government ship fires a cannon. Young Sabo, eyes sparkling, clasps his hands and declares, "I'D SURE LOVE TO BECOME THE CAPTAIN OF A SHIP LIKE THAT SOMEDAY..." The massive vessel crashes straight into the tiny fishing boat with a thunderous "ドン...!!!" sending debris flying as the boat is crushed beneath the hull.

In the forest hideout, a bandit tries to calm the bandaged Luffy. "NOW, NOW... I UNDERSTAND HOW YOU FEEL......BUT IT'S TOO DANGEROUS FOR YOU TO GO BACK TO THE TRASH HEAP WITH THE MILITARY AND YOUR BODY IN THAT STATE...!!" Another voice shouts desperately, "ACE IS NOT DEAD!!!" Luffy, covered in bandages and looking frantic, is surrounded by Dadan family members. Dogra reports, "DOGRA IS OUT THERE RIGHT NOW, TRYING TO SCOUT OUT WHAT'S GOING ON AT THE TRASH HEAP!! LEAVE IT TO HIM!!" The others add, "...WE WANT TO BELIEVE THAT OUR BOSS AND ACE ARE ALIVE AS WELL, YOU KNOW!! THE BLAZE WAS GIGANTIC... THE HOPES MAY BE SLIM, BUT..." and "THIS IS HARD FOR ALL OF US, LUFFY...!!" Suddenly, news arrives from the coast: "HE ANGERED THE TENRYUUBITO!! IS THE KID ALL RIGHTI!" A panicked cry rings out, "SABO!!! THEY SHOT THE FISHING BOAT!!!" as a distant explosion echoes with the sound "どよぉ...!"

On the sea, the World Noble Saint Jalmack stands on his ship, rifle raised. He snarls, "THE FILTHY COMMONER HAD THE NERVE TO OBSTRUCT MY SHIP!!! HE WAS FLYING A PIRATE FLAG. THAT MAKES HIM A PIRATE, CHILD OR NO. AND BESIDES..." Panic erupts as the fishing boat bursts into flames. Voices scream, "THE BOAT'S ON FIRE...!!!! WHY DID THEY DO THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN...I!" and "UGH HHHH HHHH!!!" Jalmack's aide shouts, "SAINT JALMAC... THERE IS A CHILD ON BOARD!!!" The noble retorts coldly while smoke and debris fill the air, "*PANT* *PANT*"

Nobles on the shore react in alarm. "MOVE THE BOAT OUT OF THEIR WAY, QUICKLY!!! WE CANNOT POSSIBLY AFFORD TO DISPLEASE THE TENRYUUBITO!! THIS IS THE DAY OF THE GRAND CEREMONY..." One noble asks, "HEY... WHAT WAS THAT BOAT NOWI!" The burning fishing boat capsizes violently amid smoke and waves. Later, at the Dadan family hideout, a small figure dashes inside with the sign "DASH DASH" as distant mountains and the ruined coast are shown.

Inside the hideout, bandits react in shock. "WHATI!!" "HEY!! EVERYONE!! THEY'RE BACK!! THEY'RE BOTH BACK!!!" A massive impact bursts through the wall as Ace and Sabo dramatically return. Voices cry out, "BOSS!!" "ACE!!" with sound effects "あぁぁ" and "ハッハッハッ" Luffy stares in disbelief. In close-up, a bandaged bandit exclaims with tears, "YOU REALLY WERE ALIVE AFTER ALL!!!" while another pants, "THANK GOODNESS!!!" and "PANT"

Luffy stares in shock as Ace, heavily bandaged, grabs him by the collar. "...DID YOU THINK I WAS DEADI WHAT..." Ace roars with fury, "DON'T ACT LIKE PEOPLE ARE DEAD WHEN THEY'RE NOT, DUMMY!!!" Luffy screams back, tears streaming, "AAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCEEEEEEEE!!!" and "WHAT'RE YOU CRYING FORI!!" while Ace demands, "I....!!" In flashback panels, the Dadan family hides in the forest after the blaze. Narration explains: "WE MADE IT TO THE FOREST, OUT OF THE BLAZE'S REACH, AND HID OURSELVES THERE..." "DADAN WAS BURNED HORRIBLY GETTING US THROUGH THE FLAMES." "BUT BY THE TIME WE HAD, THE FIRE HAD ALREADY BLOCKED OFF ALL PATHS OF ESCAPE..." "ON THE NIGHT OF THE FIRE, WE SOMEHOW MANAGED TO DEFEAT BLUEJAM." Luffy adds, "I SNUCK INTO THE TOWN TO STEAL MEDICINES AND STUFF... DID EVERYTHING I COULD TO KEEP DADAN ALIVE..."

Luffy, covered in bandages and looking worried, asks Ace, "STILL, AFTER WHAT HAPPENED TO THE TRASH HEAP... I WONDER IF SABO IS WORRIED ABOUT US..." Ace, lying in bed, replies, "YOU GET PLENTY OF REST NOW, OKAY, BOSS...I" and "SORRY I MADE YOU GUYS WORRY..." Dadan, also bandaged, says, "NOW, NOW... I SEE... IT'S WONDERFUL AT LEAST THAT YOU'RE BOTH STILL ALIVE." The scene shifts to chaos in the burning town as cloaked figures and crowds flee the spreading flames. In the present, Ace reflects, "SOMETIMES... THE BLOOD JUST GOES RUSHING TO MY HEAD... I FEEL LIKE IF I RUN... I'LL LOSE SOMETHING IMPORTANT... AND IT SCARES ME..." He clenches his fist and declares, "...I WON'T RUN!!!" while Luffy watches silently from the side of the bed.

Ace continues his story with a close-up of his intense expression: "...BEHIND ME. LUFFY WAS RIGHT THERE..." He explains, "EVEN IF HE FOUND HIMSELF FACING A MASSIVE ARMY HE COULDN'T HOPE TO DEFEAT..." "I'M NOT SURE, BUT... I THINK THAT WAS WHY." Garp's narration adds, "IF THEY ALL FLED TOGETHER, HE WOULD BE PLACING HIS CREW IN DANGER ALONGSIDE HIM. SO PERHAPS..." "TRUE ENOUGH. BUT HE WOULD NEVER RUN. BECAUSE THE PEOPLE HE LOVED WERE STANDING THERE BEHIND HIM." "WHAT, DID HE HAVE A DEATH WISHI KNOWING WHEN TO RUN IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF BATTLE." "...ROGER WOULD NEVER RUN. HE WOULD ALWAYS STAND HIS GROUND." Garp concludes, "...IT'S NOT THAT HE WOULDN'T RUN... BUT THAT HE WOULD DO ANYTHING HE COULD TO STOP THE ENEMY FROM GOING AFTER HIS CREW... HE WOULDN'T LET THE ENEMY GET AWAY."

Garp continues describing Roger: "SURE ENOUGH, HE COULD BE FEROCIOUS, SHORT-TEMPERED AND SELFISH IF YOU MADE HIM MAD." "...BUT ACTION THAT HE TOOK WAS AS SIMPLE AND HONEST AS THAT OF A CHILD." "...JUST BECAUSE THEY SPOKE ILL OF HIS CREW." "HE WAS EVEN KNOWN TO WIPE OUT AN ENTIRE COUNTRY'S MILITARY..." "AT TIMES LIKE THAT, ROGER BECAME A TRUE DEMON!!" Garp notes, "THE WORLD MAY HAVE SEEN HIM AS THE ULTIMATE EVIL, BUT THE TRUST HE EARNED FROM HIS CREW WAS IMMEASURABLE." "IT'S THE FACT THAT HE LIVED HIS LIFE IN THAT WAY AND STILL HAD THE LUCK TO SURVIVE THAT MADE HIM THE PIRATE KING." Ace listens intently as Garp adds, "PERHAPS BECAUSE HE GREW UP IN CIRCUMSTANCES NOT UNLIKE THOSE ACE IS GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW... HE DETESTED THE THOUGHT OF LOSING HIS LOVED ONES ABOVE ALL ELSE..." The scene cuts to young Ace confronting a Marine soldier with a gun, the soldier exclaiming, "...WE'RE THE ONES WHO'VE TAKEN IN ACE!!" and "EVEN I, AS A MARINE SOLDIER, COULDN'T BRING MYSELF TO HATE THE MAN... THAT'S WHY I DECIDED TO TAKE IN ACE..."

In the forest clearing near a wooden building, young Luffy stands holding a stick, reacting with a puzzled "HMI" as Dogra runs up from the distance shouting "DOGURA!!" Dogra, sweating and wide-eyed, confirms the news to Magra: "I... IS THAT RIGHTI WELL, THAT IS GOOD NEWS...!!" Magra replies that Luffy has returned after searching for Ace and the boss. Luffy's face twists in growing shock and fury across close-up panels. In a massive splash panel filled with impact lines and debris, Luffy lunges forward and slams into Dogra and Magra, roaring "YOU DON'T EVEN JOKE ABOUT THAT!!!" and "THAT'S A STINKING LIE!!!" while the bandits are sent flying.

Dadan towers over the scene, sweat pouring down his face as he shouts "I DOUBTED MY OWN EYES...!!! I THOUGHT I HAD TO BE DREAMING, OR HALLUCINATING!!! IT'S NO LIE, AND CERTAINLY NO JOKE...!!! IT WAS SO SUDDEN, EVEN I BARELY KNEW WHAT WAS HAPPENING..." He recounts how Sabo was taken by his parents back to his old home. In a flashback panel, young Sabo declares "I'LL DO EVERYTHING YOU TELL ME...!!! I'LL LIVE MY LIFE HOWEVER I WANT!!!" and "JUST PLEASE... DON'T HARM ACE AND LUFFY!!!" while refusing to return to his noble family. Luffy clutches his head in anguish, crying out "SABO...!!!" and "HE WASN'T HAPPY AFTER ALL...!!!" as the group reflects on their failure to rescue him.

Luffy explodes in rage, yelling "I'LL GO AND MURDER HIM RIGHT NOW!!! WHERE'S THE MAN WHO KILLED SABOI!!!" while lunging forward with motion lines. Ace charges at Dadan, shouting "I'M GOING TO AVENGE HIM!!!" as Dadan blocks him with "STOP RIGHT THERE, YOU FILTHY BRAT!!!" and "ACE, WAIT!!" The struggle intensifies with impact effects; Dadan warns "YOU'D DIE, AND BY THE NEXT DAY THE WORLD WOULD HAVE FORGOTTEN YOU!!!" and "ALWAYS ACTING SO DAMN TOUGH EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE NOT AS STRONG AS ALL THAT...!!!" while Ace is restrained. Luffy continues to thrash, declaring "OUT OF MY WAY!!!"

Dadan restrains the thrashing Luffy, bellowing "WHEN YOUR OLD MAN DIED, HE DIED BRINGING IN A WHOLE NEW AGE!!! I WON'T HAVE YOU RUNNING OFF TO YOUR DEATH UNTIL YOU'RE A GREAT ENOUGH MAN TO DO THE SAME!!!" and "YOU THINK YOU CAN DO A DAMN THING ABOUT THATI!!!" while the bandits tie up Ace, who yells "SABOOOOOOOO!!!" Luffy breaks free, sobbing and running into the forest with tears streaming, his anguished cries echoing as "SABOOOOOOOO" and sound effects like "うわああああ" fill the panels. Dadan orders the men to secure Ace, who struggles violently.

Dadan reacts in shock as a letter arrives from Sabo. "WHATI! IT'S FROM SABO...!!!" she exclaims, holding the envelope addressed "To my brothers, Mt. Colubo." The bandits read the message: "This letter just arrived..." and note that Sabo spent the whole night crying before falling asleep. "HAVE YOU COOLED YOUR HEAD OFF YET, ACEI...WHERE'S LUFFYI" one asks. Ace stands alone in the forest reading the letter. Sabo writes, "I feel kind of bad telling you this, but by the time you read this letter... I'll already be out at sea." He continues, "ACE, LUFFY... YOU WEREN'T HURT IN THE FIRE, WERE YOUI I'M WORRIED ABOUT YOU, BUT I HAVE FAITH THAT YOU'RE ALL RIGHT." The bandits react with "BOSS!!" and "THAT LETTER'S FOR US, RIGHTI!" as one swears he won't go into town. Sabo concludes, "SOMEWHERE OUT THERE IN THE WIDE, OPEN SEA, I KNOW I'LL SEE YOU BOTH AGAIN!! ONCE ALL THREE OF US HAVE BECOME PIRATES, WITH MORE FREEDOM THAN ANYONE IN THE WORLD, LET'S MEET AGAIN SOMEDAY. AS FOR WHERE I'LL GO... ANYWHERE OUTSIDE OF THIS COUNTRY IS FINE BY ME. ONCE I ARRIVE, I'LL GET STRONGER, AND BECOME A REAL PIRATE. ONE THING LED TO ANOTHER, AND IT LOOKS LIKE I'LL BE SETTING SAIL AHEAD OF YOU GUYS." Luffy walks away reading the letter while Ace sits writing a reply.

Narration reflects on the brothers' bond: "IT'S A BIT STRANGE TO HAVE TWO ELDEST BROTHERS AND ONE YOUNGER BROTHER, BUT THIS BOND IS MY GREATEST TREASURE. ONE MORE THING, ACE. I WONDER WHICH OF US IS THE OLDESTI" Luffy stands small against the vast sea. The narration continues, "LUFFY MAY STILL BE PRETTY WEAK, AND A BIT OF A CRYBABY..." In a close-up, Ace weeps heavily, tears streaming down his face as he says, "LOOK AFTER HIM FOR ME....BUT HE'S OUR LITTLE BROTHER."

A wide, mostly empty page shows only a small distant figure of Luffy standing alone on a grassy cliff overlooking the endless sea under a cloudy sky, emphasizing solitude and the vast ocean ahead.

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