One Piece Chapter 96: Worst in the East

Nami holds up a coin with an annoyed expression and says, “DON’T YOU THINK IT’S GETTING A BIT TOO EXPENSIVEI” and “ANOTHER PRICE-INCREASEI”. A news-delivering bird in a cap and satchel labeled “NEWS PAPER” replies, “WHAT’RE YOU GETTING SO RILED UP ABOUTI IT’S JUST A NEWSPAPER.” and “RAISE THE PRICE AGAIN AND I WON’T BE BUYING YOUR PAPERS ANYMORE.” with a “CLINK” sound as coins are exchanged and “CAWW…”. In the lower panels, a man in a striped hat sits on deck holding a bottle and making a peace sign while declaring, “OK, OK. I’M IN THE MIDDLE OF DEVELOPING MY SECRET TABASCO STAR SO KEEP AWAY!”. Nami snaps back, “THERE’S NO WAY I’M GOING TO BE A PENNILESS PIRATE!” and “DON’T BE STUPID. FROM NOW ON, I’M GOING TO BE SAVING UP MONEY FOR NO ONE BUT ME ALONE.” while striking a pose. She later stands with hands out, complaining, “I THOUGHT YOU WERE DONE WITH SAVING UP MONEYI” and “DAILY EXPENSES ALL ADD UP, DON’T YOU KNOW!I” as the bird flies off with another “CAWW!”. An enemy who gets this in their eye is shown in the background.

Usopp recoils in panic, shouting “ABSOLUTELY NOT!” and “OH NO! CAN’T I JUST HAVE AT LEAST ONEI” while dramatic impact lines and “GYAA AAA AA!” fill the panel. Nearby, a man is struck and sent flying with a loud “SPLASH!” and “AGHH!” as someone yells “KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF!” and “WILL BE RENDERED COMPLETELY HELPLESS…”. Sanji stands protectively before an orange tree, hearts floating around him as he declares, “THANKS A LOT, NAMI! REST ASSURED, MY DEFENSE POWERED BY LOVE IS INFALLIBLE!”. Luffy, wearing his straw hat, smiles widely and says, “THESE ARE NAMI’S BELOVED ORANGE TREES! I WON’T ALLOW ANYONE TO LAY EVEN A SINGLE FINGER ON THEM!” and “OH WELL, I’M IN A GOOD MOOD SO I’LL DROP IT THEN.”. In the bottom tier, Nami reads a newspaper with wide eyes as headlines announce “ANOTHER COUP D’ÉTAT IN VILLA…I” and “THE WORLD’S IN SUCH TURMOIL.” while distant figures are blasted away with “GYAA! AAAA!” and someone remarks “WE’RE FINALLY ON OUR WAY TO GRAND LINE!” and “WHAT A TOOL…”.

On the sunny deck of the Going Merry, Luffy sits on the railing while Sanji lounges in a striped deck chair reading a newspaper. A flyer flutters through the air with “FLAP…” sounds as Luffy says “IT’S A FLYER.” and the others react with “HUHI” and “HMI”. Close-ups show Sanji’s eyes opening with “OHI”, Zoro sleeping with “ZZZZ”, Luffy jolting awake with “AH!”, Usopp startled with “AGHH…”, and Nami looking concerned with “AH…”. The final wide panel shows the ship sailing away from the viewer toward the horizon under a bright sky, accompanied by a narration box stating “THE SHIP NOW HEADS OUT FOR GRAND LINE.” and a large vertical scream “AHHHHHHHH!” trailing off the page.

A massive splash erupts near a wooden bridge as a frog watches from the water. The sound effect "カポーン...!" echoes across the scene. The view shifts to Marine Headquarters, its sign reading "海軍" (Marines), with dramatic sound effects "ゴォォォォォ" and "ドォォォ" shaking the building. Inside the vast hall, rows of seated Marines listen as an officer declares, "ARE UNABLE TO DEAL WITH THIS PARTICULAR PIRATE CREW...I" Another continues, "SO IN SHORT, OUR BRANCH FORCES," while a subordinate responds simply, "YES."

Three large wanted posters are displayed: Arlong the Saw at 20 million beli, Don Krieg at 17 million beli, and Buggy the Clown at 15 million beli. Marine Headquarters Commander Brannew points emphatically and explains, "THESE 3 PIRATE CREWS HAVE MANAGED TO LABEL THEMSELVES AS THE TOP-DOGS, EACH LED BY CAPTAINS WITH BOUNTIES OF OVER 10 MILLION. YET EVEN THEY HAVE ALL BEEN CRUSHED. HERE IN EAST BLUE, WHERE THE AVERAGE BOUNTY IS 3 MILLION." He continues while revealing a new poster, "LIKE WEEDS, EVIL MUST BE UPROOTED WHEN THEY ARE MERELY BUDS! AND SO, THOUGH IT WOULD SEEM THAT AN INITIAL BOUNTY OF 30 MILLION MIGHT SEEM A TAD EXCESSIVE, I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT IT IS AN APPROPRIATE PRICE TO ISSUE." The poster shows Monkey D. Luffy with a massive grin, labeled "DEAD OR ALIVE MONKEY D. LUFFY 30,000,000."

A fierce Marine officer in ornate uniform roars, "FOR WE ARE THE SOLE FORTRESS OF PEACE IN THIS AGE OF PIRATES, EVEN THE SLIGHTEST COWARDICE IS UNFORGIVABLE! THOSE WHO WISH TO FLEE, I ORDER YOU TO DO SO THIS INSTANT!" Three lower-ranking Marines in caps discuss among themselves: "FOR THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO DEPEND ON THE JUSTICE THAT WE SHOULDER," "IT IS NO CRIME FOR THE MASSES TO BE WEAK," and "IT IS OUR DUTY AS MARINES TO GO OUT AND EXTERMINATE IT!" Below, a Marine ship fires its cannons at a distant target as the narration states, "AS LONG AS THERE IS HEINOUS EVIL PROWLING THE SEAS."

Rows of Marines in flowing justice coats emblazoned with "正義" salute sharply before Marine Headquarters. They shout in unison, "YES, SIR!" and "ALL UNDER THE NAME OF 'ABSOLUTE JUSTICE!'" Enormous impact sound effects "バシャァァァ...!!" and "どどどどん!!" shake the scene as the coats billow dramatically.

Luffy grins widely while holding up his own wanted poster, laughing, "NAHAHAHAHA! LOOKS LIKE WE'RE WANTED MEN NOW!" The poster reads "DEAD OR ALIVE MONKEY D. LUFFY 30,000,000" with the note "IT SAYS 30 MILLION BELI!" The crew reacts on the ship deck. Usopp points excitedly at the poster, "LOOK! MY PICTURE'S HERE FOR THE WHOLE WORLD TO SEE! I MIGHT BE FAMOUS!" Nami sweats nervously as someone warns, "WITH THAT BOUNTY, I'M SURE THE MARINE HQ AS WELL AS OTHER STRONG BOUNTY HUNTERS WILL COME AFTER YOU... DON'T YOU REALIZE THIS MEANS YOUR LIFE IS AT RISK!I" Sanji adds, "ONCE AGAIN, YOU SPLENDIDLY FAIL TO UNDERSTAND THE GRAVITY OF YOUR SITUATION..." Luffy brushes it off, "DON'T BE JEALOUS NOW! ONCE WE BECOME MORE INFAMOUS, WE MIGHT ALL GET ONE!" From the crow's nest, someone spots land: "HEY, I SEE AN ISLAND UP AHEAD." The crew cheers, "AYE, AYE! ALRIGHT, MEN! LET'S HEAD STRAIGHT FOR GRAND LINE!" Nami looks concerned, thinking, "...WITH THIS, WE CAN'T AFFORD TO JUST LOITER AROUND IN EAST BLUE ANY LONGER."

The Going Merry sails toward a distant island as Nami stares ahead. A voice notes, "THAT ISLAND, IS PROOF THAT WE'RE CLOSE TO THE GRAND LINE!" Nami questions, "YOU DO...I" The ship draws closer, its skull flag flying. Narration explains, "IT'S THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE PIRATE KING ROGER... AS WELL AS HIS EXECUTION SPOT. ON THAT ISLAND, THERE'S A FAMOUS TOWN CALLED 'LOGUETOWN.' IT'S ALSO KNOWN AS THE TOWN OF THE BEGINNING AND THE END." Nami turns with a smile and suggests, "SHALL WE GOI" Luffy reacts with wide-eyed surprise beside her. The final panel shows Nami saying, "SO THAT'S THE TOWN THAT THE PIRATE KING DIED AT..."

The crew enters bustling Loguetown under a grand arch reading "Loguetown" with a sign noting "(TOWN OF THE BEGINNING AND THE END)." Luffy marvels, "WHOA! WHAT A BIG TOWN!" Sanji remarks, "SO THE PIRATE AGE ALL BEGAN FROM HERE, EHI" Usopp declares, "I'M GOING TO GO LOOK FOR SOME EQUIPMENT TO BUY." Nami adds with a heart, "SEEMS LIKE I CAN GET SOME GOOD INGREDIENTS AND FOOD HERE. As well as fine women." Luffy pumps his fist, "OK, THEN! I'M GONNA GO SEE THE EXECUTION STAND!" Nami smiles and offers, "I'LL HAPPILY LEND YOU SOME MONEY. AT 300% INTEREST, THAT IS." Sanji replies while thinking, "I DO HAVE SOMETHING I WANT TO BUY TOO BUT..."

Zoro walks through the crowded streets carrying his swords as townspeople react around him. Someone yells, "IT'S ALL BECAUSE OF YOU THAT OUR BOSS IS IN PRISON!" Another voice taunts, "SEEMS LIKE THAT MONSTER AIN'T WITH YOU TODAY!" A man in a hat watches from the side. In another street, a swordsman challenges Zoro, "IF YOU STILL HAVEN'T LEARNED YOUR LESSON, I SHALL GLADLY BE YOUR OPPONENT." Zoro turns to face him. Meanwhile, Buggy and Alvida appear in a dramatic panel with a large "ズズゥー" sound effect. Buggy shouts, "DID I JUST HEAR THAT CORRECTLY!I A LITTLE MISS LIKE YOU IS GOING TO BE OUR OPPONENT!I" Alvida laughs, "WELL, WHY NOT!"

The woman in the floral shirt drives her sword upward in a powerful strike, sending the large pirate flying backward with a massive impact. "THAT OUR DREAM OF GOING TO GRAND LINE WAS BROKEN ALL BECAUSE OF HIM!" the pirate yells as he crashes. "WHEN YOU DIE, TELL THAT MONSTER FRIEND OF YOURS," he continues. Nearby, a man with a sword reacts with "HMI" while another figure sweats nervously. In the next moment the woman unleashes a furious slash, the blade flashing with huge motion lines and impact effects as the pirate is hurled through the air, "!!I" and "どぉどぉ" sound effects exploding around them.

The pirate lies sprawled on the ground beside a dropped sword and broken objects, groaning "OWW!" and "Drop..." as the woman stands over him. "AH, AH, AH..." he wheezes. She turns away, sword in hand. In the street a crowd gathers; a man with curly hair picks up handcuffs and says "HEY, LOOKING FOR THESEI" while another voice calls "WHISTLE! AIN'T YOU A STRONG ONE, MISSY!" The woman, now revealed as Tashigi without her glasses, bows politely and replies "S... SORRY FOR TROUBLING YOU. TH... THANK YOU VERY MUCH." A sweating man watches her with concern.

On a certain island surrounded by ocean, two powerful figures clash. "HAWKEYES! JUST WHAT'VE YOU COME HERE FOR!I" a voice shouts from the shore as Mihawk stands with his massive cross-shaped sword. "AGHHH!" another cry rings out. Mihawk faces a group of pirates and calmly states "NO NEED TO GET ANTSY, I'VE NO BUSINESS WITH THE REST OF YOU." A pirate demands "WHERE'RE YOUR OFFICERSI" Below, crew members panic and run, shouting "CAPT-AAAAA-IIINNN!" while their captain lies on the ground, the sound effect "ずだだだだ" marking the impact.

Mihawk and Shanks sit facing each other under a large striped canopy. Mihawk muses "HMMI" Shanks grins and says "AH, HAWKEYES. QUITE A RARE GUEST I'VE GOT TODAY." Mihawk replies "HMPH... AS IF I'D WANT TO SETTLE THINGS WITH A MAN WITH ONLY ONE ARM. I'M NOT IN SUCH A GOOD MOOD RIGHT NOW BUT... HAVE YOU COME FOR A FIGHTI" Shanks answers "AH, HAWKEYES..." In flashback panels Luffy appears as a child, wide-eyed, while Buggy reacts in shock "WHA!I YOU MEAN...!I" and "ガダム!!" Shanks recalls "THAT STORY ABOUT AN INTERESTING LITTLE KID IN A CERTAIN VILLAGE... AND I WAS REMINDED OF THAT STORY YOU TOLD ME LONG AGO. I CAME ACROSS SOME INTERESTING PIRATES."

A close-up reveals a grinning man with a scar over his left eye and wild hair, his face half-shadowed. Large bold text declares "SO YOU'VE COME OUT AT LAST," followed by the name "LUFFY." A scroll identifies him as "CAPTAIN OF THE RED-HAIRED PIRATES RED-HAIR SHANKS." Below, a lively tropical village scene unfolds with palm trees, a thatched-roof bar, and villagers celebrating. One man shouts, "YOU DUMBASS! HOW COULD A MAN NOT DRINK ON A DAY AS JOYOUS AS THIS!I" Another retorts, "DRINKI BUT WEREN'T YOU GRUMBLING OVER YOUR HANGOVER JUST NOW!I" A cheerful voice calls out, "HEY, EVERYONE! LET'S DRINK! IT'S TIME FOR A PARTY!" Someone adds, "HAWKEYES! YOU SIT DOWN AND HAVE A DRINK TOO!"

In Fuusha Village, locals gather in the street near the bar and windmill. Speech bubbles read: "NOT BAD!" "MAYBE OUR VILLAGE WILL BECOME KNOWN FOR BEING THE HOME OF A FAMOUS PIRATE!" "THAT'D BE GREAT!" "LOOK, LUFFY'S BECOME A WANTED MAN." A smiling dark-haired woman asks, "ARE YOU WORRIED...I" A reply states, "IT IS HIS DREAM, AFTERALL." Another declares, "A PIRATE IS A PIRATE!" followed by "HAHA, BUT LOOK, CHIEF. LOOK HOW HAPPY LUFFY SEEMS." The striped-hat chief angrily yells, "STOP CELEBRATING, YOU FOOLS! JUST WHAT'S THERE TO BE HAPPY ABOUT HAVING A CRIMINAL COME FROM OUR VILLAGE!I" while worried onlookers mutter "OR HIS FATE...I" and "IS IT HIS DREAM...I"

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