## One Piece Chapter 1044, pages 10-12: Warrior of Liberation - Chapter: 1044 - Pages: 10-12 - Characters: Monkey D. Luffy, Kaido, Eustass Kid, Trafalgar D. Water Law, Marco, Hyogoro, Beast Pirates, Alliance Fighters, CP0 ### Summary Page 10: Luffy's awakened power surges outward as Conqueror's Haki, knocking out fighters below who ask where it is coming from. Kid, Law, Hyo, Marco, and others recognize that it is Luffy and shout his name in disbelief. Luffy grabs Kaido's dragon body from the roof as if the enormous Emperor were a rope, pulling him upward with a comical "yoink" while Kaido's subordinates cry out, "Kaido-san?!" Then Luffy smashes Kaido through the ceiling and into the floor with ridiculous force. The page shows the first active use of Gear Fifth's freedom: Luffy can stretch, grab, and manhandle a dragon Emperor in a way that breaks the normal scale and tone of the battle. Page 11: Kaido crashes into the ground, and Luffy, laughing in Gear Fifth, says, "Straw Hat...!! So you're still alive!!" or rather hears Kaido acknowledge that he is still alive. Luffy answers that he is grateful and apologizes about the idiot from before, saying he did not want to win like that. Kaido fires "Blast Breath!!" in response, but Luffy grabs the ground itself, stretches it like rubber, and pulls it up as a shield. The blast rebounds back into Kaido and slams into him while Luffy laughs "Shishishi!!" The page makes clear that awakening has changed not only Luffy's body but the world around him, letting him turn the rooftop terrain into elastic defense and counterattack. Page 12: Kaido is blasted by his own reflected attack and then reels in confusion as Luffy's body snaps back with absurd flexibility. The full figure of Gear Fifth is revealed: Luffy's hair and clothes have transformed, smoke curls around him, and he laughs freely while bouncing across the battlefield. A caption says the battle reaches its finale, and Luffy grins as he says, "Don't sweat it!! Now, let's finish this!!" He also tells Kaido he is sorry about the idiot from before because he did not want to win that way. The chapter ends with "One Piece Ch. 1044 End" and a note that the next issue will have a cover and color spread, leaving the final duel renewed under the title Warrior of Liberation.