The Predator's Trap - Black Maria's Temptation

The 1042nd installment finds the rooftop clash between Yamato and Kaidou still unsettled, with Yamato flatly turning aside any offer to rule as Shogun. On a lower level, Franky has spotted that even a body as hardened as Sasaki's hides a tender stomach, and he aims for it. Sasaki dodges the swing, and a contest of blades follows. Forced to retreat, Franky lets loose a General Cannon. The blast does not stop Sasaki, who barrels forward, yet the reckless charge bares his midsection, and a Radical Beam buried in his gut ends the bout.

Returning to the roof, Kaidou voices regret that the Okuchi no Makami fruit was eaten by Yamato, and he renews his demand for Yamato to serve as Shogun. A second refusal comes, paired with a volley of ice that Kaidou repels with flame. Within Onigashima, a heavy fog wraps around Brook and Robin until the shape of Nico Olvia materializes, trailed by Saul and Clover, all of them waving Robin closer. Memories of these three and how each of them perished wash over her, but Robin sees through the deception and lashes out, knocking down the trio of Gifters powering the mirage: Tenjo-Sagari, Kunyun, and Nure-Onna.

This Wano Country entry premieres new moves for Sasaki, Yamato, Robin, and Black Maria, and marks Kunyun's first appearance. Material original to the adaptation includes Robin dwelling on her childhood and Black Maria sensing that her mist had no effect. The swordfight runs longer than the printed version, where General Franky's shoulder was wrecked by a Tamaceratops strike rather than Karakuri Rasento, and here Robin attacks her foes while they still wear the borrowed faces, unlike the source, which revealed them first.