To My Buds - Sanji's Farewell Note

Two days earlier, Sanji wrote a parting message, and in the act of passing it along to his three chained crewmates he flung the trio clear of Bege's interior. He then leveled a gun at Caesar, aware that both he and the scientist mattered to Big Mom and to whoever was planning the marriage, and agreed to attend the wedding without resistance so long as his friends came to no harm. With Nekomamushi closing in, Bege had no choice but to flee Zou carrying Sanji and Caesar. In the present, after weighing it all, Luffy decides to seek Sanji out and ask him directly.

Having flung his crewmates clear, Sanji rounded on the alarmed Fire Tank Pirates, who dared not strike since the wedding's planner had altered his bounty to require him alive. He pinned Caesar with a snatched firearm and bargained for his crew's safety. Spotting Nekomamushi behind his true form, Bege told his men to stand down. Pressed about Pekoms, Bege blamed Jack's stragglers, a lie Nami refused to let stand. Vowing to return, Sanji watched Bege seal his body and roll off on tank treads, leaving a desperate Nami behind as the note slipped loose and fell open on the ground. Nekomamushi had the wounded Pekoms carried off for care and urged the crew to keep the matter to themselves. In the present, Brook reasons that Sanji likely left alone to cut his ties and keep the crew clear of Big Mom's grasp. Zoro coldly tallies the trouble Sanji invited, stirring anger, but Luffy declares they will press into the Emperor's domain and put the question to Sanji face to face, while Brook points out that a useful ally still remains in the wake of the departed enemy crew.

Bege's Castle Tank technique debuts in this entry. The broadcast has Chopper announce he would take on even an Emperor, only to be hushed, broadens Sanji's brawl with Bege's underlings, and shows Nami collapsing during the chase. After Bege's lie, Nami now names the real shooter to Nekomamushi. The manga's beat of Brook singing about Nekomamushi over the note reading is dropped from the anime.