One Step Forward for Her Dream - Shirahoshi Goes Out in the Sun!

Garp escorts the Neptune Family through a swarm of photographers until King Sterry of the Goa Kingdom blocks their path. Once a noble who married Princess Nantokanette, Sterry took the throne after the king and prince died under murky circumstances. Watching from nearby, Sabo recognizes his adopted brother and recalls his own youth: meeting Luffy at the Gray Terminal, sealing brotherhood through a sake ceremony, and renouncing his noble birth. After his parents hired Bluejam to drag him home, Sabo learned the nobles planned to torch the Gray Terminal to impress a visiting World Noble. His failed attempt to stop the blaze led to Dragon recruiting him into the Revolutionary Army.

The flashback recounts Sabo bonding with Luffy and Ace, fleeing his family, and being shot from the sky by a passing World Noble before Dragon pulled him from the wreckage to become the army's second-in-command. It also revisits Ace promising Luffy he would never die and the brothers vowing to set sail at seventeen. Back at the Red Line, Sabo subdues a guard and steals his armor. Sterry, mistaking the Neptune Family for giant fish-men, collapses in terror. The royals ride the bondola toward Mary Geoise, where Shirahoshi gazes in wonder at the sun, and a disguised Sabo boards alongside the panicking Sterry.

The episode delivers a recap of Sabo's history in the Goa Kingdom. Anime additions include Lindbergh asking Sabo about his ties to the Goa king, the Sanji Retrieval Team discussing Sabo and Ace with Luffy, Sabo knocking out a guard, and Sterry's reaction to spotting Morley shown directly on screen. It is part of the Levely Arc.