Pursue the South Bird!!

Cricket entertains the crew by acting out Noland's logbook entries over the meal, then shows off the gold he recovered after months of diving, including three matching bell-shaped ingots and a South Bird figure. The Saruyama Alliance suddenly realizes they forgot to send the Straw Hats after an actual South Bird and panics, explaining that the creature always faces south, the only reliable guide to the stream's location since no Log Pose works out at open sea.

With the Knock Up Stream lying south and dawn approaching, the crew splits into teams armed with bug nets, identifying their quarry by the strange voice Noland described. The Sanji, Nami, and Usopp group recoils at swarms of insects, the Robin and Zoro pairing bickers while smashing through giant bugs, and Luffy and Chopper enjoy collecting rare beetles until the South Bird drops a hornet nest beside them, forcing a frantic escape. Chopper realizes the bird is deliberately tormenting them. Back at the house, the Saruyama Alliance comes face to face with the arriving Bellamy Pirates, who have come to seize the gold.

This Jaya arc chapter launches the South Bird hunt and sets up Bellamy's raid on Cricket's home. The Animal Theater cover gives Sanji a relaxing day with a fine bed, wine, and three loyal dogs.