Chapter 243

The Straw Hats hash out their predicament looking for a way forward, while Pagaya and Conis regretfully admit they can no longer assist outlaws. Luffy steadies the mood, reminding everyone that being hunted is nothing new for them, then falls to bickering with Nami over whether to risk the off-limits territory. Zoro cuts in to ask whether any path home even exists. Conis answers that no safe route is open at present, though they could head back to the White Sea and ride toward the clouds' edge. The crew prepares to depart, with Luffy requesting provisions and Usopp gathering repair gear, none of them aware that the captain has quietly fixed on visiting the forbidden land regardless of Nami's objections.

As Sanji packs lunches and Usopp collects his tools, the ship lurches into motion, hauled across the water by an enormous shrimp flanked by sea beasts that ensure the captives cannot slip free. Pagaya explains the vessel is being towed to the sacrificial altar at the northeastern stretch of Upper Yard, where those aboard will either be offered to God or put on trial. In effect the ship and her passengers become hostages, leaving the stranded members to brave a gauntlet of ordeals to recover them. Zoro, Nami, Chopper, and Robin are the ones swept away by God's forces. Pagaya closes with a warning that beyond the formidable priests, Enel himself dwells on the island.

The cover panel of Wapol's Omnivorous Hurrah shows Dalton ruling the Sakura Kingdom under a fresh crest, the citizens working cheerfully under their new king. Oddly, this cover is not numbered as an extra installment despite straying from its serial's storyline, mirroring earlier one-off covers in the series. The chapter features the Straw Hats, the Skypieans Conis, Pagaya, Su, and McKinley, the Super-Express Speedy Shrimp, and Dalton on the cover.