Chapter 252

Nami offers thanks to God upon grasping that the hard-won Sky Island is in fact the City of Gold, deciding it must be a reward for her well-mannered self, then snaps that she cares nothing for any deity unless he is worth more than gold. Robin notes she had just been giving thanks, and Zoro remarks she makes no sense. Meanwhile the Shandia keep ravaging Upper Yard, cutting down anything in their way.

Riding the milky road, Luffy, Sanji, and Usopp notice human skulls strewn across the plain just as the Shandia rush in to attack. Wyper fires a cannonball, which Luffy intercepts and bounces away with Gomu Gomu no Fusen. When a warrior asks whether to engage, Wyper says to ignore them, branding the trio the blue sea troublemakers from Skypiea and warning them to flee or be eliminated like Enel. Luffy itches for a fight, but the group rides on. The crew reaches the Going Merry, finds the mast gone, and reunites with Chopper, who recounts the ordeal. With the ship damaged and night falling, Sanji calls for them to camp, each member sharing what they learned while he and Chopper tend the wounded Gan Fall. Luffy then declares they will go and find the gold.

Wyper's observation of Luffy's powers marks the first mention of the term Paramecia in the series, and Upper Yard is confirmed as the lost portion of Jaya, which the title "Junction" references. Chopper imitates Sanji's flaming-back-turned pose for laughs, and Pandakid appears beside Wapol's toy stand on the cover, where the deposed king upgrades to a roll-up stall. Featured are the full Straw Hat crew, a downed Gan Fall and Pierre, the Shandia, the priests, and Wapol with Hakowan on the cover.