Chapter 309

The first round closes with Porche's team beating the Straw Hats, which grants Foxy the right to pull one member from Luffy's crew. As the group talks over the loss, Foxy admits an ability lay behind it, his Devil Fruit power. He starts to explain, but Luffy ignores him and chases him off with insults. Trying once more, Foxy names the fruit he swallowed, a Noro Noro no Mi, which turned him into a Noro Noro man whose beam drags down whatever it strikes. To prove the point on an oncoming cannonball, he aims the power, only for the shell to blow up against his own face instead.

The crew objects that pulling such a stunt mid-contest was a dirty move, but Porche counters that reaching the finish is all that matters, and because her side got there ahead of them, the loss stands. Foxy duly ends the round and declares his side victorious. For his reward he chooses the doctor, Chopper, calling the reindeer a fine future pet and demanding he pledge loyalty by donning a mask. While the others grieve, Zoro berates Chopper as disgraceful, reminding him that he picked the pirate's life himself and that everyone gave the challenge their full effort. Zoro orders him to settle down quietly and watch the remainder like a man.

Porche's team takes the Donut Race. The Devil Fruit behind Foxy's power proves to be a Noro Noro no Mi, after which he picks Chopper for his crew. Because Chopper was meant to compete in the next event and is now gone, the Foxy Pirates look to have that match locked up as well. Itomimizu lays out the rules of the Groggy Ring, and Zoro names Sanji as the ball, drawing an angry protest over who gave Zoro the call. Theme music then heralds the returning champions, an undefeated trio dubbed the Groggy Monsters, who debut as the second round gets underway.

The Animal Theater cover shows Robin strolling barefoot along the shore, passing a sea turtle that wears a little sailor's cap. The chapter was adapted in Episode 210, covering pages 2 through 17. It belongs to the Long Ring Long Land Arc within the Water 7 Saga.