To Each His Own Way

The Krieg crew is still reeling from the strike that crippled their vessel as Johnny renews his apology for letting Nami escape aboard the Going Merry. A remembered scene shows her poring over wanted posters, going still at one valued near 20,000,000 Berries; her odd reaction draws the curiosity of Johnny and Yosaku, who note the pictured pirate had lately taken up rampaging once more. Asking the two to look away, Nami shifts their treasure onto the Merry's deck before pushing both of them into the water, parting with the line that a thief grants no exceptions and that fate, if it wishes, will bring them together again. In the present moment, Zoro and Usopp are seething over the betrayal and the missing ship. Far off across the water, a vessel comes into Luffy's view, and he announces that they will pursue her, since no other person will serve as his navigator.

Grudgingly, Zoro consents to the chase and readies himself to depart alongside Usopp, Johnny, and Yosaku, leaving Luffy ashore to settle his debt with Zeff. Their departure is interrupted when one of Krieg's men shouts that the figure who tore apart their fleet has returned to destroy them all. On the Baratie, Zeff identifies the drifting newcomer as Dracule Mihawk, the planet's finest swordsman. A Krieg pirate opens fire, yet Mihawk turns the bullets aside with his sword, and Zoro explains to the doubters that the man bent their trajectory rather than simply missing. Seeing in Mihawk the pinnacle he has chased, Zoro issues a challenge to single combat. Mihawk brands him weak, insisting a genuine master would never need a contest to reveal the gulf between them, and questions whether the request stems from belief or from ignorance. Zoro replies that his own ambition drives him, alongside a vow once made to a friend.

The cover advances Buggy's Crew Adventure Chronicles, depicting a huge crab assaulting and scuttling Buggy's raft. This installment formally presents Mihawk and confirms that he was the figure who wrecked Krieg's whole fleet and cut the galleon in two. The story ends with Nami steering the Going Merry by herself, already pained at leaving the crew and uncertain whether they would ever regard her as a friend again. In tears, she expresses a wish for freedom and speaks the name Bell-mere.