2

Opening with a brutal kick, Sanji exchanges a barrage of strikes with Bentham, the Okama agent fighting here as Mr. 2 Bon Kurei. The two release their finishers in the same instant, yet it is Mr. 2 who is hurled into a building and forced to name the cook his victor. Sanji jokes that he could never strike his opponent while he wore Nami's face, but the agent waves it off, saying his body will not move and that Baroque Works is likely to scrap him for the defeat anyway. A handshake passes between them in mutual respect, and after reclaiming Usopp's goggles Sanji walks off, while his tearful rival quietly notes the cook finished him all the same.

Within the royal palace, Chaka has the soldiers load heavy stores of gunpowder to bring the building down if it comes to that. His hesitation is steadied by Vivi, who tells him his resolve is exactly what gives the country a fighting chance. She apologizes for slipping away so abruptly and reminds him there can be no peace while Crocodile draws breath, holding onto Zoro's order to survive whatever may come. Their talk halts the instant Crocodile strides in, remarking on the chaos the princess has caused.

North of Alubarna, Zoro frets that Nami ran off rather than staying out of sight, and the two end up searching in opposite directions. Cornered and panicked, Nami sprints from her two unhurried pursuers, who calmly explain that trained killers always strike down the weakest target before anyone else.

Sanji beats Mr. 2 Bon Kurei and takes back Usopp's sniper goggles. Crocodile reaches the capital, where Vivi and the bulk of the king's guard await him inside the palace. Daz Bonez and Zala, going by Mr. 1 and Miss Doublefinger, set off after Nami while she hunts for Zoro, declaring that professional assassins always eliminate the weakest first.

The cover carries the seventh installment of Hatchan's Sea-Floor Stroll, in which Hatchan turns up in the Goldfish Empire and a weeping princess recognizes the ring he is carrying. Luffy appears only in a brief flashback, and the chapter falls within the Arabasta Arc.