Summary:
After leaving the island of warships, the Going Merry headed for the Grand Line and the crew returned to the great adventure.
After attacking Nelson and attracting the attention of the Straw Hats, Eric suggests that the Straw Hat Crew avoid the fight and join him in his dream of obtaining the Dragonite and subsequently eternal life. Eric suggests splitting the Dragonite in two, but Nami points out that nothing useful can be gained by destroying the petrified Sennenryu. He agrees to that extent, but adds that there are more than enough Dragonites in the living Sennenryu. Apis refuses and runs straight towards him, at which point he creates an attack aimed at her, so Usopp quickly reacts and attacks Apis, saving her from the attack. Zoro pulls his Wado Ichimonji partially out of its scabbard, but Luffy says he will take care of it, just as he promised Ryu just before his death.
Luffy starts the battle with his Gomu Gomu no Pistol, but Eric dodges it and counterattacks. Eric deals a lot of damage to Luffy and claims that the “rubber” can’t beat him. Eric then starts doing a bunch of attacks and asks how Luffy will avoid them, to which Luffy replies that he won’t and runs towards the attacks. After being cut in various places by Eric’s attacks, he manages to grab his hands and hit him with his Gomu Gomu no Kane, breaking Eric’s distinctive glasses and spurting some blood. After the Bell technique, Luffy uses Gomu Gomu no Bazooka and blows Eric away.
The Straw Hats are ready to leave and the villagers are there, including Apis and his grandfather. Luffy asks Apis if she wants to go with them, to which she says she would, but she will stay in the village to protect the Dragon’s Nest. Usopp replies that the next Sennenryu return will be in 1000 years. He replies that they certainly won’t see the next generation of Sennenryu, but their children’s children certainly will. The straw men set sail and say goodbye. Usopp then asks the rest of the crew if Apis will be okay and Sanji, Luffy, and Zoro say that she will be okay.
The crew seems to be in the direction of the Great Line, but the map Nami sees seems strange to her. They discuss the options and Zoro doesn’t believe the map is accurate. Nami gets the idea that the current could be what makes someone go through the mountain according to Usopp’s line and they go with it. Nami notices where the entrance to the mountain might be, and Luffy orders Sanji and Usopp to point the helm in the direction of where the entrance might be. The rudder controller breaks due to the strong current, Luffy jumps out of the ship and uses Gomu Gomu no Fusen so the caravel doesn’t crash into the arches that line the entrance to the mountain. The caravel passes and near the end of the stream Eric appears and the pirates point out that any wrong move and Eric will tear the ship to pieces. Nami warns him that there is a Dragonite next to him, he falls into a trap and she kicks his leg and throws him into the current. The pirates then celebrate and think about their wishes (except for Luffy) as they enter the Grand Line.