Chapter 103

Cover
Volume: 12 Pg.: 72

Luffy riding Laboon with Smoker and Buggy in background.

Quick Summary
The Strawhats end up inside the whale, where they find an old man called Crocus living in the whale's stomach. Crocus explains about the whale, Laboon.

Long Summary
The Merry has entered a weird place: a lake with an island in the middle. But the weirdest is that old man on that island with his flower like hairs and his annoying attitude. His name is Crocus and is the caretaker of the Twin Cape lighthouse. He reveals the crew that they are in fact in the stomach of the whale who appears to have been "customized", they can even go out through a door which have been made in the stomach wall. Suddenly the stomach lake become rough, Crocus once again gives the explanation: the whale is hitting his head against the Red Line, explaining his numerous scars.

Meanwhile, Luffy also enters the whale strange inside as well as two mysterious characters: Mr. 9 and Miss Wednesday. Due to the whale behaviour, the three of them soon land into the whale stomach too, and rejoin the others who are trying to escape. Crocus on his side, has disappeared into a special room where he can inject sedative to calm the whale Laboon through a gigantic syringe. The whale being calm again, the Straw Hat can question the 2 mysterious guys, it appears they want to kill the whale, but Crocus and Luffy prevent them from doing any harm to Laboon.

Finally, taking advantage of the whale better mood, Crocus explain them his story: he belonged to a pirate crew who stopped by the cape to reach the grand line. Due to the danger of the Sea, they asked Crocus to take care of Laboon until they come back. The two of them have stayed here waiting since their departure... 50 years ago.

Plot Points

 * The story of Laboon being told in this chapter will become a very important plot point in the future, when the Straw Hats meet someone that has a bond with the whale.

Characters
1: first introduction

3: first apparition

Anime episode
Episode 62