One Piece · Reverse Mountain Arc

The Going Merry climbs Reverse Mountain, where the four seas' currents flow uphill, and drops into the Grand Line. Right away the ship is swallowed by Laboon, a giant whale who rams his head against the Red Line. Crocus, the doctor at the lighthouse, explains that Laboon has waited fifty years for a pirate crew that promised to return. Two agents, Mr. 9 and Miss Wednesday, try to hunt the whale. Luffy fights Laboon, paints the crew's flag on his head and promises to come back for a rematch. Crocus explains the Log Pose, and the crew gives the two agents a ride to Whisky Peak.

1. SetupLaboon has waited 50 years

   Laboon the whale has been waiting 50 years for a crew that promised to come back. That story isn't over yet.

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2. ReferenceThe flag painted on its forehead

   Luffy declares Laboon his rival and paints the crew's Jolly Roger on the whale's forehead so it stops ramming the mountain. It's a promise of a rematch.

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3. Behind the scenes4Kids swapped the whale for an iceberg

   The 4Kids dub cut Laboon and Crocus and put an iceberg in their place. The Log Pose shows up out of nowhere, which tangled the continuity of later arcs.

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