This act marked the first time a pirate openly attacked a World Noble, effectively declaring war on the World Government.
Future major players Eustass Kid and Trafalgar Law witness the punch from the audience, signaling the start of their dynamic with Luffy. One Piece Episode 396
Despite Hatchan's dying plea for Luffy not to retaliate against a Celestial Dragon (which would summon a Navy Admiral), Luffy reaches his breaking point. In a sequence praised for its dramatic shift to black-and-white animation to emphasize impact, Luffy delivers a powerful punch to Charlos's face, literally knocking the color back into the scene and shattering the Noble's protective bubble. This act marked the first time a pirate
The beginning of the Celestial Dragon Hit-and-Run Incident . One Piece Episode 396