Complete listed story — includes the ending
One Piece, Volume 91
Chapter 911
As the komainu and the baboon begin to battle, Luffy asks them not to mess up the Sunny before remembering what happened: after they had climbed the waterfall, the Straw Hats had spotted land but got stuck in a whirlpool. Sanji grabbed Nami and Carrot and used Sky Walk to carry them to land along with Chopper, with Luffy using his belly to give Sanji a boost. Before he could catch up with them, he got grabbed by the octopus and remained stuck on the Sunny before waking up on the beach. Luffy then realizes that he had lost the Vivre card and briefly freaks out before deciding to forget about it.
Further inland, an unknown man rides a giant bird-horse with a prisoner who is tied up in a burlap sack and is begging to be freed and given back their rice. The man says that the prisoner said that they were an attendant of the Kouzuki Family, debating whether or not to sell them to the red light district or turn them in. At that moment, they reach the beach where they spot the Sunny, along with their baboon fighting the komainu. They then make a call to someone called "Shinuchi" saying that a ship had illegally entered the country and preparing to capture Luffy. Before the thug can shoot him, Luffy takes him down with his fists. The thug then orders the baboon to take Luffy down, but after Luffy glares at him angrily, he backs down. The thug is then knocked out by the prisoner who managed to get out of the burlap sack, revealed to be a young girl.
The girl, named O-Tama, tries surrendering to Luffy before he says that he won't hurt her. Turning her attention to the baboon, she pulls off part of her cheek, which then turns into a dango, which the baboon, Hihimaru, eats and because docile. Impressed with her abilities, Luffy asks Tama if he is in Wano Country, which she confirms, saying he is in Kuri. She then explains that while she was coming back from shopping in town, members of the Beast Pirates found her, forcing the komainu, Komachiyo, to fight Hihimaru. When the pirates stole her stuff, she accidentally blurted out the Kouzuki Family. Owing Luffy a debt, she decides to answer all his questions about Wano and feed him back at her place.
After hiding the Sunny someplace safe, Tama tells Luffy that she and her master are the only ones who still live on the mountain and that she is training to become a kunoichi. As Luffy gulps down all the rice Tama has, she explains that she won't eat because she is preparing to keep her body light before being stunned at how fast Luffy ate the rice. After Luffy pretends to be full for her sake, Tama goes to wash her hands, with Luffy remarking that she's a good kid. At that moment, a man with a sword and a mask barges in and becomes furious at Luffy for eating the rice. The man explains that Tama barely makes enough money for them to get by on a daily basis, being so poor that they can only afford rice twice a year. The man furiously tells Luffy that the rice he ate was supposed to be for her eighth birthday.
As the man is explaining all this, Tama has been drinking water to quell her hungry stomach, but after seeing her Master yell at Luffy, she tearfully tells him that she just wanted to thank him for saving her life before collapsing. Her master is horrified that she has been drinking water from the river, as the rivers are toxic from the waste from Kaidou's factories. She's stayed in Kuri all this time waiting for a pirate who promised to come back one day, with Luffy being shocked when the pirate is revealed to have been Ace.
Back at the beach, the Beast Pirates have confirmed that a group of people had arrived in Wano as they ask Shinuchi what to do, revealing him to be Basil Hawkins. Hawkins says that they should not report to Kaidou yet, as he will go and handle matters himself.
Chapter 912
Luffy makes it clear to O-Tama that he knows Ace as well, only to then reveal that he is dead. Tama is greatly shocked and refuses to believe Luffy before passing out. Her master, Tenguyama Hitetsu, berates Luffy for being insensitive and not waiting for a better time to reveal that. He reveals that he is a bladesmith who, like Tama, has been waiting here for someone. This was once a place called Amigasa Village, but X Drake, who had become a headliner in the Beasts Pirates, had destroyed the village after defeating the five samurai guarding it. The Flower Capital was now the only prosperous place left in Wano Country, as Kaidou's tyranny had turned everything else into a lawless wasteland. About four years ago, Amigasa Village was going through a famine. Everyone had nearly starved to death when Ace and his crew washed ashore, and the villagers tied them up and took their food. Ace escaped but was fine with what happened, and decided to stay in the village for a few weeks, which was when he grew close to Tama.
Luffy decides to go looking for a doctor as well as food and water in order to repay Tama, and Hitetsu has him change into a kimono. While Hitetsu cannot accompany Luffy, he tells the pirate to look for someone to lend him money, or to find one of his allies who will help for free. Luffy decides to take a sword with him to make him look like a samurai, but Hitetsu tries to stop him, revealing that it is the cursed Great Grade sword Nidai Kitetsu that his ancestor Kotetsu made. Luffy does not care, and races off with Tama despite Hitetsu not wanting the sword's curse to harm Tama. Komachiyo approaches Luffy to give him and Tama a ride, and Tama regains consciousness as she continues asserting that Luffy is lying about Ace's death. She remembers wanting to join Ace's crew, and Ace told her that if she was strong when he came back, he would take her along. Tama hits Luffy as she keeps refusing to believe him, when the two of them come to a massive wasteland outside of the forest of Kuri. Luffy sees several large animals running around and wants to hunt them, but Tama reveals that they are poisonous due to drinking the contaminated river water. She then reveals that Kaidou and the shogun have their own clean farms to eat from before passing out again, and Luffy has Komachiyo head for the quarry and the weapons factory in the distance.
Luffy then hears someone chasing after a woman, and wonders if it is Sanji, but sees that it is two scouts trying to rob her. The scouts are then suddenly cut down, and as Luffy sees their attacker rummaging around for booze, he realizes that it is Zoro. Luffy calls out to Zoro, and the two happily reunite. Zoro reveals that he has been hunting the animals around here, which has given him a stomachache. Before they can get going to help Tama, however, they are then confronted by Basil Hawkins, who recognizes the nationally-wanted criminal Zoro and the intruder Luffy. Hawkins says that to survive in Wano Country, they can only either follow the strong or live in hiding, and Luffy and Zoro prepare to fight, saying they will apologize to Kin'emon later for causing a disturbance.
Chapter 913
As Hawkins confronts Luffy and Zoro in the wasteland, he asks them if they know who's really controlling Wano. Zoro replies that he doesn't, and Luffy brashly says it's Kaidou and he's there to defeat him. Hawkins reads Luffy and Zoro's fortune and states that the probability of the Straw Hats being alive at the end of the month is 19%.
Zoro notices the deadly curse residing on the sword that Luffy is currently carrying, and asks his captain if he could borrow the Nidai Kitetsu for a moment. Luffy ignores Zoro's request and tosses aside the sword's scabbard. Luffy then attacks one of Hawkins' underlings, but uses his fist instead of the blade. One of the Beasts Pirates' giant lizards try to attack Luffy, but he dodges, catches it, and throws it at Hawkins, who stops the lizards with his straw sword. After striking down some of his foes, Zoro proceeds to attack Hawkins with a flying slash to the face, but the damage is redirected to one of Hawkins' men. Hawkins explains how his Wara Wara no Mi works and conjures a giant straw entity. Hawkins then draws the Fool card in reverse position, which made his men attack each other.
Komachiyo intervenes and drags the two Straw Hats away from the battle, as Tama is breathing faintly and needs medical attention. While the trio is escaping, Hawkins draws another card, the Hierophant in reverse position, which prompts him to make the straw entity pursue the Straw Hats. The straw figure unleashes a barrage of nails that injure Zoro on the head. After Zoro cuts the summoned scarecrow in two, Hawkins draws the Hierophant again, signifying that someone will help them escape. After they get away from Hawkins, the woman that Zoro saved earlier introduces herself as Tsurujo. She then inquires about Tama's origins and condition. Seeing how ill Tama is, Tsuru asks Luffy and Zoro to bring Tama to her tea shop so she can make medicine for her.
At Okobore Town, a sumo wrestler named Urashima tries to court Kiku, a teahouse worker, to become his wife. Urashima continues bragging about his status until Tsuru arrives with her new companions. At the top of a certain mountain, Bepo, Shachi, and Penguin spot Luffy and Zoro through binoculars.
Chapter 914
At Tsurujo's tea house in Okobore Town, Tama, who has recently received herbal tea from Tsuru, recovers from her sickness. Tsuru warns Tama that the herb helps the body recover, but does not negate the poison, instructing Tama to rest. However Tama's stomach began to grumble, and the girl rushes back to the river to subside it, much to Tsuru anger.
Meanwhile, Luffy and Zoro are sitting outside while the latter's wounds are being treated by Kiku, who notes Kiku's physic before the formal introduction. They are then distracted by Tama's refusal to eat the oshiruko Tsuru made for her since she can't afford it, and Tsuru's poor state, as well as feeling ashamed in doing so after Tsuru treated her. Tsuru became angry at Tama for refusing the meal she prepared for her, and following Kiku's advice, accepts the food.
Tama goes outside and sits between Luffy and Zoro who urge her to eat her meal, which she finally does, and is enchanted by the taste. Luffy is surprised and asked if that is the first time eating the dish, which she confirms, before remembering Hitetsu's talking about Tama's eating habits. While Tama is enjoying her meal greatly, Tsuru became emotional as Tama claims this as the best day of her life.
After the meal, Tama takes a nap while Tsuru talks with Luffy and Zoro about Wano Country's poor condition of the land and residents. They then introduce themselves as Zorojuro and Luffytaro. Tsuru continue to talk about the origin and the way of life in Okobore Town, and the history of Wano country and the Kouzuki Family. She tells them about a time twenty years ago, when the family ruled over Wano, and that it was a prosperous land which she dubs "Paradise", and how the country ended up to be the way it is now under the shogun, Kurozumi Orochi. She tells them about the farm Orochi controls, which has clean waters and eatable products, while Okobore Town survives upon purchasing the old ingredients from the neighboring town, which is inhabited by country rulers.
Tsuru is then targeted by an arrow, and is saved at the last moment by Zoro pulling his sword and blocking it. The archer reveals himself to be Batman, whose hearing is superb thank to the bat SMILE he ate. He claims to have heard Tsuru speaking ill about the shogun, and when asked by Zoro if that is any reason to kill her, Batman replies that is the shogun's will. Batman then accuses Zoro and Luffy of robbing the farm, and barrages them with arrows, all of which Zoro blocks. Surprised, Batman identified Zoro as the wanted "One-Eyed Ronin". Kiku, meanwhile, rushes to Tsuru's side, protecting her, but this leads to Tama being taken by Gazelleman, a gazelle SMILE user, who runs off at a high speed thanks to his gazelle-like legs. Kiku grabs a sword, and riding on Komachiyo, gives chase.
Surprised, Zoro questions Kiku's actions, and Tsuru reveals Kiku is actually a well trained in swordsmanship. Luffy and Zoro join her in her pursuit, but are held back by Batman's arrows. This causes Zoro to believe Tama's kidnapping was planned out. Kiku pulls out a notepad and after deducting they are headed toward Bakura Town, the neighboring government controlled town, informs Luffy and Zoro about the rivaling Beasts Pirates Shinuchi who reside there and the 30 SMILE users. Shocked by her vast knowledge, they ask who exactly Kiku is who replies "a samurai".
While Gazelleman contacts Holed'em, one of Bakura town resident Shinuchi, informing him about Tama's capture, Luffy and his team enter Bakura Town gate. Elsewhere, on top of a mountain, the Heart Pirates inform their captain Trafalgar D. Water Law about Luffy's arrival to Wano and entering the town. Law then panics and orders his crew to stop Luffy before he causes any trouble.
Chapter 915
During the sumo wrestling tournament at Bakura Town, Urashima expresses his desire to make Kiku his wife, having left her at Okobore Town due to fearing Zoro's aura. He says that with his wealth and status, there is no way she can refuse, and the Gifter Mouseman states that Urashima could go as far as forcing the lowly Kiku to marry him, as he has free reign to take away everything she holds dear. Mouseman says that Urashima needs to set an example by using his high social class to get whatever he wants, and this pleases the yokozuna. Urashima then knocks his food off the table and says he wants the owners' raccoon dog cooked for him, even though it has been their pet for many years.
Elsewhere in town, an exhausted Gazelleman brings Tama to Holed'em's residence. Holed'em, a lion SMILE user, tells Gazelleman to leave before getting annoyed at the lion head on his waist for looking at him, and he punches it. The lion retaliates by striking Holed'em in the groin, but this attack hurts both of them since they share the same body. Holed'em's subordinates ask about what they should do with Tama, and Holed'em asks her how she was able to tame Hihimaru. Due to Hitetsu instructing her to not use her powers in front of others, Tama lies that she just did it normally, but Holed'em had heard she pulled something off of her cheek. He instructs one of his subordinates to bring pliers so he can try pulling from Tama's cheek by force, and Tama grows scared as she silently begs for Luffy to save her.
Meanwhile, Luffy, Zoro, Kiku, and Komachiyo arrive at the main gate of Bakura Town. Luffy tries calling out for Tama, but Kiku silences him as everyone here is in league with Tama's kidnappers. The people around the gate do not recognize the group and quickly become hostile, but Luffy knocks them out with Supreme King Haki. He and Zoro look around the town, and Kiku states that after Orochi and his subordinates took over around 20 years ago, many of its former residents were driven out and only essential tradesmen were allowed to stay. Suddenly, Luffy catches a sumo wrestler who was sent flying towards him, and he is surprised that someone was able to send a sumo wrestler flying this far. They come to the sumo tournament, where Urashima is dominating everyone he faces. The organizers are offering a hefty reward to anyone who defeats him, but no one is able to no matter how many of them come at him at once. Urashima then notices Kiku, and asks if the latter came to become his bride. The spectators are shocked at his fancy for a lowly citizen, and an exasperated Kiku hides behind Zoro, remembering that Urashima had talked about the sumo tournament when he was in Okobore Town. Urashima tells his men to escort Kiku to him, and Luffy tries telling everyone about his search for Tama, but no one is listening as Kiku is carried away. The spectators jeer at Kiku for being low class, but Urashima silences them, reminding them that they are all vulgar and lower class compared to him. He tells Kiku to become his wife, but Kiku says that the only vulgar thing here is his heart and cuts off his topknot with, which makes Luffy excited.
Chapter 916
The onlookers stare in shock as Kiku sheathes the sword after cutting off Urashima's topknot. Urashima quickly becomes enraged, and Kiku is caught off-guard and wonders about this shameful act. Despite asking for Urashima's forgiveness, he is preparing to unleash the full force of his harite attack on Kiku. However, Luffy counters Urashima's open-palm strike with his own hand, and the two meet in a powerful clash. The impact pushes both of them back toward the edges of the ring, and they struggle to stay on it as they teeter off the edge. After they recover their balance, Urashima tells Luffy to get out of his way, saying he needs to tear Kiku apart to protect his honor. Luffy has no issue with that, but wants to challenge Urashima in a sumo wrestling match first.
Urashima unleashes rapid strikes, but Luffy dodges all of them. The sumo wrestler then tries to take out Luffy's head and eyes illegally, but misses again. Meanwhile, a samurai reports to Holed'em about what Kiku did to Urashima, but the headliner does not care as he attempts to pull food out of Tama's cheek. Holed'em recalls that Tama had mentioned the Kouzuki Family earlier, and tells her to not cling on to them, saying that they were planning to destroy Wano Country 20 years ago. Back in the sumo ring, Luffy stretches his arm very far back and enlarges his forearm to slam his massive palm into Urashima's entire body. The force of the attack sends Urashima flying out of the ring and through several buildings, leaving them in ruins.
The spectators are aghast at Urashima's defeat, and they notice that the wanted criminal Zoro is with Luffy and Kiku. They go to report this to Holed'em as Luffy declares his intention of rescuing Tama, and the Gifters and samurai under Holed'em go on the attack. Luffy and Zoro invite them to bring Holed'em out as they and Kiku overwhelm the fighters, and a fire breaks out in the town. Holed'em then calls out to Luffy from atop a roof, holding Tama in his lion's mouth, and he reveals that his house was destroyed when Luffy sent Urashima flying into it. He asks if they are subordinates of the thief Shutenmaru, and tells them not to move, or else he will crush Tama with his lion's jaws. Outside of Bakura Town, Basil Hawkins is in contact with the pirates inside as he and his men head to assist them, and elsewhere, Bepo falls ill after eating a poisoned fish. As he deals with his subordinate, Law hears from Shachi about the fire and Hawkins' arrival at Bakura Town.
Chapter 917
In Okobore Town, a mother silences her son who is crying out of hunger, while a father rushes to Tsuru to try to get some jyagan grass after his child drank the river water. Deep within Bakura Town, however, is the "Paradise Farm", which is overflowing with good food and water. One of the workers is only paid five silver for his efforts there, and is beaten up when he argues that this cannot support his family. The Beasts Pirates headliner Speed brings out the cart of provisions from Paradise Farm, intending to take it to her crew when she hears the fire bell ringing. She oversees the effort to put out the fire when she notices that Holed'em's house was destroyed in a path of wreckage.
Meanwhile, as Tama cries out for help, Holed'em taunts Luffy, Zoro, and Kiku, saying that his lion Kamijiro will tear her apart if any of them make a move. Holed'em asks the trio if they know about Tama's Devil Fruit ability, and says they will be held hostage to lure out Shutenmaru, who is the leader of the Mt. Atama Thieves that were responsible for the thievery at Paradise Farm a few weeks ago. Holed'em believes that someone as powerful as Luffy has to be Shutenmaru's top subordinate. Kiku warns Luffy to not make Holed'em angry, as everyone in town is afraid of Jack, who is the true ruler of Kuri and backs Holed'em. Luffy and Zoro recognize Jack's name, and are surprised that he is alive as they thought he sank into the bottom of the ocean. However, Kiku reveals that Jack was seen in the area a few days ago, and thus he would come to make the area a wasteland if Holed'em is attacked.
This makes Luffy angry, and Holed'em simply laughs as he increases Kamijiro's pressure on Tama. Speed then arrives with the cart of provisions, wanting to know what is going on. The Beasts Pirates rejoice after seeing the food, and Luffy is angry that only they get to have it. He and Zoro then prepare to attack, and as Hawkins and his men head into town, they are suddenly confronted by Law. Law wears a basket over his head in order to keep Hawkins from recognizing him, and is intent on getting rid of his fellow Supernova quickly.
Meanwhile, Holed'em decides to execute Kiku, but as his men proceed with the order, Luffy attacks Kamijiro in the blink of an eye and frees Tama. As Luffy speeds away with Tama in his arms, Zoro cuts down the Beasts Pirates down below and Komachiyo frees Kiku and leave Bakura Town. Luffy then notices Tama's bruised cheek, and she reveals that Holed'em tried pulling food out of it with pliers. An enraged Luffy then drops Tama and stretches out his arm, and Holed'em has Kamijiro breathe fire at Luffy as he prepares to strike the pirate with his Karakuri Sword. However, Luffy is unharmed by the fire and hits Holed'em in the face with Red Hawk as Tama continues to fall.
Chapter 918
Luffy grabs Tama as Holed'em falls to the ground, and Zoro has Komachiyo continue taking him, Kiku, and the provisions cart to Bakura Town's entrance. Luffy picks up Tama and starts to run away, but when he sees the backside of Speed's horse body, he thinks she is a horse and jumps on her back. After realizing what has happened, Speed gets angry and her subordinates rush at Luffy, but Luffy tells Tama to make some kibi dango from her body. He then tells her to tame Speed with it, and Tama reveals that the food does not work on humans, but to their surprise Speed eats it and becomes tame and subservient to them. Speed gallops at full speed and catches up to the provisions cart as her bewildered subordinates chase after her, and Tama tells Luffy that he was just like Ace when he hit Holed'em with Red Hawk.
Near the front gate of Bakura Town, a disguised Law prepares to take out Hawkins as he activates his ROOM. However, Hawkins quickly recognizes Law due to the ROOM and the tattoos on his hands, and Law uses Shambles to transport himself right next to Hawkins. He cuts Hawkins diagonally, but Hawkins uses his Devil Fruit power to transfer the cut to a subordinate. Law is surprised at Hawkins' powers, and Hawkins turns his sword into straw to lift Law's mask off his head. Law then attempts to nullify Hawkins' power by cutting all of his subordinates in half, and the two Supernovas' blades clash. Hawkins welcomes Law to Wano Country and reveals his knowledge about Law's alliance. Law is shocked to hear this, and Hawkins reveals he already encountered Luffy and Zoro before getting a call revealing that Holed'em has been defeated and Jack has been notified.
Right then, the provisions cart comes barreling onto the scene, and Law hitches a ride on it as he angrily yells at Zoro for abandoning his post and getting them into deep trouble. The provisions cart heads out of Bakura Town, and goes to Okobore Town, and the citizens there rejoice as they are given the great quantities of fresh food. Batman and two other Gifters attempt to intervene, but are flattened when Luffy slams a massive tub of water onto the ground for the citizens to drink. The citizens thank Luffy for his actions, and Luffy states that this is repayment for the food Tama gave him. Luffy tells Tama to not be satisfied with the provisions cart, saying that by the time he leaves, she will be able to eat until she is full every day. Tama is shocked as she remembers Ace saying the same thing during his visit, and starts tearing up.
As the remaining Beasts Pirates try to deal with the mess left in Bakura Town, Hawkins contacts someone, saying that Holed'em was taken down by a force strong enough that not even he could have stopped it. He then appears to notice someone. At Okobore Town, Law tells Luffy and Zoro that they are going to relocate to the ruins of Oden Castle on top of a nearby mountain. He says they are going to meet the ghosts of Wano country, saying that Luffy is in for a surprise once he gets there. The scene then changes to the top of said mountain where the graves for Kouzuki Oden, Momonosuke, Kin'emon, Kanjuro, and Raizo are seen.
Chapter 919
Luffy leaves Tama in the care of the submissive Speed. Tama says she will never forget getting to taste new foods and says she will take some to her master, and Luffy says he will bring back Komachiyo and Nidai Kitetsu later. Speed then carries Tama off into the distance, and the residents of Okobore Town thank Luffy for bringing them the Treasure Ship. Luffy, Zoro, Law, and Kiku then ride Komachiyo toward the ruins of Oden Castle. Luffy wonders why Kiku is going with them, and Kiku pretends tells him just wants to see it, when the truth is to keep an eye on their intentions in going there. Zoro quickly realizes that Kiku is hiding something from them.
In the Flower Capital, a teacher instructs her students about the benefits of Wano Country's closed borders, and the students jeer at Kouzuki Oden and his nine red scabbards for attempting to open Wano's borders 20 years ago. The teacher then elicits cheers from them when she states that Kurozumi Orochi heroically killed the Kouzuki Family and kept Wano peaceful. Meanwhile, the money changer Kyoshiro, while intoxicated, starts to laugh as he recalls a situation that Orochi has found himself in. 20 years ago, the wife of Oden proclaimed a curse on Orochi, who interpreted it as a prophecy that nine samurai would kill him in revenge and open Wano's borders in 20 years. Kyoshiro mocks Orochi for believing this and living in fear now that 20 years have passed, as there should be no Kouzuki Family member still alive and able to take revenge.
Luffy's group arrives at Oden Castle, and Kiku starts getting emotional before hurrying off alone. Luffy notices that Zoro went somewhere as well, and Law tells him to come toward him. Luffy sees the group of gravestones, and is shocked at the graves for Kin'emon, Momonosuke, Kanjuro, and Raizo. Luffy wonders where Kin'emon is, and Law replies that Kin'emon is not here, but will likely appear at night. This makes Luffy think that he is a ghost, but Kin'emon then comes out, having been occupied with intense diarrhea, and Luffy gets angry at Law for his choice of words. Kiku then rushes toward Kin'emon and tackles him in a hug, though gets mad at him for not revealing his return to Wano. Kiku then realizes that the Straw Hats and Law are the outside force that Kin'emon's group was able to recruit. Momonosuke then greets Luffy, and he is quickly followed by the arrival of Sanji, Nami, Chopper, Brook, and Carrot, who were able to find Luffy using his Vivre Card. Law then invites the Straw Hats inside to talk, where they could eat food he had stolen from Paradise Farm. When inside, Kin'emon reveals that there is a secret they should tell the Straw Hats before they get started, and reveals that they came from the past and got here by traveling 20 years forward in time.
Chapter 920
Kin'emon starts to talk about Kouzuki Oden, revealing that Oden Castle's real name was Kuri Castle, but it was called Oden Castle because of the Kuri residents' great love for Oden. Oden was the son of the shogun Kouzuki Sukiyaki, but was exiled from the Flower Capital due to getting into violent fights. At that time, Kuri was a lawless area where criminal gangs formed to rob and kill each other. Oden went there and challenged Ashura Doji, who was considered the most dangerous man there. He defeated Doji, and rounded up the criminals and corrected their path, teaching them to be workers who could build towns to live in. He built the Paradise Farm for everyone to eat clean food, and after Sukiyaki had heard of his son's deeds, he bestowed on Oden the title of Daimyo of Kuri when Oden was only 20 years old.
Elsewhere, Zoro is all alone in the wilderness, and as he looks for his comrades, he sees a wharf and decides to take a ride there. On a beach in Kuri, Inuarashi sits with his Musketeers, and he recalls how Oden felt Wano Country was too cramped. Inuarashi and Nekomamushi had washed up on Wano when they were young, and everyone feared them except for Oden, who defended them from those who tried persecuting them. Inuarashi views Oden as a true hero, recounting how even Whitebeard and Gol D. Roger were captivated by him.
However, the Straw Hats' moods changed from happy to shocked as Kin'emon reveals what happened to Oden during Orochi's takeover 20 years ago. He recounts how after Oden was brought to the Flower Capital and executed, he, Kanjuro, Raizo, Kiku, Inuarashi, Nekomamushi, and another samurai managed to escape from the scene. However, Inuarashi and Nekomamushi were caught by Orochi's men, and the remaining members of the group had no choice but to press on to Oden Castle to try to protect Momonosuke's life. Kaidou had anticipated their plan, however, and set Oden Castle ablaze before they got there. Kin'emon's group managed to break in and find Momonosuke with his mother Toki and younger sister Hiyori. Toki, who was rumored to have been born in the distant past, revealed that she could go into the future with her Toki Toki no Mi abilities. She decided to meet her end here, and as Kin'emon promised to fulfill Oden's goal of opening Wano's borders, she sent him, Momonosuke, Kanjuro, Raizo, and Kiku 20 years into the future.
Kin'emon's group found themselves in the remains of Oden Castle, and discovered the graves for them nearby. As they traveled around Wano, they discovered the pollution and corruption that had taken root. However, despite the nation's hatred for the Kouzuki Family, they managed to find allies who had waited for the fulfillment of Toki's proclamation that the family would return. Kiku was left to gather information on their enemies, while the rest of them went to sea to recruit allies. They were spotted by Orochi's men as they left, and shipwrecked on the way to Zou, where they parted ways with Raizo. They then drifted to Dressrosa, where Kanjuro was captured as Momonosuke was taken to Punk Hazard. There, Kin'emon had been dismantled by Law, but it was in that desperate situation when he found the Straw Hats and gathered an alliance together. However, Kin'emon reveals that the goal of this alliance now is not to wage war, but to secretly work to take out the commander. In two weeks, on the night of the Fire Festival, he plans for the alliance to stage a raid on Onigashima, where Kaidou resides.
Chapter 921
Answering Brook's question about how they will get to Onigashima, Kin'emon states that they do have a ship, although it will not be a long voyage since the island is very close to Wano. Kiku says that Kaidou is considered to be the "Wise King" that protects the country, and every year Orochi and his men go to Onigashima seemingly to pay respects to him, but in reality, they just have a raucous banquet. Sanji hopes that Kiku will fall in love with him instead of Kin'emon once she sees him during the mission, but Kin'emon reveals that Tsuru is actually his wife. He then pulls out a piece of paper with a symbol on it that will communicate the time and place of the planned raid, and his goal now is to give these papers to those with the crescent moon symbol on their ankle, which signifies rebellion against Kaidou and loyalty to the Kouzuki Family.
Zoro and Usopp are tasked with looking for allies in the Flower Capital, while Franky works for the architect of Kaidou's residence to obtain its blueprints and Robin is training as a geisha in the hopes of gaining Orochi's audience so she can spy on him and his men. Brook is tasked with acquiring food provisions from the capital while Sanji uses his culinary skills to draw in people to help search for allies. Chopper and Carrot are to Inuarashi's location. Kin'emon has the Straw Hats put leaves on their head, which he turns into disguises with his Fuku Fuku abilities. Kin'emon then summons the kunoichi Shinobu to train Nami in the art of bewitchment and states that there are three samurais they particularly need to find, as each of them is worth a hundred men, namely Kawamatsu, Denjiro, and Ashura Doji.
Meanwhile, Shutenmaru and the Mt. Atama Thieves raid Okobore Town and steal the food that Luffy gave to the citizens despite their pleas. Shutenmaru scoffs at the heroism of feeding these people, saying their gifts were no more now that he is here to steal them, and there are no longer any men left in Wano who can guide the samurai to defend the people. One old woman responds that she believes in Toki's prophecy about nine samurais carrying out Oden's wishes, but Shutenmaru finds the belief silly and prepares to kill her. However, he is stopped when Jack arrives and quickly takes out several of his men with his crocodile-like steed. Jack tells Shutenmaru about Luffy being in this area, but Shutenmaru says he has no knowledge of the pirate. Jack says that Shutenmaru has only been left alive this long because Kaidou wants him as his subordinate and Shutenmaru answers by charging toward Jack and cutting him across the chest, breaking one of the Disaster's blades. Jack and Shutenmaru then spar in a high-level duel as the citizens worry that their clash will destroy the town. Jack manages to injure Shutenmaru's shoulder, but Shutenmaru is unfazed as he says there is no way Jack could take him down. Suddenly, Jack's men tell him to look behind him as a formation of dark clouds suddenly fills the sky. In the midst of these clouds is Kaidou, having flown to Kuri in his dragon form. Kaidou tells Jack to bring Luffy to him immediately, and Law reveals to Luffy who the dragon is.
One Piece, Volume 92
Chapter 922
Kin'emon confirms Law's statement that Kaidou has arrived, revealing that Kaidou can transform into a dragon. Momonosuke starts feeling unwell as he transforms into a dragon as well, shocking Kiku and Shinobu. Luffy notices that Kaidou is near Okobore Town, and in response to Kin'emon wondering why he came here, Law reveals that he, Luffy, and Zoro were exposed. However, he notes that this should not affect the plan too much, as Kaidou had his sights set solely on him and Luffy for taking down Caesar Clown and Doflamingo's SMILE operations. Luffy races toward Okobore Town, and Law decides to go after him, as them dealing with Kaidou should not expose the rest of their alliance.
At Bakura Town, the people there are sent into a frenzy at Kaidou's arrival, with Hawkins being surprised and Holed'em wondering if Kaidou came to execute him. The citizens of Okobore Town as well as the Mt. Atama Thieves attempt to run away as Kaidou hovers directly over them, and the Yonko recognizes Shutenmaru. Kaidou remembers his previous encounter with the thief and asks him to become his subordinate, revealing himself to be drunk in the process. Jack is shocked at his general's intoxication, saying that Kuri and its worker residents will likely be decimated if he continues his rampage.
Law catches up to Luffy as the latter keeps running toward Okobore Town, and reprimands him for trying to help the citizens. Meanwhile, Kin'emon and Kiku run toward Okobore Town as well after Kin'emon heard that Tsuru is there, and he is shocked that she did not remarry in the 20 years he was gone before telling Kiku to go back to Oden Castle. Hawkins rides into Okobore Town to tell Kaidou that Luffy and Law are at the ruins of Oden Castle, causing Kaidou to immediately head there. Hawkins reveals to Jack that he lied to Kaidou in order to stop his rampage and also to try eliminating a suspicious light there that has led to rumors about the Kouzuki Family's return. While Luffy and Law are not at Oden Castle, much of their allies are, and they flee in terror as an enraged Kaidou flies right toward them. Kaidou passes by Luffy and Law as he unleashes a devastating fire breath that instantly obliterates Oden Castle, and the onlookers are shocked at how quick and powerful his attack was. Law then notices that Luffy is no longer beside him, and the people of Kuri watch as Luffy jumps over Kaidou and uses Gomu Gomu no Elephant Gun to hit the Emperor right on the head.
Chapter 923
Kaidou's dragon form slams into the ground after being hit in the head by Luffy. As his subordinates flee the area, they take note that a samurai appeared to have been the one behind the attack. Reaching the ground, Luffy yells to his crew and asks if they managed to escape Kaidou's dragon breath attack. Elsewhere, Shutenmaru decides to stay and watch the fight instead of fleeing. Luffy hears several of Kaidou's subordinates discover Lady Speed who is heavily injured. Fearing for Tama's life, Luffy asks Lady Speed if she was able to get Tama out of the city safely; he learns that Kaidou spotted them and despite doing her best to protect Tama, Kaidou injured them both.
Angered by this, Luffy chastises himself for not going along with them and prepares to attack Kaidou. Law frantically tells Luffy they need to check on their respective crews and berates him for jeopardizing their plans; Luffy ignores Law and yells at Kaidou, getting his attention. Despite still in a drunken state, Kaidou recognizes Luffy and comments how he's finally arrived in Wano. He then unleashes another blast of fire towards Luffy, incinerating the immediate area; however, Lady Speed is able to propel Luffy into the air towards Kaidou's eye level. Luffy immediately activates Gear 3 and pummels Kaidou with numerous punches. The remaining Beast Pirates are shocked to see Kaidou taking such a tremendous beating and he falls from the sky, transforming back into his human form.
Luffy rushes forward, activates Gear 4 and resumes his attack. However, Kaidou gets back on his feet to the surprise of everyone. Glaring at Luffy, Kaidou swings his kanabō and strikes Luffy, seeming to dash forward, mocking his proclamation of becoming the Pirate King as Luffy soars through the air and is knocked unconscious from the blow.
Chapter 924
Kaidou's subordinates examine the defeated Luffy, being surprised that he survived Kaidou's hit. Law moves to grab Luffy and run, but Hawkins shoots him in the arm with a nail made of Seastone, revealing that Seastone originated here in Wano and could only be refined to this level here. He then turns his sword into straw to attack Law with it. Kaidou notes that Luffy is still glaring at him, and tells his subordinates to throw him into a cell, saying that he will make a good subordinate once his will is broken. Kaidou also says to not mention that Luffy is a pirate in the newspaper report due to foreigners not being allowed in Wano. However, as his subordinates move toward Luffy, they are suddenly knocked out by his Supreme King Haki, and Shutenmaru recognizes it as an ability that Oden used. Kaidou notes that Eustass Kid also used this Haki, and expressed annoyance on how they are too many people that can use Supreme King Haki as he transforms back into a dragon as he flies off to get drunk again, having become sober.
Law escapes to the forest, and worries about his crew and allies. Hawkins' subordinates report to him in Bakura Town that Law has escaped, and he is alright with this, but swears to find him eventually. In Okobore Town, Kin'emon spies on Tsuru tending to a citizen named Gorobe. He comments that his wife is still beautiful, but has no intention of reuniting with her until after Oden's wishes are fulfilled. He then spots Shutenmaru riding off, and recognizes him as Ashura Doji. At the ruins of Oden Castle, Kiku is relieved to see the male alliance members still alive after Kaidou's attack. Sanji had carried the females to safety, while Shinobu had used her Juku Juku Jutsu to mature the ground below the males and cause a sinkhole to form. After the males escape from the sinkhole, Kiku prepares to tell the alliance members about the current situation. Meanwhile, Inuarashi and the Musketeers discover the injured Tama, and head into the forest to treat her immediately.
The news about Luffy and Kaidou's fight circulates through Wano, and Franky, Robin, Usopp, and Zoro are completely aghast when they hear it. The next day, in the Udon region, people are put hard to work making weapons in Kaidou's factories. In the dungeons of these factories, one of the Beasts Pirates delivers a poisonous fish to a certain cell. Their orders are to give a poisonous and boneless fish to feed the prisoner inside, who seems to be still alive in spite of the poison. The Beasts Pirate guards then rejoice as Luffy is brought in, and they taunt him. Luffy glares at them in response, and one of them tries to retaliate by attacking him with a sword. However, the mysterious prisoner spits out the fish skeleton at the guard and strikes him in the neck, causing him to be reprimanded for not taking the bones out of the fish as ordered. Luffy is brought into another room and thrown into a cell, and the guards say that starting tomorrow they will work him until his will breaks and he pledges allegiance to Kaidou. In the cell next to Luffy's is Kid, and both of them swear revenge against Kaidou, which causes them to notice each other as the curtains are drawn on the first act of the Wano Country Arc.
Chapter 925
On Kuraigana Island, Perona reads a newspaper about Moria and is upset Mihawk didn't tell her. She almost leaves immediately to find him, as Mihawk wishes her safe travels as she tearfully thanks him for letting her stay with him. Mihawk then says that it is probably a good time for her to leave as some interesting topic was brought up at the Levely.
Meanwhile, in New World on the Pirate Island Hachinosu - Gecko Moria and his zombies are raiding the island and demands for Blackbeard. He is there to find Absalom who landed at the island a few days ago. Avalo Pizarro is notified of Moria's attack by some underlings. Suddenly Absalom shouts to Moria that this island is a paradise and that he forgot to report back to Moria. Moria is relieved that Absalom is safe, and says that he was worried because the Blackbeard Pirates are known to be "Ability User Hunters". All of a sudden, he is sliced from behind by someone. It is revealed to be an invisible Shiryu and Moria is surprised that he used Absalom's powers. Suddenly 'Absalom' starts laughing and it is revealed to be actually Catarina Devon who was disguised as Absalom using her Devil Fruit powers. A horrified Moria asks her what they have done to Absalom, and she replies that he is dead, and his corpse is still with them and mockingly asks if Moria wants it back.
Suddenly, Blackbeard's voice is heard from a loudspeaker as he summons an earthquake. Moria demands that he show himself, to which Blackbeard says that his island is a paradise for pirates. He asks Moria if he likes parties and asks him to sail under his flag. He then goes on to reveal the news from the morning's newspaper. On the fourth day of the Levely, Sabo and his group clashed with Marine Admirals Fujitora and Ryokugyu in order to take back their old ally, Kuma. Other news includes Luffy and the rookies' exploits in Wano Country and Big Mom's pursuit of them. He says that the bloody fight between the powerful has started for the throne and laughs.
As the second act in Wano Country begins, Ashura Doji and Inuarashi are clashing in the Kuri region's Mt. Mt. Atama while Kin'emon, Kiku, Shishilian, and some Mt. Atama thieves are onlooking. Kin'emon asks them both to stop the fighting. In Amigasa Village, Tenguyama thanks Chopper, Miyagi, and Tristan for saving and treating Tama's wounds. Tama says that Speed fought Kaidou for her sake and that she is more worried about Luffy. Chopper reassures her that Luffy's spirit will not be broken and reveals that Raizo has promised to break Luffy out of the prison.
Back at Mt. Atama, Kiku reprimands Shutenmaru for fighting Inuarashi, who replies that it has been like that since the beginning. He says he had always admired and followed Kouzuki Oden and reminds them that his loyalty does not extend towards the Kouzuki Family. Carrot is surprised that he was an even match for Inuarashi. Kin'emon says that he will make Shutenmaru his ally. Shutenmaru wishes him luck and says that no one is happy that the Kouzuki Family's samurai have appeared again and that the 20-year blank that they left will never be filled.
At Onigashima, Jack is being scolded by someone because the offerings from Kuri have been decreasing lately. It is revealed that the one scolding Jack are none other than the All-Stars and remaining two Disasters of the Beasts Pirates, King the Wildfire and Queen the Plague. King says that they only need one useless guy which is Queen who quickly replies that King is the useless guy. Jack apologizes to them both and King asks Queen how long he is going to take to break the spirits of those imprisoned brats and Queen calls King a torture-loving pervert and tells him to shut up.
Chapter 926
At the Flower Capital, people deliver newspapers containing not only stories, but also the Kouzuki Family's secret message. Several people understand the message and realize that the family has returned. One person decides to join them, and an old man points out that Orochi has removed the citizens' access to weapons, but the man is willing to fight barehanded if he has to. Elsewhere, Usopp engages with the citizens at his toad oil stand, and in a building, two government officials discuss a very large weapons order from a client outside Wano Country. Nami spies on them from the ceiling as she trains under Shinobu to become a kunoichi, but one of the officials spots her looking glass and jabs a blade into the ceiling. Nami and Shinobu are forced to run away from his attacks, and Shinobu starts screaming, tipping the officials off to the presence of humans. However, the duo manage to escape, and Shinobu uses ninjutsu to glide through the air. Nami reveals that she found out when and where the weapons shipment is leaving, and Shinobu admits that she is afraid of sharp objects, much to Nami's chagrin. Nami then spots a long line for a soba stand operated by Sanji, and she is angry that he seems more focused on attracting women than samurai. However, a man approaches Sanji's stand, seemingly angry at his presence.
At the Prisoner Mines in Udon, prisoners are forced to do grueling work and are killed if they become unable to do so. An old man named Hyo receives only one ball of kibi dango for moving five big blocks of rock, and is appalled. The prison guard responds that Hyo is falling behind due to his age and will die soon as he attacks the old man. The prisoners are disheartened to see this, but know they will be killed if they go against the guards. However, Luffy and Eustass Kid move the blocks at a very fast pace; the guards lost count of how many they moved when they got to 500, which shocks them because Luffy and Kid should be weakened by their Seastone handcuffs. Luffy and Kid earn heaping bowls of kibi dango as a result, and the two bicker as they eat and argue over who moved more blocks.
The guards wonder how they are going to break the duo's spirits when Dobon, the vice warden, arrives. Dobon wants to know which prisoners cleared out the kibi dango rations, and Luffy and Kid are brought before him. Dobon is angry at the duo for only leaving him three pieces of kibi dango to eat, and the guards warn Luffy and Kid about the dangers of talking back: first they will lose their arms, then their legs, then be executed. Dobon prepares to discipline them by putting them into the mouth of the hippo fused with his body through SMILE, but a few seconds later, Dobon and his hippo fall to the ground defeated. Luffy and Kid emerge from the hippo's mouth and walk away, and a guard says they will be executed, but Kid replies that they cannot prove Dobon was attacked as the prisoners cheer for him and Luffy.
Chapter 927
Sanji has opened a soba noodle stand. Robin, Franky, and Usopp are each having a bowl while discussing Luffy's whereabouts. Usopp compliments the noodles but Sanji brushes him off, saying Robin's opinion is the only one that matters. Robin compliments the food as well, much to Sanji's delight. Franky notices that Sanji's noodles are very popular with the women in the town, and wonders if he should serve dishes more geared to men's tastes to attract allies. Sanji only glares at him as three men approach the stand. The strangers note the line and Sanji tells them they can't cut, and one of them asks Sanji where he obtained permission to open his stand. The men are introduced as members of the Kyoshiro Family: Kaku, Kuni, and Suke. They try to racket the stand, saying they couldn't help Sanji if something bad happened to it, but Sanji is not concerned.
Robin remembers visiting the home of someone named Kyoshiro and concludes these men are his underlings, musing at how such an arrogant man could be a yakuza. Kaku, Kuni, and Suke begin to trash the stand, knocking over pots and slapping bowls out of customers' hands, including one being eaten by a young girl. Usopp and Robin rightfully retreat, knowing how Sanji gets when people waste food while Franky gets excited at the prospect of a fight. Everyone in the vicinity flees. Before Kuni can finish giving the other two an order, Sanji delivers a downward kick to the right side of Kuni's head and plants the mobster's face first into the pavement. Franky in the meantime has grabbed Suke and proceeds to suplex him from at least two stories up. Sanji feeds Kuni the spoiled noodles as punishment while Kaku runs away. Usopp, while not surprised by the outcome, wonders if what they did was okay, while Robin muses that they might have crossed the wrong people. They then realize that the line of customers they had moments ago has completely vanished before noticing a child whose noodles were knocked from her hands and how her constant smiling made her seem strange. Sanji gives her the last of the noodles. The child tells them how she heard about these delicious noodles and wanted to try them for herself, even going so far as being late for work to ensure she got a bowl. Her eyes widen as she tastes the food and is introduced as Toko, a child from the capital.
Toko makes a joke, telling the Straw Hats to put an "O" in front of her name. Robin, does so, saying the Japanese word for "man" in the process. Toko jokingly responds that she is a girl and this elicits laughs from Franky and Usopp. She then returns the bowl and remarks how late she is, then says that she will be down this street again shortly with the courtesans' procession happening today. Robin asks Toko if she is a kamuro. Toko replies that she is, and says goodbye, encouraging them to watch the parade as she runs off. Usopp and Robin laugh at how funny and energetic Toko is while Sanji gets excited about the procession Toko mentioned. Franky is confused by what courtesans and kamuro are. Robin's master interrupts their discussion, saying she was looking for Robin. She explains to Franky that courtesans can be likened to idols or celebrities. She goes on to talk about the most famous courtesan in the country, Komurasaki. She is the dream of men, the envy of women, and with beauty that could topple nations. Truly the perfect lady, this description excites the men, who don't believe the old woman. She tells them to listen to the cheering crowd and music in the distance that accompany Komurasaki. Umi goes on to say that the shogun is throwing a banquet in the castle, which is the procession's destination. As a kamuro, it is Toko's job to wait on Komurasaki. Umi then tells Robin that she too has been invited to the palace. Robin is overjoyed.
Meanwhile, Komurasaki and the procession are making their way to the palace, with admirers lined up along the route. Toko runs over to the literally sparkling and radiant woman, who had been worried by the young girl's absence. Authorities were radioing for help, saying that Komurasaki's presence had caused twenty fights, leading to blood loss. Her presence alone caused several faintings and blindings, as lovestruck men were left passed out with nosebleeds in her wake.
In the east district of the capital, Kaku tells Kyoshiro about what happened at the noodle stand. Kyoshiro is too busy to listen to the story, as he is on his way to the shogun's banquet as well. He orders Kaku to ask Queen to send assassins and doesn't care if they cause problems. At the castle, a page informs Orochi that Komurasaki is on her way. The chapter ends with two figures silhouetted behind a sliding door. One is the page and the other is what appears to be a multi-headed dragon.
Chapter 928
The day after Dobon's defeat, the prisoners of Udon constantly express their admiration for Luffy and Kid. Hyo thanks Luffy for saving him, but Luffy considers it no big deal and gives the old man some of his meal exchange tickets. Raizo then approaches Luffy to reveal that he has located the key to Luffy's Seastone handcuffs, but it is inside a heavily guarded Seastone box. Caribou asks Luffy to give him some meal tickets as well, promising to be his subordinate if he does, but Luffy refuses and tells him to join Kid. Caribou does not wish to join the other Supernova as he had heard that Kid had his arm cut off by one of Big Mom's subordinates, but Kid overhears this and throws his pickaxe at Caribou. He clarifies that he had injured a Sweet Commander in his battle with the Big Mom Pirates, and had lost his arm before that in a battle with the Red Hair Pirates. He then declares to Luffy that he will be the one to take down Kaidou, and Luffy declares the same thing in opposition to Kid, causing Caribou to be appalled at them.
In the Flower Capital, Sanji, Usopp, and Franky watch along with the citizens as the oiran Komurasaki makes her way down the street. However, she is confronted by three destitute-looking men, who attempt to kill her with knives. A guard swiftly takes all of them down with one strike, and one of them, Bingo, looks at Komurasaki in anguish. He remembers her coming to him, wanting to be with him forever if he could purchase her freedom before she was taken by Orochi. Bingo agreed to pay the heavy price without wavering, and sold everything he had, including his home, livelihood, and even his family. He gave all the money he earned to Komurasaki, fully trusting her and thus not using any legal safeguards.
After giving the last amount of money she needed to one of her aides, he later went to her shop to have her leave the Red Light District with him. However, Komurasaki's subordinates laughed at him, wondering if he really fell this far. Komurasaki then comes out, revealing that she spent all of the money Bingo gave her, and Kyoshiro appears besides her and addresses Bingo as a stalker. Having realized that Komurasaki tricked him, Bingo breaks down, and some of her subordinates go to remove him from the premises of her shop. Back in the present, Komurasaki addresses Bingo and the two other men she swindled, calling them disgraceful and saying that men are nothing more than dogs who bring her money. Some of the Flower Capital's forces then arrive and subdue Komurasaki's assailants, exiling them from the village for having no money as Komurasaki arrives at Orochi's palace.
At Amigasa Village, Tama talks to a training Momonosuke, asking him about the sister he had mentioned. Momonosuke confirms that he has a sister named Hiyori, saying that she would be 26 now if she is still alive, which he believes she is since he has heard nothing about her death. Tama says it would be nice if he could reunite with her, but Momonosuke replies that doing so would endanger her and so he cannot do so until their war is over.
Chapter 929
Minatomo is chastising Franky for slacking off on the job by going to see Komurasaki. Franky apologizes, blaming Komurasaki's beauty. Minatomo does acknowledge Franky's work ethic, but reminds him that his own credibility is at stake too. Franky asks if he could see the blueprints of Kaidou's mansion that Minatomo had mentioned before. Minatomo then remembers he had pawned them earlier. This revelation causes Franky to lose his temper and start attacking his boss, saying he only started working for Minatomo because of those blueprints. Another carpenter comes to Minatomo's rescue and hits Franky in the back of the head with a log. Franky then start fighting with the other carpenters as well. A furious Minatomo tells Franky he is fired, which Franky does not mind.
Elsewhere in town, Kanjuro is masquerading as a fish monger, selling fish drawings that he made with his ability to unsuspecting people. Franky runs past him and Kanjuro asks what is wrong. After berating the samurai for his awful disguise, Franky tells him what he learned about the whereabouts of the mansion's design plans. They go to the pawn shop where the owner at first has a hard time recalling the item the two are looking for. Then he remembers that Kumagoro bought them. Franky then goes to Kumagoro's house, who tells him the landlord, Kobe, took them in lieu of rent. Kobe tells them he gave the plans to Kisegawa, his favorite geisha. Kisegawa remembers using them as a coaster, then Tokijiro told her something. Tokijiro tells Franky that his friend Camel said the plans were valuable, so he sold them. Rakuda tells Franky those blueprints only caused him problems. A man stole them from him. The thief's face was hidden but he said he was from Kuri. Franky calls Kin'emon and tells him what he learned and asks what his next step should be. Kin'emon apologizes for all the trouble Franky went through, then starts to ponder who in Kuri could have stolen the plans. Kin'mon then addresses the minks with him, telling them they've stolen quite a lot and could steal more, but Kaidou's henchmen are catching on to them. Inuarashi asks if they left the card that falsely claimed the mountain bandits were behind the thefts, hoping the ruse will work.
In the Kibi ruins, Zoro is walking with a taikomochi named Tonoyasu, or Yasu for short. Yasu is singing Zoro's praises, much to the swordsman's chagrin, saying how strong and handsome Zoro is. Zoro tells him he is thankful the drum carrier paid for his sushi, and Yasu goes on about how he knew going with Zoro was a great idea. He recalls how Zoro won a lot from gambling and how the other gamblers tried to attack him, only to be beaten senseless themselves. Yasu tells him that the men he fought are part of the capital yakuza, working under the Kyoshiro clan. Zoro interrupts Yasu's praising to remark that where they are seems familiar. Yasu tells him the city in the distance is the Flower Capital and that the small town before them is Leftover Town.
In the royal castle, Orochi is talking with some dark figures, jokingly asking if they are not actually trying to open Wano's borders. He then laughs, remarking how the group, revealed to be CP0, had to buy weapons from pirates in order to fight pirates. With Joker removed from power, CP0 has to negotiate with Wano directly now, and the group's panic means Orochi is completely in control of the price. He tells them that Wano is self-sufficient and generally his people are happy. If they wanted anything, it would be more power. For the last trade Orochi asked for battleships. This time, he wants Dr. Vegapunk to come to Wano. One agent tells him that is impossible. Orochi then shoots another agent as dragon heads come out of his body. Orochi does not care if his demands are possible. He does not fear any of the powers of the World Government because Kaidou is backing him.
Sometime afterward, Orochi is walking down a hall whose many doors open before him. He remarks that he does not have a care in the world. A servant tells him the menu for the evening, starting with a stuffed chicken. Before he can finish, Orochi turns it down and the poultry is immediately discarded. He does the same for some offered vegetables, but gladly accepts the cooked mackerel, tuna sashimi, and sake. He asks about his female company, and when told they are here, tells the geishas to raise their heads. He is taken by their beauty and tells them to act without a care in the world. He is especially excited to meet Komurasaki, who returns the sentiment. He tells everyone that the Fire Festival is next week and this party will be the prelude to it as members of the Kyoshiro clan look on. While one arm holds Komurasaki, the other raises a sake saucer as he tells everyone to eat and drink to their heart's content.
Back in the capital, everyone is fleeing in horror. Law tells Sanji to hide, saying the people coming know who they are. The people fleeing are saying that two of the Flying Six, Kaidou's six strongest Shinuchi, are on their way to kill the soba merchant. Specifically, X Drake and Page One, both having eaten Ryu Ryu Ancient type Zoan fruits; Drake having the allosaurus and Page One having the spinosaurus model. Drake asks why the two of them were called specifically and what Hawkins is doing there. Page One assumes they are there for show and Hawkins tells them he is looking for someone.
Chapter 930
Tonoyasu brings Zoro to Ebisu Town, where the residents greet them. Zoro is surprised at how cheerful they are acting, even when they talk about being hungry. Yasu tells him that since humans have been blessed with the gift of laughter, it would be wasteful not to use it. Some of the citizens tell Yasu that Ushimitsu Kozo visited them last night, giving them money that he had stolen from the Flower Capital in the night. A child offers Zoro some clean water from a well, and he reluctantly drinks it as the Ebisu citizens continue smiling and laughing, saying they would not let poverty defeat them.
On Onigashima, Kaidou receives a report that the Big Mom Pirates are approaching Wano Country and have tied carp to their ship to pull them up the waterfall. An angry and distressed Kaidou orders his subordinates to sink them, but the crew accompanying Big Mom easily deals with the Beasts Pirates' defense system as they start scaling the waterfall. Big Mom excitedly prepares to confront Luffy and reclaim Zeus, and Kaidou grows more distressed as he orders for her to be stopped before an all-out war can break out. However, as the Big Mom Pirates reach the top of the waterfall, King comes flying in, having transformed into a pteranodon with the power of the Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Pteranodon. He attacks the front of the ship, halting its momentum and causing it to flip over as it falls straight down toward the bottom of the waterfall. King wonders what the Big Mom Pirates were thinking by sending only one ship to Wano, and the Beasts Pirates celebrate as Big Mom falls into the ocean.
In the Flower Capital, Usopp, Sanji, Franky, and Law are running away to avoid being caught by the Beasts Pirates sent to kill Sanji. Franky asks why they cannot disguise themselves and fight, but Law says it is too risky and getting injured here would hurt their chances in the final battle. However, Sanji then hears a woman screaming, and the team sees a building collapsing as Page One attacks it in his spinosaurus form and confronts the soba shop owners inside. He tells them to call out for Sangoro, and they do so as he continues attacking other food stands. Sanji then runs off despite his group's pleas and kicks Page One in the face, knocking him down. Page One contacts the rest of his group to reveal where he and Sanji are, and one of the soba shop owners gets angry at Sanji for letting his shop be destroyed. Although his group continues to tell him to run away before X Drake or Hawkins arrive, Sanji decides to stay and deal with Page One, who does not know who he is. Telling Usopp, Franky, and Law to go on without him, Sanji brings out his Raid Suit Canister, saying he will defeat Page One quickly without injuries and will be fine as long his identity is not exposed.
Chapter 931
Sanji pulls out his Raid Suit canister to disguise himself, and the Flower Capital citizens are surprised that he actually showed himself, thinking he will be killed. Sanji decides it is worth it to put his pride aside to save the citizens, and activates the Raid Suit, saying that wearing it does not make him part of Germa and he might as well try it out. The transformation brings Sanji up onto a roof, donning him in a black outfit with a mask over his face. Law realizes that this is the suit of a character known as Stealth Black, having read Sora, Warrior of the Sea growing up. Page One asks what Sanji's name is, and Sanji calls himself "O-Soba Mask" before using his jet-propelled boots to boost himself forward. Page One lunges at the roof, but misses Sanji and loses sight of him. Sanji then kicks Page One out of nowhere without being seen, and Law reveals that Stealth Black is a fictional member of Germa 66 who is able to become invisible at will. Sanji remembers wanting to turn invisible since he was a child, and notes how ironic it is that the Germa technology he hates is what made this dream come true.
After being sent crashing into a building, Page One gets up and transforms into his hybrid form, wondering who Sanji really is. He charges and swipes at Sanji with his arm, and although Sanji counters it with his foot, he is blown through several buildings by Page One's sheer strength. However, he only feels a little pain thanks to the Raid Suit's protection, and since Page One has lost sight of him, he thinks Sanji is dead and prepares to bring his body to Kyoshiro. Law then runs off with Usopp and Franky, pointing out that Sanji told them to leave without him and that they likely cannot stay in the Flower Capital much longer, and so he intends to head to Ebisu Town. Sanji then flies up and says that he will have Usopp and Franky look into modifying his suit afterwards, before he unleashes a surprise attack on Page One from above, creating even more damage that Law's group sees from afar.
In Orochi Castle, as Orochi continues partying the night away, Robin sneaks through a courtyard into an old room containing many file cabinets. Robin thinks that a Poneglyph is likely somewhere in this country and looks around for a secret entrance, when she is caught by the Orochi Oniwabanshu, a group of ninja in service to Orochi. The Oniwabanshu mock Robin for acting suspicious around them, and their captain Fukurokuju then enters the room. Fukurokuju gives Robin just one chance to explain herself and her actions.
Meanwhile, Tama, Chopper, Momonosuke, and Kiku head to Kuri Beach, and Tama is worried about Luffy, as her master had said that no one escapes from the Udon prison. They then notice a massive person lying down on the beach, and after getting closer, Chopper realizes in horror that it is Big Mom. Chopper quickly tries to get the rest of the group to be quiet and run away before she wakes up, but when he realizes that she likely came to Wano to pursue his crew, he quickly decides to kill her with his sword. However, the constant questions about Big Mom by the Wano natives cause Chopper to shout, resulting in Big Mom stirring. Chopper and Momonosuke quickly run away as Big Mom awakens, but Chopper is then stunned as Big Mom wonders who she is, having lost all of her memories.
One Piece, Volume 93
Chapter 932
In Orochi Castle, Komurasaki dons a kitsune mask and begins playing her shamisen, to the delight of Orochi and his banquet guests. One of them wonders why Komurasaki always puts on the mask whenever she plays this song. In another room, Fukurokuju tells Robin to say her name and explain herself, saying that she will die a quick death if she does and will face torture if not. Robin claims that she is "Ushimitsu Kozo", and came to find out how money flows in the Flower Capital. Fukurokuju then tells the Orochi Oniwabanshu to capture Robin, and she is struck with shuriken and bound with ropes as one of the ninja says that Ushimitsu Kozo already appeared in the capital early today. However, Robin then disintegrates, and the real Robin hurriedly heads back to the banquet room, being glad she used a body double. The Oniwabanshu are stunned but figure that her real body is nearby, and quickly move to find her. Robin reports to Nami, Brook, and Shinobu that there are 11 ninja in the castle and that they found her out, surprising the first two. Fukurokuju tells the ninja to be covert and not disturb the banquet, and they head off into the darkness.
Robin returns to the banquet hall, and Orochi happily greets her, telling her to come talk to him. While they talk, Komurasaki pouts in jealousy, and Orochi fawns over her despite other guests' mentioning of her infamous reputation. Seeing one of the Oniwabanshu prowling the ceiling, Robin moves her mask to obscure herself before asking Orochi about Onigashima, and he is surprised to hear this question. As Komurasaki gets closer to the shogun, people commend Kyoshiro for raising her, though he responds that she was not trained like a mere dog. They then note that Kyoshiro sent the Beasts Pirates' Flying Six to avenge his yakuza group, and Orochi voices his approval for Kyoshiro's use of excessive force, saying that it is best to teach lessons not only to enemies, but to spirits as well. Orochi then tells everyone to listen up, cautioning them that Oden's wife Toki prophesied that this year will be the year of the Kouzuki Family's revenge. He warns them that Oden's Nine Red Scabbards, now led by Kin'emon, have risen and are plotting to take over Wano once more, and he suspects that the attacks against Urashima and Jack in Kuri and the attack on Kyoshiro's subordinates at the soba stand were orchestrated by Kin'emon.
While he talks, the guests whisper incredulously amongst each other, believing the Nine Red Scabbards and almost everyone else associated with Oden to be long dead. Kyoshiro says that Oden's followers should come out now so they can be quickly dealt with, and Orochi agrees, saying that while Oden is definitely dead, the body of his son Momonosuke was never recovered and thus he must be still alive somewhere. By this point, the banquet guests are struggling not to laugh at the shogun's seeming delusion, but their mocking of his cowardice ultimately causes Toko to start laughing loudly. Upon hearing Toko, the guests are quickly gripped by fear as Orochi becomes enraged and offended by his beliefs not being taken seriously. He pulls out his sword and rushes toward Toko, and Komurasaki pleads with him to spare her, but he tells her to be quiet. Orochi swings his sword at Toko, who dodges, but before he can attack again he is slapped by Komurasaki. The guests quickly tell the courtesan to prostrate herself in apology, but she refuses to apologize for what she sees as right. She proclaims that as the daughter of a samurai, she would rather be struck down than live submissively as Orochi's wife, and Orochi berates a prostitute like her standing up to someone like him as he transforms into an eight-headed dragon using his Devil Fruit. Robin then picks up Toko and runs off as one of the Oniwabanshu spots her, and they run past Kyoshiro, who grabs his sword and says this is about to become a bloodbath.
Chapter 933
Orochi, having transformed with the powers of the Hebi Hebi no Mi, Model: Yamata no Orochi, gives Komurasaki one last chance to prostrate herself in apology to him, desperately wondering if she is just playing with him. However, Komurasaki refuses to beg for her life, causing Orochi to go on an angry rampage. His eight heads attack everywhere they can, hurting some of his associates in the process, until he finally wrests Komurasaki into his mouth, leaving her helpless. One of the banquet guests asks Daikoku to stop Orochi's rampage, but Daikoku refuses, saying the shogun can do whatever he wants and that the Orochi Oniwabanshu's mission to find Robin is more important. Toko pleads with Robin to help Komurasaki, but Robin is unable to do so as the Oniwabanshu bear down on the two of them. However, Fujin and Raijin come onto the scene running in fear from Brook, whom they have mistaken for a Gashadokuro, and the other ninja start running in fear as well. Robin thanks Brook for his help and uses Gigantesco Mano to help repel the ninja, who wonder if the two of them are ghosts.
In the attic directly above the banquet hall, Nami spies on the chaos going on and Shinobu says that they should go back up Robin and Brook. However, they are confronted by the ninja Hanzo, who is surprised to hear the name of the renowned Shinobu. He does not think that the woman with Nami is Shinobu, though, causing Shinobu to get angry and throw a projectile into his groin, incapacitating him. Shinobu then uses her powers to break through the floor, sending a large chunk of it crashing onto Orochi below. The impact causes Komurasaki to be dislodged from his mouth, and as the banquet guests stare in shock at Nami and Shinobu's arrival, Kyoshiro stands before Komurasaki and asks if she is ready for what has to be done to her. She affirms this, and is struck down by Kyoshiro's blade. Everyone in the hall is aghast at what just happened, most of all Orochi, who is angry at Kyoshiro subverting his authority to show a samurai's mercy to Komurasaki. Kyoshiro then notices a slip bearing the Kouzuki Family's hidden message, which surprises him. With Komurasaki down, Orochi chases after Toko again, and Nami brings Zeus out from her Clima-Tact. Right as Brook's facade starts to wear off and more soldiers come to help Orochi, Nami sends the electrified Zeus at the shogun, unleashing a massive lightning blast that shakes the entire castle.
The next morning in Okobore Town, Tsuru feeds Big Mom Oshiruko. Big Mom is thankful for the meal, even though it did not satisfy her. Chopper asks Tama, Momonosuke, and Kiku if their plan is a good idea, being afraid of Big Mom regaining her memories in the middle of it. Tama replies that they are worse off waiting here, and Chopper then tells Big Mom that there is a lot of shiruko in Udon, which causes her to immediately want to go there.
Chapter 934
On the sea bordering Wano Country, the Big Mom Pirates sail on the Queen Mama Chanter and discuss their course of action. Perospero notes that Big Mom's Vivre Card indicates that she is still alive, and the crew speculates that Kaidou and his crew may have taken her captive. However, Smoothie interjects against her siblings' discussion of their mother's possible death, saying the logic of this situation would be unlikely to apply to her.
In Amigasa Village, Hitetsu contacts Tama and finds out about her group taking Big Mom to Udon. He tells her to return immediately, panicking due to being responsible for Momonosuke and not trusting the young Tama to protect him. Even after learning that Kiku is accompanying Tama and Momonosuke, Hitetsu does not sway, but Tama's group then cuts contact with him.
The group rides on a crocodile-shark creature through Kuri's wastelands, and Kiku faintly recalls hearing Big Mom's name before, but Chopper immediately dismiss it, and he notices that Big Mom's hat has not said a word since Big Mom arrived here. Big Mom asks if Udon is close by, being hungry for more food, but Kiku reveals that they still have a ways to go, guiding her through a map of Wano. Momonosuke practices his swordsmanship to prepare for the final battle, and he yells the word "Sunacchi" which he tells Kiku he learned from Zoro. However, Kiku tells him never to say that again, revealing it was once part of Kuri residents' dialect in older times and it was not fit for someone of Momonosuke's status.
At the Northern Cemetery in the region of Ringo, Nami, Robin, Brook, Shinobu, and Kanjuro sit in a house after escaping from the Flower Capital. Nami expresses her shock at Kyoshiro striking down Komurasaki, and Kanjuro states that he does not recognize Kyoshiro, as Wano's biggest yakuza boss 20 years ago was a man named Hyougoro of the Flower. Robin hopes that Toko will be safe after they dropped her off at the Red-Light District, and Nami says they could check on her on their way to the bathhouse later. Robin expresses disappointment at how little she found out from Orochi's circle, although it turns out that she found out a lot, and Brook then reveals that he discovered a Poneglyph in the basement of Orochi Castle. He says that the room containing it also had many figurines, which Shinobu identifies as kokeshi dolls, and Robin notes that Kaidou's Road Poneglyph must be on Onigashima as the group prepares to head to the bathhouses.
In the Flower Capital, the citizens are shocked and mournful after hearing about Komurasaki's death, including Sanji. Franky and Usopp are worried about what happened to Robin's group, but find that they can contact them using Wano's equivalent of the Den Den Mushi, the Smart Tanishi. Sanji then asks Law if Luffy is in the news, and Law does not find any mention of him, but does see that Kid has apparently escaped from Udon's prison.
At the Prisoner Mines, the guards announce Kid's escape, and one of them, Alpacaman, presses on Luffy due to being suspicious that he helped Kid. Right as this happens, Grandpa Hyo is being attacked by one of the guards, who knows that he could not have earned all the meal tickets he used. However, despite taking several blows, Hyo refuses to give up his kibi dango and let it go to waste. As the guard picks him up, Hyo refuses to reveal who gave him his food, revealing that he is Hyougoro and that his benefactor's actions reminded him of the old days when noble men lived in Wano, and he is now willing to die with this fulfillment. However, Luffy then races toward Hyougoro and the guard and moves to attack the guard despite the prisoners' pleas, and as this happens, Queen arrives at the Prisoner Mines, commenting that it is rather noisy inside.
Chapter 935
In the Executive Tower of the Prisoner Mine, some guards report to vice warden Solitaire that someone stole the keys to the prisoners' Seastone handcuffs. They can only recall that the thief has a large face, and Solitaire berates them for their incompetence, telling them to search every part of the tower. Raizo is currently bouncing down a hall too quickly for the guards to see, and he looks forward to freeing Luffy of his handcuffs and escaping from the Prisoner Mine. However, Luffy has just kicked the vice warden Daifugo, the punishment for which is execution. The guards chant for Luffy's execution, and the prisoners mourn the inevitable result of his heroic action. The warden Babanuki notes that Luffy has extremely high willpower to injure Daifugo despite being weakened by the Seastone, and Luffy states that he is training with this handicap to get stronger. Babanuki wonders why Luffy is trying to get stronger in the face of impending death as he uses his elephant SMILE to unleash an explosive sneeze, and Luffy is blown back and stunned by the explosion.
Queen is then summoned out from a tent where he is ogling a picture of Komurasaki, being seemingly unaware of her death. After putting on a brief musical number for his subordinates, Queen sits on his throne and tells Babanuki to make an official ranking of his problems. Babanuki reveals to him that Eustass Kid has escaped, the keys to the Seastone handcuffs have been stolen, and that Luffy is trying to escape right now. Queen is greatly shocked by each announcement, and tells the guards to capture Luffy immediately.
In Ebisu Town, Tonoyasu offers the use of an empty house to Law, Usopp, and Franky. However, he tells them that Zoro has already left, having lost his sword and gone to chase after the one who took it. Law's group then notices that Sanji is not with them, and wonder in shock if he went to peep on the women's baths.
Nami, Robin, and Shinobu are currently bathing in the Flower Capital bathhouse, and they are able to relax with no enemies nearby, although Nami is less than enthused that this is a unisex bathhouse where males are ogling them. The trio then go to have the attendants scrub their backs, and overhear some people talking about Kyoshiro, recalling how the yakuza used to be allies of the commoners with Hyougoro being chief among them in that respect. Shinobu agrees with their assessment, saying they would have definitely be able to recruit every samurai to their cause if Hyougoro was still around, with it being likely that they will only recruit around 500 for the invasion. Hyougoro had been the face of the Flower Capital's underworld dealings 20 years ago, holding sway over the five other yakuza bosses and even having Oden's respect. Nami suggests finding him, but Shinobu states that he refused to submit to the Kurozumi Family and was killed by Orochi. Fukurokuju, her former superior, had pledged allegiance to Orochi in contrast, causing her to leave his service. At this point, Shinobu thinks Hyougoro is nothing more than an old tale.
Back in the Prisoner Mine, Luffy and Hyo are brought before Queen, and Luffy refuses to join the Beasts Pirates to be pardoned of his sentence. Queen recognizes Hyo as Hyougoro, laughing at how a legend like him would die a pitiful death. The other prisoners are shocked to find out Hyo's real identity, and Hyo accepts his death, but pleads with Queen to spare Luffy. Queen then comes up with an exciting idea, and as Raizo watches Luffy from a distance, the mysterious man in the cell behind him remarks how he looks exactly the same. Raizo asks who is in the cell, and the occupant reveals himself to be Kawamatsu, asking how Momonosuke is doing.
Chapter 936
Raizo is amazed to learn his friend Kawamatsu is still alive. He asks to see his friend's face, but Kawamatsu can't since he is chained up. Kawamatsu inquires as to the date of the big battle and Raizo informs him about the Fire Festival. This pleases Kawamatsu, who asks Raizo to free him, the ninja happily agrees and Kawamatsu tells him to get the key to the cell. One of the jailers sees them talking and informs Solitaire. Raizo escapes using a smoke bomb, much to the guards' surprise, after which the guards start looking for him.
Elsewhere, Queen is leaving Raizo's apprehension to the guards while some of his henchmen set up an elevated sumo ring while Queen gleefully talks about executing two people. The event is ostentatiously titled "Queen's Contraception Concert: Sumo Inferno". This excites the guards. Luffy and Hyougoro are fitted with large collars. Using a pillar to demonstrate, Queen explains that if either of them leave the ring, claws will shoot out of the collar and decapitate them. Luffy likens them to the bomb collars that the Celestial Dragons use on their slaves. Queen further explains that the pair of them will be fighting a series of sumo matches. They will be fine as long as they keep winning, but will die if they step out of the ring and thus the execution will be over. However, Luffy can opt out of the execution right now if he chooses to join Kaidou's crew. There is no limit to the number of fighters Queen can put in a match, or the weapons they can use. As an act of mercy, Queen removes their seastone handcuffs, prompting Raizo to realize he grabbed the wrong key.
Luffy is elated to be free from the cuffs, and tells Queen he is actually a good person for basically letting them go free, prompting a baffled Queen to remind Luffy about the collars, saying they are worse than the handcuffs. Hyougoro asks Queen if they can go one at a time, saying he'll get in Luffy's way. Luffy asks Queen, addressing him as Balloon, if beating him would set him free. Queen berates Luffy for his rudeness and asks if he was paying attention. Queen's men are eager to start fighting. The crowd starts cheering as Queen begins the match. A female Beast Pirates member gives the signal to start and the fighters charge at Luffy, weapons drawn. Luffy only grins as he unleashes a burst of Supreme King Haki, knocking out every fighter. Unimpressed, Luffy calls for the next round. Everyone is stunned, while Queen is amused by Luffy's ability to use Supreme King Haki. In his cell, Kawamatsu muses about how noisy things have gotten since Luffy showed up and prays that he makes sure Hyougoro doesn't die.
At the Flower Capital bath house, Drake and Hawkins have raided the place, much to the surprise of everyone bathing. Hawkins asks Drake what he is doing there, and Drake tells him about his mission to kill Soba Mask. Nami asks Shinobu what they should do, adding how cowardly it is to attack someone in such a defenseless setting. Shinobu tells Nami and Robin to hide behind them and Robin wonders if they should fight. Hawkins commands all the bathers to line up and show him their ankles. Anyone with the reverse crescent moon tattoo will be taken in for questioning. Nami wonders how they know about the tattoo and Shinobu wonders if their plan was leaked.
Hawkins sees Nami hiding in the corner and orders her to come out, shooting his sword toward her. Robin gets ready to fight if necessary. Nami steps out and tries to act innocent. Hawkins's sword catches Nami's towel, making it fall to the ground and exposing her naked body for all to see, which causes several patrons to break out in nosebleeds. Nami picks up her towel when suddenly, a previously invisible Sanji in his raid suit gets a nosebleed as well and throws himself backwards from the force of the hemorrhage. The other women in the bath recognize him as Soba Mask. Nami and Robin are shocked to see him and his outfit. A henchman informs Drake of Soba Mask's presence, Drake enters the bath and immediately faints. Hawkins is stunned by this revelation, saying Drake should have said something ahead of time if he could not handle the sight of naked women, and a flustered Drake tries to deny it. Nami, Robin, and Shinobu see this as their chance to escape.
Hawkins asks Drake if he is from the North Blue, to which Drake confirms and is aware that Hawkins hails from there as well. Hawkins and Drake both realize that they are looking at the Germa 66's Stealth Black. Sanji manages to grab Nami, Robin, and Shinobu and escape using his raid suit. Robin asks if Sanji's nose is okay, and Sanji says he would be okay with dying right now. He then informs them that Kaidou knows about the ankle tattoos and that Law's crew has been captured while trying to break out Luffy, and are going to use them to lure him out. If they don't get to Law first, the capital will turn into pandemonium.
In the Ringo region to the northeast, Zoro is facing off against a large samurai on a snowy bridge. The man informs Zoro that he has returned Shusui to its proper resting place, saying it must have been stolen from Ryuma's grave, to which Zoro says he is aware. The man orders Zoro to leave or he will take the rest of Zoro's swords. Unfazed, Zoro reasons the man must be a weapons collector, and tells him they need a lot of weapons right now and that he is taking the samurai's weapon's collection. A battle between the two on the bridge begins.
Chapter 937
While going from Kuri to Udon, Big Mom and Tama both fantasize over shiruko, and Big Mom cannot wait to eat more of it. This worries Chopper, as he fears that the absence of shiruko in the Prisoner Mine will cause Big Mom to regain her memories and go after Luffy instead. In the Prisoner Mine, Luffy wipes out the Pleasures in the sumo ring with ease as he works on repelling his opponents with Armament Haki without touching them, like what Rayleigh did when he first demonstrated the Haki to him. Daifugo tells Queen that the execution would long be over if he had gone in the arena, but Queen is content to continue the fighting, valuing the length and number of fighters in a battle above all. As he watches, he eats bowl after bowl of shiruko, which he loves dearly and does not want to share.
On Oihagi Bridge in Ringo, Zoro tells Gyukimaru that he met Ryuma, but Gyukimaru refuses to believe him since Ryuma died centuries ago. As they spar, Gyukimaru talks about how Wano Country was once known as the City of Gold, and Ryuma led the country's samurai in defending it from many threats, causing him and his sword Shusui to become national treasures. Zoro does not care about that and is intent on regaining Shusui so he can possess all three of his swords again, and Gyukimaru replies that someone like him has no right to a Kokuto, which Shusui became after many battles. Zoro is intrigued at the mention of the Kokuto, having wondered about it himself, but before he can ask Gyukimaru about it, a woman suddenly cries out for help from behind him.
When Zoro turns around to see what is going on, Gyukimaru attacks him from behind, forcing him to quickly parry. An injured woman heads toward the bridge with Toko pleading for their lives, and Kamazo then leaps toward them to attack. Zoro counters his scythe, though is attacked again by Gyukimaru, who is intent on continuing their battle despite their situation. Kamazo wonders why Zoro and the woman are protecting Toko from him, and the woman states that although he is known as a rogue street murderer, he is actually an assassin serving Orochi. She then begs Zoro for help, and since he does not want to see them murdered, he agrees in return for food and alcohol. Zoro and Kamazo then battle, with Zoro remarking that the assassin is strong. However, Gyukimaru stands waiting on the bridge, and he then attacks Zoro after seeing an opening, forcing him to dodge again. The attack enables Kamazo to pierce Zoro through the shoulder with a scythe. However, he is unable to pull it out, and Zoro takes the scythe and puts it in his mouth to use Three Sword Style once again; he then charges at Kamazo and strikes him down.
Chapter 938
Kamazo falls after being struck by Zoro's attack, leaving Gyukimaru, Toko, and the woman in awe. Zoro is unhappy that he received an injury before the final battle, and as Gyukimaru takes one of Kamazo's scythes and walks away, Zoro grows dizzy and faints from his wound.
Meanwhile, Kin'emon arrives at an abandoned village in Kuri and reports to Inuarashi and the Musketeers that Kaidou and Orochi's forces have discovered the meaning of the crescent moon mark and the secret message they distributed. As they wonder how the message was exposed, Kaidou and Orochi's henchmen arrest several of the Kouzuki Family's allies in the Flower Capital. As he patrols the city with Hawkins, X Drake is unhappy at how word has spread quickly about the crackdown, leaving them unable to go anywhere in peace. In the Red-Light District, one of Kyoshiro's men reports to him that Komurasaki's wake has been canceled due to the high emotions of the masses mourning her death. Many of them are gathered outside of Kyoshiro's residence, with some of them being angry at him for killing her. However, Kyoshiro says that killing her was the only thing he could have done, and he was the one hurt most by her death. He then examines the secret Kouzuki message he had found at the banquet, noting that Orochi is angry because of it.
In Ebisu Town, Sanji, whose face is heavily beaten by Nami due to the bathhouse experience, pleads for Law and Shinobu to stop fighting. Shinobu believes that Law's captured crewmates revealed the meaning of the message, and Law absolutely refuses to consider that, intending to prove her wrong once he rescues them. Shinobu replies that they should be disposed of regardless, as they could not afford for things to go wrong in the plan they had waited 20 years to come to fruition. However, Kanjuro disagrees with her, saying that it is most important that they retain the allies they have made, as otherwise they will be unable to bring down Orochi and Kaidou. Tonoyasu then enters their house, and recognizes Shinobu and Kanjuro, to their surprise. He shows them a copy of the message and talks about the rumors swirling around the Flower Capital, wondering if the time has indeed come for the final battle.
Zoro wakes up in a house in the Northern Cemetery, and the woman tells him to keep lying down as she thanks him for saving her and Toko. Zoro immediately attempts to leave to find Gyukimaru and Shusui, but the woman holds him back, inadvertently aggravating his wound. Toko offers Zoro some toad oil she stole to help heal the wound. As Zoro receives the food and alcohol he had requested, the woman tells him about Gyukimaru, revealing that he ambushes everyone who comes to Oihagi Bridge to take their weapons. Zoro then asks who they are, wondering why Kamazo was pursuing them. The woman says that they were forced to leave the Flower Capital after angering Orochi, and since she trusts Zoro, she decides to reveal that she is Kouzuki Hiyori, and she is looking for her older brother Momonosuke.
Chapter 939
Zoro is shocked to find out that Hiyori is Momonosuke's younger sister, and his exclamation confirms to her that he is still alive. Hiyori is happy to know this, saying that Zoro's arrival during the Kouzuki Family's rumored return must mean that he is Momonosuke's ally. She does consider that Zoro might be an enemy trying to capture her brother, but Zoro assures her that he is an ally. Hiyori then explains how Momonosuke was sent 20 years forward in time, and Zoro is suspicious about Toko's presence, but Hiyori assures him that she is a rare friend who has known the truth about her and helped her push forward. Hiyori remembers the death of her parents and disappearance of her brother 20 years ago, where she did not believe Momonosuke's promise to return in 20 years and lost her will to live. Zoro asks why she did not go with him, and Hiyori reveals that it was to ensure the Kouzuki Family's bloodline would survive if the plan did not go right.
She was taken care of by the retainer Kawamatsu, who managed to secretly take her out of the burning castle by digging down into the water channel and swimming through it. Kawamatsu had done everything he could to cheer her up, eventually breaking her out of her silence. They were separated when she was 13, but Hiyori is confident that he is waiting somewhere for the final battle. Zoro then tells her that Inuarashi and Nekomamushi are here, which overjoys her as she thought they had died. Zoro notes the Nine Red Scabbards he has met and wonders who the remaining three are. Hiyori reveals that they are Kawamatsu, Denjiro, and Ashura Doji, and she does not know where any of them are, but is confident they will understand the secret message to the final battle. Zoro reveals that the shogunate found out about their rendezvous location and are arresting their allies, which worries him, but he decides to just rest for the time being. Hiyori gets excited about seeing her brother and retainers, but considers not doing so until after the final battle.
In the Flower Capital's Rasetsu District, Orochi's forces throw the Kouzuki Family's allies into a prison. Fukurokuju mocks how they were exposed, and the prisoners try claiming that the crescent moon symbol on their bodies means nothing, but Fukurokuju replies that the accompanying messages in their possession leave no doubt. The citizens are able to see inside the prison and marvel at how many people were secretly loyal to the opposition, and Orochi's forces use the prisoners as an example of what happens when you oppose Orochi and Kaidou.
In the Prisoner Mines, Kawamatsu remarks from his cell that he wants to sumo wrestle as Alpacaman and Madilloman enter the Sumo Inferno ring. Madilloman proclaims that he will quickly put an end to Luffy and Hyougoro with his Seastone bullets, not caring about the audience's pleas against such a quick ending. However, Luffy tells Hyougoro to run to the right, bend his knees, and jump. Hyougoro does this, and in the process dodges Madilloman's bullets, dodges Alpacaman's spit, and headbutts Alpacaman on the chin. Hyougoro is stunned to see that Luffy can predict the future, and Luffy dodges Madilloman's shots with ease, frustrating the Gifter. Luffy then moves to attack Madilloman, and Madilloman uses his armadillo SMILE to shield his head, but to his surprise Luffy does not hit him as he continues unsuccessfully attempting to project Armament Haki from his palm. Luffy then saves Hyo from Alpacaman, and Hyo wonders what Luffy is trying to do. Luffy explains the move he is trying to acquire, with the hope of using it to break through Kaidou's scales. As they dodge their opponents' attacks, Hyougoro realizes that Armament Haki is the outsiders' term for an ability used by samurai to strengthen their swords, revealing that he learned this technique long ago. He then races toward Alpacaman and hits him with a powerful shockwave, defeating him. Luffy affirms that this is the exact technique he wants to learn, and asks Hyougoro to teach it to him.
Chapter 940
A short time ago, Law had left Ebisu Town to rescue his crewmates, criticizing Shinobu for not trusting them and eroding their alliance. In the present, Usopp wonders why Shinobu decided to blame the Heart Pirates for exposing the alliance's secret messages, but Nami understands why she feels so strongly about it; both of them admit that they would expose the alliance quickly if captured. They then hear some men shouting in hostility nearby, and an old woman reveals that they are former Flower Capital citizens who were brought here yesterday. The first one, Bungo, committed arson every night and bribed the city officials to stay out of trouble. The second one, Bongo, is a former lumber dealer who profited from the arson by selling lumber to the people rebuilding their homes. The third one, Bingo, was a priest who performed funerals for those killed by the arson with a massively increased rate. However, they all fell in love with Komurasaki and were swindled by her. The old woman then claims that everything she just said was a lie, but Nami does not believe her and wonders who she is and how she knew Komurasaki. Usopp finally recognizes the trio from their attack on Komurasaki in the Flower Capital yesterday, and the woman states that although Tonoyasu has done his best to care for them, they continue causing nothing but trouble.
Inside a house, Tonoyasu remarks to Kanjuro, Shinobu, Sanji, Robin, and Franky how the secret message was effective in spreading the word of the Kouzuki Family's return, but became too effective and led to the enemy understanding it. He asks them to tell Kin'emon that he will definitely be joining the final battle, and he says he will have a busy week up ahead of him, wondering what to do first. He then leaves, and the Straw Hats ask Kanjuro and Shinobu who he is. To their shock, they do not know, and did not want to be rude in questioning him if he was once someone of high ranking. Yasu goes around town checking on the citizens and their ailments, and giving them portions of food and water to consume. The old woman says that Yasu is able to earn more money thanks to selling his daughter Toko to the Flower Capital, and Toko gives him most of the money she earns. However, Yasu does not want to keep the money for himself, and so shares it around with the townspeople, causing him to be absolutely beloved by everyone.
In the Prisoner Mine, Hyougoro instructs Luffy about advancing his Armament Haki, telling him to make all the Haki flow through his fist. Luffy punches Madilloman and many more Beasts Pirates out of the arena, but does not succeed in projecting Haki from his fist. Luffy and Hyo continue fighting until night falls, and the Beasts Pirates retire until morning and leave the two in the ring without food. Hyo asks Luffy why he wants to fight Kaidou, and after knocking out the remaining guards with Supreme King Haki, Luffy explains the existence of the Four Emperors and how he wants to defeat all of them to become the Pirate King like Roger. Hyougoro recognizes Roger's name due to the pirate coming to Wano Country over 20 years ago, and becomes even more surprised when Luffy mentions Kin'emon's name.
Caribou then creeps into the sumo ring, and Raizo appears from within him to explain the situation to Hyougoro. He reveals how his and Kin'emon's group was sent 20 years into the future, and Luffy is unhappy to see Caribou, getting mad at Raizo for accidentally stealing the keys to his handcuffs. Caribou pleads with Luffy to let him serve him, claiming to have changed his ways. Luffy accepts, which secretly scares Caribou even more. Hyougoro is ecstatic to hear the news of the Kouzuki Family's return and offers to be of service, and Raizo tells Luffy about the old man's former status. Hyougoro reveals that there are four more sections of the Prisoner Mine that are each as big as the one they are in, and tens of thousands of prisoners are kept there overall. Most of them are imprisoned solely for rebellion against Orochi, with the old yakuza bosses being here among many others, and this place has served as a breeding ground for hatred and rebellion that the government does not see. Luffy plots to destroy the prison and gain all these allies, though Raizo warns it will not be that simple.
In the nearby wastelands, meanwhile, Big Mom and Chopper's group has arrived at Udon. Big Mom complains about her great hunger and drowsiness, and Chopper continues to be worried as Kiku is excited about their arrival.
Chapter 941
The Flower Capital is sent into an uproar as the citizens hear news that Kuri is plagued with a forest fire and that Ushimitsu Kozo has been captured. In Orochi Castle, Fukurokuju requests to talk with Orochi about Ushimitsu Kozo, saying his identity is quite important. An angry Orochi bursts through the wall in tears, not in the mood to listen to anything due to mourning over Komurasaki. Fukurokuju states that Kyoshiro made the right decision to kill her, as it protected the shogun's honor, and he proceeds to talk about Ushimitsu Kozo, who is being held in the Rasetsu District's prison. He reveals the thief's true identity, and Orochi is shocked to learn that he is still alive. Orochi declares that they will make an example out of him by broadcasting his execution, and Kyoshiro reveals that the broadcast equipment is already set up for Komurasaki's funeral. Orochi looks forward to making Ushimitsu Kozo the offering to Komurasaki's grave, and prepares to head out to see the event in person.
In the Prisoner Mines, Kaidou contacts Queen to reveal to him that Komurasaki has died, and the recently awoken Queen is utterly distraught to hear the news. Kaidou tells Queen to use the Filming Pond Tanishi to see for himself, and as Queen has that activated, Luffy calls out to him, ready to resume fighting. Queen is shocked to see Luffy and Hyougoro looking much bigger since last night, and in the shadows, Raizo and Caribou note that the two of them were obviously going to stand out after eating that much food. Queen's subordinates wonder if they should tell him that all of his o-shiruko disappeared last night, but decide not to with Queen already highly emotional from Komurasaki's death. The Filming Pond Tanishi is then activated.
At Mt. Atama in Kuri, the Mt. Atama Thieves are unable to put out the massive forest fire and so are forced to flee. One of them catches and subdues one of Holed'em's subordinates, who is pinned for starting the fire, and Shutenmaru goes to beat Holed'em despite such an action being bound to stir Kaidou's wrath. In an abandoned village in Kuri, Inuarashi reports to Kin'emon that Ashura Doji is on his way to Bakura Town, and Kin'emon prepares to head out immediately. He does not mind the scale of the fire so long as it keeps Ashura in the spotlight, as they needed to get him to make a move to aid in their effort of returning him to their cause. In Bakura Town, Holed'em prepares to watch the events in the Flower Capital as he relishes in his mistaken belief that Shutenmaru died in the forest fire.
Meanwhile, Brook enters the house in the Northern Cemetery, and is shocked to see people inside, not noticing Zoro among them at first. When he notices Zoro, he is shocked as Hiyori is laying on his chest. Brook learns who Hiyori is, and she realizes that he is the reason that residents leave offerings in front of the well. Brook then tells them about the upcoming funeral for Komurasaki as well as the impending execution of Ushimitsu Kozo, who is actually Tonoyasu. Zoro and Toko are shocked to hear this, with Toko revealing that he is her father and immediately races off to go rescue him despite Hiyori's pleas. Hiyori goes after her to protect her, causing Zoro to follow them given their struggle to survive the previous day, and Brook accompanies them as well. In the Flower Capital, the distraught citizens weep as Komurasaki's casket is brought down the road, although it is being taken to the Rasetsu District for her to be cremated as a criminal.
In Ebisu Town, the residents watch Tonoyasu's crucifixion from a Filming Pond Tanishi, while Kanjuro and Shinobu finally recognize him as Yasuie, the former daimyo of Hakumai who had served under the Kouzuki Family. The Flower Capital citizens gather around Yasuie and plead for his release, and Yasu is happy to see he has not been forgotten. He prepares to apologize for two things, as well as say something to Orochi, before he dies.
Chapter 942
Over 25 years ago, Shimotsuki Yasuie commanded his samurai to vigilantly guard Hakumai, which was the lone legal port to the outside world in Wano Country. Kouzuki Oden remarked that he is impressed with the samurai, and Yasuie was annoyed that he was still hanging around here and not acting like the son of the shogun. Oden replied that he did not care about his relationship to his father Sukiyaki now that he had been exiled, and that Yasuie would be more likely to inherit the position of shogun than him. Yasuie had none of that and hit Oden, saying that he was the only one who could lead the Kouzuki Family in the future and he needed to take Sukiyaki's banishment as a challenge. Oden refused, wanting to set out to sea and escape this isolationist country, and Yasuie continued hitting him as he demanded that Oden become a competent samurai first.
In the present day, the citizens of Wano express their relief at seeing Yasuie alive, but Orochi's forces mock the former daimyo's current state of living and proclaim that he will join Komurasaki in death for stealing from the Flower Capital and leading a rebellion against Orochi. However, Yasuie then reveals that he lied about being Ushimitsu Kozo so his capture could draw everyone's attention, and Orochi's forces are shocked before realizing that they did apprehend him earlier than when Ushimitsu Kozo normally committed robberies. As Drake and Hawkins oversee the execution and the massive turnout that has arrived, a samurai reports to them that the Ebisu Town citizens have invaded the Flower Capital. The citizens race through the front gate and pass by the guards, needing to save Yasu to ensure their continued survival. As Toko's group races from the Northern Cemetery to the capital, Drake tells his men to keep an eye on the rioters, saying Orochi's decision to broadcast the execution may end up backfiring.
Yasuie then addresses the mob gathered around him. He tells them to look around the Flower Capital, saying that its beauty was created by their ancestors and the Kouzuki Family, and Orochi has done nothing except taint it during his rule. Orochi, who is being brought to the execution in a palanquin, is enraged to hear this, while the citizens grow worried over Yasu's fate. Yasuie then apologizes to the crowd about the Kouzuki Family's message, lying that he created it as a prank. 20 years ago after Oden's death, Orochi approached him and the other three daimyo to give them a chance to serve him. They refused and were defeated by Kaidou, and Yasu escaped and went into hiding; he claims that he had childishly created the message to spare him from the boredom of hiding. As he talks, Shutenmaru and the Mt. Atama Thieves have reached Bakura Town without the Beasts Pirates seeing them, but Shutenmaru holds off his men as he notices Kin'emon and Inuarashi behind him; the two of them are shocked to see Yasuie again.
Yasuie then lies that Orochi arresting everyone who bears the crescent moon symbol on their ankles was nothing more than baseless paranoia, as he claims that the crescent moon is just a popular design from long ago. The guards are appalled to hear this, and wonder what they should do with all the people they imprisoned. Orochi's convoy then reaches Rasetsu Town, and Orochi asks if Yasuie has any last words as he brings out a rifle while standing on top of his palanquin. Yasuie responds by reciting the curse that binds the shogun's heart, and then laughs as he takes pride in his effort to help Momonosuke and the Nine Red Scabbards' plan get back to square one, having given a new meeting place to the Rasetsu Town prisoners, and he looks forward to seeing the Kouzuki Family take their revenge from the next life. As the prison guards quietly remark about Orochi's cowardice, the shogun and his forces shoot Yasuie multiple times, and he falls to the ground dead. Toko and the Ebisu Town citizens laugh profusely in agony as they watch him die, and Zoro is appalled to see them laughing, but Hiyori holds him back. She reveals that they have been robbed of the ability to do anything but smile thanks to Kaidou and Orochi bringing the SMILE fruits into the country.
One Piece, Volume 94
Chapter 943
A few decades ago in Hakumai, Yasuie caught several followers of Oden, among them Kin'emon, Kanjuro, Raizo, Inuarashi, Nekomamushi, Shutenmaru, Kawamatsu, and Denjiro, trying to steal money from him to give to Oden. Oden's band of followers awaited their execution, but Yasuie instead decided to give them the money they tried to steal as well as another bag, even though an associate of his said it would cause Hakumai to run out of money. He told them to spend the money on books to learn from, because in order for Oden to take over as shogun, his retainers would need to become the best samurai of Wano Country, as they would one day serve as its top guardians.
In the present day, Kin'emon, Kanjuro, Raizo, Inuarashi, Shutenmaru, and Kawamatsu weep as they watch Yasuie fall dead on the Tanishi broadcasts. The Flower Capital citizens try to force the Ebisu Town citizens out of the area, and wonder why they are laughing hysterically. Hiyori tells Zoro that Orochi and the SMILEs are responsible for stripping them of their sadness, and Zoro is confused about the role of the SMILEs in this. As Hiyori mourns this scene as hell for the Ebisu Town citizens, the approaching Orochi relishes in Yasuie's death and the reaction to it, comparing the scene to heaven. Kanjuro, Shinobu, Sanji, Nami, Usopp, and Franky reach the Flower Capital, and Kanjuro and Shinobu lament their inability to save Yasuie while the Straw Hats are confused by the Ebisu citizens' reactions. In the Prisoner Mines, Queen enjoys the scene, and Luffy wonders about the reason for the citizens laughing; Hyougoro replies that it is a side effect of the SMILE that he has seen in the prison as well. On Onigashima, Kaidou chuckles at Orochi's brutality.
Shinobu then explains the side effects of the SMILEs to her group. Several years ago, Kaidou and Orochi started trading weapons to Caesar Clown and Donquixote Doflamingo in exchange for SMILEs, which Kaidou used to try to make his crew the strongest in the world. However, only one out of every ten people who ate a SMILE received an ability from it. Everyone else simply received the side effects of the fruit, losing the ability to swim as well as the ability to express negative emotions, causing them to only be able to express joy. Among the Beasts Pirates, the Waiters are those who have yet to consume SMILEs, the Gifters are those who have eaten the fruits and successfully gained powers, and the Pleasures are the larger group who have eaten a SMILE and received nothing except its side effects. Kaidou, Doflamingo, and Caesar named the fruit SMILE after its most notable side effect. The defective fruits still contained these side effects after being partially eaten, and so Orochi decided to use them to deal with the people of the leftovers towns, who were wracked with sorrow and grief on a daily basis due to the constant deaths among them. Finding this to be unpleasant, he mixed in the defective SMILEs with the other leftovers that were fed to the leftovers towns, causing these citizens to lose their ability to express sadness and anger.
Hiyori explains it as well to Zoro and Brook, when a commotion starts to stir up as Toko gets onto the execution platform and tries to save her father with some toad oil. Hiyori pleads for her to come back before Orochi spots her, and the Straw Hats are aghast to see her in danger. Orochi sees Toko and aims his rifle at her, intending to kill her for causing Komurasaki to die. He shoots bullets directly aimed for her head, but Zoro and Sanji simultaneously break through the barrier and neutralize the bullets. The citizens are shocked to see the two recently infamous men together, including Drake and Hawkins, and Zoro and Sanji react in surprise as they find themselves side by side for the first time in weeks.
Chapter 944
The citizens around Rasetsu Town are shocked to see the criminals Zoro-juurou and Sangoro together, and Zoro and Sanji are annoyed to see the other. Hiyori wonders if Sanji is Zoro's comrade, and X Drake enters his allosaurus hybrid form. Orochi expresses his anger at Zoro and Sanji getting in his way, and tells his samurai to kill them. Zoro hands Toko over to Sanji, and Shinobu tells Usopp and Franky that they need to retrieve Yasuie's body from being displayed on the execution platform. Nami and Robin think about where they should meet up after fleeing the Flower Capital, and to Sanji's shock, Zoro readies an attack against Orochi.
Remembering his first interactions with Yasu, Zoro unleashes spinning air slashes at Orochi, who freezes up in fear. However, Kyoshiro arrives and intercepts the attack with his sword, and as Sanji reprimands Zoro, Drake lunges at him in his full allosaurus form, forcing him to leap out of the way. Daikoku orders the samurai to shoot at Zoro, and he does nothing as Franky steps in and intercepts the bullets before overwhelming the samurai with Strong Right. The Rasetsu prisoners wonder what is happening as Franky takes Yasuie's body and Usopp, Nami, and Robin back him up from a distance. Meanwhile, Kyoshiro orders for Orochi to be taken back to his castle, and intercepts a charging Zoro to prevent him from reaching the shogun.
In the Prisoner Mines in Udon, Luffy cheers on his crewmates as he watched the broadcast of their rebellion. Queen then receives a report that two captured criminals have arrived at the mines, and Babanuki reveals that one of them is Kamazo, who has been left to their whims by Orochi after failing a mission, and the other one is Eustass Kid, whom they unexpectedly encountered on the way back. One of the guards reveals that Kid had rushed toward them, and did not provide any resistance when they shot him. Kid wonders why Kamazo, who is actually his crewmate Killer, is constantly laughing after having beaten up anyone who mocked his laugh and even masked his face to hide it in the past. Luffy is shocked to hear that this is Killer, and Hyougoro notes that the Supernova fell victim to a SMILE.
Kid and Killer are then strapped to chains by their ankles and briefly dunked into a tub of water. Queen then has their heads submerged again and starts the Sumo Inferno back up, saying that they will not be pulled out of the water until Luffy and Hyougoro die. Luffy gets mad at Queen and throws a punch at him, but Queen easily catches the punch and tosses it aside. He derides Luffy for thinking he has a chance to be victorious in this, and his subordinates grow worried at his cranky attitude, wondering if it is because he has not had any o-shiruko today. Luffy proclaims that he will decide where he dies when a sudden loud noise appears outside of the mines. Queen's subordinates reveal that they have lost all communication with the guards outside the gate as Big Mom, craving o-shiruko, reaches the entrance.
Chapter 945
Kurozumi Orochi eagerly orders his subordinates to apprehend all of Yasuie's allies and behead them as he is carried away from Rasetsu Town, and Roronoa Zoro continues trying to go after him, but Kyoshiro counters all his strikes and refuses to give up ground. Zoro wonders who Kyoshiro is, and the Orochi Oniwabanshu then arrive on the scene. Fukurokuju confirms Hawkins' report that these enemies are all the Straw Hat Pirates, and orders his ninja to make sure they at least capture just one of them to make them reveal information. One of them shoots bullets from her lute at Zoro, forcing him to quickly dodge. Sanji hands Toko over to Usopp while he takes on X Drake. Drake manages to hit Sanji with his allosaurus tail, sending him crashing into a house, and he recognizes Sanji as O-Soba Mask. He also reveals that he heard Sanji is a Vinsmoke, and Sanji shouts at him to never call him that again.
Meanwhile, Brook assures Hiyori that Toko is safe with their comrades as he once again scares off some of the Oniwabanshu with his Gashadokuro projection. However, Daikoku tells Fujin and Raijin to pursue Hiyori, as he had seen her with Zoro earlier. A short distance away, Trafalgar Law manages to blow his way through the fence and make it to the prison where his crewmates are, but Hawkins confronts him. Law notes that Bepo is missing, and Hawkins replies that they were not foolish enough to keep all their hostages in one place. He then says that Law cannot defeat him as he cuts his own arm, causing Shachi's arm to be cut in the same spot. Hawkins tells Law that he could not defeat him until he had killed his three subordinates. Hiyori screams as Fujin and Raijin attack her, and Sanji instantly locates her. However, Zoro suddenly comes, cuts Raijin, and races off with Hiyori, leaving Sanji aghast.
Just outside Bakura Town, Shutenmaru angrily attacks Kin'emon for framing him for robberies and causing Mt. Atama to be burned down. Inuarashi offers an apology, and Kin'emon reflects that his former comrade is right, as he had never taken the time to consider what he went through for the past 20 years and had only focused on the greater good of the upcoming fight. However, he does point out to Shutenmaru that Yasuie gave them the opportunity for their samurai allies to be freed, and they would likely come to their aid during the raid on the Fire Festival. He asks Shutenmaru again to join them in their fight, and in response, the bandit takes them somewhere to show them something.
In the Prisoner Mines, the Beasts Pirates receive reports that an intruder has broken through all three gates, and all of them are astonished that it is none other than Big Mom. Luffy is stunned as well, but Big Mom pays them no mind as she smells o-shiruko and calls Tama to come eat it with her. Tony Tony Chopper is shocked at the seeming presence of shiruko, and Kiku tells Tama and Momonosuke to stay behind while going with Chopper cautiously to infiltrate the prison. Inside, Queen is angered to hear Big Mom mention o-shiruko, wondering if she came to take his unknowingly nonexistent supply from him. Despite Babanuki's warning, Queen transforms into a brachiosaurus with the Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Brachiosaurus and stands against Big Mom. However, this causes Big Mom to grow impatient with him, and she leaps up and slams his head into the ground with monstrous force.
Chapter 946
Immediately after slamming his head into the ground, Big Mom picks Queen up by the neck and swings him around, yelling at him to give her his o-shiruko. She then hurls Queen into a wall with monstrous force, and Queen crashes into the contraption holding Kid and Killer in the process, knocking them out of the water. While Luffy asks the duo if they are still alive, Queen's subordinates watch in shock as Queen transforms back into a human while lying in defeat. They then notice that the door of the cell holding Kawamatsu has been broken open, and ask Babanuki what they should do. Babanuki tells them to not provoke Big Mom until they receive orders from Kaidou, but his men reveal that their Smart Tanishis are not working.
In the Executive Tower, Raizo remarks that their plan is going smoothly thanks to the commotion outside and recollects the plan that Caribou hatched. Earlier, Caribou had revealed that due to the Smart Tanishi's weak signal, its transmissions had to go through a Boss Tanishi to transmit to other locations. Thus, they could prevent the Beasts Pirates' communications from reaching out of Udon by taking out the Boss Tanishi, and he knew where it was after having been in the prison for a while. With Caribou having successfully smothered the Boss Tanishi, Raizo sets his sights on freeing Kawamatsu.
Back outside, Big Mom finds Queen's pot of o-shiruko, and is entranced by its fragrance. The Beasts Pirates silently worry over what will happen to them when she discovers that it is empty, and start running away after she opens it. Big Mom falls into a silent depression when she sees the lack of shiruko, and Luffy sympathizes with her by inadvertently thinking out loud, as he would have liked to eat more of it as well. This causes Big Mom to realize he ate it, and she attacks him in a fit of rage. Luffy tries to get her to stop before she knocks him and Hyougoro out of the ring, and he attributes Big Mom not recognizing him to him wearing a kimono. Luffy and Hyougoro are forced to the edge of the ring, with another attack from Big Mom guaranteed to set their collars off. Some of the Beasts Pirates offer to help Big Mom kill the duo if she spares their lives in return, but Big Mom throws a rock at them, angrily saying that she dearly wanted the o-shiruko in order to share it with the Okobore Town citizens. Enraged at Luffy for preventing her from doing this, she attacks him and Hyougoro, sending them flying out of the ring. Intent on not letting Hyougoro die, Luffy manages to rip off their collars in the heat of the moment before they explode. Babanuki and Daifugo are left shocked as Luffy and Hyo land on the ground safely, and Luffy immediately sets off to escape, but Hyo stops him. Saying that Luffy could only progress his power when backed into a corner, he tells the pirate to protect him from Big Mom, putting his life at stake in Luffy's training to advance his Haki.
Chapter 947
Luffy recognizes that what he did to remove his and Hyougoro's death collars was the same technique that he saw Silvers Rayleigh use to remove Camie's exploding collar on Sabaody two years ago. However, since he used it in the heat of the moment, he is not sure how to activate it at will. Hyougoro notes that what Luffy just did was superior to what he had been trying to teach him, and so if Luffy could do that, he should be able to protect him from the attacking Big Mom. Luffy attempts to have his Haki flow through his hands, but Big Mom instantly overwhelms him and sends him and Hyougoro crashing into a wall.
Luffy worriedly apologizes to Hyougoro as he pulls him out of the wall, but Hyougoro reveals he used Haki to protect himself just in case. He tells Luffy that there is another step in concentrating and projecting Haki, which is the ability to destroy objects from the inside. This is what Luffy did to destroy their collars, so he is certainly capable of using advanced Haki, he has just not realized how to do it. Luffy and Hyougoro are then separated by Big Mom, who pursues Luffy into the neighboring Prisoner Iron Factory. The Beasts Pirates left in the Mines worriedly wonder how Big Mom can be stopped when Queen suddenly gets up. Having no intention of giving up, Queen tells his subordinates his plan, with the idea that Big Mom in her rampage would eventually circle back around to where they were.
After some time, Queen is proven right as Big Mom chases Luffy back into the Prisoner Mines, and he waits on top of a cliff in his brachiosaurus form. Big Mom sees the o-shiruko bowl left as bait on the ground and stops to look in it, and Queen takes this chance to dive on her, landing headfirst on her with his immense weight. However, Big Mom does not give way from the impact, and the force of the blow causes her to regain her memories and realize what has happened. She then recognizes Queen, and with her aura completely different from before, the Beasts Pirates have no escape from her wrath. However, Big Mom then falls asleep, and Queen immediately orders for her to be bound in pure Seastone chains and injected with their heaviest anesthesia. Queen has most of his subordinates accompany him and Big Mom on a ship heading for Onigashima, leaving Babanuki to lead the small remainder of the crew in restoring order to the prison. As Queen's ship sets sail, the prison gate starts closing, and Tama decides to slip inside along with the unwilling Momonosuke. With communications still cut off, Luffy prepares to take down Babanuki and his forces. When Babanuki thinks out loud that Luffy was now free, Luffy remarks that he had always been free and will now take over the prison.
Chapter 948
In the Prisoner Mines, Luffy excitedly takes on the Beasts Pirates rushing to attack him as he works to advance his Armament Haki at will. Kiku asks Chopper about rescuing Big Mom, but he has no intention of going after her and says that getting Luffy is more important. Some pirates ask Babanuki if they should round the prisoners back into their cells, but Babanuki says that it will not be necessary, instead ordering the prisoners to help them subdue Luffy. The prisoners obey his command, and Luffy wonders why they are doing this when he is trying to help free them. They reply that they enjoyed seeing him rebel against the prison authorities, but they had no hope that they could overcome Kaidou and Orochi, having tried and failed to rebel against them 20 years ago and losing everything in the process. Their despair was renewed after watching Yasuie's execution, and none of them believed they would find freedom outside of the prison.
Daifugo shoots a prisoner some distance away, causing his body to burn all over. The vice warden reveals that these are "Excite Bullets", made by Queen, which will cause burning sensations that can be spread by making contact with the skin of someone who is shot by one. Daifugo then prepares to shoot at Luffy's group, saying he can subdue Luffy by shooting any of the prisoners grabbing him. As Luffy wonders how he can get the prisoners on his side, Kawamatsu shouts out from inside his cell, encouraging Luffy to tell the prisoners about their hope. The Beasts Pirates wonder who is talking, and Babanuki reveals that he is one of the Nine Red Scabbards, whom Orochi had ordered to be executed painfully by being fed a poisoned fish every day. The Beasts Pirates rush in to kill Kawamatsu, when Raizo suddenly jumps out of the Executive Tower and glides into the clearing. As he flies by Kawamatsu's cell, he hurls the key to Kawamatsu's handcuffs inside as well as the Scabbard's sword, Soto Muso. After freeing himself of his handcuffs, Kawamatsu asks the pirates around him if they like sumo wrestling.
Kawamatsu then repels the pirates out of his cell with a single attack before charging out and attacking them again, overpowering them with his sword style Kappa-ryu. Ready to re-enter the Kouzuki Family's service, Kawamatsu reunites with Raizo and Kiku, and the former is shocked to see the latter here. Kawamatsu throws up all the poisoned fish he ate, and Babanuki orders his subordinates to get into battle formation as Kiku forces the prisoners off of Luffy. Hyougoro then approaches Raizo and Kiku and tells them to show who they really are, saying they need to put their full identities on display in order to win their support. Kiku puts on a mask, and is recognized by the prisoners as Kikunojo much to Luffy and Chopper’s shock. Babanuki remarks that this feels very much like what Orochi has been paranoid about, and says that he will need to contact Kaidou, but Kikunojo says that they will silence him and his forces first.
Chapter 949
The Beasts Pirates in the Prisoner Mine attack Luffy, Chopper, Hyougoro, Raizo, Kikunojo, and Kawamatsu, but are unable to hit them with any Excite Bullets. However, Daifugo tells them that it does not matter where they shoot, as he instead shoots at the prisoners. Luffy's group easily overwhelms the Beasts Pirates, and Raizo tosses Kid and Killer the ring of keys to hopefully free them from their handcuffs. The guards continue shooting the prisoners with the Excite Bullets, which causes a fever and painful hemorrhaging to spread throughout their body. The prisoners end up transmitting the virus to others through physical contact, and Daifugo reveals that the virus is named Mummy.
Luffy's group finds themselves surrounded by several infected prisoners, who continue going after them on Babanuki's command to avoid being labeled as traitors. The prisoners tell Luffy's group to leave, saying that they have no chance of defeating Kaidou and pointing out the immense suffering caused by one of Queen's viruses alone. They say that they would never have had to go through this if Luffy's group did not rise up. However, Luffy then wraps his arms around the group of infected prisoners, shocking everyone. As Mummy is transmitted to him, Luffy claims that it has no effect at all. He then points out that the prisoners were not living normal lives, but were simply slaves working for kibi dango. He says that even though he is an outsider, he made a promise to Tama to make Wano Country into a prosperous place where no one would grow hungry again. If he did not do this, then Wano would remain in its current condition. Since Oden is dead, Luffy's movement is all the hope that Wano has left. He then tells the prisoners to make up their mind to either join his side or Kaidou's.
Hyougoro is greatly impressed with Luffy's leadership, and to deal with the crowd all at once, Babanuki brings out an Excite Shell, a piece of ammo with 200 times as much virus as an Excite Bullet, and prepares to fire it with his elephant's trunk. Kawamatsu and the Beasts Pirates notice what he is doing, but right as the elephant is about to sneeze, Luffy ties up its trunk, having seen a dangerous future. The elephant then sneezes, engulfing Babanuki in the Excite Shell's explosion. As Babanuki falls to the ground, Luffy tells the prisoners he will leave the rest to them as he points to Daifugo. Daifugo desperately tries bringing up the consequences of going against a warden, but the prisoners disregard that as they are now rebelling. They proceed to overwhelm Daifugo, and with eight days to go before the final battle, Luffy's group has successfully conquered Udon without any outside enemies finding out.
Chapter 950
Luffy offers Kid to form an alliance against Kaidou. Kid rejects the offer by stating that he was betrayed by his former allies Basil Hawkins and Scratchmen Apoo, and they rather fight Kaidou by themselves. He also blamed the betrayal of his former allies as the cause of Killer's suffering after eating a faulty SMILE. Kid and Killer free themselves and leave the prison to find their other members.
Meanwhile, Raizo, Kawamatsu, and Hyougoro try to persuade the Udon prisoners to join the alliance and support their cause. However, doubt reigned among the prisoners as they learned that Luffy is a pirate and they are unsure if they can trust him. However, the trio defend Luffy by saying that there are different kinds of pirates in the world and Luffy is one of the better pirates. One of the prisoners also doubted Raizo having traveled 20 years later by saying that "he always looked like an old man".
At one of the prison rooms, Luffy rests while Chopper tries to find a cure for the Mummy virus. He was seen by Tama and Momonosuke. Momonosuke insults and complements Luffy at the same time but Luffy only insulted him in return. He gets offended and intends to attack Luffy but Tama restrains him to prevent further trouble as well as getting himself infected. Tama fails to do so and Luffy throws rocks at Momonosuke and tells him to leave. Momonosuke gets noticed by the prisoners and they immediately kowtowed upon learning that their lord is alive and well. The trio realizes that the prisoners only lacked motivation and proof to fight with them. Kawamatsu temporarily leaves the group as his objective in Udon has been completed and his help would be needed somewhere else.
Kin'emon, Inuarashi, and the Mt. Atama Thieves arrive at a graveyard in Kuri. Ashura Doji shows Kin'emon what happened during the twenty years he was absent. These were the remains of the Kouzuki retainers who attacked Onigashima 10 years past. This was in revenge of 10 years of suffering under Kaidou's rule, having taken everything from them. Ashura wept over the loss of his men and wonders why it has to take 20 years. Inuarashi and Kin'emon agreed that they will understand why once the primary objectives of their alliance have been completed. After that, Ashura gathered his men to seek vengeance on Kaidou and his crew on the night of the Fire Festival.
At a forest outside the Flower Capital, Zoro defeats a group of ninjas belonging to the Orochi Oniwabanshu in order to protect Hiyori. Zoro asks Hiyori if they can return to the bridge where Gyukimaru resides to retrieve Shusui. Hiyori says that she can take him there anytime and is worried more about Toko. Zoro replies that Toko would be safe in the other Straw Hats' hands and worries more about his sword since he needs it before the final battle as he feels incomplete without it. Hiyori says that the house is in Oihagi Bridge in Ringo. Afterwards, they talked about avenging Tonoyasu's death with Hiyori wishes to kill Orochi herself.
In the Flower Capital, Hawkins intends to interrogate a restrained Law about the Straw Hats' plans in Wano with Drake accompanying him.
Chapter 951
In the Flower Capital, Orochi is angered to hear that his attackers escaped despite the presence of Fukurokuju and the Orochi Oniwabanshu. Fukurokuju apologizes, but reveals that they did successfully capture Law, which he believes will cause the pirate alliance to fight amongst themselves. Fukurokuju then states that their samurai force, the Mimawarigumi, and more ninja are patrolling the streets vigilantly looking for the criminals, and an official puts up wanted posters, saying that anyone caught trying to help them or not trying to capture them would be immediately arrested.
Sanji and Shinobu sit on a rooftop, and Shinobu states that although they would not escape danger by leaving the Flower Capital, they did accomplish their main task here by finding the people with crescent moon symbols on their ankles. Although Yasuie's ploy did not result in them being released from prison, Sanji and Shinobu are still intent on breaking them out at all costs, and unbeknownst to them, the guards believe the prisoners to be innocent and Orochi to be delusional, although they are too afraid to publicly question the shogun. Sanji then notices some people making lanterns from afar, and Shinobu reveals that those are Sky Ships being made for the Fire Festival. Since the Fire Festival mourns those who have died, preparations are going strong due to the recent recognized deaths of Komurasaki and Yasuie.
At the outskirts of the capital, Nami is relieved to see Bepo, Shachi, and Penguin freed from prison, and they claim they escaped through luck. Bepo then gives Nami the Kouzuki Family's secret message, and she notices that Yasuie drew two lines on the snake to change the meaning for the prisoners. Nami decides to go tell Kin'emon this, and heads toward Amigasa Village. Bepo then recalls how he and his two crewmates were freed. Hawkins had them released after Law threatened to kill the three of them just to kill Hawkins, and Law was imprisoned in return. Hawkins released Bepo, Shachi, and Penguin's lives from his straw dolls, and Law told the three of them to not tell their allies about him being caught. However, in the present, the Heart Pirates are greatly concerned about their captain and decide to prioritize saving him over following the plan.
In Ebisu Town, Kanjuro takes Yasuie's body to give it a memorial service in Kuri, and he, Nami, and Franky ride off. Meanwhile, Usopp, Robin, and Brook are riding a boat to Kuri when they are stopped at a wharf for inspection. Usopp and Robin avoid recognition by distorting their faces, and the guards desire to let them through quickly due to fearing Brook's presence. As they sail on, Robin takes the sleeping Toko from Brook to give her warmth.
Meanwhile, Ashura Doji takes Kin'emon's group to Kuri's abandoned southwestern port, where he shows them several boats that Kaidou damaged during the first attack on Onigashima. He says that they should hold thousands of fighters, and Kin'emon and Inuarashi are ecstatic as the former plans for Franky to repair them.
On Onigashima, the Beasts Pirates race to make sweets for Big Mom, and frantically rush back and forth as she eats them at a fast rate. King, Queen, and Jack watch her during this, and Queen expresses his anger at King for his lack of thoroughness in attacking the Big Mom Pirates outside Wano. Jack in turn wonders why Queen brought her here, and Queen justifies this by revealing the communications in Udon were cut off. Big Mom then tells King that she will forgive him for attacking her if he joins her crew, as there are three races currently missing from Totto Land's population and he is a member of one of them. King refuses, and Big Mom asks for her chains to be removed, which Queen angrily rejects. However, Kaidou then arrives and orders for Big Mom to be released as he faces his former crewmate for the first time in many years. Kaidou's subordinates try to find a way out of his command, but he affirms what he said and they remove Big Mom's chains. Big Mom then activates Napoleon's sword form as Napoleon refamiliarizes itself with her, and she and Kaidou engage in a clash so powerful it splits the heavens above the island. Everyone else is left in complete shock in terror, with many of them believing they need to flee Onigashima.
Chapter 952
Two days after his first encounter with Gyukimaru, Zoro has returned to Oihagi Bridge and overwhelms the warrior monk in his quest to get Shusui back. After forcing Gyukimaru to the ground, Zoro asks why the thief steals the weapons of passersby and why he is so adamant about not giving Shusui off. Gyukimaru forces Zoro off of him and says that Shusui is the one blade he cannot let anyone take, as he believes its theft angered the Sword God and spelled the misfortune that caused Wano to become overrun by enemies. Kawamatsu then suddenly comes in and intercepts Zoro, calling the fight between him and Gyukimaru a farce. Hiyori immediately recognizes Kawamatsu and calls out to him, and Gyukimaru expresses shock at seeing him as well.
At Onigashima, Kaidou and Big Mom continue fighting unabated, having been doing so all night. Kaidou's subordinates get more and more afraid about the condition of the island, and wonder if they should flee. Queen berates them for their cowardice, but then asks if there have been any reports from Udon. Upon hearing that there is still no Tanishi signal, he decides to go and check on it, prompting questions from his subordinates about his hypocrisy. Suddenly, Queen receives a call on his Tanishi from Babanuki, who says that communications have been restored. Queen asks if he needs backup, and Babanuki says that there is no need, as Luffy, Kid, and all the prisoners have been put back in their cells. This disappoints Queen, as he wanted a reason to leave Onigashima. Back in the Prisoner Mines, Babanuki hangs up and is praised by Tama, who has tamed him with her power. Caribou looks forward to surprising the Beasts Pirates during the final battle. The freed prisoners thank Chopper for curing them of the Mummy virus and promise to repay him with their lives if necessary, although Chopper downplays his accomplishment and points them to the rejuvenated Luffy.
Hyougoro is then approached by the four regional yakuza bosses: Omasa, Tsunagoro, Cho, and Yatappe. The bosses are extremely happy to see him again and reverently promise to gather the remaining rebels from Wano's regions. Luffy laughs at their reverence and refers to Hyougoro casually, causing the yakuza bosses to angrily grab him with the intent to mutilate him. Hyougoro immediately tells them to stop, and the bosses head off, telling Luffy to be more careful in the future. Raizo then says that they can report all this to Kin'emon. At Port Itachi in Kuri, Kin'emon is ecstatic when Ashura Doji reveals the blueprints for Kaidou's fortress are in his possession. Kin'emon then receives a call from Raizo, who reveals to him that they have taken over Udon, freed both Luffy and Kawamatsu, and recruited 3,500 soldiers for the battle. However, he does point out that they still have an issue regarding finding weapons for the soldiers, as they are very hard to obtain due to Orochi's prohibition on them. Kin'emon then prepares to go back to Amigasa Village, telling Raizo to gather as much information as possible while he officially sets up a base of operations.
Back on Oihagi Bridge, Hiyori tearfully embraces Kawamatsu, being overjoyed to get the chance to see him again. She confesses that she ran away from him 13 years ago because he always gave the food to her, and she had hoped this would help him survive. Kawamatsu understands her reason, praising it as thoughtful. Suddenly, Gyukimaru notices a group of Beasts Pirates riding toward Oihagi Bridge, but one of them manages to shoot him before he can do anything. The pirates have come to reclaim all the weapons Gyukimaru stole from them, and they decide to kill Zoro's group as well. Zoro and Kawamatsu then draw their swords and take out the pirates in one fell swoop, and Zoro sees Gyukimaru running away again. As he runs, Gyukimaru says that he is so glad to see Kawamatsu alive and well.
Chapter 953
13 years ago, Kawamatsu received a note from Hiyori after she had run away from him, thanking him for everything he did and assuring him that she would be fine. Kawamatsu was distraught and ran all over Wano, unsuccessfully trying to find Hiyori. In the present day, Zoro chases after Gyukimaru, who runs into an abandoned town. Zoro struggles to keep up with the monk, but is able to follow his blood trail before noticing something. On Oihagi Bridge, Kawamatsu says that he and Hiyori should go on, and she asks him why he came here.
Kawamatsu replies that after searching for her 13 years ago, he had come here to commit seppuku. Ringo, like Hakumai, was once ruled by the Shimotsuki Family, with Shimotsuki Ushimaru ruling as daimyo with a komagitsune named Onimaru serving as his companion. Ringo has a burial practice known as the Eternal Grave, with the burial sites of the deceased being marked by their swords. Thus, the cemeteries frequently attract grave robbers. As Kawamatsu made his way into Ringo, he saw Onimaru chasing away some Beasts Pirates who were trying to steal the swords. Onimaru then collapsed from his wounds, and Kawamatsu was stunned to see that he had successfully protected the graves five years since Ushimaru died. Kawamatsu then bandaged Onimaru's wounds and gave him food to eat, helping him survive.
Afterwards, Onimaru went back outside to find Kawamatsu taking the swords from the graves, and he quickly became belligerent despite the kappa's pleas, ultimately biting his arm. Kawamatsu shook Onimaru off and revealed that he wished to collect the swords for the final battle against Kaidou, saying it was too early for the swords to rest and that they needed to be safeguarded against grave robbers. Kawamatsu was personally invested in accomplishing this task after failing to take care of Hiyori, but Onimaru only bit him again and refused to release his grip. Kawamatsu then shouted that the komagitsune could rip off his arm if he wished, but he would continue collecting the swords even without the arm. Onimaru released Kawamatsu's arm and licked the blood from his wound before sitting and watching, letting the kappa continue collecting the swords.
One day, Kawamatsu woke up to see Onimaru working to free a sword from a grave, and the komagitsune served as his companion from then on as they took the swords and built an underground room to store them in. At one point, they chased away some real grave robbers, and Kawamatsu disguised himself by wearing a cloth over his face and donning the alias of "Gyukimaru". After doing this for a while, he went into the Flower Capital to gather food and made a blunder, resulting in him being captured. In the present, Hiyori asks if he is here to see Onimaru again, but Kawamatsu does not expect him to be still around after 13 years. They catch up to Zoro, who reveals that Gyukimaru opened up a door before disappearing. Kawamatsu takes them through the door, where they enter an underground chamber filled with hundreds of swords. Kawamatsu contacts Kin'emon to tell him that they will be able to arm their allies, having Kin'emon send some forces to his location. Kawamatsu wonders if Onimaru was able to set this all up, but knows that a human had to have done all this. Back outside, Gyukimaru stands behind a house and transforms into Onimaru before walking away, content.
Meanwhile, Hiyori tells Zoro that he should give Shusui back to Wano. Zoro objects, but she tells him that she can give him a suitable replacement: Enma, a Famous Blade once wielded by Oden which gave Kaidou his lone scar.
One Piece, Volume 95
Chapter 954
In Ringo, Kawamatsu objects to Hiyori's offer for Zoro to receive her sword Enma. Hiyori tells Zoro that her father Oden used two swords in combat, and passed on Enma to her while he gave Ame no Habakiri to Momonosuke. Kawamatsu objects further, as he does not want a sword with such an honorable origin to be given to a man of unknown origin, and Zoro agrees to return Shusui in exchange for Enma, but asks to visit Ryuma's grave, revealing he did battle the samurai; this causes Kawamatsu to think of him as completely delusional.
The next day, with six days remaining until the battle on Onigashima, the samurai in the Rasetsu Town prison have yet to be released. However, Law has managed to subdue Hawkins, cutting him in half at the waist and cutting his hands off while also giving him significant injury. Law told Hawkins to reveal what happened to the pirate alliance between him, Kid, and Apoo. Hawkins said that Apoo had set them up, having been working for Kaidou since before the alliance's formation. Kaidou had attempted to recruit the Supernovas into his crew to strengthen his army, and with a zero percent chance of winning or escaping, Hawkins decided to submit to him. Kid and Killer, on the other hand, chose to fight against the Emperor and did so until they collapsed. Hawkins assumes that Kaidou worked to break their spirits afterwards, while he and Orochi did whatever they wanted to the rest of their crew. Hawkins notes that Law and Luffy managed to get to Wano still on good terms, but wonders if Law has changed his mind. Law says that it is none of Hawkins' concern as he slashes the Supernova and heads out of his cell. Outside of the cell stands the person who enabled Law to escape, and Law says that if him escaping is part of the person's grand plan, he will go along with it.
The next day in the Prisoner Mines, Luffy trains to progress his Armament Haki by attacking a steel wall. Hyougoro tells him to think about his defeat to Kaidou to increase the speed of his progression, and Luffy does so as the prisoners watch in awe as he hits the steel like it is jelly.
In Amigasa Village, Kin'emon contacts the Ship Repair Team in Port Itachi, the Weapons Prep Team in Udon, the Katana Retrieval Team in Ringo, and the Yakuza Rousing Team in Kibi to tell all of them that Yasuie altered the Kouzuki Family's secret message by drawing two lines on the Habu snake's stomach. Nami is impressed that everyone understands what the alteration means, and asks Kin'emon about it as she does not know herself. Kin'emon explains that one can understand the alteration if they know the names of every port in Wano, which are all named after animals. By adding lines to the Habu snake, Yasuie gave it legs, thus making it resemble a lizard, the namesake of Port Tokage in Udon. Thus, Port Tokage will now be their meetup spot instead of Port Habu. The group around Kin'emon and Nami, consisting of Zoro, Sanji, Robin, Brook, Momonosuke, Kanjuro, Raizo, Inuarashi, Kikunojo, Kawamatsu, Ashura Doji, Shinobu, and Hitetsu, praises Yasuie's final actions and looks optimistically on their effort to recruit 5000 allies to fight Kaidou, with only Denjiro still missing among the Kouzuki retainers. Kin'emon then begins their strategy meeting.
There are two methods of entering Wano: being pulled up the waterfall by the giant carp, or entering the cave behind the waterfall. At the end of the cave is Port Mogura, where people arriving will be pulled up to Hakumai via gondola. The second option is the only safe one, but a person can only get into the cave with Kaidou and Orochi's permission. At the terminus of the gondola in Hakumai, Apoo reports to Kaidou that he has come to attend the Fire Festival banquet, as he is greatly looking forward to watching the annual Golden Kagura. As Apoo and a crewmate walk through Hakumai, they are joined by a massive hulking figure. A nearby child wonders what that is, and another child reveals that it is a Number, saying they will be eaten if it spots them. On Onigashima, King tells Queen that the Numbers have returned for the banquet, which Queen is not pleased about due to their drinking problems.
Kaidou and Big Mom express their anticipation for the Fire Festival as they merrily laugh together, much to Queen's confusion. They then reveal to Queen and King that they have formed a pirate alliance to take over the world, and will resume trying to kill each other after achieving their goal. This revelation is met with extreme shock.
Chapter 955
Back when Zoro and Kawamatsu were with Hiyori in Ringo, she told them that despite her worry for Toko, she would not go with them to meet everyone in order to avoid rousing their emotions. To Kawamatsu's shock, she bows to them and encourages them to work with everyone else to protect Wano. In Amigasa Village in the present, Momonosuke and the present members of the Nine Red Scabbards besides Kawamatsu are overjoyed to hear that Hiyori is alive. Momonosuke thanks Zoro for protecting his sister, whom he still remembers as an energetic and physical six-year-old. Sanji is aghast realizing that the woman with Zoro was Hiyori, and tries to appease Momonosuke to try and get with her.
Hitetsu then says that his preparations are complete, and Kikunojo gives him back Nidai Kitetsu which she obtained from Luffy in Udon. He then presents Oden's two blades, Enma and Ame no Habakiri. Momonosuke says he is not yet ready to wield Ame no Habakiri, but Zoro takes Enma. Hitetsu warns him that only Oden has been able to tame the Famous Blade, and tells him to try cutting down a nearby tree. Zoro swings Enma and ends up slicing off the entire cliff face, and his crewmates quickly become worried as the sword draws significant quantities of Armament Haki from his arm. However, Zoro manages to bring the Haki back into his arm. Hitetsu commends him on taming the blade, saying an ordinary swordsman would instantly lose all their energy due to Enma forcing the user to use massive amounts of Armament Haki. He asks Zoro if he wishes to keep the blade, which Zoro affirms.
With three days remaining until the raid on Onigashima, Robin reveals that she found out in her investigation that the Beasts Pirates number around 20,000, while Orochi will have around 10,000 men escorting him. With the Ninja-Pirate-Mink-Samurai Alliance only numbering around 4,000, Kin'emon rules out a direct confrontation, and Ashura Doji says that they are at a disadvantage even with the blueprints to Kaidou's mansion in their possession. In Port Itachi, Franky orders the workers to get enough ships in working order to hold 100,000 people, even though no one expects to have nearly that many people coming. In the Prisoner Mine, Luffy is in Gear 4 and uses Gomu Gomu no King Kong Gun with a normal-sized fist by projecting his Haki from it. The attack completely shatters the block, and Hyougoro says that he is using too much brute strength. Luffy says that that attack was not enough, appalling the people watching him. In the Bamboo Forest by Amigasa Village, Momonosuke tells Zoro while they are training that he was told not to say the word "Sunacchi", and Zoro tells him that he picked it up after hearing the older people in his home village using it.
The next day, Luffy, Chopper, and Tama arrive at Amigasa Village. Meanwhile, the four regional yakuza bosses contact Kin'emon to announce that they have recruited 200 more people. Kin'emon mentions that he has yet to hear from Law, and Shinobu is fine with him not being with them, though Kin'emon disagrees. A ninja reports from Rasetsu Town that there is no chance of freeing the prisoners there, and the prisoners are agonized that they will not be able to help in the raid. With everyone he can contact in position to move, Kin'emon instructs all of them to prepare for the upcoming battle.
The next day, Kin'emon's group heads out, and he bids farewell to Luffy until they reunite tomorrow. As many laborers slave away throughout Wano, rumors spread among them that the Kouzuki Family has returned and is secretly planning a raid, although many of them have no hope that this will make a difference. Kin'emon's group, consisting of Momonosuke, Shinobu, and the seven Red Scabbards present, head across the wastelands toward Port Tokage. Nearby, the minks have erected graves for Yasuie and Pedro, and give their respects along with Robin and Toko. Hitetsu goes to check in on Zoro's training, and reveals that he created Sandai Kitetsu. He then says that Zoro is getting used to Enma quickly because it was made by the same swordsmith as Wado Ichimonji. That swordsmith was named Shimotsuki Kouzaburou, who left Wano illegally over 50 years ago. Hitetsu is confident that in Zoro's possession, Enma will finally become a Black Blade. Meanwhile, Luffy successfully punches a hole through a tree by projecting his Haki, and in the Flower Capital, Orochi contacts the Prisoner Mine to see if everything is fine. After hearing affirmation, Orochi deems the report in his possession stating otherwise to be false, though does take note that the alliance's meeting place has been changed to Port Tokage and that Hiyori is alive and hiding in the Northern Cemetery. On the day of the Fire Festival, Orochi's procession heads out to Onigashima, and the war that will affect the fate of the entire world has begun as Act 2 of the Wano Country Arc concludes.
Chapter 956
The Neptune Family returns to Ryugu Palace after attending the Levely. Shirahoshi thanked Garp for assisting their family over the course of the event. Neptune invites Garp to rest in the palace, and Garp said he will only drink tea and he will leave in a short while. He reminisces on how turbulent the Levely can be, with some kings arguing over different problems that may become explosive that results in physical harm. Neptune agrees, commenting it is a long-running tradition. Garp then cautiously states how he classify the Levely as peaceful or not by the way people do not kill each other, and how the recent one was seemingly different from the others. He requests to the royal family that they should not fear humans for an incident that happened to the Nefertari Family of Arabasta.
The remaining royals are returning to their home countries a week after a heated Levely. Meanwhile a few days before, Morgans and the editorial team of the World Economy News Paper prepare the stories that will appear on their next issue. He seems to be split about the news of an "obituary" or the results of the Levely shall be placed on the main page. Attach gives a check from the World Government to him, but he replies that the news will not be replaced. Attach at this moment turns out to be a facade, revealing himself as a Cipher Pol agent who threatens Morgans. However, Morgans quickly defeats the agent, refusing to back down from any threats because of his pride as a journalist. After the incident, Morgans moves the headquarters of their company to a new safe location, while getting a report that Wapol has information for him.
The recent news leaves the world in awe. In addition to the World Government having failed to cover up some of the Levely's events in the headlines, it is revealed that the Warlord system has been abolished, much to the joy of the civilians and to the worry of some. This was proposed by the kings Riku Doldo III and Nefertari Cobra, who suffered under their rule. On Momoiro Island, the Revolutionary Army is in an uproar over news concerning something that has apparently happened to Sabo. Ivankov is furiously shouting that he refuses to believe it, Koala is on the verge of tears, and even Dragon is visibly shaken, not aided by the fact that they are unable to contact Sabo at the moment. On the way back to Dawn Island, Sterry is also shocked by the fact that Sabo was at Mary Geoise. Finally, in the Goa Kingdom itself, Makino is seen grieving while on Mt. Colubo, the Dadan Family burst into tears after reading the news and assert that it is fake.
In an unrelated note, Doflamingo is seemingly joyed by the news, stating that things are getting interesting. At the same time, Blackbeard orders his crew to set sail, stating they are setting out to claim something before the Marines do.
A few days after at the present time, X Drake contacts Koby through a Den Den Mushi. Drake tells Koby that the status quo in the Wano Country might not last long as Kaidou and Big Mom have formed an alliance, much to Koby's shock. He also tells that there are no reports of a prison break led by Luffy in Udon. Lastly, he says that there is a presence of CP0 in the Flower Capital. He asks Koby of his location, in which the latter replied that he is going to Amazon Lily to capture Boa Hancock.
Koby is not alone in the task of arresting the relieved members of the grouping. Vice Admiral Stainless' fleet confronts Buggy's Delivery. A fleet of Marine ships also arrive in Kuraigana Island to arrest Dracule Mihawk. On an island in the New World, Edward Weevil is surrounded by Marines. Finally, the Kuja Pirates prepare for their confrontation.
Chapter 957
The chapter begins at Marine Headquarters. Fleet Admiral Sakazuki is talking with Admiral Fujitora via Den Den Mushi, remarking how pleased the latter must be with the abolition of the Seven Warlords of the Sea system. Sakazuki was against it, but was powerless to do anything in the face of world's royalty. Fujitora retorts that the good far outweighs the bad and how Sakazuki fails to see that. He tells Sakazuki to put his faith in the SSG and how the balance of power in the world will now change dramatically. Sakazuki agrees, and changes the subject to Wano and the Four Emperors, going on about Big Mom and Kaidou's tentative alliance. This startles Fujitora, who calls it Rocks' second coming. Sakazuki tells him not to be so dramatic, saying how this is all real and when it rains, it pours.
Elsewhere inside Marine HQ, Brannew and Sengoku are briefing a group of Marines about the Emperor alliance. Brannew clarifies that Kaidou and Big Mom are planning to form an alliance and have not done so yet. The pair has yet to make a move, but their goals and intentions remain unclear, thus combatting them will be difficult. Information about the Rocks Pirates is still scarce. Sengoku likens the two Emperors as cat and dog, so their alliance is certainly surprising, and he comments how most Marines today don't know who Rocks was. He then goes on to tell the Marines present in the room about Rocks.
The Rocks Pirates, as they were called, formed when a group gathered on the Pirate Island Hachinosu. They were a violent bunch who would kill each other regularly, even on the same ship. Kaidou, Big Mom and Whitebeard were members of this crew, along with many other pirates who made a name for themselves such as the "Golden Lion", "Captain John", "Silver Axe" and "Ochoku". The Marines present are shocked that so many famous pirates are connected and so few people knew. Sengoku explains that one reason is due to the unfriendly relationship among the crew, not many lived to talk about it. Rocks wanted to be the King of the World, and he wielded his crew akin to a terrorist organization. The other reason is that the World Government erased most of the crew's acts from history. Their infamy reached people at the time, however.
Events came to a head 38 years ago, on an island known as God Valley. News of the Rocks Pirates' defeat spread world-wide. On that day, Monkey D. Garp defeated the crew, earning him the title of "Hero of the Marines". The Marines listening to Sengoku talk about how they never knew which of Garp's heroic feats gave him that title. Sengoku adds that Garp tends to keep mum about the whole ordeal aside from the known historical facts. The scene changes briefly to Garp on his ship, ascending from Fish-Man Island, making a vague comment Big Mom and Kaidou's alliance.
The first reason Garp likes to keep quiet about the battle is one that never made it into the public record. Garp had to fight alongside a pirate. The other reason is that Garp fought to protect the Celestial Dragons. The introduction of Celestial Dragons into the story and Garp's secrecy about protecting them surprise and confuse the present Marines. Sengoku explains that Garp's moral code does not allow him to protect Celestial Dragons. It's also the reason he never accepted the rank of Admiral, because he would be directly under their control. The true story of the event known as the "God Valley Incident" is that Garp and Gol D. Roger met there by chance, teamed up, and defeated the Rocks Pirates. This revelation surprises the Marines most of all. Sengoku goes on to say that God Valley is no longer found on any maps. In reality, the entire island disappeared without explanation as if it never existed. Sengoku rephrased his description, saying that an island the World Government wanted to keep secret disappeared, and asked if they still wanted to ask questions. Sengoku caps the story off summarily by saying that once a man named Rocks wanted to be the King of the World. Rocks, who is no longer alive, stepped into some parts of history that he shouldn't have, and as a result little to no information about the Rocks Pirates survives, save for the memories of some of the older Marines. The Marines are stunned to think that there was once a man who commanded three people who would later become Emperors.
Sengoku goes on to talk about how Rocks was Roger's first and possibly greatest enemy. Everyone called him Captain Rocks, but his full name was Rocks D. Xebec, another pirate to bear the initial D. Sengoku ends his story as the Inspector General concludes that Big Mom and Kaidou as they are now far greater threats than they were under Rocks, and their alliance is far more dangerous than the Rocks Pirates. He then turns the floor over to Commodore Brannew as he asks for Kaidou and Big Mom's current bounties. Brannew explains that the members of the recently dissolved Seven Warlords need new bounty figures. He then turns everyone's attention to the Four Emperors.
Blackbeard became an Emperor about a year ago. His attack on Impel Down gave him powerful new subordinates and he is presently the de facto don of the Pirate Island Hachinosu. Boss of the Blackbeard Pirates, Admiral Marshall D. Teach, with a bounty of 2,247,600,000.
The next man became an Emperor about six years ago. He is the youngest of the group and has the trust of those under him. His executives, Lucky Roux, Yasopp, and Benn Beckman, are all famous in their own right. His crew has a high average bounty and Brannew considers this crew the most balanced of the four. Leader of the Red Hair Pirates, Captain "Red Hair" Shanks, with a bounty of 4,048,900,000.
Third on the docket, this pirate allegedly attacked Elbaph while still only a child. She doesn't trust anyone she's not related to. The 85 offspring serving under her created the country of Totto Land. Captain of the Big Mom Pirates, Charlotte Linlin, with a bounty of 4,388,000,000.
Following Big Mom, the next pirate was but an apprentice during his time with the Rocks Pirates. Using only his raw strength, he gained the admiration of many pirates, and in doing so, came to be an Emperor. The Governor-General of the Beasts Pirates, Kaidou "of the Beasts", with a bounty of 4,611,100,000. The Marines are in shock from seeing so many high bounties.
Brannew states that they can no longer rely on the Seven Warlords to keep the Four Emperors in check and whether or not it was a good idea will be decided later by the Special Science Group, or SSG. Brannew then puts up two more wanted posters as a means of comparison. The Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates, Edward Newgate, with a bounty of 5,046,000,000 and the Captain of the Roger Pirates, none other than Pirate King Gol D. Roger, with a bounty of 5,564,800,000. Brannew explains how Roger and Whitebeard have the two highest bounties in history but should an alliance between Kaidou and Big Mom happen, their combined bounties would surpass either Roger or Newgate's alone, and that is exactly what is about to happen in Wano. Before Brannew can continue, he is interrupted by Sakazuki, who enters the briefing room. Sakazuki tells Brannew to leave Wano alone for now as they don't have the resources to deal with two Emperors at once.
He then addresses Sengoku, who has no intention of getting involved but was simply sharing his knowledge and wisdom with the younger generation, understanding relationships is key, and not knowing the past will lead to a dark future. Sengoku then recalls that Roger, Shanks, and Newgate all took a liking to a pirate from Wano. Sakazuki presumes Sengoku means Kouzuki Oden, who was a division commander in the Whitebeard Pirates. Sengoku reminds him that Oden was later recruited by Roger to go on his famed last voyage. The chapter ends with Sengoku asking Sakazuki why so many powerful individuals have ties to Wano.
Chapter 958
25 years ago, Kouzuki Oden expressed his appreciation for being able to join Gol D. Roger on his voyage. Silvers Rayleigh, Shanks, and Buggy offered to help him in his quest to open Wano Country's borders, but Oden replied that he should handle this alone; he was confident that with the help of his retainers, he could become shogun and accomplish his goal.
In the present day, Act 3 of the Wano Country Arc begins. In Port Habu in Hakumai, Orochi boards a ship headed for Onigashima and the Fire Festival, and Fukurokuju says to let people know that Kyoshiro has been placed in charge of the Flower Capital for the time being. Orochi starts drinking immediately upon setting sail, and in the Flower Capital, the citizens begin to party and take advantage of the only day they are allowed alcohol.
While they and Orochi enjoy beautiful weather, Momonosuke and the Nine Red Scabbards come to Port Tokage to find that not only is it storming heavily, but their ships and allies are nowhere in sight. Momonosuke says that they should change the date of their rendezvous, and Kin'emon desperately tries calling their allies on the Tanishi. However, he cannot reach any of them, and his pleas quickly become desperate before Ashura Doji silences him. Ashura notes that the port looks like it was attacked, and as the Scabbards start to lose hope of their allies showing up, Inuarashi finds a boat that looks intact and prepares to sail out to Onigashima alone. On Onigashima, Orochi parties as he thinks about an incident that occurred the previous day.
Chapter 959
Two days before the final battle, the alliance members moved to conclude their preparations and head for Port Tokage. After overseeing the completion of the ship restoration in Port Itachi, Franky and Usopp headed to Amigasa Village to reunite with their crew, leaving the ships in the care of the Musketeers and Wano carpenters.
In the Prisoner Mine, Hyougoro oversaw the prisoners collecting all the weapons they could find while Cho acquired the weapons stored in Ringo. Jibuemon talked with some allies about making sure they all moved to Port Tokage discreetly, and they agreed even though Orochi and many of his officials would have already left for Onigashima.
In Amigasa Village, Hitetsu gave the Straw Hats some kabuto armor, and Luffy, Chopper, and Brook were excited to don it. Sanji asks Zoro why he does not want to wear the armor, to which he replies the armor will slow him down. Then, he finally taunts Zoro with his higher bounty causing Zoro to unleash Enma. Nami and Robin talked with Carrot, Wanda, Shishilian, Concelot, and Giovanni about the full moon that would be present during the final battle, and they hoped that the minks could use Sulong and that Nekomamushi and the Guardians would arrive on time. Meanwhile, Luffy looked out toward the ocean, noting that Jinbe had not yet arrived despite Big Mom being here. After finding out what had happened with Jinbe, Zoro assured Luffy that the fish-man would come if he was still alive.
In Ebisu Town, the citizens found some money left by Ushimitsu Kozo, which surprised them as they had not heard of any thefts in the Flower Capital last night.
In Okobore Town, however, the citizens were confronted by Holed'em, who revealed that the Paradise Farm was still being stolen from despite him burning down the Mt. Atama Thieves' hideout. The citizens deduced that the Nine Red Scabbards had likely stolen the food if the reports of their return were accurate, though decided to not say a word about it. Tsuru then came and told Holed'em that she would guide him to the food, as she wanted to help her husband Kin'emon and the Kouzuki Family's plan. However, the other citizens stopped her by claiming aloud that they had eaten the stolen food, shocking her and angering Holed'em.
The night before the final battle, three winged Gifters flew to Kuri Beach and discovered the Thousand Sunny still sitting in the cave, and on Orochi's orders they dropped explosives on it to destroy it. Orochi also had the great bridges connecting the regions destroyed, in addition to the alliance's ships in Port Itachi. He wondered aloud about what was going on with the Kouzuki Family, being sure that they had returned despite not yet seeing one of them with his own eyes. He was also confident in the reports of their return, and stated that although Yasuie had shaken his subordinates' trust in him, it did not matter because he had all the power and could do whatever he wanted. With the ships and bridges destroyed, he would ensure that none of the Nine Red Scabbards' allies would reach them on the day of the battle, causing them to lose all hope.
In the present, the Nine Red Scabbards work to set sail to Onigashima by themselves, and Momonosuke pleads for them to stop, saying they could invade at a later date. However, Kin'emon responds that they cannot wait, as their takeover of Udon would eventually be exposed and Kaidou would hunt down every single rebel. Okobore Town had already been burned to the ground to cover their tracks. As Shinobu holds Momonosuke back, the Scabbards say that he and Hiyori should live on, but they needed to fight to fulfill Oden's wishes until the bitter end, as they would have been nothing without him. Kin'emon remembers Oden telling them that Wano has been isolationist for centuries because of something heavily related to the Kouzuki Family, and that the tides of the world would only shift once the borders were opened. 41 years ago in the Flower Capital, the citizens became outraged and frightened as Oden returned to the city after failing to set sail, and they told him to die as he complained that the country was too cramped.
Chapter 960
41 years ago, Wano Country was brimming with vegetation and life. At a tea house on a mountain pass, three men told poster girl Tsuru that they saw a mountain move, and she wonders if they saw a Mountain God. The men then revealed that they had caught a rare white boar, which they could sell to the gang boss Kurokoma for a piece of white gold. Tsuru then heard a noise nearby, and turned and slammed Kin'emon to the ground as he was attempting to steal from her wallet. Kin'emon said that his friends were having money issues, but Tsuru would not have it, saying she would strip him of all his belongings, even his organs, if Kin'emon continued neglecting to pay his debt. The three men headed off, but Kin'emon later caught up to them and beat them up to gain possession of the white boar, which he had overheard them talking about at the tea house. He planned to take the boar to Kurokoma, and stole the men's money and clothes as well.
In the shogun's castle in the Flower Capital, a scribe reported to Kouzuki Sukiyaki that Kouzuki Oden had failed to set sail for the 38th time, but was still alive. He then recounted the numerous incidents in Oden's life, starting from his infancy when he threw his wet nurse across the room. When he was two, he caught two rabbits with his bare hands, and when he was four, he killed a bear by throwing a boulder at it. By age six, he started spending money in the Red-Light District, and when he was eight, he was getting drunk and starting fights with gamblers. He was nine when the yakuza banned him from entering their casino, and he responded by setting the casino on fire, causing a war to break out. He was captured at age 10 after nearly killing someone and was sentenced to hard labor in the quarry, but he quickly climbed the ranks there until he was in charge of it. The labor did cause his attitude to change, as when he was 14 he attempted to help the Flower Capital citizens during a long drought, but ended up flooding it after diverting a river toward it. A year later, he took a job at a mountain temple, and every night he kidnapped a woman from the Capital to form a harem. Although the women stayed with him of their own free will, their loved ones and many powerful samurai attacked Oden, and even the Hyougoro Family was forced to get involved in the fighting. The scribe reported that Oden, now 18 years old, still caused trouble on a daily basis, and Sukiyaki told him to give Oden a note saying he had been disowned from the Kouzuki Family.
Outside, gang members attempted to apprehend Kin'emon, preventing him from taking the white boar to the Kurokoma Family. Hyougoro heard about Kin'emon's presence and advised his men against going after him, as Kin'emon would defeat them. Elsewhere, the orphan Denjiro swindled a store owner by exchanging a small pot for a large one for no extra cost, and Kin'emon then called out to him. In the Flower Capital crematorium, the family of the recently deceased Katsuzo was outraged and distraught to see Oden cooking a pot of oden soup on Katsuzo's burned remains. After consuming his oden and sake, Oden paid respects to Katsuzo before departing.
As he walked down the street, Oden made conversation with some officials who had been bribed to capture him, and he wondered why the fire bell was ringing nonstop. The man at the tower said that this was bigger than a fire, and in a nearby alleyway, Denjiro told Kin'emon that he should not have brought the white boar to the Flower Capital, as Kurokoma likely intended to use it to bring ruin to the Hyougoro Family. The parents of these white boars were known as Mountain Gods, as they were the size of mountains; additionally, they always followed their offspring closely. Now, a Mountain God was attacking the Capital, and Oden, having overheard their discussion, approached them and told them to give him the white boar.
Chapter 961
With the Mountain God beginning to tear through the Flower Capital in search of its offspring, Kin'emon desperately attempts to keep the small boar quiet. Oden asks Kin'emon for the boar, though he refuses, as it is worth enough money for him to finally pay off his debts. Denjiro stands in awe of Oden's presence, musing to himself that Oden is the one adult that he respects. Several citizens in the Flower Capital begin to correctly surmise that the Mountain God is attacking due to its child having been abducted, and resolve to search for it. The large creature continues devouring houses and people whole, even separating families. Bongo eventually locates Kin'emon and the boar, and after the two exchange accusations for bringing chaos to the capital, Bongo explains that his friends were eaten for having the boar's scent on their clothes. They had kidnapped O-Tsuru as payback for Kin'emon stealing the boar from them originally, but they were pursued and eaten as they made their way down the mountain....O-Tsuru included. Realizing his culpability in the matter, Kin'emon discards the boar without hesitation and rushes to face the beast head-on. As the Mountain God notices its child's scent on Kin'emon and prepares to attack, the latter reflects on all the trouble he has put O-Tsuru through on his behalf. Demanding her back from the creature, Kin'emon charges and manages to stab the Mountain God through the snout. It ultimately doesn't prove effective, and the beast shakes him off by crashing into some nearby buildings. Now bloodied, Kin'emon defiantly rises to his feet to challenge it again, causing Oden to note that he has guts. Denjiro however warns him to stop, as the Mountain God again crashes him through several buildings. Unable to rise again this time, Kin'emon professes that if O-Tsuru dies because of him, then he'd like to die too.
As the Mountain God prepares to continue its rampage in search for its child, Oden holds the baby boar in the air and calls for its parent's attention. The citizens see this and begin to blame Oden for the original mishap, which again reminds Kin'emon of his responsibility in the day's events. Oden mentions that he was just craving some boar stew, and as the creature approaches, he completely bisects it with Oden Nitōryū: Tougen Shirataki. The citizens look on in complete shock, with Hyougoro being noticeably impressed by Oden's strength. Despite a quarter of the entire capital's population having been engulfed by the creature, there were miraculously no casualties. As citizens begin to reconnect with their loved ones, they appreciate how cool Oden looked defeating the creature, but lament at him causing the trouble to begin with. Kin'emon prepares to announce that the incident was all his fault, but Oden throws a rock and knocks him out, telling him not to do anything stupid.
At this precise moment, a servant gives Oden the news that his father Sukiyaki, has disowned him. Oden takes the news in stride, asserting that the capital simply couldn't contain his greatness as he walks off. An 18-year-old Oden leaves the Flower Capital, stating that he shall make his bed wherever the sun sets. O-Tsuru asks a sobbing Kin'emon what is wrong, who states that he would happily die for a man like Oden. Denjiro agrees and runs off after Oden, causing the two to argue along the way about whose infatuation with the swordsman is greater.
After some time, the group arrives in Hakumai, where they are greeted by an incredibly eager servant. Yasuie is quite unamused to see Oden after hearing of his banishment, and even more disappointed that he's attracted followers. The servant throws his body down over a puddle for Oden's group to walk over him, prompting Oden to call him a creep. Yasuie mentions that this is his new servant, who humbly introduces himself as Orochi.
Chapter 962
After spending some time in the Hakumai region with Shimotsuki Yasuie, Kouzuki Oden decides to leave out. Yasuie looks forward to dealing with less ruckus, but laments that things will be a lot more boring without Oden around. Oden has heard of a "monster" living in Kuri by the name of Ashura Doji, though Yasuie warns him that the region is considered the "cancer" of Wano. Kuri is said to be a lawless place that even the Shogun can not control, and any criminal who escapes there without the proper strength will only find death awaiting them. This only stokes Oden's excitement further, who decides to take a tour around the country. Oden's room is discovered to be a mess after his departure, though Yasuie declines seeking any compensation for the repairs. When it is also revealed that Yasuie's money has been stolen, Orochi steps forward and claims to have witnessed Oden take it. While the Daimyo's staff quickly believe the young servant, Yasuie himself is suspicious, knowing that Oden would have made more of a spectacle of the matter.
Kin'emon and Denjiro leave Hakumai with Oden, causing him to question the two on just how far they will follow him. He shows visible discomfort when they swear to follow him as far as he'll go, but he nonetheless allows the young men to keep traveling with him. One night during a storm, the two stand guard for Oden outside of a building as they now feel they are his servants. He beckons them inside, berating them for suffering through such conditions on his behalf. They question Oden on just what he's doing, who reveals that he's been inspired to start a journal from what he's heard of voyagers at sea. Oden then proceeds to log several of his adventures across the country.
In Ringo, they encounter two brothers, Izou and Kikunojo, who are poor and dancing to make money. They are the sons of a dancing instructor, but their family had recently been split due to the father being jailed for a crime. The brothers sobbed as they ate some of Oden's food.
In Kibi, they discovered a man who had been persecuted for cutting off the hair of people both dead and live. Known as the "Goblin of Kibi", it is revealed that Kanjuro had been using the hair to make brushes, which he sold for a living. He attempted to do the same with Oden, and after getting beat up, began following the swordsman.
In the forests of Udon, rumors had spread of an infamous bandit that kidnapped women and beat men half to death. It however turned out to be the ninja Raizo, who had quit the Kouzuki Clan's Oniwabanshu after a female ninja had turned him down. Raizo had been tracking Oden's group as they moved through the region, and revealed that he had been following Oden because he felt he was at his wit's end living in the shadows.
Elsewhere in the lawless land of Kuri, Ashura Doji hears of Oden's arrival and orders him to be captured. Ashura reveals that he despises the high and mighty, and wants to kill Oden as he has the Shogun's bloodline. Oden and his group (which now includes Kin'emon, Denjiro, Kanjuro, Izou, Kiku, and Raizo) sit around a fire and eat together. Kin'emon wonders where Oden has gone off to, and Raizo says that he went south to relieve himself. When someone notes that it has been a day since this occurred, Raizo brushes it off as another of Oden's whims. However when Denjiro interjects that Kuri is to the south of their current location, the group quickly realizes Oden's true motive. They frantically rush off to Kuri, and discover that the gate has been busted upon their arrival.
Having already entered the depths of Kuri, Oden finds himself face-to-face with a mob of combatants. The outlaws all recognize Oden, who demands they tell their boss that a samurai has arrived. Deeply bothered by Kuri's culture of not allowing those who enter to leave, Oden battles with the outlaws as his followers desperately try to catch up to him. They eventually see a cloud of dust by the mountain and pinpoint the samurai, who is surprised that they have managed to follow him all the way here. Sitting atop a defeated Ashura Doji, Oden apologizes that he's already finished up after fighting for a day. As they stare dumbfounded at his feat of strength, he asks his followers if they still loved him, since he will need their wisdom and strength in ruling over the hooligans of Kuri.
The news that Oden had turned the lawless region of Kuri into a hospitable place spread across Wano quickly. The feat was such that Kouzuki Sukiyaki retracted his disownment of Oden, and named him the Daimyo of Kuri. Citizens across the country and Oden's followers rejoiced alike. Never having experienced the joys of peace, Ashura Doji thanks Oden, but this creeps him out. Oden realizes that as a Daimyo he will be assigned vassals, but he doesn't want be given old, haughty nobles. Oden asks his followers to become his samurai, who express their gratification at the offer in tears.
Six years later, and thirty three years before the present day, it is revealed the remnants of the Rocks Pirates began recruiting members for their respective crews.
On Kuri Beach, Inuarashi and Nekomamushi are stranded ashore. They are discovered by a young Kawamatsu, who is unsure just what the creatures are.
Chapter 963
Centuries ago, the Mink Tribe had made a vow with the Kouzuki Family to help each other in times of need. When they found out about this, a young Inuarashi and Nekomamushi grew very interested in Wano Country and sailed out to see it. When they finally arrived, however, they and Kawamatsu were tied to poles on Kuri Beach by Wano citizens who decided to burn them at the stake. However, Oden then came out of the nearby ocean with a giant fish to use in making that night's oden soup. When he saw his subjects tormenting the kappa and two minks, he immediately beat them up and reprimanded them for mistreating those who look different. However, to the persecuted trio's shock, he then left without going to free them.
Inuarashi, Nekomamushi, and Kawamatsu were eventually freed and followed Oden back to his residence, where he gave them some oden to eat. Oden recognized Inuarashi and Nekomamushi as members of the Mink Tribe that his father told him about, but wondered what Kawamatsu was. Kawamatsu revealed that he was a fish-man, and he and his mother washed ashore on Wano after their ship sank. The residents persecuted them due to their race and fatally injured his mother by throwing stones, and she told him to hide from persecution by going as a kappa. Oden bid the trio farewell, looking forward to meeting more unique people like them when he set out to sea. However, the trio begged to stay with him.
Oden later talked with Denjiro about their group increasing, saying they were all strong but he was now running low on funds; Denjiro reprimanded Oden for giving another loan to Orochi. Oden's retainers then went to Hakumai to try and steal money from Yasuie, but were caught. To their surprise, however, Yasuie gave them the money they tried to steal as well as an additional amount. He told them to use this money to dress properly, learn manners, and increase their knowledge, saying that they needed to become the best samurai in the country to properly serve Oden when he became the shogun. The retainers obliged to Yasuie's commands, and three years later, it was rumored that they and Oden would be coming to the Flower Capital. The Capital citizens were cautious, believing them to be hoodlums. However, they were surprised as the retainers formed an orderly and dignified procession around Oden, which was so professional it resembled a shogun's procession. Some onlookers were so awestruck that they dropped to their knees. Oden reunited with his father Sukiyaki, and Sukiyaki was glad that his son had become a fine man. Oden thanked him for making him one, surprising Sukiyaki further. Oden had come to see his father because he heard he had fallen ill, but was relieved to see Sukiyaki brimming with energy. However, this would end up being the last time he ever saw his father.
That same year, the Moby Dick washed ashore on Port Itachi, and the Whitebeard Pirates were trapped on Wano for a week until they could repair their ship. They lost all of their supplies due to the cargo hold flooding, so a small group prepared to go into Wano to gather supplies. At the same time, Oden's retainers were put in a panic upon finding out that Oden had run off to Port Itachi after hearing of a pirate ship being spotted there. Whitebeard noticed that Oden was running toward them, and engaged in a powerful clash with the samurai. Oden introduced himself to Whitebeard, saying that he wanted to join his crew.
Chapter 964
After clashing with Whitebeard, Oden and his retainers ate oden with the Whitebeard Pirates. Oden asked to join the pirate crew, although his retainers advised against it. Whitebeard replied that Oden did not seem like the kind of person to follow someone else, saying that this was an issue in his old crew and advising Oden to set sail on his own. Oden revealed that he had tried many times, but had no sailing ability. Kin'emon makes an agreement with Whitebeard to not let Oden go with him, as he was concerned about Oden committing the great crime of leaving the country. Meanwhile, Inuarashi and Nekomamushi talked with Marco, and they were shocked as he told them that there are much more than 20,000,000 islands in the world.
Two weeks later, Izou asked Oden where he was going as he headed out of Kuri Castle at night, and Oden said that he was going to relieve himself. Meanwhile, the Whitebeard Pirates sailed away covertly in order to avoid Oden, as Whitebeard did not want to be implicated in any supposed kidnapping. However, a chain then wrapped around the Moby Dick's mast, and Oden, having suspected that this would happen, held on as he was pulled by the ship. Izou, who had suspected Oden in turn, then rushed up to Oden and jumped on him, intent on getting him back to Wano. Marco prepared to unwrap the chain, but Whitebeard ordered him to leave it be and pull Izou up to the Moby Dick.
In Wano, Oden's retainers panicked as they could not find him, Izou, Inuarashi, or Nekomamushi, and ordered for the entire country to be searched. As Oden was left holding the chain and being subjected to the perils of the ocean, Izou pleaded with Whitebeard to pull Oden up. Whitebeard would not let Oden join him so easily, but offered him a deal. If he could hold on to the chain for three days, he could join the crew. Oden immediately accepted this offer, and successfully held on for almost three days as he faced obstacles like storms, waves, carnivorous fish, and ice. Marco and the other crew members started taking a liking to Oden and his resiliency, and cheered him on while Izou said he would never forgive Whitebeard for treating Oden like this.
On a certain island, a gang of men assured a woman named Amatsuki Toki that they would take her to Wano like she had asked, but she had realized that they were human traffickers. She held them at bay with her katana as she planned to escape by traveling into the future, when suddenly a massively swollen Oden walked onto the shore, having come after hearing Toki cry for help. The gang mistook him for a sea demon and fled in fear, and on the Moby Dick, the Whitebeard Pirates were disappointed that Oden had let go of the chain.
The next day, Oden woke up with exuberant energy despite his wounds, and decided to start his adventure here. He thanked Toki for tending to him, and she thanked him in kind for saving her. Having noticed Oden mentioning Wano, she told him that she wanted to go there and wondered if he could take her there, which to her surprise disgusted him. Suddenly, they were confronted again by the gang, who had brought their captain Karma to capture the two of them. Oden quickly rose to confront Karma, but the latter was suddenly defeated by Whitebeard, who decided to let him join his crew after seeing him give up on his ambitions to help Toki. Oden was welcomed aboard by Whitebeard's crew, and discovered in shock that Inuarashi and Nekomamushi had stowed away as well. Whitebeard let Toki come aboard as well, and Oden's group participated in many adventures with the crew that showed Oden just how big the world is. One day, Toki told the crew that she was 26, but had been born 800 years ago. Meanwhile, Shanks and Buggy read about the addition of Oden to the Whitebeard Pirates, and Gol D. Roger was intrigued at the thought of a samurai escaping from Wano, expressing a desire to meet Oden.
One Piece, Volume 96
Chapter 965
As the Moby Dick sailed the New World, Oden and Toki studied a crude map of the world. Oden asked where Toki was born, and she did not know, but wanted to go to Wano Country because her parents were from there. Oden replied that they may not be able to get back there, but she was fine with it as long as she was with him. One day, the Whitebeard Pirates fled from a Marine battalion, and Oden wanted to fight them. Whitebeard said it would not be in their best interest, revealing that the Marines had control over the entire world. Oden was surprised to hear that, and Whitebeard told him that, in a way, Wano was still free.
Two years after Oden and Toki joined the Whitebeard Pirates, Toki gave birth to their son, whom Oden named Kouzuki Momonosuke. Izou advised that they return to Wano for Momonosuke's safety since Oden now had a bounty on his head, but Oden and Toki assured him that they would be fine. As this happened, Nekomamushi read the newspaper and noted that it never reported on events in Wano, wanting to know how their comrades were. Some time later, Whitebeard decided to split his growing crew into divisions, and he appointed Oden as the leader of the second division, which Oden was not enthused by. The Whitebeard Pirates continued exploring new islands and taking in new people, including an orphan named Teach. The more Oden saw during this voyage, the more he wanted to continue adventuring.
Back on Wano, the four daimyo went to the Flower Capital to gather around a critically ill Sukiyaki. Sukiyaki decreed that Oden was to succeed him as shogun, but he would appoint an acting regent to rule while Oden was away. For that position he chose Orochi, who he believed was like a little brother to Oden. Yasuie was surprised to see Orochi there, as well as to hear of him having that kind of relationship with Oden. Orochi graciously accepted Sukiyaki's bestowment, promising to redeem the Kurozumi Family from his grandfather's treachery.
However, over 13 years before this, Orochi had been approached by an old woman who foresaw that he would become shogun. She asked if he knew what had happened to his grandfather, and Orochi stated that he was executed for committing treason. The old woman laughed this off, saying that attempting to gain power was not a crime. She revealed that in his grandfather's time, the Kouzuki Family did not have an heir to the shogunate, leaving the leaders of the daimyo families including the Kurozumi Family as the top choices to succeed the shogun. Orochi's grandfather worked to make himself the front runner by poisoning the other daimyo, and their deaths grieved the shogun and drove him closer to death. However, the shogun managed to unexpectedly father an heir, Sukiyaki. Orochi's grandfather's plot was eventually exposed and he was sentenced to commit seppuku, with his family losing their power and wealth and living in squalor. After hearing this story, Orochi was entranced by the idea that he could have become shogun and blamed Sukiyaki for preventing this. The old woman then revealed that she could change her appearance with the Mane Mane no Mi and presented Orochi with the Hebi Hebi no Mi, Model: Yamata no Orochi, saying she would give him the power to become shogun if he followed her instructions. Orochi agreed, and the woman commanded him to gather up gold and start manufacturing weapons in order to gain powerful allies.
Orochi first went to Hakumai, where Yasuie agreed to let him work for him. Orochi eventually disappeared, taking all the gold in Yasuie's safe with him. He then went to Kuri, where he asked Oden to lend him money many times. Despite his retainers warning him against it, Oden always obliged. Later, Orochi went with Oden to the shogun's castle, where Oden requested that Orochi be given a job there, saying he was like his little brother. However, Oden was actually the old woman in disguise. In the current time, after he had been declared Sukiyaki's temporary successor, Orochi laughed with the shogun, whom the old woman was posing as.
During the fourth year of Oden's voyage, the Whitebeard Pirates noticed the sea creatures fleeing in panic from an island, and they talked about checking it out as Oden and Toki tried to calm the crying Momonosuke and Hiyori. The crew docked at the island, and found even the land animals running away. On the other side of the island, the Roger Pirates had brutally beaten a group of Marines when Buggy alerted them that the Whitebeard Pirates had arrived. Roger decided to go and confront them, as it may be the final time he would get to encounter Whitebeard.
Chapter 966
26 years ago, Roger sensed Oden drawing near him, and Oden raced toward the Roger Pirates despite his crewmates warning him not to. Oden overwhelmed a few of Roger's subordinates, and Silvers Rayleigh and Scopper Gaban prepared to take him on together. However, Roger stopped them as he charged toward Oden, saying that the two of them would get hurt, although they believed he just wanted to fight Oden by himself. With one slash of his sword, Roger slightly injured Oden and sent him flying into a faraway tree. Oden quickly recovered and tried to get back to Roger, but Whitebeard then came and engaged in a monstrous clash with the pirate, which unleashed enough force to blow back everything on the island as well as the Moby Dick. As the two powerful pirates clashed, their crews charged toward each other to fight and pillage each other, and the battle lasted for three days and three nights.
Afterwards, however, the fighting died down and turned into a gift exchange. Marshall D. Teach examined Shanks and Buggy, and Buggy told Shanks that he heard that Teach had never slept in his life, including during the ceasefire the last couple of nights. Meanwhile, Roger talked with Whitebeard and Oden, and presented a transcript of a Poneglyph, which Oden confirmed that he could read. Roger revealed that 13 years ago, his crew reached Lodestar Island, the final island in the New World accessible by Log Pose. However, the crew knew that there was one last island, and Roger had figured out that he needed the information on the Poneglyphs to reach it. He stated that it was his greatest ambition to reach this last island and become the greatest pirate in the world, and his proclamation stunned Oden. Roger then humbly asked Whitebeard to let him borrow Oden for one year in order to decipher the Road Poneglyphs, but Whitebeard angrily refused. However, Oden decided that he wanted to go with Roger and so asked Whitebeard to oblige, which he did reluctantly. Oden bid farewell to Izou, Inuarashi, and Nekomamushi, and the Roger Pirates left behind their treasure and food as repayment for taking Oden, though Whitebeard told his subordinates to give the food back so Oden would not starve.
As the Roger Pirates sailed away, Roger and Rayleigh met Momonosuke and Hiyori. The crew then discovered stowaways, and Oden was shocked to see that Inuarashi and Nekomamushi had followed him. The Roger Pirates were not keen to accept Oden as a comrade, but Oden managed to start getting along with them very quickly. Crocus told Roger that he had a year left to live, and Roger decided to make the most of it. The crew sailed up the Knock Up Stream to Skypiea, and they climbed Giant Jack to find the Golden Bell. Soon afterward, Roger found the Poneglyph there by hearing the voices inside it, and told Oden to write a message on it that he had come.
Chapter 967
The Roger Pirates made it out of Skypiea safely and came to Water 7. There, Oden, Inuarashi, and Nekomamushi revealed that there was a red Poneglyph in both of their countries, and Roger was annoyed that they did not tell him earlier. Having stolen Big Mom's Road Poneglyph and strongly suspecting where the final one might be, Roger grew excited at the likelihood of finding all four Road Poneglyphs. The crew then met with Tom, and Oden talked to Franky, asking if the young orphan would like to come with them. Franky refused, not wanting to be abandoned by pirates again.
The crew sailed to multiple other destinations as they sang Binks' Sake to pass the time, and at one point came across one of the stone Wolf bridges. After passing by the Sabaody Archipelago they traveled underwater to Fish-Man Island, and Roger and Oden both heard noises around them. They were then stopped by Neptune and his guards and taken to the island. Neptune told Roger that he had heard a prophecy that the gates of Fish-Man Island would be destroyed, and suspected Roger would be the one to do it. Right then, Neptune's men reported to him that a Sea King attacked the gates and that there was a hole in the bubble wall. Neptune ordered the bubble to be sealed and bemoaned that the prophecy came true regardless of their efforts, and the Roger Pirates yelled at him for accusing them.
Then, a 3-year-old Shyarly stated that the Sea Kings are restless because they are waiting for the Mermaid Princess to be born. This surprised everyone, including Neptune because he was not married yet. Neptune then took the Roger Pirates to the Road Poneglyph as well as the Poneglyph containing Joy Boy's letter of apology, but they were surprised to not find the Ancient Weapon Poseidon there as Skypiea's Poneglyph had said. However, Neptune revealed that Shyarly recently predicted that a mermaid who could talk to Sea Kings would soon be born. Thus, he believed that his future daughter would be Poseidon. Roger asked Shyarly when the Mermaid Princess would be born, and she replied that it would be 10 years. Rayleigh assured Neptune that they were not after the weapon, but rather after the weapon creator's treasure.
The Roger Pirates later departed Fish-Man Island and continued adventuring in the New World. However, as they were drawing close to Wano, Toki came down with a fever and collapsed. Crocus stated that she could not continue sailing in that state, and ordered for her to disembark on Wano like she had originally wanted. Inuarashi, Nekomamushi, and Oden decided to stay behind on Wano with Toki, but Toki told Oden to fulfill his promise and finish his adventure. Kin'emon, Kanjuro, Raizo, Kawamatsu, and Kikunojo greeted Oden's family in Kuri and begged Oden to come back and rule over Wano, but Toki silenced them as Oden decided to continue going with Roger. As he headed back to the shore, Oden elected not to look back at his country, which was now dotted with factories, as he knew he could not leave it again if he did. After transcribing the Poneglyphs, the Roger Pirates quickly left Wano.
Later, the Roger Pirates made it to Zou, and delivered a letter to Duke Hitsugisukan from Inuarashi and Nekomamushi to let him know they were alive and well. They proceeded to find the final Road Poneglyph in the whale tree, and afterwards, Pedro begged Roger to let him come with him, but Roger said that the young mink's time had not yet come. With the transcripts of all four Road Poneglyphs, the Roger Pirates charted the final island, but as they drew close to it, Buggy came down with a fever and he and Shanks stayed behind, with the latter saying they would get there on their own ship in the future. The Roger Pirates proceeded to reach the final island and conquered the Grand Line, with Roger becoming the Pirate King. Oden wrote of this experience, recounting that they had discovered the truths about the Void Century, the meaning of D., and the Ancient Weapons, and he learned that Wano had once been connected to the outside world. However, when Roger found Joy Boy's treasure, he and the crew reacted with hearty laughter. Roger wished that he had lived in the same era as Joy Boy, saying that his story was a funny one. Because of this, he decided to name this island "Laugh Tale".
Chapter 968
After returning from Laugh Tale, Shanks and Buggy are reunited with the rest of Roger Pirates. Shanks asked something about Roger's final voyage and cried after hearing Roger's answer. Roger and co. then learned that the world is on a stir after the birth of the Pirate King, "Gold Roger". Roger is annoyed that the World Government is hiding his true name, Gol D. Roger, but considering everything they learned in Laugh Tale, he understands the reason for this conspiracy. The world at large referred to everything that Roger gained as the "One Piece".
Some time after that, Roger gathered all of his crewmates to show them his gratitude and tell them that the Roger Pirates are disbanded. A flashback during the crew's travel to Fish-Man Island is then shown, where both Roger and Oden heard a discussion between two Sea Kings about the birth of their queen who will be born 10 years from now and will need another 15 years to grow. Roger asked Shyarly about the birth of the Mermaid Princess and learned that she will be born in 10 years. Roger predicts that someone will be born that surpasses them, as they're too early at finding the One Piece. He said to Rayleigh that his child will find One Piece, but the first mate pointed out that Roger doesn't have a child which Roger responded that he will eventually have one. Roger orders the crew to sail to someplace where the Marines aren't waiting, saying he will be the first one to leave the Oro Jackson.
Roger intends to meet Edward Newgate for the last time before he dies and asks Oden about Izou. Oden said that Izou is already very comfortable on Whitebeard's ship and asks Roger to pass on a message to Izou to take care of Whitebeard for him. After reaching an island, Roger said something to Rayleigh and then he finally stepped off the ship with a bundle of medicine from Crocus, as his disease was in its final stages. The crew bid him farewell in a waterfall of tears, despite Oden claiming in his journals that not a single tear was shed.
Their next destination is Wano Country, where the crew dropped off Oden. Oden said that he will open the borders of his country before the day that Joy Boy appears. The crew bid their farewell to Oden, again with a rain of tears, despite Oden claiming that they parted with a smile.
Oden finally reunites with his family and his retainers and is surprised to see the warm welcome he receives from the citizens of Kuri, expecting criticism instead. His retainers explain how Toki helped the citizens and she and their children are the most popular people in the whole country and that people don't talk about Oden's past actions for which he thanks Toki.
Oden then tells Kikunojo about Izou, which he already knows of. Oden asks about the whereabouts of Ashura and Denjiro and learns that Ashura is keeping the yakuza and bandits in Kuri under control while Denjiro is going around Wano borrowing money.
The Scabbards then tell Oden about all that happened in Wano during his absence including his father's death and Orochi's atrocities on the citizens as well as his alliance with Kaidou. Toki tries to stop them from speaking. However, upon Oden's insistence, Kin'emon explains that while he and some of his fellow retainers went to the Flower Capital to confront Orochi, the Beasts Pirates attacked Oden Castle and tried to kill Momonosuke, but the attackers were driven away by Kawamatsu and Inuarashi. However, Toki got struck by the initial arrow and received a permanent scar on her leg. Oden thanks Toki and angrily rushes out of Kuri with his swords despite everyone's pleas.
The citizens of the Flower Capital are happy to see Oden back to take over as the shogun. Oden defeats Orochi's guards and finally prepares to kill him.
Chapter 969
Despite recalling Toki's warning of a potential enemy counterattack, an enraged Oden prepares to finally cut down Orochi as he cowers in fear. However a barrier suddenly appears that protects the Shogun from the killing blow, much to Oden's confusion. After more failed attempts to attack Orochi and understand the barrier, Oden yells at Orochi to come out. An elderly man who has been observing and playing the Biwa - Kurozumi Semimaru, assures Orochi that he has nothing to worry about, as he is being protected by the "Barrier Barrier Arts". Semimaru tells Oden that his strength means nothing in this instance, which is then confirmed by Kurozumi Higurashi. Higurashi further taunts Oden about his time as a pirate, and how must have experienced Devil Fruits at one point. Orochi becomes brazen after realizing that Oden can't hurt him, and assures the samurai that if his rule were a problem that could be solved by anger and violence, then the Daimyos would have already dealt with him. Outside, supporters excited for Oden's return begin to gather and cheer on his ascent to the seat of Shogun, as the rightful heir of the Kouzuki Clan. Oden reveals he had heard of his father assigning Orochi as his proxy, though only until his return, and demands Orochi give up the title. Orochi however reveals that the order never actually came from his father as Higurashi demonstrates her Mane Mane no Mi abilities by transforming into Sukiyaki. Orochi grows more emboldened as he unravels how this deception extended to Wano as a whole and not just the Daimyos, so he truly is under no obligation to cede his authority to Oden. The infuriates Oden even further, demanding to know what actually happened to his father. As the excited crowd outside continued to cheer for the return of the Kouzuki Clan to power, poison arrows suddenly pierced the crowd. Two victims immediately began coughing up blood, and lost their sight. As the citizens flee into the safety of their homes, Kaidou appears above the Flower Capital. From a crack in the ceiling, Shinobu overhears the conversation between Oden and Orochi.
After a few hours, Oden is suddenly seen stripped down to his loincloth, dancing like a fool and begging for money throughout the Flower Capital. Kaidou and Orochi's underlings all laugh at him, as well as Orochi, Semimaru, and Higurashi. Oden had served as the people of Wano's final beacon of hope for freedom from a cruel tyrant, but their hopes quickly turned to disappointment and anger after seeing him like this. On a weekly basis Oden appeared in the Flower Capital outside of the castle to dance and beg for money, much to the disdain of the townspeople. Knowing that there was something he wasn't telling them, his retainers attempted to draw out the truth. However Oden coldly rejected their inquiries, simply stating that it was his job to dance and ask for money. Word of Oden's antics in the capital eventually reached Kuri as well, resulting in him being openly ridiculed everywhere he went. Children threw things at him, parents warned their children to be nothing like him, and fellow samurai criticized him for choosing to be Orochi's lapdog rather than committing seppuku.
After a year of this (24 years before the present), Oden received a newspaper that Roger had been executed. With the world abuzz about Roger's exploits and the allure of the One Piece, a great new age of piracy had begun. Oden repeatedly laughed and cried as he ran up and down Kuri Beach, praising Roger for the life he lived.
After two years had passed since Oden returned, a war between the Beasts Pirates and Gecko Moria's forces broke out in Ringo. Ryuma's grave was ransacked during this time as well. Oden continued to dance during this period, and any associates of his were considered fools. This included his family, which causes Oden to ask Toki if she wants to divorce him. She denies, wondering if he was attempting to upset her. His retainers appear unbothered by it, with Kawamatsu, Nekomamushi, and Kiku laughing that they've been familiar with his naked dancing for some time. Yasuie ridicules him as well, though on the same level that he did before Oden was even a Daimyo. Oden eventually goes to visit Hyougoro, though is insulted by one of his guards when he arrives. Taka immediately reprimands the guard for this, as she and her husband have tea with Oden. The Yakuza boss reveals that Orochi has been rather insistent in trying to get him to work for him, which prompts Oden to warn him to stay out of danger. Taka remarks on how Oden's dancing has gotten a lot better, which the samurai playfully denies.
Three more years go by of Oden dancing in the capital, and after the fifth year since Oden's return to Wano, Orochi visits the region of Kuri. He states that he would like to build a number of weapon factories in Kuri, and wants Oden's help, as he presses his sandal into a bowing Oden's face. Oden begins to asks about something related to ships and Kaidou that might prevent this, but when Orochi responds that he has no clue what he is talking about, Oden grows visibly disturbed. Orochi states that Wano will be a weapons producer, and due to not being able to control Hyougoro, he handed him over to Kaidou. He lays out how Taka wouldn't stop clinging to him, and how they shot her dead on the spot. He then proceeds to make a cruel joke about thinking that a Yakuza's wife would be easier to control. It is revealed that "Hyougoro The Flower" had been taken prisoner, and that when his followers attempted to fight back, a total of sixteen were killed. Oden begins uncontrollably sobbing at this, as the suspicion held by his family and retainers that he'd been shouldering a heavy burden all this time is finally confirmed. Much to the delight of his vassals, Oden announces that the time has finally come to strike down Kaidou.
At sunset, the citizens murmur amongst themselves as they watch Oden and his nine retainers begin to march on Kaidou. The bright red sun in the background appeared to shine on them like a blaze, which extended to their katanas. Due to this, and their fierce loyalty, they became known from that day forward as the "Nine Red Scabbards".
Chapter 970
As Kouzuki Oden and the Nine Red Scabbards march on Kaidou, Shimotsuki Yasuie is shown to be hastily on the move as well. Oden and the scabbards are shocked to discover Kaidou waiting on them and fully prepared for battle, as he was planning on attacking Kaidou as he got drunk on Onigashima Island. Kaidou reveals that he has a spy in Oden castle, and with his new mansion having just been built, he did not want it used as a battleground. As Oden removes his robe and prepares for battle, he realizes that Kaidou and Orochi have been feeding him all lies for the past five years. Kaidou confirms this, revealing that due to having lower numbers back then, he sensed they would have been disadvantaged after Oden's return had he teamed up with Hyougoro and the nation's samurai. He further chastises Oden for choosing the peaceful option to save lives, remarking that Roger and Whitebeard also had soft spots for civilians despite their fearsome reputations as pirates. Kaidou finishes by mocking Oden for his dancing - claiming that he has none of the dignity of his predecessors, to which Oden retorts that he stands by his decision.
Oden effortlessly charges through the first wave of Kaidou's forces, with the rest of the scabbards backing him up into battle. The opposing forces are taken aback by how strong samurai actually are, but nonetheless feel confident in their superior numbers. As the battle begins in earnest, Yasuie arrives at Oden castle and reveals that Oden has sent him a message that his family would be in danger. He warns Toki that they need to be prepared for the worst, as if Oden loses this battle, then the entire country is lost as well.
On the battlefield, a Beast Pirate takes aim at Oden with his rifle but is struck down with a kunai knife from an unknown assailant. Spotting someone moving through the trees above, Oden asks who did it, to which Shinobu reveals herself. She asks to join him in battle, and Oden recognizes her from her youth in serving his father as Shogun. She states that she stayed at the castle hoping to eventually serve the Kouzuki Clan and Oden once again, but the Oniwabanshu eventually switched their allegiance over to Orochi. She is saddened when Oden doesn't blame her for losing faith in a "fool of a lord", but nonetheless reaffirms her desire to help the scabbards in battle. With Shinobu joining the fight, it became eleven samurai against one thousand pirates. Despite this, the battle lasted much longer than expected, as Oden proved stronger than the enemy could have ever fathomed. Kaidou unleashes a massive fire blast, but Oden recovers from this and manages to slice his neck with Oden Nitōryū: Tougen Totsuka. The blow sends Kaidou crashing to the ground, much to the disbelief of his subordinates. As Oden moves in for the finishing blow, he suddenly hears Momonosuke call out to him, which distracts him as he looks over to see his son being held captive by a Beast Pirate. Taking advantage of the opening, Kaidou reverts to his human form and smashes Oden across the face with his mace, incapacitating him. "Momonosuke" reveals himself to actually be Kurozumi Higurashi using her Mane Mane abilities, and the distraction leads to Ashura Doji being stabbed in the back as the rest of the scabbards are overwhelmed.
The fighting was so intense that it caused wildfires in Udon's forests that did not subside until it rained five days later. Oden and the nine scabbards were ultimately imprisoned in the Flower Capital, Shinobu having been released after Oden claimed to have no connection to her. She is pensive as she walks through the streets of the capital, listening to the cold reactions of the townspeople to Oden's defeat. She stops as the sentence for Oden and his retainers is officially announced. Momonosuke and Hiyori inquire about their father's return, and Toki doesn't give a direct answer. Tsuru is seen musing over an origami crane, while Yasuie sits in the rain on the steps of his home. It is announced that in three days time, Oden and his nine retainers will be boiled to death in the public square of the capital.
Chapter 971
In Oden Castle in Kuri, Kouzuki Toki and her children, Momonosuke and Hiyori, dine as a servant tested Momonosuke's meal for poison. Momonosuke questions why his life is targeted, and Toki explains that it is because he is the heir to the Kouzuki Family. As the food is cleared for the family, Momonosuke asks his mother about his father's execution, before beginning to tear up.
In the Flower Capital, the execution of Kouzuki Oden and the Nine Red Scabbards is about to commence, as a pot of boiling oil is set. As the citizens rush to the site, Oden is walking towards the pot while being watched by Kurozumi Orochi and Kaidou as the citizens comment on Oden's crime. Oden stops and turns to ask Kaidou for a chance to be saved. A guard tries to hurry Oden, but slips and falls into the pot, and is immediately burned. Oden offers for the ten of them to enter the pot for a set amount of time, and those who survive are to be set free. Sure that the possibility of surviving is nonexistent, Kaidou grants Oden's request, and has a clock set for one hour.
As the onlookers watch intensely, Oden steps into the boiling pot and immediately screams in pain. As the Scabbards rush forward to join their master, Oden orders them to stand on a large wooden platform, which he uses to hold them over his head, saving his men from the torture.
Orochi complains about the Scabbards not standing in the oil, but Kaidou enjoys the show and says they are in the pot as agreed. After a minute has passed, the spectators are amazed at Oden's endurance. As four minutes have passed, the citizens start to complain about how long the execution takes, causing Shinobu to lash out at them, calling them fools.
Shinobu then reveals the truth about Oden's attack on Orochi five years ago. As he was protected behind Kurozumi Semimaru's barrier, Orochi revealed that he went after the shogunate as revenge against all of Wano Country's citizens for persecuting and hunting down the Kurozumi Family after his grandfather's acts of treason. As part of his revenge, Orochi kidnapped many citizens and held them in his castle. As Oden tried to attack once more, Kaidou stepped in to battle him, until Orochi offered him a choice: If Oden continued to fight them, more lives would be lost, but if Oden would humiliate himself by performing a weekly naked dance, 100 people would be spared.
Oden agreed to the deal, and Orochi and Kaidou promised to leave Wano in five years. Oden also went to different regions to check if Orochi was true to his words. Shinobu finishes her story, as the citizens are shocked at the actions of the savior they called a fool.
Chapter 972
As the citizens are surprised by Shinobu revealing the truth behind Oden's actions, she is threatened by Fukurokuju and the Orochi Oniwabanshu for speaking against the shogun. Shinobu confronts her former leader with the rise of the Kouzuki Family, but he dismisses her words. Meanwhile, the citizens beg for Orochi to stop the execution, but they are shot with arrows in response.
The crowd then realizes both Orochi and Oden's actions, but discovers too late that they are surrounded by Orochi's men, as words about Oden's bravery spread out. Oden then talks to his retainers about a figure from 800 years ago that Wano Country should be prepared to follow. He then states that he will die today, much to the distress of Kikunojo, and reveals his wish to open Wano to the rest of the world.
News continued to spread throughout Wano, to its further regions, as the temperature of the boiling oil kept rising. The citizens cheered for Oden, encouraging him to withstand the torture, and offering the apologies for their harsh words and their ignorance. Despite the situation and their past, Oden forgave and thanked them all, appreciating their support.
Oden then reveals his wish once more, now to the rest of Wano, revealing it was the Kouzuki who closed off Wano, in order to protect it from harm by an unknown force. He then continues to say that Wano and the entire world is waiting for a figure to come after an 800 years span. When that time comes, Wano, as Oden emphasizes, has to welcome and work with them. He then requests his scabbards to open Wano's border for this to happen. As Denjiro starts to comment, he is stopped by Raizo, who speaks on behalf of the Scabbards, saying they would make Oden's dream their own.
As the hour was about to pass, and Oden remained standing, Orochi began to worry, and the clock and the citizens counted down as the hour was done. As the citizens and Scabbards celebrated, it was short-lived, as a firing squad assembled around the pot, and Orochi reveals that he changed the sentence a minute prior and prepares to kill the entire group. As a citizen tries to object and is shot down, Oden throws his men far away from the execution site, freeing them. Kin'emon tells his fellow Scabbards to run towards Kuri. Shinobu is also able to escape, and as the Scabbards reminisce about their savior under fire, Kaidou aims a gun at Oden, still in the boiling pot.
The pirate comments on Oden's heroism and apologizes about Higurashi's acts in their last fight, before revealing he had her killed. Oden commends him for his honor, and recites his name phrase "I am Oden, and I was born..." but is shot and his body sinks into the sizzling oil, leaving the sorrowful citizens to finish in his honor: "To boil!"
Back in Kuri, in Oden Castle, a servant tells Kouzuki Toki the news and she reads a letter left to her by Oden before he left to face Kaidou. In the letter, Oden gives Toki instruction in case he fails to bring Kaidou down. He tells her that 20 years from then, a war is likely to break out and a power capable of bringing Kaidou down will come to the New World, and he asks her to use her abilities. Toki then remembers her visiting Oden while he was imprisoned. He gave her his swords to pass them on to their children. Toki tears up the letter, and with tears in her eyes, she promises to follow Oden's words.
Chapter 973
As the Roger Pirates were leaving Skypiea, Kouzuki Oden lifted his son above his head, allowing him to see the horizon, and told him that this is just a small part of the vast world outside Wano Country. During their travels, Oden started teaching Momonosuke various things, much to the surprise of the rest of the crew regarding the subjects he is teaching his young boy. After Oden returned from his travels, Oden spent time with his family, told his retainers about Zou, and listened to his daughter music.
As the Scabbards ran from the Beasts Pirates, Shinobu brought the samurai their weapons, allowing them to cut through the enemy. Shinobu then asked if she could became one of the family retainers, to which Kin'emon replied that none of them asked to become one, so it is up to her to decide, which she tearfully accepted. At the back of the group, Inuarashi and Nekomamushi started to argue, blaming the other for being Kaidou's spy, which ended with them being caught by one of the Numbers. Denjiro and Ashura Doji stayed back to help them, while the rest head forward to Kuri.
At Oden Castle, The Beasts Pirates surrounded the place, as a fire was set below it. Inside, Kouzuki Toki held her children as the pirate broke in. After knocking her out, Kaidou held Momonosuke by the throat on the roof, planning to kill him to end the Kouzuki lineage. Momonosuke replied that he will succeed his father, as a great warrior. Kaidou then tossed Momonosuke inside the burning castle as he flowed away. The Scabbards then crushed in, and Toki called them forward to instruct them about the plan.
After Kin'emon group was sent away, and Kawamatsu escaped with Hiyori, Toki rode to Bakura Town, to deliver her prophecy, as she recalled her life with Oden, before collapsing from her wounds. Fearful of the prophecy, Orochi could not stop shivering. Meanwhile, Ashura, Kawamatsu, and Denjiro prepare themselves for the 20 years to come.
Sometime later, Denjiro's grief and anger, transformed him, making his appearance unrecognizable. Denjiro then headed to the Flower Capital, where he introduced himself as "Kyoshiro", and gathered new followers. With his new reputation, Kyoshiro met with Orochi, and began serving him as the Yakuza boss, taking Hyogoro's position. At the same time, the citizens of the capital began noticing Kyoshiro tired appearance, calling him "Dozing", unbeknownst to them that the reason for this was Denjiro spent his nights stealing money as the "Ushimitsu Kozo".
Thirteen years ago, after Hiyori left Kawamatsu, she was found and brought to Kyoshiro, who recognized her and brought her in. After identifying himself, Denjiro swore to protect Hiyori in Kawamatsu place, and trained her to become "Komurasaki", hiding until the day of the battle foretold by Toki.
Chapter 974
After a time in which Hiyori gave Denjiro money she acquired while working as Komurasaki, for him to give to the poor, he warned her about her actions, and asked her to place blood bags beneath her clothes. He explained that Orochi have developed feelings for her, and he wants to prepare her to when they would fake her death in order to escape Orochi's eyes.
A few months prior to the current time, as Kin'emon's group were brought to the present, Orochi had a meeting with Kaidou when he received the report of the group's arrival. As Orochi sent his men to watch the shores for their departure, Kaidou expressed his desire to capture them alive for questioning. Orochi then praised his spy, and revealed to Kaidou the spy's history and how they met.
The spy's parents were part of a theater group, being killed before his eyes, due to their connection to the Kurozumi Family. Devastated, the boy wished to die, but was approached by Orochi, Semimaru, and Higurashi, the latter revealed they disposed of his parents' killers for revenge. The boy then agreed to follow Orochi, was given a Devil Fruit, and ordered to pretend to be loyal to the Kouzuki Family to the death while Orochi planned his revenge.
Orochi then claimed that the spy would steal funds from Oden and gave it to Orochi, whenever he came to borrow money, and that that riches was the reason he and Kaidou are now working together. Orochi then claimed the spy was so determined to die while playing his role, even during Oden's execution, revealing him to be one of the Nine Red Scabbards.
Back in the present, the Scabbards set sail on their boat, and left Momonosuke in the care of Shinobu. Momonosuke bagged them to came back from their suicidal quest, but Kin'emon, despite the 4,200 men he gathered failed to arrived, still had hopes in succeeding due to their small number.
On the boat, the Scabbards began to wonder how their plans were foiled, and realized the spy may be one of them. Kin'emon stated that by this point it does not matter who the spy is, to which Kikunojo disagreed and Kanjuro speaks up, wanting to clear everything.
Kanjuro then revealed himself to be the spy, to the rest of the Scabbards' shock and disbelief. Questioning this reveal, Kanjuro claimed he had no ill will towards them, he was just loyal to Orochi, revealing he is a member of the Kurozumi Family. Kanjuro proceed to tell them how he revealed their plot to Orochi, as three ships with the Beasts Pirates on board appear in their path.
The pirates are quite surprised to see Orochi was correct on the Scabbards' survival and came to pick up Kanjuro, and while he was distracted with their arrival, Kin'emon beheaded him. Kanjuro however continued his monologue, revealing that the reason he is confessing now is Orochi gave him order to bring Momonosuke to Onigashima, and Kanjuro is revealed to be back on shore, holding Momonosuke, as his drawing fade from the boat.
Suddenly, the Beasts Pirates ships are attacked as the Thousand Sunny emerges from the high waves. At the same time, the Scabbards boat is lifted from the water by the Polar Tang, and a second ship is attacked on the other side by the Victoria Punk. To the Scabbards shock, the Straw Hat, Heart, and Kid Pirates prepare to take on the Beasts Pirates on a sea battle fitting pirates.
One Piece, Volume 97
Chapter 975
Although the arrival of the Straw Hat Pirates, Heart Pirates, and Kid Pirates was unexpected, the Beasts Pirates are still confident as they reveal how they prevented the rest of the Kouzuki Family's allies from getting to Tokage Port as well as that they had formed an alliance with the Big Mom Pirates. The rookie Pirates are shocked to hear that the two Emperors have decided to ally with one another.
However, Luffy, Law, and Kid then simultaneously attack and destroy one of their ships.
Soon Kyoshiro and his family arrives on his ship. The Beasts Pirates believe he is here to aid them in battle and beg him to sink the enemy ships and he proceeds to attack one of the Beast Pirates ships by cutting it in half. Kyoshiro then addresses the Samurai, as Zoro recognizes him from the town.
Ashura Doji believes Kyoshiro might make a bad enemy. However, to the shock of everyone, Kyoshiro then tells the Samurai that his family will aid them in battle.
Kyoshiro speaks to Kin'emon about the Mountain God incident, in which the Capital was nearly destroyed. This shocks Kin'emon, as only one person was aware of this before he realizes who Kyoshiro is and asks if he is Denjiro. Cutting off his pompadour, Kyoshiro reveals his true identity as Denjiro, as his allies are shocked by his new appearance.
Denjiro then reveals that Yasuie's altered message actually instructed the Kouzuki allies to meet at the wharf by Habu Port. Thus, their allies had been able to reach the wharf before Orochi destroyed the bridges, and Denjiro had freed the Rasetsu Town prisoners after Orochi had left him in charge of the Flower Capital. As he reveals this, the alliance, now numbering 5400, arrives at Tokage Port on a massive fleet.
Infuriated that his plans were foiled, Kanjuro curses Kin'emon. Denjiro then commends his friend for fooling the enemy, as Kin'emon takes it in stride, while he internally notes that he had actually misunderstood the message himself.
Chapter 976
As the Samurai congratulate Kin'emon's ingenuity, the Scabbards (save for Denjiro) are suspicious and pester him for the truth. He shrugs off this by preparing for a fight with his possible death, as his allies assures him that he won't fall alone.
Kanjuro decides to retreat and take Momonosuke to Orochi, as Kawamatsu dives into the water to return to the docks. However, Kanjuro holds him back with his brush before he conjures a crane and escapes on its back, claiming that he would find Hiyori and dispose of her, now that he knows she still lives. Kawamatsu is infuriated at this, as is Kin'emon about Kanjuro using terrible drawings for them in their time together.
On the Sunny, the Straw Hats determine that Kanjuro was the spy and decide to hinder him. Sanji prepares to pursue them through his Sky Walk but Kanjuro creates and shoots out a cloud of ink. With this technique, which Kanjuro calls Ukiyo Yudachi Ezu, a shower of ink rains down on the alliance, striking their allies and the ships. Kanjuro then mocks Oden and Toki's legacy as well as Momonosuke's cowardice. Through tears, Momonosuke tells his allies to continue the fight, while he escapes on his own but internally doubts it.
Hearing this, Luffy brings on how Momonosuke is crying (with the Samurai being angered by his audacity) but Luffy promises to save him no matter what. Momonosuke is touched before Kanjuro flies them away to Onigashima. The battle on the seas continue, with the Scabbards regrouping with Shinobu and Denjiro on the Polar Tang. Law is annoyed by them using his ship, as they thank him in spite of his protests.
The Beasts Pirates battleship begins sinking rebel ships with long-range cannons, as the Straw Hats decide to advance on it. Everyone on the battlefield realize the disadvantage, although Kid is not concerned. Soon the battleship is sunk, as a voice is heard introducing himself as the newest recruit of the Straw Hat Pirates. It is shown to be none other than Jinbe. Law is shocked by Jinbe's presence while Kid is shocked to hear that the former Warlord of the Sea has joined Luffy's crew.
Having reintroduced himself, Jinbe tells Luffy that he kept his word of returning alive to join the raid on Onigashima, with the Straw Hats happy he made it.
Chapter 977
The Straw Hats embrace Jinbe as he reveals he was tending to the injured Sun Pirates and then there was a farewell party that caused him to be late. Usopp expresses amazement that a former member of the Seven Warlords is now their crewmate and Robin says it is heartening. Nami and Chopper tell Franky that Jinbe is an amazing helmsman and the cyborg expresses joy that someone can draw out the Thousand Sunny's true potential. Jinbe asks a question and Franky finishes by asking if he wants a drink. Most of the crew agree while Sanji asks where the alcohol is supposed to come from, and Zoro says he can sense it. Kin'emon yells to the Straw Hats that he wants to coordinate with them once they make it into the island, but they don't listen and Law tells Kin'emon to forget it because it will be a waste of time.
Shishilian jumps onto the Polar Tang and says he will listen. He says to Inuarashi that because he is a member of the Nine Red Scabbards, he should fight with them and he can lead the Minks, which Inuarashi agrees too. Hyougoro speaks up and says that he will lead the samurai so the Scabbards can fight unhindered. With all that said, Kin'emon goes over his plan: He explains the layout of Onigashima and the front gate, and how inside the giant skull of the mountain is Kaidou's castle. Thanks to the blueprints, they will aim for the rear entrance and split their forces in two, going left and right, to meet up at the rear entrance and ambush Kaidou while he's drunk. Denjiro, believing this plan was the one meant to deceive Kanjuro, asks Kin'emon what his real plan is, leaving the Scabbard captain stumped while Raizo wonders how smart Denjiro really thinks Kin'emon is.
Law jumps in and says that if they assume the enemy knows they are coming, their priority targets are the samurai, Luffy, Eustass Kid, and himself, and no matter how planned out their strategy is, there will always be two idiots who won't follow and charge at the enemy head on. He decides they should use them as decoys while their troops will split up on the mountain paths, but he also adds they are decoys too. Hyougoro is surprised by this and asks where the Scabbards will go, and he says by sea using his submarine, and that he will use his powers to warp them to the rear entrance after avoiding the whirlpools. Kin'emon thanks Law for his consideration but he feels he should stay back and lead their men. Denjiro says he will go by the mountain paths too because both troops need a commander. Ashura agrees to this so they can save their energy for their fight with Kaidou. Kin'emon says they will proceed as planned now and Denjiro praises him for the cautiousness, while Law realizes the Straw Hats are gone.
After hearing an explosion at the front gate, Denjiro realizes he forgot to tell them about the guards stationed there during the Fire Festival, and if they know about the raid, it will be bad. The Scabbards panic at what will happen to the Straw Hats, but are left dumbfounded when they take out the guards with no issue while Usopp, Nami, and Chopper watch from afar. Luffy yells to Kin'emon that they took out the guys at the gate and he tells the troops to make their way to the island. With alcohol somehow in their possession, Luffy prepares to throw a party to celebrate Jinbe's arrival but immediately puts it on hold for after Kaidou, Orochi, and Big Mom are defeated.
Kid yells to Luffy that he will not let anyone else take down Kaidou, because he needs to avenge Killer, who had dawned his mask again. The rest of the Kid Pirates agree, and even laugh the same way as Killer to preserve his feelings. Unwilling to let them get ahead, Luffy tells his crew to catch up to them.
At Onigashima, the Beasts Pirates are shown celebrating and Orochi tries to get close to a geisha. Queen yells for the chefs to bring out oshiruko but his subordinates say they are bringing it to Big Mom, to which he yells he does not care. Kaidou yells that he wants his son to show up and his subordinates reply they will find him. He is then informed that the Tobiroppo have arrived and he decides to introduce them to Big Mom, where he learns she is changing into a kimono. The Tobiroppo are seen making their entrance.
Chapter 978
Inside the Polar Tang, Law proceeds to take the Nine Red Scabbards to the rear entrance while the others make their way to Onigashima from the front, with Kin'emon and Denjiro leading the samurai. Denjiro says they should take caution in case they are attacked and Kin'emon asks if he is underestimating all of them. Denjiro replies that if they fail, the past 20 years would have been in vain, but Kin'emon says they will ensure this all ends soon. As they all reach the entrance, Kin'emon sees the enemy partying behind windows and, realizing they aren't expecting their attack, wonders if Kanjuro delivered his report. Nevertheless, he declares they should attack now. Sanji says Kaidou's mansion is under Onigashima and they should be careful if they are spotted.
Usopp notices some lookouts, who, albeit sloshed, see the ships and he takes them out using Midori Boshi: Nemuri So to knock them out. Jinbe says he understands a majority of the plan, but if they entered with such a large amount of ships in an open area, they will alert the enemy. However, the Straw Hats are surprised when they see the ships the samurai came on begin to sink. Luffy asks what is happening and Kin'emon replies that the samurai will not need them to return. This worries Usopp and Chopper regarding the Thousand Sunny and Jinbe says he will hide the ship while they land on the island. As Brook comments on the determination of the samurai, Kin'emon yells that they can't falter, because whether they live or die, at least they had the strength to stand up against Kaidou.
Chopper then notices several Beasts Pirates appearing across the bridge, but Robin points out at the end of the bridge the samurai are all donning Beasts Pirate outfits. Kid, Killer and their crew are surprised that they are wearing these outfits as well. Kin'emon reveals it is thanks to his powers everyone is looking like a Beasts Pirate and reminds them that they are still outnumbered and they all should make good use of the camouflage given. He also says they will revert to their previous clothes as soon as they remove their costumes or the outfits are destroyed, so they should avoid as much confrontation as possible until they reach the castle.
Inside Onigashima, the Beasts Pirates continue celebrating as Queen dances around and asks if he should look skinny. He gives a shout out to the Waiters, Pleasures, Gifters, and the Shinuchi. He then gives a shout out to the Tobiroppo, but they don't respond to him so he continues on with the Numbers, Oniwabanshu, and Big Mom's children.
One of the Tobiroppo, Ulti, says Queen would be better off dead because he called them jokesters when they didn't respond to his call. Page One tells her to think about fashion instead and the two argue. Who's-Who asks who would replace Queen if he died. Black Maria asks X Drake if it would be him but he refuses. Sasaki says he would be thankful if he did because that would apply for Page One as well, which irritates him. Ulti yells at Sasaki and tells him to stop screwing around or she'll kill him herself, and Page One tells her to shut up herself. Who's-Who tells the two of them to be quiet and Black Maria says she likes that Ulti never backs down when challenged. Drake asks why all six of them have been called together and Sasaki says it was an important demand from Kaidou, though he believes the outcome is easy to see. Ulti asks if this is a family matter and if Kaidou is stupid, much to the shock of the other five who tells her to shut up.
Chapter 979
Currently, Orochi is at a state of peace, because thanks to the information Kanjuro had been supplying him, he was able to coordinate the Red Scabbard's movements and take action to prevent their attack on him, which would finally give him some peace at night. Little did he actually know, was that the raid on Onigashima had already begun. As planned, Kin'emon and Denjiro were leading the Eastern and Southern troops respectively around the mountain while Law would bring the other Scabbards to the rear by sea. As for Kanjuro, who had tied up Momonosuke, he reveals that this is his first time coming to Onigashima, so he never thought it would be so complex for him to navigate and therefore, he has yet to give his report to Orochi. Furthermore, he is still seen as an enemy to the Beasts Pirates, as he had attacked some who had seen him. As Kanjuro wondered how he was going to deliver his report, Momonosuke notices a dagger on the ground.
Thanks to the disguises given, the Beasts Pirates are still unaware of the attack that has started. Franky notices that everyone had left but they would catch up in no time. He brings out his Battle Franky's as Jinbe states he remembers the vehicles from Fish-Man Island, though Franky says they are new models. He decides to ride Kurosai FR-U IV while giving Brachio Tank V to Chopper to command, much to his delight. Nami expresses relief that they can use it to advance safely and Carrot tells Chopper how cool he is for commanding the tank. Franky asks where Luffy went, and Jinbe tells him that when Kid ran off on his own, Luffy wanted to stop them because they didn't know about their plan. This causes Usopp, Chopper, Sanji, and Nami to yell at him that Luffy will definitely get spotted. Jinbe adds that Zoro ran off after Luffy so he would make sure he wouldn't get spotted, but this gets the four worried that he will get lost.
Sanji says they should leave the two of them to their own devices and asks Nami if he can ride with her to the battlefield, but she along with Chopper and Usopp tell him the tank is full, as Carrot and Shinobu were inside as well. Sanji asks Usopp if the inside is paradise for him, but Usopp retorts by saying if Sanji was fit to drive the artillery he could join, but he highly doubts it. Franky, on the other hand, offers Robin a ride, which she accepts, only for Brook to take the seat which irritates Franky, though the two of them drive off anyway, with Franky telling Chopper they will meet at the back of the island to park the vehicles. Sanji offers Robin a seat next to him on the tank, but she declines as it seemed dusty to her, so she decides to walk there alongside Jinbe. Jinbe notes how lively the crew is, and that while others would hold their breath in situations like this, those that take the situation lightly will become crucial factors. Robin comments on his words of wisdom and Jinbe says he wants to contribute as much importance as he can for the battle. From afar though, someone is watching them.
Inside Kaidou's castle, the Tobiroppo meet with Kaidou, with Ulti speaking to him happily, which irritates Page One. Kaidou offers them a drink but Sasaki turns it down, rather preferring to drink with him rather than underlings. Kaidou tells them they will meet in the venue shortly because he wants them to meet Big Mom, but it will have to be later because she is currently changing. He apologizes for keeping them all waiting before confessing he never summoned them at all. Who's-Who asks who did, and King comes in, revealing it was him. Who's-Who asks what he wants to say to them, and King says if they knew he was the one who called them, then he and Sasaki would have ignored him, which the two don't deny. King continues by saying that the two of them used to be pirate captains themselves, and have been trying to get a spot as an All-Star. They admit that is true and King tells them to re-evaluate their strength. Kaidou tells them to calm down and asks King why he used his name to summon them. King admits he heard about his problem and that the Tobiroppo will be needed, and Kaidou confirms. He asks one of his Shinuchi: Bao Huang, to announce the schedule. Bao Huang drops down from the ceiling and explains that Queen is hosting the Golden Kagura music on stage, the All-Stars and Fukurokuju were having a toast, and after that Kaidou and Orochi would give a speech. She then reveals the Big Mom Pirate's ship will arrive before the two Emperors announce the beginning of the biggest pirate alliance in the world. She concludes her reading with the reveal that Kaidou will make a really important announcement. Ulti is surprised by this because it is unlike him to make such an announcement unless it was super important. Kaidou confirms it but says if he revealed it now, it would bring confusion.
Kaidou then tells the Tobiroppo that their job is to find his idiot son Yamato who disappeared today. Black Maria says that is a difficult task and that the important announcement must be connected to Yamato, which Kaidou confirms. Ulti yells that this is a family issue so it shouldn't concern the group. Who's-Who asks what will happen should they bring him back safely, and Kaidou answers by telling them that they will have the right to fight an All-Star. He asks Jack and King if that is a problem and they deny, though Who's-Who is left grinning madly.
Outside the castle, Luffy continues to look for Kid, worried that because he knows nothing about Kouzuki Oden, he will mess everything up. He asks a drunken Beasts Pirate if he has seen Kid, but he doesn't recognize the name, also wondering if he has seen Luffy somewhere before. Luffy notices the food, but before he can eat it, he gets a pot of red bean soup poured on him, which he notices. The pirates complain that too much was made, so they were sending it back. One says it would go good with sake, while another insists on kicking it away because it is too sweet. They decide to give it to the people in Okobore Town while laughing at the thought of them licking it off the ground because the beggars should be happy. Luffy, however, is left enraged at the spilled food, as it reminded him of Tama and how happy she was when she ate some on her birthday.
Chapter 980
Luffy continues to watch as the Beasts Pirates mock the oshiruko after they spilled it, and unleashes a Gomu Gomu no Elephant Gun on the Pirates while angrily asking why they get to be surrounded by so much food when Tama cannot even get a bite to eat herself. The commotion Luffy causes is noticed by several people, including Queen and Eustass Kid. As Kid ponders what Luffy is doing, he decides to leave him to his devices so he can get to the banquet hall easily. All of a sudden, he sees a tower get cut in half by Roronoa Zoro, who heard the noise and ran over to see what was going on. Zoro calls Luffy out for ruining their plans by starting a commotion this early on (with Kid retorting he is causing one himself). Luffy explains to Zoro that they spilled a pot of oshiruko, which reminds Zoro too of Tama and he agrees to help him cut them down. Kid, on the other hand, does not understand why the two of them are so sensitive about oshiruko. As the Beasts Pirates observe Luffy and Zoro continuing to argue about giving themselves away, Scratchmen Apoo immediately recognizes them and wonders why Luffy is on Onigashima when he thought he was in Udon. The Beasts Pirates charge at Luffy and Zoro as they now seemed suspicious and the two of them make a run for it.
Apoo contacts Queen and informs him that Luffy and Zoro were on Onigashima. Though Queen thinks back to Babanuki's report that 'everything is fine', he announces to his subordinates that he plans on eliminating a member of the Tobiroppo, which will leave a seat open for the taking. Several members of the Beasts Pirates get excited at the thought of joining the group. Luffy and Zoro continue to fight several Gifters in order to reach Kaidou's castle, but Luffy is attacked by Apoo's Tatakau Music. Zoro recognizes Apoo as Kid's former ally and Luffy questions how Apoo was able to hit him. He uses it again and cuts Zoro across his chest, which confuses Zoro as he did not see anything cut him. Apoo then unleashes an explosion on Luffy which knocks him out, as Queen says that this is supposed to be a good show. Zoro grabs Luffy and runs with him away, as he says to himself that they cannot be taking damage this early and they need to be at full strength before confronting Kaidou. Luffy wakes up and helps Zoro fight off the other Gifters. Just as Apoo prepares another attack, Kid crushes him with his Punk Gibson despite Killer warning it will blow their cover, as Kid wanted revenge on Apoo for betraying him.
Chapter 981
An attack from Kid is seen, with Apoo underneath and beaten up. The Beasts Pirates call onto Apoo and one of them recognises Kid, saying that he's not one of them. They are surprised to find out that another member of the 'Worst Generation' has broken out of Udon Prison, and as such, Queen is surprised, as he remembers from Babanuki's words that there was no problem in Udon. Kid then exclaims and grabs Apoo by the collar, furious that he got deceived by him then Apoo retorts that pirate alliances don't have happy endings and that he never believed they could defeat one of the Four Emperors anyway. He then attacks Kid using his Devil Fruit ability and the latter smirks, saying that he's trash. The Beasts Pirates then ask how can they defeat and take Kid and the others alive during that situation, then Queen says it's okay to kill them. As the Beasts Pirates prepare to attack Kid, Killer defends from the back and Haccha, one of the Numbers proceeds by rampaging at the place. Another pirate pointed out that he already took out two people. Kid is surprised to see how gigantic the Number is and how the Beasts Pirates 'can't control him'. Haccha gives a hearty laugh and the rampage continues, with Luffy's silhouette being seen to attack. Luffy tells Kid to get to the keep and Kid proceeds. Luffy exclaims at Kid for bringing problems, Zoro then exclaims that he's one to talk, while Kid says the same to him. Killer thinks that the other three are being ridiculous, with a laugh. Apoo attacks once more, but this time, Killer tells the others to cover their ears. Apoo clicks his tongue when he finds out that his powers did nothing, thanks to Killer's quick thinking. The latter explains that Apoo's powers only work when they can hear him, only to get a 'what' from Luffy, Zoro, and his captain.
Meanwhile, the Beasts Pirates are exclaiming that there are a lot of Worst Generation members in Onigashima, and that they should start taking their heads. Another adds that Killer has eaten a SMILE, hence turning him into a 'Pleasure'. Angered, Kid almost starts another fight, but is stopped by Luffy and the others.
As Who's-Who remarks the Udon escapees, the higher ranking members of the Beasts Pirates talks about taking them all out but he retorts by saying that they should go searching for Kaidou's son, Yamato, instead. He tells them that getting to Yamato is more important and they shouldn't let Sasaki beat him to it. Who's-Who then goes on by finding out that Queen wanted to 'wipe somebody out' and says that he does too.
Big Mom is getting ready, wearing her kimono, and says that her children must be there soon enough and that apparently, their ship did not receive any damage from the fall when King knocked them over the waterfall. She is then questioned by someone who says that, strangely though, no ship had been seen near the port. Only to receive a confused reaction from her.
Meanwhile, at the eastern side of Onigashima, Kin'emon leads the attack. But instead of going all at the same place, they divide into two groups. The first half will breach the keep from the dome while waiting, and should they succeed, Kaidou and Orochi will also be surrounded by behind. Kin'emon's group, aiming for the back entrance, proceeds. However, because they have outdated maps, their route looks different. Now with a large bridge on the way, in the view of a brothel, domain of Black Maria, member of the Tobiroppo. Sanji decides to enter it. But Kin'emon is worried that his group cannot cross it, as with their big numbers, they would raise suspicion from those inside. Nami says that they're going in too and Shinobu that they will form a group in search of Momonosuke, as Kin'emon remembers that Momonosuke mentioned that he wanted to escape on his own. With this, Nami smiles and reassures him by saying that he should leave it to them while Carrot says that he should focus on the battle instead, while patting him. After Kin'emon thanks them for being supportive, someone is coming out of the brothel, and it is actually Sanji. He has a deflated expression and Kin'emon assumes he couldn't find women and that the building is empty and that the group can safely cross the bridge without the risk of being caught.
The attack proceeds. But Big Mom, who was changing in her room next to the brothel, notices the commotion outside and peeks. Kin'emon and the others dive into the water, leaving her nothing to lay her eyes upon except for Chopper whom she shared eye contact with.
At the waterfall of Wano's entrance, Big Mom's children are climbing the body of water. They question Big Mom's judgment in regard to agreeing into an alliance with the Beasts Pirates - in which Smoothie replies that it's what she decided and she respects it. Daifuku echoes then tells them not to forget why they were even there in the first place; Mont-d'Or and Galette remember - to take the Straw Hats' heads and make them pay for ruining their reputation. Then, they decide to first go after the Straw Hats and only later meet with Big Mom and Kaidou. While Flampe goes on with her personal goal: to get Kaidou to like her. They're almost at the top again, when Perospero recalls they're in the same spot where King attacked them earlier. Another 'bird' is seen from the sky and they think it's him again, but it isn't. Perospero shows a shocked expression upon recognising who that 'bird' is; Marco, the Phoenix, commenting on how the rumors of the alliance between the Beasts Pirates and Big Mom Pirates is actually true. Troubled, the members of the latter panic as the Former First-Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates knocks over their ship from the waterfall.
Nekomamushi notices the ship falling, then wonders what's going on. A sly grin from Izou is shown as he points out that it's been a while since Marco took a move.
Chapter 982
Kaidou yells at Black Maria to do the job he gave her and the rest of the Tobiroppo, but she tells him to relax because enough people are out looking for his son. Kaidou ultimately accepts her presence, especially on the day they can all let loose, something Orochi happily agrees with because he believes he finally eliminated the 'ghosts' of the Kouzuki Clan. Orochi tells Kaidou that Kanjuro will be over here soon along with the captains of the ships who he supposedly believes sank the Nine Red Scabbards. Kaidou looks forward, wondering if he accidentally killed him by mistake. He then says that if Kanjuro is so trustworthy and claims to have heard nothing, then he will believe Oden told him nothing about Laugh Tale. Suddenly, Kanjuro arrives beating up several Beasts Pirates and carrying an unconscious Momonosuke before Kaidou orders his men to stand down because he is Orochi's ally.
Kanjuro greets Orochi and admits he got lost trying to find him and several Beasts Pirates attacked him because they still thought he was the enemy, which he asks for forgiveness for. Orochi then notices Kanjuro carrying Momonosuke in his hands while also noticing his face looked badly beaten. Kanjuro reveals he attempted to flee from him so he beat him until he couldn't move, though he reassures them he can still breathe. Orochi laughs at how ruthless Kanjuro truly is for beating the heir to the Kouzuki Clan close to death, but Kanjuro says that now his role as a retainer is over, he considers Momonosuke nothing more than a brat. Kaidou ends up recognizing Kanjuro and Momonosuke while noting that Momonosuke hasn't changed since the last time he saw him. Kanjuro flings Momonosuke to the ground saying he is not worthy of his father's name as Black Maria picks him up and sympathetically says that Kanjuro's actions were extremely cruel.
Just before Orochi can offer Kanjuro a drink, Kanjuro reveals that the plan to stop the raid failed because he underestimated Kin'emon's tactical skills (despite it being pure luck). Orochi becomes nervous at the though that the samurai are on their way to Onigashima, but Fukurokuju jumps down from the ceiling and reports that not a single boat had been spotted at the port. He does reveal the three ships sent to handle them failed to return, and that Monkey D. Luffy, Roronoa Zoro, Eustass Kid, and Killer were spotted near the stage, with the possibility that their crews are on Onigashima as well. Orochi yells why he didn't say something earlier and Fukurokuju says Queen is handling the situation, so he felt it wasn't worth reporting. He also reveals that the samurai in question haven't been spotted either. He concludes by saying that with the full force of their armies on Onigashima, there is no doubt Orochi will be perfectly safe. Black Maria tries to cheer Orochi up by pouring his drink, but Orochi is not convinced the samurai aren't present on the island and wants them dead. Momonosuke wonders if everyone made it to the island just as Orochi grabs him off Black Maria's lap. He sadistically says that he will crucify the leader of their enemies and kill the last remnant of the Kouzuki Clan, which he feels will give him peace of mind.
Off the coast of Onigashima, Inuarashi is informed that Nekomamushi and his men have finally arrived. Inuarashi yells at Nekomamushi at what took him so long but Nekomamushi says that it is okay because he still arrived in the end. Inuarashi informs him that they are on their way to northwestern tip of Onigashima before Nekomamushi hangs up. Kawamatsu expresses relief that Nekomamushi made it as Kikunojo wonders how big he got since she last saw him. Ashura Doji speaks up that they need to hurry to the entrance and Law says that his ship will allow them to bypass the ocean currents on the sides of the island. Raizo hopes Kin'emon and Denjiro made it to the rear entrance and hope Momonosuke is alright.
On board Nekomamushi's ship, Marco is surprised that he arrived at the same time as Nekomamushi, making the message he gave him to deliver to Luffy completely pointless. Nekomamushi says he can toss the message while thanking him for joining them. Marco says that he liked Oden back then but word of Wano never made it out to sea, so he never guessed his home was in as much danger as he thought. They continue on their way as the message is revealed: 'Sorry if I am a little late, but I'll be there'.
At the southern army's position, Sasaki encounters Denjiro (still thinking he is Kyoshiro) and is surprised he came despite hearing otherwise, but Denjiro tells him to keep it secret. Denjiro asks why Sasaki left the party and he explains he is looking for Kaidou's son. Suddenly, Denjiro has his men chain Sasaki to a tree and orders him gagged as Sasaki yells what he is doing. Denjiro reveals the mark of the Kouzuki Clan on his back to Sasaki which shocks him, as he asks him if he knows anything about the history of Wano. Denjiro orders his men to split up into an assault force and an infiltration force.
At Kin'emon's position, Chopper and Usopp are retreating from Big Mom in the Brachio Tank V as Kin'emon and his men arise from the water expressing amazement that even though they are scared to death, they are leading Big Mom away so they can proceed, and the samurai thanks them as they continue on their way. Nami, Carrot, and Shinobu wonder if Usopp and Chopper with be okay before heading on their way as well, with Nami saying that there is nothing they can do to help Usopp and Chopper fend her off. They are then spotted by Prometheus, who recognizes Nami as the one who abducted Zeus. He then calls for Big Mom, which scares the three women.
Within Kaidou's keep, Ulti and Page One are searching for Yamato together, though Ulti starts getting on Page One's nerves saying that she is tired and demands he give her a piggyback ride as she jumps on him. The two fall down the stairs and Ulti comes face-to-face with Luffy, with both asking what each one wants.
Chapter 983
At the rising carp waterfall outside Wano Country, Charlotte Perospero is seen riding another candy slug with his powers and separated from the rest of his siblings. He sees Onigashima from afar and proceeds to make his way there on his own. He also reveals that he does not approve of this Big Mom Pirates/Beasts Pirates alliance, claiming that the Big Mom Pirates will be left standing at the end of the day.
At Black Maria's brothel, Usopp and Chopper finally escape Big Mom, but only because she decided to chase after Nami instead so she could reclaim Zeus. Chopper asks Usopp what they will do, but all he can say is that they are in the clear now. He also noted that when Big Mom hit them, the Brachio Tank V activated the leg parts of the General Franky robot, which they use to continue onwards. Chopper says that they were able to help Kin'emon ultimately and Usopp adds that Nami and her group will come up with a solution for their problem, especially with Sanji with them. Chopper then reminds him that Sanji is in a brothel, which will no doubt bring forth complications.
Within the brothel, Carrot, Nami, Zeus, and Shinobu run away from Big Mom as Prometheus follows them and calls out to her. Zeus asks what they will do and Nami says she saw Sanji earlier, though she gets extremely annoyed when she learns from Carrot that he came into the brothel to see the prostitutes while claiming he won't leave them behind. Big Mom also starts creating Homies with her powers as she follows them.
At the Skull Dome, Kurozumi Orochi has Momonosuke crucified for all the Beasts Pirates to see. At the same time, Zoro is fighting multiple Gifters and showing signs of exhaustion. They point out the futility of this struggle and that he should just swear loyalty to Kaidou instead. They reveal they all tried to be Pirate King themselves, but it would be better if he just surrenders. At Kid and Killer's location, Killer reminds his captain how crazy it is to break in through the front lines, but Kid says they will be fine as long as Heat's group, which got separated from the two, isn't found. Before the Beasts Pirates can fight him, they get distracted when they learn Kaidou is looking for his son, allowing Kid to strike back.
At Luffy's location, Ulti nuzzles Page One and worriedly asks if he is alright, to his annoyance. She angrily yells at Luffy for hurting him only for Luffy to remind her that she was riding him down the stairs like a sled when he saw them. Ulti asks what group he comes from before her subordinates reveal he is an intruder. Luffy confirms this by introducing himself and saying he will become the Pirate King. The Beasts Pirates laugh at that claim considering their location and Ulti jumps into the air preparing a headbutt, yelling that the only one who will be Pirate King is Kaidou. She unleashes an Ul-Zugan on Luffy's head which he matches with his own. The clash creates an explosion that blows several pirates away as they commented on how Ulti's headbutt is so strong it is like a cannon firing, and that with the hole she made in the ground, she must have crushed Luffy's skull to pieces.
To their surprise though, both Ulti and Page One transform into their dinosaur-hybrid forms, as Ulti is revealed to have eaten the Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Pachycephalosaurus. Their subordinates ask why they did so and Ulti answers that it is because she acknowledges his skill. Her subordinates insist she got him, but she retorts that she senses a powerful Haki. Sure enough, Luffy gets out of the rubble while acknowledging Ulti's strength and reminding himself he needs to be careful. He charges at Ulti and grabs her by the horns before slamming her into the ground. Page One charges at Luffy but dodges him and gets underneath him as he uses his Gomu Gomu no Elephant Gun to smash his head into the ceiling. Ulti transforms into a full Pachycephalosaurus and grabs Luffy, all the while the other pirates worry the keep won't survive the confrontation. Ulti prepares another headbutt while Luffy tries to go into Gear 4, but suddenly, he senses someone's arrival, and immediately, a new person knocks out Ulti using the same move Kaidou used to defeat Luffy previously: Raimei Hakke.
The pirates recognize the man as Yamato as they try scrambling to capture him for Kaidou. Yamato asks if Luffy if he is who he thinks he is. When he confirms, Yamato grabs him and runs away from the pirates chasing him. Yamato says to Luffy that he won't hurt him and Luffy believes him, having sensed no ill intentions prior. Luffy explains that he needs to keep moving but Yamato says he has been waiting for him. He introduces himself as Kaidou's son, which shocks Luffy.
Chapter 984
Page One tries waking up Ulti and demands the other pirates nearby to get a doctor. He also curses Yamato for what he did and demands the others to head them off and let him know where they end up. One of them asks about Page One because of the hit he took from Luffy, and he responds by saying that Luffy almost dislocated his jaw, which shocks them that that is what is irritating him so much. Ulti wakes up and bashes the medics near her while embracing Page One saying that she is hurt because of the medics. He calls her a psychopath and tells her to rest and she retorts that he should try saying it again to see what happens. Ulti also curses Yamato for using his father's Raimei Hakke and says that it was more like a Raimei Yonke, though Page One says it managed to hurt her. Page One is then informed that Luffy and Yamato have stopped moving, and he immediately heads for their direction, leaving Ulti behind, which annoys her. The nearby Beasts Pirates remark that dinosaur Zoan users are crazy strong.
At Yamato and Luffy's spot, the two have started fighting. Yamato reminds Luffy he won't hurt him but Luffy ignores him and says he is in a hurry himself, so he can't just drop everything and follow someone he doesn't know. Yamato pleads Luffy listens to him and he says he has five seconds, but Yamato says he doesn't want to talk with him with others watching and Luffy says to him to forget it. The Beasts Pirates nearby are unable to get close enough to capture Yamato as Yamato tells Luffy that their fight reminds him of another he had in the past. Luffy and Yamato clash again and a huge explosion occurs. By the time Page One arrives at the location, he is informed by his subordinates that they lost sight of them.
At the Skull Dome, Orochi reveals to the Beasts Pirates how Momonosuke survived the destruction of Oden's castle by traveling through time courtesy of his mother Toki, but some of the Beasts Pirates are skeptical while others don't believe it to be true, still believing the Kouzuki Clan was wiped out twenty years ago. One of them says this to two others near him, unaware they are actually Jinbe and Robin in disguise with Robin even trying to have Momonosuke brought down closer for her to 'see him'. Robin asks Jinbe what they should do because she can't stand to see Momonosuke in that position, but Jinbe says that they can just wait for the Red Scabbards to make their move. The Beasts Pirates continue to laugh at and scorn Momonosuke, while Hyougoro and the other rebels wait patiently, as their infiltration was a success.
Aboard the Polar Tang, Law manages to breach the surface with the rest of the Scabbards, and after opening the hatch, uses his Shambles to warp himself, Bepo, Shachi, Penguin, and the samurai onto the island while the rest of his crew goes back under. Law notices two entrances and says the upper one leads to Kaidou, just as they are surprised by the sudden drop of Nekomamushi next to them all. Inuarashi sees Marco in the air as he goes to check out a strange shadow in the water. They are all then surprised when they noticed Izou was with them, as Nekomamushi revealed that Marco told him where to find him, so he brought him with them. Kikunojo cries tears of joy at reuniting with her brother, as Izou commends Kikunojo for becoming a splendid samurai.
Within the Keep, Bao Huang reveals to Kaidou that Big Mom is on her way. He decides to make his announcement alongside Momonosuke's execution and reveals to his subordinates that he will spice up the execution with the "New Onigashima Project" alongside his All-Stars. Within the attic, Yamato and Luffy finally have a chance to talk, though Luffy gives him five minutes. Yamato explains that one day, he went to his father and said he wanted to be Kouzuki Oden, resulting in him getting beaten. Luffy asks what this has to do with him, and Yamato reveals he witnessed the Legendary Hour and saw Oden as a magnificent samurai, as well as frustration, rage, and sadness at how Orochi and Kaidou killed him, something Luffy appears to understand. Yamato then shows Luffy Oden's logbook, which he considers his bible, and how it contains all of his heroic stories, and that neither Kaidou nor Orochi know it exists. Yamato says that with the Nine Red Scabbards dead, someone needs to carry on Oden's will, so Yamato intends to reopen the country. As Yamato says that, he takes off his mask and rips off the sleeves of his attire, revealing to a shocked Luffy that Yamato actually has a feminine body. Yamato then explains that he chose to be a man, just like Oden was. Yamato expresses a desire to fight alongside Luffy to open Wano's borders and says that Luffy is similar to Ace, a statement that deeply shocks Luffy.
One Piece, Volume 98
Chapter 985
At the rear entrance of Onigashima, Kanjuro impedes the Scabbards' progression, claiming he was already convinced of their arrival due to knowing how persistent they are, despite the lack of evidence for an infiltration. Accompanying Kanjuro, there are Beasts Pirates and two decapitated horsemen created by his ability. On the opposite side, stand Inuarashi, Ashura Doji, Nekomamushi, Kikunojo, Izou, Kawamatsu and Raizo. Izou acknowledges the beheaded samurai, which Kanjuro created to mock the Scabbards.
After Raizo demands Momonosuke's release, Kanjuro tells them how the boy tried to escape by using a dagger, ending up cutting Kanjuro's palm slightly. As a response, Kanjuro knocked Momonosuke unconscious with several punches, enough to later be surprised by the child's survival. Proceeding with his monologue, Kanjuro discloses Momonosuke's imminent public execution. While Kanjuro speaks, Inuarashi and Nekomamushi pay attention to Nekomamushi's new prosthetic gun instead.
Kikunojo puts her mask on, now fully wearing her samurai outfit, and interrupts Kanjuro's speech, claiming the wounds her katana provokes do not fade away in the afterlife, and as snow that remains in the spring, they will torment his soul for eternity. Kanjuro accepts the challenge and prepares for her onslaught. They clash, Kikunojo's sword against Kanjuro's giant ink brush. Subsequently, the Scabbards prepare to engage in combat with the Beasts Pirates. As they decimate their opponents, Nekomamushi observes that Inuarashi's leg is now a sword, which Inuarashi promptly uses to cut his enemies.
At the castle, Kaidou's speech is about to start. Inside the ceiling, Yamato claims that, as Kouzuki Oden, it logically follows that Luffy, as Ace's brother, should give him a ride on his ship. Luffy contests his pretence to be Oden, infuriating Yamato, who then replies that perhaps Luffy is more Oden than him. This confuses Luffy, leading to Yamato explaining he cannot be Oden as long as he is not free, due to Kaidou imprisoning him inside Onigashima by putting explosive handcuffs on him at the age of eight. Yamato shows doubt in the explosive properties of the device, as the one who put them on him is his own father, but reveals the fear of that possibility kept him trapped. Straight away, Luffy offers to remove the shackles and asks if Yamato is ready to fight against his father. Yamato agrees to it and discloses his desire to do so comes from Kaidou beating him multiple times since childhood.
The conversation is interrupted by Kaidou's speech. Yamato and Luffy bend one of the ceiling's slabs to watch the projection. Kaidou initiates by recognizing Whitebeard's war two years ago has caused commotion in the world. He claims that the disbandment of the Seven Warlords means the World Government is confident their new force is capable of stopping them. As such, he has decided to ally with Big Mom to gather the Ancient Weapons.
Hearing her name, Charlotte Linlin appears in courtesan's clothes and with a newly created army of homies, with Prometheus on her left side and Zeus being held by her as a fan. Her rapid appearance throws some Beasts Pirates in the air and terrifies the rest. Nami and Carrot are subjugated by Big Mom; Robin and Jinbe notice them.
Kaidou points out Big Mom's tardiness, but she lively dismisses it, as she is on time. They continue their announcement, now shouting in unison that their objective is to claim the One Piece. Kaidou reveals they plan to create a world of violence with the Ancient Weapons. Orochi is pleased by the announcement. Luffy, on the other hand, is irritated, as the One Piece is what he plans to get.
The second part of Kaidou's speech is addressed at Orochi's followers. As Wano is a land with waterfalls as natural defense, and with the populace of the Flower Capital as a labor force, Kaidou plans to expand the weapons factories and create a paradise for pirates. Orochi is outraged by this, claiming the Flower Capital is his territory and that he is allowing Kaidou to produce the weapons in the first place. Immediately, Kaidou grabs King's sword and beheads Orochi.
Commotion starts as the public sees Orochi falling, and Kaidou gives an ultimatum: in five seconds, Orochi's followers must choose either to rebel or serve him. Kaidou reveals he has no interest in the country's history and punches the cross where Momonosuke is tied to, bringing it to the attention of Luffy, who shouts for the boy's name. As this happens, the ceiling breaks, causing Luffy and Yamato to fall into the Live Floor.
Back at the rear entrance, Kikunojo is crying and her sword is dripping blood. In the castle, Kaidou shouts that he will create a pirate empire with Onigashima as the new Flower Capital and that Wano will cease to exist, renaming it New Onigashima, with his son Yamato as the next shogun. Yamato is infuriated at her father's words and runs alongside Luffy to his location. Luffy is concerned about Momonosuke.
Chapter 986
Kin'emon and Denjiro's group makes it to the rear entrance of Onigashima, and the Guardians wish them farewell as the duo climb up the stairs to Kaidou's fortress. They reach the top to find the other Nine Red Scabbards waiting for them silently, with Kanjuro and his men lying defeated on the ground. The Scabbards shed tears over Kanjuro as they remember the times they shared together in Oden's service, and Kin'emon puts his kasa on his fallen former comrade's head as he walks by him. Izou remarks that he knows this must have been hard for the duo, and Kin'emon and Denjiro are shocked to see him here. Kin'emon greets Izou, who is intent on making his last stand here after missing previous chances for a meaningful death.
Inside the Skull Dome, Kaidou gives Orochi's subordinates the choice between joining him or dying, saying he would praise the samurai if they remain loyal to the deposed shogun as their code dictates and give up their lives. However, both Fukurokuju and Hotei quickly pledge the Orochi Oniwabanshu and Mimawarigumi's services to Kaidou, and Hyougoro openly reacts in anger to their lack of warrior's pride. Big Mom is relieved to have this issue dealt with, and orders her homies to keep Nami and Carrot restrained. Nami places her trust in Shinobu to save Momonosuke, and as Shinobu moves stealthily through the crowd, she notes that Oden knew all along that killing Orochi would change nothing and their real enemy is Kaidou.
Kaidou then addresses Momonosuke, questioning how a cowardly boy like him could be the son of someone like Oden. Since Momonosuke had never answered when he asked for his name 20 years ago, Kaidou gives the boy the chance to confess that he is not part of the Kouzuki Family. Meanwhile, Luffy reveals to Yamato that the boy onstage is Momonosuke and that his retainers are all still alive. Luffy then moves to take off Yamato's handcuffs like he had promised, and he successfully uses his advanced Armament Haki to damage them from the inside, allowing him to tear them off and throw them aside. Meanwhile, Who's-Who and Ulti receive a report that Yamato and Luffy are heading toward the Performance Stage, and elsewhere, Usopp turns around the transformed Brachio Tank V to head toward the stage despite Chopper's worries, telling him to trust in the iron machine's exterior even as Chopper spots giants around them. Some drunken Beasts Pirates spot the Nine Red Scabbards heading toward them but are quickly taken out, and Zoro, Kid, and Law continue to hold their own as well.
Back onstage, Momonosuke remembers his heritage and responsibility and boldly declares that he is indeed Kouzuki Momonosuke, the man who will become the shogun of Wano. The Beasts Pirates immediately break out in laughter, and as Kaidou gets ready to execute him, Momonosuke starts crying as he regrets not being able to be a man worthy of facing his father and mother in the afterlife, as well as not having been able to see his sister Hiyori again. Right then, a massive explosion occurs in front of the stage from Yamato's handcuffs, both Luffy and Yamato are propelled forward by it. Yamato is appalled that Kaidou's threat of killing him was true and declares that he no longer think of him as a father. However, Luffy keeps Yamato from approaching Kaidou in order to wait for the Scabbards to arrive and officially start the battle. Right as he says this, the Scabbards come bursting in behind Kaidou, and the All-Stars are shocked at their arrival. Izou quickly shoots King's sword out of his hand, and as the Scabbards ready their weapons, Nekomamushi is able to hit Kaidou's kanabo out of his hand. Kaidou is surprised to see Denjiro among the Scabbards, and as they charge toward him, he proclaims that their swords can do nothing to him. However, the Scabbards resolve to abandon their name and wits and so leap toward Kaidou with a fury that makes him remember Oden and his fight with him 20 years ago. As the Beasts Pirates realize that the situation is getting serious, the Scabbards shout "Sunacchi" as they force Kaidou off the stage and impale their blades into him.
Chapter 987
As Kaidou is forced off of the Performance Stage by the Nine Red Scabbards, he remembers Kouzuki Oden giving him his lone scar 20 years ago, and then recalls Oden's execution where the samurai enabled his retainers to escape and warned Kaidou not to underestimate Wano's samurai. Kin'emon manages to plunge his sword into Kaidou's body, and the other Scabbards are able to quickly follow suit. The scar Kaidou got from Oden begins throbbing, and the Emperor begins screaming in pain as he realizes the Scabbards are using Oden's Ryuo.
After a long fall, the Scabbards and Kaidou crash into the ground, leaving a large crater. The Beasts Pirates nearby quickly rush to attack, but Hyougoro's forces stand in their way as they cast aside their pirate disguises. As Big Mom looks on at the incident, Yamato goes with Luffy to the scene to help finish Kaidou off. However, Ulti finds Yamato again and attacks with a spiked club, which Yamato parries wielding the kanabo. Ulti says she will have revenge for Yamato's attack against her and wonders why Yamato would do something like that; Yamato replies that this is the day where he will fully become Kouzuki Oden, which only confuses Ulti. The Beasts Pirates then call out to Yamato to inform him of the attack on Kaidou, but Yamato bluntly states that they are no longer allies and there will be no concern of Kaidou's death.
Big Mom then comes running toward Luffy, and when she does, Nami and Carrot quickly take the opportunity to respectively use the Clima-Tact and Electro to free themselves from the homies restraining them. Luffy is not pleased to see Big Mom due to being busy, and she states that she came here just to kill him. Meanwhile, Kaidou emerges from the floor with several stab wounds, but is not much worse for wear. He notes that Orochi's paranoid ideas ended up being reality, with the Scabbards having been able to operate under the shadow of the Straw Hat Pirates. He says that pirates will betray them, though, and that the forces that the samurai have worked to gather will abandon them once it is clear they will lose, with Luffy already having lost to him once. However, Kin'emon denounces Kaidou's words as slander, saying that Luffy will one day stand at the pinnacle of the seas and no matter what happens, he will remain and achieve the promise of daybreak coming back to Wano.
Back on the Performance Floor, Big Mom asks Luffy why he came here, being incredulous that he seriously intends to take on Kaidou. To his allies' surprise, Luffy denies it, but then instead says that he came to defeat all of his enemies here in an all-out war. Big Mom and Queen quickly laugh at this, but Queen is then alerted to thousands of samurai invading through the rear entrance. These forces include the Rasetsu Town prisoners, Udon prisoners, the Heart Pirates, and even Marco and Perospero approaching the entrance. Queen orders all of the Beasts Pirates to grab their weapons, proclaiming that the party is over. Kaidou then shouts out from behind the stage, saying he accepts Luffy's challenge. He proceeds to fly to the roof of the Skull Dome in his dragon form, and as the Scabbards hold onto his body to follow him up, Luffy tells Kin'emon he will catch up with them later. Kaidou faces off with the Scabbards on the Dome Roof, saying he has sobered up and that a battle in open space is best, just like their last one, although now Oden is dead. However, Nekomamushi replies that there is another difference between that day and now, as since they anticipated Kaidou intending to fight outdoors, they have brought the forces of the Mink Tribe with them. Nekomamushi then gazes at the full moon, beginning to activate Sulong.
Chapter 988
Kaidou faces the minks and remembers that the full moon allows them to use their Sulong forms. Jack, several Gifters, and one of the Numbers reach the rooftop. Nekomamushi and Inuarashi step forward to take on Jack themselves, but the Guardians and Musketeers transform and fight Jack instead, so that Nekomamushi and Inuarashi can focus on Kaidou.
Down below, Shinobu tries and fails to free Momonosuke. King grabs her and throws her away. Suddenly, Momonosuke's chains break and the boy floats through the air. King attacks him, but Sanji, who was invisible, blocks the kick. Sanji then throws Momonosuke to Shinobu, and King transforms into a pteranodon and drives his beak into Sanji's stomach. The two crash into a wall.
Even though Yamato is busy fighting Ulti, Luffy tells Yamato to go help Shinobu protect Momonosuke. Big Mom comes charging at Luffy and plans to kill all the invaders so they can restart the party. She swings Napoleon and blasts a hole through the side of Onigashima. She then calls for Zeus, and when he does not appear, she spots Nami running off with the cloud again. Big Mom steals him back and prepares to strike down Nami. However, Brook slices the cloud into two, while Franky drives the Kurosai FR-U IV over Big Mom's face.
Chapter 989
As a distressed Napoleon calls out to the fallen Big Mom, Nami thanks Franky for saving her and Jinbe asks Robin to help him out. With Big Mom out of the way, Luffy resumes heading to the dome roof, and upon seeing Shinobu and Momonosuke running away from Yamato, Luffy assures them that Yamato is an ally. However, the duo are aghast when Yamato claims to be Oden, causing Shinobu to throw a smoke bomb to escape. Big Mom quickly gets up, and the Beasts Pirates start running away with the fear that she will soon rampage; Hyougoro and Yatappe then decide to leave the low-level pirate hordes and go after the Tobiroppo, if only to slow them down. Big Mom recognizes Brook, and Franky introduces himself to her. Nami tells Franky to retreat, as Big Mom is an Emperor of the Sea, but Franky scoffs at that as they are the crew of the future Pirate King.
Franky prepares to fire a Radical Beam at Big Mom, but is then distracted by three Numbers rampaging behind him. Big Mom is excited to see the Numbers, which she reveals to be failed recreations of the Ancient Giants from Punk Hazard. Franky notices that the central Number, Jaki, is holding the Brachio Tank V in his hand, and promptly fires the Radical Beam in Jaki's face, sending him flying back and forcing him to let go of the tank. With Franky's back now turned on her, Big Mom attempts to strike him with Napoleon. However, Jinbe proceeds to jump up and grab her outstretched arm, pulling it behind her to flip her over. Big Mom is sent tumbling onto two rows of arms generated from the floor by Robin, and Robin sends her spinning all the way over the ledge to a lower level. Their attack's success makes Jinbe and Robin happy, though Jinbe knows it has only made Big Mom angrier.
Franky contacts Usopp and Chopper inside the Brachio Tank, and Chopper pulls Usopp out of his scared stupor as the duo excitedly find out that it is time to dock. Meanwhile, Luffy has made it up to the Performance Stage where Queen is and prepares to pull himself up to the dome roof. Right then, Zoro appears next to Queen onstage, and when Luffy tells him he is going to fight Kaidou, Zoro grabs his feet to accompany him up. However, Queen quickly transforms into his brachiosaurus form and grabs Luffy and Zoro in midair with his mouth. King and several winged SMILE users then appear in the air above Queen, cutting off any chance of Luffy and Zoro making it to the roof. Queen spits out the two pirates down to the ground far below. On the ground, Usopp and Chopper are ejected from the Brachio Tank in order for it to dock with General Franky, while Sanji emerges from the wreckage of King's attack with his Raid Suit having held up. As the Straw Hats gather all together, Hyougoro states that although the alliance is surrounded by enemies on all sides, he cannot imagine losing. Luffy tells his crew to back him up as he makes another attempt to get up to the dome roof.
Chapter 990
A group of Beasts Pirates members found Sasaki. The lackeys told him that the battle inside the Skull Dome has already begun. Sasaki wonders how Big Mom destroyed the tree that restrained him. He also told that Kyoshiro betrayed him, as well as his affiliation to Oden's Scabbards. He was also told that the battle between Kaidou's group and the Scabbard-led group has already begun.
At the top of the Skull Dome, the battle continues between Kaidou's group and the Scabbard-led group, with the minks fighting in their Sulong forms. While the minks' combined forces have beaten a number of opponents, Jack and his mammoth form overpowers them. Kin'emon prepares to join the fight but Inuarashi and Nekomamushi prevent the rest of the Scabbards from doing so. The two then transform into their Sulong forms.
On the balcony of Kaidou's Castle, Queen notes that all the prisoners from the Prisoner Mine have escaped. King then bullies Queen for not being able to stop the mass breakout from happening. Queen then wonders if the prisoners threatened Babanuki into saying that the breakout did not happen. King contacts the Tobiroppo through the Den Den Mushi. Meanwhile in one of the rooms inside the castle, X Drake tells Basil Hawkins that Onigashima is in chaos and that this is the best time for anyone to turncoat. Hawkins then replies that he does not need to. He also tells Drake that there's only a one percent chance that an unnamed person survives until tomorrow. Drake then picks up the Den Den Mushi. After picking up, King tells all the Tobiroppo that Onigashima is being intruded by 5,000 people. In comparison, their forces are at 30,000. He then cancels their opportunity to challenge the All Stars after capturing Yamato.
Somewhere within the Live Floor, Ulti reacts to the announcement. Page One tells her that it should be expected. Ulti then asks Page One to give her another piggyback ride after seeing Yamato climb up a wall, much to Page One's dismay. King then tells all the Tobiroppo to prevent the intruding alliance from entering the roof of the Skull Dome. Meanwhile, Who's-Who invites Drake to come with him to meet with Queen to find out who he wants to eliminate.
On the Live Floor, the Udon prison escapees and Denjiro's Yakuza team clash with members of the Beasts Pirates, Mimawarigumi and the Orochi Oniwabanshu. The escapees and the Yakuza tell the Straw Hats not to waste their energy on the lackeys and focus on getting to the castle. However the Numbers notice them. Zoro slices a Number's mace while Jinbe prevents it from crushing them and their allies. Luffy notes that the two Numbers are somewhat similar to Oars, which the Straw Hats barely managed to beat together back in Thriller Bark. He then transforms to Gear 4. Hyougoro notices that his form looks like a Myōō.
Just before Luffy delivers his attack, Drake has been beaten by Who's-Who and Queen after meeting the latter. He was questioned by Hawkins about his objectives, especially with freeing Law. Drake realizes that all three of them wanted to kill him. But before the three can retrieve more information about his intents and dispose of him, Drake manages to escape by destroying one of the castle windows and jumping to the Live Floor. Before he manages to land, he attacks Juki with his saber and four-bladed axe in his hands. At the same time, Luffy delivers his attack.
After beating the Numbers, X Drake expresses his intent to fight alongside Luffy.
Chapter 991
The Ninja-Pirate-Mink-Samurai Alliance members recognize X Drake and wonder why he attacked one of the Numbers. As Drake stands before Luffy, he recalls Koby telling him about the pirate, saying that Luffy could attract people towards him to the point of becoming very close friends. In the present day, Drake tells Luffy that he cannot reveal his motives, but their goals are aligned. However, Zoro immediately attacks Drake, considering him as just one of Kaidou's servants like Hawkins. Drake replies that he has been flushed out of the Beasts Pirates, but Zoro, Franky, and Jinbe refuse to trust someone who betrayed their crew that easily. Luffy says that Drake can team up with them, but the other three refuse to agree.
Upon seeing Luffy again, Page One and Ulti activate their Devil Fruit powers and attack the hordes of samurai to try to get to him, but Usopp proceeds to hit Page One with a Midori Boshi: Dokuro Bakuhatsu So. Ulti looks around to see who fired the attack, and Usopp crouches behind Nami and tries to act as her in order to give her the credit for the attack. Nami quickly responds by hitting Usopp, and the duo quickly proceed to run away from the charging Tobiroppo. Meanwhile, Luffy and Sanji move together to get to Kin'emon's group, when Luffy has a premonition of Scratchmen Apoo attacking. He tells Sanji to cover his ears as the Supernova unleashes his Tatakau Music, and this action renders it ineffective. Apoo laments over the defeats of Jaki, Goki, and Juki, being sad that a group of giants powerful enough to lay waste to countless towns would be beaten up while drunk and partying. Hatcha then arrives and picks up Jaki, and Apoo asks if he is sobered up and tells him to show the alliance the power of the Numbers. Luffy tries to go and fight Hatcha, only to be held back by Sanji. Hatcha's eyes then light up in admiration as he sees the General Franky, and noticing this, Jinbe tells Franky to run outside of the Skull Dome in order to lure the giant away from everyone else. Franky does so, and Hatcha chases after him.
Meanwhile, Zoro and Drake continue to clash as the latter continues trying to reason with the swordsman without divulging his true allegiance. However, Apoo then comes running in nearby to call more of the Numbers, and Zoro and Drake quickly team up to simultaneously attack their fellow Supernova. As Apoo dodges and questions Drake's actions, Drake and Zoro reach an agreement to team up against Apoo due to their mutual dislike of him. However, bullets suddenly come flying down onto the Live Floor from above, and Queen calls out to Drake from the Live Stage while holding a Gatling gun. As Zoro and Drake get back up following the onslaught, Drake suddenly becomes very concerned as he realizes what these bullets might be.
On the roof of the Skull Dome, Inuarashi and Nekomamushi have defeated Jack using their Sulong forms, forcing Kaidou to intervene before they can injure him further. Jack apologizes for being too weak, but Kaidou replies that this is not the case; rather, the two minks are extremely strong. Although the minks' assault laid waste to Jack's platoon, Kaidou commends his subordinate for managing to keep all but their two rulers in check and tells him to have his wounds treated. Kaidou then prepares to see how many of his attacks the Nine Red Scabbards can run from as he unleashes a Bolo Breath blast at them, but Kin'emon responds by using Foxfire Style to cut the fire into two streams. His attack also gives Kaidou multiple small cuts around his mouth, and the Scabbards state that they have no intention of running; they are ready to lose their lives so long as they take down Kaidou.
Chapter 992
Charlotte Perospero has reached Big Mom, who affirms that she is indeed in an alliance with Kaidou, revealing that the alliance was her idea. Perospero reminds Big Mom that their crew seeks to make her the Pirate King, but she replies that she knows and asks if her children do not trust her. This seems to assuage Perospero, and he drops the issue. Marco then speaks, noting that the alliance between him and Perospero to take down Kaidou is no more. Big Mom chides Marco for joining the alliance against Kaidou, saying that the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates had lost their way. However, Marco responds that they were no longer bound to Whitebeard's will now that he was dead, and Big Mom understands this and accepts Marco's decision. Meanwhile, Wanda chases after Carrot asking her where she is going, and Carrot reveals that she is going toward Perospero to avenge Pedro's death. Elsewhere, Luffy resumes heading toward the dome roof while the samurai clear the way for him, and Yamato continues chasing after Shinobu and Momonosuke.
Meanwhile, Black Maria and some of her crewmates have hid out in the Tatami Room away from the fighting, and they ask Maria to play a song for them. As Black Maria strums up her shamisen and begins to tell a tale, the Red Scabbards charge toward Kaidou on the dome roof. Kaidou gives a mighty roar, which summons small bolts of lightning that crack the ground underneath the samurai. Nekomamushi scratches Kaidou's head area with his claws, while Kawamatsu performs a circular sword strike around Kaidou's head. To the shock of Kaidou's subordinates, both attacks manage to wound him, though Kaidou is able to knock Kawamatsu into a rock with his foreleg. Inuarashi stabs Kaidou with his prosthetic sword leg, while Kikunojo and Izou respectively strike the Emperor with flying slashes and bullets. Kaidou wonders in bewilderment how the Scabbards are able to hurt him, as none of their attacks resembled Oden's.
Kaidou readies another Bolo Breath attack against the samurai, but Raizo then summons a giant scroll which intercepts the fire blast and absorbs all of it. Saying his scrolls can wrap around anything in existence, Raizo has the scroll wrap around Kaidou's entire dragon body before releasing the fire from it. Kaidou wails in pain as the fire engulfs him, but emerges without any visible damage. Kin'emon then remembers a time when Oden offered to teach the Scabbards his Oden Nitoryu fighting style, but they declined. Oden later wondered why they would not learn his great style, and Toki replied that if they had, they would have fought amongst each other over who would be Oden's top disciple since they all loved him so much. In the present day, Kin'emon, Denjiro, Ashura Doji, and Inuarashi each pull out two swords and stand in a stance resembling Oden's. Kaidou derides their imitation of Oden as cheap as he prepares another Bolo Breath, but the four samurai then leap toward him and simultaneously cut him in the place where Oden scarred him 20 years ago.
Chapter 993
In the Flower Capital, the populace proceed to celebrate the Fire Festival, but as it turns out, the citizens of the only prosperous city in the country also feel oppression and fear under the rules of Orochi and Kaidou, and that the only reason they are still alive is because they have clung to the belief that the Kouzuki Family would be able to save their homeland, even though everyone was merely treating that belief as a means to support their hearts. Several people wish the day would never end as well as the possibility that the battle between the Kouzuki Family and the Beasts Pirates is happening at this very moment, and if Orochi and Kaidou never come back, then they can party away as much as they want, even if they feel like they are only dreaming.
On Onigashima, Zoro, Drake, Chopper, and Robin witness several samurai getting shot by Queen and transforming into ice demons. Queen orders for the doors leading to the other towers to be closed, as what he has just unleashed was another type of virus which he calls "Ice Oni". Meanwhile, Luffy is making his way up the castle from the bottom floor beating up various Beasts Pirates. Sanji, who was with him, takes out several of them before the both of them are confronted by another Shinuchi called Briscola, who ate a SMILE that causes his left hand to transform into the upper half of a gorilla, which the two pirates say is extremely freaky. Offended, Briscola charges at the two of them who dodge. Luffy sees several other strong pirates but Sanji tells him to save his energy for when he confronts Kaidou and to leave the small fry to himself. Luffy retorts that it would take too long if it was just him causing Sanji to yell back that he could take care of them in ten seconds. However, Jinbe arrives and defeats Briscola himself, saying he will escort the both of them to the top of the castle. Sanji gets jealous of him just showing up and warns him to keep his guard up so Luffy does not go off fighting everyone he sees.
Yamato is still chasing after Shinobu and Momonosuke while being watched by a cat wearing a scroll on its face with an eye drawing. Somehow, Bao Huang is able to see what the cat sees and reports Momonosuke's location to King. King contacts the crew and informs them that the majority of the opposing force are samurai with the Nine Red Scabbards being at the core. In other words, this "rebellion" is them trying to reclaim Wano and make Momonosuke the shogun. King orders the Beasts Pirates to kill Momonosuke and bring him his head, believing that the samurai will lose their will to fight, with the pirates being a different story. He then relays their current location. Sure enough, Sasaki encounters Shinobu and Momonosuke and fires at them with his squadron, the Armored Corps. Shinobu uses herself to shield Momonosuke as she begs him to save himself, but the both of them are protected by Yamato, who knocks aside their assailant. Sasaki asks if he is planning to interfere, and Yamato retorts that he is fighting for the Kouzuki Family.
On the Rooftop Dome, Kaidou has fallen to the ground with blood leaking out of his scar. The Scabbards charge at him with full intent of finishing him off but Kaidou starts to get back up. As he does, he tells the samurai that their tenacity almost made him feel like he could see Kouzuki Oden again, and fighting them, he would not have minded dying at their hands, especially since when he thinks about the wound Oden left, he thinks back to their fight. As he expected, though, the Scabbards are not Oden, and there will never be a samurai as capable as him. He yells that their cuts were too shallow, and with their level of strength, they will not be able to reopen his wound. He unleashes a roar of wind scythes as a counterattack, one of which cuts off Kikunojo's left arm.
Chapter 994
Inuarashi orders his men to get away from the roof as Kin'emon uses his Foxfire Style to cauterize Kikunojo's severed arm, who manages to get back up thanks to it. Kaidou says that that is how samurai should behave and states that he likes them, similar to how Roger and Whitebeard did too. He changes back into his human form and says that it is not with the advancement of the times that perfects humans, but in death. He asks if the samurai are ready to finish the fight but Kin'emon retorts that dying at his hand would bring no honor to any of them.
Inside the castle on the first floor, Luffy, Sanji, and Jinbe manage to reach the floor before being confronted by two new Shinuchi named Fourtricks and Hamlet, who have eaten SMILEs that give them the appearances of a chicken and a giraffe, respectively. The two of them confidently say they can take care of the three of them before getting easily defeated by Sanji and Jinbe who yell that the way the animals spawned on their bodies is annoying, as the chicken was sprouting out of Fourtricks' back with his head near its rear and Hamlet's body is the head of the giraffe.
On the Live Floor, Queen's Ice Oni continues to spread to various people, including the Beasts Pirates themselves. Several of them yell to Queen why he dragged them into this but Queen retorts that since they are Pleasures, it gives them a chance to do something other than smiling and laughing. The samurai on both sides try to fend off the demons as Hyougoro sees Omasa has become infected. Omasa attempts to kill himself to prevent himself from injuring his comrades but Hyougoro stops him, saying to not lose hope and to wait until they find a cure, and only when that fails will he give him an honorable death. Chopper, Brook, and Robin try to hold off the demons as Chopper says he will not be able to concoct a cure and administer it to everyone infected in the middle of this fight, but he does know that the one who made the virus is present, and he deduces he must have a cure on him and if they secure it they can mass produce it. Brook acknowledges this to be a difficult task since Queen is an All-Star as Chopper reveals he is more concerned about the after-effects of this virus and the toll it will most likely take on the human body.
Robin asks what will happen if they are left as they are, and Queen answers that all infected will die within the hour, all the while laughing sadistically at this exciting show. Even Apoo is left repulsed by Queen's weapon and tries to escape the floor, but Queen hands him off the only antidote in the world and tells him he will be executed if he lets them get it. Queen announces that he is starting a new game in where everyone can chase after Apoo to claim the antidote and if he escapes within the hour, he will live and everyone dies. Zoro is told by Chopper to claim the antidote while the samurai and pirates gun for it as well to prevent their enemies from recovering. Apoo curses Queen for putting him in this situation.
At the Right-Brain Tower, Sasaki states that Yamato will not be able to escape him and that until Momonosuke dies, their mission will not end. The young boy asks who Yamato is, while Shinobu asks him to protect Momonosuke. Yamato promises to save Shinobu as well and reveals that he was present that day twenty years ago during Oden's execution. Yamato admits to being moved to tears by Shinobu's speech that day and by the story of Oden's life. Yamato is blasted by Sasaki's troops but remains unfazed. He confesses to racing to Kuri Castle to save Momonosuke but could not do anything to help him. He blows away one of the pirates and formally introduces himself as Yamato, and that he is prepared to die for him.
One Piece, Volume 99
Chapter 995
Marco clashes with Big Mom as she demands he stay out of her way. Marco says to her that he doesn't know what role he will play in this war, but he does know how dangerous a person she is. Prometheus, who Big Mom used to attack, ends up getting hurt by Marco's flames, which he says is because a phoenix's flames have special properties. Nevertheless, Big Mom manages to grab him by the neck leaving him open to be shot by Perospero with a candy arrow. Perospero mockingly apologizes to Marco for siding with his mother before confessing that there were times in the past he had wanted to kill him more than now. Just before he can strike him however, he gets slashed across the face by Wanda and Carrot in their Sulong forms.
Carrot confirms to Wanda that Perospero is the one to blame for Pedro's death and despite him retorting that Pedro blew himself up, the two say that his death ultimately brought them together to this battle. After they confirm that Marco is a friend of Nekomamushi, Big Mom decides to return to the Live Floor riding an unconscious Prometheus and Zeus. She yells that she doesn't have time to deal with petty squabbles and tells Marco if he wants her dead, he has to do it another time because she doesn't have the soul weapons to spare on him now. Wanda and Carrot tell Marco to chase after her just as Marco notices someone turning into an Ice Oni.
On the Live Floor, Scratchmen Apoo manages to dodge a strike from Zoro as his subordinates ask him to give them the antidote. Apoo reminds them that if he does, he will die himself and he continues to run while blasting away his pursuers with his Devil Fruit. Zoro and Drake manage to catch up to him and strike him simultaneously, but he blocks them with his tonfas. Zoro tells Apoo that he wants to join Kin'emon up on the dome and fighting him is merely a delay, while Drake reminds Apoo that he has always hated him, which Apoo says is a mutual feeling. Queen curses Drake for immediately siding with the Beasts Pirates' enemy as he looks through the Straw Hat's wanted posters, remarking that one of Vinsmoke Judge's sons is among their group.
Meanwhile, Brook ends up getting touched by the infected Oni, but is completely fine. Chopper deduces it is because Brook has no skin, blood, or warmth, and while that upsets him, it does make him invincible. Chopper also begins to wonder how the Ice Oni virus is able to cause chilling from within the body before Robin points out that he has gotten infected too.
Elsewhere, Usopp strikes Ulti with his Midori Boshi: Devil which catches her in its mouth. She begs for Page One to help her and while he destroys the plant, he adds she could have gotten out of that on her own. He unleashes Midori Boshi: Take Jave-rin on Page One, but Ulti tears through it and strikes him with Ul-Zugan, cracking his skull. After defeating him, Ulti walks over to Nami and picks her up as she begs for her life. Ulti tells Nami that she is upset because Luffy told her that he would become the Pirate King. Nami continues to beg claiming he is an idiot and that she and the others will leave the island, so Ulti demands she say that Luffy will never become the Pirate King. Nami agrees to say it and Usopp tells her to lie since saying the wrong thing will cost her her life after coming all this way. Nami, however, declares that Luffy will never stop until he becomes the Pirate King.
Hearing her answer, Ulti angrily tells Nami to die, but before she can headbutt her, she gets chomped down on by the timely arrival of Komachiyo with Tama riding on his back.
Chapter 996
Inside the bathroom in the forehead of the Skull Dome, Ulti and Page One wonder what it was that attacked them before Tama grabs Nami and Usopp and runs off. Ulti demands Page One tear the komainu apart but he retorts for her to do it herself, which upsets her. Nami asks Usopp if he is okay, and he replies he is despite clearly not being so. She says that on the bright side, she is fine, which annoys him. Nami asks Tama how she and Komachiyo got to Onigashima and she replies that she snuck on board an enemy ship. Suddenly, the baboon Hihimaru appears and clashes with Page One as Tama asks for him to hold them off for three minutes. Nami becomes worried that Hihimaru may not stand a chance against the two Tobiroppo, but Tama tells her not to look down on his strength and that they can as samurai.
In the right-brain central tower, Yamato continues to blow away Sasaki's Armored Division. They in turn continue to strike Yamato. Momonosuke becomes worried for him and Shinobu asks Yamato to take Momonosuke and leave her behind. Yamato refuses, saying that Oden wouldn't do that. Sasaki starts to draw his sword and irritatingly tells Yamato that he finds it insulting he would say something like that to him while protecting 'dead weight'. Seeing this, Yamato's teeth start changing and becoming sharp.
Before the two can start fighting, Franky arrives with Hatcha following him. Yamato recognizes Franky inside the General Franky as Hatcha swings his club near Franky, causing him to bust a hole through the floor. Yamato remembers that there is a floor underneath him and grabs Momonosuke and Shinobu to escape. Franky asks if the two have been captured but they answer that they are being rescued. Yamato asks Franky to take care of Sasaki and that Luffy put him in charge of protecting the two. While Franky doesn't know who Yamato is, he nevertheless accepts. As thanks, Yamato uses a move called Narikabura, and fires a shot of Armament Haki at Hatcha that strikes him in the head, defeating him. Sasaki orders his troops to chase after Yamato, who tells Momonosuke that he must live because he believe he is the one who will lead the world to the dawn.
In the second basement floor, Trafalgar Law defeats several guards and approaches a Poneglyph while thinking about what Donquixote Rosinante said about the name of "D.", and how they are considered the enemies of the gods. He also thought back to when he revealed his full name to Robin at an earlier point, which surprised her. She appreciates the trust he has shown telling her this, but she can not give an answer, as despite her interest in the name, Luffy has no interest in knowing. Law realizes that in order to figure out the meaning, they need to follow the Road Poneglyphs. Sadly, the Poneglyph he finds isn't red, so he chooses to keep looking. He says to Rosinante that now he seeks to find the meaning of the "checkered life" he is meant to lead.
On the third floor, Eustass Kid uses his Devil Fruit to gather metal objects and asks Killer if he gathered enough. Killer answers that since they are fighting the world's strongest pirate, it can't hurt to have too much, which elates Kid. At the roof of the Skull Dome, Kaidou continues his battle with the Scabbards and is starting to overwhelm them. At the Live Stage, Big Mom returns, but she says that she only plans on joining Kaidou up on the roof.
Luffy, Jinbe, and Sanji manage to reach the second floor of the castle with Jinbe telling Luffy that the roof is above the fifth floor. Suddenly, Sanji asks the two of them if they can hear that sound from the third floor. He focuses and hears someone speaking in a seductive voice.
Chapter 997
On the third floor, Sanji continues to hear what he believes is a woman in danger. He runs up the stairs to see the silhouettes of a man untying the kimono of a woman despite her pleas not to. Sanji becomes worried he is witnessing sexual harassment and rushes to save the woman from losing her virginity. When he kicks down the door, however, he finds himself stuck in a spider's web, as it is revealed the man and woman were merely setting him up for a trap. The two proceed to kick him in the face before completely tying him up. Sanji is then brought forth to Black Maria as he demands he be freed. Black Maria refuses to let Sanji turn her banquet into a battlefield, though she says she finds him charming. She asks if he likes her and he, in turn, answers that he loves her, becoming completely lovestruck.
Elsewhere on the third floor, Luffy asks Jinbe where Sanji is, and Jinbe answers that he does not know. Meanwhile, two Shinuchi named Mizerka and Poker, who ate a SMILE that gives them the appearances of a gorilla and rattlesnake, respectively, are informed that Luffy and Jinbe are on their way to the stairs, where the two are currently stationed. Poker becomes excited, believing that if he and Mizerka can stop them, not only will it make up for Eustass Kid making it past them, but he believes it may promote him to Tobiroppo. Unfortunately for them, the former prisoners of Udon provide Luffy and Jinbe with a hand-made ladder to reach the fourth floor instead, which they accept.
On the Live Floor, Big Mom manages to reach the rooftop, but Zoro notices something fall out of the hole. After he sees it hit the ground, he looks around seeing the continued chase for Scratchmen Apoo for the Ice Oni antidote, as well as noticing Omasa completely becoming an Oni and Chopper starting to change himself. X Drake is still fighting Apoo, but in a split second Zoro defeats Apoo and claims the antidote. He immediately hands it to Chopper and asks if he can handle the floor now, which he confirms. Chopper then announces to everyone that he figured out how the virus works: Ice Oni is fused with a gas that chills the body, so everyone needs to use fire to stop the chilling. He declares he will make enough antibodies for everyone, friend and foe alike. Queen sees this and prepares to blast Chopper and Apoo for failing to hold on to the antidote. His gun, however, is destroyed by Zoro, who angrily tells Queen he did not come all the way to the island to waste time on his stupid game, but to cut down Kaidou, the strongest man in the world.
The ground suddenly starts to shake and Brook asks Zoro if this is his Supreme King Haki which he immediately denies. Robin says to Zoro that she understands how he feels because she too saw what fell through the hole earlier: Kikunojo's severed arm. Zoro wishes he could fly up into the hole but King and Queen will not make it easy just as Marco flies in asking the crew if they need help with anything. The shaking ground continues to be felt throughout the island and even outside, as the Heart Pirates become unable to reach the island and aid in the fight. Black Maria says that he is extremely impatient.
At the port area outside the dome, Yamato successfully exits the castle carrying Shinobu and Momonosuke, but when they get to the port, they find no ships available to reach Wano. Yamato realizes they were too late as Momonosuke asks what they are talking about. Yamato explains that dragons have the power to fly through the air with flame clouds, which means that as of right now, Kaidou is levitating the entire island to move it to the Flower Capital.
As for Kaidou, he declares that the Kouzuki are finished and with Wano as "New Onigashima" functioning as a pirate stronghold, the world of violence has begun.
Chapter 998
The Beasts Pirates are left stunned to see Onigashima being levitated into the sky by Kaidou before turning their attention to Marco's arrival. Marco uses his phoenix flames on Chopper which concerns Zoro and Brook, but after Marco dodges them, Chopper realizes that even though he is on fire, he isn't feeling any pain, and that the fire is at the right temperature to hold the virus back. Miyagi and Tristan arrive telling Chopper they are ready to produce more antidotes for Ice Oni, which pleases Chopper. Marco sees the other Ice Oni and uses an attack called "Nashi no Tsubute" to melt the ice on the infected, even Omasa regains control of himself. Marco tells Chopper to work fast because if they run out of stamina, they will turn back. Queen, while watching, becomes angry at Marco for his interference and tells his men to steal back the antidote, claiming the enemy won't bother trying to save them. Chopper proceeds to start making a cure.
After gaining an understanding of the situation, Marco offers to fly Zoro, Robin, and Brook up to the top of the roof. Brook is concerned about Chopper but their allies offer to keep him safe. Scratchmen Apoo gets back up and tries to reclaim the antibodies from Chopper. X Drake, however, stops Apoo by grabbing him with his mouth in his full Allosaurus form and throwing him to the ground. Drake tells Zoro that if he sees him as an ally, then they can go and leave the floor to him. Zoro accepts this.
On the fourth floor, Jinbe says to Luffy that the reason Sanji stayed on the third floor is most likely because he sensed a very powerful enemy, causing Luffy to remark that he needs to further train his Observation Haki. Jinbe also sees that the fourth floor is filled with tough enemies and offers to stay behind and let Luffy continue on. At the right-brain tower, Franky fires at Sasaki's troops with General Franky who block his missiles before Sasaki charges at Franky and knocks him over. After he recovers, Franky sees that Sasaki has transformed into a Triceratops, having eaten the Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Triceratops. Sasaki and his troops tell Franky to give up because he is the strongest animal in existence.
On the third floor's banquet hall, Sanji, while still tied up, is running from Black Maria and her group, with Black Maria revealing she has eaten the Kumo Kumo no Mi, Model: Rosamygale Grauvogeli. She teasingly tells him to stay forever so she can make him her pet. Sanji tries to keep his cool but in his eyes, he is completely surrounded by girls, which he considers heaven. This causes all the women though, to say that something is wrong with Sanji. Jinbe enters the Nekoka-fé on the fourth floor and confronts Who's-Who, who has eaten the Neko Neko no Mi, Model: Saber Tiger. He seems to be a little disappointed that Luffy has gone on to bother Kaidou and demands Jinbe leave his subordinates alone while calling him a former Warlord of the Sea. Jinbe tells Who's-Who that he would prefer to be referred to as the Straw Hat Pirate's helmsman now, causing Who's-Who to sarcastically apologize and that he called him that because he once saw him when he was a Warlord. Jinbe tells Who's-Who that if he takes his mask off, he might remember him, but Who's-Who tells him that will never happen. Outside the Dome, Page One and Ulti have defeated Hihimaru and are currently fighting the samurai while wondering where Usopp and Nami went, with Ulti wanting to smash Nami's head.
Yamato brings Momonosuke and Shinobu to the Skull Dome's storage room to treat her, confident no one will find them there. Momonosuke notices a statue and asks Yamato what it is. He explains that it was a statue of a dragon that was previously placed at the entrance of Onigashima, but it was discarded after his friend destroyed it. That friend turns out to be Portgas D. Ace, who Yamato reveals came to Wano many years ago to kill Kaidou.
Chapter 999
In a flashback, Portgas D. Ace and his crew, the Spade Pirates, came to Wano, where despite Ace's crewmate's pleas, he immediately started fighting Yamato. Ace demanded Yamato reveal himself before Yamato tells him to do so first. Ace introduces himself to him and announces he has come to take Kaidou's head. Yamato reveals to Ace that Kaidou and his crew have left Wano on an expedition so he won't find any member of the Beasts Pirates on the island while also revealing Kaidou is his father. Yamato tells Ace to stand down as Ace notices the explosive cuffs on his wrists.
Ace's crew tell him that they should leave and return the abducted children to their families. Ace, however, says that it doesn't make sense someone as strong as Yamato isn't the captain and wants to settle the fight. Yamato agrees, saying he has been bored for a while. They clash again and Ace yells that Yamato can't choose his father, and if he hates Kaidou so much, why is he not only allowing him to chain his wrists, but his heart as well. This moves Yamato to strike the Dragon statue and declaring he wish he could leave Wano and sail out to sea on adventures the way Kouzuki Oden did. Ace becomes so impressed by this that he also strikes the statue with his fire.
Afterwards they share a bottle of sake where Yamato tells Ace once he gets the cuffs off, he wants to leave before asking about what it is like outside of Wano. Ace admits there are many people making a name for themselves such as Cavendish, and while he himself is making a name, there are many others, such as Eustass Kid, Trafalgar Law, and Capone Bege, but the toughest one of them all hasn't set out yet: his brother, who Ace is confident will be massive.
In the present, Yamato explains to Momonosuke and Shinobu how the both of them broke the dragon statue and how Kaidou was furious. Momonosuke was surprised to hear that a previous pirate tried to save Wano before asking about what Yamato meant when he referred Kaidou as "father". Yamato reveals his heritage, causing Momonosuke and Shinobu to back up in a panic. Yamato tries to calm them down by saying that he hates Kaidou and consider himself Kouzuki Oden, but that just confuses them even more. Nevertheless, they still accept Yamato as a friend and ask why he was telling them about Ace. Yamato explains that Ace died two years ago and proceeds to talk about him again. In another location, Tama reveals to Nami her own history with Ace and how hard she was working to become a kunoichi as well as how ungently Luffy told her he had died. Nami apologizes, saying that is just how Luffy is, before saying that Ace's death was painful for Luffy too, which confuses Tama.
On the Performance Floor, Queen orders his men to stop Marco, who reluctantly do so despite him healing their disease. Marco decides not to face Kaidou yet and tells Robin and Brook to run into the castle while he takes to the skies carrying Zoro in his full phoenix form. Marco thought back to the past and how when Ace joined the Whitebeard Pirates, he pleaded with Whitebeard to go to Wano. Whitebeard refused, revealing that the reason the position of 2nd Division Commander, which Oden held previously, went vacant for so long was because they didn't learn about his death until several years after. Marco admitted they thought about making a move on Wano, but feared the loss of life that would have been as a result. Ace demands he go alone because he made a promise, resulting in a fight between him and Whitebeard with Whitebeard calling Ace arrogant for thinking he could stop someone who Oden couldn't even beat. After Ace was beaten, Marshall D. Teach laughed that he understands feeling like taking down a big shot like Kaidou before Marco corrects him saying Ace isn't doing it for that. Ace decides to grow stronger, with Izou and Marco asking Ace that if he is allowed to go, he should take them with him. Back in the present, King and Queen transform into their dinosaur forms as Marco gets closer to the hole. Queen tells Marco he can't just assume he will be able to fly straight past them and that all the samurai are probably dead now, while King adds that once Oden's son dies, the battle will end. Marco retorts that the two of them are foolish to think that because they are fighting against the New Generation. Queen tries shooting Marco with a gun in his mouth, but the shots just go through him.
Back with Tama and Nami, Tama is shocked to learn that Luffy and Ace were brothers and starts feeling guilty for what she said to Luffy earlier about him. Nami reassures her that if it upset him so much, he would have said something before moving on to the plan she had come up with. At the same time, Momonosuke learns from Yamato that Ace was both Gold Roger's son and Luffy's brother as Yamato asks if Momonosuke brought Luffy to Wano. When he confirms, he says that it has to be an act of fate if Luffy was picked out of all the pirates in the world. Yamato also adds that Luffy bears the name of "D.", which confuses the two of them.
Atop the Skull Dome, Prometheus and Zeus recharge by consuming fire and lightning, respectively, before Big Mom tells Kaidou he is free to kill all of the Straw Hat Pirates except for Nico Robin. Kaidou asks Big Mom if Charlotte Pudding can read the Poneglyphs, but Big Mom says no, and she doesn't want to wait anymore. She asks where he plans on dropping Onigashima and he reveals he will drop it on a castle in the Flower Capital that stands as a symbol of the Kouzuki. Big Mom says that lots of people will die if he does that, but he doesn't mind because he can get more slaves. Big Mom asks if the Road Poneglyph is in the Flower Capital, but Kaidou tells her that she is playing her hand too quickly by asking that. Big Mom yells for him not to insult her because even after everything, she considers him a little brother to herself. She then reveals that on the day Rocks fell, she was the one who gave Kaidou his Devil Fruit: the mythical Uo Uo no Mi. Because of that, she believes he owes her a debt for life.
Kaidou brushes her off and says that they can talk about it all they want once they find the One Piece.
Chapter 1000
Finally reaching the fifth floor, Luffy comes across the Inuarashi Musketeer Squad, who have cleared the way to the roof and ask him to continue onwards. Luffy thanks Shishilian and makes his way to the roof, while also telling all of them that he remembers how they defended Raizo with their lives, which causes Shishilian to tear up. On the Live Floor, Marco uses his flames to hold Queen (who is shown to have a mechanical elongated neck) and King back while he throws Zoro up to the roof, much to his chagrin though.
In the storage room, Yamato returns Oden's journal to Momonosuke, revealing he had believed he had died twenty years ago, and he never expected a day he could meet him. Yamato also reveals he found the journal near the river at the foot of Oden's Castle that day long ago and says that someone must have protected it, since it has written about his life and time traveling the world. Yamato asks if Momonosuke was born on Whitebeard's ship and he even sailed on Roger's ship and explains that Oden and the Roger Pirates predicted that a little over twenty years in the future, a new generation of pirates would advance to the New World, and he believe they were talking about this very moment. Yamato also revealed that he thought Ace would have led the charge but after his death he recalled something.
In the past, Ace accidentally told Yamato about Luffy and his dream before demanding he never laugh at him. He declares he won't allow anyone to mock his dreams because he and Sabo believed in him. Before he can finish, Yamato starts tearing up and declares he would never laugh at him, because those were the same words that dumbfounded Oden. Ace is intrigued by who said that and offers to drink with that person and Luffy someday, only for Yamato to reveal that person was dead, which annoys him. Afterwards Yamato gives Ace his Vivre Card, who explains to him how it functions and asks to meet him again someday, which he agrees to.
In the present, Yamato reveals that Ace's Vivre Card disappeared without a trace one day, which made him realize he was dead, and the newspaper the next day revealed everything, such as Ace being Roger's son and that Luffy was already making a name for himself. Yamato explains that Momonosuke brought that very same person to Wano, as if Oden documented the future, and how a group of powerful pirates would shoulder the burden of the next era and go to the New World, and by chance he died, they would defeat Kaidou in his stead.
Speaking of, Luffy and Zoro reach the roof of the Skull Dome along with Eustass Kid, Killer, and Law where they confront Kaidou and Big Mom awaiting them. Luffy notices something and starts walking toward the two as Kaidou tells Big Mom what Luffy told him previously. Big Mom also adds how he talked back at her and how he destroyed her castle, so she wants an apology. To their surprise though, Luffy ignores them and walks past them over to the Nine Red Scabbards and Izou, who were defeated and left beaten on the floor. Kaidou turns to look at Luffy and demands he say what he said to them previously to their faces. Luffy, however, continues to ignore them and apologize to Kin'emon for arriving late. He looks at the injured samurai as Kin'emon distraughtly says that he can't leave things as they are, or he will never be able to face Oden in the afterlife. He asks Luffy to shoulder their burden and save Wano, who agrees citing that it is the land of his friends.
An annoyed Kaidou proceeds to raise his club to strike Luffy, who asks Law to move everyone away with his Devil Fruit powers, which he does so. He then jumps high into the air dodging Kaidou's strike as he goes into Gear 3. As he does so, he thinks back to when the Mink Tribe revealed that Raizo was safe and that they would never sell out their allies, Momonosuke's tears as he yelled, he wanted to take down Kaidou, Kin'emon revealing he had traveled through time, Yasuie's execution, Hyougoro's tears of joy, and Kin'emon revealing the details of Oden's death. He then proceeds to strike Kaidou with a new attack called Gomu Gomu no Red Roc, slamming him into the ground and actually causing him to bleed. Big Mom is left in disbelief at the sight of Kaidou getting knocked down as Luffy introduces himself as the one who will surpass the two of them and become the Pirate King.
Chapter 1001
Big Mom yells at Luffy for his declaration, saying he doesn't know what it means to be Pirate King as Kaidou gets back up, realizing that Luffy's attack, actually did hurt him. Zoro and Kid are surprised to see his punch work and Killer says that they might actually have a fighting chance. Kaidou, however, wonders what happened after he defeated him back in Kuri since he only knows a few people capable of fighting him. In that moment, he sees the shadows of Oden, Whitebeard, Shanks, Roger, and Rocks behind Luffy, and he gives a smirk.
Luffy uses his Observation Haki to foresee Kaidou's Raimei Hakke, but it moves too fast and Luffy still ends up getting hit, though he is able to stand this time, which Kaidou admires. Big Mom tries to use Prometheus to attack Luffy, but Zoro ends up using Kin'emon's Foxfire Style to cut Prometheus in half, which causes the homie immense pain. As Prometheus reforges, Zoro reminds Luffy that they are fighting two Emperors of the Sea, so they can't afford to drop their guards. Before Kaidou can strike Luffy again, Law uses Shambles to save him, bringing him closer to him. Afterwards, Law yells to Luffy that he had already planned on using his powers to move the samurai below, but when Luffy told him to do it, it made it look like he was following his orders, but Luffy retorts that it doesn't matter. Kid takes the opportunity to mock Law calling him Luffy's subordinate, which he vehemently denies, but he calls them both losers which annoys the both of them.
Big Mom has Prometheus fire three balls of fire which she calls Heavenly Bonbon. As the fireballs got closer, Luffy says that whoever reacts to the fireballs first is a loser. Law and Kid refuse to play that game, which causes Luffy to call them losers. This causes all three of them to take the fireballs head on and get struck, much to Zoro's annoyance. Kaidou demands Big Mom stay back while he sees their strength, as Zoro tells Killer not to get in his way, calling him "Kamazo" due to recognizing his laughter. Killer retorts that if was using his "Punishers" back then, he would have beaten Zoro, but he doesn't believe him. They both attack Kaidou, who praises them for their strength, though Zoro realizes he needs to release more of Enma's power.
Luffy, Law, and Kid get back up as Luffy goes into Gear 4, Kid creates a huge suit of metal with Punk Rotten, and Law prepares a ROOM. Kaidou laughs and calls the three of them monsters in their own right, as Luffy punches Kaidou with Gomu Gomu no Kong Gun, and Kaidou gets crushed by Kid's Punk Vise, and gets several rocks dropped on him by Law's Takt.
After a brief moment, Kaidou emerges from the rubble in his dragon form and joins Big Mom in the air riding Zeus and Prometheus covering Napoleon. Kaidou tells the five pirates that it would be a shame for him to kill all of them, but he has no choice. He and Big Mom also plan on taking their crew, treasure, and Poneglyphs, and that whoever wins this battle will become one step closer to becoming the Pirate King.
Chapter 1002
Kaidou uses Kaifu to unleash several wind blades on the Worst Generation, but Law uses his powers to avoid them. Killer also jumps out of the way while Kid gets struck, but despite Killer's worry, Kid tells him he is okay since the golem is made out of junk that he can reattach. Zoro deflects the wind blade while Luffy dodges them, getting close to Kaidou and striking him with Gomu Gomu no Kong Rifle, which injures him. Kid moves underneath Kaidou and grabs his head with his robot, slamming him into the roof with Slam Gibson, which also causes him pain. Law maneuvers around Kaidou with his powers before stabbing him with Gamma Knife, saying that while he has never seen the insides of a dragon before, he assumes his heart was where he stabbed. The attack also damages Kaidou.
Kaidou shakes them off and admits they learned how tough his defense is, acknowledging them as more than just mindless fools relying on guts. Killer starts running along Kaidou's body, saying that he just needs to cut past his scales to the inside, then uses Kamaa Sonic to damage him from the inside. However, Killer gets struck by Big Mom's Indra, declaring that as long as they are under the open sky, no one will escape from her. Kaidou admits the Worst Generation is vexing, but before he can chomp on Killer, Luffy strikes him with Gomu Gomu no Rhino Schneider. Kaidou prepares to use Bolo Breath again, but Zoro tells Law to move him into the air, which he does reluctantly. He cuts the fire with Homura Saki to protect Luffy while using Hiryu: Kaen on Kaidou. Big Mom warns Kaidou to dodge because the sword Zoro was using is no ordinary sword. Unfortunately, Zoro missed his attack and ended up cutting off one of the horns of the Skull Dome, while Kaidou tries to figure out why Oden's presence can be felt in that sword.
Zoro gets struck by Big Mom's Tenman Daijizai Tenjin while the others try to block it. Luffy gets struck as well, but comes out of it unscathed, much to Big Mom's confusion. Luffy yells to Big Mom that he is rubber, so her lightning will not work on him. He tells her that she will pay for striking everyone the way she did, but Luffy gets hit by Kaidou's Bolo Breath. To Kaidou's equal surprise, Luffy came out unscathed as well, claiming that it was his guts that protected him. He then strikes Kaidou with Gomu Gomu no Kong Gatling.
Chapter 1003
Luffy finishes pummeling Kaidou with Gomu Gomu no Kong Gatling, knocking him into the ground as Big Mom watches in horror. After finishing, Luffy deflates and returns to normal and lands on the ground as the others watch. Kid asks when Kaidou managed to strike him, but Law explains to Kid that what he is seeing is a side effect of Luffy's Gear 4 form, and now he will not be able to use his Haki for ten minutes. Kid acknowledges the cost of that strength, but as long as it did some damage to Kaidou it would not matter.
Big Mom laughs if that was the extent of Luffy's strength and uses Haha no Hi to attack him. Zoro, however, manages to grab him and save him from the attack as Big Mom demands he hand him over. Kid tells Killer to keep up the pressure on Kaidou as Law gets close to Big Mom and uses Counter Shock to damage her. Kaidou gets back up and sees Kid and Killer charging for him, and unleashes Tatsumaki to blow everyone away. Zoro comments that Kaidou is practically a natural disaster as he loses his grip on Luffy, who flies into the air and gets chomped on by Kaidou. Angry, Zoro demands Kaidou release his captain as he unleashes his Kokujo: O Tatsumaki on Kaidou, forcing him to release Luffy while getting damaged in the process, which surprises Killer that he actually pierced through Kaidou's scales. Kaidou, who sensed the strange Haki he felt from before again, finally deduces that Zoro was using Oden's sword, as the pain felt similar. Kaidou decides to take on Zoro's twister challenge and unleashed a stronger variation of Tatsumaki called Tatsumaki Kaifu, which everyone tries to dodge.
Inside the castle, CP0 is revealed to also be attending, though they were disappointed by the sudden death of their business partner Orochi and that the banquet had devolved into a battlefield. They deduced that this was a result of a grudge the samurai held on Kaidou for twenty years. But with Doflamingo gone, a clash between the Worst Generation and the Four Emperors was unavoidable. So, the samurai joining the pirate's side was no surprise. CP0 say that if two of the Four Emperors fall, there is no telling what will happen in the World, though they feel it is of no concern. One of their entertainers informs them that of the 5,400 samurai, 400 have fallen, whereas of the 30,000 Beasts Pirates, 3,000 have fallen. As CP0 keep record with a go board, they admit that the samurai's sneak attack worked since any other method would have failed. However, just killing Kaidou will not be enough; they have to defeat all of Kaidou's officers to truly win this battle. CP0 say that the pirates should just try to wipe as much of the other side out as they can.
Up on the roof, Kaidou changes into his hybrid form as he tells Big Mom that this battle has started to get fun, which she agrees with.
Chapter 1004
On Onigashima, the Shinuchi Speed delivers a bag full of Kibi Dango to several Gifters, telling them that they were made with Queen's special tonics and will boost their body's natural healing process. Some were unsure if they would work, but Briscola, who ate one, says that they are. She tells the Gifters that there are enough for all of them and they have a muscle-boosting effect, which makes them even more excited.
Speed then recalled how Tama told her that she wanted her help to take her to Onigashima since no one else would take her with them. As they were making their way to the island, Tama made several Kibi Dango despite tiring herself out. Speed told her to stop but Tama continued to make them, saying that each one would create a new ally. She also told her that she wanted to see a Wano without Kaidou and Orochi and one with Momonosuke as the shogun so she would never go hungry again. Speed agreed to fight for her, along with Gazelleman and Daifugo, who Tama had also tamed. They decided to hide in wait until the right moment.
In the present, Gazelleman and Daifugo proceed to distribute Kibi Dango to various Gifters. Some of the prisoners of Udon spot Daifugo and try to attack him, but Daifugo tells them that that is all water under the bridge. He then proceeds to shove the dango in the mouths of Gifters and Shinuchi, such as Mizerka and Poker, declaring that they will all serve their new master.
In the right-brain tower of the Skull Dome, Franky uses General Left on Sasaki, but he brushes them off as he tries to ram into Franky. Thankfully Franky stops him by grabbing him by the horn and flinging him on to his back. Before he can attack again, he gets pinned down by Sasaki's Armored Corps, leaving him open to be rammed by Sasaki. Franky then hears Usopp, Nami, and Tama calling to him. Just as he is about to ask them for assistance, they beg him for help instead. He sees that they are being chased by an army of Gifters as Sasaki orders them to block their way before declaring that their side has the advantage in numbers. Tama, however, announces that she is here to turn that around as Nami and Usopp drop the act and stick their tongues out at him. Tama yells for the Gifters to help Franky which they agree to, and in the confusion the Armored Corps lose their grip on Franky, allowing him to dodge Sasaki's attack.
Sasaki asks what is going on, and Page One and Ulti, who caught up to the Straw Hats, tell Sasaki that the Gifters and Shinuchi have turned on them and to take them out. He asks if they have turned traitor but Ulti deduces that it is the work of a Devil Fruit. She jumps into the air and tells Nami that she must want her to bash her skull in. Nami, however, uses her Thunder Lance Tempo to deal a blow on Ulti, much to Page One's horror. Nami does know that a lightning attack of that power will not be enough to defeat her, stating that she needs something even more powerful. Usopp uses his sniping skills to launch Kibi Dan-boshi into the mouths of the Armored Corp, turning them over to their side. Sasaki demands they get back but Franky kicks him in the face before slashing him with his Shori no V-Flash and wounding him.
In the Banquet Hall, Black Maria has Sanji tied up in her webs, revealing that he defeated all of her male subordinates but never hurt her female subordinates, reasoning that as the reason he lost to her. She then demands he call for Nico Robin, telling him to speak to one of her subordinates to echo his voice throughout the castle and in return, she will release him. Sanji asks her what she wants with Robin, and Black Maria answers that they will capture her, mutilate her to incapacitate her, and once they are finally finished with her, they will kill her. Sanji tells Black Maria to not underestimate Robin. On the Performance Floor, Bao Huang informs King that she has located the Nine Red Scabbards in the Treasure Repository. King asks if anyone else can deal with him since he himself is busy at the moment and Black Maria agrees to go since the Treasure Repository is connected to the third floor. Sanji becomes worried that the Scabbards were defeated and begs Black Maria not to kill them.
Bao Huang warns Black Maria to be careful because she detects one more person in the room trying to help the group.
One Piece, Volume 100
Chapter 1005
In the Grand Banquet Hall, Black Maria tells Sanji that she needs to go and kill the Nine Red Scabbards and asks Caimanlady if she is ready to broadcast his voice across the island, which she confirms. Black Maria asks Sanji to call Robin, revealing she has laid multiple layers of her adhesive thread at the entrance and on the floor, so when Robin comes up to the floor, she will get trapped and riddled with tranquilizer darts. She then puts on brass knuckles and punches Sanji, once again telling him to call Robin.
She continues to pummel Sanji while her subordinates watch in awe, believing that he would rather die than sell out his friend, with one saying she would fall for him if they weren't on opposing sides. Sanji manages to catch a break from Black Maria's beating and asks to say one thing. Her subordinates assume he plans on telling her "eat crap" and fear she will become even more upset, but to their surprise, he yells for Nico Robin to come and help him, revealing his location and that if she doesn't come, he might die. His message is heard throughout the castle with some of them thinking his call for help is pathetic. Jinbe deduces that the Beasts Pirates are after Robin for her knowledge and Sasaki mocks Sanji for his whining when he also deduces that Robin is being set up to be captured. Marco admits that the Straw Hats are fun and Nami is not surprised that Sanji was calling for help if his opponent is a woman. Usopp points to a cat with a paper with an eye on it and wonders what they are for.
Black Maria is still surprised that Sanji gave in and he demands she let him loose like she said. Black Maria learns that someone is coming, and she tells Sanji that she won't release him, calling her 'love' for him personal. She then points towards a bunch of other men tied up in her webs and says that they can't live without her, which they all say. Sanji, however, yells that he wants to love all the ladies in the world, causing Black Maria to angrily tell him that she won't accept him cheating on her so she will discipline him some more. Sanji yells that he doesn't want her fist to get hurt so his Armament Haki will be soft. All of a sudden, Black Maria gets slapped in the face by a Gigantesco Mano: Spank, knocking her down to the floor. Black Maria asks how Robin was able to get inside past her webs and she explains she can bloom anywhere. She also asks if Black Maria seriously thought luring her to her location would mean she would be easy to capture. She then says that she has spent a lot of time working for evil organizations, so when someone she cares for gets hurt, it pulls out the demon within her. Brook also arrives and frees Sanji with his powers as well as destroying all of her other webs. He then notices all of Black Maria's subordinates and calls them monsters, which they retort that he can't say that. Sanji tells the two of them that he is going to Kin'emon's location because he can't see himself winning a fight with Black Maria, a statement they agree with. Black Maria refuses to let Sanji leave, but Robin asks if that is her last words. She then thanks Sanji for relying on her help, causing him to get heart shaped eyes at the complement while also tripping on the frozen floor.
In the sealed storage room, Momonosuke says that he heard Sanji's voice from a mouse wearing the paper with the eye mark. Yamato reveals to him and Shinobu that the mouse is called a Mary, which are cyborgs. They wander around the island without purpose but share their eyesight with human Marys. This, however, means they know their location, and are currently outside the room. Shinobu asks where they can move Momonosuke to a place he won't be seen as Yamato tells Momonosuke to jump into his clothes. The Beasts Pirates try to bar down the door, but Yamato breaks through, telling Shinobu that they need to knock out everyone or they will be seen, and Shinobu retorts that is not how that works.
On the Third Floor, Jack, who has somewhat partially recovered from his injuries, tells Black Maria that he will deal with the Nine Red Scabbards himself, saying that even if they are damaged, they are still strong enough to defeat a Tobiroppo, so she can't get involved. Black Maria tells Jack she feels insulted but accepts his decision because that lets her take care of Robin. She takes off her kimono revealing a tattoo on her back saying "woman trouble" while wielding a large weapon with a Wanyūdō at the end. She tells Robin that at the end of the battle, she will belong to Kaidou, but Robin tells her that she would rather die.
Chapter 1006
On the Performance Floor, Bao Huang reports that Momonosuke has escaped the Sealed Storeroom, and while she can't see him physically, she is convinced he is with Yamato, which is true as he is hiding within his clothes. Yamato directs Shinobu's attention to a path that Shinobu asks if they can pick a less obvious route. Bao Huang reports that Yamato is with Shinobu, and Sanji, who overheard, realizes both Momonosuke and Shinobu are in danger while also wondering who Yamato is. He asks a beaten pirate where the Sealed Storeroom is and he tells him it is near the entrance to the Skull Dome. Sanji realizes that is in the opposite direction as Kin'emon's position, leaving him confused as to which side needs him most right now. After a bit of deliberating, he makes his decision.
At the entrance of the castle, Charlotte Perospero sits on a rock and looks down at Carrot and Wanda, who he has defeated. He yells to them that the reason they lost to him was because the full moon was covered by clouds, which cancelled their Sulong, and turned them back to normal. He jumps down and grabs Carrot's face asking her if she was serious about wanting to avenge Pedro and what she thought would happen if she waltzed into their home like they were going to have a picnic. He throws her to the ground and tells her that if she doesn't want to see her friends die, she should have stayed in the forest eating grass where she belongs. Perospero then says that while he is against working with the Beasts Pirates, he wants to teach the younglings what it means to be a member of the Four Emperors.
Inside the Skull Dome, several samurai are struggling to keep from turning back into an Ice Oni, as their physical stamina is being burnt up to keep the phoenix flames alight. They are told to keep it together, since Chopper, who is also infected, is working hard to make enough cures. Scratchmen Apoo is told that they can't get through to Chopper and the cure because of X Drake and Hyougoro, who has regained the strength and appearance of his prime. Apoo's followers ask why they had to get caught up in this sick game but Apoo says Queen isn't the type to bestow mercy on crybabies. The Orochi Oniwabanshu wonder how Hyougoro regained his old strength as the old man realizes contracting the disease has extracted all the strength he has to the very inch of his life, and while it is burning away at the last bits of his body for fuel, he will use its power to cut down their enemies. Hyougoro then yells to the other yakuza bosses to strike him down should Chopper fail to make the medicine in time, as he fears he will cut down everyone present should he turn. Sadly, the yakuza confirm this while Hotei and Mimawarigumi decide to challenge him, however, he easily defeats all of them with Hana no Ittoryu: Dohatsu Kohai. As he fights, he admits to himself he wishes he could have been able to fight alongside Oden against Kaidou when he was in his prime, but his retainers were able to pull off this raid in his name while he himself gained a fascinating apprentice in Luffy. He confidently says the dawn of Wano will come as Queen tries to stop him from taking out the entire floor.
Before Queen can fire his laser at Hyougoro, however, he gets struck by Marco with Hoo-in, which causes him to cough up blood. He angrily asks what that attack was, as Marco reminds him that he was fighting him, and he won't be able to think about the samurai until he deals with him. Marco dodges Queen's laser attack while King jumps down and cuts off Marco's left wing. Marco regenerates it though and fires a Bluebird at King, knocking him into a building before he gets kneed in the face by Marco. Queen turns back to normal as he walks over to Marco, but Marco launches him back with Ongle. Marco admits fighting two people with over-a-billion bounties is tough even for him and hopes Chopper finishes soon. Perospero enters the Skull Dome and sees Marco, noticing how exhausted he is becoming.
Eventually, everyone starts turning back into an Ice Oni and Hyougoro asks Yatappe to cut him down, saying he wants this and that the heavens have rewarded him with this final role to play. As Yatappe raises his sword with tears in his eyes, Hyougoro says that he leaves the rest in everyone's hands and this is where his life ends with no regrets.
Chapter 1007
On the Live Floor, practically all of the Orochi Oniwabanshu and Mimawarigumi have been defeated by Hyougoro, with the Beasts Pirates admiring how powerful he actually is and Scratchmen Apoo commenting how he resists the effects of Ice Oni yet is so powerful. X Drake says that he sees why people fear Wano as Hyougoro demands Yatappe clear his mind so he can kill him. Despite crying his eyes out, Yatappe says he will strike him down as Cho watches also crying and acknowledging how much he is struggling because of how they see Hyougoro as a father. At the same time, Omasa asks Tsunagoro to strike him down out of fear of hurting his friends. The samurai plead with Chopper to finish the antidote soon because time is running out.
Meanwhile, Queen's subordinates ask him why they have to suffer from his virus. In response, Queen angrily transforms into his brachiosaurus form and demands they shut up, declaring Ice Oni as his masterpiece and that he made it for them in a sense. Confused, Queen elaborates reminding the Pleasures that they gambled on a chance to get powers and failed, now to him, they are nothing but dead weight good for a laugh. As for the Waiters, he tells them that no matter how long they wait, there are no more SMILEs to give them powers. Therefore, the only way any of them can be useful is by becoming Ice Oni and ultimately dying. They are shocked by this answer but Queen says that they can always find more soldiers.
Broken by this answer, several Beasts Pirates start attacking friend and foe alike, with some of them declaring that they will quit the Beasts Pirates when the battle is over. The samurai pity their enemies for their cruel commanders but Queen berates the samurai for working alongside Chopper, who he says has probably already used the cure on himself and has abandoned everyone to die. The samurai deny that Chopper would do something so heinous, but Queen says that backstabbing is part of the pirate lifestyle. Eventually, Yatappe works up the nerve to strike down Hyougoro, saying he will join him soon but Hyougoro tells him to take his time. However, the strike is blocked by Chopper, who puts the antidote in Hyougoro's mouth and cures him.
Everyone is relieved to see Chopper as he tells Hyougoro he will be fine as Miyagi and Tristan come in and fire the Chopperphage Nebulizer at the infected, curing them of Ice Oni. Queen angrily demands what Chopper thinks he is doing and Chopper explains that since there are so many people on the floor, he knew it would be impossible for him to cure everyone individually, so he used the antibodies to craft his own virus, one that will cure everyone, and the cannon makes it easier for him to distribute. Queen is flabbergasted at how a ship doctor from nowhere could be so experienced and Chopper answers that he and his crew were scattered all over the world and they had been training for events such as this. Queen angrily asks why he bothered to cure his subordinates and Chopper says that viruses are not meant to be weaponized, as even the user will lose control.
Queen refuses to be lectured by Chopper and tries to kill him, but the Pleasures use themselves as shields for him. Queen demands they get out of the way but they refuse, telling him that they would rather die on the side of their savior than the one who nearly got them killed. Marco takes this opportunity to grab Queen by the neck, giving Chopper an opening to strike. Chopper thanks Marco and takes a Rumble Ball, changing into his Monster Point form. After he does, he slaps Queen so hard he bleeds, but he also yells to everyone present that he is not a "tanuki", which they have been calling him constantly. Surprised, all his allies inwardly apologizes for their mistake.
In the Right Brain Tower, Yamato and Shinobu continue moving as Yamato asks Momonosuke if he is okay. Momonosuke says that he is not because he feels disgusted with himself because everyone thinks so highly of him yet he sees himself as weak and foolish. Shinobu denies this and calls him brave, but Momonosuke refutes this claim and transforms into his dragon form at the same time, which surprises the two. In CP0's room, the leader thinks back to when Kaidou had been captured by the Marines and how Dr. Vegapunk experimented on his Lineage Factor, thus creating the Artificial Devil Fruit. The World Government wanted him to give the fruit to them, but Vegapunk considered it a failure and refused, leaving it on Punk Hazard. One of his subordinates asks why he is bringing this up now since Punk Hazard was destroyed, but the leader says that he hopes the fruit was destroyed as well despite the G-5 reporting that one facility was still operational.
Down in the Treasure Repository, the Nine Red Scabbards recover but are confused as to who tended to them. Kawamatsu has an idea but dismisses it as a dream as Kin'emon tells his men to get up and continue fighting. Suddenly, Kouzuki Oden appears before the samurai, leaving all of them stunned.
Chapter 1008
In the Treasure Repository, Oden tells the Nine Red Scabbards that he doesn't blame them for being surprised and explains that Toki sent him into the future with her Devil Fruit powers, a story he offers to explain later. Kin'emon, Nekomamushi, Kikunojo, Inuarashi, Kawamatsu, Izou, and Denjiro are racked with joy over his apparent return and Oden tells his retainers that they can stop Kaidou together now. Just as everyone is about to follow him, Ashura Doji yells for his comrades to not be fooled, saying that the Oden standing before them is an imposter. Kin'emon tries to deny this with the fact that he was standing before them, but Raizo sides with Ashura and reminds Kin'emon that Toki told them that it is impossible to return to the past, and since Oden died that day, how could he possibly be here in the future?
Kin'emon tries to defend Oden, unaware that he has drawn his sword against him. Ashura punches Kin'emon out of the way yelling for him to open his eyes as he cuts Oden's cheek, where they see no blood coming out. Ashura ends up getting stabbed by "Oden" while telling his friends that he understands their wishes that this was the real Oden. Seeing this deception, the Nine Red Scabbards demand to know who would pull such a cruel trick. They all realize that they were the only ones who knew Oden and his mannerisms, meaning that the one responsible for creating this fake was Kurozumi Kanjuro.
Kikunojo apologizes to Ashura for not killing Kanjuro but he forgives her, saying that the sharpest sword will become dull when turned against a friend. The Scabbards start fighting the drawing of Oden wondering where Kanjuro is, and Kanjuro, through the drawing of Oden, reveals that he is controlling the drawing remotely. He also tells his former comrades that it is draining him of his energy, but since he is already wounded, he believes he won't live to see the end of the war anyway. However, he plans on killing Momonosuke, who the Scabbards know is in danger after the Marys revealed his location along with Shinobu. The fake Oden then ignites an explosive which Ashura notices. He tackles the drawing and tells his comrades to escape and stop Kanjuro. He falls out of the room with the drawing telling Kanjuro that his mockery of Oden ends here as the drawing explodes, blowing everyone back.
The Scabbards see Ashura badly wounded but press on after Kanjuro as he declares that masquerading as a Kouzuki to destroy them before his death would be a fitting finale to his life-long performance. The Scabbards, however, are stopped by Jack, who was held back by several of the Minks. Inuarashi tells the others to keep going as Jack asks if he seriously wants to fight him alone but Inuarashi says that both of them have been injured, yet he still believes it will be enough. He then tells Jack that this isn't about settling a grudge anymore, but he intends to stop him from causing anyone anymore harm. The others leave to find Momonosuke as Jack mocks that there is no moonlight to activate his Sulong form. Inuarashi, however, retorts that Jack doesn't have his poison gas weapon either.
Meanwhile, Kurozumi Orochi, who is revealed to be alive, starts setting the castle on fire as retaliation for Kaidou's betrayal. He is accompanied by Fukurokuju, who silences anyone who sees Orochi. Elsewhere, Momonosuke returns to normal and hides in Yamato's clothes again, saying he can control his transformation better now, unlike when he first met Luffy and his crew whenever he got anxious. Yamato admits he was surprised he could transform into a creature similar to Kaidou and Momonosuke admits he wishes he could transform into something as strong as Kaidou so he could be more useful. Yamato wonders how Luffy is and wishes to help him as "Oden". Momonosuke, however, reveals that Luffy is worn out but still in high-spirits. Shinobu is relieved but questions how Momonosuke was able to know that.
Atop the Skull Dome, Luffy, who has recovered, is blown into a rock between Zoro and Kid. The two wonder how they are supposed to defeat the two Emperors because it looks like none of their attacks are working. Luffy says that they are because Kaidou and Big Mom are human, so they have to be feeling the pain of their attacks. He tries to attack again but is blown back into the wall again as Killer wonders how he can call the two of them human. Luffy says that a losing attitude isn't going to help as Zoro demands he help come up with a plan. Law suggests they split the two of them up, which Zoro and Kid agree with as Kid says that fighting the two of them is like Hell. Luffy says that is true then he has been to Hell and back a few times. Kaidou looks at Luffy and tells him that his eyes never seem to lose their fire.
Chapter 1009
Within the castle, the Beasts Pirates struggle to put out the fires that Kurozumi Orochi started. Orochi and Fukurokuju, however, end up encountering the Nine Red Scabbards surprisingly. Fukurokuju advises Orochi to stand back and allow himself to deal with the samurai since they are unaware, he has already died once today. Orochi refuses, saying if he goes out now, he would be surrounded, while also saying that Kaidou softened them up so he believes it will be an easy fight for him. He laughs at the retainers and what is left and asks if Kanjuro's true allegiance came as a surprise. He also admits he was surprised to learn that Kyoshiro was actually Denjiro but he says he will overlook this treachery as he transforms. He tells the seven of them that they do not scare him in their wounded state, and he will kill them as payback for haunting him as ghosts for twenty years. In an instant though, the samurai cut off six of his heads, telling him that they do not have time to waste on him and he will be judged in Hell. As everyone continues on, Raizo asks Fukurokuju if he is serious about avenging Orochi and how surprised he is to see him defend a dead fool. Fukurokuju, in turn, mocks Raizo and the others for fighting for Oden before telling Raizo that they were destined to clash before ever choosing sides.
Atop the Skull Dome, Big Mom suggests to Kaidou that they use a combined attack to finish off the five pirates. Kid asks why Law cannot just use his Devil Fruit powers to send one of them away, causing Law to retort that if he could he would have already, but the reason he cannot is because both their Haki are too strong for him to move directly. Kid says that they will just tear them apart as Luffy warns everyone about an incoming attack. Kaidou and Big Mom ready their weapons while insulting each other and unleash a flying attack called Hakai. To their surprise, Zoro does his best to block the attack telling everyone to run. The deflected attack destroys a chunk of the island but all of them survived, which the two Emperors notice.
Law asks Zoro if he is okay, and he says he barely is. Kid tells Zoro that he was not able to buy them much time but also thanks him for blocking the attack. Meanwhile, Luffy attacks Kaidou. When Kaidou dodges the punch, Luffy smiles and asks Kaidou if he is dodging because he knows it can hurt him. Kaidou swings at Luffy with his kanabo, as Luffy uses Haki to protect himself. Kaidou then fires a Bolo Breath at Luffy, who dodges, but Kaidou jumps into the air and attacks Luffy with Kosanze Ragunaraku, slamming Luffy into the ground. Meanwhile, Kid tells Law that he has finished creating a box, which Law promptly uses to entrap Zeus. Zoro and Killer then charge for Big Mom's other homies. Zoro slices Prometheus to pieces with Homura Saki: Rokudo no Tsuji, preventing him from reforming, while Killer knocks Napoleon out of her hand and then chases the sword away. An irritated Big Mom demands the homies return while she gets shot at with Kid's Punk Pistols. Big Mom asks if the five of them seriously thought that removing her homies from her would give them an advantage as she shakes off Kid's attack and punches him into the ground.
Kid, however, attaches some scrap to Big Mom and uses Repel to levitate her into the air while Law uses Takt to launch a boulder at her. She asks what the point is, just as she realizes she has been pushed off of the roof and down toward the sea below. She tries to get Zeus to help but he cannot due to being stuck in the box.
Chapter 1010
Big Mom cries for Zeus to save her but he can't due to being trapped in Kid's box. Prometheus attempts to save her but Zoro's continuous attacking prevents Prometheus from moving. Law is left in disbelief seeing Zoro still able to move after the Emperors' last attack. Kaidou calls Big Mom pathetic but he charges for Zoro demanding he release Prometheus. Law, however, uses his Devil Fruit powers to switch places with him, where he then uses Injection Shot on Kaidou's throat. He uses Curtain to shield himself, but Kaidou blows him away while saying his powers are annoying. This does give Prometheus and Napoleon the opening needed to rush to Big Mom's aid, causing Zoro to ask why he did that. Law answers that his plans aren't worth one of them dying, but Kid says that they already succeeded in separating the two as both him and Killer decide to take on Big Mom themselves.
Prometheus is able to catch Big Mom, who thanks him for saving her. She also wonders what happened with Zeus as Prometheus says he is always holding them back. He then asks Big Mom for a favor as Kid and Killer notice the clouds above swirling.
Back on the roof, Kaidou laughs at how Luffy was glaring at him while unconscious like back in Bakura Town. He starts talking about different ways to maim him as Zoro tells Law that he has reached his limit so this next attack will be his last. He coats his swords in Armament Haki and assumes his Ashura form while attacking him with Ashura Bakkei: Moja no Tawamure.
Kaidou clutches his chest in pain while asking Zoro if he has Supreme King Haki. Zoro doesn't know what he is talking about as he falls down, saying that he had hoped that attack would have brought Kaidou down to the ground. Kaidou, however, tells Zoro that his attack will definitely leave a scar on him. He raises his kanabo to attack as Law tries to help him avoid it. Kaidou tells him it is too late and blows the both of them away with Raimei Hakke. After defeating the two of them, Kaidou says that if they had joined him, they could have taken over the world together.
Suddenly, he hears Luffy tell him that they would never team up with him due to their friendship with the samurai. He thinks back to Hyougoro's training and his advice on Haki and admits all the attacks he used on Kaidou were shallow but after being struck with his kanabo, Luffy realized the truth: Kaidou can infuse objects with Supreme King Haki. Kaidou laughs in confirmation as he charges at Luffy, revealing that only a select few powerful individuals can pull it off as he brings his club down on Luffy. However, Luffy, having worked out how to infuse Supreme King Haki into his limbs, blocks the attack with his foot without even touching it. He then charges for Kaidou and punches him in the gut again without touching him before delivering an uppercut that sends him flying and crashing down onto his back.
Law is left in disbelief that Luffy did damage without actually touching Kaidou. Luffy thanks both him and Zoro for covering him, but they can go back down to the castle. He declares that he can handle the rest and he will beat Kaidou no matter what.
Chapter 1011
Kid and Killer try to flee from Big Mom, but she unleashes a wave of lightning from her new homie, Hera, who appears to be composed entirely of lightning. Big Mom uses Hera to unleash an attack called Fulgora, striking Kid and Killer and slamming into the side of the castle. Zeus continues to call out to Big Mom, but he finds himself free from the metal box he was kept prisoner in, with Law realizing something must have happened to Kid. Zeus immediately tries to find Big Mom, while Law uses his Devil Fruit powers to warp himself, Zoro, and Zeus down into the castle. After they leave, Kaidou gets back up and smiles, telling Luffy that he seems to be enjoying this fight, and the higher the risk, the wider he smiles. The two of them charge at each other and clash with their Supreme King Haki-infused attacks.
Kid and Killer find themselves back inside the castle but they can't find Big Mom. Killer deduces that the hole she made was so big she lost track of them. That means she must be on the second floor, so the two of them try to cut her off to keep her from regrouping with Kaidou. They do get stopped by the Beasts Pirates, led by Basil Hawkins who attacks them with Warabide-to. Kid curses Hawkins for his betrayal but Hawkins merely states that he too was betrayed by Scratchmen Apoo, and joining up with Kaidou was the only logical choice he felt he could make in that situation that didn't involve him dying, though he admits his surprise to see the two of them alive.
Killer tells Kid to go on without him and he does so while Hawkins assumes his Goma no So form. He says that his chances of defeating the two of them simultaneously were slim, but with it just being Killer, his odds seem better, while Killer insults him calling him a true guard dog for Kaidou. Hawkins ignores his words and tells him that his chances of dying are 92%, which is his role in the end. Killer, however, declares that he and his crew take matters into their own hands rather than leaving it up to fate. Hawkins tells Killer that all he can do is wish for luck, but Killer refuses to do such a thing.
On the second floor, Page One manages to grab onto Komachiyo's back while Nami and Usopp try to get him to let go. Page One demands to know why the two of them won't give up. They yell that it is because they don't want to die yet and continue to attack him at every vital spot he has. Tama tells Komachiyo to hold on as she says that Speed has most likely fed her Kibi Dango to several SMILE eaters, so she should be able to take charge of them all. Once she reaches the Live Floor's stage, she will turn them into allies, also saying that she won't care what happens to her after that, but she will hang in there until then. Nami retorts that that won't happen because she and Usopp will protect her, though it doesn't ease her fears all that much.
Usopp uses Midori Boshi: Hanabibana to force Page One to let go. After he hits the ground, Usopp uses Midori Boshi: Baku Bokkuri. Unfortunately for him, Page One endures the attack and gets back up. Usopp yells that he wishes Tama's Devil Fruit powers would work on natural Zoans just as Big Mom crosses paths with the three of them, much to their horror. Big Mom notices Nami and Usopp, but when Tama sees her, she calls her by her name from when she was amnesiac: O-Lin.
Surprisingly, Big Mom goes into what Prometheus calls her "Mothering Mode", which only shows around kids under ten now and then. As a result, Big Mom forgets the Straw Hats and starts talking friendly with Tama, much to the astonishment of Nami and Usopp. Tama tells her that she was worried after she vanished at Udon while Big Mom tells Tama that she wanted to thank her for looking after her when she had amnesia, while Tama is relieved for her memories returning. Big Mom also tells Tama that she will never forget how tasty the oshiruko was when Tsuru gave it to her in Okobore Town, but Tama's expression becomes crestfallen.
Tama explains to Big Mom that Okobore Town was destroyed because the denizens lied to protect the samurai and their raid and was burnt to the ground after lying about eating all the stolen food. This revelation enrages Big Mom as Page One finally catches up to them. He tells Big Mom to not let the enemy escape while he prepares to chomp down on them. Big Mom, however, calls Page One and the rest of the Beasts Pirates ingrates, and that no matter how cruel pirates can be, there should still be standards. She then strikes Page One in the throat with a fist coated in Supreme King Haki. Ulti and her subordinates watch in horror at this scene while Kid and Zeus deduce her location from the noise.
Chapter 1012
In the connecting hallway from the Treasure Repository to the third floor of the castle, Izou asks Kikunojo if her severed arm pains her. She denies this and says that it is merely 'itching' until her life is expended. She also says that it is nothing compared to the itch in her heart the day Izou left. He apologizes for that but accepts that she is doing fine for now. Kawamatsu asks Izou what he thinks Wano will become after the country is opened, but he says that if they survive the night, they can talk about that after the battle. Kin'emon realizes that their raid has become an all-out war, and he himself believes he will be enough to protect Momonosuke, so the rest of them can scatter and join in on the fight. Kikunojo asks Kin'emon's permission to kill Kanjuro, promising she won't hesitate this time.
Nekomamushi's attention is drawn to Shishilian and Bariete, causing Kawamatsu to say that he can go off with the Minks while Kin'emon asks Kikunojo to follow him. Nekomamushi learns from Bariete that Pedro died in Big Mom's territory but it was a sacrifice to help them escape. He does add that the one responsible for his death is on the island currently and Carrot and Wanda fought him, but they let their anger get the better of them, and that is the reason he wanted to warn Shishilian. Nekomamushi praises Pedro for dying honorably and decides to get revenge for him, jumping high into the air.
In the first floor crawlspace, Yamato is hiding with Shinobu and Momonosuke, but he says that because Marys will be watching for him, he will be a decoy and create a rather pitiful looking doll of Momonosuke. The two figure that he just wants to fight, but Shinobu was able to get in touch with Kin'emon, so he knows where they are. Yamato leaves Momonosuke in her hands and asks how Luffy is doing. Momonosuke replies that he is weakened but still well, but it is just him and Kaidou now. Yamato decides to make haste as Momonosuke finally starts reading his father's logbook.
On the second floor, Sanji is fighting other Beasts Pirates while carrying Zoro, who is so heavily bandaged up he looks like a cross. A few dozen minutes earlier, Sanji witnessed Law, Zoro, and Zeus appear in the air. He catches the two of them (to his displeasure), and asks Zeus about Nami, but he runs off in search of Big Mom. Sanji demands an explanation from Law and he says that Zoro broke about 20-30 bones and tells him to splinter his limbs and make sure he is conscious and breathing. Sanji retorts that he wasn't talking about him and isn't a doctor and doesn't have time for this but Law heads off looking for Big Mom. Nevertheless, he wraps Zoro up and asks how he ended up like this. Zoro answers that it was Kaidou and Big Mom, which Sanji understands. He says that he trusts Luffy is okay up there and Zoro says he figured something out, meaning he will win this, which Sanji already knew. In the present, Sanji fights off the pirates wondering where to lay Zoro, and ends up meeting with Kawamatsu and Izou. He learns that Kin'emon was heading to help Momonosuke, and Zoro tells the three of them to go to the Live Floor before falling asleep. The three of them proceed to do so.
On the same floor, Big Mom punched Page One so hard he was submerged in the ground, as she angrily asks if he was the one who burned Okobore Town. Ulti angrily tells Big Mom that she will regret that and charges for her, causing Usopp and Nami to realize they could use Big Mom to take her out. Nami yells to Big Mom, calling her O-Lin and saying that Ulti did what she thinks she did (even though she doesn't know what it exactly was). Big Mom, however, angrily tells her to shut up and that when she finishes Ulti, she will go for them. In response, Nami tries to manipulate Ulti into working with her, but Ulti similarly tells her to shut up.
Ulti notices the group trying to flee on Komachiyo, but she quickly catches up to them and strikes Komachiyo in the side with Ul-Zugan in her Pachycephalosaurus form, knocking them all over. She angrily starts kicking Komachiyo for giving her the run around this whole time, causing Tama to beg her to stop. Ulti, however, smacks Tama aside, shocking both Nami and Big Mom. Usopp tells her to take Tama and flee as Big Mom angrily asks if she just witnessed her hitting her friend. Ulti retorts that she smashed her brother but she gets zapped by Nami in retaliation. Usopp tells Nami that they need to flee but Nami refuses, saying that she will crush Ulti for hitting a child.
Chapter 1013
Usopp tells Nami that they should get away, as Ulti will get up soon and they have no chance of handling either her or Big Mom. Nami responds that Ulti will chase them either way, and it is important that the enemy pirate gets what is coming to her. As Ulti gets up, Nami attacks her with Tornado Tempo, but the Shinuchi easily dodges and grabs Nami by the arms, preparing to pulverize her skull once and for all with a headbutt. However, Big Mom then merges Hera, Prometheus, and Napoleon and uses them to fire a powerful laser at Ulti in an attack she calls Maser Ho. The shot easily pierces through Ulti's body and knocks her unconscious, leaving the Beasts Pirates onlookers in shock.
Usopp and Nami take advantage of this to run away with Tama, telling her they have no choice but to leave the unconscious Komachiyo behind for now. Nami then sees Zeus peeking out from behind a corner, and wonders who Hera is. Prometheus and Napoleon talk with Hera about how they form a great team and Prometheus asks Hera to be his girlfriend, but Hera brushes them off and rejects Prometheus' advances. Zeus starts to cry in worry upon seeing his fellow special homies talking with Hera, and when he sees Nami, he tries to approach her, only for Nami to coldly ignore him. Big Mom then calls out to Zeus, and he apologizes for being late and tries to see if Hera is simply an addition to their group. However, Big Mom tells Zeus that he has been replaced, with Prometheus and Napoleon chastising him for almost letting Big Mom die earlier as well as his many other mistakes in the past. Big Mom then tells Hera to go and eat Zeus and become stronger by absorbing his soul, and as Hera bites into him, a panicked Zeus apologizes to Big Mom and promises to leave her alone if she lets him go. However, Big Mom responds that this would be stealing the piece of her soul she gave him, and that the best thing Zeus could do for her is to let Hera eat him.
Big Mom then plucks Tama out of Usopp's grasp to keep her safe as she goes to attack the Straw Hat duo. Zeus then desperately calls out to Nami and begs her to forgive him for defecting back to Big Mom, which he admits was out of cowardice. Nami refuses to forgive Zeus, and he accepts this, but says he will make it up to her by going against Big Mom before he dies. Zeus then charges himself up with storm energy as he charges toward Big Mom, but quickly runs out of energy as Big Mom grabs him without issue. Big Mom then sucks out much of his soul and gives the remainder of his body, now essentially a soulless husk, for Hera to finish off. Nami unleashes some Black Balls for Zeus to eat so he can escape, but Zeus is incapable of consuming them. Hera then fully consumes him and also bites into the Clima-Tact, causing her power to grow immensely. Usopp is able to get Tama back, and as the trio runs from Big Mom, she readies a flame-powered Napoleon and asks if she will have to kill Tama as well for leaving her. However, Kid then arrives and intercepts Napoleon with a giant metal arm. He then successfully forces Napoleon back and grabs Big Mom's head to slam her into the ground with Punk Gibson. As Big Mom quickly gets back up and shakes off the impact, Kid tells the Straw Hats to leave the Emperor to him, much to their delight.
On the Skull Dome roof, Kaidou stands alone as he remarks that Luffy let his new power go to his head. However, as the unconscious Luffy falls from Onigashima, Kaidou is actually regretful as he notes that due to his failure to fully finish the pirate off, his allies will still maintain their hope and belief in him.
Chapter 1014
As Luffy falls off of Onigashima and into the ocean, Kaidou states that although the pirate managed to infuse his Supreme King Haki, his usage of it was crude and clumsy; Kaidou also says that he supposes Luffy could not be Joy Boy. He then receives a call from Bao Huang, who informs him that Momonosuke has been located. Kaidou says he will head to the boy immediately, and tells Bao Huang to announce the result of his and Luffy's fight to all of Onigashima.
On the third floor of the castle, the Beasts Pirates spot Yamato and notice the young master's exploding cuffs are gone, and Yamato affirms this while beating them aside. In the crawlspace under the first floor, Momonosuke is reading Oden's logbook and notes to Shinobu that based on what he has read, he knows he must not die. Right then, Momonosuke hears a powerful voice inside his head that causes him to collapse and writhe around in discomfort as he asks who the voice belongs to. On the Live Floor, Chopper flips over a transformed Queen and body-slams him into the ground and walls, to the cheers of both the samurai and Beasts Pirates defectors. However, Queen remains relatively unharmed while Chopper starts panting from exhaustion, and the All-Star notices and taunts the pirate over this. Additionally, Chopper has been struck in the back by multiple candy arrows fired by Perospero, who has joined the fighting on the Live Floor. Chopper internally expresses frustration, noting that despite having increased Monster Point's time limit, he has not yet succeeded at inflicting significant damage on Queen and he now has less than ten minutes remaining in this form. Several weeks ago, on the voyage from Punk Hazard to Dressrosa, Caesar Clown had learned about the Rumble Balls and derided their short three-minute effect time. He gave Chopper a list of chemicals to add to the Rumble Ball to increase the effect time all the way to 30 minutes, though with the addition of certain risks.
Queen fires a Black Coffee laser beam at Chopper, which he dodges, and as Perospero readies another volley of candy arrows, Bao Huang arrives at the Live Stage and proclaims through the other Marys that Kaidou has taken down both the Nine Red Scabbards as well as Luffy. She states that Kaidou is coming down to eliminate all remaining enemies, and offers the enemy alliance the chance to surrender and join the Beasts Pirates to have their lives spared. The alliance remembers react in shock at this announcement, though both Zoro and Sanji loudly and immediately reject the offer to surrender. As this occurs, Kanjuro reaches the passageway to the first floor crawlspace, where Kin'emon and Kikunojo have already reunited with Momonosuke and Shinobu. Momonosuke is still afflicted by the voice in his head, and is about to tell Kin'emon to tell something to everyone when Shinobu points out that a frog Mary is with them. Right then, Kanjuro climbs up to the crawlspace, with another Oden disguise shrouding him, and greets Momonosuke and Shinobu under the guise of being Oden.
Shinobu is shocked and Momonosuke is delighted to see Oden, but Kikunojo immediately informs them that this is an impostor. Enraged that Kanjuro is utilizing Oden's likeness once again after the ambush that claimed Ashura Doji, Kikunojo charges toward him with the intent of finishing him off once and for all. Kanjuro continues to play the role of Oden, and when he mentions how "he" took in Kiku and Izou, Kiku briefly hesitates, allowing Kanjuro to pierce through her chest with a sword. The Oden disguise then disappears as Kanjuro laughs triumphantly, saying it was only fair for him to give Kiku a fatal wound like the one she had given him. Kin'emon catches Kiku as she collapses to the ground, and she tells him with a smile that although she failed, the melting of fallen snow means that the "dawn" is surely close at hand.
As this happens, Kanjuro attempts to strike Kin'emon with his paintbrush, but Kin'emon swiftly unsheathes his sword and strikes down his former comrade, leaving a deep cut diagonally across his chest. Still standing for a brief moment, Kanjuro laughs and notes how fitting it was for Kin'emon, the one who was his closest comrade during the act he had put on, to "close the curtain" on his life. Right as Kanjuro collapses, Kaidou crashes into the crawlspace from above and readies his kanabo to kill Momonosuke. Kin'emon orders Shinobu to take Momonosuke and flee as he protects them from Kaidou, and he raises both of his swords to try to defend against the Emperor's attack. Kaidou's kanabo shatters Kin'emon's katanas with great ease and slams down onto the samurai with deadly force, and Momonosuke can only look, weep, and shout Kin'emon's name as Shinobu carries him away. As this occurs, Onigashima finally arrives at the Wano mainland.
Chapter 1015
The samurai and Chopper cry in sadness and fear over the possibility that Luffy is dead, with several of them wondering if they should keep fighting and if Momonosuke is safe. Briscola, who despite having consumed Tama's kibi dango, was still fighting against the samurai due to having not been given an order yet, and says that it isn't that the enemies are weak, it's just that Kaidou is too strong.
Izou and Kawamatsu know that the message was to hurt everyone's morale but Sanji becomes annoyed at how several are losing their will to fight. As for Queen, he defeats Chopper and tells him he was just playing with him since Chopper seemed so sure he could beat him. Also, Perospero fires a Candy Shower of candy arrows, causing the samurai to run in fear and take cover. Queen then reveals his teeth to have retractable spikes and calls Chopper a coward as he prepares to kill him, but Sanji comes to the rescue and attacks Queen with Diable Jambe: Rotisserie Strike, smacking him around while also deflecting Perospero's candy arrows, while he also knocks Queen into Perospero and knocking him away.
Sanji commends Chopper for how long he stood his ground as Chopper tries to tell him about Luffy. Sanji, however, scolds him for crying and reminds him of all the miracles Luffy has pulled off in situations like these. He hands the bandaged Zoro off to him commenting he is worth at least ten men (which Zoro retorts that he is worth two thousand) as he says he will handle Queen as he identifies Sanji as Judge's son. The samurai are in disbelief as to how the Straw Hats are still fighting despite the announcement that their captain is supposedly dead, and Marco reveals this is why he likes them.
Up on the First Floor, Shinobu runs away with Momonosuke as a heavily injured Kin'emon tries to stab Kaidou with his broken sword. He thinks back to when he told Momonosuke to call him father to hide his connection to Oden and how they eventually succeeded in pulling off the illusion. As for Kaidou, he asks Kin'emon what the point is in buying time and running as he stabs him through the back with a sword. He tells him that it isn't easy to accept defeat, but he should embrace his honorable death as a samurai.
As Shinobu runs carrying Momonosuke, she sees that he had picked up a frog Mary, where he announces to his allies that Luffy wanted him to tell them that Luffy is still alive and that he would make it back, so no matter how hurt everyone is or if they have nothing left, they have to keep fighting, as it turns out the voice he previously heard was Luffy unconsciously telling him that he will defeat Kaidou.
Momonosuke's words reinvigorate his allies as Kaidou finally corners him and Shinobu. Shinobu uses her Devil Fruit powers to rot the rocks and causes the two of them to fall, much to his displeasure. As for Luffy, he is found by the Heart Pirates who proceed to save him. Tama cries in happiness that Luffy is alive and she, Usopp, and Nami run to the main stage, but Nami hears a voice coming from her Sorcery Clima-Tact, looking down to see what appears to be Zeus' face.
Big Mom says that Momonosuke was bluffing, and the war ended the minute he fell into the sea, but Law arrives on the scene and says that since he has been working with him for so long, he has now learned to never give up faith with him. Kid asks Law if he is getting in his way, and Law tells Kid that they should play nice for now and work together.
Yamato finally catches up to Kaidou and addresses him by name, causing him to tell Yamato to call him "father". Yamato, however, declares that he has come to free himself from this so-called "parental bond".
Sources and content license
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Sources and revision history: https://onepiece.fandom.com/wiki/Chapter_911?oldid=2108775; https://onepiece.fandom.com/wiki/Chapter_912?oldid=2091341; https://onepiece.fandom.com/wiki/Chapter_913?oldid=2004013; https://onepiece.fandom.com/wiki/Chapter_914?oldid=2018472; https://onepiece.fandom.com/wiki/Chapter_915?oldid=2021989; https://onepiece.fandom.com/wiki/Chapter_916?oldid=2018473; https://onepiece.fandom.com/wiki/Chapter_917?oldid=2003036; https://onepiece.fandom.com/wiki/Chapter_918?oldid=2018474; https://onepiece.fandom.com/wiki/Chapter_919?oldid=2099289; https://onepiece.fandom.com/wiki/Chapter_920?oldid=2018476; https://onepiece.fandom.com/wiki/Chapter_921?oldid=2084468 Adapted from One Piece Wiki contributors. Complete listed chapter synopses combined; illustrations and reference markup removed. 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