Arc 8Ryokugyu’s Rise

Vidal defeated Gecko Moria in a broadcast battle and gained fame, a Sabaody command, and new rewards. After studying the Boin Archipelago and building an Imperial Way, he tested whether a plant could eat a Devil Fruit and created Sceptile.

  • Vidal defeated Keji and fought Gecko Moria across Grove 53, using clones, a forest, and giant wooden forms as Moria grew stronger by absorbing shadows.
  • Vidal trapped Moria inside a shrinking wooden dome, killed Moria’s companions, and defeated Moria by dawn as crowds across Sabaody watched.
  • The World Economy News Paper dubbed Vidal “Ryokugyu,” and Kong appointed him commander of the Sabaody Marine Base while granting him Moria’s bounty and permission to choose a Devil Fruit.
  • Vidal celebrated with Cornell and his family, supported Enel and Bullet’s training, and advised Rosinante to pursue marksmanship.
  • Vidal sailed to the Boin Archipelago, studied its unusual plants, and sent Woonan and his crew back to Alabasta before returning toward Sabaody.
  • Raymond de Saint received an elaborate Imperial Way from Colonel Noel and gave Vidal two Devil Fruits, which Vidal added to his collection.
  • Vidal shaped a sapling like a lizard and had it eat a Zoan Devil Fruit, creating and naming the humanoid lizard Sceptile.
Chapters 176–200 Vol. 2 Read

Ch. 176Sengoku and Zephyr!

Vidal’s fight against the Giant Fist Pirates was broadcast across Sabaody, drawing attention to him and prompting Sengoku to spread the footage to Marine students. The chapter left Marine children watching Vidal’s battle, with Enel proudly announcing that Vidal was his father.

  • Vidal knocked Keji down with an oversized green fist as crowds watched the live broadcast across Sabaody.
  • Sengoku recognized Vidal’s broadcast as an effort to build fame and called Zephyr to arrange for Marine students to watch it.
  • Zephyr agreed to show the battle at the Marine school, and Sengoku arranged for it to be shared with the students.
  • Marine Academy students watched Vidal fight Keji and Yifuli, while Bullet felt proud and resolved to fight giants himself.
  • Enel and Rosinante watched the broadcast, and Enel excitedly told his classmates that Vidal was his dad.

Ch. 177A Worldview That Makes No Sense!

Vidal fought Giant Fist Keji and Yifuli during a live broadcast, testing his strength against their unusual durability and power. After knocking both giants down, he faced Keji’s bizarre wind-coated punch with his Giant Horn technique.

  • Vidal judged that Keji had endured his attack and recognized how the Big-Big Fruit and armor made him exceptionally tough.
  • Vidal struck Keji from behind, shattering his helmet, then met Yifuli’s hammer blows with a fist reinforced by green-light armor and Armament Haki.
  • Vidal grew a thick tree beneath Yifuli, knocked him down, and wrapped him in its trunk before incapacitating him with another punch.
  • Keji flew into a rage and coated his arm with wind by blowing on it, then charged Vidal with a special punch.
  • Vidal summoned a gigantic golden bull and launched Giant Horn at Keji.

Ch. 178Welcome to Sabaody!

Vidal defeated Giant Fist Keji on Sabaody, but Gecko Moria arrived and stopped him from killing Keji. Vidal summoned a towering wooden bull and challenged Moria, declaring Sabaody his final stop.

  • Vidal's golden Giant Horn overwhelmed Keji's Obelisk and left him charred in a crater.
  • Keji shrank back to his short human form and begged Vidal to spare him, but Vidal prepared to kill him as a warning to other pirates.
  • Gecko Moria and his companions appeared, blocked Vidal's strike, and offered Keji a choice between joining his crew or dying.
  • Keji accepted Moria's offer, while Vidal objected and said Moria was about to be defeated himself.
  • Vidal summoned Apis Divine Bull, a giant bull made from fused trees, and told Gecko Moria that Sabaody would be his final stop.

Ch. 179Will Vidal Go Down with Him?

Vidal faced Gecko Moria and his two companions on Sabaody, while Marines and bystanders watched the broadcast with concern. Vidal incapacitated Lusi'en and Makasi with apparent clones, leaving Makasi stunned as he realized the Vidal pierced by his Blood Spears was not the real one.

  • Crowds recognized Gecko Moria as a pirate with a 130 million Beli bounty, and Sengoku and Cornell worried about Vidal facing him.
  • Moria sent Lusi'en and Makasi to fight Vidal together while he watched from behind.
  • Vidal stayed atop the Apis Divine Bull as two hands erupted from the ground, broke Lusi'en's ankle, and dragged him underground.
  • Makasi dodged the ground attack and launched Blood Spears at Vidal, but a second Vidal struck him from behind.
  • Makasi fell and saw the real Vidal still standing on the bull, realizing the figure pierced by his spears had been a clone.

Ch. 180Splitting the Divine Bull in One Slash!

Vidal used his Wood Clone and the Apis Divine Bull to overwhelm Makasi and Lusi’en while fighting Gecko Moria. Moria struck back by splitting the bull with a shadow slash, leaving Vidal to face him directly.

  • Makasi unleashed his Blood Prison River, but Vidal’s Wood Clone escaped its spears and attacked Makasi and Lusi’en with wood techniques.
  • Vidal appeared behind Moria and struck him, while the Wood Clone continued to keep Makasi and Lusi’en occupied.
  • The Apis Divine Bull burned away Makasi’s blood with a golden blast, then charged at him and Lusi’en again.
  • Moria attacked Vidal with Doppelman’s Shadow Stab, but Vidal dodged it using Observation Haki.
  • Moria swung his sword and cut the Apis Divine Bull in two with Shadow Demon Slash.

Ch. 181The Tree World Before the World!

Vidal killed Keji and sealed Grove 53 inside a wooden cage before facing Gecko Moria and his three allies. As the four charged him, Vidal summoned a vast forest, revealing the full power of his Woods-Woods Fruit to the world.

  • Moria split the Apis Divine Bull and freed Yifuli, while Vidal killed the wounded Keji with a wooden spear.
  • Vidal enclosed Grove 53 in a wooden cage, trapping Moria and his companions inside with him.
  • Moria promised Yifuli food if he joined them, then led Yifuli, Makasi, and Lusi'en in attacking Vidal.
  • Vidal created another Apis Divine Bull and used Nativity of a World of Trees to make a forest spring up across Grove 53.
  • Shiki watched Vidal's power on a projection screen and dismissed the Marine as someone who was merely growing trees.

Ch. 182The Power of Shadow Horn Spear!

Forest Vidal and Gecko Moria began their fierce battle above the sea of trees, trading sword strikes, shadow techniques, and Haki-powered attacks. The chapter left Vidal straining to hold back Moria’s Shadow Horn Spear as his Giant Horn attack exploded nearby, forcing Moria to shield himself from the blast.

  • Makasi and Lusi'en were swallowed by the sea of trees while the Apis Divine Bull charged into Yifuli's bronze hammer.
  • Forest Vidal introduced himself to Gecko Moria, and the two exchanged threats before charging into battle.
  • Vidal struck at Moria’s neck, but Moria dispersed into bats and counterattacked with his shadow blade and Doppelman.
  • Vidal used Shigan: Seed Machine Gun against Moria’s Scattering Bats, and Moria retaliated with Shadow Demon Slash and Shadow Horn Spear.
  • Vidal countered with Giant Horn and blocked the Shadow Horn Spear, while the pillar of light destroyed Moria’s slash and exploded in the forest.
  • Moria raised a thin shadow shield against the blast’s light and realized it was piercing through.

Ch. 183An Incredibly Tough Wooden Cage!

On Potemado Island, the Roger Pirates watched Vidal’s fight with Moria and joked that Vidal might be Roger’s son because they looked alike. Outside Grove 53, Vice Admiral Antoine tried to break through Vidal’s wooden cage to intervene, but its bars quickly healed from his slash.

  • On Potemado Island, Roger and Rayleigh discussed their unsuccessful search while Shanks and Buggy wondered what treasure they sought.
  • Gaban showed the Roger Pirates Vidal and Moria’s battle, and Rayleigh and Gaban praised Vidal’s Armament Haki and potential.
  • Roger remarked that Vidal resembled a younger version of himself, prompting Rayleigh to joke that Vidal might be his son and the crew to take the idea seriously.
  • Outside Grove 53, Vice Admiral Antoine left the base because he feared Vidal might be killed inside the wooden prison.
  • Antoine slashed the cage’s bars, but their cracks healed within moments, leaving him staring at his trembling hand in disbelief.

Ch. 184Shadow Clone vs. Wood Clone!

Vidal fought Moria and Doppelman in Grove 53, using his wood powers and Haki to counter their coordinated attacks. He revealed that he was Sengoku’s disciple and created three Wood Clones as the battle continued.

  • Moria transformed the Shadow Horn Spear into Shadow Warrior and attacked Vidal alongside Doppelman.
  • Vidal knocked Doppelman into the sea of trees, but Moria escaped the wooden trap and resumed their fight.
  • Vidal told Moria he was Sengoku’s disciple, publicly revealing their relationship, while Sengoku understood that Vidal wanted him to stay out of the duel.
  • Sengoku told Vice Admiral Antoine to leave the fight to Vidal and secure the other groves.
  • Vidal struck Moria and Doppelman with Haki-coated wooden spears, then created three Wood Clones.

Ch. 185Transmission versus swapping!

Vidal used his Wood Clones to pressure Moria, who relied on Shadow Warrior to escape and reposition himself. After linking himself to the clones, Vidal attacked Moria from multiple angles, leaving Moria wounded and furious when Vidal avoided his Shadow Horn Spear.

  • People across Sabaody watched the battle between Vidal and Moria on the big screens.
  • Vidal sent two Wood Clones after Doppelman and clashed with Moria, knocking him back before a clone tried to bind him.
  • Moria swapped places with Doppelman to escape, then fought off the Wood Clones as they used wood attacks and regenerated from his strikes.
  • Vidal connected himself to the clones with strips of wood, and one clone used Shigan: Seed Machine Gun to wound Moria.
  • Moria swapped places with Doppelman again, but Vidal and two clones attacked him with Flying Leaf Cutter and Burst Gun Tree.
  • Moria sent Shadow Horn Spear through the Vidal using Rankyaku, only to realize Vidal had switched places with a clone.

Ch. 186Nefer-Tum's Hand!

Vidal fought Moria as the pirate captain absorbed dozens of shadows and grew into a towering, powerful opponent. Vidal blocked Moria’s Shadow Demon Slash with Nefer-Tum’s Hand, then ordered the Apis Divine Bull to finish Yifuli with Sun’s Holy Wheel.

  • Vidal hurled Moria through trees and into a crater, then saw Makasi and Lusi'en trapped in thorns and bleeding.
  • Makasi urged Moria to use their shadows, and Moria unleashed the Shadow-Shadow Fruit’s power by absorbing the shadows of his companions and crew.
  • Moria grew to over eight meters tall, shattered Vidal’s Wood Clones with a Flying Slash, and declared that he could escape even an Admiral.
  • Vidal countered Moria’s Shadow Demon Slash with Nefer-Tum’s Hand, a Haki-hardened wooden palm that crushed the attack.
  • Vidal told the Apis Divine Bull to use Sun’s Holy Wheel on Yifuli, and its golden beam struck Yifuli’s bronze hammers.

Ch. 187Embodiment of Osiris!

Vidal tried to stop Moria from stealing Yifuli’s shadow, but Moria swallowed it and transformed into a towering powerhouse. Vidal revealed his strongest form, Osiris, and the two began their final battle, with Moria overpowering Vidal in their first clash.

  • Vidal used Anubis to intercept Moria as he tried to take Yifuli’s shadow, then attacked him with an Armament Haki shockwave.
  • Moria cut off Yifuli’s shadow, swallowed it, and grew into a muscular giant nearly ten meters tall.
  • Vidal withdrew to the Apis Divine Bull and transformed into Osiris, a colossal wooden warrior clad in armor and a Justice Coat.
  • Moria charged Osiris with a True Shadow Blade, and their first clash unleashed a storm that damaged Grove 53.
  • Moria’s blade force pushed Osiris backward, leaving Vidal at a disadvantage as their final battle began.

Ch. 188Different Ways of Thinking in Battle!

Vidal used wood techniques and Haki to bind Moria and pound his abdomen, but Moria escaped with his Shadow-Shadow Fruit powers. As Moria tried to create distance and attack with slashes, Vidal smiled after thinking of a solution.

  • Vidal wrapped Moria’s sword arm with Wood Killing Bind and struck his abdomen twice.
  • Moria’s shadow blade attacked Vidal independently, but Vidal caught it between newly grown, Haki-coated arms.
  • Vidal kept punching Moria while using wood strips to try to bind him, but Moria switched places with Doppelman using Shadow Warrior.
  • Moria retreated and formed Doppelman into a shadow blade, while Vidal realized he had found a way to stop him.

Ch. 189Did Vidal Die in Battle?

Moria’s Triple Shadow Demon Slash appeared to cut Osiris and kill Vidal, leaving Enel and Bullet devastated as Moria prepared to flee with Yifuli. The sealed wooden dome around Grove 53 then began shrinking, suggesting Vidal’s fate was not yet settled.

  • Moria unleashed three Shadow Demon Slashes, and the combined attack overwhelmed Vidal’s Giant Horn and split Osiris’s upper body in two.
  • Enel wept at the broadcast, while Bullet smashed a desk and vowed inwardly to avenge his family if Moria had killed Vidal.
  • Moria celebrated his apparent victory and gathered Doppelman, Makasi, Lusi’en, and Yifuli so he could escape.
  • The sky above Moria went completely dark as the wooden dome sealed Grove 53 and began shrinking inward.

Ch. 190Slaughter in the Dark!

Vidal trapped Moria and his shadow abilities inside a closing wooden dome, then used the darkness to attack him and kill the people whose shadows empowered him. Moria realized his companions were dying and accused Vidal of killing them.

  • Rayleigh deduced that Vidal had built an enclosed wooden dome to stop Moria from escaping or evading him, and the Roger Pirates watched it close around the battlefield.
  • The world’s major powers recognized Vidal as a cunning fighter and accepted him as Sengoku’s disciple.
  • Inside the darkness, Vidal recovered from Moria’s attack and used Observation Haki to anticipate Moria’s movements.
  • Vidal restrained Moria and his companions with vines while Osiris beat Moria and the Apis Divine Bull killed Yifuli.
  • Moria escaped the vines with Shadow Warrior, but felt his power drain as Makasi and others died, then accused Vidal of killing them.

Ch. 191The bearing of a famous Marine officer!

Vidal defeated Moria after trapping him in a shrinking wooden enclosure, and the victory was broadcast across the world. With Moria unconscious and his stolen shadows flying back to their owners, Vidal emerged as a celebrated Marine and strengthened Marine control over Sabaody.

  • Vidal killed Makasi, Lusi'en, and the low-ranking pirates accompanying Moria, then used Tree World to keep Moria trapped in darkness.
  • Vidal relentlessly attacked Moria as the wooden enclosure shrank, leaving Moria with no room to escape or use Shadow Warrior effectively.
  • At dawn, the enclosure opened to reveal Moria unconscious and Vidal standing over him, prompting celebrations across Sabaody.
  • Vidal posed for the broadcast with his foot on Moria's face while hundreds of shadows flew away, including toward Marineford.
  • Cornell and the Marines whose shadows had been stolen by the John Pirates regained them and celebrated beneath the sunlight.

Ch. 192The Universally Recognized Ryokugyu Emerges!

After defeating Gecko Moria, Vidal gained the publicly recognized title “Ryokugyu” and escorted Moria to Impel Down. Back at Marineford, he received a warm reception and learned that a surprise awaited him in Fleet Admiral Kong’s office.

  • The World Economy News Paper published a front-page report showing Vidal defeating Gecko Moria and calling him “Ryokugyu.”
  • Kong learned that the Five Elders had made their wishes known about Vidal, then summoned Sengoku to his office.
  • Vidal handed Moria over at Impel Down and learned that Magellan was not yet there.
  • Vidal returned to Marineford, where Marines celebrated his new fame as “Ryokugyu.”
  • Tsuru thanked Vidal for giving Marine intelligence the Sabaody Archipelago’s Forest Network system and promised to help him if needed.
  • Vidal entered the Marine fortress after Tsuru told him a big surprise was waiting upstairs.

Ch. 193The Bull-Head Warship!

Vidal learned that he would become commander of the Marine base at Sabaody Archipelago, though his rank would not change. After securing his promised rewards, he asked Kong to modify his flagship with a bull’s head to match his nickname, “Ryokugyu.”

  • Kong told Vidal that his rank would stay the same but appointed him commander of the Sabaody Archipelago Marine Base starting January first next year.
  • Kong said Vice Admiral Antoine would remain on standby at headquarters, and Vidal asked for his bounty and other rewards as compensation.
  • Kong granted Vidal Moria’s 130 million Beli bounty and permission to choose a Devil Fruit, while Cornell would select a Famous Sword for him.
  • Sengoku told Vidal that Ogden had been promoted to Assistant Colonel and would teach Vidal’s training programs at Marine Headquarters.
  • Vidal asked Kong to modify his flagship with a bull’s head because people called him “Ryokugyu.”

Ch. 194Family Dinner!

Vidal celebrated Cornell's freedom and his own new post with the family, then agreed to take Enel and Rosinante to Sabaody's amusement park with an escort. After seeing Enel demonstrate Zephyr's exhausting training, Vidal encouraged Rosinante to keep practicing and suggested he ask Zephyr about learning marksmanship.

  • Vidal toasted Cornell's release and his appointment as base commander in the Sabaody Archipelago.
  • Enel asked to visit Sabaody's amusement park, and Vidal agreed on the condition that the boys stay in the amusement park and sightseeing area with an escort.
  • Bullet sat Rosinante on his lap and shared food with him, while the family smiled at their growing bond.
  • Enel demonstrated Zephyr's boxing routine and insisted on finishing the full set despite becoming exhausted.
  • Bullet carried Enel to the bathroom, and Vidal advised Rosinante to persist with his training and consider learning swordsmanship or marksmanship.
  • Rosinante said he wanted to learn marksmanship.

Ch. 195Colonel Noel's Fruit!

Vidal gave Colonel Noel a Devil Fruit to strengthen him and help him take over the Imperial Way work in Zero District. Noel began eating it, while Vidal remained eager to reach the island where Woonan and the crew were stranded.

  • Cornell learned that Rosinante preferred marksmanship to swordsmanship, while Vidal and Enid discussed Nacil and Enid's rejuvenation.
  • Vidal gave Enid Nacil's medicinal bath formula for the children, then reunited with Enel and Bullet for a family dinner.
  • Vidal examined a suspected wood-type Devil Fruit he intended for Colonel Noel and took Woonan's call about the crew's strange, appetite-inducing island.
  • Woonan agreed to exercise while waiting for Vidal, who planned to visit as soon as he could and wondered when they would find the other island.
  • The next day, Vidal gave Colonel Noel a Devil Fruit as a reward and ordered him to eat it; Noel took a bite and grimaced at its taste.

Ch. 196Has Dracule Mihawk Gained Weight?

Vidal traveled to the Boin Archipelago to investigate its unusual plant islands and found Woonan and his crew badly overweight from feasting. He decided to study the island for a few more days before taking them back.

  • Vice Admiral Antoine worried that Vidal's appointment as commander of the Sabaody Marine Base would cost him his peaceful post.
  • Vidal sailed aboard the Oxhead toward the Boin Archipelago, where Woonan and his crew were staying.
  • Vidal sensed that the largest Boin island was conscious, though its intelligence was only comparable to that of a cat or dog.
  • Vidal landed on the island and found Woonan and twenty crewmen bloated from eating, despite Woonan claiming he was still in good shape.
  • Vidal told Woonan that they would remain on the island for a few more days while he studied it, disappointing Woonan but pleasing the crew.

Ch. 197The frustrated Celestial Dragon!

Vidal explored the Boin Archipelago, discovered its extraordinary food-bearing plants and their addictive nutritional properties, and decided to study and control the island. Meanwhile, Raymond de Saint became frustrated that Vidal was away and demanded an Imperial Way within ten days in exchange for two Devil Fruits.

  • Vidal explored the island, marveled at its food-like plants and giant insects, and found a waterfall of ramen.
  • Vidal tasted the island's pasta, resisted eating more, and realized its rich flavor and nutrients made it addictive.
  • Vidal decided to analyze the Boin Archipelago's secrets and told Rogers to notify the base that they would stay.
  • Raymond de Saint learned the Imperial Way service was suspended while Vidal was away and refused to go ashore without it.
  • Raymond de Saint ordered Colonel Noel to tell Vidal to build him an Imperial Way within ten days, promising two Devil Fruits in return.

Ch. 198The Mystery of Heracles!

Vidal finished studying the Boin Archipelago’s plants and returned toward Sabaody, where two Devil Fruits awaited him. He planned to strengthen his subordinates with plant-type abilities and remained curious about how Heracles controlled giant insects.

  • Vidal spent six days studying the Boin Archipelago’s unusual plants and learning how to use their properties with his Woods-Woods Fruit.
  • Vidal sent Woonan and the others back to Alabasta aboard a ship, then returned to the warship Oxhead and ordered it to sail for Sabaody.
  • Vidal reflected that Colonel Noel’s Wood-Wood Fruit could not control trees in his presence and decided to seek the remaining plant-type fruits in the Devil Fruit Management Department.
  • Vidal wondered whether Heracles controlled giant insects through a technique or a Devil Fruit power, and waited for him to appear on the Boin Archipelago.

Ch. 199Bible Future!

Raymond de Saint arrived in Sabaody and experienced Vidal’s new paid services: a carved Imperial Way accompanied by sacred music and a moving wooden road. Meanwhile, Vidal opened the Devil Fruit gifts Raymond had brought, but the chapter ended before revealing what they were.

  • Raymond de Saint arrived in Sabaody with two Devil Fruit gifts for Vidal, and Colonel Noel welcomed him.
  • Colonel Noel showed Raymond de Saint the Imperial Way, which formed beneath his feet with elaborate carvings.
  • Raymond de Saint walked along the road as music called “Bible Future: God's Advent” played to praise the Celestial Dragons.
  • Colonel Noel offered Raymond de Saint a free moving-road service because he had given two Devil Fruits, and Raymond praised Vidal’s ingenuity.
  • Lieutenant Isoka brought the gift boxes to Vidal, who opened them to inspect the Devil Fruits’ abilities.

Ch. 200Twenty-Seven Devil Fruits!

Vidal realized he had accumulated twenty-seven Devil Fruits and struggled to find someone trustworthy to manage them. He tested whether a magical plant could eat a Zoan Devil Fruit and named the resulting humanoid creature Sceptile.

  • Vidal counted twenty-two Devil Fruits in his Marineford home and five more at the G-8 Branch.
  • Vidal considered who could manage his possessions, then decided a magical plant might be more trustworthy than a person.
  • Vidal created a humanoid sapling and chose a Zoan Devil Fruit to test whether a plant could gain its power.
  • Vidal reshaped the sapling to resemble a lizard and ordered it to eat the Devil Fruit.
  • The sapling transformed into a humanoid lizard, and Vidal named it Sceptile.
Arc 8 of 16
Arc 8 of 16