Chapter Summaries

After becoming king, Wallace announced plans to handle Goa Kingdom’s garbage and demolish the wall separating the city from the Gray Terminal, provoking fierce resistance from nobles and citizens. Garen turned the assembly into a purge of the noble ruling class, using Wallace’s authority to justify the crackdown as he moved to take control of the kingdom.

• Wallace married Princess Sally Nanderkanet, became king, and announced waste-treatment measures and the permanent demolition of the border wall.
• The nobles rallied citizens against Wallace’s plans, and Bogein urged Garen to intervene and establish the king’s authority.
• Garen revealed that he had gathered evidence linking nobles to piracy and criminal networks, then ordered his soldiers to attack and execute them.
• Demacia soldiers began taking control of Goa Kingdom’s defenses while Wallace watched the purge unfold.
• Bogein called Garen’s actions an excellent method of stealing the nation, but Wallace defended them as a campaign against crime that benefited the people.

Sengoku questioned Garp about Garen’s campaign in the East Blue, but Garp defended the young knight and persuaded him not to interfere. Meanwhile, Crocodile learned that Garen was heading for the Grand Line and began studying the man he expected to confront Baroque Works.

• Sengoku confronted Garp about the sharp drop in East Blue pirates and Smoker’s unusually high arrest reports, asking what Garen was doing in the Goa Kingdom.
• Garp defended Garen’s actions as just and warned Sengoku not to push him into becoming a pirate, promising to stop him himself if he ever went too far.
• Sengoku agreed to leave Garen alone, and Garp revealed that Garen was already preparing to enter the Grand Line.
• Crocodile learned that Mr. 1 and Miss Doublefinger had died in the East Blue and vowed to deal with Garen for disgracing Baroque Works.
• Nico Robin told Crocodile that Garen was headed for the Grand Line and might target their base because a defected Baroque Works agent was close to him.
• Crocodile read Robin’s prepared report on Garen’s rise and praised him as an expert for taking control of the Goa Kingdom in less than a month.

Garen sailed toward the Grand Line aboard the Dreadnought Saber, leaving Demacia Logistics and East Blue affairs in the hands of his allies. At Reverse Mountain, an armed pirate ship attacked his fleet, and Garen charged across the water to confront its crew.

• Garen delegated Demacia Logistics' administration to Dexter, military affairs to Tashigi, and finances to Bogein before departing for the Grand Line with Nami and Vivi.
• The Dreadnought Saber climbed Reverse Mountain and began descending toward the Grand Line.
• Garen and Nami spotted an ironclad pirate ship with steam-powered smokestacks, whose crew signaled for their unconditional surrender.
• After Garen sent the pirates' demand back to them, they opened fire, and their longer-range rifled cannons damaged the Dreadnought Saber and injured sailors.
• Garen intercepted incoming shells with his greatsword, recognized the pirates' superior artillery, ordered his crew to stop firing, and charged across the water toward the enemy ship.

Garen annihilated the Ironclad Pirates aboard their warship and learned that their captain was worth fifty million Beli. As the ship reached the end of Reverse Mountain’s descending waterway, a gigantic sea creature loomed ahead and turned an enormous eye toward them.

• Garen leaped onto the Ironclad Pirates’ warship and used Justice Rage and Judgment to sweep the deck with a flaming tornado, killing nearly a third of the crew.
• Garen used Shave to sever the axe-wielding captain’s hand, then killed him with Demacian Justice.
• Garen asked the pirates for their captain and vice-captain, learned the dead giant had a fifty-million-Beli bounty, and saw a pirate shoved forward as the supposed vice-captain.
• The ironclad reached the end of Reverse Mountain’s descending waterway, where a massive blue-black creature appeared ahead and turned an enormous eye toward the ship.

Garen and the pirates encountered Laboon at the entrance to the Grand Line, where their cannon fire angered the whale and led it to smash their ironclad. Garen escaped with a middle-aged man claiming to be an innocent civilian, then realized Laboon had blocked the waterway while his flagship and crew continued down the current.

• Laboon appeared before the pirates, who panicked and fired their cannons despite Garen ordering them to stop.
• A shell struck Laboon's eye, angering the whale and prompting it to headbutt the ironclad.
• Garen escaped the sinking ship with the middle-aged man, who claimed he was an innocent civilian rather than a pirate.
• Laboon's head blocked the descending waterway as the Dreadnought Saber, carrying Nami and Garen's crew, rushed toward it.
• Garen decided he had to save his crew from the blocked route.

Garen used his invincibility skill to stop Laboon’s island-sized charge head-on. Crocus witnessed the feat and concluded that Garen might have an admiral’s strength.

• Laboon erupted from the sea and charged at Garen, unleashing a massive tsunami and storm.
• Garen fled with the rescued middle-aged man using repeated Shave, but Laboon’s sliding head continued to threaten them.
• Garen threw the middle-aged man to safety and faced Laboon with his greatsword.
• Garen used Laurent's Eye of the Mind to block Laboon’s charge, stopping the whale without being moved or injured.
• Crocus emerged from inside Laboon, witnessed Garen’s feat, and suspected he had the strength of an admiral.

Garen survived Laboon’s attack and reunited with Nami, who joined him and Crocus for a discussion about sailing the Grand Line. After Garen revealed that Brook had survived and was in Gecko Moria’s territory, Crocus prepared to go find him with help from an old friend.

• Nami found Garen chatting with Crocus on the wrecked rock wall and angrily shook him for making her fear he was dead.
• Crocus gave Nami useful advice about navigating the Grand Line and apologized for Laboon’s attack.
• Crocus told Nami that Laboon had spent fifty years waiting for the Rumba Pirates, and Garen said he knew what had happened to them.
• Garen revealed that the Rumba Pirates had been wiped out but Brook had survived and was trapped in Gecko Moria’s territory.
• Crocus decided to seek out Brook and said he would ask an old friend to accompany him.

Crocus treated the middle-aged man Garen had thrown into a crater, then set off for the Sabaody Archipelago to find Brook and an old friend. Garen and Nami returned to their damaged ship with the recovered man, who introduced himself as Kentucky, a scientist from the North Blue.

• Crocus launched his ship into the sea by hand and declined Garen's offer to travel together, saying he wanted to reach the Sabaody Archipelago.
• Garen remembered the man he had thrown into a crater and called Crocus back to treat him.
• Crocus healed the unconscious man and prescribed medicine, rest, and an exercise plan for his lingering weakness.
• Crocus said farewell and departed to find Brook and bring Rayleigh along.
• Garen and Nami returned to the Dauntless Vanguard Saber with the rescued man, and Garen learned his name was Kentucky and that he was a scientist from the North Blue.

Garen questioned Kentucky about his scientific abilities and learned that the researcher specialized in biology and chemistry, not weapons. Kentucky explained that pirates had kidnapped him because his addictive fried chicken made him rich and they wanted him as their ship’s cook.

• Garen asked Kentucky whether he had invented the Ironclad Pirates’ steam engine and cannon, and Kentucky said their captain had invented them.
• Kentucky explained that he researched biology and chemistry, prompting Garen to dismiss him as a second-rate scientist for lacking expertise across multiple fields.
• Garen wondered whether the pirates had kidnapped Kentucky to develop poison gas or biological weapons, and Kentucky recoiled at the idea.
• Kentucky said he had worked as a senior researcher in the North Blue before leaving his job and returning home broke.
• Kentucky said he had synthesized a compound that made fried chicken irresistible, opened a successful shop, and was captured by pirates who wanted him as their ship’s cook.

Garen assigned Kentucky to research large-scale helium production as he planned to develop airships, then continued sailing toward Alabasta with Nami and Vivi. After reassuring Vivi about their chances against Crocodile, Garen spotted a strange small boat whose occupant rowed at incredible speed with a black sword, and the man turned to reveal hawk-sharp eyes.

• Garen ordered Kentucky to research industrial helium production so he could eventually build airships, though they lacked the tools to begin before reaching Alabasta.
• Garen's group spent seven uneventful days sailing through the Grand Line's shifting weather without stopping at any islands.
• Vivi asked whether they could defeat Crocodile, and Garen and Nami reassured her that they could handle the danger.
• A lookout spotted a small boat, and Garen examined its coffin-like shape, green flames, and swordsman occupant.
• Garen marveled at the swordsman's speed as he rowed with a large black sword, and the man turned toward him with hawk-sharp eyes.

Garen faced Hawkeye Mihawk at sea and used his invincibility to block two of Mihawk’s sword slashes, then challenged him to settle their duel with one strike. Mihawk questioned whether Garen’s defense came from swordsmanship or a Devil Fruit Ability, while Garen left him with the claim that some things could not be cut.

• Garen recognized Hawkeye Mihawk as the swordsman who had attacked him and leaped forward to shield Nami, Vivi, and the Dreadnought Saber from Mihawk’s slash.
• Garen blocked Mihawk’s attack with his greatsword, astonishing Mihawk and revealing to himself that his invincibility could withstand the strike.
• Garen called out to Mihawk and introduced himself as the East Blue Knight after Mihawk gave his name.
• Garen proposed that they decide the victor with one strike, and he and Mihawk formally introduced their swords, Tempest and Yoru.
• Mihawk unleashed his strongest attack, but Garen’s invincibility made it vanish without harming him.
• Mihawk asked whether Garen’s defense was swordsmanship or a Devil Fruit Ability, and Garen declared that some things could not be cut.

Garen and Mihawk reached an understanding after Mihawk admitted he could not cut through Garen’s technique, and Mihawk joined Garen’s voyage as a whetstone for his swordsmanship. As the Dauntless Vanguard Saber neared Alabasta, Crocodile identified Garen as a threat and set out alone to intercept him.

• Mihawk conceded that he could not cut through Garen’s technique, and Garen claimed it came from his Devil Fruit Ability.
• Mihawk asked to travel with Garen to temper his black blade, and Garen agreed.
• The Dauntless Vanguard Saber reached the waters around Alabasta, drawing Crocodile’s attention.
• Crocodile discovered that Vivi was a princess and feared Garen might disrupt his plan to seize Alabasta.
• Crocodile judged Garen too weak to threaten him and sailed alone to intercept the ship, intending to kill Garen and Vivi.

Crocodile attacked Garen from the air, but Mihawk stopped him and protected Garen so their sparring could continue. After witnessing Garen withstand Mihawk’s full-strength slash, Crocodile reconsidered him and resolved to discipline Baroque Works’ intelligence agents.

• Crocodile flew over the Dauntless Vanguard Saber and launched a sandstorm attack at Garen, who was sparring with Mihawk and did not notice him.
• Mihawk spotted Crocodile and shattered his attack with a sword slash, then warned him that Garen was under his protection.
• Crocodile recognized Mihawk and stood down as Mihawk ordered Garen to continue their training.
• Mihawk unleashed a powerful, Haki-coated slash at Garen, who blocked it without faltering.
• Crocodile watched Garen withstand Mihawk’s attack, grew wary and respectful of him, and decided to teach Baroque Works’ intelligence agents a lesson.

Garen arrived in Rainbase with Vivi and Mihawk, where Crocodile invited them to stay at his headquarters after their tense confrontation. Garen used the walk through the city to attract attention and publicity, but as the group reached the hotel, Mihawk announced he was leaving.

• Crocodile invited Garen and his group to rest in Rainbase rather than explain why he had come to confront them.
• Rainbase citizens admired Crocodile and Mihawk, while Garen gained attention as their companion and reporters sent footage of him to Wallace's East Blue newspaper.
• Crocodile grew increasingly irritated by Garen's publicity and left after telling him they would discuss matters face-to-face the next day.
• Vivi worried about staying in Crocodile's headquarters, but Garen reassured her that Mihawk's presence kept them safe.
• Mihawk surveyed the hotel lobby and told Garen he was leaving, freezing Garen's expression.

Mihawk left after training Garen, telling him to develop his swordsmanship and become a worthy opponent. At Raindinners Casino, Crocodile learned Mihawk had departed but chose to negotiate with Garen rather than attack immediately.

• Mihawk said he would return to cut through Garen's greatsword and warned him not to flee from Crocodile.
• Mihawk explained that Garen's precise control over his strength was a rare talent and urged him to pursue swordsmanship.
• Mihawk told Garen to grow into his opponent, and Garen promised that he would.
• Mihawk left, warning that he would kill Garen if he failed to meet his expectations.
• Robin told Crocodile that Mihawk had left and asked whether they still needed to negotiate with Garen.
• Crocodile recalled Garen and Mihawk's swordsmanship and decided to talk things over first.

Garen brought Vivi to meet Crocodile at a desert villa, where Crocodile expected to negotiate how they would divide Alabasta’s spoils. Crocodile mistook Garen’s decision to include Vivi as a show of ruthless political dominance, leaving the meeting poised for negotiations.

• Garen and Vivi arrived at Crocodile’s villa, which he had chosen as advantageous terrain for his Sand-Sand Fruit powers.
• Robin greeted them at the entrance, and Vivi recognized her as Miss All Sunday, confirming Garen’s warning about Baroque Works’ leader.
• Crocodile questioned why Garen had brought Vivi to their meeting, since he expected to negotiate a compromise without the kingdom’s princess present.
• Garen said Vivi should hear the discussion because Alabasta was her country.
• Crocodile mocked Vivi as a weak host who would have to accept their terms, then admired Garen for what he interpreted as openly dividing the country’s spoils.

Crocodile offered Garen half of Alabasta to secure his cooperation, while Vivi feared he would accept. To keep Garen on her side and protect the kingdom, Vivi offered to marry him, leaving both men stunned.

• Crocodile offered Garen the western half of Alabasta, including Rainbase, as his fief if he agreed to cooperate.
• Vivi urged Garen not to accept and claimed her father could offer the same terms, but Crocodile dismissed her promise as empty words.
• Vivi declared that she could make her offer binding by marrying Garen and said Alabasta would eventually pass into his hands.
• Crocodile realized Vivi's marriage would give Garen a legitimate claim to the kingdom and bitterly envied his apparent success.
• Garen remained dumbfounded, having said nothing throughout the negotiation.

Garen rejected Crocodile’s offer and refused to cooperate, despite Vivi’s promise to marry him in exchange for his help. When Crocodile threatened them, Garen revealed he had recorded evidence and reported Crocodile and Robin to Marine Headquarters for researching the Poneglyphs and seeking information about Pluton.

• Garen told Crocodile he would never cooperate with him, while Vivi relaxed and reaffirmed her promise to become Garen’s wife.
• Garen denied helping Vivi for her wealth or beauty, but Crocodile interrupted them and threatened to kill them both.
• Crocodile transformed into sand and summoned a sandstorm, but Garen calmly insisted Vivi would leave unharmed.
• Garen explained that he had a Visual Den Den Mushi and pointed out that Crocodile had kept Alubarna and the eastern historical sites in his proposed deal.
• Garen called Marine Headquarters and reported Crocodile and Nico Robin for researching the forbidden Poneglyphs and pursuing information about Pluton.

Garen used recordings of Crocodile and Robin’s forbidden activities to stop Crocodile from attacking, then left with Vivi. Crocodile chose to continue searching for the Poneglyph, while Vivi’s feelings for Garen grew awkward after he reminded her that Nami was effectively his future wife.

• Robin used her Flower-Flower Fruit to twist Garen’s neck, but he survived and revealed he had recordings that could expose Crocodile and Robin to the World Government.
• Garen warned Crocodile that the recordings had been sent to his subordinates, then took Vivi and left.
• Crocodile refused Robin’s suggestion to retreat and decided to make one final gamble to find the Poneglyph’s whereabouts.
• Vivi asked whether Garen had considered her earlier offer to marry him, and Garen admitted he would be happy to accept but feared Nami would kill him.
• Garen and Vivi returned to the hotel and told Nami in guilty unison that nothing had happened.

Garen displaced Crocodile as Rainbase’s favored hero by defeating pirates and winning over citizens with his appearance and public service. A few days later, Crocodile watched Garen’s reputation spread through newspapers and grew increasingly furious.

• Crocodile stopped responding to reports of pirates until a subordinate told him Garen was heading to the docks, then flew there himself.
• Garen defeated the pirates with his sacred flames and drew the citizens’ cheers, while Crocodile was largely ignored.
• Garen called Crocodile “Old Sand,” claimed he had handled the pirates for him, and privately warned that Crocodile would soon lose his place as Alabasta’s hero.
• Garen told Crocodile to watch and learn how to be a hero.
• A few days later, Crocodile and Miss Robin read newspapers describing Garen’s charitable acts and community work, and Crocodile complained about Garen’s shamelessness.