Chapter Summaries

Zoro defeated Duke Inuarashi after an all-night battle, only to learn that Inuarashi had fought him because he mistakenly believed the crew had come to capture Raizo. Ronan then clarified that they had come to Zou for the Red Road Poneglyph hidden in Whale Forest.

• As the full moon faded, Duke Inuarashi lost his Sulong form and collapsed from his wounds and exhaustion.
• Zoro declared victory but told Inuarashi he wanted to keep him alive for another fight.
• Inuarashi pleaded for Zoro to spare the Mink Tribe and asked him to kill him after taking Raizo, but Zoro said he did not know who Raizo was.
• Inuarashi realized he had fought all night because of a misunderstanding and broke down in shock.
• Ronan arrived with Nami, Robin, Usopp, and the others, and explained that they had come to find the Red Road Poneglyph in Whale Forest.

After learning that Ronan’s request for the Road Poneglyph had caused the battle, the Straw Hats realized Usopp’s evasive explanation had made Duke Inuarashi misunderstand their intentions. Inuarashi apologized and agreed to lead them to the stone, summoning a giant crocodile to carry them.

• Duke Inuarashi realized Ronan had fought him to see the Road Poneglyph, and Nami blamed Usopp for provoking the misunderstanding with his cover story.
• Usopp apologized to Inuarashi, explaining that he had feared a direct request would make the Minks think the crew intended to steal their treasure.
• Robin asked why Inuarashi had risked his life and country to protect Raizo, and Inuarashi declared that the Minks would never betray a companion.
• Zoro praised Inuarashi’s devotion to his companions, and Inuarashi acknowledged that the battle had resulted from his misunderstanding.
• Inuarashi agreed to take Ronan and the Straw Hats to the Red Road Poneglyph in the forbidden grounds.
• Inuarashi whistled, and a giant black-scaled crocodile emerged from the forest and stopped before him.

Inuarashi brought Ronan and the others to Whale Forest, where they found the Musketeer Squad defeated and the forest devastated. Luffy revealed he had beaten Nekomamushi and insisted the Mink warriors had attacked him first.

• Inuarashi offered the group a ride on a giant crocodile to Whale Forest, and they accepted.
• The group found Whale Forest wrecked and the Musketeer Squad badly injured.
• A wounded Musketeer told Inuarashi that Nekomamushi had been defeated in Sulong form by a rampaging human.
• Luffy bounced out of the ruins to greet Ronan and the others, while the Musketeer Squad identified him as their attacker.
• Usopp demanded that Luffy apologize, but Luffy insisted he had only been taking a walk and that the Musketeers had attacked him.

After Inuarashi explained that the clash between Luffy and Nekomamushi had been a misunderstanding over the Road Poneglyph, the battered King of the Night sprang up and angrily confronted Luffy. The chapter ended with the two trading accusations as morning broke over the wrecked forest.

• Inuarashi led Luffy and the others through the ruined battlefield to Nekomamushi, who lay badly injured in a deep pit.
• Nekomamushi accused Inuarashi of surrendering to the human invaders and forgetting their oath to protect their companions.
• Inuarashi told Nekomamushi that the visitors were not Beasts Pirates or kidnappers but had come to see the Road Poneglyph.
• Nekomamushi sprang from the pit and blamed Luffy for failing to explain his purpose before their fight destroyed the forest and left him injured.
• Luffy insisted that Nekomamushi and his people had started the fight, and the two pressed their foreheads together and resumed arguing.

The Straw Hat Pirates followed Duke Inuarashi and Boss Nekomamushi to the Whale Tree, where the Road Poneglyph and Raizo were hidden. After climbing to the tree’s whale-tail branch, the group discovered the concealed entrance and Ronan led them inside.

• Duke Inuarashi and Boss Nekomamushi guided the Straw Hat Pirates through the ruins to the Whale Tree and explained that the Road Poneglyph was at its summit.
• Zoro questioned Inuarashi about Raizo, and Inuarashi explained that moving Raizo to the Whale Tree had caused the deadly misunderstanding.
• Nami blamed Usopp for making the group seem like assassins, and Usopp apologized while Inuarashi’s resentment eased.
• The group climbed the Whale Tree for an hour until Nekomamushi opened a hidden passage in the whale-tail branch.
• Inuarashi warned that an intruder with a terrifying special ability could find the secret entrance, and Ronan ignored the remark and entered the passage.

The Straw Hat Pirates descended into a hidden cavern beneath the tree and found a Red Road Poneglyph, with Raizo bound to it. Ronan declared that the crew had come for the Poneglyph, not for Raizo.

• Luffy rushed down the moss-covered stairs, and Robin eagerly followed while Nami and Nekomamushi warned them to be careful.
• The group reached a vast cavern and discovered a Red Road Poneglyph at its center.
• They saw Raizo chained in front of the monument and heard him complain to Nekomamushi and Inuarashi about being tied up.
• Luffy and Usopp mocked Raizo’s appearance, and Raizo demanded to know who the unfamiliar humans were.
• Ronan ignored Raizo and told him that the crew had crossed the sea for the Poneglyph behind him.

Ronan and his crew discovered the Red Road Poneglyph on Zou, one of four stones whose coordinates lead to Laugh Tale. Robin deciphered its markings, leaving the crew with the task of finding the other three.

• Duke Inuarashi freed Raizo and revealed that the red monument was a Red Road Poneglyph leading toward Laugh Tale.
• Robin recognized the Kozuki Clan crest carved into the cave wall, and Duke Inuarashi told her he knew of Ohara and its scholars.
• Ronan explained that four Red Road Poneglyphs recorded the coordinates needed to reach the final island.
• Ronan sent Robin to translate the stone, and she copied its markings onto a sheet.
• Robin gave the deciphered data to Nami, who confirmed it was a set of coordinates and said they needed the other three stones to find Laugh Tale.

After learning the red stone in the Whale Forest was a Road Poneglyph pointing toward Laugh Tale, Luffy vowed to become Pirate King and defeat anyone holding the others. Nekomamushi then offered information about the remaining stones, leaving their locations unresolved.

• Inuarashi and Nekomamushi explained that the red stone was a Road Poneglyph marking the route to Laugh Tale.
• Luffy declared that he would become Pirate King, while Zoro said the Straw Hats would have to take the other three Road Poneglyphs from powerful foes.
• Luffy vowed to defeat the enemies holding the stones, then impulsively tried to rush off before Usopp stopped him and pointed out that he did not know where to look.
• Nekomamushi said one Road Poneglyph had vanished, another was the one before them, and began to explain what he knew about the remaining two.

After learning that the Road Poneglyphs were held by Big Mom and Kaido, Luffy declared that the Straw Hats would take them by force and began training on Zou. The chapter ended as Luffy and Zoro’s fierce sparring match was interrupted by Zou’s falling seawater.

• Nekomamushi told the Straw Hats that Big Mom and Kaido held the Poneglyphs, and Luffy chose to target Big Mom first in Totto Land.
• Nekomamushi suggested sneaking in to make a rubbing, but Luffy insisted on taking the Poneglyphs by force to become Pirate King.
• The Straw Hat Pirates rested and trained on Zou before facing the Four Emperors.
• Luffy and Zoro sparred in the forest, unleashing powerful attacks that stunned the watching Mink Tribe warriors.
• Zunesha’s seawater poured down over the battlefield, interrupting the spar and forming a rainbow above the forest.

After learning that Big Mom planned to cement an alliance with Germa 66 through Katakuri and Reiju’s marriage, Luffy’s crew decided to crash the Tea Party in one month and seize the red Road Poneglyph. They left the chapter ready to confront Big Mom, Kaido, and the powerful factions invited to the gathering.

• Luffy and Zoro finished sparring, and Bepo rushed over with a newspaper bearing urgent news.
• Nami read that Big Mom would hold a Tea Party in one month to announce Katakuri and Reiju’s marriage alliance.
• Robin recognized the marriage as an alliance between two formidable military powers, while Luffy welcomed the chance to challenge Big Mom.
• Ronan proposed that the crew attack Big Mom at the Tea Party, and Luffy agreed enthusiastically.
• Zoro, Usopp, Brook, and Sanji discussed the dangers of the plan, including the possibility that Kaido would attend.

Ronan's crew sailed through the New World toward BIG MOM's Totto Land, fought off the Black Iron Pirates in a dense fog, and then encountered Gold City, a gigantic amusement city built on a ship. The chapter leaves the crew stunned by the vessel's Pure Gold construction as they approach it.

• Ronan agreed with Robin that the crew would gather and eliminate pirates entrenched on the Great Sea, then sailed toward Totto Land.
• A week later, Zoro spotted something strange in the fog, and three cannonballs attacked the Thousand Sunny.
• Sanji deflected the cannonballs, and Zoro split one of the Black Iron Pirates' warships in two as the crew defeated the attackers.
• After the battle, the crew heard an alluring song and saw a brilliant golden light emerge through the fog.
• Nami identified the enormous ship as Gold City, the world's largest entertainment city and an Absolute Neutral Zone.
• Ronan realized that Gold City's outer armor, walls, and many buildings were made of Pure Gold.

The Straw Hats approached Gold City as a strange golden rain covered their ship and the surrounding sea. Ronan warned that a hidden gold-controlling ability user had placed Gold Dust inside their bodies, and Sanji began explaining how to defend against it.

• Zoro suggested taking Gold City, while Luffy declared it their new target.
• Gold Dust began falling over the Sunny Merry, and Nami urged everyone to gather it.
• Sanji noticed that the seawater had turned gold as the powder coated the ship and crew.
• Zoro sensed a dangerous Devil Fruit power in the golden rain, and Ronan warned that the Gold Dust inside their bodies could become deadly blades.
• Sanji told the crew to circulate True Qi and use Haki to isolate and expel the Gold Dust.

Ronan helped Nami and the others purge the Gold Dust, while Luffy ordered the Sunny Merry to charge into Gold City. The Straw Hat Pirates reached the Inner Bay and saw Gild Tesoro make his grand entrance before a desperate pirate crew attacked them.

• Ronan told Nami and the others they could still remove the Gold Dust, and they used their True Qi to drive it from their bodies.
• Luffy ordered Franky to propel the Sunny Merry through Gold City's gates and into the Inner Bay.
• The Straw Hat Pirates saw the lavish Inner Bay, where Sanji became infatuated with the dancers and revelry.
• Gild Tesoro appeared on the central stage, and Nami identified him as the Golden Emperor and master of Gran Tesoro.
• A battered pirate ship charged at the Sunny Merry, and its captain ordered his crew to open fire so they could steal the Straw Hats' treasure.

Usopp destroyed the attacking pirate ship’s cannon and picked off its crew as they charged the Thousand Sunny, while Zoro sensed another threat approaching. In Gold City, Gild Tesoro recognized the Straw Hat Pirates and was left pale and shaken by their arrival.

• Usopp fired a bullet into the enemy warship’s cannon, detonating its ammunition and blowing a hole in the ship.
• Usopp shot more than ten pirates who tried to attack, while Zoro prepared to fight the rest.
• Zoro sensed someone making a move against the Straw Hats and stopped before drawing his swords.
• Gild Tesoro let the battle continue as entertainment until his subordinate identified the attacked ship as possibly belonging to the Straw Hat Pirates.
• Gild Tesoro recognized the black-haired young man on the Sunny Merry, crushed his earpiece and wineglass, and realized that man had come to Gold City.

Gild Tesoro killed the Long Long Pirates after they attacked Ronan’s ship, then bowed to Ronan in front of the stunned Gold City crowd. The chapter ended with the Straw Hat Pirates and spectators struggling to understand Tesoro’s show of reverence.

• Tesoro realized the Long Long Pirates’ attack on Ronan’s ship could put all of Gold City in danger.
• Tesoro extinguished the lights and used golden tentacles and spears to impale the Long Long Pirates.
• Tesoro sealed more than a hundred pirates inside golden statues and sank them with their ship.
• Tesoro removed his top hat and bowed ninety degrees to Ronan, calling Ronan’s presence in Gold City his greatest honor.
• The Straw Hat Pirates, wealthy spectators, and Navy spies stared in shock as Tesoro showed Ronan absolute respect.

Tesoro welcomed Ronan with fervent admiration, believing he was the only man capable of destroying the World Government and the Celestial Dragons. Ronan recognized Tesoro’s tragic past but judged that his suffering did not excuse the cruelty he had inflicted on others, and his gaze turned cold.

• Tesoro’s past revealed that poverty had led to Stella’s enslavement and his own branding and enslavement by the Celestial Dragons.
• After Fisher Tiger’s uprising freed him, Tesoro gained the Gold-Gold Fruit and built Gold City, but he could not take revenge on the World Government.
• Tesoro saw Ronan and the Straw Hat Pirates at Marineford and came to believe Ronan could destroy the World Government.
• Tesoro formally introduced himself to Ronan and invited him to enjoy Gold City and share a drink.
• Ronan recalled Tesoro’s history of abusing weaker people and decided that his tragic past did not make him worthy of pity.

Ronan confronted Gild Tesoro over the innocent people he had dragged into suffering and threatened to kill him, unleashing overwhelming Haki and killing intent. Gild Tesoro endured the pressure without backing down as the Straw Hat Pirates watched tensely, and the confrontation remained unresolved.

• Ronan released powerful Haki that cracked the golden platform and knocked out nobles and pirates around the Inner Bay.
• Ronan appeared before Gild Tesoro, accused him of harming innocents, and pointed Haki-coated fingers at his brow.
• Ronan's killing intent froze the bay and made everyone feel as if a blade were pressed to their throat.
• The Straw Hat Pirates grew serious under the aura, while Gild Tesoro resisted the fear and refused to retreat.
• Gild Tesoro recognized the terrifying depth of Ronan's power and thought it might surpass that of the Four Emperors.

Tesoro revealed that he had accepted the possibility of death and wanted to help Ronan subvert the world, so Ronan spared him and asked his true purpose. Tesoro welcomed Ronan and the Straw Hat Pirates into Gold City, while the stunned crowd recovered from Ronan’s overwhelming presence.

• Tesoro told Ronan that he was prepared to die and considered it an honor to become a stepping stone toward a New Era.
• Ronan withdrew his killing intent and asked Tesoro what he truly wanted.
• Tesoro summoned a moving staircase made of Pure Gold and invited Ronan and the Straw Hat Pirates to Gold City.
• Nami and Luffy eagerly explored the golden staircase as Tesoro used golden hands to carry the Sunny Merry to a VIP dock.
• Tens of thousands of spectators recovered from their terror and began discussing Ronan and the Straw Hat Pirates.

Baccarat welcomed Ronan and the Straw Hat Pirates to Gold City, aware that the crew had defeated Kaido and that Gild Tesoro treated Ronan with deference. Sanji shocked her with his speed before turning his arrival into an extravagant flirtation.

• Crowds in Gold City's Inner Bay reacted to news that the Straw Hat Pirates had defeated Kaido and speculated that the crew would overturn the world's balance.
• Gild Tesoro led Ronan, Luffy, and the others across Gold City to the central plaza, where Baccarat waited to guide them.
• Baccarat greeted the guests and introduced herself as their guide through the city.
• Sanji burst across the plaza at incredible speed and knelt before Baccarat with a rose, passionately complimenting her.
• Baccarat concealed her alarm at Sanji's speed, then laughed and politely answered his flirtation.

Gild Tesoro introduced Baccarat as the guide responsible for receiving Ronan and his companions in Gold City, and Ronan accepted her service. Baccarat took them aboard an extravagant turtle-powered car and sped toward the city’s central district.

• Gild Tesoro praised Baccarat’s abilities and explained that he had assigned her to receive Ronan and the others.
• Ronan’s gaze unnerved Baccarat, whose luck ability seemed to warn her of the danger he posed.
• Baccarat summoned a golden Turtle Car, and Franky discovered that sixteen Muscle Turtles powered its engine.
• Luffy, Usopp, Chopper, and the others climbed into the car and marveled at its luxurious interior.
• Baccarat accelerated sharply and drove Ronan and his companions toward Gold City’s central district.