Recaps

Austin used a Compressed Rice Ball to regain some stamina, then unleashed the Black Spear’s full power and defeated Rocks at God Valley. The Chamber of Power ordered Cipher Pol to halt its investigation into Gick forever.

• Rocks survived Austin’s devastating attack and believed Austin was too exhausted to fight back.
• Rocks unleashed his Conqueror’s Haki, dispelling Austin’s clones, while Austin sat down and ate a Compressed Rice Ball.
• Austin dodged Rocks’s attack, recovered some stamina, and declared that he would not lose.
• Austin fired Seastone bullets infused with Conqueror’s Haki, Ryou, Space Power, and flames, grievously wounding Rocks and weakening his Devil Fruit ability.
• The Chamber of Power discussed Austin’s Black Spear and ordered Cipher Pol’s investigation into Gick to be suspended forever.

Austin returned to his original time after his battle with Rocks and appeared in Elbaf in 1508, where he reunited with Gaban and Shanks. He greeted them in a hot spring, while Gick received Austin’s letter and discovered a crying baby in a basket.

• Austin grew transparent aboard the Oro Jackson, and Roger realized he was returning to his own time; the crew toasted their farewell.
• Austin sent Gick a letter describing his victory over Rocks and telling him that having him as a grandfather had made him happy.
• Gick cried over Austin’s letter and photograph, then found a basket with a crying baby at his courtyard entrance.
• Austin returned to 1508 above Elbaf, recognized the island, and avoided interfering in the fighting inside the castle.
• Gaban sensed Austin’s presence while bathing with Shanks, and Austin appeared in the hot spring to greet them.

Austin reunited with Shanks and Gaban after returning from the past and recounted fighting Rocks, Garp, Roger, and Saint Garling at God Valley. A commotion about Loki interrupted their conversation, and Austin went with Shanks to see what was happening, promising not to kill Loki.

• Austin appeared in the hot spring and reunited with Shanks and Gaban, who asked where he had been and how he had gotten so badly injured.
• Austin explained that he had traveled more than twenty years into the past, met the Roger Pirates, and fought Gaban and Roger.
• Austin revealed that he fought Rocks, Garp, Roger, and Saint Garling alone at God Valley and said he had won, leaving Shanks discouraged.
• Gaban and Shanks told Austin about Mihawk's rise to fame and a bird in the New World that had awakened Conqueror's Haki.
• A commotion outside interrupted the conversation, and Austin accompanied Shanks to investigate Loki, saying he would not kill him.

Austin and Shanks subdued Loki after he rebelled in Elbaf, then Austin recovered at Gaban's home and said farewell to the giants. He left Elbaf and returned to the sea.

• Austin warned Loki with his Conqueror's Haki when Loki tried to recruit him and Shanks to rebel against the World Government.
• Austin and Shanks defeated Loki, bound him in Seastone chains, and threw him into the underworld.
• Shanks visited Gaban's home with Austin, then departed after asking whether Austin would see Uta; Austin declined.
• Austin recuperated at Gaban's home and asked how Gaban had fathered a child with a Giantess.
• After his injuries mostly healed, Austin said goodbye to Gaban and the giant women of Elbaf, then sailed away.

The Revolutionary Army learned that Ginny had been abducted by a Celestial Dragon, and Ivankov urged Dragon and Kuma to seek help from Black Emperor Dotol Austin. While they worried Austin might have disappeared, he had already appeared aboard the Sun Pirates, where Fisher Tiger apologized to him.

• A Revolutionary Army subordinate reported that Ginny had been abducted and the unit sent with her had been wiped out.
• Dragon and Kuma despaired because the young Revolutionary Army could not challenge the World Government to rescue Ginny.
• Ivankov reminded Dragon and Kuma that Austin might be able to save Ginny, and Kuma eagerly accepted the possibility.
• Dragon explained that Austin had not appeared for two years and that unrest had grown after Fisher Tiger freed slaves in Mary Geoise, including Hancock and her sisters.
• Ivankov reassured Kuma that Austin might return, unaware that Austin had already appeared aboard the Sun Pirates.
• Fisher Tiger lowered his head and apologized to Austin for their clash.

Austin reunited with Fisher Tiger and heard how Tiger freed the Hancock sisters during his assault on Mary Geoise, despite knowing they were Austin’s slaves. Austin left Tiger uncertain of his judgment but promised not to punish Fish-Man Island as the ship reached Koala’s hometown, where Tiger’s journey was supposed to end.

• Tiger told Austin that he had freed the Hancock sisters during his raid on Mary Geoise, even though he knew they belonged to Austin.
• Tiger recounted how he overcame his hesitation, broke the sisters’ chains, and knocked out a Cipher Pol agent who threatened him with Austin’s wrath.
• Tiger continued freeing thousands of slaves, and people across the seas hailed him as a hero while speculating that Austin had gone soft.
• Austin told Tiger he had disappointed him and asked whether he had considered the danger his actions could bring to Fish-Man Island.
• Austin assured Tiger that he would not harm Fish-Man Island, then warned him to consider whether he could bear the price of saving others.
• The ship reached Koala’s hometown, which was supposed to be the end of Tiger’s journey.

Austin let Fisher Tiger take Koala home, then allowed the Marines to ambush and badly wound him. When Jinbe and the Sun Pirates arrived, Austin caused an earthquake that opened a chasm beneath Tiger, leaving his fate unknown.

• Austin sent Koala home with Fisher Tiger and asked the Sun Pirates for orange juice.
• Fisher Tiger reunited Koala with her family, then Marines led by Rear Admiral Stroberi ambushed him.
• Austin left the ship and watched as the Marines shot Fisher Tiger and wounded him severely.
• Jinbe and the Sun Pirates reached Tiger, and Austin caused a powerful earthquake that split the island.
• Fisher Tiger fell into a deep chasm, and his fate remained unknown.

Austin let Crocodile respond to Fisher Tiger freeing his slaves, though he did not want Fish-Man Island destroyed. News of Austin's apparent return spread across the sea, and the Five Elders concluded that the man on Fish-Man Island was an impostor.

• Little Sand demanded harsh measures against Fisher Tiger, and Austin gave Crocodile permission to act as she wished.
• Crocodile learned that the Black Emperor's subordinates had already conquered Fish-Man Island while Austin watched the news unfold through his advanced preview.
• Wounded Fisher Tiger heard that Fish-Man Island had been conquered and wept with regret before losing consciousness.
• Newspapers announced Austin's return and linked him to Fish-Man Island's calamity, stirring reactions across the sea.
• The Five Elders reviewed the evidence and concluded that the Austin seen on Fish-Man Island was an impostor.

The World Government's Five Elders agreed to send CP0 after a supposed Austin impostor, while Fish-Man Island was ravaged by Austin's followers. Mr. 5, posing as Austin, faced a new arrival who asked whether Austin was truly there.

• Saint Nusjuro persuaded the other Five Elders to send CP0, arguing that killing the impostor could restore the World Government's prestige whether Austin was alive or gone.
• Mr. 5, also known as Fung Kley, rallied Austin's followers and led them in attacking Fish-Man Island over Fisher Tiger's actions.
• Mr. 5 refused the followers' offer of captured mermaids, maintaining his impersonation of Austin as Neptune's army watched helplessly.
• A coated pirate ship arrived, and a mature-looking figure with a black cross-shaped sword asked whether Austin was really on Fish-Man Island.

Mr. 5 impersonated Austin to spread the Black Emperor’s fame, but Mihawk exposed him after arriving at Fish-Man Island. With CP0 confirming the impostor and powerful figures watching, the underlings demanded that the real Austin respond.

• Mihawk arrived at Fish-Man Island, and Mr. 5 forced himself to greet him while continuing to pose as Austin.
• Mihawk recognized Mr. 5 as an impostor, but Mr. 5 blurted out “Little Hawk-chan” and accepted Mihawk’s challenge to preserve his disguise.
• Mihawk became certain that Mr. 5 was not Austin and disappointedly called him out, shocking the watching underlings.
• Masked CP0 agents appeared and declared that the apparent Austin was an impostor, while Katakuri, King, and other major figures watched.
• The underlings turned toward the calm figure sitting nearby and demanded that Lord Austin say something.

Mihawk moved to kill Mr. 5, but the chapter flashed back to his clash with Kaido in Dressrosa, where Mihawk split Kaido’s Heat Breath and scarred him. Crocodile blocked Mihawk’s strike, leaving the reason for her intervention unstated.

• Under pressure from the gathered fighters, Mr. 5 trembled as Mihawk walked toward him with Black Blade Yoru.
• One year earlier in Dressrosa, Kaido attacked Doflamingo’s territory, and Mihawk split Kaido’s Heat Breath with a slash.
• Mihawk fought Kaido after declaring that he would protect the Black Emperor’s territory, and Kaido later bore a lasting scar from the battle.
• Back in the present, Mihawk raised his blade to kill Mr. 5, but Crocodile struck it aside with her hook.
• Crocodile told Mihawk that her actions had only one possible reason, and Mihawk understood.

Crocodile revealed that the apparent Austin was a fake, but the real Austin awakened in Mr. 5’s body and devastated Fish-Man Island with Shinra Tensei. Crocodile and Mihawk recognized him as he returned after two years, leaving the island’s survivors kneeling before him.

• Crocodile blocked Mihawk’s blade and confirmed that the Austin before them was a fake, prompting the crowd to turn against him.
• As Mr. 5 accepted his apparent death, the real Austin’s voice sounded in his mind and his panic gave way to calm.
• The CP0 agent, King, and Katakuri attacked Austin, but he unleashed Shinra Tensei and blasted them back.
• Austin’s power carved a huge crater into Fish-Man Island, leaving scattered fighters down and the surviving crowd kneeling.
• Crocodile and Mihawk emerged before Austin, and Mihawk greeted him after his two-year disappearance.

After Rayleigh intervened, Austin agreed to spare Fish-Man Island and the Sun Pirates, ending the reckoning against them. He then tasked a remorseful Fisher Tiger with hunting down the people named in a booklet and gave him Haki training manuals.

• At Marine Headquarters, Sengoku discussed Saint Austin’s return and learned that Borsalino had captured Arlong and other Sun Pirates, while Jinbe and Fisher Tiger remained missing.
• Rayleigh asked Austin to spare Fish-Man Island, and Austin agreed, allowing the Black Moon Flag to remain there as compensation.
• Crocodile told Austin that she had recruited Mr. 5, while she and Mihawk urged him to confront the forces making moves against them.
• Austin revealed that Fisher Tiger had returned to serve him and ordered him to study Haki manuals and bring back everyone listed in a second booklet.

Doflamingo learned that Austin had returned and prepared to secure the Op-Op Fruit for him. Austin agreed to save Ginny in exchange for Kuma’s loyalty, then realized he preferred being Black Spear to living as the constantly imposing Black Emperor.

• Doflamingo celebrated Austin’s return with the Donquixote Family and said he would personally pursue the Op-Op Fruit.
• Kuma asked Austin to rescue Ginny from a Celestial Dragon, and Austin demanded Kuma’s life and loyalty in return.
• Kuma pledged himself to Austin, who promised Ginny would return to him within a month.
• After ending the call, Austin reflected on his lost motivation and recognized that he preferred being Black Spear to being the Black Emperor.

Austin negotiated with the Five Elders to free Ginny, then decided to withdraw most of his Black Moon Flags and step back from leading his vast organization. He left the Black Emperor role behind to travel freely as the Black Spear, planning to visit Ace, Madam Rouge, and King Luffy.

• Austin demanded that the Five Elders release Ginny, and they agreed to his condition.
• Boa Hancock and the Sondra sisters trembled with fear when they saw Austin's photograph in a newspaper, and Grandma Nyon tore it up.
• Austin told Crocodile he would recall the Black Moon Flags from most territories while keeping his core holdings and allowing the Shichibukai to develop.
• Austin decided to stop managing his organization and travel for his own growth, leaving the Black Emperor behind to become the Black Spear.
• Austin planned to visit Ace, Madam Rouge, and King Luffy after he finished handling his remaining affairs.

Ginny became gravely ill aboard the ship taking her back to the Holy Land, while Austin’s forces reclaimed control of the underworld by targeting Mafia families who tried to seize power. The chapter ended with Fisher Tiger attacking a South Blue Mafia gathering on Austin’s orders.

• Ginny vomited and developed crystalline growths on her arm as CP0 escorted her back to the Holy Land, and she thought of Kuma.
• Crocodile questioned Austin’s decision to imprison the underworld bosses, and Austin said he needed the underworld to remain his foundation after stepping down.
• A month earlier, South Blue Mafia families planned to exploit Austin’s presumed death, but their godfather warned them that they still owed Austin a share of their business.
• Fisher Tiger attacked the Mafia families’ yacht from beneath the sea and used his Fish-Man Karate to defeat their guards.

Austin set out on a spontaneous sea voyage by swimming, using his ability to keep seawater from touching him. He accidentally arrived at Minion Island aboard a Marine warship, where Vergo was stationed, and asked whether Doflamingo was there.

• Austin told Rayleigh he was leaving without a set destination, then swam out to sea despite being a Devil Fruit user.
• On Minion Island, Corazon escaped with the Op-Op Fruit and gave it to Luo, who ate it as Corazon collapsed from his wounds.
• Austin emerged aboard the Marine warship near Minion Island and startled the Marines, including Vergo.
• Austin changed into a black long coat, surveyed the frozen island, and asked Vergo whether Doflamingo was there.

Austin arrived at Minion Island by chance as the Birdcage closed around it, while Doflamingo confronted Corazon after discovering that Luo had eaten the Op-Op Fruit. Corazon sacrificed himself to protect Luo, and Austin entered the Birdcage as the confrontation unfolded.

• Vergo told Austin that underworld leaders had gathered to obtain the Op-Op Fruit’s power, and Austin asked whether Doflamingo was on the island.
• Doflamingo’s Birdcage spread across Minion Island, and Austin tested its strength before forcing his way inside.
• Corazon gave Luo a secret letter for the Marines, but Doflamingo intercepted Luo and took the letter.
• Doflamingo confronted Corazon, who revealed that Luo had eaten the Op-Op Fruit and insisted that Luo deserved to live.
• Doflamingo shot Corazon as Corazon smiled at Luo and told him, “Luo, I love you.”

Austin stopped Doflamingo from killing Rosinante and let the brothers part ways. Rosinante returned to the Marines, while Luo chose to pursue his dreams as a pirate.

• Austin caught Doflamingo’s bullet and refused to let him kill Rosinante and Luo.
• Doflamingo lowered his pistol, abandoned his offer of the Op-Op Fruit, and left after Austin questioned whether he would regret killing Rosinante.
• Rosinante decided to return to the Marines because Luo had survived and could pursue his dreams.
• Marine personnel took Rosinante away, while Vergo and Rosinante each pretended not to notice the other.
• Austin said goodbye to Luo, who declared his hatred for the Marines and World Government and chose to chase his dreams as a pirate.

Austin reached Shimotsuki Village while searching East Blue for Foosha Village, where he met and fed the young Roronoa Zoro. After learning that Zoro was headed to challenge the Shimotsuki Dojo, Austin led him toward it, though Zoro immediately got lost.

• Austin spotted an island and arrived at Shimotsuki Village, where Zoro mistook him for a ghost after seeing him walk across the sea.
• Austin knocked Zoro out, carried him to a restaurant, and ordered the entire menu after paying the owner with a stack of Beli.
• Zoro woke to the smell of food, and he and Austin ate until they had emptied the restaurant's food reserves.
• Zoro introduced himself as Roronoa Zoro and learned that Austin considered himself half a swordsman.
• Austin agreed to accompany Zoro to the Shimotsuki Dojo, but Zoro wandered off course despite Austin leading him.

Austin brought young Zoro to Shimotsuki Dojo and bet a Great Grade Sword or Supreme Grade Sword on Zoro’s success. Zoro challenged Kuina and was swiftly beaten, leaving Austin to watch from the dojo.

• Austin teased Zoro into betting that he would give him a Great Grade Sword if Zoro beat Shimotsuki Dojo, or a Supreme Grade Sword if Zoro defeated Austin.
• Austin and Zoro arrived at Shimotsuki Dojo, where Koshiro recognized Austin and called for Kuina to face the challenger.
• Zoro carried ten bamboo swords into the dojo, but two fell from his mouth when he tried to answer Austin.
• Kuina brutally beat Zoro in their match.

Austin watched Zoro challenge Kuina, secretly fine-tuned Zoro’s swordsmanship, and later fought both children with a wooden stick. The chapter left Zoro stunned by the vast gap between his strength and Austin’s.

• Austin briefly fine-tuned Zoro’s movements during his first sword fight, but Kuina knocked him unconscious.
• Austin stayed on the island for several days while Zoro trained and repeatedly challenged Kuina under his guidance.
• Zoro challenged Austin, and Kuina joined him after learning from Koshiro that Austin was an extraordinary swordsman.
• Austin fought Zoro and Kuina with a small wooden stick, effortlessly blocking their attacks and redirecting Kuina’s strike into Zoro’s head.
• Zoro watched Austin toy with Kuina and realized how enormous the gap between them was.

Austin defeated Zoro and Kuina in a spar, then revealed his overwhelming strength by cutting a Sea King and the sea with a single slash. Later, Zoro and Kuina promised to compete to become the world’s greatest swordsman, and Austin teased them that their dream was to surpass him.

• Austin fended off Zoro and Kuina’s attacks while subtly guiding their swordsmanship, then sent them flying when they demanded he get serious.
• A Sea King leapt from the water toward Zoro as he fell, but Austin cut it and split the sea with a single slash.
• Austin pulled Zoro back from the air and carried him and Kuina to the dojo, leaving them stunned by his strength.
• While staying in Shimotsuki Village, Austin refused to teach Zoro advanced swordsmanship and made him focus on the basics.
• Kuina lamented that being a girl might prevent her from becoming the world’s strongest swordsman, and Zoro insisted that gender was no excuse.
• Zoro and Kuina promised to compete for the title of world’s greatest swordsman, and Austin told them they were aiming to replace him.

Austin left the dojo after giving Zoro the Great Grade sword Nether Raven Shadow and encouraging him and Kuina to pursue their dreams. While traveling across the sea, he reunited with the Seagull King and read news that Buggy the Clown had attacked Cocoyasi Village.

• Austin told Zoro and Kuina that Hawk Eyes Mihawk wanted to challenge him in swordsmanship, then claimed he was a sniper.
• Austin said farewell to Zoro and Kuina, and Zoro vowed to become the World's Greatest Swordsman.
• Austin gave Zoro his old Great Grade sword, Nether Raven Shadow, and urged Kuina not to let Zoro surpass her.
• Austin set off across the sea with food and met the Seagull King, who brought him an East Blue newspaper.
• Austin read a report that Buggy the Clown had attacked Cocoyasi Village for an unknown reason.

Austin read a report about Buggy attacking Cocoyasi Village and noticed Nami’s family in the photograph. In the flashback, Arlong threatened Bellemere, but Buggy arrived and confronted him over the tangerine grove.

• Austin reread the newspaper report about Buggy’s attack on Cocoyasi Village and spotted an injured woman with two children in the photograph.
• Buggy’s men set out to plunder Cocoyasi Village while Arlong arrived to seize control of the island.
• Arlong demanded tribute from the villagers and broke Bellemere’s arm when she tried to resist.
• Bellemere admitted that Nami and Nojiko were her daughters, and Arlong prepared to shoot her.
• Buggy arrived, demanded to know who owned the tangerine grove, and angrily challenged Arlong for interfering with his target.