Recaps

Kaido transformed into a colossal fire dragon and prepared to clash with Austin in a battle to decide the victor. As they unleashed their strongest attacks, both embraced the prospect of a world-spanning war and a single king ruling the seas.

• Kaido recovered from his wounds and expanded into a gigantic fire dragon whose flames scorched the Flower Capital and devastated the surrounding area.
• Seagull King, King, and Queen witnessed Kaido's overwhelming transformation, with King recognizing him as the World's Strongest Creature.
• Austin sobered somewhat, summoned Black Spear and Ace, and praised Kaido's endurance and vitality as he prepared to fight.
• Kaido declared that the strong were born to rule and that only he and Austin could decide the world's future through a great war.
• Austin split into two figures and met Kaido's Fire Dragon's Great Torch with Annihilation: Conquer the Sea.

Austin defeated Kaido in a devastating clash that destroyed half the Flower Capital, then sat atop the wounded dragon while the Seagull King photographed him. King and Queen considered rescuing Kaido, but Austin offered to spare him in exchange for the samurai.

• Austin and Kaido unleashed their full power against each other, and the aftershock destroyed half the Flower Capital.
• Queen, King, and the Seagull King watched the devastation from the sky as the dust cleared around the enormous crater.
• Austin emerged with minor wounds, sitting atop a battered Kaido, and let the Seagull King take a photograph of his Dragon-Capturing Portrait.
• King resolved to rescue Kaido while Queen protested that they would be no match for Austin.
• Austin told King and Queen to trade the samurai for Kaido's life.

Austin defeated Kaido and ordered the Beasts Pirates to find Shinobu, then met Yamato in the Flower Capital and promised to send her clothes. Hiyori watched them from a nearby building, angry that Austin had devastated Wano and wanted Shinobu taken.

• Austin told King and Queen to find Shinobu, and King agreed before flying off with Queen to mobilize the search.
• King seized the wounded Kurozumi Orochi and sent him to help begin the search for Shinobu.
• Austin sampled dumplings in the Flower Capital until Yamato ran up to him, delighted to see him.
• Austin gave Yamato dumplings, walked through the city with her, and promised to send her clothes.
• Hiyori watched Austin and Yamato from a nearby building while Kyoshiro worried she might act rashly.

King searched for Shinobu and used Kawamatsu’s capture to force her out, while Hiyori and Kyoshiro revealed that Austin was behind the hunt. Shinobu remained hidden as Austin listened nearby, dismissing Hiyori’s hope that Kaido’s death would liberate Wano.

• King failed to find Shinobu, then decided to use Kawamatsu as bait to draw her out.
• Denjiro, now known as Kyoshiro, connected Shinobu with Hiyori through a Den Den Mushi.
• Hiyori told Shinobu that Austin had defeated Kaido and demanded that the Beasts Pirates hand Shinobu over to him.
• Shinobu misunderstood Austin’s demand as romantic interest, while Hiyori urged her not to surrender so Kaido would die and Wano might be freed.
• Austin and Yamato listened to the conversation from a snack stall, and Austin said he would find Shinobu himself and that Kaido was not yet meant to die.

Austin refused to become Wano Country’s savior and took Shinobu away, while Kaido explained why he believed Austin could never be Joy Boy. Austin revealed that his plans involved a Great War.

• King and Queen captured Shinobu after she surrendered, refusing her demand that they release Kawamatsu.
• King delivered Shinobu to Austin, and Austin stopped King from silencing her as she pleaded with him to save Wano Country.
• Shinobu urged Austin to fulfill Oden’s prophecy, but Austin said he was no savior of Wano Country.
• Kaido joined Austin and argued that Austin could never be Joy Boy because he pursued only his own freedom and happiness.
• Austin took Shinobu with him, left Yamato behind, and told Kaido that the coming Great War would drag the entire world down with it.

Austin stayed in a border village in Wano to rest and considered using Shinobu’s Ripe-Ripe Fruit to age himself into greater strength. He rejected the idea, worried that advancing only his body’s age would leave his Haki and abilities underdeveloped.

• Kaido watched Austin leave and eagerly anticipated the Great War.
• Austin arrived at a village with the bound Shinobu and broke into a home, frightening Tama’s parents before assuring them he would not harm the baby.
• Austin rested while Seagull King massaged him and asked Shinobu about her Ripe-Ripe Fruit.
• Austin considered force-ripening himself to boost his strength but decided against it after thinking about Momonosuke’s limited growth.

Austin left Wano Country after helping Tama’s family, then brought Vegapunk the materials needed for Green Blood and the Seraphim project. Vegapunk revealed that the time machine had been repaired, and Austin considered traveling eight hundred years into the past.

• Austin shared a meal with Tama’s family, then brought them food and supplies as thanks for their hospitality.
• Austin spent some time with Tama’s family before leaving Wano Country aboard the Seagull King.
• Austin returned to Vegapunk’s laboratory with materials for several Seraphim, including a sample from a Ripe-Ripe Fruit user.
• Vegapunk told Austin that the time machine had been repaired, prompting Austin to consider visiting the era eight hundred years ago.

Austin agreed to investigate the erased century of history, accepting the danger of facing the powerful figures of that era. Before leaving for what might be many years, he contacted his subordinates, and Mihawk agreed to help maintain things while babysitting Perona.

• Vegapunk warned Austin that the erased century had been a dangerous age of monsters, including Imu, but Austin welcomed the challenge.
• Austin decided to leave immediately and return before Marineford Era 1520, trusting the Shichibukai to watch over his territory.
• Mihawk cooked dinner at his castle while Perona tried to sneak a dessert and complained that he was no fun.
• Austin called Mihawk to say he would be leaving the seas for many years, and Mihawk agreed to manage things in his absence.

Before disappearing for a few years, Austin contacted his Shichibukai allies and asked them to keep watch over things. He reached Hancock last, who answered angrily after he interrupted her bath.

• Austin teased Mihawk about raising Perona, and Mihawk ended the call after Austin greeted her.
• Austin told Crocodile he would be away for a few years and asked her to keep an eye on things, promising her a large territory later.
• Austin called Doflamingo and asked for his support, leaving Doflamingo to wonder why Austin kept vanishing from the seas.
• Austin asked Jinbe to monitor news from the seas, and Jinbe solemnly agreed.
• Austin visited Kuma and asked him for help, and Kuma eagerly promised to do it.
• Austin obtained Hancock's Den Den Mushi through CP0 and called her, but she berated him for disturbing her bath.

Austin arranged for Hancock to support the Shichibukai when needed and ensured Vegapunk could continue researching the Dark Sun God project during his absence. With the project set to move to a new laboratory, Austin prepared to depart.

• Austin contacted Hancock, who panicked at hearing his voice, and ordered her to do her part when the other Shichibukai took action.
• Austin gave Vegapunk a Den Den Mushi so he could summon the Shichibukai to help with research on the Shichibukai Seraphim.
• Austin said he would tell the Five Elders that Vegapunk was working for him and arrange protection for the research.
• Vegapunk began the Dark Sun God project, which would be conducted in a new laboratory rather than on monitored Egghead Island.
• Vegapunk wished Austin a pleasant journey.

After years without Austin, Ace set sail and began making a name for himself, drawing the Navy’s attention and meeting Shanks, who welcomed him because of his ties to Austin. In the New World, Ace set his sights on Whitebeard but was stopped by Jinbe, who had come on a mission from Austin.

• Austin awoke in a wilderness eight hundred years in the past and met Nefertari D. Lily.
• While Austin was gone, Shanks became an Emperor of the Sea, Mihawk continued roaming, and the world gradually forgot Austin’s legend.
• Ace set sail from Foosha Village as Rouge, Luffy, and the villagers saw him off, while Makino reassured Rouge that Austin’s people would protect him.
• Ace met Deuce, ate the Flame-Flame Fruit, and visited Shanks, who recognized his connection to Austin and shared a drink with him.
• Ace decided to challenge Whitebeard, but Jinbe confronted him, citing his debt to Whitebeard and a mission Austin had left behind.
• Ace and Jinbe began fighting with Fire Fist and Water Gun Wave.

Austin joined Queen Lily of Alabasta on the way to the war between the Great Kingdom and the Twenty Kingdoms, deciding he wanted to become the alliance’s twentieth king. Meanwhile, Ace received a sealed Devil Fruit from Jinbe, joined the Whitebeard Pirates, and eventually confronted Kaido on Onigashima, where he met Yamato, who called herself Austin.

• Austin met Queen Lily and rode with her as she traveled to join the alliance of twenty kingdoms.
• Austin considered the coming war and decided to seek a place among the Twenty Kings.
• After fighting Ace for five days, Jinbe gave him a box Austin had entrusted to him and told him not to open it for three years.
• Ace joined the Whitebeard Pirates as Second Division Captain and later went to Onigashima to confront Kaido.
• Ace fought Yamato, who introduced herself as Yamato, known as Austin.

Ace recalled meeting Yamato in Wano, where the two bonded over stories of Austin and made plans to sail together. Back in the present, the Whitebeard Pirates reacted to Austin’s name, and Marco revealed that Whitebeard once fought him in a battle that destroyed a gigantic island.

• Ace and Yamato drank together as she recalled Austin defeating Kaido and how Kaido shackled her afterward.
• Ace and Yamato grew close while sharing stories about Austin and the outside world, and Yamato learned that Austin had vanished from the seas while the Shichibukai still served him.
• Ace told Yamato about Luffy’s dream, prompting her to remember Austin’s explanation of why he did not seek to become Pirate King and to invite Ace to sail with her and Luffy someday.
• Yamato and Ace parted with promises to meet again, and Yamato said she would keep Ace’s Vivre Card safe.
• In the present, Ace remembered Austin’s influence in Wano, and Marco told him that Whitebeard had once fought Austin in a battle that destroyed a gigantic island.

Austin arrived to form an alliance with the twenty kings and demonstrated his overwhelming Conqueror’s Haki. Elsewhere, Ace learned of Austin’s duel with Whitebeard, who admitted Austin was a monster, while Kuma reunited with Ginny and Bonney after their treatments.

• Austin introduced himself to the twenty kings and released Conqueror’s Haki that shook the conference hall and frightened the gathered rulers.
• Ace learned that Whitebeard and Austin had fought to a draw, though the Whitebeard Pirates disputed claims that Austin had been stronger.
• Whitebeard told his crew that Austin surpassed other powerful pirates and was a monster of the current era, then promised to protect his family.
• Kuma embraced Ginny and Bonney after their treatments ended, and Dr. Vegapunk watched their happy reunion tearfully.

After Ginny and Bonney recovered from Azure Jade Scale, Kuma refused to join them on their promised sea adventure, choosing instead to guard Dr. Vegapunk’s secret experiments for Austin. The chapter ended with Kuma promising to reunite with Ginny and Bonney once the experiments succeeded.

• Ginny and Bonney were treated, and Bonney eagerly asked Kuma to travel the seas with her and Ginny.
• Kuma surprised his family by saying he could not leave with them, then brought Ginny and Dr. Vegapunk to a laboratory without surveillance.
• Kuma asked Dr. Vegapunk about Austin’s entrusted mission, and Dr. Vegapunk revealed that Austin had given him authority to mobilize the Shichibukai.
• Kuma refused Dr. Vegapunk’s offer to leave, insisting that he had to protect the experimental results for Austin.
• Ginny tearfully held Kuma, and Kuma promised to fly to her and Bonney once the experiment succeeded.

Austin met Imu and the Twenty Kings, while Vegapunk took Kuma to Austin’s secret research facility. The chapter ended with a winged, flame-covered woman named Renren appearing in the laboratory.

• Austin touched Imu’s wings and tail, then introduced himself to King Donquixote.
• Ginny took Bonney away by ship as Kuma watched them leave in tears.
• Vegapunk invited Kuma to help with an experiment and led him through a concealed passage to a secret submarine.
• Vegapunk and Kuma reached a hidden research facility inside a hollowed-out mountain.
• Renren threw darts at Kuma, and Vegapunk told him she was not an enemy.

Vegapunk showed Kuma the secret laboratory, where he introduced Renren and confronted Caesar before revealing the enormous embryo at the center of the experiment. He told Kuma that the embryo was Nika, leaving Kuma delighted and astonished.

• Vegapunk introduced Renren to Kuma as his assistant and a Seraphim whose highest command authority belonged to Mr. Austin.
• Vegapunk led Kuma through the laboratory and found Caesar berating researchers over lineage factor processing.
• Vegapunk threatened to report Caesar to Mr. Austin and contact Doflamingo, so Caesar swallowed his anger and returned to work.
• Kuma examined the giant embryo in the Nutrient Solution and asked Vegapunk what it was.
• Vegapunk told Kuma that the embryo was Nika.

Austin confronted a vast group of supermassive Sea Kings and lifted the fleet into the air, while Vegapunk struggled to awaken the Rubber Fruit. Elsewhere, Crocodile advanced her plans in Alabasta, and Doflamingo reacted angrily to seeing Luo in the newspaper.

• Austin identified the supermassive Sea Kings surrounding the fleet and raised his hand, causing the fleet to fly into the air.
• Vegapunk concluded that he could not awaken the Rubber Fruit soon and shifted his focus to the Seraphim Shichibukai.
• Crocodile read about the Whitebeard Pirates Second Division Captain and continued her plans to turn Alabasta into a military nation, while Nico Robin watched her.
• Trebol told Doflamingo that the Artificial Devil Fruit factory's output had fallen since Caesar left, and Doflamingo accepted the slowdown because Austin needed Caesar.
• Doflamingo saw Luo in the newspaper and vowed that the family traitor would never live well.

Austin escaped the ancient Great War after confronting Joy Boy and fell into the East Blue, where he landed aboard Alvida’s ship and began devouring its supplies. He recognized Koby and Alvida but left them frozen as he recovered, while Luffy set out on his journey in Marineford Era 1520.

• Joy Boy’s immense Conqueror’s Haki overwhelmed several of the Twenty Kings, and Austin recognized the figures gathered around him as allies of Joy Boy.
• Austin appeared in the East Blue, badly wounded, and Koby spotted him falling toward Alvida’s ship before Austin vanished into its hold.
• Austin ate the ship’s supplies to recover and recognized Koby, who warned him that Alvida would punish them both.
• Alvida confronted Austin over the stolen food, but Austin froze the crew with a glance and continued eating.
• Luffy punched the King of the Near Sea and began his journey in Marineford Era 1520.

Austin returned to the seas in the East Blue, contacted Umit, and went to check on Vegapunk’s Seraphim Project. He arrived at the hidden laboratory, where Kuma confronted him and asked where he would like to travel.

• Austin read about Ace’s activities in the newspaper and considered whether he would save him if he were captured.
• Austin vanished from the ship, leaving Koby to find his Wanted Poster and hear Luffy announce his ambition.
• Austin called Umit, who told him Vegapunk was still conducting experiments at a secret facility guarded by Kuma.
• Austin teleported into Vegapunk’s laboratory and asked how the experiment was going.
• Kuma stood between Austin and Vegapunk, asked where Austin would like to travel, and heard him answer, “Laugh Tale.”

Austin returned and inspected Dr. Vegapunk’s progress on Seraphim Nika, approving the results and promising more research funding. After hearing Austin was last seen in the East Blue, Mihawk decided to go there and look for him.

• Austin stopped Kuma’s paw attack with a touch and reunited with Dr. Vegapunk.
• Dr. Vegapunk showed Austin that Seraphim Nika had become a rubber man but had not achieved Nika’s true power.
• Austin approved the research, promised to bring Nika’s material, and authorized research spending of up to a hundred billion without consultation.
• Kuma told Austin that Ginny and Bonney had fully recovered, and Austin left for treatment with a Ripe-Ripe Fruit clone Seraphim.
• Umit leaked news of Austin’s return, and Mihawk decided to head to the East Blue after learning Austin was last seen there.

Zoro set sail on his quest to become the world’s greatest swordsman and agreed to join Luffy’s crew after confronting Axe-Hand Morgan’s Marines. Meanwhile, Austin recovered in a hospital, caught up on old acquaintances, and prepared to leave once his remaining injuries healed.

• Kuina set sail after losing ground to Zoro, and Zoro told Koshiro he was ready to go to sea and test himself against powerful opponents.
• Luffy brought Zoro all three of his swords, and Zoro declared his ambition before agreeing to join Luffy’s crew as they faced Axe-Hand Morgan’s soldiers.
• Austin read old newspapers and discovered that Crocodile had become a man, apparently through the Sickness-Sickness Fruit.
• Austin learned that he was more than halfway healed and could recover the rest naturally, so he prepared to leave the hospital.

Luffy and Zoro began their pirate adventure and recruited Nami, while Austin tracked down Buggy. Austin reunited with Buggy at a banquet in Cocoyasi Village, leaving Buggy overwhelmed with emotion.

• Luffy and Zoro set out in a small boat, defeated pirates on an island, and invited Nami to join their crew; she accepted while planning to steal their treasure.
• Luffy and his crew continued their adventures, while Austin decided to find Buggy after estimating when Buggy had been defeated and stranded.
• Austin used news coos to locate Buggy and saw a photograph of him surrounded by admiring pirates.
• Buggy celebrated his fifteen-million-Beli bounty with his subordinates in Cocoyasi Village, then grew quiet thinking about an old friend.
• Austin appeared at the banquet, and Buggy recognized him after Austin embraced him and said, “Long time no see, Buggy.”

Austin reunited with Buggy after nearly ten years, and the two celebrated with Buggy’s carefully perfected orange juice. As Buggy drunkenly vowed to become Pirate King, Austin watched over him and said he had always believed in him.

• Buggy tearfully welcomed Austin back, and Austin invited him to celebrate their reunion.
• Buggy revealed the orange juice he had spent years perfecting and served Austin a cup.
• Austin praised the juice as the best he had ever tasted, and he and Buggy began a joyful party with Buggy’s crew.
• Buggy drunkenly declared that he would become Pirate King, then fell asleep before finishing his boast.
• Austin caught Buggy’s falling body parts, watched over him beneath the moonlight, and said he had always believed Buggy could do it.

Buggy learned that Austin had left and that he had promised to become Pirate King, while Mihawk arrived at Baratie and faced Zoro. The chapter ended with Mihawk asking Zoro where he had gotten his black blade.

• Buggy woke to find Austin gone, and his lackey relayed Austin's warning that Buggy must keep his promise when they met again on the Grand Line.
• Buggy's crew reminded him that he had vowed to become Pirate King, then cheered for him as he struggled to hide his despair.
• Luffy and the others met Sanji at Baratie as Krieg's fleet approached, only for Mihawk to split the entire fleet in two.
• Zoro stepped forward to challenge Mihawk, declaring that he would become the strongest swordsman and fulfill his promise to Austin.
• Mihawk noticed the sword Zoro held between his teeth and asked where Zoro had gotten the black blade.