Recaps

Mihawk learned that Austin had entrusted Zoro with Dark Crow and tested the young swordsman with the tiny knife from his necklace. Zoro’s attacks failed to touch Mihawk, leaving him stunned by the gap between them.

• Zoro told Mihawk that Austin had entrusted him with Dark Crow and that he intended to become the World's Greatest Swordsman.
• Luffy, Usopp, Nami, and Sanji reacted to learning of their connections to Austin, and Sanji clarified that Austin was his adoptive father.
• Mihawk decided to test the crew and drew the tiny cross-shaped knife from his necklace, saying he had no smaller knife.
• Zoro charged Mihawk with Onigiri, but Mihawk blocked all three swords with the tiny knife.
• Mihawk praised Zoro’s ferocious swordsmanship and recognized the influence of Austin, Rayleigh, Shanks, and himself in Zoro’s style.

Mihawk defeated Zoro but spared his life, urging him to grow stronger and surpass the swordsmen at the summit. As Sanji left Zeff and the crew sailed on, Austin reunited with Mihawk and asked him to travel to Alabasta.

• Mihawk recognized Austin’s influence in Zoro’s swordsmanship and tested Zoro’s resolve as Zoro refused to retreat, even at the risk of death.
• Mihawk drew Yoru and defeated Zoro’s Three Thousand Worlds, then spared him and challenged him to grow stronger and surpass the world’s powerful swordsmen.
• Mihawk stayed at the restaurant while Luffy and the others fought Krieg and prepared to leave, and Sanji tearfully thanked Zeff before departing.
• Austin revealed himself to Mihawk, teased him about being gentle, and asked him to go to Alabasta together.

Nami returned to Cocoyasi Village and discovered that Buggy had arrived to demand twice as many Perfect Oranges, leaving her desperate when she learned he had discarded the previous harvest. Buggy insisted on keeping a fresh supply ready for Austin, and Nami was left devastated by the revelation.

• Nami sailed toward Cocoyasi Village, hoping the treasure she had taken would help her family live free of the Buggy Pirates.
• A villager warned Nami that Buggy and his pirates had returned, so she hurried home and found them surrounding Bellemere and Nojiko.
• Buggy disarmed Bellemere and announced that the village must double its orange production without compromising quality.
• Nami tried to frighten Buggy by claiming the Straw Hat Pirates were close to Austin, but Buggy declared himself Austin's best friend.
• Nami demanded to know why Buggy required so many Perfect Oranges, and Buggy explained that he had thrown away the previous oranges after they expired while keeping a supply ready for Austin.

After the Buggy Pirates threatened Nami’s family, Nami finally asked Luffy for help, and he promised to stand by her. Meanwhile, Austin and Mihawk read that Luffy had defeated Buggy and discussed Mihawk’s future, while Austin wondered what might happen to Buggy and Little Sand.

• The Buggy Pirates left after demanding more from Nami, and Bellemere and the villagers prepared to fight them.
• Nami tried to keep everyone from risking their lives for her, but Genzo’s comfort broke through her defenses and she cried.
• Nami smashed an orange in rage until Luffy stopped her, and she tearfully asked him for help.
• Luffy put his straw hat on Nami’s head and promised to help her.
• Austin and Mihawk read that Luffy had defeated Buggy, and Austin wondered why Buggy had lost so easily.
• Mihawk said he was uncertain about his future, and Austin offered to find him work if he grew bored or caused trouble.

In Loguetown, Zoro reunited with Kuina and met Marine swordswoman Tashigi, who looked exactly like her. As the three discussed swordsmanship, Zoro revealed that Dracule Mihawk had defeated him and destroyed two of his swords.

• Austin and Mihawk arrived in Loguetown and reflected on how the town marked the beginning of their journeys and the end of Gol D. Roger’s life.
• Zoro encountered Tashigi after she knocked down two men, and her glasses broke when she tripped in front of him.
• Kuina arrived and offered to pay for Tashigi’s glasses, then reunited with Zoro and noticed he carried only one sword.
• Zoro explained that Dracule Mihawk had defeated him and shattered his other two swords, shocking Kuina and Tashigi.
• Zoro asked Kuina to lend him money so he could buy two more swords.

Austin and Mihawk sampled food in Loguetown before encountering Smoker and observing Zoro, Kuina, and Tashigi at a weapon shop. Smoker recognized Austin and planned to report his return to Marine Headquarters, while Zoro’s sword was identified as a stolen Great Grade blade.

• Austin sampled dishes from the cooking competition with Mihawk, who praised the knife work of one chef.
• Luffy asked Smoker for directions to Roger’s execution platform and ran off after receiving them.
• Smoker recognized Austin, remembered their childhood encounter, and stopped his soldiers from trying to arrest him and Mihawk.
• Austin told Mihawk that Smoker had watched Roger’s execution with them more than twenty years earlier.
• Mihawk spotted Zoro, Kuina, and Tashigi near a weapon shop and recognized Zoro as a promising swordsman.
• Tashigi identified Zoro’s sword as one of the 21 Great Grade Swords, Nether Raven Shadow, and Zoro admitted that he and his companions were pirates.

Kuina and Tashigi fought over Zoro and Dark Crow while Luffy searched Loguetown for Roger’s execution platform and spoke with a tavern keeper about Roger. Austin and Mihawk visited the tavern, where Smoker confronted Austin and was stopped at swordpoint after Austin claimed he had come to destroy Loguetown.

• Tashigi drew Shigure and attacked Zoro, determined to reclaim Dark Crow from an evildoer, while Kuina watched.
• Luffy asked a tavern keeper for directions to Roger’s execution platform, spoke with him about Roger, and toasted the eternal Pirate King before leaving.
• Austin and Mihawk arrived at the tavern, and the keeper recognized them as Black Spear and Hawk Eyes.
• Austin told the keeper he had come to see Roger’s hometown, and they reminisced about Roger and the Roger Pirates.
• Smoker entered the tavern and demanded to know why Austin had come to the East Blue.
• Austin said he had come to destroy Loguetown, and when Smoker prepared to attack, a black cross-shaped blade pressed against his neck.

Austin and Mihawk reached Loguetown’s execution platform after Mihawk easily defeated Smoker and Austin pointed him toward the Straw Hat Pirates. They watched Luffy declare he would become the Pirate King as Buggy prepared to execute him.

• Mihawk slashed Smoker and broke his jitte when Smoker tried to stop Austin, leaving Smoker injured and stunned by the gap in their strength.
• Austin gave Smoker a Wanted Poster of Luffy and told him to pursue the Straw Hat boy instead of confronting him.
• Austin and Mihawk discussed the young people shaping the era as they headed toward the execution platform.
• Bartolomeo challenged Austin and Mihawk with his barrier, but Austin struck him away with a casual swing.
• Luffy stood on the execution platform, declared he would become the Pirate King, and Austin told Mihawk that a future Pirate King was there.

Austin and Mihawk watched as Buggy prepared to execute Luffy in Loguetown, while Zoro and Sanji rushed to save him. Just before Buggy’s blade fell, lightning struck the platform and stopped the execution, leaving the crowd wondering whether gods existed.

• A strange storm gathered over the island as Nami, Smoker, and the others noticed the sudden change in the weather.
• Smoker brought Marines to surround the execution square after learning that Buggy and his crew had captured Luffy.
• Buggy prepared to execute Luffy while Zoro and Sanji fought their way toward the platform, and Austin recorded Luffy’s fearless smile.
• Austin said Luffy should live to stir up the world, then lightning struck the execution platform before Buggy’s blade could fall.
• Blue flames burned on the platform, and the shocked onlookers wondered whether gods existed.

Austin let Buggy face the Marines, confident he would escape or benefit from a stay in Impel Down. At Loguetown, the Seagull King protected the Merry from Buggy's underling and the Marines, while Nami and Usopp remained unaware that Austin had arranged the help.

• The execution platform collapsed, and Luffy retrieved his straw hat while Austin revealed that Dragon had already left the execution square.
• Buggy discovered he had survived the lightning and fire, but the Marines surrounded him and his crew; Austin left, expecting Buggy to escape or grow stronger in Impel Down.
• Mochi prepared to burn the Merry, but the Seagull King transformed into a gigantic bird and blasted Mochi and Rikky away with storm breath.
• The Seagull King destroyed the Marines' incoming cannonballs with wind blades as Nami and Usopp realized the bird was helping them.
• Nami celebrated their apparent luck, unaware that Austin had arranged the Seagull King's protection as compensation for her family's years of work growing tangerines.

Seagull King rescued Nami and Usopp and helped clear a path for King Luffy to escape Smoker, while Dragon intervened in Loguetown. Austin then whisked Buggy and the Marines pursuing him away, and Sengoku received word that Austin and Mihawk had appeared in Loguetown and decided to report it to the Five Elders.

• Seagull King swept the Marines and their fortifications away with a hurricane, allowing Nami and Usopp to reach the Merry.
• Dragon headed toward Seagull King, while Zoro struck King Luffy for trying to recruit the giant bird and Smoker captured him with his smoke powers.
• Dragon stopped Smoker from attacking King Luffy, and Dragon's wind carried Luffy and his companions out of danger.
• Buggy ran toward Austin as Smoker's Marines pursued him, and Austin teleported himself, another person, and Seagull King away while returning the pursuers to the shoreline.
• Sengoku received Smoker's urgent report that Hawk Eyes Mihawk and Dotol Austin had appeared in Loguetown, then decided to inform the Five Elders.

The Five Elders questioned Stussy about Saint Austin’s return, but she denied knowing anything and was allowed to leave. They discussed why killing her would be counterproductive and turned to Guernica for an update on CP0’s investigation into Vegapunk and Austin.

• Saint Mars asked Stussy whether she knew that Saint Austin had appeared at sea.
• Stussy denied knowing about Austin’s return and said she could not speak carelessly about a Celestial Dragon’s movements.
• Saint Warcury dismissed Stussy, arguing that killing her would let Sammy’s Red-Light District absorb the Pleasure District and provoke Austin.
• Saint Warcury reminded the Five Elders that Austin had challenged them when he was young and warned that his current strength and plans were unknown.
• Saint Peter asked Guernica what progress CP0 had made investigating Vegapunk and Austin’s mysterious operation.

Guernica reported that Austin’s secret research involved nutrient solutions and cultivation equipment, leading the Five Elders to suspect he was creating biological weapons. Meanwhile, Austin and Mihawk set off to travel the Grand Line, deciding to visit an old veteran first.

• Guernica told the Five Elders that Vegapunk’s group was conducting secret research for Austin, though CP0 had not found its location or purpose.
• Guernica reported that the research used nutrient solutions and cultivation equipment, and the Five Elders suspected it involved biological weapons.
• The Five Elders dismissed biological weapons as manageable but ordered CP0 to keep investigating Austin’s research.
• Austin told Mihawk he wanted to sail another circuit of the Grand Line to see interesting things.
• Mihawk chose to travel with Austin, and they decided their first stop would be the ship carrying an old veteran.

Austin and Mihawk traveled through Reverse Mountain to meet Crocus, where Austin explained that he had set sail to witness the coming New Era. After receiving intelligence that Fire Fist Ace was heading toward Alabasta, Austin began considering how to use Morgans and the news to stir up the seas.

• Austin and Mihawk entered Laboon's belly and reunited with Crocus at Twin Cape.
• Austin told Crocus he was not pursuing Laugh Tale or One Piece, but had set sail to witness the New Era Roger had predicted.
• Crocus encouraged Austin to witness the coming era for Roger, and Austin touched the sword he carried as a memento of the Old Era.
• Austin received a World Economic News Paper report from the Seagull King stating that Fire Fist Ace had appeared in the first half of the Grand Line and might be headed to Alabasta.
• Austin asked Morgans whether he would spread fake news when needed, and Morgans agreed.

Crocodile dismissed Straw Hat Luffy as a minor threat and trusted that Austin’s return would protect him from any consequences in Alabasta. Meanwhile, Austin asked Mihawk to help contain the World Government’s CP0 agents, and Mihawk agreed to head for the New World.

• Robin told Crocodile that Straw Hat Luffy had Princess Vivi and could cause trouble, but Crocodile said strength ruled the world and dismissed the threat.
• Crocodile revealed that he was focused on the other Shichibukai and believed Austin’s return meant neither the Marines nor pirates could judge him.
• Austin learned that CP0 was investigating his secret experiment and decided he needed a powerful Shichibukai to help keep them in check.
• Austin chose Mihawk because he was free to travel and capable of holding his own against a CP0 squad.
• Mihawk agreed to go to the New World, and Austin assured him they would meet again soon.

The Straw Hat Crew reassured Vivi that they would help reclaim Alabasta, but she warned them that Crocodile was a Shichibukai backed by Black Spear. When the crew realized Austin was the powerful figure behind the organization, they took comfort in believing he would support them, while the narration noted that both sides trusted Austin to take their side.

• Vivi admitted she doubted her strength against Crocodile, and Nami, Sanji, Zoro, Luffy, and Usopp promised to help her.
• Vivi warned the crew that Crocodile was a Shichibukai, and Sanji explained that the organization included powerful pirates such as Dracule Mihawk.
• Vivi revealed that Black Spear ruled the Shichibukai, and the crew relaxed when they learned the figure was Austin.
• The Straw Hat Crew and Baroque Works both believed Austin would support them, though the narration described him as famous for backstabbing.

Austin created the Supernova identity Hades to pass the time and drew attention with a 400 million Beli bounty. Meanwhile, Blackbeard Teach hid on Dra Island with Lafitte and Van Augur, who questioned why he feared the Whitebeard Pirates; Teach began to explain that his caution was not because of Ace.

• Austin read a report about Blackbeard Teach stealing the Dark-Dark Fruit and decided to confront him while using a new identity.
• Austin took to the sea as Hades, wearing an appearance modeled on young Uncle Gaban and wielding two axes.
• The World Economic News Paper publicized Hades, whose reported clashes and escapes from Shichibukai and Marine forces raised his bounty to 400 million Beli.
• Teach hid on Dra Island with Lafitte and Van Augur after defecting from the Whitebeard Pirates with the stolen fruit.
• Lafitte questioned Teach's caution, and Van Augur silently awaited his answer; Teach insisted he was not being cautious because of Fire Fist Ace.

Teach explained that he had taken the Dark-Dark Fruit from Black Spear Dotol Austin before he was supposed to receive it, then tried to recruit Hades as Vice-Captain of the Blackbeard Pirates. He offered Hades the secret of transferring Devil Fruit abilities, claiming even Vegapunk and Black Spear knew only an incomplete version.

• Teach told Lafitte and Van Augur that he feared Black Spear because he had taken the Dark-Dark Fruit from him without permission.
• Teach and his crew spotted Hades and decided to invite him, with Teach confident he could offer terms Hades would accept.
• Teach offered Hades the Vice-Captain position, and Hades pretended not to know him while declaring he would serve only a future World King.
• Teach claimed he alone had mastered the perfect method of transferring Devil Fruit abilities and that Vegapunk and Black Spear possessed only incomplete information.

Hades entertained Teach’s offer to join the Blackbeard Pirates and tested his strength against him, using his Gravity Fruit to wound Teach before Teach revealed his Dark-Dark Fruit. As Teach’s ability nullified Hades’s Devil Fruit power and pulled him closer, Hades declared that only Haki could transcend everything.

• Teach offered to make Hades his right-hand man and claimed he could help him master a second Devil Fruit ability.
• Hades agreed to join only if Teach defeated him, and the two clashed with axes and Armament Haki.
• Hades used Gravity Field to immobilize Teach and slash his chest, then claimed his Gravity Fruit made him unbeatable.
• Teach recovered and revealed the Dark-Dark Fruit, using Dark Hole to pull Hades in and suppress his Devil Fruit power.
• As Teach dragged him closer, Hades declared that only Haki could transcend everything.

Hades endured a three-day battle with Blackbeard before agreeing to join his crew, while Austin headed toward Alabasta as the Straw Hat Pirates encountered Fung Kley. Fung Kley’s final transformation stunned everyone and left the scene in silence.

• Hades and Blackbeard fought for three days until both were exhausted, and Hades agreed to join the Blackbeard Pirates if Teach became World King.
• Teach celebrated recruiting Hades and planned to find a ship’s doctor for his crew.
• Austin flew toward Alabasta after making a long-distance clone, intending to join the events surrounding the Straw Hat Pirates.
• Crocodile dismissed Marine Captain Smoker as a threat, while Nico Robin questioned whether the Marines could disrupt their plan.
• Fung Kley demonstrated his ability to copy people he had touched, then revealed his grand finale form and left the Straw Hat Pirates speechless.

The Straw Hat crew learned that Mr. 5 could transform into Dotol Austin and discovered he was one of Crocodile’s subordinates. After arriving in Alabasta, Luffy accidentally sent Ace and Smoker flying into each other, setting off a chase as Luffy declared he had come to defeat Crocodile.

• Mr. 5 transformed into Dotol Austin, shocking Vivi, Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, Nami, and Usopp.
• Mr. 5 revealed he had touched Austin and said the encounter had earned him Austin’s personal acknowledgment.
• After Mr. 5 departed, Vivi revealed he was one of Crocodile’s subordinates, and the crew landed in Alabasta.
• Ace searched for someone at a small restaurant in Alabasta when Smoker arrived and challenged him.
• Luffy’s surprise headbutt sent Ace and Smoker flying into each other, and Smoker recognized Luffy and accused him of thinking Austin’s territory would keep him safe.
• Luffy said he had come to defeat Crocodile, and Smoker and Ace pursued him together.

Austin grew bored watching the fighting in Little Alabasta and sent Seagull King to follow the others while he rested. Meanwhile, Teach’s Blackbeard Pirates planned to hunt powerful Devil Fruits, and Hades proposed making Austin’s Warp Fruit a future target.

• Austin joked with Seagull King about the three Logia users in Little Alabasta, then decided the fighting was too boring to watch.
• Austin told Seagull King to follow the group from above while he rested.
• Teach read reports about rumors that Black Spear had returned and told his crew they would begin their rise by hunting powerful Devil Fruits.
• Teach named Whitebeard’s Tremor-Tremor Fruit as his own first target, and his crewmates shared what abilities they wanted.
• Hades suggested that after Teach became a Dual Devil Fruit User, the crew should target Austin’s Warp Fruit, leaving Teach sweating as he tried to hide his unease.

Teach planned to capture Ace and provoke a war between the Whitebeard Pirates and the Marines, while Crocodile pursued control of Alabasta and the Ancient Weapon Pluton. After learning Robin would not confirm that the Poneglyph revealed Pluton’s location, Crocodile attacked her and vowed to build a military nation with Austin’s support.

• Hades encouraged the Black Crew’s officers to seek powerful Devil Fruits, but Teach redirected the discussion toward capturing Ace and starting a war with the Whitebeard Pirates.
• Ace left Luffy and his companions to continue searching for Blackbeard, while Austin worried about his recklessness and lack of strength.
• Crocodile defeated Luffy in the desert, drained his arm, and pierced his chest with her golden hook, but Robin saved him.
• Crocodile captured King Cobra and questioned him before heading underground to investigate the Poneglyph.
• Robin told Crocodile that the Poneglyph recorded only history, so Crocodile declared her useless and pierced her stomach with the golden hook.
• Crocodile announced that she would seize Alabasta and find Pluton, then combine it with Austin’s wealth and influence to create a formidable military nation.

Vivi begged Austin to save Alabasta, offering the country’s loyalty, while Luffy defeated Crocodile in the collapsing underground palace. Luffy declared that he would send Austin flying too if Austin ever harmed his companions or destroyed a country, leaving Vivi despairing and Austin suppressing a smile.

• Vivi watched the rebels and royal army slaughter one another and pleaded with Austin to save Alabasta in exchange for the country’s loyalty.
• Crocodile told Luffy that her ambition was only part of the investment made by Black Spear and boasted about Austin’s power.
• Luffy used his blood to hit Crocodile and battered her with Storm Gatling, knocking her unconscious.
• Luffy declared that he would send Austin flying too if Austin ever hurt his companions or destroyed another country.
• Vivi’s expression changed to despair, while Austin struggled to suppress a smile.

Austin left Alabasta after summoning rain and urging Vivi to do her best as its future queen, while the Straw Hat Pirates helped bring the war to an end. Smoker defied the World Government’s orders and tried to arrest Crocodile, only for a tall figure to appear beside her.

• Austin dismissed Vivi’s concerns, summoned a storm that brought rain to Alabasta, and departed after calling her the future queen.
• Igaram brought a child who revealed Mr. 2 had impersonated the King, prompting the rebels and royal forces to lay down their weapons.
• The Straw Hat Pirates met Cobra carrying Luffy, and Zoro later asked Vivi what she wanted to tell them about their future.
• Smoker accused Crocodile of harming Alabasta and defied the World Government’s order to let the Shichibukai go free.
• A tall figure appeared beside Crocodile and addressed Smoker after he hung up on the World Government.