Recaps

Austin overwhelmed Smoker and the others in Alabasta, restored Crocodile to Little Sand, and left her to be taken to Impel Down. The Straw Hat Pirates learned that Austin had heard Luffy’s challenge and would await them on their journey.

• Hina and Tashigi saluted Austin, while his Conqueror’s Haki forced Smoker to his knees and knocked out the Marines and civilians nearby.
• Austin identified the Sickness-Sickness Fruit’s effect on Crocodile, removed the illness from himself, and used Conqueror’s Haki to restore her to Little Sand.
• Austin said Little Sand should spend time studying in Impel Down, then vanished; Smoker contacted Fleet Admiral Sengoku to report his appearance.
• The Straw Hat Pirates discussed Austin’s presence in Alabasta, and Vivi revealed that he had asked her to tell them he would be waiting on their journey.
• Usopp told Chopper that Luffy had promised to punch Austin into the sky, leaving the crew terrified that Austin had heard the challenge.

After Alabasta’s temporary victory, the Straw Hat Pirates worried over Luffy’s threat to challenge Austin, then found resolve in the need to surpass powerful opponents. Meanwhile, Doflamingo told Austin that the World Government had uncovered his biological-weapons experiments, deepening the strain between them.

• At Alabasta’s banquet, Luffy’s threat to send Austin flying alarmed the Straw Hat Pirates, who warned him that Austin was stronger and more dangerous than Mihawk.
• Luffy insisted he would challenge Austin if necessary because he had to surpass every obstacle to become Pirate King, and the crew eventually accepted his resolve.
• Doflamingo told Austin that the World Government had discovered evidence of biological-weapons experiments, though the details remained secret.
• Doflamingo reported that Mihawk had killed several CP0 agents and that the World Government would grow more suspicious, further worsening relations with Austin.
• Austin remained calm and said he was prepared to abandon his plans if the World Government threatened Old Gick.

Austin spoke with Doflamingo about the Shichibukai meeting and Bellamy while Crocodile remained imprisoned, and the Blackbeard Pirates arrived at Rogue Town. The Five Elders learned that Red-Haired and Whitebeard had been in contact and decided they needed to appoint a new Shichibukai quickly.

• Austin used Observation Haki to see Little Sand imprisoned, then learned from Doflamingo that Bellamy had borrowed his name and that Doflamingo was heading to a Shichibukai meeting.
• Little Sand woke in Crocodile's body in a Marine cell, and Smoker told her she had been stripped of her Shichibukai title and would be sent to Impel Down.
• The Straw Hat Pirates and the Blackbeard Pirates arrived at Rogue Town, where Blackbeard let his crew roam freely and Hades set off to kill.
• A Marine told the Five Elders that Red-Haired and Whitebeard seemed to have been in contact, and the Elders ordered their movements observed without rash action.
• Saint Nusjuro said the World Government needed to appoint a new Shichibukai after Crocodile's arrest.

The Five Elders decided to fill Crocodile’s vacant Shichibukai position and chose Enel as their suggested candidate, while ordering the Marines to convene a meeting. The meeting began at Marine Headquarters with Doflamingo and Kuma present, but the chapter ended before the Shichibukai discussed the vacancy.

• The Five Elders agreed that the Shichibukai ranks needed to be restored and directed Cipher Pol to continue investigating Austin.
• Garp, Sengoku, and Tsuru received the World Government’s orders to send Crocodile to Level 6 of Impel Down and convene a Shichibukai meeting.
• The World Government recommended Enel as a candidate to replace Crocodile.
• Doflamingo and Kuma arrived at Marine Headquarters for the meeting.
• Doflamingo used his strings to make two Marines fight until Sengoku entered and ordered him to stop.

Mihawk and Lafitte attended the meeting to discuss Crocodile’s replacement as a Shichibukai, and Teach was put forward as a candidate. Elsewhere, Austin called Sammy to say he was returning to the Sabaody Archipelago and warned that it might soon become lively.

• Mihawk arrived at Marine Headquarters and said he had arranged everything at the site he had left behind.
• Mihawk said he was interested in the pirates involved, including Luffy’s crew and Zoro.
• Lafitte recommended his captain, Teach, as Crocodile’s replacement, and Mihawk said Austin had mentioned Teach before.
• Mihawk told Lafitte to go and make Teach’s name known across the seas.
• Austin called Sammy and told her he was on his way back to the Sabaody Archipelago.

Sammy and the residents of Sabaody Archipelago celebrated Austin’s return, while he called Mihawk and Hades as events unfolded around them. The chapter ended with a mysterious attacker confronting a World Government vessel in the New World.

• Sammy and Austin’s two maids spread the news of Austin’s return and planned a celebration in the Red-Light District.
• Rayleigh heard about Austin’s return and studied Hades’s new 412-million-Beli Wanted Poster, noting how much he resembled Gaban.
• The Blackbeard Pirates tried to pursue Luffy’s ship toward Sky Island, but Hades used psychokinesis to keep them from falling into the surging current before dozing off.
• Austin called Hades and learned from Mihawk that Lafitte had appeared at a Marine Headquarters meeting; Mihawk also raised the matter of a laboratory.
• Guernica and the CP0 agents aboard a World Government vessel were attacked by forces in the sky and beneath the ship, as an unseen enemy unleashed a thunderstorm and a tsunami shoulder throw.

Austin prepared to return to Sabaody Archipelago, while Mihawk agreed to visit Perona because Moria was expected to lose to the younger generation. At Shakky’s bar, Rayleigh and Shakky discussed Austin’s strength and their refusal to use Pure Gold before Austin arrived.

• Austin learned that Enel and Fisher Tiger were guarding the sea area together and planned to return to Sabaody Archipelago.
• Austin urged Mihawk to visit Perona, and Mihawk agreed after remembering how much she feared loneliness.
• At Shakky’s Bargain Bar, Shakky teased Rayleigh about Austin’s popularity and Doll’s interest in him.
• Rayleigh said Austin might be stronger than Shanks and compared him to Rocks, while he and Shakky declined to use Pure Gold to preserve their strength or beauty.
• Austin entered the bar and teased Rayleigh and Shakky for talking about him behind his back.

Austin told Rayleigh and Shakky about traveling to the past, joining the Rocks Pirates, and fighting Roger, Garp, Saint Garling, and Rocks. Meanwhile, the Blackbeard Pirates found the Straw Hat Crew on an island, but Marine Admiral Aokiji appeared before they could attack.

• Austin explained that he had spent two years in the past as a Rocks Pirates captain and had fought four powerful opponents, killing Rocks after a deadly battle.
• Rayleigh and Shakky listened to Austin’s account, and the three shared a drink before Austin left for his headquarters.
• King Luffy’s group left Sky Island after defeating Foxy’s group and reached a deserted island.
• Teach’s Blackbeard Pirates followed Hades’s guidance to the island where the Merry was docked, intending to confront the Straw Hat Crew.
• A freezing chill startled the Blackbeard Pirates, and they recognized Marine Admiral Aokiji.

Kuzan encountered Blackbeard’s crew while heading to check on Luffy, then recognized the disguised Dotol Austin and attacked. Teach and Hades fought back, while the Straw Hat crew watched from the forest as Aokiji faced the Black Crew.

• Luffy and the Straw Hat crew heard a commotion on the shore and went to investigate, hoping to find a Sea King.
• Kuzan rode toward the island to check on Garp’s grandson and encountered Teach’s crew preparing to capture Luffy.
• Teach tried to avoid a fight by telling Kuzan that his crew was nominated to become Shichibukai, but Hades stepped forward and challenged the admiral.
• Kuzan unleashed his freezing power after recognizing Dotol Austin despite his changed appearance, and Teach countered with the Dark-Dark Fruit while Hades attacked with his axes.
• Teach and Hades exchanged blows with Aokiji as Burgess was frozen, while Robin recognized the admiral from her childhood.
• Hades spotted the Straw Hat crew hiding in the forest and mocked them for being afraid to fight the Marines.

Hades and Kuzan fought while Luffy rushed into the battle, and Kuzan recognized Robin as the survivor of Ohara. Hades escaped with Teach’s crew after taunting Luffy and threatening Kuzan, leaving the Straw Hats to face the Admiral.

• Hades and Kuzan clashed as Luffy shouted that he would become Pirate King and charged toward them.
• Kuzan froze the sea with Ice Age, but Hades cut the ice apart with a flurry of axe slashes.
• Luffy attacked with Storm Rifle, and Kuzan was shattered into ice before reforming in front of him.
• The Straw Hats rushed out of the forest, and Kuzan recognized Robin as Nico Robin, the Ohara survivor.
• Hades and Teach’s crew escaped on a flying raft while Luffy tried to pursue them and Zoro and Sanji held him back.
• Hades warned Kuzan not to interfere or Garp’s grandson could die, leaving Kuzan furious as the Straw Hats remained behind.

Austin heard reports from Sammy about his underworld operations and decided Tesoro’s growing arrogance would eventually require a warning. Meanwhile, Ace confronted Blackbeard on Banaro Island, where Hades stepped forward to fight him using Gaban’s appearance and style.

• Sammy told Austin that Doflamingo had expanded his dealings, Hancock had sent women from Nine Snake Island to guard the Sabaody Red-Light District, and Tesoro had invited Austin to the Golden City.
• Austin dismissed Tesoro’s invitation and said he would visit when he chose, planning to give him a warning about his place in Austin’s organization.
• Austin learned that Luffy had reached a 300-million-Beli bounty and was headed toward Sabaody, while Mihawk sailed toward the same destination and Ace was captured.
• On Banaro Island, Ace found Blackbeard’s group, and Hades stopped Van Augur from shooting at Ace before volunteering to fight him.
• Hades drew his twin axes and prepared to teach Ace a stern lesson by imitating Gaban’s appearance and fighting style.

Hades defeated Fire Fist Ace while Blackbeard watched, then Teach planned to hand Ace over to the Marines. Meanwhile, King Luffy’s group arrived in the Thriller Bark region, where Mihawk said he had come to see a girl.

• Hades used his Armament Haki to block Ace’s Fire Gun and charge through the flames.
• Hades cut Ace with an X-shaped slash and knocked him unconscious before he could use Great Flame Emperor.
• Hades carried Ace back to Teach, who praised his rapid Haki growth and grew concerned about his potential.
• Teach said the Blackbeard Pirates would hand Ace over to the Marines and head to Marineford.
• King Luffy’s group arrived in the Thriller Bark region, where Mihawk said he had come to see a girl.

Kuma visited Moria’s castle, then sent Perona away with his power after the Straw Hat crew arrived at Thriller Bark. Perona landed on the island where she had grown up, while Kuma and Mihawk continued on their separate journeys.

• Moria refused Kuma’s offer to help him deal with the Straw Hat crew, who had come to defeat him.
• After Moria left, Kuma admitted to Mihawk that he had come to give Luffy and his crew more trials because Luffy was the son of his friend.
• Perona tried to stop Nami from leaving with the Sunny, but Kuma brushed away her ghosts and sent her away with his ability.
• Kuma asked Nami whether Luffy had an older brother, then left to continue his work.
• Kuma told Mihawk he had sent Perona to her island, and Mihawk declined an offer to follow her because he planned to meet Austin.
• Perona arrived at the old castle on her island, saw the gathering baboons, and complained that Kuma had sent her flying there.

After the Straw Hat Crew narrowly defeated Moria, Kuma appeared on Thriller Bark under orders to eliminate them and broadcast the fight live for Austin. With the crew overwhelmed by Kuma, Usopp seized the broadcast Den Den Mushi and stopped Kuma from attacking, leaving the confrontation at a standstill.

• Luffy and the Straw Hat Crew defeated Moria together, though everyone was badly injured.
• Kuma arrived among the ruins, set up a Den Den Mushi to broadcast the fight, and announced that he had come to eliminate the crew.
• Austin watched the broadcast as Kuma effortlessly deflected the crew’s attacks and overwhelmed them.
• Zoro and Sanji failed to hurt Kuma, and the crew neared defeat as Kuma prepared to strike Luffy.
• Usopp stepped forward, landed a cut on Kuma’s shoulder with Rashomon, and threatened to crush the broadcast Den Den Mushi.
• Kuma stopped moving, while Austin laughed at Usopp’s gambit.

Austin learned from Kuma that the Straw Hat Crew had escaped Thriller Bark, with Zoro gravely injured, and expected them to reach the Sabaody Archipelago next. He used Kuma's ability to remove a vast amount of fatigue, then invited Kuma to visit the island with Bonney.

• Usopp tried to protect the Den Den Mushi by threatening Kuma, but Austin made it come alive, smile, and end the broadcast.
• Kuma struck Usopp down, and the Straw Hat Crew escaped Thriller Bark with Zoro severely wounded.
• Kuma flew to Sabaody Archipelago and told Austin what had happened after the broadcast ended.
• Austin asked Kuma to extract his fatigue, producing a huge bear-paw bubble that refreshed him and reset his cooldown.
• Austin tossed several men into the bubble, draining them of their energy and shrinking it.
• Austin offered Kuma free access to Sabaody's businesses, and Kuma said he wanted to bring Bonney to the amusement park.

Robin warned Luffy and the Straw Hat Crew that the Sabaody Archipelago was Austin’s territory, but they had no way to avoid stopping there. As the crew arrived with Hachi and Camie, they were suddenly immobilized by an unknown presence.

• Robin told the Straw Hat Crew that Sabaody was the main base of [Black Spear] Austin, who commanded the Shichibukai, and Franky recalled meeting him as a child.
• Nami realized the crew had to reach Sabaody to coat the Sunny for the journey to Fish-Man Island and urged Luffy to keep a low profile, but Luffy eagerly agreed to go.
• Austin learned that Supernovas were expected to arrive at Sabaody and decided to handle them himself because he was bored.
• Mihawk left after Marine Headquarters summoned the Shichibukai and asked Austin whether he would attend the major event; Austin said perhaps.
• The Sunny reached Sabaody with Hachi and Camie, but the Straw Hat Crew suddenly became unable to move as footsteps sounded across the deck.

Austin subdued the Straw Hat Crew, challenged them to meet him in Area 23 of the Sabaody Archipelago, and left them determined to face him. As Supernovas arrived and pirates caused chaos, Austin took charge of dealing with them and heard that a Celestial Dragon had come to the island.

• Austin froze the Straw Hat Crew, taunted them, and challenged them to come to Area 23 if they wanted to prove themselves.
• Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji chose to pursue Austin, and the rest of the crew agreed to go with them after resupplying.
• Austin reached the outskirts of the Sabaody Archipelago, told the guards to leave the pirate troublemakers to him, and reviewed a list of Supernovas.
• Austin overheard people say that a Celestial Dragon had arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago and gone to the auction house.

King Luffy’s crew learned that Austin was a Celestial Dragon and the powerful former pirate known as [Black Spear], while the Supernovas gathered on Sabaody Archipelago. When Eustass Kid and Scratchmen Apoo were about to fight, Austin arrived and paralyzed them.

• Shalria and Charlos walked through Sabaody Archipelago, where the civilians knelt and King Luffy was restrained from intervening when a slave was abused.
• The starfish explained that harming a Celestial Dragon could bring a Marine Admiral, and revealed that Austin was a Celestial Dragon and a legendary figure known as [Black Spear].
• Kid dismissed Austin’s reputation and said his goal was to cross the Red Line and defeat the Four Emperors.
• Kid and Apoo began fighting after Kid took offense at Apoo, and their crews prepared to clash.
• Austin’s guards formed an honor guard as Austin arrived, leaving Kid, Apoo, and their crews unable to move or speak.

The Straw Hat Pirates visited Shakky’s bar to find Rayleigh and learned that a dangerous figure on Sabaody was targeting the Supernovas. Austin confronted Eustass Kid, Killer, and the other pirates, trapping Apu’s group and summoning a massive Iron of Space Susanoo.

• Hachi guided the Straw Hat Pirates to Shakky’s bar, where Shakky told them Rayleigh might be at Soap Bubble Amusement Park.
• Shakky warned Luffy that the danger on Sabaody came from Austin, not from the eleven pirates with bounties over a hundred million.
• Austin appeared before Eustass Kid, Killer, and the other pirates, and Shakky’s local witnesses identified him as the Black Spear.
• Apu tried to flee, but Austin snapped his fingers and returned him and the fleeing pirates to their starting point.
• Kid formed a giant mechanical arm from nearby metal and challenged Austin, who made the metal within ten thousand meters vanish and summoned a three-headed, six-armed Iron of Space Susanoo.

Austin effortlessly defeated the Kid Pirates’ strongest fighters while reading reports, leaving the Supernovas terrified of his power. He then headed toward a tavern where Bonney might be, while Charlos and his companions approached an auction house hoping to buy a mermaid.

• Austin summoned a towering three-headed, six-armed Susanoo, and Kid charged at him after Austin mocked the Kid Pirates.
• The Susanoo cut off Kid’s mechanical arm and sliced through the Yarukiman Mangroves, leaving Kid unconscious and the Kid Pirates in despair.
• Apu discovered that his attempts to escape or attack Austin’s group were being turned against him, while Killer charged Austin in defense of Kid.
• Killer’s blades passed harmlessly through Austin, who flicked him down with a Rankyaku slash before deciding to visit a tavern where Bonney might be.
• Charlos and his companions heard distant explosions near the Donquixote Family auction house and discussed buying the captured mermaid there.

Luffy punched Charlos at the auction house, sparking a fight and prompting the Marines to contact Austin to handle the incident. Austin instead focused on the Supernovas he had captured, then confronted Hawkins and asked him to divine his odds of dying that day.

• Nami resolved to bid on Camie, but Charlos stunned the auction hall by offering 500 million Beli.
• Luffy punched Charlos, and the Straw Hat Pirates fought the Celestial Dragon guards as Shalulia demanded Marines and warships.
• Sengoku called Austin about the attack, and Austin agreed to handle the incident on Sabaody before hanging up.
• Austin told the captured Supernovas he intended to wipe them out, while Kid remained shackled with his severed arm bandaged.
• Austin found Bonney eating and approached Hawkins, asking him to divine the odds of dying that day.

Austin tested Hawkins’s divination, recruited him, and encountered Bonney, who blamed Austin for keeping her father Kuma away. After Bonney attacked him, Austin used Haki to resist her power and said he would become young to fight her.

• Austin made Hawkins divine his fate, and Hawkins predicted zero chances of victory, defeat-free escape, death, or survival.
• Austin invited Hawkins to become his subordinate, and Hawkins agreed to follow him while reserving judgment.
• Austin ended the silence around them, prompting Bonney and the tavern patrons to recognize him as the powerful man with a 4.049 billion Beli bounty.
• Bonney demanded that Austin return her father Kuma and attacked him with her age-changing power.
• Austin resisted Bonney’s strike with Haki and said he would become young to make their fight more interesting.

Austin resisted Jewelry Bonney's age-altering power and defeated Capone Bege, while Hawkins and Bonney were captured. Austin left the story preparing to pursue the remaining Supernovas.

• Austin used Haki to limit Bonney's power, returning his body to around eighteen or nineteen years old while retaining much of his Haki.
• Bege ordered his men to attack Austin, but Austin turned Bege's underlings against him with a snap of his fingers.
• Bege transformed into Big Father and attacked Austin, who caught the castle, hurled it into the air, and defeated him with a kick.
• Hawkins used his straw abilities to carry everyone away from Austin's landing, and Bege was captured and added to the Supernova group.
• The guards bound Bonney with Seastone, while Hawkins said Austin would defeat the remaining Supernovas as Austin checked his list.

Austin gathered several captured Supernovas and confronted Urouge and a Pacifista on Sabaody, while Luffy’s crew escaped with Rayleigh and learned about Roger’s crew and Austin’s past. Rayleigh warned them that Austin might be even stronger than Roger had been.

• Austin’s group reached a plaza where Urouge fought a Pacifista, which recognized Austin and cleared a path for him.
• Bonney mistook the Pacifista for her father, but Austin explained it was only a robot before kicking Urouge.
• Rayleigh helped Luffy’s crew escape the auction house, and Law used his Devil Fruit ability to evade a Pacifista.
• At Shakky’s bar, Rayleigh told Luffy’s crew that Roger had turned himself in and recounted the Roger Pirates’ disbandment.
• Rayleigh revealed that Austin, Shanks, and Buggy had been apprentices aboard Roger’s ship and said Austin might be stronger than Roger had been.

Rayleigh explained Austin’s ideals and told the Straw Hats that he possessed an Eternal Pointer to Laugh Tale, while Luffy reaffirmed his desire to seek freedom on his own adventure. Meanwhile, Austin continued capturing the Supernovas and demonstrated his awakened Warp Fruit after Hawkins appeared to cut off his head.

• Luffy refused to hear what One Piece was and said he wanted to find it through his own adventures, believing the Pirate King was the freest man.
• Rayleigh said Austin pursued absolute freedom and happiness for himself, and revealed that Austin had an Eternal Pointer leading to Laugh Tale.
• The Straw Hats left for Area 23 together after Usopp insisted that companions should stay together.
• Austin knocked Urouge down with a Warp Kick and challenged Hawkins to fight as Drake charged at him.
• Hawkins’s attack seemed to cut off Austin’s head, but Austin explained that he had connected his head and neck with his awakened Warp Fruit ability.