Arc 16Marineford’s Shifting Sides
Austin captured the Supernovas, scattered the Straw Hat Crew, and became entangled in the upheaval surrounding Ace’s execution. As Marineford’s war escalated and the World Government declared Austin an enemy, Luffy freed Ace while Austin redirected Kaido and Sakazuki toward the harbor.
- Austin defeated Drake, captured Hawkins and Law, and confronted three groups of Straw Hats with his clones before sending the crew to distant places and bringing their injured leaders to Rayleigh.
- Austin assigned the captured Supernovas work to repay their damage, then traveled to Nine Snake Island, where Hancock revealed her reverence for him and spent the night with him.
- Luffy escaped into Impel Down, joined the jailbreak, and freed Crocodile, while Blackbeard’s crew entered the prison and Hades helped them evade Magellan.
- At Marineford, Sengoku revealed Ace’s lineage, Whitebeard’s fleet arrived, and Austin refused to choose a side as the battle began.
- Austin subdued Marco, encouraged Buggy to broadcast the war, and later destroyed the Marines’ encirclement walls before the World Government ordered Sengoku to treat him as an enemy.
- Kaido joined the battle, Luffy advanced toward the execution platform, and Austin stopped Kizaru from intercepting him as he waited for more arrivals.
- Luffy and Third Brother freed Ace from his seastone handcuffs, and Austin used Warp Kick to send Kaido and Sakazuki toward the harbor where the Blackbeard Pirates appeared to be under pursuit.