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.
Chapters 376–400 Vol. 4 Read

Ch. 376Dragging a Submarine Back from the Deep Sea Barehanded?

Austin captured most of the Supernovas and then pursued Trafalgar Law after learning he was escaping by submarine. He caught up with Law thousands of meters beneath the sea and began dragging the submarine toward the surface.

  • Austin defeated Drake and captured Hawkins, then sent Hawkins to guard the other captured Supernovas.
  • Hawkins told Kidd and the others that Austin had fought without using Haki and was far beyond them.
  • Austin learned Kuma was leaving for a government meeting and then went to the shore after hearing that Law planned to escape.
  • Hawkins divined that Law had a zero percent chance of escaping, and Austin plunged into the sea to pursue him.
  • Austin grabbed Law's submarine in the deep sea and began pulling it toward the surface, leaving Law and his crew alarmed.

Ch. 377Three-Way Split, Austin's Return Skin

Austin defeated Law and the Heart Pirates at Sabaody, then intercepted Sentomaru to let the Straw Hat Crew escape. As the crew split into three groups, each found an Austin waiting at a different entrance to Area 23.

  • Austin dragged Law’s submarine to shore and defeated Law and the Heart Pirates, using his Warp power to redirect Jean Bart’s punch.
  • The Straw Hat Crew barely defeated one Pacifista before Sentomaru arrived with another and forced them to retreat toward Area 23.
  • Austin stopped Sentomaru and ordered PX-4 to keep him from pursuing the Straw Hat Crew.
  • The Straw Hat Crew split into three groups, with Sanji, Franky, and Robin heading to Entrance A, Zoro, Brook, and Usopp to Entrance B, and Chopper, Nami, and King Luffy to Entrance C.
  • A different version of Austin appeared before each group: Demon King Gale Kick Austin at Entrance A, Divine Departure Austin at Entrance B, and Fist Bone Austin at Entrance C.

Ch. 378Zoro and Sanji's Strictest Father

Austin confronted Sanji and Zoro at separate entrances, testing them in battle while they tried to reach their crewmates. Sanji and Zoro fought on despite Austin's overwhelming strength, and their friends went to find Luffy and the others for support.

  • At Entrance A, Austin told Sanji to return home, but Sanji refused and sent Robin and Franky to find Luffy and the others.
  • Sanji attacked Austin with his strongest techniques, but Austin blocked his kicks and answered Diable Jambe with his own black-flamed Demon King Gale Kick.
  • At Entrance B, Zoro faced Austin and sent Usopp and Brook to find the others while he prepared to fight his master alone.
  • Zoro launched a series of sword attacks, but Austin casually defended until Zoro used Ghost Qi and Asura Nine Slashes.
  • Austin struck the injured Zoro with Divine Departure.

Ch. 379Desperate Straw Hat Crew, Austin's Oppressive Presence

Austin and his clones overwhelmed the Straw Hat Crew across Grove 23, leaving Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji badly injured while the rest of the crew faced Austin’s original body. The chapter ended with Luffy breaking down as the Summit War approached.

  • Nami fled with Chopper to warn the others while Luffy stayed behind to fight Austin at Entrance C.
  • Austin used the Warp Fruit and his Iron Fist of Love to batter Luffy, then evaded his attacks by foreseeing the future.
  • Nami and Chopper met Robin and the others in Grove 23, where both groups realized they had encountered different Austins.
  • Austin’s original body arrived and suppressed the crew with Conqueror’s Haki before bringing the injured Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji to the group.
  • Three Austin clones appeared beside the injured fighters, and the original body confronted the remaining Straw Hat Crew as Luffy burst into tears.

Ch. 380One Kick Each, Austin's Lesson

Austin kicked the Straw Hat Crew members away to different destinations, leaving King Luffy devastated, then explained to Rayleigh that they would survive and be trained. Austin and Rayleigh headed toward the center of the island, where a group of Supernovas remained chained up.

  • Austin whispered to Robin to work for the Revolutionary Army, then kicked her away before the Straw Hat Crew could stop him.
  • Austin kicked Brook, Sanji, Usopp, Zoro, Franky, Chopper, and Nami away one by one as King Luffy failed to protect them.
  • Austin kicked King Luffy away after taunting him about his weakness, leaving him weeping in the clearing.
  • Rayleigh arrived and questioned whether Austin had gone too far, and Austin reassured him that the Straw Hat Crew would not die.
  • Austin told Rayleigh that the crew had been sent to places he had visited, with King Luffy sent to Dullamos, and the two headed toward the chained Supernovas.

Ch. 381Working Supernovas, King-in-the-making's Approval

Austin forced the captured Supernovas to work off damages in Sabaody while Marines discussed his possible role in the coming war. King Luffy landed in Dullamos, where Old Gick recognized Roger’s legacy in him and heard him plead to find his crew.

  • Austin brought the Supernovas to their cell and assigned them jobs to repay the damage they had caused, while Hawkins read out their penalties.
  • Garp and Sengoku discussed Austin’s capture of the Supernovas and the approaching war with Whitebeard, and Sengoku said Austin had agreed to attend a World Government meeting.
  • King Luffy crashed into the royal palace in Dullamos and was restrained by Old Gick’s guards.
  • Old Gick learned Austin had sent King Luffy there and laughed that Roger’s inheritor had been defeated by his grandson.
  • Old Gick reassured King Luffy that Roger would not be crushed by a setback, then recognized Roger in the kneeling boy as Luffy begged to find his crew.

Ch. 382On the Eve of the Summit War, Austin Heads to Nine Snake Island

Austin spoke with Old Gick, who agreed to help Luffy reach Impel Down after learning Ace would be executed. As the Marines prepared for war against Whitebeard, Austin arrived aboard a warship headed for Nine Snake Island.

  • Austin told Old Gick that Whitebeard would most likely die in the coming war, and Old Gick asked whether Luffy's crew posed any grudge for Austin.
  • Luffy read that Ace would be publicly executed and vowed to save him, so Old Gick arranged permission to visit Impel Down.
  • Old Gick revealed to Luffy that Austin was his grandson, leaving Luffy stunned.
  • Sengoku ordered the Marines to gather the Shichibukai and learned that Jinbe had refused to attend.
  • Austin boarded a warship bound for Nine Snake Island and told the startled Marines he was only hitching a ride.

Ch. 383Hancock's Fall, Austin's Order

Austin arrived at Nine Snake Island after Hancock refused the Marines’ summons, and his brief call left her realizing she had fallen in love with him. He reached the palace, where Hancock eagerly obeyed him and Gloriosa saw that the island might have his protection.

  • Hancock rejected Vice Admiral Momonga’s order to attend the war, but Austin interrupted the call and left her flustered.
  • Gloriosa questioned Hancock and concluded that she had contracted the island’s lovesickness by falling for Austin.
  • Austin arrived at Nine Snake Island and told Momonga to remain aboard the warship while he went ashore alone.
  • Gloriosa dispersed the warriors surrounding Austin and escorted him to the palace with Hancock and her sisters following.
  • At the palace, Austin called Hancock closer, and she immediately obeyed while Gloriosa realized Hancock had no intention of resisting him.

Ch. 384Absolute Power, Hancock Under His Control

Austin visited Nine Snake Island to find out why Hancock feared him, then spent the night with her. By dawn, Hancock had become emotionally attached to him, while Austin remained in control of the situation.

  • Austin asked Hancock why she was so afraid of him after arriving on Nine Snake Island.
  • Elder Nyon secretly arranged for Hancock to be alone with Austin, hoping to protect Amazon Lily in the coming new era.
  • Hancock explained that CP0 had taught her to revere Austin as an unbeatable and influential man.
  • Austin took Hancock to bed, and the two spent the night together.
  • By dawn, Hancock was imagining marriage and children with Austin, while he smoked beside her.

Ch. 385Buggy and Third Brother, Little Sand's Second Escape from Impel Down

King Gick entered Impel Down to visit Austin, while Luffy and Buggy led a chaotic jailbreak as Blackbeard’s crew arrived. Luffy failed to reach Ace before he was taken away, but he freed Crocodile from Level 6 to help with the escape.

  • King Gick boarded a Navy warship with Doll and Luffy, then entered Level 6 alone while Luffy slipped away.
  • Luffy met Buggy, and they joined Mr. 3, Mr. 5, and other prisoners in a jailbreak before Ivankov sheltered them.
  • Ivankov told the escapees that Austin was the only person besides Golden Lion Shiki to escape Impel Down.
  • Blackbeard’s crew entered Impel Down, and Blackbeard asked Hades to locate a route to Level 6.
  • Ace learned from Jinbe that Luffy had come to save him, but guards took Ace away before Luffy arrived.
  • Luffy freed Crocodile from Level 6, and Crocodile agreed to help the escapees.

Ch. 386A Smooth Escape, Mr. 5 the True Man

King Luffy and the escaped prisoners made it through Impel Down’s Gate of Justice after Mr. 5 disguised himself as Austin and ordered it opened. Austin then arrived at Marineford with Hancock, where the Marines were preparing for the execution.

  • King Luffy fought Blackbeard until Jinbe stopped him, while Crocodile challenged Blackbeard and tried to recruit Hades before leaving.
  • Hades protected the Blackbeard Pirates from Magellan’s Poison Dragon, helping them escape his pursuit.
  • Jinbe warned the escapees that they still had to get through the Gate of Justice, and Buggy’s followers credited him when it opened.
  • Mr. 5 impersonated Austin and ordered the control staff to open the Gate of Justice, allowing King Luffy’s group to escape aboard a warship.
  • Austin watched the escape from a warship with Hancock, then arrived at Marineford and greeted Gion as the Marines prepared for the execution.

Ch. 387Old Acquaintances of Infinite Hell, Kin of Innate Observation

Austin arrived at Marine Headquarters for the coming war, where he rejected the Marines’ request to command from the rear and asked to sit beside Kuzan. Meanwhile, Blackbeard reached Impel Down’s Infinite Hell, where Hades confronted Douglas Bullet and an unseen prisoner recognized Hades as a fellow innate Observation Haki user.

  • Hancock imagined Austin choosing Gion over her, then followed him to the Shichibukai meeting room at Marine Headquarters.
  • Austin took his seat among the Shichibukai, noting that Jinbe and Blackbeard were absent.
  • Vice Admiral Tsuru asked Austin to command from the rear, but Austin requested a seat beside Kuzan instead.
  • Blackbeard reached Infinite Hell and offered the prisoners a chance to fight for a place among his companions.
  • Hades approached Douglas Bullet, who mistook him for Gaban, before an elderly prisoner said Hades was not Gaban and called him one of his kind.

Ch. 388Black Crew's Escape, Execution Begins

Hades provoked Bullet and Redfield into breaking out of Infinite Hell, and Blackbeard led the Black Crew in a desperate escape toward Marineford. As Ace’s execution began before a worldwide broadcast, Sengoku revealed that Ace was Gold Roger’s son, leaving Austin lost in memories of his final meeting with Roger.

  • Hades recognized Patrick Redfield and provoked him and Bullet into attacking Blackbeard’s group.
  • Bullet and Redfield unleashed their power, forcing Teach to flee with Hades and the Black Crew while the weaker escapees were cut down behind them.
  • At Marineford, Austin teased Kuzan as Marines mistook his smile for confidence before the coming battle.
  • Ace was brought to the execution platform, and Sengoku announced to the world that his biological father was Gold Roger.
  • Austin remembered drinking with Roger in Impel Down and heard Roger thank him as the firelight faded.

Ch. 389Please Enjoy the Game of War, Everyone

At Marineford, Whitebeard arrived to rescue Ace and challenged Austin to reveal where his loyalties lay. Austin refused to side with either faction, telling everyone to enjoy killing each other as the war began.

  • In Foosha Village, Rouge watched the broadcast in despair as Dadan and Makino restrained and comforted her, and she begged Austin to save Ace.
  • Sengoku announced that the Marines would wage war against Whitebeard to prevent Ace from becoming the next Pirate King.
  • A vast pirate fleet entered Marineford, and Whitebeard's ship, the Moby Dick, surfaced in the bay.
  • Whitebeard addressed Austin instead of Sengoku, while the Marines, Shichibukai, and watching world waited for Austin to choose a side.
  • Austin lit a cigarette and told both sides to enjoy killing each other, leaving the war's outcome uncertain.

Ch. 390War Begins, Austin's Wait

Whitebeard began the battle at Marineford with a Sea Quake, and the Marines and pirates clashed while Austin watched from the sidelines. As Mihawk tested Whitebeard with a massive slash and Demon Oars tried to reach Ace, Austin remained unmoved and dropped Oars with a glance.

  • Whitebeard raised a massive tsunami with a Sea Quake, and Kuzan froze it into a battlefield with Ice Age.
  • The Marines and Whitebeard Pirates began fighting while Austin watched in boredom and the Shichibukai stayed near him.
  • Mihawk slashed at Whitebeard, and Jozu blocked the attack but was badly wounded before Mihawk sheathed Yoru.
  • Borsalino and Akainu entered the battle as the admirals and Whitebeard's commanders clashed.
  • Demon Oars appeared and charged toward Ace, but Austin told him he was blocking the sunlight and felled him with a glance.

Ch. 391Only Austin Is Justice!!!

Buggy and the Impel Down escapees approached Marineford after the Marines exposed Buggy’s ties to Roger, Shanks, Rayleigh, and Austin, prompting the prisoners to rally behind him. As the escapees arrived amid the battle, Austin greeted Buggy and Crocodile, while Doflamingo declared that only Austin could define justice.

  • A Marine officer identified Buggy and Luffy as the main culprits behind the Impel Down breakout and revealed Buggy’s past as a member of Roger’s crew and his ties to Shanks and Austin.
  • Crocodile confirmed that Buggy had been close to Austin, and the prisoners became so impressed that Buggy claimed he had come to take Whitebeard’s head.
  • At Marineford, Austin noticed Koby and another person returning from the battlefield and called them deserters, making Sengoku sweat.
  • The Impel Down escapees’ warship fell toward Marineford, and Austin slowed Buggy’s descent before greeting him.
  • Crocodile hesitated over which side to fight, but Austin welcomed her and called the battle an increasingly interesting game.
  • Doflamingo controlled the fighters like puppets and declared that only Austin was justice.

Ch. 392Seagull King's Moment of Glory, Little Sand and Little Mingo

Austin sent his pet Seagull King to fight Marco while the Marineford battle grew more chaotic. As Luffy and his allies pushed toward Ace, Little Sand and Doflamingo clashed over an alliance, and Hancock followed Austin’s orders to attack both Marines and pirates.

  • Austin released Seagull King, which transformed into a giant bird with Conqueror’s Haki and a Mythical Zoan form, then slammed Marco into the ice and began suppressing him.
  • Luffy charged onto the ice with Jinbe and Ivankov, while Jozu returned to the fight after treating his wound.
  • Moria withdrew after Jinbe punched him, and Little Sand attacked both Marines and Whitebeard’s pirates before Jozu struck her.
  • Doflamingo restrained Jozu and invited Little Sand to join forces, but she rejected him and attacked with a sandstorm.
  • Hancock attacked Marines and pirates alike in Austin’s name, then imagined Austin praising her and asking her to marry him, irritating Smoker.

Ch. 393Austin Takes the Field, Buggy's Moment to Shine

Buggy encountered Whitebeard, who invited him to join forces against the Marines and Austin, while the underlings mistook the offer for proof of Buggy’s strength. As Mihawk tested King Luffy near the execution platform, Austin caught the battered Buggy and entrusted him with a live broadcast Den Den Mushi so he could make his name known.

  • Buggy panicked when Whitebeard recognized him, but Whitebeard invited him to team up against the Marines and suggested he might help deal with Austin.
  • Buggy agreed to speak with Austin, but Little Sand’s sandstorm blew him into the air before he could get far.
  • Mihawk challenged King Luffy, knocked Jinbe into the sea, and pursued Luffy until Buggy was used as a substitute and sliced apart.
  • Buggy reassembled himself and argued with Mihawk, who sent him flying before resuming his clash with Vista.
  • Austin caught Buggy, gave him Seagull King’s live broadcast Den Den Mushi, and urged him to make his name known across the world.

Ch. 394Whitebeard Takes the Field, the Return of a Former King

Austin encouraged Buggy to broadcast the Summit War, then helped King Luffy get closer to Ace before Whitebeard took the field. As Marineford was shaken by Whitebeard’s power, Blackbeard appeared and called on Austin to overturn the battlefield with him.

  • Austin gave Buggy a Den Den Mushi and told him to take his crew and broadcast the war, so Buggy led them away to find a place to film.
  • Austin confronted King Luffy, asked after Old Man Gick, and kicked Luffy beneath the execution platform, where Kizaru immediately sent him flying again.
  • Squard stabbed Whitebeard from behind, and Whitebeard embraced his son as Austin observed that age and illness had weakened him.
  • Whitebeard leaped down from the Moby Dick and cracked Marineford and the surrounding sea apart with his earthquake power.
  • Blackbeard appeared and invited Austin to continue their old war and overturn Marineford together.

Ch. 395The Fallen Hero, King of Backstabbing

Shiki attacked Marineford by sending countless islands crashing down, but Austin used his spatial power to arrange them safely around the headquarters. As the Marines trapped the Whitebeard Pirates inside an encirclement and began to overwhelm them, Austin unleashed a spatial annihilation attack that erased the walls and part of Marineford, drawing a fierce reaction from a watching figure.

  • Shiki sent countless islands toward Marineford, and Austin caught and placed them around the headquarters with his power.
  • Garp struck Shiki with a charged punch, sending him crashing into the ground.
  • Sengoku ordered the Marines to trap the Whitebeard Pirates behind encirclement walls and attack them with magma shells, Pacifistas, and cannons.
  • Mihawk warned Sengoku that Austin was also inside the encirclement, while Austin walked across the boiling seawater and saw the Whitebeard Pirates being driven back.
  • Austin unleashed spatial annihilation, erasing the encirclement walls and shaving away part of the Marine Headquarters building.
  • A tall, thin figure watched Austin's attack and shouted that he had finally made his move.

Ch. 396Chop-Chop the World Apart!

Austin destroyed the Marines’ encirclement wall and let Buggy’s crew restore the broadcast, which turned Buggy into a celebrated legend before Kuzan attacked him. Austin secretly protected Buggy by chopping apart Kuzan’s ice attack, leaving the witnesses convinced Buggy had unleashed his Devil Fruit’s power.

  • Austin emerged after destroying the encirclement wall, and Sengoku apologized rather than risk fighting him alongside Whitebeard.
  • Buggy’s crew resumed the broadcast with a modified Den Den Mushi and presented Buggy as a legendary pirate and Austin’s close friend.
  • Sengoku sent Kuzan to capture Buggy and his crew, and Buggy’s underlings pushed their terrified captain to the front.
  • Kuzan launched Ice Block: Raging Phoenix Beak at Buggy, who called out to Austin for help.
  • Austin’s Chop-Chop power shattered Kuzan’s ice attack and scattered Kuzan into fragments, while Buggy’s underlings credited Buggy with the feat.

Ch. 397Five Elders Enraged, Order Austin's Arrest

The Five Elders learned that Austin was researching how to create Joy Boy and ordered Sengoku to make him a target at any cost. Austin revealed that he had heard their order and stopped Akainu’s molten fist, leaving the Marines facing his intervention.

  • Garp knocked Golden Lion out of the air, but Golden Lion warned that more interesting fighters were heading toward Marineford.
  • A messenger told the Five Elders that Austin’s secret experiment aimed to create Sun God Joy Boy, and the Five Elders killed him in their fury.
  • The Five Elders ordered Sengoku to target Austin regardless of the cost, disrupting Sengoku’s confidence in the Marines’ impending victory.
  • Austin entered the battlefield between Whitebeard and Akainu, stopped Akainu’s molten fist, and told Sengoku he had heard the call through his Observation Haki.

Ch. 398The Three Admirals Join Forces, the War Would Not End Easily

After the World Government ordered Sengoku to classify Austin as an enemy, Sengoku sent the Three Admirals to hold him back while he faced Whitebeard. The Admirals attacked Austin together, and the chapter ended as Kaido’s voice rang out from the clouds.

  • Sengoku announced the World Government’s order to list Austin among the enemy forces, stunning the Marines and lifting the pirates’ spirits.
  • Sengoku transformed into a golden Buddha and assigned himself to fight Whitebeard and his commanders while ordering Sakazuki, Kuzan, and Borsalino to hold Austin back.
  • The Three Admirals approached Austin together, and Kuzan opened with a Haki-infused ice attack.
  • Borsalino launched a light-speed kick at Austin, but Austin countered and sent him flying before he returned to the formation.
  • Kaido called out from within the clouds, saying Austin had been right about the war being exhilarating.

Ch. 399Drunken Dragon Kaido, Is There Another Expert?

Kaido arrived at Marineford after Red-Haired Shanks tried to stop her, and she clashed with Akainu as the battle grew more chaotic. While Luffy neared the execution platform and Austin held Kizaru at gunpoint, Austin sensed that someone else was about to arrive.

  • Kaido descended onto the battlefield and told Austin she had left Jack behind after Shanks intercepted her.
  • Kaido saw Whitebeard near death, broke down crying, and transformed into her Drunken Dragon Form before Akainu attacked her.
  • Whitebeard continued fighting Sengoku, while Crocodile blocked Mihawk and explained that Austin had planned to rescue Ace.
  • Luffy advanced toward the execution platform as the fighting tied down the Marines, but Austin stopped Kizaru from intercepting him by aiming a gun at his head.
  • Austin looked toward the sky and said that the newcomers should be arriving soon.

Ch. 400Akainu vs. Kaido, a New Challenger Appears

Kaido and Sakazuki fought fiercely at Marine Headquarters while Austin observed, then sent them flying toward the harbor to face the Blackbeard Pirates. Meanwhile, King Luffy and Ace escaped their seastone handcuffs and fled with Third Brother as the chaos spread.

  • Kaido endured Sakazuki’s Great Eruption and struck him with Thunder Bagua, smashing him into the ruins of Marine Headquarters.
  • Kaido explained to Austin that years of powerful attacks had made his chest exceptionally tough through his Ogre physique and Azure Dragon Fruit.
  • Sakazuki emerged from the ruins and resumed fighting Kaido as Kuzan confronted Austin about making the war more chaotic.
  • King Luffy and Third Brother freed Ace from his seastone handcuffs, and the three fled under a barrage of bullets.
  • Austin redirected Kaido and Sakazuki with Warp Kick, sending them to the harbor where the Blackbeard Pirates appeared to be under pursuit.
Arc 16 of 30