Recaps

Austin stopped the Beasts Pirates from killing Toki and Hiyori, though Momonosuke was sent twenty years into the future with a serious injury. After Austin left Kaido and the Beasts Pirates behind, the surviving samurai thanked him at their temporary base, but Toki stopped them from asking him to save Wano.

• King and Queen surrounded Toki, Hiyori, and the remaining Kozuki Clan members while King restrained Yamato.
• Austin attacked King and Queen to disrupt Toki's time transfer, and a frightened Beasts Pirates grunt accidentally shot Momonosuke as he was sent into the future.
• Toki and Hiyori escaped with the surviving samurai, while Austin remained behind as the Beasts Pirates hesitated to confront him.
• Austin vanished before Kaido could strike him, leaving Kaido, the Beasts Pirates, and a protesting Yamato behind.
• At a temporary base, Toki, Hiyori, Denjiro, Kawamatsu, and the other survivors thanked Austin, and Toki stopped a samurai from asking him to aid Wano.

Austin agreed to look after Toki’s future child if he had the chance, then went to a pleasure house in Wano and refused to pay its exorbitant bill. The madam threatened to accuse him of soliciting sex, and Austin replied that not paying meant it did not count as paying for sex.

• Toki told Austin that a savior would arrive in Wano twenty years later, and Austin confirmed the prophecy.
• Toki begged Austin to look after her child in the future, and Austin gave her a limited promise.
• Toki died after leaving words that foretold the future, while Austin chose not to interfere.
• Austin visited a pleasure house, ordered massages and music, and attracted the madam’s attention with his lavish spending.
• The madam demanded ten thousand platinum from Austin and threatened to accuse him of soliciting sex if he refused to pay.
• Austin laughed and argued that if he did not pay, it did not count as paying for sex.

Austin killed the samurai who tried to attack him and waited for Wano’s shogun, Orochi, to arrive. Kaido warned Orochi that Austin was too powerful to stop, leaving Orochi terrified and despairing.

• Austin froze the samurai sent to attack him, killed them, and told the surviving madam to contact Orochi and wait for him.
• Orochi panicked over Austin’s approach while Denjiro, disguised as Kyoshiro, knelt before him and concealed his hatred.
• On Onigashima, Kaido scolded Yamato for idolizing Austin, then ordered her confined after she insisted she would go to sea.
• Orochi called Kaido for help, and Kaido told him that Austin was a monster even he might not defeat and that no rescue would help.
• Kaido ended the call, reasoning that Austin likely had a personal grievance with Orochi rather than a plan to seize Wano Country.

Austin confronted Kurozumi Orochi in the Shogun’s palace after Orochi’s men provoked him, and forced the desperate ruler to agree to secretly hand over part of Wano Country’s Seastone production. Orochi became Austin’s double agent, though Kaido’s response remained uncertain.

• Austin lounged on the Shogun’s throne while Orochi and the samurai begged for mercy, then reminded Orochi that his men had provoked him.
• Austin pinned Orochi’s eight heads to the floor with blades and explained that Orochi was more useful alive than dead.
• Orochi promised to offer Austin anything he wanted, and Austin demanded a portion of Wano Country’s Seastone production.
• Orochi protested that Kaido’s men controlled the mines, but Austin threatened to kill him unless he found a way to comply.
• Orochi agreed to act behind Kaido’s back, becoming Austin’s double agent under the codename Eight-Headed Snake.

Silvers Rayleigh maintained order in Austin’s Sabaody territory while enjoying his retirement, until Dracule Mihawk arrived and challenged him to a formal swordsmanship duel. Mihawk declared he had found the path to the world’s strongest swordsmanship, leaving Rayleigh to face his request.

• Austin traveled through the New World after resolving his grievances with Milk Dragon and Taotao, while his crew pursued their own journeys.
• Silvers Rayleigh drank at Shakky’s bar in Sabaody, where pirates recognized him as the Dark King and the Pirate King’s former vice-captain.
• A group of Ox-Horse Pirates challenged Rayleigh, but he swiftly knocked them down without leaving his seat.
• Dracule Mihawk arrived at the bar and told Rayleigh he had found the path to the world’s strongest swordsmanship.
• Mihawk asked Rayleigh for a formal swordsmanship contest, declaring that he would not regret it even if he died.

Mihawk challenged Dark King Rayleigh, and their Conqueror's Haki clash shook Sabaody Archipelago before they moved their duel away from Shakky's bar. Their sword fight left Mihawk wounded but still pushing his limits against the legendary swordsman.

• Mihawk and Rayleigh unleashed their Conqueror's Haki, knocking out everyone nearby and sending black-red lightning into the sky across Sabaody Archipelago.
• Shakky stopped their confrontation at her bar, and Mihawk told her to seek double compensation from Austin.
• Rayleigh and Mihawk began their duel, trading powerful sword slashes as the Seagull King photographed the fight.
• Mihawk continued fighting despite accumulating wounds and demanded that Rayleigh attack him with the resolve to kill him.
• Rayleigh answered Mihawk with an even more domineering slash and said he had always been serious.

Mihawk honed his swordsmanship while exchanging blows with Rayleigh. Crocodile attacked Sakazuki’s Marine warship to test her strength, and the chapter ended with Sakazuki apparently cut in half by her sand blades.

• Rayleigh and Mihawk clashed, and Mihawk rapidly improved his swordsmanship by learning from Rayleigh’s experience.
• Crocodile learned that Sakazuki was passing nearby and ordered her captured pirate crew to sail toward his warship.
• Sakazuki asked whether Dotol Austin was aboard, then ordered his Marines to pretend they had not seen Crocodile.
• Crocodile attacked the warship with a Sandstorm, and Sakazuki retaliated with Canine Red Lotus.
• Crocodile’s sand blades struck Sakazuki and severed him from the waist upward.

Crocodile attacked Sakazuki, lost, and was taken to Marine Headquarters, leaving Kong and the Marine leaders unsure how to handle her. Sammy decided to contact the Marines about her release, and the chapter ended as the World Government informed Kong that Austin's side had begun asking about Crocodile.

• Crocodile ambushed Sakazuki and attacked him with her sand powers, but Sakazuki fought back with magma.
• Crocodile fled to a deserted island, and Sakazuki pursued her; their battle destroyed the warship, and Crocodile was captured.
• Sammy learned that Crocodile had been taken to Marineford and decided to use Austin's influence to seek her release.
• Kong and the Marine leaders debated what to do with Crocodile, while Sengoku remained in Kong's office.
• Kong answered an urgent Den Den Mushi call, and the caller said Austin's side had begun asking about Crocodile.

The Five Elders revealed to Kong and Sengoku that Crocodile was Saint Austin’s companion and proposed recruiting her into the Shichibukai. They outlined other candidates for the plan, which was nearing implementation.

• Saint Saturn learned that Sengoku was present and confirmed that Crocodile was Saint Austin’s companion, while Kong also reported her attacks on the Navy.
• Saint Nusjuro rebuked Kong for letting his anger over Navy losses affect his attitude toward the Five Elders.
• Saint Saturn told Kong that the Five Elders were not demanding Crocodile’s unconditional release and raised their plan to use pirates to restrain pirates.
• Kong recognized the plan as the Shichibukai system, and the Five Elders confirmed that Crocodile met their requirements.
• The Five Elders named Dracule Mihawk, Donquixote Doflamingo, Gecko Moria, Hanafuda, and Kuma as other tentative candidates.

Sammy learned that the World Government would only release Crocodile if she joined the Shichibukai, and decided to consult Austin rather than act without his approval. Meanwhile, Austin prepared to return to Paradise, but Sammy’s call interrupted him before he could set out.

• A CP0 agent told Sammy that Crocodile would remain detained unless she agreed to join the Shichibukai, despite Sammy invoking Austin’s influence.
• Airi complained about the World Government’s slave-catching ships, and Sammy revealed that Austin had approved their capture of the three sisters.
• Sammy decided to contact Austin about Crocodile and asked Airi where Enel had gone; Airi said he was hunting pirates for bounty money after spending his allowance at the Red-Light District.
• Enel refused the Navy’s offer to join, and the Navy issued him a 1,936,000,000 Beli bounty as Austin’s companion.
• Austin, traveling through the New World, decided to return to Paradise through the Holy Land, but Sammy called and interrupted him.

Sammy informed Austin that Crocodile had been captured after clashing with Sakazuki, and that the World Government would release her if she joined the Shichibukai. Austin approved her nomination and Mihawk’s, leaving Sammy to relay his decision and contact Doflamingo.

• Sammy told Austin that Crocodile had been captured and the World Government had made joining the Shichibukai a condition of her release.
• Austin approved Crocodile’s nomination and said he would also support Mihawk joining.
• Sammy contacted Mihawk, who resisted until she explained that Austin wanted him to accept; he then agreed.
• Sammy called Doflamingo in Dressrosa and told him she was acting on Austin’s instructions.

Doflamingo learned that Austin had secured him a place among the Shichibukai, while Austin returned to Mary Geoise by floating a passenger ship over the Red Line. Lip then told Austin that he had gathered groups of three sisters for him, leaving Austin confused.

• Sammy told Doflamingo that his name was on the Shichibukai list, and Doflamingo said Austin had reserved the position for him.
• Austin boarded a passenger ship near the Red Line and learned it belonged to Umit, one of his businesses.
• Austin ordered the ship to cross the Red Line, and the captain agreed to follow his command.
• Austin floated the ship up to Mary Geoise, where Lip and a group of Cipher Pol agents welcomed him.
• Lip escorted Austin toward his villa and explained that he had brought back groups of three sisters from across the seas, leaving Austin baffled.

Austin freed nearly all the enslaved girls in his villa but kept Boa Hancock and her two sisters as his slaves, then returned to Sabaody Archipelago. He reunited with Mihawk, who wanted another swordsmanship match, but Austin reminded him that Little Sand still needed to be released.

• Lip showed Austin a villa holding hundreds of enslaved girls, many of them sisters, and Austin ordered him to release everyone except the three sisters he recognized.
• The black-haired girl identified herself as Boa Hancock, and Austin claimed Hancock and her two sisters as his slaves while forbidding Lip from capturing more slaves for him.
• At Sabaody Archipelago, Austin told Lip to inform the Five Elders that he fully supported the Shichibukai plan.
• Austin reunited with Mihawk, who described his journey challenging swordsmen and proposed another match with Austin.
• Austin reminded Mihawk that Little Sand still had not been released.

After ending his swordsmanship duel with Mihawk, Austin suggested that Mihawk fight Shanks instead and learned how Shanks and Buggy had been doing. Austin decided to visit both former companions, eager to see the Red-Haired Pirates and Uta.

• Austin stopped his swordsmanship duel with Mihawk, who objected to Austin holding back.
• Austin told Mihawk that Shanks shared his swordsmanship roots and offered him as a worthy opponent.
• At Shakky's bar, Rayleigh and the others examined Wanted Posters showing Shanks's 339-million-Beli bounty and Buggy's 9-million-Beli bounty.
• Austin decided to visit Shanks and Buggy, whom he had not seen in five or six years.

Shanks and the Red-Haired Pirates encountered Austin and Mihawk after finding a baby hidden in a treasure chest. Austin reunited with Shanks and joined the crew’s celebration, where Beckman and Mihawk commiserated over their unreliable captains.

• Shanks and Beckman discussed a newspaper report about Hawk Eyes fighting Mr. Rayleigh before Yasopp spotted an approaching pirate ship.
• The Red-Haired Pirates defeated the treasure-laden crew and found a baby in one of the chests.
• Austin appeared aboard the Red Force, surprising the crew, and Shanks joyfully recognized his old friend.
• Austin and Shanks reunited, and Shanks ordered a party to welcome him while Mihawk assessed the crew.
• Beckman and Mihawk shared their frustration with their captains as Shanks got drunk and talked excitedly with Austin.

Austin helped Shanks care for infant Uta aboard the Red Force, encouraging Shanks to embrace his role as her father while joking that he could be her godfather. Meanwhile, Yasopp resolved to challenge Austin, the legendary World's Greatest Sniper, and Hongo reluctantly let him go.

• Austin teased Shanks as he struggled to make Uta laugh, then soothed her himself and made her giggle.
• Shanks worried that life with the Red-Haired Pirates might not be the right home for Uta, but Austin reminded him that adopting her made him her father.
• Austin offered to be Uta's godfather, prompting Shanks to snatch her back and insist that he was her only father.
• Hongo noticed Yasopp staring at Austin with battle intent and tried to stop him.
• Yasopp told Hongo he wanted to challenge Austin to pursue his dream, and Hongo loosened his grip.

Yasopp challenged Austin to a sniper duel while Mihawk challenged Shanks to a swordsmanship contest, and both accepted. After Austin teleported the Red Force to an uninhabited island, Shanks invited him to join the Red-Haired Pirates, but Austin refused, saying the New Era had no ship that could carry him.

• Yasopp decided to challenge Austin despite expecting a crushing defeat, while Mihawk resolved to challenge Shanks's swordsmanship.
• Mihawk told Beckman that he wanted to compare swordsmanship alone, and Beckman agreed not to interfere.
• Mihawk challenged Shanks, and Yasopp challenged Austin; Shanks and Austin both accepted.
• Austin used his ability to teleport the Red Force to a nearby uninhabited island, impressing the crew.
• Shanks invited Austin to join the Red-Haired Pirates, but Austin refused, calling himself a remnant of the Old Era.

Austin rejected Shanks’s offer to join forces, revealed he knew Shanks’s Celestial Dragon heritage, and urged him to work hard despite his powerful family. On a deserted island, Austin defeated Yasopp in a sniper showdown, leaving Yasopp wounded but accepting the loss.

• Austin told Shanks he would not join forces with him and asked when he planned to return to the Holy Land.
• Austin revealed that he was technically a Celestial Dragon, and Shanks said he had no plans to return to the Holy Land yet.
• Austin urged Shanks to work hard, mentioning his twin brother and father, then warped himself and Yasopp to the deserted island for a sniper contest.
• Yasopp fired first, but Austin caught the bullet between two fingers and said Yasopp still had room to improve.
• Austin shot Yasopp in the right shoulder, and Yasopp accepted the wound as part of a gunfight.

After defeating Yasopp in a sniper duel, Austin watched Shanks and Mihawk begin a swordfight and predicted Mihawk would win if they limited the contest to swordsmanship. Austin proposed a wager with the Red-Haired Pirates, leaving Beckman wary as several crew members accepted.

• Austin defeated Yasopp in a quick sniper duel, and Shanks and the crew helped Yasopp tend his wounds.
• Mihawk challenged Shanks, and Austin teleported them to the island’s center to fight while the Red-Haired Pirates watched from the Red Force.
• Austin said either swordsman could win a fight to the death, but Mihawk would prevail in a swordsmanship-only match.
• A clash between Shanks and Mihawk’s attacks severed a mountain peak and sent a slash toward the Red Force, which Austin made vanish.
• Austin offered a wager: the loser would owe him a favor and grant him a request, and several Red-Haired Pirates agreed while Beckman suspected a trap.

Mihawk defeated Shanks in a swordsmanship duel, and the Red-Haired Pirates learned they owed Austin a favor after betting against him. At the banquet, Austin declined Shanks's invitation to travel together and said he was heading to East Blue to see Buggy.

• Mihawk and Shanks clashed with their swords, and Mihawk wounded Shanks more severely, winning the duel.
• Shanks accepted his loss and praised Mihawk as the World's Greatest Swordsman.
• Beckman explained that the Red-Haired Pirates owed Austin a favor, and Shanks warned them never to bet or compete against Austin.
• Austin wrapped Little Hawk in bandages, and the Red-Haired Pirates held a lively banquet despite their losses.
• Shanks invited Austin to travel with the crew, but Austin said he was going to East Blue to see Buggy.

Austin left Shanks and Mihawk, then found Buggy in an East Blue town and reunited with him. He gave Buggy treasure maps as an apology, and Buggy eagerly accepted them, trusting Austin's maps were genuine.

• Austin told Shanks that his news-delivering seagulls had helped him find Buggy, then left the Red Force with Mihawk.
• Buggy sent Mochi and Lion Rikky to deal with suspicious people near the town, but they returned badly beaten.
• Buggy examined East Blue islands where oranges grew and considered taking over Cocoyasi Village because it had few Marines nearby.
• Austin appeared at Buggy's circus tent, and Buggy recognized him and rushed to embrace him in tears.
• Austin apologized for not contacting Buggy and gave him treasure maps, which Buggy accepted with confidence.

Austin reunited with Buggy, praised his Devil Fruit ability as a counter to swordsmen, and joined the Buggy Pirates’ feast. Buggy shared the oranges he had collected for Austin and vowed to find the world’s best ones someday.

• Buggy discovered Austin’s treasure maps marked East Blue islands, unaware Austin had drawn them and arranged for treasure to be buried at each location.
• Austin introduced Buggy to Mihawk as a swordsman’s nemesis, and Mihawk tested Buggy with a slash that passed through him without injury.
• Austin explained that Buggy’s ability prevented slashes from touching his body and reconnected Buggy after the strike.
• Austin feasted with Buggy and his crew, whose members were stunned that their captain was friends with the Black Emperor.
• Buggy brought out a cartload of oranges he had collected for Austin and promised to find the world’s best oranges someday.

Austin reunited with Buggy and explained that Roger had reached Laugh Tale too early, revealing that the Great Treasure would only be obtainable in about twenty years. He showed Buggy an Eternal Pointer to Laugh Tale and offered to help him become the Pirate King.

• Austin, Buggy, Mihawk, and Buggy’s crew made orange juice together and shared a toast.
• Austin and Buggy reminisced about their lives, and Austin told Buggy about his recent encounter with Shanks.
• Austin explained that Roger had arrived at Laugh Tale too early and that the time to obtain the Great Treasure would come about twenty years later.
• Buggy questioned why Roger had passed his will to Shanks instead of Austin, and Austin said giving up the Great Treasure had been his own choice.
• Austin showed Buggy an Eternal Pointer marked Laugh Tale and asked whether Buggy wanted to become the Pirate King, promising to help him.

Austin encouraged Buggy to consider becoming Pirate King but left him time to decide, then set out with Mihawk to recruit Moria for the Shichibukai. The chapter ended with a Marine again asking imprisoned Crocodile whether she would join the Shichibukai.

• Austin told Buggy that he could become Pirate King, but Buggy doubted he was worthy and did not decide.
• Austin and Mihawk spent several days with Buggy before leaving, and Austin invited Buggy to visit Sabaody Archipelago.
• Austin said he planned to settle the Shichibukai matter and chose Gecko Moria as his next target.
• Crocodile read newspapers in Impel Down while wondering why Austin had not come to free her.
• A Marine approached Crocodile's cell and asked whether she had reconsidered joining the Shichibukai.

Sengoku persuaded Crocodile to accept a position among the Shichibukai by telling her that Mihawk had joined with Austin’s support. Austin then visited Moria to ask whether he would join the Shichibukai and bear Austin’s name to pursue revenge on Kaido.

• Sengoku tried to persuade Crocodile to join the Shichibukai, but she refused to be compared with Doflamingo.
• Sengoku told Crocodile that Mihawk had joined with Austin’s support and that Austin had not come to rescue her.
• Crocodile relented and agreed to serve as one of the Shichibukai.
• Austin froze the zombies in Moria’s territory and approached Moria’s castle.
• Moria confronted Austin, who asked whether he would join the Shichibukai and use Austin’s name to take revenge on Kaido.