Recaps

Austin tried to recruit Moria, who refused and attacked him, so Austin demonstrated a spatially collapsing technique before using Perona to stop Moria's assault. The chapter ended with Austin handing the sleeping Perona to Mihawk while Moria confronted the threat to someone he cared about.

• Moria rejected Austin's offer and unleashed a swarm of shadow bats at him.
• Austin used Godly Chibaku Tensei to compress the shadows into a sphere, then threw it into the sea and blasted a vast crater into the ocean.
• Moria challenged Austin to kill him, then attacked with Giant Shadow Horn Spear after Austin taunted him.
• Austin produced the sleeping Perona, freezing Moria's attack and shocking him into stopping.
• Austin teleported Perona into Mihawk's arms, and Mihawk protested as Austin claimed she was destined to be with him.

Austin persuaded Moria to show him respect in Shichibukai matters in exchange for protecting Perona, then Mihawk accidentally woke her and was struck by her ghost ability. Mihawk quickly recovered, but Austin kept the embarrassing photographs he took.

• Austin offered to protect Perona if Moria showed him respect regarding Shichibukai matters, and Moria agreed.
• Austin told Mihawk he would be responsible for looking after Perona, while Mihawk protested.
• Perona woke in Mihawk's arms, and Mihawk panicked when she began to cry.
• Perona's ghosts passed through Mihawk and overwhelmed him with feelings of inferiority and dejection.
• Mihawk recovered within seconds, then angrily demanded that Austin delete the photographs Austin had taken; Austin refused.

Crocodile returned from Impel Down and discovered that Austin and Mihawk had sailed off together while she remained in prison. After Austin returned, she confronted him, and he realized she had been left behind while refusing to join the Shichibukai.

• Mihawk tried to seize Austin's Den Den Mushi, but Austin used his Warp Fruit ability to keep it out of reach and promised not to spread what it contained.
• Crocodile returned to Sabaody Archipelago and visited Sammy, who told her Austin and Mihawk had sailed away together two months earlier.
• Crocodile grew furious after learning Austin and Mihawk had been gone while she was imprisoned, and she spent several days in a foul mood.
• Austin and Mihawk decided to travel to Fish-Man Island to meet a future Shichibukai candidate and revisit the island.
• Crocodile grabbed Austin by the collar and demanded to know why he had forgotten her, and Austin realized she had stayed in prison while he and Mihawk were away.

Austin and Mihawk heard Crocodile’s account of meeting Douglas Bullet in Impel Down, where Bullet learned about Austin’s rise and declared him a new goal. Austin suggested Bullet might not remain imprisoned, leaving open the possibility of his return in the New Era.

• Crocodile told Mihawk that she had encountered a powerful old rival in Impel Down who might be connected to Austin.
• Crocodile recalled choosing the cell beside Bullet’s and telling him Austin would come to free her.
• Bullet recognized Austin’s name and listened as Crocodile described his rise after Roger’s death.
• Bullet celebrated Austin’s strength and declared that he finally had another goal: becoming the World’s Strongest.
• Austin said that Bullet might not stay in Impel Down because anything could happen in the New Era.

After spending an extended period overseeing his underworld businesses on Sabaody, Austin decided to sail to Fish-Man Island with Mihawk and Crocodile. He arranged for Rayleigh to coat the Oro Jackson and recruited Hachi as their guide.

• Austin inspected his organizations, approved funding for Tesoro's golden ship, and warned Sammy that the mermaid trade would likely decline as events around Fish-Man Island unfolded.
• Austin told Sammy that he and his companions were going out to sea to have some fun.
• Austin, Mihawk, and Crocodile visited Shakky's bar and asked her to have Rayleigh coat the Oro Jackson.
• Hachi arrived at the bar, tried to retreat when he saw Austin, and was invited inside.
• Austin grabbed Hachi by the collar and asked him to guide the group around Fish-Man Island.

Austin and his companions had Rayleigh coat the Oro Jackson and descended toward Fish-Man Island, where they encountered Whitebeard. Crocodile questioned why Austin could not become Pirate King, and Austin explained that he did not meet the conditions to claim Roger’s Great Treasure and had other ambitions.

• Rayleigh agreed to coat the Oro Jackson and apologized to Austin for excluding him from the New Era, but Austin said he intended to surpass Roger rather than pursue the title of Pirate King.
• Crocodile demanded to know why Austin could not become Pirate King, and Austin explained that he was not an inheritor of Roger’s will and had no ambition to obtain the Great Treasure.
• Crocodile said she would recognize no Pirate King other than Austin and later declared that she would kill any future Pirate King who disappointed her.
• Austin and his companions descended in the coated Oro Jackson, passed unharmed among the Sea Kings, and arrived at Fish-Man Island.
• Crocodile and Mihawk saw Whitebeard’s ship, and Whitebeard recognized Austin as a young man from Roger’s ship.

Namur pleaded with Whitebeard to help protect Fish-Man Island from pirates capturing merfolk and fish-men, and Whitebeard decided to lead the Whitebeard Pirates there himself. Marco warned that the mission could bring them into conflict with Dotol Austin’s underworld forces, but Whitebeard ordered the crew to set sail.

• Namur begged Whitebeard to save Fish-Man Island from the surge in slave raids, and Whitebeard embraced him and promised to go.
• The Whitebeard Pirates cheered as Whitebeard prepared to set out, while Marco and Teach remained troubled.
• Marco warned that the pirates’ enemies might include Dotol Austin, whose territory and influence were tied to the nearby Sabaody Archipelago.
• Whitebeard acknowledged the danger of fighting Austin and his powerful allies but declared that he would not back down.
• Whitebeard ordered the Whitebeard Pirates to sail for Fish-Man Island.

Whitebeard arrived at Fish-Man Island and drove off the pirates trafficking its residents, claiming the island as his territory. Austin then appeared aboard the Oro Jackson, and his clash with Whitebeard left Fish-Man Island caught between their overwhelming Haki.

• Whitebeard and the Whitebeard Pirates rescued Fish-Man Island’s residents from pirates and traffickers, and Whitebeard declared the island his territory.
• The Oro Jackson approached, prompting Whitebeard and his commanders to recognize the ship from Roger’s crew.
• Austin’s Conqueror’s Haki swept across Fish-Man Island, knocking down residents and many members of the Whitebeard Pirates.
• Whitebeard countered Austin’s Haki, and their clash split the ground and churned the undersea currents.
• Austin confronted Whitebeard about entering his territory without greeting him, and Whitebeard answered with a Tremor-Tremor slash.
• Austin drew Ace and countered with Falling Sky: Divine Departure.

Austin and Whitebeard clashed on Fish-Man Island, with Austin nearly matching the World's Strongest Man. King Neptune intervened to stop them before their battle destroyed the island, leaving Fish-Man Island's allegiance unresolved.

• Austin and Whitebeard's Haki shook Fish-Man Island, so Crocodile and the Whitebeard Pirates worked to weaken the shockwaves.
• Austin and Whitebeard traded a powerful slash; Austin was slightly weaker in raw strength but used his Devil Fruit to retreat the same distance as Whitebeard.
• The Whitebeard Pirates were shocked that Austin could fight their captain to a draw, while both Austin and Whitebeard prepared to clash again.
• Neptune appeared between them and pleaded with Austin and Whitebeard not to fight on Fish-Man Island, which was already badly cracked.
• Whitebeard accused Austin of endangering the island, Austin argued that he had only come to offer it his Black Sun Flag, and Neptune warned that continued fighting could shatter Fish-Man Island.

Austin and Whitebeard took their dispute over Fish-Man Island to a deserted island above the sea, where they began a fierce clash. As Otohime considered Austin the more suitable protector, the chapter ended with the two men’s Space and Tremor-Tremor powers colliding.

• Austin agreed to settle who would protect Fish-Man Island by fighting Whitebeard above the sea, with the winner claiming the island.
• Neptune asked Otohime whom she thought should protect Fish-Man Island, and she favored Austin because of his youth, influence, and ties to the World Government.
• Morgans ordered his staff to send the Seagull King to capture footage of the approaching battle, while the Five Elders chose not to interfere.
• Austin, Whitebeard, Crocodile, and Mihawk reached a deserted island, where Crocodile and Mihawk watched Austin face Whitebeard.
• Austin and Whitebeard exchanged powerful Haki-infused attacks, then struck at each other with their Space and Tremor-Tremor abilities, shaking the sky and sea.

Austin and Whitebeard continued their devastating battle, with Austin using his superior Observation Haki to land a powerful slash that scarred Whitebeard’s back. Whitebeard remained standing and struck Austin with a vibration-powered blow, sending him soaring into the sky.

• Morgans decided to record the battle before choosing whether to broadcast it, depending on who gained the upper hand.
• Austin and Whitebeard resumed their clash, and Whitebeard acknowledged Austin’s strength as comparable to fighting Roger.
• Austin used his advanced Observation Haki to appear behind Whitebeard and slash his back, splitting the Whitebeard Pirates’ skull emblem scar in two.
• Whitebeard reassured Marco and the others that he was fine, then recognized how far Austin’s Observation Haki could see.
• Whitebeard blocked Austin’s kick and counterattacked with a vibration-powered strike that sent Austin high into the sky.

Austin and Whitebeard unleashed devastating attacks that shattered their island, and Morgans broadcast the battle worldwide. The two battered fighters called off their duel, leaving their rivalry unresolved as Austin’s victory over Whitebeard transformed his reputation.

• Austin descended on Whitebeard with his Galaxy Void Fall, and Whitebeard countered with a shockwave-infused punch.
• Their attacks shattered the island and nearly destroyed the Oro Jackson and the Moby Dick, while Mihawk and Marco helped shield the ships from debris.
• Morgans ordered the fight broadcast worldwide and announced it as a showdown between the Black Emperor and Whitebeard.
• Viewers saw Austin standing while Whitebeard was bloodied, and people across the seas began treating Austin as the era’s strongest figure.
• Austin privately recognized that the fight had drained his stamina, while both fighters held back the returning seawater around them.
• Austin and Whitebeard agreed to end the battle without deciding a victor.

News of Austin’s battle with Whitebeard spread across the seas, strengthening Austin’s reputation as the world’s strongest. Doflamingo celebrated the news in Dressrosa while Rosinante silently continued his Marine infiltration, and Tesoro led a grand celebration aboard the Gran Tesoro.

• Newspapers reported that Austin and Whitebeard had shattered an island into an archipelago and ended their battle in a draw, though the front-page image made Austin appear to have the advantage.
• Doflamingo celebrated Austin’s victory and told his family he hoped to regain Celestial Dragon status with Austin’s help, while Rosinante remained silent about his Marine mission.
• Doflamingo ordered his North Blue forces and recruited children, including Trafalgar Law, moved to the New World.
• Tesoro used the protection of Austin’s Black Moon Flag to run the Gran Tesoro freely and led its cheering crowd in praising Austin.

Tesoro backed Gran Tesoro against Celestial Dragons, while the Five Elders established the Shichibukai system to calm the seas amid Austin’s growing influence. The chapter left Austin’s subordinates occupying most of the new posts and speculation spreading about his relationship with the World Government.

• Tesoro told Mr. Tanaka to defy the Celestial Dragons’ threats and warned them that Gran Tesoro was under Austin’s protection.
• Tesoro ordered Gold Dust to be placed at Gran Tesoro’s entrance and combined with Baccarat’s Devil Fruit ability to increase his wealth.
• The Five Elders responded to the rising chaos and pirate activity by establishing the Shichibukai system.
• The World Government named Dracule Mihawk, Crocodile, Doflamingo, Hanafuda, Moria, Kuma, and Enel as Shichibukai, with Enel temporarily taking the final position.
• People speculated that Austin had a mysterious relationship with the World Government after learning that many Shichibukai were his subordinates.

Austin and Whitebeard divided Fish-Man Island between their protection after their battle ended in a draw. Austin stayed behind, visited Shyarly, and discovered that her divination had revealed the question he wanted to ask about the future Pirate King.

• Austin brought the two ships into Fish-Man Island and announced that he and Whitebeard would each protect half of it.
• Whitebeard apologized to Neptune and left to recover, while Austin stayed and warned Neptune not to reveal Shyarly's prophecy about Poseidon.
• Neptune assigned Jinbe to accompany Austin, who toured Fish-Man Island with Jinbe and Hachi before deciding to visit Shyarly.
• Shyarly recognized Austin at her Mermaid Café and said she had foreseen their meeting.
• Shyarly guessed that Austin wanted to know who would become the future Pirate King, and Austin recognized her divination as conceptual power stronger than Observation Haki.

Austin visited Shyarly and learned that Fish-Man Island would nearly be destroyed by someone wearing a straw hat before being saved. He then went to Fish-Man District and confronted Arlong over his claim that humans were lowly creatures.

• Austin asked Shyarly whether he would die and whether Fish-Man Island would be destroyed, and she said he would remain alive while the island would nearly be destroyed by someone wearing a straw hat but saved in the end.
• Austin offered Shyarly a Den Den Mushi and invited her to visit him at sea.
• Austin told Hachi to lead the group to Fish-Man District, despite Hachi's warning and Crocodile's threatening golden hook.
• Arlong knocked down a Neptune Army soldier and insulted humans as lowly creatures in front of other young fish-men.
• Austin appeared behind Arlong and demanded that he repeat his words, leaving Arlong terrified upon recognizing him.

Austin stopped Arlong’s attack and confronted Fisher Tiger, who admitted she planned to free the slaves in Mary Geoise. Austin offered to protect Fish-Man Island and recruit Fisher Tiger into his service, leaving her to decide whether to accept.

• Austin’s oppressive presence subdued Arlong and the fish-man thugs, but Fisher Tiger took his kick while shielding Arlong.
• Fisher Tiger apologized to Austin and called him Fish-Man Island’s benefactor; Austin spared Arlong and invited Fisher Tiger to talk.
• Austin revealed that he knew Fisher Tiger planned to attack Mary Geoise, and Fisher Tiger confirmed she intended to free every slave there.
• Austin warned Fisher Tiger that the Holy Land would retaliate, then offered to protect the other fish-men, recommend Jinbe for the Shichibukai, and recruit her into his command.

Austin had Fisher Tiger agree to work for him after freeing the slaves, then killed Vander Decken IX in seconds. Queen Otohime asked Austin to help reconcile humans and fish-men, but he rejected her hopes and used Hody Jones to warn that hatred would ultimately require violence.

• Austin told Fisher Tiger he could form the Sun Pirates, but would have to work for him after returning the slaves; Fisher Tiger accepted.
• Jinbe and Arlong wept as Fisher Tiger pledged his life to Austin if he survived the operation.
• Austin asked Fisher Tiger about Vander Decken IX, vanished after receiving a rough direction, and returned moments later saying he had killed him.
• Queen Otohime approached Austin to ask for help improving relations between humans, merfolk, and fish-men, but Austin said he could not make them accept one another.
• Austin summoned the young Hody Jones and told Queen Otohime that hatred left no room for reconciliation and that violence was the only solution.

Austin left Fish-Man Island after killing Hody Jones, then agreed to fund Crocodile’s ambition to build her own military nation in the future. After forcing Nyuudou to tow the Oro Jackson to the surface, Austin learned that the Shichibukai system had been established ahead of schedule and called the Five Elders.

• Austin left Hody Jones’s corpse with Queen Otohime and departed Fish-Man Island with Mihawk and Crocodile.
• Crocodile told Mihawk she wanted to build a powerful military nation, and Austin promised to fund her in a few years and eventually let her go solo.
• Nyuudou charged at the Oro Jackson seeking revenge for Captain Vander Decken, but Austin beat him into obedience and made him tow the ship to the surface.
• Austin read that the World Government had officially established the Shichibukai system and called the Five Elders to ask about it.
• The Five Elders answered Austin’s call and noted that he had already dealt with the Fish-Man Island incident.

Austin arranged to visit Marineford for the Shichibukai establishment ceremony, while Sengoku prepared the Marines to receive the pirates and learned that Austin would attend. The chapter ended with Sengoku recalling that he had once joined forces to drive Austin away, but now had to welcome him as a Celestial Dragon.

• The Five Elders explained why they had announced the Shichibukai system without warning Austin, and Austin asked to visit Marineford for the confirmation ceremony.
• Sengoku ordered the Marines to prepare carefully for the Shichibukai candidates, though several officers resented having to receive pirates.
• Sengoku contacted the Shichibukai candidates and told them to arrive at Marineford in three days.
• Saint Saturn informed Sengoku that Austin would attend the ceremony, leaving Sengoku stunned.
• Tsuru reminded Sengoku that Austin's visit was inevitable, and Sengoku recalled once driving Austin away from Marineford.

Marineford prepared an elaborate reception for an arriving figure, but Doflamingo mistakenly thought it was for the Shichibukai and disrupted the Marines to provoke Sengoku. Sengoku revealed the ceremony had been arranged to welcome Austin, leaving Doflamingo stunned.

• Sengoku and Marine officers waited at Marineford for an important arrival, while the World Economic News Paper prepared for Austin to appear in thirty minutes.
• Doflamingo arrived first and teased Tsuru, who told him to go to the conference hall.
• Angered by Tsuru's dismissal, Doflamingo used his powers to make Marines attack one another.
• Sengoku restrained his officers from attacking Doflamingo, who swaggered over to provoke him.
• Sengoku told Doflamingo that the disrupted formation had been arranged to welcome Austin.

Doflamingo and Moria nearly clashed at Marineford before Enel intervened with his lightning. The Oro Jackson then arrived carrying Mihawk, Crocodile, and Kuma, and Sengoku formally welcomed Saint Dotol Austin.

• Doflamingo abandoned his plan to leave and stood with the Marines to await Austin, while Moria mocked him.
• Doflamingo insulted Moria over his defeat by Kaido, and Moria attacked him with shadow bats.
• Enel arrived in a thunderstorm, destroyed the shadow bats, and warned everyone not to turn Austin's meeting into a battle.
• The Oro Jackson appeared with Mihawk, Crocodile, and Kuma aboard, stunning the Marines and other gathered figures.
• Sengoku stopped Kuzan from spreading ice and formally welcomed Saint Dotol Austin to Marineford.

Dotol Austin arrived at Marine Headquarters, where Sengoku’s announcement exposed him as a Celestial Dragon and the World Government’s broadcast drew worldwide attention. After Austin warned Doflamingo about his underworld dealings, Doflamingo hurried after him and begged for a chance to make amends.

• Sengoku announced that Dotol Austin was a Celestial Dragon, and reporters broadcast the revelation across the harbor plaza.
• Austin arrived with Mihawk, Crocodile, Kuma, and the others, then thanked Sengoku and entered the plaza.
• Austin addressed Doflamingo’s secret use of the Hobby-Hobby Fruit and warned him to take care of himself.
• Doflamingo feared losing Austin’s protection and his underworld power, so he followed Austin and begged for a chance to make amends.

Austin warned Doflamingo that he had to regain his favor after using the Hobby-Hobby Fruit without reporting it, then announced he would visit Dressrosa. Doflamingo alerted the Donquixote Family to prepare, and the young Luo learned that Austin was their ultimate superior.

• Austin confronted Doflamingo about keeping the Hobby-Hobby Fruit's use secret and threatened him if he failed to make amends.
• Austin told Doflamingo that he planned to visit Dressrosa, and Doflamingo quietly called the Donquixote Family.
• Doflamingo warned Trebol and the other officers that Austin's visit could decide whether the Family survived, prompting them to prepare carefully.
• Young Luo asked Baby 5 who was coming and learned that Austin was Doflamingo's boss and the true ruler of the seas.

At the Shichibukai’s establishment ceremony, Austin answered for the assembled pirates and later confronted Sengoku about Rosinante’s undercover mission in Doflamingo’s crew. Austin agreed to turn a blind eye but told Sengoku he owed him a favor, then wondered where Kuzan had gone.

• Austin attended the Marineford ceremony with the Shichibukai and amused himself by feeding Seagull King a blueberry and offering to teach it Haki.
• Sengoku explained that the Shichibukai were expected to act as allied forces in major conflicts, and Austin agreed on their behalf.
• After the ceremony, Austin found Sengoku on the balcony and revealed that he knew Rosinante was undercover in Doflamingo’s crew.
• Sengoku worried that Austin’s knowledge put Rosinante in danger, but Austin said he would turn a blind eye if Sengoku owed him a favor.
• Austin asked where Kuzan had gone, and Sengoku said he was probably drinking with Zephyr because they opposed the Shichibukai’s establishment.