Chapter Summaries

Mihawk moved to kill Mr. 5, but the chapter flashed back to his clash with Kaido in Dressrosa, where Mihawk split Kaido’s Heat Breath and scarred him. Crocodile blocked Mihawk’s strike, leaving the reason for her intervention unstated.

• Under pressure from the gathered fighters, Mr. 5 trembled as Mihawk walked toward him with Black Blade Yoru.
• One year earlier in Dressrosa, Kaido attacked Doflamingo’s territory, and Mihawk split Kaido’s Heat Breath with a slash.
• Mihawk fought Kaido after declaring that he would protect the Black Emperor’s territory, and Kaido later bore a lasting scar from the battle.
• Back in the present, Mihawk raised his blade to kill Mr. 5, but Crocodile struck it aside with her hook.
• Crocodile told Mihawk that her actions had only one possible reason, and Mihawk understood.

Crocodile revealed that the apparent Austin was a fake, but the real Austin awakened in Mr. 5’s body and devastated Fish-Man Island with Shinra Tensei. Crocodile and Mihawk recognized him as he returned after two years, leaving the island’s survivors kneeling before him.

• Crocodile blocked Mihawk’s blade and confirmed that the Austin before them was a fake, prompting the crowd to turn against him.
• As Mr. 5 accepted his apparent death, the real Austin’s voice sounded in his mind and his panic gave way to calm.
• The CP0 agent, King, and Katakuri attacked Austin, but he unleashed Shinra Tensei and blasted them back.
• Austin’s power carved a huge crater into Fish-Man Island, leaving scattered fighters down and the surviving crowd kneeling.
• Crocodile and Mihawk emerged before Austin, and Mihawk greeted him after his two-year disappearance.

After Rayleigh intervened, Austin agreed to spare Fish-Man Island and the Sun Pirates, ending the reckoning against them. He then tasked a remorseful Fisher Tiger with hunting down the people named in a booklet and gave him Haki training manuals.

• At Marine Headquarters, Sengoku discussed Saint Austin’s return and learned that Borsalino had captured Arlong and other Sun Pirates, while Jinbe and Fisher Tiger remained missing.
• Rayleigh asked Austin to spare Fish-Man Island, and Austin agreed, allowing the Black Moon Flag to remain there as compensation.
• Crocodile told Austin that she had recruited Mr. 5, while she and Mihawk urged him to confront the forces making moves against them.
• Austin revealed that Fisher Tiger had returned to serve him and ordered him to study Haki manuals and bring back everyone listed in a second booklet.

Doflamingo learned that Austin had returned and prepared to secure the Op-Op Fruit for him. Austin agreed to save Ginny in exchange for Kuma’s loyalty, then realized he preferred being Black Spear to living as the constantly imposing Black Emperor.

• Doflamingo celebrated Austin’s return with the Donquixote Family and said he would personally pursue the Op-Op Fruit.
• Kuma asked Austin to rescue Ginny from a Celestial Dragon, and Austin demanded Kuma’s life and loyalty in return.
• Kuma pledged himself to Austin, who promised Ginny would return to him within a month.
• After ending the call, Austin reflected on his lost motivation and recognized that he preferred being Black Spear to being the Black Emperor.

Austin negotiated with the Five Elders to free Ginny, then decided to withdraw most of his Black Moon Flags and step back from leading his vast organization. He left the Black Emperor role behind to travel freely as the Black Spear, planning to visit Ace, Madam Rouge, and King Luffy.

• Austin demanded that the Five Elders release Ginny, and they agreed to his condition.
• Boa Hancock and the Sondra sisters trembled with fear when they saw Austin's photograph in a newspaper, and Grandma Nyon tore it up.
• Austin told Crocodile he would recall the Black Moon Flags from most territories while keeping his core holdings and allowing the Shichibukai to develop.
• Austin decided to stop managing his organization and travel for his own growth, leaving the Black Emperor behind to become the Black Spear.
• Austin planned to visit Ace, Madam Rouge, and King Luffy after he finished handling his remaining affairs.

Ginny became gravely ill aboard the ship taking her back to the Holy Land, while Austin’s forces reclaimed control of the underworld by targeting Mafia families who tried to seize power. The chapter ended with Fisher Tiger attacking a South Blue Mafia gathering on Austin’s orders.

• Ginny vomited and developed crystalline growths on her arm as CP0 escorted her back to the Holy Land, and she thought of Kuma.
• Crocodile questioned Austin’s decision to imprison the underworld bosses, and Austin said he needed the underworld to remain his foundation after stepping down.
• A month earlier, South Blue Mafia families planned to exploit Austin’s presumed death, but their godfather warned them that they still owed Austin a share of their business.
• Fisher Tiger attacked the Mafia families’ yacht from beneath the sea and used his Fish-Man Karate to defeat their guards.

Austin set out on a spontaneous sea voyage by swimming, using his ability to keep seawater from touching him. He accidentally arrived at Minion Island aboard a Marine warship, where Vergo was stationed, and asked whether Doflamingo was there.

• Austin told Rayleigh he was leaving without a set destination, then swam out to sea despite being a Devil Fruit user.
• On Minion Island, Corazon escaped with the Op-Op Fruit and gave it to Luo, who ate it as Corazon collapsed from his wounds.
• Austin emerged aboard the Marine warship near Minion Island and startled the Marines, including Vergo.
• Austin changed into a black long coat, surveyed the frozen island, and asked Vergo whether Doflamingo was there.

Austin arrived at Minion Island by chance as the Birdcage closed around it, while Doflamingo confronted Corazon after discovering that Luo had eaten the Op-Op Fruit. Corazon sacrificed himself to protect Luo, and Austin entered the Birdcage as the confrontation unfolded.

• Vergo told Austin that underworld leaders had gathered to obtain the Op-Op Fruit’s power, and Austin asked whether Doflamingo was on the island.
• Doflamingo’s Birdcage spread across Minion Island, and Austin tested its strength before forcing his way inside.
• Corazon gave Luo a secret letter for the Marines, but Doflamingo intercepted Luo and took the letter.
• Doflamingo confronted Corazon, who revealed that Luo had eaten the Op-Op Fruit and insisted that Luo deserved to live.
• Doflamingo shot Corazon as Corazon smiled at Luo and told him, “Luo, I love you.”

Austin stopped Doflamingo from killing Rosinante and let the brothers part ways. Rosinante returned to the Marines, while Luo chose to pursue his dreams as a pirate.

• Austin caught Doflamingo’s bullet and refused to let him kill Rosinante and Luo.
• Doflamingo lowered his pistol, abandoned his offer of the Op-Op Fruit, and left after Austin questioned whether he would regret killing Rosinante.
• Rosinante decided to return to the Marines because Luo had survived and could pursue his dreams.
• Marine personnel took Rosinante away, while Vergo and Rosinante each pretended not to notice the other.
• Austin said goodbye to Luo, who declared his hatred for the Marines and World Government and chose to chase his dreams as a pirate.

Austin reached Shimotsuki Village while searching East Blue for Foosha Village, where he met and fed the young Roronoa Zoro. After learning that Zoro was headed to challenge the Shimotsuki Dojo, Austin led him toward it, though Zoro immediately got lost.

• Austin spotted an island and arrived at Shimotsuki Village, where Zoro mistook him for a ghost after seeing him walk across the sea.
• Austin knocked Zoro out, carried him to a restaurant, and ordered the entire menu after paying the owner with a stack of Beli.
• Zoro woke to the smell of food, and he and Austin ate until they had emptied the restaurant's food reserves.
• Zoro introduced himself as Roronoa Zoro and learned that Austin considered himself half a swordsman.
• Austin agreed to accompany Zoro to the Shimotsuki Dojo, but Zoro wandered off course despite Austin leading him.

Austin brought young Zoro to Shimotsuki Dojo and bet a Great Grade Sword or Supreme Grade Sword on Zoro’s success. Zoro challenged Kuina and was swiftly beaten, leaving Austin to watch from the dojo.

• Austin teased Zoro into betting that he would give him a Great Grade Sword if Zoro beat Shimotsuki Dojo, or a Supreme Grade Sword if Zoro defeated Austin.
• Austin and Zoro arrived at Shimotsuki Dojo, where Koshiro recognized Austin and called for Kuina to face the challenger.
• Zoro carried ten bamboo swords into the dojo, but two fell from his mouth when he tried to answer Austin.
• Kuina brutally beat Zoro in their match.

Austin watched Zoro challenge Kuina, secretly fine-tuned Zoro’s swordsmanship, and later fought both children with a wooden stick. The chapter left Zoro stunned by the vast gap between his strength and Austin’s.

• Austin briefly fine-tuned Zoro’s movements during his first sword fight, but Kuina knocked him unconscious.
• Austin stayed on the island for several days while Zoro trained and repeatedly challenged Kuina under his guidance.
• Zoro challenged Austin, and Kuina joined him after learning from Koshiro that Austin was an extraordinary swordsman.
• Austin fought Zoro and Kuina with a small wooden stick, effortlessly blocking their attacks and redirecting Kuina’s strike into Zoro’s head.
• Zoro watched Austin toy with Kuina and realized how enormous the gap between them was.

Austin defeated Zoro and Kuina in a spar, then revealed his overwhelming strength by cutting a Sea King and the sea with a single slash. Later, Zoro and Kuina promised to compete to become the world’s greatest swordsman, and Austin teased them that their dream was to surpass him.

• Austin fended off Zoro and Kuina’s attacks while subtly guiding their swordsmanship, then sent them flying when they demanded he get serious.
• A Sea King leapt from the water toward Zoro as he fell, but Austin cut it and split the sea with a single slash.
• Austin pulled Zoro back from the air and carried him and Kuina to the dojo, leaving them stunned by his strength.
• While staying in Shimotsuki Village, Austin refused to teach Zoro advanced swordsmanship and made him focus on the basics.
• Kuina lamented that being a girl might prevent her from becoming the world’s strongest swordsman, and Zoro insisted that gender was no excuse.
• Zoro and Kuina promised to compete for the title of world’s greatest swordsman, and Austin told them they were aiming to replace him.

Austin left the dojo after giving Zoro the Great Grade sword Nether Raven Shadow and encouraging him and Kuina to pursue their dreams. While traveling across the sea, he reunited with the Seagull King and read news that Buggy the Clown had attacked Cocoyasi Village.

• Austin told Zoro and Kuina that Hawk Eyes Mihawk wanted to challenge him in swordsmanship, then claimed he was a sniper.
• Austin said farewell to Zoro and Kuina, and Zoro vowed to become the World's Greatest Swordsman.
• Austin gave Zoro his old Great Grade sword, Nether Raven Shadow, and urged Kuina not to let Zoro surpass her.
• Austin set off across the sea with food and met the Seagull King, who brought him an East Blue newspaper.
• Austin read a report that Buggy the Clown had attacked Cocoyasi Village for an unknown reason.

Austin read a report about Buggy attacking Cocoyasi Village and noticed Nami’s family in the photograph. In the flashback, Arlong threatened Bellemere, but Buggy arrived and confronted him over the tangerine grove.

• Austin reread the newspaper report about Buggy’s attack on Cocoyasi Village and spotted an injured woman with two children in the photograph.
• Buggy’s men set out to plunder Cocoyasi Village while Arlong arrived to seize control of the island.
• Arlong demanded tribute from the villagers and broke Bellemere’s arm when she tried to resist.
• Bellemere admitted that Nami and Nojiko were her daughters, and Arlong prepared to shoot her.
• Buggy arrived, demanded to know who owned the tangerine grove, and angrily challenged Arlong for interfering with his target.

Buggy defeated Arlong while protecting Bellemere and Nami's family, then claimed their orange grove and had the fruit shipped away. Nami's family lost its livelihood, leaving her to survive by stealing.

• Buggy used a Buggy Ball to blast Arlong's fish-men, but Arlong emerged and knocked down an orange tree.
• Angered by Arlong destroying the grove, Buggy attacked him, endured a bite, and knocked him unconscious with a Haki-coated punch.
• Buggy told Nami's family that the orange grove belonged to him, and Nami agreed because Bellemere's life mattered more.
• Buggy's crew packed and shipped the oranges in crates marked AOS while he made a comical grin at a seagull's camera.
• With the grove taken, Nami's already poor family lost its livelihood, and Nami would later be forced to steal.

Austin arrived at Foosha Village and unexpectedly reunited with Shanks and Uta aboard the Red-Haired Pirates' ship. He offered to help Uta study music in Elegia, while Shanks grew jealous and worried Austin might reveal embarrassing stories from his past.

• Austin used Seagull King's winds to clear a storm as they traveled across the sea, and the resulting tornado appeared near the passenger ship carrying Sanji and Zeff's Chef Pirates.
• Austin reached Foosha Village and spotted Shanks's ship approaching, where Uta was singing with the Red-Haired Pirates.
• Austin surprised Shanks and the crew by appearing aboard their ship unnoticed, then greeted Uta and teased Shanks with a story from their past.
• Austin told Uta a secret that made her laugh and offered to arrange for her to study music in Elegia.
• Uta eagerly hugged Austin, while Shanks protested that he had planned to take her there himself and feared Austin might expose his history with the Roger Pirates.

Austin met Luffy and reunited with Ace and Sabo when the Red-Haired Pirates visited Foosha Village. He left money for Makino to thank her for caring for Rouge and Ace, then went to find the boys and accidentally provoked Ace by mentioning his mother.

• Austin saw Ace and Sabo fighting a bear in the forest while Luffy greeted the Red-Haired Pirates.
• Austin and Shanks reminisced as Luffy joined the crew, and Austin tapped Luffy on the head after Luffy questioned his long hair.
• Austin left Makino a chest of money, thanking her for caring for Rouge and Ace, then departed without Shanks.
• Austin found Ace and Sabo plotting to sell a bearskin and buy a pirate ship, and Ace struck him with a Steel Pipe.
• Ace charged at Austin after misinterpreting his words about Rouge, but Austin dodged and made Ace's shorts vanish with a snap of his fingers.

Austin teased Ace and Sabo, then accidentally upset Ace by shielding him from Rouge's attempted slap. After Ace ran off, Austin went to find him and arrived just as pirates cornered the boys, offering his own head as a challenge.

• Austin stole Ace's underwear and subdued both Ace and Sabo in the woods before Rouge arrived looking for Ace.
• Rouge scolded Ace at dinner, and Austin stopped her from slapping him, prompting Ace to run away with Sabo chasing after him.
• Rouge explained that Austin had helped protect and care for Ace, and Austin promised to bring him back.
• At the river, pirates surrounded Ace and Sabo and demanded the treasure they had stolen.
• Austin appeared before the pirates and challenged them to take his head in exchange for endless wealth.

Austin told Ace that he had saved Ace and Rouge at Roger’s request, helping Ace reconcile with his father’s memory. After leaving Foosha Village, Austin encountered a stranded Sanji on a deserted island.

• Austin revealed to Ace and Sabo that Ace’s father was Gol D. Roger and explained how Roger had entrusted him with saving Rouge and Ace.
• Ace apologized to Austin and thanked him for saving his mother and him, then listened as Austin shared stories about Roger.
• Austin spent several months around Foosha Village before declining to sail with Shanks and Uta to Elegia and setting off alone.
• Austin departed with the Seagull King, leaving Luffy amazed by his ability to walk on the sea.
• Austin spotted a starving blond boy on a deserted island, and the boy recognized him as his godfather; Austin realized the boy was Sanji.