Chapter Summaries

Austin returned and inspected Dr. Vegapunk’s progress on Seraphim Nika, approving the results and promising more research funding. After hearing Austin was last seen in the East Blue, Mihawk decided to go there and look for him.

• Austin stopped Kuma’s paw attack with a touch and reunited with Dr. Vegapunk.
• Dr. Vegapunk showed Austin that Seraphim Nika had become a rubber man but had not achieved Nika’s true power.
• Austin approved the research, promised to bring Nika’s material, and authorized research spending of up to a hundred billion without consultation.
• Kuma told Austin that Ginny and Bonney had fully recovered, and Austin left for treatment with a Ripe-Ripe Fruit clone Seraphim.
• Umit leaked news of Austin’s return, and Mihawk decided to head to the East Blue after learning Austin was last seen there.

Zoro set sail on his quest to become the world’s greatest swordsman and agreed to join Luffy’s crew after confronting Axe-Hand Morgan’s Marines. Meanwhile, Austin recovered in a hospital, caught up on old acquaintances, and prepared to leave once his remaining injuries healed.

• Kuina set sail after losing ground to Zoro, and Zoro told Koshiro he was ready to go to sea and test himself against powerful opponents.
• Luffy brought Zoro all three of his swords, and Zoro declared his ambition before agreeing to join Luffy’s crew as they faced Axe-Hand Morgan’s soldiers.
• Austin read old newspapers and discovered that Crocodile had become a man, apparently through the Sickness-Sickness Fruit.
• Austin learned that he was more than halfway healed and could recover the rest naturally, so he prepared to leave the hospital.

Luffy and Zoro began their pirate adventure and recruited Nami, while Austin tracked down Buggy. Austin reunited with Buggy at a banquet in Cocoyasi Village, leaving Buggy overwhelmed with emotion.

• Luffy and Zoro set out in a small boat, defeated pirates on an island, and invited Nami to join their crew; she accepted while planning to steal their treasure.
• Luffy and his crew continued their adventures, while Austin decided to find Buggy after estimating when Buggy had been defeated and stranded.
• Austin used news coos to locate Buggy and saw a photograph of him surrounded by admiring pirates.
• Buggy celebrated his fifteen-million-Beli bounty with his subordinates in Cocoyasi Village, then grew quiet thinking about an old friend.
• Austin appeared at the banquet, and Buggy recognized him after Austin embraced him and said, “Long time no see, Buggy.”

Austin reunited with Buggy after nearly ten years, and the two celebrated with Buggy’s carefully perfected orange juice. As Buggy drunkenly vowed to become Pirate King, Austin watched over him and said he had always believed in him.

• Buggy tearfully welcomed Austin back, and Austin invited him to celebrate their reunion.
• Buggy revealed the orange juice he had spent years perfecting and served Austin a cup.
• Austin praised the juice as the best he had ever tasted, and he and Buggy began a joyful party with Buggy’s crew.
• Buggy drunkenly declared that he would become Pirate King, then fell asleep before finishing his boast.
• Austin caught Buggy’s falling body parts, watched over him beneath the moonlight, and said he had always believed Buggy could do it.

Buggy learned that Austin had left and that he had promised to become Pirate King, while Mihawk arrived at Baratie and faced Zoro. The chapter ended with Mihawk asking Zoro where he had gotten his black blade.

• Buggy woke to find Austin gone, and his lackey relayed Austin's warning that Buggy must keep his promise when they met again on the Grand Line.
• Buggy's crew reminded him that he had vowed to become Pirate King, then cheered for him as he struggled to hide his despair.
• Luffy and the others met Sanji at Baratie as Krieg's fleet approached, only for Mihawk to split the entire fleet in two.
• Zoro stepped forward to challenge Mihawk, declaring that he would become the strongest swordsman and fulfill his promise to Austin.
• Mihawk noticed the sword Zoro held between his teeth and asked where Zoro had gotten the black blade.

Mihawk learned that Austin had entrusted Zoro with Dark Crow and tested the young swordsman with the tiny knife from his necklace. Zoro’s attacks failed to touch Mihawk, leaving him stunned by the gap between them.

• Zoro told Mihawk that Austin had entrusted him with Dark Crow and that he intended to become the World's Greatest Swordsman.
• Luffy, Usopp, Nami, and Sanji reacted to learning of their connections to Austin, and Sanji clarified that Austin was his adoptive father.
• Mihawk decided to test the crew and drew the tiny cross-shaped knife from his necklace, saying he had no smaller knife.
• Zoro charged Mihawk with Onigiri, but Mihawk blocked all three swords with the tiny knife.
• Mihawk praised Zoro’s ferocious swordsmanship and recognized the influence of Austin, Rayleigh, Shanks, and himself in Zoro’s style.

Mihawk defeated Zoro but spared his life, urging him to grow stronger and surpass the swordsmen at the summit. As Sanji left Zeff and the crew sailed on, Austin reunited with Mihawk and asked him to travel to Alabasta.

• Mihawk recognized Austin’s influence in Zoro’s swordsmanship and tested Zoro’s resolve as Zoro refused to retreat, even at the risk of death.
• Mihawk drew Yoru and defeated Zoro’s Three Thousand Worlds, then spared him and challenged him to grow stronger and surpass the world’s powerful swordsmen.
• Mihawk stayed at the restaurant while Luffy and the others fought Krieg and prepared to leave, and Sanji tearfully thanked Zeff before departing.
• Austin revealed himself to Mihawk, teased him about being gentle, and asked him to go to Alabasta together.

Nami returned to Cocoyasi Village and discovered that Buggy had arrived to demand twice as many Perfect Oranges, leaving her desperate when she learned he had discarded the previous harvest. Buggy insisted on keeping a fresh supply ready for Austin, and Nami was left devastated by the revelation.

• Nami sailed toward Cocoyasi Village, hoping the treasure she had taken would help her family live free of the Buggy Pirates.
• A villager warned Nami that Buggy and his pirates had returned, so she hurried home and found them surrounding Bellemere and Nojiko.
• Buggy disarmed Bellemere and announced that the village must double its orange production without compromising quality.
• Nami tried to frighten Buggy by claiming the Straw Hat Pirates were close to Austin, but Buggy declared himself Austin's best friend.
• Nami demanded to know why Buggy required so many Perfect Oranges, and Buggy explained that he had thrown away the previous oranges after they expired while keeping a supply ready for Austin.

After the Buggy Pirates threatened Nami’s family, Nami finally asked Luffy for help, and he promised to stand by her. Meanwhile, Austin and Mihawk read that Luffy had defeated Buggy and discussed Mihawk’s future, while Austin wondered what might happen to Buggy and Little Sand.

• The Buggy Pirates left after demanding more from Nami, and Bellemere and the villagers prepared to fight them.
• Nami tried to keep everyone from risking their lives for her, but Genzo’s comfort broke through her defenses and she cried.
• Nami smashed an orange in rage until Luffy stopped her, and she tearfully asked him for help.
• Luffy put his straw hat on Nami’s head and promised to help her.
• Austin and Mihawk read that Luffy had defeated Buggy, and Austin wondered why Buggy had lost so easily.
• Mihawk said he was uncertain about his future, and Austin offered to find him work if he grew bored or caused trouble.

In Loguetown, Zoro reunited with Kuina and met Marine swordswoman Tashigi, who looked exactly like her. As the three discussed swordsmanship, Zoro revealed that Dracule Mihawk had defeated him and destroyed two of his swords.

• Austin and Mihawk arrived in Loguetown and reflected on how the town marked the beginning of their journeys and the end of Gol D. Roger’s life.
• Zoro encountered Tashigi after she knocked down two men, and her glasses broke when she tripped in front of him.
• Kuina arrived and offered to pay for Tashigi’s glasses, then reunited with Zoro and noticed he carried only one sword.
• Zoro explained that Dracule Mihawk had defeated him and shattered his other two swords, shocking Kuina and Tashigi.
• Zoro asked Kuina to lend him money so he could buy two more swords.

Austin and Mihawk sampled food in Loguetown before encountering Smoker and observing Zoro, Kuina, and Tashigi at a weapon shop. Smoker recognized Austin and planned to report his return to Marine Headquarters, while Zoro’s sword was identified as a stolen Great Grade blade.

• Austin sampled dishes from the cooking competition with Mihawk, who praised the knife work of one chef.
• Luffy asked Smoker for directions to Roger’s execution platform and ran off after receiving them.
• Smoker recognized Austin, remembered their childhood encounter, and stopped his soldiers from trying to arrest him and Mihawk.
• Austin told Mihawk that Smoker had watched Roger’s execution with them more than twenty years earlier.
• Mihawk spotted Zoro, Kuina, and Tashigi near a weapon shop and recognized Zoro as a promising swordsman.
• Tashigi identified Zoro’s sword as one of the 21 Great Grade Swords, Nether Raven Shadow, and Zoro admitted that he and his companions were pirates.

Kuina and Tashigi fought over Zoro and Dark Crow while Luffy searched Loguetown for Roger’s execution platform and spoke with a tavern keeper about Roger. Austin and Mihawk visited the tavern, where Smoker confronted Austin and was stopped at swordpoint after Austin claimed he had come to destroy Loguetown.

• Tashigi drew Shigure and attacked Zoro, determined to reclaim Dark Crow from an evildoer, while Kuina watched.
• Luffy asked a tavern keeper for directions to Roger’s execution platform, spoke with him about Roger, and toasted the eternal Pirate King before leaving.
• Austin and Mihawk arrived at the tavern, and the keeper recognized them as Black Spear and Hawk Eyes.
• Austin told the keeper he had come to see Roger’s hometown, and they reminisced about Roger and the Roger Pirates.
• Smoker entered the tavern and demanded to know why Austin had come to the East Blue.
• Austin said he had come to destroy Loguetown, and when Smoker prepared to attack, a black cross-shaped blade pressed against his neck.

Austin and Mihawk reached Loguetown’s execution platform after Mihawk easily defeated Smoker and Austin pointed him toward the Straw Hat Pirates. They watched Luffy declare he would become the Pirate King as Buggy prepared to execute him.

• Mihawk slashed Smoker and broke his jitte when Smoker tried to stop Austin, leaving Smoker injured and stunned by the gap in their strength.
• Austin gave Smoker a Wanted Poster of Luffy and told him to pursue the Straw Hat boy instead of confronting him.
• Austin and Mihawk discussed the young people shaping the era as they headed toward the execution platform.
• Bartolomeo challenged Austin and Mihawk with his barrier, but Austin struck him away with a casual swing.
• Luffy stood on the execution platform, declared he would become the Pirate King, and Austin told Mihawk that a future Pirate King was there.

Austin and Mihawk watched as Buggy prepared to execute Luffy in Loguetown, while Zoro and Sanji rushed to save him. Just before Buggy’s blade fell, lightning struck the platform and stopped the execution, leaving the crowd wondering whether gods existed.

• A strange storm gathered over the island as Nami, Smoker, and the others noticed the sudden change in the weather.
• Smoker brought Marines to surround the execution square after learning that Buggy and his crew had captured Luffy.
• Buggy prepared to execute Luffy while Zoro and Sanji fought their way toward the platform, and Austin recorded Luffy’s fearless smile.
• Austin said Luffy should live to stir up the world, then lightning struck the execution platform before Buggy’s blade could fall.
• Blue flames burned on the platform, and the shocked onlookers wondered whether gods existed.

Austin let Buggy face the Marines, confident he would escape or benefit from a stay in Impel Down. At Loguetown, the Seagull King protected the Merry from Buggy's underling and the Marines, while Nami and Usopp remained unaware that Austin had arranged the help.

• The execution platform collapsed, and Luffy retrieved his straw hat while Austin revealed that Dragon had already left the execution square.
• Buggy discovered he had survived the lightning and fire, but the Marines surrounded him and his crew; Austin left, expecting Buggy to escape or grow stronger in Impel Down.
• Mochi prepared to burn the Merry, but the Seagull King transformed into a gigantic bird and blasted Mochi and Rikky away with storm breath.
• The Seagull King destroyed the Marines' incoming cannonballs with wind blades as Nami and Usopp realized the bird was helping them.
• Nami celebrated their apparent luck, unaware that Austin had arranged the Seagull King's protection as compensation for her family's years of work growing tangerines.

Seagull King rescued Nami and Usopp and helped clear a path for King Luffy to escape Smoker, while Dragon intervened in Loguetown. Austin then whisked Buggy and the Marines pursuing him away, and Sengoku received word that Austin and Mihawk had appeared in Loguetown and decided to report it to the Five Elders.

• Seagull King swept the Marines and their fortifications away with a hurricane, allowing Nami and Usopp to reach the Merry.
• Dragon headed toward Seagull King, while Zoro struck King Luffy for trying to recruit the giant bird and Smoker captured him with his smoke powers.
• Dragon stopped Smoker from attacking King Luffy, and Dragon's wind carried Luffy and his companions out of danger.
• Buggy ran toward Austin as Smoker's Marines pursued him, and Austin teleported himself, another person, and Seagull King away while returning the pursuers to the shoreline.
• Sengoku received Smoker's urgent report that Hawk Eyes Mihawk and Dotol Austin had appeared in Loguetown, then decided to inform the Five Elders.

The Five Elders questioned Stussy about Saint Austin’s return, but she denied knowing anything and was allowed to leave. They discussed why killing her would be counterproductive and turned to Guernica for an update on CP0’s investigation into Vegapunk and Austin.

• Saint Mars asked Stussy whether she knew that Saint Austin had appeared at sea.
• Stussy denied knowing about Austin’s return and said she could not speak carelessly about a Celestial Dragon’s movements.
• Saint Warcury dismissed Stussy, arguing that killing her would let Sammy’s Red-Light District absorb the Pleasure District and provoke Austin.
• Saint Warcury reminded the Five Elders that Austin had challenged them when he was young and warned that his current strength and plans were unknown.
• Saint Peter asked Guernica what progress CP0 had made investigating Vegapunk and Austin’s mysterious operation.

Guernica reported that Austin’s secret research involved nutrient solutions and cultivation equipment, leading the Five Elders to suspect he was creating biological weapons. Meanwhile, Austin and Mihawk set off to travel the Grand Line, deciding to visit an old veteran first.

• Guernica told the Five Elders that Vegapunk’s group was conducting secret research for Austin, though CP0 had not found its location or purpose.
• Guernica reported that the research used nutrient solutions and cultivation equipment, and the Five Elders suspected it involved biological weapons.
• The Five Elders dismissed biological weapons as manageable but ordered CP0 to keep investigating Austin’s research.
• Austin told Mihawk he wanted to sail another circuit of the Grand Line to see interesting things.
• Mihawk chose to travel with Austin, and they decided their first stop would be the ship carrying an old veteran.

Austin and Mihawk traveled through Reverse Mountain to meet Crocus, where Austin explained that he had set sail to witness the coming New Era. After receiving intelligence that Fire Fist Ace was heading toward Alabasta, Austin began considering how to use Morgans and the news to stir up the seas.

• Austin and Mihawk entered Laboon's belly and reunited with Crocus at Twin Cape.
• Austin told Crocus he was not pursuing Laugh Tale or One Piece, but had set sail to witness the New Era Roger had predicted.
• Crocus encouraged Austin to witness the coming era for Roger, and Austin touched the sword he carried as a memento of the Old Era.
• Austin received a World Economic News Paper report from the Seagull King stating that Fire Fist Ace had appeared in the first half of the Grand Line and might be headed to Alabasta.
• Austin asked Morgans whether he would spread fake news when needed, and Morgans agreed.

Crocodile dismissed Straw Hat Luffy as a minor threat and trusted that Austin’s return would protect him from any consequences in Alabasta. Meanwhile, Austin asked Mihawk to help contain the World Government’s CP0 agents, and Mihawk agreed to head for the New World.

• Robin told Crocodile that Straw Hat Luffy had Princess Vivi and could cause trouble, but Crocodile said strength ruled the world and dismissed the threat.
• Crocodile revealed that he was focused on the other Shichibukai and believed Austin’s return meant neither the Marines nor pirates could judge him.
• Austin learned that CP0 was investigating his secret experiment and decided he needed a powerful Shichibukai to help keep them in check.
• Austin chose Mihawk because he was free to travel and capable of holding his own against a CP0 squad.
• Mihawk agreed to go to the New World, and Austin assured him they would meet again soon.