Chapter Summaries

Austin joined the Marines at Loguetown for Roger’s execution and encountered Shanks and Buggy on their way to see their captain. He let them go for the occasion, but warned that he might pursue them at sea in the future.

• Garp struggled with Roger’s request that he care for his child, but Austin persuaded him to consider raising the child as a Marine and defeating Roger that way.
• Austin arrived in Loguetown for the execution and sent his soldiers to patrol the town while he headed for the execution platform alone.
• Austin encountered Shanks and Buggy sneaking toward the platform to see Roger one last time.
• Buggy explained their purpose, while Shanks prepared to fight, and Austin decided not to arrest them before the execution.
• Austin warned Shanks and Buggy that he might come after them once they were out at sea.

Austin met Dragon and challenged the foundations of his revolutionary ideals, warning that the Revolutionary Army could become another World Government. He proposed that lasting peace might be possible under one powerful leader, then asked Dragon what would happen if that leader changed his mind.

• Austin told Shanks and Buggy he was not going to capture them and walked toward the execution platform.
• Austin greeted Dragon and mentioned that Garp and Gick still asked about him.
• Austin argued that the Revolutionary Army could become as oppressive as the World Government, despite starting with noble intentions.
• Austin said a strongest leader with immortal followers might achieve peace, and claimed he could become that leader.
• Austin pointed out the plan’s fatal weakness: he might change his mind.

Austin told Dragon that he no longer wanted to become a pirate and instead intended to bring down and reform the World Government, while warning that his own power could eventually make him a threat. As Roger was escorted to his execution, Austin reflected that only he might be able to stop himself.

• Austin explained that his convictions had changed and that he wanted to reform the World Government rather than become a pirate.
• Austin warned Dragon that even a peaceful world under his rule could become a terrifying machine of power over time.
• Dragon vowed to stop Austin if he ever became a threat, but Austin said Dragon alone could not do it and suggested only he himself might stop him.
• Austin remembered the smiling man with the Black Spear as footsteps approached and the guards escorted Roger toward the platform.
• Austin watched Roger ascend the platform as a man in the crowd shouted questions about the Pirate King's treasure.

After Gol D. Roger was executed, Austin let the crowd’s excitement spread and handed Roger’s body to a straw-hatted figure. He then unleashed a storm over Loguetown, where a colossal dragon began to emerge from the clouds.

• Roger announced that his treasure lay at the end of the sea before the executioners killed him.
• Austin ignored Sengoku’s furious call, said he would deal with the pirates present, and gave Roger’s corpse to a figure wearing a straw hat.
• As pirates prepared to sail for the Grand Line, Austin disappeared and a torrential storm swept across Loguetown.
• Dragon and several pirates sensed the storm’s danger as a massive creature appeared in the clouds.
• A black claw and a dragon’s head emerged overhead, gathering power for a devastating attack.

Austin descended over Loguetown as a gigantic Black Dragon and destroyed the pirate ships offshore with his King's Heat Breath. He trapped several future Shichibukai in a ring of flame clouds and declared that the winner determined justice.

• Austin unleashed his King's Heat Breath over the sea, evaporating the water and destroying nearly every pirate ship near Loguetown.
• Mihawk struck Austin with a Flying Slash, leaving only a shallow crack in his scales, and Austin recognized him as the former Marine Hunter.
• Austin spotted the future big shots in Loguetown and told Mihawk he would not let him sail out to sea.
• Doflamingo protested that he had not offended Austin, but Austin insisted that capturing pirates was a Marine's duty.
• Austin circled the future Shichibukai with flame clouds, kept civilians outside, and declared that the winner was justice.

Austin confronted Doflamingo, Crocodile, Mihawk, and Moria, overwhelming Moria and stopping Crocodile’s sandstorm attack. Impressed by Crocodile’s ability, he tried to recruit her into the Marines, but she refused, so Austin prepared to fight.

• Austin transformed into a dragon-man and challenged Doflamingo, Crocodile, Mihawk, and Moria to defeat or kill him.
• Moria charged Austin, but Austin blocked his blade with a horn and slammed him into the ground.
• Doflamingo recalled Austin’s reputation and admitted that even powerful monsters seemed like nothing before him.
• Crocodile unleashed a massive sandstorm at Austin, but he crossed the distance in a flash and appeared before her.
• Austin praised Crocodile’s ability and invited her to join the Marines, but she refused, prompting him to prepare to fight.

Austin overwhelmed Crocodile and the other future Shichibukai with his power, but Crocodile survived his devastating throw. Mihawk then stepped forward to challenge Austin, who prepared to show him the full strength of his fists.

• Austin grabbed Crocodile and hurled her into the ground with Fist Bone: Seabed Drop, fracturing Loguetown and shaking the surrounding sea.
• Shanks and Buggy felt the ground split as they searched for a way to escape to sea.
• The future Shichibukai watched the impact site, and Crocodile emerged alive but badly injured.
• Moria considered taking Crocodile's shadow, but Crocodile threatened him and focused on Austin.
• Mihawk raised his sword and declared that his path of the sword would not end there.
• Austin accepted Mihawk's challenge and prepared to finish him with his World's Strongest fists.

Austin challenged the young Mihawk to a sword fight, claiming he had only studied swordsmanship for a few days. After blocking Mihawk’s attacks with brute force and Haki, Austin prepared to unleash his own technique, Divine Departure.

• Austin invited Mihawk to attack, and Mihawk drew his blade despite sensing Austin’s deadly strength.
• Austin summoned a black blade from the sky and coated it in black-and-red Conqueror’s Haki.
• Austin taunted Mihawk by saying he had studied swordsmanship for only a few days and wanted to defeat him at his own specialty.
• Mihawk attacked with Black Blade Yoru, but Austin blocked his strikes with precise, forceful counters.
• Mihawk realized Austin was using his sword more like a club than practicing refined swordsmanship.
• Austin gathered strength and announced Divine Departure.

Austin revealed his formidable swordsmanship by overwhelming Mihawk, then confronted Little Mingo after defeating the other rookie pirates. Little Mingo tried to invoke the World Government’s protection, but Austin caught his hidden counterattack before he could use it.

• Austin quickly learned swordsmanship and demonstrated a devastating slash infused with Conqueror's Haki.
• Mihawk tried to counter Austin's slash with a flood of jade-green attacks, but was driven through buildings and left injured outside the city.
• Mihawk smiled despite his defeat, believing Austin could be the mountain he needed to surpass.
• Austin turned to Little Mingo, who claimed the World Government would prevent Austin from detaining him.
• Little Mingo prepared a Parasite String for a counterattack, but Austin caught it in his hand.

Austin’s capture of several pirate rookies made him a sensation among the Marines, while Sengoku worried that public claims about him would stir trouble. Austin’s warship sailed toward Marine Headquarters with the defeated pirates imprisoned below deck, as his crew celebrated his success.

• Austin defeated Little Mingo, captured him and the other Shichibukai, and became the subject of sensational Loguetown newspaper reports.
• Marines at Marineford praised Austin, while Sengoku worried that the newspapers’ claims could make him seem like a future Rocks.
• Tsuru, Garp, and Zephyr argued that Austin’s will would not be swayed by the reports, and Zephyr said he trusted him.
• Austin’s Marines celebrated aboard their warship, and Austin answered their cheers by saying, “Long live the Navy.”
• Doflamingo, Crocodile, Moria, and Mihawk sat imprisoned aboard the ship as it headed toward Marine Headquarters.

Austin told Sengoku he planned to reform captured pirates rather than send them to Impel Down, while Kuzan mistakenly concluded that Austin had found a strange new form of justice. Austin then visited the imprisoned Crocodile and prepared to use a sex-changing drug on her.

• Sengoku reprimanded Austin over his newspaper comments and asked why he was keeping captured pirates, and Austin said he wanted to reform them rather than waste their potential.
• Austin explained that he shared most seized treasure with soldiers who needed it, earning their loyalty.
• Kuzan confronted Austin about his prisoner experiment, then wondered whether Austin's justice was to train pirates.
• Austin visited Crocodile in the prison holding area and said he would not kill her but would make her contribute to the Marines.
• Austin opened Crocodile's cell and told her she would wake up as a girl after taking a drug developed by the Marine Science Unit.

Austin intimidated Crocodile with a fake sex reassignment surgery, then demanded that she work for him in a special organization. Crocodile reluctantly agreed to submit for now, while promising to settle the score later.

• Austin used the threat of turning Crocodile into a woman to frighten her into submission.
• Austin had staged doctors and equipment ready, and Crocodile panicked as they appeared to begin the supposed surgery.
• Crocodile realized Austin was pressuring her to make a demand and asked him to state it.
• Austin asked Crocodile to work for him in a special organization that would follow his commands.
• Crocodile reluctantly agreed to cooperate for now and vowed to settle the score with Austin someday.

Austin named his organization the Animal Protection Association and tried to recruit Moria by confronting him with his weakness and threatening the fate of his surviving crew. Moria agreed to work for Austin in exchange for his companions’ safety.

• Austin named his organization the Animal Protection Association despite Crocodile’s objections, and she remained at his side as Sand Crocodile.
• Austin and Crocodile went to Moria’s cell, where Moria angrily accused Austin of killing his crew.
• Austin told Moria that he was too weak to lead his crew through the New World, shattering Moria’s confidence.
• Austin offered to spare Moria’s surviving companions if Moria worked for him.
• Moria agreed to work for Austin and begged him to spare his companions.

Austin recruited Moria as the second member of his Animal Protection Association, then confronted Doflamingo and made him his next contracted subordinate. Doflamingo accepted that Austin had the power to keep him imprisoned and saw promise in following him.

• Austin tossed Moria the key to his Seastone shackles after Moria knelt to protect his crew, recruiting him as Shadow Bat.
• Austin went to Doflamingo’s cell, where a newspaper had appeared from nowhere, and questioned the guards about it.
• Doflamingo assumed Austin had come to free him, but Austin said no one had contacted him and declared that nobody could take Doflamingo away.
• Austin made Doflamingo his contracted beast, and Doflamingo teased him about the Animal Protection Association before deciding that following Austin could be advantageous.

Austin established the Animal Protection Association and gave its new members guidance on how to operate as Great Pirates. He encouraged Doflamingo and Crocnar to target wealthy nobles instead of poor civilians, then hinted that the Marines would help them evade the World Government.

• Austin said Mihawk had joined after Austin challenged him to surpass him in swordsmanship.
• Austin gathered the four members for theoretical training and told them that their new status made robbing commoners beneath them.
• Austin called Doflamingo and Crocnar dangerous criminals and urged them to target nobles and royalty for wealth instead of civilians.
• Doflamingo and Crocnar worried that attacking nobles would draw the World Government's wrath, but Austin assured them the Marines would not catch them.
• Moria taunted Doflamingo and Crocnar, provoking threats and talk of fighting within the Association, while Mihawk watched silently.
• Austin looked out at a passing seagull and declared that the New Era was coming.

Austin let the four rookie Great Pirates take the blame for their escape and subsequent attacks on World Government member nations, while the Five Elders concluded he had no motive to help them. The chapter ended with the Five Elders trusting Austin because he had no interest in promotion, unaware that he also wanted the Navy’s resources.

• Austin casually told reporters he might not have been paying attention when the four pirates escaped, then went to buy candy.
• Austin’s guards caught a reporter preparing to blame him and forced him to write that the pirates had taken Marines hostage and defected through a conspiracy.
• The four pirates ignored the news, and Doflamingo laughed that Austin’s conduct suggested he had enormous ambitions.
• The Five Elders reviewed intelligence linking Austin to the pirates’ escape but decided he lacked a motive because the stolen wealth had benefited the poor.
• The Five Elders felt reassured by Austin’s bonds with the Navy and his refusal to become an Admiral, while Austin also had his sights set on the Navy’s resources.

Austin explained his vision of justice to children, believing the world's oppression made both Marines and pirates capable of right and wrong. He resolved to impose his ideals on the sea through strength, then spoke with Kuzan about whether they would become enemies.

• Austin listened as a Marine orphan declared that he wanted to become a Marine and wipe out pirates, then asked the children why pirates and Marines existed.
• Austin recalled T Bone's death and concluded that oppression made the world responsible for forcing the weak to harm one another.
• Austin told the children that Marines were not always just and pirates were not always evil, urging them to judge the world for themselves.
• Austin resolved to use his strength to make justice cover the sea and headed to train with Garp.
• Kuzan met Austin on the way, and Austin asked whether Kuzan would become his enemy; Kuzan said he did not want to.

Austin decided to seek stronger opponents at sea to improve his Haki and willpower, but he instead reunited with Charlotte Linlin, who was frustrated that they had not conceived a powerful child. Austin suggested that their difficulty might require scientific help, and he proposed seeking Dr. Vegapunk.

• Austin realized that training alone would not strengthen his Haki enough and considered seeking battles that could pressure him.
• Garp recalled that Austin, as [Kong Ao], had been popular among the Rocks Pirates, making Austin worry that others would give him too much face to provide a challenge.
• Austin set out to sea to find powerful opponents, hoping that fighting several monsters would improve his willpower and physique.
• Charlotte Linlin appeared on her Cake Ship and reminded Austin of his promise, while Austin complained that their efforts to have a child had become too frequent.
• Austin suggested that they seek a scientist rather than an ordinary doctor to investigate why they could not conceive, and he wondered whether Dr. Vegapunk could help.

Austin left Big Mom to find Vegapunk and sought Borsalino’s help locating him. When Borsalino received orders to join a Buster Call against Douglas Bullet, Austin offered to capture Bullet himself.

• Austin explained to Big Mom that advanced technology might be needed to produce the powerful child she wanted and decided to seek Vegapunk.
• Austin flew away and told Big Mom to return to Cake Island while he looked for a suitable method.
• Fleet Admiral Kong ordered Borsalino to join a Buster Call and capture Douglas Bullet.
• Austin arrived at Borsalino’s warship and asked for help meeting Vegapunk, but Borsalino said he could not reveal the World Government’s secret location.
• Austin learned that Borsalino’s mission was to capture Bullet and said he would take Bullet down himself.

Austin volunteered to join the Buster Call against Bullet, a former Roger Pirates crew member, and took command of the Marine fleet. He confronted Bullet alone on the island, and their fight was about to begin.

• Austin told Borsalino he would replace him in the Buster Call so he could fight Bullet himself.
• Kong approved Austin’s transfer request, and Sengoku removed Sakazuki and Kuzan from the operation; Sakazuki accepted the decision when he learned Austin was going.
• The Marine fleet surrounded Bullet’s island, and Austin ordered everyone to stay at least fifty nautical miles away.
• Austin flew from the flagship and landed before Bullet with a devastating shockwave.
• Bullet recognized Austin as a former central figure aboard the Roger Pirates, and Austin challenged him to try not to die too quickly.