Chapter Summaries

Rosen challenged Dracule Mihawk to prove whether a Black Blade could be broken, and Mihawk attacked with his newly forged Black Blade Yoru. Mihawk overwhelmed Rosen with three converging slashes and left him submerged beneath the sea, believing he had won.

• Rosen asked Mihawk whether a Black Blade could be broken and declared that he would begin by breaking Yoru.
• Mihawk grew furious and unleashed a powerful slash wave at Rosen with Yoru.
• Rosen stopped Mihawk's first slash wave with the short Zangetsu, but Mihawk moved behind him and attacked from both sides.
• Mihawk pinned Rosen between two slash waves, then pierced his neck with a Haki-wrapped strike.
• Mihawk's three slash waves crushed Rosen and sent him beneath the sea, and Mihawk turned away believing Rosen was defeated.

Rosen returned from the brink of defeat in a masked, horned form and overwhelmed Dracule Mihawk with powerful crescent slashes and Haki. Mihawk was sent crashing into an isolated island in the South Blue.

• Dracule Mihawk decided to leave the South Blue and return to the New World to avoid Marine Headquarters.
• Rosen appeared in a grim white mask, shattered Mihawk’s three Slash Waves, and attacked with Moon Cutter.
• Rosen’s paired crescent attacks overpowered Mihawk’s Yoru and sent him skidding hundreds of meters across the sea.
• Rosen struck Mihawk into the ocean depths, but Mihawk burst out and launched One Sword Style: Flash Night.
• Rosen grew a horn, dispersed Mihawk’s sword light with Conqueror’s Haki, and knocked his Slash Wave aside with Zangetsu.
• Rosen’s Haki-infused slash sent Mihawk flying several kilometers into an isolated South Blue island, smashing its ground apart.

Rosen overwhelmed Dracule Mihawk, first shattering his Haki slash with Destructive Cero and then fusing the attack with Moon Cutter. The resulting Hollow Flash swallowed Mihawk’s next slash and descended on him and the entire island.

• Rosen’s Destructive Cero collided with Mihawk’s Haki slash and obliterated it.
• Mihawk was shocked that Rosen’s power surpassed that of a Navy Headquarters Admiral, but resolved not to retreat.
• Rosen combined Moon Cutter with Destructive Cero to form Hollow Flash.
• Mihawk launched another Haki slash, but Hollow Flash swallowed it and engulfed Mihawk and the island.

Rosen defeated Dracule Mihawk and took Black Blade Yoru to test whether a black blade could be cut in half. With Mihawk unable to fight, Rosen summoned a massive Perfect Susanoo and prepared to strike Yoru with Dual-Blade Zangetsu.

• Rosen's attack left Dracule Mihawk gravely wounded on one island fragment and Black Blade Yoru on another.
• Rosen picked up Yoru, and Mihawk struggled to rise before collapsing again.
• Rosen told Mihawk he had fought to test whether a black blade could be cut in half, humiliating the defeated swordsman.
• Rosen ordered Mihawk to kneel and watch as he summoned a Perfect Susanoo more than 250 meters tall.
• Rosen raised Dual-Blade Zangetsu and explained that he intended to test Yoru's durability, while telling Mihawk he had never made Rosen get serious.

Rosen revealed Hollowfied Susanoo to Dracule Mihawk but explained that he intended to tame the swordsman rather than kill him. He combined Zangetsu and Susanoo to unleash a devastating attack that swallowed Yoru, breaking Mihawk’s pride as part of Rosen’s plan to make him serve as a Shichibukai.

• Mihawk reflected on his crushing defeat and realized Rosen had never considered his black blade or title worthy of notice.
• Rosen combined Zangetsu with Susanoo, creating Hollowfied Susanoo with a horned mask.
• Rosen told Mihawk he planned to put a collar on the world’s strongest Great Swordsman, not destroy him.
• Rosen and Susanoo synchronized their attacks and unleashed Armament: Moon Cutter Cross Rush.
• The cross-shaped attack consumed Yoru, striking at Mihawk’s pride and will.

Rosen defeated Dracule Mihawk and cut Black Blade Yoru in two, then used Kurenai’s Bankai to restore both the sword and Mihawk’s body. Mihawk realized the restoration did not mean his ordeal was over as Rosen warned that endless despair might be beginning.

• Rosen’s Armament: Moon Cutter Cross Rush split Black Blade Yoru and left Mihawk devastated by the destruction of his sword and pride.
• Mihawk picked up Yoru’s broken halves and blamed himself for letting the blade fight without him holding it.
• Rosen agreed to give Mihawk another chance and released Kurenai’s Bankai, Kannon Opening Kurenai Kai.
• Rosen slashed the broken halves of Yoru and restored the black blade, leaving only a nearly invisible seam.
• Mihawk discovered that Rosen had also healed his chest wounds and exhaustion, then grew wary when Rosen warned him not to celebrate.

Rosen defeated Dracule Mihawk again and severed Black Blade Yoru a second time, leaving Mihawk broken and despairing. Rosen gained substantial Haki improvements before his Devil Fruit showed him Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni drawing Ryujin Jakka and unleashing its flames against two Gotei Captains.

• Rosen vanished from Mihawk's senses, then seized Mihawk by the face and drove him and Yoru into a fierce battle across the sea.
• Rosen defeated Mihawk and severed Yoru a second time, though Mihawk kept hold of its hilt.
• Rosen explained that he could destroy Mihawk or his blade whenever he wished, and Mihawk lay silent and devastated.
• Rosen learned that his Armament Haki had increased by 23%, his Observation Haki by 15%, and his Conqueror's Haki by 19%.
• Rosen's vision shifted to a barren wilderness, where Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni drew Ryujin Jakka and unleashed flames against two Gotei Captains.

After defeating Dracule Mihawk, Rosen comprehended Ryujin Jakka and grew stronger again. Mihawk recognized Rosen’s extraordinary ability to keep advancing and lamented that the world’s strongest figures could only serve as his backdrop.

• Rosen gained the exclusive skill Ryujin Jakka after visualizing Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni releasing the Zanpakuto during his battle with Dracule Mihawk.
• Rosen realized Ryujin Jakka’s destructive power surpassed other weapons and could replace the Tremor-Tremor Fruit and Magma-Magma Fruit as the pinnacle of attack power.
• Dracule Mihawk sensed Rosen’s new growth and wondered how he could keep advancing without pushing himself to the brink of death.
• Rosen told Dracule Mihawk he would keep growing stronger because he had promised Douglas Bullet he would advance without end.
• Dracule Mihawk lamented that Rosen’s presence reduced the era’s Marines, pirates, and world powers to background figures, though he considered the Marines fortunate that Rosen had chosen them.

Rosen forced Dracule Mihawk to choose between death and serving as a Marine guard dog until he could challenge Rosen again. Mihawk accepted the collar, and Rosen restored his wounds and Black Blade Yoru, leaving stitched scars as reminders of his defeat.

• Rosen offered Mihawk death or the chance to challenge him again after serving as the Marines' guard dog.
• Mihawk chose to endure the humiliation, promising to kill Rosen when he was strong enough, and fastened on the collar Rosen tossed him.
• Rosen reflected that he had to bear the risk of betrayal if he intended to subdue the Shichibukai and end the Great Pirate Era.
• Rosen used Kannon Opening Kurenai Kai to restore Yoru and heal Mihawk, leaving stitched seams on the blade and Mihawk's body.
• Mihawk remembered the despair of facing Rosen's Zanpakutō and wondered how powerful the others might be.

Rosen spared Dracule Mihawk another chance to attack as they crossed the sea on stairs made from Armament Haki, leaving Mihawk unsettled by the power he had glimpsed through Observation Haki. They reached the stranded Marines, where Rosen praised T Bone for protecting his men and Doberman thanked him for the rescue.

• Rosen healed Mihawk and walked away with his back exposed, while Mihawk considered attacking but foresaw Rosen wielding a blade that could set the sea ablaze.
• Rosen formed a long stairway across the air with Armament Haki, and Mihawk followed him while weighing the chance to strike against the danger.
• Rosen sensed the Marines' island from more than twenty kilometers away and descended there with Mihawk.
• T Bone apologized for the damaged Battle Suits, ships, and wounded Marines, but Rosen helped him up and praised him for defending his men against Mihawk.
• Doberman thanked Rosen for rescuing him and his Marines.

Rosen reunited with Doberman and T Bone after Mihawk’s pursuit, revealing that he had forged Mihawk’s Yoru into a Black Blade before collaring him. Rosen then healed the injured Marines, earning their gratitude as the group prepared to return to Navy Branch 1 for artificial limb transplants.

• Doberman thanked Rosen for saving him and promised to help him whenever doing so did not betray Marine justice.
• Doberman, T Bone, and the other Marines saw Mihawk wearing a collar and carrying the newly forged Black Blade Yoru.
• Rosen explained that Mihawk had hunted Marines to forge a Black Blade, so Rosen fulfilled that wish before collaring him.
• Mihawk remained unmoved by the Marines’ shocked and pitying reactions, while privately strengthening his resolve to challenge Rosen one day.
• Rosen used Kannon Opening Kurenai Kai to heal the wounded Marines and restore their lost eyesight; those missing limbs would receive artificial-organ transplants after they returned to Navy Branch 1.
• The Marines were moved by Rosen’s personal care and pledged their wholehearted support to him.

Rosen supported T Bone’s plan to sweep the South Blue and assigned Dracule Mihawk to guard the destroyed Marine Grand Line Branch 38. He then opened a Black Hole to North Blue Branch 1, leaving the Marines astonished by his power.

• Rosen urged T Bone to carry out his unfinished work, and T Bone vowed not to return to North Blue until he had swept through the South Blue.
• Doberman offered to help T Bone, who asked whether Doberman needed to return to defend Grand Line Branch 38.
• Rosen said Dracule Mihawk would temporarily guard Grand Line Branch 38 until it was rebuilt, and warned Mihawk that he would get only one chance.
• Rosen opened a Black Hole from the South Blue to North Blue Branch 1, stunning Doberman, T Bone, and the assembled Marines.

Rosen returned from South Blue to North Blue Branch 1 after forcing Dracule Mihawk to obey him and guard Marine GL Branch 38. The Marines realized Mihawk was restrained by a collar and that Rosen had twice cut apart his Black Blade, while Judge Vinsmoke learned Mihawk had caused the Battle Suit losses.

• Rosen disappeared through a Black Hole, and T Bone confirmed he had returned to North Blue Branch 1.
• Dracule Mihawk left to guard Marine GL Branch 38, obeying Rosen even after Rosen had departed.
• T Bone told Doberman that Rosen had cut apart Mihawk's Black Blade Yoru twice, explaining Mihawk's submission.
• Rosen returned to Branch 1 through another Black Hole, where Monet and Judge Vinsmoke greeted him.
• Rosen explained that Mihawk had destroyed Marine GL Branch 38 and damaged more than a dozen Battle Suits.
• Rosen said he had spared Mihawk so the swordsman could compensate them and clean up the destroyed branch.

Rosen explained that Dracule Mihawk’s obedience was a chance to regain his dignity, while Stussy searched Mary Geoise’s Historical Corridor for clues about Zefa’s family murder. She uncovered details about Zefa’s God Valley injuries and the Rocks Pirates, then called someone because she lacked time and feared Rosen’s growing power.

• Rosen told Monet not to worry about Dracule Mihawk, whom he intended to keep confined by allowing him to return to the Grand Line.
• Stussy entered Mary Geoise’s Historical Corridor and searched Zefa’s biography for clues about the murder of his family.
• Stussy learned that Zefa had suffered incurable wounds fighting Wang Zhi and Silver Axe at God Valley, which had contributed to his retirement.
• Stussy found that Bakingom had been defeated by Zefa at God Valley and then examined biographies of Wang Zhi, Silver Axe, Bakingom, and Edward Newgate.
• After sensing a possible clue but realizing she could not read six years of records in time, Stussy called someone and said Rosen was becoming increasingly terrifying.

Stussy worked with Vegapunk to search six years of historical records for clues about who murdered Zefa’s family. Their search narrowed the suspects to the former Rocks Pirates, and Stussy identified Wang Zhi as the likely culprit.

• Stussy contacted Vegapunk from Mary Geoise and asked to use his computer to uncover the truth behind the murder of Zefa’s family.
• Vegapunk agreed to help and warned Stussy that a powerful force was likely covering up the crime.
• Stussy secretly scanned six years of records in the Historical Corridor and transmitted them to Vegapunk over the course of a month.
• Vegapunk found that Bakingom had contacted Silver Axe, John, Wang Zhi, Edward Newgate, and Flame Flower.
• Vegapunk reported that Flame Flower had returned to Amazon Lily, while Stussy concluded that Wang Zhi was the likely culprit.

Stussy explained how her investigation implicated Ochoku in the murder of Zefa’s family, and Rosen confirmed that the evidence remained circumstantial. He told her the Five Elders had concealed the truth because pursuing it would have endangered the World Government’s military position, leaving Stussy to question whether she deserved to know.

• Stussy reported that records and intelligence linked Ochoku to Bakingom, Zefa’s family’s murder, and the Teleport Fruit, while other suspects could not have committed the crime.
• Rosen reviewed Stussy’s memories and said her findings were speculation that could be confirmed by meeting Ochoku or Bakingom.
• Stussy asked why the Five Elders had erased Bakingom’s contact with Ochoku, and Rosen explained that they had hidden the truth to avoid overextending Marine Headquarters and risking Zefa’s death.
• Stussy condemned the Five Elders’ arrogance, and Rosen reflected that they had not considered a retired, wounded Admiral deserving of the truth.
• Stussy asked Rosen whether she deserved to know.

Rosen unleashed overwhelming Conqueror’s Haki across Marine Branch 1, terrifying Stussy and leaving the base and her warship shattered. Stussy realized Rosen’s growing power would overturn the balance among the three great powers, and she fled the North Blue to find shelter from the coming storm.

• Rosen released a massive wave of Conqueror’s Haki that filled Branch 1 with black lightning and damaged the base.
• Stussy compared Rosen’s presence to Big Mom’s and concluded that even Big Mom was far inferior.
• Rosen told Stussy that her heart had returned to normal and ordered her to leave.
• Stussy found the corridor, base, and her warship cracked or shattered by Rosen’s Haki.
• Stussy saw a vast crack in the sky and sailed away from Branch 1, seeking a safe harbor before Rosen’s coming storm.

After Stussy’s revelations led Rosen to suspect the Five Elders, Wang Zhi, and Bakingom in the events surrounding Zefa, Rosen planned to verify the truth himself. He confirmed he would attend Zefa’s birthday and the Navy School graduation, then obtained detailed files on the Wang Zhi Pirates, signaling his next target.

• Rosen resolved to investigate Wang Zhi and Bakingom by reading their memories and demand an explanation for what happened to Zefa.
• Sengoku called to remind Rosen about the Navy School graduation ceremony in half a month, and Rosen promised he would attend for Zefa’s birthday.
• Sengoku arranged for Garp to watch over the Four Seas while Rosen returned to Marine Headquarters.
• Monet woke after Rosen’s Conqueror’s Haki knocked her unconscious, then retrieved the requested files on Wang Zhi and his crew.
• Rosen opened the dossier compiled by four intelligence agencies and saw Wang Zhi’s name on the first page.

Rosen reviewed intelligence on Wang Zhi and his Three Leaders, then considered whether the Four Emperors could ever be eliminated rather than replaced. Monet argued that new rulers would keep rising as long as people with King's Potential sought to become kings.

• Rosen read Wang Zhi’s file and noted the former Rocks Pirate’s strength, Devil Fruit, and role in Zefa’s lasting injury.
• Rosen reviewed Su Hai’s file and was surprised that Wang Zhi’s deputy had mastered Conqueror’s Haki Coating.
• Rosen read the files on Tian Cha and Sharlo Ger, learning about their abilities and violent histories as Wang Zhi Pirates leaders.
• Rosen concluded that defeating the Four Emperors only led to new ones rising, and he resolved to eliminate the institution itself.
• Monet told Rosen that old Four Emperors would be replaced by ambitious people with King’s Potential.

Rosen declared that he would make the seas kingless and the world free of thieves, and his Conqueror's Haki overwhelmed Branch 1 and suppressed Monet’s Snow-Snow Fruit. At GL Branch 1, Sakazuki sensed a powerful presence approaching and saw a familiar yet unfamiliar figure in his Future Sight.

• Rosen was inspired by Monet’s question about whether anyone could prevent people from seeking kingship, and he declared that he would make the seas kingless and the world free of thieves.
• Rosen unleashed Conqueror’s Haki that tore through the clouds above South Blue and left Monet unable to use her Snow-Snow Fruit.
• Sakazuki polished his saber and prepared to train at GL Branch 1 while maintaining his constant readiness for battle.
• Sakazuki sensed an unfamiliar presence as powerful as a Four Emperor approaching GL Branch 1.
• Sakazuki used Future Sight and recognized the approaching figure as someone he knew of but had never formally met.