Chapter Summaries

Mihawk defeated Zoro but recognized his resolve, and Luffy’s crew later gained their first bounties after causing trouble in Loguetown. The Straw Hat Pirates entered the Grand Line and met lighthouse keeper Crocuss at Twin Cape, where Luffy invited him to join the crew.

• Mihawk defeated Zoro, praised his guts, and told him to grow stronger in the Grand Line before challenging him again.
• Zoro vowed to Luffy that he would never lose again until he became the world’s strongest swordsman.
• Sanji joined Luffy’s crew after bidding farewell to Zeff, completing the five-person Straw Hat Pirates.
• In Loguetown, Luffy and Zoro’s antics drew Smoker’s attention, and the group escaped with bounties of 100,000 and 1 million Berries for Luffy and Zoro, respectively.
• Luffy’s crew survived their descent down Reverse Mountain and arrived at Twin Cape, where they met lighthouse keeper Crocuss.
• Luffy introduced himself to Crocuss and invited him to join his crew.

After Crocuss gave the Straw Hats a Log Pose, they sailed toward Alabasta and encountered Princess Vivi fleeing from Pell. Luffy and Sanji defended Vivi’s choice to travel, and Pell flew off in anger.

• Crocuss gave Luffy’s crew sailing advice and a Log Pose, then wondered whether they were the pirates Roger had awaited.
• Nami bought a newspaper and found bounty posters for Luffy and Zoro, whose crew members argued over the bounties and Zoro’s supposed flirtation with a Marine officer.
• Luffy’s crew befriended Dorry and Brogy on Little Garden, took the sick Nami to Drum Island, and gained Tony Tony Chopper as their doctor.
• In Eruma, a duck carried a fleeing blue-haired girl toward Luffy’s group, and Pell transformed into a falcon-man and fought Sanji.
• Pell accused the group of kidnapping Princess Vivi and warned them that they were in Crocodile’s territory.
• Vivi said she wanted to travel and adventure instead of returning home, so Sanji and Luffy defended her choice, and Pell flew away in anger.

Vivi warned Luffy and his crew that Crocodile would come after them, while Cobra asked Crocodile to rescue her and Crocodile set out himself. Elsewhere, Ace confronted Teach over the Dark-Dark Fruit and rejected his plan to become Pirate King.

• Vivi thanked Luffy and the others, revealed she was Alabasta's princess, and warned that Crocodile would kill them.
• Luffy ignored the danger of the Shichibukai and led his crew to a restaurant with Vivi.
• Pell returned to Arubana and told Cobra that pirates had abducted Vivi and defeated him.
• Cobra called Crocodile for help, and Crocodile decided to pursue the pirates himself.
• Ace found Teach on a deserted island, heard his plan to recruit Ace and steal Whitebeard's Devil Fruit, and prepared to fight him.

Ace fought the Blackbeard Pirates and confronted Teach after defeating two of his crewmates. Teach revealed that he had killed Thatch to claim the Dark-Dark Fruit and began to demonstrate its power, while Ace prepared to fight him.

• Ace dodged the hat-wearing man's gunshot, knocked the muscular gladiator aside, and struck the fleeing sniper with a powerful punch.
• Teach rushed in to face Ace, but Ace's Cross Fire barely seemed to injure him, and their clash revealed that Teach's black energy could extinguish Ace's flames.
• Ace kicked Teach away before he could explain his ability, then gave him a chance to speak after Teach complained about the pain.
• Teach admitted that he killed Thatch to obtain the Devil Fruit he had sought for decades and declared that its power would make him the strongest in the world.
• Teach announced that he would show Ace the Dark-Dark Fruit's power, while Ace regarded him with disdain.

Ace fought Teach and initially overwhelmed him, but poison from Doc Q left him unconscious. Teach planned to trade Ace to the World Government for a Shichibukai position and have Morgans publicize his identity; meanwhile, Crocodile learned Luffy was Garp’s grandson and worried about the consequences.

• Teach used his darkness to absorb attacks and tried to recruit Ace, who realized he would have to rely on his own strength rather than his Devil Fruit.
• Ace unleashed Conqueror’s Haki and struck Teach with Flame Razor and Cloud Dispelling Palm, knocking him into a crater.
• Ace began coughing up blood after Teach revealed that Doc Q had poisoned him, then collapsed unconscious.
• Teach refused to hand Ace to the Marines and planned to deliver him to the World Government as Roger’s son, while asking his crew to contact Morgans.
• In Alabasta, Crocodile learned that Luffy was Garp’s grandson and wondered if he could still be saved.

After Crocodile panicked over beating Luffy, Mo Xingchen reassured him and Cobra reported Luffy’s crew for abducting Vivi. The Marines issued new bounties to the Straw Hat Pirates, with Chopper receiving the highest one and becoming terrified of being captured.

• Crocodile called Mo Xingchen for help after learning Luffy was Garp’s grandson, and Mo Xingchen told him not to worry about disciplining Luffy.
• Crocodile assured Cobra that Vivi was safe, then called Doflamingo to vent about his frightening day.
• Cobra complained to Marine Headquarters that Luffy and his crew had abducted Vivi, prompting Vice Admiral Tsuru to consult Robin and Mo Xingchen.
• Mo Xingchen agreed to let the Marines blame Luffy’s crew and requested a special bounty arrangement.
• The Straw Hat Pirates except Vivi received bounties: Luffy’s rose to 50 million Beli, while Tony Tony Chopper received 100 million Beli and panicked about being hunted.

Mo Xingchen traveled to Banaro Island to investigate why Ace and Blackbeard's expected battle had not occurred. Meanwhile, Blackbeard sent Lafitte to Mary Geoise with news about Roger's offspring, and the chapter ended as the Gorosei demanded that he explain.

• Mo Xingchen arrived at Banaro Island, found the town intact, and decided to wait there to see whether Ace and Blackbeard would fight.
• Garp saw Luffy's bounty poster and turned his warship around to punish him for kidnapping a princess.
• Moria learned that Luffy's crew had stolen Black Blade Yoru from Ma Long and chose to forgive them.
• Blackbeard sent Lafitte to Mary Geoise and Ogata to Sabaody, planning to sell news about Ace to Morgans.
• Lafitte persuaded the guards to bring him before the Gorosei by saying he had information about Pirate King Roger's offspring.
• The Gorosei asked Lafitte to explain his news about Roger's offspring.

Lafitte told the Gorosei that Ace was Roger’s son and offered him on behalf of Teach, but they rejected Teach’s bid for a Shichibukai position and instead agreed to release his imprisoned allies. After ordering Ace’s delivery to Marine Headquarters for a public execution, the Gorosei informed Sengoku, who summoned Mo Xingchen back to headquarters.

• Lafitte revealed that Ace was Roger’s son, citing Teach’s account of Ace’s identity and birth.
• The Gorosei dismissed Lafitte’s request for a Shichibukai position, but agreed to release several of Teach’s allies from Impel Down in exchange for Ace.
• The Gorosei ordered Lafitte to deliver Ace to Marine Headquarters and then collect the prisoners from Impel Down.
• The Gorosei told Sengoku that Ace would be publicly executed at Marineford half a month after his arrival.
• Sengoku, fearing the consequences for the Marines, called Mo Xingchen and ordered him to return to headquarters.

Sengoku told Garp that Ace’s situation would become public, and Garp struggled with the choice between saving his grandson and upholding the justice he had served all his life. The chapter left Garp and Sengoku alone in the Marshal’s Office as Sengoku asked him to talk about Ace.

• Sengoku decided to tell Garp about Ace before the news spread through the newspapers.
• The Straw Hats befriended Franky, invited him aboard, and asked him and Iceberg to repair and modify the Going Merry.
• Garp arrived at Iceberg’s villa, realized he had misunderstood the Straw Hats, and left after receiving news about Ace.
• Garp returned to Marine Headquarters intending to plead with Sengoku, but hesitated at the Marshal’s Office door before Sengoku invited him inside.
• Garp sat silently with Sengoku, unable to choose between his ideals and his grandson, and Sengoku asked him to tell him about Ace.

Garp told Sengoku how he had protected Ace after Roger entrusted him with the child, and Sengoku urged him to trust Mo Xingchen to find a way to save Ace. Garp visited Ace in the Marine Headquarters prison, where Ace realized why his grandfather had wanted him to become a Marine and apologized.

• Garp recounted how Roger entrusted his unborn child to him and how Portgas D. Rouge endured twenty-two months of pregnancy to give birth to Ace.
• Garp told Sengoku that Mo Xingchen had helped him through his doubts, and Sengoku said he trusted Mo to find a way to save Ace.
• Garp left to visit Ace in the Marine Headquarters prison, while Sengoku hoped Mo Xingchen could help.
• Garp found Ace bound in Seastone cuffs and wept as Ace said he had let him down.
• Ace realized Garp had urged him and Luffy to become Marines to protect them, then struck his forehead against the ground and apologized.

Mo Xingchen returned to Marine Headquarters and negotiated with Sengoku and Tsuru over Ace’s impending execution. Sengoku agreed Ace could be released if Mo Xingchen found a solution that protected the Marines’ image, and Mo Xingchen took charge of the execution.

• Mo Xingchen, Luo, and Garp returned to Marine Headquarters, where Garp asked Mo Xingchen if he could save Ace.
• Mo Xingchen showed Sengoku a newspaper announcing Ace’s identity and execution, then demanded that Sengoku release him.
• Sengoku argued that Ace’s execution had been ordered by the Gorosei and that releasing him could damage the Marines’ image and justice.
• Vice Admiral Tsuru urged Mo Xingchen to think carefully and find a solution that satisfied everyone rather than exploit Sengoku’s words.
• Sengoku agreed Ace could be released if Mo Xingchen devised a foolproof solution that preserved the Marines’ image, and Mo Xingchen declared that he would handle the execution.

Mo Xingchen rejected Luo’s suggestion to save Ace by making him a Marine, explaining that Ace’s identity would undermine the Marines’ trust and support. He then called Whitebeard to challenge his plan to rescue Ace by force and offered him a foolproof solution, leaving Whitebeard to decide whether to accept it.

• Luo asked Mo Xingchen whether Ace could be saved and suggested letting Ace join the Marines.
• Mo Xingchen explained to Luo why Ace’s heritage would make him unacceptable to Marine soldiers, and taught him that leaders should be honest with their subordinates.
• Mo Xingchen asked Rosinante to soundproof the office, then called Whitebeard.
• Whitebeard admitted that he planned to save Ace by his own methods, and Mo Xingchen challenged him to consider how many of his sons might die in a war.
• Mo Xingchen told Whitebeard he had a foolproof solution and left the choice of accepting it to him.

Whitebeard and the other Emperors reacted to Ace’s planned execution, with Whitebeard and Shanks deciding to head for Marine Headquarters. Kaido also set out to see Whitebeard off, while Charlotte Linlin wondered about the One Piece.

• Whitebeard gathered the Whitebeard Pirates and ordered them to Marine Headquarters to save Ace, though Marco realized Whitebeard had already made a grave decision.
• Shanks and Beckman agreed that the Red Hair Pirates could not win alone, but Shanks decided to go to Marine Headquarters and pressure the Marines alongside Whitebeard.
• Kaido rejected Queen’s plan to seize Whitebeard’s territory and announced that he would go to Marine Headquarters to see Whitebeard off.
• Charlotte Linlin heard that Whitebeard was facing his end and wondered what the One Piece was and where it could be found.

Mo Xingchen presented the Gorosei with the Sea Train’s promising results and used their goodwill to ask them to spare Ace. He proposed turning Ace’s execution into bait for Whitebeard, leaving with their approval to carry out the plan.

• Mo Xingchen gave the Gorosei his report showing that the Sea Train had begun generating major revenue in South Blue and could eventually rival the World Government’s Tenryuubito Gold.
• The Finance God Warrior noticed Mo Xingchen’s troubled demeanor, and Mo Xingchen asked the Gorosei to spare Ace, revealing that Ace was his adopted nephew.
• Mo Xingchen explained that he had taken Ace in as an infant without knowing he was Roger’s son and said he had grown attached to him.
• The Finance God Warrior said the World Government could not easily reverse its public order to execute Ace without damaging its authority.
• Mo Xingchen proposed using Ace as bait to lure Whitebeard and destroy his crew, which could also help the Navy pacify the Grand Line.
• The Gorosei approved Mo Xingchen’s plan, and he pledged himself to the mission before leaving to handle it.

After Luffy’s crew took Saint Charlos hostage on Sabaody, Mo Xingchen was ordered by the Gorosei to contain the crisis and protect the World Government’s standing. He arrived with Kizaru and Kuina, then faced Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and the others outside Shakky’s bar as Charlos called for his rescue.

• Mo Xingchen received word that Monkey D. Luffy had taken Saint Charlos hostage, and the Gorosei told him to resolve the situation without serious consequences.
• Mo Xingchen arranged his appearance to look overworked, then summoned Robin, Brook, and Kuina and asked for a meat-covered bone.
• Mo Xingchen met Kizaru on Sabaody, and they agreed that Kizaru would capture other pirates while Mo Xingchen dealt with Luffy’s crew.
• Mo Xingchen brought Robin and the others to Shakky’s Rip-off Bar, which Marines and CP agents had surrounded.
• Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji rushed out after hearing Mo Xingchen announce that the beautiful swordmaster had brought meat, but Luffy and Zoro froze when they saw Mo Xingchen and restrained Sanji.
• Vivi trembled when she recognized Mo Xingchen, while the hostage Saint Charlos shouted for Admiral Tianshu to save him.

Mo Xingchen sent Saint Charlos away and confronted Luffy’s crew, then brought Chopper to Shakky’s bar to provoke Rayleigh. The story left Mo Xingchen and Rayleigh seated together after Mo Xingchen revealed that without his Justice Coat, he was the pirate Greedy Wolf.

• Mo Xingchen persuaded Saint Charlos to return to Mary Geoise and sent the soldiers and CP agents to escort him away.
• Luffy told Mo Xingchen he wanted to save Ace, and Mo Xingchen reassured him that he and Luffy’s grandfather were still alive before giving him money.
• Mo Xingchen and his companions began fighting Luffy’s crew, while Kuina confronted Zoro and Robin restrained Sanji.
• Mo Xingchen picked up Chopper and took him to Shakky’s bar, where he called Rayleigh out and ordered a whiskey on the rocks.
• When Shakky demanded one million Beli, Mo Xingchen prepared to catch Rayleigh to pay, but Rayleigh offered to cover the drink.
• Mo Xingchen removed his Justice Coat and told Rayleigh he was Marine Admiral Tianshu in the coat and the pirate Greedy Wolf without it.

Mo Xingchen pressured Rayleigh into teaching Luffy’s crew and then left him unarrested to avoid overtime. Three days later, Marineford prepared for the Pirate King’s son’s execution, with four Marine Admirals seated before the assembled forces.

• Mo Xingchen made Rayleigh pay for the tavern meal and threatened to frame him in a mission report unless he trained Luffy’s crew.
• Kizaru arrived, recognized Rayleigh, and joined Mo Xingchen in leaving without arresting him.
• Mo Xingchen and the others departed while Luo and Luffy continued fighting.
• Three days later, people across the seas gathered to watch the execution broadcast, while Marineford assembled its forces.
• Borsalino, Sakazuki, Mo Xingchen, and Kuzan took their seats as Marineford’s assembled soldiers cheered.
• A bare-chested youth in handcuffs climbed the execution platform under escort.

Ace’s execution at Marineford drew near as Whitebeard arrived with his fleet and unleashed a massive tsunami. Aokiji froze the waves, and Mo Xingchen prepared to confront Whitebeard as war began.

• Sengoku rallied the Marines before the execution, while Mo Xingchen remained seated below the platform.
• A lookout spotted Whitebeard’s Moby Dick and forty-six pirate ships approaching Marineford, and the Marines prepared their defenses.
• Whitebeard stopped his fleet outside Crescent Harbor, greeted Sengoku, and reassured Ace before striking the air and triggering enormous tsunamis.
• Aokiji froze both waves before they could reach Marineford, drawing cheers from the Marines.
• Mo Xingchen rose from his chair, dropped his casual demeanor, and asked Whitebeard whether he had chosen war.

Whitebeard offered his life in exchange for Ace’s, then challenged Sengoku to consider the Marines’ lives before starting a war. As Sengoku hesitated, a watchtower spotted the Red Hair Pirates approaching Marineford.

• Whitebeard stopped Marco and the others from following him, walked toward the Marines alone, and proposed trading his life for Ace’s.
• Whitebeard’s offer shocked the Marines, the Whitebeard Pirates, and people watching the broadcast, while Sengoku wondered whether Mo Xingchen had planned it.
• Sengoku refused the deal, declaring that justice could not be traded and rallying the Marines.
• Whitebeard argued that Ace’s main crime was being Roger’s son and that exchanging his own life for Ace would spare the Marines a costly war.
• A watchtower soldier reported that the Red Hair Pirates, led by Four Emperor Shanks, had appeared at sea.

Shanks and Kaido arrived at Marineford, but Whitebeard refused to use their presence to threaten the Navy and insisted the rescue was a family matter. After Sengoku rejected Whitebeard’s request to exchange himself for Ace, Whitebeard ordered his crew to disband and prepared to face the Navy alone.

• Shanks and the Red Hair Pirates arrived at Marineford and stopped beside Whitebeard’s ship.
• Kaido appeared in dragon form, declared he had come to see Whitebeard off, and tossed him a jar of liquor.
• Sengoku accused Whitebeard of gathering pirates to threaten the Navy, but Whitebeard said Shanks and Kaido had not been summoned and that he only wanted to trade himself for Ace.
• Whitebeard explained that he would not risk his sons’ lives by relying on the other Emperors, while pirates across the sea raised their cups to honor him as a father.
• Sengoku refused Whitebeard’s request, so Whitebeard ordered the Whitebeard Pirates to disband after he exchanged himself for Ace.
• Whitebeard struck the ice with his naginata, sending his crew’s ships back, then asked Sengoku if his sacrifice was enough.