Arc 16The Flame Dragon Empire Expands

Julian forced the World Government to cede territory and returned to the Flame Dragon Empire, where his children began school and Nore ate the Nika Fruit. Herbert recovered the pure gold and rescued Olga, while Julian prepared to treat White Lead Disease patients and establish a research institute.

  • Julian forced Steel Bone Kong and the World Government to withdraw from Long Ring Long Land and cede the middle and former half of the Grand Line, promising to release the captive Celestial Dragons five years apart.
  • Herbert rescued Perona and brought the Nika Fruit to Julian, and Nore chose to eat it despite Julian’s warnings.
  • Julian sent his children to Flame Dragon School, where Rayleigh welcomed them and Stussy introduced the Elite Class to the Empire’s Will of Fire.
  • Julian sent Herbert and Tesoro to retrieve pure gold from a giant lanternfish, and Herbert killed the creature and found Alchemi Island inside its stomach.
  • Julian ordered Doflamingo to send Fal D. Law to the Empire and Rose to make Constitution Potions for arriving White Lead Disease patients.
  • Herbert brought Olga and Dr. Ashiye to Julian, who cured Olga with a Constitution Potion, offered her a place at school, and ordered a research institute built.
Chapters 376–400 Vol. 4 Read

Ch. 376Preparing for War

Julian continued training his children and assigned powerful Devil Fruits to his family while preparing the Flame Dragon Empire for the World Government’s approaching forces. He mobilized Fujitora, the Giants, and George to meet them on Long Ring Long Land, with captured Celestial Dragons intended as leverage.

  • Julian made Norton run faster during training and had the children practice Rokushiki, Fist Bone, or swordsmanship.
  • Julian prepared Devil Fruits for his children and gave Hancock the Yamata no Orochi Fruit for Nottan.
  • Talilun told Julian that the World Government’s three armed forces had reached Sound Wave Island and that the Dragon Guards were ready on Long Ring Long Land.
  • Julian ordered Fujitora to bring the Giants and the captured Saint Garling and Saint Roswald to Long Ring Long Land to pressure the World Government.
  • Julian told George to bring Saint Roswald and Garling Saint Figarland and keep Saint Julian restrained, while George and Allison continued tormenting the captives.

Ch. 377Journey to Long Ring Long Land

Giant warriors and other allies arrived at Flame Dragon Castle, where George and the others continued beating the captive Celestial Dragons. Julian then ordered the Flame Dragon Ark to sail for Long Ring Long Land with the captives aboard.

  • Thompson opened a portal, bringing Gatlin, Reg, the other Giant warriors, and Fujitora Issho to Flame Dragon Castle.
  • George introduced the battered Figarland Garling and Saint Roswald to the newcomers, then slapped Garling until he lost consciousness.
  • Allison called for doctors to treat Garling while civilians cheered George and condemned the Celestial Dragons.
  • George transformed into Ma Dong-seok and slapped Saint Roswald unconscious after Roswald begged Allison for mercy.
  • Julian ordered the Flame Dragon Ark to depart for Long Ring Long Land with the two Celestial Dragons aboard, and Garud led the ship into flight.

Ch. 378Saint Roswald's Brilliant Move

As the Flame Dragon Ark sped toward battle, Julian shared a lavish feast with his powerful Giant Brigade and assessed the fighters’ abilities. Saint Roswald tried to trade his daughter for food, while Saint Julian angrily intervened and was beaten by Allison, who warned that the Celestial Dragons would become prisoners after their government fell.

  • Julian treated the fifteen Giant warriors to a feast and told them they would fight the Marines to gain experience.
  • Julian considered the Giant Brigade’s Devil Fruit abilities and strength, including Captain Gatlin and Vice Captain Reg’s Emperor-class power.
  • Allison teased the hungry Saint Roswald with food, and Roswald offered his daughter in marriage in exchange for a roasted lamb leg.
  • Saint Julian roared at Roswald for offering his daughter to Allison, and Allison kicked Saint Julian, breaking two ribs and leaving him unable to rise.
  • Allison told Saint Julian that the Celestial Dragons would be imprisoned and made to atone after the Flame Dragon Empire destroyed their government.

Ch. 379Three Armies United Arrive

Julian assembled the Flame Dragon Empire’s forces at Long Ring Long Land and promised Fujitora he would try to limit casualties while still fighting the World Government. The World Government’s three armies arrived with dozens of warships, bringing the two sides to the brink of battle.

  • Julian arrived aboard the Flame Dragon Ark and was greeted by Talilun, Brahms, and the assembled Dragon Guards and Fish-Man forces.
  • Julian addressed his warriors, thanked them for their efforts, and turned his attention toward the approaching World Government forces.
  • Fujitora voiced concern over soldiers dying in the coming battle, and Julian promised to spare as many lives as he could without abandoning the fight.
  • Kong led the World Government’s three armies to Long Ring Long Land with fifty warships, three admirals, CP0 members, and a Dog-Head Warship.
  • The World Government fleet halted off the island, facing Julian’s smaller force of one warship, the Flame Dragon Ark, Dragon Guards, and fifteen giants.

Ch. 380Playing Their Hand

Julian confronted the Celestial Dragon Government’s combined forces and used Saint Figarland Garling and Saint Roswald as leverage to prevent them from attacking. After Leo broadcast the captives’ condition across the Sea, the Gorosei and Celestial Dragons reacted with fury and fear.

  • Steel Bone Kong demanded Julian surrender and threatened to destroy the Flame Dragon Kingdom, but Julian warned that attacking would put every soldier at risk of execution for harming Celestial Dragons.
  • Julian had George and Allison raise Saint Figarland Garling and Saint Roswald on wooden poles while Leo prepared to broadcast their captivity.
  • Leo broadcast the footage to Morgans, who relayed it across the Sea for people everywhere to watch.
  • The Gorosei watched the broadcast and cursed Julian, while Saint Gloriosa demanded that Steel Bone Kong kill Julian’s forces and Saint Charlos mourned his father.
  • Other Celestial Dragons watched in terror, with some fearing Julian and others feeling relieved that they had escaped capture.

Ch. 381Putting Pressure on the Celestial Dragons

Julian used the captured Celestial Dragons to intimidate the World Government’s forces, while his broadcast stirred reactions across the seas. Steel Bone Kong demanded that Julian release the prisoners, but Julian kept taunting him as the standoff continued.

  • The broadcast prompted people across the seas to praise Julian, and some affiliated kings considered joining the Flame Dragon Empire.
  • The Flower Emperor’s family, Whitebeard, Kaido and his commanders, and Katakuri’s group watched the broadcast and reacted to Julian’s capture of the Celestial Dragons.
  • Julian mocked Steel Bone Kong and the World Government forces for refusing to attack while their leaders were tied up.
  • Steel Bone Kong demanded that Julian release Saint Roswald and Garling Saint Figarland for a fair fight.
  • Allison cursed Steel Bone Kong and threatened to execute the Celestial Dragons, and Julian continued taunting him after he lost his temper.

Ch. 382Who Else Is There?

Julian and the Flame Dragon Empire taunted the World Government fleet as Steel Bone Kong and the other admirals withdrew, leaving Sakazuki to face their insults alone. A live broadcast spread the confrontation across the Sea, where commoners condemned Sakazuki for the Ohara massacre while Saint Roswald threatened the Navy from his hanging pole.

  • Steel Bone Kong retreated to contact the Gorosei, while George and the others shouted insults after him.
  • Sengoku and the other admirals moved away, but Sakazuki stayed behind and berated them for abandoning the Celestial Dragons.
  • Gatlin, Reg, Julian, George, Allison, and others mocked and cursed Sakazuki, who glared at them but did not attack.
  • Leo broadcast the confrontation, and commoners across the Sea condemned Sakazuki over his actions at Ohara.
  • Saint Roswald shouted at the Navy for failing to rescue him and threatened to execute them when he returned.

Ch. 383Continue Negotiations

Julian used Saint Roswald’s curses to pressure the Three Armed Forces Alliance into negotiations over the captured Celestial Dragons. He demanded territory and delayed their release, then demonstrated his power when Steel Bone Kong insisted they be freed immediately.

  • Julian urged Saint Roswald to curse the Three Armed Forces Alliance, and Roswald threatened its leaders with execution if they failed to rescue him.
  • Garp and soldiers across the Navy, Army, and Air Force reacted with anger and fear at Roswald’s threats, while people in the Flame Dragon Empire cheered him on.
  • The Gorosei ordered Steel Bone Kong to ask Julian for his conditions and agree to them temporarily so Saint Roswald and Saint Julian would be released.
  • Julian demanded that the Three Armed Forces Alliance withdraw and give the Flame Dragon Empire the first and middle portions of the Grand Line.
  • The Gorosei agreed to Julian’s demands, but Julian said he would release one Celestial Dragon in five years and the other five years later.
  • When Steel Bone Kong demanded their immediate release, Julian threatened war and unleashed Conqueror’s Haki, knocking out countless soldiers and even vice admirals while Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji watched in apprehension.

Ch. 384Super Conqueror's Haki

Julian overwhelmed the Marine alliance with his perfected Conqueror’s Haki until the Gorosei agreed to cede the middle and former half of the Grand Line to the Flame Dragon Empire. After promising to release one Celestial Dragon every five years, Julian prepared to return home as news of the agreement spread across the Sea.

  • Julian unleashed his Conqueror’s Haki, forcing most of the Marine alliance and many of his own forces to collapse while even Kizaru, Aokiji, Sengoku, and Garp struggled to endure it.
  • George warned Julian that the Dragon Guard had passed out and Fujitora had gone blind again, so Julian stopped releasing his Haki.
  • Steel Bone Kong announced that the Gorosei had accepted Julian’s terms, provided he stopped abusing Saint Roswald and Saint Julian of Figarland.
  • Julian declared that the Flame Dragon Empire could not be provoked and promised to release one Celestial Dragon every five years as the Marines withdrew.
  • Julian boarded the Flame Dragon Ark and prepared to return home while his forces woke the Dragon Guard members.
  • People across the Sea learned through the broadcast that the World Government had ceded the middle and former half of the Grand Line to the Flame Dragon Empire.

Ch. 385The Flourishing Flame Dragon Empire

The Flame Dragon Empire celebrated Julian’s victory over the World Government, while Herbert flew toward the empire carrying a Devil Fruit. On the way, Herbert rescued a little girl from Blood Claw Bredor’s pirates and continued toward the Grand Line’s central region with her.

  • The people of the Flame Dragon Empire celebrated Julian’s victory and watched a broadcast of him defeating the Tri-Military Alliance.
  • Herbert flew from the Kingdom of Morgan toward the Flame Dragon Empire with a Devil Fruit resembling the Rubber-Rubber Fruit.
  • Herbert spotted Blood Claw Bredor’s pirates slaughtering civilians and heard a pink-haired little girl calling for help.
  • Herbert destroyed the Blood Claw with his Flame Dragon Breath and knocked out the pirates aboard the merchant ship with Conqueror’s Haki.
  • Herbert rescued the unconscious girl, destroyed the ship and its remaining pirates with Wind Blades, and flew toward the central region of the Grand Line.

Ch. 386Divine Beasts Go to School

Julian returned to the Flame Dragon Empire with Saint Julian and Saint Roswald as prisoners, then went home ahead of the welcoming celebration. He decided to send his children to school, including Nottan and Nore, though they were only a little over three years old.

  • The Flame Dragon Ark reached the Flame Dragon Empire, where Saint Roswald continued his cleaning duties and Saint Julian refused to eat the meager food Julian had ordered for him.
  • Garling Saint Figarland accepted defeat, and Julian said he would send him back to the Holy Land in ten years and ordered that he receive a warrior’s treatment in prison.
  • Julian returned home ahead of the welcoming ceremony, encountered Norton on his way to the castle, and sent him to call everyone back.
  • Julian filled out a school enrollment form for Noah, Tenoch, Nock, Numin, Noland, Nolene, and Norton, then decided that Nottan and Nore would go to school too.

Ch. 387Nika Fruit

After the World Government and the Flame Dragon Empire settled into a temporary truce, Julian focused on teaching his children and considered whether to give Nore the Nika Fruit. Nore sensed the fruit calling to him but disliked it, so Julian decided not to give it to him and offered other Devil Fruits instead.

  • The World Government and the Flame Dragon Empire maintained a temporary peace, while people across the Sea favored the Flame Dragon Empire.
  • Herbert returned with the Nika Fruit and Perona, and Julian sent Perona to the orphanage under Stussy's care.
  • Julian worried that Nore's gentle nature made him unsuited to the Nika Fruit, despite his extraordinary strength.
  • Nore accidentally crushed flowers while setting down a heavy stone, and Julian told him not to worry because the plants would grow back.
  • Julian showed Nore the Nika Fruit, and Nore said he could feel it breathing and calling to him.
  • Nore said he did not like the fruit, so Julian told him he would give him other Devil Fruits instead.

Ch. 388Nore's Choice

Nore chose and ate the Nika Fruit despite Julian warning him that it was useless without awakening, while Julian revealed he had tricked his children into eating entire Devil Fruits. As the Flame Dragon Empire prepared for a surge of new students, Kuma agreed to take Bonney and Ace to school.

  • Julian offered Nore the Nika Fruit and several other Mythical Zoan fruits, warning that the Nika Fruit was worthless unless awakened, but Nore chose it.
  • Nore ate the entire Nika Fruit, and Julian explained that one bite was enough, admitting he had made his children eat whole fruits as a lesson.
  • Julian told his children they would start school the next day, while Norton asked for braised Tyrannosaurus Rex head as a treat.
  • The Flame Dragon Empire prepared to enroll many new students, including overseas migrants and war orphans, while Stussy arranged documents and schooling for children at the orphanage.
  • Kuma and Ginny decided Bonney would attend preschool, and Kuma agreed to take Ace to school with her after Ace asked to go.

Ch. 389Flame Dragon School's Enrollment Season

Flame Dragon School’s enrollment season began as thousands of families brought children to register. Julian sent his older children to school with their mothers, stayed behind from the crowded ceremony, and watched over the youngest children at home.

  • Pablo deployed patrol members to keep order as parents queued to register students in five separate lines.
  • Tedara scolded parents who tried to cut in line while teachers, upperclassmen, and Orphanage staff helped with registration.
  • Julian told Noah, Tenoch, Nock, Numin, Noland, Nolene, Norton, Nore, and Nottan to go straight to the advanced class without registering.
  • Alice, Beatrice, Marlena, Laki, Hancock, and the other women took the children to school while Julian said he would return to Sky Island.
  • Noya asked to go to school after seeing her brothers leave, so Julian sent Lilian to take her.
  • Julian stayed at Galette’s villa with Nozhan and Nolong, admiring the strength of the two boisterous toddlers.

Ch. 390"Golden Fish Hook"

Julian explained that he planned to use a giant golden ship and Golden Fish Hook to catch a lanternfish in the Calm Belt, whose lantern contained pure gold and whose belly held living people. He ordered Herbert to lure it with the ship and bring the survivors back to the Flame Dragon Empire.

  • Julian teased Galette as she slept, then left his sons playing at home and went outside.
  • Tesoro and Pablo discussed the enormous golden ship and Golden Fish Hook Tesoro had built for Julian.
  • Julian told Tesoro and Pablo about pure gold and its discovery on Alchemi Island two hundred years earlier.
  • Herbert arrived, and Julian explained that a giant lanternfish in the Calm Belt had swallowed Alchemi Island and still carried pure gold in its lantern.
  • Julian ordered Herbert to take the golden ship and a crew to lure the lanternfish, retrieve the pure gold, and rescue the living people inside it.

Ch. 391The Nuo Family Brothers Enroll

The Nuo family children arrived at Flame Dragon School, where their enrollment drew attention to the empire’s resident-permit privileges. Rayleigh learned that Julian’s children, Portgas D. Ace, and Kozuki Hiyori had arrived, and he and Shakky went to welcome them.

  • Gion and the other mothers reminded the children to behave at school and not mention their fathers.
  • Onlookers questioned why the red-haired children were skipping the enrollment line, until Flame Dragon personnel revealed they were Lord Flame Emperor’s children.
  • Parents with First-Class Resident Permits received priority enrollment, prompting others to learn about the privileges of resident status.
  • Rayleigh learned that Julian’s children had arrived and reviewed a list naming Portgas D. Ace and Kozuki Hiyori.
  • Rayleigh agreed to teach the children personally, and he and Shakky set off to welcome them.

Ch. 392Rayleigh's Surprise

Alice and the other mothers toured Flame Dragon School with their children before leaving them in Rayleigh and Shakky’s care. Rayleigh learned about Nore’s Giant and Buccaneer heritage and the children’s Devil Fruits, ending with Noah revealing his enormous kirin form.

  • Alice, Marlena, and the other mothers watched their children explore Flame Dragon School and discussed how they would handle school conflicts.
  • Menas said she would summon Giant warriors if anyone bullied Nore, but Alice warned that they could destroy the school.
  • Reg and Shakky assured the mothers that the students would be safe, and Rayleigh took charge of the children as their mothers left.
  • Rayleigh asked Nore about his height, and Nore explained that his mother was a Giant warrior; Rayleigh and Shakky were astonished to learn he was also a Buccaneer.
  • Nore demonstrated his Nika Fruit, and Noah revealed his Dog-Dog Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Kirin Form by transforming into a golden kirin over nine meters long.

Ch. 393Elite Preschool Class

Rayleigh assessed the redheaded children’s Mythical Zoan powers and personalities before Shakky brought them to the Elite Preschool Class. There, Nock and Ace resumed their feud, while Bonney revealed Ace’s tragic background and Ace declared his loyalty to Julian.

  • Noah transformed into a giant golden qilin, and Rayleigh sent him and the other children to the classroom after learning about their Devil Fruits.
  • Rayleigh learned that Noya had no Devil Fruit yet and discovered that Nock was impulsive and spiteful but cared about his family.
  • Shakky introduced the redheaded children to Ace and Bonney, and Nock and Ace recognized each other and traded insults over their previous fight.
  • After Shakky left, Nock taunted Ace until Bonney explained Ace’s past and asked Nock to forgive him.
  • Ace denied that Roger was the man he acknowledged and named Julian as the only man he respected, prompting Nock to call him pitiful and possibly unstable.

Ch. 394Elite Class

Noah watched Nock and Ace bicker over a nickname before Stussy arrived to lead the newly assembled Elite Class. Stussy introduced the class’s demanding standards and wrote the Flame Dragon Empire’s Will of Fire on the blackboard.

  • Noah told Nock to apologize to Ace, and Nock offered him three thousand Berries before taking the money back during their renewed argument.
  • Bonney and Nore tried to calm Nock and Ace, but Noah finally ordered them to stop, and both boys returned to their seats.
  • Stussy entered with children from the Orphanage and other gifted students, and Noah greeted her as Aunt Stussy.
  • Stussy announced that she would teach the Flame Dragon Rokushiki and Flame Dragon Spirit, warning students who could not meet her standards to leave the Elite Class.
  • Stussy wrote the Will of Fire on the blackboard and declared it the spirit of the Flame Dragon Empire.

Ch. 395The Islanders Were Robbed Clean

Dragon Two Mars and the Dragon Guards looted and burned the Islander nation, then headed back to the Flame Dragon Empire with its wealth. Julian praised Mars and spent the rest of the chapter dining with Alice and Beatrice, promising Alice eternal youth if she pleased him.

  • Mars forced the Islanders to surrender and ordered the Dragon Guards to loot their palace, nobles, and merchants.
  • Mars ordered the Dragon Guards to set the cities ablaze after emptying the island of its wealth.
  • Mars and the Dragon Guards sailed toward the Flame Dragon Empire with billions of Berries and gold, and Mars reported their success to Julian.
  • Julian praised Mars, then ate a meal prepared by Alice and Beatrice at Flame Dragon Home.
  • Alice asked Julian whether pure gold could preserve youth, and Julian promised she could remain young for thousands of years if she pleased him.

Ch. 396Lanternfish

Tesoro used his Gold-Gold Fruit to lure a Sea King lanternfish toward the Gold Ship with a flood of gold, while Herbert prepared to defend the vessel. The gigantic creature lunged to swallow the ship as Herbert unleashed a powerful twin-sword slash.

  • In the Calm Belt, Herbert proposed using gold to attract the lanternfish, and Tesoro poured gold into the sea with Golden Fountain.
  • George, Pekki, and the Division Captains praised Tesoro as the gold spread across the sea and the Seastone-protected Gold Ship sailed safely.
  • The Sea King lanternfish sensed the gold and surged toward the surface, sending waves that rocked the ship.
  • Herbert used Observation Haki to sense the approaching creature, transformed into his seventeen-meter-tall Flood Dragon Beastman Form, and prepared his swords.
  • A Sea King over a thousand meters long opened its jaws and lunged at the ship, and Herbert struck with Hurricane Flame Sword and Divine Sword Void Slash.

Ch. 397Giant Pure Gold

Herbert and the Gold Ship’s Division Captains defeated a gigantic lanternfish before it could swallow their vessel, then recovered its Pure Gold Lantern. Tesoro brought the lantern aboard, where the crew recognized it as the pure gold Flame Emperor had told them to find.

  • Herbert struck the lanternfish with a powerful Flame Storm Slash, leaving it unable to move, and the Division Captains joined the attack.
  • Allison, George, and Pierre wounded the lanternfish, but it recovered enough to charge the Gold Ship again, forcing Tesoro to raise a golden shield.
  • Herbert unleashed Divine Sword Void Slash, killing the lanternfish with a huge X-shaped wound on its forehead.
  • Herbert cut off the lanternfish’s bulb, and Tesoro caught it with a Giant Gold Hand and carried it aboard the Gold Ship.
  • Tesoro identified the glowing bulb as the pure gold Flame Emperor had mentioned, and Allison examined the bloody lanternfish remains covering it.

Ch. 398Scientist of Pure Gold

Herbert entered the lanternfish’s stomachs to find Alchemi and help scientist Mischina Ashiye search for his missing daughters. He found a girl being chased by carnivorous dinosaurs in the third stomach and drove them back with a Dragon’s Roar.

  • Herbert cut open the lanternfish’s abdomen and entered its stomach, where he found Alchemi and a laboratory on the island inside.
  • Herbert confronted Mischina Ashiye, explained that he had slain the lanternfish, and agreed to help him find his daughters.
  • Herbert carried Ashiye through the second stomach, then used Observation Haki to sense a child in the third stomach.
  • Herbert found a little girl and a Running Lizard being chased by carnivorous dinosaurs and scared the dinosaurs with his Dragon’s Roar.

Ch. 399If You Need Anything, Find Stussy

Julian was turned away by the women at Flame Dragon Home and went to the castle, where Pablo told him that White Lead Disease patients were seeking treatment in the Flame Dragon Empire. Julian ordered Doflamingo to send Fal D. Law to the empire and Rose to produce Constitution Potions at full capacity.

  • Alice and Beatrice sent Julian away, so he tried visiting Gion, who also refused to let him in.
  • Hancock shut off her lights and bolted her door, prompting Julian to decide he should visit Stussy instead.
  • Pablo told Julian that immigrants and White Lead Disease patients had arrived and that residents wanted the patients driven away.
  • Julian ordered Pablo to have Doflamingo send Fal D. Law to the Flame Dragon Empire and Rose to produce Constitution Potions at full capacity.
  • Doflamingo agreed to send Fal D. Law to the Flame Dragon Empire immediately.

Ch. 400The Gold Ship Returns Laden

Herbert returned to the Flame Dragon Empire with a shipload of gold and Dr. Ashiye, who explained how pure gold had kept his daughter Olga from growing up. Julian cured Olga’s tropical disease and arranged for her to study, while Ashiye agreed to produce pure gold for the Empire.

  • Dr. Ashiye explained that pure gold had halted his daughter Olga’s growth to protect her from a fatal tropical disease, and the two had reconciled during the voyage.
  • Julian welcomed Herbert and the others at the docks and brought them toward Flame Dragon Castle to discuss the pure gold.
  • Olga told Julian she was two hundred and forty-six years old and wanted to grow up, but Ashiye warned that her illness made removing the rings dangerous.
  • Julian gave Olga a Constitution Potion, which cured her tropical disease, and she removed her Pure Gold Rings.
  • Julian offered to send Olga to the Empire’s school, asked Ashiye to make Pure Gold Rings, and ordered Pablo to build him a research institute.
Arc 16 of 19