Arc 17The Emperor’s Children

Julian expanded his plans for the empire while Shanks visited and the Red-Haired Pirates’ deal delayed another clash with the World Government. At home, Julian’s children went on an unauthorized outing, faced his brutal training, and were pushed toward awakening Conqueror’s Haki.

  • Julian had Tesoro make Pure Gold jewelry, sent the gold to Rose for research, and welcomed Fal D. Law before placing him in Stussy’s orphanage and Elite Class.
  • After Morgans published humiliating images of Saint Saturn, Julian faced Shanks’s warning about the coming war, agreed to halt that kind of coverage, and promised to look after Uta.
  • Julian and Shanks’s Conqueror’s Haki clash cleared the clouds, and Julian later sent Uta to Stussy while Shanks departed and Julian worried the World Government would rebuild its alliance.
  • George defeated Gatlin in the arena before Reg beat Allison and Pekki awakened his Black-Backed Wild Boar Form to fight Doji.
  • When Julian learned his sons had gone to sea with Ace and Bonney, he sent Herbert to find them and discovered they had gone to Hot Spring Island for fun.
  • Herbert brought the children home, where Julian allowed future visits but began training them by fighting them himself and knocking them all unconscious.
  • As Sakazuki led Marine warships toward the empire, Julian arranged staged deaths to awaken Conqueror’s Haki in his sons, and Nock and Nore awakened while Noyan received a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit.
  • Julian summoned Nuo Zhan and Nuo Long to the northern outskirts as their older brothers discussed the disturbing tests and the power of Conqueror’s Haki.
Chapters 401–425 Vol. 5 Read

Ch. 401Pure Gold Ring

After Tesoro turned some of the pure gold into longevity-granting jewelry, Julian kept the rest and gave it to Rose to study for a possible life-extending potion. Rose took the gold to the science park, while Julian and his officers decided to postpone wearing the jewelry because it would halt their growth in strength.

  • Tesoro transformed the pure gold into more than seventy thousand Pure Gold Rings and bracelets before Julian had him turn the excess back into a block.
  • Julian asked Tesoro to offer his wife two pairs of bracelets and told Pablo that outstanding senior officials could apply for a Pure Gold Ring.
  • Julian decided he would wait until he was forty to wear a Pure Gold Bracelet, since the jewelry stopped the wearer’s cells from dividing and prevented further growth in strength.
  • Rose arrived at Flame Dragon Castle, examined the pure gold, and agreed to test whether it could be made into a life potion.
  • Herbert and the other Division Captains declined the jewelry for now, and Rose took the pure gold to the science park.

Ch. 402The Lively Flame Dragon Empire

Julian went to Flame Dragon Castle to meet Fal D. Law, an eight-year-old suffering from White Lead Disease, while Morgans’s fabricated images of Saint Saturn kneeling spread across the Sea. The chapter ended with Julian asking Law his name.

  • Julian left Flame Dragon Home after telling Noah to practice swordsmanship and learn Rankyaku and Geppo before attempting Divine Speed.
  • Morgans published edited images portraying Saint Saturn as a battered criminal kneeling and begging Julian for mercy, stirring reactions across the Sea.
  • The Gorosei grew furious at the latest newspaper but held back because Julian still held Garling Saint Figarland and Saint Roswald.
  • Julian entered Flame Dragon Castle, where Fal D. Law saw him and called out to him.
  • Julian asked the frightened child his name, and Fal D. Law introduced himself.

Ch. 403Luffy Is Born

Julian gave Luo a chance to recover and attend school, then trained the children at the Flame Dragon Home and taught them to face fear and fight decisively. Dragon later reported that CP0 and a Marine Admiral had attacked him; the Gorosei blamed Akainu and CP0 for failing to capture Dragon and secure a hostage.

  • Julian gave Luo Constitution Potions and a place in the Elite Class at Stussy's Flame Dragon Orphanage, where Stussy recognized his White Lead Disease and arranged a room for him.
  • Julian praised the children at the Flame Dragon Home for training and told them to pursue strength, protect their loved ones, and finish fights decisively.
  • Julian released a trace of killing intent to show the children a true powerhouse's presence, then urged them to overcome fear through training.
  • Dragon called Julian from Baludigo Island and revealed that CP0 and a Marine Admiral had ambushed him while he held a child, saying he had failed to protect her.
  • The Gorosei berated CP0's leaders and Akainu for failing to capture Dragon, which they had hoped to use as leverage to exchange for Saint Garling of Figarland and the others.

Ch. 404Flame Dragon School Elite Class

Noah and the other children set off for their first day at Flame Dragon School while Julian was left behind after the women rejected his suggestion of having another child. On the way, the children bickered over who would pay for snacks and toys, with Noah pressuring Nock to spend his savings.

  • Julian woke Noah, Nock, Tenoch, and the other children and sent them off to Flame Dragon School.
  • Alice, Beatrice, Gion, Hancock, Marlena, Laki, and Luna each refused Julian’s suggestion that they have another child, leaving him alone on the lawn.
  • Noah and the children walked along Flame Dragon Street and stopped to admire the snacks and toys.
  • Tenoch offered to treat the group, but Noah pointed out that Nock had asked Marlena for 100,000 Berries and pressured him to pay.
  • Noya revealed that her mother had given her 1.5 million Berries, and Nock eagerly urged her to treat everyone.
  • Noah reminded Nock that he had earned plenty by serving tea and massaging Marlena’s legs, leaving Nock flustered.

Ch. 405The Bond Between Children

Noah let Nock treat the group at a supermarket, where the children stocked up on food and gifts while Nock complained about the cost. Noah then stopped Nock and Ace from escalating their argument into a fight, leaving them to settle down under the supermarket’s rules.

  • Nock agreed to treat everyone, and Norton and Numin teased him while shopping for snacks and clothes.
  • Numin picked Hanfu, and Noah explained that Julian had promoted the traditional clothing throughout the Flame Dragon Empire.
  • Noah and the red-haired children filled their carts, while Nolene thanked Nock for the rabbit dolls he bought her.
  • Noah picked up a Steel Greatsword and found Nock arguing with Ace over an item in the supermarket.
  • Bonney held Ace back, and Noah put down the sword and warned them that fighting and damaging property would incur a tenfold penalty.
  • Nock handed Ace his dinosaur milk-flavored ice cream, and the argument calmed down.

Ch. 406Elite Class's Redhead

Nock paid for the students’ shopping and discovered Ace and Bonney had added their purchases to his bill. Their talk about Ace’s younger brother turned to Lord Flame Emperor and his family, revealing Nock’s connection to the Kate family and surprising the students with stories about Ace’s challenge to Lord Flame Emperor.

  • Nock was shocked by the 39,000-Berry bill, then learned Ace and Bonney had put their purchases on his tab.
  • Ace explained that he was saving money to bring his younger brother, Monkey D Luffy, to the Flame Dragon Empire, and clarified that Dragon had asked his mother to raise Luffy.
  • Ace and Nock traded insults over their names and family ties until Noah reminded Nock of his father’s warning, prompting Nock to say he had no surname.
  • Ace and Bonney discussed Lord Flame Emperor’s power, fame, and children, while Noah and the others recalled Black Maria’s determination to become his partner.
  • The students learned that Ace had once challenged Lord Flame Emperor, but Nock had knocked him down with a Nock Flying Kick, and Lord Flame Emperor had given Ace the nickname Ai Mazi.

Ch. 407New Elite Class Students

Noah and his classmates discussed rumors that Principal Stussy was secretly meeting the Flame Emperor, then questioned whether Tenoch and Noah were his sons. The students remained unconvinced, while Fal D. Law watched the lively group with longing.

  • Ashiru greeted Noah when she arrived in the Elite Class, and more students soon joined them.
  • Kozuki Hiyori told Numin that Principal Stussy sneaked out at night, prompting the students to speculate about her secret companion.
  • Kozuki Hiyori revealed that Senior Gakula had seen Principal Stussy with the Lord Flame Emperor, shocking the class.
  • Tenoch claimed the Lord Flame Emperor was his father, but the students doubted him because he dressed plainly.
  • Komurasaki questioned whether Tenoch could be the Lord Flame Emperor's son, and Noah said he only happened to resemble him.
  • Fal D. Law listened to the other students and longed to join their group.

Ch. 408The Arrival of the Red-Haired Pirates

Julian allowed Shanks and the Red-Haired Pirates to enter the Flame Dragon Empire after Shanks asked him to give the crew some face. Shanks and his companions toured the empire and encountered civilians who openly mocked pirates, leaving the crew amazed by the city and its people.

  • Julian received a report from Pablo that the Red-Haired Pirates had arrived and ordered the Dragon Guard to let them ashore.
  • Passat welcomed Shanks after Pablo confirmed Julian’s invitation, relieving the Red-Haired Pirates, who had feared an armed confrontation.
  • Shanks and his crew admired the empire’s enormous walls, cheerful civilians, and towering buildings as they entered the city.
  • The civilians insulted the Red-Haired Pirates and singled out Lucci’s appearance, while Shanks and Beckman remarked on how fierce the people were.

Ch. 409Red-Hair's Purpose

Red-Hair Shanks visited Julian to urge the Flame Dragon Empire to stop its attacks on the World Government, but Julian dismissed his warnings and agreed to halt the smear campaign only after hearing about a promised Devil Fruit. The chapter ended with Julian asking whether Uranus Utill had made a move in the Holy Land.

  • Shanks left Beckman and the others to visit Flame Dragon Castle while they went drinking.
  • Shanks asked Julian to stop publishing damaging news about the Gorosei and warned that the World Government would continue the war.
  • Julian rejected Shanks's warnings and threatened to wipe out the Celestial Dragons.
  • Shanks offered Julian a powerful Devil Fruit in ten years if he stopped the smear campaign and released Saint Roswald and Garling Saint Figarland.
  • Julian agreed to stop Morgans from publishing that kind of news, then told Shanks that he was a hunter waiting for his prey.
  • Julian asked Shanks what had happened in the Holy Land and whether Uranus Utill had made a move.

Ch. 410Unexpected

Shanks challenged Julian with Conqueror’s Haki, then asked him to protect his daughter while he risked his life seeking territory in the New World. As they headed to Flame Dragon Castle to drink, Julian revealed his desire to uncover what lies beyond the world and the secrets Queen Lily left on Final Island.

  • Shanks and Julian clashed with Conqueror’s Haki, and Julian’s power overwhelmed Shanks’s.
  • Shanks asked Julian to look after his daughter in case he died while claiming territory in the New World, and Julian agreed.
  • Shanks said he wanted to see First Mate Rayleigh, and Julian told him Rayleigh was the principal of Flame Dragon School.
  • Julian and Shanks walked toward Flame Dragon Castle together, discussing Shanks’s plans and Julian’s offer to join the empire.
  • Julian said he wanted to reach Final Island, reveal Queen Lily’s records, and learn what existed beyond the world’s sky.

Ch. 411Endless Earth

Julian and Shanks shared a meal in Flame Dragon Castle after their Conqueror’s Haki clash revealed Sky Island to the empire below. Meanwhile, CP0 agent Alpha was exposed while plotting to infiltrate Flame Dragon Prison and rescue Saint Julian and Saint Roswald.

  • Julian took Shanks to the Flame Dragon Castle banquet hall, where Shanks ordered five servings of the Strengthening Recipe and asked for its recipe.
  • Shanks asked Julian for staff and was scolded for failing to send the Devil Fruits he had promised.
  • The clash between Julian and Shanks’s Conqueror’s Haki cleared the clouds, briefly allowing people in the Flame Dragon Empire and on Sky Island to see each other.
  • At Flame Dragon Hospital, Alpha recorded the Haki clash and planned to infiltrate Flame Dragon Prison to rescue Saint Julian and Saint Roswald.
  • A hunchbacked old man seized Alpha’s hand and identified her as CP0 Squad Leader Alpha, while she denied being an agent and cried for help.

Ch. 412Agents from the World Government

Dragon Three captured Alpha, the last undercover CP0 agent, and revealed her plan to provoke conflict so she could rescue Garling Saint Figarland and Saint Roswald. After Shanks left, Julian considered how to respond to the World Government’s preparations for war.

  • Alpha pretended to be harassed by a Dragon Guard officer until he revealed himself and identified her as a spy.
  • Dragon Three arrived and arrested Alpha, explaining that the other undercover agents had confessed and that he knew her rescue plan.
  • Dragon Three sent Alpha to Flame Dragon Prison, where over a hundred thousand pirates, spies, and CP0 members were being held.
  • Pablo praised Dragon Three’s report, and Shanks asked Julian to send Uta to the Flame Dragon Empire.
  • Shanks departed after Julian agreed to arrange for Uta, while Julian reflected on the World Government’s plans to attack after the ten-year agreement ended.
  • Julian worried that the World Government might rebuild the Three-Army Alliance and regretted not capturing Vegapunk on Egghead Island.

Ch. 413Progress of the Giant Warriors

Julian returned to Sky Island and watched George fight Gatlin in a training match between Division Captains and Giant warriors. George won by half a move, but Reg challenged him before he could recover.

  • Julian sent the nearly one-year-old Uta to Stussy to raise and ordered Pablo to provide her with a generous allowance.
  • Julian returned to Sky Island, where the Flame Dragon School had more than two hundred thousand students and its first students were beginning to give back to the empire.
  • George and Gatlin fought in the duel arena, using their Haki, Devil Fruit powers, and flame techniques against each other.
  • George and Gatlin's attacks collided and filled the arena with fire, which Herbert extinguished with Hurricane Power.
  • George claimed victory over Gatlin, then Reg entered the arena and challenged him while the Division Captains pleaded for time to let George recover his Haki.

Ch. 414Reg Battles Allison

Allison challenged Reg to prove his new strength after becoming an entry-level Great Swordmaster, while Reg transformed into a Super Steel Giant. Their opening attacks collided in a fiery explosion, and Reg’s next Sea of Flames rushed toward the already-winded Allison.

  • Allison revealed his swordsmanship breakthrough, advanced Haki, and near-awakened White Wolf powers as he prepared to fight Reg.
  • Allison transformed into his White Wolf Beastman form, and Reg became a towering Super Steel Giant.
  • Reg launched Steel Wind, and Allison countered with Flame Sword—Flame Rush, causing a massive explosion.
  • Pierre noted that Allison had already spent much of his stamina, and Allison removed his coat before charging Reg.
  • Reg unleashed Wind of Flames, sending a Sea of Flames surging toward Allison.

Ch. 415Allison's Defeat

Allison fought Reg with powerful sword techniques but surrendered when Reg's guided steel swords overwhelmed him. Pekki then faced Doji and awakened his Black-Backed Wild Boar Form after Doji taunted him, leaving the spectators shocked.

  • Allison and Reg clashed with fiery and wind-based sword slashes as the watching warriors marveled at their strength.
  • Reg summoned more than a hundred flying steel swords, and Allison could not evade their pursuit even with Divine Speed, so he surrendered.
  • Pekki entered the arena to fight Doji, who transformed into a towering Deinonychus Beastman surrounded by flames.
  • Doji taunted Pekki about losing to him the previous day, provoking Pekki into awakening his Black-Backed Wild Boar Form.
  • Julian, George, Pierre, and the others reacted with surprise at Pekki's sudden awakening after he had spent a day unconscious.

Ch. 416Pekki's Awakening

Pekki challenged Doji after awakening and fought him in the arena before Lord Flame Emperor Julian. Pekki showed greatly improved recovery and powerful Haki, but Doji continued to overpower him with his Ancient Zoan strength.

  • Pekki angrily confronted Doji over the beating he had suffered the previous day and declared that he had come to take revenge.
  • Julian urged Pekki and Doji to stop arguing and begin their fight.
  • Doji's Elbaf Spear collided with Pekki's Flame Gun, and Pekki charged through the smoke to attack Doji.
  • Doji's Flame Dragon Claw sent Pekki flying and injured his leg, but Pekki recovered quickly and attacked again.
  • Pekki and Doji exchanged Flame Straight Punch and Flame Hurricane Claw, blasting each other back while Pekki's Flowing Armament Haki injured Doji's claw.
  • Julian observed that awakening had made Pekki more durable and improved his recovery, but had not overcome Doji's Ancient Zoan advantage.

Ch. 417Flame Dragon School Let Out

Julian learned that most of his young sons had gone out to sea with Bonney and possibly Ai Mazi to hunt pirates, and he organized a search. He suspected Ace had led the group and left him to take the blame while Ginny worried about Bonney.

  • Alice told Julian that all his sons except Noyan, Noah, and Nolan had gone to sea to hunt pirates for bounty money.
  • Julian ordered Herbert to alert the Dragon Guards and search for the children, especially near Baludigo Island and Spring Queen City.
  • Herbert transformed into a massive flood dragon and flew out to search while Julian called Ginny.
  • Ginny learned that Bonney and possibly Ai Mazi had gone with Julian's sons, and she became worried about her daughter.
  • Julian blamed the adventure on Ace and ended the call, though he knew Ace had not done the misdeeds he described.

Ch. 418Making Trouble

Ace and his classmates sailed toward Hot Spring Island after Nock tricked them into a trip with a pirate-fighting excuse. Their conversation about Ace’s parentage and Patrila Island’s evacuation ended with Acheng praising Bonney’s father, Bartholomew Kuma.

  • Ace urged the students onward toward Hot Spring Island, while Nock admitted he had brought them there for its grand opening sale and free hot springs.
  • Noah and Nore worried about sneaking away, but Nock, Kaku, and Kalifa reassured them that the Flame Dragon Empire’s patrols kept the waters safe.
  • Ace and Nock argued after Nock insulted Ace over Roger, and Ace insisted that Lord Flame Emperor was his father.
  • Tenoch praised the Flame Emperor, but Acheng recalled that Sakazuki’s Meteor Volcano attacks killed hundreds during Patrila Island’s evacuation.
  • Bonney said her mother had helped with the evacuation and her father, Bartholomew Kuma, had fought on the front lines; Acheng then praised Kuma for treating the islanders.

Ch. 419Comparing Fathers

Bonney and the others traded stories about their families and their connections to the Flame Emperor. Bonney invited her friends to visit Flame Dragon Castle, while Nock and Ace argued over how Ace got the nickname Ai Mazi.

  • Acheng told Bonney that her father, Kuma, was widely admired, and Ace recalled Kuma’s kindness and the debt his family owed him.
  • Noah explained that Nore had gigantism and described how another brother developed black wings and red flames after visiting Sky Island.
  • The children envied Noah’s flying ability, and Bonney promised to take them to Flame Dragon Castle and said the Flame Emperor might give her a Devil Fruit someday.
  • Bonney teased Ace about his past challenge to the Flame Emperor, and Nock defended having beaten Ace for provoking him.
  • Nock said the Flame Emperor had called Ace Ai Mazi because he had pockmarks, while Bonney remembered being at the New Year’s party when the nickname was first spoken.

Ch. 420Hot Spring Island

Noah and the others arrived at Hot Spring Island to enjoy its hot springs, while the Dragon Guard secretly reported their whereabouts to Julian. After learning they were safe, Julian let them continue their outing and redirected Herbert toward the island.

  • Noah and his companions reached Hot Spring Island, gathered their savings, and headed into the crowded town.
  • Nock worried that Julian would punish him for claiming they were going out to catch pirates, while Noah warned him the Dragon Guard might report his words.
  • The Dragon Guard informed Dragon General Talilun that Noah's group was on the island, and Talilun told them to stay concealed before reporting to Julian.
  • Julian learned the children had gone to Hot Spring Island for fun, ordered the guards to keep watching them, and sent Herbert flying toward the island.
  • Noah told Nock that Julian had approved their outing after the Dragon Guard dispersed, while Tenoch urged the group to be truthful about future trips.
  • Ace and Acheng wondered about Noah's father's authority, and Noah called Julian a high-ranking official before inviting everyone to the hot springs.

Ch. 421Lord Noah

Herbert arrived at Hot Spring Island to bring Noah and the others home, and the visitors learned Noah was Lord Flame Emperor’s son. Noah asked everyone to keep treating him like an ordinary person as he continued attending school quietly.

  • Herbert landed on Hot Spring Island and learned that Noah and the others were bathing in the hot springs.
  • Ace and Nock argued over swimming, Devil Fruit weaknesses, and Geppo while the others soaked nearby.
  • Tenoch pointed Herbert out to Noah, and Herbert said he had come to pick them up and warned them not to worry Lord Flame Emperor by wandering off.
  • Luo and Acheng realized Noah was Lord Flame Emperor’s child, while Nock revealed that Noah was nearly a beginner Swordmaster.
  • Noah asked everyone not to spread his identity and to keep treating him as an ordinary person, but Acheng continued praising him.

Ch. 422Kids Need More Gossip

Herbert brought Noah and the other children back from Hot Spring Island to the Flame Dragon Empire, where Julian welcomed them and promised to train them. Their training began with Julian trapping them in a Gravity Mud barrier and chasing them with a club.

  • Herbert carried the children back to the Flame Dragon Empire on Flame Clouds, and Noah promised his classmates he might speak to his father about their requests.
  • Noah and his brothers returned to Flame Dragon Home, where Julian asked about their trip and agreed they could visit Hot Spring Island again with others.
  • Julian announced that he would train the children to become Emperor-level experts, then ordered them to run from him and his club.
  • Julian raised a Gravity Mud barrier around Noah, Tenoch, Nock, Noland, Nore, and Norton, weighing them down as Noah recognized the trap.

Ch. 423One Swing, One Little Cutie

Julian tested his sons’ Devil Fruit abilities inside a Gravity Mud barrier, overwhelming them with his speed and Mud Eight Trigrams club. By the end, Nock, Nore, Noah, Tenoch, Noland, and Norton were all unconscious.

  • Noah, Tenoch, Nock, Noland, Norton, and Nore transformed or used their abilities as Julian began their training fight.
  • Julian struck Nock unconscious with Mud Eight Trigrams before Noah attacked with fiery breath and Wind Blades.
  • Julian crushed Noah’s attacks with a dragon claw and dodged his destructive laser, prompting Noah to warn his brothers that they could not defeat their father.
  • Tenoch and Noland prepared to break the barrier while Nore charged Julian with a Flame Battle Axe, but Julian knocked Nore unconscious.
  • Julian used Divine Speed to knock Noah, Tenoch, and Noland unconscious, then struck Norton from the sky and left him in a crater.

Ch. 424Time Flies By

In Grand Line Era 1508, the Flame Dragon Empire prepared to release Saint Roswald as Marine Admiral Sakazuki arrived with more than twenty warships. Julian reflected on his sons’ growth and described the staged attacks he had arranged to awaken Tenoch and Nore’s Conqueror’s Haki.

  • Sakazuki led more than twenty Marine warships toward the Flame Dragon Empire to retrieve Saint Roswald, while Julian told Pablo to treat the Marines firmly but give them some consideration.
  • Noah, now ten and a half, had reached peak Vice Admiral strength, mastered all Three Types of Haki to high levels, and received the Dragon-Slaying Saber of Flower Country, which he called the Kirin Blade.
  • Julian arranged for Rayleigh and Chapter Ben Yihan to stage Gion’s apparent death, and Tenoch awakened Conqueror’s Haki before learning it was an act.
  • Rayleigh staged Marlena’s apparent death for Nock, but Nock fainted instead of awakening Haki and later found his mother safe.
  • Rayleigh and Chapter Ben Yihan staged Menas’s apparent death for Nore, who awakened Conqueror’s Haki and attacked Rayleigh with a huge Flame Fist before learning the scene was staged.
  • Julian told Zhang Benyihan to continue staging attacks in hopes of awakening Conqueror’s Haki in his other sons.

Ch. 425Zhang Benhan's Malice

Zhang Benyihan used staged scenes of maternal death to provoke the remaining young princes into awakening Conqueror's Haki, and Nock finally awakened after confronting Rayleigh. Julian praised Noyan and gave him a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit, while the older brothers watched as the youngest twins were summoned for the same ordeal.

  • Zhang Benyihan posed as Nock's bloodied mother, and Nock attacked her before Rayleigh suppressed him with Conqueror's Haki.
  • Nock awakened his own Conqueror's Haki and learned from Rayleigh that Noyan, Norton, and Nottan had awakened through the same method.
  • Zhang Benyihan returned to her own appearance, told Nock that Julian had ordered the test, and left after he dismissed her.
  • Julian praised Noyan for awakening Conqueror's Haki at four and a half and gave him the Mythical Zoan Stone Armor Monkey Form Devil Fruit.
  • Julian summoned six-year-old Nuo Zhan and Nuo Long to the northern outskirts, while their older brothers discussed Zhang Benyihan's disturbing awakening methods and the power of Conqueror's Haki.
Arc 17 of 19