Chapter Summaries

Ling Xuan invited Smoker to join his command, and Smoker agreed to transfer to the G3 Branch after Ling Xuan and Kuina departed Loguetown. As the warship sailed toward its next destination, Ling Xuan spoke with Zephyr and reflected on his new rank and the dangers ahead.

• Ling Xuan invited Smoker to leave Loguetown and join him, but Smoker asked for time to consider the offer.
• Five days later, Ling Xuan and Kuina departed Loguetown, and Smoker told Tashigi he had agreed to transfer to the G3 Branch under Ling Xuan.
• Kuina mourned leaving Tashigi behind, while Ling Xuan explained that they had other matters to handle and warned that a storm was approaching.
• Zephyr called Ling Xuan to scold him for not reporting his dangerous encounter, then praised him for capturing Golden Lion Shiki.
• Ling Xuan reflected that Headquarters had awarded him the rank of vice admiral and made him an Admiral Candidate.

Ling Xuan brought his warship to the Sixteenth Branch to restock, prompting Colonel Rat to flee to Arlong’s base because he feared his corrupt dealings had been exposed. Watching Arlong and Rat interact, Nami realized the Navy had not captured Arlong because the two sides were acquainted.

• Ling Xuan ordered his warship to resupply at the Sixteenth Branch after learning it was nearby.
• Colonel Rat feared the rear admiral’s arrival meant his dealings were exposed, so he told his men to claim he had left and escaped to Arlong’s base.
• The Sixteenth Branch’s major greeted Ling Xuan in Colonel Rat’s absence, and Ling Xuan dismissed the branch officers without investigating further.
• Arlong welcomed Colonel Rat and assigned Kuroobi to show him around, then sent Chuu to investigate the Sixteenth Branch.
• Nami watched the exchange from the attic and realized Arlong had remained in Cocoyasi Village because he had connections with the Navy.

Nami realized Arlong had never intended to spare Cocoyasi Village, and she struggled to endure as she searched for a way to save everyone. Meanwhile, Ling Xuan and Kuina visited a nearby town while Arlong learned that a Navy Headquarters officer had arrived and moved to protect his alliance with Colonel Rat.

• Nami understood that Arlong had lied about sparing Cocoyasi Village and broke down in despair.
• Nami stabbed at the Arlong Pirates mark on her arm, then left the territory to return home and change her bloodstained clothes.
• Ling Xuan learned of his promotion to lieutenant general and took Kuina to visit a nearby town while their warship awaited repairs.
• Chuu overheard Navy soldiers discussing the arrival of a Headquarters officer and reported the news to Arlong.
• Arlong ordered Chuu to watch the Navy officer and went to meet Colonel Rat.
• Ling Xuan and Kuina arrived in town in civilian clothes.

Nami brought Ling Xuan and Kuina to her home in Cocoyasi Village to protect them from Arlong’s Fish-Men, then revealed that Arlong had deceived the villagers and colluded with the Navy. Nojiko and Genzo comforted Nami, while Arlong headed for the village after discovering she had left in a hurry.

• Ling Xuan and Kuina entered a village, where Nami warned them of danger and hurried them to her home.
• Chuu told Arlong that a Navy Rear Admiral had come to the Sixteenth Branch for supplies, not because the Navy had uncovered his deal with Colonel Rat.
• Arlong smelled blood, learned that Nami was missing, and led his Fish-Men toward Cocoyasi Village, suspecting she had discovered his collusion with the Navy.
• Nami brought Ling Xuan and Kuina to Nojiko and Genzo, then explained that Arlong had tricked them and worked with the nearby Navy.
• Nojiko and Genzo comforted Nami and revealed that they had long known Arlong meant no good.

Nami learned that the people of Cocoyasi Village had known her secret and had been willing to fight Arlong to protect her. As Arlong and his Fish-Men arrived, Ling Xuan brought Kuina and Nami to the village and stepped between the villagers and their attackers.

• Genzo, Nojiko, and the villagers comforted Nami and revealed that they had long known about her deal with Arlong.
• Kuina asked Ling Xuan to help Nami, and he agreed before a villager warned that Arlong was approaching.
• Genzo and Nojiko went to protect the village, while Nami begged Ling Xuan and Kuina to save everyone.
• Arlong ordered Chuu and the Fish-Men to attack the villagers, who prepared to fight rather than let them take Nami.
• Ling Xuan arrived with Kuina and Nami and stepped between the villagers and the Fish-Men.

Ling Xuan defeated Arlong, freed Cocoyasi Village, and brought Nami along as a Marine after dealing with the corrupt officers of the Sixteenth Branch. He and Kuina returned to Shimotsuki Village with Nami and reunited with Koshiro at the dojo.

• Ling Xuan used Conqueror's Haki to knock out Arlong's Fish-Men, then killed Arlong with a single attack.
• Nami fainted after Ling Xuan told her that Arlong was dead and Cocoyasi Village was safe.
• After reporting to Headquarters, Ling Xuan arrested the Sixteenth Branch's corrupt officers, sank Colonel Rat and his companions, and arranged for a major to take charge of the branch.
• Nami chose to leave Cocoyasi Village and follow Ling Xuan as a Marine, sharing her dream of charting the world's sailing routes with Kuina.
• After three days at sea, Ling Xuan, Kuina, and Nami reached Shimotsuki Village and found the dojo training grounds empty.
• Ling Xuan led Kuina and Nami to the inner courtyard, where Kuina and Ling Xuan reunited with Koshiro.

Ling Xuan and Kuina returned to the Shimotsuki Dojo and recounted their recent adventures to Koshiro, who praised Ling Xuan and asked him to look for Zoro. After an unexpected late-night call, Sengoku ordered Ling Xuan to return to Headquarters within half a month for an undisclosed mission.

• Koshiro welcomed Ling Xuan, Kuina, and Nami back, and Kuina recounted their adventures to him.
• Koshiro praised Ling Xuan for becoming a Navy Vice Admiral and capturing Golden Lion Shiki, and he comforted Nami over what she had endured.
• Five days later, Koshiro asked Ling Xuan whether he had heard where Zoro was, and Ling Xuan promised to help Zoro if they met.
• Koshiro began to ask Ling Xuan about his relationship with Kuina, but Kuina and Nami returned and interrupted him.
• Sengoku called Ling Xuan late at night and ordered him to return to Headquarters within half a month for a mission.

Ling Xuan returned to Navy Headquarters after a hurried trip through East Blue, bringing Kuina and Nami with him. He arrived just before Sengoku’s deadline and reported to the Fleet Admiral, whose urgent mission still awaited him.

• Sengoku refused Garp’s offer to handle the mission and said Ling Xuan was the only suitable Marine for it.
• Ling Xuan said goodbye to Koshiro, who urged him to stay true to his heart, then sailed with Kuina and Nami for Loguetown.
• Smoker arranged transport for Ling Xuan to Headquarters and agreed to join his G3 Branch later with Tashigi, pending approval.
• After passing through the Gate of Justice, Ling Xuan sent Kuina and Nami to his Headquarters residence and went to Sengoku’s office.
• Ling Xuan entered Sengoku’s office, saluted him, and heard Sengoku say he had finally returned.

After learning that CP0 had challenged the Navy’s new generation of fighters, Ling Xuan prepared to represent the Navy in the contest. He departed with Zabuto and Gude, while Vice Admiral Tsuru revealed that CP’s contestant was reputed to be its most gifted talent in a thousand years.

• Fleet Admiral Sengoku told Ling Xuan that CP0 wanted to test its strength against the Navy’s new generation, and Ling Xuan returned to the Elite Training Camp to see Zephyr.
• Zephyr dismissed the trainees and took Ling Xuan to his residence, while Zabuto and Gude envied Ling Xuan’s rank and achievements.
• After several days of training with Zephyr and Vice Admiral Garp, Ling Xuan received orders to depart and Zephyr assigned Zabuto and Gude to accompany him.
• Ling Xuan and the trainees met Vice Admiral Tsuru aboard the warship, where she explained the Navy’s mission and described CP’s contestant as its most gifted talent in a thousand years.

Ling Xuan and Vice Admiral Tsuru arrived at the agreed island for a secret Navy–CP0 contest, where they met Spandine and CP0’s chosen fighter, Ueda Ichi. After Ueda Ichi killed a subordinate for challenging him, Tsuru warned Ling Xuan that he could surrender if the fight became too dangerous.

• Five days after leaving, Vice Admiral Tsuru led Ling Xuan, Zabuto, and Gude to the uninhabited island where the Navy and CP0 had arranged their contest.
• Tsuru and Spandine exchanged barbs as they waited for CP0’s fighter to arrive.
• Ueda Ichi appeared with a domineering aura and demanded that Spandine show him the enemy.
• When a masked CP0 member objected to Ueda Ichi’s dismissive treatment of Spandine, Ueda Ichi killed him.
• Spandine hid his anger and agreed with Ueda Ichi, who became wary when Spandine mentioned their superiors.
• Tsuru warned Ling Xuan that Ueda Ichi might have admiral-level strength and told him he was allowed to surrender if necessary.

Ling Xuan faced Ueda Ichi, whose Admiral-level strength made the onlookers fear for the Vice Admiral’s life. Their fists collided in a devastating impact that shook the island, leaving the outcome unresolved.

• Zabuto told Gude that Ueda Ichi seemed as strong as a Headquarters Admiral, and both feared Ling Xuan would lose.
• Ling Xuan and Ueda Ichi exchanged threats and revealed their mutual hostility toward each other and the Navy.
• Vice Admiral Tsuru urged Zabuto and Gude to watch the top-tier battle carefully, while she privately hoped Ling Xuan would surrender if necessary.
• Ueda Ichi launched a powerful Armament Haki punch at Ling Xuan as Spandine cheered him on.
• Ling Xuan met Ueda Ichi’s punch, and their collision unleashed violent winds and tremors that battered the island.

Ling Xuan survived Ueda Ichi’s admiral-level attack and proved he had reached comparable strength. Their fierce battle continued until the island was left devastated, with Ueda Ichi growing increasingly enraged that he could not kill Ling Xuan.

• Vice Admiral Tsuru warned Gude and Zabuto to flee from opponents as powerful as Ueda Ichi while she worried about Ling Xuan.
• Ling Xuan emerged unharmed from Ueda Ichi’s punch, shocking Ueda Ichi, Spandine, the CP0 members, and the Marines.
• Ueda Ichi unleashed his full power and attacked Ling Xuan again after Spandine urged him to kill the Marine.
• Ling Xuan and Ueda Ichi traded powerful punches and kicks as their clashes battered the island and thrilled Vice Admiral Tsuru, Gude, and Zabuto.
• As the battle neared its end, Ueda Ichi grew nearly deranged and demanded to know why Ling Xuan would not die.

Ling Xuan ended his duel with Ueda Ichi by unleashing his strongest sword technique, destroying the island and killing his opponent. The Marines returned to their warships victorious while Spandine and CP0 reeled from the loss.

• Ling Xuan drew Wado Ichimonji and prepared to use True Iaido: Primordial Chaos, while Ueda Ichi doubted that he could surpass admiral-level strength.
• Ling Xuan unleashed True Iaido: Primordial Chaos, and Ueda Ichi was reduced to dust as the island was destroyed.
• Spandine fell into the sea when the island vanished, and CP0 subordinates rescued him.
• A CP0 subordinate told Spandine that Ling Xuan had destroyed the island and pulverized Ueda Ichi, causing Spandine to faint.
• The Marine soldiers and officers returned to their warships, victorious after Ueda Ichi's death.

Ling Xuan returned after killing an Admiral-level CP0 member with a single sword strike, and Vice Admiral Tsuru reassured him that the Navy would protect him. Sengoku gathered Garp, Zephyr, Aokiji, Kizaru, and Akainu to report what had happened, leaving them stunned by Ling Xuan’s feat.

• Ling Xuan returned to the warship, where Gude, Zabuto, and Vice Admiral Tsuru welcomed him with excitement and pride.
• Vice Admiral Tsuru told Ling Xuan not to worry about revenge or pressure from above, and he said he understood.
• Sengoku heard Tsuru’s report, reacted with disbelief, and decided to summon Garp, Zephyr, and Aokiji, Kizaru, and Akainu.
• Garp and Zephyr arrived at Sengoku’s office, wondered if the Five Elders had issued another troublesome order, and waited for the others.
• Sengoku explained that Ling Xuan had killed an Admiral-level CP0 member in one sword strike, shocking Garp, Zephyr, Kizaru, Aokiji, and Akainu.

After Ling Xuan killed Ueda Ichi with one sword strike, the Five Elders learned of his strength and debated how to respond. They chose to investigate whether he was connected to the Nika fruit, increase the Marines’ budget, and keep the matter from Lord Imu for now.

• Garp and Zephyr were stunned to learn that Ling Xuan had Admiral-level combat power and had instantly killed Ueda Ichi.
• Spandine hurried to Mary Geoise and told the Five Elders how Ling Xuan had defeated Ueda Ichi.
• The Five Elders questioned Spandine repeatedly about the battle and then dismissed him, leaving his fate undecided.
• The Five Elders judged Ling Xuan powerful but not on Lord Imu’s level, and agreed to investigate whether he was connected to the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika.
• The Five Elders decided not to avenge Ueda Ichi and agreed to double the Marine budget if Ling Xuan was not connected to the fruit.
• The Five Elders unanimously decided not to inform Lord Imu and to pretend nothing had happened for now.

After Ling Xuan returned to Marine headquarters, Sengoku and the other senior officers praised his strength and explained that the CP0 incident meant he could not yet become an Admiral. Sengoku granted him a year of leave, while the remaining officers worried over the Five Elders’ strangely generous response to Ling Xuan’s victory.

• Ling Xuan returned to headquarters with Vice Admiral Tsuru and met with Sengoku, Garp, and Zephyr, who praised his Admiral-level strength.
• Sengoku told Ling Xuan he could not be promoted to Admiral because the exchange involved CP0, and Ling Xuan accepted that he would need to earn merit by defeating pirates.
• Sengoku granted Ling Xuan a year of leave and told him he could contact the Fleet Admiral if he needed help.
• After Ling Xuan left, Zephyr asked whether the Five Elders had given him any strange orders, and Sengoku said they had instead more than doubled the Marine budget without mentioning Ling Xuan.
• Tsuru and Zephyr suspected the Five Elders had a hidden motive, but Sengoku said they had acted as though the incident had never happened.
• In the high-ranking officers’ residential district, Kuina practiced swordsmanship in the courtyard while Nami was with her.

Ling Xuan reunited with Kuina and Nami, took them out to celebrate, and visited Zephyr before setting off on a sea voyage. He left Navy Headquarters with Kuina, Nami, and two self-appointed tagalongs, while Zephyr reflected on his students' departure.

• Kuina and Nami welcomed Ling Xuan back, and he promised to take them out to sea during his long vacation.
• Ling Xuan took Kuina and Nami to the commercial district, where they enjoyed a day of food and fun.
• Ling Xuan visited Zephyr at the Elite Training Camp and said he planned to travel the seas; Zephyr asked when he had reached admiral-level strength.
• Ling Xuan explained that sparring with Zephyr and Vice Admiral Garp had given him insight into his strength.
• A few days later, Ling Xuan left Headquarters aboard a small ship with Kuina, Nami, Gude, and Zabuto.
• Sengoku asked Zephyr whether Ling Xuan had departed, and Zephyr confirmed that he had taken two Elite Training Camp students along.

Sengoku told Zephyr that a huge number of Marines wanted to transfer to Ling Xuan’s G3 Branch, while Ling Xuan’s group considered how Kuina and Nami could grow stronger and traveled to Plaji Island to replace their ship. Zabuto and Gude went to arrange a larger vessel as Ling Xuan, Kuina, and Nami prepared to explore the island.

• Sengoku showed Zephyr the enormous pile of applications from Marines seeking transfers to Ling Xuan’s G3 Branch and said Ling Xuan’s prestige was approaching Zephyr and Garp’s.
• Sengoku and Zephyr took the day off and left to have drinks with Garp and Tsuru.
• On Five-Person Island, Kuina told Ling Xuan she wanted to become strong enough to help him, and Nami said she wanted to improve her strength too.
• Ling Xuan considered how he might get powerful Logia Devil Fruits for Kuina and Nami, then promised to think of a solution.
• Ling Xuan’s group arrived at Plaji Island to find a larger ship, and Zabuto and Gude went into town to arrange one while Ling Xuan, Kuina, and Nami planned to look around.

Ling Xuan took Kuina and Nami to the commercial district while Zabuto and Gude researched shipyards for their new ship. After hearing a man mention women being trafficked, Gude followed the men who took him and infiltrated the Saxos Shipyard, where he suspected the traffickers were operating.

• Ling Xuan used Conqueror's Haki to disperse the malicious onlookers before leaving the docks with Kuina and Nami.
• Zabuto and Gude asked around at the Moonlight Bar and learned that the Tekapi Shipyard was suited to their ship's requirements.
• Gude and Zabuto heard a beaten man plead that he would stay quiet about women being trafficked, so Gude followed the men who took him while Zabuto went to the Tekapi Shipyard.
• Gude learned that the men had taken the beaten man to the Saxos Shipyard's castle-like residence and decided to investigate before seeking help.
• Gude infiltrated the Saxos Shipyard and moved deeper inside as he encountered more guards.

Gude found more than a hundred imprisoned women at Saxos Shipyard but was captured by Buffalo and Baby-5, who took him aboard their trafficking ship bound for Dressrosa. After Zabuto failed to find Gude, he returned to Ling Xuan to report his disappearance, leaving Ling Xuan poised to respond.

• Gude found the imprisoned women and confronted Saxos, Buffalo, and Baby-5 at the holding room.
• Gude attacked the Donquixote Family members but was captured, then knocked unconscious after revealing he was a Marine.
• Buffalo and Baby-5 took Gude and the trafficked people aboard their ship and sailed from Plaji Island toward Dressrosa.
• Ling Xuan spent the day shopping with Kuina and Nami while Zabuto waited in vain for Gude outside Tekapi Shipyard.
• Zabuto returned to the boat and told Ling Xuan that Gude had not met up with him.