Chapter Summaries

Duke tested Tōshirō in a captain assessment, forcing him to use Bankai and then outclassing him in close combat. Tōshirō trapped Duke in ice with Hyōten Hyakkasō and declared that he had won, though Duke’s condition remained unclear.

• Duke repeatedly punished Tōshirō’s hesitation and told him to fight seriously, so Tōshirō released Bankai, Daiguren Hyōrinmaru.
• The Captain Commander and three captains recognized Tōshirō’s captain-level Reiatsu and the potential of Hyōrinmaru.
• Duke released New Moon and Full Moon, then blocked Tōshirō’s attacks and overwhelmed him with superior speed and swordsmanship.
• Tōshirō used Ice Clone to escape Duke’s lethal strike, then attacked from the air with Ryūsenka and Hyōten Hyakkasō.
• Seeing Duke frozen and motionless, Tōshirō declared that he had won the assessment.

Duke defeated Tōshirō Hitsugaya in the captain assessment by overwhelming him with Reiatsu and revealing that he was immune to cold. Tōshirō refused to surrender, was struck down, and woke unharmed after Duke ended the assessment; the Captain Commander then asked the captains to judge him.

• Tōshirō used Sennen Hyōrō to encase Duke in ice, but Duke’s Reiatsu shattered it and immobilized Tōshirō.
• Duke told Tōshirō that he was born immune to cold, then pressed him to admit defeat while holding a blade to his neck.
• Tōshirō refused to surrender and raised his Reiatsu, but Duke slashed him and then pierced his heart when he still would not concede.
• Tōshirō believed he was dying, but Rangiku told him the assessment was not a duel and he was unharmed.
• Duke reported that the assessment was complete, and the Captain Commander criticized his extreme method before asking the captains to assess Tōshirō.

Tōshirō passed the evaluation and was appointed Squad 10’s new captain despite losing to Duke, whose strength and refusal to accept promotion surprised him. Afterward, Rangiku teased Duke about his relationship with Unohana and Gin, while Duke failed to recognize her romantic insight.

• The evaluating captains approved Tōshirō’s conviction, and the Captain Commander announced his appointment as Squad 10’s new captain.
• Sajin Komamura explained that Duke was far stronger than Tōshirō but had repeatedly refused promotion, and encouraged Tōshirō to keep training.
• Rangiku complained that Duke’s evaluation had nearly cost her the chance to stop acting as Squad 10’s captain and return to her leisure activities.
• Duke sensed killing intent, and Rangiku teased him that Unohana was jealous before he insisted he regarded his captain like his mother.
• Duke told Rangiku that Gin’s gaze revealed his feelings for her, but she mocked Duke for failing to recognize any romantic interest from Unohana.

Duke questioned Rangiku’s claim that Retsu Unohana had feelings for him, then traveled with Robin to Alabasta, where Crocodile was cultivating a heroic reputation while pursuing the Poneglyph and the throne. Duke refused Robin’s suggestion that he expose Crocodile, arguing that the people had to save themselves.

• Duke studied Retsu Unohana’s appearance until she warned she would dig out his eyes, and he abandoned his plan to test her feelings by holding her hand.
• Duke resolved to ask others for advice about romance, though he could not recall anyone who had successfully won a woman’s heart.
• Duke and Robin arrived in Alubarna, where a severe drought and sandstorm had left the people suffering while they praised Crocodile as a hero.
• Duke explained that Crocodile was shaping public opinion so he could overthrow the ruler, become king, and find the Poneglyph.
• Robin urged Duke to expose Crocodile and help Alabasta, but Duke refused and said the people had to save themselves rather than wait for a hero.

Duke and Robin secretly entered Alabasta’s Royal Tombs, where Robin deciphered a Poneglyph about the Ancient Weapon Pluton. After they left to shop in Alubarna, Baroque Works bounty hunters accused Duke of killing Mr. 11 and came after Flower Continent, prompting Duke and Robin to head for the harbor and leave the country.

• Duke and Robin discussed Robin’s belief in heroes and entered the Royal Tombs through a hidden passage beneath a statue.
• Robin deciphered the Poneglyph and learned it recorded Pluton’s location, while Duke said they would go to Skypiea to find another stone tablet.
• Duke and Robin restored the tomb, left no traces, and went shopping in Alubarna.
• Several Baroque Works agents accused Duke of killing Mr. 11 and tried to take Flower Continent, but Duke knocked them unconscious.
• Robin came out of a shop to find the bounty hunters down, and Duke decided they should leave Alabasta by harbor to avoid attracting Crocodile.

Crocodile confronted Duke and Robin in Alabasta, demanding they share the location of Pluton and offering an alliance to conquer the world. Duke refused and warned him that the Nefertari Family had guarded Pluton for generations, but Crocodile still tried to stop them from leaving and threatened to take Robin.

• Crocodile found Duke and Robin near the port town and recognized them after Duke and Robin removed their masks.
• Crocodile claimed Duke and Robin had found Pluton and proposed they repair it together using his resources.
• Duke denied knowing where Pluton was, and Crocodile threatened to find it himself and take control of Alabasta.
• Duke revealed that the Nefertari Family descended from the twenty royal families that founded the World Government and had guarded Pluton for generations.
• Crocodile dismissed the warning and blocked Duke and Robin with a sand curtain, demanding Pluton's location or Robin.

Duke fought Crocodile in the desert and defeated him by exploiting his superior Haki and swordsmanship. Crocodile refused to accept the loss as Duke prepared to leave.

• Crocodile unleashed a massive sandstorm against Duke and Robin, but Duke escaped with Robin through a door and avoided being buried.
• Crocodile attacked Duke again, but Duke emerged from another door and cut through his sand attacks with Armament Haki.
• Duke endured Crocodile's Crescent Dune and wounded him with a sword strike, then pierced his chest with another attack.
• Duke told Crocodile that relying on an Ancient Weapon would not help him against New World fighters and said his lack of Haki had left him far from his dream.
• Crocodile demanded that Duke keep fighting, but Duke told him he had already suffered utter defeat by seeking outside help to fulfill his ambition.

Duke and Robin searched the waters near Jaya Island for Skypiea while arguing over the ship’s lack of space and crew. Robin found that the Log Pose pointed upward in her hands, and Duke persuaded her to attempt the dangerous Knock Up Stream, though she still refused to give back his bedroom.

• Duke told Robin he had spared Crocodile because he expected him to reach the New World and help push the era forward.
• Three days later, Robin steered the Blue Bird through a storm and complained to Duke that their ship was short-handed and too small.
• Duke explained that Skypiea should be near Jaya Island, but the Log Pose did not respond while he held it.
• Robin picked up the Log Pose and discovered that its needle pointed straight upward, revealing Skypiea’s location.
• Duke proposed reaching Skypiea by riding the Knock Up Stream, and Robin agreed despite the danger.
• Duke asked Robin to return his bedroom, but she withdrew her hand and avoided giving it back.

Duke and Robin rode the Knock Up Stream to the White Sea and reached Skypiea through Heaven’s Gate. After paying the entry fee, Duke revealed that he wanted to keep Skypiea’s God from interrupting Robin’s study of the Poneglyph.

• Robin spotted the Accumulated Emperor Cloud, and Duke urged her to steer the Blue Bird toward it before the Knock Up Stream erupted.
• Duke swam while towing the Blue Bird, then guided it through the whirlpool and up the rising sea current to the White Sea.
• Duke and Robin explored the cloud sea, and Duke used Observation Haki to find Skypiea’s entrance.
• The Blue Bird passed through Heaven’s Gate, where an old woman demanded one billion Aegis Coins from each visitor.
• Duke paid the entry fee in Berry and told Robin he wanted to avoid a meeting with Skypiea’s God while she studied the Poneglyph.

Duke and Robin arrived in Skypiea, where Duke explained that he intended to challenge its ruler, Enel, and use him as part of his plan to draw powerful pirates toward the New World. Robin explored the ruins of Shandora for clues about the Void Century before Enel confronted them.

• An Express Shrimp carried Duke and Robin’s ship up Skypiea’s cloud road, and Duke told Robin that Enel was a powerful Rumble-Rumble Fruit user he wanted to challenge.
• Duke and Robin reached Skypiea and headed toward the Golden Bell; Duke explained that Enel’s greed for gold would likely bring him into conflict with them.
• Duke said he hoped Enel would leave Skypiea for the Grand Line and become a target for the world’s pirates, then took Robin toward the Poneglyph beneath the Golden Bell.
• Robin found the ruins of Shandora and began copying inscriptions, noting that the city had been destroyed during the Void Century.
• Enel appeared before Duke, threatened punishment for entering without undergoing God’s trial, and laughed when Duke joked that Enel was like Bleach because he liked apples.

Duke challenged Enel’s confidence by accepting his offer to stand still, then knocked him flying with a single Haki-coated punch. Enel learned about Haki and the wider world before Duke’s taunts enraged him into unleashing Divine Judgment.

• Enel offered Duke five minutes to attack while he stood still and promised to strike back afterward.
• Duke rushed Enel and punched him through stone walls and into an ancient ruin.
• Enel recovered, shocked that Duke could touch him, and Duke explained Armament Haki, Observation Haki, and Conqueror’s Haki.
• Duke mocked Enel’s claim to godhood and teased him about how Conqueror’s Haki was obtained.
• Enel flew into a rage and called down Divine Judgment on Duke.

Duke fought Enel, using the Door-Door Fruit to evade his devastating lightning and strike him with a blade. Enel survived the wound and unleashed his strongest technique, transforming into a giant Thor.

• Duke swallowed Enel's lightning attacks with Air Doors, frustrating Enel's attempts to electrocute him.
• Enel unleashed a relentless barrage of lightning beasts that destroyed the ground where Duke had stood.
• Duke emerged from the inner world behind Enel and slashed his back, drawing blood and exposing Enel's vulnerability without his Fruit powers.
• Duke taunted Enel about relying too much on the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, driving him into a furious rage.
• Enel released all his stored electricity and transformed into a giant Thor with his 200 Million Volt technique.

Duke fought Thor Enel inside the Door-Door Fruit's isolated inner world, where Enel’s lightning ran low while Duke’s stamina held. Enel could not find a way out and demanded to know where the door was.

• Enel unleashed Myriad Lightning, but Duke escaped the strike through an Air Door, and Enel followed him into the Door-Door Fruit’s world.
• Duke and Enel clashed at high speed, with Duke’s Haki-coated blade inflicting wounds as Enel’s voltage gradually weakened.
• Enel unleashed Thunder River, but Duke slowed and split the lightning with Tempest Kick and sword techniques.
• Enel returned to human form, and Duke broke his staff and wounded him before pressing him with a relentless sword assault.
• Enel fled from Duke until he stopped and asked where the door was.

Duke defeated Enel inside the Door-Door Fruit’s isolated world after awakening and using Conqueror’s Haki. He left Enel beaten and began considering testing his new technique against Aokiji.

• Enel, unable to replenish his dwindling electricity, launched a desperate attack to bind Duke and force open an escape route.
• Enel transformed into a 200 Million Volt Thunder God and successfully paralyzed Duke with a full-power discharge.
• Duke awakened Conqueror’s Haki, shattered the lightning giant, and explained the rare Haki to Enel.
• Duke combined Conqueror’s Haki with the Six Powers Secret Art: Dragon’s Might, striking Enel out of his elemental form and defeating him.
• Duke wondered whether Haki had helped him overcome Enel and decided to test the technique on Aokiji.

Duke defeated Enel and left a message challenging him to meet on the sea, then reunited with Robin at Shandora’s ruins. They rang the Golden Bell and found a Poneglyph revealing Poseidon’s location, while Roger’s inscription left Robin with questions.

• Duke left an invitation and warning for the unconscious Enel on a wall in Shandora.
• Duke found Robin absorbed in her archaeological work and carried her to the Golden Bell.
• Duke struck the Golden Bell, whose chime rang across the Heavenly Island.
• Robin read the Poneglyph beneath the bell and learned that Poseidon was at Fish-Man Island.
• Duke explained that Poseidon was the princess of Fish-Man Island and could communicate with Sea Kings.
• Robin found Gol D. Roger’s inscription on the stone, and Duke cryptically said that a certain brat had committed an unforgivable crime.

Duke and Robin left Skypiea with gold taken from Enel’s unfinished Ark Maxim and sailed for Water 7 to find a better ship. As they arrived, Duke revealed that CP9 operated there and planned to disguise himself and Robin as Paul and Harden to avoid entanglement.

• Robin stopped Duke from taking gold from the Golden Bell and suggested he claim Enel’s treasure instead.
• Duke and Robin found the unfinished Ark Maxim, drove away its workers, and carried off several gold bricks.
• Duke and Robin sailed the Blue Bird toward Water 7 while Duke trained his Observation Haki and reflected on its limits.
• Robin spotted a sea train and saw a giant frog get knocked into the water as they approached Water 7.
• Duke warned Robin that CP9 agents were tied to the shipbuilding company and proposed they pose as Paul and Harden.

Duke and Robin visited Galley-La Company to commission Iceburg to build a sturdy ship with at least two bedrooms. Iceburg accepted their deposit and promised to finish the ship in a month, while Kalifa suspected the masked pair were connected to the government.

• Iceburg visited Dock 1, where Kalifa informed him that two strangers were waiting for him.
• Kalifa kicked Iceburg after the shipwrights teased him about her, leaving him with bleeding nostrils.
• Duke introduced himself as Paul and Robin as Harden, then asked Iceburg to build them a sturdy ship with at least two bedrooms.
• Duke paid Iceburg a fifty-million-Berry deposit and offered two hundred million Berry for a ship about the size of a small Navy warship.
• Iceburg agreed to use his best shipwrights and complete the ship in a month, and Duke and Robin left without filling out paperwork.

Duke and Robin toured Water 7 while CP9 monitored them, then Duke went to Franky House. The chapter left Duke arriving at Franky’s headquarters during a party.

• Duke and Robin explored Water 7 and ordered daily supplies for their new ship while Kaku followed them.
• Duke reassured Robin that CP9 would not threaten them, and Kaku eventually stopped following them to focus on the mission.
• Kaku reported to Rob Lucci and Bruno that the pair seemed like tourists, and Lucci ordered Bruno to inform the higher-ups about them.
• Duke arrived at Franky House on the northeastern coast while its members celebrated inside.

Duke raided Franky for photographs of Pluton’s blueprints and asked Robin to translate them, explaining that he planned to use the technology to build an arms business and prepare for the coming upheaval. He ended by saying he would force the allies he wanted into submission.

• The Franky Family celebrated with money meant for Franky’s dream until Duke’s overwhelming pressure knocked them unconscious.
• Duke searched Franky’s body, photographed the Pluton blueprints, returned them, and left the unconscious crew behind.
• Duke found Robin awake on the Blue Bird and showed her the photographs, which she recognized as Pluton’s blueprints.
• Duke explained how the blueprints had passed from Tom to Iceburg and then to Franky, and asked Robin to translate them.
• Duke told Robin he wanted Pluton’s technology to establish an arms business and build strength before the New World’s balance of power shifted.
• When Robin asked whether he had chosen allies, Duke said they were all bastards and that he would beat them into submission.

Duke and Robin collected their new ship, Darkness Maru, from Water 7 and sailed toward Fish-Man Island, passing through Thriller Bark. Duke’s Conqueror’s Haki alerted Gecko Moria, who decided to confront the intruder and take his shadow for Oars.

• Iceburg handed Duke and Robin their new ship after Duke paid the remaining 150 million Berry.
• Duke and Robin settled the ship’s name with an extended rock-paper-scissors match, and Robin named it Darkness Maru.
• Duke and Robin moved their supplies aboard, burned Blue Bird, and departed Water 7 for Fish-Man Island.
• Duke sensed Thriller Bark through the fog and unleashed his Conqueror’s Haki to warn Moria away.
• Perona reported that Thriller Bark’s zombies had fainted, and Moria recognized the Conqueror’s Haki and set out to capture the intruder’s shadow for Oars.