Arc 18Chapters 426–438

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Chapters 426–438 Vol. 5 Read

Ch. 426There Aren't Even Enough Enemies to Go Around

Lina overwhelmed Akainu while Whitebeard Pirates and Yamato arrived to reinforce the exhausted fighters on the island. Luffy fled through a forest as Kid and Luo rushed past him to attack the Five Elders.

  • Lina used her Devil Fruit powers to freeze Akainu, then shattered the ice and battered him with repeated vibration-powered punches while suppressing his abilities with darkness.
  • Marco and the Whitebeard Pirates arrived, with Yamato joining the fight near Robin, Jozu striking Kashou, and Marco knocking Smoker into the ruins.
  • Nami recognized Marco and welcomed the reinforcements, then spotted Dorry and Brogy among the giants arriving on the island.
  • Luffy evaded the horse-boned monster and the birdlike monster as Kid and Luo raced past him, arguing over who would fight the Five Elders.
  • Luo teleported into the air and cut Saint Jaygarcia Saturn in two, while Kid fired his Railgun through the forest toward Saint Nusjuro.

Ch. 427The Turmoil Ends

Luffy battled Saint Nusjuro and Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, using his Nika Form to overpower them as the Straw Hat Pirates’ allies forced the Marines to retreat from Egghead. Lina spared Akainu after Aokiji pleaded for him, and the chapter ended with the Straw Hat Pirates victorious.

  • Kid and Luo arrived to join the battle, and Luffy warned them that the Five Elders recovered quickly and needed powerful Haki to injure.
  • Luffy transformed into Nika Form, fought the monstrous bird and Saint Nusjuro, then crushed both Elders between his giant hands.
  • Luo teleported Kid away before Luffy struck Saint Nusjuro and Saint Jaygarcia Saturn with his colossal Haki-infused fist.
  • Dorry and Brogy arrived with the Giant Soldier Pirates as Sengoku ordered the Marines to retreat from Egghead.
  • Kizaru carried Akainu away from Lina, and Aokiji persuaded Lina to let them go; Lina then turned to leave.

Ch. 428Target: Elbaf!

After the battle, the Straw Hat Crew and their allies gathered on the shore for a feast while Vegapunk prepared to join the Revolutionary Army. Luffy and Kid learned that Shanks was in Elbaf, where Kid intended to challenge him.

  • Dorry, Brogy, and the other giants brought huge catches ashore, and Sanji began preparing a feast.
  • Lina used Vegapunk's sunscreen to help Nami and Robin swim despite their Devil Fruit powers, then Nami punched Lina into the sea after overhearing her praise Robin.
  • Vegapunk decided to organize and move Punk Records to the Revolutionary Army, while he made himself the highest authority over the seven Seraphim and left York deactivated.
  • Marco and Ace tried to recruit Sanji to the Whitebeard Pirates, but Luffy kicked them away and Sanji refused to leave the Straw Hat Crew.
  • Marco told Luffy that Shanks and the Red-Haired Pirates were in Elbaf, and Dorry and Brogy explained that Kid could settle his grudge there in a duel.
  • Kid said Benn Beckman had broken his left arm during his last challenge to the Red-Haired Pirates and vowed to get revenge on Shanks.

Ch. 429The Final Step to the Top

After the banquet, Marco told Lina about Roger’s clues to Laugh Tale and revealed that Shanks and Buggy’s Cross Guild were on Elbaf after defeating Ace and the Whitebeard Pirates there. As the Straw Hats prepared for their next adventure, Zoro remembered his promise to Kuina and renewed his resolve to become the World’s Greatest Swordsman.

  • After the exhausted guests fell asleep on the beach, Marco told Lina that he had collected three Road Poneglyphs and shared rumors about the final one and Roger’s journey to Laugh Tale.
  • Marco revealed that Douglas Bullet had obtained an Eternal Pose to Laugh Tale and might come looking for Lina, now hailed as the world’s strongest.
  • Marco said Roger had entrusted copies of the Poneglyphs to Whitebeard, who refused to preserve them, and Lina correctly guessed that Roger chose Red-Haired and Buggy to inherit his path.
  • Marco revealed that he, Ace, and the Whitebeard Pirates had been defeated on Elbaf by Shanks and Buggy’s Cross Guild, prompting Lina to anticipate the Straw Hats’ next stop there.
  • Zoro woke beneath the night sky, remembered Kuina and their promise to become the World’s Greatest Swordsman, and resolved not to lose again.

Ch. 430Lina: I'm Giving Up Piracy to Go into Business

Lina proposed founding a large trading company to improve trade and help transform Amazon Lily from a pirate nation. The Straw Hats prepared to leave for Elbaf while Bonney stayed with Vegapunk and bos, and Hancock considered Lina’s plan for her country.

  • The crew struggled to decide whether to delay their departure while they searched for Bear, until Lina suggested using bos’s blood serum to create Green Blood that could replicate her Memory-Memory Fruit ability.
  • Vegapunk agreed to have Lilith take bos to the research facility, allowing the crew to leave Bonney in his care and set sail for Elbaf.
  • Hancock planned to return to Nine Snake Island, but accepted Nami and Robin’s invitation to travel with them after they discussed her sisters and the island’s uncertain future without the Shichibukai system.
  • Luffy suggested protecting Nine Snake Island with the crew’s flag, but Lina warned that the island needed to stop relying on piracy and transform into a different kind of country.
  • Lina proposed establishing a large trading company to open shipping routes and connect countries, and Nami eagerly imagined the profits.

Ch. 431Recruiting the World's Greatest Genius on Day One

Lina outlined the Black Snake Trading Company, a Grand Line trade network that would connect and protect countries while funding his plans for research and development. Hancock agreed to make Amazon Lily its first member, Vegapunk joined Lina to improve the Sea Train, and the Straw Hats prepared to sail for Elbaf.

  • Lina explained that the Black Snake Trading Company would connect countries, provide trade routes and compensation, and earn money through fees and services rather than monopolizing trade.
  • Lina invited Hancock to join and offered help obtaining Seastone and ships; Franky recommended Galley-La Company, while Usopp warned that Iceberg might overcharge her.
  • Vegapunk asked to work for Lina for 20 billion Berries a year, and Lina agreed to fund his research and give him a third of the company's profits.
  • Hancock accepted on behalf of Amazon Lily and planned to arrange ships for a Nine Snake merchant fleet.
  • Lina assigned Vegapunk to study improvements to the Sea Train and plan a network spanning the Grand Line.
  • Lina called for the crew to set sail for Elbaf, and they cheered in agreement.

Ch. 432The Sea's Overlord

After the Egghead War, the World Government distorted its account of the battle while news of the Straw Hat Crew's escape spread. Kaku and Bruno headed for Water 7, and the crew learned their new bounties, which left Luffy and Lina valued at more than ten billion berries combined.

  • Kemi found the newspaper at Sabaody and celebrated that Luffy and the others had escaped, while the article framed the Navy's failure as an interrupted capture attempt.
  • Kaku and Bruno reached Hachinosu with the wounded Kalifa, and Kaku decided to return to Water 7 to see his former shipyard coworkers again.
  • Pirates in a Hachinosu bar argued over the strength of the new Four Emperors until news arrived that the Straw Hat Crew's new wanted posters had been released.
  • Bruno brought back the posters, and the pirates reacted with astonishment to Luffy's Nika Form and 5.2 billion berry bounty.
  • Usopp showed the crew their posters, revealing Chopper's 324 million berry bounty, Luffy's 5.232 billion berry bounty, and Lina's 5.646 billion berry bounty.

Ch. 433War-Torn Kingdom, Elbaf

The Straw Hat crew celebrated their new bounties and arrived at Elbaf, where Dorry and Brogy explained the island’s three levels and offered them a choice of how to reach the giants’ village. As Luffy and several crewmates headed ashore to explore the Underworld, Scopper Gaban watched their arrival and prepared to meet them.

  • Lina and Luffy compared their bounties, while Zoro and Sanji argued over their ranking and the crew’s combined bounty surpassed 20 billion berries.
  • The Straw Hat crew saw Elbaf’s colossal Adam Tree, and Brogy explained that the giants lived in the Sun World canopy above the snowy Underworld.
  • Luffy chose to explore the Underworld on foot, joined by Usopp, Chopper, and Zoro, while Lina and Sanji stayed aboard.
  • Dorry brought the crew to Mads Tavern, a place Shanks often visited, as they waited for a rainbow bridge to the Sun World.
  • The Straw Hat crew set foot on Elbaf, and Scopper Gaban watched them from a snowy peak while holding Luffy’s wanted poster.

Ch. 434Luffy Toys with the Giants?

Luffy challenged Colon to a cup-and-coin trick duel, then joined Lina’s group on the journey toward the Upper World by the Rainbow Bridge. As Luffy, Zoro, Usopp, and Chopper crossed the snowy forest, they sensed a powerful figure approaching, who greeted Luffy.

  • Colon challenged Luffy to a duel so he could prove himself worthy of going to sea, and Luffy agreed to compete without fighting.
  • Luffy fooled Colon and the tavern’s giants with a cup trick, then remembered his own childhood longing to sail with Shanks.
  • Lina, the Giant Soldier Pirates, and Kid’s crew sailed their ships up the Rainbow Bridge toward the Upper World, while Luffy, Usopp, Zoro, and Chopper set off through the snowy forest.
  • Luffy and his companions turned down Colon’s request to join them, and Dorry carried Colon toward the Rainbow Bridge instead.
  • Zoro killed several giant snow wolves as Luffy’s group crossed the forest, then he and Luffy sensed a dangerous presence nearby.
  • A broad-brimmed figure emerged from the pines and greeted Luffy.

Ch. 435Red-Haired Starts a Fight

Lina and the Straw Hat Crew arrived in Elbaf’s Upper World with Dorry and Brogy, while Kid led his crew to confront Red-Haired. Red-Haired and the Cross Guild left a tavern to meet them, and Kid faced Red-Haired as the chapter ended.

  • Lina watched the Great Erik reach Elbaf and wondered whether a future catastrophe could flood the world again.
  • Kid ignored Nami’s warning and marched toward Red-Haired, while Dorry and Brogy approved of settling their dispute in a duel.
  • Red-Haired, Buggy, and the Cross Guild drank together in a tavern until word arrived that the captains and crews had returned.
  • Beckman prepared for Kid’s arrival, while Red-Haired and Buggy both moved to leave the tavern.
  • Crocodile, Hawk Eyes, Moria, and Perona joined Red-Haired’s crew as they headed outside to meet the approaching Kid Pirates.
  • Kid confronted Red-Haired and said he had been looking for him for a long time.

Ch. 436Redheads, Strength, and the Gap Between Them

Lina arrived at Elbaf’s Sacred Arena with the Straw Hat Crew as Red-Haired challenged Kid to a duel in which the loser’s crew would surrender its flag. Red-Haired badly wounded Kid in their opening exchanges, though Kid revealed he could use Conqueror’s Haki coating and remained standing.

  • Lina and the Straw Hat Crew arrived with Dorry, Brogy, and the Giant Soldier Pirates, and Lina grabbed the shouting Buggy by the face.
  • Nami and Robin reunited with Perona while Red-Haired demanded that Kid stake his crew’s flag on their duel.
  • Kid began the fight by drawing nearby weapons toward Red-Haired, who dodged through the barrage and cut through Kid’s mechanical arm and chest.
  • Kid tried to counter with Magnetism: Pulse Buckshot, but Red-Haired evaded the attack and pursued him with a slash that split Kid’s metal wall.
  • Red-Haired pierced Kid’s right shoulder, and the two exchanged Haki-coated kicks that sent Kid skidding through the ground.
  • Red-Haired recognized Kid’s rough Conqueror’s Haki coating as Kid got back to his feet, despite the clear gap between them.

Ch. 437Woods-Woods Fruit + Adam Tree = ?

Kid fought Red-Haired in Elbaf’s arena, but Red-Haired decisively wounded him and severed his right arm. Red-Haired stopped the duel when their battle set the Adam Tree ablaze, while Lina and Nami realized they could use the Woods-Woods Fruit to regrow and repeatedly harvest the tree’s branches.

  • Luffy and his companions crossed the suspension bridge toward the Upper World after Gaban sensed an unknown presence and Usopp complained about the cold and lack of booze.
  • Kid faced his fear of failure, drew on his crew’s faith, and attacked Red-Haired with an Electromagnetic Storm and a mechanical Demon Dragon.
  • Red-Haired tore apart the Demon Dragon, dodged Kid’s attacks, and slashed him across the body before severing his right arm.
  • As the battle set the Adam Tree on fire, Lina declined to intervene and realized he could regrow its branches with the Woods-Woods Fruit; Nami recognized the potential for endless harvesting.
  • Red-Haired stopped the duel to protect the Adam Tree, told Kid he could challenge him again with the same stakes, and called his crew to help put out the fire.

Ch. 438Reunion

Uta reunited with Shanks on Elbaf, while Lina learned that the Red-Haired Pirates were preparing to leave and discussed the coming conflict at Mary Geoise with him. As new guests arrived, the crews armed themselves, and Lina’s group flew toward the southwest coast to meet Luffy and the others.

  • Uta approached Shanks, and he embraced her as she broke down sobbing; the Red-Haired crew and Lina’s group watched quietly.
  • The firefighting team and Lina’s Woods-Woods Fruit helped restore the burned sections of the Adam Tree, and the gathered crews celebrated at a tavern while Kid and his crew left Elbaf.
  • Lina asked Shanks about the Road Poneglyph and his destination, and they discussed the Revolutionary Army’s assault on Mary Geoise and Lina’s belief that technology could change the world.
  • Shanks announced that their other guests had arrived, and the Red-Haired Pirates and Buggy’s crew took up their weapons as Nami and Robin realized a confrontation might be coming.
  • Lina gathered her companions, picked up Sanji and the others, and flew toward the southwest coast to meet Luffy’s group.
Arc 18 of 18