Arc 9The Marineford Escape

Lina and the Straw Hat crew reached Marineford to rescue Ace, using Lina’s undead and the crew’s attacks to disrupt the Navy’s defenses. Ace was freed, Doflamingo was killed, and Whitebeard’s pirates helped the escaping group move toward the harbor.

  • Lina escaped Impel Down with Jinbe while Ace stayed behind to fight Magellan, then the crew regrouped at Amazon Lily and planned for the coming war.
  • Hancock departed for Marineford, and the Straw Hats set sail as Sengoku revealed that Ace was Roger’s son and Whitebeard’s fleet arrived.
  • Lina entered Marineford underwater, knocked Squard unconscious, and sent Golden Lion’s mutant beasts and his undead into battle to draw Navy forces away from the execution platform.
  • Nami formed a thundercloud, Perona destroyed the mechanisms for the encircling walls, and the Straw Hats began breaking through the Marines as Whitebeard attacked the plaza.
  • Sanji freed Ace from his Seastone handcuffs, and Lina stayed behind to fight Sengoku while Luffy and the others fled through the Marine forces.
  • Lina held off Sengoku and Doflamingo as Zoro and Sanji battled Gion and Kake, and Doflamingo’s Birdcage trapped Luffy’s group before suddenly snapping apart.
  • Izo and Rakuyo led Whitebeard’s pirates to help Luffy and Ace retreat toward the harbor, while Lina’s undead killed Doflamingo and delivered his head to her.
Chapters 201–225 Vol. 3 Read

Ch. 201The Situation Worsens

Lina, Luffy, and their allies fought Garp and Bogard in Impel Down while Luo slipped deeper into the dungeon to free Ace and Jinbe. Magellan woke and learned that a Marine admiral was on the way as the prison battle continued.

  • Garp overwhelmed Luffy and Lina’s attacks, breaking through Lina’s defenses and resisting Luo’s ability before knocking Luo aside.
  • Lina told Luo to bypass the fight and use his power to free Ace and Jinbe, and Luo headed deeper into the dungeon.
  • Zoro, Kid, and Ivankov fought Bogard while Marines pursued the escapees and Sanji’s group tried to hold them back.
  • Hannibal woke Magellan and reported that the Supernovas were fighting Garp on the sixth level and that an admiral was coming as backup.
  • Magellan rose from the ruins and told Hannibal that he had done well.

Ch. 202Ready to Make Our Escape

Lina and the escaping prisoners fought Garp while Luffy tried to reach Ace, and the battle shifted when Ace and Jinbe joined them. With Garp preparing to fight without restraint, Lina contacted Franky and Brook to begin their escape.

  • Garp overwhelmed Luffy, but the War Demon and Sukuna attacked him while Zoro and Ivankov kept Bogard occupied.
  • Garp countered the undead fighters and Lina, who transformed with horns and Azure Flame and struck him directly.
  • Lina revealed that the group meant to escape rather than defeat Garp, and Ace emerged from the prison and joined Luffy.
  • Jinbe joined Ace and warned that they had to stop Garp to change their fate.
  • Garp said he would no longer hold back, so Lina called Franky and Brook to get ready to move.

Ch. 203The Failed Prison Break

Lina’s crew broke into Impel Down’s sixth level and began escaping with Ace, but Garp and the newly arrived Magellan threatened to stop them. Lina sent the others away in a submarine and prepared to hold the pursuers off.

  • Franklin fired the Going Merry’s cannon through Impel Down’s wall, and Brook piloted the Shark Submerge into the prison.
  • The war monk, Sukuna, Mage Undead, and Gun Ghost attacked Garp while Brook arrived and Lina ordered Sanji to evacuate the others.
  • Usopp collapsed the passage behind the group, and Jinbe escorted several people through the breach while the Devil Fruit users boarded the submarine.
  • Lina stayed behind to delay Garp, and Ace chose to help after warning that Magellan had arrived.
  • Ace knocked Luffy unconscious so Robin could take him aboard, and Lina hurled the submarine through the wall as Magellan emerged and vowed to stop him.

Ch. 204The Flash That Snuffed Out All Hope

Lina went after Douglas Bullet while Ace and Garp fought to give the prisoners a chance to escape. After Lina freed Bullet’s undead form to attack Magellan, Kizaru arrived and kicked Ace away, leaving the escape attempt in peril.

  • Ace fought Magellan while Lina asked where Douglas Bullet was being held, then ran deeper into the dungeon to find him.
  • Garp fought the undead and held back from pursuing Luffy and the others, though he continued trying to stop their escape.
  • Lina found Bullet, who refused to cooperate, so Lina beat him unconscious and used Azure Flame to obtain his template.
  • Jinbe returned to the dungeon and found Ace fighting Magellan; Bullet’s undead then struck Magellan and gave Ace a chance to escape.
  • Jinbe hurled a water attack at Garp while Lina’s undead intercepted him, and Ace rushed toward Jinbe.
  • Kizaru appeared between Ace and Jinbe and sent Ace flying with a Light Speed Kick.

Ch. 205Heading for Amazon

Lina escaped Impel Down with Jinbe while Ace stayed behind to hold off Kizaru and Magellan. Reunited with the Going Merry crew, Lina proposed they rest at Amazon and wait for the coming war at Marineford.

  • Jinbe blocked Kizaru's attack, but Ace intervened with flames and urged Jinbe to escape with Lina.
  • Ace fought Magellan and unleashed his Great Flame Ring: Flame Emperor as Jinbe carried Lina through the wall and into the sea.
  • The Going Merry crew feared Jinbe had rescued Ace instead of Lina until Usopp spotted Lina in Jinbe's arms.
  • Jinbe brought Lina aboard the Going Merry, where the crew welcomed him back and Luffy said they would find another way to save Ace.
  • Lina said the Marines would likely move Ace to Marineford early and suggested the crew rest at Amazon before the war.

Ch. 206Two Years of Training

After escaping Impel Down, Lina proposed that the crew spend two years training before entering the New World. The Straw Hats agreed they needed to grow stronger, while their immediate course remained a stop at Amazon Lily before reaching Marineford for Ace’s execution.

  • Nami admitted that she felt helpless when Lina faced powerful enemies at Impel Down, and Lina reassured her that the crew needed to rely on one another.
  • Lina gathered the crew after dinner and explained his plan for two years of training, which he had discussed with Bear.
  • The crew considered how unprepared they were for the New World and how often Luffy’s adventures put them in danger.
  • Luffy agreed that the crew was too weak and said he would not risk their lives for an adventure.

Ch. 207Going to Meet the Empress

The Straw Hat Pirates reached Amazon Lily to prepare for rescuing Ace, and Hancock allowed Lina and Zoro to enter while the others waited outside. Lina, Zoro, Nami, and Robin were escorted to the palace to meet the empress, with Lina bringing a gift.

  • Lina brought the Going Merry to Amazon Lily, and Sanji agreed to go to Marineford after Lina told him Peach Color Island welcomed men.
  • Rayleigh met the crew and explained that Hancock had allowed them to stay at the forest’s edge, but only Lina and Roronoa could enter her territory.
  • Lina and Zoro fought with Sanji after he learned he was barred from the island, while Rayleigh said Hancock likely wanted to meet them because of the Celestial Dragons.
  • Lina, Zoro, Nami, and Robin crossed into Amazon territory and met Marguerite, who confirmed that Hancock had summoned Lina and Roronoa to the palace.
  • Marguerite led them through the town toward the palace, while Lina brought along a wooden box as a gift for Hancock.

Ch. 208The Unshakable Will

Lina, Nami, Zoro, and Robin met Boa Hancock at Amazon Lily after Granny Niu asked them to persuade the empress to answer the World Government’s summons for the war against Whitebeard. Nami’s defense of Hancock’s right to protect her own life deeply moved the hidden empress, and the chapter ended with Hancock testing Lina and Zoro’s resistance to her Love-Love Fruit, turning Lina to stone.

  • Marguerite led the Straw Hat Pirates through the palace, where Rin asked to see Lina’s golden eggs and Nami struck her for the request.
  • Granny Niu explained that Hancock had refused the World Government’s summons and asked the crew to persuade her, while Nami argued that Hancock should not be forced to risk her life for the country.
  • Hancock overheard Nami’s words, was deeply moved, and entered the hall with Sondasonia and Marigold.
  • Hancock introduced herself, asked Lina and Zoro whether she was beautiful, then used her Love-Love Fruit power to test their willpower.
  • Zoro appeared unaffected, but Hancock told him to look behind; he discovered Lina had been turned to stone.

Ch. 209Sonia

After Hancock questioned the crew about killing a Celestial Dragon, she let them use the palace hot springs, curious about their fearlessness. Lina and Zoro brought the others in, where Luffy recovered from mushroom poisoning and Sanji eagerly rushed to meet the women.

  • Hancock restored Lina from stone and asked why the crew had killed a Celestial Dragon.
  • Robin reassured the Nine Snake warriors that no admiral was pursuing them, and Zoro and Lina explained their actions.
  • Hancock dismissed Granny Niu’s objections and granted the crew access to the hot springs for two days.
  • Lina and Zoro found Luffy, who had eaten a poisonous mushroom, and reunited with Sanji and the others.
  • The crew reached the palace hot springs, where Sanji burst free of his chains and rushed toward the bathing women.

Ch. 210The Celestial Dragons' Mark

Hancock revealed to Nami and Robin that the Celestial Dragons had once enslaved her and branded her with their mark. As the women began sharing their pasts at the bathhouse, the night’s conversation continued.

  • Hancock ordered the living Celestial Dragon sent by the Straw Hat Crew sealed back in his box, then went to the bathhouse.
  • The Straw Hat Crew relaxed with the Kuja, and Luffy said he would go to Marineford to save Ace.
  • Robin used her power to look into the main bathhouse while Nami insisted she did not care what Lina was doing.
  • Hancock joined Nami, Robin, and Perona in the bath and revealed the Celestial Dragon slave brand on her back.
  • Nami recognized Hancock’s painful past and invited her to hear their stories.

Ch. 211Kingly Bearing?

After the banquet, Hancock became friends with Nami and tested Lina with her Conqueror’s Haki before thanking him for the gift. Hancock then fed Saint Rosward to her panther, while Lina and Nami spent the night together and prepared to leave Amazon Lily.

  • Luffy, Usopp, Franky, and Zoro returned to the ship while Lina stayed behind with Nami.
  • Hancock asked Nami if they were friends, and Nami warmly confirmed that they were.
  • Hancock confronted Lina, tested him with her Conqueror’s Haki, and thanked him for the welcome gift.
  • Hancock ordered her panther Bacura to tear apart and devour Saint Rosward.
  • At dawn, Lina carried Nami back to the Going Merry and said he would wake her before they departed that afternoon.

Ch. 212Leaving Nine Snake Island

Lina and the Straw Hat Crew prepared to leave Nine Snake Island as the other Supernovas departed for Sabaody and Boa Hancock arrived to see Nami. The chapter ended with Luffy ordering the crew to sail for Marineford, where Ace’s execution and the coming war awaited them.

  • Lina and Sanji read the newspaper’s account of the Impel Down incident, which claimed the Straw Hat Crew and the other Supernovas had been defeated and driven away.
  • Kid and Luo arrived with their crews, collected supplies from the people of Nine Snake Island, and set off toward Sabaody to watch the execution broadcast.
  • Hancock arrived with her sisters and officers to see Nami off, and Sanji turned to stone at the sight of her.
  • Hancock revealed that she was heading to Marineford for the mandatory call-up and to help the Straw Hat Crew if she could, then departed.
  • Nami prepared to leave, and Luffy ordered the Straw Hat Crew to set sail for Marineford.

Ch. 213The Prelude to the Summit War

As the world watched Marineford prepare to execute Ace, Hawkins predicted that Black Snake Lina would die, prompting several Supernova crews to head for the battle. Whitebeard's fleet approached Marineford, and Luffy led the Going Merry's crew toward the war as it began.

  • Marineford's Marines and the Sabaody Archipelago crowds watched the live broadcast as the three Admirals took their seats and Sengoku prepared to reveal Ace's identity.
  • Law, Drake, and Hawkins discussed the Straw Hat Crew, and Hawkins predicted that Black Snake Lina would die during the war.
  • Kid, Law, Drake, and Hawkins decided to head to Marineford, while other Supernovas prepared to join them.
  • Sengoku announced the significance of Ace's execution and the truth of his identity as Ace knelt beside him.
  • Usopp spotted Whitebeard's fleet approaching beneath the sea, and Luffy urged everyone on the Going Merry to put their lives first before leading them toward Marineford.

Ch. 214Point-Transporter

Lina and the Going Merry crew traveled to Marineford to rescue Ace, using the chaos of Whitebeard’s opening attack to infiltrate the island from underwater. They reached the Marine families’ town behind the execution platform as the war began.

  • Sanji urged Luffy and the others to wait for the right moment before joining the battle, while Jinbe and Ivankov pledged to help rescue Ace.
  • Nami revealed that Ace was Roger’s son, shocking the crew and explaining why the Marines had made his execution central to the war.
  • Whitebeard struck the sea with his power, sending a retreating tide and a towering tsunami toward the Going Merry; Lina’s crew navigated around the danger.
  • Aokiji froze the tsunami, and Lina’s group launched the Shark Submerge III and swam toward Marineford.
  • Lina led the group through the largely unguarded island from underwater, reaching the town behind the execution platform.

Ch. 215Lina Only Opens His Mouth to Spout Trash Talk

Lina and the others watched the Battle of Marineford, then Lina left their hiding place to intervene before Ace’s execution. He knocked Squard unconscious after approaching him and took his sword, while the others realized Lina’s idea of talking things out meant trash-talking and beating someone up.

  • Zoro reflected on the gulf between his strength and Hawk Eyes’ as the Whitebeard Pirates and Marines began clashing across the frozen bay.
  • Franky spotted Akainu speaking with Squard, and Jinbe realized Squard had a blood feud with Roger, Ace’s father.
  • Lina told the group to prepare to move, then left to draw Marine attention while Zoro and Sanji stayed ready to help Ace.
  • After Akainu left, Squard wondered whether the Navy’s claims about Whitebeard and Ace were true, and Lina approached him while pretending to be one of Whitebeard’s men.
  • Lina punched Squard unconscious, took his sword, and tossed him into a nearby house; Jinbe and the others watched in shock.

Ch. 216A Small Taste of the Undead Legion's Power

Lina unleashed a hundred powerful mutant beasts from Golden Lion’s collection onto the Marineford battlefield, where they tore through the Navy and forced the Giant Vice Admirals to intervene. As the beasts overwhelmed even giant fighters, Sengoku worried that they were drawing the Navy’s mid-level forces away from the execution platform, while Whitebeard enjoyed his confusion.

  • Lina opened rifts in the sky and sent a hundred or so of Golden Lion’s strongest mutant beasts crashing into the harbor.
  • The beasts attacked Marines across the battlefield, shrugging off gunfire and working together to defeat a Giant Vice Admiral.
  • White-haired Gorilla, the undead legion’s deputy commander, slammed Giardo into the ground as the beasts overwhelmed the giants.
  • Sengoku realized that dealing with the scattered beasts would pull vice admirals away from the execution platform and suspected Whitebeard was behind the attack.
  • Whitebeard grinned at Sengoku, pleased by the Navy’s confusion despite not knowing who had unleashed the beasts.

Ch. 217The Heist at Home

Lina’s beasts helped Whitebeard’s forces advance, while Nami created a thundercloud to support the battle. In the dungeon, Sanji and Zoro stole the executioners’ keys as the rescue effort continued.

  • Lina watched her undead beasts tie up Navy vice admirals, prompting Sengoku and Tsuru to discuss raising the encirclement wall and defending the execution platform.
  • Nami joined Lina in the sky and used her Weather Stick to gather bubbles into the smoke and form a thundercloud.
  • Whitebeard warned Marco not to let his guard down, ordered him to keep the pirates advancing, and refused to send Little Oars into the fight yet.
  • Sanji and Zoro reached the dungeon executioners’ room, where Sanji knocked both executioners unconscious.
  • Zoro found a key in the oversized uniform he had put on, and Sanji reacted with disbelief at how quickly he found it.

Ch. 218Sengoku: Not a Single Piece of Good News!

Sengoku faced escalating crises as Teach attacked Impel Down and the Navy lost contact with its Control Room, prompting him to accelerate the execution plan. Meanwhile, Perona helped the Straw Hats prepare to act, and Lina and Nami got ready to unleash their power as the battle continued.

  • A Navy officer told Sengoku that Teach and his crew had attacked Impel Down and freed notorious Level Six prisoners.
  • Sengoku ordered the plan to begin early, and Tsuru tried to cut the broadcast feeds but discovered the Control Room was unreachable and the rear had been infiltrated.
  • Sengoku sent Tsuru to investigate the rear, ordered Sentomaru to prepare the Pacifista, and told the Navy to ready the executioners.
  • Perona returned to her body and told Usopp, Robin, and the others that she had discovered the Navy's plan and would destroy the defensive wall's power system.
  • Perona declined the Straw Hats' invitation to join them, saying she would leave with Lord Moria, while Franky freed Luffy so the crew could enter the fight.
  • Nami told Lina that the thunderclouds were nearly ready for Raigo, and Lina summoned a powerful undead to provoke Whitebeard into joining the battle.

Ch. 219The King of War

The Navy deployed Pacifistas to crush Whitebeard’s advancing forces, but Lina’s undead arrived and began destroying the war machines. Sengoku ordered the encircling walls raised and the execution to begin in ten minutes, while Garp recognized Luffy among the newcomers.

  • Sentomaru activated the Pacifistas as Whitebeard’s pirates and the Navy fought across the ice.
  • The Pacifistas overwhelmed the pirates until Marco intervened, then Kizaru shot Marco and defended the machines.
  • The War Ghost, Gun Ghost, Sukuna, and Mage Undead attacked the flanks and destroyed Pacifistas, rallying the pirates.
  • Lina directed the undead to keep pressure on both sides while Sengoku ordered Aokiji to reinforce the left flank and called for the executioners.
  • Tsuru reported that the Control Room had been retaken, so Sengoku ordered the encircling walls raised and set the execution to begin in ten minutes.
  • Garp watched the undead arrive and realized that Luffy had come.

Ch. 220The Storm Goddess

The Marines’ retreat exposed their plan to trap the pirates, but Perona had sabotaged the wall mechanisms, and Nami’s lightning stopped Akainu’s magma attack from striking the advancing forces. As the battle escalated, Whitebeard leaped toward the execution platform to rescue Ace.

  • The Marines retreated toward the plaza, but Sengoku learned from Tsuru that damaged mechanisms beneath the plaza had made the encircling walls inoperable.
  • Perona revealed that she had used explosive ghosts to destroy the mechanisms beneath the plaza.
  • Sanji and another disguised ally climbed toward the execution platform as Usopp spotted the swords at one executioner’s waist, while Franky, Luffy, and their group prepared to break through a wall in a small boat.
  • Akainu launched Meteor Volcano despite Sengoku’s hesitation, and Nami countered the magma with lightning spheres from the sky.
  • Lina praised Nami’s progress, and Whitebeard leaped from the Moby Dick toward the execution platform, calling out to Ace.

Ch. 221Once Again, Those Damn Straw Hats!

Whitebeard launched a devastating attack on Marineford, and Garp and Akainu intercepted it as the battle began. Sanji, Zoro, Luffy, and the others then stormed the execution platform, knocked Sengoku aside, and reached Ace.

  • Whitebeard struck Oris Plaza with his Tremor-Tremor Ability, and Garp and Akainu combined their attacks to stop the shockwave.
  • Moria spotted Perona, who had found him and excitedly called out to him.
  • Sanji and Zoro ambushed Sengoku on the execution platform, wounded him, and sent him crashing to the ground.
  • Sanji grabbed the key and rushed to free Ace while the flying ship slammed into the execution platform.
  • Luffy and the others fought off the Marines surging toward the platform, and the soldiers recognized the Straw Hat Crew.
  • Sengoku glared at the Straw Hat Crew and roared at Garp in fury.

Ch. 222Strategic Reversal

The Straw Hat Crew reached the execution platform and freed Ace while Whitebeard’s forces fought to keep the Navy’s strongest fighters away. Sengoku blocked their escape, but Lina arrived to confront him and clear the way.

  • Marco intercepted Kizaru while Whitebeard fought Garp and Akainu, and Whitebeard sent Jozu and Vista to stop Aokiji.
  • Lina raced toward the execution platform as the battlefield’s focus shifted to the Navy trying to stop the Straw Hat Crew from escaping.
  • Sanji unlocked Ace’s Seastone handcuffs, but Ace was too exhausted to fight, so Franky carried him as Luffy led the group away.
  • Sengoku attacked the Straw Hat Crew, but Jinbe and Ivankov combined their techniques to break his shockwave.
  • The Battle Demon knocked Sengoku off the platform, and Lina arrived, telling the others to keep moving while he faced the Fleet Admiral.

Ch. 223Invincible Below Admiral

Lina held Sengoku at the execution platform while the Straw Hat Crew and Whitebeard Pirates fought their way through Marine forces. As the battle turned in their favor, Doflamingo arrived to attack Lina, who sent Magellan’s undead to confront him.

  • The Battle Ghost clashed with Sengoku, while Lina urged Luffy and the others to escape and they charged through the Marines with help from Jinbe and Ivankov.
  • Nami struck Marine soldiers with lightning as Sengoku tried to pursue Luffy, but Lina and the Gun Ghost held him back with Haki-infused bullets.
  • Lina’s undead joined Marco, Jozu, and Vista to pin down Kizaru and Aokiji, and Sengoku realized Lina had been manipulating the battle’s deployments.
  • Sengoku blasted the Battle Ghost and created an opening for Doflamingo to attack Lina with his whip.
  • Lina blocked Doflamingo’s Five Color Threads with a shadow barrier, then sent Magellan’s undead to fight him.

Ch. 224Lina: You've got a death wish

Luffy and his allies fought their way toward Lina’s arranged escape while Zoro and Sanji stayed behind to face Gion and Kake. At the execution platform, Lina’s poison overwhelmed Doflamingo’s attacks, and he hesitated when Lina threatened to kill him.

  • Luffy cleared a path through the Marines with a giant fist, then bickered with Ace about their childhood as the group kept advancing.
  • Gion and Kake ambushed the escape force, so Zoro and Sanji stayed behind to fight them while Luffy led the others onward.
  • Doflamingo dodged Lina’s Poison Dragons and tried to destroy them with string attacks, but the poison kept reforming and pursuing him.
  • Doflamingo turned the surrounding buildings into strings and threatened to trap the battlefield, possibly causing Marine casualties, to stop Ace’s rescue.
  • Lina opened five rifts behind Doflamingo and threatened to kill him, making him freeze and reconsider his threat.

Ch. 225The Beginning of the Fading Stars

Lina killed Doflamingo after he unleashed the Birdcage, while Luffy and the others fought the Marines and waited for her to finish. The Birdcage vanished, Whitebeard’s forces joined Luffy’s group as they retreated toward the harbor, and Lina confronted Sengoku over his role in Doflamingo’s death.

  • Doflamingo formed the Birdcage around Oris Plaza, separating Luffy and his companions from much of Whitebeard’s forces.
  • Luffy, Usopp, Robin, Brook, Ivankov, and Chopper fought off the Marines while the Birdcage trapped them and began shrinking.
  • The Birdcage suddenly snapped apart, and Izo and Rakuyo led Whitebeard’s pirates to help Luffy and Ace retreat toward the harbor.
  • Lina’s undead killed Doflamingo in a confrontation involving Sengoku, and the Mage Undead presented her with Doflamingo’s head.
  • Lina mocked Sengoku for arranging Doflamingo’s death, while Sengoku denied responsibility and privately regarded the Shichibukai’s death as convenient.
Arc 9 of 18