Recaps

Ares gathered new allies, established a base in Kuri, and challenged Wano’s rulers as he prepared to open the country and strengthen it. After agreeing to a five-on-five wager, he trained in Seastone shackles and left Kuri, while Whitebeard waited for his return on Sphinx Island.

• Ares recruited Jin and Chinjao into the God of War Pirates, gave Chinjao the Yamata no Orochi fruit, and led his crew to Wano.
• Ares defeated Kozuki Oden and Ashura Doji, then began building a town in Kuri with Ashura Doji’s help.
• Ares moved Rusukaina Island and another island to Wano, while Sukiyaki and the daimyos debated how to respond to his growing power.
• Ares defeated Oden again, declared that he would strengthen Wano and open its borders, and let Kurozumi Kanjuro join despite knowing he was a spy.
• Ares overwhelmed Wano’s samurai and ninjas, then demanded the entire country as the stakes of a five-on-five wager with Sukiyaki.
• Ares accepted Sukiyaki’s duel conditions and began training in Seastone shackles as Oden and the daimyos prepared for the Fire Festival matches.
• Ares left Kuri after entrusting it to his subordinates, while Whitebeard brought Marco, Jozu, and Vista to Sphinx Island and expected Ares to appear.

Ares secured Wano as shogun and began building its forces, then recruited Nico Olvia, Laboon, Crocus, and Dr. Kureha while searching for resources to strengthen the country. He left Drum Island with the Munch-Munch Fruit and plans for Wano’s medical system and Pure Gold.

• Ares brought Whitebeard and his sons to Wano, where Kaido defeated Oden in the first duel and Chinjao and Whitebeard won the next two.
• Ares became Wano’s shogun, recruited Oden as a future crew member, and began reorganizing the country’s forces and administration.
• Ares exposed and killed Kurozumi Orochi and Kanjuro, then persuaded Sukiyaki to show him Pluton and made plans to recruit Vegapunk.
• Ares traveled to Ohara, recruited Nico Olvia, and flew with her toward Sky Island to search for a Poneglyph.
• At Twin Cape, Ares told Laboon that the Rumba Pirates had died and agreed to take Laboon and Crocus along on his journey.
• When Olvia fell ill, Ares took her and Crocus to Drum Island, where Dr. Kureha treated her and considered joining Ares.
• Ares found the Munch-Munch Fruit and recruited Dr. Kureha, planning to establish a hospital system in Wano and obtain Pure Gold.

Ares battled the giants of Little Garden, then brought his companions to Skypiea in search of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit and claimed the sky islands for his growing realm. He united Angel Island and the Shandia under his rule and prepared to move Upper Yard, though he had not found the fruit and considered watching Enel.

• Ares challenged Dorry and Brogy, survived their combined Hakai, and studied their techniques before inviting the giants to send young members to Wano.
• After his Log Pose was destroyed, Ares took his companions to Skypiea, claimed Angel Island, and appointed Gan Fall as its lord with Olvia assisting him.
• Ares searched Upper Yard and Apaya Island for the Rumble-Rumble Fruit while developing ways to use radio waves with Observation Haki.
• Ares found and rang the Golden Bell, uncovering its Poneglyph and drawing Gan Fall, the Shandia, and Mont Blanc Cricket’s family’s attention.
• Ares fought off the Shandia warriors and offered them a return to Upper Yard if they swore allegiance, and the Chieftain agreed.
• Ares had Gan Fall and Olvia help the Shandia rebuild, but his searches of Upper Yard and Birka failed to find the Rumble-Rumble Fruit.
• Crocus became Dr. Kureha’s disciple, while Ares asked Olvia to study the Golden Bell’s Poneglyph in Wano and prepare for Upper Yard’s migration.
• Ares transformed into a gigantic azure dragon before Gan Fall, the Shandia Chieftain, and the islanders as they prepared to move Upper Yard.