Chapter Summaries

Ares challenged Wano’s samurai and daimyos to attack him together, intending to shatter their confidence and spur them to grow stronger. He left them defeated by a single strike, shocking Sukiyaki and the others.

• Ares mocked the samurai and invited the daimyos, Kozuki Oden, Sukiyaki, and the ninjas to join the fight against him.
• Sukiyaki agreed to the match and secretly sent Fukurokuju to summon the Oniwabanshu.
• Ares led the gathered samurai and ninjas to an open space and told them to attack him all at once.
• Kozuki Oden charged first, followed by the other samurai, whose swords were covered in dark flames.
• Ares unleashed his New Martial Style—Elbaf Spear, sending the attackers flying and injuring them with one blow.
• Sukiyaki stared in disbelief at how completely Ares had defeated the group.

Ares defeated the strongest samurai in Wano, leaving Sukiyaki and the daimyo shaken by the gulf in their strength. He demanded all of Wano in a five-on-five wager, and Sukiyaki was left to decide how to respond.

• The samurai regrouped and attacked Ares with their strongest techniques, but he blocked their slashes and said they were weaker than Rayleigh and Redfield.
• Ares defeated Kozuki Oden and the daimyo, and Sukiyaki and the samurai accepted that they could not beat him together.
• Sukiyaki challenged Ares to a five-on-five wager, offering Hakumai and recognition as a daimyo if Ares won, while demanding that Ares leave Wano if he lost.
• Ares rejected the offer as insufficient and demanded the entire Land of Wano, declaring that he wanted to open its borders and strengthen it.
• Ares left Sukiyaki to consider the wager, while Shimotsuki Ushimaru and Shimotsuki Yasuiie warned that they could not stop him by force.

After Ares defeated a coalition of Wano’s daimyō and ninjas, Oden became fascinated by the combat techniques of the world beyond the seas, while Orochi worried that Ares might claim the shogunate. Back in Kuri, Ares prepared to train with Seastone restraints as the wager with Sukiyaki approached.

• Sukiyaki visited the underground Poneglyph chamber and prayed that his ancestors would protect Wano as the Kōzuki Family faced a perilous wager.
• Oden returned injured after he and several daimyō and ninjas lost to Ares, then recalled Ares’s techniques and grew more eager to explore the world beyond the seas.
• Orochi overheard that the coalition had failed to defeat Ares and worried that Ares might become shogun, though he hoped to earn the rank of daimyō.
• Ares told his companions that Sukiyaki had not yet accepted the wager, then asked Ashura Doji to make several sets of Seastone handcuffs and ankle cuffs for training.
• Kaido eagerly asked Ares to let him train with Seastone restraints too.

Ares accepted Sukiyaki’s terms for a five-match wager, including a three-hour limit that favored Wano, after deciding he could counter the restrictions with reinforcements. The duel was set for the night of the Fire Festival two months later, and Ares ordered his crew to keep their plans secret and prepare for Wano’s next moves.

• Chinjao asked to try Seastone training, and Ares told Ashura Doji to have craftsmen make more training gear, handcuffs, and shackles.
• Fukurokuju delivered Sukiyaki’s challenge letter, which set five matches, restricted each fighter to one match, and declared any duel lasting over three hours a draw.
• Kaido, Slada, and Chinjao objected to the time limit, but Ares agreed to Sukiyaki’s conditions and signed the letter.
• After Fukurokuju left, Ares explained that he could bring reinforcements, and the crew guessed he might enlist Whitebeard and Golden Lion.
• Ares told the crew to keep the plan secret and prepare for Sukiyaki’s moves, while reminding Ashura Doji to deliver the Seastone shackles when they were ready.

Sukiyaki prepared Wano's daimyos and doctors for a confrontation with Ares, while Ares trained in Seastone shackles before leaving Kuri. On Sphinx Island, Whitebeard discussed Ares with his young crew, then suddenly stopped as Marco walked into his leg.

• Sukiyaki received Ares's signed invitation, retrieved Shusui, and ordered Fukurokuju to gather Wano's daimyos and best doctors for the coming duel.
• Ashura Doji brought Ares Seastone shackles, and Ares began training in fifty-percent-purity shackles to suppress his strength and abilities.
• Oden, Shimotsuki Ushimaru, Kanjuro, and the others recovered and began sparring to prepare for the Fire Festival duel two months later.
• After a month, Ares entrusted Kuri's affairs to his subordinates and flew away in his blue dragon form.
• Whitebeard brought Marco, Jozu, and Vista to Sphinx Island and told them he expected Ares to reappear and surprise everyone.
• Whitebeard suddenly stopped walking, causing Marco to bump into his leg and fall onto his butt.

Ares reunited with Whitebeard and amazed Marco, Jozu, and Vista with his immense strength and steel-hard muscles. He explained his wager to take control of the Land of Wano, and Whitebeard recognized how much Ares had changed and how close he was to becoming its ruler.

• Whitebeard charged to meet Ares, and the two clashed briefly with their weapons and Haki before greeting each other warmly.
• Marco, Jozu, and Vista met Ares and tested his steel-hard muscles, while Marco asked how he had trained them.
• Ares told Whitebeard that he wanted a favor and explained the wager concerning the Land of Wano.
• Whitebeard praised Ares's progress and judged that his plan could let him take the country with little bloodshed and eventually replace the Rocks Pirates' position.
• Marco, Jozu, and Vista reacted with excitement to Ares's prospect of becoming Wano's shogun and to its samurai.

Ares brought Whitebeard and his sons to the Land of Wano, where Whitebeard promised to fight beside him if he ever went to war with the World Government. Ares joked that he would take care of Whitebeard’s sons if Whitebeard died, prompting the awakened boys to look on in confusion.

• Whitebeard praised Ares as the strongest samurai of the Land of Wano, and he and his sons eagerly agreed to visit.
• Ares transformed into an azure dragon, carried everyone with Flame Clouds, and flew toward Wano as the children marveled at the sky and sea.
• As they neared Wano, Whitebeard noticed two nearby islands, and Ares explained that he had moved them there and wanted to build a power capable of resisting the World Government.
• Ares asked whether Whitebeard would help him fight the World Government, and Whitebeard promised that he would not be absent from such a war.
• Ares joked that he would care for Whitebeard’s sons if Whitebeard died, and Whitebeard insisted Ares was their uncle as the boys woke and stared at him.

Ares brought Whitebeard and his companions to Kuri, where Kaido showed off the God of War Pirates’ growing territory and invited Whitebeard to join. Marco revealed his Phoenix abilities, and the group became curious about Jin’s brutal training.

• Ares teased Marco during their flight and led Whitebeard’s group through Kuri Harbor to the developing town.
• At a feast, Kaido bragged about the God of War Pirates’ growth and offered Whitebeard the vice-captain position, but Whitebeard refused and Marco declared they would form their own crew.
• Ginny and Ivankov recognized Marco from God Valley, and Marco revealed his blue-flamed Phoenix form, astonishing the gathered pirates.
• Marco questioned Jin about his injuries, and Jin explained that he and others trained under Ares to build powerful bodies and wills.
• Kaido invited Marco, Jozu, and Vista to observe the training the next day.

Ares defended his crew’s brutal training to Whitebeard, while Marco, Jozu, and Vista joined the God of War Pirates’ regimen. After enduring body-conditioning and fighting the baboons on Baboon Island, they learned that defeating the Baboon King and training on another island awaited them.

• Ares and Kaido told Whitebeard that pirates had to endure hardship to become strong, then Ares and Whitebeard drank until they both passed out.
• Marco, Jozu, and Vista watched Jin, Kuma, and the others beat themselves with wooden sticks, then joined the training themselves.
• After the stick training, Marco used his Phoenix flames to heal Jozu, and Kuma explained that the next session involved fighting baboons on Baboon Island.
• Jin defeated two baboons before losing to a third, while Marco, Jozu, and Vista struggled to defeat one each.
• Kuma told Marco, Jozu, and Vista that they would challenge the Baboon King after mastering the first stage, then continue training on another island.

Marco, Jozu, and Vista told Whitebeard about their training and their ambitions, while Whitebeard visited Ares and saw his seastone-shackle training. As the Night of the Fire Festival approached, Ares, Whitebeard, Kaido, and their companions dressed in Wano-style clothing and set off for the Capital of Flowers.

• Whitebeard treated Marco, Jozu, and Vista’s wounds, and they explained that they wanted to grow stronger and pursue their own goals.
• Whitebeard agreed to remain in Land of Wano longer, and Marco vowed to defeat Sun Wukong, the baboon king named by Ares.
• Whitebeard visited Ares’s training ground and watched him strike his body with a spiked club while wearing seastone shackles.
• Ares told Whitebeard that the Night of the Fire Festival was ten days away and reassured him that he did not underestimate the World Government.
• Ten days later, Ares, Whitebeard, Kaido, and their companions dressed in kimonos and left Kuri for the Capital of Flowers.

On Fire Festival Night, Ares arrived in the Capital of Flowers to begin the duel that would determine the Land of Wano’s future. Kaido fought first against Kozuki Oden, and their opening clash showed that Kaido’s strength exceeded Oden’s.

• Sukiyaki and the daimyos prepared for the duel, while rumors spread that Ares had defeated all the daimyos together.
• Ares and his companions gathered outside the Capital of Flowers, where Sukiyaki arrived and both sides wrote down their duelist lists.
• Kaido stepped forward to face Kozuki Oden, drawing cheers from the God of War Pirates.
• Oden launched Oden Two Sword Style: Totsuka, but Kaido blocked it with Thunder Bagua and overpowered him in their first clash.

Kaido dominated the opening of his duel with Kozuki Oden, but Oden unleashed stronger techniques as the battle intensified. Kaido entered a berserk state and continued driving Oden back, leaving the outcome undecided.

• Kaido boasted that he would become Ares's right-hand man and overwhelmed Oden with his strength and Haki.
• Sukiyaki worried that Oden had to endure for three hours, while Shimotsuki Ushimaru and Shimotsuki Yasuiie discussed the threat posed by Ares's powerful crew.
• Whitebeard, Marco, Vista, and Ashura Doji watched the duel and assessed Kaido's and Oden's strength.
• Ares reflected on the need to build powerful forces to oppose the World Government and considered the potential of Wano's samurai.
• Oden attacked with Fire Festival Meteor and Togen Shirataki, but Kaido countered with Thunder Bagua and Ragnarok.
• Kaido grew more excited, entered a berserk mode, and repeatedly knocked Oden back as their fight continued.

Kaido revealed his swordsmanship and battled Kozuki Oden while Ares explained Kaido’s training and taught Chinjao about Advanced Armament Haki. Just as Sukiyaki thought Oden could hold out, Kaido transformed into a Mythical Zoan creature with eight arms, leaving the spectators fearing for Oden.

• Kaido used powerful club slashes against Oden, who countered with his two-sword style and Advanced Armament Haki.
• Ares explained that Kaido had trained in swordsmanship and the Six Powers, then agreed to teach Chinjao Advanced Armament Haki.
• Ares considered seeking Pure Gold for Chinjao in the future, while Sukiyaki watched the battle and believed Oden could last three hours.
• Kaido declared that he was done playing and transformed, growing dense fur, four faces, and multiple pairs of arms.
• Oden recognized Kaido’s Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit, and Sukiyaki, Shimotsuki Yasuiie, and Shimotsuki Ushimaru feared Oden could no longer hold out.

Kaido defeated Kozuki Oden in their duel after transforming with his Mythical Zoan ability, but Oden remained determined to grow stronger and protect Wano. Kaido ended by inviting Oden to join the God of War Pirates, astonishing Sukiyaki and the daimyos.

• Kaido used his Mythical Zoan powers to overwhelm Oden with a storm of punches, leaving Oden badly wounded.
• Kin'emon, Raizo, Izo, Kikunojo, Whitebeard, and others watched as Oden's chances of winning dwindled, while Sukiyaki and the daimyos prepared for the next duel.
• Oden unleashed his Conqueror's Haki, withdrew briefly, and declared he would fight with everything he had rather than accept defeat lightly.
• Oden and Kaido exchanged their strongest attacks, and Kaido's Eight-Armed Heavenly Net sent Oden crashing into a crater, defeating him.
• Wounded but inspired, Oden vowed to grow stronger and defend Wano's honor, then Kaido invited him to join the God of War Pirates, shocking Sukiyaki and the daimyos.

After Kaido defeated Oden, Oden agreed to join Ares’s group if they won the duel, and Chinjao began the second match against Shimotsuki Yasuiie. Chinjao overwhelmed Yasuiie with his Hasshoken techniques, leaving Wano’s observers worried as the fight continued.

• Oden agreed to join Ares’s group if they won the duel, despite Sukiyaki’s objections.
• Kaido celebrated his victory, while Ares and the others prepared Chinjao for the second match.
• Shimotsuki Yasuiie introduced himself and attacked Chinjao with sword strikes, but Chinjao shattered them with his cone and fists.
• Chinjao used Cone Dragon Cone Nail to split the ground, then spun forward and forced Yasuiie backward.
• Sukiyaki, Shimotsuki Ushimaru, and Wano’s allies worried about Yasuiie’s chances as Ugetsu Tempura noted Ares’s confidence in Chinjao.

Chinjao revealed his Mythical Zoan Yamata no Orochi form and overwhelmed Shimotsuki Kanjuro, putting Wano’s second duel and the Kōzuki Family’s rule in jeopardy. Whitebeard learned that Ares had another Mythical Zoan Fruit, which Ares said he had not yet chosen whom to give.

• Chinjao transformed into the eight-headed Yamata no Orochi, shocking Shimotsuki Ushimaru, Kanjuro, Sukiyaki, and Hyogoro.
• Chinjao explained that Mythical Zoan fruits were rare treasures that could be seized through strength, then challenged Kanjuro to face his power.
• Chinjao hardened his eight cones with Armament Haki and battered Kanjuro with his Hasshoken Secret Technique: Cone Dragon Cone Nail.
• Sukiyaki feared that Kanjuro would lose the second duel and that the Kōzuki Family might lose its inherited shogun position.
• Whitebeard recognized Chinjao’s Yamata no Orochi form and revealed that Ares possessed another Mythical Zoan Fruit.
• Ares confirmed that he had another Mythical Zoan Fruit but had not decided whom to give it to.

Chinjao defeated Shimotsuki Yasuiie with his Yamata no Orochi form and Conqueror's Haki, giving Ares's side a second victory in the duels. Whitebeard then entered the arena for the third match as Shimotsuki Ushimaru prepared to fight him.

• Chinjao overwhelmed Shimotsuki Yasuiie with his eight-headed attacks and Conqueror's Haki, knocking him out and winning the second duel.
• Sukiyaki put his hopes in Shimotsuki Ushimaru, who accepted the responsibility of defending Wano and headed to the arena with Shusui.
• Ares praised Chinjao's easy victory and warned his crew not to underestimate future opponents such as the Rocks Pirates or the Marines.
• Whitebeard walked onto the battlefield for the third duel and asked Ares to treat him to wine and meat afterward.

Whitebeard defeated Shimotsuki Ushimaru in their duel, securing Ares's victory and his claim to become Wano's shogun. As Sukiyaki accepted the outcome but urged caution about opening Wano's borders, Kozuki Oden asked Ares to take him out to sea.

• Whitebeard overwhelmed Ushimaru's sword strike, then sent him flying with a quake-powered punch, winning the duel.
• Oden praised the strength of the warriors from beyond Wano and told his retainers they could join Ares as his subjects.
• Sukiyaki accepted that Wano had lost the duels, while Hyogoro resolved to keep his men in line under Ares's rule.
• Ares asked Sukiyaki and Wano's daimyos to attend the shogun transfer ceremony and said Wano must eventually open its borders.
• Oden approached Ares and asked to join him and travel out to sea.

Ares became Wano’s shogun and challenged Oden to become the strongest samurai before joining the God of War Pirates. After the Fire Festival duel, the defeated samurai reconsidered their futures while Ares celebrated and planned to strengthen his forces before opening Wano’s borders.

• Ares invited Oden to join his crew if Oden became Wano’s strongest samurai, and Oden eagerly accepted the challenge.
• Ares left with Whitebeard, Kaido, and the others as Wano’s people debated his rule and the country’s future.
• Sukiyaki accepted that Ares was the new shogun, and Shimotsuki Ushimaru asked to give up his daimyo title and go to sea.
• Kurozumi Orochi left Kanjuro and hurried toward Ares’s victory banquet, hoping to earn a reward and a position as daimyo.
• At the banquet, Ares told Whitebeard that he would strengthen the God of War Pirates before opening Wano’s borders.

Ares planned to turn the God of War Pirates and the Land of Wano’s forces into a disciplined army, assigning Kaido to lead the Ape Army. When Kurozumi Orochi came to claim a reward, Ares ordered Kanjuro to kill him and revealed that he knew Orochi’s identity.

• Ares agreed to consider organizing his forces as an army after the handover ceremony, and Kaido volunteered to command the Ape Army of Human Mimickers.
• Ares planned to establish a smelting department and other military units, while Chinjao would reorganize the Happo Navy as the Water Serpent Army.
• A subordinate announced that Orochi had come to see Ares, and Kurozumi Orochi flattered Ares while asking to be rewarded for his service.
• Ares ordered Kanjuro to kill Orochi, then confronted him about hiding his identity as a member of the Kurozumi Family.
• Ashura Doji recognized Orochi as a surviving member of the Kurozumi Family.