Recaps

Kusana reviewed the Grass ninja's takeover of the Kingdom of Goa and ordered the Land of Grass to establish control, move its manufacturing operations into the new world, and gather intelligence. He planned to use the world as a base for building forces against the Four Great Ninja Villages, then told his subordinates to focus on learning.

• Kusana learned that Grass ninja had taken over the Kingdom of Goa and attached its nobles to jeweled streetlamps after they demanded treatment befitting their status.
• Kusana ordered the Land of Grass to arrange control of the island, move Grass Ninja Manufacturing into the new world, and have Mujie gather intelligence.
• Hanzo of the Salamander remarked that the world's armies seemed weak, and Kusana warned the Grass ninja not to underestimate the World Government.
• Kusana outlined plans to develop forces and talent in the new world, then reminded his subordinates that Grass ninja were famous for learning, not selling fake intelligence.

Kusana’s leaders planned to strengthen their forces and secure the East Blue while avoiding an all-out war with the World Government. As they prepared to clear the major shipping routes, a familiar visitor arrived to meet Kusana.

• Kusana argued that the Land of Grass should build a Navy Academy, learn the sea’s fighting methods, and educate its people in the Spirit of Grass.
• Leader Mang proposed developing the Kingdom of Goa and cleaning up the Terminal of the Uncertain, prompting Chiyo to warn that the World Government might retaliate.
• Kusana declared that the Land of Grass would keep enemies beyond its shores and seize control of the East Blue before the Navy could react.
• Hanzō, Chiyo, and the other ninjas pledged to follow Kusana’s orders, then learned that his plan was to clear key shipping routes and block Navy forces.
• Kusana noticed that a helper had arrived, and a deep voice greeted him as the leader of Kusagakure.

After the Kingdom of Goa’s new rulers reached the Terminal of the Uncertain, a young man addressed the scavengers as fellow townsfolk. Madara Uchiha prepared to sail with Sasuke, but diverted his attention to a child setting out to become a pirate.

• A group of ninjas arrived at the Terminal of the Uncertain, where a black-haired young man mounted a platform and told the scavengers he had come too late.
• Madara Uchiha boarded a ship with Sasuke and agreed to explore the strange world despite being only temporarily returned from the dead.
• Madara reflected on his past and his disagreements with Hashirama as Sasuke suggested Uncle Amang might let him visit the modern ninja world after the mission.
• A Grass ninja reported that a child from Whirlwind Town was heading to sea to become a pirate and that the town had gathered to see him off.
• Madara criticized the adults for allowing the child to go and ordered the ship to pull over.

Luffy set sail from Foosha Village after defeating the King of the nearby sea, but was interrupted by a mysterious voice. In the Kingdom of Goa, Kusana learned that Madara had returned to Foosha Village and broken both of Luffy’s legs.

• Luffy said goodbye to the villagers of Foosha Village and rowed out to sea to begin his journey.
• The King of the nearby sea attacked Luffy, and Luffy struck it with his Pistol and sent it flying.
• Luffy declared that he would gather ten companions, raise a pirate flag, and become Pirate King before a deep voice interrupted him.
• Kusana discussed the cleanup of the Terminal of the Uncertain and learned that Madara’s ship had only recently set sail.
• A Grass ninja reported that Madara had turned back at Foosha Village and broken both of Monkey D. Luffy’s legs, prompting Kusana to order an investigation and compensation.

Kusana read a report that Madara Uchiha had broken Luffy’s legs and beaten him for insisting he wanted to become a pirate, leaving the boy unable to sail. The Land of Grass continued preparing to take control of the East Blue, while Luffy woke in Foosha Village, confused and bandaged.

• Kusana read the Grass ninja’s report that Madara had broken both of Luffy’s legs and beaten him after Luffy refused to abandon his dream of becoming Pirate King.
• Kusana sent encouragement to the Grass ninja in Foosha Village and returned to organizing the Land of Grass’s work, resources, ships, and expansion across the East Blue.
• Kusana reflected that Luffy would not be going to sea anytime soon.
• Luffy woke in a wooden house in Foosha Village, wrapped in bandages and confused about how Madara had beaten him.
• Someone opened the door and asked Luffy if he was awake.

Luffy woke in Foosha Village after the Land of Grass official broke his legs to stop him from becoming a pirate, and Mayor Woop Slap told him the Kingdom of Goa had fallen under the Land of Grass’s rule. Luffy remained determined to sail and become Pirate King, while the official vowed to break his legs again if he tried.

• Luffy woke bandaged and furious that the old man who had beaten him had stopped him from setting sail, and Woop Slap struck him with his cane to quiet him.
• Woop Slap told Luffy that the Kingdom of Goa had been destroyed, its nobles hanged, and the Land of Grass had taken control and removed the wall separating the inner city from Terminal of the Uncertain.
• Woop Slap explained that the Land of Grass’s representative had promised village protection, free education, development funds, and help for the poor, while warning that children who tried to become pirates would have their legs broken.
• Luffy focused on hearing that Terminal of the Uncertain was gone and that its people had received food and would get jobs, then declared the Land of Grass a good country despite still intending to sail.
• Luffy insisted that no one could stop him from becoming Pirate King, while the black-haired official aboard a Land of Grass ship promised to break his legs whenever he saw him trying to sail.

Madara Uchiha and Sasuke set sail from the Kingdom of Goa to hunt pirates, while the Land of Grass began rebuilding the kingdom and providing aid to its people. The chapter ended with the injured Luffy hobbling toward the registration area, leaving Kusana and the others startled by his rapid recovery.

• Madara Uchiha admired the sea, ordered his crew to set sail, and quickly spotted a pirate ship approaching.
• The Land of Grass moved in support forces and began rebuilding the Kingdom of Goa, using confiscated noble supplies to feed its people.
• Kusana and Lord Hanzō inspected the orderly refugee registration and relief work, and Hanzō recalled the Land of Rain's recovery.
• A Kusagakure ninja promised that staff would assist people with limited mobility, just as Luffy arrived on crutches with his other injuries nearly healed.
• Lord Hanzō praised Luffy's determination, while Kusana recognized him as a Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika user and wondered why he had come.

Luffy joined the Land of Grass’s registration line on crutches, hoping to work for free food, while everyone mistook his injuries and cheerful determination for a tragic hardship. After receiving a meal slip, he headed for the cafeteria, leaving Hanzō convinced he was an inspiring example for the people.

• Luffy heard that food was free for people registering to work at the Terminal of the Uncertain and went there on crutches.
• A Grass ninja gave Luffy a fast-track registration and learned that he was seventeen, did not know his parents, and wanted food.
• The Grass ninja offered Luffy assistance and a subsidy, but Luffy insisted he was strong and only planned to work briefly because he had a promise to keep.
• The Grass ninja gave Luffy a registration slip and sent him to the cafeteria to eat as much as he wanted.
• The scavengers and Grass ninja watched Luffy leave, moved by what they believed was his perseverance, while Hanzō called him an outstanding child and a fitting example.

Kusana and Hanzō sent the Land of Grass’s fleets and young ninja out to begin clearing the East Blue. The ships departed, leaving Kusana hopeful that the Land of Grass would make its presence known across the sea.

• Kusana arranged for the captured Mount Corvo bandits to be punished or put to work, while the BBC News Agency reprimanded its reporters for missing the story of the Goa Kingdom’s usurpation.
• Kusana and Hanzō went to the newly completed harbor, where fleets had assembled for the East Blue expedition.
• Naruto and the other young ninja joined Kusana, and Naruto said he had mastered the Sage Art Curse Mark and wished Sasuke were there to challenge him.
• Kusana told Naruto that Sasuke had already gone to sea with Madara Uchiha.
• Hanzō urged the young ninja to survive, fight together, and summon him if they faced an enemy they could not defeat.
• Kusana ordered the fleets to depart, then watched with Hanzō as they sailed out of sight.

Sengoku discussed the Land of Grass’s conquest of the Kingdom of Goa with Garp, who agreed to investigate while returning to his hometown. In the East Blue, Kusana reviewed the campaign’s progress, and Madara confronted White Zetsu, who tried to blame Black Zetsu.

• Sengoku told Garp that the World Government wanted the Land of Grass to pay triple Celestial Gold or face a conflict with an affiliated nation.
• Garp said he would visit the Land of Grass and check on the boy who had likely set out to sea, then left Sengoku’s office.
• Sengoku declined the Marines’ request to subscribe to the new BBC News Agency and worried that the Land of Grass might be a pirate kingdom.
• Kusana reviewed reports showing that the Land of Grass’s operations were proceeding smoothly and wondered how Madara was doing.
• Madara seized White Zetsu, who blamed Black Zetsu, but Madara asked who Black Zetsu was, leaving White Zetsu and Sasuke stunned.

White Zetsu's main body encountered Madara Uchiha and explained that he had been sent from the Land of Grass, while hiding what he knew about Black Zetsu. He reported that the Arlong Pirates were operating nearby, and Madara's interest sharpened when he heard their name.

• White Zetsu's main body recalled how Black Zetsu had changed after the Outsiders arrived, leaving him to be sent from the factory to contribute to the Land of Grass.
• Madara questioned White Zetsu about Tobi and his work, then dismissed him as useless when he heard he had been employed at a factory.
• Madara asked what intelligence White Zetsu had brought, and White Zetsu told him about a twenty-million-Berry pirate hiding in the Orange Islands.
• White Zetsu described the Arlong Pirates' fish-men, their ties to Fisher Tiger and Jinbe, and rumors of a crew member connected to the Pirate King's second-in-command.
• Madara's disdain disappeared when White Zetsu named the Arlong Pirates, and he reacted gravely.

Madara chose to divert his fleet to attack the Arlong Pirates after White Zetsu described their brutal rule over the Orange Islands. Kusana received Madara’s message and recognized the pirates’ name, considering a visit to Cocoyasi Village with Mikoto and the others.

• Madara became intrigued by the Arlong Pirates and decided they would be the fleet’s next target, while Sasuke reminded him of their mission.
• White Zetsu claimed he had infiltrated the Arlong Pirates and reported that they and a local Navy Branch extorted a Head Tax from villagers and killed those who could not pay.
• Sasuke reluctantly agreed to the detour, and White Zetsu eagerly took charge of guiding Madara’s fleet toward the Orange Islands.
• Black Zetsu massaged Kusana and sought reassurance that he could stay safely in the Land of Grass, then left after a message arrived from Madara’s fleet.
• Kusana read the message, recognized the Arlong Pirates, and thought that Cocoyasi Village would be a pleasant place to visit with Mikoto and the others.

Arlong dismissed warnings about pirate hunters and prepared to exploit Nami’s return to Cocoyasi Village. When Xiaobai arrived with a shipload of humans, Hatchan went to meet them, while Xiaobai respectfully welcomed Lord Madara on the coast.

• Hatchan warned Arlong that Rat had reported mysterious groups hunting pirates across the East Blue, but Arlong refused to take the warning seriously.
• Arlong anticipated Nami’s return and laughed at the thought of her learning the truth about buying Cocoyasi Village back.
• Arlong asked where Xiaobai was, and Hatchan explained that the young Fish-Man might have missed the meeting.
• A Fish-Man lackey reported that Xiaobai had returned with a large ship and a group of humans, prompting Arlong to order Hatchan to bring them in and feed anyone who could not pay to Moo Moo.
• Hatchan headed outside, worrying that Xiaobai might bring the pirate hunters to Arlong Park, while Xiaobai respectfully welcomed Lord Madara on the coast of Cocoyasi Village.

White Zetsu's original body led Madara Uchiha and his group to Arlong Park, where Sasuke tested Hatchan's swordsmanship and Madara challenged Arlong. Arlong appeared and threatened them, but Madara paused the confrontation to ask him questions.

• White Zetsu's original body brought Madara Uchiha and the others to Arlong Park, boasting that Madara would bring peace to Cocoyasi Village.
• Hatchan confronted the group, and Sasuke blocked his attack before judging his strength too weak to match a Marine Admiral.
• White Zetsu's original body declared his allegiance to Madara and announced that Madara wanted to duel Arlong.
• Arlong emerged with the Arlong Pirates and arrogantly threatened the humans who had come to challenge him.
• Madara raised a hand and stopped Arlong, saying he still had a few questions to ask.

Madara Uchiha transformed with Susanoo and confronted Arlong, overwhelming the fish-man captain with ease. In Cocoyasi Village, Gen and Nojiko prepared for the danger, then watched in shock as Madara grabbed Arlong like a chick.

• Madara questioned Arlong about his past before activating Susanoo and towering over the fish-men.
• Arlong and Hatchan were stunned by Madara’s transformation, and Arlong swallowed nervously as Madara challenged him.
• The villagers of Cocoyasi Village spotted the giant and hoped it would defeat the Arlong Pirates, while Gen ordered everyone home.
• Gen urged Nojiko to leave with Nami if danger came, but Nojiko refused to abandon Bell-mère’s orange trees.
• The village chief pointed out that Madara had seized Arlong, and Madara wondered whether this was all the fish-man captain could do.

Madara captured the Arlong Pirates with ease and ordered the pirates hung up while his fleet rested. Kusana arrived at Cocoyasi Village with Mrs. Mikoto and the children, unaware that Madara had already subdued the local threat.

• Madara found Arlong's attempt to break free pathetic, tossed him down, and ordered the captured pirates hung up.
• Kusana sailed toward Cocoyasi Village aboard a new Land of Grass vessel with Mrs. Mikoto and two children.
• Kusana reviewed reports about the other fleets' missions and planned to discuss Madara's wasteful treatment of captured pirates.
• A White Zetsu announced that Kusana's ship had reached Cocoyasi Village, and Kusana recognized the island by its row of nearly dried salted fish.

Salted Fish explained that the pirate story and world change had been planned from the start and were necessary to resolve Grass Bandit's hidden dangers before the Naruto plot could end. Salted Fish said the Naruto arc would be wrapped up soon and asked readers who could not continue to leave without hostility.

• Salted Fish explained that the pirate story had been in the original outline and was meant to follow the Fourth Great Ninja War.
• Salted Fish described choosing between ending the ninja-world arc early and continuing the outline despite expecting to lose readers.
• Salted Fish said the story needed to resolve two hidden dangers surrounding Grass Bandit, so the plot could not end before the moon arc.
• Salted Fish explained that the Konoha F4 plot had long been something Salted Fish wanted to write and that the debts were nearly paid off.
• Salted Fish said the Naruto plot would be accelerated and wrapped up that month, then asked readers not to stir up hostility if they chose to leave.

Kusana arrived at Cocoyasi Island and reunited with Sasuke and his rescued younger sister, while learning Madara had destroyed Arlong Park with Susanoo. The villagers welcomed the Grass leader, and Kusana warned Sasuke that Kakuzu would arrive in a few days, still angry.

• Kusana arrived at Cocoyasi Island and found the Grass ninjas camped beside the ruined Arlong Park with Cocoyasi villagers waiting nearby.
• Sasuke reunited with his younger sister, and Kusana learned Madara had accidentally smashed Arlong Park while using Susanoo against Arlong.
• Madara revealed that the Grass ninjas had been misled by White Zetsu and said he had punished it by hanging it with the fish-men.
• Madara thanked Kusana for what he had done for the Uchiha Clan and introduced the villagers who had come to welcome him.
• Gen offered Kusana a banquet and lodging, and Kusana told Sasuke to arrange a reception for Kakuzu, who would arrive in a few days.

Kusana and his family picked oranges in Cocoyasi Village while Nojiko remembered how the Grass ninjas had freed and protected the villagers. The chapter ended as Leader Mang welcomed two newcomers through a distortion, one of whom demanded to know where Madara Uchiha was.

• Kusana picked oranges with Little Sang while Mrs. Mikoto, Kushina, Little Xiang, Little Qin, and the Uchiha brother enjoyed the grove nearby.
• Nojiko watched the family and remembered picking oranges with Nami and Bell-mère before the Arlong Pirates arrived.
• Nojiko recalled how the Grass ninjas drove out the fish-men, distributed the seized money, and promised to protect Cocoyasi Village.
• Leader Mang announced that someone had arrived, and the scenery twisted as two figures emerged.
• One newcomer angrily scolded Leader Mang for making him travel so far, while the other asked where Madara Uchiha was.

Kusana, Obito, Madara, and Kakuzu argued over the damage and expenses from their voyage while the Grass ninja tried to collect bounty money from Marine Branch 16. The Grass ninja returned with captured Navy soldiers, just as Smoker’s warship approached Cocoyasi Village.

• Kusana tried to cheer up Obito by offering him Cocoyasi oranges and claiming the sea route would prepare him for future profits.
• Kakuzu confronted Madara over the voyage’s costs, and Madara offered to compensate him before the two men made peace over the proceeds.
• Obito explained that the Uchiha Clan had little money and offered his savings, but Madara refused to borrow from him.
• Kakuzu revealed that he had sent Grass ninja to exchange the pirates’ corpses for bounty money at Marine Branch 16.
• A Grass ninja reported that the Navy had tried to seize the corpses, then returned with captured Navy soldiers, leaving the villagers shocked.
• Smoker’s warship sailed toward Cocoyasi Village, and Smoker chose to inspect the village before contacting Colonel Rat.

Kusana woke to find Kakuzu demanding answers about Sunagakure and the neglected affairs of the Land of Grass. After assigning Sasuke, Naruto, and Gaara to retrieve the missing-nin Mukade, Kusana shifted the discussion to lunch in Cocoyasi Village, where Kakuzu revealed the next matter concerned the village.

• Kakuzu woke Kusana and reported that Sunagakure was unsettled by a defected jōnin and that Advisor Ebizo might act without orders.
• Kusana told Kakuzu to reassure Advisor Chiyo and assigned Sasuke, Naruto, and Gaara to bring back the missing-nin Mukade.
• Kakuzu listed the academy, shipping routes, and Kingdom of Goa reconstruction among the delayed Land of Grass affairs, and Kusana postponed them until he returned.
• Kakuzu reported that Luffy was working on the logging team with a move called Rubber Axe, while accusing him of faking a leg injury for food.
• Kusana persuaded Kakuzu to join the others for orange-sauce rice, and Kakuzu said the next matter concerned Cocoyasi Village.

Kakuzu assessed Cocoyasi Village’s potential and proposed developing it through public works, tourism, and local industries. Kusana suggested turning Bell-mère’s orange jam into a signature product and named it Old Tangerine Mama, leaving Nojiko moved by the tribute to her mother.

• Kakuzu surveyed Cocoyasi Village and concluded that it could serve as a shipping station, but would need investment and new industries to escape poverty.
• Kakuzu proposed rebuilding Arlong Park as a tourist attraction, then blamed Madara for destroying it, and the two began arguing.
• Kusana suggested that Bell-mère’s orange jam could become a successful local product, and Kakuzu proposed producing it on a large scale.
• Kusana praised Bell-mère’s sacrifice and suggested naming the jam Old Tangerine Mama to honor her.
• Nojiko proudly agreed that Bell-mère had been an incredible mother, and the others praised Kusana’s name for the jam.

Kusana discussed development plans for Cocoyasi Village and the Land of Grass, then learned that Smoker’s Marines had arrived after witnessing the sinking of Branch 16. He discovered that his own Grass Ninjas had already sunk Smoker’s group too.

• Nojiko became overwhelmed by Kusana’s proposed development policies and said she needed to consult the village chief, Gen, and the villagers.
• Madara praised Kusana’s willingness to spend money on ordinary people, while Kusana and Kakuzu refined Cocoyasi Village’s development plan.
• Kusana reviewed the Land of Grass’s priorities, including safer sea routes, studying local abilities, and finding instructors in Haki and swordsmanship.
• Kakuzu told Kusana that the Marines from Branch 16 had been sunk, and a Grass Ninja reported that Smoker’s Loguetown Marines had discovered the operation.
• Kusana reassured the Grass Ninja that the Land of Grass was not a pirate crew, but the Ninja revealed that they had already sunk Smoker’s Marines as well.
• Smoker’s group had come to investigate the Land of Grass and the sinking of Branch 16; after seeing the scene, Smoker attacked and realized he could not defeat the people there.

Smoker woke after a day and night to learn that the Land of Grass had rescued him and the Marines after mistaking them for corrupt forces tied to Marine Branch 16 and the Arlong Pirates. As Smoker challenged the Land of Grass’s actions, one of its officials arrived to justify the operation as a lawful campaign against criminal corruption.

• Smoker regained consciousness in a wooden house and learned from Tashigi that the Marines had survived and been treated by the Land of Grass.
• Tashigi explained that the Land of Grass had mistaken them for allies of Marine Branch 16 and rescued them after someone stopped the Marines from being sunk.
• Tashigi told Smoker that Marine Branch 16 had protected the Arlong Pirates, who had extorted and terrorized Orange Island’s villagers for ten years.
• Smoker condemned the Land of Grass for privately punishing Marines and sinking them into the sea, while doubting its claims of friendship.
• A Land of Grass official entered and described the operation as a lawful campaign that had dismantled the Arlong Pirates’ criminal organization and its Marine protection.

Fleet Admiral Sengoku read the BBC Daily and learned of a report about Smoker and a joint operation against the Arlong Pirates. The chapter ended with Sengoku and Smoker both reacting to the newspaper’s account and photograph.

• Sengoku dismissed the BBC Daily as a waste of Navy funds but began reading it after its headlines caught his attention.
• Sengoku read a story about a retired Navy Senior Sergeant who died protecting her adopted daughters and village from pirates, and questioned whether the report was true.
• Sengoku recognized Smoker in a photograph showing him injured and shaking hands with the King of the Land of Grass.
• Sengoku read that the Navy and the Land of Grass had joined forces to fight the Arlong Pirates.
• Smoker stared at the newspaper’s photograph of himself shaking hands with the King of the Land of Grass, visibly annoyed.