Recaps

Smoker learned that Marine Branch 16 had been deeply corrupt and that Navy Headquarters wanted him to handle the scandal carefully and apologize to Bell-mère’s daughters. As Leader Mang and the Land of Grass soldiers departed Cocoyasi Village, Smoker watched the grateful villagers bid them farewell and ordered his Marines to prepare to sail.

• Tashigi told Smoker that Branch 16 had stolen public funds and colluded with pirates, and that Navy Headquarters praised his operation while asking him to apologize to Bell-mère’s daughters.
• Smoker learned that the suspected corrupt Marine had sunk to the bottom of the sea and that evidence about the Arlong Pirates might be found among the pirates and Orange Island residents.
• Tashigi explained that Cocoyasi Village’s residents had gathered to send off Leader Mang and the Land of Grass soldiers.
• The villagers offered the soldiers oranges, but the soldiers refused them because Leader Mang had forbidden them from accepting gifts.
• Smoker watched the farewell, then told his Marines to prepare to set sail.

Kusana and his companions continued touring the East Blue with Smoker and Tashigi aboard, while Madara regained his enthusiasm after learning about the world’s strongest fighters. A White Zetsu whispered something to Kusana, who turned to Smoker and asked whether he believed in justice.

• Kusana left Cocoyasi Village with Madara and the others, while Sasuke and Kakuzu returned separately to handle affairs in Sunagakure and Cocoyasi Village.
• Madara grew bored at sea until Kusana told him about the Navy’s Admirals, the Four Emperors, and other powerful figures, then gave him the Navy’s secret training manual.
• Kusana repeatedly tried to recruit Smoker and Tashigi into the Land of Grass, but Tashigi affirmed that she would remain in the Navy.
• Smoker warned Kusana that he would personally act if the Land of Grass became a pirate kingdom and complained that its ship’s doctor had worsened his condition.
• A White Zetsu emerged from the deck and whispered to Kusana, who placed a hand on Smoker’s shoulder and asked whether he believed in justice.

Smoker confronted the Land of Grass over false newspaper reports while Kusana learned that Kushina was pregnant. Kusana decided to end the voyage and return, as Luffy declared his intention to set sail alone and become the Pirate King.

• Tashigi told Smoker that Navy Headquarters had warned him to be more careful, and Smoker denied the BBC Daily's claims that he had cracked down on corruption in Shells Town.
• Kusana defended the newspaper's report as a celebration of justice, while Smoker suspected the BBC News Agency was connected to the Land of Grass.
• Tashigi announced that Kana had examined Kushina and believed she was pregnant, delighting Kusana and prompting him to decide to return with the Grass ninja.
• At the logging team's meal in the Kingdom of Goa, the foreman offered Luffy a chance to work in Cocoyasi Village, but Luffy said he would set sail alone and become the Pirate King.
• The workers laughed when someone joked that Luffy's ideals were wavering again.

Luffy quit his logging job and set sail from Foosha Village in a wine barrel, determined to become the Pirate King. As his barrel drifted near the Land of Grass’s island, Grass ninjas spotted it and Madara ordered them to retrieve it.

• Luffy told Makino and Chief Shlap that he was leaving to fulfill his promise to Ace and return Shanks’s hat.
• Chief Shlap tried to dissuade Luffy, then pretended he had not heard about Luffy’s plans.
• Makino lent Luffy a wine barrel, and he carried it to the dock and launched himself onto the sea in it.
• Luffy shouted that he would become the Pirate King before curling inside the barrel and drifting away as Makino and Chief Shlap watched.
• A Grass ninja spotted Luffy’s floating barrel near the Land of Grass’s island, and Madara ordered the crew to fish it out.

Luffy was fished out of the sea in a barrel by Madara’s fleet and was sent back to Foosha Village after Madara taught him a lesson. Mayor Woop Slap learned that Luffy had been found injured at the docks and was asked to arrange for his care.

• Madara’s crew hauled a heavy barrel aboard, and Luffy popped out of it and declared that he would become the Pirate King.
• Madara confronted Luffy by asking what king he wanted to become.
• Mayor Woop Slap reflected on Luffy’s departure and Foosha Village’s development with help from the Land of Grass.
• Comrade Xiao Shi told Mayor Woop Slap that Luffy had blocked Madara’s fleet, been fished from the sea, and been sent back injured.
• Mayor Woop Slap accepted that Luffy was at the docks and complained that the boy never let anyone rest easy.

Kusana returned to the Land of Grass and reassured Hanzō, while Smoker explored the island and was baffled by its new image. Meanwhile, Naruto, Sasuke, and Gaara searched the desert for Mukade, with Naruto wondering why Amang had sent them.

• Luffy was carried back to Foosha Village wrapped in bandages after Madara broke his legs and beat him, then had a medical ninja treat him.
• Smoker left the Grass Ninja Leader to explore the Land of Grass and was startled by the red banners and slogans throughout the Kingdom of Goa.
• Kusana returned to the Land of Grass headquarters and calmed the angry Hanzō by apologizing and asking Little Qin and Little Sang to coax him.
• Hanzō teased Kusana about sending Sasuke, Naruto, and Gaara to capture Mukade, then left to visit Smoker and Madara Uchiha.
• Kusana planned to visit Kushina, who had chosen to stay in the Land of Grass, and wondered whether Naruto knew he would become a big brother.
• In the Land of Wind, Naruto searched the desert for Mukade and questioned why Amang had sent the three of them there.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Gaara headed to the Ancient Kingdom of Roran to pursue the rogue ninja Mukade, but Naruto hurried after learning his little sister was about to be born. Meanwhile, Kusana handled routine work and approved Scorpion’s business trip to the new world, then wondered what Smoker was doing as an unfamiliar figure appeared in Foosha Village.

• Gaara, Naruto, and Sasuke discussed Mukade’s defection and followed intelligence pointing to the ruins of the Ancient Kingdom of Roran.
• Naruto received a call telling him his little sister was about to be born and urged the others to catch Mukade quickly so he could return.
• Kusana reviewed work on the dockyard and approved Scorpion’s business trip to the new world.
• Kusana finished handling routine affairs and wondered what Smoker was doing.
• An unidentified figure drank in a Foosha Village bar and asked whether it was Garp’s hometown.

Smoker visited Foosha Village to assess the Land of Grass and found its rebuilding and public mood unexpectedly impressive, though he questioned its seizure of the Kingdom of Goa. After sampling an expensive liquor and hearing about the Dadan Family’s labor reform, he saw an injured young man enter the bar.

• Smoker reflected on the Land of Grass’s rapid construction and considered the consequences of its takeover of the Kingdom of Goa.
• Makino offered Smoker Palace Jade Liquid Wine and told him of its supposed connection to the Pirate King and its limited 1482 vintage.
• Smoker asked the wine’s price, learned a glass cost 1,800,000 Beli, and drank it in one gulp before praising its smoothness and unique flavor.
• Makino explained that the Dadan Family had once been bandits but had been given labor reform and now visited the bar on their days off.
• Smoker noticed an injured young man with a cane enter the bar and wondered at how quickly he was recovering.

Luffy reaffirmed his determination to become Pirate King and decided to keep working and train until he could defeat Madara Uchiha. After telling Smoker he would still go to sea, the story shifted to Shanks meeting Mihawk in the New World.

• Luffy entered Makino's bar on crutches, endured the villagers' teasing, and insisted he would not abandon his dream of becoming Pirate King.
• Luffy said he would work at the logging camp and train until he could defeat Madara Uchiha before setting out to sea.
• Curly Dadan warned Luffy about the Land of Grass and mentioned the Literacy Class, which might help him get stronger.
• Luffy recognized Smoker as the man who had lent a strange weapon and declared to him that he would become Pirate King.
• Shanks sneezed in the New World, and Mihawk asked him what he had come to see him for.

Shanks and Mihawk discussed Luffy’s future as Mihawk prepared to visit the East Blue, while Luffy and Zoro remained caught up in work under the Land of Grass’s expanding influence. The chapter left Zoro aboard a work ship bound for Cocoyasi Village, looking for food before pursuing his dream.

• Shanks visited Mihawk, who said he planned to travel to the East Blue and meet the boy who had taken Shanks’s arm and hat.
• Shanks expressed confidence that Luffy would become an incredible pirate, while Mihawk wondered whether Luffy had already set sail and whether he might have been caught by the Land of Grass.
• Luffy, bruised and leaning on a crutch, declared that he would become Pirate King, then went back to work at the logging camp when a coworker called him.
• After the Land of Grass took over Shells Town, workers boarded a ship for Cocoyasi Village, and the foreman repeatedly treated Zoro as a timber worker instead of a swordsman.
• Zoro recalled that the East Blue’s pirates had been cleared out, leaving him to take logging work for survival, and reaffirmed his ambition to become the World's Greatest Swordsman.
• Zoro’s stomach rumbled, and he looked around the ship to see whether the promised food had been served.

The Land of Grass leaders discussed their East Blue projects and decided to recruit skilled people through the Stealing the Sky and Changing the Sun Plan. After learning that someone had robbed their merchant ships, Kusana sought out Smoker, who was preparing to sail, and asked whether he believed in justice.

• The Land of Grass higher-ups reviewed their shipyard, Cocoyasi Village project, sea exploration, and new trade caravan while discussing their shortage of skilled workers.
• Kusana reminded the meeting that the Land of Grass could recruit talent through the Stealing the Sky and Changing the Sun Plan.
• A secret letter reported that someone had robbed the Land of Grass's merchant ships, and Kusana asked where Smoker was.
• Smoker prepared to set sail with Tashigi despite her suggestion that he inform Kusana first.
• Kusana appeared beside Smoker, called him his friend, and asked whether he believed in justice.

Crocodile discovered that a group of supposed merchants had emptied his Seastone prison and ordered Baroque Works to find them, while Robin linked the thieves to the Land of Grass. In the East Blue, Kusana persuaded Smoker to pursue pirates into the Grand Line, insisting they were small-time and that the Land of Grass had no hidden agenda.

• Crocodile found his Seastone prison stripped bare and demanded that Robin explain the loss.
• Robin said the group had vanished, likely escaped underground, and suspected they came from the Land of Grass.
• Crocodile recognized the Land of Grass as the nation that had seized the Kingdom of Goa's island and challenged the World Government.
• Kusana told Smoker that pirates had robbed a Land of Grass merchant convoy and argued that the Navy needed to act.
• Smoker learned the pirates were in the Grand Line, beyond the Calm Belt, and questioned whether they were worth over a hundred million.
• Kusana assured Smoker that the pirates were small-time and denied that anyone powerful was protecting them.

Smoker left the Land of Grass group to deal with the pirates, while Naruto and his companions returned from the past after meeting Minato. Naruto kept his memories of his father and headed home, and a blue-haired girl arrived aboard the merchants' ship, where a black-haired young man urged her to set off.

• Smoker learned the pirates had no powerful backers and left the Land of Grass group to handle them, while Kusana and Hanzō joked about helping him.
• Naruto recognized Minato as his father, helped prepare the Dragon Vein seal, and told him Kushina was pregnant before sending everyone back without sealing their memories.
• Gaara and Sasuke realized Naruto had deliberately kept his memories of meeting Minato, and the group prepared to return home.
• Naruto and Sasuke argued about their baby sisters as Gaara wondered what Aunt Yakura was doing.
• A blue-haired delinquent girl boarded the merchants' ship to deliver her president's message, but a black-haired young man warmly told her to hurry and set off.

Nefertari Vivi, undercover as Miss Wednesday, boarded a Land of Grass ship hoping to investigate Baroque Works' President, but discovered the crew had captured Navy Colonel Smoker. When Vivi tried to appeal to Smoker for help with Alabasta, someone silenced her.

• Baroque Works offered agents a promotion and an audience with Mr. 0 for intelligence about the Land of Grass, prompting Nefertari Vivi to set out alone for the East Blue.
• Vivi found a ship flying the Land of Grass flag and boarded it after Miss Valentine ordered her to bring the people aboard to Whiskey Peak.
• Vivi threatened the crew in Baroque Works' name, but Smoker revealed that he was a Navy officer and complained that Kusana had captured him.
• Kusana grandly introduced Smoker as the East Blue's Emissary of Justice, prompting Smoker to walk away while Vivi stared in shock.
• Vivi called after Smoker to ask for help, but someone covered her mouth and told her, "No! You don't want to!"

Kusana brought Smoker along under the pretense of hunting pirates while secretly taking Princess Vivi and heading for Alabasta. When Smoker recognized the kingdom and tried to turn back, Kusana stopped him, leaving their confrontation unresolved.

• Kusana threatened to reveal Princess Vivi's identity to Baroque Works, then had Pakura take her away.
• Smoker questioned why Kusana had kept Vivi with them, but Kusana insisted they were only going to catch pirates.
• Kusana praised Smoker's reputation for pursuing pirates to persuade him to promise he would not retreat.
• The group reached Alabasta, and Smoker recognized the kingdom and ordered Tashigi to turn the ship around.
• Kusana slung an arm around Smoker's shoulders and stopped him with, "Since we're already here..."

Kusana used Smoker’s own claims about handling pirates with bounties under a hundred million to pressure him over Crocodile, a Shichibukai whose recorded bounty remained below that threshold. He then framed a mission to expose Crocodile’s conspiracy in Alabasta as Smoker’s chance to uphold justice, leaving Smoker convinced Kusana might eventually drive him to become a pirate.

• Kusana pointed out that Crocodile’s suspended bounty was only eighty-one million beli, challenging Smoker’s claim that he could handle pirates below a hundred million.
• Smoker explained that the Navy could not enter a Shichibukai’s territory or arrest them while their title remained in effect, and that Crocodile could legally privateer against the non-member Land of Grass.
• Kusana gave Smoker an investigation document alleging that pirates led by Crocodile were infiltrating Alabasta and conspiring to seize the kingdom.
• Smoker told Kusana that if he ever became a pirate, it would be Kusana’s fault.
• Kusana praised Smoker as a fearless Marine who would expose Crocodile’s organization and restore justice in Alabasta.

Kusana persuaded Smoker to accompany him and Princess Vivi on an operation against Crocodile, despite Smoker's protests. In Rain Country, Crocodile learned that the Land of Grass group had arrived—and that Colonel Smoker was with them.

• Smoker questioned Kusana's intelligence about Crocodile, but Kusana insisted it was true and framed the operation as being under Smoker's leadership.
• Kusana introduced Princess Vivi, then dragged the reluctant Smoker along as the group set off.
• Crocodile considered the Land of Grass's seizure of Goa and decided he could attack it while it lacked World Government protection.
• Robin received a call and told Crocodile that the Land of Grass group had arrived with Colonel Smoker.

Sengoku read that Smoker had appeared alongside the Land of Grass during its operation against Crocodile, and angrily accused him of provoking a Shichibukai without authorization. Smoker denied involvement and was left lamenting his rotten luck after Navy Headquarters credited him with the affair.

• Sengoku read the BBC Daily and saw reports about the Land of Grass, including its new anti-corruption campaign.
• Sengoku spotted a photograph of Smoker with the King of the Land of Grass and a report about exposing criminal forces in the Alabasta Kingdom.
• Sengoku called Smoker and accused him of going to Alabasta, appearing before Crocodile, and allowing the Shichibukai to be captured.
• Smoker denied taking part, but Sengoku ordered him to return to Loguetown and stay within his jurisdiction.
• Tashigi told Smoker that the operation had saved the Alabasta Kingdom, and Smoker lamented his rotten luck.

Smoker recalled how Leader Mang’s reckless plan exposed Crocodile’s conspiracy and helped end the rebellion in Alabasta, while leaving Smoker unwillingly celebrated as a hero. In the present, Smoker asked Tashigi what Mang was doing, and she said he was still in Alabasta with people arriving from the Land of Grass.

• Smoker recalled that Mang had dragged him into the operation despite his refusal and assured him that the plan was foolproof.
• Mang convinced the citizens of Nanohana to trust Princess Vivi and Smoker, but Crocodile appeared and won their cheers with a heroic performance.
• Mang shook Crocodile’s hand, then trapped him with Sea Style: Prison of the Sea and announced that the Marines suspected him of the conspiracy.
• Mang persuaded Crocodile’s Rebel Army to lay down their weapons, while Smoker was credited with helping save Alabasta.
• Smoker swore he would never follow Mang on another mission, then asked Tashigi what Mang was doing; she said people from the Land of Grass had arrived in Alabasta.

Princess Vivi returned to Alabasta with King Mang and learned that the crisis involving Crocodile had been resolved and her father’s health restored. The chapter left her shocked to hear King Cobra and Mang calling each other brothers.

• Vivi recalled how Mang had brought her back to Alabasta after revealing his peaceful intentions, and how Crocodile’s plot and the threat of civil war had been stopped.
• Tiragatan and Medi told Vivi that Igaram and Karoo had returned, King Cobra had recovered with help from Land of Grass doctors, and Princess Little Sang and Princess Little Qin were Mang’s daughters.
• Vivi learned that Mang was married and reacted with surprise.
• Vivi entered the palace hall and heard King Cobra and Mang thanking one another and calling each other brothers, leaving her irritated and bewildered.

Kusana and his companions celebrated the Land of Grass’s successful operation in Alabasta, where Crocodile was captured and the Santora River’s damage was repaired. As the group prepared to leave, Sasuke told Kusana that Danzo had emerged from seclusion.

• Children rode Karoo's squad around the courtyard while Princess Vivi thanked Kusana for saving Alabasta and offered compensation.
• Kusana explained that Crocodile had been blamed for the crisis, Baroque Works’ wealth and agents had been seized, and Alabasta had established diplomatic ties with the Land of Grass.
• Kusana told Princess Vivi that the Santora River’s seawater breach had been sealed, then joked that Alabasta would be billed for repairs.
• Naruto considered making Karoo his summoning beast, while Sasuke and Gaara discussed the mission and Smoker demanded that Kusana hand over the pirates.
• Sasuke told Kusana that Danzo had come out of seclusion, and Kusana reacted with interest.

Konoha’s leaders struggled to respond to the Land of Grass’s growing influence until Danzo arrived and insisted the village should fight. He claimed to have brought a secret weapon, then revealed a smiling figure who greeted Hiruzen.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Konoha’s senior officials how to handle the village’s worsening predicament, but no one offered a solution.
• Danzo entered the meeting room, and he and Hiruzen greeted each other warmly.
• Danzo declared that Konoha should fight the Land of Grass, despite Hiruzen warning that the alliance of the Four Great Ninja Villages had already lost to it.
• Danzo reassured Hiruzen that he had absolute confidence and announced he had brought a secret weapon.
• A smiling figure stepped out beside Danzo and greeted Hiruzen, saying it had been a long time.

Kusana and his companions set sail from Alabasta for the East Blue, bringing Nico Robin and a Poneglyph with them. On the way, Madara began fighting a swordsman rowing a small raft, and Kusana settled in to watch.

• Kusana, Lord Hanzō, Madara, Smoker, Tashigi, and the others left Alabasta while Naruto, Sasuke, Kushina, and the rest stayed behind to sightsee.
• Kusana visited Nico Robin in the ship's hold and told her she would decipher Poneglyphs at the Research Institute and should enjoy her remaining free time.
• Kusana returned to the deck and asked why the ship was rocking and where Madara had gone.
• Lord Hanzō explained that Madara had spotted a man rowing a raft with a Great Black Sword and started a fight with him.
• Kusana recognized the swordsman, asked for an orange, and leaned against the bow to watch the battle.

Madara Uchiha fought Hawkeye Mihawk at sea, enjoying their clash while Mihawk struggled against Madara’s ability to recover from his wounds. Madara summoned an even larger Susanoo as Mihawk prepared to keep fighting, while a nearby observer was surrounded by five pale figures.

• Kusana’s group and Colonel Smoker watched Madara Uchiha clash with Hawkeye Mihawk, and Smoker identified Mihawk as the World’s Greatest Swordsman.
• Mihawk explained that he had struck at Madara to punish him for laughing, but Madara blocked his slash and fought back with taijutsu and Susanoo.
• Mihawk wounded Madara and severed his arm, but Madara recovered, leaving Mihawk frustrated and unwilling to continue the fight.
• Madara demanded Mihawk’s name and refused to stop fighting, so Mihawk drew his Great Black Sword and prepared his strongest move.
• Madara summoned a colossal blue Susanoo that left Mihawk staring in shock.
• A young man watching from a nearby boat praised the Land of Grass, then noticed five pale figures surrounding him.

Kusana’s crew captured Hawkeye Mihawk after Madara defeated him, then tried to recruit him for the Land of Grass. As their ship sailed on, they encountered an orange-haired woman asking for help, and Kusana recognized the familiar situation and told her not to board.

• Madara explained that Mihawk had stopped fighting because his sword could not cut Madara, while Kusana speculated that soul powers or special Observation Haki might threaten him.
• Mihawk argued with Smoker over the Marines’ authority, and Smoker left with Tashigi after warning Mihawk not to cause trouble in the East Blue.
• Kusana offered Mihawk a place in the Land of Grass Talent Introduction program, and Mihawk agreed to stay for a while after hearing about the generous subsidies.
• White Zetsu spotted an orange-haired woman at sea asking to board in exchange for her treasure, and Kusana told her to give them the treasure without boarding.