Recaps

Kabuto, a Land of Grass spy who had risen quickly through the Navy ranks, was ordered to demand the kingdom’s surrender after it killed a Celestial Dragon. When negotiations ended in violence and Saint Rosward was struck by paper spikes, the King of the Land of Grass again asked if they could talk.

• Sengoku asked Kabuto whether the Navy should fight the Land of Grass or speak with its king, and Kabuto argued that the Navy should stand firm against the kingdom for killing a Celestial Dragon.
• Sengoku entrusted Kabuto with delivering the Navy’s demand for surrender, and Kabuto revealed himself to Kusana as a Navy colonel and ordered the Land of Grass to surrender.
• Kusana asked to negotiate, but Kabuto refused and insisted there was no room for discussion.
• Saint Rosward declared that the king had no right to negotiate and ordered the Navy to kill him.
• Paper spikes pierced Saint Rosward and Kabuto, who stood in front of the Celestial Dragon, and Kusana asked the Navy if they could talk now.

Kusana killed a Celestial Dragon and fought off the Navy’s top officers while trying to negotiate for the Land of Grass. A confidential call forced Sengoku to agree to talk, leaving the kingdom’s fate unresolved.

• Kusana killed the injured Celestial Dragon despite the Navy medics’ efforts, and Kabuto claimed he had secretly ensured the man’s death.
• Kizaru, Akainu, and Aokiji attacked Kusana, while Sengoku scolded Garp and ordered him to join the fight.
• Kusana tried to recruit the Admirals with promises of high salaries and good working conditions, and Garp asked about his grandson Luffy.
• Kusana summoned a Paper Giant to withstand the Navy’s attacks, while Sengoku insisted that he and the Land of Grass had to be destroyed.
• Sengoku answered a confidential call that made him stop the battle, then agreed to talk with Kusana.

The Gorosei debated how to respond after the Land of Grass killed Celestial Dragons, seized wealth and slaves, and forced the World Government to negotiate. They chose to report to Lord Im, investigate the country, and avoid provoking it for now, while Sengoku met Kusana near East Blue.

• Officials surveyed the ruined Holy Land Mary Geoise after the Land of Grass kidnapped Celestial Dragons and killed Charles and his father.
• The Gorosei reviewed the sparse intelligence on the Land of Grass and discussed its fighters and the Navy’s failure to report the country’s rise.
• The Gorosei learned the Celestial Dragons had been rescued but were demanding revenge, while their slaves and wealth remained stolen.
• The Gorosei decided to inform Lord Im, investigate the Land of Grass, suppress news of the incident, and secretly turn it against the Four Emperors rather than attack it immediately.
• Kusana welcomed Fleet Admiral Sengoku and the three Admirals near East Blue, telling them his doors would always be open.

The Marines withdrew after the World Government ended the Buster Call, and Sengoku concluded that the Land of Grass had power comparable to a Yonko. Back in the Land of Grass, Vivi worried over the danger and argued with Robin until Kusana arrived and said the matter was settled.

• Sengoku ordered the Marines to leave after the King of the Land of Grass invited Kizaru to join, while Kizaru showed interest in the offer.
• Sengoku told the Admirals that the Land of Grass had strength comparable to the Four Emperors and predicted the sea would fall into chaos.
• Aokiji told Sengoku that Garp had left with the King of the Land of Grass to check on his grandson.
• Vivi blamed herself for bringing everyone to Sabaody and said she would not abandon the Land of Grass, while Mrs. Fusang tried to reassure her.
• Vivi accused Robin of plotting against the Land of Grass, and Robin told her to leave the matter to the country.
• Kusana entered the conference room, told Pakura the matter was settled, and called it a minor problem.

Morgans prepared to publish extensive coverage of the Land of Grass despite the World Government’s demands to suppress the news. The Gorosei decided to establish a rival newspaper, the BBC Daily, after Morgans refused to cooperate.

• Morgans ordered the World Economic News Agency to print and distribute major stories about the Celestial Dragon killings, the Buster Call, and the invasion of Mary Geoise.
• Morgans told Deks to investigate the Land of Grass after learning a giant had appeared in the East Blue.
• Morgans rejected the Gorosei’s request to reduce coverage, destroyed the Den Den Mushi, and sent the newspapers out worldwide.
• A Gorosei reported that Morgans had gone into hiding, and the others discussed how to respond to his defiance.
• The tall elderly Gorosei proposed that the World Government create its own newspaper agency and showed the others a copy of the BBC Daily.

Kusana returned to managing the Land of Grass as it expanded East Blue and prepared for the World Government’s response. The chapter ended when Gorosei Jaygarcia Saturn Saint called the BBC News Agency, prompting Kusana and Mujie to see him as a major client.

• Kusana reviewed the Land of Grass’s recent growth, including its new islands, ships, Kendo Academy, and route to Cocoyasi Village, while noting its treasury had run short.
• Kakuzu funded further construction by wiping out the Krieg Pirates and Thriller Bark Pirates, while Kusana considered how the Land of Grass should prepare for the World Government.
• Mujie asked Kusana to let Danzo join the BBC News Agency, but Kusana refused and said Danzo and the others had important work to do.
• Mujie received a call from a bearded Den Den Mushi, and the caller identified himself as Gorosei Jaygarcia Saturn Saint.
• Kusana and Mujie recognized Saturn Saint as a major potential client.

Mujie secured the World Government as a BBC Daily partner while promising to defeat the World Economic News Agency and follow orders at critical moments. Back in the Land of Grass, Luffy left the construction site to try setting sail again and challenge Garp.

• Mujie agreed to the World Government's terms, and he and Leader Mang dismissed the government as doomed despite their new partnership.
• Kusana decided not to keep watch on Garp and asked Robin what Luffy was doing.
• At the Land of Grass construction site, Luffy's coworkers urged him to give up his pirate dream and pursue a career as a worker.
• Luffy reaffirmed his promise to become Pirate King, then ran off to set sail and challenge Garp again.
• The foreman let Luffy take leave while the workers watched him go.

Luffy challenged Madara again, insisting he had grown strong enough to become a pirate, but Hashirama took the fight instead. After Luffy struggled to land a hit, he activated Gear Second, determined to set out to sea.

• Hashirama recognized Luffy's stretching ability as a Devil Fruit power, while Madara remembered breaking the boy's legs before.
• Luffy challenged Madara, but Hashirama offered to fight him, and Madara agreed.
• Tobirama transported Hashirama, Luffy, and himself to a remote stretch of sea; Madara brought Obito and Rin there afterward.
• Luffy and Hashirama exchanged attacks, but Luffy realized his current strength was not enough to defeat him.
• Luffy activated Gear Second and declared that he would go out to sea.

Luffy used Gear Second and Gear Third against Hashirama Senju, but Hashirama summoned a Wood Golem and defeated him. Back in the Land of Grass, a disappointed Luffy returned to work, resolved to train harder before setting out to sea.

• Luffy activated Gear Second, boosting his speed and strength, and Tobirama Senju recognized the technique as a crude way to accelerate blood flow.
• Hashirama Senju bound Luffy with Wood Release, but Luffy chopped the branches apart and neatly stacked the wood.
• Luffy used Gear Third to strike Hashirama with an enormous Elephant Gun and declared that he would become Pirate King.
• Hashirama survived the attack by summoning a colossal Wood Golem, leaving Luffy frozen in embarrassment.
• After the battle, Luffy returned to the Land of Grass shore, then went back to the construction site and vowed to train harder before sailing out to sea.

Kusana reviewed the Straw Hat Pirates’ unusual jobs in the Land of Grass and learned that Garp was approaching. Aboard Garp’s ship, Zoro revealed he was headed there for work and a possible Outstanding Worker Award, reminding Garp of Luffy.

• Kusana read assessments praising Luffy’s lumberjacking and Zoro’s planing while noting Zoro’s poor sense of direction.
• Robin explained that Brook worked at Reverse Mountain with his whale and that Zoro had vanished while Grass ninja were trying to bring him back.
• Kusana ordered Zoro to be found and tied up, then learned from Robin that Garp was heading for the Land of Grass.
• Kusana announced that everyone could begin their year-end holiday early.
• Aboard his ship, Garp met Zoro and learned he was traveling to the Land of Grass for work and a possible Outstanding Worker Award.
• Garp remembered that his grandson Luffy was also working in the Land of Grass.

Garp arrived at Foosha Village and learned that Luffy had become a well-behaved worker under the Land of Grass. The village chief gave Garp an invitation to Luffy’s year-end party and worker recognition ceremony, addressed to Luffy’s parent.

• Garp’s group reached Foosha Village, where Navy soldiers were surprised to be charged a docking fee, but Garp paid without complaint.
• Zoro thanked Garp for the ride and set off toward the Land of Grass Human Resources Department, though he headed in the wrong direction.
• The village chief met Garp and explained that the Human Resources Department was elsewhere, while Garp realized Zoro might be directionally challenged.
• Garp asked about Luffy and insisted he would never take a job, but the village chief told him Luffy was working and had become much more well-behaved.
• The village chief handed Garp an invitation to Luffy’s year-end party and worker recognition ceremony, and Garp read its greeting: “Dear Parent of Luffy.”

Kusana handled reports about Jiraiya and Princess Vivi while preparing for the Land of Grass Sea’s First Excellent Employee Awards Ceremony. As the ceremony began, Garp sat among the attendees, baffled by the event.

• Kusana learned that Garp and Zoro had arrived in the Land of Grass and arranged for someone to guide them.
• Robin told Kusana that a Konoha Sannin had been caught sneaking into the ninja world, and Kusana ordered him sent to the four Konoha representatives.
• Robin asked whether Kusana would send Princess Vivi home, and he said she was staying to study the Land of Grass’s management practices.
• Kusana told Robin to seat the families of Excellent Employees in front so they could feel proud of the award recipients.
• The First Excellent Employee Awards Ceremony began, and Garp sat near the front looking confused about what was happening.

Garp waited in Foosha Village for Luffy, drinking Jade Liquid Wine and learning that his grandson was working at a construction site in the Land of Grass. At the employee commendation ceremony, he basked in a stranger’s praise of Luffy before Kusana took the stage to deliver his year-end address.

• Garp recalled arriving in Foosha Village and learning from the village chief and Makino that Luffy was diligently working at a construction site in the Land of Grass.
• Makino persuaded Garp to wait for Luffy, and he spent three days drinking Jade Liquid Wine before deciding to visit the worksite.
• The village chief and Makino invited Garp to the Land of Grass employee commendation ceremony and dressed him for the occasion.
• At the ceremony, Garp chatted with an elderly stranger and proudly discussed Luffy, while the two men praised each other’s family members.
• The host introduced Kusana, who stepped onto the stage to deliver his first year-end address on the seas.

At the Land of Grass’s year-end conference, Garp watched the performances and awaited Luffy’s award, only to learn that both Luffy and Zoro were missing. Garp was interviewed in Luffy’s absence and told his grandson he was proud of him.

• Kusana’s year-end speech was followed by performances that entertained the audience, including Garp, Vivi, and Robin.
• Garp wondered how the performers created Ice Release, then settled in to watch the awards ceremony and waited for Luffy.
• The host called for Roronoa Zoro to receive the Best Technical Award, but Zoro did not appear; Robin explained that he had gone to the restroom and gotten lost.
• The host announced Luffy for the Most Improved Award and praised his work, then invited Garp to speak about his grandson.
• Garp smiled and told Luffy, “Grandpa is proud of you,” prompting warm applause from the audience.

Sengoku read a BBC Daily profile about Luffy’s hardship and Garp’s pride in his grandson, then ordered Garp back to Navy Headquarters and summoned Aokiji. In the Land of Grass, Luffy’s coworkers believed the tragic story, while Luffy felt the article had made parts of his life sound strange.

• Sengoku reflected on his retirement and read the BBC Daily’s profile of a young man who had endured a difficult childhood and become a hardworking Land of Grass employee.
• Sengoku recognized Garp in a photograph praising his grandson and angrily ordered the Vice Admiral back to Navy Headquarters.
• Sengoku summoned Aokiji and complained that the newspaper was spreading rumors.
• Luffy’s coworkers asked whether the profile was true, and Luffy said it was more or less accurate but felt strange.
• Luffy’s coworkers sympathized with him and told him he had suffered a lot.

Luffy ate at the workers’ cafeteria while they misunderstood his feelings about his grandfather and his brothers. At a nearby construction crew, Zoro impressed the foreman with his wood-shaving skill, got hired, and met Luffy in the cafeteria.

• Luffy told the workers he had skipped the commendation ceremony to train and said he did not hate his grandfather, but they assumed he was hiding his grief over his brothers.
• Luffy fled with his rice bucket after the workers urged him to reconcile with his grandfather and stop dwelling on his brothers.
• The workers discussed a talented green-haired applicant who could plane wood with a sword and wondered whether he would rival Luffy.
• Zoro demonstrated his wood-shaving technique by turning a log into evenly cut, polished cubes, and the foreman hired him.
• Zoro went to the cafeteria, piled his tray with food, and heard someone beside him call him amazing.

Luffy asked Zoro to become his partner, and Zoro believed in his dream of becoming Pirate King before Luffy hurried back to work. Kusana learned that Marine Admiral Aokiji had arrived in the East Blue.

• Luffy asked Zoro to join him on adventures and declared that he would become Pirate King, while the workers mocked him.
• Zoro recognized Luffy's sincerity, shared his own dream of becoming the World's Greatest Swordsman, and agreed that he believed in him.
• Luffy ran off when called back to work, leaving Zoro embarrassed as he silently returned to eating.
• Kusana discussed Zoro and Luffy's meeting with Robin, then asked about Vice Admiral Garp, who was still drinking in Foosha Village.
• Robin received news that Marine Admiral Aokiji had come to the East Blue and told Kusana.

Garp visited Foosha Village, where he discussed Luffy, Ace, and the Land of Grass before setting out to return to the Navy. He learned that Kuzan had been sent toward Loguetown and wondered what Sengoku intended.

• Garp ended a call with Sengoku and told Makino and the village chief that he had to return to the Navy.
• Garp asked Makino to thank Dadan for raising Luffy and told her to tell Luffy to train hard because the sea was dangerous.
• Garp said he would handle Ace himself and left Makino with wine to take back to Sengoku.
• Garp joked that he would take Luffy's prize money from the Land of Grass Master Craftsman competition.
• After leaving the tavern, Garp wondered why Sengoku had sent Kuzan as Kuzan pedaled toward Loguetown.

Smoker and Tashigi discussed Loguetown's growing ties with the Land of Grass, while Smoker tried to maintain the Navy's independence. Aokiji arrived on a mission to visit the Land of Grass, leaving Smoker to wonder why he had come in person.

• Tashigi reported increased merchant traffic, requests for Navy support and training, and the Land of Grass's plans to build a dam at Reverse Mountain.
• Smoker agreed to help the Land of Grass in exchange for better military equipment, jobs for nearby residents, and an expanded shipping route, while insisting they were still the World Government's Navy.
• Smoker realized the Land of Grass had become the East Blue's true overlord and suspected it had used him as an anti-corruption scapegoat.
• Aokiji surprised Smoker in his office and warned him not to get too close to the Land of Grass because of its poor relationship with the World Government.
• Aokiji said he was visiting the Land of Grass on a Navy Headquarters mission and had booked a passenger ship for the following morning.

Kuzan traveled to the Land of Grass on a civilian ship as the Marines’ envoy, where he met the blind Issho. The Land of Grass prepared to welcome him, but learned that local police had arrested him before he arrived.

• Kuzan boarded a crowded ship bound for the Land of Grass and reflected on the peaceful lives its passengers anticipated.
• Kuzan met Issho on deck, and Issho offered to buy him lunch before realizing Kuzan had no money.
• Issho introduced himself and unleashed a terrifying aura after Kuzan declined the expensive boxed meal and seemed to expect him to pay.
• Kusana and Robin prepared a welcoming ceremony for Kuzan, but a Grass ninja reported that police had arrested him for assaulting a disabled person.

Kuzan arrived in the Land of Grass, where the king publicly blamed him for assaulting a disabled man and then acknowledged that the kingdom was protecting Nico Robin. Kuzan prepared to discuss his mission, but the king postponed the conversation and pulled him away.

• Kuzan was brought to the Land of Grass after an incident aboard a passenger ship and was greeted with music, flowers, and dancing.
• The king accused Kuzan of forcing a disabled man to pay for a meal and endangering passengers, despite Kuzan's protests.
• Kuzan recognized Nico Robin and pointed out that the Land of Grass was sheltering a World Government wanted criminal.
• The king defended Robin as his assistant and said he had dared to kill a Celestial Dragon, while Robin thanked Kuzan for what he had done for her.
• Kuzan set aside his reaction to Robin and began to explain his mission, but the king interrupted and said they could discuss it later.

Kusana kept Kuzan occupied with a tour of the Land of Grass while reporter Deks recorded the visit for the news agency. After the welcome banquet and a luxurious night’s lodging, Kuzan was interrupted by Nico Robin.

• Kusana led Kuzan through Hope Town and Mount Colubo, showing him the Land of Grass’s development while Kuzan tried to discuss his business.
• Kusana showed Kuzan a construction site where Gray Terminal residents worked, including Garp’s grandson, and praised the young man’s progress.
• Reporter Deks introduced himself and explained that the news agency had been invited to document the World Government’s visit after its relationship with the BBC Daily soured.
• Kusana described the visit as a major step toward cooperation between the Land of Grass and the World Government, while Kuzan silently gathered information.
• Kusana guided Kuzan around the country, and Kuzan saw Garp’s grandson eating and a Three-Sword Style swordsman planing wood before attending the welcome banquet.
• After the banquet, Kuzan settled into his lodging, but Nico Robin appeared at his doorway late at night.

Kusana tried to recruit Aokiji, but the Marine Admiral rejected the offer and warned Robin that the World Government would not spare the Land of Grass. Aokiji stayed in his room overnight, and the next morning a furious caller demanded to know what he had done.

• Robin delivered the Land of Grass Talent Introduction notice to Aokiji, who refused to betray the Marines and warned that the World Government would not let the Land of Grass off easily.
• Aokiji froze Robin’s feet and sent her outside, then told Kusana that Robin was a notorious criminal; Kusana admitted he had expected Aokiji to refuse but was glad he had received the notice.
• Kusana and Robin joked about her overtime pay and rumors that he liked married women before leaving the door.
• Aokiji overheard Kusana’s remark about married women, planned to return after finishing his mission, and went to sleep.
• The next morning, a Den Den Mushi woke Aokiji and angrily asked what he had done the night before.

Kuzan learned that a news agency article had portrayed his visit to the Land of Grass as a secret defection, damaging his standing with the World Government as the Marines chose a Fleet Admiral. Sengoku asked him to infiltrate the Land of Grass, but Kuzan revealed he had thrown away the Talent Introduction Plan and had only just retrieved it; meanwhile, Sengoku called a meeting at Navy Headquarters.

• Sengoku angrily questioned Kuzan about a news report suggesting he might defect to the Land of Grass, and Kuzan read the article and called it slander.
• Sengoku said the World Government favored Sakazuki and asked Kuzan to report what intelligence he had gathered about the Land of Grass.
• Kuzan reported that the Land of Grass had hidden strength, had partnered with Morgans's news agency, and was rumored to have a king who liked married women.
• Sengoku asked Kuzan to pretend to defect and use the Talent Introduction Plan to infiltrate the Land of Grass, but Kuzan said he had thrown the plan away and was retrieving it from the trash.
• Sengoku told a Marine to summon Garp for a meeting, ordered him to confiscate Garp's wine, and asked Colonel Kabuto to notify every department.

Navy Headquarters prepared to announce Sakazuki as the next Fleet Admiral while Kuzan accepted a secret mission to infiltrate the Land of Grass. Kuzan met its king expecting a difficult negotiation, but was hired almost immediately.

• Sengoku gathered the Navy Headquarters officers to announce the World Government's final decision on the Fleet Admiral succession.
• Kuzan read the World Government's plan to have him defect and infiltrate the Land of Grass, and resolved to earn its trust despite the risks.
• Kuzan learned that Sakazuki had been appointed the next Fleet Admiral and prepared to approach the King of the Land of Grass.
• The King of the Land of Grass welcomed Kuzan and hired him at once, leaving Kuzan stunned by how quickly it happened.