Recaps

At Elbaf’s Winter Festival and Food Festival, the Giants and their guests shared a peaceful feast, and Houka teased Redfield about marrying a Giant woman and leaving descendants. The banquet ended with Gier Buster considering a romance with a giantess, while Rocks planned to attack the Celestial Dragons’ native-cleansing competition with Harald.

• The Giants, Harald, Rocks, Newgate, Ida, Hajrudin, and their guests put aside grudges and shared food and drinks at the festival.
• Charlotte Linlin happily ate Caramel Puffs and thanked Houka for letting her return as a guest of the Giants.
• Houka teased Redfield about marrying a Giant woman, then argued that descendants could help a person’s name and bloodline endure.
• Redfield rejected Houka’s suggestion, while Shiki dismissed his argument and Gier Buster became interested in finding a giantess.
• Rocks thought about Alice, then resumed drinking with Harald and planned to attack the Celestial Dragons’ native-cleansing competition with him.

After learning that the Rumbar Pirates had been wiped out, Houka told Redfield and reflected on the misfortune surrounding people with innate Haki. The Rocks Pirates resumed training, and Houka pushed himself through deadly Haki-only battles with Harald to master Conqueror's Haki Infusion.

• Houka received intelligence that the Rumbar Pirates had been wiped out and that Roger had awakened Conqueror's Haki.
• Redfield sensed Houka's pity, pressed him for the truth, and learned that the Rumbar Pirates had been destroyed; he walked away grieving Brook and Captain Yorki.
• Houka considered the hardships faced by Redfield, Loki, and Charlotte Linlin, and wondered whether innate Haki came with misfortune.
• After the New Year, the Rocks Pirates resumed intense training as Houka and the others pursued Conqueror's Haki Infusion.
• Houka sealed away his Devil Fruit abilities and fought Harald with Haki and swordsmanship, enduring near-fatal blows to accelerate his progress.

The Rocks Pirates trained in the Underworld as Houka, Newgate, and the others fought powerful opponents, driving the crew to pursue strength. Rocks judged that Newgate needed a major event to grow stronger, while Houka continued risking his life to master Conqueror’s Haki Infusion against Harald.

• Houka and Harald, Newgate and Rocks, Redfield and Shiki, and Loki and Charlotte Linlin fought and trained with Conqueror’s Haki.
• Ganzi lamented falling behind, while Fugetsu Kizaburo, Bolo Gram, Babel, and Sambel pushed themselves to grow stronger.
• Malone resolved to train until he surpassed Silver Axe Xiong or transfer under Houka, and Gier Buster joined the crew’s race for strength.
• Rocks defeated Newgate and considered staging a major event, such as attacking Enies Lobby, Marineford, or Mary Geoise, to strengthen him.
• Houka risked his life against Harald while declaring that fate remained beneath him.

Houka mastered Conqueror's Haki Infusion by surviving Harald's deadly strike, then healed himself and demonstrated his new power. The chapter left Houka eager to keep growing stronger, while Harald and the others recognized his achievement.

• Harald struck Houka with a Conqueror's Haki-infused sword, and Houka blocked the fatal blow by mastering Conqueror's Haki Infusion before being hurled through a snow-capped mountain.
• Rocks celebrated Houka's breakthrough, while Newgate praised his ambition and Rocks explained that defeating Imu mattered more to him than ruling the world.
• Houka rapidly recovered with his abilities and food, then rose from the ruins and unleashed his newly infused Conqueror's Haki.
• Shiki, Redfield, Stussy, Shimotsuki Furiko, Charlotte Linlin, Loki, and the Giants reacted with admiration as Houka's strength earned their respect.
• Harald admitted he had worried Houka might die, and Houka thanked him for sparring before naming him Harald of the [Hundred Lessons] and turning his attention to awakening his Devil Fruit.

Houka proposed that Charlotte Linlin establish Totto Land to draw Harald into diplomatic relations with the Rocks Pirates, and Ganzi suggested that the crew’s officers rule their own kingdoms. Rocks approved a system in which each kingdom would also serve as a division, leaving the Rocks Pirates poised to build a New World alliance while warning that traitors would be hunted down.

• Houka invited Harald to join the Rocks Pirates and help unify the New World, but Harald rejected the offer again.
• Houka proposed that Charlotte Linlin establish Totto Land and accept the Rocks Pirates’ protection to encourage Harald to treat them as a legitimate nation.
• Golden Lion Shiki argued that Totto Land should join the Rocks Pirates, while Ganzi suggested that the crew seize Hachinosu and let its officers establish kingdoms.
• Ganzi said becoming kings might help the officers awaken Conqueror’s Haki, prompting Rocks to consider a system of kings who also served as division commanders.
• Rocks adopted Houka’s support for the new system and warned that he and Houka would hunt down any traitors.

The Rocks Pirates’ officers divided up territory across the New World as they planned to establish their own kingdoms and divisions. Houka claimed Wano Country and Egghead, while Rocks chose Elysium Island and the others selected their own territories.

• Ganzi chose Hachinosu, Charlotte Linlin claimed the islands around Whole Cake Island, Shiki sought a base for his Flying Kingdom, and Whitebeard named himself Sphinx Island’s protector.
• Houka claimed Wano Country and Egghead, intending to rule Wano with Shimotsuki Furiko and secure Emeth and Joy Boy’s Conqueror’s Haki Knot.
• Rocks chose Elysium Island for his empire, while the other officers and their allies selected territories across the New World.
• Houka helped Fugetsu Kizaburo choose Kura Island and offered Shimotsuki Kozaburo a chance to establish Shimotsuki Island.
• Redfield negotiated with Shiki about moving Red Earth Island, while Rocks prepared to launch the plan of one kingdom, one crew.
• Houka planned to take Egghead first and establish a nation there, with Emeth and the Conqueror’s Haki Knot as his founding gifts.

Houka founded the Sacred Ancient Moon Empire on Egghead Island and revealed the island’s connection to the Great Kingdom and Joy Boy’s robot, Emeth. The Rocks Pirates then discussed where their other officers would establish kingdoms, while Shiki searched for an island of his own.

• Houka and the Rocks Pirates seized Egghead Island, and Houka declared the founding of the Sacred Ancient Moon Empire.
• Houka explained that Egghead bordered Elbaf and Wano Country and that he had chosen it partly to provoke Saint Saturn.
• Houka told Rocks that Emeth had been Joy Boy’s companion and that Saturn had secretly kept it despite Imu’s order to destroy it.
• Houka left Cipher Pol blood servants to help Guyram build the empire and planned to recruit scientists and protect rare races from the World Government.
• The Rocks Pirates discussed kingdom plans, with Newgate accepting the title of King of Sphinx and Linlin planning to expand Totto Land.
• Shiki searched for a kingdom site, but Babel and Sambel claimed Mercury Island while Gier Buster and Malone asked to settle on Victory Island near Houka.

Rocks ordered Shiki, Babel, and Malone to establish kingdoms protecting the Rocks Empire, then returned to Elysium Island to found the empire. Meanwhile, Saturn confessed to Imu about the ancient robot and was punished, while Rocks’s empire drew crowds with a spectacular founding ceremony.

• Rocks ordered Shiki to build his Flying Kingdom near Elysium Island and assigned Babel and Malone to establish kingdoms on Mercury Island and Victory Island.
• Rocks rejected Ganzi’s request to go to Hachinosu and returned to Elysium Island to announce the Rocks Empire’s founding.
• After learning that Egghead Island had fallen, Saturn confessed his secret research on the ancient robot to Imu, who punished him with black flames.
• Saturn blamed Kozuki Houka for his defeat and began planning to kill him, unaware that Emeth contained Joy Boy’s Conqueror’s Haki knot.
• Several days later, Rocks founded the Rocks Empire on Elysium Island, where Houka organized a grand ceremony that attracted pirates from across the New World.

Silver Axe Xiong returned too late for the Rocks Empire’s founding, then joined its expansion as pirate kings formed the New World Alliance. The World Government prepared for war, while Harald received a demand to welcome the alliance’s representatives with the highest honors.

• Silver Axe Xiong returned from the North Blue, ate the Dice-Dice Fruit while drunk, and trained fiercely after discovering his strength had increased.
• Rocks ordered Silver Axe Xiong, Shiki, Babel, and Malone to establish kingdoms and divisions around Elysium Island as the Rocks Pirates expanded across the New World.
• Pirate leaders founded kingdoms across the New World, attracted threatened races, and formed the New World Alliance under the Rocks Empire.
• Marine Headquarters and the Five Elders recognized the alliance as a threat and decided to prepare for war against it.
• Harald read diplomatic documents from the New World Alliance and angrily reacted to Rocks’s demand that he receive its representatives with the highest diplomatic honors.

The Rocks Pirates’ leaders returned to Elbaf as kings and pressured Harald to join the New World Alliance, presenting the offer as a path to peace and equal relations. Surrounded by allied kingdoms and facing support for the proposal from Loki, Jarul, and several villages, Harald was left to weigh Elbaf’s future.

• Golden Lion Shiki, Ganzi, and Gier Buster invoked their status as kings to challenge Harald and threaten Elbaf with the New World Alliance’s power.
• Houka invited Elbaf to join the alliance while claiming it could still seek membership in the World Government.
• Harald considered that alliance nations already surrounded Elbaf, making refusal likely to leave the kingdom isolated.
• Rocks urged Harald to join and promised peaceful coexistence and equal diplomatic relations.
• Loki and Elder Jarul supported joining, citing the benefits of diplomacy and Elbaf’s history with the World Government.
• Wine Village, Craftsman Village, and Western Village voiced support, leaving Harald troubled by the strength of opinion among his people.

Harald agreed that Elbaf would join the New World Alliance while investigating whether the Celestial Dragons’ Native Cleansing Competition was real, and he warned its kings against acting like pirates. After Elbaf signed diplomatic agreements with the alliance, Houka suggested Loki go to sea, but Harald angrily refused.

• Harald announced that Elbaf would join the New World Alliance and said its decision on joining the World Government would depend on whether Houka had told the truth about the Native Cleansing Competition.
• Rocks welcomed Harald and Elbaf into the alliance, while Harald warned the kings that he would oppose any member nations that burned, killed, and plundered.
• Houka assured Harald that the alliance’s protection fees would be lower than the Heavenly Tribute paid to the World Government.
• Harald hosted a diplomatic ceremony in Elbaf, where the kings signed agreements with him as equals.
• Houka asked Loki whether he wanted to form a team of Giants and go to sea, but Harald refused and threatened Houka for encouraging his son.

With Elbaf joining the New World Alliance, its taverns and trade flourished as tensions between the Rocks Pirates, the Alliance, and the Marines grew. Houka brought Stussy and Shimotsuki Furiko to the Lost World to give birth, and Stussy’s son was born on May 5 and named Gu Yue Shenwei; Shimotsuki Furiko’s child was born the same day.

• Elbaf became a major destination for New World Alliance visitors, and Ida and the Wine Village Giants expanded their taverns while the Alliance secured the Treasure Tree Adam trade through Ganzi’s Honeycomb Logistics.
• Marine forces gathered at the G1 Branch as the Rocks Pirates and the New World Alliance rapidly expanded, heightening tensions across the world.
• Houka brought Stussy and Shimotsuki Furiko to the Lost World to give birth, hoping Imu’s Black Turn Domination could not reach his children there.
• Stussy gave birth to a boy on May 5, and Houka named him Gu Yue Shenwei after discussing name ideas with her.
• Shimotsuki Furiko’s child was born on the same day.

Shimotsuki Furiko and Stussy gave birth to Houka’s sons, and Houka named Furiko’s child Ancient Moon Ryuma after the legendary swordsman. Charlotte Linlin arrived at Egghead Island with four Devil Fruits, leaving Houka with the fruits and the two newborns in the palace.

• Houka and Shimotsuki Furiko named their newborn Ancient Moon Ryuma, and Furiko promised to raise him into a great swordsman.
• Houka planned to obtain Black Blade Shusui from Ryuma’s grave for his son.
• Stussy and Shimotsuki Furiko returned to the imperial capital of the Sacred Ancient Moon Empire to recuperate after giving birth.
• Charlotte Linlin rushed to Egghead Island after hearing Houka’s sons had been born, while Rocks and other officers also headed there with gifts.
• Charlotte Linlin gave Houka four Devil Fruits she had looted, and Houka identified their abilities.

Houka stored four Devil Fruits and hosted Rocks and the officers at Egghead Island, where Golden Lion Shiki delivered Kurozumi Higurashi and Kurozumi Semimaru. Houka captured the siblings and turned them into blood servants, adding two Devil Fruit users to his ranks.

• Houka examined the Lick-Lick, Mochi-Mochi, Puff Puff, and Heat-Heat Fruits, speculated about the true nature of Devil Fruit powers, and stored them in the Lost World.
• Houka spent several warm days with the three women and his two sons before Rocks and the officers arrived at Egghead Island with gifts.
• Golden Lion Shiki brought Kurozumi Higurashi and Kurozumi Semimaru to Houka after promising them positions in the Sacred Ancient Moon Empire.
• Houka dragged the Kurozumi siblings into the Lost World and used his Gravity Ability and lightning to force them to surrender.
• Houka transformed the siblings into blood servants, changed their appearances, and prepared them to serve as new subordinates.

After Elbaf joined the New World Alliance, the Rocks Pirates expanded across the central New World, pushing the World Government toward war. The Five Elders decided to try to lure Harald into killing Rocks, while the Celestial Dragons remained focused on their upcoming tournament.

• Rocks, Newgate, and the other pirates insisted on becoming godfathers to Houka's children, and Houka reluctantly agreed.
• Fugetsu Kizaburo and Shimotsuki Kozaburo vowed to train Ancient Moon Ryuma in swordsmanship and sword-forging, and considered bringing him Black Blade Shusui.
• The Rocks Pirates and New World Alliance spread across the central New World, driving rival pirate crews toward the Blues as Marines gathered at G-1 Base for war.
• The Five Elders grew alarmed at Harald's alliance with Rocks and agreed to offer him World Government membership if he killed Rocks, intending to betray him later.
• The Celestial Dragons ignored the growing conflict and prepared for the Indigenous Cleansing Tournament, which would be held on Red Earth Island in the West Blue.

Houka and Rocks traveled to Grand Line Paradise aboard the Sword of Xebec to recruit the Roger Pirates before the World Government sealed Red Earth Island ahead of the Human Purge Competition. As Redfield grew into a king-class officer and the Rocks Pirates’ bounties climbed, Rocks agreed to follow Houka’s cautious plan.

• Houka decided to bring the Roger Pirates to witness the Human Purge Competition and use the journey to strengthen their resolve against the Celestial Dragons.
• Rocks and Houka set out for Paradise with Newgate, Redfield, Bolo Gram, their retainers, and Seth Jock, who turned the Sword of Xebec invisible after it crossed the Red Line.
• Rocks held Houka’s two babies while Newgate and the other officers waited for a turn, and Redfield asked when they could begin preparing to confront the competition.
• Redfield’s training made him strong enough to rival Shiki and trade blows with Newgate, while several Rocks Pirates officers received bounties exceeding one billion Beli.
• Rocks accepted Houka’s discreet approach to recruiting the Roger Pirates to avoid drawing the World Government’s attention.

The chapter compared the Rocks Pirates’ bounties and ranked their officers, then followed Houka and Redfield discussing Red Earth Island, revenge against the World Government, and Redfield’s refusal to eat a Devil Fruit. Houka left Redfield’s convictions unchallenged and wondered whether Rayleigh and Gaban had awakened Conqueror’s Haki.

• The chapter listed the Rocks Pirates’ bounties, showing Malone still below Silver Axe Xiong and noting the high threat posed by the crew.
• Houka told Redfield that the Rocks Pirates planned to use Red Earth Island as bait to confront the Celestial Dragons.
• Redfield accepted the plan as an opportunity for revenge, despite worrying about casualties among Red Earth Island’s residents.
• Houka again offered Redfield a Devil Fruit, but Redfield refused and said he would reach the top without one.
• Redfield explained that seawater could help him kill the Holy Knights, while Houka noted that Redfield’s Haki depended on his convictions.
• Houka ended the discussion and wondered whether Rayleigh and Gaban had awakened Conqueror’s Haki.

Houka and Rocks planned to recruit the Roger Pirates as the Sword of Xebec entered Paradise, while Roger’s crew celebrated new bounties without knowing the Rocks Pirates were coming for them. The chapter ended with Gaban comparing their crew’s developing Conqueror’s Haki to the Rocks Pirates’ rising power.

• As the Sword of Xebec entered Paradise, Houka received reports on the Roger Pirates, and Rocks laughed at Roger for destroying an allied nation to save a crewmate.
• Newgate and Bolo Gram discussed the Roger Pirates’ reputation and the three crewmates with potential for Conqueror’s Haki.
• Rocks asked Houka to persuade Roger to join, while Bolo Gram suggested exploiting Roger’s loyalty to his crew; Houka agreed to try and secure an alliance if recruitment failed.
• On an island in Paradise, the Roger Pirates held a banquet to celebrate their rising bounties, unaware that the Rocks Pirates were heading toward them.
• Gaban complained that Redfield’s bounty had soared past one billion Beli, while he, Rayleigh, and Roger were still learning to use their Conqueror’s Haki.

The Rocks Pirates pursued Roger's crew as Roger's intuition warned him to flee, while an extreme storm disrupted both ships. Houka sensed powerful life forms in the storm and suspected fate was repeating the disaster that would later strike Shiki's fleet at Edd War.

• After the Roger Pirates repeatedly escaped, Rocks said they were only one island behind and noted that Roger had recruited Colonel Miu Gulian and a guard captain.
• Roger felt the sea and wind urging him to leave, so Rayleigh ordered the crew to raise the sails and hurry away.
• An extreme storm battered the Sword of Xebec and slowed its flight, prompting Rocks to tell Houka to avoid the weather.
• Houka used the storm's expanded electromagnetic range to detect powerful presences in the distance and wondered if they were the Roger Pirates.
• Houka opened the Door of Seven Colors so Stussy and Shimotsuki Furiko could take their two sons into the Lost World.

Houka warned the Rocks Pirates that the extreme storm might be protecting the Roger Pirates, whom he called the Child of Destiny, and challenged his crew to defy fate. Rocks, Newgate, Charlotte Linlin, and Redfield attacked the storm, while Roger's crew fled from Rocks's sky-splitting slash.

• Houka sent the weaker crew members into the Lost World and told the others that the Roger Pirates were ahead in the storm, possibly protected by fate.
• Rocks drew Xebec's Sword and cleaved a massive chasm through the storm clouds, but the extreme weather grew more violent.
• Roger sensed Rocks's overwhelming Conqueror's Haki as Donquino cried out at the split sky, and Rayleigh and Gaban rushed to steer the Roger Pirates away.
• Newgate struck the storm with Air Quake, and Charlotte Linlin fired her Maser Cannon at the clouds.
• Redfield attacked the storm with a strike he named Fate Slash, hating fate and destiny as his Conqueror's Haki transformed.

Kozuki Houka unleashed his strongest buff-enhanced sword strike alongside Rocks and the others, breaking apart the extreme storm. The Rocks Pirates then caught up with and intercepted the Roger Pirates, leaving the two crews facing off.

• Kozuki Houka stacked numerous buffs onto himself and the Seven-Star Sword, then carved a massive X across the sky with his Advanced Conqueror's Haki-infused strike.
• The combined attacks from Kozuki Houka, Rocks, Newgate, Linlin, and Redfield tore open the storm clouds, and sunlight returned as the extreme weather weakened.
• Gier Buster celebrated his part in the victory, while Newgate, Redfield, Linlin, and Rocks reacted to Kozuki Houka's power and growth.
• Kozuki Houka took the Sword of Xebec at full speed to pursue Roger and watched for further disasters along the way.
• The Rocks Pirates intercepted the Roger Pirates, whose members recognized the Flying Warship and Rocks' crew; Roger grinned eagerly as Rayleigh gripped his sword.

The Rocks Pirates confronted the Roger Pirates and offered Roger a place in their crew, but he refused and challenged them to battle. Rocks defeated Roger in a single blow, leaving Rayleigh to dive into the sea to save his unconscious captain.

• Rocks and the members of his crew arrived above the Roger Pirates and subjected them to their overwhelming presence.
• Rocks invited Roger to join the Rocks Pirates, but Roger refused, and Rayleigh, Gaban, and the crew prepared to fight beside him.
• Roger declared that the Roger Pirates would crush their opponents and charged Rocks with Rayleigh, Gaban, and the others following.
• Rocks countered Roger's Divine Departure with Cannon Roar: Hell Howl and blasted him into the sea with one strike.
• Rayleigh plunged into the water to retrieve Roger, who had lost consciousness and was bleeding as he sank.

Rocks defeated Roger and pressured the Roger Pirates to join his crew, while Houka treated the unconscious captain. Rayleigh and Gaban refused to betray Roger, leaving the crew's future uncertain as they remained in the Rocks Pirates' power.

• Rocks boarded the Roger Pirates' ship after defeating Roger, and his crew's threats fell silent as Gaban and the others faced him.
• Whitebeard Newgate and Redfield lowered their auras, while Houka reflected that Roger could grow rapidly after fighting powerful opponents.
• Rayleigh pulled the unconscious Roger aboard and revived him, then worried that the Roger Pirates could not escape Rocks's crew.
• Rocks urged Rayleigh and Gaban to join him and promised to help them grow stronger, but both men refused to betray Roger.
• Houka floated aboard, gave Rayleigh cured shark meat to feed Roger, and treated the captain as the Roger Pirates remained under Rocks's pressure.

After Roger woke, Rocks demanded that he join the Rocks Pirates or face the deaths of his crew, but Roger refused. Houka offered a compromise by inviting the Roger Pirates to become an official crew of the New World Alliance, leaving Roger to choose between that and death.

• Scopper Gaban jokingly became Houka's godson after Houka offered to introduce him to women from different races, easing the tension between the pirate crews.
• Gier Buster claimed he was Houka's first and best son, while Rayleigh scolded Gaban for his shameless behavior.
• Holy Moonlight treated Roger, and specially cured meat helped him regain consciousness after Rocks had defeated him.
• Rocks demanded that Roger join his crew and threatened to kill the Roger Pirates if he refused, but Roger insisted he would never join another captain.
• Houka offered the Roger Pirates official status in the New World Alliance, promising them freedom to land in allied nations and fight the World Government and Celestial Dragons.

Roger agreed to make the Roger Pirates an official crew of the New World Alliance, though he was more interested in whether they could eat without paying. Houka stopped the crew from beating Roger and brought them aboard the Sword of Xebec to return to the New World.

• The Roger Pirates considered Houka's offer as the Rocks Pirates' Conqueror's Haki and killing intent made refusal seem dangerous.
• Roger accepted the alliance offer and asked whether they could dine without paying in its territories.
• Gaban and the Roger Pirates beat up Roger for making his decision seem so dramatic, dispelling the Rocks Pirates' hostility.
• Houka officially made the Roger Pirates a crew of the New World Alliance and explained they could roam freely except when called for missions.
• Houka used gravity to bring the Roger Pirates and their ship aboard the Sword of Xebec, which flew back toward the New World.