Arc 28The Holy Land Assault

Tsugikuni Yoriichi visited Marineford and secured Sengoku’s support before launching an assault on the Holy Land to eliminate the Celestial Dragons. He killed Shanks and Saint Garling, but Imu’s resurrected puppets and the giant believed to be Joy Boy stood in his path.

  • Jinbe resigned as base commander, but after hearing that Fish-Man Island blamed Neptune for his supposed death, he returned and helped restore order.
  • Sengoku weighed Marine Headquarters’ position and later met Yoriichi at Marineford, where Yoriichi defeated Borsalino and asked the Marines not to interfere with his plans.
  • Yoriichi told Sengoku he intended to eliminate the Celestial Dragons, and Sengoku chose to accompany him to the Holy Land.
  • Yoriichi and Sengoku attacked Pangea Castle, where Sengoku fought Saint Garling while Yoriichi pursued Imu.
  • Shanks and Saint Garling tried to stop Yoriichi, but Yoriichi killed Shanks and beheaded Garling before Garling’s body revived as Imu’s puppet.
  • Imu unleashed an army of resurrected figures, including legendary pirates, but Yoriichi destroyed many puppets with his Golden Flames and reached Imu’s underground garden.
  • A giant with Conqueror’s Haki confronted Yoriichi in the garden, and Yoriichi suspected it was Joy Boy before their fight continued.
Chapters 676–700 Vol. 7 Read

Ch. 676Pieces on the Board!

After the battle at Ryugu Palace, King Neptune concealed the truth about his family’s deaths, and suspicion spread across Fish-Man Island. Jinbe struggled with grief over his fallen subordinates while Tsugikuni Yoriichi reflected on Zephyr’s warning; meanwhile, Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates entered the New World.

  • King Neptune announced that Queen Otohime and Prince Hoshi and Prince Tenshi had died of illness, prompting mourners to gather and rumors that Neptune had murdered them to spread.
  • Jinbe stayed aboard Zephyr’s warship, overcome by the deaths of his subordinates and uncertain whether he could continue as a New Marine.
  • Tsugikuni Yoriichi asked Zephyr to help Jinbe, but Zephyr said Jinbe had to make his own choice and warned Yoriichi not to believe he could control everything.
  • Tsugikuni Yoriichi considered his plans to use Luffy and the Nika Fruit against the World Government, including guiding Luffy toward the Holy Land.
  • The Thousand Sunny surfaced from beneath the sea, and Luffy celebrated the Straw Hat Pirates’ arrival in the New World.

Ch. 677Retention, Neptune's Choice!

Jinbe resigned as Fish-Man Island’s base commander after blaming himself for his subordinates’ deaths, and Tsugikuni Yoriichi proposed that Fisher Tiger take the post while Jinbe assisted him. Rumors left King Neptune disillusioned with Fish-Man Island and considering a move to Whole Cake Island, while Yoriichi acknowledged that the New Marines had deliberately allowed the rumors to spread.

  • Jinbe told Tsugikuni Yoriichi that he could no longer serve as base commander and recommended Fisher Tiger as his replacement.
  • Tsugikuni Yoriichi accepted Jinbe’s resignation in principle and proposed that he retain his vice admiral rank while helping Tiger rebuild the branch.
  • Tsugikuni Yoriichi told Jinbe that King Neptune was grieving his family and that Fish-Man Island was blaming Neptune for Jinbe’s supposed death.
  • Jinbe learned that rumors accused Neptune of conspiring with the World Government and rushed to Ryugu Palace to defend him.
  • King Neptune, hurt that his people suspected him after his family’s deaths, decided to focus on his remaining family and considered moving to Whole Cake Island.
  • Zephyr questioned Tsugikuni Yoriichi’s choices, and Yoriichi admitted that the New Marines had allowed the rumors to spread, calling the outcome the choices of the island’s people and Neptune.

Ch. 678Home?! (Two-in-One)

After Jinbe restored calm on Fish-Man Island, Tsugikuni Yoriichi prepared to visit the Holy Land and Marine Headquarters with Zephyr and Jinbe. At Marineford, Sengoku convened a meeting after learning Yoriichi had killed four Gorosei, where Borsalino urged acceptance and Sakazuki called for negotiations followed by an attack on Whole Cake Island if they failed.

  • Jinbe's return reassured Fish-Man Island's residents, and the island gradually regained order as pirates departed.
  • Tsugikuni Yoriichi learned Fisher Tiger would return to rebuild the Fish-Man Island branch, while headquarters still needed to find a replacement commander for Risky Red Island.
  • Tsugikuni Yoriichi and Zephyr decided to visit Marine Headquarters, taking Jinbe with them and leaving Manboshi in charge of Fish-Man Island.
  • Magellan and Sabo reported the events on Public Opinion Island to Sengoku, who called a high-level meeting after learning Tsugikuni Yoriichi was alive and had killed four Gorosei.
  • Borsalino said Marine Headquarters had no one able to oppose Tsugikuni Yoriichi and that he cared only that the Marines remained intact.
  • Sakazuki proposed negotiating with Tsugikuni Yoriichi and attacking Whole Cake Island with all their strength if they could not become allies.

Ch. 679The Old Marshal's Choice!

Marine Headquarters debated whether to support the World Government or the New Marines, but Sengoku reached no public decision. After Ace urged him to stop Tsugikuni Yoriichi, Sengoku revealed that Marine Headquarters would side with whoever benefited ordinary people, making clear he opposed the Celestial Dragons.

  • Sakazuki urged Marine Headquarters to choose a side, warning that neutrality would leave it trusted by neither the World Government nor the New Marines.
  • Marine officers argued over whether to support the World Government or delay a decision, and the hours-long meeting ended without a resolution.
  • Sengoku kept Tsuru behind after the meeting to discuss countermeasures privately.
  • Sabo told Ace about Tsugikuni Yoriichi's battle with the Gorosei, and Ace worried that the coming upheaval would bring widespread bloodshed.
  • Ace confronted Sengoku and demanded that Marine Headquarters stop Tsugikuni Yoriichi, but Sengoku said it would stand with whoever benefited ordinary people.

Ch. 680Those Who Awakened Conqueror's Haki!

Ace urged Sengoku to preserve the balance between the New Marines and the World Government, but Sengoku said the two sides could never coexist. Days later, Tsugikuni Yoriichi and Zephyr approached Marine Headquarters, triggering a full-mobilization alarm.

  • Ace told Sengoku he hoped the New Marines and World Government could remain in control of separate territories to spare ordinary people a war.
  • Sengoku praised Ace's independent judgment but explained that Tsugikuni Yoriichi and the Celestial Dragons could never tolerate each other.
  • Ace left, and Sengoku reflected on Yoriichi's return, Luffy's awakening, and the Marines' prospects for the future.
  • Days later, Marineford sounded its full-mobilization alarm as an approaching warship neared the naval port.
  • Tsugikuni Yoriichi and Zephyr stood at the ship's bow, and a communications soldier reported their arrival to Sengoku.

Ch. 681Borrowing a Knife!

Tsugikuni Yoriichi and Zephyr arrived at Marineford, where Sengoku gathered the senior officers to meet them. Sengoku intended to use the encounter to move toward a merger between Marine Headquarters and the New Marines, while Yoriichi watched the armed reception without changing course.

  • Sengoku learned that Tsugikuni Yoriichi and Zephyr were approaching Marineford and summoned Tsuru and Borsalino to his office.
  • Brannew arrived with the same news, and Sengoku ordered the admirals and senior officers to gather at the harbor.
  • Sengoku held a brief private meeting with Tsuru and Borsalino, then Marineford's forces mobilized while Ace and Sabo's unit and other young personnel were told to stand by.
  • Yoriichi ordered the Dawn to approach Marineford slowly, while he reassured Zephyr that they had not come to start a war.
  • Sengoku led the admirals to watch the New Marines arrive and resolved to pursue a merger after finding a way to purge Marine Headquarters from within.

Ch. 682Long Time No See, Borsalino!

Tsugikuni Yoriichi and Zephyr arrived at Marineford, where Borsalino attacked them to test Yoriichi's strength and prevent them from entering without a challenge. After Yoriichi countered Borsalino's attacks and learned that Sengoku shared his stance, he confronted Borsalino aboard the Dawn.

  • Sengoku gathered Marine forces at the harbor to make a public show of the New Marines' strength as the Dawn approached.
  • Borsalino fired Yasakani no Magatama at the Dawn, and Tsugikuni Yoriichi scattered the lasers with a slash that forced Borsalino to evade.
  • Borsalino used a light mirror to reach the Dawn and attacked Zephyr with a Light Speed Kick, but Yoriichi returned to block the blow.
  • Yoriichi asked whether Sengoku had ordered the attack, and Borsalino said the Fleet Admiral's thoughts were his own.
  • Yoriichi greeted Borsalino and appeared before him, swinging his blade toward Borsalino's chest.

Ch. 683Half an Act!

Tsugikuni Yoriichi fought Borsalino in a staged clash, exposing the vast gap in their physical strength before sending him crashing into Marineford's harbor. Sengoku stopped Sakazuki from confronting Yoriichi, who then appeared beside Sakazuki and asked whether he had intended to fight.

  • Borsalino split into light clones and attacked Tsugikuni Yoriichi, but Yoriichi blocked the strikes and destroyed one clone with a kick.
  • Tsugikuni Yoriichi overpowered Borsalino in their clash and struck him into a harbor wall, where Borsalino chose to remain hidden and rest.
  • Sengoku stopped Sakazuki from stepping forward, warning that Marine Headquarters should avoid a complete break with Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
  • Tsugikuni Yoriichi appeared beside Sakazuki on the platform and asked if he had planned to fight him.
  • Sakazuki answered that he would act if Tsugikuni Yoriichi was an enemy.

Ch. 684The Army Soul That Was Drained Away!

Tsugikuni Yoriichi confronted Sakazuki and Sengoku at Marine Headquarters, criticizing how the Celestial Dragons had weakened the Marines and their morale. He explained that Zephyr had come to move his family’s graves to Whole Cake Island, then revealed that an incident on Fish-Man Island also required a discussion with Sengoku.

  • Tsugikuni Yoriichi surprised Sakazuki by inviting him to join the New Marines, but Sengoku interrupted them.
  • Tsugikuni Yoriichi needled Sengoku about the Celestial Dragons and condemned Marine Headquarters’ depleted spirit in front of the gathered Marines.
  • Sengoku acknowledged that Yoriichi’s criticism was accurate but asked why he had come to Marine Headquarters.
  • Tsugikuni Yoriichi said Zephyr had come to visit his family’s graves before moving them to Whole Cake Island.
  • Tsugikuni Yoriichi revealed that the New Marines had encountered an issue on Fish-Man Island and requested an in-depth discussion with Sengoku.

Ch. 685The Foundation for Survival!

Tsugikuni Yoriichi met with Sengoku at Marine Headquarters to discuss the New Marines and his plan to eliminate the Celestial Dragons. Sengoku challenged whether Yoriichi could fund and sustain his forces across the Four Blues, leaving the question unanswered.

  • Sengoku agreed to discuss matters with Tsugikuni Yoriichi in his office after the New Marines landed at Marineford.
  • Tsuru questioned Yoriichi about his plans, and he revealed that he intended to visit Sabaody and the Holy Land before eliminating every Celestial Dragon.
  • Yoriichi asked Marine Headquarters to stay out of his way and said he would welcome Admiral-level support for his mission.
  • Sengoku warned that removing the Celestial Dragons would not resolve the world's problems and questioned how the New Marines would fund themselves beyond the New World.
  • Sengoku asked what Yoriichi would do if the Four Blues refused to fund the New Marines and his forces could no longer protect the world from pirates.

Ch. 686Fleet Admiral, Why Are You Rebelling?! (Two-in-One)

Tsugikuni Yoriichi explained how the New Marines planned to build influence through trade, technology, and protection, while Sengoku recognized the strategy’s potential. Sengoku decided to join Yoriichi’s attack on the Holy Land, leaving Sakazuki furious and storming out.

  • Tsugikuni Yoriichi described how the New Marines would attract kingdoms with economic benefits instead of forcing them into submission.
  • Sengoku inferred that Dr. Vegapunk was alive and connected his technology to the New Marines’ growing strength.
  • Yoriichi demanded that Marine Headquarters do nothing, and Sengoku offered to accompany him to the Holy Land.
  • Sengoku said he had chosen to bet on Yoriichi and suggested that Yoriichi had gained an extraordinary lifespan.
  • After Yoriichi confirmed Sengoku’s resolve, Sakazuki transformed his fists into magma and stormed out of the office.

Ch. 687A Third Visit to the Holy Land! (Combined Chapter)

Sengoku agreed to join Tsugikuni Yoriichi’s assault on the Holy Land, while Tsuru chose to leave Marine Headquarters and reunite with her granddaughter on Whole Cake Island. As night fell, Yoriichi prepared to go to Mary Geoise, where Saint Garling remained tormented by fear of death.

  • Sakazuki left Sengoku’s office, and Sengoku sent Magellan after him while explaining that he had planned to shoulder the consequences alone.
  • Sengoku assured Tsugikuni Yoriichi that Rosinante and Law were at sea, and Yoriichi invited Sengoku to accompany him to the Holy Land that night.
  • Yoriichi told Zephyr to return to Whole Cake Island the next morning, and Tsuru declared she would leave Marine Headquarters and go to her granddaughter.
  • Zephyr worried that Yoriichi might fail against the Holy Land, while the Straw Hats enjoyed a peaceful night aboard the Thousand Sunny and the New Marines worked at headquarters.
  • Saint Garling lay awake in Mary Geoise, haunted by the deaths of the other Gorosei and Imu’s indifference to their fate.

Ch. 688Taking Action, a Token of Allegiance! (Combined Chapter)

Saint Garling watched Tsugikuni Yoriichi and Sengoku attack the Holy Land, then fought Sengoku amid the destruction of Pangea Castle. Sengoku transformed into a golden Buddha and struck Garling, but Garling survived and rose from the crater to continue fighting.

  • Saint Garling saw a golden-flamed Phoenix carrying a person descend toward Pangea Castle and realized Tsugikuni Yoriichi had attacked the Holy Land.
  • The Phoenix crashed into Garling’s room, setting the newly rebuilt Pangea Castle ablaze and bringing the tower down around its Celestial Dragon inhabitants.
  • Tsugikuni Yoriichi and Sengoku emerged from the flames, and Sengoku confronted Garling, declaring that he would hold the Celestial Dragons accountable.
  • Garling attacked Sengoku with his rapier, but Sengoku unleashed Conqueror’s Haki, transformed into a golden Buddha, and struck him into a crater.
  • Garling emerged from the crater bloodied but still alive, while Sengoku realized his powerful attack had not quickly defeated him.

Ch. 689Celestial Dragon Reinforcements, a Great Pirate?!

Tsugikuni Yoriichi left Sengoku to fight Saint Garling while he headed for Imu in the underground palace. Garling summoned Red-Haired Shanks to the Holy Land, revealing that the famous pirate had ties to the Celestial Dragons and leaving Sengoku stunned.

  • Saint Garling transformed into his Grim Reaper-like Mythical Zoan form, and Tsugikuni Yoriichi told Sengoku to hold him back while he pursued Imu.
  • Saint Garling tried to stop Tsugikuni Yoriichi, but Sengoku attacked him and Yoriichi continued toward the underground palace.
  • Saint Garling used a black magic circle to summon an ally, while Sengoku waited warily to see who would appear.
  • A black-robed man emerged and questioned Saint Garling about the crisis; Garling explained that the other Gorosei had died and that Tsugikuni Yoriichi was the greatest threat.
  • Sengoku recognized the newcomer as Red-Haired Shanks and realized the pirate had an unexpected connection to the Celestial Dragons.

Ch. 690The Young Great Pirate, Divine Departure!

Sengoku confronted Saint Garling and Shanks in the Holy Land, learned that Shanks had ties to the Figarland Family, and worried about the hidden strength supporting Imu. Saint Garling threatened Sengoku, who chose to hold the two back, and Shanks opened the fight with Divine Departure.

  • Sengoku guessed that Shanks was a Celestial Dragon and a member of the Figarland Family, and Shanks refused the labels while calling himself a pirate.
  • Sengoku accused the Celestial Dragons of preventing Tsugikuni Yoriichi from obtaining the Rubber Fruit, while Shanks privately remembered that he had sought it for Roger's sake and planned to give it to Ace.
  • Saint Garling confirmed that the Holy Land had sent Shanks to search for the Rubber Fruit and threatened to purge everyone connected to Sengoku.
  • Sengoku resolved to keep Shanks and Saint Garling from interfering with Tsugikuni Yoriichi, and Shanks unleashed his Conqueror's Haki.
  • Shanks launched Divine Departure at Sengoku, who met the slash with both Buddha palms, causing a thunderous clash of Haki.

Ch. 691Red-Haired's Observation Killing!

Tsugikuni Yoriichi chose to deal with Shanks and Saint Garling before confronting Imu, judging that their presence could endanger the operation. Meanwhile, Shanks and Sengoku began a fierce battle, and Sengoku realized that Shanks possessed Observation Killing.

  • Tsugikuni Yoriichi sensed Shanks fighting Sengoku and weighed whether to help Sengoku or proceed toward Imu.
  • Tsugikuni Yoriichi decided to eliminate the risk posed by Shanks and Saint Garling, then headed for the battlefield.
  • Shanks struck Sengoku with Divine Departure, but Sengoku blocked the slash and attacked with his golden Buddha form.
  • Sengoku's shockwave blasted Shanks into a crater, though Shanks rose with only a minor injury.
  • Shanks concealed his presence from Sengoku's Observation Haki, revealing that he possessed Observation Killing.

Ch. 692Encirclement: A Powerful Warrior Nearly Meets His End! (Two-in-One)

Sengoku fought Shanks and Saint Garling in the Holy Land, using his battle instincts to counter Shanks’s Observation Killing before the pair wounded him. Though badly injured, he resolved to keep fighting to buy time for Tsugikuni Yoriichi, just as a sudden Conqueror’s Haki interrupted Shanks’s next attack.

  • Sengoku dodged Shanks’s opening strike by relying on his senses and combat experience instead of Observation Haki.
  • Shanks and Saint Garling coordinated their attacks, and Sengoku transformed to avoid a fatal blow from Garling’s tail.
  • Sengoku dragged Saint Garling down and attacked, but Shanks struck the golden Buddha’s right Achilles tendon and forced it to one knee.
  • Sengoku decided to endure the fight to buy time for Tsugikuni Yoriichi, while Shanks continued attacking without underestimating him.
  • A powerful Conqueror’s Haki descended on the battlefield as Shanks’s sword was about to meet Sengoku’s raised palm.

Ch. 693The Road Roger Walked!

Tsugikuni Yoriichi returned to the Holy Land, stopped Shanks from killing Sengoku, and demanded to know why Shanks was there. Shanks refused to join Yoriichi’s fight against the World Government and declared that he had come to make Yoriichi leave.

  • Tsugikuni Yoriichi’s Conqueror’s Haki distracted Shanks, allowing Sengoku to evade his strike and counterattack.
  • Yoriichi confronted Shanks, disarmed his follow-up attack, and demanded to know why he had come to the Holy Land.
  • Shanks confirmed Yoriichi’s identity and asked whether his disappearance in the Alabasta Kingdom had been deliberate.
  • Yoriichi invited Shanks to join forces against the Celestial Dragons, citing the massacre in the Alabasta Kingdom.
  • Shanks refused to cooperate, urged Yoriichi to leave the Holy Land, and said he had come to make him go.

Ch. 694Divine Departure (Combined Chapter)

Yoriichi rejected Shanks’ belief that Joy Boy and fate would change the world, and the two fought when Shanks tried to make him leave the Holy Land. Yoriichi overwhelmed Shanks with Clear Sky, leaving Shanks dead and Garling stunned.

  • Yoriichi accused Shanks and others of waiting for Joy Boy instead of changing the world themselves, while Shanks warned that Yoriichi was destined to fail and urged him to leave the Holy Land.
  • Yoriichi refused to leave and challenged Shanks, who asked Yoriichi to look after Uta and conceal what happened to him.
  • Yoriichi and Shanks unleashed their Conqueror’s Haki, and Shanks attacked with Divine Departure.
  • Yoriichi countered with Clear Sky, tore apart Shanks’ slash, and struck Shanks with a blow that pierced the Red Line.
  • Shanks vanished beneath Yoriichi’s slash, and Saint Garling stared in shock at his defeat.

Ch. 695Conqueror's Haki Contained Within the Straw Hat!

Tsugikuni Yoriichi killed Shanks and Saint Garling, but Garling revived under Imu’s black flames and attacked him. As Yoriichi faced the renewed threat, an enormous ancient straw hat emerged from the ground and unleashed overwhelming Conqueror's Haki that immobilized him.

  • Tsugikuni Yoriichi killed Shanks with a single slash, leaving Sengoku stunned by his immense strength.
  • Tsugikuni Yoriichi beheaded Saint Garling and burned his head despite Garling’s pleas and Imu’s black flames protecting him.
  • Tsugikuni Yoriichi destroyed Saint Garling’s head, killing him, then headed toward the underground palace to confront Imu.
  • Saint Garling’s headless body revived, grew a young girl’s head, and attacked Tsugikuni Yoriichi from behind.
  • An enormous ancient straw hat rose from the ground and released Conqueror's Haki that pressed Tsugikuni Yoriichi down and made it difficult for him to move.

Ch. 696Graveyard of the Strong!

Tsugikuni Yoriichi destroyed a puppet made from Saint Garling’s corpse, but the battle escalated when a horde of ancient dead emerged from the ruins of Pangea Castle. The chapter ended with Yoriichi and Sengoku facing powerful figures from history, including Count Red and Pirate King Roger.

  • A powerful Conqueror’s Haki from a Straw Hat restrained Tsugikuni Yoriichi while Saint Garling’s corpse attacked him with a living black tail.
  • Tsugikuni Yoriichi broke free, severed the tail, and concluded that the transformed corpse was likely one of Imu’s puppets; he sent the injured Sengoku away from the battlefield.
  • Saint Garling’s corpse blocked Yoriichi’s probing slash with its own Conqueror’s Haki, revealing that it retained the strength it had possessed in life.
  • Tsugikuni Yoriichi cut Saint Garling’s corpse in half and destroyed the black flames released by its hidden trap.
  • A massive boulder burst from the ruins of Pangea Castle, and more than a dozen mummified figures emerged from a dark crater.
  • Sengoku recognized Count Red and Pirate King Roger among the legendary figures who had returned.

Ch. 697The Absolute Gap That Numbers Could Never Bridge!

Tsugikuni Yoriichi faced sixty-five resurrected powerhouses in the Holy Land while Sengoku despaired at the World Government’s strength. Yoriichi began cutting down the puppets, but their coordinated counterattack erupted in black flames and Haki, and Rayleigh sensed his dead captain Roger among the fighters from Sabaody.

  • Sengoku saw the sixty-five resurrected powerhouses and lost hope, while Tsugikuni Yoriichi judged that their reduced strength left them unable to match him.
  • Sengoku urged Yoriichi to escape and stepped in front of him, prompting Yoriichi to trust him more deeply.
  • Count Red attacked Sengoku, but Yoriichi pulled Sengoku clear and killed Count Red with a single slash.
  • Yoriichi burned Count Red’s corpse and swiftly cut two separated Marine puppets in half, but black flames burst from their wounds and more than a dozen puppets launched attacks at him.
  • Rayleigh sensed Pirate King Roger’s Conqueror’s Haki from Sabaody and tried to go to the Holy Land, but Shakky stopped him and warned he would not return.

Ch. 698A Powerhouse from Another Dimension!

Tsugikuni Yoriichi used golden flames and careful tactics to battle Imu’s corpse puppets while protecting Sengoku and conserving strength for a possible confrontation with Imu. As the puppet army rapidly fell, Imu watched from her underground garden and realized Yoriichi’s strength surpassed anything she understood.

  • Tsugikuni Yoriichi carried Sengoku into the air to evade Imu’s corpse puppets and chose to conserve his Haki for finding Imu.
  • Tsugikuni Yoriichi launched golden fireballs at the battlefield, observing how the puppets dodged or counterattacked and discovering that they did not use Devil Fruit abilities.
  • Tsugikuni Yoriichi fought through the sea of Golden Flames, using his elemental body and Observation Killing to destroy several puppets.
  • Imu lost contact with one puppet after another and crushed her teacup in anger and fear as Yoriichi continued fighting without showing fatigue.
  • Imu watched from the underground garden as her puppet army dwindled and recognized that Tsugikuni Yoriichi’s strength exceeded her understanding.

Ch. 699Unveiling the Final Trump Card! (Combined Chapter)

Tsugikuni Yoriichi destroyed most of Imu’s puppets with a massive Golden Flames attack, then tracked Imu to the underground garden. There, a gigantic, nonhuman figure with Haki like Joy Boy’s struck Yoriichi and blasted him into a wall.

  • Imu decided the puppets would not stop Yoriichi and left the garden to bring out other forces.
  • Yoriichi used Golden Flames to destroy half the puppets, then gathered the flames into a phoenix and unleashed a devastating attack across the Holy Land.
  • The explosion engulfed the puppets and part of Celestial Dragon town, while Sengoku escaped and worried over Yoriichi’s disappearance.
  • Yoriichi reappeared in Imu’s underground garden and realized the puppets’ preserved bodies had been kept there under Imu’s control.
  • A giant emerged from a corridor with Conqueror’s Haki resembling the aura from Joy Boy’s Straw Hat, clashed with Yoriichi, and sent him crashing into the garden wall.

Ch. 700Joy Boy!? (Combined Chapter)

Tsugikuni Yoriichi fought the giant blocking his way through Little Garden and realized the opponent was likely Joy Boy, preserved as a puppet under Imu’s control. The battle continued as Yoriichi used his speed and technique to slash Joy Boy into the ceiling.

  • The giant struck Tsugikuni Yoriichi into a wall while Imu disappeared into one of Little Garden’s corridors.
  • Tsugikuni Yoriichi recovered and recognized that the giant’s body was a puppet, though a brief flicker in its eyes suggested it might retain some consciousness.
  • Tsugikuni Yoriichi suspected the giant was Joy Boy, whose combat instincts and memories remained in his body.
  • The giant charged and attacked, but Tsugikuni Yoriichi dodged and rushed up its arm to strike at its face.
  • Joy Boy evaded Yoriichi’s slash and counterattacked, but Yoriichi escaped with golden flame wings and slashed Joy Boy’s lower back, driving him into the ceiling.
Arc 28 of 31