Chapter Summaries

Tsugikuni Yoriichi defeated Imu’s strongest puppet, Joy Boy, by exploiting his superior speed and repeatedly attacking the giant’s lower back. As Yoriichi burned Joy Boy’s body, the puppet briefly showed signs of consciousness and thanked him, promising they would meet again soon.

• Joy Boy rose after surviving Tsugikuni Yoriichi’s first slash, and Yoriichi decided to fight him rather than risk bypassing him to reach Imu.
• Yoriichi used his speed to strike Joy Boy’s lower back repeatedly, deepening the wound while avoiding the giant’s counterattacks.
• Yoriichi feinted above Joy Boy, attacked from behind, and severed the puppet’s spine with a powerful slash.
• Joy Boy lunged to bite Yoriichi despite his broken back, but Yoriichi evaded him and set his body alight with Golden Flames.
• As the flames consumed him, Joy Boy’s eyes briefly showed a divine glint and he thanked Yoriichi, saying they would meet again soon.

After destroying Joy Boy’s body, Tsugikuni Yoriichi concluded that Joy Boy was using Luffy and the Nika Fruit to revive, and resolved to watch Luffy closely. Yoriichi confronted Imu in the throne hall, rejected her offer to join the World Government, and listened as she explained how she had once shared his desire to uproot corruption.

• Tsugikuni Yoriichi reasoned that Joy Boy’s plan was to revive through Luffy and the awakened Nika Fruit, and decided to keep tighter control over Luffy’s whereabouts.
• Tsugikuni Yoriichi confirmed Joy Boy’s body had been destroyed, then followed Imu’s presence to the hall beneath Pangea Castle.
• Imu offered Tsugikuni Yoriichi power, status, and immortality if he left the Holy Land, but he refused and declared that he would destroy the World Government.
• Imu told Tsugikuni Yoriichi that she had once opposed the world’s corruption and established the Void Throne to prevent future conflict.
• Imu explained that she had chosen to sit on the throne herself to preserve peace, and said Tsugikuni Yoriichi resembled the person she had been.

Imu tried to persuade Tsugikuni Yoriichi to cooperate, revealing that Joy Boy had once ruled a hellish world before the World Government defeated him. Yoriichi rejected Imu’s offer and attacked, but Imu transformed, merged with the underground palace, and seemingly swallowed him; Yoriichi cut his way out into the night sky.

• Imu warned Tsugikuni Yoriichi that the New Marines would eventually become like the World Government and offered to rule alongside him with immortality.
• Imu revealed that the giant Yoriichi had fought was Joy Boy and claimed that the Great Kingdom had ruled a hell before the Twenty Kings established the World Government.
• Yoriichi dismissed the importance of the Void Century and declared that he would shape the world according to his own will.
• Yoriichi’s Conqueror’s Haki overwhelmed Imu, who transformed into a gray, worm-like creature and began merging with the platform.
• Yoriichi split Imu’s body and the Void Throne with a slash, but Imu’s halves regenerated and spread through the underground palace.
• Imu’s gray liquid began raining inside the palace, so Yoriichi surrounded himself with Golden Flames and slashed through the ceiling to escape.

Tsugikuni Yoriichi escaped Imu’s underground palace and discovered that she had merged with the land, making her difficult to strike. After testing whether Pure Gold could suppress the land’s healing power, he prepared a massive attack to destroy the entire Holy Land, leaving the battle’s outcome unresolved.

• Tsugikuni Yoriichi escaped the underground palace and struck through the Red Line, but Imu’s presence seemed to survive by merging with the earth.
• Tsugikuni Yoriichi noticed the sea-smelling fluid and mist spreading across the battlefield, and his Golden Flames vanished when they entered it.
• Tsugikuni Yoriichi dropped his Pure Gold ring and found that the ground near it did not heal a shallow sword mark.
• Tsugikuni Yoriichi retreated hundreds of miles as Imu’s mist swallowed the Holy Land, then concluded that he needed to strike across the entire area.
• Imu sent worm-like decoys and Flesh Whips after Tsugikuni Yoriichi, who blocked them with Golden Flames while gathering power.
• Tsugikuni Yoriichi unleashed his Clear Sky slash, whose light illuminated tens of thousands of miles as it pierced heaven and earth.

Tsugikuni Yoriichi obliterated the Holy Land with a single slash, then searched the resulting pit for Imu but could not confirm whether she had survived. After discussing the uncertain future of the New Marines with Sengoku, he left the Red Line, while the Straw Hat Pirates settled on Risky Red Island and Luffy's heart began pounding in his sleep.

• Tsugikuni Yoriichi's slash erased the Holy Land and carved a vast pit into the Red Line, while the distant Sengoku was thrown back by the gale.
• Sengoku witnessed the destruction and compared Tsugikuni Yoriichi's power to an Ancient Weapon as Yoriichi searched the pit for Imu.
• Tsugikuni Yoriichi told Sengoku that Imu should be eliminated, though he could not be certain without finding her body, and healed Sengoku's injuries.
• Tsugikuni Yoriichi and Sengoku discussed the New Marines' lack of plans to take power and the need for gradual reform before leaving the Red Line.
• The disguised Straw Hat Pirates landed on Risky Red Island, where the sleeping Luffy's heart suddenly began to pound.

After the Drum of Liberation sounded, Kuma recognized it as Joy Boy’s call and planned to seek him out, but Abel persuaded him to wait for the New Marines’ leaders. The next morning, Zephyr moved his family’s graves while Sengoku considered the future of the Marines and the coming summit with the New Marines.

• Kuma and Abel woke on Whole Cake Island after hearing the Drum of Liberation, and Kuma identified it as Joy Boy’s heartbeat.
• Kuma said he intended to find Joy Boy, but Abel urged him to wait and consider his family and the New Marines’ leadership.
• Kuma agreed to meet Issho with Abel the next morning, though neither man slept for the rest of the night.
• Ancient survivors across the world heard the drum and began responding to Joy Boy’s call while Luffy slept aboard the Thousand Sunny.
• At Marineford, Zephyr prepared to move his wife and child’s graves as Tsugikuni Yoriichi and Sengoku watched.
• Sengoku considered the future of the Marines and the coming summit with the New Marines while officers worried about whether they would keep their ranks.

Tsugikuni Yoriichi attended a Marine Headquarters meeting where Sengoku announced that Mary Geoise had been destroyed and the Celestial Dragons executed. As Sengoku and Yoriichi moved to reshape the Marines, Yoriichi showed he could influence personnel decisions.

• Sengoku told Marine Headquarters' senior officers that Tsugikuni Yoriichi had led the destruction of Mary Geoise and the execution of the Celestial Dragons.
• Vice Admiral Maynard denounced Yoriichi and demanded that the Marines arrest him, but Sakazuki ordered Maynard to sit down.
• Sengoku transferred Maynard to command a base in Loguetown, but Yoriichi said Maynard should serve under Issho in the New World instead.
• Sengoku accepted Yoriichi's recommendation, revealing that Yoriichi had influence over Marine personnel appointments.

Tsugikuni Yoriichi and Sengoku announced the New Marines’ return to Marine Headquarters and named Yoriichi Chief of Staff and Sengoku’s successor. Yoriichi asserted his authority over the gathered officers with Conqueror’s Haki and warned them to serve justice or leave the Marines.

• Maynard challenged Yoriichi’s authority and rejected his transfer to the New World.
• Sengoku announced that the New Marines would rejoin Headquarters, Yoriichi would resume his admiral rank, and he would become Chief of Staff and eventually Fleet Admiral.
• Sakazuki warned Maynard to stop opposing Sengoku’s decision, and Maynard backed down.
• Yoriichi urged the officers to return to their proper duties and follow their consciences, warning that those who crossed the line could not remain Marines.
• Yoriichi unleashed Conqueror’s Haki across the conference room and declared that strength gave him the right to speak.

Tsugikuni Yoriichi returned to Marine Headquarters and used his strength to secure the vice admirals’ acceptance before Sengoku assigned him to oversee Heavenly Gold collection and aid for allied nations. As Headquarters began taking control of the Celestial Dragons’ abandoned institutions, Mihawk sailed with Abel and Kuma toward the source of the Drum of Liberation, while an unknown powerhouse departed Elbaf.

• Tsugikuni Yoriichi suppressed the vice admirals with his Conqueror’s Haki, winning their awe and acceptance of his appointment.
• Sengoku assigned Sakazuki to take control of Cipher Pol on Enies Lobby, sent Borsalino to inspect the experimental bases, and transferred Tsuru to serve as Chief of Staff of the New Marines.
• Sengoku put Tsugikuni Yoriichi in charge of collecting Heavenly Gold and supporting weak allied nations, and Yoriichi chose Momonga, Onigumo, Strawberry, and Jonathan to assist him.
• Marine Headquarters announced Tsugikuni Yoriichi’s return and appointment as Chief of Staff to the world.
• Issho withheld the news that Kuma and Abel had heard Joy Boy’s summons, so Mihawk took them out to sea toward the sound’s source.
• As Tsugikuni Yoriichi prepared reforms, an unknown powerhouse set sail from Elbaf.

The Straw Hat Pirates enjoyed their last breakfast on Risky Red Island before Vivi revealed that finding Laugh Tale required collecting four Road Poneglyphs. Luffy decided they had to sail to Whole Cake Island, where the New Marines held one of the stones.

• The Straw Hat Pirates woke aboard the Thousand Sunny and shared a noisy breakfast while Sanji cooked Luffy meat.
• Nami said the Log Pose had finished recording Risky Red Island, and Luffy decided they would leave after breakfast.
• Vivi suggested buying an Eternal Pose to Whole Cake Island, prompting Usopp to warn that it was the New Marines' headquarters.
• Vivi explained that four Road Poneglyphs revealed the route to Laugh Tale, and that the New Marines held at least two, including one on Whole Cake Island.
• Vivi said the other Road Poneglyphs were believed to be on Zou and in Wano Country, and Luffy resolved to go to Whole Cake Island.

After learning about the Road Poneglyphs, Luffy decided that the Straw Hat Pirates would sail for Whole Cake Island, where the New Marines might hold crucial records. As they prepared to leave, a newspaper announced the merger of the New Marines and Marine Headquarters, with Tsugikuni Yoriichi appointed Fleet Admiral.

• Vivi told Luffy about the Road Poneglyphs, prompting him to consider searching Fish-Man Island and Whole Cake Island for them.
• Usopp and Franky recalled an old newspaper featuring a Road Poneglyph, and Sanji connected its publication to the New Marines' takeover of Whole Cake Island.
• Koby warned Luffy that Whole Cake Island was heavily defended, but Vivi argued they needed to investigate it, and Luffy ordered the crew to set sail there.
• Nami picked up a newspaper dropped by a News Coo and discovered that the New Marines had merged with Marine Headquarters and Tsugikuni Yoriichi had become Fleet Admiral.

The Straw Hat Pirates learned that the New Marines and Marine Headquarters had reunited and worried about the danger this posed to them and their loved ones. Meanwhile, Marine Vice Admiral Momonga enforced Marine Headquarters’ Heavenly Gold reforms in the Kingdom of Goa and threatened King Sterry after he refused to comply.

• Vivi explained that Marine Headquarters taking charge of Heavenly Gold could mean the World Government had lost control of the Marines, while the crew feared the New Marines might target their families and friends.
• Luffy promised to protect his crewmates, rallied the Straw Hats, and sailed the Thousand Sunny away from Risky Red Island.
• Momonga presented King Sterry with the Kingdom of Goa’s Heavenly Gold proposal, which demanded a higher payment than in previous years.
• Sterry rejected the proposal, insulted the Marines, and insisted that Cipher Pol should collect the Heavenly Gold instead.
• Momonga told Sterry that Enies Lobby had approved the reform and that refusing it provoked Marine Headquarters and the World Government.
• Momonga drew his sword, held it to Sterry’s throat, and declared that the Marines’ will now stood above the World Government.

Vice Admiral Momonga seized King Sterry and demanded that the Kingdom of Goa pay Heavenly Gold, while Vice Admiral Jonathan struggled to collect it in the gang-dominated West Blue. Jonathan’s negotiations with Capone Bege stalled when Bege demanded the Marines protect the Capone Family’s businesses as Cipher Pol had done.

• Momonga dislocated Sterry’s shoulder, declared that Enies Lobby would reject his complaint, and took him to Marine Headquarters for trial.
• The Kingdom of Goa’s ministers accepted the Marines’ demand and argued over who should replace Sterry as king.
• Momonga’s Heavenly Gold collection advanced unevenly across the East Blue, while Jonathan faced greater difficulties amid the West Blue’s powerful gangs.
• Jonathan met Capone Bege, who agreed to provide Heavenly Gold only if the Marines protected the Capone Family’s businesses.
• Jonathan refused to promise protection, and Bege suggested that Jonathan bring back the Cipher Pol officer who had previously dealt with the family.

Vice Admiral Jonathan’s negotiations with Capone Bege collapsed when Bege rejected the Marines’ offer to pardon his family in exchange for abandoning criminal businesses. Jonathan attacked Bege in the tavern, but Bege and his men opened fire, leaving their clash unresolved.

• Jonathan offered to revoke the warrants against the Capone Family if they cooperated with the Marines and switched to legitimate businesses.
• Capone Bege mocked Jonathan’s offer, demanded that Cipher Pol handle the Heavenly Gold, and dismissed the Marines.
• Jonathan warned Bege that the Marines were not Cipher Pol, then used Soru and a Whip Kick to smash him into the tavern floor.
• Jonathan extinguished Bege’s cigar and prepared to finish him, but Bege revealed weapons inside his chest and opened fire.
• Bege’s Mafiosi joined the attack, and their gunfire and cannon blasts engulfed Jonathan and blew the tavern roof off.

Vice Admiral Jonathan’s negotiation with Capone Bege collapsed when Bege refused to abandon his criminal businesses or work with the Marines. Jonathan attacked him in the Mafia tavern, but Bege and his men opened fire, leaving Jonathan engulfed in flames.

• Jonathan offered to revoke the Capone Family’s wanted notices if they cooperated with the Marines and switched to lawful businesses.
• Capone Bege rejected Jonathan’s terms, demanded that the Marines leave, and said he would hand Heavenly Gold to Cipher Pol instead.
• Jonathan revealed that Cipher Pol no longer existed and used Soru and a Whip Kick to smash Capone Bege into the tavern floor.
• Jonathan extinguished Bege’s cigar and prepared to finish him, but Bege opened his coat to reveal guns and cannons inside his chest.
• Capone Bege’s weapons and the Mafia members’ guns and cannons fired at Jonathan, engulfing him in flames and blasting off the tavern roof.

Vice Admiral Onigumo and Law argued over whether the Marines should excuse Svalbard Island from paying its Heavenly Gold after a poor harvest. Their debate took a darker turn when they witnessed a young man named Sig being beaten and deprived of his family’s fish, prompting Onigumo to suspect someone was already gathering the payment by force.

• Law urged Onigumo to seek an exemption for Svalbard Island, believing the impoverished people could not afford to pay the Heavenly Gold.
• Onigumo explained that granting an exemption could encourage other rulers to withhold payment and undermine the Marines’ authority.
• Law argued that they should report the island’s actual conditions to Admiral Tsugikuni Yoriichi before deciding what to do.
• Two men dragged a basket of fish from a house and told Sig that his family had lost its weekly share because his father had slacked off at work.
• Law helped Sig up, but Sig shook off his hand and returned inside, leaving Law stunned by his hatred.
• Onigumo told Law that Sig’s expression seemed familiar to him and concluded that someone was already preparing the Heavenly Gold.

Onigumo realized Duke Taigo’s fishing monopoly gave him the means to pay Heavenly Gold, so he returned to demand it rather than accept the duke’s excuses. The Marines seized control of the negotiations, and Onigumo warned Taigo that he had lost the qualifications to bargain with them.

• Onigumo explained to Law that the islanders’ hatred of the Marines likely stemmed from their role in escorting Heavenly Gold and that local nobles might exploit its collection.
• Onigumo inspected the harbor and concluded that Duke Taigo controlled the island’s fishing fleet and economic lifelines.
• Law accepted Onigumo’s reasoning and thanked him for his guidance, easing the tension between them.
• Onigumo returned to Duke Taigo’s residence and demanded the Heavenly Gold, rejecting Taigo’s claims that he could not collect it.
• When Taigo tried to direct the Marines to collect from the fishermen, Onigumo ordered his subordinates forward and told the duke he had lost the right to negotiate.

Marine Headquarters uncovered widespread collusion between nobles, merchants, and pirates while collecting Heavenly Gold, but lacked the manpower to investigate it all. Yoriichi approved a small investigative team led by T-Bone, with Ace and Sabo assigned to gain practical experience.

• Marine Headquarters publicized the arrests and executions of the rulers of the Kingdom of Goa and the Duchy of Swallow, prompting reports and denunciations of nobles across the world.
• Tensei and Black Horse Tenmasa informed Yoriichi that intelligence officers had confirmed at least a hundred cases of nobles colluding with pirates, while Headquarters lacked the personnel to investigate them widely.
• Yoriichi agreed with Tensei that the Marines should begin investigating gradually and form a dedicated team to develop experienced investigators.
• Brannew recommended Marine Headquarters colonel T-Bone Penn as the team’s leader and suggested assigning Ace and Sabo to work with him.
• Yoriichi approved the plan, intending for Ace and Sabo to gain practical experience and potentially advance as the investigative unit expanded.

Tsugikuni Yoriichi summoned Ace, Sabo, and T-Bone to discuss a mission to collect Heavenly Gold from the impoverished Pai Pai Kingdom. Sabo identified signs that the kingdom’s starvation stemmed from unequal distribution, so Tsugikuni Yoriichi appointed him officer in charge and ordered Ace and T-Bone to assist.

• Tsugikuni Yoriichi welcomed Ace and Sabo, then waited for Colonel T-Bone to arrive before giving them documents about their mission.
• Ace, Sabo, and T-Bone read that Pai Pai Kingdom was rich in natural resources yet thousands of its people starved each year.
• Ace objected to collecting Heavenly Gold from the suffering country, and T-Bone asked Tsugikuni Yoriichi to let him refuse the mission.
• Sabo reasoned that Pai Pai Kingdom’s stable conditions made widespread starvation unlikely to result from scarcity, and suspected that resources were distributed unfairly.
• Tsugikuni Yoriichi named Sabo officer in charge and told Ace and T-Bone to assist him.

Ace, Sabo, and T-Bone prepared to investigate Pai Pai Kingdom’s king and the N-97 Branch, but the Revolutionary Army’s uprising transformed their mission into a crisis for Marine Headquarters. Tsugikuni Yoriichi agreed to have Sabo and Ace handle the response, leaving Marine Headquarters forced to choose between confronting Dragon’s forces and preserving its credibility with member nations.

• Ace proposed that the mission travel under T-Bone’s banner and find the informant in Pai Pai Kingdom, and Sabo and T-Bone agreed.
• T-Bone hoped that working well with Ace and Sabo would advance his Marine career.
• A month later, the Revolutionary Army commander Karasu led a rebellion that captured most of Pai Pai Kingdom, while its royal guard retreated to the capital.
• Pai Pai Kingdom’s king requested Marine Headquarters’ aid, creating a dilemma over defending a World Government member nation despite its ruler’s oppression of the people.
• Sengoku urged Tsugikuni Yoriichi to prioritize the greater good, and Yoriichi agreed to have Sabo and Ace handle the crisis.