Ch. 481Life Water, healing Whitebeard

Leo stopped fighting the Marines and announced that Life Water could extend life and heal severe injuries, then gave a bottle to Whitebeard. Whitebeard drank it in front of the assembled Marines and pirates.

  • Leo sent Aokiji flying and watched Kizaru retreat, then chose to walk through the gap between Garp and Whitebeard without attacking them.
  • Hisoka fought Mihawk and Moria with the advantage, while Leo learned that Moria had started the fight after waking up.
  • Morel's group defeated five Marine vice admirals through coordinated attacks, leaving them sprawled across the battlefield.
  • The Marines and pirates regrouped and faced each other in silence as Leo addressed Sengoku and the gathered forces.
  • Leo revealed a bottle of Life Water, described its effects, and tossed it to Whitebeard.
  • Whitebeard laughed, pulled out the stopper, and drank the Life Water.

Ch. 482Big news: founding the Hunter Association's pirate branch

Leo restored Whitebeard’s health, announced the Hunter Association to the world, and threatened to destroy Marineford unless the Marines released Ace. Sengoku refused to compromise as Leo’s enormous sphere of energy loomed over the bay.

  • Whitebeard’s illnesses and old wounds faded, and he demonstrated his renewed strength by cracking the sky with a quake.
  • Leo announced the founding of the Hunter Association, named Gran Tesoro as its headquarters, and promised rewards including gold, power, and eternal youth to members who completed commissions.
  • Leo scattered more than two hundred golden cards across the world and declared the beginning of the Great Hunter Era.
  • Hisoka killed Gecko Moria while his battle with Mihawk ended in a draw.
  • Leo formed a colossal dark golden sphere of energy, warned that Marineford would sink if anyone resisted, and demanded that Sengoku release Ace.
  • Sengoku refused to compromise, while Leo’s sphere grew brighter and more threatening.

Ch. 483Luffy arrives

Leo forced the Marines to free Ace, then demonstrated the power of his golden sun before Luffy and a shipload of Impel Down escapees crashed into Marineford. As the battle descended further into chaos, Leo prepared to leave with Sophia and the others.

  • Kid, Killer, Hawkins, Apoo, and Law watched the broadcast of Leo's offer in silence, and Law left the square.
  • Sengoku accepted Leo's demands and removed Ace's Seastone chains, allowing Ace to return to Whitebeard's side.
  • Leo hurled his golden sun into the sea, where it exploded into a blast that terrified everyone at Marineford.
  • Luffy, Buggy, Alvida, Ivankov, Inazuma, Jinbe, Crocodile, and other Impel Down escapees fell from the sky and landed across the ice.
  • Leo told Sophia and the others to leave, warning Hisoka that staying would mean waiting to die, and Hisoka followed his orders.

Ch. 484Departure, Blackbeard

Luffy reunited with Ace while Leo and his allies left Marineford, where the Marines and Whitebeard Pirates continued fighting. Leo then sensed Blackbeard’s warship and flew toward it as Blackbeard hurried toward Marineford.

  • Luffy ran across the ice and embraced Ace after his release from the chains.
  • Leo departed Marineford with his allies, warned Tesoro to strengthen the Gran Tesoro, and assigned several of them to establish the Hunter Association.
  • Sengoku raised steel walls around Crescent Bay, and Leo tossed a bottle of life water onto the wall, sparking a fight between Marines and Whitebeard’s captains.
  • Leo left Marineford on Little Azure as Whitebeard fought the three admirals and Garp watched from a distance.
  • Leo expanded his En, found Blackbeard’s warship, and flew toward it while Blackbeard ordered his crew to speed toward Marineford.

Ch. 485Toying with Blackbeard

Chapter Summary: Toying with Blackbeard

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Blackbeard proudly reflects on his long-term rise from an obscure member of Whitebeard’s crew to the leader of a powerful pirate group advancing toward Marineford. With the Dark-Dark Fruit, his Impel Down recruits, and his plan progressing successfully, he loudly declares his intention to become “the ruler of the world.”
  • Leo secretly boards Blackbeard’s warship and uses Zetsu, along with his exceptional speed, to conceal his presence. He begins tormenting Blackbeard by whispering provocative comments directly beside him.
  • Blackbeard immediately becomes alarmed and searches the ship with Observation Haki, but neither he nor his crew can detect Leo. His men—including Lafitte, Burgess, Shiryu, Doc Q, Van Augur, Catarina Devon, Avalo Pizarro, and Vasco Shot—find no intruder.
  • After briefly calming down, Blackbeard is startled again when Leo calls him “little Black.” Blackbeard attempts to seize the unseen attacker with Black Water, but catches nothing.
  • Fearing that Leo is hidden somewhere aboard the vessel, Blackbeard prepares to use Black Vortex. His crew warns him that doing so could swallow their own ship and prevent them from reaching Marineford.
  • Leo finally reveals himself, standing casually atop the ship’s mast. He declares that Blackbeard’s dream is about to collapse.
  • Van Augur fires at Leo, but Leo effortlessly catches the bullet between two fingers. He mocks the pirates’ reliance on primitive flintlock weapons before flicking the bullet back.
  • The returned bullet kills Van Augur instantly, piercing his skull. Leo gains experience, raising his level from 303 (86%) to 303 (93%).
  • The remaining Blackbeard Pirates are left stunned and terrified by Leo’s overwhelming speed and precision.

Character Developments

  • Blackbeard: His confidence and grand ambition are exposed as fragile. Although he initially appears triumphant, Leo’s unseen presence triggers panic, paranoia, and loss of control. Blackbeard’s inability to detect or confront Leo undermines his belief in his own dominance.
  • Leo: He displays complete confidence and enjoys psychologically tormenting Blackbeard before revealing himself. His mastery of concealment, speed, and precision establishes him as vastly superior to the pirates aboard the ship.
  • Van Augur: His confidence in his marksmanship proves useless against Leo. His attack becomes an immediate demonstration of Leo’s superiority and results in his death.
  • The Blackbeard Pirates: Their usual composure disappears as they become confused and fearful. Even experienced fighters such as Shiryu and Lafitte cannot locate Leo or react to his counterattack.

Significant Themes

  • The collapse of ambition: Blackbeard’s dream of ruling the world is challenged before he can even reach Marineford.
  • Power versus reputation: Despite Blackbeard’s dangerous abilities and fearsome crew, Leo’s actual combat power renders their reputations meaningless.
  • Psychological warfare: Leo attacks Blackbeard’s confidence before physically engaging him, using invisibility and teasing whispers to provoke fear.
  • Control and vulnerability: Blackbeard’s attempt to use the Dark-Dark Fruit is limited by the danger it poses to his own ship, showing that great power can be difficult to use safely.
  • Modern strength versus outdated tools: Leo mocks the pirates’ flintlock weapons, emphasizing the gap between their conventional methods and his extraordinary abilities.

Character Interactions

  • Leo repeatedly taunts Blackbeard from hiding, calling into question whether Blackbeard will truly become ruler of the world.
  • Blackbeard demands that the unseen intruder reveal himself, while his crew tries to reassure him and prevent him from destroying the ship.
  • Lafitte and Van Augur attempt to manage the crisis, but neither can help Blackbeard locate Leo.
  • Van Augur directly attacks Leo, leading to his own death when Leo returns the bullet.
  • Leo’s final declaration that Blackbeard’s dream will shatter leaves the entire crew frozen in fear, setting up a confrontation between Leo and the Blackbeard Pirates.

Ch. 486Woohoo, liftoff!

Leo toyed with Blackbeard and his crew aboard their warship, then defeated them with ease and killed Sanjuan Wolf. Blackbeard was left alone and stunned as Little Azure caught the crewmates Leo had thrown into the sky.

  • Blackbeard ordered his crew to attack Leo, who casually dodged their assaults while Morel and the others watched from Little Azure.
  • Burgess broke the mast and the crew buried Leo beneath their combined attacks, but Leo emerged unharmed and mocked Blackbeard.
  • Leo stopped Burgess’s punch with one finger, then threw Burgess, Shiryu, Lafitte, Doc Q, Catarina Devon, Avalo Pizarro, and Vasco Shot into the sky.
  • Sanjuan Wolf attacked from the sea, but Leo struck his head with a nen-powered kick and sent his enormous body crashing into the water.
  • Leo gained just over a level, while Little Azure caught the surviving Blackbeard Pirates on its back and Blackbeard stood alone on the damaged warship.

Ch. 487Leo's bounty

Leo defeated Blackbeard and the Blackbeard Pirates, then returned to Gran Tesoro with Blackbeard alive to investigate how he had eaten two Devil Fruits. Marineford was destroyed but Ace and Whitebeard survived, and the World Government placed a 5.46-billion-Beli bounty on Leo.

  • Blackbeard attacked Leo with Armament Haki, but Leo overwhelmed him and left him unconscious after beating him across the deck.
  • Leo returned to Little Azure with Blackbeard, while Hisoka defeated Shiryu in Sophia's Duel Arena and the other Blackbeard Pirates surrendered.
  • Leo kept Blackbeard alive because he wanted to investigate how Blackbeard had eaten two fruits without harm.
  • Leo and his group returned to Gran Tesoro a day later, after the Marineford war ended with Ace and Whitebeard alive and Luffy gravely wounded.
  • Red-Haired Shanks stopped Akainu from killing Luffy and helped the Whitebeard Pirates escape Marineford.
  • The World Government issued Leo a bounty of 5.46 billion Beli, slightly below Roger's.

Ch. 488Kill Blackbeard

Chapter Summary: “Kill Blackbeard”

Key Plot Points and Events

  • Blackbeard is imprisoned in a Seastone-lined room, shackled so he cannot use the Dark-Dark Fruit.
  • Leo and Kalluto interrogate him. When Blackbeard angrily shouts, Leo silences him by striking him with powerful wind pressure, swelling both sides of his face.
  • Leo introduces Kalluto as an expert assassin and torturer, then leaves him to extract information. Kalluto tortures Blackbeard for two hours until he is physically and mentally broken.
  • Leo returns and pours salt water over Blackbeard’s wounds, causing extreme pain and forcing him to cooperate.
  • Blackbeard reveals how he can possess two Devil Fruit powers:
    • The Dark-Dark Fruit suppresses the “devil” within another Devil Fruit.
    • His unusual Davy family physiology allows his body to contain multiple powers.
  • Leo realizes that both the Dark-Dark Fruit and Blackbeard’s special body are necessary for the process. Although he had considered combining the Tremor-Tremor and Rumble-Rumble Fruits, he decides the Dark-Dark Fruit is not worth the increased pain it might cause him.
  • Having obtained the information he wanted, Leo decides Blackbeard no longer needs to remain alive.
  • Kalluto brings a box of ordinary fruits and arranges them around Blackbeard inside the completely Seastone-sealed room.
  • Leo tests a theory that when a Devil Fruit user dies in a sealed room, the released Devil Fruit power may be unable to escape and could transfer into a nearby fruit.
  • Leo kills Blackbeard with a touch to the forehead. Immediately afterward, his level progress rises from 1% to 18%, while the surrounding fruits appear poised to reveal whether the theory is correct.

Character Developments

  • Leo displays increasing ruthlessness and confidence. He treats the interrogation casually, using violence and psychological pressure without hesitation. His interest is not merely in defeating Blackbeard but in studying and exploiting Devil Fruit mechanics.
  • Blackbeard is reduced from a dangerous schemer to a helpless prisoner. His anger turns into terror and submission after Leo and Kalluto’s torture. He ultimately betrays his most valuable secret to survive, though this proves futile.
  • Kalluto demonstrates his Zoldyck training and emotionless professionalism. He is highly capable of torture and remains calm while Blackbeard collapses, though he is mildly irritated by Leo’s teasing description of him.
  • Leo’s growing power and curiosity are emphasized by his attempt to create or capture a powerful Logia Devil Fruit rather than simply killing Blackbeard for revenge.

Significant Themes

  • Power through knowledge: Leo’s awareness of Blackbeard’s secret gives him complete control over the situation.
  • Cruelty and domination: The chapter portrays interrogation as an exercise in absolute physical and psychological control.
  • Scientific experimentation: Leo approaches Devil Fruits like a researcher, testing a fan theory through a controlled experiment involving Seastone and nearby fruits.
  • The cost of power: Leo considers the danger of multiplying his pain sensitivity if he gains another Devil Fruit, showing that greater abilities come with serious physical risks.
  • Death as transformation: Blackbeard’s death may serve not only as punishment but also as the mechanism for creating a new Devil Fruit.

Character Interactions

  • Leo intimidates and physically punishes Blackbeard, establishing a master-and-prisoner relationship.
  • Leo uses Kalluto as an instrument of fear, invoking his name to force Blackbeard’s cooperation.
  • Kalluto silently carries out Leo’s orders, reflecting his disciplined loyalty and professional detachment.
  • Blackbeard’s interactions with Leo shift from defiance to panic and submission once he realizes Leo knows his secret.

Ch. 489An unwelcome guest

After killing Blackbeard, Leo captured the Dark-Dark Fruit and inspected the Hunter Association’s operations aboard the Gran Tesoro. He sensed a powerful presence approaching and flew out to meet it before it could threaten the ship.

  • Leo and Kalluto watched the devil leave Blackbeard’s body and enter a nearby fruit, which became the Dark-Dark Fruit.
  • Leo visited Sophia and Kastro, who reported that the Hunter Association was operating and had detected suspicious arrivals aboard the Gran Tesoro.
  • Leo ordered the Association to let suspicious visitors be unless they tried to enter the building, and to make its rewards available through completed commissions.
  • Morel and Shoot trained twelve hundred future security personnel under the Gravity Stone’s increased gravity, while Knuckle dealt with intruders outside.
  • Leo sensed a powerful presence flying toward the Gran Tesoro and took to the sky to intercept it before it could land.

Ch. 490Kaido of the Four Emperors

Leo confronted Kaido, shrugged off his attacks, and hurled him into an island before meeting his punch head-on. The two Emperors unleashed their Conqueror’s Haki against each other, splitting the sky as every creature on the island fell unconscious.

  • Kaido attacked Leo with fireballs and Bolo Breath, but Leo deflected and endured both without injury.
  • Kaido invited Leo to join him in starting a war, and Leo mocked him before seizing his horns and throwing him onto a distant island.
  • Kaido returned to human form, learned Leo’s name, and attacked him with an Armament Haki-coated punch that Leo met head-on.
  • Kaido unleashed his Conqueror’s Haki, and Leo answered with his own, causing their wills to collide and split the sky.
  • Their Conqueror’s Haki shock waves swept across the island and knocked every creature unconscious.

Ch. 491Kaido Battles Leo

Leo and Kaido fought across a devastated battlefield, with Leo overpowering Kaido until Kaido transformed into his Human-Beast Form and unleashed his strongest attacks. The chapter ended with Leo emerging unscathed from the canyon carved by Kaido’s Bolo Breath.

  • Kaido recognized Leo’s strength and attacked him with Thunder Bagua, but Leo met and blocked his blows.
  • Leo struck Kaido with a Ken-coated punch and then blasted him through mountains with a Conqueror’s Haki-coated kick.
  • Kaido transformed into his Human-Beast Form, kicked Leo into a mountain, and attacked him with Bad Wind and Bolo Breath.
  • Kaido started to leave, believing Leo had been defeated, but stopped when Leo emerged from the dust with his white suit intact.

Ch. 492Kaido's defeat

Leo defeated Kaido in a clash of Haki and carried his unconscious body toward the Gran Tesoro. A News Coo photographed the battle and flew off to spread the images across the sea.

  • Kaido laughed at Leo's strength and reaffirmed his belief that Haki alone reigned supreme.
  • Leo blocked Kaido's Ragnaraku and wounded him with a kick, then met his Great Death: Thunder Bagua with a triple-layered Haki attack.
  • Leo shattered Kaido's arms and legs, knocked him out, and decided not to spare his life.
  • Leo grabbed Kaido and flew toward the Gran Tesoro.
  • A News Coo photographed Kaido's defeat and flew away with the images.

Ch. 493Fish-Fish Fruit, Azure Dragon Model Obtained

Chapter Summary: Fish-Fish Fruit, Azure Dragon Model Obtained

Key Plot Points and Events

  • News spreads worldwide that Leo, president of the Hunter Association, has defeated and captured Emperor Kaido. Photographs show Leo unharmed and Kaido badly beaten, with his dragon scales shattered.
  • The destruction of Marineford leaves only half the island intact. Sengoku, serving as acting Fleet Admiral after resigning, faces the crisis of rebuilding Marine Headquarters and managing the changing balance of power.
  • The Navy debates relocating Headquarters to the G-1 Branch in the New World. Akainu supports the move as a way to intimidate pirates, while others fear provoking Whitebeard.
  • The succession of Fleet Admiral is also disputed. Sengoku favors Aokiji, while the World Government supports Akainu. Aokiji and Akainu agree to settle the matter through a duel in two weeks.
  • Kaido’s crew reacts with shock and uncertainty. Some want to rescue Kaido, while others begin considering the consequences of his possible death. King decides to seek assistance from Big Mom, recognizing that attacking Leo alone would be suicidal.
  • Big Mom is delighted by Kaido’s defeat but assumes he is unlikely to die because of his legendary resilience. After seeing Leo’s photograph, she decides she wants to marry him and sends Daifuku, Katakuri, and Cracker to invite him to her tea party.
  • Katakuri worries that Big Mom’s plan will provoke Leo, but he knows he cannot dissuade her.
  • Shanks views Leo as a dangerous force who has further destabilized the Four Emperors’ balance. He decides to visit Gran Tesoro and assess Leo personally.
  • Dragon also chooses to contact Leo, hoping to establish cooperation between the Revolutionary Army and the Hunter Association. He sees Leo’s influence and the Gold Emperor’s wealth as possible solutions to the Revolutionary Army’s military and financial difficulties.
  • At Hunter Association headquarters on Gran Tesoro, Leo receives Kaido’s Devil Fruit: the Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Azure Dragon Model. He gives it to Shizuku, who stores it inside Blinky.

Character Developments

  • Leo: His defeat of Kaido establishes him as one of the most influential and dangerous figures in the world. He remains calm and detached, treating Kaido’s death pragmatically while securing the valuable Azure Dragon Devil Fruit.
  • Sengoku: Burdened by Marineford’s destruction, he steps down as Fleet Admiral but continues acting in the role. He becomes increasingly concerned about Leo’s impact on the world’s power structure.
  • King: Demonstrates practical leadership by preventing Kaido’s crew from rushing into a suicidal rescue attempt. He seeks an alliance with Big Mom.
  • Big Mom: Becomes fixated on Leo as a potential husband, viewing their hypothetical children as future powerhouses. Her personal ambitions override strategic caution.
  • Katakuri: Shows foresight and concern by recognizing the danger Leo poses, though he remains unable to oppose Big Mom.
  • Shanks: Takes Leo seriously as a threat to global stability and decides to investigate him directly.
  • Dragon: Moves toward diplomacy, seeing Leo as a possible ally in the Revolutionary Army’s struggle against the World Government.
  • Aokiji and Akainu: Their rivalry intensifies as they prepare to duel for the position of Fleet Admiral.

Significant Themes

  • Disruption of the balance of power: Leo’s victory over Kaido destabilizes the Four Emperors, the Navy, and the wider political order.
  • The consequences of overwhelming strength: Major factions now must either ally with Leo, study him, or prepare to confront him.
  • Political opportunism and alliances: Kaido’s crew seeks Big Mom’s support, Shanks investigates independently, and Dragon considers cooperation for mutual benefit.
  • Ambition versus caution: Big Mom pursues Leo for personal and dynastic reasons, while Katakuri, Shanks, and Dragon recognize the dangers of acting recklessly.
  • Power inheritance: Kaido’s defeat allows Leo to claim the mythical Azure Dragon fruit, symbolizing the transfer of Kaido’s power and legacy.

Important Character Interactions

  • Sengoku and the Navy leadership: Their disagreements over Marine Headquarters and the next Fleet Admiral reveal deep institutional conflict.
  • King and Kaido’s forces: King silences the crew’s arguments and takes responsibility by seeking Big Mom’s help.
  • Big Mom and her children: Big Mom orders Daifuku, Katakuri, and Cracker to deliver her invitation; Katakuri privately recognizes the danger of her plan.
  • Shanks and his crew: Shanks decides to personally visit Gran Tesoro to evaluate Leo.
  • Dragon and the Revolutionary Army: Dragon resolves to approach Leo for possible financial and strategic cooperation.
  • Leo and Shizuku: Leo entrusts the Azure Dragon fruit to Shizuku, who safely stores it in Blinky.

Ch. 494Douglas Bullet

Douglas Bullet arrived at Gran Tesoro and challenged Leo to prove he was the strongest man in the world. Leo agreed to fight him on a deserted island, where he struck Bullet hard enough to send him crashing into a mountain.

  • Douglas Bullet surfaced near Gran Tesoro and declared that he would challenge Leo to prove his strength.
  • Leo caught Bullet’s surprise punch, recognized him, and offered him a place in the Hunter Association if he lost.
  • Leo led Bullet away from Gran Tesoro to a deserted island, and Bullet transformed his submarine into a giant robot to follow.
  • Bullet unleashed his Conqueror’s Haki, and Leo met it with his own, causing their wills to split the sky and knock out the island’s creatures.
  • Leo rushed Bullet while he was releasing his Haki and punched through the robot’s armor, sending Bullet crashing through trees into a mountain.

Ch. 495Bullet awakened his Devil Fruit, only to be taken down in one hit

Leo fought Bullet after Bullet awakened his Devil Fruit and fused the island into a giant beast. Leo destroyed the island with his attacks, found Bullet alive beneath the rubble, healed him with Life Water, and carried him toward the Gran Tesoro.

  • Bullet emerged from the rubble, recognized Leo's strength, and resolved to defeat him and become the strongest.
  • Bullet awakened his Devil Fruit, absorbed the island's materials, and formed a 150-meter-tall armored beast.
  • Bullet's giant beast attacked Leo with its fists, but Leo stopped and shattered one punch before Bullet rebuilt it and unleashed the Ultimate Giant Cannon.
  • Leo evaded Bullet's attacks, hurled the beast into the sky, and kicked it back down, breaking apart the island.
  • Leo struck the island with a massive Nen Aura sphere, destroying it, then found Bullet alive beneath the rubble and gave him Life Water.
  • Leo carried the recovering Bullet back toward the Gran Tesoro.

Ch. 496Bullet learned Nen, and the Hunter Association's celebration drew near

Bullet learned Nen under Leo’s guidance and joined the Hunter Association as its head of security. Two months later, the Association’s celebration was three days away, and representatives from across the world had gathered aboard the Gran Tesoro.

  • Ten days after Leo saved Bullet, Bullet awakened Nen, learned its principles from Leo, and discovered he was an Enhancement Type.
  • After Leo defeated him again, Bullet honored his promise and accepted the Hunter Association’s head of security position.
  • Bullet fought Hisoka and later sparred with Morel, Kastro, and others, trading lessons in Nen and Haki with them.
  • Over the next two months, the Hunter Association prepared for its opening celebration as visitors from the Marines, World Government, pirates, Revolutionary Army, and other kingdoms arrived aboard the Gran Tesoro.
  • Knuckle and Shoot guarded the Hunter Association entrance with uniformed staff as the celebration drew near.

Ch. 497All Factions Gather at Hunter Association Headquarters

Plot points and events

  • Three days after the preparations began, the Hunter Association’s opening day draws a huge crowd to its lavish headquarters in Gran Tesoro. Pirates, civilians, nobles, reporters, Marines, and government agents gather.
  • Marine Admiral Kizaru observes from a distance with other officers. Akainu, now Fleet Admiral, and Aokiji, who resigned after losing to him, are absent.
  • Supernova crews, the Revolutionary Army, and members of several major pirate factions arrive. Katakuri’s Big Mom Pirates and King, Queen, and Jack of Kaido’s crew appear, followed by Red-Haired Shanks and his officers. Their presence unsettles Katakuri and King, who realize their position may be weaker than expected.
  • Shanks’s crew chooses to wait and see how Leo handles the gathering. The Red Count also watches from afar.
  • Inside headquarters, Leo confirms that preparations are complete and orders the Association’s attractions—including rare Devil Fruits and valuable medicines—released at the ceremony. Members will be able to obtain them by earning points through missions.
  • Leo plans to offer points for targeting Marines and the World Government, and to reveal information about the Five Elders and Imu, hoping to provoke Imu into appearing. If Imu does not come, Leo intends to attack Mary Geoise himself.
  • Whitebeard’s representatives, Warlords, Crocodile, and many other powerful figures arrive. Despite the crowd’s many competing motives, no one makes the first move; the plaza holds in a tense, temporary stalemate as the ceremony approaches.

Character developments and interactions

  • Leo remains confident and composed amid the gathering, using the opening to advance an openly anti-World Government strategy and draw out his true target, Imu.
  • Shanks takes a cautious, observational role rather than intervening immediately. Beckman recognizes that conflict is likely, while Lucky Roux asks whether they should stop it.
  • Katakuri and King reassess their plans when Shanks arrives; without Big Mom or Kaido present, they doubt they can challenge his crew.
  • Dragon watches from concealment and hopes to contact Leo later.
  • The numerous factions keep their distance and silently assess one another, maintaining the uneasy peace.

Significant themes

  • Power and deterrence: The arrival of Emperors, Marines, and other major players turns the ceremony into a high-stakes standoff.
  • Strategic provocation: Leo uses valuable rewards and the promise of sensitive revelations to challenge the World Government and lure out Imu.
  • Competing motives beneath public spectacle: The celebratory opening masks political maneuvering, potential alliances, and the threat of violence.

Ch. 498The Hunter Association's opening ceremony begins-an unexpected arrival!

The Hunter Association’s opening ceremony began as Tesoro welcomed the crowd and Leo appeared before the gathered pirates and powerful figures. The celebration was interrupted when a huge burning black sphere fell from the sky, and a massive figure rushed out through the doors.

  • A pirate insulted the Hunter Association, and golden ropes strangled him to death.
  • Tesoro opened the ceremony at the Gran Tesoro and welcomed the Hunter Association’s Twelve Zodiacs.
  • Leo emerged after eleven members, drawing the attention of Katakuri, King, Shanks, and Dragon.
  • Leo looked toward the sky, and the Red Count sensed an approaching object.
  • A gigantic burning black sphere fell toward the plaza, and a massive figure flashed out through the doors.

Ch. 499Trouble upon trouble: Golden Lion Shiki and World Destroyer Byrnndi World

Bullet destroyed the enormous cannonball sent by Golden Lion Shiki and Byrnndi World, then confronted the two legendary pirates above the Hunter Association. Shiki and Byrnndi moved to recruit subordinates and challenge the World Government, and Bullet prepared to fight them as the crowd watched.

  • Bullet flew into the sky and shattered Byrnndi World's enlarged cannonball with a punch.
  • Shanks recognized Bullet as a former member of the Roger Pirates and told Benn Beckman about his past.
  • Golden Lion Shiki and Byrnndi World appeared and told Bullet they had come to make the World Government pay.
  • Shiki asked Bullet whose side he was on, and Bullet challenged Shiki and Byrnndi to attack him together.
  • Bullet unleashed his Conqueror's Haki, knocking out weaker spectators as Leo watched the fighters prepare to clash.

Ch. 500Falling Islands Bombardment, Little Azure Takes Action

Shiki threatened the Hunter Association’s opening ceremony by dropping islands toward the plaza, forcing Bullet to intervene. Leo sent Little Azure into the sky, where it smashed one falling island as five others remained aloft.

  • Shiki summoned a massive island and sent it falling toward the plaza, shocking the crowd and the Supernovas.
  • Bullet fused with the island beneath him and attacked Shiki, but Shiki revealed five more islands descending from the sky.
  • As people fled the plaza, Leo sent the awakened Little Azure to deal with the falling islands.
  • Little Azure grew to more than twenty thousand meters tall, flew into the sky, and shattered one island with its tail.
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