Ch. 181Prelude: Hurry Up and Fight

Plot points and events

  • Marines fire at the invisible attacker, forcing him to stop attacking Wuli and dodge.
  • Wuli cannot sense or see his opponent, but identifies him as Absalom and correctly explains the Clear-Clear Fruit’s powers and limitations. He also notes Absalom’s smell gives away his position.
  • Absalom reveals himself, confirming Wuli’s guess. Wuli infers that Gecko Moria must be nearby.
  • Absalom threatens to kill the Marines and turn them into zombies. Though injured and barely standing, Wuli remains composed and dismisses his confidence.
  • The excerpt ends with Wuli turning toward the One-Legged Bird and the girl, who has continued eating throughout the fight.

Character developments

  • Wuli demonstrates sharp observation and knowledge of Absalom’s abilities, while maintaining his composure despite serious injuries.
  • Absalom is unsettled by Wuli’s accurate deductions. His confidence returns after revealing himself, and he threatens the Marines.
  • The Marines show discipline: they protect Wuli, hold their fire when the attacker disappears, and follow his warning.

Significant themes

  • Knowledge as an advantage: Wuli’s understanding of Absalom’s power counters his invisibility.
  • Composure under pressure: Wuli remains calm even while badly hurt.
  • Appearance versus reality: Absalom can hide visually, but sound and smell still expose him.

Character interactions

  • The Marines shield Wuli with gunfire, then take direction from him as he identifies Absalom’s weaknesses.
  • Wuli confronts Absalom with his identity and links his presence to Moria.
  • Absalom responds with threats, while Wuli refuses to be intimidated and shifts his attention to the bird and the girl.

Ch. 182Shangyang and Absalom

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Ch. 183Shangyang's Might, Absalom's Escape

Key events

  • Wuli orders Shangyang to deal with Absalom, but the bird refuses until Wuli threatens to withhold its food and send it back to the “little black room.”
  • Absalom attacks the Marines, using the Clear-Clear Fruit to turn invisible and his great strength to scatter Wuli’s protective force. His “Hand of the Dead” blasts a crater into the ground, leaving Wuli exposed.
  • As Absalom moves in to kill Wuli, Shangyang’s sudden arrival and the oppressive presence it gives off force him to retreat. Wind and rain rise around them.
  • Shangyang can track Absalom’s movements because raindrops outline his invisible body. It prepares a swift strike, but Absalom senses the danger at the last moment and escapes into the storm.

Character developments and interactions

  • Wuli is battered but remains in command, using threats—and food—to make the reluctant Shangyang act. Their relationship is familiar and comedic, with Shangyang treating Wuli more like a companion than a superior.
  • Shangyang is proud, theatrical, and unwilling to fight until compelled. Despite its grumbling, it obeys and proves perceptive and formidable, though its delayed strike lets Absalom get away.
  • Absalom is brutal and confident in his invisibility, but Shangyang’s presence unsettles him. His instincts eventually overcome his confidence, prompting him to abandon the attack and flee.
  • The Marines try to protect Wuli but are overwhelmed by Absalom’s invisible assault and explosive attacks.

Significant themes

  • Power and intimidation: Absalom dominates the Marines, but Shangyang’s more primal aura reverses the balance.
  • Limits of apparent advantage: Invisibility gives Absalom an edge, yet the rain makes him visible and vulnerable.
  • Loyalty and reluctant duty: Shangyang resists Wuli’s orders but ultimately follows them, while Wuli relies on both authority and their personal bond.

Ch. 184The Sword Soul Pill

Plot points and events

  • Absalom, the invisible lion-man, flees after Shangyang confronts him. The Marines are stunned that Wuli’s pet bird has frightened off an enemy who had seemed to overpower Wuli.
  • The Marines flatter Shangyang, while privately recalling his usual cowardly, troublesome behavior. Their view of him—and their sense of their own abilities—changes dramatically.
  • The frail man seeking help takes Shangyang’s strength as a sign that his country may be saved. He again begs Wuli for help; Wuli, coughing blood, promises that the Marines will do what they can.
  • Wuli examines the Sword Soul Pill, a system reward that can suppress the chaotic energy within him and restore his strength temporarily. He has not used it yet, hoping to save its limited window for a confrontation with Gecko Moria.
  • Wuli decides there is no longer any point in taking a hidden route. Since Absalom may warn Moria, he orders the group to head directly to the Capital. He also assigns Marines to sail toward the harbor and destroy Moria’s ships, if possible, before the coming fight.

Character developments and interactions

  • Shangyang gains the Marines’ respect after driving Absalom away, though their admiration contrasts with their memories of his usual antics.
  • Wuli remains determined to protect the country despite his injuries. He carefully weighs the Sword Soul Pill’s costs before choosing whether to use it.
  • The frail man moves from despair toward hope, placing greater faith in Wuli and his crew.
  • The Marines shift from doubting their own strength to rallying around Shangyang and following Wuli’s plan.

Significant themes

  • Hope in a desperate moment: Shangyang’s intervention gives the frail man a reason to believe his country can be saved.
  • Hidden strength and changed perceptions: Shangyang’s unexpected power overturns everyone’s assumptions about him.
  • Power and sacrifice: The Sword Soul Pill could restore Wuli’s strength, but using it would permanently close off the possibility of obtaining another Sword Dao Seed and commit him to a different path.

Ch. 185Gecko Moria's Choice

Key plot points and events

  • Absalom returns to Gecko Moria after fleeing a Marine squad led by Commodore Wuli. He says he couldn’t defeat them because of an unusually powerful bird among the Marines.
  • Moria reprimands Absalom for his failure, forcing him to his knees with his intimidating presence. Absalom accepts the blame and vows to face the bird next time.
  • Moria vents his anger at the many enemies he blames for his downfall, striking the wall so hard that a large section crumbles.
  • Though he dismisses the Marines as weak, Moria decides to leave them alone to avoid drawing the Marines’ attention. He believes his presence remains secret thanks to Absalom’s Clear-Clear Fruit.
  • Absalom knows that Wuli has recognized him and may have deduced Moria’s location, but hides this from Moria and follows him.

Character developments and interactions

  • Gecko Moria is arrogant and threatening, but his outburst reveals deep bitterness over his losses and resentment at having to serve someone else. He also shows caution, prioritizing secrecy over attacking the Marines.
  • Absalom is frightened by the strange bird and ashamed of disappointing Moria. His loyalty remains strong, but fear and guilt lead him to conceal a crucial danger from his master.
  • Moria and Absalom interact through a harsh reprimand and a display of submission: Moria asserts authority, while Absalom responds with devotion and a promise to redeem himself.
  • Moria and the Marines never meet directly, but Moria’s decision to spare them contrasts with his contempt for them.

Significant themes

  • Power and intimidation: Moria’s aura and destructive strength dominate those around him.
  • Loyalty and shame: Absalom’s devotion is expressed through self-blame and a desire to prove himself.
  • Pride versus vulnerability: Moria calls the Marines insects, yet his rage and concern about exposure reveal insecurity and caution.
  • Secrecy and miscommunication: Absalom’s silence leaves Moria unaware that the Marines may already know he is nearby.

Ch. 186The Marines and Gecko Moria

Plot points and events

  • Commodore Wuli and his Marines catch up with Gecko Moria before he can leave the country. They reached him quickly because Wuli had anticipated Moria’s zombie soldiers and equipped everyone with salt, their weakness.
  • Despite the Marines’ success, they are too late to prevent Moria from cutting off and absorbing the shadows of most of the country’s people, strengthening himself.
  • Moria confronts the Marines and questions whether they intend to fight him. Absalom angrily threatens them, but Wuli focuses on assessing Moria instead.
  • Wuli recognizes Moria’s appearance from memory, but is struck by how immense and powerful he feels. Shangyang warns Wuli through their mental link that Moria is stronger than any foe they have faced before.

Character developments and interactions

  • Wuli remains composed in front of his troops, while privately acknowledging the danger Moria poses. His preparation—arming the Marines with salt—shows practical foresight.
  • The Marines are initially terrified, but their fear turns into resolve as they look to Wuli for leadership and declare themselves ready to follow him.
  • Gecko Moria is amused by the Marines’ arrival but also cold and hostile. He is puzzled that his zombie soldiers failed to delay them.
  • Absalom acts as Moria’s aggressive defender, roaring at the Marines; Wuli disregards him.
  • Shangyang supports Wuli with a direct warning about Moria’s strength.

Significant themes

  • Courage under pressure: The Marines’ fear gives way to determination through their trust in Wuli.
  • Preparation and knowledge: Wuli’s understanding of zombie soldiers’ weakness lets his force overcome an expected obstacle.
  • The cost of delay: The Marines arrive in time to confront Moria, but not to stop him from harming the people first.
  • Power and intimidation: Moria’s sheer size and presence unsettle even experienced fighters, establishing him as an exceptionally dangerous opponent.

Ch. 187Gecko Moria, the Mercenary

Summary

Key plot points and events

  • Wuli considers using his Sword Soul Pill, but the deadline is that day. If he lets it expire, he will receive a new Sword Dao Seed instead. He doubts Shangyang can defeat Gecko Moria.
  • Moria mocks Wuli for confronting him and questions whether he is acting on orders from the Marines’ leadership or their doctrine of “Absolute Justice.”
  • Wuli answers that he drew his sword simply because he saw an injustice, earning the Marines’ surprise.
  • Moria notices Shangyang’s strength and decides he wants to capture the unusual one-legged bird as a pet.
  • Wuli points out that Moria, a former Shichibukai, has become a mercenary. The remark hits a sore spot: Moria is working for Red Nose to recover his strength, exploit wartime chaos, collect shadows, and rebuild his Zombie Army.
  • Moria orders Absalom to kill Wuli. Absalom turns invisible and charges, but Shangyang’s presence seems to exert an unseen pressure that stops him from reaching the group.
  • As Moria grows impatient, he unleashes a dark aura. A vast swarm of bats fills the sky, signaling an escalation.

Character developments and interactions

  • Wuli remains calm despite the danger and defines his action through personal opposition to injustice, rather than institutional duty. He also recognizes Moria’s strength and weighs the risk to Shangyang.
  • Gecko Moria is revealed as a disgraced former Shichibukai, driven by the need to regain power. His humiliation and resentment surface when Wuli calls attention to his mercenary work. He becomes fixated on capturing Shangyang.
  • Shangyang demonstrates a mysterious ability or aura powerful enough to impede the invisible Absalom.
  • Absalom obeys Moria’s order but is unable to attack, struggling against Shangyang’s unexplained pressure.
  • The Marines look to Wuli for his motive and are impressed by his straightforward answer.

Significant themes

  • Personal justice versus institutional justice: Wuli acts because he witnesses wrongdoing, not because of Marine doctrine or orders.
  • Power, status, and survival: Moria’s mercenary role reflects his effort to regain strength after losing his Shichibukai protection.
  • The cost of ambition: Moria’s desire to rebuild his forces leads him to exploit wars and target Shangyang.
  • Hidden strength and uncertainty: Shangyang’s influence over Absalom foreshadows abilities not yet understood.

Ch. 188Shadow Box

Plot points and events

  • A massive swarm of bats attacks the Marines, injuring several and threatening to overwhelm them. The Marines shoot many down, but the bloodshed makes the ordinary bats more frenzied.
  • Shangyang enters the fight, cutting through the swarm with his speed and bloodline power. His intervention briefly helps, but Gecko Moria responds by unleashing bats formed from his own shadow—stronger and unafraid of Shangyang.
  • Shangyang worries that Wuli is weakened, possibly from a lingering injury after fighting Admiral Kizaru. Unable to help Wuli while occupied with the shadow bats, he urges him not to overexert himself.
  • Moria splits his shadow into bats, sending most after Shangyang and the rest after Wuli, a Marine Commodore. Wuli’s sword strikes cannot permanently destroy the fluid, regenerating shadows.
  • Moria’s shadow bats enclose Wuli in a cube—the Shadow Box. Moria assumes Wuli will die inside it, then turns his thoughts to revenge against Luffy’s crew and his ambition to obtain Whitebeard’s corpse.

Character developments and interactions

  • Shangyang demonstrates formidable power and concern for Wuli, but recognizes that he cannot protect everyone at once.
  • Wuli remains composed and determined despite his apparent weakness. He understands how Moria’s Shadow-Shadow Fruit works, but his attacks prove ineffective against the regenerating shadow bats.
  • Gecko Moria shifts from battling the Marines to boasting about future revenge and power. He underestimates Wuli, interpreting the Commodore’s fading presence as proof that he is doomed.
  • Shangyang and Wuli communicate directly: Shangyang warns him to retreat if necessary, while Wuli insists he knows what he is doing.

Significant themes

  • Overwhelming odds and sacrifice: The Marines are outnumbered, while Shangyang’s efforts are divided between saving himself and supporting Wuli.
  • Power versus resilience: Wuli’s forceful swordsmanship cannot overcome a shadow that reforms after being cut.
  • Underestimation and suspense: Moria believes Wuli is finished, but the chapter leaves Wuli’s fate—and the meaning of his vanishing presence—unresolved.
  • Ambition and revenge: Moria’s plans to attack Luffy’s crew and claim Whitebeard’s corpse reveal his fixation on reclaiming power.

Ch. 189Wuli's Sword

Key plot points and events

  • Shangyang repeatedly attacks Gecko Moria’s Shadow Box, but the Shadow Bats keep reforming, and Wuli’s presence dwindles until he seems close to death.
  • A powerful Sword Intent suddenly surges from inside the box. Wuli cuts through it with a single slash and emerges, radiating an overwhelming aura.
  • Moria recognizes a faint resemblance to Dracule Mihawk’s swordsmanship. Though Wuli is not yet in Mihawk’s league, Moria sees his potential—and covets his shadow.
  • As Wuli and Moria face off, Absalom secretly charges at Wuli with a concealed rocket launcher. Moria warns him too late.
  • Wuli’s sword flashes before Absalom can fire. The launcher is cut apart, and Absalom is wounded across his face and abdomen, revealing his previously invisible body.

Character developments and interactions

  • Wuli returns from apparent defeat transformed in presence and power, displaying extraordinary swordsmanship and composure.
  • Moria shifts from confidence to wariness, then recognizes Wuli as a valuable potential prize.
  • Absalom, driven by loyalty and anger, attacks impulsively despite Moria’s warning and is swiftly punished.
  • Shangyang and the Marines are amazed by Wuli’s aura and retreat from the pressure of the confrontation.

Significant themes

  • Emergence through adversity: Wuli’s apparent entrapment precedes a dramatic display of strength.
  • Potential and ambition: Moria sees Wuli not only as an opponent but as a future asset to possess.
  • The danger of recklessness: Absalom’s loyalty turns into an ill-timed attack.
  • Swordsmanship and overwhelming presence: Wuli’s Sword Intent changes the balance of power before the fight has even begun.

Ch. 190Using the Sword Soul Pill, Absalom's Stubbornness

Plot points and events

  • Absalom attacks Wuli while invisible, but Wuli draws his sword so quickly that Absalom cannot detect the strike. The slash wounds Absalom’s face, exposes him, and leaves him badly hurt.
  • Absalom and the Marines are stunned by Wuli’s sudden power. Shangyang recognizes that Wuli’s strength has surged, though it does not know why.
  • Wuli realizes that the Sword Soul Pill saved him when Gecko Moria trapped him in the Shadow Box and Absalom launched his surprise attack.
  • The Pill also resolves a long-running problem: Wuli’s Second Sword Dao Seed cracked when he used its Sword Aura with an incompatible sword technique. Unlike a Dao Seed, the Sword Soul Pill can contain and connect different kinds of Sword Aura, letting Wuli use any of his techniques without switching between energies.
  • The choice comes with a cost: Wuli can never add another Sword Dao Seed. As Absalom demands an explanation and tries to approach despite his injury, the confrontation remains unresolved.

Character developments and interactions

  • Wuli demonstrates a dramatic increase in power and gains a versatile new way to use his sword techniques. He understands that the Sword Soul Pill may limit his future options, but it has given him a solution to his energy conflicts.
  • Absalom shifts from confidence in his invisibility to disbelief and fury after Wuli strikes him before he can react.
  • The Marines revise their impression of Wuli, struggling to reconcile this formidable swordsman with the officer they have fought beside.
  • Shangyang, Wuli’s pet, trusts his strength and recognizes his sudden growth, while also relying on him for survival.

Significant themes

  • Power gained at a cost: Wuli’s new ability solves a serious weakness but rules out future Dao Seeds.
  • Adaptation under pressure: A life-threatening attack forces Wuli to use the Sword Soul Pill and discover its value.
  • The nature of mastery: Wuli’s growing understanding of how different energies and techniques interact allows him to overcome a limitation that brute strength alone could not solve.

Ch. 191Gecko Moria's Terrifying Spear

Key plot points and events

  • Absalom, badly wounded, makes one last attempt to attack Wuli, but his injuries reopen and he collapses, bleeding to death.
  • Gecko Moria arrives and recognizes Wuli’s strength. Though wary of him, Moria is excited by the prospect of making him a powerful servant.
  • Moria forms his shadow into a sinister spear and launches Shadow Horn Spear at Wuli. Its speed and force tear up the ground, and Moria boasts that it can pierce even giants.
  • Wuli senses the danger and prepares to defend himself with his sword and Deathflame Qi. Meanwhile, Shangyang flies away, drawing the Shadow Bats after him.
  • The weather shifts strangely as Shangyang and the bats disappear into the clouds. The chapter ends as Wuli’s sword intent flares to meet Moria’s attack; the outcome is not yet shown.

Character developments and interactions

  • Wuli remains composed under pressure, but Moria’s attack makes him recognize the seriousness of the threat. He coordinates with Shangyang telepathically.
  • Gecko Moria is both cautious and arrogant: Wuli’s demonstrated strength gives him pause, yet he immediately views Wuli as a potential asset and confidently trusts his spear’s power.
  • Absalom makes a desperate final charge but is too gravely injured to continue.
  • Shangyang responds to Wuli’s signal by drawing the Shadow Bats away, though the unusual change in the sky suggests this move may have broader consequences.
  • The Marines and Shangyang witness the confrontation; the spear’s threat leaves the Marines frozen with fear.

Significant themes

  • Power and predation: Moria sees strong opponents not only as threats but as potential servants.
  • Courage amid overwhelming danger: Wuli faces an attack powerful enough to destroy the ground beneath it.
  • Tactical coordination: Wuli and Shangyang divide the enemy’s attention, setting up a potential opening.
  • Uncertainty and suspense: The strange weather and the unresolved clash leave the next move unclear.

Ch. 192Gecko Moria vs. Wuli

Key plot points and events

  • Gecko Moria launches his devastating Shadow Horn Spear at Commodore Wuli.
  • Wuli uses the Seventh Form of Shigure Soen Ryu, Flourishing Rain Blow, to create a vast curtain of rain. The spear cracks through it, threatening to reach him.
  • Wuli draws on the combined power of the Sword Soul Pill and his First Sword Essence, strengthening his aura and technique. He upgrades the rain curtain into a waterfall-like torrent that finally halts the spear.
  • The Marines celebrate Wuli’s success, but Moria responds by summoning seven Shadow Horn Spears, plunging the battlefield back into fear.

Character developments

  • Wuli reveals that his strength has increased and that he can push his sword technique beyond its previous limits. He remains determined even when Moria’s attack nearly breaks his defense.
  • Moria is angered and unsettled by Wuli, whose aura reminds him of Hawkeye. Rather than retreat, he escalates the fight.
  • Shangyang watches anxiously from above, ready to intervene if Wuli is in danger.

Significant themes

  • Growth under pressure: Wuli adapts and becomes stronger as the danger intensifies.
  • Hope and despair: His successful defense briefly revives the Marines’ morale, only for Moria’s next attack to threaten it again.
  • Courage against overwhelming force: Wuli stands between the Marines and an enemy whose weapon can devastate the battlefield.

Character interactions

  • Moria taunts Wuli and challenges him to withstand repeated attacks; Wuli answers with renewed resolve.
  • The Marines watch Wuli’s defense with fear, then relief and admiration, before Moria’s seven spears silence their cheers.
  • Shangyang supports Wuli from the sky, prepared to rescue him if necessary.

Ch. 193Moria's Fear of the Deathflame Sword Soul

Plot points and events

  • Gecko Moria, exhilarated but weakened after creating seven Shadow Horn Spears, hurls them at Commodore Wuli.
  • Wuli counters with Shigure Soen Ryu’s Fire of the Dying Rain, stopping the spears in midair and surprising both the Marines and Moria.
  • Wuli combines the Sword Soul Pill with Deathflame Qi, awakening the Deathflame Sword Soul.
  • Using Shigure Soen Ryu’s special eleventh style, Swallow’s Beak, Wuli rapidly cuts apart all seven spears. His attack also clears the storm clouds, letting sunlight break through.
  • Moria is badly hurt by the destruction of his attack and reacts with fear alongside his madness.
  • Wuli follows up with Axle Rain, launching another attack against Moria.

Character developments

  • Wuli reveals a far greater level of power than he has shown before, confirming his standing as a Sword Master.
  • Moria’s confidence collapses as his strongest technique fails and he recognizes the danger Wuli poses.
  • Shangyang is astonished by Wuli’s strength and newly understands why he deserves the Sword Master title.

Significant themes

  • Power and transformation: Wuli’s fusion of Sword Soul and Deathflame Qi marks a dramatic escalation in his abilities.
  • Fear versus confidence: Moria begins the scene triumphant but becomes frightened when his supposedly unstoppable attack is defeated.
  • Light overcoming darkness: Wuli’s sword strikes disperse both the Shadow Horn Spears and the storm-darkened sky, turning a bleak scene toward light.

Character interactions

  • Wuli and Moria clash in a direct contest of attacks: Moria’s seven spears are halted and shattered, while Wuli presses forward with another technique.
  • The Marines watch anxiously, then marvel at Wuli’s defense and counterattack.
  • Shangyang observes Wuli’s display and gains renewed respect for him.

Ch. 194Escape

Plot points and events

  • Wuli’s water-enhanced sword strike breaks through Gecko Moria’s black vortex and wounds his palm. Moria’s shriek briefly disrupts the Marines and forces Wuli to pause.
  • Wuli presses his attack, but Moria summons Doppelman, an invulnerable shadow double that blocks every slash.
  • Using the distraction, Moria activates Shadow Warrior and vanishes. He threatens to take revenge on Wuli as his voice echoes after him.
  • Wuli recognizes that Moria’s escape reflects an Awakening of his shadow powers: Shadow Warrior can now carry him away without its former limitations.
  • Wuli orders a pursuit, but, realizing the Marines do not know which way Moria went, directs them to remain and help the country. He and Shangyang will chase Moria’s ship themselves.
  • Shangyang grows enormous, carries Wuli into the sky, and mischievously showers the watching Marines with dust before flying off.

Character developments and interactions

  • Wuli remains aggressive and composed under pressure, but recognizes Moria’s escape technique and adapts by dividing the mission: the Marines protect the country while he pursues the fugitive.
  • Gecko Moria, though injured and forced to retreat, reveals powerful shadow abilities and vows revenge. His successful escape suggests his powers have recently become much more versatile.
  • Shangyang demonstrates that he can grow huge and fly, surprising the Marines. His playful dusting of them adds a mischievous edge to his loyalty to Wuli.
  • The Marines are shaken by Moria’s sudden disappearance, then obey Wuli’s orders and watch him and Shangyang depart.

Significant themes

  • Power and adaptation: Moria’s awakened abilities let him overcome the limits of his earlier techniques.
  • Pursuit and unfinished conflict: Moria escapes, turning the confrontation into a personal vendetta and setting up a chase.
  • Duty and teamwork: Wuli assigns the Marines to protect the country while he and Shangyang pursue Moria.

Ch. 195The Chase

Plot points and events

  • Gecko Moria, nursing an injured palm after his earlier defeat, vows to grow stronger before taking revenge on his enemies—especially Commodore Wuli.
  • A Marine warship appears near Moria’s ship. Though his crew expects him to attack, Moria orders them to flee, apparently wary of Wuli.
  • The Marines aboard the warship are frightened when they recognize Moria, but Jewelry Bonney points out that his ship seems to be deliberately keeping its distance.
  • Bonney suspects Moria is avoiding the Marines because of what happened, not because he lost his Shichibukai title.
  • Wuli arrives by air on the giant one-legged bird Shangyang. The Marines warn him that Moria is aboard the nearby ship, but Wuli continues toward it.
  • Seeing Wuli approach, Moria accuses him of pursuing too far, setting up another confrontation.

Character developments and interactions

  • Moria is wounded and resentful, but his decision to retreat shows caution—and suggests Wuli has shaken his confidence. He directs his anger toward Wuli while suppressing his urge to attack the Marines.
  • Bonney is observant and perceptive. Despite being occupied with food, she notices the ships’ behavior and recognizes that Moria’s retreat is unusual.
  • Wuli appears undeterred by danger and ignores the Marines’ warning, reinforcing his confidence and reputation.
  • Moria intimidates a mercenary who questions his decision, while the Marines’ alarm contrasts with Bonney’s composure and Wuli’s apparent fearlessness.

Significant themes

  • Reputation versus reality: The Marines fear Moria because of his former status, while his retreat reveals how much his defeat has affected him.
  • Power and confidence: Moria seeks strength before pursuing revenge, whereas Wuli advances despite warnings.
  • Fear and perception: Bonney interprets Moria’s actions more accurately than the nervous Marines, showing how observation can challenge assumptions.

Ch. 196Wuli and Shangyang's Awkward Entrance

Plot points and events

  • Wuli and Shangyang’s dramatic approach to Gecko Moria’s ship ends in an embarrassing plunge into the sea: Shangyang’s oversized form shrinks before they reach it. The Marines rescue them, but the mishap costs them their chance to attack.
  • Back aboard the warship, Wuli tries to preserve a dignified pose while his soaked uniform drips and the crew stare. Shangyang privately admits he misjudged how long he could stay enlarged—and teases Wuli for being heavy.
  • Moria, wounded and wary, suspects Wuli’s sudden increase in strength came from a temporary power-up. Though he wants Wuli’s shadow, he decides not to risk another fight.
  • Wuli knows his Sword Soul state is also temporary. With less than twenty minutes of the Sword Soul Pill’s effect remaining, he orders the Marines to pursue faster, but the ship is already moving at top speed.
  • A sudden series of violent waves rocks the Marine ship. The Marines initially suspect Moria, but spot a different ship in the distance.

Character developments and interactions

  • Wuli shifts between public composure and private embarrassment. Despite his frustration with Shangyang and the looming end of his power-up, he remains focused on stopping Moria.
  • Shangyang is embarrassed by the failed entrance and his limited control over his transformation. He and Wuli exchange teasing remarks through their mental link.
  • Gecko Moria shows caution and restraint. Rather than gamble on his theory about Wuli’s temporary strength, he prioritizes escaping.
  • The Marines’ attention makes Wuli’s humiliation worse, while the playful food fight between Shangyang and Bonney adds comic relief.

Significant themes

  • Pride versus reality: Wuli’s intended glorious entrance becomes a public mishap.
  • Power and its limits: Both Shangyang’s transformation and Wuli’s Sword Soul state are temporary, shaping the urgency of the pursuit.
  • Caution and survival: Moria chooses escape over risking a dangerous rematch.
  • Tension after comedy: The chapter moves from embarrassment and banter to the sudden threat posed by the approaching ship.

Ch. 197Shichibukai Weevil Makes a Grand Entrance

Plot points and events

  • Bonney recognizes an approaching attacker and stops eating, while the Marines aboard Wuli’s warship realize their ship is under attack.
  • The attack comes from a merchant ship carrying Edward Weevil, a newly appointed Shichibukai, and his elderly mother, Miss Bakkin.
  • Weevil wants to attack the Marines for fun. Bakkin initially warns him that an Admiral might be aboard, but relaxes when she believes the ship is led only by a Commodore.
  • Given permission to play, Weevil swings his naginata. The blow unleashes a devastating slash that sends a mountain-sized wave toward Wuli’s warship.
  • The Marines panic as Weevil is identified.

Character developments and interactions

  • Weevil is presented as immensely powerful, childlike, and eager for his mother’s approval. He treats a potentially deadly attack as entertainment.
  • Miss Bakkin is domineering but indulgent: she scolds Weevil, then immediately encourages him once she judges the risk acceptable. His happiness and obedience matter more to her than the Marines’ safety.
  • Bonney recognizes Weevil, signaling that his arrival is significant to her.
  • Wuli and the Marines are caught off guard and confront the danger of Weevil’s overwhelming strength.

Significant themes

  • Power and status: Weevil’s Shichibukai title emboldens him and influences Bakkin’s assessment of the threat.
  • Recklessness and consequences: A casual act of “fun” becomes a potentially catastrophic attack.
  • Family influence: Bakkin’s approval directs Weevil’s behavior, underscoring his dependence on her.

Ch. 198Wuli vs. Edward Weevil

Key events

  • Edward Weevil attacks a Marine warship, sending a gigantic wave toward it and leaving the Marines unable to steer clear.
  • Wuli unleashes Fighting Sword Soul, slicing the wave in two. The warship passes safely through the gap, stunning the Marines and the witnesses aboard Gecko Moria’s ship.
  • Moria recognizes Weevil as the newly appointed Shichibukai and watches the confrontation with amused interest.
  • Wuli identifies Weevil and recalls his violent record: he has defeated sixteen former Whitebeard-affiliated captains, caused extensive civilian damage, and attacked Marines.

Character developments and interactions

  • Wuli demonstrates immense power and composure. His rescue turns the Marines’ despair into confidence and pride, reinforcing their faith in him.
  • Weevil is introduced as a powerful, unpredictable threat. Though displeased that Wuli stopped his attack, he appears unconcerned and underestimates the significance of the encounter.
  • Gecko Moria observes from nearby, entertained by the clash and curious to see how it unfolds.
  • The Marines look to Wuli for protection; Wuli and Weevil then face one another across the water, setting up their confrontation.

Significant themes

  • Power and protection: Wuli’s strength is presented as a means of saving others, not merely winning fights.
  • Justice and confidence: The Marines’ fear gives way to renewed pride when Wuli protects them.
  • Reputation versus reality: Weevil’s title and fearsome record precede him, while Wuli’s response shows he can match the danger.
  • Collateral damage: Weevil’s history highlights the human cost of his pursuit of Whitebeard’s former allies.

Ch. 199Wuli's Five-Tenths Against Weevil's Five-Tenths

Key plot points and events

  • Miss Bakkin becomes uneasy as Edward Weevil’s fighting spirit rises, but gives in when he asks to keep playing.
  • Weevil launches a much stronger attack at Wuli, putting three-tenths of his strength behind the slash. Its shock wave churns the sea, but Wuli stands firm and counters with the Sword Intent of his Fighting Sword Soul.
  • The attacks collide in a tremendous explosion that shakes the air and sea.
  • Astonished that Wuli has endured the blow, Weevil escalates, gathering power for a five-tenths-strength strike. He declares himself “Whitebeard’s son” and “Whitebeard the Second.”
  • Wuli notes that his Sword Soul Pill will last only five more minutes. He meets Weevil’s attack with a powerful sword strike, and the chapter ends as their blades of force collide.

Character developments

  • Weevil grows increasingly excited and determined to defeat Wuli, raising his strength from three-tenths to five-tenths.
  • Miss Bakkin shows growing fear and caution, unlike Weevil, who is eager to continue fighting.
  • Wuli remains composed under pressure and commits to matching Weevil’s escalating attacks, despite the time limit on his power.

Significant themes

  • Escalation and endurance: Each fighter responds to the other’s strength by pushing harder.
  • Resolve versus recklessness: Wuli’s controlled determination contrasts with Weevil’s impulsive eagerness.
  • Power under pressure: Wuli’s limited remaining time adds urgency to the confrontation.

Character interactions

  • Miss Bakkin tries to stop Weevil, but ultimately permits him to continue.
  • Weevil directly challenges Wuli, first testing him with a three-tenths-strength slash, then escalating after Wuli withstands it.
  • Wuli answers each attack with his own sword strike, turning the confrontation into a direct contest of strength.

Ch. 200The Final Blow

Key plot points and events

  • Edward Weevil and Marine Commodore Wuli continue their duel, each trading immensely powerful sword strikes that send shockwaves across the sea and endanger nearby ships.
  • Gecko Moria watches from a distance, recognizing the fight’s political stakes: Wuli’s attack on a Shichibukai could strain the Marines’ agreement with the Shichibukai and risk broader conflict.
  • Miss Bakkin realizes the battle could cost Weevil his Shichibukai status. After his latest attack, she orders him to stop; he obeys and calls for a ceasefire.
  • Wuli refuses to stop. With only one minute left on the Sword Soul Pill empowering him, he launches his ultimate technique. Weevil answers with his full strength, and their final clash begins.

Character developments

  • Wuli grows increasingly urgent as his temporary power-up nears its end. Rather than accept the ceasefire, he commits to one last, decisive attack.
  • Weevil escalates from using half his strength to eighty percent, then prepares to fight at full strength. Despite his eagerness to battle, he is still obedient to Bakkin.
  • Bakkin shifts from alarm to direct intervention, prioritizing the pair’s status and safety over Weevil’s desire to keep fighting.
  • Moria remains opportunistic, viewing the duel as evidence that the balance between the Marines and Shichibukai is becoming unstable.

Significant themes

  • Power and consequences: The fighters’ strength threatens not only each other but everyone and everything nearby.
  • Loyalty and authority: Weevil’s willingness to stop when Bakkin commands him contrasts with Wuli’s determination to finish the fight.
  • Political instability: The duel could undermine the Marines’ arrangement with the Shichibukai and trigger wider conflict.
  • Urgency and commitment: Wuli’s expiring power-up forces him to stake everything on a final attack.

Character interactions

  • Bakkin repeatedly calls to Weevil, warns him about losing his Shichibukai status, and ultimately stops him by striking his leg with her cane.
  • Weevil responds to Bakkin’s commands, agrees to halt the battle, and announces the ceasefire to Wuli’s side.
  • Wuli disregards Weevil’s offer to stop and launches his ultimate technique, prompting Weevil to meet him with a full-strength slash.
  • Moria observes the fight and privately weighs its implications for the Marines and Shichibukai.
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