Ch. 101Shattering the Red Line, the Celestial Dragons' Doomsday
Chapter Summary: Shattering the Red Line, the Celestial Dragons’ Doomsday
Key Plot Points and Events
- Rektol leads Pluton’s flagship against a massive combined Marine fleet.
- Using a superheated sword enhanced by immense electricity and gravity, he unleashes a gigantic Thunder Sword Aura that slices through fifty frontline warships and vaporizes the surrounding sea.
- Sengoku transforms into his giant golden Buddha form and attempts to block the attack with shockwaves, while Garp attacks directly with an Armament Haki-coated fist. Both are effortlessly defeated: Sengoku is badly injured, and Garp suffers shattered fingers before being thrown into the sea.
- Pluton’s plasma cannons destroy the remaining Marine fleet, turning the battlefield into a boiling wasteland of wreckage and corpses.
- Rektol orders Smoothie to fire Pluton’s main cannon at the Red Line. The enormous plasma beam pierces through the continent’s foundation, creating a massive breach beneath Mary Geoise.
- The resulting collapse destroys Pangaea Castle and kills countless Celestial Dragons, who fall into the boiling waters below. The destruction also allows the seas of the Four Blues to surge through the Red Line.
- The Five Elders emerge from the ruins in awakened Mythical Zoan forms and attack Pluton’s forces.
- They are defeated almost immediately:
- Katakuri, in Azure Dragon form, breaks Saint Nusjuro’s spine.
- Big Mom cuts the giant bird-form Elder in half.
- Smoothie’s plasma cannon incinerates the sandworm- and boar-form Elders before they can regenerate.
- After the Five Elders are slaughtered, Imu appears above the ruins, revealing an overwhelming presence and calling the attackers “ants.”
Character Developments
- Rektol is presented as almost completely invincible. He remains calm and seated throughout the battle, defeating the Marines and ordering the destruction of the Red Line without hesitation.
- Sengoku and Garp, legendary figures of the old era, are shown to be powerless against Rektol’s overwhelming technology and combat strength. Their defeat marks the collapse of the old generation’s authority.
- Smoothie demonstrates her importance as both a weapons operator and combatant. At only fourteen, she controls Pluton’s devastating main cannon and personally kills two of the Five Elders.
- Katakuri and Big Mom reinforce Totto Land’s overwhelming military strength by defeating the Elders with ease.
- The Five Elders reveal their monstrous awakened forms but are unable to withstand the combined power of Rektol’s forces.
- Imu emerges as the final and potentially most dangerous power, suggesting that the true ruler of the world has finally entered the conflict.
Significant Themes
- Absolute power and technological supremacy: Rektol’s advanced weapons reduce legendary fighters, massive fleets, and ancient institutions to helpless targets.
- The collapse of the old world order: The destruction of the Marines, Mary Geoise, the Celestial Dragons, and the Five Elders symbolizes the violent downfall of the World Government.
- Revolution and destruction: The Red Line, a physical and political symbol of global division, is literally shattered, suggesting the beginning of a radically transformed world.
- The fragility of authority: The Celestial Dragons’ lofty status offers them no protection once their capital and governing institutions are attacked.
- Escalation of conflict: Even after the Marines, Celestial Dragons, and Five Elders are defeated, Imu’s appearance establishes that the ultimate confrontation has only begun.
Character Interactions
- Rektol directly confronts Sengoku and Garp, dismissing their combined attacks through sheer superiority.
- Rektol commands Smoothie, showing a clear chain of authority aboard Pluton.
- Katakuri and Big Mom act as Rektol’s powerful allies, protecting the flagship and eliminating the Five Elders.
- The Five Elders collectively attack Rektol’s forces after the fall of Mary Geoise, but their assault ends almost immediately.
- Imu addresses the victorious attackers from above the ruins, setting up a direct confrontation between the hidden ruler of the world and Rektol’s coalition.