Chapter Summaries

Key plot points and events

• Fleet Admiral Xia Le reveals his plan to expand Marine power into the New World, treating it as territory to be secured rather than simply a place to fight pirates. Sengoku suspects Xia Le ultimately wants to unite the region, build enough power to challenge the World Government, and eventually overthrow its rulers.
• Xia Le proposes a worldwide recruitment drive and announces that the Marines will move against the Shichibukai within a month, capturing the remaining member, Dracule Mihawk. He assigns Garp and Sengoku to take selected rookies to Dressrosa to establish a Marine base and gather intelligence on Wano.
• Xia Le also orders two Admirals to Fish-Man Island, insisting that control of this crucial route into the New World is strategically necessary despite the political sensitivities.
• A month later, a fleet is prepared to capture Mihawk, with Kizaru leading and Buggy and Rosinante assisting. Xia Le decides to join the operation himself.
• Before he can leave, mysterious golden words appear in Xia Le’s mind, asking whether he will give up his wealth, power, and achievements for another life. The prompt triggers memories of his previous life: he became a wealthy company president, developed ALS, and chose to begin again rather than remain incapacitated. He now realizes this is the second time he has been offered a new life and is unsure whether to accept it again.

Character developments

• Xia Le emerges as an ambitious, decisive Fleet Admiral willing to take bold military and political risks. His plans extend beyond defeating pirates toward building Marine power that could threaten the World Government.
• Sengoku recognizes the radical scale of Xia Le’s ambitions. Though wary of the risks, he accepts the plan and prepares to carry it out.
• Garp is surprised by Xia Le’s confidence and assignments but agrees to serve.
• Xia Le’s memories reveal a painful past: despite having attained immense success, he was ultimately debilitated by ALS and chose a fresh start. The new prompt forces him to reconsider what he wants from another life.

Significant themes

• Ambition and power: Xia Le seeks to transform the Marines into a force capable of reshaping the New World—and possibly challenging the World Government.
• Control versus cooperation: His language of cooperation conceals a long-term strategy of expanding Marine authority.
• Second chances and sacrifice: Xia Le must weigh the life he has built against the possibility of starting over.
• Political sensitivity: The plan for Fish-Man Island highlights the difficulty of pursuing strategic goals in a world shaped by prejudice, slavery, and fragile alliances.

Character interactions

• Xia Le lays out his vision to Sengoku, whose questions help expose its far-reaching implications; Sengoku ultimately agrees to support him.
• Xia Le assigns Garp and Sengoku a joint mission to establish a base in Dressrosa and investigate Wano.
• Sengoku cautions Xia Le about the dangers of intervening in Fish-Man Island, but Xia Le remains firm.
• Xia Le’s final exchange is with the mysterious prompt itself: it interrupts his military preparations and confronts him with the choice to abandon his current life once more.

Key plot points and events

• Xia Le rejects an unexplained “Yes” option and chooses to keep living, convinced he still has too much to do. He leaves Marineford as Fleet Admiral to join the mission to capture Dracule Mihawk.
• Kizaru reveals that an advance force has already surrounded Kuraigana Island. Xia Le warns that this will alert Mihawk and provoke him to fight his way out, criticizing Kizaru’s plan.
• At Kuraigana Island, Mihawk learns the Navy has ended the Seven Warlords system and is coming for him. He reluctantly agrees to escape with the shadowed figure beside him.
• The figure is revealed as Red-Haired Shanks, a Four Emperor and Mihawk’s old friend. Together, they face the Navy’s forces, including Pacifista Ships.
• The Navy’s Rear Admiral announces that Kuma and Moria have joined the Navy and that Mihawk is the last remaining Warlord. Mihawk realizes he ignored five Surrender Orders, mistaking them for something unimportant, and casually apologizes—further provoking the Navy officer.

Character developments

• Xia Le reaffirms his commitment to life and his many unfinished ambitions. Though Fleet Admiral, he remains eager to act personally and shows strategic caution about confronting Mihawk.
• Kizaru appears capable but careless in planning, having ordered an encirclement that risks driving Mihawk to escape.
• Mihawk is calm and prepared to fight, but his forgotten Surrender Orders add a dryly humorous note to his defiance.
• Shanks joins Mihawk in facing the Navy, treating the confrontation with confidence and amusement.

Significant themes

• Choosing life and purpose: Xia Le’s rejection of death reflects his attachment to his relationships, ambitions, and the unfinished business of the world.
• Power and responsibility: Xia Le’s new office separates him from ordinary battlefield roles, yet he still chooses to lead from the front.
• Changing political order: The Navy’s abolition of the Warlords system reshapes the balance of power and forces former allies or rivals into new positions.
• Courage, pride, and humor: Mihawk and Shanks remain composed before a large force, while Mihawk’s failure to read official orders undercuts the tension with comedy.

Character interactions

• Kizaru, Buggy, and Rosinante question why Xia Le is joining the mission; he explains that he wants to get out of the office.
• Xia Le rebukes Kizaru for alerting Mihawk with an advance force, though he recognizes the mistake cannot be undone.
• Mihawk and Shanks set aside their usual distance to cooperate against the Navy.
• Mihawk’s apology for ignoring the orders enrages the Rear Admiral, escalating the standoff.

Chapter Summary

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• A rear admiral leads a large Marine force against Shanks and Dracule Mihawk on Kuraigana Island, boasting that Admiral Kizaru, Commodores Buggy and Rosinante, and Fleet Admiral Xia Le are on their way.
• Mihawk is surprised to learn that Xia Le has become Fleet Admiral. Shanks and Mihawk recognize that facing Xia Le directly would be dangerous, so they choose to escape rather than prolong the battle.
• The two swordsmen easily defeat the rear admiral and scatter the Marines with powerful sword slashes. They then destroy ten Pacifista ships and flee aboard Mihawk’s Coffin Boat.
• Xia Le and Kizaru arrive too late, finding only an empty castle, monkeys, and five unopened envelopes. The Navy’s attempt to capture Mihawk fails, while Shanks’ visit confirms that he and Mihawk are now likely allies.
• The Navy’s operation nevertheless has major political consequences: Xia Le’s administration officially abolishes the Shichibukai system, ending more than a decade of cooperation between the World Government and the Seven Warlords.
• News of Xia Le’s aggressive reforms spreads worldwide, strengthening his reputation as a powerful and decisive Fleet Admiral.
• Xia Le then redirects his forces toward Fish-Man Island, intending to claim it as a strategic Marine foothold now that Whitebeard has been captured and the Whitebeard Pirates are distracted.
• The Marine warship Thunderer applies bubble coating and begins its descent beneath the sea toward Fish-Man Island.

2. Character Developments

• Shanks and Mihawk: Their cooperation becomes more explicit. Although both are powerful enough to defeat the Marine advance force, they show strategic restraint by escaping rather than confronting Xia Le. Their alliance appears to be growing stronger.
• Xia Le: He is established as an ambitious and forceful Fleet Admiral. His failure to capture Mihawk does not deter him; instead, he uses the operation to signal the Navy’s new assertiveness and immediately pursues control of Fish-Man Island.
• Kizaru: He remains observant and cautious, recognizing that Xia Le’s plans could challenge the World Government’s established boundaries. His long familiarity with Xia Le also reveals a more personal, relaxed side.
• Mihawk: Though usually isolated from world affairs, he is forced back into the larger political conflict. He learns of the change in Fleet Admiralty and chooses flight alongside Shanks when Xia Le’s arrival threatens to escalate the situation.
• The rear admiral: His confidence collapses after being defeated instantly by Shanks and Mihawk, emphasizing the overwhelming gap between ordinary high-ranking Marines and top-tier pirates.

3. Significant Themes

• The end of the old order: The abolition of the Shichibukai marks a major transformation in the balance between pirates, the Navy, and the World Government.
• Power and political ambition: Xia Le is not merely reacting to events; he is actively reshaping the world by removing old institutions and seizing strategic territory.
• Strategic retreat versus pride: Shanks and Mihawk demonstrate that even powerful fighters understand when direct confrontation is unwise.
• Shifting alliances: Shanks’ support for Mihawk suggests that former independent powers may begin forming new alliances in response to the Navy’s growing aggression.
• Fish-Man Island and discrimination: The island’s vulnerability to pirates, slave traders, and exploitation highlights the longstanding tension between humans, Fish-Men, the Navy, and the Celestial Dragons.

4. Character Interactions

• The rear admiral taunts Shanks and Mihawk, but the two respond by overwhelming his forces and escaping.
• Shanks and Mihawk coordinate seamlessly in battle, combining their swordsmanship to defeat Marines and destroy the Pacifista ships.
• Xia Le and Kizaru discuss the failed operation and Shanks’ unexpected presence, revealing their differing perspectives on the event.
• Aboard the Thunderer, Kizaru questions Xia Le’s plans for Fish-Man Island. Xia Le explains that he wants to exploit Whitebeard’s absence and establish a crucial Navy base in the New World.
• Their conversation also reflects their decades-long acquaintance, contrasting Kizaru’s cautious humor with Xia Le’s calm determination.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• While traveling toward Fish-Man Island, Kizaru reflects on the difference between his own aging and Xia Le’s apparent immortality. He warns that, in a century, everyone they know may be dead while Xia Le remains unchanged.
• Xia Le is shaken by the thought of outliving all his friends and realizes that immortality may be a curse rather than a blessing. He concludes that mortality gives life meaning and makes people cherish their relationships.
• Kizaru redirects the conversation toward Fish-Man Island, revealing that Vice Admiral Fisher Tiger has already arrived to negotiate with King Neptune of the Ryugu Kingdom.
• Xia Le explains his larger political and financial plan: since the Marines are now independent from the World Government, they need their own allies, territory, and sources of funding. He intends to bring Fish-Man Island into the Marines’ sphere of influence.
• Xia Le’s ambition goes beyond simple alliance-building. He plans to transform the Marines into an independent world power—potentially the foundation of a new organization comparable to the World Government.
• At Fish-Man Island, Fisher Tiger arrives aboard a Marine warship accompanied by human Marines and Rear Admiral T Bone. The sight of a Fish-Man Vice Admiral commanding humans astonishes the locals.
• Fisher Tiger announces his return and asks the islanders to notify Fish-Man District and King Neptune that he has come on Xia Le’s behalf.
• The people recognize Fisher Tiger as the legendary liberator who once attacked Mary Geoise and freed slaves. His return as a Marine Vice Admiral suggests that Fish-Men may now possess genuine influence within the Marines.
• T Bone explains that the mission is intended to improve relations between humans and Fish-Men. Fisher Tiger, as both a respected Fish-Man leader and Marine officer, is considered the ideal representative.

Character Developments

• Xia Le: Experiences a rare moment of vulnerability as he confronts the emotional cost of immortality. He then resumes his composed, strategic role, revealing a bold plan to make the Marines financially and politically independent.
• Kizaru: Shows emotional sensitivity by recognizing Xia Le’s distress and gently changing the subject. He is also deeply shocked by Xia Le’s intention to build a power structure rivaling the World Government.
• Fisher Tiger: Returns to his homeland as a high-ranking Marine rather than an enemy or fugitive. His position reflects his continued commitment to Fish-Man dignity, equality, and peaceful coexistence with humans.
• T Bone: Demonstrates respect for Fisher Tiger and willingly allows him to lead the mission. His support highlights his loyalty to Xia Le and his belief in the mission’s ideals.
• The Fish-Men of Fish-Man Island: Shift from surprise and suspicion to excitement and hope upon recognizing Fisher Tiger. Many begin to see his Marine rank as proof that their people may finally have political representation.

Significant Themes

• The burden of immortality: Eternal life is presented as potentially isolating because it separates Xia Le from everyone he loves.
• The meaning of mortality: Life’s limited duration gives relationships, memories, and experiences their value.
• Political independence: Xia Le believes the Marines cannot become truly powerful while dependent on the World Government for funding and approval.
• Equality and reconciliation: The alliance with Fish-Man Island represents an effort to create genuine equality between humans and Fish-Men.
• Power and institutional reform: The chapter suggests that achieving justice may require rebuilding political structures rather than merely changing individual leaders.
• Hope for a new era: Fisher Tiger’s return symbolizes the possibility that Fish-Men can gain dignity and influence without abandoning their ideals.

Character Interactions

• Xia Le and Kizaru: Their conversation combines personal friendship with political strategy. Kizaru notices Xia Le’s emotional struggle, while Xia Le entrusts him with the truth about his plans for the Marines.
• Fisher Tiger and T Bone: T Bone defers to Fisher Tiger’s authority during the mission and expresses admiration for him, reinforcing their cooperation despite their different species.
• Fisher Tiger and the Fish-Men: His return produces a powerful emotional response, as former admirers recognize the legendary liberator in his new role as a Marine Vice Admiral.
• Fisher Tiger and Xia Le: Though Xia Le does not meet him directly in the chapter, Fisher Tiger’s actions show his trust in Xia Le’s vision of equal justice and a better future for Fish-Man Island.

Key plot points and events

• After reaching Fish-Man Island with a force of veteran Marines, Vice Admiral Fisher Tiger meets Prince Fukaboshi at the harbor. Fukaboshi is astonished to see the revered Fish-Man District elder serving in the Marines.
• Tiger says he has come on behalf of Fleet Admiral Xia Le to meet King Neptune and discuss a possible alliance.
• At the Ryugu Kingdom, Neptune expresses sorrow at seeing Tiger in a Marine uniform, despite respecting his past achievements. Tiger explains that Xia Le regards all races as equal and wants to end the long-standing conflict between humans and Fish-Men.
• Tiger proposes a joint military base on the island, staffed by Marines and Fish-Men, and says the Marines will protect Fish-Men worldwide and crack down on their trafficking. He presents this as a chance for Fish-Men to travel freely and live with the same legal protections as humans.

Character developments and interactions

• Fisher Tiger appears as both a celebrated liberator and a committed Marine. He speaks with deep conviction about Xia Le’s ideals and the promise of equality.
• Fukaboshi moves from alarm and suspicion about the Marines to trust in Tiger, whose reputation makes him willing to hear the proposal.
• Neptune is initially conflicted and wary, concerned for his kingdom’s interests, but becomes visibly shaken by the prospect of genuine protection and recognition.
• Tiger’s reunion with the people of his homeland links his past fight for Fish-Men’s freedom with his new role in the Marines.

Significant themes

• Equality and racial dignity: The proposal challenges the entrenched hierarchy between humans and Fish-Men.
• Protection versus dependence: Fish-Man Island must weigh an alliance with the Marines against its history of being ignored by human authorities.
• Hope and political change: Tiger’s offer suggests that institutions once associated with human power might be used to secure Fish-Men’s rights.
• Trust and leadership: Neptune must decide whether to trust Xia Le’s promises, conveyed through someone he deeply respects.

Chapter summary

Fisher Tiger tells King Neptune that Fleet Admiral Xia Le has offered Fish-Man Island Marine protection in exchange for financial support and allowing Fish-Men to enlist in the Marines. Neptune is astonished: the money is manageable, while equal access to Marine training and promotion could give Fish-Men the power to help protect their own people. He sees the proposal as a possible turning point—and a chance to advance Queen Otohime’s long-held dream of equality.
Neptune remains wary, however, because the offer seems almost too generous. He explains that Fish-Men have long been excluded from world politics and subjected to slavery, and that Xia Le’s influence gives him a voice Fish-Man Island has never had. Neptune says he will believe the plan if he can meet Xia Le. Fisher Tiger assures him that Xia Le is coming to demonstrate his commitment.
Six hours later, Xia Le arrives aboard the Thunderer, accompanied by Kizaru and other powerful Marines. Their presence frightens the Fish-Men, who fear the Marines may be coming to attack the island—especially since it flies Whitebeard’s flag. Xia Le recognizes how deep the distrust between humans and Fish-Men runs. When Neptune and Fisher Tiger arrive, Neptune formally welcomes him. Xia Le greets Neptune as an old acquaintance from a Reverie, leaving the king visibly surprised.

Character developments and interactions

• Neptune moves from shock and suspicion toward cautious hope. He sees the offer’s potential but wants direct confirmation from Xia Le.
• Fisher Tiger acts as the trusted intermediary, backing Xia Le’s plan and reinforcing his faith in the Fleet Admiral.
• Xia Le presents himself as committed to change, while his arrival also reveals how intimidating the Marines remain to Fish-Man Island’s people.
• Kizaru notes the practical difficulties of protecting the island, while Xia Le responds to the crowd’s fear with concern rather than hostility.
• Neptune and Xia Le begin their meeting with a reminder of their past encounter at the Reverie, setting up a more personal discussion.

Significant themes

The chapter centers on equality as a gradual process, not something achieved by a promise alone; trust across a deep racial divide; and political power and representation, especially the importance of Fish-Men having a voice within human institutions. It ends with the alliance still unconfirmed and Xia Le’s conversation with Neptune just beginning.

Plot points and events

• Fleet Admiral Xia Le arrives at Fish-Man Island with Fisher Tiger and is welcomed by King Neptune. His courteous manner and sincere apology for the Marines’ past neglect begin to ease Neptune’s distrust.
• At Ryugu Palace, Xia Le asks whether Neptune will accept the Marines’ proposed cooperation. Neptune agrees on behalf of Fish-Man Island, hoping to advance peace and friendship between humans and Fish-Men.
• Neptune becomes overwhelmed with emotion as he thinks of his late wife, Otohime, and her dream of human–Fish-Man harmony. Xia Le initially appears stern, alarming the gathered guests, but then publicly pledges that the Marines will uphold equality and peace for as long as he lives.
• The banquet turns celebratory. The agreement is still only verbal, so the two sides must formalize details such as funding, a Marine base, and Fish-Man recruitment.
• Alone afterward, Xia Le considers how the partnership—and support from Alabasta—could help fund Marine expansion and further his plans in the New World.
• Princess Shirahoshi visits Xia Le’s room. He recognizes her and invites her in, anticipating that she has questions.

Character developments

• Neptune moves from wary politeness to trust and heartfelt hope. His grief for Otohime resurfaces when he realizes her dream may finally be within reach.
• Xia Le demonstrates that his authority is paired with warmth and a stated commitment to equality. He also emerges as a strategic leader, focused on financing and expanding the Marines.
• Fisher Tiger acts as the bridge between Xia Le and Neptune, while showing concern when Neptune’s emotional outburst threatens to disrupt the negotiations.
• Shirahoshi makes her first appearance in the scene as a shy, curious visitor.

Significant themes

• Reconciliation and equality: The cooperation seeks to replace mistrust between humans and Fish-Men with respect and peaceful coexistence.
• Promises and responsibility: Xia Le’s public pledge offers reassurance, while the chapter notes that real cooperation still requires formal agreements and practical commitments.
• Hope through remembrance: Neptune’s grief for Otohime is intertwined with renewed hope that her vision will be realized.
• Power and burden: Xia Le recognizes that leadership carries heavy responsibilities, but believes—and takes satisfaction in—that he can bear them.

Character interactions

• Xia Le’s considerate conversation and apology soften Neptune’s initial tension.
• Neptune’s agreement is met with Xia Le’s enthusiastic celebration, strengthening their alliance.
• Fisher Tiger’s presence connects Fish-Man Island to the Marines and reassures both sides.
• Xia Le’s forceful vow turns Neptune’s apparent breach of decorum into a moment of shared emotion and confidence.
• Xia Le welcomes Shirahoshi with gentle curiosity, setting up their forthcoming conversation.

Key plot points and events

• Shirahoshi secretly visits Xia Le, expecting someone fearsome but finding him gentle. They talk about humans, Fish-Man Island’s troubled history, and her hope that her father and brothers will stop worrying.
• Xia Le promises that Fish-Man Island’s troubles will soon be resolved. He and Shirahoshi seal the promise with a pinky swear, then spend the night talking about the world beyond the island.
• Xia Le realizes Shirahoshi can hear a mysterious calling—evidence of her extraordinary ability. He urges her to keep it secret, and she agrees.
• A formal agreement between the Marines and Fish-Man Island is signed by Fisher Tiger, Xia Le, and King Neptune. Fisher Tiger becomes the island’s Marine Base Commander, responsible for stability and recruitment.
• Two months later, Xia Le reviews reports: the SWORD squad is seeking entry into Wano, while Blackbeard’s growing crew has established itself on Hachinosu and Teach has declared himself an Admiral.
• The chapter ends with news of a formidable recruit: the blind swordsman Issho, later known as Fujitora. Xia Le orders him brought to Marine Headquarters.

Character developments

• Shirahoshi shows courage and curiosity by approaching Xia Le despite his fearsome reputation. Her concern centers on her family and people, and her trust in Xia Le develops quickly.
• Xia Le is revealed as more than a powerful military leader: he is gentle with Shirahoshi and offers her reassurance. He also recognizes the significance of her hidden power and protects its secrecy.
• Fisher Tiger takes on an official leadership role in the new alliance, despite his visible nervousness while signing the agreement.
• Fujitora is introduced as an exceptionally capable, easygoing swordsman whose strength and Observation Haki made him stand out in the military draft.

Significant themes

• Rumor versus reality: Shirahoshi’s assumptions about humans and Xia Le are challenged through direct conversation.
• Trust and hope: Xia Le’s promise gives Shirahoshi hope for her family and Fish-Man Island’s future.
• Cooperation and change: The signed agreement marks a new era of Marine–Fish-Man Island relations.
• Hidden power and responsibility: Shirahoshi’s ability is kept secret, foreshadowing its importance.

Character interactions

• Shirahoshi and Xia Le share an unusually warm, candid conversation, including a promise and an exchange about the wider world.
• Xia Le treats Shirahoshi as a trusted friend, while carefully warning her not to reveal what she can hear.
• Fisher Tiger, Xia Le, and Neptune formalize their partnership through their signatures and a commemorative photograph.
• Xia Le receives Fujitora’s dossier and responds with keen interest, ordering that the new recruit be brought to headquarters.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Le reflects on Fujitora Issho’s strength, ideals, and suitability as a Marine, emphasizing that Justice and the Marine position give him legitimacy and public trust that pirates lack.
• Roronoa Zoro visits Xia Le, frustrated that his teacher placed him in the Marine academy instead of teaching him swordsmanship. Although Zoro has learned Marine knowledge and the Six Powers, he feels these lessons do not help him pursue his dream of becoming the world’s greatest swordsman.
• Xia Le realizes he has neglected Zoro and takes him to a secluded beach for his first swordsmanship lesson.
• Xia Le reveals that the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, once taught him swordsmanship. He explains that he has since perfected those techniques and now intends to pass them on to Zoro.
• Zoro performs a powerful slash that briefly parts the sea. Xia Le acknowledges that Zoro has crossed the threshold of swordsmanship but still has much to learn.
• Xia Le takes Zoro’s Sandai Kitetsu and effortlessly suppresses its sinister aura through sheer strength. He then demonstrates a simple but overwhelmingly powerful slash that divides the sea into a massive chasm.
• Xia Le tells Zoro that fully reproducing such a feat would mark his true entry into the highest realm of swordsmanship. Zoro gains numerous insights into strength, sword intent, technique, and mental focus.
• Xia Le leaves Zoro to train alone. Inspired, Zoro begins practicing at the coast every day, determined to split the sea himself.
• Three days later, the newly recruited Great Swordsman Issho arrives at Marine Headquarters through the World Military Draft. Xia Le personally welcomes him and shakes his hand.
• Issho recognizes Xia Le as the strongest Marine in history and is visibly affected by the overwhelming aura he senses from the Fleet Admiral.

Character Developments

• Xia Le: Demonstrates confidence in the Marine institution and its moral legitimacy. Despite his immense responsibilities, he shows a more personal and instructional side as Zoro’s teacher. His swordsmanship is revealed to be extraordinarily advanced, built on techniques learned from Roger and refined over many years.
• Zoro: Grows frustrated with being treated as a Marine recruit rather than a swordsman, but his anger turns into renewed determination once Xia Le begins teaching him. He gains a deeper understanding of swordsmanship and commits himself to rigorous daily training.
• Issho/Fujitora: Is introduced as a powerful, principled Great Swordsman with a serious and steady personality. His immediate respect for Xia Le and reaction to Xia Le’s aura establish the vast difference in their current strength.

Significant Themes

• Justice versus piracy: The chapter contrasts the romantic image of pirate freedom with the distrust ordinary civilians would realistically place in violent pirates. Xia Le views Marine service and Justice as sources of social legitimacy.
• Mastery and inheritance: Roger’s swordsmanship lives on through Xia Le, who now passes it to Zoro, creating a chain of knowledge across generations.
• Strength through comprehension: True swordsmanship is presented as more than physical power; it requires technique, sword intent, discipline, and understanding.
• Humility and discipline: Zoro must accept instruction and endure training outside his preferred path before advancing toward his dream.
• Overwhelming power: Xia Le’s ability to subdue Sandai Kitetsu and split the sea illustrates the immense gap between him and ordinary swordsmen.

Character Interactions

• Xia Le and Zoro: Their relationship mixes comedy, irritation, and genuine mentorship. Zoro resents Xia Le’s neglect, while Xia Le casually acknowledges his mistake and begins teaching him directly.
• Xia Le and Roger: Though Roger is absent, his influence drives the chapter. Xia Le’s swordsmanship and his decision to train Zoro connect the Pirate King’s legacy to the next generation.
• Xia Le and Issho: Their formal meeting establishes mutual respect. Issho admires Xia Le’s reputation, while Xia Le welcomes him as a valuable potential Marine asset.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Fleet Admiral Xia Le meets Fujitora Issho, whose instincts immediately reveal Xia Le’s overwhelming strength. Issho recognizes him as the strongest person he has ever encountered.
• Xia Le welcomes Issho into the Marines and offers to assign him a suitable position after evaluating his abilities.
• Issho asks to fight Xia Le before joining, wanting to measure the gap between himself and the “World’s Strongest.”
• They move to a secluded Marineford training ground while a staff officer observes from a safe distance.
• Issho begins the battle with a powerful sword strike and follows it with his gravity technique, “Hell’s Journey.”
• Xia Le effortlessly withstands the gravity and throws Issho away through sheer physical strength, revealing that Issho’s abilities are not enough to overpower him.
• Xia Le counters with an immensely fast and powerful sword attack. His blow forces Issho into the ground despite Issho blocking with his own sword.
• Realizing the enormous disparity between them, Issho retreats and summons a massive meteorite using his gravity powers.
• The meteorite alarms the entire Marineford base, and even Kizaru acknowledges the frightening scale of Issho’s attack. The chapter ends with the meteorite descending toward the training ground.

Character Developments

• Issho/Fujitora: His admiration and excitement toward Xia Le develop into a serious desire to test himself. Although he is already immensely powerful, the fight makes him realize how vast the gap is between him and Xia Le. Rather than becoming discouraged, he responds by escalating to one of his strongest techniques.
• Xia Le: He is portrayed as physically overwhelming, confident, and relaxed. He treats Issho’s gravity and swordsmanship as familiar challenges, demonstrating that his strength far exceeds even an Admiral-level fighter. His calm encouragement also shows respect for Issho’s abilities.
• Marine staff officer and Marines: Their reactions emphasize the extraordinary scale of the battle. They view Xia Le’s power with awe and Issho’s meteorite with fear.
• Kizaru: His brief reaction confirms that even an experienced Admiral recognizes the danger posed by Issho’s summoned meteorite.

Significant Themes

• The gap between the strongest and the powerful: Issho is already at an Admiral-level, yet Xia Le’s strength places him in an entirely different league.
• Testing oneself against greatness: Issho willingly challenges an overwhelmingly stronger opponent to understand his own limits.
• Physical strength versus supernatural power: Issho’s gravity and meteorite abilities are devastating, but Xia Le’s raw speed, swordsmanship, and physical power allow him to resist them.
• Respect born through combat: The fight serves as a mutual evaluation, with Issho admiring Xia Le’s strength and Xia Le recognizing Issho’s potential.
• The destructive scale of power: The battle’s effects extend beyond the training ground, alarming Marines across Marineford and threatening massive collateral damage.

Character Interactions

• Xia Le warmly recruits Issho, while Issho responds respectfully but insists on fighting him first.
• During combat, Xia Le praises Issho’s strength while confidently dismissing the ability of gravity alone to defeat him.
• Issho’s attacks reveal his determination, but Xia Le’s effortless counters deepen Issho’s respect and astonishment.
• The observing Marines function as witnesses to the clash, reinforcing Xia Le’s reputation and the danger of Issho’s powers.

Key plot points and events

• Fujitora summons a massive meteorite during a spar with Fleet Admiral Xia Le, alarming Marines across Marineford. Aokiji notices the spectacle but decides it is not his concern.
• Xia Le launches himself into the sky and destroys the meteorite with a single punch empowered by Conqueror’s Haki. The impact leaves Fujitora stunned by the enormous gap between their strengths.
• Xia Le offers Fujitora the rank of Admiral, arguing that his abilities and commitment to justice qualify him. Inspired by Xia Le’s words about power and responsibility, Fujitora accepts.
• Fujitora is formally appointed on his third day at Marine Headquarters, giving the Marines five Admirals. The unprecedented appointment sparks worldwide speculation about the Marines’ growing strength.
• Over the following two months, Xia Le reorganizes Marine forces, assigning each Admiral a command: Fujitora leads emergency support, Crocodile the land force, Aokiji the naval force, and Bullet an elite special-operations unit.

Character developments

• Xia Le demonstrates overwhelming strength and confidence, while also presenting himself as a leader willing to entrust major responsibility to capable people.
• Fujitora moves from awe and hesitation to accepting the Admiral position. His commitment to justice is strengthened by the prospect of having greater authority to protect ordinary people.
• Aokiji remains detached, choosing not to involve himself in the spectacle unless directly ordered.
• Crocodile is intrigued by Fujitora’s meteorite and recognizes that the new recruit must be exceptionally powerful.

Significant themes

• Power and responsibility: Xia Le insists that greater strength should bring greater obligations.
• Justice in action: Fujitora seeks authority not for status, but to better serve ordinary people.
• Institutional change and expansion: The Marine draft, new bases, additional leadership, and force reorganization signal a rapidly changing Marine era.
• The scale of strength: Xia Le’s destruction of the meteorite establishes his extraordinary power and reveals the gap between him and Fujitora.

Character interactions

• Xia Le and Fujitora’s spar shifts into a respectful exchange: Xia Le proves his strength, then persuades Fujitora to accept command through an appeal to justice and duty.
• Marines watching the meteorite react with fear and excitement, while the event fuels public debate about the Marines’ new Admiral and expanding power.
• Xia Le’s reorganization gives the four Admirals distinct operational roles, placing them in a coordinated command structure.

Key plot points and events

• Xia Le commits to a major Marine operation in the New World, sending Bullet, Aokiji, and Fujitora to lead it. The move signals a direct challenge to the Emperors and could trigger a war on a scale beyond the Paramount War.
• Marines at Headquarters are stunned as the three Admirals depart together, an unprecedented show of force.
• The Five Elders contact Xia Le by video call and demand that he recall the Admirals, warning that the operation will disrupt the world’s balance and provoke the Pirates.
• Xia Le refuses, arguing that the Marines must break the existing balance to achieve peace. He tells the Five Elders that Marine affairs are not theirs to control.
• A nervous staff officer accidentally disconnects the call. Xia Le praises him for ending what he considers a pointless exchange, then returns to his paperwork.

Character developments and interactions

• Xia Le displays confidence and independence, putting his vision for justice above the World Government’s wishes. His calm response to the Five Elders contrasts with their anger.
• Kizaru recognizes the political danger of the operation but knows Xia Le is unconcerned with the World Government’s approval.
• The Five Elders reveal their determination to preserve the established balance and their belief that Xia Le’s Fleet Admiral position should not give him freedom to act independently.
• The staff officer begins frightened by his mistake but is reassured and encouraged by Xia Le’s unexpected praise.
• Aokiji, Bullet, and Fujitora accept their orders and depart, apparently sharing some excitement about entering the New World.

Significant themes

• Order versus change: Xia Le sees the existing balance as an obstacle to peace, while the Five Elders view it as essential to stability.
• Institutional independence and authority: The conflict over who controls the Marines comes to the fore as Xia Le rejects the World Government’s interference.
• The cost of pursuing justice: The operation may provoke a wider war, but Xia Le considers that risk necessary to confront the Pirates.

Chapter Summary — Dressrosa

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Marines’ decision to send all three Admirals into the New World causes worldwide alarm. Many view it as a bold attempt to restore order, while others condemn Fleet Admiral Xia Le as a warmonger risking a global conflict.
• Three days after their departure, the Admirals reach the Marines’ G-8 fortress and prepare to continue toward Punk Hazard.
• At Marine Headquarters, Xia Le focuses on the organization’s worsening finances. His reforms—including the Fish-Man Island base, the World Military Draft, and rapid Marine expansion—have pushed the budget to its limits and forced some departments to take out loans.
• Admiral Crocodile’s negotiations with Alabasta’s King Cobra go well, giving the Marines a possible source of support.
• Intelligence reports reveal that Marshall D. Teach has taken control of Hachinosu, expanded the Blackbeard Pirates to over three thousand members, and been recognized as the fourth Emperor with a bounty of 3.996 billion Beli.
• Fire Fist Ace has also grown dramatically stronger. After leading the Whitebeard Pirates to victory in the Edd War Waters, his bounty rises to 2.565 billion Beli.
• In the Edd War Waters, the Whitebeard Pirates struggle with internal disagreements over whether to recover from their losses or defend their reputation by retaliating against enemies.
• Ace, now officially leading the crew, resolves the dispute by declaring that the Whitebeard Pirates will confront their enemies immediately.
• Ace unleashes powerful Conqueror’s Haki, cracking the ship and astonishing Marco. In the ensuing battle, he destroys fifteen enemy warships with one punch, while his infused Haki and flames set the sea ablaze across a vast area.

Character Developments

• Xia Le: Shows the burdens of leadership as Fleet Admiral. He is increasingly concerned about Marine finances and institutional dependence on the World Government, but remains confident that the New World campaign will strengthen the Marines.
• Ace: Demonstrates major growth in confidence, authority, and combat power. Though once uncertain about leading after Whitebeard’s departure, he now decisively unites the crew and proves himself capable of commanding it.
• Marco: Continues to act as a senior figure within the Whitebeard Pirates but recognizes that Ace’s strength and presence now resemble those of legendary leaders such as Whitebeard, Shanks, and Xia Le.
• Blackbeard: Has rapidly transformed from a defeated pirate into a major Emperor-level threat with a large fleet, territory, and enormous bounty.

Significant Themes

• The burden of leadership: Both Xia Le and Ace face the pressures of command—Xia Le through administration and strategic planning, Ace through the need to unite a divided crew.
• Power shifts: The Marines’ expansion, Blackbeard’s rise, and Ace’s growing strength signal a major restructuring of power across the world.
• Independence versus dependence: Xia Le wants the Marines to develop their own intelligence and resources instead of relying on the World Government.
• Honor and survival: The Whitebeard Pirates debate whether preserving their strength matters more than defending their pride and reputation.
• The coming world conflict: The Marines’ aggressive New World campaign and the increasing strength of the Emperors suggest that a large-scale confrontation is approaching.

Character Interactions

• Xia Le works with his staff officer to review Marine finances, Crocodile’s diplomacy, Blackbeard’s rise, and Ace’s achievements.
• Xia Le views Blackbeard’s and Ace’s rising bounties with interest rather than fear, recognizing them as evidence of the shifting balance of power.
• Marco and the other commanders praise Ace after his victory, but Ace initially remains quiet and reflective, aware of the tensions surrounding his leadership.
• Ace finally addresses the crew’s internal conflict, reminding them that both recovery and retaliation are meant to protect the Whitebeard Pirates. He then asserts his authority by ordering an immediate attack.

Plot points and events

• After defeating internal opposition, Ace secures control of the Whitebeard Pirates. He concludes that strength determines power and vows to make the crew more glorious before eventually facing a formidable rival.
• Seven days after three Marine Admirals entered the New World, they arrive with a large fleet at Dressrosa. Their purpose has been kept secret.
• The Admirals—Bullet, Aokiji, and Fujitora—reveal they intend to establish a Marine base there and investigate the kingdom’s hidden problems.
• Doflamingo learns that the fleet has come for him. He orders the Donquixote Family not to attack, recognizing that they cannot withstand three Admirals.
• The Admirals confront Doflamingo at the royal palace. Fujitora announces his arrest, citing evidence of crimes committed during his rule and records showing Doflamingo once served as a Marine officer. The chapter ends with Doflamingo silent as the Marines prepare for resistance.

Character developments

• Ace emerges as the Whitebeard Pirates’ accepted leader, driven to grow stronger and prove himself.
• Doflamingo remains outwardly amused but recognizes the danger and responds cautiously, prioritizing restraint over a hopeless fight.
• Fujitora acts as the formal voice of the arrest, emphasizing lawful judgment.
• Bullet and Aokiji show confidence in the new Fleet Admiral, Xia Le, and a willingness to challenge established authority.

Themes

• Strength and leadership: Ace’s rise reinforces the idea that power shapes authority.
• Justice and accountability: The Marines move to prosecute Doflamingo for past abuses, including crimes committed while ruling Dressrosa.
• Institutional change: The Admirals’ actions suggest a tougher Marine leadership willing to defy resistance from the World Government.
• Power imbalance: The Donquixote Family’s fear highlights the overwhelming force of three Admirals acting together.

Character interactions

• Ace reflects privately on leadership and his future challenge.
• Bullet, Aokiji, and Fujitora discuss the mission and their limited regard for World Government objections.
• Doflamingo’s subordinates urge him to respond, but he restrains them and directs them to await his orders.
• Fujitora formally presents the charges to Doflamingo while Bullet and Aokiji stand ready to enforce the arrest.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Doflamingo is arrested in Dressrosa by the three admirals—Aokiji, Bullet, and Fujitora. Although Bullet threatens to cripple him if he resists, Doflamingo voluntarily submits and requests a military trial, confidently claiming that a full investigation will not reveal enough crimes to condemn him.
• The Navy announces that Dressrosa will no longer remain under Doflamingo’s rule. While he is imprisoned, the Navy will temporarily govern the kingdom and investigate its hidden crimes.
• Doflamingo realizes that the admirals’ mission is larger than simply arresting him: Fleet Admiral Xia Le intends to seize Dressrosa as a strategic foothold in the New World, much as the Navy previously secured influence through Fish-Man Island.
• The Donquixote Family is placed under guard, and the Navy takes control of the royal palace and the kingdom’s administration.
• The admirals debate whether Doflamingo was actually an effective ruler despite being a notorious pirate. Fujitora insists that the Navy must uncover every crime, rescue the victims of the coup, and restore justice.
• Within three days, the Navy frees many civilians transformed into toys, including the gladiator Kyros, and rescues King Riku.
• The Navy discovers Dressrosa’s artificial Devil Fruit factory. Doflamingo reveals that he supplied Kaido, one of the Four Emperors, and that the World Government was involved in the operation.
• Doflamingo argues that pirates are not the true source of the world’s darkness but merely products of a corrupt system controlled by greater powers. His words force the admirals to acknowledge the World Government’s hidden connection to the factory.
• At Marineford, Xia Le orders the Navy to establish an integrated military administration and a permanent Marine base in Dressrosa. He also orders contact with SWORD in Wano Country.
• Xia Le summons Crocodile and begins preparing for the next stage of his strategy: confronting the Four Emperors.

Character Developments

• Doflamingo: Remains confident, manipulative, and politically calculating even after his arrest. He cooperates outwardly while attempting to expose the World Government’s hypocrisy and preserve his influence. His confidence falters only when he realizes the Navy intends to take Dressrosa permanently.
• Aokiji: Acts as the calm, practical voice among the admirals. He is willing to avoid unnecessary conflict but supports a thorough investigation and recognizes the importance of the artificial Devil Fruit factory.
• Bullet: Takes a forceful, intimidating role in arresting Doflamingo but also acknowledges that Doflamingo was capable of governing Dressrosa effectively.
• Fujitora: Shows the strongest commitment to justice and civilian welfare. He insists that the Navy must investigate every crime, rescue the victims, and remove all corruption from Dressrosa.
• Xia Le: Demonstrates expanding ambitions. Rather than merely policing the seas, he is building a territorial and military presence in the New World and preparing for direct action against the Emperors.
• Crocodile: Although he does not appear directly, his return to Marineford suggests that Xia Le intends to use him in the Navy’s upcoming strategic plans.

Significant Themes

• Justice versus political power: The Navy claims to seek justice, but its takeover of Dressrosa also serves strategic and expansionist goals.
• The hidden corruption of authority: Doflamingo’s revelations suggest that the World Government is deeply involved in the same criminal networks it publicly condemns.
• Pirates as symptoms of a larger system: Doflamingo argues that pirates are not the ultimate source of evil but are created and empowered by the darker structures of global politics.
• Military expansion: The Navy’s occupation of Dressrosa marks a major shift from enforcement to direct territorial control.
• Truth and accountability: The investigation into the toy curse, the coup, the factory, and the kingdom’s leadership emphasizes the need to uncover buried crimes and restore justice to victims.

Character Interactions

• Doflamingo and Bullet engage in a tense exchange in which Doflamingo submits peacefully but attempts to maintain psychological control.
• Aokiji warns Doflamingo that the Navy will investigate him thoroughly, while Doflamingo relies on his confidence in the supposed fairness of Xia Le’s Navy.
• Doflamingo reassures Trebol and the Donquixote Family that he will return, displaying loyalty to his followers despite his impending imprisonment.
• Fujitora challenges the idea of allowing a pirate to continue ruling and pushes Aokiji and Bullet toward a genuine investigation of Dressrosa.
• Doflamingo’s revelation about Kaido and the World Government changes the admirals’ understanding of the case, leaving them uneasy and forcing them to confront institutional corruption.
• Xia Le’s orders connect the Dressrosa operation to broader plans involving Wano, Crocodile, and the eventual confrontation with the Four Emperors.

Key plot points and events

• In the unsettled New World, Blackbeard’s crew is rapidly expanding, Ace is gaining attention, and new pirates are rising after Whitebeard’s death.
• Fleet Admiral Xia Le leaves Marine Headquarters for the New World, entrusting Crocodile with its management. His immediate goal is to approach Gild Tesoro, the immensely wealthy ruler of Gran Tesoro, and seek a partnership that could help the Marines become financially independent of the World Government.
• Xia Le also announces plans to establish another Marine Headquarters in the New World, suggesting Dressrosa as a possible location.
• Aboard the Thunderer, Kuina reviews Tesoro’s history: once a Celestial Dragon’s slave, he escaped hardship and built a vast fortune and influence. When Kuma doubts persuasion will work, Xia Le says force speaks louder than words, implying he intends to compel Tesoro.
• Xia Le’s larger aim is to eliminate the Emperors’ dominance and make the Marines the sole power on the seas. He says Garp and Sengoku are seeking a way into Wano, and that a larger campaign against the Emperors will follow once the Marines have intelligence and a New World base.
• The Thunderer reaches Gran Tesoro, a gigantic, gold-covered entertainment ship recognized as an independent nation. Xia Le and his companions arrive in civilian clothes, and Perona eagerly anticipates a vacation.

Character developments and interactions

• Xia Le shows himself to be both a strategist and an aggressive reformer: he wants Tesoro’s wealth for Marine independence, a New World headquarters for expansion, and ultimately the destruction of the Emperors’ power.
• Crocodile understands the political and financial importance of Tesoro, but is left to run Headquarters and privately resents the administrative burden.
• Kuma questions whether Tesoro can be won over by negotiation; Xia Le’s response reveals his preference for force.
• Gecko Moria is fixated on confronting Kaido. Xia Le assures him they will eventually cross paths.
• Kuina supplies information on Tesoro, while Buggy, Rosinante, Kuma, Moria, and Perona accompany Xia Le to Gran Tesoro. Perona’s excitement contrasts with the Marines’ grim ambitions.

Significant themes

• Power and influence: Wealth can sway governments, but Xia Le believes strength ultimately decides the world’s order.
• Institutional independence and expansion: Xia Le seeks to free the Marines from World Government influence and establish a stronger presence in the New World.
• A changing era: New leaders and pirates are rising after Whitebeard’s fall, creating instability and sharpening the coming conflict.
• Order through domination: Xia Le presents the Marines’ planned campaign as a route to stability, but his goal of leaving only the Marines in power suggests an uncompromising vision of control.

Plot and events

• Xia Le gives the Marines a vacation in the Gold City, saying Headquarters will cover their expenses. The group explores the city’s attractions and enters its most luxurious casino.
• A Marine colonel recognizes Xia Le and the senior officers. Worried that their presence signals a major incident, he abandons his vacation and leaves—without paying his companion.
• In the casino, Moria and Kuma debate where to place their chips while Perona eagerly heads for the tables. Tesoro watches the scene through a surveillance Den Den Mushi.
• Tesoro recognizes Xia Le and becomes unexpectedly overwhelmed. He recalls being a slave who escaped Mary Geoise during Fisher Tiger’s raid, when Tiger announced the slaves’ freedom and praised the man who had made it possible: Xia Le.
• Treating Xia Le as his long-admired hero, Tesoro prepares himself carefully and goes to greet him in person. He stops at a respectful distance and addresses him reverently; Xia Le recognizes Tesoro.

Character developments and interactions

• Xia Le remains relaxed and good-humored, enjoying the vacation and brushing off attention from the crowd.
• Perona is protective and jealous when women approach Xia Le, and enthusiastic about gambling.
• Moria and Kuma share a brief, contrasting exchange at the table: Moria asks for advice, while Kuma responds tersely.
• Tesoro is revealed as a former slave whose life was changed by the liberation at Mary Geoise. His wealth and power contrast with the humility and emotion he shows toward Xia Le.
• The colonel recognizes the potential danger of the Marines’ gathering and chooses to leave rather than risk being caught up in events.

Significant themes

• Freedom and its lasting impact: Fisher Tiger’s actions—and Xia Le’s role in them—shaped Tesoro’s life and continue to define his admiration.
• Reputation and hidden identity: The Marines’ presence alarms an ordinary officer, while Tesoro’s public status gives way to sincere reverence when he meets his hero.
• Vacation amid looming conflict: The group’s carefree casino outing unfolds under surveillance, hinting that their visit may lead to more than leisure.

Chapter Summary

• Tesoro eagerly welcomes Xia Le: Gild Tesoro personally appears to greet Fleet Admiral Xia Le aboard Gran Tesoro. He treats Xia Le with extreme reverence, offering to cover every expense for Xia Le and his companions and enthusiastically proposing luxurious entertainment, a biography, and even a reenactment of the Summit War.
• Xia Le reveals his purpose: Although Tesoro mistakes Xia Le’s visit for a friendly personal meeting, Xia Le explains that he came specifically because he needs Tesoro’s abilities and wants to use Entertainment City’s resources.
• Tesoro hosts the group: Xia Le, Buggy, Rosinante, Kuma, Moria, and Kuina are escorted to an extravagant banquet. Tesoro introduces them with great admiration, especially praising Xia Le as his greatest idol.
• Tesoro’s past is revealed: Tesoro explains that he was once enslaved in Mary Geoise. He escaped when Fisher Tiger liberated the slaves, an event made possible by Xia Le’s earlier rescue of Tiger. Tesoro later obtained the Gold-Gold Fruit, built Gran Tesoro, and became one of the world’s most powerful and wealthy figures.
• Xia Le’s influence is clarified: Tesoro learned that Xia Le had saved Fisher Tiger and had inspired Tiger’s ideals of equality and justice. As a result, Tesoro views Xia Le as both his savior and lifelong idol, explaining his unusually emotional and deferential behavior.
• Xia Le proposes a partnership: Xia Le directly asks Tesoro to help establish an independent financial system for the Marines. Rather than resisting or negotiating, Tesoro excitedly assumes Xia Le is inviting him to join the Marines and offers to give up Entertainment City and serve as Xia Le’s right-hand man.

Character Developments and Interactions

• Xia Le remains pragmatic and direct, but Tesoro’s sincere admiration makes him hesitant to use force. He recognizes Tesoro’s wealth and influence as valuable tools for reforming the Marines.
• Tesoro is shown as far more emotionally vulnerable and devoted than his reputation suggests. His immense wealth contrasts with his deep gratitude toward Fisher Tiger and Xia Le.
• Fisher Tiger’s legacy continues to influence major figures: his slave liberation transformed Tesoro’s life, while Xia Le’s support shaped Tiger’s ideals and career.
• Buggy, Rosinante, Kuma, Moria, and Kuina react with surprise to Tesoro’s emotional behavior and his revelation that he was once a slave.
• The central interaction is the mismatch between Xia Le’s practical recruitment proposal and Tesoro’s enthusiastic interpretation of it as an invitation to become Xia Le’s trusted subordinate.

Significant Themes

• Admiration and hero worship: Tesoro’s wealth and status do not diminish his lifelong reverence for the people who saved him.
• The lasting impact of liberation: Fisher Tiger’s actions continue to reshape the lives and loyalties of people long after the original event.
• Power beyond combat: Tesoro’s financial empire represents a different kind of power—economic influence—which Xia Le hopes to harness for Marine independence.
• Miscommunication through devotion: Xia Le intends a strategic business arrangement, while Tesoro interprets it as a deeply personal chance to serve his idol.
• From victim to powerful leader: Tesoro’s transformation from enslaved survivor to entertainment magnate highlights both personal ambition and the enduring consequences of oppression.

Key plot points and events

• Gild Tesoro tells Xia Le that he owes his success to Xia Le and Fisher Tiger, and offers his wealth to help the Marines address their severe funding shortage.
• Tesoro joins Xia Le’s cause even after Xia Le reveals that his ambition may be to overthrow the existing world order. Tesoro is eager to support the plan, driven partly by his own hatred of the Celestial Dragons and past suffering.
• Xia Le and Tesoro discuss ways to raise funds and develop the Marines’ economy. Tesoro points out that he can finance arms production but lacks the research capacity to create advanced weapons. Xia Le hints that he has resources to handle that problem, keeping Vegapunk’s experimental base secret.
• Xia Le appoints Tesoro a Vice Admiral, bringing the powerful Golden Emperor and his vast financial network into the Marines.
• In Wano, Sengoku, Garp, Tsuru, and their covert SWORD team investigate conditions under Kaido’s rule. They observe the contrast between the prosperous Flower Capital and the poverty and damage elsewhere.
• Rob Lucci reports that Kaido’s crew may be preparing to meet another Emperor, likely Big Mom. The Marines fear the two might unite, recalling the strength of the Rocks Pirates and the threat such an alliance would pose to Xia Le’s forces.
• Because Wano’s isolation makes communication difficult, the team decides to adapt to circumstances and rely on its younger intelligence specialists to gather information.

Character developments and interactions

• Tesoro moves from grateful benefactor to committed political ally. His loyalty to Xia Le is rooted in both personal gratitude and a desire to overturn the system that once enslaved and abused him.
• Xia Le demonstrates growing influence and ambition: he recruits Tesoro, gives him authority, and continues building the Marines’ financial, military, and technological capacity.
• Sengoku, Garp, and Tsuru operate together as experienced investigators, weighing the danger of a possible Kaido–Big Mom alliance.
• Rob Lucci and the former CP9 members serve as the covert team’s intelligence specialists, while Garp expresses concern about entrusting a major mission to younger operatives.

Significant themes

• Loyalty and repayment: Tesoro uses his wealth to repay those who helped save him.
• Revenge and resistance: His personal trauma fuels his support for Xia Le’s challenge to the world order.
• Power through institutions and resources: Money, research, weapons, intelligence, and alliances are all presented as essential to political and military strength.
• The threat of history repeating: The possibility of Kaido and Big Mom joining forces evokes the old Rocks Pirates and the return of a dangerous era.

Key plot points and events

• After four days of waiting in a Wano inn, Sengoku, Garp, and Tsuru finally receive the returning intelligence team led by Rob Lucci.
• Lucci and Kaku report that Big Mom will arrive in Wano in about ten days. Kaido and Big Mom plan to meet in Kuri and join forces against the Marines, particularly the new Fleet Admiral, Xia Le.
• The Marines realize the information could let Headquarters intercept Big Mom’s party and disrupt the alliance.
• Before they can act on the news, Kaido and his people burst into the inn, exposing the SWORD team. Kaido mocks Orochi for failing to notice the infiltrators and challenges the Marines’ covert approach.

Character developments

• Garp grows increasingly impatient during the wait, while Sengoku and Tsuru remain composed and trust the mission.
• Lucci and Kaku demonstrate their resourcefulness by infiltrating Onigashima in disguise—even passing unnoticed by Jack—and gathering vital intelligence.
• Sengoku, Garp, and Tsuru react to Kaido’s arrival with seriousness but not panic, relying on their experience.
• Kaido is confident and taunting, immediately recognizing the veterans and inferring why they are in Wano.

Significant themes

• Espionage and its risks: The Marines’ intelligence mission succeeds, but their presence is discovered.
• Shifting power and alliances: The threat posed by Xia Le has pushed two Emperors toward cooperation against the Marines.
• Loyalty and enduring friendship: Kaido remarks on the long-standing bond among Sengoku, Garp, and Tsuru.
• Reputation and intimidation: Kaido’s fearsome standing weighs heavily on the younger Marines, even as the veterans remain composed.

Character interactions

• Garp presses Sengoku for action; Sengoku urges patience, with Tsuru quietly observing.
• Lucci and Kaku brief the veterans, who recognize the strategic importance of their findings.
• Kaido ridicules Orochi’s security and confronts the Marine leaders, while Sengoku tries to pass off their mission as sightseeing. Kaido rejects the excuse and challenges them to face him openly.