Chapter Summaries

River and his companions entered Gild Tesoro’s entertainment city and headed to its casino to draw the city’s ruler’s attention. They watched Cavendish accuse the casino of cheating and were left as Fujitora intervened before he could attack.

• River, Fujitora, Ace, and Kalifa explored the city and heard Miss Sally sing on a large screen.
• Kalifa explained that Gild Tesoro was their mission’s target, and River decided to attract his attention by winning at the casino.
• At the casino, Cavendish lost eighty million Beli and accepted another twenty million in chips from the cold-faced casino boss.
• Cavendish accused the casino of cheating, overturned the table, and drew his sword when told he owed one hundred million Beli.
• Fujitora stepped in and pushed Cavendish’s sword back into its sheath, leaving Cavendish stunned by the blind man.

River took over Cavendish’s game at the casino and won an astonishing streak of hands, earning more than a billion Beli. The defeated gambler collapsed, while the casino’s owner ordered someone to bring River in for a meeting.

• Fujitora arrived and asked to gamble, but River took his place at the table.
• River won repeatedly, turning five million Beli into more than a hundred million and paying off Cavendish’s gambling debt.
• River continued winning as the crowd gathered, eventually reaching thirty-five consecutive wins and nearly a billion Beli in chips.
• The opposing gambler collapsed, and the cold-faced man slipped away.
• The casino’s owner became interested in River and ordered someone to invite him upstairs.

River and his companions met Gild Tesoro after winning repeatedly at his casino, and River revealed his identity to the shocked host. Tesoro recognized River and welcomed him with grave respect, while Cavendish realized who he had followed.

• Tesoro heard that a group of guests had won repeatedly at his casino and ordered his men to bring them to him.
• River agreed to meet Tesoro, and Cavendish caught up with the group and asked to join them.
• Tesoro greeted River and his companions in his private room, then remarked that they had concealed their identities.
• Ace removed his disguise and identified himself, prompting Tesoro to recognize the Fire Fist and consider the Whitebeard Pirates’ influence.
• River revealed his true face, and Tesoro, Carina, and the others reacted with shock as Tesoro addressed him by name.
• Cavendish realized that River was the person he had heard of.

River visited Gran Tesoro’s entertainment city and proposed expanding their business partnership, then confronted Tesoro about the Celestial Dragons and the woman he had lost. The chapter ended with River inviting Tesoro to join him.

• River revealed his identity to Cavendish and met with Tesoro at the entertainment city.
• River proposed expanding Tesoro’s business partnership with Doffy, and Tesoro agreed.
• River asked Tesoro what he thought of the Celestial Dragons and pointed out that he wore rings on nine fingers, leaving one bare.
• River connected the bare finger to the woman Tesoro had loved and lost, angering Tesoro.
• River revealed that he had come to invite Tesoro to join them.

Tesoro’s painful memories of Stella resurfaced after River’s invitation, but he refused to become anyone’s subordinate. The next morning, River revealed he needed Tesoro’s financial talent and offered to help him kill the Celestial Dragons, leaving Tesoro stunned.

• Tesoro recalled how the Celestial Dragons had taken Stella from him and branded him as their slave, then told Tanaka and Carina that he would wait and see what River wanted.
• River’s companions discussed Tesoro’s refusal, and River said he would need to show Tesoro sincerity to recruit him.
• Tesoro hosted River and his companions for breakfast the next day and learned that River’s forces were taking control of World Government and Navy territories.
• River told Tesoro that Dressrosa needed money and asked him to make it, offering in return to help him kill the Celestial Dragons and avenge Stella.
• Tesoro froze with his knife and fork in hand as River asked whether he had forgotten his vengeance for Stella.

River’s attempt to recruit Tesoro escalated into a fight after he taunted Tesoro about Stella and the Celestial Dragons. As Tesoro attacked with the gold throughout his nation, River began demonstrating his use of fire to Ace.

• River provoked Tesoro by suggesting Stella might still be alive and criticizing him for refusing to face his past.
• Tesoro angrily rejected River’s offer to overthrow the Celestial Dragons and challenged him to conquer the City of Gold.
• Tesoro controlled the gold dust in the restaurant to bind Cavendish and hurl him toward River, who caught him.
• Tesoro transformed the restaurant’s gold into vine-like attacks and sent them rushing at River and his companions.
• River told Ace to watch how fire should be used, then summoned a dragon-shaped flame and called it Fire Dragon’s Roar.

River used flames he had learned from Ace to counter Tesoro’s gold and overwhelm him in battle. Tesoro then gathered the gold around him into a colossal armored form, while River prepared to show him the world’s greatest power.

• River revealed his ability to control intense golden flames, melting Tesoro’s gold and shocking Ace.
• River struck Tesoro with a flaming fist and sent him crashing through buildings.
• River hovered above Tesoro and bombarded him with fire dragons and fire projectiles, turning the open area into a sea of fire.
• Tesoro tried to trap River with gold dust, but River melted it before Tesoro could use it.
• Tesoro drew gold from across the ship and formed a colossal suit of golden armor around himself.
• Tesoro unleashed Golden Divine Fire at River.

River overwhelmed Tesoro with increasingly powerful flames and defeated him with his ultimate attack, Flame Emperor. The chapter ended with Tesoro charred and kneeling as his allies and the others wondered whether he was still alive.

• Tesoro fired laser beams from his giant golden form, but River stopped them with Dragon Flame Song and knocked Tesoro back with Great Fire Annihilation.
• Tesoro restored his golden armor and attacked River with Golden Hellfire, but River engulfed him in flames and melted much of his gold covering.
• River drew the surrounding flames into a fiery whirlwind and formed a huge fireball above his fingertip while warning Tesoro that it was his final move.
• Tesoro charged River with Golden Divine Punishment, sending Haki-infused golden warheads at him.
• River unleashed Flame Emperor, and the golden flames burned through Tesoro's attack and left him charred and kneeling.
• Tanaka, Carina, Ace, and the others saw Tesoro's defeat and wondered whether he was still alive.

River defeated Tesoro and persuaded him to join his cause, then restored his burned body. After a dream of Stella helped Tesoro reconnect with his ideals, he woke ready to work with River as news spread of River’s growing power and kingdom.

• Ace realized that raising the Flame-Flame Fruit’s temperature could increase its destructive power, but rejected the idea that strength depended only on a Devil Fruit.
• River asked Tesoro whether he truly wanted to destroy the Celestial Dragons and invited him to join his mission to change the world; Tesoro accepted before collapsing unconscious.
• River restored Tesoro’s burned body, and Fujitora praised the value Tesoro’s business skills could bring to Dressrosa.
• Three days later, Tesoro dreamed of Stella, who urged him to wake up and use his strength to help the world; he realized their life together had not been real.
• Tesoro woke, dressed in gold, and told Stella, Tanaka, Carina, and the others that they had work to do.
• River read a newspaper reporting his declaration, Dressrosa’s rise, and his growing reputation as a potential emperor of the seas; Tesoro arrived to call everyone to dinner.

River ordered Ace to reorganize the Whitebeard Pirates and become one of the new Four Emperors, then awakened and enhanced Ace’s abilities. Ace unleashed powerful Conqueror’s Haki in the restaurant, leaving Tesoro and Cavendish stunned.

• Tesoro accepted his place under River and prepared to accompany him to Dressrosa.
• River told Ace he could leave after the meal if he reorganized the Whitebeard Pirates and became one of the new Four Emperors.
• River infused Ace with enhanced Haki abilities and awakened new powers in his Flame-Flame Fruit.
• Ace felt his newfound strength and released a tremendous burst of Conqueror’s Haki that shattered the dining table and knocked nearby servers unconscious.
• Tesoro recognized Ace’s outburst as Conqueror’s Haki, while Cavendish struggled under its pressure.

Ace left to return to the Moby Dick after learning that the old man was still alive, while Tesoro announced the City of Gold would close and sail to join Dressrosa. Cavendish and his companions joined River, and the chapter ended with Sengoku accepting his retirement after Akainu Sakazuki defeated Kuzan to become the Navy's new Fleet Admiral.

• River told Ace that the old man was still alive, and Ace thanked his uncle before setting off to return to the Moby Dick and pursue his ambition of becoming Pirate King.
• Tesoro announced that the City of Gold would temporarily close and that he would join Dressrosa, prompting crowds to flee the Ark Maxim in fear of River's territory.
• Cavendish told River that he and his companions wanted to follow him, and River welcomed them.
• The Ark Maxim sailed away as Tesoro sang, and a new kingdom began its rise.
• Sengoku learned that Akainu Sakazuki had defeated Kuzan and been named the Navy's new Fleet Admiral, then accepted his retirement.

After witnessing the Celestial Dragons’ abuses in Mary Geoise, Kuzan questioned Marine justice and decided to leave the Marines. Meanwhile, the Whitebeard Pirates came under attack across the New World, and Marco struggled to respond as he waited for Ace.

• Kuzan witnessed Celestial Dragons enslaving and abusing people while the Marines stood by, and he questioned the justice they upheld.
• After considering his future following his defeat in the Fleet Admiral contest, Kuzan resolved to leave the Marines.
• Sengoku received a document confirming that Kuzan had left and reacted with a long sigh.
• The Whitebeard Pirates received reports of attacks by Big Mom’s men and Kaido’s forces across their territories.
• Overwhelmed by the attacks, Marco asked whether Ace had returned.

Ace returned to the Moby Dick transformed and accepted leadership of the Whitebeard Pirates, inheriting Whitebeard’s hat and Murakumogiri. He revealed his powerful Conqueror’s Haki and ordered the crew to gather and prepare to reclaim what Big Mom and Kaido had taken.

• Marco and the other Whitebeard Pirates worried about their crew’s future and looked to Ace for hope.
• Ace raced across the sea on flames, astonishing the crew with his speed and commanding presence.
• Ace apologized for letting his crewmates down and told Marco he would become captain and lead them toward a better future.
• Ace unleashed powerful Conqueror’s Haki, and Marco suspected River had helped him grow stronger.
• Marco placed Whitebeard’s captain’s hat on Ace’s head, while Jozu gave him Murakumogiri.
• Ace accepted his role as captain and ordered the crew to gather and prepare to take back everything Big Mom and Kaido had seized.

Ace took command of the Whitebeard Pirates and ordered a major campaign against the Kaido and Big Mom Pirates. In Dressrosa, Crocodile and Daz Bones learned that River had returned with Gild Tesoro and the City of Gold, bringing the kingdom a powerful new source of wealth.

• Ace rallied the Whitebeard Pirates by declaring that they would retaliate against attacks on their territory and face the other Emperor crews.
• The Whitebeard Pirates mobilized a large fleet, drawing attention as their warships sailed out toward their targets.
• Crocodile and Daz Bones discussed Dressrosa’s growing population, limited land, and shortage of money as the kingdom expanded its forces and territories.
• A Den Den Mushi call announced that River had returned with Gild Tesoro and the City of Gold, a vast golden ship.
• Crocodile welcomed Tesoro’s wealth as a chance to develop the kingdom and strengthen the army.

Gild Tesoro arrived in Dressrosa aboard his enormous golden ship and met the kingdom’s powerful subordinates after River appointed him finance minister. He began forming ties with Crocodile and Doflamingo as Doflamingo told River that Caesar’s preparations were nearly complete.

• Gild Tesoro arrived at Dressrosa’s harbor, where River introduced him to Golden Lion Shiki and Enel.
• River named Tesoro the kingdom’s finance minister, prompting Shiki and Enel to welcome him as a colleague after learning he controlled military funding.
• Donquixote Doflamingo greeted Tesoro, and they put their past grudges aside as they discussed working together.
• Crocodile enthusiastically welcomed Tesoro, and the two exchanged friendly words while Shiki and Enel left together.
• Doflamingo told River that Caesar’s preparations were nearly complete and asked if this was the kingdom’s research department.

River’s plans for Dressrosa’s development included education, research, and manufacturing, and Doflamingo suggested Caesar could help establish a research department. Tesoro toured Dressrosa Equality Academy, where its free, inclusive education deepened his admiration for River’s vision.

• River told Donquixote Doflamingo he wanted to establish a research department, and Doflamingo suggested asking Caesar for help.
• Crocodile guided Tesoro through Dressrosa and showed him the newly built Dressrosa Equality Academy.
• Crocodile explained that the academy welcomed commoners and other races and provided free compulsory primary education.
• Tesoro toured the campus, reflected on how schooling might have changed his life, and said the academy could draw people from across the world.
• A little girl told Tesoro and Crocodile that smoking was forbidden on campus, so Crocodile put out his cigar and apologized.

River developed Dressrosa’s research and infrastructure plans while Tesoro’s arrival boosted commerce, then learned that Wano Country was connected to a major New World figure. The chapter ended with River focused on Tesoro’s intelligence report.

• Crocodile and Tesoro left a school, where a little girl admired Crocodile and resolved to become an Admiral.
• River and Donquixote Doflamingo visited Caesar at the Dressrosa Academy of Sciences, and Caesar recommended recruiting the Vinsmoke Family for its research expertise.
• River asked Caesar to investigate steel-hulled ships and civilian Den Den Mushi, then considered the challenges of building a kingdom.
• Half a month later, Dressrosa’s officials debated competing needs for funding as trade and investment grew under Tesoro.
• Tesoro told River that Dressrosa’s agents had contacted Wano Country, which was connected to a major figure in the New World.

At a kingdom council meeting, River heard reports on enemy intelligence, military growth, schools, research, and the kingdom’s strained finances. Tesoro proposed attacking a Four Emperor to rapidly expand Dressrosa’s power, and River left the idea open while Dressrosa’s lack of administrators remained a major obstacle.

• Rob Lucci reported that his agents had infiltrated Wano Country and were monitoring the Vinsmoke Family and Blackbeard’s crew.
• River listened as officials described plans for expanding the military, building schools, and recruiting young scientists.
• Tesoro criticized the officials for requesting funds without considering how to raise revenue, then issued authorization slips for their approved expenses.
• Tesoro told River that war was the fastest way to strengthen the kingdom and urged him to attack one of the Four Emperors.
• River asked who they should fight, and Tesoro named the Four Emperors as targets who could bring Dressrosa vast wealth, influence, and territory.
• River left without committing to the plan, while Tesoro recognized that Dressrosa lacked enough people to administer an Emperor’s conquered domain.

A year after the Paramount War, River strengthened Dressrosa and prepared to confront Blackbeard while pursuing an alliance with the Vinsmoke Family. Judge weighed Dressrosa against the Big Mom Pirates as River prepared to meet him.

• Freya reported that Aokiji had left the Marines, Zephyr’s ship had been attacked, and Blackbeard’s forces were hunting Devil Fruit users; River ordered Lucci to find Zephyr and directed his forces to locate and destroy Blackbeard’s territory.
• River ordered the agent close to Kaido to remain undercover and told Freya to arrange a meeting with the Vinsmoke Family as soon as possible.
• Doflamingo told River that he would meet Vinsmoke Judge in six days, and River agreed to meet Judge personally.
• Doflamingo urged Judge to choose Dressrosa over the Big Mom Pirates, while Judge admitted that River’s arrival put him under pressure.
• Judge gathered his children and said the Vinsmoke Family faced a difficult choice between Dressrosa and the Big Mom Pirates.

The Vinsmoke Family weighed an alliance with Big Mom against one with River and waited to meet the World's Strongest Man. River arrived at the harbor, where his overwhelming Conqueror's Haki left Judge apprehensive.

• Vinsmoke Reiju discussed the advantages of Big Mom and River with Judge, while Vinsmoke Ichiji and Vinsmoke Niji urged their father to choose River.
• Judge ordered his children to prepare for River's visit and postponed the decision until they had met him.
• Six days later, Judge and the Vinsmoke Family waited at the harbor with Donquixote Doflamingo, who described River's growing ranks of powerful and skilled followers.
• Reiju spotted River's approaching golden flagship and its accompanying warships, and Doflamingo confirmed that His Majesty had arrived.
• River's Conqueror's Haki spread across the sea, shaking Judge and leaving him wary of the World's Strongest Man.