Chapter Summaries

Kaido drank to activate Drunken Dragon Bagua mode and challenged River to a fight at full strength. River opened the Eighth Gate, Gate of Death, and the two began their next clash, ending as Kaido swung his Kanabo down with Drunken Thunder Bagua: Ragnarok.

• Kaido recovered enough to sit up, acknowledged River’s strength, and ordered his pirates to bring him booze.
• Kaido invited River to drink, but River recognized his plan to use liquor to reach his strongest state and accepted the challenge.
• Kaido drank jar after jar, activated Drunken Dragon Bagua mode, and shifted into his Dragon-Human Form as his wounds healed.
• River opened the Eighth Gate, Gate of Death, turning his blue steam blood-red as Kaido’s power rose.
• Kaido charged River, and after both fighters blurred into position, Kaido leaped and attacked with Drunken Thunder Bagua: Ragnarok.

River and Kaido escalated their battle as River’s increasing speed overwhelmed Kaido’s defenses. River’s final Night Guy struck Kaido during his Roaring Thunder Bagua attack and sent him flying.

• River and Kaido clashed repeatedly with their attacks, shattering the ice around them.
• Kaido entered a sobbing state that increased his strength, then launched a Vajra Arrow at River.
• River reached his third and fourth speeds, dodging Kaido’s attacks and breaking both of Kaido’s arms with a kick.
• Kaido entered his angry state and reached his peak strength as River charged at fifth speed.
• Kaido unleashed Roaring Thunder Bagua, but River struck him with Night Guy, sending him flying and tearing up a vast expanse of ice.

River grievously wounded Kaido in a devastating clash, but Kaido survived and ordered his crew to retreat. King spotted the approaching Whitebeard Pirates, revealing why Kaido chose to withdraw.

• River's attack left Kaido's crew fearing their captain had been defeated, while the All-Stars paused their fight and Black Maria prepared for a retreat.
• Who's-Who watched River in awe and recalled Rob Lucci's promise to explain his sudden strength after the mission.
• Kaido rose in a bloodied, near-death state and headed for his warship, thrilling his pirates until he ordered them to retreat.
• Kaido used Hakai to break the frozen sea and clear a path for the warship to sail away, then ordered the rest of his forces to withdraw.
• King spotted the Whitebeard Pirates approaching and realized Kaido had retreated because he had seen them.

River and his allies drove Kaido’s forces into retreat, then met the approaching Whitebeard Pirates at sea. After Ace saw that River was safe, he chose to return to the party, inspired to become Pirate King and surpass his father.

• The Whitebeard Pirates arrived, and the sight of their fleet sent Kaido’s remaining forces fleeing.
• Doflamingo, Aokiji, and Fujitora regrouped aboard the Ark Maxim, while Fujitora said River planned to deal with the great pirates later.
• River returned to the ship and ordered everyone not to pursue Kaido, saying they would go to Wano Country soon.
• Cavendish spotted the Moby Dick, and River recognized that Ace had brought the Whitebeard Pirates to help him.
• Ace saw River’s unharmed ship and Kaido’s battered state, then resolved to become Pirate King and surpass his father.
• Ace declined Jozu’s suggestion to meet River and chose to return to the party with the Whitebeard Pirates.

River reunited with Ace, then brought the captured Marshall D. Teach and the Vinsmoke Family toward Dressrosa as Judge recognized River’s growing power and ambitions. Three days later, the World Government leaders feared River’s rise and considered taking action before he could unify the New World.

• Cavendish and Ace exchanged farewells as the Whitebeard fleet sailed away from River’s group.
• River told Aokiji they were heading to Germa 66 to collect Judge and the others before returning to Dressrosa.
• Judge welcomed River’s group, examined the shackled Marshall D. Teach, and prepared to travel to Dressrosa.
• Judge’s sons praised River’s strength, while Judge predicted River would eventually attack Kaido and Big Mom’s territories.
• At Mary Geoise, the World Government leaders discussed Ace’s rise, River’s victory over Kaido, and the danger of River unifying the New World.

The World Government and Marines reacted to River’s growing power, Ace’s rise as a new Emperor, and Zephyr’s departure from Marine Headquarters. Sengoku told Garp that Ace had become captain of the Whitebeard Pirates and fought Kaido to a draw, leaving Garp stunned by his grandson’s strength.

• The World Government’s elders decided to wait for the Marines to rebuild before acting, while worrying about River’s expanding influence in Dressrosa.
• Akainu learned that Ace had fought Kaido to a draw and become a new Emperor, while River had captured Blackbeard and left Kaido gravely wounded.
• Akainu learned that Zephyr had left Marine Headquarters over the treatment of his student recruits and the World Government’s decisions.
• Garp and Sengoku discussed Zephyr’s departure, and Sengoku reflected on whether he had made the right choices in his life.
• Sengoku told Garp that Ace had become captain of the Whitebeard Pirates and fought Kaido to a draw, shocking Garp.

Garp learned that Ace had become a Four Emperor after fighting Kaido to a draw, while the news spread across the world and Ace received a 4.5 billion bounty. Rayleigh brought the news to Roger and Whitebeard, who celebrated Ace’s rise.

• Sengoku told Garp that Ace had fought Kaido to a draw, and Garp joyfully celebrated his grandson’s strength and safety.
• Sengoku warned Garp that Ace and River joining forces could affect the world, but Garp dragged him away and dismissed his concerns.
• News spread worldwide that Ace had become a Four Emperor, and the World Government announced his new title, Flame Emperor, and 4.5 billion bounty.
• Rayleigh visited Roger and Whitebeard on their remote island and told them that Ace had fought Kaido to a draw and become one of the Four Emperors.
• Roger and Whitebeard saw Ace’s bounty poster, and Roger called for a celebration.

On Onigashima, Kaido woke from his injuries and resolved to eliminate River, whom he recognized as too powerful to defeat alone. He called Big Mom to propose an alliance, but she postponed meeting until Kaido had recovered, leaving him furious yet determined to claim the world.

• Kaido woke after three days of sleep and reacted angrily when pirates mentioned River, recalling his crushing defeat.
• Kaido assessed River’s powers and accepted that he could not defeat him alone, then decided to seek Big Mom’s help.
• Kaido ordered a pirate to contact Charlotte Linlin and called her using a specially made Den Den Mushi.
• Kaido proposed a meeting to discuss the future of the world, and Big Mom agreed to wait until he had recovered.
• After Big Mom ended the call, Kaido raged at his enemies and vowed that the world would ultimately belong to him.

River returned to Dressrosa with Aokiji, Judge, the Vinsmoke Family, and the shackled Marshall D. Teach, and he assigned Aokiji a role as an admiral. Zephyr and his former Marine students watched from the crowd, weighing whether to join River as they struggled with their uncertain future.

• River and his companions disembarked in Dressrosa, where Aokiji and the Vinsmoke Family observed the kingdom's soldiers and bustling streets.
• Judge confirmed that the Vinsmoke Family would settle in Dressrosa, while Ichiji said they would someday reign over the North Blue again.
• Fujitora left to visit a young swordsman, and River told Aokiji he would serve as a kingdom admiral and offered Judge a place for the Vinsmoke Family near the Research Institute or on another island.
• Zephyr, Ain, Shuzo, and Binz watched River from the crowd, and Zephyr said they would look around before approaching him because they no longer trusted the Marines' justice.
• Binz pointed out that River had gathered powerful allies and suggested Zephyr's group join him, but Zephyr hesitated to ask his former student for help.

Zephyr and his students toured Dressrosa and were impressed by its lively, egalitarian society. River learned that Zephyr had arrived and sent Fujitora to escort him to the palace, where teacher and student were set to reunite.

• Zephyr and his students toured Dressrosa, where its schools, public institutions, and abolition of noble privileges moved him.
• Freya told River that Ohara’s rescued scholars were teaching at the Academy and that Kaido and Charlotte Linlin had discussed meeting.
• Freya informed River that Lucci’s subordinates had found Zephyr in Dressrosa.
• River decided to send Fujitora to receive Zephyr because he was occupied with accumulated documents.
• Fujitora met Zephyr at a café and explained that River had sent him to escort Zephyr to the palace.
• Zephyr accepted Fujitora’s invitation, and he and his students set off eagerly to see River.

Zephyr visited Dressrosa’s palace and saw the kingdom’s need for experienced military instructors. River invited him to stay and help, and Zephyr was appointed principal of the Military Academy with the rank of admiral.

• Fujitora led Zephyr and his companions through the palace, where they saw Gild Tesoro and heard officials discuss plans for a Martial Arts Department.
• King Riku told Fujitora that Dressrosa needed qualified military talent to organize defenses across its islands.
• Zephyr met River, who invited Ain, Binz, and Shuzo to stay in Dressrosa and offered Zephyr a place as well.
• Aokiji arrived and urged River to let Zephyr take over teaching military courses for Crocodile, Enel, and Shiki.
• River appointed Zephyr principal of the Military Academy and granted him the rank of admiral.

Zephyr became headmaster of Dressrosa’s military academy and began training its former pirates as officers. Three months later, Kaido and Big Mom arranged a meeting that might target River, who learned of their plan from Rob Lucci.

• Zephyr took charge of Dressrosa’s military academy and began teaching Crocodile, Enel, Golden Lion Shiki, and the other officers.
• Dressrosa’s army developed into a professional military over the following three months.
• Kaido contacted Big Mom and arranged to meet her on Bagran Island in two days.
• News of the Four Emperors’ planned meeting alarmed the world as people feared the two pirate crews might ally.
• Rob Lucci told River that Kaido and Big Mom were likely meeting to deal with him, and River responded with a grin.

River learned that Kaido and Big Mom planned to meet and ordered Dressrosa to prepare for a possible strike against both Emperor crews while guarding against the Navy and World Government. The next day, Admiral Kizaru and Vice Admiral Yamakaji watched Dressrosa’s fleet from the New World’s entrance and discussed River’s ambitions.

• Rob Lucci told River that Kaido and Big Mom’s crews would meet in two days, and River weighed the threat alongside the Navy and World Government’s recent activity.
• Rob Lucci proposed wiping out both Emperor crews at their meeting, but River warned that the World Government and Navy could attack Dressrosa in response.
• River ordered Rob Lucci to monitor both crews, put the kingdom’s admirals on standby, and prepare its warships for war.
• The next day, Vice Admiral Yamakaji and Admiral Kizaru stopped their fleet near Dressrosa’s patrol ships and assessed the kingdom’s naval strength, including Enel’s command.
• Kizaru and Yamakaji discussed the Emperor crews’ meeting and River’s likely ambitions, and Kizaru said he knew River well.

As Kaido and Big Mom arrived at Bagran Island for their long-awaited meeting, pirates and civilians braced for the confrontation. The two Emperors approached the town as their crews gathered on opposite shores, but their purpose remained unknown.

• Kizaru and Yamakaji discussed whether River would strike first against Kaido and Big Mom and the danger he faced from their alliance and possible intervention by the World Government and Navy.
• News spread that Kaido and Big Mom would meet on Bagran Island, while the Red-Hair crew and Whitebeard Pirates also began moving.
• Pirates drove Bagran Island’s civilians away, and spectators waited nervously for the two Emperor crews to arrive.
• Lookouts spotted the Kaido Pirates approaching from the east and the Big Mom Pirates from the west, prompting the spectators to hide.
• Kaido and Big Mom entered Bagran Town amid overwhelming pressure, and their laughter echoed as they drew closer.

Big Mom confronted Kaido in Baglan Town, where Kaido urged her to join forces against River. Their disagreement turned into a fierce clash, leaving the town in ruins as Katakuri watched from the shore.

• Big Mom met Kaido in Baglan Town and questioned the scars he had earned fighting River.
• Kaido warned Big Mom that River surpassed them and asked her to join forces to defeat him.
• Big Mom refused to trust Kaido and attacked him with Napoleon, while Kaido countered with Hassaikai.
• Big Mom and Kaido exchanged blows, and their shockwaves devastated Baglan Town and swept toward the shore.
• Katakuri watched the battle as someone asked whether they should intervene, and he said the two were just saying hello.

Kaido and Big Mom formed an alliance after Kaido warned her that River could wield multiple Devil Fruit abilities and posed a threat to them. As their crews celebrated with a banquet, Shanks and his crew watched from nearby waters and considered what the alliance meant for River.

• Kaido told Big Mom that River had used the Flame-Flame, Tremor-Tremor, Recovery, and Dark-Dark Fruit abilities, and urged her to join forces against him.
• Big Mom accepted Kaido's proposal, and the two pirate crews formed an alliance.
• Kaido and Big Mom called their crews together for a banquet in Bagran Town, where both sides drank and celebrated.
• A pirate reported the alliance to Shanks and his crew, who watched from the waters near Bagran Island.
• Shanks decided to observe for a while, noting that Kaido and Big Mom had allied to deal with River.

Shanks and the Red-Hair Pirates saw River racing alone across the sea toward Bagran Island to face the combined forces of Kaido and Big Mom. Meanwhile, Dressrosa’s fleet sailed out to defend its home as it approached the Marines.

• Shanks said he sensed an approaching storm and wondered why River had not acted against Kaido and Big Mom’s alliance.
• A Red-Hair Pirate spotted a man sprinting across the sea and identified him as River.
• Shanks and Beckman realized River intended to face both Emperor crews alone, and River smiled at the Red-Hair Pirates as he passed.
• Dressrosa’s soldiers boarded their warships, and the fleet of more than a hundred ships and fifty thousand soldiers set sail under its three Admirals.
• Dressrosa’s fleet advanced toward the Marine warships as thunder and lightning gathered overhead.

Dressrosa’s fleet faced the Marines while River was away confronting two Emperors, and Aokiji and Fujitora held the line under his orders. Golden Lion Shiki grew impatient and attacked the Marine fleet, leaving the sea in upheaval.

• Kizaru and Ryokugyu assessed Dressrosa’s forces and learned Aokiji had joined River’s side.
• Aokiji told Fujitora that River had ordered them to keep the Marines occupied and protect Dressrosa.
• Golden Lion Shiki urged Enel and Crocodile to take action, but Crocodile reminded him to stay on standby.
• Shiki flew toward the Marine fleet and warned its forces to leave Dressrosa’s waters.
• Shiki unleashed Lion’s Might: Imperial Palace Water Tornado, throwing the sea into turmoil.

Kizaru battled Golden Lion Shiki as Enel joined the clash near Dressrosa. At the banquet on Bagran Island, Big Mom and Kaido planned to defeat River, unaware that River had joined their gathering.

• Golden Lion Shiki attacked the Navy warships with water lions, and Kizaru countered with Yasakani no Magatama.
• Kizaru and Shiki traded attacks while Enel struck Kizaru with a Thunder Dragon.
• Big Mom and Kaido celebrated their alliance to take down River at a banquet on Bagran Island.
• Katakuri and King stayed sober and alert, and Katakuri warned Big Mom's fourteenth daughter not to let her guard down.
• River arrived at the banquet, learned that the crews had joined forces against him, and said the news troubled him.

River infiltrated the gathering of the Kaido and Big Mom Pirates on Bagran Island and revealed himself, prompting the two crews to attack. After River killed the Fourteenth Daughter's brother with one kick, the pirates charged him in overwhelming numbers.

• The Fourteenth Daughter recognized River at the feast and exposed his presence to the assembled pirates.
• River admitted he had joined the party, then challenged Kaido, Big Mom, and their crews to fight him.
• Kaido and Big Mom ordered their subordinates to attack River first and test his strength.
• The Fourteenth Daughter's brother charged River, but River kicked him across the island and left him motionless.
• The Big Mom Pirates surged toward River in huge numbers as he braced himself for the assault.