Chapter Summaries

River tried to recruit Golden Lion Shiki into Void Night by offering to restore his strength and legs, but Shiki rejected him and challenged him to a fight to decide who would be boss. Their duel began in the pavilion and continued outside, where Shiki unleashed Lion's Might: Earth Roll.

• River offered to help Golden Lion Shiki regain his former strength and restore his severed legs if he joined Void Night.
• Golden Lion Shiki rejected River's offer and said the stronger man would become the boss.
• Shiki attacked River with Slash Wave, and River dodged the strike.
• River and Shiki clashed swords as Shiki attacked with repeated slashes from his bladed legs, forcing River backward and out of the pavilion.
• Golden Lion Shiki used Lion's Might: Earth Roll, making the stones beneath River tremble violently.

River and Golden Lion Shiki fought in a destructive clash of swordsmanship and power. Shiki pulverized a vast forest with his relentless slashes, while River disappeared beneath the attack.

• Shiki raised enormous Earth Lions that attacked River, and River sliced through them before they regenerated.
• River cut apart five lions with a powerful slash, but Shiki emerged from behind them and struck at River’s head.
• River blocked Shiki’s blade, and the two exchanged flying slashes that destroyed a nearby building.
• Shiki unleashed Lion: Thousand-Cut Valley, forcing River backward through a forest as River praised Shiki’s strength.
• Shiki blanketed the forest with golden slashes, and the attack pulverized dozens of miles of woodland with River hidden beneath it.

River survived Golden Lion Shiki’s crushing mountain attack and transformed into a green, ferocious state. He launched a rapid counterattack and struck Shiki hard enough to send him hurtling toward the ground.

• Golden Lion Shiki carved up the forest with slashes, but River emerged uninjured and mocked his attack.
• Shiki raised lion-shaped mountains and compressed them around River, burying him beneath a massive twisted mound of earth.
• River broke apart the mountain and soared toward Shiki, wreathed in burning green energy.
• River dodged Shiki’s counter and landed a powerful punch on his left cheek, blasting him toward the ground.

River fought Golden Lion Shiki as Shiki turned the entire island into an overwhelming wave of lion-shaped earth. After Shiki buried him, River opened the Seventh Gate and burst through the earth, launching Daytime Tiger at his opponent.

• River dodged Shiki's Slash Wave and smashed through the lion-shaped earth Shiki raised from the island.
• Shiki surrounded River with endless lion mountains, using Lion's Might: Earth Roll to crush him beneath the earth.
• River laughed as Shiki sealed him inside, unsettling the Golden Lion.
• River opened the Seventh Gate, broke through the earth, and appeared before Shiki.
• River roared and unleashed Daytime Tiger at Golden Lion Shiki.

River fought Golden Lion Shiki with the Seventh Gate open and struck him with Daytime Tiger, but Shiki refused to surrender and hurled nearly ten islands and a massive lake at him. River prepared a Conqueror’s Haki-coated Daytime Tiger: Mountain Crusher to smash the oncoming islands.

• River ran through the air and shattered Shiki’s Lion Mountain with an Air Cannon.
• River evaded Shiki’s Thousand-Cut Valley and struck him with Daytime Tiger, sending him crashing into a floating island with broken ribs and bloodied clothes.
• Indigo and the other pirates watched in fear as River pursued the injured Shiki.
• Shiki declared he would stake everything on the pride and strength of the old era, then sent the surrounding islands and a huge lake hurtling toward River.
• River coated his arms with Conqueror’s Haki and unleashed Daytime Tiger: Mountain Crusher toward the incoming islands.

River defeated Golden Lion and made him agree to follow River as his boss, while Marshall D. Teach and his crew prepared to leave Banaro Island before Ace confronted them. The chapter ended with Ace addressing Teach and implying that they both understood why he had come.

• River destroyed the islands Golden Lion sent at him, then struck Golden Lion with a powerful punch and knocked him unconscious.
• River caught Golden Lion before he fell into the sea and reminded him of their agreement; Golden Lion accepted River as his boss and agreed to see what chaos he would bring to the world.
• On Banaro Island, Marshall D. Teach said his wounds had healed and vowed to make River pay, while his crew discussed Enies Lobby and the Straw Hats.
• As Marshall D. Teach and his crew headed toward the harbor, Ace appeared on a rooftop and confronted Teach, calling him Captain of the Blackbeard Pirates.

Ace fought Blackbeard on Banaro Island after learning that Blackbeard planned to capture Luffy, while River told Golden Lion that Ace’s capture would lead to a Marine war against Whitebeard at Marineford. River left the group waiting for the upheaval he predicted and the opportunity it would create.

• Ace rejected Blackbeard’s offer to join his crew after Blackbeard revealed his plan to capture Luffy and offer him to the government.
• Ace attacked Blackbeard’s crew with Fire Pistol and Fire Fist, setting Jesus Burgess ablaze.
• Blackbeard unleashed the power of his darkness fruit, and he and Ace charged into a clash that began their battle on Banaro Island.
• On the Floating Island, Golden Lion questioned River about his plans and the Marines’ intentions toward Whitebeard.
• River predicted that the Marines would fight Whitebeard at Marineford after capturing his son Ace, and told Golden Lion to wait for the coming upheaval.

River removed and healed the ship's wheel embedded in Golden Lion Shiki's head, strengthening Shiki's belief that River could restore his legs. At Marine Headquarters, Sengoku considered Blackbeard's capture of Ace and the possibility of war, ending with River on his mind.

• River told Golden Lion Shiki he could restore his legs and offered to remove the ship's wheel from his head.
• River shattered the wheel and healed Shiki's injury, leaving Shiki thrilled to see his head restored in a mirror.
• River reflected on building trust with his new crew, then asked Foxy for the latest newspaper and read reports about the Enies Lobby incident.
• Sengoku reviewed the case against Marshall D. Teach, who had handed over Portgas D. Ace and become a Shichibukai, and feared war could erupt.
• Sengoku thought of Garp and River as he considered Ace's fate.

Sengoku accepted the World Government’s decision to use Ace’s execution as bait for a war against Whitebeard, despite the risks and the possibility of angering Garp and River. In Water 7, Garp asked Kuzan about his recent fight with River, whom Kuzan still considered a troublesome opponent.

• Sengoku reflected on Ace’s capture as a chance to break the balance between the Marines and the Four Emperors.
• The Five Elders ordered Sengoku to publicize Ace’s capture and plan a war to draw out and defeat the Whitebeard Pirates.
• Sengoku agreed to prepare for war and ordered Garp and Aokiji recalled from Water 7.
• Sengoku reviewed Ace’s records, including the secret that Ace was the son of Gol D. Roger, and resolved to show the Marines’ strength.
• In Water 7, Garp asked Kuzan about his recent fight with River, and Kuzan said River had not changed and remained troublesome.

Kuzan told Garp that Ace had been captured, prompting Garp to hurry to Marineford as he worried about the coming upheaval and wondered how River would respond. Meanwhile, River and Shiki arrived near Enies Lobby and set course to recruit Rob Lucci and his companions, who were fleeing the World Government.

• Kuzan warned Garp that the Navy would not ignore Luffy’s actions at Enies Lobby and revealed the rumor that Ace had been captured.
• Sengoku summoned Garp to headquarters, and Garp left the Straw Hat Pirates behind to sail for Marineford.
• Garp worried about Ace’s fate and wondered whether River would try to rescue his nephew.
• River and Shiki arrived by golden ship near Enies Lobby and Water 7 after seeing Enies Lobby’s destruction.
• River directed Enel toward a small boat carrying Rob Lucci and his companions, whom he planned to recruit.

The injured former CP9 members fled across the sea after Spandam framed them, but a World Government warship caught up and attacked. Just as they faced destruction, a golden ship appeared, and its arriving figure greeted them as an old acquaintance.

• Jabra complained that Spandam had framed them while the battered former CP9 members discussed their desperate situation.
• Kaku said they needed to find safety and treatment for the unconscious Rob Lucci, but Blueno struggled to row as the group weakened from hunger and injuries.
• Jabra spotted a World Government warship pursuing them, and its agents identified the group as fugitive former CP9 members.
• The warship fired on the small boat, and Kaku broke his leg destroying a cannonball with Tempest Kick.
• A huge slash split the warship in two, and a golden ship appeared with a golden-haired old man at its bow.
• The former CP9 members recognized a man who appeared beside the old man, and he greeted them as they faced trouble.

River rescued the injured CP9 members and recruited them after the World Government branded them traitors. As Lucci recovered aboard River’s ship, Enel and Crocodile revealed they had also fought Straw Hat Luffy, giving the former enemies a shared grievance.

• River offered Kaku and the others help and a place under his command, and Kaku accepted on their behalf.
• River used Restore to heal Lucci’s life-threatening injuries, then had Foxy and the ship’s doctor treat his remaining wounds.
• The CP9 members ate and drank aboard River’s ship, while Kalifa grew moved by River’s kindness and resolved that he deserved her loyalty more than Spandam.
• Enel asked who had injured Lucci, and Kaku said Straw Hat Luffy had defeated him.
• Enel and Crocodile said they had both fought Luffy, and Kaku and the others realized they shared the experience of being beaten by him.

River’s growing crew bonded aboard the ship as the world reacted to Luffy’s attack on Enies Lobby. At Marineford, Sengoku decided to ask the World Government to bring River back to headquarters to help face Whitebeard, despite Garp’s doubts about controlling him.

• River watched his crew, including the CP9 members, Enel, and Crocodile, grow closer and considered strengthening them by assigning numbers.
• Foxy told the CP9 squad that Golden Lion Shiki and Doflamingo were among River’s allies, and River warned Foxy not to reveal ship information carelessly.
• Several days later, Sengoku told Garp that the World Government had decided to act and that he wanted River transferred back to Marine Headquarters.
• Garp objected to the plan, but agreed that River was the best choice to face Whitebeard; Sengoku asked Garp to help keep an eye on River.

Sengoku decided to recall River to Marine Headquarters for the coming war against Whitebeard, despite the Five Elders’ objections, and made River’s return a test that could lead to him becoming Fleet Admiral. On the Ark Maxim, Rob Lucci woke after River treated his injuries and accepted that he and the former CP9 team were now River’s companions.

• Sengoku argued to the Five Elders that River’s strength and experience fighting Whitebeard and Roger would help the Marines win the coming war.
• The Five Elders reluctantly approved River’s recall and warned Sengoku that he would bear responsibility if River caused trouble.
• Sengoku ordered an officer to summon River to headquarters and announce Ace’s capture to the world.
• Rob Lucci woke aboard the Ark Maxim and learned that River had treated him and recruited his companions.
• River welcomed Lucci as a companion, and Lucci clasped his hand and thanked him.

River recounted to Rob Lucci how he joined the Marines, rose to Admiral, and turned against the World Government after the destruction of Ohara. He ended his story by revealing that he stormed Mary Geoise.

• River told Rob Lucci that he arrived in the world twenty years earlier after surviving a pirate massacre and met Admiral Zephyr.
• River described mastering Flying Slash and the Six Powers in a day, rising through the Marine ranks, and becoming an Admiral.
• River recalled the Ohara Buster Call, where his friend Saul and many others died along with the Tree of Knowledge.
• River said he went on a rampage at Ohara and badly injured Kuzan, Borsalino, and Sakazuki before Garp, Sengoku, Zephyr, and Kong arrived.
• River told Rob Lucci that he stormed Mary Geoise.

River explained his resolve to change the world and invited Rob Lucci to join him, prompting Lucci and the others aboard the Ark Maxim to pledge their support. Marine Headquarters then summoned River back and promoted him to Colonel, signaling that a major upheaval was approaching.

• River told Rob Lucci that his experiences, including Ohara and Saint Homing, had convinced him that the Celestial Dragons should never have existed and that he wanted to change the world.
• Rob Lucci accepted River's invitation to become his comrade and vowed to give everything, even his life, for the cause.
• The crew aboard the Ark Maxim heard River's words and reacted with fervor, as Crocodile, Enel, Golden Lion Shiki, Kalifa, and Foxy expressed their support.
• Marine Headquarters contacted River with an order from Fleet Admiral Sengoku to return immediately and announced his promotion from Marine Intern to Marine Headquarters Colonel.
• River recognized the summons as a warning that a major upheaval was beginning.

After learning that the Marines had captured Fire Fist Ace and summoned him, River prepared to return to Marine Headquarters before the coming war between the Marines and Whitebeard. He began assigning Void Night numbers and enhancing his followers, restoring Golden Lion Shiki’s legs and rejuvenating him before empowering Crocodile, then turned to Enel.

• River accepted the Marines’ summons and told his crew that a world-shaking event was coming and they would witness history.
• Foxy read the news that Fire Fist Ace had been captured, and River identified the coming Marine–Whitebeard war as the start of a new era.
• River said he would return to the Marines to say goodbye to his past, then announced that he would assign numbers to Void Night’s members and increase their power.
• River made Golden Lion Shiki Void Night’s Number 1, restored his legs, healed his injuries, and made him younger.
• River made Crocodile Number 2 and enhanced his Sand-Sand Fruit, physical attributes, and Haki.
• River turned to Enel and told him he would be Number 4.

River enhanced Enel, Foxy, and Rob Lucci, then assigned tasks to his allies as he prepared for the approaching Paramount War. He left the ship by sprinting across the sea, promising they would meet again on the world’s stage.

• River enhanced Enel’s Rumble-Rumble Fruit and physical abilities, granting him new techniques, the Six Powers, and Armament Haki.
• River enhanced Foxy’s Slow-Slow Fruit and physical abilities, granting him the Six Powers and Observation Haki, but Foxy failed to awaken Armament Haki.
• River enhanced Rob Lucci’s Cat-Cat Fruit and body, granting him Zoan Awakening, Armament Haki, and Observation Haki.
• River instructed everyone to train and integrate their new abilities, then told Shiki to gather allies without revealing his identity.
• River assigned Crocodile to lead intelligence and assassination efforts, Enel to guard the Ark Maxim and coordinate with the Numbered Ones, and Lucci to establish a covert organization and find two former CP9 members.
• River told Foxy to stay with Enel, then leapt onto the sea and sprinted away toward the horizon.

Golden Lion Shiki, Crocodile, and Rob Lucci tested their restored or enhanced powers before going their separate ways as news of Ace’s capture spread worldwide. Whitebeard prepared to rescue Ace, while an unidentified person raced across the sea toward Marineford’s Gate of Justice.

• Golden Lion Shiki tested his strength with Oto and Kogarashi, then flew away to complete River’s task.
• Crocodile and Rob Lucci discussed their new power and agreed to leave together with Kaku and the others.
• Doflamingo read the news of Ace’s capture and wondered what role River would play in the coming conflict.
• Whitebeard stood up, vowed to rescue Ace, and ordered Marco to rally the crew for the mission.
• Marine lookouts spotted a person running across the sea beside the whirlpool and heading straight for the Gate of Justice.

River, the long-vanished Admiral known as Daytime Tiger, returned to Marine Headquarters after twenty years, startling the Marines who recognized him. His arrival sparked an uproar as officers across Marineford tried to understand why he had come back.

• Marines at the Gate of Justice spotted a man running across the sea and called Colonel Promi to investigate.
• Promi recognized River by his Demon Blade, Shura, and joyfully ordered the Gate of Justice opened.
• River recognized Promi, greeted his former recruit, and ran through the gate toward Headquarters’ inner bay.
• Promi reflected that River’s three thousand former recruits still remembered and would obey him.
• River’s return reached Marine Headquarters, where Marines recognized Daytime Tiger and speculated that Fleet Admiral Sengoku had summoned him.