Chapter Summaries

River returned to Marineford after twenty years, and the Navy’s veterans and officers welcomed him as Admiral Daytime Tiger. Sengoku and Garp saw him as a key fighter against Whitebeard, while Zephyr welcomed his former student and friend back.

• A Marine told Gion that Daytime Tiger had arrived at Headquarters, and Gion hurried out after hearing that the man was River.
• Sengoku and Garp watched River approach the Inner Bay and discussed his strength, his role in the coming war against Whitebeard, and how his return might affect the Navy’s three admirals.
• Sengoku asked Zephyr to help settle the conflict between River and the three admirals, and Zephyr welcomed his friend’s return.
• Marine officers and soldiers gathered at the Inner Bay and shouted a welcome to Admiral Daytime Tiger.
• River launched himself from the sea to the plaza and thanked the assembled Navy for welcoming him.

River returned to Marine Headquarters after twenty years in Impel Down and was welcomed by Marines and former colleagues. As Gion accompanied him to handle his reinstatement, he left her uncertain about whether he would stay.

• River thanked the Marines who gathered to welcome him and put on his justice coat before heading to the Headquarters Building.
• River reunited with Gion, Chaton, and the other vice admirals, and Chaton accused him of stealing Gion's affection.
• Gion accompanied River to handle his reinstatement paperwork, while Tsuru mocked Chaton for failing to win her over in twenty years.
• River told Gion he had spent the past twenty years in Impel Down and said his imprisonment had resulted from negotiations and compromises.
• Gion asked whether River would leave again, and he stayed silent; she told him she would support his decisions.

River completed his onboarding at Marine Headquarters and agreed to stay by Gion’s side, while Sengoku’s leadership prepared to question his stance on the war against Whitebeard and the captured Ace. River entered the Fleet Admiral’s Office and declared that he had wanted to capture Whitebeard for twenty years, leaving Sengoku to stress that the coming war was no joke.

• The navy clerk completed River’s onboarding paperwork after recognizing Vice Admiral Momousagi, who had accompanied him.
• Gion reminded River of their long history and asked him not to leave without a word again, and River agreed.
• Tsuru warned Sengoku and Garp that River’s reaction to Ace’s capture could affect his participation in the war against Whitebeard.
• River entered Sengoku’s office with Gion and exchanged greetings with Sengoku, Garp, Zephyr, and Tsuru.
• Sengoku explained that River had been recalled because of the coming war, and River said he had wanted to capture Whitebeard for twenty years.
• Sengoku gravely told River that he was not joking about the war.

River agreed to join the coming war against the Whitebeard Pirates while concealing his resolve to save Ace, whom the Marines planned to execute as bait. After River encountered Vergo at Headquarters, Sengoku and Tsuru suspected River had hidden motives, while Gion said she would support him.

• River told Sengoku he would take part in the war against Whitebeard and accepted the Marines' decision to execute Ace, invoking his principles as a Marine.
• River privately vowed not to let Ace die and mocked the idea of serving the Marines' version of justice.
• River recognized Vergo and hinted that he knew Vergo's true identity, offering help if Vergo ran into trouble.
• Tsuru told Sengoku she believed River was hiding his intentions, while Gion said River had promised to stay at Headquarters and help send Whitebeard to Impel Down.
• Sengoku took Gion's account as a sign River might cooperate, and Gion privately resolved to support and cover for River.

River spent time reconnecting with Zephyr, who supported his choices and recognized that he might leave the Marines. As Marine Headquarters prepared for war against Whitebeard, River’s return prompted Marines across the seas to rush toward Marineford, and Sengoku assigned him to handle the upcoming Shichibukai meeting.

• River visited Zephyr to fish and talk, and Zephyr described his seastone arm and the attack that had cost him his right arm and his students.
• Zephyr told River he understood his convictions, supported his choices, and hoped River would succeed him after his death.
• River and Zephyr discussed whether River would leave the Marines, and River said he would support whatever Zephyr chose.
• Marine Headquarters sent mobilization orders worldwide in preparation for the war against Whitebeard.
• Marines in the South Blue, East Blue, West Blue, and North Blue changed course and hurried toward Marineford after hearing River had returned.
• Sengoku decided River should handle the approaching Shichibukai meeting.

River accepted Sengoku’s assignment to gather the Shichibukai for the coming war and asked to see Ace. After Sengoku agreed to let him see Ace once the Shichibukai assembled, River began his new post and met his assistant, Freya.

• Sengoku chose River to summon and manage the Shichibukai, while worrying about the coming war’s vast forces and River’s former subordinates.
• A lieutenant commander delivered Sengoku’s orders to River as he fished with Zephyr at Headquarters.
• River accepted the assignment and asked Sengoku to let him see Ace, whose location remained secret.
• Sengoku agreed that River could see Ace after gathering the Shichibukai at Headquarters.
• River received files on the Shichibukai and learned that Blackbeard, Marshall D. Teach, had replaced Crocodile.
• Freya introduced herself as River’s assistant, then sat on his lap and flirted with him.

River reviewed Marine files on the seven Shichibukai and told Freya that he had taken Dracule Mihawk’s title as the world’s greatest swordsman. He summoned Mihawk to Marine Headquarters for the coming war against the Whitebeard Pirates, then called Doflamingo.

• Freya gave River detailed Marine Headquarters files on the seven Shichibukai, and River chose to contact Mihawk first.
• River called Mihawk, who recognized him and agreed to come to Marine Headquarters for the planned war against the Whitebeard Pirates.
• Freya asked who had taken Mihawk’s title, and River said he had defeated Mihawk and claimed it himself.
• River began calling Doflamingo, while Freya warned that the Shichibukai was even nastier than Mihawk.

River summoned the Shichibukai to Marine Headquarters for an impending world-shaking war, then left his office after completing the calls. He encountered Admiral Aokiji, Kuzan, in the lobby.

• River called Doflamingo, who agreed to attend the Shichibukai meeting.
• Hancock and Jinbe eagerly agreed to come, while Gecko Moria said he needed to handle a problem first.
• River summoned Marshall D. Teach and challenged him to gamble on whether River would attack him; Teach agreed to attend.
• After finishing all six summons, River left the office to go fishing with Teacher Zephyr.
• River met Admiral Aokiji, Kuzan, in the lobby and told him he was in the way.

River arrived at Marine Headquarters with Freya and faced Aokiji, Kizaru, and Akainu, who blocked his way. Akainu attacked River with his Hell Hound technique as the Marines watched in shock.

• Aokiji blocked the doorway and challenged River, prompting the two former rivals to trade threats and release their auras.
• Kizaru appeared beside Aokiji and challenged River, while continuing to block the entrance.
• Akainu arrived, joining the other two Admirals and confronting River over his arrogance and Sengoku's summons.
• River unleashed Conqueror's Haki, making the hall fall still and the three Admirals' coats flutter.
• Akainu stepped forward, formed a magma dog-shaped fist, and attacked River with Hell Hound.

River fought the three Admirals outside Marine Headquarters, overpowering Sakazuki, Kizaru, and Kuzan despite their attacks. He struck Kizaru again, then vanished as Sakazuki launched another magma attack.

• Sakazuki attacked River with a magma Hell Hound, but River punched him in the abdomen and sent him flying.
• Kizaru attacked River with a light-speed kick, but River blocked him with his sword and slashed him, forcing him to reform outside.
• Kuzan froze River, but River shattered the ice and kicked Kuzan in two, sending him flying.
• River mocked the Admirals and swatted aside Kizaru's Laser Beams, causing explosions beside the headquarters.
• River appeared in front of Kizaru and punched him into a crater, then dodged Sakazuki's Dog Biting Crimson Lotus and vanished.

River and Sakazuki fought a destructive spar outside Marine Headquarters until Sengoku and Garp intervened. Sengoku assigned River to handle the Shichibukai, while Sakazuki predicted they would fight for real; afterward, Sengoku reprimanded the three Admirals in his office.

• Sakazuki attacked River with magma, but River dodged his strikes and drove his head into a crater.
• Sengoku and Garp arrived and stopped the fight, while River insisted it had only been a spar.
• Borsalino and Kuzan left, and Sakazuki warned River that they would fight for real before leaving too.
• Sengoku asked River to handle the Shichibukai and warned him he could show them Marine Headquarters' strength.
• Sengoku reprimanded Sakazuki, Kuzan, and Borsalino for attacking River, and Sakazuki argued that their actions served headquarters' interests.

As Marine Headquarters prepared for the coming war against Whitebeard, River learned that the Shichibukai were arriving and went to meet them. Dracule Mihawk reached Marineford first, while the other Shichibukai’s arrivals were still to come.

• Sengoku sent Sakazuki and Borsalino away after discussing the threat River posed, while Kuzan fell asleep in the office.
• Marine Headquarters gathered troops and tightened security as River watched the preparations and spoke with Freya.
• Freya reported that several Shichibukai would arrive at Headquarters that day, while continuing to flirt with River.
• A commotion at a restaurant announced the Shichibukai’s arrival, and River left to meet them.
• Dracule Mihawk approached Marineford’s Inner Bay aboard his Coffin Boat, prompting the flag officers at the harbor to grow solemn.

The Shichibukai arrived at Marineford as the marines prepared for the coming war against Whitebeard, with Admiral River assigned to receive them. As the group gathered at headquarters, Jinbe searched for River and wondered whether the legendary man could prevent the war.

• Dracule Mihawk arrived first, and River’s name came up when Mihawk asked where he was.
• A vice admiral identified Doflamingo’s ship approaching as Promi ordered the marines to open the Gate of Justice wider.
• The arriving ships carried Doflamingo, Boa Hancock, Jinbe, and the Blackbeard Pirates, among others.
• Doflamingo laughed at Marineford while Hancock’s charm threw the marines into chaos, prompting a vice admiral to tell them to regain their composure.
• Jinbe climbed the steps in silence, searching for River and wondering if he could prevent the war.

The Warlords gathered at Marine Headquarters as the Marines prepared for a possible war with Whitebeard, while Jinbe hoped to prevent the conflict and Teach welcomed the opportunity it offered. Doflamingo threatened Marines in the reception room until River arrived and warned him that he would not leave Marineford alive if he killed anyone.

• Jinbe recognized that the Marines were preparing for war over Ace's capture and hoped to stop the conflict to protect Whitebeard.
• Teach arrived at Marine Headquarters with his crew, believing Whitebeard's likely death would advance his plans and accepting River's challenge to gamble.
• The Warlords entered the reception room, where Doflamingo broke a cup, threatened a Marine with its shards, and used his power to make Marines aim their weapons at a Vice Admiral.
• Sengoku asked where River was as the Vice Admiral struggled to stop Doflamingo's attack.
• River entered the reception room and warned Doflamingo that he would not make it out of Marineford if he killed anyone.
• Doflamingo withdrew his power and sat down after River's warning.

River confronted Marshall D. Teach at the Warlord reception, beat him twice, and announced that the Warlords had to join the war against the Whitebeard Pirates. After the reception, Doflamingo suggested that Teach consider working with him.

• River welcomed Mihawk and ordered Doflamingo to bring him coffee, then turned his attention to Teach.
• River grabbed Teach by the head and slammed it into a wall, accusing him of daring to face him again.
• Teach asked why River had wanted to kill him since they first met, and River said he did not know.
• River told Teach he would not kill him but kicked him into the wall again for celebrating too soon.
• River ordered the Warlords to join the war against the Whitebeard Pirates and ended the reception.
• Doflamingo asked Teach if he would accept River's treatment, then suggested they work together.

Jinbe privately asked River to stop the coming war between the Marines and the Whitebeard Pirates, but River said he lacked the power to intervene. After Jinbe left, River reflected on the approaching conflict and waited for the Warlord meeting to begin.

• Marshall D. Teach declined to approach the unknown figure offering cooperation, saying he wanted to wait and see whose side the man was on.
• Jinbe visited River’s office and warned that Ace’s capture would provoke the Whitebeard Pirates and bring devastating war.
• Jinbe asked River to persuade Marine Headquarters to call off the war, then knelt and begged him to prevent it.
• River refused, explaining that Marine Headquarters and the World Government were determined to fight, and Jinbe thanked him before leaving.
• Freya told River that Bartholomew Kuma had gone to see Gecko Moria about the new Warlord replacement, and River decided to wait until everyone arrived for the meeting.

River prepared for the Shichibukai meeting as Donquixote Doflamingo told him Marshall D. Teach wanted to ally against him. Doflamingo instead proposed betraying Teach, leaving River to consider his suggestion before the meeting.

• River learned that Straw Hat Luffy had defeated Gecko Moria and discussed the rising Worst Generation with Freya.
• Donquixote Doflamingo and Marshall D. Teach agreed to become allies and target River during the coming war.
• The remaining two Shichibukai arrived at Marineford, and Freya prepared River for the televised meeting.
• Donquixote Doflamingo visited River and revealed that Teach had asked him to join forces against River.
• Donquixote Doflamingo told River he planned to attack Teach from behind and asked what River thought.

River convened the Shichibukai and confronted them over their role in the World Government’s bargain, ordering them to join the coming war against Whitebeard. Jinbe refused to participate and accepted the consequences, leaving River’s response unresolved.

• River and Donquixote Doflamingo discussed the Warlords' meeting, and Doflamingo left ahead of him.
• The Shichibukai gathered in a conference room under surveillance, and Bartholomew Kuma suggested that the Five Elders were watching because River had called the meeting.
• River criticized Gecko Moria for losing to Straw Hat Luffy and reminded him of his defeat by Kaido, provoking Moria to vow revenge.
• River condemned the Shichibukai as a bargain made for profit and ordered them to fight alongside the Marines against Whitebeard, declaring that none could refuse.
• Jinbe refused to take part in the war and said he was willing to bear the consequences, and River nodded.

Jinbe was stripped of his Warlord status and sent to Impel Down, while River went to see Ace in Marine Headquarters' prison. The Five Elders plotted to kill River after the coming war, and the chapter ended with Ace recognizing his uncle.

• River adjourned the Warlord meeting and told the Shichibukai they could wait at headquarters or return to their territories.
• Jinbe was stripped of his Warlord status for refusing headquarters' summons and sent to Impel Down in shackles.
• River learned that Ace was being held in headquarters' prison before being transferred to Impel Down, and went to see him.
• The Five Elders discussed River's hidden intentions and planned to assassinate him after the war.
• River found Ace in his cell, reminded him that he had predicted Ace would lose to Marshall D. Teach, and Ace cried out, "Uncle!!"

River visited Ace in prison, revealed that he was Ace’s uncle and urged him to stay alive despite the coming war. After Ace was transferred to Impel Down, River told Freya that several Marines she was tracking had once been his subordinates.

• River told Ace that the Marines planned to use his execution to draw out Whitebeard and that the war could no longer be stopped.
• Ace begged River to prevent the war, but River explained that Ace’s survival would not change its course and urged him to hold on to hope.
• River left Ace after promising to do what he could, and Ace asked him to look after Luffy if he died.
• Freya told River that Ace had been sent to Impel Down under Garp’s escort, and River admitted Ace was his nephew.
• River told Freya that the Marines she had been monitoring were all once his subordinates.