Chapter Summaries

River’s former recruits returned to Marineford after hearing he was still alive and serving in the Marines. Their arrival strengthened the Marines for the coming battle, but Sengoku recognized that River’s influence could also cause trouble.

• River looked over Marineford and remembered the former recruits who had served under him.
• Bagu, Yigeer, Jialiluo, Aobisi, and other officers arrived at Marineford to see River, despite his current rank being captain.
• The officers waited for Ronse, a Giant Vice Admiral, who arrived aboard an enormous warship and joined them.
• Sengoku watched River’s former recruits cross the plaza and acknowledged that they would improve the Marines’ chances in battle while giving him another headache.

River’s former recruits arrived at Marine headquarters and reunited with him after twenty years, declaring their loyalty and asking about his plans. River welcomed them, while Sengoku and Garp watched the gathering with concern.

• Sengoku worried that River’s unusual calm concealed a plan, while Garp hoped River might help with Ace’s execution.
• Bagu, Yigeer, Jialiluo, Aobisi, and Giant Vice Admiral Ronse arrived at headquarters, where Jialiluo angrily insisted that River was an Admiral, not a colonel.
• Freya watched the former recruits arrive as River said he had trained them himself and looked forward to seeing how much they had grown.
• Bagu and the others entered River’s office and reunited with him emotionally after twenty years.
• Jialiluo proposed quitting the Marines, and Yigeer, Aobisi, and the others vowed to follow River wherever he went and never let him leave them behind again.

River reunited with his former Recruit Corps subordinates at Marineford, then learned that the Worst Generation had arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago. He went to Sengoku’s office to discuss the rookie pirates and considered the complications of pursuing Straw Hat’s crew.

• River welcomed Bagu, Yigeer, Aobisi, Ronse, Promi, and the other former Recruit Corps members, then hosted a reunion feast at Marineford.
• After the feast, Freya covered the sleeping River with a blanket, and he grabbed her wrist and smacked her backside before falling asleep again.
• Momousagi watched River’s interaction with Freya from the grass, called her a vixen, and stormed away.
• The next morning, Freya told River that Sengoku wanted to see him because something had happened at the Sabaody Archipelago, and River wondered whether the Supernovas had arrived.
• Sengoku told River and Borsalino that the Worst Generation, especially Straw Hat’s crew, had reached Sabaody and could cause trouble.
• River considered the consequences of targeting Garp’s other grandson after the Marines had already captured one of Garp’s grandsons.

River was assigned to maintain order at the Sabaody Archipelago as the Worst Generation arrived, where he hoped to face Rayleigh. After reaching the islands, he met Bartholomew Kuma, and they suggested they could work together.

• Sengoku assigned River to handle external security at the Sabaody Archipelago while maintaining peace there.
• River invited Kizaru to join him, but Kizaru declined and promised to support him if needed.
• River and Freya reviewed the Worst Generation's bounties, and River said he wanted to find promising rookie pirates and fight Rayleigh.
• River arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago and discovered Bartholomew Kuma had been riding aboard the warship.
• Kuma said River would not remain with the Marines, and River replied that he knew Kuma's purpose and proposed that they work together.

River revealed that he knew Kuma’s history, mission, and future fate, then proposed that they cooperate to change the world. Kuma refused because he had little time left and a mission to complete, but agreed to follow River if River could give him a second life; River then warned that Marine Headquarters might send an Admiral if Straw Hat’s crew caused a major incident.

• Kuma told River he could not trust him without knowing his goals, but followed him when River said he admired him and did not want him to disappear.
• Kuma admitted that Vegapunk’s experiments had changed his body and that he would soon lose his consciousness, while River warned that he might face an even worse fate.
• River learned that Kuma had accepted becoming a machine as a sacrifice for his beliefs, and the two discussed Roger’s response to death.
• River revealed that he knew Kuma’s ties to the Revolutionary Army, his deal with the World Government, and his reasons for visiting Sabaody, including his connection to Luffy.
• River proposed that he and Kuma work together to destroy the existing order and build a new world, but Kuma initially refused because he had little time left and a mission to complete.
• Kuma agreed to follow River if he could give him a second life, and River warned that an Admiral might appear if Straw Hat’s crew caused a major incident.

River arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago with Freya and met Vice Admiral Beaunce, who served under Akainu. After leaving the Marine Base, River set out to visit an old rival.

• River and Bartholomew Kuma walked to Area 65, where Kuma stopped outside the Marine Base and departed after speaking with River.
• River arrived at the Marine Base with Freya and met Vice Admiral Beaunce, who welcomed his help managing the Supernovas and the island’s other threats.
• Beaunce privately wondered why Headquarters had sent River and vowed to eliminate pirates in the name of Akainu’s Absolute Justice.
• River told Freya that Beaunce was skilled at handling people, then left to see an old rival he had wanted to meet for years.

River searched Sabaody Archipelago for Silvers Rayleigh, but Shakky denied knowing him. While exploring the island with Freya, River saved a desperate pirate from an explosive slave collar by demanding his loyalty and tearing the collar off just before it detonated.

• River and Freya visited Shakky's Rip-off Bar, where Shakky recognized River but denied knowing Silvers Rayleigh.
• After leaving the bar, River told Freya that Rayleigh was still on the island and that they could find him by locating a few people.
• River and Freya wandered through the lively Soap Bubble Parks, where Freya teased him about his relationship with Vice Admiral Momousagi.
• A slave pirate pleaded for help as his explosive collar began beeping, while frightened civilians kept their distance.
• River offered to save the pirate in exchange for his loyalty, and the pirate accepted.
• River tore off the collar as it exploded, leaving the crowd to fear the Celestial Dragons' retaliation.

River freed Zanbu by destroying his slave collar and promised to help him return home, then confronted the approaching Celestial Dragons. As a female Celestial Dragon fired at him from point-blank range, River suddenly moved, leaving Bartholomew Kuma watching in alarm.

• River destroyed Zanbu’s collar and claimed him as his subordinate, promising him a chance to see his child.
• Zanbu pledged to follow River, while Luffy and his companions recognized River and Hachi warned that saving a slave would bring serious trouble.
• The Celestial Dragons approached, and the civilians and Zanbu trembled as Bartholomew Kuma watched from a rooftop.
• River walked toward the Celestial Dragons and faced the woman and middle-aged man who accused him of defiance.
• The female Celestial Dragon raised her revolver and fired at River, who suddenly moved as Bartholomew Kuma reacted in shock.

River attacked Shalria and Saint Rosward, then freed a chained slave and walked away with Freya and Zanbu. Bartholomew Kuma wondered whether River was showing the world that Celestial Dragons were not to be feared.

• River caught Shalria’s bullet, grabbed her by the neck, and questioned why Celestial Dragons breathed different air from ordinary people.
• River struck Saint Rosward, who recognized him as the man who had beaten Celestial Dragons twenty years earlier.
• River released Shalria and left with Freya and Zanbu, despite the Marines’ pleas and Saint Rosward’s protests.
• A chained slave begged River to save him, and River broke his chains and took him along.
• Hachi reacted in shock, while Bartholomew Kuma wondered whether River was telling the world that the Celestial Dragons were not to be feared.

Luffy's crew learned from Shakky that River had once been the Marines' strongest Admiral, known as Daytime Tiger, and was now searching for Rayleigh. Meanwhile, River recruited two former pirate captains and crossed paths with Zoro as they approached a Celestial Dragon.

• After the Celestial Dragons passed, Pappag explained their lineage and warned that harming one would bring an Admiral and Marine troops.
• At Shakky's bar, Shakky told Luffy's crew that River had been a powerful Marine Admiral who fought Roger's crew and had once bested Kuzan and the other Admirals.
• Shakky revealed that River was searching for Rayleigh and worried that the meeting could put Rayleigh in danger.
• River learned that Longbottom and Zanbu were former pirate captains with bounties of 280 million and 250 million Beli, then brought them along as his men.
• River's group encountered a Celestial Dragon, while Zoro approached from another direction, and nearby Supernovas reacted in alarm at their apparent fearlessness.

River stopped Saint Charlos from shooting Zoro, then continued on with Freya, Zanbu, and Longbottom. After Bonney told Zoro that River had defeated Dracule Mihawk, Zoro chased after the Marine to ask him about it.

• Zoro drew his sword to attack Saint Charlos, but Jewelry Bonney tackled him and saved him from the Celestial Dragon’s gunshot.
• River confronted Saint Charlos, shattered his pistol, and warned him before walking away with Freya, Zanbu, and Longbottom.
• The hidden Supernovas reacted to River’s encounter with Saint Charlos, and Basil Hawkins’s cards predicted certain death for anyone who faced him.
• Bonney told Zoro that River had defeated Dracule Mihawk, prompting Zoro to run after River’s group.
• River recognized Zoro as Robin’s companion and said he would delay arresting him, and Zoro asked whether River had defeated Mihawk.

Roronoa Zoro challenged River after learning that River had defeated Dracule Mihawk. River accepted the duel but fought with a branch, leaving Zoro overwhelmed by his strength and wondering how it differed from Mihawk’s.

• Zoro declared that River was now his greatest goal and demanded a fight, despite River warning that the challenge could cost him his life.
• River refused to draw his sword, instead taking a branch and promising to give Zoro a few pointers.
• Zoro launched a series of Three-Sword Style attacks, but River blocked and evaded them with the branch.
• River sent Zoro flying back and urged him to use his strongest move, while Zoro struggled under River’s pressure.
• Zoro realized River’s strength felt completely different from Dracule Mihawk’s.

River tested Zoro’s swordsmanship, pushed him into a heightened state through their fight, and defeated him after Zoro used Asura. Impressed by Zoro’s potential, River offered to train him, and Zoro accepted the challenge while vowing to pursue the title of World’s Greatest Swordsman.

• River told Zoro he was not yet worthy of his three famous swords and attacked him with a branch.
• Zoro relied on instinct to block River’s increasingly forceful strikes and briefly entered a heightened state under the pressure.
• River urged Zoro to use his strongest move, and Zoro unleashed Asura.
• River’s branch slipped past Zoro’s three swords and struck him, leaving a long wound across his body.
• River praised Zoro’s potential and offered to make him his disciple and teach him swordsmanship.
• Zoro welcomed the challenge, warning River he would still pursue the title of World’s Greatest Swordsman.

River offered to train Zoro, but Zoro refused so he could continue his journey with his companions and pursue his ambitions. River then took Freya, Zanbu, and Longbottom to the Underground Auction House, where they discovered Celestial Dragons and this year’s Pirate Supernovas among the attendees.

• River offered to make Zoro his disciple, but Zoro declined and left, resolved to become the World's Greatest Swordsman and help Luffy become the Pirate King.
• As he walked away, Zoro reflected on River's overwhelming skill and the strange state he had entered during their fight.
• A mysterious figure watched Zoro and then vanished after asking whether someone liked him.
• River removed his Justice Cape before entering the Underground Auction House with Freya, Zanbu, and Longbottom.
• Freya identified the Celestial Dragons in the front row and realized that some nearby attendees were this year's Pirate Supernovas.

River and Freya watched the Underground Auction House sell enslaved people, and River revealed that the Marines and government protected the trade. Freya chose to intervene, and River rose to join her in saving the captives.

• River spotted Trafalgar Law and Eustass Kid at the auction, while his subordinates deterred Kid from confronting him.
• River noticed Nami's crew enter and told Freya to witness the world's ugly side as enslaved people were brought onto the stage.
• Freya learned that the government and Marines were involved in the slave trade, while Zanbu and Longbottom explained that they had once been captured by Celestial Dragons.
• Freya asked to save the captives, and River warned that interfering would bring a Marine crackdown.
• Freya stood up to act, and River rose with Zanbu and Longbottom, declaring that they would save the captives.

River attended the human auction on Sabaody and bought a maid to help save the captives, while masked members of his team delivered news that the Marines had set Fire Fist Ace’s execution date. When Luffy and another figure burst into the auction house as Camie’s sale began, River said the show was starting.

• River bid one million Beli for the maid, and Freya questioned how he planned to pay for her and save the other captives.
• Number 5 and another masked teammate approached River, handed him a newspaper, and said Number 3’s people would meet them there.
• River read that the Marines had announced Fire Fist Ace’s execution date and told Freya that war was coming soon.
• Saint Charlos arrived at the auction, and Camie was brought out for sale as Freya watched in anger and Nami grew distressed.
• Saint Charlos bid five hundred million Beli for Camie, but Luffy and another figure smashed through the auction house doors, prompting River to say the show was beginning.

At the Sabaody Auction House, River freed Camie amid the chaos caused by the Straw Hat Pirates attacking a Celestial Dragon. He then revealed Rayleigh backstage, and the two old rivals finally met again.

• Luffy attacked Saint Charlos after Charlos shot Hachi, and the Straw Hat crew joined the ensuing fight as the auction hall erupted into chaos.
• Garp learned that a legendary figure and River were at the Auction House, then heard that the Straw Hat crew had attacked a Celestial Dragon.
• Rayleigh left backstage with Giant to see the commotion, while River recognized that Camie was suffering on the auction stage and moved to rescue her.
• River released an overwhelming aura that knocked out the guards and Celestial Dragons, startling Kid and reminding Trafalgar Law of Corazon's praise for River.
• River warned Robin to escape, then broke Camie's explosive collar and sent her running to freedom.
• River tore open the backstage wall, revealing Rayleigh and Giant, and greeted Rayleigh with a grin and a challenge in his eyes.

River confronted Rayleigh at the auction house after the Straw Hat Pirates attacked a Celestial Dragon, then moved to capture the fleeing pirates as Marines closed in. He seized Luffy, struck Sanji, and turned his attention to Zoro.

• Rayleigh emerged behind River, recognized Luffy’s straw hat, and asked River to let the pirates leave, but River refused.
• Sengoku ordered River to deal with the Straw Hat Pirates, and River warned the pirates before they tried to flee.
• Freya draped River’s Justice Cape over his shoulders as River declared that the pirates would not escape.
• River caught Luffy by the face, knocked Sanji away with a kick, and slammed Luffy’s head into the steps.
• Kid fled toward the doorway while River targeted Zoro and called out his name.

River attacked the Straw Hat crew at the auction house, then fought Rayleigh as the crew escaped into a Marine blockade. River ignored Rayleigh’s warning about the endangered Celestial Dragons and declared he did not care whether they lived or died.

• River overwhelmed Zoro with a punch and used Conqueror’s Haki to terrify the Straw Hat crew.
• River struck Luffy after challenging what it meant to become Pirate King, then moved toward Usopp.
• Rayleigh confronted River and ordered the Straw Hat Pirates to escape while he held him off.
• The Straw Hat crew fled the auction house and met Marines, while River and Rayleigh’s clash destroyed the building.
• The Marines identified the fighters as Admiral River and Dark King Rayleigh, who noted that the Celestial Dragons were in danger.
• River attacked Rayleigh again and declared that he did not care whether the Celestial Dragons lived or died.

River and Rayleigh fought fiercely at the auction house while Luffy, Zoro, Luo, and Kid fought their way through the Marines and escaped. Rayleigh used the Celestial Dragons and River’s hidden purpose to end their clash, but River left to pursue the fleeing pirates and promised they would meet again.

• River and Rayleigh’s sword clashes devastated the auction house as Zoro urged Luffy and the others to escape the aftershocks.
• Kid and Luffy charged the Marines, and the three pirate crews broke through the Marine encirclement.
• Rayleigh withdrew from the fight after seeing the pirates escape, but River pressed him to continue battling.
• Rayleigh threatened Saint Charlos and reminded River of his secret purpose and the coming major event, so River chose not to risk harming a Celestial Dragon.
• Rayleigh escaped after kicking Saint Charlos toward River, and River said they would meet again soon.
• Beaunce arrived with reinforcements, and River left to pursue the pirates while Beaunce ordered the Marines to arrest every pirate on the island.