Chapter Summaries

After Sengoku warned River to take care, Vergo brought news that River’s sister, Portgas D. Rouge, had been located. River then told Yigeer he planned to leave the Marines with his followers after the war, anticipating that powerful figures might target him.

• Sengoku quietly told River to take care before leaving him.
• Vergo met River and brought him to Yigeer’s office to discuss his confidential assignment.
• Vergo reported that Donquixote Doflamingo’s men had found information about Portgas D. Rouge and asked whether they should help rescue her.
• River thanked Vergo, told him to avoid exposure, and said he would make the rescue arrangements himself.
• River told Yigeer that he would leave the Marines after the war because certain people might move against him.
• Yigeer said the men had long wanted to leave, and River ordered them to prepare to depart after the war.

With the execution of Ace only a day away, Marineford tightened its defenses as the Marines prepared for the Paramount War. River delayed taking his position, convinced the Whitebeard Pirates would wait until Ace appeared, while Freya worried about the dangers ahead.

• River watched Marineford's preparations and reflected that the long wait was nearly over.
• Sengoku issued final orders, and elite Marines filled their assigned defensive positions across Headquarters.
• Momousagi learned that River and his subordinates had not taken their positions, deepening her concern about the rumors surrounding River.
• Freya questioned River's delay and asked whether he was ready to face the World's Strongest Man.
• River said he had been preparing for the war every day for the past twenty years.

On the eve of the Paramount War, the Warlords, Marines, and Rayleigh considered the coming conflict and a World Government order to eliminate a powerful man. As Marineford prepared for battle, an unidentified old man slipped past its defenses, revealing a chevron mustache as he glanced back.

• Doflamingo mocked Moria for his weakness, while Blackbeard reminded Doflamingo of their secret agreement for after the war.
• Aokiji and Kizaru questioned a World Government order to eliminate a man, but Akainu argued that killing him served the Marines' interests.
• Rayleigh and Shakky discussed Ace's execution, and Rayleigh decided not to involve himself or the other old generation.
• Marines spotted a lone boat near Marineford and ordered their forces to watch it, but the old man aboard escaped the pursuing warships.
• A Marine officer watched the old man look back at Marineford and glimpsed his chevron mustache.

Crocodile revealed that Ace would be executed at Marineford the next day and stopped Zoro from leaving Shallow Gora Island. As Crocodile and Enel departed aboard the Ark Maxim to retrieve Golden Lion Shiki, a massive coated fleet approached beneath the sea.

• Rob Lucci and the CP9 team left Shallow Gora Island on a rescue mission, and Zoro asked Crocodile where they were going.
• Crocodile told Zoro that Ace would be executed at Marineford the next day, and Zoro decided he wanted to go there.
• Crocodile used sand to pin Zoro beneath a mound and left aboard the Ark Maxim with Enel to pick up Number 1.
• Golden Lion Shiki prepared to return to the world and flew toward the Ark Maxim while ordering Indigo to ready his men for the next day's chaos.
• A large fleet of coated ships sped beneath the sea toward Marineford as its crew prepared to attack.

Marineford’s forces assembled and prepared for the coming war against the Whitebeard Pirates as the Shichibukai joined the front lines. The enemy and the Three Admirals had yet to appear, while Rayleigh watched the preparations from Shakky’s bar.

• A Marine officer rallied the hundred thousand Marines and warned them that the Whitebeard Pirates could arrive at any moment.
• Daytime Tiger River led the Recruit Corps into Marineford, drawing attention from Momousagi and the assembled Marines.
• A Giant Vice Admiral entered the plaza as Marines continued to reinforce the fortress and build their morale.
• Dracule Mihawk, Donquixote Doflamingo, and the other Shichibukai took positions at the front of the Marine forces.
• Projection Den Den Mushi broadcast the preparations around the world, and Rayleigh watched the scene at Shakky’s bar.

As the Paramount War neared, River waited until the Marines and Admirals were assembled before ordering his forces into motion. He joined the Recruit Corps at Marineford and urged them to survive the battle, while Doflamingo anticipated that hidden events would soon erupt.

• The three Admirals took their seats at Marineford as Sengoku, Garp, and Tsuru appeared on the Execution Platform.
• With two hours remaining before Ace's execution, River called someone on a Den Den Mushi, crushed it, and set out with Freya.
• River's arrival at the plaza drew attention from Marines and observers around the world, who recalled his reputation and his recent victory over Rayleigh.
• River told Bagu, Yigeer, Promi, and the Recruit Corps to protect themselves and do everything they could to stay alive.
• River sat before the Warlords as Doflamingo chuckled and anticipated that certain events would erupt during the war.

Ace reached the execution platform at Marineford as the world watched and Whitebeard’s arrival remained uncertain. Sengoku revealed that Ace was Pirate King Roger’s son, while River laughed ominously.

• Ace was escorted in seastone shackles through Marineford and climbed onto the Execution Platform as Garp, Bagu, and River watched.
• Jialiluo urged Yigeer to shoot the executioners if they tried to kill Ace, but River ordered them to follow the original plan and hinted that he had other arrangements for Ace.
• Sengoku arrived on the platform, addressed the Marines and the world, and asked Ace to name his father.
• Ace declared that Whitebeard was his only father, but Sengoku revealed that Ace was Gol D. Roger’s son and called him the bearer of the world’s most evil bloodline.
• River burst into laughter as Sengoku’s revelation echoed across Marineford.

River watched as Whitebeard and the Whitebeard Pirates arrived at Marineford to rescue Ace, then faced Whitebeard across the battlefield. Whitebeard began unleashing his Tremor-Tremor power, and the war was about to erupt.

• Sengoku announced Ace’s execution and declared war on those who defied justice.
• The Marines spotted forty-three pirate crews, then saw the Whitebeard Pirates emerge from beneath the Inner Bay aboard the Moby Dick and other coated ships.
• Whitebeard appeared on the Moby Dick, reassured Ace, and promised to rescue him as Marco and the other commanders rallied the pirates.
• River and Whitebeard recognized each other and recalled their fight twenty years earlier before Whitebeard turned his attention to Sengoku.
• Whitebeard spread his arms and cracked the air, causing tremors to shake Marineford.

Whitebeard launched the Summit War by raising tsunamis, which Aokiji froze before clashing with him. As the Marines and pirates fought across Marineford, Marco repelled Kizaru, and Whitebeard defeated a Giant Vice Admiral, leaving Sengoku wondering whether River would enter the battle.

• Whitebeard used his Tremor-Tremor Fruit to raise two enormous tsunamis, and Aokiji froze them before attacking Whitebeard with ice spears.
• Whitebeard shattered Aokiji's ice attack, and Aokiji recovered by freezing the seawater beneath him.
• The Marines and Whitebeard Pirates charged into battle, and the fighting quickly left the frozen harbor strewn with blood and casualties.
• Kizaru fired Yasakani no Magatama at Whitebeard, but Marco intercepted him and knocked him away with Phoenix Brand.
• Whitebeard shattered a Giant Vice Admiral's weapon, knocked him off balance, and struck him unconscious.
• Sengoku watched River and wondered whether to provoke a confrontation between him and Whitebeard.

At Marineford, Dracule Mihawk attacked Whitebeard, but Diamond Jozu blocked his slash as Whitebeard entered the battle and opened a path toward Ace. As the Whitebeard Pirates charged through the gap, River rose to make his move.

• Dracule Mihawk challenged Whitebeard with a powerful flying slash, and Diamond Jozu intercepted it.
• Whitebeard leaped into the battle and struck the Marines with two devastating attacks, breaking through their defensive ring.
• Marco and the Whitebeard Pirates charged toward the plaza to rescue Ace while Sengoku ordered the Marines to stop them.
• Vice Admiral Tsuru pointed out that River had risen, and Garp looked toward him.

Admiral River joined the battle at Marineford and fought his way through the Whitebeard Pirates, aiming to reach Whitebeard. Whitebeard stepped forward to face him as the two approached a direct clash.

• River ordered the Recruit Corps to take the stage and set off toward the battlefield while Doflamingo said he was ready to begin their larger plan.
• River leaped into the pirate ranks and used his speed and strength to crush, scatter, and launch waves of Whitebeard's men.
• River blasted another group of pirates aside with a shock cannon and unleashed Conqueror's Haki, knocking nearby enemies unconscious.
• Whitebeard told his men to stand aside, then charged River with Murakumogiri in hand.

River fought off Marco and Diamond Jozu as Whitebeard advanced toward him, while Kizaru intercepted Marco. River left Jozu injured and sent him flying, then challenged Whitebeard to come fight him.

• Whitebeard charged toward River, while Marco swooped down and kicked River with Phoenix Brand.
• River blocked Marco’s kick with Iron Body, and Kizaru fired Laser Beams to drive Marco away before engaging him in the sky.
• Diamond Jozu hurled a gigantic block of ice at River, who shattered it with Mountain Crusher.
• Jozu attacked River with a diamond-coated punch, but River met it with Ryuo haki and injured him.
• River sent Jozu flying and called on Whitebeard to fight him, leaving the battlefield stunned.

River fought through the Whitebeard Pirates at Marineford, determined to reach Edward Newgate. Whitebeard finally confronted him, and their Conqueror’s Haki clashed as they prepared to fight.

• River charged through the Whitebeard Pirates, knocking aside waves of fighters with his speed and strength.
• Vista the Flower Sword intercepted River, but River wounded him during their first sword clash.
• Vista prepared to fight River again, but Whitebeard arrived and told him to stand aside.
• Whitebeard challenged River to fight him directly and vowed to defeat anyone blocking the rescue of Ace.
• River welcomed the challenge, and his Conqueror’s Haki collided with Whitebeard’s.

River and Whitebeard faced off at Marineford as the world watched, while Marshall D. Teach’s crew broke into Impel Down to recruit prisoners from Level Six. Teach reached a cell and found its occupant eager to accept his conditions, unaware of the hidden piece River had placed in their path.

• River and Whitebeard’s clash of Conqueror’s Haki drew the attention of Marineford, Sabaody, and viewers around the world.
• Donquixote Doflamingo bet on River and celebrated the battle’s potential to change the world.
• Marshall D. Teach and his crew exploited the Paramount War to enter Impel Down and head for Level Six.
• Lafitte told Teach that River and Whitebeard were about to fight, and Teach continued with the prison break.
• At Level Six, a prisoner asked Teach to save them and immediately agreed to his conditions, so Teach promised to open the cell.

Marshall D. Teach freed a group of prisoners from Impel Down, while Rob Lucci and his team rescued Portgas D. Rouge from a Marine base on River’s orders. At Marineford, River and Whitebeard began their fight as each vowed to reach Ace as quickly as possible.

• Marshall D. Teach led the freed Level Six prisoners out of their cells, and Van Augur suspected they had mistaken Teach for someone else’s intended rescuer.
• Rob Lucci and his team killed the Marines at the hidden base and searched for their target.
• Kalifa found Portgas D. Rouge, and Lucci told her they had come to rescue her on River’s orders.
• River and Whitebeard declared their intent to end their fight quickly and save Ace.
• River and Whitebeard charged at each other and began their battle.

River and Whitebeard fought across the frozen battlefield, testing their strength before Whitebeard unleashed the Tremor-Tremor Fruit. River was injured but revealed his battle aura and charged into an all-out clash with Whitebeard.

• River and Whitebeard met blade-to-blade, their Conqueror's Haki clashing as they traded blows across the ice.
• Whitebeard overpowered River in a contest of strength and sent him skidding hundreds of meters across the ice.
• River and Whitebeard continued fighting until they agreed to stop holding back and get serious.
• Whitebeard attacked with the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, breaking River's Flying Slash and damaging his internal organs.
• River grinned through his injury, unleashed his battle aura, and charged Whitebeard; they clashed blades and then traded punches.

River and Whitebeard fought a brutal close-range battle, trading devastating blows as Whitebeard unleashed the Tremor-Tremor Fruit’s power. River endured the destruction and kept fighting, while Whitebeard’s latest slash split the ice all the way to Marineford’s Headquarters Building.

• River and Whitebeard exchanged hundreds of blows, then laughed together and resumed their fight.
• Whitebeard asked River about defeating Rayleigh, and River confirmed that Rayleigh had left the stage.
• Whitebeard planted Murakumogiri in the ice and unleashed a massive quake that shattered space and shook Marineford.
• River dodged the spreading fractures, recovered from severe injuries, and struck Whitebeard hard enough to send him sliding hundreds of meters.
• Whitebeard pressed his attack with repeated slashes and punches, cutting River’s chest and knocking him onto the ice.
• River dodged Whitebeard’s descending slash as it carved a vast chasm toward Marineford’s Headquarters Building, stunning the Marines watching.

River held Whitebeard back at Marineford while the Marines learned that the Nonexistent Base had been destroyed and Portgas D. Rouge was missing. River unleashed the Eight Gates Formation and challenged Whitebeard to a final battle, and the two charged at each other.

• Sengoku, Tsuru, Garp, and Akainu watched River withstand Whitebeard’s Tremor-Tremor Fruit attacks as the Whitebeard Pirates’ advance stalled in the Inner Bay.
• Sengoku received word that everyone at the Nonexistent Base had been killed and Portgas D. Rouge’s whereabouts were unknown, and he suspected River was involved.
• Whitebeard told River he had no time to waste, but River insisted their duel would let Whitebeard die in a worthy fight rather than be killed by someone else.
• River released the first four gates of the Eight Gates Formation, surrounded himself with blue steam, and said he would personally see Whitebeard off as he had Rayleigh.
• Whitebeard declared that he was Whitebeard and unleashed his Conqueror’s Haki, while River rushed toward him as a streak of blue light.

River and Whitebeard traded devastating blows on the ice, with River’s Daytime Tiger form keeping Whitebeard from reaching Ace. Whitebeard gathered his Haki and Tremor-Tremor Fruit power into Murakumogiri and unleashed a strike as River prepared to meet it.

• River charged Whitebeard with a tiger-shaped shock wave, but Whitebeard shattered it and countered with a tremor-powered punch.
• River’s restored arm let him endure Whitebeard’s internal-damaging tremors, and the two exchanged another powerful punch that cracked the ice across the battlefield.
• Whitebeard realized River was preventing him from rescuing Ace, seized Murakumogiri, and declared he would stop holding back.
• Whitebeard infused Murakumogiri with Conqueror’s Haki and tremor energy as River’s battle aura formed a towering tiger.
• Whitebeard swung Murakumogiri with all his power, and space trembled before falling still.

River fought Whitebeard’s devastating slash and was battered by a follow-up punch that sent him into an abyss in the Inner Bay. As the Marines wondered if River had been defeated, Garp declared that River could not be killed and had yet to use his full strength.

• Whitebeard’s slash overwhelmed River’s Seventh Gate attack, shattered his body, and sent him crashing into the ice.
• River’s recovery ability healed his injuries, but Whitebeard rushed in and struck his head with a tremor-coated fist.
• Whitebeard drove River into the ice, opening a vast abyss as Marines feared River had lost.
• Tsuru suggested activating the contingency plan, but Garp insisted River could not be killed and was still holding back.