Chapter Summaries

Gawain and Cobra agreed to cooperate in expanding the Martial Arts Tournament, with Alabasta lending its influence and gaining economic benefits. Gawain planned to fake Robin’s death and make her an Alabasta princess, but Robin said she would rather remain with her companions and sail with him.

• Gawain warned Cobra that Gabra and the other CP agents must not learn what had happened or return before the crew left.
• Cobra proposed that Alabasta partner with Gawain to expand the Martial Arts Tournament and shield it from government interference.
• Gawain chose Robin as a potential future manager of the tournament and proposed faking her death so she could become Alabasta’s princess.
• Cobra agreed to find a lookalike among Alabasta’s female death-row prisoners, and he and Gawain sealed their partnership.
• Robin asked whether Gawain would leave the tournament to her, then said she preferred to stay with her companions and see the ideal land.
• Robin asked Gawain whether he had a girl he liked.

Gawain secured Robin’s agreement to join the Martial Arts Tournament, while Kizaru and Aokiji reconsidered how justice applied to her and to Gawain. Aokiji grew eager to meet Gawain, and several days later Gabra’s group finished helping refugees near Arubana.

• Gawain agreed to help Robin preserve rubbings of any Poneglyphs or historical materials they found during their travels, and left after discussing the tournament with her.
• Kizaru warned Gajir to treat the Marines’ power and the meaning of justice with care, then contacted Aokiji about Robin’s appearance in Alabasta.
• Aokiji and Zephyr discussed Robin, Ohara, and the dangers of the history she could read; Zephyr defended Gawain’s character and shared biscuits made from wheat he had planted with pirates at Raven Port.
• Aokiji questioned Zephyr about Gawain and became eager to meet him, then ordered the warship to speed onward through the worsening storm.
• Several days later, Gabra’s group helped Igaram calm refugees in a town near Arubana, then collapsed to rest.

Gabra, Fukurou, and Kumadori questioned their work for CP9 after finding peace in Alabasta, but Spandam ordered them to capture Nico Robin, and they set out to carry out the mission. At Enies Lobby, Spandam suspected Golden Lion Shiki was behind Gismonda’s death and considered how to contact Lucci.

• Gabra told Fukurou and Kumadori he wanted to stay in Alabasta, but Spandam called and ordered them to capture Nico Robin alive or kill her if necessary.
• Gabra pretended to resent Lucci and accept the mission, then told Fukurou and Kumadori they had to leave Alabasta and return to carrying out CP9’s justice.
• Spandam reflected on his torture and concluded he could rely only on himself, while doubting that Lucci had betrayed the CP Organization.
• Spandam considered Knight Gawain, Crocodile, and Golden Lion Shiki as possible causes of Gismonda’s death, then ruled out the first two and blamed Shiki.
• Spandam decided he urgently needed to contact Lucci, but the encrypted Den Den Mushi Lucci had used was gone.

Gawain’s plan to fake Robin’s death succeeded when Kuro and Fan-Oka led a decoy into an encounter with CP agents, who mistook her for Robin and claimed credit for killing her. Robin took on the Nefeltari name and was hidden in Cobra’s palace, while news spread that Crocodile had been arrested and stripped of his Shichibukai status.

• Kuro and Fan-Oka pursued Rosa, a disguised and poisoned stand-in for Robin, and drove her toward the desert meeting point.
• Gabra, Fukurou, and Kumadori attacked Rosa, while Fan-Oka shot her through the heart from afar; the CP agents mistook her for Robin and decided to claim they had killed her.
• Gabra, Fukurou, and Kumadori discussed gaining freedom through rank in the CP Organization and agreed to report that they had killed Robin together.
• Gawain explained to Cobra that his crew’s involvement would make the decoy’s death seem plausible, and Cobra said Robin would become his eldest daughter, Nefeltari, hidden in the palace.
• The World Economic Journal reported that Kizaru had arrested Crocodile for plotting to seize Alabasta and that Crocodile would be sent to Impel Down after losing his Shichibukai privileges.

News of Gawain’s battle with Golden Lion and Robin’s reported death spread across the seas as Golden Lion pursued Trafalgar Law and learned of another lead to Pluton in Water 7. At Marine Headquarters, Sengoku considered the Shichibukai candidates and the Five Elders’ warning to Zephyr, while Aokiji reacted to the report of Robin’s death in Alabasta.

• Hawk Eyes studied the report of Gawain clashing with Golden Lion, admired Gawain’s growth, and left his castle after Black Sword Night grew restless.
• Golden Lion hurried his fleet toward North Blue to find Trafalgar Law, then saw Crocodile’s defeat in the newspaper and vowed to fight Gawain again.
• Spandam told Golden Lion that Tom may have possessed Pluton’s blueprints and that they could still be hidden in Water 7.
• Sengoku presented Fire Fist Ace and Edward Weevil as Shichibukai candidates, then privately concluded that the Five Elders had included Weevil to warn Zephyr.
• At Yuca Flower Port, Zephyr showed Aokiji the report of Robin’s death, and Aokiji reacted with shock and complicated feelings.

Robin was crowned Alabasta’s eldest princess, but Aokiji’s arrival brought her past back into focus. As Aokiji went to speak with her, Zephyr challenged Gawain to a rematch, while Robin encountered a chilling presence at the hospital-room door.

• Aokiji reflected on his doubts about justice as he traveled with Zephyr to Alabasta, and Kizaru described Gawain as energetic but decent.
• Cobra crowned Robin as Princess Nefeltari during a public ceremony, and Robin thanked him and Gawain.
• Robin recognized Aokiji in the crowd and began trembling, but steadied herself when Gawain approached him.
• Aokiji confronted Gawain about helping Robin evade the World Government and threatened to intervene if he was not satisfied with Gawain’s answer.
• Zephyr stopped Aokiji from attacking Gawain, then revealed his renewed strength and challenged Gawain to fight again.
• Vivi accompanied Robin back to the hospital room, where Robin froze after touching the unnaturally cold doorknob.

Robin learned from Aokiji that Saulo might still be alive, and she broke down with relief. Outside Arubana, Zephyr and Gawain began a fierce battle while Aokiji and Kizaru watched.

• Robin sent Vivi away before confronting Aokiji in the hospital room.
• Robin offered herself in exchange for Gawain and the others being allowed to leave, and told Aokiji that Gawain had urged her to keep living.
• Aokiji admitted the Marines were wrong to destroy Ohara and told Robin that he had never found Saulo's body, so Saulo might still be alive.
• Robin collapsed in tears and told Vivi she was glad Saulo was alive and that she had a wonderful family and a captain who wanted her to live.
• Aokiji found Zephyr and Gawain facing off outside Arubana, where Kizaru remarked that Zephyr's ability to trade blows with Gawain was the real surprise.
• Zephyr and Gawain exchanged a powerful opening clash that shook the desert, and Aokiji warned the watching Marines before moving toward the battlefield.

Zephyr surprised Kizaru and Aokiji by recovering enough to suppress Gawain through combat instincts and experience, but Gawain transformed into his Demon Form and resumed the fight at full strength. Zephyr unveiled his Black Arm Style as their strongest clash began.

• Kizaru and Aokiji watched Zephyr counter Gawain's future-seeing Observation Haki and overwhelm him with precise attacks.
• Zephyr explained that his Observation Haki had become an instinct through repeated tempering, and challenged Gawain to prove himself.
• Gawain welcomed the challenge, transformed into his Red Dragon Fruit Demon Form, and revealed his enhanced defenses and power.
• Kizaru told Aokiji that Gawain's Demon Form had defense comparable to or greater than a Lunarian's, making the fight especially difficult for Zephyr.
• Zephyr acknowledged Gawain, then used Black Arm Style—Armament Transformation to cover his body in flowing Haki and meet Gawain's slash head-on.

Gawain fought Zephyr across the desert as Zephyr’s Armament Transformation overwhelmed him and threatened to exhaust the old man’s life. Under the pressure, Gawain awakened Conqueror’s Haki infusion and severed Zephyr’s prosthetic arm, leaving their third round poised to continue.

• Zephyr’s Armament Haki and instinctive Observation Haki let him counter Gawain’s attacks and batter him with Ryuō, while Aokiji froze the ground to protect the Marines and offered them an ice path to retreat.
• Zephyr used Black Arm Style—Chaotic Arrow Strike, and Gawain met his fists head-on with a storm of sword slashes as their clashes sent waves of sand across the desert.
• Aokiji explained that Zephyr’s Armament Transformation greatly increased his power but burdened his weakened body and could consume his lifespan.
• Zephyr sent Gawain flying and nearly suppressed him, but Gawain’s will rose until he struck Zephyr with a slash infused with Conqueror’s Haki.
• Gawain attacked again, and Zephyr’s prosthetic arm failed to respond in time; Gawain’s slash cut it off.

Gawain defeated Zephyr after mastering Conqueror’s Haki Infusion, then explained how the World Government used the Navy and the idea of justice to sustain its rule. Zephyr asked what Gawain expected from the Marines, but Gawain interrupted him before he could finish.

• Gawain’s Conqueror’s Haki-infused strike injured Zephyr, and the system raised Gawain’s Rating to Legendary.
• Zephyr admitted defeat but vowed to challenge Gawain again, and Gawain returned his prosthetic limb.
• Zephyr described his plan to reform the Navy and pursue Human’s Justice, while Gawain argued that the Navy upheld the World Government’s exploitative order.
• Aokiji struggled to refute Gawain’s account, recognized why Zephyr respected him, and began recording their conversation.
• Zephyr asked what Gawain thought of the Marines and what he expected from them, but Gawain interrupted him at the phrase “Reshape the will of the Marines?”

Gawain challenged Zephyr to reconsider Roger’s decision to start the Great Pirate Era and the Navy’s claim to justice, leaving Zephyr and his disciples questioning who had the right to define justice. Meanwhile, Gawain returned to Whiskey Peak, where Lucci and Zoro fought as the crew watched their growing strength.

• Gawain argued that Roger may have started the Great Pirate Era to destabilize the World Government and asked Zephyr to consider the cost of protecting its order.
• Aokiji and Kizaru reasoned that the rising number of pirates would overwhelm the Navy, prompting the World Government to create the Shichibukai system.
• Gawain reminded Zephyr of his personal losses, and Zephyr ordered his angry Marines to leave before asking Gawain to continue.
• Gawain asked whether Roger was righteous or evil, then left for Arubana without explaining further.
• Zephyr asked Aokiji and Kizaru who had the right to define justice and declared that his heart and actions were clear as a mirror.
• At Whiskey Peak, Lucci and Zoro fought while the crew discussed their strength, and Akin asked Kuro what kind of fruit he had eaten.

The Gawain Pirates’ ranking contest continued as Zoro lost to Lucci and Sanji defeated Fan-Oka. Kuro revealed a new Mythical Zoan transformation before facing Akin, whose heavily armored form set the stage for their fight.

• Lucci defeated Zoro with Rokuogan and took Coin Number Three, though Zoro vowed to reclaim it and challenge Kuro next.
• Fan-Oka defeated Kalifa and Chopper before Sanji beat him in a one-on-one fight.
• Kuro and Akin entered the battlefield as the last crew members yet to fight, while the others discussed Kuro’s newly acquired Devil Fruit.
• Kuro transformed into a white-furred, bladed creature associated with the legendary Kamaitachi.
• Akin covered himself in massive bone armor and Armament Haki, but Kuro declared that he would still win quickly.

Kuro overwhelmed Akin in the ranking battle, while the Gawain Pirates celebrated their standings and growing strength. Later, Lucci received a call from Spandam, who told him that the former head of CP9 had defected and escaped from CP Organization Headquarters.

• Kuro cut through Akin’s Armament Haki-coated Bone Cannon with a single, incredibly fast slash, and Akin admitted defeat.
• Kuro said Gawain was already close to the strongest people in the world, inspiring the crew to train harder; Nami began considering a Devil Fruit suited to navigation and self-defense.
• The ranking battle ended with Kuro and Akin in first and second place, Lucci in third, Zoro in fourth, and Sanji in fifth.
• After the crew’s banquet, Lucci reflected on how much happier he had become aboard the ship and treasured his Coin Number Three.
• Spandam called Lucci and revealed that the former head of CP9 had defected and escaped from CP Organization Headquarters, with CP0 pursuing him.

Lucci learned that Kaku and Bruno had gone missing in Water 7 and was ordered by Spandam to resolve the Pluton Blueprint crisis, while Gawain trained his Conqueror’s Haki and gained the Diamond Armament Haki trait. After returning to Arubana, Gawain met Aokiji as the Marines prepared to leave Alabasta.

• Spandam told Lucci that Kaku and Bruno had gone missing in Water 7 and ordered him to intervene, but Lucci proposed handing the matter to Kalifa so he could stay with the Gawain Pirates.
• Gawain practiced his newly awakened Conqueror’s Haki near Arubana and learned that Lucci and Zoro had awakened Armament Haki while Sanji had awakened Observation Haki.
• Gawain gained Haki experience from his crew’s progress and chose Diamond when his Armament Haki reached level five.
• Diamond strengthened Gawain’s body and added a layer of Armament Haki defense to his Demon Form, which he tested against his own blade.
• Gawain returned to Arubana as the Marines withdrew, and Aokiji asked him to look after Nico Robin before departing.

Gawain received Zephyr’s spoiled sherry as a symbolic gift, then learned that Edward Weevil had replaced Crocodile as a Shichibukai. As Zephyr resolved to oppose the World Government by founding the Neo Navy, he asked Aokiji to join him, and Aokiji hesitated with his hand outstretched.

• Aokiji gave Gawain Zephyr’s thirty-year-old sherry, and Gawain kept it despite its spoiled taste because of what the gift represented.
• Robin confirmed the wine had gone bad and teased Gawain about Queen Guinevere before he fled with the newspaper.
• Gawain read that Crocodile had been imprisoned and Edward Weevil had filled the Shichibukai vacancy, then worried about what the news meant for Zephyr.
• Aokiji and Kizaru feared the World Government had made Weevil a Shichibukai to provoke Zephyr, but Zephyr told Aokiji he would not give them the rebellion they expected.
• Zephyr declared that he would make the Marines a weapon against the World Government and asked Aokiji to help found the Neo Navy.
• Aokiji began reaching for Zephyr’s hand, but a ringing Den Den Mushi interrupted him.

Aokiji considered Zephyr’s invitation to help remake the Navy while worrying that Zephyr’s suppressed anger could endanger the world. Gawain brought Robin to meet the crew at Whiskey Peak, where she settled in and openly declared her love for him; the chapter ended with Lucci watching Akin and Kuro across the bonfire.

• Aokiji listened as Zephyr renewed his invitation to join a movement against the old world order, then told him he needed time.
• Aokiji warned Kizaru about Zephyr’s condition, while Gawain reflected on Zephyr’s changed outlook and planned to take his crew to the New World after settling matters in Alabasta.
• Gawain flew Robin to Whiskey Peak and introduced her to the crew, who welcomed her with a bonfire banquet.
• Robin used her Devil Fruit ability to slap Sanji after he tried to kiss her hand, then introduced herself and declared that she loved Captain Gawain.
• Nami and Kalifa reacted to Robin’s confession, and Robin later mingled with the crew as the banquet continued.
• After the crew passed out, Lucci watched Akin raise his cup toward Kuro.

Lucci left the Gawain Pirates after learning that Kaku and Bruno were missing and Charlotte Linlin was involved in the Pluton Blueprint affair, hoping to keep the crew out of danger. The crew discovered his departure and began searching for him, while Akin found the coin Lucci had treasured left behind in his room.

• Gawain reassured Lucci that he would protect him from the World Government and that he would always have a place aboard the ship.
• Gawain took Robin back to Alabasta, while Lucci stayed aboard the Raven to oversee its repairs.
• Lucci told Kalifa that Kaku and Bruno were missing and that Charlotte Linlin was connected to the Pluton Blueprint, then knocked Kalifa unconscious and left to keep Gawain from getting involved.
• Fan-Oka confronted Lucci as he tried to leave, but Lucci struck him with a Rokuogan and escaped from the ship.
• Akin, Kuro, Zoro, Sanji, and Chopper responded to the scene, and Kuro organized a search for Lucci.
• Akin searched Lucci's room and found Coin Number Three, polished and left on the desk.

Gawain learned that Lucci had returned to Water 7 alone after attacking Kalifa and Fan-Oka, apparently under orders from the World Government. When Kalifa revealed Lucci had gone to save Kaku and Bruno, Gawain and the crew chose to rescue him, setting their next destination as Water 7.

• Robin warned Gawain that Lucci and Kalifa might still be World Government agents, but Gawain reassured her that he trusted them as crew members.
• Kuro reported that Lucci had knocked out Kalifa, injured Fan-Oka, and left the Raven alone, prompting Gawain to return to Whiskey Peak.
• Akin told Gawain that Lucci had received an order to return to the CP Organization, while the crew defended Lucci and insisted he would not betray them.
• Gawain questioned Kalifa and deduced that Lucci had gone to Water 7; Kalifa eventually admitted he had returned to save Kaku and Bruno and draw the CP Organization's attention away from the crew.
• Gawain and the crew vowed to bring Lucci back, and Gawain announced Water 7 as their next stop.

Edwin revealed the Pluton Blueprint’s location before destroying himself and the pursuing CP agents, sending the rumor across the world. As powerful figures reacted to the coming upheaval, Golden Lion recruited Trafalgar Law as his ship doctor and agreed to help him kill someone.

• Edwin told Speed that the Pluton Blueprint was in Water 7, then detonated Dials and killed most of the CP agents surrounding him.
• Speed survived the explosion and realized Edwin had spread the blueprint’s secret, leaving his mission ruined and his own future uncertain.
• At Shakedown Bar, Rayleigh heard the rumors about Pluton and learned from Shakuyaku that Knight Gawain had defeated Zephyr and was drawing attention.
• Golden Lion captured Bepo and offered Trafalgar Law a place as ship doctor in exchange for removing the Ship’s Wheel fused to his head.
• Law asked Golden Lion to help him kill someone, and Golden Lion accepted, thinking of his unfinished rivalry with Knight Gawain.

Golden Lion regained his strength after Law removed the Ship's Wheel, then planned to use Law's companions to force his submission while preparing to announce his return amid the spreading Pluton Blueprint news. Meanwhile, Gawain assessed his crew's growth and, unwilling to risk his Shichibukai cover by openly joining the Water 7 conflict, ordered the Raven disguised as a Marine warship.

• Golden Lion removed the Ship's Wheel, celebrated his restored strength, and promised Law he would help kill Doflamingo; Law warned him not to die before their deal was complete.
• Golden Lion told Spandine he intended to make Law depend on him by targeting his companions, then said the Pluton Blueprint news would draw powerful pirates and give him a chance to announce his return.
• The Raven's crew trained fiercely to become strong enough to rescue Lucci, while Gawain assessed the crew's improving abilities and combat strength.
• Gawain considered joining the coming conflict at Water 7 to improve his Conqueror's Haki, but worried that doing so would expose him and cost him his Shichibukai status.
• Gawain chose to approach Water 7 under a Marine disguise, and the next morning he ordered the crew to replace the Raven's pirate flag and insignia with Marine markings.