Chapter Summaries

After waking from a two-month recovery, Mihawk learned that Gern had defeated him and accepted the loss without discouragement. He agreed to keep his promise and join the Marines, and Gern prepared to show him his new office.

• Mihawk woke in the G-10 Base infirmary and discovered that his wounds had healed without scars.
• Gern explained that Lipo had used her Heal-Heal Fruit powers to heal Mihawk, who had been unconscious for two months.
• Mihawk asked about their duel, and Gern told him he had suffered a complete defeat.
• Mihawk accepted his loss and agreed to keep his promise, though he admitted he was accustomed to wandering alone.
• Gern teased Mihawk about his coffin boat and promised to show him his quiet new office, prompting Mihawk to leave in awkward silence.

Sengoku learned that Dracule Mihawk had joined Gern’s faction at G-10 and erupted at Garp and Kizaru over the news. He resigned himself to approving the appointment, fearing the alliance would shatter the balance of power and bring more trouble from the Five Elders.

• Sengoku received Gern’s report claiming that Dracule Mihawk had become deeply attracted to him and chosen to serve under him.
• Garp laughed at Gern’s boastful report until Sengoku’s furious glare made him fall silent.
• Sengoku accused Kizaru of knowing about Mihawk’s connection to Gern and taking bribes to cover it up.
• Kizaru denied being bought off, prompting Sengoku to order him out of the office.
• Sengoku realized he still had to approve Mihawk’s place in Gern’s faction and feared the consequences for the balance of power.

Garp visited Zephyr at Marine Headquarters' Elite Training Camp, where they discussed Gern's growing independent forces, Dragon's escalating troubles, and the Marines' shortage of exceptional recruits. The two veterans were left uncertain about the Marines' future as the old generation's successors failed to emerge.

• After leaving Sengoku's office with stolen senbei, Garp went to the Elite Training Camp and shared them with Zephyr.
• Garp told Zephyr that Gern had given Sengoku another 'big present' and had recruited Dracule Mihawk.
• Zephyr warned Garp that Gern was building an independent force around G-10 and that Dragon's actions might provoke the World Government.
• Zephyr explained that Sengoku had cut the Training Camp's resources and was screening recruits to prevent another faction from forming.
• Garp and Zephyr reflected on the lack of standout new Marines and the changing forces affecting the world.
• Garp and Zephyr watched the recruits train and felt uncertain about the Marines' future.

Rosinante asked Sengoku to approve his plan to infiltrate the Donquixote Family and gather intelligence on his brother Doflamingo, and Sengoku reluctantly agreed under Tsuru’s supervision. After Rosinante left, Sengoku weighed the Marine’s need for strength and called Gern.

• Sengoku discovered that his prized seaweed and pork floss Senbei had been stolen and then received Rosinante in his office.
• Rosinante asked Sengoku to let him infiltrate the Donquixote Family, arguing that being Doflamingo’s younger brother made him the best choice.
• Sengoku reluctantly approved the mission and ordered Rosinante to follow Vice Admiral Tsuru’s plan and prioritize his safety.
• Rosinante saluted Sengoku and left to begin preparations for the dangerous mission.
• Sengoku considered Gern’s growing influence and decided the Marines needed his strength.
• Gern answered Sengoku’s Den Den Mushi call with a boastful greeting.

Sengoku warned Gern not to turn G-10 into a private force, then asked him to be ready to intervene in a dangerous North Blue mission involving Donquixote Rosinante. Gern gave no explicit promise, but his calm acknowledgment left Sengoku with a measure of hope.

• Sengoku berated Gern over his report and questioned whether he could manage Dracule Mihawk, while Gern insisted their partnership was voluntary.
• Sengoku warned Gern that Marines must serve justice rather than become his private army, and Gern assured him that his justice still served the Marines.
• After Gern and Lipo joked over the Den Den Mushi, Sengoku asked Gern to consider intervening in a future North Blue mission beyond the World Government's reach.
• Sengoku named Donquixote Rosinante as the man at the heart of the mission, and Gern replied that he understood.
• Sengoku thanked Gern, ended the call, and hoped Gern's strength and justice would remain dependable.

Gern reviewed Sengoku’s records about Rosinante and Doflamingo, then decided to return to Paradise with Mihawk for personal business. He left Tesoro and Snake Princess in charge of G-10 and assigned the base’s defense and threat response to his subordinates.

• Gern read the encrypted records about Rosinante, code-named Corazon, and Doflamingo, then destroyed the documents.
• Gern summoned Snake Princess and Tesoro and told them he would leave G-10 to travel back to Paradise with Mihawk.
• Gern instructed Tesoro and Snake Princess to oversee G-10, with Tesoro coordinating routine defense alongside Lipo.
• Gern assigned Enel to handle threats and small fry, while Bullet would guard the base.
• Gern left to find Mihawk and prepare for the journey, while Snake Princess and Tesoro began arranging for his absence.

Saint Saturn ordered the Holy Knights to capture Ginny once she was carrying Kuma’s child, hoping to use their offspring for secret experiments. Meanwhile, Gern and Mihawk arrived at Fish-Man Island, where Ryuboshi welcomed them on Neptune’s behalf.

• Saint Saturn reviewed Revolutionary Army reports and identified Kuma and Ginny as valuable targets for his experiments on unborn children.
• Saint Saturn ordered the Holy Knights to capture Ginny when she was carrying Kuma’s child, authorizing CP0 to assist.
• Gern and Mihawk reached Fish-Man Island aboard a Marine warship and discussed Gern’s past there and the peace he had helped establish.
• Ryuboshi welcomed Gern and Mihawk to the harbor and invited them to a banquet at Ryugu Palace.

Gern and Mihawk arrived at Fish-Man Island and saw how Gern’s flag had protected it from pirates. Jinbe welcomed them and revealed that Fisher Tiger had left the island, leaving Gern to suspect Tiger was preparing for a major raid and slave liberation.

• Gern accepted Ryuboshi’s invitation and went ashore at Fish-Man Island with Mihawk.
• Pirates at the harbor panicked at the sight of Gern and Mihawk and hurried to flee the island.
• Residents welcomed Gern, whose flag had deterred pirates and brought Fish-Man Island years of peace.
• Jinbe greeted Gern and introduced himself as captain of the Ryugu Palace Guard Squad; Gern introduced Mihawk as his new colleague.
• Gern asked after Fisher Tiger, and Jinbe said Tiger had left to see the wider world.
• Gern suspected Tiger was preparing for the Mary Geoise Raid and the slave liberation movement that would follow.

Gern and Mihawk arrived at Ryugu Palace, where Neptune and Otohime welcomed them with their children. After shy Shirahoshi poked Gern’s cheek, he reassured her parents and accepted the gesture, and Neptune invited the guests to a banquet.

• Jinbe led Gern and Mihawk into Ryugu Palace, where Neptune, Otohime, their three princes, and Shirahoshi awaited them.
• Neptune and Otohime greeted Gern and Mihawk, and Neptune introduced his youngest daughter, Shirahoshi.
• Shirahoshi shyly greeted Gern, then poked his cheek with her finger, alarming Neptune, Otohime, and the princes.
• Gern laughed, let Shirahoshi poke him again, and told her parents he understood her curiosity, easing their fears.
• Neptune invited Gern and Mihawk to join the banquet.

Neptune thanked Gern for protecting Fish-Man Island with his flag, but Mihawk’s rude behavior at the banquet made Neptune fear Gern had come to take over the island. Gern reassured Neptune that Mihawk was merely relaxing, though Mihawk barely acknowledged the explanation.

• Neptune told Gern that his flag had deterred pirates and helped keep Fish-Man Island peaceful during the Great Pirate Era.
• Gern credited Neptune, Otohime, and the island’s people for maintaining peace and said his flag offered only extra protection.
• Mihawk sat down before the hosts could welcome the guests, propped Yoru beside his chair, and put his boots on the banquet table.
• Neptune interpreted Mihawk’s behavior as a show of force and feared Gern intended to seize Fish-Man Island and drive out his family.
• Gern patted Neptune’s arm and explained that Mihawk was simply treating the palace like home, while Mihawk gave a quiet acknowledgment.

At Ryugu Palace, Queen Otohime asked Gern to escort her to Mary Geoise so she could seek equality and reconciliation for Fish-Man Island. Gern warned that the island’s peace depended on his military power and that the World Government could exploit or capture her, leaving Otohime shaken and Neptune alarmed.

• Mihawk left the banquet to explore Fish-Man Island, and the rest of the royal family departed to rest.
• Otohime thanked Gern for protecting the island and asked him to accompany her to Mary Geoise to present her case to the Five Elders.
• Neptune objected in shock, saying Otohime had never discussed her plan with him and that he would not allow her to go alone.
• Gern told Otohime that the island’s peace and growing goodwill toward humans came from his power, not from lasting equality or understanding.
• Gern warned that the World Government might treat Otohime as a joke or make her a Celestial Dragon’s captive, and Otohime trembled as Neptune clasped her hand.

Neptune secured Gern’s protection for Fish-Man Island by agreeing to share transit-fee revenue with him. Gern publicly declared the island under his protection, and news of the alliance spread across the world.

• Neptune stopped Otohime from pressing Gern to support her dream and sent her from the banquet hall.
• Neptune asked Gern to publicly protect Fish-Man Island and offered him seventy percent of the island’s new pirate transit fees.
• Gern accepted the deal and said his adjutant, Tesoro, would coordinate the fee system with Neptune.
• At Gyoncorde Plaza, Gern declared Fish-Man Island under his protection and warned that criminals and traffickers would face consequences.
• Gern and Neptune shook hands publicly, and News Coos carried reports of their alliance around the world.

Gern brought Mihawk to Shakky's Rip-off Bar in Grove 13, explaining that he sought revenue to support his Marine base. Mihawk's arrival terrified the bar's pirates, and Shakky recognized Gern after he revealed his face.

• Gern told Mihawk that Fish-Man Island's passage tolls would help fund his base and cover Mihawk's costly tastes.
• Gern spotted Grove 13 and led Mihawk to Shakky's Rip-off Bar.
• The pirates fell silent and cowered when they recognized Mihawk as the World's Greatest Swordsman.
• Shakky noticed Gern at the counter, and her pupils contracted when he lifted his hat and revealed his face.

Gern and Mihawk visited Shakky’s bar on Sabaody, where Shakky teased Gern about his ties to Toritoma. When Gern stepped in to help Shakky collect an outrageous bill from a group of pirates, he destroyed the bar with a snap of his fingers.

• Gern and Mihawk arrived at Shakky’s bar, surprising Shakky with their unexpected visit.
• Shakky called Gern her brother-in-law and teased him for taking Toritoma to the New World.
• A frightened pirate tried to leave after breaking a glass, but Shakky demanded five million Beli from him and his companions.
• Gern offered to help Shakky as her Marine brother-in-law, despite Shakky’s attempt to stop him.
• Gern snapped his fingers and unleashed Vibration Particles, causing Shakky’s bar to explode.

Rayleigh rushed to defend Shakky's bar when he sensed trouble, only to clash with Dracule Mihawk. Gern emerged from the smoke, and Rayleigh learned that Mihawk served in the Marines to honor a promise.

• Rayleigh returned from a slave auction house and rushed into Shakky's bar after sensing a powerful presence inside.
• Rayleigh and Dracule Mihawk exchanged several rapid sword strikes before recognizing each other.
• Mihawk sat down in a chair as Gern emerged from the smoke and greeted Rayleigh.
• Rayleigh sheathed his sword and declined to fight Gern and Mihawk together.
• Rayleigh asked why Mihawk served under someone else, and Mihawk said he was keeping a promise.

After Gern and Mihawk left Shakky’s ruined bar, Rayleigh acknowledged that Gern had warned him and that he could not survive a fight against the pair. He ordered Shakky to halt intelligence work and warned Shanks to stay away from G-10’s sphere of influence.

• Gern and Mihawk gave the five million Beli to Shakky for the bar’s repairs before leaving Sabaody.
• Shakky told Rayleigh that Gern’s visit with Mihawk had been a warning, and Rayleigh recognized how much stronger and more influential Gern had become.
• Rayleigh learned that Gern had asked Shakky about Doflamingo of the Donquixote Family on Dias Island in North Blue.
• Shakky asked whether Rayleigh could have survived if Gern and Mihawk had fought him, and Rayleigh said he would have died.
• Rayleigh told Shakky to suspend intelligence work, especially surveillance of G-10 Base, and warned her to tell Shanks not to challenge Gern’s influence in the New World.

Gern explained to Hawk-Eye that his relationship with Sengoku was an uneasy partnership built on mutual benefit, and that he had agreed to help protect Sengoku’s undercover son. As they headed for the Marine Base, Gern killed a group of pirates attacking civilians and rescued a girl.

• Gern told Hawk-Eye that Sengoku had asked him to secretly support Corazon, also known as Rosinante, inside the Donquixote Family.
• Gern bought ice cream for himself and Hawk-Eye, who accepted the vanilla cone and tried it.
• Gern explained that Sengoku’s restrictions and wariness coexisted with a pragmatic partnership in which both sides benefited from his influence in the New World.
• Gern and Hawk-Eye heard pirates attacking shops and abducting a girl as they walked toward the Marine Base.
• Gern used Heavenquake Bee Sting to kill the attacking pirates, then comforted the rescued girl before continuing on with Hawk-Eye.

Crocodile visited Doflamingo at the Donquixote Family’s base on Dias Island and warned him that the Vinsmoke Family planned to eliminate him. He offered Doflamingo a partnership and a shortcut to the Beasts.

• Doflamingo outlined plans to expand the Donquixote Family’s operations beyond the North Blue while Corazon accidentally choked on a sabotaged cup of coffee.
• Trebol told Doflamingo that an important visitor had asked to see him, and Doflamingo went to meet Crocodile.
• Crocodile challenged Doflamingo’s ambitions and pointed out that the North Blue had become too small for him.
• Crocodile warned Doflamingo that the Vinsmoke Family was preparing to remove him from the North Blue.
• Crocodile offered Doflamingo a partnership and a shortcut to the Beasts.

Crocodile survived Doflamingo’s attack and invoked his Shichibukai duties to force a negotiation. Doflamingo agreed to supply weapons to Alabasta’s Rebel Army, while learning that Crocodile was engineering the civil war to take control of the country and search for Pluton.

• Doflamingo attacked Crocodile with Bullet String (Overheat), but Crocodile re-formed his body from sand unharmed.
• Crocodile cited the Vinsmoke Family’s royal status and his Shichibukai authority to justify pressuring Doflamingo.
• Trebol urged Doflamingo not to antagonize another Shichibukai, and Doflamingo agreed to hear Crocodile’s demands.
• Crocodile asked Doflamingo to supply the Rebel Army with enough high-quality weapons to overwhelm Alabasta’s royal army.
• Doflamingo realized Crocodile had caused the drought and civil war to pose as Alabasta’s savior, seize control, and search for Pluton.

Gern and Dracule Mihawk arrived at the Donquixote Family’s hidden base on Dias Island and discussed why Doflamingo had chosen the garbage-strewn island as a discreet stronghold. After Gern knocked out the guards with Conqueror’s Haki, they entered the base, and Mihawk became interested in the future red-haired swordsman Gern described.

• Gern and Dracule Mihawk landed on Dias Island and made their way through its garbage-strewn settlement toward the Donquixote Family’s base.
• Gern explained that Dias Island’s obscurity and lack of valuable infrastructure made it a useful place for Doflamingo to hide and fight without attracting attention.
• Gern speculated that the World Government had secretly approached Doflamingo about becoming a Shichibukai, making a discreet base especially useful.
• Gern used precise Conqueror’s Haki to knock out the pirate guards who tried to stop him and Mihawk at the base entrance.
• Gern told Mihawk that a future red-haired fighter would rival his Haki and swordsmanship, stirring Mihawk’s interest as they walked into the base.