Chapter Summaries

Robin explained that Zoro had acted during the deadly incident, while Vivi asked the Straw Hats to help free Alabasta from the Tru Empire. Luffy agreed to fight the empire, but Robin questioned whether the crew really had never heard of it.

• Robin recounted the previous night's events and said Zoro had acted, while Zoro privately worried about the blood on his Third Generation Demon Blade.
• Vivi revealed that she was Alabasta's princess and asked the crew to help her country.
• After hearing Vivi describe the Tru Empire's occupation and oppression, Luffy promised to drive the empire out.
• Usopp asked why the Tru Empire had invaded Alabasta, and Vivi blamed its location and economic value.
• Robin asked whether the crew had heard of the Tru Empire, noting that East Blue countries had worked with it.

Robin and Sanji warned the Straw Hat Pirates that the Tru Empire was a powerful nation they could not hope to challenge, while Luffy insisted he would oppose its enslavement of other countries’ people. Vivi was moved by Luffy’s resolve and continued sailing with the crew.

• Robin explained that the Tru Empire controlled nearly all of the South Blue and was a first-class World Government nation exempt from Celestial Gold.
• Sanji said he had learned about the Tru Empire from Zeff and warned that its people could overwhelm the Straw Hat Pirates.
• Robin described the empire’s rapid rise under Emperor Tru and said it had five hundred thousand soldiers and had demonstrated its strength in the New World.
• Vivi offered no rebuttal as Robin and Sanji detailed the empire’s power, while Luffy declared that he would still fight it to oppose its enslavement of people.
• Vivi was moved to tears by Luffy’s resolve and continued traveling with the Straw Hat Pirates as one of their companions.

Nova sent a hidden agent to prepare for future events by joining the Navy and ordered him to monitor Whitebeard’s Pirates. After Junhe reported that former Admiral Zephyr had been spotted in the North Blue, Nova decided to travel there with him to recruit Zephyr as a teacher.

• Nova learned that Crocodile had been sent to Impel Down according to plan and ordered his masked agent to watch Whitebeard’s Pirates.
• Nova told the agent to establish a new identity and join the Navy when recruitment began, assigning him a future role in protecting the country.
• Junhe reported that Zephyr had been seen in the North Blue after Nova had tasked him with finding the former Admiral.
• Nova explained that he wanted Zephyr for his teaching ability and said he and Junhe would sail to the North Blue the next day.

Nova ordered preparations for a trip to North Blue and revealed that the Tru Empire would take part indirectly in the coming war between Whitebeard and the Marines. Meanwhile, the Straw Hat Crew finished their time on Little Garden and welcomed Chopper as a new member.

• Nova told Junhe to set plans in motion, secure the Empire, and prepare for the North Blue trip.
• Junhe learned Nova expected a great war and connected his prediction to Sharly's prophecy about Whitebeard and the Marines.
• Nova said the Tru Empire would not directly join the war for now but would act under an old agreement with Whitebeard and seize the chance to rise.
• Nova planned to meet Zephyr in North Blue and possibly recruit him and his followers.
• The Straw Hat Crew traveled through Little Garden without major deviations, while Robin followed Nova's instructions and stayed uninvolved.
• Half a month later, Chopper joined the Straw Hat Crew.

The Straw Hat crew entered Alabasta and saw how much its coastline had changed under the Tru Empire. Robin challenged Vivi’s account of the country’s suffering, and Luffy proposed that the crew investigate for themselves before deciding whether to help her.

• Nami asked Vivi where she planned to leave the Going Merry, prompting Sanji to explain that Vivi was Alabasta’s princess.
• Vivi again begged Luffy to help save Alabasta, but Robin asked what Vivi knew about the country before the Tru Empire arrived.
• Robin described Alabasta’s former hardships and the Tru Empire’s factories, roads, desalination projects, and environmental restoration.
• Vivi accused Robin of lying and claimed the country had become a miserable colony, leaving the crew uncertain whom to believe.
• Robin suggested that the crew visit Alabasta and see for themselves, and Luffy agreed to investigate before deciding whether to help Vivi.

The Straw Hat crew explored Nanohana, a prosperous Alabasta port largely controlled by the Tru Empire, while Vivi stayed silent about the country’s political tensions. Luffy reunited with his brother Ace, but Smoker arrived to capture him and ordered Tashigi to secure the harbor.

• The Going Merry docked at Rapeseed Port, where Robin revealed her knowledge of the conflict between Alabasta and the Tru Empire, confusing Vivi.
• Luffy and Usopp admired Nanohana’s prosperity as Vivi silently recognized that the royal family and nobles resented the Tru Empire’s success.
• Nami and Robin went shopping, while Sanji and Usopp went to find food, leaving Luffy and Zoro to walk together.
• Luffy spotted Ace and ran toward him, but Smoker kicked him into the stone pavement before he could reach his brother.
• Smoker told Tashigi to have the Marines guard the outer harbor so Luffy could not escape, and Luffy pulled himself free and asked Ace why he was there.

Luffy reunited with his brother Ace in the Land of Rapeseed after escaping Smoker, and Ace explained why the Marines could not attack them there. The group headed to eat and drink together, while Ace remained confused by the conversation about the Tru Empire.

• Smoker threatened to capture Luffy outside the city, but refrained from attacking because Ace was with him and fighting was forbidden in the Land of Rapeseed.
• Ace told Luffy he had waited in Alabasta for three days after guessing Luffy might pass through, and said he had come to retrieve a crew member who betrayed the Whitebeard Pirates.
• Ace greeted Zoro politely and learned that Vivi, who was traveling with Luffy, was the princess of Alabasta.
• Ace explained that the Tru Empire enforced a ban on conflicts in the Land of Rapeseed, and Vivi confirmed that it could make rules within Alabasta.
• Ace watched Luffy, Zoro, and Vivi discuss the Tru Empire in confusion, then focused on taking them to eat and drink.

Ace warned Luffy and Zoro not to involve themselves with the Tru Empire after Vivi accused it of enslaving Alabasta’s people. Elsewhere, Smoker explained to Tashigi that the Tru Empire had effectively taken control of the Land of Rapeseed through commerce and had greatly improved life there.

• Ace brought Luffy and Zoro to a luxurious restaurant in the Land of Rapeseed, where Luffy praised the food and Vivi criticized the Tru Empire.
• Luffy told Ace and Zoro that Vivi had accused the Tru Empire of enslaving Alabasta’s people and occupying its land, and Ace angrily stopped him.
• Ace warned Luffy that the Tru Empire was too powerful to provoke and said he had visited it three years earlier, while Luffy insisted he would become Pirate King.
• Smoker told Tashigi that Marines were forbidden to make arrests in the area to avoid conflict with the Tru Empire.
• Smoker explained that the Tru Empire had gained control of the Land of Rapeseed through commerce and had transformed Alabasta, improving its people’s living conditions.

Ace explained the Tru Empire’s power and warned Luffy not to interfere in Alabasta, while Vivi left in despair after Luffy said he might not be able to help her. The Straw Hats remained in Alabasta as Ace agreed to stay until they left and cautioned that pirates could not safely enter the Tru Empire.

• Smoker told Tashigi that the Tru Empire had once declared war on the Marines, startling her with the empire’s strength.
• Ace told Zoro that Emperor Tru and Admiral Abona were Grand Swordsmen, giving Zoro a new target in his pursuit of becoming the world’s greatest swordsman.
• Vivi pleaded for help with Alabasta, but Ace said he might ask Emperor Tru about the situation, and Luffy admitted he might not be able to help her.
• Vivi accused them of being no different from others, then left in tears; Ace warned Luffy not to get involved in Alabasta’s affairs.
• Ace said he would stay until Luffy left and explained that the Marines avoided causing trouble in the Tru Empire’s jurisdiction.
• Ace warned Luffy that the Tru Empire did not welcome pirates and that entering under a pirate flag could get them wiped out.

Nova left Junhe’s ship to investigate a floating island and found Golden Lion Shiki aboard it. After meeting face-to-face, Nova remarked that the once-mighty pirate was far more decrepit than he had imagined.

• Nova told Junhe to head toward the Dura Kingdom in the North Blue while he left to handle something alone.
• Nova appeared on Golden Lion Shiki’s floating island and walked through its hostile wolf-like creatures, which shattered as he passed.
• Shiki sensed Nova but stayed inside his room, while Nova waited outside before eventually opening the door.
• Shiki asked why Nova had come to his territory, and Nova said he wanted to see the man who had once shaken the seas.
• Nova told Shiki that he seemed unlike the mighty, domineering Golden Lion he had imagined.

Nova met Golden Lion in the sky and urged him to leave East Blue and face Zephyr in one final battle. Golden Lion accepted the proposal, agreeing to travel with Nova to North Blue.

• Golden Lion praised Nova's achievements and admitted that he had lost his strength and fighting spirit.
• Nova asked Golden Lion to join him in North Blue and settle things with Zephyr.
• Golden Lion recognized Nova's intentions but agreed that fighting Zephyr would be a more fitting end than fading away in obscurity.
• Golden Lion accepted Nova's proposal to make one final journey and battle Zephyr.

Nova stopped Golden Lion’s attack and accepted that the old pirate had given up his pursuit. Before closing his eyes, Golden Lion warned Nova about powerful forces behind the World Government and urged him to uncover the mysteries of the world.

• Golden Lion asked Nova to fight him, then suddenly attacked him with a sword slash.
• Nova blocked Golden Lion’s repeated attacks with a barrier and stopped him with offensive Conqueror’s Haki.
• Golden Lion accepted his fate, and Nova praised his mastery of the Float-Float Fruit while promising to find a successor and carry on his ambitions.
• Golden Lion warned Nova about a powerful figure behind the Celestial Dragons and spoke of Laugh Tale, the Void Century, and the Clan of D.
• Golden Lion closed his eyes peacefully as Nova’s true body appeared before him.

Nova mourned Golden Lion after using his awakened Space Power to safely erase the falling island, then headed toward Junhe. In Alabasta, Ace recognized Robin from her wedding and questioned why she had joined Luffy's crew, but Luffy and Sanji affirmed that she was their companion.

• Nova used Awakened Power—Space Annihilation to slow Golden Lion's falling island and make it descend safely.
• Golden Lion and the island vanished, and their dust drifted above Loguetown before Nova paid his respects and headed toward Junhe.
• Aboard the Going Merry in Alabasta, Ace recognized Robin and revealed that he had attended her wedding.
• Robin explained that she had not expected Ace to be Luffy's brother, while Ace asked why someone of her status had become a pirate.
• Sanji and Luffy defended Robin as a member of the crew, and Luffy suggested they celebrate with a feast.

Ace reunited with Luffy and thanked the Straw Hats for looking after his brother, then shared stories of his adventures with them. Later, Ace privately questioned Robin about why she had joined Luffy’s crew, and she said she wanted to help him become Pirate King.

• Ace respectfully thanked Luffy’s companions and asked them to keep looking after his brother.
• The Straw Hats marveled at how different the courteous Ace was from Luffy, then shared dinner with him aboard the Going Merry.
• Enel ate alone aboard the Endless while the others celebrated together on the Going Merry.
• Ace told Luffy and the Straw Hats about his adventures since leaving Foosha Village and joining the Whitebeard Pirates.
• Ace questioned Robin about why she had joined Luffy’s crew, and Robin said she wanted to help him become Pirate King.

Ace respectfully asked Robin not to hurt Luffy, then joined the celebration aboard the Going Merry. The next morning, an unnatural fog let the Straw Hat Crew slip past the Marines, while Enel learned that Mero had received a Devil Fruit from His Majesty and was keeping its ability secret.

• Ace asked Robin to spare Luffy, and Robin replied that he might understand the situation one day.
• Luffy invited Ace to dance, and the celebration aboard the Going Merry continued past midnight as Smoker kept the Marines watching the Straw Hat Crew.
• A dense fog appeared off Alabasta, and Robin urged Luffy to use it to sail away from the Marines.
• Luffy ordered the Going Merry to set sail, and the crew navigated through the fog with the help of their navigator.
• Aboard the Endless, Enel questioned Mero about the ability he had just used.
• Mero told Enel that His Majesty had given him a Devil Fruit five years earlier, but he refused to reveal its ability.

Smoker let the Straw Hat Crew escape after recognizing Robin and Ace aboard their ship, then reported the encounter to Marine Headquarters. Three days later, Luffy and Zoro received large bounties, Robin’s poster had no bounty listed, and Ace announced he was leaving the Going Merry.

• Smoker told Tashigi to report that the Straw Hat Crew had attacked Marine warships and escaped, and to request higher bounties.
• Smoker explained privately to Marine Headquarters that he had recognized Robin and Ace and doubted he could defeat Ace.
• A seagull delivered newspapers and bounty notices to the Going Merry three days later.
• Usopp found that Luffy’s bounty was 100 million Beli, Zoro’s was 60 million, and Sanji had no bounty notice.
• Usopp found Robin’s bounty poster, which showed her photo but no amount.
• Ace told Luffy and the crew that he was leaving to pursue his own affairs.

Nova searched North Blue for former Marine Admiral Zephyr, hoping to recruit him to train the Tru Empire’s people. Zephyr’s submarine surfaced near an island, where he urged Ain to leave him and settle somewhere safe.

• Luffy told Ace he would find him in the New World, and Ace promised to treat him to a drink if they met.
• Nova and Junhe searched the waters where Zephyr’s group had reportedly been seen, then headed west after Nova ruled out other routes.
• Junhe questioned whether Zephyr would agree to train the Tru Empire’s people, and Nova said they would discuss the details once they met him.
• Zephyr’s submarine surfaced near an island, and he gently urged Ain to leave him and settle in a decent country.

Zephyr despaired over his fading strength and the future of his students, while Ain and Binz tried to keep him from giving up. When Nova’s group approached, Nova called Zephyr out, stirring the former Marine Admiral to respond.

• Zephyr told Ain and Binz he wanted them to leave the sea and live somewhere safe after he returned to the New World to confront the pirates.
• Ain and Binz insisted they would remain with Zephyr, but he fell silent as they argued.
• A soldier reported that a merchant ship was approaching, and Ain went to investigate.
• Nova and his group arrived near Zephyr’s force of about five thousand, and Nova demanded that Zephyr come out to meet him.
• Nova called Zephyr pathetic for leaving the Marines, and Zephyr told Binz to go outside with him.

Nova met Zephyr in the North Blue and asked him to join the Tru Empire with his people. Zephyr heard the offer but had not yet responded.

• Zephyr arrived with his students and recognized Nova as Emperor Tru, warning them not to act rashly.
• Junhe asked Nova about the man ahead, and Nova identified him as the aging Zephyr.
• Nova greeted Zephyr politely and spoke about the turmoil in the Four Blues and the Tru Empire’s self-sufficiency.
• Zephyr asked Nova to state his purpose, and Nova invited him and his people to join the Tru Empire.

Nova tried to persuade Zephyr to bring the New Marines into the Tru Empire by questioning what their pursuit of justice could accomplish alone. Zephyr remained open to the idea but asked what the New Marines would gain, while Ain continued to resist.

• Ain refused Nova’s offer on Zephyr’s behalf, insisting that the New Marines shared an ideal and that Zephyr should not abandon them.
• Zephyr asked what conditions the New Marines would face if they joined the Tru Empire, angering Ain.
• When Ain attacked Nova, he immobilized her with his power, then released her after Binz demanded it.
• Nova questioned whether the New Marines could achieve justice by fighting scattered pirates and challenged Zephyr to consider the wider causes of suffering and piracy.
• Zephyr asked how the Tru Empire intended to proceed, and Nova said the strong should protect others to the extent their power allowed.
• Ain asked why the Tru Empire needed the New Marines at all, still unwilling to accept the offer.