Chapter Summaries

Sharly’s crystal ball revealed a terrifying vision of the upcoming Summit War, with Whitebeard already gravely wounded. After Abona briefed the Tru Empire’s leaders on the war’s likely scale and causes, Nova prepared to assign their roles.

• Sharly used her ability to reveal the Summit War, and Nova’s Mind-Mind Fruit power kept her focused on the crystal ball when fear made her try to pull away.
• Nova ended Sharly’s vision, treated her with blue light, and sent her back to her room after the prophecy left her bleeding and exhausted.
• Nova asked Abona to explain the situation to the gathered leaders, including four Admirals and Hancock.
• Abona said the Tru Empire had dispatched nearly thirty teams and that the Marines and Whitebeard Pirates would likely fight at Marineford over Ace.
• Abona revealed that Ace was Pirate King Roger’s biological son and said Blackbeard had captured him and would likely hand him over to the Marines.

Nova prepared the Tru Empire for the upheaval expected from the Navy’s coming war with the Whitebeard Pirates, while Luffy and the others enjoyed an enormous feast on Sky Island. The chapter left Nova planning for uncertain threats and the Straw Hats relaxing after their meal.

• Nova warned Tru Empire officials that the coming war could reshape the world and urged them to prepare and strengthen the nation.
• Nova and the officials discussed dozens of measures while weighing threats from the Revolutionary Army, the World Government, and other forces.
• Luffy, Zoro, Usopp, and Chopper ate so much at Cloud Palace that they sprawled across the room, while Zoro praised the chefs and Sanji vowed to surpass them.
• Robin told Sanji that the chefs had trained in the royal palace, and Mia reassured Nami that the feast’s cost did not matter as long as everyone was full.
• Nami joked that she wanted a son like Mia, and Robin teased her that she was still young and should wait a few years.

Luffy proposed searching Sky Island for gold, and Mia offered to take the Straw Hats to Upper Yard despite Robin’s and Nami’s concerns. Maodun stopped them, declaring Upper Yard a forbidden Level 1 Secret military site, and said they needed permission from Mia’s mother.

• Luffy arrived with a sack and suggested searching Sky Island for gold, but Nami and Robin explained that the gold had been taken and Upper Yard was a military base.
• Zoro expressed interest in challenging the Tru Empire’s swordsmen, and Mia warned that they were far too weak to face the base’s soldiers.
• Nami asked about visiting Upper Yard, and Mia said she could take the group if they informed Uncle Junhe.
• As the group prepared to leave, Maodun arrived and forbade outsiders, especially pirates, from entering Upper Yard without permission from Mia’s mother.
• Usopp questioned why the group could not simply go take a look.

Zoro accepted Maodun’s offer to duel Kuilongge, a powerful swordsman of the Tru Empire, and the group set out for the empire’s dueling platform. On the way, Zoro learned that the empire had hundreds of swordsmen stronger than Kuilongge and heard that Emperor Tru might be the world’s strongest swordsman.

• Nami and Chopper argued that the group should stay on Sky Island instead of visiting the Tru Empire’s military base, but Zoro asked to meet a swordsmanship expert.
• Maodun summoned Kuilongge, who agreed to fight Zoro at the Small Sky Island Platform.
• Kuilongge praised Koshiro as one of only two swordsmen his king considered decent, prompting Zoro to accept the challenge with renewed enthusiasm.
• Maodun led Zoro and the others toward the dueling platform, while Mia warned that Zoro could be injured.
• On the way, Kuilongge told Zoro that hundreds of Tru Empire swordsmen surpassed him and said Emperor Tru might be the strongest swordsman in the world.

Kuilongge and Maodun told Zoro and the others about the Tru Empire’s young King and the nation’s transformation from poverty under his rule. The Straw Hats realized that Mia was a prince of the Tru Empire and reacted with shock.

• Kuilongge told Zoro that the Tru Empire’s King was twenty-five, had become King at fourteen, and had earned his reputation through great strength.
• Sanji explained that Zeff had kept newspaper reports about the Tru Empire because he missed his homeland but felt unable to return after being a pirate.
• Robin and Maodun described the Tru Kingdom’s former poverty and how the current King’s reforms had changed the country.
• Mia proudly asked whether his country had once been poor, and Maodun explained that the King had become the people’s faith.
• Sanji pointed out that Mia was a prince of the Tru Empire, and the others shouted in disbelief.

The Straw Hats learned that Mia was the Tru Empire’s First Prince and Robin was its publicly acknowledged Imperial Consort, but Luffy reaffirmed that she was their companion. The group crossed a chain bridge to the Small Sky Island Platform, where Zoro and Robin saw the Tru Empire’s astonishing combat-training grounds.

• Nami asked about Mia’s connection to Robin, and Sanji explained that Robin had married into the Tru Empire over two years earlier.
• Robin said she had meant to tell the crew about her background, and Luffy reassured her that her identity would not change their bond.
• Robin promised to keep helping Luffy become Pirate King, and he said he believed he would achieve that goal.
• Kuilongge led the group across the chain bridge to the Small Sky Island Platform, while Usopp and Chopper nervously held the chains.
• Zoro entered the platform and saw more than a hundred people fighting in what Kuilongge explained were illusions used for training.

Luffy and the Straw Hats watched the battles on the Tru Empire’s small Sky Island platform, where fighters’ conscious projections could fight without harming their real bodies. Zoro learned that the battles still caused intense pain as he watched two men finish their match and leave together.

• Luffy shouted excitedly at the fighters and was warned by a cold-eyed man to stay quiet; Sanji explained that they had come with the prince of the Tru Empire and the Imperial Consort.
• Zoro followed Kuilongge to five circular platforms, where pairs of fighters stood with their eyes closed while their projections battled in the central plaza.
• Kuilongge explained that the Illusion-Illusion Fruit’s power let fighters battle at full strength without injuring or killing their real bodies.
• One projection was driven into a crater before both fighters vanished, and the crater quickly repaired itself.
• The two men opened their eyes, and one complained to Jibo about the pain of his opponent’s punch.
• Kuilongge told Zoro that pain lingered after a fight, then the two men stepped down and left while chatting and laughing.

Zoro entered the battle platform’s mirrored forest arena to face Kuilongge in a swordsmanship duel. Kuilongge began demonstrating techniques taught by His Majesty, and his first draw slash proved far more dangerous than Zoro expected.

• Kuilongge led Zoro onto a circular platform, and they appeared inside a vast forest battlefield.
• Kuilongge explained that His Majesty had created the battle platform, while Luffy and the others watched Zoro’s duel from outside.
• Zoro adjusted to the arena, tied on his bandana, and drew his swords as he and Kuilongge prepared to fight.
• Kuilongge said His Majesty had personally taught him and created several attack techniques.
• Kuilongge unleashed Whirlwind—Draw Sword Slash, and Zoro realized he had underestimated its power.

Zoro challenged Kuilongge in a swordsmanship duel, enduring a devastating whirlwind before escalating to Three Sword Style. Kuilongge’s techniques forced Zoro to retreat and struggle to land a hit, and the duel remained unresolved as Zoro accused him of looking down on him.

• Zoro charged into Kuilongge’s whirlwind with Two Sword Style—Ox Demon, taking wounds while protecting himself with his swords.
• Luffy and Chopper watched anxiously, unaware that the duel took place inside a mirror image.
• Zoro declared he would fight until death, drew a third sword, and attacked with Three Sword Style—Demon Slash.
• Kuilongge unleashed Whirlwind—Vortex Slash, shredding the surrounding trees and forcing Zoro to leap back beyond its reach.
• Kuilongge sent a wave-like sword attack toward Zoro, who dodged it in midair and counterattacked with Three Sword Style—Hunt.
• Kuilongge evaded Zoro’s strikes without counterattacking, prompting Zoro to ask whether he looked down on him.

Kuilongge defeated Zoro in their duel, leaving him gravely wounded, and Zoro’s apparent death drove Luffy to challenge Kuilongge. The Tru soldier blocked Luffy from approaching the arena, while Robin watched without intervening.

• Kuilongge told Zoro that a sword was a companion to protect and preserve, while Zoro insisted he would give his life alongside his swords if necessary.
• Zoro launched his Three Sword Style—One Billion-Fold World attack, and Kuilongge answered with Whirlwind—Groundfall Slash, raining blades across the arena and leaving Zoro barely alive.
• Luffy awakened Conqueror's Haki in a burst of anger, knocking out weaker spectators such as Usopp, while Chopper and the others mourned Zoro.
• Luffy declared that he would challenge Kuilongge, but Nami told him that Zoro had chosen to fight, and she fell to her knees as he continued toward the arena.
• Robin told Mia that Luffy had his own thoughts and that the people there would not harm him, while a Tru soldier ordered Luffy to go back and warned that he was not qualified to enter the challenge.

Luffy and his crew were expelled from the Sky Island military stronghold after Luffy attacked Vice Admiral Deko. Zoro returned unharmed from the training area, and Kuilongge escorted the group out while Maodun, Robin, and Mia remained behind.

• Vice Admiral Deko ordered his soldiers to remove Luffy and his companions from the military stronghold.
• Luffy punched Deko, but Deko blocked the attack with Armament Haki, and a soldier struck Luffy and sent him flying.
• Zoro returned from the training area, surprising the group, and explained that the opponent he had fought was not a real person.
• Kuilongge apologized to Deko and agreed to treat him to dinner before leading Luffy's group away.
• Sanji carried the unconscious Usopp as the crew left, while Maodun, Robin, and Mia stayed behind.
• Kuilongge said he would visit the group later, and Zoro asked whether he would leave with them.

After Kuilongge left for the Small Sky Island, Zoro wrestled with doubts about his swordsmanship. Robin, Maodun, and Vice Admiral Deko discussed Nova’s plans and how to leave Sky Island, while the Tru Empire’s leaders finished preparing for the coming Summit War.

• Kuilongge patted Zoro’s shoulder and headed to the Small Sky Island, leaving Zoro troubled by the gap between his strength and that of powerful swordsmen.
• Maodun asked Robin why she traveled with Luffy’s pirate crew, and Robin said Nova’s arrangements had reasons beyond what they could see.
• Vice Admiral Deko cautioned Robin against interfering with Nova’s plans, while Robin told him to prepare for the Empress’s arrival and arrange a descent without using the Space Gate.
• Robin asked whether Sky Island’s parachute-like octopuses could make a direct descent safe, and Vice Admiral Deko reluctantly agreed to proceed.
• The Tru Empire’s military leaders spent nearly a day and night assigning responsibilities and monitoring duties for the Summit War.

After the summit meeting, Nova and the Tru Empire’s Admirals discussed the risks of joining the Summit War and the need to monitor other powers. Nova identified the World Government, its rumored air force, and the other Four Emperors as possible sources of unexpected developments, and ordered the empire to prepare and gather intelligence.

• After the meeting, the Tru Empire began putting its decisions into action and preparing to monitor other forces.
• Issho asked Nova about the risks of confronting the Navy, and Junhe and Mosank affirmed their support while urging caution.
• Nova said the World Government, the unknown air force, and the other Four Emperors were the main possible sources of unexpected changes.
• Nova assigned Enel to investigate the World Government’s air force and ordered close monitoring of the World Government’s movements.
• Issho agreed that the World Government was a formidable power whose strength could not be underestimated.

Nova told the Tru Empire’s leaders to strengthen their high-level combat power and prepare for a coming war, then gave Hancock a covert mission involving Impel Down and the World Government’s invitation. The chapter ended with Hancock agreeing to await further instructions.

• Nova warned that the Tru Empire’s forces still lacked fighters capable of matching the Four Emperors and urged its senior officials to train.
• Issho asked what they should do if Sharly’s prophecy failed to come true, and Nova said they would make the predicted events happen.
• Nova dismissed the meeting, then asked Junhe to stay behind and summoned Hancock.
• Nova told Hancock to preserve her role as Pirate Empress and Shichibukai, lead her people to Impel Down, and possibly send a man there.
• Nova instructed Hancock to refuse the World Government’s invitation for a while and wait for the Tru Empire’s notice, and Hancock agreed.

Nova advised Hancock to prepare to leave the Shichibukai and hide her forces after the war, then took Junhe away to discuss his matter. On Sky Island, Zoro explained the mysterious training platform to the Straw Hats, and Sanji told them about meeting Emperor Tru years earlier.

• Nova told Hancock to withdraw from the Shichibukai after the war, end her life as a pirate, and move her troops to a hidden island.
• Hancock agreed to follow Nova’s instructions and left to collect Mia from Sky Island.
• Nova summoned Junhe to go with him after Hancock departed.
• Usopp and Chopper asked Zoro about the battle platform, and Zoro said its injuries and deaths were real to the senses but left no lasting harm.
• Nami said she wanted to meet the Tru Empire’s king, and Sanji revealed that he had met Emperor Tru at the Baratie restaurant three years earlier.
• Sanji described Emperor Tru’s clothing, bearing, and departure to the curious Usopp and Nami.

Sanji and Zoro realized they had both met a powerful man whose face they could not remember, while Robin returned to the Straw Hat Crew on Sky Island. Elsewhere, Enel and Mero waited aboard the Endless for the crew’s ship to fall nearby, with Hailing refusing to let them leave their mission.

• Sanji described the man from his memories, and Zoro said he had met the same faceless man with his teacher.
• Sanji defended Robin’s place among the Straw Hat Crew, and Luffy briefly woke to ask about food before falling asleep again.
• Robin returned to the group after two days with an octopus, transportation, and Wind Vent Shells from Vice Admiral Deko.
• Enel asked Hailing where the Straw Hat Crew would fall, and Hailing predicted a spot within two kilometers of the Endless.
• Enel threatened to duel Mero, but Hailing warned him against damaging the ship and refused his request to leave their mission.

After Blackbeard delivered Ace to the World Government, Sengoku and the Marine leaders debated preparations for a public execution and a likely assault by Whitebeard’s forces. They began planning to gather Marine strength, while Garp questioned why the World Government was leaving the crisis to them.

• Sengoku told Marine Headquarters that the World Government had ordered Ace’s public execution and that the Marines had three months to prepare for Whitebeard’s likely attack.
• Akainu argued for killing pirates, while Aokiji and Kizaru discussed the risks and burden of the planned execution.
• Vice Admiral Tsuru urged the Marines to seek more time, choose an execution site, and summon their strongest forces.
• Aokiji warned that concentrating Marine strength could leave other areas exposed, but Tsuru prioritized the threat from Whitebeard.
• Sengoku ordered Kizaru to summon the Shichibukai, and Garp angrily asked why the World Government was not sending anyone to help.

Sengoku and the Marine leaders argued over the World Government’s refusal to assist with the coming war against Whitebeard and the strain it would place on Marine forces. Sengoku proposed Marineford as the execution site, and Garp objected before finally withdrawing from the decision.

• Aokiji, Kizaru, and Tsuru urged Sengoku to demand support from the World Government and warned that the Marines could not leave other regions undefended.
• Sengoku said the World Government had insisted the Marines handle the matter alone and announce the coming war publicly.
• Akainu called for the Marines to divide their forces and monitor the other factions after the announcement.
• Sengoku proposed holding the execution at Marine Headquarters, but Garp warned that Whitebeard could destroy Marineford.
• Sakazuki and Vice Admiral Tsuru supported Marineford as the execution site, and Garp gave up arguing.

Sengoku and the Marine leaders argued over how to handle Ace’s impending public execution and the danger of war with Whitebeard. Aokiji warned that the Tru Empire would intervene, while Garp accepted that he could not change Ace’s fate.

• Sengoku struggled to decide how to handle Ace’s capture, while Kizaru and Aokiji tried to leave and Akainu confronted them.
• Sengoku ordered the Admirals to take responsibility and said the Marines could not afford to lose if war broke out.
• Aokiji warned that the Tru Empire would make a move, but Sengoku told the Marines to focus on the Whitebeard Pirates and prepare one hundred thousand troops at Marineford within two months.
• The meeting ended hastily, with Sengoku and Garp acknowledging that the Marines could not refuse their orders or determine Ace’s fate.

Sengoku, Garp, and Tsuru discussed the Marines’ coming confrontation with the Whitebeard Pirates and the World Government’s refusal to openly intervene. Meanwhile, World Government agents Number Three and Number Five secretly arrived in the Tru Empire, where Number Five became stuck in foul mud.

• Sengoku said he would step down as Fleet Admiral after the conflict over Ace, while Garp suggested they retire together.
• Tsuru and Garp identified the Tru Empire as a possible participant in the coming war, but Sengoku decided the Marines should focus on the Whitebeard Pirates and leave other powers to the World Government.
• Number Three and Number Five rowed toward shore in the South Blue while complaining about their secret assignment to investigate the Tru Empire.
• Number Three warned Number Five to be cautious as they approached the shore through remote areas to avoid the strict patrols near the Royal City.
• Number Five jumped onto the shore, sank his foot into foul black mud, and complained about the assignment.