Arc 13Chapters 301–325

No recap yet.

Chapters 301–325 Vol. 4 Read

Ch. 301Law-abiding citizens

After learning that slave trading was legal in much of Sabaody Archipelago, Xie Wen killed the attackers and continued into the Lawless Zone with the cats. Klee Meow cheered him up and secured permission for the cats to take turns fighting the slave traders they planned to track down.

  • Xie Wen learned that Mink Tribe members were protected outside the Lawless Zone, but merfolk and Fish-Men could be enslaved anywhere.
  • A slave trader mocked Xie Wen and explained that slave-trading groups would keep returning while the trade remained legal, so Xie Wen snapped his neck.
  • Xie Wen checked the Hunter's Notes, considered how the Sabaody Archipelago's mangroves revealed its map, and continued onward with the cats.
  • Klee Meow gave Xie Wen candy, then persuaded him to let her use weaker bombs against future enemies.
  • Little Kitten, Robin, and Jinx Meow asked for chances to fight or test their weapons, and Xie Wen agreed to let the eager cats take turns attacking slave traders once they found their hideouts.

Ch. 302Shakky's Rip-off Bar

Xie Wen and his companions defeated another ambush on Sabaody Archipelago before reaching Shakky's bar to seek information. Shakky recognized Xie Wen and remained wary of him, while Klee Meow noticed that she liked the other cats.

  • Klee Meow blasted the second wave of attackers, and Xie Wen warned her not to damage mangrove No. 26.
  • Ai Haibara Meow identified and neutralized an anesthetic gas ambush, then used poison gas rounds to incapacitate the hidden attackers.
  • Xie Wen and his companions continued through the archipelago without further attacks and arrived at Shakky's Rip-off Bar near mangrove No. 13.
  • Shakky recognized Xie Wen as Sapphire Star and questioned why a bounty hunter had come to her bar.
  • Klee Meow asked Shakky why she disliked Xie Wen and quietly told him that Shakky had lied about her feelings.

Ch. 303Hostility and goodwill

Xie Wen and the Palicoes visited Shakky, who refused to serve him because he had killed her friend Hachi but still helped the cats find slave traders. Xie Wen stayed to wait for Rayleigh, who arrived and recognized him, leaving the two poised to meet as opponents.

  • Shakky told Xie Wen that he was unwelcome because he had killed Hachi, and Xie Wen agreed to leave until Klee Meow sensed that Shakky meant them no harm.
  • Xie Wen decided to stay in Shakky's bar in hopes of sparring with Rayleigh, while the Palicoes ordered drinks.
  • Hua Mei Meow asked Shakky for the hideouts of slave traders, and Shakky marked their known locations on a map.
  • Shakky and the Palicoes exchanged information as Klee Meow praised her and asked for more ice cream.
  • Rayleigh entered the bar, recognized Xie Wen as the Sapphire Star, and Xie Wen greeted him as the Dark King Silvers Rayleigh.

Ch. 304Silvers Rayleigh

Xie Wen faced Silvers Rayleigh after Rayleigh confronted him over Hachi’s death, while Hua Mei Meow challenged Rayleigh with her Conqueror’s Haki. The chapter left Xie Wen preparing to fight Rayleigh alone after drinking Ai Haibara Meow’s Demon Drug.

  • Rayleigh told Xie Wen that Hachi had saved his life as a child and unleashed his Conqueror’s Haki, but it had no effect on Xie Wen.
  • Hua Mei Meow met Rayleigh’s Conqueror’s Haki with her own, but she eventually withdrew after Rayleigh overpowered her.
  • Rayleigh agreed to fight Xie Wen outside, and Shakky warned Xie Wen that he would suffer for ignoring her advice.
  • Xie Wen left the bar with the Palicoes and Shakky, then drank a bottle of Demon Drug while Rayleigh waited in a clearing.

Ch. 305The Pirate King's Right-Hand Man, Master Rank 3

Xie Wen used Ai Haibara Meow’s Demon Drug to fight Rayleigh, who countered with a technique that obscured him from Observation Haki. Xie Wen activated Flurry Rush and struck Rayleigh with a tackle, then unleashed Scarlet Sky’s End as Rayleigh remained airborne.

  • Ai Haibara Meow’s Demon Drug enhanced Xie Wen’s strength and speed, and Xie Wen discovered that it tasted like watermelon juice.
  • Xie Wen attacked Rayleigh with White Calm, and Rayleigh caught the blade before barely evading Xie Wen’s follow-up strikes.
  • Rayleigh obscured his presence from Xie Wen’s Observation Haki and launched a feint followed by a thrust toward Xie Wen’s ribs.
  • Xie Wen activated Flurry Rush, dodged Rayleigh’s thrust, and drove a Great Sword tackle into Rayleigh’s chest.
  • Xie Wen pursued the airborne Rayleigh and slashed at him with Scarlet Sky’s End.

Ch. 306The balance of offense and defense had shifted

Xie Wen briefly gained the upper hand against Rayleigh by exploiting his unfamiliarity with Flurry Rush, but Rayleigh adapted and overwhelmed him with relentless attacks. The chapter ended with Rayleigh punching Xie Wen in the abdomen and sending him flying.

  • Xie Wen cleaved Rayleigh into the ground, then blocked Rayleigh's counterpunch with White Calm.
  • Rayleigh praised Xie Wen's skill, while Shakky and the cheering cats reacted to Xie Wen's advantage.
  • Xie Wen drank another Demon Drug and taunted Rayleigh, who recognized the strain Flurry Rush put on him.
  • Xie Wen switched to Yubashiri and a Seastone shield, using them to block Rayleigh's attacks.
  • Rayleigh pressed Xie Wen with a barrage of strikes, and Xie Wen admitted he had lied about being unable to use Flurry Rush again.
  • Rayleigh exploited an opening in Xie Wen's defense and punched him in the abdomen, sending him flying.

Ch. 307Do You Even Know What the Hyrule Old Rogue Is Worth?

Xie Wen endured Rayleigh’s beating to strengthen his Haki, then used Flurry Rush to evade Rayleigh’s prepared barrage and waited for an opening. As Rayleigh’s Conqueror’s Haki-coated fist came in, Xie Wen executed a Perfect Shield Parry.

  • Rayleigh praised Xie Wen’s Armament Haki but continued to beat him, while Xie Wen insisted he could still fight.
  • Hua Mei Meow and the other Palicoes stopped Klee Meow and the others from intervening, recognizing that Xie Wen wanted to improve through combat.
  • Xie Wen felt his Armament and Observation Haki growing stronger as he endured Rayleigh’s attacks.
  • Rayleigh announced he would put Xie Wen in the hospital and prepared a stronger Conqueror’s Coating punch.
  • Xie Wen activated Flurry Rush to dodge Rayleigh’s repeated punches, then raised his shield and performed Perfect Shield Parry against Rayleigh’s Haki-coated fist.

Ch. 308Ganging up

Xie Wen used Link Meow’s Perfect Shield Parry to reflect Rayleigh’s Conqueror’s Haki-coated punch, then recovered with a Potion and called the Palicoes to gang up on him. The chapter left Rayleigh under a coordinated assault as Xie Wen launched a combined fire-and-lightning attack.

  • Xie Wen parried Rayleigh’s punch with Link Meow’s Perfect Shield Parry, dislocating Rayleigh’s arm while suffering severe strain himself.
  • Rayleigh reset his arm and prepared to stop sparring when Xie Wen drank a green Potion and ate a meatball to recover.
  • Xie Wen called the Palicoes to attack, and Jinx Meow opened fire while Meow Jūshirō and Link Meow protected her and pressed Rayleigh.
  • Rayleigh dodged and blocked the Palicoes’ attacks until Hua Mei Meow used her Conqueror’s Haki to knock him out of his Observation Haki Killer state.
  • Xie Wen entered Demon Mode: Beast, summoned Klee and Shalmy to his shoulders, and unleashed a combined fire-and-lightning attack on Rayleigh.

Ch. 309The melancholy of Sengoku the Buddha

Xie Wen and the cats overwhelmed Rayleigh with a coordinated attack on Sabaody, while Marineford debated whether to capture the Dark King amid a shortage of top fighters. Sengoku decided to send Garp to assess the fight, and Garp recognized Xie Wen as the man behind the name Sapphire Star.

  • Hua Mei Meow, Meow Jūshirō, Link Meow, and Xie Wen coordinated their attacks to force Rayleigh into the air.
  • Shalmeow and Klee Meow struck Rayleigh with a lightning kirin and a golden Gold Rathian, while Shakky worried the battle would attract the Marines.
  • Sengoku discussed the report with Vice Admiral Tsuru and considered capturing Rayleigh, but Tsuru warned Marineford lacked enough forces.
  • Sengoku planned to send Garp to Sabaody to assess the situation, then noticed Garp had stopped eating his rice crackers.
  • Garp realized that Sapphire Star was the nickname Xie Wen had wanted to give himself.

Ch. 310Dark King Rayleigh's frustration

Xie Wen and the cats kept Rayleigh occupied in a prolonged fight, using their coordinated attacks to test and improve their techniques. Rayleigh withdrew when he sensed an approaching old friend, and a powerful old man in a Marine uniform appeared.

  • Rayleigh retrieved his sword and used Divine Departure, but Xie Wen blocked it while the cats attacked Rayleigh’s legs and distracted him.
  • Xie Wen tested Scarlet Sky’s End against Rayleigh, while Klee Meow and Shalmeow combined fire and lightning attacks that briefly stunned him.
  • The battle continued as Xie Wen and the cats improved their coordination, but Rayleigh remained largely unharmed and grew concerned that the fight would wear him down.
  • Xie Wen considered ending the battle because he needed time to train and had plans in Marineford, while Rayleigh looked for an excuse to stop without losing face.
  • Rayleigh sensed an approaching presence, withdrew from the fight, and identified the newcomer as an old friend; a powerful old man in a Marine uniform emerged from behind a Yarukiman Mangrove.

Ch. 311A ploy to pit tiger against wolf!

Garp arrived while Xie Wen and Rayleigh were fighting, then heard how Rayleigh had tried to teach Xie Wen a lesson. The conversation turned to Xie Wen’s plan to become a Shichibukai, and he suspected Sengoku had arranged a trial for him.

  • Sengoku sent Garp to observe Xie Wen and Rayleigh, but Garp greeted Xie Wen and the Palicoes instead of interfering in the fight.
  • Garp learned that Rayleigh had challenged Xie Wen and teased him for failing to teach the younger man a lesson.
  • Garp warned Rayleigh that Klee Meow’s powerful bombs could have destroyed the bar if the fight had escalated.
  • Xie Wen told Garp he intended to become a Shichibukai in exchange for three Devil Fruits, and Garp warned that obtaining them would not be easy.
  • Xie Wen inferred that Sengoku might have gathered the other Shichibukai to evaluate him.

Ch. 312Iron Fist Garp's sigh

Xie Wen revealed that Portgas D. Ace was Roger’s son, shocking Rayleigh and Garp. After discussing Ace’s survival and the coming gathering at Marineford, Xie Wen left the bar with the cats to continue exploring Sabaody and confront slave traders.

  • Xie Wen inferred that Sengoku planned to bring the Shichibukai to Marineford, and he confirmed that Boa Hancock would be there.
  • Xie Wen explained that Boa Hancock had angered him by threatening his cats, and Klee agreed that she was a bad person.
  • Xie Wen revealed that Ace was Roger’s son and described how Portgas D. Rouge hid her pregnancy from the World Government.
  • Rayleigh learned that Ace was alive and recalled coating the Spade Pirates’ ship, while Garp sulked over Ace’s choice to become a pirate.
  • Xie Wen said goodbye to Garp and Rayleigh, then left with the cats for Area 0 to continue exploring Sabaody and pursue the slave traders.

Ch. 313Slave Auction House

Xie Wen and his companions entered the empty Slave Auction House in Area 0 and began freeing the slaves held there. After Xie Wen removed a Longarm man's explosive collar, it detonated harmlessly in an empty corner.

  • Xie Wen and his companions reached Area 0, where the evacuated Slave Auction House still held its captives.
  • Xie Wen recognized the auction house as belonging to Doflamingo's Donquixote Family, and Shalmeow and Klee volunteered to face Doflamingo and Boa Hancock.
  • Klee Meow reassured the despairing slaves, and Xie Wen explained that he would try to remove their explosive collars.
  • A Longarm man volunteered to let Xie Wen test the collar-removal process, and Xie Wen broke his shackles.
  • The collar began beeping, so Xie Wen used Armament Haki to remove it and throw it aside before it exploded.

Ch. 314A good deed a day

Xie Wen and the cats freed the slaves by picking the locks on their collars, then arranged for Shakky to help get them home. After Shakky offered him free information in exchange for looking after Amazon Lily, Xie Wen and the cats set out to attack the slave traders.

  • Xie Wen had the cats inspect the explosive collars, and Jinx Meow, Ai Haibara Meow, and Link Meow discovered they could safely remove them by picking the locks.
  • The freed slaves worried about getting home safely, so the Longarm Tribe man and other fighters volunteered to escort them.
  • Xie Wen brought the group to Shakky, who quickly arranged for people to take the freed slaves away.
  • Shakky gave Xie Wen her number for free information and asked him to look after Amazon Lily, and Xie Wen agreed after Hua Mei Meow prompted him.
  • Xie Wen and the cats headed out to make trouble for the slave traders.

Ch. 315A new member? An old friend!

Xie Wen and the cats destroyed the slave-trading bases across the Sabaody Archipelago, then returned to the Toot Toot Forward and discovered that a mysterious visitor had repaired one of Meowrah’s Guardians. Xie Wen recognized the visitor as someone the cats knew but kept her identity secret.

  • Meowrah detonated the defeated Guardians, killing the slave traders gathered around them.
  • Xie Wen and the cats swiftly wiped out every slave-trading base in the Sabaody Archipelago.
  • Xie Wen split the group so some cats could return to the ship while the others continued sightseeing and visited Sabaody Park.
  • Hua Mei Meow told Xie Wen that someone had damaged and then repaired the Guardians on the Toot Toot Forward.
  • Meowrah showed Xie Wen a Guardian patched with colorful ribbons and cat-paw-shaped iron plates, and Ai Haibara Meow explained that the ship’s defenses had ignored the visitor.
  • Xie Wen said the visitor was someone the cats knew, but he refused to reveal her identity.

Ch. 316"Goodwill" from the Authorities

Xie Wen and the cats refined Scarlet Sky's End while news of their Sabaody purge spread and the World Government appeared to be shaping his reputation. As they prepared to visit Marine Headquarters, Xie Wen accepted Hua Mei Meow's advice to bring Robin along, despite the risks.

  • Xie Wen and the cats settled on a reef island, where Meow Jūshirō and Link Meow helped him develop an instant version of Scarlet Sky's End that was weaker but more practical.
  • The World Economy News Paper reported the Sabaody slave-trader purge as retaliation against those who targeted Xie Wen's cats, while other papers praised Xie Wen for freeing slaves.
  • Hua Mei Meow suggested that the World Government was promoting Xie Wen to distinguish him as a future Shichibukai and provoke friction between him and the other Shichibukai.
  • Xie Wen decided to visit Marine Headquarters with Robin after Hua Mei Meow argued that leaving her behind could draw unwanted attention and make her feel excluded.
  • Xie Wen noted that none of the Three Admirals were at Marine Headquarters, but he remained cautious about the visit.

Ch. 317Marine Headquarters, Marineford

Xie Wen arrived at Marineford to collect the three Devil Fruits promised by the World Government and was brought before Sengoku, the Marines, and four Shichibukai. Sengoku told him he would have to convince the other Shichibukai to accept the unusual terms of his deal.

  • Xie Wen sailed the Toot Toot Forward into Marineford after identifying himself to Colonel Very Good.
  • Very Good welcomed Xie Wen and the cats, then escorted them to Sengoku's reception room.
  • Xie Wen found Garp, Tsuru, Sengoku, and the Shichibukai Mihawk, Boa Hancock, Jinbe, and Doflamingo waiting there.
  • Xie Wen greeted Garp, and Garp gave Klee Meow and the other cats rice crackers.
  • Sengoku said the World Government had promised Xie Wen three Devil Fruits but required him to convince the other Shichibukai to accept the deal's terms.
  • Xie Wen asked the Shichibukai what objections they had.

Ch. 318Good deeds are rewarded

Sengoku tried to use the other Shichibukai to punish Xie Wen and recruit him into the Marines, unaware of how strong Xie Wen and his cats were. Instead, Mihawk came only to spar, Jinbe came to thank Xie Wen, and Boa Hancock agreed to settle their grievances.

  • Sengoku devised a plan to turn the Shichibukai against Xie Wen and secretly draw him into the Marines.
  • After learning that Xie Wen had defeated Moria, Sengoku assumed the remaining Shichibukai would be able to make him suffer.
  • Garp failed to tell Sengoku that Rayleigh had come off worse in his encounter with Xie Wen and the cats.
  • Dracule Mihawk said he had come to spar with Xie Wen and showed interest in Meow Jūshirō.
  • Jinbe thanked Xie Wen for rescuing two Fish-Men and explained that he had come to offer help.
  • Boa Hancock settled her grievances with Xie Wen for Shakky's sake, though she remained haughty.

Ch. 319Even villains have cats to torment them

Doflamingo challenged Xie Wen, but Shalmeow revealed that she had the Rumble-Rumble Fruit and fought him instead. After learning that Shalmeow also had Observation Haki, Doflamingo reconsidered continuing the fight, but Shalmeow prepared a railgun attack.

  • Sengoku realized that Hawk-Eye, Jinbe, and Boa Hancock had refused to fight Xie Wen, while Tsuru anticipated that Doflamingo would still attack him.
  • Doflamingo tried to control Xie Wen with strings, but Xie Wen brushed them aside and invited him to fight Shalmeow.
  • Shalmeow kicked Doflamingo out of the reception room with a lightning-fast attack, revealing her Rumble-Rumble Fruit ability and astonishing Sengoku, Tsuru, and the other Shichibukai.
  • Doflamingo attacked Shalmeow with strings, but she evaded his moves by turning into lightning and using Observation Haki.
  • Shalmeow strengthened herself, took out a metal ball, and aimed a railgun attack at Doflamingo.

Ch. 320Killing Him Wasn't Enough-You Had to Break Him Too?

Shalmeow fought Doflamingo at Marine Headquarters, trading powerful attacks with his awakened Devil Fruit before he caught her in a deception. She revealed that she had escaped his lethal strike with a newly perfected lightning clone technique, leaving Doflamingo stunned.

  • Shalmeow fired a Railgun at Doflamingo, who blocked it with his awakened Shield White String.
  • Shalmeow summoned a huge lightning Kirin, and Doflamingo countered with Armament Haki-coated strings transformed from the ground and nearby buildings.
  • Doflamingo sent Wave White Lines after Shalmeow and left an opening that lured her toward him.
  • Doflamingo used a Black Knight clone to disguise his real position, then bound Shalmeow with Armament Haki-coated strings.
  • Doflamingo struck the bound Shalmeow with Sacred Bullet: God Thread, but she reassembled from sparks and revealed her perfected Lightning Clone Technique.

Ch. 321Art is an explosion! Meow!

Doflamingo trapped Shalmeow in a Birdcage and tried to kill her, but Klee Meow joined the fight and helped her escape. Klee Meow unleashed a Gold Rathian explosion on Doflamingo, leaving his fate unclear.

  • Doflamingo formed a Birdcage around himself and Shalmeow, and Garp failed to break through it.
  • Xie Wen sent Klee Meow into the Birdcage to help Shalmeow, and she attacked Doflamingo with Flame Sparrows.
  • Klee Meow’s explosions exposed Doflamingo, allowing Shalmeow to fire a railgun at him, but he blocked it with Shield White String.
  • Klee Meow summoned a Gold Rathian and used it to trap Doflamingo inside a ball of string before detonating it.
  • Shalmeow and Klee Meow escaped the Birdcage as the Gold Rathian exploded around Doflamingo.

Ch. 322Klee Was Such a Good Girl!

Klee Meow blasted Doflamingo and the Birdcage with a bomb, leaving Marine Headquarters with a huge crater before Xie Wen called her and Shalmeow back. Sengoku let Xie Wen take the three Devil Fruits and took him aside, leaving Tsuru, Garp, and Scarlet Tiger-sama to watch the cats.

  • Klee Meow escaped the Birdcage after her explosion and proudly told Xie Wen she had controlled the bomb's power.
  • Doflamingo survived in the crater, and Klee Meow and Shalmeow prepared to attack him again until Sengoku and Xie Wen called them back.
  • Shalmeow told Xie Wen that Doflamingo had been stronger than the shadow-playing fatty, and Xie Wen praised and comforted both cats.
  • Sengoku accepted Doflamingo's tacit agreement to let Xie Wen take the three Devil Fruits and considered the damage to Marine Headquarters.
  • Sengoku asked Xie Wen to come with him, left Tsuru and Garp in charge, and Xie Wen told Scarlet Tiger-sama to keep an eye on the cats.

Ch. 323The "Signing Bonus" Secured

Xie Wen received the three Devil Fruits promised by the World Government, then refused Sengoku’s offer to join the Marines. He left Marineford with the fruits to see whether they would yield a new fragment.

  • Sengoku handed Xie Wen a chest containing the three Devil Fruits promised to him.
  • Sengoku explained that the World Government had demanded Xie Wen become a Shichibukai to recover its lost face, then invited him to join the Marines secretly.
  • Sengoku offered Xie Wen access to Marine intelligence and rewards in exchange for service, but Xie Wen declined.
  • Sengoku accepted Xie Wen’s refusal and turned back to his work repairing Marineford.
  • Xie Wen left Sengoku’s office carrying the Devil Fruits, eager to inspect them and check his Hunter’s Notes.

Ch. 324Xie Sandao

Xie Wen accepted Jinbe’s invitation to visit Fish-Man Island and then sparred with Hawk-Eye at Marine Headquarters. Their three exchanges tested different versions of Xie Wen’s Scarlet Sky’s End, and the chapter ended as he unleashed its charged version.

  • Jinbe invited Xie Wen to visit King Neptune at Ryugu Palace on Fish-Man Island, and Xie Wen agreed.
  • Hawk-Eye challenged Xie Wen to spar, and they chose Klee Meow’s crater as their arena.
  • Xie Wen took a Demon Drug and opened with the instant version of Scarlet Sky’s End, which Hawk-Eye met with Black Blade Yoru.
  • Xie Wen activated Flurry Rush and struck with the high-speed version, forcing Hawk-Eye to use both hands on his sword.
  • Xie Wen took an Iai stance and unleashed the charged version of Scarlet Sky’s End after Hawk-Eye invited him to give everything he had.

Ch. 325Felyne Mode

Xie Wen awakened Valor Style during his clash with Mihawk and used it to unleash a transformed Scarlet Sky's End, though Mihawk still wounded him before the battle ended. After healing and thanking Mihawk, Xie Wen asked him to train Seijūrō and Link, and Mihawk agreed.

  • Xie Wen and Mihawk fought an extended blade standoff as Garp and Vice Admiral Tsuru watched and discussed Xie Wen's refusal to join the Marines.
  • As Xie Wen pushed his Armament Haki harder, he awakened Valor Style and combined it with Demon Blade: Rakshasa and Scarlet Sky's End.
  • Xie Wen and Mihawk's blades collided, sending both fighters flying; Mihawk's slash left Xie Wen deeply wounded.
  • Xie Wen drank a Potion made by Ai Haibara Meow, healed his wound, and returned to his feet in Felyne Mode.
  • Mihawk praised Xie's strike and agreed to guide Seijūrō and Link, whom he had already recognized as worthy opponents.
Arc 13 of 33