Ch. 26Da-da-da

Xie Wen and the cats watched Bax fight off rival gangs until reinforcements arrived, then Klee Meow defeated the attackers with a barrage of bombs. Xie Wen began searching the fallen gang members for money to help cover the damage, while Bax stared in shock.

  • Bax drew his rapier and fought off the gangs, deflecting their bullets while Xie Wen watched his swordsmanship.
  • Sanji Meow sensed more men approaching, and another crowd of gang members filled both ends of the alley.
  • Xie Wen told Klee Meow to handle the attackers, and she hurled dozens of bombs into the crowd before he could warn her to limit their power.
  • Klee Meow's explosions razed the alley and left the gang members sprawled on the ground, while Bax dropped his sword in shock.
  • Xie Wen led Klee Meow and Sanji Meow to search the gang members' pockets for money to offset the damage.

Ch. 27The Research Commission's First Job

After Klee Meow’s excessive bombing wrecked a gang of thugs, Xie Wen arranged an escort job with Cody in exchange for the town’s compensation being covered. He spent most of his money on supplies for himself and the cats, then opened a West Blue map and was shocked by what he saw.

  • Xie Wen found little money among the gangsters, reassured Klee Meow, and learned from Bax that the gangsters had no bounties and the Marines rarely interfered with West Blue gangs.
  • Xie Wen planned to compensate the townspeople, but Cody offered to cover the costs in exchange for Xie Wen protecting his fleet on its way to a trade fair, and Xie Wen accepted.
  • Xie Wen spent most of his seventy thousand Beli on the cats’ snacks, toys, seasonings, and clothes, then bought a West Blue map and several old newspapers at the tavern.
  • Xie Wen unfolded the West Blue map alongside the Hunter's Notes and was dumbfounded by the map.

Ch. 28Things the Original Never Mentioned

Xie Wen learned more about the West Blue and Bax’s past before challenging him to a sword fight. As the sailors gathered to watch, Xie Wen activated Demon Mode and prepared to fight with two cutlasses.

  • Xie Wen examined an inaccurate West Blue map, read old newspapers, and learned that the Flower Country was in the West Blue.
  • At dinner, Bax explained why most people did not use detailed nautical charts and told Xie Wen that famous sword grades did not encompass every fine blade.
  • Xie Wen learned that Bax came from the same country as Brook and had studied swordsmanship in its Guard Corps.
  • Xie Wen asked Bax for a fight, and the two went to an open area outside town as sailors gathered to watch and bet.
  • Bax underestimated Xie Wen and beckoned him to attack, so Xie Wen drew two cutlasses and activated Demon Mode.

Ch. 29Dual blades? Just watch me go

Xie Wen sparred with Bax using dual blades, improving his technique as Bax quietly helped him identify openings. After Klee Meow won money betting on Xie Wen, the sailors explained that Cody had recruited them to attend a Gang-organized trade fair and hoped to use Klee Meow’s bombs to escape if its organizers plotted against them; with Xie Wen’s strength, they now felt safer.

  • Xie Wen surprised Bax by vanishing and placing a blade at his neck, then agreed to another round after the sailors urged Bax to fight seriously.
  • Bax attacked Xie Wen with his rapier, then shifted to defense and used their sparring to help Xie Wen improve his offensive technique.
  • After nearly an hour, Bax ended the fight, and Klee Meow showed Xie Wen the Beli she had won betting on him.
  • Xie Wen praised Klee Meow and let her keep her winnings, while Sanji Meow guarded his money for ingredients.
  • The sailors told Xie Wen that Cody had been pressured into attending a trade fair organized by Gangs and had planned to use Klee Meow’s bombs to escape if necessary.
  • The sailors said Xie Wen’s strength gave them a better chance of escaping the trade fair safely.

Ch. 30Advanced Scouting

Xie Wen learned that studying accurate nautical charts expanded the Hunter’s Notes map and its scouting range, easing his worries about mapping the world. As Cody’s ship left Paper Lantern Town, Xie Wen realized he had forgotten to unlock the map there, then began considering an idea involving Devil Fruit powers.

  • Cody raised Xie Wen’s guard pay and gave him half the fee up front, while Xie Wen worried about the cost of weapons and future Palicoes.
  • Xie Wen told Klee Meow more of his Palico version of Naruto, and Klee showed him her drawing of Sasuke Meow.
  • After Cody’s ship left Paper Lantern Town, Xie Wen realized he had forgotten to unlock its map, and Sanji Meow pointed out the mistake.
  • Bax lent Xie Wen the crew’s nautical charts, which Xie Wen studied before returning them.
  • Xie Wen found that the Hunter’s Notes map had gained a pre-rendered region and a much wider scouting range, then formed an idea about stealing Devil Fruit powers.

Ch. 31Dig, dig, digging into a little corpse

Xie Wen considered whether his Carving Knife could extract Devil Fruits from the corpses of their users, then arrived with Cody's fleet at Cody's hometown. He accepted Cody's cutlasses and asked him to find a Nodachi, leaving Bax newly determined to train harder.

  • Xie Wen dismissed the Dark-Dark Fruit as too dangerous to pursue and reasoned that his Carving Knife might be able to carve a Devil Fruit from its user's corpse.
  • Cody's fleet reached a harbor beside his hometown, where Bax confirmed that Cody had once been a Marine.
  • Cody offered Xie Wen two cutlasses, but Xie Wen asked for a Nodachi because it was the weapon he used best.
  • Bax learned that Xie Wen had not used his preferred weapon during their spar and resolved to train harder.
  • Cody agreed to find a Nodachi for Xie Wen, who accepted the cutlasses as well.

Ch. 32The Kitty Pass

Xie Wen took Klee Meow and Sanji Meow into the Marine Base to uncover the last dark patch on his map, despite having no official reason to enter. The Marines let them tour the entire base, and a talkative guide even revealed its personnel, weapons, and strongest fighters’ specialties.

  • After circling Paper Lantern Town, Xie Wen saw the map reveal the surrounding area except for a small patch around the Marine Base.
  • Xie Wen decided against asking Cody for help and walked into the unguarded Marine Base with Klee Meow and Sanji Meow.
  • A talkative Marine mistook Xie Wen for a recruit, then was shocked when Sanji Meow spoke and drew a crowd around the cats.
  • Colonel Hilnans sent the crowd away and invited Xie Wen to join the Marines, but Xie Wen declined, saying he had to help the cats find their kin and visit the Mink Tribe's homeland.
  • Hilnans allowed Xie Wen and the cats to tour the base, where their guide divulged details about its personnel, weapons, and strongest fighters.

Ch. 33Uncle Bax's swordsmanship

Xie Wen trained with Bax, learned the basics of his swordsmanship, and received the nodachi Cody had promised him before the fleet departed. He celebrated Klee Meow’s apparent good behavior, but Sanji Meow revealed she had been experimenting with explosive tags and had started a few small fires.

  • Xie Wen trained at Bax’s place and defeated him with a Foresight Slash during their spar.
  • Bax offered to teach Xie Wen his swordsmanship, and Xie Wen accepted after learning the style was not secret.
  • Cody’s promised nodachi arrived before the fleet’s departure, and Xie Wen had learned the basics of Bax’s swordsmanship.
  • Xie Wen found that Klee Meow had become popular with the island’s villagers and had avoided causing major explosions.
  • Sanji Meow told Xie Wen that Klee Meow had been researching explosive tags and had started a few small fires.

Ch. 34Klee: Let's do a little experiment, meow!

Xie Wen let Klee Meow test her bombs from a skiff towed behind the fleet, and her experiments caused several blasts without sinking the ships. The voyage remained peaceful, though one explosion sent Xie Wen into the sea and struck a Sea King, while Klee Meow stayed unharmed.

  • Klee Meow begged Xie Wen to let her experiment with bombs, so he arranged for them to work from a small skiff far behind the fleet.
  • Bax understood the danger after Xie Wen explained that Klee Meow's bombs had flattened an alley in Paper Lantern Town, and he made their tow rope longer.
  • Klee Meow's first bomb exploded in the sea, splashing Xie Wen, Klee Meow, and Bax, while Klee Meow insisted she did not need to hold back its power away from the big ship.
  • Xie Wen and Klee Meow continued setting off bombs as Sanji Meow cooked with the fleet's cooks, and they encountered no pirates on the voyage.
  • One bomb exploded just after Xie Wen threw it, blasting him into the sea and knocking Klee Meow across the skiff, while an attacking Sea King was hit and left dazed.
  • Klee Meow got to experiment, Sanji Meow gained ingredients, Xie Wen added an entry to his catalog, and the sailors enjoyed a feast.

Ch. 35Little Kitty Goes Fishing (Blasting), Part One

Xie Wen and the cats arrived at Gures, where Cody allowed Xie Wen to take Klee Meow and Sanji Meow into the city to test the Gangs’ intentions. The trio left the inn after Bax warned them to avoid provoking the island’s powerful families and reminded Klee not to use bombs.

  • Cody checked into an inn on Gures with Xie Wen, Bax, and several fighters while his subordinates sold goods.
  • Xie Wen asked Cody for permission to take Klee Meow and Sanji Meow sightseeing, but Bax objected because Xie Wen was on bodyguard duty.
  • Cody approved the outing and explained that he wanted Xie Wen and the cats to gauge the Gangs’ attitudes before the trade fair.
  • Cody paid Xie Wen the rest of his fee, and Bax warned the group that the Buono, Capone, and Shimento Families controlled Gures.
  • Xie Wen reminded Klee Meow not to blow up a street, and Klee Meow and Sanji Meow blamed him for their earlier bombing in Paper Lantern Town.

Ch. 36Kitten Fishing (Blasting), Part Two

Xie Wen used himself and the two Palicoes as bait to draw out the Gang on Gless Island, hoping to encounter Capone’s people. When Capone Family members finally blocked his way and demanded the cats, Xie Wen vanished and struck from behind.

  • Xie Wen carried Klee Meow and Sanji Meow through the city while refusing merchants’ offers to buy them.
  • Xie Wen explored secluded streets to lure the Gang, and Sanji Meow noticed the pursuers dwindling to two groups that joined together.
  • Xie Wen grew impatient when the Gang kept following without attacking, and he began heading back with the cats.
  • Gang members blocked their way and demanded that Xie Wen hand over the cats for a few Beli.
  • A gang member identified them as the Capone Family, and Xie Wen let the cats down before disappearing from view.
  • Xie Wen sheathed his blade behind the gang members and remarked that he had cut something worthless.

Ch. 37The Situation on Gless Island

Xie Wen fought off Capone Family gangsters who tried to buy Klee Meow and Sanji Meow, then returned to the inn as Cody judged the incident unlikely to escalate. When the trade fair arrived, Cody took Xie Wen and the two cats to attend, leaving the other guards with the caravan.

  • Xie Wen cut down the Capone Family gangsters who confronted him and returned to the inn with Klee Meow and Sanji Meow.
  • Xie Wen told Cody about the encounter, and Cody explained that the Buono Family could mediate if the Capone Family caused further trouble.
  • Xie Wen and the cats spent the next few days exploring the city, while the Capone Family left them alone.
  • Cody warned Xie Wen and the others to stay alert at the trade fair, then took Bax, Xie Wen, Klee Meow, and Sanji Meow to the venue.

Ch. 38Capone Bege

Xie Wen attended Gures’s trade fair and learned that the three mafia families wanted to bind merchants to their territories and build lasting businesses on the island. Capone Bege confronted him over the Mink Tribe companions, then warned that Gures would become dangerous after the fair.

  • Xie Wen learned that the three families were competing to claim merchants and establish long-term industries in Gures.
  • Buono John addressed the merchants, and a Shimento Family staff officer failed to win over one of them.
  • Xie Wen spotted Vito the Weird Gun and Gotti, who brought Capone Bege over to meet him.
  • Bege asked whether Xie Wen would sell Klee Meow and Sanji Meow, and Xie Wen refused, comparing them to Bege’s own subordinates.
  • Bege warned Xie Wen to protect his companions because Gures would not remain peaceful after the trade fair.

Ch. 39A mysterious identity

At the trade fair, Buono John approached Cody with a deal that hinted at Cody’s hidden influence, while Xie Wen kept watch for Capone Bege. As the fair ended, Bege remained nowhere to be seen, and someone shot John dead during his speech.

  • Xie Wen observed the three families’ negotiations and noticed that the Buono Family had the upper hand while merchants avoided Cody.
  • Buono John offered Cody a tax-free deal in exchange for putting in a good word for Gures’s application to become an affiliated nation, and Cody agreed.
  • Cody told Bax that he had only promised to put in a good word, while Xie Wen suspected Cody had more influence than he admitted.
  • After the trade fair ended, Xie Wen searched the crowd for Capone Bege but could not find him or his conspicuous subordinates.
  • A gunshot struck Buono John in the head as he gave his closing speech, and he fell to the floor.

Ch. 40Capone's Backstab

Capone Bege betrayed the Buono Family and then turned on the Shimento Family, revealing the hidden strength of his Devil Fruit and concealed troops. He challenged Xie Wen to fight Vito the Weird Gun, but Klee Meow eagerly claimed the chance to fight instead.

  • Simment Lane explained that the Buono Family had secretly planned to make Gures its own royal domain, so the Shimento Family and Capone Family had joined forces against it.
  • Capone Bege revealed that he had no interest in becoming royalty, while Xie Wen suspected the Shimento Family would soon be betrayed as well.
  • Vito the Weird Gun killed a messenger from the Shimento Family, and Capone Bege ignored Lane's furious demands for an explanation.
  • Lane and the Shimento Family attacked Capone Bege, but Bege transformed into a brick-and-stone structure and sent hidden Capone Family troops pouring out of his body.
  • Capone Bege challenged Xie Wen to defeat Vito, but Klee Meow turned Xie Wen's face aside and declared that she wanted to fight the bad guys too.

Ch. 41The Little Kitties' Fighting Power

Sanji Meow fought Vito the Weird Gun in Xie Wen's place and steadily overwhelmed him, while Capone Bege watched without intervening. Xie Wen suspected Bege was holding back because of his strength, Klee Meow, or Cody's mysterious background.

  • Xie Wen persuaded Klee Meow to let Sanji Meow take the fight, and Sanji Meow insisted he wanted to prove himself.
  • Vito the Weird Gun tried to grab Sanji Meow, but Sanji Meow dodged, climbed onto him, and kicked him across the room.
  • Sanji Meow continued landing powerful kicks, even after Vito drew his gun, leaving the onlookers stunned.
  • Xie Wen judged Vito weaker than expected and watched Capone Bege, who stayed grim-faced and did not intervene.
  • Xie Wen wondered whether Capone Bege was wary of him and Klee Meow or was watching Cody's mysterious background.

Ch. 42Soldiers Against Soldiers, Generals Against Generals

After Sanji Meow defeated Vito, Xie Wen refused to let Capone Bege end their dispute and challenged the Capone Family. Bege ordered his men to attack, and Xie Wen and the cats fought back as Xie Wen confronted Bege.

  • Sanji Meow defeated Vito with a series of kicks, leaving him unconscious.
  • Xie Wen challenged Capone Bege after Bege tried to call off the conflict, and Klee Meow and Sanji Meow prepared to fight beside him.
  • Capone Bege ordered his men to kill Xie Wen and the cats, while a large force poured out of Bege's body to join the attack.
  • Xie Wen deflected incoming bullets with Foresight Slash and told Klee Meow and Sanji Meow to handle the other attackers, warning Klee not to use bombs.
  • Klee Meow blasted many of the attackers with the Great Fireball Technique, while Sanji Meow charged the gangsters with kicks.
  • Xie Wen lunged at Capone Bege and swung his blade at him.

Ch. 43The Mobile Castle, the "Mini Boss" of the Capone Family!

Xie Wen fought Capone Bege, who used the Castle-Castle Fruit to turn himself into a mobile, stone-bodied fortress. After testing Bege’s defenses and dismissing his current form as a weaker version of his ultimate one, Xie Wen gathered his strength for a decisive attack.

  • Bege dodged Xie Wen’s slash, then attacked with gunfire, tank treads, and a saber while Xie Wen mocked his mobile castle.
  • Xie Wen wounded Bege’s stone body with Spirit Blade, and Bege concealed the damage before firing bullets and cannonballs from openings in his suit, injuring bystanders.
  • Bege enlarged and hardened his body into a castle form, shrugged off Xie Wen’s slashes, and offered to recruit him into the Capone Family.
  • Xie Wen decided Bege’s castle form was not strong enough to interest him and concentrated his Qi Training Value into a Super Amped Elemental Discharge Thrust.

Ch. 44Bege's "Bounty"

Xie Wen defeated Capone Bege but spared him after Uncle Cody intervened, accepting a ship, a Famous Sword, and fifty million Beli as compensation. He declined Cody’s offer to join the Marines and discussed plans to travel with the cats and earn money through bounty hunting and other work.

  • Xie Wen nearly killed Capone Bege, but Uncle Cody stopped him because wiping out the Capone Family would make Gures unstable.
  • Xie Wen demanded a ship, a Famous Sword, and fifty million Beli, and Bege agreed to provide them.
  • Xie Wen declined Cody’s renewed offer to join the Marines, explaining that he and the cats wanted freedom from other people’s rules.
  • Xie Wen told Cody he might earn money through bounty hunting, hunting sea beasts, trading, opening a floating restaurant, or writing stories.

Ch. 45Explorer One

Xie Wen and the cats chose a small ship from the Capone Family’s harbor and learned how to sail it. They named their first ship Explorer One and headed toward Cody’s merchant ship.

  • A Capone Family underling led Xie Wen, Klee Meow, and Sanji Meow to a harbor reserved for the Three Families, where they chose a ship.
  • Klee Meow could not settle on a ship, so Sanji Meow picked a small single-masted vessel suited to their small crew.
  • Xie Wen inspected the ship with the underling, Robbie, and asked him to teach them how to sail it.
  • Xie Wen struggled to steer the ship, while Sanji Meow quickly mastered sailing and became their helmsman.
  • Xie Wen told Robbie to have Capone Bege deliver the requested famous swords and money to the inn, then Sanji Meow sailed the ship toward Cody’s merchant vessel.
  • Xie Wen named the ship Explorer One after Klee Meow and Sanji Meow suggested other names.

Ch. 46The Famous Sword Long Moon

Xie Wen received the famous sword Long Moon and fifty million Beli from the Capone Family, then unlocked the weapon page in his Hunter's Notes and obtained a new summoning ticket fragment. He put away the fragment and his belongings before returning to sleep.

  • Bax woke Xie Wen and told him the Capone Family had delivered the sword and money.
  • Vito gave Xie Wen Long Moon, a Skillful Grade Sword, and the case containing the payment; Sanji Meow threatened him.
  • Xie Wen returned to his room and opened the Hunter's Notes, unlocking the weapon page for Long Moon.
  • A white light produced an iron-gray summoning ticket fragment, which Xie Wen stored with the notes.
  • Xie Wen packed away the case and his retired Nodachi, then went back to sleep.

Ch. 47A classic trope

After leaving Gures, Xie Wen planned a route through the West Blue before heading toward Reverse Mountain and the East Blue. His plans were interrupted when Klee Meow found a frightened woman hiding in Explorer One’s storeroom, and she said the Capone Family was trying to kill her.

  • Xie Wen sailed away from Gures with Sanji Meow and Klee Meow after finishing the escort job and acquiring Explorer One, swords, and money.
  • Xie Wen decided to map more of the West Blue before heading to Reverse Mountain, where he could reach the East Blue and Loguetown.
  • Xie Wen chose the Shatterbone Islands as their next destination and turned Explorer One toward them.
  • Klee Meow found a woman hiding in the storeroom, and Xie Wen and Sanji Meow rushed to investigate.
  • The woman said she was hiding from the Capone Family, which was trying to kill her.

Ch. 48The Reason

Ottilia joined Xie Wen’s ship temporarily after fleeing the attack on the Buono Family, and revealed that Cody was a Cipher Pol 4 agent tied to the family’s plan to make Gures an Affiliated Nation. Xie Wen agreed to let her stay until they reached a suitable island, while remaining wary of her identity and the secrets she might uncover.

  • Ottilia introduced herself as a maid of the Buono Family and explained that she had stowed away to escape the Capone and Simter Families.
  • Ottilia revealed that she had overheard a secret linking the Buono Family’s attack, Xie Wen’s former employer, and several factions.
  • Ottilia said that Cody was a Cipher Pol 4 agent and that the Buono Family had wanted to make Gures an Affiliated Nation with his help.
  • Xie Wen and the Palicos discussed Cody’s identity and decided it did not change their plans or their past relationship with him.
  • Xie Wen accepted Ottilia into the Palico Research Commission temporarily and planned to drop her off at a suitable island.

Ch. 49What's the Point of Having Cats If You Can't Play with Them?

Xie Wen explained why the Palico Research Commission was heading to the dangerous Shatterbone Islands, and he and the cats set out to explore them while Ottilia stayed aboard Explorer One. Ottilia hinted at her uncertain loyalties and reaffirmed that she needed Xie Wen’s help escaping the Capone Family.

  • Ottilia explained that hidden currents, reefs, and aggressive sea beasts made the Shatterbone Islands dangerous for ships and unsuitable for towns.
  • Xie Wen said the crew wanted to search for Palicoes and explore the islands, then teased Klee Meow about staying behind because she could not swim after eating a Devil Fruit.
  • Xie Wen reassured Klee Meow that she could join the expedition, and she forgave him after biting and licking his arm.
  • The crew anchored outside the Shatterbone Islands, and Xie Wen left Ottilia aboard Explorer One while he and Sanji Meow prepared to swim ashore with Klee Meow on his back.
  • Ottilia asked whether Xie Wen feared she would steal the ship, and she said she still needed his help evading the Capone Family's pursuit.

Ch. 50Encounter with Pirates

Xie Wen and the cats sailed onward with Ottilia, who revealed she was Buono Ottilia, the former Buono Family’s third daughter, and said she would leave when the time was right. When the group finally encountered pirates, Klee Meow eagerly prepared to fight them while Xie Wen urged her to spare their ship and treasure.

  • Xie Wen explored the uninhabited Shatterbone Islands with the cats, revealed the map, and collected sea beast entries, ingredients, a ruby, and explosive-making materials.
  • Ottilia explained that the Capone Family’s influence reached beyond Gures, then confessed she was Buono Ottilia, the family’s third daughter, and declined Xie Wen’s offer to take her to Cody’s hometown.
  • Xie Wen and the cats continued sailing between islands, and Sanji Meow spotted a pirate ship approaching.
  • Ottilia identified the approaching crew as the Head-Hunting Pirates, led by Condit the Head-Hunter, whose bounty was twenty-seven million Beli.
  • Klee Meow claimed the fight for herself, and Xie Wen warned her not to destroy the pirates’ ship or treasure.
  • Klee Meow proposed using Whoosh-Whoosh Bombs to knock the pirates unconscious.
Arc 2 of 33