Arc 11The Paramount War and Four Blues

As Whitebeard’s war to rescue Ace consumed Marineford, Hua Country seized the Four Blues and Huang Zhong intervened to save Kuma and stop Blackbeard from taking Whitebeard’s power. The war left the Marines fractured and the New World’s powers competing for territory, while Hua Country consolidated its rule and sealed Reverse Mountain against a World Government attack.

  • Huang Zhong monitored Marineford with Jewelry Bonney, then Chen Yu launched simultaneous campaigns that brought the Four Blues under Hua Country’s control while its fleets blocked World Government reinforcements.
  • Whitebeard led his forces against Marineford, and Luffy arrived with the Impel Down escapees, and with Mr. 3’s help, Luffy freed Ace, but Whitebeard stayed behind to cover the pirates’ retreat.
  • Ace died protecting Luffy from Akainu, and Whitebeard fell after fighting Akainu and Blackbeard, and Huang Zhong stopped Blackbeard from taking the Tremor-Tremor Fruit and revealed Hua Country’s victories to the Marines.
  • Sengoku halted the Marines’ pursuit, Marco withdrew with Ace and Whitebeard’s bodies, and Huang Zhong restored Kuma’s memories so he could reunite with Jewelry Bonney and leave Marineford.
  • Chen Yu rejected Dragon’s proposed alliance, appointed Xun Yu to govern Hua Country’s new territories, and ordered unified laws, land redistribution, tax relief, and the removal of royal and noble systems.
  • Garp and Sengoku resigned as Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru faced a leadership crisis, and Akainu defeated Aokiji on Punk Hazard, became Fleet Admiral, and Aokiji left the Marines.
  • Blackbeard and Big Mom expanded into Whitebeard’s former territory while Shanks protected Sphinx Island, and Chen Yu ordered Hua Country to strengthen its rule as it watched the World Government and the Four Emperors.
  • The Five Elders sent a fleet to attack Reverse Mountain, but Zhou Yu and Gan Ning destroyed it and sealed the passage against further World Government attacks.
Chapters 251–275 Vol. 3 Read

Ch. 251Huang Zhong slipped outside the fortress, the Time Law concealing his tracks!

Huang Zhong and Jewelry Bonney hid near Marineford while they waited for the Paramount War, and he learned that the World Government had prepared the Holy Knights as reinforcements. Huang Zhong prepared to report the intelligence and wait for the war to begin so he could stop Blackbeard, rescue Kuma, and protect Bonney.

  • Huang Zhong watched Marineford from a concealed ship and told Jewelry Bonney they would wait nearby until the war began.
  • Huang Zhong told Bonney that Kuma had arrived at Marineford and that they would extract him after the war using their agreed signal.
  • A Wind-Listening Guard member delivered Lucci's report detailing Marineford's defenses and the Holy Knights' readiness in Mary Geoise.
  • Huang Zhong ordered the report sent to His Majesty and directed the Wind-Listening Guard to monitor the Five Elders and Holy Knights.
  • Huang Zhong reassured Bonney that he would protect her and rescue her father as they waited for the war.

Ch. 252The eve of Marineford's endgame: Whitebeard at the gates!

Marineford prepared for Ace’s execution as Sengoku placed the Marines on maximum alert while Whitebeard’s fleet vanished from their surveillance. At sunset, Whitebeard’s ships surfaced offshore and he declared that he had come to take back Ace, bringing the war to the brink of beginning.

  • Granny Tsuru told Sengoku that Whitebeard’s fleet had disappeared, and Sengoku ordered the Marines, the Three Admirals, and the Pacifista units to prepare for an attack from any direction.
  • Akainu, Kuzan, and Kizaru took defensive positions while Hawk-Eye, Doflamingo, Moria, Hancock, and Kuma waited in the Shichibukai area.
  • A Marine lookout reported that Whitebeard’s fleet had surfaced underwater and was advancing toward Marineford.
  • Sengoku saw the Moby Dick leading the fleet, and Whitebeard called out that he had come to take back his son, Ace.

Ch. 253Tremors Split the Sea, the World's Strongest Takes the Field!

On the day of Ace’s public execution, Whitebeard arrived at Marineford with his fleet and unleashed the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, threatening the fortress with enormous tsunamis. Aokiji froze the waves and harbor, and Whitebeard led his forces across the ice to begin the Paramount War.

  • Sengoku announced Ace’s execution to Marineford and the world as Ace worried that Whitebeard had come to save him.
  • Whitebeard arrived aboard the Moby Dick with forty-three allied pirate ships and promised Ace he would rescue him.
  • Whitebeard’s Tremor-Tremor Fruit raised two enormous tsunamis toward Marineford.
  • Aokiji used Ice Age to freeze the tsunamis and harbor, creating an ice path to the fortress.
  • Whitebeard released his Conqueror’s Haki, then led his commanders and allied pirates in a charge toward Marineford.

Ch. 254The Three Admirals Strike Together, a Torrent of Elements Shakes Heaven and Earth!

The Whitebeard Pirates charged Marineford as the Marines unleashed a barrage of artillery, and Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji each attacked Whitebeard. Whitebeard repelled all three Admirals, and the pirates surged forward again to reach the plaza and save Ace.

  • Jozu shielded the Whitebeard Pirates from cannon fire with his diamond body while Vista cut incoming shells apart with flying slashes.
  • Akainu used Meteor Volcano to melt the ice and kill charging pirates, and Jozu was scorched and knocked down while trying to stop a magma fist aimed at Whitebeard.
  • Whitebeard shattered Akainu’s magma attacks with Murakumogiri, then punched through Kizaru’s Yasakani no Magatama and sent Kizaru crashing through the batteries.
  • Aokiji attacked Whitebeard with Ice Blade Two-Pronged Spear, but Whitebeard shattered the spears and blasted Aokiji apart, forcing him to reform at a distance.
  • After the three Admirals failed to injure Whitebeard, the pirates cheered and charged toward the plaza to save Ace as the battle spread across Marineford.

Ch. 255The Whitebeard Pirates charged, and the Shichibukai showed their powers!

The Whitebeard Pirates pushed through the Marines as the Shichibukai entered the battle and threw the battlefield into chaos. Whitebeard continued toward the execution platform, determined to rescue Ace.

  • Onigumo fought Vista while Momonga attacked Marco, but Marco’s regeneration let him overpower Momonga and send him crashing through the defensive line.
  • Doflamingo cut down pirates with his strings and used them to force Atmos to attack his own comrades until a slash severed the strings.
  • Mihawk unleashed a powerful slash at Whitebeard, but Jozu blocked it with his diamond body, and Mihawk stopped fighting.
  • Moria absorbed shadows from fallen Marines and pirates to enlarge himself, then attacked everyone around him with shadow blades.
  • Hancock petrified Marines and pirates with Mero Mero Mellow as the Shichibukai’s attacks plunged the battlefield into chaos.
  • Whitebeard walked toward the plaza and execution platform, intent on rescuing Ace.

Ch. 256Huang Zhong coldly watched the battle, a hidden arrow trained on Blackbeard!

Huang Zhong watched Marineford from the shadows and prepared to stop Blackbeard from taking Whitebeard’s Tremor-Tremor Fruit, while Chen Yu launched Hua Country’s simultaneous offensives across the Four Blues. The World Government remained focused on the Paramount War as its hold over the Four Blues began to collapse.

  • Huang Zhong learned that Blackbeard had entered Impel Down’s Level 6 and ordered his agents to monitor Blackbeard and the World Government’s leaders.
  • Huang Zhong reassured Jewelry Bonney that Kuma was safe and waited with his bow ready for Blackbeard to appear at Marineford.
  • Chen Yu received reports that the Paramount War had begun and that the World Government had committed its forces to Marineford.
  • Chen Yu ordered Guan Yu to invade East Blue, Zhao Yun and Ma Chao to sweep through South Blue, and Lü Bu and Zhang Liao to seize North Blue.
  • Chen Yu ordered Zhou Yu and Gan Ning to blockade the Red Line, while Zhang Fei, Dian Wei, and Chinjao secured Hua Country’s bases and borders.
  • Hua Country’s armies began their simultaneous offensives, cutting off the World Government’s routes to the Four Blues as it remained occupied at Marineford.

Ch. 257Whitebeard battled three Admirals as Straw Hat stormed the lines and stunned the battlefield!

Whitebeard fought off the Three Admirals as Luffy arrived at Marineford with the Impel Down escapees and charged to rescue Ace. Whitebeard’s pirates opened a path for Luffy toward the Execution Platform, while the battle’s course shifted around his arrival.

  • Whitebeard repelled attacks from Aokiji and Kizaru, then struck Akainu away when he attacked from above.
  • Marco urged Whitebeard to fall back, but Whitebeard refused to leave Ace and rallied his pirates to charge the Marine lines.
  • Luffy arrived aboard a Marine warship with Jinbe, Crocodile, Ivankov, Buggy, Mr. 3, Mr. 1, and other escapees, shocking both sides.
  • Sengoku reacted angrily to Luffy’s arrival, while Garp struggled between his Marine duty and his grandson.
  • Luffy dodged Doflamingo’s strings and attacked Marine elites as he vowed to save Ace; Marco blocked Akainu’s Great Eruption before it could hit him.
  • Whitebeard ordered his commanders to clear a path for Luffy, and Marco and Jozu led the charge toward the Execution Platform.

Ch. 258Thunder Rocked the Four Blues, Hua Kingdom's Iron Hooves Swept Three Seas!

While the world focused on the war at Marineford, Hua Country’s armies conquered most of East Blue, South Blue, and North Blue. Zhou Yu and Gan Ning then sealed the Red Line routes and stopped the World Government’s reinforcements, leaving Marineford cut off from the Four Blues.

  • Guan Yu destroyed the Marine fleet outside Loguetown with one slash and led the East Blue Army to take most of East Blue within three days.
  • Zhao Yun and Ma Chao broke Bastille’s fortress defenses, captured Bastille, and brought virtually all of South Blue under Hua Country’s control within four days.
  • Lü Bu defeated the Doflamingo Family’s resistance at Minion Island, then led the conquest of North Blue while Zhang Liao cleared remaining forces; the sea fell within five days.
  • Zhou Yu and Gan Ning divided their fleets to blockade the routes around Reverse Mountain and the Red Line, preventing World Government forces from returning to the Four Blues.
  • Gan Ning used Kyogre’s power to smash Yamakaji’s reinforcement fleet with a tsunami, while Zhou Yu burned a Cipher Pol No. 9 fleet with Ho-Oh’s Sacred Fire.
  • Zhou Yu and Gan Ning stopped five more World Government fleets over two days, cutting Marineford off from the Four Blues.

Ch. 259Huang Zhong drew his bow to await Blackbeard, while father and daughter gazed at each other across the sea!

Huang Zhong waited off Marineford to intercept Blackbeard, while Jewelry Bonney saw her father Kuma recognize her across the battlefield. As Chen Yu received confirmation that Hua Country had unified the Four Blues, the Five Elders realized the World Government had lost the foundation of its rule.

  • Huang Zhong prepared to stop Blackbeard from taking Whitebeard’s Tremor-Tremor Fruit, and promised Jewelry Bonney he would rescue Kuma after the war.
  • Kuma glanced toward Jewelry Bonney and briefly showed that he still remembered her before returning his attention to the battlefield.
  • A lookout spotted Blackbeard’s warship approaching Marineford, and Huang Zhong drew his bow to meet it.
  • Zhuge Liang, Guo Jia, and Xun Yu reported that Hua Country had secured the Four Blues and blocked the World Government’s reinforcement fleets; Chen Yu ordered the armies to consolidate their gains and maintain the blockade.
  • The Five Elders learned that the World Government had lost the Four Blues, but realized they could not send reinforcements while Whitebeard kept their forces occupied at Marineford.

Ch. 260Brothers reunited on the Execution Platform, the will of flame ignited the battlefield!

Luffy unleashed his Conqueror’s Haki and, with help from the Whitebeard Pirates, Jinbe, and Mr. 3, reached Ace and freed him from his Seastone Handcuffs. After Sengoku’s attack shattered the Execution Platform, Whitebeard ordered his sons to retreat to the New World while he stayed behind to cover them.

  • Luffy’s Conqueror’s Haki knocked out Marines, and Whitebeard ordered Marco, Jozu, and Vista to clear a path for him.
  • Jinbe broke Aokiji’s ice around Luffy, and Mr. 3 shielded him from Kizaru’s attack and offered to make a key for Ace’s cuffs.
  • Whitebeard split the ground with his Tremor-Tremor Fruit, allowing Luffy to reach the Execution Platform, where Mr. 3 unlocked Ace’s Seastone Handcuffs.
  • Ace and Luffy stood together against Sengoku’s golden shockwave, then escaped the collapsing Execution Platform and returned to the Whitebeard Pirates.
  • Whitebeard ordered his crew to retreat safely to the New World while he stayed behind to cover their escape, and Ace and the pirates protested.

Ch. 261Blackbeard Appears, His Ambition Shocks the Battlefield!

Blackbeard arrived at Marineford with his crew of Impel Down escapees and revealed that he intended to kill Whitebeard and rule the era. As Whitebeard fought Akainu to cover the pirates’ retreat, Blackbeard waited for both men to weaken, leaving the battlefield poised for another clash.

  • Blackbeard arrived at Marineford with Shiryu, the other Blackbeard Pirates, and the Level 6 criminals he had recruited.
  • Ace tried to attack Blackbeard, but Whitebeard stopped him and confronted Teach over his betrayal, Thatch’s murder, and the destruction of Impel Down.
  • Blackbeard declared that he had used his Shichibukai position to enter Impel Down and planned to kill Whitebeard and become ruler of the era.
  • Akainu blocked the Whitebeard Pirates’ escape and insulted Ace, prompting Whitebeard to order Marco to lead the crew away.
  • Whitebeard charged Akainu and clashed with his magma attack, but his weakened body staggered under the blow.
  • Blackbeard urged Whitebeard and Akainu to exhaust each other while his crew prepared to attack.

Ch. 262Huang Zhong drew his bow on Blackbeard; the Time Law stood ready to strike!

Huang Zhong waited offshore to stop Blackbeard from taking Whitebeard’s Tremor-Tremor Fruit as Ace died protecting Luffy and Whitebeard fought Blackbeard. After Whitebeard died, Blackbeard covered his corpse with a black cloth, and Huang Zhong aimed his time-infused arrow at it, ready to strike if Blackbeard tried to seize the fruit.

  • Huang Zhong told Jewelry Bonney that he was waiting for Blackbeard to reach for the Tremor-Tremor Fruit before attacking.
  • Ace charged Akainu after he insulted Whitebeard, then took Akainu’s magma fist meant for Luffy and died in his brother’s arms.
  • Whitebeard attacked Akainu and then fought Blackbeard, overpowering him despite the Dark-Dark Fruit’s ability to suppress his powers.
  • Whitebeard nearly killed Blackbeard but collapsed from his wounds, and Blackbeard shot him before Whitebeard struck him again and declared that the One Piece was real.
  • Blackbeard and his crew killed Whitebeard with a barrage of attacks, then covered his corpse with a black cloth as Huang Zhong aimed his arrow at them.

Ch. 263The Two-Fruit Plot Beneath the Black Cloth, a Battlefield Silent Before the Thunder!

Blackbeard tried to take Whitebeard’s Tremor-Tremor Fruit, but Huang Zhong used Dialga’s Time Law and an arrow to strip the power from him. Huang Zhong entered Marineford and confronted Blackbeard as the Marines and Whitebeard’s Remnant Group watched warily.

  • Blackbeard covered Whitebeard’s corpse with a black cloth and attempted to take the Tremor-Tremor Fruit while his crew guarded him.
  • Marco charged the black cloth, but Shiryu of the Rain intercepted him as Blackbeard’s power began shaking Marineford.
  • Huang Zhong froze time across the battlefield and shot Blackbeard through the shoulder, forcing the Tremor-Tremor Fruit power out of him and back toward Whitebeard’s corpse.
  • Time resumed, and Huang Zhong arrived at Marineford aboard a black fast ship, drawing the attention of Sengoku, Kizaru, Aokiji, Akainu, Marco, and the others.
  • Huang Zhong approached Blackbeard and declared that his ambition ended there, while Blackbeard freed himself and vowed to kill him.

Ch. 264Huang Zhong stunned the battlefield, driving back the Blackbeard Pirates with a single slash!

Huang Zhong used his time powers to defeat Blackbeard and his crew with one slash, then confronted Kizaru and Aokiji as they blocked his pursuit. He revealed that Hua Country had seized the Four Blues and surrounded Mary Geoise, leaving Marineford’s Marines shaken and Sengoku near collapse.

  • Blackbeard ordered his nine elite crewmates to attack Huang Zhong, but Huang Zhong slowed time and wounded them all with a single saber slash.
  • Huang Zhong demanded Blackbeard surrender or die; Blackbeard fled toward the harbor with his injured crew.
  • Aokiji blocked Huang Zhong with an ice wall while Kizaru attacked, and the two Admirals confronted him.
  • Huang Zhong warned that Hua Country’s army had surrounded Mary Geoise and claimed the Four Blues now belonged to Hua Country.
  • The Marines panicked at Huang Zhong’s revelation, Marco understood his intervention, and Sengoku spat blood and nearly fainted.

Ch. 265The Fortress Battle Ends, the Remnants Bid Pops a Tearful Farewell!

After learning that the Four Blues had fallen, Sengoku ordered the Marines to stop pursuing Whitebeard's Remnant Group and let them leave Marineford. Marco led the survivors away with Ace and Whitebeard's bodies as the war ended, leaving the sea's balance of power transformed by Hua Country's rise.

  • Sengoku, urged by Granny Tsuru, concluded that continuing the battle would leave the Marines unable to defend the Red Line, and announced a halt to the pursuit.
  • Akainu challenged Sengoku's order, but Sengoku argued that the Marines could not afford to exhaust their forces while facing Hua Country; Aokiji and Kizaru accepted the ceasefire.
  • Marco mourned Ace and Whitebeard, then ordered the Whitebeard Pirates to take their bodies and retreat to the New World.
  • The Marines let the pirates withdraw, wary of Sengoku's order and Huang Zhong's presence on the battlefield.
  • The war ended with Ace and Whitebeard dead, the Marines badly weakened, and Hua Country having gained from the conflict as the One Piece revelation and the fall of the Four Blues reshaped the seas.

Ch. 266Three Admirals surrounded Huang Zhong, and the Time Law broke their encirclement!

Huang Zhong restored Kuma’s memories and reunited him with Jewelry Bonney, then faced the Three Admirals when they tried to stop him leaving Marineford. After using his control over time to escape their combined attack and wound Kizaru, he secured their permission to depart with Kuma and Bonney, while Sengoku recognized Hua Country as the World Government’s greatest enemy.

  • Huang Zhong used Time Reversal to remove Kuma’s modifications and restore his memories, allowing Kuma and Jewelry Bonney to reunite as father and daughter.
  • Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru surrounded Huang Zhong and launched a coordinated attack to prevent him from leaving Marineford.
  • Huang Zhong slowed time throughout the battlefield, evaded Akainu and Aokiji’s attacks, and wounded Kizaru with the Ding Tang Saber.
  • Huang Zhong warned the Admirals that further losses would cripple the Marines, and Sengoku ordered them to stand down.
  • Huang Zhong, Kuma, and Jewelry Bonney boarded a fast ship and sailed toward the West Blue as the Admirals chose not to pursue.
  • Sengoku watched their ship depart and concluded that Hua Country would become the World Government’s greatest enemy.

Ch. 267A firm foundation in the West Blue, Bai Qi the God of War establishes his might!

Bai Qi annihilated Vice Admiral Yamakaji’s raiding fleet in the West Blue, while Chen Yu ordered Hua Country to consolidate its control of the Four Blues instead of attacking the World Government. As the world reacted to Hua Country’s rise and Whitebeard’s death, Dragon ordered the Revolutionary Army to monitor Hua Country for possible cooperation.

  • Bai Qi refused Zhang Fei’s offer to fight and confronted Yamakaji’s thirty warships himself.
  • Bai Qi used Yveltal’s death powers to destroy the entire Marine fleet and secure Hua Country’s West Blue.
  • Zhuge Liang, Guo Jia, and Xun Yu reported that Hua Country had pacified the Four Blues and defeated the World Government’s reinforcements.
  • Chen Yu ordered Hua Country’s forces to hold the Four Blues, strengthen their new territories, and avoid a large-scale conflict until the World Government and other powers had weakened each other.
  • Kaido, Big Mom, Red-Haired Shanks, and Blackbeard responded to Whitebeard’s death and the upheaval in the New World.
  • Dragon told Emporio Ivankov to monitor Hua Country and consider cooperating with Chen Yu against the World Government.

Ch. 268Homeward to the West Blue: Different Paths Leave No Room for Alliance!

Huang Zhong returned to Hua Country with Kuma and Jewelry Bonney after the battle at Marineford, then reported to Chen Yu on Sky Island. Chen Yu rejected an alliance with Dragon’s Revolutionary Army and ordered the Four Blues brought under direct central rule, leaving Hua Country to impose its new administration across the seas.

  • Huang Zhong reached Chang'an City with Kuma and Jewelry Bonney, and Kuma asked him to relay Dragon’s request to meet and cooperate with Chen Yu.
  • Huang Zhong flew to Sky Island and reported his Marineford mission to Chen Yu, including Kuma’s message.
  • Huang Zhong advised against an alliance with the Revolutionary Army, and Chen Yu agreed that their ideals and methods differed too greatly.
  • Chen Yu declined to meet Dragon, allowing only limited intelligence sharing if the Revolutionary Army targeted the Celestial Dragons.
  • Chen Yu appointed Xun Yu to oversee administration in the Four Blues and ordered the abolition of royal and noble systems in favor of commanderies, counties, unified laws, land redistribution, and tax exemption.
  • Chen Yu ordered Hua Country’s armies to eliminate remaining pirates and World Government remnants and crush anyone who resisted central authority.

Ch. 269Marineford's aftermath: veteran officers resign and bid the Marines farewell!

Three days after the Paramount War, the Marines were devastated by their losses and Hua Country’s conquest of the Four Blues. Garp and Sengoku resigned, leaving Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru to steady the Marines against the threats ahead.

  • Garp gave Sengoku his resignation, saying he had lost faith in the Marines and would return to Foosha Village to watch over Luffy’s remaining family.
  • Sengoku revealed that he would resign as Fleet Admiral and accept responsibility for the Marines’ defeats.
  • Garp and Sengoku agreed that the aging leadership should leave the Marines to a younger generation.
  • Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru entered and learned that Sengoku and Garp were resigning.
  • Sengoku told the Admirals to defend the Grand Line and Red Line, rebuild the Marines, and prepare for Hua Country and the Four Emperors.

Ch. 270Storms swept the New World as three Emperors vied for Whitebeard's territory!

After Whitebeard’s death, Marco pulled the weakened Whitebeard Pirates back to defend Sphinx Island while Blackbeard and Big Mom moved to seize the fallen Emperor’s territory. Shanks chose to protect Whitebeard’s hometown and crew, watching Hua Country and Chen Yu from afar as the New World descended into conflict.

  • Marco rejected Jozu and Vista’s calls to fight, saying the Whitebeard Pirates lacked the strength to face multiple enemies.
  • Marco ordered the crew to retreat to its core territory and defend Sphinx Island until it could reclaim the lost islands.
  • At Hachinosu, Blackbeard vowed to avoid a direct clash with Hua Country for now and ordered his forces to take Whitebeard’s territory.
  • Big Mom ordered her children to muster and prepare to seize New World territory and Devil Fruits.
  • Shanks poured liquor into the sea for Whitebeard, then told Beckman to protect Sphinx Island and the remnant crew while they watched Hua Country and Chen Yu.

Ch. 271Unifying the Four Blues, establishing commanderies and counties, and winning the people's hearts to secure the foundation!

Hua Country completed its takeover of the Four Blues, establishing commanderies and counties, implementing land distribution and tax relief, and winning the people’s support. Chen Yu ordered the armies to strengthen their defenses and prepare for a future campaign against the World Government while monitoring the New World.

  • Guan Yu reported that East Blue’s commanderies and counties were governed, the new policies were in place, and the remaining pirates and World Government forces had been eliminated.
  • Zhao Yun and Ma Chao oversaw South Blue’s administration and defenses as returning residents reclaimed their homeland and officials expanded land distribution, tax relief, schools, and medical clinics.
  • Lü Bu and Zhang Liao secured North Blue, while Zhou Yu and Gan Ning’s fleet blocked the World Government from sending reinforcements through Reverse Mountain.
  • Xun Yu coordinated the central administration as Hua Country completed its system of thirty-five commanderies and one hundred and twenty-seven counties across the Four Blues.
  • Chen Yu ordered stronger military training and continued surveillance of the World Government and the Four Emperors, declaring that Hua Country would attack the Red Line once its rivals had weakened and its forces were ready.

Ch. 272Resignations at Marineford, undercurrents surge in the struggle for Fleet Admiral!

After the war weakened Marine Headquarters, Sengoku resigned and the Five Elders appointed Akainu as his successor, sparking a confrontation with Aokiji. The chapter ended with Akainu and Aokiji agreeing to fight on Punk Hazard in ten days, with the loser leaving the Marines.

  • Sengoku submitted his resignation as Fleet Admiral and approved Garp's retirement application, while recommending Akainu, Aokiji, or Kizaru as his successor.
  • The Five Elders approved Sengoku's resignation but chose Sakazuki, or Akainu, as the next Fleet Admiral.
  • Aokiji challenged the decision, and he and Akainu nearly clashed over their opposing views of justice.
  • Sengoku persuaded the Five Elders to allow ten days for the Marines to discuss the appointment before the new Fleet Admiral took office.
  • Aokiji challenged Akainu to fight on Punk Hazard in ten days, with the winner becoming Fleet Admiral and the loser leaving the Marines.
  • Akainu accepted, and Sengoku watched them leave before breaking down over the Marines' impending split.

Ch. 273The South Blue homeland found peace, lightning and Sacred Fire safeguarded the people!

Hua Country restored Sorbet Commandery, where Kuma resolved to tell Dragon about its policies and Jewelry Bonney found a safe home. In the New World, Blackbeard seized Whitebeard’s southern territories as Big Mom and Shanks contested the remaining islands, leaving the struggle for power escalating.

  • Zhao Yun and Kuma discussed Sorbet’s recovery while Ma Chao reported that he had defeated the pirates in the southern waters.
  • Kuma asked Zhao Yun for permission to write Dragon about Hua Country’s policies, and Zhao Yun agreed.
  • Jewelry Bonney handed out food and sweets with the children, happy to have a home where she and Kuma were safe.
  • Blackbeard’s crew seized the Fox Islands and nearby territory, and Blackbeard killed the captured captains who refused to submit.
  • Shiryu warned Blackbeard that Big Mom was taking territory in the north while Shanks protected Sphinx Island, so Blackbeard ordered a faster advance.
  • Big Mom’s fleet expanded into Whitebeard’s territory as Shanks’s crew guarded Sphinx Island, intensifying the contest among the New World’s powers.

Ch. 274Ice and Fire Split the Island and Shake the World; Foundations Secured in the Four Blues, the Storm Settles!

Akainu and Aokiji fought for ten days on Punk Hazard over the Fleet Admiral position, leaving half the island frozen and half volcanic. Akainu won and became Fleet Admiral, while Aokiji left the Marines, weakening Marine Headquarters as news of the battle spread across the sea.

  • Akainu and Aokiji met on Punk Hazard and began their battle over who would become Fleet Admiral.
  • The two exchanged powerful magma and ice attacks, transforming Punk Hazard into a landscape split between fire and ice.
  • After ten days and nights, Akainu narrowly defeated Aokiji, though both were severely injured.
  • Aokiji rejected Akainu's Absolute Justice, left the Marines, and departed into the Grand Line.
  • Kizaru watched as Akainu became Fleet Admiral and Marine Headquarters lost one of its three Admirals.
  • News of the battle spread across the Grand Line, the Four Blues, and the New World.

Ch. 275Reverse Mountain bars the seas against the enemy, water and fire generals crush the invading fleet!

Zhou Yu and Gan Ning defeated the World Government’s assault on Hua Country’s Reverse Mountain blockade, destroying its fleet and leaving the Four Blues under Hua Country’s control. Zhou Yu ordered the fleet to repair and reinforce its patrols as further battles loomed.

  • After the Navy split, the Five Elders sent sixty warships led by the director-general of Cipher Pol Aigis Zero to attack the Reverse Mountain pass.
  • Zhou Yu ordered the western route defended and led the Reserve Force to reinforce Gan Ning on the eastern route.
  • Gan Ning raised a massive sea wall to block the enemy’s cannon fire, then used Hua Country’s guns and water dragons to cripple the invading fleet.
  • Zhou Yu arrived and engulfed twenty leading warships in Ho-Oh Sacred Fire as the enemy tried to close in.
  • Gan Ning unleashed a towering tsunami that destroyed the remaining warships and annihilated the director-general’s fleet.
  • Zhou Yu ordered repairs and increased patrols, and Hua Country sealed the routes through Reverse Mountain against further attacks.
Arc 11 of 17