Recaps

At the Marines' G-1 Branch, Sengoku announced that he was stepping down as Fleet Admiral and that Kuzan would succeed him. Garp and Tsuru reflected on why Sengoku was leaving as the Marines prepared for the change in leadership.

• Kuro speculated that Sengoku's resignation stemmed from the World Government's influence and the aftermath of the Marineford war.
• Tens of thousands of Marines gathered at the G-1 Branch to hear two important announcements from Sengoku and Kuzan.
• The Marines noticed that Kuzan's cape had no epaulets and wondered whether he was being dismissed or promoted.
• Garp told Tsuru he was happy for Sengoku, while Tsuru suggested that Sengoku and Garp were giving up their positions because they could not change the Marines from within.
• Sengoku announced that he was stepping down as Fleet Admiral and that Kuzan would succeed him.

Sengoku retired as Fleet Admiral and endorsed Kuzan as his successor, while Tsuru and Garp discussed rumors of Kuzan's contact with Lott and the meaning of justice. Kong formally placed the Fleet Admiral epaulets on Kuzan, and the Marines erupted in celebration.

• Sengoku announced his retirement and handed the Den Den Mushi to Kuzan, who promised to lead the Marines and welcome criticism.
• Tsuru asked Garp about rumors that Kuzan had met Lott, and Garp defended Kuzan's character and loyalty.
• Garp questioned whether Lott was truly evil, leading Tsuru to reconsider the reasons the Marines condemned him.
• Garp reflected that victors defined justice and evil, and Tsuru fell silent.
• Kong arrived to oversee the handover ceremony and fastened Fleet Admiral epaulets onto Kuzan's shoulders.
• The Marines erupted in cheers after Kuzan received the epaulets.

Kuzan became Fleet Admiral and announced that Marine Headquarters would move to the G-1 Branch. On Fish-Man Island, Shyarly’s divination showed Lott facing a mysterious figure she identified as Imu, while Sanji encountered a beautiful visitor arriving in Kamabakka Kingdom.

• Kuzan quieted the Marines and announced that Marine Headquarters would relocate to the G-1 Branch.
• Shyarly’s divination showed Lott facing an unclear figure and a massive shadow, but the vision shattered when the figure’s eyes seemed to notice her.
• Shyarly believed the figure opposing Lott was Imu and regretted that her damaged Crystal Ball had yielded little useful information.
• Neptune and his sons discussed Lott’s enormous bounty and the World Government, then decided to visit Peach Spring.
• Sanji ran toward the harbor after the cross-dressers rushed to greet an arriving ship, then fell in love at first sight with the woman who disembarked.

Sanji found Emporio Ivankov in the Okama Kingdom and learned where to find information about Luffy by fighting him. In Wano Country, Lott revealed that he had brought Luffy along so Kaido could help awaken his powers, while Luffy remained nearby.

• Sanji mistook Emporio Ivankov’s transformed appearance for a beautiful woman, then asked him where Luffy had gone after the war.
• Emporio Ivankov doubted Sanji was a Straw Hat because his wanted poster did not resemble him, then defeated him in a fight and left him newspapers.
• Sanji read the newspapers and understood Luffy’s intentions, as did the other scattered Straw Hat Pirates.
• In Kuri, Lott told Ace that Luffy was still nearby and explained that he had brought him to Wano Country so Kaido could help him awaken his powers.
• Tama finished the meal, and someone at the doorway asked Lott what he was eating.

Lott, Ace, and Luffy joked around before heading out to carry out their mission. In Wano, Kaido learned that the Big Mom Pirates had fallen and considered the threat posed by Lott’s crew as his commanders warned that they might come to Wano next.

• Luffy arrived hungry, then bickered and wrestled with Ace until he accidentally punched Lott in the eye.
• Lott punched Ace and Luffy, then told them to stop fooling around and remember their mission.
• A guard told Kaido that Lott’s crew had destroyed Totto Land and Big Mom had fallen in battle.
• King explained that Kuro, the Purple-Clad Person, Crocodile, Enel, and Trafalgar Law had attacked Totto Land without Lott, and judged their combined strength a serious threat.
• King warned that Lott might send his crew to Wano next, while Kaido declared that he would not fear them.

Lott, Ace, and their companions traveled through Wano Country to see the contrast between impoverished Kuri and the prosperous Flower Capital as they prepared to challenge Kaido and Kurozumi Orochi. In the Flower Capital, they witnessed a smiling old man repel bullets and shoot into the sky.

• Hitetsu returned to Tama’s home, recognized Ace, and learned that Lott had come to lead the effort to liberate Wano Country.
• A guard reported Lott’s arrival in Kuri to Kaido, while Jack and Queen prepared to confront him and Kaido chose to wait.
• Lott led his companions toward the Flower Capital so Luffy could witness Wano’s hardship, and Luffy vowed to make sure the people had enough to eat.
• Hitetsu explained that Kaido’s weapons factories had polluted the land and forced residents from their homes.
• In the Flower Capital, Hitetsu said supporters of Kaido and Kurozumi Orochi lived well while their opponents were killed or driven away.
• Two soldiers shot at an old man who called for the Kozuki Family’s return, but an invisible barrier stopped the bullets and the old man shot into the sky.

Luffy and his companions learned that Kaido and Kurozumi Orochi had used failed SMILE fruits to strip Wano citizens of every emotion but laughter. After hearing the old man’s story, Luffy headed out to confront Orochi.

• An old man told Luffy and his companions that Orochi had taken his daughter and that he had been punished for trying to see her.
• Hitetsu explained Oden’s legacy, and Luffy declared that he would defeat Kaido and Orochi despite the old man’s warning.
• The old man revealed that Orochi’s men had given more than a hundred people strange fruits, leaving the survivors unable to express anything but laughter.
• Lott explained that the fruits were failed Artificial Zoan Devil Fruits called SMILE, created through Vegapunk’s technology for Kaido’s army.
• Ace grew furious as the old man realized the citizens had been used as test subjects, and Luffy left to send Orochi flying.

Luffy led Lott and the others to the Shogun's Residence in the Flower Capital to confront Kurozumi Orochi, ignoring Ace's attempts to keep their approach quiet. The guards recognized the crew from their Wanted Posters, but most did not understand the danger they posed.

• Luffy rushed ahead to confront Kurozumi Orochi, and Ace tried to stop him from shouting and exposing their presence.
• Luffy spotted the tallest building in Wano Country and led the group toward the Shogun's Residence.
• Robin remarked on the contrast between the joyful festival preparations in the Flower Capital and the misery in Kuri.
• Luffy shouted for Kurozumi Orochi outside the Shogun's Residence, and the guards aimed their guns at the group.
• A mustached guard identified Luffy, Ace, Robin, Boa Hancock, and Lott from their Wanted Posters, revealing Lott's 6.66 billion bounty.

Luffy and his companions stormed Kurozumi Orochi’s residence, where Luffy defeated Orochi and Robin and the others overcame the guards. After the rescued women warned them that Kaido backed Orochi, Luffy demanded to know where Kaido was.

• Orochi left a woman he had abducted and abused to investigate a disturbance at his residence.
• Orochi found Luffy, Robin, Boa Hancock, and their companions at the gates, then declared that he wanted Robin and Boa Hancock.
• Luffy struck Orochi, who transformed into an eight-headed serpent and attacked him with elemental blasts.
• Luffy smashed all eight of Orochi’s heads and launched his body into the sky with a final punch.
• Robin and the others defeated Orochi’s guards, and several women emerged from the ruins to thank them and warn that Kaido backed Orochi.
• Lott sent the women away, and Luffy shouted for Kaido.

Lott’s group encountered Ashura Doji in Kuri while preparing to confront Kaido on Onigashima. After Lott made clear he had no interest in ruling Wano, Franky reported that Kuri was ready, and the group set off aboard the Skybreaker.

• Luffy urged the group to go to Onigashima after Ace explained that Kaido was there.
• Ashura Doji confronted Lott and questioned whether he planned to seize Wano Country.
• Ace told Ashura Doji that they had come to defeat Kaido and Kurozumi Orochi, and Lott identified Ashura Doji as one of the Nine Red Scabbards.
• Lott overwhelmed Ashura Doji with his aura, then warned him not to provoke him and said he had no interest in Wano Country.
• Franky reported that Kuri was fully arranged, so Lott summoned the Skybreaker and told the group to leave.

Lott and his crew arrived at Onigashima and fought their way into the Beasts Pirates' great hall. Luffy chased Kaido into the sky while Lott left the remaining officers to Ace and disappeared to have tea.

• After learning that Kurozumi Orochi had been killed, Kaido and the Beasts Pirates' officers waited for Lott to arrive at Onigashima.
• Lott brought his group to Onigashima, where Luffy reflected the guards' gunfire and defeated them with a powerful punch.
• Lott entered the great hall with his crew, and Kaido transformed into a dragon and flew through the ceiling.
• King tried to stop Luffy, but Lott blocked him and sent Luffy after Kaido alone.
• Lott told Ace to handle the Beasts Pirates' officers, then vanished, saying he was going to have tea.

Luffy challenged Kaido atop Onigashima, and the two clashed with Conqueror’s Haki in a battle that devastated the rooftop. Kaido defeated Luffy, but an unidentified figure appeared beside them.

• Luffy told Kaido he had come to defeat him and become Pirate King, then struck him with a punch coated in Conqueror’s Haki.
• Kaido recognized Luffy’s Haki, and their first clash sent shock waves across Onigashima and split the sky; someone nearby opened their eyes and asked, “Have you come, Ace?”
• Luffy and Kaido exchanged dozens of blows, but Kaido took far fewer hits while Luffy grew exhausted and was badly injured.
• Kaido used Three Worlds: Ragnarok to smash Luffy’s head into the ground, leaving him unconscious.
• Kaido regretted that Luffy had entered the battle before he had time to grow and said Lott had overestimated his strength.
• An unidentified figure appeared on the rooftop.

Ace, Boa Hancock, and Robin fought the Beasts Pirates inside Onigashima while Yamato confronted Kaido above the dome to protect the unconscious Luffy. As Yamato held Kaido back, the sound of drums began to ring out.

• Ace ignored Lott’s calm response to Luffy’s disappearance and decided to defeat the Beasts Pirates before checking the dome.
• Ace pierced King’s defenses with a Conqueror’s Haki-coated golden sword and sent him falling.
• Boa Hancock knocked Queen unconscious and petrified Jack, while Robin summoned Haki-coated arms across the battlefield.
• Yamato faced Kaido and declared that she would stop him until Luffy woke up.
• Yamato transformed into her Okuchi no Makami form and fought Kaido, refusing to help him rule Wano Country.
• Drums began beating above the dome as Yamato continued to confront Kaido.

Luffy revived after Kaido’s blow and awakened Gear Fifth, revealing the power of Sun God Nika. The Five Elders recognized the awakening and worried about Lott’s growing strength, but Saturn trusted a weapon they were developing to destroy him.

• Zunesha heard the Drums of Liberation as Luffy’s heart restarted and his body turned white.
• Luffy revealed Gear Fifth, and Yamato stepped aside to let him fight Kaido.
• Ace sensed Luffy’s powerful Haki and was delighted by his recovery and growth.
• Lott recognized that Luffy had awakened Nika and considered the powerful allies gathered around him.
• The Five Elders discussed Luffy’s awakening, their failed attempts to eliminate Lott, and a weapon they believed could destroy him.

Luffy fought Kaido with his newly awakened rubber-like powers, bouncing Kaido’s Bolo Breath back at him and wreaking havoc inside his dragon form. After Kaido’s Thunder Bagua left Luffy aged and weakened, Luffy tried to restart his heart, but someone placed a hand on his shoulder.

• Kaido transformed into a dragon and fired a Bolo Breath at Luffy, who bounced it back with a sheet of rubberized ground and struck Kaido in the face.
• Kaido swallowed Luffy, but Luffy stretched and bounced around inside his belly before escaping through Kaido’s mouth.
• Luffy turned the ground and clouds into rubber and launched himself at Kaido from the sky.
• Kaido changed into his human-beast form and struck Luffy with Great Vajra: Thunder Bagua, sending him through mountains and leaving him aged and weak.
• Luffy tried to make his heart beat again, but an unseen person placed a hand on his shoulder.

Lott stopped Luffy’s Drums of Liberation, then let him resume his Gear Fifth fight against Kaido. Luffy and Kaido clashed with Conqueror’s Haki and were both blasted hundreds of meters apart.

• Lott placed a hand on Luffy’s shoulder and stopped the Drums of Liberation, leaving Luffy old and weakened.
• Lott removed his hand, and Luffy’s heart resumed beating as he regained his Gear Fifth form.
• Kaido challenged Lott, but Lott stepped aside and let Luffy fight, believing Kaido would defeat him.
• Luffy launched himself at Kaido and met Kaido’s spiked club with a powerful punch, unleashing a shock wave and Conqueror’s Haki across Onigashima.
• Ace sensed Luffy’s renewed Haki and realized that Luffy had rallied again.
• Luffy and Kaido infused their attacks with Conqueror’s Haki, clashed in a stalemate, and were both driven back hundreds of meters.

Luffy fought Kaido using his rubber-like Nika powers, while Lott and Yamato watched from the sidelines. Kaido’s final Thunder Bagua overwhelmed Luffy, whose Gear 5 form faded and left him looking like an old man.

• Yamato approached Lott and asked if he was the Master Ace had talked about, and Lott watched Luffy and Kaido fight with her.
• Luffy struck Kaido with a rubberized fist and sent him crashing into a crater, but Kaido counterattacked with Kundali: Dragon Swarm and knocked Luffy hundreds of meters away.
• Luffy used the rubberized ground to launch a fist into Kaido’s chin, then told Kaido he would win for the people of Kuri and those who ate failed Artificial Devil Fruits.
• Luffy and Kaido charged at each other, exchanged powerful blows, and flew hundreds of meters apart before turning back toward one another.
• Kaido hit Luffy with Great Vajra: Thunder Bagua, sending him crashing to the ground as his aura weakened and his Nika form faded.

Lott stepped in after Luffy’s Gear Fifth weakened him and attacked Kaido, crashing through Onigashima with him. Kaido survived the beating and burst through the roof as a dragon, ready to continue fighting Lott.

• Kaido taunted the exhausted Luffy as Gear Fifth’s side effects took hold.
• Lott punched Luffy for pushing himself, then gave him a Senzu Bean and told him to leave the rest to him.
• Kaido declared that strength determined justice and challenged Lott to fight him.
• Lott struck Kaido with a Haki-coated punch and Flip-Flop attack, smashing through Onigashima’s floors with him.
• Lott returned to the rooftop, but Kaido burst through it in dragon form and shouted that Lott’s attacks had hurt.

Kaido unleashed his Flame Dragon Torch and clashed with Lott in a devastating battle that split Onigashima apart. Lott sent Kaido flying, then rescued the Beasts Pirates from the sea as a woman called out to him.

• Zunesha sensed Joy Boy's presence weaken and continued toward Wano Country, while Emeth awakened and wondered why Joy Boy had returned before the appointed time.
• Kaido challenged Lott and transformed into a gigantic flaming dragon with his Flame Dragon Torch.
• Kaido and Lott attacked each other with Dragon Blaze Bagua and a Conqueror's Haki-coated electromagnetic fist, splitting Onigashima into a ring around an inland sea.
• Lott overpowered Kaido and sent him flying, leaving him likely to die without Senzu Beans.
• Lott lifted the Beasts Pirates out of the water, then heard a woman call his name.

After defeating Kaido, Lott reunited with Hancock and Robin, while Ace and Yamato celebrated seeing each other again and Luffy vowed to surpass him. Meanwhile, Neptune and his family arrived in Peach Spring to see Shirahoshi, and the guards questioned their visit.

• Hancock and Robin worried over Lott after his fight, and he reassured them that he was only exhausted.
• Ace criticized Lott for the damage to Onigashima, then reunited excitedly with Yamato, who hid how worried she had been about him.
• Luffy asked Ace if he was useless, then vowed to surpass Kaido, Shanks, and Lott.
• Neptune arrived at Peach Spring with Ryuboshi, Manboshi, and palace guards, asking the Peach Spring Guards to let him see his daughter Shirahoshi.
• Neptune told the guards that his family had crossed endless storms to reach Peach Spring, and they considered who he was.

Lott and his group returned to Amigasa Village after defeating Kaido and Kurozumi Orochi, while Lott reflected on the possibility that Luffy’s life had been planned by Joy Boy and others. In the Flower Capital, Ace reaffirmed that he would go to sea to help Whitebeard become Pirate King, leaving Yamato upset that he had not said he would return for her.

• Tama welcomed Lott and his group back, and Hitetsu bowed to Lott in gratitude for defeating Kaido and Kurozumi Orochi.
• Tama asked where Ace was, and Robin said he was with Yamato; Tama wondered aloud whether they were dating.
• Luffy said romance would only obstruct his goal of becoming Pirate King, prompting Lott to consider how Luffy’s companions and life might have been arranged to fulfill a centuries-old plan.
• Lott recalled that his presence had changed Luffy’s path, including Ace surviving and some of Luffy’s companions joining Lott’s crew.
• In the Flower Capital, Ace told Yamato he would have returned to Wano Country to keep his promise to Tama, then said he would go to sea to help Whitebeard become Pirate King.
• Yamato walked ahead after Ace said he would return only when he had time, and Ace wondered why she was acting differently.

Ace accompanied Yamato on her inspection of Wano Country, where her frustration with his distant attitude gave way to a clearer expression of her feelings for him. The chapter ended with Yamato asking Ace to hold her hand, and Ace realizing he felt something more than friendship.

• Lott assigned Ace to guard Yamato as she toured Wano Country to prepare for her role as shogun.
• Yamato challenged Ace over whether he was protecting her out of concern or because Lott ordered him to, and Ace said he was worried about her.
• Yamato laughed when Ace awkwardly watched for threats, and he stumbled after being distracted by her smile.
• Yamato recalled how her longing to sail with Ace had grown into romantic love and felt pleased that he cared for her.
• Yamato asked Ace to support her hand, and Ace held it while blushing and feeling his own affection stir.

Neptune and his sons arrived in Peach Spring, where Wyper led them to Long'an's harbor. Shirahoshi reunited with her father and brothers, and Neptune saw that she was happy and well cared for.

• Peach Spring guards questioned whether Neptune and his companions were really Shirahoshi's relatives until Wyper arrived and recognized Neptune, Ryuboshi, and Manboshi.
• Wyper guided the group through Peach Spring, whose prosperity and peaceful streets impressed Neptune and his companions.
• At Long'an's harbor, Shirahoshi rushed into Neptune's arms, and she reunited tearfully with her father and brothers.
• Neptune checked whether Shirahoshi had lost weight, and her happy reply reassured him that she was doing well.
• Vivi arrived and asked Shirahoshi if she had come too quickly.

Vivi met Neptune and toured Peach Spring with him, marveling at its prosperity and the golden capital of Shandora. In Wano Country, Yamato and Ace shopped hand in hand, and Ace wrestled with what their closeness might mean before they encountered Lott and the others.

• Vivi introduced herself to Neptune, who recognized her as Nefertari Cobra Vivi and explained that he and Cobra were close.
• Neptune and his entourage admired Peach Spring’s prosperity and were stunned by Shandora, which Wyper identified as the capital.
• Yamato explored Wano Country, tried on clothes and sandals, and kept returning her hand to Ace’s as they shopped.
• Ace wondered whether Yamato’s affection meant something more, but worried that her future as Wano Country’s shogun and his life as a pirate made them incompatible.
• When Ace asked Yamato to let go, she said he had to obey her as her guard, and he continued holding her hand until they met Lott and the others.
• Robin asked what was going on between Yamato and Ace when she saw them arrive hand in hand.

Ace and Yamato confessed their feelings after Lott pushed Ace to stop letting fear of the future keep them apart. Meanwhile, Cobra and Neptune enjoyed watching women pass their tavern, as a ship descended over Long'an.

• Yamato declared that she and Ace were together, but Ace denied it and tried to explain away their handholding.
• Yamato asked whether Ace wanted to be with her, and Ace began to refuse because he was a pirate while she was Wano Country's shogun.
• Yamato turned away in tears, and Lott kicked Ace toward her and urged him to follow his heart.
• Ace realized he loved Yamato, hugged her, and confessed; Lott and the others smiled at the couple.
• Cobra and Neptune visited a quiet tavern in Long'an and openly admired the women walking past with the tavern owner, Ramos.
• A ship gradually descended through the skies above Long'an.