Post-War Arc

The Post-War arc is the twenty-third story arc in the series, and the sixth in the Whitebeard War Saga of the One Piece series, continuing on from Marineford arc. The world reels from the death of Whitebeard, causing chaos to ripple all across the Grand Line. Luffy's mind and body are in critical condition, having not only endured breaking into and escaping from Impel Down and battling through the Marines at Marineford, but having all of his work come to naught due to Ace's death. Boa Hancock leads Luffy's allies to take him to Amazon Lily where he may recover from his drastic injuries. As the Marines cool down from their great battle, Sengoku learns that the World Government is taking strange courses of action...

An Era Ends, An Era Begins: Whitebeard's Protection Is Gone
All across the world, civilians rejoice that the Marines emerged victorious in the Battle of Marineford. The Eleven Supernovas, having all assembled at Marineford to take part in the battle (viewing it from a safe distance), realize that Whitebeard has been killed, and all take their own separate actions. Eustass Kid claims that due to Whitebeard's death, the Yonkou's loss (consisting now of only Shanks, Kaidou, and Big Mom) has caused the balance of the Three Great Powers to crumble, and the world is about to enter an age like nothing ever seen before.

The world reacts in different manners to Whitebeard's death. Pirates celebrate that Whitebeard claimed that One Piece definitely exists. Civilians and Marines cheer that Whitebeard is dead. A band of ferocious pirates, under the helm of the self-proclaimed "Brownbeard", attacks the town of Foodvalten, which was formerly protected by Whitebeard. Even though the Marines were victorious, their victory has inevitably brought nothing but chaos.

Hancock, having traced Law's submarine through Salome, turns the Marines on her ship to stone and inquires on Luffy's condition. Law informs Hancock that Luffy's life is preserved for the moment, but that he is in critical condition. At that moment, the Impel Down prisoners, led by Ivankov, arrive in a stolen Marine ship. The Newkama Land citizens cheer that they will finally be able to head forth to the Kamabakka Kingdom now that the war is over and they are finally free. Ivankov informs Hancock on the trials he had to endure in escaping Impel Down, and how the death of Ace would crush anyone's mind. This prompts Hancock musing to herself, wishing that she could have instead been in Luffy's place, making at least two members of Law's crew note to themselves how nice it must be to have the Pirate Empress herself looking out for the Straw Hat's well-being. When Ivankov asks Law why he saved Luffy, he claims that he had no obligation, and Ivankov understands that he had done it without thinking.

Jinbei emerges from the sub, thanking Law for saving his life. Although Ivankov tells him to rest, he says that he can not, for his heart is in too much turmoil. He worries more for not Luffy's current condition, but rather what will happen when he awakens. Hancock demands that Bepo give her a Den Den Mushi; she claims that she can call the Kuja Pirates to carry them across the Calm Belt to Amazon Lily, where Luffy should be able to recover without possible discovery by the Marines.

At the destroyed Marineford, Sengoku is informed by Brandnew that Magellan had been beaten to an inch of his life. Upon reaching Level 6, Blackbeard had instructed the prisoners in each cage to engage in a battle for life and death, and the winners would be set free. Although Blackbeard only took four prisoners with him, there were many Level 6 prisoners that were missing, having escaped during the chaos. Although Sengoku demands that wanted posters of the escaped criminals be sent throughout the world, Brandnew claims that the World Government has chosen to hide the information of the Level 6 prisoners escaping, lest the world lose trust in the World Government, a decision which enrages Sengoku.

Elsewhere on Marineford, Donquixote Doflamingo and the Pacifista are beating Gecko Moria to death. Doflamingo claims that the government has decided that he is too weak to remain in the Shichibukai, and that it would be better if he was thought to be "killed in the war" rather than eliminated by the government. Moria asks if Sengoku is behind the decision, but Doflamingo claims that the decision was made by powers even higher than he.

Two weeks later, the after effects of the war are still taking hold. In the town of Las Camp in the West Blue, a new pirate crew has formed and its captain proclaims that they will head to the Grand Line. While the Marines are trying to stop them, new pirate crews are sprouting up all over the world.

With Ivankov and the Newkama having left on the stolen Marine ship to sail back to the Kamabaka Kingdom, Luffy, Hancock, Jimbei, and the Heart Pirates all return to Amazon Lily, with special permission given to the Heart Pirates to land on a small beach on the island, forbidden from going elsewhere. Luffy has woken up, and is now desperately trying to convince himself that Ace's death was but a dream. He goes on a rampage, with the Heart Pirates unable to calm him. Law comments that if Luffy doesn't calm down soon, his wounds will open up and certainly kill him.

At the central palace in Amazon Lily, Hancock is ecstatic to hear that Luffy is awake once more. She wishes to see him at once, though Elder Nyon prevents this as she sees such an action as a bad example to her subjects, and that allowing the Heart Pirates to even be on the island was a special exception already. Hancock's sisters, remembering that she hadn't eaten since she returned, tell her to eat, but only convince her to prepare a feast for Luffy so that he can recover. Nyon says that once Luffy is at full strength, she will permit him to see Hancock. To herself, Nyon thinks about both Hancock's strengthening "love sickness" and Luffy's incredible survival, going through both Impel Down and Marineford.

Back at the Heart Pirates' camp, the crewmembers discuss the women of the island and wish that they could go past their boundary to see them. Bepo, the ladies' bear that he is, wonders whether or not there are any female bears on the island, at which the other crewmembers are angered. Sitting on a rock not too far from them is Law who is looking at the Straw Hat he has in his hand with a curious look.

After recalling everything that had happened to him right before he fainted, and finally accepted that he is not dreaming, Luffy finally calms down. Jimbei watches over him, remembering that he promised Ace that if he died he would protect him. Luffy cries out to Jimbei, asking if him if Ace died, to which Jimbei confirms Luffy's belief, making Luffy cry even harder. Jimbei begins to tear at the sight of Luffy's remorse.

Birth of the Brothers' Bond: Luffy and Ace's Past
Ten years ago, on the road to Mt. Corbo on Dawn Island, Garp is bringing Luffy to be raised by Dadan, who has already raised Ace since his birth, ten years before the flashback. At the time Luffy, who had already met Shanks and obtained his Gomu Gomu no Mi, is angry at his grandfather since he has already made up his mind into becoming the Pirate King, much to Garp's dismay, as he wishes for Luffy (and Ace) to become a great marine. After knocking on Dadan's door in her large house in the forest, Dadan, a large, bandit woman, and two of her henchmen step out of the door. Dadan complains how much of a hassle Ace is, and that she can barely handle him. To her surprise, Garp tells her that he is entrusting her with Luffy. Claiming that she couldn't possibly raise both Luffy and Ace, Garp reminds her that he knows all about her illegal activities, and that if she refused, he would turn her and her men in. Angrily, she accepts. Suddenly, Luffy is attacked with a ball of spit. Turning to see who it came from, he sees Ace for the first time. Although Garp tells both Ace and Luffy to get along, the two stare at each other with seeming hatred.

And so Luffy was left with the bandits though quickly shows his disdain for them due to his previous encounter not too long ago. The bandits soon sit down to eat though Luffy complains about the small proportion he gotten while Ace has a bigger one. Dadan explains that since Ace slain the bufflo he get the bigger meat plus Luffy should count himself lucky that Ace is sharing with them. Dadan then tries to take advantage of Luffy and make him her servent. But her attempts backfire due to Luffy's simple-minded nature. Ace soon heads off on his own with Luffy following after, forgiving him for spitting on him earlier and trying to be his friend. But Ace ignores him and knocks down a tree to prevent Luffy from following him.

Luffy manages to break through however and continue after Ace on a rope bridge. Annoyed, Ace knocks him off and into the chasm below. Ace returns to the mountain bandits and claims he doesn't know where Luffy is when asked, which Dadan roughly shrugs off as not being her responsibilty. A week later, Luffy returns to the cabin battered but alive. When asked what happened, Luffy claims he was chased off a cliff by wolves. The next day Ace head off on his own again and Luffy tags along after him. And so it went Ace would venture out and Luffy would try to follow him, each time with Luffy ending up in one dangerous situation after another which Ace would purposely lead Luffy into.

After a unknown amount of time Luffy eventually managed to follow Ace out of the forest and into a junkyard area of the island known as "The Gray Terminal" where there is no law, no doctors and many homeless and dangerous individuals roam. Making his way through the junkyard, Luffy finds Ace with a boy his own age named Sabo. Ace shows Sabo some money he snagged off people at the front gate of the area when he came in and its revealed the two are collecting money for a pirate ship. Luffy overhears the two and tries to get the duo to let him join them. But they tie him to a tree and ,after pondering what to do with him, agree to just kill him! However Luffy yelling attracts attention to the three and the trio hide as pirates from the Bluejam Pirates arrive lead by a man named Porchemy. His subordinates reveal it was they whom Ace had stole the money from. At first it seem the three managed to hide before he spotted them, but Luffy somehow ended up near them and is captured. Porchemy threatens him but Luffy claims he doesn't know anything about the money, though his expression state otherwise and he accidentally gives away Ace's name. Porchemy then carries Luffy off stating he'll make him talk as Ace and Sabo look on in horror.

The Bluejams take Luffy back to their hideout, Luffy however yells he won't tell them anything. Porchemy tries to kill Luffy with a giant mallet but due to his Gum Gum Fruit, it just bounces off Luffy. Porchemy then switches to spike boxing gloves which indeed penetrate Luffy's defenses. Porchemy then has the others go search for Ace and Sabo as he tries to get Luffy to talk. Meanwhile said boys have started moving their hidden funds, scared that the Bluejams will come looking for it when Luffy breaks. As they do that, the Bluejams ask around the the junkland on any info on Ace and Sabo but no one gives them anything useful. Sunset comes and the two boys have managed to move their loot successfully. Sabo however, who went to see how Luffy was doing, rushes back and informs Ace that Luffy hadn't told the pirates where the money is. Not far from their location the leader of the pirates, Captain Bluejam himself, grows impatient when his money isn't found. Back with Porchemy and Luffy, the former savagely roughing up Luffy to get him to cough up the information. One of the pirate tries to get Prochemy to lay off as Luffy is being beaten to the point he can no longer say anything. Even those outside the building feel sympathy for Luffy but comment that no law official will come to that part of the island even with murder that happen now and then.

Despite all the abuse he taken, Luffy steadfastly refuses to rat out Ace. Porchemy, tired of getting nowhere, goes to kill him. Ace and Sabo suddenly bust into the hideout which the pirates instantly recognize they were the ones that took their money. Porchemy grabs Ace but Sabo saves him by knocking Porchemy down. He then grabs a knife, cuts Luffy free, and runs yelling at Ace to do so as well. However Ace decides to stay behind citing that when he faces a enemy he doesn't run. Sabo runs back to aid him and the two fight against Porchemy. In the end, the two come out victorious and Porchemy later faces the wraith of Captain Bluejam who kills him for his failure. Back in the forest, Sabo scolds Ace for his stubbornness and Ace scolds Luffy whose crying his eyes out after the encounter. Luffy thanks the two before Ace asks Luffy why he didn't talk when he was being tortured. Luffy responses he wouldn't have Ace as a friend anymore and that he doesn't have anyone on the island to rely on since he can't go back to Windmill Village and he doesn't trust bandits. Plus he doesn't wish to be alone. Ace, thinking back to when he was mocked by those that hated Gold Roger, realizes he in the same boat. As Luffy and he begin to bicker over pointless things, Sabo realizes that the Bluejams will come looking for them. Thus, he invites himself to live with Dadan much to her annoyance. Since then, Ace, Sabo and Luffy hang out together in the forest fighting any beast, bandit or pirate that got in their way. One day while they were out, Dadan picked up a newspaper and found out some shocking news, Tenryuubito were coming to the island for some unknown reason.

The boys however are unaware of this and continue to train and run around the mountain, getting stronger day by day. It then we learn more about the geography of the land. Beyond the Gray Terminal there is an area known as the Great Gate which is part of a wall to another area called the Goa Kingdom. Fushia Village is also part of this kingdom though is largely forgotten due to the mountains around the area. The kingdom is broken up into sections: The Edge Town, which is still near the Gray Terminal through has buildings and is home to delinquents and hoodlums. The Town Centre where the middle class live and in the center guarded by another high wall, is the High Town where the royals and nobles live and is said to be the most beautiful country in the East Blue though is segregated due to the class system.

The three boys sneak past the Great Wall one day during the trash dumping of the Gray Terminal, into the Town Centre and pull a dine and dash. Escaping out the window of a dinner and running from the guards. However one of the citizens recognizes Sabo and calls out to him but Sabo just ignores the man. Once back in the forest, Ace and Luffy demand to know if he keeping anything from them. After a some goading, Sabo comes clean and reveal he actually a noble who ran away from home. The reason for such was that his parents always pressured him and were more concerned about their finical security them him, making Sabo feel like a burden and alone in the world. Hence why he wishes to become a pirate as he wishes to feel free from their overbearing rule and write a book about their adventures. Ace and Luffy agree wholeheartedly, the former wanting to do it for acknowledgement. The latter of course wanting the be king of the pirates though Ace and Sabo are disbelieving of it. Regardless Ace pulls out some alcohol and pour them into sake cup, claiming from that day forward they were brothers.

The Sabo Incident
From day to day they kept getting stronger, fighting pirates, taking baths together, eating together. Saving one another during their trips across the mountains. Makino and Woop Slap coming by and dropping off new clothes for the bunch. Fighting against the wilds of the forest. Getting visited by Garp and beaten senseless. Building their own treehouse and living in it and generally just acting like boys their age should. But one day Sabo's father found them and, with the assistance of the Bluejam Pirates, captured the three with Sabo's father claiming Ace and Luffy lured him away from home. Just as the Bluejams were about to beat Ace and Luffy. Sabo willingly decided to go back with his father to save them, though with great reluctance. Ace and Luffy can do nothing more but beg him to stay as he lead away.

Whilst Luffy and Ace are in the custody of the Bluejam Pirates, Bluejam reveals that he wished he was born a noble, and that if they are truly brothers, they will not return after Sabo. Luffy and Ace join the Bluejam Pirates at the request of the Captain, and then carry cargo to marked locations in Gray Terminal with other pirates. Meanwhile Sabo, accompanied by his father, is being questioned for the crimes he has committed. His father urges him to place all the blame on Luffy and Ace to save his family's name, however Sabo refuses and is hit to the ground, and his father is forced to bribe the officer with currency.

Sabo returns home with his father, and is greeted by his mother and newly adopted brother Stelly. Stelly tells Sabo that Gray Terminal will be burned to an ash along with its inhabitants, and that this had been planned for months in accordance with the arrival of the Inspection Unit, and Tenryuubito. Sabo escapes from the family manor at night, and overhears a group of Royal Guards discussing the plan. It is revealed to Sabo in their discussion that the burning of Gray Terminal will proceed tomorrow, and that the Bluejam Pirates will be behind the act.

The next day Sabo escapes the manor and travels the streets of High Town, to find that all the nobles are aware of the massacre. His father sends out a search party, and soon Sabo is given chase by two Royal Guards. Meanwhile Bluejam reveals to Luffy and Ace that the cargo they had carried was oil and gunpowder, and that Gray Terminal will be set alight that day. Luffy and Ace react in outrage and are quickly apprehended by Bluejam's pirates, Bluejam informs them that they can no longer be left alive, then asks where their "likely" hoard of treasure is located.

Later that night, the inhabitants of Edge Town, the Town Center and Mt. Colbo all bear witness as the monstrous inferno rages. Royal Guards usher the citizens of Edge Town into the Town Center, while the inhabitants of Gray Terminal flee in terror, only to find that every exit is blocked by the blaze. The Bluejam Pirates stand at the Great Gate of Goa surrounded by the fire, as it is revealed that they will receive titles from the King, become nobles, and live in High Town as payment for their services. However the gate will not open for the pirates, as Bluejam realizes that their bargain has been betrayed, and they have been left to die.

Meanwhile Luffy and Ace manage to cut themselves loose after being bound to a tree, whilst surrounded by the encroaching flames. In the Town Center, rumor had circulated amongst citizens that the Bluejam Pirates were responsible for the atrocity, in attempt to halt the Inspection Unit and Tenryuubito from visiting the island. Sabo is chased by the Royal Guards and noted as being the last citizen remaining in Edge Town. While running he crashes and falls to the ground, to be aided by an unknown cloaked person. In a frenzy Sabo tells the person of the atrocity that the nobles had concocted, and that he is ashamed of being born a noble.

It is revealed that the cloaked individual is none other than Dragon, as he informs Sabo that he feels he understands as he too was born in Goa Kingdom. Dragon then follows by saying that he still lacked the power to change it, and will listen and remember Sabo's story at the boys behest. Luffy and Ace are seen fleeing from engulfing flames, as an individual wearing high-heels informs Dragon that preparations have been made.

Meanwhile Bluejam and his crew are still at the gate, the pirate captain remembering the king of Goa promising him he'll make Bluejam and his crew nobles for carrying out the trash burning job. The shock of being betrayed hits Bluejam hard as he watch his ship, caught on fire, burn down. He and his crew now trapped in the same fire they started. At the palace, a noble girl ask her father why they're burning trash mountain and the people inside. Which the father responds that because the people there weren't born nobles which the daughter agrees with. Back at the Gray Terminal, the residents are still trying to find a way out of the fire, among such being Luffy and Ace who aren't having any luck. If that wasn't bad enough, Bluejam finds them and has them restrained despite protests from the boys that they should worry about escaping. Bluejam once more inquires about the money Ace and Sabo hid, commenting that their efforts will go to waste if the fire gets it. Ace, though hesitant, agrees with Bluejam and tells them where the treasure is. But Bluejam continues to keep them in captivity in case they were lying since Sabo was with the boys and Bluejam his newfound hatred of nobles has him thinking Sabo was just using Ace and Luffy to make himself look superior. These comments anger Luffy and Ace, the former who bites the pirate holding him and ends up attacked and wounded as a result.

Just as the pirate about to kill Luffy, Ace shouts at them to stop unwittingly unleashing Haki and causing the pirates save for Bluejam to faint. Bluejam attacks Ace but is stopped by the arrival of Dadan and her band of bandits. They grab the boys then prepare to run, but Ace once again refuses to and faces down Bluejam. Dadan stay with Ace while the rest of the bandits get Luffy to safety on her orders. Meanwhile the rest of the residents of trash mountain are still trapped with no where left to run. As all seems lost, a pathway suddenly clears from out of nowhere to the ocean and a boat. The residents quickly take it while those on the boat, revealed to be Dragon and his revolutionaries (among which are Iva and Kuma), wait for them. Iva is astonished that Dragon found out what was going to happen in the kingdom and questions if Dragon has an attachment to the place. Dragon answers that the island is nothing more then a blueprint for the world's future and that there no happiness in a world that views people as "useless". He then vows to change the world and offers any of the trash mountain residents who are willing to fight to come with him.

Meanwhile the bandits manage to escape but a caption comes up revealing that Ace and Dandan did not return as The Gray Terminal continues to burn. The next day, Luffy tries to go out and search for Ace and Dadan but the bandits tell him that his wounds are still recovering. Plus the soldiers of Goa are "cleaning up" after the fire, including any survivors in the area. At the Gray Terminal the guards are doing just that though remark there are not as my corpses as they thought there would be, shrugging it off that they burned in the fire. News of Bluejam's boat burning reaches Sabo's ears, whose father comments that its futile for Sabo to run and that he should just listen to his father's orders and make him proud. Sabo just ignores him and thinks of Luffy and Ace, wondering if they're okay before querying what the true meaning of freedom is.

Soon the day the Celestial Dragons are set to visit arrives and the Goa Kingdom prepares for their coming. However they spot a fishing ship out in the ocean with a child manning it and the residents panic they it'll ruin the ceremony. It revealed to be Sabo at the helm who prepares to sail off from the kingdom. The kingdom's residents try to get Sabo to turn back but he ignores them, unaware that one of Dadan's crew, Dogura, is in the crowd who instantly recognizes him. Sabo meanwhile comments that his greatest fear is getting caught up in the country and becoming a different person and he refuses to turn around. Its at that instance the Government ship carrying the Celestial Dragon arrives. Seeing it Sabo makes to move out of its path while those on board spot him. The crowd at the kingdom cheer for their coming and even Sabo is marveled at how big the ship is. However the Celestial Dragon onboard pulls out a hand-held cannon and fires on Sabo's ship, setting it ablaze.

Back at the bandits' hideout, Luffy tries once more to go search for Ace and Dadan but the bandits refuse to let Luffy do so due to him still healing. They tell Luffy they know how he feels and that they sent Dogura to go check out the grounds. Back at the ceremony, the crowd look on in shock as Sabo's boat continues to burn. A servent tells the Celestial Dragon, Saint Jalmack, there was a child on the ship. But Jalmack comments that if he raised a pirate flag then it didn't matter but is more angry at the fact that a commoner crossed his path. Sabo meanwhile tries to put out the flames of his ship, but Jalmack fires again and this time sinks the boat presumably killing Sabo as well. The crowd continues to look on in horror at this turn of events while the officals order the ship's remains be cleaned up so as not to upset the Celestial Dragons further. Back at the hideout, Ace suddenly arrives carrying Dadan, both bruised and burned but still alive much to the joy of everyone. Luffy especially who hugs Ace who in turn bops him on the head for crying about him.

Ace then explains that they managed to beat Bluejam but their escape route got cut off. Dadan got burns on her body but the duo managed to escape into the middle forest. They hid in the riverbank till everything died down then Ace stole some medicine from the town to keep Dadan alive. Dadan is then patched up and set down to rest as the day goes on. Dadan asks why Ace didn't run which he explains that he was afraid if he did, he lose something important to him, in this case; Luffy. Dadan soon realizes the similarities to him and Roger as she remembered Garp explained that Roger was the same way, not running because he was fearless but rather to keep the enemy from following after his crewmates. It was this trust that Garp decided to take care of Ace in secret.

Dogura soon returns and Luffy tells him of the good news of Dadan and Ace coming back. However this joy is short lived as Dogura tells the others of what happened to Sabo. Ace attacks him instantly thinking its a lie but Dogura, being a rouge, knows what its like to not to want to return to someplace they don't want to. Luffy begins to cry again and Ace starts to blame himself for not going back to get Sabo. He yells at Dogura to tell him who killed Sabo and starts to run off. Dadan pins him to the floor, telling him that Sabo's enemy was the whole counrty and he doesn't have the power to take fight against it. If he did it now, that he'll just die and be forgotten and that if Ace wants to change the world he must get strong enough to do so like his father. She then has the bandits tie Ace to a tree as he keeps struggling while Luffy continues to cry. Morning comes and Ace has cooled down when the bandits come to check on him. A letter bird arrives with a message from Sabo to Luffy and Ace. The bandits cut Ace free so he can read it, which he does as he walks back to the cliff where they made their bond. The letter starts off with Sabo worrying about their safety but believing they're alright. He then explains he going out to sea, anywhere that away from the country and hopes to become stronger and freer then any pirate on the sea. He then closes out asking Ace to take care of their younger brother Luffy. As Ace finishes the letter, he can't help but cry himself for his fallen friend.