Post-War Arc

The Post-War Arc is the twenty-third story arc in the series, and the sixth and final in the Whitebeard War Saga, as well as the final arc in the first half of the One Piece series, continuing on from the 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. Luffy begins to come to terms that his brother Ace is dead which leads to a flashback of when he met Ace for the first time and his friend Sabo. After being consoled by Jinbe, Luffy remembers that he still has his crew and expresses his wish to see them again.

One Era Ends, Another Begins: The Aftermath of Whitebeard's Death
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 Yonko's loss (consisting now of only Shanks, Kaido, 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 triumphant, 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.

Jinbe 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 Gekko Moriah 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. Moriah asks if Sengoku is behind the decision, but Doflamingo claims that the decision was made by powers even higher than him implying that either Commander-in-Chief Kong or the Gorosei were behind it.

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, Jinbe, 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 does not 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 had not 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. Jinbe watches over him, remembering that he promised Ace that if he died he would protect him. Luffy cries out to Jinbe, asking if him if Ace died, to which Jinbe confirms Luffy's belief, making Luffy cry even harder. Jinbe begins to tear at the sight of Luffy's remorse.

Bond of Brothers: Ace and Luffy's Past!
Ten years ago, on the road to Mt. Colubo 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 could not 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 has gotten while Ace has a bigger one. Dadan explains that since Ace had slain the buffalo he gets 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 servant. 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 does not know where Luffy is when asked, which Dadan roughly shrugs off as not being her responsibility. 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 does not 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 will make him talk as Ace and Sabo look on in horror.

The Bluejams take Luffy back to their hideout, Luffy however yells he will not tell them anything. Porchemy tries to kill Luffy with a giant mallet but due to his Gomu Gomu no Mi, 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 had not 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 is not 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 does not 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 wrath 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 did not talk when he was being tortured. Luffy responses he would not have Ace as a friend anymore and that he does not have anyone on the island to rely on since he cannot go back to Foosha Village and he does not trust bandits. Plus he does not 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, Tenryubito 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. Foosha Village is also part of this kingdom though is largely forgotten due to the mountains around the area. The kingdom is divided into sections: The Edge Town, which is still near the Gray Terminal through has buildings and is home to delinquents and vagrants. 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 Center 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 some goading, Sabo comes clean and reveals he is 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 financial and social security them him, making Sabo feel like a burden and alone in the world; hence his desire 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, and the latter of course wanting to be Pirate King though Ace and Sabo are disbelieving of it. Regardless Ace pulls out some alcohol and pours them into sake cups, 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 tree house 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 Tenryubito. 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 underlings, 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. Colubo 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 Tenryubito 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 will 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 are burning trash mountain and the people inside. Which the father responds that because the people there were not 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 are not having any luck. If that was not 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. Nonetheless Bluejam continues to keep them in captivity in case they were lying since Sabo was with the boys and Bluejam's 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 decides to 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 is 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 it is futile for Sabo to run and that he should just listen to his parents' orders and make them proud. Sabo just ignores him and thinks of Luffy and Ace, wondering if they are 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 the kingdom spots a fishing ship out in the ocean with a child manning it and the residents panic, that it will 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, Dogra, 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.

Looking Towards the Future: We are Pirates
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 Dogra 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 did not 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 officials order the ship's remains be cleaned up so as not to upset the Celestial Dragon any 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 did not 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.

Dogra soon returns and Luffy tells him of the good news of Dadan and Ace coming back. However this joy is short lived as Dogra tells the others of what happened to Sabo. Ace attacks him instantly thinking its a lie but Dogra, being a rouge, knows what its like to not to want to return to someplace they do not want to. Luffy begins to cry again and Ace starts to blame himself for not going back to get Sabo. He yells at Dogra 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 does not have the power to take fight against it. If he did it now, that he will 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 are 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 cannot help but cry himself for his fallen friend.

Luffy is lying with his face on the ground on the cliff where Ace read Sabo's letter. He is crying, and Ace punches him in the head, scolding him for his behavior, saying that their hidden treasure is gone, and that there is no point in having treasure if it cannot be protected. Luffy tearfully cries out his will to become stronger, in order to protect the ones he love, and then begs Ace to survive, to which he takes another punch. Ace then promises him that he will not die, since he has weak little brother to take care of. He then says that what killed Sabo was the "opposite of freedom", and that the two remaining brothers must obtain freedom and become pirates, even if that means making lot of enemies, even Garp. The two then agree to set sail on their 17th year and become pirates, as Sabo said them that children born from Noble families obtain truly their title at 18 years, and wanted to leave Goa at 17. Elsewhere on that night the Tenryubito reached Goa Kingdom: there are two brief scenes of Zoro's and Kuina's training, and then, in a small, unnamed port town in East Blue, Dragon is boarding on his ship, apologizing for his delay, asking for the conditions of an undetermined "him" and being told about the supplies being restocked. He then orders his men to set sail for Baltigo.

As months pass, the Gray Terminal is being reconstructed. Ace and Luffy are training again, and the rubber boy is trying to develop his Gomu Gomu no Pistol technique, but ends up hitting himself, to which Ace laughs and remarks that rubber is not for fighting. The two start arguing over the utility of the Gomu Gomu no Mi, but are interrupted by the one they think is Sabo, but in reality is nothing else than rock: they are just remembering their beloved brother. Luffy states that Sabo was really a good brother, to which Ace angrily replies in a comical way, asking his brother if he wanted him to die instead. They return to Dadan's hideout and build two rudimentary shacks they name "Ace's country" and "Luffy's country", much to Dadan's surprise, as they want to survive alone and get stronger. Following this, the two adventure in the jungle and Luffy run across a fierce bear. Ace refuses to help him, because they must grow stronger alone, but when the animal severely injures Luffy off-screen, he desperately cries for him. He managed to bring Luffy back to the Bandit hideout, where the rubber boy is being treated by Dogra. Ace huddles up on the wall, saying to Luffy that he is sorry. Some time later, Makino pays visit to Ace, and he tells her of his intentions to meet Red-Haired Shanks and introduce himself to the man who once saved his brother's life. Ace is annoyed because Makino keeps smiling.

Ace and Luffy are then seen escaping from a restaurant's owner after eating without paying the check (an attitude Ace will show again in the future) and once again having training. They fight and defeat a bear, then chase punks and fight a giant insect. Garp is seen again, one more time beating up his grandsons. The two "brothers" are seen together one more time, and happily jumping from a building.



Seven years later Ace, at age 17, is finally setting sail: he is on a little boat with a triangular sail, and sports many of his trademark objects: his hat with the two smiles, the orange belt with his initial on the buckle, the armband on the left arm and his green bag with a black pattern on it. He happily says goodbye to the ones at the shore, Luffy, who is now 14, Makino, Woop Slap, Dogra, Magra and the other bandits, who wish him good luck in return. Dadan is not there, she remained in her hideout, where her subordinates inform her that Ace is already gone. She apparently remains impassive hearing it, saying that Garp will be angry with her and that Ace is always causing trouble. However, as her bandits tell her that Ace sent her a message, "Thank You", she burst out in tears, showing her sadness.

We now get to see Luffy, who is trying his Gomu Gomu no Pistol move again, this time against a rock. Finally, he shows off his capabilities, shattering the rock to pieces with his mighty rubber punch. He rejoices, having gotten stronger. He then receives a visit from Dogra, who shows him a newspaper: it is Ace, his crew, and his ship, already famous. The rubber boy is happy, and states that he will not let Ace surpass him.

Three more years pass, and a finally 17 years old Luffy is ready to set sail himself. He says goodbye to the Bandits, that cannot go to Fooshia Village because of its civilians. He thanks them, and then tells Dadan that he dislikes Mountain Bandits, to which she gets angry and shouts at him, but when the boy says that he likes them instead, the woman burst out in tears as she did 3 years before for Ace's departure. Luffy is then seen on a dinghy, in Fooshia Village. One of the citizens ask him to take one of their old fishing boats, but the boy refuses, content with his little boat. He then cries Sabo's name, telling his deceased brother of his departure. After saying farewell to his friends, he sets sail, and he rapidly defeats the King of the Coast off-screen, a feat commented by Dadan, Dogra and Magra, hidden behind a wall.

Moving Past Mourning: Luffy Gets Back on His Feet


Time returns to the present, where Luffy is still crying over Ace's death before Jinbe. He expresses doubt for the first time about his dream to be the Pirate King, exclaiming he is weak.

Garp returns to Luffy's hometown only to hear that Makino's bar has been over-run by vicious mountain bandits. Those mountain Bandits ended up being Dadan and her underlings. Dadan sees Garp and hits him with a wooden bat. Makino steps between Dadan and Garp before she could attack again. Makino then states that "Garp could not save both Ace and Luffy even if he wanted to" and "Garp is the one truly suffering." But as soon as she says that Dadan says with tears in her eyes "no... The one truly suffering the most...!! Is Luffy!!" Then Makino has a flash back of the very first time she met Ace and runs off in a face full of tears. As soon as she leaves Garp states that Luffy is alive. For now. The final words that come out of Dadan's mouth is that she will always support Luffy no matter what he does from then forward and that he better not lose no matter what.



Meanwhile on an unknown island in the New World, The Whitebeard and Red Haired pirate crews bid a final farewell to Edward Newgate and Portgas D. Ace at their funeral where Marco thanks Red Haired Shanks for everything he has done for him and his crew. Shanks states that although he was an enemy, he deserved his respect, and even Sengoku's as well. With that said Shanks and his crew leave silently. Shanks says to Luffy in his mind that he must move on by relieving his emotions and crying everything out, even if he is a man.

Jinbe tells Luffy to stop beating himself up over Ace's actions but Luffy refuses and tries to punch him but misses. Jinbe then pins Luffy to the ground where Luffy bites him and Jinbe finally gets mad at Luffy and pins him to a rock. There he says that right now his thoughts and path are over-shadowed by grief but someday he will find something he will never stop fighting for. At that point he lets Luffy go and Luffy takes a while to think. When he finally reaches his answer his face is drowned in tears and admits that he still has his loyal and faithful crew and that he wants to go back to them as soon as possible, no matter what.

Meanwhile, the Heart Pirates spot something that kills a sea king which then lands on the island near them. The person reveals himself to be Rayleigh much to their surprise, even more so when he makes it known he knows Luffy is on the island too. Hancock along with her sisters and Nyon, come to bring Luffy food just as Luffy and Jinbe meet up with Rayleigh. The duo also notices how the Heart Pirates have left which Rayleigh tells Luffy that Law said to take it easy for two more weeks. Hancock's bunch soon arrive at the group's location, much to Nyon's surprise when she spots Rayleigh reveling the Boas know him. Luffy and Jinbe begin to eat (though Jinbe was only allowed little food due to Hancock) while Rayleigh delivers a letter to the Boas from Shakky, which reveals that they know her as well due to the fact that she once lived on the island. Rayleigh also mentions how he figured out Luffy's location thanks to Kuma after the battle on Sabaody as well as Shakky's intuition after the Marineford War.

Rayleigh then asks Luffy if he is planning on returning to Sabaody which Luffy confirms. However Rayleigh mentions that if they go back, the whole incident could start all over again. He then says he has a plan and its up to Luffy if he wants to go along with it.

The Crew in a Panic
The story starts off with Roronoa Zoro on Kuraigana Island, with Perona accompanying him. He is seen fighting against humandrills. He manages to keep equal grounds with them, but is then thrown against the giant cross. The humandrills are about to attack, but then are mysteriously frightened. A mysterious figure approaches them and the baboons run off in fright. The figure is actually Hawk-Eyes Mihawk. Zoro looks shocked to see him.

The scene changes to Torino Kingdom, where Chopper is hanging over a hot pot, about to be eaten. The people who caught him finally realize that he is not a raccoon, but a talking reindeer. The hot pot burns Chopper's butt, and the people put a cream on it that instantly cools it down. They tell Chopper that they make all kinds of medicines out of plants, and that because of those birds they cannot get to them. More and more people are getting sick and their supply is dangerously low. They decide to go to war against the birds. Chopper decides to talk to the birds and tell them about the situation.

Chopper goes up the tree and tells the birds about what the humans need. The birds reply by saying that they will not let them have the treasure. Chopper does not understand, and the humans are about to fight the birds. More birds arrive, so the humans shoot an arrow at them, but Chopper guards the birds with Guard Point. He ends up falling from the blast, but is saved by the chick he befriended from before and its mother. The mother bird talks with the others, and they all come to an understanding. The reason the birds were so ferocious was because they liked collecting shiny things and had a whole treasure trove in their old home, but the humans on that island took that treasure and forced the birds out of their homes. The birds, thinking that these humans would do the same, made sure that none of them could come up the tree.

Chopper, exhausted from the effort, falls unconcious, and wakes up bandaged and finds his wounds healed. He goes outside to see the humans and birds working together by exchanging plants and shiny things. A News Coo then comes and gives him the newspaper. Chopper's reaction shows that it is not good news.

The scene changes again to Weatheria, where Nami is working in the weather fields, cultivating Weather Balls. A News Coo arrives, and Nami sees something horrible too. In the Boin Archipelago, Usopp has eaten too much. A News Coo arrives again, and Usopp sees the news as well. In Kamabakka Kingdom, Sanji is dressed as a woman and is receiving the same news as well, turning him back into a man. At Tequila Wolf, Robin is talking to one of the Revolutionary Army. They ask her to come with them, but she says that she has to meet up with her nakama. They say that they have information on the Straw Hat Pirates, and tell Robin the news. In Baldimore, Franky finally gets some cola, and defeats the animal he met inside Vegapunk's laboratory. A piece of paper is printed, and Franky finds out what the news is. In Harahettania, Brook is composing music, and tries to do a 45 degrees angle, but ends up doing 60. He goes back to his music, and sees piles of papers underneath. Brook also reads the news.

The scene goes back to Zoro, where he asks Mihawk the reason he is here. He replies by saying that he lives here, and asks Zoro the same question. He replies by saying that Kuma sent him here. Mihawk says that explains why Monkey D. Luffy was at Marineford. He then tells Zoro what all of the Straw Hats found out: that Luffy's brother, Fire Fist Ace, died before Luffy's eyes.

At the island of Boin Archipelago where Usopp, now fat from eating the island's natural food, is trying to fight his way past a giant horned beetle despite the pleas of his companion, Heracles. He gets knocked down and Heracles mention the further out from the island you go the tougher the creatures are making it impossible to escape. Usopp does not listen though and takes off again just as Sea Kings, distracted by the smell of the island, start coming in. Heracles notices the island beginning to move and warns Usopp to cling to something as we find out the island is actually one large carnivorous plant called the Stomach Baron. Usopp is nearly eaten but Heracles saves him and asks what is wrong, having noticed that Usopp changed after he read a newspaper dropped by a newspaper bird. Usopp answers that he found out about Ace's death and is trying desperately to get off the island to help Luffy though his pain, otherwise he could not call himself a member of Luffy's crew.

Meanwhile on the Torino Kingdom, Chopper is all set to leave, having helped the natives and the birds of the island get along (turns out the reason the birds attacked the natives was because they thought they were stealing their eggs. In actuality, the natives just wanted plants near their trees). As well as having found out what happened to Ace and wishing to get off the island to treat Luffy. Bidding the island's residents farewell Chopper heads off on one of the birds. They pass a newspaper bird and Chopper grabs a paper from it. However he finds something about Luffy in the paper and begins to panic.



On Kuraigana Island which we find out is the home of Mihawk, who has returned and is reading the newspaper about Moriah's supposed death which causes Perona to cry, although Mihawk doubts the credibility of the article. Meanwhile Zoro is fighting against mandrills who somehow know swordplay and is having a tough time reaching the ocean. Mihawk appears and notices the boat he gave him to get off the island has been trashed. When asked why he in such a rush, Zoro revels he found out about the battle at Marineford as well. Mihawk however tells him that 7 years ago, war broke out over the island and the mandrills learned their skills from the people that fought it and grew strong over the years. Mihawk offers Zoro to rest at his castle, but Zoro roughly refuses his offer and continue to try to leave the island. On Weatheria, Nami has been thrown into a small prison for trying to steal a weather ball and some weather knots the people were using for research. Haredas comes by to help her and ask why her mood suddenly changed, showing that, like the other members, she too found about what happened to Luffy and Ace. She begins to cry and break down, earning the resident's pity. As soon as they release her, Nami, in a blink of an eye, grabs Haredas and the objects that were consficated from her and is already a good distance away from her captors. Realizing they've been tricked, they set after her while Nami runs and tells Haredas to just drop her anywhere. All the while thinking of Luffy and hoping him to be alright. Haredas points out to Nami that her crocodile tears have not stop running but Nami just tells him to shut up.



In the snow kingdom, Barujimoa, Franky finds himself being chased by marines and cyborg animals as he makes his way though Vegapunk's old laboratory. He unable to defend himself since neither he nor his pursuers wish to damage the place, considering it a "treasure". Recalling the conversation he had with a young boy and his grandfather, they reveal that Vegapunk created a heating system in the form of a mountain to help the island. However it is incomplete due to the fact that while Vegapunk had the blueprints, he did not have the money or resources to finish it. the old man then warns Franky not to enter the lab, but Franky, having also heard the news of what happened to Luffy, is in need of an ice breaking ship and Vegapunk's lab seem to be the only place to find one.

Back to the current time Franky comes across a few blueprints and is impressed by their contents. He also comes across the self destruct switch which the old man also warned him about. Franky mistakes the skull and crossbones design on it as a pirate symbol and presses it causing the whole lab to explode. This incident soon reached around the world and was dubbed "The Nightmare of Barujimoa".

Meanwhile on the island of Namakura and the poor country, Harahettania. We find that Brook and the residents of the island have managed to imprison the Longarm Tribe, thanks to Brook's music which helped them gained the courage to take them on. Brook congratulates the islanders on their success but secretly too found out about what happened at Marineford and is preparing to leave. When one of the islanders mentions making a show out of the Longarms to get rich, Brook objects and threatens the Longarms to stay away from the island lest they face his retribution. The Longarms agree and are let out of the cage. However, they soon capture Brook and run off with him revealing that they do not believe in devils and plan to sell him off at their homeland. The Harahettania islanders go to preform another summoning ritual while Brook thinks of Luffy while simultaneously calling out for Luffy to help him.

In East Blue, we find Robin making her way across the huge bridge via carriage thanks to the revolutionaries who freed her from slavery. They explain they been searching for her for ten years since the destruction of Ohara and are under orders from Dragon to protect her. While appreciate of the offer, Robin declines mentioning she has her own crew and wishes to get back to them. Not long after she leaves, the revolutionaries who stayed behind get the newspaper and find out what went on with Luffy then sends one of the carrier crow to deliver it to Robin. The lead revolutionary explains about the bridge and how it was ordered by the Celestial Dragons to be made though it has cost many slaves their lives during construction. The paper soon reaches the carriage and is handed off to Robin who learns of Luffy's current status as well as something else about him.



On Peach Island of the Kamabakka Kingdom, Sanji (having somehow snapped out of okama trance) is trying to convince the recently returned Ivakov that he is part of Luffy's crew having read Iva helped him during the Marineford War. Though Iva does not believe him due to his bounty poster and Sanji constantly saying the name is his but the picture is not. Getting nowhere Sanji tries to fight Ivakov so he can steal a boat but is quickly beaten down. Iva eventually does decide to let him know Luffy current status via the recent newspaper which he reacts with shock. Inazuma then tell Iva he has a call from Baltigo, where Dragon and his men are currently residing. Iva worries about his whole identity being public knowledge but Dragon assures him it just put his followers at ease knowing he is human. Dragon comments that soon it'll be time to gather their leaders since the death of Whitebeard is changing the world and the government. Iva however is curious on what happened to their former member, Kuma.

The Shocking News: The Rings Heard Around the World
Back at the Sabaody Archipelago, Duval and the Rosy Life Riders are working diligently to protect the Thousand Sunny from being taken by hunters looking to sell it to the marines. Keimi, Pappug, and Hatchi meanwhile talk about the trip to Fishman Island when the Straw Hats return though Shakky says it'll take some time but figured Rayleigh reached Luffy already. One of the Rosy Life Riders suddenly cries out that Kuma is coming their way. Shakky prevents Duval and his men from attacking him asking Kuma if he is still their ally.

In Alabasta, the kingdom recently have pirate troubles though the guards are keeping them at bay. Cobra, Vivi, and Carue also has found out about the news of Luffy after reading an article on him. In an unnamed section of the Grand Line in an unnamed town, we find Crocodile and Daz Bones (Mr. 1) having just read the paper about Luffy. Crocodile decides to head back to the New World and asks Mr. 1 if he will join him which he does. And finally on another unnamed island in the Grand Line, Buggy has been reunited with his crew having brought all the Impel Down prisoners with him. Buggy is touched that his crewmates were worried about him (though Alvida points out they left him to die). Cabaji and Mohji introduce themselves to the new crewmates while Buggy shows Alvida Captain John's map. As he gloats, a bat suddenly arrives with a letter from the government addressed to Buggy. Mr. 3 reads it and tells Buggy he will not believe what it says.



Meanwhile the Gorosei discussed among one another of Luffy's current action, the vacant Shichibukai positions left vacant by Jinbe, Moriah, and Blackbeard, the growing menace of Blackbeard himself and his ambition to become the new Yonko and the meaning of the "D". In another section Marijora, Sengoku is visiting Kong and resigning from his position. We also find that Garp has done the same though Kong state that their records will remain untouched in the hopes of rearing up young marines. Sengoku agrees, reasoning that he too old for the new era thats coming. He also recommends that Aokiji succeeds him as fleet admiral.

In Marineford, the Marine Headquarters is slowly being rebuilt little by little since the war. Smoker meets with Aokiji and state his wish to be transferred to G5, a Marine base in the New World. Aokiji warns him that the base is full of problems. But Smoker does not mind, making it obvious he hopes to run into Luffy once again. In the medical base of the island, a doctor checks on Coby and tells him he gained Haki due to the shock of the war. Helmeppo is a little miffed that Coby managed to gain a level of strength though Coby tells him he does not know what going on either.



In the Agenda Chamber, Lieutenant Commander Brandnew briefs the other officers on what has happened recently and we finally find out what Luffy did that caused such a stir. He, Jinbe and Rayleigh went back to Marineford and managed to steal a ship since the security of the island was stretched thin since Whitebeard's death. They sailed a ring around the island which was stated to be a ritual for a burial at sea. Luffy then made his way into the plaza to the Ox Bell at the western edge of the island and rang it 16 times. He then threw a bouquet of flowers over the war wounds that remained on the ground and performed a silent prayer. This act was sent by photographers and journalists which made it into the papers. Brandnew then state that while this may seem like an act of respect to those that have fallen during the war. They should take the 16 bell rings as a declaration of war against the marines.

A World in Chaos: The Supernovas Begin to Move
In the New World, Eustass Kid has just read about these events and questions Killer about what the 16 rings mean. To which Killer explains the bell is sacred and ringing the bell 16 times may signify the end of one era and the beginning of another. Kid takes this as meaning Luffy wishes to create his own era and see it as a challenge against him. He then confronts some pirates he captured, the captain of which stating he wishes to return to "Paradise" alive. Kid however responds by crucifying them, saying that pirates with no resolve should not come out onto that ocean.

Meanwhile with Capone Bege and his crew, they find their ship suddenly lifting from the ocean into the air by some mysterious force coming from the sky. Back with Luffy whose coming from Marineford on the Kuja ship and currently resting (while also being poked and prodded by the Kuja again along with Rayleigh and Jinbe). Luffy hopes the message will reach his crew, Rayleigh responds it should if they understand it meaning. Indeed the rest of the Straw Hat seem to get it (save for Zoro whose having trouble understanding it).

We then go to the island where Brownbeard took over who finds himself meeting Basil Hawkins. After learning his name and reading his fortune, Hawkins proclaims he does not like jokes (finding Brownbeard's name as such) and, while unsheathing his sword, that the shadow of death on the pirate is visible.

We then go to Urouge whose ship comes across an island with lighting coming from it. As he and his crew marvel at the sight, another ship approaches them with an elderly figure asking if they would like some umbrellas. A caption then comes up telling us that all pirates who entered the New World proclaim that the first half of the Grand Line was Paradise.

Somewhere near Sabaody Archipelago, Law is discussing with his crew why he does not want to enter the New World yet, saying that in any case the One Piece will not disappear and that the others are free to engage each other without him. He then tells his men to follow the orders he gave them, in order for him to "steal the proper throne", to which his crew happily rejoice.

On an unnamed Winter Island in the New World, X Drake and his crew confront "Iron Boy" Scotch who is guarding the island, which according to him, is one of Kaido's favorites, and attacking him will attract the attemtion to the powerful pirate. Eager for a chance to confront the Emperor, Drake turns into his dinosaur form and gets ready to fight.

Somewhere else in the New World, on a Spring Island, Apoo and his crew are fleeing from some big, striped boars. They remain quite surprised when, trying to jump off a cliff, they continue running up into the air, the boars still chasing them. On a burning island on the New World, the Blackbeard Pirates are drinking, eating and relaxing on their raft, which according to Teach is breaking apart, so they are waiting to meet the Marines for a battleship in exchange for Jewelry Bonney,



who has been taken hostage by them. Teach approaches her, teasing her and telling her that he will set her free if she becomes his woman, to which Bonney kicks him with her free legs. Van Augur informs his captain that the Marines do not seem willing to do the exchange, as Akainu is leading them. The Blackbeard Pirates flee in a hurry, leaving behind their chained prisoner. After asking her about the fled crew, he tells her that he was worried when she escaped the World Government, but that now the problem is solved. Bonney angrily cries out that she will never forgive them.

In the meantime, in Mariejois, Doflamingo is teasing some unknown representative of the World Government, telling him that Moriah, while on the verge of death, disappeared suddenly, to which the other replies that that's not a funny story. Doflamingo retorts that being a pirate, he could leave the Shichibukai anytime he wishes.

Straw Hats Begin to Train: We'll Meet Again in Two Years


Back with Chopper, he decided to head back to Torino Kingdom. At first disguised as someone named Chopper Mask due to being embarrassed at coming back so soon after he left. After the disguise fails (though the villagers assured him it was alright), he asks to stay and study the plants. As he goes to the library he realizes the natives on the island are much more advanced then he thought, he hopes to use the knowledge he gains from them to help his captain and crewmates get stronger.



Meanwhile at the Kamabakka Kingdom, Sanji and Iva are having lunch to which Sanji finds their food very delicious and asks about it. Iva tells him it is the "Attack Cuisine" food that strengthens the bodies. Sanji sees the benefits from using such meal for his crew (mostly thinking what it could do to Nami and Robin) and asks for the recipes. Iva refuses however, mentioning that it is part of the secret bridal training and it cannot just be passed on to a random stranger, though if he were an okama, he would be willing. Sanji refuses this, stating that he was born to love women not make friends with them. This resolve impresses Iva and tells Sanji that the recipes are being held by 99 masters of newkama kempo and if he defeats them, Sanji can take the recipes, though he warns that they as well as the other okamas will try to get him in a dress again. If Sanji endures and wins, Iva will grant his every request. If not, Iva wonders if he will remain a man. Remembering his first meeting with Luffy, Sanji swears that he will give him the best support as the cook of the crew before accepting Iva's challenge.



In the small sky island of Weatheria, Nami has returned to the Sky Scientists to apologize, in which she was declined, but due to the fact that she promised to jump over to the blue ocean she makes them apologize for making her cry. She accepts and demands to have a house and research about the weathers. While researching, Haredas explains that the sky island moves to the will of the wind and that they are researching weather and that the center of weather phenomena is at the Grand Line. She also promises not to be an ordinary navigator and because the lives of her crew members depend on her. Nami also asks about a weather called "Rain of Lightning" that is a phenomena that occurs on the New World and insists to Haredas to teach her all about the Weather Balls and asks if it could be turn into a weapon. Haredas responds to never to say such dangerous things.



Meanwhile in the Grand Line in Kezan island on Teena Geena kingdom, Brook was imprisoned in a cage and is displayed to the public as a freak show. Due to the message that he read in the news, Brook has stayed still for a while, making the audience mad, causing them to think that he is just a prop. After thinking about what he could do to become better, he performs a 40 degrees trick and falls down, stating that if he goes lower than his usual 45 degree trick, he will slip and fall. The movement causes the audience to believe he is real and cheer. Brook comes up with a new solo "BONE to be Wild" and starts performing it with a guitar stating that the word "ALONE" is no longer in his dictionary.



In East Blue, under Tequila Wolf's bridge, Nico Robin accepts the Revolutionaries offer to meet Dragon at Baltigo. She teases the revolutionaries stating that if she had known they have such groups, she would have had them have come earlier. When she rides the ship that the revolutionaries use to go to Baltigo, she refuses to go inside and stays on the ship's balcony, even in the harsh weather, for She states that she does not like the idea of being invited in a room with no escape, in which the revolutionaries response that their intentions bear no malice. Since she would not accept to go inside the revolutionaries prepare her warm foods and drinks, blankets, windshields, and a sofa at the balcony of the ship. Robin thinks that going to her captain's father could make her become stronger and states that this is the first time she wanted to become stronger for someone else.



Meanwhile, in Karakuri, the marines lead by Captain Gorilla investigate about the "Nightmare of Barujimoa" incident and have information that Cyborg Franky might be behind it, but questioned how could he arrive on the island while there is no report of arrival of an icebreaker ship. Meanwhile, in the kingdom's mountains, Franky has located another laboratory which had its entrance exposed after the explosion. Inside, he finds more blueprints, but instead of cultural creations, these blueprints were about weapons, ranging from battleships to human cells. Franky decides to live there, leaving the mountain once in a while to get some cola from his companions' house, and become stronger. Due to his wrecked face scaring his friends, Franky decides to wear a tiger fur rug, but after lighting a fireplace, Franky's tiger fur got caught on fire causing him to run wild and scaring the marines investigating the area, making them thinking he is a beast. That incident was later called "The Legend of the Sacred Burning Beast of Barujimoa" which is passed through generations in the Grand Line.



Still in the Grand Line, Boin Archipelago, Usopp decides to lose weight, gain muscles, and become stronger, causing Heracles to wonder what is on the newspaper to turn Usopp's determination around. Usopp said that he got a message from his captain and he needs to become stronger. He asks about Heracle's weapon and asks him to teach him and tells him that he is an amazing teacher, which causes Heracles to flatter himself and teach Usopp everything he knows including the "Pop Green", which are the seeds of hostile plants that grow in the forest with various uses. Usopp then promises to become a true king of snipers.



Back in the Shikkearu Kingdom, Zoro has went back to Mihawk's castle and bows, begging Mihawk to train him. Mihawk dismisses Zoro's plea, thinking he coming back after being defeated. Zoro reveals he defeated all the mandrills but admits that at his level, he will not be able to surpass Mihawk. Mihawk realizes he is not doing it for himself, and soon agrees to train Zoro once his body is healed. While Perona is fixing up his wounds, Zoro reveals the message Luffy sent to his crew. A tattoo on his arm that said " 3D 2Y." Zoro explains that the 3D meant they were suppose to meet at Sabaody in 3 days, but since it was crossed out and replaced with 2Y, that means the time to meet again is now two years. Luffy had purposefully drawn attention to himself to get the message out to the crew, knowing that they will need to strengthen themselves if they wish to take on the New World.



The story then goes back to Amazon Lily a few days earlier. Jinbe has decided to head back to Fishman Island, thanking Luffy for freeing him and mentioning that he will wait for him to visit Fishman Island in two years. With that, he heads off, and Luffy and the Kuja bid him farewell. Afterward, Luffy, the Kuja Pirates, and Rayleigh head to an abandoned island not far from Amazon Lily called Rusukaina. Rayleigh brought Luffy there to train him. He forbids Hancock and her pirates from coming to see Luffy during his training period, so he can make him stronger without distraction. Once the Kuja Pirates are gone, Rayleigh begins Luffy's training by mentioning that the island was once inhabited, but the chaotic climate changes and the ferocious nature of the wildlife eventually killed all the natives. As a wild elephant comes charging at them, Rayleigh explains the basic concepts of Haki, using the elephant as a demonstration for them.



Luffy realizes that he has seen these techniques before in some form or another during his adventures. Rayleigh hopes to use those two years to teach him the basics of controlling the different types of Haki, as it would take longer with a normal person. After a night of rest, Luffy goes off to begin his training, setting his straw hat and Vivre Card on a rock in the only safe place on the island, mentioning that for the time being, "Straw Hat Luffy" is going on a holiday.

Story Impact

 * With the war against Whitebeard over, and the New Age beginning, the whole world begins to change with the balance of the Three Powers declining after Yonko Whitebeard's death and the resignation of both Jinbe and Blackbeard from their positions as Shichibukai. The status of Moriah is unknown, after being attacked by Doflamingo and the Pacifistas as an order by the World Government. Garp and Sengoku step down from their positions, and Aokiji becomes a candidate for Sengoku's rank as Fleet Admiral. Smoker is transferred to G-5 in the New World. Also, Crocodile and Daz Bones, the Blackbeard Pirates, and the Eleven Supernovas (save Luffy, Zoro, and Trafalgar Law) travel there as well.
 * Luffy's backstory about how he met and began his brotherhood with Ace, along with Sabo who is presumed deceased is shown. During this flashback, Bartholomew Kuma is seen with Dragon and Ivankov as a revolutionary.
 * After having a talk with Jinbe, Luffy decides to reunite with his crew but regroups with Rayleigh who develops a plan to regroup with the other Straw Hat Pirates by sending a message via Luffy's tattoo, 3D 2Y meaning not to meet back at Sabaody Archipelago in 3 days as they planned, but in 2 years so they can train. Chopper studies advanced medicine in Torino Kingdom, Sanji begins to learn the ninety-nine Attack Cuisine recipes in Kamabakka Kingdom as well as fighting 99 Newkama Kenpo masters, Nami begins to learn about the New World's meteorology on Weatheria, Brook composes a new song for the Longarm Tribe on Kenzan Island, Robin goes to Baltigo to join Dragon and the Revolutionary Army, Franky begins to study Dr. Vegapunk's explorations into weaponry on Karakuri, Usopp begins survival training from Heracles in order to eventually escape from the Boin Archipelago, Zoro begins to train under Mihawk on Kuraigana Island, and Luffy begins to train with Rayleigh who begins teaching Luffy how to use Haki on Rusukaina.
 * Brownbeard's defeat at the hand of Basil Hawkin's would cause him to lose the usage of his legs and find his way to Punk Hazard and become an aligator centaur and a subbordinate of Caesar Clown.
 * In Luffy's training, it is finally revealed that there are three different forms of Haki: Kenbunshoku Haki (known as Mantra on Skypiea) which allows the user to predict their enemy's movements; Busoshoku Haki, the ability which allows people to create a force which allows their attacks to become stronger, and even attack other Devil Fruit users without problems; and Haoshoku Haki, the ability which one in a million people have and grants the ability to intimidate their enemies.
 * The foreshadowing of Smoker's role in the Punk Hazard Arc, Trafalgar Law becoming a Shichibukai, and Aokiji battling Akainu for the title of Fleet Admiral are all shown in some form.

Arc Note

 * Luffy and Ace's foster mother, Dadan, is revealed.
 * The S crossed out on Ace's arm is not an error but a homage to Sabo.
 * The mysterious power called Haki finally gets explained.

Anime and Manga Differences

 * Certain scenes shown in the anime were not shown in the manga, like the Straw Hats receiving and reacting to the news on the war, and Luffy's actions when he got back to Marineford.
 * The birds of Torino Kingdom, rather then attempting to prevent humans from hunting their eggs, were trying to protect their treasure instead.

Character Appearances
This arc is known to have introduced a lot of Luffy's past. The details of his past include a rather large amount of people. These would include: Curly Dadan, Dogra, Magra, Sabo, Porchemy, and Bluejam, who all play a big role in the arc. Dadan, Dogra, and Magra are all part of the bandits that Luffy and Ace grew up with. Sabo is the "brother" of the two boys. Porchemy was a member of Bluejam's crew and Bluejam was the main villain of this arc.

Kuma stands in the background behind Dragon, confirming that in the past, Kuma was part of the Revolutionary Army.

Outside the flashback there was a lot happening. Ace and Whitebeard both were buried and given a grave. All the Straw Hats are finally seen again with the will of returning to become one again. However, after Rayleigh convinced Luffy, he, Luffy and Jinbe headed for Marineford with a secret intention. Luffy tattooed a date on his arm, which only his crew understood.

Smoker was sent to the New World, on his own request.

Trivia

 * This is the last arc in the first half of the series.
 * This is the fifth arc so far that has had more anime episodes than manga chapters.