Z's Ambition Arc

The Z's Ambition Arc is the tenth filler arc, the first filler arc after the time skip, and a set-up arc for the 12th One Piece movie, One Piece Film Z.

Meeting Lily & The Neo Marines' Plan
The Straw Hats arrive in the New World and fight the Marine ships they see, but it turns out to be a mirage. Suddenly, huge drops of water fall down from the sky and the sea splits, causing them to fall down. The Straw Hats wake up with new clothes and enjoy the weather. Lily, a giant, eats all the food they have and fights against the Straw Hats. She ate the Mini Mini no Mi and she turns out to be giant who is attempting to steal a ship and save her father from being sent to Impel Down by the Marines. She befriends the Straw Hats after they rescue her from drowning.



Ain is commanding the Neo Marine fleet of ships and is standing alongside Bins. She calls Shuzo, asking why he is is not here yet. Shuzo says he is going after Lily's father, who is a pirate, who steals food from the World Government and the Marines and is being sent to Impel Down. He wants to kill him before he gets sent to prison. Ain tells him that if he fails, he will suffer the consequences. The Straw Hats see the Marines and Lily's father and prepare to save Lily's dad.

On the convoy carrying Panz Fry to Impel Down, Vice Admiral Momonga is questioning his prisoner as to why he stole food from the World Government and other pirates. Panz Fry responds by saying that he wants to take food from the World Nobles, who do not need it, and give it to starving people.

At the same time, the Straw Hats and Lily are creating a plan to rescue Panz Fry. They decide to split into two groups; Chopper, Robin, Brook, and Luffy will create a diversion while Usopp, Sanji, Zoro, and Lily will rescue Fry using the submarine (Luffy however goes to the submarine because he is bored). They then put their plan into action, driving away the Marines and allowing Zoro to cut Fry's chains. They manage to rescue the giant, but Momonga attacks Luffy, forcing Zoro to intercept him. Shuzo then appears, shocking Momonga and ruining Panz Fry and Lily's reunion. Shuzo then states that all New World pirates need to be killed under the orders of his leader, ZThis again surprises Momonga again, as he knew Z as a Marine Admiral. Shuzo attacks Panz Fry, forcing Luffy and Sanji to step in. However, Sanji is thrown into the ground, and Luffy thrown into the water, forcing Zoro to save him. When they emerge, Luffy prepares to fight Shuzo while Zoro takes on Momonga.

Zoro and Luffy fight their respective opponents, but Nami notices that Thrust-Up Stream, a current resembling the Knock-Up Stream, is coming. The Straw Hats, minus Luffy, Sanji, and Zoro, make their way back to the Thousand Sunny, and Nami has Franky hook the ship's anchor to the raft Panz Fry is on. As the streams begin destroying Marine ships, Franky uses a Coup de Burst to escape, along with the raft that Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, Lily, and Panz Fry are on. However, Shuzo uses a knife with a Vivre Card to mark the raft.

Momonga gathers his forces and attempts to sail after the Straw Hats. However, Shuzo defeats him, and remembers his fight with Ain. In the battle, he had lost, prompting Z to name her as his second-in-command.

On the island the Straw Hats have landed on, Chopper tends to Panz Fry while Lily reveals the stolen food she had obtained. Luffy asks Fry to cook for him, and Fry, despite his injuries, agrees as thanks for saving him from the Marines. Off the coast of the island, Shuzo has arrived and prepares to use some of his men as torpedoes to attack the Straw Hats.

Trivia

 * This is the first filler arc set in the New World and after the two-year timeskip and the very first arc of anime set in the New World.
 * This is the second filler arc that is made to set-up a movie; the first being the Little East Blue Arc for Strong World.
 * Four new characters are revealed: Lily Enstomach, Panz Fry, Shuzo, and Alpacacino.
 * The Neo Marines make their first appearance in the anime.
 * Momonga appears for the first time since the Marineford Arc.