Chapter 1020

Chapter 1020 is titled "Robin vs. Black Maria".

Cover Page
Cover Page Request: "Denjiro dreaming of eating a giant shrimp tempura as he chews his own pompadour" by PN 420 Land.

Long Summary
On top of the roof of the Skull Dome, Kaido tells Yamato that the Devil Fruit they consumed, the Inu Inu no Mi, Model: Okuchi no Makami, is a very valuable mythical Zoan Devil Fruit and it was a mistake to let them eat it because the Okuuchi no Makami is Wano's guardian deity, so that means they have to protect Wano for him. Yamato refuses but Kaido tells them that Kurozumi Orochi had a talent for exploitation, and his actions turned Wano into a giant weapons factory and all they have to do is take control and keep it running. Yamato, however, says that they plan on helping protect the country from him and open it, and unleashes a blast from their mouth called Namuji Hyoga. Kaido counters with Bolo Breath saying he won't let that happen.

On the Third Floor, Nico Robin is approached by what appears to be her departed loved ones: her mother Nico Olvia, her mentor Professor Clover, and Jaguar D. Saul. The three tell her to approach them and Robin starts to approach them with her arms open. Brook, however, tries to tell her over and over not to go to them, and sure enough she stops and admits the enemy was trying to fool her, using Tres Mano: Freesia to strike the fakes and expose them as Black Maria's subordinates: SMILE eaters Nure Onna and Tenjo Kudari, and female Number Kunyun.

As Brook and Robin run from Black Maria and her subordinates, Brook tells Robin he should have given him a sign that she wasn't affected by their trick. Robin says to Brook that he wasn't affected either and says it is because he was adrift in the Florian Triangle for fifty years and dreamed his parted crew was alive, so he became use to being hurt by illusions. Robin offhandedly remarks how similar the two of them are due to all their trauma just as Black Maria uses Furisode Wanyudo to set the floor on fire, as it is shown that the Wayundo is a SMILE eater itself, having eaten a pug SMILE and generating the fire by spinning around in the large wheel.

Black Maria jumps onto the ceiling and declaring that Robin is dreaming if she thinks they could win against Kaido. Robin uses Spider Net to protect herself and Brook from the fire and Robin tells her that if she continues, she will set the entire castle on fire. Black Maria simply tells her that if she wants to prevent that, she should just surrender. Brook, though, manages to use a move called Cold Soul to freeze the Wanyudo, eliminating the fires. Infuriated, Black Maria swings at Robin causing her to let go of the ceiling. As she falls, Black Maria insults Robin saying that deep down, she knows the Straw Hats will sell her out, while Brook freezes the fire so Robin could land safely.

Black Maria says that Sanji knew she was hunting her and called her to her location, using it as justification that she is nothing but a burden to her crew and it is why he called to her so quickly. She also calls him a laughingstock for calling for help even though he has the second highest bounty in the crew. Robin and Brook, though, aren't fazed by Black Maria's insults as Brook asks Robin if she would like to to take care of Black Maria from this point, which she confirms, leaving Black Maria's subordinates to Brook. Robin tells Black Maria that her insults didn't work because Sanji is a kind man and she will never understand how much it meant to Robin that he relied on her, calling him one of the wings that will allow the Pirate King to soar. She then shows off a new move called Gigante Fleur, creating a large body of her with several arms.

Down in Tokage Port, Momonosuke and Shinobu have reunited with Luffy and the Heart Pirates, who have given Luffy all of their food yet he still demands more. Momonosuke is relieved to see Luffy alive but starts crying over what happened with Kin'emon and Kikunojo, but Luffy tells him to not cry yet until Kaido is beaten. Off in the distance, Caribou watches Luffy with the others and demands he get himself together or he will never be able to escape Wano.

Luffy then points up into the air and tells Momonosuke that he needs him to help take him back up to Onigashima by transforming into a dragon and flying him up there.

Chapter Notes

 * Yamato continues to battle against Kaido.
 * Yamato is revealed to have eaten the Inu Inu no Mi, Model: Okuchi no Makami; a Mythical Zoan revered as a guardian spirit of Wano.
 * Yamato uses a breath attack that Kaido counters with his Bolo Breath.
 * Black Maria's battle with Robin and Brook is shown.
 * With the assistance of illusionary mist created by Black Maria, Maria's subordinates disguise themselves as people from Robin's past: her mother Olvia, her mentor Clover, and her friend Saul.
 * Said subordinates are Nure-Onna, a white snake SMILE user, Tenjo-Sagari, a hognose snake SMILE user, and a Number called Kunyun.
 * Maria's weapon is revealed to be operated by Wanyudo, a pug SMILE user.
 * Robin faces Maria alone while Brook faces Maria's subordinates.
 * Robin uses a new technique, Gigante Fleur, to create a massive clone of herself.
 * Luffy and the Heart Pirates reach the shore and are reunited with Momonosuke and Shinobu.
 * Caribou is also present but he is hiding from the group.
 * Luffy asks Momonosuke to fly him back towards Onigashima.