Chapter 653

Chapter 653 is called "The Hero's Hat".

Cover Page
From the Decks of the World Vol. 35 - "Icefish Mermaid Kokoro-san's Splendid Holiday".

Short Summary
The mermaids from the Mermaid Cafe ask permission to see the Straw Hats off and are granted it by Shyarly. The Minister of the Left introduces Nami to a new Log Pose from which she is able to tell which island is more dangerous. After a respectful and (in some cases) tearful farewell, the Straw Hat Pirates leave Fishman Island and head out to the New World, but are stopped for a brief moment by Shirahoshi making a promise with her to take her to the surface the next time they meet. After they set sail once again, a fishman child asks for a Straw Hat to play hero, but is told that there are none for sale. On the way to the surface, the Straw Hat Pirates remember and re-establish their dreams and prepare to enter the New World.

Chapter Notes

 * Kokoro and Yokozuna are shown for the first time since the timeskip.
 * Shyarly broke her crystal ball in half and says she will never tell a fortune again. Even though her prediction of Luffy destroying Fishman Island has not happened, Keimi herself admitted that Shyarly's prediction could happen anywhere from a month to a year later, and that there is no proof that the fortune is wrong yet.
 * A new three-needle Log Pose is introduced, which can point to three different locations in the New World at the same time. It is also explained that the stability of the needle reflects the stability of the island.
 * Neptune and the Minister of the Right decide not to tell the Straw Hats about the bomb.
 * All of the current members of the crew (excluding Franky and Zoro) make a promise with Shirahoshi that the next time they meet, they will take her to the surface.
 * After the battle, many of the Fishman Island children want their own straw hat. Jinbe asks that a merchant ship be prepared for him so he can go get some for them.
 * Franky shows off another one of his hair styles, this one modeled after a set of insect jaws.
 * The Straw Hat Pirates leave Fishman Island and set sail for the New World.

Arc Navigation
Hero no Bōshi