Chapter 1054

Pressing toward the Flower Capital, Ryokugyu muses that the power to sway others is rare, then finds his path blocked by a wall of samurai and minks: Kawamatsu and Raizo stand with Shinobu, joined by Nekomamushi, Inuarashi, and Denjiro. Deducing he is a Marine and thus Luffy's enemy, the samurai stand firm, but Ryokugyu strikes them with his Devil Fruit power, having eaten the Logia-type Mori Mori no Mi to become a Forest Man. He preaches that World Nobles are gods, that nations outside the World Government hold no rights, and that capturing Luffy is worth slaughtering however many Wano citizens it requires.

Yamato arrives and slams Ryokugyu's head into the earth, sickened by his words, then names himself Kaidou's son, shocking the admiral. Momonosuke appears in dragon form, praises Yamato, and tries Kaidou's Bolo Breath to no effect before biting Ryokugyu and demanding he leave, only for the admiral to bind him in roots while Momonosuke insists Yamato stay clear.

Off Wano's coast, the Red Hair Pirates sail nearby and urge Shanks to visit Luffy, but he lingers over memories of Oden, of stealing the Gomu Gomu no Mi from the World Government ship, and of his time in Foosha Village up to losing his arm. He resolves not to meet Luffy yet, choosing instead to deal with Bartolomeo, who defaced his flag, and tells Benn Beckman it is time to pursue the One Piece. At Marine Headquarters, Sakazuki learns the Revolutionary Army can no longer be ignored, that Sabo allegedly assassinated Nefertari Cobra and helped destroy a symbol of the World Nobles, and that Sabo, now hailed as the Flame Emperor, wields influence said to rival Monkey D. Dragon's. Sakazuki swears to strike back on every front.

Beyond the Flower Capital, Ryokugyu is intercepted by Yamato, Shinobu, Momonosuke, and the Scabbards, who keep the threat hidden from the Straw Hats. Ryokugyu reveals his Logia Mori Mori no Mi, transforms into a vast tree-like being, and ensnares Momonosuke's dragon form. The Red Hair Pirates sail Wano's waters, with Shanks recalling how he took the Gomu Gomu no Mi away from CP9 and Who's-Who, plus his days alongside Luffy back in Foosha Village; Yasopp is shown aware of his son Usopp's place among the crew. Shanks declines to reunite with Luffy for now, opting to pursue both Bartolomeo and, ultimately, the One Piece. At Marine HQ, Sakazuki and Borsalino review the latest developments with the official Tensei: Cobra was apparently killed by Sabo, Vivi has vanished, the Revolutionary Army freed Bartholomew Kuma and, as a declaration of war, tore down the Hoof of the Soaring Dragon, and Charlos survived an assassination attempt aided by Mjosgard. Sabo gains enormous global fame as the Flame Emperor, with soldiers rallying around his bounty poster.

The cover is a color spread depicting the new Four Emperors of the Sea, and the chapter released alongside the closing sixth installment of the Shokugeki no Sanji spinoff. It ranks among the rare non-flashback chapters in which not a single Straw Hat physically shows up, presenting Luffy alone through images or a short flashback. Shanks is seen drinking liquor labeled "67 Sake No. 5," a possible nod to Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, Op. 67.