Chapter 649

The freed human prisoners cheer their release while Neptune weighs their grudge against the fish-men. He spares the rank-and-file enemy crew, sentencing them to hard labor on the main island under army watch, and officially shuts down the slum district. The officers and Vander Decken IX go into the palace prison tower, and Surume hauls the oversized Wadatsumi into banishment. Slipping away to dodge any hero's welcome, the Straw Hats sail off aboard the Sunny, where Jinbe softly turns down Luffy's offer, vowing to return and join once he finishes business he has long set aside.

An Ammo Knight catches up and relays the king's invitation to the banquet he first promised, which Luffy accepts, asking that Hatchan and Camie come too. Inside Ryugu Palace the crew revels in a flooded hall hosting the diva Maria Napole, a jazz quintet, and the Mermaid Cafe dancers. Later, a tipsy Neptune meets Robin apart from the others, and she presses him about Joy Boy. He explains the figure lived in the Void Century and left an apology to that era's Mermaid Princess for failing a promise to guard Noah. Linking the Sea Forest poneglyph, Shirahoshi's command over Sea Kings, and a weapon hidden on the island, Robin concludes the princess carries the name of the ancient weapon, Poseidon.

The chapter title nods to the lavish hospitality of the Urashima Tarō legend, where a feast of sea bream and flounder rewards a kind traveler. On the cover, the Shandia Chief, Pierre, and Gan Fall appear post-timeskip beside a freshly cleaned Shandora Bell. Zoro shares Luffy's loose idea of heroism, wanting only booze. Neptune frees the former slaves and confines the captured pirates, and the issue confirms Shirahoshi and Poseidon are the same being.