Fifth Emperor

Sanji bristles at Niji for secretly slipping him a Raid Suit, refusing any aid from science even as Nami shows off her upgraded Clima-Tact, which now houses Zeus. The newspaper then arrives, and Sanji discovers that his bounty has climbed to 330 million berries with the "Dead or Alive" condition restored. He is briefly thrilled to have surpassed Zoro, only to spot the word Vinsmoke printed across his poster, which dismays him. Brook notices that Luffy looks downcast too, since the captain's figure appears to have dropped to 150 million berries. Nami is pleased, reasoning that fewer hunters will chase them, but Brook points out that the apparent cut wounds their captain's pride.

Word travels across the seas that a following of 5,000 now answers to Luffy and that he stands poised to become a fifth Emperor. Readers of the report include Dr. Kureha and Dalton back in the Sakura Kingdom, Crocodile, Bege's crew, and Princess Vivi, while journalists interview both Cavendish and Bartolomeo. At the Marine base, Fleet Admiral Akainu receives word that raiders assaulted the Lulusia delegation's ship and seized Princess Komane, and he angrily demands an explanation. Beside the Dressrosa and Prodence vessels, a hidden crew launches a torpedo that Captain Koby knocks aside, while Helmeppo, a lieutenant commander, subdues the raiders. Kyros then recalls Koby as the officer who saved many townspeople amid the Rocky Port Incident.

Here the Levely storyline gets underway. Neptune plans to declare his home under Straw Hat protection, and Shirahoshi tags along with her relatives to dodge Luffy's teasing nickname. Returning after the two-year gap, Crocodile appears again, and the same post-gap reappearance goes for both Koby and Helmeppo in the manga. Shadowed figures also resurface: Blackbeard himself, along with Doc Q, Van Augur, and Avalo Pizarro. Reactions come from every Emperor: fury from Kaidou, dismissal from Blackbeard who deems the title too early, indignation from Big Mom insisting she never lost, and warm anticipation from Shanks about a reunion. The chapter ends as Brook catches Luffy's error with the zeros, exposing an actual bounty of 1.5 billion berries, the biggest jump anyone had received to that point, which leaves the crew reeling.