Chapter 977

Law allies himself with the Scabbards to rework the strike on Onigashima, deciding to sneak around to the island's rear aboard the Polar Tang while the rest of the alliance pulls the enemy's eye. On arrival, the sentries posted at the gate that Denjiro forgot to mention are crushed on the spot by the Straw Hats. With the foes cleared, the crew moves to toast Jinbe's joining, and far inside the enemy stronghold the Flying Six sweep into the Fire Festival.

Jinbe accounts for his delay, having nursed the wounded Sun Pirates and endured a send-off in his honor. Kin'emon's scheme to enter through the back and ambush a soused Kaidou stalls when Denjiro, certain it is only the decoy meant to mislead Kanjuro, demands the true plan. Law steps in, arguing the enemy surely expects them, which marks the samurai, Luffy, Kid, and himself as prime targets. He suggests turning the inevitable hotheaded chargers into bait while the troops divide along the mountain trails, and slipping the Scabbards to the rear by submarine past the whirlpools. Shishilian offers to head the minks, Hyougoro the samurai.

A blast at the front reminds Denjiro of the Fire Festival guards he neglected to warn about, yet the Straw Hats dispose of them with ease. Luffy sets up a party for Jinbe, then shelves it until Kaidou, Orochi, and Big Mom fall. Kid swears to avenge Killer, back behind his mask, and the Kid Pirates copy his laughter to spare his feelings. Inside Onigashima the Beasts Pirates revel, Queen barks for his oshiruko, and Kaidou, wondering after his son, gets ready to present the assembled Tobiroppo to Big Mom.