Chapter 978

With most of the Nine Red Scabbards aboard, Law pilots the submerged Polar Tang toward the rear of Onigashima, while Kin'emon and Denjiro lead the samurai overland to the front. As the broader Ninja-Pirate-Mink-Samurai Alliance comes ashore, Kin'emon works his transforming power to cloak everyone as Beasts Pirates, and the warriors scuttle their own ships on purpose so no trace remains. Within the fortress the Golden Kagura feast rages on, and the six enforcers of the Tobiroppo come together to wait on their summons.

Denjiro presses for caution, warning that a botched attack would waste twenty years of sacrifice, while Kin'emon counters that the long ordeal is close to its end. Usopp quietly fells two drunken lookouts with a sleep-inducing shot, and Jinbe pledges to hide the Thousand Sunny once the crew has landed. The samurai sinking their vessels unnerves the Straw Hats, but Kin'emon explains the warriors count on no way back. Robin points out that the figures crossing the bridge are actually disguised allies, and Kin'emon reminds everyone the costumes disappear the instant they tear or come off, so open fighting must be avoided.

Queen holds court over the banquet, calling out the various Beasts Pirates ranks and taking offense when the Tobiroppo ignore him. The six enforcers squabble over who might succeed Queen and why Kaidou has summoned them. Among them, Page One appears in human form, and formal introductions land for four of the group: Sasaki and Ulti, then Black Maria and Who's-Who, with X Drake rounding out the six. The cover carries on the Bege side-story, with Lola and Chiffon reuniting while the Rolling Pirates offer thanks to the Fire Tank crew.