Chapter 991

Recalling Koby's words about Luffy's gift for drawing people close, Drake admits he cannot reveal his motives but insists their aims overlap. Zoro attacks him on sight, lumping him in with Hawkins, and although Drake says he has been cast out of the Beasts Pirates, Zoro, Franky, and Jinbe refuse to trust a turncoat. Luffy is willing to let him join; the other three are not. Page One and Ulti then activate their powers to reach Luffy, but Usopp blasts Page One and ducks behind Nami to credit her for it, earning a smack before the pair flee the charging Tobiroppo.

Sensing an ambush, Luffy has Sanji cover his ears, neutralizing Scratchmen Apoo's Tatakau Music. Apoo mourns the beaten Numbers and calls in Hatcha, who admires General Franky. On Jinbe's cue, Franky lures the giant out of the Skull Dome, with Hatcha giving chase.

Zoro and Drake keep clashing until Apoo runs by to summon more Numbers, prompting the two to team up against the shared rival they both detest. Their truce is cut short when Queen rains bullets from the Live Stage with a Gatling gun, and Drake grows alarmed as he guesses what those rounds might be. On the rooftop, the Sulong forms of Inuarashi and Nekomamushi defeat Jack, forcing Kaidou to step in before they can wound the elephant further.

Kaidou praises the minks' strength and tells the injured Jack to seek treatment for holding off all but the two rulers. He then fires a Bolo Breath at the Scabbards, but Kin'emon's Foxfire Style splits the flames in two and leaves small cuts around Kaidou's mouth. The Scabbards refuse to run, declaring themselves ready to give their lives to bring the Emperor low. The chapter confirms there are ten Numbers in total. The cover serial shows Pound's long-awaited hug.