Chapter 552

Cover Page[]

Straw Hat's Separation Serial: Chopper's 'I'm not food, dammit' Vol. 1 "Runaway raccoon stew".

Short Summary[]

As the Impel Down escapees head towards Marineford, Monkey D. Luffy reveals to them that Ace's father is Gol D. Roger. At Marineford, everyone is startled by the sudden appearance of the Whitebeard Pirates. Whitebeard begins his attack, cracking the air with his Gura Gura no Mi powers. Ace remembers his adventure in the Grand Line, fighting Jinbe and later losing to Whitebeard. Ace then remembers how he became a member of the Whitebeard Pirates after trying to kill Whitebeard numerous times, and eventually became a commander. Finally, Ace recalls when Marshall D. Teach killed Thatch and Ace went to capture him against his captain's wishes. Back at Marineford, Ace yells that getting captured was his own fault, but Whitebeard says that he told him to go. Ace tries to argue, but his crew says that no one touches a member of their crew and gets away with it. Whitebeard's attack then arrives in the form of two huge tsunamis, beginning the Summit War of Marineford.

Long Summary[]

In the Tarai Current, Ivankov wonders if Dragon and his Revolutionary army will turn up. Luffy asks why and Ivankov states that Dragon would not stand his son being executed. Luffy simply reveals that he knows about the link between Roger and Ace. This surprises the whole ship, and Luffy tells them not to tell anyone as it was a secret.

At Marineford, Sengoku is in awe at the sudden arrival of the Whitebeard Pirates. What appears to be the Division Commanders of the Whitebeard Pirates stand around, simply watching. Whitebeard looks up and punches the air, "cracking" it with the use of his Devil Fruit, the Gura Gura no Mi. This causes a gigantic tremor, rippling through the Marine ranks. Two massive explosions erupt but no one is harmed; however, it causes alarm through the ranks of the Marines.

Back at the Tarai Current, Luffy states that he could not see the Marines or the Whitebeard Pirates yet because of the fog. Meanwhile, Ace enters a series of flashbacks.

A younger version of Ace told Luffy that he would leave now to become a pirate. Luffy told him that he would set out in three years and be stronger by that time. However, Garp was angry that Ace had decided to become a pirate rather than be a Marine. Soon, Ace was known all around the world as the infamous and strong captain of the Spade Pirates. Sengoku inquired about this new rookie, while Whitebeard commented on the invitation to Ace as a Warlord of the Sea and his rejection.

Some time afterward, Ace found Shanks. He asked if Ace wanted to greet him, grabbing his sword and threatening him. However, unfazed by the threat, Ace stated that he was the brother of Luffy, saying that Luffy had bragged about Shanks and he had decided to come see the real thing. Shanks became overjoyed, saying that this was a reason to celebrate.

Some time later, Jinbe stood in Ace's way, stating that even though he was not part of the Whitebeard Pirates, he would not let a "young reckless boy" have a go at Whitebeard. The Spade Pirates recognized Jinbe and his Warlord status, warning Ace. Ace and Jinbe battled for 5 days straight with no clear victor. At this point, Whitebeard himself appeared to the Spade Pirates, stating that the challenger should stand forth, that this was the chance to take his head. Whitebeard went alone, defeating most of the Spade Pirates. Ace stood back up, calling up a wall of fire using his Devil Fruit. Ace told his crew to run and that he would face Whitebeard alone. Whitebeard called Ace a "cheeky little brat" and attacked Ace. After what appeared to be a long hard battle, Whitebeard commented about Ace, saying that it would be a pity if he were to die there. He stated that if Ace still wanted to cause havoc on the seas, Ace should bear the symbol of Whitebeard and become his "son".

When Ace awoke after his defeat to Whitebeard, Thatch greeted Ace, telling him of his position as the 4th Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates. Thatch told Ace about what had happened after he had passed out, saying that the Spade Pirates had come to get Ace, only to be beaten up by Thatch and his division. However, they were aboard this ship. Ace asked how Thatch could be so comfortable without him being in handcuffs or anyone guarding him as a prisoner. And soon, Ace's attempted to kill Whitebeard begin. Ace began with trying to kill Whitebeard in his sleep. Whitebeard woke up at the last second and sent Ace flying, soon falling back asleep. Ace tried again, this time using an ax. Whitebeard fended off this attack, throwing Ace into the sea. Ace tried day after day, soon passing the 100 mark. One day, Marco passed Ace a bowl of soup. Ace asked Marco why everyone called Whitebeard "Pops". Marco replied with that Whitebeard called them his "sons", that while they were hated around the world, words like those made them happy. Marco presented Ace with a decision, if he would take Whitebeard's name on his back.

Some time after the talk with Marco, the Whitebeard Pirates cheered as Ace celebrated another victory by taking down Doma and his crew. He later had the chance to take up the position of 2nd Division Commander. Ace asked around and pretty much everyone gave their consent, even a young Blackbeard, who at the time was still a Whitebeard Pirate. While Ace's reputation grew, Ace revealed his father to Whitebeard. The old man laughed, saying that Ace and Roger have different personalities. Ace asked if he was to be kicked out but Whitebeard refused, saying that everyone was a "child of the sea".

After Blackbeard murdered Thatch, some men were seen holding Ace back, saying that Whitebeard had made an exception. Ace, outraged, shouted about Blackbeard, stating he was a traitor, that he had to go after him as he had committed the ultimate crime and he was under his division. Marco and Jozu attempted to stop him, but Ace ran.

Back to the present at Marineford, Ace shouts at the Whitebeard Pirates, that he should have been left for dead as he had refused to listen and set out. Whitebeard states that he had told Ace to go, only to be rebutted by Ace, saying that Whitebeard and the others had said not to go. However, Whitebeard calls up Marco and asks if he had told Ace to go. Marco answers yes, saying that Whitebeard told Ace to go. Everyone cheers, saying that they would save the 2nd Division Commander. The Marine admirals prepare themselves, all commenting about the coming war. Suddenly everything rumbles, causing alarm through Marines, even to some of the Warlords of the Sea. It is then revealed that Whitebeard was a "Quakeman", having eaten the Gura Gura no Mi. Sengoku tells everyone to fight, saying that the Marines might be the ones that could face the end, not the Whitebeard Pirates. The two sides begin to fight, with two tsunamis on either side of Marineford as the war begins.

Quick References[]

Chapter Notes[]

• Chopper runs for his life from the natives.
• The Gura Gura no Mi is revealed with Edward Newgate as the consumer.
• The beginning of Ace's journey as a pirate is shown.
  • Ace is the first pirate to refuse to become a Warlord of the Sea.
  • It is also revealed that Ace met Shanks and thanked him for saving Luffy.
• It is confirmed that Whitebeard has Haki, due to his ability to hit Ace, a Logia user.
• The Summit War of Marineford begins.

Characters[]

Author Comment[]

Author Comment
Translation Original The voice actors have told me that the reason the ratings are so high for the Island of Women arc is because they said, "…family jewels." TV女ヶ島編、視聴率が高いのは「金玉」と言ったからだと声優さん達が言ってる。 —Eiichiro Oda
English translation by Greg Werner. For comprehensive translation credits, see here.

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