One Piece, Volume 103

Chapter 1036
As King falls after getting slashed by Zoro, he thinks back to when he told Kaidou he believed he was “Joy Boy” and how he asked him to keep being the strongest while he himself makes sure he never loses until he becomes the Pirate King, though this is before he falls unconscious as he falls off the island. Meanwhile, Zoro reminisces on the moment where he promises to Luffy that he until he defeats Mihawk, he will never lose to anyone again. He also declares that if it is what it takes to keep from losing, he shall become the “King of Hell”. He then uses the force from his swords to launch himself back onto the island before also passing out from exhaustion.

A flying Mary relays the information to the Mary with the CP0 agent Joseph, who reacts with surprise that all three All Stars and all members of the Tobiroppo have fallen, but he says those victories are meaningless unless Kaidou and Big Mom are defeated. As the events unfold though, it is shown that if Luffy does defeat Kaidou, the flame clouds holding up Onigashima will dissipate and the island will crash onto the Flower Capital and blow up from the gunpowder cache. The people are still blissfully unaware of this transpiring as Momonosuke continues to try to pull the island away. The other problem is that Kanjuro's Kazenbo is making its way to the gunpowder cache and threatens to blow the island up in the air. Thankfully, Yamato has finally reached the cache first, but as he expected, the last of the Numbers, Rokki, is standing guard at the gate. Yamato knew he did not have the time to get the key from him, so he tells Fuga to knock him down, which he does, pushing down the gate and allowing Yamato to pass. He thanks Fuga and asks him to keep Rokki busy, which Fuga does.

Up in the attic between the first and second floors, Usopp has found Kin'emon and Kikunojo, but is under heavy assault from the Beasts Pirates. Both samurai plead with Usopp to abandon them, but Usopp refuses. He tells the two of them that he could never understand the samurai's obsession with honor and dying with it, saying that he himself will fight for his life no matter how pathetic he may look, and that it is not just fighting the raid they have to do, it is live too. The samurai are touched and take this to heart, and at that point, Usopp was getting overwhelmed. Thankfully, he is rescued by Izou, who commends his words. He shows off the mark of the Kouzuki Family on his back as he tells the two samurai to keep believing in Luffy and live on. Usopp and Hamlet pick up Kin'emon and Kikunojo and run off to get them medical aid.

On the third floor, both Raizo and Fukurokuju have trapped themselves in each other's binding techniques. Raizo, however, has caught fire, but he refuses to give in. In the Treasure Repository, Orochi continues listening to "Komurasaki"'s song while waiting for Fukurokuju to show up, and in the second basement, Scratchmen Apoo is fleeing with Inbi, as both Zanki and X Drake have been defeated by the CP0 agents. Joseph contacts them and asks for a status update on the capture of Nico Robin before informing them of the All-Star's defeats and that they need to flee the island quickly. The agent also says that while the chances of the alliance winning are still slim, they need to be prepared for if they win, because that will direct where the world goes afterwards. Meanwhile, Sanji is being treated by an unknown person, and Killer and Bepo are continuing to fight off the Beasts Pirates.

On top of the Skull Dome, Luffy and Kaidou continue to fight, and while Luffy is struck by Kaidou's club, he manages to sock him with Gomu Gomu no Roc Gun. Both fall to the ground and get back up laughing, as they both confess they are having a lot of fun.

Chapter 1037
The Fire Festival in the Flower Capital starts coming to a close, with several people writing wishes onto Sky Ships to set afloat in the sky.

Little do the people actually know, Onigashima is still making its way to the capital, and up on the roof of the Skull Dome, Kaidou has returned to his human form and started drinking, much to Luffy’s annoyance. Kaidou tells Luffy that he’s drinking because he’s having fun and reminds him of the banquet they were originally having before they ruined it. After Kaidou finishes drinking, he goes into Warai Jogo mode, and Luffy, while still annoyed, charges at him hoping he doesn’t use getting drunk as an excuse if he loses. Kaidou, however, clarifies that he drank because it will make him stronger, as he has finally acknowledged his power.

In his drunken state, Kaidou dodges an attack from Luffy and counters with Shuron Hakke and Warai Jogo: Ragnaraku, changing back into his Human-Beast Form and slamming Luffy into the ground, with chunks of roof falling onto the people still inside the castle. Luffy clutches his head in pain as Kaidou becomes a dragon and also goes into Ochikomi Jogo mode, lamenting how half the castle and island are destroyed because of his inability to protect it, and how it may take another five years to rebuild everything. Luffy charges at him again but Kaidou uses Tatsumaki Kaifu to blow him back, just as he goes into his Human-Beast Form and Naki Jogo mode and attacks Luffy with Raimei Hakke, but Luffy dodges it and kicks him square in the face with a Supreme King Haki-coated foot.

Though he draws blood, Kaidou suddenly grabs Luffy with his tail and brings him forward to his face as they both headbutt each other with Supreme King Haki, but Luffy is overwhelmed and blown back as he admits Kaidou’s Haki is growing stronger. Kaidou then goes into Okori Jogo mode and gets mad at Luffy for starting to sober him up and fires a blast of energy at him, but Luffy dodges, and he charges at him with Gomu Gomu no Roc Gatling while Kaidou counters with Gundari Ryuseigun. Both attacks clash and both Luffy and Kaidou do get hit by each other's attacks, but Luffy manages to strike Kaidou square in the stomach.

In the Holy Land Mary Geoise, the Five Elders complain about the Levely but change topics to the battle in Wano and how Nico Robin should have been captured or killed at this time, and how they need to act now. Surrounding Wano, the World Government ships see a giant shadow with some believing it to be an island. As it turns out, it is the giant elephant Zunesha that carries the mink's island home. This concerns the Five Elders as according to them, “that” Devil Fruit hasn’t awakened in centuries and should only be a legend, as one of them points out that the World Government gave it a specific name to hide its existence from the annals of history.

Chapter 1038
On the third floor, both Raizo and Fukurokuju have caught fire, though the former is burning more than the latter. Fukurokuju demands Raizo release him or they will both die, but Raizo stands his ground.

On the second floor, the samurai try to flee from the burning castle, just as part of the ceiling comes down. Thankfully, Jinbe protects them, and as they escape, Jinbe wonders how the fire is spreading so fast. On the Live Floor, Chopper's side effects finally wear off, and he returns to normal, much to Tristan and Miyagi's relief. Chopper, however, expresses more concern over Zoro since the super medicine he was given earlier would make him feel even more pain when they wore off. He begs for Zoro not to die, though Zoro wakes up and notices what appears to be the grim reaper preparing to slay him, and he himself cannot move at all. Thankfully, Franky is making his way to his position.

In the First Floor attic, Izou has defeated the Beasts Pirates but sustained injuries himself. His attention is turned, however, to the presence of the CP0 agents. Guernika admits that while they cannot technically ignore a former member of the Whitebeard Pirates, their priorities are the Straw Hat Pirates and decide to leave him alone. Izou, however, refuses to let them out of his sight.

In the Basement Armory, Yamato has reached it, but so has Kanjuro's Kazenbo. Yamato uses Namuji Hyoga to freeze the explosives with ice but the Kazenbo starts melting it. Yamato uses Mahobora to hurt it, and it manifests a hand and slathers Yamato with its fire.

On the Live Floor, Kid and Law are on the ground defeated by Big Mom, while their respective crews plead with her to show mercy. Big Mom, however, laughs at the patheticness of their begging and uses Tenman Daijizai Tenjin to defeat the two crews. Afterwards, she decides to ride Hera back up to the roof to help Kaidou finish Luffy, having deduced they were still fighting for so long. But before she can go, Law once again uses K-ROOM: Anesthesia to extend his sword and pierce Big Mom through her arm and head. He then uses Shock Wille again to electrocute her and make her bleed again. All the metal Homies try to attack Law in retribution but they are pulled towards Kid, who manages to get back up again. He forms a giant bull with the metal and rams into Big Mom with Punk Corna Dio, slamming her into a wall. He also says to her that he believes Kaidou is reaching his limit, comparing him and her to a mountain that gets worn down by the rain, meaning that both Emperors have no doubt been taking a lot of damage from these fights. Kid and Law then proclaim that no matter what and even if they die, they will not let her reach the roof.

Chapter 1039
Momonosuke continues to try and pull Onigashima away from the Flower Capital, just as he hears a voice call to him.

On the Live Floor of the castle, the Beasts Pirates react in horror over witnessing Big Mom getting rammed by Eustass Kid's giant metal bull, while his crew, and Law's crew cheer them on. Law jumps onto Kid’s bull and tells him that that was the second time he waited for Law to use his finishing move before moving in with his own, as if he was trying to take credit for her injuries. Kid tells him that his petty view of being his “opening act” is extremely pointless, but Law tells him to go first next time, only for Kid to tell him not to give him orders, and that if he did use his trump card, there won’t be anything left of her, to which Law tries to figure out what Kid’s final move would be with Kid refusing to tell.

As they argue, Big Mom gets back up on her feet, with her right arm clearly broken, with her even admitting Law’s powers are dangerous for breaking some of her ribs. She uses her powers to bestow souls onto her bones, restoring them. Law then tells Kid that he will be out of energy when he uses his next attack, so he will have to finish things himself, only for Kid to remind him not to boss him around. Big Mom performs her Maser Saber combination attack and slices through Kid’s bull, but since he made it from scrap connected by magnetism, he isn’t concerned about it’s condition since he can put it back together. Big Mom tells the two of them that they need to quit dreaming that they could dethrone her since they’ve ruled over the seas for decades, but Kid jumps off the bull and assigns a south pole to her forehead and a north pole to the wall behind her, causing her to get pulled back to it unable to move.

Kid then has the bull charge at Big Mom again, but she uses the wall itself to block the attack. She then generates an attack called Bahoho: Misery, creating a huge woman out of fire and lightning that smacks Kid to the ground. However, Law uses his Devil Fruit powers to warp a tower over her head, crushing her and knocking her on her back. Law then coats his sword with K-ROOM again and stabs her through the chest, only this time, he makes the sword super long; long enough to pierce straight through the floating island and all the way down to Wano's surface, which Yamato observes. Big Mom starts pummeling Law to force him to release her, but he holds on and drives his sword even deeper, using a powerful attack called Puncture Wille, causing Big Mom to howl in pain as his attack makes a hole both in the island and on Wano, which even Momonosuke sees.

Big Mom has Misery aim its attention at Law, but before it could strike him, Kid appears in the air with his trump card: a railgun made of the scrap metal to channel his electromagnetic energy. He uses Damned Punk to fire a huge blast of energy at Big Mom that hits her right in the chest, as Law declares her era is over.

Chapter 1040
Eustass Kid tries to blast Big Mom into the large hole Law made with his last attack, but Big Mom soon starts resisting the impact of the blast and grips the edge of the hole to keep herself from moving. She then uses her Soul Pocus move again, saying that after Kid’s attack finishes, everyone present can either give her fifty years of their lifespans or become her slaves. Both crews start panicking, including the Beasts Pirates, but while Kid and Law’s crews want to run away, both Kid and Law, surprisingly, are not affected by Big Mom’s Soul Pocus, the reason being that they aren’t afraid of her.

Law creates a miniaturized Room called R-ROOM that he launches at Big Mom, which cancels out all sound within it in homage to the late Donquixote Rosinante's Nagi Nagi no Mi powers. At the same time, Misery tries to attack Law, but he easily destroys it with his sword. With Big Mom’s voice no longer reaching anyone to steal their souls, Kid fires another Damned Punk, successfully blasting her down the hole, with neither Prometheus nor Hera being able to come to her aid.

She ends up getting blasted down into the armory where she ends up punching one of the bombs Yamato froze, which causes her pain and also damages Kazenbo, causing it to shrink. Yamato manages to create a wall of ice to protect himself and the other frozen bombs, but the explosion destroys the lower part of Onigashima causing Big Mom to fall with several other explosives. As she falls, she mentally curses Roger for instigating the “Great Pirate Era” when it had no impact on him since he was about to die, and because of that, there are tons of young upstarts trying to claim the heads of the Emperors. She says that he could have at least told them about One Piece; if it was real, where is it, what it is, and if some of it could be "found" in Wano. The explosives hit the hole and cause another massive explosion to occur, before Big Mom is engulfed in the blast, she curses Law and Kid for this and claims she will not die from this, and Law uses the silent Room to block the sound of the explosion. Law and Kid are announced the victors of the battle and their respective crews cheer for them.

As a result of the earlier explosion, everyone across the island feels the impact, with Zoro starting to fall off the island himself. Fukurokuju also falls over desperately begging for some water, while Raizo stands his ground. Momonosuke asks Yamato if the explosion came from the basement, which he confirms, also saying he froze the other bombs. Momonosuke then tells Yamato that Zunesha, the elephant that carriers Zou on its back, is getting closer to the mainland. Yamato asks if this Zunesha is the same one Oden mentioned in his journal, and Momonosuke confirms, also saying that it was once Joy Boy's companion when it committed a crime 800 years ago.

Chapter 1041
Momonosuke tells Yamato that he spoke with Zunesha briefly and learned that the giant elephant has come to aid him in the battle. Yamato reacts with amazement and tells Momonosuke that he must be the one who will lead the world to its dawn like his father predicted, but while Momonosuke acknowledges he cannot die in this fight, he reveals that Oden tore out the most crucial pages of his journey, specifically what he and Roger found on Laugh Tale so long ago. Momonosuke then tells Yamato that he does not consider himself as wise as his father, and when he thinks about all the potential dangers of the outside world, it makes him want to keep Wano's borders shut rather than open them like he wanted, prompting him to ask Yamato if he thinks him a coward for thinking that.

On the third floor of the castle's interior, Fukurokuju has fallen unconscious from the flames, releasing Raizo from his binding technique and declaring him the victor. Once freed, Raizo starts rolling around in an attempt to put out the fire just as Jinbe comes across him. Raizo tells Jinbe that the two of them must move quickly for the "preparations" are almost complete. In the Treasury on the second floor, Orochi starts growing impatient with Fukurokuju, with not even "Komurasaki"'s music being able to calm him down. He starts demanding she take off her mask so he can see if she is real or a ghost, but some of the ceiling crashes down on him. While trapped under the debris, Orochi realizes he cannot transform, with "Komurasaki" revealing it was because she stuck a Seastone nail in him while she was playing. Orochi is outraged by her action as he asks her if she loved him, but she coldly replies that she bears no love towards him. She then tells him that it is poetic that his favorite song is "Moon Princess" which was her father's favorite too. It is then that Hiyori reveals her true identity to a horrified Orochi, and that she wore the mask so she could avoid smiling for him while playing it.

In the castle basement, Izou has taken down one of the CP0 agents, named Maha, though he goes down as well. The other agent, Guernika, is injured but still conscious and curses Izou for taking down one of them with him like he planned and for helping a couple of "upstarts". The agent then gets a call and is told that by the orders of the Five Elders, he is to kill Luffy immediately. The agent reacts with outrage that he would be told to interfere with his fight with Kaidou, but the agent on the other end tells him that it is a necessary precaution because of the nature of the battle. Unbeknownst to him, X Drake has woken up and tracked him down, determined not to go down empty handed.

Elsewhere in the basement, Usopp is rushing Kin'emon and Kikunojo to safety while Nekomamushi, Wanda, and Carrot head back inside the castle. Franky is also able to catch Zoro and keep him from falling off the island, though he is unsure if he is alive. And down in the Beasts Pirates' bath, Nami is hiding with Tama and her animals, who are being treated by Marco. Nami deduces from the shockwave she felt that Law had defeated Big Mom, which Zeus cries for before Nami reminds him of who his new master is. As for Law and Kid's crews, they continue cheering for their captain's victory, but the two are too exhausted to fight Kaidou, leaving it all truly up to Luffy.

On the roof, after Luffy and Kaidou's clash, Kaidou deduces based on the shockwave that Big Mom had been beaten by Kid and Law, which Luffy praises the two of them for. He thinks back to the day he first met her on Rock's crew, and after going into his Naki Jogo mode again, sobs uncontrollably over the fact that they just teamed up to get the One Piece together. Luffy, however, goes into Gear 4: Snakeman, and uses Gomu Gomu no Hydra to strike Kaidou in multiple places. Luffy screams that his dreams starved the people of Wano, and with all the energy he has, he is going to make sure he will never come back to Wano.

Chapter 1042
X Drake has stabbed the CP0 agent Guernika from behind. As he coughs up blood, the agent asks Drake why he is interfering with him, and Drake answers that it is because he follows his own justice. Guernika tells Drake he envies him before using Shigan on his throat to break free.

In the Flower Capital, the people are writing wishes and setting them adrift in the sky in their sky lanterns, while on the roof of Onigashima, Kaidou is continuously pummeled by Luffy's attack, and when he blocks one punch, he gets hit in three more spots. He admits his attacks are hurting him as he realizes that Luffy is altering the trajectory of his punches at whim. He once again tells him his attacks hurt as he goes into Amae Jogo, which angers Luffy at the fact that he is still drunk. Kaidou then goes into Nusubito Jogo mode and transforms into his full dragon form to finally escape Luffy's onslaught, where he then bites and swallows Luffy. Kaidou flies up into the air and once he is high enough, he opens his mouth, letting Luffy fall, but also firing Bolo Breath at him, the attack piercing straight through the island and blowing Luffy down through the hole.

Luffy, however, escapes the blast and changes into Boundman to fly back up to him. He declares that this is his last Gear 4, and he no longer has any time to waste to beat him. He yells to Kaidou that the people of Wano will continue to starve and go thirsty as long as he remains just as he prepares to use the move Gomu Gomu no Over Kong Gun. As for Kaidou, he tells Luffy that while it is his business who he teams up with, he personally considers the people of Wano weak and used to defeat, citing the samurai as "losers" who would willingly die for the sake of "honor". Luffy retorts that the samurai are strong, but Kaidou rejects this notion as he prepares another Bolo Breath, but Luffy fires his attack first causing Kaidou to misfire in his mouth and crash to the ground.

Luffy charges at him again but Kaidou quickly gets back up and hits him with Horai Hakke, causing Luffy to crash. Steam starts to eject from his mouth, but Luffy tries to force it in as Kaidou goes into his Satsuriku Jogo mode. Both charge at each other once again with Gomu Gomu no Over Kong Gun and Horai Hakke, but Guernika finally arrives and grabs Luffy's arm, using Tekkai in the process to hold him back. Though Kaidou sees the agent too, he is unable to stop himself from striking Luffy while the agent steps back, causing Kaidou to flashback to when Oden was distracted by Kurozumi Higurashi during their fight, as a look of horror is shown in his eyes.

Chapter 1043
Kaidou's attack causes Luffy's Gear 4 to finally wear off, and as he returns to normal, he lands on the ground unconscious once again, with Momonosuke even realizing he cannot hear Luffy's "voice" anymore. Though Kaidou was named the victor, he was livid that history repeated itself again, with him achieving victory due to another person's interference. Kaidou walks over to Guernika and asks if he is prepared to face the consequences for his actions. The CP0 agent says nothing as Kaidou brings Hassaikai down onto him, with Joseph silently acknowledging his fellow agent's fate.

Kawamatsu orders the samurai to find a way to escape the burning castle as there is no way they can put out the fires, and he sees no honor in burning alive. Just then, Kaidou descends to the castle in his dragon form declaring to the samurai that Luffy is dead and to make Momonosuke to step forward and surrender to him. The Beasts Pirates cheer for Kaidou's victory while the samurai despair, with even Kid and Law acknowledging this bitter turn of events. While those like Chopper and Tama cry for the loss of Luffy, Nami refuses to believe Kaidou's words, even revealing herself to him to say so. He fires a Bolo Breath at her but Marco blocks it while yelling for everyone not to give up until it is over.

Kaidou then declares that Onigashima will still drop on the Flower Capital, and unlike Orochi, he is going to put everyone who lives in Wano to work to produce weapons, as that is all he sees Wano is; a source of cheap, free, and replaceable labor. His words cause the samurai's morale to waver as he once demands Momonosuke presents himself, while the Beasts Pirates decide to take out Law and Kid only to be held back by their respective groups. Carrot and Nekomamushi decide to rejoin the fight, while Kid and Law force themselves to stand back up as opposed to letting Kaidou kill them both.

As for Momonosuke, he decides that surrendering might be the best option for everyone if Luffy cannot beat him anymore, but Yamato retorts that even if surrendering may save everyone present, eventually they will all die from exhaustion as Kaidou's slaves, and because of that, he will not stop fighting, even claiming that Kaidou is at his limit too. He also reminds Momonosuke that this battle carries 20 years worth of weight on the people of Wano, so with that, he would rather die with him than surrender. Momonosuke accepts his words, and the battle rages on, with him stopping pulling the island away to join in the fight.

Suddenly, Zunesha speaks to Momonosuke and tells him that it can hear the "Drums of Liberation" for the first time in 800 years, and proclaims that Joy Boy has returned, just as Luffy starts to smile and steam starts coming out of his mouth while an unknown substance starts to envelope him.

Chapter 1044
As Luffy's heartbeat beats like a drum, he wonders how is able to stand despite having lost his fight with Kaidou, and also why he feels like he’s having so much fun. Momonosuke, meanwhile, has told Yamato what Zunesha told him: Luffy is Joy Boy.

In the Pleasure Hall’s right brain tower, the sound of Luffy’s heartbeat wakes Sanji, who immediately calls Luffy’s name. All throughout the castle, people hear Luffy’s heartbeat, with some of them, like Nami and Tama, crying tears of joy that he’s still alive. In the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, meanwhile, the Five Elders wonder if sacrificing one of their best agents was the right call considering it only enraged Kaidou, but they decide it’s for the best to snuff out something so “problematic.” The elders reveal that for 800 years since the World Government's founding, they’ve been trying to get ahold of the Gomu Gomu no Mi, but somehow, it keeps avoiding them, like it has a mind of its own. That’s when they reveal the truth: The Gomu Gomu no Mi is actually a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit called the “Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika”! According to them, this Devil Fruit gives one the properties of rubber in combat only limited by the user’s imagination, and the user brings smiles to people far and wide; the embodiment of “the Warrior of Liberation.” Awakening it, however, is said to strengthen their rubbery body exponentially and grant them more freedom to god-like levels, causing them to declare the Devil Fruit to be the most ridiculously powerful thing in the world.

In the Treasure Repository, Orochi tries to plead for Hiyori to save him, claiming he always respected Oden and that he was just Kaidou’s pawn the whole time. Hiyori, however, reminds him of how he and Kaidou both fooled Oden into making a fool of himself for five years on the empty promise of leaving and how he expected him and Kaidou to keep their word of sparing him during his execution. Even though she saw him smile, she felt he was suffering the whole time shouldering the burden of saving Wano from him, even thinking back to when he told her he was alright about what others said about him because he had his family. Orochi once again tries to appeal to Hiyori by saying he will acknowledge Oden’s legacy, but Hiyori discards her mask and demands he shut up, proudly calling out her name with tears in her eyes. She stands before the horrified Orochi and declares she was always proud to carry her father’s name while denouncing him as nothing but an honorless wretch who killed people every day, he was shogun. Orochi desperately begs her to spare him just as Kanjuro's Kazenbo appears, still shrunken. Orochi demands Kazenbo kill Hiyori, but the weak painting accidently touches him and sets him ablaze as Hiyori watches.

On the rooftop, Luffy says he can keep fighting longer now, and declares his new form “Gear 5”.

With his new form, Luffy emits a huge blast of Supreme King Haki, knocking out several Beasts Pirates, before enlarging his hand and grabbing Kaidou’s entire dragon form and dragging him back up to the rooftop. He then tightly wraps his arm around his body and swings him around before slamming him back and forth on the surface. Kaidou eventually recovers and admits he’s glad Luffy is still alive before firing Bolo Breath at him. Luffy, however, grabs the ground and makes it rubber, deflecting the fire back at him. Though hit by his own attack, Kaidou recovers and apologizes for CP0 sabotaging their fight, but Luffy accepts his apology and prepares to finish his fight with him.

Chapter 1045
With their battle now resumed, Kaidou states that he was sure Luffy had died, to which the latter agrees. He watches Luffy bounce off the ground repeatedly and deduces that he has awakened his Paramecia Devil Fruit since he is able to turn his surroundings into rubber. However, he notes that something does not add up, as Luffy's transformation should be more reminiscent of a Zoan user. Kaidou lunges at Luffy and attempts to devour him, but Luffy bounces around his insides before using Gomu Gomu no Fusen to expand not only his body, but Kaidou's as well. Yamato and Momonosuke, who are watching the battle from a distance, are confused by what they are seeing, wondering if Kaidou getting fatter was just one of his forms. While Kaidou becomes frustrated at his body gaining the properties of rubber, Luffy sees two lights from inside him, which turn out to be his eyes, and grabs through them to latch onto his nose before using Gomu Gomu no Dasshutsu Rocket to free himself from Kaidou's body. He then begins to deflate, which sends him flying into the clouds, and reemerges the size of a giant by using Gomu Gomu no Gigant, much to everyone's astonishment. Kaidou once again bites Luffy, but the latter, taking advantage of his size and Kaidou's serpentine form, uses Gomu Gomu no Nawatobi to use Kaidou's body as a jump rope.

As they descend back towards the rooftop, Kaidou fires another Bolo Breath at Luffy, which hits him directly and causes him to fall again. However, Luffy becomes frustrated and begins spinning his legs so fast that he is able to run across the air to return to the rooftop. As he prepares another attack, Kaidou strikes him with Kosanze Ragnaraku, sending Luffy's head crashing through the ground and to the lower floors, much to everyone's shock. He pulls himself back up to the roof and begins to revert back to normal, showing that he becomes extremely fatigued and visibly ages after using Gear 5. Kaidou assures him that he can die, and someone will share the story of his fight, but Luffy refuses, stating that all that is left after dying is bones. Yamato and Momonosuke see that is really is Luffy, but his hair and clothes turning white made him hard to recognize.

As he prepares to reactivate Gear 5, Luffy reminds himself of several people he has made promises to or is indebted to, such as Momonosuke, Tama, Kin'emon, and Pedro. Kaidou tells Luffy to be careful or he will die, but Luffy refuses to be afraid of death and tells his heart to start beating louder, allowing him to reactivate Gear 5. He is suddenly struck again by Kaidou's Hassaikai, but this time his head wraps around the weapon and its spikes, causing it to take on a crescent shape. He begins running away in pain, but another blow from Kaidou squashes him to the ground. Luffy uses the ground as a springboard to launch himself back up and towards a rock formation, which he once again launches himself off of to return to his normal size. Kaidou, still trying to make sense of Luffy's new fighting style, watches as Luffy approaches him with his arms spinning like helicopter blades. Luffy strikes Kaidou with a punch that seemingly goes through his head before knocking him to the ground, while remarking on how fun this is.

Chapter 1046
Luffy ponders what to call his latest attack as Kaidou picks himself back up. He asks Luffy who he is, just as Zunesha reminisces how familiar Luffy’s drum-like heartbeat feels, and comfortably reassures him that they can put their trust in him, while Luffy proclaims his name and declares himself the man who will surpass him and become the Pirate King. Kaidou remarks how cheeky Luffy still sounds and tells him that it’s because of his Awakening. He also acknowledges how much he’s lost during this war, though feels Luffy has lost a lot too, but Luffy retorts he will take everything back that he stole. Kaidou uses Gundari Ryuseigun on Luffy while Luffy retaliates with several punches that extend through his body. Kaidou then notices that fumes have reached the top, and realizes the entire castle has caught fire, which means the alliance will burn to death, but Luffy confidently assures he can trust them to handle the situation just as he dodges a Kaifu attack.

On the Live Floor, everyone desperately tries to escape the fire as Chopper reunites with Nami, who tells her that he can’t find the rest of the crew, and with the giant fire, they can’t go anywhere, not even Zeus can put out the fire. Several turncoat Gifters are trapped in the basement castle interior, and on the first floor, Bepo has passed out from the heat, causing his crew to carry him. Brook, Robin, and several other samurai are trapped in the basement, and Sanji, who’s trying to help the geishas, can’t get them out of the Pleasure Hall. Elsewhere, Inbi burns his hand trying to break down a wall only for Scratchmen Apoo to retort for him to suck it up, irritating the Number.

Usopp tries to use Midori Boshi: Sprinkler to put out the fire, but the plant gets consumed by the flames. Hamlet tells him that he’s just wasting his energy but Usopp retorts that he feels he needs to do something as promised to Izou to save Kin’emon and Kikunojo. In the Right Brain Tower, Franky is carrying the unconscious Zoro to find Chopper while being followed by other turncoat Gifters.

On the fourth floor, though, Raizo and Jinbe's preparations are complete. As it turns out, when Raizo was on Zou, he used his Devil Fruit powers to store the seawater Zunesha used to bathe itself in his scrolls, his motivation for doing so being the guilt he felt in being unable to help prevent Oden Castle from burning that day 20 years ago. He then releases all the stored water, and Jinbe uses Mizugokoro and Kairyu Ipponzeoi to hurl the water down throughout the castle to put out all of the fire.

Meanwhile, Yamato tells Momonosuke who is in shock that Kaidou is reaching his limit, and he won’t be able to sustain his flame clouds for much longer, which means he has to produce flame clouds as big as his, or else Onigashima will fall. As he says that, Luffy grabs a bolt of lightning preparing to bring it down on Kaidou as he watches, encouraging Luffy to attack him.