WARNING: The following contains spoilers for One Piece Chapter #1023, "Spitting Image," by Eiichiro Oda, Stephen Paul and Vanessa Satone, available in English via Manga Plus and Viz Media.
With only 15 minutes left before Onigashima reached the Flower Capital and five of the Tobiroppo out of the fight, it looked like our heroes might just be able to come out victorious in the raid against Kaido and the Beast Pirates. The castle was up in flames as Fukurokuju and Raizo faced off against one another on the third floor. The two former comrades exchanged blows and words, with Raizo questioning how a former ally of Oden could work with someone like Orochi. Fukurokuju shot back that the shinobi exist to serve the shogun, no matter who it is. He also claimed that Raizo's emotions are why he would never be a true shinobi, but Raizo countered that emotions are what helped him and the others carry out the wishes of Oden and that Momonosuke would be the new shogun.
Meanwhile, Killer and Basil Hawkins continued their brawl, with Hawkins revealing that he was targeting Eustass Kid with his dolls. Any attacks that Killer landed on Hawkins would instead harm his own captain, who was going head to head with Big Mom alongside Law. Back on the Performance Floor, King and Queen began rampaging against the traitors who were once on their side. The rejuvenation medicine given to Zoro had yet to take effect, and he was now the target of the Beast Pirates' ire. Perospero, however, was after Sanji for ruining the initial plan of marrying Pudding to create political ties with the Vinsmoke family and took aim at him. Thankfully, Nekomamushi appeared and knocked Perospero in the back in retaliation for Pedro's death. King launched an attack against an unconscious Zoro, but Marco blocked the attack just in time. He also revealed a legend about a fire-controlling race, hinting that King is a member of this race. Just then, Zoro emerged from his bandage cocoon, and alongside Sanji, attacked King and Queen. The chapter closed with the two vowing that once this battle was over, they would "catch a glimpse of Luffy as the King of the Pirates."
The chapter opens with Sanji and Zoro standing defiantly together on the battlefield with cheers from the onlookers. Chopper is shocked at how well the medicine worked, while Dr. Miyagi wonders what the side effects will be like. The remaining Beast Pirates call out to King and Queen, who are still recovering from being hit by Sanji and Zoro's attacks. One of the Beast Pirates aims a gun at Zoro, but is quickly dispatched by Kawamatsu. It's then decided that nobody, friend or foe, will interfere with this fight.
Marco begins reminiscing about Whitebeard telling him about what existed before Mary Geoise, the city above the Red Line and capital of the World Government. Whitebeard explains that before the city was built, there used to be "a land of gods up there." He's snapped back to reality when Izou saves him from being shot at by Beast Pirates. She chastises him, reminding him they're in the middle of a battle, but he retorts that he was just waiting for her to save him. He then asks her whether she believes in gods, to which she asks when he "turn[ed] into Pops when he's drunk."
King and Queen stand against Sanji and Zoro, with Queen stating that they didn't even feel the attacks and that they are the Three Calamities that protect Kaido. He fires a laser from his mouth at the duo, who manage to dodge it. However, Zoro asks Sanji what's wrong with him. Sanji replies that he doesn't know, but ever since he put on the raid suit, he's felt off. Zoro warns him not to drag him down, but Sanji explains that it isn't bad, just weird. They begin bickering, and King swings his katana at them, but Zoro deflects it. Queen launches a Bridal Grabber attack at him, but Sanji returns the favor by blocking it for Zoro.
Queen begins taunting Sanji by saying that he heard all of the Vinsmoke children were cyborgs and that his father is a madman. He then asks if the burning leg technique Sanji uses is the result of machine parts, but Sanji replies that he's 100% human. Queen counters by asking if a human burns like Sanji does and that he knows Sanji isn't a Lunarian, to which King has a strange reaction. Sanji explains that his fire comes from the passion he feels and that he's also good at cooking sea beasts while readying another attack. Queen then shouts that he's going to show Sanji "the power of a cyborg even Vegapunk can't create."
Zoro brings King's attention back to him while launching his own attack at the Calamity, but King surprises him by not only blocking the attack, but extending his katana to reveal saw-like teeth. He uses his katana to snatch away two of Zoro's swords, then punches him directly in the face. Zoro blocks the attack with his remaining sword and realizes that King is a killer machine, to which King asks him if he needs a school or style to fight against him. Zoro replies that he doesn't, but that King also never called himself a swordsman and that like King, he'll do anything to win the fight.
We then shift over to Kawamatsu speaking to Hyogoro about how when Hiyori said she was giving Enma to Zoro, there was a reason Kawamatsu couldn't stop her. Hyogoro finishes the thought, explaining that he understands that Hiyori gave Zoro Enma because he resembles Shimotsuki Ushimaru, Daimyo of Ringo. Ushimatsu was also a descendant of Shimotsuki Ryuma, the God of the Blade. Kawamatsu adds that fate must be at work, especially considering that Ryuma was a one-eyed samurai.
In the Third Floor Treasure Room, Jack is facing off against Inuarashi. Jack says that he forgives Wano for going into ruin to keep up the lie about Oden. Inuarashi then explains that had they handed over Raizen, they would have been so ashamed that they never would have returned to Wano, and that every day since Oden's death has been another day closer to the day of reckoning. He manages to toss Jack into the wall, sending him crashing through. We then see a flashback of Inuarashi claiming he knows no Raizo and that he would cut his belly if such a man were there. He then continues his speech, explaining that for 20 years he asked himself if he was still a samurai of Oden. Jack asks him how he turned Sulong, then realizes there's a hole in the roof. We then see Inuarashi in his Sulong form as he explains that they would have let a thousand-year-old city fall if it meant the decisive battle could take place because it would bring "dawn to the world."
Back at the front entrance of the Skull Dome, Nekomamushi also turns Sulong, praying to Pedro that he hopes he's watching. He then tells Perospero that this will be the last full moon he'll ever see. On the castle's second floor, Fukurokuju mocks Raizo, saying that he and the other retainers are reduced to following a child. Raizo counters that Oden was the one who raised them to be samurai and that everyone grows throughout their life. He goes on further to say that Wano will watch Momonosuke grow into an adult. At Tokage Port, we see a fully grown Momonosuke in his dragon form. Everyone except Luffy is panicking, thinking Momonosuke is an enemy. Once Luffy confirms it's Momo, Shinobu explains that the little lord is now a 28-year-old adult. Shinobu is in tears because of Momo's adult appearance, but we don't see it. Luffy questions it for a moment, but then focuses on returning to Wano, with Momonosuke rearing to go.
The next chapter will release in English on September 13, 2021.
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