So after the very casual opening page of Rayleigh and Crocus relaxing and unwinding in a hot spring, Oda dives straight into the plot and low and behold, Rayleigh's back! He left his vivre card with Shakky so that the Straw Hats could make it back safely to Saboady and he could travel freely. Then it seems that Jinbei knows Rayleigh and is quite shocked to see him.

Luffy's trademark Straw Hat is given back to him by Rayleigh so that solves the mystery of how he'd get it back. After a brief interlude of Law's crew, we are thrown back to Amazon Lily where it's revealed that Rayleigh knows Gloriosa (or Elder Nyon as we know her), as well as Hancock and her two sisters. Hancock is oblivious to Rayleigh and just focuses on Luffy yet again and it takes her a while to realise that Rayleigh is indeed on their island. Suddenly we are thrown into a small flashback of Kuma saying that he wanted to help the Straw Hats escape and that he has no more time left. Shakky also reveals that she knows exactly why Hancock helped Luffy and that her woman's intuition was completely correct. Rayleigh suggests an idea that would help Luffy but of course before we can see what it is, we see Usopp.

Now Usopp has been living on Boin Archipelago it's seen that he's grown quite fat which is a hilarious twist on his sub plot! He keeps on trying to fight monsters which are clearly more powerful than him and always getting beaten down. But it doesn't stop him and he keeps going, trying to get off the island. It is then shown that the island is actually a carnivorous plant known as the "Stomach Baron". Usopp then pulls a "Coby" face revealing that he has to get back to Luffy and help him through this terrible time or he can't be a part of his crew which is very noble of him.

We the turn to Chopper, who has smoothed things out between the giant birds and the humans in Torino Kingdom. Again Chopper is getting ready to leave as he's heard about Luffy's situation, showing how the two most cowardly members of the crew are showing initiative and trying to help Luffy. Chopper leaves on a giant bird, ready to go back when he reads something in a newspaper to do with Luffy, leaving us at a cliffhanger before we can find out.

I'm really enjoying these random cover pages Oda is bring out for these recent chapters. They're giving us an insight to some of the characters who aren't major ones but still had major influences on the plot. Anyway... on to the actual chapter!

Still in flashback mode, we finally get some insight to Luffy's previous comment of how he never once beat Ace when they were both kids. I'm glad Oda included this short scene as it gives some depth and backs up Luffy's statement. Ace's comment saying only "100 fights per day" shows how they really went at it when they were young. I liked seeing Luffy, Sabo and Ace rounding up dinner and especially Sabo's statement about how Luffy "better not get eaten this time". I thought that was so typical of Luffy to act before he thinks and I really like how that panel was drawn as well. The detail on the 3 boys show how they finally have accepted Luffy as one of them.

I was intrigued to see that Windmill Village was just a small dot on the map of Goa Kingdom. This really shows what kind of environment Luffy was brought up in compared to the rest of his country. Sabo's backstroy brought him to life as well instead of just being some random kid. Knowing that he is actually the child of a noble was fleshed out really well considering he's not a main character in the overall plot. Knowning that he is, in a way, fighting for his freedom in becoming a pirate really shows why he wants to be one. This scene really brings to light the symbolism of Luffy calling Ace his "brother". I was wondering how Oda planned to convey them finally bonding and accepting each other and this seemed like the perfect way to do it and incorporate Sabo.

After that scene the chapter flies by pretty quickly. It shows the boys going back to Makino's bar in Windmill Village, the return of Garp and how the boys grew to be so close. Of course every fun time must come to an end and sadly Sabo gets taken away by his parents. I wonder what Luffy and Ace will do to get Sabo back and how will this increase their bond as brothers. I suppose we have to wait until next week.

I must say, this cheerful colourspread is a nice change of pace from what we've been seeing recently. But on to the actual chapter. So we now know that two weeks have past since the war and the marines are becoming less lenient as more pirate crews attempt to cross the Grand Line. This effect mirrors the effect of Gol D. Roger's death in a way as again pirate crews have become inspired to search for One Piece once again. The next page is a quick flashback of Ivakov leaving Law's ship basically as his work is done. I must say, Ivankov has grown on me so I'm a little disappointed to see him leave but I really want to see him arrive on Momorio island and meet Sanji.

Back to the present, Luffy, Jimbei, Hancock and Law's crew have docked on Amazon Lily. And Luffy's face of anguish is ever present yet again. I felt this face was very well deserving considering what he's going through at the moment. Boa seems more relieved that anything to hear that Luffy's alive more than anything. Now I felt that these two pages or so were not really needed in the chapter and made it a little more slow paced. Elder Nyon was basically explaining what we and the characters already knew so I didn't feel those panels were that necessary. However Luffy's anguished cries were really needed here as we can finally see him grieve (even if he is risking his life at the same time). The writing was slightly hard to read here but I guess it was all used for effect so I can understand that. Now when Jimbei steps in and confirms that Ace actually is dead, that was a heart breaking scene. But Luffy's facial expression is slightly too comical to mimic the pain he really is in.

And this scene of tears leads us to our next flashback, taking place 10 years ago. It's after Shanks leaves Fuschia as Luffy is wearing his hat and has his scar, and he's walking along with Garp to meet... Dadan!! A person we've all been waiting to meet. And she's a woman! Not only that but Luffy and Ace's foster mother!!! What a twist! Finally we're able to meet her! And before I finish this review I have to comment on this last page. Ace and Luffy's first meeting. Ace is looking badass and beautifully drawn and I'm really intrigued as to their back story!!

So the world is in shock. Fire Fist Ace is dead. Seeing the whole world in shock like that just reinforces what a big impact Ace's deathhas onwhole entire pirating world. Now we were all wondering what Luffy would do in this chapter and honestly, it's not all that surprising that he's mentally collapsed. Akainu moves in for the kill but Commander Marco steps in saving Luffy's life. I like what he states here, "That boy's life... is now what remains of Ace's will!" To see that everyone is doing whatever they can to save Luffy just reinforces how important Ace was to them.

Now the most awesome panel... seeing Whitebeard own Akainu. Many Ace fans waited so long for this moment and it was fantastically well drawn. Although Akainu fights back, almost melting most of Whitebeard's face we can expect Whitebeard to leave that fight unharmed. To see the marine HQ crumble so easily and to see what Whitebeard is still capable of is amazing. It crumbled like nothing and to see Whitebeard state "I'm not done yet" would make anyone freak whether they are friend or foe.

Now it's weird that the Marines never noticed that big giant behind the HQ building but I guess that's the way the chapter rolls. Suddenly the panel switches to something above the execution platform. And low and behold it's Blackbeard with his new and improved crew. I enjoyed how Oda keeps the arc moving at a good pace and to see Blackbeard back really raises some new questions. Sadly we have to wait for 2 weeks until we find out what his new crew does and if he will finally get rid of Whitebeard.

So where we last left Ace Akainu had thrust his fist into his stomach. So it's not looking good. Seeing the shocked faces of everyone is heart wrenching. So now everyone is after Akainu and Garp's face and reaction is devastating. As Akainu tries to move in for the kill on Ace, Jimbei interferes and I must say his monologue here is fantastic. The panel itself was well drawn and the dialogue was brilliant.

Now Garp's anguish and anger here is expected and as he says "... I'm going to murder... that Sakazuki..." is again, heart wrenching. Vista and Marco using Haki on Akainu was fantastic and at least they were able to immobilise him for at least a few minutes.

And now we move to Luffy and Ace. I liked how Oda made the rest of the battle seem to fade out and just centered in on these two. Ace's monologue here is brilliant. It is a work of art. The mini flashbacks that Ace is having is not a good sign but reinforces how tortured Ace was as a child and how he overcome all of that to become a great pirate. Pages 14-15 got me. Ace's expression here was very well drawn. I know I've used the word brilliant a lot but it was brilliantly drawn. Finally Ace's life has come to an end and it came to an end like a true D. With a smile on his face. Luffy's face of anguish is devastating but I loved how Oda ended the chapter with Ace's birth. It just added even more anguish to the death.

Now I hope I've done this review justice and I hope all of you enjoyed reading it. For those of you who read the review without reading the actually chapter I'm sorry but I did warn everyone. The next 2 reviews will be coming soon so stay tuned.

Whitebeard vs. The Navy. A fight we all knew was coming but we never wanted to accept. So as all of Whitebeard's sons struggle to conceive the fact that their father is willing to sacrifice himself for them the Navy keep on trying to win the battle. Sengoku and Garp appear to be alive and I liked their comments about Whitebeard.

I always love how Oda will break a chapter up if it's getting too intense. The page with Buggy trying to broadcast his "coolness" was a fantastic diversion from the intense battle that was raging on. I loved the public reaction after Buggy announced himself. It was priceless!

Back to Ace, his bowing down to Whitebeard was a great scene. The amount of respect that Ace showed to Whitebeard shows that he really was truly loved. Though at the same time I just wanted him and Luffy to get out of there otherwise something bad would happen. And sure enough the marine "Red Dog" shows up and insults Whitebeard. Ace's love for Whitebeard as well as his love for his brother is tested here. But to see Ace get burnt for Luffy was heartbreaking. So after this whole arc the question still remains. Will Ace live?

Ok, let me start off by saying awesome cover art!! It was colourful and quirky, just what you expect from Oda! Moving on to the actual chapter, it's great seeing Whitebeard in action like this. Also seeing his stand up to Aokiji was brilliant, it really emphasises that Luffy has got a lot to learn before he can advance. And seeing Diamond Jos stand up to Aokiji like that, I'm looking forward to that fight. I hope Oda focuses on it soon, it would be a shame to see a fight like that go to waste.

Now Luffy, I'm sorry to say but even though he has so much ambition, that can only get you so far. Sadly, Gear Second doesn't even seem to scratch his opponents anymore. He needs to find a way to take on Kizaru, and I'm hoping that way will involve Haki since he needs to learn how to master that if he wants to journey to New World.

I'm looking forward to seeing Jimbei fight. Since he said that he's decided that this will be the place he'll die, I have a feeling he's going to pull out all stops and I'm looking forward to seeing them. And finally Garp enters the fight. The legendary marine. I can't wait to see him fight, but I hope he doesn't lose sight and lets war come in front of family.

Luffy going up against the 3 Admirals didn't go so well for him. They all got the better of him. I guess that shows that Luffy still has a whole lot to learn about the World Government if he wants to make it to New World. Crocodile really shone here saving Ace in the way that he did. I'm intrigued by the relationship between him and DoFlamingo (other than the fact that Crocodile was once a Shichibukai). I'm looking forward to see how that fight goes, not to mention seeing Marco stand up to the 3 Admirals was amazing!

I really thought that Whitebeard's pirates would have had no hope of getting through the wall but I loved how they made it through. I absolutely loved the fact that Oars ended up carrying the ship through and that finally penetrated through the wall. It's nice to know that Luffy has more back up.

Now that Whitebeard has finally unsheathed his sword, this war is really going to get interesting. Not to mention that he has invoked both Sengoku and Garp into joining the fight now. I would love to see Whitebeard fighting the two of them off, as well as learning what Sengoku's ability actually is. Once again, Oda hasn't failed to present something brilliant.

*SPOILERS AHEAD!!*

Cover Story - Nami's adventure in Weatheria ends.

Oars is down and out thanks to the Shichibukai. As Whitebeard mourns the loss of his comrade, Vice Admiral Ronse tries to catch him off guard but Whitebeard is too quick and manages to attack Ronse before any damage affects him. As Whitebeard urges his men to push past Oars and keep fighting, DoFlamingo uses his Devil Fruit to do some damage to the 13th Division Captain. Meanwhile, Coby and Helmeppo are trying not to get too involved in the battle. DoFlamingo then states that whichever side wins this battle will gain justice. Whitebeard's crew keeps on fighting while Garp goes up to see Ace and asks why didn't he live. Luffy and co. ship finally goes flying past and they fall out of the ship, leaving them all free falling down to earth.

The cover story: Nami seems intrigued as she's watching Weatheria's weather science in action. Could it be possible that she may gain some sort of new power here? I hope so!

Now the Main Story: Well the battle is still in full action. Oars is down for the count as many predicted so that wasn't much of a twist. I do wish that we see more of Whitebeard's power as we are still only getting snippets of it. I enjoyed seeing Coby and Helmeppo again but I think that they should have a slightly larger part. Hopefully that opportunity comes along once Luffy enters the fight. DoFlamingo's speech really intriugued me. He is right and because of that speech, the stakes seem alot more higher for the winners of this battle. I'm really glad Garp showed up and showed some emotion. Ace why didn't you live??? A very tear jerking part I thought. But I do love how Oda always uses comedy when you least expect it and Luffy and the rest of the gang falling out of the ship was priceless!! Ahh but finally, Luffy's returned!!!!!! About time!!! Now when's the next chapter coming out??