Chapter 552 · Ace and Whitebeard

00AI-written

The color cover of One Piece Volume 57 features a massive close-up of Edward Newgate, also known as Whitebeard, glaring forward with a fierce expression, his iconic white mustache dominating the frame. Below him, Monkey D. Luffy runs forward with a determined grin and blood on his face, fist clenched. Surrounding them are numerous pirates and marines in chaotic battle poses, including chained figures, swords, and a large ship. The top displays the One Piece logo with a skull and crossbones wearing Luffy's straw hat, Japanese text reading "巻五十七 '頂上決戦'" and "JUMP COMICS". The author's name "尾田栄一郎" and "EIICHIRO ODA" appears at the bottom.

Edward NewgateMonkey D. Luffy

This is the back cover and spine of the volume. The left side repeats the color cover art of Whitebeard and Luffy with the One Piece logo and Japanese text "巻五十七 '頂上決戦'". The spine shows "ONE PIECE" vertically with volume number and author "尾田栄一郎". The right side displays a detailed world map of the One Piece world with locations labeled such as Marineford, Red Line, Calm Belt, Impel Down, Enies Lobby, and various seas including the Grand Line. A large "JC" logo and "ジャンプ・コミックス" text are visible.

Edward NewgateMonkey D. Luffy

The black-and-white cover shows Monkey D. Luffy in a dynamic pose, wearing his straw hat, sitting on a giant creature's head while holding a barrel and extending a massive fist forward with a wide grin. Around him are crew members including Nami, Usopp, and Chopper enjoying food and drinks on the creature's back. A small bird wearing a pirate hat perches on the One Piece logo above. Large text reads "Volume 57: 'ULTIMATE SHOWDOWN'" and the author's name "尾田栄一郎" at the bottom.

Monkey D. LuffyNamiUsoppTony Tony Chopper

This recap page titled "THE STORY OF ONE PIECE" summarizes key characters and events. It lists the Four Emperors including Whitebeard Pirates with Edward Newgate, Marco, Joz, and Red-Haired Shanks. The Royal Shichibukai section shows portraits and descriptions of Dracule Mihawk, Donquixote Doflamingo, Bartholomew Kuma, Gecko Moria, and Boa Hancock. A central map highlights Marineford, Impel Down, and the Red Line. The Marines section features Sengoku the Buddha, Admirals Aokiji, Akainu, Kizaru, Vice Admiral Garp, and others. The right side details Monkey D. Luffy, Emporio Ivankov, Jimbei, Sir Crocodile, Buggy the Clown, Mr. 1, Mr. 3, and Portgas D. Ace with the note "THE EXECUTION APPROACHES!!" and a long narrative block describing Luffy's infiltration of Impel Down to rescue Ace and the ensuing war at Marineford.

Edward NewgateMarcoJozShanksDracule MihawkDonquixote DoflamingoBartholomew KumaGecko MoriaBoa HancockSengokuAokijiAkainuKizaruGarpMonkey D. LuffyEmporio IvankovJimbeiSir CrocodileBuggyPortgas D. Ace

Volume 57 contents page titled "ULTIMATE SHOWDOWN". Lists upcoming chapters including Chapter 552: "Ace and Whitebeard" on page 7, followed by Chapter 553 through 562. A decorative flintlock pistol illustration appears at the bottom. Small note states the volume has fewer pages due to one shorter chapter.

Chapter title page for 552: "ACE AND WHITEBEARD". A chaotic scene shows Chopper in a top hat fleeing in terror along with several strange creatures. One creature carries a massive spiked weapon while another holds a telescope. Smoke and motion lines fill the air as they run from an unseen threat. Caption at the bottom reads: CHOPPER'S "I'M NOT FOOD, DAMN IT!" NO. 1: "THE TANUKI HOTPOT FLEES."

Chopper

Massive impact sound effect "ドドドドドドドド!!!" and "ウオオオオオオオオオオ!!!" shakes the harbor as Whitebeard's fleet of massive ships approaches Marineford. Whitebeard stands on a high platform, arms crossed, declaring "WE'RE THROUGH THE GATE!! NOW THEN, MY CONCERN IS WHETHER YOUR AND ACE'S FATHER IS GOING TO SHOW UP HERE OR NOT!!!" Luffy, standing nearby with a wide grin, replies excitedly while thinking "HIKONISO..." Other voices discuss Ace's father being the Pirate King Roger. A sudden explosion rocks one of the ships with "えええええ!!!" and "WHA-AAAA!!I" as soldiers react in panic.

WhitebeardLuffy

Whitebeard activates his power with a massive "ズズズズズズ" effect, creating an enormous seaquake. The ocean erupts violently, sending giant waves crashing toward the ships and the plaza. Soldiers scream "AAAAAAGH-HHHH!!" and "AAAHHH!!" as the ground shakes. Luffy shouts "WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT EXPLOSION!I" while others yell "NOT GOOD... LOOK AT THE HEIGHT OF THAT WAVE!!!" Whitebeard laughs "GURARARARARA" as the quake intensifies. Onlookers react with shock: "WHAT!I THE AIR IS CRACKING!!I" and "THERE'S ONE ON THE OTHER SIDE, TOO!!" The sea itself splits and rises under the force of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit.

WhitebeardLuffy

Ace stands on a rocky shore with a bright grin, waving as he calls out, "UH-HUH! AND IN THREE YEARS' TIME, WHEN I SET OUT TO SEA AS WELL... I'LL HAVE GOTTEN STRONGER TOO!!!" A second bubble follows: "YEAH! SEE YA, LUFFY...!! I'LL BE GOING ON AHEAD!!" Below, pirates react in shock to the black Spade flag flying from his small boat. "PIRATES!! IT'S A FLAG I'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE!!!" "WHY, THAT LITTLE... A PIRATE, OF ALL THINGS!!!" "HIS BACKGROUND SEEMS TO BE A MYSTERY... BUT EVEN THOUGH HE IS ONLY A ROOKIE... HE HAS A LOGIA ABILITY...!!!" "D'...!!! WHERE IS THIS BOY FROM!I" The Spade Jolly Roger is shown in close-up. In the next tier, Whitebeard's distinctive laugh echoes: "GURARARA..." as crew members discuss the newcomer. "ARE YOU SERIOUS ABOUT THIS, ACE!I" "HOW MANY YEARS HAS HIS CREW BEEN AT SEAI" "THESE YOUNGSTERS... THEY SEEM TO BE IN AN AWFUL HURRY..." "LOOKS LIKE THERE'S A PROMISING YOUNG 'UN MAKING A NAME FOR HIMSELF IN THE GRAND LINE!" "HE REJECTED AN INVITATION TO JOIN THE SHICHIBUKAII"

AceWhitebeard Pirates members

Ace smiles confidently and explains, "SO I FIGURED I JUST HAD TO AT LEAST MEET HIM AND SAY THANKS...!!!" "I HEAR YOU SAVED MY LITTLE BROTHER'S LIFE... HE TALKS ABOUT YOU ALL THE TIME!" A massive silhouette of Whitebeard towers over him with sword in hand. "TO SEE MEI" "YOU WANTED" A crew member warns, "HEY, HEY... DON'T GET THE WRONG IDEA HERE!!" Ace continues, "A BOY LIKE YOU MIGHT BE AN ASSASSIN..." Whitebeard declares, "BIG GUY... I WANT TO MEET THE MAN KNOWN AS WHITEBEARD!!" "I CANNOT ALLOW YOU TO SEE HIM!" The crew reacts with surprise: "YOU'RE LUFFY'S...!I WOW...!! I NEVER KNEW HE HAD A BROTHER..." "LET'S THROW A PARTY--!!" Ace bows his head and states, "I SEE... A PLEASURE TO MEET YOU! PLEASE, TELL ME HOW HE'S DOING!" In the lower panels, crew members gasp and laugh while Ace insists, "BUT I OWE THEM A DEBT... I WILL FACE YOU MYSELF." "I MAY NOT BE A MEMBER OF THE WHITEBEARD PIRATES..."

AceWhitebeardWhitebeard Pirates members

Whitebeard's voice booms from off-panel, "YOU'RE GONNA KILL YOURSELVES AT THIS RATE...!!!" as Ace is hurled through the air amid an explosion. "IT'S BEEN FIVE DAYS, AND THEY'RE STILL AT IT...!!!" The massive Moby Dick rests on the shore while Whitebeard Pirates gather on the beach. "THE WHITEBEARD PIRATES...!!!" "SO WHO IS THE ONE WHO WISHES TO TAKE MY HEAD...I" Ace stands firm: "I REQUIRE NO ASSISTANCE. I WILL FACE HIM, JUST AS HE DESIRES!!" In the next scene, Ace plants his flag and shouts "ENJOU-MOU*!!!" while striking with his devil fruit power. Crew members are sent flying. "AAAAAAGH-HHHH!!!" "AHHH..." "YOU GUYS!!" The flag bears the Spade symbol as flames and impact lines fill the panel.

AceWhitebeardWhitebeard Pirates members

Ace yells desperately, "RUN! ALL OF YOU!!!" as his crew is caught in the fight. "CAP'N ACE!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!I" "CAP-TAIN!!!" Whitebeard's massive hand reaches down while Ace glares upward. "OH...I NOW YOU LOSE YOUR NERVE...I" Ace grits his teeth and roars, "I WON'T RUN...!!!" Whitebeard looms over the battlefield, declaring, "YOU'RE GOING TO LET MY CREW ESCAPE... AND IN RETURN..." A close-up shows Ace's furious face as he screams, "HAAAAAAAHHHHHHH-HHHHHH!!!" Whitebeard smirks and remarks, "WELL, WELL, WELL..." "WHAT AN IMPERTINENT BRAT..." The surrounding pirates react with shock and sweat drops as the clash continues.

AceWhitebeardWhitebeard Pirates members

Whitebeard's massive form looms as he addresses the battered young man before him. "AND RAGE ACROSS THE SEAS TO YOUR HEART'S CONTENT!!!" he declares. "IF YOU STILL HAVE IT IN YOUR HEART TO FIGHT, TAKE MY NAME UPON YOUR BACK." The youth, Ace, stares back with a shocked expression. "THIS IS NO PLACE FOR YOU TO DIE, BOY..." Whitebeard continues. "GURARARA... SO YOU STILL STAND..." In a close panel, Whitebeard leans forward with a fierce grin. "DON'T SCREW WITH ME...!!!" he growls as Ace reacts with surprise. "BECOME A SON OF MINE!!!" Whitebeard commands. Ace, still kneeling and chained, questions the offer. "ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO KEEP ME ON THIS SHIP WITHOUT ANY CHAINS OR CUFFS...!I" Crew members reassure him: "SO WE BEAT 'EM UP, BUT DON'T WORRY, THEY'RE NOT DEAD. YOUR CREW RETURNED TO TAKE YOU BACK... THEY'RE RIGHT HERE ON THIS SHIP..." A fourth-division commander named Satch steps forward. "IF YOU'RE GONNA BE ONE OF US, LET'S GET ALONG, YEAHI I'M THE COMMANDER OF THE FOURTH DIVISION. NAME'S SATCH." Ace snaps back, "SHUT UP!!" Another voice laughs, "HAHAHAH... WHAT'S ALL THISI YOU'RE PRETTY GRUMPY. AH, THAT'S RIGHT. I SHOULD TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENED AFTER YOU LOST CONSCIOUSNESS."

AceWhitebeardSatch

Ace suddenly lashes out in the middle of the night, swinging his knife wildly. "GRRAA!!" he yells as he attacks. "GUCAAA..." Whitebeard grunts from the impact. The crew reacts in shock. "WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING!! IT'S THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT!" someone shouts. "WHOA, WHOA... WHAT D'YOU THINK YOU'RE PLAYING AT!I" another cries as the blade strikes. "!!! AHH!" The fight spills outside. Ace leaps across the deck with his knife raised. "GUCAAA..." Whitebeard endures the blow. Explosions and impacts rock the ship as Ace is hurled back. "OH!! HE FELL INTO THE SEA!! ISN'T SOMEBODY GONNA GO GET HIM!!I" crew members yell in panic. The sea splashes violently around the fallen figure.

AceWhitebeard

The crew watches the ongoing struggle. "EVERY SINGLE DAY... HE'S A STUBBORN ONE, ALL RIGHT..." one remarks. "HAS IT BEEN 100 TIMES NOWI" another asks. "I THINK IT HAS." Whitebeard stands firm. "BECAUSE... HE CALLS US HIS SONS. THE WORLD HATES US FOR WHAT WE ARE, YOU KNOW..." he explains calmly. Ace, still defiant, questions the crew. "WHY DO ALL OF YOU CALL HIM YOUR 'OLD MAN,' ANYWAY...I" A crewmate replies while eating, "OR YOU STAY, AND BEAR WHITEBEARD'S MARK...!!!" The division commanders press him. "I HOPE YOU DON'T PLAN ON KEEPING THIS NONSENSE UP FOREVER. IT'S TIME YOU MADE A DECISION. SO EITHER YOU LEAVE THIS SHIP FOR NOW... OR YOU CAN'T TAKE OUR OLD MAN'S HEAD AS YOU ARE NOW. EVEN IF IT'S JUST A WORD... IT MAKES US HAPPY..." Ace's expression shifts as the weight of the offer sinks in.

AceWhitebeard

The crew discusses Ace's place among them. "IT'S BEEN WITHOUT A COMMANDER FOR AGES NOW. EVERYONE THINKS YOU'RE THE MAN FOR THE JOB," one says. "ME, COMMAND THE SECOND DIVISION...I" Ace wonders aloud. News spreads of Ace's feat: "ACE HAS GONE AND DONE IT AGAIN---!!! HE MADE THE DOMA GANG SURRENDER!!" Whitebeard laughs heartily, "HA-HAAAAAH!!" At a feast, Teach and others celebrate. "I HEARD THIS CRAZY GUY'S STRONG!!" a Marine onlooker notes. "LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER INCREDIBLE GUY'S GONE AND JOINED THE WHITEBEARD PIRATES..." Whitebeard addresses Ace warmly. "ZEHAHAHAH... NAH, NAH, DON'T WORRY ABOUT ME. I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF AMBITION!!" Teach encourages, "YOU GO FOR IT, COMMANDER ACE!" Whitebeard reflects, "IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO BROUGHT YOU INTO THIS WORLD... ALL HUMANS ARE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF THE SEA!! WHEN YOU SAID YOU HAD SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO TELL ME, I WONDERED WHAT IT MIGHT BE... BUT THEN YOU COME OUT WITH A LITTLE THING LIKE THIS...I HE WAS YOUR ENEMY, WASN'T HEI YOU'RE NOT MUCH LIKE HIM IN PERSONALITY... I SEE... YES... GURARARA... I SEE... THAT IS A SURPRISE... AREN'T YOU GOING TO THROW ME OUTI" he asks with a grin as Ace looks on in surprise.

AceWhitebeardMarshall D. Teach

Division commanders restrain a furious Ace on the deck of the Moby Dick. One shouts, "GET OFF ME!!! HE'S A MEMBER OF MY DIVISION!!!" Another pleads, "YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO AFTER TEACH!!" A third insists, "THE OLD MAN SAID THIS IS A SPECIAL CASE!!!" Voices cry out, "ACE!!! CALM DOWN, WOULD YOU!II" and "DON'T DO IT!!!" Ace struggles violently, yelling, "WHAT'S GOING TO BECOME OF POOR SATCH'S SOUL IF I JUST LET HIS KILLER GO!II" The scene shifts to close-ups of angry faces recounting Teach's betrayal: "HE KILLED HIS OWN CREWMATE AND FLED THE SHIP!!! AFTER BEING IN YOUR CARE FOR SO MANY DECADES... HE RAN AWAY AND BROUGHT SHAME TO US ALL!!!" Whitebeard sits sternly and declares, "I HAVE A VERY BAD FEELING ABOUT ALL THIS... ACE... THAT'S ENOUGH. JUST THIS ONCE..." Ace breaks free, sprinting toward the railing as someone screams, "WAIT!!! COME BACK, ACE!!!" Ace turns back with a fierce glare, shouting, "I AM GOING TO SETTLE THIS!!! WHEN MY FATHER'S NAME IS AT STAKEI HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO JUST DO NOTHING"

AceWhitebeardWhitebeard Pirates division commanders

Ace stands at the railing, back to the crew, and speaks quietly, "EVEN AFTER I IGNORED YOUR WARNINGS AND RAN OUT ON MY OWN..." Crewmates watch in silence. One murmurs, "GUYS..." Whitebeard answers gravely, "OLD MAN..." A lone figure stands on a distant platform. Ace suddenly leaps from the ship into a waiting boat, roaring, "WHY COULDN'T YOU HAVE JUST FORGOTTEN ABOUT ME!II IT'S MY OWN FAULT I ENDED UP LIKE THIS...!!!!" The boat speeds away across the water. Whitebeard remains seated, his expression heavy, and replies, "AS I RECALL, IT WAS I WHO TOLD YOU TO GO AFTER HIM, MY SON." A shocked crewmember gasps, "!!I" Whitebeard finishes with a single firm word: "NO..."

AceWhitebeardWhitebeard Pirates crew

On the deck, crew members react in shock. One demands, "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!II I RAN OUT BACK THEN EVEN THOUGH YOU TOLD ME TO" while another shouts, "...!! YOU LIAR...!!!" and "...!!!I" A crewmate with a cross on his shirt says, "I THINK EVERYONE IN THE WHOLE WIDE OCEAN OUGHT TO KNOW..." Whitebeard answers, "INDEED. I HEARD IT WITH MY OWN EARS!!!" and tells Marco, "I TOLD HIM NOT TO GO. ISN'T THAT RIGHT, MARCOI" Voices rise in support: "YOU JUST WAIT!!! WE'RE COMING TO GET YOU!!!" "WE WON'T LEAVE A SINGLE ONE OF THOSE BASTARDS WHO HURT YOU ALIVE, ACE!!!" "WHO LAYS A HAND ON A MEMBER OF OUR CREW!!!" "JUST WHAT HAPPENS TO ANY DAMNED FOOL" Large sound effects of rushing water fill the panel as Ace's boat races away from the Moby Dick toward the distant Marineford skyline.

AceWhitebeardMarcoWhitebeard Pirates crew

The crew watches Ace depart. One mutters, "THE HELL ARE YOU BLABBERING ABOUT AT THIS STAGE...I" Another notes, "THAT'S SOME ENEMY WE'VE EARNED OURSELVES THERE..." A Marine soldier sweats, "...!!! YOU JUST WAIT, MARINE HEADQUARTERS...!!!!" Suddenly the ground shakes violently. A massive tremor erupts with loud rumbling SFX. Buildings crack and tilt as Whitebeard stands tall, cloak billowing. Narration identifies him: "USER OF THE GURA GURA NO MI, AN EARTHQUAKE MAN!!! EDWARD 'WHITEBEARD' NEWGATE..." Crew and Marines alike react in terror: "WHAT IS THIS RUMBLING...!!!I" "LOOK, IT'S A TSUNAMI!!!" "IT'S HUGE!!" "WE MAY HAVE THE GREATER FORCE, BUT WE MUST NOT TAKE THIS OPPONENT LIGHTLY!!" "IT MAY BE WE WILL MEET OUR END HERE TODAY... FOR THAT MAN..." Whitebeard raises his naginata as enormous waves surge forward. A voice warns, "HERE IT COMES... THE SEAQUAKE THAT HE CAUSED JUST NOW... IS COMING BACK AS A FULL-FLEDGED TSUNAMI...!!!!"

WhitebeardAceMarcoWhitebeard Pirates crewMarines

The battle cry erupts as pirates charge forward: "ATTAAAAACK!!!" Close-ups show fierce faces of Whitebeard Pirates, one with a headband, another with spiky hair and a tongue out, and more determined expressions. A narration box declares, "THE WAR... IS BEGINNING.....!!!" Marines respond with stern looks, one wearing a cap labeled "MARINE" and sunglasses, as a voice affirms, "INDEED..." A massive close-up of a wide-eyed figure with glasses emphasizes the stakes. Text boxes detail the forces: "On the defense: the two great governmental powers... Marine Headquarters and the Royal Shichibukai." "On the attack: a fleet of 47 New World pirate ships, under the banner of Whitebeard." A dramatic wide shot reveals Marineford fortress with "海軍" (Marines) emblazoned on the wall, surrounded by massive pirate ships amid smoke and waves. SFX roar with "ブォォォ!!!" and "ワァアァアァアァァ...!!!!" A box warns, "HAS THE POWER TO DESTROY THIS VERY WORLD!!!" Another concludes, "No matter who prevails, no matter who falls... The world is about to change!!!"

Whitebeard Pirates crewMarine officersunidentified Marine with sunglassesunidentified headband-wearing pirate

No description for this page.

End of chapter22 pages

Discussion

00AI-written

Edward NewgateMonkey D. Luffy

Monkey D. LuffyNamiUsoppTony Tony Chopper

Edward NewgateMarcoJozShanksDracule MihawkDonquixote DoflamingoBartholomew KumaGecko MoriaBoa HancockSengokuAokijiAkainuKizaruGarpMonkey D. LuffyEmporio IvankovJimbeiSir CrocodileBuggyPortgas D. Ace

Chopper

WhitebeardLuffy

AceWhitebeard Pirates members

AceWhitebeardWhitebeard Pirates members

AceWhitebeardSatch

AceWhitebeard

AceWhitebeardMarshall D. Teach

AceWhitebeardWhitebeard Pirates division commanders

AceWhitebeardWhitebeard Pirates crew

AceWhitebeardMarcoWhitebeard Pirates crew

WhitebeardAceMarcoWhitebeard Pirates crewMarines

Whitebeard Pirates crewMarine officersunidentified Marine with sunglassesunidentified headband-wearing pirate

No description for this page.

End of chapter22 pages