The cover of One Piece Chapter 996 displays the series logo at the top. Below it reads CHAPTER 996: "THE ISLAND OF THE STRONGEST". The main illustration shows Blackbeard in his signature coat and hat, standing beside a large hippo wearing a top hat and bow tie. Both characters brush their teeth together with foaming toothpaste flying everywhere. Vertical text on the left reads: "LET'S WITNESS THE BATTLE BETWEEN THE WORST GENERATION AND THE YONKO!! THE VERY POPULAR VOLUME 97 IS NOW ON SALE!!" At the bottom, a caption states: "COVER ART REQUEST BY: EBI: "BLACKBEARD AND A HIPPO ARE BRUSHING THEIR TEETH TOGETHER"". The artist's name EIICHIRO ODA appears prominently below.
Blackbeardhippo
01
Inside the chaotic bath house of the Beast Pirates on Onigashima, massive flooding and destruction erupt. A voice cries out, "IT'S THE KOMAINU FROM THE MAINLAND!!" Another shouts, "WHERE DID THIS THING COME FROMI!" The giant dog-like creature Komachiyo rampages through the area as Tama calls, "THANK YOU TAMA! AND YOU TOO, KOMACHIYO!" Usopp yells from its back, "USOPP!! ARE YOU ALRIGHTI!" while others shout, "PAYPAY! CHEW THAT STUPID DOG UP!!" and "DO IT YOURSELF!!" Nami appears with a surprised "HUHI" and reassures, "ANYWAYS, I'M GLAD YOU AREN'T! WHO COULD BE ALRIGHT AFTER SOMETHING LIKE THAT..." as another voice adds, "OF COURSE YOU AREN'T! NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, I'LL BE OKAY!"
UsoppNamiTamaKomachiyo
02
Chaos continues as an enemy ship arrives. A voice exclaims, "AN ENEMY SHIP!I WHAT!I" while another asks, "I HAD AN ENEMY SHIP BRING ME!" O-Tama questions, "O-TAMA, HOW DID YOU GET HEREI" Someone yells, "HEY!! BONK!!" A massive baboon-like creature roars, "KYAA-OOOOOOOW!!!" as fighters clash. One character shouts, "DAMN IT!! WHAT IS UP WITH THIS SHITTY BABOON!!" Another demands, "WHERE DO THESE ANTS KEEP CRAWLING OUT OF!I" while a samurai declares, "WE'RE SAMURAI TOO!! WE CAME HERE TO FIGHT!!!" O-Nami warns, "O-NAMI!! DON'T LOOK DOWN ON US LIKE THAT!!" and notes, "THOSE TWO ARE RUTHLESS!! THAT BIG APE WON'T STAND A CHANCE BY HIMSELF!"
NamiTamaKomachiyo
03
Yamato charges through the Right Brain Tower's central passage, shouting "GET...!!!" while swinging a massive weapon. A voice calls out, "YOUNG MASTER YAMATO!!" as debris flies everywhere. Yamato yells, "THERE WON'T BE ANY REST FOR YOU..." and "...OUT OF MY WAY!!" Explosions and impacts rock the area with "UGH!!" and massive crashes. The intense battle sends structures flying as Yamato presses forward through the destruction.
Yamato
04
A battered figure with a scar shouts desperately, "LEAVE ME HERE AND SAVE LORD MOMO-NOSUKE!!" The response comes fierce: "I REFUSE!!" Nearby, Yamato declares, "NO MATTER HOW STRONG YOU ARE, THIS IS TOO MUCH TO HANDLE!!" while coughing violently, "KOFF! KOFF!" A close-up shows wide eyes and gritted teeth as the voice insists, "IF YOU TRULY ARE A SAMURAI THEN YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO!!" The reply rings out, "HE WOULD NEVER DO SUCH A THING!! IF IT WERE UP TO KOZUKI ODEN..." In the lower panel, a tall armored samurai with a horned helmet and flowing hair grips a sword and addresses the horned youth directly: "I WON'T LET THAT STAND, YOUNG MASTER YAMATO. ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY, THAT YOU SEE ME AS AN ENEMY YOU CAN BEAT WHILE CARRYING AROUND BAGGAGE LIKE THAT...." A small background figure reacts with shock as the samurai snaps, "YOU STUBBORN FOOL....!!"
YamatoKin'emon
05
From a high vantage, a massive elephant-like creature carrying a rider charges forward amid destruction as a voice yells, "YOU'VE RUN WILD LONG ENOUGH!!" Another figure warns, "IF THIS KEEPS GOING THEY'LL BE WIPED OUT. MY IMPREGNABLE ARMORED CORPS..." The scene shifts to close-ups: a glaring eye, a snarling mouth with "GRRR...", Yamato panting "HUFF", and the name "SASAKI!" called out. A sudden impact rocks the area with "HACHA-CHACHACHA!!" A small character cries "HUH!I FRANO-SUKE!I" as a giant mechanical figure bursts through debris, laughing wildly "HACHA CHACHACHA-CHACHACHA!!" while someone shouts, "THAT WAS WAY TOO CLOSE!!!"
YamatoSasakiFranky
06
Yamato stares in shock, exclaiming, "IRONMAN FRANKY!! WITH A BOUNTY OF 94 MILLION BERRIES! SO HUMANS LIKE THIS REALLY EXIST...!!!" while recognizing, "I KNOW HIM!! HE'S ONE OF LUFFY'S FRIENDS! IS THAT YOU, MOMOI!" A massive mechanical arm smashes downward. Elsewhere, the helmeted samurai yells, "YOU MORON, WHAT ARE YOU DOING!I" as a cloaked figure with a camera-like device retorts, "CUT IT OUT YOU BASTARD!! I TOLD YOU, YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO CATCH ME!!" and laughs "HAA~ CHAA~". The giant weapon strikes with tremendous force, sending debris flying and a voice screaming "GYAAH!!" amid the chaos of "HACHA~!!" and impact effects.
YamatoFrankyKin'emon
07
A massive explosion erupts as a figure is hurled through the air with "WHOA!!" and the narration states, "HE BROKE THROUGH THE FLOOR!!!" Below, frantic voices call out: "BY WHO!I" "IRON MAN FRANKY!! I'LL LEAVE THIS FLOOR TO YOU!!" "MOMO!! SHINOBU!! ARE YOU GUYS OKAY!I DID YOU GET CAPTUREDI!" Yamato answers mid-air, "NO, THAT'S NOT IT!!! WE'RE BEING RESCUED!!" while others shout, "OH! THAT'S RIGHT! THERE WAS AN UNDERGROUND FLOOR!!" "MOMO-NOSUKE!! SHINOBU!!" and "WE'RE ESCAPING THROUGH THE FLOOR!!" Luffy's voice echoes in memory: "LUFFY LEFT ME IN CHARGE OF THESE TWO!!" as the group plummets amid smoke and rubble.
YamatoFrankyMomonosukeShinobu
08
A bandaged fighter lunges forward shouting, "LET ME TAKE THIS ONE OUT AT LEAST!" An explosion erupts as another character yells, "I PUNCH!" and "YOU TWO, WAIT A SECOND!" From the smoke a voice answers, "HACHAI" A massive figure with goggles and a mechanical arm declares, "I HAVE NO IDEA WHO YOU ARE, BUT... ROGER THAT!!!" and "LEAVE IT TO ME, SUUUPER!!!" The attacker is struck by a powerful technique as the wielder cries, "RINGING ARROW"!!! Impact lines and debris fill the panel while the opponent reels in shock.
Frankyunidentified bandaged fighter
09
A cloaked figure snatches someone and vanishes downward amid smoke and debris. Allies react in panic: "HA-CHAI!!" "HEY!!! YAMATO GRABBED MOMONOSUKE AND FLED BELOW!!" "WHO THE HELL WAS THAT!I" "WH..." "DAMN IT!!" Below, Yamato shouts upward, "YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO SURVIVE!!!" and "YOU MUST SURVIVE THIS!!" while carrying Momonosuke. Beast Pirates pursue, yelling, "GET YOUR ASSES DOWN THAT HOLE AND FOLLOW THEM!!!" and "STOP YOUR WHINING AND GET A MOVE ON!" A close-up reveals Yamato's intense expression as narration declares, "THE PERSON WHO WILL GUIDE THE WORLD TO ITS 'DAWN' IS NONE OTHER THAN YOU!!!" Momonosuke calls out weakly, "MOMONOSUKE...!" amid falling rubble.
YamatoMomonosukeBeasts Pirates
10
Inside the castle on floor B2, a massive shadowy figure looms as text reads, "THE D. CLAN..." A small silhouette stands before bubbles labeled with ancient script. Close-ups show Trafalgar Law and another figure as narration states, "GOD'S NATURAL ENEMY!!" and "ARE ALSO KNOWN AS..." Law stands before a grand wooden gate and declares, "MY TRUE NAME IS..." while a signboard displays dense Wano script. An ally warns, "THAT'S RIGHT...!!!" and "SO YOU KEEP IT A SECRET..." Law finishes, "TRAFALGAR D. WATER LAW." Smoke and impact lines surround the dramatic reveal.
Trafalgar D. Water Law
11
A woman with long dark hair sits with Law in the ruins and explains, "LUFFY DOESN'T CARE ABOUT IT, BUT I'M ALSO VERY INTERESTED IN THE 'D.' CLAN." "SO THERE'S NO WAY TO FIND OUT, OTHER THAN FOLLOWING THE RED PONEGLYPHSI" Law replies, "THANKS. I WISH I COULD HELP, BUT I'M AFRAID I DON'T KNOW ANY MORE THAN YOU DO." She continues, "I'M ONLY SHARING IT, BECAUSE I TRUST YOU." and notes, "YOU ALSO CARRY THE 'D.' IN YOUR NAME!" "I'M SURPRISED..." Examining an ancient stone, she says, "THIS ISN'T A RED PONEGLYPH..." "THIS ISN'T IT..." "I DON'T BELIEVE IT WILL BE QUITE AS SIMPLE AS THAT THOUGH..." and "IT CERTAINLY SEEMS THAT WAY... IN OTHER WORDS, WE NEED TO TAKE DOWN THE YONKO...!!!" Law answers, "CORA-SAN... I NEED TO FIND IT...!!!" while thinking, "THE MEANING OF... THIS CURSED DESTINY OF MINE!!"
Trafalgar D. Water LawNico Robin
12
Inside the castle on floor 3, mechanical weapons and scrap metal suddenly animate and rampage through the corridors. A voice yells, "THOSE THINGS ARE MOVING ON THEIR OWN!!" as soldiers are swept up amid the chaos. "I'M BEING SWALLOWED UP!!" another cries while "THEY'RE TAKING OUR WEAPONS!!" and "WH-WHOA!!" echo through the halls. In the center of the frenzy, Eustass "Captain" Kid stands laughing, "FA FA FA!!" He declares, "I'M TAKING ALL THIS JUNK METAL THAT'S INSIDE THIS PLACE!!" as his magnetic powers pull every blade, cannon, and piece of armor toward him. Allies shout, "STOP THEM!! DON'T LET THEM GET TO THE ROOF!!" while Kid taunts, "THAT'S EUSTASS 'CAPTAIN' KIDD!!" and turns to Killer with, "KILLER!! YOU THINK THIS IS ENOUGH!I"
Eustass KidKillerBeast Pirates soldiers
13
Killer spins into action with his scythe-like blades, cutting down foes as someone shouts, "IT'S KILLER!!" Kid grins fiercely and replies, "HA HA!! THAT'S RIGHT!!" while Killer muses, "HMM, I WONDER..." In close-up, Kid continues, "THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS BEING TOO PREPARED. THE ENEMY IS THE WORLD'S STRONGEST PIRATE..." The scene shifts to the exterior of Onigashima with a sign reading "ONIGASHIMA" and a label "SKULL DOME: ROOFTOP" as massive explosions and debris erupt across the skull-shaped roof.
Eustass KidKillerKaido
14
On the Skull Dome rooftop, Kid and Killer clash violently with a massive opponent. Kid is slammed hard, blood flying as impact lines and "ドン!!" and "グシャ!!" mark the blows. Killer is hurled through the air. The fight sends both flying across the rooftop; Kid crashes into the ground leaving handprints and debris while Killer skids to a stop. The rooftop battle leaves craters and scattered wreckage as the combatants recover from the powerful strikes.
Eustass KidKillerKaido
15
On the Live Floor, chaos erupts as Big Mom returns in a massive burst of smoke and lightning. A voice screams, "BIG MOM HAS COME BACK!!!" with "AAAAH!!" ringing out. Big Mom herself laughs wildly and announces, "I'M JOINING THE PARTY ABOVE WHERE KAIDO IS!!!" while dismissing concerns with, "DON'T GET YOUR PANTIES TWISTED!! I HAVE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO!!" Nearby fighters including a swordsman, a masked figure, and a woman react with shock and tension as the Live Floor shakes from her arrival.
Big Momunidentified swordsmanunidentified masked fighterunidentified woman
16
Inside the castle between floors, Luffy and his group race upward through the stairwell in a blur of motion. "WHAT FLOOR ARE WE ON NOW!!II" someone yells as dust and debris fly. "IF WE GO UP THOSE STAIRS WE'LL BE ON THREE!!" Another voice urges, "FASTER!! FASTER!!" A diagram labels the floors from 1 to 3. On the next landing the group bursts forward. Luffy, eyes wide and mouth open, shouts, "ALL RIGHT!! IT WON'T BE MUCH LONGER KIN'EMON!!" Kin'emon and others scramble behind him. "HM!I HEY! DID YOU GUYS JUST HEAR THAT!I" one cries. "THE ROOFTOP IS ABOVE THE FIFTH FLOOR!!" another realizes. "DIDN'T THAT CAME FROM THE THIRD FLOOR!I" Luffy lands in a crouch, sweat flying. The scene cuts to a close-up of a figure whose eye widens in shock. "WHAT IS THATI" the character gasps. Electricity crackles around a body as a small figure declares, "I'M ABOUT TO START! STARTING IN 3...2..." Bubbles show reactions: "ISN'T THAT NICE!! NUFUFU...♡" "BUM-TSK-BUM ♪-TSK ♪" "OH~~~~ WHAT'S THAT~~~~♡I" A scream rings out, "KYAA-AHHH..." The narration box reads "CH. 996 NO BREAK NEXT WEEK."
LuffyKin'emonunidentified Beasts Pirates members
17
No description for this page.
End of chapter18 pages
Discussion
Yamato states Luffy assigned protection of the pair.
p8Bandaged fighter is struck by RINGING ARROW technique.
p8Goggled figure uses mechanical arm in combat.
p9Yamato carries Momonosuke downward through a hole.
p9Beasts Pirates begin pursuit after Yamato and Momonosuke.
p10Scene takes place inside the castle on floor B2.
p10Law reveals his full name Trafalgar D. Water Law.
p11Robin discusses the D. Clan with Law in the ruins.
p11The examined stone is confirmed not to be a red poneglyph.
p12Scene takes place inside Onigashima castle on floor 3.
p12Eustass Kid uses magnetic powers to gather metal weapons and scrap.
p12Killer is present alongside Kid during the metal rampage.
p13Battle moves from inside the castle to the Skull Dome rooftop.
p13Kid and Killer engage enemies on the Onigashima rooftop.
p13Kaido is present on the rooftop during the confrontation.
p14Kid and Killer clash directly with Kaido on the Skull Dome rooftop.
p14Both Kid and Killer are sent flying by Kaido's attacks.
p14The rooftop sustains heavy damage with multiple craters.
p15Big Mom returns to the Live Floor inside Onigashima.
p15Big Mom intends to head to the rooftop where Kaido is located.
p15Multiple fighters on the Live Floor react with visible alarm to her arrival.
p16Scene takes place inside Onigashima castle between floors during upward movement.
p16Rooftop is located above the fifth floor of the castle.
p16Luffy's group is rushing toward higher floors of the castle.
p16Electricity visibly affects one character in the lower panels.
What is said, page by page
p0Cover displays chapter title 'THE ISLAND OF THE STRONGEST' under logo.
p0Vertical text promotes battle between Worst Generation and Yonko plus volume 97 sale.
p0Bottom caption notes cover art request by Ebi showing Blackbeard and hippo brushing teeth.
p1Shouts identify Komachiyo as the komainu from the mainland.
p1Usopp yells to check if someone is alright while riding the creature.
p1Beast Pirates order Pay-Pay to attack the dog.
p1Nami expresses relief that everyone is safe despite the situation.
p2Voices react to an enemy ship arriving at the scene.
p2Tama questions how she arrived via enemy ship.
p2Fighters complain about the aggressive baboon.
p2Samurai declare they came to fight and refuse to be underestimated.
p3Yamato shouts to move aside while attacking.
p3Voice calls out to young master Yamato during the charge.
p3Yamato declares there will be no rest for opponents.
p4Battered scarred man desperately urges others to abandon him and save Momonosuke, conveying sacrificial resolve.
p4Fierce refusal rejects the plea to leave anyone behind, showing protective determination.
p4Yamato warns that the danger exceeds even strong fighters' limits while coughing violently, expressing urgent concern.
p4Voice insists a true samurai understands the required duty, pressuring with honor-based logic.
p4Reference states Kozuki Oden would never abandon an ally, invoking legacy to counter the argument.
p4Armored horned samurai declares he will not allow Yamato to be treated as an enemy while carrying baggage, showing protective stance.
p5Voice declares the rampage has continued long enough, signaling intent to stop the threat.
p5Warning states that continued action will wipe out the armored corps, showing strategic concern.
p5Sasaki is identified by name amid the chaos.
p5Small character reacts with shock upon recognizing the mechanical figure as Franosuke.
p6Yamato expresses amazement that a human like Ironman Franky with a 94 million berry bounty exists.
p6Yamato recognizes Franky as one of Luffy's friends and calls out to Momo.
p6Armored samurai yells at the cloaked figure for interfering.
p6Cloaked figure taunts that he will never be caught while laughing.
p7Voices react with shock asking who caused the breakthrough.
p7Franky announces he will handle the current floor.
p7Calls go out checking if Momonosuke and Shinobu were captured.
p7Yamato clarifies they are being rescued rather than captured.
p7Characters note the existence of an underground floor for escape.
p7Memory of Luffy states he left Yamato in charge of the two.
p8Bandaged fighter declares intent to finish opponent alone with aggressive shout.
p8Goggled figure acknowledges unknown ally and accepts task with enthusiastic super cry.
p8Technique name RINGING ARROW is shouted during the decisive mechanical strike.
p9Allies shout in panic that Yamato grabbed Momonosuke and fled below.
p9Yamato urges survival with intense upward shout while carrying Momonosuke.
p9Beasts Pirates order pursuit down the hole with aggressive commands.
p9Narration states the person who will guide the world to its dawn is Momonosuke.
p10Narration introduces the D. Clan as God's natural enemy.
p10Law declares his true name Trafalgar D. Water Law before the gate.
p10Ally warns Law to keep the name secret.
p11Robin shares interest in the D. Clan and trust in Law.
p11Robin notes Law also carries the D. in his name.
p11Robin states the stone is not a red poneglyph.
p11Law expresses need to find the meaning of his cursed destiny and Corasan.
p12Panicked soldiers shout that weapons are moving on their own and they are being swallowed, conveying fear and confusion in the castle corridors.
p12Eustass Kid laughs loudly and declares he is taking all the junk metal inside the place, showing confident and opportunistic intent.
p12Background voices yell to stop the metal from reaching the roof, indicating urgency to contain the rampage.
p13Voices identify Killer as he attacks, expressing surprise at his arrival.
p13Killer wonders aloud while spinning into combat, showing analytical mood.
p13Kid confirms his identity with laughter and states there is no such thing as being too prepared against the world's strongest pirate.
p15Crowd screams that Big Mom has returned, conveying panic on the Live Floor.
p15Big Mom announces she is joining the party above where Kaido is, showing determined and dismissive intent.
p15Big Mom tells others not to worry and states she has more important things to do.
p16Unidentified group member asks what floor they are currently on during the climb.
p16Voice states that the next stairs will reach the third floor.
p16Urgent call to move faster while ascending the stairwell.
p16Luffy shouts reassurance to Kin'emon that the destination is close.
p16Group member questions whether a sound came from the third floor.
p16Unidentified character begins a countdown to start an action.
p16Character comments that something is nice with playful laughter.
p16Character questions an unknown event with rising panic.
p16Distant scream is heard in reaction to an off-panel event.