Chapter 648

The Sea Kings tell Shirahoshi they have awaited her arrival for ages, explaining that Noah was built to be towed by them and that their queen is reborn in mermaid form every few centuries. Neptune declares that a power capable of ending the world has awakened. After settling Noah beside the Sea Forest, terrifying Hatchan, Den, and Camie, the creatures depart, promising to return when the appointed time comes. At Ryugu Palace, the missing mermaids are found safe inside the castle, though the treasury, including the Tamatebako, has been emptied.

Neptune clears the Straw Hats of blame and orders the people informed. The captive officers Hody Jones and Vander Decken IX are dragged in and chained. A tearful Shirahoshi carries a bleeding Luffy to the plaza, and Chopper, drained from Monster Point and propped up by Robin, halts the bleeding but calls for an F-type blood donor. With the crew unable to help and an old law forbidding cross-species transfusions, Jinbe steps forward, declaring that laws mean nothing to a pirate. Once revived, Luffy speaks Jinbe's name and invites him to join the Straw Hat Pirates.

The cover shows Skypiea's God's Guards after the timeskip. Luffy is confirmed to share Gol D. Roger's ability to hear the voice of Sea Kings, shown via a Roger and Rayleigh flashback. Chopper's Monster Point is named, with the after-effect of immobilizing him for two to three hours. Caribou is revealed as the mermaid kidnapper and treasure thief, and Neptune calls the transfusion law another curse on the kingdom.