Chapters · Summit War › Marineford

Chapter 557: Luffy and Whitebeard

Arc: Marineford · Saga: Summit War · Released: 2009-07-27

Summary

The Impel Down breakout crew — Luffy, Buggy, Crocodile, Jinbei, Ivankov and the rest — arrives at Marineford frozen atop a tsunami wave that Aokiji’s ice locked in place. With Ace’s execution moved up to “less than three hours,” Luffy rallies everyone to slide Buggy’s stolen Marine warship down the frozen wave; it shatters and plummets, splashing down in the single un-frozen patch of bay. The arrival electrifies both sides: Marines flag the escapees (“Jimbei!! Crocodile!! Even Ivankov of the Revolutionary Army!!”), Hancock swoons with relief, Garp groans at “your family again,” and Doflamingo notes there’s “never a dull moment” with Straw Hat. Luffy spots Ace on the scaffold. Jinbei formally resigns his Warlord seat. When Crocodile lunges to take Whitebeard’s head, Luffy reflexively punches him away — “Ace really likes that old man.” Whitebeard, eyeing the hat, recalls Shanks giving up his arm “for the sake of the new era” and recognizes the straw hat as Red Hair’s; Luffy confirms he’s holding it for Shanks. Luffy then yells at the world’s strongest pirate that he will be the Pirate King, “not you.” Sengoku identifies Luffy as the grandson of Garp and the son of Dragon — a target who must be eliminated — and orders the execution to proceed. The chapter opens Brook’s new cover serial.

New reveals

• Crash entry into Marineford. The escapees ride Aokiji’s frozen tsunami down on Buggy’s stolen warship; it cracks apart (KRA-KK) and falls, landing in the “only spot that isn’t frozen” (pp. 2-7).
• Execution accelerated. “They’re gonna execute Ace in less than three hours!!”; the intercepted Marine code states Ace “will be executed ahead of schedule as soon as preparations are complete” (pp. 2-3).
• Marine battle-code shown. A coded fleet transmission — “Goal point Totto. Change formation and proceed to step three of the standard maneuvers” — establishes the Navy fights to scripted, coded maneuvers (p. 3).
• Jinbei resigns his Warlord title on-page. “I’m resigning my position as one of the Seven Warlords!!” — a Marine demands “Is that your answer, Jimbei?!” (p. 12).
• Luffy shields Whitebeard. Crocodile charges Whitebeard (“It’s been a long time, Whitebeard… he’s trying to get the jump on me!!”); Luffy punches Crocodile away because “Ace really likes that old man.” Crocodile, furious: “I fulfilled my part of the agreement. Why are you protecting Whitebeard?” (pp. 13-15).
• Shanks / new-era recall + the hat. Flashback fragment: “What enemy did you give that left arm to?” / “This? I gave it up for the sake of the new era.” Whitebeard then notes Luffy’s hat “looks a lot like the one Red Hair used to wear”; Luffy: “I’m holding it for him.” Whitebeard: “You know Shanks?!” (pp. 14-15).
• Luffy’s declaration to a Yonko. “I know you’re trying to become the Pirate King!! But I’m going to be the Pirate King, not you!!” — spat directly at Whitebeard, who grins (“Cheeky devil…”) (pp. 16-17).
• Sengoku airs Luffy’s lineage. “…the grandson of the hero Garp and the son of Dragon. He has to be eliminated as well.” Sengoku orders “Shall we execute them all?” — “Of course!!” (pp. 12, 17).

Foreshadowing seeds planted

Payoffs (seeds from earlier chapters that resolve here)

Mentions / appearances

• Characters: Luffy, Whitebeard (“Pops”), Ace, Buggy (“the man who’s gonna conquer the world”), Crocodile, Jinbei (Jimbei), Emporio Ivankov (of the Revolutionary Army), Garp, Sengoku, Hancock, Smoker (Commodore), Tashigi, Helmeppo, Doflamingo, Mr. 1 & Mr. 3 (former Baroque Works escapees, among the breakout), Shanks (Red Hair — flashback/mention), Dragon (named by Sengoku, not shown), Aokiji (his ice referenced, not shown), Brook (cover)
• Locations: Marine Headquarters (Marineford — bay, plaza, execution scaffold)
• Groups / powers: Marines, Whitebeard Pirates, Seven Warlords of the Sea, Revolutionary Army (Ivankov cited), Giants (Marine giants in the line)
• Family / lineage aired: D (Garp → Dragon → Luffy broadcast by Sengoku)

Notable panels

• Page 1 — Title page. Opens Limited Cover Series No. 17: Brook’s “Repayment for a Night’s Stay and Underwear,” Vol. 1 — “People Who Do Not Fight.” 1-page B&W cover; Brook among villagers (cover serial start; deferred to cover-tracker).
• Page 5 — Full-bleed SPLOOSH!! — the frozen warship plunges into the bay (Justice 正義 coats foregrounded). Splash-worthy.
• Page 13 — SHEEN…!! Crocodile’s hook glints as he lunges for Whitebeard’s throat.
• Page 14 — WHAK!! Luffy’s fist sends Crocodile flying; intercut Shanks “new era” flashback panel.
• Page 16 — Towering full-height Whitebeard vs. tiny defiant Luffy (“I’m going to be the Pirate King, not you!!”). Scale-contrast composition.
• Page 18 — Final panel: Ace, sweating on the scaffold, screams “LUFFY!!” (numbered p. 116).

Open questions raised

• Why was that single patch of bay left un-frozen — chance, or did someone (Aokiji?) leave it open?
• Will Jinbei’s public resignation be honored, or treated as desertion by the Marines?
• Now that Sengoku has publicly tied Luffy to Garp and Dragon, how does the World Government weaponize that heritage?
• How does Whitebeard know Shanks well enough to recognize his hat — what is the history between the two Yonko?