One Era Ends, Another Begins: The Aftermath of Whitebeard's Death

All across the world, civilians rejoice that the Marines emerged victorious in the Summit War of Marineford. The Eleven Supernovas, having all assembled at Marineford to take part in the battle (viewing it from a safe distance), realize that Whitebeard has been killed and all of them take their own separate actions...

Elsewhere on Marineford, Donquixote Doflamingo and the Pacifista are beating Gecko Moria to death. Doflamingo claims that the government has decided that he is too weak to be a Warlord of the Sea, and that it would be better if he was thought to be "killed in the war" rather than eliminated by the government. Moria asks if Sengoku is behind the decision, but Doflamingo claims that the decision was made by powers even higher than him.[1] Two weeks later, the aftereffects of the war are still taking hold. In the town of Las Camp in the West Blue, a new pirate crew has formed, and its captain proclaims that they will head to the Grand Line. While the Marines are trying to stop them, new pirate crews are being formed all around the world. After Ivankov and the Newkama leave on the stolen Marine ship to sail back to the Kamabakka Kingdom, Luffy, Hancock, Jinbe, and the Heart Pirates all return to Amazon Lily. The Heart Pirates are given special permission to land on a small beach on the island but are forbidden from going elsewhere. Luffy has woken up and is now desperately trying to convince himself that Ace's death was but a dream. He goes on a rampage, with the Heart Pirates unable to calm him. Law comments that if Luffy does not calm down soon, his wounds will open up and certainly kill him. At the central palace in Amazon Lily, Hancock is ecstatic to hear that Luffy is awake once more. She wishes to see him at once, though Elder Nyon prevents this as she sees such an action as a bad example to her subjects, and that allowing the Heart Pirates to even be on the island was a special exception already. Hancock's sisters, remembering that she had not eaten since she returned, tell her to eat, but only convince her to prepare a feast for Luffy so that he can recover. Nyon says that once Luffy is at full strength, she will allow him to see Hancock. Nyon thinks about both Hancock's strengthening "Love Sickness" and Luffy's incredible survival, going through both Impel Down and Marineford. Back at the Heart Pirates' camp, the crew members discuss the women of the island and wish that they could go past their boundary to see them. Sitting on a rock not too far from them is Law, who is looking at the straw hat he has in his hand with a curious look. Luffy finally calms down after recalling everything that had happened to him right before he fainted and finally accepts that he was not dreaming. Jinbe watches over him, remembering that he promised Ace that if he died, he would protect him. Luffy cries out to Jinbe, asking him if Ace died, which Jinbe confirms, making Luffy cry even harder. Jinbe begins to tear up at the sight of Luffy's grief.[2] Flashback: Dawn Island Bond of Brothers: Ace and Luffy's Past! Ten years ago, on the road to Mt. Colubo on Dawn Island, Garp brings a young Luffy to be raised by Curly Dadan, who has already been raising Ace since his birth, ten years before the flashback. Luffy, who had already met Shanks and obtained his Gomu Gomu no Mi, is angry at his grandfather since he has already made up his mind to become the Pirate King, much to Garp's dismay, as he wishes for Luffy and Ace to become great Marines. After knocking on Dadan's door in her large house in the forest, Dadan, a large bandit woman, and two of her henchmen step out of the door. Dadan complains about how much of a hassle Ace is, and that she can barely handle him. To her surprise, Garp tells her that he is entrusting her with Luffy. She claims that she could not possibly raise both Luffy and Ace, but Garp reminds her that he knows all about her illegal activities and that if she refused, he would turn her and her men in. She then changed her mind and accepted it with anger. Suddenly, Luffy is attacked with a ball of spit. He turns to see who it came from and sees Ace for the first time. Although Garp tells both Ace and Luffy to get along, the two stare at each other with a seeming hatred.[2] Luffy is left with the bandits and quickly shows his disdain for them due to his previous encounter not too long ago. The bandits sit down to eat, and Luffy complains about the small portion he has gotten compared to Ace's, who gets a bigger share. Dadan explains that since Ace had slain the buffalo, he got the bigger meat, and that Luffy should count himself lucky that Ace is sharing with them. Dadan then tries to take advantage of Luffy and makes him her servant, but her attempts backfire due to Luffy's simple-minded nature. Ace heads off on his own, with Luffy following after him. Luffy tells him that he forgives him for spitting on him earlier and tries to be his friend. Ace, however, ignores him and knocks down a tree to prevent Luffy from following him. Luffy manages to break through and continues after Ace on a rope bridge. Annoyed, Ace knocks him off into the chasm below. Ace returns to the mountain bandits and claims he does not know where Luffy is when asked, which Dadan roughly shrugs off as not being her responsibility. A week later, Luffy returns to the cabin, battered but alive. When asked what happened, Luffy claims to have been chased off a cliff by wolves. The next day, Ace heads off on his own again, and Luffy tags along behind him. Ace would venture out and Luffy would try to follow him, each time with Luffy ending up in one dangerous situation after another, which Ace would purposely lead Luffy into.