Summary:
In the forest, Moria’s shadow kicks Luffy. Luffy cries out in despair, remembering that he promised to get everyone’s shadow back, including his, and also remembering the fate if they don’t get it back: that they will burn in the sun if their shadows aren’t returned.
Back to the oar fight, Zoro continues to fight with the oars. Shusui used his newly acquired sword and said that the sword was heavier than his previous sword. Oars tries to strike Zoro, but the swordsman redirects the blow, stunning Usopp and Chopper. Zoro uses another move that flies and almost hits the oars. The zombie giant is lucky and says that the attack would have done real damage if it hit. Zoro comments that he still wasn’t strong enough to use the sword, saying that the sword was not “well mannered”. Zoro said into the air that the sword was quite a gift from Ryuma. Oars try to stomp on Chopper, Usopp, Sanji, Franky, and Zoro, but they all dodge his massive legs. Zoro prepares for another attack, only to be stopped by Usopp. Usopp reasons that if they beat the oars, only Luffy would get his shadow back. However, if Luffy somehow defeated Moria, they would be able to get all the shadows back. Usopp suggests that everyone believe in Luffy. Zoro replies that he believed in Luffy, but that there would be obstacles: the “invisible man”, the “spirit woman”, and the “shadow master”. He questions if they would really let Luffy fight Moria face-to-face, saying that if they delayed him until dawn, they wouldn’t be able to fight at all. Franky and Robin seem to agree. Zoro says that while Luffy is gone, he will start doing some work. Franky looks up to find that it is half an hour before dawn, but the sunlight is nowhere to be seen due to the thick fog surrounding Thriller Bark.
Suddenly the ground begins to shake, startling the Straw Hats and Oars. The zombies scream that they might start to see bits of sunlight. It is soon concluded that Oars accidentally moved Thriller Bark from the Florian Triangle due to his earlier tampering. Several zombies run into Moria’s room and alert him to the situation. Moria tells them that he didn’t care because they were pirates who sailed where they wanted. He declares that he has very important business to attend to and begins talking to his visitor, Bartholomew Kuma. Moria talks to Kuma and says that Kuma was the only sea warrior who fulfilled the world government’s wishes. Kuma asks Moria where he would like to go on vacation. Moria doesn’t tell him anything, saying that he already knew about Kumo’s special ability. The zombies stare in awe at the giant warrior. Kuma states that he was supposed to deliver a message.
Due to the defeat of the Crocodile, the World Government had to choose a successor. Moria comments that there were many pirates to go through and asks who the lucky pirate was. Kuma reveals the newest warrior of the sea, Marshall D. Teach. Moria states that he had no knowledge of a man named “Teach” or “Blackbeard”. He questions the reward and after receiving the answer of “Zero” remarks that Blackbeard must have done an act capable enough to make the World Government take notice. Moria laughs and says that the world was once again in balance. However, a stern-faced Kuma reveals that he feels differently, saying that the World Government was concerned. He talks about the recent Enies Lobby incident and reveals that the World Government has recently been watching the Straw Hat Pirates. They concluded that if they followed Log Pose from Water 7 to Fish-Man Island, they would most likely end up in Thriller Bark. He then reveals that the World Government is worried that another warrior may fall to the Straw Hats.
Enraged, Moria grabs Kuma and asks if all Kuma did was “protect” Moria. Kuma says he’s happy to help if needed. This infuriates Moria even more as she yells at Kuma asking if he knows who he is. Zombies fear their master’s rage. Moria declares that he could never have been defeated by a crew of such inexperience. Kuma says that the battle had no certain outcome and says that who could have dreamed of defeating CP9’s Rob Lucci. Moria, still enraged, asks Kuma that the reason there are two sea warriors on the Thriller Bark was because the World Government was afraid Moria would lose. Kuma simply says that he was here to report and had no orders to engage in battle. Moria shouts that Kuma is sitting watching the battle and that he can deliver a message to the spoiled brats that the pirates who managed to outsmart the government are now part of Zombie Gecko Moria’s army.
The Straw Hats are worried about the fog that has lifted revealing the sunlight. A voice coming from the oars laughs at the Straw Hats and says that they had no time to talk as dawn approached. Usopp then sees Moria herself in Oars belly, in the compartment. Even Vesla is surprised and excited at the prospect of looking like a robot. Moria makes a deal, saying that if the Straw Men could defeat Moria in battle, he would release their shadows. However, they would have to defeat Oars first. As each Straw Hat makes his comment about Oars, everyone prepares for battle. Zoro orders Usopp to go find a mountain of salt to clean the oars. Usopp quickly runs into the castle kitchen, only to be stopped by the oars, the massive giant punching directly at Usopp. As Chopper tries to get Usopp, a voice shouts that Usopp was fine. Usopp is holding Brook over his shoulder, who is holding a large amount of salt in a bag.