Summary:
Luffy initially refuses his allies’ request to serve under him, saying that he wants to live free. However, Cavendish, Bartolomeo, Sai, Ideo, Leo, Hajrudin, and Orlumbus all pledge their loyalty to him anyway and form a one-sided alliance to help him whenever he needs.
They come under attack by a pirate alliance, but Fujitora destroys the alliance by dropping his wreckage on their ships. The newly formed Straw Hat Grand Fleet celebrates its formation as it is hinted that it will play a role in a key event in the future.
Somewhere out at sea, a group of pirates form an alliance to get revenge on Luffy for destroying Doflamingo’s market, which they relied on. They also plan to sack Dressrosa if Riku becomes king again.
On board the Yonta Maria, Bartolomeo prepares to finalize a deal for him, Cavendish, Sai, Idea, Leo, Hajrudin, Orlumbus, and each of their crews to serve under the Straw Pirates. He pours cups of sake for himself and the six captains before emptying the rest of the sake into a very large cup for the Straw Hats. Bartolomeo then reiterates their request to serve under Luffy, whom he officially bonds with by drinking sake, but he refuses to drink saying he doesn’t like the taste. The seven captains are shocked, saying it’s not about taste, but Luffy continues to refuse, knowing he would have full control over thousands of people. Bartolomeo tells him that this is a good thing because they can help Luffy defeat powerful enemies in the New World. Some of the captains are annoyed by the refusal, Sai and Ideo suggest that they should force him to drink. In the end, Luffy tells them that he doesn’t want to be in control of them because it wouldn’t allow him to sail free and become the pirate king he wanted. Luffy tells the captains that they already had a bond after working together to defeat Doflamingo, and he would come help any of them if they called.
Suddenly, an enemy pirate alliance arrives and starts shooting at the fleet of seven crews. Orlumbus leaves Columbus to deal with the enemies while the captains continue their discussion. Suddenly, Fujitora’s debris begins to fall on the attacking ships, which are quickly destroyed when Pico’s stone feet fall on them, and Fujitora tells Luffy that this is his parting gift. On Yonta Maria’s ship, the captains become emotional due to their admiration for Luffy’s desire to be free and decide to drink their sake and pledge their loyalty to Luffy regardless of his wishes, just as Zoro drinks sake from Luffy’s cup. The seven crews then bring food to a banquet to celebrate the creation of the Grand Straw Hat Fleet. Luffy is angry about this and that he can’t reciprocate the action, but the captains tell him that this is a one-sided alliance where they will come and help him whenever he wants.
The crews then attend a party, with Leo telling Cavendish that he will return to the Yellow Cab later, while Orlumbus orders his fleet to set sail. On Dressrose, Bastille receives word that debris is falling, but none of it hits the pirates, shocking him. Fujitora thanks Luffy for cleaning up the World Government mess, but is shocked when Sengoku overhears it from behind. In the Flower Field, Rebecca and Kyros watch the Straw Hats leave as they hold bare hands for the first time in ten years. As the Yonta Maria party continues, it is foreshadowed that the Grand Fleet of Straw Hats will play a role in a key event in the future.