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One Piece chapter 542: Another Tale to Tell — what is in it

Impel Down arc · 24 pages · 40 characters

Key facts in this chapter

  • p4Chapter 542 recap page summarizes prior events leading to Marineford.
  • p4Impel Down is shown with six distinct levels plus Newkama Land.
  • p4Blackbeard is listed among the Royal Shichibukai.
  • p6Chapter 542 title page features Emporio Ivankov walking a large dog.
  • p7Ace is chained on the Marineford execution platform.
  • p7Onigumo is present at the execution platform.
  • p8Blackbeard is missing from Marineford.
  • p8Five hours remain until Ace's scheduled execution.
  • p8Impel Down situation has escalated beyond control.
  • p9Blackbeard Pirates arrive at the main entrance of Impel Down.
  • p9Marines at the gate are in an emergency state with no reinforcements requested.
  • p9Blackbeard claims alliance with the government during the confrontation.
  • p10Blackbeard Pirates forcibly enter Impel Down through the main gate.
  • p10Explosions and structural damage occur during the invasion.
  • p10Blackbeard is identified as the Royal Shichibukai Marshall D. Teach.
  • p11Magellan is Vice Warden of Impel Down and shows visible distress.
  • p11Diagram tracks Luffy on Level 4, Buggy on Level 2, and Blackbeard at the entrance.
  • p11Multiple high-priority intruders are present inside Impel Down simultaneously.
  • p12Magellan has sealed off the upper floor with poison.
  • p12A large ball of poison blocks a doorway on an upper level.
  • p12Buggy and his group encounter the poison obstacle while attempting escape.
  • p13Magellan refuses to request Marine Headquarters reinforcements during the crisis.
  • p13Magellan directs suppression of level 4 prisoners using all available forces.
  • p13Shiryu confirms he will also move to respond.
  • p14Scene takes place on Level 6 Infinite Hell.
  • p14Shiryu is still under death row sentence that has been postponed.
  • p14Magellan assigns Shiryu to confront Blackbeard.
  • p15Shiryu engages guards with sword on Level 4.
  • p15Luffy enters the fighting on Level 4 Inferno Hell.
  • p15A sign marks the location as Level 4 Inferno Hell.
  • p16Prisoners have taken the guard room and stolen keys.
  • p16Blue Gorillas attack escaping prisoners on lower levels.
  • p16Freed inmates encourage others to escape their cells.
  • p17Saldeath is identified as Head Jailer.
  • p17Ivankov uses Face Growth Hormones to alter appearance.
  • p17Blue Gorillas are ordered to capture Ivankov.
  • p18Blue Gorilla squad is defeated in a single attack by Ivankov.
  • p18Luffy is directed to proceed upward without stopping.
  • p19Three Demon Beast Guards appear as reinforcements.
  • p19Sadi-chan arrives with the Demon Beast Guards.
  • p20Guns and cannons fail against the Demon Beast Guards.
  • p20Luffy activates Gear Third and begins a Merman technique.
  • p21Crocodile uses sand powers during combat inside Impel Down.
  • p21Luffy and Crocodile are engaged in direct physical confrontation.
  • p21Prisoners and guards witness the fight with visible reactions.

What is said, page by page

  • p4Narrative text states Edward Newgate heads to Marineford to rescue Ace.
  • p4Narrative text states Red-Haired Shanks begins moving in the New World.
  • p4Narrative text lists Marines assembled at Marineford headquarters.
  • p4Narrative text describes Luffy's Impel Down breakout and Ace rescue attempt.
  • p7Narration states Impel Down is experiencing its largest prisoner riots led by Monkey D. Luffy.
  • p7Onigumo thinks Take a good look at the sky... it'll be your last time you can.
  • p7Narration notes Ace will be restrained on the execution platform.
  • p7Marineford command orders Prepare to open the gates.
  • p8Marine reports What's wrong! Haa... haa... we can't find him!!!
  • p8Officer states the Royal Shichibukai Blackbeard is nowhere to be found.
  • p8Officer warns they have five hours until Ace's execution.
  • p8Marine reports Impel Down has just reached a state of total chaos.
  • p9Blackbeard laughs loudly declaring the gloomy atmosphere of the location with theatrical flair.
  • p9Blackbeard Pirate crewmate warns not to withhold information while claiming government alliance status.
  • p9Marine reports emergency situation and lack of requested reinforcements while pleading for time.
  • p9Marine questions the shared side status with the arriving pirates in confusion.
  • p9Blackbeard responds with a deep menacing laugh ignoring the marines' protests.
  • p10Guards shout to stop the intruders after being overwhelmed by the assault.
  • p10Blackbeard declares the group as intruders during the breach.
  • p10Marine reports that Blackbeard arrived aboard a battleship.
  • p10Report identifies Blackbeard and his pirates as hostile Shichibukai forces with unknown objective.
  • p10Crew reacts to sudden darkness after being pulled inside the prison.
  • p11Guard urges Vice Warden Magellan to keep it together amid the crisis.
  • p11Magellan laments his ruined career and dark future while begging for orders.
  • p11Officer reports Strawhat Luffy on Level 4, Buggy on Level 2, and Blackbeard at the gates.
  • p11Guard asks how to respond to the multiple simultaneous threats.
  • p11Guard calls for Magellan to return to the monitor room and maintain composure.
  • p12Magellan states he has sealed the current floor and will deal with remaining threats.
  • p12Subordinate confirms handling of prisoners on Level 2.
  • p12Prisoner warns Captain Buggy of the giant poison ball blocking the doorway.
  • p12Prisoners curse Magellan for the makeshift poison barrier.
  • p13Magellan orders no Marine reinforcements and commands all forces to suppress level 4 prisoners with fierce resolve.
  • p13Magellan states uncertainty about Blackbeard's attack and reluctant decision to act alone.
  • p13Magellan urges others to hold position until his arrival with intense sweating close-up.
  • p13Shiryu states he is also heading out in profile view.
  • p13Prisoners shout for the warden repeatedly while urging quick movement.
  • p14Shiryu comments on infinite boredom making him want to die while smoking.
  • p14Magellan warns Shiryu he remains on death row with no further chances.
  • p14Shiryu acknowledges the warning and agrees to keep it in mind.
  • p14Magellan orders Shiryu to take his sword and deal with Blackbeard.
  • p14Shiryu notes Magellan will likely return him to a cell afterward.
  • p15Shiryu apologizes while cutting down guards with sword.
  • p15Guard reacts with surprise exclamation.
  • p15Den Den Mushi transmission confirms message received.
  • p15Luffy shouts directions to the left and asks crab man for stairs to level 3.
  • p16Prisoners announce capture of the guard room and theft of keys.
  • p16Freed prisoners thank others for release and urge escape together.
  • p16Prisoners call for others to leave cells and join the escape.
  • p16Prisoners scream in pain upon encountering Blue Gorillas.
  • p16Prisoners identify the attackers as Blue Gorillas.
  • p17Saldeath commands Blue Gorillas to attack the giant-faced Okama King while firing.
  • p17Ivankov retorts that he is not giant-faced and used face growth hormones.
  • p17Ivankov unleashes a massive "WINK" attack with enormous destructive force.
  • p18Prisoners react in shock at the one-hit defeat of the entire Blue Gorilla squad.
  • p18Allies tell Luffy they will handle the rear guards and urge him to keep moving up.
  • p18Luffy acknowledges the support and continues forward.
  • p19Prisoners cheer reinforcements and Sadi-chan's arrival to help.
  • p19Ivankov notes the Demon Beast Guards look strong and tells Luffy to go ahead.
  • p19Ivankov states he is not very useful on land but will support Luffy.
  • p20Prisoners panic that guns and cannons are ineffective against the beasts.
  • p20Luffy commands the Demon Beast Guards to attack while entering Gear Third.
  • p20Luffy begins Merman Karate technique during the rampage.
  • p21Crocodile announces sand-based attack with aggressive intent amid the ongoing clash.
  • p21Crocodile calls out striking technique names while pressing the assault on his opponent.
  • p21Onlookers scream in terror and surprise at the sudden massive sandstorm eruption.
  • p21Background figures react with shock and disbelief to the violent exchange of blows.