One Piece Chapter 638 Summary: Runawayhoshi

What happens in chapter 638

The cover page is titled "Runawayhoshi." The cover story continues, "From Shipdecks Around The World Vol. 22: The Kingdom of Alabasta - Environment Minister Kohza." Kohza stands in Alubarna with other Alabasta figures, now serving in the kingdom's government after the civil-war crisis. This is world cover-story material and does not take place in the current Fishman Island battle.

Kohza

Noah has not crashed into Fishman Island, because Princess Shirahoshi has drawn the danger away for everyone's sake. The people below understand what she has done and shout, "Oh, Princess Shirahoshi!! Run for your life!!" Vander Decken screams after her, "Where are you going, Shirahoshi?! Bahoholi!! There's nowhere to hide!!!" Shirahoshi pants as she swims, knowing she cannot simply escape into the open water or the island's bubble will burst. Her flight is not panic; she is trying to guide Noah away without destroying the island.

NoahShirahoshi Vander Decken IX

Shirahoshi thinks through the route. The main entrance is too far away, and the bubble would be horribly damaged before she could reach it. She remembers that the last people to leave Ryugu Palace were Luffy's friends and realizes where they must have gone. Below, the citizens cry, "Is there nothing we can do?!" and recognize that the princess is risking her life for them. Others insist that it is not her fault and point out that Decken is on the ship, and Hody has gone up there too. Hody, still panting but driven by hatred, climbs toward Noah while Shirahoshi remains in terrible danger.

ShirahoshiRyugu PalaceMonkey D. Luffy Vander Decken IX Hody JonesNoah

At the plaza, Jinbe warns Luffy that Hody's fishman strength will be on a completely different level up in the ocean. Sanji prepares to send Luffy after him anyway. He knows he cannot simply kick Luffy into open water; he has to get the force just right, strong enough to launch him but not so strong that Luffy becomes helpless. Sanji names the setup `Armee de l'Air...` and drives Luffy upward with `Gomu Shoot!!!` Luffy rockets toward Noah, trusting Sanji's aim and leaving the fight below to the others.

Jinbe Monkey D. Luffy Hody Jones SanjiNoah

The launch works, but not cleanly. Luffy slams into the giant chain between the bubbles and gasps, "Whoaaaaa!! This is one big chain!!" He realizes he is between the two bubbles, with Shirahoshi and Noah above while Hody remains below the bubble. The position map makes the danger clear: Luffy is closer to the boundary than to the real fight, and if he misjudges the route he will be trapped in open water. Still, he catches himself and looks back toward the battlefield, realizing Hody has not yet left the island's bubble.

Monkey D. Luffy Shirahoshi Hody JonesNoah

Below, everyone grabs onto Noah's chain and pulls with everything they have. They know they cannot stop the ship, but they try to slow it as much as possible. The voices rise together: "Everybody pull!! Even if we can't stop it... We have to slow this ship down as much as we can...!!!" The people admit it may achieve next to nothing, but they must do what they can. They also beg Shirahoshi to find somewhere safe and shout, "Don't let the Noah go after her!!!" Their effort is desperate and nearly hopeless, yet no one stands idle while the princess risks herself.

NoahShirahoshi

The crowd keeps pulling, shouting, "Protect the princess!!!" Shirahoshi looks back, breathless and moved, calling to everyone. Hody watches them with contempt, dripping from the water, and says they must be completely insane to think they could move the ship even a millimetre. Luffy sees what Hody is doing and yells, "Hey!!! Stop that!!!" Hody answers with another `Yabusame!!!`, firing water bullets into the chain and the people struggling below.

Shirahoshi Hody Jones Monkey D. LuffyNoah

Hody's water shots rip through the pullers and scatter them from the chain. People cry out while Shirahoshi covers her mouth in horror. Hody calls them "worthless pieces of filth" and says it is thanks to idiots like them that humans look down on fishmen. Luffy snarls, "Why, that dirty...!!" Shirahoshi then sees the answer she had hoped for: the gate into the palace is wide open. According to her father, Noah must not be harmed, so she must ensure it returns to the ocean floor without colliding with anything.

Hody Jones Shirahoshi Monkey D. LuffyNoahNeptune

Shirahoshi slips through the stretched-out connection and out into open water. The onlookers cry, "Hey - hang in there!!" and realize what she has done: "Princess Shirahoshi just..." She passes through the watery corridor, and Noah follows her out. The ship's massive hull swings after its living target, still bound by Vander Decken's ability. People shout for the princess to run as far away as she can, but her face shows fear and exhaustion. Even outside the bubble, she remains the focus of the entire island's danger.

ShirahoshiNoahVander Decken IX

Luffy tumbles along the huge chain as the movement throws him upward. He cries, "Whoaaaah!! We're going up!!" and narrowly avoids being crushed, yelling, "That was close!!" while the bubble around him bounces through the current. He calls after the chain, "Get back here, chain!!" but the motion of Noah and Shirahoshi is pulling everything beyond his control. Luffy is still trying to reach the ship, but in the ocean his movement depends on bubbles, chains, and timing rather than his own swimming strength.

Monkey D. LuffyNoahShirahoshi

Hody reaches Luffy in the open water and turns the ocean itself into intimidation. He tells Luffy, "Out in the open water, with nothing but ocean all around you... A pathetic human, who cannot even breathe beneath the waves. And you hope to become king of these waters?! Hah!!" Hody demands, "Beg for mercy, inferior being!!!" Below them, Noah continues to move toward Shirahoshi, while Luffy's air bubble is the only thing keeping him alive in an environment made for Hody.

Hody Jones Monkey D. LuffyNoahShirahoshi

Vander Decken revels in Shirahoshi's helpless position. He asks how she likes her freedom now that the walls of Shell Tower that protected her for ten long years cannot help her. Then he turns the threat into a marriage proposal again: "So which will it be?!! Will you die from blood loss as the life spurts forth from your wounds?! Or will this mighty ship crush you first?!" He offers one last chance to escape death if she says yes and marries him. Shirahoshi apologizes but begins her answer: "You're just not my -!!!" before the others interrupt.

Vander Decken IX ShirahoshiNoah

Shirahoshi's brothers arrive between Decken and their sister. They shout, "Shirahoshi is our beloved sister!! You are not laying a single finger on her, Decken!!!" and warn him that if he thinks they will let him marry her, he has another thing coming. Shirahoshi calls for Manboshi, Ryuboshi, and Hoe. Decken is furious that they interrupt just as Shirahoshi was about to give him her answer. Shirahoshi insists she is not angry, but explains that everyone below was trying to save her, and according to their father Noah absolutely must not be harmed. Therefore they must ensure it returns to the ocean floor without hitting anything.

Shirahoshi Vander Decken IX Manboshi RyuboshiHoeNeptuneNoah

Hody climbs onto Noah and calls out to Luffy, "You can't run from me, Straw Hat!!!" Luffy, still inside his bubble, thanks the princes: "Thanks for this! You really saved me!! Are you all right, though?!" The princes tell the others to avoid dangerous undersea mountains and trenches because they cannot lead the ship into such places. They decide it is time to deal with Decken. Luffy is still more worried about his wounds than their maneuvering, but the princes are focused on returning Noah safely while protecting Shirahoshi.

Hody Jones Monkey D. Luffy Shirahoshi Vander Decken IX Manboshi RyuboshiHoeNoah

Hody attacks underwater with `Kirisame`, a technique glossed as "Slicing Shark." He slices through the water toward Luffy with the full advantage of a fishman in the ocean. Luffy sees the attack coming, but the water limits his movement and his air bubble makes every dodge dangerous. Hody crashes through the space around him, forcing Luffy to react inside an environment where he cannot breathe and cannot fight freely.

Hody Jones Monkey D. Luffy

The princes intercept and scatter Hody's attack, keeping Luffy alive long enough to move. Luffy shouts, "Hey, take me to the deck of the ship, where I can fight!! I want to beat up that Hody and the other guy who throws stuff!!" He remembers leaving the tower with Shirahoshi and promising to protect her. The princes answer from their own shame: they promised the same thing, to become great warriors like their father and protect Shirahoshi with their lives, yet a mere drug allowed a common thug to stop them from standing up. They apologize to Luffy for ever doubting him and tell him to let them carry him to the deck.

Monkey D. Luffy Hody Jones Vander Decken IX Shirahoshi Manboshi RyuboshiHoeNeptune

Hody emerges on Noah's deck and sees Vander Decken collapsed or gravely wounded, asking, "How did things go with Neptune?! Is he dead?" Hody answers only with silence and contempt. Decken realizes the danger and asks what will happen to the ship with him dead and gone. Hody does not care; he says he is now taking care of Shirahoshi with the ship and calls Decken a brother in arms. At the same time, Shirahoshi keeps swimming upward and tells herself, "Upwards... I must swim upwards..." Hody's focus has narrowed to using Noah and Decken's power while discarding Decken himself.

Hody Jones Vander Decken IX Neptune ShirahoshiNoah

The SBS page includes Oda discussing the new post-timeskip Jolly Roger designs for the nine Straw Hats, explaining that toy companies brought him designs and he corrected them. The page shows individual skull emblems for the crew. A reader also asks why Luffy's rubber power was chosen despite seeming weak compared to other strong Devil Fruits. Oda answers that rubber is the most ridiculous power, and that no matter how serious the story gets, Luffy can still stretch and inflate, giving Oda room to joke around. That, he says, is the kind of manga he wanted to write.

Eiichiro OdaMonkey D. Luffy

No description for this page.

End of chapter19 pages

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About this chapter

One Piece Chapter 638: Runawayhoshi

Chapter: 638
Summarised: 9 Jul 2026
Pages: 19
Arc: Fish-Man Island
Previous: Chapter 637
Next: Chapter 639

Chapter 638 summary

Shirahoshi swims ahead of Noah to draw the ship away from Fishman Island and protect the bubble. Citizens below grab the chain and pull with all their strength to slow the vessel while urging her to find safety. Sanji launches Luffy upward with a precise kick so he can reach the ship, and Luffy lands on the chain between the bubbles. Hody climbs aboard Noah and fires water bullets that scatter the pullers. Shirahoshi slips out into open water with Noah following, and her brothers arrive to block Vander Decken. Luffy asks the princes to carry him to the deck while Hody slices through the water with Kirisame. The princes scatter the attack and agree to take Luffy aboard. On the deck Hody finds Vander Decken wounded and declares he will now use the ship against Shirahoshi as she continues swimming upward.

Questions chapter 638 answers

40 key facts · 14 characters

Key facts in chapter 638

p0Chapter title is Runawayhoshi.
p0Scene depicts Kingdom of Alabasta under the YUBA arch.
p1Noah is shown hurtling through the sea near Fishman Island.
p1Shirahoshi is actively swimming away from the island.
p2Main entrance is noted as too distant for Shirahoshi to reach safely.
p2A chained figure is shown panting on the seafloor.
p3Luffy performs Gomu Shoot while airborne above the ocean.
p3Hody Jones is positioned in the water during Luffy's attack.
p4Luffy is positioned between two large bubbles.
p4Shirahoshi is trapped inside one labeled bubble.
p4Hody is located inside a separate labeled bubble below Luffy.
p5Fish-men are attempting to slow the Noah ship by pulling chains.
p5Wadatsumi is actively participating in the effort.
p6Luffy is positioned above the Noah ship during the pulling attempt.
p6A large impact occurs with visible debris and motion.
p7Hody Jones is on the deck expressing rage toward other fish-men.
p7The palace gate is open and visible to Shirahoshi.
p7Luffy observes the situation from nearby.
p8Shirahoshi escapes the structure into open water.
p8Noah pursues Shirahoshi immediately after her escape.
p9Luffy becomes trapped inside a bubble while tangled in chains.
p9Luffy is carried upward through the water by the bubble.
p10Wadatsumi confronts Luffy inside the bubble.
p10Noah smashes through underwater structures below.
p11Vander Decken attacks Shirahoshi with weapons.
p11Shirahoshi refuses Vander Decken's marriage demand.
p12Neptune physically confronts Vander Decken IX with drawn sword.
p12Shirahoshi is positioned above the confrontation scene.
p12The three princes are present and vocal during the argument.
p13Decken initiates a large-scale ship collision attack.
p13Luffy and Shirahoshi travel together inside a bubble.
p13Neptune is injured but continues fighting alongside Luffy.
p14Kirisame launches a high-speed slicing attack underwater.
p14Luffy and Shirahoshi are caught in the resulting violent current.
p15Shirahoshi expresses desire to fight Hody and Decken directly.
p15Luffy and Neptune reaffirm their protection promise to Shirahoshi.
p15The group continues moving toward the ship deck amid the attack.
p16Neptune attacks Hody Jones with his trident on the ship deck.
p16Shirahoshi appears on the deck during the confrontation.
p16The ship sustains visible structural damage from the fight.

Symbols and visual details172 · show

p0Large bold chapter title 'Runawayhoshi' centered at top of page.
p0YUBA arch prominently displayed with palm trees and stone buildings in background.
p0Tall man in striped coat and bandana standing left foreground.
p0Smiling young man in cap and scarf positioned beside striped coat man.
p0Older bearded man in turban and dark robe standing center foreground.
p0Man with goggles reading newspaper on right side of group.
p0Figure in dark coat and hat visible further back near buildings.
p0Multiple palm trees and distant stone architecture under bright sky.
p0Bottom caption references 'From Shipdecks Around The World Vol 22: The Kingdom of Alabasta - Environment Minister Kohza'.
p1Massive explosion and impact SFX around the ship Noah plunging through water.
p1Large circular bubble structure visible in upper panel.
p1Shirahoshi shown swimming with mermaid tail and long hair, sweat drops visible.
p1Hody Jones with wide open mouth and aggressive posture on right panel.
p1Multiple motion lines and impact effects indicating high speed movement.
p1Fishman Island visible in background below the surface.
p1Small boat silhouette near the island.
p1Panting SFX near Shirahoshi indicating exhaustion.
p2Shirahoshi shown in profile with sweat drops and determined expression.
p2Small diagram of main entrance and Noah near the bubble surface.
p2Crowd of Fish-Man District citizens with raised arms and panicked postures.
p2Large chained figure with wild hair and beard panting heavily on seafloor.
p2Multiple chains wrapped around the massive figure's body.
p2Panting SFX repeated around the chained figure.
p2Speech bubbles from citizens showing distress and support for the princess.
p2Overhead view of damaged bubble area with debris.
p3Luffy leaping through air with stretched arm in upper panel.
p3Silhouetted figures watching from below near coral and structures.
p3Luffy shown with gritted teeth and focused expression mid-strike.
p3Armée de l'Air text visible in one panel.
p3Large impact SFX and motion lines during Gomu Shoot attack.
p3Hody Jones silhouette visible in background during the strike.
p3Warning text about Hody's enhanced fishman strength in ocean.
p3Luffy's internal thought about controlling the strike distance and power.
p4Luffy hurled through air with wide eyes and open mouth amid massive bubble chains and debris.
p4Large chain-like bubble structure spans multiple panels as central visual motif.
p4Labeled bubble marked SHIRAHOSHI containing the princess.
p4Labeled bubble marked HODY containing the fish-man.
p4Close-up of fish-man face with gritted teeth and sweat drops showing pain.
p4Luffy in mid-air with outstretched limbs and shocked expression.
p4Small distant silhouette of Luffy against bright bubble background.
p4SFX lines radiating from impacts and bubble movements.
p4Luffy's head close-up with sweat and wide eyes reacting to position.
p4Hody lying prone below the bubble layer with body partially visible.
p4Panel composition splits focus between Luffy above and labeled bubbles below.
p5Multiple fish-men pulling on massive chains attached to the Noah ship.
p5Wadatsumi in spotted shell roars with open mouth and sweat while pulling.
p5Fish-men and mermaids strain in background with effort lines.
p5Noah ship hull visible with many hands gripping chains.
p5Shirahoshi not directly shown but referenced in dialogue bubbles.
p5Large SFX characters dominate upper panel for shouting.
p5Fish-men tails and fins emphasized in pulling poses.
p5Sweat drops and motion lines around all straining figures.
p5Foreground fish-man with curly hair and gritted teeth urging action.
p5Background fish-men and sea creatures join the pull effort.
p6Luffy shouting angrily from above with furrowed brows and open mouth.
p6Fish-man with wild hair questions the pulling effort with skeptical expression.
p6Mermaid watches with hands near face and concerned wide eyes.
p6Massive impact SFX erupts in lower panels with radiating lines.
p6Luffy's shocked reaction panel with sweat drops.
p6Fish-man and mermaid shown in close-up during the impact moment.
p6Chains and debris flying from the sudden collision.
p6Panel layout shows Luffy above reacting to chaos below.
p6Mermaid's hair flows with motion lines indicating surprise.
p6Unknown fish-man silhouette partially visible in impact cloud.
p7Panic on deck with multiple fish-men screaming and flailing limbs.
p7Hody Jones looms with furious glare and bared sharp teeth.
p7Shirahoshi points toward open palace gate with flowing hair.
p7Luffy stares in shock with wide eyes and clenched expression.
p7Scattered fish-men and debris across the chaotic deck scene.
p7Hody's face in close-up showing intense anger lines.
p7Open circular palace gate visible in background architecture.
p7Fish-men falling or recoiling from Hody's presence.
p7Shirahoshi's surprised face turned toward the gate.
p7Luffy's head close-up with sweat and furious look.
p7Multiple SFX for screams and impacts across panels.
p8Shirahoshi shown with tears on face, hand near mouth, blood marks on arm and cheek, wide eyes, heavy breathing indicated by *PANT* *PANT*
p8Large ship Noah depicted from side with dangling chains and ornate hull details surging through water
p8Massive splash and water currents drawn around Noah and connecting structure
p8Background figures with alarmed expressions and open mouths in upper panels
p8SFX SWISH and FWAPP placed near water surface and structure
p8Circular connecting way shown stretched and broken with light effects
p8Shirahoshi positioned in lower left foreground with hair flowing and scaled tail visible
p8Noah looming directly behind Shirahoshi creating pursuit composition
p8Small bubbles and debris scattered in water around the ship
p8Panel layout splits focus between close-up Shirahoshi face and wide view of Noah chase
p9Luffy shown tumbling and tangled in heavy chains inside churning water
p9Large bubble forms around Luffy enclosing him while chains trail outside
p9Luffy inside spinning bubble with arms and legs spread in struggle
p9SFX ULGB, MNH, and multiple ゴゴゴ placed near chains and bubble
p9Debris and bubbles swirling around the ascending bubble
p9Luffy's face visible with open mouth and determined expression while reaching for chain
p9Chain links drawn thick and heavy wrapping around Luffy's body
p9Bubble shown rising with motion lines indicating upward movement
p9Small separate panel of Luffy reaching toward a loose chain link
p10Luffy inside bubble with hands pressed against the surface and wide alarmed eyes
p10Towering black silhouette of Wadatsumi looming over the bubble with glowing eyes
p10Wadatsumi's large face shown in close-up with sharp teeth and mocking expression
p10Noah visible below smashing through underwater structures
p10SFX SHIII RAAAA and BAHO HOHO HOHO placed near Noah and Wadatsumi
p10Luffy's expression shifts to shock with sweat drops and open mouth
p10Small fish-like figure near Noah hull
p10Panel composition places Wadatsumi above Luffy creating dominance
p10Bubble interior shows motion lines and Luffy's body pressed against the wall
p11Vander Decken shown with weapons raised and intense angry expression
p11Shirahoshi bloodied with tears, sweat drops, and fearful wide eyes
p11Multiple weapons and spears flying toward Shirahoshi with impact lines
p11Megalo the shark shown with wide eyes and open mouth in lower left
p11SFX ギラリ and ドゴォ placed near Decken and impacts
p11Shirahoshi's long hair flowing wildly while she is struck
p11Decken's hat and coat details visible with dynamic pose
p11Panel shows Shirahoshi recoiling from attacks with blood visible
p11Close-up of Shirahoshi's face with tears and open mouth responding
p11Background architecture of Noah interior visible behind attacks
p12Neptune towers with drawn sword and open roaring mouth over Vander Decken IX.
p12Vander Decken IX snarls upward with bared teeth and aggressive posture.
p12Shirahoshi watches from above with wide eyes and surprised expression.
p12Three princes Mamboshi, Ryuboshi, Fukaboshi shout in unison from behind.
p12Large bold impact SFX "GO!!" dominates central panel composition.
p12Neptune's sword points directly at Decken's face in confrontation.
p12Shirahoshi's long hair and princess attire visible in upper background.
p12Decken's ornate hat and patterned clothing shown in close combat framing.
p12Crowd silhouettes visible in lower background plaza area.
p12Neptune's bloodied torso and fierce expression emphasized in lower panels.
p12Decken's chained hand gestures visible during argument.
p12Vertical panel layout shows falling motion and crowd reaction below.
p13Vander Decken IX lunges forward with wide grin and intense eyes.
p13Massive ship section crashes through ocean floor with debris and chains.
p13Luffy rides inside bubble on Shirahoshi's back with determined expression.
p13Neptune appears bloodied but fierce while speaking to Luffy.
p13Large bold SFX "DON!!" and impact lines dominate right panel.
p13Luffy's face shown in close-up with sweat and focused gaze.
p13Shirahoshi's long flowing hair trails behind the bubble.
p13Underwater rock formations and trench background visible.
p13Small sea creatures and bubbles scattered in motion panels.
p13Decken's snarling close-up face fills left panel.
p13Neptune's trident and royal attire visible in lower panels.
p13Composition shows multiple simultaneous action tiers.
p14Kirisame labeled as massive shark-like figure with curly hair and spotted pattern.
p14Kirisame performs slicing fin attack with "GIRA" effects.
p14Luffy's eyes widen in shock with sweat drops and open mouth.
p14Violent underwater explosion of foam and bubbles fills lower panel.
p14Luffy and Shirahoshi hurled through raging currents with motion lines.
p14Large bold SFX "ZUUU!!" and impact effects shown.
p14Kirisame's muscular torso and aggressive expression emphasized.
p14Debris and bubbles scatter across multiple panels.
p14Panel composition uses radial lines for shockwave emphasis.
p14Luffy's straw hat visible during tumbling motion.
p15Kirisame's massive body thrashes creating chaotic water currents.
p15Shirahoshi carries Luffy while being tossed by violent waters.
p15Princes tumble separately amid impact SFX.
p15Neptune's voice echoes from off-panel during chaos.
p15Luffy grins while speaking to Shirahoshi inside the bubble.
p15Shirahoshi shows crying expression with open mouth.
p15Large bold SFX "GYAH OOO!!!" and motion lines dominate.
p15Underwater rock and debris fly in background.
p15Luffy's determined face visible in close-up bubble panel.
p15Neptune's bloodied form appears in lower right panel.
p15Composition shows multiple characters separated by water turbulence.
p16Hody Jones close-up with wide savage grin, sharp teeth, and sweat drops on face.
p16Neptune in background holding trident while restrained or struggling.
p16Large impact panel with Neptune swinging massive trident creating KSPLASH effect and sending Hody flying.
p16Hody Jones mid-air with surprised expression after being struck.
p16Shirahoshi appearing on deck with wide eyes, open mouth, and sweat indicating shock.
p16Shirahoshi shown with long flowing hair, mermaid features, and panicked expression.
p16Ship deck and structure breaking apart with large black debris fragments flying.
p16Neptune lunging forward with trident extended in attack pose, sweat and motion lines.
p16Hody Jones lying or recoiling with blood or sweat droplets visible on body.
p16Background fish-man faces with open mouths and intense expressions reacting to fight.
p16Panel composition shows vertical motion lines and speed effects during trident strike.
p16Shirahoshi lower body partially visible with scaled tail and decorative accessories.
p16Large onomatopoeia SFX blocks emphasizing impact and destruction on ship.
p16Character gazes directed upward or toward deck in multiple panels.

Theories built on chapter 638

Fish-Man Island arc

Cite this chapter

One Piece, ch. 638 — Runawayhoshihttps://loresquare.com/one-piece/source/chapter/638

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