Previously, in One Piece Chapter 1045, Kaido and Luffy continued their fight since Luffy had awakened his Devil Fruit. He displayed some of his new abilities and powers, showing that he could transfer the rubber properties of his body to Kaido's at will. He also revealed that he too could become gigantic before proceeding to use Kaido as a jump rope. Everyone who saw him was shocked at Luffy's survival and new form, his hair and clothes now pure white. Despite this, Kaido stood firm in his belief that nobody could beat him, but Luffy also was not deterred. As the two clashed, Luffy was able to knock Kaido onto his back, asking him, "Isn't this fun, Kaido?!!"
Chapter 1046 picks right back up with Luffy wondering what he should call that last attack. Kaido sits up, holding his head and asks Luffy who he is. Luffy looks at him curiously before Zunesha begins reminiscing about the beating of the Drums of Liberation and Joyboy, saying it's almost as if he is there. As Zunesha believes that it should put its hopes in Luffy, the Straw Hat captain replies to Kaido's question, proudly declaring he's Monkey D. Luffy, the future King of the Pirates.
Kaido smiles widely, explaining to Luffy that he's experiencing a Devil Fruit Awakening and that he's finally harnessing the full potential of his ridiculous abilities. He says that he's lost everything he's built in this war, but guesses that Luffy has also lost a lot. Luffy declares that he isn't backing down yet and that there's still something he needs to take back. Kaido responds to this with a Kundali Dragon Swarm, rapidly bashing Luffy with his kanabo. Luffy's body just conforms to the shape of the weapon before he counters with a flurry of punches.
As the two men try to catch their breath, the smoke and fumes from the fires below finally reach the roof of the Skull Dome. Luffy begins coughing from the smoke, with Kaido pointing out that the fire must have taken over the whole castle and that everyone below will die. Luffy just smiles, explaining that he left everyone else in charge while all he has to do is beat Kaido. He rushes towards Kaido full force. He tries to stop Luffy from coming any closer with a Demolition Gust attack, but Luffy just stretches his legs so that his body dodges the attack.
Down on the Performance Floor, all of the fighters are left trying to figure out how to escape the inferno. Chopper and Nami find each other, with Chopper saying he can't find any of their friends and that he thinks they're all trapped in the fire. This causes Nami to worry as the entire island is engulfed in flames and that there's no way to escape unless the island lands. Chopper asks Zeus about using his rain, but the cloud is also terrified of the fire.
In the Basement, Briscola and a group of fighters are completely surrounded by fire, with no escpe in sight. On the First Floor, Bepo and his group are also having trouble escaping the blaze, begging their captain to save them. In another part of the Basement, a group of samurai are panicking at the sight of Brook, thinking that he lost his skin in the fire. He tries to assure them he was always this way before turning to Robin and saying that they need to get everyone out. Robin, however, doesn't think there is a way out. Sanji and the women are trying to get out of the Pleasure Hall, but they too are struggling.
Elsewhere, Apoo and Inbi are also trying to get out of the Basement, and Inbi burns his hand trying to punch out one of the walls. Apoo berates him for stopping and screams at him to keep going, which only further angers the Numbers member. Usopp and Hamlet too are trapped below, with Usopp trying to quench the flames with his Sprinkler plants. Hamlet tells him that he's only wasting energy, but Usopp is determined to get himself, Kiku, and Kin'emon out because he promised Izo that he would, forgetting to mention Hamlet in the process. In the Right Brain Tower, Franky is carrying Zoro on his shoulder, trying to find the way to Chopper to get medical help for him. He's followed by a group of stragglers, begging him to save them.
On the Fourth Floor, Jimbei and Raizo are putting their plan into action. Raizo thanks Jimbei for having faith in him, with Jimbei saying that because Luffy trusts the samurai, he does too. Raizo, motivated by his failure to help the Kozuki family escape their own burning castle 20 years ago, prepares to enact his plan. In a flashback, he experiences Zunesha washing itself, amazed at how much water it used. He finally unveils his Ninpo: Scroll-Scroll Jutsu, The Elephant's Bath, creating a large tube of water. Jimbei is amazed at how large it is before grabbing the water and redirecting it to put out the flames in the castle.
The water travels down to the Third Floor where Blackback's group are surrounded by the fire, but then get caught in the rushing water. The water crashes through the walls and streams through the hallways, putting out the fire. Jimbei encourages Raizo to keep going until the entire castle is flooded, the ninja continuing to concentrate on saving everyone. The water finally reaches the First Floor just as Killer's group become trapped on the stairway.
Outside, Yamato rushes Momonosuke, but Momo is confused since Kaido is still alive. Yamato explains that while that's true, he's at his limit and that his Flame Clouds will soon disappear. Momo needs to make his own that are strong enough to hold the island up; Onigashima is about to fall. The chapter closes out on an image of Luffy in the air above Kaido, lightning flashing behind him, Luffy gripping one of the bolts.
The next chapter of One Piece will be available on Sunday, April 25th.