In One Piece Episode 722 , titled "A Blade of Tenacity! The Gamma Knife Counterattack!", the battle on the rooftop of Dressrosa's palace reaches a critical turning point as Law and Luffy team up to take down Doflamingo. Key Events
The Birdcage Shrinks: Doflamingo begins to contract the Birdcage, causing massive panic among the citizens of Dressrosa as the lethal strings start cutting through buildings and closing in on everyone.
The "Shambles" Trap: Luffy engages Doflamingo in a direct confrontation, but it is revealed to be a distraction. Using his Room ability, Law uses "Shambles" to switch places with Luffy at the last second, catching Doflamingo completely off-guard.
The Gamma Knife: Law executes his ultimate medical-themed attack, the Gamma Knife. This move destroys Doflamingo's internal organs without leaving external wounds, dealing what Law believes to be a fatal blow.
Avenge for Corazon: As Doflamingo collapses to his knees, Law explains how he managed to survive being "shot" earlier and expresses his determination to finally end Doflamingo’s reign and avenge his mentor, Corazon.
Trebol’s Interference: Just as Law prepares to deliver a finishing Counter Shock, Trebol attempts to intervene, but Luffy keeps the pressure on to ensure Law can finish the job. Episode Details Information Release Date December 13, 2015 Arc Dressrosa Arc Main Conflict Law & Luffy vs. Donquixote Doflamingo Manga Counterpart Chapter 781
The story revolves around Monkey D. Luffy and his crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, as they find themselves on the island of Dressrosa, a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful landscapes and the famous Corrida Colosseum, an arena used for gladiatorial combat. Their main goal on the island is to participate in the Corrida Colosseum tournament to win a legendary prize, the Mera Mera no Mi (Flame-Flame Fruit), which has been stolen from Portgas D. Ace, Luffy's adopted brother, before his death. However, their quest becomes intertwined with a deeper plot to uncover and stop the sinister activities of Doflamingo, a powerful Warlord of the Sea, also known as Donquixote Doflamingo.
As Luffy and his crew navigate through the tournament and their adventures on Dressrosa, they come face-to-face with Doflamingo, who possesses the String-String Fruit, allowing him to control and manipulate strings in various ways, from binding and cutting to creating complex structures. Doflamingo's true power and intentions unfold as Luffy and his friends challenge him.
While Luffy runs toward the castle, Zoro is stuck playing defense. He is chasing the floating head of Pica through the stone walls. Episode 722 highlights Zoro’s tactical frustration; he knows he is the only one who can cut Pica’s giant form, but he cannot land a blow on the movable head. This cat-and-mouse game showcases Zoro’s Observation Haki limits and his increasing rage, setting up his legendary slash in Episode 723.
The episode’s title refers to the defining plot reveal. For years within the series, the Ope Ope no Mi was considered the "Ultimate Devil Fruit." Episode 722 finally explains why.
Through dialogue between Doflamingo and his defeated executive, Trebol, as well as Doflamingo’s monologues, the audience learns that the fruit possesses the ability to perform the "Perennial Youth Operation" (Immortality Surgery). A user of the Ope Ope no Mi can grant eternal youth to another person at the cost of their own life.
Doflamingo reveals that he originally wanted the fruit not for its combat abilities, but to perform this surgery on himself (or someone of value) to destabilize the world order. This revelation adds tragic depth to Law’s character—he possesses a power that marks him for death simply by existing, and he chooses to use that power not for immortality, but for vengeance. One Piece Episode 722
To understand the stakes of Episode 722, we must look at the board. By this point in the Dressrosa arc (Episode 680-746):
The "core" mentioned in the title refers specifically to the SMILE Factory—the massive factory producing artificial Zoan Devil Fruits for Kaido. The strategy is simple: Destroy the factory, and Doflamingo loses his bargaining chip with the Emperors of the Sea.
Episode 722, titled "The Battle Begins! Luffy and the Straw Hats vs. the Big Mom Pirates," continues the Whole Cake Island arc and adapts events from Eiichiro Oda’s manga as the Straw Hat crew execute their infiltration and retrieval plan.
Summary
Character highlights
Themes and significance
Watching notes
If you want a scene-by-scene breakdown, a shot list for animation analysis, or a short fanfiction inspired by this episode, tell me which and I’ll produce it.
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This guide dives into the pivotal events of One Piece Episode 722
, titled "The Tenacious Blade - Gamma Knife!", which serves as a major turning point in the Battle of Dressrosa. Episode Overview Release Date: 13 December 2015. Manga Chapter Adapted: Chapter 781. Arc: Dressrosa Arc.
Key Themes: Retribution, sacrifice, and the "climax" of Law's revenge against Doflamingo. Key Plot Points 1. The Birdcage Tightens In One Piece Episode 722 , titled "A Blade of Tenacity
The episode begins with the literal and metaphorical "ticking clock" of the Dressrosa Arc: Doflamingo's Birdcage begins to shrink. This escalation causes mass panic among the citizens and puts immense pressure on Luffy and Law to end the battle before the entire island is shredded. 2. Law’s "Resurrection" and Decoy
Earlier episodes suggested Law might be out of commission after being shot by Doflamingo. However, it is revealed that Law used his Op-Op Fruit powers to switch places with a fallen Donquixote Family grunt just before the bullets hit. This allowed him to feign death and wait for the perfect opening. 3. The Gamma Knife Attack
The highlight of the episode is Law's signature technique: Gamma Knife.
The Execution: While Luffy distracts Doflamingo, Law uses "Shambles" to teleport directly in front of the Warlord.
The Effect: Unlike standard physical attacks, the Gamma Knife uses energy to destroy the target's internal organs without leaving external wounds.
Impact: Doflamingo is shown coughing up blood and appearing in genuine, excruciating pain, a rare sight for the usually composed villain. 4. Law’s Resolve for Corazon
As he delivers the attack, Law explains his motivation is strictly to avenge Corazon (Rosinate). He intends to finish the job he started 13 years ago, standing over a toppled Doflamingo as the episode concludes. Behind the Scenes
Direction: The episode was directed by Masahiro Hosoda, with animation direction by Shuuichi Ito.
Visual Style: Reviewers often cite the Gamma Knife sequence for its vibrant green lighting effects and the impactful weight of the animation compared to earlier segments of the arc. Context in the Watch Order
If you are following a specific watch order, note that Special Episode 10: Adventure of Nebulandia originally aired between Episode 722 and 723. While it is a non-canon special, many fans watch it at this point for a break in the heavy Dressrosa action.
The highlight of the episode—and what many fans remember most about 722—is the continuation of the fight between Franky and Senor Pink. This is not just a brawl; it is a battle of "hard-boiled" masculinity. Trafalgar Law: This episode acts as Law’s catharsis
The interaction between Franky and Senor Pink transcends good vs. evil. Senor Pink is a villain, yet Episode 722 depicts him as a man of tragic conviction. The term "Hard-Boiled" becomes a central thesis here. Franky respects an enemy who fights for love, even if that love is misguided. This moral gray area is classic Eiichiro Oda.
Kamazo charges with a roar, his blade becoming a horizontal tornado. Zoro meets him in the middle of the bridge.
“Shishi Sonson!” (Lion’s Song)
A single, perfect line of light passes through the tornado. Time stops.
Kamazo’s sword falls from his grip, clattering onto the wood. His right arm goes limp—tendons severed cleanly at the elbow. Then his mask cracks vertically down the middle. Two halves fall away.
Zoro’s eye widens. Hyogoro gasps.
Under the mask is a face gaunt and scarred, with hollow cheeks and haunted eyes—but unmistakably familiar. Short, messy black hair. A faded crescent-moon tattoo on his left cheek.
“Killer…?” Zoro whispers.
Kamazo—no, Killer, the loyal companion of Eustass Kid—spits blood onto the planks. His eyes are glassy, drugged, but a flicker of recognition surfaces.
“Roronoa… run…” Killer’s voice breaks. “He’s listening… the smoke…”
From the end of the bridge, a thick purple gas begins to roll in—Smile Gas, the same substance that broke Killer’s mind. Somewhere in the darkness, Orochi’s Oniwabanshu cackle.