The present era is the Year 1502 of the Sea Calendar. In the Year 1499, Gecko Moria engaged in an all-out war against Kaido of the Beasts in Wano Country of the New World. Moria suffered a crushing defeat and retreated to the first half of the Grand Law.
Gecko Moria stole the National Treasure of Wano Country, the Black Blade Shusui, along with the corpse of the dragon-slaying samurai Ryuma, and also took the corpses of Captain John, Silver Axe, and others from the New World.
He turned these corpses into immortal zombies, attempting to use a zombie army to fight Kaido once again.
Chapter 114