When a marine officer under Arlong's pay confiscates all the money Nami stole over the years, in order to one day buy the village from Arlong, the villagers decide that enough is enough and fight back, despite Nami's pleads that they do not and that they'd all be killed. Upon seeing Nami's sorrow, the Straw Hats head for Arlong Park.

As Nami steals the Going Merry, Mihawk has returned to finish the job, but Zoro challenges him to a duel in order to achieve his dream.

The Straw Hats face the Fishmen themselves as the villagers watch from the sidelines.

Arlong's officers have been defeated, but Sanji and Zoro prove to be no match for Arlong in their current state. However, with Luffy finally free, he just may be able to defeat the "most wicked man in the East Blue". Meanwhile, Nami finally gathers the courage to face Arlong.

Luffy returns to the fight, and the battle with Arlong versus Luffy begins.

With Zeff held captive by Gin, Sanji has no choice but to take Pearl's hits, and he reflects on why Zeff means so much to him.

After the battle, Gin decides to go back to the Grand Line with Krieg despite still being poisoned, and Sanji makes the difficult decision on whether to stay or to go with Luffy just as Yosaku comes back with news that he knows where Nami is.

Nojiko starts her story about Nami's childhood and their adopted mother, Bellemere. Despite being poor and none of them being related by blood, they had a happy life.

The battle spreads into Arlong Park itself and Arlong is no longer holding back.

When Gin refuses to kill Sanji, Krieg uses a poison gas on him. Luffy seems to have the advantage in the fight until Krieg pulls out his explosive Battle Spear.

Arlong has trapped Luffy in the ocean and Zoro faces the six-sword wielding octopus Hatchan.

Even after taking several hits from the Battle Spear, Luffy refuses to give up.

Zoro is captured by the fishmen after Usopp and Johnny ditch him, and it's revealed that Nami was part of Arlong's crew the entire time. When a group of Fishmen attack Cocoyashi Village, Usopp comes to the rescue.

A group of pirates lead by Alvida plunder a ship, only to find a barrel which contains a strange boy named Luffy. Luffy is on a mission to find the legendary treasure "One Piece" and he befriends the ship's cabin-boy, Coby, who actually wants to become a marine officer. Luffy defeats Alvida and the two journey on in search of crewmates.

Out on the sea, Luffy almost loses his hat and reflects on his past, and how a pirate named Shanks influenced him. Afterwards, Luffy meets Nami, and Buggy the Clown's men.

While Usopp & Luffy fool around with the ship's cannon one day, Zoro dreams about his childhood and the promise he made to Kuina.

Gin finishes off Pearl, claiming that he wants to kill Sanji himself. Still wounded, Sanji faces Gin while Luffy attacks Don Krieg.

Nojiko continues her story, explaining how their life was ruined when the Arlong Pirates first took over the village.

Arlong's reign of terror is over, and no one has anything on their mind except to party. As the crew celebrates, Nami reflects on her hometown and decides to officially join the Straw Hat Pirates.

While searching for new swords to replace the ones shattered by Mihawk, Zoro meets a woman named Tashigi, who looks exactly like an older Kuina, who then helps him look.

Miraculously saved from death by an unnatural green gust and a lightning bolt to Buggy, the Straw Hats rush out of Loguetown, only for Zoro to be stopped by Tashigi and Luffy to be stopped by Captain Smoker.

Luffy convinces Zoro to join his crew, but they must first defeat Captain Morgan. After freeing the island from Morgan's oppressive rule, Coby is accepted as a marine while the other two continue on their journey.

Zoro and Buchi (of the Nyaban Brothers) face off once again as Luffy and Kuro begin their fight. Usopp orders the Usopp Pirates to run away with Kaya, but Jango goes after them. A flashback reveals how Captain Kuro faked his death with Captain Morgan and how he became Kaya's butler.

Kuro's ultimate attack, "Shakushi", attacks everything in the area, whether friend or foe, and Luffy becomes enraged by his lack of regard for his crew. Will Luffy's determination overcome Kuro's sheer speed?

The crew meets Johnny and Yosaku, Zoro's former companions, and they set sail for the Baratie restaurant in search of a cook.