Transforming Into Nami! Bon Kurei's Hard-Hitting Ballet Kenpo

The fight between Sanji and Mr. 2 Bon Kurei grinds on, and the cook seems outclassed as his foe keeps borrowing Nami's appearance to rattle him. Pure persistence eventually lets Sanji spot the weakness in the style: Bon Kurei has to return to his own body before he can launch his ballet kenpo. That realization tips the close contest in the cook's favor. Over at the palace, Vivi resolves to blow up the building so the rebels will notice; Chaka comes around to the idea, and she slips into memories of her days with the crew before she can give the signal.

In Chopper's care, a gravely wounded Usopp appears to be fading, until Chopper admits he hid a manju bun rather than let his friend eat it and now offers to split it. The prospect of food snaps Usopp wide awake, ravenous and ready to scrap for the whole thing, and he flattens Chopper, perfectly fine. Meanwhile a frantic Zoro is furious that Nami ignored his warning to stay out of sight, since Mr. 1 and his partner intend to kill the easiest target first. The episode recounts how Zoro and Mr. 1 first crossed paths, a meeting where the agent tried to recruit him into Baroque Works, and lays out the Supa Supa no Mi abilities that let Mr. 1 turn his whole frame into blades. Crocodile appears just before Vivi can act.

This is the first episode set to Hikari e as its opening, and the intro already shows Nico Robin standing among the Straw Hats well before she actually joins them. The manga has Kentauros and Hikoichi assist Zoro while he hunts for Nami, yet both characters are dropped from the anime. The episode rates 13.6 and ranked third; Sanji appears on both sides of the eyecatcher.