A Formidable, Unknown Warrior! Lucy Appears

As Luffy steps up to enter, Franky makes him promise to keep his identity secret. The captain immediately begins scrawling his true name until a punch to the head stops him, and he registers instead as contestant 556, Lucy. Sent to the dressing area, he leaves Franky behind to question Thunder Soldier about the Donquixote Family, the factory, and the toy's origins. Thunder Soldier seems troubled to hear that Rebecca has joined the contest.

In the staging area, a warrior named Spartan judges Lucy too small to belong and tries to remove him, but Luffy drops him with ease, stunning the crowd. A referee moves to disqualify Luffy for the incident until the Chinjao Family steps in to confirm Spartan struck first. One of their members rejects Luffy's thanks and lunges at him, only to be restrained by a comrade.

The other entrants recognize famous names from many nations, including the Funk Brothers, Dagama and Elizabello II of Prodence, Suleiman, the bounty hunters Abdullah and Jeet, Orlumbus, and Bellamy, all drawn by the Mera Mera no Mi. The first round is announced as a battle royale split into four blocks of over 550 fighters, with only four surviving each. Assigned to Block C, Luffy picks out a Viking outfit but exceeds the weight limit. The episode ends as the pirate prince Cavendish appears before him.

Luffy registers under the alias Lucy as the 556th contestant after Franky stops him from using his real name. He defeats Spartan and is defended by the Chinjao Family against disqualification. The tournament's structure is revealed: a four-block battle royale of over 550 entrants advancing only four each, with Luffy in Block C. Cavendish appears before Luffy as the episode closes.

This episode debuts Hera, Spartan, Rebecca, Kelly Funk, Hack, Ideo, and Bartolomeo. The anime adds Luffy and Franky parting ways inside the arena, Franky befriending Thunder Soldier for information, and a board listing notable gladiators and their blocks, which places Hera, Spartan, and Gambia in Block D despite the manga leaving this unstated. Extra Sanji and Violet footage is included. The anime expands Spartan's assault to several punches, removes his bleeding, and shows Luffy spinning him before slamming him down. Sai's rude gesture toward Luffy from the manga is censored.