Chapter 42

Aboard the Going Merry, Luffy proudly pitches his idea for the crew flag, a straw hat skull and crossbones, but his drawing is hopeless. Usopp steps in to show off his own artistry, and after Luffy and Zoro shoot down his personal mark, the crew paints the polished emblem onto the sails. When Luffy keeps missing a distant rock with the ship's cannon, Usopp blasts it apart in one shot and is promptly named the crew's sniper.

A kitchen conversation turns to the one role still unfilled. Luffy declares they should seek a musician, drawing groans from the others. A hidden swordsman then challenges them, only for Zoro to swiftly disarm him and recognize his old companion Johnny. Johnny explains that his partner Yosaku has fallen gravely ill, but Nami diagnoses simple scurvy and has the men feed him fresh limes. Restored, Johnny and Yosaku introduce themselves properly, and Johnny points the crew toward a floating restaurant near the Grand Line where a skilled cook might be found.

This is the opening chapter of the Baratie Arc. Luffy's clumsy first Jolly Roger sketch gives way to Usopp's improved design, which becomes the official sail emblem, and Usopp is formally made the crew's sniper. The pair of bounty hunters from Zoro's past are introduced. Trivia notes that the first chapter of the Shokugeki no Sanji spinoff takes place between this installment and the next. The cover continues Buggy's Crew Adventure Chronicles, with Big Bird swallowing Buggy and spitting him back out over his terrible taste.