Chapter 78, "Bell-mère-san," continues Nami's flashback to the day Arlong taxed Cocoyasi Village, when her adoptive mother chose to die rather than deny the two girls she raised as her own.
Summary
A decade earlier, Arlong claimed Cocoyasi Village as his own and levied a survival tax on every resident. Each household owed a steep sum, one hundred thousand for an adult and fifty thousand more for each child, and the villagers scraped together their payments and prepared to hand them over. One of the fish-men, however, caught sight of smoke rising from a chimney in the trees and exposed Bell-mère's secluded home.
Genzo, knowing she could never afford the fee, urged her adoptive daughters Nami and Nojiko to run and hide. Bell-mère attacked the arriving fish-men but stood no chance against their raw strength.
Key Events
Told of the pirates' demand, Bell-mère handed Arlong one hundred thousand. The crew assumed she was paying for herself alone, yet as they turned to leave she declared the money was for her two girls, unwilling to abandon them even to save herself. After voicing her love for them, she faced Arlong's gun as the children tried to reach her. He executed her as a warning to anyone unable to pay, and the two girls buried their faces in grief.
Related Reading
See all
Naruto vs Luffy: Does the Fight Change if Luffy Tickles Hinata?
Naruto vs Luffy with the twist nobody asked for: Luffy tickled Hinata on date night, and she kind of liked it. We break down the whole fight and commit to a winner....
The Most Popular Women of One Piece: A Fan's Journey Through Anime's Greatest Female Characters...
When I first decided to commit to watching One Piece seriously, I knew I was embarking on one of anime's longest and most beloved series. With over 100...
Notes
The cover features an Animal Theater gag in which Usopp and a platypus peddle paintings, including a portrait of Kaya, from a roadside stall, only for their inflated prices to earn nothing but wind-scattered tips. The chapter deepens Nami's backstory and her bond with Bell-mère.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens in One Piece Chapter 78?
In Chapter 78, Bell-mere-san, Nami's flashback shows Arlong taxing Cocoyasi Village, leading to her adoptive mother Bell-mere being executed after refusing to abandon her daughters.
Why does Arlong kill Bell-mere?
Arlong executes Bell-mere after she pays one hundred thousand berries only for her two daughters Nami and Nojiko rather than herself, using her death as a warning to villagers who cannot pay his tax.
How much does Arlong charge Cocoyasi Village residents?
Arlong demands a survival tax of one hundred thousand berries for each adult and an additional fifty thousand for every child in Cocoyasi Village.
What does Genzo tell Nami and Nojiko to do when the fish-men arrive?
Knowing Bell-mere cannot afford the tax, Genzo urges her adoptive daughters Nami and Nojiko to run and hide before the fish-men reach the house.
What does the cover story of Chapter 78 show?
The Chapter 78 cover depicts an Animal Theater gag in which Usopp and a platypus try to sell paintings, including a portrait of Kaya, from a roadside stall, but their overpriced goods earn nothing but scattered tips.
Sources & Information
Looking for more on Chapter 78? The One Piece Wiki on Fandom has a dedicated page with community notes.
View on FandomThis content is original writing by Daddy Jim Headquarters based on the One Piece anime series, manga, and official materials. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Rights holders
- Created byEiichiro Oda
- Published byShueisha
- Animated byToei Animation
All rights belong to their respective owners.
Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Headquarters, not screenshots or licensed imagery. Official cover art is used on three types of pages for editorial commentary:
- Movie pages: theatrical posters and key visuals, credited to Toei Animation and Toei Company.
- Game pages: official box art for the One Piece console and mobile games, credited to Bandai Namco.
- Manga chapter pages: Jump Comics volume covers, credited to Shueisha and Eiichiro Oda.
Official resources:
Help Us Keep This Wiki Accurate
Daddy Jim Headquarters maintains this encyclopedia. If you spot an error, a translation issue, or something that doesn't look right, let us know.
