Titled "To Live," this chapter continues Nami's flashback. Taken by Arlong after he learns of her mapmaking gift, she shocks her village by returning as one of his pirates, hiding a desperate plan to buy back her hometown.
Summary
Following Bell-mere's death, Arlong abducts Nami once he discovers her talent for drawing charts. The villagers resolve to take up arms and rescue her, but she walks back on her own, announcing that she has joined Arlong's crew and can earn all the money she could want. Repulsed by what looks like selfish betrayal, the people turn their backs on her.
Key Events
When Nojiko visits their mother's grave, she finds Nami already seated there. Nami confides the truth to her sister: to honor Bell-mere's dying wish and simply stay alive, they cannot openly rebel against an enemy as overwhelming as Arlong. Instead she has chosen to draw maps in his service, revealing that she can purchase her village's freedom for the price he set.
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Notes
The chapter establishes that Arlong will lift his grip on the village if Nami delivers 100,000,000 berries, the goal that secretly drives her. Genzo's scars are shown to come from a clash with Kuroobi. The color spread places the Straw Hats in a Wild West frontier town, with Zoro astride a black panther and Usopp aiming a pistol. The cover art was later redrawn to swap out Sanji for Gill Bastar and Wild Joe in the first One Piece movie's credits, and it marks the second cover to show Nami among the Straw Hats while she still rides with Arlong.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens in One Piece Chapter 79, "To Live"?
In Chapter 79, Arlong abducts Nami after learning of her mapmaking talent, and she stuns her village by returning as one of his pirates, secretly plotting to buy back her hometown's freedom.
Why does Nami join Arlong's crew in Chapter 79?
Nami joins Arlong's crew in Chapter 79 to honor Bell-mere's dying wish and stay alive, choosing to draw maps for Arlong so she can pay for her village's freedom instead of openly rebelling against him.
How much money does Nami need to free her village from Arlong?
Chapter 79 establishes that Arlong will free Nami's village if she delivers 100,000,000 berries, the secret goal driving her actions.
How do the villagers react when Nami returns in Chapter 79?
The villagers are repulsed when Nami announces she has joined Arlong's crew, seeing it as selfish betrayal, and they turn their backs on her without knowing her true plan.
What does Nami tell Nojiko at their mother's grave in Chapter 79?
At Bell-mere's grave, Nami confides in her sister Nojiko that she cannot openly rebel against an enemy as powerful as Arlong, so she has chosen to draw maps for him in order to buy back the village.
Sources & Information
Looking for more on Chapter 79? 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.
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