Episode 197: Sanji the Chef! Demonstrating True Pride at the Marine Mess Hall!
A group of Marines discuss the circumstances under which the ship invaded G8. They then board the ship and take a closer look. They further continue speculation of the ship as a ghost ship. More Marines are called into action as Sanji hides inside the base and learns its other name, Navarone, and realizes it's a giant Marine stronghold. Luffy, however, is asleep nearby. Outside, Drake and Jonathan plan further investigation when they receive a report of The Stan Malay, a Marine ship from Headquarters, asking to dock. Drake initially denies them so as to maintain order in an already hectic base, but Jonathan overrules him, as the Stan Malay needs serious medical attention. He then ponders why Luffy would be at G8.
As the Marines prepare for the Stan Malay, Zoro wanders aimlessly into a docking area. Nami skulks in the corridors of G8, pointing out the need for escape, when she finds a balcony and spots an enormous bridge. However, she cannot find the Going Merry and more importantly, her gold. She then spots new ships that have docked, meaning that G8 is connected to the ocean, and there is hope for escape. She then sets out to find the crew and leave amidst the chaos. A couple of newcomers find Nami, much to her chagrin. Luckily, they mistake her for a Marine and ask her how to get to the kitchen. She has no choice but to lead them to the kitchen. The two newcomers are brother chefs from Marieoja assigned to be chief chefs at Navarone. Nami then ditches them and finds a Marine uniform. She then overhears some Marines plotting to capture Zoro, and as they leave, Zoro shows up. Nami beats him for being careless, and they hide quickly as two Marines walk past. They then discuss what to do next when Nami throws Zoro's katanas away. As Zoro goes to retrieve them, Nami is almost caught, but her disguise saves her.
Meanwhile, Sanji and Luffy descend from their hideout spot and once Sanji mentions "Mess Hall," Luffy runs out in search of food. Sanji holds him back when two Marines show up at the spot, but they don't see anyone. They head to the Mess Hall, and Sanji finds Marine uniforms in a closet. Sanji and Luffy come out of the closet wearing Marine uniforms and head to the kitchen. The chefs talk about the two brother chefs, while Luffy salivates at the prospect of food and kicks down the door. They are then confused for the Marley Brothers.
As the resident chefs start yelling at the two, Sanji realizes they're being confused for someone else. Then, Jessica appears (at which point Luffy salivates more and Sanji is charmed) and starts talking about how she runs the kitchen and it’s her way or the highway. After an impressive display of skill and a remark of how cooking is from the heart, Jessica then gives them a chance to prove themselves as chefs. Naturally, Sanji is up to the task, and a cooking battle ensues. The task: make dinner for 100 people. After the horn, Sanji does nothing while the Marines finish a superb feast with lightning speed. When they're done, Sanji declares the Marine chefs wasteful and proceeds to use the parts they didn't use in a display of unprecedented skill to make the entire 100 person dinner: Cuisine à la Carte. He then lectures them on the evils of wasting food. Naturally, the Marines flock to Sanji's food, and as the Marine chefs curse themselves for failing, Luffy eats all 100 of the Marine chefs' meals. As Sanji leaves in regret of defeating such a beautiful lady, Jessica smiles and hires the two. As the chefs cheer, Sanji becomes more enamored with "Jessica-swan."
The scene turns to Jonathan on a canoe, searching for the pirates when he spots Zoro trying to retrieve his katanas. They eventually fall off the ledge, and Zoro gives chase to them as they fall into the sea. He gets two but is pummeled by a boulder. He slices through it, but as he surfaces, he is captured by Jonathan and a battalion of Marines. The episode ends with the real Marley Brothers walking into a closet, still lost.