Episode 199: The Marine Search Party Draws Near! Another of the Crew is Captured!
We first see Usopp hiding behind a small shrub scouting the base with Robin, who knows a great deal about Navarone. Usopp is more concerned with the Going Merry. Upon disagreeing with Robin's tactics, Usopp tries to escape, but Robin restrains him before the nearby Marines find him. After they find out more about the current situation, Usopp leaves to find the ship. Robin continues her spying when she spots a high-ranking Marine, who demands to see the base commander. He argues for a while with a petty officer, who states Commander Jonathan is out to lunch and not to be disturbed. The Marine, who is from HQ, gives in and heads to the command center. He came to relieve Jonathan of his command at Navarone. As he heads to the command center, he is ambushed by Robin. She swipes his ID and finds he is an inspector from HQ, Commander Shepherd.
Meanwhile, the Marines feast delightfully on Sanji's cooking in the mess hall. Jessica brings Jonathan his food separately, who whines about not eating the new chef's food and complains about the vegetables in his. Luffy is on a mouth-stuffing rampage; Sanji is chatting with a Marine when Jessica orders him to cook faster, at which point he does. Luffy takes it to the table when the Marine informs Sanji that Jessica's husband is Jonathan, who Luffy delivered the food to. Jonathan dismisses Luffy, and when Jonathan samples Sanji's food, he finds some missing. Luffy had not left the room and in fact swiped some of the food. He continues swiping food until Jonathan catches him and identifies him as "Straw Hat Luffy". He then introduces himself as Commander of Navarone G-8 Division.
Sanji is hiding right outside when Jonathan asks Luffy a question, at which point Luffy takes the rest of the food. Jonathan asks Luffy why he is at G-8. Luffy answers truthfully that he fell from the sky, and Jonathan cannot help but laugh and tells Luffy that escape is impossible. Luffy counters by saying he'll leave whenever he wants, and Jonathan counters by informing Luffy that they captured Zoro. Luffy then asks where Zoro is, but Jonathan makes a move on Luffy. Sanji saves him, but they run into Jessica and the Marines at the Mess Hall. After idle banter, Jonathan flanks Sanji and Luffy when suddenly, the next group of Marines enters the Mess Hall, causing enough cover for Luffy and Sanji to escape.
Outside, a battalion of Marines receive briefing on capturing the Straw Hat Pirates when Usopp skulks out of hiding and finds a disguise. Right after he changes, he is stopped by a Marine. Usopp thinks he's caught, but he is merely scolded as a new recruit. Usopp plays along and ascertains the Going Merry's whereabouts from the Marine. Usopp finds the ship when the old man who first saw the ship appears. He talks about the ship's surprisingly impressive condition when Drake shows up and asks Usopp about his unit. Usopp lies about it and goes to leave when Drake arrests him, citing reports of an "unidentified new recruit wandering around." As swords were pointed at Usopp, the old man threatens Drake not spill blood in the dock. He complies and orders Usopp to the command center.
Usopp is held in front of Jonathan as Drake tries to prove he's a pirate. When Jonathan asked about Usopp's name, unit, and reason for being at the dock, Usopp said all were classified. Drake wants to lock him up when Jonathan mentions an inspector from HQ on the Stan Malay. Usopp, being a fantastic liar, plays along with it. Drake still doubts him, but Usopp actually pulls rank on Drake, threatening him with a court martial. Jonathan apologizes when a Marine arrives announcing the real inspector's arrival. Drake verbally assaults Usopp for playing him the fool when Usopp realizes Robin is disguised as the real inspector. Usopp then uses this to try and lie his way out custody, but Robin sells him out and continues her farce.
In the prison, Usopp curses Robin, but Zoro points out that Usopp is safer with him than her. Usopp agrees until we see the guns pointed at him. Meanwhile, Robin begins investigating the base, and Luffy and Sanji try to rescue Zoro. Sanji pulls Luffy aside when some Marines announce they captured another Straw Hat Pirate. Jonathan, shown with his chess set, identifies all seven members of the Straw Hat Pirates, including Robin, Chopper, and Nami, who are still in disguise. He then contemplates Monkey D. Luffy's next move, and the episode ends.