Episode 204: Operation Gold Recovery and Operation Waver Retrieval!
The episode begins with Luffy and the gang leaving the Going Merry to get their gold back when Usopp worries about not having a plan, about the Merry's disguise, and about the Merry's condition. He then asks Nami about the waver, to which she replies that it's still hidden. Usopp then reveals his plan. He splits the gang into two groups: The Gold Recovery Team, which consists of Luffy, Zoro, Robin, and "Captain Usopp," and the Waver Retrieval team, which consists of Nami and Sanji. Sanji is overjoyed at this. Chopper is left to guard the ship and heal any injuries. Usopp orders the Gold Team to go straight to the Vault with the gold. After Nami points out the location of the waver, Usopp points to a boat for her and Sanji to use to get to the waver. They will meet up at the Merry when they are done.
Elsewhere, Jonathan tries to eat in peace, but a chef won't leave him alone as per Jessica's order. He has to make sure Jonathan eats everything. The Sergeant has to eat as well. They then complain about the food. At that, Drake walks in and interrupts the meal. He tries to repent for letting the pirates escape, but Jonathan not only doesn't mind but invites Drake to eat...his food. Drake and the Sergeant finish their meals, and Jonathan passes a compliment to the chef. As the chef heads back, Shepherd passes him and mutters how he will "see this worthless hedgehog stomped to the ground." Jonathan then continues his plan, which is to surround the pirates and cut off their escape routes. The Sergeant passes the order, and Drake is ordered to the sea-gate. With that, Shepherd walks in and Jonathan facetiously calls him "Condoriano." Shepherd insinuates that Jonathan let the Straw Hats escape, and Jonathan replies that they are still in the stronghold. Shepherd makes a politely snide remark and asks what Jonathan plans on doing next, and Jonathan answers that the pirates will try to get their gold back, at which Shepherd takes interest. When Jonathan asks Shepherd for help, he politely declines. He then asks for the soldiers who imprisoned him so as to court-martial them. Jonathan says they were following orders, and Shepherd hastily leaves. Jonathan then sets his plan into motion by mobilizing the best unit of G8.
Shepherd continues his inspection and asks about the Stan Malay's Captain's location. He's in the infirmary checking up on his men. He then sends a Marine for him and gets to plotting as he makes his way to the Vault. He aims to capture the Straw Hats before Jonathan does and run G8 into the ground by showing them up. Back at the ship, Chopper wonders if everyone is ok. The Waver Team heads towards the waver, and Sanji revels in his situation: Alone in a rowboat with Nami under the stars and the moon. Nami has a much more platonic attitude as she monitors the Marine ships' withdrawal. Team Waver makes their move. Meanwhile, the Gold Team moves in barrels with Usopp and Robin scouting their position. As Zoro doubts Usopp, Luffy is sleeping in the barrel. The Sergeant remarks to Jonathan that the base is unguarded, as all personnel are seeking the pirates. Jonathan opts not to take any chances, The Sergeant recommends letting the new recruits fight. Jonathan lets them monitor the base. Jonathan then has a special assignment for the Sergeant.
Shepherd makes some unreasonable request from the Stan Malay's Captain, as he protests, stating the ship is under repair and his men are badly injured. Shepherd pulls some rank on the Captain, and as a result, he mobilizes the injured Stan Malay crew to take two ships and leave, with Shepherd captaining one ship. Outside, Team Gold makes a mad dash to the Vault when they spot it from atop a cliff. After confirming the best path to the Vault, Usopp fires his grappling hook (Usopp AAAaaaAAAaaaAAAaaa!) to reach the Vault's entrance, and once it's secure, Team Gold rides the rope (with Usopp screaming frantically) and reach the Vault's building safely. Just as they enter the building, Team Waver reaches land and head toward the waver. Team Gold runs towards the Vault, but Marines wait in ambush, and Robin realizes this must be a trap before any Marines are spotted. As they pass, the Marines come out of hiding and chase the pirates. Team Waver makes it inside as well, but they are quickly spotted by a young and frightened Marine. They try to talk him down, but he won't budge. Sanji dispatches of him quickly.
Team Gold finally reaches the Vault. As they surmise what else is in there, Luffy tries his Gomu Gomu no Pistol, but it ends up nailing Zoro in the face. Usopp reasons that the Vault can only be opened by using its dials. Just as Usopp turns around, he turns white, as spotlights are shined on the pirates, a Marines announces there is no escape for them, a multitude of steel doors close in on them, and a battalion of Marines aim their guns on the pirates. Team Gold seems calm, and as the Marine Leader begins his rant, Usopp picks him off and hides. The Marines respond by firing on the pirates, but Luffy harmlessly deflects the bullets back at them while ordering Usopp to open the Vault. Zoro bounces off of Luffy to take out some sniping Marines. Robin asks Usopp if he can open the Vault, at which point Usopp starts cracking the dials. However, the gears fall near Usopp as he cracks a dial. As Luffy uses his Gomu Gomu no Pistol, some Marines try to cut off his arm on the rebound but miss. Zoro advises Luffy to be more careful with his arms. As Zoro runs on a high bridge, he slices the supports and leaps as Marines fall. Usopp cracks another dial.
Outside in the water, Marine ships take their positions and await Drake's command to move in 50 minutes. Some Marines make it to Usopp, but Robin takes them out with a gear. She then dispatches another group of them with Treinta Fleurs (30 Flowers.) As Team Gold fends off endless Marines, Usopp opens the Vault, but the door falls. However, instead of gold, they find Jonathan waiting for them. He laughs and exclaims, "You won't escape that easily, not from Navarone!"