Episode 23: Protect Baratie! The Great Pirate, Zeff the Red Leg
Air Date: 2000-05-03
Opening: We Are! (1st Opening)
Ending: Memories (1st Ending)
Short Summary
Don Krieg explains how Zeff spent a year on the Grand Line and that he must have kept a journal of what happened, declaring his intentions to claim Baratie. Don Krieg's mentions of One Piece and becoming Pirate King fire up Luffy, and so the Straw Hats decide to fight against Krieg for Baratie. Zoro's crew is revitalized as a small boat is spotted in the water...
In-Depth Summary
The episode opens with Don Krieg trembling at Zeff's name. He recognizes him as being Red-Legged Zeff, named that because of his powerful kicks that can shatter stone and dent steel, leading to his legs becoming red because of all the blood left on them. Don Krieg mentions that Zeff had been on the Grand Line for a year, and so he orders that he be given the journal that Zeff kept while on the Grand Line. Don Krieg prattles on about having enough men and weapons for the Grand Line, but lacking in information, though the journal will change this. Zeff refuses, claiming that the journal is the pride of him and his crew. The chefs of Baratie argue with Don Krieg, but Don Krieg insists that once he has the journal he can head to the Grand Line, and once there he will claim One Piece and become the Pirate King.
The mention of One Piece sparks Luffy's interest, of course, who insists that he will become Pirate King, rather than Don Krieg. Krieg refuses to take Luffy seriously. When Zoro asks if he and Usopp should help Luffy fight, Luffy declines. Don Krieg bursts out laughing that Luffy's crew is only a couple of kids, and yells that his fleet was destroyed after just seven days on the Grand Line. Don Krieg then offers an ultimate to the chefs of Baratie - he will leave with his food and come back in a little while, when he will kill everyone remaining inside and claim both the restaurant and Zeff's journal. As Krieg leaves, Gin falls on his knees and begs for Sanji's forgiveness for Krieg's actions, but Zeff dismisses him. The chefs then freak out, demanding why Zeff is standing up for Sanji, since they believe Sanji's actions are the reason Krieg is going to destroy Baratie.
Zeff silences the chefs by asking them about the suffering of being stranded at sea with nothing to eat or drink. He tells the chefs to leave if they want to. The chefs, however, stick together and decide to stand up to Krieg, to fight for Baratie, as they have nowhere else to go. Gin protests, but Sanji remains confident that he will kill anyone who tries to take the restaurant. In the meantime, Usopp is anxious to leave, but Luffy declares that he must fight Krieg no matter what. He then asks Gin what he knows about the Grand Line, since Gin spent seven days there, but Gin crouches in fear, saying that he still doesn't believe what happened to them. He says that Krieg's entire fleet was destroyed by just one man. Gin explains that the ships fell one by one, all of them at the hands of Hawk Eyes Mihawk. Zoro's interest is piqued. He explains that Hawk Eyes Mihawk is the man he is looking for, and thinks how Johnny gave him false information. Luffy is more excited than ever, though; knowing that there are such powerful pirates on the Grand Line makes him want to go there more than ever. Sanji calls Luffy and Zoro crazy, but Zoro says that he threw his life away when he decided to become the world's greatest swordsman, and that only he can call himself crazy.
Outside, Krieg's crew has eaten up and all of them are feeling revitalized, celebrating their renewed health. Krieg declares that they will take Baratie and head for the Grand Line. However, the festivities are cut short when a man with a large sword strapped to his back approaches in a boat, and suddenly Krieg's ship is sliced in half. Everyone rushes outside to find it falling apart, and Luffy, Zoro, and Usopp worry about the Going Merry. They find Johnny and Yosaku in the water, and they explain that Nami stole the Going Merry and sailed away. Zeff then spots Mihawk in his boat amidst the chaos as the episode draws to a close.
Mumbo230's Notes
Mihawk's appearance at the end can really send shivers down one's spine. Nami's leaving in the Going Merry is something that will go unanswered until after the Don Krieg arc.