Episode 37: Luffy Stands Up! End of a Broken Promise!
Air Date: 2000-08-16
Opening: We Are! (1st Opening)
Ending: Run! Run! Run! (2nd Ending)
Manga Chapters: Chapter 80 (10-19/19), Chapter 81 (1-19/19)
Short Summary
Nezumi, having learned that Nami is a thief, orders that the orange orchard be dug up to find her stolen treasure. Nami, Nojiko, and Genzo confront Nezumi on his treachery, but Nojiko is shot in the arm. After the village finds out Nami's treasure has been taken, Genzo rallies the villagers to mount an attack on Arlong Park. Nami tries to stop them, and is unsuccessful, and in a burst of raw emotion she begins to stab herself in the shoulder, stabbing at the tattoo of Arlong. Luffy stops her, and he joins Sanji, Zoro, and Usopp as they head to Arlong Park.
In-Depth Summary
The episode opens by showing young Nami making a deal with Arlong that she will buy back the village for 100 million berries, no matter how many years it takes to scrape together the money. Back at Nami's house, Nezumi demands that she give up the treasure she has stolen. Nami demands why, when the village is being attacked and destroyed by Arlong, that the Marines would target her, a single thief. Nezumi only laughs it off and orders the Marine soldiers to start digging the place up for the treasure. Genzo yells that the money Nami is stealing will save the village. Nezumi demands why the whole village is in on the thefts, but Nojiko arrives and explains that it is because the villagers are fighting for their lives, since the Marines won't do anything. One soldier tells Nezumi that the orange orchard looks suspicious, and the soldiers start digging it up. This makes Nami furious, and she knocks a soldier down with her staff, telling him not to touch the orchard with his filthy hands. Nezumi yells at the soldiers to find the 100 million berries, and Genzo demands how he knows the exact amount. Nami realizes that Arlong sent Nezumi to find the treasure. The treasure is found, but Nezumi notes that it is covered in blood. Nami loses it, and taking out her staff she charges at Nezumi, but Nezumi takes out a gun. Nojiko runs in the way to stop Nami, and is shot in the shoulder, falling to the ground.
Meanwhile, Luffy sits down, thinking about the pinwheel on Genzo's hat. He looks over and sees some villagers saying that Nojiko was shot, and so Genzo and Nami bring Nojiko into town. She is quickly tended to by the doctor, and Luffy walks up, asking Nami what's wrong. Nami grabs Luffy by his shirt and yells at him to leave the island, and she takes off running. She runs down the road, repeating "Arlong" through her head. Luffy sits down by a tree, wondering why Nami is acting this way. At Arlong Park, Arlong sits around with Hatchi, Chu, and Kurobi, when Nami walks in. She yells at Arlong for breaking his promise, but he puts his hand over her mouth and asks her when he broke it. He says that it's only 100 million berries, and she can just gather it up again. Furiously, Nami knocks his hand away and runs off. Arlong's crew commend him on the devious trick he pulled, and Arlong replies that Nami is irreplaceable. He says that after she maps out the entire world, he will let her free. The mermen just laugh, saying that it will take a hundred years.
Usopp and Sanji converse about saving Nami. Zoro tells them to stop bickering and that it's time to go. In the village, Genzo has rallied the villagers together, declaring an attack on Arlong Park. Genzo explains that they survived so that Nami could save them, but Arlong took advantage of her kindness. Nami then arrives, telling the villagers that she'll just collect the money again, but Genzo tells her that she fought well, but her time is over. They know that they can't win, but they want to show Arlong their pride. Nami tries everything she can to stop them from leaving, but they head past her, marching to Arlong Park. Nami falls to her knees, filled with hatred for Arlong, and she finally loses it. She grips the tattoo on her arm, then begins stabbing it with her dagger, yelling out Arlong's name. She is stopped when Luffy grabs the knife, casting it away. Nami says that Luffy doesn't understand, and that she told him to leave, and Luffy replies by putting his hat on Nami's head. Nami remembers how precious the hat is to Luffy, and so Luffy walks forward, saying that it's time to go. Ahead of him are Zoro, Sanji, and Usopp, and together the four of them set out for Arlong Park.
Meanwhile, the villagers have arrived, but Johnny and Yosaku sit in front of the gate, not letting them past because they know that they cannot win. They insist that "those guys" will come, and sure enough, Zoro, Luffy, Sanji, and Usopp arrive. Arlong looks over as the gate is busted down, and in the wreckage stands Luffy, demanding which one is Arlong as the episode ends.
Mumbo230’s Notes
This episode is yet another memorable one. Nami's raw emotion and Luffy's giving of his straw hat to her really start the about face in Nami's atttitude toward the other Straw Hats.
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