Episode 39: Luffy Drowning! Zoro vs. Octopus Hatchan!
Air Date: 2000-08-30
Opening: We Are! (1st Opening)
Ending: Run! Run! Run! (2nd Ending)
Manga Chapters: Chapter 84 (5-19/19), Chapter 85 (1-19/19), Chapter 86 (1-7/20)
Short Summary
Zoro is plagued by his wound sustained from Mihawk, causing him to falter against Hatchi. Genzo and Nojiko formulate a plan to keep Luffy breathing. Sanji is sent flying by Kurobi's punch. Zoro manages to fight through his pain, borrowing Johnny and Yosaku's swords so that he can take down Hatchi at last. Sanji dives into the water to save Luffy, but Kurobi goes in after him, resulting in a perilous battle.
In-Depth Summary
The episode opens with Luffy struggling to hold his breath underwater. Hatchi and Zoro square off as Zoro is manage to slice off the tips of Hatchi's hair. Zoro swings his sword again, only using one sword because the other two were wrecked in his fight with Mihawk, and Hatchi attempts to catch it with his hands. He fails, and his forehead starts to bleed. As Sanji and Kuroobi continue their fight, Hatchi uses Tako Hachi Number 9, leaping up onto a pillar and hanging on. As he hangs there, Zoro starts to weaken, the pain from his wound returning. Genzo sees that Zoro is in pain and demands that he help, but Johnny and Yosaku hold him back, saying that he stands no chance. Hatchi then goes on about how he has a great secret of how no human swordsman can defeat him. He leaps onto the roof and takes out six swords, but Zoro collapses from pain. Hatchi gets angry for being ignored, and the villagers are worried for Zoro. Sanji looks over, and Kuroobi makes use of the moment of distraction to deliver a punch to Sanji's midsection that sends him plowing through a wall. Kuroobi declares that he is a Level 40 Merman Karate artist.
Hatchi leaps down from the roof, disappointed that Zoro didn't put up a better fight. Kurobi identifies with him, as Sanji went down with one punch. As Hatchi starts showing off his Rokutoryu, his six-sword technique, Zoro rises to his feet, announcing that there is someone he must defeat. Meanwhile, Usopp continues to flee from Chu, and Chu is surprised with the amount of stamina Usopp has. Usopp thinks that if he can just distract one merman from Arlong Park, it will help Luffy. Usopp stops, noticing that he lost Chu, and he starts to dance in celebration, but Chu arrives behind him, so Usopp takes off running again. Meanwhile, Genzo and Nojiko dive into the pool, and Genzo tries to break the block of cement Luffy's feet are encased in with a hammer. It's no use, so as Nojiko and Genzo struggle to think, they get an idea. On the path, Sanji takes a puff of his cigarette, then stands up and declares that if Kuroobi's punches are at Level 40, then Zeff's kicks must be at Level 400.
Back in Arlong Park, Zoro asks to lend Johnny and Yosaku's swords. They toss the swords to him. Hatchi declares that Zoro is weaker because he only has two arms, and Hatchi's swords weigh 300 kg each. Zoro doesn't care as he prepares to face Hatchi. Hatchi charges at him, using Tako Ashi Kiken (Octopus Leg Hanger), but Zoro manages to evade every single swing Hatchi takes, using Tourou Nagashi (Bleeding the Wolf) to slash Hatchi across the chest. Hatchi doesn't understand, as his swords are heavier and more powerful, as the two opponents square off again. Hatchi uses Roku-tou no Wa-ru-tsu (Six-Sword Waltz), as he twirls his swords above his head. Zoro leaps up and comes down, knocking all of the swords out of Hatchi's hands and cutting them up. Hatchi becomes livid. He thrusts out his arms and uses Tako Tsubo no Kamae (Octopus Jar Stance), then charges at Zoro with full speed, using Shin Shun (New Year). However, Zoro stands his ground, and whirling around, he uses Tatsumaki (Tornado) to send Hatchi flying into the air, slashed repeatedly as he finally collapsed on the ground, defeated. Zoro falls to his knees, victorious.
Arlong is not happy to see one of his mermen fall, but Kuroobi stands over Zoro, winding up to knock Zoro out. Sanji leaps in and drives Kuroobi back with a kick. Kuroobi is surprised to see that Sanji is still alive, as few can survive his punch, but Sanji replies that everyone on his restaurant could. Zoro stumbles to the edge of the pool, saying how there's no time left and he needs to save Luffy, but Sanji replies that Zoro going into the water will only end up in him killing himself. To everyone's surprise, Sanji dives into the water to save Luffy, which causes Kuroobi to laugh, as fighting a merman in water is a death wish. Kuroobi leaps into the water after his opponent. Sanji swims down and sees Genzo pumping on Luffy's chest, as Luffy's neck has been stretched way out with Nojiko holding his head out of the water. Sanji realizes he needs to kick the cement chunk to free Luffy, but before he can reach it Kuroobi strikes him in the back of the neck with an Arm Blade Chop. On the road, Usopp continues to run from Chu, yelling how he is stubborn as the episode ends.
Mumbo230’s Notes
Zoro's fight against Hatchi is brutal. One can really feel the pain that he suffers as he faces a six-armed opponent. Zoro's need to surpass Mihawk plays a role in his fights throughout the series.
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