Episode 48: The Town of the Beginning and the End, Arrival at Loguetown
Air Date: 2000-11-22
Opening: Believe (2nd Opening)
Ending: Run! Run! Run! (2nd Ending)
Manga Chapters: Chapter 96 (11-14/18), Chapter 97 (1-4, 19/19)
Short Summary
The Straw Hats arrive at Loguetown, the birthplace and location of death of Gold Roger, the Pirate King. As they split up, Captain Smoker of the Marines hears that Luffy is in town, so goes out to search for him. Luffy goes to Bar Gold Roger, where he speaks with a bartender who met Gold Roger himself before he left for the Grand Line. After leaving, Smoker comes in and recalls when he saw Gold Roger executed, 22 years ago to the date. He then realizes he had met Luffy before, when Luffy asked where the execution platform was.
In-Depth Summary
The episode opens with the Straw Hats walking up to the gate of Loguetown. Zoro says that he needs to do some shopping, but Nami points out that he's completely broke. Luffy rushes ahead, despite the calls of the others, eager to see the execution platform where Gold Roger died. As he rushes off, the others start to shop. Nami tries on all different kinds of outfits in a store, and after creating a large pile she tells the shopkeeper that she won't buy any of them and leaves. In another shop, a shopkeeper tells Usopp that his store is full of items that were used by pirates during their adventures on the Grand Line. He shows Usopp a fish gun, claiming Gold Roger used it, and Usopp asks to see more items. Sanji walks down the street, looking over all of the women, and then spots Alvida, finding her the most beautiful of all.
At a Marine base on the island, a soldier receives a bulletin and enters a smoky room, telling Captain Smoker about the new bounty for Luffy. Smoker gets up and goes out to go look for Luffy after another soldier tells him that Luffy is on the island. As Smoker heads outside with his men, a little girl bumps into him, getting her ice cream cone on his pants. Smoker gives her some money for another one, then asks his men where Tashigi is. He is told that she is shopping, so he continues on. By the harbor, a band of pirates led by Gary of the Crescent Moon frantically load up stolen goods until they are confronted by Smoker. Smoker demands if the leader is Luffy, and he makes quick work of the pirates. Smoker knows that they cannot belong to Luffy, saying that it would be the end of the world if they had a 30 million berry bounty. Smoker then spots Luffy standing by the harbor, wondering how he got there. Luffy asks where the execution platform is, and Smoker points to it with the smoke from his cigars.
In town, Zoro is looking at how expensive swords are, realizing he can't borrow from Nami. He sees two big guys with swords hassling Tashigi, and when he is about to step in Tashigi cuts them down with her sword. Tashigi then trips and her glasses fall off, and as Zoro hands them back to her, he notices how much she looks like Kuina. Freaked out by this, he accidentally crushes them in his hand, making her angry. Meanwhile, Luffy continues to wander the whole town, and spots a tavern called Bar Gold Roger. He walks inside, descends down the staircase and finds a shriveled old man sitting at a table with a skull. He says the place is closed, but Luffy sits down on a stool, mentioning the place is called Bar Gold Roger, and asks about the skull on the table. The old man explains that the skull belonged to the Killer Giant, who was very powerful but was fought and killed by Gold Roger. The old man goes on to list the names of ferocious warriors that Gold Roger defeated. He mentions that Gold Roger was the only pirate to never fear the Grand Line. He recalls when Gold Roger stopped by and told the old man casually that he was taking a trip to the Grand Line, then proceeded to drink all of the booze in the tavern.
The old man tells Luffy that nowaday pirates are cowards, as few dare to enter the Grand Line. Luffy replies that he's going to the Grand Line, and when the old man looks at Luffy he sees Gold Roger sitting there. He decides to keep the tavern open, offering Luffy a drink, who refuses so the old man gives him milk. They clink their glasses together in a toast. Later, Smoker steps into the bar, and the old man tells him to leave, saying that it's because of Smoker that he doesn't have any business anymore. Smoker asks for some rum, and as he pops open the cork on the bottle, he says how it is a special day - twenty-two years ago, Gold Roger was executed. Smoker remembers when he was a child, and a great crowd had gathered in the town square to see Gold Roger's execution. In a flashback, Gold Roger is marched up to the execution platform, and as the soldiers refuse to remove the bindings from his wrists, he sits down. Two soldiers hold their blades at his throat, and one person in the crowd asks what happened to his treasure. Gold Roger gives his famous speech, and so the soldiers drive their pikes through Gold Roger's chest. As Gold Roger dies, he has a smile on his face, and the Great Age of Pirates begins.
A Marine soldier steps into the tavern, showing Smoker Luffy's wanted poster. Smoker realizes that he met Luffy already, and so he sets out to go find him. At this time, Luffy finally arrives at the execution platform, beholding it with reverence as it was where Gold Roger was executed. As Smoker draws near, the episode draws to a close.
Mumbo230’s Notes
The Loguetown arc opens with an introduction to the location and to Smoker, a long-term character in the series. Smoker is the first Logia Devil Fruit user introduced in the series.
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