The Decisive Battle at Arlong Park: Luffy Pirates vs. Arlong Group

Major Chapters: 82-93
- Other Chapters: 81, 94
Volumes: #9, #10, #11
Victor: Luffy Pirates

The Build Up

Eight years ago a young Nami made a pact with the violent Fishman, Arlong the Saw. In exchange for one hundred million berries, she would buy back her village! That was all that kept her, and the townspeople of Cocoyashi, going under the Fishmen's rule. However, Arlong probably never had any intention of honoring the deal. Together with the corrupt Marine Captain Nezumi he stole Nami's money, and instigated a revolt by the Cocoyashi people.

Desperate, despairing, and simply insane, Nami began to stab her tattoo of Arlong's mark before Luffy's hand stopped her. From the depths of her heart came the cry: "Help me..." Luffy gave her his hat, walked away, and screamed -- SCREAMED -- "OKAY!!!!!" The rest of the crew, who waited at the village borders, needed no further incentive. The gates of Arlong Park crashed down from a single punch, and Luffy asked tersely, "Which one is Arlong?"

The Action

Luffy just SLAMS his fist into Arlong without warning as he approaches, shocking everyone there except for his own crew. Then he speaks: "Don't you dare make my navigator cry!!!" The Fishmen lunge but are beaten back by Sanji, who insists on having some of the action. Hatchi, one of Arlong's officers, summons a reluctant Mohmu (who had been beaten by Luffy and Sanji previously).

Arlong's threats incite Mohmu to attack, but Luffy disposes of him and most of the Fishmen with a Gomu Gomu Kazagurama. This was a massive attack! ... except it also traps Luffy's feet, the doofus. Arlong decides to play a game, and so throws the helpless Luffy into the sea. Thus the crew leaps to action, Zoro taking on Hatchi and Sanji facing Kuroobi. Usopp alternates between bravery and cowardice with Chew, who chases him out of the Park. Meanwhile, Genzo and Nojiko launch rescue operations for Luffy.

Zoro defeats Hatchi and Sanji blasts Kuroobi thoroughly for insulting his chivalry. Usopp, too, defeats Chew by standing up and fighting even as he faces adverse situations. This leaves Arlong to fight Zoro and Sanji; he disposes of them just by throwing water at them.

Nami arrives, declaring that she's here to kill Arlong, and is made an offer: Take the lives of the Cocoyashi villagers and continue on or die fighting. She chooses the latter. Luffy bursts out of the sea soon after when he's freed by Sanji, and then proceeds to attack. Their monstrous battle spills across Arlong Park, ultimately ending with Arlong's defeat with a crushing Gomu Gomu Axe (and the building collapsing on him)!

The Aftermath

The villagers of Cocoyashi rejoice for several days and nights at the victory, but not before the "great" Captain Nezumi appears on the scene to claim the success. Zoro and the rest whip him into shape, Nami gets her revenge for his shooting Nojiko, and when it all ends Nezumi places a 30,000,000 Berry bounty on Luffy -- the highest in East Blue!

Not long afterwards Nami joins the crew permanently, and the Straw Hats set off for Loguetown, and then the Grand Line itself.