Ep. 54

Summary

Source-backed · Version: v1 · Original

While sailing toward the Grand Line, the Straw Hats encounter a Marine ship pursuing a small boat in rough weather. Luffy rescues the boat's passenger, a young girl named Apis, but she refuses to explain why the Marines are chasing her. She claims to dislike pirates and tries to conceal her destination, though Sanji's cooking and the crew's kindness gradually lower her guard. Apis has escaped from Marine Branch 8, where Commodore Nelson Royale wants information connected to an ancient legend and the secret of eternal youth. Nelson sends the mercenary Eric, a Devil Fruit user whose slicing wind attacks resemble sharp claws, to recapture her. Apis overhears the crew discussing their route and attempts to leave at night so she will not endanger them. Luffy stops her boat from capsizing, and the Marines surround the Going Merry. The Straw Hats refuse to hand over their guest, beginning a chase away from the normal route to Reverse Mountain. Apis finally asks them to take her home to Warship Island. The detour opens the series' first extended anime-original adventure, placing the crew between a greedy Marine commander and a mystery the frightened girl is determined to protect.