Ep. 40

Summary

Source-backed · Version: v1 · Original

Sanji draws Kuroobi onto land, where the fish-man's underwater martial arts lose much of their advantage. Although Kuroobi crushes him with powerful strikes, Sanji recalls Zeff's lessons and unleashes a rapid series of kicks that breaks through his opponent's defenses. He defeats Kuroobi and rushes back toward the pool to rescue Luffy. Elsewhere, Usopp continues fleeing from Chew until he decides that surviving through deception is different from abandoning his friends. He uses oil, alcohol, and a flaming projectile to set Chew on fire, then repeatedly strikes him with a hammer while pretending each blow is far stronger than it is. His improvised plan defeats the fish-man and gives Usopp a genuine victory he can proudly exaggerate later. At Arlong Park, Zoro struggles to delay Arlong while Sanji dives and destroys the stone trapping Luffy's feet. Arlong attacks the divers, but Genzo and Nojiko pull Luffy free. The captain remains unconscious after being underwater, so Sanji carries him to land while Zoro faces Arlong alone. With Hatchan, Kuroobi, and Chew defeated, the Straw Hats have removed Arlong's officers, but their captain must awaken before the exhausted crew is overwhelmed.