Episode 20: The Famous Cook! Sanji of the Floating Restaurant
Air Date: 2000-04-12
Opening: We Are! (1st Opening)
Ending: Memories (1st Ending)
Short Summary
Johnny shows the Straw Hats that Yosaku is ill, and Nami diagnoses it as scurvy. The Straw Hats decide they need a chef, and so they set sail for Baratie, the floating restaurant. On their way, they bump into an arrogant Marine lieutenant named Iron Fist Fullbody who fires at their ship. Luffy ends up crashing into Baratie and argues with the head chef, Zeff, over how to pay for the damages. In the restaurant, tension mounts between Fullbody and the assistant to the head chef, Sanji.
In-Depth Summary
The episode opens with Lieutenant Fullbody aboard his Marine ship, his date with him, as he brings her to the floating restaurant. On the Going Merry, Johnny and Zoro's reunion is cut short as Zoro asks where Yosaku went. Johnny shows Yosaku lying in their boat, saying that Yosaku was fine a few days ago, but suddenly fell ill, his teeth falling out and his old wounds beginning to bleed. Johnny took Yosaku to a small rocky island to take care of him, but it was blasted apart by Usopp's cannon ball. Luffy, Zoro, and Usopp are clueless to the nature of the illness as they pull Yosaku onto the deck of the Going Merry, and Nami takes a look at Yosaku. She tells Luffy and Usopp to get some limes. They start squeezing lime juice into Yosaku's mouth as Nami explains that Yosaku got scurvy and will be better in a few days. Luffy and Usopp stuff Yosaku's mouth full of limes, and he springs up, feeling better, but quickly collapses again.
In the cabin, Nami warns that their crew could get scurvy as well if they are not careful, and they need someone to make sure they eat properly. Luffy suggests they get a chef to join the crew, and Johnny remarks that a large floating restaurant is nearby, close to the Grand Line, in the north-northeast direction. He mentions that Hawk-Eye was spotted around there, sparking Zoro's interest, and so they set sail. As they draw near to Baratie, a Marine ship comes up alongside them, and Fullbody and his date are on board. Fullbody remarks not recognizing their pirate flag, and he recognizes Johnny and Yosaku as pirate hunters. Johnny tosses out his wanted posters, but Fullbody ignores him and heads back into the cabin of the Marine ship. Nami spots Arlong's wanted poster on the floor, bending down to look at it. The Marine ship then fires a cannon ball at the Going Merry, but Luffy manages to intercept it by throwing his body in front of it, using Gomu Gomu no Pachinko to send it flying back.
Luffy misfires and the cannon ball flies right into Baratie, striking Zeff, head chef of the vessel, where he stands. The cooks are horrified but Zeff is okay, though his forehead is bleeding. The chefs haul Luffy onboard and bring him before Zeff. Meanwhile, Fullbody and his date come onboard Baratie, and they sit down at their table as the people in the restaurant gawk at Fullbody. Zeff, at this time, is kicking around Luffy before taking a seat. He tells Luffy that if he doesn't have money to pay for repairs, he'll have to work it off. Luffy agrees, but Zeff offers one year of work, which obviously Luffy cannot fulfill. Back in the dining area, Sanji is introduced as he strolls up to Fullbody's table and pours two glasses of wine. Fullbody tastes the wine and names it, but Sanji says that he is wrong and tells him to eat his soup before it gets cold. Fullbody is embarrassed, as he told the waiter what wine to get, and so he sheepishly eats his soup.
Luffy bargains with Zeff, trying for one week of work, then two, but is unsuccessful. Zeff becomes irritated and starts kicking around Luffy again, then decides to give Luffy one more option - Zeff will cut off Luffy's leg and take it. In the dining area, Fullbody stomps on a bug underneath the table and drops it in his soup, then calls over Sanji and asks what a bug is doing in his soup. Sanji remarks that he doesn't know much about bugs, causing the people to laugh. Fullbody becomes furious as Sanji flirts with his date, and so Fullbody smashes the table with his iron fist. At this moment Zeff continues to kick Luffy around. Zoro, Usopp, and Nami arrive in the dining area of the restaurant and find Sanji holding up Fullbody by his neck, who is very bloody and battered. Sanji tells Fullbody not to ruin their food, and that messing with a cook of the sea is a good way to get killed as the episode ends.
Mumbo230's Notes
There's some foreshadowing in this episode as Nami spots Arlong's wanted poster. We are also formally introduced to Johnny, Yosaku, and Fullbody, the last of which will become good friends with Jango from the previous arc. The major introduction, of course, is Sanji.