Episode 59: Luffy, Completely Surrounded! Admiral Nelson's Secret Plan
Air Date: 2001-02-21
Opening: Believe (2nd Opening)
Ending: Run! Run! Run! (2nd Ending)
Manga Chapters: n/a
Short Summary
The Straw Hats have encountered Admiral Nelson's fleet on their way back from the ancient island. As Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji attack the soldiers and try to lower the raised chain wall, Erik arrives and tries to take Ryuuji. Ryuuji rises up after Apis is in danger and takes down Erik, but Nelson pelts Ryuuji with cannonballs, bringing the great dragon down.
In-Depth Summary
The episode opens with Marine ships firing at the Going Merry as it charges toward the chain wall. On Erik's ship, the captain sees that their mission is complete since Nelson has the Straw Hats taken care of. However, Erik orders a rowboat with three experienced hands to help him. Apis runs out to keep Ryuuji safe against Usopp's protesting. Usopp is inspired by Apis' protection Ryuuji and declares he will find the Dragon's Nest. Nami steers the ship so that it can avoid cannonballs, and Luffy has to use Gomu Gomu no Balloon to drive one back. Nelson is shocked to see that the cannonball struck one of his ships, and demands that the Big Elimination Cannon be activated. The giant cannon is wheeled out and targets the Going Merry. Luffy says he'll just launch back the attack again, but Nami orders him to help change the direction of the ship. Usopp fires a cannonball right into the Big Elimination Cannon, blowing it apart from the inside. This causes Nelson to fall on the ground, and because of his excessive fat he is unable to get up.
As the Straw Hats regroup aboard the ship, Nami tells them to attack quickly while they have the chance. Luffy uses Gomu Gomu no Crossing Bridge to allow Sanji and Zoro to run over to Nelson's ship. Luffy retracts his arm to launch himself over and join them. As Nelson is lifted back up, he demands a status report and learns that three pirates have boarded the ship. As Zoro gets ready to cut some steel chains, a large group of Marine soldiers pours out, and Luffy and Sanji make quick work of them. Zoro, meanwhile, concentrates his strength and manages to slice through the steel chain with his sword. This makes Nelson angry, ordering that the Straw Hats be caught at all costs. Luffy and Sanji continue to fend off the soldiers as they pour in as Zoro continues to cut through the chains, lowering the chain wall. With just one chain left, Nami prepares to move the Going Merry in. However, the Going Merry is sliced up by Erik's Kama Kama power, as he approaches in a rowboat. Nelson is delighted to see Erik join the fray, claiming the Sennenryuu is his.
Erik rides up to the Going Merry and faces Apis, demanding he take Ryuuji. As Nami and Usopp stand up to him, Erik claims his first Kama Kama no Whirlwind missed on purpose. Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji see what are going on, but can't do anything because Erik will kill Apis. Erik takes Ryuuji away, but as Nelson calls for him to deliver the dragon, Erik declares he is taking it for himself. Nelson becomes furious and orders that Erik be killed, and so many cannonballs are lobbed at his boat. Apis begs Erik to stop bullying Ryuuji, saying they need to bring Ryuuji to Dragon's Nest. Erik picks her up, telling her she is a hostage and he'll shred her to pieces. Apis bites him on the hand and he drops her. Ryuuji sees this and rises up behind Erik, livid. With a flick of its wing Erik is sent flying into the water, and Ryuuji looks down on the hurt Apis, remembering several good times with her. Ryuuji spreads its wings and roars, causing the entire area to rumble.
Apis gets back up and hugs Ryuuji, glad it is all right. Ryuuji flaps its wings and starts to fly, and Nelson yells that he doesn't care if it is killed or not. Ryuuji is struck by several cannonballs but remains strong. Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji have had enough and start cutting down more Marine soldiers. Apis begs Ryuuji to escape. Ryuuji turns and flies toward Nelson's ship. As it is struck repeatedly by cannonballs, Ryuuji finally loses its strength and falls into the water. Apis breaks down in tears as Luffy leaps over to Ryuuji, telling it that it can't even think about dying. Ryuuji tells Luffy to keep Apis safe. Apis screams Ryuuji's name as the episode draws to a close.
Mumbo230’s Notes
This episode creates a significant inconsistency with the canonical story. In this episode, Zoro is able to cut through iron chains, but later, during the Alabasta arc, it is disovered that Zoro cannot yet cut through metal.
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