Episode 1 of One Piece unfolds in Loguetown, a bygone era twenty-two years prior. The Marines, guardians of the World Government's order, valiantly stood as a bulwark against the nefarious pirates plaguing the innocent masses. Among these pirates stood Gold Roger, the infamous King of the Pirates, now captured and condemned to public execution.
A vast throng gathered to witness the spectacle, and Vice-Admiral Garp declared Roger's fate with steely resolve. But before the final blow could fall, Gold Roger spoke, his voice resonating across the crowd. He declared his vast treasure free for all to seek, urging them to take to the seas in pursuit of their dreams. As the crowd dispersed, Roger's final words transformed him into a martyr, igniting the Great Pirate Era and leaving the world in awe.
The One Piece treasure remains elusive, its whereabouts a mystery. But now, let us journey to the present, where Monkey D. Luffy, a young aspirant, embarks on his journey to become the next King of the Pirates and unearth the legendary treasure. His small boat, however, is doomed to sink, forcing Luffy to scramble into a barrel and surrender to the whims of the ocean.
Unfortunately, the ocean deposits him at the heart of a fierce battle between Lady Alvida and her crew, aboard their pink pirate ship, locked in combat with another formidable pirate gang. Lady Alvida prevails, and Luffy's barrel is hauled onto her ship. Here, he meets Koby, a young man who becomes Luffy's first friend despite his initial prejudice against pirates.
Deep within the ship's belly, Koby and Luffy cross paths. Koby is steadfast in his belief that all pirates are scum and thieves, but Luffy smiles knowingly and disputes his views, hinting at a deeper understanding of the pirate world that lies ahead.
Ten years ago, in the quaint hamlet of Windmill Village, our story unwinds, catching us up to the present day. Luffy, an orphan with unwavering determination, dreamed of becoming a fearsome pirate, embracing the freedom it promised. To prove his mettle, he boldly slashed his face with a knife in front of the town's pirates, including their formidable leader, Shanks.
Amidst these vivid flashbacks, Shanks tended to Luffy's wounds. Among the pirate's possessions, Luffy stumbled upon the Gum Gum Fruit, which he greedily devoured. This mysterious fruit bestowed upon him remarkable abilities. As the manga unfolds, Shanks opts against engaging a group of mercenaries who stir up trouble in the village. Luffy, displeased with Shanks' restraint, branded him a coward. Shanks endeavored to explain that piracy encompassed more than perpetual combat.
As Luffy attempted to depart, Shanks grasped his arm, prompting Luffy to showcase his newfound powers. Shanks, however, was not amused.
The scene shifts back to Alvida's ship, where Koby and Luffy are brought before the formidable leader. Luffy encourages Koby to speak his mind and muster courage, daring him to voice his true thoughts to Alvida. But Alvida's temper flares, and she swings her spiked mace like a wild woman, resembling Negan from the Walking Dead. When it strikes Luffy, it becomes evident that he is no ordinary pirate. He appears indestructible, his skin stretchy and resilient. With a flourish, he unleashes his signature Gum Gum Pistol move, knocking Alvida cleanly off the boat.
The narrative then takes us to Sixis Island, where the enigmatic Mr. 7 enters the scene. He seeks to recruit Zoro into his shadowy organization known as Baroque Works. Zoro rejects the offer, but Mr. 7 is not easily dissuaded. This confrontation leads to a thrilling sword duel, affording us a glimpse of Zoro's formidable swordsmanship. The duel culminates in a stunning moment, as Mr. 7 is cleanly sliced in half.
Elsewhere in the vast East Blue, a mysterious redhead named Nami washes ashore near a pirate ship. She pleads for help, desperately trying to conceal a large chest. The greedy pirates scramble aboard, eager to unwrap its contents, which turn out to be...nothing. Nami reveals her cunning nature, duping the pirates and making a daring escape with their ship. She sails off, her map in hand, on a journey to parts unknown.
Returning with Koby and Luffy, we discover that the former holds a deep aspiration to become a part of the Navy, a dream that burns brightly in his heart. Their journey leads them to Shell Island, where they are determined to locate a crew and set sail from this secluded place.
Before venturing into the heart of the island's base, the duo pauses to satisfy their hunger. It is during this moment of respite that they unexpectedly encounter Zoro, who arrives with the lifeless body of Mr. 7 in tow. To their surprise, Nami is also present, seemingly involved in some mischief of her own.
Suddenly, a pompous Marine strides into the scene, resembling a Targaryen from the pages of House of the Dragon. This Helmeppo, as he's called, immediately draws Zoro's ire. Without hesitation, Zoro demonstrates his formidable combat skills, swiftly dispatching the guards one by one. Little do they know that Helmeppo is the son of Captain Morgan, the commanding officer of the Marine division stationed here.
Despite acknowledging Zoro's prowess, Morgan cannot overlook the assault on a Marine officer. As punishment, Zoro is tied up in the yard for seven long days. Nami, who has witnessed the entire ordeal, quickly devises a plan. She disguises herself as a Marine, having earlier snatched a uniform from one of the men at the nearby tavern. When she is discovered, she manages to take Helmeppo out of the picture, adding yet another layer of chaos to the situation.
Meanwhile, Luffy sneaks into the courtyard through the grated passageways beneath the base. Zoro confesses that he allowed himself to be captured, but Luffy, recognizing his inherent goodness, insists that he should join his crew. However, Zoro stubbornly refuses, leaving the future of their relationship hanging in the balance.
As Luffy made his way out, his keen eyes caught sight of Nami lurking in the shadows of the basement. He saw right through her guise, perceiving the truth beneath her facade. Determined, he vowed to secure the precious Grand Line map that belonged to Morgan. With no hesitation, he marched towards Morgan, intent on asking for the map directly.
Luck seemed to be on their side as they happened upon Morgan in the hallway. Nami, quick-witted as ever, managed to deflect suspicion with her glib tongue. Seizing the opportunity, she stealthily stole Morgan's keys, unlocking the door to his office. Despite Luffy's urging, she refused to join his crew, stating firmly that she hated pirates and would never become part of their ranks.
Inside Morgan's office, they discovered a cunning contraption that revealed a hidden safe buried beneath the floor. However, their cover was soon blown as the alarm rang out, alerting the entire building. Without hesitation, Luffy unleashed his abilities, yanking the safe from its hiding place. The force of the action sent the pair tumbling out the window, landing safely in the courtyard below.
Luffy and Nami fought their way out of the chaos, and with Zoro now freed from captivity, he chose to join them rather than walk away. Together, they faced off against Captain Morgan and his crew, emerging victorious in the end. They commandeered a ship and set sail once again, back onto the vast and treacherous high seas.
The news of their exploits in Shell Town quickly spread, reaching the ears of the Vice-Admiral. He learned that the coveted map to the Grand Line had been stolen, and the news also found its way to the eccentric clown pirate, Buggy. It seemed that Luffy had now become a marked man, with a target painted on his back and a world of danger awaiting him on the horizon.
