In the fifth episode of One Piece, the narrative picks up speed with the military chasing Luffy and his crew. The episode also provides further context to Luffy's past, revealing his short-lived association with Garp, who mentored him during his youth.
Back to real-time action, Luffy attempts to rally his crew on board their ship. However, the crew is far from battle-ready. Amidst the chaos, Garp showcases his incredible strength by launching a cannonball at them. Luffy retaliates by inflating himself and repelling the cannonball back, damaging the Admiral's ship and buying them time to escape into an approaching fog.
Navigating through the dense mist, the crew finds refuge at the Baratie, a ship converted into a floating restaurant. Despite failing to charm the concierge, Nami's financial contribution secures them a table. At the restaurant, they encounter Sanji, a charismatic chef-cum-fighter who instantly intrigues them.
While dining, the crew shares a sense of camaraderie, and Luffy raises a toast to their fleeting victory against the Marines. Nami, however, raises the fact that Vice Admiral Garp is Luffy's grandfather, introducing a complex dynamic to the situation.
In the interim, Garp enlists Mihawk, a fearsome bounty hunter, to capture Luffy alive. Koby, overhearing this conversation, begins to reevaluate his loyalty.
Back at the Baratie, Luffy encounters trouble when he fails to pay his bill. Zeff, the head chef, puts him to work washing dishes to settle his debt. During this time, Luffy tries Sanji's culinary creations and is awestruck. They discuss dreams, and Luffy encourages Sanji, whose ambition is to discover the All Blue, a mythical location rich with untasted spices and seafood.
Their conversation is interrupted when a famished pirate appears, desperate for food. Sanji feeds him, thereby saving his life. Luffy recognizes Sanji's goodness and offers him a spot on his crew. The pirate warns Luffy of the perilous quest for the One Piece, citing his armada's decimation as a cautionary tale.
Simultaneously, Nami negotiates her solo departure to the Conomi Islands, paying a shady character 6000 Berries for passage. Nami and Zoro share a drink and exchange snippets of information.
Things take a twist when Mihawk arrives, leading Zoro to challenge him to a duel. Nami and Usopp express concern worried that Zoro's life is in grave danger. Although Luffy understands the risks, he respects Zoro's quest to honor a promise to Kuina, his late friend, and permits the duel.
The next morning, as the duel unfolds, Zoro suffers severe injuries but refuses to back down, earning Mihawk's respect. Ultimately, Zoro is defeated, but his resolve leaves an impression on Mihawk, who leaves with an invitation for a future rematch.
As the episode concludes, One Piece continues to impress, maintaining its unique blend of humor, action, and emotion. Mihawk's debut remains faithful to the original manga, adding depth to the story, particularly in his fight with Zoro. The episode ends with a sense of anticipation for future battles and adventures, promising that the best is yet to come.
