Thriller Bark arc

The Thriller Bark arc is the eighteenth story arc in the manga and anime series One Piece.

Arriving in the Devil's Sea
Three days after the Post-Enies Lobby arc, the Straw Hats enjoy the features of their new ship; Usopp and Luffy go fishing together and toss everything they catch into the aquarium; Robin, Franky and Sanji relax in the dining room, Nami takes a bath in the bath hut, Chopper enjoys his expanded room/infirmary and Zoro takes a nap in the observation tower. When Zoro wakes up, he notices a barrel floating in the ocean and alerts the rest of the crew over the built-in speaker system. When they fish the barrel out of the sea, they notice that it is an Offering to the Sea God. After a short discussion, they open the barrel, but instead of finding food and sake, a Red Light shoots out of the barrel and into the sky. Fearing that someone may spot them and knowing that a big storm is heading in their direction, Nami orders the crew to head southwest. Unfortunately, the Highwind catches them, prompting Franky to unveil the Dry Soldier Deck System Number 0; a set of paddle wheels. Using the paddle wheels they avoid the storm and finally enter the Florian Triangle. At first Usopp thinks they might already have arrived at Fishman Island but he is quickly corrected by the others who explain to him that they are in fact in the Florian Triangle (he did not know this, since he was not around when Kokoro told the others about it). Upset that he was not notified about this and scared about the ghosts, he quickly grabs his exorcism set to rebuke any evil Spirits. Suddenly, he and the rest of the crew hear a "Yohohohoho" song and discover a Ghost Ship that has suddenly appeared behind them.

Brook
Intrigued, Luffy starts to board the ship, with Nami and Sanji behind him, who want to stop him "in case he does something impulsive and stupid". When they arrive on board of the ship they are greeted by the self-proclaimed "Gentleman Skeleton" Brook, whose first action is to question Nami whether or not he may see her panties. She, of course, denies this and hits Brook. Luffy, finding all this hilarious, asks Brook if can "take dumps", to which Brook replies with a yes. Sanji then starts to shout questions at Brook only to be interrupted by Luffy, who, much to the shock of everybody else, asks Brook to join his crew. Brook replies by saying: "sounds good".

Brook goes with them back to the ship and ends up having dinner with the crew. Brook is explaining his Devil Fruit ability when Usopp (in full exorcist gear) notices that he has no shadow and no reflection. Brooke explains how his shadow was stolen, and sadly cannot leave the foggy Florian Triangle with the Straw Hats for the sun would destroy him. Not wanting his new friends to get hurt, Brook refuses to reveal the culprit. Nonetheless, meeting the crew has brightened his dreary existence, and Brook is about to play the violin when a ghost appears. Just then, the gates of Thriller Bark capture the Thousand Sunny. Brook warns the Straw Hats to escape and runs across the water to Thriller bark.

Thriller Bark
After seeing Brook leave and the prospect of an adventure Luffy decides he wants to explore Thriller Bark.

Franky suggest they try out the solider dock system while they decide what to do. Activating the mechanism Franky reveals a Going Merry-themed paddle boat named Mini Merry. Usopp, Nami, and Chopper immediately jump in to try it out and check the shore line. Franky explains the solider dock system. Suddenly they are attacked by some invisible beast. After making fools out of Luffy, Franky, Sanji, and Zoro it licks Robin who resist using her Hana Hana powers. The unseen enemy then flees. Meanwhile, Nami, Usopp, and Chopper arrive on shore (crashing the Mini-Merry into a moat in the process) and try to figure out where they are. Suddenly out of the shadows appears a frightening three-headed stitched up dog. After fleeing up a tree to escape the Cerberus they encounter a strange Vampire like individual named Hildon. He ask them if they would like to come to the mansion of Doctor Hogback. This gets Chopper's attention.

Chopper explains that Hogback is a famous doctor that went missing many years ago. By this time they are in a carriage with Hildon listening to Chopper talk about Hogback. However after seeing several frightening animals Nami and Usopp ask Hildon if he can ask the coach driver to take them back to the shore. After seeming to agree he goes outside to relay their request. Ten minutes pass and when the three look outside they find Hildon and the horses gone. Meanwhile, Hildon, who was previously watching over head, flies off. Out of the ground come hundreds of zombies. A chaotic fight ensues with the three only getting away after Ussop uses his Fire Star attack to scare the zombies. However with the undead still chasing them the three take off toward the mansion that Hildon earlier informed them was owned by Doctor Hogback.

Back at the shore the remaining crew on the Thousand Sunny are pondering what to do. Deciding the only thing to do is to explore the island they enter a gate way that leads into Thriller Bark. Back at the mansion Nami, Usopp, and Chopper are confronted by this frightening stitched-up maid that starts hurling plates at Usopp until a man appears and orders her to stop. The man is revealed to be Doctor Hogback. Inviting them to dinner, Hogback explains he's on the island to do research on the zombie inhabitants. Later, in the shower, Nami tells Usopp and Chopper she thinks Hogback's lying and knows more about the island than he let on. Suddenly however Nami is attacked by the same invisible creature who attacked Robin. The creature tells her she will be his bride. Getting her mouth free Nami shouts out to Usopp and Chopper. Bursting in and seeing the window opening on its own, Usopp lets off another Fire Star.

Meanwhile in the moat the remaining crew encounter the Cerberus from earlier. After Luffy "tames" it, the crew wanders through the forest encountering other strange creatures. Meanwhile in the mansion Nami, Usopp, and Chopper attempt to explore only to be frightened by more Zombies. They stumble upon a room decorated with pictures of Cindry the maid. Nami discovers she was once a famous actress and she was reported to have died ten years ago. Finding a chest they open it only to be terrified by a zombie Jack-in-the-box. Taking off once again, this time they're pursued by this figure that other zombies refer to as the Guardian.

Luffy and the rest of the crew stumble across a ghost similar to the one they encountered on the ship earlier. The ghost are revealed to have the ability to induce a depressed state on people by passing through them. Luckily for Luffy, Franky, and Zoro the state is temporary. Walking through the graveyard, they are attacked by Zombies but using a team attack the crew defeats them with ease. Leaving the Graveyard, they encounter an old man who like Brook is missing his shadow. The man then tells them the shadow thief is a man named Gecko Moria. Hearing this name Robin reveals that Gecko Moria is a Shichibukai with a bounty that exceeds even Luffy (who has a bounty of 300,000,000 beli). The rest of the crew is stunned by this news. Back in the mansion Nami, Usopp, and Chopper find Hogback's lab. Peeking inside they watch as Hogback creates a zombie he calls Mario. Suddenly the mysterious figure from earlier appears and knocks them forward into the lab. Nami and Chopper exclaim it sounded like Brook but had flesh and skin.

The person comes forward revealing himself to be a zombie samurai named Ryuuma, and when he sees Nami he asks to see her panties. Initially angered by this, Nami realizes he's acting just like Brook. Ryuuma responds by taking out his sword and then he runs right past them. Confused they try to run but are quickly taken down by his attack which they didn't even realize had been done when he ran by them.

Outside the clock struck midnight. In the graveyard the voice of the invisible man is heard ordering the defeated zombie soldiers to get up which they do. The man starts to become visible revealing a tall man with a stitched lions face. The Zombies begin calling out his name Absalom, then calling him "Ero-salom" until he yells for them to shut up. Elsewhere, it shows dozen of ghosts heading toward the tower behind Hogback's mansion. Entering this room with this weird teddy bear zombie welcoming them as they enter. A girl in the back of the room gets up telling the bear zombie to not talk because it's not cute. Meanwhile in another part of the tower three Zombies enter this room where Gecko Moria is asleep to wake him up. From the top of the tower lost in fog a enormous black sheet starts to come down. Luffy and his crew then learn from the old man that Thriller Bark is actually the world's largest pirate ship. With that, Luffy and his crew enter the Mansion.

Soon after the Zombie soldiers surround the place and Absalom enters the place to wake up the Zombie Generals. These are revealed to be several large zombies, armored zombies, a drunk man called Captain John and some other strange zombies.

As Absalom watches them leave to hunt the Straw Hats he is confronted by a large zombie warthog bride named Lola asking Absalom to marry her. Failing to force him to sign a marriage contract, Absalom tells Lola he plans to make Nami his bride. He even shows her Nami's wanted poster. Enraged, Lola vows to destroy Nami and runs off to do it. Absalom runs after her.

Down in the mansion Luffy and his crew are attacked by "Surprise Zombies" led by the taxidermied pig zombie Buhichuck (Oinkchuck). The battle is short, and they notice Sanji has gone missing.

Meanwhile in this strange forest two zombie squirrels are transporting a coffin. Tripping, they drop the coffin Chopper is in, waking him up, and after driving of the squirrels he wakes up Nami and Usopp. They quickly realize it isn't an actual forest but Perona's Wonder Garden which is located on a bridge spanning from Hogback's mansion the tower (which turns out is also a mast). More zombie animals show up including a dog-faced penguin zombie. However when the other zombie's attack Nami the dog penguin rushes to her defense. When the other zombies demand to know what he's doing. The dog-penguin declares he won't ever harm a lady.

Lola shows up attempt to attack Nami suddenly however Nami is lifted off her feet. It is revealed to be Absalom. Nami takes Clima-Tact and uses a thunderball to electrocute Absalom, then she and the boys take off pursued by Lola. Absalom mistakes the shock for love. He orders the Zombie animals to help him. After some rude remarks he threatens the zombies to mind who they talk to. Being confronted by the dog penguin he blasts the dog with some sort of invisible attack.

In the mansion Zoro has gone missing too.

Luffy finds a suit of armor and puts it on. Coming into a huge room full of tents they are ambushed by a General Zombie. Franky proceeds to pound it but the armored knight keeps getting up. Many more Zombie Generals appear. Oinkchuck runs off. sealing the way they came from. A vicious battle ensues as Luffy, Robin, and Franky try to get out. Franky discovers these Zombies fend off their weakness to fire with buckets of water. Luffy suddenly sees a Zombie General named Jiguroh use Zoro's 36 Pound Cannon technique. Finally Franky and Robin manage to escape on to a stone bridge spanning from the mansion to the tower beneath Perona's wonder garden. However they discover Luffy's been taken captive by the zombies and is being transported by chain to the tower. As they run after him they are blocked by a giant Spider/monkey Zombie General called Talleran.

Back on the Thousand Sunny, Perona and Other zombie's are scavenging the ship for treasure when Hildon shows up and informs her that Luffy's been capture and their master is planning to bring out Zombie 900. In Perona's Wonder Garden, Nami is cornered by Lola. keeping her wits Nami convinces Lola she's really a gay tranvestite male. Having stopped Lola, Nami proceeds to talk to Lola telling her she has to go after Absalom if she wants him to marry her. Taking this advice Lola goes after Absalom who is next seen in Perona's room with Bearsy when Perona shows up. Then it's revealed that while Lola went after Absalom Nami and the others ran away and are hiding in Bearsy.

Back on the Bridge Robin and Franky are cornered by the generals. Thinking quickly Franky smashes the bridge. However as they fall Robin reveals the ability to fly for five seconds by using her Hana powers to form large wings. While she keeps them airborne Franky launches his strong right to grab the ledge. However Talleran is on the tower side of the gap. Suddenly a weird noise is heard an Brook plumets out of the sky and into the court yard with the Zombie general.

Talleran begins spinning his web out of his hand moving toward them. Using her Hana powers to slap Talleran in the eyes when he brings his hands to his eyes he gets webbing in them. Next Franky takes his iron nunchuks and combine them with some stone columns and starts bashing Talleran hard. However just when It seemed theyed won Robin is attacked by several spider mice zombies. As Franky turns to help her he is caught by Tallerans webbing. Just then Brook Appears having leaped up from the courtyard.

After a brief conversation with Robin and Franky Talleran suddenly gasps in pain. It is revealed just like Ryuma, Brook attacked Talleran without him realizing it for a short period of time. Suddenly this black thing comes out of Tallerans mouth. Horrified by the defeat of their leader the Spider Mice flee. After freeing himself and Robin, Franky asks Brook whats going on. Brook tells them after Hogback gathers bodies he fixes them up, but to bring them to life he needs Moria's help. Moria steals shadows and puts them in copses creating his zombie army. Moria is able to do this because he has the power of the Kage kage fruit. And The stronger the person whos shadow is stolen the stronger the zombie warrior. The Zombies also gain the personality and combat styles of the person whose shadow they come from.

However the zombies do have a weaknesses. Because their power is devil fruit based salt from the ocean frees the shadow to go back to its owner. It flashes back to the front of the mansion where hundreds of zombie of soldiers lie lifeless having been purified by Brook. Also Moria cannot kill the person he steals shadows from for it would kill the zombie. Brook gives the two a bag of salt and runs off.

Gecko Moria
Perona, Bearsy, Absalom, and Hogback with Cindry arrive in a massive room and sitting on the throne is Gecko Moria. Moria reveals his desire to be pirate king. Luffy who is tied up in a cage yells he'll be King. Moria and his chief officer converse on they're aims when the three solider guarding him yelled out he ate the steel cage is escaping. Perona lets loose a a few ghost who subdue him with there negative attack. With that Gecko Moria begins to remove Luffy's shadow while Nami, Ussop, and Chopper watch in horror from Bearsy. With his shadow removed, Luffy loses consciousness. Moria mentions how he was once defeated by a person called Kaidou in the New World.

Moria orders the Spider Mice to take Luffy back to his ship. Before they leave, the Spider Mice inform him of Talleran's defeat. They take Luffy and rush off down the stairs. Absalom is concerned about Brook but Perona doesn't know about him. Moria, not bothered by this development, orders his three personal zombies to open the door to the Freezer where zombie 900 is stored. Elsewhere, Franky and Robin hurry back to the Thousand Sunny, looking for the others on the way. Meanwhile Brook confronts Ryuma in Hogback's Lab.

In the tunnel of the Freezer, all the leaders of Thriller Bark are excited about their plans for the future. They enter the chamber, where this enormous giant twenty times Moria's size rests. Moria declares it was once the great conquerer known as Oz. Moria walks on one of the the chains supporting Oz and inserts Luffy's shadow. The monster becomes awake and roars for food. Nami, Ussop, and Chopper fall out of Bearsy and are discovered. However Oz roars out for food again and they run off. They head down the stairs when suddenly Usopp and Chopper are enveloped in explosions. Absalom grabs Nami and turns himself and her invisible and escapes. Ussop and Chopper are set upon by dozens of soldier zombies. However, just as they're being overwhelmed, Franky and Robin show up and begin purifying zombies.

Oz and Luffy
Moria has his zombies bring Oz tons of food to eat. The zombies watch in shock as Oz consumes vast amounts of Thriller Bark's stores and still wants more food. Moria tells Oz who he is and that he is now his minion but Oz declares he will be pirate king and proceeds to break out of the freezer much to the astonishment of the zombies. Meanwhile Robin, Franky, Usopp, and Chopper run down stairs that lead to the ships. Elsewhere Absalom prepares to marry Nami. In Hogback's lab Ryuma reminds brook of what happened last time he was in Thriller Bark. They begin to fight. The remaining straw hats reach their ship which has been ransacked by the Zombies and fine Luffy, Sanji, and Zoro. After several blows on the head by Franky, to no effect, Usopp lies that "A beautiful lady swordsman just arrived with a ton of meat!!" they begin to come to.

After their current situation is explained to the now awakened Straw Hats it is revealed by Franky that Brook was a member of the crew that promised Laboon 50 years ago that they would return to Reverse mountain, meanwhile Brook is fighting with Ryuma while thinking how every time he thinks about Laboon his heart squeezes in pain even though he does not have a heart, and that how Laboon will not recognize him without his afro. With the situation revealed Luffy is now more determined than ever to make Brook join his crew.

They begin to plan their counter attack, with Luffy stating that it would be easier to just go and beat Moria than to look for their individual shadows, leaves Nami up to Sanji (burning with rage over the idea of a wedding) and Usopp, Franky decides to go help Brook with Zoro joining him. Before setting out Usopp gives everyone a bag of salt and says that they should defiantly finish their objectives before dawn or they will be at a disadvantage. Meanwhile Oz has climbed to the top of the main mast of Thriller Bark, amazed that it is a ship, and declares that he will become pirate king with it while Hildon reports to Moria that the Straw Hats have woken up and are rampaging about destroying zombies and that Absalom's wedding has started with all the General zombies attending. Perona says she will take care of them and Hogback requests to be made second in command. Luffy, Sanji, Usopp, Robin, and Chopper are taking the upper bridge to where Moria is when Luffy and Sanji get hit with the negative ghosts and Oz comes crashing down destroying the bridge and taking Sanji and Usopp down with him to the lower bridge where Zoro and Franky are, where they attacked what they thought was a wall but is actually Oz.

Luffy, Robin, and Chopper continue to where Moria is when they encounter Dr. Hogback along the way, Chopper says he will fight Hogback and that Luffy should go on ahead, Robin stays behind as well to deal with Cindry. Chopper tells Hogback that he no longer recognizes him as a Doctor and Luffy finds Moria, who treats him with indifference. Back at the bridge Oz gets up causing Sanji, Zoro, Franky, and Usopp to panic over his shear size, but Oz dose not even notice them. He makes a hat out of part of the mansion then walks away saying he will be pirate king. After voicing their concerns over the destroyed bridge they realize Franky has already built a new one and are all shocked by the speed and quality Franky put into it. They then encounter Perona in her room where she reveals she has the powers of the Horo Horo (ghost ghost) fruit and are all hit with her negative spirits and fall to the ground. Perona then orders her zombies to capture them but are destroyed by Usopp's salt star, Perona sends more ghosts through him but they have no effect as Usopp sates he is already negative, thoroughly shocking Perona. Usopp tells the others to get up, and says he will deal with her. Meanwhile the wedding has progressed and Absalom is about to kiss, a still unconscious, Nami.

Perona sends four more of her ghosts through Usopp causing the ghosts and Perona to become depressed, meanwhile Sanji flies off (literally) to save Nami. The fight between Brook and Ryuuma continues with Ryuuma wondering what he should cut off next with his special arrow notch slash. Brook reveals that the technique came from a kingdom's assault squad and its real name is "Requiem Handoul", nicknamed "Flower sons three petals notch slash" by his old crew, and he does not want Ryuuma using that name. They face off one last time, seemingly walking past each other, using their fastest sword techniques and Brook is defeated. Just as Ryuuma is about to cut off Brook's afro all of Thriller Bark starts shaking causing both of them to fall over just as Zoro and Franky arrive, Ryuuma charges and is blocked by Zoro who says Ryuuma has a nice sword. Ryuuma states that it is one of the 21 great swords, the "Meitou Shuusui", and Zoro says that he will use that blade. Back at the wedding the shaking has caused Absalom to miss kissing Nami and it is revealed that a strange ocean current is causing it thanks to Oz moving the rudder. Absalom orders all general zombies to stop Oz who pummels them with his gomu gomu no Gatling gun, Sanji finally arrives at the wedding.

Luffy demands that Moria return everybody’s shadows and that he will kick Moria's ass, prompting Moria to ask how exactly Luffy will do that and even if Luffy beats him up or even kills him the shadows will not return unless he orders them to do so. Luffy rears up for a gomu gomu no pistal only to have it blocked by Moria's shadow, his duplicate Doppelman. Moria then tells Luffy that in the past he was too overconfident in his own ability and ambition and learned the importance of having strong subordinates so their power can make him pirate king without himself having to lift a finger. Luffy retorts that he will be pirate king and Moria reveals that a shadow’s master can sometimes leave a very strong will behind, but it’s still just a matter of time until that will fades and they become another obedient zombie. Moria's shadow turns into several black bats to block Luffy's attacks and then starts to bite him making Moria ask how this is "kicking my ass?". Luffy jumps down into the freezer causing Moria to think Luffy is trying to escape only for Luffy to launch a Gomu Gomu no Stamp through the ledge Moria is sitting on literally kicking his ass behind.

One on One
Sanji kicks the zombie holding Nami away and moment thinks he rescued a goddess instead. Absalom demands that Sanji return his bride and mistakes Nami for an angel, Sanji finds this totally understandable because of Nami's pure white dress, then Absalom fires an explosion at Sanji who dodges it and berates Absalom for nearly hitting Nami. Absalom then figures out that the animal zombie that attacked him earlier must have been Sanji's shadow, as Sanji is mistaking Nami as a holy nymph, and that he dose not have time to deal with small fry only to be kicked in the face sending Absalom's 300 kilo body flying. Absalom tries to use his "Dead Man's Hand" (the explosion technique) only for Sanji to redirect it who then proceeds to kick the hell out of Absalom who tries to escape by turning invisible. Sanji uses Usopp's salt balls to find him and continue kicking him, literally exploding with anger, states that there is one last problem between them.

Sanji reveals he knows the source of Absalom's power, the Suke Suke no Mi. Sanji goes on to add that he had always been on the lookout for the fruit desiring the power to make himself invisible. Its revealed that Absalom's body has been upgraded by Hogback with Gorilla and Bear muscle, elephant skin, and his lion jaws. Despite this Sanji slams Absalom against a wall.

Meanwhile, Usopp fights Perona, who at the beginning runs away, only to threaten Usopp with previously unrevealed powers, like flying or sending exploding mini ghosts on Usopp. Though Usopp tries, he cant seem to harm her, as all attacks go right through her. He is beaten heavily by Kumancy, so that he asks "Sogeking" for "help". "Sogeking" then purifies Kumancy and demands Usopp to fight on, till, at the end of his wits, Usopp discovers the reason of Perona's invulnerability-she is a host projection, while her real body is in her room.

Usopp fires a shot at the real Perona but misses and Perona then launches an attack with a gigantic exploding ghost and then goes back into her body. Usopp stores the explosion in his impact dial and Perona find herself unable to move, as she is glued to the wall. A moustached hippo attacks Usopp, whom he hits with the stored impact. Ussop then shoots his "Glitering black star" (a bunch of cock roches, that are fake but she does not notice) at her and then hits her with a "10 ton" hammer that is actually a balloon on a stick. She collapses from the shock, as Usopp leaves her behind. At another point Zoro fights Ryuma, who proves to be a formidable enemy, whos main technique is to destroy Zoro's swords in combat.

Zoro fights on, until he manages to defeat Ryuma. He then gives Zoro his sword, saying that it shall be "happy with him" and that he feels ashamed that he has "made this samurai's body suffer defeat". A few second later, his shadow returns to Brook.

Meanwhile, Robin and Chopper are fighting Hogback, but are restrained by Jigorou and Dogpen, until the two (bearing Zoro's and Sanji's shadow and thusly their personality traits) begin to fight when Hogback orders them to kill anyone who gets in their way. Robin then holds Hogback's mouth shut, commanding him to "order them to jump of the building". Hogback, angered after the crushing, does indeed shout it out in anger, making the two zombies jump off instead. Chopper talks about how Hogback has failed as a doctor, to which Hogback replies that he only was a Doctor because of the wealth. He explains how he proposed to Cindry in her lifetime, but she refused him, and later on she died. He was then approached by Gecko Moria to travel with him, accepting, on the condition that he can bring Cindry back, with a different person's shadow. He then demonstrated Cindry's obedience when given a direct order, by kicking her down and forcing her to lick the floor with her tongue. He then states he only cared about the body and not about the soul of the woman that rejected him. He then sends Cindry to beat Chopper. He, however does not fight her, saying, what would her family think if they knew about this. Hogback orders her to spare him some time, as he is escaping, but Cindry starts crying, saying that her body can't move.

She regains her posture somewhat, and charges forth again, but is held back by Robin, while Chopper goes forth for Hogback. Then, using a combined attack with Robin,using a feet sprouting technique, they ascend to a great hight, from which Chopper wishes to drop off Hogback for all the evil he has done. But meanwhile, Oz, who was summoned to Moria and has now become obedient, is sent off by Moria to wreck Havoc across Thriller Bark and capture all the Straw Hats, beat them and put them on their ship, just before he smilingly runs away from Luffy. Oz does indeed rampage and interrupts Chopper's and Robin's attack. Hogback falls down, but is engulfed within rocks. He orders Cindry to free him, yelling that her only positive feature is the face of her's, being afraid that Oz, who is coming closer, will crush him. However, Cindry just turns to him, smiling for the first time, like she did when she was alive, afterwards we are left to believe Hogback was stepped on by Oz. In a different place, Oz chases Usopp and Sanji respectively, while this interruption makes it possible for Absalom to once again steal Nami away from Sanji. The crew is reunited, just as Oz is standing in the courtyard, yelling at the Straw Hats to come out, to witch Franky replies that they have to take him down together.