Episode 168

"The Python Strikes! The Survival Game Begins" is the 168th episode of the One Piece anime, and takes place during the Skypiea Arc.

Short Summary
A giant python makes Luffy, Robin, Chopper, and Zoro split up while going to the ruins at the south. Gan Fall tells the history behind the war between the Shandians and inhabitants of Sky Island. Shandian warriors move out to battle at the Upper Yard.

Long Summary
The exploration team of the Straw Hats move out to find the gold and the rest of the crew sail out. While traveling down the forest, Chopper noticed that a tree root was moving. He ignored it saying to himself that the crew would make jest of him if he told them. Just then Luffy turned back and noticed the same thing as Chopper and commented on it, which got the attention of the remainder two. The tree root began to move and what appeared before them was a Giant Python.

The rest of the crew sailing down the Milky Road had Gan Fall with them. Gan Fall then told them of the history behind the war between the Shandians and the inhabitants of Sky Island. He further told them of how the Shandians, being the original inhabitants of the Upper Yard were driven out of their land and the Sky Islanders possessed it for selfish interest. This led to the war between the Shandians and the people of Sky Island. Gan Fall explained what transpired the rule of Enel as God. Sanji asked why the crew was attacked by a Shandian when they first arrived and Gan Fall explained to them that some enforcers seized by Enel escape via ship and are ultimately defeated by the Shandians. He told them that they may have been falsely recognized as being runaway enforcers. Gan Fall further explained the Citizens Sense of Crime which occurs when outsiders visit Skypiea. He was however, confused about what gold was and asked the crew travelling with him.

Gan Fall was shown in a flash back at one of his attempts at negotiating with the Shandians. Wiper, clearly angry, refused negotiating unless Gan Fall returned all of their land to them. Gan Fall stated he could not return everything as the Vearth was also useful to the people of Sky Island, who he thinks are innocent of the actions that transpired years back.

Wiper and the rest of the Shandian warriors prepare for battle with Wiper once again renewing his resolve to defeat Enel. He informed the warriors that only those prepared to leave the injured behind and continue battle should join him.

The rest of the Straw Hats in the forest get attacked by the giant python and in their attempt to escape from it, they got separated. The Shandian warriors move out to Upper Yard with the goal of reaching the God Shrine to take Enel out.