Sabaody Archipelago Arc

The Sabaody Archipelago arc is the nineteenth story arc in the manga and anime series One Piece.

The Halfway Mark and the Mermaid
A few days after departing from the Florian Triangle and the ghost ship Thriller Bark, the Straw Hats continue to follow the log pose in the direction it has been pointing in since it last set on Water 7. After making their way through bizaare weather and fighting massive Sea Kings, they finally arrive directly above the location indicated by the pose, Fishman Island. However, instead of finding the long-sought after destination, the Straw Hats encounter another obstacle: the Red Line, the continent that encircles the main meridian of the world. Having originally entered the Grand Line at Reverse Mountain on the other side of the Red Line, this means that the crew have travelled half-way around the Grand Line, with the continent blocking access into the New World, and therefore to both Luffy's dream of becoming Pirate King and new crewmate Brook's dream of getting back to Reverse Mountain and reuniting with Laboon.

Therefore, the presence of the Red Line posed many problems to the Straw Hats. For one thing, the extremely tall Red Line looked impassable, preventing passage into the New World. Also, their exact location was close to many of the crucial government landmarks, including the holy land of Mariejois and Marine Headquarters. With the log pose continuing to point downwards, Luffy, Robin and Brook decided to use the ship's Shark Submerge to search for any signs of Fishman Island, only to find nothing after reaching the limit of 5000 meters except an angry rabbit Sea King. Chased to the surface by the creature, Luffy defeats it easily with his Gomu-Gomu no Rifle, which made it spit out a small mermaid (who lands right on a super-excited Sanji) and a starfish.

The mermaid, revealed to be named Camie, introduced herself by trying to sell the crew some takoyaki: as previously revealed in a cover story arc, she is the assistant for Hatchan's Takoyaki 8 stand.

Camie,while onboard with her talking starfish Pappug, calls Hatchan, but is shocked when someone else answers his Den Den Mushi. The Macro Fishmen have caught Hatchan, intending to sell him into slavery. Camie wishes to save him and Luffy agrees to do so.

Camie uses her ability to be able to speak with fish and navigates the ship towards Grove 44 of the Sabaody Archipelago, having been told that Hatchan is being held at the base of the Flying Fish Riders, which lies on this route. Before they arrive, they are attacked by the Flying Fish Riders, who after a brief battle return to their base to report back to their leader,Duval, an extremely tall man in an iron mask. After hearing that the ship has been identified as belonging to the Straw Hat Pirates, the mysterious man states his intention to kill "the man who destroyed his life".

Meanwhile, the Straw Hats approach the base, attempting to figure out ways to defeat the flying fish, although Luffy really just wants to ride one. Camie is worried about Hatchan, although Pappug assures her that he'll be safe.

Flying Fish Riders & The Man in the Iron Mask
The Macro Fishmen tried to speak to Duval why he call them to retreat, which replies by shooting harpoons at them whilst. Rantinh about the man who ruined his life striking fear into his own crew as well as the fishmen.

Macro himself tries to calm down Duval for the stupidity of his own crew but Duval congratulates them for revealing the Straw Hats to him. Meanwhile Hatchan, former Arlong Pirate crew member now Takoyaki salesman, who is tied up in front of Duval is both concerned about Camie and also afraid of hearing the Strawhat name mentioned again.

The Sunny is spotted near the base and Duval is informed that "That Man" is aboard the ship whilst Hatchan is tried to bribe Macro with Takoyaki to release him but it does not work.

As the Sunny nears the base Camie is worried that her friend is alright Sanji goes lovestruck promising Camie that he will rescue her friend, Camie mentions how many time she got caught by Macro crew (at least 30 times) making Usopp exaggerate about the number of times captured as well as being eaten up by sea kings as well.

As the Straw Hats enter the base they notice it is too quiet and they find out that the base is not an island but a small village built in the middle of the sea, Camie and Papug call out Hatchan and the macro pirates but the octopus fishman see the jolly roger of the straw hats and covers himself in his own ink to disguise himself to protect his friends.

The Straw Hats know that the whole place is screaming "trap" but Camie and Papag freak out when Franky yells at them of how they could be so blind of the obvious. The find Haccin in a cage right in front them warning them about the trap.

The Straw Hats recognize the voice and shape of the octopus and Sanji tricks him to talk about Arlong and his crew revealing to the crew that Camie's friend Hacchin is really their enemy Hatchan of the Arlong pirates.

Luffy however is between his memories of the past as well as his own appitite and Camie is excited that they know him but Zoro states that they are not his friends and Nami is considering to turn away but this makes Camie unhappy and Papug angry at the Straw Hats calling them nitwits and both jump in to the sea only to be immediately captured by the Macro pirates.

Nami convinces the crew to save Camie and Papag since after all Camie and Pagagg are their friends.

Duval orders the Flying Fish Riders to attack whilst Luffy rescues Camie and Papag using his devil fruit abilities and orders Zoro to free Hatchan and the rest Straw Hats to Battle.

Hatchan warns Camie and Papug to get out of the way while the mMacro are fuming that they will get Camie back. Luffy says that he is ready for them all with camie and papug cheering for him.

Zoro, Sanji and Chopper get ready as dozens of Flying Fish Riders emerge all around the Sunny-go. Luffy however amazed by the fish tries to find a fresh fish and grabs one by holding on to the rider.

However the Flying Fish Riders have begun to bombard the ship leaving Sanji to deflect all of the bombs being dropped on them. Luffy manages to pilot one of the fish but the attack leader orders the entire crew to dive underwater including Luffy which of course turns him into a hammer. Chopper and Brook try to save hie only to realise that they can't swim as well, this infuriates both Nami and Franky who rescue them complaining about extra work that those 3 caused.

The Macro pirates see a window of opportunity and try to capture Camie again only for them to find out that Zoro had freed Hatchan from his cage when they were not looking, Hatchan uppercut them into the air.

The takayoki sellers reunite but they are attacked by a fish rider only to be saved by Zoro, Hatchan thanks Zoro for rescuing him and tries to apologize for what he did to Zoro at Arlong Park.

Usopp is defending the ship by using a cannon to shoot down the flying fish with Chopper praising his skill. As the Straw Hats find out that there are tons of flying fish riders in the sky, Brook who is ashamed that in his first fight as a Straw Hat pirate that he could not lend a hand, so he unsheathes his blade and jumps high in the sky and using his violin, he unleash a musical soundwave that puts the riders as well as Chopper and Luffy to sleep.

This move allows Brook to perform quick attack on the sleeping riders while running on water, it also allows Luffy to grab a flying fish only to find it and it's rider are asleep which causes him to plummet into Duval's room where Luffy sees his maskless face, shocking him.

Brook however is still concerned about Zoro's health after Kuma's injuries still have not healed but Zoro told Brook that it still enough to take on the flying fish riders. Hatchan complains to Zoro and Brook that they should still keep their guard up but Camie and Papaug praise Hatchan. Hatchan turns his back and lowering his guard only to be attacked by another rider but is saved by both Zoro and Brook.

As the group of Riders attacks the Sunny, Nami they fall to a Mirage Tempo/Thunder tempo combo created by Nami with Robin usimh her clutch skills on the rider through the fish.

Chopper in arm point attacks a fish using a new technique kokutei diamond which leaves a diamond shaped impression on the fish skin while Franky strong hammers a rider after the rider realizes that bullets don't affect him.

Camie and Papaug watch the battle are amazed how strong the Straw Hat crew is while Usopp advises Franky that they must dock the ship because the riders still have an advantage on open sea and Franky accepts this advice but tells him that the ship is their pride. Luffy appeared, running towards Zoro, Brook, Hatchan, Camie and Papaug, announcing that a giant iron masked man on a giant cow is approaching them and the riders when they hear the bull's roar they realize that it is the Duval's bison Motobaro.

Duval's Tragedy
Duval shouts that he does not need the base anymore only that he needs to kill the Straw Hats. The riders try to calm down Duval and he reveals that "that Man" is none other than Black Leg Sanji.

The Straw Hat crew on the ship try to help him remember who he is but Sanji draws a blank, Duval shoots scorpion poisoned tipped harpoons at them and screams at him that it is something just recent confusing Sanji even further.

As Sanji tries to tell him that he does not know him, Luffy tells Zoro that he seen his face and that the whole Straw hat crews knows this face well.

As Luffy violently removes Duval's mask it is shown to the whole crew and the riders that by a cruel twist of both fate and irony that Duval's face is a perfect replica of Sanji's wanted poster. Duval rants that he wants his life back yelling that marines and bounty hunters have been after since the poster appered, but Sanji ,upon seeing the face, instantly leave the Sunny, swims to the base dock, and instantly kicks Duval in th face claiming he doesn't care.

Sanji and Duval argue with each other about the wanted poster ,while the Straw Hats on the ship are amazed that something like this could happened making Franky have one of his emotional moments whilst the straw hats on the dock are amazed of what they are seeing making brook laugh.

Sanji argues to Duval that he could have changed his appearance all this time, making Duval and the riders show a "why did not I think of that" face making Sanji comment/yell of how stupid they are.

Duval reveals his past to everyone that he was once a mafia boss on a remote island doing his usual job until powerful bounty hunters and marines came after him and forced to wear his iron mask to protect himself.

Sanji beats him up and says he has had enough of his accusations making Duval orders his riders to reveal a steel fishing net and trapping Sanji in it and dragging him into the sea.

Luffy tries to rescue him but Zoro stops him and says he'll rescue him but Hatchan says that he's faster underwater and he will go, but Duval states in front of them that the Flying Fish are the fastest creatures underwater and they could not catch them as hard as they try.

However Camie jumps into the sea to rescue Sanji and Papaug tells Duval that he is wrong, he agrees that the fish are faster but he states there is nothing faster in the oceans than a Mermaid, Luffy is amazed at this revelation but Papaug says that if they she keeps her guard up Camie is uncatchable.

Whilst they were distracted by this, the Flying Fish Riders reveal that they are carrying a very Giant Anchor from and extraordinary large ship and are planning to drop it on the Sunny-go. Usopp asks Franky that could use the "paddle" or "Burst" get them out of it but Franky states that there is not enough time revealing to everyone that he has built in a secret weapon for times like this.

Reaching the bow of the ship Franky tells everyone to believe in Sunny. As the Riders drop the anchor, Sunny's Figurehead Mane spins like a propeller revealing to everyone the emergency evasion secret weapon "Chicken Voyage" making the ship go into reverse.

The riders are gobsmacked about see a ship reversing, Franky tells Usopp that there is a secret compartment inside the prowl and revealed a new feature of the sunny, the news of this causing Chopper and Luffy to have a stars in their eyes.

A cannon has revealed it self from Sunny's figurehead mouth as Franky tells Usopp to get as many riders he can it it's sights which he does and tells him to lock on and fire revealing to everyone the total destructive power of the "Gaon Cannon".

Luffy cries in his amazement, Zoro says it's too awesome, Usopp claims that it's a monster and Brook said that he was so amazed that his eyes fell out (even though he has no eyes Yohohohoho), Franky reveals it takes 3 barrels of cola for "Coup de Burst" and 2 Barrels of cola for "Gaon Cannon" and uses a total of a ton of cola warning them only to use it in emergencies.

Meanwhile as everything on the surface goes on Camie has manage to rescue Sanji and tied the Fish riders in there own steel net, as Camie reaches the surface Nami asks if she if Sanji is alright and Camie says that he is safe but bleeding from his nose (due to his usual prevertedness).

Duval is now furious that Sanji is still alive, but Luffy says that his henchmen are all gone, this makes Duval worse and unleashed the full rage of his bison Motobaro onto Luffy. But surprising everyone including Duval, Luffy has a Shanks moment and makes the bison drop his rider, run a few feet away and then faint. The Straw Hats are amazed and confused of how he did that Luffy inculded, making Duval's anger go past the point of no return but Sanji arrive back on the dock, telling Luffy he'll take care of it.

Just as Duval about to attack, Sanji does the same face bashing techniques that he did on Wanze on the sea train.

Aftermath
The story then moves ahead with the Sunny back at sea and The Strawhats are heading for Sabaody Archipelago now while they have a takoyaki party with Hatchan cooking. Hatchan carefully asks Nami if she likes it,to which she replies that she hasn't forgiven him yet, but likes his takoyaki nonetheless.

The entire crew enjoy the takoyaki (with even Sanji being amazed at the flavor),until the "eating trio" of Usopp,Luffy and Chopper can continue no longer(just as well as Hatchan collapses exhausted from trying to keep up with their servings). It then that Duval,whose face has become handsome,finds them. He expresses his gratitude for the change (and gets into fits about his own beauty) before gives the crew his den den mushi, saying if they need anything to just call him up before and his gang (Now renamed the Rosy Flying Riders) depart.

The Islands of Bubbles and Nobles
The crew arrive at Shabondy (after Papag and Camie explain to them about the two ways of geting to the new world-one,requesting permission from the government and passing through Mariejoa and the second to go through Fishman Island) ,and are amazed at its structure (large trees, blowing bubbles). Hatchan then says they'll need a special coating to make sure the ship gets to Fishman island all right. Hatchan promises in to take them to a mechanic he would "bet his life on", but they have to promise not to oppose the World Nobles,people who are allowed to live in Mariejoa and are sometimes seen walking around Shabondy,even if someone was to be killed before their very eyes.

Ussop, Franky and Sanji stay on the Sunny to fix the damages to the ship (or in Sanji's case to look after the treasure at the behest of Nami) while the others explore the island. Zoro is the last to leave much to the shock of the others as they know of his lack of direction. But Zoro points out he just has to look at the numbers on the grove trees to remember where they're dock and to ask directions if his gets lost. The three agree to this though tell him not to trust himself while he remember the number of the dock as "1". However a bubble had floated in the way at the time revealing the dock to actually be "41".

Meanwhile Luffy, Nami, Chopper, Robin and Brook tour the island with Hatchan, Camie and Papagg acting as guides. Hatchan warning them not to draw attention to themselves as even though pirates walk freely on the island so do marines and bounty hunters, plus if they're captured and sold as slaves the law will not help them. He also mentions to treat Camie and himself as regular people calming it'll be easier for them (even bandaging the mark on his forehead, something Luffy notices).

After which the fishman shows the SH the wonders of island and how they make use of the bubbles, from making bikes out of them and using them for transportation to holding their souvenirs in balloon like bubbles to even creating hotels and shopping malls out of them the latter of which Nami and Robin depart from the group. However Robin can't but notice Camie acting reserved since they've gotten to the island.

No sooner then they leave the group, a pirate captain run through the town, begging the citizens to removes a collar from his neck. He pleas that he given up on the new world and just wants to leave, even claiming he has a wife and child, the latter whose never even seen him since he was a baby. Hatchan however tells the group not to help him as he a slave of the World Nobles. After mentioning this fact, the collar activates and blows up the captain though he surprisingly survives still feebly begging to leave while shadowed figure holding an axe and bounty poster identifies the captain from above a building. Two nobles, Rosward Ze and his daughter, Shalulia, show up afterwords causing everyone to bow as they pass. After their dog urinates on the charred captain, Shalulia kicks him before shooting him with a pistol, Luffy nearly attacks them after seeing this but Hatchan stops him. Rosward and she then causally walk away talking buying another slave.

The group then talk about the oddity of it since the pirate looked strong enough to deal with both nobles. But Papagg comments that wounding one would make the offender the target of one the admirals. When asked what gives the nobles such special treatment, the starfish tells them that they are the descendants of the ones that created the World Government, and due to this they have become abusive with their influence.

The Eleven Supernovas
Despite having witnessed the cruelty of the nobles, the group continue on encountering a few bounty hunters along the way. After Luffy, Chopper and Brook easily take care of them, the group find themselves in Grove 16 which Hatchan explains is a lawless region of the island. He goes on to explain that Grove 1-29 which make up the interior of the island are like this while the surrounding Groves house the entertainment and shopping districts. Finally after a bit of traveling, they reach Grove 13 and a bar where the coating engineer is said to stay.

Upon entering they meet the owner of the bar Shakuyaku (Shakky for short), a former pirate and friend of Hatchan. After the usual meet and greet, Shakky reveals she been following the SH's exploits and that she was even chased by Garp during her pirate career. When asked about the engineer Ray Leigh, Shakky tells them he isn't there though hasn't left the island. When Luffy suggest waiting for him, she reveals that he hasn't been back in a half a year pretty much wandering the island's bars and casinos. Hearing this, the group agree on searching for him to which Shakky warns them to be careful in doing so, as since the SH's arrival, that now make eleven rookie pirate with over one hundred million berry bounties on them that have reached the Red Line. Luffy being the second highest of the ranks.

The story then shows said pirates, most who are in grove 24. First off comes Capone Gang Bege (138,000,000 Berri), a mafia type pirate whose dining at a restaurant and complaining of the food. When one of his crew tries to tell warn him of the navy he goes to attack him with a fork. Then we meet "Big Eater" Jewelry Bonney (140,000,000 Belli), whose in the same restaurant and living up to her title by eating a enormous amount of food and demanding more of it despite the cooks going as fast as they can. There is also "The Magican" Basil Hawkins (249,000,000 Belli), who tells a pirate who got spaghetti spilled on him that its an unlucky day for him. In another section of the grove two of the rookies Eustass Kid (315,000,000 Belli) and "Roar of the Sea" Scratchmen Apoo (198,000,000 Belli) are fighting against one another.

Meanwhile, in Grove 21, two more pirates are doing the same: "The Mad Monk" Urouge (108,000,000 Belli), a Bilkan, and a masked individual called "Massacre Man" Killer (162,000,000 Belli) are about to go all out until "Red Flag" X. Drake (222,000,000 Belli), a former navy officer, breaks the two up. As Drake walks on, the last of the rookies, "Dark Doctor" Trafalgar Law (200,000,000 Belli), asks him how many people he has killed.

We then go back to Luffy's group as Shakky tells them all the pirate beyond this point are the best of the best. She also reveals that Eustass only got his bounty because he cause damage to civilians and that she rooting for the Straw Hats. Even after hearing this, Luffy responds that he'll just relax for the time being but is a bit worried for the engineer. However Shakky tell him Ray will be fine because he 100 time strong then all the rookies!

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