Episode 21 – "An Unwelcome Customer! Sanji's Food and Gin's Debt"
The Straw Hat Pirates arrive at the Baratie, a massive floating restaurant drifting in the middle of the sea. Built like a ship but run as a luxury dining establishment, Baratie is famous for its food—and its strange staff. Luffy, already starving as usual, is amazed and immediately wants to eat, but reality hits fast: he has no money.
Chaos erupts when Luffy accidentally destroys part of the restaurant while trying to help. As punishment, the owner Zeff, a gruff, one-legged former pirate with a terrifying presence, forces Luffy to work off the debt. Zeff rules the Baratie with an iron fist, backed by combat-ready cooks who treat the restaurant like a battlefield.
We're introduced to Sanji, the restaurant's head chef. He's suave, flirtatious, and extremely serious about food. Sanji believes deeply that no one should go hungry, no matter who they are. This belief is tested when Gin, a starving pirate from the infamous Don Krieg's crew, collapses at the restaurant's entrance.
Despite Gin being an enemy pirate, Sanji gives him food without hesitation. Zeff initially opposes the idea but allows it. Gin, overwhelmed by gratitude, swears he'll never forget Sanji's kindness. This episode establishes one of the Baratie arc's strongest themes: food is sacred, and compassion can exist even in a brutal world.
Episode 22 – "The Strongest Pirate Fleet! Commodore Don Krieg"
As Gin recovers, the reason for his starvation becomes clear. His captain, Don Krieg, commands the largest pirate fleet in the East Blue—50 ships strong. However, their fleet was utterly destroyed in the Grand Line by a single man: Dracule Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman.
Gin warns everyone that Krieg is coming to the Baratie. True to his reputation, Don Krieg soon appears, battered but still arrogant. He demands food, threatening violence if he's refused. The Baratie staff braces for conflict, but once again, Sanji feeds him.
Krieg reveals his ambition: he wants to use the Baratie as a base to conquer the Grand Line. His philosophy is brutal—power and weapons decide everything, and kindness is weakness. This directly clashes with Zeff's and Sanji's ideals.
Meanwhile, Luffy watches with interest. Krieg's obsession with strength reminds Luffy of why he wants to become King of the Pirates—not through fear, but through freedom. Tension builds as Krieg's crew begins to arrive, setting the stage for an all-out battle.
Episode 23 – "Protect the Baratie! The Great Pirate Zeff"
Krieg betrays Sanji's kindness almost immediately. After eating, he orders his men to attack the restaurant. His fleet surrounds the Baratie, and panic spreads among the guests.
Zeff steps forward and reveals his past as a legendary pirate known as "Red-Leg Zeff." He commands the chefs to fight, and it becomes clear that the Baratie staff are not ordinary cooks—they are seasoned warriors.
Gin, torn between loyalty to Krieg and his debt to Sanji, hesitates. Krieg punishes him mercilessly for showing weakness, reinforcing his belief that gratitude and compassion have no place in piracy.
Luffy, furious at Krieg's hypocrisy, intervenes. He declares that anyone who disrespects people who feed the hungry is unforgivable. This sparks a confrontation between Luffy and Krieg, though the real fight is yet to begin.
The episode highlights Zeff's leadership and the strange but powerful bond between him and Sanji. Though they constantly insult and fight each other, it's clear there is deep mutual respect and shared values beneath the surface.
Episode 24 – "Hawk-Eye Mihawk! The Great Swordsman Zoro Falls to the Sea"
Just as the conflict with Krieg escalates, an even greater presence arrives. Dracule "Hawk-Eye" Mihawk, the very man who destroyed Krieg's fleet, appears at the Baratie. Calm, elegant, and terrifyingly powerful, Mihawk commands the sea itself with his presence.
Mihawk reveals that he followed Krieg out of boredom. However, his attention quickly shifts to Roronoa Zoro. Zoro challenges Mihawk, declaring his dream of becoming the world's greatest swordsman.
What follows is one of the most iconic moments in One Piece. Mihawk defeats Zoro effortlessly—using a tiny dagger instead of his massive black sword. The gap in strength is overwhelming. Despite this, Zoro refuses to retreat or turn his back, choosing death over dishonor.
Mihawk, impressed by Zoro's spirit, finally uses his true blade and delivers a devastating strike. Zoro survives but collapses, gravely wounded. Before losing consciousness, he swears to Luffy that he will never lose again until he becomes the greatest swordsman.
This episode cements the scale of the world beyond East Blue and shows how small the Straw Hats still are compared to true legends.
Episode 25 – "No Mercy! Fierce Battle of Luffy vs. Krieg"
With Zoro incapacitated, the battle against Don Krieg begins in earnest. Krieg dons his golden armor, packed with hidden weapons—spikes, cannons, poison gas, and explosive spears. He fights with underhanded tactics, proving that his strength comes not from skill, but from overwhelming firepower.
Luffy faces Krieg head-on, unimpressed by his tricks. Despite taking heavy damage, Luffy keeps getting back up, driven by sheer willpower. He mocks Krieg's reliance on weapons, stating that true strength comes from belief in oneself and one's dreams.
Gin watches the battle unfold, his loyalty to Krieg crumbling. He realizes that Krieg's ideology is empty—power without honor, survival without meaning.a
The episode ends with the fight unresolved but emotionally charged. Luffy stands firm, the Baratie staff rally together, and Sanji begins questioning his own future. Inspired by Luffy's resolve and Zoro's sacrifice, Sanji starts to wonder if he, too, might chase a dream beyond the floating restaurant.