Episode 26 – "Zeff and Sanji's Dream! The Illusionary All Blue!"
Episode 26 slows the pace after the chaos of Don Krieg's invasion and dives straight into the emotional heart of the Baratie arc: Sanji's past.
As Sanji continues fighting Gin and worrying about the fate of the restaurant, the story flashes back to his childhood. Years ago, Sanji was a young cook's apprentice traveling on a ship led by Zeff, a fearsome pirate known as "Red-Leg Zeff." When a massive storm wrecked both Zeff's pirate ship and Sanji's vessel, the two were stranded together on a desolate rock in the middle of the ocean.
At first, Sanji hates Zeff. He believes Zeff stole all the food and left him to starve. Days pass. Sanji survives only by clinging to his dream of finding the All Blue—a legendary sea where fish from every ocean gather. That dream keeps him alive as hunger drives him to the brink of madness.
Eventually, Sanji collapses, ready to die. At that moment, the truth is revealed: Zeff never stole the food. Zeff gave all remaining supplies to Sanji and secretly cut off and ate his own leg to survive. The pirate sacrificed everything so a child could live and chase his dream.
Rescue finally comes, and Zeff gives up piracy forever. Instead, he opens the Baratie—a floating restaurant—so no one would ever starve at sea again. Sanji, overwhelmed by guilt and gratitude, stays with Zeff, dedicating himself to cooking and protecting the restaurant.
Back in the present, this backstory reframes everything about Sanji: his refusal to let anyone go hungry, his loyalty to Zeff, and his fear of abandoning the man who saved his life.
The episode ends with Sanji torn between two dreams—repaying Zeff or chasing his own future.
Episode 27 – "Cool-headed, Cold-hearted Demon! Pirate Fleet Commander Gin!"
The focus shifts back to the battlefield.
Gin, Don Krieg's right-hand man, stands at a crossroads. Earlier, Sanji fed him when he was starving, even though Gin was an enemy. That single act of kindness shattered Gin's belief that pirates and cooks were enemies.
Now, ordered to kill Sanji, Gin hesitates. His loyalty to Krieg clashes with his gratitude toward Sanji. Krieg, meanwhile, shows his true nature—ruthless, manipulative, and completely lacking honor. He berates Gin, dismissing loyalty and compassion as weakness.
Sanji continues fighting despite his injuries, refusing to back down. Luffy prepares to confront Krieg directly, unfazed by the pirate's massive arsenal. Krieg's philosophy is clear: power and weapons define strength. Luffy's response is equally clear: willpower and dreams define a pirate.
Gin ultimately attacks Sanji—not because he wants to, but because he feels trapped by his identity as a pirate. The fight is brutal and emotional rather than flashy. Sanji refuses to strike Gin back seriously, understanding his inner conflict.
This episode emphasizes one of One Piece's core themes: kindness can be more powerful—and more painful—than violence.
Episode 28 – "I Won't Die! Fierce Battle: Luffy vs. Krieg!"
This episode delivers the long-awaited showdown between Monkey D. Luffy and Don Krieg.
Krieg arrives wearing his full golden armor, armed with spears, guns, explosives, and poison gas. He considers Luffy a fool for fighting without strategy or weapons. To Krieg, battles are about domination through overwhelming force.
Luffy, as always, doesn't care.
The fight is intense. Krieg uses everything—hidden blades, explosions, and poison—to wear Luffy down. At one point, he releases poisonous gas that threatens everyone on the Baratie. Sanji intervenes, risking his life to stop the gas, further injuring himself.
Luffy takes hit after hit but keeps standing. What enrages him isn't the pain—it's Krieg's disrespect for dreams. When Krieg mocks Zeff's ideals and Sanji's devotion to cooking, Luffy snaps.
The fight becomes symbolic:
Krieg represents hollow ambition fueled by fear and control.
Luffy represents unbreakable belief and freedom.
Even as he sinks into the ocean under Krieg's attacks, Luffy refuses to let go of his dream—or Sanji's.
Episode 29 – "The Conclusion of the Deadly Battle! A Spear of Blind Determination!"
The battle reaches its conclusion.
Luffy returns with renewed fury, launching a final assault that shatters Krieg's armor and pride. Krieg refuses to accept defeat, insisting that power should have guaranteed his victory. Luffy proves him wrong with sheer determination, delivering a final blow that ends the fight once and for all.
Krieg collapses—defeated not just physically, but ideologically.
Gin, devastated, makes his final choice. He turns on Krieg, accepting that following a man without honor will only lead to emptiness. Before leaving, Gin thanks Sanji for showing him true humanity. He warns Sanji that their next meeting may be as enemies—but hopes they can meet again under better circumstances.
As the Krieg Pirates retreat, peace returns to the Baratie.
Now comes the hardest moment: Sanji must decide whether to leave.
Zeff pretends to reject Sanji cruelly, pushing him away so he won't feel guilty. The chefs of the Baratie insult Sanji, telling him he's worthless—clearly an act meant to drive him forward.
Sanji breaks down.
Finally, unable to hold it in, Sanji kneels before Zeff and thanks him—for everything. It's one of the most emotional moments in early One Piece. Zeff silently accepts, proud that Sanji will finally chase the All Blue.
Sanji joins the Straw Hat Pirates.
Episode 30 – "Set Sail! The Seafaring Cook Joins Luffy!".
The crew officially welcomes Sanji, the Straw Hats' cook.
The tone lightens, with Sanji immediately showing his personality: suave, passionate, and hopelessly obsessed with women—especially Nami. The crew dynamic begins to solidify, with Sanji providing both culinary skill and sharp kicks in battle.
However, the episode takes a darker turn.
Nami suddenly steals the Going Merry and sails away alone.
Luffy is shocked but refuses to believe Nami betrayed them without reason. Johnny and Yosaku reappear and explain Nami's past: she's infamous for stealing from pirates and working with the Arlong Pirates, a crew of brutal fish-men.
The crew tracks Nami to an island ruled by Arlong, whose presence is immediately oppressive. The villagers live in fear, forced to pay tribute just to survive.
The episode ends with Luffy, Zoro, Usopp, and Sanji arriving at the island—unaware that they're about to step into one of the most emotionally devastating arcs in One Piece.