Episode 31 – "The Worst Man in the Eastern Seas! Fish-Man Pirate Arlong!"The Straw Hat crew arrives near Cocoyashi Village, expecting to finally understand Nami's past and why she has repeatedly betrayed them. Instead of a warm welcome, they encounter a tense, fearful atmosphere. Villagers are hostile toward pirates and immediately warn the crew to leave. Something is clearly wrong, but no one is willing to explain.
Luffy, Zoro, Usopp, and Sanji soon discover the reason for this fear: Arlong, a powerful fish-man pirate who rules the region. Arlong's physical presence alone is terrifying. As a fish-man, he possesses strength far beyond that of ordinary humans, along with sharp teeth and a brutal personality. His crew openly terrorizes villagers, demanding money and obedience.
Nami is revealed to be closely associated with Arlong. To the shock of the Straw Hats, she appears to work willingly under him. She returns to Arlong Park, the crew's base, and is greeted as a trusted subordinate. This revelation deeply confuses and hurts the Straw Hats, especially Luffy, who still refuses to believe Nami is truly evil.
Arlong discusses his vision of fish-man supremacy. He believes fish-men are naturally superior to humans and that humans exist only to serve them. This ideology fuels his cruelty and justifies his domination of Cocoyashi Village and nearby islands. The episode establishes Arlong not just as a physical threat, but as an ideological one—someone who represents systemic oppression rather than simple piracy.
The episode ends with the Straw Hats watching from afar, unsure of how to confront the situation. Nami's loyalty is now in serious doubt, and the true conflict begins to take shape.
Episode 32 – "The Witch of Cocoyashi Village? Nami's True Identity!"The villagers' hatred toward Nami becomes clearer. They refer to her as a "witch" and blame her for their suffering. Flashbacks and conversations reveal that Nami has been working under Arlong for years, collecting treasure for him and using her navigation skills to expand his power.
Despite this, subtle clues suggest that Nami is hiding something. She steals treasure obsessively, but her behavior carries desperation rather than greed. Her emotional distance and sharp attitude seem more like self-defense than malice.
Genzo, a prominent figure in Cocoyashi Village, attempts to keep the Straw Hats away. He fears that any resistance against Arlong will only lead to more bloodshed. The villagers have learned, through painful experience, that Arlong responds to rebellion with overwhelming violence.
Meanwhile, Nami visits the village alone and is confronted by villagers who both despise and depend on her. Their interactions are tense and layered with unspoken history. It becomes evident that Nami is trapped in a role she did not choose freely.
Arlong continues to enforce his rule, sending his officers—such as Kuroobi and Chew—to collect payments from villagers. These payments are framed as "protection fees," but everyone understands they are simply extortion. The fish-men mock the villagers' weakness and enjoy their suffering.
The episode deepens the mystery of Nami's past. While the surface narrative paints her as a traitor, emotionally the story hints at sacrifice, coercion, and long-term trauma.
Episode 33 – "Usopp Dead?! When the Fish-Men Attack!"The tension explodes into violence. Usopp encounters Chew, one of Arlong's officers, who attacks Cocoyashi Village while collecting money. Terrified but determined, Usopp tries to protect the villagers despite being severely outmatched.
Chew mocks Usopp's weakness and "kills" him—or so it appears. Usopp collapses in a pool of blood, and news of his death spreads quickly. This moment reinforces how helpless the villagers feel against Arlong's forces and how real the threat is.
In reality, Usopp survives and later regains consciousness. Though injured and shaken, he feels crushing guilt for failing to protect the village. This marks an important moment in Usopp's character development: his fear clashes with his desire to be brave, and the cost of cowardice becomes painfully clear.
Meanwhile, Nami is seen struggling emotionally. She attempts to maintain her composure, but cracks begin to show. Her actions increasingly suggest that she is enduring unbearable stress rather than thriving in her position.
The villagers, believing Usopp is dead, are reminded once again of the price of resistance. Arlong's control feels absolute, and hope seems distant. However, the Straw Hats are no longer willing to remain passive observers.
Episode 34 – "Everyone's Gathered! Usopp Tells the Truth About Nami!"Usopp reveals the truth to the Straw Hats: Nami is not acting out of greed or loyalty to Arlong—she is buying her village's freedom. Years ago, Arlong promised that if Nami paid him 100 million berries, he would release Cocoyashi Village and leave it in peace.
This revelation completely reframes Nami's actions. Her betrayals, her obsession with money, and her cold behavior all stem from this desperate deal. She has been sacrificing her own happiness and reputation to save the people she loves.
However, the villagers learn of the deal and react strongly. They are furious—not at Nami, but at the idea that she has been carrying this burden alone. They decide to confront Arlong themselves, believing that continued submission is worse than death.
Nami panics when she realizes the villagers are planning an uprising. She knows Arlong will slaughter them without hesitation. In a heartbreaking moment, she desperately tries to stop them, even injuring herself to appear loyal to Arlong and discourage rebellion.
The episode builds emotional intensity as the lies holding everything together begin to collapse. Nami's isolation becomes painfully clear. She is trapped between Arlong's cruelty and the villagers' pride, with no escape in sight.