Chapter 8 - The Unforgivable Villain

Episode 35 – Untold Past! Female Warrior Bell-mère!Episode 35 dives deep into Nami's tragic past, revealing the truth behind her hatred of pirates and her complicated relationship with Arlong. The story shifts to years earlier, on the war‑torn seas of the Grand Line. Bell‑mère, a former Marine, discovers two orphaned girls—Nami and Nojiko—on a battlefield. Although she is poor and struggling, Bell‑mère adopts them and raises them as her own in Cocoyasi Village.Life is hard but loving. Bell‑mère supports the family by growing tangerines, and despite constant financial strain, the home is full of warmth. Nami shows early signs of her extraordinary talent for map‑making and navigation, dreaming of drawing a complete map of the world.Everything changes when Arlong and his Fish‑Man Pirates invade Cocoyasi Village. Arlong demands money from every human in exchange for their lives. Bell‑mère has just enough to pay for her daughters—but not herself. Refusing to deny that Nami and Nojiko are her children, Bell‑mère proudly declares them as family, fully aware of the consequences.Arlong executes Bell‑mère in front of Nami.This moment defines Nami's life. Her hatred of pirates, her obsession with money, and her emotional walls all stem from this trauma. The episode ends with Arlong noticing Nami's cartography skills and deciding to exploit her talent for his own ambitions. Episode 36 – Survive! Mother Bell-mère and Nami's Bond! Episode 36 continues the flashback, focusing on Nami's emotional breaking point. Arlong forces her to work for him, making her draw maps for the Fish‑Men. He strikes a cruel deal: if Nami can collect 100 million Berries, he will free Cocoyasi Village.Believing she has no other choice, Nami agrees. From that day on, she becomes a thief—stealing exclusively from pirates—to gather the money. The villagers slowly realize what Nami is doing and misunderstand her actions, believing she has betrayed them and joined Arlong willingly.Only Nojiko knows the truth, silently supporting Nami while allowing the village to hate her if it keeps the plan secret. Nami endures years of loneliness, abuse, and emotional suffering, all while clinging to the hope that one day she can buy her village's freedom.The episode highlights how self‑sacrifice defines Nami's character. She gives up her happiness, her reputation, and her childhood so others can live. The flashback ends as the story returns to the present, where Nami stands on the edge of despair. Episode 37 – Luffy Rises! Result of the Broken Promise! Back in the present, everything falls apart.After years of collecting money, Nami finally reaches the 100 million Berry goal—only to discover that Arlong never intended to honor the deal. He bribes a corrupt Marine officer to confiscate Nami's savings, crushing her last hope.Emotionally shattered, Nami stabs the Arlong Pirates' tattoo on her arm in a desperate attempt to erase her past. This is one of the most painful scenes in early One Piece, showing how completely broken she has become.That's when Luffy arrives.In tears, Nami finally asks for help. Luffy places his straw hat on her head—his most treasured possession—and silently walks toward Arlong Park. This moment cements Luffy as not just a captain, but a protector.The Straw Hats—Zoro, Sanji, Usopp, and Luffy—stand together, unified and ready for war. The episode ends with Luffy declaring his intent to destroy Arlong Park, symbolizing the beginning of Nami's liberation. Episode 38 – Luffy in Big Trouble! Fish-Men vs Luffy Pirates!The battle begins.Each Straw Hat faces a powerful Fish‑Man officer. Sanji takes on Kuroobi, a martial artist with underwater combat mastery. Usopp confronts Chew, relying on trickery rather than strength. Zoro, still badly injured from previous fights, battles Hachi, a six‑armed swordsman.Meanwhile, Luffy storms straight toward Arlong but falls into the sea after being trapped by Fish‑Men. Because Luffy is a Devil Fruit user, he cannot swim and begins to drown. In a tense sequence, Sanji risks his life to save Luffy underwater, nearly suffocating himself in the process.The episode emphasizes teamwork and loyalty. Even when Luffy is incapacitated, the crew refuses to give up. They fight not just for victory, but for Nami's freedom. Episode 39 – Luffy Submerged! Zoro vs Octopus Hatchan! With Luffy trapped underwater, the spotlight shifts to the rest of the crew.Zoro's fight against Hatchan is particularly brutal. Despite his injuries, Zoro uses sheer willpower to overpower the Fish‑Man swordsman. This fight showcases Zoro's monstrous endurance and unwavering loyalty to Luffy.Usopp, terrified but determined, defeats Chew using clever deception rather than brute force, proving that courage isn't the absence of fear—it's acting despite it.Sanji defeats Kuroobi in an intense underwater and on‑land battle, using his speed and kicking strength to overcome Fish‑Man karate.Meanwhile, villagers begin to rise up against Arlong, unaware that Nami's sacrifice was meant to protect them. The situation grows more desperate as Luffy remains trapped beneath the water, barely clinging to life. Episode 40 – Proud Warriors! Dramatic Battle at Arlong Park! Episode 40 brings emotional payoff and escalating stakes.The Straw Hats finish off Arlong's top officers, clearing the path for Luffy. Thanks to the villagers and the crew working together, Luffy is finally freed from the water. Enraged and fully aware of Nami's suffering, Luffy confronts Arlong directly.Arlong boasts about Fish‑Man superiority and mocks humans as weak and inferior. Luffy, uninterested in ideology, responds simply: Nami is his friend—and that alone is reason enough to destroy Arlong.The episode ends with the battlefield set, emotions running high, and Luffy preparing to end Arlong's reign once and for all. Cocoyasi Village stands on the brink of freedom, and Nami finally begins to believe that she doesn't have to fight alone anymore.