One Piece’s Enies Lobby Arc was one for the history books. The reveal of Robin’s past, the World Government’s atrocities, and Luffy’s declaration of war all have a gigantic impact on the world at large. So, now that the big fights are over and the dust is settling back on Water 7, what’s going to happen across the Grand Line and beyond now that war is on the horizon?
In the previous arc, the Straw Hat crew went on the offensive against Cipher Pol 9 on the island of Enies Lobby. CP9 was exiting Robin through the Gates of Justice when the combined forces of Straw Hats, Franky Family, and Galley-La burst in. After a long, difficult battle against the World Government agents, the Straw Hats reclaim Robin and flee on the Merry Go. Now, they hide out back at the mansion of Mayor Iceburg in Water 7 as the world ripples with news of their deeds.
Everyone Gets Bounties
Until now only Luffy and Zoro have had bounties for themselves. Luffy earned his in the East Blue, then it got a bump when Zoro earned his in Alabasta. The rest of the Straw Hats finally catch up thanks to their battles in Water 7. Their bounty pictures give varying results for how they’re all perceived though. Robin even got a slight boost to her previous massive bounty, though they still refer to the woman in her late twenties as a Demon Child.
Poor Chopper has a measly bounty of twenty Berries and is only seen as a pet to the crew. That would be the most insulting thing if Sanji wasn’t dealt his low blow. Not thanks to the bounty number, but thanks to a lack of photos. So, instead of a bounty photo, he gets a ridiculous sketch of his face. It’s a setup for one of One Piece’s best gags in a couple of arcs, and pays off great when it finally changes.
Aokiji and Robin Speak
Aokiji helped Nico Robin escape her fate on Ohara over twenty years ago and now appears after she’s freed from CP9. It seems like he’s come to take her in, and they only talk briefly about her past. Aokiji makes it a point to ask her if she’s finally found a home worth staying at, and Robin’s confident yes is only a reaffirmation of her cry on Enies Lobby.
Before all of this Robin would have hesitated before saying she was an official Straw Hat, and even barely participated in fights. From this point on Robin trusts the other crew with her life and they trust her the same. She’s an integral part of the Straw Hats’ journey to the final island of Laughtale and will prove her strength in fights to come.
Monkey D Garp
Garp is the grandfather of Monkey D Luffy, much to the shock of every Straw Hat. They’ve been sitting around in Mayor Iceburg’s place while they recover from the battle. Luffy’s been asleep for days, but still manages to eat and recover at the same time. Then, Garp kicks in the door and it’s time for a lore dump about the family lineage of Straw Hat Luffy. There’s a lot to unpack for everyone there.
Luffy is super nonchalant about his grandfather being a Navy hero, but everyone else is a little terrified, understandably. He’s thankfully not there to capture them, but instead to assist in the Water 7 cleanup. After the destruction of CP9 combined with Aqua Laguna, it definitely needs a few renovations. So, Garp sits down and makes his big reveal to Luffy about who his father is.
Monkey D Dragon
Dragon the Revolutionary is a leader of the Revolutionary Army, which fights the World Government. They’re not necessarily pirates, but a more shadowy group somewhat like Baroque Works, but obviously not as fascist. It’s definitely a massive surprise to Luffy that his father leads the Revolutionaries, but it won’t be the last surprise about his family. He also learns that Dragon and Luffy have had close passes previously.
Things were bleak while the Straw Hats were in Loguetown with Luffy on the execution block. Dragon shows up with a save just in time, the architect of the storm that sweeps in to take the Straw Hats away. Though it’s still mysterious how he did it, it’s theorized he has a Devil Fruit related to storms or wind possibly.
Koby Returns in Enies Lobby Arc
When Koby was last seen, he was a short, glasses-wearing kid with pink hair. He was too cowardly to stand up to Alvida until Luffy came along, but now thanks to his apprenticeship with Garp, he’s unrecognizable. Koby is taller and stronger, already making a name in the Navy, and had glow up of the year with his new hair and glasses-less look. He and Luffy shot the breeze and took a few hours to catch up on all they had done since parting. It’s a really great scene that shows their parallels as both strive for their dreams.
Oh, and Helmeppo is there. He’s more refined now with some dumb glasses that make him look like Cyclops. He’s a surprisingly adept fighter now, though, and very close with Koby. It’s quite the turnaround from Ax Hand Morgans’ cowardly son from the series’ beginnings. It’s to be commended that he’s come this far.
Thousand Sunny
Franky spent all the money he stole from the Straw Hats, but he at least puts it toward their initial need. He buys wood from a special tree called Adam, which his mentor Tom made Gold Roger’s ship the Oro Jackson out of. This wood is nearly indestructible, and Franky intends to build a ship that can navigate the entire world, just like his teacher did years ago.
So, he creates the Thousand Sunny. This ship is continually improving and Franky constantly tinkers with it. Even better, it’s massive and has everything a pirate crew could need, plus more. A massive deck, room for Nami’s trees, and this thing can even use the Coup de Burst like Franky. Thousand Sunny will see the Straw Hats through the rest of their adventures and survive even the worst battles.
“Cyborg” Franky
On the subject of Franky, he’s a wanted man now thanks to his participation in Enies Lobby. Even more, he burned the plans for the Ancient Weapon Pluton, which the World Government desperately want. He was already a local nuisance in Water 7, but in a city so vital to the water-based earth of One Piece, a man with a government bounty isn’t safe. He refuses to leave his family that look up to him though, so a plan has to be devised by all.
Iceburg gives the family jobs at Galley-La, and the Franky Family know they have to let him go. They steal his underwear, his only clothing from the waist down, and run off toward the Straw Hats with it. When Franky initially says he won’t leave, Robin literally- and this is one hundred percent what happens- uses her powers to sprout hands on his legs and crush his balls. Anyway, that gives Franky the jump he needs and the Straw Hats race for the newly completed Sunny.
Usopp Apologizes
The fight between Usopp and Luffy may have been put aside for the sake of Robin, but not anymore. As they leave Water 7, Usopp follows behind them while he practices his speech to come back. He finally catches up as they sail away. He screams and confesses that he was Sniper King. Usopp talks about the fun they had together, how he’s glad to come back to the Merry, but it falls on deaf ears.
Until Usopp finally breaks down and apologizes to all of them. He begs to them to take him back, that he’s sorry, and wants to be with them. He even admits how wrong he was going about the loss of Merry. Luffy finally smiles and stretches a hand from the Thousand Sunny to Usopp, pulling him back with him as Garp begins tossing cannonballs at them. They finally make their escape from Water 7, on their way toward the next island of Sabaody Archipelago!
Ace vs Blackbeard
The hunt for Blackbeard has been going for a while now, and Ace has covered half of the Grand Line. He finally finds Marshall Teach on an island along with his crew. Ace demands that Blackbeard come with him to face justice from Whitebeard. Blackbeard killed his division leader in the Whitebeard Pirates before fleeing from them. When Blackbeard refuses to come back with Ace, he clarifies that it wasn’t a choice.
Ace is strong and unfortunately can only show that strength a couple of times before the worst happens. He and Blackbeard clash but the power of Teach’s Dark-Dark Fruit proves to be too much. He overwhelms Ace and captures him in a dark abyss that nullifies his fire. Once they defeat Ace, they set off. Their goal will strike a match to tear the Grand Line apart.
Prelude to War
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Grand Line, Shanks requests a meeting with the great Edward Newgate, Whitebeard. Shanks’ power is reinforced as he enters Whitebeard’s ship to find weapons pointed at him and an old man hooked up to tubes and medical devices. He simply lets loose his Conqueror Haki, and floors a majority of the crew except Whitebeard’s top people.
While they talk briefly, Shanks obviously knows that something bad is brewing on the seas. He reveals that Blackbeard was the one to give him the scar on his eye. There’s a massive tension as Whitebeard explains why Ace is after Teach, still unaware of the developments with Ace. Whitebeard and Shanks cross blades, and split the sky in the process.
Shanks has another small loredrop as well with a mention of his start on Roger’s crew. He was actually an apprentice pirate on the Oro Jackson along with Buggy the Clown until Roger’s execution. they both missed out on the journey to Laughtale though, as Buggy was sick and Shanks stayed back to take care of him. Shanks and Buggy, besties for life.
Important Events that takes place during Enies Lobby
- Blackbeard captures Ace.
- Sanji’s bounty poster is a sketch, not a picture. A bad sketch, too.
- The Straw Hats are all wanted by the World Government.
- Luffy’s grandfather is revealed to be Garp, who reveals Luffy’s father is Dragon.
- All Straw Hats gain bounties.
- Franky joins the crew.
- The Thousand Sunny debuts and sails off!
Now that the town of Water 7 is behind them, the Straw Hats sail toward the Sabaody Archipelago. Will they be able to get to the underwater Fishman Island? Or will they run into trouble on the way and go through a spooky adventure? Find out when One Piece continues in Thriller Bark!
