Luffy is forced to work at the Baratie to pay off a debt to Zeff. Meanwhile, Sanji defeats an insulting Marine, and a starving man named Gin is kicked out of the restaurant. Sanji gives Gin food, and Luffy, watching from a distance, decides he’s found his cook.
The Straw Hats enter a mascot contest. While others, including Perona and Shirahoshi, present popular mascots, the Heart Pirates’ terrifying centaur mascot, Tramon (actually Law), frightens the children and causes the host to cancel the contest.
While the Straw Hats worry about Luffy, Toto finds water in Yuba, unaware that Crocodile’s sandstorm is approaching. During their fight, Crocodile stabs Luffy, but water from Luffy’s bottle drips onto Crocodile’s arm, giving Luffy a chance to break it. Crocodile then throws Luffy into quicksand. Meanwhile, Smoker sends Tashigi to Alubarna. A captured King…
Sanji spots a masked man with Robin before Kaku arrives at the Going Merry. At the Galley-La Company, Iceburg agrees to help the Straw Hats. When the Franky Family attempts to steal their money, a carpenter named Paulie defeats them but steals the money himself.