Summary:
Camie and Pappag introduce themselves to the Straw Hats, who later find out that their friend the fish man has been kidnapped by Iron Mask Duval and the Macro Gang. The Straw Hats go to rescue him and are attacked by Duval’s henchmen, the Flying Fish Riders. Recognizing the Straw Hats’ flag, they retreat and inform Duval that the man who ruined his life is approaching, and he replies that he can’t wait for his revenge!
The crew, with the exception of Robin, are all shocked to see Camie, who is still trying to wake Sanji up after falling on his head, but is actually in awe at the sight of her as well. But when Camie turns around, she stops before freaking out at the sight of a bunch of people. When she calms down, she thanks them for saving her from the Sea King, saying that it was the twentieth time she had been eaten by one. She says she needs them somehow and asks to make some Takoyaki, which Luffy says is his favorite. But she says it will be 500 Berries per person which surprises the crew and slaps Pappag and she says she messed up.
Meanwhile, Sanji is still freaking out and yells “Mermaid” and says it’s the first time he’s ever seen one. But Usopp tells him it’s not the first time he’s seen him and reminds him of Kokoro, which unnerves Sanji as he says that Thriller Bark wasn’t scary compared to seeing Grandma Kokoro as a mermaid. Usopp apologizes, telling him to pretend he didn’t say that and that it’s the first time he’s seen one, which Nami thinks is rude. Luffy asks if Kokoro’s grandmother was a mermaid and she says she was. Franky remembers that Luffy wasn’t around when he fought Lucci when she revealed she was a mermaid to save the crew from drowning in Enies Lobby. Luffy puts on a disgusted face and says that he doesn’t want to think of Kokoro as a mermaid, which angers Nami and makes her punch him, noting that he’s being too blunt. Brook approaches Camie and asks her for money, and Sanji kicks him hard, but Camie is terrified because he’s a skeleton, which infuriates Sanji even more. Brook, trying to calm her down, pops his head open and Sanji kicks him away, but Camie is actually amused by this, which Usopp notes that she accepts people quickly. Luffy then asks her if she “poops” and Sanji now kicks him. Sanji interrupts her answer and fights Luffy.
Luffy notices Pappago and grabs him, asking Cami what he is, to which she replies that he is a starfish, her pet and master. Luffy is confused, Nami asks if the starfish is talking and Usopp says it’s weird that it’s her master. Pappag then sings and plays the guitar, but the crew ignores him, preferring to talk to Camie and frown. Luffy questions how he can talk, which gets him excited, which Usopp notes that it went by so quickly. Pappag says he thought he was human before realizing he was a starfish, learning to speak in the process. He introduces himself as an aspiring designer and thanks them for saving him and Camie. Nami tries to ask how they can get to Fish-Man Island, but Luffy yells that takoyaki comes first. Camie says they will have to meet with Hatchan, whom she calls “Hatchin”.
Camie calls Hatchan on the transponder slug, but he doesn’t answer. Instead, it’s Macro that scares Camie. Camie asks why he has Hatchan’s snail, to which Macro replies that he beat him up, which Camie tries to deny. Macro says yes, normally they would have lost with Hatchan, but this time they teamed up with the Flying Fish Riders. Hatchan was relieved that she had survived. She asks if they really beat him up and he says that they were taken by surprise, but warns her not to come to his rescue and that she will cause a mess and go home. Macro says that he will sell Hatchan and states that it is worth a fortune because it is a Fish-Man Octopus, which is rare, and prompts her to come rescue Hatchan and tells her where their Rider hideout is located, which is in the archipelago Sabaody. Hatchan repeats not to come, but angers Macro and hits him, eventually saying goodbye. Camie is a bit down and Sanji sympathizes with her, but Luffy asks where the takoyaki is, prompting Franky and Sanji to hit him. Nami then notices that his voice sounded familiar, thinking of the possibility that he is Hatchan from the Arlong Pirates. Camie says that she has to go save Hatchan and that she will have to give the takoyaki some other time, which angers Luffy and prompts Franky and Sanji to hit him again. Nami says that they (meaning the others in the crew and not her) will help her save Hatchan in exchange for getting to Fish-Man Island. Camie checks to see if Luffy will help her, and he asks who he really is, to which she replies that he’s the owner of a takoyaki shop and her boss, saying it’s the best in the world. Luffy is excited and orders the crew to rescue him. Nami asks where it is, Camie pulls out a map and Pappag points out the area. Camie summons a school of fish to show her the way there, stunning Luffy and Nami. They show the way there and Luffy praises her ability to talk to fish, which makes her blush. They are going out.
At the Rider hideout, Macro reports to Duval that he lured her to the base and that the plan is going well. Duval orders a few of his men to meet her, but before they leave, Macro reminds them that she is valuable so that he does not harm her. Macro then taunts Hatchan in front of the Rider’s head on their planes.
Back on Sunny, Luffy introduces Zora to Camie, which reminds him of Kokoro, and says that she’s the first one he’s seen as Sanji and co, shocking Chopper. Camie is worried about Hatchan, but Pappag comforts her by saying that he is strong. Pappag then asks if they are confident in their abilities, to which Luffy replies that they are strong. He then informs them that there are several kidnappers in the area and that human trafficking is a booming business in Sabaody, which Sanji says is a nasty business. Pappag talks about the cost and how mermaids are expensive and explains why Macro keeps trying to kidnap Camie. Zoro says that hearing “Hachi” and the octopus reminds him of the “idiot” fish man he fought in Arlong Park. Sanji says that if it’s him, he won’t save him. Franky asks who the Flying Fish Riders are, which Pappag says is a very active gang of kidnappers in the area and their boss is a guy in an iron mask named Duval, who also says he’s looking for someone and checking every passing ship. Luffy tells Camie not to worry and that he will save the “takoyaki” and orders Brook to play a song on the way there.
Suddenly the school retreated because the Horsemen had arrived. Because they fly in planes, Luffy couldn’t see them, but Camie showed him. They attack the ship and notice that they are the Straw Hats. They go for another bombardment, but Zoro and Luffy block the bombs with the 72 pound cannon and the Gomu Gomu no Pistol, while Brook and Chopper cower in fear. The riders decide to withdraw on Duval’s order.
Back at Rider HQ, Duval informs Macro that Camie is on the pirate ship. Duval becomes enraged as he says he was waiting for the Straw Hats and declares that he will kill the man who ruined his life.