OnePiece : Alabasta Saga - Little Garden Arc (Episodes 68–77)

Little Garden Arc (Episodes 68–77)

   68. "Try Hard, Coby! Coby and Helmeppo's Struggles in the Marines!"

  69. "The First Patient! The Untold Story of the Rumble Ball!"

  70. "Angry Finale! Cross the Red Line!"

  71. "Huge Duel! The Giants Dorry and Broggy!"

  72. "Luffy Angered! A Ruthless Weapon, the Candle Set!"

  73. "Broggy's Bitter Tears of Victory! The Conclusion of Elbaf!"

  74. "The Devil's Candle! Tears of Regret and Tears of Anger"

  75. "Unnatural Magician! Mr. 3's Intent and His Partner!"

  76. "An Ancient Island! The Shadow Hiding in Little Garden!"

  77. "The Spoil of War! Rainbow-Colored Bridges in the Sky!"

 

The Little Garden Arc is the third major storyline in the Alabasta Saga of One Piece, following the events at Whiskey Peak. It is an important arc because it continues to develop the Grand Line as a mysterious and dangerous place, introduces the concept of the "eternal battle", and deepens the bonds of the Straw Hat crew. Additionally, it provides further insight into the workings of Baroque Works, introduces new enemies, and tests the crew’s resolve.

Plot Summary:

After leaving Whiskey Peak, the Straw Hat Pirates—Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, and their new companion, Princess Vivi—continue their journey toward Alabasta to stop the civil war threatening her kingdom. Their Log Pose directs them to their next destination, an island called Little Garden. Upon arrival, they discover that Little Garden is a prehistoric island where dinosaurs and massive, ancient creatures roam freely. The island’s unique feature is its state of being “stuck in time,” which makes it look like a place from a bygone era.

Meeting the Giants:

Dorry and Brogy As the crew explores the island, they encounter two giants, Dorry and Brogy, who have been fighting each other in an eternal duel for over 100 years. Dorry and Brogy are both from the Elbaf, the land of the giants, and are former friends who became locked in a never-ending battle due to a minor disagreement over whose hunt was bigger. Despite the fact that their fight seems to have lost its meaning over time, they continue to engage in their duel daily, adhering to the warriors’ code of honor.

Dorry and Brogy have a cheerful and lighthearted demeanor when not fighting, and they befriend the Straw Hat Pirates, especially Luffy and Usopp, who are fascinated by their strength and courage. Luffy admires their warrior spirit, and Usopp, who dreams of becoming a great warrior like them, is particularly inspired by their resolve and pride as fighters.

 

The Baroque Works Assassins: Mr. 3 and Miss Goldenweek

Meanwhile, the criminal organization Baroque Works has sent two agents, Mr. 3 and Miss Goldenweek, to eliminate Vivi and anyone who stands in their way. Mr. 3 is a clever and cunning adversary who possesses the power of the Wax-Wax Fruit (Doru Doru no Mi), which allows him to create and manipulate wax. Miss Goldenweek, his partner, is a mysterious and quiet girl who uses colors to manipulate emotions and control others through a technique known as Color Trap.

 

Mr. 3 devises a plan to capture both Dorry and Brogy, intending to take their heads as trophies and collect the bounty placed on them. He also aims to capture the Straw Hats and Princess Vivi in the process, fulfilling Baroque Works’ mission. To achieve this, Mr. 3 secretly tampers with Dorry’s drink, causing him to lose control during his next battle with Brogy. This results in Dorry sustaining a serious injury, and Brogy, unaware of the sabotage, believes that he has won their century-long duel.

Luffy’s Confrontation with Mr. 3

Realizing that something is wrong and that the giants’ honorable duel has been interfered with, Luffy becomes enraged at the deception. His sense of justice and loyalty to his friends drives him to confront Mr. 3. However, Mr. 3’s wax abilities prove to be a formidable challenge. Using his powers, Mr. 3 creates massive wax structures and traps Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Vivi, and Brogy in a giant candle trap, intending to turn them into wax statues.

 

As the wax hardens, Luffy and the others face a race against time to escape before they are completely encased. Despite the dire situation, Luffy remains determined to break free and stop Mr. 3, while Zoro humorously contemplates cutting off his legs to escape, demonstrating both his resolve and his trust in Luffy.

 

Usopp and Karoo’s Heroic Moment

During this intense confrontation, Usopp and Vivi’s pet Karoo, a large and loyal spot-billed duck, play a crucial role in turning the tide of the battle. Usopp, inspired by the giants’ warrior spirit, uses his ingenuity and bravery to help free his friends. He devises a plan to disrupt Mr. 3’s wax structures by using fire, exploiting wax’s natural weakness to heat.

 

With Usopp’s quick thinking and courage, they manage to break free from the wax trap, and Luffy, now liberated, launches an all-out attack on Mr. 3. Using his Gomu Gomu no Mi (Gum-Gum Fruit) abilities, Luffy defeats Mr. 3, breaking his wax defenses and ending his plans.

 

The Defeat of Baroque Works Agents

In addition to Mr. 3, the crew also faces off against Miss Goldenweek and Mr. 5 (who had appeared earlier in the Whiskey Peak Arc). While Miss Goldenweek’s Color Trap ability proves to be a tricky challenge, Luffy's strong will and unpredictable nature allow him to break free from her control, showing his ability to resist mental manipulation. Usopp and the rest of the crew also engage in battles with the remaining Baroque Works agents, showcasing their growing strength and teamwork.

 

With the defeat of Mr. 3, Miss Goldenweek, and the other agents, the threat posed by Baroque Works on Little Garden is neutralized. However, this encounter with Baroque Works is just the beginning of a much larger conflict, as the crew realizes the true scale of the organization and the danger it represents, particularly its leader, Crocodile.

 

The Giants’ Farewell

After the battle, Brogy learns the truth about Mr. 3’s interference and Dorry’s injury. Although the outcome of their duel was tainted by outside influence, the two giants reconcile and decide to put their century-long battle behind them. Dorry and Brogy express their gratitude to the Straw Hats for helping them see the truth and for their assistance in fighting off the Baroque Works agents.

In a touching farewell, Dorry and Brogy use their immense strength to help the Straw Hats escape from Little Garden by destroying a giant sea king that blocks their path. The giants’ farewell serves as a reminder of the bond they share as warriors and friends, and their story leaves a lasting impact on Usopp, who aspires to be as brave and honorable as the two giants.

The Log Pose Dilemma and Nami’s Illness

As the Straw Hats prepare to leave Little Garden, they encounter another challenge: their Log Pose, which is supposed to guide them to the next island, will take an entire year to reset due to the unique time conditions of Little Garden. This presents a major problem, as they cannot afford to stay on the island for such a long period.

 

However, Nami, ever resourceful, comes up with a solution. They will need to acquire an Eternal Pose, a type of compass that permanently points to a specific island, to navigate to their next destination. Just as they begin to leave, Nami falls mysteriously ill, adding another layer of tension to their journey as they must now seek urgent medical help for her.

 

Key Themes:

1. Honor and Friendship:

The central theme of this arc is the concept of honor among warriors, exemplified by Dorry and Brogy’s century-long duel. Despite the seeming futility of their battle, their commitment to their code of honor and respect for one another is a powerful testament to the bonds between comrades, a theme that resonates deeply with Luffy and Usopp.

 

2. Deception and Manipulation:

Mr. 3’s underhanded tactics and manipulation of the giants’ duel underscore the dangers of deception in the Grand Line. The Straw Hats’ battle against Baroque Works in this arc is not just physical but also a moral fight against dishonorable methods.

 

3. Courage and Ingenuity:

Usopp’s role in the battle showcases his growth as a character. Though not the strongest fighter, his intelligence and quick thinking are vital in defeating Mr. 3. His courage, inspired by the giants, marks an important step in his development as a warrior.

 

Connection to the Overall Story:

The Little Garden Arc plays a significant role in shaping the Alabasta Saga and the broader story of One Piece. It deepens the crew’s conflict with Baroque Works and sets up the looming threat of Crocodile, the organization’s leader. The arc also introduces the concept of ancient creatures and giants, foreshadowing future encounters with the people of Elbaf and the exploration of the wider world of giants in the series.

 

Moreover, the themes of honor, friendship, and perseverance that are explored in this arc resonate throughout the entire One Piece narrative, reinforcing the bonds between the Straw Hats and their allies. The experiences and lessons learned on Little Garden, particularly for Usopp, will shape the crew’s actions in future arcs as they face increasingly dangerous foes.

 

Conclusion:

The Little Garden Arc serves as a significant stepping stone in the One Piece narrative. It not only enriches the world of the Grand Line with the introduction of ancient creatures and giants but also deepens the conflict with Baroque Works, hinting at the larger threat posed by Crocodile. The arc showcases the Straw Hats' growing strength and teamwork while emphasizing themes of honor, loyalty, and the warrior spirit, embodied by Dorry and Brogy's century-long duel. The challenges faced in this arc, from Mr. 3's deception to Usopp's clever heroism, shape the crew’s future encounters and cement their bonds as they move closer to their ultimate goal of reaching Alabasta. Through the adventures on Little Garden, the Straw Hats continue to grow both individually and as a united force, setting the stage for the intense battles and critical developments that lie ahead.