Whiskey Peak Arc (Episodes 64–67)
64. "A Town That Welcomes Pirates? Setting Foot on Whisky Peak!"
65. "Explosion! The Three Swords Style! Zoro vs. Baroque Works!"
66. "All-Out Battle! Luffy vs. Zoro, Mysterious Grand Duel!"
67. "Deliver Princess Vivi! The Luffy Pirates Set Sail!"
The Whiskey Peak Arc is the second arc of the Alabasta Saga in One Piece. It is the first island adventure that the Straw Hat Pirates experience after entering the Grand Line, and it introduces significant elements that will affect the storyline moving forward, especially the Baroque Works organization and Princess Vivi of Alabasta. The arc showcases the crew's first major test in the Grand Line, revealing hidden dangers and deepening the intrigue surrounding the journey to Alabasta.
Plot Summary:
After successfully navigating through Reverse Mountain, the Straw Hat Pirates—Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji—follow their Log Pose to their first destination: Whiskey Peak, a town known for welcoming and celebrating pirates. The town appears to be peaceful and festive, and the people, led by Igarappoi (later revealed as Igaram), greet the crew with a grand feast. Tired from their journey, the Straw Hats happily indulge in the celebrations, unaware of the danger lurking beneath the surface.
The Welcome at Whiskey Peak:
As soon as the Straw Hats dock at Whiskey Peak, the townspeople, especially Miss Monday and Igarappoi, shower them with praise and hospitality. They offer food, drink, and entertainment, making the Straw Hats feel welcome and comfortable. Luffy and Usopp, in particular, are thrilled by the attention and quickly get caught up in the festivities.
However, not everyone is fooled. Zoro, who is more cautious and observant, grows suspicious of the townspeople’s overwhelming kindness. As night falls, most of the crew falls asleep after drinking and celebrating, leaving them vulnerable. Zoro, however, remains on guard.
The Revelation of Baroque Works:
It is soon revealed that the people of Whiskey Peak are not the friendly, welcoming villagers they appear to be. In reality, the town is a base for Baroque Works, a secret criminal organization led by the mysterious Mr. 0 (later revealed to be Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea). The townspeople are agents and bounty hunters working for Baroque Works, and their true goal is to capture the Straw Hats and collect the bounties on their heads.
Zoro, who has remained awake, quickly realizes the townspeople’s intentions. As the Baroque Works agents move to capture the crew, Zoro takes action. In a dramatic sequence, Zoro singlehandedly defeats the bounty hunters of Whiskey Peak, including Miss Monday and Igarappoi. His strength and skill are on full display, as he easily overpowers the numerous attackers despite being outnumbered.
Luffy vs. Zoro:
During the battle, Luffy awakens and mistakenly believes that Zoro is attacking the innocent townspeople. Unaware of the true nature of Whiskey Peak, Luffy becomes enraged and engages Zoro in a fierce fight. This misunderstanding leads to a dramatic clash between the two strongest members of the crew, with both displaying their immense strength and determination. Their battle is intense but comedic, as they are fighting for the wrong reasons.
Eventually, Nami intervenes and stops the fight, explaining the truth about Whiskey Peak and the Baroque Works agents. Realizing their mistake, Luffy and Zoro cease their battle, and the focus shifts to the larger conflict with Baroque Works.
The Introduction of Miss Wednesday and Mr. 9:
Amidst the chaos, two Baroque Works agents, Miss Wednesday and Mr. 9, are introduced. Their mission was to capture the Straw Hats alongside the rest of the agents, but after witnessing Zoro’s strength and the crew’s abilities, they realize they are outmatched. Miss Wednesday and Mr. 9 attempt to escape, but they are stopped by Zoro.
It is here that the true identity of Miss Wednesday is revealed: she is Princess Nefertari Vivi of the Alabasta Kingdom. Vivi has infiltrated Baroque Works as part of a covert mission to uncover the organization’s leader, Mr. 0, who is secretly manipulating events to destabilize her homeland, Alabasta. Vivi is traveling with Mr. 9 in an attempt to gather more information about Baroque Works’ operations.
Igaram's Sacrifice and Vivi’s Request for Help:
After Miss Wednesday’s (Vivi’s) identity is exposed, Igarappoi reveals himself to be Igaram, the captain of the Alabasta Royal Guard and Vivi’s loyal protector. Igaram explains that Baroque Works, under the leadership of Crocodile, is planning to incite a civil war in Alabasta, threatening the stability of the kingdom. Vivi’s mission is to gather information on Crocodile and stop the rebellion before it destroys her homeland.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Igaram asks the Straw Hats for their help in escorting Vivi safely back to Alabasta. However, they are quickly pursued by Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine, two high-ranking Baroque Works agents sent to eliminate Vivi and anyone associated with her, now that her true identity has been exposed.
Igaram makes the ultimate sacrifice by creating a diversion to allow Vivi and the Straw Hats to escape. Disguised as Vivi, he takes a ship and sets sail alone, but his ship is destroyed in an explosion shortly after leaving the harbor. His apparent death is a shocking moment, underscoring the seriousness of the threat posed by Baroque Works.
The Battle Against Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine:
As the Straw Hats prepare to flee Whiskey Peak, they are confronted by Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine, who are determined to eliminate Vivi and anyone who stands in their way. Mr. 5 possesses the power of the Bomb-Bomb Fruit, allowing him to turn any part of his body into an explosive weapon, while Miss Valentine can control her weight using the Kilo-Kilo Fruit, making her a dangerous aerial attacker.
However, the Straw Hats, particularly Luffy and Zoro, easily overpower the Baroque Works agents. Luffy defeats Mr. 5, and Zoro takes down Miss Valentine with relative ease, showcasing the crew’s growing strength and ability to handle increasingly dangerous foes.
The Journey to Alabasta Begins:
With Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine defeated, Vivi asks the Straw Hat Pirates for their help in returning to Alabasta. Realizing the dire situation in Vivi’s homeland and the threat posed by Baroque Works, Luffy agrees to assist her. Nami, ever the opportunist, negotiates a deal with Vivi, agreeing to help her in exchange for a hefty reward from the Alabasta Kingdom once they successfully restore peace.
Thus, the Straw Hats set off on their next journey, now accompanied by Vivi and her pet, Karoo, a large and loyal spot-billed duck. Their next destination is Little Garden, where the stakes will continue to rise as they move deeper into the Grand Line.
Key Themes:
1. Deception and Betrayal:
Whiskey Peak initially appears to be a friendly and welcoming town, but the Straw Hats quickly learn that things are not always as they seem. The arc emphasizes the theme of deception, as the true nature of the town and its people is revealed. Baroque Works operates in secrecy, and the agents hide their true identities and intentions behind false personas.
2. Loyalty and Sacrifice:
The loyalty of Igaram to Princess Vivi and the lengths he is willing to go to protect her are central to the arc. His sacrifice to ensure Vivi’s safety demonstrates the importance of loyalty and selflessness, themes that are prevalent throughout the Alabasta Saga. Vivi’s mission to save her kingdom also underscores her own sense of duty and sacrifice.
3. Friendship and Misunderstanding:
The comedic battle between Luffy and Zoro is a reminder of the importance of communication and trust within the crew. While they momentarily clash due to a misunderstanding, their friendship and loyalty to each other are ultimately reaffirmed when the truth is revealed. The fight highlights the close bond between the Straw Hats, even in moments of conflict.
4. Corruption and Power:
The arc introduces the larger conflict with Baroque Works, an organization that seeks to manipulate and destabilize entire nations for personal gain. Crocodile’s role as the mastermind behind the rebellion in Alabasta sets up the larger narrative of the Alabasta Saga, where the crew will confront issues of corruption, power, and justice.
Connection to the Overall Story:
The Whiskey Peak Arc is crucial for setting up the larger storyline of the Alabasta Saga. It introduces Princess Vivi, a key character whose mission to save her kingdom will become the central focus of the saga. The arc also establishes the threat of Baroque Works and Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, who will become one of the Straw Hats' most formidable enemies in the Grand Line.
Additionally, the arc showcases the crew’s growing strength and unity, as they successfully defeat powerful adversaries from Baroque Works. The promise of a new adventure and the introduction of political intrigue in Alabasta signal a shift in the stakes of the story, as the crew moves from personal goals to larger, world-altering conflicts.
Conclusion:
The Whiskey Peak Arc is a pivotal moment in the One Piece story, marking the Straw Hat Pirates' first direct encounter with the sinister Baroque Works and laying the foundation for the broader conflict in the Alabasta Saga. Through Princess Vivi's introduction and her mission to save her kingdom, the arc introduces key themes like loyalty, sacrifice, and political intrigue, setting up the larger stakes that will follow. It also demonstrates the crew's growing strength and unity, as they face increasingly dangerous enemies. This arc propels the story into a more complex narrative, where personal ambitions intertwine with larger, world-changing events.
