One Piece, Volume 1

Chapter 1
Gold Roger held the title of "Pirate King" after obtaining all the wealth, fame, and power a pirate could have. Though he wound up meeting his end in a public execution, his final words inspired the world to set out to sea as he declared that he had left all of his treasure behind, though he then warned that anyone who desired it would have to search the entire world. Roger's announcement was met with cheers from the crowd as he was put to death, and this marked the beginning of the Great Pirate Era.

12 years later, a crew called the Red Hair Pirates has made their base at the idyllic Foosha Village for the last year. On their ship, a 7-year-old village boy named Monkey D. Luffy expresses his frustration over the crew not taking him seriously, and declares that he will show them how tough he is. The pirates are mildly interested to see what he does, only to react with horror as Luffy takes a knife and stabs himself below his left eye.

Later, the crew relocates to the Partys Bar and starts drinking. After reprimanding Luffy for his stunt, the captain Shanks turns jollier as he declares that the boy will never be a pirate because he cannot swim. Luffy claims that his punch is as powerful as a pistol, but Shanks is not convinced. The other Red Hair Pirates are more sympathetic to Luffy as they tell him about the fun and freedom they have at sea, but Shanks reaffirms that Luffy is too young to join them. Shanks' first mate Benn Beckman then gently reminds Luffy that there are also many dangers at sea. The barkeeper Makino serves Luffy and Shanks some food, and Shanks tells the boy that his crew will likely depart the village permanently after two or three more voyages; Luffy says he will learn how to swim by then.

While Luffy eats a spiral-patterned fruit, the mountain bandit Higuma enters the bar with his gang and demands ten barrels of alcohol. Makino admits that the bar's supply has been depleted because the Red Hair Pirates drank it all. Shanks apologizes and offers Higuma the last unopened bottle, but Higuma takes it and smashes it over the pirate's head in a show of force. Higuma boasts that he is a wanted criminal worth 8,000,000 as he tries to provoke Shanks into a fight, but Shanks responds by picking the bottle shards off the floor. To humiliate Shanks further, Higuma takes out his sword and smashes the tableware off the bar before departing. Shanks assures Makino that he is fine, and he and his crew have a hearty laugh over the affair. This angers Luffy, who asks why Shanks did not fight back and calls him a disgrace to pirates. Shanks responds that not every provocation requires retaliation, but Luffy storms out to go find a new role model. Shanks grabs his arm to hold him up, but Luffy continues to walk away as his arm stretches to a superhuman length. The Red Hair Pirates immediately check on a chest that contained the Gomu Gomu no Mi—which they had taken from an enemy ship—and find it empty. Luffy confirms that he ate it, and a panicked Shanks tells him that this is one of the Devil Fruits: by eating it, his body has gained the properties of rubber, but is now rendered unable to swim for the rest of his life.

The day the Red Hair Pirates set sail on their next voyage, Luffy cheerfully heads into the village. The fishmonger wonders why he is so cheerful even though he will never be able to swim, but Luffy is content with this side effect because he enjoys being able to contort his rubbery body. Mayor Woop Slap reprimands Luffy for getting involved with the pirates, saying he would not allow the boy to become a pirate too and make the village look bad, but Luffy ignores him. A long time later, Luffy goes to the Partys Bar, and Makino asks if he misses the Red Hair Pirates. Luffy denies this, as he still disagrees with Shanks' inaction against Higuma. Right then, Higuma returns to the bar with his gang and demands drinks. Soon afterward, Makino rushes to Woop Slap to tell him that Luffy has been apprehended by the bandits after attempting to attack them. Higuma holds Luffy out in the street and marvels over his rubbery composition, which is rendering him impervious to his punches and kicks. Higuma throws Luffy to the ground and holds him under his foot, and as the mayor arrives to try to resolve the situation, Luffy's continued defiance causes Higuma to try to kill him with his sword.

Right then, however, Shanks approaches the scene having just returned from his voyage. Higuma thinks little of the pirate's return, and one of his henchmen points his gun at Shanks. The captain remains calm and simply says that the bandit is risking his life, as Lucky Roux proceeds to suddenly shoot him in the head. The bandits protest that the crew's ambush was unfair, but Shanks and his men say that they follow no combat code, as they are pirates. Shanks then turns deadly serious as he declares that the bandits can humiliate him all they want, but he will not stand for anyone hurting his friend. Higuma is still unfazed, saying pirates do not compare to mountain bandits; he orders his men to attack, but Beckman says he will handle them alone. He overpowers the first assailant by sticking his cigarette in his eye, then swiftly dispatches the remaining bandits with the butt of his rifle before pointing it at Higuma; Luffy and the villagers are left stunned at Beckman's display of strength. Higuma immediately grows fearful, but is able to escape with Luffy in tow by throwing a smoke bomb into the ground. Shanks panics over losing Luffy, but Lucky Roux assures that they will find him.

Higuma escapes out to sea with Luffy in a small rowboat and decides to kill the boy; he easily dodges one of Luffy's punches before kicking him overboard. It is revealed that Luffy attacked Higuma in the Party's Bar because the bandit had been denigrating Shanks' honor, showing that he still respects Shanks. However, Higuma does not notice a giant Sea King called the Lord of the Coast emerging behind him until it is too late, and the creature consumes him and the boat in a single bite. The Lord of the Coast then notices Luffy and moves to eat him, but Shanks arrives in time to pull the boy away before scaring away the beast with just a look. Shanks had his left arm bitten off while pulling Luffy to safety, but he remains calm and consoles Luffy as the boy cries over his sacrifice; Shanks says that it was a small price to pay.

Realizing that Shanks is a great man, even though he is not yet strong enough, Luffy comes to understand why he cannot go out to sea with the Red Hair Pirates. As the crew prepares for their next voyage, Shanks reveals that they will not be returning to the village afterward. Luffy declares that he will set out to sea on his own one day, and Shanks jokingly repeats his line that there is no way Luffy can become a pirate. Luffy defiantly responds, declaring he will get a crew stronger than Shanks', have the most treasure in the world, and become the Pirate King. Impressed by Luffy's desire to surpass him, Shanks takes off his straw hat and places it on Luffy's head, asking him to keep it safe and return it once he has become a great pirate. As Shanks heads to his crew and ship, Beckman expresses high expectations for Luffy's future, and Shanks says that Luffy reminds him of himself as a youth. The Red Hair Pirates then raise anchor and set sail from Foosha Village for the final time.

10 years later, a 17-year-old Luffy sets out to sea himself from the very same harbor as Makino, Woop Slap, and the other villagers look on. As he rows away on a small dinghy, Luffy is once again confronted by the Lord of the Coast. However, he easily blasts the creature away with a powerful punch to the side of its head, aptly named Gomu Gomu no Pistol. As he looks out at the horizon, Luffy contemplates his objectives as a pirate. In particular, he wishes to gather a crew of about 10 people and get a pirate flag. Luffy then warns the world to look out as he declares that he will become the Pirate King.

Chapter 2
Luffy sets off in a dinghy to form his own pirate crew; however, no sooner had he left than he ran into his first problem - a whirlpool.

Meanwhile, on a remote island, as Alvida is inspecting her ship, she clobbers one of her crew for leaving dust on the deck and asks Koby "Who is the most beautiful in all the sea?" The boy fearfully replies that she is. She comments on how Koby is only allowed to stay because he knows more about navigation than all the others do and how useless he is at everything else. She then orders Koby to clean her shoes.

Sad and upset, Koby pushes a barrel he found into Alvida's hideout. Upon approach, three of Alvida's crew (Heppoko, Peppoko, and Poppoko) stop him and take the barrel, bullying him into being silent about the fact that they are going to drink the wine inside it without Alvida knowing. Suddenly, Luffy bursts out of the barrel and shocks everyone. Before they can get their answer as to why he popped out, Alvida sends her club flying into the hideout. Koby and Luffy flee; meanwhile Alvida accuses her crew of slacking off because she heard someone call "Aw! What a nice nap!" They explain it was not them, but an intruder instead. Alvida fears the famous bounty hunter Roronoa Zoro is here to claim her bounty.

Elsewhere, Koby has dragged Luffy to safety away from Alvida. He shows him his boat that he made over the last 2 years in an attempt to escape from her and explains how he got into his situation. Luffy comments on how wimpy Koby is. Luffy tells Koby his dream to become Pirate King. Koby cannot believe Luffy is prepared to die for his dream and Luffy hits Koby because he does not like his wimpy outlook. Koby admires Luffy's outlook on life. Koby then reveals his desires to become a Marine and catch bad guys. He boasts he would rather die trying to escape to join them than spend the rest of his life at Alvida's side.

Just then, Alvida appears and destroys his boat. Alvida accuses Koby of hiring someone to kill her. When she asks him who the most beautiful woman is, Luffy interferes and outwardly states Alvida is an ugly old hag. Koby, inspired by Luffy, tells Alvida straight what he thinks of her. Alvida strikes Koby in anger, but Luffy gets between her and Koby, taking the full force of Alvida's club; to the shock of everyone, he survives. With one punch of his "Gomu Gomu no Pistol", Luffy knocks Alvida out and orders her crew to fetch Koby a boat and to stay out of his way.

Sometime later, Luffy and Koby are seen sailing out to sea by themselves. Koby tells Luffy more about Zoro, the bounty hunter Alvida mentioned. Luffy decides that he wants to try to recruit Zoro and they head off.

Chapter 3
Out at sea, Koby and Luffy are discussing Luffy's decision to recruit Zoro. Sometime later, they arrive at the Marine base Zoro is being held at. Luffy is surprised that they actually arrived, and Koby points out that these are the basics of navigation. Koby points out that Luffy can not just float around out at sea and that he must find a navigator soon. Luffy then says they should go eat.

At a restaurant, when Koby and Luffy discuss parting ways, Luffy mentions Zoro's name with shocking results from the other customers. When Koby mentions the name of the Marine in charge of the base, Morgan, the same effect occurs. In the street Koby comments on the reactions for the villagers here in the town, understanding why they reacted out of fear for Zoro due to his reputation, but not Morgan's name.

At the Marine base, after Luffy climbs up the wall to see Zoro, he climbs up another part of the wall to get a better view of someone he saw in the base. Koby also climbs up, but falls down again out of fear after sighting Zoro. Zoro offers the two the head of a bounty carrier if they will free him due to him going without food for 9 days.

As they talk with Zoro, Rika suddenly appears next to them as she climbs using a ladder, hushing them to be quiet. Rika climbs over the wall; Koby beckons her to come back as she walks towards Zoro. She offers him some onigiri since he has not eaten in several days. Zoro refuses and tells her to go away.

Just then, Morgan's son, Helmeppo, appears with a few Marines and starts mocking Zoro. He snatches the rice balls from Rika and eats one of them. However, he soon spits it out due to the fact she made them using sugar instead of salt. He knocks them to the ground and stomps on them, much to Koby's shock at seeing someone affiliated with the Marines do such a cruel thing. She cries, lamenting on how she worked hard to make them. Helmeppo then points out the law made by his father, which states that anyone who assists a prisoner will also be found guilty of the crimes the prisoner has committed. Helmeppo says that since she is a child, she will be let off the hook. He then orders one of the Marines to toss her over the wall. When he refuses, he reminds them who his father is and the Marine throws her over the wall, forcing Luffy to catch her. Helmeppo continues to mock Zoro, but Zoro remains strong about his situation.

After Helmeppo is gone, Luffy talks to Zoro about joining his crew. Zoro states that he will not join a pirate crew and become a criminal as he has his own dream to follow. After they finish talking, Zoro asks Luffy to give him the rice balls to eat despite the state they are now in. He then tells Luffy to tell Rika that he ate them all and that they were tasty.

Later, Luffy explains how Zoro ate the rice balls and enjoyed them to Rika. Koby is surprised at how considerate Zoro was, despite the reputation he holds. She explains that Zoro is not a bad person and that he was arrested for killing Helmeppo's pet wolf, Soro, while defending her from him, as Soro was running wild, terrorizing the town at the time. As Rika finishes explaining the story, Helmeppo appears bragging about going back on his promise to Zoro and says that he plans on having him killed in three days. Luffy hits him out of anger and after Helmeppo runs away, Luffy decides Zoro is joining his crew.

Chapter 4
Helmeppo is angry at Luffy for hitting him. Koby can barely hold Luffy back and the townsfolk are in awe at Luffy's actions. Helmeppo is dragged away by two Marines, claiming Luffy will die for hitting him. Rika is pulled away by Ririka, her mother, but Rika defends Luffy and Zoro as good men. Luffy tells Koby he is going to speak to Zoro again.

Back at the Marine base, one of the Marines reports to Morgan that the amount of offering from the townsfolk is decreasing. Morgan is unable to accept that they are poor, seeing it as a sign that the townsfolk are disrespecting him. Just then, Helmeppo bursts in and tells his father that he wants someone killed.

Luffy arrives to talk to Zoro about him joining his crew. He makes a deal with Zoro without his consent that if he gets him his swords, he must join his crew.

On the roof, a statue of Morgan is being raised. Helmeppo is still demanding that Morgan kill Luffy; however, he is hit for giving Morgan an order. Morgan mentions that he heard a little girl snuck into the base earlier. He orders Lieutenant Junior Grade Rokkaku to go find and kill her for disrespecting him. When the Marine refuses, he is hit. Morgan then claims he will do it himself, and gives the order to raise the statue.

On ground level, while Luffy is trying to find a Marine to get Zoro's swords, he hears someone on the roof. On the roof, Seaman Recruit Ukkari knocks the statue against part of the building on the roof. Luffy launches himself up onto the roof via "Gomu Gomu no Rocket". As the Marine is about to be punished for knocking the statue, Luffy flies by, grabbing some of the ropes on the statue because he has taken off into the air too fast. To the horror of everyone there, the statue breaks.

Morgan suddenly bursts out Luffy's death sentence and Helmeppo points out that Luffy was the one he wanted his father to kill in the first place. Then Luffy drags Helmeppo into the base building to find Zoro's swords, while one of the Marines spots Koby untying Zoro. Morgan becomes paranoid because he thinks the townsfolk are turning on him. Koby reveals to Zoro his desire to become a Marine who is just, as well as Luffy's dream of becoming Pirate King. While Zoro shows surprise for Luffy's ambition, Koby is suddenly shot. This causes Zoro to threateningly glance at the roof of the Marine base.

Chapter 5
Luffy is busy dragging Helmeppo through the base, trying to find Zoro's sword. After dragging Helmeppo for a while, Luffy asks Helmeppo where Zoro's sword is and he tells Luffy Zoro's arsenal is in his room. Luffy decides to use Helmeppo as a human shield, leaving some pursuing Marines in a position where they cannot do anything.

Meanwhile, Koby realizes that he has been shot and that he had started bleeding. Zoro tells Koby to run, but Koby will not go until Zoro is untied. He tells Zoro that Helmeppo never planned to keep his word. Zoro cannot believe what he is hearing, and Koby tells Zoro how Luffy punched Helmeppo because of what they overheard him say. Koby asks Zoro to help Luffy. Suddenly, some Marines approach Zoro and Koby and declare them traitors.

Elsewhere, Luffy has found swords in Helmeppo's room, but does not know which one is Zoro's. Luffy suddenly spots what is going on down on the ground outside the window of the Marine base. Zoro and Koby are in trouble and Morgan wants them dead. Zoro, aware that he may die, begins a flashback to his days as a young boy and his reasons for becoming who he is.

A young Zoro was in a training dojo on the ground after a defeat against Kuina. Kuina was mocking him for failing to win against her (for the 2000th time) even after he used two swords. Zoro's friends stuck up for him when he was called weak, as Kuina stated even though he could stand up to the adults, it was no good if he still could not beat her. The others accused her for showing off because she was the dojo master's daughter. As the sensei entered the room, the other trainee swordsmen (save Zoro himself) accused him of giving her special training because she was able to beat Zoro. The sensei just stated that Kuina was older.

Later that night, a frustrated Zoro challenged Kuina to fight him with real katana. Kuina accepted Zoro's challenge. With one strike, Zoro lost and Kuina claimed her 2001st victory against him. After the duel was over, Kuina broke down in tears. She told Zoro her woe about being a girl: as she gets older, she will fall behind him due to the fact girls do not acquire the strength guys do. Kuina said that she wished she had been born a boy, but Zoro got angry at her, saying that she did not have the right to complain after she beat him. Zoro went further by saying that it was an insult to all the hard work he'd been doing. The two then made an agreement; one of them will become the greatest swordsman in the world.

Disaster hit the next day as Zoro was informed of the worst; Kuina had fallen down the stairs and died. Upset, Zoro called to her body lying lifeless, its face covered with a cloth, accusing her of running away. Zoro asked the sensei to give Zoro her sword; he will become the world's greatest swordsman on her behalf.

Back in the present, Zoro faces death. As the Marines fire, Luffy jumps in front of them and the bullets hit him instead. The bullets then bounce off Luffy to the disbelief of everyone watching. Luffy brings the three swords he had found in Helmeppo's room, claiming he did not know which one was Zoro's. The swordsman then explains he uses three swords. Zoro accepts Luffy's offer to join his crew because he would rather become a criminal than die.

Chapter 6
Morgan tells his men that Luffy must have eaten a Devil Fruit and that he is not a normal human. Realizing guns will not work; the Marines attack Luffy while he is trying to untie Zoro. Koby awakens after fainting when Luffy was shot at to see the Marines charging at Zoro and Luffy. Luffy manages to untie Zoro and hands him his swords.

After freeing himself, all the charging Marines find their swords are locked by Zoro's three swords. Zoro threatens to kill anyone who moves and the Marines cry with fear. Zoro tells Luffy he has already declared he will join him after this, as the Marines will declare him a criminal either way. He lays down the conditions for him to join Luffy, warning him that his plans have better not interfere with his own dream of becoming the greatest swordsman.

Morgan calls out to his men to fight them and Luffy tells Zoro to duck. Luffy knocks all the Marines who currently have their swords locked against Zoro's swords. The Marines complain that they cannot defeat the pair. Morgan orders his men to hold their guns to their heads for disobeying him. Luffy proclaims that he is the Marines' worst enemy and dares Morgan to attack him. The fight presumes, and Morgan cuts a fence in half with his axe-hand.

Morgan proves to have high endurance as neither man manages to knock the other to the ground. As Morgan is knocked around by Luffy, Helmeppo holds a gun to Koby's head and threatens to kill him. Koby tells Luffy to continue, but Luffy ignores him and lands a punch on Helmeppo. Morgan takes advantage of this to attack Luffy, but is defeated by Zoro.

Chapter 7
Morgan has been defeated; however, the Marines working for him would rather celebrate than worry about his loss. Due to his fatigue, Zoro finally collapses.

Back at Rika's home, Zoro is eating after going for nine days without food. Zoro asks Luffy what his plans are. Luffy states he wants to go to the Grand Line to find One Piece. Zoro questions why Koby is worried since he is not going with them. He replies that it is because they are friends. Zoro points out to Koby that his past with Alvida makes joining the Marines difficult as he has association with pirates.

Just then, the Marines enter the building demanding to know if Luffy and Zoro are pirates. After the pair confirms that they are, they are told as pirates the Marines are grateful for their help, but they cannot stay in town and must leave; however, the Marines will not be reporting the whole event to Marine Headquarters. Luffy and Zoro thank Rika's mother for the food.

Koby is left standing there alone and the Marines question whether he is with the pirates. Koby claims otherwise. As Luffy is asked if he knows Koby, Luffy goes on about how Koby used to be with Alvida. Angry that Luffy is telling the Marines what he does not want them to know, he hits him. With everyone watching in awe, Luffy begins to punch Koby for hitting him. After the Marines stop Luffy from fighting, Koby is declared not to be with the pirates. Luffy and Zoro are ordered to leave.

Lying on the ground, Koby brings his nerves together and declares he wants to join the Marines, even if it is just to do chores. The Marine in charge of the scene asks Koby if he really wants to join, the Marine acknowledges his past with pirates and agrees that Koby can join.

On the outskirts of the town, Zoro and Luffy are leaving. Koby suddenly catches their attention. Koby salutes the pirates; suddenly he becomes aware that the other Marines are also saluting them. As the two sail away in a small boat, the Marine in charge declares that they violated the Marine code of conduct and now must go one week without food, but not before commenting to Koby on how he has a good friend in Luffy.

Chapter 8
Zoro and Luffy are lost, starving at sea due to the fact that neither of them has any navigation skills. They are talking about how Zoro survives on the sea by hunting others. Zoro points how odd it is for a pirate like Luffy not being able to navigate, though Luffy states that wandering usually works for him. He then points out that Zoro is no different, given that he is a wandering bounty hunter. Zoro reveals that he never intended to become a bounty hunter in the first place when he first went out to sea, but entirely to search for a certain man. However, he then could not find his way back home. Due to this, he had no choice but to take up bounty hunting for a living. Luffy somewhat correctly comes to the conclusion that Zoro has been lost this whole time, which angers the swordsman who tells him to shut up. Some time passes and a bird flies overhead, causing a starving Luffy to go after it, which ends up with him in the bird's beak, being carried off with Zoro left to chase after him.

As Zoro rows as fast as he can, he comes across some castaways and tells them to grab on, as he is not stopping. When they are on board, they reveal that they are pirates working for Captain Buggy and that they were taking the boat. Zoro then reveals to them who he is by beating them. As they row him onwards the question of why they were in the middle of the ocean arises.

It turns out they were tricked by a girl on a boat, who stole their boat and treasure, leaving them to be sunk on her boat with help from a storm. Zoro wonders if a person like her who can predict the weather would join him and Luffy. One of Buggy's crew tells Zoro about their captain and how he has the power of a Devil Fruit.

Meanwhile, a girl in the nearby town is running from some of Buggy's crew after stealing their map to the Grand Line. Elsewhere Buggy's men report seeing a strange bird and Buggy gives the order to shoot it down. As the bird is hit, Luffy falls right in front of the girl. However, to the shock of the Superhuman Domingos, Luffy stands up unscathed.

The girl tries to claim Luffy is her boss in order to get out of trouble with the pirates and runs off, leaving Luffy to deal with them. One of Buggy's crew knocks Luffy's straw hat causing him to get mad. Luffy beats them up. After he is finished, the girl reappears claiming to be a thief who steals from pirates, called Nami.