Eiichiro Oda's One Piece has become a true juggernaut of the shonen manga/anime world, with over a thousand chapters, countless exciting characters, and many intriguing plot threads that tie together into an expansive narrative. But it all had to start somewhere, with protagonist Monkey D. Luffy's adventure beginning in his native East Blue.

One Piece's first 100 chapters made up the "East Blue" saga, the formative period for Luffy's new pirate crew under the Straw Hat Jolly Roger. After so many years and chapters, longtime fans might have forgotten just how impactful this saga's best surprises and developments were, especially for the time. Many of those early twists didn't just impact the immediate story; they also hinted at the many adventures to come.

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When Red-Haired Shanks Gave Luffy His Straw Hat

Shanks Gives Luffy His Hat In One Piece

The very short Romance Dawn storyline introduced two of One Piece's most vital and beloved characters: young protagonist Monkey D. Luffy and the famed pirate captain Red-Haired Shanks. Back then Shanks was known for his stylish straw hat, his personal treasure. The "East Blue" saga established that treasure is more than gold and jewels -- it's the sentimental value of a hat, a town, or even a sword.

That straw hat became Luffy's and Shanks' shared treasure right away, carrying with it a promise that Luffy would become a great pirate himself someday and return the hat to Shanks. Luffy's grand pirate adventure truly began that day, even if he didn't obtain a ship or crew until years later. That hat also symbolized the power of interpersonal faith in the "East Blue" saga, with Shanks lending his treasure to a mere kid and expecting to get it back someday.

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When the Straw Hats Obtained the Going Merry

The Straw Hats' Original Ship

After Luffy, Zoro and Nami helped save Syrup Village and Kaya from the wrath of Captain Kuro, the locals felt they owed the tiny Straw Hat crew a reward for all their hard work. Luffy had already voiced his interest in getting a proper pirate ship, a serious upgrade over the small boats he had been using until then. So the ship's designer, the lamb-like Merry, presented the Going Merry to Luffy's four-person crew.

This was a huge win for Luffy, but not just for the sake of transportation and navigation. The Going Merry is effectively another crew member and friend in its own right, feeling like its own character at times. Luffy made a huge wooden friend that day, and that's why he mourned when he and the Straw Hats finally had to burn it down much later in One Piece.

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When Roronoa Zoro Lost to Dracule Mihawk

zoro fighting mihawk in one piece

The famed swordsman Dracule Mihawk showed up on his small boat during the "Baratie" story arc, the fourth in the "East Blue" saga. Luffy's first recruit, Roronoa Zoro, immediately recognized him as a worthy rival and challenged him. The fight against Don Krieg's pirate crew was effectively put on hold as Zoro crossed blades with Mihawk -- only to lose badly to the latter's small, dagger-like sword.

On one level, this humiliating defeat galvanized Zoro's will and inspired him to push himself to become the world's new #1 swordsman. On another level, this beatdown foreshadowed the formidable strength of typical Grand Line pirates and warriors, an ominous sign of what was to come. This was just one of many examples of the "East Blue" saga setting up the Grand Line as the scariest place in the whole world of One Piece.

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When Nami Officially Joined Luffy's Crew As The Navigator

Nami cries when she asks luffy for aid

Luffy believed Nami was his official crewmate after Buggy the Clown's defeat in Orange Town, but not so fast; Nami was just using him for his treasure, seeking to save up 100 million berries to buy Coco Village back from the fearsome "Saw-Tooth" Arlong. Nami sold out the Straw Hats in Arlong Park and put the needs of her village first, but her slippery, roguish ways soon came to an end.

The "East Blue" saga's most dramatic, heartfelt moment came when a tearful, desperate Nami asked Luffy to help, and he obliged. Arlong had double-crossed Nami, meaning she no longer had a reason to work with him at Luffy's expense. Once the island was freed and Arlong defeated, Nami learned that friendship is a priceless treasure in its own right, and resolved to sail with Luffy so she could draw an incredible map of the whole world.

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When Monkey D. Dragon Saved Luffy From Captain Smoker

Dragon Saves Luffy From Smoker

One Piece's "East Blue" saga concluded with the brief "Loguetown" story arc, the last stop before the Straw Hats departed for the Grand Line. Quite a few important characters were introduced here, including a major player: Monkey D. Dragon himself. Dragon's true identity and importance were kept secret in this arc, but he did help Luffy escape capture in a vital twist to this storyline.

This event also proved that for all his strength and his growing crew, Luffy still had a long way to go as a small fish in a big sea. It was like a last-minute moment of foreshadowing warning Luffy and fans alike of the vast, treacherous oceans that lay ahead.