Spoilers are ahead from One Piece season 2 episode 6!
Episode 5 of One Piece season 2 found the Straw Hats in serious trouble at Little Garden after Mr. 3 captured Nami, Miss Wednesday, and Zoro in his massive wax trap. Eventually, Usopp rises to the occasion and helps turn the tide. The Straw Hats then successfully defeat the Baroque Works agents before finally leaving the island and setting sail for Alabasta.
However, the fifth episode doesn’t end on a triumphant note. As the crew relaxes, Nami suddenly collapses on the ship's deck. What could be wrong with her? Let's move on to see how the second season continues to unfold with the sixth episode, titled "Nami Deerest."
The Straw Hats head to Drum Island
Episode 6 opens with Miss All Sunday talking with Wapol, aka the former king of Drum Kingdom, in the Baroque Works home base. Apparently, Wapol doesn't like Miss Wednesday, her father, or Alabasta. During this scene, we also learn that Wapol was exiled from Drum Island. He wants his kingdom back, and he's teamed up with Baroque Works to make this happen. However, he's not happy that the criminal organization still hasn't helped him reclaim his throne.
To calm Wapol, Miss All Sunday provides him with a Devil Fruit. She doesn't explain what power it holds, though. Wapol, being the greedy person he is, eats the fruit anyway. The sixth episode then cuts to the Going Merry. It's been four days since Nami passed out on the ship, and Sanji's been taking care of her.
Apparently, Nami has fallen ill with some unknown disease from Little Garden. Although the initial plan was to head to Alabasta, the Straw Hats decide to stop at the nearest island first to get Nami some help from a doctor. The first island they see is Drum Island. Miss Wednesday explains that the island is known for its medical expertise, but she doesn't seem to be happy about going there. She even mentions that it's probably best they keep her true identity a secret once they arrive. Why? Well, it's because Alabasta and Drum Kingdom have some bad history with each other regarding politics.
Remember how we said Wapol doesn't like Miss Wednesday? Well, she's scared that they might run into him there. The Straw Hats decide to still set sail for Drum Island anyway. In a flashback from 10 years ago, we see a young Miss Wednesday eavesdrop on a meeting at Pangaea Castle between the different kingdoms. Wapol is one of the kings in attendance, as well as Miss Wednesday's father, King Cobra. In this flashback, the two kings argue about how a kingdom should be run. This flashback was really just to show viewers how long the bad blood between Alabasta and Drum Kingdom has been going on.
Back in the present time, we're taken to a Marine Communications Outpost. Smoker and Tashigi are there to call the Marine fort to inform them that they have yet to find any members of Baroque Works. Smoker is ready to move on in search of the Straw Hats. As they make their way to the building, Tashigi trips over a dead Marine. Uh oh! Initially, they think it's the work of the Straw Hats. However, they soon find out that it's Baroque Works once they enter the building. Smoker and Tashigi even have to fight two Baroque Works agents, Miss Thursday and Mr. 13.
The Straw Hats finally make it to Drum Kingdom, but the residents aren't welcoming at first. They don't like pirates. They even shoot at them, and Miss Wednesday ends up hit. It's not until Miss Wednesday pretty much begs the residents to let them in that they finally give in. The first person they talk to when they enter the town is Dalton. He's the Captain of the Civilian Guard. He informs the Straw Hats about what happened to Drum Kingdom and why they no longer have a king.
After a pirate named Blackbeard laid siege to the village, Wapol and his soldiers fled and left the village defenseless. Sanji then asks Dalton if there are any doctors around, and Dalton explains that Wapol took most of the doctors with him except one. Her name is Kureha, and most townpeople call her a witch doctor. She lives in Drum Castle on top of the mountain. Dalton explains that she's the only person who can help Nami.
Tony Tony Chopper and Dr. Kureha are introduced
The Straw Hats want to take Nami to Dr. Kureha immediately, but Dalton advises them to wait until morning before attempting to journey up the mountain. However, the problem is that Nami desperately needs medical attention and may not have time to wait. Determined to save her, Luffy straps Nami to his back, and he and Sanji decide to make the dangerous journey up the mountain anyway by climbing it themselves.
It's a risky decision, but they know they can't afford to delay. They eventually make it to the top, but they have no energy left. As Luffy lies on the cold ground with Nami attached to his back, a furry beast stands before him. For those who read the One Piece manga and watched the anime, you'd recognize the red hat right away. It's Tony Tony Chopper! Meanwhile, the others stay in the town.
Zoro joins Dalton on guard watch. During their conversation, we learn from Dalton that the town is fearful that Wapol will eventually return and reclaim his throne. However, he hopes that one day they can build a peaceful nation. Zoro asks him if he's going to lead this "new nation," but Dalton tells him no. Instead, his aim is to protect the residents.
We're then taken inside Drum Castle, where Nami wakes up to find herself attached to an IV. She looks around and sees Sanji lying in a bed nearby. Suddenly, a small reindeer with a red top hat walks by. Remember, his name is Chopper. After Nami greets him, Chopper runs behind a pillar. They talk for a bit before Dr. Kureha walks into the room. Yes, Chopper can talk!
During this scene, Dr. Kureha reveals to Nami that she was bitten by a Kestia at Little Garden. It's an infectious tick whose bite infects its victim with virulent bacteria. Nami wants to leave and even tries to get out of bed, but Dr. Kureha refuses to let her go until she's fully recovered. Nami then asks Dr. Kureha about Luffy and Sanji. Apparently, Sanji suffered a couple of cracked ribs on his way up the mountain. Luffy, on the other hand, was really cold so Dr. Kureha put him in warm water to prevent hypothermia.
Luffy runs into the room while Dr. Kureha is explaining this to Nami. Sanji even gets out of bed and walks over to check on her. Where's Chopper? Well, he ran to hide behind something in the room when Luffy arrived. Dr. Kureha calls for him to show Sanji to the kitchen. This forces Chopper to come out of hiding. He responds to her and then leads the way. The sixth episode ends with Luffy in disbelief after seeing a talking reindeer.
One Piece season 2 episode 6 review
What's so great about episode 6 is that we finally get to meet two of the most beloved characters from the One Piece manga. That's Dr. Kureha and Tony Tony Chopper. The sixth episode wasn't the most interesting out of the bunch, but the brief introduction of these two fan favorites was enough to make it memorable. I knew that the next episode would explore these characters even more.
Besides seeing Dr. Kureha and Chopper, I also enjoyed learning about Alabasta's beef with Drum Kingdom. For those who read the manga, you'd know that there's a reason for the live-action series to give this backstory. It becomes more important later.
One Piece season 2 is available to watch on Netflix.