Summary:
As the Donut Race continues, the Cutie Wagon (Porche, Capote & Monda) makes it to one of the more famous challenges of the race, the “Long Coral Area”. Manned by Nami, Usopp, and Nico Robin, Taru Tiger is hot on their heels with Usopp and Nami rowing. Itomimizu comments on how the sun’s heat adds to the challenges and flies overhead. Porche and Capote note that they need to catch up on the time they lost earlier in the race, while Nami, Usopp, and Robin note that the giant coral’s effect on the ocean currents will likely prompt caution. Itomimizu notices Foxy and Hamburg running along the coast and suggests that they are planning something for the race. Foxy tells Hamburg to get ahead of the competition.
Meanwhile, Luffy, still eager to fight the Foxy Pirates due to their trick in the Donut Race, is approached by their chef with an offer of food. Luffy seems almost helpless against the offer as he drools excessively over the dishes in front of him. Sanji receives admiration from several female Foxy Pirates, while Chopper is similarly upset by the sweets they offer him. Zoro has already been drinking too much rum with several Foxy Pirates, to the point where they need to bring him more.
The race takes an unexpected turn when Nami decides to slow down before entering the Long Coral Area, despite the Cutie Car driving ahead of them. This confuses Usopp, but Nami’s strategy is soon vindicated as Monda is shown to be unable to pull the Cutie Wagon through the Coral Region’s intense currents. Nami decides that now is the time for Tiger Taru to get moving, but as they move on, Robin notices a thick smoke filling the Coral Area. Itomimizu comments on Foxy’s clumsiness while also pointing out that Taru Tiger now runs the risk of bumping into something with every move. Foxy begins to revel in the success of his dastardly deed, but this is quickly cut short when he notices that Taru Tiger has made it through the smoke without a problem. Usopp now sails effortlessly through the Long Coral Area and points out that the ship moves on its own. Nami explains that the area is a maze of ocean currents, where a giant vortex behind the coral actually causes a chain of smaller eddies in the area. In this case, it was enough to determine the correct way to enter the area and the smoke would be insignificant. Usopp praises Nami’s abilities as a navigator, but Itomimizu reminds everyone of the giant vortex still ahead. Nami tells Usopp that they will need his Impact Dial again to keep them from being engulfed by the vortex, which further impresses Usopp with his navigator’s calm demeanor and foresight. Usopp complies and Taru Tiger is catapulted completely through the giant vortex and across a small strip of land, landing safely on the other side. Impressed by their success, Itomimizu wonders if it will mean a loss for the Cutie Wagon.
The Cutie Wagon improvises by getting Capote partially inside Monda’s mouth to improve their speed and maneuverability. They begin smashing the giant corals with brute force, quickly closing the gap between them and the Tiger Tara. As the Taru Tiger begins to move forward again, they notice a sign ahead telling them to “turn right”. Nami pretends to follow the instructions, only to promptly destroy the sign as they continue forward. Foxy is tricked again, this is “Boss Trick #18, Fake Sign Attack”. Itomimizu comments on Nami’s distrustful nature, earning a direct insult from her. Itomimizu also notes Nami’s profane comments before announcing that they are moving on to the next challenge, “Long Ripple”. This area is characterized by giant columns of water shooting out of the sea. Foxy tries a trickier tactic, pretending to be a weak old woman in need of help as Hamburg cries over him. Nami simply ignores him and tells him to stop his tricks, with Itomimizu now calling her heartless and cruel. Usopp notices the finish line ahead of them; however, Nami destroys her as they pass, noting that this is another trick by Foxy. Foxy is completely beside himself with Nami’s perception of his trick. Robin states that the true finish line must be close, and Usopp informs her and Nami that he will not be able to use the Impact Dial again. Itomimizu asks Nami again if she believes anything she sees, earning more insults from her. The Cutie Wagon stopped at a fake finish line, believing it to be real. Nami says that she wouldn’t be able to live with herself if she lost to idiots like the Foxy Pirates, and reminds Usopp and Robin that they’ll lose a crew member if that happens.
When the Cutie Wagon finally realizes its mistake, Itomimizu announces that it is approaching the Long Bamboo Shore. Nami notices that she can see the actual finish line, but also that they won’t outspeed the rapidly approaching Cutie Wagon. Nami points to the bamboo trees in the distance and asks Usopp to shoot some of them down. Porche orders Capote and Mondo to rush and destroy the Tara Tiger, but the falling bamboo trees critically injure Capote. In retaliation, Porche reveals his “Cutie Baton” and throws several rose-shaped shuriken at Tara Tiger. When the Straw Hats can’t dodge, the shurikens punch several holes into Taru Tiger. However, the Straw Hats are close enough to the finish line that they believe they can still make it through. Along the coast, Foxy brings the Hamburg closer to the Straw Hats and the Cutie Wagon races forward, leaving only Mondo swimming again. As the race reaches its highly anticipated conclusion, Luffy, Chopper, and Sanji cheer on their crewmates. Along the coast, the Foxy Pirates praise the Straw Hats for their efforts, but assure them that they won’t win despite appearances. In response to Luffy’s confusion, one of the Foxy Pirates explains that their captain has a Devil Fruit, just like Luffy. Foxy then fires her “Noro Noro Beam” at Tara Tiger as it approaches the finish line.