Netflix’s One Piece season 1 subtly set up one of the biggest moments from the Water Seven arc and set the stage for Luffy and Usopp’s divisive scene.

One Piece season 1 subtly sets up Luffy and Usopp’s controversial moment regarding the Going Merry, one of the saddest scenes in the series that will eventually happen in the live-action adaptation. Considering how faithful to the manga Netflix’s One Piece was, it is safe to say the show will continue to follow the source material closely. While Water Seven and Enies Lobby may only happen in season 3, key elements from those arcs have already been hinted at.

Netflix’s live-action version of One Piece did a great job of bringing the world created by Eiichiro Oda. More importantly, the show kept the essence of all One Piece characters, from the Straw Hats to the villains and allies. For example, the friendship between Usopp and Luffy, which will continue to be developed in One Piece season 2, perfectly sets the stage for their upcoming fallout.

One Piece Episode 4 Sets Up Usopp Leaving The Straw Hats Over The Going Merry

The episode in which Usopp leaves the Straw Hats due to a disagreement with Luffy over what to do with the Going Merry is one of the saddest moments in the original series. The Straw Hats had just learned the news that the Going Merry was doomed and that they would have to find another ship. Luffy eventually agreed that it was time to let go of the Going Merry and get a new ship, which Usopp would not accept. Not only was Usopp the one responsible for repairing the Going Merry whenever it needed, but he also had a personal connection to the ship – it was a gift from Kaya.

Netflix’s One Piece season 1 subtly made Usopp’s connection to the Going Merry even stronger. In One Piece episode 4, which covered part of the Syrup Village arc, Usopp is cleaning the Going Merry. As revealed later by Kaya, Usopp had been working at the shipyard since his mother died several years ago. In other words, Usopp must have seen the construction of the Going Merry and was now regularly working on that ship. As such, in addition to all the adventures Usopp and the Straw Hats will go through with the help of the Going Merry, Usopp’s childhood memories from the ship will play a role in his affection towards it.

Luffy vs. Usopp Over The Going Merry Will Likely Happen In One Piece Season 3

Considering that One Piece season 1’s ending matched episode 45 of the One Piece anime, it can be assumed that each season will cover roughly 50 episodes of the original show. It must be noted that, while the One Piece showrunners envision a 12-season future for the series, it has only been renewed for season 2 as of now. That said, assuming One Piece continues beyond season 2, the Luffy vs. Usopp fight will likely happen in One Piece season 3. The next season will cover the Arabasta Saga, likely going from the Loguetown arc to the fight between Luffy and Crocodile.

If so, the events of One Piece’s Water Seven arc will happen in the third season of Netflix’s live-action adaptation. By then, the show will have been able to create a strong bond between audiences and the Straw Hats, just like the anime did. In addition, viewers will have followed Luffy and Usopp’s friendship for several episodes. This will add even more weight to the fight between Usopp and Luffy over what to do with the Going Merry, especially if the live-action series nails the emotional buildup ahead of this important scene. One Piece season 1 introduced the Going Merry, and the eventual end of the ship’s life will be quite sad.