When does Jinbe join the crew?

Monkey D. Luffy first asked Jinbe to be part of his Straw Hat Pirates crew in Episode 568 during the Fishman Island Arc, but Jinbe refused as he wanted to protect the people of Fishman Island. Jinbe officially joined the crew in Episode 876 during the conclusion of the Whole Cake Island arc. He formally became a member when he and the Sun Pirates adied the Straw Hats in escaping from Totto Land, Big Mom's territory.

Episode Number	Episode 876
Episode Name	The Man of Humanity and Justice- Jinbe, a Desperate Massive Ocean Current
Manga Chapter	Chapter 976

Summary of the Episode

When the Big Mom Pirates were near Cacao Island, they looked at the wreckage that was left of the Thousand Sunny and rejoiced in their victory. However, when they looked closer, they realized that the wreckage wasn't the Thousand Sunny, but the Sun Pirate's ship.

In a flashback, we can see that Aladine had ordered Wadatsumi to put their ship in the Sunny's place and the Sunny was pulled underwater into Wadatsumi's mouth at the last minute. The Big Mom Pirates don't waste any time and start going after the Straw Hats, but Wadatsumi stops them and holds them off until the Straw Hats get away. Before leaving, Wadatsumi thanks Jinbe, and he and the Sun Pirates protect Jinbe as a way of thanks for what he did for them in Fishman Island.

The Sun Pirates start fighting the Big Mom Pirates, but they're outnumbered by them and are eventually overwhelmed by the fleet’s cannon fire. Meanwhile on the Sunny, Jinbe tells Carrot and Luffy to drain any water that is flooding the ship and to repair the broken sails so that they could escape Totto Land as soon as possible. Jinbe is at edge and tells Luffy that he can't leave his old crew behind, and Luffy suggests that he also stay behind with him. Jinbe then tells Luffy that his crew won't come out alive if he doesn't help them escape the Big Mom Pirates and he wants to make sure that they are safe before he joins the Straw Hats. Luffy accepts his requests but reminds Jinbe that he is his captain and tells him to come back safely and join them in Wano Country at any cost. Jinbe agrees to this and thanks him, but he then leaves to defend his old crew.

Highlights of the Episode

The highlight of this episode was the scene when the Sun Pirates saved Jinbe and the Straw Hats, and the moment of friendship between Wadatsumi and Jinbe, where he thanked Jinbe for all his service.
Secondly, it was heart-touching seeing Luffy respect Jinbe’s last request and to show concern for Jinbe.