A group of people trying to be superstars, learning different things and changing their looks to wow people all so they can perform on stage (or procession in this case). Yeah, it’s basically that show. Good on you, Oda.
Cat Viper, Dogstorm and Kawatmatsu join the Oden Party. We’re reminded of the pact between the Kozuki Clan and Minks. Yep, something serious went down hundreds of years ago. Can you say Void Century? You can? Well, excuuuse me. Moving on.
We see the full scene of Oden’s vassals getting caught and offered the money they were trying to steal from Lord Yasuie. It all ends up being an investment on his part to turn a bunch of thugs not only into proper vassals but the protectors of Wano as a whole. Talk about seeing the big picture. See kids? That’s the difference between being a proper investor and playing the lottery. Stupid scratch-off tickets always giving me 2 gold bars. I’m so close to winning! …Ahem! Moving on.
We learn Orochi’s no longer Yasuie’s attendant and is working for Lord Sukiyaki, poisoning the crap out of him. Okay, that last part’s not confirmed but we know that’s what’s happening. The slimeball also keeps begging for money from Oden. So what’s all this money for? What’s he trying to buy? Poison? People through bribes? Information? Weapons? Well, it ain’t a Disney+ subscription I can tell you that (He stole Yasuie’s password.).
Okay, so everything’s good. Wano and Team Oden’s fine and out of nowhere, freaking Whitebeard and the Whitebeard Pirates show up! They’re shipwrecked and while I’m basking in their glow, here comes Oden stinking up the scene, making everything about him! (I’m such a jerk to Oden, ain’t I?) Whitebeard senses how powerful he is [insert eyerolling] and is shocked to hear the Lord of Kuri wants to bum a ride off Wano. Slacker! It’s called an Uber, Oden. Look it up!
This was a good chapter. I know, I’m shocked too. No, no, I know why. It’s because it wasn’t all about Oden. We now know how Oden met Whitebeard, so that’s one mystery down. Just need to know how he got caught up with Gol D. Roger and we’re all set. Well, not really. We still don’t know about Lady Toki. Hmm, my guess is she isn’t a Wano native. Oden probably meets her outside the country and brings her back with him before heading out again at some later point.
Glad I’m finally enjoying the flashback. Hard not to with all the cameos. Next week, keep an eye out for Oden meeting Teach, King Neptune, and Michelle Obama. Just kidding! He’s never meeting King Neptune.
Mammoth Base Opera Castle 
2 replies on “Kozuki Oden’s Drag Race [One Piece 963]”
One of my big take away’s from the chapter was how sparring Oda was with the “Kill Card.” In a series like “Dragon Ball,” death can be walked back easy. In “Death Note;” people drop like flies. But in “One Piece;” Oda is very sparring, only killing off characters when it’s important. Which can kind of kill the vibe(no pun intended). Like when Pell survived that explosion in Alabasta, or how Conis’ dad survive Eneru’s electric blast. Very sparing!
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I love that Oda saves death for when it matters. My only problem is when he sets up something really horrible happening to a character only for them to impossibly survive it off-screen.
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