Writing super-smart characters is tough.
I’m no psychic, but I bet Oda wrote this chapter thinking how smart Dr. Vegapunk making plans to air the World Government’s dirty laundry if killed. The problem: It doesn’t fully make sense—at least to me.
1.) Why not directly state in your death message that you’re likely been killed by the World Government? That the reason this message exists is because you fear the wrath of the World Government. Now, the WG can spin the message by lying Warlord Luffy killed everyone’s beloved genius scientist.
2.) Dr. Vegapunk’s refusal to speculate on his personal theories and thoughts in his message. You don’t have to say you KNOW the WG has an Ancient Weapon. Just say that’s what you think. It’s okay to have opinions, Stella. You’re leaving a final message, not posting your dissertation. Say what have to say, promote your Pateron, then go away.
3.) Not capturing York is complete horsesh*t.. She’s a Vegapunk! You don’t know the extent of her plans. Capture her and keep her from causing anymore unforeseen damage!
4.) What the hell is brain stealth mode? That came out of nowhere. And if that’s a thing, why didn’t York account for that in her plans? Did she not know about it? You’d think she’d be constantly checking Punk Records for any indication someone discovered her shenanigans. Nope! Vegapunk Stella is a “bad liar” so that’s all she needed to look for. Really?!
This whole revealation ment to show Dr. Vegapunk(s) as a super genius who took the World Government down with him just doesn’t work for me. It’s brilliant—on the surface—but with so many plot holes and contrivances put in to make the overall plot work (like York being free to cause more chaos) and keep certain big mysteries from being revealed, it comes off as a plan made by your typical goofy cartoon scientist.
Dr. Vegapunk is just another One Piece character Oda thinks is too cool for the room but falls flat when looking past the surface. I don’t hate any of the Vegapunks, but I feel Oda had a good idea(s) but struggled with its/their execution.
The Cloud Plant being hinted to be humanity’s survival is interesting. Guess it’s up to Lilith to get that up and going somewhere else. She’ll need a lab. I’ll put my money on her going back to Vegapunk’s hometown or joining the Revolutionary Army so they can fund her new lab. Make that money, Lilith.
Dr. Vegapunk wanting to die was all part of his plan. Don’t blame Sanji for failing to save him. …Even though Vegapunk Stella didn’t remember his death would trigger a world-wide message. Uh-huh. Whatever. The more I talk about this chapter the more I’m fine with Doctor Dumbass being dead.
Where’s Admiral Kizaru? Hopefully, we’ll learn he didn’t get supreme king haki’d and just didn’t pursue the Straws Hats as a way of making up for killing Vegapunk. Generally, I’m looking forward to what Kizaru’s experiences on Egghead Island motivates him to do in the future in regards to his loyalty to the Five Elders or to the world at large.
I guess I didn’t like the chapter? I don’t hate it, but the Dr. Vegapunk(s) flashback left a bad taste in my mouth. Oda had to get from Point A to Point B but you can see the cracked wood in his foundation as he tries to make everything make sense while giving as little detail to the Void Century as possible. You held your cards too close this time, Oda. Reshuffle and try again in Elbaph. I’ll bring the pretzels and cheese sandwiches.
Mammoth Base Opera Castle 