Show, Don't Tell.
I guess Oda didn’t get the memo.
Lots of telling in this chapter, huh? It’s all setting up the upcoming conflict and the big Elbaph flashback, of course. Let’s see: Ancient Giants, Loki, Hajrudin, Other Giant Nations, Linlin, Saul, King Harald, King Harald’s Baby Mommas… That’s a lot of ground to cover. Put me down for at least ten Elbaph flashback chapters.
…Oh, what the heck? Make it twelve chapters!
Hajrudin wants to be King of the Pir—erm—Giants. Can we please have a democracy somewhere in One Piece? No? Okay, then.
Also, for someone carrying foreign blood, Hajrudin had the people cheering him on after making his king declaration at the feast. What happened to all the MAGA Giants? Is there a proud giant stealthy waiting in the background to ask Hajrudin for his birth certificate? Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
I do like confirmation Giant territories exist outside Elbaph. Where are they? Are they part of the World Government? I hope those questions are answered soon.
One things for sure, Figarland Shamrock (Commander of the Holy Knights) wants Elbaph under World Government control, now! Loki would’ve been the best and quickest option. The hated prince joins the Holy Knights in exchange for him killing Luffy and taking Elbaph’s throne. Warland then comes under control of the World Government who now has an island full of giant “warrior” subject ready to do their bidding once all hell breaks loose because of the whole world-is-flooding-thing that’s happening. Looks like King Imu’s covering as many bases as he can. He may be a simp, but he’s a smart simp.
So, what’s Plan B for Shamrock? My guess it’s Uranus. Either Loki bends the knee or Elbaph gets blasted off the face of the planet. That would also help explain why the Holy Knights are on this mission and not World Government agents. You know…besides the demonic teleportation and joining the Holy Knight offer.
Gotta say, I wasn’t feeling the Holy Knights after their first introduction into the series, but now, I think I get it. Some information is too valuable for anyone outside of the Celestial Dragons to know. In those instances they have to do the work themselves. Now, if they could learn how to use a microwave and do their own laundry, the world would be a better place.
Despite all the telling and little showing, this was an okay chapter! It’s another buildup chapter to the upcoming conflict that seems to be closer than ever. The Straw Hats should be arriving in the Underworld soon—with Loki’s keys. And there’s a good chance Luffy will meet Shamrock. That’s gonna be an interesting interaction. Smooth, Oda. Luffy VS Shanks doesn’t make sense so you have Shanks’ twin brother be an antagonist instead. Yeah, I bet Oda patted himself on the back for a week after thinking that up. You sly bastard!
Mammoth Base Opera Castle 