Category: One Piece

What an emotional roller coaster! Been a while since a character died in One Piece I was genuinely sad about. And, it happened in the present. With NO ambiguity! Bravo, Oda.

Tonoyasu AKA Daimyo Yasuie Shimotsuki has truly kicked off the beginning of the end for Shogun Orochi. Safe to say he let himself get captured all so he could fix the Alliance’s plan and cause massive damage Orochi. Off the top of my head, this is what Tonoyasu did:

-Made Orochi look like a paranoid idiot.

-Guaranteed the Wano alliance recruits will be released.

-Gave them a new gathering spot.

-Reminded all of Wano what a piece of garbage Orochi is, bringing most or all on the Alliance’s side.

-Shutenmaru is closer to fighting alongside to Alliance.

-Died in front of his daughter.

I feel a lot has happened, but at the same time, it didn’t.

Let’s talk about the biggest revelation this chapter, Tonoyasu is Lord Yasuie, an old ally of Oden Kozuki. So, he’s not Denjiro. Hm. Where the hell is Denjiro? Anyway, Tonoyasu is also Ushimitsu Kozo AKA the Robin Hood of Wano so now the citizens are double upset over his capture and Komurasaki’s death. Things aren’t looking too good for Tonoyasu. Is he really dying? Sure, it’s possible. If Oda wants to make him a martyr, then yeah. On the other hand, Zoro and Brook are heading to the Flower Capital and Law’s already there so whether Tonoyasu’s saved or not, there’s a fight a-brewing.

Shutenmaru’s on his own journey to Bakura Town to payback Holdem for setting fire to his territory. Another potential battle hotspot is cooking. Especially, if Kin’emon and Dogstorm are headed there to try recruiting him again.

I need more. No, not more Brad Pitt. More information on the Meta Liberation Army.

For example, how “free” do they want people to be able to use their quirks? Are we talking using quirks in public in everyday life or are we talking no limit shoot blast kaboom chaos? It’s not clear what restrictions, if any, the Liberation Army wants. As I said in past reviews, most folks these days would probably support legal quirk use in public as long as it doesn’t infringe on anyone else. So, why revive the cause as an army again? My guess is blind faith in the original Destro’s ideals.

Think about it, generations ago, mysterious quirks are popping up all around the world out of nowhere, the number of people with them growing more every day. I think the Japanese government wanted civil order and they wanted it immediately. That’s where the no quirks in public law came from, in my opinion. But, thinking about it from that perspective makes that law obsolete today. Civil order has long since been reestablished. We now have heroes and quirk usage is normal in today’s society. Japan can handle more relaxed quirk laws. That’s what’s so frustrating about the Liberation Army. If they’d just abandon Destro’s militant ways and forge ahead using public opinion, propaganda, and lobbying as their weapons they could change the laws legally! Their extremist ideas are killing their cause and all because Destro’s descendant wants to do things the old fashioned way. It’s a shame, and I hope there’s someone in the organization who realizes this method of violence won’t get them anywhere.

So, everyone just let Law go to save his crew alone. Jerks.

Oda gave us one of the most real moments in One Piece history: forgetting an old acquaintance. Solid. So, who is Tonoyasu? My guess he’s the last samurai the Alliance is looking for, Denjiro. He’s basically hiding in plain sight. Maybe he used a ninja art to hide his true appearance or used his devil fruit power if he has one. This also explains why Komurasaki and Toko are so close, seeing as their fathers were friends.

Ah, yes. Oda continues cleaning up Komurasaki’s shitty old behavior by making the guys who lost everything total sleezebags. I’m fine with it. We already knew one of them sold their family for money so it makes sense.

Oh, Caribou. Stick that quarter up your butt now because you’re playing yourself. And, nice twist on the labor camps being full of those hating Orochi and Kaidou’s guts. Yep. Instead of escaping, Luffy and friends (plus Chopper’s team) are going turn Udon into a battlefield. Guess this is where we’re getting our big fights and where we’ll close out Wano Part Two. Whether it’s Luffy or Big Mom or Kawamatsu, Queen is getting his ass handed to him before the prison arc ends.

Ah! So that’s why Luffy wants to learn that haki hand attack. No, he doesn’t want to beat Kaidou, he wants to sell out stadiums.

Okay. Okay. I admit Komurasaki’s reasons for taking a risk in telling Zoro her secret made sense. The Kozuki prophecy is coming and Zoro, being a foreigner, could mean he’s there as an ally. If not, then he’d be one of Kaidou’s goons, right? So, yeah. You get props Komurasaki. Good call.

Who the heck is Kikunojo? Could it be Tonoyasu in disguise? I wouldn’t be surprised. Well, at least Zoro’s getting healed so he’ll go into his next fight at 100%, maybe.

Fukurokuju and Kaidou’s forces are rounding up more and more Kozuki allies. Yep, they’re all being kept in one place together along with Bepo and the rest of the captured Heart Pirates. Would be pretty cool if Law and a Strawhat member or two freed them all. But, I’m sure there’s no way that’s happening. *goes on Law/Franky/Usopp team up watch*

That was the secret? That’s like saying Scooby Doo being afraid of ghosts was a secret. Ugh, before we go there let’s—

No! Screw it, I’m talking about it now. The game-changing final page secret: Komurasaki is Hiyori, Momonosuke’s missing little sister.

I’m mean, who the hell else could it be? Toko? Tama? Kin’emon’s wife? Komurasaki was the only candidate. No red herrings. No way the character couldn’t be someone of importance. This wasn’t worth a final page reveal. And, why did she drop that secret on Zoro? Okay, he saved her life. That’s great, but if someone pulled me away if I collapsed in the middle of the street I’m not giving them my credit card number. It was so hamfisted. Oda, you’re better than that. Did you want to go to the movies and just rushed this chapter out? It’s okay, you can tell me. Call me.

Keeping building up that Big Mom oshiruko rage mode, Oda. At least, I think that’s gonna happen. You’ve been very subtle about it. What, with showing how hungry Big Mom is, mentioning how good oshiruko is, and coincidentally having it be Queen’s favorite dish. It’s a wonder how anyone could’ve figured it out.

Ah! So it’s not just physical strength, Luffy wants to improve his haki too. Nice. Good to see the guy putting his all into getting stronger. I like where this is going. Luffy’s got physical strength, yeah, but he needs to master his techniques to become Pirate King. I’m talking about not only becoming a master at using haki, but Luffy using his rubber abilities to their fullest. So, will Luffy awaken his devil fruit power against Kaido? I can see it happening. Not so much mastering it, but maybe mixing it with his improved haki techniques to deliver a few good blows.

Does Old Man Hyo know Rayleigh? Gol D. Roger and his crew traveling to Wano would make sense, either on their first or second trip around the world, probably both. It’s crazy how important Hyo is to the story now. He’s the key to gathering a big resistance force and now could give Luffy some extremely important information regarding something poneglyph and/or Roger Pirates related. Wait a minute. Is Hyogoro a former member of the Roger Pirates? Not sure if the timeline matches up there, but I’m guessing he at least met them.

I refuse to discuss the logistics of how a guy chained inside a cell twenty-four/seven for over a decade cannot be surrounded by urine and feces.

Raizo discovers his old ally, Kawamatsu, is alive. Start the hype clock on that. Oh, wait, it’s already ticking for Queen. I love him. He’s so much fun and laid back. I mean, yeah, he freaks out a bit, but it never seems like he’s not in control. He’s the type of guy you want to go to Vegas with. Call me, bro. We’ll go halfsies on a hotel room. I’ll bring my Switch.

Luffy Supreme King Hakis the small fry and I love it. He’s fully mastered that ability and isn’t trying to waste time on the peanut gallery. So how will Luffy get he killer necklaces off? Kawamatsu will cut them off I’m guessing. Also, wonder if Luffy will get his wish and fight Queen. Sure, if Oda wants to “Bueno” Queen, but I think Oda’s saving his big fight for later. Maybe we’ll get a taste of what Queen can do, but nothing major.

♪Is this the real life?♪ No. ♪Is this just fantasy?♪ Yes, it’s called One Piece. Let’s talk about Queen the Plague.

He’s awesome. There. That’s really all that needs to be said. He has a great design, has a fun personality, but you can just tell if he got serious, you’d be in big trouble. Also, he’s got a 1.32 billion bounty, so yeah, he’s a monster. We’re just waiting for him to go Super Saiyan. And, since no one’s told him Komurasaki’s dead— Oh! Excuse me, I meant “dead”, we’ll see him lash out at someone eventually. Presumingly, it’ll be Kyoshiro, the guy who “killed” Queen’s crush.

The Viz version spelled it sunach, but a scanlation spelled it snatch. I can’t be the only one who first thought Kiku was upset because Momo was basically yelling pussy.

Why is it important we know the old man is Hyogoro the Flower? Well, it’s not, right now. But, we know he was the gangster back in the day. And, he’s in prison for a reason. And, I doubt it’s only because he’s a gangster. Ties to the Kazuki Family? To Kyoshiro? Well, that’s for the Wano flashback to reveal.

Thank you, Chopper, for bringing up Big Mom’s hat, Napoleon, isn’t talking. What’s up with that? It can’t be because BM’s soul is connected to it, because why wasn’t Zeus affected? Unless the palace party took place before Big Mom fell into the sea. I don’t get it. I also don’t get how Kid escaped. Yeah, he and Luffy were rebuilding their strength (increasing it I’d even say) so I’m sure Kid left when he felt he was strong enough for a round two against Kaido. The only reason Luffy’s probably still there is to do even more training and wait for Raizo to give him the key. Not sure what’s Kid’s plan for getting the cuffs off. Unless… he’s hiding on the premises. Waiting for his chance to get the sea stone key!