Another week break extended by TCB not uploading when they usually do. Remember when they'd release on Thursdays? Those were the days.
But One Piece is back and things are looking bad, Luffy is stabbed by a disappointed Imu, being extremely outmatched in his strongest form. The tide in Elbaf seems to turn in favour of the enemy, but will it stay that way?
We can only find out by reading.
Spoilers for the Chapter, Support the Official Release too
Our cover page is of Nami angry at her paint-covered (judging by the paint can) laundry with 3 paint-covered monkeys doing the see/hear/speak no evil
The monkeys are also the Monster Trio; Luffy's see no evil with the Gear Fifth pose, Zoro is speak no evil and Sanji is hear no evil simping over Nami
Author's note also has Oda giving some praise to the Heroines episode that released a few weeks ago, having watched it with his daughter who loved it - hopefully we'll see more of the short stories done
But right back to where we were, Luffy reels from the impaling
And Imu isn't done, driving the sword (Vohu) into a branch to pin Luffy to it
From afar, Usopp's seldom-used Observation Haki pings
I've heard fandom be a bit salty about that tbf, but those same people are quick to make something of Sanji waking up in the scene after Luffy went Gear Fifth in Wano...
Nami asks what's wrong, as Usopp expresses worry for Luffy
Nami refutes his worries as ominous, but Jinbe does remind her that his opponent also defeated a giant
Tsundere Loki is quick to claim he's not yet defeated, but his claims are ignored, Jinbe can only say that Luffy's haki has weakened right now
Franky and Brook tend to Gunko/Shuri, fully out of the ice (Oda why can't you let Usopp just use Ragnir, it'd be cool I promise!)
Franky warns Brook against warming her too quickly - legitimate reason, heating someone up too quickly can lead to shock - but Brook reminds him that he has no body heat - another callback to Wano
Brook asks Gunko/Shuri for answers about what happened in the past, but she's yet to come to
Ragnir seems angry but the crew don't understand him, Usopp's also on guard unless Gunko awakens rather than Shuri
From afar though, Hajrudin is hastily rowing on a Svard towards them - crashing into the already injured Loki
I feel like Loki's been just as damaged by his allies than his enemies at this point XD
Chopper and Gerd are here too, the former using Guard point to prevent the latter's collision into Loki's groin, the Svard is split in half by hitting Loki's face which sends Hajrudin toppling
Gerd thanks Chopper for the save, but then immediately tends to Loki while Chopper's doing his 'that doesn't make me happy' dance
Gerd worries about Loki's blood loss, but Loki points out that she's done more damage and demands to know why they're here
We the audience are told through Hajrudin's flashback, Jarul telling him to back up Loki
Hajrudin wanted to save the kids, but Jarul points out that saving the kids is just a smaller step to the enemy's wider goal, and that Imu (that man) is at the heart of it
Hajrudin asks Loki if he has any idea who Imu is, and surprisingly Loki does
Back with Imu, they reveal that Vohu feeds on life force - which is ominous given how much Luffy cut his own lifespan pre-Timeskip
They also draw another sword, asking how many slashes he can endure before dying
Imu says that Luffy's name is detestable to him - because of the D. - but also drags Luffy's brothers into it too; one killed by the navy and another a revolutionary
Luffy's expression turns into a glare, but he's stabbed by the other sword: Fragarach
Mythology Lore time because I know about Fragarach: Irish myth this one, 'The Retaliator' is an apt title for the situation, this is the sword of the Irish sea god Manann, designed to weaken its foes and pierce through any armour. The first high king Nuada gave the sword among other objects from the otherworld to Lugh, his chosen successor, before battling the Fomarions and the Demon King Balor
Ironically Lugh never really used Fragarach, he favoured his flaming sentient spear Lúin of Celtchar and 'Lugh's Chain'; a rainbow/milky way sling which he used to strike Balor's eye
But given Imu's weapon names we've had Aztec (Tzitzimitl), Greek (Nemesis), Hebrew (Vohu), Norse (Garam/Gram) and now Irish deities, we have a little pattern with Imu's weapon names, not all seem to be connected to the sun though
Side Sidebar: Vohu meanwhile was Hebrew for the pre-light void, maybe it's taking from all gods since Fragarach = Sea God = Zaza?
Imu continues to mock Luffy and his siblings as we go back to Loki
Loki reveals that Shanks warned him about Imu, flashing back to the post-Harald death interaction
There Shanks noted that Loki wasn't strong enough, which Loki mistook as him saying not to try and avenge his father - before Shanks elaborates
Shanks tries to have Loki prepare for war, given that the WG attempted to take over Elbaf through Harald, but Loki refuses stating that he's only after revenge
Shanks tries to rationalize with him, noting that his enemy is the World Government, and thus the one who tried to control Harald was the King of the World
Jarul is shocked that there's such a being, since it contradicts the foundation of the World Government
It also seems that Gaban tried to dissuade him from further elaboration but Loki dismisses the threat as simply a 'secret king' to kill
Shanks notes that he's sensed Imu's power already and it's immeasurable, noting - with an image of Rocks to double down - that only one was able to make it far enough to be in a room with them, so they can't rush in
Is this why Shanks has been biding his time I wonder? Is chasing the One Piece now what's needed to push Luffy to the level of facing Imu together?
Loki brushes off the warnings again, Jarul tells him not to be stupid but the flashback ends before any follow up
Loki in present notes that he left the country, but was never able to make it to Imu, however, he also frames Imu's arrival as an opportunity to face them
Hajrudin calls Loki simple minded, but he doesn't disagree, insisting that he'll take down their father's enemy
The rest of the Straw Hats - sans Brook and Chopper - absorb the new information, wondering what role the Gorosei serve then
Brook and Chopper aren't listening because Brook is trying to ward off Ragnir while Chopper translates, with Ragnir noting that she's dangerous
Brook snaps back that it's not her fault and that she was controlled, claiming Shuri was like a daughter to him - which confuses Ragnir
Anyone else a little worried about how hard we're drilling in the 'she wasn't in her right mind' thing? I mean she was Domi Reversi'd and we've seen Shuri break out from Gunko but idk it feels like Oda's setting something up
Robin's back! Wifey! It's been too long! Well, half of her, she's done her Dressrosa thing of appearing
She asks for Chopper to come to the library, where Saul is also waving him over, what for however she does not say
Back with Imu and now they've pulled out an axe, seeming almost apologetic that this is the next weapon
The Axe is called Xingtian, there's no further explanation though
Lore time part 2, sponsored by google searching without AI: unsurprisingly from Chinese myth, Xingtian means 'Punishing Heaven', and was a divine being that fights the Supreme Divinity, refusing to give up even when decapitated. It got beheaded but still fights 'with its nipples as eyes and belly button as a mouth'
Given that description I would suppose the axe is designed to leave you alive
Over to Zoro vs Super Sommers, Zoro uses 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation - the same technique he beat King with, but Sommers invokes Gram
Sommers reveals the truth behind Imu's weapons; these swords (and axe) are from the 19 kings around the empty throne
The wording that the 19 kings made a vow makes it sound very much like a Covenant. Thinking about it, Imu could make 13 God's Knights right? plus the 5 Gorosei, can Imu's contract limit be in relation to the 19 (intended 20) they made with the Kings?
Sommers knocks Zoro back, gloating that when Imu revived them with Omen they gave them access to the weapons (in power I would suspect since Gram before was a twin blade in Imu's hands and Sommers' sword hasn't changed)
Sommers also names some other swords; Iohu, Longinus, Muramasa (Bohu is probably Vohu)
I can't figure out Iohu - unless that's Tohu to relate to 'Tohu wa Bohu' though the exclamation point cuts it off - but I do know Longinus and Muramasa
Lore Corner #3: Longinus was the Roman soldier from Christianity that stabs Jesus on the cross, the spear he uses is called the Holy Lance/Spear of Destiny. The reason why a man stabbing Jesus is revered is because Longinus was blind and Jesus' blood from the wound cured him, which converted him to Christianity
Muramasa is Japanese ofc, a common name usage like Hattori Hanzo, Sengo Muramasa was a renowned swordsmith; blades known for exquisite sharpness though his swords were favoured by Ieyasu, his katanas were an anti-Tokugawa symbol (a Muramasa was used in the deaths of Ieyasu's father, grandfather and son) and thus mythologized as demonic blades, claiming the swords were cursed
Also for comic nerds a Muramasa blade was one of the few weapons that could cut through Adamantium
Sommers also claims that Gram is the sword of House Shepherd, so it's his family blade
At the same time, Killingham invokes his family 'sword', the spear Longinus
Seeing it here it's possible that simply Sommers replaced the hilt because Killingham's weapon no longer looks like a trident
Back to Imu and Luffy, Imu claims that Luffy should be honoured to die at his hand
But before the final strike Gaban swoops in! There's only room for one axe wielder I guess
Another break next week before a big 1190
Oda, sir, we need to talk about your breaks.
Rest is important for sure, and last week's break made sense for the cliffhanger but also, COME ON MAN! We wanna see what's next!
I would rather we just announce a 2 week break and get 3 consecutive chapters than get a week break between 2 chapters, that might be just me but the breaks do hamper the pace a little.
Pushing that aside for now we also need to talk about Usopp, you keep giving us tiny crumbs but not the full meal with him. He can sense something's wrong with Luffy but what is he gonna do about it?
Hell what is Luffy gonna do right now? He's double pinned to a wall right now - so much for a nice 29th birthday for him eh? XD His life force might be draining (though I think Vohu might drain per slash) Gear Fifth is still on a timer, and Imu is talking ill about his brothers. Again I don't think Luffy needs to win, but he needs to stand his ground because if a non-100% Gaban is holding the line we need something fast. Hajrudin also looks to join the fight which worries me, one of those two just waved a massive death flag. I am glad at least Oda's choosing to give them something to do, but I also think that fighting Imu is beyond Hajrudin's skill, unless he wields Ragnir as well or taps into the same grit he used to beat Machvise it can go real badly for him and I kinda want him to prove himself still.
I'm on the fence with Chopper and Gerd's arrival too; one would make more sense since both were tending to the wounded in Ouest village. Ripley and the other parents/guardians were risking reopening their wounds to fight Zaza and we're just letting both doctors go to the other side of the branch? Seems too risky, Ripley's hot ass better not die. Chopper being called over to Robin in the library is curious though, does she need him to talk to Biblo maybe? She seems rather calm right now so I'm hoping this leads to something tangible for Robin and Chopper.
I've spoken already on my wondering about Shanks' endgame, but I do wonder if Jarul's presence in the chapter will amount to something too, he is the senior figure and will probably have to die if Hajrudin takes the throne? Does he pull out the sword in his head to fight Zaza? It's a strange one with her because putting Killingham on the ropes will make her less in his control but right now there are few names that can rise to the occasion in warding her off now that Chopper and Hajrudin have left the village.
Brook and Gunko/Shuri seems delayed until she wakes, Brook defending her from Ragnir does show his seriousness but again, what will it amount to? I fear Oda's gonna try and turn things and maybe we have to fight a weakened Gunko to break Shuri out a bit more, it'd at least give Brook a proper fight but we're still without something for Jinbe, Nami and Usopp - now that Gerd's protecting Loki at least.
Outside of Luffy needing to step up, I love the idea of Imu using weapons from the 19 kingdoms. It continues to show the levels the Void Century were fighting at, Imu needed all of this to defeat Joy Boy. I have to wonder as well if the Nefertari have a weapon of similar power? Or was Pluton their weapon? Are the Ancient Weapons the weapons of Joy Boy's allies? Also does that mean there are unused/unconfirmed Manmayer, Satchels, Figarland, Rosward, Bavette, and Donquixote weapons (not to mention Topman, Markus, Jay Garcia and Ethan Baron families)? Is Shamrock's Cerberus the Figarland one? would Doflamingo if given the chance to return to Marejois like he wanted wield his family's weapon? Is V. Nusjuro's the Shodai Kitetsu or is there something stronger out there?
Tangenting a little but while we're on Imu I don't quite buy this parrot theory that gains traction, not quite yet at least this just feels like hearing hoofbeats and expecting a zebra rather than a horse. I also don't think that we can do another timeskip right now, because that'd mean changing the board we've already been setting up and shaking up since we got back. Shanks is after the One Piece, the Cross Guild are targeting the Marines, the Revolutionary Army are active, the Celestial Dragons are starving, York is building the Mother Flame to use the superweapon with, Vegapunk's message does not allow for us to take several years off to train, I don't think it should be done - nor should we pull out some Hyperbolic Time Chamber stuff - we need to build on the strengths we have right now and genuinely work on them rather than skip over the hard work. Which does lead into my next thing.
There's also another reason I like that it's from the 19 kingdoms and it's that this power doesn't fully belong to Imu. While the weapons may be inherent to the Shepherd and Rimoshifu family name, Zoro and Sanji hone their strength from their adopted family name; for Sanji it's Zeff and his fighting style and for Zoro the Shimotsuki blades (via Wado and Enma), but it's weapons they've honed to themselves, it's not borrowed power like Sommers and Killingham, and that may be the decisive factor.
Also also, I feel a little vindicated because I was partly right, Imu's omen is transporting weapons from a cache of sorts, and probably using his powers to empower them further and give them sentience. So I'm gonna take that as a win. Plus I like being the DiCaprio meme when I recognize the weapon names.
That said a win is what the Giants and Straw Hats need right now, we have another break to wait and see if Gaban can provide that opening. Luffy's pinned down but he's still wriggling, there's fight in him yet
So last night during EVO tournament series top 6 for Street Fighter 3 Third Strike, Social media was abuzz about the 40-year Japanese player known as Hayao for a) playing the low-tier character Hugo, b) pulling off an insanely technical comeback moment, and c) doing wild JoJo poses and Wotagei dances whenever he won:
(Note: he is so flexible that in the photo above he easily went from standing, into the pose, and back to standing like it was nothing without his arms even touching anything.)
He even did the splits at one point:
The reason I'm sending this to you though is that while scrolling through peoples reactions I found out that not only has he been well known in Japan for pulling off these wild poses during his 20 year career (and regularly posts pictures of him recreating various strange video game poses https://min.togetter.com/o3xXPfw), he's also competed in full Cure Black cosplay on multiple occasions!?!?
Okay time for ABSOLUTE DUKEBIN IN ABSOLUTE BATMAN 19 THOUGHTS!!!! SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!! (not really because Duke was like in one panel but still gadskjlbkj)
DUKE PILOTING... do you guys REMEMBER that the first time Duke (as Robin) helped Batman he was piloting an airship!!!!!! In the second panel from Batman (2011) #50!!! Both these being Snyder-written texts ohghgsdklbkl I just love this so much I'm sure it's not intentional but it's intentional TO ME.
Also the "fallen through this city's many cracks" connecting to the Bruce-Duke motif of falling & catching, particularly to Batman (2011) #44 where the whole issue was about the people who fall through the cracks!!! I'M CONNECTING ALL THE DOTS
I also think this is the first time we've ever seen Duke's signature! Obviously this is an Elseworlds but still yayy I love that it's so simple and the trailing S. Wow I'm just yapping I've missed him so much 😭😭
Duke being taller than Tim is an automatic -1000000 points Nick Dragotta or whoever did this you will pay. That aside I wonder why Steph and Duke are the only ones without numbers??? Like weird oversight if that's a mistake but maybe it is more significant than that? I know Tim, Duke, and Steph seem to be the same rank on the cover (they are all one stripe) so idk how the numbers differ from that.
Sidenote that in the reference sheets it's revealed that Duke is SEARCH AND RESCUE. THAT'S LITERALLY DUKE CORE!!! Duke having the role that is extremely active & focused not on fighting but directly on rescuing people!!! Also his panel being focused on piloting makes sense in that light. ALSO ALSO never forget that iconic moment where ASB Duke rescues Bruce by driving his car into KGBeast, just like he saved Bruce as Dukebin from the airship. He was BORN for search and rescue!!!
Okay that's literally it but yay hooray my DUKEBINNNN once again proof that Duke has been and will always be Robin and there's nothing anyone can do about it ❤️❤️❤️ AND HE BETTER SURVIVE BTW
I read webcomics for plot. If it is romance I do not want them kissing or having sex in the first 10 chapters (however I have been hooked on certain web comics when they do, do that) preferably I want a friends to lovers or Rivals to friends to lovers. Preferably slow burn. I want to see them dislike each other and then grow to admire each other respect each other THEN romantic feelings start coming in. Or be friends with each other give each other nicknames do stupid stuff together let us see the highest and lows THEN the feelings. It gives me the reader a chance to be introduced to the main character, the people around them, and the world they live in! Appearance won't matter HONESTLY. I want to like the main character and I want to like the love interest that they like, I want to fall in love with this man too 🤷🏾♂️
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