#ch 996

[kaizokuou-ni-naru]

the way one of the five elders describes sabo here matches with the way law talked about the will of D back on onigashima, when he resolved to find out its meaning. they both use the phrase 数奇な運命/suuki-na unmei- unmei means 'fate/destiny' and suuki is an adjective meaning like 'checkered/eventful/dramatic/full of ups and downs' (or 'adverse/hapless', but i'm generally inclined to interpret it as the former in this use). law uses it for himself ('i want to find the meaning of this checkered destiny of mine') and the elder star uses it to describe sabo ('he seems to bear a checkered destiny').

[larkreadsop]

And here we have the answer to ‘what’s Law’s role in the story now?’ because even going as far back as Sabaody he’s never...really expressed any desire for finding the One Piece or becoming the pirate king, and after Dressrosa and the end of his 13-year-long revenge tour he’s just kind of been hanging around to fulfill his part of the initial alliance.

But now we see he has an actual goal, and it’s a goal that will lead him to Laugh Tale without putting him in direct competition with Luffy.

It’s also kind of a...different take on the whole ‘inherited will’ idea because while Cora’s ‘will’ for Law was simply to live freely, he obviously had at least some interest in the Will of D as well since it’s what made him notice Law in the first place, and we know from Sengoku that Cora likely didn’t actually know what it meant.

So by doing this, Law’s both fulfilling Cora’s wish for him as well as seeking out one of the core mysteries of the entire series and learning more about himself at the same time.

[everyjimbei]

Going to the rooftop to have a party (and also kill Kaido)

[shysheeperz]

[strawhars]

O-tama

For @notboo , @miscs

[whirlybirdwhat]

me: reads chapter 996

me: changes yamato plans in ace esom chapter :)))

[detectiveconanrealm]

[larkreadsop]

Nami.

Though she just did a very brave thing while Usopp was...not so willing to do that, so I can’t blame her too much!