Reading Egghead arc and this particular interaction between Kizaru and Akainu just breaks my heart when you realise that Akainu spared Aokiji after their 10 day duel in punk hazard. He couldn’t bring himself to kill a comrade who he’s known for years. Akainu chose to spare himself from that guilt. But now he has to watch Kizaru break from carrying the burden of killing a friend, something Akainu chose to avoid.
Crying because do you think that Luffy was so upset at failing to save Vegapunk was because it reminded him of his inability to save Ace. He was even killed by an Admiral through the chest. This isn't funny Oda 😭
This chapter, 1124...it really didn't feel that different than the last two. It starts here with our opener. Morgans here takes on a very similar role as Buggy did in 1122, and we're still unpacking the immediate worldwide reaction to the transmission. Importantly, Luffy's gonna end this chapter with a good reminder none of it was very important to him, but Morgans starts it with a good lesson in why it should to a degree.
It's cool seeing Vivi roast him over lying, but this right here is the essence of why shaping your story matters. Buggy could take the moment and make it work for him, Vegapunk was so disconnected he realized his message might stir panic but didn't do anything to ameliorate that. Morgans is setting up Luffy the same way Sabo was. This story should rattle worldwide faith in the government. As is though, it could just end up being a tale about Luffy massacring a beloved figure worldwide. This time I don't really think the opener casts as long a shadow over the rest of the chapter, but it's now something becoming a pattern with these past few chapters. But let's get to the real meat of this one:
Talking with IRL blorbo from my blog Fallensnowfan really helped with this one but it's so stark when you see it in the actual chapter. There's this very interesting juxtaposition in the fallout of Vegapunk's death. Lilith picks up on the conversation we saw with the VegaBoys last time, a theme we've explored throughout with them. What does death mean when you've split yourself into seven parts and have a giant brain floating in a vat?
Well, here we have some interesting answers to this question. Lilith pops up and makes this big show of trying to cheer up Luffy. Get him past these feelings of failure. It was a very sudden shift but it does feel earnest, even if it reminds me a little of Carrot in WCI's End Roll. As earnest as Sentomaru and of course Kizaru. For one, we've talked about how these spotlight moments remind us of Wano's bigger ones. "Have you ever had to kill your best friend?" Well, the Akazaya Nine know that feeling. Especially Kin'emon & Kiku who had to take on the dirty work with Kanjuro.
But man...what a moment. Even Akainu cracked a little and realized he stepped over the line. Seeing Kizaru actually shaken for once too. The little flashback helped cement it as does this amazing shot of him watching all that work go up in flames. Simply put though, Kizaru/Sentomaru clearly don't feel the same way as Lilith here. Which is why part of me has to wonder if Lilith's just putting up a brave front. It's interesting Usopp raises the question of what exactly makes her the "evil" one, which is an idea we never really answered.
And of course, we do end off on what certainly seems to be a final note for Egghead Arc as a part of this story. I do have to say, I'm not entirely sure how I feel about that. Lilith feels well primed to pick up that New World thread we've talked about going forward, I could certainly see this shaking out in a way where we maybe have a chapter or two away from the Straw Hats to finish off this story and give some people like Drake a moment in the intermission. Then head right into a perfectly straightforward Elbaf arc. We could even do that interspersed with clearing up some of Egghead's lingering mysteries...
But there's still enough weirdness to make me wonder. One thing I've thought for a while is that if the Giants are already here, they can tag along for a bit of island hopping. On some level it's kinda weird to keep them and Bonney and Kuma and Lilith floating around but we of course don't know what Elbaf's story is so it could easily have a place for all that. What it really comes down to for me is that, as it stands, Elbaf really has no apparent conflict set up. Which could work if it's a Zou-type arc where we reset our course or something. But if say...something happens and this group gets blown off course I could see that too. Use an intermediate arc to set up something to do on Elbaf.
Of course, this final panel gives us something to think about too. Who is the mystery silhouette? Sadly we'll have to wait for a break week to really know the next steps. Which means I have a decision to make too. I get the feeling enough people like these writeups for their own sake, but the original intent was to maybe do a little bit about the next arc reflecting on where it ties up Wano themes. Hence "Post-Wano Musings" and I could never keep that hyphen consistent in the tags. Didn't expect Egghead to keep giving me a lot to talk about there. I also just kinda thought it was funny to call an entire arc as long as Alabasta "Post-Wano."
We still have a lot of oddities and through lines though, and those could easily be left hanging as we get to Elbaf. I think my plan is to switch it up and just make normal chapter reviews when we reach a new island, Elbaf or otherwise, with a new tag. I'm leaning towards "Massive Musings" for now, but maybe something better will come up before we get there.
Salute recruits and soldiers to this furious Friday ⚓️🌊⚓️🌊⚓️🌊⚓️🌊⚓️🌊⚓️🌊⚓️
Chapter 1124 has dropped, I feel Kizarus heartbreak but I'm delighted to see Sentomaru escaping... yeah Kizaru snaps at Akainu rightfully so, but they are marine brothers and Sakazuki permits Kizaru to be emotional (Sakazuki still doesn'tike Kizaru insulting him).
I stand by my opinion Vegapunk got what he deserved, he betrayed his friendship with Kizaru by continuing to investigate the void century and then using the friendship against Kizaru. Foolishly believing that Kizaru would hive him an advantage in a professional environment. Emotional coercion.
It's clear Kizaru doesn't like what he had to do, but Vegapunk pushed him into that corner. Friendship works both ways and you can't keep poking the bear without expecting to be mauled. Honestly Kizaru should dit h friends like Vegapunk
Anyways here we are the end of the siege the Gorosei will probably use the Marines as scapegoats (remember chapter 1090 when Doberman informed Saturn about Bonneys presence on Egghead, but Saturn rebuffed it as non important)..how that turn out.
The Marines are all passed out Egghead in flames. Enjoy the sneak peak
i have a lot of thoughts but the most important thing to me is that Franky put on a cowboy hat.
Perfection. Robin needs one now too she hasn't worn a cowboy hat since sabaody.
Also Yamato saving a damsel in distress, very Oden of him I love Yamato.
Borsalino obviously had a moment this chapter I think thats the most emotion we've ever seen from him, but also...
Sakazuki really said "my bad bro", and it might just be a translation thing but that is hilarious to me.
this panal actually hurt me the most. what the hell. ow.
Oda. when I catch you. ENOUGH WITH THE SILHOUETTES. i cannot. Seeing the large head shape and general size makes me think this is definitely Saul, especially since Robin mentions him earlier in the chapter but the fact that Oda can't just give it to us straight. Thanks manga man I'll be back in two weeks.
