I read chapter 1152 last night right when my melatonin was taking effect and the whole thing felt like a fever dream, so let's talk about it because I Felt Things and a huge hot take I have is coming.
I want him, I WANT HIM SO BAD AND I WAS ONTO SOMETHING THESE PAST FEW CHAPTERS, MORE ON THAT LATER.
Zoro is so fucking dense lmaooooooooooooo. I completely forgot he didn't realize back in Wano what he had done and only King saw and knew what it was, so technically it's his first time hearing about it. But I think King kind of suggested it or mentioned it in passing? I don't remember well but still this is so funny, especially because Luffy DID KNOW and he just didn't say anything. God I love them.
And btw, I noticed how Gaban didn't have time to answer when Sanji asked about himself so it might be a sign that he might develope it later in the story and... hot take, that would piss me off to stratospheric levels. I don't think he has the type of personality for this particular power, I feel it goes against what he represents (other mugiwaras do but dudebros would not love what I have to say about that, I just don't think that they will ever get strong enough to awaken that part of them because they are simply not interested in that) (and I know conqueror's haki can't be trained but you still have to be at some level of strength to awake it or Luffy and Zoro would have had it much earlier in the story).
Besides, having two conqueror's haki users in a crew of ten already feels... crowded. I have always thought that Sanji's powerups related to haki could be about reaching an extraordinary level of observation haki control. Observation haki is my personal favorite form of haki and what it entails I feel it's perfect for Sanji, he would go further than Zoro or most other users in what that type of haki can do.
You would not believe the scream that came out of me last night when I read this, and right after thinking how bad I want Loki after that previous panel. I'm so glad you think the same, Luffy.
Those being Zoro and Sanji's biggest worries about Loki joining them, istg. BUT I KNEW IT, I KNEW SINCE THE VERY BEGINNING WITH LOKI THAT SOMETHING FELT OFF AND I WASN'T SOLD ON THE IDEA THAT HE WAS A FULL VILLAIN, THAT THE TRUTH WAS MORE COMPLICATED THAN THAT.
I said it when I talked about chapter 1143: as soon as I saw Luffy feeling hesitant of doing anything against him despite what everyone was saying, I knew it had to have a reason. I will always trust his intution above anyone else. But even asking him to join him? Oh, this is SERIOUS.
Now, about the flashbacks... I have like a million thoughts and I think I going to wait to next chapter to talk about it but Shanks, the fruit, Jarul being with Loki at the time of the murder, Harald being a piece of shit when he was younger... much to think about!
One of my favorite chapters of the year.