I finally finished my depiction of Loki! HE IS SO FUN TO DRAW!!! I got inspired by the hair gradient idea from @srpayt0n and just kinda rolled with it! Hope ya’ll enjoy!!!!!😊💜
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I like to headcannon that the front and top of his hair are the only parts of it that are purple, and the pink is the rest of his head. (Idk if that makes sense)
How I think Oda is laying the groundwork for a possible Sommers vs Gaban & Sanji fight.
Important context before you read: I originally posted this theory on reddit about 7 days ago based off spoilers for chapter 1143 & before spoilers for 1144 even dropped. Already part of my prediction has come true, so take from that what you will. Instead of completely rewriting it though I'm just gunna repost & add on any necessary details based on the new chapter because im lazy!
Spoilers for both 1143 & 1144. Read at your own risk! Let's begin....
I feel we all know why Sommers seems to be a natural enemy for Gaban and/or Sanji so I won't waste space explaining why him specifically. I'll just go straight into how I think it could come about in the arc. What specific set of circumstances could lead to a clash between the warriors of Love. How this might tie into Sanji's overall arc as a character & why a clash between the 3 makes the most thematic sense.
*Notice how the wise & beautiful Queen Otohime specified love being powerful only when used correctly?? 👀
At the dinner the HK's are enjoying during the midst of all the chaos, Oda gives us insight into not only Sommers' DF, but just how sadistic & twisted this dude's mind is. Ew. What stood out to me though is this bit of dialogue here:
"The best part of this game is when it's parents and children!! "
Sommers' main goal this "game" seems to be watching families in particular suffer. He gets off on it, the sick fuck. And who is a family unit we were recently introduced to?
Gaban, Ripley, & Collun!!
Now, all three of them are currently scattered & away from the HK's, but given the signal from the school i'm sure all the characters are going to meet up some time soon, especially since the HK's want to try & lure as many kids as possible.
Oda even went out of his way to show Collun as headstrong & eager to fight. I'm sure if he realized his classmates were in danger he'd find a way to go, even if it meant sneaking away.
However, considering he's still a child I doubt it would take much to capture him like the rest of the children. Making him another victim to the Thorn Thorn fruit.
So, I think there is a good chance Oda is planning on having the Gaban family be the primary target for Sommers at some point. Most likely just Ripley & Collun as they are closer to the fray than Gaban right now.
I'm sure a mother's love for her child is great enough to inflict serious damage as per the nature of the DF. This would give an excellent opportunity for a pissed off Gaban to come flying at Sommers after sensing his family in danger. Especially if Ripley is the one taking all of the damage here. Oda loves a "white knight" moment for his established couples. Almost all of them have one. BegexChiffon, Kinemonx Tsuru, LolaxGotti etc. There are many examples of this throughout the story. It's his go to method to showcase the strength & depth of a couple's feelings. Even Leo & Mansherry who aren't technically together (yet) got their moment.
How could this tie back to Sanji though & give a good enough reason for him to be involved?
We know via Punk Hazard that Sanji has a soft spot for Father's who actually love their children. Most likely because it's so opposite from what he grew up with. Remember, his heart strings getting tugged are why he decided to help Kinemon in the first place. This would just be another example of that.
Sanji has even already displayed some iotoa of protectivness over the children of Elbaph. He likes the idea of these kids being loved & protected & not expected to be little war machines. Precident already established for his investment in the situation.
So, if all the characters are running around there's a good chance Gaban & Sanji will cross paths. There's also a good chance someone will inform Gaban about the children being in danger which would set off alarm bells for him as he rushes to find his child & wife since I'm sure he knows Ripley will also be looking for Collun.
Sanji, witnessing a display of love from Gaban might once again get his heart strings pulled & like Sanji tends to do he will leave the main group to do a little side quest: Helping Gaban & a family in need.
Then, once Sanji inevitably hears Sommers' disgusting interpretation of "love" he'd be more fired up than ever to take this guy down. Sanji could also get some amazing moments with his narrative parallel as they show Sommers "the true power of love". Sommers happens to be another great foil to Sanji just like Queen. Oda loves to make Sanji go through emotional turmoil during his fights lmao. He ain't ever getting a break from the ✨️trauma✨️.
Sanji is still struggling with the dampening of his emotions & being forced to confront a man who perverts (oh,the IRONY) good things like love & joy for his own twisted pleasure would be a good way for Sanji to work through another internal conflict. Sommers is cruel, much like Judge & his brothers.
Would Sanji be able to leave a fight with him confident in his own humanity? More assured than ever that he can maintain his personality despite the Germa modifications kicking in? Or will Sanji succumb further to the erasure of his empathy & freak the fuck out? Sommers would be a great dark mirror for him. Anther possible "bad future".
This might be another reason Sanji didn't go with the Romance Dawn Trio to the castle as well! Oda 1) didn't want him to spill the beans about the magic circles & 2) He planned something much more dramatic & significant for their first interaction.
I keep saying this, but Oda WANTS us to pay attention to the similarities between the two. It's IMPORTANT. He's being very on the nose with this connection & I'm sure it's for a reason. Their paths crossing are leading to some type of allyship or even mentorship. I'm sure of it! Sanji might be getting his 3rd parental figure in the story. How appropriate for the character named after 3.
Sanji being there also maintains the theme of the next generation doing better than the last. Gaban is very strong, no doubt about that! But! He, like Rayleigh, is also older, so while I'm sure he can hold his own it would be more in line with the themes of the story for Sanji to come in & deliver the final blow for the guy. Sommers would most likely take advantage of Gaban's weakness for his family & catch him off guard that way. Thus leaving Sanji as their only hope & paving way for the 3 warriors of Love to battle each other & argue over their values.
UPDATE: As of chapter 1144 BOTH Gaban & Collun are on their way to the battlefield! The pieces are being moved!
Ripley is currently stuck with Franky's group
but I have a feeling she will make it to the school before her husband. It looks like Gaban will stay preoccupied defending the village from the majority of the monsters. This could still lead to Ripley attempting, but ultimately falling victim to Sommers' cruel game before Gaban has a chance to step it. Then he could sense her & Collun's screams via Haki/ the power of love & make his way to them.
Which could still lead to an interception between him & Sanji as our cook is also most likely going to be heading to the fight as soon as the Loki situation is handled. It could even be a role reversal where Ripley comes to try & save her tiny husband & child, but either way I do truly think this family is going to be integral to the upcoming battle & serve as one of the focal points regarding the reoccurring themes of love & cruelty.
I also still firmly believe Oda will tie this back to Sanji at some point, if nothing else because it would be such a waste if the character revolving around love didn't get to punch the dude twisting the meaning around for his own sick agenda.
