#opbackgrounds

[opbackgrounds]

This is an interesting bit of characterization for Dadan. She can read well enough to look at a newspaper but isn't 100% sure the name of her own kingdom

[opbackgrounds]

Sabo slapping Dadan's hand is the little cherry on top

[opbackgrounds]

Liar liar pants on fire

[opbackgrounds]

Luffy has no clue Ace has all these issues about the validity of his existence, and I love how simple he makes it. He's confused Ace is even asking these questions because to him it's self-evident.

Throughout the series Luffy very rarely sets out with the plan to change the world around him, but everywhere he goes is left with the indelible mark of his presence, and he does it by virtue of being his authentic self.

[opbackgrounds]

I like how big Luffy's panel is on the bottom right. It makes it look like he's physically overpowering Ace with the force of his words. It's the first time Ace sees Luffy as a person rather than an annoyance to be endured, and it's because Luffy's straight-up admitting he's alone. Just like Ace was before he met Sabo.

[opbackgrounds]

I mean, if I spent the day getting tortured I think I'd cry for a bit, too

[opbackgrounds]

In fairness, he ended up losing to two kids

[opbackgrounds]

I mentioned it a bit back during the end of Marineford, but I personally do think Oda somehow should have worked this moment into the story before Ace died. I don't know how or when, but I genuinely think Ace's death would have hit harder if his tendency to never run away was more firmly established before he was freed from the execution platform