danwhobrowses

[danwhobrowses]

In light of recent world news I hope every person in America stays safe, safer than I hoped they would before today.

Don't take these words lightly, don't listen to the propaganda and justifications

This was avoidable, and you don't owe your country anything

[danwhobrowses]

One Piece Chapter 1152 - Initial Thoughts

And we are back again

another surprise break catches me off guard but we return once more for One Piece

We've caught up a little with Luffy and co as we turned back the clock, but now we've hit the part where Imunko has begun to unleash war upon Elbaf, so let's see where we go from here

Spoilers for the Chapter, Support the Official Release too

Yamato's cover story also has him deliver Tama's hat to Kawamatsu

It does feel a little odd how nobody seems fazed by the Tobi Roppo members being here...

Anyways, back where we left off and the group down below seek to get to the top

Wait there's an elevator to down here? Why did we all choose to take the 'death by gravity' route then XD

Hajrudin leaves Loki in Gerd's care, calling him a sack of filth, while Chopper also wishes to stay to treat Gaban

Gaban tells Luffy to be mindful of his Conqueror's Haki, inferring that it's key to hurting the God's Knights

I maintain that I don't like this route, it makes sense but it severely limits the Straw Hats' capability in the fight now, unless everyone can in fact awaken Conqueror's Haki and the 1 in a million thing was a lie

Gaban saying that seems to click for Loki too, having been the last person to fight the God's Knights, and thus asks to be released and fight

Hajrudin of course flat out refuses to free Loki

Gaban also senses another person with Conqueror's Haki among Zoro and Sanji

Sanji immediately asks if it's him excitedly, thinking this is a W for him given Zoro and Jinbe's higher bounties

Gaban however ignores him, talking to Zoro about how his body has become accustomed to the Haki

Zoro didn't even know it was Conqueror's Haki, I guess King didn't spell it out to him that much

Interesting how Luffy can sense Zoro's Conqueror's Haki too, saying it was 'oozing' out of him

Gaban reprimands Zoro though, noting how Haki needs to be tamed and respected and Zoro needs to be more meticulous

Idk feels like Zoro's probably the last crewmate to get a dressing down for not living up to their strength atm, a third of the crew don't even have any of the 2 regular Haki after all

Sanji keeps on trying to plead Gaban to see some in him too, but the conversation is overpowered by Loki accusing Hajrudin of being pathetic for choosing outsiders to protect Elbaf over him

Hajrudin does make a fair point though, claiming that there's no assurances that he won't side with the WG or betray Elbaf again

With the other giants waiting, Luffy suggests a compromise of Loki joining his crew

If he's on the crew then there's no trouble in freeing him, at least in Luffy's mind

Zoro and Sanji are against the idea, given that he's too big and eats as much as Luffy

Luffy seems to think he's a cool guy even if Elbaf doesn't want him, but when he suggests that he'd just beat him up if he got out of line, Loki rages at him and refuses to be his underling

Luffy also wants to see Loki fight, which I think is partly commanding the varying motivations he has right now

Hajrudin apologetically notes though that he can't hand Loki over to Luffy anyway, since he's a condemned criminal of Elbaf

Gaban however requests that Hajrudin releases Loki

Man, turns out Loki killed 113 people in his regicide/patricide 14 years ago, all of them would've been giants

Gaban admits to feeling a strange energy on that day though, and while he and Shanks investigated the palace, they might not have gotten the whole story

I guess if he and Shanks pointed the finger at Loki it'd explain why Loki hates Shanks

Of course mentioning Shanks also sets Luffy off, so he and Hajrudin decide to stay behind a little bit

Zoro does complain about Luffy being set off by Shanks, calling it dumb

Luffy angrily asks if Zoro just called Shanks dumb, but in a rare defence, Sanji clarifies that he means Luffy is the dumb one

Gaban compels Hajrudin to have Loki explain what happened back then, appealing to the fact that they are still brothers

Hajrudin gives Loki 3 minutes to tell the truth, to swear upon the Gods of Elbaf as a true warrior of the country that he isn't lying

Loki seems to approve of the terms, but is reluctant to relive the past, calling it an awful day

Flashback time begins! 14 years ago where a younger, freer Loki and Jarul are summoned to the castle

Loki's hammer looks different here, far more ceramic and barrel-like

He banters with Jarul, while also calling his father a Government Dog and someone who sold out his people to Rocks' killers

So the WG killed Rocks huh? Or at least they say they did

Jarul wishes to keep out of politics, calling it a Young Man's Game, but Loki claps back that such thinking is what got them into this era of pacifism

Jarul does likes the idea of the younger generation seeing peace, but Loki feels that the generation needs to be whipped into shape

Rumblings happen in the audience hall as Jarul and Loki are greeted

Loki doesn't like the idea of being summoned to his home but also needing to be checked if he's on the list, so he kicks the guard into the door, knocking it open

He greets his father to a visage of malice, giant guards impaling the silhouetted king with spears, sending both into a shock

Far off from the castle, Gaban's house overlooks most of Elbaf's Realm of the Sun

Shanks and Gaban are enjoying a hot spring bath and catching up

Time has passed faster than Gaban expects, thinking it's only been 4 years when it's been 10

As most eagle eyes have pointed out, Shanks has a tattoo on his elbow, the same one Sommers had - and that was the arm bitten off

Shanks wanted to be a carefree pirate with Buggy, but there are things he wants to discover

It's strange seeing Gaban with his glasses up

Also he calls Shanks a 'child of destiny' which is curious, before changing the subject to Little Garden

Ripley startles Shanks by checking in on them, calling him Shankun (or maybe Shan-Kun to parallel Yar-San)

The lovely miss Ripley offers Shanks some Lingonberry tart, while carrying baby Colon and asking if Shanks has any stories about Gaban

He starts off on one about a port and many of something - likely women - but Gaban threatens him to stop

They chat about Harald, and how as King of Elbaf he's revered like a god

Shanks has met Harald already at Marejois, but they couldn't speak freely there, so he's interested in chatting with him now

'Before it's too late' - before what's too late? Shanks did you know what the WG had planned for Elbaf?

Narration talks about how Harald then met his demise, the two sensing the haki emitting from the castle as giants are taken down and Jarul is impaled

A lock is broken from a treasure chest, which is said to hold a forbidden Devil Fruit passed down from Elbaf's generations

But we shall not see what it is, because narration questions how such a beloved king came to be

In it we have a Flashback within a Flashback!

109 years ago, Giants were the most feared things on the seas

The Giant Warrior Pirates and any Giants' ship would invoke fear, and Harald was the reason for that

It seems Oda pulls on some fable giant stereotypes too, with them coming to a palace demanding to see a princess they heard about

Ah but like father like son, Harald's foot 'slips' as he kicks a fellow giant into the palace to crumble it

Harald was King of Elbaf at aged 45, which is 15 for humans

Which means, as he declares who their god is with a Bara ha ha laughing tic, he was a piece of shit

Well not every great person has a humble beginning.

As expected, we are going into likely exonerating or at least justifying Loki for killing Harald. But first we are gonna get his history, on how he turned from warmonger to peace advocate.

I remain upset that Conqueror's Haki will be key to harming the God's Knights and likely the turned giants, because it limits battles right now to Luffy, Zoro and Loki. Part of me however wonders if maybe, in an effort to prove himself, Sanji will find another way to beat one of them - likely Sommers - if only to give an alternative for the rest of the crew to fight them.

It's a weird spot because you'd expect that God's Knights will be the level of villain in terms of powers and abilities that all the crew will need to contend with, but unless Conqueror's Haki can be attained by all there needs to be another solution. I suppose like we saw with Emeth's knot that they could use tools imbued with another's Conqueror's Haki but only Nami, Brook and Usopp use weapons. Maybe Nami can use Zeus since he is a part of Big Mom's soul and thus able to channel her haki?

It doesn't just limit the crew too, what are the remaining giants to do? Aside from attempting not to be reversi'd

I trust Oda but at face value this felt restrictive and inflates the worry of 'wait for the Monster Trio' while also dunking on Sanji for some social media buzz. But we'll see what will come out of it

[danwhobrowses]

I feel like Twodinus was looking down from his deck chair in the clouds, saw that the group that killed his first body and Otohan and the group that took down Trent and the Weave Mind had united and are on their way and went 'I immediately have to separate them!'

[danwhobrowses]

One Piece Chapter 1151 - Initial Thoughts

So we are back

and thinks have taken quite the turn.

Elbaf is looking more and more like a warzone and the odds are falling less and less in our favour.

Will there be a shift, a turn of the tide, and where is our captain in all of this?

Let's find out

Spoilers for the chapter, please also support the Official Release

Although his task is completed, the Yamato cover story must continue...

He's in Hakumai defeating a guy at sumo, Urashima's brother, while Kawamatsu watches

Author's notes say Oda enjoyed a meal with some of the live action cast - which is a good segue for me to say that I really like Chopper's live action design

Oimo and Kashii try to appeal to the Demon Dorry and Brogy, noting how Jarul is an inspiration to them all

Brogy however states that he has gotten too old and is no longer the warrior he was, so the rationale is to give him a good death

Dorry continues noting that they intend to be the new kings, and usher a new era of War ruled by the strong

'We have no need for idols or gods' says the demon giant forced into service by an entity that calls themselves a god...

Another giant, later called Tallman, tells Kashii to back off, noting that they cannot be reasoned with

Then Tallman gets flipped

People last chapter mentioned how Domi Reversi references the game Reversi, which is used as an analogy in this chapter

I've always known this as Go so that's why I didn't know the name, but the concept is simple enough: anything caught between two pieces horizontal, vertical or in this case, diagonally, gets flipped

I also can't help but remind myself that CP0 played this to show the army numbers in Wano

Oda's literally just inverting what happened there with the SMILE users against the heroes, which is clever of them

The giants that remain unturned flee, being shocked to hear that Gaban got taken down too

Ripley is also upset by this, assuring Colon that their mother is coming to save them

The children have been put back to sleep, and with word of the giant warriors turning into demons - more nightmares come from the fissure

Killingham - showing a more human head - sounds a horn to will the fallen nightmares back to life

Dapper Ghost is back in the game!

Killingham has reverted to a more hybrid form, showing their face

You know that moment in Disney's Beauty and the Beast - I'm always gonna be talking about the animated ones not the soulless live action ones - when the Beast turns into a human and you get that lowkey sense of disappointment over how plain he looks? Well this for Killingham but less in a handsome sense and more in a 'I preferred you as a gangly dragon noodle'

At the least he does look more villainous here; opting for the centaur look as he rides the dragon clouds, heavy mascara on the eyes too

What does stand out is the sharpened teeth, usually a calling sign of a fishman mix, which would be very strange for a Celestial Dragon

He probably had to shift because the dragon snout hits the edge of the mask, but I wonder if destroying the horn will diminish the nightmares too?

Also confirmation that Killingham has the mythical Ryu-Ryu no Mi: Model Qilin - even though Qilin don't tend to control dreams

He relishes in the irony that the monsters are born from Elbaf too, a doom of their own making

The captured Straw Hats are left to look on at the fallout - be a good time to step up as a Yonko crew btw

Usopp at least yells out to Dorry and Brogy, chastising them for abandoning their pride

The parents of the children start coming back to consciousness after Imunko's Conqueror's Haki burst, noting the extreme amount of obstacles between them and their children

They remain undeterred though, still planning on getting them back

Sommers asks Imunko how far they must take it, as Killingham notes that the 'board' is mostly 'their colour' - more reversi analogies

The malicious nightmares however have a fault, eventually they will destroy themselves with how volatile they are

Imunko insists they continue, only relenting when Elbaf's spirit is broken

It seemed that Harold was in cahoots with them, but backed out at a fateful moment, steering them away from the WG's grasp

We then decide to go back in time, back to when Chopper jumped after Gaban

Chopper didn't think things through, but he'll have to think on his feet...hooves

Channelled a bit of Gear Fifth Energy with the speedy feet to get ahead of Gaban...

A Guard Point breaks the two's fall

The brothers are bickering, Loki telling Hajrudin to beg if he wants to tell him about why he killed Harold

Loki comments that it was his father too, but Hajrudin retorts that it makes it worse that he did it to his own family

Luffy meanwhile senses that Chopper has come down, but also makes a note of how he knew it was Chopper

The others sensed their presence but didn't know it was him, even Loki sensed him - pointing out where he landed

Luffy can also sense that Gaban's hurt, which seems to further hint at Luffy's haki being more emotionally attuned

Loki is left to Goldberg and Gerd, which makes sense since Goldberg's cooking and Gerd is the doctor

He tries to tempt them with an offer of jewels or someone's head, but while Goldberg notes there is something he wants, Gerd shuts it down - pointing out that they won't release him

Loki's Den Den Mushi calls him, with Mosa planning to be brief

Mosa - which we are guessing is Jarul - tells Loki that he won't be able to chat for a while, alarming Loki since it means something is happening up above

They thank Loki for the chats which causes Loki to become more frustrated

He asks if the 'nasty business' has come back but Mosa doesn't answer, simply saying his farewells

He lashes out at Gerd, who simply comments that it's nice that he had a friend - Loki however demands that she doesn't tell

Hajrudin and co rush back to Gerd, asking for her help healing Gaban

Luffy commends Chopper for helping stabilize him, which Chopper reacts in his usual way of taking praise

Luffy later turns to shock after being told off-screen who Gaban is

They mention how he was likely their third strongest member, but Luffy's more focused on him knowing Shanks

Gaban stirs though, insisting instead that he was Second strongest

I can already tell that powerscaler fandom's gonna go crazy about this but I need to remind you all a few things; Gaban and Sanji are not the same people, Sanji would insist he was stronger than Zoro, Roger may not have been the strongest in the crew either

Chopper gives the group the information current to that time; the kids are kidnapped, monsters are amok, and the enemy are immortal

And then a massive burst of haki felt by all below, this is likely Imu possessing Gunko

Hajrudin rallies the troops to return to Elbaf

Luffy no, we need to find out how to damage the God's Knights first!

But Loki may be right, we may have to release him to help in the fight.

Looks like we're setting up for the Monster Trio's return to action.

Once they're back we'll at least get some insight on how things will shape up. But I do love pitting the Wano turnaround against the Straw Hats now; they were jumped by a strike team in the middle of a party and now most of their forces are being turned. It's a true test for them to overcome it where Kaido's crew failed, so long as the Yonko crew actually starts Yonko crewing outside of the Monster Trio.

I can see us getting a Harold flashback soon though, it seems Loki is sitting on the information we need not only for context but possibly insight on how to fight this. Hajrudin will protest freeing him, which could lead him into telling the story in order to convince Hajrudin to free him. For all his bravado and the alleged horrible things he's done, it does seem like he cares about Elbaf's culture and legacy.

Imunko hoping to crush the spirit of the proud giants may be their undoing however, and I wonder if the Reversi analogies can be used against them. I doubt regular people can line up to revert the demons but what if something else acts as white tiles? Could that loose theory of Luffy extending Gear Fifth to others actually happen?

For the most part this was more of a setup chapter to further emphasise the doom of it all. The mini time reversal was necessary though, it's time for all players to enter the game.

[danwhobrowses]

Please read the tags Summary:

A long day in Jrusar has Ashton's mind wandering and wondering what decision they're waiting for will be made. In 'only' under 23k words...which is so long that even Ao3 says I need to split it in two

[danwhobrowses]

While I love AEW and enjoyed Fyter Fest I do think it's time we discussed that AEW does continue to have a roster problem.

I don't mean that they have a bad roster, the problem in fact is that their roster is too good! They are leaking with talent which becomes a struggle to showcase them all in the right way.

They have a lot of injured talent out, but still you can make a roster out of the absent talent that are ready to go. And ROH booking is becoming far too Rampage-esque.

AEW is close to becoming perfect, but it has places it needs to work on; rebuilding the tag and trios division, re-establishing a meritocracy where talent can feud to get a shot at a title, putting titles on people who best suit the division (I think Mercedes is great but the longer she holds the TBS title the longer it is held away from the young midcard women who need it), and probably finding a third show they can book properly so more talent have time to show off.

[danwhobrowses]

I know a fair amount of times conversations have been made in wrestling about releases, usually the kind that would shine a negative light on the company itself. Although we criticize WWE often for their surprise releases, few seem like ones where you would fully question the direction of the company like the IWC have done for AEW departures like Punk, Cody, and Ricky, the signing of Ric Flair, or the threat of losing Willow or MJF, or TNA and AAA's signing of Tessa Blanchard and Alberto El Patron.

But R-Truth? Constant and consistently entertaining R-Truth? One of the most endearing jobbers in wrestling itself with a multi-decade pedigree who is unanimously beloved even within the locker room R-Truth!?

If you're not renewing that guy's contract - with Netflix and TKO money shoved up your devilled arsehole to afford it - what the everloving FUCK are you doing?

[danwhobrowses]

One Piece Chapter 1150 - Initial Thoughts

And we are back

and Imu is here To a degree at least, Gunko has been possessed and now things look to escalate

but just how much are we escalating? Let's find out

Spoilers for the Chapter, Support the Official Release too!

And finally, Yamato makes it to the shrine in the cover story, it's been 20 years and Ulti and Pay-Pay only needed to join in for the final bit

We start with the giant parents rushing to get their children

Might be some other ones because Colon refers to one as 'Bar Guy'

He's of course tearful because Gaban got thrown off the edge

They alert them to Imunko (yes I'm calling her that for now), who the adults note as floating

Right in front of Colon, 'Bar Guy' gets eyeshotted

A massive burst of Conqueror's Haki KO's the children and a lot of the adults across Elbaf

Okay so Luffy and co must've felt that right?

Imunko has transitioned to looking very devil-like, with wings, tail and a trident

The trident also summons a pentagram which produces a cannon

Imunko criticizes Killingham's nightmares and their effectiveness

Killingham defends his powers though, noting how more can still come and be revived at his command

It seems that they come out of fissures he's planted around Elbaf

Imunko directs Sommers to the subdued crew, who has been slowly reforming himself

Also excuse you but the Straw Hats are not 'urchins'

The crew wonder where the Monster Trio are, Nami and Brook lamenting them picking a bad time to go to the Land of the Dead

Robin however is using her DF to stretch the thorns around her, trying to pry herself loose

She refuses to stand around while the library burns

Imunko tells Sommers that they need to establish authority that will last, but Sommers - quietly angry at Gaban - ponders what to do with a country without a king

Dorry and Brogy show up, but Imunko commands them to claim Elbaf as its new kings

Why do I get the feeling this isn't a negotiation?

Brogy grabs Imunko but she merely summons another pentagram

She continues to command that he kill Elder Jarul, while summoning a book

Brogy of course refuses, but again it doesn't feel like it matters

From the book, a dagger and a gun is summoned

She stabs Brogy with the knife, and then with the gun she shoots his hand clean off

'Now accept my ungodly power' - I DON'T THINK CONSENT IS GOING ON HERE

Imunko commands him to cast aside his lifespan for a body unyielding to death, to be granted strength and be unbound by emotion

Imunko summons a pentagram beneath him, claiming a demonic contract

Also a contract requires two sides to agree and Brogy does not agree what is going on!?

The Pentagram causes Brogy to sink, and then she performs the title of the chapter: Domi Reversi

The Pentagram flips Brogy upside down, but what emerges is a Demonic Brogy

Horns, wings, a greataxe and an increase in size, Demonic Brogy rises and attacks his comrades

Dorry got got too! Commanding his crewmates to kill Jarul with him

One by one the giants sink and flip into demons

Remember how I was talking about how Elbaf had a numbers issue? Well not anymore

Even the Nightmares have grown more demonic

Imunko seems content with the devilry she has wrought, noting how this is not a country to be razed but ruled

It seems Jarul knows what's coming, but he refuses to run, because warriors do not run away.

Well Imunko is terrifying.

It'd be one thing to be immortal and powerful and have what looks to be some degree of infernal magic but now she can just turn anyone into demons!? Without their permission!? I would guess this is how the God's Knights and Gorosei are made too, perhaps in a more consensual ritual. Perhaps the Gorosei is a more ludicrous contract. But lifespan coming into play means that this may have similar rules to that of Big Mom's fruit, you also can't rule out the similarities with Gunko and Robin's Demonio Fleur too.

I wonder too if Imu wanted the Nika fruit to try and invert it? Or maybe Luffy is the key to saving the giants that were turned? Warrior of Liberation. At the least I feel like Brogy got turned through a blood ritual, which is why Imunko shot off the hand to make a blood and flesh offering, but the rules are frighteningly flimsy.

I did wonder if there was gonna be a scenario where the Straw Hats would have to fight their giant friends, but now it seems there's the added method of them being supercharged immortal giants. I hope Ripley didn't get changed but I don't see who she would fight otherwise? Dorry and Brogy could be the proving ground Usopp needs with defeating them and protecting Jarul, in a way overcoming his masters. Robin still feels a lock with Killingham - oh god unless Saul gets inverted! - but then it's a bit of a grab bag. Not only for the crew but Hajrudin and Loki will likely support in the fight, Imunko can still be a Monster Trio threat or a Luffy and Loki threat - though having history with Brook could involve him too, and Hajrudin for the brothers united - but then does Sommers face Jinbe, Franky, Chopper and Nami? Not to mention if Lilith and Bonney get involved. The nightmares could be fended off too but they do seem like crowd filler.

I guess there may still be a numbers discrepancy, but the power gap does mean that multiple allies can face one enemy. Right now though the situation is dire, because even with fighting them they are immortal, there's no clear way to see if the giants can be reverted - and even if they can be brought back will Brogy be without a hand for good? - so it does fall to Chopper to get that information from Gaban. On top of this there could still be added numbers lurking in the blind spot; Kid's crew might still be around since their sinking, we've not even been to the Sun Realm in Elbaf, likewise Shamrock can come back after putting out whatever fire he's been dealing with, maybe even some Navy members to 'annex' the country.

Things have gotten concerning, creepy and a lot less like a fable and more like a fantasy, a dark and grim fantasy, where the devil is god.

[danwhobrowses]

One Piece Chapter 1149 - Initial Thoughts

Golden Week keeps catching me out!

Oda not content with a break during but then dropping a chapter and then doing an unannounced break after, meaning once again we are back after two weeks of waiting for One Piece.

The giants have chosen children over culture, and despite Robin's efforts she couldn't stop Sommers. But Scopper Gaban is here and he can harm the God's Knight!

Will we get answers? Will we deviate back to what Luffy's doing? Let's find out

Spoilers for the Chapter, Support the Official Release too!

An immediate start to this chapter, no cover story or anything EDIT: There is a colour spread TCB didn't show, a maid cafe where Usopp and a cat are left with the bill. Bonney holds something that says RIP which is alarming, Lilith is also among the waitresses

And we're picking up right where we left off

The crew besides Nami are of course unaware of who Gaban is and ask who they are

Sommers writhes on the ground as Usopp notes that the damage lasted, but Gaban notes that he's rusty

Sidebar for the author's note: Garden Party with Oda sounds cool and chill

Sommers does get up to clash with Gaban, addressing him as Mountain Eater and asking why he's in Elbaf

Nami explains to the group how they knew him, though I wouldn't say he overwhelmed Luffy and Zoro, Zoro didn't even get involved until a moment before he gave up and Luffy wasn't using any of his gears

Robin and Jinbe know the name though, revealing that he's part of Roger's crew and on par with Rayleigh

So that discourse is gonna start all over again when the official comes out XD

Chopper notices that Gaban did damage, and wonders why

Robin tries to help the others with her DF, but Jinbe tells her to stop since it's hurting her

Gaban and Sommers fight, with the God's Knight stacking named attacks, making a thorned terrain

Gaban however hits a named attack, Futenraku, which bisects Sommers and his thorn sword - a la Vergo

He uses an attack to flip over the thorn terrain and makes a charge for Colon

Chopper also makes chase, hoping to learn how Gaban is hurting the God's Knights

Over at the school, a tearful Ange burns it down, with Killingham's approval

He also shoots a fire arrow at the library, causing Robin and Saul to get even more upset

Is Biblio still in there? Because they can resize books right? Could be a loophole

Jarul weeps for the loss, even when he's consoled about making the right choice

Gunko allows Ronja to step away from the plank, but she's upset too - lamenting ever being born despite the children and parents (hearing on the Den Den Mushi) refuting it

God the despair is palpable, which is really good from Oda

Gaban makes a charge for Gunko, noting that she has no right to take culture, history, children and even military might from them

Something something real world comparisons...

Gunko is unfazed, noting that they will just kill a child if he resists

The giant kids notice 'Yar-san' which alerts Colon

Gaban hopes for his son to play it cool and not give away their relation

But Colon is a kid excited to see his dad, so of course he talks him up

Gunko dodges the attack, making a beeline for Colon

Cruelly, Gunko holds Colon at knifepoint, pretending to mishear 'get off me' as 'off me' (which for non-English speakers is a slang term for killing them)

We're at a standoff: if Gaban acts quickly then he can save the kids and stop the fires, but how quickly can he get there?

He tells Colon to wait and that he's strong, and makes the charge

Colon declares himself a warrior and asks him to defeat her

Gaban is reminded to Colon's birth, baby Colon was bigger than him even then

Still caught between a feeling of jealousy because Ripley is hot but also concerned by the logistics

Still, Colon is his treasure, which means we know how this will end

Gaban has a face of fire as Gunko causes Colon's neck to bleed

I knew it was just a futuresight vision but I didn't expect Oda to actually show Colon be fully impaled by the neck!

Gaban halts, throwing away his axes and surrendering

He apologizes to Elbaf, as Gunko - calling him a weak being - fires two arrows into him and knocks him off the edge

Gaban falls apologizing to Colon, while Chopper also jumps down after him

Colon's cries for his father triggers something within Gunko

A memory, cries for her father!

Even she doesn't recall this memory

Noooooo. it couldn't, no!

A tall, afroed, silhouette figure tells her it's his dream to be a pirate, with a laugh of Yohoho

Brook is Gunko your daughter!? Are you a deadbeat dad like Yasopp!!!???

Usopp talks about planning an escape, but Brook is lost in thinking that they 'look alike'

Something stirs in Gunko who asks if it's Brook, by name too so maybe not a parent (oh what if it's Yorki's daughter?)

Something else though halts her

A voice asks what the commotion is

Sommers is defeated but still alive it seems, so any damage caused to the God's Knights doesn't seem to bypass the immortality aspect

OH SHIT THIS VOICE IS IMU

The Holy Land is in a sea of flames? Did the Revolutionaries attack??

Imu says that the God's Knights need additional force

And Gunko is now possessed by Imu, declaring that they will show the dominion of god

Well now we're getting somewhere.

Imu is on the board, kinda. Through Gunko there's a means to limit them but also up the tragedy, because it seems Brook's connection to Gunko may run even deeper.

Part of me thinks father, another part leans towards York's daughter or maybe a guardian. I do think there's a big risk however of Brook reaching her and then Imu just erasing her like they did to Saturn...But Elbaf being a place for Brook backstory was not on my bingo card. I still hope for Usopp to get something good of course, something above what Franky got from Egghead and kinda above what Zoro got from Wano - I know he got a sword, conqueror's haki and a badass fight and such but there wasn't much plot revolving around him.

Oda is drilling home how children are a vulnerability for parents recently though; last arc it's Kuma and now it's Gaban, we may even get something from Harold if we have a Loki flashback, since we do have to resolve stuff with Hajrudin and Loki in a satisfying way. I do wonder if this leads into Dragon stuff as well, if Marejois is burning then something went down that Shamrock couldn't fully quell.

Chopper may be key as well, but I have a sinking feeling that it is gonna be information only the Monster Trio will be able to utilize for this arc, given that both of them are falling to the Realm of the Dead. Still I hope not, and I still want Robin to stop the fires and maybe defeat Killingham. Franky and Ripley are still due to appear too, I still wanna see that warrior blood stir in Ripley.

Sommers seems KO'd, but we can't rule him entirely out since we don't know if this regeneration block is permanent or temporary, with Imu present they may also be able to restore him as normal. With Imu possessing Gunko we do have a Luffy-tier challenge, maybe a full Monster Trio challenge, it could be a full-crew challenge but I'm not 100% on that. But there still remains a numbers issue.

Still it's a banger chapter, we've been waiting for shit to hit the fan and now the shit broken the fan.

It feels like now Elbaf's about to properly begin.

[danwhobrowses]

One Piece Chapter 1148 - Initial Thoughts

And so we return

Not only skipping a week because of Golden Week (which always catches me out) but it had to wait a little later on arrival meaning that I have to read and upload during my lunch break

But Robin and Gaban have stepped up to confront Sommers but will they be able to stop the God's Knights?

Spoilers for the Chapter, Support the Official Release too!

Yamato's overdrawn cover story continues to add more side quests, with Tama now entrusting him, Ulti and Pay-Pay to give back Kawamatsu's hat

We start the chapter with the character it's named after, one of the child hostages: Ronja

Gunko has led Ronja off the edge of the branch, standing on an arrow with the Realm of the Dead below

Ronja has kept on a happy go lucky attitude, but looking down has made her waver

Sommers gives Jarul 30 seconds to respond to his demands or they'll start sending children off the edge

Jarul must order the teachers to burn down the school and the library

The giants argue about the demands, some want to preserve the knowledge and not bend the knee but others note that the kids should be prioritized

Back to Robin, she tells Chopper to stay put, unable to hold back her emotions when confronting Sommers and the powers still not fully clear to them

Nami, Usopp, Jinbe and a very tied up Brook berate Sommers for planning on killing kids

Ripley and Franky are teaming up again, joined by Dorry and Brogy while the rest of the Giant Warrior Pirates fight the nightmares

Several other giants are also setting off to Branch 8 to confront the God's Knights

Sommers meanwhile adds to his demands, no books are to be saved, they intend to destroy their culture and history

Robin blindsides Sommers with a Cien Fleurs: Drumsticks

Jinbe warns her about his powers but Robin is well aware

She clutches him, but while Usopp and Nami celebrate she remembers that Saul told her they're immortal

True to those words Sommers repairs, counting down to 20 seconds as Usopp laments that he's a 'zombie' too

Robin though grabs and tackles Sommers off the edge

Sommers berates her 'suicide pact' but Robin notes that she knows he's supposedly immortal and what his fruit is, but she needs to remove the thorns to save the kids

It seems Sommers might have a range his his fruit, he thinks he has Robin to rights by making spikes come out of his body

But as expected, it's one of her flower doubles

Nami and Usopp again praise Robin's effort, but she is struggling to cut the crew free from Gunko's arrows, a knife won't cut it

She however hears Sommers still counting down, having latched himself to the underside of the branch to stop his falling

It probably isn't but the pose he's doing implies he's grabbed the tree with his dick XD

He tells Gunko to let Ronja speak

Although she's scared, she claims that she loves school and the library, and she's learned the values of not causing trouble or doing things that others hate

Poor kid claims that if saving her will mean everyone will hate it, she'd rather she just fell

Kids haven't learned what a Catch 22 is yet

Although she claims that she's lucky, the tears in her eyes cannot shield from the panic

Sommers relishes counting down the final seconds, and Jarul at 1 calls for Ange to burn down the school and library

Tears form from Ange, Saul and Robin's eyes, and Sommers ascends to entrap Robin in thorns too

The creep comments on how he loves her saddened expression

But before he can do anything, his hand is cut off

And it's not Regenerating!

The arm also switches sides but we'll ignore that XD

Gaban is here, and he's familiar with Sommers

A slice across the chest is our final attack, Gaban is here and he is serious about it

Well it was definitely an exciting chapter to come back to.

Robin did have a clever tactic but she didn't confirm the kill so to speak. I can't fault Jarul for prioritizing the kids but I also feel like the God's Knights' threat could still happen, with Luffy and co arriving to save the kids from falling.

Gaban being able to permanently hurt Sommers is interesting though, there's a way through but what is it? Conqueror's Haki maybe? Part of me thinks so but hopes not simply because it limits who can fight them.

One would expect that Sommers isn't completely down and out now, which means the kids are likely still thorned up, but if the crew learn a way to defeat the God's Knights it'll mobilize them better. Someone will need to handle Gunko to free the rest from the threads, only Chopper and Robin seem available for that unless Brook uses his Ghost form and Nami uses Zeus, but I still am leaning towards Robin rushing to stop the fire - the giants can fall to the demands not to save it but Robin is not a giant, plus she's a pirate she's not really bound to follow rules.

[danwhobrowses]

Chapter 1148 is released By Tcb Scans

I understand you're enthusiastic but I do have a job that makes me busy, if it uploads between my office hours my bosses or coworkers won't appreciate it if I drop everything to read and review it XD

I will get to the chapter when I get the chance don't worry

[danwhobrowses]

"And my character fell in love with your character"

excuse me while I explode in the next room

Callowmoore confirmation in Weird Kids (Episode 7)

What the subtitles didn't pick up is Ashley saying, "So that makes sense", after the first line. This topic came up after a discussion about punk culture/music (which Ashley loves) which lead into Taliesin mentioning Ashton's playlist.

[danwhobrowses]

One Piece Chapter 1147 - Initial Thoughts

And we're back

It's late but I can sneak it in before going to bed TCB has sorted its shit out, albeit on a different url, but we continue to One Piece nonetheless

The God's Knights look strong but what do we do now? Let's find out

Spoilers for the Chapter, Support the Official Release too!

A Raizo cameo now for the Yamato cover story, he's the Daimyo of Udon

We track back a little to Saul's fight with Sommers

He tells Robin and Chopper to hide - noting that they recognize him as a God's Knight

Ah, they're immortal so Gunko's thing is more the same thing the Gorosei has...one day we'll see an awakened logia

Prior criticism for Robin and Chopper hiding has been confirmed as being told to wait for the right moment

Sommers noticed that Saul was a survivor of Ohara, noting that the marines fucked up doubly then

Gunko brought the Straw Hats captured, Sommers asked why but Killingham reminds Sommers that they aren't trying to provoke a Yonko

Which uh...too late, you didn't do your homework on Luffy

Nami is upset that Colon got taken and Saul beaten, laying some blame on Jinbe as well for not pulling his weight

Tbf they all need to start acting like a Yonko crew, but Jinbe is thinking tactically about how to handle the God's Knights

Brook seems to recognize Gunko though

Gunko draws an arrow sword at Brook, kicking his head over

And we go straight on Misery - Gunko lays claim to Brook, demanding he make music only for her

The rest of the crew express surprise that a celestial dragon is also a Soul King fangirl

Even Sommers is a little creeped out, once again not wanting to face Luffy

Again...DID YOU NOT DO YOUR HOMEWORK ON MONKEY D. 'WENT TO ENIES LOBBY TO SAVE HIS FRIEND AND BROKE OUT OF IMPEL DOWN AND CRASHED MARINEFORD TO SAVE HIS BROTHER' LUFFY?

It's time for Brook to channel his WCI Badassery, politely refusing and declaring his loyalty to Luffy

Gunko hints that refusal will mean death, but Brook cold as the spirits of hell claims he'd sooner embrace death than live without honour

Sadly such resolve only gets him a kicking

Gunko's heart hurts, unsure if limitation or just her fandom heart breaking

Killingham patches Sommers through to the mass comms link for an announcement

The giants are all hearing, while also fighting the nightmares

The God's Knights waste no time taking credit for the chaos

Sommers has a title, the 'Dagger of Marejois' - is that specific or a ranking I wonder?

Nightmares continue to arrive; dragons, draugr, a chimera, even a a spider-dog!

They continue to admit to kidnapping 10 children, and defeating Saul

Hey wait, those thorns has a face? Like a snake, curiosities upon curiosities...

Like is it a symbiotic thing? A Zoan thing? Or is this the Awakened Logia thing where the element takes life itself?

Also Dapper Ghost rises again!

Ange's shocked to learn that Saul was beaten, and Killingham has her name all the kids taken so the parents know

Oh, the kids wake up, so there is a limit to how long Killingham can put someone to sleep

As mentioned though the kids wake up in a panic, unable to walk away

Colon fills them in, assuring that he's a warrior so they'll be okay

But the Dapper Ghost and another nightmare hovers over and he panics

Over with the Giant Warrior Pirates, they change course to try and save the kids, but their ship hits a leak

The giants seem to recognize their wives, realising that their kids just brought nightmares of their mothers to life

Oimo immediately gets punked again as the Mother nightmares lay waste to the Great Eirik

The Giants' resolve is also wavering, reverting to childlike apologies to their mothers

Sommers is more than happy to announce this too, calling out Jarul directly

Ripley picks up the pace, finding the Great Eirik crashed

Sommers demands that they serve as their soldiers

A map shows again that the kids are midway through the bridge, far from the Giant Warrior Pirates' wreck

Jarul is near the exit and on the other side is Killingham

They point out the Ouest Castle which feels like it could play a role

Sommers names the ten children; Ylva, Skadi (named after goddess of skiing), Olaf, Colleen (who laments her luck), Mug, Ronya (who is more positive), Bent, Johana (who's an orphan), Bjorn (selfishly wanting him to be saved at least), and Colon

Alongside Ylva and Colon being descended from known characters, Olaf is the grandson of one of the other Giant Warrior Pirates

Gaban seems pleased that Colon was listed as a warrior, but it isn't the time

Demands are being laid: Burn down the school and library as proof of their allegiance - since warriors won't need education

If they don't, the kids will be killed one by one

More giants seem driven to save the kids, but that feels like what the God's Knights wants

Ange why you gotta say that? Up and literally blurting out that the library has all of Ohara's knowledge too!

Against Chopper's suggestion, Robin stands up

and at the same time, Ripley calls for Gaban to set off, who goes off like a bolt

Oh Robin is big mad

So this is where Robin will stand her ground at least

With Gaban likely to confront Sommers it's curious to see if Robin will aid or go for the library; Ohara's information can't be lost a second time after all. Maybe a bit of both?

Knowing that the God's Knights are invincible puts a wrinkle, but they are reluctant to face Luffy which feels like a set up for Luffy to crash in and fight. I do hope however the rest of the crew get to show out before the Monster Trio arrive, I don't really want it to be a 'wait for Goku/Naruto' situation.

Jinbe seems to be mulling a strategy, and it feels like Brook is knowing more than what he's able to say right now, there might be a key in that.

But for now it does feel like a massively dire situation, Jarul cannot damn the children to death so he's gonna have to placate to their demands. A school can be rebuilt but the library not so much, and there's still no way to free the kids from the route they're walking, Jarul will have to act in accordance to their demands but anyone who confronts the God's Knights will likely suffer similarly to Saul. Franky and the Giant Warrior Pirates will likely arrive not long, with Franky and Lilith there I doubt the Great Eirik will remain unfixed.

But Luffy and co have to have heard all this right? Things are about to happen, kick their ass Robin!

[danwhobrowses]

Oh fuck YES! The Ninth Jedi was my favourite episode of Visions' first season and it's getting a full series!

I already know that S3 has a sequel to The Duel, Village Bride and Ninth Jedi from the episode names, maybe we can hope for Lop & Ocho, Journey to the Dark Head, Aau's Song, Screecher's Reach and the Spy Dancer to get series continuations too - or for the former two maybe they can add them to this universe with Village Bride's world as a shared universe to make the nine; Lop, F, and Toul could easily fit into this kind of series and style if the studios are willing to work together.

[danwhobrowses]

Happy Easter Critters! Have a drawing of a scene I'm sure will happen multiple times in the post-C3 timeline and what better time to draw it than a time of gifting eggs to people, right Caleb?

[danwhobrowses]

WWE Wrestlemania Weekend - Thoughts

Well it's that time of year. And with it all happening on a long weekend it means I could watch all the stuff at reasonable times.

So let's discuss the stuff that unfolded this weekend, including Stand & Deliver and both nights of Wrestlemania

Spoilers if you haven't watched it below

Before we start, let's address some elephants in the room.

PR leading up to Wrestlemania was atrocious, leading into Hall of Fame where Vince McMahon's name is spoken in a way that isn't condemning. It sucks that so many wrestlers seem to outwardly refuse that Vince can be both someone who helped their careers but also a godawful person, but to keep broadcasting it isn't a good sign. Politics is something we will discuss later, but it does play an unnerving role in the next matter. The saddening truth proven by all of this is that WWE don't need to vie for good PR, they can say and do almost anything and people will still watch and they will still profit and use that profit for their own means.

WWE acquiring AAA on paper is good business, but knowing WWE makes it ominous. Not only does it further WWE's monopoly and attempted gentrification of the wrestling scene but it does feel like WWE aren't doing this because they want AAA, they just don't want anyone else to use AAA and its wrestlers - mainly AEW. It makes it even clearer as to why Konnan was getting in Mexican wrestlers' ears about joining WWE like he did the Lucha Bros, but it all depends on how WWE plan to market this acquisition. The worst case scenario is that they'll turn AAA into NXT Mexico - WWE's not so subtly telling the world 'this company is only as good as our developmental' hasn't been clocked onto by most TNA fans yet - and move all lucha talents they've underbooked or not used at all there to try and push the whole 'we don't bench people' lie, and it'll damage the Mexico scene just as NXT UK affected the British Independent Scene (whether WWE ID and it's buying of Evolve further hurts the indies remains to be seen), also it means Alberto Del Rio will come back which nobody wants...but a positive may be the resurgence of Lucha Underground at least. But the confidence is low, and it doesn't feel like WWE are planning to stop there; TNA may need to keep an eye out and the Rock posting a picture in a NJPW shirt can be alarming, even Bloodsport was suspiciously overloaded with WWE talents and all but Karmen Petrovic - whose last win was in February - was booked to win.

With that out of the way let's talk about the wrestling!

NXT Stand & Deliver I've had enough of 'Tony Fumbled' chants with Ricky Saints. Man held the FTW and Tag Titles, he won the Owen by beating Punk and he would've been the 'Real' World Champion had Punk not got fired, he got plenty. Tony Khan is not inclined to keep using wrestlers with one eye on the exit. Matches were fine, women's ladder match could've gone a bit longer, the Stacks betrayal was far too telegraphed though. The Women's four way could've done with less of Booker T drooling on commentary, but I think the main event just edges the best of the night, the final third of the Tag, Ladder and 4-way were really good but I think it was the most consistent.

Wrestlemania 41 - Night 1 Starting with the Pre-Show, it sucks Rey got injured but swapping in Fénix was telegraphed with him being 'screwed' out of the AMBR. Also kinda scummy to write out Bayley, I bet it's gonna be the motive for a heel turn and I do love Becky but this was poorly executed. The stage is okay, reminds me of WM22's stage with a hint of 35, it's just a building-shaped billboard in the end. Doesn't do well for most pyro either, it's just some flames at the top of an obnoxiously tall stage. Of course Mr Paul 'I don't like the spotlight' Levesque opens Wrestlemania, and that's after being on the Pre-Show panel for AAA and having a sit down interview beforehand, that man is addicted to the spotlight. It's a shame Jey/Gunther opens the show, it's a disservice to the champ - who shouldn't have tapped - and to the Royal Rumble (think that the runner up of the rumble and Elimination Chamber are the ones that main event both nights, not either of the Rumble Winners) but at least Jey won. Liked Jade's gear, couldn't tell if New Day were Yetis or what? So, El Grande Americano. I'm glad Chad Gable has a wrestlemania match, and I knew Rey Mysterio was far too giving that he'd be willing to lie down for him, but you go from acquiring AAA and then booking a gimmick that's meant to mock Lucha Libre culture and encourage pro-MAGA sentiments (to the point he's billed as from the Gulf of America) to beat a popular and highly respected luchador. Baffles the mind and is why many of us worry for AAA. Relieved Tiffany won, was very fearful that Charlotte will go unpunished with her shoot actions, as for the main event...I just didn't really feel shocked. There's such feigned surprise with Heyman siding with Rollins - the only guy Heyman hadn't sided with in a triple threat revolving around who Heyman will side with - which just dampens it.

Overall night 1 was just...Fine? The atmosphere was quiet, and because of that it felt like the crowd energy wasn't quite felt - which definitely hurt the event for night 1. Commentary is way too patronizing too, way too many plugs for the sponsors too.

Wrestlemania 41 - Night 2 Then we get to this one and after a nothing pre-show it's Stephanie's turn to jerk herself off and open the show. The overbearing amount of celebrity appearances and sponsoring continued through the show. It baffles me that Bianca has a negative response when Rhea is the one who is in the match by baffling and unfair means. The match was a banger though, we didn't have any doubts about that, and the right woman went over. Same can be said for Drew and Dom, right call for both and right to have Dom pin Balor.

Right so I love Joe Hendry, ever since he Whatculture introduced him to me via WCPW I've appreciated his work of marrying the hard work of wrestling and his passion for music in perfect unison. Him appearing at Wrestlemania is great...but he should not have been Orton's mystery opponent, you needed someone who could match the aggression Owens would've provided, he could've even been a surprise partner for Orton with Sikoa and Hikuleo trying to gang up on Orton. Giving him 3 minutes and losing - the TNA World Heavyweight Champion remember - after hitting his finisher and then eating an RKO for the pin and post-match - to cheers! - also tracks back to my earlier comment that TNA is only seen as NXT-level, which is alarming.

Logan Paul beating AJ Styles sucks so much ass too. Even with Karrion asking AJ to use the brass knuckles it was dumb because the ref is right there watching this! Plus AJ is wearing gloves they won't fit. It's nice to see Becky back at least but yeah, Lyra should've been defending her title and Bayley shouldn't have been written out. The Stone Cold stuff was embarrassing, the crash was funny but the whole pretending like the attendance was 120k as if the same people didn't buy tickets for both nights is laughable.

Then to the Main Event, it was the right call for Cena to win but it was representative of what WWE fans allegedly hate about AEW; no selling, constant kickouts of finishers, obvious conclusion - not to mention the same Death Rider/Bloodline ref bump skullduggery from a non-wrestler Travis Scott, not even the Rock could appear. And after all that, the crowd cheers for Cena anyway.

At the least Night 2 was better than Night 1, it was a serviceable Mania but it never really broke through to the heights of being great. I think Stand & Deliver was probably better than Night 2 with a more consistent card but I'd put the Women's Triple Threat as the best match of the 3 shows, best entrance goes to Priest, best attire to Rhea - Lyra and Bianca are close seconds.

[danwhobrowses]

One Piece Chapter 1146 - Initial Thoughts

And so we return from another break

The giants are alerted and in the fight, but that has just brought the God's Knights into the foray. Gunko stands against the Colon pirates while Luffy chills with the very unchilled Loki below

What will we see next? Let's find out It'll be probably more iffy translations, since TCB has once again gone all fucky and the images don't load :/ but I'll try to bridge the gap between translations

Spoilers for the Chapter, Support the Official Release too!

As many had theorized, Yamato has gained a new follower in Ulti, who is indebted to him for saving her brother

We pick up right where we left off, with the crew surmising that Gunko's responsible for the attack on the guards and the kidnapping of the children

Colon calls her the 'human intruder' which Gunko takes offense to, referring herself as a god

Usopp's quick to mention that she sounds like Enel and the Celestial Dragons

Nami asks what she wants with the children, with Colon demanding she return their friends

Gunko's patience wanes with Colon as she tells him to watch his mouth

Meanwhile, the thunder cloud is defeated by Franky shooting a radical beam while being carried by Miss Ripley, Lilith and Bonney cheer while being carried on the other hand

Guess we won't see any more of that factory for a while

Gunko explains that she'd prefer to just abduct them, but the kids are too big so they have to be escorted to Marejois

This tips Jinbe off to the fact that they're a Celestial Dragon, however Brook notes that she's probably higher up as a God's Knight - which she confirms

I did find it odd that Brook picked up on her calling herself gods, it feels like Brook may've been familiar with God's Knights in his fleshy past

Usopp is the first to be targeted by an arrow, unnerved by it following him

Nami summon Zeus and performs a new attack: Thunder Shark Tempo

Gunko however uses an arrow to redirect the attack, it chases Nami against Zeus' will and hits

But as expected the electric shock and bones was Brook

Oh? Seems the world was 'supposed to disappear' but Ohara and Vegapunk caught wind and made it known to the world, they were literally gonna let the world flood without a word

Usopp hits Gunko directly with a Skull Bombgrass

Oh! Gunko is the Logia! Half her body gets broken apart - which Usopp apologizes for (but shouldn't) - and she regenerates

She aims another arrow at Usopp, Nami tries to pull it away but Brook and Jinbe plan to intercept it, calling out the foolishness of showing a trajectory

Gunko remains unfazed though, explaining that a great war is about to begin that'll engulf the world, and whoever the Giants side with will change the course of the war

Quick Luffy and Loki panel stuffed and fat in between

Jinbe and Nami call out the tactic of using the children as hostages, but Gunko makes it worse by noting that she doesn't see the children as hostages, they are nothing but trash to her

Colon tries to attack but gets captured by an arrow

Jinbe and Brook try to attack but are touched by two other arrows, which turns the attacks on each other - Brook is beheaded while Jinbe is sliced

She uses an arrow to kick Nami away hard, and then a knee to Usopp's face

The far panel implies that she's knocked the four off the Svaldr ship, likely hoping for gravity to do the work

Hopefully this time Oda lets Nami use Zeus to carry given that he can carry Big Mom with ease

Gunko communicates with Killingham, who notes Elbaf's poor communication network

He finishes off Principal Kiba, being strong enough to throw the giant by the beard

Ange seems less damaged but subdued by her body being put into 'sleep mode'

He approaches the giant Den Den Mushi for Sommers to make an announcement

Sommers however asks for a moment, having been fighting Saul

The arena is full of thorns and it seems he carries a towering thorn mace against a bloodied Saul, who Sommers recognizes as a vice admiral who should be dead

Quietly, Saul insists that Robin and Chopper stay hidden, leaving the kids in their care

Sommers relishes Saul's collapse while Robin looks on in sadness

Sommers mocks Elbaf's new rules of peace and education, remembering the Elbaf giants of old and intending them to be their soldiers

He accuses King Harald of screwing up, once again sounding like they were more than familiar with one another

So as expected, the God's Knights needed to show their strength and they have done. For that it was a good chapter but also in a sense that it's disheartening and worrisome.

It's a little sad that the combined efforts of Brook, Jinbe, Usopp and Nami with Zeus was not even a trouble for Gunko, since it does undermine their strength, but the narrative can't have them win either. There's a little saving face by the fact that they're not KO'd and Gunko has chosen the environment to try and dispose of them. Sadly I doubt Usopp's getting a round two even if she particularly targeted him, we're likely gonna have Zoro and his poor direction face her.

Still, potential for Brook to be the lorekeeper in this one, much of his history is still unknown prior to the Rumbar pirates, he was a leader of a battle convoy at one point so maybe he had some ties to Marejois once upon a time that turned him to piracy?

At the least we're doubling down on the God's Knights being absolutely awful, but I am glad we have a Logia, Gunko's powers may act as an Awakened state for Logia which will be the first we've seen of that kind. Plus it means we have all 3 DF types on display.

With Colon captured I do need Ripley and Gaban to lock in, I don't mind Franky beating the nightmare while she carries Lilith and Bonney but at least three of them are capable in combat, they shouldn't really be running, or at the least they could be rushing because of the alert - dialogue could've helped there.

As for the rest, Sommers (who I'm thinking may be based off or named after George Somers) is still gonna be a Sanji enemy it feels - he's a sadist and talks about love and all that. Robin and Chopper will need to make some big moves to protect the children but I do hope they get some wins in combat-wise. This does however leave Killingham, it could still be an Usopp fight but if he can shut down your body maybe Brook is an option? Since he has no organs yohoho! There is still the option that the crew gang up on each member, but it does still make them weak as a Yonko crew that recently survived the Gorosei

And finally there's the Harald stuff? Was a deal about to be made between them and the WG? Would explain why Loki'd be pissed off with him, but if he turned to peace it also implies that he would've been turning on such a deal, making sure that Elbaf weren't a military force to be manipulated in the war to come. No doubt there'll be a flashback, but still we have to wait for that