One Piece Chapter 1056 - Initial Thoughts
So we are back again reaching the ending stages of Wano
There's still stuff to wrap up though, so let's get to it
Spoilers for the Chapter, Support the Official Release
We return with the Vinsmokes and there's Katakuri!
We return to the fallout of the Admiral attack, seems Shinobu was got too, but both she and Raizo are alive so Kaido's crew likely are too
Kin'emon regrets not being there, but is smitten that he got to spend time with Tsuru
Poor girl got a burn on her face, but other than that she's fine and wants to return to the capital
Finally a proper panel of Carrot
And, she's being made the new leader of Zou, and I don't quite agree with that (I will explain at the end)
So, Inu and Neko are planning to stay in Wano, and they're using Carrot's experience with the crew as a reason to put a 15 year old in charge of an ancient civilization
Carrot does make the point as well that there are more qualified people, including Wanda
They pull the Pedro card too, even though Pedro's will was to help Luffy get to the Dawn
Sukiyaki does indeed reveal himself to Momo and Hiyori
But the kids embrace him, thankful that they still have family
The Akazaya all knew as well...except Kin'emon but he'll play it cool
Seems Sukiyaki wants to lore dump but then resume as a commoner
Back with the crew and it's discussing the Pluton stuff
Luffy doesn't want it, but Franky is a little curious
Shinobu and Tama then appear, the former with a youthful appearance
Seems she's still recovering and that's what makes her look young and skinny
Tama's gonna be her apprentice, but does note she would like to travel with Luffy when she gets stronger
Caribou no! You had a change of heart remember don't sully it!
It is dangerous that he now knows about two ancient weapons
A few days pass and Momo's already getting a little stoic about the reparation plans
But the crew have already done their patented 'leave without saying goodbye to the major players' shtick
Momo and Kin'emon of course will not allow them to leave without saying bye to them specifically, and lucky for them they are delayed
See the three captains are arguing, planning on going their separate ways by sailing to separate islands
But Kid and Luffy want to go to the same island, they draw straws and Luffy loses
Law is going in the straight path, noting how the alliance is over, Luffy is forced into going the shortest distance, despite his claims for Yonko leeway
Buggy's Yonko promotion is validated though, he had formed the 'Cross Guild', with his two commanders: Crocodile and Mihawk!
Of course, there's gonna be more than what meets the eye, Zoro does feel like Mihawk wouldn't bow to anyone anyway, Crocodile is certainly not the take orders type either
When Monkey 'Got eaten by a snake and thought it was a cave, was going to write his own name while undercover to enter a tournament, punches people while holding an infamous cursed sword' D. Luffy calls you a moron you best believe you must be a moron
Seems Buggy is also putting bounties on Marines, which I guess does level the playing field but I swear if you touch the good marines there will be words; leave Smoker, Tashigi, T-Bone, Jonathon (make him canon Oda), Coby, Helmeppo, Fujitora and Drake alone! I doubt there's bounties for Garp though because even Buggy can't be that foolish
The trio seem to depart similarly to how they departed on Sabaody, Kid at least reminding Luffy that they're rivals when they leave the island
Law also gives Kid an etching of the Road Poneglyph since they all earned it equally
Kid seems to be setting his sights on a new target too: the Man Marked With Flames
I feel like this is Sabo, given the Translator's note, but it could be someone else entirely
Law and Robin seem to know, but Luffy and the audience do not
Yamato though is still on the roof, deciding to set off and live like Oden did
So this was a bittersweet chapter for me, lots of things coming to an end definitively.
We'll start of course with Carrot. You should know by now that I was very Carrot4Nakama, and still am, so it hurts that Oda would potentially rush her conclusion. It feels weak, and contradictory; Inu and Neko are staying in Wano to better protect it - the very thing Momo was trying to prove so people wouldn't be compelled to stay - but at the same time they are now leaving Zou in the hands of the musketeers who are proven to struggle against below-Yonko Commander strength, it feels counter-productive. In addition, it feels like Wanda is gonna be the one actually calling the shots, given how Carrot is still 15 and unlike Momo has never expressed the desire to lead Zou. And they are going to get invaders, because they have a Road Poneglyph, all it takes is one treacherous Mink or a vivre card to undermine Inu and Neko's reason of staying. Plus Zunesha bends to Momo's will anyway, so even if you lead the kingdom Momo is in the driver's seat for Zou anyway too.
Don't get me wrong, leading Zou would've been a nice endgame for Carrot, but not right now, she needed a lot more time to grow that desire and the qualities of a leader to earn that outcome, being handed it right now just felt a little lazy. In that same vein though, as hugely unlikely as it may be, Oda may still swerve us and have Carrot stow away again anyway, it does feel like there's more adventure in her as well as room to mature, and as I said Pedro's will was oriented around helping the Straw Hats to the Dawn, if Carrot has that will 'more than anyone' it's better suited for Carrot to do an Oden-like move and journey with the Straw Hats first before ruling Zou. Unlikely? Probably, Denial? No Comment, but for me this does not feel satisfying to conclude Carrot's character this way.
I do feel a little bit blueballed by Pluton now too, we could at least have seen it, but I guess a time will come now that Caribou knows, I had hope for you man! You had a heart in the cover story but now you're going back to old ways. We're still yet to get any info on Zoro's heritage or the fact that Sea Prism is made in Wano, these feel like important stuff. What happened with Kaido and Big Mom too?
And another sad ending comes with the end of the Alliance, Law is setting off on his own, to find out about the D via Poneglyphs...which only 2 known people alive know how to read (does Kid have someone who can read it? Seems like he might). It's a sore spot because of how long we've spent and grown attached to Law to see him depart, but like the Ancient Weapons they'll probably show up later down the line. As for Kid, he drops a hint for the 'Man Marked With Flames' but we'll have to see who that is.
His important lore drop is Buggy, pulling a near-mirror image alliance that Luffy did by using Crocodile and Mihawk. There has to be some explanation on why they're paired up, likely out of convenience, but it at least validates his position and sets up a new endgame threat; the Straw Hats will have to fight the Cross Guild if Zoro is to defeat Mihawk, it'd be interesting if the Cross Guild included other pirates from the Paradise Saga: Krieg (and Ghin), Morgan, Kuro, Foxy, maybe Moria if he's not with/killed by Blackbeard, they don't have to be threats but it'd be a cool 'full circle' kinda thing. Overall I'm just glad Crocodile's back in the game.
Which leads us finally to Yamato, he's only at the end of the chapter but there has to be some nerves from fandom right? Luffy has never intended to leave an island without Nakama, he waited for Nami, Vivi, and Usopp (x2), and he chased down Chopper and Franky, it seems they really were going to leave without him, but stuff remains to be seen, Yamato at the least seems to want to go with Luffy but again, that doesn't automatically entitle you to Nakama. I'd also like to note this parallel with Carrot being bestowed a responsibility to rule she doesn't want, if she does stay to rule Zou it's hypocritical that she has to do that while pushing for Yamato to live free from responsibility to rule when he was named Shogun by Kaido.
Overall it was a good chapter, but I didn't vibe with it as much because of some potential to likely directions I don't at the current moment feel right about, it would seem we'll leave Wano next chapter which is sad too because it did feel like we had a mountain left to uncover.
Much to wrap up, but we know Oda will finish strong.
4 notes
·
View notes