@brennen.exe:
Whitebeard is sort of the last remnant of that past age of pirates. Referring to pirates only here. Shanks, among others, could still be accounted as such, but I am referring more to the symbol of that last pirate age. Whitebeard, Roger, and various others at that time I would assume. Whitebeard needs to be surpassed by someone eventually, and I really don't think Oda plans for that person to be Luffy. Primarily because of Whitebeard's personality; protecting his "sons", offering protection to islands, and being the strongest man in the world. Luffy isn't the type to take that sort of person down, and even if he did it would instantly throw Luffy into the "strongest man in the world" category. So…somebody needs to surpass him. Who? Obviously this should be Blackbeard. At some point Blackbeard must surpass him in one way or another in order for Luffy's eventual defeat of Blackbeard (presuming it happens) to be of major significance. We know Blackbeard already has major plans for this war too, so I can only imagine (hope) that publicly executing THE WHITEBEARD will be that plan. This would set him as the new Whitebeard for this age, resulting in the "loss" of Whitebeard.
You know what's funny. There are so many people who don't see why this is the natural course of action. This is the follow up for Ace chasing BB for all those chapters. It's already happened, we just have to find out :happy:
Technically speaking, the Marines and Whitebeard pirates should have given each other a huge blow by this time, causing tons of damage and putting the Marines, at the least, in a state of emergency. This keeps them from being destroyed completely were Whitebeard to win, and allows people like Coby, Smoker, and the Admirals to still play a role, albeit smaller than now, in the New World. Impel Down's destruction also plays into Blackbeard's plans, and gives more motive for him having shown up there. Causing more chaos means an easier time for him to do what he wants to do, and a smoother path post-war due to the after effects of war.
I'm definitely with you on this, but I honestly hadn't put all my thoughts together on it quite as well as you have. But like I said, I expect WB to manage a victory whether it's official or just in the eyes of those who understand the bigger picture. And going with your idea of the Marines also not having a complete lost, people like Coby and Smoker can definitely move up a bit faster and get into more prominent and visible positions.
I'm not entirely convinced that BB set out to destroy Impel Down, and I'd feel like it was a bit of a slap in the face from Oda to do it in restrospect without any kind of build-up and indication. I really think he went to recruit a few of those Level 6 pirates. Made me remember I'm disappointed Oda didn't have those four rookies (Apoo, Urouge, Hawkins, and X-Drake) in Level 5 back at Impel Down :getlost:
Ace, I expect to live. Live, and either take up his role as the new captain of the "Whitebeard pirates", or start a new crew with the remnants thereof. I have toyed with the idea of him blaming Luffy for Whitebeard's death, given Luffy caused the prison break, but I don't think it will happen. I just sort of expect him and Luffy to be rivals of sorts in the New World. This probably won't happen though.
You know what's funny. I knew Ace was gonna live from the whole time this war business started, but I just couldn't understand why Oda would keep him alive when he'd have no more place in the story. And I knew Oda wasn't gonna kill him because Oda just doesn't do that. Yup, Oda really has to prove it to me on this one for any naysayers!!!
Either way, with the new relevations of WB's plans to make him the PK, it all now makes a whole lot more sense. WB's life comes to an end, a new pirate is crowned World's Strongest Man. This allows room for Ace to grow, especially knowing that this new person has already mopped the floor with his face. It gives Ace a reason other than WB for Ace to continue living and even more so, for Ace being in the story. And even though WB has been in the story for so long, no one should be really attached to him, so losing him shouldn't be heart wrenching.
Lastly, I have been playing with the idea of Buggy getting the fame for Whitebeard's death. Somehow. Maybe even being the one who kills him, sort of on accident. I would expect Blackbeard to bring Whitebeard to the brink in this case, so he still has the infamy and (at least to us) the power to be "the strongest", but with Buggy being the "Mr. Satan" of One Piece, I would love to see this happen.
Oh Lordie! Please please no! I couldn't stand "Mr. Satan", and you're absolutely right. For me, Buggy is a combination of Pilaf and Mr. Satan and if Buggy were to get any sort of credit for any action of anyone other than himself, especially something as important as WB's demise, it would really hurt my hearthead [hide]couldn't find an emoticon on the smiley holding his heart but i spent like 5 secs looking[/hide] Anyways, I will be honest and say that during Impel Down, my stomach didn't hurt at the sight of Buggy and I enjoyed many of the moments with him up until they got outside and that's when I started not liking the Buggy moments anymore. So I really hope he remains as comic relief till the end of the story. And if he helps anyone, it should only be Luffy.
@Sparda_87:
I lol at people think Blackbeard can beat Whitebeard at this point of the story line. Ace put up a good fight with Blackbeard. When Ace was fighting with Whitebeard, did you see Whitebeard even trying? May I remind you that Blackbeard got KO by Magellan.
I seriously dont see how Blackbeard can beat Whitebeard at this point not through a 1v1, maybe later in the story…
Don't believe the hype. Oda is the master of illusion I tell ya. BB is more like Luffy - in that he just waltz's into situations unprepared. He's prepared for a Battle against WB, afterall, he spent what 20 or 30 years on WB's ship and probably knows the in's and out's of his fighting style. It'll be very different to BB's confrontation with Ace, or with Magellan. And I think Oda deliberately had BB face Magellan and lose to show just how deverse DFs can be and how this is really a Rock-Paper-Scissors world of abilities.