Chapter 0 "Strong World" Discussion

FireFistAce 0

No, that's gotta be Doflamingo. I know it looks like an obscure background character, but look again:

!

It's the guy to the left of Rayleigh and under Roger's armpit. He's wearing goggles that look similar to the ones that Doflamingo has on his head at Roger's execution. But on top of that, assuming that his not doing his typical widemouth grin, he's wearing the same necklace, as shown here:

!

It's stretching it a bit, but it could be argued either way.

What REALLY would be stretching it is arguing that the guy to the left of Shanks and under Rayleigh's armpit is Moria. Now that's getting a little ridiculous.

Sea

Doflamingo was part of Shiki's crew, that is why they are so obsessive about a strong world with only the strong survive.

That fact was confirmed by Shiki-The Sea (arcording to DeFlamingo).

Greg

FFA, I appreciate you bringing the Croc theory to my attention and am willing to defend the legitimacy of it based on what info we have, but methinks you should drop the pimp theory. There's simply no way that seems even remotely likely.

Sea

It's funny that Hacchan thought human swordsmen can't surpass his 6 swords style while he spent his childhood with a guy like Silver Rayleigh who also used swords knowing he is the right hand of Pirates King.

Crossword

Characterization marches on, of course. Just like how Sanji used to actually attract women.

Kishido

Sadly no monday spoiler

Ivotas

@The:

It's funny that Hacchan thought human swordsmen can't surpass his 6 swords style while he spent his childhood with a guy like Silver Rayleigh who also used swords knowing he is the right hand of Pirates King.

I take that to be rather a product of trashtalk. Doesn't sound really imposing if instead he would have said: "while it might shit compared to the sword skills of the guy who's ass I've saved while I was a little kid, against somebody like my math of 6 swords is superior then 3 swords definitely applies".

loledinmypants

@Renegadesoul:

http://www.onemanga.com/One_Piece/565.5/04/

If you look closely at the top right panel, at the back of Bogart, there is a marine wearing a dog mask similar to Garp's. Garp must have fashioned his mask from that one or may have worn the same mask. XD

Not only that, If you looke at the back of Sengoku, there is a person who looks similar to one of the Gorousei

http://media.photobucket.com/image/gorousei%20one%20piece/Osmov/Ukkeli.jpg

He could have been a former admiral/fleet admiral and became one of the Gorousei after the Fisher Tiger incident. Sigh Too bad nothing was mentioned about him in this chapter. X3

The animal hat guy is interesting, but if I'm looking at the same guy behind Sengoku, that's Kizaru. The stripes give it away.

Sea

@Ivotas:

I take that to be rather a product of trashtalk. Doesn't sound really imposing if instead he would have said: "while it might shit compared to the sword skills of the guy who's ass I've saved while I was a little kid, against somebody like my math of 6 swords is superior then 3 swords definitely applies".

http://www.onemanga.com/One_Piece/85/04/
He must think Rayleigh is a monster, not human.
Is Zoro human? No!
I'm not that serious about this. Just brought it here to kill time.

Ivotas

@The:

http://www.onemanga.com/One_Piece/85/04/
He must think Rayleigh is a monster, not human.
Is Zoro human? No!

The thing is though that back then Hachi didn't consider Zoro to be a monster, demon or whatsoever but just an inferior human. That entire concept was the theme of that arc.

I'm not that serious about this. Just brought it here to kill time.

Yeah, me too.^^

FireFistAce 0

@Renegadesoul:

http://www.onemanga.com/One_Piece/565.5/04/

If you look closely at the top right panel, at the back of Bogart, there is a marine wearing a dog mask similar to Garp's. Garp must have fashioned his mask from that one or may have worn the same mask. XD

Not only that, If you looke at the back of Sengoku, there is a person who looks similar to one of the Gorousei

http://media.photobucket.com/image/gorousei%20one%20piece/Osmov/Ukkeli.jpg

He could have been a former admiral/fleet admiral and became one of the Gorousei after the Fisher Tiger incident. Sigh Too bad nothing was mentioned about him in this chapter. X3

The guy behind Bogart is actually this guy:

!

We've seen this guy a couple times before.

Personally, I'm interested on who this guy is:

!

This Marine Officer here, talking to Attachan.

We've seen this guy a couple other times, and he seems to be someone important stationed at Marine HQ.

FYI, I've given up on that guy being Doflamingo. I guess it was stretching things a biiiit too much. But I'm still convinced the long-haired guy is a young Croc.

Renegadesoul

http://www.onemanga.com/One_Piece/565.5/15/

Oh… just realized it now... Hattori, it has been living for more than 20 years.... wow... this pigeon sure is maxing out its lifespan.

Oh and btw

http://www.onemanga.com/One_Piece/565.5/22/

the one to the farthest right below Atomos, is that Blackbeard?

Kishido

Maybe he got a new pigeon

Renegadesoul

Actually pigeons can live for more than 20 years, given they dont meet any unfortunate accident. X3

Gizmo

I don't think that guy was Crocodile.

Roger knew the whereabouts of the ancient weapons. Rayleigh alluded to the fact that the members of Roger's crew knows all about the ancient history. If that were the case, then Crocodile should know the whereabouts of the ancient weapons. He wouldn't have needed Nico Robin or plan out Operation Utopia if he was on Roger's ship.

FireFistAce 0

@ultimateclima:

I don't think that guy was Crocodile.

Roger knew the whereabouts of the ancient weapons. Rayleigh alluded to the fact that the members of Roger's crew knows all about the ancient history. If that were the case, then Crocodile should know the whereabouts of the ancient weapons. He wouldn't have needed Nico Robin or plan out Operation Utopia if he was on Roger's ship.

Roger knew where one is. Rayleigh knew. We're assuming everyone else on his ship knew… but I doubt it.

That actually even further supports Crocodile being on Roger's crew. If he was, he would know they exist. Tom and Franky only knew they existed because they directly inherited the blueprints for one. Robin knew because the Ohara scholars told her about it. How many other people knew of the existence of an Ancient Weapon? Hardly anyone. For Croc to have that knowledge, he'd have had to been a Marine (Not even gonna dignify that), or be in a Pirate Crew that was majorly successful (Roger, Shiki, or Shirohige). Considering he lost to Shirohige and I doubt he's connected with Shiki, It's a safe bet he was on Roger's crew.

Gizmo

@Fire Fist:

Roger knew where one is. Rayleigh knew. We're assuming everyone else on his ship knew… but I doubt it.

That actually even further supports Crocodile being on Roger's crew. If he was, he would know they exist. Tom and Franky only knew they existed because they directly inherited the blueprints for one. Robin knew because the Ohara scholars told her about it. How many other people knew of the existence of an Ancient Weapon? Hardly anyone. For Croc to have that knowledge, he'd have had to been a Marine (Not even gonna dignify that), or be in a Pirate Crew that was majorly successful (Roger, Shiki, or Shirohige). Considering he lost to Shirohige and I doubt he's connected with Shiki, It's a safe bet he was on Roger's crew.

Unless the death of Roger turned Crocodile into a manipulative ambitious person, Crocodile would have been interested in learning of ancient history and the weapons on Roger's ship. It's just his nature.
More likely, his Shichibukai status could have allowed Crocodile to investigate the secrets of the World Government which led to the discovery of the ancient weapons.

loledinmypants

@Fire Fist:

Roger knew where one is. Rayleigh knew. We're assuming everyone else on his ship knew… but I doubt it.

That actually even further supports Crocodile being on Roger's crew. If he was, he would know they exist. Tom and Franky only knew they existed because they directly inherited the blueprints for one. Robin knew because the Ohara scholars told her about it. How many other people knew of the existence of an Ancient Weapon? Hardly anyone. For Croc to have that knowledge, he'd have had to been a Marine (Not even gonna dignify that), or be in a Pirate Crew that was majorly successful (Roger, Shiki, or Shirohige). Considering he lost to Shirohige and I doubt he's connected with Shiki, It's a safe bet he was on Roger's crew.

If regular people didn't know about the ancient weapons, how would the WG's excuse for Ohara work? Normal people think that the Oharans were looking for an ancient weapon. Also, Croc was shown in the chapter in his usual attire. Sunglasses-san has a completely different body structure and chin nevermind his clothes being different from the standard Croc coat w/ cigar. And how do you think Sunglasses-san physically changed into Croc? We have only seen major body structure changes brought about by DFs and Iva's hormones. Assuming the latter explains Croc's "weakness" how is being one of Roger's former crewmates a weakness? It made people think better of/fear Buggy, and I don't see how it would interfere with Croc's plan to kill Whitebeard that seems to be his goal now. And Iva knew Croc as a rookie. How is being on the Pirate King's crew being a rookie?

Ivotas

@Fire Fist:

…But I'm still convinced the long-haired guy is a young Croc.

Dude, the guy just said himself that he's been with Roger for a long time. He's definitely was not a youngling/rookie/apprentice in Chapter 0.

@Fire Fist:

That actually even further supports Crocodile being on Roger's crew. If he was, he would know they exist. Tom and Franky only knew they existed because they directly inherited the blueprints for one. Robin knew because the Ohara scholars told her about it. How many other people knew of the existence of an Ancient Weapon? Hardly anyone. For Croc to have that knowledge, he'd have had to been a Marine (Not even gonna dignify that), or be in a Pirate Crew that was majorly successful (Roger, Shiki, or Shirohige). Considering he lost to Shirohige and I doubt he's connected with Shiki, It's a safe bet he was on Roger's crew.

As I've said plenty of times by now, the sunglasses guy said he was together with Roger for a long time. He most certainly was with him when Roger found the weapon. It lacks any sense to decades later start a coupe d'état only to find the Poneglyph, note the Poneglyph, not the actual weapon, that gives you clues about where to find Pluton when he could easily just go and get his hands on the one Roger found.

FireFistAce 0

@loledinmypants:

If regular people didn't know about the ancient weapons, how would the WG's excuse for Ohara work? Normal people think that the Oharans were looking for an ancient weapon. Also, Croc was shown in the chapter in his usual attire. Sunglasses-san has a completely different body structure and chin nevermind his clothes being different from the standard Croc coat w/ cigar. And how do you think Sunglasses-san physically changed into Croc? We have only seen major body structure changes brought about by DFs and Iva's hormones. Assuming the latter explains Croc's "weakness" how is being one of Roger's former crewmates a weakness? It made people think better of/fear Buggy, and I don't see how it would interfere with Croc's plan to kill Whitebeard that seems to be his goal now. And Iva knew Croc as a rookie. How is being on the Pirate King's crew being a rookie?

Them having knowledge of the Ancient Weapons and their pursuit of said knowledge was the whole reason for the Buster Call. If the knowledge was common place, Islands would be blown up left and right since the WG is adamant about suppressing knowledge of the Ancient Weapons and their past deeds. The whole reason they were monitoring Ohara in the first place was because they had suspicion that they were acquiring this knowledge. How does a rumor like that usually start? Through the citizens, or through a snitch. That's why Spandine and CP9 was dispatched to investigate and validate the rumors floating around. Once they had their proof (The Poneglyph in the basement), the Buster Call was initiated.

The sunglasses guy does have a different body structure, but people change dramatically in 22 years. Look at Moria; though one can argue that Kaidou is the cause of his new appearance due to Moria's defeat at his hands (and therefore a period of depression in which Moria got fat, lazy, and unathletic), but look at Doflamingo, too. Doflamingo's chin is more pointy, and his ears are also more pointy… he looks like a young Elf version of himself... people can change a lot in a relatively short period of time.

That guy may not even be Crocodile, but Croc had to have had some kind of connection with Roger. They wouldn't randomly show him at his execution without cause, especially when there's a ton of other people they could have shown. Oda wanted us to know that Croc has past with Roger; otherwise, he could have just been shown elsewhere reading about the execution.

Cleon

He was shown for the same reason Moria and the others were shown: to showcase that there were pirates at the execution who became influenced by Roger's words to go out and start a new age of piracy.

Sorry man, but you're just looking way too deep into things that aren't really there in the first place.

Ryuksgelus

^^^^^
exactly. Only reason Boa&Jinbei aren't there is because they have absolutely no reason to be.Watch the hooded guy be Kuma, not Dragon as well.

Guy with glasses looks like a young Hodgeback so he must be him. There is no similarity with Crocodile to make him being Croc seem even remotely feasible.

That person is probably as old as Croc is now in Chapter 0 anyways.Now they'd look way into middle age like past Garp or current Kizaru….not 30 something like Croc looks now.

loledinmypants

@Fire Fist:

Them having knowledge of the Ancient Weapons and their pursuit of said knowledge was the whole reason for the Buster Call. If the knowledge was common place, Islands would be blown up left and right since the WG is adamant about suppressing knowledge of the Ancient Weapons and their past deeds. The whole reason they were monitoring Ohara in the first place was because they had suspicion that they were acquiring this knowledge. How does a rumor like that usually start? Through the citizens, or through a snitch. That's why Spandine and CP9 was dispatched to investigate and validate the rumors floating around. Once they had their proof (The Poneglyph in the basement), the Buster Call was initiated.

The Oharans were attacked because they were looking into the information stored on Poneglyphs. That information isn't commonplace, but people unaware of the truth about the Ohara incident label the Oharans as demons who were seeking the ancient weapons. They know the ancient weapons excist, they just don't know where they are or how to find them since they can't read what's on the Poneglyphs. And along with that, I don't think most people who aren't insane or villainous would care to look for that knowledge, especially since the WG made an example of Ohara basically saying "don't go looking at Poneglyphs for ancient weapons or we'll destroy you". Common people wouldn't know there's more to the Poneglyphs than that.
And you never did explain how being on Roger's crew for an extended period of time somehow still makes one a rookie. I'm with Ivotas on that. Puts a hole in the whole Sunglasses-san = Croc theory.

Ivotas

@Fire Fist:

That guy may not even be Crocodile, but Croc had to have had some kind of connection with Roger. They wouldn't randomly show him at his execution without cause, especially when there's a ton of other people they could have shown. Oda wanted us to know that Croc has past with Roger; otherwise, he could have just been shown elsewhere reading about the execution.

No offense FFA but this really is a dumb argument because the very same thing could just be said about Doflamingo, Moria and Dragon who were all present during the execution. Not everybody we've seen on that page had to be a Roger Pirate. Remember Rayleighs statement from chapter 506:

"From what I hear, many young men who are now well-known pirates packed the square that day, in order to witness the Pirate King's execution, as the rest of the world eagerly waited."

How about seeing Crocodile, Doflamingo and Moria back then being nothing more then graphic evidence to that statement thus adding a bit flavour to the whole thing?

And I repeat another argument. The sunglasses guy obviously doesn't have neither the pimp coat nor is he smoking cigars. Crocodile has been doing exactly that for 22 years now. So it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to assume that he did hid previous to Roger's execution. Yet, Roger's crewmate doesn't do anything of that sort. He wears those sunglasses however which again don't seem to fit Crocodile's style.

NANLIT

Anyone else think that the Ancient Weapon that Shiki was referring to is Poseidon since we know that Roger visited Skypiea?

loledinmypants

@NANLIT:

Anyone else think that the Ancient Weapon that Shiki was referring to is Poseidon since we know that Roger visited Skypiea?

Could just as easily been Pluton since Tom had the blueprints and made Roger's ship. There's really nothing pointing toward it being either of them since both reasons feel weak imo. Luffy went to Skypeia, but he doesn't know where Poseidon is. Luffy's ship is made by Franky who had the Pluton blueprints and again, Luffy doesn't know where Pluton is.
TL;DR not enough evidence to say what ancient weapon Roger knew the location of. Could be Pluton, Poseidon, or one we don't even know of yet.

Ivotas

@loledinmypants:

Could just as easily been Pluton since Tom had the blueprints and made Roger's ship. There's really nothing pointing toward it being either of them since both reasons feel weak imo. Luffy went to Skypeia, but he doesn't know where Poseidon is. Luffy's ship is made by Franky who had the Pluton blueprints and again, Luffy doesn't know where Pluton is.
TL;DR not enough evidence to say what ancient weapon Roger knew the location of. Could be Pluton, Poseidon, or one we don't even know of yet.

The slight difference is thought that Tom didn't know where the original Pluton was hidden. He just had the blueprints to buy another Pluton in case any of the Ancient Weapons would fall into wrong hands. The Jaya/Upper Yard Poneglyph however contained information on Poseidon, which most probably also includes its location.

I'm not saying that Shiki is necessarily talking about Poseidon. But it's likely while with Pluton we have no hints given that Roger was exposed to anything that contains information about the original Pluton's wherabouts.

loledinmypants

@Ivotas:

The slight difference is thought that Tom didn't know where the original Pluton was hidden. He just had the blueprints to buy another Pluton in case any of the Ancient Weapons would fall into wrong hands. The Jaya/Upper Yard Poneglyph however contained information on Poseidon, which most probably also includes its location.

I'm not saying that Shiki is necessarily talking about Poseidon. But it's likely while with Pluton we have no hints given that Roger was exposed to anything that contains information about the original Pluton's wherabouts.

True, but I'm still thinking it could be most any of the ancient weapons since the only two we know of have been on the only Poneglyphs we know the general contents of. If Roger could read them, then any one of them he ran into could potentially have had information on an ancient weapon. On the other hand, it would be interesting that the Pirate King knew the location of the ancient weapon named after the god of the sea. Kinda like how it's interesting seeing all the parallels between the god Poseidon and WB, but that's a topic for another thread. Perhaps I'm hoping Poseidon will be relevant later on so I'm not buying its mention being made to be used as the weapon Roger knew the location of. As to why it can't be both, idk…

FireFistAce 0

@Ivotas:

No offense FFA but this really is a dumb argument because the very same thing could just be said about Doflamingo, Moria and Dragon who were all present during the execution. Not everybody we've seen on that page had to be a Roger Pirate. Remember Rayleighs statement from chapter 506:

"From what I hear, many young men who are now well-known pirates packed the square that day, in order to witness the Pirate King's execution, as the rest of the world eagerly waited."

I know, but my point was that it wasn't just him being present at the Execution. You're 100% right, he could've just been a rookie present who was influenced by Roger's words at his death. But there's other things to suggest that Crocodile wasn't exactly some nameless pirate even back in the day, the least of which being that he has a very powerful Logia.

And I repeat another argument. The sunglasses guy obviously doesn't have neither the pimp coat nor is he smoking cigars. Crocodile has been doing exactly that for 22 years now. So it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to assume that he did hid previous to Roger's execution. Yet, Roger's crewmate doesn't do anything of that sort. He wears those sunglasses however which again don't seem to fit Crocodile's style.

I already agreed that he's probably not that guy. If anyone in the series, he looks like what would happen if Ben Beckman and Kuro fused together.

Vash The Stampede

@Ivotas:

This reminds me of the "is Trafalgar Law actually Gin?" questions from back then. I don't quite get where the idea comes from two make two different people one and the same person. Indigo is Indigo and Vegapunk is obviously Vegapunk. Furthermore the one works for the WG while the other is a pirate. How is that supposed to work when both most probably need to dedicate themselves to their respective researches?

Where did we see Vegapunks flag/symbol? I can't seem to find it myself.

Why does he have to be frome East Blue? It's a public execution that was the center of attention for the entire world. Surely there are plenty people in the crowd came from all over the world just to witness the spectacle.

And what does coming from East Blue have to do with having a D. in your name? That one isn't quite clear to me.

sorry for being late, was busy moving country.

as for vegapunk symbol, iwas sorta right sorta wrong:
http://www.onemanga.com/One_Piece/511/06-07/
it's got the same left up right thing going on but a bit different, but still doesnt mean it could'nt be his brother. why wouldn't shiki get his doctor, where doctor could mean medical doctor or scientific doctor like vegabank, from the highly advanced island. much like the contrast in luffy's family's generations, there could be a contrast between the brothers, one turns marine, one pirate. I'm not submitting this as fact, but the hair does give a potential suggestion, and we all know how sly Oda can be.

FireFistAce 0

We've already seen Vegapunk's brother, supposedly, anyway:

!

This guy is from the same island that Vegapunk was born on and the same one Franky is on now. I have a feeling he has (well, had, since he's dead) some connection to Vegapunk.

Mugiwara Kaizoku

Do we even know who build the ancient weapons (i suppose that ancient civilisation which was annihilated by the WG ancestors,… or the earth to counter Sephiroth, lol)
and do we know if they were ever used (likely, because otherwise no one would frighten/adore them so much)?

Well, considering that the leads to the Ancient Weapons are imprinted on the Poneglyphs which were created by that ancient folk, it's pretty much a given that they had something to do with it, but why were they annihilated in the first place when they had those weapons? is it because they abandoned that power in order to protect the world from total destruction or is it that they couldn't use them (maybe alien technology) and therefore hid them instead of giving the WG ancestors a chance to grasp that power?

...if i was them and couldn't use the weapon for whatever reason and i also wouldn't want that power to fall into the hands of the enemy, then i would have destroyed those weapons instead of hiding them... so can it be that those weapons really are already destroyed or do you think these people bet everything on the slim chance that someone else than the most powerful and influencial organisation in the world would find these weapons and overthrow the WG... which pretty much does seem like the same situation in which ancient civilisation vs. WG ancestors were themselves.

of course there is also the possibility that those weapons couldn't be destroyed.

the whole existence of the ancient weapons raises more questions than answers and i still fear that we won't be seeing much of them (not much action) even if it is a shame. the schedule is just too tight, those 10 years, i hope Oda has to go overtime.

Czechmate

We know that shipwrights of Water 7 built Pluton.

OrangeNinjasSucks

I really enjoyed this chapter overall! Oda can sure come up with some of the best stuff out there! I guess this does mean that Strong World is cannon to the manga storyline then. But with this chapter it brings up even more questions like "What is Roger's weapon?" "Why was Donflamingo and Mihawk there?" and more cannon questions like if the filler episodes on right now are actually filler or not? I'm sure Oda will save those questions for the manga later on! This was definitely a great chapter! Does anyone know if there is gonna be more chapters like this one on Volume Zero? :wassat:

Greg

Oh… just realized it now... Hattori, it has been living for more than 20 years.... wow... this pigeon sure is maxing out its lifespan.

Or perhaps…Lucci got another bird...just an idea :P

Why was Donflamingo and Mihawk there?"

To be inspired to become famous pirates as Rayleigh suggested back in early 2008.

This was definitely a great chapter! Does anyone know if there is gonna be more chapters like this one on Volume Zero?

Doubtful. Very, very doubtful.

This chapter was the most jam-packed chapter Oda has constructed in a LONG time. Not only that but it had what seemed like a completely satisfying beginning, middle and end, for him to cover anything more would seem strange. I imagine it will contain Oda's movie sketches and if we're lucky, an interview or maybe SBS.

junte86

some pigeon can live up to 35 years so it seems possible.

Ivotas

@Fire Fist:

We've already seen Vegapunk's brother, supposedly, anyway:

! http://media4.onemanga.com/mangas/00000002/000129022/01.jpg

This guy is from the same island that Vegapunk was born on and the same one Franky is on now. I have a feeling he has (well, had, since he's dead) some connection to Vegapunk.

Not that it isn't possible that Tsukimi (that was his name was it?) is related to Vegapunk but on the other hand he could just be one of the many geniuses from Machine Island. What I'm more interested is if Vegapunks genius is far above the rest of the MI geniuses or if it is about the same level? We know that the Marines consider him to be the smartest person around but the question is if they are even familiar with the other scientists from MI? Might aswell be that they are keeping themselves hidden from the outside world. And they might consider Vegapunk to be a traitor for working with the WG. Or does he work for the WG in order to protect his home? Questions, questions.

They call me D

Fire F.A. could you like circle what/whom you are referring to in your linked/posted pictures, sometimes there is a lot of shit going on in the image and I have no clue what you are referring to.

FireFistAce 0

@Ivotas:

Not that it isn't possible that Tsukimi (that was his name was it?) is related to Vegapunk but on the other hand he could just be one of the many geniuses from Machine Island. What I'm more interested is if Vegapunks genius is far above the rest of the MI geniuses or if it is about the same level? We know that the Marines consider him to be the smartest person around but the question is if they are even familiar with the other scientists from MI? Might aswell be that they are keeping themselves hidden from the outside world. And they might consider Vegapunk to be a traitor for working with the WG. Or does he work for the WG in order to protect his home? Questions, questions.

I'm sure they know of Machine Island; I doubt Kuma can just randomly punt people to random destinations without knowing the location of the island. From what I understand, he actually took a ship to Thriller Bark because he couldn't exactly punt himself to a constantly moving target.

Plus, if they were hostile to outsiders, they would have told Franky to leave immediately, or just simply shot him for trespassing.

And yes, I will circle my person of reference from now on.

Greg

FFA, quit while you're ahead.

I will support you to the bitter end that the Croc theory you brought up is as interesting as hell and would be totally awesome if Oda constructed a reason for it but these other ideas are just drawing upon things that are not even remotely similar and even if they were, would serve no purpose to enhance the story. Whereas the Croc theory, if it were true, despite having a number of excellent pieces of evidence against its favor, would also have a bitchin' reason to explain Croc's dream WHICH AT THE TIME looked just like a joke on Oda's behalf not to mention Croc's insult to Luffy during their final battle.

Ivotas

@Fire Fist:

I'm sure they know of Machine Island; I doubt Kuma can just randomly punt people to random destinations without knowing the location of the island. From what I understand, he actually took a ship to Thriller Bark because he couldn't exactly punt himself to a constantly moving target.

Well Kuma could have learned about the island from Vegapunk while it could still be hidden to the rest of the world. It's a possibility.

Plus, if they were hostile to outsiders, they would have told Franky to leave immediately, or just simply shot him for trespassing.

Erm, didn't the dog shoot him at first? And didn't we see him getting chased by a whole bunch of cyborg animals in the first page of his side story? True, those two people he met were friendly to him but what's to say that they are not rather exceptional and that generally those cyber-animals are created as watchdogs to not let any outsiders get inside the island/kingdom.

OR there's also the possibility that they are just don't like the WG.

FireFistAce 0

You're right Greg, I am grasping at straws a bit with that one, but all the Cover Stories up until now have been relevant to the bigger picture. Buggy's showed how Buggy ended up at Loguetown. Coby and Helmeppo's introduced Garp and showed how they became marines. Jango's showed how he and Fullbody ended up becoming buddies and working under Hina. So on and so forth…

That said, there has to be something to tie Eneru in with the story. Obviously, with Maxim destroyed, he's trapped on the moon with the Spaceys, but I seriously doubt Oda's just going to end his story there. Considering, chronologically, his Cover Arc is the next one to have some sort of relevance, I have a feeling he and the Spaceys will be making an appearance soon.

But I'm going off on a tangent there. The main thing regarding that was Oda's mention of Karakuri Island in that arc and then the mention here of it being Vegapunk's birthplace...

The only thing that doesn't fit is that in the Eneru mini-arc, it's a Summer Island. In Franky's mini-arc, it's a Winter Island. Unless there's two different islands named Karakuri.

rizu

So it is roger who stuck that ship steering on Shiki's head.. I think it was his hair when i saw the first theatrical trailer.

loledinmypants

@Fire Fist:

You're right Greg, I am grasping at straws a bit with that one, but all the Cover Stories up until now have been relevant to the bigger picture. Buggy's showed how Buggy ended up at Loguetown. Coby and Helmeppo's introduced Garp and showed how they became marines. Jango's showed how he and Fullbody ended up becoming buddies and working under Hina. So on and so forth…

That said, there has to be something to tie Eneru in with the story. Obviously, with Maxim destroyed, he's trapped on the moon with the Spaceys, but I seriously doubt Oda's just going to end his story there. Considering, chronologically, his Cover Arc is the next one to have some sort of relevance, I have a feeling he and the Spaceys will be making an appearance soon.

But I'm going off on a tangent there. The main thing regarding that was Oda's mention of Karakuri Island in that arc and then the mention here of it being Vegapunk's birthplace...

The only thing that doesn't fit is that in the Eneru mini-arc, it's a Summer Island. In Franky's mini-arc, it's a Winter Island. Unless there's two different islands named Karakuri.

Whoa whoa wait. What happened to Wapol? He had a coverstory before Enel.
While I am basically saying not all coverstories will tie directly into the main plot, I will say I'd support you on the notion of the former CP9's coverstory going somewhere.

Vanessa

If that siege wall and more importantly, the Pacifistas, have been fitted with Wapol Steel(which would somewhat explain their toughness) then in a way his coverstory has already managed to ease into the main one.

After initial success with toys, the Baku Baku Factory and the Wapol Corporation; usage of Wapol Steel might have found use by the World Government and the Navy?

loledinmypants

@Vanessa:

If that siege wall and more importantly, the Pacifistas, have been fitted with Wapol Steel(which would somewhat explain their toughness) then in a way his coverstory has already managed to ease into the main one.

After initial success with toys, the Baku Baku Factory and the Wapol Corporation; usage of Wapol Steel might have found use by the World Government and the Navy?

I'd accept that if that's how it goes, but that still doesn't really explain where Enel's coverstory will matter. I doubt the guy is related to Vegapunk since my take on the difference in his island and the one Franky's on is that there are multiple islands with similar yet different characteristics. More than just Vegapunk's island have geniuses. I'd also like to think there're more desert islands than just Arabasta, more islands with creepy ruins than where Zoro landed, and we know there are more islands with giants than just Elbaf from Saul, and more sky islands because Enel came from another one than Skypeia (oh, and Weatheria). So imo I don't see where Enel's coverstory will come into play. That old inventor dude was just from one of the islands with geniuses. If it wasn't so specifically placed, I'd even think there were more fishman/undersea islands, but that's a unique case because of its location.

Vanessa

It's not like every coverstory has to somehow tie into what's happening with Luffy and co. I mean Gedatsu's story will likely never be.

I mean if they do they do, but overall they're just for showing us that the One Piece world doesn't revolve around the main characters(which is sadly a rarity) or is always affected by what the Strawhats have done.

loledinmypants

@Vanessa:

It's not like they all have to somehow tie into what's happening with Luffy and co.

I mean Gedatsu's story will likely never be.

I know, but FFA was trying to say Enel's story has to tie in next so I brought up Wapol and we got carried away. I should have used Gedatsu as my example Totally forgot the poor guy. Anyway, enough of the offtopic coverstory talk spawned by FFA's wild theories.:ninja:

Greg

Ener's coverstory will eventually be one of the most important cover stories in the series, just like Skypiea's 'wasted' flashback will eventually be a gateway to one of Oda's most important and central stories.

I doubt the guy is related to Vegapunk since my take on the difference in his island and the one Franky's on is that there are multiple islands with similar yet different characteristics.

You'll have to forgive me. Movie 7 has forever fucked with my brain but aren't those robots from the same island Franky is on right now?

Unluck

Wow, I wasn't really excited for this new movie until this chapter came out. Now I can't wait.

And baby Ace is adorable.