The War With Whitebeard

[LeaD]

@mickgreen58:

True, but I just don't see the Marines following the WB Alliance to the New World. I think they will start remain at Marineford.

Yeah, they probably won't chase them, but there is going to be a giant target on the WB pirates not just from the government, but other pirates looking to attack them while they are weak. It's just a thought on the reasoning behind keeping Luffy behind, Oda probably has a number of better ideas in his head.

It would be interesting if Boa Hancock took Luffy back to Amazon Lilly and that could serve as a means for him to become more adept at using Haki. Also, with Blackbeard on the loose, Level 6 prisoners free, Impel Down in disgrace and the casualties the Marines suffered, it will be a while before they can mount a full attack on Amazon Lilly to punish Boa Hancock.

True, they might not even attack if she decides to leave Amazon Lilly and remove the huge target she brings. I don't know what side of the split island she is on though, and even if they do escape, I don't know how she'd end up getting Luffy back to her island across the Calm Belt. When Luffy left there was some foreshadowing that he'd go back there with the rest of his crew.

True, but I don't think the Marines are all that surprised that Rayleigh has been on SA.

Agreed, but I doubt he'd be willing to take that risk, he does have the perfect hideout though when he goes to the Thousand Sunny. The Flying Fish Riders (if that's right) still have their base intact, he could hideout there with the ship.

One thing I cannot wait for is to see how high Luffy's bounty is once the dust settles in this war.

Same here, I enjoyed the latest chapter, but I am more interested to see how everything plays out.

[mickgreen58]

@LeaD:

Yeah, they probably won't chase them, but there is going to be a giant target on the WB pirates not just from the government, but other pirates looking to attack them while they are weak. It's just a thought on the reasoning behind keeping Luffy behind, Oda probably has a number of better ideas in his head.

True, they might not even attack if she decides to leave Amazon Lilly and remove the huge target she brings. I don't know what side of the split island she is on though, and even if they do escape, I don't know how she'd end up getting Luffy back to her island across the Calm Belt. When Luffy left there was some foreshadowing that he'd go back there with the rest of his crew.

Agreed, but I doubt he'd be willing to take that risk, he does have the perfect hideout though when he goes to the Thousand Sunny. The Flying Fish Riders (if that's right) still have their base intact, he could hideout there with the ship.

Same here, I enjoyed the latest chapter, but I am more interested to see how everything plays out.

Good stuff!!!

I can't wait to see all of this animated.

So does Teach take Mariejoa or Fishman Island to get to the New World?

[Ivotas]

@mickgreen58:

So does Teach take Mariejoa or Fishman Island to get to the New World?

With the recent events it's unlikely that Mariejoa is an option.

[Cyan D. Funk]

@Ivotas:

With the recent events it's unlikely that Mariejoa is an option.

Then how would he get to Fishmen without a ship? Or a coated ship for that matter. Didn't the way to Skypeia total it?

[Shichibukai]

Also now Ace and WB are dead we still don't know their bountys, i am really curious what bounty they gave the strongest man in the world.

[Ivotas]

@Cyan:

Then how would he get to Fishmen without a ship? Or a coated ship for that matter. Didn't the way to Skypeia total it?

How about simply getting a coated ship? We're talking about a character that made up a successful plan to become a Warlord in order to release some dangerous criminals after all. Surely it doesn't take rocket scientist to figure out that he should have it easy to get on the other side of the wall. :getlost:

[mickgreen58]

@Ivotas:

With the recent events it's unlikely that Mariejoa is an option.

Why isn't Mariejoa a likely option?

[Ivotas]

@mickgreen58:

Why isn't Mariejoa a likely option?

Because it has been established that the route over Mariejoa isn't accessable to pirates. And Teach just turned on the government this chapter meaning he doesn't have any Warlord status he can use anymore.

[mickgreen58]

@Ivotas:

Because it has been established that the route over Mariejoa isn't accessable to pirates. And Teach just turned on the government this chapter meaning he doesn't have any Warlord status he can use anymore.

What you stated was my initial thought yesterday and someone replied "Who would stop Blackbeard from using Mariejoa".

We shall see.

[Ivotas]

@mickgreen58:

What you stated was my initial thought yesterday and someone replied "Who would stop Blackbeard from using Mariejoa".

We shall see.

Surely the WG most have an effective defense line for Mariejoa right now or otherwise Dragon would easily take advantage of the situation and claim the heads of the Gorosei right now while the Marine forces are concentrated at Marineford. In that likely situation I expect whatever is able to hold of Dragon should also be able to hold of Teach.

[mickgreen58]

@Ivotas:

Surely the WG most have an effective defense line for Mariejoa right now or otherwise Dragon would easily take advantage of the situation and claim the heads of the Gorosei right now while the Marine forces are concentrated at Marineford. In that likely situation I expect whatever is able to hold of Dragon should also be able to hold of Teach.

Good sound logic, I wish I would have thought of it .

[GaaraofTheDesert]

CPZero are in Mariejoa.

[Ivotas]

@GaaraofTheDesert:

CPZero are in Mariejoa.

Hey, just because Luffy is in "…...." mode it doesn't mean Oda is going to keep trolling, trolling, trolling, trolling! ;P

[LightningAce]

@Ivotas:

Surely the WG most have an effective defense line for Mariejoa right now or otherwise Dragon would easily take advantage of the situation and claim the heads of the Gorosei right now while the Marine forces are concentrated at Marineford. In that likely situation I expect whatever is able to hold of Dragon should also be able to hold of Teach.

Ivankov said back in prison in Chapter 539 that Dragon hasn't made his move yet, and that the when he leads his army to war, he will join him in the outside world. Which means, Dragon could attack if he wanted to, but isn't going to for w.e reason unknown to us.

I raelly doubt they could have any defence strong enuff to stop Blackbeard from forcing his way through that entrance.

[Ivotas]

@LightningAce:

Ivankov said back in prison in Chapter 539 that Dragon hasn't made his move yet, and that the when he leads his army to war, he will join him in the outside world. Which means, Dragon could attack if he wanted to, but isn't going to for w.e reason unknown to us.

Whether Dragon choses to move or not is his decision. To be prepared in case if is the WG's decision. And they'd be real idiots if they wouldn't calculate with an attack of the worlds worst criminal whose declared aim is to overthrow the government.

[wolfwood]

Yeah you'd imagine that the security around the five elder stars would make even Whitebeard think twice.

Wonder when we're ever gonna get to see the cream de la cream of what the world goverment branch has to offer.

[Don Quichotte De Flamingo]

couldn`t the gorusei just use the admirals..

but would be kind of cool to have a special force which protects them (seeing that vegapunk has one)
but maybe the gorusei are strong enough on their own.

[wolfwood]

@Don:

couldn`t the gorusei just use the admirals..

Well they have other duties to tend to and cant just babysit dignitaries.

And besides even if they were avalible, would you really trust any of those asshats with your life? :p

but would be kind of cool to have a special force which protects them (seeing that vegapunk has one)

Yeah seeing as how the world goverment had guys like Luchi and Magellan in their corner it wouldnt be all that suprising if they had kept some of those monster around to make sure nobody tries a "Tiger Fisher" again.

but maybe the gorusei are strong enough on their own.

Also a possiblity, they look pretty capable despite being old.

[Don Quichotte De Flamingo]

@wolfwood:

Well they have other duties to tend to and cant just babysit dignitaries.

well, they are the most important people of the world..when they have to babysit the tenryibuto

And besides even if they were avalible, would you really trust any of those asshats with your life? :p

that i can`t deny

Yeah seeing as how the world goverment had guys like Luchi and Magellan in their corner it wouldnt be all that suprising if they had kept some of those monster around to make sure nobody tries a "Tiger Fisher" again.

they sure aren`t unprotected..every place so far (EL,ID) had some special forces..and for the sake of the world they sure kept the best in maryjoa:happy:

Also a possiblity, they look pretty capable despite being old.

the discussion with sengoku was already pointless…WB also "was" old..
i think they sure can fight(just looked at the one with the wooden katana..hes badass!) , maybe not on toptier level but still they arent old weak perverts.

[Ivotas]

@wolfwood:

And besides even if they were avalible, would you really trust any of those asshats with your life? :p

Come again? There's no one doing a more thorough job than Akainu. If the task is to protect the lifes of the Gorosei then he will do it. He might end up killing everyone else instead though.^^

[Don Quichotte De Flamingo]

@Ivotas:

Come again? There's no one doing a more thorough job than Akainu. If the task is to protect the lifes of the Gorosei then he will do it. He might end up killing everyone else instead though.^^

aokiji would fall asleep..
akainmu would rather kill me..
kizaru wouldnt even notice that enemies would attack me or would ask where my home is up to the point where its to late

[wolfwood]

@Ivotas:

Come again? There's no one doing a more thorough job than Akainu. If the task is to protect the lifes of the Gorosei then he will do it. He might end up killing everyone else instead though.^^

Too much maintenance.

You'd have to micromanage that fucker to make sure that he doesnt just nuke everything that could possibly contain a threat. And really having a guy who cant be trusted with simple orders guard something doesnt seem like the best idea.

[Ivotas]

@wolfwood:

Too much maintenance.

You'd have to micromanage that fucker to make sure that he doesnt just nuke everything that could possibly contain a threat. And really having a guy who cant be trusted with simple orders guard something doesnt seem like the best idea.

Depends on who the one giving the orders is. The Gorosei I'm sure wouldn't have much problems with Akainu's philosophy.

[wolfwood]

Well the only elder star we've seen interact with someone seemed like the kinda guy who would object to things like blowing up civilians, what with the he was already crying over the dead scholars and all. But i'm sure they've got all kinds, some of them seem more like scholars and some of them seem more like former military strongmen.

Anyhow the problem with Akainu is that while he's through in all that he does he still cant follow orders to the letter. You can never be too sure of what he's gonna do even if his heart is in the "right place".

[Ivotas]

@wolfwood:

Well the only elder star we've seen interact with someone seemed like the kinda guy who would object to things like blowing up civilians, what with the he was already crying over the dead scholars and all. But i'm sure they've got all kinds, some of them seem more like scholars and some of them seem more like former military strongmen.

They pretty much seemed to collectively agree to get their hands on an Ancient Weapon. Surely they wouldn't use it just for show. And if these thingies really live up to their hype then collateral damages can't be avoided. Which is why I consider them to approve of Sakazuki's methods if need be.

Anyhow the problem with Akainu is that while he's through in all that he does he still cant follow orders to the letter. You can never be too sure of what he's gonna do even if his heart is in the "right place".

What makes you think that?

[wolfwood]

@Ivotas:

What makes you think that?

Mostly how he out of the blue decided that the refugee ship the world goverment sent with them should go kabloowie.

He basicly just went with his gut feeling and couldnt careless what their actual orders were.

@Ivotas:

They pretty much seemed to collectively agree to get their hands on an Ancient Weapon. Surely they wouldn't use it just for show. And if these thingies really live up to their hype then collateral damages can't be avoided. Which is why I consider them to approve of Sakazuki's methods if need be.

I would think that people who know what they can do are less likely to just fuck around with them.

Just like how people dont throw around nukes these days because they know better. I dont see it being something they just go around using to conquer islands and other trivial stuff like that.

It'd be something that's kept so that nobody else could get the upperhand on you.

[Don Quichotte De Flamingo]

@wolfwood:

I would think that people who know what they can do are less likely to just fuck around with them.

Just like how people dont throw around nukes these days because they know better. I dont see it being something they just go around using to conquer islands and other trivial stuff like that.

It'd be something that's kept so that nobody else could get the upperhand on you.

you know you talk about those guys who killed dr.clover just cause they didnt want that he reveal the sins of their descendants. i think we can be sure that they are like sakazuki in the end or why is the WG so corrupt after all. the story seems to lead that the WG is evil and that they in the end will be vanished cause the ancient kingdom will raise again. i dont think that those who are in charge of the WG are actually rly lovely old grandfathers who just don`t notive what goes on in the world of OP.
i mean they are those who let tenriybuto live with them in maryjoa, they know slavery is still existing and they wanted that ohara should be vanished!

[wolfwood]

Well if you are interested and have the time to read 25 pages i wrote down pretty much all my thoughts on the elder stars and why i dont think they'll turn out to be the typical evil overlords over in the world goverment corruption thread.

[Ivotas]

@wolfwood:

Mostly how he out of the blue decided that the refugee ship the world goverment sent with them should go kabloowie. He basicly just went with his gut feeling and couldnt careless what their actual orders were.

The definition of a good commanding soldier is that he is smart enough to make rational military decisions by himself. That's what Sakazuki did. He even explained his motives for it. And he did have a point if you consider the objective for that attack.

The archeologists surely had family, friends and neighbors at Ohara. Can the Gorosei really be sure that taking out only the archeologists alone would completely erase every trace of their research? I'd say that it's a great risk. It should have at least been in their calculations to annihilate all of Ohara if worst comes to worst.

I'm not saying that the plan was to kill the entire population to begin with (otherwise there wouldn't be the escape ship). My point is that it's fair game to assume that the Gorosei would be ok with wiping out the entire population if they see a threat in them too. Hence I doubt that Akainu's methods oppose their philosophy. His individual decision was in the interest of his superiors whether they realize it or not.

Did they ever say that they were gonna use them tho?

As I said, I doubt they plan to use them just for show when their plan is to end the great pirate age with them. Ok, perhaps they might sail to the New World on Pluton and ask the 4 Emperors politely to surrender. But what if the Emperors refuse? You think the Gorosei would just sail back with their Ancient Weapon? I rather doubt it.

[Don Quichotte De Flamingo]

@wolfwood:

Well if you are interested and have the time to read 25 pages i wrote down pretty much all my thoughts on the elder stars and why i dont think they'll turn out to be the typical evil overlords over in the world goverment corruption thread.

you could at least link where i can start to do so:happy:

[El Chupa Negro]

Say they sent Akainu to get the strawhats on thriller bark. He would see that Gecko Moria was weak and just a waste of Marine resources since he lost. Then he would probably Kill everyone there just to make sure this event was never heard of . Another thing Akainu believes in absolute justice and with power like his collateral damage would be ridiculous he would see everybody as a threat .

[Ivotas]

@wolfwood:

Well if you are interested and have the time to read 25 pages i wrote down pretty much all my thoughts on the elder stars and why i dont think they'll turn out to be the typical evil overlords over in the world goverment corruption thread.

Where are you getting the evil overlords thing from? I'm just saying that it is ok with their moral to kill people if they think it's for the safe of the(ir) world order. I never said they do it because they get a boner at making people suffer.

And the point is, Akainu is pretty much the same. His method's are radical but he doesn't do it because he finds some pervese pleasure at making people suffer (that would be Shiryu's domain). He simply does the job because he thinks it's in the interest of justice. Just like the Gorosei that considered annihilating scholars is in the interest of justice.

[wolfwood]

@Ivotas:

My point is that it's fair game to assume that the Gorosei would be ok with wiping out the entire population if they see a threat in them too. Hence I doubt that Akainu's methods oppose their philosophy.

The diffrence betwenn them would probably be that the elder stars would kill them if they looked over all the angels and felt that they really had to, while Akainu would kill them in a heartbeat just to be 1000% sure.

His individual decision was in the interest of his superiors whether they realize it or not.

Well maybe it's just me, but if i say dont blow up that ship i'd prefer it if he atleast consulted me before deciding to blow it to kingdom come. I mean it's not even like there was a ticking timer some where, they had all the time in the world to sort through the people on that ship.

Ah well if nothing else i do belive that we all can agree on that if the mission at hand requires a sensitive touch steer the fuck away from Akainu.

As I said, I doubt they plan to use them just for show when their plan is to end the great pirate age with them. Ok, perhaps they might sail to the New World on Pluton and ask the 4 Emperors politely to surrender. But what if the Emperors refuse? You think the Gorosei would just sail back with their Ancient Weapon? I rather doubt it.

I honestly belive that the destructive power contained in those weapons are going to be that huge that it poses a clear danger to the whole planet if they're used. And as such i dont think that they will be used unless it's their last possible resort.

@Don:

you could at least link where i can start to do so:happy:

Ehm, good question. It all started with some impel down stuff then it kinda grew from that into the whole elder stars and the void centuary affair. I'd think you would be best of if you read the whole shebang.

But bewarned that it's a huge clusterfuck of point by point break down arguments that span two dozen pages.

@Ivotas:

Where are you getting the evil overlords thing from?

It was in reply to Don's post.

[Ivotas]

@wolfwood:

The diffrence betwenn them would probably be that the elder stars would kill them if they looked over all the angels and felt that they really had to, while Akainu would kill them in a heartbeat just to be 1000% sure.

That's what makes the difference between a politician at his desk and a soldier at the warfront. A good leader is smart enough to comprehend that his military forces have other approaches. Yet it doesn't mean that this approach can't be in their interest.

Well maybe it's just me, but if i say dont blow up that ship i'd prefer it if he atleast consulted me before deciding to blow it to kingdom come. I mean it's not even like there was a ticking timer some where, they had all the time in the world to sort through the people on that ship.

Same as above, a warzone is a rough place. Heavy decisions need to be made in the blink of an eye. And he did a far better job to do the objective of the mission justice than Kuzan who actually worked against it in the end.

Ah well if nothing else i do belive that we all can agree on that if the mission at hand requires a sensitive touch steer the fuck away from Akainu.

Yep, agreed.^^

I honestly belive that the destructive power contained in those weapons are going to be that huge that it poses a clear danger to the whole planet if they're used. And as such i dont think that they will be used unless it's their last possible resort.

Which was exactly my point. With what little has been shown of them so far they definitely strike as guys that would push the red button if worst comes to worst.

It was in reply to Don's post.

I see.

[Don Quichotte De Flamingo]

@wolfwood:

Ehm, good question. It all started with some impel down stuff then it kinda grew from that into the whole elder stars and the void centuary affair. I'd think you would be best of if you read the whole shebang.

But bewarned that it's a huge clusterfuck of point by point break down arguments that span two dozen pages.

ehhm that doesnt help:tongue: i dont even know where to start dude..in this thread here? first page to begin with? :blink:

that can`t be it ,without an starting point where i could than go post by post of you this is sure impossible.
so maybe you just bring once again the most important points short up, or i will maybe never know why you disagree with me, even when iam interested in your opinion on that matter :sad:

[Muah]

While I object to the stereotypes that all black men are lazy seeing an admiral play bodyguard would be epic.

[Yonkou3]

OH SHIT!
WHITEBEARD EXISTS!

z4OnhnvczTk

REAL LIFE WHITEBEARD VS. BLACKBEARD FIGHT HERE! DON'T WAIT FOR IT TO BE ANIMATED!

[DooMinator]

BB will escape easily. "Colossal Battleship" San Juan Wolf. Why is he called this? Just because he is big? Don't think so, Oars was big as well, even little Oars… He has a DF that allows him to travel the seas as a boat. :ninja:

[IvanKing]

@DooMinator:

BB will escape easily. "Colossal Battleship" San Juan Wolf. Why is he called this? Just because he is big? Don't think so, Oars was big as well, even little Oars… He has a DF that allows him to travel the seas as a boat. :ninja:

Ok, that ability doesnt even make sense. A boat that sinks in water….....yeah. His epithet could refer to both his size and power. He's big and powerful, like a Collasal Battleship. That or everyone simply rides on his back and he swims. That would be pretty fun to see.

[mickgreen58]

@DooMinator:

BB will escape easily. "Colossal Battleship" San Juan Wolf. Why is he called this? Just because he is big? Don't think so, Oars was big as well, even little Oars… He has a DF that allows him to travel the seas as a boat. :ninja:

What you say could be true, but I kind of think his nickname is based upon his size and not his ability.

@IvanKing:

Ok, that ability doesnt even make sense. A boat that sinks in water….....yeah. His epithet could refer to both his size and power. He's big and powerful, like a Collasal Battleship. That or everyone simply rides on his back and he swims. That would be pretty fun to see.

Someone on here earlier stated that a Devil Fruit user only becomes a "hammer" when he/she's entire body is underwater.

I have my doubts about this comment as I don't think Devil Fruit users can swim at all, no matter how much of their body is submerged underwater.

[mickgreen58]

@Yonkou#3:

OH SHIT!
WHITEBEARD EXISTS!

z4OnhnvczTk

REAL LIFE WHITEBEARD VS. BLACKBEARD FIGHT HERE! DON'T WAIT FOR IT TO BE ANIMATED!

Man, that AC transit fight has spawned so many t-shirts, websites and artwork .

Here is the same guy getting tasered at an Oakland A's game. I guess this shows what would've happened if Whitebeard had been caught and sent to Impel Down .

gWW7NckzRCc

[Ivotas]

@IvanKing:

Ok, that ability doesnt even make sense. A boat that sinks in water….....yeah. His epithet could refer to both his size and power. He's big and powerful, like a Collasal Battleship. That or everyone simply rides on his back and he swims. That would be pretty fun to see.

Oda himself stated in an SBS that only being submerged by water is what has an effect on Devil Fruit users. And as we've seen with Luffy at Arlong Park, he never lost his ability underwater. He simply was to weak to use it himself.

Unlike a human however a ship doesn't require any usage of strenght to stay on water. It's a lifeless object that is designed for the very purpose to stay on water.

[dark knight]

funniest thing ive seen all year

gWW7NckzRCc

[DooMinator]

Just to clarify:

Brook has a DF and is able to run on the surface of the sea, AoKiji is able to… So why shouldn't someone else be?

Plus, BB never had a real ship. He had a raft. That is nothing for the future, just for the moment. He could have followed Luffy to Skypia, but he did not have a real ship. And so far, he has shown that he plans everything...

[mickgreen58]

@DooMinator:

Just to clarify:

Brook has a DF and is able to run on the surface of the sea, AoKiji is able to… So why shouldn't someone else be?

Plus, BB never had a real ship. He had a raft. That is nothing for the future, just for the moment. He could have followed Luffy to Skypia, but he did not have a real ship. And so far, he has shown that he plans everything...

Good point.

San Juan may get his nickname because he is actually a ship.

If this is true, what type of DF would that be?

Maybe a new DF category called "transformer" .

Also, if San Juan Wolf has a DF that allows him to sail on the sea, does that mean Seastone Handcuffs don't affect him?

It would be kind of funny if the guy doesn't have a DF and just kind of doggy paddles with the crew on his back.

[Ivotas]

How about calling it simply Ship Fruit instead? :wassat:

[brennen.exe]

Ehh, I wrote up a post about a gripe I have with the whole "ship fruit" theory, but I scrapped it because I lost interest. Basically, the only category that could (IMO) fit a "ship" fruit would be a Paramecia become/control type. Even then, it would have to be a first of its kind, as there aren't any examples of people straight up becoming another object. We've seen them change parts of their bodies into "objects" (wheels, springs, blades, scissors, etc) and we have seen them transform their body to a degree (Ivankov, Bon-chan, Wapol, Bege, etc), but completely turning their body into another fully functional object…? I dunno, something about it doesn't work for me. That, and if they cannot control themselves in the water, how do they deactivate their power and get out of the water? Well, I suppose Oda could make it work out, but I am skeptical.

[DooMinator]

Nicknames in OP DO say something about abilities. "Cat burglar" Nami, "Black Leg Sanji", the 3 admirals (yellow, blue, red), Senhock the Buddha…

Surely it'll be difficult for Oda to make it work, but it is his manga, he can do it…

[Ivotas]

@brennen.exe:

…That, and if they cannot control themselves in the water, how do they deactivate their power and get out of the water? Well, I suppose Oda could make it work out, but I am skeptical.

This would be were the submerged in water argument would come into play methinks. As long as such a character is not weakened he shouldn't have problems to perform a transformation. This leaves us with the problem that he can't perform this while being far away from the port. Perhaps, Wolf's crimes are that he killed thousands of civilists because he had to crash into port in order to not drown when he transforms back to a human.

No but seriously, someone of Wolfs size shouldn't drown if he transforms a couple of meters away from the shore. I doubt that he would even be submerged in water enough to be weakened.

[S7evin]

@brennen.exe:

Ehh, I wrote up a post about a gripe I have with the whole "ship fruit" theory, but I scrapped it because I lost interest. Basically, the only category that could (IMO) fit a "ship" fruit would be a Paramecia become/control type. Even then, it would have to be a first of its kind, as there aren't any examples of people straight up becoming another object. We've seen them change parts of their bodies into "objects" (wheels, springs, blades, scissors, etc) and we have seen them transform their body to a degree (Ivankov, Bon-chan, Wapol, Bege, etc), but completely turning their body into another fully functional object…? I dunno, something about it doesn't work for me. That, and if they cannot control themselves in the water, how do they deactivate their power and get out of the water? Well, I suppose Oda could make it work out, but I am skeptical.

I don't know if this has been suggested yet, but what if it's the other way around? Of course my argument hinges on the argument that there's another human-type zoan fruit out there but bear with me.

What if he's not originally a human/giant/etc. but a ship that somehow absorbed the power of e.g. a giant devil fruit? That way, he wouldn't have to turn into anything when getting into the water, he would just revert into his original form.

That could also be a reason the WG would want him to imprisoned in Impel Down. He might have been Vegapunks first success in transferring fruit powers to an object and since he is conscious and can communicate with other people would have been able to leak insider information. Or it was the other way around, maybe he was the first case a devil fruit power was transferred to an object and Vegapunk just used him as a test subject.

It has been stated that bounties and therefore prison placement/sentencing is not so much dependent on the actual damage or power level as it is on the threat to the WG. So who knows…