Whew, at last I can post. Thanks to everyone who helped make that happen. New to the board, and will post a hello a bit later, but have been chomping at the bit to say some things about this chapter and arc. Hope you all don't mind.
So. Interesting bits–Increadibly good way of handling Luffy's PTSD and realization that Ace is, indeed, gone. Very touching. I loved the flashes of memory in and out. Didn't think that was overdone at all.
I know this was last chapter, but I was struck that Coby mentioned the voices going out in his head--very reminiscent of Skypeia and the power some there had to "hear voices." Wonder where that'll take us.
And also from that last chapter, I think I'm in the camp that says Brown Beard (what a lazy-ass name) is just an example of what is happening in WB's territory, but then again I'm relatively new to paying this close attention to the story, so take that as you will.
As for Luffy "finally" having a sad backstory--the guy never even knew his dad, and we know nothing about his mom other than that he didn't have her around as young as 6 (Based on the fact that this chapter says he's 7 when he meets Ace---didn't Shanks stick around for a year in Luffy's village? She didn't appear to be there, and how could Garp just yank Luffy out of there if she were, anyway?) so he was raised by a succession of strangers. Plus Garp almost killed him several times trying to make him stronger. Its hardly a "happy" childhood, yk? I don't think he needed too much more to equal the others, but I see where losing someone can make him grow up a bit...
I doubt it's likely, given the comic potential of Hancock's unrequited love, but there is always the possibility that she could, at some point, get pissed that Luffy never returns her feelings, and we get some "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" stuff in there.
Law--interesting and very quiet so far. He could just be staring at Luffy's hat and thinking about all the revlations he's learned about its owner since he met him--i.e.--he's Dragon's son, he broke into and out of the world's biggest/most secure prison, taking a large number of prisoners with him in the process, has haki, has a former Shichibukai on his side and another current one in love with him, has a Yonkou interested in him, etc etc etc. Its a lot to take in at one time about someone you thought was just a regular style rival.I think I'd be left staring at a hat and thinking deeply as well...
But of course we have no idea what his true motives are. So here's some ideas I had about him. He has what the One Piece Wiki describes as tribal tattoos on his arms, and he is from North Blue.
Dragon has what the One Piece wikia describes as tribal tattoos on him as well, and from the cold, windy looking place that Iva-chan remembers him in, maybe is in North Blue. Anyone locate the place where Robin is on the bridge? Is that anywhere near North Blue? Not that Dragon would automatically be with the revolutionary army--or that there's only one batallian (or whatever group it is) of that army, but it was cold and windy there as well. (Of course there are tribes all over the place in OP world, just a thought is all...)
I see potential that Law has some sort of connection with Dragon... even if not a direct one. Maybe even secondary, like someone close to him rescued by the revolutionaries, who knows? What exactly was on the screen when the feed went out at SA, and Law told his crew to get ready, they were leaving right away? Was it clear at all what they'd just seen? Had they already revealed Luffy's Dragon connection? I can't recall and I need to go out so can't take the time to look at the moment, but I can look it up later unless someone cares enough to beat me to it.
I'm just speculating, of course, but thought I'd share...