I think this has to be one of the best chapters I've been here for. Especially pages 13+, and the final spread. Yay, SogeStaff! Robin finally cried, Luffy was Luffy, Zoro got lost again… This has it all.
Now the fight's officially started, and all bets are off. I'm still hoping for a Sogeking-Kaku showdown, as a tear-filled battle with flashbacks of Merry and Sogeking's mask breaking off JUST as he delivers the coup de grace and accepts Merry's death... or something like that. ._. Anything will do, I'm just up for a long-nose battle. My predictions (and hopes) on match-ups:
Luffy vs. Lucci (Everyone knows this is going down. It's as sure as a proven fact.)
Zoro vs. Kumadori (Kumadori has a sword in his staff; therefore, it stands to reason he'd fight Zoro. And Soge needs an opening for Kaku.)
Nami vs. Calipha (Weakest SH vs. weakest CP, pretty much what everyone's predicted.)
Sogeking vs. Kaku (Avenge the Merry! Kick his funky square-nosed ass, Soge!)
Sanji vs. Jabura (Martial artist and third-physically-strongest versus the third strongest CP. I want this battle.)
Chopper vs. Fukuro (Leftovers; weirdo vs. weirdo.)
Robin vs. Spandam (One Clutch should do it. A nice, HARD Clutch.)
In simpler terms: Oda rocks my world.