Decent chapter.
I figured Carne would get the cover this week even though I didn't really feel like he deserved his own. After seeing the Duval face, though, I'm very happy that Oda bothered with it.
I find it a little, no wait, extremely odd that the shooter was a random fodder pirate. There was really no reason to avoid showing him last chapter unless there's more to it. So… I think there's more to it. I've been predicting that a cipher pol or possibly Dofla was responsible based on the orders from the noble that swore vengeance. I still feel that way.
Hodi is being very suspicious. This is the same guy who joined the army with the plans to betray them. Did I see the same line that Iva used about Luffy losing Ace? The one about how no God or Buddha would permit it.
I find it pretty easy to empathize with Neptune. I hope this chapter clears up the doubt people have about the ministers. They seem genuinely shaken up.
So VDD starting by throwing letters. That makes sense. The royal family would have needed a bit of warning about what was going on before locking her in the tower in a way that doesn't get her killed.
The princes continue to grow on me every chapter.
So the flashback ends with some unanswered questions. The biggest one being Jinbe's scar. I hope these questions were left unanswered on purpose. I believe Oda has a plan, though, and that the answers are just waiting for the proper timing. At least we got an answer on why Jinbe never pursued Arlong.
I really enjoyed the scene with Jinbe and Nami (and the others). I still maintain that Nami is one of the best characters in the entire manga when she's being serious. She also showed the viewpoint that Fishman Island in general needs to develop by the end of the arc. Namely, an entire race can't be held responsible for the actions of individuals or even a group of them. I very much anticipate the arc going in that direction, with possibly the world nobles themselves taking the blame in the end.
Luffy only had one line in the entire chapter and it was hilarious. Franky was pretty much his typical self as well, not as amusing, but still enjoyable. Sanji was also his typical self, but sort of annoying.
I enjoyed the little back and forth between Nami and Shirahoshi. "Namichin-sama" with Camie's reaction got a chuckle out of me.
So we're back to the current situation. Zoro seems to get himself captured a lot. Hachi's line makes it seem like there's more to Hodi's plan than we're aware of. Sure is convenient that there was a giant denden mushi and a huge monitor hanging around in the Sea Forest... whatever.
It's a shame that there's no chapter next week, but there hasn't been a break for a while so it's understandable. The upcoming chapters should be pretty cool, what with Hodi/Hachi revealing more of the evil plan and the heroes beginning to move against it. I wonder if the princes lost already. I sure hope not, but I have a feeling that they might have. The arc needs suspense after all.