@onemoment:
Ha! This arc really is like Little Garden, despite all the weird stuff going on and the hostile environment, this is all building up to something bigger. Hell, the antagonist of this arc is even an underling to a bigger one, who still managed to capture the crew. One difference being Caesar seems legitimately tough, though whether or not he stays that way remains to be seen. Luffy's got to do way better then lose to this guy if he wants to beat a yonkou right?
People have commented on how its like Arabastra (at Rainbase Smoker & Luffy got put in a cage together) but this is first time I've seen someone comment that the events are like Little Garden. I have to agree there are similarities.
Both have hositle and impossible enviroments (LG-prehistoric, PH-fire/ice) in both they are fighting underlings of a shady boss that turns out to be a Shichbukai hiding his idenity with an alias. Both Bosses were thougth to be stronger than Luffy was at the time of confrontation.
Lets not forget both islands also created some medical emergancy. The difference is LG was accidental - Nami was bitten by a dissease carrying insect the WG thought was wiped out 100 yrs ago. PH is purposeful with CC experimenting on the kids.
If its the same again, when after this island we see the wrap up of the medical emergancy and travel to a different island- likely kids be cured and taken home. and IF (big if) we eventually we see Luffy vs Doflo fight then (like Luffy vs Croc) it won't be easy, infact 1-2 rounds will be Luffy getting his ass kicked, then he comes back and wins in the end… thats IF things continue the current trend. I think the likelyness will stop there though IF it gets that far, because unline Crocodile, Doflomingo has an even bigger operation and isn't going to stop anytime soon. no matter what kind of trend is currently happening.
Oda has big plans for Doflomingo. I've seen some people say that Luffy's knows Doflogingo but no one has said that he's the only Shichibukai from the original lineup (the lineup introduced after Croc's defeat) that Luffy has not had an altercation with.
Crocodile- Arabastra
Moriah- Thriller Bark
Kuma -Thriller Bark / Saobody Archipelago
Mihawk - attacked Luffy during war / while Luffy did dodge attacks, its still an attack on Luffy
Hancock While he's not had an actual one on one fight with Hancock, they did meet on hostile terms so qualifies as an altercation.
Jinbe - while not really enemies, Jinbe and Luffy have had two …scruffles... not really serious, and really minor, but there was some aggression there so is still an atlercation.
It always struck me odd that Doflo really ignored Luffy for the most part at the War when even Mihawk attacked Luffy. It gave me the impression that Doflo will play a big part some time later and it would blow our minds.
