@Juvar:
I might be totally off here, but they did not seem like figures that rule behind the shadows to me.
They seem like people who rule from so high up that most people wouldn't even be totally aware of them as anything more than a vague phrase like "Five Elder Stars".
I personally think that the theory of Bonney's fruit being used to keep some people alive over 800 years while that much hasn't been indicated to even be within her powers yet, in addition to the fact that there hasn't been any indication for this so far, plus there being no emphasis on Bonney as a character or her fruit, which would have been the very least I expected if this theory were to be correct, seems purely speculative without any basis on actual writing and basis in the actual story.
It's not so much Bonney as the fruit, as we've seen that people can track down and focus on certain fruits. Given WG level control this would not be hard, especially if they have a corner on the person from the start and can always put a plain fruit nearby when they are to die.
I'm going partly off Akainu cornering her and saying something about his blood freezing when he'd heard she'd run away from the government. And mixing that with the idea that the Gorusei appear to have not changed physically at all in any of the multiple different time frames we've seen them. Plus that they talk with such authority and knowledge on the WG and Lost History that they seem more familiar than just a bunch of guys who were told about it growing up.
As well as indications on several of them of combat, yet they (or at least several of them) can't be much older than Garp, and have never been mentioned as part of that generation by Whitebeard or any such person who might recall them.
Probably the completely unchanged appearance in all flashbacks (both Franky's and Robin's they showed up in) makes me think this. Oda usually goes out of his way to show people looking different if things are happening y'know, 20 years ago.
Plus, it sounds like an asspull, even if executed well. It's one of these childish plot twists that makes me cringe as an aspired novelist.
How so. The Gorusei would have been say, the leading forces of the 20 Kingdoms, if not kings themselves. And have cast themselves into some bizarre role as custodian of the history/world, where they see themselves as eternally protecting what they sealed away from awakening again.
Kind of like that knight from the third Indiana Jones movie except in a governmental position. I believe that FMA had a similar thing going on with several of the homonculi in the military government, and there was nothing wrong with that.
I think right now you're seeing it too through the lens of the "SO THEY CAN FIGHT" thing, which is too bad. Give it some time and space and forget the way that guy introduced it to you, and maybe it will come off different.
I think they can fight to some extent, but that nothing about their role has anything to do with combat.
Edit: Probably my main reason for doubting this theory is that Bonney, and especially her fruit, have not had any more exposition than the other Supernovae('s).
Uh, except that Akainu scene? And again it's not Bonney, it's the fruit. I'm sure she would be only the latest person to be in the role.
I'm also interested in the pic of her Oda drew for the Supernovas as kids. She looks shabby but has plenty of food being supplied to her.
Almost like an important captive.
Originally Posted by Monkey King 
