@Shadowgreed:
Yeah dude Soccer, the SHs are a small crew they don't need such positions, may be a cabin boy which I don't see them getting one for the simple fact that Luffy was rejected when he tried to join Shanks and more over when Luffy learns what he's going to have to deal with in the future, Nami and Usopp are botanists, they cultivate their own plants, they're not pros at it but that's a position that won't be need it ether and If somebody else besides Jimbie joins I don't think he/she will have a position but will probably be more like Zoro
I wasn't blasting soccer…just never heard/read Oda being a huge soccer fan. It is plausible that he has just 11 members if he really is that big of a fan.
You are right. They don't NEED those positions. But is Nico Robin's position really needed for the crew to function? No, but I think her being there is essential to Luffy becoming the Pirate King. They don't need a musician but it does help lighten the mood during long voyages. I think adding little used positions or even unique positions not regularly somewhat like Nico Robin will give the Strawhats more flavor.
Leo is probably infinitely times better than Nami and Ussop at botany. That is part of the dwarf culture. They grow up in that environment. It is one of the things that makes them special. If he can make better plants for both of them, then they are that much stronger and happier.
Zoro has a purpose. Besides being the unofficial First Mate and Infantry(he is like an army of pirate swordsmen) he is a ex-bounty hunter. I hope Oda expands more on the bounty hunters which will give Zoro's past endeavors and knowledge to the test.
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@Noqanky:
It's unrelated to the topic of this thread, but I wanted to bring up the fact that the rest of the world is also moving.
For one, Blackbeard and Kuzan seem to be up to something and Kaidou may have other things on his plate as it's been hinted by people from islands he controls actively revolting. Moriah is also on the loose and is known to have a grudge against Kaidou and Dofla, so he may be involved in that fight as well.
A second fact is that the Stawheart pirates have more than just the Strawhats and the Heart Pirates. Luffy is obtaining allies left and right, among those the ancient weapon Poseidon and the de facto ruler of Alabasta, a country likely to possess Pluton. Then we also have Shanks, the remainder of the Whitebeard Pirates, the revolutionaries, the flower army from Chinjao, what are bound to be important members and possibly a future shogun of wano kuni, Usoland's army of super strong dwarves, and possibly even Buggy's army of Impel Down prisoners who also have a debt with Luffy. This alliance is not one to be taken lightly.
Really, when you look at the big picture, what happened at Punk Hazard really got the gears moving and you can bet there'll be a storm of events quickly resulting from that. I feel that was the equivalent of Ace seeking Blackbeard pre-time skip, since that one event precipitated everything.
A lot of things COULD happen. It's all a guessing game for us. I do think Luffy's new allies will play a huge role in the BIG war against the WG…but I don't think so much right at this arc. I think it is an assembly for now until then.