@dailyfiber:
Honestly, I love this. I don't know how you feel, Darth, but all of our discussions so far have been really civil, which I can appreciate. I learn stuff from you, I hope you learn stuff from me. I don't know if I'm right, or wrong, but at least it helps me re-affirm my own thoughts and perspective on One Piece as a story.
Oh, I agree. I has been a most pleasent experience, and I do value different outlooks then my own, even if I don't always agree.
@dailyfiber:
I doubt what you say about the Marines not getting focus. From what I can tell, they're going to get more focus than they have in the past. If you examine the first half of the Grand Line, the problem is we didn't really have any arcs that shined on them. Skipping East Blue, their first real arc is Alabasta (if you don't count Loguetown). There was obviously more going on at the time, build up that had happened for many arcs for Vivi, and by extension the SH's. I'm fine with Marines taking a backseat here.
I personaly think there could've done more. And that more could've been done with them. I mean… what was the point of Smoker walking of, other then ensure he could have no role in the later procedings? Especially when you leave Tashigi there to be defeated.
That's what I mean: Smoker is in perfect position to try and aprehend a criminal but chooses not. Taking ship with Rain Powder on it is hardly a reason. At the very least, he should've supported his own men.
And remember, Smoker at that time is a Logia in pre-Haki times. He has no natural weakness. He could've easily deal with some of the Baroque Works guys.
Hell, Oda could've easily written some for him to deal with. Why not? There is no reason not to.
Not to mention... that was the only opportunity for them to do something good. And of course, events conspired against them.
@dailyfiber:
They're not in Skypiea, so the next arc is Water 7/Enies Lobby where they're the focus. I think their place in this arc is great, too, because there's an inherent conflict between the Marines and the Straw Hats due to the SH's being Pirates, and the Marines standing for justice (despite the fact that the SH's are good guys). If you're a grunt on Enies Lobby, you don't know about the SH's morally great achievements, and here they are invading your workplace basically. All you know is these guys are pirates, so I can see why they act the way they do on that arc.
Oh yes. But on the other hand, Buster Call turned out to be overwhemingly underwhelming. And it forever killed my hope of any marines of Captains rank being relevant ever again.
I mean, seriously. That attack failed to kill anyone of note. That's just sad, to be honest, when even extras can surivive it so effortlessly.
@dailyfiber:
After that it's Sabaody, where they also act just like they should. Luffy punched a CD, which is an unforgivable offense, after all. Then it's Marineford, which basically speaks for itself. Basically what I'm trying to say is, for all of One Piece up until the timeskip, there had always seemed to be more things going on outside of the Marines interference, or even understanding. For Skypiea, they were even geographically separated from the Marines. So the thing is, up until now they've kind of just been a reactionary force, right? They never actually initiated an attack on the SH's, they always responded to their presence. So they felt like a passive force instead of an active one.
No major complaints for Sabaody or Marineford. Perhaps because they were villains there… even if they still perfomed less well then they should, because of various things.
@dailyfiber:
But with the way things are headed, Sakazuki is now fleet admiral. The Marines are drafting. The headquarters is in the New World to symbolize the full frontal force on pirates, especially after Marineford and the revelations that came to light.
I think what I'm trying to say is, the way the story's going, to me the story only indicates the Marines are going to get much more focus here on out, because Oda's setting all of this up. I think it's justifiable why they didn't get focus pre timeskip, but now? I have high expectations that they will become the force we always were expecting them to be. Also, the real conflict of Pirates vs Marines was sort of arbitrary before Marineford. Like the only reason the Marines even go after the Straw Hats is because they're Pirates. They don't do anything wrong, they're morally outstanding people, but they're attacked by the Marines because they have the mantle of Pirate.
Oda's been setting up this "new age" and the state the world is in right now for a while now. How it's the end of an old age and the beginning of a new, much crazier one. X Drake even says the "Marines have to change". Maybe stop being so passive and start being an active force, which is what we're led to believe. What I'm trying to say is, with the way things are now with the New World, the Supernovas, Blackbeard going crazy, and even the Straw Hats making their assault on the NW, it's inevitable the Marines will get involved full force to deal with it. WB confirmed OP exists, we're in a new age with a new generation (definitely more dangerous than the last one), so you can't expect the Marines to stay the same. Oda has to know this, so I'm sure we'll get solid, real focus on them now that we're in the NW for good.
That will be so nice… if and when it turns out to be true.
For now, I'm of the opinion that what we saw in PH and Dressrosa is what marines are going to be: They are going to have a some kind of presence, they won't actually be doing anything.
Also, Fujitora: Man straitforward enough to say Doflamingo in his face that he will do everything to deal with him and the Shichibukai system as whole, but at the same time unable to provide clear explanation to his men why he isn't going after him. Aghr.
Of course, Oda is free to prove me wrong. Please, do so. Doesn't look like he will though. Several chapters of hype and completle lack of pay-off seems to be pointing in that direction.