@mbaruh:
Also wouldn't feel right for Franky to beat a shichibukai before Zoro.
Would it really be so horrible? Kuma is a mindless robot. Sure, the A.I. could've improved somewhat in the two years, but he's still not the same Kuma that became a Shichibukai.
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@Jabberwok:
Nah, Franky's fighting style is all about tanking hits and hitting back harder. Maybe he could tank some of Kuma's airblasts and maybe even lasers, but there's no defense against his instant repel ability. It would take an incredibly mobile and agile fighter to beat Kuma and that's definitely not Franky.
I think that depends entirely on whether he uses General Franky or not though. He'd definitely have the defense to be able to survive most offensive attacks against him, as well as proper range.
The repel that sends the person flying for 3 days could be used against practically anybody though. But I doubt it'll be used again by the dumbed down A.I. that inhabits Kuma's body.
Either way, even if Franky isn't the one to actually take him out (if that's what Oda plans to have happen at some point), I definitely can see Franky fighting him regardless without a win. It'd definitely be a fun cyborg vs. cyborg skirmish.
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@Screwtape:
The manga specifically said that Luffy was going in to sneak and try and retrieve Sanji. That's why he wants to go alone so he won't start a war.
Not go against the Emperor, as in take them out to reach their goals. That story is on ice. This is a mere set back like Zoro stated a chapter ago.
But things are obviously not going to go as planned. There's no way he sneaks in, takes Sanji, and then everything is all fine and dandy. This is going to lead to a potential huge conflict with Big Mom.
No, Luffy said he was going in alone with Pekoms to retrieve Sanji. Even held Law off by putting a hold on handling Kaido. This is operation Luffy, rescue sanji. Moving forward in the new world is on hold.
Nothing is on hold. This mission will contain the ongoing development of one of the main characters (something that's definitely important, and not a "side-story"), as well as cause an active conflict to erupt with Big Mom.
You can't act like none of this is important to the story.