Chapter 850: Ray of Hope

Kuraudo Sutoraifu

I think anyone who believes this sudden turn with Pudding is a plot hole or doesn't make sense is fooling themselves.

Every single enemy in One Piece has underestimated Luffy. If every antagonist (maybe barring some Crocodile moments) took Luffy seriously at the start then Luffy would have died looong ago. Big Mom and her crew are one of the strongest in the world, and have literally nothing to fear from letting Luffy sail into their territory. Big Mom even says it herself, she was curious when Luffy showed up without his full crew. Combine that with the fact that she literally has eyes everywhere, why would it matter if Luffy came to WCI? He's got a 500m bounty, his crew is inexperienced, and she has an entire army at her disposal on top of her own powers.

Now we as readers know this is not the case, and Luffy will obviously beat all odds, but think of it from Big Mom's perspective. Now factoring in Pudding, now we know she's been fucking with them from the beginning. Considering that the overall theme of Big Mom's crew seems to be insanity, it's very much in Pudding and her mother's nature to fuck with things for pleasure, not because it's logical to do so.

Now let's look at Pudding and all the red flags Oda has put down.

Pudding never got an Oda-Box.
Pudding gave a very shady retelling of her first meeting with Sanji that was half-assed. Shit like "oh his black legs" and "oh his heart eyes" while the meeting itself was entirely silhouetted for us, the readers.
We knew all along Pudding was the three-eyed girl. The scene we first see her in is with Big Mom eating people (homies, likely) as they scream out and she closes her eyes like "bitch, really?". Given this, it was strange how she suddenly got super afraid of Luffy being a "scaredy pirate" and threatening them with a knife when her mom is a fucking Empress of the ocean.
Pudding gives them a map that will magically get them to WCI. Now this works a lot better than Big Mom saying "sure come on in, I wanna see what you're made of" because it's more organic. Luffy and co. feel like they have a shot at getting into WCI and they go for it, as opposed to being threatened right from the start. Again, Big Mom and Pudding send them to the seducing woods where all sorts of fuckery happens. An "inescapable" maze where Big Mom can watch them get worn out while tormenting them at the same time with Brulee's annoying powers.
Pudding doesn't show up at the coast. We're given a scene of her saying "there's something I have to do", but nowhere is this indicated that this is meeting up with the Strawhats.
Pudding acts "different" when her hair is down. Notice that she says only her "family" know about her true personality. In all the scenes you see her in, she's around other people including her attendant in the chapter where she's on the balcony. Now I'm not sure if this is a mistranslation (someone here mentioned this), but I'd be surprised if it's actually only Big Mom that knows as opposed to the family. This would explain why she puts up a front in front of Opera in these latest chapters. Why does she hide it? Who knows. Doubt she could function well in society being all kinds of fucked up otherwise.
Pudding had a third eye she was hiding all along. Throwing herself at Sanji's feet as this genuine, caring person while hiding shit from him is fishy.

It's like this, if I'm playing with my food I can eat it whenever I want. It's not going anywhere, and it's either going to be on my plate or in my belly when I so choose to eat it. I can fuck around with my mash potatoes all day long before I eventually eat them. Same principle. Luffy poses no threat to Big Mom and she could have taken him out any time. Is that a plot hole? No. Big Mom, and apparently Pudding, enjoy messing around.

AlnaJames

It's a great turn of events! Gotta love the evil Pudding.

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Audity

What's with Pudding's blob thing?

The presence of her third eye definitely seems too ominous for anything else to be true other than the fact that she's evil. To the point where I think I'm going to have dreams of being spoken to by her, up close, and have all my feelings be betrayed.

But here's the infamous page people keep remembering:

! http://2.bp.blogspot.com/YPORGyu9-iihNmQzZ1TptOWOkL_XLbSNzlNsZg3lYcOmrJfrYXMAKvZaR5kVsj5KONRpVwKuSkNF8w=s0?title=007_1480573328.jpg Maybe people will have better thoughts about it, if it's right here in the thread (which I haven't fully read). To me, after looking at it harder, could be just a reflection of Pudding's. However, also Big Mom's words make it seem like she is mind-controlling Pudding, and mention of being like a doll. Maybe she has a programmable third eye. She's worried about Lola being killed, but it's not like she's evil only by being controlled by BM; she would have a sense of care for other family; also, just because her third eye is covered up, doesn't mean that it can't be gesturing the same expressions of her other two eyes. The entire page seems dedicated to throwing off the reader (but doesn't mean it's dubious in-realm, as looking back through it shows), which is especially needed for the part where she talks to Luffy/Nami; otherwise it'd be way more obvious that she's evil, rather than having the full impact during this one chapter. The whole point of it being an act is to throw off people that she despises, and everything left after that is a character flaw of obeying a master/her mother, rather than having actual feelings for Sanji or whoever else (and Sanji can't use the excuse of being able to see through a woman's emotions/tears, because he's never met one with 3 eyes before. Unless he somehow makes her fall for him anyway, because of Reasons: "A man… forgives a woman's lies!"). I can't say much about Reiju, unless I make another post after reading into all of that topic.

Though at the same time, there are "small" details with her sitting in the chair, and having a super small drawing of a black blur, being the blob thing, both of which astute readers could pick up on. Anyway, it's really hard to tell because Pudding lacks any real expressions in this panel.

Dr. Faust

I think the fact that Opera is just watching without any reaction to Luffy cursing Pudding for having tricked them can be a proof that Pudding is not acting on being evil, all the Big Mom pirates knew everything from the start. So Big Mom is really planning to annihilate the Vinsmoke. But then, Pudding may be secretely wishing her freedom in her own twisted way and planning something with Chiffon and Capone, that would explain that flashback of Lola.

Shadowgreed

A single BENTO will make a difference.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

carcanclaw

Like others have said, I'm hoping that Oda sticks to Pudding's evil characterization and that she gets a satisfyingly painful comeuppance for her vile behavior…

...but let's be real. It's Oda, so you'll never see a pretty woman get beaten to a pulp unless it's for drama.

SuburbanErrorist

@HacheBe:

I once was 100% solid on Bm not going down. I thought it would be too soon not enough allies. While I'm still not sold on it I think that this makes it a lot more likely because of the potential ally with the Vimsmokes and bege. Not to mention Jinebi is somewhere and Ceaser's storyline has yet to yield fruit

I just think of Whitebeard they won't have a chance.

All they'll have a chance at is at escaping.

Zhenja

I don't think she is as evil as she is pictured right now. She has absolutely no reason to tell Reiju anything about the plan, except if she wants the plan to fail. She is sick of being Big Moms doll and wants to be free, that's why she remembered Lola and thats her chance. She also had no reason to tell Luffy anything, but she did it to provoke him, because she knew that if Sanjis life is in danger Luffy will do everything to save him. Now Luffy is trying to break out, before that he was just sitting there and doing nothing.
The last page of the previous chapter, where Reiju is seen, happend after this chapter. Pudding let her go, so now Rejiu can warn her family and the war between Big Mom and Vinsmokes can start.
While Big Mom and Vinsmokes are fighting, Bege will take the chance and do whatever he planned. The Strawhats can escape with Pudding, Jinbe and I hope with Pekoms, but that's unlikely.

I just can't see any other reason why she'd tell anything to anyone or why she' would cry. Perhaps this just because my mind is simple and isn't twisted as Odas.
Personally, I don't care whether Pudding is evil or not, I like her as a character either way.

jiraya_san

What if, and this is a big what if, Brule mirror world has a mirror connection to where Zeff is? This would ease Sanji and leave him only with the handcuffs issue…

Lord Monkey D.

@jiraya_san:

What if, and this is a big what if, Brule mirror world has a mirror connection to where Zeff is? This would ease Sanji and leave him only with the handcuffs issue…

Its stated in the chapter it only extends to all the mirrors on WCI.

funkdoc1112

@Kuraudo:

snip

Ha, yeah, I definitely remember some user mentioning how vague and generic Pudding's recounting of her meeting with Sanji was, as if she was just blindly reading off a checklist. The pieces definitely come together.

Sads

lokilasher

The more each chapter passes by, the more worried I get that Luffy's missing tooth is going to be a permanent thing.

cloudrivera

@lokilasher:

The more each chapter passes by, the more worried I get that Luffy's missing tooth is going to be a permanent thing.

Yup. It really bothers me for some reason lol.

Chopper is going to be the one that saves the day. Mark my words.

Part of me actually doesn't mind the Vinsmokes being murdered. Fuck them lol

Kaido King of the Beasts

I wonder if Sanji will manage to win Pudding over with his chivalry like he did Viola. I don't think the two would have any kind of relationship if that did happen, but it's always good to see the positive aspects of his chivalry. Though I would like to get a bit more info on Pudding first.

I enjoyed watching the contrast in Luffy's and Sanji's actions this chapter, with Luffy pulling as hard as he can at his stake and being willing to do whatever it takes to free himself. It's basically what everyone wishes Sanji was doing now, but instead we get Luffy doing it because he has nothing to lose except his own life. It really helps to highlight the differences in situation between the two. And Sanji's reaction to Pudding's reveal is pretty cool, and leaves a lot of open-ended questions. Sure, he's shell-shocked, but then again the other Straw Hats were played as pawns too and none of them except Pedro suspected anything sinister. Luffy's reaction of course turned into anger quickly because of the threat to Sanji basically being the only thing of importance to him, while Sanji has to accept that the ONE thing he believed would be able to make his eternally screwed life happy was never there at all.

But…what's he going to do now? He's down enough that he might accept Pudding killing him, but what about his family? Would Sanji attack a woman to save a sister he despises, though much less so than his brothers? Does he want to defend his family? Year of Pudding 2017 needs to come quickly...though we may get a chapter next week.

Namiorbust

@Katzztar:

Pedro will find a way to crack Tamago's shell-thin defense.

Nice. Thank god 4kids doesn't do one piece anymore. I could already hear cringe worthy egg puns like Tamago saying he is eggcepital for example:getlost:

fuzi11

After trying this chapter and the goodbye chapter it is clear to me, that pudding was crying out of laughter, when she said goodbye. All her facial expressions walking up to the prison make sense, knowing that she is evil

Long John Silvers Rayleigh

*@Zhenja:

I don't think she is as evil as she is pictured right now. She has absolutely no reason to tell Reiju anything about the plan, except if she wants the plan to fail. She is sick of being Big Moms doll and wants to be free, that's why she remembered Lola and thats her chance. She also had no reason to tell Luffy anything, but she did it to provoke him, because she knew that if Sanjis life is in danger Luffy will do everything to save him. Now Luffy is trying to break out, before that he was just sitting there and doing nothing.
The last page of the previous chapter, where Reiju is seen, happend after this chapter. Pudding let her go, so now Rejiu can warn her family and the war between Big Mom and Vinsmokes can start.
While Big Mom and Vinsmokes are fighting, Bege will take the chance and do whatever he planned. The Strawhats can escape with Pudding, Jinbe and I hope with Pekoms, but that's unlikely.

I just can't see any other reason why she'd tell anything to anyone or why she' would cry. Perhaps this just because my mind is simple and isn't twisted as Odas.
Personally, I don't care whether Pudding is evil or not, I like her as a character either way.

She has the blood on her leg in the scene with pudding

Oda usually shades borders gray if there is a recent flashback

Psycrow

Finn

Can Big Mom see the remaining lifespan similar to Ryuk from Death Note?

Another curious factor is whether or not their lifespan will be restored if Big Mom is defeated.

I also find it strange how Brulee's devil fruit ability still works despite her losing conscious.

Lord Monkey D.

Now I wonder if Pekoms knew about the plan, cause I doubt he would sit on vital info like that.

I9829Taeyeon

@Lord:

Now I wonder if Pekoms knew about the plan, cause I doubt he would sit on vital info like that.

Pekoms got abducted, didn't he?

SomeRandomGuy

@Kaido:

I wonder if Sanji will manage to win Pudding over with his chivalry like he did Viola. I don't think the two would have any kind of relationship if that did happen, but it's always good to see the positive aspects of his chivalry. Though I would like to get a bit more info on Pudding first.

I'd find it more likely that this entire thing is a ruse cooked up by Pudding and Reiju to stop the wedding and give Sanji a reason to fight it again.

@Namiorbust:

Thank god 4kids doesn't exist anymore.

FTFY

DarkHamster

@cloudrivera:

Yup. It really bothers me for some reason lol.

Chopper is going to be the one that saves the day. Mark my words.

Part of me actually doesn't mind the Vinsmokes being murdered. Fuck them lol

Chopper, Nami, Brook, exactly as I wanted it.

I mean ussop had his chance to sign, the other 2 of the weakling trio need it.

I think what's going to happen is combination of jimbei, the bomb, chopper, pudding, vinsmoke in order for them to survive.

edit: HOW THE F*CK did pudding beat Reiju?

Kuraudo Sutoraifu

@Lord:

Now I wonder if Pekoms knew about the plan, cause I doubt he would sit on vital info like that.

Yeah good point, probably something that he should have mentioned at the start.

Count Mario

@Kaido:

I enjoyed watching the contrast in Luffy's and Sanji's actions this chapter, with Luffy pulling as hard as he can at his stake and being willing to do whatever it takes to free himself. It's basically what everyone wishes Sanji was doing now, but instead we get Luffy doing it because he has nothing to lose except his own life. It really helps to highlight the differences in situation between the two.

I wholeheartedly agree. I loved seeing the differences in their perspective, motivation, and reactions. I just hope that Nami has a more profound reaction than just criticizing Luffy for being too reckless.

Monkey King

@Kaido:

I wonder if Sanji will manage to win Pudding over with his chivalry like he did Viola.

Yes it was the chivalry that won over Viola, not that Viola was a reluctant villain-employee who was the daughter of the king Doflamingo crushed.

Jaime

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?p=227067949#post227067949

Count Mario

@Jaime:

http://i.imgur.com/PJd8wqI.png
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?p=227067949#post227067949

!
!

My Lord, that thread is beautiful.

Kaido King of the Beasts

@Monkey:

Yes it was the chivalry that won over Viola, not that Viola was a reluctant villain-employee who was the daughter of the king Doflamingo crushed.

Well Sanji's mannerisms and refusal to turn his back on Viola was what opened her up to him and caused her to recognize the opportunity to revolt against Doffy with Sanji and his crew's help. Not like she would've just beaten him up and immediately after stated, "Hey wanna take down Doffy together?"

Nycprodigy

@Tack1:

Luffy was talking about not wanting to wait for someone to magically save them. I guess that's foreshadowing Bropper saving Luffy.

He's just becoming aware of his own plot armor

game2005

@cloudrivera:

Yup. It really bothers me for some reason lol.

Chopper is going to be the one that saves the day. Mark my words.

Part of me actually doesn't mind the Vinsmokes being murdered.

What crime did Reiju commit?!

.access timeco.

@Finn:

I also find it strange how Brulee's devil fruit ability still works despite her losing conscious.

Well, she is a paramecia, so her power most likely is being able to enter/exit the mirror world - the power is not the mirror world itself. It's just how her body is, it can pass through the barrier between those two worlds, just like Luffy's body is rubber even if he is unconscious. How that applies to anything in contact with her body, though… magic.

Long John Silvers Rayleigh

This was a great chapter, loved the pedro backstory and his fight vs Tamago, didnt see the pudding twist but upon rereading it Im not so sure her goals align completely with her mom as she stated a bit of disdain towards her and seemed to envy lola. Also her anxiousness during the dressing could have to do with meeting a certain someone else, perhaps capone?

Lord Monkey D.

@ITaeyeon:

Pekoms got abducted, didn't he?

Yeah by Capone, who seemingly is planing something against BM.

Count Mario

@ITaeyeon:

Pekoms got abducted, didn't he?

Considering how he got dropped into the ocean with a bunch of sharks waiting to devour him, he probably got saved by Jimbei's crew, the Sun Pirates.

parklane21

"Legs Benedict", best part of the chapter.

Lord Monkey D.

@parklane21:

"Legs Benedict", best part of the chapter.

If he is still awake, be better be ready to crack more jokes yolks.

Darkestsith6

So anyone thinking that the end of 849 with Reiju was a scene after the end of 850? I'm very curious why Pudding would even risk attacking Reiju before tomorrow's ceremony

Shobu Yoruichi

Luffy resembled a lot to Zoro, in this chapter.
I liked very much this twist because of Sanji's position, now it shatters… he ended alone in the world: He has no family, friends, companions, wife nor hopes.
The only exit for his problems now falls apart, whether acts now with a glimpse of hope in victory and surely Zeff ends dead or doesn't acts and Germa & SH ends dead. That's just him, logically... but regarding feelings, he already chose what he preferred, Oda put him in the worse position where he's no longer a man with principles. He can't stop this train anymore by himself, he only now needs to ask for help.

About Pudding, she's really acting in this chapter, but only for Reiju representing Germa... now she stands to be a protagonist in the outcome; her realizations and thought will be of utter importance regarding that. She doesn't have a split personality, her facial movements in her introduction were the same as in all her previous interactions before the 850. I'm still supporting that Reiju's wounds were inflicted by Bege, and most probably, he's working with Pudding for the Chiffon-Lola relationship between those two. So, to me, it's clear that she won't kill Sanji but it will make it appear like that to everyone.

I believe that the only help Sanji may choose is Caesar, and he will be happy for cooperating. Luffy & Nami will be saved for Jinbe and Pound is an enigma to me, i can't associate him with anything.

Pedro... i usually never claim serious shit about nakamas for Luffy. But i will accept him if he's invited, he's badass and that bounty... awesome in the least!.

Monkey King

@Kaido:

Well Sanji's mannerisms and refusal to turn his back on Viola was what opened her up to him and caused her to recognize the opportunity to revolt against Doffy with Sanji and his crew's help. Not like she would've just beaten him up and immediately after stated, "Hey wanna take down Doffy together?"

So you're agreeing that the key element was that she wasn't actually a villain, and was actually extremely motivated to help them.

K. Kira XXIII

@Maju:

spit personality is really the only way oda has to make some of the previous parts of the story make sense.
it's either that, or I thought he was a much better writer than he is in reality…but i'm gonna give him the benefit of the doubt

@Maju:

it would be re-uisng the same trope,but tat least the story would make sense..i take that over some little laziness with tropes

as for explaining,it doesn't explain why she wasn't trying to go away from tamago if she didn't had any intention to meet with the strawhats in the first place..what other engagement could she have that tamago was not informed about…capone? with pudding being a double-double crosser?

also the entire plan doesn't make sense either..there was no need for a freaking yonou do let luffy go so deep withing his own turf,specially when they are folowing pudding's map and so can be easily intercepted and sinked at sea

@Dr.:

Interesting. Now all that is left to explain is why Pudding was so anxious to get away while Tamago was forcing her to choose the wedding dress. Maybe as she said in this chapter, she was just sick of following mama's orders.

The best way to explain it is that Pudding is kinda sadistic, and she wanted to see or make sure the Strawhats got beaten, eaten. From my perspective, might as well mitigate damage around Totland, as Luffy could have easily rampaged on each island on their way to Whole Cake Island.

@Razh:

So many pages already.

Well, didnt expect Puddin' to be this corrupt. There was always the possibility she was hiding her true self, though. Oda made it seem like she was a nice person every step of the way.

I like how it turned out it was BM who was planning a betrayal after all. So much for being an honorable pirate.

Wonder if her own devious nature turns against her by the end of this arc.

Pudding could become a richer character if the next step for her is to act on her own. She did say she was getting tired of Big Mom. Her introduction box has not be shown yet, so Oda could be withholding further information about her. Or maybe wants to wait for a better spread at the wedding. That blushing after she helped the Strawhats on Cacao Island, bad acting right there.

I am curious to see how the side saying the Strawhats are going to help Big Mom have to say now. With Big Mom's fit foreshadowed, the excuse that they would want to help their ~friend~ Pudding just went out of the window. So for whom in Totland would they stay there for to help out?

–------

Chopper's adventure make me giggle. People whom wanted Diesel to have more screen time, there you have it. A glorified cart puller. Jajajalulu.

Luffy is a savage.

Seeing that one of the options in the roulette is lifespan, please Jimbe be safe. Zepo, he was probably cute like Bepo. Pedro ripping his eye was quite intense.

Sanji got punk'd, I wonder what type of plan will he hatch.
I can't stop hearing Psycho Killer from Talking Heads whenever I think of this chapter. That's why I am not surprised with her teary performance towards Luffy.

auem

Somehow Pudding's villainy fall flats to me.While it was not out of calculation at any point(though like most,i too wanted a 'good' Pudding),she is yet to impress me in new avatar,granted it's just beginning and i am sure Oda will explore her more….

P.S:Also her evil smile somehow reminds me of Itachi.:ninja:

Katzztar

@Namiorbust:

Nice. Thank god 4kids doesn't do one piece anymore. I could already hear cringe worthy egg puns like Tamago saying he is eggcepital for example:getlost:

Being reminded of 4Kids having Sanji do food puns is rotten ;)
… I wasn't thinking of those jerks but of our own Psycrow's parody done here mocking mangapanda.

Psycrow

@Katzztar:

Being reminded of 4Kids having Sanji do food puns is rotten ;)
… I wasn't thinking of those jerks but of our own Psycrow's parody done here mocking mangapanda.

My stuff was randomly mentioned in the spoilers as well this week. Been a while but with all the food related people going at it, I'm sure I'll have something cooked up for the Whole Cake Island arc eventually… (and I actually didn't even try to make a pun that time)

lokilasher

@Katzztar:

Being reminded of 4Kids having Sanji do food puns is rotten ;)
… I wasn't thinking of those jerks but of our own Psycrow's parody done here mocking mangapanda.

If the 4Kids One Piece dub were still going on for some random reason I really want to see how they would have done Ace and Whitebeard's death. Probably something incredibly stupid like "Whitebeard has now gone to sleep, and has a habit of doing it standing up. Blackbeard placed the tarp over his body so he wouldn't get cold."

Lord Monkey D.

@lokilasher:

If the 4Kids One Piece dub were still going on for some random reason I really want to see how they would have done Ace and Whitebeard's death. Probably something incredibly stupid like "Whitebeard has now gone to sleep, and has a habit of doing it standing up. Blackbeard placed the tarp over his body so he wouldn't get cold."

Don't forget Brook, maybe his crew all went home after deciding not to be pirates anymore and swam.

X-Ray

@BingBang:

Zepo was Bepo brother.

Nox Pirates Pedro (Nox means NIGHT in Greek) and for SUN Pirates we have JIMBEI. Oda is foreshadowing something… I think we are going to see the two of them joining the strawhats!

He fits perfectly in the crew: "simple design", a dream, devotion to Strawhat, he's a thief and can asume the "stealth role" like Sanji, he looks like a dinamite and bombs expert...

And then Pudding... She's not really "evil". She turns evil ONLY WHEN HER THIRD EYE IS OPEN and is not covered. Oda is using as an inspiration Ozamu Tezuka manga THREE EYED ONE. That's why she acts like that! So we can asume she suffers from some bipolar disorder. That's what i think xD

What if Pedro is the nakama with an eye patch??? We still haven't gotten the character with an eye patch :ninja:

madriano

@.access:

Also, you can see how humbly resigned Sanji looks now when he is faced against a Door.

You literally killed me. RIP me lol

Count Mario

@.access:

Also, you can see how humbly resigned Sanji looks now when he is faced against a Door.

Then Sanji would have lost even harder against Blueno than he did with Kalifa in Enies Lobby.

@KageKageKing:

I just realized that Brook could be Sonic with that afro.

…That is disturbingly accurate. This makes me feel even more disappointed that Brook didn't fight Baron Tamago, aka One Piece's Dr. Eggman.