@EvoWarrior5:
The Minks are generally presented as very loyal, yes, but that is no reason why there couldn't be a traitor. One traitor would not ruin the entire race.
See that is the difference here. From your view the minks are generally presented as very loyal, while in contrast I say: they minks have always been presented as extremely loyal. We have seen this with Bepo and Law, Pekoms and Big Mom and the entire population of Zou with Raizou. As much as I agree that one traitor would not ruin the entire race, I would argue that in this particular case it would. An entire arc was dedicated to show the extent to which the inhabitants of Zou would go for such an ally. We can definetely insert a traitor but at this point it is either a very minor/unimportant character, or someone the readers have invested time like: Wanda, Pedro, Carrot and lion dude.
The reason why I would question the arc itself is because how much emphasis their non betrayal was. If the Minks end up being like any other race, that easily betrays their kind/friends, then presenting us with such a conclusion to the arc is kinda pointless, it makes for a very superficial -wow- moment, because actually 1 of them is not loyal at all. If 1, why not 2, or more, what makes this one mink special to not have that moral compass like the rest of their race.
Were we ever told how many Minks actually know of the RP? Everyone knew Raizou was on the island, but it could very well be that only a select elite knew where, and thus also of the existence of the RP.
From the two most obvious one: Carrot and Pedro, both have high position in the hierarchy of power among the Minks, so it seems weird they would lead the Beast Pirates there, and not inform them of where their objective was.
Now let's see the what is the problem with any minor character, we know Minks took food to Raizou so let's focus on a prime suspect: Baratie, the main issue here is that Kin and Kanjuro did not reveal their affiliation with Kozuki until after they met with Inu and Neko. So, Baratie had every reason to 1. not trust them 2. they are samurais and the situation in Wano may be known to all Minks, Wano is currently invaded by Kaido and the current Shogun is allied with him. And even though many would associate samurai with ally, the possibilities of that being true is not as clear given that: the Kozuki clan has fallen after all. So Baratie running back screaming of their presence was a good thing to do.
We act like we know the Minks very well, but Inu, who is one of them and has led them for decades now, thinks there is a possibility of a traitor. He might be wrong, we'll have to see. But the very fact that he brought it up is significant.
Absolutely, Inu's words bring concerns about a traitor, and I think that is what we were meant to take from it until we got back to Wano. Keeping us second guessing the integrity of the Minks shown. Like you said, I think Kaido and Jack using Oden's vivre card would work really well, not to mention knowing the Beast Pirates: they would probably taunt the minks saying: "look your Lord betrayed you". Also, if the traitor aspect is going to be worked on, it would be best be applied by incriminating someone innocent. I think there is more to be gained, by seeing minks questioning the integrity of one another than one of them being a traitor.
Having the traitor would be the easy way out, however it would ruin what we have already seen.
Reading a questionable translation I bring a question up: Can someone estimate at what time did Inu and Neko leave Oden's side. Because it would seem that they were together until Kaido took Oden's life, but in relation to time, it might have been after Raftel?
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@maxterdexter:
Reminder of how the vivre cards work:
They point to the card, not the person. That's why Raileigh was able to go to Amazon Lilly without a worry.
That is very true. Which means that the Beast Pirates had access to a piece of the vivre card for Zunisha, and that piece led themthe main piece on Zunisha.
@Count:
You don't need telegraphed suspicious actions/lines to tell if somebody could be a traitor. You just have to look at potential hidden agenda behind some of their actions. Like how Pedro was the one that offered to steal the Road Poneglyph script while rescuing Sanji, along with not knowing all that much about his sea adventures outside of Whole Cake Island. Or Carrot secretly stowing away on the ship and playing it off as being enthusiastic about adventure.
You do not need telegraphed actions, however presenting at least some of it is necessary, and I know you agree with this part because of our current conversation on WCI. Pedro's mysterious past was shown to us during the current arc, and he was the one acting the most suspicious, alluring to the idea of his secret. With Carrot though, there was no body language, obscurity, nothing to go along to give the impression she might be lying or not. It goes a bit in line with your complaint about the mask and foreshadowing of it.
PS: JA, and here I was going to say I would have written more but a busted knee does not allow me to sit for long…turns out....it still happened.