@thegab:
The whole chapter wasn't built around Pound's supposed death. You're just exaggerating. Hell, I didn't even end the chapter on Pound, it ended on the Sunny.
When I say a whole chapter is built on Pound's fakeout I don't mean literally. What I'm alluding is that the driving force of this chapter, what makes it powerful, is Pound's sacrifice.This is, of course, my opinion, however, all everyone is talking about is Pound so I guess it's what made it interesting for a lot of other people as well.
@thegab:
Not sure how this was a waste either? This showed how far Pound was willing to go to protect/see his daughter again. Him not dying doesn't take that away.
Oda spent a couple of pages with Pound, saying how he was happy to see Chiffon if only that one time, thinking about all the things he would like to say to Chiffon and never could, making Pez the only one to notice Pound…those things seemed like a goodbye, a very powerful and tragic one given the circumstances.
Oda constructed this chapter a certain way to make us feel certain emotions. Would those scenes have the same impact if Pound ends up being alive? not for me. I understand that Pound is willing to make sacrifices but with Oda's reputation, this is where you go, meh, were all those panels even necessary?
@thegab:
All future similar circumstances should be viewed differently as a long time reader. Stop getting your hopes up that someone is going to die every single time something like this happens, and you won't be disappointed or "inconvenienced"
I'll view all future similar circumstances the same because not for a moment will I feel the tension if I know Oda is trying to trick me into something without delivering palpable results. That will always be my response as a long time reader until proven I can expect otherwise.
I'm aware of Oda's tendencies. It’s not like I started reading OP yesterday. I'm not even bothered that he hasn't matured in that aspect over the years. It's his style and I accept it. But that doesn't change the fact that these many fakeouts are simply not necessary. Two fakeouts in 10 chapters would be overkill even for Oda's standard.