Yamato can still be a companion instead of nakama.
But nakama means companion, strong friend, family, etc…. your statement confused me.
Yamato can still be a companion instead of nakama.
But nakama means companion, strong friend, family, etc…. your statement confused me.
So apparently Jinbei’s animal that represents him is a bear? And not, you know, a whale Shark
Also that means the idea of Kuma joining the crew is essentially dead since his animal is a bear too
So apparently Jinbei’s animal that represents him is a bear? And not, you know, a whale Shark
Wait what? Where was this stated? :blink:
Yamato can still be a companion instead of nakama. Let's stop it here. It's not like something we can figure out now. Lets agree to disagree on this. We'll see
What's there to disagree when we can actually look for other examples where people kept saying things over dozens of chapters only to change their minds after all? Franky wasn't one of them and I actually can't think of any. The closest I remember is Vivi staying behind, and her desire to keep traveling also wasn't particularly focused on, she was always thinking of her country.
But there will be secrets, especially if the plots demands its.
If the plot continues with the secrecy of Luffy's dream, it will remain so.
Yamato's not even the issue actually, its Luffy himself who has told not a single SH at all.
The problem is, we know Yamato knows. Luffy doesn't. In his mind, he's only ever told his brothers, one of whom is dead. That means he currently believes there's only one person in the world that knows his real dream. If Yamato joined, then it would remove the surprise that we'll all get when it's finally revealed, which would be lame.
@Zik:
Nami kept secrets and lied to them.
Robin kept secrets and made a whole deal behind their backs.
After all that, Sanji kept secrets from them.
Funny enough, those are the strawhats most likely to do something like that. Maybe Franky but that time has passed.
I'm talking about where we are in the story now, not stuff that happened hundreds of chapters ago when the characters were still growing into their roles and developing their friendships. We're at a point now where they've all learned from each other and trust each other implicitly.
Wait what? Where was this stated? :blink:
In one of the new SBS volumes
Each Straw Hat has an animal that represents them and apparently Jinbei’s is a bear
then it would remove the surprise that we'll all get when it's finally revealed, which would be lame.
If the point is to surprise us lectors, then no, as long as Yamato keeps quiet, we will be surprised.
What's there to disagree when we can actually look for other examples where people kept saying things over dozens of chapters only to change their minds after all? Franky wasn't one of them and I actually can't think of any. The closest I remember is Vivi staying behind, and her desire to keep traveling also wasn't particularly focused on, she was always thinking of her country.
It's easy for you to say that because it already happened. Im not expecting vivi way or franky way of changing of opinion. I still consider some new plot. something new and different and unthinkable. To me it's as hard as predicting future. Skeptical. There I already said what I believe. No matter what will you say, it wont change my believe so easily. So agree to disagree. Im just pass by tho
If you could have any type of character join with a particular fighting style what would it be
I would honestly love to see Oda’s take on a mad scientist and a summoner
I mean look at all the crazy pop greens he’s come up with for Usopp, you can’t tell me you don’t want to see that level of creativity put into mad science weapons or magically summoned creatures
In one of the new SBS volumes
Each Straw Hat has an animal that represents them and apparently Jinbei’s is a bear
That is so bizarre… Like Jinbei is based on the whale shark, I guess with his size he can give out bear hugs to the rest of the crew. :blink:
If you could have any type of character join with a particular fighting style what would it be
I guess one that uses a logia-type fruit and be dressed up as a magician and use their devil fruit powers as "magic".
Or one that fights with tarot cards like Rose from the Street Fighter series. Though… Hawkins uses tarot cards already, though not in this type of way.
Robin is a walking spoiler factory and she's kept quiet on EVERYTHING.
Heck, she's probably met Luffy's dad and Sabo and never mentioned it. (She definitely knows Koala, so)
The problem is, we know Yamato knows. Luffy doesn't. In his mind, he's only ever told his brothers, one of whom is dead. That means he currently believes there's only one person in the world that knows his real dream.
He also told it to Shanks. Who told it to Rayleigh as "the same thing Roger said!"
And he told it super freely, not with shame or embarrassment or anything. It's not a deep dark secret of Luffy's. If anyone asks him, he'll tell.
Just no one has asked him.
Also, Yamato was incedibly touched and moved by… whatever it is. (That is silly and laughable on the surface.) It's a positive, not a negative.
If Yamato joined, then it would remove the surprise that we'll all get when it's finally revealed, which would be lame.
That Oda has reiterated on it and made it clear to everyone that it IS a question, in chapter 1000 no less?
It's no longer a subtle background question that us message board dwellers who over analyze noticed was sort of there if you looked closely. It's now a major question, brought up in the most important chapter of his career, for everyone to be aware of.
So he's probably just about ready to share it. He's been sitting on it for like a decade now, it's time to start wrapping up some things.
I'm still not quite sure how I feel about it, but I know that at some point Yamato will leave Wano 100%. What I'm going back and forth on is how and when. I think a lot of people are assuming that the only way he can is as a SH with Luffy, but there isn't anything that I've seen yet that says he has to leave immediately after the arc ends. "Sailing with Luffy" doesn't require a person to be a SH. Law and Kinemon have been sailing with Luffy since PH. Not saying it's the same thing, but people shouldn't assume that the only way he can sail with Luffy is as a SH immediately after the arc. Once Luffy makes it back to the roof, we'll know more for sure.
As for the "true dream," I'm not sure how that works in his favor. Yamato knowing something that only Luffy and his brothers knew, makes him seem less likely. SHs don't keep secrets from each other and Yamato secretly knowing Luffy's true dream while everyone else is clueless doesn't feel right. It would seem more apparent that when he finally realizes it that everyone (SHs and the readers) is shocked. Having Yamato be like, "I knew it all along" would be odd.
As for the "focus," a lot of people expected another Yamato flashback during the roof battle and while there's still time, I'm not as sure it will be as in depth as people may want. Oda-sensei has already skipped a big-time reveal of his DF and Luffy might be back soon once his meat escapade is over. We're still due a Kaido flashback and some of it may overlap there, but that wouldn't make it a multi-chapter flashback for Yamato, just one that he would be a part of that focused on Kaido. I think the next couple of chapters will tell either way.
I'm just going to assume that if Oda has told us repeatedly that yamato wants to leave with luffy specifically (and is enamored with him), then its way safer to assume that this will be the most likely outcome if yamato does leave the island. Because any other scenario just adds in way more assumptions and what-ifs then we already know by far (whether its via form their own crew/leave with someone else not named the strawhats).
And they specifically want to sail with luffy for adventure, not as a means to an end like law/kinemon with doflamingo and wano. What's he going to do, sail with luffy to get to _____?
Also luffy doesn't demand that everyone spill out their lifestories and secrets when they join the crew.
I don't see how knowing what really matters to luffy is a bad thing? It's not like he would refuse to tell anyone if asked, especially if its someone close to him. All it means is that there's a specific connection that draws yamato to luffy, which feels much more meaningful than any "luffy said ____'s name and hence they are close".
The problem is, we know Yamato knows. Luffy doesn't. In his mind, he's only ever told his brothers, one of whom is dead. That means he currently believes there's only one person in the world that knows his real dream. If Yamato joined, then it would remove the surprise that we'll all get when it's finally revealed, which would be lame.
In his mind, he doesn't even think about it.
I guess it's just not as big for Luffy as for everyone else.
The way Luffy and Roger said it, makes it something they don't think about constantly. It's nothing to be kept a secret in universe, Oda just keeps it from us.
Luffy can drop it anytime just as nonchalant as he did it the first time and as did Roger.
Anything Yamato knows because of Oden's journal can become obsolete, because the Strawhats will learn a bunch of stuff by the end of Wano.
And by the way, technically Luffy is still the only person in the whole world who doesn't know for certain that the One Piece exists, because by the time Whitebeard confirmed it, Luffy was unconscious.
Every person Luffy has been in contact with could have told him…
This is the only secret Luffy is interested in and everyone knows, but him...
Every argument that is based on the fact that Yamato knows stuff others don't and won't join because of that, is on the same level as every argument that is based on the fact that Carrot was in the crow's nest and therefore is going to join because she could be a lookout.
So apparently Jinbei’s animal that represents him is a bear? And not, you know, a whale Shark
Also that means the idea of Kuma joining the crew is essentially dead since his animal is a bear too
It's weird how Oda chose that animal seemingly so it'd be different than choosing shark and it being similar to Zoro but now the warlord animal theme totally Doesn't work anymore.
Since Kuma is a bear and now Jimbe's animal representative is a bear.
–- Update From New Post Merge ---
I'm talking about where we are in the story now, not stuff that happened hundreds of chapters ago when the characters were still growing into their roles and developing their friendships. We're at a point now where they've all learned from each other and trust each other implicitly.
So you're pretending like the Whole Cake island arc wasn't like two weeks ago in story?
That is so bizarre… Like Jinbei is based on the whale shark, I guess with his size he can give out bear hugs to the rest of the crew. :blink:
Going for Whaleshark would be kind of tasteless. Everyone else is associated with animals based on their nature, it would be awkward if Oda reduced Jinbe to his looks alone (while his character fights exactly those superficialities).
It's not comparable to Chopper who is a literal Deer turned human, Jinbe is just a human(oid) with fish-features - not driven by Whaleshark instincts.
That said, if we go by nature then Whaleshark doesn't fit Jinbe at all. Those creatures are extremely docile, something I wouldn't say about Jinbe. Not even post-TS.
Bear on the other hand? Super fitting. Big, cuddly, not inherently aggressive, but super dangerous when provoked.
If you could have any type of character join with a particular fighting style what would it be
I would honestly love to see Oda’s take on a mad scientist and a summoner
I mean look at all the crazy pop greens he’s come up with for Usopp, you can’t tell me you don’t want to see that level of creativity put into mad science weapons or magically summoned creatures
Telekinetic martial artist.
Again, look at Jinbe during Marineford. He's literally just there to showcase cool Fishman moves, but has little depth shown. His character there is completely defined by Whitebeard and Ace.
Holy shit, some of you are impatient despite having knowledge of how Oda works. Oda already went all the way in giving him a lot of promo and setting multiple mysteries surrounding the character. And he's going to answer everything in due time.
He's not going to reveal everything soon. He has never done this. Robin, Franky, Brook took several dozens chapters to get actual depth. Literally 90% of Kinemon and Momo's characters during their first 100 chapters is a massive lie. And let's not even talk about Kanjuro.
Honestly, you should reread some arcs and notice how long Oda takes to actually give characters depth after introducing them.
Jinbe had a connection to Arlong that we knew would be brought up, and we could easily have guessed that he would be connected Fisher Tiger and have a further role in Fishman Island.
Same with Robin, Brook and Franky, we had unanswered questions before their flashback begun, while the only unanswered question for yamato at this stage is why Kaido wanted him to be the shogun, and we dont even need a flashback to get the answer for that.
–- Update From New Post Merge ---
If you could have any type of character join with a particular fighting style what would it be
I would honestly love to see Oda’s take on a mad scientist and a summoner
I mean look at all the crazy pop greens he’s come up with for Usopp, you can’t tell me you don’t want to see that level of creativity put into mad science weapons or magically summoned creatures
And for the other one someone who fought with devilpowered items would be nice, almost like a beastmaster or a pokemontrainer with one or several items that has zoan powers.
http://apforums.net/showthread.php?t=17986&p=899314&viewfull=1#post899314
Me back in 2008, I've almost always wanted a beast master-like character to join, maybe that explains something
Out of topic but the anime showed that shadowy figure that followed Robin and Jinbe in early Onigashima raid is Yamato.
I don't think we can use anime as a reference, but that's something…
Out of topic but the anime showed that shadowy figure that followed Robin and Jinbe in early Onigashima raid is Yamato.
I don't think we can use anime as a reference, but that's something…
It's strange that the manga itself never answered that question.
At least we can now be certain it wasn't yet another unexpected guest. That makes the total of mystery characters down to the shadowy figure with the Scabbards.
Is Kin'emon out of the running for next nakama?
I feel like nearly everyone, including myself, has written him off but as we're getting late into the arc everyone else feels…. unimpressive. Carrot's been shafted since the start of the arc. Yamato feels WAY too forward to be the next nakama and her DF reveal is disappointing. I never saw Tama as a possibility.
Kin'emon on paper seems to check off a lot of the boxes for new crewmate material. We got a tragic backstory, his DF actually fits the pattern if you subscribe to number theory, he's been with the crew for a while now. I just don't like him very much and think he's too similar to Zoro being another samurai in the crew, but those are just my personal opinions.
Kinemon is out.
He's married to Wano. His whole desire is to free Wano and nothing else.
Kinemon is out.
He's married to Wano. His whole desire is to free Wano and nothing else.
We don't know that. He's married to Wano I agree, but Wano is important to the world of One Piece as a whole which Oden knew. Perhaps Kin'emon will discover some reason to continue on with the Strawhats after learning of Wano's importance in the grand scheme of things and inherit Oden's will.
Again, I think Kinemon would be lame and I think as a samurai he's too same-y since we already have Zoro but those are just personal gripes of mine.
We don't know that. He's married to Wano I agree, but Wano is important to the world of One Piece as a whole which Oden knew. Perhaps Kin'emon will discover some reason to continue on with the Strawhats after learning of Wano's importance in the grand scheme of things and inherit Oden's will.
Again, I think Kinemon would be lame and I think as a samurai he's too same-y since we already have Zoro but those are just personal gripes of mine.
Has he expressed desire to go out to sea? I haven't seen him express or even hint at wanting to. Only reason he left was to find help defeating Kaido and opening Wano's borders. His desire and loyalty is one and the same.
And Zoro already mastered his fire cutting ability.
the only unanswered question for yamato at this stage is why Kaido wanted him to be the shogun, and we dont even need a flashback to get the answer for that.
I can think of a few more:
Why does Kaido call Yamato his son? Because he sure as heck doesn't respect Yamato's wish to be Oden.
Also, where the heck is Yamato's mother? All the other Straw Hats were either abandoned (Nami, Chopper, Franky), their parents are completely irrelevant and never came up (Zoro, Brook, Jimbei), or lost their parents early and/or grew up without them (Luffy, Usopp, Sanji, Robin). It's weird that one parent stuck around while the other's (non-)existence isn't brought up at all. This would be a first if it never gets adressed.
Why did Yamato stick with the kanabo? Did he attempt to learn Oden's Two-Sword Style but failed due to a lack of teacher? Did Kaido force him to ditch swords in favor of the club?
How did Yamato manage to stay virtuous in such a hellhole of environment to grow up in, with seemingly no role model to speak of except for a journal?
I feel like Yamato's joining will be a mixed bag if they do leave with them. She has various aspects of everyone's recruitment. Nami, Robin, Jinbe and Franky mainly.
Some of us actually discussed if the reason why eleventh member was being held off for soooo much, it was because there could be some spoilery traits to the character that avoided it to be introduced much earlier.
Yamato actually has a spoilery trait by knowing Luffy's true dream, not that she's going to reveal it of course, and as for the Journal, at most, she's most likely only read some very vague prophecies on it, which would explain why she didn't know exactly who where the new generation coming to defeat Kaido and believed Ace to be one of them.
At most she would be giving us a bit more of an explanation about the Dawn, along with the interest of helping out with revealing it in Laugh Tale.
Whatever info she has, I think it would justifiy her late appearance. since its just stuff we weren't meant to know, until the last saga of the series, which starts right after Wano.
–- Update From New Post Merge ---
I feel like Yamato's joining will be a mixed bag if they do leave with them. She has various aspects of everyone's recruitment. Nami, Robin, Jinbe and Franky mainly.
Or maybe, she's just the obvious next recruit, just like most of the SH's were clearly written in said direction.
I think some people expected and made their minds that characters could only join in "Robin-esque" ways, despite the fact that Robin is the exception, not the rule.
Going for Whaleshark would be kind of tasteless. Everyone else is associated with animals based on their nature, it would be awkward if Oda reduced Jinbe to his looks alone (while his character fights exactly those superficialities).
It's not comparable to Chopper who is a literal Deer turned human, Jinbe is just a human(oid) with fish-features - not driven by Whaleshark instincts.
That said, if we go by nature then Whaleshark doesn't fit Jinbe at all. Those creatures are extremely docile, something I wouldn't say about Jinbe. Not even post-TS.
Bear on the other hand? Super fitting. Big, cuddly, not inherently aggressive, but super dangerous when provoked.
I understand now. Yeah, that makes better sense. :happy:
I do agree with Jinbei being super cuddly! I can see him giving bear hugs to the crew xD (Wouldn't mind if I got a hug from him :d)
I think some people expected and made their minds that characters could only join in "Robin-esque" ways, despite the fact that Robin is the exception, not the rule.
Maybe that's why we got so many different characters people wanted to join because they believed it would be in a Robin like way. Even though after Robin, everyone joined normally. I think for Yamato, I saw it from the beginning on why she would join. Yes, I'm bias because I like her character, but at the same time I try to look at story reasons why someone would join.
Originally, when we got to Wano I wanted Tama to join, but then it become very apparent with her lack of screentime and age that she wasn't. I think it was because of the whole promise with Ace that made me root for her. Though now I feel like Yamato is a better match for joining the crew. Unless Oda surprises us and has Tama join and Yamato be her bodyguard while Tama will be ninja-in-training, but this does not seem very likely since like from the beginning Luffy wanted ten crewmembers, unless Oda decided to not be predictable and change that, but I doubt it. That's just my thoughts about it anyway!
Going for Whaleshark would be kind of tasteless. Everyone else is associated with animals based on their nature, it would be awkward if Oda reduced Jinbe to his looks alone (while his character fights exactly those superficialities).
It's not comparable to Chopper who is a literal Deer turned human, Jinbe is just a human(oid) with fish-features - not driven by Whaleshark instincts.
That said, if we go by nature then Whaleshark doesn't fit Jinbe at all. Those creatures are extremely docile, something I wouldn't say about Jinbe. Not even post-TS.
Bear on the other hand? Super fitting. Big, cuddly, not inherently aggressive, but super dangerous when provoked.
This also means the chances of Kuma joining are basically zero
This also means the chances of Kuma joining are basically zero
Well, yeah. Though it was obvious Kuma was never to join since they lost their actual self because of the World Government.
I feel like Yamato's joining will be a mixed bag if they do leave with them. She has various aspects of everyone's recruitment. Nami, Robin, Jinbe and Franky mainly.
I mean, when you think about it, Robin's backstory and joining are pretty much a retread of Nami's, but far more extended.
Lost mother figure, joins crew for mysterious motives, aids them for a few arcs, leaves while nobody is looking because the past caught up, pretends to be one of the bad guys, cries for help, gets rescued by Luffy and Co.
Aside from Robin, Jinbe is the only one who had a drawn out joining process, but mostly because he was too strong and reputable for a relatively rookie crew.
Well, yeah. Though it was obvious Kuma was never to join since they lost their actual self because of the World Government.
I assume the Straw Hats will find a way to save him when he reappears in the story
I assume the Straw Hats will find a way to save him when he reappears in the story
Possibly, I guess we have to see. Maybe Vegapunk will be forced to reverse it. Though even after all that Kuma probably rejoin the Revolutionaries to help in the final battle and not be a crewmember of the Strawhats.
I feel like Yamato's joining will be a mixed bag if they do leave with them. She has various aspects of everyone's recruitment. Nami, Robin, Jinbe and Franky mainly.
The most I see Yamato joining making sense for the story is attempting to bring the dawn to the rest of the world. A possible alternative could be finding a confident sense of self-identity.
Possibly, I guess we have to see. Maybe Vegapunk will be forced to reverse it. Though even after all that Kuma probably rejoin the Revolutionaries to help in the final battle and not be a crewmember of the Strawhats.
Yeah true, chances of him joining are slim to none, especially because the size of his body, but he does have a 2.9 devil fruit and definitely has a tragic past, and for some reason I always thought if Vegapunk turned out to be a good guy he might body swap him to save him from his fate, so I always thought there was a small chance he could join (very very small)
Yeah true, chances of him joining are slim to none, especially because the size of his body, but he does have a 2.9 devil fruit and definitely has a tragic past, and for some reason I always thought if Vegapunk turned out to be a good guy he might body swap him to save him from his fate, so I always thought there was a small chance he could join (very very small)
Yeah, I see now. Though I never actually bought into that number theory. I just saw it as coincidental.
Yeah, I see now. Though I never actually bought into that number theory. I just saw it as coincidental.
Lol it seems like people either really believe in the number theory or they really don’t
It's strange that the manga itself never answered that question.
At least we can now be certain it wasn't yet another unexpected guest. That makes the total of mystery characters down to the shadowy figure with the Scabbards.
I don't think we can use the anime as reference material tho, they over assume what the manga does at certain point it kinda hurts the manga canon… like they also show Zoro using CoC before Kaido raid, I can't even...
I prefer the way manga reveals something...
Lol it seems like people either really believe in the number theory or they really don’t
Indeed. Though my birthday is March 29, there is a 2 and 9 there, so that means I be the final crewmember!! I be the one to marry Luffy! And not Hancock! XDDD
I'm a weirdo
I don't think we can use the anime as reference material tho, they over assume what the manga does at certain point it kinda hurts the manga canon… like they also show Zoro using CoC before Kaido raid, I can't even...
I prefer the way manga reveals something...
The anime staff do have access to Oda's notes on the chapters, and sometimes the anime slips some insights that may not be canon, but are very close to Oda's intents, so I do consider minor clarifications like the shadow scene from last episode as good enough.
Gotta watch the latest episode now. Didn't know I needed more confirmation for that Tama bit
Gotta watch the latest episode now. Didn't know I needed more confirmation for that Tama bit
What Tama bit?:ninja:
What Tama bit?:ninja:
Tama and Komachiyo being the silhouette figure got a lil clarity or at least a nudge in the recent episode according to some
I can think of a few more:
Why does Kaido call Yamato his son? Because he sure as heck doesn't respect Yamato's wish to be Oden.
Lol, is it really that hard to believe that Kaidou would respect Yamato's wishes to be called his son instead of Daughter. I think its as simple as Yamato making the request, probably to a drunk Kaidou, and he just rolled with it. Nothing complicated at all.
Also, where the heck is Yamato's mother? All the other Straw Hats were either abandoned (Nami, Chopper, Franky), their parents are completely irrelevant and never came up (Zoro, Brook, Jimbei), or lost their parents early and/or grew up without them (Luffy, Usopp, Sanji, Robin). It's weird that one parent stuck around while the other's (non-)existence isn't brought up at all. This would be a first if it never gets adressed.
Its not weird at all to see one parent and it really doesn't matter because it would absolutely add nothing to the story. If we don't even know who Luffy's mother is, then I think its not important to know Yamatos.
Why did Yamato stick with the kanabo? Did he attempt to learn Oden's Two-Sword Style but failed due to a lack of teacher? Did Kaido force him to ditch swords in favor of the club?
I am assuming he was stubborn and decided that the only swords he would use were Oden's and if he didn't have them, he would go with the 2 strongest weapon he knows of. The Kanabo. After all, he's apparently been getting wrecked by the weapon for a long time now. He has to respect it.
How did Yamato manage to stay virtuous in such a hellhole of environment to grow up in, with seemingly no role model to speak of except for a journal?
Well you just answered your own question. Its definitely because of the Journal, I am almost a hundred percent sure the answer is as simple as that.
Yamato was portrayed as the one watching Robin and Jinbe, not Tama.
Lol, is it really that hard to believe that Kaidou would respect Yamato's wishes to be called his son instead of Daughter. I think its as simple as Yamato making the request, probably to a drunk Kaidou, and he just rolled with it. Nothing complicated at all.
Just like how Yamato probably made the request to be called Oden and Kaido beat him up for that? It's inconsistent to punish him for that while just rolling with "I'm a man now because Oden was too". Not only does Kaido go with it but his entire crew, no one bats an eyelash when Kaido talks about his "son".
Its not weird at all to see one parent and it really doesn't matter because it would absolutely add nothing to the story. If we don't even know who Luffy's mother is, then I think its not important to know Yamatos.
It is weird if that one parent is an abuser. It begs the question why Yamato had no other choice but to stay there, what his mother would've said about the abuse if she was around. If someone in real life says that they grew up with an abusive father and that they can't get out of the situation, the first question pretty much anybody would ask is "what about your mother". And it would add to the story, namely flesh out a character's background that might join the crew. Luffy didn't grow up with his father, he didn't even know his name or what he looks like. Not exactly a stellar comparison.
I am assuming he was stubborn and decided that the only swords he would use were Oden's and if he didn't have them, he would go with the 2 strongest weapon he knows of. The Kanabo. After all, he's apparently been getting wrecked by the weapon for a long time now. He has to respect it.
If you can only assume then there's obviously no answer to it yet. I don't think it makes sense that Yamato would need the exact same swords, there's absolutely no precedent for that. And I definitely don't agree that you'd respect the weapon you get beat up with. First of all it's probably more fear than respect, second it should be directed to its wielder, not their tool.
Well you just answered your own question. Its definitely because of the Journal, I am almost a hundred percent sure the answer is as simple as that.
Another assumption of yours.
Kuma can't join, but his fruit can.
He's biologically dead anyways, and we havent seen him using his fruit since post time-skip.
And of course, just like in videogames, you can fast-travel once you've finished the journey, the SH's are obliged to fast travel from Laugh Tale to Mariejoa/Gyojin Island.
Kuma can't join, but his fruit can.
He's biologically dead anyways, and we havent seen him using his fruit since post time-skip.
.
He used his powers in Marineford where he was already "dead".
He used his powers in Marineford where he was already "dead".
But he's even more dead now, to the point its just a riding bear for Tenryubitos.
Giving it a lil bit of a thought to it, this is actually strange.
We have two options here, Kuma wasn't entirely dead back at Marineford, and he actually told Vegapunk to hold on and don'r turn hin entirely machine cause he'd lose his df powers, and he needed them for the Marineford war.
This would mean, it was Kuma himself who asked Vegapunk to program into him the mission to protect the Thousand Sunny.
Or, second option, Kuma was already 100% dead back then, and dead man tell no tales, meaning, it was Vegapunk himself who commanded him to protect the Sunny.
Whatever option it is, if Kuma, Vegapunk, or both, are already sold as SH's fanboys, they'll give them the Nikyu Nikyu as they would need it anyways.
Kuma is not biologically dead, he’s still a cyborg. He still bleeds as well.
But even if he were dead, he’s an object, and objects can “eat” DFs.
But yeah, Kuma can still be destroyed and his power can resurrect in a new fruit somewhere, thus allowing its user to be a Straw Hat (I’d bet on the Sunny).
Regarding the whole "Yamato will change his mind and stay in Wano" angle, has there been any other case in the series where the ultimate story arc of a character has run directly counter to their own stated dreams or wishes? Beyond villains and inherently self destructive "goals" of Robin wanting to die I mean. The only one I can really think of is Rebecca who had her explicit desire to help contribute and fight Doflamingo rebuffed with "No, you're a pacifist, you can't/shouldn't contribute". And regardless of what else you might think of her, the handling of Rebecca -which Yamato staying in Wano would essentially be a repeat of - is pretty much one of the most controversial cases in the manga. Certainly far from a story beat that landed to universal acclaim. But beyond this, I can't really think of any cases where a characters pro-active and adventurous dream was dismissed with "NO stay here and be responsible"? And Vivi aint it since she never voiced any strong desires to continue sailing.