So, 1st week of waiting is over. Time for another theory:
Why the Straw Hats are losing. And how!
When we left Egghead, the Straw Hats were having trouble with the Seraphim. Luffy, Zoro and Sanji were capable of fighting them, but were not really harming them.
Ch 1087 is likely the ender for Volume 107. In that same volume, we have the other two allied crews from Wano facing defeat. I wouldn't be surprised if Ch 1087 ends with a banger: the announced defeat of Monkey D Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates!
Why
First, it's pretty customary for a story to have a "darkest moment", often a defeat. This stage is present in pretty much every storytelling structure, be it the Hero's Journey, the 3-act format or kabuki's 5-act structure. At some point, the heroes face a crisis. We've seen it several times in past arcs:
- Luffy thrown in the water in Arlong Park.
- Luffy, Zoro, Smoker and Co. captured by Crocodile
- Enel as the last one standing (before Luffy escape Nola)
- The big defeat in Water 7
- Monster trio losing their shadows in Thriller Bark
- Zoro and the others captured by Hody
- Luffy and the others captured again in Punk Hazard
- Law losing to Doflamingo while Sanji and Co. had to escape from BM Pirates
- Luffy and Nami captured in Whole Cake Island...
And so and so on...
As a general rule, this needs to happen so the current challenge feels like a struggle. If the Straw Hats defeat the Seraphim in their first encounter, then the Seraphim were never a threat to begin with.
Plus, we need the Straw Hats to not escape before the marines arrive.
From the darkest moment often rise great moments. Sanji's best scenes, for example, all rose up from the crew either defeated or facing defeat: Mr Prince, "Bingo", "the Hunter". Just as well, Jinbe returned just in time to save Luffy and Nami in WCI. Luffy's return and the "Enel face" happened after Enel was seemly shown to be invincible. The Sea Train/Ennies Lobby arcs came from the defeat in Water 7. Without Luffy's capture in Thriller Bark, there would be no Oars fight.
So, a "darkest moment" precedes great hype events. And this is why I think the crew will be defeated right now. There's a lot of possible outcomes from it. These are my bets:
- The Seraphim becoming adults for Round 2
- York's true plan
- A Brook moment
- Franky upgrading himself
- A certain character arriving to save the day...
How
But how can the Straw Hats be defeated? They are an Emperor crew, right? Well, they fell into a trap. They are split, unprepared, and don't fully understand who or what they are fighting. Meanwhile, the Seraphim have powerful fighters with crazy abilities.
S-Snake, in particular, is really lethal, as she can "kill" opponents instantly as long as they find her cute. That alone makes the 70% of the crew vulnerable to her.
Usopp
S-Snake has already claimed two of the crew: Usopp and Franky. It's over for Usopp until the others find a way to unpetrify him.
Franky
Franky is also out of battle, but he's only partially petrified. This is the perfect opportunity for him to replace his stone parts with new ones!
Nami
S-Snake is likely moving next to where Sanji, Brook and Nami are. Nami, as someone who loves children, especially cute ones, is completely vulnerable to S-Snake.
Sanji
Sanji is currently fighting S-Shark, but S-Snake's arrival means he will fall to her.
Brook
But what about Brook...? He was also with Nami and Sanji.
It's interesting that Brook's soul has detached from his body to search Vegapunk.
That means he won't be aware of S-Snake's arrival. But, at the same time, the Seraphim won't attack his body because, for all purposes, he's already dead (Yohohoho!)
That means Brook is probably going to find and witness the events in the underground lab, thus becoming essential for the Straw Hats' comeback and eventual victory!
Robin and Chopper
Meanwhile, Robin and Chopper were also going underground, guided by Atlas.
I think York either is working with Atlas, or has already prepared a trap for them in the lab. Either way, Robin and Chopper won't catch York yet.
It would be interesting if Chopper escapes in some way, thought. Egghead could expand his Rumble Ball capabilities.
Zoro and Jinbe
So, before covering Luffy and Lucci, I need to say I'm uncertain about what happens to the other two duos loose on the Labophase:
For some time, I expected Stussy to betray the crew and put Jinbe to sleep with a surprise bite.
However, we last saw her establishing communication with Sentoumaru and warning him of Kizaru's imminent arrival. I see no reason for her to do so if she's planning to turn sides.
Plus, I think this link between Stussy and Sentomaru will be important to coordinate efforts between Fabriophase and Labophase after the crew's defeat.
So, I'm uncertain how a powerhouse like Jinbe, who's probably also resistant to S-Snake's power, will be taken down.
Same with Zoro and Kaku. I can see Kaku being petrified by S-Snake, but Zoro? He's probably immune, like Luffy.
So, I'm not sure how Zoro could be taken down or suffer a setback severe enough to York to believe she won.
Luffy
As for Luffy/Lucci, I think I know how he will be defeated: they will fall to Fabriophase.
They are currently in the top of the building, fighting S-Bear. I think, at some point, S-Bear will be able to touch Luffy with his paws, sending him away.
Luffy will be able to react in time to avoid being sent to another island. Maybe he grabs onto something to resist the push, but he's then stretched beyond the Frontier Dome's radius and ends up shot by the lasers.
Thus, Luffy falls to Frabriophase bellow.
Lucci may probably fall as well. Maybe he tries to help Luffy, but ends up pushed by him beyond the defense limit.
Thus: the crew is seemly crushed.
Conclusion
And this may be the scene Ch 1087 ends with. Without any explanation, we see the following scenario as we return to Egghead:
Brook is on the ground, "lifeless".
Franky is half-petrified.
Usopp, Nami and Sanji are petrified.
Luffy is fallen unconscious, badly burned.
Narrator confirms the defeat.
Volume 107 ends.