FFA seems on the mark with his analysis today.
Here's some questions for everybody though:
1.Are these horribly inbred Nobles active members of the WG administration? Or are they merely the beneficiaries of an ancient treaty written by the founders of the WG in which the descendants of the founding kings are given special protection?
2. What are the odds that Duval is the bastard son of one of these bastards?
3. Which of the strawhats will be enslaved first? My bet's on zoro as he's wandering around lost without the knowledge of "proper" behavior towards the nobles.
-How long so you want this miniarc to last? My preference would be for it to end rather quickly and have Kizaru taken out with a OHKO Bellamy style for chapter 500. Or is Oda just teasing us with all this foreshadowing of Fishman Island?
Other notes:
-For the guy looking forward to new Fishman Island technology, well this is it. The paddle bubble boats are a fun idea.
-I like the theory mentioned here about Jimbei playing the part of a government patsy because his entire race is being held hostage. It wouldn't be particularly difficult for the WG to wipe out fishman island. All it would take are some depth charges laced with cyanide to turn the underwater paradise into a waste land. This would also explain why Arlong went so far out into the boonies to carve out his Fishman Power nation.