Chapter 497 "Adventure on the Islands of the Dancing Bubbles" Discussion

[boiga]

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.

[h3h3h3]

I doubt any of the super trio will get caught as a slave. I mean explosion here or there is everyday life to em.

[Gorlom]

… wasn't all of the monster trio caught (before anyone else) by Moria?

It's not really impossible to catch them. (and even without spidermice they have exploiteble weaknesses, food women and ... someone giving zoro wrong directions)

[maxterdexter]

Remember Zoro's stamina is almost 0 because his wounds by Kuma

[Senshi Mizaka]

Shabondy Archipelago is like Lougetown in some ways. I don't think this arc will have any similarities, though.

[Nuzzie]

Nami and Robin are just begging to be catpured. Stupid woman.

I just realised, don't alot of people there have hats like Pearl, from Kriegs crew?

[Senshi Mizaka]

I wonder if Oda was reading Battle Royale when he thought of the exploding rings for the Nobles' slaves?

And Chopper being in the basket of that bubble bike thing made me think of E.T. It is pretty much a flying bike that Nami's riding, so all he needs is the hoodie.

[Captain Brooke]

@Nuzzie:

Nami and Robin are just begging to be catpured. Stupid woman.

I just realised, don't alot of people there have hats like Pearl, from Kriegs crew?

Ahhhhhhhhhh no, I highly doubt that Oda will let Nami and Robin get caught, they'll most likely will gather some crazy info, and have to rush back to the crew to tell them, and Robin won't get caught, remember, she just went through Enies Lobby, thats enough getting caught for her for the next few sagas, if anything, Camie will get caught since she wasn't even on the last few pages of the chapter, and she has a history of getting caught!

ALSO, DID ANYONE NOTICE ROBIN USED THE SAYING "WHEN IN ROME, DO AS THE ROMANS DO", DOES THIS MEAN THERE IS A PLACE CALLED ROME IN ONE PIECE????????????:wassat:

[Nuzzie]

Read the fucking translator note, jesus.

[Captain Brooke]

^^Go play in traffic!

[Mr. Evil]

Awesome chapter this week

This arc is getting off to a great start, some awesome developments and more examples of Oda's wacky world-building.

[Lusankya]

Am i the only one who's pissed that the 3 supreme Admirals are at the beck and call of these bastard nobles? I hope one of the nobles annoys Zoro and get his ass handed to him

[BartholomewKuma]

The IMA GONNA CALL AN ADMIRAL is just a bluff.

[grunk]

@boiga:

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.

1: Maybe not openly.. more of an "Illuminati bloodline"
2: 0
3: 0

[Strongbad456]

This chapter was pretty awesome. I can see so many things happening in this arc. Zoro will probably take out some nobles and end up facing an admiral. Luffy will probably end up beating up some nobles and he'll face an admiral. I bet we'll see Aokiji, Akainu, and Kizaru all get called to the island to fight the SH crew. Maybe that will be for chapter 500? Also Keimi and Hatchi will probably be chased after the nobles find out what they really are. Yup this arc should have plenty of epic moments.

[King Kobra]

Usopp and Sanji getting all worked up because of Zoro leaving in his own was simply hilarious.

Oda's getting better at humour.

[Moria]

Gosh, I hope the SH don't encounter another Admiral, but it just gets called and they manage to escape. I don't think another Aokiji like fight (complete overwhelming strength by the opponent) would work.

[Gizmo]

I enjoyed the fact that they explained why only the bubbles occur in the Island then Luffy didn't get it. Then Nami said they mysteriously pop when they leave and Luffy just agreed to it. That's good humor that fits Luffy.

[dinty]

@ultimateclima:

I enjoyed the fact that they explained why only the bubbles occur in the Island then Luffy didn't get it. Then Nami said they mysteriously pop when they leave and Luffy just agreed to it. That's good humor that fits Luffy.

I liked that too.
She parroted his own favorite explanation back at him: "It's a mystery!" – she knew he'd at least be able to understand that.

2. What are the odds that Duval is the bastard son of one of these bastards?

Seems likely – especially since excessive vanity and excessive cruelty are family traits ... and it makes sense that he'd be a bastard son too, because that would mean he'd be out of the family line and therefore out of their inheritance and therefore would need to turn to petty crime to fund his fun.

[candrew]

@Moria:

Gosh, I hope the SH don't encounter another Admiral, but it just gets called and they manage to escape. I don't think another Aokiji like fight (complete overwhelming strength by the opponent) would work.

I don't think that if they met one of the other Admirals it would be an Aokiji type of fight. That's not to say they'd have a guaranteed win but depending on whether the other two also possess logia class fruits I feel the playing field would be much more level especially considering the advancements that monster trio have made since Aokiji beat them.

[HEATXZ]

Great chapter
I like the dog peeing on the pirate XD

[sgamer82]

(With apologies to Buffy the Vampire Slayer in general and Spike in particular)

[game2005]

Is there a chapter next week?

[joekido the Second]

@Captain:

Ahhhhhhhhhh no, I highly doubt that Oda will let Nami and Robin get caught, they'll most likely will gather some crazy info, and have to rush back to the crew to tell them, and Robin won't get caught, remember, she just went through Enies Lobby, thats enough getting caught for her for the next few sagas, if anything, Camie will get caught since she wasn't even on the last few pages of the chapter, and she has a history of getting caught!

ALSO, DID ANYONE NOTICE ROBIN USED THE SAYING "WHEN IN ROME, DO AS THE ROMANS DO", DOES THIS MEAN THERE IS A PLACE CALLED ROME IN ONE PIECE????????????:wassat:

When in a fictional world, when someone says a word that only exist in our world, it may mean that the word is just a common word so if I have my fictional character say Colorado when it does not exist in his world, the word is a common name.

And Robin did not really said Rome anyway, don't know why the translator bother to put that in.

[sgamer82]

Likely an attempt to simply get across Robin's comment that they should do what the people there do. Though I think use of Rome/Romans wasn't the best choice.

I like how Nami makes Luffy understand the bubbles by telling him they'll mysteriously burst. Just another sign of just how much Nami knows her crewmates.

[Greg]

Awesome chapter. Hooray for what seems to be a confirmation of the tattoo as Jinbei's mark. In Oda we trust.

[Buuhan1]

Am I the only one who thought "Battle Royal" this chapter?

[BetterBetterNoMi]

@Senshi:

I wonder if Oda was reading Battle Royale when he thought of the exploding rings for the Nobles' slaves?

And Chopper being in the basket of that bubble bike thing made me think of E.T. It is pretty much a flying bike that Nami's riding, so all he needs is the hoodie.

I don't think so, Buuhan.

[Romulos]

hmm, something tells me that 60mil beli is not good enough for the NW yet. Just a hunch, which means that, the monster trio + robin is prepared for the NW

[whaleblue]

@Romulos:

hmm, something tells me that 60mil beli is not good enough for the NW yet. Just a hunch, which means that, the monster trio + robin is prepared for the NW

Haha! you make me think that 75mil bellies is just the bottom line in order to survive in NW.

[BartholomewKuma]

Blackbeard with 0 bounty kick the ass of the New World

[Neomaster121]

Yea but blackbeard was completely smart and kept himself in the shadows allowing himself time to get stronger and stronger, opposite to most pirates

[whaleblue]

@BartholomewKuma:

Blackbeard with 0 bounty kick the ass of the New World

This rapist face is just different story…he hide in the shadow to execute his evil plan.

I bet SH could be more famous than BB, common folks know not much about BB.

Edit: Neomaster121 you are thinking what i thinking!~

[h3h3h3]

Bounties does not always equal to power. facepalm

[FireFistAce 0]

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?

It's the latter. Let's look at Wapol and Cobra, by comparison. Both are active WG Rulers, invited to the council of Kings five years ago. Even Wapol, as far as he went to oppress his people, didn't go to the extremes the nobles do. He breathed the same air as them, he didn't keep slaves, and the marines weren't at his beck and call. In fact, when Blackbeard invaded, he abandoned his country simply because he lacked the military backup that the nobles have. To the WG, he was little more than a de-facto ruler with little to no power.

Then there's Cobra. Cobra mingled among the commoners, having court with them daily as many of the more favorable Kings/Queens of our world did, and listened to their demands. He allowed his daughter, the Crown Princess, to mingle and play amongst the city's children. Furthermore, he had a massive royal army at his beck and call, ready to lay their life down on the line for him if need be (and some of them did).

And yet, he was powerless at the same time. The marines weren't at his beck and call; at first, it was only Smoker and his crew chasing the Strawhats; Hina's squad only became involved when the true nature of the rebellion became apparent. If Cobra had the influence that the nobles had, he could've snapped his fingers and Kuzan would have frozen the entire desert.

It's apparent these nobles aren't part of the WG anymore in the sense of being active diplomats, but are rather those with supreme diplomatic immunity. Think of them as like the Windsors.

[Urian]

I am not surprised by the fact that Dias had been owned in the New World if we count that perhaps in this place is where the most powerful pirates are living. A person with a bounty of 60 bilions of berries could have been owned in the first half of the Grand Line by the CP9, Crocodile, Moria or any other pirate in the voyage.

If something makes me think are the Noblemen and I think that they are cyborgs or part cyborgs designed by Vegapunk who really guard the entrance to Marijoea and Shabondy Islands are nothing more than a type of prision.

We were introduced to Vegapunk after Ennies Lobby through Koby, the second time was with Kuma talking about him to Zoro and I am sure that we will have the revelations that this people from Marijoea are nothing more than a security method.

Every Tenryrubitto have got a powerful slave with a bounty, they are sent to capture another pirates using the slaves who will die in the case of disobeyment but in the case of failure then they call one of the admirals making a very effective method.

[Monimonika]

For all those who went by the translation by Carlos Net (who is rightfully commended for kindly doing translations), I see a lot got the impression that Robin's words about "bad history" is talking about Caimie (thus giving Caimie an angsty-enough reason to join the Strawhats).

Robin: …There's always a chance that she might have............ // ...some kind of "bad history" associated with this island...

Reading the original Japanese, Robin's words are:

もしかして　この島には….......　"悪い歴史"が…...　残っているのかも…

...moshikashite kono shima ni wa…......... "warui rekishi" ga…... nokotte iru no kamo…

...Maybe on this island…..........there is "bad history" remaining…

Nowhere is Caimie referred to. It's possible (due to how Japanese works) that "bad history" could be Caimie's history with the island, but I find this unlikely. Since this is Robin (who we all know is obsessed with the "Lost History") saying this, it is more likely that she is referring to the Founders (20 Kings) of the World Government who had hidden the prior History. Or, at the very least, a part of world history not specific to Caimie, but contributing to some form of oppression of mermaids/fishmen.

[Nico_Robin_fanboy]

Awsome chapter!

Just wondering… who's this 'Jimbei' guy?

[Gorlom]

mentioned in the arlong arc. he is a shichibukai that arlong used to associate with.

[natli]

So many things can go wrong in this arc: SH may piss off strong marines, world-class bounty hunters and even Admirals. They may get kidnapped, sold and enslaved. Chopper may end up in a zoo, Camei and Hacchi in an aquarium. Which scenario will it be? For sure they won't leave these islands without gravely insulting some nobles, declaring the war on the WG once again.

Shabondy Archipelago is a fun place to be

[Miss White day]

Oh, Zoro was just asking to get lost there. He should have stayed on the ship. Ussop and Franky are best friends which is nice to see but I miss the Luffy/Ussop/Chopper trio that usually acts up when they reach a new island.

[5dom]

ye. zoro is so becoming the new slave

[Gorlom]

Has Usopp had any of those "i-can't-do-this-or-that"-illnesses recently? When did those stop?

[choperman]

One nobel said he has a captain collection of slaves I wonder if he'll try to take luffy as a slave

[Captain Brooke]

@h3h3h3:

Bounties does not always equal to power. facepalm

Correct, just like with the Shichibaiki, or how ever you spell it, if Moria's bounty wasn't frozen, it would probably be doubled!

[onemoment]

@Gorlom:

Has Usopp had any of those "i-can't-do-this-or-that"-illnesses recently? When did those stop?

Since this arc, right now. Of course, it's an island of trees and pretty bubbles, so I wouldn't look too far into it.

[Strongbad456]

@Monimonika:

For all those who went by the translation by Carlos Net (who is rightfully commended for kindly doing translations), I see a lot got the impression that Robin's words about "bad history" is talking about Caimie (thus giving Caimie an angsty-enough reason to join the Strawhats).

Reading the original Japanese, Robin's words are:

もしかして　この島には….......　"悪い歴史"が…...　残っているのかも…

...moshikashite kono shima ni wa…......... "warui rekishi" ga…... nokotte iru no kamo…

...Maybe on this island…..........there is "bad history" remaining…

Nowhere is Caimie referred to. It's possible (due to how Japanese works) that "bad history" could be Caimie's history with the island, but I find this unlikely. Since this is Robin (who we all know is obsessed with the "Lost History") saying this, it is more likely that she is referring to the Founders (20 Kings) of the World Government who had hidden the prior History. Or, at the very least, a part of world history not specific to Caimie, but contributing to some form of oppression of mermaids/fishmen.

I don't know Japanese but I think she was talking about Keimi. In the Franky House translation of the chapter, on pg.12, Nami and Robin are talking. Nami comments on how she wonders why Keimi wouldn't go with them even though they invited her and Robin adds the part about bad history. Therefore I think Robin is commenting to Nami that she thinks there's bad history between Keimi and the island.

[Gorlom]

@Strongbad456:

I don't know Japanese but I think she was talking about Keimi. In the Franky House translation of the chapter, on pg.12, Nami and Robin are talking. Nami comments on how she wonders why Keimi wouldn't go with them even though they invited her and Robin adds the part about bad history. Therefore I think Robin is commenting to Nami that she thinks there's bad history between Keimi and the island.

It concerned Caime, but the question is if it was specificly about Caimei or general bad history between the island and fish-/mer-people.

The way Monimonika explains it makes it seem more likely (but still not impossible) that it is a general disagreement concerning the merpeoples rights then with the mermaid as an individual. (and I really wouldn't trust franky house translation to the letter. they do a good job in general but theirs are speed scanlations which means they dont quality check as much as a slower group. more mistakes that changes the meaning of something slip them by)

[archanfel]

@Monimonika:

For all those who went by the translation by Carlos Net (who is rightfully commended for kindly doing translations), I see a lot got the impression that Robin's words about "bad history" is talking about Caimie (thus giving Caimie an angsty-enough reason to join the Strawhats).

Reading the original Japanese, Robin's words are:

もしかして　この島には….......　"悪い歴史"が…...　残っているのかも…

...moshikashite kono shima ni wa…......... "warui rekishi" ga…... nokotte iru no kamo…

...Maybe on this island…..........there is "bad history" remaining…

Nowhere is Caimie referred to. It's possible (due to how Japanese works) that "bad history" could be Caimie's history with the island, but I find this unlikely. Since this is Robin (who we all know is obsessed with the "Lost History") saying this, it is more likely that she is referring to the Founders (20 Kings) of the World Government who had hidden the prior History. Or, at the very least, a part of world history not specific to Caimie, but contributing to some form of oppression of mermaids/fishmen.

I agree with this analysis and believe that the "bad history" is referring to a historic period of mermen/fishmen oppression, rather than Camie's personal experience.

[Monimonika]

@Strongbad456:

Therefore I think Robin is commenting to Nami that she thinks there's bad history between Keimi and the island.

Another aspect that leads me to doubt that Robin is talking about Keimi's own history with the island is the usage of the word "rekishi".

歴史　"rekishi" is generally used for "history" as in "world history" or history going back several generations. It is not used for describing an individual person's history (way too short). Instead, 過去 "kako" ("past") would be used if Robin had been talking about Keimi's own past/history with the island.

And, yeah, my prior thought that Robin was referring to the WG Founders seems off-base the more I think about it. Most likely it's about mermaid oppression or some such.

Oh, and I don't really care how I spell Keimi's name as long as it's close enough in pronunciation, so I just follow whoever I'm quoting.