@smurfx:
interesting that people in non world government countries get sold at these auctions. i guess the world government probably treats those countries like garbage. maybe that is the reason why dragon got involved. they probably force every country to join the world government or face destruction.
I don't think it's quite as bad as that. More likely the WG just offers greater rights to its own citizens than to its non-citizens, the same as any other modern nation. Also, there really isn't any evidence thus far that the WG is currently an expansionist empire. If anything they are losing ground to Dragon thanks to the amount of military force they have to keep in their interior to protect against pirates.
@Fire Fist:
Let's see:
1. Doflamingo apparently owns the AH. That would support the theory that Chalros was riding Bellamy (Although it could just be a look-alike).
I don't think that's necessarily the case. The symbol of the slavers is slightly different in that it is bordered by that geometric flower pattern and and has notch indentations into the face. Also, the smile is a flat line instead of curved.
On the other hand, if Donflamingo IS running the show, it would explain why the marines haven't shut down the operation yet. The shichibukai probably have the same degree of legal immunity as the Tenryubito. Maybe the slave operation is a subsidiary?
3. Garp doesn't seem as concerned as he should be.
When have you ever seen garp worried? He's like luffy in that he deals with stressful situation by laughing, smiling, and binge eating. (What's in that tea he keeps drinking anyways?)
I think people are giving him a bum rap in this thread, by the way. Garp is trying to protect th Marine HQ and all of the citizens of Mariejoa from being massacred by the strongest pirate fleet in the modern world. For a man of Honor, wouldn't that take priority over freeing a dozen non-citizens or even the life of (potentially) his own crook of a grandson? Garp is a good cop.
3. Drake and the other captains are concerned about Ace's execution, because he knows it's gonna be all-out war.
They seem rather grateful actually. The timing of Ace's execution has allowed the rookies free passage through Sabaody thanks to the Marines' more pressing concerns. Like Shakky said, they are a lucky bunch. Too bad Luffy's gonna blow up the window of opportunity into a million smithereens.
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I'm also really digging the revelations on the racial diversity of the Blue Sea. But I'm surprised that White Sea dwellers aren't on the list as their wings, horns, goat ears, and antennae hair bobs should be a valuable oddity for a rich collector. I suppose that means that the entrance to the white sea isn't as close to the red line as some had thought.
Still, I'm looking forward to how Oda will present Dwarves and the various long random body part tribes. Although, I have a strange feeling that's going to lead to some more dirty SBS entries.