@Jazzy:
I've been thinking about the character number chapters lately (The First, The Second, etc.) and was contemplating on why Chopper and Robin haven't received their numbers yet. And before I even begin, to all you naysayers saying that they won't ever happen because it was never significant… uh, I disagree with you. I would have agreed if Nami didn't get hers later after a significant event (her village freed from Arlong) and Usopp didn't get his (much much later!) after a significant event (falling out and rejoining). To me, the number chapters solidify that those characters are 100% on-board with being in the crew. There's a precedent to believe this with the Nami and Usopp situations.
So then I was thinking, Robin for all intents and purposes has already received her big defining moment at Enies Lobby. She should be on-board right? Why the hell wouldn't she be? And I agree. I think all the BIG stuff with Robin is out of the way (I'm more interested in Chopper but I'll get to that in a moment). So what's left? What morsel of resistance is left in her that she isn't 100% on-board? Personally? I think it's Vivi. And even though Vivi has shown that she actually doesn't care that Robin joined the crew and that she trusts Luffy's judgement, Robin doesn't know that. I think she feels guilty, as she should, for the pain she caused to someone that's essentially a Straw Hat herself (though just not present).
And to be honest, I think when she does get that moment to meet Vivi and apologize it'll all happen fairly quickly. Oda could throw some spins on it but he doesn't really have to. But the reason I believe this is because we already saw with Jinbei that he apologized about Arlong to Nami. That was something he had to do. Obviously Robin is already on-board the ship and a full-fledged member but it's something that she probably thinks she still has to do. Get it out of her conscious for good, ya know? And I think that'll be resolved around the time of the reverie. Don't know if it'll be via den den mushi or if the Straw Hats will actually meet with Vivi in person but either way, I do think they'll talk it over.
But yeah… The INTERESTING one to me is Chopper. I won't lie, at first I thought that Chopper's issue was going to be his Monster point. But in lieu of him mastering that form and accepting himself as a monster for the sake of Luffy I actually don't buy that anymore. So I've developed a new theory and I think there actually is some weight to it. I think that Chopper is going to start feeling inadequate. Kinda funny now that I think about it, it seems like the weakling trio (Usopp, Chopper and Nami) have the most reservations (though Nami's was just straight up an opponent that needed to be defeated; not a psychological thing). Anyways, why would Chopper feel inadequate? Well let's consider things for a moment...
Besides just that he's a part of the weakling trio (and therefore not exactly a frontliner) his dream is to be able to cure any disease. What did we learn recently about a certain character's DF and its rumored abilities? That's right, I'm talking about Law. In Law's flashback, the Ope Ope no Mi is said to be able to cure any disease. It was the very reason that Corazon wanted to get it for Law and it was the thing that ultimately saved his life. Now is Law's fruit actually going to be related to Chopper's dream? Nah, I don't think so. I just think that it's a wondrous fruit that would have given any doctor a substantial edge over any other doctor in the department of "curing anything". Normally though, even this wouldn't matter.
But Law just got his "nakama for life" card with the defeat of Doflamingo. Now, I don't think Law is joining the crew. Not at all what I'm implying. But I could see Law being a permanent (or even just longtime, i.e. he ain't leaving the story any time soon) ally. We still have to go to Zou and see his crew. We still have a yonkou to take down. And if the Luffy/Law alliance joins up with the other Supernovas, Law could potentially be in for the long haul. Now, unlike Chopper, Law is a frontliner. This motherfucker pulls his weight in a fight. On top of that, I'm willing to say with certainty that Law's doctoring skills shit on Chopper's. After all, wasn't it Law ultimately that saved the kids on Punk Hazard? The very same kids that Chopper himself so desperately wanted to save?
And as well, wasn't it Chopper's lack of adequate medical knowledge the very reason he poisoned Dr. Hiliruk even further? Personally, I could see why Chopper might start to grow inadequate. Now as to the question of what would be the final straw and how would he resolve these issues with himself, I don't know. But I see enough evidence at this point to think that this has a high possibility of happening and to be honest, I'm really kind of interested to see this. Perhaps one of the Straw Hats, or even Luffy, might be seriously gravely injured. Or maybe even diseased. And maybe then Chopper fails to help them, but Law with his badass Ope Ope just POP saves their asses. And then maybe that's what'll set Chopper off and make him think he isn't pulling his weight. Who knows?
Anyways, tell me what you guys think.~
I'd actually find it the better storytelling option if Oda hammed it up a bit dramaticaly with the Robin and Vivi situation. But I must say I had never considered that, but only because Robin never opened up to us about that. She's a very reserved character though, with class, it's quite possible she's just neglected to mention that she feels guilt for hurting a fellow comrade.
I think this is solid. Robin always confused me, because I saw her as a "wrapped up" character (not completed, but thoroughly explored enough to deserve a chapter and a comrade who wants to be with the crew), but you've pointed out something I don't think many people factor in.
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Wanting to cure ANY disease is obviously a road with strife. I've always found Chopper underutilized, and well, I too believe his inadequacies will come to the surface simply because it totally aligns with Oda's writing style, and that yeah he still hasn't received a number chapter.
I think Law is the friction against Chopper that eventually might surface his character progression, yes. Simply because as you've pointed out he's the superior doctor, at the very least.
Oda has quite an opportunity on his hands if he uses it correctly.
This is still why I can never really fault him for "stretching" things, because EVEN with the breaks, he has such an absolutely absurd amount of things to develop still that I imagine he stalls for time to figure out how to approach them. And he's doing it all on a weekly basis. He doesn't get to take gigantic hiatuses figuring out how to wrap up lots and lots of plot threads with his next book as he soaks in the world.