Chapter 709: King Punch

totoofze47

I have to admit, I didn't expect BarTROLLomeo to win this round. I expected Bellamy to surprise us and win, and Bart to play a role outside the tournament. Even Luffy was rooting for him ! I didn't believe Bellamy could be redeemed, but after seeing that, who knows ? Maybe he does have a chance at redemption. I hope he's still going to play a role in the arc.

And it finally looks like we're moving away from the tournament for a while. Not that I was bored with the tournament, but Oda had teased so much stuff before that I couldn't help but be impatient. I wonder what that toy guy's plan is, but it sounds serious, seeing how he said it would turn the country upside-down. I can't wait to see more about that !

Ping

Got a feeling that Barto's boss is the new Shichibukai.
Anw, nice chapter.

pRopaaNS

@CCC:

I think "nonsense" is a bit strong, no?
And there's certainly precedent for it: Luffy explicitly said that he was inspired by CP9's soru to create his fast-movement move while in Gear 2nd. He personally thanked Blueno for the chance to meet them and see that. Being a genius fighter doesn't prevent you from learning from others. Just the opposite.

There is difference between technique and fighting style. One thing is to be able to perform technique, another thing is to recognize sitations when using it is appropriate.

Key to catching Bartolomeo wasn't a technique, Bellamy was able to catch him because he used appropriate technique according to situation. - Luffy donesn't need that- he donesn't need hints to improve his fighting sense, because he's already very creative and can improve it on his own..

The Laughing Man

This is just a theory, but:

That toy and his "comrades". Do you think they may be linked the the Revolutionaries on the Caribou cover story? They want to bring down the SMILE Factory, which, is not only linked to Doflamingo, but, Yonko Kaido. Perhaps they want to destroy it so that the Revolutionaries fighting on the snow island of Kaido have a better chance of accomplishing their goal?

Another thing to consider:

Could those Revolutionaries fighting on Kaido's snow island be linked to Dragon's Revolutionaries? I know that seems…far-fetched, but I don't think it's 100% unlikely. Maybe after the Kaido arc/confrontation the Revolutionary arc/Luffy - Dragon meeting will happen, and some "things" about the world could be explained. I don't think the Strawhat Crew will go directly after another Yonko, or have another tough fight for that matter, after fighting Kaido and his crew.

Could the Caribou cover story, this toy and his "comrades" wanting to destroy the SMILE Factory, the Revolutionaries on the snow island of Kaido, be leading to a Revolutionary arc?

asm00200

So, anyone thinks Ricky is being mocked here, like, he's being forced to fight in the tournament? (and lose)

CCC

I have no idea what's you're talking about at this point. Sounds like semantics. "Gomu Gomu no Wrap-my-arm-around-yours" is a technique if Oda decides it is.
There's nothing inherent about Luffy's character to keep him from observing and being inspired, especially when he watching the fight very closely and rooting for Bellamy. "He's too good to need help from a loser like Bellamy" isn't a good enough reason for why not.

Hachibukai

"Since he was a kid" that's Bellamy stuff with DD…
For Barto it's obviously another case.

Aohige_AP

@pRopaaNS:

Key to catching Bartolomeo wasn't a technique, Bellamy was able to catch him because he used appropriate technique according to situation. - Luffy donesn't need that- he donesn't need hints to improve his fighting sense, because he's already very creative and can improve it on his own..

Considering tournaments are usually matched with the adjacent block, I'm gonna laugh my ass off if Bartolomeo is matched against Jesus of Block A, and his little barrier does no good against a gigantic wrestler. LOL

Bart doing the Enel face would make my day.

Ronaldo

@totoofze47:

And it finally looks like we're moving away from the tournament for a while. Not that I was bored with the tournament, but Oda had teased so much stuff before that I couldn't help but be impatient. I wonder what that toy guy's plan is, but it sounds serious, seeing how he said it would turn the country upside-down. I can't wait to see more about that !

Not only that but we still don’t know who is making the bizarre noises aboard the Sunny. In addition, CP-AIGIS0 and Admiral Fujitora are conniving something on Dressrosa. This arc gives the impression of turning into an all out scuffle, a la Enies Lobby and Marineford, with all these major players in one location.

Some thrilling times ahead!

CCC

@asm00200:

So, anyone thinks Ricky is being mocked here, like, he's being forced to fight in the tournament? (and lose)

I don't know about "forced," but the "I hate this cheering-> And I hate you, Doflamingo!" line is pretty suspicious. Like… it was more than just the fact that they were cheering for a guy who beat him. Seemed almost as if he doesn't like the very idea of cheering, or just the sound of it.

Unrequited

@pRopaaNS:

There is difference between technique and fighting style. One thing is to be able to perform technique, another thing is to recognize sitations when using it is appropriate.

Key to catching Bartolomeo wasn't a technique, Bellamy was able to catch him because he used appropriate technique according to situation. - Luffy donesn't need that- he donesn't need hints to improve his fighting sense, because he's already very creative and can improve it on his own..

Lolwut? By learning King's Punch isn't Luffy doing the exact opposite of what you're advocating? The best way to maintain the sanctity of his current fighting style is to incorporate moves from other people?

And I don't see how being attentive somehow lessens his fighting "integrity". We already know Luffy's observant, and it's not like he goes out of his way to avoid utilizing helpful information. It'd be like complaining that Bon Clay shouldn't have told Luffy to not touch Magellan. Really silly thing to be mired on.

Kedavra

@CCC:

I don't know about "forced," but the "I hate this cheering-> And I hate you, Doflamingo!" line is pretty suspicious. Like… it was more than just the fact that they were cheering for a guy who beat him. Seemed almost as if he doesn't like the very idea of cheering, or just the sound of it.

Sounds like he hates the fact that people are cheering over death and despair in the colloseum imo. This Ricky seems to be the moral institution of Block B lol

Jackermeister

Nice chapter.

Bellamy getting defeated doesn't even bother me because Luffy cheered for him etc. and it seems like he isn't out the story.

asm00200

@CCC:

I don't know about "forced," but the "I hate this cheering-> And I hate you, Doflamingo!" line is pretty suspicious. Like… it was more than just the fact that they were cheering for a guy who beat him. Seemed almost as if he doesn't like the very idea of cheering, or just the sound of it.

Exactly. I'm thinking maybe he's tired of fighting (fighting for a long time can be boring–> Kyros), and the fact that he's still fighting, and using a blade-less sword too… just screams suspicion to me.

The Laughing Man

I still can't believe people thought Bartolomeo was going to lose with all the hype build-up for him. lol

Especially when it's obvious Bellamy is going to remain at least somewhat relevant throughout the arc.

pRopaaNS

@CCC:

I have no idea what's you're talking about at this point. Sounds like semantics. "Gomu Gomu no Wrap-my-arm-around-yours" is a technique if Oda decides it is.
There's nothing inherent about Luffy's character to keep him from observing and being inspired, especially when he watching the fight very closely and rooting for Bellamy. "He's too good to need help from a loser like Bellamy" isn't a good enough reason for why not.

My point is that you're misunderstanding basics of fighting. It isn't about mindlessly using techniques, one of most important qualities of fighter is decision making in order to use appropriate techniques and moves according to situation. However fighting happens too fast to allow time to think how to react, therefore for any fighter fighting sense and fighting style is one of basics they're betting their lives on, otherwise they woulndn't just rush in to take attacks head on whose they have no idea how to defend against.

So, in essence, my point is - Luffy is already specialist at fighting sense and fighting style. Unless your judgement to be clouded by movies and fillers, but one of his best qualities have always been his decision making and fighting sense. Therefore fighter like him can figure out ways how to deal with enemys unique abilities on his own, hence hints related to decision making doesn't have much meaning. What he's lacking is power, not fighting sense.

uhuyyy

barto was sent by garp, garp blackmail him to(as he always do to some people)

GetsugaZoro

@DARK_RITUAL:

It seems my prediction may turnout to be true, Bart came here to win the fruit so he can give it to Luffy, Luffy was his idol when he was a kid so he became a pirate just like his idol Luffy.. Loll

When he was a kid? they are probably the same age.

Sythus

Very good chapter. I love Barto's character - such a funny guy! Even though I don't like Bellamy at all I'm kind of interested to see what will happen with him now, and of course can't wait to see what Block C has in store for us!

Callaghan

@pRopaaNS:

My point is that you're misunderstanding basics of fighting.

Hold your horses lol

wolfwood

@Kedavra:

Sounds like he hates the fact that people are cheering over death and despair in the colloseum imo. This Ricky seems to be the moral institution of Block B lol

That would certainly explain the dull blade he's swinging

pRopaaNS

@Callaghan:

Hold your horses lol

Why, that's a really simple logic- if you're willing to risk your skin by fighting then your source of your confidence have to be more than just swinging your fists.

Willpower

@wolfwoof:

That would certainly explain the dull blade he's swinging

He's a mix of Maximus from the gladiator movie & Himura Kenshin the manslayer

GetsugaZoro

@BingBang:

What i don't understand is all those panels with Ricky and all this dialogue. It's like Ricky is more important than Oda showed us.

I guess you are the one not paying much attention, Oda has been implying he is Kyros since two chapters ago, yes Ricky will be important.

DynamiteShikoku

so how does bellamy managed to grab barto again? why didnt barto just block bellamy's hand using his power? he can just put a wall/barrier in front of his own face so that bellamy cant touch him. or is bellamy moved too fast that barto didnt have the chance to conjure his barrier? hack and the king's attacks were pretty slow.

The Laughing Man

Ricky is probably Kyros, and when Ricky (Kyros) fought in the arena the battles weren't as…violent or deadly as they are now. They were probably honorable matches between opponents, and now, everyone is fighting dirty and trying to hurt each other as badly as possible--in anyway they can. There's like...no honor in the matches.

He probably hates the Doflamingo Family for turning tournaments into what we've seen, and probably hates the crowd because they're cheering for violence, pain, and death.

wolfwood

@pRopaaNS:

My point is that you're misunderstanding basics of fighting. It isn't about mindlessly using techniques, one of most important qualities of fighter is decision making in order to use appropriate techniques and moves according to situation. However fighting happens too fast to allow time to think how to react, therefore for any fighter fighting sense and fighting style is one of basics they're betting their lives on, otherwise they woulndn't just rush in to take attacks head on whose they have no idea how to defend against.

So, in essence, my point is - Luffy is already specialist at fighting sense and fighting style. Unless your judgement to be clouded by movies and fillers, but one of his best qualities have always been his decision making and fighting sense. Therefore fighter like him can figure out ways how to deal with enemys unique abilities on his own, hence hints related to decision making doesn't have much meaning. What he's lacking is power, not fighting sense.

So are you like a scholar of animated fighting or something lol

The Laughing Man

@wolfwoof:

So are you a scholar of animated fighting or something lol

There's degrees for that shiz? Hmm… I may have to get one.

Dellinger

My random thoughts on this chapter:

Quite shocked at Ricky being eliminated, but you know.. that's the downside of introducing alot of participants of Block B. You can't say who's gonna win in a way because everyone (with some exceptions) is introduced as being somewhat in a position to win.
He holds a grudge against Doflamingo? He hates the people who cheer? What is wrong with you Ricky?
Dagama seems to have one flaw in his masterplan. And it's a long-legged one. This was bound to happen. The prize is the mera-mera.. what do you expect.
"Hey Bellamy, do your best!" Let's hope Bellamy doesnt disappear again .. but sticks around atleast for the arc.
Falcon Punch. This gives me a major headache. Can the punch be blocked with haki? It was blocked by Bartotrolleo, a paramecia fruit user (atleast I assume but barrier is no element lolol).
What happens if Elizabello masters Haki and can infuse the falcon punch with haki? Or is it CoA already? Man, this is a nightmare. Imagine Elizabello won the Mera Mera. He could spam his shit. WTF
The little toy soldier.. could he be affiliated with the revolutionary army? Or is it more like a puppet uproar?

asm00200

@The:

and probably hates the crowd because they're cheering for violence, pain, and death.

Isn't that the essence of being a Gladiator?

wolfwood

@The:

There's degrees for that shiz? Hmm… I may have to get one.

No sir i dare say that you've quite misunderstood the basics of rubber combat

The Laughing Man

@asm00200:

Isn't that the essence of being a Gladiator?

In the real world, yeah. But in the animated, fun-loving world of One Piece? Probably not.

I mean, according to what I'm hearing in here, Ricky (Kyros) went into the arena with a dull blade. It seems like a long time ago that nobody could die in the arena, and instead fought with dull weaponry in matches of honor etc.

Now. People are fighting dirty and extremely…harsh, people are betraying each other for their own sake, and if you fall out of the arena you can be mawed by fighting fish. Heck... People are probably gambling on the matches too.

asm00200

@The:

In the real world, yeah. But in the animated, fun-loving world of One Piece? Probably not.

But there is death/violence/pain in this fun-loving world of One Piece. Assuming that before there was no death is baseless, I must say, not to mention, far-fetched.

I mean, according to what I'm hearing in here, Ricky (Kyros) went into the arena with a dull blade. It seems like a long time ago that nobody could die in the arena, and instead fought with dull weaponry in matches of honor etc.

Now. People are fighting dirty and extremely…harsh, people are betraying each other for their own sake, and if you fall out of the arena you can be mawed by fighting fish.

Yet, he's still fighting… that's what's making this whole situation suspicious.

Edit: Heh, the statue of Kyros have a big ass sword too.

pRopaaNS

@wolfwoof:

So are you like a scholar of animated fighting or something lol

Meh, sorry for my lack in social skills. From your point of view I'm probably an idiot anyway, so lets leave it at that.
I jus have a different way of thinking and it seems that it's hard to translate my logic into something what others can understand.
From my point of view your way of thinking is a shallow to assume that there is any chance for a character like Luffy to ever become pirate king if he can't improve on his own. If he's on road to become one of the strongest OP characters then he gotta be at least genius at fighting to be able to archieve that. That's why saying stuff like "seeing how Bellamy grabs Bartolomeo during a fight is a important hint" sounds quite naive from my point of view, especially since he have displayed far more impressive feats during numerous fights before.

NasZ

WHY BELLAMY WHY…. :sad: :cwy:

No Maam

Reading.

So the anouncer is called Gats ? Well at least we don't have to wait for a databook.

Good chapter, sad to see the King go down to him though :sad:

eliman12

Bellamy will turn side and help Luffy forwarrd in this arc.

D.aelthasaar

@Luffyfan:

Luffy not liking Bart says a lot, hes normally pretty good at telling whos good or not

That's why I'm disappointed

Hadi85

@asm00200:

A second Gladiator with a grudge against Doflamingo, an old man with a blade-less sword, add to that a one-legged soldier (with others) plotting to destroy the factory.

I'm ready for the truth! Give me the truth, Oda!!!!

The Laughing Man

Wait… How do we know Luffy doesn't like Bartolomeo? He hasn't even met the guy, and has only questioned his power (in chapter 708) and said "So... That weird guy won..." (or something like that) this chapter.

billg7

Ok calling it doflamingo is a fairy and toys oppressor damn him viva the toys revolution

inori

Ow finally we have a winner from Block B
I'm getting bored with all of this battle royale thing….
Thank you Oda, for showing Franky in the last page... I wish next week there will be another scene to be explored

Shadowgreed

@DARK_RITUAL:

It seems my prediction may turnout to be true, Bart came here to win the fruit so he can give it to Luffy, Luffy was his idol when he was a kid so he became a pirate just like his idol Luffy.. Loll

I would love to see this.

@The:

So… Bartolomeo is Kaido's son? lol

@The:

So… Bartolomeo either works for Kaido or "Jack". Who do you guys think he works for? lol

Well... I shouldn't say works for, I suppose... More like wants to give something very important to, for some reason or another.

@The:

This is just a theory, but:

That toy and his "comrades". Do you think they may be linked the the Revolutionaries on the Caribou cover story? They want to bring down the SMILE Factory, which, is not only linked to Doflamingo, but, Yonko Kaido. Perhaps they want to destroy it so that the Revolutionaries fighting on the snow island of Kaido have a better chance of accomplishing their goal?

Another thing to consider:

Could those Revolutionaries fighting on Kaido's snow island be linked to Dragon's Revolutionaries? I know that seems…far-fetched, but I don't think it's 100% unlikely. Maybe after the Kaido arc/confrontation the Revolutionary arc/Luffy - Dragon meeting will happen, and some "things" about the world could be explained. I don't think the Strawhat Crew will go directly after another Yonko, or have another tough fight for that matter, after fighting Kaido and his crew.

Could the Caribou cover story, this toy and his "comrades" wanting to destroy the SMILE Factory, the Revolutionaries on the snow island of Kaido, be leading to a Revolutionary arc?

where did you get that BARTOLOMEO is kaido's son ?

We need to start expecting a lot of strong guys like Bartolomeo who will not go against a Yonkou but will rather join them than fighting them like the Worst Generation.

I don't think they're linked at all for starters it seems like Gaburu was born or grew up on that island (I'm basing this on he's granny), so he might decided to fight Kaido because he took away the freedom of that island (I'm basing this on the open factory he have on the same island) also I mentioned it before in chapter 704 I think it was and now it comes clear, the smile factory have citizen working in it and the goal for the toy soldier is to rescue them with the help of his allies (citizens) who regain their memories due to something similar they saw (I'm basing this in the spectator who recognized Kyros but didn't know his name), I also mentioned that this memory thing may be some kind of powder like the raining powder in Alabasta but I can totally see this revolutionary linked to Dragon somehow, we have to assume that he has people in almost every island of the OP world

Devil G.

FUCK YOU, BARTOLOMEO. FUCK YOU.

Ok I'm calm now.

FUCK YOU.

At least Bellamy was KO'd. Sleep well, sweet king :,(

CCC

@pRopaaNS:

If he's on road to become one of the strongest OP characters then he gotta be at least genius at fighting to be able to archieve that. That's why saying stuff like "seeing how Bellamy grabs Bartolomeo during a fight is a important hint" sounds quite naive from my point of view, especially since he have displayed far more impressive feats during numerous fights before.

The problem is that you somehow think it's a logical fallacy for Luffy to do mimicry… just because he's actually capable of a lot more than mimicry. It's not. Displaying "impressive feats" does not preclude "kind of ok feats." Besides which, he explicitly mimicked soru. Oda actually wrote that. "I saw you guys using that speed move, so I copied it in my own way." He improves on his own all the time, and sometimes that involves learning from others. And a key point of my idea was that it would be very much within the character of Shonen (hell, it's even a trope of cartoon fiction in general) to make Bellamy's last ditch effort before he got utterly destroyed into a memento by which Barto might ultimately be defeated.

And I didn't say with authority "this is an important hint." I merely suggested the possibility, based on the otherwise lack of importance for that single panel (Bellamy bypasses Barto's defense-> Bellamy gets destroyed before making use of that weakness).

Roronoa Zacho

Also, the name of the giant warrior in Lucy's block sounds celtic/nordic:"Hajrudin", it ends the same way as "Odin". And with the viking theme on Elbaf chars yet, the chance is high that Hajrudin is from Elbaf and might join forces with Lucy.

Toucan

I'm relieved B-Block didn't drag out, it had a satisfying ending and didn't feel rushed.

Next week we can expect updates on the other Straw Hats's and by the end of the chapter C-Block will be getting started.

Enzeru

@Roronoa:

Also, the name of the giant warrior in Lucy's block sounds celtic/nordic:"Hajrudin", it ends the same way as "Odin". And with the viking theme on Elbaf chars yet, the chance is high that Hajrudin is from Elbaf and might join forces with Lucy.

He'd be a mini-giant then considering Elbaf is the island of giants…

.access timeco.

I was right in avoiding spoilers yesterday <3

Bartolomeo!!! \o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/
For one second I was mad at Luffy for cheering up for Bellamy (… I know, but that's who I am), hopefully things turned out to be ok. Too bad for Ricky, though, but it's obvious he will be coming back later.

The only thing I didn't liked was the last page with Franky and the toy. So it turns out that Doffy will really be an oppressor, huh? I was really rooting for him as king.

pRopaaNS

@GOL-D-:

I don't think that someone, altough he's a genius, can reach the top without learning things from the others.
Those learnings can be a way of fighting, a technique,…
Luffy learned a lot from Rayleigh, and not only techniques.

Forget it, I'm idiot anyway. :) Thanks for hints, now I know reasons why I failed and how to improve.