**I want to talk about Sanji’s fight.
First let me state a few assumptions or beliefs:
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There are no obvious power levels in one piece so Shichibukai, admirals and vice admirals indeed even yonko are not all equal.
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There are reasons for this difficulty in comparison namely devil fruits and various other fighting strategies complicate things considerably.
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Despite 1 & 2 there are very general very loose power levels that are set up purposefully in the story in order for SH or ,as has been happening lately, supernovas to break through. This causes uproar in the OP universe when they happen. An example would be Blackbeard shedding Shichibukai status for yonko almost immediately
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Blackbeard did this because he was an unknown entity so no one knew how strong he was plus he got 2 very convenient fruits in rapid succession .
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The unknown entity is a pattern in OP. It is how SHs dominated east blue and took over their first Shichibukai
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The other pattern is SHs developing new powers on the fly against tough foes. What happened against CP9, namely gear second, Asura and Diable Jambe. Naturally after a very hard struggle.
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I believe the 2 year timeskip was decided in order not to introduce haki gradually. But rather abruptly. Meaning Oda introduced training time because he hates training time! and would rather it happen off camera. Of course Oda used this time to upgrade everyone. Not just the Main haki users. Which leads me to believe Oda prefers the unknown pattern to the on the fly upgrade one.
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SHs are again an unknown entity separated from the powers of OP universe by 2 years of seclusion. Exactly what Oda likes.
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Fishman island frustrated many readers because of the lack of challenge. But that was necessary to insure SHs stay unknown. AS fishman island is hardly the place to reveal their true power. It would limit the global impact. “the surprise world factor” or “flashy entrance”.
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Big Mom’s challenge along with the tea party which conveniently coincides with Reverie seems like the perfect stage for such an earth shattering rebalance of world power!
All the above along with Oda’s preference for flashy entrances points to SHs being unbelievably powerful and on Yonko ass kicking course.
But then Oda starts weaving his web of deception giving us punk hazard this interesting little arc. It is basically designed to hide Oda’s intentions and keep suspense up. He gives us Kinemon and his son. So maybe the SHs are going to Wano? Or the ultimate red hiring Donquixote Doflamingo maybe this arc is about him? or caesar clown? maybe vegapunk is the destiny of this arc? Trafalgar Law is of course mixed up in all of this what is this key he keeps talking about?
All through this arc every fight is designed to hide power levels either via Law mixing people up or CC being gas logia with no real fighting skills or My personal favorite Law removing several hearts including his own. Well played Oda well played indeed.
On the other hand Oda introduces several pirate alliances that are specifically designed to obscure the targets of said alliances and whether they indeed are one and the same Yonko, namely Big mom. introducing doubt as to SHs ability to take on a Yonko alone.
Then Oda gives us a taste of a real fight: Sanji vs. Vergo.
This is potentially the biggest event since timeskip and can recalibrate SHs power to the world around them. However Oda introduces so many caveats and mixed messages as to effectively obscure the outcome.
- will the fight be allowed it’s natural conclusion or will CC’s gas interfere?
- does Vergo have a DF specifically a sticky one? or is he a straight out brawler like sanji?
With no DF and no interruption this fight would gives insights into the plot of the next 100 chapters! which makes me doubt it will happen.
Vergo’s blackening is haki by the way. there is not a shadow of doubt in my mind.
So how would I call it? if indeed it does proceed uninterrupted?
If there were no pirate alliances: Sanji hands down, as it would be necessary for plot.
if Vergo hadn’t blocked Tashigi’s slash with haki something luffy failed to do with Hodi’s teeth, which are similar but arguably more powerful, then Sanji hands down.
but considering above points I would say 20% chance the fight concludes naturally with 60% percent chance of Sanji winning.
Now before anyone points it out, this is not scientific so no smartypants replies about how I calculated these. Think of them as odds if I were a betting man. The reason I favor Sanji slightly is emotional. It is part of his character to fight with unrelenting will to defend a lady. It will be unlikely for him to lose and remain sane given his personality and vergo’s intentions.**
