Usopp and Nami would be so great. It's the obvious duo that never happened. They did something together against Baby 5 and Buffalo but those were escaping so it was not completely satysfying. Ulti and Paypay sounds much more promising
I also like the fact that Oda seems to go towards 2 vs 2.
I also like the fact that Oda seems to go towards 2 vs 2.
Yeah, it makes sense as it spares a lot of time while also allowing fleshed out fights.
Totally agree with the latest posts. I was kind of disappointed with the latest chapter, until the Usopp and Nami scene. I never even realized how bad I wanted those two to fight together! I really REALLY hope Oda doesn't turn this into another Jack VS. minks. Because that annoyed me. Ulti and Pay Pay are way too fun to waste, and having team fights helps to give fights to everyone while cutting down on the needed screen time. I hope Oda uses this chance that he's set up to the fullest.
Totally agree with the latest posts. I was kind of disappointed with the latest chapter, until the Usopp and Nami scene. I never even realized how bad I wanted those two to fight together! I really REALLY hope Oda doesn't turn this into another Jack VS. minks. Because that annoyed me. Ulti and Pay Pay are way too fun to waste, and having team fights helps to give fights to everyone while cutting down on the needed screen time. I hope Oda uses this chance that he's set up to the fullest.
We didn't get more of Jack vs. Minks because
A) The Minks outside of Neko, Inu and Carrot are pretty much fodder, at least to Jack
B) To spend more than the 2-3 pages we got on it would have actually been a little much
C) Oda was saving the Mink Kings for the battle with Kaido. He intends to have the 9 scabbards fight Kaido, not 7 with the other 2 fighting Jack.
D) Kaido has told Jack to recover, which very likely means we will see some matchup against him in the future. Likely also Oda wanted to hide Jack's hybrid/awakening for whatever future battle he has.
Now, this pays off IF Oda doesn't truly offscreen the Scabbards battle against Kaido. If he at least shows a few attacks from everyone and them sequentially falling as we move closer to Chapter 1000, then I'd say its worth the Jack vs. Minks offscreen, especially if Jack fights Jinbe or something in the future.
Not to mention, the Numbers all definitely will recover too, considering Apoo's comments about them being drunk. Oda will probably want a doublespread with all 10 together on one page.
@Gia:
Not to mention, the Numbers all definitely will recover too, considering Apoo's comments about them being drunk. Oda will probably want a doublespread with all 10 together on one page.
The only thing I disagree with your post is this. I don't think the Numbers will recover. Instead, the remaining ones will be stronger than the defeated ones. I don't see a point in fighting again beings that are essentially elite mooks with no personality.
Wano predictions: There will be 5 acts; All Straw Hats will get fights, some in Act 4; Big Mom Pirates will arrive; Carrot will have her moment, but won't join; Yamato will be a Kouzuki samurai and Wano's Guardian; Shanks will visit Luffy in Act 5; Next arc is Mary Geoise.
The only thing I disagree with your post is this. I don't think the Numbers will recover. Instead, the remaining ones will be stronger than the defeated ones. I don't see a point in fighting again beings that are essentially elite mooks with no personality.
I disagree with your disagreement!
I know they're not "true" Beast Pirates (but what makes a true Beast Pirate, anyway?)
But a major theme of the Beast Pirates so far has been astounding resilience.
Noooo Luffy took out Holdem forever! Oh wait no he's back up later just fine.
Noooo Luffy took out Babanuki forever! Oh wait no he's back up later just fine.
Noooo Ulti got 'one-shotted' by Yamato! Oh wait no she's back up chapters late just fine.
Croc or Enel would never.
Wanna see the "ancient civilization destroyed" thing done really well? FFXIV did a great take on it. The bar's high for One Piece to beat.
I disagree with your disagreement!
I know they're not "true" Beast Pirates (but what makes a true Beast Pirate, anyway?)
But a major theme of the Beast Pirates so far has been astounding resilience.
Noooo Luffy took out Holdem forever! Oh wait no he's back up later just fine.
Noooo Luffy took out Babanuki forever! Oh wait no he's back up later just fine.
Noooo Ulti got 'one-shotted' by Yamato! Oh wait no she's back up chapters late just fine.
Sanji took out Sheepshead and he was never to be seen again. Sanji strongest confirmed.
¯_(ツ)_/¯
Folks who read One Piece… Just better people. ¯\(ツ)/¯ 
Sanji took out Sheepshead and he was never to be seen again. Sanji strongest confirmed.
¯_(ツ)_/¯
I'm honestly rather curious what those dudes were intended to be, just Zou Beast Pirates I guess (besides the ones who returned in Wano like Jack).
I may have missed some small panels with it but I'm pretty sure we haven't seen a SMILE function like Sheepshead's either.
Croc or Enel would never.
Wanna see the "ancient civilization destroyed" thing done really well? FFXIV did a great take on it. The bar's high for One Piece to beat.
I agree with both of you 
–- Update From New Post Merge ---
I'm honestly rather curious what those dudes were intended to be, just Zou Beast Pirates I guess (besides the ones who returned in Wano like Jack).
I may have missed some small panels with it but I'm pretty sure we haven't seen a SMILE function like Sheepshead's either.
Sheepshead is special. It feels like Oda changed his mind after him and Ginrummy, since both are headliners and neither are typical smile users. I guess Sheepshead might not even be one? He's the first I can remember able to transform in and out of his ability. As for Ginrummy, she doesn't appear to have a Smile Fruit. She could be a devil fruit user, but we don't really know.
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Sheepshead is special. It feels like Oda changed his mind after him and Ginrummy, since both are headliners and neither are typical smile users. I guess Sheepshead might not even be one? He's the first I can remember able to transform in and out of his ability. As for Ginrummy, she doesn't appear to have a Smile Fruit. She could be a devil fruit user, but we don't really know.
Oda explained some SMILES just don't allow transforming back and forth due to unstability.
I agree with both of you
–- Update From New Post Merge ---
Sheepshead is special. It feels like Oda changed his mind after him and Ginrummy, since both are headliners and neither are typical smile users. I guess Sheepshead might not even be one? He's the first I can remember able to transform in and out of his ability. As for Ginrummy, she doesn't appear to have a Smile Fruit. She could be a devil fruit user, but we don't really know.
Zou's flashback presentation of Jack's forces showed other gifters able to transform. One of them turns his hands in wolf heads.
Oda explained in the latest SBS that Smiles are really random even when you get an ability. Some users are able to control their transformation and turn back to normal, others can't.
Wano predictions: There will be 5 acts; All Straw Hats will get fights, some in Act 4; Big Mom Pirates will arrive; Carrot will have her moment, but won't join; Yamato will be a Kouzuki samurai and Wano's Guardian; Shanks will visit Luffy in Act 5; Next arc is Mary Geoise.
Oda explained some SMILES just don't allow transforming back and forth due to unstability.
Zou's flashback presentation of Jack's forces showed other gifters able to transform. One of them turns his hands in wolf heads.
Oda explained in the latest SBS that Smiles are really random even when you get an ability. Some users are able to control their transformation and turn back to normal, others can't.
Welp. Consider me a dumbass. I've certainly read that SBS, I guess I didn't really read it.
Well cool! I did not know that got explained so recently. This is why it pays so much to get the volumes for this series.
Croc or Enel would never.
Wanna see the "ancient civilization destroyed" thing done really well? FFXIV did a great take on it. The bar's high for One Piece to beat.
I think in this case Oda could/should have been more explicit about this in the Manga itself. I think everyone got the idea that Oda changed his mind between Zou and Wano and made Smiles have permanent effects instead of transformations. Turns out it isn't like that and he needed to explain it in an SBS. Or maybe it is and this is just an excuse to explain away a mistake, like the floating wood that later got incorporated in the main story.
I think in this case Oda could/should have been more explicit about this in the Manga itself. I think everyone got the idea that Oda changed his mind between Zou and Wano and made Smiles have permanent effects instead of transformations. Turns out it isn't like that and he needed to explain it in an SBS. Or maybe it is and this is just an excuse to explain away a mistake, like the floating wood that later got incorporated in the main story.
Nah. Sarahebi is able to transform and she was introduced after Holdem and co.
I still hope we get to see at least one strong Smile user that had an impressive effect. Bonus points if it’s one of the Numbers.
Wano predictions: There will be 5 acts; All Straw Hats will get fights, some in Act 4; Big Mom Pirates will arrive; Carrot will have her moment, but won't join; Yamato will be a Kouzuki samurai and Wano's Guardian; Shanks will visit Luffy in Act 5; Next arc is Mary Geoise.
Still am hoping the Numbers have Kaiju devil fruits. Such a great opportunity for that.
Now that Jimbei is an official strawhat, I bring the highest level question… how does the pirate docking 6 looks now?
Does he takes Frankys position, like in Robin’s heart? He is the arm instead of Brook (like they did on unlimited cruise)? Does the pirate emperor 6 use santoryu and move Brook to be held by chopper on the head?
Id move Zoro to an arm, put jimbe on Zoros old spot, move Brook to be held by chopper, and convince robin to give it wings at least. For swords, and one Kabuto like that.
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Now that Jimbei is an official strawhat, I bring the highest level question… how does the pirate docking 6 looks now?
!
…What has been seen can never be unseen. I am taken aback by the level of racism against merfolk in this forum! Repent!
Jinbei wraps around Franky's back like a meatshield backpack while Robin sits daintily in his palm. Nami is in front in one of those baby carriers. Luffy grabs Franky's shoulders and flaps in the breeze like an elastic cape. Perfection.
Gonna give ya the D.!
@The:
Jinbei wraps around Franky's back like a meatshield backpack while Robin sits daintily in his palm. Nami is in front in one of those baby carriers. Luffy grabs Franky's shoulders and flaps in the breeze like an elastic cape. Perfection.
That may indeed be the only way to convince Robin of Docking's utlity.
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I love the photo, and the image of nami in the baby carrier.
Is there any confirmation on who the navigator of Roger pirates was? it seemed to me that Gaban and Oden were the ones doing the math of Laugh Tale's location.
Meaning Gaban's most likely to be the navigator, but I'm a bit unsure.
Greg, I did ask you on twitter, and I am sure someone probably have already discussed this, but,
What are the chances that Ch 999/1000 will be the end of Act 3?
Whichever side wins becomes the Justice.
Greg, I did ask you on twitter, and I am sure someone probably have already discussed this, but,
What are the chances that Ch 999/1000 will be the end of Act 3?
Greg's opinion may have changed since he said it, but previously he made the case that he didn't think it was going to be a five act structure at all, and that 3 would be the bulk of the arc.
Greg's opinion may have changed since he said it, but previously he made the case that he didn't think it was going to be a five act structure at all, and that 3 would be the bulk of the arc.
I disagree with Greg, thought. If this was a 3-act structure, Act3 wouldn't have started yet.
Yeah. If Wano would remain a 3 act arc, everything would feel out of proportion. There is just too much left, not to mention the very much needed intermission info drops.
Is there any confirmation on who the navigator of Roger pirates was? it seemed to me that Gaban and Oden were the ones doing the math of Laugh Tale's location.
Meaning Gaban's most likely to be the navigator, but I'm a bit unsure.
!
Surprisingly no log pose on Gaban's wrist, but the quill and the map in his hand point to him very likely being the navigator. I don't know if any SBS or One Piece Magazines can definitively confirm it though.
I tried looking for any log poses on any of the other crewmates but I didn't identify one, only log pose I could see in the flashback was when Roger mentioned Lodestar, and that was a visual in the background and not a real one lol.
Sidenote, after rereading Oden's flashback its really funny to see how much smarter Roger is than Luffy haha.
Yeah. If Wano would remain a 3 act arc, everything would feel out of proportion. There is just too much left, not to mention the very much needed intermission info drops.
I'm at an impass when it comes to this topic. I would love for new information and whats happening outside of Wano, and Oda always delivers super exciting chapters for these intermissions, especially when Blackbeard is involved, but I feel like cutting away from the main tension at this point is too late.
The battle is about to begin and everyone is ready, we literally got the whole crew posing, if there was ever a time to do it, it was that chapter and that was still too late. I feel like cutting away at this point would deflate the anticipation of the climax.
No matter how much Kaido recovers momentum in this battle, this battle is going to end tonight, or else the big mom pirates or the marines might arrive, and this is already too packed as it is, and it is not going to be another Act if it is "two hours later".
The love for the intermission chapters aside, I still don't get why it matters if it's 3 acts or 5. The way people talk about it you'd think Oda isn't going to close out the arc the same way he's done for every other big arc.
A cut away any time soon would be pretty anti-climatic
Oda cuts in the middle of a climax to do informative flashbacks allll the time… but he usually does it after the minions are down, and Luffy has already gone a couple rounds with the boss ad is about to make the last pass. Its usually just a handful of chapters to go after he gets back from the flashback followed by resolution.
Not exactly the same thing as cutting away from the current content entirely.
Robin's flashback was anti-climactic, for instance. Same with Oden's. Or Law's. Oda does interrupt action and drama often in order to build up tension.
You can see this 5-act (or 3-act structure, they are essentially the same, just divided in different ways) is actually in every arc, it's just this time that Oda chose to make it obvious to allude a theatrical presentation.
The different is basically this:
Introduction and call to action: Act 1 in both structures.
Development and complications: Act 2 in both structures.
Major negative development (Bad Climax): Still act 2 in 3-act structure, Act 3 in 5-act structure.
Resolution of the conflict (Good climax): Act 3 in 3-act structure, Act 4 in 5-act structure.
Epilogue: Act 3 in 3-act structure, Act 5 in 5-act structure.
That's it in a nutshell.
We are leading to the bad climax. So, we'd be near the end of Act 2 if Oda were following a 3-act structure. We are, instead, in the third act. So, we are seeing a 5-act structure. And Oda has defined intermissions between acts, and also said we'd get news on Sabo/Vivi/Hancock in 2020, so…
There is cutting away to an informative flashback (which directly fuels the climax) and then there is cutting away to showcase something totally unrelated (but exciting).
The former can absolutely happen, the latter would be a first. Like, a Kaido flashback explaining his origin can be a thing, while showing the aftermath of the Warlord abolition not so much. Do I want to know what happened to Hancock and Mihawk? Yes, but not now.
There is cutting away to an informative flashback (which directly fuels the climax) and then there is cutting away to showcase something totally unrelated (but exciting).
The former can absolutely happen, the latter would be a first. Like, a Kaido flashback explaining his origin can be a thing, while showing the aftermath of the Warlord abolition not so much. Do I want to know what happened to Hancock and Mihawk? Yes, but not now.
Don't forget that Oda making Wano look like a theatrical play is also something new. And theatrical plays have intermissions.
Also, intermissions have been fairly short. Half a chapter between acts 1 and 2, two (extremely hyped) chapters between acts 2 and 3. I don't think we will have more than three chapters (way less than a flashback) dedicated to the third intermission. And they'll probably have lore bombs and major developments to keep us hyped for post-Wano.
That is amount of chapters, not amount of time in story. Flashbacks by their nature are instantaneous or a conversation, these intermissions have been of days, and allowed not only the view of other players in the world, but the arrival of Big Mom, Jimbe, The group with Catviper and Kaido's forces, and were time when our heroes were already "beaten" or left for dead, so a third intermision would require that Kaido's victory to leave the aliance as good as defeated, or captured, again, for him to be able to move with his plans, recapture Yamato, go for the capital, gather even more forces, join up with big mom's crew.
So yeah, the aliance must be getting close to losing big, but will they lose enough for Kaido to feel satisfied and believe them dead? Would this jampacked arc improve with blowing the load of the strawhat aliance here? Blackbeard? Shanks? Moriah? the marines? Enel? What purpose would an interlude to somewhere else in the world serve right now?
If you base the act structure of "any break on the flow" including flashbacks, then for sure Oda won't call it that way. It would technically be act 4, but more of an act 3.5 because not enough time on the story would have moved forward to allow any "movements in the board" so to speak.
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That is amount of chapters, not amount of time in story. Flashbacks by their nature are instantaneous or a conversation, these intermissions have been of days, and allowed not only the view of other players in the world, but the arrival of Big Mom, Jimbe, The group with Catviper and Kaido's forces, and were time when our heroes were already "beaten" or left for dead, so a third intermision would require that Kaido's victory to leave the aliance as good as defeated, or captured, again, for him to be able to move with his plans, recapture Yamato, go for the capital, gather even more forces, join up with big mom's crew.
So yeah, the aliance must be getting close to losing big, but will they lose enough for Kaido to feel satisfied and believe them dead? Would this jampacked arc improve with blowing the load of the strawhat aliance here? Blackbeard? Shanks? Moriah? the marines? Enel? What purpose would an interlude to somewhere else in the world serve right now?
If you base the act structure of "any break on the flow" including flashbacks, then for sure Oda won't call it that way. It would technically be act 4, but more of an act 3.5 because not enough time on the story would have moved forward to allow any "movements in the board" so to speak.
Intermissions don't need to take time from the main story. There was a small timeskip between Acts 1 and 2, but not between Acts 2 and 3. The intermission went back in time instead and showed events that occurred over the last seven days.
An act 3/4 intermission does not require any time to pass between. It's more of a narrative structure than an event in-story. We'd probalby be left hanging, have curtains close, a narrator explaining the intermission's time lapse, and then we'd get the intermission events, which could be in the past, present or even future. Then the curtains open again, and we are back where the story was halted.
I sure hope he has the balls to disregard what is expected
if a tragedy does happens, as it is very likely with the current scenario, cutting action for an intermission in that very moment would be very practical, especially if Kaido immediately heads for Flower Capital to turn it into the New Onigashima he plans, and while the intermission occurs, the travel from Onigashima to Flower Capital would be off-paneled, allowing Act 4 to already be happening in the mainland.
I'm seeing it exactly as Deicide regarding the structural choices Oda made during this arc. Of course Oda could change his ideas anytime but he is usually fond of symmetric structure and i don't see him skipping the turning point (Luffy rising when everything is lost) in this battle. This "bad climax" would have appeared at the end of act two in a three act structure (I don't count the Scabbards in front of the destroyed ships).
Also, I think that the next intermission will have implications on the events happening now in Wano. Hence very much needed. There was a reason why the Strawhat's plan to take on Kaido was in the news - and the liberation of Wano is deeply connected to the void century. Everyone knows by now that Luffy is in Wano. Marines, WG, Imu, Blackbeard - all have an eye on him. And it's not far fetched to assume that Vivi/Sabo have to reappear soon and Vegapunk to appear at all. Shanks said that it's too soon to meet - it won't be after Luffy frees Wano. All this people/groups were addressed during the intermissions and i think we need some more informations before all this characters enter the stage properly.
Also there is Hiyori, she/Komurasaki is waiting to beng-beng again!
My belief is that things are turning to the worst possible scenario right now. It began on 990, when the Tobi Roppo were summoned and the minks were defeated, and continued on 991, with Kaido stepping forward and the crew starting to spread around.
Over the course of the next chapters, things will get ever worse. Things like:
And then everything is capped with Kaido beating the living crap out the Scabbards, possibly killing one of them (I'd say Denjiro).
Everything seems FUBAR and no way out. All trump cards have been spent. End of Act 3. Intermission.
I actually wonder if Fukurokuju has any kind of 'stitching' df like Leo's, to repair Orochi.
But how will Kaido's flashback fit in. Besides Kaido's tragic past his flashback may bring some resolutions on the ancient giants (probably the WG's attempt of giantification), artificial devilfruits, Rocks, Wano and the Void Century. I'd say we will get an intermission first (between act 3 and 4) and Kaido's flashback shortly before act 4 ends. Then after he is beaten we might get another intermission which could lead into act 5/the aftermath.
Woho, eey waiit!! Why would Kaido have a "tragic" flashback tho?? We're not supposed to emphatize with him, but to hate him.
So, what would really fit, is to give Yamato a tragic fb, and let us see from her perspective a couple of details about Kaido's origins.
Woho, eey waiit!! Why would Kaido have a "tragic" flashback tho?? We're not supposed to emphatize with him, but to hate him.
So, what would really fit, is to give Yamato a tragic fb, and let us see from her perspective a couple of details about Kaido's origins.
Well, Flamingo had a tragic flashback. Kaido is a pirate prodigy alcoholic and suicidal "creature". Tragic flashback incoming. Yamato for sure will play her part in this flashback.
