Next Straw Hat Crewmates (Vol. 9 - Yamato vs. The World)

Shiebs

I don't know why this just occurred to me, but do we know what race Fukuro and Gecko Moria are?

And Machvise just randomly has a tail

Shift

Denjiro proved that Oda doesn't need an excuse to stick a character where he wants them, whether or not he shows how they get there. And yet, small as her appearances have been, Oda has taken the time this whole raid to show where Carrot is, where she's been going. He went to the trouble to show her on her way to Peros when he didn't bother to show where Wanda was at any point before then. Even now she's on the way back to the battle, despite Kaido being the last enemy to fight.

Regarding the cover story and whether Pedro is one of the shadowy figures, I have to say that for someone who might still be alive, Pedro's death sure has been brought up a lot. Wanda, Neko, Peros, Sanji, they all said in clear terms that Pedro is dead. Multiple chapters over these past 5 years have been devoted to the fallout. Luffy saved Pedro's name for last in his big moment, it garnered it's own panel and everything. Who's death has been given this much reverence except Ace and WB's? If Pedro turns out to be alive in the cover story, I'll give up right then and there because I can't see the point in subverting the way his death has continually pushed everyone forward.

With that in mind, Pedro's death pushed Carrot forward. He passed his will onto her like so many mentors before him. She has yet to accomplish anything related to it, but I personally still feel that's coming, that it hasn't happened yet because it'll be one of the most important things to cap off this arc. The dawn hasn't arrived and she hasn't given up yet, so I'm still excitedly waiting to see what exactly she will do now. Because crewmate or not, Oda has been leading Carrot to something.

Syphin

@Shift:

Regarding the cover story and whether Pedro is one of the shadowy figures, I have to say that for someone who might still be alive, Pedro's death sure has been brought up a lot. Wanda, Neko, Peros, Sanji, they all said in clear terms that Pedro is dead. Multiple chapters over these past 5 years have been devoted to the fallout. Luffy saved Pedro's name for last in his big moment, it garnered it's own panel and everything. Who's death has been given this much reverence except Ace and WB's?

Going Merry (ignoring flashback characters). It was alive!!

Within the narrative of Wano, I would also argue Yasuie. He played a major part in building up the Akazaya Samurai (and Oden in part) to what they are now. His sacrifice as well served to lay down the foundation on which the current raid could be carried out. Yasuie died to save the WHOLE of Wano.

Yasuie's death is also felt through Toko, his adoptive daughter. It was heart-wrenching when it was revealed that Toko and the other Ebisu villagers couldn't express their emotions of sadness when he was executed but only smile due to the effects of the defective SMILE Fruits. The narrative beginning from Punk Hazard came to be tied into the life and death of Yasuie. Through the Wano mainland portion of the arc, Toko became very close to certain Straw Hat Pirates (Robin, Usopp, Sanji and Zoro) who assisted in saving her on several occasions when her life was in danger. Focus on Toko reflects the consequence of Yasuie's death. Robin while comforting Toko even mentioned that Yasuie was an incredible man when the Akazaya Samurai were grieving over his sacrifice.

Oda is also at times shifting the focus back to Toko during the Fire Festival in the Flower Capital to remind the readers that Yasuie died and his daughter is lighting a lantern for him to pay her respects and send her message of love. Orochi's defeat is also in part tied to Yasuie's story because it was Yasuie who gave a young Orochi a chance and employed him. Orochi is the one who killed Yasuie. Luffy never directly met Yasuie, so the the focus on Yasuie is conveyed through other characters, including how his death is resonating throughout this arc. Further, considering Zoro is a Shimotsuki and the relationship he held with Yasuie (he genuinely made Zoro smile in chapter 930), there will be further relevance in Yasuie's death once Zoro begins to realise who he is and the family he belongs to.

As for doubting death in One Piece, I don't blame anyone for choosing to ignore any narrative stating a character has died. If there is uncertainty involved, the possibility of a character not being dead is very real. This is a feeling directly based on how Oda has approached his story, especially the New World:

During the Fishman Island, the New Fishman Pirates were popping Energy Steroids like candy and Decken sent Noah flying toward the Island. No one died.
During the Punk Hazard Arc, the Shinokuni Gas was built up as a killer gas that Caesar spent years perfecting. At the end of the arc, a weakness allowing everyone affected to survive was revealed. No one died.
During the Dressroas Arc, Doflamingo activated his bird cage with the intent to kill everyone. Mansherry was introduced to heal anyone close to death. No one died.
During the Zou Arc, Jack arrived, released the Koro Gas and tortured the Mink for an entire day. Enter Caesar and Chopper. No one died.
During the Whole Cake Island Arc, Big Mom suffered from her Hunger Pangs (twice!) and went on a crazed rampage attacking and destroying anything and everything in her path. Big Mom ripped the souls out of several characters. No one has been confirmed to have died.
During the Wano Kuni Arc; the Mummy Plague was introduced - thanks to Chopper, no one died. The Ice Oni Plague followed - thanks to Marco, Chopper and the Mink doctors no one died. Kaido goes berserk, no one died. Kanjuro unleashes the wrath of the Kurozumi clan, no one died. Fires rage across Onigashima castle, Raizo and Jinbe enter, no one died.

Without a lifeless body shown, it becomes hard not to doubt if a character truly is dead (I don't even believe that CP-0 agent who angered Kaido is even dead or the other agent injured by X Drake). In Pedro's case, I would prefer his sacrifice remain as is. But if Oda does write Pedro to be alive, I would not be surprised.

electricmastro

This post is deleted!

electricmastro

Looking back, all things considered, I wonder if Luffy considers Yamato to be his friend at this point.

Deicide

@electricmastro:

Looking back, all things considered, I wonder if Luffy considers Yamato to be his friend at this point.

[qimg]https://i.imgur.com/GiI0OL3.jpg[/qimg]

Of course he feels Yamato is a friend. Enough for Luffy to trust him.
But that doesn’t mean the bond is deep. Luffy makes friends wherever he goes, but not all are close friends.

electricmastro

@Deicide:

Of course he feels Yamato is a friend. Enough for Luffy to trust him.
But that doesn’t mean the bond is deep. Luffy makes friends wherever he goes, but not all are close friends.

Also funny. There are multiple crewmates Luffy either barely talked to or interacted with before they joined, some he even only knew for a day beforehand, not as deep as knowing someone for weeks or even months, and looked how that turned out. :)

Dany

I thought it was contrived and underwhelming, but the fact remains that Luffy pretty much freed Yamato from onigashima. How that can be swept under the bus is beyond me.

electricmastro

@Dany:

I thought it was contrived and underwhelming, but the fact remains that Luffy pretty much freed Yamato from onigashima. How that can be swept under the bus is beyond me.

Because of the argument that Luffy has freed many other people throughout his travels that he never even befriended. I’d be willing to believe Yamato stands out from many of them though.

Deicide

@electricmastro:

Also funny. There are multiple crewmates Luffy either barely talked to or interacted with before they joined, some he even only knew for a day beforehand, not as deep as knowing someone for weeks or even months, and looked how that turned out. :)

I'm just stating they are not close friends right now, that's all. Because they are not.

–- Update From New Post Merge ---

@Dany:

I thought it was contrived and underwhelming, but the fact remains that Luffy pretty much freed Yamato from onigashima. How that can be swept under the bus is beyond me.

That does make Yamato feel indebted to Luffy, but does not mean he will end up in the crew.

Dany

@Deicide:

That does make Yamato feel indebted to Luffy, but does not mean he will end up in the crew.

Sure but when you consider that what the character wants above all else is to be free, that is the most likely outcome.

electricmastro

@Dany:

Sure but when you consider that what the character wants above all else is to be free, that is the most likely outcome.

Yep, not trying to say it's "guaranteed" or anything, but I think back to cases like Usopp:

Luffy wanted to got out to sea. Usopp wanted to go out to sea.

Could have gone separate ways, but then again:

Luffy liked him. Usopp liked him.

Might as well go out together, naturally.

Shin10 Bukuro

It's very possible to sail along with the Strawhat pirates, and yet not be a member of their crew.

electricmastro

@Shin10:

It's very possible to sail along with the Strawhat pirates, and yet not be a member of their crew.

I just still find it interesting how some are going so far as to claim that Yamato is guaranteed to stay in Wano forever helping the shogun because of the deity, even though we don't know everything heaven obligates the deity to do and that Kaido has been wrong about other things at this point. lol

Shift

@electricmastro:

I just still find it interesting how some are going so far as to claim that Yamato is guaranteed to stay in Wano forever helping the shogun because of the deity, even though we don't know everything heaven obligates the deity to do and that Kaido has been wrong about other things at this point. lol

Who exactly is saying anything here is guaranteed?

Smudger

It might only be a small panel, but it's more evidence to highlight the positive relationship between Yamamoto and Momo.

I'd like to think that by the end of this Momo will realise how his confidence and actions were built up through Yamato's guidance. I think it'll be that realisation that makes him ask Yamamoto to temporarily stay while he find his feet as being the Shogun and protector of Wano.

Monquito

Kaido is not wrong about things, he's just widely uninformed.

And it really is hard to me to imagine Momo consciously becoming a burden in Yamato's dreams. He strikes me more like the kind who would say 'go with Luffy, he's the right person to follow'.

Deicide

@electricmastro:

I just still find it interesting how some are going so far as to claim that Yamato is guaranteed to stay in Wano forever helping the shogun because of the deity, even though we don't know everything heaven obligates the deity to do and that Kaido has been wrong about other things at this point. lol

I don't know where you are getting people saying anything is "guaranteed", now how you came to the conclusion that anyone is arguing about some sort of deity forcing Yamato to do anything.

What we have are hints that have some weight, but they are piling up. It's not the "guardian deity" thing alone, but all the scenes of Yama/Momo developing, as well as the focus that Yamato's second flashback gave us, and all the instances of Yamato declaring his loyalty to Momo and Wano.

Plus, there's no deity to force Yamato to do anything. It's the symbolism of what his fruit represents that matters in context. Oda could have given him the very same power and ommited the "guardian deity" part, and the story would be different. But we got that context, plus "zoans having a mind of their own" in the same arc. Since the fruit wasn't meant for Yamato originally and he ate it on accident, it feels like the narrative is telling us that the fruit chose Yamato because he's the right person to represent it, much like it seems the Gomu Gomu "chose Luffy" because he's the right person to be Joyboy.

It's really funny that before the Model Nika reveal, Yamato supporters were pointing out how Yamato ate his fruit on accident and because he was hungry just like Luffy, and some even expected a flashback showcasing that. But now that Luffy's context changed, they dropped the comparison because it actually hurts their wanted scenario.

–- Update From New Post Merge ---

@Monquito:

And it really is hard to me to imagine Momo consciously becoming a burden in Yamato's dreams.

It's not about Momo becoming a burden.
It's about Yamato realising his true calling.

Dany

@Deicide:

It's not about Momo becoming a burden.
It's about Yamato realising his true calling.

Being the guardian of Wano? That seems fitting, but why do you think Oda will have Yamato do what's fitting instead of what they really want? I think their is a reason Yamato is drawn so much to Oden, and it is not because he was Wano's great protector.

Deicide

@Dany:

Being the guardian of Wano? That seems fitting, but why do you think Oda will have Yamato do what's fitting instead of what they really want? I think their is a reason Yamato is drawn so much to Oden, and it is not because he was Wano's great protector.

Because I think there's more to Yamato's desires than what he has said so far.

There's quite a bit of possible tips:

From the single panel of him as a kid watching Oden's execution, he already dressed as a samurai before he got his Oden admiration.
In his debut, when he talks about Oden, is in the context of he being the greatest of the samurai. Tiny detail in the dialogue that may mean an admiration for samurai in general.
In his second flashback, his "mentor figures" are all samurai.
In his second flashback, he shows interest in becoming a samurai ("Could I be a samurai too? Even thought I feel hungry…")
Also, the same flashback reframes his desire to go to the sea as a step to become stronger before returning to liberate Wano. A small hint that going to the sea may not be his end goal.
When Kaido is taunting Yamato, he says that the samurai will never accept him. That oni and humans can't be friends. In this week's chapter (released just a few minutes ago), we find out that Kaido was a soldier of a kingdom that sold him to the government, so that's what made Kaido believe so. If Yamato gets accepted by Wano, he essentially proves his father wrong.

What I think may be revealed later is that Yamato wants to go to the sea to emulate Oden, because that's what Oden did. However, his deepest desire may be to become a samurai under the Kouzuki. I feel Momonosuke may offer Yamato to become his brother, giving him the Kouzuki family name, and Yamato may become a samurai of Wano rather than go with the crew.

Dany

I completely disagree. Yamato has been imprisoned in Onigashima for 20 years. Their is nothing they want more than to explore the world like Oden did, and I very much hope they drop the Oden persona and just be Yamato. Then their should be no mistaking what they are really about.

Deicide

@Dany:

I completely disagree. Yamato has been imprisoned in Onigashima for 20 years.

In Onigashima, not Wano. And certainly not in a freed Wano.

Their is nothing they want more than to explore the world like Oden did, and I very much hope they drop the Oden persona and just be Yamato.

It's been 70 chapters and no hint of "wanting to be Oden" as a bad thing that needs to be dropped.

Then their should be no mistaking what they are really about.

Well, hopefully we get answers before the end of the year.

Oh, and something I should have posted in my previous reply: I think this scene is a big hook for Yamato's future decision.

Monquito

Already elaborated several aspects pointing out to Yamato already separated from Momo, the official translation gave one more.

Yamato says 'We're going down', whereas Momo says 'Onigashima is going down', much more clearly indicating one's up there standing in it, the other isnt.

Much more importantly, Yamato's mission to protect Momo is over, no more excuses to go back to Luffy and/or meet the SH's.
Luffy has overdone his stamina to a new unlocked level, he's terribly hurt, never fought so much before in his lifetime, and its very likely he's going unconsciouss(if it isnt already). And he's falling from cloud's level altitude, if any moment at all, this should be the one where Luffy must not be allowed touch the ground in said conditions.
And Yamato's absense in the last panel, makes it likely enough, that she'll be the one going to save him.

Wano's epilogue should indeed be heavily focused on Yamato, to address the several genuine points she's still lacking and make her recruitment more compelling and credible for all those still doubting her.

As for Momo, he has a promise to fulfill with Hiyori.

electricmastro

@Dany:

Being the guardian of Wano? That seems fitting, but why do you think Oda will have Yamato do what's fitting instead of what they really want? I think their is a reason Yamato is drawn so much to Oden, and it is not because he was Wano's great protector.

Yep, even if I’m not sure how to completely explain it and in spite of Momo’s incompetent manchildness being pointed out, I honestly still can’t help but feel that it’s particularly suspicious how Kaido, the villain, just so happened to claim Yamato has to protect Wano for him as a deity so soon after Yamato claimed the contrary of wanting to sail out, which she had claimed multiple times even prior to that.

Maybe in other mangas, I’d believe she’d protect Wano more, but in a manga like this which emphasizes on freedom and following your ambitions despite what others say, then how could I not think otherwise?

Deicide

@Monquito:

Already elaborated several aspects pointing out to Yamato already separated from Momo, the official translation gave one more.

Yamato is 100% with Momo, or else there's no reason to keep showing their panels together.
Especially these ones, in which Yamato is reacting to Momo creating the clouds:

Also, Yamato yelling to Momo means they are at least close together, even if Yamato was not riding Momo at that point.

Yamato says 'We're going down', whereas Momo says 'Onigashima is going down', much more clearly indicating one's up there standing in it, the other isnt.

THat means nothing. "We" can mean "the raid", "our group", Yamato does not need to be in the island to use "we" there.
Second, the japanese original may not even have the pronomns, it may be just a translation choice.

Monquito

@Deicide:

Yamato is 100% with Momo, or else there's no reason to keep showing their panels together.
Especially these ones, in which Yamato is reacting to Momo creating the clouds:
[qimg]https://i.imgur.com/QyAwP5K.png[/qimg]

Also, Yamato yelling to Momo means they are at least close together, even if Yamato was not riding Momo at that point.

THat means nothing. "We" can mean "the raid", "our group", Yamato does not need to be in the island to use "we" there.
Second, the japanese original may not even have the pronomns, it may be just a translation choice.

It seems tho, Yamato is reacting to Luffy's punch finally being delivered, they're the only ones seeing it, thats why we only get panels of those two.

Since last chapter we have not seen a panel of them both together.

And the last page is(again) the most telling, since Yamato is like 3 meters tall and we see Momo's full body and Yamato's nowhere to be spotted, this is despite the fact, that Yamato was always visible when she was with him.

Deicide

@Monquito:

It seems tho, Yamato is reacting to Luffy's punch finally being delivered, they're the only ones seeing it, thats why we only get panels of those two.

That makes no sense. The action being told in that sequence is all about Momonosuke.

And every Yamato panel in this chapter is followed by a Momonosuke panel. The story flow is very clear that their actions are related, even if you somehow want to make them physically separated.

There's no way you can spin it to make any of those Yamato panels being about Luffy.

Since last chapter we have not seen a panel of them both together.

And yet the story flow makes it clear they are still together, or at least able to interact.

And the last page is(again) the most telling, since Yamato is like 3 meters tall and we see Momo's full body and Yamato's nowhere to be spotted, this is despite the fact, that Yamato was always visible when she was with him.

Momo's body is dozens of meters long. That panel has Momo too small to say Yamato can't be riding him in any portion of his body. Jean Bart is bigger than Yamato, and yet we could not spot the Heart Pirates riding Momo when we saw him going for Onigashima. Actually, we can, but only as a black spot. From chapter 1,025:

And from 1,049, I would guess this black spot is Yamato:

It's even somewhat near the same spot on the neck we've seen him before:

electricmastro

@Monquito:

It seems tho, Yamato is reacting to Luffy's punch finally being delivered, they're the only ones seeing it, thats why we only get panels of those two.

Since last chapter we have not seen a panel of them both together.

And the last page is(again) the most telling, since Yamato is like 3 meters tall and we see Momo's full body and Yamato's nowhere to be spotted, this is despite the fact, that Yamato was always visible when she was with him.

And it's not like panel time really makes or breaks anything, because again, Robin's panel time with Crocodile and Franky not having many panels with Luffy at Water 7 and Enies Lobby.

Zanze

Crewmate or not, the way Yamato has been handled was very disappointing.
He's been paired with Momo the whole time, even in the final scene, even as Luffy was taking down Kaido, and Yamato's freedom or Yamato as a character in general has been completely absent from Luffy and Kaido's mind during the fight. Freaking Rebecca got more focus than this as Luffy was taking down Doflamingo.
Even if he joins I can't see how Yamato getting any future development is going to be satisfying, the opponent here was his own father, this arc should have been all about him but it just wasn't - and this is why I think he's not joining. If he joins I'll seriously lose faith in Oda, he can't write a supposed main character like this

Deicide

@Zanze:

Crewmate or not, the way Yamato has been handled was very disappointing.
He's been paired with Momo the whole time, even in the final scene, even as Luffy was taking down Kaido, and Yamato's freedom or Yamato as a character in general has been completely absent from Luffy and Kaido's mind during the fight. Freaking Rebecca got more focus than this as Luffy was taking down Doflamingo.
Even if he joins I can't see how Yamato getting any future development is going to be satisfying, the opponent here was his own father, this arc should have been all about him but it just wasn't - and this is why I think he's not joining. If he joins I'll seriously lose faith in Oda, he can't write a supposed main character like this

Agreed. While technically there’s still sone scenes left before the act wraps up, and then the Wano epilogue, no one can deny that Yamato was around 70 chapters and had little development towards joining the crew. He’s not even treated as a protagonist here. With tensions running low once th dust settles, there will be little opportunity for bonding with the crew and/or the audience. The meaty part of the arc has already passed.

Shin10 Bukuro

@electricmastro:

I just still find it interesting how some are going so far as to claim that Yamato is guaranteed to stay in Wano forever helping the shogun because of the deity, even though we don't know everything heaven obligates the deity to do and that Kaido has been wrong about other things at this point. lol

I don't doubt Kaidou on what he said, but I think being a "Mamori Kami" is something that can also be done out at sea. If Yamato is destined to protect Wano, which I think is a very fair idea, then protecting Momonosuke (while he's out sailing) is still a very fair expression of that destiny.

@Deicide:

Because I think there's more to Yamato's desires than what he has said so far.

I agree 100%, but whatever those desires are, they need to be dealt with/realized out on the sea. Yamato read Oden's journal as a child, and had an intuition one day she'd sail the sea. I find that to be very powerful.

In fact, the more chapters that pass, the more I see Yamato's overall role in the story as basically being the continuation of Oden. She will pick up exactly where he left off, protecting Wano's most important person (Momonosuke), and helping out Joyboy.

I think the important caveat here, however, is that Yamato can sail the sea's without being a Strawhat Nakama. I could see Momo enlisting as a temporary apprentice, while Yamato can find meaning in being the personal bodyguard to him (the Uranus weapon) while sailing with Joyboy.

electricmastro

@Shin10:

In fact, the more chapters that pass, the more I see Yamato's overall role in the story as basically being the continuation of Oden. She will pick up exactly where he left off, protecting Wano's most important person (Momonosuke), and helping out Joyboy.

I can see to that as well. Regardless of how one views the situation of Yamato's obligation to stay in Wano for the rest of her life because of her fruit, I don't it can be denied how much she's being linked with Joy Boy, after her role model Oden was trying to make preparations for Joy Boy and Momo not knowing why it's so important to open the borders for Joy Boy to begin with. The fact that neither of them know why Roger and Oden laughed at Laugh Tale made me curious as well.

Shiebs

How many chapters left to wrap up Wano and head to the next Island you guys think? Anyway you slice it we should have our Carrot/Yamato/Tama answer soon

Deicide

@Shiebs:

How many chapters left to wrap up Wano and head to the next Island you guys think? Anyway you slice it we should have our Carrot/Yamato/Tama answer soon

I think something around 16-17. This should be enough to end Volumes 104 (6-7 chapters remaining) and 105. Maybe it takes a little more than that, but I don't think it will take the entirety of Volume 106.

If that is correct, we should see the start of a new arc between October and December.

Things to wrap up include:

Party
Momo/Hiyori reunion
Yamato's fate
Zoro visiting Ryuuma's grave, probably meeting Onimaru again
Hitetsu's secrets (the hina dolls, his identity, who he was waiting for)
Conclusions to Tama, the Scabbards, Minks, and others
Deciphering no less than 6 Poneglyphs (3 from Big Mom, one from Flower Capital, one from Onigashima, unknown Wano Road Poneglyph)
Opening the borders of Wano, whatever that means
World Government stuff
Probably a new intermission about what's happening elsewhere in the world

Smudger

@Dany:

Being the guardian of Wano? That seems fitting, but why do you think Oda will have Yamato do what's fitting instead of what they really want? I think their is a reason Yamato is drawn so much to Oden, and it is not because he was Wano's great protector.

Well Yamato discovered the journal during their initial captivity with the other Daimyo. It makes sense that the freedom and absurdity of Oden would be appealing.

Its a similar notion to what many kids have growing up reading comics or tv shows that orientate around superheroes/hero figures. At some point Yamato will grow beyond this once they are free from Kaido, and look at what their destiny and direction in life are.

As I've said many times before, this will likely be as a guardian and advisor to Momonosuke. This in itself has been showcased throughout most of the war, with little other competition from other scabbards or any other characters.

And I'm not saying this role is permanent, because Yamato will likely have other ambitions; but surely while the country restores itself, and more importantly while Momonosuke becomes the guardian and ruler of Wano. This essentially means we could see a return of Yamato after Elbaf or some other point in time, which is what Oda has done with many others before them.

@Shiebs:

Anyway you slice it we should have our Carrot/Yamato/Tama answer soon

Wow I didn't realise people still considered Carrot a viable option.

Deicide

Another long bleak chapterless week ahead of us… sight...

At least we are just a few months away at most before we get an answer to the current candidates. Being right or being wrong, I can't wait, this has gone stale years ago. At least we can go into a new arc and, if there's no new SH or no confirmation of a complete crew, try new guesses for a change.

Or, if there's confirmation that the crew is completed, then we put this discussion to rest once and for all. Can you imagine that? It will be the end of a decades-long tradition!

electricmastro

@Shiebs:

How many chapters left to wrap up Wano and head to the next Island you guys think? Anyway you slice it we should have our Carrot/Yamato/Tama answer soon

Neko is a good candidate too, right? He didn't see Pedro get blown up, but he still mourned for him, cares about the Dawn, shared moments with the Straw Hats, and even defeated Perospero the cause of his death.

Smudger

@Deicide:

At least we are just a few months away at most before we get an answer to the current candidates. Being right or being wrong, I can't wait, this has gone stale years ago.

I'm really excited to see the outcome of this debate.

I haven't been on the forum in years, or found anything interesting enough to debate until now.

And I'd like to think that right or wrong, I chose my candidate (Yamato) quite early when I saw what I assumed to be Oda throwing us subtle signs.

Hopefully my pride can take the knock if I'm wrong hehe. Though a small part of me would like to see someone totally unexpected join, if only to watch this thread go into meltdown.

Zar

I'm on board with Yamato, from the moment he said he'd set sail that felt like he's got a real chance. Plus I really like him and would like to see more of him. He feels like he'd fit right in with the crew. So long as he drops some of that Oden fanboyism, I won't stand having a character rant about how great Oden is for the rest of the journey.

I'd be happy if Carrot joined too, regardless of how unlikely that is. She's fun and cute, and like Yamato fits nicely among the rest.

Tama would probably upset me, but I could get used to it.

If any of the scabbards join however I'm going to scream.

Galleon Panthera

@Zar:

I'm on board with Yamato, from the moment he said he'd set sail that felt like he's got a real chance. Plus I really like him and would like to see more of him. He feels like he'd fit right in with the crew. So long as he drops some of that Oden fanboyism, I won't stand having a character rant about how great Oden is for the rest of the journey.

I'd be happy if Carrot joined too, regardless of how unlikely that is. She's fun and cute, and like Yamato fits nicely among the rest.

Tama would probably upset me, but I could get used to it.

If any of the scabbards join however I'm going to scream.

I agree with all of this. Let's see who was right, and who will join. My hopes are still on both Yamato and Carrot, even though Oda could have done a way better job on the latter. But that is another can of worms that has been opened way too many times, so I won't go there.

Shiebs

@electricmastro:

Neko is a good candidate too, right? He didn't see Pedro get blown up, but he still mourned for him, cares about the Dawn, shared moments with the Straw Hats, and even defeated Perospero the cause of his death.

I’d be totally fine with that seeing how he’s my favorite Mink, and I really think we should have a mink on the crew or the Grandfleet so we have representation of most of the races in One Piece

Although I also love Pekoms, I would love to see him join the crew, especially so we can see his hybrid Zoan mode or even better his hybrid Zoan mode while in Suulong form

And there was that cat that looked like him on that one cover spread, and Catviper was there too! It must be a sign! :ninja:

But I’m all seriousness I would love for either of those two to join

Deicide

@Zar:

If any of the scabbards join however I'm going to scream.

We lack a ninja. They have a ninja. Raizo for nakama! He has an unique design, a sad flashback, lots of funny gags, a cool DF, and got a lot of attention, plus his own fight! His dream is to get a girlfriend!

(It's a joke, if someone didn't get it)

Johnny B. Decent

@Deicide:

We lack a ninja. They have a ninja. Raizo for nakama! He has an unique design, a sad flashback, lots of funny gags, a cool DF, and got a lot of attention, plus his own fight! His dream is to get a girlfriend!

(It's a joke, if someone didn't get it)

I have to be honest, I do wish Yamato was more fascinated with Ninjas, then just using that club.

electricmastro

@Zar:

I'm on board with Yamato, from the moment he said he'd set sail that felt like he's got a real chance. Plus I really like him and would like to see more of him. He feels like he'd fit right in with the crew. So long as he drops some of that Oden fanboyism, I won't stand having a character rant about how great Oden is for the rest of the journey.

I'd be happy if Carrot joined too, regardless of how unlikely that is. She's fun and cute, and like Yamato fits nicely among the rest.

Tama would probably upset me, but I could get used to it.

If any of the scabbards join however I'm going to scream.

I get the feeling that what happened with Luffy may be a lead up in the story. Luffy doesn’t have to take on two identities of himself and Jo Boy to achieve something great, because he’s still just Luffy. In the same way, Yamato can still just be Yamato.

astagadragon

Kaido flashback was on and there was no Yamato whatsoever in it (only on quote by dear daddy). IF Yamato is really destined to be something more than ally (or even a nakama), let's just pray that Kaido's flashback is NOT over…

Chams

Maybe Wano epilogue could flesh out Yamato's flashbacks and throws them back into the nakama track. It has kind of derailed since Yams interacted with Franky, years ago

electricmastro

@Chams:

Maybe Wano epilogue could flesh out Yamato's flashbacks and throws them back into the nakama track. It has kind of derailed since Yams interacted with Franky, years ago

Ay, Yamato hasn’t even interacted with Wano inhabitants like Kinemon and Hyogoro even though she has interacted with Momo too. She also just happened to come and go when the Straw Hats did their group pose, when Sanji left the love floor, and when Robin and Brook landed on top of a Number too, which is peculiar because of the potential action-packed team-ups and comedy Oda could have gotten from that with Yamato.

Zhenja

Kaido’s flashback was kept short because we’ll get more from Yamato’s flashback in the future… when she joins.

electricmastro

@Zhenja:

Kaido’s flashback was kept short because we’ll get more from Yamato’s flashback in the future… when she joins.

I previously brought up the suggestion of Yamato being a brewer, which some people brushed aside, but then it was mentioned that Kaido came from Vodka Kingdom, which made me wonder once again what link Yamato has to alcohol, in addition to Chapter 999.

Ivotas

It's about that time we will find out Yamatos mother was called Zsa Zsa Binks.