@Deicide said in Next Straw Hat Crewmates (Vol. 10 - Egghead):
@Zin-Magala said in Next Straw Hat Crewmates (Vol. 10 - Egghead):
For the Alabasta part, Oda seems to be doubling down on Vivi's connection to her country and the WG. Now we have Queen Nefertari D. Lili, Oda is showing us you don't have to be a pirate to stick it to the WG and Vivi would be taking up Lili's will, much like Luffy with Joyboy, to finish the fight. Vivi can still be Queen of Alabasta and have a big role in the upcoming fight. Oda has shown us that Vivi will put her people above being a fulltime crew member and I see that expanding to the world during the next couple of arcs. Will she travel to Laughtale? If that hasn't happen before Im's defeat then I'm going with no. Vivi will continue to put the people first.
Yes, I think the current revelations make her even more tied to her country.
Yes, the country will be targetted by the WG, but Cobra's realization was clear: that was the path Alabasta should take. The Will of Lily is for Alabasta to rise against the government at the right time. And, since Cobra himself is dead, that burden falls to Queen Vivi.
Vivi is in a unique position in which she can ally with the Revolutionaries and bring more nations to the rebellion. I can see her (and Wapol) being the ones to reveal the truth (maybe by fooling Morgans into publishing something he wouldn't?), and then convince other kingdoms to join their cause.
I do think Vivi will reunite with the crew in due time. But her greater role is her own. She's in a special position like Momonosuke or Shirahoshi, and I don't see her having the role of the 11th Crewmate.
Arabasta as a physical location is probably irrelevant for the foreseeing future.
I think this why Oda kept the Arabasta delegation in Mary Geoise. That makes it easier for them to contribute to the final war without needing to go backwards in the Grand Line and keep everything within the NW proper.
Kohza should be able to keep things tidy until then. He is a leader too and part of the Arabasta government anyway.
@Deicide said in Next Straw Hat Crewmates (Vol. 10 - Egghead):
You know, the idea of peacock strings with wapolmetal's morphing properties could be interesting.
But, ultimately, I don't see Vivi as the type to be on New World level, nor I see her fighting style as particularly interesting for fights. I love she's acrobatic and such, but I don't think she can offer much more than some "hell yeah" moments or some supporting role, instead of any extended 1v1 fights.
Honestly, I think this is fine. We know it's highly probable that Kuzan is not going all the way in with the BB, leaving 10 vs. 10. Greg and others have also already gone on record 10 was the number of original crewmembers Oda had in mind anyway, so the 11th will be more of a bonus than anything. That's why I see Vivi heading to Laugh Tale even if not in a fighting capacity. More like a glorified guest.
Right now, there are no other options that would nicely fit while taking in account narrative, thematics and screentime. Yamato lost his chance, Hancock is too unfocused and already proved herself superior than a BB commander, Carrot just got plainly ignored in Wano and given a ruler title so she wouldn't leave the raid empty-handed.
The story right now is placing major importance on the Nefertaris and that's not a coincidence.