A lot of people are following the mugiwara for whatever reason, whether it be physically following them or just keeping track of bounties and adventures (like shanks and mihawk).
Does anyone here know if this is the full list?
Buggy
Alvida (they are seperate captains right?)
Don Phlemingo
Kuro Bear (not sure on that name)
Don Krieg
Smoker
Blackbeard Pirates
That's all I can think of but that's a lot of people to have following you.
Kuro, Krieg, Doflamingo and Kuma were never said to be following the Strawhats.
The Buggy Pirates (with Alvida), Smoker and the Blackbear Pirates are the only ones who are definitely after them.
I'm pretty sure that while Krieg isn't necessarily "following" the strawhats, they'll meet again since Gin said they'd see each other again on the grand line.
I meant Kumo the Bear not Kuro, my bad. I don't know for sure that he's following the strawhats.
Don Phlemingo was at mock town right after Luffy left, and he killed (well it's implied) Bellamy and probably Bellamy's whole crew for humiliating his "mark."
If he took the time to kill Bellamy for disgracing his mark (which apparently Bellamy was using), he's going to go after the Mugiwara as well. It's a given in my opinion.
Well, there in fact are chances that they will meet Gin again. But if they do then I don´t think it will be because Gin is following them, but because their path´s lead to each other.
About Doflamingo. Personally I actually believe that he in fact is very interested in Luffy. But that is just my personal idea and has no evidene behind it. As for the reason why he was at Jaya. His subordinates disgraced his symbol. That´s actually enough reason to get there.
About Kuma we don´t know nothing. Again, personally I think that he´s to Doflamingo what Nico Robin was to Sir Crocodile. But just as the point before, this is my utter speculated interpretation of the whole thing and has no solid backup behin it.
I meant Kumo the Bear not Kuro, my bad. I don't know for sure that he's following the strawhats.
Actually, Kuro Bear would fit, all things considered. XD After all, he's obviously modeled after the infamous "Black Bart", or Bartholomew Roberts. Black Bart was a very religious Pirate Captain who never drank or swore, was very polite, and never killed unless he had to.
I agree with pretty much all you said, though I don't know that Kuma (Kuro, whichever is correct since you guys are confusing me) the Bear would be to Phlemingo what Robin was to Croc, since Bear is a full fledged Shichibukai. You might be right though.
They disgraced his symbol, but then so did Luffy, if he doesn't go and take care of Luffy, his symbol is 'still' disgraced, at least if I were Phlemingo that's how I'd view it. He punished his subordinates, but now he has to go get the culprit. I also don't have evidence, except for this.
Why would Oda show us that scene for no reason?
As I said, I have no doubts that Doflamingo is interested in Luffy. I´m just saying that there isn´t any statement in the manga where this is really said.
And about Kuma. The similarities I see with Robin in Croc is not in the Shichibukai thing since back then it was just one of them while it is two this time. Nope, the similarity I assume there is that Kuma is allied with Doflamingo just as Robin was with Croc. Meaning he´s the bosses most important person but in the end he has completely different motives for what he does then the boss himself.
I have absolutely no backup for that. It´s just that I think of it like that. BTW, that does at no point mean that Kuma will join the Strawhats later on. I sure as hell want a priest to join the Strawhats but that role shouldn´t be fit by Kuma if there really is one supposed to come. XD
**Kuma is a very interesting character. From what we have seen he isn't a cruel induvidual, by any means. but at the same time, he has such a fearsome bounty. Which is why I think he won't be a main villian if he is one. To me Kuma could very well be a shichbukai that Luffy doesn't take down.
I believe Donflamingo is somewhat interested in luffy. Perhaps to take him as a suboordinate? But I doubt very highly he is following them.
Gin will probaley meet luffy because they will end up at one point.
Buggy and co. I think will have a great role in the story.**
(it's kind of redundant to call the guy 'Kuma the Bear'… kuma = bear o.o it's Bartholemew Kuma :3)
But anyway -- the only guys I really notice that are after them are Buggy and co., but who knows... they might end up on the same side after all, if Buggy's really after One Piece too. I dunno. shrug
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Credo quia absurdum non credere. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(it's kind of redundant to call the guy 'Kuma the Bear'… kuma = bear o.o it's Bartholemew Kuma :3)
Who wouldn't want to be called Bear the Bear? =3
I've been wondering what Gin has been up to since Baratie (if he is still even alive mind you). I'd like to see a side-story of him sometime after Goldenweek's is done, but that's just me.
@Octogon:
I believe Donflamingo is somewhat interested in luffy. Perhaps to take him as a suboordinate? But I doubt very highly he is following them.
That´s my opinion too. Doflamingo is talking about the New Pirate Era where only the strong survive.
After all, Doflamingo must already be familiar with Luffy. I mean he took down a Shichibukai which lead to the meeting in Maryjoa AND he took down one of his subordinates.
If he doesn´t consider such a guy to be a possible candidate for his New Pirate Era while Bellamy does, then he would be a complete moron.
Of course Luffy wouldn´t join, but that doesn´t mean that he won´t ask him. After all, Baroque Works also wanted Zoro to join but he refused. So it´s not as if this concept is out of place in One Piece. BTW, in the very begining Bellamy wanted to check out if Luffy is fit to join him. 
Does anyone think Doflamingo might be Luffy's Grandfather? I know it sounds impossible, but consider that Doflamingo takes an interest in him, he's someone that Kuzan would generally have trouble with, and he's someone that Luffy could easily fear. Who wouldn't fear a pirate puppetmaster with such a ridiculously high former bounty?
Buggy
True.
Alvida (they are seperate captains right?)
True, and technically.
Don Phlemingo
Er….no...
Kuro Bear (not sure on that name)
Bartholmew Cobas and definitly no, the mans barely opened his mouth.
Don Krieg
Everyone who survives long enough will see eachother on GL, since the sea routes rejoin at the end.
Smoker
True.
Blackbeard Pirates
Same as Gin/Krieg.
(it's kind of redundant to call the guy 'Kuma the Bear'… kuma = bear o.o it's Bartholemew Kuma :3)
Akainu the Red Dog,
Kizeru the Yellow Monkey,
Aokiji the Blue Pheasant
…
"=D".
Well, they've never been referred to by that in the manga/anime. Seeing as those names mean the translations. So they're alreay being called "blue pheasant, red dog, and yellow monkey"
Speaking of, though, it's worth noting that Blue Kiji at one point was following them (following Skypeia) and tracked them down right after Davy Back Fight. Which actually makes me wonder how Blue Kiji tracked them (followed their Log Path out of Alabasta and tried heading them off?)
Waldorf: You know Statler, after watching the last one thousand episodes of One Piece, I think I've come to a conclusion.
Statler: No you haven't.
Both: DOHOHOHOHOHO!
Well, they've never been referred to by that in the manga/anime. Seeing as those names mean the translations. So they're alreay being called "blue pheasant, red dog, and yellow monkey"
…uh, relevance? It's not like "Kuma the Bear" was in the manga or anime, either. :rolleyes:
Akainu the Red Dog,
Kizeru the Yellow Monkey,
Aokiji the Blue Pheasant…
"=D".
Would you like me to can you for a few days for being a smartass ? I can do that if you're set on it. I'm real good at it. "=D".
To a Japanese reader the names are self-evident, even though they're written in katakana. You're never going to see something like 青い雉子のアオキジ; redundancy is stupid in any language. And I can understand that JUST MAYBE OMG the names aren't that obvious to the casual reader, but hey guess what !, that's why I, stephen, ocean, ooshi, Selphish, Himi, and tons of others translate this stuff for you. :rolleyes: In the Bartholemew Kuma case – they'd plain forgotten about the Bartholemew part of the name and I corrected it. In your case, you just need a good slap in the face. :P
Carry on ~
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Credo quia absurdum non credere. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
That was smartalickyness? Well I feel kinda silly now…
…
…the fudge? Why did you even bother to respond? Was it that important you "make your point"? Historically, I know of Bill O'Reily prosectuing some journalist's satire on his "fair and balanced" journalism, and all that did was promote the journalist's novel. All you did was show you were insulted, which is frankly, pathetic.
I know my place, so I'll back off, but jeez, it's the New Year, and everyone's been celebrating and having a good time. 'tis the season ta just let go, y'know?
…the fudge? Why did you even bother to respond? Was it that important you "make your point"? Historically, I know of Bill O'Reily prosectuing some journalist's satire on his "fair and balanced" journalism, and all that did was promote the journalist's novel. All you did was show you were insulted, which is frankly, pathetic.
I know my place, so I'll back off, but jeez, it's the New Year, and everyone's been celebrating and having a good time. 'tis the season ta just let go, y'know?
Oh god, help, I'm traumatized. :rolleyes: Point blank, there's no need for you to be a smartass to me or anyone else on the forum, particularly over a moot point.
And I admit I might be somewhat touchy and am probably taking it out on what I shouldn't, though I'd like to see you come back and laugh after getting stranded in an airport on the one night where no one has hotel rooms available.
Why should De Phlamingo be after Luffy to kill him?
It was Bellamy who disgraced his symbol, not Luffy…
He might be thinking only those who are strong enough ro survive the new pirate age are allowed to use his symbol (and we all are well aware of the fact that bellamy isn't.. he's just too weak..
There are few with a bounty that isn't 100 mio or higher, who could survive...)
Nobody said directly, but some of you (not you, ivotas) kinda make me think they do ^^
Ah well, I took it as if the general opinion about Doflamingo and Luffy here was just that he is interested in him because he´s got potential. But now that I check it back, theinvisibleworm´s statement could be understood as you did. So I guess you´re right then. Sorry, didn´t catch it that way. 
Uh, Bellamy disgraced de Flamingo's mark by losing to Luffy. How does doing general pirate stuff really "disgrace the symbol"?
Of course de Flamingo is looking to kill Luffy. So is Bartholomew Bear; they're both Shichibukai, and as per their contract, they are required to take down pirates. Sure, Mihawk may seem apathetic to the job, but even he isn't above getting his hands dirty.
De Phlemingo killed Bellamy because he used his symbol.
He doesn't want to kill Luffy - remember: His goal is a new pirate age, but to reach his goals he has to keep the really strong ones living - otherwise he would be pretty damn alone in his new era xD
So Luffy helps him creating it… by defeating those who are not worthy of surviving... why would De Phlamingo try to kill Luffy then?
We all know, he alone could make the new pirate age.. but it'd take too long.. So, why shouldn't he make others to do his work?
Maybe, after Luffy reached the summit of pirates, he will try to kill him... ôo but not yet, it's to early to let a rising star vanquish...
I'm still waiting for the next Buggy scene, honestly. Oda keeps him around because Buggy is his favorite character and all the fans love him. Then again, who doesn't love a clown that can split his body into pieces? XD
Then again, I also want to see Foxy join up with the Buggy pirates; because he was such a cool villain. At Raftel, considering if that is where the Buggy pirates and Straw-Hat pirates finally meet up again; an Usopp and Foxy fight would be extremely entertaining.
I think Buggys next apperance, the pirate summit, and the doflamingo arc will be one ginormous five-six year super arc. I still say the next super arc is Fish Man Island, though.
Riding a Rhino is safer so we Ride a Hippo for Adventure!
~Bobobobo BO-bobo~
PS: I am a big fan of kittens:love:
I think Buggys next apperance, the pirate summit, and the doflamingo arc will be one ginormous five-six year super arc. I still say the next super arc is Fish Man Island, though.
Five to six years means at least 200, if not 250-300, chapters. That's a bit long to get to some sort of closure.
I could see tighter-chained arcs, but there has to be a clear "we've moved past one scene, we have a second to catch our breath and do something fun like Gaimon now."
Buggy appearances are perfect as cute little "interludes" IMO. Since Loguetown, it's funnier to think of him as completely outclassed and spiritually a chihuahua chasing a great dane around.
I want him to play a minor but comical role in the closing scenes of the manga. Something like being squished under a Giant, caught in the middle of where a Buster Call was summoned, or dispensing the classic "What did you say about my nose?" at an inappropriate moment.
De Phlemingo killed Bellamy because he used his symbol.
He doesn't want to kill Luffy - remember: His goal is a new pirate age, but to reach his goals he has to keep the really strong ones living - otherwise he would be pretty damn alone in his new era xD
So Luffy helps him creating it… by defeating those who are not worthy of surviving... why would De Phlamingo try to kill Luffy then?
We all know, he alone could make the new pirate age.. but it'd take too long.. So, why shouldn't he make others to do his work?
Maybe, after Luffy reached the summit of pirates, he will try to kill him... ôo but not yet, it's to early to let a rising star vanquish...
…you present a weak argument, in all respects. Jango kept Kuro's old flag, so I really do not see why de Flamingo would hold such respect for it. I interpreted his line as an excuse, not a reason. Furthermore…we don't know what this "new age" is. I have not read Stephen's scripts (who, along with ooshi and Ocean, is considered more reliable than NULL on AP) for Jaya, but from what I have read, the age doesn't have anything to do with pirates. It's just a "new age", which kinda seperates it from the "Great Pirate Age" fervor the OP world is currently caught up in. de Flamingo struck me as more of a revolutionist than Dragon.
Jango kept Kuro's flag cause he was told to, I think… Kuro still referred to the Kuro Neko as his Pirate Crew, even after Jango was running them.
Personally, I still am under the impression Do Flamingo is Luffy's Grandfather. Why? It's simple:
1. Doflamingo: That means he could be a D. Since all the Schibukai have an animal nickname, that could be his middle name. Donquixote D. Oflamingo could be his real name.
2. He's someone that even Kuzan would have a helluva time fighting.
3. He takes an interest in Luffy, and decides to persue him. Maybe he wanted to see if his Grandson had what it took to be a Grand Line Pirate Captain.
4. His whole spiel about the New Age and the Elite Pirates being the only survivors could be something he ingrained into Luffy and Ace when they were children. That could be part of Luffy's fear toward him... if DoFlamingo's dream became a reality, many people would be screwed, something that Luffy doesn't want.
5. He's something that Luffy could fear anyway. The power to play people like marionettes? That's a very dangerous power.
6. His disrespect for the Marines paralells along with Luffy's. It isn't a blatant "I'm killing the marines" type of deal, it's like Luffy's: "If you're in my way, I'll kick my ass. I could care less what you think of me, just don't stop me from my goals." That would explain the disrespect he showed Sengoku and Crane at the meeting.
