The Upcoming Battle

[Voodzik]

I know it's kind of hard to remember what with Robin's flashback and all, but there IS a major fight coming up. Any speculations? Just wanted to keep the convo alive XD

[KatanaJon1.1]

Strawhats Win.

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[Voodzik]

@KatanaJon1.1:

Strawhats Win.

---

Hah hah -_-

Seriously thought, this is a big freaking deal this battle. For one thing, there's two totally unknown devil fruits…then there's the unknown capabilities of "Gear 2," plus Usopp and Nami's new weapons...and to top it all off, there's always the point to make that for the first time, we'll be seeing TWO people testing their powers for the first time ever.

[Polygon]

Here is what I tthink all the strawhats have towin. Some kind of a boost in power for each mugiwara.

**Luffy: Obviously Gears. I believe that his gears are nothing more than winding up his muscles for a added boost in power. I also believe that the weakness to gear is that over time it will "un-wind". So he either has to keep doing gear after it completley un-winds or finish Lucchi off before it come to that.

Zoro: As I have already stated I think it is his "enimiba". He did an eminba onigomu and it seemed as if his swords were bending. I believe that before he strinkes he "charges-uo" be moving his katana back and forth with incredible speed, giving the illusion that they are bending.

Nami: Obviously the ""Perfect Clima-Tact". We have seen that it is very powerful. We know that it has three circles. I believe it has 6 dials, three on each side of the staff. The power of her clima-tact depends entirley on her navagational and weather knowledge.

Ussop: Obiously his new weapon. And he probaley has a new hammer as weel, as he said he was going to make one with his new dials. I believe his hammer is upgraded with the impact dial. I also believe he has found a way to use the milky dial on earth.

Sanji: Rankankyu the air cuttig teniuque. it would fit him perfectly.

Chopper: I believe he has learned Geppou. the style where you can "fly" by kicking the air. It would fit him seeing as he is a Blue-nosed reindeer.

Wrote this on another board, so it might sound a little weird.**

[Voodzik]

Actually, I thought Chopper might learn "Shigan" to go with Arm Point. But Geppou plus Jump point would rock too…

And i'd like to see Usopp learn Tekkai, it balances out every snipers greatest weakness: Lack of short-range defense.

[Polygon]

@Voodzik:

Actually, I thought Chopper might learn "Shigan" to go with Arm Point. But Geppou plus Jump point would rock too…

I think the strawhats might re-play the scence in Drum where Chopper carried then arcosss the wire thing so it looked like he was flying, but this time no wires.

And i'd like to see Usopp learn Tekkai, it balances out every snipers greatest weakness: Lack of short-range defense.

I think Ussop has somehow made the milky dial to work for this very purpose that and perhaps travel.

[mugiwara]

Well, I just know how the last scene looked before the flashback. It had CP9 across the way facing against the Strawhats who were standing on the bulwarks on the other side. The Strawhats were in pairs of two; Sanji & Chopper, Luffy & Sogeking, and Zoro & Nami. I would love to see several team battles in that fashion though I'm sure they won't all be like that (Zoro & Nami were kind of teamed up already in Alabasta). Nevertheless, I really hope we see a Luffy/Sogeking tagteam battle. That would just be friggin' awesome.

[luffink]

I´m just afraid that this will turn like "Alabasta 2": everyone except Luffy beating their opponents in 2-3 chapters…

[Silveril]

i'm thinkin nami put an impact dial on the boomerang of the climatact.. this way she won't even have her hands blow up every time she wants to use the dial :D..
but as for usopp milky dial if he does have some, i wonder how he would recharge them…

[PhearTehGrimace]

I am really hoping that they all fight at one spot, which I really doubt. If Oda can make that work he can do anything. I mean sure it would be confusing at first, but it would prove for a very entertaining fight. Also, since that one Color spread I have wanted to see Robin with a sword or somthing. Finally I really think that Franky should Fight more, possibly with Spadam.

[d3adpool]

If usopp gets super-human techinique OP will be ******. He has to have a weakness so that he can explore this weakness to outsmart his oponents.

IMO, i don't want every single one of the StrawHats to become a lean mean killing machine by the time OP ends. Luffy, ok. Zoro and Sanji, sure. Chopper dunno i believe he needs a upgrade but i would rather see it in form of extensions of the RumbleRumble, but Geppou would work with Jump Point. Nami, Usopp and Robin, defintely not. They are strong oponents but are not capable of incredibly powerfull techs such as the Rokushiki.

[Demon Rin]

No matter what Happens, I want to see Usopp Be strong, Hell, I want to see him Really stand Up and Fight a fight the whole way through without Chickening out During it. Sure, He actually Stood up to fight Luffy, but That was Just because he was really mad About the Ship. I want to see Usopp get strong using the Dials and Such.
I need to see the new Climatact, I NEED to see it. I really have to see how Usopp's Enginuity with the Dials is.
Sanji wil kick ass, becasue he's Sanji
Zoro will Kick ass because He's Badass with them swords.
Luffy will kick ass because of Gear 2
and I Hope Franky will get Free and we'll get to see him fight!!!
EDIT: I have no Eartly Idea Why I put what I put Before, I must have been tired at the time or something

[Robin Stjernberg]

Usopp did NOT "almost beat Luffy". Uhm?! Did you even read the serie? Like when is Luffy almost beaten when he gets down on the ground for like the first time? =/

[Demon Rin]

Yeah, He didnt Almost Beat Luffy, I kinda meant that He for the first Time TRIED to fight. I have no Idea why I said that now…

[Robin Stjernberg]

Yeah, okey. But, yeah, he did also do just that against Mr 4. At least like I see it.

[Demon Rin]

actually, he was Scared out of his mind for most of the Fight (when He wasnt Bluffing about having a 5 Ton Hammer) and then He tried Running at the Beginning Of Chapter 186 Until They Said Crocodile Killed Luffy, THEN Usopp Stopped being Scared. I want to see one battle where From Start to Finish Usopp is Brave

[Ms. Suave Debonair]

@Demon:

I want to see one battle where From Start to Finish Usopp is Brave

The fight between Luffy and Usopp during Water Seven saw Usopp brave the whole way through. Sure he was angry at the time but he gave it all he had.

[Voodzik]

@Robin:

Like when is Luffy almost beaten when he gets down on the ground for like the first time? =/

When he's on fire AND coughing up blood AND barely able to see AND bleeding in seventeen places. THAT'S when.

And what a coincidence! That's what usopp did to him.

[Majek]

I just wonder where they'll fight.

[Ms. Suave Debonair]

@Majek:

I just wonder where they'll fight.

I imagine on the drawbridge, otherwise I don't see any reason for the Franky Family to try to lower it.

[Ivotas]

@Majek:

I just wonder where they'll fight.

I´d say at the Judicial Tower since Spandam requested that from CP9.

[KamenRiderNeko]

all i can say is…. i hope Kaku and Zoro fight... my god i would love to see that.... and since I've recently gotten to this point, I'm really pumped up about it.

I'm just wondering how Luffy is gonna beat Lucci, that'd be one hell of a fight.... and I'm pretty sure Luffy can go higher than gear 2, he was about to show Blueno, but he didn't get the chance... just how high can he go?

I agree that Usopp doesn't have to be stronger or anything. Ok, well mentally stronger yes, but anyway. Like I really loved how he went up against Chuu who was 10x stronger than he was and he still managed to beat him. That's what I love about Usopp. He may not believe in himself, but he really comes through when he needs to.

But man, this waiting is making things more tense, I know it will be worth the wait.

[Voodzik]

See I still want usop to take on Kaku….because of the noses.

But I wouldn't mind it as long as Usopp takes on someone other than Calipha. I want Nami to take on Kalifa.

And, speaking of the fight with Lucci, I've got some thoughts. Initially, I was worried that thew CP9's fighting style was too bland to make for an interesting fight, but then I rememberd "Rankyaku SEN" and "Iron Prayer Wheel"

So if we want to make combat predictions, we need to try and look at was CP9's martial art can be used to create moves. Probably been said a million times, thought it could handle rehashing.

[Keroro]

It'd be amusing if Luffy used a gear two gomu gomu no storm on Lucci

[LUCCI DA PIGEON PIMP]

i was thinking that maybe the six forms of the rokushiki could be used in six different way for each of them . That would be interesting to see since we have seen 3 forms of rankyaku ( normal , nero's version and that freakin cross that kaku used against luffy ) ,4 tekkai ( normal , sai , go and rin ) . It's just a random thought but if lucci is the real rokushiki master among the actual cp9 then the fight between him and luffy would be the hellish fight ever seen in one piece !!XD

[Voodzik]

@LUCCI:

i was thinking that maybe the six forms of the rokushiki could be used in six different way for each of them . That would be interesting to see since we have seen 3 forms of rankyaku ( normal , nero's version and that freakin cross that kaku used against luffy ) ,4 tekkai ( normal , sai , go and rin ) . It's just a random thought but if lucci is the real rokushiki master among the actual cp9 then the fight between him and luffy would be the hellish fight ever seen in one piece !!XD

To finish off the longest arc ever? It had BETTER be.

[Majek]

Well in my eyes Zoro has some unfinished bzusiness with Kaku so it would be great if they fought. But tzhe unknown DF Kaku ate makes this fight to unpredictable for now if he fights Jabura at least we know what to expect => carnage :laugh:

[Deicide]

I am sooooo eager for the upcoming battle. I really, really, reaaaally want to see Sogeking shine and become one of the main fighters, which is where he belongs. I am among the ones who want to see Sogeking take on Kaku, but whoever is going to be his opponent, It will be a TOUGH fight for him, since none of the CP9 can be classified as "weak". I believe Sogeking (aside from Luffy) will get one of the best fights, since the arc had some focus on Usopp and it need to end with him regaining his confidence and being one step closer to achieve his dream.

I am also waiting to see Sanji, Nami and Chopper fight. Nami and Chopper will probably have great fights also, since none of them is a fighter at heart. Sanji needs a great opponent in order to make him shine (even more) in this arc. Zoro is already one of the strongest Strawhats, so I think Oda don't need to give so much attention to him.

My bets are the battle will begin in chapter 400 ou 401, so we will not need to wait too much for it.

And about the matches, I want to see:

Luffy vs. Lucci. This one is obvious, and I want to see Luffy show that asshole what is true strength. I believe that the concept of "Gears" will not only be explained, but expanded in this fight, with Luffy showing multiple gears (which I hope are not power levels, but "modes" where he focus in strength, agility, stamina or particular moves).

Kaku vs. Sogeking. Because Sogeking needs to shine. I have no idea how Sogeking can defeat him, but I think Sogeking can defeat anyone if he is prepared for the fight. Bonus points if, at the end, Sogeking frees Robin, who in turn uses her hands to imobilize Kaku, so that Sogeking can REJECT the square nose out of the planet.

Zoro vs. Kumadori. Like I said, Zoro do not need much attention right now. And besides, Kumadori may have strong techniques with his staff that go beyond Rokushiki.

Sanji vs. Jabura. Because Sanji needs this fight. He needs a strong opponent to improve his techniques, like Luffy and Zoro did in the past. So, I want to see this one.

Chopper vs. Fukurou. Because of the fun factor of such a fight.

Nami vs. Kalifa. Just because.

Franky vs. Spandam and Frankfried. I want to see Franky kick Spandam's ass, even without his cyborg powers. Then the elephant will appear, give Franky some trouble until Zambai comes with a bottle of Cola, and then Franky send Spandam and his pet flying out of Enies Lobby.

heh, what a long post.

[Megadoomer]

@Deicide:

And about the matches, I want to see:

Luffy vs. Lucci. This one is obvious, and I want to see Luffy show that asshole what is true strength. I believe that the concept of "Gears" will not only be explained, but expanded in this fight, with Luffy showing multiple gears (which I hope are not power levels, but "modes" where he focus in strength, agility, stamina or particular moves).

Kaku vs. Sogeking. Because Sogeking needs to shine. I have no idea how Sogeking can defeat him, but I think Sogeking can defeat anyone if he is prepared for the fight. Bonus points if, at the end, Sogeking frees Robin, who in turn uses her hands to imobilize Kaku, so that Sogeking can REJECT the square nose out of the planet.

Zoro vs. Kumadori. Like I said, Zoro do not need much attention right now. And besides, Kumadori may have strong techniques with his staff that go beyond Rokushiki.

Sanji vs. Jyabura. Because Sanji needs this fight. He needs a strong opponent to improve his techniques, like Luffy and Zoro did in the past. So, I want to see this one.

Chopper vs. Fukurou. Because of the fun factor of such a fight.

Nami vs. Kalifa. Just because.

Franky vs. Spandam and Frankfried. I want to see Franky kick Spandam's ass, even without his cyborg powers. Then the elephant will appear, give Franky some trouble until Zambai comes with a bottle of Cola, and then Franky send Spandam and his pet flying out of Enies Lobby.

I completely agree with you.

[Demon Rin]

I agree, Sogeking Needs his time to shine!

[Majek]

Well if he takes on and defeat anyone from CP9 that's a great feat, there's absolutely no need to go against one of the toughest ones.

[warp]

@luffink:

I´m just afraid that this will turn like "Alabasta 2": everyone except Luffy beating their opponents in 2-3 chapters…

at least thats bettter then 10 long dragged out chapters coughnarutocough ALso I forgot who said this but i think luffy will learn genpou, ryankyu (same with sanji), kaime, and hes obviously learned soru already. I say this because another person said (again i forget who) that it seems like those 4 are the eaiest to learn.

as for match ups:

lucchi vs luffy
kaku vs zoro
sanji vs jyabura
chopper vs zipper mouth
nami vs califa
sogeking vs that long hair guy

edit: octogon i like your theory on zoro and his enimba.

[Buccaneer]

The gears…I'd hoped Gear 2 was enough, but it seems like Super Lucci is even too kickass for that. So I think Gear 3 should just up Luffy's game. Focusing on only one attribute at a time against a monster like that sounds really bad, even if an all around upgrade might sound cheesy.

@Octogon:

Zoro: As I have already stated I think it is his "enimiba". He did an eminba onigomu and it seemed as if his swords were bending. I believe that before he strinkes he "charges-uo" be moving his katana back and forth with incredible speed, giving the illusion that they are bending.

…?

Well, I think Zoro can still hang as possibly the strongest person there, so I don't see him pulling out any flukes.

[Senshi Mizaka]

So, I don't know who will fight who, except Luffy and Lucci. He told Paulie that he would kick his ass.

Usopp might be fighting Kaku,
Nami and Calipha
Sanji vs. Jyabura
Chopper vs. Fukurou
Zoro vs. Kumadori

But, who's gonna fight Spandam? If he were up against Franky, it would be completely unfair for him (Spandam). Maybe Paule?

[Cap'n Carter]

Spandam will be on the sidelines, I'm guessing.

[Solar Knight]

This post is deleted!

[NeoShweaty]

i hope franky joins the fray somehow. That mothafucka rocks

[Herackles]

I don't want a long-nose duel. Reason is because, Kaku is the second strongest member of Cp9, and we all like Usopp because of his personality, not his strength.
Also if Kaku and Usopp fight, it wouldn't be a revenge match since Merry was already dead when Kaku "killed" him.

Anyway, we know how Cp9 are ranked. I'll try and estimate how the Strawhats would be.

1.Luffy
He is strongest, definetly

2.Robin
Second highest bounty

3.Zoro, Nami (with perfect climatact)
They took on the Mr 1 pair. Nami is underestimated. She might not be as strong as Zoro, but the Climatact makes up for it.

4.Sanji, Franky
Sanji took on Mr 2. Franky's rank is just a guess

5.Usopp, Chopper
They took on the Mr 4 pair. But they might be higher ranked now.

[Cap'n Carter]

Bounties aren't power levels.

[Herackles]

yeah that's a point. Robin can be there because.. she was paired with Mr 0.. howzat?

[Polygon]

@Cap'n:

Bounties aren't power levels.

**A bounty of a person shows there strengh in combination with the threat you pose to the WG. In Robins case she had a bountys mostly because of the insane threat she posed to the WG. But in most cases bountys can be used to roughfly show the power of the induvidual.

====

My prediction on rankings of strengh of the strawhats (after CP9 fight):

1.) Luffy and Zoro

2.) Sanji & Franky

3.) Sogeking/Ussop

4.) Robin

5.) Chopper

6.) Nami

The reason I didn't put Robin that high is because luffy was able to take out around 10,000 marines. Of course Robin has a deadly ability and is very strong esp since she was an assasian. But She musht have a limit to the number of body parts she can grow out at one time. And I seriously doubt that the combined efforts of her body parts is enoughf to take on the monstrous strenght of the stronger of the strawhats. As for sogeking it's probley that I'm a little biased, but I think that he can beat chopper and nami.**

[CosmicDebris]

@Melee128:

I don't want a long-nose duel. Reason is because, Kaku is the second strongest member of Cp9, and we all like Usopp because of his personality, not his strength.

Who says he has to win by physical strength? Chuu was one of the strongest of the fishmen. He beat him by wits.

Also if Kaku and Usopp fight, it wouldn't be a revenge match since Merry was already dead when Kaku "killed" him.

Why does it need to be for revenge? They're all fighting for Robin.

[Ubiq]

@CosmicDebris:

Who says he has to win by physical strength? Chuu was one of the strongest of the fishmen. He beat him by wits.

Actually, if you go back and look, his tricks didn't really work that well on Chuu, but only pissed him off more and more the longer the fight lasted. Chuu seemed to recover without too much trouble the minute that the fire was out.

When it came down to it, Usopp actually beat him by sheer brute force via repeated use of Usopp Hammer.

Why does it need to be for revenge? They're all fighting for Robin.

If it's revenge, Zoro also has a claim where Kaku is concerned.

Personally, I'd like to see him fight Jyabura, simply because he seems dumb enough to actually believe whatever Usopp tells him.

[eddym345]

I think that spanda is going to figth. I think he can cut steel beacause in the anime and the manga he cut the lamp.

[Herackles]

@CosmicDebris:

Who says he has to win by physical strength? Chuu was one of the strongest of the fishmen. He beat him by wits.

Why does it need to be for revenge? They're all fighting for Robin.

mama mia, I'm bad with wordsXD

Usopp has his own fighting style. He'd be able to destroy even Whitebeard if he tried.
Wouldn't it be better if Usopp rejoins the Strawhats after beating a weaker Cp9 member rather than Kaku. That way he'd stick to being Usopp, not a big-super-beat-up-anyone-he-wants-guy (which he can be). It's like Usopp beating up Mr 1 back in Alabasta, crazy. Ok i'm bad with words, sorry.

Secondly, I said that because a lot of people want Usopp to fight Kaku just for revenge. No way, forget Merry, he's dead. Usopp's gonna help save Robin.

[CosmicDebris]

@Ubiq:

Actually, if you go back and look, his tricks didn't really work that well on Chuu, but only pissed him off more and more the longer the fight lasted. Chuu seemed to recover without too much trouble the minute that the fire was out.

When it came down to it, Usopp actually beat him by sheer brute force via repeated use of Usopp Hammer.

Heh, you're right about that. But I don't think he would have got that opportunity without the trickery first.

@Melee128:

Personally, I'd like to see him fight Jyabura, simply because he seems dumb enough to actually believe whatever Usopp tells him.

That would be funny also. I think ANYONE in CP9 Usopp fights would be an incredible challenge. Oda obviously planned who's going to fight who some time ago (at least I'd hope XD) and so it's going to be good no matter what.

Usopp has his own fighting style. He'd be able to destroy even Whitebeard if he tried.
Wouldn't it be better if Usopp rejoins the Strawhats after beating a weaker Cp9 member rather than Kaku. That way he'd stick to being Usopp, not a big-super-beat-up-anyone-he-wants-guy (which he can be). It's like Usopp beating up Mr 1 back in Alabasta, crazy. Ok i'm bad with words, sorry.

Why would it be better? Like I said before, Oda already knows who's fighting who, and whoever it is, will be best. I'm not stuck on Usopp fighting Kaku, I just don't agree with your reasoning as to why should shouldn't fight him. In one sentence, you said Usopp can probably beat up just about anyone. Then in another, you say it's best that he doesn't. That just doesn't make any sense. ALL of CP9 is super strong, so if he beats ANY of them, it shows Usopp's strength, I don't see what there's such a big difference with Kaku just because he came up #2 on that silly scale of strength which we know doesn't account for EVERYTHING.
I think it depends more on HOW Usopp wins a battle that determines whether it's in character, not WHO.

[theinvisibleworm]

If he's fighting for Merry instead of for Robin, my understanding of Usopp's character will be demolished.

A big theme in this manga is that fighting is worthless unless it's for the right reason. I think the Going Merry incident made Usopp grow in much the same way Luffy and Zoro grew in Mocktown when they refused to fight despite being humiliated (they refused to fight for the sake of pride, because they realized that if you're fighting to save your ego, you don't have much of one in the first place).

Usopp still needs to learn about pride, he's honestly not very confident in himself (though that may have changed along with his name and attire) and so pride is very important to him.

What I mean is, for instance when Luffy got his bounty and the back of Usopp's head was there, Usopp made a big deal out of it. Secretly he knew that he didn't have a bounty and that it didn't really matter that he was in that poster at all, but he made it matter. A more matured Usopp wouldn't do that, and I hope he's coming to that stage.

Fighting out of pride (being mad that Kaku FORCED him to acknowledge Merry's death and dismantled it FOR him, because that's all he'd really be mad about, he already told Franky he KNEW Merry was done for, on the inside he knows Kaku didn't KILL her, even if he won't admit it openly) is something I hope Usopp doesn't succumb to this far in the series.

[Polygon]

Ussops biggest problem is that he doesn't know when to fight. When Luffy stayed behind to fight Ao-kiji he was worried just for luffys saftey. Which the whole crew was, but he couldn't accept what luffys did for them. Ussop doesn't know how to differeniate between Luffy the friend and Luffy the captian.

[CosmicDebris]

@theinvisibleworm:

If he's fighting for Merry instead of for Robin, my understanding of Usopp's character will be demolished.

True, one thing I was actually thinking might happen, especially if he did fight Kaku, is that he would ask him WHY he's fighting, especially since he left the strawhats (recall that he told Kaku that before he wrecked Merry) and he could have gone home free, and that he'd say it's for Robin.
@Octogon:

Ussops biggest problem is that he doesn't know when to fight.

I don't think that's true. He knows it's time to fight when someone laughs at his friend's dreams. ;) The problem is that usually self-preservation is his first impulse.

**> When Luffy stayed behind to fight Ao-kiji he was worried just for luffys saftey. Which the whole crew was, but he couldn't accept what luffys did for them. Ussop doesn't know how to differeniate between Luffy the friend and Luffy the captian.

I think that's something he's definately learned now. Notice what he said to Robin before Blueno carried her off.**

[Polygon]

@CosmicDebris:

True, one thing I was actually thinking might happen, especially if he did fight Kaku, is that he would ask him WHY he's fighting, especially since he left the strawhats (recall that he told Kaku that before he wrecked Merry) and he could have gone home free, and that he'd say it's for Robin.

Agreed. I Don't think he came all this way to fight for merry. And if I remember correctly he siad something to himself about why he came here.

I don't think that's true. He knows it's time to fight when someone laughs at his friend's dreams. ;) The problem is that usually self-preservation is his first impulse.

I worded it wrong. He doesn't know when not to fight. But I believe that has changed for the most part. After the Water7 arc I believe he will know.

I think that's something he's definately learned now. Notice what he said to Robin before Blueno carried her off.

Yep. Agreed.