Impel Down possibilites

[Xrono]

ok, with the conversation between Nami and Franky and the cover-arc in this chapter, its looking pretty certain the Straw-Hats will be making a visit to Impel Down. Croc, Mr.1, 2, and 3 would not be getting transfered there for nothing. Also, Nami says the only option is to keep moving forward. And everyone is heading for the Gates of Justice.

So, what do y'all think of this? I personally don't think that they should go, but Oda can pull anything off. I just dont see how this is gonna work though…

[captain sogeking]

what i want to know is what they'll do about all their stuff back in W7 also I think this is all happening at once so when they finally get to enies lobby the strawhats will be long gone.

[TheSonofBattles]

Has it ever been confirmed how close to the Gate of Justice Impel Down actually is? I mean, if you need a special type of machine to get there it obviously isn't just a hop, skip and a jump across the water - it sounds pretty distant.

Which suggests to me the direct possibility that yes the Strawhats will go through the Gate of Justice, they just won't go to either Impel Down or Mariajoa. Instead they'll hang a left and cruise for a while, then head on back to Water 7 for their stuff, and of course their new ship before continuing their journey.

[odlam]

I have a dream … a dream of Crocodile and many other pirates being released from prison by Luffy and co. and helping the Straw Hats fight off the BC in an epic war of a battle between pirates and the government!

Seriously though, it makes it sound like Impel Down in not directly on the other side of the gate (or maybe it is? maybe its really close, but theres some sort of natural obstacle that prevents entry without the use of the machine mentioned above - it is a prison afterall) so its going to be interesting to see just where the Straw Hats go from here.

[TheSonofBattles]

@odlam:

I have a dream … a dream of Crocodile and many other pirates being released from prison by Luffy and co. and helping the Straw Hats fight off the BC in an epic war of a battle between pirates and the government!

Am I the only one who thinks that arbitrarily releasing every single convict in the most secure jail on the planet sounds like a really bad idea?

And I mean regardless of circumstance.

Besides, I don't think they'd need that many people to put away 5 admirals and 10 warships to be honest. Its pretty much a given that only the strongest and best fighters and such will be in there, so surely a smallish group of released convicts could do it no?

Not to mention it looks like at least Nami, and probably a few other Strawhats will be in good enough shape to take out some ships on their own.

Also, I don't actually believe they'll go to Impel Down myself as of yet. For the record like

[blacky]

"Not to mention it looks like at least Nami, and probably a few other Strawhats will be in good enough shape to take out some ships on their own."

Hard to tell if that's true or not. Battleships are battleships after all, with large cannons and imense fire-power. I somehow can't see Luffy, Zoro and co. fighting these 10 ships face to face, destroying all of them. Well, Luffy, Zoro and Sanji are probably strong enough to do major damage to a ship, but the other 4 are more or less anti-personell fighters.

It is already a bit ridiculous that someone who trains long enough gets strong enough to defeat thousands of trained soldiers, but there must be an end to it somewhere, right?

And then there are still these 5 Vice-Admirals, a fact that people like to forget. If you look at the 5 vice admirals from the previous Buster Call, there was Saul who was strong enough to destroy battleships easily, and Aka Inu and Ao Kiji, who both became Admirals. It's quite likely that there are also people of comparable strength this time. People with powers that maybe even surpass the CP9 Top-Fighters…

I'd vote for the Gate of Justice. It's a lot more interesting to see what's behind that Gate than having another set of long fights against some Battleships and Vice Admirals.

[ybmc]

Does anyone else think that the whole "BW's being sent to Impel Down" thing is a total red herring? Like, they'll go down there right after all those events, with Bonbon being upset by not getting to see his friends again.

[TheSonofBattles]

I had this as an edit to my last post originally, but I'll just make it a seperate one altogether:

If the Buster Call is heading toward Enies Lobby from the Mariajoa side of the gate (as I seem to recall being the case) I'm curious how they'll actually manage to attack it at all. Surely the Gate will block any attacks launched?

Is this how the Strawhats will manage to get through the Gate of Justice? Spandam, or some other marine will actually open it for them

Of course, I'm probably wrong, and the Buster Call is actually heading toward Enies Lobby from the other side completely, but if that is indeed the case, then that means the Strawhats CAN'T fight the Buster Call for the moment as the "WATERFALL OF DEATH" stands between them.

And thus the point is somewhat moot (to me) unless the Admirals find someway to get the ships through the Gate of Justice to pursue the Strawhats, which doesn't seem likely since it was called on Enies Lobby, not on the Strawhat pirates.

Also, to Blacky, you're probably right. I tend to think of even battleships in One Piece as being somewhat akin to Don Kreigs ship, and thus easily destroyable by someone like Zoro, and perphaps Sogeking (with his firestars and whatnot). This probably isn't as true as I imagine even in the manga though as I'm sure the Marine ships are a lot hardier than a mildly successful pirates.

And yea, I kind of tend to do the same when it comes to vice admirals as well, so I agree, I probably was overestimating by a huge degree.

Still, if they do at some point face down the Buster Call, I think Robin will get her first major fight as part of the crew, and will finally actually earn her bounty for what they accuse her off in a gorgeous moment of vindication.

Well, I can only dream :happy:

[odlam]

Anyone considered the thought that the Straw Hats do actually get caught and sent to Impel Down, only to break out from the inside? Maybe not even all of them, but like just Luffy or some other member and the rest of the SH have to break him back out.

Impel Down is just too compelling a destination for us to never see it. So either it will be a breakout, or a breakin, at some point.

[TheSonofBattles]

I must be the only one not at all curious about Impel Down, or its residents. Also, if anyone will need rescuing from there after being sent - its Luffy. He'll be in seastone binds full time in their if the crew gets banged up, and we saw how badly he was affected last time.

[valiantt]

Though…one thing bothers me is why Oda included Mr.3 (I think he has somewhat of a potent role in "escape" due to his abilities). Oda could have easily ditched Mr.3 back in the miniarc and never show him again aside from maybe cameos or something, yet Oda included the fact that Mr.3 was also caught. Hmm...

[awijelek]

maybe we'll see Luffy's grandpa there >_>
just a random thought.

[Praxis]

Has everyone here actually seen the picture of the sliced tower in the latest chapter? It wouldent take much for it to fall down and land on the bridge thus creating a path back.

However I am interested in the slim chance that we might go down to Impel Down and cause a whole host of fun.

[Mozhi]

I doubt the broken bridge would be of any troubbel at all for the buster call since they got Aokiji who could create his own bridge out of ice.
I really think the following chapters after the defeat of cp9 will be really intresting since the mugiwara is going to be hunted by the most power full marine attackforce so far know of and it will require them to do something unique like finding out how to build a ship that travells without wind.

[TheSonofBattles]

@Mozhi:

I doubt the broken bridge would be of any troubbel at all for the buster call since they got Aokiji who could create his own bridge out of ice.

Theres absolutely zero indication of any kind that Ao Kiji is part of the Buster Call compliment. The Golden Den Den Mushi was his, does that mean he would have called himself when he pressed it?

Besides, the ships in a Buster Call are protected by Vice-Admirals, not Admirals like Ao Kiji.

[ITSALION]

I don't care what happens, as long as Luffy sees Crocodile again.
(Now that we know Croc's dream was once to be the Pirate King)

[onemoment]

@TheSonofBattles:

Besides, the ships in a Buster Call are protected by Vice-Admirals, not Admirals like Ao Kiji.

Wait, protected? Are thought they were lead by the vice admirals.

[TheSonofBattles]

@onemoment:

Wait, protected? Are thought they were lead by the vice admirals.

Same differance.

[raj]

Sans BW, do the Strawhats know anyone else at Impel Down?

[Vanessa]

Some people think Arlong is down there, but we're not exactly sure if it's true or not.

[AWB]

@odlam:

Anyone considered the thought that the Straw Hats do actually get caught and sent to Impel Down, only to break out from the inside? Maybe not even all of them, but like just Luffy or some other member and the rest of the SH have to break him back out.

Interesting theory. Perhaps the Strawhats get captured and are thrown into Impel Down. Then they get rescued by Usopp, who got scared by something and ran off before the others were captured. The rescue could be his big moment that shows him his worth in the crew, and it gives an upside to his cowardliness.

[onemoment]

Hey, I forget, by what standard are the vice admirals strong again? We've had no mention of their strength so far…

Garp can break a cannon...
and I think that's it.

Are we basing this on the current admirals strength, cause I don't think that's a good idea. If these vice admirals were close to the three admirals, woudln't there be more admirals already? Plus, aren't some vice admirals just strategists, like that old lady from the shichibukai meeting?

Also, we can assume that these guys are much weaker then the shichibukai right? I mean, having that many guys (they must have more much more then 5 vice admirals) so close to the strength of pirates that the marines couldn't beat( without heavy loses) seems ridculous.

So, how do we know all of these vice admirals will be that strong? I mean, Saul destroyed 6 ships (it was 6 right?) before another much stronger vice admiral could stop him (that right there suggests that a vice admiral may not be near Ao kiji's strength), and at least one of those had a vice admirals on it.

[anothrnobdy]

We know that both Aokiji and Akainu were formerly Vice Admirals before they were promoted. Saul was also one before he left. I think it's safe to assume that there are other VAs of equal or near-equal ability to them, especially the five being sent with the Buster Call. Remember the rank of Vice Admiral is only one rank lower from the top, so they aren't all that weak compared to the top three Admirals and Sengoku.

[onemoment]

@anothrnobdy:

We know that both Aokiji and Akainu were formerly Vice Admirals before they were promoted. Saul was also one before he left. I think it's safe to assume that there are other VAs of equal or near-equal ability to them, especially the five being sent with the Buster Call. Remember the rank of Vice Admiral is only one rank lower from the top, so they aren't all that weak compared to the top three Admirals and Sengoku.

One rank could be a big difference in this case, since the Admirals seems to be imfamous while the vice admirals are not, and only 3 people have reached that position. Also, so far the giants haven't struck me as that strong, if Broggy and Dorri (sp) are the strongest giants then it seems like other giants are weaker.

[Aldrich]

@onemoment:

One rank could be a big difference in this case, since the Admirals seems to be imfamous while the vice admirals are not, and only 3 people have reached that position. Also, so far the giants haven't struck me as that strong, if Broggy and Dorri (sp) are the strongest giants then it seems like other giants are weaker.

Well yes, the difference between the two ranks must be huge, but keep in mind the Admirals are supposedly part of the elite of the One Piece world, like Whitebeard or the Shichibukais. They're the big fishes, and I don't expect the Strawhats to be able to take one of them down until the very end of the manga.

So even if the Vice-Admirals are far from being as strong, on average they must still be formidable opponents, probably of CP9 level or higher for the strongest ones.

[anothrnobdy]

Sengoku was the only Admiral in the Navy until he appointed the other three as figureheads. Aokiji, Akainu, and as far as we know Kizaru were the strongest of the Vice Admirals before they were promoted. Those three shouldn't discredit the rest of the VAs as weaklings. We don't know why those three were chosen, and it might not simply have to do with strength. We have yet to see what Akainu and Kizaru's abilities are or if they even have DF powers.

As for the giants, Dorry and Brogy weren't the leaders of Elbaf, they were just the captains of their sailing crew. Naturally they are the strongest among their men, but it should be safe to assume there are much stronger giants at their homeland.

[unchipu]

@onemoment:

One rank could be a big difference in this case, since the Admirals seems to be imfamous while the vice admirals are not, and only 3 people have reached that position. Also, so far the giants haven't struck me as that strong, if Broggy and Dorri (sp) are the strongest giants then it seems like other giants are weaker.

It could be possible that there are only 3 admirals at any given time, to fill the positions Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru. Then when one retires, or becomes grand admiral, they are replaced by a vice admiral. Also like others have said, we don't really know how strong the other vice admirals are. There possibly could be some close to the strength of the admirals that we just haven't heard of yet.

[MasterDee]

@TheSonofBattles:

Of course, I'm probably wrong, and the Buster Call is actually heading toward Enies Lobby from the other side completely, but if that is indeed the case, then that means the Strawhats CAN'T fight the Buster Call for the moment as the "WATERFALL OF DEATH" stands between them.

The buster call ships will not be heading towards EL from the Water 7 side of the gate. Remember that there's still an aqua laguna occuring from that side. And also remember the ships near WG Headquarters, which is on the calm belt side of the gate, are the ones being gathered for the buster call. So if the buster call will most likely be coming from the calm belt side of the gate.

[MasterDee]

I posted this in another thread, but I figure a post like this is more apt for this thread. So I'm reposting it here.

–----------------------------------------------------------

So where are the SH's headed to after Eneas Lobby? Is it Impel Down, Marine HQ, W7, or perhaps somewhere else? Personally, I'd rather see the Strawhats heading back to W7. The W7/EL arc has been a really long arc so far. We definitely need a resting period after this arc is over. And we're not going to get that if the Strawhats are traveling within enemy territory straight into the heart of the enemy. However, returning to W7 appears to be impossible atm. There's the problem with crossing the "waterfall of death." Then there's the problem with navigating through the aqua laguna. Both of these obstacles appear seemingly insurmountable.

So how can the Strawhats return to W7 with these two obstacles in the way? First they'd have to cross the "waterfall of death." To do this, at first I pictured the Strawhats using some sort of flying machine, like a dirigible or a helicopter, to cross the waterfall. And the presence of flying machines in Eneas Lobby could perhaps be explained by the fact that they're used to cross the calm belt. But the more I thought about this the more I realized how implausible this would be. If they marines had something like flying machines, then why don't we see more of them in the OP world? Clearly there are military advantages to using them.

Then I thought of the waterfall itself. If an obstacle is blocking your path why not get rid of the obstacle? Why not get rid of the waterfall by filling it? Ok, this is not that implausible a theory as it would first appear to be. Bear with me.

For all the natural phenomena we've encountered so far in the OP world, there have always been natural explanations for them (e.g. the knock-up stream, the reverse mountain currents, etc...). But no explanation has been offered yet for the waterfall. Why?

My theory is that there is no natural explanation for the waterfall. And if the waterfal isn't natural, then it has to be artificial. Now why would the WG create an artificial waterfall? What benefit would it serve? The answer lies with the calm belt, and the problem of traveling the calm belt.

How can you travel the calm belt? The solution: the calm belt can be traveled if you can create a current. And how do you create a current? Easy (well maybe not so easy), create a waterfall. Now navigating the calm belt is simply a matter of traveling on this current towards the waterfall (think of a conveyer belt. It's analogous to that).

There is only one problem with this theory however. The current created would only be a one way current. This explains how the marines are able to travel to EL from Impel Down or World HQ, but not vice-versa. So how are the marines able to travel from EL to either of the two destinations? Easy. By creating more artificial waterfalls, one near Impel Down and one near World HQ so that you create "conveyer belts" from EL to the two destinations.

So this explains why the WG would want to create an artificial waterfall. So how do you destroy this artificial waterfall? Well, if it can be created by man, then most likely it can be destroyed. Just destroy whatever contraption is responsible for creating the waterfall.

And that solves the "waterfall of death" problem. What about the aqua laguna? Well, the aqua laguna is probalby also caused by the artificial waterfall. All that falling water eventually has to be pumped out to somewhere. And it's probably being pumped towards W7. This is probably the main cause behind the aqua laguna. So getting rid of the artificial waterfall also solves the aqua laguna problem.

Also since the artificial waterfall is responsible for the marines' ability to cross the calm belt, destroying the waterfall also limits the marines ability to pursue the Strawhats while they make their escape. And it may also be instrumental in stopping the buster call - but hopefully just partially, since I'm hoping to see Usopp take on the buster call.

[myogatheflea]

I have a feeling that the Impel Down arc is next, due to Franky and Nami's convo (like stated earlier). Tom-san and BW will probably be the only ones making cameos in this arc, in my opinion at least. Any others would be a little weird. Granted, Tom is probably dead at this point, but maybe not. The arc will also open up room for alot of story/character development and battles.

[incinerator]

I don't know how I would feel if we ran into Tom in Impel Down. I mean, at this point, Tom seems to be a fond memory and a huge driving force behind Franky's ambition. For him to suddenly come back would weird things up a bit.

As far as running into BW, that might be a bit strange too. It might be good for a cameo, but as a substantial plot element it would be a little much. I mean, you have to figure if Crocodile ever ran into Luffy again, he'd want to bash his head in. Letting him go would be a very bad idea. As for the other BW, there's only a few others I can imagine setting free might be a good thing. I want Bon-chan back!

[raj]

I'd only want an Impel Dawn arc after all the loose ends of this arc/saga (DBF til now) get closed in terms of Robin and an obligatory celebration. But it doesn't look like it's going the end up like that if that's the way it turns out. BTW didn't Nami say something along the lines of the SH's would have to get Robin before she reaches the gates of justice? I thought that was supposed to mean that they couldn't go past the gate or something. Yeah. I'm rambling.

[myogatheflea]

Well, they need Robin back because she's their nakama; not really so they can get through the Gate of Justice. And the SHs are gonna most likely meet Mr. 0, 1, 2, and 3. Why you ask? Why else would Oda build so much up to them going to Impel Down in the cover story? That's how I see it. And the Tom thing I said would really only be put in there to help Franky's decision in joining the Mugiwara.

[lpzie]

It's pretty obvious to me that Impel Down has 8,000 pirates willing to fight against the WG.

[raj]

@myogatheflea:

Well, they need Robin back because she's their nakama; not really so they can get through the Gate of Justice. And the SHs are gonna most likely meet Mr. 0, 1, 2, and 3. Why you ask? Why else would Oda build so much up to them going to Impel Down in the cover story? That's how I see it. And the Tom thing I said would really only be put in there to help Franky's decision in joining the Mugiwara.

BW could as someone said be a red herring. I mean for all we know Blackbeard or Dragon or Smoker could fall from the sky and somehow be involved. But on the other hand considering how long both have been and the fact that I can't recall when if ever Oda pulled a red herring it could happen. I mean it'd be interesting to say the least.

[Orca18]

@MasterDee:

There's the problem with crossing the "waterfall of death." Then there's the problem with navigating through the aqua laguna. Both of these obstacles appear seemingly insurmountable.

I don't think "waterfall of death" is a problem that cause SH's returning to W7 since Luffy can longer his body easyly and carry all of his nakama..however the big problem is BC that surround them..so they can't go back

Aqua Laguna also not a big deal..Just combine Luffy punch en Zorro 36 Slash Cannon, it would be solved like they did before.

But i'm quite interesting with your theory about Waterfall that create Agua laguna, coz I have the same feeling that WG is behind the disaster called "Aqua Laguna".

[MasterDee]

Since BW are headed to impel down wouldn't they have to first pass through Eneas Lobby? I could be wrong (someone please do correct me if I am), but aren't all criminals first sent to EL before being sentenced and sent to Impel Down? So if the Strawhats are to meet BW, they wouldn't necessarily have to go to Impel Down. BW could be heading to them.

[Orca18]

Yeahh..you right..but if there is Eneis Lobby, remember Robin said..BC destroyed every single thing..no mercy, even a human lives.

[TheSonofBattles]

@Orca18:

I don't think "waterfall of death" is a problem that cause SH's returning to W7 since Luffy can longer his body easyly and carry all of his nakama

Didn't Luffy mention after his fight with Blueno that there didn't seem to be a way to cross the gap? Yea, I know it seems like he should be able to cross it, but if he could, why didn't he as soon as he was done with Blueno instead of standing around for a short while.

Just so he could grab a bite to eat and relax afterwards? :huh:

And why not just grab them and jump over instead of getting angry that the drawbridge wasn't working, and having to wait for Kokoro to use the Puffing Tom?

Maybe it would be possible for him to go in the reverse direction though since the Tower of Justice is much taller than the Courthouse. That is, assuming its still standing by the time he's put the smack down on Lucchi.

[Orca18]

You right about that…but do you also remember that once he saw Robin..He strech his hand as far as he can..but than Robin stop him coz she want to die at that place...
well, this thing make me confuse...

But I do remember when Luffy strech his hand and grab all his nakama to get on Going Merry (when their in Rogue Town before entering Grand Line). Or maybe he wait for all his nakama, Kokoro told them to jump to Puffing Tom since it's still can move forward...

[MasterDee]

@Orca18:

I don't think "waterfall of death" is a problem that cause SH's returning to W7 since Luffy can longer his body easyly and carry all of his nakama..however the big problem is BC that surround them..so they can't go back.

Doubtful. If Luffy could have done this, then there would have been no need to lower the draw bridge and there would be no need to rush and jump the sea train towards the tower. As for the BC, it will be coming from the calm belt side of the gates, and not the sea train tracks/W7 side of the gates. As to why this is, see another post I made in this same thread.

@Orca18:

Aqua Laguna also not a big deal..Just combine Luffy punch en Zorro 36 Slash Cannon, it would be solved like they did before.

Aqua Laguna may not be that big of a deal (relatively) when traveling on something like the rocketman (which atm is out of commission) on sea train tracks. But it becomes much more of a problem (a seemingly insurmountable one) when you're traveling through the Aqua Laguna on an ordinary sailing ship.

[Orca18]

Franky en Nami were thinking they can't go back coz they don't have the ability to go back..however I believe there's still Puffing Tom somewhere in Eneis Lobby..since there's only one road from W7 to EL..

[cfmrfrpfmsf]

@lpzie:

It's pretty obvious to me that Impel Down has 8,000 pirates willing to fight against the WG.

that idea makes me smile :biggrin: i would like to see them, led by usopp (as I think you implied), fighting the buster call while letting luffy finish off lucci and save robin.

[Orca18]

Ha..ha..ha..Finally Usoop dreams who have 8000 underlings become true ^^;

Did you guys notice..the building that Kaku cut with Rankyaku has possibility to fall en connected with the half bridge?
http://groups.msn.com/onepiecemangav-2/lqchp413translated.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=8255

[myogatheflea]

@Orca18:

Ha..ha..ha..Finally Usoop dreams who have 8000 underlings become true ^^;

Did you guys notice..the building that Kaku cut with Rankyaku has possibility to fall en connected with the half bridge?
http://groups.msn.com/onepiecemangav-2/lqchp413translated.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=8255

Yeah, but I don't think they'll return the other way nomatter what happens. The Franky Family and Galley-La will just have a way to escape the Buster Call, if that is the case (imo).

[Demon Days]

Exactly how fast will it take the prison ships carrying the BW men to get to Enies Lobby, or Impel Down? Croc and co are either really close, or the ships they're on are the Buster Call ships (Which I sincerly doubt)

I narrow it down to

1. Croc + co are in Enies Lobby somewhere (Unlikely)

2. They're coming on the BC ships (Which are really fast, probably unlikely)

3. They'll get there AFTER the EL arc, and to their guards' surprise, EL is destroyed, leaving Croc and co to rise up against their oppressors (The one I'm going with)

Oh, and do Hina's DF handcuffs nullify DF powers?

Sorry if these theories have already been presented.

[Urian]

For me the Ennies Lobby is only the high point of the river, being the waterfall of it the beginning of the River and Impel Down a prison with a circular river around of it, this river is obviously a sea river and it can nulify all the devil fruit powers without any problem.

I believe that Spandam is going to take Robin beyond the door and he is going to be followed by Nami and Ussop first.

[Lobolover]

Id like to see it just to know the spirit of the place.The supreme despair like atmosphere that would be round there and just cant Imagine how the guards and those kinds of people will look like.

[Lobolover]

@Demon:

Oh, and do Hina's DF handcuffs nullify DF powers?

How can DF's (excluding Shirohige's) nulifly OTHER DF'S in any other way then being inactive towards them (like the oro Goro no Mi against the Gomu Gomu no Mi)

[samurai]

I bet Crocodile will rebel and take over the prison.