@Robby:
No, I was referring to lock combination we already know about.
The fridge lock is secured by a four digit code, "7326", which is known only to Sanji, Nami, and Robin. The code is a combination of their names. 7 and 3 can be pronounced as "na" and "mi" respectively in Japanese and thus refer to Nami. Likewise, 2 and 6 can be pronounced as "ni" and "ro" respectively and thus refer to the two first syllables of Nico Robin's full name. 3 and 2 can also be pronounced as "san" and "ji" and thus refer to Sanji.
So Oda's absolutely willing to do weird number play.
Notably, this was an SBS only detail that never appeared in-story beyond the fact that a lock exists.
Please actually read my earlier posts before asking a question I already responded to at length.
TLDR: Oda let that joke out of the bag over a decade ago. If he really thought of it or had his heart set on it he probably wouldn't have just published the punchline in advance. The number theory is fun and a bonus, not a requirement.
Oh okay. Thanks for the clarification on the locker combination! It looks to be proof Oda will use number wordplay.
What if it isn't a joke though? If it's true why hasn't anyone yet discerned who the next crewmate is? Because you and others believe Oda would not acknowledge such a glaring hint. It's hiding information in plain sight which Oda does plenty. The fans are looking at Yamato as the "next" so long as Oda doesn't admit the theory has validity.
@Solid:
11 people on merry wouldn't be a problem, it's not that small.
So what would be Franky's dream? After all Franky with assistance built his dream ship Sunny to be able to sail anywhere on the Grandline. Franky could "upgrade" Merry but would be limited to Merry's keel in design and expansion.
The Merry is tiny. If there was debate about Jinbe fitting through Sunny's doors imagine Jinbe and post-timeskip Franky on Merry. Plus no steering wheel at the helm of Merry would limit Jinbe as the Helmsman. Jinbe would have to "steer" from the lounge with limited vision.
@Deicide:
Oda has always used wordplay, the 56 number was used for Luffy a lot of times. But that doesn’t mean he had in mind to give the SHs only DFs that related to unique numbers, nor thst said numbers would add up the ship that wasn’t even planned at the start.
I think it went like this:
- Oda likes wordplay, uses 56 for Luffy.
- Readers in similar fashion find numbers for other DFs
- Someone finds out that 2 and 9 are missing from the SH DFs. Also finds up that Kuma’s DF is a 2-9 fruit. Sends it to Oda.
- For some reason, Oda finds it fascinating and publishes it in a SBS.
- People find out that the numbers add up to 325, making the theory stronger.
- To tease readers, Oda starts using 325 in reference to the Sunny.
I just don’t think Oda planned all that. I don’t expect an author to limit the story he is telling by such minutiae that have no weight in the plot. Why would he limit himself to find a 2.9 fruit instead of allowing himself to go wild with his ideas?
I mean, does anyone here feels Yamato can’t join just because he didn’t fulfill such ludicrous prerequisite?
Story is more important than such behind-the-scenes coincidence.
What if Oda found it fascinating because the fan was right or on the right trail? Oda never stated it was wrong. He was surprised and just ran away from the question with a no comment.
Oda isn't limiting himself. It would mean whoever the crewmate is with the 2-9 Devil Fruit was planned well in advance. They could already have the fruit or get it later. Jinbe, the 10th Strawhat, was mentioned back in East Blue. Oda has had a long time to plan the 11th Strawhat.
The SBS Question about the wordplay of Strawhats DF numbers came after Oda chose the DF names of 4 crewmates. So Oda established the DF names and proved he uses wordplay with numbers throughout the series.
Tell me why didn't Oda just repeat numbers early on when he named their Devil Fruits? I'm sure there are other names besides Human (Hito 110), Flower (Hana 87), and Revive (Yomi 43) Oda could have used. The coincidence you believe it is IMO is too profound not to be relevant.
The story is supposedly pointing to Yamato joining. Do you believe that to be the case? :ninja:
@Zik:
Yes. Especially since Oda went out of his way to have that one fan's question be viewed by millions of other fans to the point you basically lit a fire under their asses to this new theory instead of just burying the question.
So what? All the theory is stating is the trend with only 1 example of a 2-9 Devil Fruit. To cover his tracks, Oda could introduce other 2-9 Devil Fruits like he did with Kin'emon. Or Oda could have buried the theory by saying it isn't true or never publishing it. But he did not. Maybe Oda just wanted to acknowledge a fan's detective work but keep the mystery alive as Oda never stated it was true or false. This lit fire apparently isn't burning that bright as most see Yamato as the 11th though the DF does not match said theory.