Pekoms is definitely not just the average… I'd estimate he is probably in the top 10 or 12 and the Baron is top 3 to 5.

@Crocodyne:

Guys, let's give Oda some credit. He's been doing this One Piece thing for 15 years, so he obviously knows what kind of "development" a new crewmember needs for being accepted by the readers.
He's clearly building up this situation between Jinbe, Big Mom and the Sun Pirates so he can flesh out his past, dream and whatever else at the right time in the story…

Lets not forget about FI, the Reverie, and Caribou's little secret. Everyone seems to think that these issues will be put to the side once Luffy starts heading towards Big Mom. She is not the main issue here. There will be a confrontation, but it most likely will not end with any kind of definitive results. Once Caribou tells "you know who" the focus of the arc will shift back to FI.

@Monkey:

Actually yes, yes I would.
Have fun, maybe you'll learn something.
http://rateyourmusic.com/~Zephos

So because you like to write about hip hop that means you know what you're talking about? Give me a break, opinions are like assholes and you've always had diarhoea of the mouth as far as I'm concerned. Besides you're from CT, one of the only states I can think of offhand that doesn't have single legit city. Your entire home state is the burbs, how are you going to try and tell me what's grimy?

@Monkey:

That wasn't all that grimy really.

Like you'd know anything about it.

these are EMERALDS!!!

The first single of Roc Marciano's new album Marcberg: reloaded has been leaked and it's Emeralds with production from my homies Animoss and Don C aka the Arch Druids. This is that official Grimy shit, not for the faint of heart.

pass the mac 10 to my apprentice, while I get a pen and pad to print this.

… RIP Heavy D

@Doom:

It's obviously not that simple to counter, he was already shown using his ability on haki users.

If you're talking about Jozu then it should be pointed out that he only held him in place for a few seconds, the likelihood of him being able to actually control any of the more capable haki users seems slim to me. At the same time if his ability had no effect whatsoever any fight would be a waste of time, so it makes sense that he can use it against haki users to some extent.

@AppleSauce:

If you really believe this than i have noting left to say to you. To each his own.

Indeed…. apparently I need 16 characters...

@AppleSauce:

A red herring is a deliberate attempt to divert attention.

Are you seriously trying to imply that we are being punked by oda and that half way through the series he will give jinbei the official title of Vice captain!!!

Despite what we have been shown all this time in the manga.

Yes that's exactly what I'm saying, although not everyone is getting punked because I saw this coming years ago. At the same time though it's not really punking you, I mean it's true that Zoro acts as Luffy's second when there is need for it. It's also true that he's not as well suited to the job as Jinbe. This is similar in many respects to Franky joining and taking away Ussop's job maintaining the ship. Ussop was never the shipwright but he took care of the ship, Zoro was never the VC but he acts like one when appropriate. Now someone more qualified will be joining so he will naturally give up some of that responsibility.

@AppleSauce:

Well if you didn't catch on to those hints in the past 10 years than i don't know how long it will take you to finally realize it.

A hint is just that and nothing more no matter how many times it is repeated. What do you think a Red Herring is?

@DarthAsthma:

@Jacoobus

I read your original post about Jinbes joining and position in the crew.
It was very well thought out and I happen to agree with almost all of it, or to clarify I can see a lot of it actually happening.
Also good job at predicting that Jinbes dream will probably have something to do with his brethren rather his own personal goal (considering all we know about him for know, it could change but I don't think that it's likely)

Now the only thing that bugs me, after seeing how Fishmen and Mermaids have been struggling to become a part of the world above, which for now means with the World Government, I can't agree that Jinbes position as Vice Captain would help him out with that.
It's pretty much the last hurdle for him. If Oda has an explanation for why it would be benefitial for Jinbe to join the SH, then there's nothing left to doubt.

I think it will probably tie into Robins discovery and maybe also the history behind Noah, but oh well we can only wait.

It has always been my feeling that due to the location of FI and the nature of its existence under Marijoa, that this arc would be the one that sets up the final battle against the WG. As we move farther into the New World we will see more and more pirates, it makes sense to set up this fight early while Luffy is near the Tenryubito. I doubt that Otohime's invitation to the reverie was given in good faith and would be shocked if Hodi isn't somehow being manipulated with that in mind. Once the Fishman realize that dealing with the WG is worthless Luffy becomes their best option. With his connections to several islands as well as his father's backing he is in a good position to help them.

By giving Jinbe a position of authority he is also making a statement about the human world's perception of Fishman as being more fish than man. As just another crew member Jinbe can be written off as another of Luffy's pet "monsters." As an authority figure he must be given his due respect. It's all about perception. How humans perceive his role on the ship, and how his own people see it. If he can't lead by example then it's not worth it for him. As the former VC of Fisher Tiger, how can he accept a position of less import from Luffy without loosing face for both himself and his former captain. Not in a personal pride sense, but from the perspective of the merfolk who consider Tiger their hero.

–- Update From New Post Merge ---

@AppleSauce:

Its painfully obvious that Oda has been hinting to Zoro Being 2nd in command, from chapter 2.

Yes, hinting, hinting and hinting for over a decade without ever making it official. Ever heard of a Red Herring?

@Noquanky:

Knowing the nature of the Straw Hats, I'd personally prefer if it was his own personal goal.

Just think about other people. All of them are following their own personal dreams which is why the Straw Hat crew is so special.
Sanji, for example, devoted his entire life to furthering Zeff's dream out of guilt, until Luffy helped him and inspired him to follow his own dream. Franky put his dream on hold to help Water 7 out of debt to Tom until Luffy got him out to sea.
I don't see why Jinbe shouldn't do the same and forget about higher goals for a moment and just follow his dream as well. Every other member of the Straw Hats is free to chase their own dreams, Jinbe shouldn't be any different. Now, if his dream happens to coincide with something that helps others, sure, I'm cool with that (after all, Robin's dream does the same, but in the end it's HER dream). But it has to be HIS dream and no one else's.

Yes but from what we've seen of Jinbe his personal goals have always been about the plight of his people. It's why he joined Neptunes army and stopped messing around with petty thugs like Arlong, it's why he joined Fisher Tiger (in addition to his admiration for the man), and it's why he joined the schichibukai.