@Seafarer33:

D'oh, I had missed that answer. I guess, it would boil down to how the crisis is showcased. For example if we see once again the crew and everyone running away from an island-wide toxic gas cloud, then the core crisis would still be "evade big cloud" and I would find the situation redudant regardless of the actual effects of the gas or whatever gaz-related novelty Oda might try to introduce. If on the other hand the gas weapon only serves as a background threat to a different crisis processus, or if the crisis revolves around preventing its activation instead, then it might create interest and novelty that I enjoy.

As for a possible elephant-threatening plot device, I do agree that a weapon of mass destruction would be the most likely candidate considering the sheer size of Zushina. But then, maybe there can be a different sort of crisis. Most arcs so far involved an island-wide threat, but not all of those were about physically destroying the island and everyone on it (the civil war in Alabasta, for example). Maybe here on Zou, with the samurais as an unknown quantity, we could be heading towards a conflict between the day and night mink tribes and that would be the crisis to prevent. Or maybe I'm overthinking things and a pissed wounded Jack will wash ashore and do another nutjob rampage, although that would feel a bit simplistic as far as plots go.

–--

Has anyone thought that when we saw the face of Zou, that could be from the effects of taking in the poison. It could be slowly dying and we may have chopper put more of his doctor skills to the forefront as he tries to cure the 'island.'

! @Australopithecus:
! > Well, I wanted to share my thoughts about Rebecca. Rebecca’s life turned upside down at the age of six. From then on, every citizen at every nook and cranny in Dressrosa has begun bearing his fangs at her because of the misguided notion that her grandfather was the cause of their suffering and casualties ‘that night’.

Normally, when a person finds herself in that kind of situation, she will eventually develop retaliative behavior in order to vent her exasperation, frustration, and so forth. However, Rebecca is different in this aspect. She is a naturally kind person and, on top of that, she made a promise to her deceased mother to never ever harm anyone. Being faithful to her mother’s wishes and her kind nature, she vents those poisonous emotions through crying.

In this week’s chapter, she has abdicated the kingly throne, which is notably enviable by a profusion of people; embraced her father’s past crimes and sins without a second thought; and decided to live with him regardless of public opinion. She really has a beautifully tender nature. No wonder Oda-sensei made her story a central focus of this arc.

I want to talk about Barto. Barto has a lot of cool, funny reactions, which appeal a lot to the readers - reactions among which is the distorted vision of Tsuru and Sengoku, and the teary fright that surfaced at the sight of Fujitora’s coming. He will make a decent addition to Luffy‘s crew. He has a lot of funny, behavioral traits, too – just what you would expect from another Straw Hat.

I would like to see his faith in Luffy challenged when Luffy starts experiencing ephemeral moments of defeat at the hands of an overwhelmingly strong opponent(Kaido?). I want to see the depth of such faith. Will it waver, or will it stand firm until the end? I am really curious about this answer.

Bellamy goes without saying. I love that guy. He was loyal until the end. He reminds me of Squardo, whose faith in his father easily crumbled when the marines hoodwinked him by an intellectual sleight of hand, causing him to stab him(Whitebeard). In such cases, Bellamy’s faith does not waver. I like people like him.
Furthermore, his membership of the Straw Hats will also symbolize the absolution of past mistakes. For such reasons, I will be glad to see him as one of the Straw Hats.

It's nice to see a good character analysis of Rebecca. People take for granted the extent of the childhood she had to endure. I also find it contradictory how people never get upset or mention how often her father kyros cries. She may just be an emotional person, a trait inherited from kyros.

Apart from that though, I like how you mentioned that her way to excise negative emotions was through tears. I'm sure many can understand the feeling of wanting to hit someone but having to restrain yourself. Emotions need a release and crying is a natural one, unfortunately it's also looked down upon in American society in my opinion.

@KageKageKing:

Or maybe she will pull the 20 month pregnancy in the future.

What isn't possible after a 20 month pregnancy.

I think we could logistically agree.

Roger would have left his wife some protection.

We do know nami's birthplace was a harsh battlefield. If someone could post a picture of when she was found that would be great.

Pure speculation:the battle to get rouge, left the town devastated and that town could be where Nami was born. It'll be quite interesting if the parents of our crew start getting revealed. Franky,Sanji and Nami the most.

@Kfunk:

Are you high bro?

On the idea of good speculation and discussion. You've caught me. :ninja:

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@flandrian15:

I'm in no way saying that Nami was Ace's sister and Ace was older I believe but the resemblance with rouge is quite uncanny

I'll be the first to give you credit if it's true.

@SquallL:

[qimg]http://i.imgur.com/eQDobff.jpg[/qimg]

Nice drawback, it would be amazing if she was actually related to ace. Would the brothers add a sister to the three cups? The daughter of roger on luffys crew? The marines would go crazy to get the pirate kings, current son and pirate king of the pasts grandson. Nami D. Roger/Rose

I have cavities that chapter was so sweet; delightfully delicious page by page.

@sabinis:

I see no reason for person to get so worked up over manga character that doesnt fit their expectations(but author is continuously consistent with that character).
As for poisoning this sub forum - I guess that truth(for many what I wrote is truth) isnt always nice to look at. And even if it doesnt fit for 100% of complainers I am sure it fits for many and perhaps thinking about "lack of other problems" could help some people distance themselves a bit from discussion. I am telling this from lately detached from this place pov. Ignoring some of main reasons of something that is viewed by many as problematic is one of reasons problem continues and its effects are not lessened.

Maybe I am just not that much into discussion as I was before. Its very disturbing to see some people repeating their negative opinions even after they were based on things that were discussed milion times already. Like Rebecca and Odas sexism- Oda is parent and he added some family-relation themes into manga, lately he is giving more attention to "saving children". During Punk Hazard we had Strawhats saving children, now we have Rebecca aaand we even have "Doflamingo family" as a group of villains. Oda clearly wants to touch upon more of family bonds subject. He was consistent with Doflamingo family rules and he also does same thing with Rebecca.

Other person that was so consistent with his way that it hurt readers - Bellamy. That is another example of Oda creating CHARACTER and sticking to it, not throwing left and right magically super resolved characters beating far stronger enemies. Maybe some of people from here were reading too many other mangas that worked like that and gotten to expect same thing to chappen with Bellamy or Rebecca.

Rebecca that is 16 years old girl that doesnt want to hurt anybody. Oda wanted to show through Dressrosa that Rebecca even while being daughter of Gladiator Kyros, doesnt want to hurt anybody as she is very delicate person. Not all women need to be Trantino-strong females.

Though even as people mock Rebecca for being weak and useless - she managed to avoid fatal blow from Hakuba while loved by most people here "so strong" Dellinger gotten slain and wasnt even able to react to Hakubas speed. All depends on how Oda prefers to portray a character.

That's a really good point about Rebecca and hakuba which she really doesn't seem to get credit for.

Anyone think ichiryuu could come back with center?

@Jabberwok:

I can agree with this. I was on board the "Rebecca will help eventually" train for two years and even defended her, up until about 15 chapters ago when she was firmly sidelined by Kyros and Robin. Now I've definitely soured against her.

You're completely right that it's easier to make an unassuming character amazing than to string along an audience on expectations. That doesn't mean she still wasn't handled poorly.

This would be fine, except that she pointedly attacked Diamante 50 chapters ago and Gatz highlighted that aberration from her normal tactics in his narration. Rebecca has shown her enmity towards the Donquixote family and expressed her willingness to attack them multiple times. She wanted to defeat Diamante (at first) and wants to take down Doflamingo with her own hands. Her style comes from her training with her father, her intention to avoid hurting people unnecessarily, and her defiance of the bloodlust of the Doflamingo's Colosseum.

Besides, there are other ways of being important and contributing to the plot besides beating up someone.

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If you asked Enel's priests if they can use Haki you'd probably get the same response.

I'm glad we could agree on a point

For her actions towards diamanté, I'd have to refresh myself on those early chapters.

I do think her actions to lift her sword to attack is part of her character arc, or maybe moreso exploring her decisions when she has reason to attack. She didn't have a reason to injure the gladiators, but if your in a fight and your mothers killer begins taunting you, I think it's fair to say you'll feel some anger, and emotions can cause you to want to attack them, so if your holding a sword you'll use it, but her aunt and her father, see that it'll change her.

I guess in another way, look at how nami was treated as a baby, nojiko and bellemerre protected her from the reality of the war torn village that she grew up in.

Or in real world terms, I could be involved in a gang lifestyle, since I know what the impact of that lifestyle is I don't want my kids in it, but i'm already a part of that world so I'm stuck living in it. I hope that makes some sense.

I agree that there are others way to be important then beating someone up though.

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@Monquito:

Luffy already had to save Violet and stop Becca, he would also have to save Sanji from certain death so yeah, an even worse situation.

Similar to how Law saved Sanji from certain death?

@Kizuchan:

Well, didn't notice this before. Of course this kind of thing turns personal eventually. No, P1nk, I don't think I'm projecting. I'm just extremely annoyed at the developing trends with female character writing in this manga.

To give some positivity, like I said in my initial thoughts, I really like the fact that Doflamingo trusts his crew. I want it to have honesty. If it doesn't Doflamingo will turn into a much more generic villain to me. That little piece of humanity makes him more unique in my eyes.

When I madd it personal it wasn't to attack you which is why I included myself in the example as well.

It's okay to be annoyed by it though.