One Piece Volume 50 (ch482-491) Discussion

[Yami_Yami_No_Mi_89]

Hi does anyone know if there will be one piece next week or if Oda took a 2 weeks break?

[k-dom]

The next arc may be underwater. Then since impel down is an underwater prison, it could be possible to go there from the mermaid island

[Finale]

The next chapter will probably show the SHs finally departing with Brook in tow. Lola and her crew will announce their plans and leave as well. As far as seeing Jinbei next arc it's possible. I don't however think they'll fight him. I see Jimbei being the world's greatest martial artist setting him up as Sanji's ultimate opponent how Mihawk will be Zoro's. As far as Ussop goes, he does want to become a brave warrior of the sea and he'll keep woking on it since its one of his dreams. Lately I've been thinking that eventually Kabuto, Sogeking's weapon, may one day eat a devil's fruit, the beetle beetle fruit in particular. Now that would be interesting. Possible crew postions yet to be fill, second mate, helmsman, and lookout. Hopefully this is the last chapter at Thiller Bark.

[Highseas7]

i agree with the idea that uospp weapon will eat a devil fruit but why is the beetle beetle fruit i was think one of the flying types so he could get some distance on his oppent and snipe em out and yea i think jimbei will be sanji's ultimate pponent cause the only important fights he's had is with people with kenpo styles

[Finale]

I just made the beetle beetle fruit up, I don't know if there are any insect zoan fruits. But I chose beetle because Ussop's weapon is named Kabuto. Keep in mind a lot of beetles have wings.

[Santoryuu-Zoro]

I think with all the celebrations, they will probably leave soon and Brooke will join them. I hope Oda shows us more of Zoro. After all that he did for Luffy, we only had him in 1/3 of the chapter after and not at all recently. Most of all though, I just wanna read the next chapter. When you look at this thread, like, all the posters are guys. What's up with that?
[hr]
It's impossible to know what kind of Akuma no Mi you have. You kinda just have to hope for something good. It would be kinda funny if he did eat one though. 'Cept I don't think he ACTUALLY should. I think it might mess things up a bit.

[camil222]

i have to agree that rasing luffys bounty would rather be boring. But im pretty sure, llike someone already said before, that they used kuma so that zoros bounty would go up and im pretty sure sanjis bounty would go up as well. If id have to predict, zoros next bounty should be around 240 million ( 60, 120, 240, ...) and sanjis bounty being around 160 million. Guys you have to admit that luffys bounty is way to high compared to the crew. hes 200 million berries over everyone. Anyway the next chapter should be about merman island. lola and her crew will probably inform them about it and how to get there.

[ANBU4U]

The next chapter will probably show the SHs finally departing with Brook in tow. Lola and her crew will announce their plans and leave as well. As far as seeing Jinbei next arc it's possible. I don't however think they'll fight him. I see Jimbei being the world's greatest martial artist setting him up as Sanji's ultimate opponent how Mihawk will be Zoro's. As far as Ussop goes, he does want to become a brave warrior of the sea and he'll keep woking on it since its one of his dreams. Lately I've been thinking that eventually Kabuto, Sogeking's weapon, may one day eat a devil's fruit, the beetle beetle fruit in particular. Now that would be interesting. Possible crew postions yet to be fill, second mate, helmsman, and lookout. Hopefully this is the last chapter at Thiller Bark.

The "Second Mate" of any Navy vessel is typically a dual title given to the navigator/helmsman. Combine that with the fact that the second mate is in charge of day to day operational duties that the first mate doesn't handle and that he sometimes serves as a lookout and all of the positions you mentioned are summed up in Nami.

She's the second mate, if not in name, then in function and power. Just like how Zorro is never declared first mate but...well is.

It makes even more sense when you realize they joined the crew 2nd and 3ed respectively. Oda really thought things out.

The strawhats will probably only have 2 more members, at the most. If only from a literary standpoint. Its hard to find time for so many characters without some becoming background....even for Oda.

Still, from a more in-universe perspective, Luffy would want as many worthy crewman as he could fit on Sunny. His dream is to defeat Shank's crew and claim one piece, but shank's crew is quite vast, not to mention powerful.

And then, looking even closer at Luffy's personality, can you imagine him reaching a point where he was like "no, you're awesome, but I have a big enough crew." Of course you can't, because Luffy would never pass up a great crewman. So to make any "crew cap" believable I imagine Oda will come up with some explanation....or simply stop Luffy from running into interesting people.

[camil222]

i dont think any positions are left to be filled in the crew. IF there is one more person it should be someone else thats a strong warrrior like zoro and sanji. maybe smoker. he would make a great addition to the crew because of his knowledge about the wg and marine.

[Imitorar]

The strawhats will probably only have 2 more members, at the most. If only from a literary standpoint. Its hard to find time for so many characters without some becoming background....even for Oda.

Still, from a more in-universe perspective, Luffy would want as many worthy crewman as he could fit on Sunny. His dream is to defeat Shank's crew and claim one piece, but shank's crew is quite vast, not to mention powerful.

And then, looking even closer at Luffy's personality, can you imagine him reaching a point where he was like "no, you're awesome, but I have a big enough crew." Of course you can't, because Luffy would never pass up a great crewman. So to make any "crew cap" believable I imagine Oda will come up with some explanation....or simply stop Luffy from running into interesting people.
Well, yeah, Luffy DID say that he wanted a 10 person crew, and Brook would be the eighth, not counting Luffy. So he DOESN'T want as big a crew as possible. Chances are, he'll still find interesting people, just nobody quite interesting enough to be worth making a crew member, or he'll decide not to let them join because too many crew-mates cheapens the bond between them. I'd say the former is more likely, because there have been alot of interesting characters in One Piece, but only a few of them were so interesting that they were worth making crew-members.

And again, SMOKER WILL NOT JOIN. He is dedicated to his own personal Moral Justice, and he will not betray that Moral Justice by becoming a pirate. He is dedicated to his belief that pirates need to be wiped out, and he is not a person who would betray that belief by joining a pirate crew he is dedicated to eradicating. It would just be out of character, both for him to join, and probably for Luffy to accept someone who betrayed their beliefs to join.

[Organizized]

Luffy says ten members, Luffy gets ten members. Does he mean a ten man crew or that he wants ten more members by that though?

And I don't think Smoker will join either. Really, from what we know he abides to his principles just as much as Luffy, and that is anti-piracy.

[sid_247]

i wanna see impel down going down by the hands of the sh-crew. and ace joining them cause whitebeard didnt gave a shit about him being prisoned

[camil222]

luffy could have more than 10 people in his crew. he said that he wanted a crew of 10 people before entering the grandline. he obviously didnt achieve that goal and never said anything about not having more then 10. luffy would never refuse someone in his crew. hes the kind of guy whos asks anyone to join if he likes them.

[Mische]

i wanna see impel down going down by the hands of the sh-crew. and ace joining them cause whitebeard didnt gave a shit about him being prisoned

Unlikely since the older brother wont be serving on his younger brothers ship i´d say...
Also Whitebeard will care about ace being imprisoned! From what we know so far about him i´d guess he will be furious and i don´t think that he will just let it be.

I´d say that Whitebeard will deal with Impel down and give his life to save the one from Ace.
This would be the great Incident that will come as a result of the Fight Ace - BB.
It would leave parts of the New world without a Leader so all pirates and the marines will be fighting for gaining the upper hand and the balance of power will shift. A nice little warzone that the Sh´s could pass before going for one of the really big fishes.

[Imitorar]

i wanna see impel down going down by the hands of the sh-crew. and ace joining them cause whitebeard didnt gave a shit about him being prisoned
Whitebeard's reaction to Ace's capture hasn't been shown yet, and it's only been about 2 weeks or so since then. As Mische pointed out, from his personality, he will probably be furious when he finds out. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Whitebeard declare war on the World Government, possibly even attacking Impel Down.


luffy could have more than 10 people in his crew. he said that he wanted a crew of 10 people before entering the grandline. he obviously didnt achieve that goal and never said anything about not having more then 10. luffy would never refuse someone in his crew. hes the kind of guy whos asks anyone to join if he likes them.
You're wrong. Luffy didn't even KNOW about the Grand Line until he met Gaimon, and that was in chapter 22 (http://www.onemanga.com/One_Piece/22/01/). And he said he wanted a 10 person crew, nothing about the Grand Line. Observe (http://www.onemanga.com/One_Piece/1/52/).

[Neuroff]

You're wrong. Luffy didn't even KNOW about the Grand Line until he met Gaimon, and that was in chapter 22 (http://www.onemanga.com/One_Piece/22/01/). And he said he wanted a 10 person crew, nothing about the Grand Line. Observe (http://www.onemanga.com/One_Piece/1/52/).
He did know about the Grand Line before, he talks about it with Coby in chapter 2 (http://www.onemanga.com/One_Piece/2/23/). But Luffy never said anything about having a 10 person crew before he entered the Grand Line, he's saying he wants 10 people before he becomes the Pirate King. I also don't see why he should be limited to a 10 man crew. In my translation he actually says he wants at least 10 people, in this one he's saying about ten people. Either way, it doesn't have to be exactly 10.

[lord_morc]

I think Dr Vegapunk will join the crew, We've heard a lot about him lately and if he is a genius what about a mad genius, sounds like luffy's type

[TheGenius]

They already have chopper as a Dr.

The question we have to ask is ; What position is left in the SH crew?

We have ; Cook, Sharp-shooter, navigator, First-Mate, Captain, Musician, Doctor, Robin(and her strange position has an archeologist), Carpenter and a Captain...

What's missing?

[Shiro-kun]

They already have chopper as a Dr.

The question we have to ask is ; What position is left in the SH crew?

We have ; Cook, Sharp-shooter, navigator, Fighter, Captain, Musician, Doctor, Robin(and her strange position has an archeologist), Carpenter and a Captain...

What's missing?
you forgot to mention swordsman which is Zoro

............hmm thats a hard one .....barber/stylist?

[zoidvibe]

............hmm thats a hard one .....barber/stylist?

Think tank? Clergyman?

[nawar]

they do mis a tactician strategic officer or something of the like

[Shiro-kun]

they do mis a tactician strategic officer or something of the like

Yeah they do and its actually benefits the crew :)

[Finale]

They could have some random profession join the crew. For instance how many people would have thought of an archeologist on a pirate ship? Also theres nothing stopping Luffy from having more honorary members like Vivi. But I do think they will recruit at least one more female. Sanji will really be lobbying for a mermaid once they reach merman island.

[k-dom]

zoros next bounty should be around 240 million ( 60, 120, 240, ...) .

Do you think Zoro will be reported dead by Kuma to the government ?


They already have chopper as a Dr.

The question we have to ask is ; What position is left in the SH crew?

We have ; Cook, Sharp-shooter, navigator, First-Mate, Captain, Musician, Doctor, Robin(and her strange position has an archeologist), Carpenter and a Captain...

What's missing?

I don't think vegapunk is a medical Dr, he's rather a scientist which would be more Usopp profile

It seems difficult to put one in the Sunny, but I think a giant would be a great crew member

[CLEAR]

They already have chopper as a Dr.

The question we have to ask is ; What position is left in the SH crew?

We have ; Cook, Sharp-shooter, navigator, First-Mate, Captain, Musician, Doctor, Robin(and her strange position has an archeologist), Carpenter and a Captain...

What's missing?

A MESSENGER LIKE LAFITTE!?

[TheGenius]

you forgot to mention swordsman which is Zoro

............hmm thats a hard one .....barber/stylist?

Hehehe, barber!

But Zoro is Luffy's First Mate, I wrote fighter because I totally forgot his position but than I edited it!

Or maybe than can have a scout...or something like that....What jobs did pirates had?

[Freakzin]

we need a nunchuk master, i mean the weapon Dante(DMCIII) got, after he defeated Cerberus, that sorta thing

[Wale]

A MESSENGER LIKE LAFITTE!?

Lafitte is the navigator of the BB Crew.. that was just a mission for him from BB.

[TheGenius]

Like Heroes then ;

FIND THE JOB, SAVE ONE PIECE.

Here are a possibles new jobs, taken from HERE (http://www.geocities.com/captcutlass/Ship.html).


BOATSWAIN
The Boatswain supervised the maintenance of the vessel and its supply stores. He was responsible for inspecting the ship and it's sails and rigging each morning, and reporting their state to the captain. The Boatswain was also in charge of all deck activities, including weighing and dropping anchor, and the handling of the sails.

MATE
On a large ship there was usually more than one Mate aboard. The Mate served as apprentice to the Ship's Master, Boatswain, Carpenter and Gunner. He took care of the fitting out of the vessel, and examined whether it was sufficiently provided with ropes, pulleys, sails, and all the other rigging that was necessary for the voyage. The Mate took care of hoisting the anchor, and during a voyage he checked the tackle once a day. If he observed anything amiss, he would report it to the ship's Master. Arriving at a port, the mate caused the cables and anchors to be repaired, and took care of the management of the sails, yards and mooring of the ship.

SAILOR
The common sailor, which was the backbone of the ship, needed to know the rigging and the sails. As well as how to steer the ship and applying it to the purposes of navigation. He needed to know how to read the skies, weather, winds and most importantly the moods of his commanders. Other jobs on the ships were surgeon (for large vessels), cooks and cabin boys. There were many jobs divided up amongst the officers, sometimes one man would perform two functions. Mates who served apprenticeships were expected to fill in or take over positions when sickness or death created an opportunity.

[rukori]

But I do think they will recruit at least one more female.
Agree with that one.
2 females with 7 males is just not enough..
If a 10th member will join It'll certainly be a female.
Do you also feel the conclusion of One Piece somewhere there in the horizon?..:pleased

[Imitorar]

Um, we're at the halfway mark. Of the Grand Line AND the story. Oda himself said at the moment, it seems as if it will be another 10 years. The story can go on for quite a while without new members joining. In fact, it's better that it does, since it means that the crew will all be used to one another for the last few adventures, or at least the Raftel arc.

[Vato Loco!]

Chapter 489 is out!! Get it HERE!! (http://mangahelpers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=736815#post736815)

Go read the chapter, and come back to have fun predicting what will happen in the next chapter here The adventure continues!

Brook is in! And now a new revelation abut ace's piece of paper means his life is in danger?! predict the next chapter here.

[Organizized]

Wow, not one single guess was right on Brooke's bounty.

I've gotta say finally. I've been waiting for so long, hoping Brooke would join the crew. Couldn't be happier. And finally the piece of paper thing is explained, I mean sheesh that was many years ago, that. Anyone else who can see the whole "Impel Down arc" actually happen now? I've gotta say, I've been against that thing all along, but this really opens up for it.

In short, great chapter.

[Tsukisama]

I've gotta say finally. I've been waiting for so long, hoping Brooke would join the crew. Couldn't be happier. And finally the piece of paper thing is explained, I mean sheesh that was many years ago, that. Anyone else who can see the whole "Impel Down arc" actually happen now? I've gotta say, I've been against that thing all along, but this really opens up for it.

I agree. With the new news about Ace, there's no way that Luffy will just go off to Fishman Island on an adventure. He's going to follow the Vivre Card to Ace and save him probably first.

[Organizized]

Well, I'm still not too sure about that. We'll have to see how he reacts when he finds out what has actually happened to Ace.. Also, they have to go backwards to get to Impel Down, and there was alot of stuff about "never turning back" in this chapter after all. Can't be sure about it.

I guess next chapter they'll read about it in the paper and we'll know their decision. Then, DEPART!

[Kikuna992]

I am placing my bet that Lola's Mother is actually the last remaining shichibukai who is unnamed! If she is, the mugiwaras have gained a strong ally

[Tendou88]

good chapter.
many funny scenes :)
"mermaids dont wear panties" that was gold :D


i hope we will see luffy & co to save Ace

[Mische]

Although it would be a great arc if the Sh´s went to impel down it seems quite unlikely. The whole Arc on Enies Lobby was about preventing the deportation of Robin since they would have no chance once she goes there...
Also it would be another rescue mission and they can´t even be sure where he is since the paper only shows the direction not the distance. First they have to find out and then they could think about going there.

They would have to get into the main base of the Marines. I don´t think that the Sh´s are capable to do so yet since they don´t stand a chance against someone like aokiji (and there are others with the same rank that would probably not just tolerate someone going trough the gates of justice). The only one involved in this who is actually strong enough to make a good try is probably whitebeard and it would make sense since he most likely also has a part of ace´s paper so he knows somethin is wrong and probably gets the news a little earlier.

I´d say next chapter will be at least partly about ace and whats happening to him. Also the SH´s might find out about him being in impel down if nami still gets her newspaper. If the Whitebeard theory is right we will see some more on him too in the next chapters

[black_crow]

I am placing my bet that Lola's Mother is actually the last remaining shichibukai who is unnamed! If she is, the mugiwaras have gained a strong ally

I never thought of that!
if that did happen i think Luffy would have a bigger shot at achieving his dream


This was indeed a great chapter!
but i feel bad about Ace. this will probably prolong the arrival at mermans island.
They will probably use the paper to find and rescue him ...

[black_crow]

I bet that the world government will use Ace as bait to get to luffy in the future ( highly unlikely but it would make for some entertainment)

i think that they will go to save Ace because why ould they have gone through the explanation of the paper's ability to point the person in the direction of the papers origional owner.

[AnimeLoverX]

wow nice! what a great way to bring us back to Ace!
i almost forgot about him :^_^

gosh Ace cant die ... ._.
watch, everyone is gonna save him now. and meet Lol'a mom, gets almost defeated by her, then she saw the paper and saves them and ace. ;)

[Voidler]

Luffy will have little to do with what's about to happen. He doesn't know where Ace is or what's happening, and being Luffy he'll probably just think Ace will get through it. He's not Ace's baby-sitter. Back in chapter 441 (Blackbeard versus Ace) the last panel said "the battle between these two Pirates would be remembered as the "trigger" to the great incident yet to come."

My prediction is it'll be to do with Whitebeard declaring war on Blackbeard and the Shichibukai. Let's face it, the Strawhats aren't going to take out them all alone, and Oda isn't going to steer them right around and send them right back to where they were within a mile of just before. Plus breaking into Impel Down is a whole different ball game from Enies Lobby. Even worse is that it's underwater, where Luffy's powers will be useless. And with Zoro injured, what are they supposed to do?

The Strawhats are going to mermaid island, what happens with Ace is another story

[Voidler]

I am placing my bet that Lola's Mother is actually the last remaining shichibukai who is unnamed! If she is, the mugiwaras have gained a strong ally
I was thinking along those lines, but rather than she's one of the unrevealed Yonkou/4 emperors which would make far more sense for the New World than a Shichi.

http://images.wikia.com/onepiece/images/9/94/Yonkou.jpg

The unrevealed in the middle? Maybe. Could be a woman

[k-dom]

Also it would be another rescue mission and they can´t even be sure where he is since the paper only shows the direction not the distance. First they have to find out and then they could think about going there.



Well that is not really Luffy way of thinking. Moreover the only clue we have, that Ace is in Impel down is the newspaper article from chapter 486. One cannot say that it has been a reliable source so far. So maybe the paper does not point to Impel down

[Ustegius]

Great chapter indeed. Finally the sheet of paper explained, and it turned out to be lot better than the much guessed invisible ink ^^.
Someone speculated that they need messenger. I think Brook could take that spot, I mean he is very fast, and can run on sea. Also I am starting to believe that it is not Sanji, but Brook who will match up with Lafitte. Both are pretty gothic, wear a kind of an suit and a top hat, also both could be kind of messengers. Also the certain battle convoy he used to lead, could be the same police force that banned Lafitte? Okay, I'll save the rest of pointless theory to Brook thread ;)

Also, wouldn't it be awesome if Oda placed arrival at Red line/New world at chapter 500? Could be cool, though probaply not going to happen since there is atleast a lot foreshadowded Merman island before New world. Though, not entrirely impossible since Impel Down also could be the next destination.

[jinsomnia]

2 remaining member:

1. i really think they need a girl mermaid. it helps them when someone get drowned.. not sure how she fight thought. she might be a big help since impel down is basically underwater..

2. maybe they could get a scientist to join? i mean, the son of Dr.Vegapunk, or his apprentice/or his clone....???

[Koen]

well the end of this chapter is a great turn of events

[Splat]

there can't be an ace rescue arc, it would completely destroy the premise of one piece. luffy is having an adventure with his nakama and they all have their goals to reach, he can't risk those goals for someone who isn't a nakama. and if he went alone so he didn't have to destroy his nakamas goals, he would be abandoning his own dream of becoming pirate king, since there is no way he could take on impel down by himself. i think a more likely situation will be that whitebeard will come from the new world to get ace back, but won't know where impel down is, so luffy will give him the biblicard. as an addition to that it's also posible that whitebeard is going to go to war on the shichibukai, and therefore would be in merman island to find and kill jimbei (maybe even saving luffy as he is about to be killed him)

or maybe i just think too much :darn

[Absolutio]

http://www.onemanga.com/One_Piece/489/16/
Empress=female Yonkou (yonkou=emperor).
I guess you can take it literally, as I choose to, and assume that this Hancock is the 4th Yonkou, which also might be Lola's mother.
Well, that's my guess anyways.

[Inkovic]

There can't be a rescue arc because it'll be too much like Bleach which basically ruined itself in storyline depth.

I think the Sh will be concerned but Luffy will be confident his brother will be fine. Whitebeard might take down the WG though, thereby showcasing his true strength to the eager Manga readers who have been waiting o so long.

[Voidler]

http://www.onemanga.com/One_Piece/489/16/
Empress=female Yonkou (yonkou=emperor).
I guess you can take it literally, as I choose to, and assume that this Hancock is the 4th Yonkou, which also might be Lola's mother.
Well, that's my guess anyways.I didn't even notice that and I still made that guess. I think it sounds about right then, and in the pic I just posted it looks like one of the Yonkou is a Pirate. A really ugly one though, another connection to Lola :o

[PirateMusician]

An unlikely possibility, but we should consider-

We don't actually know that the paper is Ace's. We just know Ace gave it to Luffy, and that it'll help them meet -- it could just as well point to Whitebeard... Also, Ace said the next time they met would be at the Pirates' Summit. If that's an actual location, maybe the paper points to somebody who stays there. If it pointed to Ace, how would Ace know where their next meeting would be? Unless he figured they wouldn't know what the paper was for till they got to the Pirates' Summit....

Anyway, it would be very surprising if the paper burned away completely, but then they met Ace later anyway! So that's what my bet is on :amuse

And I say they will head on to mermaid/fishman (which is it?) island!

[k-dom]

Ace gave Luffy the paper in order to find him in case he has trouble (when he gave him he said he was worry to have a dumb little brother), so I doubt it belong to someone else
I also wonder if the burning thing is normal or link to its mera mera ability
And the pirat summit thing was more a bet on the future than an actual fact

[Moogle Mango]

what is the crew going to do with two perverts on board??

[Absolutio]

what is the crew going to do with two perverts on board??

probably alot of beating.. ;)

[camil222]

im pretty sure thte next chapter will be about ace, blackbeard or the world goverment( kuma for example). and we will see them leave lolas crew. i really hope theyre not going back to impel down. i really hope it willl be whitebeards matter and not the straw hats. but then again its kind of obvious luffy will go to impel down. Because first of all the piece of paper acts as a log pose, and they can easilly find him like that, plus ace told luffy that they would meet again cause of the paper. anyway i hope impel down is sick. it probably is.

[The Boff]

great chapter! a good end to the Thriller Bark(i still think it should have been Park...) saga.
and finally we know exactly what that little piece of paper is. been naggin me and probably a lot of
others for quite some time.

but it raised a new question for me though... how the hell did Lola and the gang navigate FROM the new world. do they have eternal posts for the islands or what? cause regular lockposts all points in direction towards islands going towards the new world and raftel... so this is peculiar to me.
how did they navigate?

[Vizard5]

An unlikely possibility, but we should consider-

We don't actually know that the paper is Ace's. We just know Ace gave it to Luffy, and that it'll help them meet -- it could just as well point to Whitebeard... Also, Ace said the next time they met would be at the Pirates' Summit. If that's an actual location, maybe the paper points to somebody who stays there. If it pointed to Ace, how would Ace know where their next meeting would be? Unless he figured they wouldn't know what the paper was for till they got to the Pirates' Summit....

Anyway, it would be very surprising if the paper burned away completely, but then they met Ace later anyway! So that's what my bet is on :amuse

And I say they will head on to mermaid/fishman (which is it?) island!

the pirates summit is a transelation error and basicly means the new world..

[Wale]

i think a more likely situation will be that whitebeard will come from the new world to get ace back, but won't know where impel down is, so luffy will give him the biblicard. as an addition to that it's also posible that whitebeard is going to go to war on the shichibukai, and therefore would be in merman island to find and kill jimbei (maybe even saving luffy as he is about to be killed him)

This was for sure one of the best predictions, what i read untill now. would be really crazy if Oda would solve this situation so, because the SH Crew would obtain a rather strong ally: Whitebeard. :)

[Absolutio]

well, there might be 2 types of normal log posts. or just when you get to an island from the opposite direction, it automatically locks on the next island ahead from the direction you came. :s

[MrTeatime]

great chapter! a good end to the Thriller Bark(i still think it should have been Park...) saga.
and finally we know exactly what that little piece of paper is. been naggin me and probably a lot of
others for quite some time.

but it raised a new question for me though... how the hell did Lola and the gang navigate FROM the new world. do they have eternal posts for the islands or what? cause regular lockposts all points in direction towards islands going towards the new world and raftel... so this is peculiar to me.
how did they navigate?

Well, considering that they haave things like that wacky paper its not impossible that they have some sort of backward lockpost.
OR: (and here it gets very tricky to explain in english) they could have(minimum) 2 lockposts and use that like this:
lockpost nr one is locked on island nr 3(pointing towards 4).
lockpost nr two is locked on island nr 2
if sailing towards island nr 1 you can hold a straigth course if the 2 lockposts is pointing in the same (backward) direction.

(yes, there is a flawn; both lockpost would be reset when reaching a new island.
This is avoidable by two means:
1The two posts is eternal; this wouldnt work in the lon run though, as the bands of islands join together the closer you get to raftel (you would end up with the seamonsters in the calm bands:o).
2. you have a smaler boat that you use to land on island nr 1, you stay there and lock lockpost nr one(so that its pointing towards island nr 2). Now you can sail in (somewhat) the direction of island nr 0.)

Has anyone considerd how valuable marine ships are, with all that seastone on the hull? I sure wouldnt want to be a marine :s, pirates must be swarming to get ahold of their ships.

[Akainu]

basically i'm with you on whitebeard appearing next chapter.
but on detail i dont think sh will apear too. more like a continuation of shanks vs. wb.
oh and before i forget about it - it should be time for a new coverstory, right?

[Absolutio]

not all marine ships have sea stones at the bottom. only the HQ ones.

[hasin]

hmm.. luffy going to impel down to rescue his brother? firstly it s not really like bleach. at one piece there is more than a dozen arcs not 2 or 3 main arcs like bleach. it is also true that going to impel down was impossible for sh's during enies lobby arc. because at that point they had no idea about passing through the sea with sea kings nests. but water7 revisited arc revealed that they need sea stone to pass there. if they can pass through the sea it is possible for them to fight a the impel down. my best bet is that the crew
goes to the merman island after considering ace's condition a little. at merman island they meet jimbei and somehow fight with him. and also meet with vegapunkt and acquire sea stone. it is possible that shanks and wb was on the way of impel down and they meet there and explain the situation to sh's. then decide go there together to impel down.
at the next chapter i think sh's talk about the paper a bit then not decide to follow its lead. at the same time wb and shanks talk about what to do....

[Finale]

As was said earlier, they'll be extremely strong opponents at Impel down that I don't think the straw hats are capable of taking down yet. For all we know Aokiji and the other two admirals are stationed there. Not to mention countless vice admirals and captains. The strawhats had a difficult time breaking into enies lobby, grabbing Robin and running for it attacking Impel Down would be suicide at their current level. Whitebeard may start targeting shichibukai, attempt to rescue Ace or attack another Marine base like G1, 2 or whatever one he wants. Luffy will probably say he believes in Ace and that he'll be alright and off to Merman Island we go.

[Finale]

It looks like Sanji has gotten a new best friend! We may see Sanji become an overt pervert due to Brook's influence. i look forward to many hilarious moments with Brook now part of the crew. Didn't they say that Empress Hancock was extremely beautiful? Wait till those two meet her. In the future we can look forward also to Pervert Combos. Since Luffy, Sanji and Zoro are refered to as the monster trio, how about calling Sanjiand Brook the Men in Black? I'm really happy that Brook gets along with pretty much everybody so easily but Nami and Robin may want to lock their underwear drawers.

[XUnrealpkI]

That paper might be Dragons, or someone elses. Ace never said it was his. Maybe, the paper that ace had dropped somewhere? Or it was in his clothes and the clothes got fucked and what not. You just cant follow it blindly.

[Imitorar]

great chapter! a good end to the Thriller Bark(i still think it should have been Park...) saga.
and finally we know exactly what that little piece of paper is. been naggin me and probably a lot of
others for quite some time.

but it raised a new question for me though... how the hell did Lola and the gang navigate FROM the new world. do they have eternal posts for the islands or what? cause regular lockposts all points in direction towards islands going towards the new world and raftel... so this is peculiar to me.
how did they navigate?
A Bark is a kind of ship, that's why it was called that. And as to the navigation, question, I was thinking of that. As was mentioned, it's possible that the Rolling Pirates had an Eternal Pose, or had a Log Pose set to connect to magnetic fields the reverse of the way normal Log Pose's do. Or, it could be that they just sailed backwards, and even though they didn't know what direction they were going in, they hoped for the best and trusted that they'd be able to fight their way out of the Calm Belt and just make it to the next island somehow. Of all these theories, I think the one about the backwards Log Pose is the most likely.

As to Lola's mother and Hancock... Hancock may be a Yonko, but... she doesn't seem to fit any of the people in the picture. I think it's more likely that she's just a beautiful, powerful, and glamorous Pirate. Or if not, the 7th Shichibukai, who alot of people do want to be female. She just doesn't seem to fit being a Yonko to me. I know her epithet is Empress, but none of the other Yonko have "Emperor" in their epithets, and it might just be a name she gave herself to boast of her power, so I predict that she is a powerful pirate, or a Shichibukai.

Lola's mother being a Yonko seems much more likely. She isn't Hancock, because the Rolling Pirates were pretty careful about not mentioning her name, and they didn't mind mentioning Hancock's name. I think that she may also end up just being a very powerful pirate, but since it seems implied that the Straw Hats will meet her, and emphasis seems to have been placed upon her power, I would say that she is probably the 4th Yonko.

[Imitorar]

People, the Vivre Card was Ace's, that much is implied to the point of certainty, there is nothing to imply that Oda would pull that sort of twist, since the Vivre Card leading to someone else would mean that it couldn't be used to advance the plot by making the Ace issue come to a head.

To all those who think that the next arc will be an Impel Down arc, I still say that Luffy may decide not to do anything because Ace isn't his crew-mate, and it will be Whitebeard who deals with this. However, that suggestion made alot more sense when Ace was just imprisoned. I don't think he's being killed, just wounded from his battle and weakened by being imprisoned, but he's still in a state much more dangerous then mere imprisonment, meaning that Luffy may be more inclined to help him then he would be if Ace was just imprisoned. If the Straw Hats DO go to Impel Down, I think that it will turn out that Impel Down is beyond Fishman Island, so they still have to go there first. One thing is for sure, they are going to go there. There has been too much build-up to the Fishman Island arc. Plus, Sanji and Brook would probably mutiny if Luffy decides to just bypass Fishman Island. All I can say is, the next chapter will probably set up the plans for the next arc and how the Ace issue will be tackled. I can hardly wait.

[Voidler]

A Bark is a kind of ship, that's why it was called that. And as to the navigation, question, I was thinking of that. As was mentioned, it's possible that the Rolling Pirates had an Eternal Pose, or had a Log Pose set to connect to magnetic fields the reverse of the way normal Log Pose's do. Or, it could be that they just sailed backwards, and even though they didn't know what direction they were going in, they hoped for the best and trusted that they'd be able to fight their way out of the Calm Belt and just make it to the next island somehow. Of all these theories, I think the one about the backwards Log Pose is the most likely.

As to Lola's mother and Hancock... Hancock may be a Yonko, but... she doesn't seem to fit any of the people in the picture. I think it's more likely that she's just a beautiful, powerful, and glamorous Pirate. Or if not, the 7th Shichibukai, who alot of people do want to be female. She just doesn't seem to fit being a Yonko to me. I know her epithet is Empress, but none of the other Yonko have "Emperor" in their epithets, and it might just be a name she gave herself to boast of her power, so I predict that she is a powerful pirate, or a Shichibukai.

Lola's mother being a Yonko seems much more likely. She isn't Hancock, because the Rolling Pirates were pretty careful about not mentioning her name, and they didn't mind mentioning Hancock's name. I think that she may also end up just being a very powerful pirate, but since it seems implied that the Straw Hats will meet her, and emphasis seems to have been placed upon her power, I would say that she is probably the 4th Yonko.Yonkou means four emperors. I think it's a bit unlikely that somebody in the new world would be calling themselves or being called Empress otherwise, and a bit unlike Oda to confuse like that. But the one puzzle piece still missing is that they said she's beautiful, or at least that she'd be "overwhelmed by the mermaids beauty" (maybe she's lesbian :p).

And the Shichibukai theory doesn't fit IMO. Lola would've easily had bargaining power with a Shichibukai like if her mother was one too. I doubt Gecko would've attacked the child of another Shichibukai in any case

[Voidler]

People, the Vivre Card was Ace's, that much is implied to the point of certainty, there is nothing to imply that Oda would pull that sort of twist, since the Vivre Card leading to someone else would mean that it couldn't be used to advance the plot by making the Ace issue come to a head.

To all those who think that the next arc will be an Impel Down arc, I still say that Luffy may decide not to do anything because Ace isn't his crew-mate, and it will be Whitebeard who deals with this. However, that suggestion made alot more sense when Ace was just imprisoned. I don't think he's being killed, just wounded from his battle and weakened by being imprisoned, but he's still in a state much more dangerous then mere imprisonment, meaning that Luffy may be more inclined to help him then he would be if Ace was just imprisoned. If the Straw Hats DO go to Impel Down, I think that it will turn out that Impel Down is beyond Fishman Island, so they still have to go there first. One thing is for sure, they are going to go there. There has been too much build-up to the Fishman Island arc. Plus, Sanji and Brook would probably mutiny if Luffy decides to just bypass Fishman Island. All I can say is, the next chapter will probably set up the plans for the next arc and how the Ace issue will be tackled. I can hardly wait.That seems a bit inconsistent. They said the only way to get to Impel Down is through the Gates of Justice, so how could you get there from Fishman Island (which is obviously quite a distance from Enies Lobby). Of course we don't have an accurate map of how the Grand Line looks... What happened to Nami's map drawing anyway?

[Imitorar]

If I remember correctly, they never said that the only way to get to Impel Down was through Enies Lobby, just that from Enies Lobby, you could only get to the Marine Headquarters or Impel Down. It could be that Impel Down is accessible from other routes. That was said here (http://www.onemanga.com/One_Piece/364/14/). Sometimes the World Government may just want to imprison people, without the pomp and mind-games of walking them through the Gates of Justice. If you remember it being said that Impel Down was only accessible from Enies Lobby, then please mention where it was.

[Imitorar]

I never said Lola's mother was a Shichibukai, I said she MAY be a Yonko. And Moria doesn't mind fighting Yonko, considering he intends to fight Kaido in the future anyway. And he probably didn't know who Lola's mother was, I doubt she's as famous as her mother, and Moria's been secluded in the Florian Triangle for a while, so I doubt he would know Lola was her mother's daughter anyway.

As to your point about Hancock calling herself an Empress, again, none of the other Yonko call themselves by the title "emperor". And I can honestly see either side of Hancock being a Yonko or a Shichibukai or just a powerful and famous pirate. I don't see anymore evidence or reasoning for one side over another, I just feel that the sides I stated in my post above are the most likely.

[k-dom]

That seems a bit inconsistent. They said the only way to get to Impel Down is through the Gates of Justice, so how could you get there from Fishman Island (which is obviously quite a distance from Enies Lobby). Of course we don't have an accurate map of how the Grand Line looks...

The Mugiwara went to Enies lobby with a sea train which does not need a log pose and between Enies lobbie and Impel down there is the calm belt like area. In other word Enies lobby->Impel down is the most secure way to go but it is not the natural one (with log pose fields).
On the contrary a natural way to go to a underwater prison could be an underwater island...

[Mische]

Like i said i don´t think that the Sh´s are going on a rescue mission for ace. I would say if the Card is burning that must mean that his life force really is getting less! I don´t think that it only comes from sittin in a prision cell.. So they won´t have time to complete a whole arc and then go. I mean they don´t know anything about whats happening at all maybe its too late then. Eather they go directly or whitebeard does the job.

Who knows what they are doing with ace. maybe they want to get informations out of him about his boss or they want to put pressure on WB. That they have Ace is a Trump card against whitebeard since he thinks of himself as a father of his man and he would do almost anything for them i´d say. They won´t just let him die since he is very valuable for them! Maybe Whitebeard will sacrifice himself for ace and we will learn some more about gol d. roger and that he did something similar (because i always wondered how they could have cought the strongest pirate. I don´t think they got him through a clean fight!)

Hope the intentions of the WG and whats happening to Ace will play a role in the next chapters!

I also think that there is more than one way to get to the HQ of WG and also to Impel down!
I mean it would be such a long way to deportate every criminal that has to go there to Enies Lobby. Maybe there is more than one gate of justice and more than one judical island.
A underwater passage to fishman island would be stupid because if you want to make Impel down as secure as possible you will have as less entrances as possible.
But maybe they could go there with Frankys submarine and some help of some fishman (they could give them some underwater seecards with a nice fast stream going there or so...)

Still i guess Ace is whitebeards matter and although Luffy will be worried i guess he can´t do much at the moment!

[PirateMusician]

People, the Vivre Card was Ace's, that much is implied to the point of certainty, there is nothing to imply that Oda would pull that sort of twist, since the Vivre Card leading to someone else would mean that it couldn't be used to advance the plot by making the Ace issue come to a head.

And yet many of us also think Luffy won't go to Impel Down -- which also means the Vivre Card can't be used to advanced the plot (unless as someone suggested Luffy hands the card off to WB -- but I really don't see Luffy letting go of the card.)

Clearly the obvious thing is for the Vivre Card to be Ace's. But if we assume Luffy won't go rescue Ace (he isn't a Nakama, a third of the crew hasn't even met him, and Luffy has said several times that being a pirate means being prepared to die) then having a burning Vivre Card pointing to him doesn't move the plot along any further than getting a newspaper about him in Impel Down would have. So I think the Vivre Card must have some other purpose -- and one way it could have another purpose is by not being Ace's after all. Or it could be Ace's, and this is Oda's way of saying, look, this is going to get serious now. Or maybe Ace has escaped but be is on the verge of death and the card will let them save him. Or (to be morbid) maybe it will still point to his corpse after he's dead, so that they can get to Impel Down in the future if need be. I just like the idea of it being someone else's, 'cause... well no reason really :p

Incidentally, assuming your target is stationary (as Ace probably is), you can use the Vivre Card to determine distance, as any good Navigator should know! Just measure the parallax (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallax)! At least, if you weren't on the Grand Line it'd be pretty easy... You have to establish a good reference frame (depicted by the "background" on the diagram on the wiki page -- normally you could use a compass or the sun or stars, etc... on the Grand Line, well, it'd be tricky...) and keep it as you travel a few miles... measuring how far you've gone and the apparent change in direction of your target (Ace)... to within about a degree... ;) but surely Nami could pull it off!

peace-

[Imitorar]

Even if Luffy doesn't go to Impel Down at all, he will know that Ace is in serious danger, and he will have to choose. That IS plot development, since it will force Luffy to make a difficult choice. Although now that I think about it, the fact that Oda DID bother to have Luffy find out through the Vivre Card instead of the Grand Line Times means that they probably WILL use the Vivre Card to get to Impel Down. I just hope they do it AFTER Fishman Island. There really is no way of predicting what direction the story will go in until after the next chapter, since then we'll know whether or not and when there will be an Impel Down arc. Either way, for the Vivre Card not to be Ace's would seem to be against the flow of the story, and the sort of pointless twist that there is no reason to throw in, and would seem to leave NO chance for plot development, whereas the Card being Ace's opens alot of potential paths for plot advancement and character development.

Wait a minute, I just had an idea. I just thought of a possibility where the Card isn't Ace's, and Oda's just been stringing us along until he's gonna throw us a twist. We've seen that Lola didn't give Nami her Vivre Card. She gave Nami her mother's Vivre Card, so that Nami could use it to meet up with Lola's mother and ally with a powerful pirate. Could it be... that Ace did the same thing? That Vivre Card may not be Ace's, it may be... Whitebeard's. Think about it, Ace WOULD expect that Vivre Card to lead to him also, since he expected to have defeated Blackbeard and rejoined the Whitebeard Pirates by the time Luffy got into the New World and had a chance to meet Whitebeard. Having this Vivre Card, which Whitebeard would know had come from one of his crew-mates, would mean that Luffy could ally with the strongest man in the world. It would be a great gift to a younger brother trying to get to the top, a pass that will let him meet the man who IS at the top. A way of testing and sharpening Luffy's ambition. And so, if Luffy has Whitebeard's Vivre Card, and not Ace's, then that means that Ace ISN'T dying. It means that Whitebeard is. This would fit well with those who predicted that Whitebeard would attack the World Government when he heard that Blackbeard had defeated Ace, and would be killed, possibly by Blackbeard. If this is true, I am willing to bet that chapter 490 will be a bit about Luffy having to choose what to do about Ace, and will then shift to the world events, and there it will be revealed that Whitebeard attacked the World Government and was grievously injured in the process. And then the chapter will end with Luffy's decision. Whether or not the chapter goes as I just wrote, my prediction remains: Luffy's Vivre Card may in fact be Whitebeard's.

NOTE: I am not saying that Luffy's Vivre Card's IS Whitebeard's, and there is no way that it is in fact Ace's, as we have been led to believe. I am saying that I see two possibilities, that the Card is Ace's, and that the Card is Whitebeard's, and either one would provide alot of ground for development of plot and character, making both viable possibilities, in my opinion.

[ANBU4U]

Any one notice how OLD the strawhats are collectively? Its refreshing...usually we have to deal with 15 year olds that somehow look 25, but Oda has his ages all over the place. Three Strawhats are straight up adults with Brook being 88, Franky being 34, and Robin being 28.

Sanji and Zoro aren't exactly kids either, at 19 years each. Personally, I think that they're both 20 by now. So they're two more adults.

Nami is 18 if not 19...thats legally an adult too.

Luffy and Ussop are probably "legal" as well, as they were 17 at the start...and are probably 18 by now.

So the only real "kid" on the crew is Chopper, who IS 15, the usual Shonen standard.

Just some fun facts. Oda's work is just so refreshing...I was getting tired of seeing 13 -15 year olds saving the world...showing my age I guess.

[hasin]

i don't think the card belongs to wb. lola had a card and her mother had another. but does the card recognize the owner? it is clear that the card shows the destination of the other card. but what about showing the life force? will lola's card show nami's or lola's life force now? i think it will show nami's. so wb had the card and injured could be possible. but ace's life force declining has a higher personality i think.
i have another prediction. what about the crew wanting to learn ace's condition, then learning about the truth they decide to go to the impel down first. the merman island can wait. what about all blue? it has two possible places to be the sea right before raftel and the merman island. after finding all blue sanji will have no reason to continue further. what if it is at the merman island?? after a great arc of impel down that all the greatest pirates and wg forces participate going there would be better....

[Mische]

i don't think the card belongs to wb. lola had a card and her mother had another. but does the card recognize the owner? it is clear that the card shows the destination of the other card. but what about showing the life force? will lola's card show nami's or lola's life force now? i think it will show nami's. so wb had the card and injured could be possible. but ace's life force declining has a higher personality i think.

I think you got smth. wrong there. As i understood it the card is made out of a fingernail of a person and will point in that persons direction.In the translation Lola says that its pointing towards the direction of the person holding the other half so there is room for speculation but that stuff with the fingernail wouldn´t make sense if it wasn´t connected to the person who gave the nail. Also it shows the life force of the person who gave his nail. I´d say the card doesn´t change origin so lolas mothers card will point to lolas mother and noone else.

There is a possibility that its WBs card that luffy holds but i think more likely is that its pointing towards ace and that it shows aces life force.

I said before that WB may also have a card from ace and all other important members of his crew that are not close too him but traveling around. it would make sense because that way you have a slight control over your peoples position and status and for a man like whitebeard possesing more than one ship its a usefull tool!
So WB probably knows that ace is injured or at least weakened and he probably has already heared the news out of the newspaper --> Go for it WB!


what about all blue? it has two possible places to be the sea right before raftel and the merman island. after finding all blue sanji will have no reason to continue further. what if it is at the merman island??

Yea maybe it is but either he finds it there and then gets another, maybe a little bit deeper goal (yeah i know its a big thing for a cook)
or, and thats most likely, he will find a wounderful oceanview there but the all blue is somewhere else. No matter what happens i don´t think that their dreams will be so seperately fullfilled. i guess there will be an arc after the other where everyone will find what they searched for in the end. That way they will stay together till the end and the crew will maintain their high spirit

[Absolutio]

Any one notice how OLD the strawhats are collectively? Its refreshing...usually we have to deal with 15 year olds that somehow look 25, but Oda has his ages all over the place. Three Strawhats are straight up adults with Brook being 88, Franky being 34, and Robin being 28.

Sanji and Zoro aren't exactly kids either, at 19 years each. Personally, I think that they're both 20 by now. So they're two more adults.

Nami is 18 if not 19...thats legally an adult too.

Luffy and Ussop are probably "legal" as well, as they were 17 at the start...and are probably 18 by now.

So the only real "kid" on the crew is Chopper, who IS 15, the usual Shonen standard.

Just some fun facts. Oda's work is just so refreshing...I was getting tired of seeing 13 -15 year olds saving the world...showing my age I guess.

I though about it too! And you're so right! Some proportions should be made!
And yep, Oda is a genius! :D

[Mrai]

I think that this chapter was really great. My favourite character joined the crew, and Luffy learns that Ace is in danger.

I HOPE Luffy meets Whitebeard or Shanks while going after Ace, or he gets to fight some powerfull Shichibukai while going to rescue Ace(like Doflamingo: I wonder what his power is, tough he is not likely to appear now)

[garaa89]

ace better not die all the character that i like are bitting the dust jiraiya, itachi, and not ace. This sucks.


Added spoilers tag, please use them when talking about recent or important events in other mangas; people could be no be up to date to that series.

[The Boff]

ace better not die all the character that i like are bitting the dust jiraiya, itachi, and not ace. This sucks.

you dont have to worry about that.
Ban of Death in one piece you know ;)
only nonamers die in the current timeline, and people die in flashbacks. thats it. so no worry dude

[Imitorar]

That rule is unofficial, Ace COULD die. I doubt he will, but he could. And either way, he's only DYING, not DEAD. He can still be saved, and might end up surviving.

[Brandvold]

The revelation of biblicards is a much appreciated twist for me, relieving me of one of my biggest concerns about the SH's adventure for quite some time: the predictability of a log pose's travel route. The log pose has slowly but surely grown more and more useless due to it's predictability, and with the SH's growing fame and the WG's growing anger, this was a real concern. Ultimately it almost led to the entire crews demise when Kuma appeared solely as a result of the SH's having no other means of travel than following the log.

The eternal pose having been the only alternative, the addition of biblicards is a great one. The SH's have no connections to any islands in the new world, however they do have connections to people, so this sort of "eternal people pose" will work great for them. As for the speculation in the card not being Ace's; there's just no way it isn't. Oda hardly could've made it clearer. The biblicard mirrors a persons life force and location. It's stated to be something you give to your friends/family so that you'll meet again. And the chapter ends with a degenerating biblicard, that Luffy states to be his brothers, overlaying a picture of Ace with the text "what happened to Ace?!". I mean.. really.

In the next chapters I think we're gona get to see the start of the events the Ace vs BB fight has been fabled to spark. WB will in my mind no doubt react with a decleration of war on the governement. This might relieve some of the WG's pressure on the SH's, but not for long as I believe there is real danger to come. To me, there's no doubt merman island is the next stop. Like others have already stated here; it's the only fitting alternative to the premise of OP. Also, an underwater island is the perfect place to learn more about an underwater prison. Even so, I still doubt Impel down is the next destination after that.

I predict the SH's will run into grave danger in merman island, possibly Jimbei with an order to eradicate. Either by being unable to follow the log due to its predictability, or by simply being in desperate need of help, they will travel towards Lolas mom. The way I see things, that biblicard was entered into the series for reasons of alternative travel. Ace's card however, I believe has a whole other meaning to it; not for directions (their meeting again is still far off) - but for the life force mirroring. Everyone wants to know what's going on with Ace. But, Oda, the genious, wants to keep the tention going and torture us instead of telling. He knows he got to tell us something though, so he gives us this nifty little thing, making the readers take part in the exact same experience Luffy has to go through: the grueling pain of only being able to know what's happening to Ace through a reflection of his life force in a paper. We're gona have to experience this ordeal through the eyes of our heroes, while they, mostly unknowingly of the facts, continue their adventure. Well, just my guess anyhow:)

Predictions:
- Yes, there will be information on WB/Shanks. No, none on Ace.
- Yes, merman island is next stop. No, impel down is not.
- Yes, there will be mermaids. No, sanji will not get lucky :amuse
- Yes, a female mermaid character will be introduced. Yes, she will become a member, but perhaps just an honorary member. They need her short-term for info on impel down, and long-term for having an underwater expert to rescue the DF users. And they even have a nice tank for her to live in..:D

Woah.. Guess I really had a lot to say when the need to vent my thoughts was so great that I cared to register:p

[fallou]

Well...Oda just put us in front of some kinda dillema here didn't he?
I really think the piece of paper is Ace's,'cause why would he have given Luffy a biblicard associated with someone else's life for anyway? Still it doesn't mean Ace has really been taken down to Impel Down. Maybe he's on a ship, being transferred to ID or any other WG prison, or maybe he escaped on his own, but is heavily wounded... I really hope SH meet WB tough: just picture Luffy being his usual self in front of that man,now that'd be fun!!!! Also It's been said here that the straw hat wouldn't be able to take down someone like Aojiki but i think that after the whole cp9 incident the SH's level has much improved. After defeating Rob Lucci and Moria, Luffy should be able to kick any admiral(or vice admiral's ) ass by now... Anyway if the fight between Ace and BB was a trigger to something, I think that it means WB declares war on the WG, takes down a few admirals, Schichibukai or whatever, and that a real WG/pirates war could start out of it...
Too much to think about really
I hope the next spoilers will give us some real clue of what's going to happen 'cause i just can't sleep anymore

[Voidler]

Even if Luffy doesn't go to Impel Down at all, he will know that Ace is in serious danger, and he will have to choose. That IS plot development, since it will force Luffy to make a difficult choice. Although now that I think about it, the fact that Oda DID bother to have Luffy find out through the Vivre Card instead of the Grand Line Times means that they probably WILL use the Vivre Card to get to Impel Down. I just hope they do it AFTER Fishman Island. There really is no way of predicting what direction the story will go in until after the next chapter, since then we'll know whether or not and when there will be an Impel Down arc. Either way, for the Vivre Card not to be Ace's would seem to be against the flow of the story, and the sort of pointless twist that there is no reason to throw in, and would seem to leave NO chance for plot development, whereas the Card being Ace's opens alot of potential paths for plot advancement and character development.

Wait a minute, I just had an idea. I just thought of a possibility where the Card isn't Ace's, and Oda's just been stringing us along until he's gonna throw us a twist. We've seen that Lola didn't give Nami her Vivre Card. She gave Nami her mother's Vivre Card, so that Nami could use it to meet up with Lola's mother and ally with a powerful pirate. Could it be... that Ace did the same thing? That Vivre Card may not be Ace's, it may be... Whitebeard's. Think about it, Ace WOULD expect that Vivre Card to lead to him also, since he expected to have defeated Blackbeard and rejoined the Whitebeard Pirates by the time Luffy got into the New World and had a chance to meet Whitebeard. Having this Vivre Card, which Whitebeard would know had come from one of his crew-mates, would mean that Luffy could ally with the strongest man in the world. It would be a great gift to a younger brother trying to get to the top, a pass that will let him meet the man who IS at the top. A way of testing and sharpening Luffy's ambition. And so, if Luffy has Whitebeard's Vivre Card, and not Ace's, then that means that Ace ISN'T dying. It means that Whitebeard is. This would fit well with those who predicted that Whitebeard would attack the World Government when he heard that Blackbeard had defeated Ace, and would be killed, possibly by Blackbeard. If this is true, I am willing to bet that chapter 490 will be a bit about Luffy having to choose what to do about Ace, and will then shift to the world events, and there it will be revealed that Whitebeard attacked the World Government and was grievously injured in the process. And then the chapter will end with Luffy's decision. Whether or not the chapter goes as I just wrote, my prediction remains: Luffy's Vivre Card may in fact be Whitebeard's.

NOTE: I am not saying that Luffy's Vivre Card's IS Whitebeard's, and there is no way that it is in fact Ace's, as we have been led to believe. I am saying that I see two possibilities, that the Card is Ace's, and that the Card is Whitebeard's, and either one would provide alot of ground for development of plot and character, making both viable possibilities, in my opinion.I was just thinking... What if Blackbeard is now in possession of Ace's Vivre card?
[hr]

Well...Oda just put us in front of some kinda dillema here didn't he?
I really think the piece of paper is Ace's,'cause why would he have given Luffy a biblicard associated with someone else's life for anyway? Still it doesn't mean Ace has really been taken down to Impel Down. Maybe he's on a ship, being transferred to ID or any other WG prison, or maybe he escaped on his own, but is heavily wounded... I really hope SH meet WB tough: just picture Luffy being his usual self in front of that man,now that'd be fun!!!! Also It's been said here that the straw hat wouldn't be able to take down someone like Aojiki but i think that after the whole cp9 incident the SH's level has much improved. After defeating Rob Lucci and Moria, Luffy should be able to kick any admiral(or vice admiral's ) ass by now... Anyway if the fight between Ace and BB was a trigger to something, I think that it means WB declares war on the WG, takes down a few admirals, Schichibukai or whatever, and that a real WG/pirates war could start out of it...
Too much to think about really
I hope the next spoilers will give us some real clue of what's going to happen 'cause i just can't sleep anymoreFighting Aokiji is like if Luffy fought Enel without being immune to lightning. He would've been smoked just like everyone else. I seriously don't see how Luffy could gain an advantage over any Logia user without a clear weakness that can be fashioned by a human body (like sweat/blood for Crocodile) or being the natural enemy like Enel.

Aokiji wiped the floor with Luffy without breaking a sweat, and everybody has said Luffy isn't ready for the new world. Nevermind a Vice-Admiral who is far beyond a Shichibukai

[Akainu]

I was just thinking... What if Blackbeard is now in possession of Ace's Vivre card?


thats not how vivre cards work. this myth might be born from the fact, that lola tore the one she gave to nami apart but thats not the usual.
its a fingerclip given to a shop which fabricates this paper from that.
--> luffy has got a whole paper like that from ace or whoever.
lola had one from her mother. as to give nami one she ripped it and that will lead her to lolas mom not to lola.
so: even if someone else posses the card you will always be lead to the finger the nail was clipped from.

as to answer your question: doesn't matter. bb could have fun doing origami

[fallou]

Well, I just thought since gear 2nd is producing heat...though maybe nothing hot enough to melt Aojiki's ice...anyway I think Luffy's become strong enough to be a match for someone like him, even if he can't win.As for not being ready for the new world, I guess you can't trust a dying Gekko Moria that much.They got rid of him pretty easily compared to someone like Crocodile or Lucci..Maybe the SH have gotten stronger than we think... Luffy always overcomes his weaknesses to defeat his enemy, so he'll find a way, no matter who he's got to fight. The rest of the crew also improve whenever they fight someone stronger than them(cf: Zoro vs.mr1 or Kaku, Sanji with diable jambe against Jaburya...) I agree they have to get better(and they sure will, that's the only unmistakable prediction I can make)but they're good already aren't they?

[Superman]

wow what are you discuss about iam to lazy to read it. is it about predictions or attacks because i read gear 2nd say it please.

[fallou]

Was about strengh...sorry from now on I won't post anything unless it's a prediction.cheers:oh

[Mische]

Fighting Aokiji is like if Luffy fought Enel without being immune to lightning. He would've been smoked just like everyone else. I seriously don't see how Luffy could gain an advantage over any Logia user without a clear weakness that can be fashioned by a human body (like sweat/blood for Crocodile) or being the natural enemy like Enel.

Aokiji wiped the floor with Luffy without breaking a sweat, and everybody has said Luffy isn't ready for the new world. Nevermind a Vice-Admiral who is far beyond a Shichibukai

I totally agree! Logia users actually have a big advantage against Luffy and the Sh´s in generall. Most of their attacks are physical which can´t harm a logia type at all... They have to do smth about that weakness before going to the new world! Maybe a new member that posseses a Logia type fruit. Ace would be perfect but i said before that he most likely wouldn´t serve under his younger brother. At least as a not permanent member it would be possible though.

if he could get some gloves with a sea stone on them that wouldn´t mess with his own abilities he could beat up preatty much everyone that isn´t too fast for him- that would be a ultimate weapon for him ;)

Well, I just thought since gear 2nd is producing heat...though maybe nothing hot enough to melt Aojiki's ice...anyway I think Luffy's become strong enough to be a match for someone like him, even if he can't win.As for not being ready for the new world, I guess you can't trust a dying Gekko Moria that much.They got rid of him pretty easily compared to someone like Crocodile or Lucci..Maybe the SH have gotten stronger than we think... Luffy always overcomes his weaknesses to defeat his enemy, so he'll find a way, no matter who he's got to fight. The rest of the crew also improve whenever they fight someone stronger than them(cf: Zoro vs.mr1 or Kaku, Sanji with diable jambe against Jaburya...) I agree they have to get better(and they sure will, that's the only unmistakable prediction I can make)but they're good already aren't they?

Of course Luffy will grow as his enemys get stronger but for now someone wiith the rank of Aokiji or above is way off for the SH´s! He froze a path in the see that should stay for 2 complete weeks as he said. That needs an unimaginable amount of power!
If they would fight and win against someone of that rang the next step would be Sengoku and the yankous. For now every shinshibukai left really is a tough step so they haven´t come to a point where they can fight equally against a admiral i´d say!

[Superman]

Was about strengh...sorry from now on I won't post anything unless it's a prediction.cheers:oh

post whatever you wanna post i am not an admin and i wrote it wrong in my previous post i meant i was to lazy to read anything from this threat because the posts are so long.
then i read gear 2nd and just wanna ask.;)

[Finale]

It's likely Ace's paper and he's just really injuried from his fight with BB. Lola gave Nami her mother's life paper because the rolling pirates are heading in the opposite direction. But I really expect WB to attack some WG personel or installation. WB has to respond because Blackbeard has kill one division commander and captured another. The World government must keep that in mind as well. Also although the Yonkou are very powerful the major threat to the WG are the Revolutionaries led by Dragon. I'm surprised they weren't listed in the great powers. WB may be the "strongest man" but Dragon is the most wanted.

[fallou]

Yosh!! what about Dragon joining WB to rescue Ace?After all he's his son(though if he's like Garp he might as well let him die lol).We only have a few clues about it but maybe he's some wind logia user, and very powerful too.That'd be great to see him again.Man's got some class, with that tatoo on his face :D

[garaa89]

maybe we will get to see shank and luffy meet each other wend they go to save ace.

[Schabrak]

Dragon did'nt seem to care what his sons did till thaz chapter, so why would he give off his postion and go to a PRISON to free his son? His not on the pirates site either.

The mermaid isle was promised for a long time no. Let's just hope that Impel Down(middle of 2.part of GL?) is behind the "first" isle.^^

[fallou]

Don't know, said this for fun actually, but you never know...I have no idea what's going to be next, so I'm proposing stupid stuff:p
Anyway I can't wait to see what's going on in the rest of the world.
maybe war's coming..

[k-dom]

That rule is unofficial, Ace COULD die. I doubt he will, but he could. And either way, he's only DYING, not DEAD. He can still be saved, and might end up surviving.

well it's a rule that has been true for ten years now. And also I don't like it, it would be worse that Oda break it after so long

[garaa89]

i was reading the chapter about the fight between ace and blackbear and it said that would be the trigger for something maybe a everybody going to help ace.

[fallou]

i was reading the chapter about the fight between ace and blackbear and it said that would be the trigger for something maybe a everybody going to help ace.
You're right I think it's the trigger for smthg BIG...given the way WB usually acts if he's going to rescue Ace he might also destroy Impel Down. Enies Lobby and ID out of the picture, the WG wouldn't bear that...and declare open war on the whole pirate world( I know I've said war like a hundred time today, but this is really the way I see things happening) As for the SH helping to free Ace that would just be another rescue arc, as many people already pointed out.

[MrTeatime]

Two things I dont understand:

1.
How could Moria be on of the 8th? The goverment wants wellknown pirates for the job and the disapperance of ships in the Florian triangle was supposed to be a mystery. And even if He was wellknown; became entagled with the gov and then hid in the florian triangle..well..it just seem unlikely considering the massive reliance upon the collected shadows.

2.
i forgot what it was while writing the first, witch suck because it was the interesting one.....:notrust

deit: I remembered what it was:
How come the seamonsters live in the calm belt?
It was said it was because it never storm there, or even blow the faintest breeze.
But as anyone who know anything about the sea knows; the fish need nutrition to live and grow and without wind the sea lies still and all nutrition silters down to the ocean floor. I fact, fishpopulation increases in stormy years as nutrition is brought up from the depths.

Therefore the living of seamonsters in the calm belts are completely mysterious. Or simply a misstake by Oda, but as we know from the readers questions; Oda never makes misstakes^^.

[Bartholomew Kuma]

Does the Biblicard only works in the new world or it was a mistranslation?
Because it moved in Thriller Bark.

[Absolutio]

Yea, I didn't get that part either.
I think they mean it's something that origins in the new world, so it's reasonable for the mugiwaras to not know about it..
just my speculation.

[Imitorar]

The proper translation of the line was "They only have Vivre Cards in the New World." Vivre is French for life, and Lola DID say it was called "The Card of Life", and it isn't that they don't work outside the New World, it's just that the art of making them hasn't spread to outside the New World.

[Voidler]

Well, I just thought since gear 2nd is producing heat...though maybe nothing hot enough to melt Aojiki's ice...anyway I think Luffy's become strong enough to be a match for someone like him, even if he can't win.As for not being ready for the new world, I guess you can't trust a dying Gekko Moria that much.They got rid of him pretty easily compared to someone like Crocodile or Lucci..Maybe the SH have gotten stronger than we think... Luffy always overcomes his weaknesses to defeat his enemy, so he'll find a way, no matter who he's got to fight. The rest of the crew also improve whenever they fight someone stronger than them(cf: Zoro vs.mr1 or Kaku, Sanji with diable jambe against Jaburya...) I agree they have to get better(and they sure will, that's the only unmistakable prediction I can make)but they're good already aren't they?Luffy was really lucky to have had those 1000 shadows, or I don't think he would've made much of a difference. Gekko and Oz were having a relatively easy time with the Strawhats. Even with Gear 2 and 3, Luffy may not have won.

Unless somehow Luffy's rubber "absorbs" the information of Nightmare transformation (which would be cool), he's not gonna get that sort of power again any time soon. Like that though, yes he may even be able to take on Aokiji
[hr]

I totally agree! Logia users actually have a big advantage against Luffy and the Sh´s in generall. Most of their attacks are physical which can´t harm a logia type at all... They have to do smth about that weakness before going to the new world! Maybe a new member that posseses a Logia type fruit. Ace would be perfect but i said before that he most likely wouldn´t serve under his younger brother. At least as a not permanent member it would be possible though.

Well Ace would be Aokiji's natural enemy. Usually Logias negate eachother, but fire would simply melt Ice. I think Ace would wipe the floor with Aokiji. But to be honest, if Ace came into the group and started fighting the really big enemies instead of Luffy, I'd be dissapointed. I don't want that

[fallou]

Luffy was really lucky to have had those 1000 shadows, or I don't think he would've made much of a difference. Gekko and Oz were having a relatively easy time with the Strawhats. Even with Gear 2 and 3, Luffy may not have won.

Unless somehow Luffy's rubber "absorbs" the information of Nightmare transformation (which would be cool), he's not gonna get that sort of power again any time soon. Like that though, yes he may even be able to take on Aokiji
<hr noshade size="1">

Well Ace would be Aokiji's natural enemy. Usually Logias negate eachother, but fire would simply melt Ice. I think Ace would wipe the floor with Aokiji. But to be honest, if Ace came into the group and started fighting the really big enemies instead of Luffy, I'd be dissapointed. I don't want that

Actually I checked and it's true the shadows help Luffy a lot, but to weaken Oz and not Moria..he takes 100 shadows, not 1000, but really defeats Oz and Moria without any of them. It's that schichibukai who has a 1000 shadows...and gets beaten by Luffy who has none. But thinking about it, Moria's power depends alot on his ability. He doesn't seem to have alot of strenght when not controlling shadows. Maybe Donquixotte Doflamingo's like that too. Could Aokiji be a match for Ace? If he turned his ice into water, for exemple...fire would melt ice,but ice could extinguish fire also..I wonder..:amuse

[Voidler]

Actually I checked and it's true the shadows help Luffy a lot, but to weaken Oz and not Moria..he takes 100 shadows, not 1000, but really defeats Oz and Moria without any of them. It's that schichibukai who has a 1000 shadows...and gets beaten by Luffy who has none. But thinking about it, Moria's power depends alot on his ability. He doesn't seem to have alot of strenght when not controlling shadows. Maybe Donquixotte Doflamingo's like that too. Could Aokiji be a match for Ace? If he turned his ice into water, for exemple...fire would melt ice,but ice could extinguish fire also..I wonder..:amuseTrue, I wasn't sure on the number. And I believe Moria was defeated because he just went overboard, and he was weakened already and wasn't as strong as Luffy (Oz most definitely was though). Moria was the kind of guy who got strong by surrounding himself with strong people, he said it himself. When it came down to fighting Luffy, he went overboard trying to handle all those shadows and all Luffy had to do was punch them out of him at that point. It was a desperation move that failed

We don't know much about Doflamingo to say that

As for fire versus ice. You can't freeze fire, and ice doesn't necessarily put out fire either. In any case, I think Ace's fire skills are more malleable and easier to melt ice than ice putting out a fire with no source. Aokiji can only control ice BTW, he can't control water except for freezing it

Of course there could be other things Aokiji could attempt. For example he could make all the air around him ice cold so that fire couldn't exist in such air. It wouldn't be that simple of a fight

[OPNpwnz]

I bet that the world government will use Ace as bait to get to luffy in the future ( highly unlikely but it would make for some entertainment)

i think that they will go to save Ace because why ould they have gone through the explanation of the paper's ability to point the person in the direction of the papers origional owner.hey, that could happen because didnt Kuma ask Nami if Luffy had a brother? So maybe the World Government is trying to do something like that.

Btw isnt this just a huge slap in the face for Whitebeard? I'll bet Shanks is saying "I told you so." If only that stubborn giant listened to him. He let poor Ace get screwed.

[belle_chan]

oh ace,please don`t die! i`m going to be very sad then. whitebeard should go and save him.

btw, it seemed like ace has been to the new world before since he knew about the life card thing. you only can make it with your fingernail blended into it in new world,right?

[Absolutio]

of course ace has been to the new world! He's part of WB crew! WB, one of the 4 emperors who rule over the new world..

[Mische]

Well Ace would be Aokiji's natural enemy. Usually Logias negate eachother, but fire would simply melt Ice. I think Ace would wipe the floor with Aokiji. But to be honest, if Ace came into the group and started fighting the really big enemies instead of Luffy, I'd be dissapointed. I don't want that

True i don´t want to see that eather but thats not how i meant it. I just pointed out that the Sh´s have a problem with Logia type users. Every Logia type so far (at least as i remember) had a big advantage towards luffy. Smoker and Aokiji left him no chance. When it comes to Crocodile he was "lucky" and smart enough to beat him by using his own blod but that wont work for every Logia type fruit.
Thats why i mentioned that they need someone that has an advantage or can at least fight equally against this type. Ace would be an example but of course its impossible that he would join permanent If there was a strong oponent for both of them though it would be ok for one arc!
Maybe we will have them fight side by side sometime. They both are the "new age" anyway.

[belle_chan]

oh,yeah...i`m totally forgot about that :p

[TheGenius]

Ace won't die....he's a D, they are known to be very very nimble concerning life and death, look at Luffy, he survived many hadrships.

Hey do you guys think that Luffy is going to fight he's father?

[garaa89]

maybe WB is going to save ace and wend he meets luffy again he is going to be like "where the hell were you, why do you think i gave you that piece of paper for? i almost died"

[Wale]

Hey do you guys think that Luffy is going to fight he's father?

I think Dragon will ask Luffy to join the rebellion.. or something like that. And after he aks him, Luffy is going to refuse him.

[Akainu]

omg, just got an idea:
scene is after dragon fought someone off, sh have watched it all

luffy: join my crew dad
dragon: join my rebellion, togehter as father and son we can rule the universe - um - grandline
luffy: I asked you to join my crew
dragon: join my rebellion
luffy: I've asked you first
dragon: you tenacious little brat, didn't dadan raise you properly?
luffy: who? wtf are you talking about? nevermind let 's settle this...

[kaylee]

Chapter 490 is out!! Get your fix HERE (http://mangahelpers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26556)!!

Have fun predicting! :D

[Absolutio]

WOOT! mermaid island arc, here we come!
And apperently luffy didn't go after ace. What a carefree person!
Anyways, I'm gonna check now if this mermaid is from hatchan's side story.. :p
[hr]
YEP! both the mermaid and the talking sea-star are from hatchan's side story, so this store is probably hatchan's! xD
http://groups.msn.com/onepiecemangav-2/hatachansseafloorstroll.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=10286

[zidane]

can it be that this mermaid will be a new crewmember? :D

well, she already has some charisma if you ask me^^

but even if she isn't...i bet that the next crewmember will be a female...that's for sure!

[Absolutio]

Well, she gets eaten alot=she's weak? So maybe she doesn't fit for the SH life?

[Imitorar]

Because Usopp and Nami TOTALLY weren't pushovers in the beginning. I mean, they still are, but only when compared to the other Straw Hats.

I LOVED this chapter. This will be the first arc that I read entirely weekly ( I caught up to Thriller Bark 3 chapters into it), and I can't wait. I loved how Luffy gave the speech about it not being his job to save Ace, it was everything I expected. I also loved the references to past adventures and events, the crew is starting to really feel like a bunch of old friends with old shared adventures. I also like how the characters seem to have developed alot towards becoming the people they have to become to achieve their dreams, and the development was highlighted by contrasting the Red Line with Reverse Mountain. I loved how Garp is shown to be at official meetings. Ladies and gentleman, feast your eyes on Luffy in 50 years. I also liked how Oda showed us a few really cool adventures and situations, but only made it take about a page or so. It showed the wonders of the Grand Line, but didn't slow the story down, and we can imagine the adventures for ourselves. I liked how Oda built up a sense of hopelessness of them ever getting to Fishman Island right before he reveals their ticket in.

As for Carmie (I don't know how it's usually Romanized, that's what I'm calling her for now), I think that if a Merperson/Fishperson DOES join, it will probably end up being her. On the other hand, she's shown no inclination to leave Fishman Island, and has a nice job there and stuff, so I think her role in this arc will probably be (to use the example of someone from the Spoiler Thread) analogous to that of Conis in Skypiea. Carmie will open the arc and guide the Straw Hats through it until the situation reaches the point where we know who the villains are and what they're doing and why. Either way, this arc is gonna be great!

[Mische]

I already like that mermaid! She is so goofy. Her reaction on the Sh´s was really funny. another interesting character that tends to get into funny situation ;) This beeing eaten stuff is already the perfect running gag for her :)

Other that that i predict that the SH´s will, with the help of their new little friend, find a way to mermaid island and up the cliffs (yeah hard to predict i know^^).
Maybe there is a lift driven by the pressure of the water behind that wall.
An underwater entrance is also possible since mermaid island is said to be under the water. But if its on the other side of the wall maybe they have a sluice or so.

I think that Nami and that mermaid are eather gettin best friends or hate each other really much.
That : gimme 500 berri could have come from her and somebody already said that they look a bit alike exept for the mouth.

btw. if they say that the Sh´s are coming closer to the headquater doesn´t that mean that its the same for impel down? If yes than a rescue mission, at least after going to mermaid island, is still a possibility. Maybe that way they´ll meet whitebeard and get a first impression of the New World ;)

[PirateMusician]

Awesome chapter! Just gotta comment that if Caimie does join the crew, it's clear what her job will be...

BAIT!!!! :p

[Moogle Mango]

I loved the interaction the straw hats have with Caimie! It's just hilarious! OMG A BUNCH OF HUMANS!! OMG A MERMAID! haha!

[The Boff]

I love One Piece. I really do.

this chapter has no big fights in it. no huge plotdeveloping OMG moments. its just the strawhats living their life in the Grand Line.
but im still glued to the screen for every single frame.


how many shonen mangas/animes can do that?
only one and that is One Piece.
greatest friggin manga ever.

[Koen]

Sanji was really lucky with girls for one time. A beauty mermaid who had to fall on him. Awesome

Camie will prolly get the strawhats to mermaid Island but I don't she'll be a new crew member, I think she's more like a female character that played a major role just for the arc

anyway it was really funny at the end

[Koen]

I have been thinking but could it be Oda gave us a huge hint when he'll end the one piece saga: 982 chapters since luffy said they were halfway or something like that - not litteraly of course

anyway for sure that mermaid will lead them to MI

[Saintz0r]

I liked the mermaid XD, she's cute.
And I predict that Nami will be jealous of her and Sanji !( nah, just kidding )
btw, Lola's crew must've been pwned o.o

[ANBU4U]

Yea, I think Brook's goodbye (and Ussop's reaction to it) were foreshadowing.

"Don't get annihilated!"

[renrutal]

I have been thinking but could it be Oda gave us a huge hint when he'll end the one piece saga: 982 chapters since luffy said they were halfway or something like that - not litteraly of course

anyway for sure that mermaid will lead them to MI

Actually, that would be more 390 chapters since they arrived in the Red Line for the first time in chapter 100. 490 + 390 = 880 chapters.

At this rate, they have 1 captain, 4 ppl from the blue oceans, 4 ppl from the 1st grand line, and perhaps more 4 from the 2nd grand line.

13 is a good crew number :)


Edit:

About Camie, we have seen her before in Hatchan's Sea Floor Stroll mini-arc of One Piece first page chapters. She works in Hatchan's takoyaki restaurant. Hatchan eve saved her from being eaten by a big fish.

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/8169/31023187ic4.jpg

[Non-Life]

I LOVED this chapter!!! KANPAI!!!
Seeing Sengoku (sounds like Son Goku, haha) freak out at Garp, the natural turmoils the Strawhats endured before reaching the Red Line (I guess you can believe that there will be filler episodes of One piece after Thrill Bark, or Park; I want to see Brooke so bad in a filler arc!), Brooke asking Nami what panties she's wearing from the Shark Sub, .

What I want to know is:
1. How can Garp work with Sengoku, who sent out Kuma to destroy the Strawhats; and return with Luffy's head.
2. What were those giant beings in the mist behind Thriller Bark (I'm sure they're huge if they're really
bigger than Thriller Bark, the ship)
3. How has Zoro changed now that he absorbed Luffy's "pain and exhaustion" (I don't know if all of it's
from the whole Thriller Bark trip or when Luffy first set off on his pirate king dream).
4. Didn't Luffy sound smart? when he talked about the Red Line on page 9?
5. Isn't that the same mermaid who Hacchi (six-armed octopus-swordsman) ran into after leaving
Arlong? From the filler shown on each chapter's coverpage?

[Mische]

I LOVED this chapter!!! KANPAI!!!
Seeing Sengoku (sounds like Son Goku, haha) freak out at Garp, the natural turmoils the Strawhats endured before reaching the Red Line (I guess you can believe that there will be filler episodes of One piece after Thrill Bark, or Park; I want to see Brooke so bad in a filler arc!), Brooke asking Nami what panties she's wearing from the Shark Sub, .

What I want to know is:
1. How can Garp work with Sengoku, who sent out Kuma to destroy the Strawhats; and return with Luffy's head.
2. What were those giant beings in the mist behind Thriller Bark (I'm sure they're huge if they're really
bigger than Thriller Bark, the ship)
3. How has Zoro changed now that he absorbed Luffy's "pain and exhaustion" (I don't know if all of it's
from the whole Thriller Bark trip or when Luffy first set off on his pirate king dream).
4. Didn't Luffy sound smart? when he talked about the Red Line on page 9?
5. Isn't that the same mermaid who Hacchi (six-armed octopus-swordsman) ran into after leaving
Arlong? From the filler shown on each chapter's coverpage?

1. Sengoku didn´t give that order to Kuma it most likely came from the big bosses as Sengoku has to report to them now. He´s an underlining just as garp although in a higher position. Garp himself was ready to destroy the Sh´s when Aokiji ordert him so i guess its no big deal...
5. Yes it is.
the rest we will see ;)

About Carnie:
From Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kissing_gourami):"Kissing gouramis are also popular with aquarists for the fish's peculiar "kissing" behaviour of other fish, plants, and other objects...The aquarium's back glass should not be cleaned during regular maintenance, as the gouramis will feed on the algae grown there."

At least they have someone to clean their aquarium now :p

[Absolutio]

to your question 5, yes it is. same with the star, and the store is hacchi's store. I already said that like 5 posts before you.. :s

[Gunslinger47]

This is a wild speculation at this point, but I'm thinking Nami and Camie could possibly be related. Sisters or half-sisters, perhaps?

We know from Kokoro that it is possible for mermaids to change into a two-legged form... though she had webbed toes like this and Nami obviously doesn't.

[pcxxy]

superb chapter! i totally love it.

from the initial spoilers, i thought that mermaid was really hot.. but in the scanlation release... well she is still pretty pretty but her lips are kinda funky :3

[HikaruYami]

Her lips aren't especially wierd, in fact they're more realistic for a girl who wears any lipstick than any other girl in this series. The only wierd part is how easily she does a WTF reaction.

Anyway... well, luckily I don't think that this mermaid will join the crew (not that anyone suggested it, but it IS the first "beautiful" mermaid they've ever met), since she has a well-established place among the merpeople, but I think the final crew member should be the 3rd female (remember, Luffy said 10 members! we need one more~), so that member should also be the only one to come from the Red Line. Maybe they could meet her (hopefully her) around chapter 600~

But more on the topic of this discussion, they're halfway through the grand line! Oda is certainly holding true to 1000 chapters. They'll probably make it past the Red Line in 40 to 60 chapters, depending on their stay at Merman island.

[garaa89]

maybe there is a Knock-down Stream so they can get to the sea floor.

[k-dom]

Is it me or the last image of the episode is weird ? Why are they ALL making such a face ? Is someone coming ?

[Akainu]

wasn't that because camie made a mistake? or probably because her seastar spoke?
btw.: will they meet hachan again?
as for predicting I won't this week - just everything could happen

[Absolutio]

actually, if you notice, Brooke is considered the 8th crew memeber, meaning that there are 2 more to go. ;)

[Wale]

I think it's too early to say, that Camie will join the SH Crew..

[DutchPhoenix]

i think they meet hachan again haha

[Navid.]

I love One Piece. I really do.

this chapter has no big fights in it. no huge plotdeveloping OMG moments. its just the strawhats living their life in the Grand Line.
but im still glued to the screen for every single frame.


how many shonen mangas/animes can do that?
only one and that is One Piece.
greatest friggin manga ever.

Can I get an Amen... :D

I love the fact that Luffy isn't like every other Shonen main character and will at the slightest sign of somone being in trouble make his way over there and try to rescue them... Im looking at you Naruto and in many ways you as well Ichigo.

To change the subject a bit, where does Zoro keep those massive weights???

And finally love that last frame of the chapter where everyone has a WTF look. :D

[GomuGomuMonkey]

apparently now we have a wacky female character. A female version of usopp/luffy

[black_crow]

I think that she will join the crew after this new arc ends~
This arc seems like its gonna be a fun one. maybe not as serious, then again the strawhats are almost never serious. hahaha

I think that they will meet up with ace again, i hope they show how he escapes and all that jazz

[Absolutio]

i think they meet hachan again haha

I'm sure they will meet Hacchan again! xD


I think that she will join the crew after this new arc ends~
This arc seems like its gonna be a fun one. maybe not as serious, then again the strawhats are almost never serious. hahaha

I think that they will meet up with ace again, i hope they show how he escapes and all that jazz

I don't think that any arc in this series started seriously. Even in water 7 they were having a great time before all of the trouble.


Is it me or the last image of the episode is weird ? Why are they ALL making such a face ? Is someone coming ?

Dunno how numb did you get to talking-animals after seeing chopper talk for so long, but usually, animals don't talk.. ;)
Maybe it's a sea-star fishman.. O_o


I have been thinking but could it be Oda gave us a huge hint when he'll end the one piece saga: 982 chapters since luffy said they were halfway or something like that - not litteraly of course

anyway for sure that mermaid will lead them to MI

I don't think that Oda himself knows how long it will take him to finish this series.. Franky speaking, in his original plans he was supposed to get to this point of this story in 2.5 years... ;)

[Finale]

Camie is a very fun character from the little we've seen so far. She is certainly silly enough to be a strawhat. I really think that some type of female mermaid is going to join the crew. It may or may not be Camie. I bet somtime in the next few chapters Sanji will ask how old she is to see how soon she'll get her legs. Can't wait for next chapter. And if Brook keeps making comments like those to Nami he's going to have a more fractured skull.

[Finale]

Aside from figuring out the way to MI. I predict that Brook makes some lewd comments to Camie and is promptly beaten by Nami and Sanji. I wonder how Nami will react when she learns about Hatchan. She and Camie may have some arguments, since Hatchan was part of Arlongs crew and Camie was saved by Hatchan.

[MrAlexSan00]

if they say that the Sh´s are coming closer to the headquater doesn´t that mean that its the same for impel down? If yes than a rescue mission, at least after going to mermaid island, is still a possibility. Maybe that way they´ll meet whitebeard and get a first impression of the New World ;)

No, Impel Down is located behind the Gates of Justice at Enis Lobby. Thats where Robin and Franky were being taken to be tortured so that Spandam could find either the location of Pluton or get the plans of Pluton from Franky. Of course Oda hasn't given a full map showing how close Enis Lobby is from the Red Line, but if Enis Lobby isn't in the Florian Triangle (which I doubt) then it is no where near where the Shrawhats are right now.


As for this chapter, I think they'll ask Kamie for help for going to mermaid island when Hatchan will reappear looking for Kamie then will not recognize the Strawhats at first, but then will threaten to fight them again, but is beaten really quickly or stopped by Kamie. There will be mostly plot development on how to get to Merman Island.

[heiky0711]

How many times to SH have to go through the red line? I think it goes through twice one for the first half and second half of the grand line.

http://www.onemanga.com/One_Piece/490/10-11/

Because Luffy said i think after the 3rd time he'll become a pirate king!

Can someone please clarify about this geographical of one piece as i'm a bit confused. Thanks :)

[MrAlexSan00]

Can I get an Amen... :D


AMEN BROTHER!

I love how each character has his or her own strengths and each character is kept in balance to each other, and how other characters don't overshadow each other. Somehow, just somehow, I love every single character in the series. Oda is a genius!

:luffy

I think they need more One Piece related smilies.

[k-dom]

I think that she will join the crew after this new arc ends~


well it is a bit early to make such speculation. So far, she looks more like Conis to me : a character which will guide them to mermaid island.
If we continue the analogy with Skypia arc (which is tempting : one above the sea, one under ) their might be no new member at the end of this one

[Organizized]

If we continue the analogy with Skypia arc (which is tempting : one above the sea, one under ) their might be no new member at the end of this one

And at this point I certainly hope that's what'll happen. All this hype about a female mermaid that's been going on for sooo long, I never believed in it. Maybe I just don't want to have been wrong for so long, but somehow a mermaid never fit into my image of the Straw Hat crew.

Well, I suppose I might always change my mind as mermaid island arc goes on. It's happened before so many times.

[Akainu]

How many times to SH have to go through the red line? I think it goes through twice one for the first half and second half of the grand line.

http://www.onemanga.com/One_Piece/490/10-11/

Because Luffy said i think after the 3rd time he'll become a pirate king!

Can someone please clarify about this geographical of one piece as i'm a bit confused. Thanks :)

redline 1st time: they needed to surpass rivers mountain in order to get to the grandline.
redline 2nd time: in order to get to the 'new world' they will somehow have to get over or under it here. thats where they are now.
redline 3rd time: that will be after the strawhats have reached raftel (last island of the grandline) and luffy logically should be pirateking by that time.

[Yami_Yami_No_Mi_89]

What about Jimbei? I'm pretty sure we'll meet him in this arc... I predict next chapter will show us mermaid island :-)

[Organizized]

Well I'm not sure of it at all. I mean, just because Jimbei is a fishman doesn't mean he's going to be on mermaid island. Though the reason I don't want him to be there is what makes me think he might: the schichibukai seem to keep appearing one after another.

Really, the schichibukai are some of the most powerful enemies the Straw Hats have. They shouldn't just be beaten one after the other like that. And I can't imagine them running into Jimbei without it turning into a fight. Still, it's a pretty much perfect enemy for this arc so I'm prepared for it.

[MrAlexSan00]

How many times to SH have to go through the red line? I think it goes through twice one for the first half and second half of the grand line.
Can someone please clarify about this geographical of one piece as i'm a bit confused. Thanks :)

basically, as the Grand Line is the equator of the world, going from West to East, The Red line is a huge continent that encircles the world from North to South, splitting the Grand Line into two oceans.

This is where the four Blues come from, because the Grand Line and Red Line split the world's oceans into four.

[Absolutio]

No, Impel Down is located behind the Gates of Justice at Enis Lobby. Thats where Robin and Franky were being taken to be tortured so that Spandam could find either the location of Pluton or get the plans of Pluton from Franky. Of course Oda hasn't given a full map showing how close Enis Lobby is from the Red Line, but if Enis Lobby isn't in the Florian Triangle (which I doubt) then it is no where near where the Shrawhats are right now.


As for this chapter, I think they'll ask Kamie for help for going to mermaid island when Hatchan will reappear looking for Kamie then will not recognize the Strawhats at first, but then will threaten to fight them again, but is beaten really quickly or stopped by Kamie. There will be mostly plot development on how to get to Merman Island.

Actually, Impel Down and the Marin HeadQuarters are reachable after the gates of justice, they're not behind them. Behind the gates of justice is part of the calm belt.

[Vizard5]

wow zoro is lifting 2 tons with one arm.. that's insane..

[Imitorar]

I LOVED this chapter!!! KANPAI!!!
Seeing Sengoku (sounds like Son Goku, haha) freak out at Garp, the natural turmoils the Strawhats endured before reaching the Red Line (I guess you can believe that there will be filler episodes of One piece after Thrill Bark, or Park; I want to see Brooke so bad in a filler arc!), Brooke asking Nami what panties she's wearing from the Shark Sub, .

What I want to know is:
1. How can Garp work with Sengoku, who sent out Kuma to destroy the Strawhats; and return with Luffy's head.
2. What were those giant beings in the mist behind Thriller Bark (I'm sure they're huge if they're really
bigger than Thriller Bark, the ship)
3. How has Zoro changed now that he absorbed Luffy's "pain and exhaustion" (I don't know if all of it's
from the whole Thriller Bark trip or when Luffy first set off on his pirate king dream).
4. Didn't Luffy sound smart? when he talked about the Red Line on page 9?
5. Isn't that the same mermaid who Hacchi (six-armed octopus-swordsman) ran into after leaving
Arlong? From the filler shown on each chapter's coverpage?
In order:

Sengoku is Fleet Admiral, he's in charge of all the Marines. Therefore, of course Garp has to report back to him, since Garp and Kuma BOTH were sent out to capture/kill Luffy, so they're both reporting on the same order. Plus, Garp probably knows Luffy better then most Marines, as his grandfather, so he'd be wanted for information.
I think those were left there to give an impression of the mysteries and wonders of the Grand Line, as were the circular rainbow, the candy rain, the catfish, and the ocean snake currents. I think it was based off the Loch Ness monster, personally, since it looked a bit like Nessie is said to, and the Loch Ness monster is also a mysterious, unexplained sea creature. Either way, as Luffy would say, "It's a mystery sea creature."
I would say based on the previous chapter that he is a bit calmer, since he has fully accepted his role in the crew as the steel to back Luffy up when he needs it, and is not going to be as gruff as before, since he won't be chafing at the bit so much and resenting Luffy's stupidity, he seems to have fully accepted the crew for what it is. But he'll still be tough and calm and serious and bit impatient sometimes with others screwing around, because that's who Zoro is. I just think it might be balanced out with a hint of calmness from now on.
Yes, but he DID learn all about that from Gaimon and Nami, and either way, it's GOOD that Luffy is getting a bit smarter. The Straw Hats have been developing as characters throughout the story, and now that they're about halfway through the Grand Line, it's really starting to show. Zoro's calmed down a bit, Robin's opened up, Nami has gotten a bit less greedy, and as we saw this week, Luffy has gotten a bit smarter and become a better leader (but he's still childish and simple-minded, just a bit smarter in his simplicity.) and Usopp and Chopper have gotten a bit braver (Usopp would NEVER have been that calm about the sea-rabbit before, he's getting braver, and the same goes for Chopper). Oda didn't break character for any of them at all, he's DEVELOPING the characters.
Yeah, that's the same mermaid from Hatchan's side-story. It's his takoyaki stand she works at, so I assume there will be a reunion between Hatchan and the Straw Hats. I'm betting the reactions will be hilarious. And by the way, I STILL think that Caimy will not join the crew, but will instead guide them through Fishman Island and introduce them to the events and characters that will set up the arc.

[Imitorar]

Well I'm not sure of it at all. I mean, just because Jimbei is a fishman doesn't mean he's going to be on mermaid island. Though the reason I don't want him to be there is what makes me think he might: the schichibukai seem to keep appearing one after another.

Really, the schichibukai are some of the most powerful enemies the Straw Hats have. They shouldn't just be beaten one after the other like that. And I can't imagine them running into Jimbei without it turning into a fight. Still, it's a pretty much perfect enemy for this arc so I'm prepared for it.
They've beaten two, and fought three, one of whom kicked their asses pretty well. I'll admit, I'm not too fond of Jimbei showing up now, but only because they just beat a Shichibukai, and beating another one after a week will mean their bounties will go up and the World Government will have to reveal the defeats of at least Jimbei, since all of Fishman Island would probably know about it, and they'd probably HAVE to launch a Buster Call on the Straw Hats if they took out three Shichibukai, and two of them in quick succession.

On the other hand, this really IS a very good point for Jimbei to make his appearance, but it might be that Oda has thought of a better point to introduce him at later, or that he will only have a cameo appearance, but will not be a major player in the arc. (Perhaps he will show up, monitor Fishman Island to make sure things are going well, and will then leave, perhaps after setting his minions on the Straw Hats. Or people will mention him, and we'll get to see what he really looks like, but he won't actually show up. I'm guessing one of those two, or some other possibility where Jimbei is mentioned, and perhaps shown, but doesn't come to Fishman Island/stay on Fishman Island long enough to be a major factor in the arc.

[Raysen_ht]

I think in this arc Sanji will find "All Blue" because, if it exists, this is the
only place i can think of that all four seas get together... and he will be forced
to choose between going with the SH or staying in his dream place!!
If jimbei is on the island i think that he will be fighting someone other than
the strawhats, i mean Oda wouldn´t make another shishiboucai as the main enemy...it
would get to repetitive.
As for next chapter, i believe they will get information on how to get to the mermaid
island, something like they´ll have to wait until the island resurfice or something
and we may see Hacchan too

OFF
Can anyone tell me what "ftw" stands for?

[Absolutio]

ftw=for the win...

And even if All Blue is indeed there (which I highly doubt), Sanji is a strawhat through flesh and bones, and you could've seen it like 5 chapters ago, when he wanted to give his life for luffy or even zoro's.

[Raysen_ht]

ftw=for the win...

And even if All Blue is indeed there (which I highly doubt), Sanji is a strawhat through flesh and bones, and you could've seen it like 5 chapters ago, when he wanted to give his life for luffy or even zoro's.

THX for the (ftw)

Thats true, but that chapter was more about zoro´s development and his role in the crew than about Sanji! So this is the perfect opportunity to show how much he got close to the strawhats in the same way that chapter (485 i think) showed that for Zoro

If All blue is not there, where else could it be??

OFF
What about "OMG"??

I was in Israel last month beatifull place!!!

Please stay on topic. Use PM's if you want to have off-topic discusssions with a member.

[Freakzin]

loved the chapter , i LOVE Camie, hum i don't even care what's next week, I know i'm gonna like
on the long run i'd like to see the main vilain being another underdog as the Strawhats , but an evil underdog of course
off: Oh My God.

[garaa89]

maybe we will meet jimbei but he is going to be at war eith other fishman to see who will rule the land because it said that the fishman crew split thats why arlong was in the east blue.

[Ustegius]

maybe we will meet jimbei but he is going to be at war eith other fishman to see who will rule the land because it said that the fishman crew split thats why arlong was in the east blue.

I dont know, Strawhats in middle of a civil war sounds too much like Alabasta to me, though otherwise good idea. Now that you mentioned it I actually hope that there will be atleast something about these allinces inside merman/fishman.

I also think that Camie will 'Conis' of the arc. It's funny how similar he is to Nami. Not only in looks, but both seem to be somewhat greedy (or Camie is just simple-minded) and also both work for considerably strong idiot. They will obviously meet Hatchan also. That will be awesome, he is on of my favs from the pre-Alabasta One Piece. Hatchan is a good boy, though little simple, but a good boy so I dont think theyll fight or anything. If they fight its comical violence.

I predict that next chapter they enter the island, and maybe at the end there will be hilarious faces when they meet Hatchan ^^

[fallou]

Somehow it's too easy to make Jinbei the big boss of that arc..Another schichibukai, just after Moria, I just don't buy it. Maybe, if the navy interferes, they'll have to fight a vice-admiral, or a strong captain like smoker(or is he commodore?I don't remember), or a pirate with a really high bounty who's not a schichibukai nor yonku...

[Koen]

actually, if you notice, Brooke is considered the 8th crew memeber, meaning that there are 2 more to go. ;)

Maybe I already forgot something but why 10 in total?

I wouldn't be suprised if another character might be someone to become Strawhats crew - because the new world isn't an easy place to handle

I would love a mermaid, fisherman in it

[k-dom]

I think in this arc Sanji will find "All Blue" because, if it exists, this is the
only place i can think of that all four seas get together...

There is another place : the other side of reverse mountain... at the end of the grand line

[Absolutio]

why 10? Coz luffy said so.. "well, first things first I need to get myself a crew. I think that 10 members would be fine.."
Something like that.. But too lazy to find the exact chapter.. ;)

[MrAlexSan00]

why 10? Coz luffy said so.. "well, first things first I need to get myself a crew. I think that 10 members would be fine.."
Something like that.. But too lazy to find the exact chapter.. ;)


chapter 1 dude

http://www.onepiecehq.com/manga-viewer/index.php?twg_album=Volume+01%2FChapter+001&twg_show=OP001-50.jpg

:luffy

[pcxxy]

for some reason i still think she has thicker lips than others... lips that would be considered as sexy to americans...

anyhows... i'm not that keen on the wacky faces.. but i can sense a lot of great jokes coming up ;p

[fah]

how come no body thinks the bad guy of the arc is not going to be one of the emperors such as the one that fought equally with Moria

this would be a change of pace and direction as the crew can continue to grow without their bounties going up as well as show us the level up the crew will need for the later half of the Grand line

[Imitorar]

There is no way that Oda would waste a character as powerful as a Yonko on this arc. There is NO reason for a hostile Yonko (that excludes Shanks and/or Whitebeard coming to attack Impel Down) to come and attack the Straw Hats. If the villain of this arc IS a major player in the world, it would probably be Jimbei, but I think even that is unlikely, for the reasons I wrote out above. And before anyone tries to draw a parallel to Mihawk coming and fighting Zoro before the Straw Hats entered the Grand Line, that was different, because that was to introduce Mihawk as the character Zoro would spend the series training to surpass. I don't think there is any Yonko who by showing up could serve a similar purpose for one of the Straw Hats, and so I cannot see any way in which a hostile Yonko coming to Fishman Island during this arc makes sense.

[Imitorar]

for some reason i still think she has thicker lips than others... lips that would be considered as sexy to americans...

anyhows... i'm not that keen on the wacky faces.. but i can sense a lot of great jokes coming up ;p
Caimie's lips are big because she's a Kissing Gourami type mermaid, and the Kissing Gourami is a type of fish that has big lips. It's a nice artistic touch on Oda's part, and his has nothing to do with sex appeal. Just trying to make her look a bit like the fish that she half is.

[garaa89]

maybe black beard will finally chatch up with luffy and we will see a great fight between black beard and strawhats

[Koen]

maybe black beard will finally chatch up with luffy and we will see a great fight between black beard and strawhats

Yeah let him come,

Luffy isn't interested in BB at all, it's always BB who's fond fighting with luffy after that small chat they got. Once they were close to a fight but for the rest they didn't meet each other - luffy has one goal: the one piece and becoming pirate king.

Eventually if he comes, he'll become another fallen shichibukai like crocodile and moria

[Wale]

Eventually if he comes, he'll become another fallen shichibukai like crocodile and moria

Well i think you're wrong. Blackbeard is a lot stronger than Crocodile and Moria because he ate the strongest Devil Fruit ever. I think Luffy is not enough strong to defeat Blackbeard.. And i think the one, who will defeat or kill later Blackbeard is Dragon.

[randomwalker01]

i was worried about how the next (potential) crew member would be especially because it was likely to be a female character. There are few female characters that don't piss you off in mangas,(lol, probably because im female myself). one of my favorite female characters being of course, robin and nami.
but hands down to oda sensei. he managed to create a great female character again!

[pcxxy]

for some reason she reminds me of the kiddy girl with great hearing abilities in the skypiea arc.

i know her lips aren't intended for sex appeal (nor do i find them sexy because i'm not an american)... and i agree about the fish lips theory u mentioned... ^.^

[lordHokage]

i was worried about how the next (potential) crew member would be especially because it was likely to be a female character. There are few female characters that don't piss you off in mangas,(lol, probably because im female myself). one of my favorite female characters being of course, robin and nami.
but hands down to oda sensei. he managed to create a great female character again!

Welcome to Mangahelpers, please have fun. :)

I think mermaid Caimey is Luffy’s next crew member. She definitely has what it takes, she is looking for adventure (http://www.onemanga.com/One_Piece/490/18/ ). :blink

[lordHokage]

I think it's too early to say, that Camie will join the SH Crew..

Knowing how Luffy operates, I predict he would ask her to join his crew. :D

[fallou]

Well i think you're wrong. Blackbeard is a lot stronger than Crocodile and Moria because he ate the strongest Devil Fruit ever. I think Luffy is not enough strong to defeat Blackbeard.. And i think the one, who will defeat or kill later Blackbeard is Dragon.
You're right, BB isn't just an ordinary schichibukai, and he's probably planning to be pirate king ,find the one piece and, for the moment, try to take the place of one of the yonku. But why would it be Dragon that kills him. Does your instinct or something tells you that or do you have real clues about it? I'm Just asking by the way, no offense there:amuse
I think the strongest devil fruit might also be a wind element one, don't you think?Used properly, it can wipe anything out and make you uncatchable. It'd be named kaze kaze fruit, i suppose
[hr]

There is no way that Oda would waste a character as powerful as a Yonko on this arc. There is NO reason for a hostile Yonko (that excludes Shanks and/or Whitebeard coming to attack Impel Down) to come and attack the Straw Hats. If the villain of this arc IS a major player in the world, it would probably be Jimbei, but I think even that is unlikely, for the reasons I wrote out above. And before anyone tries to draw a parallel to Mihawk coming and fighting Zoro before the Straw Hats entered the Grand Line, that was different, because that was to introduce Mihawk as the character Zoro would spend the series training to surpass. I don't think there is any Yonko who by showing up could serve a similar purpose for one of the Straw Hats, and so I cannot see any way in which a hostile Yonko coming to Fishman Island during this arc makes sense.
Well maybe not a yonku but why not a high bounty pirate who's not a schichibukai, yonku or anything? Or a vice admiral?(I know I already said these things,but it seems like a good idea to me)

[Wale]

You're right, BB isn't just an ordinary schichibukai, and he's probably planning to be pirate king ,find the one piece and, for the moment, try to take the place of one of the yonku. But why would it be Dragon that kills him. Does your instinct or something tells you that or do you have real clues about it? I'm Just asking by the way, no offense there

Luffy is rather similar onto his grandfather, Garp, while Ace is rather similar onto Dragon. We should not exclude the opportunity, that Dragon loves his sons on some kind of level, since he saved Luffy from Smoker in Loguetown too. What do you think, how would a father respond to the news, that his son was sent into Impel Down? :) I believe he would be furious and would want to avenge his son. But this is only onw of the opportunities, since Dragon could think in the same way like Luffy, and let Ace to solve his problems. :)

[MrAlexSan00]

You're right, BB isn't just an ordinary schichibukai, and he's probably planning to be pirate king ,find the one piece and, for the moment, try to take the place of one of the yonku. But why would it be Dragon that kills him. Does your instinct or something tells you that or do you have real clues about it? I'm Just asking by the way, no offense there

I think that Blackbeard will be Luffy's final challenge to gain One Piece. At the final Island of the Grand Line, every single Pirate that Luffy has fought will chase him (Like how Buggy and Alvida are) to Raftel. There every single force Luffy has fought will either bow to Luffy or join forces against Luffy under a strong pirate (and I wouldn't doubt that pirate is Blackbeard).

There, the forces who believe in Luffy and those who join together against him fight each other while Luffy and Blackbeard fight for One Piece. The winner, Luffy or Blackbeard, will have every single Pirate bow to him and as he take his place as Pirate King.

Oda has probably another ten years for One Piece, I can't wait to see where he takes us next.

[fallou]

I think that Blackbeard will be Luffy's final challenge to gain One Piece. At the final Island of the Grand Line, every single Pirate that Luffy has fought will chase him (Like how Buggy and Alvida are) to Raftel. There every single force Luffy has fought will either bow to Luffy or join forces against Luffy under a strong pirate (and I wouldn't doubt that pirate is Blackbeard).

There, the forces who believe in Luffy and those who join together against him fight each other while Luffy and Blackbeard fight for One Piece. The winner, Luffy or Blackbeard, will have every single Pirate bow to him and as he take his place as Pirate King.

Oda has probably another ten years for One Piece, I can't wait to see where he takes us next.

I agree, BB might be Luffy's final challenge. But I somehow think he will have to fight whitebeard and...Shanks!Don't ask me why I think that, I don't know myself. Anyway I just saw the chapter with the Ace BB fight, and the man's ability really is trouble. I can't figure how to beat smthg like that

[Xelnag]

I agree, BB might be Luffy's final challenge. But I somehow think he will have to fight whitebeard and...Shanks!Don't ask me why I think that, I don't know myself. Anyway I just saw the chapter with the Ace BB fight, and the man's ability really is trouble. I can't figure how to beat smthg like that

What was that chapter nr? can't remember and would like to read it again :)

[Dark-Kaomi]

I don't see Camie joining. I think that Oda has something else up his sleeve. I do believe they will gain a new crew member this arc, though. Hopefully female and fishy.

[k-dom]

What was that chapter nr? can't remember and would like to read it again :)

manga 440-441/animé 325
To fight blackbird you need long range attack I suppose. Luffy is powerless against him. On the contrary someone like Zoro who is not a devil fruit user may do the trick

[k-dom]

I would say that Luffy has already lots of female with regards to other crew
What have been the female pirates so far (beside strawhat ones) I see only 3
Alvida
Lola
and Porch from Foxy team

[Andytheass]

And at this point I certainly hope that's what'll happen. All this hype about a female mermaid that's been going on for sooo long, I never believed in it. Maybe I just don't want to have been wrong for so long, but somehow a mermaid never fit into my image of the Straw Hat crew.

Well, I suppose I might always change my mind as mermaid island arc goes on. It's happened before so many times.

I'm afraid there isn't a doubt about them gettin a mermaid crew member with Luffy making the decisions for the crew. The other reason being that Oda wouldn't have put the huge aquarium on the Thousand Sunny for just that one shark joke he did. It's definitely there for a mermaid to live in.

[MrAlexSan00]

manga 440-441/animé 325
To fight blackbird you need long range attack I suppose. Luffy is powerless against him. On the contrary someone like Zoro who is not a devil fruit user may do the trick

who knows, maybe since Luffy relies on physical combat he says "screw it" to stretching and just goes Hand to Hand with Blackbeard. Somehow that guy :luffy just beats the shit out of everyone.

[renrutal]

Jimbei, one Yonkou, Blackbeard... I'd say none of them, or maybe a bit of Jimbei, but I have a feeling that Shichibukai will be an minor enemy, maybe even an ally. Anyways, you've forgotten one named twice since Water Seven:

Dr. Vegabank

mastermind or final enemy of the Android Saga/Impel Down
(isn't Oda an uber-fan of Akira Toriyama? He gets his own Android Saga).

Honestly, it will be pretty difficult to do huge battles underwater, unless Impel Down has a dome protecting its submarine mega-prison.

[fallou]

Wasn'it Vegapunk?can't remember...But anyway it's true there could be an android saga. I just really really hope not, robots are a bit too...they just don't fit the world of OP.I know they've got a cyborg in the crew, that Kuma is some kinda freak android, but please let it be enough. This is a pirate adventure, it's no science fiction. Plus dr Vegastuff probably isn't strong(unless he made himself a cyborg, but that would be way too Toriyama-like)

[Absolutio]

Android Saga? And then what? Cell saga?
Oda doesn't copy Toriyama to that extent! :@

[fallou]

Android Saga? And then what? Cell saga?
Oda doesn't copy Toriyama to that extent! :@

I said I hoped not..but who knows, right?

[Mr.Popo]

Most Readers denied the possibility of "yet another rescue arc" but seem to have no problem with "yet another 'join my crew' arc"?

I mean two new members in two arcs, isn't that enough for a while?

And why must Jinbei be a villain? A shishibukai is not an enemy by definition.

[Wale]

And why must Jinbei be a villain? A shishibukai is not an enemy by definition.

Exactly! All of the Shichibukais (that till now appeared) were an enemy. Why could Jinbei not become an ally?

[Mr.Popo]

Exactly! All of the Shichibukais (that till now appeared) were an enemy. Why could Jinbei not become an ally?
Neither did i say he will be an ally nor is it right that all Shishibukais till now where enemies!

Mihawk and Kuma where no real enemies (or allies either), there where more on neutral terms.
Crocodile and Moria where major villains.

So you are right, why not an ally this time?

[Wale]

Mihawk and Kuma where no real enemies (or allies either), there where more on neutral terms.

Mihawk IS an enemy too, then Zoro wants to defeat him.. So Mihawk is not the Strawhat's enemy, but he is Zoro's enemy.

[Imitorar]

A Shichibukai can't be an ally because that's not in the job description. They are to report to the World Government and remove threats to the World Government, while still retaining some degree of autonomy. No Shichibukai would ally with the Straw Hats (for one thing, Jimbei is scornful of humans), because they would all either have their own agendas to worry about, want to fulfill the World Government's orders, are secretly plotting to become Pirate King behind the World Government's back (meaning that Luffy would have to be removed as a rival for that title). It just doesn't fit that a person with the title "Shichibukai" would want to ally with the Straw Hats. That's not what being a Shichibukai is about, and we've seen that that isn't the way they tend to betray the World Government.

And to people who say "it's just another join my crew arc", you don't seem to understand that joining arcs are all different from each other, because each crew-member has had different circumstances and types of villains that have been the impetus for them to join. A rescue arc is a rescue arc though, no matter how you slice it. You can have alot more variety with joining arcs because how each member joins has been different so far, and I see no reason for that not to continue. And also, to those who say "we just got two crew-members in the last two arcs, it's too soon for another new crew-member!", THE EAST BLUE SAGA DISAGREES WITH YOU. 4 arcs. 4 crew-members. Oda didn't MEAN for there to be so much space between joinings anyway, it's just that stuff takes longer to actually happen then he thought it would when he planned out the story, and he's said this several times. There is nothing wrong with crew-members joining in quick succession, as it's happened before and worked out fine, and it's best that the crew be completed relatively soon, so that they've all gotten to know each other before the last arc or two of the series.

[Absolutio]

A Shichibukai can't be an ally because that's not in the job description. They are to report to the World Government and remove threats to the World Government, while still retaining some degree of autonomy. No Shichibukai would ally with the Straw Hats (for one thing, Jimbei is scornful of humans), because they would all either have their own agendas to worry about, want to fulfill the World Government's orders, are secretly plotting to become Pirate King behind the World Government's back (meaning that Luffy would have to be removed as a rival for that title). It just doesn't fit that a person with the title "Shichibukai" would want to ally with the Straw Hats. That's not what being a Shichibukai is about, and we've seen that that isn't the way they tend to betray the World Government.

And to people who say "it's just another join my crew arc", you don't seem to understand that joining arcs are all different from each other, because each crew-member has had different circumstances and types of villains that have been the impetus for them to join. A rescue arc is a rescue arc though, no matter how you slice it. You can have alot more variety with joining arcs because how each member joins has been different so far, and I see no reason for that not to continue. And also, to those who say "we just got two crew-members in the last two arcs, it's too soon for another new crew-member!", THE EAST BLUE SAGA DISAGREES WITH YOU. 4 arcs. 4 crew-members. Oda didn't MEAN for there to be so much space between joinings anyway, it's just that stuff takes longer to actually happen then he thought it would when he planned out the story, and he's said this several times. There is nothing wrong with crew-members joining in quick succession, as it's happened before and worked out fine, and it's best that the crew be completed relatively soon, so that they've all gotten to know each other before the last arc or two of the series.

Totally agree with you, and in addition, those who say that 2 people joined in 2 following arcs. Franky joined after a Saga that took place for about 4 years. Think of it this way - 4 years, no-one joins the SH, and even before no-one joined them since Robin, which also take up a lot of time. But as Imi said, Oda planned it to be faster, he just wasn't realistic. So the fast pace we have now should've been a normal pace proportional to the rest. The only thing that disturbs my rest with the join of brook and possibly a new member is that we didn't get to emotionaly attach to him/them yet. But it takes time so give it a chance... ;)

[Impel Down]

I think it makes plenty of sense to have Brook join right now, because look at where we are position wise: The whole crew is right at the Red Line, so this is the crew they will have to define themselves as a power in the New World. Since it'll be a man's world over there, they may not even have any additions to their crew now, and so they'll have their full crew roster going in. Basically, someone had to join them before they start their career as a major MAJOR crew, so Brook had to get in right before that.

And I agree with Abso, we had almost no one join for quite some time now, so it's okay that Brook's there now. I mean, shit, we had Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and then Sanji, one arc after another. Two in a row is just fine.

[Mr.Popo]

Mihawk IS an enemy too, then Zoro wants to defeat him.. So Mihawk is not the Strawhat's enemy, but he is Zoro's enemy.
I think thats a bit too harsh. He is more a rival than an enemy.


A Shichibukai can't be an ally because that's not in the job description.
Thats might be true, but they are all individualists with probably different goals. Who knows what they think about the strawhats.
I mean even Kuma, a man "loyal" to the marines, let the strawhats alive and escape despite the opportunity he had to kill them.


And to people who say "it's just another join my crew arc", you don't seem to understand that joining arcs are all different from each other, because each crew-member has had different circumstances and types of villains that have been the impetus for them to join. A rescue arc is a rescue arc though, no matter how you slice it. You can have alot more variety with joining arcs because how each member joins has been different so far, and I see no reason for that not to continue. And also, to those who say "we just got two crew-members in the last two arcs, it's too soon for another new crew-member!", THE EAST BLUE SAGA DISAGREES WITH YOU. 4 arcs. 4 crew-members. Oda didn't MEAN for there to be so much space between joinings anyway, it's just that stuff takes longer to actually happen then he thought it would when he planned out the story, and he's said this several times. There is nothing wrong with crew-members joining in quick succession, as it's happened before and worked out fine, and it's best that the crew be completed relatively soon, so that they've all gotten to know each other before the last arc or two of the series.
OK, you got me. If i remember right now Skypia was more or less the only big adventure without a new member in the end.


I think it makes plenty of sense to have Brook join right now, because look at where we are position wise: The whole crew is right at the Red Line, so this is the crew they will have to define themselves as a power in the New World. Since it'll be a man's world over there, they may not even have any additions to their crew now, and so they'll have their full crew roster going in. Basically, someone had to join them before they start their career as a major MAJOR crew, so Brook had to get in right before that.

And I agree with Abso, we had almost no one join for quite some time now, so it's okay that Brook's there now. I mean, shit, we had Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and then Sanji, one arc after another. Two in a row is just fine.
Brook is indeed a nice addition and right in time.
But there is no way that Camie(?) could join the crew! She must be rather week if she gets eaten easily. And there is not much time to mature in his/her role as a Strawhat.
They are going to enter the "new world" soon, so new members, aside from being a specialist in some way, need to have some strength (mental/physical) beforehand (at least on Namis/Lysops level).

For the "new world" the crew should be more or less complete.
So, what specialist is still missing? (a diving mermaid probably, although they have a submarine)

[Absolutio]

OK, you got me. If i remember right now Skypia was more or less the only big adventure without a new member in the end.


Also Alabasta, at the end, although they got a new member, they also lost one.

[Impel Down]

Also Alabasta, at the end, although they got a new member, they also lost one.

Well they lost Vivi, and she doesn't really...count.

And to Mr. Popo about strength needed for Nami and Usopp, I think that's what these last few arcs are going to be fore. Usopp got plenty of courage and whatnot from defeating Perona and fighting with the crew, so he'll be all set if he needs to remember an instance where he was brave, and I guess Nami could shine in this arc, but I think defeating a CP9 member would be good enough for her.

[Absolutio]

I think this should be changed for a discussion thread already, since the chapter is out by binktopia.
Anyways, this chapter was really nice. Too bad I don't know Japanese so I can not understand Oda's puns.. =\
I wonder if this flying-fish gang would be somthing serious or sort of like Franky Family, when the SHs kicked their asses.

[Imitorar]

Although a scanlation for this chapter has been released, (you can find it in the Latest Scanlations section), since a RAW for this chapter has not yet been found, an RTS thread for this chapter has not yet been made. Therefore, as of now, this thread is still a Prediction thread, and Discussion of chapter 491 will have to be done in the chapter 491 Spoiler Discussion thread. After a Discussion thread for chapter 491 is made, or a decision is made to allow Discussion of chapter 491 in this thread before an RTS thread is made, posts made in the Spoiler Discussion thread in the meantime will be moved to the proper Prediction and Discussion threads.
[hr]
EDIT: Well, a decision has been reached, and this is now the chapter 491 Discussion thread! A chapter 492 Predictions thread has already been made. So now that we're all set to talk about this week's chapter, let the discussion begin!

[Leonsagara]

My guess is that Duval is that marine Luffy ran into on the island where he met Zoro.

[k-dom]

Does anybody knows what the front cover is refering to ?

[Wale]

Does anybody knows what the front cover is refering to ?

It's Enies Lobby. So maybe we will see some CP9 members, who survived the Buster Call. :)

[Absolutio]

how do you know it's enies lobby?

And leon, you mean Axe-Hand Morgan, and it might be a pretty good guess. I assume that most people will guess that it's Arlong, but I somehow doubt that Oda will do something so predictable. And yours makes also prefect sense.

[ultrazai]

so here u get my guesses for duvals identity:

1. Don Creek (dunno his english name XD the major enemie in the sanji arc)
2. Arlong...unlikely but possibl if u ask me
3. I like the Morgan idea but i dont htink he would be a match for em


I would really enjoy a fishman/Mermaid SH crew member just to get Luffys crew more exotic I mean a skelleton a cyborg a deer and a mermaid XD truely funjny XD

[Akainu]

and the discussion goes on....
there are so many known characters and maybe still some unknown that might hold a grudge against one of the strawhats...
although considering the helmet we might already know him or a relative.

oh and btw.: it really should be enies lobby. which other island suffered a buster call and a strawhat-attack? thus I hope its not gonna be a CP9 barely alive coverstory but something diffrent; does anyone actually know how long those "where are they now?" 'usually' last?

[MrTeatime]

One interesting fact about the masked man is that his helmet has the same kind of eyeslits as captain T-Bone(marine, the rails on the way eneis lobby).
(T-Bone is hardly the masked man. Its just funny.)

Funny twist that, with the strawhats saving that stupid fishman. (How did he get so far into the grand-line?)

I just loved the joke about Zoros memory of that ugly-as-hell-mermaid-basan. How 'bout you

[Absolutio]

One interesting fact about the masked man is that his helmet has the same kind of eyeslits as captain T-Bone(marine, the rails on the way eneis lobby).
(T-Bone is hardly the masked man. Its just funny.)

Funny twist that, with the strawhats saving that stupid fishman. (How did he get so far into the grand-line?)

I just loved the joke about Zoros memory of that ugly-as-hell-mermaid-basan. How 'bout you

He strolled his way through the ocean's floor. took him some time though.. ;)

[camil222]

I think duval would be buggy. anyway thats the character that would make the most sense. But why would buggy wear an armor? So i think too that its captain morgan.

[black_crow]

This was a funny chapter.:)
Is it just me or does camii resemble luffy ? I loved how zoro erased the memory~

i also think that the armor person is captain morgan. (but im kinda hoping its a random person who accidently got their life ruined by luffy, like being knocked in the water on one of his food rampages:p) hahahaha

[purplerose_04]

Man I love Oda, I can't believe he connected the story back to the cover page story.. so awesome.. it was way back too... how kool is that.. Did he plans all this out or something? amazing..

yea Zoro, erasing memory was hilariou...

[Wale]

how do you know it's enies lobby?

The last covers were about Water 7's characters. And it would about time, to get more information about the members of CP9.
Sorry, as i wrote this i spoke on msn too and copied the wrong text.. :S

[Absolutio]

Az utolsó fedők Water 7 karaktereiről szóltak. Annyira ez időről, hogy több CP9. tagjeivel kapcsolatos információt kapjanak

oh i see.. makes perfect sense.. ENGLISH PLEASE!

[Freakzin]

I'd love this Duval guy to be small, i mean we're kinda expecting a tall and buffed guy, but imagine that kiddie size, man that would be so funny HahhAHAHhAA

[aimaimaim]

lol..

this guy duval..

im pretty sure its lieutenant axe hand morgan..

its impossible it can be buggy.. we saw him a year ago.. didn't have any progress..

but morgan.. was sailing into a void of sea.. who knows where hes..

now.. duval saying something like that.. its only one thing... duval=morgan..

i bet on it.. my last 50$.. lol

[lordHokage]

The memory of Kororo-Baasan (http://www.onemanga.com/One_Piece/491/13/ ) just vanished was sooo funny. The return of Iron Mask aka ex-captain Axe-Hand Morgan is the return of Garp’s Ship. I am looking forward to this arc. :D

[mars0103]

Man I love Oda, I can't believe he connected the story back to the cover page story.. so awesome.. it was way back too... how kool is that.. Did he plans all this out or something? amazing..

yea Zoro, erasing memory was hilariou...

Which one

There is one thing that is bothering me who is luffys mother it could spead more light on the up acoming story that would be fun.
I beleieve the man in the iron mask is morgan the only charactor we have meet that has that personality well two put kuro is to thin.

[Mrai]

Excellent chapter!! A super arc is coming. I think the guy behind the mask is Don Krieg, but it could also be Morgan(wasn't he in jail though?), or Arlong(I don't think it will be him though, but beacuse of this fish riders he could be commanding them), also Crocodile(I don't think it could be him, cause he was in jail). And isn't Hachi the underling of Arlong(maybe Arlong could be behind the mask), and we saw some front pages where Hachi was running a Tofu shop. Next chapter will surely be incredible.

Yeah, Zoro erasing the memory was way too funny as well as Sanji in the first pages.

[garaa89]

i think we need an arc that explains zolos past like wend he was a pirate hunter because i am sure he made a lot of enemies along the way an this person may be one of them.

[Mogeking]

This was a great chapter, but it poses too many questions. I was wondering though, would the crew need a designer like camie any time soon? like, to make the official mugiwara clothes? BTW, forgeting Kokoro baasan is mean on Zoro's part since she saved the entire crew! so what if she was a drunken old disgusting looking hag?

[purplerose_04]

Excellent chapter!! A super arc is coming. I think the guy behind the mask is Don Krieg, but it could also be Morgan(wasn't he in jail though?), or Arlong(I don't think it will be him though, but beacuse of this fish riders he could be commanding them), also Crocodile(I don't think it could be him, cause he was in jail). And isn't Hachi the underling of Arlong(maybe Arlong could be behind the mask), and we saw some front pages where Hachi was running a Tofu shop. Next chapter will surely be incredible.

Yeah, Zoro erasing the memory was way too funny as well as Sanji in the first pages.

didn't Morgan busted out of the jail.. ya know the cover story that how Cody and what his name met Garp..

[Mrai]

didn't Morgan busted out of the jail.. ya know the cover story that how Cody and what his name met Garp..

I don't know in which chapters that story takes place, so it may be him. Still, I'm placing my bets on Don Krieg or Arlong, though it could be Morgan.

[Amekage]

So... Who is Duval?
I like the idea of Duval being one of Don Flamingos crew so we would see the mugiwaras fighting an other shichibukai. I want the world government to recognize the mugiwaras' strenght with wanted posters.
The first option I thought of was buggy, he was the first real opponent of Luffy, we saw him just before he Luffy entered the grandline. It is quite possible that we see him before entering "new world". But he wears gloves and hise nose is to big for that armor.

Whatever, I recognized something by reading the old chapters:

http://www.onemanga.com/One_Piece/181/01/

Sanji plays cards with a bear, and what does the bear wear?


_______________________
Sorry for eventually bad english

[Absolutio]

a shirt? O_o

[Ustegius]

a shirt? O_o

I'm not sure if u try to be funny or are you just a little blind ^^
I guess the idea in that is the star in the shirt. Under it there reads "Hitode" which means sea star if I'm correct(?), and didn't we just meet a singing and talking designer sea star in the latest chapter ;) Makes me wonder if Oda had really designed and planned this character and whole FI-arc so long ago. Just how much has he written already?

[munkron]

By the way... I'm sure we'll meet hachi again.

http://www.onemanga.com/One_Piece/210/01/

[Absolutio]

I'm not sure if u try to be funny or are you just a little blind ^^
I guess the idea in that is the star in the shirt. Under it there reads "Hitode" which means sea star if I'm correct(?), and didn't we just meet a singing and talking designer sea star in the latest chapter ;) Makes me wonder if Oda had really designed and planned this character and whole FI-arc so long ago. Just how much has he written already?

He did plan all of this long ago.
He even thought of the names back then: http://groups.msn.com/onepiecemangav-2/hatachansseafloorstroll.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=10286