Chapter One Piece 730 review: Three Cards

[MiyamotoMusashi]

One Piece 730 Review

Hello and welcome again to the next installment of the One Piece staff reviews. Since the last one was received nicely and i promised to continue doing them, here it is. I apologize for being so late but you know, real life issues get in the way sometimes but still, i am going to try and do one every week from now on but even if i don´t manage to write one every week, there is still the possibility of another staff member to step in. Not much else to say further, so let´s get on with it. The panels used in the review are from PowerManga, the pic above was done by SenjuKatashi.

Redemption

Sweet little grandma, isn´t she?​

Continuing with Caribou´s cover story. After Caribou has been taken away now, we see the Grandma with a rather bittersweet smile since she is crying at the same time. bidding farewell to Caribou.
She is reminded of what happened immediately after Caribou was beaten, namely that the latter actually defended the old woman, screaming "Grandma is precious to me", even though he knew he did not stand a chance at all.
It is quite rare and hence peculiar that Oda decides to change a character this much, i can only think of Franky and maybe Mr.3 who made a similar change but definitely not to this extent. I mean, Caribou was as disgusting as a character can be, sadistic, ruthless, cowardly and arrogant.
Now he actually shows courage, honor and concern regarding the old lady by first coming to rescue her and now defending her against Drake, which makes me curious about whether Oda plans to use Caribou in some way.
Of course it is far too early to talk about redemption, he was really too obnoxious for that, but it is an improvement compared to before and at least makes his character tolerable which is not unimportant since his character will definitely be reintroduced in some capacity.

Clash of swordsmen

Look at that Zoro​

The chapter starts right where the last one concluded, namely with the aftermath of Law´s loss. Doflamingo is standing in front of Law´s motionless body, explaining to the onlooking citizens, who are understandably frightened, that Law is the perpretator behind the false information of the abdication of his position as Shichibukai and with that also of the throne of Dressrosa. The citizens obviously believe their hero immediately and are appeased. Luffy on the other hand is pissed but Doflamingo simply states that Luffy has no business interfering since Law was his subordinate.
Zoro and Kinemon, having witnessed the incident, are respectively trying to attack Doflamingo and get Law´s body but Zoro is stopped by Fujitora, standing between him and Doflamingo.
I guess we can say that the reason for Doflamingo using the gun is inofficially confirmed. For one, like some suggested, he simply didn´t want the citizens to witness his ability. Considering how quickly he reacted to the outcry of the citizens, having an explanation ready, i think it´s likely that he thought that far.
Furthermore, i reckon he wanted to keep Law alive, so he can deal with him in private and, like he ordered Vergo on Punk Hazard, make him regret that he was born.
Concerning Fujitora, i don´t think him stopping Zoro and defending Doflamingo should be interpreted as a sign of an alliance between the two. His actions are mostly motivated by two reasons, namely to secure Law and to ensure the safety of the citizens who would be endangered by a fight between Doflamingo and the Strawhats. Taking his portrayal so far into account, the latter might even be a more important reason for him to act.
Because of the same reason, i predict that Fujitora might take Doflamingo into custody once his crimes are revealed. This was, more or less, foreshadowed on Greenbit when Fujitora asked about Doflamingo´s identity as Joker and Doflamingo simply requested to see evidence for such an accusation. The revelation of his crimes on Dressrosa should be enough evidence. The question is rather how Fujitora is going to act until then. I really can´t predict whether he is going to oppose the Strawhats openly, wait and see or maybe even be engaged with a third party. This certainly makes him the wildcard of this arc.

Resistance

Quite a difference compared to 2 years ago​

After having stopped Zoro with his sword, Fujitora uses his gravity ability to crush Zoro into the ground. Shortly after, Kinemon, being distracted by Fujitora´s attack on Zoro, gets attacked by Doflamingo. Luffy witnesses this but can´t help since the outer cage of the colosseum is made out of Kairoseki. Zoro is not beaten though and attacks Fujitora with a flying slash, pushing him back and forcing him to defend himself, before resurfacing and noting that the old gambler is actually an Admiral, something that surprises Luffy and scares the rest of the Strawhats who are listening via Den Den Mushi.
Fujitora and Doflamingo don´t stay around but fly away, carrying Law. Doflamingo promises Fujitora to give Luffy and Law to him if the latter cooperates while Fujitora simply remarks that he will wait before making a decision.
Well, that was certainly a surprising encounter but before coming to that, i really have to praise the character of Fujitora. I may be biased since i am a huge fan of the Zatoichi movies, but Fujitora has quickly managed to become not only one of the most likeable Marines but general characters in One Piece. He is modest despite his overwhelming strength, caring about the people around him, including citizens, even though it is not part of or may even contradict his duty and his moderate sense of justice allows him to be much more flexible than other Marines, as seen in the casino when he did not confront Luffy upon meeting him. I was actually skeptical whether the new Admirals can keep up with the old ones since the latter certainly have a huge presence in the story but that skepticism was not founded.
Having said that, one should not overlook that it is the first time a Strawhat clashed with an Admiral without being annihilated shortly after. More than that, Zoro actually managed to take an attack full on, come back and even counter-attack, forcing Fujitora to defend himself. After having seen this and Sanji´s short clash with Doflamingo, i think it is safe to say that the timeskip accomplished what it was supposed to, namely to enable the Strawhats to defend themselves against the elite of the One Piece world without destroying the constructed, loose hierarchy of the latter. Considering how the Strawhats fared against Admirals before the timeskip, or how Doflamingo handled Jozu and the 2 Vice Admirals in Mariejoa, i think it is quite an accomplishment.
If i were strict, i would have to criticize the convenience of having the bars of the colosseum made out of Kairoseki, hence preventing Luffy from interfering, but to be honest, it did not bother me that much while reading, probably because the clash overshadowed it.

Surprise

Really didn´t expect this, i mean at all​

Zoro and Kinemon decide to run away since their cover is blown and they are surrounded by Marines, while Fujitora and Doflamingo are flying away. Before Luffy notes that Law´s voice has not disappeared yet, demonstrating his mastery in the Color of Observation Haki, they arrange to meet up after Luffy finds an exit out of the colosseum. Suddenly, they are startled by an outcry from the Den Den Mushi connecting to the group on the Sunny. A ship of Big Mom´s crew appears right next to the Sunny, carrying Tamago and Pekomz among other crew members. They came to capture Caesar who swindled Big Mom some time ago, in order to get research funds.
Quite frankly, i did not expect this at all. Considering the amount of parties on Dressrosa right now, adding another party into the mix, especially such a powerfule one, did not occur to me. The question is whether Big Mom is actually on the ship or not. The panel in which Pekomz and Tamago talk to her is a bit ambigious. On one hand, Big Mom is nowhere to be seen which might suggest that she is not really there but on the other hand, Pekomz is not holding a Den Den Mushi while talking to her.
If i had to guess, i don´t think she is actually there. If we consider that Tamago and Pekomz left Fishman Island for the home island of Big Mom, stopped on the way to see Caesar´s weapon presentation and then decided to follow the Sunny, i don´t think they had the time to stop by Big Mom´s island.
Nevertheless, Dressrosa could turn into an epicenter of the earthquake that could cover the entire New World. So far, 3 of the Yonkou are either directly or indirectly involved in the happenings on Dressrosa, Kaidou who was a business deal with Doflamingo, Blackbeard who sent Burgess to win the Mera Mera No Mi and now Big Mom who wants to capture Caesar. In addition, we have the Marines with an Admiral and two Vice Admirals and, someone who seems to be overlooked quite often, Aokiji. Doflamingo´s remark back in Punk Hazard insinuated that Aokiji is also determined to do something. Adding Aokiji´s statement that things have become clearer after leaving the Marines to that, i think it is safe to assume he has a plan as well.
All in all, both Law and Aokiji were not kidding when they said that chaotic times might come. I would not be surprised if this all, including the Kaidou and Big Mom arcs, will be part of a huge Yonkou Saga.

Three Cards

Nami proving her intelligence​

Facing an entire new and overwhelming danger, the Strawhats are arguing whether to return to Dressrosa or not. In the end, Nami is the one brings the most compelling argument. Basically, Doflamingo and the Strawhats are fighting for three different objectives, namely the factory, Caesar Clown and apparently Momonosuke. Having two of the three cards away from Doflamingo, it is foolish to return to Dressrosa, especially since Law was fighting for these objectives with his life. Agreeing with this, Luffy orders Sanji´s group to head for Zou, the island where Law´s crew is supposed to wait for him.
Nami seeing through the current situation, thus proving her intelligence and her position as guide in the crew was something i truly enjoyed. Just shows that without the girls´and maybe Sanji´s tactics, the crew would be helpless.
Two of the three "cards" Nami mentions, namely the factory and Caesar, are common knowledge now but it is quite peculiar that Momonosuke is supposed to be another target of Doflamingo. For now, i can only think of two reasons.
First, it is about Vegapunk´s fruit Momonosuke ate. Even though the fruit was deemed a failure, it is possible that it could provide useful information regarding the creation of SMILEs, either to improve them further, meaning getting rid of the risk Law mentioned on the way to Dressrosa for example, or to change them for whatever purpose Doflamingo has in mind.
Second, Momonosuke might be an important figure regarding Wano Kuni. Taking Kinemon´s and Momonosuke´s reaction upon hearing the name of Kaidou into account, it is highly likely that the latter has something to do with Wano Kuni, especially considering that the Samurai do not seem to know much about the world outside of their country. Haivng Momonosuke in his hand might be a useful hand for Doflamingo in whatever scheme he is planning, something i actually expect he is doing since i do not believe that he is providing the SMILEs for Kaidou, a direct rival for the title of Pirate King so to speak, without any ulterior motives whatsoever.

Targeting Doflamingo

Luffy is pissed alright​

Coming to the conclusion of the chapter. After having received the order to sail to Zou, Sanji also wants to receive the permission to shoot back at Big Mom´s ship which Luffy immediately grants since, after Fishman Island, they are already targeted by Big Mom anyway. Since the objectives are clear now, everyone announces them. Sanji´s group will be heading to Zou, Franky´s group is responsible for destroying the factory while Luffy´s group will go to the palace in order to retrieve Law and beat Doflamingo.
Sanji´s request for permission to shoot back is not really clear to me, meaning i don´t know whether he is referring to simply shooting back with the Sunny, implying that they defend themselves, or is he actually asking for permission to attack the ship. If it is the former, it is not really necessary to ask since self-preservation should be obvious. If it is the latter, which i suspect, we can look forward to Sanji showing something impressive.
Luffy actively targeting Doflamingo is also a good development. I think it is common knowledge at this point that Luffy needs some kind of incentive to fight seriously and that requirement has now been cleared. I initially thought that Bellamy´s demise by the hand of Doflamingo or one of his subordinates might function as said incentive but Law´s demise was even more interesting. Considering Luffy sees Law as a friend, i don´t think he can be stopped that easily.





Puh, this was quite the chapter to read, Oda certainly did not hold back on this one. We had impressive fighting panels, interesting information, a really unexpected twist and enough development overall. Zoro clashing with Fujitora was surprising as much as it was impressive, the appearance of Big Mom´s crew heats up the situation even more, Momonosuke being important for Doflamingo is a peculiar piece of information and of course the confirmation of Luffy vs Doflamingo, i don´t think a One Piece chapter can have more than that.

 

[vagabond87]

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