Re: Where are there & Why they're there thrown by Kuma
Possible power-ups for Straw Hat crew
Zoro - either learns to be gentle or use haki
Nami - learns to use wind knots with her clima-tact for more powerful attacks
Ussop - May get getter aim, and probably learns to use the unique plants in the grove for his advantage
Sanji - Strenghtens his legs and stamina from constant running, might be able to either run on water, or use one of the 3 Rokushiki leg techniques (Geppou, Rankakyu, Soru)
Chopper - may modify Rumble balls to have more points (e.g. Wing Point)
Robin - Might get a little stronger
Franky - Modifications to body and new weapons
Brook - Learns to harness music as a weapon beyond just inducing sleep.
This is a good list, here's where I'm leaning with it.
Zoro - Learns to draw out the power of the Wadou Ichimonji, somehow relating to haki.
Nami - Learns more weather control and impresses the people there with her ability. This causes them to give her something of great value. I'm open to what this could be, anything from a weather manipulation device to a devil's fruit.
Usopp - Learns to add some serious damage to his shots like the Kuja arrows. It seems this was a pretty low level haki that everyone there could use, so Usopp could figure this out with guidance.
Sanji - Learns a ranged attack of some sort, but this will occur after he stops trying to run. There's too much storyline potential on that island for Oda to pass up.
Chopper - Learns to enhance his rumble ball, either granting a longer duration or allowing more to be used.
Robin - This is the toughest one for me, my mind keeps focusing on storyline with her location. Extra physical strength would do her a lot of good, but it seems so bland. Extra attack distance is also a lame possibility. I think Oda will do better.
Franky - Everyone's on the same boat here, learning how to upgrade himself and maybe have someone alter his back for him. Vegapunk reproduces DF powers as a basis for his weapons. If that's true, nobody on the crew has a good DF power for that, it'd have to be someone on the island.
Brook - Brook will become the crew's "bard" from the RPG world. So I think I agree with you that he'll learn more ways to use music. Buffs, so to speak.
I think each person's storyline will wind up being epic, and they'll each wind up having a huge impact on the people/places they're visiting.