This text was originally written for Arlong Park forums’ discussion thread.

I really like the cover pages with Crocodile. First the one where he’s sheltering the dog from the rain, and now this cute number with the birds (and what a creative use of his powers). I hope there’s more of this in the future.

It really is a shame the official release couldn’t include the map, even in the blog section of the site. It’s not only a useful resource, and not only a good way to pad out an otherwise short chapter, the labels there are the only thing that make the Komurasaki/Hyori connection obvious. I have a feeling it or something similar to it will make it in the back of volume 93 just like the Alabasta and Enies Lobby maps did before it, so it’s not like it’ll never be seen. And on the topic of Komurasaki and Hiyori. I just… jeez Oda. This is exactly why you need to diversify your female characters. You undermined the whole damn reveal because a different outfit and hairstyle were enough to make people wonder if she was a different character. It’s not just an aesthetic issue anymore, it’s literally in the way of the storytelling. Hopefully we’ll start to see at least a little improvement after this whole thing.

The traitor plot is definitely building up to a reveal soon. I agree with the posters saying that Kyoshiro finding the note is a red herring. If he figured it out and was fully loyal to the shogun, Komurasaki would actually be dead. The possibility of Law’s people talking is also a red herring. Because this plot goes back to Zou, it almost definitely has to be a mink, but I don’t think we have enough information to say which one yet. Of course, Law’s people were also at Zou, but I think the story will have more weight if its someone actually part of the dukedom. At least there’s one Jump author remembering to advance his traitor subplot anyway (cough Horikoshi cough).

On the Zoro bits, I can understand how people looking at the spoilers were confused about his sudden collapse, but I’m willing to accept all the poison he’s been eating as an explanation (even if he is the guy who ate razor blades back on Punk Hazard). I do hope there’s a decent explanation for Gyukimaru’s mercy after everything else he did though. I also hope for it because I’m a fan of his look in general. Zoro being with Komurasaki and O-Toko made for some great character interactions. Toko stealing Usopp’s toad oil is a hilarious touch. Komurasaki is acting pretty different here to how she did before. Probably one of these personas is fake, and I hope it’s the nice one because I think the idea of a femme fatale trying to act cute for Zoro and seduce him while him remains totally oblivious really funny. It’d be a great parallel to how Sanji got suckered by Pudding and was totally unaware of her genuine bad side.

And that’s it. What a short chapter. Volume 93 will either have to go to 12 chapters (assuming all the remainder are full length) or pack in the extra pages to reach the usual minimum. To be honest, for the sake of better installments and more full-feeling and regular volumes (I’m praying the extra time needed to make the page count doesn’t make for another three-volume year right now), I’d have taken the break a week earlier if it meant the chapters on either side of it stayed at the normal length.