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

This was yet another build-up chapter, but it was a far more effective one than the last few weeks. Lots of new stuff came up to consider.

First up, I loved Usopp and Nami having some time to just chill. I think their friendship is one of the more underrated among the crew so getting this little bit of uninterrupted dialogue for the two of them was a joy.

Bingoh Bungoh and Bongoh resolves the last remaining question about Komurasaki/Hyori. She’s absolved of all apparent wrongdoing. There’s not turning back from this. I suppose it was inevitable, but I was slightly hoping for a more flawed female character. Meh. It’s been handled well for what it is.

Yasu’s scene was deeply suspicious. Hard to say what the old man is hiding at this point, but there’s definitely something going on there. I don’t quite buy Kanjruo and Shinobu not even questioning how he knows so much, just because he acts familiar. It’s a bit odd to say the least. Not sure how the fact that he “sold” his daughter gels with his otherwise saintly depiction this week. Was there no less suss way to say she went off to work, or is there a cultural thing I’m missing here? And while we’re at it, the renewed emphasis on Shinobu throwing blame for the leaks around raised by eyebrow. Goes hand in hand with the way she “accidentally” alerted the guards when she and Nami were sneaking around earlier. She’s rising on my list of possible traitors. The only issue is the earlier implication that the traitor was on Zou and had a Vivre Card that Jack was using. Unless there’s more than one…

Training continues in the prison mine. Giving Wanonians a different name for Haki was a nice worldbuilding detail, even knowing that Haki is a Japanese word to begin with. Not much to say about Luffy’s training, and we might have guessed Hyo knew Roger from the way he recognised Rayleigh’s name before. Luffy blasting the night guards with Conqueror’s Haki was a fun moment though.

I didn’t expect Caribou becoming a major player, but here we are. Raizo using his swamp ability to hide in the mine is really clever, I have to admit. How does he breathe in there though? Luffy’s forgiveness mixed with Caribou’s suspicion was hilarious and prettymuch fully sold me Caribou coming along for the ride.

The final pages of the chapter really emphasise the importance of the prison break and how it’s likely going to turn the tides as all the samurai from the main plan get arrested. Big Mom arrives at last, begging the question of how it’s all going down. I think Luffy has to fight her. She won’t be at full strength due to memory loss, hunger, and possibly going on a hunger pang rampage, just to keep her pride as an Emperor intact while being used as a mid-boss, but Luffy has to master this new Haki by punching through previously unbreakable defences at least once. It’s the proof of concept for the Kaido fight.

Really hoping we go straight into her prison invasion next week!