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

The hype ending panel could make this the twelfth and final chapter of volume 93 (especially possible because it has a four month gap after the last volume instead of the usual three) but the heavy exposition throughout leads me to think this is the start of volume 94.

The flashback at the start doesn’t tell us much we don’t already know, but the shot of the young Akazaya Nine is interesting. Kin has changed so much. I wonder what colour his hair used to be. And yeah, what is with the person in Kiku’s position being a Izo lookalike? Izo didn’t get an age laid out in his Vivre Card (not one that’s been translated anyway) so it’s hard to confirm or deconfirm if it could be him. The eyes look the wrong shape compared to Oda’s previous art of young Izo, to my mind.

Orochi is being a right prick this week, a complete and utter bastard, and I love it. We all thought he would be a Spandam, and he kinda is, but he actually has some power of his own to back it up with. It does make you wonder what Oda’s going to do to make Kaido feel like a genuine end boss though. I imagine he’ll have to start that soon, if it’s to work. (Or maybe Kaido won’t have any more villain build-up than the hype of overwhelming physical strength he’s already had, and he’ll get his depth through a tragic backstory instead).

What I don’t like is the Usopp/Nami/Franky group saying they “didn’t make it in time.” They were in Ebisu town when the execution was announced. Right outside the capital. Zoro beats them there despite starting in the next province over. It’s a nitpick, sure, but I don’t think it’s unfair to pick nits in series that have become known for their attention to detail, you know? It’s not a dealbreaker, but I’m not a huge fan of it.

Getting the full rundown on Smiles, however, was pretty great. So many little hints and details across so many chapters built up to this. It’s a moment of narrative payoff that only a large-scale story with a talented author could stick the landing for. And god is it vindicating to look back to Zou, for example, and see the Pleasures, true to this explanation, keeping their grins all through the battle, even when getting hurt. Not a single mistake was made, but I don’t remember anyone from the time picking it out as odd or making any theories off it. It was so subtle, but it was there all along. These are the kinds of moments that make the massive commitment I’ve made to One Piece feel worthwhile.

I’m certain I’m not the only one to think that Toko rubbing toad oil on Yasu’s wounds could lead to another of Usopp’s lies coming true. I hope that’s not the case. That was a death to brutal and important to easily undo. The panel of him smiling, even in death, makes me feel positive he’ll stay down though.

And then the cavalry arrives. There’s a moment that’ll be remembered until the end of the series. I can’t wait to see Zoro and Sanji interacting again after all these years. They sound effects suggest this moment will have its own theme music and everything!