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

I gotta say, I really love stories that reach this point we’re currently at, where there’s so many balls in the air the story becomes impossible to predict just by virtue of there being so many different characters and factions that could step into the action. (Not to mention wildcard factors like Big Mom’s memory returning!) I was strapping in for at least a full chapter of Luffy and Big Mom, but instead the prison guards rally and interrupt and cart her off to see Kaido. A meeting between those two was something I think everyone was anticipating, but I don’t think anyone saw factors colliding to set it up so suddenly.

Luffy also doesn’t seem to have fully conquered his fear of Big Mom yet, though its hard to tell if he’s actually trying to get away or just dodging because he knows now he’s not ready to stand up to a direct hit. What could the implications of this be if she comes back with Soul Pocus?

I liked the new haki lore. The new technique of using it of channeling it into something or someone else to destroy rather than protect is, as others have noted, strikingly similar to Lucci’s Six King Pistol, which supports my headcanon that CP9 were all using at least a little haki when they fought the Strawhats. I’d love to see the Six Powers confirmed as at the very least as gateway training for haki. I know the Vivre Card databook specifies that the Cipher Pol guys learned during the timeskip but like, c’mooon. It makes too much sense. Also, if destructive haki can be imbued into another person, does that mean protective haki could be as well? Could Luffy put his arms around the crew and protect them all with his own haki? Could be the start of some really interesting combo techniques between the haki using and non-haki using members of the crew.

Grandpa Hyo seemingly dying then jumping away from the next attack is one my favourite gags in a while, and his neck stretching as Luffy pulls him out of the wall on the previous page is pretty great as well.

Y’all mark my words, the dude in the iron-works who reacts to the guards talking about the Smail disappearing is gonna be important. One of the old Yakuza bosses maybe? I think he’ll be the face of the prisoners after Luffy rallies them into an army.

Queen is back on his feet rather quickly, and it’s something I like seeing in contrast to this idea so much of the fanbase (especially over on Reddit) seems to have about how wins and losses are absolute and quantifiable and a measure of a character’s worth. These days its rare for a fight to turn into an all-out slugfest that leaves at least one person totally unable to stand at the end of it. The story has become too complex, with too many factors, different objectives and logistical concerns, and the combatants too strong, for that to happen often. We get smaller clashes that buy ground in a larger set piece or where one fighter gets knocked down just long enough for the other to move on with their own objective. It makes sense; there’s a lot more at stake now than giving an absolute beatdown to one guy for the sake of pride. It plays into the understanding that One Piece has adopted the heart and soul of a high fantasy epic within its shonen exterior – the macro-level conflict has come to the forefront, and it’s the war that’s important more than the battles. Maybe we could have spent a whole chapter or two on Big Mom and Queen fighting to establish completely where the strength difference is to 0.5 of a standard powerlevel and count off on our fingers how many attacks it takes for Queen to stay down permanently, but that kind of thing just isn’t really important anymore to the kind of story One Piece has become.

What’s with the bit with Momo and Tama and the gate closing? Am I reading it right that they decided to go in before they were sealed out?

I’m sure there’s embittered comments somewhere about Queen’s negligence taking so many of his top guys to transport Big Mom before Luffy was dealt with (love that his boars all wear the same goggles though) but I think it makes sense from his perspective. Even with how far Luffy’s come, Big Mom is by far the worse threat, and it would be a far, far worse choice to take any chances whatsoever with her captivity. Also, his use of seastone begs the question of why Tottoland doesn’t keep some on hand to at least slow her during hunger pang attacks. Is it because they don’t think they could approach with it without having their souls taken?

Final pace is a classic Luffy moment. I love it. The talk of Udon being his echoes earlier talk that the whole area was cut off from the rest of Wano. I’d thought that meant just the prison though. Is there nothing else in this province except the mines? Regardless, Luffy’s right that things won’t be quite as exciting without Big Mom or Queen to fight, so I’d say it’s pretty likely we’ll be cutting away, either to the capitol or to Big Mom’s arrival at Onigashima, next week, with the bulk of Luffy’s prison revolution being offscreen.