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

Short chapter this week, but a pretty strong one for what it is. The Roger flashback was unexpected but appreciated, even if it was light on details that could be connected to the tantalizing reveals of the past couple weeks. And then we’re on to Act Three!

There’s not a lot to say, since the chapter seems to mainly setting the scene and tone for the chapters to come, but the art is gorgeous, especially on the spread pages. I’m really looking forward to seeing the port in Hakumai in colour, when that version of the manga gets this far. Get all those maple leaves a warm orange and it’s gonna be spectacular, not to mention the Great Wave style storm shot.

Kinemon’s cry for help was a really strong scene full of tangible desperation, and I can’t help being scared from the lone boat Dogstorm is pulling up that the Scabbards are going to try to reach Onigashima alone. I have an odd feeling that some or all of them might not make it through this fight, that they’ll be allowed to fade back into the past as the ghosts they claim to be. Normally I’d be the first to say that’s way too dark and somber for Oda, but after Yasuie’s death, I’m not as sure. It’s still a ballsy prediction, I know, but I’d love to see Oda commit a little harder to those kinds of stakes as the series builds towards its climax.

I’m about 50/50 on the destruction of the port being an actual enemy attack and it being a ruse to throw the enemy off at the minute. Leaning towards a genuine attack though; the crew’s had a lot of lucky breaks in Wano already, and it’s about time for things to start seriously going wrong. We’ll see how we go two weeks from now.