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

Interesting chapter. Certainly was no expecting the Oden flashback so soon, feels like the current events aren’t a relevant enough trigger for it. I’m sure the things we learn about Oden and Orochi’s relationship will put this choice into perspective in hindsight. Given the hype, I’m expecting this to be a long flashback; at the very least to the end of volume 95 but realistically a few chapters longer.

Loved the samurai armour scene. Luffy and Brook in particular are looking great. The Jinbe acknowledgement is a good reaffirmation that he’ll be around before Wano is over and done with. I expect he’s in the brig on Big Mom’s ship and will possibly need rescuing. It would be redundant for him to be used as a deus ex machina again like he was on Whole Cake Island. And speaking of redundant, I wonder what the payoff for the second Sunny destruction fakeout in as many years will be…

It’s hard to say what to expect from the Oden flashback at this point. Either we’re getting flashbacks within flashbacks or a second Wano flashback later on so we can get all that tantalising ancient history with Ryuma, the ponegylphs being crafted and the connections to Shandia I vaguely recall being hinted at as well as the more recent social and political history. Excited to see where it’s all going as always!