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

A full villains colour spread isn’t something we’ve had in a looooong time. You might even be able to say it’s unprecedented. The Warlords spread for chapter 532 wasn’t technically all villains, and the Baroque Works one all the way back in chapter 160 still managed to sneak in Luffy and Eyelashes. The other ones that have featured villains (Arlong’s crew for chapter 82 and Cipher Pol for chapter 377) also had the Strawhats lined up against them. Part of me is worried the choice to do a big colour piece of the villains here means they won’t get the cover for volume 99, but we’ll see how we go.

The overhead shot in the first page after the spread actually shows that the bridge that ran across the middle in the establishing shots of the Performance Floor was knocked down. We still don’t know by who and at what point in the battle, but it’s nice that Oda actually acknowledged it. That said, it’s kinda one step forward two steps back for Onigahima’s interior layout, as what we see of the lower half of the Performance floor doesn’t really seem to match the map. Look at the map oriented with the birds eye view here:

There should be another structure next to the bathhouse that isn’t drawn at all, even when we see that area from below as Yamato and Perospero approach it later in the chapter. Oda hasn’t even left any room for it to fit.

And speaking of those two, Yamato’s group is seen ascending toward the Performance Floor early in the chapter, then disappear. They don’t pass through Marco’s fight or Hyo’s rampage, which should have been in their path, but they’re also not there anymore when Perospero catches up to the same place near the end of the chapter. Did they take a detour around the main battleground? Or were they picked up by a certain individual with a quick movement speed, high-tech stealth gear and the ability to fly while carrying several grown adults? I think that’s gonna be my guess on Sanji’s choice.

Outside, Carrot and Wanda have fallen, which is a damn shame. I hope Carrot’s able to pick herself up and get at least some catharsis and closure before all’s said and done. I really enjoyed her presence as a supporting member of the Tottoland cast so it stings that she’s been sidelined so hard through Wano. There was a time she even had crewmate potential, but I think that dream is dead at this point.

I like that we got a glimpse of buff Hyogoro in a background shot last chapter, without any of the context to set up how he got like that. It’s those kinds of little details that can only be fully understood on the reread that make this series worth revisiting as much as I do. And it turns out Hyo was a beast back in the day. I figured he’d be no slouch, having enough skill to train Luffy, but wow! He seems to have singlehandedly tied off the Oniwabanshu and Mimawarugimi plot threads in the battle, though Fukurojiku remains at large, presumably doing something nefarious.

Queen shows up in an unexpected place, down near the end of the upper level of the Performance Floor. Last we saw him, he was up on the castle balcony. He couldn’t have got to where he is without going past Chopper’s group, so either he doesn’t see the antivirus plan as a threat, or he just considers Marco (or moving in Yamato’s direction) the higher priority. I also really appreciate that when we see it, his gun still shows the damage Zoro caused to it. Does that thing still work as a sawn-off?

Marco seems to be taking a leaf out of Hawks’ book (from My Hero Academia) using all those feathers the way he does. No complaints here, Hawks is one of my Hero Aca favourites.

For spacing reference, King is last seen being dunked into the bathhouse, which is the same location Usopp and Nami were originally fighting Page One and Ulti a while back. Queen is kicked from the roof of the bathouse into the side of the closest building on the upper level. Then Marco descends to near the stairs leading out to be seen by Perospero.

The chapter ends on a pretty tense note for old Hyo, but there’s no doubt in my mind Chopper’s going to come through with the antidote at the last moment.

I really enjoyed this one overall. We’ve got heroes falling and running out of stamina rapidly, potentially leaving some of the heaviest hitters on the island (who all seem to be in better shape) free to wreak havoc among the rank and file. And with the Sulon-empowering moon out of sight and the Flower Capital dangerously close, this feels like it could be the start of the battle’s darkest hour. I’m on the edge of my seat.