Conflict is continuing to build on Elbaph, but this chapter doesn’t achieve quite the same momentum as the last few. It is, however, the tenth of volume 112, so we’re likely to see some big stuff next week or the week after to close out the book. Technically it could end here, but that last vague reveal is so obvious I don’t think it’s the place to close a volume on.

The colour spread is vibrant as ever. It doesn’t feel totally original – there have definitely been a few racing ones in the past – but there’s no arguing with the art quality. My only complaint is Jinbei’s lack of presence. This feels like an old spread he’s been awkwardly worked into an empty space on. The guy would have felt like less of an afterthought if he’d just not been there at all. Even Brook looks oddly out of place, seemingly almost like he’s casually stepping off his fish at speed.

The main focus this week is on the powers of the Holy Knights. There are interesting applications here, but very little in the way of limitations. What is the range of Sommers and Killingham’s powers? They don’t seem to have been close enough to make physical contact with the kids, but it doesn’t seem like they’ve attempted to move against the adults either. Saul confirms that Gunko’s arrows are visible, which we mostly knew from the earlier scene with Loki, but I’m glad to have it confirmed by a man no wearing a blindfold. I’m glad we basically immediately get confirmation that things pulled from dreams are calorie-free. The spoilers alone had people wondering why Killingham didn’t single-handedly solve the Marie Geoise food crisis, even though this would have been the obvious answer even if it wasn’t mentioned. And hey, these guys make a fun enemy group. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens when they get to interact with the main cast.

The scene with the firefighters and the Draugr isn’t huge on substance, but the contrast of the childlike monster drawing throwing down the intricately rendered ship is one to remember.

In the Underworld, the Loki situation rapidly deescalates back to a phase of negotiation. The fire above will keep burning, but I can’t help feeling a little teased to have him fall so suddenly. And I’m not sure how to read the action leading to it. Does Luffy actually hit him, or does he collapse before he gets the chance? There’s nothing of Oda’s usual emphasis on impact if a punch happens here, and even though Luffy’s pose in the panel where Loki hits the ground looks like he took a swing, his arm is already deflated. Maybe just a little tap to help him on his way down?

What I’m now very, very curious about is Loki’s blindfold. He wore it as a kid? It’s not related to his ability? But it’s not so important Gerd couldn’t put band-aids underneath it. What’s the reason then?

And it’s very interesting that Rodo thinks he knows who attacked Loki. Is it just a dot he’s connecting after seeing the injured guards, or is there something else he knows that he’s not letting on? I guess through his diorama he might pick up more info about the outside world than the average giant, but I could be overthinking things.

And yes, we’re hinting at the truth of Loki and Harald at the end. Certainly, there must be readers casual enough to have taken the idea of Loki as an evil criminal at face value, but I personally don’t count it as new info. I wonder how much we’re going to go into it next week. It’s too soon for a full flashback, but I’ll dare to hope for some verbal details.