One Piece Chapter 997 – Kaido, The Strongest

The shadow of destruction. The reflection of uncontrollable. The terror of possibility. The dragon of chaos. And the strongest creature there is. It took a while to get their but we finally begin to see what makes Kaido so OVERWHELMING. A distinct force that staggers any who seek to stand before him. Implausibility reckoned within mortal form. Now, with the plan in motion, Onigashima trembles.

[Theory] One Piece – The Ice Oni Plague And The Yuki Yuki No Mi

I find it curious that Queen only ended up developing such a plague now when a Devil Fruit user who utilises power similar to the Ice Oni Plague’s effects recently fell. Vegapunk in the past was able to isolate the powers of a Logia Devil Fruit and weaponise it. Queen could have potentially did the same with the Ice Oni Plague using a frost-specific Logia Devil Fruit user as a base i.e. the Yuki Yuki no Mi user, Monet.

All major powers within the New World are rushing to acquire resources and talents that utilises the power of science. Be it the Marines who have established the Special Science Group led by Vegapunk to fill the void left by the dissolution of the Shichibukai. Or Big Mom who planned a massive wedding to lure the Germa Kingdom in so that she could betray them and steal their cloning technology and scientific resources. Following along with that, it would make sense if Kaido had his own branch within the Beast Pirates that focused on weapons created by science and this is where Queen likely comes in. If Queen were part of the rogue research group Vegapunk and Judge (along with Caesar as the apprentice/assistant) belonged to in the past, it would help support Kaido’s confidence in his organisation and explain the lack of effort he has made to acquire additional scientific knowledge or resources.

One Piece Chapter 996 – Yamato VS Beast Pirates

Determined is her mind. Unyielding is her body. Resolute is her spirit. And inspiring is her courage. The actions of Yamato, against the force of the Beast Pirates, convey a strength sourced from the suffering of her struggles and her intense admiration for the hero of Wano Kuni. Despite the overwhelming situation she now finds herself in, the weight of what is at stake drives her forward toward a present that requires Momonosuke to survive. To a dawn that will see the liberation of Wano Kuni and its reconnection to the rest of the world.

One Piece Chapter 995 – The Phoenix, The Mink, The Marine And The Kunoichi

Aside from the events transpiring within the Live Floor with the Ice Oni plague and against Ulti and Page One, the rest of chapter focused primarily on the allies the Straw Hat Pirates have accumulated over their journey. Each of the allies highlighted within the past few chapters have been positioned at integral areas to assist the Straw Hat Pirates within this war. The allies that have yet to make reappearances such as Law and Kid will appear in moments when the Straw Hat Pirates look to be overwhelmed i.e. when Luffy faces off against Kaido. At present though, Marco is looking to prevent Big Mom from stopping the Straw Hat Pirates. Carrot and Wanda have engaged Perospero with the intent to defeat him. Drake is targeting Apoo who holds the “antibody” for the Ice Oni plague. And Tama has arrived to save Nami and Usopp from the attacks of Ulti and Page One. Each of the allies didn’t have to fight alongside the Straw Hat Pirates but they have all chosen to. Such is the attraction of the Straw Hat Pirates and in particular, their captain, Monkey D. Luffy.

Kaiju No.8 Chapter 15-17 – Battle Against The Humanoid Kaiju

For a second there, I was worried Leno would die. Even though his death could have served a purpose to drive the story, I have grown really fond of his character so I am glad the direction the manga is heading involves Leno being alive and developing alongside Kafka, Kikoru and the other Defense Force members. Further, I wasn’t expecting Iharu to get such focus in this moment. I suspected Leno would send him away to get help but to have Iharu wrestle with his own past and doubt in himself, that was a welcome addition to the developments in this arc. It helped create a defining moment for Iharu. Even though the Humanoid Kaiju was too overwhelming for both Leno and Iharu, they managed to delay it long enough for help in the form of Kaiju No.8 to arrive. With Kafka and the Humanoid Kaiju having now encountered each other, I am fascinated to learn what the Humanoid Kaiju has to say about Kaiju No.8.

One Piece Chapter 994 – Yamato And Momonosuke

Express your resolve and shout it out loud. For twenty long years, this moment has permeated in the depths of Yamato’s mind. Regret at her inability, frustration at her weakness and self-reproach for not being able to save Momonosuke whom she thought had died on that day twenty years ago. Now with his presence before her, Yamato gathers all those feelings alongside her conviction inspired by the spirit of Oden and declares her position to both Momonosuke and the Beast Pirates. She was not strong enough twenty years but in this moment, she will bear the weight of the Beast Pirates against her and challenge death itself if the need arises in order to protect Momonosuke and the dream the Kozuki family embody.