One Piece Chapter 1022 – Zoro & Sanji VS King & Queen: Wings

The Wano Kuni Arc is building up as the representation of the Straw Hat Pirates message to the world. Once Kaido is defeated and Big Mom obstructed, the world will know in no uncertain terms that the Straw Hat Pirates have achieved what no one before them have. They challenged the Yonko and won. Ever since the great Pirate Age began and the Yonko were formed, none of them were completely defeated. Whitebeard died but he didn’t lose, not really. What Whitebeard set in motion will ultimately result in the downfall of the World Government. Luffy and the wings that support him will undoubtedly become the Pirates closest to the One Piece once Kaido is defeated and they acquires the third Road Poneglyph.

One Piece Chapter 1006 – Sacrifice: The Flame Of Hyogoro

Change rarely arises without sacrifice. And within the current setting the Wano Kuni conflict is unraveling through, much sacrifice has been required to get to the current moment and much more will be needed to reach the terminus of the Wano peoples desires. Hyogoro, the Legendary Yakuza boss of Wano, understands this and has seen the sacrifices made around him over the decades as he remained powerless to effect any change. Yet a moment has now arrived in which the efforts he makes can tip the very scale of the war enraging around Onigashima and within Wano Kuni towards those fighting for it. Resolved has he become in laying his very life on the line to protect those able to save Wano from its affliction of darkness. Will the life of the brilliant flame supporting Wano from the shadows be extinguished or if there a further role Hyogoro the Flower is destined to play in the future unset to all?

One Piece Chapter 999 – Yamato And Ace

The freedom to sail. The freedom to adventure. The freedom to dream. The freedom to live. Underpinning Yamato’s enchantment with the world is the ability to experience it freely. Through the stories noted in Oden’s journal, Yamato has become fascinated with what lies beyond the borders of Wano. From the age of eight, Yamato has been holding onto the dream of going out to sea and on adventures. The appearance of Ace not only allowed Yamato to bond with someone appreciative of their dream but also have information conveyed about the new generation of pirates making a name for themselves in the world. Through such romanticism for adventure and freedom, Yamato has come to know about Luffy and his prominence in Ace’s eyes.

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.

One Piece Chapter 992 – The Retainers Of Oden

Single is the focus of their spirit. Driven is the path of their desires. Voracious is the state of their blades. And unrestrained is the storm of their fury. With their master in mind and their failings as retainers at the center of their memories, the Nine warriors push forward through Kaido with the weight of twenty years of regret, love and hope. For the briefest of moments through the blaze of nine wills raging against him, Kaido glimpsed at the visage of Oden and reacted to the fear Oden had instilled into Kaido’s very being. Kaido in that moment has found himself overwhelmed.

[Theory] One Piece – Ace And Yamato

Edit note: Post edited after the contents of chapter 999 where we learn of the reason why the Whitebeard Pirates did not attack Kaido during the 20 years after Oden was executed. Contrary to my belief, the Whitebeard Pirates were aware of Oden’s death albeit a few years after the fact but their hesitance in attacking Kaido stemmed from their concern of causing more damage to the people of Wano. As a result, Whitebeard ordered Ace to not target Kaido until he gets stronger.

Ace arrived on Wano Kuni nearly four years prior to the current events. Most likely the Spade Pirates Log Pose directed Ace to Wano Kuni or they were knocked off course their usual route and became swept up in the currents that led their ship up the waterfall and into Wano Kuni. During their two week stay in Wano Kuni, Ace met Tama, Kozuki Oden (Yamato) and befriended the Amigasa villagers. Ace also learned of the problems afflicting Wano Kuni and left Tama with the promise that when he returns, he will transform Wano Kuni into a place where she can eat all she wants.

One Piece Chapter 982 – Assault On Onigashima Castle II

Kanjuro has finally made his way to Onigashima Castle and conveyed to Orochi that the plan to eliminate the Akazaya Samurai failed. Orochi from being uncontrollably jubilant now finds himself shivering in terror at the thought of everything he “attained” crumbling to pieces right in front of him. The prophecy Toki expressed 20 years ago has slowly taken ahold of Orochi state of mind during the years and with the vaticinated time now upon him, he has found himself compelled to react to the fear echoing within his mind. At a loss for how to regain stability and control, Orochi proceeds with what he believes is he only option; arrange for Momonosuke, the heir of the Kozuki clan and a 10 year old boy, to be executed.

One Piece Chapter 909 – Enter Wano Kuni

Surely there’s a Poneglyph within that castle!

The aftermath of the events concerning the Reverie will have to wait as the focus has shifted to a country long built-up through the story and an arc every reader has anticipated since Ryuma made his appearance in Thriller Bark. The Wano Kuni Arc has begun. It has finally begun!