The Straw Hat Pirates conclude their loose ends in Wano and finally prepare to depart the land after having been disengaged from the outside world for a significant amount of time while events altering the landscapes of politics, power and possibility have transpired. The world has changed and the actions of Straw Hat Pirates on Wano have directly contributed to the reality they are about to return themselves into. The Straw Hat Pirates are now a Yonko crew with strong ally connections who are also about to get a new addition to their crew.
With conflict once again at the doorstep of Wano Kuni, will the Straw Hat Pirates be summoned to the nations defense or will the Samurai of the liberated Country endure to fend off the threat of the newly appointed Admiral? Based on what we have seen, while the Samurai can defend and fend off Ryokugyu’s attacks, they do appear to be overwhelmed by his abilities with just their current forces. If Yamato were to remain alongside them, I can see a path forward but with Momonosuke’s request, there may not be a conclusion for Yamato to this current battle. Along with the events in Wano, around the world varying forces are also making their move. Shanks has set his sights on One Piece and Sabo has become the icon for the Revolutions rebellion. Wrapping around all these developments is Sakazuki and his unphased desire to mete out justice. Once the dust is all settle, how will the structure of the conflict appear?
The consuming Night of wickedness has ended and given way to the emancipating radiance of the rising Sun. Time flows and restitution begins its ascent against a backdrop of ruin and relief. As the Kozuki clan return to represent Wano, the process of restoration unites the nation upon the desire of creating a paradise that once used to reflect Wano. Loss becomes the foundation for growth and pain becomes the driver for recovery. To honour the fallen means to move forward and live. A new day has dawned and with it, the freedom to enjoy it.
The land of Wano crushed under hatred and destroyed by animosity held unjustly toward the people left the hearts of all suffocating in misery for twenty years. Each dawn that arose reminded the people of the hell they resided in and of the inescapable reality governing all aspects of their lives. Freedom became a dream, a visage that would disappear and be forgotten with the rising of the sun and the opening of their eyes. Hope diminished and cries for salvation softened until nothing but silence could be heard. Yet, within that suffering, a flicker of hope endured. The last remnant of perseverance driving the nation forward through the endless torment breaking their hearts, minds, bodies and spirits down piece by piece day by day. The prophecy of Toki echoed throughout Wano and became the silent prayer the people would whisper earnestly to themselves. It became the hope that held the nation together. Twenty years later, as Toki promised, the Akazaya Samurai returned to liberate Wano and ensure the Dawn greeting the day was the signal for the end of the long night that began when Oden died. And the one ushering in the new age for Wano is none other than the son of Toki and Oden, a boy that sailed aboard Whitebeard, Roger and Luffy’s ship, a boy who became a man whose name means “invincible”, the heir of the Kozuki line and the true Shogunate of Wano, Kozuki Momonosuke.
He won. Luffy won. He challenged the world’s strongest creature and together with the Ninja-Pirate-Mink-Samurai alliance, the forces of Kaido were defeated. The twenty year long night that began when Oden died has finally been illuminated by the glimmer of hope awaiting in the future. Momonosuke in turn has also saved the Samurai and arrived in the Flower Capital with the Akazaya Samurai (those that can stand) and Hiyori to declare an end to the night and usher in a new dawn for the people of Wano Kuni. The time that stopped on the day Oden died has begun to move again with the arrival of his children, Momonosuke and Hiyori, and the Samurai who believed in them.
Despite being Shogun, Orochi never sought to rule Wano, his intention was always to bring Wano to ruin while enjoying himself in the process. And in that regard, he was immensely successful. Orochi brought the Kozuki name to the point where it was ridiculed and vilified. When you really look at how Wano fell into devastation and had its peoples’ resolve depleted to the point of hopelessness, you come to recognise how systematic Orochi was in deconstructing the aspects of Wano that represented its identity. From the nations honor, to the pride of its people, to the symbolism of the Samurai and to the hope embodied within the Kozuki name. Orochi was the antagonist Wano created. And when he came into power, he desired revenge.
Zoan Devil Fruits have been charactertized in a different context relative to their Paramecia and Logia counterparts. Rather than just possessing and imbuing power, Zoan Devil Fruits also possess a will of their own and are able to express themselves in ways impossible for the Paramecia and Logia Devil Fruits. Due to having a will, inanimate objects or lifeless mediums possessing no will of their own are able to become host for the Zoan Devil Fruits such as guns, swords, teapots or gaseous slimes. Life is able to be established within these mediums due to the nature of Zoan Devil Fruits. Further, it is also implied that the Zoan Devil Fruits have some power over deciding who consumes them. The Nika Fruit evaded the World Government for over 800 years because it did not want to fall into their hands. With that in mind, could the Okuchi no Makami Fruit have chosen Yamato to be its user for specific reasons?
With the revelation in chapter 1037 hinting toward a Legendary Devil Fruit that brought much concern to the World Government that they sought to hide it’s real name from the world and its history, certain elements in One Piece are now painted in a different light. Specifically elements that involve certain beings and Islands. Why did the World Government seek to erase this Devil Fruit’s name and why are they so afraid of it “awakening”? Do they fear this Devil Fruit as a weapon the Ancient Civilisation of the past used? The development leaves many questions but it also establishes the a very real connection the current events in the Wano Kuni Arc have to the wars engaged between the Ancient Civilisation and the World Government of the past.
The Beast Pirate All Stars and Tobi Roppo have been defeated and all that remains are Kaido, Big Mom, Kazenbo, Fukurokuju, Orochi and the CP-0. The new generation are currently handling Kaido and Big Mom with Yamato rushing to the armory to prevent Kazenbo from igniting the explosives and weaponry. Raizou will take care of Fukurokuju with Hiyori and potentially Denjirou handling Orochi. Outside of these, the most pressing issue are the movements of the CP-0 and their actions relative to the Straw Hat Pirates. The CP-0 sense a potential problem arising with the new generation pirates overwhelming the Beast Pirates. Rather than be caught unprepared with their pants down, the CP-0 have decided to focus on procuring Nico Robin and dealing with the Straw Hat Pirates after they are weakened. Unbeknownst to the CP-0 are the developments taking place atop the Onigashima Skull Dome where Luffy and Kaido are gaining an appreciation for their opponents. As excitement swells up inside their hearts, a connection begins to form that will inevitably end up collapsing the future plans of the CP-0.
After the struggles faced by the Straw Hat Pirates and the Samurai Rebellion, they have finally defeated the Calamity Officers of the Beast Pirates. Sanji’s barrage of attacks have taken out Queen and within the same breathe, Zoro has navigated through King’s abilities and unleashed to overwhelm him. The right and left hands of the Pirate King contenders have faced each other and the ones reigning victorious are those of the Straw Hat Pirates.
12Dimension 