#chapter 1042

Elbaf's peace and Kaido's words here make for an interesting comparison. And I appreciate that we are seeing how Wano & Elbaf are raising their respective next generations.

Tama KICK / the Elbaf kids, with the exception of Collun, rejecting violence.

The value of pride and of titles are brought up as well, which ties nicely to scenes from 1042 again, and also 1036. The value of warrior's pride and whether or not the victor needs an epithet.

it seems that some people are a little bit confused about the final panels of 1042. I think remembering this page from 970 will help:

Look at Kaidou’s expression. Look at the positioning of Oden in the middle frame at the top as Higurashi distracts him from the fight, thereby enabling Kaidou to deliver the blow that led to Oden’s imprisonment (and ultimate death). 

And this is what Kaidou said at the end of Oden’s final hour (below):

He had Higurashi killed for her interference. Kaidou didn’t appreciate it.

I think that if Luffy finds himself in a similar situation, his response will be similar to Oden’s above.  

The CP0 dude interfered with the fight by using Iron body (tekkai) on Luffy, which renders the person touched unable to move, thereby giving Kaidou the advantage in the fight (which he took, as he did with Oden).

But Kaidou was having such a grand old time, I don’t think he’s going to let the meddler off lightly for disrupting the fight at its climax. CP0′s justice is that they have to obey, I think. Given the exchange that this dude had with Drake.

And the panels from 1042 below. I’ve broken them up so that they’re maybe a little easier to see what’s going on.

It seems that the CP0 dude has more awareness about his probable fate than Higurashi had. Kaidou will never know if he would’ve won the battle at this particular point or not if CP0 hadn’t interfered. You can never really predict what Oda’s about to do, but I think CP0 guy will be toast.

Kaido Vs. Luffy on today's chapter update

This week's chapter: Winners shouldn't need rationalizations.

Take-away from this chapter: Oda stays unpredictable like always.

First of all, I was so shocked reading this because this just came from nowhere and honestly I just thought that Drake was really stepping up right now but

I should have known that they wouldn't take down CP0 like that (but honestly, Izo took down one of the CP0 in one panel so it would'nt have been too big of a reach).

Anyways

The citizens of the flower capital are still writing wishes on the lanterns and raising them to the sky, and I would love for Luffy to take down Kaido with all of the wishes and lanterns flying in the sky.

We cut back to Kaido versus Luffy fighting, and Luffy still in Gear Fourth - although he's still worried his Gear Fourth is going to run out before he has time to defeat Kaido (which!! Listen!! I don't think Gear Fourth is his last power up though? Haven't we gotten a power-up for every fight, and yes I know we got Conqueror's Haki for this one but don't you think we could get something else?)

And only in One Piece will you find the main villain of the arc doing this:

What is Oda even on 😭 😭

And then!! Kaido "takes one out of" Luffy's book and looks into the future, which would make sense because there's no way the main opponent in Wano wouldn't have future sight!!

I've seen a lot of people (already) talk about how it's weird that Kaido didn't use FS before, but it really... isn't? We know Observation Haki can be draining, especially when you see into the future. Kaido wouldn't use FS unless he really thinks that he couldn't have escaped Luffy's attacks and when he's truly on the defense. It really makes sense, why would you show all of your powers immediately?

We've also got Kaido telling Luffy, after Luffy says the Samurai are strong: A brave face makes them strong? Winners shouldn't need rationalizations!! Which are you?! Winner or loser?!

-- Which is interesting. Could this be a facade? Is Kaido talking about himself in a way? (Remember his sad drunk/depressed drunk phase when he was crying about not being able to fight/being too weak and "something" being his fault?) I think we might actually delve into Kaido's past soon!!

Then Kaido and Luffy get ready to attack one last time (Luffy saying this is literally the last attack he has in him)

WHEN SNAKE ASS CP0 MEMBER COMES AND DOES IRON BODY TO HOLD DOWN LUFFY ?????? LITERALLY WHAT?????? I DIDN'T EXPECT THIS TO HAPPEN SO SOON IT WAS LITERALLY THE LAST CHAPTER WHEN THEY TOLD CP0 TO "ANNIHILATE" LUFFY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BUT I DIDN'T EXPECT THEM TO DO SO THIS SOON????

KAIDO WAS ABLE TO LAND A DIRECT HIT ON LUFFY TO KNOCK HIM OUT BECAUSE CP0 BUTTED IN LIKE THE SNAKE THAT HE IS LIKE WHAT IS SO IMPORTANT WHY IS IT WORTH RISKING YOUR LIFE JUST TO TAKE DOWN LUFFY DO YOU GUYS UNDERSTAND THE SERIOUSNESS???? HE JUST RISKED ANGERING A DAMNED YONKO JUST TO TAKE DOWN LUFFY???? WHAT DID LUFFY DO WHO IS HE OH MY GOD

And also!! This has to mean something!!

This is Kaido's reaction to CP0 holding down Luffy, and a flashback of Oden's defeat gets brought to mind. It's sort of a parallell, and I'm pretty sure Kaido is going to go crazy in some way, but Luffy has to step back up and surpass that... damn

There was a lot going on in chapter 1042, 

and i really enjoyed it, when I don’t usually enjoy Luffy fights that much, but throw in a flirty Kaidou, then a thieving Kaidou, then a homicidal Kaidou, and I’m there.

AND the art in particular from this page, especially the frame I’ve posted above (bird’s eye view of Kaidou circling Onigashima was amazing.

The parallels at the end between Oden/Luffy, Higurashi/CP0 agent and Kaidou never knowing if he ever truly defeated the strongest men he’s come up against were really interesting.