#chapter 399

19days / chapter 399

[cleaned/ typesetted/ fan-translated by me]

you know, rereading this, i’m realizing how important this argument is to franky.

like, weapons are dangerous, there’s no doubt about that, especially in the wrong hands. that’s one of the big themes of this whole arc, and it’s something that crops up again and again through out one piece (alabasta, punk hazard, even fishmen island to an extent). weapons are power, people seek power to change the world, for better or for worse, yada yada, etc, etc.

but. there’s an opposing side to that: the idea that weapons can protect. that’s what the architects planned. one weapon could be used to destroy, so another weapon could be used to protect. and just as there are people seeking power to control or destroy, there are people seeking power to help and protect those they love (see basically all of the straw hats).

and franky is the clearest example of that. he made weapons in the past that were used to hurt and destroy. and what does he do? he makes himself into a weapon. and then he uses those weapons to help people. he literally made himself into a shield so he could protect people.