Spoilers filled | Just my raw thoughts, not a theorist 😌

Okay so first things first—the cover story. Yamato again, and I screamed when I saw Kozuki Moria. WHAT. The place is labeled his resting place, and the Kozuki symbol is everywhere. I can't help but wonder: was he actually a Kozuki? Did he resurrect himself with his Devil Fruit? That would explain so much, like how he had Ryuma's corpse on Thriller Bark. And Ryuma is such a big name in Wano. Honestly, if Moria was meant to embody a fall-from-grace justice figure from Wano, that’s wild. Huge fall for his character, though 😭 Also, if he is a Kozuki, could he read the Poneglyphs? That would change so much.

Then we go back to the pirate love triangle island arc. Roger is still chaotic, Rayleigh is out there thinking about his feelings for Shakky (for her? for his freedom? for Roger? yes). Honestly Rayleigh is so bad ass but also such a good character ! But you can also tell Roger will step aside for his bestie. Then Rouge will enter the scene. I know we won’t get much more about her in these chapters, but she’s always been one of the most intriguing women in One Piece to me. Mysterious, strong in her own quiet way. I hope we get to know more !

And also, I keep thinking how much young Roger looks like Ace—it hits emotionally every time.

Shakky is thriving with her bar and using pirate labor to fund it. We love to see it. Her little showdown with Rocks and Roger was hilarious. And Teach is born amid all this chaos. Also, Whitebeard being annoyed at all the noise and his moustache breaking walls ?? I lost it. All the big names at the same bar? Insane.

Now for the real heat: Rocks vs Harald. That fight was brutal. And yeah, I was sad for Rocks despite understanding Harald. They were definitely equals in strength, which makes the coming tragedy even more painful. Especially knowing this ends in betrayal and death.

Ida and Loki? Cutest duo. That scene gave me hope for the kid.

And then... Garling. Ugh. He finally arrives on God Valley and finds “something valuable.” He’s the one who suggests holding a tournament there. Then we hear about the mysterious mother of the twin girls. So many questions. Did he lie to the inhabitants? Is this consensual? Is he targeting these kids because they’re special? Does he want to use the tournament to seize them? That kind of dismisses the theory of Shakky being kidnapped as the “prize” for the tournament, since he says something valuable is already there.

What if that “valuable thing” is a Devil Fruit? Maybe the Gomu Gomu no Mi? Could the giants be protecting it? Or—could the valuable thing be Shanks and Shamrock??

So many layers. It's still all fuzzy, but so intriguing.

One thing I loved in this chapter is how different the old generation feels from the current one. Roger and Luffy share the same will, but they are very different people. Same with Rayleigh and Zoro. Even Rocks and Teach—Rocks actually seems cooler and maybe even more loyal than Blackbeard. It’s their goals, not personalities, that link them.

Also, it’s fun to explore this world before the idea of the One Piece even existed. No legendary treasure. Just clashing visions of power and freedom.

Anyway, amazing chapter, and please Oda don’t stop this flashback yet. This flashback is literally an inception at this point: we went from Harald’s story, to Rocks’ madness, to Rayleigh and Shakky’s love saga, and now?? We’re teasing Shanks and Shamrock?? I know Loki is part over three minutes but I just want to know all the meaty stuff.

∘₊✧──✧₊∘ more on OP ∘₊✧──✧₊∘

If you’re into OP analysis, I also wrote:

Freedom isn’t always peaceful – rage and resistance in One Piece & AOT

Yes, One Piece is political and that’s what makes it great

Why I don’t like the politics of Skypiea – a decolonial read from a One Piece die-hard