#van augr

I never thought it would be easy escaping Marineford after all the fighting but I honestly didn’t think it would be as hard as this. In a way, this is good because it’s more realistic. I would probably have complained if the Allies sailed away without meeting resistance.

The Admirals should probably have a quick look behind, though, because while they’re gleefully picking off the retreating survivors, Blackbeard is finishing what Whitebeard started (trans: taking the credit for his hard work).

Sink Marineford into the Water!

The episode opened with Teach’s sweet, gentle laughter.

Just kidding. It was of the maniacal, villainous variety, as he was enjoying himself immensely. “I can feel the power coursing through my veins!” he roared, as he punched the air and chunks of Marineford crashed to the ground. “I feel like I could control the whole world!”

Is it better than a really good cherry pie, though? Doubtful.

Random Marines looked on in horror as their beloved symbol was reduced to rubble. One of them was so angry, he was moved to call Teach what he is. Teach, being a sympathetic sort, laughed and said, “Wanna fight? No? What a shame! Oh, well. I have no choice. Let’s start with sinking Marineford into the sea!”

A shaft of light broke through the clouds. Oh, yes. Yes, please do, Teach.

But Sengoku was like, “NOT ON MY WATCH, WHIPPERSNAPPER!” Once again, his speech was excellent. 

“A building can easily be rebuilt. But the island of Marineford is located virtually in the centre of the world. To protect the people of the world who are threatened by rampaging villains, it is important to them that we are here. Justice that comes from humanity will never perish. Don't claim to be able to sink Marineford so lightly you little punk!”

It’s interesting that Sengoku talks of protecting the people of the world, how important the symbol is to the people, and that justice stemming from humanity will never die. Sengoku is concerned with ordinary people, with their safety, and believes his justice stems from that humanity. Some noble beliefs right there. I guess that’s where he differs from Akainu. Akainu, I imagine, wouldn’t give a rat’s ass about protecting ordinary people if they got in the way of Justice Being Done. Buster Call, anyone? Innocents are unfortunate collateral.

It was also interesting that the Blackbeard pirates are currently holding their own against Sengoku. They may be new but they are no slouches in combat. (And I’m still confused by San Juan Wolf. That guy is so massive, he could sink Marineford himself. Couldn’t he just pick up Sengoku and launch him like a baseball?)

It’s really weird, but right now, I am rooting for Teach. This is because when Whitebeard threatened to sink Marineford, I was all for it. The Marines executed Ace, who they claimed was symbolic of Roger. I wanted Whitebeard to make it even by smashing Marineford, their stronghold, part of that symbolic triangle of justice. Now that Whitebeard, the symbol of the old Era, is gone, I want the pirates to get even. Two pirate symbols wiped out and no Marine symbols? I call that unfair. If it means Teach has even the score, that’s fine by me.

This, of course, means the fodder Marines who haven’t sniffed the Justice Poppers are now stuck between a rock and a hard place. Blackbeard vs Sengoku at one end and Akainu vs Everyone at the other. Joy of joys! The Marines who have come over all stab happy are causing Coby and Helmeppo to have Doubts. Yes, justice is wonderful, but some of their colleagues are chasing overkill and the zealous, foaming-at-the-mouth anger is making them uncomfortable. I like that Oda included the scene. There is hope for the Marines yet. Hurry up and grab yourself a good fruit, Coby. We need you as an Admiral.

Because if Akainu doesn’t stop it, someone will deck him with extreme prejudice one day...

I hope it’s Jimbei.

It’s okay, Jimbei. It’s okay... ;_;

Yet again, Ivankov agreed to act as a distraction to let Jimbei hoof it to safety. (I hope he’s okay because he collapsed after inhaling a lot of smoke. Please, Oda, I cannot handle any more deaths. Ivankov is precious to me now.) This was a wise move because Akainu was, by that point, so angry and intent on murdering Luffy that he might not have noticed Marineford crumbling behind him.

Akainu did land a hit. I may have sworn at the screen when I realised he’d got Luffy and Jimbei. 

Uncle Jimbei’s strategy was simple. Get into open water and outrun Akainu. If Aokiji hadn’t cheekily frozen the water, Jimbei would have been in the clear! As Akainu indulged in a spot of shit-talking, "You gonna keep protecting him with a hole in his chest? He's gonna die soon." 

I bet he regretted it when Crocodile came screaming out of nowhere and spirited away Luffy and Jimbei in a massive sand tornado. (Crocodile, if you survive this, team up with Jimbei and get a crew together. You two would unstoppable.) He yelled, “CATCH THESE GUYS AND GET THEM ON A SHIP!” Then he turned round to face Akainu, joining forces with the Whitebeard Division Commanders.

Someone did catch them, but it wasn’t the random bunch Crocodile shouted at.

He’s so out of his depth it’s hilarious.

And speaking of depth...

Guess who popped out of the water?

It was only Trafalgar Law! :D And now, after years, I finally know what that damned symbol is! (For anyone who has followed NWOP more recently, a friend gave me a phone strap she said was One Piece merch. It had some of those little sea mine symbols on dangling chains but I had no clue what they were.

Trafalgar Law is the only other Hot Shit Rookie to grace the battlefield. Kidd will be so jealous. He seems the bitter type...