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(the cover of the Harley book as animated by Toei)

'One Piece' is a story where tragedies have thwarted many promises of reunion.

The Sun and Moon motif is deeply integrated in the fantasy-fiction genre, this manga is no exception. Divided by the great Tree, surrounded by eight stars/planets; the Harley Text prophesies that the two will meet *again*. I'm inclined to believe it refers to these two celestial bodies but wait, hear me out-

I believe there's more broader depiction beneath the layers. One of those author-talking-to-the-reader moments. That "the two" isn't just about a specific pair of characters, powers or events, locations. Rather, it encompasses a myriad of things coming together or reuniting. Multiple pairs overlapping in the cycle of loss and reunion.

There's the despair of Ace and Sabo, who suffer from never reuniting again in this lifetime (Sabo's remaining hours are to amalgamate with the will of fire fist). The sinister variant of them is so far Imu and Joyboy. Then we have the highly anticipated reunions of those living whom the author has set up integrally: Shanks and Luffy, Brook and Laboon, Dragon and Garp, Usopp and Kaya, just to name a few ok. Robin's already reunited with Saul.

But there's another pair, marked by a special bond. In Oda's story, he has heavily emphasized the role of siblings to be remarkably significant. No matter how tumultuous a dynamic is with a parent, you can guarantee a more monumental one with a sibling follows after. Every arc has it's own pair of family ties: Nami and Nojiko, Momo and Hiyori, Sanji and Reiju, Shirahoshi and her brothers. The most prominent one of them all have been Ace and Luffy, for whom a dramatic tale was spurn to highlight the love between the foster brothers. P.S, we're all aware of the mythological aspects of OP so let me delve in deeper.

Since Elbaph takes inspiration from Norse, I'll start with them. The Viking pagans believed the sun (Sol) and moon (Mani) were siblings being chased by wolves until ragnarok. Now you see, american indigenous tribes shared similar views too. In Bororó legend, the sun and moon gods, Meri and Ari, were twin brothers. Then in the Amazonian tribe of Mamaiura, the sun and moon were also twin brothers, Kuat and Iae. The Aztecs believed that the moon goddess, Coyolxāuhqui, held animosity for her divine solar brother, Huitzilōpōchtli. The ancient Incas revered the sun and moon as siblings consorts, Inti and Mama Quilla. And yes, the Greek Hymns occasionally associated the pantheon siblings, Artemis and Apollo, with the sun and moon.

Noticing the pattern? I did, so decided to ramble on it.

Yes, here in Elbaph arc we get a new, shocking sibling reveal, the Figarland brothers. Shanks and Shamrock are a fraught pair of twins who bring with them an intense edge to the story. We know Shanks heartily chose Roger and Buggy in his life, but now the story demands that he confront his estranged twin and their corrupt father. Makes me wonder if Blackbeard too will have to deal with familial baggages soon.