𒉭 The bastard around the corner

Fallen petals scattered over their pillows and carefully, Robin brushed them away. Her hand lingered by Zoro, a soft petal settled neatly against his earrings. Hand steady, she reached out to pluck the petal from his side, his warm breath fanning over the thin skin of her wrist. She got up and left before her control slipped further. Not realizing she had already arranged the petals in the shape of a flower by his pillow.

Hi is it insane to write a fanfic, draw a scene for it, only because there's only 1 frame of it shown in the anime?

I have no idea who left that by Zoro's side, Luffy doesn't have it, so let me indulge in my delusions (don't correct me).

One Piece except it’s 1977 and Zoro, imprisoned with a hefty bounty on his head, is bailed out by Crocodile on the condition that he joins Baroque Works as Miss All Sunday’s partner.

Since there is a lot of material here, I’m going to be showing general moments since there is a 30 image limit, with some commentary here and there of my observations of certain things while reading this arc.

This is what I’m going to call; The Paneling Section. Where coincidentally, the two are paneled close together or in relation.

Correct me if I’m right, but I think Zoro said the upper top panel, since his arms are gestured like he’s talking. Also looks like he’s talking to Robin. Also are seen together in the other panels.

Looks like Zoro is looking up at Robin, and Robin is looking at Chopper.

Looks like they are connecting each other sentences. Either way, they are in agreement to flee from the deadly snake.

Nami isn’t shown in these panels despite fitting this category.

This I just found interesting when I was compiling all these images while reading Skypiea. Above Robin’s head, it’s says “Happy Return”. We know later on Robin leaves the group in Water 7, planning to never return due to the agreement she made with the WG to spare her friends in exchange for her life.

Robin mentally was at her lowest in that arc, but there were crumbs in this arc that hinted at the mental turmoil she was going through, and that will reach a hitch in Enies Lobby. I raise my evidence:

Look at Robin’s expression here. It’s… solemn… Despite being surrounded by ancient ruins, learning about the bell tower… She looks… sad here. And her thoughts could be interpreted as someone who thought they set out what they wanted to do before they kicked the bucket. Given everything that happened before this moment, this moment strikes me as… Odd. Until we learn in Enies Lobby what she really feels.

If you read my curious patterns post, this ties back to that in a way. I mentioned how a past event in this arc reflected Robin’s eventual future. Well, here, it’s the same thing, since eventually, Robin does have a “Happy Return” back to the group. Coincidence, or craftily planned?…

Robin carried the most vulnerable in the group first (child and old man), then proceeded to carry Zoro and Wyper, with the panels showing emphasize on Zoro and how she did it. I believe the sky knight and Chopper’s lifts were done off-panel, while the first time we see her do this is shown mostly with Zoro.

Robin immediately notices Zoro wake up, being close to him. Zoro appears to be registering he’s not in the same place in his expression, and there could be very few reasons for that. He held her up when she was struck down, she held him up to safer ground.

I ran out of space, so see you in the next post!

That’s why everything she experiences later with the Straw Hats hits so much harder. It’s not just that she found friends, she literally found a family for the first time, people who chose her even knowing who she was, who protect her and make her feel loved and safe 🤧

okay?? so go cry about it. tf you want from me?

I was waiting for a video of Oda drawing this cover to appear because I wanted to follow Joe's example — to look"the author's thoughts".

I believe that all "random glances" — not random. And I will share my thoughts on this matter~ Also at the end of the post is a link to the official X(Twitter) post with a full video of the making of this color cover!

I took the liberty of doing what @robinswhitehat used to do. namely, to make a "cutout" of Zoro and Robin. If anyone like it, feel free to use it~

So, here we go. Robin is highlighted in purple. Zoro is highlighted in green.

The picture then takes on more detail, and it becomes clearer. Robin with an umbrella and book, Zoro with a drink, and Usopp (highlighted in red) next to Robin.

Further on, the outlines become even clearer, and we can see Nami and Sanji in the picture. Nami is highlighted in orange, Sanji is highlighted in blue. Note that initially, they are on a completely different side from Zoro and Robin. And Sanji is initially "jumping" with the tray toward to Nami, not to Robin as in the final result.

I think Oda originally planned for Robin to look at Zoro (as always). But the author simply can't leave them "unattended". What does Oda do next? He moves Nami!

But now Nami is blocking Robin's view of Zoro. How could fix this? Move Zoro! These are practically frame-by-frame screenshots. Nami is still in her original pose, Zoro has moved. Now Robin's view is unobstructed...

Nami shifted her position. Robin didn't change her position, but Luffy's leg shifted slightly. Now the Captain's leg is blocking Robin's view! What the hell is going on?!

How can this be fixed? Change Robin's position, of course. The view is better from here, isn't it Robin?

Notice how Sanji hasn't moved this entire time.

Now it's time to "place" him between Robin and Zoro.

But how can we make sure Robin continues to look at Zoro with the least amount of obstacles? To place Sanji a little lower than Robin and Zoro. and Move Zoro again!

Not enough!

Now it's perfect! No one is blocking Robin's view. And Sanji is in such a position that it's easy to think she's looking at him, but he's little lower. And that Robin's look belongs to Zoro. All that remains is to do the details and add the finishing touch – paint.

Wait... Robin's wearing a white top and black bottoms, and Zoro's wearing a black top and white bottoms? Matching clothes is an unaffordable luxury!

But how make sure they don't have the same clothes, but still look perfect together?

Hmm… Zoro would look great in… Purple!

The Perfect Crime! or Mischief managed! "Now no one will know what I was thinking, because no one will look into it." Really 🙃 These are just my thoughts. I'm not an artist, and especially not Oda, but even I try to somehow think and “compose” in my posts. (that's why I can edit them even after writing) And I think to Oda this is quite realistic~ What do you think?