RJ Writing Ink

One Piece Chapter 1082 Review/Recap

Buggy, you may not be as strong as other pirates are, and you may be the second coming of Mr. Satan. But when you want to do something, you aim to win the whole house! In what has to be one of the most glorious examples of someone growing a pair, Buggy throws his hat into the ring. He’s going to join the search for the ultimate prize, the One Piece! In other words, all four of the Yonko are now competing to get to Laugh Tale! A war the likes of which few can imagine is coming, and it’s going to engulf the world! 

Not only that, but we also learn of Sabo’s fate. 

Recap

At Navy HQ, Sengoku and Tsuru discuss how one of their own, Vice Admiral T-Bone, was killed in Pepe Kingdom. According to them, it’s a place where thousands starve to death every year, leaving people little choice but to try and claim these bounties. As Tsuru and Sengoku lament how the people they’re supposed to serve are turning on them, Hina breaks the news about Garp and SWORD’s raid on Pirate Island, to their displeasure.

As for the one who killed T-Bone, they seek refuge with Buggy, their payment given to their family. However, Crocodile and Mihawk beat Buggy up for letting their crew make him into the figurehead of Cross Guild’s ship. As the former Warlords discuss their plans to build their own power base, Buggy interrupts them and says they both think too small.

Remembering the last time he saw Shanks before Marineford, on the day of Roger’s execution, Buggy was disappointed in Shanks for deciding not to try and reach Laugh Tale then. As a result, he refused Shanks’ offer to join his crew. Now, the two are on equal footing once more. Buggy doesn’t know if it’s luck or fate, but now that it’s happened, he wants to seize this chance. Before Crocodile or Mihawk can stop, he speaks to the whole crew, reminding them of what they all set out to claim. In as flashy a way as possible, Buggy declares it’s time for them to go out and claim the One Piece!

Meanwhile, in the Kamabakka Kingdom, the Revolutionary Army’s elated to see that Sabo’s returned alive, and with refugees from the Lulusia Kingdom. After chewing him out for scaring them, and enlisting the refugees in their cause, Sabo pulls Dragon and Ivankov aside for a private chat. He wants to tell them and them alone the truth of what happened at the Reverie.

Review

Buggy, you beautiful, beautiful clown! I’ve always had the feeling that if he overcame his cowardice, he could end up becoming as powerful as people think he is. While he may not be at that point yet, he just made a step in the right direction. And since most of Cross Guild’s loyal to him and not Crocodile and Mihawk, he just pushed them into a corner. Now all the Yonko are pushing to find the same thing, the One Piece.

Now, I’m aware that some people might be getting annoyed with the manga jumping between Egghead Island and events elsewhere. One Piece often focuses on the events surrounding the Straw Hats first, then the rest of the world afterward. However, after this chapter, I think Oda’s intent for the Egghead Island Arc becomes clear. Oda’s using this arc to set us up for the final battle that’s coming, the throne wars. The wars between the strongest pirates and the World Government for the fate of One Piece. That’s why it’s focusing on the crews of the Four Emperor’s as a whole: it’s setting us up for what’s to come.

Now that all of the Yonko are going after the One Piece, though, we can turn our attention to the World Government. Whatever happened at the Reverie and what Sabo saw, it might change everything. It looks like Oda’s ready to tell us what happened in full, and I’m ready to listen. Sadly, due to Golden Week in Japan this week, we might have to wait a week or two to learn the truth. 

I Give “Let’s Go and Claim It” a 4.5/5

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One Piece Chapter 1058 Review/Recap

So, as the Wano Country Arc was winding down, we got some big news from the outside world. Not only was Luffy one of the Yonko, but Buggy, of all people, got declared one! In addition, Buggy’s the head of this Underworld group, Cross Guild, that’s put bounties on the Marines. On top of that, Sabo got blamed for killing King Cobra of Alabasta at the Levely. In other words, a lot happened while Luffy and the others were fighting Kaido and Big Mom. As One Piece enters what might be its final arc, it’s time to take stock of everything. Firstly, Buggy and Cross Guild.

Recap

After Luffy’s stunt trying to leave Wano almost killed everyone, Nami puts him on time-out. In a cage. That gets overshadowed, though, by the news of the new bounties for the Straw Hats:

Elsewhere, Crocodile and Mihawk are “meeting” with Buggy, demanding to know why he’s being called a Yonko and head of Cross Guild. In a flashback, the events that took place are revealed.

After the Warlords got dissolved, Crocodile gave Mihawk a call and suggested they team up to form a new group. Afterward, they waste the Marines sent after Buggy, because Buggy owes Crocodile money. Since he’s broke, though, Buggy offers his organization to help Crocodile start up his own group. There’s just the matter of why everyone’s calling Buggy the head of Cross Guild. Turns out, Buggy’s people made him look the coolest on the posters before sending them out worldwide. Thus, the Marines assume he’s the one who’s leading Cross Guild. 

In truth, though, Mihawk and Crocodile let him be their puppet so they can do what they want from the shadows. Thus, Buggy’s trapped in an impossible situation. 

Meanwhile, in the Kamabakka Queendom, the Revolutionary Army’s dealing with the news regarding Sabo, who separated from everyone else after they rescued Kuma. As everyone processes the news, they get a call over the Snail from none other than Sabo himself!

Review

If it wasn’t before, then now it’s official: Buggy the Clown’s the Mr. Satan of One Piece. By that, I mean a character that the majority of the world considers extremely powerful, while those who know him understand he isn’t. The sad thing is, with his Chop-Chop powers, he could be powerful if he wanted to.

It’s hard not to feel bad for the poor clown, knowing how badly he’s in over his head. However, knowing that alongside Mihawk. It might not seem like much, but that’s a big development for two reasons.

Firstly, Hawkeye Mihawk’s the best swordsman in the world. Zoro’s goal in life is to surpass him, so there’s little chance Oda will end One Piece without the two having a rematch. Secondly, the high odds of this rematch means that the Straw Hat’s might lock horns with Cross Guild, and thus Crocodile, when that happens. It would be pretty cool to see Luffy and Crocodile fight once more.

Side note, Buggy might have a higher bounty than Luffy right now, but that won’t last. Luffy’s eventually going to get the highest bounty as he gets closer to Laugh Tale; higher than even Gol D. Roger. 

Then, there’s things with the Revolutionary Army. It’s confirmed that they succeeded in rescuing Kuma. Whether they can return him to what he once was is another matter, since he’s now a machine. However, the bigger issue is what happened with Sabo and the Nefetari’s. Dragon does say that he won’t forgive Sabo if he killed Cobra, though. That at least proves that Dragon doesn’t hate rulers who actually care about their people. 

Regardless, we won’t learn the truth about what happened at the Levely for another two weeks. One Piece is back on break, but that’s fine. Oda’s earned the right to rest as much as he wants.

I Give “New Emperor” a 4/5

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One Piece Chapter 1056 Review/Recap

The story in Wano’s almost over. Kaido and Big Mom were beaten, the Beast Pirates thrown out, and the Navy Admiral sent packing. In other words, it’s almost time for the Pirates to head out. The world they’re heading into, though, isn’t the same one they left. And a big part of that is due to the new Yonko, Buggy, and his new alliance, Cross Guild. 

I had the biggest grin as I read about this.

Recap

In the Shogun’s Palace, Raizo and Shinobu are left weak and emaciated thanks to their beating from Ryokugyu. Worse, Momonosuke and the Scabbards admit that without Kaido, they will have to be diligent against outside threats. To that end, Nekomanushi and Inuarashi decide to stay in Wano, picking Carrot to be the new leader of the Minks. 

Life continues, though. Shinobu recovers and takes Tama on as her apprentice, with Luffy promising to let her join him once she gets stronger. As for Momonosuke and Hiyori, they have a tearful reunion with their grandfather, Sukiyaki, overjoyed that they still have family left. 

A few days after the victory celebration, Momonosuke goes looking for the Straw Hats, only to find that they’ve all left for Tokage Harbor without telling him or Kin’emon, with Yamato planning to join them. In fact, the Straw Hat, Kid, and Heart Pirates are all leaving. After arguing over which route they take (with Law playing both of them,) the three pirates acknowledge that from here on out, they’re rivals in the race for the One Piece. 

Oh, and there’s also the fact that Buggy’s formed a new alliance, Cross Guild. And that alliance now has Crocodile and Mihawk in its ranks.

…..I’m sorry, what?

Review

Okay, there’s a lot to unpack in this chapter, but let’s start out with the biggest elephant in the room: Buggy, the Clown who pretends to ooze Giga-CHAD energy. I don’t know how, but he managed to get Crocodile and Mihawk, both former Warlords, to work for him. They’re probably just using him, though, since they know how weak he is. Regardless, that explains why Buggy is now a Yonko. That, and his new alliance, Cross Guild, might be the Clown’s magnum opus. 

Cross Guild is Freaking Brilliant!

In a move that only a madman could pull, Buggy’s new group is now putting bounties out on Marines. No, you didn’t read that wrong. Buggy. Is Putting. Bounties. On the Marines! HOW AWESOME IS THAT?

This is the biggest piece of news to come out of this chapter by far. Until now, the general rule of thumb for most Pirates has been to avoid fighting the Marines unless they have to or are strong enough to do so. Now, Buggy’s basically putting the hunters in their position. And given what we’ve seen of some Marines, they deserve bounties on their heads. I feel bad for Coby and Garp, but Akainu and Ryokugyu will deserve it! 

The writing’s on the wall for the World Government. They’re being backed into a corner, and everyone knows it. Their day of reckoning is coming, whether they like it or not. 

Let the Race Begin!

As for the rest of the chapter, it’s great to see that Momo and Hiyori learned that their grandfather was alive. The two siblings have each other, but they clearly still want a parental figure in their lives. I’m happy for them.

Also, Shinobu is skinny and pretty again. Talk about a glow-up!

As for Pluton, it will remain hidden until the day when it is needed. Luffy doesn’t care about it…but Caribou does. Now Caribou knows about two of the three Ancient Weapons, and plans on telling a certain person about them. Whoever this person is, they cannot be good for anyone. 

With Shonen Jump on break next week (I think), we’ll have to wait two weeks to see Luffy and the Straw Hats off. However, I’m looking forward to seeing if Yamato finally joins. She’ll be the perfect final member of the crew, and many fans think so, too. Here’s hoping Luffy let’s her join!

I Give “Cross Guild” a 4.5/5

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