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One Piece Chapter 1158 Review/Recap

It was bound to happen sooner or later. Rocks and King Harald have finally had their falling out! Thanks to Harald wanting to have Elbaph join the World Government, the Elders gave him an ultimatum: kill Rocks D. Xebec for them. Meanwhile, events continue to unfold in this flashback, which, at this point, isn’t just about how Harald died. It’s obvious by now that we’re seeing just how the Rocks Pirates came to be and how their leader eventually fell. This week’s chapter, though, added another layer to things. We might be seeing the origin of Shanks and one of the reasons behind the God Valley Incident.

Man, this is good!

Quick sidebar, by the way: I’m aware of what people are saying about Gecko Moriah really being Kozuki Moriah. I do not see it. Moriah did steal Ryuuma’s sword, after all. If that is him, the Wano is in for a rude awakening.

Recap

Ever since the news of Shakky quitting piracy came out, Roger had been in a bad mood. The reason was that, despite knowing where she was, Roger had learned that Rayleigh had gotten a love letter from her. He was bummed that she chose his best friend over him! Not one to be deterred, though, Roger had his crew set course for Hachinosu. After that, Roger proceeded to mow through the line waiting to get in, where the Rocks Pirates were already hanging out and gossiping. Rocks didn’t like it, but Shakky had decreed anyone visiting to come to her bar couldn’t be harmed. She was so upset that Rayleigh stayed on the ship, though, that she passed out.

Sometime later, the clash between Rock and Harald takes place in the Underworld of Elbaph. Both combatants hold nothing back, both physically and verbally. Harald says that he’s genuinely trying to change how the world views the Giants of Elbaph. However, Rocks calls him a fool for thinking they’ll welcome them as equals. All they want is to enslave the Giants for themselves. In the end, neither of them won, but their friendship had come to an end. They wouldn’t see each other again until a certain incident.

A short time earlier, a young Garling was telling the Five Elders about a brief stay in God Valley where he found something Imu would be interested in. At the same time, on God Valley itself, a mother was showing off her two infant children to people, Shanks and Shamrock.

Review

Dang. That is a lot to unpack, but it was fun!

Firstly, i liked how this chapter serves to set up how things will turn out for the major players of this era. Its confirmed by this point that Teach was born, making Rocks a father, though I doubt we’ll know the identity of his mother just yet. In addition, it seems like Roger will not stop pining for Shakky for some time, despite knowing she likes his best friend. That’s the kind of love triangle that could destroy most bromance, but thankfully, Roger and Rayleigh are tighter than that. Plus, Rayleigh did admit that he didn’t want to be tied down, and that holds true. The two are married in the present, but they have an open relationship. Good for them.

On the flip side, though, we saw the end of Rocks and Harald’s unlikely friendship. And the sad thing about it is that neither is wholly right nor wrong here. Harald is right that his people need to show they’re not just violent killers but have more to offer the world; he just chose the worst time to do this. On the other hand, Rocks is right with what he says about the Giants. The World Government only wants them for the power they bring and nothing else. They’re playing Harald, and he likely knows it; he’s just that desperate to make up for who he was when he was young. With what’s happening in the present-day, though, Rocks was right. And they can’t be allowed to get away with their takeover.

So Shanks is From God Valley?

The biggest surprise about the chapter, though, was the reveal of baby Shanks and Shamrock. This chapter pretty much confirms that they were born in God Valley. It also all but confirms that Garling is their father. If that’s true, then it’s likely the God Valley Incident led to Shanks being abandoned while Garling took Shamrock with him.

This flashback has quickly evolved from simply being about Loki. It’s now telling the life story of King Harald and Rocks D Xebec. It seems like Oda is determined to get everything out of the way before the final war begins, and he’s doing a good job of keeping people invested. If things keep going this way, then we might end up seeing more of the God Valley Incident, and I can’t wait for that!

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One Piece Chapter 967 Review/Recap

Well, it’s official: the Wano flashback is now my favorite flashback in One Piece. Firstly, we’ve learned how Oden left Wano and how Orochi rose to power. Secondly, we’ve gotten our best look at the Roger Pirates to date, and I love it! However, all good things come to an end, and the end has come for the Roger Pirates. In this chapter, they become the first people to visit the final island, Laugh Tale.

By the way, there’s so much to unpack in this chapter, so I won’t explain it all. For a full breakdown, check out my buddy Emperor Carnage and his post on the chapter.

Recap

Having recruited Oden to translate the Poneglyphs, the Roger Pirates set out on their quest for the final island. They already stole a print of a Road Poneglyph from Big Mom, so they track down the remaining three to Zou, Fishman Island, and Wano. However, once they get to Wano, Toki falls ill and has to be left behind with the Red Sheathes. Despite offering to stay with his family, Toki talks him into finishing his journey. If he left then, he’d always regret it.

In addition, Buggy falls ill right before they reach the final island, so he has to stay behind. Shanks stays with him. Not long after, news spread that Roger did the impossible: he conquered the Grand Line. As for Roger himself, when he saw the treasure left behind by the mysterious Joy Boy, he laughed. Then everyone else laughed until they had tears in their eyes. Thus, Roger decided to name the final island “Laugh Tale”

Review

Wow, just wow. I don’t think there’s enough time in the day to go over everything we learned in this chapter. However, I do know this: if the treasure on Laugh Tale was enough to make Roger and his crew burst into tear-driven laughter, then it must be one heck of a treasure.

As I said up top, you should look at Emperor Carnage’s breakdown for all the details. For now, let’s go over the three biggest pieces of information we learned. Firstly, Oden’s writings confirm what I already knew: the Void Century, the Will of D, the Ancient Weapons, and the One Piece are all connected. In other words, the answers to the mysteries of the world can be found on Laugh Tale.

Secondly, we learn the original location of one of the Road Poneglyphs: Fishman Island. However, Robin only found the one, which means the Road Poneglyph got moved to a new location. Once the Wano Arc ends, the Straw Hats will have to track it down if they want to reach Laugh Tale.

Finally, this chapter confirmed my worst fears: Orochi’s already taking over Wano and destroying it. As much as I respect Oden’s willingness to stay for his family’s sake, Orochi may have killed him then. Also, props to Toki for loving her husband enough to let him finish his journey. That’s real devotion!

As we end the year and the decade, we’re getting closer and closer to the end of this flashback, and of One Piece. It’s a bittersweet feeling, knowing this could be the decade when one of the greatest manga ever made ends. However, when Luffy finally makes it to Laugh Tale, I know what I will do. I’m going to laugh harder than I’ve ever laughed before.

I Give “Roger’s Adventure” a 4.5/5

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One Piece Chapter 966 Review/Recap

Ever since One Piece began, the life of Gol D. Roger and the Roger Pirates has been of high interest to fans. Despite learning more about them as time went on, it feels like we never saw them during their height. However, all that changes in the manga’s latest chapter as Oden Kozuki comes face to face with the future King of the Pirates. It’s as awesome as you’d expect!

Recap

Having met on the same island, Oden recklessly charges ahead to fight Roger, who swats him aside with no effort, shocking the samurai. What shocks Oden even more, though, is how Whitebeard and Roger clash without touching blades. The resulting battle between the Whitebeard and Roger Pirates lasts three days. After that, everyone settles down and proceeds to party.

Meanwhile, Roger learns that Oden can read the Poneglyphs and begs him to join the Roger Pirates for a year. He’s figured out that there’s a final island in the Grand Line that Log Poses can’t locate. The only way to reach it is through the Poneglyphs, and with that, Roger vows to become the King of the Pirates. Overwhelmed by Roger’s ambition, Oden agrees to join the Roger Pirates for their final voyage. Much to the irritation of Whitebeard. Together, the Roger Pirates travel to Skypiea, where Oden leaves behind the message that will one day be found by Robin and the Straw Hat Pirates.

Review

I loved this chapter of the manga! We’ve gotten glimpses of what the Roger Pirates were like before, but nothing to this extent. We got to see how they operated as a crew and family, and learned more about their exploits. As it turns out, Roger already traveled most of the Grand Line years ago, stopping short of Raftel due to it being impossible to find without the Poneglyphs. That makes him all the more determined to reach it before he dies.

This chapter also marks the first time we ever see Roger and Whitebeard fight, and I think it’s just a small glimpse of what they can do. The shockwave from their clashing Haki created a small storm. What I enjoyed more, though, was seeing how the two crews could fight for days then party like nothing happened. It’s mutual respect and bromance at their finest.

Of all the chapters in this latest flashback, this is by far my favorite one yet. It gives us a rare glimpse into the lives of the legendary Roger Pirates, something fans have been wanting to see more of as time passes. Maybe one day, Oda will do a prequel/spin-off about them. Until then, though, we have to settle for gems like this.

I Give “Whitebeard and Roger” a 4.5/5

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