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One Piece Chapter 1041 Review/Recap

You know the old saying “revenge is a dish best served cold?” There’s just something so satisfying seeing the look on the face of those who wronged you as they realize they’re about to get what’s coming to them. Hiyori Kozuki, AKA Komurasaki, has waited twenty years to take revenge on Orochi for what he did to her family. Now, after somehow showing up on Onigashima, Komurasaki has her moment. Komurasaki shall have her revenge. But will it end up costing her her life?

Recap

Picking up from where the last chapter left off, Momonosuke tells Yamato what he learned from his father’s journal. However, he doesn’t know the full story, as Oden ripped out the pages on Laugh Tale. Thanks to that, he’s no longer sure about whether opening up Wano will be the right choice. Elsewhere, the Straw Hats and Alliance members struggle to get away from the fire and crumbling island. Most of them are so spent, they couldn’t fight back even if they wanted to.

Meanwhile, in the treasury, Orochi starts losing patience as Komurasaki continues to play her music. He’s so distracted that he doesn’t notice the ceiling cave in until its too late. Now pinned, Komurasaki reveals three things. Firstly, she pinned him with a Seastone Nail so he can’t use his powers. Secondly, Komurasaki explains that the tune she’s playing, Orochi’s favorite tune, is “Moon Princess.” Lastly, that it was the favorite tune of her father, Oden Kozuki.

Atop the skull dome, Luffy and Kaido’s battle continues as the latter realizes that Big Mom’s been beaten. He then relapses into his drunk state as he remembers how he first met Big Mom in the Rock Pirates. Luffy, though, doesn’t care in the slightest, and gives Kaido the beatdown he deserves. No matter what happens, he’s going to kick Kaido out of Wano.

Review

Once again, there’s a lot of things happening at once in this chapter, and I will try to give my thoughts about them as best as I can.

Firstly, I immensely enjoyed the moment when Komurasaki revealed to Orochi that she was Oden’s daughter. The look of pure terror on his face almost makes all the pain he’s caused worth it. Key word almost. The fact that Komurasaki, or rather Hiyori, was able to disable Orochi’s powers makes it all the more enjoyable to watch. Now, all she needs to do is keep him there until the fight’s over, and he’ll face justice at Momonosuke’s hands.

Speaking of Momonosuke, he’s still wracked by his insecurities regarding his Dad’s legacy. He shouldn’t worry so much, though. Oden always expected Momonosuke to surpass him and be the leader that Wano needs. And Wano needs to be opened to the world, on its own terms. Otherwise, everything that’s happened to the Alliance will be for nothing.

As for the rest of the Alliance, they all seem to be okay, with even Zoro being saved by Franky. However, they can’t fight anymore. Which is bad, because now the Gorosei wants CP0 to off Luffy. If they intervene, then Luffy might lose. And right now, he can’t afford to lose. Kaido’s getting close to being beaten; all Luffy needs is one last push to take him down.

So, basically, this chapter was another chaotically fun and exciting chapter of One Piece. Just what I’d expect from the likes of Eichiro Oda.

I Give “Komurasaki” a 4/5

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One Piece Chapter 1032 Review/Recap

This is just something I’ve noticed from years of reading and watching One Piece that needs to be said. The closer an arc gets to its peak, the more chaotic and insane it becomes. Thus, when the story jumps between multiple viewpoints, it’s a sign that the climax of chaos is coming. As the fight on Onigashima reaches that climax, One Piece works to tie up any and all loose ends, of which there are many.

Also, keep reading until the end to hear something special about the 1000th episode of One Piece before it airs the night that I publish this.

Recap

At this point, the situation for the Beast Pirates on Onigashima’s devolving into everyone for themselves. As the fire Kanjuro and Orochi started blazes, it begins to affect everyone on the island. The fire demon continues descending to the armory, but it cuts off the CP0 agents from Brook and Robin, letting them escape. When the Agents see that Apoo and Drake have spotted them, and decide to eliminate witnesses. Angered, the two pirates team up to take out the two agents.

Meanwhile, the fight between Zoro and King continues, but Zoro’s not doing so hot. King counters every attack Zoro makes, leaving him frustrated and looking for answers on what King is. That’s when Zoro hears a shamisen playing, making Enma act and start draining Zoro of all his Haki. Elsewhere, Orochi hears the same thing, prompting him to leave his hiding spot for the adjacent room. There, he’s shocked to find none other than Hiyori, who has resumed her guise as Komurasaki.

What the heck is going on?

Review

Like I said, the growing chaos only means that the arc’s reaching its long-awaited climax. While many fans would like to simply return to the fight between Luffy and Kaido, Oda’s doing all of this to wrap up any loose ends. Of which there are a lot. However, what I want to focus on is the fact that Hiyori appeared in front of Orochi. While part of me wants to believe its an illusion or a disguise, I think that is the real Hiyori. Which begs the question: how did she get inside the castle?

If this is the real Hiyori, then she’s no doubt doing this in order to fulfill her vow to end the tyrant’s life for what he’s done to Wano. As cool as that would be, it also puts her at the very real risk of dying, which would break the hearts of everyone who know her. In addition, I want Orochi’s death to be very public and equal to the amount of pain he’s caused Wano, with either Momo or Zoro as the ones to kill him.

From the look of things, we won’t be getting back to Luffy anytime soon; at least not until the last of Kaido’s allies are dealt with. If the Alliance can stop the fire, though, then I’m about ready to declare them the victor’s of this war. It’s going to happen!

One Piece Episode 1000 Special Event

Before we head out, I would like to remind everyone that tonight marks the premiere of the 1000th episode of One Piece. Thus, Funimation and Toei Animation have teamed up to stream the whole thing live on YouTube. There’s going to fan events, videos, streaming the last two episodes, and it all leads up to the 1000th episode on the night that this is published. The stream’s right here.

I Give “Oden’s Beloved Blade” a 3.5/5

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One Piece Chapter 938 Review/Recap

Dang it! The Alliance had it all planned out, but now all their allies are getting caught left and right. To be fair, though, no plan survives first contact with the enemy. All that’s left is for the Alliance to come up with a new plan in this chapter of One Piece.

Recap

As seen last chapter, Zoro one-hit KO’ed Kamazo. Due to getting stabbed, though, he passes out while Gyukimaru runs away.

Back at Kin’emon and the Minks hideout in Kuri Village, the group’s worst fears are confirmed. Orochi has learned about the Kozuki Clan’s secret message, and his men and the Beast Pirates are arresting people left and right.

As for Kyoshiro, he’s called off Komurasaki’s wake to prevent grieving people from rioting.

In Ebisu Town, the Straw Hats are trying to convince Law not to go after his crew, as that’s what Kaido wants him to do. Shinobu even wants to kill them to keep them from talking. Kanjuro calls her out on this, saying that without the aid of the Straw Hat and Heart Pirates, they won’t win.

Just then, Tonoyasu enters, and he recognizes Shinobu and Kanjuro. He then reveals how he saw the Kozuki Clan’s symbol going around the capital, and he wants in.

Back in Ringo, Zoro awakens after Toko and that woman treated his wounds. He wants to get his sword back, but has no choice but to stay put and heal. The woman then makes good on her promise and feeds Zoro.

She then explains that she’s running because Toko infuriated Orochi. As for her, she is searching for her brother, who she hasn’t seen in 20 years. His name… is Momonosuke Kozuke. Her name is Hiyori Kozuke, his younger sister.

I knew it!

Review

It hasn’t been officially declared that Komurasaki’s really Hiyori, but the One Piece Wiki seems to be working under this assumption, and it adds up with everything we know.

First, we know that Hiyori was never sent into the future like her brother and the Kozuki retainers with him, meaning that she would be an adult by this point. Second, Momonosuke mentioned her at the same time that Komurasaki was introduced. That was a big clue. Then we have Komurasaki mentioning that her father was a Samurai. But the biggest clue was what Kyoshiro said about calling off Komurasaki’s wake.

The only reason is because there would be no body for a wake. Meaning Kyoshiro faked her death. Whether that means he knew who she was is up for debate. It all adds up, though.

On another note, the Alliance’s plans are in jeporady. Orochi’s thugs and the Beast Pirates are on alert and arresting Kozuki loyalists left and right. Orochi was already paranoid, but getting him to let his guard down now will be near impossible. With Luffy’s freedom from Udon Prison on the horizon, though, that could shift things back in the Alliance’s favor.

Then there’s Tonoyasu. He seems to know Shinobu and Kanjuro, but they either don’t remember or don’t recognize him. Could he be another retainer for the Kozuki Clan? Either way, he is willing to fight, so he must be tough. It’s a great disguise, too. No one will pay attention to fool when they’re too busy laughing at them, but fools can be very dangerous.

The manga is on break next week, so we will have to wait two weeks to learn what happens next. However, I am very intrigued by what’s going on and the recent developments. This is shaping up to be my favorite arc since Dressrosa.

I Give Chapter 938 a 4.7/5

Some Stray Observations

• Nami did beat Sanji’s face in for spying on her and Robin in the bathhouse. So Sanji, was it worth it? Because you’ll probably never get married at this rate

• If Hiyori really was Komurasaki like everyone says, then I think she looks cuter without that flashy jewelry