RJ Writing Ink

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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