#//somehow I like how Oda use symbolism

[autumnleaf1111]

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Don’t even ask Dazai how he got here because he doesn’t fucking know. Chuuya already knew that Dazai’s ability has to do with physical touch, but not in the way he thought. The first time No Longer Human was used on Chuuya was an accident. Somehow Dazai accidentally kissed Chuuya. So— Dazai being Dazai, thought it’d be funny if he said that’s how his ability worked. So— yeah—

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It was a simple mission, honestly. Get in, steal some forms from an office, then get out.

But it’s Dazai and Chuuya. No matter what, they always find a way to make things complicated. Like how they were supposed to just sneak in through the window but Dazai just had to go through the ceiling. Saying something along the lines of, “actual spy’s don’t do anything obvious!”

That lead to Dazai falling through the ceiling. Chuuya was fine until till he also ended up falling out the ceiling. He would’ve been fine because of his ability but Dazai had already sat up. Head facing Chuuya’s. Falling face first, and of course, because of whatever god was making this happen, the first thing that touched him was Dazai’s lips. On his lips.

That counts as physical touch, so Chuuya’s ability was disabled. Dazai being Dazai decided to mess with him by telling him that’s how his ability works. He has to kiss the person. Chuuya’s dumbass believed him.

“Okay, so, I kind of have to kiss the person to disable their ability…” Dazai fabricated. Chuuya let out a sigh. “Of course you do…” He rolled his eyes and stood up. “What ever, let’s just get the papers and leave before they get in here because of all the noise you caused.” Chuuya went over to the desk and quickly grabbed the stack of papers they needed. “We are going through the window this time.” Dazai stood up. “Yeah, whatever.”

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Another time it happened was when they were questioning someone. That was also the first time anyone has seen them kiss. Chuuya was easily getting agitated. “If you just tell us why you were sneaking around my boss’s office then there won’t be any problems.” Chuuya deadpanned. “Yeah, I’m not telling you anything.” The man grinned. Chuuya just sighed.

“Look, if you don’t give up now I’m just gonna let this guy—” He pointed at Dazai who was next to Kouyou and Oda. “—Deal with you, trust me when I say you’re not gonna like what he’d do to you.” The guy rolled his eyes. “You really think I’m scared of him? Of you? You’re terribly mistaken.” Of course he’s cocky Chuuya thought. Rolling his eyes again, he continued. “Look, I’ll say this one more time. Tell us what you were going and I’ll make sure you won’t leave looking like you were mauled by a bear.” He was getting annoyed at this point. “As if you can do anything to me. You’re small enough for me to step on.” Chuuya was seriously about to use his ability.

“You also look like someone who has anger issues. Definitely trauma has a child, am I right?” He smirked.

“ Ḁ̷̲̫̞́̍̈́͂̕ͅ5̶̡̬̘͊̃1̶̘̇̅̊̈́̚5̶̞̣̩͉͉̄̓̾͑8̵̟̩́̀̓̔ ”

Chuuya’s eyes widened in surprise, anger following after as he heard the man say the familiar and dreadful symbols, causing him to accidentally turn on his ability. He wanted to wanted to crush this man skull until it was nothing but dust. Before he got the chance, his ability was stopped. Dazai kissed him, causing his ability to stop. “He’s not worth your anger.” Chuuya just crossed his arms. “Whatever…after you’re done questioning him tell me. I wanna ask him questions about…that…” Chuuya mumbled as he walked out. He ignored the confused and shocked expressions on Oda and Kouyou’s faces.

“Dazai, what the hell was that?!” Kouyou exclaimed. “What was what?” Dazai asked with an actual confused expression. “Dazai, are you and Chuuya together?” Oda asked. “Um…no? Why would you even think that.” Kouyou and Oda looked at each other with confusion then looked back at Dazai. “You just kissed him, that indicates you two are together.” Kouyou said. “Oh, about that—” he awkwardly laughed.

He quickly explained to them that he told Chuuya that he has to kiss the person to disable their ability and why it happened. “So, you’ve been doing this for months and he still believes you?” Oda asked in disbelief. “Yeah…it was meant to be a joke at first but I’m in too deep now—” “now that you have feelings for him?” Kouyou interrupted. “Wha— no! I just…”Dazai tried to deny that Kouyou was right but was failing miserably. “Dazai, It’s obvious to everyone that you have a crush on Chuuya.” Oda said. “To everyone except him.” Kouyou added.

“Look, just don’t tell him the truth or I will kill you.” Kouyou and Oda glanced at each other. “Yeah, sure.” Oda said. “Anyway, don’t you have some questions to ask this guy?” Kouyou said. “Oh yeah! This’ll be fun!”. Walking over to the man, Dazai cracked his knuckles and grinned. “As much as I’d like to torture you, I still need you awake enough for Chuuya to ask his questions after I’m done.” The man eyes widened at the feeling of Dazai’s presence.

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Soon, everyone knew why dazai is always kissing Chuuya when he uses corruption. They never said a word about it, obviously scared of what Dazai would do to them. So, they had to deal with there weird ass make out session for 3 years.

Then Dazai left the Port Mafia.

So no more kisses could happen. As much as he’d hate to admit it, Chuuya wasn’t just upset about Dazai leaving him, but he also missed the comfort he felt after using corruption because of those kisses.

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4 years later and they were somehow partners again. They’d both deny the feeling of happiness they felt when working together again, just as they did all those years ago. The truce between the ADA and the Mafia definitely lasted longer than necessary. Over time, everyone’s gotten to know each other. There were friendships that you’d never expect. Along with a little romance between a few of them. Still, they all seem to be at each other’s throats a lot(mostly Akutagawa and Atsushi, along with Dazai and Chuuya but that’s how those two have always been.)

So when the ADA witnessed Dazai kiss Chuuya on the battlefield, well…let’s just say they were more than baffled.

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In the end of the battle, that was the first time most of the Port Mafia members and all the ADA members witnessed corruption. Chuuya didn’t have a choice in the matter, luckily no one got hurt(by him). In all honesty, for those who haven’t seen corruption, they didn’t know what to think. Then they noticed how Dazai looked amazed by it.

“What is that…” Kunikida mumbled next to Dazai. “That’s corruption, that’s Chuuya’s true form of his ability.” Dazai smiled. Chuuya then started to destroy everything in his path even though the fight was over. Dazai couldn’t tell who said it but heard someone mumbling something about “he looks inhuman”. Oh, he didn’t like that. How could someone say that? To Dazai, Chuuya was incredibly beautiful. Dazai then gets out of his hiding place and starts heading towards Chuuya.

“Dazai! What are you doing?!” He heard Kunikida yell but decided to ignore him. He heard some of the others yell for him, then heard Kouyou confirm that Dazai would be fine. Too focused on getting to Chuuya, he completely forgot that everyone was watching them.

“Slug, you probably can’t hear me but just wanted to let you know you’re good now.” Ignoring him, Chuuya started wrecking the ground, laughing hysterically. Dazai quickly grabbed his arm and kissed him at the same time. Corruption had stopped and Chuuya collapsed into Dazai’s arms. “You’ll be ok, Chuuya. You’re done.” Dazai mumbled, knowing that Chuuya might be able to hear him now.

Back with everyone else…

“What the hell?!” Yosano yelled. “Why did he kiss him???” The rest of the port mafia groaned. “They’re still doing this?” Kouyou said to herself. “Seems like it.” Hirotsu said. “Um, what?!” Kunikida yelled. “Oh right, they don’t know—” Kouyou mumbled. “Know what?” Kenji asked. “Don’t worry about it.” Hirotsu said.

They all made their way to Dazai and Chuuya, Chuuya struggling to stay awake. “He looks terrible, we need to get him to a hospital—” Kunikida was interrupted by Dazai. “No. No hospitals.” Dazai picked Chuuya up bridal style. “Are you insane?!” Yosano yelled. “He needs medical atte—” “He will be fine. Keep in mind that we were partners for 3 years. Also, even when we were against the guild he’s used it.” Dazai said. “Let’s just get to the agency’s clinic.”

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It had been about 3 days and Chuuya was still unconscious in the ADA clinic. To the others, this was worrying but to Dazai and the other Mafia members, this was completely normal.

“Dazai, it’s been 3 days and he’s still asleep. Something is wrong.” Yosano said. “He’s fine, Yosano. This has happened many times. The longest he’s been out was a week.” Dazai reassured. “Don’t act like you still aren’t worried.” Ranpo interrupted. “You care for him more than you’d like to admit.” Ranpo grinned. “Me? Care for the slug? Hah! As if.” Dazai denied. “I’m the world greatest detective. I know what I’m talking about.” Dazai rolled his eyes. “Well, I’m telling you that I could care less about him.”

Ranpo groaned. “Aren’t you supposed to be smart? Man, why are you so oblivious when it comes to real romance…” Dazai raised an eyebrow, grinning. “You have no room to talk.” Yosano snickered. “…What?” Ranpo opened his eyes and looked at the both of them.

“Ranpo, do you know who’s in love with you?” Yosano asked. “What are you talking about? No one is in love with me.” He inquired. “Ranpo, someone is in love with you and everyone knows it.” Dazai said. “What?” Yosano laughed. “Let me ask another question; who are you in love with?” Ranpo was confused. “I’m not in love with anyone?” The two sighed. “Ok— who are you two talking about?” He crossed his arms in frustration. “It’s Poe.” They both said. “…wHaT?!” They laughed at his shocked expression. “Ranpo, it’s Poe who’s in love with you, I know you’re in love with him too.” Yosano said.

“No, there’s no way you’ve figured that out before me.” Ranpo whispered out. “We were all shocked when we found out that you two weren’t dating.” Dazai admitted. “Ok— no, shut up, I don’t wanna hear any more of this.” Ranpo said. Luckily for Ranpo, Kenji came bouncing out the clinic door.

“Dazai! Mr. Fancy Hat is awake!” He yelled. Dazai didn’t even try to hide the relief he felt. He immediately went towards the door. “He’s not even trying to hide it.” Yosano said.

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Dazai walked into the clinic, quietly shutting the door behind him then walks over to the curtain Chuuya is behind, he makes enough noise to let his presence be known. Dazai then opened the curtain to see Chuuya fiddling with his fingers. Chuuya looked up after noticing Dazai walked in.

“Ugh…What are you doing here?” He quietly muttered in annoyance. “Kenji told us you were awake so I thought I’d see how you are holding up, I also know you have questions.” Dazai said. Chuuya just rolled his eyes. “You already know what I’m going to ask you.” “Maybe, maybe not. You could have other questions that you want to ask.”

“Whatever…So, how long was I out this time?” Chuuya asked while rubbing his eyes. Dazai walked over and sat on the bed next to him. “Don’t worry Chuuya, you were only unconscious for 3 days.” Chuuya just nodded. “Wait, Where are we?” He asked. “Don’t worry, it’s just the Agencies clinic. I remember our rule, no hospitals.” Chuuya sighed in relief at Dazai’s answer. “Yosano was freaking out.” Dazai started. “Hm? Why?” Chuuya leaned his back against the wall. “You were unconscious for 3 days. She was insisting that something was wrong, but I kept telling her that it was normal.” “Hm…”

Dazai reached in his coat pocket and pulled something out. “Oh right, here.” He said as he put the item in Chuuya’s hand. It’s was Chuuya’s choker. “I found it on the ground next to you and cleaned all the blood off.” Chuuya looked at it. “Thanks…” Chuuya laid his head on Dazai’s shoulder, sighing softly. “Also, the other ADA members saw you use corruption, just warning you if they start asking you any questions.” Dazai explained. “Shit…” Chuuya mumbled. Dazai could tell Chuuya’s thoughts were racing, so Dazai reassured to him. “Chuuya it’s alright. They weren’t horrified, just shocked.”

“Did everyone make it out alive?” Chuuya asked. “Yeah, everyone’s fine.” Dazai said. “Alright…How’s Ane-San? Is she ok?” “Other than always being worried about you, she’s perfectly fine.” “Oh wow.” They both looked up, seeing Ranpo and Yosano walk in. “I told you we’d find them like this.” Ranpo said shrugging his shoulders as he grinned at Yosano. “Whatever.” She rolled her eyes.

“Yosano, did you need anything?” Dazai asked. “I came in here to check on him—” She hinted at Chuuya. “—and seeing as I am a doctor I need to make sure nothing is wrong.” Dazai rolled his eyes. “I already told you that he’s fine, he’s done this for years.” She rolled her eyes again. “Well, boo hoo, as long as you’re a patient in my care then you listen to me.”

As Yosano and Dazai bickering, Chuuya noticed a tray full of medical supplies. “That depends on the medical supplies you’ll use.” Chuuya then interrupted the two. “Mackerel, I’ll be fine.” He playfully flicked his head. “Slug, we promised no hospitals.” “Technically this isn’t a hospital.” “Fine, whatever.”

Yosano and Ranpo just stood there, watching…whatever the hell that conversation was. “So…can I do what I was going to do now?” Yosano asked. “What exactly are you gonna do?” Chuuya asked, looking at the tray. “I’ll just see how dilated your pupils are.” Yosano explained.

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About an hour later, Kenji walks into the infirmary room to see if Chuuya is doing better. “Mr. Fancy hat!” He smiles brightly. “Hey kid. What’s up?” Kenji shrugged his shoulders. “I just wanted to check on you!” He smiled. Chuuya laughed a little. “Thanks kid.” They began talking for a few minutes. Well— mostly Kenji was talking. Talking about his cows and what not— “Mr. Fancy hat, I have a question.” Kenji said. “What is it?” Chuuya had to admit that he was curious. “Chuuya, Why did Dazai kiss you the other day when you were using your ability?” Kenji asked.

Chuuya looked confused. “What do you mean? He was using his ability to cancel out mine.” Chuuya explained. That just made Kenji more confused. “But why did he kiss you?” Chuuya was also confused. “Because that’s how his ability works?” Kenji raised an eyebrow. “No it’s not?” He said. “What?” Chuuya was super confused now. “Dazai just has to touch a person to stop their ability? He doesn’t have to kiss them.” Kenji said.

Chuuya’s eyes widened. “What— but he— huh?!” Chuuya didn’t know what to say or think. “Kenji, can you go get Dazai?” Chuuya asked. He noded his head and left. A few minutes later Dazai walked into the room. “Chibi? What did you need me for—” Chuuya grabbed Dazais collar and got close to his face. “You lied to me about your ability!?” Chuuya said, Dazai’s eyes went wide. “Wait what—” They looked at each other for a second. Dazai sighed. “Alright. Yeah, I lied…” Chuuya’s eyes went wide, not expecting him to admit it.

“Why…?” Chuuya asked. “Well…at first it was supposed to be a harmless prank at the beginning but….” Chuuya raised an eyebrow. “But what?” Dazai didn’t look at him. “I let it go on for too long and uh— I couldn’t figure out how to tell you so I just….went with it, I guess…” Dazai explained. “You’re an idiot…” Chuuya muttered. “Yeah, I know…” They didn’t know what to do now. “Hang on— did anyone else in the Mafia know about this?!” Dazai looked at Chuuya for a moment. “…Yeah.” “And no one told me?!” “I may or may not have threatened them to not tell you…” Chuuya just sighed. “Of course you did…”

Chuuya sat back down and groaned, “Fuck it.” Dazai looked at him, confused as Chuuya hesitated before grabbing his collar and pulling him into a kiss. Dazai’s eyes widened before he melted into the kiss, letting his hands rest on Chuuya’s waist.

They both eventually break the kiss and look each other in the eyes. “Fuck— I missed doing that more than I’d like to admit….” Chuuya mumbled. Dazai couldn’t help but smile at Chuuya’s words, feeling a warmth in his chest that he hadn’t felt in a long time. “I missed it too,” Dazai replied softly, reaching out to cup Chuuya’s cheek.

He pulled him in for one last kiss, sealing unspoken feelings that seem to always be talked about. They knew their relationship was rocky and full of hurt and misunderstandings. But, like always, they’d find a way to make things right. Even if it takes years.

[krongulous]

ELBAF PREDICTIONS, from someone currently in Zou #lol:

The villains in this arc will be Gods Knights, from the image shown here at least 9 are shown, though there could be more, this is based on the fact that rn the gorosei are tailing the strawhats at Egghead, so when they eventually escape to Elbaf, the knights will probably be sent after them.

Assuming 9 is the limit though I’ll send some quick match ups: Luffy, Sanji, Zoro, Jinbe, Franky, Usopp, Urouge, Enel, Gedatsu. Why these two out of nowhere?

Well I dont think the arc will be entirely focused on the giants, moreso this is gonna be an arc focusing on three characters, Gedatsu, Enel and Urouge

The three of them represent different parts of the sky islands lore, Gedatsu represents the destruction of Birka, being one of the few survivors

Enels focus will be an origin story of sorts, basically being about how he found the devil fruit and how he got to the sky islands, as you’ll note his lack of wings (this could just be due to the symbols on his back however)

And finally urouge, who I feel will also be tied to Birka in some way. I see a lot of people mistake him for being Shandian, however I don’t think this is the case, as his younger form is shown having a hairstyle only skypieans have. It’s also safe to say in this arc we’ll actually learn the name of his devil fruit.

If I had to throw a quick Oda esque-backstory out there: Urouge was there when Enel took over Birka, made Gedatsu and the rest of the priests work under him and finally destroy it when he saw it as no longer useful, and SOMEHOW survive and probably find a devil fruit afterwards.

Now why would they be at Elbaf?

For Gedatsu I can just see it being a coincidence, he tunnelled too far with his mole buddy and ended up at Elbaf with Goro and wacky hi-jinx ensue where chopper remembers Gedatsu blah blah blah but they’re over it

With Enel I can see him finally coming back down to earth to meet with Luffy, and when luffy wants to fight him, he instead makes peace with him, knowing his limits, he wants to ally with luffy instead since the murals on the moon had interested him so much, that he figured the blue sea below the skies had the answers

For Urouge though? I have three ideas:

A: he could want to ALLY with luffy, as he followed him to Elbaf to ask if he could join his grand fleet and help him claim the one piece, with him being forced to partner with Enel as they fight gods knights

B: he could be the actual villain of the arc, dispatching of one of Gods knights in the middle of a fight and forcing Luffy and Enel to team up to defeat him

Or finally C: Enels the real villain who gets rid of gods knights and makes luffy form an alliance with urouge and Gedatsu to defeat Enel, “for Birka!” Or whatever

Whatever the outcome of this is though, it will end with luffy having gained a new ally, and I think the outcome is set in stone by this point:

Robin will find the final road poneglyph here and after the battle, preparation for the final battle at Laughtale is set in motion, the grand fleet are called to Elbaf to prepare and a massive final party is had the night before they finally set off towards Laughtale.

Or it could be nothing like this and I essentially wrote a fanfic for nothing

[a-musing-mixologist]

Things that I really want to see moving forward, spoilers obv:

A connection between Kid and Nika, because this post makes an interesting observation about how Punk Rotten has Nika's symbol, there's even eight spikes to correspond to the outer circles. It would certainly make sense given how he hates the World Government and came from an Unaffiliated island.

Kid meeting Vegapunk. They have to have some connection, come on. I wouldn't be surprised if Kid's whole punk aesthetic was derived from it, since VP is often shortened to just Punk. The pic we have of him as a kid shows him messing with a robot, and we don't see them outside of VP tech. I also believe Damned Punk is probably based on a Pacifista laser since he would have had a chance to scavenge them back on Sabaody. He already knew what cyborgs were.

Also this post makes a good point- DP has 07 on it and we know 01-06 are used for the Satellites. It seems like anytime we see a piece of metal with numbers on it, it's connected to VP somehow.

VP finding a cure for Killer's SMILE. I would be really surprised if this doesn't get addressed given how many people are suffering. Even if it doesn't reverse the water weakness, I'd love to see the emotional aspect get cured, and it would go a long way toward Kid learning to trust others.

More on his crew please Oda I'm begging they look like they have so much potential. Give us the backstory.

[maybeamiles]

One Piece Reaction!

I've finished Impel down and started Marineford. I'm speeding through a lot of the battles because I don't have a lot of free time in my day, and watching people shout the names of their moves doesn't really seem like a productive use of my time. This is probably one of those arcs where I'll enjoy it more if I get to read the manga.

I hope Bon Clay comes back somehow. I know he got the dramatic sacrifice treatment, but I also know Oda doesn't like killing off characters so if I don't see their body I'm gonna assume they could come back.

OKAY NOW LETS TALK ABOUT UNDERWORLD SYMBOLISM BECAUSE I COMPLETELY FORGOT ABOUT THAT IN MY LAST REACTION.

So Impel down clearly draws inspiration from Dante's inferno and the 9 layers of hell. I'm pretty sure layers 1-5 are indirectly taken from one of the layers of hell, though I'd have to refresh my memory on each one in order to remember which hell specifically.

Luffy's journey to save Ace from the Navy is SUCH an epic hero trope. The hero goes into the underworld to save someone they love (with varying levels of success).

Now, there are differences. Usually, the hero goes alone to save their loved one, but One Piece is such a found family kind of show that instead, the whole pirate world shows up to save Ace.

And I got to the episode where Ace says he wants to die to save everyone (which ain't gonna work because the navy won't give mercy to pirates). The layers of this tragedy are really piling up now. Ace would do anything to protect his family, and that is both his greatest strength and his ultimate weakness.

And Doflamingo said something early in the battle that felt like a theme statement. It went along the lines of "justice will be decided by the winners."

It is funny how my theorizing went "ace and luffy aren't biologically related" to "wait they are" to "wait, I was right the first time." I've thought for a while that Luffy must be related to Rodger, but I knew the timelines didn't add up. Ace being his kid genuinely shocked me.

Oh, and of course, there are the friends' wherabouts episodes. Sanji's stuff is... ugh. The last episode with him was playing into a trope that's more commonly used against trans men where someone is manipulated into changing their gender. It's a bad trope. I'm hoping there ends up being something at the end about how you can be a man and still be "girly" sometimes, but idk. The genderqueerness in this story is very clearly well intentioned but just keeps falling short for the sake of being funny.

(Though it doesn't help that SOME PEOPLE are transphobic every time genderqueerness comes up)

Tbh the only thing that made that part bearable was the fact that Sanji does look very good in that dress.

OKAY AND ZORO. My boy! He's fighting spooky ghosts! I hope by the end of this he learns how to cut stuff like fire and ghosts. That would be just epic. And Perona is honestly amazing for putting up with his nonsense. A wonderful pallette cleanser after the HOT NONSENSE that is Sanji's training arc.

[dizzyrobinsims]

CAUGHT. UP. WITH. ONE PIECE.

HECK YEAH.

Theories and predictions TIIIIIIME-

Note that I have not checked theories so the below may be common ones the fandom would go “Awwww cute, yeah we’ve theorized that for a decade”, but I’m putting it here for laughs and to see how many hold up on further scrutiny or by the finale.

1: Sanji and his brothers have Lunarian DNA edited in by their father, since the timeline lines up for when Judge was part of MADS and King was a test subject. Also see the Seraph, so we know Dr. Vegapunk and his crew had access.

2: There is gonna be some big ass reveal with Zoro and his ability to cheat death. The fact that the reaper was looming over him is important, and he got a sword his is named after the god/ruler of hell. Oda is building some THEMES here. Plus, he got the sword Wado because of Kuina’s death, which is interesting.

3: Weevil isn’t Whitebeard’s son by the usual means, dude’s a clone.

4: Pudding has been kidnapped by Blackbeard to try and awaken her third eye to read the Poneglyphs. Also sidenote but how the heck will Shanks, Kid and Law translate the glyphs? WHAT MEANS DO THEY HAVE. THEY SEEM PRETTY CONFIDENT. ...Tho tbh Kid and Law are probably just trying to gather the glyphs before they tackle that, so Shanks is the main one I’m side-eying here. (Maybe Oden taught him how to read the poneglyphs???)

5: Blackbeard is gonna lose because the sea. Like his whole ass crew are devil fruit users. That fucking idiot. Also have we have only seen him use Haki sparingly, and seems overly dependent on the fruit. So that will be interesting. Also adjacent theory- Blackbeard as a individual is at least partly gonna lose because of Zoro or Sanji or a combo of the two. 

6: Blackbeard isn’t gonna be the final battle for Luffy. I’m not sure who the final battle will be- I’m leaning towards Shanks or Im-sama, but neither of those feel truly *right* right now so IDK. I could absolutely be wrong since Blackbeard’s goal may be the same as Rocks, which was to rule the world (and symbolically Luffy opposes that because yanno. Freedom.), but Im-sama is the current ruler and system, whereas Shanks would be a symbolic final passing of the torch for the younger generation to have truly surpassed their elders.

7: Hawkeye, Im-sama and the freakin’ Elephant are all connected somehow because of their eyes DON’T ASK ME HOW. (...oooh wait does that mean Hawkeye is ancient? Huh. That... would be interesting if Zoro takes on the mantle of death/king of hell and wins against Hawkeye, finally bringing death to an immortal.)

8: Law is not going to win against Blackbeard, but he’s gonna escape with Pudding. Also her eye will get awakened which will help solve his Poneglyph reading problem. This may also bring in Katakuri again, YES.

9: Kuma may have also been a Lunarian.

10: Speaking of Lunarians, since they were the previous gods, my grand theory: There used to be a bad oppressive system during the void century, Joyboy and others attempted and successfully overthrew it, but in the fallout the government/celestial dragon factions that took over and came out on top simply put in another bad system with themselves in power instead. However there are some holes, such as why the government wanted to completely erase that history instead of spinning it as they are the true heroes and yadda yadda.

It could also be Wano is a shorter period of what ended up happening during the void century, just with the end result being worse aka what if a Kaido figure won with the Orochi types overthrown and the Kozuki types suppressed and scattered.

Alright that’s it for tonight yeet.

[chefalier]

SANJI/PUDDING FANMIX: FACADE

facade (n): show, front, appearance, illusion, mask, veil, cloak, masquerade

“A relationship is built on the top of facade when two people step on a royal wedding which is full of conspiracy. When sacrifice is an illusion, trust is betrayed, love is just a game, and tears are shed; which side will win in the end? The actor behind his mask or the actress behind her veil?”

>> LISTEN on Youtube or Spotify

This is a collaboration fanmix made by me and @douxpudding​. Tracks are arranged by chapter order from 845-864, better not to play in shuffle. Annotation/Lyrics snippet are under the cut.

1. Damien Rice - My Favorite Faded Fantasy (You could be my favorite place I’ve ever been. I got lost in your willingness to dream within the dream. I’ve hung my happiness upon what it all could be with you. You could hold the secrets that save me from myself. I could love you more than life if I wasn’t so afraid.)

2. Paramore - Idle Worship (Standing here like I’m supposed to say something. Don’t hold your breath, I never said I’d save you, honey. If I was you, I’d run from me or rip me open. Be sure to put your faith in something more. I got your hopes up. Now I got you hoping but I’m gonna be the one that let you down.)

3. Arctic Monkey - R U Mine? (She’s a silver lining lone ranger riding through an open space in my mind when she’s not right there beside me. I go crazy ‘cause here isn’t where I wanna be. I guess what I’m trying to say is I need the deep end. Great escape lost track of time and space. She’s a silver lining climbing on my desire. Are you mine tomorrow?)

4. Garbage - Only Happy When It Rains (I know you can’t appreciate it. I love it when the news is bad and why it feels so good to feel so sad.  I only smile in the dark. I didn’t accidentally tell you that. You’ll get the message by the time I’m through when I complain about me and you.  You wanna hear about my new obsession? Pour your misery down on me.)

5. Royal Blood - You Can be So Cruel (I’m outside your window, I’m outside your door. Well, I’ve never been this down before and it shows. Killing me so gently, hands right round my throat. Choking me so slowly, slashing every words down to the bone.)

6. 30 Seconds to Mars - A Beautiful Lie (Lie awake in bed at night and think about your life. Do you want to be different? Try to let go of the truth. It’s the perfect denial. Such a beautiful lie to believe in. So beautiful, it makes me. I’m running around in circles, baby. A quiet desperation is building higher. I’ve got to remember this is just a game.)

7. Taylor Swift - Blank Space (Nice to meet you. I could show you incredible things: magic, madness, heaven, sin. Saw you there and I thought, “Oh my God, look at that face.” You look like my next mistake. Love is a game, want to play?I can read you like a magazine. I’m dying to see how this one ends. I can make a bad guy good in a weekend. It’s gonna go down in flame. The high was worth the pain. Darling, I’m a nightmare dressed like a daydream. It’ll leave you breathless or with a nasty scar.)

8. Muse - Dead Inside (Unleash a million drones and confine me then erase me, babe. Do you have no soul? It’s like it died long ago. On the outside you’re ablaze and alive but you’re dead inside. Feel me now, hold me please. I need you to see who I am. Open up to me. Stop hiding from me. It’s hurting, babe. Only you can stop the pain. Don’t leave me out in the cold. Don’t leave me out to die. I gave you everything. You’ve taught me to lie without a trace and to kill with no remorse. On the outside I’m the greatest guy, now I’m dead inside!)

9. Breaking Benjamin - Evil Angel (Hold it together, birds of a feather. Nothing but lies and crooked wings. I have the answer, spreading the cancer. You are the faith inside me. Hiding betrayal. Driving the nail. Hoping to find a savior.  No, don’t leave me to die here. Help me survive here. Put me to sleep, evil angel. Why can’t I breathe?)

10. CHVRCHES - Gun (You had better run from me with everything you own. ‘Cause I am gonna come for you with all that I have. I am gonna break you down to tiny, tiny parts. Take a good swing at me and everything is even.  No place for promises here. You better run. Hide, I have burned your bridges. I will be a gun. And it’s you I’ll come for. And I’m gonna see that you won’t go far. )

11. Bon Jovi - You Give Love A Bad Name (An angel’s smile is what you sell. You promise me heaven, then put me through hell. You’re a loaded gun, there’s nowhere to run. Paint your smile on your lips. Blood red nails on your fingertips. A school boy’s dream, you act so shy. Your very first kiss was your first kiss goodbye. I play my part and you play your game.)

12. Katy Perry - Dark Horse (I knew you were gonna come to me and here you are. But you better choose carefully ‘cause I’m capable of anything and everything. Make me your Aphrodite, make me your one and only. But don’t make me your enemy.  I’m coming at you like a dark horse. Are you ready for a perfect storm? ‘Cause once you’re mine, there’s no going back. It’s a yes or no, no maybe. Give it all to me.)

13. The Cab - Animal (Girl, you locked the door behind you when you walked into my room. And your eyes have got me thinking that maybe there’s a different side of you. Crawling on your hands and knees slowly over to me, reach out to touch my face. Anticipation. Push me up against the wall, whispers and nicks and all these tricks you try and pull. Manipulation. My heart may be missing. But I’ll sink my teeth right into it. My eyes and my mouth agree. You’ll be coming home with me.)

14. Backstreet Boys - Masquerade (This scene’s so hypnotic. Smoking mirrors, lights, and magic. There’s soldier boys, beauty queens. It’s got me losing control. It’s a masquerade, a love parade. Just like a perfect dream. I don’t ever wanna leave. A thousand freaks in the show. One’s a tiger, one’s a lynx. One’s a king that suffering. Moving high, moving low. Burning, can’t you see it in my eyes? Wanna play in this game of disguise. I gotta know the girl behind the mask, don’t pretend. Show your face to me, we could be everything.)

15. Britney Spears - Circus (Well baby, I’m a put-on-a-show kinda girl. I’m like the ringleader. I call the shots. I feel the adrenaline moving through my veins. Spotlight on me and I’m ready to break. Better be ready, hope that you feel the same.  All the eyes on me in the center of the ring just like a circus. When I crack that whip, everybody gonna trip. There’s only two types of guys out there: ones that can hang with me and ones that are scared. So baby, I hope that you came prepared. I run a tight ship, so beware. Follow me, show me what you can do.)

16. Portishead - Sour Times ( To pretend no one can find the fallacies of morning rose. Forbidden fruit, hidden eyes, courtesies that I despise in me. End the vows, no need to lie, enjoy.  Take a ride, take a shot now. After time the bitter taste of innocence, decent or race. Scattered seeds, buried lives. Mysteries of our disguise revolve, circumstance will decide.)

17. Natalie Grant - The Real Me (Do I let it show, does anybody know? But you see the real me. Hiding in my skin, broken from within. Unveil me completely. I’m loosening my grasp. There’s no need to mask my frailty. Painted on, life is behind a mask. Self-inflicted circus clown. What a mess I’ve made of my existence. Wonderful, beautiful is what you see. When you look at me, you’re turning the tattered fabric of my life into a perfect tapestry.)

18. Pink - It’s All Your Fault (It’s all your fault. You called me beautiful. You turned me out. And now I can’t turn back. I hold my breath because you were perfect. But I’m running out of air and it’s not fair. I would never pull the trigger. But I’ve cried wolf a thousand times. I wish you could feel as bad as I do. I have lost my mind.)

19. Royal Blood - Little Monster (I got my eye on you. Where are you going, where you running to? Hey little monster, you know it’s all ok. I’m gonna love you, no matter what you say. I got love on my fingers, lust on my tongue. You say you got nothing, so come out and get some. Heartache to Heartache, I’m your man.  Tell me what’s on your mind, where’ve you been hiding? Can I come this time? So pleased to please you, let me discover. )

20. Ellie Goulding - Only You (Only you can be the aching in my heart. My enemy, the only animal I couldn’t fight. You hold me in the dark when storms arrive. Only you can see the emptiness I feel when you’re with me. When everything you say, baby, I’m on my knees.)

[ultranos]

What are your thoughts on the take that since Azula doesn't like tea, that means that she doesn't care about peace?

I'd ask what this person is smoking and if they're willing to share, because wow, that..very much ignores much of the history of tea in favor of watered-down new-age Westernisms that give us hipsters putting "namaste" on everything.

Okay, to be fair, there is a historical and cultural link to the idea of tea and "peace", but it's peace in the Buddhist and Daoist senses of the word. An inner calmness, a way to approach the state of wuwei or "No-Mind". It's not in the United Nations sense of the word, not really.

The history of tea begins as medicine, and grew to be associated with cleanliness and asceticism, a simple kind of purity. It was a drink of royalty before it became a drink of commoners because of the immense amount of work it takes to grow and harvest it. From China, it moved to Japan, where the Heian court refined their own ways of drinking, and it eventually moved to the samurai class. The warlords Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Nobunaga Oda were taught tea ceremony by the same master. Tea has always been associated with war and subjugation, from the Chinese who traded tea for warhorses with the Mongolians, to the entire colonization of half the planet by the British for the sake of the Royal East Indian Tea Company.

Tea = Peace is a very shallow reading of history and cultural significance, really. And it gets into an annoyance of mine with this series, when it uses culture as props and costume without necessarily digging into the symbolism of what is being used. In this particular case, I suspect the charge of "Azula doesn't like tea, therefore is against peace" is because it apparently somehow follows from "Iroh likes tea, and Iroh is on the side of the protagonists, who are for peace". (Nevermind General Iroh attempting to smash the walls of Ba Sing Se and joke about razing the largest city in the world to the ground is cheerfully drinking tea as he writes this.) Which, quite frankly, is a load of horseshit.

Tea is not monolithic. There is no one way to prepare tea. There is not one type of tea. The way one prepares tea for Chinese gong fu cha is vastly different than how one prepares a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, which is also different from Taiwanese tea ceremony.

It's far more likely that if Azula doesn't like tea, it's that she doesn't like the same variety of tea that Iroh does. Iroh appears to enjoy florals and delicate teas; it's very easy to suggest that someone who prefers smokier or earthier flavors would not enjoy a cup of those. A jasmine oolong will never be confused with a lapsang souchong or a tieguanyin or a sencha. Furthermore, Azula could very well not like the way Iroh prepares tea.

Because, and I'm about to commit fandom heresy here, Iroh might kind of prepare tea wrong. Or rather, we see him preparing tea the same way, regardless of what he describes he's drinking. It's very likely that Ba Sing Se has a different tea tradition than the Fire Nation, so unless he's importing leaves at great expense, he's probably using local cultivars when he starts his tea shop. And yet, you see him using the same style pot. Meaning it's entirely possible that Iroh prepares his tea in the Fire Nation style, regardless of how it's actually supposed to be prepared. Which...would lose out on a lot of the things that make some teas special.

Not to mention him pouring boiling water over the leaves when he says he's making a jasmine tea, a technique that is guaranteed to ruin the delicate leaves of that tea.

(Don't get me started on the utterly absurd notion that tea master Iroh invents boba, which is a Taiwanese invention that is often competing against traditional tea houses. And sometimes crowds out specialty cultivars, because a lot of boba is made with lower-quality leaves. The idea is basically the perfect encapsulation of all of this "culture as prop" nonsense, because Iroh likes tea and boba is what the younger generations drink, so clearly he must invent it! Despite it literally going against his characterization.)

Basically, it's far more interesting and offers rich possibilities if instead of "Azula hates tea ergo she hates peace", one instead didn't treat the large and complex subject as a monolith, appreciated the different cultural approaches to the subject, and instead considered what it might mean if Azula and Iroh disagreed greatly on the particulars of tea.

[ninhaoma-ya]

Chapter 1052 — New morning

If the official translation doesn’t have it as “new dawn”, I’ll be sad. Although maybe there’s a difference in the Japanese as well and Oda chose ‘morning’ for a reason? We’ll have to wait and see, as with many other things in life as well.

But SUCH A BRILLIANT CHAPTER! Loved every single page and panel!

Serious spoiler warnings!

I do always tag with "spoiler" but in case that glitched: Go and read the chapter, then you can come back.

We’ll see if I can keep this to my customary one post or if I have to go multiposting for the first time.

To save space: the cover story keeps on delivering. Controversial take: I like Cesar Clown and the potential of him re-teaming with Judge under the Germa flag is.. something.

The Gorosei in da house!

Three things:

1. I haven’t noticed those tripartite logo/symbol/thingies up between the arches. Symbolising the balance between the three powers?

2. How are you going to bring Nico Robin anywhere? You couldn’t even catch her with two agents in the middle of a battle, where her focus is scattered? Does this mean they still have agents inside the country? Or are you just bluffing, nameless CP0? Which leads to number…

3. …is it an agent calling, having secured Robin? Or is it someone completely different?

Rest in peace, Hawkins.

Drake doesn’t appear to have long left either.

This is a very peculiar chapter and a great example of Oda’s storytelling skills. He manages to weave plot progression, hope and sorrow through every page. I really hope they publish a collectors edition or something of One Piece when it’s done. All the original books, no omnibus monstrosities and with all the correct names (I physically hurt when I see ‘Zolo’) as well as explanations of all the culture-specific things that the d’ablations do such a great job of explaining. I’d buy that in a heartbeat and then I could read this chapter as it is intended to be read, just to see how Oda does the mood shifts from one spread to the other.

Because after the jubilation in the capital (and the nod to the importance of <cough> impartial information and critical thinking skills in schoolchildren, Oda goes on to break your heart in the most beautiful way possible.

Rest in peace, Izo and Ashura.

And may the remaining scabbards find some peace without you.

I do hope that “something could happen to our heroes” doesn’t foreshadow anything happening to, to take a completely random example, Robin.

Deaths-in-story, not counting flashbacks, this arc:

Yasuie

Kanjuro

Orochi

Kaido*

Big Mom*

Hawkins

Ashura

Izo

*Until Oda shows something different, I will believe being dropped I a pool of magma will kill you

I’m still a bit uncertain that this is what Oda meant with “they’ll have to learn to cope with loss/war has a price”. Although that’s a lot of deaths (with Oda standards) there’s no-one particularly close to the Straw Hats. We’ll have to wait and see how (/if) he brings that back somehow, especially with Kin’emons comment regarding something happening to their saviours…

But to happier tidings!

Jinbe seems to have overcome his apprehension regarding Yamato from last week!

And in less pleasant parts of the page…

Aaaaand called it. The confusion regarding Momo’s actual age and physical age and behaviour is gaggified, as expected.

And continuing on the I told you so-train, next stop…

IN YOUR FACE REDDIT!

I really have no idea how much clearer Oda, the author of this thing we all love and obsess over, can make it: THIS IS HOW THESE PEOPLE PRESENT. Accept it! Move on! It’s not a big deal.

And still they keep calling Yamato “she”. Well, some people are so far up their own arse that they can use their nose as a whistle.

Also, love Zoro and Sanji bickering in the background.

And just because the whole next spread is a pure unadulterated delight, I will share it all!

Yamato, the guy, bathing with the guys! Momo, being a blushing 8-year old!

Kiku, the gal, bathing with the gals! Horselina, included in the family!

Usopp and Franky, being all handy and engineery and cool!

AND THE ALLIANCE’S REACTION TO GENERAL FRANKY! The vice-captains (and Bubblegum) being all impressed and starry-eyed! And Franky being very pleased with himself about that.

How does Oda manage these emotional U-turns? Sorrow and grief to relief to hilarity and joy with a few turns of the page?

I really want to know Apoo’s backstory with the numbers. Why are they so friendly?

Bounties next week, bounties next week..

(Unless Oda is trolling and keeps them for after the month-long break)

Ooo.. what’s classed as “unnecessary” by Akainu? Razing the country to the ground?

The ideas about the fifth admiral having a plant-based Devil Fruit seem to have been spot on. And how does that coat work, with the stem coming through it? Does it have a hole in the back?

I still say Kizaru’s entrance into the story is the coolest, but Ryokugyu’s is a nice one as well, well suited to the lighthearted tone of the chapter’s end. And the tension just keeps ramping up: who is this mystical fifth admiral, who we’ve only heard about (and seen one half-profile of) before, but who can clash with the mightiest? Is he there of his own will or did Akainu send him? What’s his goal?

Prediction time!

Next week:

- bounties revealed

- Kid and Law confirmed as emperors alongside Luffy

- Robin returns from having investigated the Poneglyphs

- party starts

- Ryokugyu’s presence revealed to the pirates OR them standing outside the banquet hall, not yet seen, but left as a cliffhanger for the break…

Great chapter! Plot progressing nicely and tidying up the lose ends, nice and clear statements from Oda regarding who people are. Art does leave a little something to be wished for, but it’s still cleaner and clearer than it was in the middle of the raid.

I give it a smile as wide as Horselina’s and a feeling of catharsis and the sweet relief of a good cry.

[as-i-watch]

Maybe this is just me, but I think it’s kinda a shame Zoro’s the only Straw Hats who didn’t have an adventure on their home territory (or a symbolic representation of it), just because his first sword teacher, while I’m sure not to be underestimated, looks like the most mildest-mannered motherfucker to have ever lived - the kind who definitely owns a swear jar and probably unironically loves kitschy home decor - yet somehow unleashed a Zoro on an unsuspecting East Blue populace, where he acquired a reputation for being so violent there were rumors that he was secretly a monster wearing human skin. I would’ve loved to see that contrast fleshed out more, and some of the other characters try to hash out how that even happens.

I 100% agree but at the same time i dont think Oda is done with Zoro's childhood

Talking about the straw hat's tragic pasts i did mention how we (or at least i) have no idea about Zoro's life before he arrived all shaggy at that Dojo and got hid butt kicked by Kuina.

Oda is holding back and its gonna be devastating when he finally give us more baby zoro

[distinguished-slacker]

Ichinose Clan Theory — The meaning behind Guren’s crest

I already talked in a post that I recently made about how Kagami used the prestigious Tokugawa Clan as a reference for the Sangū Clan:

https://distinguished-slacker.tumblr.com/post/652605760110542848/sang%C5%AB-clan-theory-the-meaning-behind-mitsuba-and

However, while doing this research I randomly happened to find a clan that could be the reference for the Ichinose Clan:

That is the Saitō Clan (斎藤氏). The Saitō Clan was a Japanese samurai clan from Echizen Province, Fuku Prefecture. This family ruled over the Mino Province, which bordered the Owari province that I mentioned in my previous post. Saitō Dōsan was a powerful warlord who married his daughter to Oda Nobunaga, who was Japanese “daimyō” (a Japanese magnate or feudal lord) and one of the leading figures of the Sengoku period. Oda Nobunaga was one of the "Great Unifiers" of Japan along with Tokugawa Ieyasu and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. However, Saitō Dōsan and his son Saitō Yoshitatsu were defeated by the Oda and died in 1564. Saitō Yoshitatsu’s son was known as a drunkard who was unable to govern and was defeated by the same Oda Nobunaga three years later. As a consequence, the Saitō clan disappeared in 1567. It sounds similar as to how the Ichinose Clan lost their prestige.

But why am I sure why the Saitō Clan was used as a reference for the Ichinose Clan?

This is because of Rígr Stafford who refers himself as ‘Saitō’ and who coincidentally happens to have a relation with the Ichinose Clan as seen in Volume 2, Chapter 1 of the Resurrection at 19 Light Novels:

Although it wasn’t Saito who initially created the Ichinose Clan, as it was Sika Madu who created the whole Mikado no Oni, and so the Hīragi family and the 10 branch houses serving under them, it was indeed Saito who was the perpetrator of the incident that happened 500 years ago that caused the Ichinose Clan to separate from Mikado no Oni, form Mikado no Tsuki, and become “pariahs”. Moreover, as it is mentioned, similar to how Sika Madu insterted his own cells inside some members of the Hīragi family (or possibly all members in all generations since 1200 years ago), Saito inserted some of his own cells inside an Ichinose Clan member 500 years ago, and so all of his descendants, including Guren, still contain these cells inside their bodies to this day. This means that if Sika Madu is the God and creator of Mikado no Oni, then Saito would be the God and creator of Mikado no Tsuki.

To further support this claim, let’s have a look at the crest of the Saito Clan:

Doesn’t this shape remind you of the pendant that Guren wears at the center of his uniform collar?

There has been some discussion over the years when it comes to guessing what actually the shape of Guren’s pendant is; some people said it is a Sun while others say it is a cherry blossom flower. But what if it’s neither of them?

First, the ones who claim it’s a Sun is because then it would complement the Hīragi Clan Moon pendant, more specifically Shinya, as Shinya’s name means “midnight” while Guren is called the “Sun” more than once, acting as foils to each other. However, if you have a closer look at it it’s hard to completely affirm that it’s a Sun because the circle is way too small in comparison to what the Sun rays would be and the five division of the rays resembles more a flower.

Here come the ones who claim it’s a cherry blossom. This is further supported by the use of the cherry blossom in OnS. When Guren attended Shibuya First High School for the first time, the cherry blossoms were in their blooming season, which is March/April. Also, in volume 14 of the manga, Mahiru happens to be seated on top of a cherry blossom tree with Guren behind her, and some people have theorised that the cherry blossom represents Mahiru because the flower symbolises the fleeting nature of life, as Mahiru “died” when she was only sixteen. There is also the fact that people assume it’s a cherry blossom because it’s one of the easiest flowers to recognise. But let’s have a look at how a cherry blossom actually looks like:

The edges of real life cherry blossom petals are really smooth, and no matter what cherry blossom “Sakura” symbols you look at on internet, the petals always have this particular rounded, slightly pointy with an inwards triangular cut at the middle edge shape. But the petals of Guren’s flower emblem are way too rough and irregularly shaped to belong to those of a cherry blossom flower. Then, to what flower it belongs to?

This flower is the Nadeshiko flower Dianthus superbus or the fringed pink or large pink. As you can see, it has five petals which have rough edges like those of Guren’s crest. One of the regions this flower can be found is in Japan and it occurs at high altitudes, up to 2400 m. This reminds me of how Guren’s home is mountainous. But putting that aside, some fans of Japanese culture might recognise this name from the ‘Yamato Nadeshiko’, which is the personification of an idealized Japanese woman. According to this ideal, this woman has to feminine, poised, gentle, humble, patient, honest, charitable, benevolent, chaste and devoted to her husband, always submissive to him, dedicated to the family, bonus points if she looks weak, delicate, with pale skin and long, straight dark hair, preferably black. So then, who does fit this role?

This is no one but the Ichinose girl who lived 500 years ago. In this panel taken from the Catastrophe at 16 manga, you can see how she has very long dark hair, and the way she gracefully holds the fan gives the idea of a sophisticated and feminine woman. Saito even calls her an “alluring girl”. Then it comes the idea of weakness and care for the family. The poor girl was one of the victims of Saitō’s plans and a victim of rape at the hands of the first Hīragi son as an act of jealousy because said girl chose his younger brother, the second Hīragi son. This girl in the end had the baby, who was accepted by the second Hīragi son, even if it wasn’t his son, and these three lived as a family after. However, they had to live a life of humiliation, being so powerless even to their last breath. Furthermore, the idea that the Yamamoto Nadeshiko name belongs to the Ichinose Clan in the OnS world, is that Mikado no Tsuki remained very traditional in comparison with Mikado no Oni, still living in a traditional Japanese mansion, wearing Japanese robes and being given a traditional education. The most obvious proof of this is how Sayuri, a member of Mikado no Tsuki, was raised by her family to fit these roles to serve Guren appropriately, as seen in the afterword that she appears in:

So in conclusion, Guren’s crest represents the Nadeshiko flower. Of course I could be wrong, and it could be either the Sun or a cherry blossom but I think it’s worth to mention this other option as I haven’t seen anyone else write about it. There is also the possibility that it doesn’t have to be only one flower. Saito was the one who planned the meeting between the Ichinose girl and the two Hīragi sons 500 years ago. 500 years later, the same Saito plans the meeting between the Ichinose son, Guren, and the Hīragi girl, Mahiru. Maybe the flower that represents the first meeting is the Nadeshiko flower and the second meeting is represented by the Sakura flower (cherry blossom). The Nadeshiko flower symbolised the kindness but futility of the Ichinoses in the past and so became their crest but maybe the Sakura flower, which also has connotations about fragility but at the same time represents time of renewal, may indicate that this time the Ichinose clan (or what remains of it) will be able to finally break their chains in this era.

I hope you liked my theory! :3 I swear I only began with researching only about Mitsuba, but then somehow I made a theory about the Sangūs, and then somehow I ended up with a theory about the Ichinoses, which lead me to the topic of Guren’s crest. What a chain of events😅

P.S. My GureShin heart is suffering right now guys🤧

[robinchan-hananomi]

One Piece 1023

I have a lot of thoughts here about the new chapter. There is a lot of things to unpack here!

So first, things I loved! I absolutely loved Zoro and Sanji’s dynamic in this chapter. Yes, the two were bickering a bit but honestly it felt like their comments were more to reassure each other than anything. Zoro immediately noticed that something was wrong with Sanji and Sanji responded honestly, that his body has felt funny ever since using the raid suit a second time. Zoro probes to see just how deep the concern is, asking if Sanji is going to slow him down, and Sanji’s answer seems to reassure him enough that he almost jokes, teasing Sanji about his eyebrows. One the flip side Sanji knows better than almost anyone just what kind of shape Zoro is in right now. They both look out for each other and they tease each other during the start of this fight, but it is mostly them being more like ‘look asshole, I know you’re trying to see what the extent of the damage is but I swear I am fine enough to knock this son of a bitch out��.

And make no mistake, Zoro and Sanji are probably going to have a lot of physical issues after this chapter. Sanji mentions that his body is feeling weird. This could be anything from the raid suit being intentionally designed to hurt Sanji to his body just not being able to cope with the strain the new technology is putting on him. The mink doctor also just reminded Chopper that while Zoro is up now, he won’t be for long and that he doesn't even want to imagine what kind of shape Zoro is going to be at the end of the fight. No matter how Wano shakes out, Zoro and Sanji are going to be hurting and will require some serious rest and TLC.

After Sanji and Zoro face off against King and Queen, we also get a small moment for the opponents to communicate. On Queen and Sanji’s side, Queen talks about how Judge experimented on his children and questions the validity of Sanji’s claim of being completely human since he can light his body on fire. Sanji admits he’s probably just that dramatic. On the other side Zoro notes King’s unorthodox fighting and when King points out there is no need to follow technique and method in combat, Zoro agrees and reminds King there really isn’t anything preventing Zoro from ripping out King’s throat with his teeth.

Now Zoro and Sanji are only able to fight King and Queen in peace due to Hyogoro and Kawamatsu’s efforts. Kawamatsu prevented a Beast Pirate from taking a shot at Zoro and Hyogoro explains that anyone who tries to help either side at this point would just be in the four combatants way. While they watch the fight, they comment about Zoro.

The thing is, Zoro has been connected to the Shimotsuki Clan from the start. Zoro’s hometown is Shimotsuki Village. In the SBS corner, Oda explained that the village was founded about 55 years ago by Shimotsuki Kozaburo, the man who forged Wado Ichimonji and Enma. Kozaburo’s son Koshiro ran the Isshin Dojo, which used the Shimotsuki Clan crest as it’s symbol and Zoro had worn that crest his entire childhood. Koshiro’s daughter Kuina was Zoro’s best friend and rival. Then Zoro met and fought Shimotsuki Ryuma, whose family name was again confirmed in the SBS corner. More on Ryuma in a minute. Ever since Zoro has entered Wano, he has been even more connected to the Shimotsuki Clan. The Clan had two Daimyo’s that we know of, Ushimaru and Yasuie. Zoro has spent a lot of time in Ringo, Ushimaru’s territory, and even combated with Ushimaru’s retainer Onimaru a few times now for Ryuma’s sword Shusui. On the other side Zoro befriended Yasuie and his daughter Toko. While all the strawhats were seen to be fond of Toko and quite a few met Yasuie, Zoro spent the majority of time with him.

Now as for Ryuma. Ever since the Monsters oneshot was tied to the One Piece Manga, fans had noticed the similarities between Zoro and Ryuma. The two look very alike in appearance and they had many similar mannerisms. They also have the connection of sharing a sword, Shusui, and both decapitated a dragon in the air. And now, apparently, Ryuma had lost an eye in his adventures and was known as a one eyed swordsman...which I mean his zombie did have a scar on his face that would have gone over his right eye along with bandages covering his right eye so it’s not really a surprise.

The two citizens of Wano comment that Ushimaru is a direct descendant of Ryuma and note that Zoro has a similar appearance and style of fighting to Ushimaru and by extension Ryuma. Now if this is because Zoro is somehow part of the Shimotsuki Clan (which I actually kind of hope not), or if it is just a coincidence about appearance and the other similarities are because Zoro trained at a dojo from the Shimotsuki Clan is still up in the air. Either way, I really do like the idea of developing Zoro more and I have been waiting for someone, anyone, in the manga to finally notice just how much Zoro seems to be connected to this family.

Anyway, back to the chapter! While Zoro and Sanji keep two of the three calamities busy, we see there is a LOT of other things going on. I’m not going to go in order of the rest of the chapter because I want to organize my thoughts a little.

So first, which is actually the last thing to happen, is Momo is now 28 years old. He has Shinobu turn him into an adult because he can only do so much as an eight year old. It is a fantastic way to follow the panels of the battle that came before it, because we see the samurai are willing to die to bring about an age where Kaido’s reign has ended and Momo’s time can start. They believe that Momo will bring Oden’s will and bring Wano to a wonderful future, they believe it so much that they are willing to die for it. Momo answers that belief by giving up twenty years of his life. Understand while twenty years have passed for everyone else, it hasn’t for Momo. Momo just had Shinobu mature his body by twenty years in order to get stronger, bigger, and be able to take a stand against Kaido. There is going to be a lot of issues in the future with having an eight year old in a twenty eight year old man’s body, but just like Zoro and quite possibly Sanji’s physical health; this is a bridge to cross when we get to it. After all everyone has to survive the battle and win before they can worry about what is next. So now as a much bigger and stronger dragon, Momo and Luffy can go face Kaido together.

On a side note with everyone talking about being ghosts and all, it’s kinda fitting that it is implied that Momo looks like Oden. Now we really will have people think they’re seeing ghosts.

We also have Inu and Neko fighting Jack and Big Mom’s son. These fights are not just about defeating Kaido either. There is an element of revenge to them both. As Inu sends Jack through a wall, he expresses recalls all the pain Jack brought to the people of Zou. Just like Neko talks about Pedro while fighting. And yet the two talk about how everything they lost, all that they suffered through, was all part of the road to get there, now, to bring Kaido and his Beast Pirates to an end. And the two are using their badass Sulong Form.

The last big note for this chapter is Marco’s memory of his discussion with Whitebeard. It is implied that King’s race are the Lunarian, and that King is the last one. They lived up on the Red Line in a long ago past. Marco recalls Whitebeard talking about how it was ‘God’s Land’ which is honestly giving me super Skypeia vibes. What exactly is this God’s Land?

Because we hadn’t talked too much of the Red Line, I for whatever reason, always imagined other people living up there. We knew the Celestial Dragons lived on the Red Line, but because it is like a long continent of linked together islands I just naturally assumed other races and beings lived up there. That doesn't appear to be the case. Which to be fair I am a fool for even thinking that because now that it’s put that way I realize a group so pompous and self important as the Celestial Dragons would never allow anyone so lowly as normal people to live so high in the world as they do. So they enjoy their life in the clouds while driving any peoples and race either off the Red Line or to extinction.

Marco brings up the old conversation to Izo, after the latter saves him for drifting off in a battle, and Izo says Marco sounds like Whitebeard when he was drunk. Whitebeard was part of the Rocks Pirates, the Pirate crew that shook the world to it’s core almost a whole generation before Roger even appeared. Whitebeard has seen some real shit. I wonder just what all Whitebeard knew about the world, and I wonder just how much he tried to impart on his children only for them to think he was drunkenly rambling?

Anyway, it was a fantastic chapter and I am so freaking excited to see where we go next!!!

[op-sheepy]

ok so I'm particularly interested in

Bellamy Law

Law and Bible stuff

Law is a substitute kindergarten teacher

shichibukai applications

reverse hanahaki disease (?? do u spit out flowers when your nemesis walks by?)

if you feel like elaborating on any of these!

This is gonna get long and I actually contemplated posting them separately but would that have been more work? Yeah, that felt like more work so for anyone interested, check under the cut. :D

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Bellamy Law

Hm… This would be an attempt to explore the parallels and contrasts between Bellamy and Law. I've always found it fascinating that the former was a foil to the latter.

They both come from well-off  towns in the North Blue.

Bellamy left because of boredom. Law had no choice because Flevance.

Both ended up seeking Doflamingo  because of  his notoriety as a pirate. Both admired him initially

Doffy favored one over the other though. Bellamy always sought his approval but was never really part of the inner circle Doflamingo cared about.

Law got the dubious privilege of being part of the family despite being absent for so long. Even offered one of the highest seats by Doffy's side for seemingly nothing.

Law had no trouble turning his back on Doffy once he realized the man's nature. Bellamy tried to stick to his principles until the end despite admitting that he new he was wrong.

Bellamy can (and did) quit piracy after his ordeal with Doflamingo. Having the option to live peacefully, perhaps a return to his previous life (the one he considered boring). Law can't do that quite as easily what with his Devil fruit and his reputation.

I thought it would be interesting trying to explore what Bellamy was thinking. Did he hear the Donquixote Pirates talk about their missing 'family'? Did he get to see Doffy be amused at Law's rise as a Supernova while he kept being reminded of his own status? Did Law save Bellamy partially because he also saw what he could have been had Corazon not saved him?

On principle, Bellamy should have hated Trafalgar Law. Does. Bastard even saved him without him wanting it. But there was something about the shadows haunting those eyes and Bellamy started to wonder.

He had heard the family talk about Law before. The child personally taught by Doflamingo, chosen to be his right hand. Never was he compared to the man because Law was just obviously better. Smarter. Stronger. Bellamy was ever just an uncouth thug.

He was allowed to 'borrow' Doflamingo's symbol while Law had an empty seat waiting for his return–a seat Bellamy had wanted enough to risk everything for.

Maybe he had resented, Trafalgar Law for carelessly rejecting the things he had that Bellamy had always desired. In the end too, Trafalgar Law did prove to be better. He'd done as a child what Bellamy had trouble doing even as he was now.

But having been given the chance to observe the other man as they all recovered, he wondered, perhaps for the first time, whether despite Law being better than Bellamy, Bellamy had had it better–barring the poor life choices.

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Law and Bible stuff

This is just me wanting to know how many biblical parallels and themes I can draw from Law, the Donquixote brothers, the characters associated with them, and his backstory. Honestly not sure whether this would become a fic and in what style or I'm gonna give up and just make it a post.

Not gonna elaborate on them much but here are the ideas in more bullet points (yay):

Law gets familiar with all four horsemen of the apocalypse: conquest, war, famine, and death. He even survives them.

Law is like the son in the parable of the prodigal son to the Donquixote pirates. Except the themes are inverted.

Doflamingo and Rocinante -> Cain and Abel

Ope Ope no Mi -> Granting eternal life by sacrificing one's own life

Gods descending or living among humans. Also, Homing and his family being prosecuted for other people's sins.

That scene where they were hanged by their arms outstretched looks like a crucifixion. Also, Rocinante was on the right while Doflamingo was on the left. Similar to how the penitent thief was on the right and the unrepentant one to the left.

Flevance being considered a paradise with walls/fences/gates and somewhere Law cannot return to.

In the panel where the Donquixote pirates are seated at the table, there were thirteen of them with Doffy at the center. Same as The Last Supper

There are a lot more of these (David and Goliath, Solomon, Jonah, Job, etc.) but I kinda lost the notes and some are more visual so I can't really explain it too well. This would is a drabble series to emphasize or highlight the parallels so no proper snippet for this one.

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Law is a substitute kindergarten teacher

Originally an idea to get around most of the Heart Pirates being nameless but evolved to include other characters as kids. Chopper is a kindergarten teacher and he convinces Law to take over his class for a week because somehow Law has the qualifications to and free time. Naturally, he wasn't able to say no.

Unfortunately, despite not being terrible at handling children, Chopper's class is filled with menaces. Also, despite not being terrible, Law can still be awkward so...

"Mr. Trofao–fargar—"

"Trafalgar."

The kid—which one was this one again? Shit, he should really get them name plates or something—scrunched up his face and tried harder, "Tar-pal—"

"Law. Just call me Law."

"Mr. Low"—eh, close enough—"can I go to the bathroom?" Wide imploring eyes stared up at him.

"Sure, go ahead." Law gestured towards the exit of the classroom with his head.

The kid just stared expectantly at him and he tried to suppress the need to narrow his eyes.

"Is there… anything else?"

"Mr. Chopper always comes with me to hold my hand."

Really?

"Mr. Chopper isn't here. You should practice doing it on your own now." He said after a deep inhale.

"But the monsters might get me…"

"No, they won't."

"You don't know that."

"I do." Before the kid could open his mouth again to argue, he added, "Besides, children taste terrible so you're safe."

The kid looked stricken and took a step back from him. Uh oh. Glistening eyes, wobbling lower lip… "Alright! I'll go with you." The kid did not look reassured. In fact he looked like going alone with Law was the last thing he wanted to do. Guess, he kinda implied that he ate children didn't he? Oops.

Well, the kid needs to go and he's not going to be cleaning up after him if he wets himself.

Law glanced at the rest of the children. It was Arts and Craft time and they seemed preoccupied enough. Still, Law doubted Chopper ever left these kids alone–already he could see some of them glancing up at him, waiting for him to leave no doubt to cause trouble. That Monkey kid in particular looked extremely suspicious.

He stood up from his crouch and clapped twice to get everyone's attention.

"Alright. Fall in line. Single file."

There was some grumbling and questioning directed at him. "What's going on?"

Law shrugged. "You're all going to the bathroom."

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Shichibukai Application Forms

Crackfic where the World Government and relevant parties review various Shichbukai Applications. Most submitted by the pirates applying themselves, some produced by their own staff. They discuss and debate. As well as judge pirate resumes.

She scanned the document. Terrible format, really. If you fail to impress within the first page, you've failed entirely. There just wasn't anyone promising enough in this batch of applications or any of the other ones before. The last one had been that clown. "Apprentice to the Pirate King," was a pretty hefty credential.

"Oh, how about this one? Three years experience pillaging, and they even listed all the towns they looted." One of the newly transferred administrative staff said.

"None of these are worth considering at all. You know, when Mihawk was asked to submit his application, he hadn't bothered with all of this. He just sent us a card with his name on it and the title "World's Strongest Swordsman," underneath."

The staff perked up. "Oh, there was an application like that." There was scramble and some shuffling before a plain white card was produced. "Here."

"'From Trafalgar Law'. What does this even mean?"

"Well, it did come with a big box..."

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Reverse Hanahaki Disease

(?? do u spit out flowers when your nemesis walks by?)

Haha. At first it was going to be that way (because it is hilarious) but the inflicted would probably choke to death too soon. Or if both enemies had it, they'd end up just coughing flowers at each other until they stopped being enemies.

The version I ended up going with was that this variant of Hanahaki, instead of afflicting those with unrequited love, affected those in denial instead. The reverse part comes from the original idea that this would usually happen if you somehow fell in love with your nemesis (someone you originally hated). So it's not the thought that the other person can't love you, it's that you can't accept that you love that other person. You get cured by confessing to the person sincerely.

This is actually another KidLaw (surprise!). And the flower coughed up directly represents the person they're in love with (I went with Oda's flower representation for them because I found it funny for plot)

So the idea is that, you get sick but you don't automatically know (maybe) who it is because that's part of being in denial. Kid and Law have many enemies after all. In this story they both get it though not exactly at the same time and not known to the other.

He survived Amber Lead Syndrome only to be killed off by a stupid flower disease that apparently knows more about his own feelings than he does.

He glared at the petals. Tulips. Red.

An image of a cocky grin and a shock of red hair flashed through his mind and—nope. That's not right.

He coughed harder, tears stinging his eyes with the effort. More flowers. Now he has enough for a bouquet.

Alright, he was a doctor. He could do this. Differential time.

First, which variant does he have. He doesn't particularly feel unloved or hopeless. There wasn't anyone he wanted in particular to love him. Ok, nothing. It was maybe safe to say he had that other variant.

Which was stupid because Law had many enemies and he hated all of them.

And cue the racking coughs. More red. He was very familiar with that particular shade.

New theory. This was a new variant that somehow makes you sick when you think of the person you hated the most.

Yes, that had to be it. He thought as he all but collapsed on the floor from the sudden paroxysm.

I knew this was gonna get long. :) Oh well...

Thank you for playing. :D

[sz-amare]

10. Creating Realistic Characters with Depth

For many people, characters are one of the most influential aspects of an anime. The same goes for me. There are many types of characters: the protagonist, the main cast, side characters, antagonists, villains, etc. Each contributes to the story in their own way. Making flat, bland, or boring characters can make them forgettable, and therefore, can cheapen the quality of the anime. It can also make it painfully difficult to continue watching the series. Here I will give several pointers on what I believe makes an excellent character and give examples from the One Piece-verse.

1.     Flaws

When it comes to creating characters, I have noticed a general rule to make them great and likable. The audience needs to relate to them. The way you do that is by giving your character flaws. When I say flaws, I don’t mean random negatives about their characters, like when a shōnen protagonist can’t solve a simple math problem to save their lives. I mean flaws that can make them feel weak, directly or indirectly.

When I look at Luffy, many flaws end up making him a better character. The most fascinating one to me is Luffy’s childish nature. He is an extremely idealistic kid who dreams more than anyone. He, at first, doesn’t care nor understand the consequences of his actions. Luffy is also kind-hearted and always pushes his principles before his dream. He tends to scream a lot and wears all of his emotions on his face. Luffy is also a terrible liar. If I described this type of personality to anyone, they would undoubtedly think of a child.

This childish behavior is one of Luffy’s characteristics that make him flawed. There are also several times when acting like a child, particularly not thinking of the consequences of his actions, cost him severely. We have the time Luffy almost attacked the Drum Island civilians after they shot Vivi in the arm, meaning Nami wouldn’t get a doctor for her illness. The time Luffy punched the Celestial Dragon, resulting in him almost losing all of his crewmates (although in this case, I think most people would have punched Charlos. He deserved it).

And the most recent one where he attacked Kaido after “killing” his crewmates, which he ended up losing the fight with a single blow and ended up in prison. Luffy makes dumb mistakes. It plays perfectly with his character, but he is ultimately flawed.

Now I personally don’t relate to Luffy in the way that he is childish (I am the maturest), but seeing Luffy suffer from the consequences of his flaws and understanding that Luffy isn’t perfect is enough to understand that he is a human with struggles, similar to myself.

 2.     Personality, Psychology, and Philosophy

I think personality, psychology, and philosophy (PPP) are some of the most significant ways of distinguishing characters and are the source of a particular character’s general fascination. Every person in the real world has their own unique PPP. When you are in the world of anime, not only is everything overly exaggerated, but it is also unrealistic in all sorts of ways. With these two weapons, you can explore all types of themes, topics, and ideas. So when creating characters in an anime, understand that there are no limits to unique characters. Two characters can be very similar, but there should always be something to contrast.

Not only is PPP used to contrast characters, but it can make them feel more realistic if you can manage to connect all three along with their overall character. Let us look back at Luffy. First, we have Luffy’s personality. Luffy constantly yells, loves to mess around and laughs, loves food, is very dumb, is a terrible liar, always shouts out his dreams, loves to imitate his friends, and is a kind-hearted person.

Closely related to his personality, his psychology is that of a child’s perspective. Finally, we have his philosophies. Luffy believes that everyone should chase their own dreams and freedom, no matter how difficult it is to get there. He also believes that dreams should be achieved with the help of close friends. Luffy also believes that everyone is equal, seeing no one below or above anyone else. Once again, these views and ideals are somewhat childish.

Now that we have all the three major pieces of Luffy, we can fully understand his character’s greatness. All three of his PPP are connected with his childish nature. This makes his character seem cohesive, consistent, and more realistic. All of Luffy’s traits align with his character. Everything about Luffy is connected in a way that would make sense, like a real human being.

 3.     Contrasting, Paralleling, and Mirroring

This is one of my favorite techniques in creating characters. You can contrast, parallel, and mirror (CPM) many things in the series: themes, the plot itself, certain philosophies/ideals, characters, the list goes on. This one applies more to side characters, antagonists, and villains than the protagonist, but it can happen.

Now let us think of the antagonists and villains in One Piece that relate to Luffy and his beliefs and somehow align with one of the rules of CPM. Let’s start with my favorite, Charlotte Katakuri. Katakuri is similar to Luffy in terms of his devil fruit. But Katakuri is far superior in every way: his devil fruit is better and awakened, his haki is better, and he has more experience. Here we can see that Katakuri parallels Luffy a bit, but he completely contrasts in his ideologies and motivation.

Next we have Donquixote Doflamingo. Doflamingo believes that he is the ultimate king. He truly believes he is better than everyone, classifying everyone into three basic categories: kings, humans, and lesser beings. But even in this classification, Doflamingo believes he is on top of the kings as well: he thinks he’s a god. Therefore he believes he has the right to toy with the world, as symbolized by him making puppet gestures and physically controlling people, especially because he was mistreated after Doflamingo and his family left Mariejois. Doflamingo’s beliefs all contradict Luffy’s. First off, Luffy believes everyone is equal, no one above and no one below. This contradicts Doflamingo’s god complex. Luffy also believes that everyone should chase their own freedom, which Doflamingo believes he has the right to take away.

We also have Black Beard or Marshal D. Teach. Black Beard mirrors Luffy in a lot of ways when considering their ideologies. Black Beard, like Luffy, believes in the power of dreams and ideals. When we first see Teach, we see him acting like a child, arguing with Luffy about the food and drinks, and Luffy does the same. I think this is Oda showing us that Black Beard is practically and precisely like Luffy. Both of their dreams are to become the Pirate King. The only difference is their approach. As I mentioned earlier, Luffy wants to achieve his dream with the bonds he made with his friends. He doesn’t care if his crewmates are useless or not; a friend is a friend in Luffy’s eyes. On the other hand, Black Beard wouldn’t mind using money to hire strong “allies.” He even hires some of the most dangerous prison inmates. Black Beard is also crueler and is willing to do whatever it takes to reach his goal. If you pay attention, you might notice that Black Beard became a Yonko in a flash, simply because he obtained one of the most powerful devil fruits out there. However, we always hear Luffy saying that there are no shortcuts to become the Pirate King. In one perspective, they look almost identical. When you shift that view, you realize how much they contrast from each other.

Finally, we have Akainu. Akainu is the exact opposite of Luffy. Luffy believes in absolute freedom, while Akainu believes in absolute justice and control. Akainu would kill his own when they showed fear or opposed what Akainu believed was “right.” There isn’t much to talk about Akainu, mainly because we haven’t seen much of him. But from what we have seen so far, it is clear that Akainu and Luffy are complete opposites.

All these different villains are excellent and make clear antagonistic forces against the protagonist simply by contrasting some of Luffy’s ideals. But remember, you can also use CPM with themes on other types of characters. Take one of the reoccurring or significant themes in your story and create a character that uses CPM on that theme.

 4.     Connecting Character Ideas to the Story

This is something I love to do when creating my characters. Basically, I grab an interesting theme or an aspect in a character I want to explore and find a way to connect it to my story. There are many cases when I think of a fascinating character, but it wouldn’t make sense if I randomly added them to my story. So I just connect an event that could likely happen in my story to the reason why my character is the way she is.

One time, I was listening to a song, and the interpretation I got out of it was fascinating to me. It had something to do with abuse, insanity, and OCD. I really wanted to add a character that explored the ideas of abuse, insanity, and OCD to my story, and luckily for me, it was pretty easy to add it into my story.

Now my character (let’s call her Miku for now) doesn’t seem out of place because I connected her character into the story by creating a backstory that was plausible in the world I had created. She suddenly became one of my favorite characters I had created.

5.     Consistency

I think one of the most essential things in a lot of characters is that they remain consistent. Of course, you can pull a 180 and make an Eren Yeager, but if you don’t want to change your character that drastically, make sure they are consistent.

 Once you have created your character, make sure you fully understand their flaws and PPP and make sure whatever type of significant actions they take, it perfectly fits their character.

There were many times in the past when I was able to accurately predict Luffy’s actions and words. I thought I was some sort of genius at first, but I realized soon after that many others could do the same. It was when Luffy rejected his grand fleet where Luffy’s consistency became clear. After fully understanding that Luffy wants to become the Pirate King, simply because he wants to chase the ultimate freedom, why would he accept the grand fleet?

He doesn’t want to become anyone important, and he wants everyone there to chase their own freedom. This is consistent with Luffy’s philosophy of freedom and his childish psychology.

In conclusion

Following any of these principles can help to add intrigue and quality to your character. A regular human is complex and deep, no matter who they are. By following these suggestions, you can create characters with the complexity and depth of real human beings. Make your characters like Pinocchio. Make them strive to be a real boy or girl.

[supernovaken]

Why Kid is Luffy’s Only Rival

Been thinking about this one for a while now. Eustass ‘Captain’ Kid, one of the main players of the worst generation and top dog of the ‘Victoria Punk’ pirate ship. Calling Kid the top dog seems extremely redundant but when your nickname is ‘Captain’ what the heck is a blog to do.

His introduction to the story is as a brash, easily triggered and quick tempered super rookie designed as a direct rival to our very own Straw-Hat Luffy. Kid and the other Supernova Captains were slipped into the story as equals to our rubbery protagonist with their entry and journey through the first half of the Grand Line being described as the catalyst to ushering in the next generations of Pirates.

Reading the manga however, that high admiration for Kid has been somewhat shit on quelled. Nothing against Kid but there is no one, absolutely no one that can compare to The Future King of the Pirates.

So what is it about Kid that’s so good, what separates him from the other (less spectacular) supernova. And I really am including Law in that list of unimpressive pirates - I mean sad backstories are everything in One Piece but Trafalgar Law is just as ineffective in the world as the other members of the supernova. His feats and accolades are great to read about but in the grand scheme of things he’s very meh. A post time skip inclusion to the Straw Hats dynamic with all the underwhelming presence of Princess Vivi.

But this is a Kid fan post so the less said about Law the better, maybe i’ll give him his very own post next.

Let’s talk about Eustass ‘Captain’ Kid

We seem to know both a lot and nothing at all about this reckless member of the worst generation. His brash and battle scarred appearance, his vicious personality as a pirate contrast with his unshakable love for his crew comparable to Roger himself. (They both get very triggered if someone were to speak badly about their crews).

Beyond his pending backstory (which will no doubt be sad as all heck, invoking all of the feels), one of the more compelling unknowns around Kid is his introductory bounty when we met him at the Sabaody Archipelago. The contentious figure of 315,000,000 Berri had us questioning how he managed to outdo the protagonist we had been following since the East Blue.

The quick and easy answer - he caused a huge number of civilian casualties along the way

BORING!! #SnoozeAlert.

The long answer - and some might say more fun. Figuring out where this number for his bounty came from, what kind of feats and activities could he possibly have done on his journey to the Grand Lines half way point. Comparing Luffy’s journey and coming up with theories on what Kid could have done similarly is our best bet and should make understanding why Kid is the indisputable mirror and number one rival to our favourite Monkey boy pirate. (Discounting Blackbeard of course)

So how do we do that lol...

Not the easiest job to take on considering we have no idea how bounties are decided in the One Piece world, we can only speculate based on the small details we do know and track back against the Straw Hats who we have seen in action, receiving their very own dead or alive posters. I’ll be going through mostly everything we know up to the story’s half-way point pre-timeskip, unless something relevant crops up from the New World, but from my take it gets a lot more difficult to make assumptions after that point.

Where to begin? The beginning of course…

It's amazing how often Oda has to remind us bounty values are not a reflection of a pirates strength but a reflection of their threat level at the time of issue. And this distinction becomes extremely important in trying to figure out what Kid did. What threatening actions could he have done, when would he have done it and who precisely is he a threat to.

“On the Blue Sea below, there are a class of people called "pirates"... they are criminals who sail the seas in search of plunder. These people fly a black flag with a skull atop their ship's mast. ”— Gan Fall

The moment a person raises that black flag marked with a skull and crossbones as their symbol, they are immediately declaring themselves to be enemies of the state. Outlaws that choose to ignore the rules of the land, instead living out at sea and taking from the land what they want. Pirates!!

By becoming a pirate you are officially waging war on the government - The World Government (WG) and by extension its sea based military unit - The Marines. Clearly this is the ‘who’ when the question of threatening behaviour is raised. As simple as it sounds, it really does tell us quite a bit when inferring the actions and reasoning behind Kids bounty.

Kid has done something that has directly threatened the WG

But what about that old, boring line on ‘causing civilian casualties’... How much weight does that truly hold in determining your threat level.

I’d like to argue that in the world of One Piece, this sort of action, in actuality, holds little to no meaning. From Buggy destroying Orange Town, Krieg bombarding a Baratie filled with civilian customers and Arlongs ten year stint of villainy in Kokoyashi, the East Blue Saga is littered with examples of high civilian casualties yet we see no consequence come of it in the form of newly raised bounty figures. The obvious conclusion would be that attacking civilians is not enough to get a bounty figure raised and if raised it won’t be by much, this does also pose new questions. Is it enough to get a new bounty issued? And does the lack of Marine presence affect the disclosure of a pirate's actions? In the first two cases the Marines weren’t even around, hard to believe those actions wouldn’t have been reported to them though, and in the last case the only Marine directly involved was unsympathetically corrupt to the bone.

Now I can’t ignore the involvement of a certain Monkey D Luffy in these incidents. His defeat of the pirates meant that although they were still on the run from the Marines (barring Arlong), they were now a non factor as a more noteworthy individual has somehow come out of nowhere and defeated 3 of the most prominent East Blue Captains and crews (4 but Kuro was dead to them). This collective feat is what earned Luffy the top East Blue bounty of 30M Berri.

Expanding a little on the importance of Marine presence. At each point Luffy’s bounty is increased it has been the direct result of him acting against a representative of the Government - publicly.

First bounty of 30M Berri issued after the defeat of Arlong. It was the action against Marine Captain Nezumi of the 16th Branch in the East Blue which prompted him to personally request a bounty for the Captain of the pirate crew that defeated and humiliated him. Luffy’s feats before this may have been used as justification for the value, but no wanted poster would exist without this Marine present.

Second bounty of 100M Berri issued after the defeat of Ōka Shichibukai Sir Crocodile. Public awareness of Crocodile's defeat was inevitable due to his instigation of a coup against the established monarchy of a member nation of the World Government - The Nefertari Family. Although in the media Luffy’s involvement was suppressed, the WG couldn’t ignore the unprecedented issue they now had at his hands with a Warlords defeat and arrest. So Luffy’s threat level automatically went up, more than tripling.

Third bounty of 300M Berri issued after the infiltration, destruction and escape of the WG judiciary island Enies Lobby. Directly opposing the WG and causing multiple casualties amongst the marines and world government officials (not as significant as civilians?), declaring war on the WG by burning the flag that represents the entity, defeating one of their greatest assets, Rob Lucci and the CP9 as well as being the scapegoat for the annihilation of the island under the unstoppable force of the Buster Call and escaping with the Devils Child Nico Robin in the midst of it.

We mustn’t forget that afterwards Luffy defeated Ōka Shichibukai Geko Moria on the isolated island-ship of Thriller Bark. The only WG presence was through Kuma’s arrival allowing for a full suppression of the incident, Moria keeping his position with Kuma given orders to take the head of the Straw-Hat Captain. He then infiltrated two more Government facilities, causing the greatest unprecedented breakout in history with multiple pirates in tow at Impel Down, and greatly impacting the Paramount War fought at Marine HQ while facilitating the release and potential escape of Portgas D Ace and the Whitebeard Pirates. The culmination of this led to his final pre-timeskip bounty increase to 400M Berri.

At this point there are three things that stand out when it comes to Luffy’s high value bounty increases:

A direct and public action must be taken against the Marines and WG

The large scale of some the incidents have proven too difficult to fully suppress

Strangely casualties amongst government officials hold less weight than civilian casualties.

So how does this apply to Kid. How can we use this to decipher the actions and merits behind his introductory bounty.

Well, I believe that to reach the bounty level of 315M Berri Kid must have accomplished feats near to equal that of Monkey D Luffy. How can that be when all of Luffy’s feats are first in their nature, unprecedented events. My argument though is that if we apply the nearest reasonable equivalent, could we get more of an understanding of Kids exploits.

What can be equivalent to the defeat of one, if not two, Ōka Shichibukai. What compares to the breach of a Marine and Government inhabited island. Direct, public, sizable, irrepressible and includes civilians....

The long awaited, highly drawn out conclusion - A Marine Base

Specifically a large Marine Base located in the GrandLine Paradise and under the command of a Vice Admiral, littered with the presence of marine officials and their civilian families.

Vice Admirals no doubt must be seen as equals in strength, intimidation (via rank) and authority level amongst the everyday civilians as each of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. The admiration Crocodile received from the people of Alabasta in thanks to his title cannot be compared to the much less acknowledged presence of, Captain at the time, Smoker when he was on the island. The reactive fear most pirates display at the sheer mention of a Warlord being in the area emulates that of a Vice Admiral beyond any reaction a lower ranked official may create.

*Potential Spoiler if not caught up with Episode 957 of the Anime*

Upon the abolishment of the Warlord system we are shown multiple warships on approach to each of the Shichibukai, assumedly all led by at least one Vice Admiral ranked Marine officer based on the presence of Vice Admiral Stainless addressing Buggy The Clown. It’s clear from this scene along with the ones depicting Boa Hancock and Dracule Mihawk, that the Marines acknowledge how formidable the Warlords are and how much of their own military might is required to apprehend each. Although we don’t yet know the outcome we can infer the comparability between the Ōka Shichibukai and the Vice Admirals of the Marines.

Kid definitely proved his capability and threat level by, at the very least, bringing down one of the GrandLine Marine Bases on his chosen route towards Sabaody Archipelago. And I can tell you for free that he is the only member of the Supernova (outside of Luffy) that is capable of doing this. Oda has shown us that not one of the other Supernovas compare in a level of reckless behaviour to Luffy with each of them finding a way to survive and slowly build up their presence in the New World. Law directly requested to become a Shichibukai to aid freer movement, Capone submitted(even though temporarily) to becoming a subordinate of the Big Mom Pirates, the others we know attempting to form alliances for a more promising chance to survive against the Emperors. Only Luffy and Kid have shown enough will to directly oppose all powers that threatened them no matter how overwhelming the odds seemed.

So that's it, a very long winded theory haphazardly put together as to how Eustass Kid achieved a comparable and slightly higher bounty of 315M Berri to our Luffy’s 300M at the time, and strongest reasoning for why Kid is Luffy’s only rival.

Who knows, may one day attempt to put some fanfiction together around this theory, potentially using G4 since we know the least about it and it must exist in the canon storyline.

[readerinsertfanfiction]

The Bae’st of All

Fandom: Ikemen Sengoku

Character: Kyubae the bae’st bae of all aka Kyubei

Prompt: Seeing how Kyubei is named after an alias that the real Mitsuhide Akechi used (Juubei) the chances of fans getting a Kyubei route from Cybird are slim. However, it is simply impossible not to fall for this man. He is too good. So here have my attempt at writing a route. 

A/N: Blame @silhouette-of-a-dream​ for the title and the fact that this is happening at all. I have a brain the size of a walnut. 

--- Also, let me know which answer you pick! Yes, I’m ambitious (or maybe dumb?) enough to insist on having a romantic and a dramatic route. The only thing you aren’t getting is smut, but those aren’t attainable anyway without paying. 🤪🤪🤪

Chapters: 

1.1 

To skip the introductions, I’m a fashion designer from the 21st century that somehow got stuck in the Sengoku era and earned the graces of Nobunaga Oda, the great unifier of Japan.

Needless to say, my life has been thrown upside down since saving Nobunaga. My week that started like a dream suddenly turned into an endless nightmare.

(Today, I’m escaping.)

In the days leading I had carefully weaved myself into the routines of the servants, asking for little odd jobs to help out in the castle. It helped relieve my boredom, but more importantly, it helped me look for an escape route, carefully observing the patterns of the guards surrounding the castle. It all resulted into a great plan that I had concocted, confident that I would be able to escape this place.

(Bingo!)

Just as I had expected the guards were on their lunch break, leaving the gate that led outside unguarded. How lucky I must be! Feeling all of my hard work paying off I quickly rushed my way over. It was closed, but not locked, meaning that I could open it with just enough willpower. Pressing myself against the heavy door, hoping that my weight would be enough to make it butch, I thus set out to work.

(Just a little bit, just a bit! I only need the gate to be slightly ajar, enough for me to slip through, oh heavens, please hear me!)

As I prayed for my success I felt my legs slip away underneath me in the sandy road, the doors of the gate still firmly locked.

(Should I have weighed myself before setting out to this plan?)

Bracing myself I firmly planted my feet down, pushing hard once more as I could feel the sweat form on my back, the sun relentless in its mockery as well as the gate stayed locked.

“Do you need some help, miss?”

A deep voice suddenly popped up near me, causing me to jump away with a squeal.

“Forgive me, I didn’t mean to startle you, but you looked like you needed help.”

A friendly-looking man spoke to me, his lips curled up in a cat-like grin as his stark blue eyes eyed me in amusement. He wasn’t dressed like one of the Oda guards, though his dark clothes weren’t bold enough either to be one of the lords.

“You’re not forgiven.” 

“And you are?”

“This isn’t what it looks like!”

“You seem to have trouble with the gate.” 

The mysterious fellow calmly spoke to me, though his tone was nowhere near as mocking as I expected it to be. 

“You could use the door here to the side? It is much easier.”

Pointing at a small hidden door nearby the man let go of another gentle smile at me, a pale finger laying against his curled lips, as if telling me something I shouldn’t know.

(Of course, the servant passages! Why had I not thought of them?)

Feeling silly I could feel a blush creeping on my face, a pout forming on my lips as I eyed the man who had so kindly pointed out my embarrassing mistake.

“Are you mocking me?” 

Squinting my eyes at the fellow I reluctantly question him. He hadn’t told me who he was, but from his eyes I could tell that the man knew who I was.

“My apologies if I come across as mocking, I was merely trying to help.” 

The stranger bowed to me in response, before raising again as he flashed me another kind smile. 

“You were trying so hard after all, and today is a warm day.” 

He was right, I was all sweaty from my earlier extertion, the bangs of my hair clinging to my forehead as I was sure that my back was wet as well.

(I must look like such a mess in front of this man!)

Feeling embarrassment flaring up I quickly tried to wipe myself, earning a mirthful laugh from the stranger who produced a napkin for me.

“Here, use this, no need to stain your clothes” 

He offers before his expression turns more stern, eyes flitting over to the empty corridors.

“Now, I suggest that you make haste, or else the guards will return from their lunch before you have the chance to breathe.” 

Offering me a hand as he pushes open the door through which he had come earlier.

(Am I really just going along with this?)

I still had no clue on who this man was, but I felt like I could trust him. Eagerly I reached out, taking his hand as the two of us fled the castle, running towards my freedom.

(I can’t believe I’m outside!)

With the Azuchi gates now just merely part of the horizon I rushed into the streets of the town, breathing in the air of freedom as my saviour let go of my hand.

“Thank you, er…?”

Realising that I never got the name of my helper I stare at my helper, wondering who exactly this man was.

He smiles mysteriously at me, only motioning for me to come further as he leads me deeper into town.

“We should get further away from the castle.” 

He tells me before taking the lead, his dark ponytail swaying along his back. Then, as if sensing my hesitation to follow him further he turns around. 

“Though, know that I don’t have any ill intentions with you, my lady.” 

The sudden formal address startled me, as I eyed the stranger suspiciously. He didn’t look like he was part of the castle, but he was strangely familiar with it nonetheless. What was he hiding, and why was he helping me?

Sensing my reluctance the male flashes that kind smile of his again, his eyes beckoning me to trust him as he offers his hand.

“I will explain everything when we arrive.” 

He promises me and I find that I’m inclined to believe the man, for his gentle smile and kind eyes are genuine and his hand pleasantly warm.

Weaving through the crowd of Azuchi he takes me down into calmer streets, passing by gates on which the emblem of a bellflower can be seen. A symbol that I vaguely recognise, though I have trouble remembering where I have seen this before.

The manor is spacious, though minimalistic in its decorations. Unlike the Azuchi castle I couldn’t discern the personality of this place, a cold and unsettling feeling rising up in my stomach as I wonder who this man was that had so kindly helped me. 

(Had I misread his gentle smile?)

Stopping in front of a door my helper lowers himself on his knees bowing as his head reached for the floor.

“Lord Mitsuhide.” 

At the mere mention of that treacherous name I feel a cold shiver go down my spine as I remember the bellflower insignia from before.

As the door slides open a man dressed in pale colours steps out, his white hair contrasting that of the vassal who had led me here.

“Ah, Kyubei, I see that you have returned with a little lady.” 

Mitsuhide smiles wickedly as I stand frozen where I stand, dread washing over me.

[atopearth]

Nightshade Part 1 - Ishikawa Goemon Route

I'm superrrr excited to play Nightshade! I've always been so curious about it so yayyy! Enju looks so cool and cute too. Toriumi Kousuke voices Chojiro? Okay, I love him already, and it seems like he's a big brother figure too, I love those🥲🥲 I have a soft spot for overprotective bodyguard types like Gekkamaru too though, he's so loyal! Maybe to the point of it being detrimental to the both of them though, since when Enju trains, he protects her lol, and he doesn't go out on a lot of missions because he wants to protect her. I guess the good thing about it is that this is of his own free will. I guess it's interesting that Enju is the symbol of peace between the Iga clan (that was mostly decimated by Oda Nobunaga) and the Koga clan (who was the Iga's rivals and ended up taking in the remnants of the Iga clan) due to being the daughter of the Koga clan master and the late Iga clan master's sister. Ohh Chojiro is Momochi Tanba's (late Iga clan master) son! I wonder how he feels.. Wow, Kando (Enju's father) looks so fierce and cool. I guess Gekkamaru protecting Enju isn't completelyyyy his free will, considering it was what Enju's deceased mother asked of him and he's kept his promise to this day. Awww Chojiro recommended Enju to come along for the mission! Exciting! I can't imagine having to go on a mission for 8 years, I wonder if Enju and them will even recognise Kuroyuki. I can't believe Kuroyuki was sent on the mission when he was 8 years old! That's just crazy.. Aww Kasumi is so cuteee, her crying at everyone leaving on a mission was so sweet. Lmao at Chojiro telling Enju and them that the mission will always come before their lives and Gekkamaru completely dismisses it later by saying it doesn't matter to him since Enju will always be his top priority.

Kuroyuki definitely seems like he has a lot of baggage with him, but I guess that's to be expected when he was dumped on a mission at such a young age, and if he's coming back alone, that means for all these years, he must have been really lonely. He never got the support of others like Enju and them did. For some reason, I really like Kyara's voice, I should check the VAs. Okay, omg no wonder why lol, I loveee Hayami Saori~ WHOA, I'm in for a ride, Tsuda Kenjiro voices Hanzo? I'm looking forward to that. Oh nooo, Midorikawa Hikaru voices Goemon?? I don't like Goemon's looks, but I guess I'll love his voice regardless😂 Right now, he kinda reminds me of Tamahome from Fushigi Yuugi lol. Even though Enju's naive, I really did like how she took back the girl's money bag from the thief and gave it back to her naturally. I'm kinda interested in "Goro" (Goemon), he looks sleazy (lol) but he seems to be quite mature? Oh, their mission is to find the next place Goemon will rob? I know Goemon is a "good" person because he only robs officials who are corrupt and don't treat the citizens properly, but that's about all I know haha. I guess it's understandable why Ishida Mitsunari needs to capture him if Tokugawa Ieyasu and other council guys are coming, it would be pretty embarrassing and shameful to not be able to catch a single notorious thief, and it doesn't help that Toyotomi Hideyoshi is getting older and the council elders have considerable influence. Btw, lmao at Kyara trying to cook with her weapon😂

Wow, Ieyasu is beautiful~ I love his looks🥺 I didn't realise that guy was Hattori Hanzo until I heard his voice a bit more though hahaha. Anyway, yeah, Enju throwing a shuriken to save Ieyasu (when he used himself as bait) was definitely reckless and silly as a shinobi, but I can't really dislike her for it, because she's not someone who can just ignore that. Considering that Hanzo is the strongest/top Iga ninja, and is tasked with protecting Ieyasu, is he a part of Koga now or is he independent? Honestly, I always took Kuroyuki as a flighty guy so when he stood up for Enju (when Hanzo called her a burden if they were to take her along to kill the guys after Ieyasu) against Hanzo, I was a bit touched. Ieyasu is really kind to think about the shinobi who died protecting him from the assassin, it is pretty saddening tbh. Enju catching Goemon was pretty cool, I think he really let his guard down and didn't want to hurt her though. I knew Hideyoshi was going to die and Enju would be accused as the killer, but it's kinda sad since Hideyoshi seemed genuinely happy and impressed with her. Anyway, considering how important Hideyoshi is, I'm surprised they even let him be alone with Enju with no guards at all?? Or any ninjas to protect him or anything?? I like the idea of Goemon "stealing" her away, so she's not escaping and causing more trouble for the Koga clan, but I wonder what will happen to the clan... I mean, Ishida's missions were what kept the clan going so... Anyway, I forgot that Goemon was an Iga ninja, that's certainly interesting, and he left before the Iga clan was basically destroyed so hm~

Aww Enju and Goemon traveling together, pretending to be husband and wife and holding hands is so cute~ I love how Goemon speaks his mind and tells her she's cute, because Enju is definitely super cuteee. Lmaoo when the innkeeper thought they were siblings. How heartbreaking to hear that Enju's father disowned her... It's probably what he needed to do to protect the rest of Koga, but yeah that would hurt. At least Gekkamaru is adhering to what he said before and is ready to discard everything to protect Enju. I agree with Goemon and his choice to leave the village though. I mean, it's respectable and crazy how dedicated and loyal shinobi are to their mission and to their villages, but shinobi literally live for all that and nothing else. It's admirable, but it's also such a saddening way to live? Especially since so many of them die so frequently for their missions. I'm personally glad Gekkamaru is doing this for Enju. I guess in a sense this journey is a blessing in disguise (as long as no one dies) because it will help Enju think about how she wants to live. She's always been stuck in her village "protected" by everyone just because she's the symbol of peace, so rather than appreciating her for who she is, people only look at her as a symbol that needs to exist, yet Enju feels like she needs to "repay" them for treating her so kindly when they basically imprison her in the village and bind her to it in a sense to make themselves feel better. Not saying they're not nice people but the whole ninja village thing isn't really great when it comes to anything about freedom and choice, so it's nice for Enju to now see things with a different perspective. It was cute how they both said to each other they would be a good wife/husband. As for Mokichi, I was suspicious when he insisted on going to the festival alone with Enju, but I do feel bad for her. I know Enju is very careless, too naive and kind for her own good, but I honestly wish to see her continue to see the world in a nice way because it's saddening otherwise I guess. I'm surprised Gekkamaru didn't follow them at all though, like it's still dangerous!!

I was wondering what Kuroyuki was doing this whole time considering he's just like his brother Gekkamaru in terms of how much he wants to protect Enju, but it seems like he was trying to look for her too! Oh.. Goemon wasn't even born into Iga, he was sold there and used as disposable pawns when needed and trained harshly to the point that if he couldn't take it, they would just dump him. Honestly, Goemon hasn't really made my heart flutter much haha, but when he got angry and asked Enju whether she wanted to live or die (when she thought maybe she should stop running so she wouldn't trouble the others anymore), and then when he told her that he would stay beside her until the end, I couldn't help but feel touched. He's not optimistic enough to think that they will definitely survive, but he's not willing to give up, and is willing to do whatever he can to stay alive alongside her and I think that's sweet. Goemon patting her head as she enjoyed the soothing view of cherry blossoms was nice. Enju has really gone through a lot these days so I'm glad Goemon is always trying to help her relax a bit. Whaaat?! Goemon was the Fuma leader?? Oh...Goemon escaped from Iga when he was 8 and somehow or another ended up at Fuma.. I guess Goemon hates killing because of the amount of people he's killed before, and knowing how "easy" it can be with the ninjutsu he learnt as the Fuma leader... It's nice how comfortable they've gotten with each other that they can even sleep side by side together now lol.

I honestly don't really trust Mitsunari, and really don't know if this "goodbye" with her friends will really be for the good. I mean, even on the off chance Mitsunari has good intentions, other people in the castle don't. Anyway, I really liked how forward Enju was in wanting Goemon to stroke her head, and he even kissed her on the forehead~ Goemon is a flirt but he's always so polite and careful with Enju, it's kinda cute. Honestly, the last bit with Goemon pretending to kill Chojiro and them etc was pretty... meh? Like, it was obvious what was going to happen, especially with the gold and him giving it to people lol. I guess something nice and interesting was that Enju will continue to hide from the public eye since she's supposed to be dead, so she'll be traveling with Goemon from now on. Kinda cute how Goemon is more open with his affections. The bad ending was quite nice, I liked how it was Enju who gave up on living because of everything that happened, and because of that, Goemon ended up using the ninjutsu he hated so much to kill the Elders for causing all this to happen, and forcing an innocent girl to lose the will to live and basically sacrifice herself.

Overall, while I do like Goemon's personality, I find his route very lacklustre. I think the biggest problem with Goemon's route is that it's very focused on Enju and her escape from the Elders and how Goemon helps her with that, supports her and that's how they end up bonding by both encouraging her and understanding the desire to live for oneself rather than romance. There were cute moments that I enjoyed between the two, but I don't feel like I learnt much about Goemon as a thief or even as the Fuma leader. They talk about his past and why he hates it all, but it doesn't expand on it which can be okay, but the story doesn't expand on the current him as Goemon either. All we ever learn about him is the superficial stuff like he's a good thief with a crappy past, and that he's a flirt lol. I just feel like since it was his route, I wanted to learn more about him, because other than his desire to live without being tied down to stuff like villages and stuff, and hoping that people like Enju wouldn't have to sacrifice their lives for stuff like that, I'm not sure anything much happened. Like, I wanted to see more of the ramifications of how it was for a shinobi clan to lose their master, how Goemon's "betrayal" towards the Fuma went etc. So yeah, kinda disappointing. The bonus scenarios and stuff were nice though, especially when they chatted about little Chojiro back in the day being cute hahaha.