#“We'll have to use the birdcage...Isn't that right... Law...?”

[wobubling]

AUGHH I HATE DOFLAMINGO I HATE HOW HE TALKS TO LAW

[l-in-the-light]

I never shared this before online besides to my friend (who thinks I need to touch some grass), but... there is one more hint towards the possiblity that Rosinante might still be alive.

We know that devil fruits don't seem to have "universal" set of rules. To nullify Moria's powers it wasn't enough to knock him unconscious (unlike in case of Sugar) and it's even said that the only way to nullify shadow shadow fruit's effects is when Moria cancels it out of his own free will. We still aren't sure what exactly caused Doffy's birdcage to disappear - Doflamingo was kicked unconscious for a tiny moment in the battle but it didn't do anything, yet by the end of it it suddenly worked. All of this is of course easy counter to what I'm supposed to share here, but please disregard it for a moment so I can entertain you:

We don't really see many devil users dying so it's like impossible to confirm if this could be an universal rule or not, but let's assume it is. If the devil fruit's user dies, the effects of their powers don't disappear and the next user can't do shit about it to reverse the effect. Whatever Boa turns to stone, remains stone forever if she dies. That would explain why Big Mom's homies are still alive when Big Mom herself is presumed death. But then we have this glaring plothole/inconsistency:

If we consider Boa is right, it makes no sense that Corazon's fruit's spell would dissolve on it's own upon his death. In fact, it should mean that Law remains unable to make any sound for the rest of his life!

I know One Piece Red isn't considered strictly canon, Uta and her devil fruit are: Oda designed them, we can see even his detailed notes he sent to the producers for the movie. And let's look at the conversation about how exactly they can nullify Uta's powers in the movie:

Barto: So we'll be alright if Uta gets tired and falls asleep (so we can all return to reality)?

Blueno: Not possible, because she's eating wake-wake shrooms, she can't fall asleep.

Koby: It won't be long till Uta runs out of strength and dies in real world.

Law: We will be released from her fruit's power when she dies, right?

Blueno: No, the opposite. If Uta dies, we will be stuck in this cut-off from reality world. And all of us will be stuck in here forever.

They made an extra time to explain to us the same thing Boa told us: if devil fruit's user dies, anyone affected by their powers stays affected forever. That's already two in-universe examples when this rule is true. Once is chance, twice is coincidence, third time's a pattern.

And now do you remember Vegapunk's devil fruit? Vegapunk's body itself died, but his brain is still functioning. We might soon get a third confirmation of this rule turning out to be true.

And if that happens, what does it mean for Corazon? Did he lie to us and is actually still alive?

"The most ridiculous thing about you is the only part that's true!!" said Law, because Corazon always lies. He lied about being mute, he lied that he's isn't a Navy guy, he lied that his clumsiness is just an act, and there are many other examples of lies he told. Now confront that with what Sengoku says about Rosinante:

"He was as honest and upright a person as I ever knew... but there was one time, just once in his life, that he lied to me"

This contradiction is crazy. Sengoku knew Rosinante for like two decades and he claims Rosinante lied to him only once? Law spent only like two years with Cora-san and he told us more lies than we can probably count in that time!

All I'm saying is this is fishy and sus af. And if we believe One Piece Red and Law believing that df user's death nullifies the powers, it means Law has no idea. Sengoku has no idea.

You can call me crazy, but there is definitely something left unexplained here at the very least, or a plothole, or a freaking heartbreaking twist coming and the mere thought of the latter terrifies me, because it's not really set up as a positive at all imo.

Just what the heck is going on??

People get really mad about this, but WHAT IF Corazon is alive?

I know I can really sound delusional after so many time (saw someone saying that if he did were alive, he would reappear in Dressrosa, but I think it would b too on top of the loop. Not Oda style). But WHAT IF!

There is a plothole for him to come back, we all know that. One piece characters don't die so easily. And when Doffy shoot him, what if he shoot the right spots so he brother doesn't die? Just like in One Piece Academy?

(probably failed not sounding delusional but)

So if there's a really tiny chance he's alive somewhere, with little memories maybe, wouldn't be a fun last challenge to Law?

Fight ur not so dead dad and get the One piece?

I think a heart wrenching aspect of Cora's 'uncertain' passing is that Law might've subconsciously waited for Cora during his stay at Swallow. Maybe 'silence' was dispelled because Cora san passed out? Maybe he survived gunshots like the countless wounds he survived before, and he was right about Doffy not having it in him to kill his brother? I've loved this comic for exploring this idea.

What if Cora is alive, though? I can indulge you a bit so people will think twice before calling you out next time 😎

Here's one in courtesy of Japanese YouTuber kayokky-ch. Back in chapter 49 during Baratie arc, the cooks described a customer like this, and it was never addressed afterwards :

Aren't these some wicked coincidences? Red eyes, wine addiction, bursting in flames - all points click.

Add Oda's tendency to keep people alive. Theories write themselves.

We have seen Whitebeard and Ace's fruit re-emerged, but Cora's is yet to return. Oda has a knack to work with old bits of information he spread around, especially with Saul's comfirmed survival, you can speculate other possibilities.

At least, the possibility isn't at 0%, so if Oda wakes up one day and decides Cora's incredible popularity deserves some attention... it'll be controversial but not a complete retcon.

A definitive proof in favor of Cora's death was the mariner's report and the image they attached to it. At least, Sengoku was supposed to know.

Unless you have a case where Cora was clinically dead for some time and then returned to life, and now Sengoku is keeping his survival a secret.

The theory above speculates that he might be "The man marked by flame", and that's why Law was particularly focused on when this mysterious person was brought up. I'm not sure what sort of agenda Cora would have if he returns. What's your theory behind Rosi possibly confronting Law, anon?

Personally, I've come in terms with the fact that Cora has died. Although, It's a shame that Law never got to return his "love you." Since Oda was somewhat involved with One Piece Odyssey, I like to imagine that Law's words to Cora here are checked by Oda himself. I thought they were very sweet.

Thanks for the ask!