Given that Nami took out the Big Three in an instant, does that make her the most powerful Straw Hat?
Summary:
At Ryuuguu Palace, Jinbe and King Neptune have a private chat. It was Jinbe's idea to serve under Big Mom so that Fishman Island could get protection after Whitebeard's death, but now Jinbe is considering severing ties with Big Mom and joining the Straw Hats. Later, the Minister of the Right informs Neptune that one of the treasures recovered by the Straw Hats is rigged with explosives so King Neptune should ask for it back. Unfortunately, Luffy's group returns to the palace and Luffy reveals that he had challenged Big Mom over the phone and given all of the treasure to Big Mom's henchmen. Jinbe and King Neptune both get headaches wondering what to do, while Nami beats up Luffy, Zoro and Sanji for giving away all of the treasure. Meanwhile back in town, Caribou wakes up and tries to take back the treasure from Pekoms and Tamago, but Pekoms (who has a higher bounty than Caribou) sends Caribou flying with a punch.
On the sea near the Red Line, the G-5 Marines are busy dealing with all the pirates have been freed from Hody by the Straw Hats. Tashigi, now a captain, has to do most of the work by herself since her male underlings are too busy checking her out/trying to grope her. Meanwhile, Vice Admiral Smoker is interrogating some captured pirates, but Smoker already knows that the Straw Hats were responsible for freeing the pirates.
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Haha, looks like Big Mom and her group are about to get an explosive surprise courtesy of Luffy and company. Since Luffy already declared war against Big Mom and Big Mom agreed to overlook the lack of candy, the explosive treasure will probably be credited to Luffy as well instead of to Fishman Island. Luffy may have ticked off Big Mom, but it looks like the Straw Hats' first challenge after Fishman Island will be the rowdy G-5 Marines led by Smoker. Smoker was a foe that Luffy wasn't able to solve in their previous confrontations. Luffy is obviously more powerful than before, but Smoker probably has better control of his Logia ability as well. Should be interesting if the two get into a fight again. As for Tashigi, she probably has to worry more about all the rowdy Marines under her command than any pirates.
It looks like Caribou is still in the story, but at this point he is too weak to challenge any major forces in the New World. I guess Caribou will be relegated to comedic relief and become a less funny and more psychotic version of Buggy.
Tashigi is stronger but should not be nowhere near Zoro.
ReplyDeleteWe never saw how much of a beating Smoker can take so I can´t tell if Luffy is strong enough for him (they probably are equals but I can buy if Luffy is stronger).
m a bit sad since its almost certain that jinbei will the last member of the crew i was hopping for it to be a girl ~_~
ReplyDelete@Daniel
ReplyDeleteYeah, I don't think Tashigi can match up with Zoro.
@Anonymous
I don't think we are going to get gender equality in pirate crews. At least the Straw Hats have two attractive females on their crew.
@ Daniel: Yes. Tashigi is stronger and this improvement in combat is accelerating. Being a captain is right below commodore (Vice Adm. Smoker's previous rank) and by itself says a lot, but in reaching it she skipped several ranks.
ReplyDeleteAlso, she is serving alongside an ambitious, quickly improving, and formidable (in mind and body) Vice Adm. Smoker, so her keeping up by becoming captain may says a lot about the growth being encouraged not only by her ambition but by working alongside such a man who instructs and directs her but nonetheless trusts in her judgment and potential, allowing her to develop into a creative and strong-willed marine.
Going back to the captain rank saying a lot, captains are known for their strength. As an example, during his confrontation with Zorro during the Buster Call at Enies Lobby prison, Shu managed to dissolve one of Zorro's swords using his ability, and was about to immobilize his opponent before being sniped by Ussopp (disguised as Sogeking).
The new rank sticks out to me more when it comes to Tashigi since she is not an ability user and we have not even seen any haki from her. I would not be surprised if she has become conscious of haki by now.
Addendum: Should have made it clear I agree and believe it is obvious Tashigi is not even close in ability. It would not make sense for her to be. But I think the author is hinting enough at a level of growth to imply that she realistically has the potential to become rival relatively soon.
ReplyDeleteIn other words, the reveal after the time skip shows she is serious about pursuing Zorro and catching up to him so that he perceives her as an actual threat in a match.
ReplyDeleteYou know I never thought about Caribou being the new Buggy. I thought it was odd that everyone was kicking his ass, but that didn't seem like the appropriate connection at first. I guess is makes sense, now that I think about it.
ReplyDelete