2011-02-02, 01:04 | Link #1 |
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One Piece - Chapter 613 [manga]
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The merman isle saga continues! Once again we have the bluebeard to thank for translating the moonspeak: -Chapter title is "Mermaid Princess in the Hardshell Tower". The splash page is the beginning of a new ministory (JOY )! It looks like this one will involve Oda showing us the activities taking place around the post-skip world, as we first see one of those newspaper delivery birds with a paper that headlines the return of the Straw-Hats (it also mentions the Wapometal from Wapol's ministory, interestingly)....... -We're introduced to the top dog of the Flying Pirates crew: Captain Van der Decken IX (Japanese bullhead shark merman) and his crewman, the giant Wadatsumi (giant puffer tiger merman). Decken says that he threatened the princess with the phrase "MARRIAGE OR DIE", the meaning of which should be pretty obvious. He then throws an axe with a picture of roses drawn on it, which seems to be the captain's twisted idea of a present...... -Back at Ryuuguu palace, Luffy attempts to calm down Shirahoshi. It's at that moment when Decken's axe bursts into the room, which Luffy catches. Some guards arrive, and the princess hides Luffy behind her. The guards decide to imprison the rest of the Straw-Hats, though only Zoro was caught so far. When the guards leave, Shirahoshi talks to Luffy about Van der Decken. He had a "curse" placed on him called "mato mato" (target), which makes any object he attacks his targets with never miss their mark. Naturally, the princess is one such target, which is why she's unable to leave the tower. She invites Luffy to dinner, and says she's been locked in the tower for a decade. The rookie suggests the princess should take a walk with him, and assures her that he'll take care of any weapons flying her way. -At another part of the palace, the other Straw-Hats are resisting the guards. Neptune himself reluctantly joins the fray, but his attack is blocked by...... Zoro! Meanwhile, at the town of Noah, it's revealed that Decken and Hody Jones have formed an alliance in order to assassinate Neptune and destroy the kingdom. Decken puts on some gloves, then shakes hands with the other captain to seal the deal...... Heh, looks like my prediction of both enemy crews joining forces came true after all! And Luffy that pimp, asking out the princess on a date! However, I kinda wouldn't be surprised if Shira ends up getting swiped by Caribou next..... And we're finally introduced to Decken! I still sorta think that he's a half-merman, and it's pretty clear that he has a DF power (the first of his kind to possess one!). Man, I can't wait to see what sort of havoc him and Hody will wreak upon the island..... But the highlight of the chapter for me is the ministory, I must admit. I was really hoping this is the long-awaited Foxy story, but a post-skip world tour sounds pretty sweet as well (and maybe Foxy will still make an appearance in it, who knows.....?). Oh, how I can't wait for this chapter already! |
2011-02-02, 01:11 | Link #4 |
Okuyasu the Bird
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Alberta, Canada
Age: 32
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A mini-story! It sure has been a while, and it'll be great to see a lot of old faces again.
So Van Der Decken IS a Merman with a devil fruit power? That's new. Looks like the Strawhats are in hot water now, but they should get out of this predicament just fine. Shirahoshi sounds like she's in more of a Rapunzel situation.~
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2011-02-02, 01:14 | Link #5 | |
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Apparently, he "marks" his target by touching them, which is why he wore gloves when he shook Jones' hand. BTW, Decken's power makes me really hopeful that he'll be Usopp's opponent. |
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2011-02-02, 01:34 | Link #6 | ||
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: East Cupcake
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That being said, it would be funny if Usopp was the one to get a Princess to fall for him ... That's actually what I was also thinking of, and Baron Omatsuri was one of Luffy's greatest movie foes (until the most recent film at least). This is also one of the reasons why I think Decken could be a very powerful opponent... |
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2011-02-02, 01:55 | Link #8 |
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Join Date: Dec 2005
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Actually, Decken's power reminded me more of that one dude from Yuu Yuu Hakusho (I forgot his name, but he was one of Sensui's goons). But the difference is that guy had a more limited range to his power compared to Decken. But yeah, I guess he would be more of a match for Luffy if he ends up "sniping" him with something as huge as a truck, wouldn't he? Still, I guess we just gotta wait to see how Decken's powers will be built up, as was already stated (though he admittedly DOES have a pretty broken power)......
Oh, and according to the summary, Decken doesn't wear a straw-hat, but rather something like a cowboy hat. So unless the enemy captain switches hats mid-arc, it looks like the prophecy really WAS referring to just Luffy after all...... Ah, okay. But still, that seems the most likely mechanic behind his power, nonetheless...... |
2011-02-02, 02:21 | Link #9 | |
One PUNCH!
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Join Date: Dec 2005
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I'm thinking along the line of that's why he's wearing gloves: if he touches someone else, his "aim" will transfer to that "person" and he'll lose the princess. Of course, this can change depending on what the translation is... |
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2011-02-02, 08:02 | Link #11 | |
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Bridgeport, CT
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Yeah I think that Van der Decken IX could have eaten a devil fruit, i mean the name of his curse is called "mato mato." that is pretty much a dead give away! but in reference to him being underwater, i think that he must either be full or half merman. Being a merman, a sea creature, eating a devil fruit would have the opposite effect that are normal for devil fruit users. instead of not being able to swim, he might not be able to walk on land again. In addition, there could be proof to this because of the legend briefly mentioned when he was introduced.
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Last edited by james0246; 2011-02-02 at 09:10. Reason: double post... |
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2011-02-02, 10:33 | Link #14 |
Cool as a Cucumber
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Holland
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Man, what an awesome chapter. Favorite bits were the meeting between Arlong and Vander Decken (Who, I have to admit, seems more of a badass and might have more influence on this arc then I intially thought), and Luffy being a complete ass to the princess.
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2011-02-02, 11:12 | Link #17 |
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I like how with all this (SH's, the kingdom faction, Decken, Hodi, possibly Big Mom's representative might make an appearance in the end .. maybe Jimbei, but that's a stretch - probably they'll meet him later) there's still Caribou lurking around .. he's a logia, so not to be taken lightly (for all we know Luffy is the only one with armor-haki on the island)
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2011-02-02, 11:18 | Link #18 |
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Nice chapter and nice buildup, it has only been a few chapters since Fishman island was introduced and now it has builded up for a great battle.
Usopp was particulary badass in this chapter, I really like how things are going, its probly going to be a civil war and I think Fishman island will take quite heavy damage before SH's can quell down Hodi and Van der Decken. |
2011-02-02, 11:19 | Link #19 |
Okuyasu the Bird
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Alberta, Canada
Age: 32
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Luffy does have a point though. Shirahoshi's gigantic so it seems strange that she can't stand up for herself just a tiny bit. Her socializing skills are probably lacking too from being shut-up in a tower for 10 years too so that might've made her a little over-sensitive.
But yeah, Luffy obviously doesn't like to be bothered when eating. Van Der Decken doesn't look anything like I imagined. I expected someone way older than that. The "Black Kabuto" eh? Hope we get to see some new techniques next chapter.
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