- The Ace flashback is one of my favorite of the whole series fam. Watching him defend Luffy's dream had me in my feelings. Also, just how much alike Luffy and Ace were at the same age is nice to see. Ace was such a dope and advanced character by the time we met him, but he went through a lot to get there just like Luffy..."A piece of paper" reminded me...
- Another bit about that convo, I think it puts to bed any chance that Luffy and the Strawhats don't win somehow, some way. Luffy's going to make the emperor's bow fam...
- And finally, I think a lot of people have heard theories that Luffy will die with a smile on his face to close the series. I think the Ace wanting to share sake with Luffy and Roger kinda reminds me of that theory (he doesn't realize who Yamato means of course)
- That shared sake also definitely reps the passing on of the Will imo...
- Last...Yamato not actually declaring Luffy pirate king herself is interesting to me. I think that's being saved for when Yamato joins the crew
- And also...that image of the square off is absolute flames. I need to see it in color.
- Last set of thoughts, the seven not being ready to die because they can't face Oden defeated by Kaido so badly is cool to me. I wonder if they'll all die after getting to witness Kaido's defeat...or is this a case where we saw death flags but Oda is letting characters survive again. It wouldn't be the first time.
- And this isn't anything foreshadowed in the chapter, just another thought based on Oda never killing anybody. I wonder if Kaido having the fish-fish fruit gives him an out to let Luffy beat Kaido without killing him since he's basically immortal anyway. Kaido at the bottom of the sea but alive in a defeat foreshadowed by the way Zunsha beat Jack (Elephant Gun knocks the unbeatable antagonist into the ocean).