Chapter 11: Zoro let his guard down but he redeemed himself with his complete and utter badassery by stating his guts can pop out if they want to as he carries the cage. And way to go on the cannon. Great team they make! The key is gone too. Did our mikan loving, pirate hating thief make off with it? Looks like Buggy and his crew have done more searching to do. They’re super pissed. Luffy finding a way to magically push his enemy’s buttons is a lovely pattern being established.
Chapter 12: Of course Zoro passes out from blood loss and says all he needs is sleep, not a doctor. And yes, Nami really did steal the key. Poor Luffy has no luck though since the dog ate it right away. Yet again he insults the bad guy by saying exactly what he (and everyone else) was thinking. They’re making a huge deal out of being a common thief versus being a Pirate. Perhaps it’s the ideology that goes with the two that makes a difference? Or is it like Luffy said, the willingness to put your life on the line? Mohji seems to ignore that which doesn’t suit him and Richie freed Luffy but this cliffhanger doesn’t bode well for our canine friend. We’re left thinking “oh no, Luffy is so far away and the lion wants the dog’s treasure—what will happen?”
Chapter 13: Luffy suddenly deciding on his goal only after a bunch of things have occurred and he realizes that there are favorable circumstances to be had. Then stopping on his way to check on Zoro because he hears the dog in distress and feels a kinship over the treasure. This is setting the tone for future adventures. Something I noticed that I never saw before in the anime pre-timeskip but could’ve just been me missing things was that when he punched Mohji to the ground, the muscles in his bicep were actually visibly bulging. Normally j just see noodle rubber arms on him. So this was a change for sure. Nami was so ready to destroy Luffy along with every other pirate around when he showed up at the pet store. He ignored her words and is like fight me if you think you can take me. Then does what he came there to do. Looks like Nami had to seriously reconsider her definition of Pirate there.
Chapter 14: So Mohji tries to warn them of Luffy’s abilities and fails. Our little dog friend shows up battered and bruised making the villagers worry (but think that the chief gave him that food). These are all very interesting points leading up to... what exactly? And why is Luffy encouraging this old village chief right now? Sounds like he’s talking about fighting but I’ll keep reading to see. Nami looks rightfully concerned about the testosterone poisoning forthcoming. Then again, Luffy wouldn’t be Luffy otherwise. Oof—the timing on that Buggy Ball though! Just as he was getting riled up, bam!! Dash all your hopes—crush your houses and your crew member as well. But, it’s Zoro—let the legends of badassery be established—he survived with merely a comment about how he didn’t appreciate the wake up call. Meanwhile the chief is livid and practically apoplectic—ready to fight. And so, inspired by his verve, the three become united in a common cause! Yes! (Tears? What tears?) Zoro: more important than the injury to my body is the injury to my name because of my performance in my last fight. OMG yes.
Chapter 15: So Buggy’s definition of treasure is half right. The part of a sense of pride in it, anyways. The bit about jewels, gold etc is his take on it. And ugh, that sneer—man can he look vicious for all that he’s a clown. He’s definitely a malicious bastard, lest we forget that he’s fueled by ill intent, looking at his face in a moment like that, filled with utter disdain as he sends off a part of himself to choke out the village leader would make sure we’re clear on that point. So the moment that Luffy steps in to save Boodle, Buggy twitches/tenses up when he sees the mugiwara on his head. He recognizes it! Like we all assumed that it was recognition from seeing Luffy in the cage earlier... but he knows where he got it from. And... immediately incapacitating your allies to keep them safe/out of the way. Harsh but a good tactic. Zoro agreed 100% of course. Buggy is even shocked until he’s too busy being livid at the red nosed comments. He may seem stupid but that was super smart thinking on his part to whittle down their numbers. Though Nami appears a little worse for wear from the shock. Again, his abilities and their use taking out his allies is a theme that will continue going forward. ^_^
Chapter 16: So they show their dirty ways by using their own crew as shields and engaging in infighting. At least Mohji cares about Richie, that’s something. Maybe animal lovers are better than regular people? But he still went after the poor dog’s treasure—probably because he didn’t like him. And he got punished for not revealing what he did try his hardest to tell them but they weren’t listening. Then he got pushed aside by everyone. So... a real sword fight? Or is it? Hot damn. Zoro’s response to Cabaji’s cheap tricks was fantastic—take away their leverage and go beyond. Is there any wonder that the Zoro fan bois exist? Even Nami is astounded. Luffy goes from stoically watching to excited. Nice ending! Definitely keeps the reader wanting more.
Chapter 17: Nami is like I can’t watch all this bloodshed so I’m going to use you as a distraction to go get the money I need. Meet me if you do your part, okay? Luffy, utterly confident, agrees with no problems whatsoever because he’s trusting. Meanwhile Zoro is bleeding out and fighting. I feel like this sets the stage for a lot of their future. Luffy didn’t interfere but he wouldn’t allow anyone else to interfere either. He’s got standards and is sticking to them. I’m tired of being the opponent of someone with such pitiful sword skills. Ha! Zoro calls himself a Pirate then tells his captain he’s taking a nap, trusting him to take over. I love that Luffy is like yup we’re pirates, I’m going to be Pirate King. Stop yapping and let’s do this. Buggy says the hat reminds him of a red haired guy he knew and Luffy perks up.
Chapter 18: Holy shit. Luffy called someone else an idiot. That would’ve been super hilarious. I mean it was but then the rest of the chapter happened and we got to see him super pissed off for the first time. Buggy being cruel because he thought he could get away with it backfired on him. The stakes of a fight between two devil fruit users is shown in how destructive it is and how everyone else should steer clear but more than that, we see that beneath the carefree nature, Luffy has the ability to rage—deep, wide and pure. He’s dangerous and perhaps to be feared. We’ve learned a little more about Shanks as well. Where could he have trained with this black-hearted clown? Did that punch take Buggy out?
Chapter 19: Nope. He’s clearly alive and vents about what happened between him and Shanks.... ohh who is that handsome devil bonking them on the head for fighting? Leave it to Luffy to get to the heart of the matter—Shanks saved your life? Buggy—no not that part. The part where my plans had to be delayed for ten years. I mean, Buggy you were being a conniving, traitorous little shit. So... he saved you from sedition basically and made an honest pirate out of you. You should be grateful. But instead, you’re still a treasure focused fiend and will kill anyone who touches it. Noted. Cut to Nami—uh oh. I do love the way they end these chapters. And Shanks is shown to have different values, he’s soft, huh? I wonder what this “other stuff” is to which he’s referring... probably some of the things that he comes to convey to Luffy later in life.
Chapter 20: Oh yeah he definitely went after Nami. That logic though on her part. Fascinating. I liked the teamwork between her and Luffy as well as the creativity in the fighting. Seeing Buggy get reduced to a ludicrous chibi then blasted away was quite satisfying.
Look forward to seeing your thoughts!
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