Do you seriously think Rob Lucci can join the Straw Hats? I will advise you to re-read Enies Lobby
There are 3 possible candidates on Egghead: Lucci is – at the moment the most reasonable choice plot-wise:
Rob Lucci
What is currently speaking for him:
- Main focus of the arc lies on him
- Was reintroduced to us throughout various arcs of the story. Focusing on him in the manga – even if it were just some minor panels - means he is going to be important during one arc (Egghead)
- Though he is considered weaker than Luffy, he was not taken out immediately by him but had “plot armor”. Meaning, he will have an important role to play on Egghead (He is not going to be the main antagonist, in my opinion.)
- He has a connection to the good side (Straw hat's side) - through Shaka (Their body language, way of speaking and thinking is exactly the same. Even though both share the same way of thinking, Lucci is considered `bad´, while Shaka is considered `good´. I really would like to know what you think here.)
- Is acting questionable considering his character (endangering their mission through his fight with Luffy)
- Is defying orders/set rules of the WG
- Oda considered giving him a back story back in Enies Lobby, but refrained from it, because he wanted the story to move on – Alone the thought of it tells us, he was ready to invest in the character.
(- Who’s-Who could in my opinion also be a hint. He was bragging to be as talented as Lucci and again laid the next connection to the character. Not only that, but the way his whole character is portrayed: He has eaten the cat-cat-fruit, is a former assassin of CP9. Doesn’t this sound familiar? And to top it he was fighting Jinbe of all people, the newest crew member of the Straw-hats. But I am as of now very careful with that hint.)
- Possible Position on the Sunny: treasurer (he is a broker) or strategist
What is currently speaking against him:
- He is on the side of the WG (Though, he is not fully following set rules and even endangeres his mission.)
Jewelry Bonney
What is currently speaking for her:
- Main focus of the arc lies on her
- Was reintroduced to us throughout various arcs of the story. Focusing on her in the manga – even if it were just some minor panels - means she is going to be important during one arc (Egghead)
- The first hint, that Vegapunk is starting to open up about here father has dropped last chapter
What is currently speaking against her:
- Possible position on the Sunny: ? (Do you have any ideas? - maybe I am missing something that could give her a role here.)
- The plot on her side was not progressing up until now – she is still stuck in her wish to kill Vegapunk or force him to help her – we need to see more development here - especially on an emotional level. (If Oda will evolve the story and gives it more backing, then I could see it differently - there is possibly still room for that in this arc. And Oda has hinted that Vegapunk had a reason for making Kuma what he is today. I'm hyped for why that was.)
Vegapunk (Stellar)
What is currently speaking for him:
- Main focus of the arc lies on him
- He has right away asked if he could sail with Luffy on his ship. And Luffy accepted.
What is currently speaking against him:
- His brash and interpersonal narrow sight leads to him barely being able to realize what his actions can entail for other people. (Immediately asks the person at the other end of the Den-Den mushi for help, without considering that that person could become another fugitive – and that only because he wanted help; He also pursues his dream to connect the people through their thoughts, even downplayed Jinbe’s concern that this could lead to conflict.)
- He has a questionable moral (First he pressures Sentomaru into helping him and then blames Sentomaru’s loyalty for Rob Lucci beating him unconscious. Sure, he is sorry that it happened, but he doesn’t see himself being responsible.).
- Possible position on the Sunny: Inventor (That’s Frankie’s position - and Usopp's to a degree.)
- I am not sure, if he even can fight.
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In fact, I am starting to really like the idea of an antagonist becoming the last nakama in the Sraw hat crew
Akainu’s words were telling, that everything will now become more complicated than before. This rises the question: Was it complicated in the first place?
