A few things:
- Oda is still on track to make 1000 this year. Since no break next week, we are getting 994 then. This means he can take a break after 994, do 995-997, take another break, and do 998-1000 all by holidays this year. We have 10 more weeks and 8 more chapters (including this week; 993) before Jump goes on its 2 week break.
- Oda is slowly going to set up all of the matchups before he ends Act 3. I think Carrot looking for Perospero, Franky meeting Sasaki, Usopp/Nami distracting P1/Ulti and Yamato potentially running into Black Maria are solid points to that.
- Whatever Izo is surprised by, its a big deal. Either a new character or Kaido showing his hybrid.